Connector

Abstract

To realize a connector that can improve assemblability.SOLUTION: A connector 10 includes a first housing 20 and a second housing 30 that fit together, and a support member 40 that is assembled to the second housing 30 while supporting the first housing 20. The support member 40 includes a first locking portion 44 and a second locking portion 45 that engage with the first housing 20 to restrict the mating operation between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. The second housing 30 includes protrusions 33C and 34C that release the restriction of the first locking portion 44 and the second locking portion 45 when the support member 40 is displaced to a position where the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 begin to fit together.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plug connector housing and a receptacle connector housing. The plug connector housing has a gear mechanism. The gear mechanism includes a rotating shaft, a gear, and a gripping portion. The receptacle connector housing includes a slit portion and a rack that meshes with the gear. When mating the two connector housings, the gripping portion is operated to rotate the gear that meshes with the rack, thereby moving the plug connector housing to a fully mated position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-199905 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the gripping portion is operated to rotate the gear meshed with the rack to start mating the two housings, if the two housings are not positioned correctly, the two housings may not be mated properly, which could result in poor connector assembly. The connector of the present disclosure was completed based on the above circumstances, and aims to improve assembly efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The connector of the present disclosure comprises: a first housing and a second housing that fit together; a support member that supports the first housing; a gear rotatably supported by the second housing; Equipped with The gear has a driving gear portion and a driven gear portion, the support member has a drive-side rack that meshes with the drive-side gear portion, the first housing has a driven-side rack that meshes with the driven-side gear portion, When the support member approaches the second housing, the gear rotates as the drive-side gear portion and the drive-side rack mesh with each other, When the gear rotates, the driven-side gear portion and the driven-side rack mesh with each other, and the first housing and the second housing fit together. the drive-side rack extends in a direction intersecting a fitting direction between the first housing and the second housing, The driven-side rack extends parallel to the fitting direction, A connector in which the direction in which the support member and the second housing approach each other intersects with the fitting direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a connector that can improve assembly efficiency can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first housing shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support member shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second housing shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the support member shown in FIG. 1 supports the first housing. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the support member and the first housing shown in FIG. 5, as viewed from the front. [Figure 7] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the support member and the first housing shown in FIG. 5, viewed from the rear. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 at the start of mating. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 when mating is complete. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a part of FIG. 6 when the lock is released. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing a part of FIG. 7 when the lock is released. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 when unlocked, as viewed from the right. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 at the start of mating, as viewed from the right. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 when mating is complete, as viewed from the right. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 when assembled, viewed from the right. [Figure 16] 16 is a rear view of a part of the connector shown in FIG. 1 in the middle of mating, as seen from behind. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 at the start of mating, as viewed from the right. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 when mating is complete, as viewed from the right. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [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 first housing and a second housing that fit together; a support member that is assembled to the second housing while supporting the first housing; Equipped with the support member has a lock portion that is engaged with the first housing to restrict the mating operation of the first housing and the second housing, The second housing has a release portion that releases the restriction of the lock portion when the support member is displaced to a position where the first housing and the second housing start to be fitted together. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, when the support member is attached to the second housing while supporting the first housing, the locking portion can engage with the first housing to restrict the mating operation between the first housing and the second housing. This prevents the first housing and the second housing from starting the mating operation in an undesirable position. Then, when the support member is displaced to a position where the first housing and the second housing start mating, the release portion can release the restriction of the locking portion. This allows the first housing and the second housing to start the mating operation in a desirable position. Therefore, the connector can be easily assembled.

[0009] (2) In (1), it is preferable that the support member and the first housing are displaced relative to each other, and that the first housing and the second housing are fitted together in accordance with the relative displacement between the support member and the first housing. With this configuration, the first housing and the second housing can be fitted together in conjunction with the relative displacement between the support member and the first housing.

[0010] (3) In (1) or (2), it is preferable that the approach direction between the support member and the second housing intersects with the fitting direction between the first housing and the second housing. This configuration makes it possible to realize a configuration in which the approach direction between the support member and the second housing intersects with the fitting direction between the first housing and the second housing. Therefore, the first housing can be brought close to the second housing from a desired direction (a direction intersecting with the fitting direction) different from the fitting direction of the two housings, and an assembly operation suitable for fitting the two housings can be performed.

[0011] (4) In any of (1) to (3), it is preferable that the first housing is disposed inside the support member and has a pair of outer wall portions facing a pair of opposing inner wall portions of the support member, and the support member has a pair of first locking portions that respectively engage with the pair of outer wall portions at a front end of the first housing in the mating direction between the first housing and the second housing, and a pair of second locking portions that respectively engage with the pair of outer wall portions at a rear end of the first housing in the mating direction. According to this configuration, the first housing is locked by the support member at four locations: spaced apart positions in the front and rear and spaced apart positions in the opposing direction of the pair of inner wall portions. Therefore, the support member can maintain the first housing in a balanced locked state (a state in which mating does not proceed).

[0012] (5) In any one of (1) to (4), it is preferable that the first housing has a pair of second outer wall portions facing a pair of opposing second inner wall portions of the second housing, the second outer wall portions having grooves formed therein extending in the fitting direction between the first and second housings, and the second inner wall portions have protrusions formed therein that are guided by the grooves and displaced while being disposed in the grooves. With this configuration, the protrusions of the second inner wall portions are guided in the fitting direction by the grooves of the second outer wall portion. Therefore, during the fitting process between the first and second housings, the relative positions of the second inner wall portions and the second outer wall portions are less likely to shift in a direction intersecting the fitting direction, thereby preventing prying fitting between the first and second housings.

[0013] (6) In (5), it is preferable that the first housing is disposed inside the support member and has a pair of outer wall portions facing a pair of opposing inner wall portions of the support member, the support member has a pair of first locking portions that respectively engage with the pair of outer wall portions at a front end side of the first housing in the mating direction between the first housing and the second housing, the first locking portions engage with the groove portions to restrict the mating operation between the first housing and the second housing, and the protrusion portions are the release portions that enter the groove portions to release the restriction of the first locking portions when the support member is displaced to a position where the first housing and the second housing start mating. With this configuration, the groove portions can both function to guide the protrusions and to lock the first locking portions. This configuration can be simplified compared to when each function is realized by separate members or parts.

[0014] (7) In any of (1) to (6), the first housing preferably has a third outer wall portion facing the second housing in the approach direction in which the support member and the second housing approach each other, and a second protrusion protruding from the third outer wall portion. The second housing preferably has a restricting portion that engages with the second protrusion as the first housing moves from the mating start position to the mating completion position, thereby restricting displacement of the second protrusion in the approach direction. According to this configuration, the second protrusion is engaged with the restricting portion as the first housing and the second housing move toward each other, making it less likely that the second protrusion will interfere with the second housing when the support member and the second housing approach each other. Furthermore, the restricting portion restricts displacement of the second protrusion in the approach direction. Therefore, during the mating process between the first housing and the second housing, misalignment between the first housing and the second housing is restricted, thereby preventing a prying fit between the first housing and the second housing.

[0015] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18. In this first embodiment, with regard to the front-to-rear direction, the F direction in FIG. 1 is defined as the front. The front is the direction in which the first housing 20 fits into the second housing 30. With regard to the up-down direction, the H direction in FIG. 1 is defined as the upward direction. With regard to the left-to-right direction, the R direction in FIG. 1 is defined as the rightward direction.

[0016] A connector 10 according to the first embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. The connector 10 includes a first housing 20, a second housing 30, a support member 40, a pair of gears 50, a first terminal 61 (see Fig. 17), a first electric wire 62, a second terminal 71 (see Fig. 17), and a second electric wire 72.

[0017] The first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are fitted together. The support member 40 is assembled to the second housing 30 while supporting the first housing 20. The pair of gears 50 are rotatably supported by the second housing 30. The first terminal 61 is connected to a first electric wire 62 and is housed in the first housing 20. The second terminal 71 is connected to a second electric wire 72 and is housed in the second housing 30.

[0018] (First housing 20) As shown in FIG. 5, the first housing 20 is disposed inside the support member 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the first housing 20 has a flat shape. The first housing 20 is, for example, a male housing. The first housing 20 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The first housing 20 has a terminal accommodating portion 21 and a hood portion 22. The hood portion 22 extends forward from the terminal accommodating portion 21.

[0019] The terminal accommodating portion 21 has a plurality of cavities 23 formed therein. The cavities 23 accommodate first terminals 61 (see FIG. 17). The first terminals 61 are, for example, male terminals. The hood portion 22 includes an upper wall portion 24, a pair of side wall portions 25, and a lower wall portion 26.

[0020] The pair of side wall portions 25 extend downward from the left and right edges of the upper wall portion 24. The pair of side wall portions 25 face each other in the left-right direction. The lower wall portion 26 is connected to the rear end portions of the pair of side wall portions 25. The pair of side wall portions 25 face each other in the left-right direction to a pair of side wall portions 42 of the support member 40, which will be described later. The side wall portions 25 correspond to the "outer wall portion" and "second outer wall portion" in this disclosure.

[0021] A groove 25A extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the side wall 25. An inclined portion 25B is formed on the inner side of the side wall 25 (on the other side wall 25 side). The inclined portion 25B is located below the front end of the groove 25A. The inclined portion 25B slopes downward toward the outer side (the opposite side from the other side wall 25).

[0022] A driven-side rack 27 that meshes with a driven-side gear portion 52 (described later) is formed on both the left and right sides of the terminal accommodating portion 21. The driven-side rack 27 extends parallel to the mating direction (front-rear direction) of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. The driven-side rack 27 has a plurality of teeth that protrude downward. The plurality of teeth are aligned in the mating direction. A pair of side wall portions 21A that are back-to-back in the left-right direction of the terminal accommodating portion 21 are formed with recesses 21B. The side wall portions 21A correspond to the "outer wall portions" of the present disclosure.

[0023] A pair of protrusions 28 that protrude downward are formed on the lower wall 21C of the terminal accommodating portion 21. The lower wall 21C corresponds to the "third outer wall" in the present disclosure. The protrusions 28 correspond to the "second protrusion" in the present disclosure. The pair of protrusions 28 are aligned in the left-right direction. The protrusions 28 are L-shaped when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. The tip 28A of the protrusions 28 is bent outward in the left-to-right direction (opposite the other protrusion 28). The front end side of the upper surface of the tip 28A is inclined upward toward the rear.

[0024] (Second housing 30) The second housing 30 is, for example, a female housing. The second housing 30 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 4, the second housing 30 has a bottom wall portion 31, a pair of side walls 32, a terminal accommodating portion 33, and a guide portion 34.

[0025] A pair of side walls 32 rise from the left and right edges of the bottom wall 31, respectively. The pair of side walls 32 face each other in the left-right direction. A groove 32A extending in the up-down direction is formed on the inside of the side wall 32 (the side of the other side wall 32) near the center in the front-to-rear direction. A pair of openings 31A (see FIG. 12) are formed in the bottom wall 31 at positions overlapping the pair of left and right grooves 32A in the up-down direction, respectively.

[0026] A terminal accommodating portion 33 and a guide portion 34 are disposed on the upper surface of the lower wall portion 31. The terminal accommodating portion 33 and the guide portion 34 are arranged side by side and spaced apart in the front-rear direction.

[0027] A plurality of cavities 35 are formed on the upper end side of the terminal accommodating portion 33. Second terminals 71 (see FIG. 17) are accommodated in the cavities 35. The second terminals 71 are, for example, female terminals. A recess 33A extending in the left-right direction is formed on the rear end side of the terminal accommodating portion 33 below the plurality of cavities 35. As shown in FIG. 18, the bottom wall portion 26 of the first housing 20 fits into the recess 33A. The terminal accommodating portion 33 has a pair of side wall portions 33B facing the pair of side wall portions 25 of the first housing 20, respectively. The side wall portion 33B corresponds to the "second inner wall portion" of the present disclosure. A pair of protrusions 33C is formed on the side wall portion 33B. The vertical positions of the pair of protrusions 33C in the terminal accommodating portion 33 are the same as the positions of the plurality of cavities 35. The pair of protrusions 33C are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction and spaced apart. As shown in FIG. 10, the upper and lower surfaces of the protrusion 33C are tapered in the direction of protrusion.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the guide portion 34 includes an upper plate portion 34A and a pair of side plate portions 34B. The pair of side plate portions 34B rise from the lower wall portion 31 so as to face the pair of side wall portions 25 of the first housing 20, respectively. The upper plate portion 34A is located slightly below the upper ends of the pair of side plate portions 34B and is connected to the pair of side plate portions 34B so as to bridge the pair of side plate portions 34B in the left-right direction. A pair of protrusions 34C are formed on the rear and upper ends of the outer surfaces of the side plate portions 34B (the surfaces opposite the other side plate portion 34B) and are aligned in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the upper surfaces of the protrusions 34C are inclined downward toward the outside.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 4, a shaft 34D that protrudes outward in the left-right direction is formed on the front end of the outer surface of the side plate 34B (the surface opposite the other side plate 34B). A gear 50, which will be described later, is rotatably supported on the shaft 34D. A restricting portion 34E that extends in the front-rear direction is formed on the front and upper end of the inner surface of the side plate 34B (the surface facing the other side plate 34B). The protrusion 28 of the first housing 20 engages with the restricting portion 34E.

[0030] (Support member 40) As shown in FIG. 3 , the support member 40 has an upper wall portion 41, a pair of side wall portions 42, a lower wall portion 43, a pair of first locking portions 44, and a pair of second locking portions 45. The pair of side wall portions 42 extend downward from both left and right edges of the upper wall portion 41. The pair of side wall portions 42 face each other in the left-right direction. The side wall portions 42 correspond to the "inner wall portions" of the present disclosure. The lower wall portion 43 is continuous with the lower ends of the pair of side wall portions 42. The lower wall portion 43 faces the upper wall portion 41 in the up-down direction.

[0031] A first locking portion 44 and a second locking portion 45 are formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 42 (the surface on the other side wall portion 42 side). The first locking portion 44 and the second locking portion 45 are aligned and spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction. The first locking portion 44 is disposed on the front end side of the first housing 20 in the fitting direction of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 (hereinafter simply referred to as the fitting direction). The second locking portion 45 is disposed on the rear end side of the first housing 20 in the fitting direction.

[0032] The first locking portion 44 corresponds to the "locking portion" and "first locking portion" of the present disclosure. The first locking portion 44 is elastically deformable outward in the left-right direction. The first locking portion 44 engages with the groove portion 25A of the first housing 20 to restrict the mating operation of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the first locking portion 44 includes an extension portion 44A and a locking piece 44B. The extension portion 44A extends downward from the inner surface of the side wall portion 42. The locking piece 44B protrudes inward (toward the other first locking portion 44) from the lower end of the extension portion 44A. The upper surface of the locking piece 44B is inclined downward toward the inside.

[0033] The second locking portion 45 corresponds to the "locking portion" and "second locking portion" of the present disclosure. The second locking portion 45 is elastically deformable outward in the left-right direction. The second locking portion 45 engages with the recess 21B of the first housing 20 to restrict the mating operation of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the second locking portion 45 includes an extension portion 45A and a locking piece 45B. The extension portion 45A extends downward from the inner surface of the side wall portion 42. The locking piece 45B protrudes inward (toward the other second locking portion 45) from a position slightly above the lower end of the extension portion 45A. The upper surface of the locking piece 45B slopes downward toward the inside.

[0034] 3, a protrusion 46 that is long in the vertical direction is formed on the outer surface of the side wall 42 (the surface opposite to the other side wall 42). The protrusion 46 is formed near the center in the front-to-rear direction of the outer surface of the side wall 42. A lower end 46A of the protrusion 46 protrudes downward from the side wall 42.

[0035] A recess 42A that is long in the vertical direction is formed on the inner surface of the side wall 42 (the surface on the other side wall 42 side). The recess 42A is formed between the first locking portion 44 and the second locking portion 45, at a position closer to the second locking portion 45. The cross-sectional shape of the recess 42A when viewed from the vertical direction is a rectangle that is long in the front-to-rear direction. The front wall that constitutes the recess 42A, together with a recess formed in the lower end 46A of the protruding portion 46, constitutes a rail portion 42B that extends in the vertical direction.

[0036] A drive-side rack 47 that meshes with a drive-side gear portion 51 (described later) is formed at a position slightly above the lower end of the rail portion 42B (slightly above the lower end 46A of the protrusion 46). The drive-side rack 47 extends in a direction (vertical direction) that intersects with the fitting direction of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. The drive-side rack 47 has a plurality of teeth that protrude rearward. The plurality of teeth are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0037] A front opening 43A and a rear opening 43C are formed spaced apart from each other in the front and rear direction in the lower wall portion 43. A recess 43B is formed in the front opening 43A to avoid interference with the protrusion 33C of the second housing 30 when the support member 40 is assembled to the second housing 30.

[0038] (Gear 50) As shown in FIG. 1 , the gear 50 is a two-stage gear consisting of two overlapping spur gears. The gear 50 has a drive-side gear portion 51 and a driven-side gear portion 52. For example, the pitch of the teeth of the drive-side gear portion 51 is the same as the pitch of the teeth of the driven-side gear portion 52. The shaft of the drive-side gear portion 51 and the shaft of the driven-side gear portion 52 are coaxial. The diameter of the driven-side gear portion 52 is larger than the diameter of the drive-side gear portion 51. The pair of gears 50 are rotatably inserted into the pair of shaft portions 34D of the second housing 30, respectively. The gears 50 are supported by the second housing 30 and are arranged in the order of the drive-side gear portion 51 and the driven-side gear portion 52 from the outer side in the left-right direction.

[0039] (Supporting state of the first housing 20 by the supporting member 40) The first housing 20 is inserted into the support member 40 from the rear side and placed on the bottom wall 43, as shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the pair of first locking portions 44 are engaged with the front end sides (groove portions 25A) of the side wall portions 42 of the first housing 20. Specifically, the locking pieces 44B of the first locking portions 44 are engaged near the front ends of the groove portions 25A. As shown in FIG. 7, the pair of second locking portions 45 are engaged with the rear end sides (recesses 21B) of the side wall portions 42 of the first housing 20. Specifically, the locking pieces 45B of the second locking portions 45 are engaged with the recesses 21B. As a result, the pair of first locking portions 44 and the pair of second locking portions 45 are engaged with the first housing 20, restricting the mating operation of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30.

[0040] (Assembly of the support member 40 to the second housing 30) 8, the support member 40 supporting the first housing 20 is assembled to the second housing 30. Specifically, the support member 40 supporting the first housing 20 is moved downward toward the second housing 30.

[0041] The protrusion 46 of the support member 40 enters and is guided in the groove 32A of the second housing 30. The side wall 42 of the support member 40 enters between the side wall 32 and the terminal accommodating portion 33 of the second housing 30. The terminal accommodating portion 33 of the second housing 30 enters into the hood portion 22 of the first housing 20. The terminal accommodating portion 33 of the second housing 30 enters into the front opening 43A of the support member 40, and the guide portion 34 of the second housing 30 enters into the rear opening 43C of the support member 40.

[0042] 13, the gear 50 comes into contact with the first housing 20 and the support member 40. Specifically, the driving-side gear portion 51 meshes with the driving-side rack 47, and the driven-side gear portion 52 meshes with the driven-side rack 27. This brings the first housing and the second housing into a position where they begin to fit together.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10-12, when the support member 40 is displaced to a position where it can be assembled to the second housing 30 (a position where the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 start to be fitted together), the restriction of the first housing 20 by the pair of first locking portions 44 and the pair of second locking portions 45 is released. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 33C of the second housing 30 slides along the inclined portion 25B of the hood portion 22 of the first housing 20, displaces upward, and then enters the groove portion 25A. Then, the protrusion 33C that has entered the groove portion 25A presses the first locking portion 44 and pushes it outward from the groove portion 25A. This releases the engagement of the first locking portion 44 with the groove portion 25A. The protrusion 33C corresponds to an example of a "release portion" in the present disclosure.

[0044] 11, the protrusion 34C of the second housing 30 presses the extension 45A of the second locking portion 45 outward. Then, the locking piece 45B of the second locking portion 45 disengages from the recess 21B of the first housing 20. This releases the lock of the second locking portion 45 with the recess 21B. The protrusion 34C corresponds to an example of a "releasing portion" of the present disclosure.

[0045] As described above, when the protrusion 33C of the second housing 30 enters the groove portion 25A of the hood portion 22 of the first housing 20, the protrusion 33C is guided into the groove portion 25A while being disposed within the groove portion 25A, and becomes displaceable, as shown in Figures 10 and 12.

[0046] (Fitting Operation of the First Housing 20 and the Second Housing 30) When the restriction of the first housing 20 by the pair of first locking portions 44 and the pair of second locking portions 45 is released, the drive-side gear portion 51 meshes with the drive-side rack 47, and the driven-side gear portion 52 meshes with the driven-side rack 27, as shown in Fig. 13. Then, as shown in Fig. 14, as the support member 40 approaches the second housing 30 (as it is displaced downward), the gear 50 rotates as the drive-side gear portion 51 meshes with the drive-side rack 47. Specifically, when the drive-side rack 47 displaces downward relative to the second housing 30, the drive-side gear portion 51 meshes with the drive-side rack 47, and rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the right side.

[0047] 14 , rotation of the driving-side gear portion 51 rotates the entire gear 50, and also rotates the driven-side gear portion 52 formed integrally with the driving-side gear portion 51. As the gear 50 rotates, the driven-side gear portion 52 meshes with the driven-side rack 27, and the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 fit together. Specifically, as the driven-side gear portion 52 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the right side, the driven-side rack 27 meshes with the driven-side gear portion 52, and thus the driven-side rack 27 displaces forward relative to the second housing 30.

[0048] As described above, the support member 40 and the first housing 20 are displaced relative to each other. As the support member 40 and the first housing 20 are displaced relative to each other, the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are fitted together, as shown in FIG. 14 . The drive-side rack 47 extends in a direction (vertical direction) that intersects with the fitting direction (front-rear direction) of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. The driven-side rack 27 extends parallel to the fitting direction (front-rear direction) of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. Therefore, the approach direction of the support member 40 and the second housing 30 intersects with the fitting direction. More specifically, the approach direction (vertical direction) of the support member 40 and the second housing 30 is perpendicular to the fitting direction (front-rear direction).

[0049] During the mating operation of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30, the protrusion 33C is guided by the groove 25A and relatively displaced forward from the state shown in FIG. 12 . Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 , the restricting portion 34E of the second housing engages with the protrusion 28 of the first housing 20 as the first housing 20 moves from the mating start position to the mating completion position, thereby restricting the displacement of the protrusion 28 in the approaching direction (vertical direction). Specifically, the restricting portion 34E is sandwiched between the tip 28A of the protrusion 28 and the lower wall portion 21C of the terminal accommodating portion 21 in the vertical direction. This restricts the displacement of the first housing 20 relative to the second housing 30 in the vertical direction. The protrusion 28 then displaces forward along the restricting portion 34E from the state shown in FIG. 17 to the state shown in FIG. 18 .

[0050] (Displacement of the support member 40 after completion of fitting) As shown in FIG. 14, when the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are completely mated, the drive-side gear portion 51 and the drive-side rack 47 are disengaged. This allows the support member 40 to move in the direction toward the second housing 30 (up and down) without being restricted by the drive-side gear portion 51. More specifically, the support member 40 can move downward relative to the second housing 30. As shown in FIG. 15, the lower end 46A of the protrusion 46 enters the opening 31A of the bottom wall portion 31 of the second housing 30, and the support member 40 moves downward relative to the second housing 30. This absorbs any misalignment (intersection) between the support member 40 and the second housing 30 after the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are completely mated. In this manner, the assembly of the connector 10 is completed.

[0051] (Effects of the connector of Example 1) The connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a first housing 20 and a second housing 30 that are fitted together, and a support member 40 that is assembled to the second housing 30 while supporting the first housing 20. The support member 40 has a first locking portion 44 (locking portion, first locking portion) and a second locking portion 45 (locking portion, second locking portion) that engage with the first housing 20 to restrict the mating operation between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. The second housing 30 has a protrusion 33C (releasing portion) and a protrusion 34C (releasing portion) that release the restriction of the first locking portion 44 and the second locking portion 45 when the support member 40 is displaced to a position where the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 start to be mated.

[0052] According to this configuration, when the support member 40 is assembled to the second housing 30 while supporting the first housing 20, the first locking portion 44 and the second locking portion 45 can be locked to the first housing 20 to restrict the mating operation between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. This prevents the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 from starting the mating operation in an undesirable position. When the support member 40 is displaced to a position where the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 start mating, the protrusions 33C and 34C can release the restriction of the first locking portion 44 and the second locking portion 45. This allows the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 to start mating in a desirable position. Therefore, the assemblability of the connector 10 can be improved.

[0053] In the connector 10 of the first embodiment, the support member 40 and the first housing 20 are displaced relative to each other, and the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are fitted together in accordance with the relative displacement between the support member 40 and the first housing 20. With this configuration, the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 can be fitted together in conjunction with the relative displacement between the support member 40 and the first housing 20.

[0054] In the connector 10 of the first embodiment, the approach direction (vertical direction) between the support member 40 and the second housing 30 intersects with the mating direction (front-rear direction) between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. This configuration makes it possible to realize a configuration in which the approach direction between the support member 40 and the second housing 30 intersects with the mating direction between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. Therefore, the first housing 20 can be brought close to the second housing 30 from a desired direction (a direction intersecting the mating direction) different from the mating direction between the two housings 20, 30, and an assembly operation suitable for mating the two housings 20, 30 can be performed.

[0055] In the connector 10 of the first embodiment, the first housing 20 is disposed inside the support member 40 and has a pair of side walls 21A, 25 (outer wall portions) that respectively face a pair of opposing side walls 42 (inner wall portions) of the support member 40. The support member 40 has a pair of first locking portions 44 (first locking portions) that respectively engage with the pair of side walls 25 at the front end of the first housing 20 in the fitting direction (front-rear direction) of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30, and a pair of second locking portions 45 (second locking portions) that respectively engage with the pair of side walls 21A at the rear end of the first housing 20 in the fitting direction. With this configuration, the first housing 20 is locked by the support member 40 at four locations: spaced apart positions in the front and rear and spaced apart positions in the opposing direction (left-right direction) of the pair of side walls 42. Therefore, the support member 40 can maintain the first housing 20 in a well-balanced locked state (a state in which the fitting does not proceed further).

[0056] In the connector 10 of the first embodiment, the first housing 20 has a pair of side walls 25 (second outer walls) that face a pair of opposing side walls 33B (second inner walls) of the second housing 30. The side walls 25 are formed with grooves 25A that extend in the mating direction (front-rear direction) between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. The side walls 33B are formed with protrusions 33C that are guided and displaced by the grooves 25A while disposed within the grooves 25A. With this configuration, the protrusions 33C of the side walls 33B are guided in the mating direction by the grooves 25A of the side walls 25. Therefore, during the mating process between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30, the relative positions of the side walls 33B and the side walls 25 are less likely to shift in a direction intersecting the mating direction, thereby preventing twisting fit between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30.

[0057] In the connector 10 of the first embodiment, the first housing 20 is disposed inside the support member 40 and has a pair of side walls 25 (outer walls) that respectively face a pair of opposing side walls 42 (inner walls) of the support member 40. The support member 40 has a pair of first locking portions 44 (first locking portions) that respectively engage with the pair of side walls 25 at the front end side of the first housing 20 in the mating direction (front-rear direction) of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. The first locking portions 44 engage with the grooves 25A to restrict the mating operation of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. The protrusions 33C (releasing portions) enter the grooves 25A to release the restriction of the first locking portions 44 when the support member 40 is displaced to a position where the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 start to be mated. According to this configuration, the groove 25A has both the function of guiding the protrusion 33C and the function of locking the first locking portion 44. This simplifies the configuration compared to when each function is realized by separate members or parts.

[0058] In the connector 10 of the first embodiment, the first housing 20 has a bottom wall 21C (third outer wall) facing the second housing 30 in the approach direction (vertical direction) in which the support member 40 and the second housing 30 approach each other, and a protrusion 28 (second protrusion) protruding from the bottom wall 21C. The second housing 30 has a restricting portion 34E that engages with the protrusion 28 as the first housing 20 moves from the mating start position to the mating completion position, restricting displacement of the protrusion 28 in the approach direction. With this configuration, the protrusion 28 is engaged with the restricting portion 34E as the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are mated, making it less likely that the protrusion 28 will interfere with the second housing 30 as the support member 40 and the second housing 30 approach each other. In addition, the restricting portion 34E restricts displacement of the protrusion 28 in the approach direction. Therefore, during the fitting process between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30, the positional relationship between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 is prevented from shifting in the approaching direction, thereby preventing prying fit between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30.

[0059] [Other Examples] The present invention is not limited to the examples described above and illustrated in the drawings, but is defined by the claims. The present invention includes the meaning equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims, including the following embodiments.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the approach direction (vertical direction) between the support member 40 and the second housing 30 is perpendicular to the fitting direction (front-rear direction), but it does not have to be perpendicular as long as it intersects. For example, the driving-side rack 47 and the driven-side rack 27 may intersect without being perpendicular.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the connector 10 includes a pair of gears 50, but may include only one gear 50. In other words, the driving force conversion mechanism (gear 50, driving-side rack 47, and driven-side rack 27) may be provided on only one of the left and right sides of the connector 10.

[0062] In the above-mentioned Example 1, the circumferential length of the driven side gear portion 52 is larger than the circumferential length of the driving side gear portion 51, but the circumferential length of the driven side gear portion 52 may be smaller than or the same as the circumferential length of the driving side gear portion 51.

[0063] In the first embodiment, the support member may be configured as a lever that fits the first housing into the second housing by rotating from a rotation start position to a rotation completion position. For example, a pin provided on the support member may move in a cam groove provided in the first housing or the second housing, thereby displacing the first housing relative to the second housing.

[0064] In the above-mentioned Example 1, the first housing 20 is a male housing that accommodates male terminals (first terminals 61) and the second housing 30 is a female housing that accommodates female terminals (second terminals 71), but the first housing 20 may be a female housing that accommodates female terminals and the second housing 30 may be a male housing that accommodates male terminals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10: Connector 20: First Housing 21: Terminal housing 21A: Side wall (outer wall) 21B: Recess 21C: Lower wall (third outer wall) 22: Food Section 23: Cavity 24: Upper wall 25: Side wall (outer wall, second outer wall) 25A: Groove 25B: Inclined section 26: Lower wall part 27: Driven rack 28: Protrusion (second protrusion) 28A: Tip 30: Second Housing 31: Lower wall part 31A: Aperture 32: Side wall 32A: Groove 33: Terminal housing 33A: Recess 33B: Side wall part (second inner wall part) 33C: Protrusion (release part) 34: Guide part 34A: Upper plate 34B: Side plate part 34C: Protrusion (release part) 34D: Shaft 34E: Regulatory Department 35: Cavity 40: Support member 41: Upper wall part 42: Side wall (inner wall) 42A: Recessed part 42B: Rail section 43: Lower wall part 43A: Front opening 43B: Dent 43C: Rear opening 44: First lock (lock part, first lock part) 44A: Extension part 44B: Locking piece 45: Second lock (lock part, second lock part) 45A: Extension part 45B: Locking piece 46: Protrusion 46A: Bottom edge 47: Drive side rack 50: Gear 51: Drive side gear 52: Driven gear 61: 1st terminal 62: First Electric Wire 71: 2nd terminal 72: Second Wire

Claims

1. a first housing and a second housing that fit together; a support member that is assembled to the second housing while supporting the first housing; Equipped with the support member has a lock portion that is engaged with the first housing to restrict the mating operation of the first housing and the second housing, The second housing is a connector having a release portion that releases the restriction of the lock portion when the support member is displaced to a position that starts mating of the first housing and the second housing.

2. The support member and the first housing are displaced relative to each other, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first housing and the second housing are fitted together in accordance with relative displacement between the support member and the first housing.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a direction in which the support member and the second housing approach each other intersects a direction in which the first housing and the second housing are fitted together.

4. the first housing is disposed inside the support member and has a pair of outer wall portions facing a pair of opposing inner wall portions of the support member, The support member is a pair of first locking portions that are respectively engaged with the pair of outer wall portions at front end sides of the first housing in a fitting direction between the first housing and the second housing; a pair of second locking portions that are respectively engaged with the pair of outer wall portions at rear end sides of the first housing in the fitting direction; 3. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. the first housing has a pair of second outer wall portions that respectively face a pair of opposing second inner wall portions of the second housing, a groove portion extending in a fitting direction of the first housing and the second housing is formed in the second outer wall portion; 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second inner wall portion is formed with a protrusion that is guided and displaced by the groove portion when disposed within the groove portion.

6. the first housing is disposed inside the support member and has a pair of outer wall portions facing a pair of opposing inner wall portions of the support member, the support member has a pair of first locking portions that are respectively engaged with the pair of outer wall portions at a front end side of the first housing in a fitting direction between the first housing and the second housing, the first locking portion is engaged with the groove portion to restrict the mating operation of the first housing and the second housing; The connector of claim 5, wherein the protrusion is the release portion, and when the support member is displaced to a position that initiates mating between the first housing and the second housing, it enters the groove portion and releases the restriction of the first locking portion.

7. The first housing includes: a third outer wall portion facing the second housing in an approaching direction in which the support member and the second housing approach each other; a second protrusion protruding from the third outer wall portion; and 3. A connector as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second housing has a regulating portion that engages with the second protrusion as the first housing moves from the mating start position to the mating completion position, thereby regulating the displacement of the second protrusion in the approach direction.

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