Connector device

Abstract

To attain miniaturization.SOLUTION: A connector device A includes: a terminal holding member 10 fitted to a mating connector B; a terminal fitting 16 held by the terminal holding member 10; and a holder 20 moving integrally with the terminal holding member 10 in a fitting direction to the mating connector B. The holder 20 has a first member 21 and a second member 35. A first guide unit 26 is formed that allows relative displacement of the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 in a first direction crossing a fitting direction in the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21. A second guide unit 40 is formed that allows the first member 21 and the second member 35 to be relatively displaced in a second direction crossing both fitting direction and first direction in the first member 21 and the second member 35.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a floating connector including a slide housing with contacts attached thereto, and a base housing that holds the slide housing so that it can be displaced relative to the base housing in both the depth and width directions. A pair of grooves extending in the depth direction are formed on the inner surfaces of both widthwise side walls of the base housing. Projections formed on both widthwise ends of the slide housing are housed in the grooves. The grooves and the projections function to restrict the slide housing and the base housing from being displaced relative to each other in the height direction. The grooves and the projections are further fitted together to allow the slide housing to float relative to the base housing in both the depth and width directions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-093424 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The groove is formed by recessing the side wall of the base housing in the width direction, and the protrusion is formed by protruding from the outer surface of the slide housing in the width direction. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the protrusion from coming off the groove even when the amount of float in the width direction of the slide housing is maximized. Therefore, the width dimensions of the groove and the protrusion are required to be not only the minimum required locking allowance when the protruding end of the protrusion is closest to the opening of the groove during the floating process, but also a dimension equivalent to the maximum amount of float in the width direction of the slide housing. Therefore, the floating connector of Patent Document 1 has a problem of being large in the width direction.

[0005] The connector device of the present disclosure has been completed in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to achieve miniaturization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector device of the present disclosure comprises: a terminal holding member to be fitted into a mating connector; a terminal metal fitting held by the terminal holding member; a holder that moves integrally with the terminal holding member in a fitting direction to the mating connector, The holder has a first member and a second member, a first guide portion is formed on the terminal holding member and the first member to allow the terminal holding member and the first member to be displaced relative to each other in a first direction intersecting the fitting direction; The first member and the second member are formed with a second guide portion that allows the first member and the second member to be displaced relative to each other in a second direction that intersects both the fitting direction and the first direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, miniaturization can be achieved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector device according to a first embodiment, as viewed obliquely from above. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector device of the first embodiment before it is mated with a mating connector, as viewed obliquely from below. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the terminal holding member of the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the terminal holding member of the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from below. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first member of the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first member of the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second member of the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second member of the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the terminal holding member is held in a neutral position relative to the first member, and the first member is held in a neutral position relative to the second member, in the connector device of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ZZ in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the terminal holding member is displaced forward relative to the first member, and the terminal holding member and the first member are displaced leftward relative to the second member in the connector device of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the connector device of the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 14, illustrating a state in which the terminal holding member is inclined with respect to the first member in the connector device of the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 14, illustrating a state in which the first member is inclined with respect to the second member in the connector device of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. Any combination of the following embodiments without causing any contradiction is also included in the embodiments for carrying out the present invention.

[0010] The connector device of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A terminal holding member that is fitted into a mating connector, a terminal fitting held by the terminal holding member, and a holder that moves integrally with the terminal holding member in the fitting direction into the mating connector, the holder having a first member and a second member, the terminal holding member and the first member having a first guide portion formed thereon that allows the terminal holding member and the first member to move relatively in a first direction that intersects the fitting direction, and the first member and the second member having a second guide portion formed thereon that allows the first member and the second member to move relatively in a second direction that intersects both the fitting direction and the first direction.

[0011] According to the configuration of the present disclosure, the positional deviation in the first direction between the mating connector and the terminal holding member is absorbed by the relative displacement of the terminal holding member and the first member by the first guide portion. The positional deviation in the second direction between the mating connector and the terminal holding member is absorbed by the relative displacement of the first member and the second member by the second guide portion. In the second direction, the size required for the second guide portion includes the maximum relative displacement amount (maximum float amount) of the first member and the second member, but no locking allowance is required to prevent the first member and the second member from coming off in the mating direction. Similarly, in the second direction (width direction of the first guide portion), the size required for the first guide portion is only the minimum locking allowance required to prevent the terminal holding member and the first member from coming off in the mating direction. Therefore, in the second direction, the size required for the first guide portion and the second guide portion other than the maximum float amount is only the locking allowance of the first guide portion. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to achieve miniaturization in the second direction.

[0012] (2) It is preferable that the first member has a rectangular tubular shape surrounding the terminal holding member. With this configuration, the rigidity of the first member can be increased.

[0013] (3) In (2), it is preferable that the first guide portion includes a guide rib formed on the first member, an elastically deformable spring portion provided on the terminal holding member, and a locking protrusion provided on the terminal holding member for sandwiching the guide rib between the spring portion and the guide rib, and the spring portion elastically deforms during the process of assembling the terminal holding member and the first member. This configuration makes it easy to assemble the first member and the terminal holding member.

[0014] (4) In (3), it is preferable that the distance between the spring portion and the locking projection in the fitting direction is set to be larger than the thickness dimension of the guide rib, thereby allowing a relative tilt between the terminal holding member and the first member. With this configuration, the relative tilt between the terminal holding member and the first member can be absorbed.

[0015] (5) In any of (1) to (4), the second member is preferably in the shape of a square tube surrounding the first member. With this configuration, the rigidity of the first member can be increased.

[0016] (6) In (5), it is preferable that the second guide portion includes a protrusion formed on an outer surface of the first member and a guide groove formed on an inner surface of the second member, and the inner surface of the second member has an introduction groove formed thereon that communicates with the guide groove and opens to an end of the second member in the fitting direction. According to this configuration, the first member and the second member can be assembled by inserting the protrusion into the introduction groove.

[0017] In (7) and (6), it is preferable that the introduction groove is in communication with the outside of the maximum movement range of the guide groove when absorbing the positional misalignment of the protrusion. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the protrusion from coming off the guide groove and entering the introduction groove during the process of relative displacement between the first member and the second member.

[0018] In (8) and (7), it is preferable that the second member is provided with a stopper that restricts the projection from being displaced outside the maximum movement range. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the projection from entering the guide groove after the first member and the second member are assembled.

[0019] In (9) and (8), it is preferable that the second guide portion includes a protrusion formed on the outer surface of the first member and a guide groove formed on the inner surface of the second member, and the dimension of the guide groove in the fitting direction is set to be larger than the dimension of the protrusion in the fitting direction. With this configuration, it is possible to absorb the relative tilt between the first member and the second member.

[0020] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 13. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In this first embodiment, the F direction in Figs. 1 to 9, 11, and 13 is defined as the front with respect to the front-rear direction. The H direction in Figs. 1 to 8, 10, and 12 is defined as the up direction with respect to the up-down direction. The R direction in Figs. 1 to 11 and 13 is defined as the right direction with respect to the left-right direction.

[0021] The connector device A of the present embodiment 1 is attached to a plate-shaped support member P, and is fitted to a mating connector B attached to a mating support member 55. In the present embodiment 1, the mating connector B is disposed above the connector device A, and the mating connector B and the connector device A are fitted to each other by approaching each other in the vertical direction.

[0022] The mating connector B has a housing body 50 and a female mating terminal (not shown) accommodated in the housing body 50. As shown in Fig. 2, a guide portion 51 that protrudes toward the connector device A is formed on the surface (lower surface) of the housing body 50 facing the connector device A. The guide portion 51 has a guide surface 52 that is inclined with respect to the mating direction. When the mating connector B and the connector device A are mated in a state where they are misaligned in a two-dimensional direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the mating direction, the guide surface 52 comes into sliding contact with the opening edge of the connector device A, thereby correcting the misalignment between the mating connector B and the connector device A in the two-dimensional direction (front-back and left-right directions).

[0023] The connector device A is configured to include a terminal holding member 10, a plurality of male terminal fittings 16 (see FIG. 10), and a holder 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the terminal holding member 10 is rectangular with a mating recess 11 formed on its upper surface (the surface facing the mating connector B). That is, in a plan view of the connector device A seen from above, the terminal holding member 10 is rectangular. A plurality of terminal fittings 16 are attached to the terminal holding member 10. The opening edge of the mating recess 11 in the terminal holding member 10 is rectangular. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 11, a first holding protrusion 12 is formed on each of the left and right outer side surfaces of the terminal holding member 10. The first holding protrusion 12 is elongated in the vertical direction (parallel to the mating direction) and is disposed at the center position of the terminal holding member 10 in the front-rear direction.

[0024] Of the four sides of the opening edge, two short sides in the front-rear direction are formed with locking projections 13 that are elongated in the front-rear direction and protrude in the left-right direction from the outer surface of the terminal holding member 10. As shown in Fig. 4, both front and rear ends of the lower surface of the locking projection 13 are formed with first sliding surfaces 14 that are curved so as to bulge downward in a side view seen from the left-right direction.

[0025] At both front and rear ends of the left and right outer surfaces of the terminal holding member 10, spring portions 15 are formed with a gap in the front-rear direction. The spring portions 15 extend upward in a cantilever shape from the outer surface of the terminal holding member 10. The upper end (extending end) of the spring portion 15 is disposed to face, with a gap, the first sliding contact surface 14 on the lower surface of the locking protrusion 13. The spring portion 15 is elastically deformable so as to tilt in the left-right direction (in the direction of moving away from or approaching the outer surface of the terminal holding member 10).

[0026] The holder 20 is configured with a first member 21 and a second member 35. The first member 21 is a member having a rectangular shape in a plan view. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the first member 21 has a first front wall portion 22, a first rear wall portion 23, and a pair of left and right first side wall portions 24, and is a box shape with both upper and lower surfaces open. A guide rib 25 extending in the front-rear direction is formed at the upper end of the inner surface of both the left and right first side wall portions 24. The guide rib 25, the locking protrusion 13, and the spring portion 15 constitute a first guide portion 26. A first holding plate portion 27 having a first holding portion 28 having an uneven shape in a plan view is formed at the center portion of the guide rib 25 in the front-rear direction. The first holding plate portion 27 is designed to be elastically deformable in the left-right direction.

[0027] A protrusion 29 is formed on each of both left and right ends of the first front wall portion 22 and both left and right ends of the first rear wall portion 23. The protrusion 29 is disposed in the center in the up-down direction of the first front wall portion 22 and the first rear wall portion 23, and protrudes from the outer surfaces of the first front wall portion 22 and the first rear wall portion 23. A second sliding surface 30 is formed on the lower surface of the protrusion 29, which is curved so as to bulge downward in a front view of the first member 21 seen from the front.

[0028] A second holding plate 31 is formed at the left-right center of the first front wall 22 and the left-right center of the first rear wall 23. The second holding plate 31 is disposed at the upper end of the first front wall 22 and the upper end of the first rear wall 23. A second holding protrusion 32 is formed on the outer surface of the second holding plate 31. The second holding plate 31 is adapted to be elastically deformed in a form curved in the front-rear direction. A step portion 33 is formed by recessing the outer surface at the left end of the first front wall 22 and the left end of the first rear wall 23.

[0029] The second member 35 is a member having a rectangular shape in a plan view, similar to the first member 21. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the second member 35 has a second front wall portion 36, a second rear wall portion 37, and a pair of second side walls 38 on the left and right, and is box-shaped with both upper and lower surfaces open. The second member 35 has a size sufficient to surround the first member 21 in a plan view. A guide groove 39 extending in the left-right direction is formed on the inner surface of the second front wall portion 36 and the inner surface of the second rear wall portion 37. The guide groove 39 and the protrusion 29 of the first member 21 form a second guide portion 40.

[0030] A pair of right and left introduction grooves 41R, 41L are formed on the inner surface of the second front wall portion 36 and the inner surface of the second rear wall portion 37, respectively. The introduction grooves 41R, 41L extend in the up-down direction. The lower ends of the introduction grooves 41R, 41L open to the lower surface of the second member 35. The upper end of the right introduction groove 41R communicates with a position to the right of the center in the left-right direction of the guide groove 39. The upper end of the left introduction groove 41L communicates with the left end of the guide groove 39. The left-right distance between the right introduction groove 41R and the left introduction groove 41L is set to the same dimension as the distance between the protrusions 29 arranged on the left and right of the first member 21.

[0031] A second holding portion 42 having an uneven shape in a plan view is formed at the left-right center of the inner surface of the second front wall portion 36 and the left-right center of the inner surface of the second rear wall portion 37. The second holding portion 42 is disposed at the upper end portion of the second member 35. A stopper 43 is formed at the left end portion of the second front wall portion 36, extending in a cantilever shape to the right along the inner surface of the second front wall portion 36. A stopper 43 is formed at the left end portion of the second rear wall portion 37, extending in a cantilever shape to the right along the inner surface of the second rear wall portion 37. The stopper 43 is disposed at the upper end portion of the second member 35, and is capable of elastically deforming in the front-rear direction.

[0032] Next, the procedure for assembling the connector device A will be described. The terminal holding member 10 is fitted into the first member 21 from above. During the fitting process, the four spring portions 15 are elastically deformed. When the locking projection 13 abuts against the upper surface of the guide rib 25, the spring portions 15 elastically return to their original position and come into close contact with the lower surface of the guide rib 25. As a result, the guide rib 25 is sandwiched vertically between the locking projection 13 and the spring portions 15, completing the assembly of the first guide portion 26. When the assembly of the first guide portion 26 is complete, the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 are capable of relative displacement in the front-rear direction, but are restricted from relative displacement in the up-down direction.

[0033] When the first guide portion 26 is assembled, if the first holding projection 12 and the first holding portion 28 are not engaged, the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 are displaced relative to each other in the front-rear direction to engage the first holding projection 12 and the first holding portion 28. By engaging the first holding projection 12 and the first holding portion 28, the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 are placed in a neutral positional relationship in the center in the front-rear direction. That is, the center in the front-rear direction of the terminal holding member 10 and the center in the front-rear direction of the first member 21 coincide with each other, and the terminal holding member 10 is held in a neutral position in the front-rear direction relative to the first member 21. With the above, the assembly of the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 is completed.

[0034] After the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 are assembled, the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 are fitted into the second member 35 from below. At this time, the four protrusions 29 are fitted into the four guide grooves 41R, 41L. Then, after the protrusions 29 reach the guide groove 39, the first member 21 is moved rightward relative to the second member 35, and the protrusions 29 are fitted into the guide groove 39. This completes the assembly of the second guide section 40. When the assembly of the second guide section 40 is completed, the first member 21, the terminal holding member 10, and the second member 35 are allowed to move relative to each other in the left-right direction, but are restricted from moving relative to each other in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

[0035] When the second guide portion 40 is assembled, if the second holding projection 32 and the second holding portion 42 are not engaged, the first member 21 and the second member 35 are displaced relative to each other in the left-right direction to engage the second holding projection 32 and the second holding portion 42. By engaging the second holding projection 32 and the second holding portion 42, the first member 21 and the second member 35 are in a neutral positional relationship in the left-right center. That is, the left-right center of the first member 21 and the left-right center of the second member 35 coincide with each other, and the first member 21 is held in a neutral position relative to the second member 35. As described above, the assembly of the terminal holding member 10, the first member 21, and the second member 35, that is, the assembly of the connector device A, is completed. As an assembly procedure, the first member 21 and the second member 35 may be assembled first, and then the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 may be assembled.

[0036] The mating connector B and the connector device A are mated by vertically approaching the plate-shaped support member P and the mating support member 55. When the mating connector B and the connector device A are mated, if there is any positional deviation between the mating connector B and the terminal holding member 10 in the front-rear or left-right direction, the positional deviation is absorbed as follows.

[0037] When the terminal holding member 10 is misaligned in the front-rear direction relative to the mating connector B, the guide surface 52 of the mating connector B presses the terminal holding member 10 forward or backward while sliding against the opening edge of the upper surface of the terminal holding member 10. This pressing elastically deforms the first holding plate portion 27, the first holding projection 12 comes off the first holding portion 28, and the terminal holding member 10 is relatively displaced in the front-rear direction from the neutral position of the first member 21. At this time, the first sliding contact surface 14 of the locking protrusion 13 slides against the upper surface of the guide rib 25. Since the first sliding contact surface 14 is curved, the frictional resistance between the first sliding contact surface 14 and the locking protrusion 13 is kept small.

[0038] When the terminal holding member 10 is misaligned in the left-right direction with respect to the mating connector B, the guide surface 52 of the mating connector B presses the terminal holding member 10 to the left or right while sliding against the opening edge of the upper surface of the terminal holding member 10. This pressing elastically deforms the second holding plate 31, the second holding protrusion 32 comes off the second holding portion 42, and the first member 21 is relatively displaced in the left-right direction from the neutral position of the second member 35. At this time, the second sliding contact surface 30 of the protrusion 29 slides against the inner surface of the guide groove 39. Since the second sliding contact surface 30 is curved, the frictional resistance between the second sliding contact surface 30 and the inner surface of the guide groove 39 is kept small.

[0039] Furthermore, if the terminal holding member 10 is misaligned in both the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the mating connector B, the terminal holding member 10 displaces relative to the first member 21 in the front-rear direction, and the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 displace relative to the second member 35 in the left-right direction. As a result, the misalignment between the mating connector B and the terminal holding member 10 is absorbed, and the mating terminal (not shown) and the terminal fitting 16 are connected.

[0040] The connector device A of the present embodiment 1 includes a terminal holding member 10 that is fitted to a mating connector B, a terminal fitting 16 that is held by the terminal holding member 10, and a holder 20. The holder 20 is a member that moves integrally with the terminal holding member 10 in the fitting direction to the mating connector B. The holder 20 includes a first member 21 and a second member 35. The terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 are formed with a first guide portion 26 that allows the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 to be displaced relative to each other in a first direction (front-rear direction) that intersects with the fitting direction (up-down direction). The first member 21 and the second member 35 are formed with a second guide portion 40 that allows the first member 21 and the second member 35 to be displaced relative to each other in a second direction (left-right direction) that intersects with both the fitting direction (up-down direction) and the first direction (front-rear direction).

[0041] According to this configuration, misalignment in the first direction (front-rear direction) between the mating connector B and the terminal holding member 10 is absorbed by the relative displacement of the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 by the first guide portion 26. Misalignment in the second direction (left-right direction) between the mating connector B and the terminal holding member 10 is absorbed by the relative displacement of the first member 21 and the second member 35 by the second guide portion 40.

[0042] In the first direction, the size required for the first guide portion 26 includes the maximum relative displacement amount (maximum float amount) between the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 in the front-rear direction, but no locking allowance is required in the first direction to prevent the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 from separating in the mating direction. Similarly, in the first direction (front-rear direction, i.e., the width direction of the second guide portion 40), the size required for the second guide portion 40 (guide groove 39) is only the minimum locking allowance required to prevent the first member 21 and the second member 35 from separating in the mating direction. Therefore, in the first direction, the size required for the first guide portion 26 and the second guide portion 40 other than the maximum float amount is only the locking allowance in the width direction of the second guide portion 40 (the locking allowance between the protrusion portion 29 and the guide groove 39 in the front-rear direction). Therefore, according to the connector device A of the present embodiment 1, it is possible to achieve miniaturization in the first direction.

[0043] In the second direction, the size required for the second guide portion 40 includes the maximum relative displacement amount (maximum float amount) between the first member 21 and the second member 35 in the left-right direction, but no locking allowance is required in the second direction to prevent the first member 21 and the second member 35 from separating in the mating direction. Similarly, in the second direction (left-right direction, i.e., the width direction of the first guide portion 26), the size required for the first guide portion 26 (guide rib 25) is only the minimum locking allowance required to prevent the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21 from separating in the mating direction. Therefore, in the second direction, the size required for the first guide portion 26 and the second guide portion 40 other than the maximum float amount is only the locking allowance in the width direction of the first guide portion 26 (the locking allowance between the locking protrusion 13 and the guide rib 25 in the left-right direction, or the locking allowance between the spring portion 15 and the guide rib 25 in the left-right direction). Therefore, according to the connector device A of the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size in the second direction.

[0044] The first member 21 has a rectangular tubular shape that surrounds the terminal holding member 10 over the entire circumference. With this configuration, the rigidity of the first member 21 can be increased compared to a shape that covers only a portion of the terminal holding member 10 in the circumferential direction. The second member 35 has a rectangular tubular shape that surrounds the first member 21 over the entire circumference. With this configuration, the rigidity of the second member 35 can be increased compared to a shape that covers only a portion of the first member 21 in the circumferential direction.

[0045] The first guide portion 26 includes a guide rib 25 formed on the first member 21, an elastically deformable spring portion 15 provided on the terminal holding member 10, and a locking protrusion 13 provided on the terminal holding member 10. The locking protrusion 13 sandwiches the guide rib 25 between itself and the spring portion 15 in the vertical direction. The spring portion 15 elastically deforms during the process of assembling the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 21. This configuration makes it easy to assemble the first member 21 and the terminal holding member 10.

[0046] The second guide portion 40 includes a protrusion 29 formed on the outer surface of the first member 21 and a guide groove 39 formed on the inner surface of the second member 35. The inner surface of the second member 35 is formed with introduction grooves 41R, 41L that communicate with the guide groove 39 and open to the lower end of the second member 35 in the fitting direction. According to this configuration, the first member 21 and the second member 35 can be assembled by inserting the protrusion 29 into the introduction grooves 41R, 41L. The introduction grooves 41R, 41L communicate with the outside of the maximum movement range of the guide groove 39 when absorbing the positional deviation of the protrusion 29 (leftward of the maximum movement range). According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 29 from coming off the guide groove 39 and entering the introduction grooves 41R, 41L during the process of relative displacement between the first member 21 and the second member 35. The first member 21 is formed with a step portion 33, and the second member 35 is formed with a stopper 43. When protrusion 29 attempts to displace outside the maximum movement range (to the left of the maximum movement range), protrusion 29 can be prevented from coming out of the maximum movement range by the right end of the locking recess abutting against stopper 43. Therefore, after first member 21 and second member 35 are assembled, protrusion 29 can be prevented from entering introduction grooves 41R, 41L.

[0047] [Example 2] A connector device C according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 14 to 18. In this second embodiment, the F direction in Figs. 14 to 15 is defined as the front with respect to the front-rear direction. The H direction in Figs. 15 to 18 is defined as the up direction with respect to the up-down direction. The R direction in Figs. 14, 17, and 18 is defined as the right direction with respect to the left-right direction. The connector device C according to the second embodiment has a first guide portion 67 instead of the first guide portion 26 of the first embodiment. The connector device C according to the second embodiment has a second guide portion 72 instead of the second guide portion 40 of the first embodiment. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations, and the description of the structure, operation, and effect is omitted.

[0048] The connector device C of the second embodiment includes a terminal holding member 60, a plurality of male terminal fittings (not shown) attached to the terminal holding member 60, and a holder 65. In a plan view of the connector device C seen from above, the outer peripheral shape of the terminal holding member 60 and the opening edge of the fitting recess 11 in the terminal holding member 60 form a rectangle.

[0049] The locking protrusion 13 is formed on two short sides of the rectangular opening edge of the terminal holding member 60 in the front-rear direction and protrudes in the left-right direction from the outer surface of the terminal holding member 60. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, a pair of first upper sliding surfaces 61, which are symmetrical in the front-rear direction, are formed on the lower surface of the locking protrusion 13. The first upper sliding surface 61 is formed, for example, by a curved surface that bulges downward in a side view seen from the left-right direction. The area other than the first upper sliding surface 61 on the lower surface of the locking protrusion 13 is defined as a non-sliding surface 62. The non-sliding surface 62 is made of a flat surface. The lowermost end 61P of the first upper sliding surface 61 is located at a height lower than the non-sliding surface 62. Each locking protrusion 13 may have only one first upper sliding surface 61 on its lower surface. In this case, it is preferable that the first upper sliding surface 61 is formed in the center of the lower surface of each locking protrusion 13 in the front-to-rear direction, or at a position closer to the center than both ends of the lower surface of each locking protrusion 13 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0050] A pair of spring portions 63, for example, symmetrical in the front-rear direction, are formed on both the left and right outer surfaces of the terminal holding member 60. The spring portions 63 extend upward in a cantilever shape from the outer surface of the terminal holding member 60. The spring portions 63 are elastically deformable so as to tilt in the left-right direction (directions moving away from or approaching the outer surface of the terminal holding member 60). A first lower sliding surface 64 is formed on the upper end (extending end) of each spring portion 63. The first lower sliding surface 64 is formed, for example, by a curved surface that curves upward when viewed from the left-right direction.

[0051] The holder 65 is configured to include a first member 66 and a second member 71. A guide rib 25 extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the upper end of the inner surface of each of the left and right first side wall portions 24 that constitute the first member 66. The guide rib 25, the locking projection 13, and the spring portion 63 constitute a first guide portion 67.

[0052] When the connector device C and the mating connector B are not yet mated, as shown in FIG. 15, the lowermost end 61P of the pair of first upper sliding surfaces 61 abuts against the upper surface of the guide rib 25, which is a horizontal plane. The vertical distance D1 between the lowermost end 61P of the first upper sliding surface 61 and the uppermost end 64P of the first lower sliding surface 64 is larger than the vertical thickness dimension T1 of the guide rib 25. A vertical clearance S is formed between the lower surface of the guide rib 25, which is a horizontal plane, and the uppermost end 64P of the pair of first lower sliding surfaces 64. A clearance S is also formed between the upper surface of the guide rib 25 and the curved surface area of ​​the first upper sliding surface 61 other than the lowermost end 61P. A clearance S is also formed between the upper surface of the guide rib 25 and the non-sliding surface 62 of the locking protrusion 13. These clearances S are spaces that allow the terminal holding member 60 and the first member 66 to tilt relative to each other in a side view.

[0053] A protrusion 68 is formed on each of the left and right ends of the first front wall 22 and the left and right ends of the first rear wall 23. The protrusion 68 is disposed in the vertical center of the first front wall 22 and the first rear wall 23, and protrudes from the outer surfaces of the first front wall 22 and the first rear wall 23. A second upper sliding surface 69 is formed on the upper surface of the protrusion 68, the second upper sliding surface 69 being a curved surface that bulges upward in a front view of the first member 66 seen from the front. A second lower sliding surface 70 is formed on the lower surface of the protrusion 68, the second lower sliding surface 70 being a curved surface that bulges downward in a front view. The number of protrusions 68 formed on each of the first front wall 22 and the first rear wall 23 may be two or one.

[0054] The second member 71 is a member having a rectangular shape in a plan view, similar to the first member 66. Guide grooves 39 extending in the left-right direction are formed on the inner surfaces of the second front wall portion 36 and the second rear wall portion 37 constituting the second member 71. The guide grooves 39 and the protrusions 68 of the first member 66 constitute a second guide portion 72. A pair of the protrusions 68 of the first member 66 is housed in each guide groove.

[0055] When the connector device C and the mating connector B are not yet mated, as shown in FIG. 17, the lowermost ends 70P of the pair of second lower sliding surfaces 70 abut against the lower surface of the guide groove 39, which is a horizontal plane. The vertical dimension between the uppermost end 69P of the second upper sliding surface 69 and the lowermost end 70P of the second lower sliding surface 70, i.e., the vertical dimension L1 of the protrusion 68, is smaller than the vertical dimension L2 of the guide groove 39. A clearance S is formed between the upper surface of the guide groove 39, which is a horizontal plane, and the uppermost end 69P of the second upper sliding surface 69. A clearance S is also formed between the upper surface of the guide groove 39 and a region of the second upper sliding surface 69 other than the uppermost end 69P. A clearance S is also formed between the lower surface of the guide groove 39 and a region of the second lower sliding surface 70 other than the lowermost end 70P. These clearances S are spaces that allow the first member 66 and the second member 71 to tilt relative to each other when viewed from the front.

[0056] During the mating process of the connector device C and the mating connector B, if any tilt occurs between the plate-shaped support member P (not shown in Figures 14 to 18) that supports the connector device C and the mating support member 55 (not shown in Figures 14 to 18) that supports the mating connector B, the tilt is absorbed by the clearance S formed in the first guide portion 67 and the second guide portion 72.

[0057] 16, when the terminal holding member 60 is tilted clockwise relative to the first member 66 in side view, the rear first lower sliding surface 64 of the pair of front and rear first lower sliding surfaces 64 moves downwardly away from the lower surface of the guide rib 25, and the rear first upper sliding surface 61 of the pair of first upper sliding surfaces 61 abuts from below against the upper surface of the guide rib 25. The state in which the rear first upper sliding surface 61 abuts against the upper surface of the guide rib 25 and the front first lower sliding surface 64 abuts against the lower surface of the guide rib 25 is the maximum tilted position of the terminal holding member 60.

[0058] 18, when the first member 66 is tilted clockwise relative to the second member 71 in front view, the right second lower sliding surface 70 of the pair of second lower sliding surfaces 70 moves upward away from the lower surface of the guide groove 39. The state in which the right second upper sliding surface 69 abuts against the upper surface of the guide rib 25 and the left second lower sliding surface 70 abuts against the lower surface of the guide groove 39 is the maximum tilted position of the first member 66.

[0059] In the fitting direction, the minimum distance between the spring portion 63 and the locking projection 13 is set to be larger than the thickness dimension of the guide rib 25. With this configuration, the relative inclination between the terminal holding member 60 and the first member 66 can be absorbed.

[0060] The second guide portion 72 includes a protrusion 68 formed on the outer surface of the first member 66 and a guide groove 39 formed on the inner surface of the second member 71. The dimension of the guide groove 39 in the fitting direction is set to be larger than the dimension of the protrusion 68 in the fitting direction. With this configuration, the relative tilt between the first member 66 and the second member 71 can be absorbed.

[0061] [Other Examples] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but is indicated by the claims. The present invention includes the equivalent meaning of the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims, including the following embodiments.

[0062] The first member may have a shape other than a rectangular tube.

[0063] The second member may have a shape other than a rectangular tube.

[0064] The second guide portion may be constituted by a guide groove formed on the inner surface of the first member and a protrusion formed on the inner surface of the second member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] A…Connector device B: Mating connector C…Connector device P: Plate-shaped support member 10...Terminal holding member 11...Mating recess 12...1st holding protrusion 13...Latching protrusion 14…First sliding surface 15…Spring part 16...Terminal metal fitting 20…Holder 21…First member 22...First front wall part 23...First rear wall part 24...First side wall portion 25…Guide rib 26…First guide section 27...First holding plate part 28...First holding part 29...Protrusion 30…Second sliding surface 31...Second holding plate part 32…Second holding protrusion 33…Step 35…Second member 36…Second front wall part 37…Second rear wall part 38...Second side wall portion 39...Guide groove 40…Second guide section 41L…Inlet groove 41R…Introduction groove 42...Second holding part 43...Stopper 50…Housing body 51...Guiding part 52…Guiding surface 55...Matching support member 60...Terminal holding member 61...First upper sliding surface 61P...Lowest end of the first sliding surface 62…Non-sliding surface 63...Spring part 64...First upper sliding surface 64P...Top end of the first upper sliding surface 65…Holder 66…First member 67…First guide section 68...Protrusion 69…Second upper sliding surface 69P...Top end of the second upper sliding surface 70…Second lower sliding surface 70P...Lowest end of the second lower sliding surface 71...Second member 72…Second guide section D1: Vertical distance between the bottom end of the first upper sliding surface and the top end of the first lower sliding surface L1: Vertical dimension of protrusion L2: Dimension of the guide groove in the vertical direction T1: Thickness dimension of the guide rib in the vertical direction

Claims

1. a terminal holding member to be fitted into a mating connector; a terminal metal fitting held by the terminal holding member; a holder that moves integrally with the terminal holding member in a fitting direction to the mating connector, The holder has a first member and a second member, a first guide portion is formed on the terminal holding member and the first member to allow the terminal holding member and the first member to be displaced relative to each other in a first direction intersecting the fitting direction; A connector device in which a second guide portion is formed on the first member and the second member to allow the first member and the second member to move relatively in a second direction that intersects both the mating direction and the first direction.

2. 2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the first member has a rectangular cylindrical shape surrounding the terminal holding member.

3. the first guide portion includes a guide rib formed on the first member, an elastically deformable spring portion provided on the terminal holding member, and a locking protrusion provided on the terminal holding member for sandwiching the guide rib between the spring portion and the locking protrusion, The connector device according to claim 2 , wherein the spring portion is elastically deformed during a process of assembling the terminal holding member and the first member.

4. 4. The connector device according to claim 3, wherein a distance between the spring portion and the locking projection in the fitting direction is set to be larger than a thickness dimension of the guide rib.

5. 5. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the second member has a rectangular cylindrical shape surrounding the first member.

6. the second guide portion includes a protrusion formed on an outer surface of the first member and a guide groove formed on an inner surface of the second member, The connector device according to claim 5 , wherein the inner surface of the second member is formed with an introduction groove that communicates with the guide groove and opens to an end of the second member in the fitting direction.

7. The connector device according to claim 6 , wherein the introduction groove communicates with a part of the guide groove that is outside a maximum movement range when absorbing a positional deviation of the protrusion.

8. The connector device according to claim 7, wherein the second member is provided with a stopper that restricts the projection from being displaced outside the maximum movement range.

9. the second guide portion includes a protrusion formed on an outer surface of the first member and a guide groove formed on an inner surface of the second member, A connector device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dimension of the guide groove in the mating direction is set larger than the dimension of the protrusion in the mating direction, thereby enabling relative tilt between the first member and the second member.

Images