Connector device

Abstract

To absorb displacement in a direction parallel to a fitting direction.SOLUTION: A connector device includes a first housing 12 fixed to a first base member 11, a second housing 50 relatively displaceable with respect to a second base member 21, and a movable member 30 attached to the second base member 21 and movable in a direction orthogonal to a fitting direction between a fitting start position and a fitting completion position. The movable member 30 is formed with first and second guide grooves 42, 45 extending obliquely with respect to the connecting direction. In the process of bringing the first and second base members 11, 21 closer to each other, the first and second guide grooves 42, 45 guide the two housings 1250, to be connected while moving the movable member 30 from the connection start position to the connection end position. In a state where the movable member 30 reaches the connection end position, the connection of the two housings 1250, is completed and the two housings 1250, in the connection end state can be displaced integrally in the direction parallel to the connecting direction with respect to the second base member 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mating connector in which an outer housing and an inner housing are attached to a motor case. The mating connector is mated with a mating connector fixed to an inverter case. A spring member is attached to the inner housing of the mating connector. Any misalignment between the mating connector and the inner housing is absorbed by elastically deforming the spring member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-009092 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-described mating connector can absorb misalignment in a two-dimensional direction perpendicular to the mating direction between the mating connector and the inner housing, but cannot absorb misalignment in a direction parallel to the mating direction between the mating connector and the inner housing.

[0005] The connector device of the present disclosure was developed based on the above circumstances, and has an object to make it possible to absorb misalignment in a direction parallel to the mating direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector device of the present disclosure comprises: a first base member; a first housing fixed to the first base member; a second base member provided so as to be relatively close to the first base member; a second housing that is displaceable relative to the second base member and that can be fitted into the first housing as the first base member and the second base member approach each other; a movable member attached to the second base member and movable in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the first housing and the second housing between a mating start position and a mating completion position, The movable member is formed with a guide portion extending in a direction oblique to the fitting direction, In the process of the first base member and the second base member approaching each other, the guide portion guides the movable member to fit the first housing and the second housing together while moving the movable member from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position, When the movable member reaches the completed mating position, the mating of the first housing and the second housing is completed, and the first housing and the second housing in the completed mating state become one unit and can move relative to the second base member in a direction parallel to the mating direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to absorb misalignment in a direction parallel to the mating direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before a first connector and a second connector are mated. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the second base member. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the movable member. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second housing as viewed obliquely from above and from the front. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second housing as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a side view showing the state before the first connector and the second connector are mated. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged side view of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing a state in which the first housing and the second housing start to be fitted together. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which the first housing and the second housing are completely fitted together. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged side view of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state in which the first and second housings in the properly fitted state have moved to absorb any misalignment in the fitting direction between the first and second base members. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged side view of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a front view of the second connector in the state shown in FIGS. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the state of FIG. 15 as seen obliquely from above and rearward. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a front view of the second connector in the state shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional side view showing the state in which the connecting protrusion of the first housing and the connecting groove of the second housing are engaged with each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector device of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A connector includes a first base member, a first housing fixed to the first base member, a second base member provided so as to be relatively approachable to the first base member, a second housing displaceable relative to the second base member and capable of mating with the first housing as the first base member and the second base member approach each other, and a movable member attached to the second base member and movable in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the first housing and the second housing between a mating start position and a mating completion position. The movable member has a guide portion formed thereon that extends in a direction oblique to the mating direction. During the process of the first base member and the second base member approaching each other, the guide portion moves the movable member from the mating start position to the mating completion position, guiding the movable member to mate the first housing and the second housing with each other. When the movable member reaches the completed mating position, the mating of the first housing and the second housing is completed, and the first housing and the second housing in the completed mating state become one unit and can move relative to the second base member in a direction parallel to the mating direction.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, during the process of bringing the first base member and the second base member closer together, the first housing and the second housing are mated by the guide portion, and during this process, the movable member moves from the mating start position to the mating completion position. When the movable member reaches the mating completion position, the first housing and the second housing can be displaced relative to the second base member in a direction parallel to the mating direction while maintaining their mating completion state. As the two housings move relative to the second base member, the first base member and the second base member are displaced relative to each other in a direction parallel to the mating direction of the first housing and the second housing. This makes it possible to absorb positional misalignment between the first base member and the second base member in the direction parallel to the mating direction of the two housings.

[0011] (2) Preferably, the guide portion includes a first guide groove that slides against the first cam pin of the first housing during the mating process between the first housing and the second housing, and the movable member has a first escape groove that communicates with the terminal end of the first guide groove, such that when the movable member reaches the mating completion position, the first cam pin enters the first escape groove, thereby enabling relative movement with respect to the movable member in a direction parallel to the mating direction. According to this configuration, when the first and second base members are brought closer together, once the mating of the first and second housings is completed, both housings subsequently displace relative to the second base member. This allows the first and second housings to be mated and any misalignment between the first and second base members to be absorbed with a single action.

[0012] (3) In (2), it is preferable that the guide portion includes a second guide groove that slides against the second cam pin of the second housing during the mating process between the first housing and the second housing, and that the movable member has a second escape groove that communicates with the terminal end of the second guide groove, so that when the movable member reaches the mating completion position, the second cam pin enters the second escape groove, thereby allowing relative movement relative to the movable member in a direction parallel to the mating direction. According to this configuration, the guide portion extends obliquely with respect to the mating direction, and therefore the second guide groove included in the guide portion also extends obliquely with respect to the mating direction. Compared to a case in which the second housing is displaced relative to the second base member in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction without the second guide groove, the stroke in the mating direction during the mating process between the two housings is longer. This prevents a sudden increase in mating resistance between the two housings, improving operability.

[0013] (4) In (2) or (3), it is preferable that the first guide grooves are provided as a pair spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, and the first cam pins are arranged at the same interval as the interval between the pair of first guide grooves in the direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. With this configuration, by sliding the pair of first cam pins against the pair of first guide grooves, it is possible to prevent the first housing from tilting relative to the movable member.

[0014] (5) In (3), it is preferable that the second guide grooves are provided in pairs spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and the second cam pins are arranged at the same interval as the interval between the pair of second guide grooves in the direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

[0015] According to this configuration, by causing the pair of second cam pins to slide in contact with the pair of second guide grooves, it is possible to prevent the second housing from tilting relative to the movable member.

[0016] (6) In (3), it is preferable that the terminal end of the first escape groove and the starting end of the second guide groove are connected to each other. With this configuration, when the second cam pin is assembled into the second guide groove, the second cam pin can be guided into the second guide groove by the first guide groove and the first escape groove.

[0017] (7) In (3), it is preferable that the movable member is provided with a holding portion that holds the second cam pin at the starting end of the second guide groove. With this configuration, by holding the second cam pin at the starting end of the second guide groove, the second housing is positioned relative to the movable member, so that the mating operation of the first housing and the second housing can be started smoothly.

[0018] In (8) and (7), it is preferable that the retaining portion includes an elastic retaining piece formed on one of the second housing and the movable member and performing a retaining function by engaging with the other of the second housing and the movable member, and the first housing is provided with a release portion that releases the engagement by the elastic retaining piece when the first housing and the second housing begin to be mated. According to this configuration, when the first housing and the second housing begin to be mated, the retention by the elastic retaining piece is released by the release portion, allowing the second housing to move relative to the movable member. Since no work is required just to release the retention of the elastic retaining piece, workability is good.

[0019] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A connector device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 18. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In this first embodiment, the F direction in Figures 1 to 14, 16, and 17 is defined as the front. The R direction in Figures 1 to 5, 13 to 16 is defined as the right. The U direction in Figures 1 to 12, 15 to 17 is defined as the up.

[0020] <Overall configuration of connector device> As shown in FIG. 1, the connector device of the first embodiment has a first connector 10 and a second connector 20 arranged below the first connector 10. The first connector 10 and the second connector 20 can be mated with each other. The first connector 10 is designed to be able to move parallel to the up and down direction. The second connector 20 is provided in a standby state. The mating direction of the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 is the up and down direction. The first connector 10 has a first base member 11 and a first housing 12 fixed to the underside of the first base member 11. The surface of the first connector 10 facing the second connector 20 faces downward.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the second connector 20 is configured by assembling a second base member 21, a movable member 30, and a second housing 50. The second base member 21 is provided in a fixed state. The movable member 30 is attached to the second base member 21 so as to be movable relative to the second base member 21 only in two-dimensional directions (front-rear and left-right directions). The second housing 50 is attached to the movable member 30 so as to be movable relative to the second base member 21 only in two-dimensional directions (front-rear and up-down directions). The second housing 50 is provided so as to be movable relative to the second base member 21 in three-dimensional directions (up-down, front-rear and left-right directions). The surface of the second housing 50 that faces the first connector 10 faces upward.

[0022] The first base member 11 and the second base member 21 are assembled by moving them closer to each other in the vertical direction, and are fixed in their assembled state by a fitting structure, a fastening structure, or the like (not shown). As the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 move closer to each other, the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 are fitted together. The fitting direction of the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "fitting direction") is parallel to the assembly direction of the first base member 11 and the second base member 21. The positional relationship between the first base member 11 and the second base member 21, which are fixed in their assembled state, varies within the range of the assembly tolerance. This variation occurs in three dimensions. As described above, the second housing 50 is provided so as to be displaceable relative to the second base member 21 in three dimensions, so that the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 can be fitted together while absorbing any positional misalignment between the first base member 11 and the second base member 21. The detailed structures of the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 will be described below.

[0023] <Detailed Structure of First Connector 10> The first base member 11 shown in FIG. 1 has a flat plate shape with its thickness oriented vertically, and has a fitting portion (not shown) and an assembly portion (not shown) for assembling it to the second base member 21. The first housing 12 has a rectangular parallelepiped terminal holding portion 13 and a hood portion 14 that protrudes downward in a rectangular cylindrical shape from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the terminal holding portion 13. The terminal holding portion 13 holds a plurality of first terminal fittings 15 each having a male shape. The tabs (lower ends) of the first terminal fittings 15 protrude downward from the terminal holding portion 13 and are surrounded by the hood portion 14.

[0024] A guide pin 16 is formed on the first housing 12. The guide pin 16 protrudes from the lower surface of the terminal holding portion 13 to a position below the lower end of the hood portion 14. A first tapered surface 16S is formed at the lower end (tip) of the guide pin 16. A pair of first cam pins 17 each having a cylindrical protrusion is formed on each of the left and right outer surfaces of the hood portion 14. On each outer surface, the pair of first cam pins 17 are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction and at the same height in the up-to-down direction. A pair of left and right release portions 18 is formed at the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 14. The pair of release portions 18 are located at the corners where the left and right outer surfaces and the front surface are connected. A connecting protrusion 19 is formed on each of the front and rear outer peripheral surfaces of the hood portion 14. The connecting protrusions 19 are located above the release portions 18.

[0025] <Detailed Structure of Second Connector 20> The second base member 21 is a box-shaped member. As shown in Fig. 2, an operating space 22 is formed inside the second base member 21, with the operating space 22 being open to the top and rear surfaces of the second base member 21. Of the horizontal upper wall portion of the second base member 21, portions that form the opening edge of the operating space 22 function as a pair of left and right guide rails 23 extending in the front-rear direction. Each of the guide rails 23 is formed with a mating start position recess 24 and a mating completion position recess 25 that is positioned forward of the mating start position recess 24.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the movable member 30 is a single component having a rear wall portion 31 and a pair of left and right side wall portions 32. A fitting space 33 that is open to both the top and bottom surfaces and the front surface of the movable member 30 is formed inside the movable member 30. The first housing 12 and the second housing 50 are fitted together in the fitting space 33. A pair of upper and lower ribs 34 extending in the front-rear direction are formed at the lower end portions of the outer surfaces of the left and right side wall portions 32, respectively, with a gap between them in the up-down direction. A groove portion 35 extending in the front-rear direction is formed between the pair of ribs 34.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3, 13, and 14, elastic locking pieces 36 are formed in the regions of the left and right side wall portions 32 facing the groove portions 35, respectively, and extend rearward in a cantilevered manner. The elastic locking pieces 36 are capable of elastically displacing in the left and right directions. Locking protrusions 37 are formed at the rear ends of the outer surfaces of the elastic locking pieces 36. As shown in Figure 3, a pair of left and right elastic retaining pieces 38 are formed at the front end of the movable member 30. The elastic retaining pieces 38 are shaped to extend upward in a cantilevered manner from the lower ends of the front edges of the left and right side wall portions 32. The elastic retaining pieces 38 are capable of elastically displacing so as to tilt in the left and right directions. Protrusions 39 that protrude inward in the left and right directions are formed at the upper ends of the left and right elastic retaining pieces 38, respectively.

[0028] 3 and 8, each of the left and right side wall portions 32 of the movable member 30 has a pair of front and rear entrance grooves 41, a pair of front and rear first guide grooves 42, a pair of front and rear first escape grooves 43, a pair of front and rear communication grooves 44, a pair of front and rear second guide grooves 45, and a pair of front and rear second escape grooves 46. The first guide grooves 42 and the second guide grooves 45 function to fit the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 together as they are displaced downward.

[0029] The pair of entrance grooves 41 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction and arranged parallel to each other. The entrance groove 41 extends in the up-down direction parallel to the fitting direction of the housings 12, 50 and opens to the upper end surface of the side wall portion 32. The pair of first guide grooves 42 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction and arranged parallel to each other. The first guide groove 42 extends linearly in a diagonally downward direction from the terminal end (lower end) of the entrance groove 41. The starting end (upper end) of the first guide groove 42 is in the same position as the terminal end of the entrance groove 41. The pair of first guide grooves 42 are oblique to both the up-down direction (direction parallel to the fitting direction of the housings 12, 50) and the front-rear direction (direction perpendicular to the fitting direction of the housings 12, 50).

[0030] The pair of first escape grooves 43 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction and arranged parallel to each other. The first escape groove 43 extends downward from the terminal end (lower rear end) of the first guide groove 42. The starting end (upper end) of the first escape groove 43 is in the same position as the terminal end of the first guide groove 42. The vertical dimension of the first escape groove 43 is smaller than the vertical dimension of the first guide groove 42. The front-rear distance between the pair of entrance grooves 41, the front-rear distance between the pair of first guide grooves 42, and the front-rear distance between the pair of first escape grooves 43 are all the same dimension as the distance between the pair of first cam pins 17.

[0031] The pair of communicating grooves 44 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction and arranged parallel to each other. The communicating groove 44 extends linearly from the terminal end (lower end) of the first relief groove 43 rearward (in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction of the housings 12, 50). The starting end (front end) of the communicating groove 44 is in the same position as the terminal end of the first relief groove 43. As shown in FIG. 7, a retaining protrusion 47 is formed in the rear communicating groove 44. The retaining protrusion 47 protrudes downward from the upper of the upper and lower surfaces that make up the communicating groove 44.

[0032] The pair of second guide grooves 45 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction and arranged parallel to each other. The second guide groove 45 extends linearly diagonally downward and rearward from the terminal end (rear end) of the communicating groove 44. The starting end (upper front end) of the second guide groove 45 is in the same position as the terminal end of the communicating groove 44. The pair of second guide grooves 45 are oblique with respect to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. The length of the second guide groove 45 in the front-rear direction is the same as the length of the first guide groove 42 in the front-rear direction. The dimension of the second guide groove 45 in the up-down direction is smaller than the dimension of the first guide groove 42 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 8 , in a side view of the movable member 30 viewed from the side, the inclination angle β of the second guide groove 45 relative to the horizontal direction (front-rear direction) is smaller than the inclination angle α of the first guide groove 42.

[0033] The pair of second escape grooves 46 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction and arranged parallel to each other. The second escape groove 46 extends downward from the terminal end (lower rear end) of the second guide groove 45. The starting end (upper end) of the second escape groove 46 is in the same position as the terminal end of the second guide groove 45. The vertical dimension of the second escape groove 46 (the direction parallel to the fitting direction of the two housings 12, 50) is smaller than the vertical dimension of the second guide groove 45 and is the same as the vertical dimension of the first escape groove 43. The vertical dimensions of the first escape groove 43 and the second escape groove 46 are set to be larger than the expected vertical positional deviation between the first base member 11 and the second base member 21.

[0034] The second housing 50 is constructed by assembling multiple parts, and as shown in Figures 4 and 5, has a housing main body 51, a front plate portion 54, and a rear plate portion 55. A multiple number of female second terminal fittings (not shown) are housed inside the housing main body 51. Electric wires (not shown) connected to the second terminal fittings are led out downward from the housing main body 51. A guide hole 52 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the surface of the housing main body 51 facing the first housing 12. A second tapered surface 52S widening upward is formed at the opening edge of the guide hole 52.

[0035] A pair of second cam pins 53 each having a cylindrical protrusion shape is formed on each of the left and right outer surfaces of the housing main body 51. On each outer surface, the pair of second cam pins 53 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction and are arranged at the same height in the up-down direction. The distance between the pair of second cam pins 53 is the same as the distance between the pair of first cam pins 17, the distance between the pair of second guide grooves 45 in the front-rear direction, and the distance between the pair of second escape grooves 46 in the front-rear direction.

[0036] The front plate 54 is flat and has a thickness extending in the front-rear direction. The front plate 54 is formed to rise upward from the lower end of the front surface of the housing body 51. The rear plate 55 is flat and has a thickness extending in the front-rear direction. The rear plate 55 is formed to rise upward from the lower end of the rear surface of the housing body 51. A connecting groove 56 extending in the left-right direction across the entire width of the front plate 54 is formed on the rear surface of the front plate 54. A connecting groove 56 extending in the left-right direction across the entire width of the rear plate 55 is also formed on the rear surface of the rear plate 55, similar to the front plate 54. As shown in FIG. 16 , a pair of retaining recesses 57 are formed on both left and right ends of the connecting groove 56 formed in the front plate 54. A guide recess 58 is formed on the upper end of the rear surface of the front plate 54, cutting out from the upper edge of the front plate 54 toward the connecting groove 56. Similarly to the front plate 54, the rear plate 55 also has a guide recess 58 formed at the upper end of the rear surface thereof, which is cut out from the upper edge of the rear plate 55 towards the connecting groove 56.

[0037] Next, the assembly process and mating process of the connector device will be described. The first connector 10 is placed on standby above the second connector 20. In the second connector 20, second terminal fittings are attached to the second housing 50, and the second housing 50 is assembled to the movable member 30, which is then assembled to the second base member 21. When assembling the second housing 50 to the movable member 30, the second housing 50 is positioned above the movable member 30, and the electric wires leading out below the second housing 50 are passed through the mating space 33 of the movable member 30.

[0038] From this state, the second housing 50 is moved downward, and the four second cam pins 53 enter the four entrance grooves 41. Thereafter, while the second housing 50 is being advanced into the fitting space 33, the four second cam pins 53 are brought into sliding contact with the first guide groove 42, the first escape groove 43, and the communication groove 44 in that order, and are moved to the starting end of the second guide groove 45, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. During this time, the second housing 50 is displaced diagonally downward and rearward relative to the movable member 30.

[0039] When the four second cam pins 53 reach the starting ends of the second guide grooves 45, as shown in FIG. 16 , the retaining recesses 57 of the connecting grooves 56 of the front plate 54 fit into the protrusions 39 of the elastic retaining pieces 38. This fit restricts the second housing 50 from moving rearward and downward relative to the movable member 30. In other words, the second cam pins 53 cannot move toward the end of the second guide grooves 45. When the second cam pins 53 reach the starting ends of the second guide grooves 45, the rear second cam pin 53 engages with the retaining protrusions 47 as shown in FIG. 7 . This engagement prevents the second cam pins 53 from moving toward the first relief grooves 43 (the side opposite the end of the second guide grooves 45). As a result, the second housing 50 is held at the starting ends of the second guide grooves 45 in a state in which its relative displacement in the front-rear and up-down directions relative to the movable member 30 is restricted. With the above, the assembly of the second housing 50 to the movable member 30 is completed.

[0040] After the second housing 50 is assembled to the movable member 30, the movable member 30 is assembled to the second base member 21 from the rear. At this time, the lower end of the movable member 30 is advanced into the operating space 22 while the grooves 35 are fitted into and slidingly contact the guide rails 23. As shown in FIG. 13 , when the locking protrusions 37 of the elastic locking pieces 36 are fitted into the mating start position recesses 24, assembly of the movable member 30 to the second base member 21 is completed. In this state, the movable member 30 is held in the mating start position by the engagement between the elastic locking pieces 36 and the mating start position recesses 24.

[0041] 13, when the movable member 30 is held in the mating start position, a clearance necessary to absorb misalignment in the left-right direction between the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 is secured between the outer surfaces of the side wall portions 32 of the movable member 30 and the inner surfaces of the guide rails 23. Similarly, when the movable member 30 is held in the mating start position, a clearance necessary to absorb misalignment in two dimensions (front-rear and left-right directions) between the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 is secured between the locking protrusions 37 and the mating start position recesses 24. However, no clearance is secured between the inner surfaces (upper and lower paired ribs 34) of the groove portions 35 of the second base member 21 and the upper and lower surfaces of the guide rails 23 to absorb misalignment in the up-down direction between the first base member 11 and the second base member 21.

[0042] As a result, the assembly of the second connector 20 is completed, and at the same time, the second connector 20 is ready to begin mating with the first connector 10. Note that the assembly of the movable member 30 to the second base member 21 can be performed before the assembly of the second housing 50 to the movable member 30.

[0043] After this, the first base member 11 is lowered to approach the second base member 21, and the lower ends of the guide pins 16 are fitted into the guide holes 52. At this time, if the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 are misaligned in the horizontal direction (front-to-back or left-to-right), the first tapered surface 16S and the second tapered surface 52S slide against each other, displacing the second housing 50 and the movable member 30 in the front-to-back or left-to-right direction, thereby absorbing the misalignment between the two housings 12 and 50. Because a horizontal clearance is maintained between the movable member 30 and the second base member 21, the second base member 21 does not move. When the first connector 10 is lowered while the guide pins 16 are fitted into the guide holes 52, the lower end of the first housing 12 is fitted onto the upper end of the second housing 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the four first cam pins 17 enter the entrance grooves 41 and reach the starting ends of the first guide grooves 42.

[0044] When the first cam pin 17 reaches the starting end of the first guide groove 42, the release portion 18 of the first housing 12 abuts against the upper end of the elastic retaining piece 38, elastically deforming the elastic retaining piece 38 so as to tilt it outward in the left-right direction, as shown in Fig. 17. When the elastic retaining piece 38 elastically deforms, the protrusion 39 disengages from the retaining recess 57 of the second housing 50, allowing the second housing 50 to move diagonally downward and rearward relative to the movable member 30.

[0045] When the first connector 10 is further lowered from this state, the first cam pin 17 moves downward within the first guide groove 42 and presses against the inclined surface of the first guide groove 42, so that the movable member 30 is guided by the guide rail 23 and pushed forward. When the movable member 30 moves forward, the inclined surface of the second guide groove 45 presses the second cam pin 53 diagonally downward and forward. Because the movement of the second housing 50 in the front-to-rear direction is restricted by the engagement with the first housing 12, the second housing 50 is pushed downward as the movable member 30 moves forward. In other words, the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 move downward without relatively displacing in the front-to-rear direction.

[0046] Here, the inclination angle α of the first guide groove 42 with respect to the horizontal direction (the direction of movement of the movable member 30) is larger than the inclination angle β of the second guide groove 45. Therefore, when the movable member 30 moves forward by a certain distance, the distance that the first housing 12 moves downward (in the direction approaching the second housing 50 and the movable member 30) is larger than the distance that the second housing 50 moves downward (in the direction approaching the movable member 30). As a result, in the process of the first connector 10 approaching the second base member 21, the first housing 12 approaches the second housing 50 while the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 move downward, and the mating operation of the two housings 12, 50 progresses.

[0047] When both housings 12, 50 reach the properly mated state, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, first cam pin 17 reaches the terminal end of first guide groove 42 (starting end of first escape groove 43), and second cam pin 53 reaches the terminal end of second guide groove 45 (starting end of second escape groove 46). When both housings 12, 50 reach the properly mated state, movable member 30 reaches the mating completion position. As shown in Figure 14, movable member 30 is held in the mating completion position by the engagement between locking protrusion 37 of elastic locking piece 36 and mating completion position recess 25.

[0048] When both housings 12, 50 are properly mated, the first base member 11 has not yet reached the proper assembly position relative to the second base member 21, so the first connector 10 is further lowered. During this time, the first cam pin 17 descends within the first escape groove 43, and the second cam pin 53 descends within the second escape groove 46, thereby absorbing any misalignment between the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 in the up-down direction (the direction parallel to the mating direction of the two housings 12, 50). When the first base member 11 reaches the proper assembly position relative to the second base member 21, the lowering operation of the first connector 10 is completed (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

[0049] Unlike the first embodiment, if an attempt is made to absorb misalignment between the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 in the vertical direction (the direction parallel to the mating direction) during the mating of the first housing 12 and the second housing 50, variations will occur in the mating depth of the two housings 12, 50 (the positional relationship between the two housings 12, 50 in the mating direction) once the mating of the two housings 12, 50 is complete. In contrast, in the connector device of the first embodiment, after the mating of the two housings 12, 50 is complete, the two housings 12, 50 in the properly mated state are moved together, thereby absorbing the misalignment between the first base member 11 and the second base member 21. Therefore, the mating depth of the two housings 12, 50 is stable.

[0050] When the housings 12, 50 are properly mated, the front and rear connecting protrusions 19 of the first housing 12 are mated with the front and rear connecting grooves 56 of the second housing 50. To separate the properly mated housings 12, 50, the first connector 10 is moved upward. At the beginning of the movement, the second housing 50 rises together with the first housing 12 due to the engagement between the connecting protrusions 19 and the connecting grooves 56. During this movement, the first cam pin 17 moves within the first escape groove 43, and the second cam pin 53 moves within the second escape groove 46.

[0051] After the first cam pin 17 reaches the terminal end of the first guide groove 42 and the second cam pin 53 reaches the terminal end of the second guide groove 45, the first connector 10 is further raised. During the process of raising the first connector 10, the first cam pin 17 rises faster than the second cam pin 53 due to the difference in the inclination angles of the first guide groove 42 and the second guide groove 45, and the engagement between the connecting protrusion 19 and the connecting groove 56 is released. When the engagement between the connecting protrusion 19 and the connecting groove 56 is released, the connection between the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 is released, so only the first housing 12 rises and the two housings 12, 50 are separated.

[0052] The connector device of the first embodiment has a first connector 10 and a second connector 20. The first connector 10 has a first base member 11 and a first housing 12 fixed to the first base member 11. The second connector 20 has a second base member 21 that is provided so as to be relatively close to the first base member 11, a second housing 50, and a movable member 30. The second housing 50 is displaceable relative to the second base member 21 and can be mated with the first housing 12 as the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 approach each other. The movable member 30 is attached to the second base member 21 and can move between a mating start position and a mating completion position. The moving direction of the movable member 30 is perpendicular to the mating direction of the first housing 12 and the second housing 50.

[0053] The movable member 30 is formed with guide portions (first guide groove 42 and second guide groove 45) that extend obliquely relative to the mating direction of the two housings 12, 50. As the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 approach each other, the first guide groove 42 and the second guide groove 45 guide the movable member 30 to move from the mating start position to the mating completion position, thereby mating the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 with each other. When the movable member 30 reaches the mating completion position, mating between the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 is complete, and the two housings 12, 50 in the mated state can move together relative to the second base member 21 in a direction parallel to the mating direction.

[0054] According to the connector device of the first embodiment, during the process of bringing the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 closer to each other, the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 are mated by the first guide groove 42 and the second guide groove 45. During this process, the movable member 30 moves from the mating start position to the mating completion position. When the movable member 30 reaches the mating completion position, both housings 12, 50 can be displaced relative to the second base member 21 in the vertical direction parallel to the mating direction while maintaining their mating completion state. As the housings 12, 50 move relative to the second base member 21, the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 also displace relative to each other in a direction parallel to the mating direction of the housings 12, 50. This allows for the offset of the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 to be absorbed in the direction parallel to the mating direction of the housings 12, 50.

[0055] The movable member 30 has a guide function for mating the first housing 12 and the second housing 50, a first positional deviation absorption function for displacing the second housing 50 when not mated with the first housing 12 relative to the second base member 21 in two dimensions (front-to-back and left-to-right directions), and a second positional deviation absorption function for allowing the two mated housings 12, 50 to be displaced relative to the second base member 21 in the up-and-down direction.

[0056] The movable member 30 has a guide portion for fitting the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 together. The guide portion includes a first guide groove 42 that allows the first cam pin 17 of the first housing 12 to slide against the first guide groove 42 during the fitting process of the two housings 12, 50. The movable member 30 is formed with a first escape groove 43 that communicates with the terminal end of the first guide groove 42. When the movable member 30 reaches the fitting completion position, the first cam pin 17 enters the first escape groove 43, thereby becoming capable of moving relative to the movable member 30 in a direction parallel to the fitting direction. With this configuration, during the process of bringing the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 closer together, once the fitting of the two housings 12, 50 is completed, the two housings 12, 50 subsequently move relative to the second base member 21 in the fitting direction. This allows the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 to be fitted together and the positional deviation between the first base member 11 and the second base member 21 in the fitting direction to be absorbed with a single action.

[0057] The guide portion of the movable member 30 includes a second guide groove 45 that allows the second cam pin 53 of the second housing 50 to slide against the guide groove 45 during the mating process of the two housings 12, 50. The movable member 30 is formed with a second escape groove 46 that communicates with the terminal end of the second guide groove 45. When the movable member 30 reaches the mating completion position, the second cam pin 53 enters the second escape groove 46, thereby enabling relative movement with respect to the movable member 30 in a direction parallel to the mating direction. Because the guide portion extends obliquely with respect to the mating direction, the second guide groove 45 included in the guide portion also extends obliquely with respect to the mating direction. Compared to a case in which the second housing 50 is displaced relative to the second base member 21 in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction during the mating process without the second guide groove 45, the stroke in the mating direction during the mating process of the two housings 12, 50 is longer. This makes it possible to prevent a sudden increase in mating resistance between the two housings 12, 50, thereby improving workability.

[0058] A pair of first guide grooves 42 are provided spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction (a direction parallel to the movement direction of the movable member 30). The first cam pins 17 are arranged at the same interval as the interval between the pair of first guide grooves 42 in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. With this configuration, by sliding the pair of first cam pins 17 against the pair of first guide grooves 42, tilting of the first housing 12 relative to the movable member 30 can be prevented.

[0059] A pair of second guide grooves 45 are provided spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction (a direction parallel to the movement direction of the movable member 30). The second cam pins 53 are arranged at the same interval as the interval between the pair of second guide grooves 45 in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. With this configuration, by sliding the pair of second cam pins 53 against the pair of second guide grooves 45, it is possible to prevent the second housing 50 from tilting relative to the movable member 30.

[0060] The terminal end of the first escape groove 43 and the starting end of the second guide groove 45 are connected via the connecting groove 44. With this configuration, when the second cam pin 53 is assembled into the second guide groove 45, the second cam pin 53 can be guided into the second guide groove 45 by the first guide groove 42, the first escape groove 43, and the connecting groove 44.

[0061] The movable member 30 is provided with a holding portion (elastic holding piece 38 and holding protrusion 47) that holds the second cam pin 53 at the starting end of the second guide groove 45. According to this configuration, by holding the second cam pin 53 at the starting end of the second guide groove 45, the second housing 50 is positioned relative to the movable member 30, so that the mating operation of the first housing 12 and the second housing 50 can be started smoothly.

[0062] The retaining portion for retaining the second cam pin 53 at the starting end of the second guide groove 45 includes an elastic retaining piece 38. The elastic retaining piece 38 is formed on the movable member 30 and performs a retaining function by engaging with the front plate portion 54 of the second housing 50. The first housing 12 is provided with a release portion 18 that releases the engagement by the elastic retaining piece 38 when the two housings 12, 50 begin to be fitted together. With this configuration, when the two housings 12, 50 begin to be fitted together, the retention by the elastic retaining piece 38 is released by the release portion 18, allowing the second housing 50 to move relative to the movable member 30. Since no additional work is required just to release the retention by the elastic retaining piece 38, workability is improved.

[0063] [Other Examples] The present invention is not limited to the examples described above and illustrated in the drawings, but is defined by the claims. The present invention includes the meaning equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims, including the following embodiments. In the above-mentioned Example 1, the guide portion includes a first guide groove and a second guide groove, but the guide portion may also be configured to include only the first guide groove, so that the second housing can be displaced relative to the movable member in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction. In the above-mentioned first embodiment, a pair of first guide grooves are provided spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction (a direction parallel to the movement direction of the movable member), but the number of first guide grooves may be one or three or more. In the above-mentioned first embodiment, a pair of second guide grooves are provided spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction (a direction parallel to the movement direction of the movable member), but the number of second guide grooves may be one or three or more. In the above-mentioned Example 1, the terminal end of the first escape groove and the starting end of the second guide groove are connected via a connecting groove, but the terminal end of the first escape groove and the starting end of the second guide groove do not have to be connected. In the first embodiment, the elastic holding piece is formed on the movable member, but the elastic holding piece may be formed on the second housing. In the above-mentioned Example 1, the second base member is fixed and the first base member is brought close to the second base member, but the first base member may be fixed and the second base member may be brought close to the first base member, or both the first base member and the second base member may be brought close to each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10...First connector 11...First base member 12...1st housing 13...Terminal holding part 14...Hood section 15...First terminal fitting 16...Guide pin 16S: First tapered surface 17...First cam pin 18...Release section 19…Connection protrusion 20...Second connector 21...Second base member 22...Working space 23...Guide rail 24...Mating start position recess 25…Recess for mating completion position 30...movable part 31...Rear wall part 32...Side wall 33...Mating space 34...Rib 35...Groove 36...Elastic locking piece 37…Latching protrusion 38...Elastic holding piece (holding part) 39...Protrusion 41...Entry groove 42...First guide groove (guide portion) 43...First relief groove 44...Communication groove 45...Second guide groove (guide part) 46...Second relief groove 47...Holding protrusion (holding part) 50...Second housing 51...Housing body 52...Guide hole 52S: Second tapered surface 53...Second cam pin 54…Front plate part 55...Rear plate part 56...Connection groove 57...Retaining recess 58...Guide recess α...Inclination angle of the first guide groove β...Inclination angle of the second guide groove

Claims

1. A first housing; a second connector having a second base member, a second housing, and a movable member; the second housing is fittable to the first housing, the second housing is capable of relative displacement with respect to the second base member in a direction parallel to a fitting direction with the first housing, the movable member is capable of relative displacement with respect to the second base member between a mating start position and a mating completion position, The movable member is formed with a guide portion, In the process of fitting the first housing and the second housing together, the guide portion displaces the movable member from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position, When the movable member reaches the mating completion position and the mating of the first housing and the second housing is completed, the first housing and the second housing in the mating completion state can be integrally displaced relative to the second base member in a direction parallel to the mating direction.

2. The first housing has a guide pin that protrudes toward the second housing in the mating direction, The guide pin has a tapered surface formed at the tip thereof, the guide pin absorbs misalignment between the first housing and the second housing during the mating process of the first housing and the second housing; 2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the guide pin is disposed at a widthwise center of the first housing in a side view seen from a left-right direction perpendicular to both the mating direction and the front-rear direction.

3. The movable member has a pair of guide grooves spaced apart in a direction intersecting the fitting direction, the first housing has a pair of first cam pins spaced apart in a direction intersecting the fitting direction, 3. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of first cam pins move within the pair of guide grooves during the process of fitting the first housing and the second housing together.

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