Connector unit

Abstract

To provide a connector unit capable of suppressing relative displacement between connectors in a fitting state.SOLUTION: A connector unit 100 comprises: a first connector 1 which has a first housing 10, a first engagement part 15 provided at the first housing 10, and a first terminal 20; a second connector 2 which has a second housing 30 fitted to the first housing 10, a second engagement part 31 engaged with the first engagement part 15, and a second terminal 40 electrically connected to the first terminal 20; and an elastic body 70 sandwiched between the first housing 10 and the second housing 30. The elastic body 70 elastically presses the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 in a direction of separating them from each other in a regular fitting state in which the first engagement part 15 and the second engagement part 31 engage each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Connectors have been proposed for use in mounting on the exterior wall of a box-shaped body that houses various components such as a vehicle transmission or motor, and for electrically connecting devices and the like that are located inside and outside the exterior wall. This type of connector is also called a relay connector, and is typically attached to the exterior wall by being inserted into a hole provided in the exterior wall of the box-shaped body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-152199 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the conventional relay connector described above and a device-side connector connected to a device or the like are connected and an external force such as vibration acts on the connectors, one of the terminals of the relay connector and the external connector may slide relative to the other, which may cause wear on the surfaces of one or both of the terminals at their contact points. This wear may cause the plating on the terminals to peel off, or wear powder from the peeled plating may become trapped in the contact points. The peeled plating and the presence of wear powder may increase the contact resistance between the terminals and reduce the reliability of the electrical connection between the connectors. For these reasons, it is desirable to minimize relative displacement between the connectors when they are mated.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector unit that can suppress relative displacement between connectors in a mated state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector unit according to the present invention has the following features.

[0007] a first connector having a first housing, a first engagement portion provided on the first housing, and a first terminal held by the first housing; a second connector including a second housing fitted to the first housing, a second engaging portion engaged with the first engaging portion, and a second terminal held by the second housing and electrically connected to the first terminal; a connector unit including an elastic body disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first housing and the second housing, The elastic body is When the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other and the first housing and the second housing are in a properly fitted state in which movement of the first housing and the second housing in a direction away from each other is restricted, the first housing and the second housing are elastically pressed in the direction. It is a connector unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the connector unit of the present invention, when the first connector and the second connector are properly mated, the first engaging portion of the first housing and the second engaging portion of the second housing engage with each other, and an elastic body sandwiched between the first and second housings elastically presses the first and second housings in directions away from each other. This causes the pressing force of the elastic body to maintain the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engaged and pressed against each other. Therefore, even if an external force such as vibration acts on the connector unit in the properly mated state, the connector unit of the present invention can suppress relative displacement between the first and second housings (and thus relative displacement between the first and second connectors).

[0009] Furthermore, as another effect, the generation of abnormal noise due to relative displacement between the first housing and the second housing is suppressed. Furthermore, when the first connector and the second connector are not properly mated when mated (in the case of a so-called semi-mated state), the elastic body causes the first connector and the second connector to move away from each other, allowing the operator to easily recognize that they are in a semi-mated state.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the invention set forth below, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first connector, a second connector, and a third connector that constitute a connector unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a first fitting portion of the first connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view showing a state in which the second connector and the third connector are properly mated with the first connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the second connector and the third connector are properly fitted to the first connector. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a connector unit according to a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the auxiliary member shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 of a connector unit according to a first modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a connector unit according to a second modified example. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the auxiliary member shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front view of a connector unit according to a second modified example. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 12 in a state where the auxiliary member is in the first position. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 12 in a state where the auxiliary member is in the second position. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 12 in a state where the auxiliary member is in the second position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Embodiment> A connector unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, the terms "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," "up-down direction," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" are defined as shown in FIG. 1 and other figures. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are perpendicular to each other. Note that these directions are defined merely for ease of explanation and do not necessarily correspond to the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of a vehicle or the like when the connector unit 100 is mounted on the vehicle or the like.

[0013] 1, the connector unit 100 according to this embodiment is composed of a first connector 1, a second connector 2 that can be mated with the first connector 1 from the rear side, and a third connector 3 that can be mated with the first connector 1 from the front side. The mating direction between the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 and the mating direction between the first connector 1 and the third connector 3 coincide with the front-to-rear direction.

[0014] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the connector unit 100 is typically used with the first connector 1 attached to the outer wall 5 of a case (box-shaped body) such as a vehicle transmission, the third connector 3 disposed inside the case, and the second connector 2 disposed outside the case. The outer surface of the outer wall 5 is exposed to air and water outside the case. The first connector 1 functions as a "relay connector" that electrically connects the second terminal 40 (see Figure 5) disposed inside the second connector 2 and the third terminal 60 (see Figure 5) disposed inside the third connector 3. Each of the components that make up the connector unit 100 will be described below in order.

[0015] The first connector 1 will now be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first connector 1 has a first housing 10 and first terminals 20 (see FIG. 5) disposed within the first housing 10. The first housing 10 is a resin molded body and integrally includes a cylindrical first fitting portion 11 extending in the front-rear direction, a cylindrical second fitting portion 12 located in front of the first fitting portion 11 and extending in the front-rear direction, a partition wall portion 13 (see FIG. 5) that separates the internal space of the first fitting portion 11 from the internal space of the second fitting portion 12 in the front-rear direction, and a flange portion 14 that extends outward from the boundary between the first fitting portion 11 and the second fitting portion 12. A second housing 30 of the second connector 2 is fitted into the first fitting portion 11, and a third housing 50 of the third connector 3 is fitted into the second fitting portion 12 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0016] 5, a plurality of (specifically, four) metallic first terminals (male terminals) 20 extending in the front-rear direction are fixed to the partition wall 13 by insert molding or the like so as to be spaced apart in the left-right direction. The rear end of each first terminal 20 is exposed to the internal space of the first fitting portion 11, and the front end is exposed to the internal space of the second fitting portion 12.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a locking portion 15 is provided on the outer surface of the upper wall of the first fitting portion 11. When the second connector 2 is properly fitted to the first connector 1, the locking portion 15 engages with a locked portion 31 on the second connector 2 side (see Figure 3). An annular groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second fitting portion 12 is provided with an annular rubber sealing member (O-ring) 16. A metal collar 17 having a through-hole penetrating in the front-rear direction is integrated with the flange portion 14 by insert molding or the like.

[0018] 3 and 5 , the first housing 10 is attached to the outer wall 5 by inserting the second fitting portion 12 into a mounting hole 6 provided in the outer wall 5 of the case from the outer surface side of the outer wall 5, and fastening the flange portion 14 to the outer wall 5 using metal bolts 7 inserted into through holes in a collar 17 provided in the flange portion 14. When the first housing 10 is attached to the outer wall 5, a seal member 16 provided in the second fitting portion 12 liquid-tightly seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the second fitting portion 12 and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 6 in the outer wall 5.

[0019] The rear surface of the flange portion 14 (the surface on the first fitting portion 11 side) is provided with housing grooves 18 that are recessed forward and open rearward at locations adjacent to both left and right ends of the base of the first fitting portion 11. As shown in FIG. 2 and other figures, each of the pair of left and right housing grooves 18 houses a metal coil spring 70 that extends in the front-to-rear direction. When the coil spring 70 is housed in the housing groove 18, the rear end of the coil spring 70 (in an inelastically deformed state) protrudes rearward from an opening edge 18a (see FIG. 2) of the housing groove 18 (see FIG. 2). The action and effect of housing the coil spring 70 in the housing groove 18 in this manner will be described later.

[0020] Next, the second connector 2 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the second connector 2 includes a second housing 30 and second terminals 40 (see FIG. 5) disposed within the second housing 30. The second housing 30 is a resin-molded body having a shape that can be fitted into the first fitting portion 11 of the first housing 10. Inside the second housing 30, a plurality of (specifically, four) metal second terminals (female terminals) 40 extending in the front-rear direction are arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction, corresponding to the plurality of first terminals 20 within the first housing 10. An electric wire 41 connected to the second terminals 40 extends rearward from the second housing 30 (see FIG. 1, etc.). A rubber waterproof plug (not shown) is provided on the second terminal 40, and when the second terminal 40 is disposed within the second housing 30, the gap between the second terminal 40 and the second housing 30 is liquid-tightly sealed.

[0021] A locked portion 31 is provided on the upper wall of the second housing 30, corresponding to the locking portion 15 of the first housing 10. When the second housing 30 of the second connector 2 is properly mated with the first mating portion 11 of the first housing 10 of the first connector 1, the rear ends of the first terminals 20 in the first housing 10 and the second terminals 40 in the second housing 30 are electrically connected, and the locking portion 15 engages with the locked portion 31 (see FIG. 3), preventing the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 from being separated.

[0022] Next, the third connector 3 will be described. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the third connector 3 has a third housing 50 and third terminals 60 (see Fig. 5) arranged in the third housing 50. The third housing 50 is a resin molded body having a shape that can be fitted into the second fitting portion 12 of the first housing 10. Inside the third housing 50, a plurality of (specifically, four) metallic third terminals (female terminals) 60 extending in the front-rear direction are arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction, corresponding to the plurality of first terminals 20 in the first housing 10. Electric wires 61 connected to the third terminals 60 extend forward from the third housing 50 (see Fig. 1, etc.).

[0023] When the third housing 50 of the third connector 3 is properly mated with the second fitting portion 12 of the first housing 10 of the first connector 1, the front ends of the first terminals 20 in the first housing 10 are electrically connected to the third terminals 60 in the third housing 50. Therefore, when the second housing 30 of the second connector 2 is properly mated with the first fitting portion 11 of the first connector 1 and the third housing 50 of the third connector 3 is properly mated with the second fitting portion 12 of the first connector 1, the second terminals 40 in the second housing 30 and the third terminals 60 in the third housing 50 are electrically connected via the first terminals 20 in the first housing 10 (see FIG. 5 ).

[0024] <Actions and Effects> The following describes the operation and effect of accommodating the pair of left and right coil springs 70 in the pair of left and right accommodating grooves 18 of the first housing 10 as shown in FIG.

[0025] In order to properly mate the second housing 30 of the second connector 2 with the first mating portion 11 of the first connector 1, in the process of moving the second housing 30 closer to the first mating portion 11 in the front-rear direction, before the second housing 30 reaches the position where it is properly mated with the first mating portion 11, both left and right ends of the front edge of the second housing 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 3, etc.; hereinafter referred to as "abutment portions 32") begin to abut against rear end surfaces of a pair of left and right coil springs 70 (in an inelastically deformed state) housed in a pair of left and right accommodating grooves 18. After this abutment begins, the coil springs 70 are gradually compressed by pressure from the abutment portions 32, and the second housing 30 approaches the first mating portion 11. Then, when the second housing 30 reaches the position where it is properly mated with the first mating portion 11, the locking portion 15 engages with the locked portion 31, and the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are properly mated.

[0026] 3 to 6 (see FIG. 6 in particular), when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are properly fitted together, the coil spring 70 is maintained in a compressed state between the abutting portion 32 and the bottom surface of the accommodating groove 18. In other words, the coil spring 70 elastically presses the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 in directions that move them away from each other in the front-to-rear direction. This prevents the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 from being displaced relative to each other (and thus the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 from being displaced relative to each other) even if an external force such as vibration is applied to the connector unit 100.

[0027] Furthermore, it suppresses the generation of abnormal noise due to relative displacement between the first housing 10 and the second housing 30. In addition, if the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 do not reach a properly mated state when mated (in the case of a so-called semi-mated state), the coil spring 70 acts to move the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 in directions away from each other, allowing the worker to easily recognize that they are in a semi-mated state.

[0028] <Other aspects> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. are possible as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited thereto.

[0029] In the above embodiment, the abutting portion 32 of the second housing 30 directly presses the coil spring 70 housed in the housing groove 18 of the first housing 10. However, as in a first modified example shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 , a configuration may be adopted in which a pair of left and right auxiliary members 80 are provided so as to sandwich the coil spring 70 between the coil spring 70 and the bottom surface of the housing groove 18, and the abutting portion 32 presses the coil spring 70 housed in the housing groove 18 via the auxiliary members 80. In other words, in this configuration, the auxiliary members 80 come into contact with the second housing 30 and transmit the pressing force of the coil spring 70 to the second housing 30.

[0030] In the first modified example, each of the pair of left and right resin auxiliary members 80 includes, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, a main body portion 81 that extends in the front-to-rear direction and has a semicircular shape that protrudes outward in the left-to-right direction when viewed from the front-to-rear direction, a first protrusion 82 that protrudes forward from the front end face of the main body portion 81, and a second protrusion 83 that protrudes inward in the left-to-right direction from the inner end face of the main body portion 81 in the left-to-right direction.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 9 , each auxiliary member 80 is attached to the first housing 10 with the first protrusion 82 inserted into the coil spring 70 accommodated in the accommodation groove 18 and the second protrusion 83 accommodated in the accommodation groove 19 formed in the side surface of the first fitting portion 11 of the first housing 10 and extending in the front-rear direction. The auxiliary member 80 is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the first housing 10 within a range in which the second protrusion 83 can move in the front-rear direction within the accommodation groove 19. As shown in FIG. 7 , when the second housing 30 is not fitted into the first housing 10, the auxiliary member 80 receives a rearward elastic force (pressing force) from the coil spring 70, which is maintained in a compressed state, and is engaged with the first housing 10 with the second protrusion 83 abutting against the rear inner wall surface of the accommodation groove 19 (i.e., the auxiliary member 80 is positioned at the rearmost position in the range of relative movement with respect to the first housing 10). 7, the degree of tilt of the auxiliary member 80 is restricted because the first protrusion 82 comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the coil spring 70 and the second protrusion 83 comes into contact with the groove wall of the accommodating groove 19. Therefore, even if the auxiliary member 80 tilts in this manner, the auxiliary member 80 is unlikely to be unintentionally separated from the first housing 10.

[0032] In the first modified example, in order to properly fit the second housing 30 of the second connector 2 to the first fitting portion 11 of the first connector 1, in the process of moving the second housing 30 closer to the first fitting portion 11 in the front-to-rear direction, the abutting portion 32 of the second housing 30 begins to abut against the rear end surface of the main body 81 of the auxiliary member 80 before the second housing 30 reaches a position where it is properly fitted to the first fitting portion 11. After this abutment begins, the abutting portion 32 presses the coil spring 70 via the main body 81, so that the auxiliary member 80 gradually moves forward and the coil spring 70 is gradually compressed, and the second housing 30 approaches the first fitting portion 11. Then, when the second housing 30 reaches a position where it is properly fitted to the first fitting portion 11, the locking portion 15 engages with the locked portion 31, and the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are properly fitted to each other.

[0033] When the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are properly fitted together, as shown in FIG. 9 , the coil spring 70 is maintained in a compressed state between the main body 81 and the bottom surface of the accommodation groove 18. The auxiliary member 80 contacts the abutment portion 32 and elastically presses the second housing 30 with the elastic force (pressing force) of the coil spring 70, forcing the coil spring 70 into the accommodation groove 18. That is, the coil spring 70 elastically presses the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 in directions away from each other in the front-to-rear direction, thereby suppressing relative displacement between the first housing 10 and the second housing 30, as described above. Furthermore, the main body 81 of the auxiliary member 80 contacts the opening edge 18a of the accommodation groove 18 (see FIG. 9 ). As a result, the coil spring 70 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 18 and the auxiliary member 80 covers the opening of the accommodation groove 18, thereby suppressing adhesion of water and the like from the outside to the coil spring 70. As a result, corrosion of the coil spring 70 is suppressed, and the coil spring 70 can properly exert elastic force (pressing force) for a long period of time.

[0034] Furthermore, as in the second modified example shown in Figures 10 to 15, a configuration may be adopted in which a single auxiliary member 90 is arranged to sandwich the coil spring 70 between the bottom surface of the accommodating groove 18, and the abutment portion 32 presses the coil spring 70 accommodated in the accommodating groove 18 via the auxiliary member 90.

[0035] In the second modified example, as shown in FIG. 11 , a resin auxiliary member 90 includes a main body 91 having a substantially rectangular frame shape. A pair of left and right protrusions 92 protruding forward are provided on the front end surfaces of a pair of left and right portions of the main body 91 extending in the vertical direction, approximately at the center in the vertical direction. A raised portion 93 protruding rearward is provided on the rear end surfaces of the lower ends of the pair of left and right portions of the main body 91 extending in the vertical direction. The upper surface of each raised portion 93 forms an inclined tapered surface 94. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 15 , the auxiliary member 90 is attached to the first housing 10 with the pair of left and right protrusions 92 inserted into the coil springs 70 housed in a pair of left and right housing grooves 18 extending in the vertical direction. The auxiliary member 90 is vertically movable relative to the first housing 10 within a range in which the protrusions 92 can move vertically within the housing grooves 18.

[0036] When the second housing 30 is not fitted into the first housing 10, the auxiliary member 90 is located in a "second position" on the upper side relative to the first housing 10 as shown in FIG. 10, and a lower portion 91b (see FIG. 11) extending in the left-right direction of the main body 91 is accommodated in an accommodating groove 19b (see FIG. 15) formed in the lower wall of the first fitting portion 11 of the first housing 10. In addition, the lower portion 91b receives a rearward elastic force (pressing force) from the coil spring 70, which is maintained in a compressed state, and abuts against the inner wall surface on the rear side of the accommodating groove 19b. 13 , or in a state in which an upper portion 91a (see FIG. 11 ) extending in the left-right direction of the main body 91 is accommodated in an accommodation groove 19a (see FIG. 15 ) formed in the upper wall of the first fitting portion 11 of the first housing 10 and receives a rearward elastic force (pressing force) from the coil spring 70, which is maintained in a compressed state, so that the upper portion 91a abuts against the rear inner wall surface of the accommodation groove 19a. In either state, a gap exists between the front end surface of the main body 91 and the rear end surface of the flange portion 14, and the auxiliary member 90 can move forward relative to the first housing 10 to close the gap while resisting the rearward elastic force (pressing force) from the coil spring 70.

[0037] In the second modified example, when the second housing 30 of the second connector 2 is properly fitted to the first fitting portion 11 of the first connector 1, the auxiliary member 90 is first engaged with the first housing 10 at the "first position" (see FIG. 13). When the second housing 30 is brought closer to the first fitting portion 11 in the front-to-rear direction in order to properly fit the second housing 30 of the second connector 2 to the first fitting portion 11 of the first connector 1, the second housing 30 is properly fitted to the first fitting portion 11 before the abutment portion 32 abuts against the rear end surface of the main body 91 of the auxiliary member 90 because the protruding portion 93 of the auxiliary member 90 is positioned relatively lower than the abutment portion 32 of the second housing 30. 13, when the auxiliary member 90 is engaged with the first housing 10 at the "first position," in the properly fitted state of the first housing 10 and the second housing 30, the auxiliary member 90 does not abut against the abutment portion 32, i.e., the auxiliary member 90 does not press against the second housing 30. In this way, if the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are fitted together with the auxiliary member 90 engaged with the first housing 10 at the "first position," the elastic force (pressing force) of the coil spring 70 does not interfere with the fitting operation, and the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 can be fitted together properly.

[0038] Then, with the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 properly fitted together, the auxiliary member 90, which is at the "first position" (see FIG. 13), is moved upward toward the "second position" (see FIG. 14). As the auxiliary member 90 moves from the "first position" to the "second position," the tapered surface 94 of the protruding portion 93 of the auxiliary member 90 begins to abut against the lower end of the abutting portion 32. After this abutment begins, the abutting portion 32 presses against the coil spring 70 via the tapered surface 94 (i.e., the main body portion 91), causing the auxiliary member 90 to gradually move forward and gradually compress the coil spring 70, thereby moving upward. When the auxiliary member 90 reaches the "second position" (see FIG. 14), the top surface of the protruding portion 93 abuts against the front end surface of the abutting portion 32. That is, the auxiliary member 90 elastically presses the second housing 30 by the elastic force (pressing force) of the coil spring 70 and presses the coil spring 70 into the groove of the accommodating groove 18. That is, the coil spring 70 elastically presses the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 in directions away from each other in the front-to-rear direction, thereby suppressing relative displacement between the first housing 10 and the second housing 30, as described above. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14 , the main body 91 of the auxiliary member 90 contacts the opening edge 18a of the accommodating groove 18. As a result, the coil spring 70 is accommodated in the accommodating groove 18 and the auxiliary member 90 closes the opening of the accommodating groove 18, thereby suppressing adhesion of water and the like to the coil spring 70 from the outside. As a result, corrosion and the like of the coil spring 70 are suppressed, and the coil spring 70 can properly exert its elastic force (pressing force) for a long period of time.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the coil spring 70 is used as the elastic body, but an elastic body other than the coil spring (for example, a leaf spring) may be used as long as it exerts an appropriate elastic force.

[0040] Here, the features of the above-described embodiment of the connector unit 100 according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [3].

[0041] [1] a first connector (1) having a first housing (10), a first engagement portion (15) provided in the first housing (10), and a first terminal (20) held in the first housing (10); a second connector (2) having a second housing (30) fitted into the first housing (10), a second engaging portion (31) engaged with the first engaging portion (15), and a second terminal (40) held in the second housing (30) and electrically connected to the first terminal (20); a connector unit (100) including an elastic body (70) disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first housing (10) and the second housing (30), The elastic body (70) is When the first engaging portion (15) and the second engaging portion (31) are engaged with each other and the first housing (10) and the second housing (30) are in a properly fitted state in which movement in a direction away from each other is restricted, the first housing (10) and the second housing (30) are elastically pressed in the direction. Connector unit (100).

[0042] According to the connector unit having the configuration [1] above, when the first connector and the second connector are properly mated, the first engaging portion of the first housing and the second engaging portion of the second housing engage with each other, and the elastic body sandwiched between the first and second housings elastically presses the first and second housings in directions away from each other. This causes the pressing force of the elastic body to maintain the state in which the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged and pressed against each other. Therefore, even if an external force such as vibration acts on the connector unit in the properly mated state, the connector unit of the present invention can suppress relative displacement between the first and second housings (and thus relative displacement between the first and second connectors).

[0043] Furthermore, as another effect, the generation of abnormal noise due to relative displacement between the first housing and the second housing is suppressed. Furthermore, when the first connector and the second connector are not properly mated when mated (in the case of a so-called semi-mated state), the elastic body causes the first connector and the second connector to move away from each other, allowing the operator to easily recognize that they are in a semi-mated state.

[0044] [2] The connector unit (100) described in [1] above, The device further includes auxiliary members (80, 90) arranged to be sandwiched between the first housing (10) and the second housing (30), The first housing (10) includes: a receiving groove (18) for receiving the elastic body (70); The auxiliary members (80, 90) are When in the properly fitted state, the auxiliary members (80, 90) are arranged to sandwich the elastic body (70) between the auxiliary members (80, 90) and the accommodating groove (18), and are configured to contact the second housing (30) to transmit the pressing force of the elastic body (70) to the second housing (30), and to push the elastic body (70) into the groove of the accommodating groove (18) and cover the opening of the accommodating groove (18). Connector unit (100).

[0045] According to the connector unit having the configuration [2] above, when the connector is properly mated, the auxiliary member contacts the second housing and elastically presses the second housing with the elastic force (pressing force) of the elastic body, forcing the elastic body into the groove of the accommodation groove and covering the opening of the accommodation groove. This prevents water and other external substances from adhering to the elastic body, thereby preventing corrosion of the elastic body and allowing the elastic body to properly exert its elastic force (pressing force) for a long period of time. In addition, the auxiliary member may completely close the opening of the accommodation groove by adhering closely to the periphery of the opening, or it may be positioned to cover the opening at a predetermined distance from the periphery of the opening of the accommodation groove without completely closing the opening.

[0046] [3] In the connector unit (100) described in [2] above, The auxiliary member (90) When in the properly mated state, the auxiliary member (90) can be positioned at a first position and a second position in a direction intersecting the mating direction of the first connector (1) and the second connector (2), and is configured so that when the auxiliary member (90) is in the first position, it does not come into contact with the second housing (30), and when the auxiliary member (90) is in the second position, it comes into contact with the second housing (30) and transmits the pressing force of the elastic body (70) to the second housing (30). Connector unit (100).

[0047] According to the connector unit having the configuration [3] above, in the properly mated state, the auxiliary member does not contact the second housing when in the first position, and contacts the second housing when in the second position. Therefore, when the mating operation is performed with the auxiliary member in the first position, the elastic force (pressing force) of the elastic body does not interfere with the mating operation. Furthermore, when the auxiliary member is moved from the first position to the second position after the mating operation, the relative displacement between the first and second housings is suppressed, as described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100 Connector Unit 1 First Connector 2 Second Connector 10 First Housing 15 Locking portion (first engagement portion) 18 Storage groove 18a Opening edge 20 1st terminal 30 Second Housing 31 Locked portion (second engagement portion) 40 2nd terminal 70 Coil spring (elastic body) 80 Auxiliary parts 90 Auxiliary parts

Claims

1. a first connector having a first housing, a first engaging portion provided on the first housing, and a first terminal held by the first housing; a second connector including a second housing fitted to the first housing, a second engaging portion engaged with the first engaging portion, and a second terminal held by the second housing and electrically connected to the first terminal; a connector unit including: an elastic body disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first housing and the second housing, The elastic body is When the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other and the first housing and the second housing are in a properly fitted state in which movement of the first housing and the second housing in a direction away from each other is restricted, the first housing and the second housing are elastically pressed in the direction. Connector unit.

2. 2. The connector unit according to claim 1, an auxiliary member disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first housing and the second housing; The first housing includes: a receiving groove for receiving the elastic body; The auxiliary member is When in the properly fitted state, the auxiliary member is disposed so as to sandwich the elastic body between the auxiliary member and the accommodating groove, and is configured to contact the second housing to transmit the pressing force of the elastic body to the second housing, and to push the elastic body into the groove of the accommodating groove and cover the opening of the accommodating groove. Connector unit.

3. The connector unit according to claim 2, The auxiliary member is When in the properly mated state, the auxiliary member can be positioned at a first position and a second position in a direction intersecting the mating direction of the first connector and the second connector, and is configured so that when the auxiliary member is in the first position, it does not come into contact with the second housing, and when the auxiliary member is in the second position, it comes into contact with the second housing and transmits the pressing force of the elastic body to the second housing. Connector unit.

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