Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector having a connector position assurance member, which relaxes the structural constraints of a lock arm, and improves the degree of freedom in dimensional design of the lock arm.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes a housing 11, a connector position assurance member 13, and a lock arm 12 that is integral with the housing 11, extends in a cantilever shape, and engages with a mating connector 101. The lock arm 12 includes an arm main body portion 25 and an engaging portion 26 that protrudes opposite the housing 11 and engages with an engaged portion 103a of the mating connector 101. The connector position assurance member 13 is placed in the housing 11 in a state in which the lock arm 12 is not bent and is not engaged with the engaging portion 24b of the housing 11. The lock arm 12 bends and engages with the engaging portion 24b, and the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a temporary holding state. The connector position assurance member 13 is operated to ensure that the connector 1 is positioned in the mating position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector that is configured to be mated and connected to a mating connector and that is equipped with a connector position assurance member that ensures that the connector is located in a mating position with respect to the mating connector when mated to the mating connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been known connectors that are configured to be fitted and connected to a mating connector and that include a connector position assurance member that ensures that the connector is positioned in a mating position relative to the mating connector when fitted to the mating connector. For example, the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as an example of a connector that includes such a connector position assurance member.

[0003] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a female connector assembly 500 and a connector position assurance unit 600 provided as a connector position assurance member. The female connector assembly 500 has a housing that fits with a male connector assembly 400, which is a mating connector, and a connector latch that is integral with the housing, extends from the housing in a cantilever shape, and serves as a lock arm that engages with the male connector assembly 500 when the connector and the male connector assembly 400 are fitted together.

[0004] The connector latch provided as a lock arm has a pair of latch beams (104, 106) extending in a cantilever shape from the housing, a latch surface 108 that engages with a claw member 442 provided on the male connector assembly 400, and a pair of overstress protection surfaces (110, 112) that lock onto the housing. The latch surface 108 is provided so as to bridge the pair of latch beams (104, 106) and forms a hole-like recess into which the claw member 442 of the male connector assembly 400 fits and engages. The pair of overstress protection surfaces (110, 112) are provided so as to protrude laterally from the pair of latch beams (104, 106) and are configured to lock onto overstress protection surfaces (118, 120) provided on the frame (114, 116) of the housing.

[0005] The connector latch is bent and locked to the housing by engaging the overstress protection surfaces (110, 112) of the housing with the overstress protection surfaces (118, 120) of the housing with the pair of latch beams (104, 106) in a bent state. In the connector of Patent Document 1, the connector position assurance unit 600 as a connector position assurance member is inserted between the housing and the connector latch with the connector latch as a lock arm in a bent and locked state with respect to the housing. The connector position assurance unit 600 is inserted between the housing and the connector latch and held in a temporary holding state. With this connector mated with the male connector assembly 400, the connector position assurance unit 600 is operated so as to be displaced relative to the housing. When the connector position assurance unit 600 is operated, the connector position assurance unit 600 engages with the connector latch and restricts the bending of the connector latch. In this way, the connector position assurance unit 600 is configured to ensure that the connector is positioned in a mating position with respect to the male connector assembly 400. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-101603 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, an engagement portion of the connector latch as a lock arm that engages with the mating connector is provided as a latch surface 108 between a pair of latch beams (104, 106) that bridges the pair of latch beams (104, 106). This restricts the structure of the engagement portion of the lock arm that engages with the mating connector, which results in a problem that the degree of freedom in designing the lock arm is greatly restricted. Furthermore, the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured such that a connector position assurance unit 600 as a connector position assurance member is inserted between the housing and the connector latch when the connector latch as a lock arm is bent and engaged with the housing. This restricts the structure of the lock arm so that the connector position assurance member can be inserted between the housing and the lock arm engaged with the housing, which results in a problem that the degree of freedom in designing the dimensions of the lock arm is greatly restricted.

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector having a connector position assurance member, which can relax the constraints on the structure of the locking arm and increase the freedom in the dimensional design of the locking arm. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) A connector according to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object relates to a connector configured to be fitted and connected to a mating connector, and including a connector position assurance member that ensures that the connector is located in a mating position with respect to the mating connector when fitted to the mating connector. The connector according to one aspect of the present invention includes a housing that fits with the mating connector, the connector position assurance member that is attached in a state in which it can be displaced relatively to the housing, and a lock arm that is integral with the housing, extends from the housing in a cantilevered manner, and engages with the mating connector when the connector and the mating connector are fitted to each other, the lock arm having an arm main body that extends in a cantilevered manner from the housing, and an engaging portion that is provided so as to protrude from the arm main body toward the opposite side to the housing and engages with an engaged portion provided on the mating connector, and the housing is provided with an engaging portion with which the lock arm is engaged when the lock arm is elastically deformed and bent, The connector position assurance member is configured to be inserted between the housing and the locking arm and positioned on the housing when the locking arm is not bent and is not engaged with the locking portion, and the locking arm is configured to bend and engage with the locking portion when the connector position assurance member is positioned on the housing, thereby sandwiching the connector position assurance member between the housing and the locking arm to cooperate with the housing to hold the connector position assurance member in a temporary held state, and the connector position assurance member is operated to be displaced relative to the housing from the temporary held state when the connector is mated with the mating connector, thereby ensuring that the connector is positioned in the mated position.

[0010] According to this configuration, the connector position assurance member is disposed in the housing with the lock arm not bent and not engaged with the engaging portion of the housing. Therefore, the connector position assurance member is disposed in the housing with the area between the lock arm and the housing open. Then, with the connector position assurance member disposed in the housing, the lock arm bends and engages with the engaging portion of the housing, and the connector position assurance member is sandwiched between the housing and the lock arm and held in a temporary holding state. The connector in a state in which the connector position assurance member is held in a temporary holding state is mated with the mating connector. When the connector and the mating connector are mated and connected, the engaging portion of the lock arm that protrudes on the opposite side to the housing side engages with the engaged portion of the housing. This brings the mated connector and the mating connector into a mutually locked state. Then, in this state, the connector position assurance member is operated and displaced relative to the housing, thereby ensuring that the connector mated with the mating connector is positioned in the mating position with respect to the mating connector.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the engaging portion of the lock arm that engages with the engaged portion of the mating connector when the connector and the mating connector are mated is formed in a shape that protrudes toward the opposite side to the housing side. Therefore, the shape of the engaging portion of the lock arm that can firmly engage with the mating connector can be easily formed. That is, it is not necessary to form the engaging portion as the latch surface 108 that bridges the pair of latch beams (104, 106) as in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, and the freedom of selection of the shape of the engaging portion of the lock arm can be improved. Therefore, the constraint on the structure of the engaging portion of the lock arm that engages with the mating connector can be alleviated, and the freedom of design of the lock arm can be improved. According to the above configuration, the connector position assurance member is placed in the housing with the area between the lock arm and the housing open, and in this state, the lock arm is bent and engaged with the housing, so that the connector position assurance member is held in a provisionally held state. Therefore, the connector position assurance member can be easily held in a provisionally held state between the lock arm and the housing. That is, unlike the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, an operation of inserting connector position assurance unit 600 between the housing and the connector latch in a state where the connector latch is bent and engaged with the housing is not required, and the connector position assurance member can be easily held in a temporary retained state between the lock arm and the housing. This prevents the structure of the lock arm from being restricted in order to enable the connector position assurance member to be held in a temporary retained state between the housing and the lock arm, and improves the freedom of design of the dimensions of the lock arm.

[0012] As described above, with the above configuration, in a connector having a connector position assurance member, it is possible to provide a connector which can relax the constraints on the structure of the locking arm and increase the freedom in the dimensional design of the locking arm.

[0013] (2) The connector position assurance member may be operated to displace relative to the housing from the temporary held state when the connector is mated with the mating connector and the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, thereby engaging with the locking arm and regulating the deflection of the locking arm to ensure that the connector is positioned in the mating position relative to the mating connector.

[0014] According to this configuration, when the connector is mated with the mating connector and the engaging portion of the locking arm is engaged with the engaged portion of the mating connector, the connector position assurance member is operated to displace relative to the housing, thereby ensuring that the connector mated with the mating connector is located in the mating position with respect to the mating connector. The connector position assurance member ensures that the connector is located in the mating position with respect to the mating connector by restricting the deflection of the locking arm, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent the engaging portion of the locking arm from disengaging from the engaged portion of the housing, and it is possible to more reliably ensure that the connector is mated with the mating position with respect to the mating connector. Furthermore, the connector position assurance member that ensures that the connector is mated with the mating position is engaged with the locking arm to be positioned in the connector. This prevents the connector position assurance member from being displaced, and it is possible to more reliably ensure that the connector is mated with the mating position with respect to the mating connector.

[0015] (3) The arm main body portion has a pair of arm portions extending parallel to each other, and an operating portion arranged at the tip side of the pair of arm portions to bridge the pair of arm portions and configured as a part operated by an operator, and the connector position assurance member has a base portion arranged on the housing, an axis portion arranged to extend in a cantilevered manner from the base, and an engaging protrusion portion arranged on the tip side of the axis portion and engaging with the lock arm, and when the connector position assurance member is held in the temporary holding state, the surface of the operating portion that faces the housing may be positioned closer to the housing than the surface of the engaging protrusion portion opposite the surface that faces the housing.

[0016] According to this configuration, when the connector position assurance member is held in the temporary held state, the surface of the operating portion of the lock arm facing the housing is located closer to the housing than the surface of the engaging protrusion of the connector position assurance member that is configured to be engageable with the lock arm, which is located opposite the housing. Therefore, the operating portion on the tip side of the lock arm can be located closer to the housing, and the height of the connector in the state in which the connector position assurance member is held in the temporary held state can be lowered, thereby achieving a low-profile connector. The connector position assurance member is placed in the housing with the area between the lock arm and the housing open, and in this state, the lock arm flexes and engages with the housing to hold the connector position assurance member in the temporary held state. Therefore, even if a low-profile connector is achieved with the connector position assurance member held in the temporary held state, the connector position assurance member can be easily held in the temporary held state between the lock arm and the housing.

[0017] (4) The arm main body portion has a pair of arm portions extending parallel to each other, the engagement portion is arranged to protrude toward the side opposite the housing from a bridging portion that bridges the pair of arm portions, and the bridging portion may be provided with thick portions formed to protrude thickly toward the side opposite the housing at portions that are integral with the pair of arm portions on both sides of the engagement portion.

[0018] According to this configuration, the engaging portion of the lock arm protrudes from the bridging portion bridging the pair of arm portions toward the opposite side to the housing, and the bridging portion has thick portions integral with the pair of arm portions on both sides of the engaging portion. Therefore, the engaging portion provided on the bridging portion bridging the pair of arm portions can be reinforced by the thick portions integral with the pair of arm portions, thereby improving the strength of the engaging portion of the lock arm.

[0019] (5) The locking arm may be molded integrally with the housing so as to extend obliquely from the housing toward the opposite side to the housing when the locking arm is not bent and is not engaged with the locking portion.

[0020] According to this configuration, the locking arm is molded integrally with the housing so as to extend obliquely outward from the housing when the locking arm is not bent and is not engaged with the locking portion. Therefore, when the area between the locking arm and the housing is open, the area between the locking arm and the housing can be greatly expanded. This makes it easier to place the connector position assurance member on the housing when the area between the locking arm and the housing is open. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector having a connector position assurance member, which can alleviate restrictions on the structure of the locking arm and increase the degree of freedom in the dimensional design of the locking arm. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a mating connector to which the connector is connected; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector is fitted and connected to a mating connector. FIG. [Diagram 3]4 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector is fitted and connected to the mating connector. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view showing a housing, a lock arm, and a connector position assurance member in a connector; [Figure 6] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the housing, the locking arm, and the connector position assurance member; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector position assurance member is disposed in the housing. [Figure 8] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connector position assurance member is disposed in a housing. FIG. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views showing the state in which a connector position assurance member is arranged in a housing, where FIG. 9(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector position assurance member is temporarily held relative to the housing and the lock arm; FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector position assurance member is temporarily held relative to the housing and the lock arm. FIG. [Figure 12] 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 11, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 11, showing a state in which a connector position assurance member is temporarily held relative to a housing and a lock arm. [Figure 13] 12A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector position assurance member is temporarily held relative to the housing and the lock arm, taken along line EE in FIG. 12A. [Figure 14] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector is mated and connected to a mating connector and before the connector position assurance member is activated; FIG. [Figure 15]1 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector is mated and connected to a mating connector and before a connector position assurance member is activated; [Figure 16] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector is mated and connected to a mating connector and before the connector position assurance member is activated; [Figure 17] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector is mated and connected to the mating connector and after the connector position assurance member has been activated; [Figure 18] 1 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view of a connector mated and connected to a mating connector after a connector position assurance member has been activated; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present invention relates to a connector that is configured to be fitted to a mating connector and that includes a connector position assurance member that ensures that the connector is positioned in a mating position relative to the mating connector when fitted to the mating connector, and can be widely used in a variety of applications.

[0024] [Outline of connector configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a mating connector 101 to which the connector 1 is connected. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector 1 is fitted and connected to the mating connector 101. Fig. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector 1 is fitted and connected to the mating connector 101. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1.

[0025] 1 to 4, connector 1 is provided as a connector configured to be fitted and connected to a mating connector 101. Connector 1 is configured as a connector to be connected to, for example, an electric wire 100, and is fitted and connected to mating connector 101 in a state where connector 1 is connected to electric wire 100. Connector 1 is configured to include a housing 11, a lock arm 12, a connector position assurance member 13, a terminal 14, and a terminal position assurance member 15.

[0026] 1 to 4, housing 11 is made of an insulating resin material and is configured to fit into a mating connector 101. Housing 11 is integrally provided with locking arms 12 and configured to hold terminals 14 therein. Housing 11 is also configured so that a connector position assurance member 13 and a terminal position assurance member 15 can be attached thereto.

[0027] 1 to 4, the lock arm 12 is provided integrally with the housing 11 and extends from the housing 11 in a cantilevered manner. The lock arm 12 provided integrally with the housing 11 is made of an insulating resin material and is molded integrally with the housing 11 by resin injection molding. The lock arm 12 is configured to engage with the mating connector 101 when the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are mated. The lock arm 12 is provided with an engaging portion 26 that engages with the mating connector 101, as described later. The engaging portion 26 of the lock arm 12 is configured to engage with an engaged portion 103a provided on a lock portion 103 in the mating connector 101.

[0028] 1 to 4, connector position assurance member 13 is made of an insulating resin material and is provided as a member that is attached in a state where it can be displaced relative to housing 11. Connector position assurance member 13 is provided as a member for ensuring that connector 1 is located at a mating position with respect to mating connector 101 when connector 1 is mated with mating connector 101.

[0029] 3 and 4, the terminal 14 is formed of a conductive metal material and configured to be connected to the electric wire 100. The terminal 14 is connected to the electric wire 100 by, for example, crimping it to an end of the electric wire 100. The terminal 14, in a state connected to the electric wire 100, is inserted inside the housing 11 and held by the housing 11. When the connector 1 is mated and connected to a mating connector 101, the terminal 14 held in the housing 11 comes into contact with a mating terminal 104 in the mating connector 101 and is electrically connected thereto.

[0030] 3 and 4, the terminal position assurance member 15 is made of an insulating resin material and is fitted and attached to the housing 11 from the outside. The terminal position assurance member 15 is provided as a member for ensuring the position of the terminal 14, which is inserted into the housing 11 and held in the housing 11, relative to the housing 11. The terminal position assurance member 15 is provided with a terminal engagement portion 15a that engages with the terminal 14. When the terminal 14 is inserted into the housing 11, the terminal position assurance member 15 is fitted into the housing 11 from the outside, so that the terminal engagement portion 15a of the terminal position assurance member 15 engages with the terminal 14. When the terminal 14 held in the housing 11 engages with the terminal position assurance member 15 fitted into the housing 11, the terminal 14 is positioned relative to the housing 11 and the position is fixed. This ensures the position of the terminal 14 held in the housing 11.

[0031] 1 to 3, a mating connector 101 as a connection object with which the connector 1 is fitted and connected is configured to be connected to, for example, a board (not shown), and is configured so that the connector 1 is fitted and connected in a state where it is connected to the board. The mating connector 101 includes a mating housing 102, a locking portion 103 provided integrally with the mating housing 102, and a mating terminal 104 held by the mating housing 102.

[0032] 1 to 3, a mating housing 102 of a mating connector 101 is made of an insulating resin material, and is configured to be connected to the housing 11 of the connector 1 by fitting the mating housing 102. The mating housing 102 is configured to hold mating terminals 104 inside, and is installed on a board (not shown) in a state in which the mating terminals 104 are held.

[0033] 1 to 3, the locking portion 103 of the mating connector 101 is provided as a portion for engaging with the locking arm 12 of the connector 1 to lock the connector 1 to the mating connector 101 when the connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector 101 for connection. The locking portion 103 is provided on the outside of the mating housing 102 and is integral with the mating housing 102. The locking portion 103 is formed of an insulating resin material and is integrally molded with the mating housing 102. The locking portion 103 is formed in a gate-shaped or frame-shaped shape that defines a through hole through which the locking arm 12 passes between the locking portion 103 and the mating housing 102. An edge portion that defines the through hole in the locking portion 103 constitutes an engaged portion 103a with which the engaging portion 26 of the locking arm 12 engages. When the connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector 101, the locking arm 12 passes through the through hole on the inside of the locking portion 103 in a state of being elastically deformed and bent. Then, when the lock arm 12 passes through the through hole of the lock portion 103, it elastically recovers, and the engaging portion 26 of the lock arm 12 engages with the engaged portion 103a of the lock portion 103. When the connector 1 is fitted into the mating connector 101 and the engaging portion 26 of the lock arm 12 engages with the engaged portion 103a of the lock portion 103, the connector 1 is locked to the mating connector 101.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, the mating terminal 104 of the mating connector 101 is held by the mating housing 102 and is configured to contact and be electrically connected to the terminal 14 of the connector 1. When the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are fitted and connected, the terminal 14 arranged inside the housing 11 of the connector 1 and the mating terminal 104 arranged inside the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101 come into contact with each other and are electrically connected to each other. For example, the mating terminal 104 is provided with a plug-shaped contact portion (not shown), and the terminal 14 is provided with a socket-shaped contact portion (not shown). When the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are fitted to each other, the plug-shaped contact portion of the mating terminal 104 fits into the socket-shaped contact portion of the terminal 14, so that the terminal 14 comes into contact with the mating terminal 104 and is electrically connected to each other. The mating terminal 104 is also configured to be soldered to a board (not shown) on which the mating connector 101 is installed and is electrically connected to each other. When the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are fitted together and electrically connected, the electric wire 100 connected to the connector 1 and the board to which the mating connector 101 is connected are electrically connected.

[0035] The configuration of the connector 1 will be described in more detail below. In the following description, the mating direction X1, width direction X2, and height direction X3 of the connector 1 are defined as shown by double-ended arrows X1, X2, and X3 in Figs. 1 to 4 and the drawings described later. The mating direction X1 is configured as a direction parallel to the direction in which the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are mated. The width direction X2 and height direction X3 are configured as directions perpendicular to the mating direction X1, and the width direction X2 and height direction X3 are configured as directions perpendicular to each other. Also, the height direction X3 is configured as a direction along which the lock arm 12 extending in a cantilever shape from the housing 11 in the connector 1 bends relative to the housing 11.

[0036] [housing] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the housing 11, the lock arm 12, and the connector position assurance member 13 in the connector 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the housing 11, the lock arm 12, and the connector position assurance member 13. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the connector position assurance member 13 arranged in the housing 11. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector position assurance member 13 arranged in the housing 11. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector position assurance member 13 arranged in the housing 11, where FIG. 9(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 8. Note that in FIG. 5 to FIG. 9, the terminals 14 and the terminal position assurance member 15 in the connector 1 are omitted.

[0037] 1 to 9, the housing 11 of the connector 1 is configured to hold the terminals 14 connected to the electric wire 100 and to be fitted and connected to the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101. The housing 11 has a basic shape of a substantially cylindrical shape extending along the fitting direction X1. A portion of the housing 11 on one side in the fitting direction X1, which extends in a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape, constitutes a fitting portion 20 that is inserted into and fitted to the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101 (see Figs. 1, 4 to 8). Further, a terminal holding area 21 is provided inside the housing 11, into which the terminals 14 connected to the electric wire 100 are inserted and held. The terminal holding area 21 is formed as a spatial area penetrating the housing 11 along the fitting direction X1.

[0038] 3 to 9, the terminal holding area 21 is open to the outside on both sides of the housing 11 in the fitting direction X1. The terminal holding area 21 opens at an opening 21a on one side of the housing 11 in the fitting direction X1, and opens at an opening 21b on the other side of the housing 11 in the fitting direction X1. The terminal 14 connected to the electric wire 100 is inserted into the housing 11 from the opening 21b and held in the terminal holding area 21. When the connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector 101 and connected, a part of the mating terminal 104 of the mating connector 101 is inserted into the housing 11 from the opening 21a, and the mating terminal 104 and the terminal 14 are connected. A terminal locking portion 22 that locks with the terminal 14 inserted in the terminal holding area 21 is provided on the inside of the housing 11. The terminal locking portion 22 is provided in a leaf spring shape extending in a cantilever shape from the inner wall of the housing 11 to the terminal holding area 21. When the terminal locking portion 22 comes into contact with the terminal 14 inserted through the opening 21b, it initially bends, and when the terminal 14 is pushed into a predetermined position in the terminal holding area 21, it elastically recovers and locks into the notch provided in the terminal 14.

[0039] 4 to 8, the housing 11 is configured so that the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed on one outer end surface 23 in the height direction X3. The end surface 23 on one side of the housing 11 in the height direction X3 is provided with a convex abutment portion 23a that protrudes convexly toward one outer side in the height direction X3. The convex abutment portion 23a is provided so as to abut against the connector position assurance member 13 disposed on the end surface 23 of the housing 11 to lock the connector position assurance member 13. The connector position assurance member 13 is provided with a concave abutment portion 35 that can abut against the convex abutment portion 23a (see FIGS. 6 and 8).

[0040] 1 to 9, the housing 11 is provided with a pair of walls 24 extending from an end face 23 toward one outside in a height direction X3. The pair of walls 24 are provided on both sides in the width direction X2 so as to protrude from the end face 23 in the height direction X3. Furthermore, each of the pair of walls 24 protruding in the height direction X3 on both sides in the width direction X2 of the end face 23 is provided so as to extend in the fitting direction X1.

[0041] 6 and 9, each of the pair of walls 24 is provided with a locking recess 24a that can be locked with the connector position assurance member 13 arranged on the end surface 23 of the housing 11. The locking recess 24a is provided on the inner side of each of the pair of walls 24 in the width direction X2, and is formed to be recessed in a step shape in the width direction X2. The locking recess 24a is provided so as to be locked with the connector position assurance member 13 in the fitting direction X1. The connector position assurance member 13 is provided with a pair of locking pieces 36 that extend in a cantilever shape along the fitting direction X1 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 9). Each of the pair of locking pieces 36 is provided with a locking projection 36a. The locking recess 24a provided on each of the pair of walls 24 is configured to be locked with the respective locking projections 36a of the pair of locking pieces 36 of the connector position assurance member 13 arranged on the end surface 23 of the housing 11.

[0042] 5 to 7 and 9, the pair of wall portions 24 are each provided with a locking portion 24b for locking the lock arm 12 at one end side in the fitting direction X1. The locking portion 24b is provided as a portion at which the lock arm 12 is locked when the lock arm 12 is elastically deformed and bent. The locking portion 24b is provided on the inner side in the width direction X2 at one end side in the fitting direction X1 of the pair of wall portions 24, and is provided so as to be recessed in the width direction X2. The locking portion 24b is provided so as to be locked with the lock arm 12 in the height direction X3. The lock arm 12 is provided with a pair of plate-shaped protrusions 29 on both sides in the width direction X2, which protrude along the width direction X2 and extend in a plate shape along the fitting direction X1 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 9). The locking portions 24b provided on each of the pair of walls 24 are configured to be locked with a pair of plate-shaped protrusions 29 provided on both sides of the locking arm 12 in the width direction X2 when the locking arm 12 is in a bent state.

[0043] [Lock Arm] Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 are diagrams showing a state in which the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a temporary state relative to the housing 11 and the locking arm 12, Fig. 10 is a perspective view, and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view. Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a temporary state relative to the housing 11 and the locking arm 12, Fig. 12(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in Fig. 11, Fig. 12(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in Fig. 11, and Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE in Fig. 12(A). Note that the terminals 14 and the terminal position assurance member 15 of the connector 1 are omitted from Figs. 10 to 13.

[0044] 1 to 13, the lock arm 12 of the connector 1 is integral with the housing 11 and extends from the housing 11 in a cantilevered manner. The lock arm 12 is provided on one end face 23 side of the housing 11 in the height direction X3 so as to extend from the housing 11 in a cantilevered manner. The lock arm 12 extending from the housing 11 in a cantilevered manner is configured to bend toward the housing 11 along the height direction X3 by being pressed toward the housing 11 by an operator (not shown) who operates the connector 1 (see FIGS. 10 to 13). In addition, when the lock arm 12 is pressed toward the housing 11 and bent, the plate-shaped protrusion 29 of the lock arm 12 is configured to engage with the engaging portion 24b of the wall portion 24 of the housing 11.

[0045] The lock arm 12 is molded integrally with the housing 11 so as to extend obliquely from the housing 11 toward the opposite side to the housing 11 side when the lock arm 12 is not bent and is not engaged with the engaging portion 24b of the housing 11 (see Figs. 5 to 8). When the lock arm 12 is not bent, the area between the lock arm 12 and the end surface 23 of the housing 11 is open. When the lock arm 12 is not bent and is not engaged with the engaging portion 24b, the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed on the end surface 23 of the housing 11 (see Figs. 7 to 9). When the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed on the housing 11, the lock arm 12 is bent and engaged with the engaging portion 24b of the housing 11, so that the connector position assurance member 13 is sandwiched between the lock arm 12 and the housing 11 and the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a temporary holding state in cooperation with the housing 11 (see Figs. 10 to 13).

[0046] The lock arm 12 is configured to be fitted into the mating housing 102 together with the housing 11 in a state where it is bent and locked to the housing 11. The lock arm 12 is configured to engage with an engaged portion 103a of a lock portion 103 of the mating connector 101 when the housing 11 and the mating housing 102 are fitted together (see Figs. 2 and 3). The configuration of the lock arm 12 will be described in more detail below.

[0047] 1 to 13, the locking arm 12 has an arm main body 25 extending in a cantilever manner from the housing 11, and an engaging portion 26 provided on the arm main body 25 for engaging with the mating connector 101. The engaging portion 26 is provided so as to protrude from the arm main body 25 toward the opposite side to the housing 11 side, and is configured to engage with an engaged portion 103a of a locking portion 103 of the mating connector 101.

[0048] 1 to 13, the arm main body 25 is provided to extend in a cantilever manner from the fitting portion 20 that is inserted into and fitted into the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101 in the housing 11. The arm main body 25 extending in a cantilever manner from the fitting portion 20 of the housing 11 is formed integrally with the fitting portion 20 at an end side of the fitting portion 20 that is inserted into the mating housing 102. The arm main body 25 formed integrally with the fitting portion 20 is provided to extend in a cantilever manner toward the opposite side to the opening 21a of the fitting portion 20 in the fitting direction X1. That is, the arm main body 25 extending in a cantilever manner from the housing 11 is provided to extend in a cantilever manner toward the opposite side to the side that is fitted into the mating housing 102. Furthermore, when the lock arm 12 is not bent and is not engaged with the housing 11, the arm main body 25 is provided so as to extend obliquely from the housing 11 to the side opposite the housing 11 (see Figs. 4 to 8). That is, when the lock arm 12 is not bent and is not engaged with the housing 11, the arm main body 25 extending in a cantilever manner from the housing 11 is provided so as to extend obliquely toward the outside of the housing 11 while being spaced apart from the housing 11 in the fitting direction X1.

[0049] 1 to 13, the arm main body 25 has a pair of arm portions 27 extending parallel to each other, an operating portion 28 provided at the tip side of the pair of arm portions 27, a pair of plate-shaped protrusion portions 29 provided integrally with the pair of arm portions 27, and a bridging portion 30 bridging the pair of arm portions 27 at an intermediate position.

[0050] 1 to 13, the pair of arms 27 constitute the basic structure of the arm body 25 extending in a cantilevered manner from the housing 11, and are provided to extend parallel to each other. The pair of arms 27 are provided to extend parallel to each other while being lined up in the width direction X2. Each of the pair of arms 27 is provided to extend like a beam. A space is formed between the pair of arms 27 extending parallel to each other. By forming a space between the pair of arms 27, the pair of arms 27 are configured so that an engagement protrusion 33 (described later) of the connector position assurance member 13 can enter between the pair of arms 27.

[0051] 1 to 13, the operation unit 28 is provided at the tip end of the pair of arm portions 27 so as to bridge the pair of arm portions 27, and is configured as a part that is pressed by an operator (not shown). That is, the operation unit 28 is provided at the tip end of the arm main body portion 25 extending in a cantilevered manner from the housing 11, and is configured as a part that is pressed by an operator who operates the connector 1. The operation unit 28 is configured to be pressed toward the housing 11 side by the operator. By pressing the operation unit 28 toward the housing 11 side, the pair of arm portions 27 of the arm main body portion 25 are operated so as to be elastically deformed and bent toward the housing 11 side (see FIGS. 10 to 13).

[0052] 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 12, the pair of plate-shaped protrusions 29 are provided as parts that engage with the locking portion 24b of the housing 11 when the lock arm 12 is bent. Each of the pair of plate-shaped protrusions 29 is integrally provided with each of the pair of arm portions 27 at the tip side of the pair of arm portions 27, and is provided so as to protrude from each of the pair of arm portions 27 along the width direction X2 on both sides of the width direction X2. Each of the pair of plate-shaped protrusions 29 is provided so as to protrude outward in the width direction X2 from each of the pair of arm portions 27 and extend in a plate shape along the fitting direction X1. When the operating portion 28 is pressed and the lock arm 12 is bent toward the housing 11 side, each plate-shaped protrusion 29 abuts against each wall portion 24 and elastically deforms so as to be bent inward in the width direction X2 together with the pair of arm portions 27. Then, when the lock arm 12 is bent to the extent that each plate-shaped protrusion 29 passes through the locking portion 24b of each wall portion 24, the pair of plate-shaped protrusions 29 that have been bent inward in the width direction X2 together with the pair of arm portions 27 elastically recover, and each plate-shaped protrusion 29 engages with each locking portion 24b. As each plate-shaped protrusion 29 engages with each locking portion 24b, the lock arm 12 is bent toward the housing 11 and engages with the locking portion 24b of the housing 11 (see Figures 11 to 12).

[0053] 1 to 8, 10, and 11, the bridge portion 30 is provided so as to bridge the pair of parallel-extending arm portions 27 at the midway point of the parallel-extending arm portions 27, and is provided integrally with the pair of arm portions 27. The bridge portion 30 is provided with an engagement portion 26. The engagement portion 26 is provided so as to protrude from the bridge portion 30 bridging the pair of arm portions 27 toward the opposite side to the housing 11 side. The engagement portion 26 protruding from the bridge portion 30 toward the opposite side to the housing 11 side is provided so as to protrude at a position corresponding to the region between the pair of arm portions 27. The bridge portion 30 is provided with thick portions 30a formed so as to protrude thickly toward the opposite side to the housing 11 side at the portions integral with the pair of arm portions 27 on both sides of the width direction X2 of the engagement portion 26 (see FIGS. 1 to 5, 7, 19, and 13).

[0054] [Connector position assurance material] 14, 15, and 16 are diagrams showing the state in which the connector 1 is mated and connected to the mating connector 101 and before the connector position assurance member 13 is activated, with Fig. 14 being a perspective view, Fig. 15 being a perspective sectional view, and Fig. 16 being a sectional view. Fig. 17 is a sectional view showing the state in which the connector 1 is mated and connected to the mating connector 101 and after the connector position assurance member 13 has been activated. Fig. 18 is a diagram including a partially cutaway cross section showing the state in which the connector 1 is mated and connected to the mating connector 101 and after the connector position assurance member 13 has been activated.

[0055] 1 to 18, the connector position assurance member 13 of the connector 1 is provided as a member for ensuring that the connector 1 is located at a mating position with respect to the mating connector 101 when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector 101. The connector position assurance member 13 is attached in a state in which it can be displaced relative to the housing 11. The connector position assurance member 13 is configured to be inserted between the housing 11 and the lock arm 12 and disposed in the housing 11 when the lock arm 12 is not bent and is not engaged with the engaging portion 24b of the housing 11 (see FIGS. 7 to 9). When the connector position assurance member 13 is inserted between the housing 11 and the lock arm 12 and disposed in the housing 11, the operating portion 28 of the lock arm 12 is pressed by an operator, and the lock arm 12 is bent and engaged with the engaging portion 24b of the housing 11. The lock arm 12 bends and engages with the housing 11 in which the connector position assurance member 13 is arranged, thereby sandwiching the connector position assurance member 13 between the housing 11 and the lock arm 12, and the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a temporary holding state relative to the housing 11 and the lock arm 12.

[0056] The connector position assurance member 13 is configured to operate when the operator operates the connector 1 to displace relative to the housing 11 from the temporary holding state when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector 101, thereby ensuring that the connector 1 is located at the mating position. More specifically, the connector position assurance member 13 is operated by the operator to displace relative to the housing 11 from the temporary holding state when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector 101 and the engaging portion 26 of the lock arm 12 is engaged with the engaged portion 103a of the mating connector 101, thereby engaging with the lock arm 12 and regulating the deflection of the lock arm 12 to ensure that the connector 1 is located at the mating position with respect to the mating connector 101. In other words, when the connector 1 holding the connector position assurance member 13 in the temporary holding state is mated with the mating connector 101, the connector position assurance member 13 is not activated and does not guarantee that the connector 1 is mated with the mating position with respect to the mating connector 101. From this state, connector position assurance member 13 is operated so as to be displaced relative to housing 11, thereby operating to ensure that connector 1 is mated in the mating position with mating connector 101. The configuration of connector position assurance member 13 will be described in more detail below.

[0057] 1 to 18, the connector position assurance member 13 has a base 31 disposed in the housing 11, a shaft 32 extending in a cantilever manner from the base 31, and an engaging protrusion 33 provided on the tip side of the shaft 32 and engaging with the locking arm 12. The connector position assurance member 13 also has a deflection restricting portion 34 provided integrally with the base 31 and the shaft 32 and capable of restricting deflection of the locking arm 12, and a pair of locking pieces 36 extending in a cantilever manner from the base 31 on both sides of the width direction X2 of the shaft 32 in a direction substantially parallel to the shaft 32.

[0058] 1 to 18, the base 31 of the connector position assurance member 13 constitutes a main body of the connector position assurance member 13, and the shaft 32, the deflection restricting portion 34, and the pair of locking pieces 36 are provided integrally with the base 31. The base 31 is provided as a portion that is disposed and supported relative to the housing 11 when the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed in the housing 11. The base 31 is disposed and supported relative to one end face 23 of the housing 11 in the height direction X3. When the lock arm 12 is not deflected and is not engaged with the locking portion 24b of the housing 11, the connector position assurance member 13 is inserted into the open area between the lock arm 12 and the end face 23 of the housing 11, and then the base 31 of the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed on the end face 23 of the housing 11 (see FIGS. 7 to 9).

[0059] 1 to 18, the shaft 32 of the connector position assurance member 13 is provided to extend in a cantilever manner from the base 31, one end of which is formed integrally with the base 31 and is formed to extend in a axial manner from the base 31. The shaft 32 is provided to extend in a cantilever manner from the base 31 along the fitting direction X1. The shaft 32 is provided in the form of an elastic beam, and is configured to elastically deform and bend when an engaging protrusion 33 provided on the tip side of the shaft 32 is urged when the connector position assurance member 13 is operated.

[0060] 6, 8, 11, 16, and 17, the shaft portion 32 has a recessed abutment portion 35 formed integrally with the base portion 31. The recessed abutment portion 35 is provided on the end face side of the shaft portion 32 that is integrally formed with the base portion 31, facing the housing 11, and is provided as a portion formed to be recessed in a groove shape along the height direction X3. When the connector position assurance member 13 is placed on the end face 23 of the housing 11, the recessed abutment portion 35 is configured to abut against the convex abutment portion 23a protruding from the end face 23. When the connector position assurance member 13 is placed on the end face 23 of the housing 11, the recessed abutment portion 35 of the connector position assurance member 13 and the convex abutment portion 23a of the housing 11 are configured to abut against each other in the fitting direction X1. The contact between the concave contact portion 35 and the convex contact portion 23a in the fitting direction X1 prevents the connector position assurance member 13 from being displaced relative to the housing 11 in the fitting direction X1.

[0061] 1 to 8, 10, 11, 13, 15 to 18, the engaging protrusion 33 of the connector position assurance member 13 is provided on the tip side of the shaft portion 32 extending in a cantilever shape from the base portion 31, and is provided as a portion for engaging with the lock arm 12. The engaging protrusion 33 is provided so as to engage with the lock arm 12 at the bridge portion 30 of the lock arm 12. The engaging protrusion 33 is provided on the tip end of the shaft portion 32, and is formed to protrude in a convex shape at the tip end of the shaft portion 32. The engaging protrusion 33 is provided so as to protrude from the shaft portion 32 toward the opposite side to the housing 11 side. That is, the engaging protrusion 33 is provided so as to protrude from the shaft portion 32 toward the opposite side to the housing 11 side when the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed in the housing 11.

[0062] 7 and 8, when the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed in the housing 11, the engaging protrusion 33 is disposed in an open area between the housing 11 and the locking arm 12 in an undeflected state. In this state, a part of the engaging protrusion 33 is disposed between the pair of arm portions 27 of the locking arm 12. In this state, the entire engaging protrusion 33 is located closer to the housing 11 than the operating portion 28 on the tip side of the locking arm 12. In other words, the operating portion 28 on the tip side of the locking arm 12 is located farther away from the housing 11 than the engaging protrusion 33.

[0063] 10, 11 and 13, when the lock arm 12 is bent and engaged with the engaging portion 24b of the housing 11, the connector position assurance member 13 is sandwiched between the lock arm 12 and the housing 11 and is held in a temporary held state by the lock arm 12 and the housing 11. When the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a temporary held state by the lock arm 12 and the housing 11, the engaging protrusion 33 is disposed between the pair of arm portions 27 of the lock arm 12. In this state, a part of the engaging protrusion 33 protrudes from the pair of arm portions 27 in the height direction X1. In this state, the engaging protrusion 33 disposed between the pair of arm portions 27 is disposed between the engaging portion 26 and the bridge portion 30 of the lock arm 12 and the operating portion 28 in the fitting direction X1. That is, when the engagement protrusion 33 is positioned between the pair of arm portions 27, it is positioned between the engagement portion 26 and the operating portion 28 in the mating direction X1, and is also positioned between the bridging portion 30 and the operating portion 28.

[0064] 11, when the connector position assurance member 13 is held in the temporary holding state, a surface 28a of the operating portion 28 of the locking arm 12 facing the housing 11 is located closer to the housing 11 than a surface 33a of the engaging protrusion 33 opposite to the surface facing the housing 11. When the connector position assurance member 13 is inserted into the open area between the housing 11 and the locking arm 12 and placed in the housing 11, the operating portion 28 is located farther from the housing 11 than the engaging protrusion 33. On the other hand, when the locking arm 12 is operated to bend and engage with the housing 11, and the connector position assurance member is held in the temporary holding state, a surface 28a of the operating portion 28 of the locking arm 12 facing the housing 11 is located closer to the housing 11 than a surface 33a of the engaging protrusion 33 opposite to the housing 11 side. Therefore, in the temporary holding state, the engaging protrusion 33 is located between the engaging portion 26 and the operating portion 28 in the fitting direction X1. Furthermore, by positioning the operating portion 28 close to the housing 11, the height of the tip side of the lock arm 12 is lowered, thereby achieving a low profile of the connector 1 when the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a temporary holding state.

[0065] In the provisionally held state in which the connector position assurance member 13 is sandwiched and held between the housing 11 and the locking arm 12, the engaging protrusion 33 is disposed between the pair of arm portions 27, between the engaging portion 26 and the bridging portion 30, and between the operating portion 28, the concave abutment portion 35 abuts against the convex abutment portion 23a, and the locking projection 36a of the locking piece 36 is locked with the locking recess 24a. Therefore, the connector position assurance member 13 is held by the housing 11 and the locking arm 12 in a state in which it is prevented from falling off the housing 11 and the locking arm 12. In the provisionally held state, the connector position assurance member 13 is displaceable relative to the housing 11 by being operated by an operator in a direction along the fitting direction X1 in which the abutment between the concave abutment portion 35 and the convex abutment portion 23a is released.

[0066] The connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector 101 with the connector position assurance member 13 held in a temporary holding state. With reference to Figs. 15 and 16, when the connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector 101, the engaging protrusion 33 is inserted into the through hole of the locking portion 103 of the mating connector 101. Then, with the connector 1 fitted to the mating connector 101, the operator operates the connector position assurance member 13 so as to displace the connector position assurance member 13 from the temporary holding state relative to the housing 11. At this time, the connector position assurance member 13 is operated so as to be pushed toward the mating connector 101 along the fitting direction X1. With reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 17, when the connector 1 is operated with the connector 1 fitted to the mating connector 101, the engaging protrusion 33 passes through the through hole of the locking portion 103 and passes through the bridge portion 30 of the locking arm 12. When the engaging protrusion 33 passes through the bridging portion 30, the engaging protrusion 33 abuts against the bridging portion 30, causing the shaft portion 32 to elastically deform so as to bend toward the housing 11. The bending of the shaft portion 32 causes the engaging protrusion 33 to pass under the bridging portion 30. When the engaging protrusion 33 passes through the bridging portion 30, the shaft portion 32 elastically recovers and returns to its original bending state, and the engaging protrusion 33 engages with the bridging portion 30 of the locking arm 12.

[0067] 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 18, the deflection restricting portions 34 of the connector position assurance member 13 are provided integrally with the base portion 31 and the shaft portion 32 and are provided as portions capable of restricting deflection of the locking arm 12. The deflection restricting portions 34 are provided on both sides of the shaft portion 32 in the width direction X2, and are provided so as to extend like plates in the fitting direction X1.

[0068] 10 and 13, when the lock arm 12 is bent and engaged with the housing 11 to hold the connector position assurance member 13 in the temporary holding state, the flexure restriction portion 34 is merely disposed on the end surface 23 of the housing 11 and is located at a position spaced apart from the lock arm 12. Similarly, when the connector 1 holding the connector position assurance member 13 in the temporary holding state is mated with the mating connector 101, the flexure restriction portion 34 is merely disposed on the end surface 23 of the housing 11 and is located at a position spaced apart from the lock arm 12. Then, when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector 101, the operator operates the connector position assurance member 13 so as to displace it from the temporary holding state relative to the housing 11. Referring to FIG. 18, when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector 101, the flexure restriction portion 34 is inserted between the tip end of the lock arm 12 on which the operation portion 28 is provided and the end surface 23 of the housing 11. A flexure restriction portion 34 is disposed between the tip end of the lock arm 12 and the end face 23 of the housing 11, thereby restricting the flexure of the lock arm 12 toward the housing 11. The flexure restriction portion 34 restricts the flexure of the lock arm 12, thereby preventing the engagement portion 26 of the lock arm 12 from disengaging from the engaged portion 103a of the lock portion 103. This ensures that the connector 1 will not come out of the state in which it is engaged with the mating connector 101 at the mating position. As a result, when the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are engaged with each other, the connector position assurance member 13 ensures that the connector 1 is positioned at the mating position with respect to the mating connector 101.

[0069] 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 12, the pair of locking pieces 36 of the connector position assurance member 13 are provided as parts that can be locked to the housing 11 when the connector position assurance member 13 is placed in the housing 11. The pair of locking pieces 36 are provided integrally with the base 31 and extend in a cantilevered manner from the base 31. The pair of locking pieces 36 are disposed on both sides of the shaft portion 32 and extend in a cantilevered manner from the base 31 in the fitting direction X1 substantially parallel to the shaft portion 32.

[0070] Each of the pair of locking pieces 36 is provided with a locking projection 36a at the tip side extending in a cantilever shape. The locking projection 36a is formed as a projection that projects outward in the width direction X2 at the tip of the locking piece 36. When the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed on the end surface 23 of the housing 11, the locking projection 36a of each of the pair of locking portions 36 is configured to lock with a locking recess 24a provided on each of the pair of wall portions 24 of the housing 11 (see Figs. 9 and 12). When the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed on the end surface 23 of the housing 11, the locking projection 36a of the locking piece 36 of the connector position assurance member 13 and the locking recess 24a of the wall portion 24 of the housing 11 are configured to abut against each other in the fitting direction X1. The locking projection 36a and the locking recess 24a come into contact with each other in the fitting direction X1, thereby preventing the connector position assurance member 13 from being displaced relative to the housing 11 in the fitting direction X1.

[0071] [Connector operation] Next, the operation of the connector 1 described above will be described. In the connector 1, first, the connector position assurance member 13 is placed in the housing 11 while the terminal 14 connected to the electric wire 100 is inserted and held in the housing 11. Next, the lock arm 12 is operated to bend and engage with the housing 11, and the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a temporary holding state by the housing 11 and the lock arm 12. Then, the connector 1 holding the connector position assurance member 13 in the temporary holding state is mated with the mating connector 101 and connected to the mating connector 101. At this time, the engaging portion 26 of the lock arm 12 of the connector 1 and the engaged portion 103a of the lock portion 103 of the mating connector 101 are engaged. Then, while the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are mated, the connector position assurance member 13 is operated to be displaced relative to the housing 11, and the connector position assurance member 13 restricts the bending of the lock arm 12, and it is guaranteed that the connector 1 is located in the mating position with respect to the mating connector 101. The operation of the above-mentioned connector 1 will now be described in more detail.

[0072] 1 to 4, when the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are connected, first, the terminal 14 connected to the electric wire 100 is inserted into and held in the housing 11. The terminal 14 connected to the electric wire 100 is inserted into the terminal holding area 21 of the housing 11 from the opening 21b side and held in the terminal holding area 21 (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 6). When the terminal 14 is inserted into and held in the housing 11, the terminal position assurance member 15 is fitted into the housing 11 from the outside. When the terminal position assurance member 15 is fitted into the housing 11, the terminal engagement portion 15a of the terminal position assurance member 15 engages with the terminal 14. The terminal 14 held in the housing 11 engages with the terminal position assurance member 15 fitted into the housing 11, so that the terminal 14 is positioned and fixed with respect to the housing 11, and the position of the terminal 14 held in the housing 11 is assured.

[0073] Once the terminals 14 are held and positioned in the housing 11, the connector position assurance member 13 is then placed in the housing 11. With reference to Figures 7 to 9, the connector position assurance member 13 is placed on the end surface 23 of the housing 11 with the locking arm 12 extending obliquely outward from the housing 11 and not bent toward the housing 11, and with the locking arm 12 not engaged with the engaging portion 24b of the housing 11. In this state, an open area is formed between the locking arm 12 and the end surface 23 of the housing 11, and the connector position assurance member 13 is inserted into the open area between the locking arm 12 and the end surface 23 of the housing 11, and then the base 31 of the connector position assurance member 13 is placed on the end surface 23 of the housing 11. At this time, the connector position assurance member 13 is positioned on the end face 23 of the housing 11 with the concave abutment portion 35 of the connector position assurance member 13 abutting against the convex abutment portion 23a protruding from the end face 23 of the housing 11, and the locking protrusion 36a of the locking piece 36 of the connector position assurance member 13 engaging with the locking recess 24a of the wall portion 24 of the housing 11.

[0074] When the connector position assurance member 13 is placed in the housing 11, the lock arm 12 is then operated by the operator to bend and engage with the housing 11, and the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a temporary held state by the housing 11 and the lock arm 12. With reference to Figs. 10 to 13, when the connector position assurance member 13 is placed in the housing 11, the operator presses the operating portion 28 of the lock arm 12. The pressing operation causes the lock arm 12 to bend toward the housing 11. When the lock arm 12 bends toward the housing 11, the plate-shaped protrusion 29 of the lock arm 12 engages with the engaging portion 24b of the wall portion 24 of the housing 11. When the lock arm 12 bends and engages with the housing 11, the connector position assurance member 13 is sandwiched between the lock arm 12 and the housing 11 and held in a temporary held state.

[0075] When the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a provisionally held state by the housing 11 and the locking arm 12, the connector 1 is then fitted and connected to the mating connector 101. The connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector 101 by inserting and fitting the fitting portion 20 of the housing 11 into the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101. With reference to Figs. 14 to 16, when the connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector 101, the locking arm 12 passes through the through hole on the inside of the locking portion 103 in a state in which it is further elastically deformed from the state in which it is engaged with the housing 11 and bent toward the housing 11 side. Then, when the locking arm 12 passes through the through hole of the locking portion 103, it elastically recovers, and the engaging portion 26 of the locking arm 12 engages with the engaged portion 103a of the locking portion 103. When the connector 1 is fitted into the mating connector 101 and the engaging portion 26 of the locking arm 12 engages with the engaged portion 103a of the locking portion 103, the connector 1 is locked to the mating connector 101. At this time, the engaging protrusion 33 provided on the tip end of the shaft portion 32 of the connector position assurance member 13 is inserted into the through hole of the locking portion 103 of the mating connector 101.

[0076] When the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector 101, the connector position assurance member 13 is then operated so as to be displaced relative to the housing 11. With reference to Figs. 2, 3, 17, and 18, the connector position assurance member 13 is operated by an operator so as to be displaced relative to the housing 11 from the provisionally held state with the connector 1 mated with the mating connector 101. At this time, the connector position assurance member 13 is operated so as to be pushed toward the mating connector 101 side along the mating direction X1. When the connector position assurance member 13 is operated with the connector 1 mated with the mating connector 101, the engaging protrusion 33 of the connector position assurance member 13 passes through the through hole of the locking portion 103 and passes through the bridging portion 30 of the locking arm 12. When the engaging protrusion 33 passes through the bridging portion 30, the engaging protrusion 33 abuts against the bridging portion 30, and the shaft portion 32 is elastically deformed so as to be bent toward the housing 11 side. The bending of the shaft portion 32 causes the engaging protrusion 33 to pass under the bridge portion 30. When the engaging protrusion 33 passes through the bridge portion 30, the shaft portion 32 elastically recovers and returns to its original bending state, and the engaging protrusion 33 becomes engaged with the bridge portion 30 of the lock arm 12.

[0077] Also, when the connector position assurance member 13 is operated, referring to FIG. 18, the flexure restriction portion 34 of the connector position assurance member 13 is inserted between the tip end of the lock arm 12 on which the operation portion 28 is provided and the end surface 23 of the housing 11. The flexure restriction portion 34 is disposed between the tip end of the lock arm 12 and the end surface 23 of the housing 11, thereby restricting the flexure of the lock arm 12 toward the housing 11. The flexure restriction portion 34 restricts the flexure of the lock arm 12, thereby preventing the engagement between the engagement portion 26 of the lock arm 12 and the engaged portion 103a of the lock portion 103 from being disengaged. This ensures that the connector 1 will not come out of the state where it is engaged with the mating connector 101 at the mating position. As a result, when the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are engaged with each other, the connector position assurance member 13 ensures that the connector 1 is located at the mating position with respect to the mating connector 101.

[0078] [Actions and Effects of the Present Embodiment] According to this embodiment, the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed in the housing 11 in a state where the lock arm 12 is not bent and is not engaged with the engaging portion 24b of the housing 11. Therefore, the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed in the housing 11 in a state where the area between the lock arm 12 and the housing 11 is open. Then, in a state where the connector position assurance member 13 is disposed in the housing 11, the lock arm 12 is bent and engaged with the engaging portion 24b of the housing 11, and the connector position assurance member 13 is sandwiched between the housing 11 and the lock arm 12 and held in a temporary holding state. The connector 1 in a state where the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a temporary holding state is mated with the mating connector 101. When the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are mated and connected, the engaging portion 26 provided on the lock arm 12 protruding on the side opposite to the housing 11 side engages with the engaged portion 103a of the housing 11. As a result, the mated connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are locked to each other. In this state, the connector position assurance member 13 is operated to displace it relative to the housing 11, thereby ensuring that the connector 1 mated with the mating connector 101 is positioned in the mating position relative to the mating connector 101.

[0079] According to the present embodiment, the engaging portion 26 of the lock arm 12 that engages with the engaged portion 103a of the mating connector 101 when the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are mated is formed in a shape that protrudes toward the opposite side to the housing 11. Therefore, the shape of the engaging portion 26 that can firmly engage with the mating connector 101 can be easily formed in the lock arm 12. That is, it is not necessary to form an engaging portion as a latch surface 108 that bridges a pair of latch beams (104, 106) as in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, and the freedom of selection of the shape of the engaging portion 26 of the lock arm 12 can be improved. Therefore, the constraint on the structure of the engaging portion 26 that engages with the mating connector 101 in the lock arm 12 can be alleviated, and the freedom of design of the lock arm 12 can be improved. According to the present embodiment, the connector position assurance member 13 is placed in the housing 11 with the area between the lock arm 12 and the housing 11 open, and in this state, the lock arm 12 is bent and engaged with the housing 11, so that the connector position assurance member 13 is held in a provisionally held state. Therefore, the connector position assurance member 13 can be easily held in a temporary state between the lock arm 12 and the housing 11. That is, an operation such as inserting the connector position assurance unit 600 between the housing and the connector latch in a state in which the connector latch is bent and engaged with the housing, as in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, is not required, and the connector position assurance member 13 can be easily held in a temporary state between the lock arm 12 and the housing 11. Therefore, the structure of the lock arm 12 is not restricted in order to enable the connector position assurance member 13 to be held in a temporary state between the housing 11 and the lock arm 12, and the degree of freedom in designing the dimensions of the lock arm 12 can be improved.

[0080] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a connector 1 having a connector position assurance member 13, it is possible to provide a connector 1 which can relax the structural constraints of the locking arm 12 and improve the freedom of dimensional design of the locking arm 12.

[0081] According to this embodiment, when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector 101 and the engaging portion 26 of the locking arm 12 is engaged with the engaged portion 103a of the mating connector 101, the connector position assurance member 13 is operated to displace relative to the housing 11, and the connector 1 mated with the mating connector 101 is guaranteed to be located at the mating position with respect to the mating connector 101. The connector position assurance member 13 regulates the deflection of the locking arm 12 to ensure that the connector 1 is located at the mating position with respect to the mating connector 101, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent the engaging portion 26 of the locking arm 12 from disengaging from the engaged portion 103a of the housing 11, and it is more reliably guaranteed that the connector 1 is mated with the mating position with respect to the mating connector 101. Furthermore, the connector position assurance member 13, which ensures that the connector 1 is mated at the mating position, engages with the locking arm 12 to position the connector 1. This prevents the position of connector position assurance member 13 from shifting, and more reliably ensures that connector 1 is mated with mating connector 101 at the mating position.

[0082] According to the present embodiment, when the connector position assurance member 13 is held in the temporary holding state, the surface 28a of the operating portion 28 of the lock arm 12 facing the housing is located closer to the housing 11 than the surface 33a of the engaging protrusion 33 of the connector position assurance member 13 that is configured to be engageable with the lock arm 12 and faces away from the housing 11. This allows the operating portion 28 on the tip side of the lock arm 12 to be located closer to the housing 11, and the height of the connector 1 in the state in which the connector position assurance member 13 is held in the temporary holding state can be lowered, thereby making the connector 1 low-profile. The connector position assurance member 13 is placed in the housing 11 with the area between the lock arm 12 and the housing 11 open, and in this state, the lock arm 12 flexes and engages with the housing 11, thereby holding the connector position assurance member 13 in the temporary holding state. This allows the connector position assurance member 13 to be easily held in the temporary holding state between the lock arm 12 and the housing 11, even if the connector 1 is low-profile with the connector position assurance member 13 held in the temporary holding state.

[0083] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the engaging portion 26 of the locking arm 12 protrudes from the bridging portion 30 bridging the pair of arm portions 27 to the side opposite the housing 11, and the bridging portion 30 is provided with thick portions 30a that are integral with the pair of arm portions 27 on both sides of the engaging portion 26. Therefore, the engaging portion 26 provided on the bridging portion 30 bridging the pair of arm portions 27 can be reinforced by the thick portions 30a that are integral with the pair of arm portions 27, and the strength of the engaging portion 26 of the locking arm 12 can be improved.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the locking arm 12 is molded integrally with the housing 11 so as to extend obliquely outward from the housing 11 when it is not bent and is not engaged with the locking portion 24b. This allows the area between the locking arm 12 and the housing 11 to be significantly expanded when the area between the locking arm 12 and the housing 11 is open. This makes it easier to place the connector position assurance member 13 in the housing 11 when the area between the locking arm 12 and the housing 11 is open.

[0085] [Variations] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, the following modifications may be made.

[0086] (1) In the above embodiment, the lock arm 12 is molded integrally with the housing 11 so as to extend obliquely from the housing 11 toward the opposite side to the housing 11 side when the lock arm 12 is not bent and is not engaged with the engaging portion 24b, but this is not essential. The lock arm 12 may be molded integrally with the housing 11 so as to extend along a direction substantially parallel to the end face 23 of the housing 11 when the lock arm 12 is not bent and is not engaged with the engaging portion 24b. In this case, the lock arm 12 is provided to extend substantially parallel to the end face 23 of the housing 11 at a position appropriately spaced from the end face 23 of the housing 11 so that the connector position assurance member 13 can be easily inserted between the housing 11 and the lock arm 12.

[0087] (2) In the above embodiment, the engaging portion 26 protruding from the bridging portion 30 toward the side opposite to the housing 11 side is provided so as to protrude at a position corresponding to the region between the pair of arm portions 27. However, this is not essential. A configuration in which the engaging portion 26 is provided so as to protrude at a position corresponding to both the region between the pair of arm portions 27 and the region corresponding to the pair of arm portions 27 may be implemented. [Industrial Applicability]

[0088] The present invention can be widely applied as a connector that is configured to mate with a mating connector and connect, and is equipped with a connector position assurance member that ensures that the connector is positioned in the mating position with respect to the mating connector when mated with the mating connector. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 Connector 11. Housing 12 Lock Arm 13 Connector position assurance material 24b Locking part 25 Arm body 26 Engagement part 27 Arm section 28 Control section 30 Crosslinked part 31 Base 32 Shaft 33 Engagement protrusion 101 Mating Connector 103a Engaged part

Claims

1. A connector configured to be fitted and connected to a mating connector, the connector including a connector position assurance member that assures that the connector is positioned in a mating position with respect to the mating connector when the connector is fitted to the mating connector, a housing that fits into the mating connector, the connector position assurance member that is attached to the housing in a state in which it can be displaced relative to the housing, and a lock arm that is integral with the housing, extends in a cantilever shape from the housing, and engages with the mating connector when the connector and the mating connector are fitted together, the lock arm has an arm main body portion extending in a cantilever manner from the housing, and an engaging portion provided to protrude from the arm main body portion toward an opposite side to the housing side and engage with an engaged portion provided on the mating connector, The housing is provided with a locking portion with which the locking arm is locked in a state in which the locking arm is elastically deformed and bent, the connector position assurance member is configured to be inserted between the housing and the lock arm and disposed on the housing when the lock arm is in an undeflected state and is not engaged with the locking portion, the locking arm is configured to bend and engage with the engaging portion when the connector position assurance member is disposed in the housing, thereby sandwiching the connector position assurance member between the housing and the locking arm and holding the connector position assurance member in a temporary holding state in cooperation with the housing, The connector is characterized in that the connector position assurance member ensures that the connector is positioned in the mating position by being operated to displace relative to the housing from the temporary holding state when the connector is mated with the mating connector.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, The connector position assurance member is operated to displace relative to the housing from the temporary held state when the connector is mated with the mating connector and the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, thereby engaging with the locking arm and regulating the deflection of the locking arm to ensure that the connector is positioned in the mating position relative to the mating connector.

3. 3. The connector of claim 2, the arm main body portion has a pair of arm portions extending parallel to each other, and an operation portion provided at a tip side of the pair of arm portions so as to bridge the pair of arm portions and configured as a portion operated by an operator, the connector position assurance member has a base portion disposed in the housing, a shaft portion extending in a cantilever manner from the base portion, and an engaging protrusion provided on a tip side of the shaft portion and adapted to engage with the locking arm, A connector characterized in that, when the connector position assurance member is held in the temporary holding state, the surface of the operating portion that faces the housing is located closer to the housing than the surface of the engaging protrusion opposite the surface that faces the housing.

4. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, The arm body portion has a pair of arm portions extending parallel to each other, the engaging portion is provided so as to protrude from a bridge portion that bridges the pair of arms toward an opposite side to the housing side, A connector characterized in that the bridging portion has a thick portion formed so as to protrude thickly on the side opposite the housing at a portion that is integral with the pair of arm portions on both sides of the engaging portion.

5. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, A connector characterized in that the lock arm is molded integrally with the housing so as to extend obliquely from the housing to the opposite side to the housing side when the lock arm is not bent and is not engaged with the locking portion.

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