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 arranged inside the housing part and extending in the axial direction of the housing part; and an inner housing 3 that is inserted into the housing part along the axial direction to be engaged with the engaging arm, and is fitted to a mating connector along the axial direction. The housing part has a pair of first opposite walls 22 opposite to each other in a first direction X orthogonal to the axial direction, and a pair of second opposite walls 23 opposite to each other in a second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction. The first opposite walls and the second opposite walls permit the movement of the inner housing 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.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

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, and 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. The accommodating portion has a pair of first opposing walls facing each other in a first direction orthogonal to the axial direction and a pair of second opposing walls facing each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first opposing wall and the second opposing wall allow the inner housing 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.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] The connector according to the present invention includes an outer housing having a cylindrical accommodating portion and a flexible engaging arm, and 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. The first opposing wall and the second opposing wall of the accommodating portion allow the inner housing 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, the inner housing can be centered 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

Figure 13

[0009] Hereinafter, the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail 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] Embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. 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, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the outer housing according to the embodiment, FIG. 6 is a side view of the inner housing according to the embodiment, FIG. 7 is a side view of the connector according to the embodiment, FIGS. 8 to 10 are cross-sectional views of the connector according to the embodiment, and FIGS. 11 to 13 are plan views of another connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the V-V cross section of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 shows the VIII-VIII cross section of FIG. 7.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer housing 2 has a first opposing wall 22 and a second opposing wall 23. As described below, the first opposing wall 22 and the second opposing wall 23 are configured to allow the movement of the inner housing 3 within a range where the engagement between the outer housing 2 and the inner housing 3 is not released.

[0013] 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. 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 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 form a cylindrical portion having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0016] 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 in 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 engagement arm 24 described later to flexibly deform.

[0017] The outer housing 2 has an engagement arm 24 disposed inside the housing portion 21. Two engagement arms 24 are provided in the outer housing 2 of the present embodiment. The engagement arm 24 extends in the axial direction Z of the housing portion 21 and has flexibility. As shown in FIG. 5, the proximal end portion 24a of the engagement arm 24 is connected to the inner wall surface of the second opposing wall 23. The inner wall surface of the second opposing wall 23 has a support portion 23c for supporting the engagement arm 24. The support portion 23c is disposed so as to close the arch portion 23a. The engagement arm 24 extends in the axial direction Z from the support portion 23c toward the tip 23b of the second opposing wall 23. The engagement arm 24 is covered by the arch portion 23a and can flexibly deform so as to approach the inner wall surface of the arch portion 23a.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 5, the engagement arm 24 has a frame portion 28. The shape of the frame portion 28 when viewed from the second direction Y 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 engagement protrusion 34 of the inner housing 3.

[0019] One engagement arm 24 is disposed on one second opposing wall 23, and the other engagement arm 24 is disposed on the other second opposing wall 23. Therefore, the two engagement arms 24 face each other in the second direction Y. The housing portion 21 sandwiches and holds the inner housing 3 between the two engagement arms 24.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 6, the inner housing 3 has a main body 30 and engaging protrusions 34. The main body 30 has a rectangular tubular shape extending in the axial direction Z. The main body 30 has a cavity into which terminals are inserted. The cavity is provided with lances for locking the terminals.

[0021] The main body 30 has a pair of first opposing walls 32 and a pair of second opposing walls 33. As shown in FIG. 8, 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 tubular portion having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0022] The engaging protrusions 34 are arranged on the second opposing walls 33. As shown in FIG. 6, the engaging protrusions 34 project from the outer wall portion of the second opposing walls 33 in the second direction Y. The cross-sectional shape of the engaging protrusions 34 is substantially triangular. The engaging protrusions 34 have a contact surface 34a facing the axial direction Z and an inclined surface 34b inclined with respect to the axial direction Z. The contact surface 34a 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 arranged on one second opposing wall 33, and the other engaging protrusion 34 is arranged on the other second opposing wall 33.

[0023] 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. When the inner housing 3 is inserted into the accommodating portion 21, the engaging protrusion 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 34b of the engaging protrusion 34. The engaging arm 24 bends and deforms toward the arch portion 23a while getting over the engaging protrusion 34 and engages with the engaging protrusion 34. In the engaged state, the engaging protrusion 34 is locked by the locking portion 28b of the engaging arm 24. The outer housing 2 can sandwich the inner housing 3 by the two engaging arms 24 and hold the inner housing 3 in a floating state.

[0024] FIG. 7 shows the inner housing 3 engaged with the outer housing 2. A part of the inner housing 3 protrudes 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 first opposing wall 22 and the second opposing wall 23. Thereby, as described below, the centering of the inner housing 3 with respect to the mating connector becomes possible.

[0025] FIG. 8 shows the cross section VIII-VIII of FIG. 7. 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 inner housing 3, 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.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 8, a gap Gp1 is provided between the first opposing wall 22 of the outer housing 2 and the inner housing 3. The inner housing 3 can move relative to the outer housing 2 in the first direction X within the range allowed by the gap Gp1. Also, a gap Gp3 is provided between the arm 28a of the engaging arm 24 and the engaging projection 34 of the inner housing 3 so as to allow the movement of the inner housing 3 in the first direction X. Therefore, the inner housing 3 can move in the first direction X while maintaining the engagement state between the engaging projection 34 and the engaging arm 24.

[0027] The inner housing 3 is held in a floating state by the two engaging arms 24. The outer housing 2 holds the inner housing 3, for example, with a gap Gp2 between the two second opposing walls 23 and the inner housing 3. Therefore, the inner housing 3 can move relative to the outer housing 2 in the second direction Y within the range allowed by the gap Gp2.

[0028] When the inner housing 3 engages with the mating connector, the inner housing 3 may receive a force in the first direction X or the second direction Y. FIG. 9 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. 9 has moved to the first side X1 in the first direction X with respect to the outer housing 2 due to the force F1 received from the mating connector.

[0029] The inner housing 3 can move until the first opposing wall 32 abuts against the first opposing wall 22 of the outer housing 2. At this time, the engaging arm 24 allows the movement of the engaging projection 34 in the first direction X. The first opposing wall 22 located on the first side X1 locks the inner housing 3 and restricts the movement of the inner housing 3. That is, the outer housing 2 restricts the range in which the inner housing 3 can move in the first direction X by the first opposing wall 22.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 9, with the inner housing 3 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 first opposing wall 22 allows the inner housing 3 to move in the first direction X within a range where the engagement between the engaging arm 24 and the inner housing 3 is not released.

[0031] 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 inner housing 3. At this time, the engaging arm 24 maintains the state of being engaged with the engaging protrusion 34. Therefore, the outer housing 2 can maintain the engaged state between the engaging arm 24 and the inner housing 3 regardless of whether the inner housing 3 moves to either side in the first direction X.

[0032] Fig. 10 shows the inner housing 3 that has moved due to the force in the second direction Y from the mating connector. The inner housing 3 in Fig. 10 has moved to the first side Y1 in the second direction Y with respect to the outer housing 2 due to the force F2 received from the mating connector.

[0033] The inner housing 3 can move until the second opposing wall 33 abuts against the second opposing wall 23 of the outer housing 2. The second opposing wall 23 abuts against the inner housing 3 and restricts the movement of the inner housing 3. That is, the outer housing 2 restricts the range within which the inner housing 3 can move in the second direction Y by the second opposing wall 23.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 10, with the inner housing 3 in contact with the second opposing wall 23, 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 engaged state between the engaging protrusion 34 on the second side Y2 and the engaging arm 24 is maintained. Therefore, the outer housing 2 allows the inner housing 3 to move in the second direction Y within a range where the engagement between the engaging arm 24 and the inner housing 3 is not released.

[0035] When the inner housing 3 moves to the second side Y2 with respect to the outer housing 2, the second opposing wall 23 on the second side Y2 locks the inner housing 3. At this time, the engaging arm 24 maintains the state of being engaged with the engaging protrusion 34. Therefore, the outer housing 2 can maintain the engaged state between the engaging arm 24 and the inner housing 3 regardless of whether the inner housing 3 moves to either side in the second direction Y.

[0036] Note that the outer housing 2 may have ribs for locking the inner housing 3. The outer housing 2 shown in FIG. 11 has a plurality of ribs 25. The ribs 25 are provided on the inner wall surface of the first opposing wall 22 and protrude in the first direction X. One first opposing wall 22 has a plurality of ribs 25. The plurality of ribs 25 are arranged at intervals along the second direction Y. The shape of the rib 25 shown in FIG. 11 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rib 25 extends along the axial direction Z. The cross-sectional shape of the rib 25 in a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction Z is a rectangle. The tip surfaces of the plurality of ribs 25 are located on the same surface orthogonal to the first direction X.

[0037] The inner housing 3 inserted into the housing portion 21 faces the rib 25 in the first direction X. FIG. 12 shows the inner housing 3 that has moved to the second side X2 in the first direction X. The inner housing 3 can move to a position where the first opposing wall 32 abuts against the rib 25.

[0038] The plurality of ribs 25 on the first opposing wall 22 lock the inner housing 3 and restrict the movement of the inner housing 3. That is, the outer housing 2 restricts the range in which the inner housing 3 can move in the first direction X by the rib 25. With the inner housing 3 in contact with the rib 25, the engaging arm 24 maintains the state of being engaged with the engaging protrusion 34. That is, the rib 25 allows the inner housing 3 to move in the first direction X within a range where the engagement between the engaging arm 24 and the inner housing 3 is not released.

[0039] When the inner housing 3 moves to the first side X1 with respect to the outer housing 2, the rib 25 on the first side X1 locks the inner housing 3. At this time, the engaging arm 24 maintains the state of being engaged with the engaging protrusion 34. Therefore, the outer housing 2 can maintain the engaged 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] When the inner housing 3 is locked by the rib 25, the contact area between the inner housing 3 and the outer housing 2 becomes small. For this reason, the inner housing 3 easily slides in the second direction Y while being in contact with the rib 25. Also, the outer housing 2 defines the movement range of the inner housing 3 according to the protruding height of the rib 25. That is, the amount of movement of the inner housing 3 can be appropriately adjusted according to the height of the rib 25. Further, the outer housing 2 can correspond to the inner housing 3 having different widths in the first direction X by changing the height of the rib 25.

[0041] FIG. 13 shows the inner housing 3 that has moved to the second side Y2 in the second direction Y. The inner housing 3 can move to a position where the second opposing wall 33 abuts against the second opposing wall 23 of the outer housing 2. The inner housing 3 abuts against, for example, the support portion 23c of the second opposing wall 23.

[0042] The second opposing wall 23 of the outer housing 2 locks the inner housing 3 and restricts the movement of the inner housing 3. That is, the outer housing 2 restricts the range in which the inner housing 3 can move in the second direction Y by the second opposing wall 23. With the inner housing 3 in contact with the second opposing wall 23, the engaging arm 24 maintains the state of being engaged with the engaging protrusion 34.

[0043] When the inner housing 3 moves to the first side Y1 with respect to the outer housing 2, the second opposing wall 23 on the first side Y1 locks the inner housing 3. At this time, the engaging arm 24 maintains the state of being engaged with the engaging protrusion 34. Therefore, the outer housing 2 can maintain the engaged 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, the connector 1 of the present embodiment includes an outer housing 2 and an inner housing 3. The outer housing 2 has a cylindrical housing portion 21 and a flexible engaging arm 24 disposed inside the housing portion 21 and extending in the axial direction Z of the housing portion 21. The inner housing 3 is inserted into the housing portion 21 along the axial direction Z and engages with the engaging arm 24. The inner housing 3 fits with a mating connector along the axial direction Z.

[0045] The housing 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 a first direction X orthogonal to the axial direction Z. The pair of second opposing walls 23 face each other in a second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction X. The first opposing wall 22 and the second opposing wall 23 allow the inner housing 3 to move in the first direction X and the second direction Y within a range where the engagement between the engaging 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.

[0046] The outer housing 2 of the present embodiment has a pair of engaging arms 24 disposed on both sides of the inner housing 3 in the second direction Y. The outer housing 2 holds the inner housing 3 by the pair of engaging arms 24. The first opposing wall 22 may have a rib 25 facing the inner housing 3. The rib 25 allows the inner housing 3 to move in the first direction X within a range where the engagement between the pair of engaging arms 24 and the inner housing 3 is not released. According to the rib 25, the movement range of the inner housing 3 can be appropriately restricted.

[0047] In the outer housing 2, ribs for locking the inner housing 3 may be provided on the second opposing wall 23. In this case, the outer housing 2 can restrict the movement range of the inner housing 3 by the ribs on the second opposing wall 23.

[0048] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be executed in appropriate combinations.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0049] 1: Connector 2: Outer housing, 3: Inner housing 5: Terminal 20: Body, 21: Accommodating portion 22: First opposing wall, 23: Second opposing wall, 23a: Arch portion, 23b: Tip 24: Engaging arm, 24a: Base end portion 25: Rib 28: Frame portion, 28a: Arm, 28b: Locking portion 30: Body 32: First opposing wall, 33: Second opposing wall, 34: Engaging protrusion F1,F2: Force X: First direction, Y: Second direction, Z: Axial direction

Claims

1. An outer housing having a cylindrical housing portion and a flexible engaging arm disposed inside the housing portion and extending in the axial direction of the housing portion; An inner housing inserted into the housing portion along the axial direction, engaging with the engaging arm, and fitting with a mating connector along the axial direction; Comprising: The housing portion has a pair of first opposing walls opposing each other in a first direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and a pair of second opposing walls opposing each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; The first opposing wall and the second opposing wall allow movement of the inner housing 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 first opposing wall has ribs facing the inner housing; The ribs allow movement of the inner housing in the first 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.

Images