Connector mating body

Abstract

To provide a connector mating body that allows a user to more clearly recognize that a mating detection member is in a fully locked state when the mating detection member is slid to a fully locked position.SOLUTION: A connector mating body 1 includes a connector 2, a mating connector 5, and a mating detection member 6. A retaining portion 43 formed on the connector 2 is formed with an elastically deformable arm portion 435, and a lock engaging portion 4351 is formed on the arm portion 435. On the other hand, the mating detection member 6 is formed with an elastically deformable lock arm portion 67, and a lock arm side engaging portion 671 is formed on the lock arm portion 67. Then, after the lock arm side engaging portion 671 has passed over the lock engaging portion 4351 and before it is engaged with the lock engaging portion 4351, the interference portion 65 formed on the mating detection member 6 and / or the arm portion 435 interferes with the arm portion 435 and / or the mating detection member 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A conventional connector fitting of this type is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, the connector fitting includes a first housing capable of accommodating terminals, a second housing capable of accommodating mating terminals, and a mating detection member capable of detecting the mated state of the first housing and the second housing.

[0003] When the first housing is not fitted to the second housing, the fitting detection member is restricted from sliding to the full locking position, and when the first housing is fitted to the second housing, the fitting detection member is allowed to slide to the full locking position.

[0004] This makes it possible to detect whether the first housing is fitted to the second housing based on the position of the fitting detection member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-018737 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a connector fitted with such a mating detection member, it is preferable that when the mating detection member is slid to the full locking position, it can be more clearly recognized that the mating detection member is in the full locking state.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector mating assembly that allows a user to more clearly recognize that the mating detection member is in the fully locked state when the mating detection member is slid to the fully locked position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A connector fitting according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a connector having a housing and terminals accommodated in the housing, a mating connector having a mating housing to be mated with the housing, and mating terminals accommodated in the mating housing and electrically connected to the terminals when the mating housing is mated with the housing, and a mating detection member that is held by a holding portion formed on the housing so as to be able to slide to a full locking position and that can detect a mated state between the housing and the mating housing, the mating detection member being configured such that when the housing and the mating housing are not mated, the sliding of the mating detection member to the full locking position is restricted, and when the housing and the mating housing are mated, the sliding of the mating detection member to the full locking position is allowed, and the holding portion is formed with an elastically deformable arm portion that is capable of sliding between the housing and the mating housing. a locking engagement portion is formed on the mating housing that can be engaged with a protrusion formed on the mating housing in the mating state, thereby maintaining the mating state between the housing and the mating housing; the mating detection member is formed with an elastically deformable locking arm portion, and the locking arm portion is formed with a locking arm side engagement portion that is engaged with the locking engagement portion when the mating detection member is slid to the main engagement position; the locking arm side engagement portion is configured to be engaged with the locking engagement portion by elastically deforming the locking arm portion and causing the locking arm side engagement portion to overcome the locking engagement portion when the mating detection member is slid to the main engagement position; and at least one of the mating detection member and the arm portion is formed with an interference portion that interferes with the other after the locking arm side engagement portion has overcome the locking engagement portion and before it is engaged with the locking engagement portion, thereby generating stress in a direction intersecting with the sliding direction of the mating detection member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a connector fitting can be provided that makes it possible to more clearly recognize that the fitting detection member is in the fully locked state when the fitting detection member is slid to the fully locked position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector fitting. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector fitting body, exploded into a connector holding a fitting detection member and a mating housing. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a fitting detection member and a connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector holding the fitting detection member is temporarily fitted into the mating housing. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector is mated with the mating housing and the mating detection member is allowed to slide to the full locking position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector holding the fitting detection member is temporarily fitted into the mating housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the fitting detection member held by the lever is restricted from sliding to the full locking position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a lever. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a holding portion formed on a lever. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a fitting detection member. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a fitting detection member. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of each member when the fitting detection member is slid from the temporary holding position to the full locking position. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of each member when the fitting detection member is slid from the temporary holding position to the full locking position. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of each member when the fitting detection member is slid from the temporary holding position to the full locking position. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the force applied when the fitting detection member is slid from the temporary holding position to the full locking position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The connector fitting according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of convenience and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0012] In the following, a lever-type connector will be used as an example of the connector. The direction in which the lever-type connector moves relative to the mating connector when inserting or removing the housing into or from the mating housing (the mating direction of the lever-type connector into the mating connector) will be defined as the up-down direction. The up-down direction of each component will be defined in the following description, assuming that the lever-type connector with the lever closed is positioned at the top and the mating connector is positioned at the bottom.

[0013] In addition, the longitudinal direction of the housing and the mating housing is defined as the front-rear direction, the lateral direction of the housing and the mating housing (the direction in which the lever pivots) is defined as the width direction, and the side where the connecting part is located when the lever is closed is defined as the front in the front-rear direction.

[0014] The connector fitting 1 according to this embodiment includes a lever-type connector (connector) 2 having a connector body 3 as a first connector and a lever 4 rotatably attached to the connector body 3. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connector fitting 1 includes a mating connector 5 as a second connector with which the connector body 3 is fitted.

[0015] By rotating a lever 4 that is rotatably attached to the connector body 3, the connector body 3 can be inserted into or removed from the mating connector 5. In other words, by rotating the lever 4, the connector body 3 can be mated with the mating connector 5, or the mating of the connector body 3 and the mating connector 5 can be released.

[0016] In this way, in this embodiment, by using the lever-type connector 2, the lever 4 can assist in inserting and removing (joining and detaching) the connector main body 3 into the mating connector 5. Therefore, the lever-type connector 2 according to this embodiment functions as an LIF (Low Insertion Force) connector that joins the connector main body 3 to the mating connector 5 with low insertion force by operating the lever 4.

[0017] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connector fitting body 1 is provided with a fitting detection member 6 that is slidably held by the lever 4 and can confirm the fitting state between the housing 31 (connector main body 3) and the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5).

[0018] This mating detection member 6 is configured to restrict sliding movement from the temporary holding position described below to the full locking position when the housing 31 (connector main body 3) is not mated with the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5).

[0019] On the other hand, when the housing 31 (connector main body 3) is mated with the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5), the mating detection member 6 is configured to be allowed to slide from the temporary holding position to the full locking position.

[0020] With this configuration, the mating state between the housing 31 (connector main body 3) and the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5) can be confirmed by sliding the mating detection member 6 from the temporary holding position to the full locking position.

[0021] In this manner, in this embodiment, the connector fitting 1 has a connector position assurance (CPA) function.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 6, the mating connector 5 includes a mating housing (second housing) 51 and mating terminals (second terminals) 52 accommodated and held in the mating housing 51. In this embodiment, the mating housing 51 includes a housing main body 511 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped external shape, and a plurality of mating terminal accommodating chambers (second terminal accommodating chambers) 511a are formed in the housing main body 511 so as to penetrate the housing main body 511 in the vertical direction. The mating terminals 52 are accommodated and held in the mating housing 51 by inserting the mating terminals 52 into each of the plurality of mating terminal accommodating chambers 511a from below. The mating terminals 52 accommodated in these mating terminal accommodating chambers 511a are electrically connected to the terminals 32 provided in the housing 31 of the connector main body 3 by joining (fitting) the connector main body 3 of the lever-type connector 2 to the mating connector 5.

[0023] The mating terminal 52 may be, for example, a rod-shaped terminal made of a conductive material such as metal. However, various types of terminals, such as a terminal-attached wire, may also be used as the mating terminal 52.

[0024] Furthermore, the mating housing 51 includes a hood portion 512 connected to the upper end of the housing main body 511. In this embodiment, the hood portion 512 has a generally rectangular cylindrical shape and is approximately the same size as the housing main body 511. Inside this hood portion 512, a mating recess 5121 into which the housing 31 of the connector main body 3, which will be described later, is inserted and removed is formed, the mating recess 5121 opening upward and communicating with each mating terminal accommodating chamber 511a.

[0025] Such a mating housing 51 can be made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0026] On the other hand, the connector body 3 includes a housing (first housing) 31 and terminals (first terminals) 32 housed and held in the housing 31, as shown in FIG.

[0027] The housing 31 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped exterior shape and includes a pair of side walls 311 extending in the longitudinal direction and a pair of connecting walls 312 connecting the longitudinal ends of the pair of side walls. The housing 31 is also formed with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers (first terminal accommodating chambers) 31a that penetrate the housing 31 in the vertical direction, and the terminals 32 are accommodated and held in the housing 31 by inserting the terminals 32 into each of the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 31a from above. The housing 31 can also be made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0028] Furthermore, the terminals 32 inserted and held in the housing 31 may be, for example, electric wires with terminals formed of a conductive material such as metal and having a conductor of an electric wire crimped onto the terminal. However, it is not necessary to use electric wires with terminals as the terminals 32, and various types of terminals may be used as the terminals 32.

[0029] As described above, the lever 4 is attached to the housing 31 of the connector body 3 so as to be able to rotate.

[0030] The lever 4 includes a pair of arm portions 41 and a connecting portion 42 that connects the front ends of the pair of arm portions 41. The pair of arm portions 41 are plate-shaped with the thickness direction substantially aligned with the width direction, and each arm portion 41 includes a side wall 411. In this embodiment, the arm portion 41 is formed such that each side wall 411 is disposed along a side surface of the side wall 311 of the housing 31, with the connecting portion 42 disposed on the other end 311b side of the side wall 311 of the housing 31.

[0031] Such a lever 4 can also be made of an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0032] Furthermore, a pair of side walls 411 of the lever 4 are each formed with a lever support hole 4111 and a rotation guide hole (long hole) 4112.

[0033] In this embodiment, the lever support hole 4111 is formed closer to one end 411a of the side wall 411, on the side opposite to the side where the connecting portion 412 is formed. Moreover, the rotation guide hole 4112 is formed on the side where the connecting portion 412 is formed, rather than the lever support hole 4111. In other words, the rotation guide hole 4112 is formed closer to the center in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 411 of the arm portion 41, rather than the lever support hole 4111 (closer to the other end 411b in the longitudinal direction, rather than the lever support hole 4111).

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lever support hole 4111 and the rotation guide hole 4112 are each formed as an elongated hole in the shape of an arc centered at the upper end position of one end 411a of the side wall 411 of the arm portion 41. The rotation guide hole 4112 is formed so that the arc length is longer than the arc length of the lever support hole 4111.

[0035] Meanwhile, a lever support protrusion 3111 and a rotation guide protrusion (protrusion) 3112 are formed on each of both side walls 311 of the housing 31 so as to protrude outward (in the normal direction to the side surface of the side wall 311). The lever support protrusion 3111 is formed closer to one end 311a of the center in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 311 of the housing 31. The rotation guide protrusion 3112 is formed closer to the other end 311b of the center in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 311 of the housing 31. In other words, the rotation guide protrusion 3112 is formed closer to the other end 311b of the side wall 311 of the housing 31 in the longitudinal direction than the lever support protrusion 3111 (closer to the other end 311b in the longitudinal direction than the lever support protrusion 3111).

[0036] The lever 4 is rotatably attached to the housing 31 by inserting the lever support protrusion 3111 and the rotation guide protrusion 3112 into the lever support hole 4111 and the rotation guide hole 4112, respectively.

[0037] Furthermore, a cam protrusion 4116 is formed on one end 411a of each side wall 411 of the pair of arm portions 41 opposite the side on which the connecting portion 42 is formed, so as to protrude outward (in the normal direction to the side surface of the side wall 411 of the arm portion 41). Then, a cam groove 5122 into which the cam protrusion 4116 is inserted is formed on the inner side of the hood portion 512 of the mating housing 51.

[0038] The cam projection 4116 and the cam groove 5122 function as a housing retracting means for retracting the housing 31 into the mating housing 51 by operating the lever 4 .

[0039] Specifically, when the lever 4 is rotated so that the connecting portion 42 side moves downward, the cam protrusion 4116 enters the cam groove 5122, thereby applying a force that draws the housing 31 into the mating housing 51. By applying a force that draws the housing 31 into the mating housing 51, the housing 31 can be easily fitted into the mating housing 51.

[0040] In this way, in this embodiment, the so-called "principle of leverage" is utilized, and by operating the lever 4 with a small operating force, the housing 31 can be easily fitted into the mating housing 51.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a support piece 4114 that protrudes downward is formed at the lower end of one end 411a of the side wall 411 of the arm portion 41, and this support piece 4114 is held by a support protrusion 3114 formed at the lower end of the center of the side wall 311 of the housing 31. This makes it possible to prevent the side wall 411 of the arm portion 41 from shifting position when the lever 4 is rotated, and allows the lever 4 to rotate more smoothly relative to the housing 31.

[0042] In this embodiment, a temporary locking arm 4115 that protrudes forward is formed at the lower end of the other end 411b of the side wall 411 of the arm portion 41. A temporary locking protrusion 3115 that can lock the temporary locking arm 4115 is formed at the upper part of the other end 311b of the side wall 311 of the housing 31.

[0043] By engaging the temporary locking arm 4115 with the temporary locking projection 3115, the lever 4 is temporarily locked to the housing 31 with the connecting portion 42 of the lever 4 separated from the housing 31. In other words, the lever 4 is temporarily locked to the housing 31 with the lever 4 disposed obliquely relative to the housing 31.

[0044] Furthermore, with the lever 4 provisionally locked to the housing 31, the housing 31 is inserted into the mating recess 5121 of the mating housing 51 to be provisionally held. In this embodiment, a guide protrusion 3113 is formed at the lower end of the rear part of the housing 31 so as to protrude outward in the width direction, and a guide groove 5125 is formed at the rear end of the hood portion 512 of the mating housing 51 so as to open upward. By inserting the guide protrusion 3113 into the guide groove 5125 from above, the housing 31 can be provisionally held in the mating housing 51 more smoothly.

[0045] In this embodiment, a temporary-lock release rib 5124 is formed on the inside of the hood portion 512 of the mating housing 51. When the housing 31 is temporarily held in the mating housing 51, the temporary-lock release rib 5124 releases the lock between the temporary-lock arm 4115 and the temporary-lock projection 3115. This makes it possible to rotate the lever 4 (close the lever 4) so ​​that the connecting portion 42 is positioned on the other end 311b side of the side wall 311 of the housing 31.

[0046] In this manner, in this embodiment, the housing 31 is temporarily held by the mating housing 51 in a temporary locking state in which the lever 4 is disposed obliquely relative to the housing 31 (see FIG. 4).

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, when the lever 4 is in a temporary engagement state in which it is positioned at an angle relative to the housing 31 and the housing 31 is temporarily held in the mating housing 51, the cam protrusion 4116 enters the cam groove 5122.

[0048] Thereafter, when the lever 4 is rotated so that the connecting portion 42 moves downward, the cam protrusion 4116, which has entered the cam groove 5122, engages with the fitting fulcrum portion 51221 of the cam groove 5122, causing the lever 4 to rotate around the cam protrusion 4116 as a fulcrum. As the lever 4 rotates, an insertion force is applied from the lever 4 to the housing 31 at the contact point between the lever support protrusion 3111 and the lever support hole 4111 and the contact point between the rotation guide protrusion 3112 and the rotation guide hole 4112. When the insertion force is applied from the lever 4 to the housing 31, the housing 31 is pushed downward in the joining direction. By arranging the lever 4 approximately parallel to the housing 31, the connector body 3 of the lever-type connector 2 is joined to the mating connector 5, and the terminals of each connector are electrically connected.

[0049] On the other hand, when disconnecting the connector body 3 of the lever-type connector 2 connected to the mating connector 5 from the mating connector 5, the lever 4 is rotated upward and the connecting portion 42 of the lever 4 is pulled up so as to assume a provisionally locked state. This causes the cam protrusion 4116 to engage with the release fulcrum portion 51222 in the cam groove 5122, causing the lever 4 to rotate in the opposite direction from when the connectors were connected, with the cam protrusion 4116 as the fulcrum. This applies a pulling force to the housing 31 from the lever 4, causing the housing 31 to be pulled upward in the release direction relative to the mating housing 51. This temporarily holds the housing 31 in the mating housing 51, allowing it to be disconnected from the mating connector 5.

[0050] In this embodiment, as described above, the connector fitting 1 is provided with the mating detection member 6 slidably held by the lever 4. This mating detection member 6 is a member that can confirm the mated state between the housing 31 (connector main body 3) and the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5). In this embodiment, by providing such a mating detection member 6, the connector fitting 1 has a connector position assurance (CPA) function.

[0051] The specific configuration of the fitting detection member 6 and the holding portion 43 that holds the fitting detection member 6 will be described below.

[0052] In this embodiment, a holding portion 43 for holding the fitting detection member 6 in a slidable manner is formed in front of the connecting portion 42 of the lever 4.

[0053] The holding portion 43 includes a pair of side walls 432 formed to protrude forward from both widthwise ends of the connecting portion 42, and a front wall 431 connected to the front ends of the pair of side walls 432. By forming such front wall 431 and the pair of side walls 432, an accommodation space 43a is formed in the holding portion 43 that is surrounded by the connecting portion 42, the front wall 431, and the pair of side walls 432 and penetrates in the up-down direction (the rotation direction of the lever 4).

[0054] In this embodiment, by forming such a storage space 43a in the holding portion 43, the fitting detection member 6 inserted into the storage space 43a is held in the holding portion 43 in a state where it can slide in the vertical direction (the rotation direction of the lever 4).

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a seesaw lock 433 is formed within the accommodating space 43a, and this seesaw lock 433 enables the housing 31 (connector main body 3) and the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5) to be locked in the mated state.

[0056] Specifically, a partition wall 5123 extending in the width direction is formed in the front part of the mating housing 51, and this partition wall 5123 divides the mating recess 5121 into a space for inserting the rear connector main body 3 and a space for inserting the front holding part 43 and the mating detection member 6. A protrusion 51231 is formed on this partition wall 5123 so as to protrude forward.

[0057] Meanwhile, the seesaw lock 433 formed in the accommodation space 43a includes a shaft 434 formed to protrude forward from the front surface of the connecting portion 42, and an arm 435 extending in the vertical direction (the penetrating direction of the accommodation space 43a) with its center connected to the tip of the shaft 434. In this embodiment, the seesaw lock 433 is formed by connecting the center portions of both widthwise ends of the arm 435, which has a substantially rectangular frame shape, to the front ends of a pair of shafts 434 formed on both widthwise sides. This configuration allows the arm 435 to swing like a seesaw in the front-rear direction (the direction intersecting the sliding direction of the fitting detection member 6). In this manner, in this embodiment, the holding portion 43 is formed with an elastically deformable arm 435.

[0058] When the housing 31 (connector main body 3) and the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5) are mated, the lower tip projection of the arm portion 435 is engaged with the projection 51231 (see FIGS. 12 to 14). Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower tip projection of the arm portion 435 is engaged with the projection 51231 when the housing 31 and the mating housing 51 are mated, and serves as a locking engagement portion 4351 that maintains the mated state between the housing 31 and the mating housing 51.

[0059] 10 and 11 , the fitting detection member 6 held by the holding portion 43 configured as described above includes a handle portion 61 located at the upper end and used to slide the fitting detection member 6. The fitting detection member 6 also includes a pair of side walls 62 connected to both widthwise ends of the handle portion 61 and extending downward, and a rear wall 63 connected to the lower ends of the handle portion 61 and the pair of side walls 62. In this embodiment, the lower ends of the side walls 62 are formed to protrude downward beyond the lower end of the rear wall 63, and a front wall 66 is connected to the front ends of the pair of side walls 62 that are lower than the rear wall 63. A locking arm portion 67 is connected to the center of the front wall 66 and protrudes downward. The locking arm portion 67 is elastically deformable in the front-to-rear direction (a direction intersecting the sliding direction of the fitting detection member 6) from a connection point with the front wall 66. Furthermore, a lock arm side engaging portion 671 is formed at the lower end of the lock arm portion 67 so as to protrude rearward.

[0060] The fitting detection member 6 is configured so that it can be slid downward until the lock arm side engaging portion 671 is engaged with the lock engaging portion 4351 from below. Therefore, in this embodiment, the state in which the lock arm side engaging portion 671 is engaged with the lock engaging portion 4351 from below corresponds to the state in which the fitting detection member 6 has been slid to the full engaging position.

[0061] In this embodiment, a locking protrusion 631 is formed at the lower end of the rear wall 63 of the fitting detection member 6 so as to protrude rearward. This locking protrusion 631 is a protrusion that is locked by a retaining protrusion 436 formed at the upper end of the front surface of the connecting portion 42 when the fitting detection member 6 held by the holding portion 43 is slid upward. This prevents the fitting detection member 6 from coming off the holding portion 43.

[0062] Therefore, in this embodiment, the fitting detection member 6 is configured to be slidable between a temporary holding position and a full locking position. Here, the temporary holding position is a position where the locking protrusion 631 is locked from below by the retaining protrusion 436 while the fitting detection member 6 is held by the holding portion 43. The full locking position is a position where the lock arm side locking portion 671 is locked from below by the lock locking portion 4351 while the fitting detection member 6 is held by the holding portion 43.

[0063] Here, in this embodiment, as described above, the mating detection member 6 is configured so that sliding movement from the temporary holding position to the full locking position is restricted when the housing 31 (connector main body 3) is not mated with the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5).

[0064] 6, simply inserting and holding the fitting detection member 6 in the holding portion 43 causes the lower end surface 67a of the lock arm portion 67 and the upper end surface 4351a of the lock engaging portion 4351 to butt against each other in the vertical direction (the sliding direction of the fitting detection member 6). This prevents the fitting detection member 6 from sliding downward (to the main engaging position).

[0065] On the other hand, when the housing 31 (connector main body 3) is mated with the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5), the mating detection member 6 is configured to be allowed to slide from the temporary holding position to the full locking position.

[0066] Specifically, when the housing 31 (connector main body 3) is mated with the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5), the lock engaging portion 4351 abuts against the protrusion 51231. When the lock engaging portion 4351 abuts against the protrusion 51231, the arm portion 435 is elastically deformed so that the lock engaging portion 4351 moves forward. The lock engaging portion 4351 that has moved forward climbs over the protrusion 51231, causing the lock engaging portion 4351 to move downward below the protrusion 51231. In this manner, when the housing 31 (connector main body 3) is mated with the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5), the lock engaging portion 4351 is engaged with the protrusion 51231 from below.

[0067] 12, the locking portion 4351 is engaged with the projection 51231 from below, thereby releasing the abutment between the lower end surface 67a of the locking arm portion 67 and the upper end surface 4351a of the locking portion 4351. This allows the mating detection member 6 to slide from the temporary holding position to the full locking position when the housing 31 (connector main body 3) is mated with the mating housing 51 (mating connector 5).

[0068] Then, in a state in which sliding movement to the full locking position is permitted, the fitting detection member 6 is pressed downward to elastically deform the lock arm portion 67 forward. In this way, the lock arm side engaging portion 671 climbs over the lock engaging portion 4351 and is engaged with the lock engaging portion 4351 from below, thereby bringing the fitting detection member 6 into the full locking state.

[0069] However, if the fitting detection member 6 is simply moved to the full-lock position by moving the lock arm side latching portion 671 over the lock latching portion 4351, the operating force required to move the fitting detection member 6 to the full-lock position is as shown by the dashed line in the graph in FIG. 15 . When the fitting detection member 6 is moved to the full-lock position with such operating force, no large operating force is required immediately before the lock arm side latching portion 671 latches with the lock latching portion 4351. Therefore, when the fitting detection member 6 is operated to slide to the full-lock position where the lock arm side latching portion 671 latches with the lock latching portion 4351, a click feeling is weak. If the click feeling is weak immediately before the lock arm side latching portion 671 latches with the lock latching portion 4351, it becomes difficult to determine whether the fitting detection member 6 has been moved to the full-lock position.

[0070] Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to more clearly recognize that the fitting detection member 6 is in the fully locked state.

[0071] Specifically, a rib 65 is formed on the fitting detection member 6, which is at least one of the fitting detection member 6 and the arm portion 435, as an interference portion that interferes with the arm portion 435 just before the fitting detection member 6 is fully locked. In this embodiment, a pair of pedestals 64 are formed on both sides in the width direction of the rear wall 63, and a rib 65 that protrudes forward is formed on each of the pair of pedestals 64.

[0072] 13, after the lock arm side engaging portion 671 has climbed over the lock engaging portion 4351 but before it is engaged with the lock engaging portion 4351, the front end of the rib 65 abuts against the inclined surface on the rear side of the upper end of the arm portion 435. Here, "after the lock arm side engaging portion 671 has climbed over the lock engaging portion 4351" means when it has passed the position at which the maximum operating force is exerted (the maximum point in the graph shown in FIG. 15).

[0073] By doing so, just before the fitting detection member 6 is fully locked, the upper end of the arm portion 435 is pressed forward by the rib 65, generating stress in a direction (front-rear direction) intersecting the up-down direction (the sliding direction of the fitting detection member 6). As shown by the solid line in FIG. 15 , the operating force of the fitting detection member 6 is increased just before the lock arm side engaging portion 671 is engaged with the lock engaging portion 4351. This improves the click feeling when the fitting detection member 6 is operated and slid to the fully locked position where the lock arm side engaging portion 671 is engaged with the lock engaging portion 4351. As a result, it becomes possible to more clearly recognize that the fitting detection member 6 is fully locked, and it becomes possible to more easily and reliably confirm whether the housing 31 is fitted into the mating housing 51.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a space 4352 is formed in the arm portion 435 on the side where the rib 65 interferes. Then, when the lock arm side engaging portion 671 is engaged with the lock engaging portion 4351, that is, when the fitting detection member 6 is slid to the main engaging position, the rib 65 is accommodated in the space 4352 (see FIG. 14).

[0075] This increases the holding force of the fitting detection member 6 in the full locking position, and makes it possible to more reliably maintain the fitted state between the housing 31 and the mating housing 51.

[0076] In this way, with the connector fitting 1 of this embodiment, when the fitting detection member 6 is slid to the full locking position, it becomes possible to more clearly recognize that the fitting detection member 6 is in the full locking state.

[0077] In the case of the connector fitting body 1 according to this embodiment, the operating force required to move the mating detection member 6 to the full locking position is shown by the solid line in the graph of Fig. 15. In this case, the operating force required immediately before moving the mating detection member 6 to the full locking position can be set as appropriate.

[0078] In this embodiment, by pressing the handle portion 61 of the fitting detection member 6, a series of operations can be performed until the lever 4 is closed and the fitting detection member 6 is moved to the main locking position. At this time, the operator feels three clicks: when the lock engaging portion 4351 gets over the protrusion 51231, when the lock arm side engaging portion 671 gets over the lock engaging portion 4351, and when the rib 65 gets over the upper part of the arm portion 435.

[0079] Furthermore, if the fitting detection member 6 in the full locking position is pulled upward, the rib 65 is disengaged from the space 4352, and the lock arm side locking portion 671 moves over the lock locking portion 4351 from the bottom to the top, and can be moved to the temporary holding position.

[0080] [Actions and Effects] The characteristic configuration of the connector fitting assembly shown in the above embodiment and the effects obtained thereby will be described below.

[0081] The connector fitting 1 shown in the above embodiment includes a connector 2 having a housing 31 and terminals 32 accommodated in the housing 31. It also includes a mating connector 5 having a mating housing 51 that fits into the housing 31, and mating terminals 52 that are accommodated in the mating housing 51 and are electrically connected to the terminals 32 when the mating housing 51 is fitted into the housing 31. It also includes a fitting detection member 6 that is held by a holding portion 43 formed on the housing 31 so as to be able to slide to a full locking position and that can detect the fitted state of the housing 31 and the mating housing 51.

[0082] Here, the fitting detection member 6 is configured so that it is restricted from sliding to the full locking position when the housing 31 and the mating housing 51 are not fitted together. On the other hand, the fitting detection member 6 is configured so that it is allowed to slide to the full locking position when the housing 31 and the mating housing 51 are fitted together.

[0083] Furthermore, the holding portion 43 is formed with an elastically deformable arm portion 435, and the arm portion 435 is formed with a lock engaging portion 4351. This lock engaging portion 4351 is configured to be engaged with a protrusion 51231 formed on the mating housing 51 when the housing 31 and the mating housing 51 are fitted together, thereby maintaining the fitted state between the housing 31 and the mating housing 51.

[0084] On the other hand, the fitting detection member 6 is formed with an elastically deformable lock arm portion 67, and this lock arm portion 67 is formed with a lock arm side locking portion 671 that is locked with the lock locking portion 4351 when the fitting detection member 6 is slid to the full locking position. This lock arm side locking portion 671 is configured to be locked with the lock locking portion 4351 when the fitting detection member 6 is slid to the full locking position by elastically deforming the lock arm portion 67 and causing the lock arm side locking portion 671 to climb over the lock locking portion 4351.

[0085] At least one of the fitting detection member 6 and the arm portion 435 has an interference portion 65 formed thereon that interferes with the other and generates stress in a direction intersecting the sliding direction of the fitting detection member 6. Here, the interference with the other occurs after the lock arm side engaging portion 671 has climbed over the lock engaging portion 4351 and before it is engaged with the lock engaging portion 4351.

[0086] In this way, in the connector fitting 1 shown in the above embodiment, the fitting detection member 6 and the arm portion 435 interfere with each other via the interference portion 65 after the lock arm side engaging portion 671 has passed over the lock engaging portion 4351 and before it is engaged with the lock engaging portion 4351.

[0087] This increases the operating force of the fitting detection member 6 immediately before the lock arm side engaging portion 671 engages with the lock engaging portion 4351. This improves the click feeling when the fitting detection member 6 is operated and slid up to the full-lock position where the lock arm side engaging portion 671 engages with the lock engaging portion 4351. As a result, it becomes possible to more clearly recognize that the fitting detection member 6 is in the full-lock state, and it becomes possible to more easily and reliably check whether the housing 31 is fitted into the mating housing 51.

[0088] In this way, with the connector fitting 1 shown in the above embodiment, when the fitting detection member 6 is slid to the full locking position, it becomes possible to more clearly recognize that the fitting detection member 6 is in the full locking state.

[0089] The interference portion 65 may also be a rib 65 formed on at least one of the fitting detection member 6 and the arm portion 435. A space 4352 into which the rib 65 is inserted with the lock arm side engaging portion 671 engaged with the lock engaging portion 4351 may be formed on the side where the rib 65 interferes.

[0090] This makes it possible to more clearly recognize that the fitting detection member 6 is in the fully locked state when sliding the fitting detection member 6 to the full locking position, and also increases the holding force of the fitting detection member 6 at the full locking position, thereby more reliably maintaining the fitted state between the housing 31 and the mating housing 51.

[0091] In addition, the connector 2 may be a lever-type connector 2 having a connector body 3 with a housing 31 and a lever 4 rotatably attached to the connector body 3, and the lever 4 may be formed with a holding portion 43 that holds the mating detection member 6.

[0092] This makes it possible to more clearly recognize that the fitting detection member 6 is in a fully locked state, even when fitting the housing 31 and the mating housing 51 using the lever 4. As a result, the fitted state of the housing 31 and the mating housing 51 can be more reliably confirmed.

[0093] [others] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0094] For example, in the above embodiment, a connector fitting body 1 is illustrated in which a fitting detection member 6 is held by the lever 4 of a lever-type connector 2, but the present invention can also be applied to a connector that does not have a lever.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the arm portion 435 of the seesaw lock 433 is exemplified as the arm portion, but it is also possible to use a cantilever-shaped arm portion.

[0096] In addition, although the example has been given in which the rib 65 is provided on the fitting detection member 6 and the space 4352 is provided on the arm portion 435, the rib may be provided on the arm portion 435 and the space into which the rib is inserted may be provided on the fitting detection member 6. Furthermore, the rib and the space may be provided on both the fitting detection member 6 and the arm portion 435.

[0097] In addition, the specifications of the housing, the mating housing, and other details (shape, size, layout, etc.) can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1 Connector mating body 2 Lever-type connector (connector) 3 Connector body 31 Housing 32 terminals 4 Lever 43 Holding part 435 Arm 4351 Locking part 4352 Space 5 Mating connector 51 Mating housing 51231 Protrusion 52 Mating terminal 6. Fitting detection member 65 Rib (interference part) 67 Lock arm part 671 Lock arm side latch

Claims

1. a connector having a housing and a terminal accommodated in the housing; a mating connector including a mating housing that is fitted to the housing, and mating terminals that are accommodated in the mating housing and are electrically connected to the terminals when the mating housing is fitted to the housing; a mating detection member that is held by a holding portion formed on the housing so as to be slidable to a full locking position and that can detect a mated state between the housing and the mating housing; Equipped with the mating detection member is configured such that, when the housing and the mating housing are not mated, the mating detection member is restricted from sliding to the full locking position, and when the housing and the mating housing are mated, the mating detection member is allowed to slide to the full locking position, The holding portion is formed with an elastically deformable arm portion, a locking portion is formed on the arm portion, which is capable of being engaged with a protrusion formed on the mating housing when the housing and the mating housing are fitted together, thereby maintaining the fitted state between the housing and the mating housing; The fitting detection member is formed with an elastically deformable lock arm portion, a lock arm side engaging portion that is engaged with the lock engaging portion when the fitting detection member is slid to the full engaging position is formed on the lock arm portion; the lock arm side engaging portion is configured to be engaged with the lock engaging portion by elastically deforming the lock arm portion and climbing over the lock engaging portion when the fitting detection member is slid to the main engaging position, At least one of the fitting detection member and the arm portion is formed with an interference portion that interferes with the other after the lock arm side engaging portion has passed over the lock engaging portion and before being engaged with the lock engaging portion, thereby generating stress in a direction intersecting with the sliding direction of the fitting detection member. Connector mating body.

2. the interference portion is a rib formed on at least one of the fitting detection member and the arm portion, A space into which the rib is inserted is formed on the side where the rib interferes, with the lock arm side engaging portion engaged with the lock engaging portion.

2. The connector fitting of claim 1.

3. the connector is a lever-type connector having a connector body having the housing and a lever rotatably attached to the connector body, The lever is formed with a holding portion that holds the fitting detection member.

3. The connector fitting according to claim 1 or 2.

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