connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of simplifying a structure of a housing while maintaining a function related to a fitting detection member.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes a housing 2 to be fitted to a mating housing 111 of a mating connector 101, and a side CPA4 as a fitting detection member which is slid and attached to the housing 2 and detects fitting between the housing 2 and the mating housing 111. The housing 2 has a locked projection 26 displaceable with respect to the 12a of the outer peripheral surface of the housing 2. The side CPA4 includes the locking projection 43 locked to the locked projection 26 by passing between the outer peripheral surface 12a and the locked projection 26 along the sliding direction of the side CPA4 while displacing the locked projection 26, and the abutting portion 47 facing at least a part of the locked projection 26 in a direction toward the locking projection 43 in a state where the side CPA4 detects the fitting between the housing 2 and the mating housing 111.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15A

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is a connector that includes a housing configured to be freely mated with a mating housing of a mating connector, and a mating detection member (CPA) that is slidably attached to the housing and detects the mating of the housing and the mating housing. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to a connector in which a protrusion (no reference numeral) is provided on the housing to prevent the mating detection member from being pushed through when an external force is applied to the mating detection member in the sliding direction while the mating detection member detects the mating of the housing and the mating housing. Furthermore, in this connector, before mating detection, a locked protrusion provided on the housing and a locking protrusion provided on the mating detection member can be used to place the mating detection member in a so-called provisionally locked state in which it is prevented from falling off the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-80955 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, a portion for setting the mating detection member in a provisionally locked state and a portion for preventing the mating detection member from being pushed through are separately provided on the housing. This makes the housing structure complicated, which can result in the mold for molding the housing becoming complicated, leaving room for improvement.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that simplifies the structure of the housing while maintaining the functionality of the mating detection member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing that mates with a mating housing of a mating connector, and a mating detection member that is slidably attached to the housing and detects the mating of the housing with the mating housing. The housing has an engaging protrusion that is displaceable relative to the outer surface of the housing, and the mating detection member has a locking protrusion that engages with the engaging protrusion by passing between the outer surface and the engaging protrusion in the sliding direction of the mating detection member while displacing the engaging protrusion, and a stop portion that faces at least a portion of the engaging protrusion in the direction toward the locking protrusion when the mating detection member is detecting the mating of the housing with the mating housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that simplifies the structure of the housing while maintaining the functionality of the mating detection member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing with a portion cut away. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a CPA. [Figure 6A] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector at the start of CPA attachment corresponding to the AA portion of FIG. 3. [Figure 6B] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connector corresponding to the BB portion of FIG. 3 at the start of CPA installation. [Figure 7A] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector at the start of CPA pushing, corresponding to the AA portion of FIG. 3. [Figure 7B] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector at the start of pushing in the CPA corresponding to the BB portion in FIG. 3. [Figure 8A] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector during insertion of a CPA corresponding to the AA portion of FIG. 3. [Figure 8B] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connector corresponding to the BB portion of FIG. 3 during insertion of a CPA. [Figure 9A] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector when the CPA corresponding to the AA portion of FIG. 3 is completely attached. [Figure 9B] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector when the CPA corresponding to the BB portion of FIG. 3 is completely attached. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a front view of a connector according to one embodiment connected to a mating connector. [Figure 11A] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connector before connection corresponding to the CC portion in FIG. 10. [Figure 11B] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connector before connection corresponding to the DD portion in FIG. 10. [Figure 12A] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connector in the middle of connection corresponding to the CC portion in FIG. 10. [Figure 12B] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connector corresponding to the DD portion of FIG. 10 during connection. [Figure 13A] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connector when the housing is fitted, corresponding to the CC portion in FIG. 10. [Figure 13B] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connector when the housing is fitted, corresponding to the DD portion in FIG. 10. [Figure 14A] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in the CPA main locking state corresponding to the CC portion of FIG. 10. [Figure 14B] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connector in a CPA fully locked state corresponding to the DD portion of FIG. 10. [Figure 15A] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connector during the function of the butting portion corresponding to the DD portion of FIG. 10. [Figure 15B] FIG. 15B is a partial enlarged view corresponding to part XVB in FIG. 15A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A connector according to one embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of convenience and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1. Fig. 3 is a front view of the connector 1 as seen from the side of a mating connector 101 to be connected.

[0011] The connector 1 is used, for example, as an automotive connector, to electrically connect a power source and a device, or between devices. The connector 1 is electrically connected to one device, etc., and is freely connectable to a mating connector 101 electrically connected to the other device, etc. In this embodiment, as an example, the mating connector 101 is a male connector, and the connector 1 is a female connector. Also, as an example, the connector 1 has a structure that allows up to three electric wires (not shown) electrically connected to any one of the devices to be connected via terminal fittings (not shown), respectively.

[0012] The connector 1 includes a housing 2, a front holder 3, a CPA 4, and a packing 5.

[0013] In this embodiment, the directions are defined as follows, for example. The X direction is the direction in which the connector 1 connects to the mating connector 101, and the direction in which the housing 2 mates with the mating housing 111 (see FIGS. 10 to 15A) of the mating connector 101. Hereinafter, when the housing 2 mates with the mating housing 111 along the X direction, the side of the housing 2 closer to the mating housing 111 may be referred to as the "front," and the side farther from the mating housing 111 may be referred to as the "rear." The Y direction and the Z direction are each perpendicular to the X direction and perpendicular to each other. The Y direction is a direction along the width direction of the housing 2. The Z direction is a direction from bottom to top along the height direction of the housing 2. Hereinafter, the Z direction may be referred to as "upper" or "lower" in accordance with this definition.

[0014] 4 is a perspective view of the housing 2. However, in FIG. 4, a portion of the housing 2 is broken away so that the overall structure of the housing lock 20 can be seen.

[0015] The housing 2 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is a housing that mates with a mating housing 111. When the connector 1 is a female connector, the housing may be called a "female housing." On the other hand, when the mating connector 101 is a male connector, the mating housing 111 may be called a "male housing." The housing 2 integrally includes an inner housing 11, an outer housing 12, a housing lock 20, a pair of protective walls 16, and a beam 17.

[0016] The inner housing 11 is cylindrical and is a portion that is accommodated inside the mating housing 111 when the housing 2 and the mating housing 111 are mated. On the other hand, the outer housing 12 is cylindrical and covers a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11 with a gap therebetween, and is a portion that accommodates the mating housing 111 inside when the housing 2 and the mating housing 111 are mated. In other words, when the housing 2 and the mating housing 111 are mated, the mating housing 111 is inserted into the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 12.

[0017] The inner housing 11 is formed so that a front end 14 of the inner housing 11 protrudes slightly forward beyond the front end surface of the outer housing 12. A packing 5 is attached to the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11 covered by the outer housing 12. In addition, a front holder 3 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the front end 14 of the inner housing 11.

[0018] The inner housing 11 also has a plurality of cavities 13 into which a plurality of terminals are respectively inserted from the rear. In this embodiment, three cavities 13 are provided, and the terminals to be inserted are female terminals. Each cavity 13 is open to the outside through an opening at the front end 14 of the inner housing 11, and a mating terminal (not shown) provided on a mating connector is inserted through this opening.

[0019] When the housing 2 and the mating housing 111 are mated, the housing lock 20 maintains the mated state by partially engaging with a locking protrusion 113 (see FIGS. 11A to 13A and 14A) provided on the mating housing 111. In other words, the housing lock 20 and the locking protrusion 113 form a locking mechanism. The housing lock 20 has a lock arm 21 and a release arm 24, each of which is elastically deformable.

[0020] The lock arm 21 integrally includes a pair of resilient arm pieces 22 and a locking piece 23. The resilient arm pieces 22 are U-shaped in plan view, cantilevered on the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11, and consist of a pair of left and right pieces extending forward parallel to the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11. The locking piece 23 connects the front ends of the resilient arm pieces 22 together in the left-right direction, and locks a locking protrusion 113 on the mating housing 111 when the connection between the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 is complete. The locking piece 23 is sometimes called a "lock beak."

[0021] The release arms 24 are U-shaped in plan view, and are formed as cantilevers at the front ends of the pair of elastic arm pieces 22, extending rearward. The release arms 24 have a release operation portion 25 that is pushed down when the locking pieces 23 and the locking protrusions 113 are disengaged. The release operation portion 25 is spaced apart from the inner housing 11 in the Z direction and is located above the elastic arm pieces 22. When the release operation portion 25 is pushed down and displaced downward, an upward release force is applied to the locking pieces 23 via the release arms 24.

[0022] The unlocking operation part 25 is block-shaped. The upper surface of the unlocking operation part 25 is preset to be higher than the upper end of the release arm 24. Furthermore, when the housing lock 20 is not deformed, the unlocking operation part 25 has a front end surface 25a whose normal direction is the X direction. When the CPA 4 is completely attached to the housing lock 20, a portion of the front end surface 25a faces a portion of the rear end surface of the CPA 4 in the X direction.

[0023] The release arm 24 also has a pair of locking projections 26, which are symmetrical to each other and project in directions away from each other along the Y direction, on both outer surfaces of the release arm 24, the normal direction of which is along the Y direction. The locking projections 26 are displaceable relative to the upper outer peripheral surface 12a of the housing 2, and a locking projection 43 provided on the CPA 4 is locked to the locking projections 26.

[0024] The locking projection 26 has a rear inclined surface 26a, a lower end surface 26b, a front inclined surface 26c, and a rear end surface 26d, each of which is parallel to the Y axis, which is an extension axis along the Y direction (see FIGS. 6B and 15B). The rear inclined surface 26a is the rear surface of the locking projection 26, is continuous with the lower end surface 26b and the rear end surface 26d, and is inclined so as to gradually approach the outer peripheral surface 12a from the rear to the front. The lower end surface 26b is the lower surface of the locking projection 26, and faces the outer peripheral surface 12a without contacting it. In particular, when the housing lock 20 is not elastically deformed, the lower end surface 26b is parallel to the outer peripheral surface 12a. The front inclined surface 26c is the front surface of the locking projection 26, is continuous with the lower end surface 26b, and is inclined so as to gradually approach the outer peripheral surface 12a from the rear to the front. The rear end face 26d is the rearmost face of the locked projection 26, and its normal direction is the opposite direction to the X direction. In this embodiment, the rear inclined face 26a, the lower end face 26b, the front inclined face 26c, and the rear end face 26d are all flat surfaces, but for example, at least one of the faces may include a partially curved surface.

[0025] Furthermore, since the engaging projection 26 is positioned above the outer peripheral surface 12a, a gap S is formed between the outer peripheral surface 12a and the engaging projection 26, through which the engaging projection 43 of the CPA4 can pass freely along the X direction (see Figures 6B, 7B and 8B).

[0026] The pair of protective walls 16 are disposed to sandwich a portion of the lock arm 21 in the Y direction, thereby protecting the housing lock 20. The beam 17 is hung in the Y direction in front of the protective walls 16 and above the outer peripheral surface 12a, thereby defining, together with the pair of protective walls 16, a space in which at least a portion of the CPA 4 is disposed.

[0027] The front holder 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin and is a cylindrical body that is assembled to the front end of the inner housing 11 of the housing 2. The front holder 3 has a first opening 31 and a second opening 32, each of which has an opening that opens along the X direction when assembled to the inner housing 11. The first opening 31 is located on the front side of the front holder 3 and exposes the front end 14 of the inner housing 11 to the outside when the front holder 3 is assembled to the inner housing 11. The second opening 32 is located on the rear side of the front holder 3 and introduces the front end of the inner housing 11 into the interior. A portion of the front holder 3 near the second opening 32 has a flange shape that prevents the packing 5 assembled to the inner housing 11 from slipping out forward.

[0028] 5 is a perspective view of CPA 4, drawn so that the underside can be seen. Hereinafter, the directions referred to in describing the shape or state of CPA 4 correspond to the directions relative to connector 1 when CPA 4 is or has been attached to housing lock 20.

[0029] The CPA 4 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is slidably attached to the housing lock 20 from the rear to ensure the mating position of the housing 2 into the mating housing 111. CPA is an abbreviation for Connector Position Assurance. The CPA is also called a "mating detection member" as it detects whether the housing 2 and the mating housing 111 are properly mated.

[0030] The CPA 4 integrally includes a pair of side walls 41 and a support wall 42. The pair of side walls 41 are walls facing each other in the Y direction, which corresponds to the width direction. The main plane of the side walls 41 is parallel to an imaginary XZ plane, and the side walls 41 are rectangular in shape with their longitudinal direction in the X direction, which corresponds to the length direction. The support wall 42 connects the rear portions of the upper ends of the side walls 41 together.

[0031] Each side wall 41 has locking projections 43 that protrude facing each other on the opposing surfaces of the side wall 41. Each of the pair of locking projections 43 is positioned so that when the CPA 4 is attached to the housing lock 20, it comes into contact with the locked projection 26 of the housing lock 20 and allows partial sliding of the surfaces. Each locking projection 43 is provided at the front lower corner of the corresponding side wall 41.

[0032] The locking projection 43 has a front inclined surface 43a, an upper end surface 43b, and a rear inclined surface 43c, each of which is parallel to the Y axis. The front inclined surface 43a is the front surface of the locking projection 43, is continuous with the upper end surface 43b, and is inclined so as to gradually approach the lower end of the side wall portion 41 as it moves from the rear to the front. The upper end surface 43b is the upper surface of the locking projection 43. The rear inclined surface 43c is the rear surface of the locking projection 43, is continuous with the upper end surface 43b, and is inclined so as to gradually approach the lower end of the side wall portion 41 as it moves from the rear to the front. In this embodiment, the front inclined surface 43a, the upper end surface 43b, and the rear inclined surface 43c are all flat surfaces, but, for example, at least one surface may include a partially curved surface.

[0033] Each side wall 41 has abutment portions 47 that protrude facing each other on the opposing surfaces of the side wall portions 41. Each of the pair of abutment portions 47 is arranged so as to be located rearward of the locked projections 26 of the housing lock 20 when the CPA 4 is attached to the housing lock 20. Each abutment portion 47 is provided rearward of the locking projection 43 on the corresponding side wall portion 41.

[0034] The abutment portion 47 is a block-shaped portion having at least a front end face 47a that faces a part of the locked projection 26 of the housing lock 20 when the CPA 4 detects the mating of the housing 2 and the mating housing 111. In this embodiment, the front end face 47a is a flat surface parallel to the imaginary YZ plane, but may include a curved surface in part, for example.

[0035] Furthermore, the support wall portion 42 is provided on its upper surface with a convex CPA operation portion 44 that is operated when sliding the CPA 4.

[0036] Furthermore, the CPA 4 has an arm piece 45 extending forward from the center of the support wall 42 in the Y direction. The arm piece 45 is supported by the support wall 42 in a cantilevered manner and tilted downward. A locking claw 46 extending downward is formed on the front end 45a of the arm piece 45. The front end 45a is shaped like an elongated plate with its longitudinal direction in the Y direction. The locking claw 46 is a convex portion with its longitudinal direction in the Y direction that matches the outer periphery of the front end 45a. However, the outer periphery of the base of the locking claw 46 is set to be slightly smaller than the outer periphery of the front end 45a. The arm piece 45 is elastically deformable so that the locking claw 46 swings upward with its rear end as a fulcrum. When the CPA 4 is in the provisionally locked state, the locking claw 46 abuts against the rear end of the locking piece 23 of the housing 2. The provisionally locked state of the CPA 4 will be described in detail below. On the other hand, when the CPA 4 is in a fully locked state, the locking claw 46 is locked to the locking piece 23. The "fully locked state" of the CPA 4 refers to the locked state when the CPA 4 ensures that the housing 2 is properly fitted to the mating housing 111, that is, when the housing 2 and the mating housing 111 are properly fitted to each other.

[0037] The packing 5 is an annular elastic body that is tightly fitted to the inner side of the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11 in the housing 2. When the connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 101, the packing 5 also comes into close contact with the inner wall of the mating housing 111, thereby achieving waterproofing and other functions.

[0038] Next, the procedure for attaching the CPA 4 to the housing lock 20 will be described. Figures 6A and 6B through 9A and 9B show the chronological steps of the procedure for attaching the CPA 4. It is also assumed that the front holder 3 and the packing 5 are pre-assembled in the housing 2.

[0039] 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of the connector 1 showing the state of the housing lock 20 and the CPA 4 when starting to attach the CPA 4. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA in FIG. 3. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line BB in FIG. 3. The line AA in FIG. 3 is a virtual XZ plane passing through the middle of the housing lock 20 and the CPA 4 in the Y direction. The line BB in FIG. 3 is a virtual XZ plane passing through both the locked protrusion 26 located downstream in the Y direction out of the pair of locked protrusions 26 and the locking protrusion 43 that may come into contact with the locked protrusion 26.

[0040] At the stage when the CPA4 begins to be installed, as shown in Figure 6A, the posture of the CPA4 is maintained so that the arm piece 45 faces forward, and the CPA4 is placed on the unlocking operation part 25 so that the underside of the support wall part 42 abuts against the unlocking operation part 25 of the housing lock 20.

[0041] 6B, the pair of locking projections 43 and the pair of abutment portions 47 of the CPA 4 are not in contact with any part of the housing lock 20. In other words, at this stage, no deformation has occurred in either the housing lock 20 or the CPA 4.

[0042] 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of the connector 1 showing the state of the housing lock 20 and the CPA 4 when the CPA 4 starts to be pushed in. Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA in Fig. 3. Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line BB in Fig. 3.

[0043] 7A, when the CPA 4 starts to be pushed in, the CPA 4 is pushed down toward the unlocking operation portion 25 of the housing lock 20, as indicated by the outlined arrow in the figure. When the unlocking operation portion 25 is pushed down in this manner, the locking piece 23 at the free end of the locking arm 21 of the housing lock 20 rises.

[0044] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7B, as the locking piece 23 rises, the posture of the release arm 24, which is connected to the locking piece 23 at its tip, also changes, causing each of the locked protrusions 26 to rise, and as a result, the gap S between the outer surface 12a and the locked protrusions 26 widens.

[0045] 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of connector 1 showing the state of housing lock 20 and CPA 4 when CPA 4 is inserted into the space defined below beam 17. Fig. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA in Fig. 3. Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line BB in Fig. 3.

[0046] 8A, while CPA 4 is being inserted, CPA 4 is pushed forward as indicated by the outlined arrow in the figure, while release operation portion 25 remains depressed. At this time, because release operation portion 25 remains depressed, housing lock 20 does not return to its original shape.

[0047] 8B, as the CPA 4 moves forward, the front inclined surface 43a of each locking projection 43 eventually comes into contact with the rear inclined surface 26a of the corresponding locked projection 26. Then, as the CPA 4 continues to move forward, the locking projection 43 moves forward while displacing the locked projection 26 upward based on the shape relationship between the front inclined surface 43a and the rear inclined surface 26a, and eventually passes through the gap S.

[0048] 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views of the connector 1 showing the state of the housing lock 20 and the CPA 4 when the attachment of the CPA 4 is complete. Fig. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA in Fig. 3. Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line BB in Fig. 3.

[0049] When the attachment of the CPA 4 is complete, as shown in FIG. 9A , the entire CPA 4 passes over the unlocking operation portion 25 before the tip of the CPA 4, where the locking claw 46 is provided, reaches the locking piece 23 of the housing lock 20. This causes the unlocking operation portion 25 to rise, and ultimately the housing lock 20 undergoes a return deformation and restores its shape. When the housing lock 20 has restored its shape, a portion of the front end surface 25a of the unlocking operation portion 25 faces a portion of the rear end surface of the CPA 4 in the X direction. Therefore, movement of the CPA 4 in the direction opposite the X direction is restricted by the unlocking operation portion 25.

[0050] 9B, the pair of locking projections 43 of the CPA 4 are already positioned forward of the locked projections 26 of the housing lock 20. Therefore, when the CPA 4 attempts to move in the direction opposite to the X direction, the rear inclined surfaces 43c of the locking projections 43 come into contact with the front inclined surfaces 26c of the locked projections 26, restricting further movement of the CPA 4.

[0051] In other words, once the CPA4 has been completely attached, even if the CPA4 is pulled in the direction opposite to the X direction, the movement of the CPA4 is doubly restricted by the unlocking operation portion 25 and the locked protrusion 26, and as a result, the CPA4 is prevented from falling off the housing lock 20.

[0052] 9A and 9B, the CPA 4 is prevented from falling off the housing lock 20, but because the connector 1 is not connected to the mating connector 101, the CPA 4 is not in its original locked state. Therefore, this state of the CPA 4 is also referred to as a "provisionally locked state." Furthermore, the pair of locking projections 26 provided on the housing lock 20 can be considered projections for maintaining the CPA 4 in the provisionally locked state, and therefore can also be referred to as "provisionally locked projections."

[0053] Next, the states of the housing lock 20 and CPA 4 when the housing 2 of the connector 1 is mated with the mating housing 111 of the mating connector 101 will be described. The following Figures 11A and 11B through 15A show the stages of the state of the housing lock 20 and CPA 4 in chronological order. It is also assumed that the front holder 3, CPA 4, and packing 5 are pre-assembled in the housing 2.

[0054] 10 is a front view of connector 1 connected to mating connector 101. In FIG. 10, the back side of base portion 112 of mating connector 101 to which connector 1 is connected can be seen.

[0055] 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views of the connector 1 showing the state of the housing lock 20 and the CPA 4 when connection of the connector 1 to the mating connector 101 is initiated. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line CC in FIG. 10. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line DD in FIG. 10. Here, the cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 10 is the same as the cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. The cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 10 is the same as the cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3.

[0056] The mating connector 101 includes a mating housing 111, a base portion 112 that supports the mating housing 111, and mating terminals (not shown) that are connected to terminal fittings assembled to the connector 1.

[0057] The mating housing 111 is a cylindrical enclosure made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is fitted with the housing 2 of the connector 1. The base portion 112 is depicted as an imaginary structural portion. In the mating connector 101 as an actual product, a mating cavity or the like for accommodating a mating terminal will be formed in the area corresponding to the base portion 112, but this will not be shown here.

[0058] Furthermore, the mating housing 111 has a locking protrusion 113 on its outer surface 111a that is locked by the locking piece 23 of the lock arm 21 of the housing 2 when the housing 2 and the mating housing 111 are mated. The locking protrusion 113 has a guide surface 113a, a tip surface 113b, and a locking surface 113c. When the housing 2 is mated with the mating housing 111, the guide surface 113a faces the locking piece 23 in the direction opposite to the X direction. The guide surface 113a is continuous with the outer surface 111a and the tip surface 113b of the mating housing 111, and is inclined so as to gradually approach the tip surface 113b as it moves in the X direction. The tip surface 113b is the surface of the locking protrusion 113 that is farthest from the outer surface 111a. The locking surface 113c is located on the opposite side of the guide surface 113a and faces the locking piece 23 when the locking piece 23 of the lock arm 21 is locked to the locking protrusion 113. The locking surface 113c is continuous with the outer surface 111a and the tip surface 113b, and is inclined so as to gradually approach the tip surface 113b as it advances in the X direction.

[0059] 11A and 11B, at the start of connection of the connector 1, the front holder 3 assembled to the inner housing 11 is inserted into the mating housing 111, and the mating housing 111 is inserted into the outer housing 12. As this insertion progresses, as shown in FIG. 11A, the locking piece 23 of the housing lock 20 eventually comes into contact with the guide surface 113a of the locking protrusion 113 provided on the mating housing 111. Thus, until the locking piece 23 comes into contact with a part of the locking protrusion 113, the housing lock 20 and the CPA 4 are not deformed.

[0060] 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views of the connector 1 showing the state of the housing lock 20 and the CPA 4 when the locking piece 23 of the housing lock 20 is lifted by the guide surface 113a of the locking protrusion 113. Fig. 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line corresponding to the CC section in Fig. 10. Fig. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line corresponding to the DD section in Fig. 10.

[0061] 12A, as connector 1 advances toward mating connector 101, locking piece 23 is lifted up to tip surface 113b of locking protrusion 113 along the slope of guide surface 113a. Meanwhile, with CPA4, front end 45a of arm piece 45 catches on the upper surface of locking piece 23, or locking claw 46 is guided by the slope of guide surface 113a, so that locking claw 46 is lifted up to tip surface 113b.

[0062] 12B, since a portion of the pair of side wall portions 41 constituting the CPA 4 has already been inserted into the space defined below the beam portion 17, the pair of locking protrusions 43 are not lifted up in line with the locking claws 46. On the other hand, the pair of locked protrusions 26 provided on the housing lock 20 are lifted up in line with the front end portions 45a of the arm pieces 45 without being hindered by the locking protrusions 43.

[0063] 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views of the connector 1 showing the state of the housing lock 20 and the CPA 4 when the mating of the mating housing 111 and the housing 2 is completed. Fig. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line CC in Fig. 10. Fig. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line DD in Fig. 10.

[0064] When the mating housing 111 and the housing 2 are completely fitted together, the packing 5 attached to the inner housing 11 in advance first comes into close contact with the inner wall of the mating housing 111, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B.

[0065] 13A, when connector 1 advances further toward mating connector 101 from the stage shown in Fig. 12A, locking piece 23 passes tip surface 113b, and housing lock 20 undergoes restoration deformation. As a result, locking piece 23 faces locking surface 113c of locking protrusion 113 in the direction opposite to the X direction, and is locked by locking protrusion 113. In other words, connector 1 is in a state where it cannot be released from mating connector 101 simply by being pulled in the direction opposite to the X direction, i.e., it is in a locked state.

[0066] 11A and 11B to 12A and 12B, the CPA 4 was maintained in the provisionally locked state. In contrast, at this stage, as shown in FIG. 13A, the CPA 4 remains resting on the tip surface 113b of the locking projection 113, and there is no obstacle in front of the locking claws 46 of the CPA 4. Therefore, the CPA 4 is now in a state where it can transition to the fully locked state.

[0067] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13B, the engagement relationship between the pair of locked projections 26 provided on the housing lock 20 and the pair of locking projections 43 provided on the CPA 4 simply returns to the state shown in FIG. 11B.

[0068] 14A and 14B are cross-sectional views of connector 1 showing the state of housing lock 20 and CPA 4 when mating between mating housing 111 and housing 2 is complete and CPA 4 is in a fully locked state. Fig. 14A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line corresponding to CC in Fig. 10. Fig. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line corresponding to DD in Fig. 10.

[0069] 14A, when the CPA 4 transitions to the fully locked state, the CPA 4 is pushed forward as indicated by the outlined arrow in the figure. At this point, there is no longer any obstacle in front of the locking pawl 46 of the CPA 4, so the locking pawl 46 passes over the locking piece 23 of the housing lock 20 and is locked to the front surface of the locking piece 23, and the CPA 4 finally reaches the fully locked state.

[0070] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 14B, when the CPA 4 is in the fully locked state, the locking projection 43 of the CPA 4 is always located in front of the locked projection 26 of the housing lock 20, and the abutment portion 47 of the CPA 4 is always located behind the locked projection 26. Note that Figure 14B illustrates a case where the locked projection 26 and the abutment portion 47 are not in contact with each other.

[0071] Next, the effects of the connector 1 will be described.

[0072] Connector 1 includes housing 2 that mates with mating housing 111 of mating connector 101, and CPA 4, a mating detection member that slides onto housing 2 and detects the mating of housing 2 with mating housing 111. Housing 2 has latched protrusion 26 that is displaceable relative to outer peripheral surface 12a of housing 2. CPA 4 has locking protrusion 43 that is locked to latched protrusion 26 by passing between outer peripheral surface 12a and latched protrusion 26 in the sliding direction of CPA 4 while displacing latched protrusion 26. CPA 4 also has abutting portion 47 that faces at least a portion of latched protrusion 26 in the direction toward locking protrusion 43 when CPA 4 detects the mating of housing 2 with mating housing 111.

[0073] Here, the sliding direction when the CPA 4 is slid and mounted in the housing 2 corresponds to the X direction in the above example.

[0074] First, in connector 1, when CPA 4 is slid and attached to housing 2, locking protrusion 43 passes between outer peripheral surface 12a and locked protrusion 26 along the sliding direction while displacing locked protrusion 26, thereby being locked by locked protrusion 26. In other words, when locking protrusion 43 is in a state locked by locked protrusion 26, it has already passed between outer peripheral surface 12a and locked protrusion 26, and the displacement of locked protrusion 26 has returned to its original position. Therefore, according to connector 1, by locking locking protrusion 43 with locked protrusion 26, movement of locking protrusion 43 in the direction opposite to the sliding direction is restricted by being blocked by locked protrusion 26, and therefore the state of CPA 4 can be brought into a provisionally locked state.

[0075] Fig. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 showing the state of the housing lock 20 and the CPA 4 when the CPA 4 is further pushed in along the sliding direction from the state shown in Fig. 14A, which illustrates the CPA 4 in a fully locked state. Fig. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along a cut surface corresponding to part CC in Fig. 10. Fig. 15B is an enlarged view of the part corresponding to part XVB in Fig. 15A, where the locked projection 26 provided on the housing lock 20 and the abutment part 47 provided on the CPA 4 abut against each other.

[0076] In connector 1, when CPA 4 is engaged with locked projection 26, locking projection 43 provided on CPA 4 passes between outer peripheral surface 12a and locked projection 26 in the sliding direction. In other words, when CPA 4 is completely attached to housing 2, locking projection 43 is located forward of locked projection 26 in the sliding direction. On the other hand, when CPA 4 detects that housing 2 is mated with mating housing 111, i.e., when CPA 4 is in a fully locked state, abutting portion 47 faces at least a portion of locked projection 26 in the direction toward locking projection 43. In other words, locked projection 26 is located between locking projection 43 and abutting portion 47 in the sliding direction. Therefore, according to connector 1, when an external force is applied to CPA 4 in the sliding direction, abutting portion 47 eventually abuts against locked projection 26, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B , thereby preventing CPA 4 from passing through in the sliding direction. 15A and 15B illustrate a state in which the front end surface 47a of the abutting portion 47 abuts against the rear end surface 26d of the locked projection 26 when an external force is applied to the CPA 4 in the sliding direction.

[0077] Furthermore, as described above, the parts that function to place the CPA 4 in the provisionally locked state are the locked projection 26, which is part of the housing 2, and the locking projection 43, which is part of the CPA 4. On the other hand, the parts that function to prevent the CPA 4 from being pushed through in the sliding direction during mating detection are the locked projection 26, which is part of the housing 2, and the abutment portion 47, which is part of the CPA 4, as described above. In other words, in this embodiment, the only part required in the housing 2 to achieve these two functions related to the CPA 4 is the locked projection 26. Therefore, according to the connector 1, it is possible to simplify the structure of the housing 2 while achieving these two functions related to the CPA 4.

[0078] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 that simplifies the structure of the housing 2 while maintaining the functionality of the CPA 4. Furthermore, according to such a connector 1, the simplified structure of the housing also allows for a simplification of the mold for molding the housing, which can, for example, shorten the time required for manufacturing or repairing the mold, and further be effective in reducing costs.

[0079] Furthermore, in the connector 1, the housing 2 may have an elastically deformable housing lock 20 that engages with a locking protrusion 113 provided on the mating housing 111 to maintain the mated state. The locked protrusion 26 may be a part of the housing lock 20.

[0080] In this case, the elastically deformable housing lock 20 is responsible for the displacement of the locked projection 26 relative to the outer peripheral surface 12a of the housing 2. Therefore, according to the connector 1, the housing 2 does not require a separate structural part just for realizing the displacement of the locked projection 26, and therefore the structure of the housing 2 can be prevented from becoming complicated.

[0081] Furthermore, in the connector 1, the housing lock 20 may have a lock arm 21 that flexes and deforms so that a locking piece 23 provided at a free end toward the side that mates with the mating housing 111 overcomes and engages with the locking protrusion 113. The housing lock 20 may also have a release arm 24 that has a tip end supported by the locking piece 23 of the lock arm 21 in a width direction perpendicular to the direction of bending of the lock arm 21 and to which the CPA 4 is attached. The CPA 4 may have an elastically deformable arm piece 45 provided with a locking claw 46 that engages with the locking piece 23, and a pair of side wall portions 41 facing each other with at least a portion of the arm piece 45 sandwiched therebetween. The locking protrusion 43 and the abutting portion 47 may be provided on each side wall portion 41 so as to face each other. The locked protrusion 26 may be provided on the release arm 24.

[0082] In this case, in CPA 4, abutment portion 47 is provided on side wall portion 41, similar to locking protrusion 43 that functions to place CPA 4 in a provisionally locked state. Therefore, according to connector 1, the complexity of the structure of CPA 4 can be minimized compared to the structure of a conventional CPA that does not have abutment portion 47.

[0083] Although one embodiment has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 connector 2. Housing 4 CPA (Mating Detection Element) 12a Outer surface 20 Housing Lock 21 Lock Arm 23 Locking piece 24 Release arm 26 Locked protrusion 41 Side wall 43 Locking protrusion 45 arm piece 46 Locking claw 47 Stop part 101 Mating Connector 111 Opposite Housing 113 Locking protrusion

Claims

1. a housing that mates with a mating housing of a mating connector; a mating detection member that is slidably mounted on the housing and detects mating between the housing and the mating housing, the housing has a locking projection that is displaceable relative to an outer peripheral surface of the housing, The fitting detection member is a locking projection that is locked to the locked projection by passing between the outer circumferential surface and the locked projection along a sliding direction of the fitting detection member while being displaced; a stop portion that faces at least a portion of the locked projection in a direction toward the locking projection when the fitting detection member detects the fitting of the housing and the mating housing.

2. The housing has an elastically deformable housing lock that engages with a locking protrusion provided on the mating housing to maintain the mated state, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the locking projection is a part of the housing lock.

3. The housing lock is a lock arm that is flexibly deformed so that a locking piece provided at a free end facing the mating side with the mating housing overcomes and engages with the locking protrusion; a release arm having a tip end supported by the locking piece of the locking arm in a width direction perpendicular to the bending direction of the locking arm, and for attaching the fitting detection member thereto; The fitting detection member is an elastically deformable arm piece provided with a locking claw that locks onto the locking piece; a pair of side wall portions facing each other with at least a portion of the arm piece interposed therebetween, the locking projection and the abutting portion are provided on each side wall portion so as to face each other, The connector according to claim 2 , wherein the engagement projection is provided on the release arm.

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