Connector and wire harness

Abstract

To provide a connector and a wire harness in which a fitting assurance member can be properly assembled to a housing.SOLUTION: The connector 1 includes the terminals 10, the housing 20, and the fitting assurance member 30, the housing 20 has the ribs 27 that are locked with the sidewall parts 36 (main body parts) along the axial direction X in a state where the fitting assurance member 30 is at the temporary locking position P1, the ribs 27 are provided with the inclined surface 27a inclined with respect to the axial direction X, and the sidewall parts 36 are configured to be able to ride on the inclined surface 25b with the elastic deformation of the lock arm part 25a and the fitting assurance arm part 31 when the final locking part 27a rides over the lock locking part 122.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a wire harness. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of technology relating to connectors for conventional wire harnesses, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a housing having terminals that are electrically connected to mating terminals of a mating connector, a housing main body that holds the terminals inside and is mated axially with a mating housing of the mating connector, and a housing lock that engages with a locking portion provided on the mating housing when the mating state between the housing main body and the mating housing is in a fully mated state, and a mating assurance member that is assembled to the housing and is configured to be unable to move relative to the housing from a provisionally locked position when the mating state is in a semi-mated state, but is configured to be able to move relative to the housing between the provisionally locked position and a full locked position when the mating state is in a fully mated state, and that guarantees the full mated state at the full locked position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-67744 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the connector described in Patent Document 1, the locking arm of the housing lock and the mating arm of the mating assurance member elastically deform in the height direction when the housing main body and the mating connector are mated, which may cause the temporary locking portion of the housing lock to become disengaged from the protrusion of the mating assurance member.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a wire harness in which a mating assurance member can be properly assembled to a housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to the present invention comprises a housing having terminals electrically connected to mating terminals of a mating connector, a housing main body that holds the terminals therein and is mated with a mating housing of the mating connector along an axial direction, a housing lock that is engaged with a lock engaging portion provided on the mating housing along the axial direction when the mating state between the housing main body and the mating housing is in a fully mated state, and a mating assurance member that is assembled to the housing and is configured to be immovable relative to the housing from a provisionally locked position when the mating state is in a semi-mated state, but is configured to be movable relative to the housing along the axial direction between the provisionally locked position and a full-locking position when the mating state is in the fully mated state, and that guarantees the fully mated state at the full-locking position, and the housing lock comprises a lock arm portion that extends from the housing main body along the axial direction and is elastically deformable along a height direction that intersects with the axial direction, and a lock arm portion that is provided on the lock arm portion and engages the housing main body with the mating housing. The fitting assurance member has a main body portion and a provisional locking portion provided spaced apart from the main locking portion along the axial direction, the main locking portion protruding from the main body portion in a cantilever spring shape toward the main locking portion as the lock arm portion elastically deforms when the main locking portion overcomes the locking portion, and the provisional locking portion is secured to the main locking portion by its own elastic restoring force. a fitting assurance arm portion that presses the full-locking portion toward the locking engagement portion by pressing the full-locking portion toward the locking engagement portion; a first protrusion portion that is provided at a tip end of the fitting assurance arm portion and that engages with the full-locking portion at the full-locking position; and a second protrusion portion that is provided on the main body portion and spaced apart from the first protrusion along the axial direction and that engages with the partial-locking portion at the partial-locking position, and the housing has a rib that is engaged with the main body portion along the axial direction when the fitting assurance member is at the partial-locking position, and the rib is provided with an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction,The main body is configured to be able to ride up onto the inclined surface in accordance with elastic deformation of the lock arm and the fitting assurance arm when the full-locking portion rides over the locking portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the connector and wire harness according to the present invention, the rib is provided with an inclined surface inclined relative to the axial direction, and the main body portion can ride up onto the inclined surface as the locking arm portion and the mating assurance arm portion elastically deform when the main locking portion overcomes the locking engagement portion. With this configuration, in the connector and wire harness, for example, the main body portion rides up onto the inclined surface of the rib, causing the second protrusion provided on the main body portion to rise, thereby preventing the release of the engagement between the temporary locking portion and the second protrusion, which would occur if the temporary locking portion tilted due to the elastic deformation of the locking arm portion. As a result, the connector and wire harness have the advantage that the mating assurance member can be properly assembled to the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a wire harness to which a connector according to an embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a connector and a mating connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary front view of the connector according to the embodiment, showing a state where the fitting assurance member has started to be assembled. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exemplary plan view (top view) of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment, showing a state during assembly at a position corresponding to FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment, showing the assembled state at a position corresponding to FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exemplary front view of a connector and a mating connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10, showing the state at the start of assembly. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 10, showing a state where assembly is started; [Figure 13] 13 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector and the mating connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in the middle of assembly at a position corresponding to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector and the mating connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in the middle of assembly at a position corresponding to FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector and the mating connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the main body is mounted on the inclined surface at a position corresponding to that of FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector and the mating connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the main body is mounted on the inclined surface at a position corresponding to that of FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the first protrusion in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the second protrusion in FIG. [Figure 19] 19 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector and the mating connector according to the embodiment, showing the assembled and provisionally locked position corresponding to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 20]FIG. 20 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector and the mating connector according to the embodiment, showing the assembled and provisionally locked position at a position different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 21] 21 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector and the mating connector according to the embodiment, showing the state of the connector in the fully assembled and fully locked position corresponding to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 22] 22 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector and the mating connector according to the embodiment, showing a state where assembly is completed and the connector is in a fully locked position, which is different from that shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially identical. Note that in this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish between parts, members, portions, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

[0010] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wire harness WH to which a connector 1 according to an embodiment is applied. The connector 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated into the wire harness WH to be routed in a vehicle such as an automobile. Here, the wire harness WH is, for example, a composite component made up of wiring materials W used for power supply and signal communication to connect various devices mounted on the vehicle, and the wiring materials W are connected to the various devices using connectors 1 or the like. The wire harness WH of this embodiment includes a plurality of conductive wiring materials W, connectors 1 provided at the ends of the plurality of wiring materials W, and a mating connector 100 electrically and mechanically connected to the connector 1. The wire harness WH may further include various other components such as grommets, protectors, and fixtures.

[0011] In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction will be referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the axial direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are approximately perpendicular to one another. The axial direction X typically aligns with the extension direction of the wiring material W, the mating direction (insertion direction) of the connector 1 and the mating connector 100, etc. The width direction Y typically aligns with the radial direction of the wiring material W, the width direction of the connector 1 and the mating connector 100, etc. The height direction Z typically aligns with the radial direction of the wiring material W, the height direction (up-down direction) of the connector 1 and the mating connector 100, etc. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description will be described as directions when the connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are assembled to a vehicle.

[0012] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 and the mating connector 100. As shown in Fig. 2, the mating connector 100 has, for example, a mating housing 120 and a mating terminal 110 (see Fig. 11) provided inside the mating housing 120. The mating terminal 110 is, for example, a male terminal fitting made of a conductive metal material, and is electrically connected to the terminal 10 of the connector 1. The mating terminal 110 is configured to include, for example, an electrical connection portion electrically connected to the terminal 10, and an electric wire crimping portion electrically connected to an end of an electric wire (not shown).

[0013] The mating housing 120 holds the mating terminals 110 and the like therein. The mating housing 120 is configured to include, for example, a mating housing main body 121 and a locking portion 122 protruding from the mating housing main body 121 in the height direction Z. The mating housing main body 121 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface of a packing 50 of the connector 1 described below. A mating terminal accommodating chamber extending along the axial direction X and accommodating the mating terminal 110 is provided inside the mating housing main body 121. The mating housing 120 is formed, for example, by the mating housing main body 121 and the locking portion 122 being integrally formed from an insulating resin material.

[0014] The locking portion 122 is a portion that is locked with a housing lock 25 of the connector 1, which will be described later, along the axial direction X. The locking portion 122 is formed, for example, in a claw shape on the outer peripheral surface of the mating housing main body 121. The locking portion 122 has one end face 122a located on one end side in the axial direction X (the connector 1 side) and another end face 122b located on the other end side in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the one end face 122a is inclined with respect to the axial direction X. Specifically, the one end face 122a is inclined so as to gradually move away from the outer peripheral surface of the mating housing main body 121 along the height direction Z as it moves from the one end side in the axial direction X toward the other end side (the opposite side to the connector 1). The one end face 122a is formed as an inclined surface that the housing lock 25 of the connector 1 moves over as the connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are mated.

[0015] The other end surface 122b is formed, for example, as a flat surface extending along the height direction Z. When the connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are in a fully mated state (see FIG. 19 ), which will be described later, that is, when the housing lock 25 moves over the lock engaging portion 122, the other end surface 122b is engaged with the housing lock 25 along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the engagement between the other end surface 122b and the housing lock 25 restricts movement of the connector 1 relative to the mating connector 100 along the axial direction X, and the fully mated state between the connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is maintained.

[0016] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the connector 1 includes, for example, a terminal 10, a housing 20, a mating assurance member 30, a retainer 40, a packing 50, and a wire seal 60. The terminal 10 is, for example, a female terminal fitting made of a conductive metal material, and is electrically connected to the above-mentioned mating terminal 110. The terminal 10 includes, for example, an electrical connection portion electrically connected to the mating terminal 110, and a wire crimping portion electrically connected to an end of the wiring material W. The terminal 10 is also called a crimp terminal, etc.

[0017] The wiring material W is configured to include, for example, a linear conductor portion having electrical conductivity and an insulating covering portion having electrical insulation that covers the outside of the conductor portion. The wiring material W is an insulated electric wire in which the conductor portion is covered with an insulating covering portion. Note that the conductor portion in this embodiment is a core wire in which multiple conductive metal wires are bundled together, but it may also be a twisted core wire in which the multiple metal wires are twisted together. The insulating covering portion is an electric wire covering that covers the outer periphery of the conductor portion. The insulating covering portion is formed, for example, by extrusion molding an insulating resin material or the like.

[0018] Each wiring material W extends linearly along the axial direction X and is formed to extend with approximately the same diameter in the axial direction X (extension direction). Furthermore, each wiring material W has, for example, a substantially circular cross-sectional shape of the conductor portion (cross-sectional shape intersecting the axial direction X) and a substantially annular cross-sectional shape of the insulating coating portion, so that the overall cross-sectional shape is substantially circular. At least one end of each wiring material W has the insulating coating portion stripped off, and a terminal 10 is crimped to the conductor portion exposed from the insulating coating portion. The wiring material W is also referred to as a terminal-attached electric wire, etc.

[0019] The housing 20 holds the terminals 10, the wiring material W, the wire seal 60, etc. inside. The housing 20 includes, for example, a housing main body 21, a pair of protective walls 22 protruding in the height direction from the housing main body 21, a connecting wall 23 connecting the pair of protective walls 22, and a housing lock 25 provided so as to be elastically deformable in the height direction Z relative to the housing main body 21. The housing 20 is formed by integrally forming the housing main body 21, the pair of protective walls 22, the connecting wall 23, and the housing lock 25 using, for example, an insulating resin material or the like.

[0020] The housing main body 21 is configured to include, for example, a plurality of terminal accommodating portions 21a, an inner cylindrical portion 21b, and an outer cylindrical portion 21c. Each of the plurality of terminal accommodating portions 21a extends along the axial direction X and accommodates a terminal 10 therein. In this embodiment, the housing main body 21 is provided with three terminal accommodating portions 21a lined up along the width direction Y. Adjacent terminal accommodating portions 21a in the width direction Y are connected to each other. Each terminal accommodating portion 21a is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape that conforms to the outer shape of the terminal 10, and protrudes from the inner cylindrical portion 21b along the axial direction X.

[0021] The inner cylindrical portion 21b covers the outer peripheries of the terminal accommodating portions 21a and is connected to the terminal accommodating portions 21a. The inner cylindrical portion 21b is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape that follows the inner circumferential surface of the packing 50. The outer cylindrical portion 21c covers the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 21b and is formed approximately concentrically with the inner cylindrical portion 21b. In this embodiment, a fitting recess into which the mating housing 120 of the mating connector 100 described above is fitted is provided between the outer cylindrical portion 21c and the inner cylindrical portion 21b. The outer cylindrical portion 21c is formed, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape that follows the outer periphery of the mating housing 120. Note that the outer cylindrical portion 21c has a notch, for example, in a portion between the pair of protective walls 22, for forming a housing lock 25 (described later).

[0022] The pair of protective walls 22 cover the housing lock 25 and the mating assurance member 30 from both sides in the width direction Y. The pair of protective walls 22, for example, protrude in the height direction Z from both ends of the outer tube portion 21c in the width direction Y and extend in the axial direction X. Stopper portions 24 are provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of protective walls 22 to be locked with the mating assurance member 30 in the axial direction X when the mating assurance member 30 is in a main locking position P2 (see FIG. 21 ), which will be described later. The stopper portions 24 are provided, for example, on the other end side (the mating connector 100 side) of the pair of protective walls 22 in the axial direction X, and protrude from the pair of protective walls 22 toward each other in the width direction Y.

[0023] The connecting wall 23 (see FIG. 3) connects one end (upper end) of the pair of protective walls 22 in the height direction Z. The connecting wall 23 is provided, for example, on the other end side of the pair of protective walls 22 in the axial direction X and extends along the width direction Y so as to span the space between the pair of protective walls 22. In this embodiment, an insertion space into which the fit assurance member 30 is inserted is provided between the pair of protective walls 22, the connecting wall 23, and the inner cylindrical portion 21b. The connecting wall 23 covers the one end side (upper side) of the fit assurance member 30 in the height direction Z when the fit assurance member 30 is in a full-locking position P2 (see FIG. 21) and a provisional-locking position P1 (see FIG. 19), which will be described later. In addition, a housing lock 25, which will be described later, is provided between the pair of protective walls 22 on the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b.

[0024] The fitting assurance member 30 is a member that allows the user to determine whether the fitted state between the housing 20 (housing main body 21) and the mating housing 120 is a fully fitted state or a partially fitted state, and guarantees this if it is a fully fitted state. The fitting assurance member 30 is assembled to the housing 20, and is configured to be immovable relative to the housing 20 from a temporary locking position P1 (see FIGS. 11, 13, and 15) when the fitted state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 is a partially fitted state. On the other hand, when the fitted state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 is a fully fitted state, the fitting assurance member 30 is configured to be movable relative to the housing 20 along the axial direction X between the temporary locking position P1 (see FIG. 19) and a full locking position P2 (see FIG. 21).

[0025] Therefore, the fitting assurance member 30 can determine whether the fitting state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 is a completely fitted state or a partially fitted state depending on whether it is in the temporary locking position P1 or the full locking position P2 with respect to the housing 20. When it is in the full locking position P2 with respect to the housing 20, the fitting assurance member 30 guarantees that the fitting state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 is a completely fitted state.

[0026] The retainer 40 (see FIG. 3) has a plurality of terminal accommodating portions 21a inserted therein and holds the terminals 10 in each of the terminal accommodating portions 21a. The retainer 40 has insertion holes into which the terminal accommodating portions 21a are inserted along the axial direction X, and through holes that communicate with the insertion holes and into which mating terminals 110 of the mating connector 100 are inserted along the axial direction X. The retainer 40 is formed, for example, from an insulating resin material.

[0027] The packing 50 prevents foreign matter such as moisture from entering the inside of the housing 20. The packing 50 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or resin. The packing 50 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b described above, and is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b. When the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 are fitted together, the packing 50 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b and the inner peripheral surface of the mating housing 120 (see FIG. 11).

[0028] The wire seal 60 prevents foreign matter such as moisture from entering the inside of the housing 20. The wire seal 60 is formed of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or resin. The wire seal 60 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the wiring material W, and is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the wiring material W. When the wiring material W is attached inside the housing 20, the wire seal 60 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the wiring material W and the inner peripheral surface of the inner tube portion 21b (see Figure 11).

[0029] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of housing lock 25 of connector 1. As shown in Fig. 4, housing lock 25 includes, for example, lock arm portion 25a, full-locking portion 25b, temporary-locking portion 25c, folding arm portion 25d, and unlocking operation portion 25e. Housing lock 25 is made of, for example, an insulating resin material, and lock arm portion 25a, full-locking portion 25b, temporary-locking portion 25c, folding arm portion 25d, and unlocking operation portion 25e are integrally formed.

[0030] The lock arm portion 25a (see FIG. 11) is a portion of the housing lock 25 that is formed in a cantilever spring shape and is formed to be elastically deformable along the height direction Z. The lock arm portion 25a includes, for example, a base end portion 25a1 (fulcrum portion) that protrudes along the height direction Z from the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b, and a tip end portion 25a3 that is connected to the base end portion 25a1 via a curved portion 25a2 and extends along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the housing lock 25 is provided with a pair of lock arm portions 25a (see FIG. 4) that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y.

[0031] The main locking portion 25b extends along the width direction Y of the housing lock 25 and connects the free ends 25a3 of the pair of locking arm portions 25a. The main locking portion 25b climbs over one end surface 122a (inclined surface) in the axial direction X of the locking portion 122 (see FIG. 11) as the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 are mated. When the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 are fully mated (see FIG. 19), the main locking portion 25b returns to its free state and is locked by the other end surface 122b in the axial direction X of the locking portion 122. In this state, the locking portion 122 is engaged between the pair of locking arm portions 25a (see FIG. 20). Furthermore, the full locking portion 25b is locked to the first protrusion 33 of the fit assurance member 30 when the fit assurance member 30 is in the full locking position P2 (see FIG. 21).

[0032] The folding arm portions 25d (see FIG. 4) are formed by folding back a portion of the lock arm portion 25a from both ends of the main locking portion 25b of the housing lock 25 in the width direction Y along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the housing lock 25 is provided with a pair of folding arm portions 25d spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y. The pair of folding arm portions 25d are positioned between the pair of lock arm portions 25a and the pair of protective walls 22 in the width direction Y. In this embodiment, the pair of folding arm portions 25d are inclined with respect to the axial direction X. Specifically, the pair of folding arm portions 25d are inclined so as to gradually move away from the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b in the height direction Z, for example, from the other end side toward one end side (the unlocking operation portion 25e side) in the axial direction X.

[0033] The temporary locking portion 25c is a portion of the housing lock 25 that is locked with the second protrusion 34 of the fitting assurance member 30 when the fitting assurance member 30 is in the temporary locking position P1 (see FIG. 12). The temporary locking portion 25c (see FIG. 4) is provided, for example, at approximately the center of the pair of folded arm portions 25d in the axial direction X, and protrudes from the pair of folded arm portions 25d toward sides that move away from each other in the width direction Y. That is, the temporary locking portion 25c is positioned between the pair of folded arm portions 25d and the pair of protective walls 22 in the width direction Y. The temporary locking portion 25c is also positioned apart from the full locking portion 25b in the axial direction X.

[0034] In this embodiment, temporary locking portion 25c is provided with locking surface 25c1 that is inclined with respect to axial direction X. Locking surface 25c1 is provided on the end surface of temporary locking portion 25c on the other end side in axial direction X (the second protrusion 34 side), and is locked with second protrusion 34. Locking surface 25c1 is inclined so as to gradually move away from the outer circumferential surfaces of inner and outer cylindrical portions 21b and 21c in the height direction Z, for example, from the other end side toward one end side in axial direction X (the side opposite to second protrusion 34).

[0035] The unlocking operation portion 25e is a portion of the housing lock 25 used as an operation portion for releasing the locked state (see FIG. 19 ) between the main locking portion 25b and the locking portion 122. The unlocking operation portion 25e extends along the width direction Y and connects one end of the pair of folding arms 25d in the axial direction X. For example, when the unlocking operation portion 25e is pushed toward the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion 21b (housing main body 21) along the height direction Z, the other end of the pair of folding arms 25d in the axial direction X, i.e., the main locking portion 25b side, rises along the height direction Z toward the side away from the locking portion 122. This releases the locked state between the main locking portion 25b and the locking portion 122.

[0036] Fig. 5 is a front view of the connector 1, showing the state where the mating assurance member 30 begins to be assembled, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a plan view (top view) of the connector 1. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1, showing the state during assembly at a position corresponding to Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1, showing the state where assembly has been completed at a position corresponding to Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a front view of the connector 1 and the mating connector 100, Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 10, showing the state where assembly begins, and Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in Fig. 10, showing the state where assembly begins.

[0037] 5 to 12, the fit assurance member 30 includes, for example, a fit assurance arm portion 31, a contact portion 32, a first protrusion portion 33, a second protrusion portion 34, a connecting portion 35, a pair of side walls 36, and an operating portion 37. The fit assurance member 30 is made of, for example, a flexible synthetic resin material or the like, and the fit assurance arm portion 31, the contact portion 32, the first protrusion portion 33, the second protrusion portion 34, the connecting portion 35, the pair of side walls 36, and the operating portion 37 are integrally formed.

[0038] The connecting portion 35 and the pair of side wall portions 36 are portions that constitute the main body of the fit assurance member 30. The pair of side wall portions 36 are provided, for example, at a distance from each other along the width direction Y and extend along the axial direction X. The pair of side wall portions 36 are inserted inside the pair of protective walls 22 described above. The connecting portion 35 connects the pair of side wall portions 36. The connecting portion 35 is provided, for example, on one end side of the pair of side wall portions 36 in the axial direction X and extends along the width direction Y so as to span between the pair of side wall portions 36.

[0039] The mating assurance arm 31 is a portion of the mating assurance member 30 that protrudes in a cantilever spring shape from the connecting portion 35 that constitutes the main body of the mating assurance member 30 toward the full-locking portion 25b of the housing lock 25. The mating assurance arm 31 is inclined with respect to the axial direction X, for example, when the mating assurance member 30 is in the temporary-locking position P1 and in a free state (see FIG. 11 ) before it is elastically deformed in accordance with the elastic deformation of the lock arm 25a. Specifically, the mating assurance arm 31 is inclined so as to gradually move away from the outer circumferential surface of the mating housing 120 in the height direction Z from the other end side (full-locking portion 25b side) toward the one end side in the axial direction X.

[0040] The abutment portion 32 is provided on the tip end 31a of the fit assurance arm portion 31, and is a portion that abuts against the full-locking portion 25b in accordance with the elastic deformation of the lock arm portion 25a when the full-locking portion 25b climbs over the lock engagement portion 122. The abutment portion 32 is provided, for example, on the other end face (tip end face) in the axial direction X of the fit assurance arm portion 31, and protrudes from this other end face along the axial direction X. In a state in which the abutment portion 32 abuts against the full-locking portion 25b in accordance with the elastic deformation of the lock arm portion 25a (see FIG. 13), the elastic restoring force of the fit assurance arm portion 31 presses the full-locking portion 25b toward the lock engagement portion 122.

[0041] The first protrusion 33 is provided on the tip end 31a of the mating assurance arm 31, and is the part that is locked with the full-locking portion 25b when the mating assurance member 30 is in the full-locking position P2 (see FIG. 21). The first protrusion 33 protrudes from the mating assurance arm 31 along the height direction Z toward the locking portion 122. When the mating assurance member 30 is in the full-locking position P2, the first protrusion 33 is located on the other end side (the mating connector 100 side) of the full-locking portion 25b in the axial direction X, and sandwiches the full-locking portion 25b between itself and the locking portion 122.

[0042] Furthermore, a recess 38 is provided between the first protrusion 33 and the abutment portion 32. The recess 38 is a portion that engages with the final locking portion 25b as the lock arm portion 25a elastically deforms when the final locking portion 25b climbs over the locking engagement portion 122. The recess 38 is provided on the other end face (tip face) of the fit assurance arm portion 31 in the axial direction X, and is recessed from the other end face toward one end side in the axial direction X. For example, when the fit assurance member 30 is in the temporary locking position P1 and before the fit assurance arm portion 31 elastically deforms as the lock arm portion 25a elastically deforms (see FIG. 11 ), the recess 38 is positioned away from the final locking portion 25b along the axial direction X.

[0043] The second protrusion 34 is a portion that is engaged with the engaging surface 25c1 of the temporary-locking portion 25c when the fit assurance member 30 is in the temporary-locking position P1 (see FIG. 12). The second protrusion 34 is provided, for example, on the other end side of the pair of side wall portions 36 in the axial direction X, and protrudes from the pair of side wall portions 36 toward each other along the width direction Y. In other words, the second protrusion 34 is provided on the inner surface of the pair of side wall portions 36. The second protrusion 34 is positioned apart from the first protrusion 33 along the axial direction X.

[0044] In this embodiment, the housing 20 is provided with a positioning portion 26 that abuts against the second protrusion 34 when the fit assurance member 30 is assembled. The positioning portion 26 (see FIGS. 6 and 7 ) protrudes, for example, from the pair of protective walls 22 toward each other in the width direction Y and is connected to the connecting wall 23. That is, the positioning portion 26 is formed as a portion of the connecting wall 23 that is wider in the axial direction X. The positioning portion 26 is provided at one end in the axial direction X and has an abutment surface 26a that can abut against the second protrusion 34. In this embodiment, when the fit assurance member 30 is assembled, the abutment surface 26a abuts against the second protrusion 34, thereby restricting the position of the fit assurance member 30 relative to the housing 20 in the axial direction X. Consequently, the second protrusion 34 and the temporary-locking portion 25c are aligned in the height direction Z.

[0045] In this embodiment, the housing 20 is provided with ribs 27 that engage with the side wall portions 36 (main body portion) along the axial direction X when the fitting assurance member 30 is in the provisional locking position P1 (see FIGS. 9 and 11 ). The ribs 27 are provided, for example, at one end of the housing main body 21 (outer cylindrical portion 21 c) in the axial direction X at positions corresponding to the pair of side wall portions 36, and protrude along the height direction Z. That is, the ribs 27 are provided in pairs spaced apart from each other along the width direction Y. Each of the pair of ribs 27 has an inclined surface 27 a that is inclined with respect to the axial direction X and engages with one end portion 36 a (rear end portion) of the side wall portion 36 in the axial direction X. The inclined surface 27 a is inclined, for example, so as to gradually move away from the outer circumferential surface of the housing main body 21 along the height direction Z from the other end portion (side wall portion 36 side) in the axial direction X toward the one end portion.

[0046] The fitting assurance member 30 is assembled to the housing 20 having the above-described configuration from one end side (upper side) in the height direction Z. First, in a first step (see FIG. 6), the fitting assurance member 30 is assembled to the housing 20 so that the abutment surface 26a of the positioning portion 26 abuts against the second protrusion 34. Next, in a second step (see FIG. 8), the fitting assurance member 30 is pushed down along the height direction Z to the housing 20 so that the temporary locking portion 25c abuts against the second protrusion 34 and the side wall portion 36 abuts against the rib 27. Then, in the third step (see FIG. 9 ), the fitting assurance member 30 is pressed down along the inclined direction between the height direction Z and the axial direction X so that the temporary-locking portion 25 c and the second protrusion 34 are locked to the housing 20 along the axial direction X, and the one end 36 a of the side wall 36 is locked to the inclined surface 27 a of the rib 27 along the axial direction X. At this time, in this embodiment, the inclined surface 27 a of the rib 27 guides the pair of side wall portions 36, and therefore the fitting assurance member 30, to the temporary-locking position P1 (see FIGS. 9 and 12 ). The temporary-locking position P1 is a position where the temporary-locking portion 25 c and the second protrusion 34 are locked to the axial direction X, and the one end 36 a of the side wall 36 is locked to the inclined surface 27 a of the rib 27 along the axial direction X.

[0047] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during assembly (during fitting) at a position corresponding to Fig. 11, Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during assembly (during fitting) at a position corresponding to Fig. 12, Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which side wall portion 36 rides up on inclined surface 27a at a position corresponding to Fig. 11, and Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which side wall portion 36 rides up on inclined surface 27a at a position corresponding to Fig. 12. Also, Fig. 17 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of first protrusion 33 in Fig. 16, and Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of second protrusion 34 in Fig. 16.

[0048] 13 to 18, in this embodiment, as the connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are mated, the main locking portion 25b climbs over the locking portion 122. At this time, as the locking arm portion 25a elastically deforms, the mating assurance arm portion 31 of the mating assurance member 30 is pushed toward one end side (the rib 27 side) in the axial direction X, allowing the pair of side wall portions 36 to climb up onto the inclined surface 27a. As a result, the locking position of one end portion 36a of the pair of side wall portions 36 in the axial direction X relative to the inclined surface 27a drops, and the mating assurance member 30 retreats along the axial direction X toward the opposite side from the main locking portion 25b.

[0049] 13 and 15, in this embodiment, for example, when the full-locking portion 25b rides up on the top of the lock-locking portion 122, the pair of side wall portions 36 ride up on the inclined surface 27a of the rib 27, causing the fitting assurance member 30 to retract. When the fitting assurance member 30 retracts relative to the full-locking portion 25b, a gap is formed in the axial direction X between the first protrusion 33 and the full-locking portion 25b. In other words, when the fitting assurance member 30 is in the partial-locking position P1 and the lock arm portion 25a is elastically deformed, the full-locking portion 25b is positioned in the recess 38 away from the first protrusion 33 in the axial direction X.

[0050] In this manner, in this embodiment, the mating assurance member 30 recedes relative to the temporary-locking portion 25c, thereby shortening the distance along the axial direction X from the base end 25a1 (fulcrum portion) of the locking arm portion 25a to the abutting portion 32. This reduces the elastic restoring force (reaction force) of the mating assurance arm portion 31 acting from the abutting portion 32 to the full-locking portion 25b, and therefore the elastic restoring force (reaction force) of the locking arm portion 25a acting from the full-locking portion 25b to the lock-locking portion 122. This improves the operability of the mating operation of the connector 1 and the mating connector 100 and the operability of the disengagement operation.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pair of side wall portions 36 ride up on the inclined surfaces 27a of the rib 27, causing the second protrusions 34 provided on the pair of side wall portions 36 to rise along the height direction Z. As a result, compared to a state in which the side wall portions 36 do not ride up on the inclined surfaces 27a (see FIG. 14), when the side wall portions 36 ride up on the inclined surfaces 27a (see FIGS. 16 and 17), the facing area between the temporary locking portion 25c and the one end 34a of the second protrusion 34 in the axial direction X increases. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temporary locking portion 25c and the second protrusion 34 from being disengaged from each other due to the inclination of the temporary locking portion 25c caused by the elastic deformation of the locking arm portion 25a.

[0052] Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of connector 1 and mating connector 100, showing a state where assembly is complete (mating is complete) and the connector is in temporary locking position P1 at a position corresponding to Fig. 11, Fig. 20 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of connector 1 and mating connector 100, showing a state where assembly is complete (mating is complete) and the connector is in temporary locking position P1 at a position different from Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of connector 1 and mating connector 100, showing a state where assembly is complete (mating is complete) and the connector is in full locking position P2 at a position corresponding to Fig. 11, and Fig. 22 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of connector 1 and mating connector 100, showing a state where assembly is complete (mating is complete) and the connector is in full locking position P2 at a position different from Fig. 21.

[0053] 19 to 22, in this embodiment, when the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 are fully fitted, that is, after the full-locking portion 25b has climbed over the locking portion 122 (see FIG. 19), the first protrusion 33 and the full-locking portion 25b are released from their locked state. Therefore, the fit assurance member 30 is movable relative to the housing 20 along the axial direction X between a temporary-locking position P1 (see FIG. 19) and a full-locking position P2 (see FIG. 21). Specifically, the fit assurance member 30 is configured to be movable relative to the housing 20 along the axial direction X within a range between the temporary-locking portion 25c (see FIG. 20) provided on the housing lock 25 and the stopper portions 24 (see FIG. 21) provided on the pair of protective walls 22.

[0054] At this time, in this embodiment, for example, an operating portion 37 (see FIG. 19 ) of the fitting assurance member 30 is operated. The operating portion 37 is a portion used as an operating portion for moving the fitting assurance member 30 along the axial direction X between the temporary-locking position P1 and the full-locking position P2. For example, the operating portion 37 protrudes along the height direction Z from the connecting portion 35 constituting the main body and extends along the width direction Y. For example, the operator can move the fitting assurance member 30 from the temporary-locking position P1 to the full-locking position P2 by pinching the operating portion 37 and pushing it toward the other end side in the axial direction X (the mating connector 100 side). In addition, for example, the operator can move the fitting assurance member 30 from the full-locking position P2 to the temporary-locking position P1 by pinching the operating portion 37 and pulling it out toward one end side in the axial direction X (the connector 1 side). The full locking portion 25b and the first protrusion 33 are provided with inclined surfaces that guide the movement of the fit assurance member 30 from the full locking position P2 to the partial locking position P1.

[0055] On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the mating state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 is in a semi-fitted state, i.e., before the full-locking portion 25b moves over the locking portion 122 (see FIGS. 11, 13, and 15), the locked state between the first protrusion 33 and the full-locking portion 25b is maintained. Therefore, the fit assurance member 30 is immovable relative to the housing 20 from the temporary-locking position P1. Specifically, the fit assurance member 30 is configured to be immovable relative to the housing 20 along the axial direction X within a range between the temporary-locking portion 25c (see FIGS. 12, 14, and 16) provided on the housing lock 25 and the full-locking portion 25b (see FIGS. 11, 13, and 15).

[0056] As described above, in the connector 1 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment, the rib 27 is provided with the inclined surface 27a inclined with respect to the axial direction X, and is configured so that the side wall portion 36 constituting the main body of the mating assurance member 30 can ride up onto the inclined surface 27a in accordance with the elastic deformation of the locking arm portion 25a and the mating assurance arm portion 31 when the full-locking portion 25b rides over the locking locking portion 122. With this configuration, in the connector 1 and the wire harness WH, for example, the side wall portion 36 rides up onto the inclined surface 27a of the rib 27, thereby lifting the second protrusion portion 34 provided on the side wall portion 36, thereby suppressing release of the locked state between the temporary-locking portion 25c and the second protrusion portion 34 caused by the tilt of the temporary-locking portion 25c in accordance with the elastic deformation of the locking arm portion 25a. As a result, the connector 1 and the wire harness WH allow the mating assurance member 30 to be properly assembled to the housing 20, and furthermore, the mating assurance member 30 can be prevented from coming off the housing 20.

[0057] Furthermore, in the connector 1 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment, the housing 20 has a pair of protective walls 22 that cover the mating assurance member 30 from both sides in the width direction Y, and positioning portions 26 that protrude from the pair of protective walls 22 toward each other in the width direction Y and that abut against the second protrusions 34 to align the second protrusions 34 with the temporary locking portions 25c in the height direction Z. With this configuration, for example, the connector 1 and the wire harness WH can improve the ease of assembling the mating assurance member 30 to the housing 20 by the positioning portions 26.

[0058] Furthermore, in the connector 1 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment, the inclined surface 27a has a guide function of guiding the side wall portion 36 constituting the main body to the temporary locking position P1 when assembling the mating assurance member 30 to the housing 20. With this configuration, the connector 1 and the wire harness WH can further improve the ease of assembling the mating assurance member 30 to the housing 20 by the inclined surface 27a, for example.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the housing lock 25 is formed in a cantilever spring shape relative to the housing main body 21, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, the housing lock 25 may be formed in a doubly supported spring shape relative to the housing main body 21. In addition, in the present embodiment, the connector 1 is configured as a female connector and the mating connector 100 is configured as a male connector, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, the connector 1 may be configured as a male connector and the mating connector 100 as a female connector.

[0060] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the specifications of each configuration, shape, and the like (structure, type, direction, format, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 connector 10 terminals 20. Housing 21 Housing body 22 Protective wall 25 Housing Lock 25a Lock arm part 25b Main locking part 25c Temporary locking part 26 Positioning part 27 Ribs 27a Slope 30. Fitting assurance member 31 Mating assurance arm 33 1st protrusion 34 Second protrusion 36 Side wall (main body) 100 Mating Connector 110 Counterpart terminal 120 Opponent Housing 122 Locking part W Routing material WH Wire Harness P1 Provisional locking position P2 locking position X-axis direction Y width direction Z height direction

Claims

1. a terminal electrically connected to a mating terminal of a mating connector; a housing including a housing main body that holds the terminals therein and is fitted along an axial direction with a mating housing of the mating connector, and a housing lock that is engaged along the axial direction with a lock engaging portion provided on the mating housing when the mating state between the housing main body and the mating housing is a completely fitted state; a mating assurance member that is assembled to the housing, that is configured so as not to be able to move relative to the housing from a temporary locking position when the mated state is a semi-fitted state, and that is configured so as to be able to move relative to the housing along the axial direction between the temporary locking position and a full locking position when the mated state is the full mated state, and that ensures the full mated state at the full locking position; the housing lock includes a lock arm portion extending from the housing main body along the axial direction and elastically deformable along a height direction intersecting the axial direction; a main lock portion provided on the lock arm portion, which moves over one end surface of the lock engagement portion in the axial direction as the housing main body and the mating housing are fitted together and which engages with the other end surface of the lock engagement portion in the axial direction when the fitted state is the completely fitted state; and a temporary lock portion provided at a distance from the main lock portion in the axial direction, the fitting assurance member has a main body portion, a fitting assurance arm portion that protrudes from the main body portion toward the full-locking portion in a cantilever spring manner, that comes into contact with the full-locking portion as the lock arm portion elastically deforms when the full-locking portion overcomes the lock-locking portion, and that presses the full-locking portion toward the lock-locking portion by its own elastic restoring force, a first protrusion portion that is provided at the tip end of the fitting assurance arm portion and is engaged with the full-locking portion at the full-locking position, and a second protrusion portion that is provided on the main body portion and spaced apart from the first protrusion portion along the axial direction, and that is engaged with the temporary-locking portion at the temporary-locking position, the housing has a rib that is engaged with the main body along the axial direction when the fitting assurance member is in the temporary engagement position, The rib is provided with an inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the main body portion is configured to be able to ride up onto the inclined surface in accordance with elastic deformation of the lock arm portion and the fitting assurance arm portion when the main engagement portion rides over the lock engagement portion. connector.

2. The housing has a pair of protective walls that cover the fitting assurance member from both sides in a width direction that intersects with the axial direction and the height direction, and positioning portions that protrude from the pair of protective walls toward each other along the width direction and abut against the second protrusion portion to align the second protrusion portion and the temporary locking portion along the height direction. The connector according to claim 1 .

3. the inclined surface has a guide function of guiding the main body to the temporary locking position when the fitting assurance member is assembled to the housing.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A conductive wiring material; A connector provided at an end of the wiring material, The connector comprises: a terminal electrically connected to a mating terminal of a mating connector; a housing including a housing main body that holds the terminals therein and is fitted along an axial direction with a mating housing of the mating connector, and a housing lock that is engaged along the axial direction with a lock engaging portion provided on the mating housing when the mating state between the housing main body and the mating housing is a completely fitted state; a mating assurance member that is assembled to the housing, that is configured so as not to be able to move relative to the housing from a temporary locking position when the mated state is a semi-fitted state, and that is configured so as to be able to move relative to the housing along the axial direction between the temporary locking position and a full locking position when the mated state is the full mated state, and that ensures the full mated state at the full locking position; the housing lock includes a lock arm portion extending from the housing main body along the axial direction and elastically deformable along a height direction intersecting the axial direction; a main lock portion provided on the lock arm portion, which moves over one end surface of the lock engagement portion in the axial direction as the housing main body and the mating housing are fitted together and which engages with the other end surface of the lock engagement portion in the axial direction when the fitted state is the completely fitted state; and a temporary lock portion provided at a distance from the main lock portion in the axial direction, the fitting assurance member has a main body portion, a fitting assurance arm portion that protrudes from the main body portion toward the full-locking portion in a cantilever spring manner, that comes into contact with the full-locking portion as the lock arm portion elastically deforms when the full-locking portion overcomes the lock-locking portion, and that presses the full-locking portion toward the lock-locking portion by its own elastic restoring force, a first protrusion portion that is provided at the tip end of the fitting assurance arm portion and is engaged with the full-locking portion at the full-locking position, and a second protrusion portion that is provided on the main body portion and spaced apart from the first protrusion portion along the axial direction, and that is engaged with the temporary-locking portion at the temporary-locking position, the housing has a rib that is engaged with the main body along the axial direction when the fitting assurance member is in the temporary engagement position, The rib is provided with an inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the main body portion is configured to be able to ride up onto the inclined surface in accordance with elastic deformation of the lock arm portion and the fitting assurance arm portion when the main engagement portion rides over the lock engagement portion. Wire harness.

Images