Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can align an inner housing to a mating connector.SOLUTION: A connector 1 comprises: an outer housing 2 that has a cylindrical housing part 21 and a flexible engaging arm 24 extending in the axial direction of the housing part; an inner housing 3 that is inserted into the housing part along the axial direction to be engaged with the engaging arm; and a regulation structure that regulates a moving range where the inner housing is movable. The regulation structure has a projection 31 that is provided on the outer wall part of the inner housing and extends in the axial direction, and a guide wall 25 that is provided on the inside surface of the housing part and guides the projection. The guide wall has a slit 27 into which a base part 31b is inserted along the axial direction. The guide wall permits the movement of the projection 31 in a first direction X and a second direction Y within a range where the engagement between the engaging arm and the inner housing is not released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a configuration in which one of two housings is inserted into the other housing. Patent Document 1 discloses an optical connector device including a first optical connector having a first housing and a second optical connector having a second housing in which a fitting space into which the first housing can be fitted is formed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a connector having an outer housing and an inner housing inserted into and engaged with the outer housing is fitted with a mating connector, it is desirable that the inner housing can be centered with respect to the mating connector. For example, if the two housings can move relative to each other while maintaining the engagement state between the outer housing and the inner housing, the inner housing can be centered with respect to the mating connector.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of centering an inner housing with respect to a mating connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present invention includes an outer housing having a cylindrical accommodating portion and a flexible engaging arm disposed inside the accommodating portion and extending in the axial direction of the accommodating portion, an inner housing inserted into the accommodating portion along the axial direction to engage with the engaging arm and fitting with a mating connector along the axial direction, and a restricting structure for restricting the moving range within which the inner housing can move in the inner space of the accommodating portion. The restricting structure includes a protrusion provided on the outer wall portion of the inner housing and extending in the axial direction, and a guide wall provided on the inner side surface of the accommodating portion for guiding the protrusion. The protrusion has a base portion protruding from the outer wall portion in a first direction orthogonal to the axial direction and a tip portion protruding from the base portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The guide wall has a slit into which the base portion is inserted along the axial direction, and the guide wall allows the protrusion to move in the first direction and the second direction within a range where the engagement between the engaging arm and the inner housing is not released.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The connector according to the present invention has a restricting structure for restricting the moving range within which the inner housing can move in the inner space of the accommodating portion of the outer housing. The restricting structure includes a protrusion provided on the outer wall portion of the inner housing and extending in the axial direction, and a guide wall provided on the inner side surface of the accommodating portion for guiding the protrusion. The guide wall allows the protrusion to move in the first direction and the second direction within a range where the engagement between the engaging arm and the inner housing is not released. According to the connector of the present invention, it is possible to align the inner housing with respect to the mating connector.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The connector according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. This embodiment relates to a connector. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the connector according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the outer housing according to the embodiment, FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the outer housing according to the embodiment, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the inner housing according to the embodiment, FIG. 8 is a side view of the connector according to the embodiment, and FIGS. 9 to 12 are cross-sectional views of the connector according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 shows the V-V cross-section of FIG. 4. Figure 6 shows the VI-VI cross-section of FIG. 4. Figure 9 shows the IX-IX cross-section of FIG. 8.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connector 1 of the present embodiment has an outer housing 2 and an inner housing 3. The inner housing 3 is a member that holds terminals and mates with a mating connector.

[0013] The outer housing 2 is a member that holds the inner housing 3. As described below, the connector 1 of the present embodiment allows the inner housing 3 to move relative to the outer housing 2 in a first direction X and a second direction Y. More specifically, the connector 1 has a regulating structure 50 that regulates the movement range of the inner housing 3 relative to the outer housing 2. The regulating structure 50 is configured to allow the inner housing 3 to move within a range where the engagement between the outer housing 2 and the inner housing 3 is not released.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the outer housing 2 has a main body 20 and a cylindrical housing portion 21 protruding from the main body 20. The shape of the main body 20 of the present embodiment is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body 20 has an internal space for accommodating an electric wire or the like. The main body 20 is fixed to, for example, the housing of a device or the vehicle body of a vehicle. An annular packing 4 surrounding an opening is disposed on the back side of the main body 20. The packing 4 seals between the cover attached to the main body 20 and the main body 20.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing portion 21 protrudes from the main body 20. The shape of the housing portion 21 of the present embodiment is a substantially rectangular tube shape. The internal space of the housing portion 21 communicates with the internal space of the main body 20. The housing portion 21 has an axial direction Z, a first direction X, and a second direction Y. The axial direction Z is the direction of the central axis of the housing portion 21. The first direction X is a direction orthogonal to the axial direction Z. The second direction Y is orthogonal to both the first direction X and the axial direction Z.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the accommodating portion 21 has a pair of first opposing walls 22 and a pair of second opposing walls 23. The pair of first opposing walls 22 face each other in the first direction X. The pair of second opposing walls 23 face each other in the second direction Y. The pair of first opposing walls 22 and the pair of second opposing walls 23 constitute a cylindrical portion having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0017] The first opposing wall 22 of the present embodiment has a flat plate shape orthogonal to the first direction X. As shown in FIG. 4, the second opposing wall 23 has an arch portion 23a curved toward the second direction Y. The arch portion 23a is disposed at the central portion of the second opposing wall 23 in the first direction X and extends in the axial direction Z. The arch portion 23a bulges in a direction away from the other second opposing wall 23. The arch portion 23a forms a space for the engaging arm 24 described later to bend and deform.

[0018] The outer housing 2 has an engaging arm 24 disposed inside the accommodating portion 21. Two engaging arms 24 are provided on the outer housing 2 of the present embodiment. The engaging arm 24 extends in the axial direction Z of the accommodating portion 21 and has flexibility. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the base end portion 24a of the engaging arm 24 is connected to the inner wall surface of the second opposing wall 23. The engaging arm 24 extends in the axial direction Z toward the tip 23b of the second opposing wall 23. The engaging arm 24 is covered by the arch portion 23a and can bend and deform so as to approach the inner wall surface of the arch portion 23a.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 6, the engaging arm 24 has a frame portion 28. The shape of the frame portion 28 in plan view is substantially U-shaped. The frame portion 28 has a pair of flexible arms 28a and a locking portion 28b. The pair of arms 28a extend in the axial direction Z and face each other in the first direction X. The locking portion 28b connects the tips of the two arms 28a. The locking portion 28b locks the engaging protrusion 34 of the inner housing 3.

[0020] One engaging arm 24 is disposed on one of the second opposing walls 23, and the other engaging arm 24 is disposed on the other second opposing wall 23. Therefore, the two engaging arms 24 face each other in the second direction Y. The accommodating portion 21 sandwiches and holds the inner housing 3 between the two engaging arms 24.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer housing 2 has two guide walls 25. The guide wall 25 is a portion that guides the protrusion 31 of the inner housing 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the inner housing 3 has two protrusions 31. The restricting structure 50 of the present embodiment is configured to include the protrusion 31 and the guide wall 25.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide wall 25 has a substantially rectangular tube shape and extends in the axial direction Z. The guide wall 25 has a part of the first opposing wall 22 and two side walls 26. The side walls 26 stand upright from the first opposing wall 22 in the first direction X. The two side walls 26 are arranged in the second direction Y and face each other in the second direction Y.

[0023] The side wall 26 has a base portion 26a and a protruding portion 26b. The base portion 26a protrudes from the first opposing wall 22 in the first direction X. The protruding portion 26b protrudes along the second direction Y from the tip of the base portion 26a toward the other side wall 26. A slit 27 is provided between the two protruding portions 26b. The slit 27 extends in the axial direction Z.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 7, the inner housing 3 has a main body 30, a protrusion 31, and an engaging protrusion 34. The main body 30 has a rectangular tube shape extending in the axial direction Z. The main body 30 has a cavity 30a into which the terminal 5 is inserted. The cavity 30a penetrates the main body 30 along the axial direction Z. A lance 30b for locking the terminal 5 is provided in the cavity 30a.

[0025] The main body 30 has a pair of first opposing walls 32 and a pair of second opposing walls 33. The pair of first opposing walls 32 face each other in the first direction X. The pair of second opposing walls 33 face each other in the second direction Y. The pair of first opposing walls 32 and the pair of second opposing walls 33 constitute a cylindrical portion with a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. The inner housing 3 of the present embodiment has two protrusions 31. One protrusion 31 is disposed on one of the first opposing walls 32, and the other protrusion 31 is disposed on the other first opposing wall 32.

[0026] The protrusion 31 extends in the axial direction Z. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 31 in a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction Z is substantially T-shaped. The protrusion 31 has a base portion 31a and a tip portion 31b. The base portion 31a protrudes from the outer wall portion of the first opposing wall 32 toward the first direction X. The tip portion 31b protrudes from the tip of the base portion 31a toward the second direction Y. The tip portion 31b has a flat plate shape and is parallel to the first opposing wall 32.

[0027] The engaging protrusion 34 is disposed on the second opposing wall 33. The engaging protrusion 34 protrudes from the outer wall portion of the second opposing wall 33 toward the second direction Y. The cross-sectional shape of the engaging protrusion 34 is substantially triangular. The engaging protrusion 34 has a contact surface facing the axial direction Z. The contact surface of the engaging protrusion 34 is locked by the locking portion 28b of the engaging arm 24. The inner housing 3 of the present embodiment has two engaging protrusions 34. One engaging protrusion 34 is disposed on one of the second opposing walls 33, and the other engaging protrusion 34 is disposed on the other second opposing wall 33.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the inner housing 3 is inserted into the accommodating portion 21 of the outer housing 2 along the axial direction Z. At this time, the tip portion 31b of the protrusion 31 is inserted into the inside of the guide wall 25. That is, the tip portion 31b is inserted into the space between the first opposing wall 22 and the protruding portion 26b. The base portion 31a of the protrusion 31 is inserted into the slit 27 of the guide wall 25 along the axial direction Z. The guide wall 25 guides the protrusion 31 in the axial direction Z.

[0029] When the inner housing 3 is inserted into the accommodating portion 21, the engaging projection 34 of the inner housing 3 contacts the engaging arm 24 of the outer housing 2. The engaging arm 24 is pressed toward the arch portion 23a by the inclined surface of the engaging projection 34. The engaging arm 24 rides over the engaging projection 34 while being elastically deformed toward the arch portion 23a and engages with the engaging projection 34. In the engaged state, the engaging projection 34 is locked by the locking portion 28b of the engaging arm 24. The outer housing 2 can sandwich the inner housing 3 between the two engaging arms 24 and hold the inner housing 3 in a floating state.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows the inner housing 3 engaged with the outer housing 2. A part of the inner housing 3 projects in the axial direction Z from the accommodating portion 21. The inner housing 3 is fitted with a mating connector along the axial direction Z. In the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the inner housing 3 can move relative to the outer housing 2 within the range allowed by the restricting structure 50. Thereby, as will be described below, the centering of the inner housing 3 with respect to the mating connector becomes possible.

[0031] FIG. 9 shows a cross section taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8. The inner housing 3 is accommodated inside the accommodating portion 21 and holds the terminal 5. The terminal 5 is, for example, a flat male terminal. The terminal 5 is inserted into the cavity 30a, for example, in a state where the inner housing 3 is engaged with the outer housing 2. The inner housing 3 can move in the first direction X and the second direction Y with respect to the accommodating portion 21 while holding the terminal 5.

[0032] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged cross section of the protrusion 31 and the guide wall 25. A gap is provided between the guide wall 25 and the protrusion 31 to allow the movement of the inner housing 3. For example, in the first direction X, a gap is provided between the tip portion 31b of the protrusion 31 and the guide wall 25. The width of the inner space of the guide wall 25 in the first direction X is larger than the thickness of the tip portion 31b. Therefore, the tip portion 31b is relatively movable along the first direction X with respect to the guide wall 25. The length of the protrusion 31 is determined so that the inner housing 3 can move to both sides in the first direction X. As shown in FIG. 9, in the first direction X, the length L2 from the tip to the tip of the two protrusions 31 is shorter than the distance L1 between the two first opposing walls 22.

[0033] Also, the width of the inner space of the guide wall 25 in the second direction Y is larger than the length of the tip portion 31b. Therefore, the tip portion 31b is relatively movable along the second direction Y with respect to the guide wall 25. Also, the width of the slit 27 of the guide wall 25 is larger than the thickness of the base portion 31a of the protrusion 31. Therefore, the slit 27 allows the movement of the protrusion 31 in the second direction Y. The engaging arm 24 of the outer housing 2 holds the inner housing 3 in a floating state. In the floating state, the protrusion 31 is held at a position where it does not contact either of the two side walls 26. Therefore, the protrusion 31 is movable from the floating state position to both sides in the second direction Y.

[0034] Also, a gap for allowing the movement of the inner housing 3 is provided between the engaging arm 24 of the outer housing 2 and the engaging protrusion 34 of the inner housing 3. As shown in FIG. 9, a gap is provided between the engaging protrusion 34 and the arm 28a of the engaging arm 24. That is, the engaging arm 24 is configured to allow the relative movement of the inner housing 3 with respect to the outer housing 2 in the first direction X.

[0035] When the inner housing 3 engages with the mating connector, the inner housing 3 may be subjected to forces in the first direction X and the second direction Y. FIG. 11 shows the inner housing 3 that has moved due to the force in the first direction X from the mating connector. The inner housing 3 in FIG. 11 has moved to the first side X1 in the first direction X with respect to the outer housing 2 due to the force received from the mating connector.

[0036] The inner housing 3 can move to a position where the protrusion 31 abuts against the first opposing wall 22. At this time, the engaging arm 24 allows the movement of the engaging protrusion 34 in the first direction X. The first opposing wall 22 located on the first side X1 locks the protrusion 31 and restricts the movement of the inner housing 3. That is, the guide wall 25 restricts the range in which the inner housing 3 can move in the first direction X by the first opposing wall 22.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 11, with the protrusion 31 in contact with the first opposing wall 22, the engaging arm 24 maintains the state of being engaged with the engaging protrusion 34. That is, the guide wall 25 allows the movement of the protrusion 31 in the first direction X within a range where the engagement between the engaging arm 24 and the inner housing 3 is not released.

[0038] When the inner housing 3 moves to the first side X1, the protrusion 31 also moves relative to the guide wall 25 on the second side X2 in the first direction X. That is, each of the two guide walls 25 allows the relative movement of the inner housing 3 with respect to the outer housing 2. The two guide walls 25 may be configured to contact the two protrusions 31 at the same timing when the inner housing 3 moves in the first direction X. In FIG. 11, the two guide walls 25 are each in contact with the protrusion 31 and lock the protrusion 31.

[0039] When the inner housing 3 moves to the second side X2 with respect to the outer housing 2, the first opposing wall 22 on the second side X2 locks the protrusion 31. At this time, the engaging arm 24 maintains the state of being engaged with the engaging protrusion 34. Therefore, the guide wall 25 can maintain the engagement state between the engaging arm 24 and the inner housing 3 regardless of which side of the first direction X the inner housing 3 moves to.

[0040] FIG. 12 shows the inner housing 3 that has moved by the force in the second direction Y from the mating connector. The inner housing 3 in FIG. 12 has moved to the first side Y1 in the second direction Y with respect to the outer housing 2 due to the force received from the mating connector.

[0041] The inner housing 3 can move to a position where the protrusion 31 abuts against the side wall 26. The side wall 26 abuts against the protrusion 31 and restricts the movement of the inner housing 3. That is, the guide wall 25 restricts the range in which the inner housing 3 can move in the second direction Y by the side wall 26.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 12, with the protrusion 31 in contact with the side wall 26, the engaging arm 24 maintains the state of being engaged with the engaging protrusion 34. For example, the engaging protrusion 34 on the second side Y2 in the second direction Y faces the arm 28a of the engaging arm 24. That is, the engagement state between the engaging protrusion 34 on the second side Y2 and the engaging arm 24 is maintained. Therefore, the guide wall 25 allows the movement of the protrusion 31 in the second direction Y within a range where the engagement between the engaging arm 24 and the inner housing 3 is not released.

[0043] When the inner housing 3 moves to the second side Y2 with respect to the outer housing 2, the side wall 26 on the second side Y2 locks the protrusion 31. At this time, the engaging arm 24 maintains the state of being engaged with the engaging protrusion 34. Therefore, the guide wall 25 can maintain the engagement state between the engaging arm 24 and the inner housing 3 regardless of which side of the second direction Y the inner housing 3 moves to.

[0044] As described above, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the guide wall 25 allows the protrusion 31 to move in the first direction X and the second direction Y within a range where the engagement between the engagement arm 24 and the inner housing 3 is not released. Therefore, the connector 1 allows relative movement of the inner housing 3 with respect to the mating connector, enabling alignment during fitting. Further, the guide wall 25 of the present embodiment can suppress the inner housing 3 from falling out of the outer housing 2 by restricting the movement range of the inner housing 3. As a result, members such as a front holder for preventing falling are not required, and the number of components in the connector 1 can be reduced.

[0045] As described above, the connector 1 of the present embodiment includes an outer housing 2, an inner housing 3, and a restricting structure 50. The outer housing 2 has a cylindrical accommodating portion 21 and a flexible engagement arm 24. The engagement arm 24 is disposed inside the accommodating portion 21 and extends in the axial direction Z of the accommodating portion 21. The inner housing 3 is inserted into the accommodating portion 21 along the axial direction Z and engages with the engagement arm 24. The inner housing 3 engages with a mating connector along the axial direction Z.

[0046] The restricting structure 50 restricts the movement range within which the inner housing 3 can move in the internal space of the accommodating portion 21. The restricting structure 50 includes a protrusion 31 and a guide wall 25. The protrusion 31 is provided on the outer wall portion of the inner housing 3 and extends in the axial direction Z. The guide wall 25 is provided on the inner side surface of the accommodating portion 21 and guides the protrusion 31. The protrusion 31 has a base portion 31a and a tip portion 31b. The base portion 31a protrudes from the outer wall portion of the inner housing 3 in the first direction X orthogonal to the axial direction Z. The tip portion 31b protrudes from the base portion 31a in the second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction X.

[0047] The guide wall 25 has a slit 27 into which the base 31a is inserted along the axial direction Z. The guide wall 25 allows the projection 31 to move in the first direction X and the second direction Y within a range where the engagement between the engagement arm 24 and the inner housing 3 is not released. The connector 1 of the present embodiment enables the centering of the inner housing 3 with respect to the mating connector by relatively moving the inner housing 3 with respect to the outer housing 2 while maintaining the engagement between the engagement arm 24 and the inner housing 3. Further, since a clearance is provided between the inner housing 3 and the outer housing 2, vibrations and impacts from the mating connector are absorbed within the range of the clearance.

[0048] The outer housing 2 of the present embodiment has a pair of engagement arms 24 disposed on both sides in the second direction Y with respect to the inner housing 3. The outer housing 2 holds the inner housing 3 by the pair of engagement arms 24. The guide wall 25 allows the projection 31 to move in the first direction X and the second direction Y within a range where the engagement between the pair of engagement arms 24 and the inner housing 3 is not released. The connector 1 of the present embodiment can maintain the engagement between the two engagement arms 24 and the inner housing 3.

[0049] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be executed in appropriate combinations.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 1: Connector 2: Outer housing, 3: Inner housing, 4: Packing 5: Terminal 20: Body, 21: Accommodating portion 22: First opposing wall, 23: Second opposing wall, 23a: Arch portion, 23b: Tip 24: Engagement arm, 24a: Base end portion 25: Guide wall, 26: Side wall, 26a: Base portion, 26b: Protruding portion 27: Slit 28: Frame portion, 28a: Arm, 28b: Locking portion 30: Body, 30a: Cavity, 30b: Lance 31: Protrusion, 31a: Base, 31b: Tip 32: First Opposing Wall, 33: Second Opposing Wall, 34: Engagement Protrusion 50: Restriction Structure X: First Direction, Y: Second Direction, Z: Axial Direction

Claims

1. An outer housing having a cylindrical accommodating portion and a flexible engaging arm disposed inside the accommodating portion and extending in the axial direction of the accommodating portion; An inner housing inserted into the accommodating portion along the axial direction, engaging with the engaging arm, and fitting with a mating connector along the axial direction; A restricting structure for restricting the moving range within which the inner housing can move in the inner space of the accommodating portion; Comprising: The restricting structure includes a protrusion provided on the outer wall portion of the inner housing and extending in the axial direction, and a guide wall provided on the inner side surface of the accommodating portion for guiding the protrusion; The protrusion has a base portion protruding from the outer wall portion in a first direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and a tip portion protruding from the base portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; The guide wall has a slit into which the base portion is inserted along the axial direction; The guide wall allows the protrusion to move in the first direction and the second direction within a range where the engagement between the engaging arm and the inner housing is not released. A connector characterized by the above.

2. The outer housing has a pair of the engaging arms disposed on both sides of the inner housing in the second direction, and holds the inner housing by the pair of the engaging arms; The guide wall allows the protrusion to move in the first direction and the second direction within a range where the engagement between the pair of the engaging arms and the inner housing is not released. The connector according to Claim 1.

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