Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of fitting a second housing into a first housing in the correct position.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes: a first housing 3 in which multiple first arrangement parts 15 formed for arranging with multiple first terminals; and a second housing 5 in which multiple second arrangement parts 27 are formed with a smaller number than that of the multiple first arrangement parts 15 for arranging with second terminals that are electrically connected with the first terminals, which is capable of mating with the first housing 3 by mating with the first housing 3. In the connector, regulation parts 33 are provided to the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 for allowing the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 to mate with each other with the second arrangement parts 27 in the correct position with respect to the multiple first arrangement parts 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector, there is provided a first housing provided with a plurality of first arrangement portions in which tabs as a plurality of first terminals are arranged. Further, there is known a connector including a second housing provided with a second arrangement portion in which second terminals electrically connected to the tabs are arranged and which is engageable with the first housing and engages with the first housing (see Patent Document 1). In this connector, the number of second terminals accommodated in the connector is smaller than the number of tabs accommodated in the first housing. For this reason, the plurality of first arrangement portions of the first housing are more than the second arrangement portion of the connector, and the second housing can be fitted to the first housing at a free position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the connector as in Patent Document 1 above, there is a possibility that the second housing may be fitted to the first housing at different positions. If the second housing is fitted to the first housing at different positions, different first terminals and second terminals will be electrically connected.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of such conventional techniques. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of fitting a second housing to a first housing at a regular position.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector according to this embodiment includes a first housing provided with a plurality of first arrangement portions where a plurality of first terminals are arranged, and a second housing that is engageable with the first housing and has a plurality of second arrangement portions where second terminals that are electrically connected to the first terminals are arranged, the number of the second arrangement portions being less than that of the plurality of first arrangement portions. A restricting portion is provided on the first housing and the second housing to enable engagement between the first housing and the second housing in a state where the second arrangement portions are arranged in a proper position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement portions.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can engage a second housing with a first housing in a proper position.

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

Figure 14

Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0010] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 according to the present embodiment is applied, for example, to electrically connect between electrical components such as a power source and a device, or between devices. The connector 1 has a first housing 3 and a second housing 5 that can be fitted to each other. In the first housing 3, for example, a first terminal (not shown) electrically connected to one electrical component is arranged. In the second housing 5, for example, a second terminal (not shown) electrically connected to the other electrical component is arranged. When the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are fitted to each other, the connector 1 electrically connects the first terminal and the second terminal to electrically connect between the electrical components.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the connector 1 includes a first housing 3 and a second housing 5.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the first housing 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The first housing 3 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped housing shape such that an upper wall 7, a lower wall 9, and a pair of side walls 11, 11 are continuous and the second housing 5 can be fitted inside. The front side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 with respect to the second housing 5 is opened so that the second housing 5 can be inserted inside. The rear side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 with respect to the second housing 5 is closed by a bottom wall 13 formed of a member continuous with the upper wall 7, the lower wall 9, and the pair of side walls 11, 11. In the bottom wall 13 of the first housing 3, a first arrangement portion 15 through which a tab-shaped first connection portion (not shown) of the first terminal is arranged is provided through the bottom wall 13. A plurality (here, seven) of the first arrangement portions 15 are provided at a predetermined interval along a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5.

[0014] Above the first arrangement portion 15, a partition portion 17 formed of a member continuous with the upper wall 7 and the bottom wall 13 and protruding inward is provided. The partition portion 17 is provided at positions corresponding to each of the plurality of first arrangement portions 15, and a plurality (here, seven) are provided. The partition portion 17 extends along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 from the bottom wall 13 to the opening. On a pair of side walls 11, 11 of the first housing 3, a blocking portion 19 formed of a member continuous with the pair of side walls 11, 11 and the bottom wall 13 and protruding inward is provided respectively. The blocking portion 19 extends along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 from the bottom wall 13 to the opening. On a pair of side walls 11, 11 and the lower wall 9 of the first housing 3, a support portion 21 formed of a member continuous with the pair of side walls 11, 11, the lower wall 9 and the bottom wall 13 and protruding inward is provided respectively. The support portion 21 extends along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 from the bottom wall 13 to the opening.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 to 6, the second housing 5 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, for example. The second housing 5 is formed in a U-shaped housing shape with an upper opening so that the lower wall 23 and a pair of side walls 25, 25 are continuous and can be fitted inside the first housing 3. The space portion partitioned by the lower wall 23 and the pair of side walls 25, 25 of the second housing 5 is a second arrangement portion 27 capable of accommodating the second terminal. The second terminal has a box shape into which the first connection portion of the first terminal can be inserted, or a second connection portion (not shown) composed of a pair of clamping pieces for clamping the first connection portion, and is electrically connected to the terminal portion of an electric wire (not shown) electrically connected to an electric component.

[0016] The front side in the fitting direction of the second housing 5 with respect to the first housing 3 of the second arrangement portion 27 is closed by a bottom wall 29 formed of a member continuous with the pair of side walls 25, 25. In the bottom wall 29, a hole through which the first connection portion can be inserted is provided through the bottom wall 29 at a position corresponding to the first arrangement portion 15. The height from the lower wall 23 of the bottom wall 29 upward is set lower than the height from the lower wall 23 of the pair of side walls 25, 25 upward so that the partition portion 17 can be arranged between the pair of side walls 25, 25 and the bottom wall 29. By arranging the partition portion 17 between the pair of side walls 25, 25 and the bottom wall 29, the movement of the second housing 5 with respect to the first housing 3 can be restricted, and the second housing 5 can be stably held in the first housing 3. The rear side in the fitting direction of the second arrangement portion 27 with respect to the first housing 3 is open so that an electric wire can be led out to the outside. Inside the second arrangement portion 27, an engaged portion formed of a hole and a groove that can be engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) provided on the second terminal is provided. By engaging with the engaging portion, the engaged portion can restrict the movement of the second terminal with respect to the second arrangement portion 27, and the second terminal can be stably held in the second arrangement portion 27.

[0017] On the lower wall 23 of the second arrangement part 27, at a position corresponding to the first arrangement part 15 (the hole in the bottom wall 29), an extension part 31 extending downward from the outer surface is provided. The extension part 31 extends along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 so as to be divided into a plurality (here, two) between the bottom wall 29 and the opening on the rear side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3. Note that the extension part 31 may be continuously extended along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 without being divided. The lower surface of the extension part 31 is arranged to face the inner surface of the lower wall 9 of the first housing 3. By arranging the extension part 31 and the lower wall 9 to face each other, the movement of the second housing 5 relative to the first housing 3 can be restricted, and the second housing 5 can be stably held in the first housing 3. When the second housing 5 is arranged at both ends in the width direction inside the first housing 3, a blocking part 19 is arranged to face the outer surface of the side wall 25, and a support part 21 is arranged to face the outer surface of the lower wall 23. By arranging the side wall 25 and the blocking part 19 and the lower wall 23 and the support part 21 to face each other, the movement of the second housing 5 relative to the first housing 3 can be restricted, and the second housing 5 can be stably held in the first housing 3.

[0018] The second arrangement parts 27 are continuously provided in a plurality (here, three) such that the adjacent side walls 25, 25 and the lower walls 23, 23 are a single member along the direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. The second housing 5 having a plurality of the second arrangement parts 27 is formed by performing processing such as cutting or fusing on the second housing 5 (see FIG. 5) in which a plurality (here, seven) of the second arrangement parts 27 are continuously provided, according to the electric circuit to which it is applied. By forming the second housing 5 in this way, only one mold for molding the second housing 5 needs to be manufactured, and the manufacturing cost of the second housing 5 can be reduced.

[0019] The second housing 5 having a plurality (here, three) of second placement portions 27 is fitted to a portion where a plurality (here, three) of first placement portions 15 corresponding to the applied electric circuit of the first housing 3 are located. By fitting the first housing 3 and the second housing 5, the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to form a desired electric circuit.

[0020] Here, the plurality (here, three) of second placement portions 27 are fewer than the plurality (here, seven) of first placement portions 15. For this reason, the second housing 5 can be fitted to the first housing 3 at a free position, but there is a possibility that the second housing 5 may be fitted at a different position. If the second housing 5 is fitted to the first housing 3 at a different position, different first terminals and second terminals will be electrically connected, and a desired electric circuit cannot be obtained. Therefore, a regulating portion 33 is provided on the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 to enable fitting of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 with the second placement portions 27 arranged at regular positions with respect to the plurality of first placement portions 15.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG. 6, the regulating portion 33 includes a groove portion 35 and a protrusion 37. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, fitting of the second housing 5 to the left end of the first housing 3 will be described with the second placement portions 27 arranged at regular positions with respect to the plurality of first placement portions 15.

[0022] The groove portion 35 is provided in the second housing 5. The groove portion 35 is provided on the lower surface of the extending portion 31 located below the lower wall 23 of the second arrangement portion 27 so as to be at a position corresponding to the second arrangement portion 27 of the second housing 5. The groove portion 35 is provided over the entire length direction of the lower surface of the extending portion 31 along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. When the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are fitted together, the groove portion 35 is open at least on the front side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 so that the protrusion 37 can be inserted. Here, the groove portion 35 is also open on the rear side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5, and the insertion state of the protrusion 37 into the groove portion 35 can be visually recognized. By providing the groove portion 35 along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5, the fitting of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be guided.

[0023] In the second housing 5, the groove portion 35 is provided at positions corresponding to the second arrangement portions 27 other than one second arrangement portion 27 (here, the leftmost second arrangement portion 27) among the plurality (here, three) of second arrangement portions 27. Note that in the second housing 5, the groove portion 35 may be provided at positions corresponding to at least one second arrangement portion 27 other than one. For example, in the second housing 5, the groove portion 35 may be provided only at a position corresponding to the rightmost second arrangement portion 27, and the groove portion 35 may not be provided at positions corresponding to the other second arrangement portions 27.

[0024] The protrusion 37 is provided on the first housing 3. The protrusion 37 is provided on the inner surface of the lower wall 9 positioned below the first arrangement portion 15 so as to be at a position corresponding to the first arrangement portion 15 of the first housing 3. The protrusion 37 is formed by protruding as a member continuous with the lower wall 9 from the inner surface of the lower wall 9 toward the first arrangement portion 15. The protruding height of the protrusion 37 is set to be equal to or slightly lower than the depth of the groove portion 35. The width of the protrusion 37 is set to be equal to or slightly narrower than the width of the groove portion 35. The protrusion 37 extends over the entire area from the bottom wall 13 to the opening of the first housing 3 along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. For this reason, at least a part of the protrusion 37 is arranged on the front side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 (the opening side of the first housing 3). By arranging the protrusion 37 on the front side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5, it is possible to detect whether or not the protrusion 37 is inserted into the groove portion 35 at the initial stage of fitting of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. Note that by extending the protrusion 37 along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5, the engagement range between the groove portion 35 and the protrusion 37 can be widened, and the fitting state of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be stably maintained.

[0025] In the first housing 3, the protrusion 37 is provided at positions corresponding to all (here, four) of the first arrangement portions 15 in which the second arrangement portion 27 is not arranged among the plurality (here, seven) of the first arrangement portions 15. In the first housing 3, the protrusion 37 is provided at positions corresponding to the first arrangement portions 15 (here, the central and rightmost first arrangement portions 15) among the plurality (here, three) of the first arrangement portions 15 in which the second arrangement portion 27 is arranged, and in which the second arrangement portion 27 corresponding to the groove portion 35 is arranged. That is, in the first housing 3, the protrusion 37 is provided at positions corresponding to all of the first arrangement portions 15 other than the first arrangement portion 15 (here, the leftmost first arrangement portion 15) in which the second arrangement portion 27 not corresponding to the groove portion 35 is arranged among the plurality of first arrangement portions 15.

[0026] When such a regulating part 33 fits the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 together, it can detect whether the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be fitted together according to whether the protrusion 37 can be inserted into the groove part 35. When the second arrangement part 27 is arranged at a regular position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement parts 15 (see Fig. 1), the positions of the protrusion 37 and the groove part 35 coincide, and the protrusion 37 can be inserted into the groove part 35. Therefore, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be fitted together, the regular first terminal and the second terminal can be electrically connected, and a desired electric circuit can be obtained. On the other hand, when the second arrangement part 27 is not arranged at a regular position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement parts 15 (see Fig. 6), the positions of the protrusion 37 and the groove part 35 do not match, and the protrusion 37 cannot be inserted into the groove part 35. Here, the extending part 31 where the groove part 35 at the left end is not provided abuts against the protrusion 37, and the protrusion 37 cannot be inserted into the groove part 35. Therefore, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 cannot be fitted together, and different first terminals and second terminals are not electrically connected.

[0027] In such a connector 1, a first housing 3 is provided with a plurality of first arrangement parts 15 where a plurality of first terminals are arranged. Further, a second housing 5 is provided which is capable of fitting with the first housing 3 and has a plurality of second arrangement parts 27 where second terminals electrically connected to the first terminals are arranged, and the number of the second arrangement parts 27 is less than that of the plurality of first arrangement parts 15. And a regulating part 33 is provided on the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 to enable the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 to be fitted together in a state where the second arrangement part 27 is arranged at a regular position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement parts 15.

[0028] When the second placement part 27 is placed in a regular position with respect to the plurality of first placement parts 15, the regulation part 33 enables the fitting of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. For this reason, the regular first terminal and the second terminal can be electrically connected, and a desired electric circuit can be obtained. On the other hand, when the second placement part 27 is not placed in a regular position with respect to the plurality of first placement parts 15, the regulation part 33 disables the fitting of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. For this reason, different first terminals and second terminals are not electrically connected.

[0029] Therefore, in such a connector 1, the second housing 5 can be fitted to the first housing 3 in a regular position.

[0030] The regulation part 33 has a groove part 35 provided in the second housing 5 and a protrusion 37 provided in the first housing 3 and insertable into the groove part 35 in a state where the second placement part 27 is placed in a regular position with respect to the plurality of first placement parts 15.

[0031] When the second placement part 27 is placed in a regular position with respect to the plurality of first placement parts 15, the regulation part 33 can insert the protrusion 37 into the groove part 35 and can fit the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. On the other hand, when the second placement part 27 is not placed in a regular position with respect to the plurality of first placement parts 15, the regulation part 33 cannot insert the protrusion 37 into the groove part 35 and cannot fit the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. For this reason, it is possible to detect whether or not the second placement part 27 is placed in a regular position with respect to the plurality of first placement parts 15 based on whether or not the protrusion 37 can be inserted into the groove part 35 in the regulation part 33.

[0032] Further, a plurality of second arrangement portions 27 are provided in the second housing 5. Further, the groove portion 35 is provided in the second housing 5 at a position corresponding to the second arrangement portions 27 other than at least one of the plurality of second arrangement portions 27. And the protrusion 37 is provided in the first housing 3 at a position corresponding to the first arrangement portion 15 where the second arrangement portion 27 not corresponding to the groove portion 35 is not arranged among the plurality of first arrangement portions 15.

[0033] When the plurality of second arrangement portions 27 are arranged in a proper position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement portions 15, the second arrangement portion 27 not corresponding to the groove portion 35 is arranged in the first arrangement portion 15 not corresponding to the protrusion 37. Also, the second arrangement portion 27 corresponding to the groove portion 35 is arranged in the first arrangement portion 15 corresponding to the protrusion 37. For this reason, the protrusion 37 can be inserted into the groove portion 35, and the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be fitted together. On the other hand, when the plurality of second arrangement portions 27 are not arranged in a proper position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement portions 15, the second arrangement portion 27 not corresponding to the groove portion 35 is arranged in the first arrangement portion 15 corresponding to the protrusion 37. For this reason, the protrusion 37 cannot be inserted into the groove portion 35, and the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 cannot be fitted together. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the plurality of second arrangement portions 27 are arranged in a proper position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement portions 15 based on whether or not the protrusion 37 can be inserted into the groove portion 35 in the restricting portion 33.

[0034] Also, the groove portion 35 is open at the front side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5, and is provided along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. And the protrusion 37 is provided at the front side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5.

[0035] For this reason, it is possible to detect whether or not the protrusion 37 is inserted into the groove portion 35 at the initial stage of fitting of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. In addition, by providing the groove portion 35 along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5, it is possible to guide the fitting of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 in a state where the protrusion 37 is inserted into the groove portion 35.

[0036] The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 15.

[0037] In the connector 101 according to the present embodiment, the groove portion 103 is provided at a position corresponding to the plurality of first arrangement portions 15 in the first housing 3. Further, the protrusion 105 is provided at a position corresponding to the second arrangement portion 27 in the second housing 5. The width W1 of the protrusion 105 corresponding to the second arrangement portion 27 and the width W2 of the groove portion 103 corresponding to the first arrangement portion 15 in which the second arrangement portion 27 is arranged are set wider than the width W3 of the other groove portions 103.

[0038] Note that, for the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used, and the description of the configuration and function is omitted by referring to the first embodiment. However, since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the obtained effects are the same.

[0039] Further, in the following, as shown in FIG. 7, the fitting of the second housing 5 to the left end of the first housing 3 will be described with respect to the plurality of first arrangement portions 15 in a state where the second arrangement portion 27 is arranged at a regular position.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 11, a plurality (here, six) of support portions 21 are provided at predetermined intervals between the support portions 21, 21 provided on the pair of side walls 11, 11, respectively, on the lower wall 9 of the first housing 3. The plurality of support portions 21 located between the support portions 21, 21 on the pair of side walls 11, 11 side are formed of a single member continuous with the lower wall 9 and the bottom wall 13, and protrude inward so as to have the same protruding height as the support portions 21 on the side wall 11 side. In addition, similar to the support portions 21 on the side wall 11 side, they extend along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 from the bottom wall 13 to the opening. The plurality of support portions 21 are provided at positions corresponding to between the plurality (here, seven) of first arrangement portions 15 or outside in the arrangement direction in the first housing 3. The space partitioned by the plurality of support portions 21 and the lower wall 9 is the groove portion 103.

[0041] The groove portion 103 is provided at positions corresponding to each of all of the plurality (here, seven) of first arrangement portions 15 in the first housing 3. The groove portion 103 is provided along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. The groove portion 103 has an opening at the front side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 (the opening side of the first housing 3) so that the protrusion 105 can be inserted when the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are fitted together. By providing the groove portion 103 along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5, the fitting of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be guided.

[0042] At least one width W2 of a plurality (here, three) of the groove portions 103 located corresponding to the first arrangement portions 15 in which a plurality (here, three) of second arrangement portions 27 are arranged among the plurality of first arrangement portions 15 is set wider than the width W3 of the other groove portions 103. Here, the width W2 of one groove portion 103 located at the left end is set wider than the width W3 of the other six groove portions 103. Note that all of the groove portions 103 among the three groove portions 103 may be set to the width W2, or two of the groove portions 103 may be set to the width W2.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 to 11, on the lower wall 23 positioned corresponding to each of a plurality (here, three) of second arrangement portions 27 of the second housing 5, at a position corresponding to the first arrangement portion 15 (the hole in the bottom wall 29), there are provided projections 105 extending downward from the outer surface. For this reason, in the second housing 5, a plurality (here, three) of projections 105 are provided at positions corresponding to each of all the second arrangement portions 27 among the plurality (here, three) of second arrangement portions 27. The protruding height of the projection 105 is set to be equal to or slightly lower than the depth of the groove portion 103. The projection 105 extends along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 so as to be divided into a plurality (here, two) between the bottom wall 29 and the opening on the rear side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3. Note that the projection 105 may be continuously extended along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 without being divided. At least a part of the projection 105 is arranged on the front side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 (the bottom wall 29 side of the second housing 5). By arranging the projection 105 on the front side in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5, it is possible to detect whether or not the projection 105 is inserted into the groove portion 103 at the initial stage of fitting of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. Note that by extending the projection 105 along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5, the engagement range between the groove portion 103 and the projection 105 can be widened, and the fitting state of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be stably maintained.

[0044] Among the plurality of second arrangement parts 27, the width W1 of the protrusion 105 (here, the leftmost protrusion 105) corresponding to the second arrangement part 27 arranged in the first arrangement part 15 corresponding to the wide groove part 103 is set wider than the width W4 of the other protrusions 105. Note that the portion with the width W1 of the protrusion 105 is provided only on the front side (the bottom wall 29 side) in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. By setting only the front side in the fitting direction of the protrusion 105 between the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 to have the width W1, it is possible to detect whether the protrusion 105 is inserted into the groove part 103 at the initial stage of fitting between the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. In addition, the amount of material of the protrusion 105 can be reduced, and weight reduction and cost reduction can be achieved. The width W1 of the protrusion 105 is set to be equal to or slightly narrower than the width W2 of the groove part 103 and wider than the width W3 of the groove part 103. The width W4 of the protrusion 105 is set to be equal to or slightly narrower than the width W3 of the groove part 103. For this reason, the protrusion 105 having the width W1 can be inserted into the groove part 103 having the width W2, but cannot be inserted into the groove part 103 having the width W3. The protrusion 105 having the width W4 can be inserted into either the groove part 103 having the width W2 or the groove part 103 having the width W3. Note that the protrusion 105 having the width W1 may be provided corresponding to the second arrangement part 27 arranged in the first arrangement part 15 corresponding to the groove part 103 having the width W2.

[0045] When the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are fitted together, the restricting portion 33 having such a groove portion 103 and the protrusion 105 can detect whether the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be fitted together based on whether the protrusion 105 can be inserted into the groove portion 103. When the second arrangement portion 27 is arranged at a regular position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement portions 15 (see FIG. 7), the positions of the protrusion 105 having the width W1 and the groove portion 103 having the width W2 coincide, and the protrusion 105 can be inserted into the groove portion 103. At this time, the positions of the protrusion 105 having the width W4 and the groove portion 103 having the width W3 also coincide, and the protrusion 105 can be inserted into the groove portion 103. Therefore, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be fitted together, the regular first terminal and the second terminal can be electrically connected, and a desired electric circuit can be obtained. On the other hand, when the second arrangement portion 27 is not arranged at a regular position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement portions 15 (see FIG. 11), the protrusion 105 having the width W1 is arranged in the groove portion 103 having the narrow width W3, and the protrusion 105 cannot be inserted into the groove portion 103. Therefore, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 cannot be fitted together, and different first terminals and second terminals are not electrically connected.

[0046] Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the second housing 5 is formed by performing processing such as cutting or fusing on the second housing 5 in which a plurality (here, seven) of second arrangement portions 27 are continuously provided, according to the electric circuit to be applied. The protrusions 105 provided on the second housing 5 shown in FIG. 12 are formed such that the front side (bottom wall 29 side) in the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 of all of the plurality (here, seven) of protrusions 105 has the width W1. According to the electric circuit to be applied, by deleting the portion having the width W1 of the protrusions 105 other than the width W1 among the plurality of protrusions 105 of the second housing 5 that has been divided, the width of the protrusions 105 can be made W4. By forming the second housing 5 in this way, only one mold for forming the second housing 5 needs to be manufactured, and the manufacturing cost of the second housing 5 can be reduced.

[0047] Note that, as shown in FIG. 13, the second housing 5 may be formed by performing processing such as cutting or fusing on the second housing 5 in which a plurality (here, seven) of second arrangement portions 27 are continuously provided, according to the electric circuit to be applied. The protrusions 105 provided on the second housing 5 shown in FIG. 13 are formed such that all of the plurality (here, seven) of protrusions 105 have a width W1 over the entire length direction along the fitting direction of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, according to the electric circuit to be applied, the second housing 5 shown in FIG. 13 is divided to obtain a second housing 5 having a plurality (here, three) of protrusions 105. Then, by deleting the portions of the plurality of protrusions 105 of the divided second housing 5 that have a width W1 other than the width W1, the width of the protrusions 105 can be made W4. By forming the second housing 5 in this way, it is only necessary to manufacture one mold for forming the second housing 5, and the manufacturing cost of the second housing 5 can be reduced. Note that the second housing 5 shown in FIG. 12 has fewer deletion portions when the protrusions 105 are deleted, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0048] In such a connector 101, the groove portion 103 is provided at a position corresponding to the plurality of first arrangement portions 15 in the first housing 3. Further, the protrusion 105 is provided at a position corresponding to the second arrangement portion 27 in the second housing 5. The width W1 of the protrusion 105 corresponding to the second arrangement portion 27 and the width W2 of the groove portion 103 corresponding to the first arrangement portion 15 in which the second arrangement portion 27 is arranged are set wider than the width W3 of the other groove portions 103.

[0049] When the second arrangement part 27 is arranged at a regular position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement parts 15, the positions of the protrusion 105 having the width W1 and the groove part 103 having the width W2 coincide, and the protrusion 105 can be inserted into the groove part 103. On the other hand, when the second arrangement part 27 is not arranged at a regular position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement parts 15, the protrusion 105 having the width W1 is arranged in the groove part 103 having a narrow width W3, and the protrusion 105 cannot be inserted into the groove part 103. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the plurality of second arrangement parts 27 are arranged at regular positions with respect to the plurality of first arrangement parts 15 according to whether or not the protrusion 105 can be inserted into the groove part 103 in the restricting part 33.

[0050] As described above, although the present embodiment has been described, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0051] For example, in the connector according to the first embodiment, the first housing is provided with protrusions and the second housing is provided with groove parts. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first housing may be provided with groove parts and the second housing may be provided with protrusions. In this case, for example, one protrusion may be provided on the outer surface of the second housing, and one groove part into which the protrusion can be inserted may be provided on the inner surface of the first housing when the second arrangement part is arranged at a regular position with respect to the plurality of first arrangement parts.

[0052] In addition, seven first arrangement parts are provided with respect to the first housing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and six or less or eight or more first arrangement parts may be provided with respect to the first housing. In addition, three second arrangement parts are provided with respect to the second housing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or less or four or more second arrangement parts may be provided with respect to the second housing. At this time, the number of second arrangement parts may be less than that of the first arrangement parts as long as they are provided in the second housing.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0053] 1,101 Connector 3 First housing 5 Second housing 15 First configuration section 27 Second configuration section 33 Regulation section 35, 103 Groove section 37, 105 Protrusion W1 Width of the protrusion W2 Width of the groove section W3 Width of the groove section

Claims

1. A first housing provided with a plurality of first arrangement portions where a plurality of first terminals are arranged; A second housing that is engageable with the first housing and is provided with a second arrangement portion where a second terminal that is electrically connected to the first terminal is arranged, and the number of the second arrangement portions is less than that of the plurality of the first arrangement portions; and The first housing and the second housing are provided with a restricting portion that enables the first housing and the second housing to be engaged with each other in a state where the second arrangement portion is arranged at a proper position with respect to the plurality of the first arrangement portions. A connector.

2. The restricting portion includes a groove portion provided on either one of the first housing and the second housing, and a protrusion provided on the other and insertable into the groove portion in a state where the second arrangement portion is arranged at a proper position with respect to the plurality of the first arrangement portions. The connector according to claim 1.

3. A plurality of the second arrangement portions are provided in the second housing, The groove portion is provided in the second housing at a position corresponding to the second arrangement portion other than at least one of the plurality of the second arrangement portions, The protrusion is provided in the first housing at a position corresponding to the first arrangement portion where the second arrangement portion not corresponding to the groove portion is not arranged among the plurality of the first arrangement portions. The connector according to claim 2.

4. The groove portion is provided in the first housing at a position corresponding to the plurality of the first arrangement portions, The protrusion is provided in the second housing at a position corresponding to the second arrangement portion, The width of the protrusion corresponding to the second arrangement portion and the width of the groove portion corresponding to the first arrangement portion where the second arrangement portion is arranged are set wider than the widths of the other groove portions. The connector according to claim 2.

5. The groove portion is open at the front side in the fitting direction of the first housing and the second housing, and is provided along the fitting direction of the first housing and the second housing. The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the protrusion is provided on the front side in the fitting direction of the first housing and the second housing.

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