Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector and a connector assembly capable of suppressing an increase in a fitting force.SOLUTION: A relay connector 11 includes: a cylindrical outer housing 21; an inner housing 22 that is provided inside the outer housing 21 and to which a mating connector is fitted; and a retainer 23 that is attached between the outer housing 21 and the inner housing 22 and maintains a state in which the inner housing 22 is located inside the outer housing 21. The inner housing 22 is configured to be tiltable with respect to a fitting direction (X-axis direction) of the mating connector in a state of being provided inside the outer housing 21. The retainer 23 has a spring piece 43 located between an inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 21 and an outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 22, and the spring piece 43 presses the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 22 so as to reduce the inclination of the inner housing 22 with respect to the fitting direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors and connector assemblies. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a connector mounted on, for example, a vehicle includes a cylindrical outer housing and an inner housing provided inside the outer housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A mating connector is fitted into the inner housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-238465 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described connector, if the mating connector is tilted relative to the mating direction when mating with the mating connector, the mating force required to mate the mating connector becomes large.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector and a connector assembly that can suppress an increase in mating force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a cylindrical outer housing, an inner housing provided inside the outer housing and into which a mating connector is mated, and a retainer attached between the outer housing and the inner housing and maintaining the inner housing positioned inside the outer housing, wherein the inner housing is configured to be tiltable in the mating direction of the mating connector when provided inside the outer housing, and the retainer has a spring piece located between the inner surface of the outer housing and the outer surface of the inner housing, and the spring piece presses against the outer surface of the inner housing so as to reduce the inclination of the inner housing with respect to the mating direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the connector and connector assembly of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress an increase in mating force. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly in one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly in the same embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly in the same embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the intermediate connector in the same embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the intermediate connector in the same embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate connector in the same embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure comprises: [1] A connector comprising a cylindrical outer housing, an inner housing provided inside the outer housing and into which a mating connector is mated, and a retainer attached between the outer housing and the inner housing and holding the inner housing in a position inside the outer housing, wherein the inner housing is configured to be tiltable in the mating direction of the mating connector when provided inside the outer housing, and the retainer has a spring piece located between the inner surface of the outer housing and the outer surface of the inner housing, and the spring piece presses against the outer surface of the inner housing so as to reduce the tilt of the inner housing in the mating direction.

[0010] According to this configuration, when the mating connector is tilted relative to the mating direction during mating, the inner housing tilts to follow the tilt of the mating connector. As a result, even if the mating connector is tilted relative to the mating direction during mating, it is possible to minimize the increase in mating force when mating the mating connector. After the inner housing tilts, the spring pieces of the retainer press the inner housing to reduce the tilt until the mating connector is mated to the appropriate position. In other words, the spring pieces of the retainer can align the inner housing to reduce the tilt.

[0011] [2] In the above item [1], the inner housing may be configured so that the pair of mating connectors can be fitted to each other from opposite directions. According to this configuration, in a connector in which a pair of mating connectors are mated from opposite directions, it is possible to suppress an increase in mating force and to align the inner housing with the spring pieces of the retainer.

[0012] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the connector may include a plurality of the retainers, and each of the plurality of retainers may have a plurality of the spring pieces. According to this configuration, the inner housing can be appropriately aligned by the plurality of spring pieces of each retainer.

[0013] [4] In any of the above [1] to [3], the outer housing has a accommodating portion that accommodates the inner housing, and a fixed portion that extends from the accommodating portion in a direction that intersects with the mating direction, and the mating connector may be fastened to the fixed portion with a bolt.

[0014] According to this configuration, when the mating connector is fastened and fixed with a bolt, the mating connector is likely to tilt with respect to the fitting direction, so that the effect of the configuration [1] above can be significantly obtained.

[0015] [5] The connector assembly of the present disclosure includes the connector described in any one of [1] to [4] above, and a mating connector connected to the connector. This configuration can achieve the same effects as the above connector.

[0016] [6] In the above [5], the connector assembly may include a pair of mating connectors, and the connector may be configured so that the pair of mating connectors can be connected to each other from opposite directions.

[0017] This configuration can achieve the same effects as the connector [2] above. [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of connectors and connector assemblies according to the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. The dimensional proportions of the components may differ from one drawing to another. Each drawing illustrates an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, which are mutually orthogonal. In this specification, the direction along the X-axis is referred to as the X-axis direction, the direction along the Y-axis is referred to as the Y-axis direction, and the direction along the Z-axis is referred to as the Z-axis direction. Note that "orthogonal" in this specification does not only refer to a strict orthogonal relationship, but also includes a roughly orthogonal relationship within the scope of the functions and effects of this embodiment. Furthermore, the term "cylindrical" used in this specification does not only refer to a cylindrical structure formed by combining multiple components, but also includes a cylindrical structure with a C-shape or other structure with a notch or other feature along the circumference. The term "cylindrical" also includes circular, elliptical, and polygonal structures with pointed or rounded corners. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" in this specification are used merely to distinguish between objects and do not rank the objects. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0018] (Configuration of connector assembly 10) 1 and 2, the connector assembly 10 includes a relay connector 11, and a first mating connector 12 and a second mating connector 13 that are respectively connected to the relay connector 11. The relay connector 11 is a connector that electrically connects the first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13. The relay connector 11 is attached to, for example, the frame of a vehicle.

[0019] The first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13 are mated with the relay connector 11 from both sides in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the first mating connector 12 is mated with the relay connector 11 in a first direction D1 along the X-axis. The second mating connector 13 is mated with the relay connector 11 in a second direction D2 along the X-axis. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are opposite directions.

[0020] (Configuration of relay connector 11) 3 and 4, the relay connector 11 includes a cylindrical outer housing 21, an inner housing 22 provided inside the outer housing 21, and a pair of retainers 23. The pair of retainers 23 are attached between the outer housing 21 and the inner housing 22.

[0021] (Configuration of outer housing 21) The outer housing 21 is made of, for example, metal and functions as a shield shell. The outer housing 21 is fixed, for example, to the frame of the vehicle. The outer housing 21 has a housing portion 24 that houses the inner housing 22 and a fixed portion 26 that extends from the housing portion 24 to one side in the Z-axis direction. The housing portion 24 penetrates the outer housing 21 along the X-axis. In other words, the central axis of the housing portion 24 extends along the X-axis. A protrusion 25 that protrudes inward is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer housing 21 (see also Figure 7). The protrusion 25 is formed over the entire circumferential direction of the outer housing 21. The housing portion 24 is formed in the protrusion 25.

[0022] 3, the fixed portion 26 of the outer housing 21 includes a first female threaded portion 27 into which a first bolt B1 for fixing the first mating connector 12 is threaded, and a second female threaded portion 28 into which a second bolt B2 for fixing the second mating connector 13 is threaded. The first female threaded portion 27 and the second female threaded portion 28 are provided on both sides of the fixed portion 26 in the X-axis direction. The first female threaded portion 27 and the second female threaded portion 28 are provided on the same straight line along the X-axis. The first female threaded portion 27 and the second female threaded portion 28 are provided at a position offset from the accommodating portion 24 to one side in the Z-axis direction.

[0023] (Configuration of inner housing 22) The inner housing 22 is made of, for example, resin. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inner housing 22 has, for example, a flat shape in which the outer dimension in the Z-axis direction is smaller than the outer dimension in the Y-axis direction. That is, when viewed in the X-axis direction, the inner housing 22 has an elongated shape that is long in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the outer shape of the inner housing 22 on both sides in the Y-axis direction has, for example, a curved shape.

[0024] For example, three male terminals 30 are provided inside the inner housing 22. The three male terminals 30 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction. The inner housing 22 has a first fitting portion 31 into which the first mating connector 12 is fitted, and a second fitting portion 32 into which the second mating connector 13 is fitted. That is, the first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13 are each fitted into the inner housing 22. The first fitting portion 31 and the second fitting portion 32 are provided at both ends in the X-axis direction. A first seal member 33 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion 31 to seal against the first mating connector 12. A second seal member 34 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second fitting portion 32 to seal against the second mating connector 13.

[0025] Each male terminal 30 is electrically connected to a respective female terminal 53 of the first mating connector 12 fitted into the first fitting portion 31. In addition, each male terminal 30 is electrically connected to a respective female terminal 53 of the second mating connector 13 fitted into the second fitting portion 32. In other words, the female terminals 53 of the first mating connector 12 and the female terminals 53 of the second mating connector 13 are electrically connected to each other by the male terminals 30.

[0026] The inner housing 22 is inserted into the accommodation portion 24 in the X-axis direction. A slight clearance is provided between the inner housing 22 and the inner circumferential surface of the accommodation portion 24. As a result, the inner housing 22 is configured to be tiltable in the X-axis direction while being provided inside the outer housing 21. In other words, the inner housing 22 is tiltable so that the first fitting portion 31 (or the second fitting portion 32) moves in any of the Z-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and a diagonal direction between the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0027] A flange portion 35 extending outward is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 22. The flange portion 35 is provided, for example, over the entire circumferential direction of the inner housing 22. In addition, a locking protrusion 36 that locks the retainer 23 in the X-axis direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 22 (see FIG. 4). A pair of the locking protrusions 36 is provided on both sides of the inner housing 22 in the Y-axis direction, corresponding to each of the pair of retainers 23.

[0028] (Configuration of retainer 23) 4 and 5, the pair of retainers 23 have, for example, the same shape as each other. The pair of retainers 23 are provided on both sides in the Y-axis direction of the inner housing 22. As shown in FIG. 4, each retainer 23 has a base portion 41, a locking portion 42, a spring piece 43, and a protective portion 44.

[0029] One locking portion 42 is provided at the center of the retainer 23 in the Z-axis direction. The locking portion 42 extends from the base 41 in the second direction D2. The locking portion 42 is locked in the X-axis direction by the locking protrusion 36 of the inner housing 22. This prevents the retainer 23 from slipping out in the first direction D1 when the locking portion 42 is locked to the locking protrusion 36 inside the outer housing 21.

[0030] Each retainer 23 has, for example, two spring pieces 43. In each retainer 23, the spring pieces 43 are provided on both sides of the locking portion 42 in the Z-axis direction. In each retainer 23, for example, two spring pieces 43 are provided. In each retainer 23, each protective portion 44 is provided adjacent to each spring piece 43. That is, each spring piece 43 is provided between the locking portion 42 and the protective portion 44. The protective portion 44 extends from the base 41 in the second direction D2. The protective portion 44 protects the spring pieces 43 from external contact. A portion of the retainer 23, specifically the locking portion 42, each spring piece 43, and each protective portion 44, is inserted between the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion 24 in the outer housing 21 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner housing 22 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0031] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the entire relay connector 11 taken along the 7-7 cross-sectional line in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 7, the flange portion 35 of the inner housing 22 can abut against the protrusion 25 of the outer housing 21 in the first direction D1. In other words, the flange portion 35 restricts movement of the inner housing 22 relative to the outer housing 21 in the first direction D1.

[0032] Meanwhile, the base 41 of each retainer 23 engaged with each locking protrusion 36 of the inner housing 22 is capable of abutting against the protrusion 25 of the outer housing 21 in the second direction D2. That is, the base 41 of each retainer 23 restricts movement of the inner housing 22 relative to the outer housing 21 in the second direction D2. In this manner, the pair of retainers 23 maintains the inner housing 22 positioned inside the outer housing 21. Note that the position at which each spring piece 43 is disposed in the X-axis direction is set to a position offset in the X-axis direction from the center line L1 of the inner housing 22 in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, each spring piece 43 is set to a position closer to the second fitting portion 32 than the center line L1.

[0033] Each spring piece 43 of the retainer 23 is bent so that its central portion in the X-axis direction protrudes outward. When the retainer 23 is attached between the outer housing 21 and the inner housing 22, the bent shape of each spring piece 43 is more open than it was before attachment. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 , each spring piece 43 applies a pressing force F to the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 22. In other words, each spring piece 43 presses against the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 22 so as to reduce the inclination of the inner housing 22 with respect to the X-axis direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, the center line of the inner housing 22 in the Z-axis direction is designated as L2. In each retainer 23, the spring pieces 43 are disposed on one side and the other side of the center line L2 in the Z-axis direction. The pressing force F that presses the inner housing 22 by each spring piece 43 acts in a diagonal direction between the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. As a result, the pressing force F of each spring piece 43 includes a component in the Y-axis direction and a component in the Z-axis direction.

[0035] (Configuration of the first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13) 2 and 3, the first mating connector 12 includes a cylindrical shield shell 51, a connector body 52 provided inside the shield shell 51, and female terminals 53 held inside the connector body 52. ​​Three female terminals 53 are provided, corresponding to the number of male terminals 30 of the relay connector 11. The first mating connector 12 also includes electric wires 54 connected to each of the female terminals 53. When the connector body 52 is fitted into the first fitting portion 31 of the inner housing 22, each female terminal 53 is connected to a corresponding male terminal 30 inside the inner housing 22.

[0036] 3, the shield shell 51 has a shell main body 55 that houses the connector main body 52, and a fixing portion 56 that extends from the shell main body 55 to one side in the Z-axis direction. The fixing portion 56 of the first mating connector 12 is fastened and fixed to the fixed portion 26 of the outer housing 21 of the relay connector 11 by a first bolt B1. This fixes the first mating connector 12 to the outer housing 21.

[0037] The second mating connector 13 has the same configuration as the first mating connector 12. Therefore, the configuration of the second mating connector 13 is denoted by the same reference numerals as the configuration of the first mating connector 12, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The fixing portion 56 of the second mating connector 13 is fastened and fixed to the fixed portion 26 of the outer housing 21 of the relay connector 11 by the second bolt B2. In this way, the second mating connector 13 is fixed to the outer housing 21.

[0038] (Action of this embodiment) The operation of this embodiment will be described below. For example, when the first mating connector 12 is mated with the relay connector 11 in the first direction D1, the first mating connector 12 may become tilted with respect to the mating direction (first direction D1). In this embodiment, the fixing portion 56 of the first mating connector 12 relative to the outer housing 21 is offset in the Z-axis direction relative to the first mating portion 31 of the inner housing 22, making it easy for the first mating connector 12 to tilt with respect to the mating direction, particularly in the Z-axis direction. Note that the tilt direction of the first mating connector 12 during mating is not limited to the Z-axis direction; for example, the first mating connector 12 may also tilt in the Y-axis direction due to torque generated when the first bolt B1 is tightened. When the first mating connector 12 is mated, if the first mating connector 12 tilts with respect to the mating direction (first direction D1), the inner housing 22 tilts in accordance with the tilt of the first mating connector 12. This makes it possible to minimize an increase in the mating force when mating the first mating connector 12, even if the first mating connector 12 tilts relative to the mating direction during mating. After the inner housing 22 tilts, the spring pieces 43, which are located in a position corresponding to the direction of tilt, press the inner housing 22 to reduce the tilt until the first mating connector 12 is mated to the appropriate position. In this way, the inner housing 22 is aligned by the spring pieces 43 to reduce the tilt. Note that the same effect as when mating the first mating connector 12 occurs when mating the second mating connector 13.

[0039] (Effects of this embodiment) The effects of this embodiment will be described below. (1) The inner housing 22 is configured to be tiltable in the mating direction (X-axis direction) of the first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13 when disposed inside the outer housing 21. The spring pieces 43 of the retainer 23 press against the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 22 to reduce the tilt of the inner housing 22 relative to the mating direction. With this configuration, for example, when the first mating connector 12 is mated, if the first mating connector 12 is tilted relative to the mating direction, the inner housing 22 tilts to follow the tilt of the first mating connector 12. This makes it possible to minimize an increase in mating force when mating the first mating connector 12. After the inner housing 22 tilts, the spring pieces 43 of the retainer 23 press the inner housing 22 to reduce the tilt until the first mating connector 12 is mated to the appropriate position. That is, the spring pieces 43 of the retainer 23 can align the inner housing 22 so that the tilt of the inner housing 22 is small. The above effect can also be obtained when the second mating connector 13 is mated.

[0040] (2) The inner housing 22 is configured so that the first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13 can be mated from opposite directions (first direction D1 and second direction D2). This configuration prevents an increase in mating force in the relay connector 11 in which the first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13 are mated from opposite directions, and allows the spring pieces 43 of the retainer 23 to align the inner housing 22.

[0041] (3) The relay connector 11 includes a plurality of retainers 23. Each of the plurality of retainers 23 has a plurality of spring pieces 43. With this configuration, the plurality of spring pieces 43 of each retainer 23 allows the inner housing 22 to be appropriately aligned.

[0042] (4) The outer housing 21 has an accommodating portion 24 that accommodates the inner housing 22, and a fixed portion 26 that extends from the accommodating portion 24 in a direction (Z-axis direction) that intersects with the mating direction (X-axis direction). The first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13 are fastened to the fixed portion 26 by the first bolt B1 and the second bolt B2, respectively. With this configuration, when the first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13 are fastened to the first bolt B1 and the second bolt B2, respectively, the first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13 are easily tilted with respect to the mating direction. Therefore, the effect of (1) above can be significantly achieved.

[0043] (5) The position of each spring piece 43 in the circumferential direction of the inner housing 22 is set to reduce the inclination of the inner housing 22 in any direction perpendicular to the mating direction (X-axis direction). With this configuration, each spring piece 43 can reduce the inclination of the inner housing 22 in any direction perpendicular to the mating direction (X-axis direction).

[0044] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0045] The shape of each spring piece 43 in each retainer 23 is not limited to that in the above embodiment. For example, the spring piece 43 may be bent so that the center portion in the X-axis direction protrudes toward the inner periphery.

[0046] The positions of the spring pieces 43 set along the circumferential direction of the inner housing 22 are not limited to those in the above embodiment and can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the relay connector 11. In the above embodiment, each spring piece 43 is configured to apply a pressing force F to the inner housing 22 in directions oblique to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, but this is not particularly limited. For example, the spring pieces 43 may be set on both sides of the inner housing 22 in the Z-axis direction so that the spring pieces 43 apply a pressing force along the Z-axis to the inner housing 22. Alternatively, the spring pieces 43 may be set on both sides of the inner housing 22 in the Y-axis direction so that the spring pieces 43 apply a pressing force along the Y-axis to the inner housing 22. Alternatively, spring pieces 43 that apply a pressing force along the Z-axis and spring pieces 43 that apply a pressing force along the Y-axis may be mixed.

[0047] The number of spring pieces 43 provided on each retainer 23 is not limited to two as in the above embodiment, but may be one or three or more. Although the relay connector 11 in the above embodiment includes multiple retainers 23, the relay connector 11 may include only one retainer. In this case, the retainer may have a continuous ring shape along the circumferential direction of the inner housing 22.

[0048] The number of male terminals 30 in the relay connector 11 is not limited to three as in the above embodiment, but may be one, two, four or more. Furthermore, in accordance with a change in the number of male terminals 30, the numbers of female terminals 53 and electric wires 54 in each of the first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13 can also be changed appropriately.

[0049] The means for fastening the first mating connector 12 and the second mating connector 13 to the outer housing 21 is not limited to fastening using the first bolt B1 and the second bolt B2, but may be changed to other fastening means.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to an intermediate connector 11 that electrically connects a first mating connector 12 and a second mating connector 13, but this is not limited to this and the present invention may also be applied to a connector to which only one mating connector is connected.

[0051] In the relay connector 11 of the above embodiment, the outer housing 21 may be configured as a part of the housing of an in-vehicle device, for example. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 Connector Assembly 11 Relay connector (connector) 12 First mating connector (mating connector) 13 Second mating connector (mating connector) 21 Outer housing 22 Inner housing 23 Retainer 24 Storage section 25 Protrusion 26 Fixed part 27 First female thread 28 Second female thread 30 male terminal 31 First fitting part 32 Second fitting part 33 First seal member 34 Second seal member 35 Flange 36 Locking protrusion 41 Base 42 Locking part 43 Spring piece 44 Protection Department 51 Shield Shell 52 Connector body 53 Female terminal 54 Electric wire 55 Shell body 56 Fixed part B1 First bolt B2 Second bolt D1 1st direction (mating direction) D2 2nd direction (mating direction) F Pressing force L1,L2 center line

Claims

1. A cylindrical outer housing; an inner housing provided inside the outer housing and into which a mating connector is fitted; a retainer attached between the outer housing and the inner housing to maintain the inner housing positioned inside the outer housing; Equipped with The inner housing is configured to be tiltable in a mating direction of the mating connector when provided inside the outer housing, the retainer has a spring piece positioned between an inner peripheral surface of the outer housing and an outer peripheral surface of the inner housing, the spring piece presses the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing so as to reduce an inclination of the inner housing with respect to the fitting direction; connector.

2. The inner housing is configured so that the pair of mating connectors can be fitted to each other from opposite directions. The connector according to claim 1 .

3. The connector includes a plurality of the retainers, Each of the plurality of retainers has a plurality of the spring pieces. The connector according to claim 1 .

4. the outer housing has an accommodating portion that accommodates the inner housing, and a fixed portion that extends from the accommodating portion in a direction intersecting the fitting direction, The mating connector is fastened to the fixed portion by a bolt. The connector according to claim 1 .

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A mating connector to be connected to the connector. Connector assembly.

6. The connector assembly includes a pair of mating connectors, The connector is configured so that the pair of mating connectors can be connected to each other from opposite directions.

6. The connector assembly of claim 5.

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