Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector that has a CPA function and can be fitted to an existing mating connector designed while assuming no CPA function.SOLUTION: A connector 100 includes a housing 200 and a CPA member 400. The housing 200 is provided with a stopper 240. The CPA member 400 includes: a base end unit 410; a restricting unit; a first arm unit 430; a distal end unit 440; and a second arm unit 450. The distal end unit 440 is provided with a contact unit 442. The contact unit 442 can take a facing position and a non-facing position UFP. At least one of the first arm unit 430 and the distal end unit 440 is provided with a release projection 444. When the connector 100 and a mating connector 700 are connected, the release projection 444 is pressed by a mating releasing unit 714 of the mating connector 700 to move the contact unit 442 from the facing position to the non-facing position UFP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector having a CPA member. [Background technology]

[0002] 35 and 36, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector assembly 980 including this type of connector 900 and a mating connector 950. The connector 900 has a connector position assurance (CPA) function and can be connected to a mating connector 950 located on the +X side (front) in the X direction (front-rear direction). The mating connector 950 includes a mating housing 960. The mating housing 960 includes a first locking portion (mating locking portion) 962 and a stopper 964. The connector 900 includes a housing 930 and a mating detection member (CPA member) 940. The housing 930 can be mated with the mating housing 960 located forward in the front-rear direction. The housing 930 is provided with a second locking portion (locking portion) 932. The locking portion 932 can be in a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking portion 932 is in the locked position, the locking portion 932 and the mating locking portion 962 lock the mating state of the housing 930 to the mating housing 960. The CPA member 940 is attached to the housing 930 so as to be movable between a restricted position and an allowable position in the front-rear direction. The CPA member 940 has a restricting portion (not shown), an arm portion (arm portion) 941, a contact portion 942, and a shift operation portion 945. When the CPA member 940 is in the restricted position, the restricting portion restricts the movement of the locking portion 932 from the locked position to the released position. When the CPA member 940 is in the allowable position, the restricting portion allows the movement of the locking portion 932 from the locked position to the released position. The contact portion 942 is supported by the arm portion 941. When the housing 930 is fitted into the mating housing 960 with the CPA member 940 in the restricted position, the abutment portion 942 abuts against the stopper 964, and the CPA member 940 moves from the restricted position to the permitted position. In this state, when the CPA member 940 is moved forward while pressing down the shift operating unit 945, the CPA member 940 moves from the permitted position to the restricted position. As a result, the CPA member 940 ensures the fitted state between the connector 900 and the mating connector 950. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-90961 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for a connector having a CPA function, such as the connector 900 of Patent Document 1, that can be mated with an existing mating connector that was designed without considering the CPA function.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector having a CPA function that can be mated with an existing mating connector that was designed without considering the CPA function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A mating connector designed with the CPA function in mind, such as mating connector 950 in Patent Document 1, is usually provided with a stopper that restricts movement of the connector's contact portion. However, existing mating connectors designed without considering the CPA function are not provided with such a stopper.

[0007] Therefore, the inventor of the present application devised the following configuration: a portion equivalent to the above-mentioned stopper is provided in the housing of the connector; a release protrusion is provided on the arm portion of the CPA member of the connector; a part of the mating housing of an existing mating connector, which was designed without considering the CPA function, is made into the mating release portion; when the connector and the mating connector are connected, the mating release portion of the mating connector comes into contact with the release protrusion of the connector, causing the arm portion to deform, thereby dislocating the abutment portion of the CPA member from the position facing the stopper.

[0008] On the other hand, when the connector configured as described above is connected to an existing mating connector designed without considering the CPA function and the CPA member is moved from the allowable position to the restricted position, the mating housing of the mating connector does not have a space to avoid contact with the release protrusion of the connector, so the release protrusion comes into contact with the mating housing and the deformation of the arm portion supporting the release protrusion continues. As a result, in the connector configured as described above, there is a risk that the arm portion supporting the release protrusion will be plastically deformed and permanent deformation will occur in the arm portion. As a result, in the connector configured as described above, even if the CPA member is returned from the restricted position to the allowable position, the arm portion will not return to its original shape, and the abutment portion supported by the arm portion will be displaced from the position facing the stopper.

[0009] Therefore, in addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the inventor of the present application further devised a new configuration in which the abutment portion can face the stopper when the CPA member is returned from the restricted position to the permitted position even if the arm portion supporting the release protrusion is plastically deformed, and completed the present invention. The present invention thus created can also be applied to a connector that can be mated with a mating connector designed with the CPA function in mind.

[0010] That is, the present invention provides a first connector, A connector that can be connected to a mating connector located forward in a front-rear direction, The mating connector includes a mating housing, The mating housing has a mating locking portion and a mating releasing portion, The connector includes a housing and a CPA member, the housing is engageable with the mating housing located forward in the front-rear direction, The housing is provided with a correction portion, a lock portion, and a stopper, The correction portion is raised in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, The locking portion can be in a locked position and an unlocked position, When the locking portion is in the locked position, the locking portion and the mating locking portion lock the mating state of the housing relative to the mating housing, the CPA member is attached to the housing so as to be movable between a restricted position and an allowed position in the front-rear direction, the permissible position is located behind the restricting position in the front-rear direction, The CPA member has a base end, a restriction portion, a first arm portion, a tip end, and a second arm portion, The restricting portion extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base end portion, When the CPA member is in the restricted position, the restricting portion restricts the movement of the locking portion from the locked position to the released position, When the CPA member is in the permitted position, the restricting portion permits the locking portion to move from the locked position to the released position, The first arm portion extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base end portion, The tip portion is supported by the first arm portion, The tip portion is provided with an abutment portion, The abutment portion can be in a facing position and a non-facing position, When the connector is not connected to the mating connector and the CPA member is in the permitted position, the abutment portion is located in the opposing position, When the abutment portion is in the opposing position, the abutment portion is located rearward of the stopper in the front-rear direction and faces the stopper, and movement of the CPA member from the permitted position to the restricted position is restricted, When the abutment portion is in the non-opposing position, the abutment portion does not face the stopper in the front-rear direction, and the CPA member is movable from the permitted position to the restricted position, At least one of the first arm portion and the tip portion is provided with a release protrusion, the release protrusion protrudes in the perpendicular direction from at least one of the first arm portion and the tip portion, When the connector and the mating connector are connected, the release protrusion is pressed by the mating release portion to move the abutment portion from the facing position to the non-facing position, The second arm portion extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base end portion, When the CPA member is at least in the permitted position, the second arm portion is located away from the first arm portion in the perpendicular direction and is located between the release protrusion and the correcting portion in the perpendicular direction, The second arm portion is provided with a pressed portion and a transmission portion, Even if the first arm portion is plastically deformed, when the connector is removed from the mating connector after the CPA member is moved from the restricted position to the permitted position, the correcting portion presses the pressed portion, and the transmitting portion transmits the pressure to at least one of the first arm portion and the tip portion, thereby correcting the abutting portion to be located at the opposing position. Provide a connector.

[0011] The present invention also provides a second connector, the first connector comprising: The second arm portion is connected to the tip portion. Provide a connector.

[0012] The present invention also provides a third connector, which is the first connector, The first arm portion is provided with a receiving portion, When the CPA member is in the restricted position, the receiving portion at least partially receives the stopper. Provide a connector.

[0013] The present invention also provides a fourth connector, which is the first connector, the mating release portion is a mating end portion of the mating housing, The housing is provided with a receiving portion, the accommodating portion accommodates the mating end portion when the connector and the mating connector are connected to each other; When the connector is not connected to the mating connector and the CPA member is in the permitted position, the release protrusion is at least partially located within the receiving portion. Provide a connector.

[0014] The present invention also provides a first connector assembly, A connector assembly including a first connector and a mating connector, The mating connector includes the mating housing, The mating housing has the mating locking portion and the mating release portion. A connector assembly is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The connector of the present invention is configured as follows: the connector includes a housing and a CPA member; the housing is provided with a stopper; when the abutment portion is in the facing position, the abutment portion is located behind the stopper in the front-rear direction and faces the stopper, and the movement of the CPA member from the permitted position to the restricted position is restricted; when the abutment portion is in the non-facing position, the abutment portion does not face the stopper in the front-rear direction, and the CPA member is movable from the permitted position to the restricted position; at least one of the first arm portion and the tip portion is provided with a release protrusion; when the connector and the mating connector are connected, the release protrusion is pressed against the mating release portion of the mating connector to move the abutment portion from the facing position to the non-facing position. As a result, the connector of the present invention has a CPA function, but can be fitted to an existing mating connector designed without considering the CPA function.

[0016] The above-mentioned plastic deformation of the arm portion, which occurs when a connector having a CPA function is mated with an existing mating connector that was designed without considering the CPA function, is also a problem that can occur when mating a connector and a mating connector that constitute a connector assembly having a CPA function. That is, in such a connector assembly, the CPA member cannot be moved unless the connector and the mating connector are completely mated, but for example, if the CPA member is forcibly moved from the permitted position to the restricted position when the connector and the mating connector are only partially mated, an undesirable external force may continue to act on the arm portion, causing plastic deformation. However, the connector of the present invention is configured as follows: the housing is provided with a correction portion; the CPA member has a second arm portion; the second arm portion is provided with a pressed portion and a transmission portion; even if the first arm portion is plastically deformed, when the CPA member is moved from the restricted position to the permitted position and then the connector is removed from the mating connector, the correction portion presses the pressed portion, and the transmission portion transmits the pressure to at least one of the first arm portion and the tip portion to correct the abutment portion to be located at the opposing position. Thus, the connector of the present invention is configured such that, even if the CPA member is forcibly moved from the permitted position to the restricted position when the connector of the present invention and the mating connector corresponding to the CPA function are in a semi-fitted state, and the first arm portion supporting the release protrusion is plastically deformed, the abutment portion can appropriately face the stopper when the CPA member is returned from the restricted position to the permitted position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly being in an unmated condition with the CPA members of the connector in the permitted position; [Diagram 2] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Fig. 1 taken along line AA, in which a part of the connector is shown in an enlarged manner. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the connector assembly of FIG. [Figure 4]Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Fig. 3 taken along line BB, in which a part of the connector is shown in an enlarged manner. [Diagram 5] FIG 2 is another side view of the connector assembly of FIG 1, in which the connector assembly is in a semi-mated state and the CPA member is in a permissible position; [Figure 6] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly taken along line CC of Fig. 5. In the figure, a part of the connector assembly is shown in an enlarged manner. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a top view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Fig. 7 taken along line DD, in which a part of the connector assembly is shown in an enlarged manner. [Figure 9] FIG 2 is another side view of the connector assembly of FIG 1, in which the connector assembly is in a mated state and the CPA member is in a permissible position; [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Fig. 9 taken along line EE, in which a portion of the connector assembly is shown in an enlarged manner. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 9. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 11 taken along line FF. [Figure 13] FIG 2 is another side view of the connector assembly of FIG 1, in which the connector assembly is in a mating guaranteed state and the CPA member is in a restrained position; [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 13 taken along line GG. In the figure, a part of the connector assembly is shown in an enlarged manner. [Figure 15] FIG. 14 is a top view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 13. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 15 taken along line HH. [Figure 17] 2 is a front perspective view showing a connector included in the connector assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 18]Fig. 18 is a front view showing the connector of Fig. 17. In the figure, a part of the connector is shown in an enlarged manner. [Figure 19] FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 17. [Figure 20] 16 is a top view showing a connector included in the connector assembly of FIG. 15. [Figure 21] 21 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line II of Fig. 20. In the figure, a part of the connector is shown in an enlarged manner. [Figure 22] 21 is a top view showing a housing included in the connector of FIG. 20. [Figure 23] FIG. 18 is a front perspective view showing a CPA member included in the connector of FIG. 17. [Figure 24] Fig. 24 is a front view of the CPA member of Fig. 23. In the figure, a part of the CPA member is shown in an enlarged scale. [Diagram 25] FIG. 24 is a rear view of the CPA member of FIG. 23. [Figure 26] Fig. 24 is a side view of the CPA member of Fig. 23. In the figure, a portion of the CPA member is shown enlarged. [Figure 27] FIG. 24 is another side view of the CPA member of FIG. 23. [Figure 28] 24 is a top view of the CPA member of Fig. 23. In the figure, a portion of the CPA member is shown enlarged. [Figure 29] FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the CPA member of FIG. 23. [Diagram 30] 2 is a front perspective view showing a mating connector included in the connector assembly of FIG. 1. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a front view showing the mating connector of FIG. 30. [Diagram 32] 31 is a side view showing the mating connector of FIG. 30. FIG. [Diagram 33] 31 is another side view showing the mating connector of FIG. 30. [Diagram 34] FIG. 31 is a top view showing the mating connector of FIG. 30. [Diagram 35] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector assembly of Patent Document 1. [Diagram 36]FIG. 36 is another cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 35. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a connector assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a connector 100 and a mating connector 700.

[0019] 30, mating connector 700 of the present embodiment is an existing plug designed without considering the CPA function. As shown in FIG. 31, mating connector 700 includes mating housing 710 and a plurality of mating terminals 750.

[0020] 30 and 31 , the mating housing 710 of this embodiment has two mating locking portions 712, two mating release portions 714, and a fitting portion accommodating portion 720. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient for the mating housing 710 to have one mating locking portion 712 and one mating release portion 714.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 8, each of the mating locking portions 712 in this embodiment faces forward in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the front-rear direction is the X direction. Here, the front is the +X direction, and the rear is the -X direction. As shown in Fig. 30, each of the mating locking portions 712 is located near the rear end of the mating housing 710 in the front-rear direction.

[0022] As shown in Figures 32 and 33, the mating release portions 714 of this embodiment are located on both sides of the mating housing 710 in the width direction. Each of the mating release portions 714 faces outward in the width direction. Each of the mating release portions 714 is a plane perpendicular to the width direction. In this embodiment, the width direction is the Y direction. Note that the mating housing 710 does not have a recess recessed inward in the width direction near the mating release portion 714.

[0023] 30, the fitting portion accommodating portion 720 of the present embodiment is a space extending in the front-rear direction. The fitting portion accommodating portion 720 has an opening at its rear end in the front-rear direction.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 30, a mating housing 710 of this embodiment has a mating end 711 .

[0025] As shown in Figs. 32 and 33, the mating end 711 of this embodiment defines the rear end of the mating housing 710 in the front-rear direction. The mating release portion 714 is the mating end 711 of the mating housing 710. As shown in Fig. 30, the mating end 711 has an upper surface 7112, a rear end 7114, and two holes 730. The upper surface 7112 faces upward in the vertical direction. The rear end 7114 faces backward in the front-rear direction. Each of the holes 730 penetrates the upper surface 7112 in the vertical direction. The holes 730 have a peripheral surface 732. A part of the peripheral surface 732 functions as the mating lock portion 712.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 31, each of mating terminals 750 in this embodiment is made of metal.

[0027] 13, the connector 100 of the present embodiment is connectable to a mating connector 700 located forward in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the connector 100 includes a housing 200, a CPA member 400, and a plurality of terminals 500.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 16, the housing 200 of this embodiment can be fitted to a mating housing 710 located forward in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 22, the housing 200 has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a plane that passes through the center in the width direction and is perpendicular to the width direction. With reference to Figs. 14, 18 and 19, the housing 200 is provided with two straightening portions 210, two locking portions 220 and four stoppers 240. Note that the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that the housing 200 is provided with one straightening portion 210, one locking portion 220 and one stopper 240.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 14, each of the straightening portions 210 in this embodiment is raised in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. More specifically, each of the straightening portions 210 is raised inward in the width direction. That is, in this embodiment, the orthogonal direction is the width direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the orthogonal direction may be the up-down direction or any direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the straightening portions 210 are located on both sides of the housing 200 in the width direction.

[0030] 8 and 12, the locking portion 220 of this embodiment can take a locked position LP and a released position RP. As shown in Fig. 12, when the locking portion 220 is in the locked position LP, the locking portion 220 and the mating locking portion 712 lock the fitted state of the housing 200 to the mating housing 710. As shown in Fig. 8, when the locking portion 220 is in the released position RP, the locking portion 220 and the mating locking portion 712 do not lock the fitted state of the housing 200 to the mating housing 710. In other words, when the locking portion 220 is in the released position RP, the locked state of the housing 200 to the mating housing 710 is released.

[0031] 18, each of the stoppers 240 in this embodiment is located near the outer end of the housing 200 in the orthogonal direction, i.e., the width direction. The four stoppers 240 are divided into two sets, each set consisting of two stoppers 240. As shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 21, each of the stoppers 240 has a front surface 242, a rear surface 244, an inner surface 246, and an outer surface 248.

[0032] 21, the front surface 242 in this embodiment faces forward in the front-rear direction. The front surface 242 defines the front end of the stopper 240 in the front-rear direction.

[0033] 21, the rear surface 244 of this embodiment faces rearward in the front-rear direction. The rear surface 244 defines the rear end in the front-rear direction of the stopper 240. The rear surface 244 is perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0034] 21, the inner surface 246 in this embodiment faces inward in the orthogonal direction, i.e., the width direction. The inner surface 246 defines the inner end of the stopper 240 in the width direction.

[0035] 18, the outer surface 248 in this embodiment faces outward in the orthogonal direction, i.e., the width direction. The outer surface 248 defines the outer end of the stopper 240 in the width direction.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 14, the housing 200 has two beveled surfaces 215 .

[0037] As shown in Fig. 14, each of the inclined surfaces 215 in this embodiment intersects both the front-rear direction and the width direction. More specifically, each of the inclined surfaces 215 intersects obliquely with both the front-rear direction and the width direction. The inclined surfaces 215 correspond to the straightening portions 210, respectively. Each of the inclined surfaces 215 is located in front of the corresponding straightening portion 210 in the front-rear direction. The inclined surfaces 215 are located on both sides of the housing 200 in the width direction.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 18, the housing 200 is provided with a receiving portion 250 .

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, the accommodating portion 250 of the present embodiment extends in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 18, the accommodating portion 250 has an opening at its front end in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 10, the accommodating portion 250 accommodates the mating end portion 711 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are connected to each other.

[0040] 4, 14 and 19, the housing 200 has an enclosing portion 205, an engaging portion 208, two opposed portions 230, two additional accommodating portions 260, two abutted portions 270, an elastic support portion 280 and two protrusions 290.

[0041] 18, the surrounding portion 205 of the present embodiment defines the outer end of the connector 100 in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The surrounding portion 205 defines the outer end of the connector 100 in the up-down direction. The surrounding portion 205 defines the outer end of the connector 100 in the width direction. Each of the stoppers 240 is located within the surrounding portion 205. As shown in FIG. 14, the correction portion 210, the inclined surface 215, the opposed portion 230, and the abutted portion 270 are provided in the surrounding portion 205.

[0042] 20, fitting portion 208 of the present embodiment defines a front end in the front-rear direction of connector 100. As shown in FIG 12, when connector 100 is connected to a mating connector 700, fitting portion 208 is accommodated in fitting portion accommodating portion 720.

[0043] 14, each of opposed parts 230 in the present embodiment is located near the rear end in the front-rear direction of housing 200. Each of opposed parts 230 faces forward in the front-rear direction. The two opposed parts 230 are located on both sides of housing 200 in the width direction.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 2, each of the additional accommodating portions 260 in this embodiment extends in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 18, each of the additional accommodating portions 260 has an open front end in the front-rear direction. Each of the additional accommodating portions 260 is located within the enclosure portion 205. Each of the additional accommodating portions 260 is located outside the accommodating portion 250 in the orthogonal direction, i.e., the width direction. The two additional accommodating portions 260 are located on both sides of the housing 200 in the width direction.

[0045] 14, each of the abutment portions 270 in this embodiment is located at the rear end in the front-rear direction of the housing 200. Each of the abutment portions 270 faces rearward in the front-rear direction. The abutment portions 270 are located on both sides of the housing 200 in the width direction.

[0046] 4, the elastic support member 280 of this embodiment is elastically deformable with its front end as a fulcrum. The elastic support member 280 extends upward in the up-down direction and then extends backward in the front-rear direction. The elastic support member 280 has an operating portion 283 and a free end 284.

[0047] 4, operating portion 283 of the present embodiment is located at the rear end in the front-rear direction of elastic support portion 280. When operating portion 283 is pressed, elastic support portion 280 is elastically deformed, and when the pressing is released, elastic support portion 280 returns to its original shape.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the free end 284 in this embodiment defines the rear end of the elastic support part 280 in the front-rear direction.

[0049] 19, each of the protrusions 290 in this embodiment is elastically supported by the elastic support portion 280. Each of the protrusions 290 protrudes upward in the up-down direction from the elastic support portion 280. Each of the protrusions 290 has a rear surface 292 facing rearward in the front-rear direction. The rear surface 292 functions as the lock portion 220 described above.

[0050] 11 and 15, the CPA member 400 of the present embodiment is attached to the housing 200 so as to be movable between the restricting position RGP and the allowing position ALP in the front-rear direction. Here, the allowing position ALP is located behind the restricting position RGP in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 28, the CPA member 400 has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a plane that passes through the center in the width direction and is perpendicular to the width direction. The CPA member 400 has a base end portion 410, a restricting portion 420, two first arm portions 430, two tip portions 440, and two second arm portions 450. The two first arm portions 430, the two tip portions 440, and the two second arm portions 450 are divided into two sets, each of which is composed of one first arm portion 430, one tip portion 440, and one second arm portion 450. Note that the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, there may be only one set constituted by one first arm portion 430, one tip portion 440, and one second arm portion 450. That is, it is sufficient for the CPA member 400 to have the base end portion 410, the restricting portion 420, the first arm portion 430, the tip portion 440, and the second arm portion 450.

[0051] 2 and 28, two sets each composed of the first arm portion 430, the tip portion 440, and the second arm portion 450 correspond to two correcting portions 210. Also, referring to Figs. 18 and 28, two sets each composed of the first arm portion 430, the tip portion 440, and the second arm portion 450 correspond to two pairs of stoppers 240. Furthermore, referring to Figs. 14 and 28, two sets each composed of the first arm portion 430, the tip portion 440, and the second arm portion 450 correspond to two inclined surfaces 215, two opposed portions 230, two additional accommodating portions 260, and two abutted portions 270, respectively.

[0052] 2, when the connector 100 is not connected to the mating connector 700 and the CPA member 400 is in the permissible position ALP, the release protrusion 444 is partially located within the accommodating portion 250. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the release protrusion 444 is at least partially located within the accommodating portion 250 when the connector 100 is not connected to the mating connector 700 and the CPA member 400 is in the permissible position ALP.

[0053] 28, the base end 410 of this embodiment defines the rear end of the CPA member 400 in the front-rear direction. The base end 410 connects two first arm portions 430 to each other. The base end 410 connects two second arm portions 450 to each other. The base end 410 connects each set of first arm portions 430 and second arm portions 450 to each other.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 28, the restricting portion 420 of this embodiment extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base end portion 410. The restricting portion 420 is located near the center in the width direction of the CPA member 400. The restricting portion 420 is located between two first arm portions 430. As shown in FIG. 16, when the CPA member 400 is in the restricting position RGP, the restricting portion 420 is located directly below the operating portion 283 in the up-down direction and restricts the pressing of the operating portion 283. That is, when the CPA member 400 is in the restricting position RGP, the restricting portion 420 restricts the movement of the locking portion 220 from the locking position LP to the releasing position RP. As shown in FIG. 12, when the CPA member 400 is in the allowing position ALP, the restricting portion 420 is located behind the operating portion 283 in the front-rear direction and does not restrict the pressing of the operating portion 283. That is, when the CPA member 400 is in the permitted position ALP, the restricting portion 420 permits the locking portion 220 to move from the locked position LP to the released position RP. The restricting portion 420 has a front end 422 that faces forward in the front-rear direction.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 28, the first arm portion 430 of this embodiment extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base end portion 410. More specifically, the first arm portion 430 extends forward in the front-rear direction from the vicinity of the outer end in the width direction of the base end portion 410. The first arm portion 430 is elastically deformable. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the first arm portion 430 may not have elasticity. As shown in FIG. 21, the first arm portion 430 is provided with two receiving portions 432. The two receiving portions 432 of the first arm portion 430 of each set correspond to the two stoppers 240 of the corresponding set, respectively. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of receiving portions 432 may be one.

[0056] 21, each of the receiving portions 432 in this embodiment is a recess that is recessed inward in the up-down direction. When the CPA member 400 is in the restricting position RGP, the receiving portion 432 at least partially receives the stopper 240.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 23, the first arm portion 430 has an edge 434 .

[0058] As shown in Fig. 23, the edge 434 in this embodiment faces forward in the front-rear direction. The edge 434 faces inside the receiving portion 432 in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 28, the edge 434 is located rearward of the tip portion 440 in the front-rear direction. The edge 434 is located rearward of the release protrusion 444 in the front-rear direction. The edge 434 is located near the center of the first arm portion 430 in the front-rear direction.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 28, the tip portion 440 of this embodiment is supported by the first arm portion 430. The first arm portion 430 extends rearward in the front-rear direction from the tip portion 440. As shown in FIG. 24, the tip portion 440 is provided with two abutment portions 442 and two additional abutment portions 447. With reference to FIG. 21 and FIG. 24, the two abutment portions 442 and the two additional abutment portions 447 of the tip portion 440 of each set correspond to the two stoppers 240 of the corresponding set, respectively. Note that the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of the abutment portions 442 may be one, and the additional abutment portion 447 may not be provided. That is, it is sufficient that the tip portion 440 is provided with one abutment portion 442.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 23, the abutment portion 442 in this embodiment is a plane that intersects with the front-rear direction. The abutment portion 442 faces forward in the front-rear direction. The abutment portion 442 defines the front end of the CPA member 400 in the front-rear direction. With reference to Figs. 2 and 10, the abutment portion 442 can be in a facing position FP and a non-facing position UFP.

[0061] 2, when the connector 100 is not connected to the mating connector 700 and the CPA member 400 is in the allowable position ALP, the abutment portion 442 is located in the facing position FP. When the abutment portion 442 is in the facing position FP, the abutment portion 442 is located behind the stopper 240 in the front-rear direction and faces the stopper 240, and the movement of the CPA member 400 from the allowable position ALP to the restricted position RGP is restricted. More specifically, when each of the abutment portions 442 is in the facing position FP, each of the abutment portions 442 of each set is located behind the corresponding stopper 240 of the corresponding set in the front-rear direction and faces the corresponding stopper 240 of the corresponding set, and the movement of the CPA member 400 from the allowable position ALP to the restricted position RGP is restricted. That is, when the abutment portion 442 is in the opposing position FP, each of the abutment portions 442 of each set is located rearward of the rear surface 244 of the corresponding stopper 240 of the corresponding set in the fore-and-aft direction and faces the rear surface 244 of the corresponding stopper 240 of the corresponding set, and the movement of the CPA member 400 from the permissible position ALP to the restricted position RGP is restricted.

[0062] 10, when the abutment portion 442 is in the non-opposing position UFP, the abutment portion 442 does not face the stopper 240 in the front-rear direction, and the CPA member 400 is movable from the allowable position ALP to the restricting position RGP. More specifically, when each of the abutment portions 442 is in the non-opposing position UFP, each of the abutment portions 442 of each set does not face the corresponding stopper 240 of the corresponding set in the front-rear direction, and the CPA member 400 is movable from the allowable position ALP to the restricting position RGP. That is, when each of the abutment portions 442 is in the non-opposing position UFP, each of the abutment portions 442 of each set does not face the rear surface 244 of the corresponding stopper 240 of the corresponding set in the front-rear direction, and the CPA member 400 is movable from the allowable position ALP to the restricting position RGP.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 23, the additional contact portion 447 of this embodiment is a plane intersecting the front-rear direction. The additional contact portion 447 faces forward in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 24, the two contact portions 442 and the two additional contact portions 447 are located on a common plane. Each of the additional contact portions 447 is located on the inner side of the corresponding contact portion 442 in the width direction.

[0064] 2, when the abutment portions 442 are in the facing position FP, the additional abutment portions 447 are located behind the stoppers 240 in the front-rear direction and face the stoppers 240, so that the movement of the CPA member 400 from the allowable position ALP to the restricted position RGP is further restricted. More specifically, when each of the abutment portions 442 is in the facing position FP, each of the additional abutment portions 447 of each set is located behind the corresponding stoppers 240 of the corresponding set in the front-rear direction and faces the corresponding stoppers 240 of the corresponding set, so that the movement of the CPA member 400 from the allowable position ALP to the restricted position RGP is further restricted. That is, when the abutment portion 442 is in the opposing position FP, each of the additional abutment portions 447 of each set is located rearward of the rear surface 244 of the corresponding stopper 240 of the corresponding set in the fore-and-aft direction and faces the rear surface 244 of the corresponding stopper 240 of the corresponding set, thereby further restricting movement of the CPA member 400 from the permissible position ALP to the restricted position RGP.

[0065] 10, when the abutment portions 442 are in the non-opposing positions UFP, the additional abutment portions 447 are located rearward of the stoppers 240 in the front-rear direction and face the stoppers 240. More specifically, when each of the abutment portions 442 is in the non-opposing positions UFP, each of the additional abutment portions 447 of each set is located rearward of the corresponding stoppers 240 of the corresponding set in the front-rear direction and faces the corresponding stoppers 240 of the corresponding set. That is, when each of the abutment portions 442 is in the non-opposing positions UFP, each of the additional abutment portions 447 of each set is located rearward of the rear surfaces 244 of the corresponding stoppers 240 of the corresponding set in the front-rear direction and faces the rear surfaces 244 of the corresponding stoppers 240 of the corresponding set.

[0066] 10, when the abutment portions 442 are in the unopposed positions UFP, the additional abutment portions 447 are oblique to both the front-rear direction and the orthogonal direction and are inclined relative to the rear surface 244 of the stopper 240. More specifically, when each of the abutment portions 442 is in the unopposed positions UFP, each of the additional abutment portions 447 of each set is oblique to both the front-rear direction and the orthogonal direction and is inclined relative to the rear surface 244 of the corresponding stopper 240 of the corresponding set. As a result, when an attempt is made to move the CPA member 400 from the permissible position ALP to the restricted position RGP while the abutment portion 442 is in the non-opposing position UFP, the additional abutment portion 447 abuts against the rear surface 244 of the stopper 240 from behind, but the additional abutment portion 447 then moves outward in the perpendicular direction and forward in the fore-and-aft direction so as to overcome the rear surface 244 of the stopper 240, and therefore the movement of the CPA member 400 from the permissible position ALP to the restricted position RGP is not hindered.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 28, the tip portion 440 is provided with a release protrusion 444 .

[0068] As shown in Fig. 28, the release protrusion 444 in this embodiment protrudes from the tip portion 440 in the orthogonal direction. That is, the release protrusion 444 protrudes inward from the tip portion 440 in the orthogonal direction, i.e., in the width direction. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the release protrusion 444 may protrude outward in the orthogonal direction from the tip portion 440. With reference to Figs. 6 and 10, when the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are connected, the release protrusion 444 is pressed by the mating release portion 714 to move the abutment portion 442 from the facing position FP to the non-facing position UFP.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 28, the release protrusion 444 of the present embodiment has an inclined surface 4441 and an inner end 4446 .

[0070] 28, the inclined surface 4441 of the present embodiment defines the front end of the release protrusion 444 in the front-rear direction. The inclined surface 4441 intersects both the front-rear direction and the orthogonal direction. More specifically, the inclined surface 4441 intersects obliquely with both the front-rear direction and the width direction. The inclined surface 4441 extends from the inner end 4446 forward in the front-rear direction and outward in the width direction.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 28, the inner end 4446 in this embodiment is the innermost end of the release projection 444 in the orthogonal direction, that is, in the width direction.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 28, the tip 440 has a beveled surface 446 .

[0073] 28, the inclined surface 446 in this embodiment faces rearward in the front-rear direction and inward in the width direction. The inclined surface 446 is located in front of the receiving portion 432 in the front-rear direction. The inclined surface 446 is located in front of the inner end 4446 of the release protrusion 444 in the front-rear direction.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 28, the second arm portion 450 of this embodiment extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base end portion 410. More specifically, the second arm portion 450 extends forward in the front-rear direction from the vicinity of the outer end in the width direction of the base end portion 410. The second arm portion 450 is connected to the tip portion 440. The second arm portion 450 is located outside the first arm portion 430 in the orthogonal direction, i.e., the width direction. The second arm portion 450 is elastically deformable. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the second arm portion 450 does not need to have elasticity. As shown in FIG. 10, when the CPA member 400 is in the allowable position ALP, the second arm portion 450 is located away from the first arm portion 430 in the orthogonal direction, and is located between the release protrusion 444 and the correcting portion 210 in the orthogonal direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the CPA member 400 is at least in the permissible position ALP, the second arm portion 450 is positioned away from the first arm portion 430 in the perpendicular direction, and is positioned between the release protrusion 444 and the correction portion 210 in the perpendicular direction.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, each of the second arms 450 is provided with a pressed portion 452 and a transmission portion 454.

[0076] 28, the pressed portion 452 in this embodiment faces outward in the orthogonal direction, i.e., the width direction. The pressed portion 452 defines the outer end of the second arm portion 450 in the width direction. The pressed portion 452 is located rearward in the front-rear direction of the release protrusion 444. The pressed portion 452 is located forward in the front-rear direction of the edge 434 of the first arm portion 430.

[0077] 28, the transmission part 454 in this embodiment is located in front of the pressed part 452 in the front-rear direction. The transmission part 454 is connected to the pressed part 452. The transmission part 454 is connected to the tip part 440.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 28, the second arm portion 450 of the present embodiment has an opposing portion 453 , a first protrusion 456 , and a second protrusion 458 .

[0079] As shown in FIG. 28, the facing portion 453 in this embodiment faces rearward in the front-rear direction. The facing portion 453 intersects with the front-rear direction. The facing portion 453 is located between the pressed portion 452 and the first convex portion 456 in the front-rear direction. The facing portion 453 is located rearward of the pressed portion 452 in the front-rear direction. The facing portion 453 is located forward of the first convex portion 456 in the front-rear direction. The facing portion 453 is located rearward of the release protrusion 444 in the front-rear direction. The facing portion 453 is located forward of the edge 434 of the first arm portion 430 in the front-rear direction.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 28, the first convex portion 456 of this embodiment protrudes outward in the orthogonal direction, i.e., the width direction. The first convex portion 456 is located between the pressed portion 452 and the second convex portion 458 in the front-rear direction. The first convex portion 456 is located rearward of the pressed portion 452 in the front-rear direction. The first convex portion 456 is located forward of the second convex portion 458 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, when the CPA member 400 is in the allowable position ALP, the first convex portion 456 is located rearward of the housing 200 in the front-rear direction. More specifically, when the CPA member 400 is in the allowable position ALP, the first convex portion 456 is located rearward of the abutted portion 270 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 26, the first convex portion 456 has a front surface 4562 and a rear surface 4564.

[0081] 28, the front surface 4562 of the present embodiment defines the front end in the front-rear direction of the first protrusion 456. The front surface 4562 faces forward in the front-rear direction and outward in the width direction. The front surface 4562 intersects obliquely with both the front-rear direction and the width direction.

[0082] 28, the rear surface 4564 of the present embodiment defines a rear end in the front-rear direction of the first protrusion 456. The rear surface 4564 faces rearward in the front-rear direction and outward in the width direction. The rear surface 4564 intersects obliquely with both the front-rear direction and the width direction.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 28, the second protrusion 458 in this embodiment protrudes outward in the orthogonal direction, i.e., the width direction. The second protrusion 458 is located rearward in the front-rear direction of the first protrusion 456. With reference to Figs. 2 and 28, when the CPA member 400 is in the permissible position ALP, the second protrusion 458 is located rearward in the front-rear direction of the housing 200. As shown in Fig. 26, the second protrusion 458 has a front surface 4582 and a rear surface 4584.

[0084] 28, the front surface 4582 of the present embodiment defines a front end in the front-rear direction of the second protrusion 458. The front surface 4582 faces forward in the front-rear direction and outward in the width direction. The front surface 4582 intersects obliquely with both the front-rear direction and the width direction.

[0085] 28, rear surface 4584 in the present embodiment defines a rear end in the front-rear direction of second protrusion 458. Rear surface 4584 faces rearward in the front-rear direction and outward in the width direction. Rear surface 4584 intersects obliquely with both the front-rear direction and the width direction.

[0086] 28, the CPA member 400 has two spaces 460. The spaces 460 are located between the first arm portion 430 and the second arm portion 450. More specifically, two sets each consisting of the first arm portion 430, the tip portion 440, and the second arm portion 450 correspond to the two spaces 460, respectively, and each of the spaces 460 is located between the first arm portion 430 and the second arm portion 450 of the corresponding set in the width direction.

[0087] 18, each of the terminals 500 in this embodiment is made of metal. The terminals 500 are held in the fitting portion 208 of the housing 200. As shown in FIG.

[0088] The operation and state of each part of connector 100 and mating connector 700 when connector 100 is connected to mating connector 700 will be described in detail below.

[0089] 1, the connector 100 is placed behind the mating connector 700 in the front-rear direction. In this state, the connector 100 is moved forward relative to the mating connector 700. Then, the mating portion 208 of the connector 100 is accommodated in the mating portion accommodating portion 720 of the mating connector 700, and the mating end portion 711 of the mating connector 700 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 250 of the connector 100, and the connector assembly 10 enters the semi-mated state shown in FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0090] 8, in this semi-fitted state, the protrusion 290 of the connector 100 is pressed downward by the inner surface of the mating end portion 711 of the mating connector 700, causing the elastic support portion 280 to elastically deform, and as a result, the lock portion 220 is located at the release position RP. In the semi-fitted state, the free end 284 of the elastic support portion 280 is located in front of the front end 422 of the restricting portion 420 in the front-rear direction, and faces the front end 422 of the restricting portion 420.

[0091] 6, in the semi-fitted state, the rear end 7114 of the mating end 711 of the mating connector 700 is located behind the abutting portion 442 in the front-rear direction and is located in front of the inclined surface 4441 of the release protrusion 444 in the front-rear direction. In the semi-fitted state, the rear end 7114 of the mating end 711 of the mating connector 700 is not in contact with the inclined surface 4441 of the release protrusion 444. In the semi-fitted state, the pressed portion 452 of the second arm portion 450 is not in contact with the correcting portion 210 of the housing 200, and the facing portion 453 of the second arm portion 450 is not in contact with the faced portion 230 of the housing 200. In the semi-fitted state, the abutting portion 442 is located at the facing position FP. In the semi-fitted state, the abutment portion 442 is located behind the stopper 240 in the front-rear direction and faces the stopper 240, and the movement of the CPA member 400 from the allowed position ALP to the restricted position RGP is restricted. More specifically, in the semi-fitted state, the abutment portion 442 is located behind the rear surface 244 of the stopper 240 in the front-rear direction and faces the rear surface 244 of the stopper 240, and the movement of the CPA member 400 from the allowed position ALP to the restricted position RGP is restricted.

[0092] In the semi-mated state, when the connector 100 is moved further forward relative to the mating connector 700, the mating locking portion 712 of the mating connector 700 reaches the same position as the locking portion 220 of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction, and the rear end 7114 of the mating end portion 711 of the mating connector 700 comes into contact with the inclined surface 4441 of the release protrusion 444 to move the release protrusion 444 outward in the width direction. As a result, the locking portion 220 moves from the release position RP to the locking position LP, and the abutting portion 442 moves from the facing position FP to the non-facing position UFP, and the connector assembly 10 enters the mated state shown in Figures 9 to 12.

[0093] In this way, while the connector 100 of the present embodiment has a CPA function, it is also capable of being mated with an existing mating connector 700 that was designed without considering the CPA function.

[0094] Referring to Figure 10, when transitioning from the semi-mated state to the mated state, the mating end 711 of the mating connector 700 comes into contact with the inner end 4446 of the release protrusion 444, and each of the first arm portion 430 and the second arm portion 450 elastically deforms outward in the perpendicular direction, i.e., the width direction.

[0095] 12, in the mated state, the locking portion 220 and the mating locking portion 712 lock the mated state of the housing 200 to the mating housing 710. In the mated state, the free end 284 of the elastic support portion 280 is located in front of the front end 422 of the restricting portion 420 in the front-rear direction, but does not face the front end 422 of the restricting portion 420 in the front-rear direction. In the mated state, the terminal 500 of the connector 100 is connected to the mating terminal 750 of the mating connector 700.

[0096] 10, in the fitted state, the second arm portion 450 is located away from the first arm portion 430 in the orthogonal direction, and is located between the release protrusion 444 and the corrective portion 210 in the orthogonal direction, i.e., the width direction. In the fitted state, the abutment portion 442 is located at the non-opposing position UFP. In the fitted state, the abutment portion 442 does not face the stopper 240 in the front-rear direction, and the CPA member 400 is movable from the permitted position ALP to the restricted position RGP.

[0097] 10, in the fitted state, the additional abutment portion 447 is located behind the rear surface 244 of the stopper 240 in the front-rear direction and faces the rear surface 244 of the stopper 240. In the fitted state, the additional abutment portion 447 is oblique to both the front-rear direction and the orthogonal direction, and is inclined with respect to the rear surface 244 of the stopper 240.

[0098] In this fitted state, when the CPA member 400 is moved forward relative to the housing 200, the additional abutment portion 447 abuts against the rear surface 244 of the stopper 240 from behind. Then, when the CPA member 400 is moved further forward relative to the housing 200, the additional abutment portion 447 of the tip portion 440 moves outward in the width direction and forward in the front-to-rear direction so as to get over the rear surface 244 of the stopper 240, and rides up onto the outer surface 248 of the stopper 240. In this state, when the CPA member 400 is moved further forward relative to the housing 200, the additional abutment portion 447 of the tip portion 440 gets over the stopper 240 and moves in front of the front surface 242 of the stopper 240, and the stopper 240 is received in the receiving portion 432 of the first arm portion 430. As a result, the CPA member 400 moves from the allowable position ALP to the restrictive position RGP, and the connector assembly 10 is in the mating guaranteed state shown in Figs. 13 to 16. That is, the connection of the connector 100 to the mating connector 700 is completed. In addition, in the process of transitioning from the mated state to the mating guaranteed state, the first convex portion 456 and the second convex portion 458 of the second arm portion 450 move over the abutted portion 270 of the housing 200 and into the additional accommodating portion 260. As a result, in the process of transitioning from the mated state to the mating guaranteed state, the operator of the CPA member 400 can feel a clicking sensation that occurs when the first convex portion 456 and the second convex portion 458 overcome the abutted portion 270, and can appropriately recognize the transition to the mating guaranteed state.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 16, in the mating guaranteed state, the restricting portion 420 restricts the movement of the locking portion 220 from the locking position LP to the release position RP. Also, with reference to Figs. 14 and 21, in the mating guaranteed state, the receiving portion 432 at least partially receives the stopper 240. With reference to Figs. 21 and 28, in the mating guaranteed state, the stopper 240 is located between the inclined surface 446 and the edge 434 in the front-rear direction. That is, the stopper 240 is located behind the inclined surface 446 and in front of the edge 434 in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 14, in the mating guaranteed state, the second protrusion 458 is located in front of the opposed portion 230 and faces the opposed portion 230 in the front-rear direction.

[0100] As described above, the mating housing 710 does not have a recess recessed inward in the width direction near the mating release portion 714. As a result, in the mating guaranteed state, the release protrusion 444 of the connector 100 continues to receive an external force from the mating end 711 of the mating connector 700 in the orthogonal direction, i.e., the width direction, and the first arm portion 430 of the connector 100 continues to deform outward in the orthogonal direction, i.e., the width direction. As a result, in the mating guaranteed state, the first arm portion 430 may be plastically deformed, causing permanent distortion in the first arm portion 430. Note that in the mating guaranteed state, the second arm portion 450 of the connector 100 has almost returned to its original shape, so there is almost no risk of plastic deformation.

[0101] The operation and state of each part of connector 100 and mating connector 700 when connector 100 is disconnected from mating connector 700 will be described in detail below.

[0102] 13 to 16, when the CPA member 400 is moved rearward relative to the housing 200, the inclined surface 446 (see FIG. 28) of the tip portion 440 abuts against the front surface 242 of the stopper 240. When the CPA member 400 is moved further rearward relative to the housing 200 in this state, the additional abutment portion 447 of the tip portion 440 rides up onto the outer surface 248 of the stopper 240, and the facing portion 453 comes into contact with the inclined surface 215 from the front. Due to this contact, the facing portion 453 receives a force from the inclined surface 215 in the orthogonal direction, i.e., inward in the width direction, and the transmission portion 454 transmits the force to the abutment portion 442 and the release protrusion 444. In this state, when the CPA member 400 is further moved backward with respect to the housing 200, the pressed portion 452 rides up on the correcting portion 210, and the facing portion 453 comes into contact with the facing portion 230 in the front-rear direction after riding up on the correcting portion 210. As a result, the CPA member 400 moves from the restricting position RGP to the allowing position ALP, and the connector assembly 10 is in the mated state shown in Figs. 9 to 12. In addition, in the process of transitioning from the mating assured state to the mated state, the first convex portion 456 and the second convex portion 458 of the second arm portion 450 ride over the facing portion 230 of the housing 200 and move to the rear of the housing 200. As a result, even in the process of transitioning from the mating assured state to the mated state, the operator of the CPA member 400 can get a clicking sensation generated when the first convex portion 456 and the second convex portion 458 ride over the facing portion 230, and can appropriately recognize the transition to the mated state.

[0103] Even during the transition from the mating assured state to the mated state, the mating end 711 of the mating connector 700 continues to contact the inner end 4446 of the release protrusion 444, and the first arm portion 430 continues to deform in the orthogonal direction, i.e., outward in the width direction. Also, when transitioning from the mating assured state to the mated state, the correction portion 210 of the housing 200 presses the pressed portion 452 of the second arm portion 450 in the orthogonal direction, i.e., in the width direction, and the transmission portion 454 of the second arm portion 450 transmits the pressure to the tip portion 440, and the second arm portion 450 elastically deforms.

[0104] In this mated state, the operating portion 283 is pressed to move the locking portion 220 to the release position RP to release the lock on the mated state of the housing 200 relative to the mating housing 710, and then the connector 100 is moved backward relative to the mating connector 700, so that the mating end 711 of the mating connector 700 releases contact with the release protrusion 444 of the tip portion 440 and moves forward of the release protrusion 444, and the connector assembly 10 enters a semi-mated state.

[0105] Here, if the first arm portion 430 does not undergo the above-mentioned plastic deformation in the mating guaranteed state, the connector assembly 10 is in the semi-mated state shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 8. That is, referring to Fig. 6, when moving from the mated state to the semi-mated state, since the first arm portion 430 does not undergo the above-mentioned plastic deformation, the contact portion 442 of the tip portion 440 is corrected so as to move from the non-opposing position UFP to the opposing position FP by the restoring forces of both the first arm portion 430 and the second arm portion 450. In this case, the pressed portion 452 is not in contact with the correcting portion 210 at the time when the contact portion 442 moves to the opposing position FP.

[0106] On the other hand, if the first arm portion 430 has been plastically deformed in the mating guaranteed state, when the mated state transitions to the semi-mated state, the pressing force applied to the pressed portion 452 of the correcting portion 210 is transmitted to the tip portion 440 by the transmitting portion 454, and the abutting portion 442 of the tip portion 440 is corrected to move from the non-facing position UFP to the facing position FP. That is, in the connector 100 of this embodiment, even if the first arm portion 430 is plastically deformed, when the connector 100 is removed from the mating connector 700 after the CPA member 400 is moved from the restricting position RGP to the allowing position ALP, the correcting portion 210 presses the pressed portion 452, and the transmitting portion 454 transmits the pressing force to the tip portion 440 to correct the abutting portion 442 to be located in the facing position FP.

[0107] In particular, in CPA member 400 of the present embodiment, second arm portion 450 is connected to tip portion 440 on which contact portion 442 is provided. This ensures that connector 100 of the present embodiment can reliably correct contact portion 442 from non-facing position UFP to facing position FP.

[0108] In summary, if the first arm portion 430 does not plastically deform in the mating guaranteed state, when the CPA member 400 is moved from the restricting position RGP to the allowing position ALP and then the connector 100 is removed from the mating connector 700, the abutting portion 442 will be located at the opposing position FP with the pressed portion 452 not in contact with the correcting portion 210. Also, if the first arm portion 430 plastically deforms in the mating guaranteed state, when the CPA member 400 is moved from the restricting position RGP to the allowing position ALP and then the connector 100 is removed from the mating connector 700, the abutting portion 442 will be located at the opposing position FP with the pressed portion 452 in contact with the correcting portion 210.

[0109] Finally, in the connector assembly 10 in the semi-mated state, the connector 100 is pulled backward relative to the mating connector 700. This completes the removal of the connector 100 from the mating connector 700. If the above-mentioned plastic deformation has not occurred in the first arm portion 430 in the mating guaranteed state, the connector assembly 10 will be in the unmated state shown in FIG. 2 when the removal of the connector 100 from the mating connector 700 is completed.

[0110] Although the present invention has been specifically described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications are possible.

[0111] Although the release protrusion 444 in the above-described embodiment protrudes from the tip portion 440 in the orthogonal direction, the present invention is not limited thereto. The release protrusion 444 may protrude from the first arm portion 430 in the orthogonal direction. The release protrusion 444 may be provided so as to straddle the boundary portion between the first arm portion 430 and the tip portion 440. That is, the connector 100 may be configured such that the release protrusion 444 is provided on at least one of the first arm portion 430 and the tip portion 440, and the release protrusion 444 protrudes from at least one of the first arm portion 430 and the tip portion 440 in the orthogonal direction. When the release protrusion 444 is provided at a position close to the abutting portion 442, the movement of the abutting portion 442 from the facing position FP to the non-facing position UFP when the semi-fitted state is shifted to the fitted state can be realized with a small displacement of the first arm portion 430. Therefore, the connector 100 can be made smaller than when the release protrusion 444 is provided at a position away from the abutting portion 442. Therefore, it is more preferable that the release protrusion 444 be provided at a location close to the contact portion 442 .

[0112] In the above embodiment, when the connector 100 is removed from the mating connector 700 after the CPA member 400 moves from the restricting position RGP to the allowing position ALP, the transmission unit 454 transmits the above-mentioned pressure to the tip portion 440, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the connector 100 may be configured such that when the connector 100 is removed from the mating connector 700 after the CPA member 400 moves from the restricting position RGP to the allowing position ALP, the transmission unit 454 transmits the above-mentioned pressure to the first arm portion 430. In other words, even if the first arm portion 430 is plastically deformed, the connector 100 is configured so that when the CPA member 400 is moved from the restricting position RGP to the permissible position ALP and then the connector 100 is removed from the mating connector 700, the correction portion 210 presses the pressed portion 452, and the transmission portion 454 transmits the above pressure to at least one of the first arm portion 430 and the tip portion 440, thereby correcting the abutment portion 442 to be positioned in the opposing position FP.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the mating housing 710 of the mating connector 700 does not have a recess for receiving the release protrusion 444 of the connector 100 in the mating guaranteed state, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the mating housing 710 of the mating connector 700 may be provided with a recess for receiving the release protrusion 444 of the connector 100 in the mating guaranteed state, thereby preventing stress from acting on the first arm portion 430 from the mating housing 710 via the release protrusion 444 in the mating guaranteed state, thereby preventing plastic deformation of the first arm portion 430. The present invention begins with the problem of mating with an existing mating connector 700 that does not have such a recess, but does not prevent a connector having such a recess from being used as the mating connector 700. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10 Connector assembly 100 Connectors 200 Housing 205 Encirclement 208 Fitting part 210 Orthodontics Department 215 Slope 220 Lock Section 230 Opposed part 240 Stopper 242 Front 244 Rear 246 Inside 248 Exterior 250 Storage unit 260 Additional Storage Unit 270 Abutted part 280 Elastic support part 283 Operation section 284 Free end 290 Protrusion 292 Rear 400 CPA parts 410 Proximal end 420 Regulatory Department 422 Front end 430 First Arm 432 Receptor 434 En 440 Tip 442 Contact part 444 Release protrusion 4441 Slope 4446 Inner end 446 Slope 447 Additional abutment 450 Second arm section 452 Pressed part 453 Opposite part 454 Transmission section 456 First convex part 4562 Front 4564 Rear 458 Second convex part 4582 Front 4584 Rear 460 Space 500 Terminals 700 Mating Connector 710 Mating housing 711 Mating end 7112 Top 7114 Rear end 712 Counterpart lock part 714 Opponent release part 720 Fitting part housing part 730 holes 732 Peripheral surface 750 Counterpart terminal ALP allowable position FP Opposite Position LP Lock Position RP release position RGP regulation position UFP non-opposed position

Claims

1. A connector that can be connected to a mating connector located forward in a front-rear direction, The mating connector includes a mating housing, The mating housing has a mating locking portion and a mating releasing portion, The connector includes a housing and a CPA member, the housing is engageable with the mating housing located forward in the front-rear direction, The housing is provided with a correction portion, a lock portion, and a stopper, The correction portion is raised in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, The locking portion can be in a locked position and an unlocked position, When the locking portion is in the locked position, the locking portion and the mating locking portion lock the mating state of the housing relative to the mating housing, the CPA member is attached to the housing so as to be movable between a restricted position and an allowed position in the front-rear direction, the permissible position is located behind the restricting position in the front-rear direction, The CPA member has a base end, a restriction portion, a first arm portion, a tip end portion, and a second arm portion, The restricting portion extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base end portion, When the CPA member is in the restricted position, the restricting portion restricts the movement of the locking portion from the locked position to the released position, When the CPA member is in the permitted position, the restricting portion permits the locking portion to move from the locked position to the released position, The first arm portion extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base end portion, The tip portion is supported by the first arm portion, The tip portion is provided with an abutment portion, The abutment portion can be in a facing position and a non-facing position, When the connector is not connected to the mating connector and the CPA member is in the permitted position, the abutment portion is located in the opposing position, When the abutment portion is in the opposing position, the abutment portion is located rearward of the stopper in the front-rear direction and faces the stopper, and the movement of the CPA member from the permitted position to the restricted position is restricted, When the contact portion is in the non-opposing position, the contact portion does not face the stopper in the front-rear direction, and the CPA member is movable from the permitted position to the restricted position, At least one of the first arm portion and the tip portion is provided with a release protrusion, the release protrusion protrudes in the perpendicular direction from at least one of the first arm portion and the tip portion, When the connector and the mating connector are connected to each other, the release protrusion is pressed by the mating release portion to move the abutment portion from the facing position to the non-facing position, The second arm portion extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base end portion, When the CPA member is at least in the permitted position, the second arm portion is located away from the first arm portion in the perpendicular direction and is located between the release protrusion and the correcting portion in the perpendicular direction, The second arm portion is provided with a pressed portion and a transmission portion, Even if the first arm portion is plastically deformed, when the connector is removed from the mating connector after the CPA member is moved from the restricted position to the permitted position, the correcting portion presses the pressed portion, and the transmitting portion transmits the pressure to at least one of the first arm portion and the tip portion, thereby correcting the abutting portion to be located at the opposing position. connector.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, The second arm portion is connected to the tip portion. connector.

3. 2. The connector of claim 1, The first arm portion is provided with a receiving portion, When the CPA member is in the restricted position, the receiving portion at least partially receives the stopper. connector.

4. 2. The connector of claim 1, the mating release portion is a mating end portion of the mating housing, The housing is provided with a receiving portion, the accommodating portion accommodates the mating end portion when the connector and the mating connector are connected to each other; When the connector is not connected to the mating connector and the CPA member is in the permitted position, the release protrusion is at least partially located within the receiving portion. connector.

5. A connector assembly comprising the connector according to claim 1 and the mating connector, The mating connector includes the mating housing, The mating housing has the mating locking portion and the mating release portion. Connector assembly.

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