Connector and connector assembly method

Abstract

[Objective] The objective is to make the internal housings normally usable and to allow flexible management of specification changes. [Solution] In a connector C of the present invention, the assembly spaces 31 of an external horizontal network housing and the assembly spaces 51 of the external vertical network housing have the same size and shape. A peripheral wall 35 forming the assembly space 31 of the external horizontal network housing has a horizontal network lock receiving portion, and a peripheral wall 55 forming the assembly space 51 of the external vertical network housing has a vertical network lock receiving portion. An internal housing 40 includes both a horizontal network lock portion to be locked onto the horizontal network lock receiving portion and a vertical network lock portion to be locked onto the vertical network lock receiving portion.A horizontal network enclosure is configured by inserting the internal enclosure 40 into the assembly space 31 of the external horizontal network enclosure and locking the horizontal network lock portion onto the horizontal network lock receiving portion, and a vertical network enclosure is configured by inserting the internal enclosure 40 into the assembly space of the external vertical network enclosure and locking the vertical network lock portion onto the vertical network lock receiving portion. [Selected figure] FIG. 6.

Description

Title of the invention: Connector and connector assembly method Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a method of assembling a connector. Background to the invention

[0002] A connector disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-272239 (Patent Literature 1 below) is known as a connector provided with a plurality of sub-connectors and a holder for housing these sub-connectors. The holder is in the form of a laterally long rectangular frame and includes a plurality of assembly spaces arranged horizontally side by side. The respective sub-connectors are inserted into these assembly spaces from the rear. A holder locking portion is formed on a bottom wall of the assembly space. Furthermore, a sub-connector locking portion is formed to project downward on the front end of the bottom surface of the sub-connector.If the sub-connector is mounted in the assembly space, the sub-connector locking portion is locked to the support locking portion from the front, whereby the sub-connector is held while being prevented from coming out to the rear. Patent literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-272239 Summary of the invention Technical problem

[0004] In the above connector, the plurality of sub-connectors are arranged in a horizontal direction. If an attempt is made to change the specifications so that the plurality of sub-connectors are normally used and arranged in a vertical direction, the vertical intervals between the assembly spaces increase due to the support locking portions and the support is enlarged in a vertical direction because the support locking portions are formed on the bottom walls. As just described, it is difficult to normally use the sub-connectors as is and to change the specifications, and the connector must be designed and manufactured again from scratch, so that specification changes cannot be flexibly handled. Solution to the problem

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a connector having a horizontal array outer housing, a plurality of assembly spaces being arranged and disposed in a horizontal direction, a vertical array outer housing, a plurality of assembly spaces being arranged and disposed in a horizontal direction, and an inner housing to be inserted into the assembly space, the assembly spaces of the horizontal array outer housing and the assembly spaces of the vertical array outer housing having the same size and shape, a peripheral wall constituting the assembly space of the horizontal array outer housing being provided with a horizontal array lock receiving portion, a peripheral wall constituting the assembly space of the vertical array outer housing being provided with a vertical array lock receiving portion,the inner housing comprising both a horizontal array lock portion to be locked to the horizontal array lock receiving portion and a vertical array lock portion to be locked to the vertical array lock receiving portion, and a horizontal array housing being configured by inserting the inner housing into the assembly space of the horizontal array outer housing and locking the horizontal array lock portion to the horizontal array lock receiving portion, a vertical array housing being configured by inserting the inner housing into the assembly space of the vertical array outer housing and locking the vertical array lock portion to the vertical array lock receiving portion. Effect of the invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, the internal housings can be normally used and specification changes can be flexibly handled. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig.l

[0007] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a first male connector, seen obliquely from the front, Fig.2

[0008] [Fig.2] is a front view of the first male connector, Fig.3

[0009] [Fig.3] is a rear view of the first male connector, Fig.4

[0010] [Fig.4] is a perspective view showing a state in which an inner case is assembled into a first outer case from the rear, viewed obliquely from the front, Fig.5

[0011] [Fig.5] is a perspective view showing the state in which the inner case is assembled into the first outer case from the rear, viewed obliquely from the rear, Fig.6

[0012] [Fig.6] is a section along AA of [Fig.2], Fig.7

[0013] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a second male connector, seen obliquely from the front, Fig.8

[0014] [Fig.8] is a front view of the second male connector, Fig.9

[0015] [Fig.9] is a rear view of the second male connector, Fig. 10

[0016] [Fig.10] is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner case is assembled into a second outer case from the rear, viewed obliquely from the front, Fig.ll

[0017] [Fig.1 1] is a perspective view showing the state in which the inner case is assembled into the second outer case from the rear, viewed obliquely from the rear, and Fig.12

[0018] [Fig.12] is a section along BB of [Fig.8]. Methods of implementation

[0019] Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are listed and described.

[0021] [1] The connector of the present disclosure is provided with an external network housing horizontal, a plurality of assembly spaces being arranged and disposed in a horizontal direction, a vertically arrayed outer housing, a plurality of assembly spaces being arranged and disposed in a vertical direction, and an inner housing to be inserted into the assembly space, the assembly spaces of the horizontally arrayed outer housing and the assembly spaces of the vertically arrayed outer housing having the same size and shape, a peripheral wall constituting the assembly space of the horizontally arrayed outer housing being provided with a horizontal array lock receiving portion, a peripheral wall constituting the assembly space of the vertically arrayed outer housing being provided with a vertical array lock receiving portion,the inner housing comprising both a horizontal array lock portion to be locked to the horizontal array lock receiving portion and a vertical array lock portion to be locked to the vertical array lock receiving portion, and a horizontal array housing being configured by inserting the inner housing into the assembly space of the outer horizontal array housing and locking the horizontal array lock portion to the horizontal array lock receiving portion, a vertical array housing being configured by inserting, the inner housing into the assembly space of the vertical array outer housing and locking the vertical array lock portion onto the vertical array lock receiving portion.

[0022] In the case of applying the connector as a connector including the horizontal array outer housing, the inner housing is inserted into the assembly space of the horizontal array outer housing and the horizontal array lock portion is locked to the horizontal array lock receiving portion. On the other hand, in the case of applying the connector as a connector including the vertical array outer housing, the inner housing is inserted into the assembly space of the vertical array outer housing and the vertical array lock portion is locked to the vertical array lock receiving portion. By doing this, the inner housing can be normally used for the horizontal array housing and the vertical array housing and specification changes can be flexibly handled.

[0023] [2] Preferably, in [1] described above, the peripheral wall constituting the space assembly is open toward the front and formed with a tapered front surface inclined rearwardly toward the inside of the peripheral wall on a front end portion of the peripheral wall, and the inner housing is open toward the front and formed with a tapered rear surface inclined rearwardly toward the inside of the inner housing on a front end portion of the inner housing and behind the tapered front surface.

[0024] When connecting a mating connector to the connector, the mating connector may be guided within the peripheral wall by the tapered front surface and the tapered rear surface.

[0025] [3] Preferably, in [1] or [2] described above, the assembly space is a space enclosed by a bottom surface, a ceiling surface facing the bottom surface and a pair of side surfaces coupling the bottom surface and the ceiling surface, the horizontal array lock receiving portion is formed on at least one of the bottom surface and the ceiling surface in the horizontal array outer housing and the vertical array lock receiving portion is formed on at least one of the pair of side surfaces in the vertical array outer housing, and the inner housing comprises a bottom wall, an upper wall facing the bottom wall and a pair of side walls coupling the bottom wall and the upper wall, the horizontal array lock portion is formed at a position corresponding to the horizontal array lock receiving portion, out of the bottom wall and the upper wall,and the vertical network lock portion is formed at a position corresponding to the vertical network lock receiving portion, out of the pair of side walls.

[0026] Since the lock receiving portion of the horizontal array is formed on at least one of the bottom surface and the ceiling surface, enlargement of the horizontal array outer casing in the horizontal direction can be avoided. Furthermore, since the vertical array lock receiving portion is formed on at least one of the pair of side surfaces, enlargement of the vertical array outer casing in the vertical direction can be avoided.

[0027] [4] Preferably, in [3] described above, the inner housing comprises a portion a front tube open to the front, a rear tube part open to the rear and a coupling part coupling the front tube part and the rear tube part in a front-rear direction, and the bottom wall, the top wall and the pair of side walls are configured as a single wall common to the front tube part and the rear tube part, and the horizontal network lock part and the vertical network lock part are formed on the rear tube part.

[0028] Since each lock portion is formed on the rear tube portion, which is an existing structure, the size of the inner housing can be reduced compared to the case where each lock portion is formed on a member other than the front and rear tube portions.

[0029] [5] A connector assembly method of the present disclosure is a An assembly method for a connector having a horizontally arrayed outer housing, a plurality of assembly spaces being arranged and disposed in a horizontal direction, a vertically arrayed outer housing, a plurality of assembly spaces being arranged and disposed in a vertical direction, and an inner housing to be inserted into the assembly space, the assembly spaces of the horizontally arrayed outer housing and the assembly spaces of the vertically arrayed outer housing having the same size and shape, a peripheral wall constituting the assembly space of the horizontally arrayed outer housing being provided with a horizontal array lock receiving portion, a peripheral wall constituting the assembly space of the vertically arrayed outer housing being provided with a vertical array lock receiving portion,the inner housing comprising both a horizontal array lock portion to be locked to the horizontal array lock receiving portion and a vertical array lock portion to be locked to the vertical array lock receiving portion, the inner housing being selectively mountable either in the assembly space of the outer horizontal array housing or in the assembly space of the outer vertical array housing, and at least two inner housings of different types being provided, the inner housing of one type being replaceable with the inner housing of another type, the replacement inner housing being mountable in the assembly space.

[0030] Since the inner housing can be selectively mounted in either the assembly space of the horizontal array outer housing or the assembly space of the vertical array outer housing, either of the outer housings can be selected in accordance with the connector specifications. Furthermore, since the inner housing of one type can be replaced with the inner housing of the other type and the replacement inner housing can be mounted in the assembly space, the inner housing can be freely changed in accordance with the connector specifications.

[0031] Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure

[0032] Specific examples of a connector and a connector assembly method of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience of description, some components may be shown in an exaggerated or simplified manner in each drawing. Furthermore, a dimensional ratio of each part may be different in each figure. Furthermore, "parallel", "perpendicular" and "orthogonal" herein mean not only strictly parallel, perpendicular and orthogonal, but also substantially parallel, perpendicular and orthogonal within a range in which the functions and effects in this embodiment are achieved.

[0033] In each figure, three directions perpendicular to each other are shown, and these three directions are respectively shown as a front-back direction X, a lateral direction Y, and an up-down direction Z. That is, the front-back direction X and the lateral direction Y are perpendicular to each other, the lateral direction Y and the up-down direction Z are perpendicular to each other, and the up-down direction Z and the front-back direction X are perpendicular to each other. The front-back direction X is based on a connection direction of each connector, a connection surface side of each connector is a front side, and the lateral direction Y and the up-down direction Z are based on a lateral direction and an up-down direction when viewed from the connection surface side.

[0034] Furthermore, the term "tubular" as used in the description of the present specification indicates not only a shape formed by a continuous peripheral wall over an entire periphery in a circumferential direction, but also a shape formed by combining a plurality of components and a shape having a cutout or the like in a circumferential portion, such as a C-shape. Furthermore, "tubular" shapes include circular shapes, elliptical shapes, and polygonal shapes with angular or rounded corners.

[0035] Further, a term "ring" in this specification means an arbitrary closed shape having an outer edge connected by straight lines or curves, including a circular ring having a circular outer edge, a ring having an elliptical or oval outer edge, a polygonal ring having a polygonal outer edge, and a ring having a polygonal outer edge with rounded corners. The "ring" may have a shape such that an outer edge shape and an inner edge shape have the same shape or may have a shape such that an outer edge shape and an inner edge shape are different. The "ring" may have a predetermined length along a central axis direction, and its length is irrelevant. Furthermore, a "ring shape" herein is only to be considered a ring as a whole and may include a cutout, slit, or the like in a portion, such as a C-shape.

[0036] Furthermore, "face to face" in this specification indicates that the surfaces or elements are in positions facing each other, and refers not only to a case in which the surfaces or elements are in positions perfectly facing each other, but also to a case in which the surfaces or elements are partially facing each other. Furthermore, "face to face" in this specification refers to both a case in which another element different from two parts is interposed between the two parts and a case in which nothing is interposed between the two parts.

[0037] Embodiment

[0038] Configuration of connector C

[0039] In one embodiment, a first male connector C1 shown in Figures 1 to 6 and a second male connector C2 shown in Figures 7 to 12 are illustrated as a connector C of the present disclosure. Connector C is a board connector for mounting on a circuit board not shown. Connector C may be connected to a mating connector not shown.

[0040] The first male connector C1 is provided with a first housing 10 and first terminals T1 to be held in the first housing 10. The first terminals T1 are a generic term for a plurality of types of terminals and are designated by the same reference sign T1 in Figures 1 to 6. The shapes, sizes, types and number of the first terminals T1 are not limited to those shown in Figures 1 to 6. The first housing 10 corresponds to a "horizontal array housing" of the present disclosure.

[0041] The second male connector C2 is provided with a second housing 20 and second terminals T2 to be held in the second housing 20. The second terminals T2 are a generic term for a plurality of types of terminals and are designated by the same reference sign T2 in Figures 7 to 12. The shapes, sizes, types and number of the second terminals T2 are not limited to those shown in Figures 7 to 12. The second housing 20 corresponds to a “vertical network housing” of the present disclosure.

[0042] Configuration of the first housing 10

[0043] As shown in [Fig.l], the first housing 10 is provided with a first outer housing 30 and a plurality of inner housings 40. In this embodiment, the first housing 10 with six inner housings 40 is illustrated. The six inner housings 40 are arranged such that three inner housings 40 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction in each of the two stages in the up-down direction, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The first outer housing 30 corresponds to a “horizontal array outer housing” of the present disclosure.

[0044] As shown in [Fig. 4], the first outer case 30 comprises assembly spaces 31, into which the inner cases 40 are inserted from the rear. The assembly space 31 is open in the front-rear direction and has a laterally long rectangular shape in front view. The assembly space 31 is a space surrounded by a bottom surface 32, a ceiling surface 33 facing the bottom surface 32, and a pair of left and right side surfaces 34 coupling the bottom surface 32 and the ceiling surface 33. In other words, a peripheral wall 35 constituting the assembly space 31 comprises the bottom surface 32, the ceiling surface 33, and the pair of side surfaces 34.

[0045] As shown in [Fig. 5], the ceiling surface 33 is formed with a first lock receiving portion 36. The first lock receiving portion 36 is cantilevered to extend in the front-rear direction, and its rear end side is a free end capable of being moved in the up-down direction. The first lock receiving portion 36 corresponds to a “horizontal array lock receiving portion” of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the bottom surface 32 is formed with a guide groove 37 open toward the rear.

[0046] As shown in [Fig.6], a front end portion of the peripheral wall 35 is formed with a tapered front surface 35A inclined rearwardly toward the inside of the peripheral wall 35. Further, a rear end portion of the first latch receiving portion 36 is formed with a first latch portion 36A protruding toward the inside of the peripheral wall 35.

[0047] As shown in [Fig.5], the first lock receiving portion 36 in the upper floor is formed on the ceiling surface 33, while the first lock receiving portion 36 in the lower floor is formed on the bottom surface 32. The peripheral walls 35 in the upper floor and the peripheral walls 35 in the lower floor, which are adjacent in the up-down direction, are arranged in a point symmetry.

[0048] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the inner housing 40 comprises a front tube portion 41 open toward the front, a rear tube portion 42 open toward the rear, and a coupling portion 43 coupling the front and rear tube portions 41, 42 in the front-rear direction. The coupling portion 43 is divided into an internal space of the front tube portion 41 and that of the rear tube portion 42. The first terminals T1 are held by the coupling portion 43.

[0049] The inner housing 40 includes a bottom wall 44, a top wall 45 facing the bottom wall 44, and a pair of left and right side walls 46 coupling the bottom and top walls 44, 45. The bottom wall 44, the top wall 45, and the pair of side walls 46 are configured as a single wall common to the front tube portion 41, the rear tube portion 42, and the coupling portion 43.

[0050] As shown in [Fig. 5], the rear tube portion 42 of the inner housing 40 is provided with a first lock portion 47 and a pair of left and right second lock portions 48. The first lock portion 47 is formed on a rear end portion of the upper wall 45, and the pair of second lock portions 48 are formed on the rear end portions of the pair of side walls 46. The two lock portions 47, 48 are formed in recessed steps from an outer peripheral side toward an inner peripheral side of the rear tube portion 42. It should be noted that the bottom wall 44 is formed with a guide projection 49 for being inserted into the guide groove 37 of the assembly space 31 from the rear.

[0051] As shown in [Fig. 6], a rear tapered surface 41A inclined rearwardly toward the inside of the front tube portion 41 is formed on a front end portion of the front tube portion 41 and behind the front tapered surface 35A. The first latch portion 47 is locked from the rear by the first latch portion 36A of the first latch receiving portion 36. In this way, the inner housing 40 is held in the assembly space 31 while being prevented from coming out rearwardly.

[0052] The inner housings 40 inserted into the assembly spaces 31 in the upper stage and the inner housings 40 inserted into the assembly spaces 31 in the lower stage are vertically reversed. That is, the inner housing 40 is in an assembly posture such that the first latch portion 47 faces upward when inserting the inner housing 40 into the assembly space 31 in the upper stage, and the inner housing 40 is in an assembly posture such that the first latch portion 47 faces downward when inserting the inner housing 40 into the assembly space 31 in the lower stage.

[0053] If the inner housing 40 is mounted in the assembly space 31, the first latch portion 47 is locked to the first latch portion 36A of the first latch receiving portion 36, whereby the inner housing 40 is held in the assembly space 31. Furthermore, by mounting the inner housing 40 in the assembly space 31, the guide projection 49 is inserted into the guide groove 37, thereby preventing erroneous assembly of the inner housing 40 and guiding an assembly operation.

[0054] Configuration of the second housing 20

[0055] As shown in [Fig. 7], the second housing 20 is provided with a second outer housing 50 and a plurality of inner housings 40. The second terminals T2 are held by a coupling portion 43 of the inner housing 40. In this embodiment, the second housing 20 with three inner housings 40 is shown. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the three inner housings 40 are arranged such that one inner housing 40 is arranged in each of the three stages in the up-down direction. The second outer housing 50 corresponds to a “vertical array outer housing” of the present disclosure. The inner housings 40 are common to the first male connector C1 and the second male connector C2.

[0056] As shown in [Fig. 10], the second outer case 50 includes assembly spaces 51 into which the inner cases 40 are inserted from the rear. The assembly space 51 is open in the front-rear direction and has a laterally long rectangular shape in front view. The assembly space 51 is a space surrounded by a bottom surface 52, a ceiling surface 53 facing the bottom surface 52, and a pair of left and right side surfaces 54 coupling the bottom surface 52 and the ceiling surface 53. In other words, a peripheral wall 55 constituting the assembly space 51 includes the bottom surface 52, the ceiling surface 53, and the pair of side surfaces 54. The assembly spaces 31 of the first outer case 30 and those of the second outer case 50 have the same size and shape.

[0057] As shown in [Fig.l 1], the pair of side surfaces 54 are formed with second latch receiving portions 56. One side surface 54 is formed with a second latch receiving portion 56, and the other side surface 54 is formed with a second latch receiving portion 56. The second latch receiving portion 56 is cantilevered to extend in the front-rear direction, and its rear end side is a free end capable of being moved in the lateral direction. The second latch receiving portion 56 corresponds to a “vertical array latch receiving portion” of the present disclosure.

[0058] As shown in [Fig.12], a front end portion of the peripheral wall 55 is formed with a tapered front surface 55A inclined rearwardly toward the inside of the peripheral wall 55. Further, a rear end portion of the second latch receiving portion 56 is formed with a second latching portion 56A protruding toward the inside of the peripheral wall 55.

[0059] Method of assembling connector C

[0060] The external shape of the inner housing 40 of this embodiment is common regardless of the specifications of the connector C. Furthermore, since the array of the inner housings 40 is determined by the specifications of the connector C, either of the first outer housing 30 and the second outer housing 50 is selected. The first outer housing 30 is selected in the case of the first male connector C1 of the horizontal array, and the second outer housing 50 is selected in the case of the second male connector C2 of the vertical array. Furthermore, a plurality of necessary inner housings 40 are selected from a plurality of types of inner housings 40 according to the specifications, such as the types, number and the like of the terminals.Additionally, in accordance with the specifications of connector C, one type of internal housings 40 may be replaced by another type of internal housings 40 and the replacement internal housings 40 may be mounted in the assembly spaces of the selected external housing.

[0061] A case of selecting the first outer casing 30 is described as a representative case below. The inner casing 40 is inserted into the assembly space 31 of the first outer casing 30 from the rear. The guide projection 49 enters the guide groove 37, thereby preventing erroneous assembly of the inner casing 40 and guiding the assembly operation. The first locking portion 36A of the first lock receiving portion 36 rests on the upper wall 45, whereby the first lock receiving portion 36 is elastically deformed and the inner casing 40 is directly pushed forward.

[0062] If the inner housing 40 reaches a proper assembly position, the first locking portion 36A is installed in the first lock portion 47, the first lock receiving portion 36 returns to a natural state, and the first locking portion 36A locks the first lock portion 47 from the rear, whereby the inner housing 40 is kept properly assembled with the first outer housing 30. By properly assembling all the inner housings 40 with the first outer housing 30, the first male connector C1 is completed.

[0063] When connecting the first male connector C1 to the mating connector, the mating connector is guided inside the peripheral wall 35 by the tapered front surface 35A. Then, the mating connector is guided inside the front tube portion 41 by the tapered rear surface 41A of the inner housing 40. In this way, since the mating connector can be guided successively by the front and rear tapered surfaces 35A, 41A, the connection to the mating connector is smoothly performed. Furthermore, since an assembly clearance is defined between the inner housing 40 and the first outer housing 30, the first terminals T1 can be easily inserted into through holes due to the clearance when mounting the first male Cl connector on the circuit board.

[0064] Since the first male connector C1 is a horizontal array connector, a lateral dimension is originally larger than a vertical dimension. However, since the first lock receiving portions 36 are formed on the ceiling surfaces 33 or the bottom surfaces 32, it can be prevented that the first male connector C1 becomes even larger in the lateral direction compared to the case in which the first lock receiving portions 36 are formed on the side surfaces 34. Similarly, since the second male connector C2 is a vertical array connector, a vertical dimension is originally larger than a lateral dimension.However, since the second lock receiving portions 56 are formed on the side surfaces 54, it can be prevented that the second male connector C2 becomes even larger in the up-down direction compared to the case in which the second lock receiving portions 56 are formed on the ceiling surfaces 53 or the bottom surfaces 52.

[0065] Functions and effects of the embodiment

[0066] (1) The connector C of the present disclosure is provided with the first external housing 30 in which the plurality of assembly spaces 31 are arranged and disposed in the horizontal direction, of the second outer case 50 in which the plurality of assembly spaces 51 are arranged and disposed in the vertical direction, and of the inner cases 40 to be inserted into the assembly spaces 31, 51, the assembly spaces 31 of the first outer case 30 and the assembly spaces 51 of the second outer case 50 have the same size and shape, the peripheral wall 35 constituting the assembly space 31 of the first outer case 30 is provided with the first lock receiving portion 36 and the peripheral wall 51 constituting the assembly space 51 of the second outer case 50 is provided with the second lock receiving portions 56,the inner housing 40 includes both the first lock portion 47 to be locked to the first lock receiving portion 36 and the second lock portions 48 to be locked to the second lock receiving portions 56, the first housing 10 is configured by inserting the inner housings 40 into the assembly spaces 31 of the first outer housing 30 and locking the first lock portions 47 to the first lock receiving portions 36, and the second housing 20 is configured by inserting the inner housings 40 into the assembly spaces 51 of the second outer housing 50 and locking the second lock portions 48 to the second lock receiving portions 56.

[0067] In the case of applying the connector C as a first male connector Cl comprising the first housing 10, the inner housings 40 are inserted into the assembly spaces 31 of the first outer housing 30 and the first lock parts 47 are locked to the first lock receiving parts 36. Furthermore, in the case of applying the connector C as a second male connector C2 including the second housing 20, the inner housings 40 are inserted into the assembly spaces 51 of the second outer housing 50 and the second lock parts 48 are locked to the second lock receiving parts 56. By doing this, the inner housings 40 can be normally used for the first and second housings 10, 20 and specification changes can be flexibly handled.

[0068] (2) Preferably, the peripheral wall 35, 55 constituting the assembly space 31, 51 is open toward the front, the front end portion of the peripheral wall 35, 55 is formed with the tapered front surface 35A, 55A inclined rearward toward the inside of the peripheral wall 35, 55, and the inner housing 40 is open toward the front and formed with the tapered rear surface 41A inclined rearward toward the inside of the inner housing 40 on the front end portion of the inner housing 40 and behind the tapered front surface 35A, 55A.

[0069] When connecting the mating connector to the connector C, the mating connector may be guided within the peripheral wall 35, 55 by the tapered front surface 35A, 55A and the tapered rear surface 41A.

[0070] (3) Preferably, the assembly space 31, 51 is a space surrounded by the surface bottom surface 32, 52, the ceiling surface 33, 53 facing the bottom surfaces 32, 52 and the pair of side surfaces 34, 54 coupling the bottom surface 32, 52 and the ceiling surface 33, 53, the first lock receiving portion 36 is formed on at least one of the bottom surface 32 and the ceiling surface 33 in the first outer housing 30, the second lock receiving portion 56 is formed on at least one of the pair of side surfaces 54 in the second outer housing 50, the inner housing 40 includes the bottom wall 44, the top wall 45 facing the bottom wall 44 and the pair of side walls 46 coupling the bottom wall 44 and the top wall 45, the first lock portion 47 is formed at the position corresponding to the first lock receiving portion 36, out of the bottom wall 44 and the top wall 45,and the second lock portion 48 is formed at the position corresponding to the second lock receiving portion 56, out of the pair of side walls 46. ,

[0071] Since the first lock receiving portion 36 is formed on at least one of the bottom surface 32 and the ceiling surface 33, enlargement of the first outer case 30 in the horizontal direction (lateral direction) can be avoided. Furthermore, since the second lock receiving portion 56 is formed on at least one of the pair of side surfaces 54, enlargement of the second outer case 50 in the vertical direction (up-down direction) can be avoided.

[0072] (4) Preferably, the inner housing 40 comprises the open front tube portion 41 forward, the rear tube portion 42 open toward the rear and the coupling portion 43 coupling the front and rear tube portions 41, 42 in the front-rear direction, the bottom wall 44, the top wall 45 and the pair of side walls 46 are configured as a single wall common to the front and rear tube portions 41, 42, and the first and second lock portions 47, 48 are formed on the rear tube portion 42.

[0073] Since each lock portion 47, 48 is formed on the rear tube portion 42, which is an existing structure, the size of the inner housing 40 can be reduced compared to the case in which each lock portion 47, 48 is formed on a member other than the front and rear tube portions 41, 42.

[0074] (5) The method of assembling the connector C of the present disclosure is a assembly method for the connector C provided with the first outer housing 30 in which the plurality of assembly spaces 31 are arranged and disposed in the horizontal direction, the second outer housing 50 in which the plurality of assembly spaces 51 are arranged and disposed in the vertical direction, and the inner housings 40 to be mounted in the assembly spaces 31, 51, the assembly spaces 31 of the first outer housing 30 and the assembly spaces 51 of the second outer housing 50 have the same size and shape, the peripheral wall 35 constituting the assembly space 31 of the first outer housing 30 is provided with the first latch receiving portion 36 and the peripheral wall 51 constituting the assembly space 51 of the second outer housing 50 is provided with the second latch receiving portions 56,the inner housing 40 includes both the first latch portion 47 to be latched to the first latch receiving portion 36 and the second latch portions 48 to be latched to the second latch receiving portions 56, the inner housing 40 can be selectively mounted either in the assembly space 31 of the first outer housing 30 or in the assembly space 51 of the second outer housing 50, at least two different types of inner housings 40 are provided, the inner housings 40 of one type can be replaced by the inner housings 40 of the other type and the replacement inner housings 40 can be mounted in the assembly spaces 31, 51. ,

[0075] Since the inner housings 40 can be selectively mounted either in the assembly spaces 31 of the first outer housing 30 or in the assembly spaces 51 of the second outer housing 50, either of the outer housings 30, 50 can be selected in accordance with the specifications of the connector C. Furthermore, since the inner housings 40 of one type can be replaced by the inner housings 40 of the other type and the replacement inner housings 40 can be mounted in the assembly spaces 31, 51, the inner housings 40 can be freely changed in accordance with the specifications of the connector C.

[0076] Other embodiments

[0077] The above embodiment can be modified and realized as follows. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be realized in combination without technically contradicting each other.

[0078] Although the first outer case 30 including the assembly spaces 31 arranged in three columns in the lateral direction is illustrated as a horizontal array outer case in the above embodiment, the number of columns of assembly spaces is not limited and the assembly spaces may be arranged in two columns, four columns or more in the lateral direction.

[0079] Although the second outer case 50 including the assembly spaces 51 arranged in three stages in the up-down direction is illustrated as a vertical array outer case in the above embodiment, the number of stages of assembly spaces is not limited and the assembly spaces may be arranged in two stages, four stages or more in the up-down direction.

[0080] The types and number of terminals of the internal housings are not limited to those of the above embodiment, and no terminals can be inserted into the internal housings.

[0081] Although the tapered front surface 35A, 55A and the tapered rear surface 41A are provided in the above embodiment, only one of them may be provided.

[0082] Although the first latch receiving portion 36 is formed on either the bottom surface 32 or the ceiling surface 33 in the above embodiment, the first latch receiving portions 36 may be formed on both the bottom surface 32 and the ceiling surface 33 or may be formed on the side surfaces 34.

[0083] Although the second latch receiving portions 56 are formed on the pair of side surfaces 54 in the above embodiment, the second latch receiving portion 56 may be formed on either of the pair of side surfaces 54 or may be formed on the bottom surface 52 or the ceiling surface 53.

[0084] Although the first and second latch portions 47, 48 are formed on the rear tube portion 42 in the above embodiment, an inner housing may not include any rear tube portions and, in this case, each latch portion may be formed on a rear end portion of a front tube portion. List of reference signs

[0085]

[0086] 10: first box (horizontal network box)

[0087] 20: second box (vertical network box)

[0088] 30: first external box (horizontal network external box), 31: space assembly, 32: bottom surface, 33: ceiling surface, 34: side surface, 35: peripheral wall, 35A: tapered front surface, 36: first lock receiving part, 36A: first locking part, 37: guide groove

[0089] 40: inner housing, 41: front tube part, 41A: tapered rear surface, 42: part rear tube, 43: coupling part, 44: bottom wall, 45: top wall, 46: side wall, 47: first lock part, 48: second lock part, 49: guide projection

[0090] 50: second external box (vertical network external box), 51: space assembly, 52: lower surface, 53: ceiling surface, 54: side surface, 55: peripheral wall, 55A: tapered front surface, 56: second lock receiving part, 56A: second locking part,

[0091] C: connector, Cl: first male connector, C2: second male connector

[0092] Tl: first terminal, T2: second terminal

Claims

Claims

1. Connector, comprising: a horizontally arrayed outer housing, a plurality of assembly spaces being arranged and disposed in a horizontal direction; a vertical array external housing, a plurality of assembly spaces being arranged and disposed in a vertical direction; And a plurality of internal housings to be inserted into said plurality of assembly spaces of the horizontal array external housing or the vertical array external housing, the assembly spaces of the horizontal array external housing and the assembly spaces of the vertical array external housing having the same size and shape, a peripheral wall constituting the assembly space of the horizontal array external housing being provided with a horizontal array lock receiving portion, a peripheral wall constituting the assembly space of the vertical array external housing being provided with a vertical array lock receiving portion, each internal housing comprising both a horizontal network lock portion to be locked to the horizontal network lock receiving portion and a vertical network lock portion to be locked to the vertical network lock receiving portion, and the horizontal array housing being configured by inserting the plurality of inner housings respectively into said plurality of assembly spaces of the horizontal array outer housing and locking the horizontal array lock portion to the horizontal array lock receiving portion, the vertical array housing being configured by inserting the plurality of inner housings respectively into the plurality of assembly spaces of the vertical array outer housing and locking the vertical array lock portion to the vertical array lock receiving portion.

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein: the peripheral wall constituting each assembly space is open toward the front and formed with a tapered front surface inclined rearwardly toward the inside of the peripheral wall on a front end portion of the peripheral wall, and each inner housing is open forwardly and formed with a tapered rear surface sloping rearwardly toward the interior of each inner housing on a front end portion of each inner housing and behind the tapered front surface.

3. The connector of claim 1 or 2, wherein: each assembly space is a space enclosed by a bottom surface, a ceiling surface facing the bottom surface, and a pair of side surfaces coupling the bottom surface and the ceiling surface, the horizontal array lock receiving portion being formed on at least one of the bottom surface and the ceiling surface in the horizontal array outer housing, and the vertical array lock receiving portion is formed on at least one of the pair of side surfaces in the vertical array outer housing, and the inner housing includes a bottom wall, an upper wall facing the bottom wall, and a pair of side walls coupling the bottom wall and the upper wall, the horizontal array lock receiving portion is formed at a position corresponding to the horizontal array lock receiving portion,out of the bottom wall and the top wall, and the vertical network lock portion is formed at a position corresponding to the vertical network lock receiving portion, out of the pair of side walls.,

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein: the inner housing comprises a front tube portion open toward the front, a rear tube portion open toward the rear, and a coupling portion coupling the front tube portion and the rear tube portion in a front-rear direction, and the bottom wall, the top wall, and the pair of side walls are configured as a single wall common to the front tube portion and the rear tube portion, and the horizontal array lock portion and the vertical array lock portion are formed on the rear tube portion.

5. An assembly method for a connector having: a horizontally arrayed outer housing, a plurality of assembly spaces being arranged and disposed in a horizontal direction; a vertically arrayed outer housing, a plurality of assembly spaces being arranged and disposed in a vertical direction; and a plurality of internal housings to be inserted into said plurality of assembly spaces of the horizontal array external housing or the vertical array external housing, the assembly spaces of the horizontal array external housing and the assembly spaces of the vertical array external housing having the same size and shape, a peripheral wall constituting the assembly space of the horizontal array external housing being provided with a horizontal array lock receiving portion, a peripheral wall constituting the assembly space of the vertical array external housing being provided with a vertical array lock receiving portion, each internal housing comprising both a horizontal network lock portion to be locked to the horizontal network lock receiving portion and a vertical network lock portion to be locked to the vertical network lock receiving portion, said plurality of inner housings being selectively mountable either in the assembly spaces of the outer horizontal array housing or in the assembly spaces of the outer vertical array housing, and at least two internal housings of different types being provided, the internal housing of one type being replaceable by the internal housing of another type, the replacement internal housing being mountable in one of the assembly spaces.

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