Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

To separate two connectors smoothly.SOLUTION: An elastic lock part 21 has: a rear connection part 21a connected to a housing body 26; a front connection part 21b connected to the housing body 26; and a beam part 21c connected to the rear connection part 21a and the front connection part 21b. The beam part 21c has: a front elastic part 23 provided with an engaging part 23a; and a rear elastic part 24. The rear elastic part 24 has a first extension part 24a, a first curve part 24b, and a second extension part 24c. The first extension part 24a extends from a front part of the first curve part 24b in a direction away from the housing body 26. The second extension part 24c extends from a rear part of the first curve part 24b in a direction away from the housing body 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to connectors and connector assemblies. [Background technology]

[0002] In the patent document 1 listed below, the connector has an elastically deformable lock arm connected to the upper surface of the housing body. A locking protrusion and an unlocking portion are formed on the locking arm. The locking protrusion hooks onto the locking portion formed on the mating connector, restricting separation of the two connectors. An operator can release the engagement between the locking protrusion and the mating connector by pressing the unlocking portion, thereby separating the two connectors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-220807 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the structure of Patent Document 1, the force required for elastic deformation of the lock arm, i.e., the force required for separating the two connectors, may be large, which affects the ease of separating the two connectors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] (1) The connector proposed in this disclosure has a housing and is a connector into which a mating connector can be fitted from the front side. The housing has a housing main body that accommodates terminals and an elastic locking portion that is connected to the housing main body and is for engaging with the mating connector. The elastic locking portion has a rear connection portion that is connected to the housing main body, a front connection portion that is connected to the housing main body, and a beam portion that is connected to the rear connection portion and the front connection portion. The beam portion has a front elastic portion in which an engagement portion for engaging with the mating connector is formed, and a rear elastic portion that is formed rearward of the front elastic portion, and the front elastic portion and the rear elastic portion are elastically deformable so that the engagement portion moves toward the housing main body. The rear elastic portion has a first extension portion, a first curved portion, and a second extension portion. The first extension portion extends from a front portion of the first curved portion in a direction away from the housing main body, and the second extension portion extends from a rear portion of the first curved portion in a direction away from the housing main body. The terminals need not be elements of this connector.

[0006] According to this connector, the force required to deform the beam portion can be reduced, and the two connectors can be separated more smoothly.

[0007] (2) In the connector of (1), the rear connection portion may extend from one end of the rear connection portion connected to the housing body in a direction away from the housing body, and the rear elastic portion may have a second curved portion connecting the other end of the rear connection portion and the other end of the second extension portion.

[0008] (3) In the connector described in (1) or (2), the rear connection portion may be located rearward of the first extending portion, the first curved portion, and the second extending portion.

[0009] (4) In the connector according to any one of (1) to (3), the beam portion may have an operating portion located between the front elastic portion and the rear elastic portion.

[0010] (5) In a connector described in any of (1) to (4), the elastic locking portion has a contact portion that contacts an outer surface of the housing body when the engaging portion moves toward the housing body, and the distance between the contact portion and the outer surface of the housing body may be smaller than the distance between the first curved portion and the outer surface of the housing body.

[0011] (6) In the connector described in (5), the outer surface of the housing body may have a first portion facing the contact portion and a second portion facing the first curved portion, and the first portion may bulge toward the contact portion more than the second portion.

[0012] (7) In the connector described in (5) or (6), the contact portion may protrude from the operating portion toward the outer surface of the housing body.

[0013] (8) In the connector according to any one of (1) to (7), the beam portion may be located on an outer side in the left-right direction with respect to a side surface of the housing body.

[0014] (9) In a connector described in any of (5) to (7), the beam portion is located on the outside in the left-right direction with respect to a side surface of the housing body, and the contact portion of the elastic locking portion may contact the side surface of the housing body when the engaging portion moves toward the housing body.

[0015] (10) A connector assembly proposed in the present disclosure includes the connector according to any one of (1) to (9) and the mating connector. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to the present disclosure, in which a connector and a mating connector are assembled together; [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the upper side of a connector proposed in the present disclosure and a mating connector. FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the underside of a connector proposed in the present disclosure and a mating connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector proposed in the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] 1 is a plan view of the right portion of a housing of a connector proposed in the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] 5B is a plan view showing the same part as in FIG. 5A, in which the elastic locking part is shown after elastic deformation. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view of a connector assembly proposed in the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of the right part of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a modified example of the connector proposed in the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing another modified example of the connector proposed in the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The connector and connector assembly proposed in this disclosure will be described below. In this specification, the directions indicated by DU and DD in Fig. 1 are referred to as the upper and lower directions, the directions indicated by DF and DB in Fig. 1 are referred to as the front and rear directions, and the directions indicated by DR and DL in Fig. 1 are referred to as the right and left directions. These directions are used to explain the relative positional relationships of elements (parts, members, parts) of the connector and connector assembly. These directions do not limit the posture of the connector and connector assembly.

[0018] 1, the connector assembly 100 has a mating connector 90 and a connector 10 that can be mated with the mating connector 90. The mating connector 90 is located in front of the connector 10 and can be mated with the connector 10 from the front side of the connector 10. As shown in the figure, the mating connector 90 may be, for example, a connector that is mounted on a circuit board B. The connector 10 may be, for example, a connector that is provided at the ends of a plurality of cables 12. In other words, the connector assembly 100 may be, for example, a connector assembly that electrically connects the cables 12 and the circuit board B.

[0019] 1, the mating connector 90 may be provided at the ends of multiple cables, and the connector 10 may be a connector for mounting on a circuit board B. As yet another example, the mating connector 90 may be a connector provided at the ends of multiple mating cables. That is, the connector 10 and the mating connector 90 may be provided at the end of the cable 12 and the end of the mating cable, respectively. And the connector assembly 100 may be a connector assembly that electrically connects the cable 12 and the mating cable.

[0020] [Mating connector] 2, the mating connector 90 has a plurality of terminals 91 arranged in the left-right direction and a housing 93 that holds these terminals 91. The mating connector 90 may also have two reinforcing brackets 94 that are disposed outboard of the plurality of terminals 91 in the left-right direction.

[0021] The terminal 91 may be plate-shaped. As shown in Fig. 2, the terminal 91 may have a connection portion 91a at the lower end of the rearmost portion thereof, which is connected to the circuit board B. The connection portion 91a may be attached to a conductor pad on the circuit board B, for example, by soldering. The terminal 91 may have a contact portion 91b at its front portion thereof, which is for contacting the terminal 11 of the connector 10. The terminal 91 may be formed by stamping from a metal plate.

[0022] The multiple terminals 91 may be held by a housing 93. As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 93 is formed with multiple holding holes 93a penetrating in the front-rear direction. The housing 93 has a front wall 93g (see Fig. 6). The holding holes 93a may be formed in, for example, this front wall 93a. The multiple terminals 91 are inserted into the holding holes 93a respectively and held therein. The housing 93 is molded from resin.

[0023] The two reinforcing metal fittings 94 may be disposed on the right and left sides of the multiple terminals 91, respectively. As shown in Fig. 2, a retaining hole 93b is formed in the housing 93. The two reinforcing metal fittings 94 are inserted into the retaining hole 93b, respectively, and are retained within the retaining hole 93b. The reinforcing metal fitting 94 has an attachment portion 94a at its lower edge that is attached to the circuit board B by soldering. The attachment portion 94a may be bent outward in the left-right direction.

[0024] 6, a plurality of protrusions 93d extending in the front-rear direction may be formed on the inner surface of the housing 93 (the surface facing the outer surface of the connector 10 accommodated in the housing 93). The protrusions 93d may be formed, for example, on the inner surface (upper surface) of the lower wall 93f among the upper wall 93e, the lower wall 93f, and the left and right side walls 93c of the housing 93. The protrusions 93d may extend from the front wall 93g of the housing 93 to near the center of the space in the housing 93 where the connector 10 is disposed. The plurality of protrusions 93d may be aligned in the left-right direction. The terminals 91 held in the housing 93 may be located above the protrusions 93d.

[0025] Further, a groove 26m (see FIG. 3) extending in the front-rear direction may be formed on the lower surface of the housing body 26 of the connector 10. In the process of inserting the connector 10 into the mating connector 90, the groove 26m of the connector 10 may move forward along a protrusion 93d (see FIG. 6) of the mating connector 90. In this way, the connector 10 is not tilted during insertion and is guided to the correct position relative to the mating connector 90. This makes it possible to prevent the connector 10 and the mating connector 90 from colliding with each other in unintended places.

[0026] 2, the reinforcing metal fitting 94 may have an engaged portion 94b. The engaged portion 94b may be, for example, a hole penetrating the plate-shaped reinforcing metal fitting 94 in the left-right direction. An engaging portion 23a (see FIG. 8B) of the housing 20 of the connector 10 engages with this engaged portion 94b, thereby restricting separation of the connector 10 and the mating connector 90. The engaged portion 94b does not have to be such a hole as long as it has a structure that allows engagement with the engaging portion 23a.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the engaged portion 94b is spaced upward from the mounting portion 94a, and the reinforcing metal fitting 94 may have a wall portion 94e between the mounting portion 94a and the lower edge of the engaged portion 94b. As described above, the reinforcing metal fitting 94 has the mounting portion 94a at its lower edge, which is attached to the circuit board B by soldering. The wall portion 94e can increase the area of ​​the portion to be soldered, and can improve the attachment strength to the circuit board B. In other words, since the engaged portion 94b does not reach the mounting portion 94a, it is possible to suppress a decrease in attachment strength caused by the formation of the engaged portion 94b. The engaged portion 94b may be formed in a member different from the reinforcing metal fitting 94. For example, the engaged portion 94b may be formed in the housing 93.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 4, the connector 10 is formed with an elastic locking portion 21, which will be described in detail later. An engaging portion 23a is formed in this elastic locking portion 21. A notch 23d (see Fig. 3) is formed below the engaging portion 23a in the elastic locking portion 21 to avoid interference with a wall portion 94e of the reinforcing metal fitting 94. This makes it possible to reduce the height of the connector assembly 100 while maintaining the locking force between the engaging portion 23a and the engaged portion 94b.

[0029] 2, the reinforcing metal fitting 94 may have an upper plate portion 94f at its upper edge, which extends toward the center in the left-right direction of the mating connector 90. This upper plate portion 94f can increase the strength of the reinforcing metal fitting 94 (particularly the strength of the portion around the engaged portion 94b).

[0030] [connector] As shown in Fig. 2, the connector 10 has a housing 20. The housing 20 has a housing body 26 that houses a plurality of terminals 11 arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The housing body 26 may be formed, for example, in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The terminals 11 may be terminals that are attached to ends of cables 12, for example. The housing body 26 may be formed with retaining holes 26a (see Fig. 3) that extend in the front-rear direction. The terminals 11 may be inserted into the retaining holes 26a and held therein.

[0031] The terminal 11 may have two contact portions 11a at its front portion, which face each other in the left-right direction. The contact portion 91b of the terminal 91 of the mating connector 90 is inserted between the two contact portions 11a. The two contact portions 11a are leaf spring-shaped, and are pressed against the side surfaces of the contact portion 91b by their elastic force, thereby being electrically connected.

[0032] 2, the terminal 11 may have a barrel at its rear portion. That is, the terminal 11 may have, as the barrel, a cable holding portion 11c that holds the outer sheath of the cable 12, and a crimping portion 11b that holds the electric wire (core wire) of the cable 12 and electrically connects thereto.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, the terminal 11 may have a held portion 11d. The held portion 11d is formed, for example, on the upper surface of the terminal 11. The holding hole 26a may be formed with a holding portion 26g (see Fig. 4) that hooks onto the held portion 11d and restricts the terminal 11 from coming out (movement of the terminal 11 rearward). As shown in Fig. 4, the holding portion 26g may be in the form of a leaf spring exposed on the upper surface 26h of the housing main body 26. A tip 26k (see Fig. 4) of the holding portion 26g may hook onto the held portion 11d.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, a guide protrusion 26n extending in the front-rear direction may be formed on the upper surface of the housing main body 26. Meanwhile, a guide groove 93h extending in the front-rear direction may be formed on the upper wall 93e of the housing 93 of the mating connector 90. In the example shown in the figure, two guide protrusions 26n and two guide grooves 93h separated in the left-right direction are formed. In the process of inserting the connector 10 into the mating connector 90, the guide protrusions 26n fit into the guide grooves 93h and move forward along the guide grooves 93h. This makes it possible to prevent the connector 10 and the mating connector 90 from abutting on unintended portions.

[0035] 2, a recess 93i may be formed on the edge of the upper wall 93e of the housing 93. The recess 93i is formed between the left and right guide grooves 93h. In the process of inserting the connector 10 into the mating connector 90, the two guide protrusions 26n that are separated in the left-right direction are first placed in this recess 93i and then fitted into the above-mentioned guide grooves 93h.

[0036] Contrary to the example shown in the figure, guide protrusions may be formed on the inner surface of the housing 93 and guide grooves may be formed on the upper surface of the housing body 26.

[0037] 2, a hole 93j may be formed in the upper wall 93e of the housing 93, penetrating it in the vertical direction. When an operator inserts the connector 10 into the mating connector 90, the operator can visually confirm the passage of the front edge of the housing main body 26 through this hole 93j. In other words, the hole 93j can function as a mating detection window.

[0038] [Elastic lock part] 4, the housing 20 has elastic locking portions 21 for engaging with a mating connector 90. The two elastic locking portions 21 are connected to the right and left portions of the housing body 26, respectively.

[0039] The elastic locking portion 21 may be a portion integrally molded with the housing main body 26 using resin. That is, the housing 20 may be molded by supplying heated and molten resin to a mold corresponding to the shape of the housing 20 including the elastic locking portion 21 and the housing main body 26, and then cooling and solidifying the resin. In the connector proposed in the present disclosure, the elastic locking portion 21 and the housing main body 26 are not members that are molded separately and attached to each other after molding.

[0040] 4, the elastic locking portion 21 may have, at its rear end, a rear connection portion 21a connected to the housing main body 26. In addition, the elastic locking portion 21 may have, at its front end, a front connection portion 21b connected to the housing main body 26. The rear connection portion 21a and the front connection portion 21b may be connected to a side surface 26b of the housing main body 26.

[0041] 4, the elastic locking portion 21 has a beam portion 21c connected to the rear connecting portion 21a and the front connecting portion 21b. The beam portion 21c may be located outside in the left-right direction with respect to the side surface 26b of the housing main body 26. That is, the beam portion 21c of the right elastic locking portion 21 may be located to the right of the right side surface 26b, and the beam portion 21c of the left side may be located to the left of the left side surface 26b.

[0042] 4, the beam portion 21c has a front elastic portion 23 formed at its front portion, and a rear elastic portion 24 formed rearward of the front elastic portion 23. The front elastic portion 23 is formed with the above-mentioned engagement portion 23a for engaging with the mating connector 90. The elastic portions 23, 24 are elastically deformable so that the engagement portion 23a moves relative to the housing main body 26, i.e., so that the engagement portion 23a moves toward the center C1 of the housing 20 in the left-right direction (see FIGS. 5A and 5B).

[0043] The beam portion 21c may have an operating portion 22 at a midpoint of the beam portion 21c for an operator to push toward the center of the housing 20 in the left-right direction. The front elastic portion 23 extends from the operating portion 22 toward the front connecting portion 21b. The rear elastic portion 24 extends from the operating portion 22 toward the rear connecting portion 21a. As shown in Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B, the front elastic portion 23 and the rear elastic portion 24 are elastically deformable so that the operating portion 22 and the engaging portion 23a move in the left-right direction. In other words, the front elastic portion 23 and the rear elastic portion 24 are elastically deformable so that the operating portion 22 and the engaging portion 23a approach the side surface (outer surface) 26b of the housing main body 26.

[0044] [Operation section] The operation portion 22 protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the front elastic portion 23. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the connector 10 is mated with the mating connector 90, the front elastic portion 23 is accommodated inside the housing 93 of the mating connector 90. On the other hand, the operation portion 22 is not accommodated in the housing 93, is located rearward of the side wall 93c of the housing 93, and protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the side wall 93c. The elastic lock portion 21 is provided on the right and left parts of the housing 20. Therefore, when the connector 10 is mated with the mating connector 90, the worker can elastically deform the elastic lock portion 21 by pinching the operation portion 22 of the left and right elastic lock portions 21 with his / her fingers. Unlike the example shown in FIG. 8B, the operation portion 22 does not have to protrude outward in the left-right direction from the side wall 93c of the mating connector 90. As long as the operating portion 22 and the engaging portion 23a are elastically deformable in a direction approaching the side surface (outer surface) 26b of the housing body 26, the position of the operating portion 22 is not particularly limited.

[0045] The side surface of the operation unit 22 may have projections and recesses. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the side surface of the operation unit 22 may have recesses 22g. This makes it easier for the operator's fingers to catch on the operation unit 22, and the operation of pressing the operation unit 22 to separate the connector 10 from the mating connector 90 can be performed smoothly.

[0046] [Front elastic part and engagement part] As shown in Fig. 4, the front elastic portion 23 is formed with an engaging portion 23a for engaging with an engaged portion 94b (see Figs. 2 and 8B) of the mating connector 90. The engaging portion 23a is formed on a side surface 23b (a surface facing outward in the left-right direction) of the front elastic portion 23. The engaging portion 23a may be a convex portion that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the side surface 23b. As described above, when the connectors 10 and 90 are mated with each other, the engaging portion 23a fits into the engaged portion 94b, which is a hole formed in the reinforcing metal fitting 94 (see Fig. 8B), thereby restricting separation of the connector 10 and the mating connector 90.

[0047] Unlike the example shown in the figure, the reinforcing metal fitting 94 may have a convex portion formed as the engaged portion 94b, and the front elastic portion 23 may have a concave portion formed as the engaging portion 23a.

[0048] [Back elastic part] As shown in FIG. 5A, the rear elastic portion 24 may have a first stretched portion 24a, a first curved portion 24b, and a second stretched portion 24c.

[0049] 5A, the first extension portion 24a extends from a front portion of the first curved portion 24b in a direction away from the housing main body 24, i.e., toward the outside in the left-right direction. An end portion (an outer end portion in the left-right direction) of the first extension portion 24a is connected to the operation portion 22. The second extension portion 24c extends from a rear portion of the first curved portion 24b in a direction away from the housing main body 24, i.e., toward the outside in the left-right direction. An end portion (an outer end portion in the left-right direction) of the second extension portion 24c is connected to the rear connection portion 21a.

[0050] The first extension portion 24a and the second extension portion 24c may extend obliquely. That is, the first extension portion 24a may extend obliquely from the front of the first curved portion 24b toward the front and the outside in the left-right direction. The second extension portion 24c may extend obliquely from the rear of the first curved portion 24b toward the rear and the outside in the left-right direction. Unlike the example shown in the figure, the extension direction of the first extension portion 24a and the second extension portion 24b may be parallel to the left-right direction. The first extension portion 24a may extend linearly or may be curved.

[0051] The first extending portion 24a, the first curved portion 24b, and the second extending portion 24c may be generally U-shaped and open toward the outside in the left-right direction due to the above-mentioned mutual connection. The first curved portion 24b corresponds to the curved portion of the U-shape and is located inside the first extending portion 24a and the second extending portion 24c in the left-right direction. The first curved portion 24b may be curved in an arc shape. Furthermore, the first curved portion 24b may be bent at the center of the first curved portion 24b. That is, the first extending portion 24a, the first curved portion 24b, and the second extending portion 24c may be generally V-shaped and open toward the outside in the left-right direction. In order to flexibly and elastically deform the first extending portion 24a, the first curved portion 24b, and the second extending portion 24c, it is desirable for the first curved portion 24b to have a smooth curve.

[0052] Since the rear elastic part 24 has the first curved part 24b in this manner, it is possible to lengthen the rear elastic part 24 while preventing an increase in the size of the connector 10. As a result, it is possible to reduce the operating force F (see Figs. 5A and 5B, the force pressing the operating part 22) required to displace the operating part 22. As a result, it is possible to smoothly separate the two connectors 10·90.

[0053] 5A, the operating portion 22 is located rearward of the center position Pc1 of the length of the beam portion 21c in the front-rear direction. Even in such a structure, the rear elastic portion 24 can be easily lengthened by using the first curved portion 24b.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 5A, the rear elastic portion 24 may further include a second curved portion 24d. The second extending portion 24c is connected to a front portion of the second curved portion 24d. The rear connecting portion 21a is connected to a rear portion of the second curved portion 24d. The second curved portion 24d may be curved in an arc shape, or may be bent at the center of the second curved portion 24d. The rear connecting portion 21a extends from the second curved portion 24d toward the center C1 of the housing 20 in the left-right direction (toward the side surface 26b of the housing main body 26).

[0055] As shown in Fig. 5A, the second curved portion 24d and the rear connection portion 21a are located rearward of the first curved portion 24b. Therefore, in a side view of the housing 20 (when viewed in the direction of the arrow DL), a part of the rear elastic portion 24 does not overlap another part of the rear elastic portion 24. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5B, when the rear elastic portion 24 is displaced, the curved portions 24b, 24d and the extension portions 24a, 24c do not come into contact with each other. As a result, the amount of displacement of the elastic locking portion 21 in the left-right direction can be sufficiently ensured.

[0056] Moreover, since the rear elastic part 24 has the second curved part 24d, it is easy to ensure the length of the rear elastic part 24. As a result, the operating force F required to displace the operating part 22 (see Figs. 5A and 5B, the force to press the operating part 22) can be further reduced.

[0057] 5B shows the state of beam 21c when operating portion 22 is pressed. When operating portion 22 is pressed, first extension 24a moves in the direction of arrow D1 (see FIG. 5A), and the position of first curved portion 24b and second extension 24c move in the direction of arrow D2 (see FIG. 5A). That is, first extension 24a tilts toward side surface 26b around first curved portion 24b. Also, the position of first curved portion 24b and second extension 24c move backward around second curved portion 24d.

[0058] In the initial state (when the beam portion 21c is not elastically deformed), the end 24e (the end closer to the side surface 26b, see FIG. 5A) of the first curved portion 24b is located closer to the center C1 of the housing 20 in the left-right direction than the inner surface 23c (the surface facing the side surface 26b, see FIG. 5A) of the front elastic portion 23. The end 24f (the end opposite the side surface 26b) of the second curved portion 24d is located outside in the left-right direction than the side surface 23b (the surface facing the opposite side surface 26b) of the front elastic portion 23. This structure ensures a sufficient length of the rear elastic portion 24.

[0059] The thickness T1 (see FIG. 8B) of the first extension portion 24a may not be uniform. The thickness T1 of the first extension portion 24a may be gradually narrowed from a base portion of the first extension portion 24a closer to the operation portion 22 toward the first curved portion 24b. This makes it easier for the rear elastic portion 24 to be allowed to elastically deform.

[0060] 5A, the operating part 22 is located behind the center position Pc1 of the beam part 21c in the front-rear direction. The center of the operating part 22 in the front-rear direction may be located behind the center position Pc1 of the beam part 21c, or the entire operating part 22 may be located behind the center position Pc1. Such an arrangement of the operating part 22 makes it easier to ensure the length of the front elastic part 23 in the front-rear direction. As a result, it becomes easier to ensure the movable range of the engagement part 23a.

[0061] The engagement portion 23a is shifted rearward with respect to a center position Pc2 (see FIG. 5A) in the front-rear direction of the front elastic portion 23. This can ensure a movable range of the engagement portion 23a when the operating portion 22 is pressed.

[0062] [Prevention of contact of the first curved part with the housing body] 5B, the beam portion 21c has a contact portion 22c. The contact portion 22c is a portion that comes into contact with the side surface 26b of the housing body 26 when the operating portion 22 moves toward the side surface 26b.

[0063] 4 and 5A, the side surface 26b of the housing main body 26 may have a first portion 26e that faces the tip 22e of the contact portion 22c in the left-right direction, and a second portion 26f that faces the first curved portion 24b in the left-right direction. The first portion 26e may protrude toward the contact portion 22c (outward in the left-right direction) more than the second portion 26f. In other words, the second portion 26f may be recessed more than the first portion 26e. This structure can effectively prevent the first curved portion 24b from hitting the side surface 26b when the operating unit 22 is pressed.

[0064] 5A, the first portion 26e (convex portion) extends forward from a position facing the tip 22e of the contact portion 22c. The first portion 26e has a portion facing the front elastic portion 23. With this structure, even if the force pressing the operating portion 22 becomes excessive and the contact portion 22c hits the first portion 26e and is crushed, the first portion 26e contacts the inner surface 23c of the front elastic portion 23, and as a result, the first curved portion 24b can be prevented from contacting the second portion 26f.

[0065] 5A, the contact portion 22c may be a convex portion protruding from the operating portion 22 toward the side surface 26b of the housing main body 26. The contact portion 22c protrudes toward the side surface 26b further than the inner surface 23c of the front elastic portion 23. When the operating portion 22 is pressed, a tip end 22e of the convex portion comes into contact with the side surface 26b.

[0066] 4, the thickness (width in the vertical direction) of contact portion 22c may be smaller than the thickness (width in the vertical direction) of operation portion 22. With this structure, it is possible to prevent the volume of operation portion 22 from becoming excessively large, and as a result, it becomes easier to mold operation portion 22 from resin.

[0067] 5A, the contact portion 22c has an inclined surface 22f that extends obliquely from the tip 22e toward the first extending portion 24a, thereby ensuring the strength of the contact portion 22c.

[0068] In the example shown in the figure, the first portion 26e and the second portion 26f are formed on the side surface 26b of the housing body 26, and the contact portion 22c protrudes from the operating portion 22. As a result, in the initial state (a state in which the beam portion 21c is not elastically deformed), the distance L1 (see FIG. 8B) between the contact portion 22c and the side surface 26b is smaller than the distance L2 (see FIG. 8B) between the end portion 24e of the first curved portion 24b and the side surface 26b.

[0069] According to this structure, when the operation part 22 is pushed, the contact part 22c hits the side surface 26b of the housing main body 26 before the first bending part 24b. The first bending part 24b does not hit other parts of the housing 20. Thereby, even if a large operating force F (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) acts on the operation part 22, it is possible to prevent the elastic deformation of the rear elastic part 24 from being unintentionally restricted.

[0070] Note that the structure for preventing the first bending part 24b from hitting the side surface 26b of the housing main body 26 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first part 26e may not be formed on the side surface 26b of the housing main body 26. Further, the elastic locking part 21 shown in FIG. 9 has a contact part 22h. The contact part 22h does not protrude from the operation part 22. In such a structure, the distance L1 (see FIG. 9) between the contact part 22h and the side surface 26b may be smaller than the distance L2 (see FIG. 9) between the end part 24e of the first bending part 24b and the side surface 26b. That is, any configuration may be used as long as the relationship L1 < L2 is maintained between the distances L1 and L2. Further, the contact part 22h may be formed on the inner surface 23c of the front elastic part 23 instead of the operation part 22. In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are given to the parts that are the same as the parts described so far.

[0071] [Summary] As described above, the connector 10 has a housing 20, and the mating connector 90 can be fitted from the front side. The housing 20 has a housing main body 26 that accommodates a plurality of terminals 11 arranged in the left-right direction, and an elastic locking portion 21 that is connected to the housing main body 26 and is for engaging with the mating connector 90. The elastic locking portion 21 has a rear connection portion 21a that is connected to the housing main body 26, a front connection portion 21b that is connected to the housing main body 26, and a beam portion 21c that is connected to the rear connection portion 21a and the front connection portion 21b. The beam portion 21c has a front elastic portion 23 in which an engagement portion 23a for engaging with the mating connector 90 is formed, and a rear elastic portion 24 that is formed behind the front elastic portion 23. The front elastic portion 23 and the rear elastic portion 24 are elastically deformable so that the engagement portion 23a moves toward the housing main body 26. The rear elastic portion 24 has a first extension portion 24a, a first curved portion 24b, and a second extension portion 24c. The first extension portion 24a extends from the front of the first curved portion 24b in a direction away from the housing body 26, and the second extension portion 24c extends from the rear of the first curved portion 24b in a direction away from the housing body 26.

[0072] According to this connector 10, the rear elastic part 24 has the first curved part 24b, which makes it easy to lengthen the rear elastic part 24. As a result, the operating force F (see FIG. 5A, the force pressing the operating part 22) required to displace the operating part 22 can be reduced. As a result, the two connectors 10·90 can be smoothly separated.

[0073] [Other examples] It should be noted that the connector proposed in this disclosure is not limited to the connector 10 described above.

[0074] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing yet another modified example of the connector presented in the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the rear elastic portion 24A may have a third extension portion 24g. The third extension portion 24g extends obliquely forward from an end portion (an end portion located on the outer side in the left-right direction) of the first extension portion 24a toward the center C1 of the housing 20 in the left-right direction (toward the side surface 26b of the housing main body 26). A third curved portion 24h may be formed between the third extension portion 24g and the first extension portion 24a. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those described above.

[0075] Furthermore, in the connector 10, the connection portions 21a and 21b of the elastic locking portion 21 are connected to the side surface 26b of the housing main body 26. However, the connection portions 21a and 21b of the elastic locking portion 21 may be connected to other portions of the housing main body 26. For example, the connection portions 21a and 21b of the elastic locking portion 21 may be connected to the upper surface or the lower surface of the housing main body 26. In this case, the number of the elastic locking portion 21 may be one. Furthermore, the housing 20 may have the elastic locking portion 21 on only one of its right and left portions.

[0076] In addition, in the connector 10, the elastic locking portion 21 and the beam portion 21c are located outside the connector body 26 in the left-right direction, but the positions of the elastic locking portion 21 and the beam portion 21c are not limited to this. The locking portion 21 and the beam portion 21c may be located above the connector body 26. In this case, the first portion 26e and the second portion 26f of the connector body 26 may be formed on the upper surface (outer surface) 26h of the connector body 26. As another example, the connector body 26, the elastic locking portion 21, and the beam portion 21c may be located below the connector body 26. In this case, the first portion 26e and the second portion 26f may be formed on the lower surface (outer surface) of the connector body 26. In this case, the mating connector 90 is not mounted on the circuit board B, and the mating connector 90 and the connector 10 may be connectors that connect two cables to each other.

[0077] Furthermore, the connector 10 has a plurality of terminals 11 arranged side by side in the left-right direction. However, the number of terminals 11 that the connector 10 has may be one.

[0078] Moreover, the rear elastic portion 24 does not necessarily have to have the second curved portion 24d. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10: connector, 11: terminal, 11a: contact portion, 11b: crimping portion, 11c: cable holding portion, 11d: held portion, 12: cable, 20: housing, 21: elastic lock portion, 21a: rear connection portion, 21b: front connection portion, 21c: beam portion, 22: operation portion, 22c: contact portion, 22e: tip, 22f: inclined surface, 22g: recess, 22h: contact portion, 23: front elastic portion, 23a: engagement portion, 23b: side surface, 23c: inner surface, 23d: notch, 24·24A: rear elastic portion, 24a: first extension portion, 24b: first curved portion, 24c: second extension portion, 24d: second curved portion, 24e: end portion, 24f: end portion, 24g: third extension portion, 24h: third 3 curved portion, 26: rear elastic portion, 26: housing main body, 26a: retaining hole, 26b: side surface, 26e: first portion, 26f: second portion, 26g: retaining portion, 26h: upper surface, 26k: tip, 26m: groove, 26n: guide protrusion, 90: mating connector, 91: terminal, 91a: connection portion, 91b: contact portion, 93: housing, 93a: retaining hole, 93b: retaining hole, 93c: side wall, 93d: protrusion, 93e: upper wall, 93f: lower wall, 93g: front wall, 93h: guide groove, 93i: recess, 93j: hole, 94: reinforcing metal fitting, 94a: mounting portion, 94b: engaged portion, 94e: wall portion, 94f: upper plate portion, 100: connector assembly, C1: center.

Claims

1. A connector having a housing and a mating connector that can be fitted from the front side, The housing includes: A housing body that accommodates the terminals; a resilient locking portion connected to the housing body for engaging with the mating connector; The elastic locking portion is a rear connection portion connected to the housing body; a front connection portion connected to the housing body; a beam portion connected to the rear connection portion and the front connection portion, the beam portion has a front elastic portion on which an engagement portion for engaging with the mating connector is formed, and a rear elastic portion formed rearward of the front elastic portion, the front elastic portion and the rear elastic portion being elastically deformable so that the engagement portion moves toward the housing main body, The rear elastic portion has a first extension portion, a first curved portion, and a second extension portion, the first extension portion extends from a front portion of the first curved portion in a direction away from the housing main body, The second extending portion extends from a rear portion of the first curved portion in a direction away from the housing main body. connector.

2. the rear connection portion extends from one end of the rear connection portion connected to the housing main body in a direction away from the housing main body, The rear elastic portion has a second curved portion that connects the other end of the rear connection portion and the other end of the second extension portion. The connector according to claim 1 .

3. The rear connection portion is located rearward of the first extension portion, the first curved portion, and the second extension portion. The connector according to claim 1 .

4. The beam portion has an operating portion located between the front elastic portion and the rear elastic portion. The connector according to claim 1 .

5. the elastic locking portion has a contact portion that comes into contact with an outer surface of the housing body when the engaging portion moves toward the housing body, A distance between the contact portion and the outer surface of the housing body is smaller than a distance between the first curved portion and the outer surface of the housing body. The connector according to claim 1 .

6. The outer surface of the housing body has a first portion facing the contact portion and a second portion facing the first curved portion, and the first portion bulges toward the contact portion more than the second portion.

6. The connector according to claim 5.

7. The contact portion protrudes from the operating portion toward the outer surface of the housing body.

6. The connector according to claim 5.

8. The beam portion is located outside in the left-right direction with respect to the side surface of the housing body. The connector according to claim 1 .

9. the beam portion is located on an outer side in a left-right direction with respect to a side surface of the housing main body, The contact portion of the elastic locking portion comes into contact with a side surface of the housing body when the engagement portion moves toward the housing body.

6. The connector according to claim 5.

10. A connector assembly comprising the connector according to claim 9 and the mating connector.

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