Connector device and mating connector

Abstract

To enable a connector to be smoothly fitted to a mating connector whose posture is inclined.SOLUTION: The connector device (10) includes a holder (11), a housing (20) to be connected to a mating connector (50) from below the mating connector (50), and a fulcrum portion (37) for supporting the housing (20) on the holder (11) at one position on an 20S of a lower surface of the housing (20), the housing (20) is tiltable about the fulcrum portion (37) in a two-dimension direction intersecting a connecting direction to the mating connector (50), and the housing (20) is provided with a first interfering portion (27), a second interfering portion (28) and a third interfering portion (29) surrounding the fulcrum portion (37) over the entire periphery in a plan view of the housing (20).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a floating connector that includes a slide housing with contacts attached and a base housing that holds the slide housing so that it can be relatively displaced in both the depth and width directions. This floating connector is capable of absorbing misalignment in two dimensions perpendicular to the mating direction during the mating process with the mating connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-093424 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the floating connector is mated with an inclined mating connector, it is difficult to correct the inclination, making it difficult for the floating connector to smoothly mate with an inclined mating connector.

[0005] The present disclosure was completed in light of the above circumstances, and has an object to enable smooth mating with a mating connector that is tilted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector device of the present disclosure comprises: A holder and a housing that is fitted to a mating connector from below the mating connector; a fulcrum portion that supports the housing on the holder at one point on the lower surface of the housing, the housing is tiltable about the fulcrum portion in a two-dimensional direction intersecting with a fitting direction with the mating connector, The housing is provided with an interference portion that surrounds the entire periphery of the fulcrum portion in a plan view of the housing from above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to smoothly mate with a mating connector that is tilted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector device of the first embodiment and the mating connector are separated from each other. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the connector device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the mating connector in an oblique position presses the interference portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the housing is tilted in the same direction as the mating connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3 in the same state as FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line DD in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the mating connector in an oblique position presses the interference portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the housing is tilted in the same direction as the mating connector. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a rear view in the same state as FIG. 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. Any combination of the following multiple embodiments within a range that does not cause contradictions is also included in the description of the present invention. The connector device of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A connector includes a holder, a housing that is mated with a mating connector from below the mating connector, and a fulcrum portion that supports the housing on the holder at one location on the underside of the housing, wherein the housing is tiltable about the fulcrum portion in a two-dimensional direction that intersects the mating direction with the mating connector, and the housing is provided with an interference portion that surrounds the fulcrum portion all around when viewed from above. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, since the interference portion surrounds the fulcrum portion all around when viewed from above, even if the mating connector presses any portion of the interference portion in the circumferential direction, the pressing force received by the interference portion from the mating connector acts on the housing as a moment force that swings the housing in the same direction as the mating connector. As a result, the housing tilts in the same direction as the mating connector, using the fulcrum portion as a fulcrum, eliminating the risk of wrenching between the mating connector and the housing. This allows for smooth mating with a tilted mating connector.

[0010] (2) It is preferable that the housing is capable of relative displacement with respect to the holder in a two-dimensional direction intersecting the mating direction with the mating connector. With this configuration, even if the mating connector is misaligned with the housing in the two-dimensional direction, the housing can absorb the misalignment of the mating connector by moving relative to the holder in the two-dimensional direction.

[0011] (3) In (2), it is preferable that the fulcrum portion is integrally formed on the lower surface of the housing, and the holder has a sliding surface that allows the fulcrum portion to slide in the two-dimensional direction. With this configuration, even if the housing moves in a two-dimensional direction that intersects the mating direction, the position of the fulcrum portion relative to the interference portion remains constant. Therefore, even if the mating connector is displaced in the two-dimensional direction, the housing can be tilted to the same position as the mating connector.

[0012] (4) In (1) to (3), at least one of the holder and the housing is preferably formed with an elastic retaining portion that can maintain the orientation of the housing in a neutral orientation facing the mating direction with the mating connector. With this configuration, when the orientation of the mating connector is not tilted, the mating connector and the housing can be smoothly mated.

[0013] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A connector device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. 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, 2, and 4 to 8 is defined as the front. The H direction in Figures 1, 2, and 4 to 11 is defined as the up. The R direction in Figures 1 to 4 and 9 to 11 is defined as the right.

[0014] The connector device 10 of the first embodiment is a device attached to, for example, the chassis (not shown) of an automobile. The connector device 10 is fitted from below to a mating connector 50 attached to the body (not shown) of the automobile. The mating connector 50 has female mating terminals (not shown). A guide portion 51 that protrudes toward the connector device 10 is formed on the surface (lower surface) of the mating connector 50 that faces the connector device 10. The guide portion 51 has a guide surface 52 that is inclined with respect to the fitting direction (up-down direction) with the mating connector 50. When the connector device 10 and the mating connector 50 are fitted together with a misalignment in a two-dimensional direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the fitting direction, the guide surface 52 slides against the connector device 10, thereby correcting the misalignment in the two-dimensional directions (front-rear and left-right directions) between the connector device 10 and the mating connector 50.

[0015] The connector device 10 is configured by assembling a holder 11 fixed to a chassis, a housing 20, and male terminal fittings (not shown). The neutral position of the holder 11 and the housing 20 is defined as when the holder 11 and the housing 20 are facing each other directly without tilting relative to the mating connector 50. The holder 11 is made of synthetic resin and is a single component having a front wall 12, a pair of symmetrical side walls 13, and a bottom wall 14. The pair of side walls 13 extend rearward from both left and right edges of the front wall 12. The bottom wall 14 extends rearward from the lower edge of the front wall 12. The left and right edges of the bottom wall 14 are connected perpendicularly to the lower edges of the left and right side walls 13. The upper surface of the bottom wall 14 is configured as a horizontal plane and functions as a sliding surface 15 that supports the housing 20.

[0016] A pair of support grooves 16 are formed in the pair of side wall portions 13, and are symmetrical on the left and right. The support grooves 16 extend in the front-to-rear direction and are open to the inner surface and rear end surface of the side wall portions 13. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the inner surface of the support groove 16 are flat and can be used as support surfaces 17 for stabilizing the posture of the housing 20. When the holder 11 and the housing 20 are facing the mating connector 50, the support surfaces 17 are perpendicular to the mating direction and extend in the front-to-rear direction (horizontal). A stopper 18 is formed on the upper surface of the inner surface of the support groove 16, protruding downward in a stepped shape.

[0017] The housing 20 is a single part made of synthetic resin and has a terminal holding portion 21, a fitting portion 22, and a wire cover 35. The terminal holding portion 21 is a rectangular parallelepiped portion. The fitting portion 22 is a square tubular portion extending upward from the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 21. The wire cover 35 is a rectangular box-shaped portion that is connected to the lower surface of the terminal holding portion 21 and is open at the rear. The terminal holding portion 21 holds male terminal fittings (not shown). Tabs for the terminal fittings are arranged within the fitting portion 22. Electric wires (not shown) connected to multiple terminal fittings are bundled together to form a wire harness 39. The wire harness 39 is bent backward inside the wire cover 35 and led out behind the wire cover 35.

[0018] In a plan view of the housing 20 viewed from above, the opening edge of the mating portion 22 has a rectangular shape with its long sides facing left and right. A tapered guide slope 23 is formed around the entire periphery at the upper end of the opening edge of the mating portion 22. The mating portion 22 is the portion into which the mating connector 50 is fitted from above. The mating portion 22 is composed of a front wall 24, a pair of left and right side walls 25, and a rear wall 26. Of the inner surfaces of the mating portion 22, the inner surfaces of the corners where both left and right end edges of the front wall 24 connect with the front end edges of the side walls 25 and the inner surfaces of the corners where both left and right end edges of the rear wall 26 connect with the rear end edge of the side wall 25 form quarter-circular arcs in a plan view. Four areas of the inner surface of the mating portion 22 other than the four corners are composed of flat surfaces.

[0019] The inner surface of the fitting portion 22 functions as continuous interference portions 27-29 around the entire circumference. As shown in Fig. 4, the interference portions 27-29 include a pair of first interference portions 27 that are symmetrical in the front-rear direction, a pair of second interference portions 28 that are symmetrical in the left-right direction, and four third interference portions 29. The first interference portions 27 are formed by flat areas on the inner surfaces of the front wall 24 and the rear wall 26. The second interference portions 28 are formed by flat areas on the inner surfaces of the pair of left and right side walls 25. The third interference portions 29 are formed by quarter-circular arc areas on the inner surface of the fitting portion 22.

[0020] A pair of symmetrical protrusions 30 are formed on the outer surface of the side wall 25 of the fitting portion 22. The protrusions 30 are elongated in the front-to-rear direction as a whole. An upper elastic retaining portion 31 is formed on the upper surface of the protrusions 30, extending rearward in a cantilevered manner. A lower elastic retaining portion 32 is formed on the lower surface of the protrusions 30, extending forward in a cantilevered manner. The upper elastic retaining portion 31 and the lower elastic retaining portion 32 are capable of elastic displacement in the vertical direction.

[0021] A fulcrum portion 37 is formed on the bottom wall 36 of the wire cover 35. The fulcrum portion 37 is a portion that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the bottom wall 36. The fulcrum portion 37 has a hemispherical or nearly hemispherical shape consisting only of curved surfaces. In a plan view, the fulcrum portion 37 is disposed at the center of the housing 20, a position close to the center, a position coinciding with the center of gravity of the housing 20, or a position close to the center of gravity of the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 4 , in a plan view, the fulcrum portion 37 is disposed so as to be surrounded in all directions by the interference portions 27 to 29. The fulcrum portion 37 is located midway between the pair of first interference portions 27 in the front-rear direction. The fulcrum portion 37 is located midway between the pair of second interference portions 28 in the left-right direction. The fulcrum portion 37 is located midway between two opposing third interference portions 29 in the diagonal direction of the opening edge of the fitting portion 22.

[0022] When the housing 20 is attached to the holder 11, the fulcrum portion 37 rests on the sliding surface 15 of the bottom wall portion 14 of the holder 11, the pair of protrusions 30 are housed in the pair of support grooves 16, and the wire holding portion, fitting portion 22, and wire cover 35 of the housing 20 are housed inside the holder 11. When assembling the housing 20 to the holder 11, the protrusions 30 are inserted into the support grooves 16 from the rear of the holder 11. During the insertion process, the upper elastic holding portion 31 interferes with the stopper 18, causing elastic displacement of the upper elastic holding portion 31 and the lower elastic holding portion 32. When the upper elastic holding portion 31 passes through the stopper 18, the assembly of the housing 20 to the holder 11 is complete. The rear end of the upper elastic holding portion 31 engages with the stopper 18, thereby holding the housing 20 in a prevented state from slipping out of the holder 11.

[0023] When the mating connector 50 and the connector device 10 are not mated, the left and right upper elastic retaining portions 31 and the left and right lower elastic retaining portions 32 are in contact with the upper and lower support surfaces 17, 17 of the support groove 16, thereby holding the housing 20 in a neutral position. At this time, the upper elastic retaining portions 31 and the lower elastic retaining portions 32 may or may not be elastically deformed.

[0024] 3, 5, 6, and 9, the lower surface 20S of the housing 20 in the neutral position is parallel to the sliding surface 15, which is the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 14. When the housing 20 is in the neutral position, a first clearance 41 is secured between the lower surface 20S of the housing 20 and the sliding surface 15. Similarly, when the housing 20 is in the neutral position, as shown in FIG. 4, a second clearance 42 is secured between the front and both left and right outer surfaces of the outer periphery of the housing 20 and the front wall portion 12 and both left and right side wall portions 13 of the holder 11. The rear surface of the housing 20 is open to the outside of the holder 11. The upper elastic retaining portion 31 and the lower elastic retaining portion 32 are capable of elastic deformation in both the up and down directions within the support groove 16.

[0025] By providing the first clearance 41 and the second clearance 42, the housing 20 in a neutral position can tilt in the front-rear and left-right directions with the lower end of the fulcrum portion 37 as a fulcrum. Furthermore, as the housing 20 tilts in the front-rear and left-right directions, the upper elastic retaining portion 31 and the lower elastic retaining portion 32 in the support groove 16 elastically deform while in contact with the support surface 17. The first clearance 41 allows the housing 20 to translate in the horizontal direction (front-rear and left-right directions) relative to the holder 11. The direction of translation of the housing 20 is a two-dimensional direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the connector device 10 and the mating connector 50. When the housing 20 moves horizontally, the lower end of the fulcrum portion 37 slides on the sliding contact surface 15 of the holder 11, and the upper elastic retaining portion 31 and the lower elastic retaining portion 32 come into sliding contact with the support surface 17.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6 , when the mating connector 50 attempts to enter the mating portion 22 while tilted forward, the mating connector 50 interferes with the pair of front and rear first interference portions 27 and applies a pressing force to the housing 20 in the mating direction (downward). This pressing force generates a moment force in the housing 20 that tilts it forward around the fulcrum portion 37. The pair of front and rear first interference portions 27 to which the pressing force is applied are positioned at separate positions on either side of the fulcrum portion 37 in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, when the first interference portions 27 are pressed downward while the mating connector 50 is tilted forward, the moment force generated in the housing 20 acts in a direction that tilts the housing 20 forward, so that the housing 20 tilts forward in the same manner as the mating connector 50, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 .

[0027] Even when the mating connector 50 attempts to enter the mating portion 22 with its posture tilted backward, the pressing force acting on the first interference portion 27 causes the housing 20 to tilt in the same direction as the mating connector 50, as described above. Therefore, whether the mating connector 50 is tilted forward or backward when mating is attempted, the mating of the mating connector 50 and the housing 20 proceeds smoothly.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 9 , when the mating connector 50 attempts to enter the mating portion 22 while tilted to the right, the mating connector 50 interferes with the pair of left and right second interference portions 28 and applies a pressing force to the housing 20 in the mating direction. This pressing force generates a moment force in the housing 20 that tilts it to the right around the fulcrum portion 37. The pair of left and right second interference portions 28 to which the pressing force is applied are positioned at separate positions on either side of the fulcrum portion 37 in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the second interference portions 28 are pressed downward while the mating connector 50 is tilted to the right, the moment force generated in the housing 20 acts to tilt the housing 20 to the right, so that the housing 20 tilts to the right, just like the mating connector 50, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 .

[0029] Even when the mating connector 50 attempts to enter the mating portion 22 with its posture tilted to the left, the pressing force acting on the second interference portion 28 causes the housing 20 to tilt in the same direction as the mating connector 50, as described above. Therefore, whether the mating connector 50 is tilted to the left or right when mating is attempted, the mating of the mating connector 50 and the housing 20 proceeds smoothly.

[0030] When the mating connector 50 attempts to enter the mating portion 22 while tilted in both the front-rear and left-right directions, the mating connector 50 interferes with the pair of front-rear first interference portions 27 and the pair of left-right second interference portions 28, and a pressing force in the mating direction (downward) is applied to the first interference portions 27 and the second interference portions 28. This pressing force generates a moment force in the housing 20 in a direction that tilts the housing 20 around the fulcrum portion 37. This moment force is a force in a direction that tilts the housing 20 in the same direction as the mating connector 50 in the front-rear and left-right directions, so the housing 20 tilts in the same direction as the mating connector 50.

[0031] The connector device 10 of the first embodiment includes a holder 11, a housing 20 that is fitted to a mating connector 50 from below the mating connector 50, and a fulcrum portion 37. The fulcrum portion 37 is a portion that supports the housing 20 on the holder 11 at one location on the lower surface 20S of the housing 20. The housing 20 is tiltable around the fulcrum portion 37 in a two-dimensional direction (horizontal direction) that intersects with the fitting direction with the mating connector 50. The housing 20 is provided with interference portions 27 to 29 that surround the entire periphery of the fulcrum portion 37 in a plan view of the housing 20 viewed from above.

[0032] According to the connector device 10 of the first embodiment, the interference portions 27-29 surround the entire periphery of the fulcrum portion 37 in a plan view of the housing 20 seen from above, so that even if the mating connector 50 presses any portion of the interference portions 27-29 in the circumferential direction, the pressing force received by the interference portions 27-29 from the mating connector 50 acts on the housing 20 as a moment force that swings the orientation of the housing 20 in the same direction as the mating connector 50. As a result, the orientation of the housing 20 tilts in the same direction as the mating connector 50, with the fulcrum portion 37 as the fulcrum, so there is no risk of wringing occurring between the mating connector 50 and the housing 20. Therefore, the mating connector 20 can be smoothly mated with the tilted mating connector 50.

[0033] The housing 20 is capable of relative displacement with respect to the holder 11 in two-dimensional directions (front-rear and left-right directions) that intersect with the mating direction with the mating connector 50. With this configuration, even if the mating connector 50 is misaligned with respect to the housing 20 in the two-dimensional directions, the housing 20 can absorb the misalignment of the mating connector 50 by displacing relative to the holder 11 in the two-dimensional directions.

[0034] The fulcrum portion 37 is formed integrally with the lower surface 20S of the housing 20. The holder 11 has a sliding surface 15 that allows the fulcrum portion 37 to slide in two dimensions. With this configuration, even if the housing 20 moves in a two-dimensional direction that intersects with the fitting direction, the position of the fulcrum portion 37 relative to the interference portions 27 to 29 remains constant. Therefore, even if the mating connector 50 is displaced in the two-dimensional direction, the housing 20 can be tilted to the same posture as the mating connector 50.

[0035] The housing 20 is formed with elastic holding portions 31, 32 that can hold the housing 20 in a neutral position facing the mating direction with the mating connector 50. With this configuration, when the mating connector 50 is not tilted, the mating of the mating connector 50 and the housing 20 is performed smoothly.

[0036] [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. The fulcrum is not limited to a downward protrusion formed on the lower surface of the housing, but may be an upward protrusion formed on the holder. The fulcrum portion is not limited to a shape that makes point contact with the holder, but may be a truncated cone or other shape that has a flat portion that can make surface contact with the holder. In this case, the housing can be held in a neutral position by making the flat portion surface contact with the holder. The fulcrum may be formed uniformly on the holder. The planar shape of the interference portion is not limited to a rectangle, but may be a circle, an oval, an ellipse, or the like. The housing may be made up of multiple parts. The elastic holding portion may be formed on the holder. The wire cover may be a separate part from the terminal holding portion and the fitting portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 10...Connector device 11...Holder 12...Front wall part 13...Side wall 14...Bottom wall 15…Sliding surface 16...Support groove 17...Support surface 18...Stopper 20. Housing 20S...Bottom of housing 21...Terminal holding part 22...Mating part 23...Guidance slope 24…Front wall 25…Side wall 26…Rear wall 27...First interference part 28...Second interference part 29...Third interference part 30…Protrusion 31...Upper elastic holding part 32...Lower elastic retaining portion 35...Wire cover 36…Bottom wall 37...Fulcrum 39...Wire harness 41...First Clearance 42...Second Clearance 50...Mating connector 51...Guiding part 52…Guiding surface

Claims

1. A holder and a housing that is fitted to a mating connector from below the mating connector; a fulcrum portion that supports the housing on the holder at one point on the lower surface of the housing, the housing is tiltable about the fulcrum portion in a two-dimensional direction intersecting with a fitting direction with the mating connector, The connector device is provided with an interference portion in the housing that surrounds the entire periphery of the fulcrum portion in a plan view of the housing viewed from above.

2. 2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is capable of relative displacement with respect to the holder in a two-dimensional direction intersecting a direction in which the housing is fitted to the mating connector.

3. The fulcrum portion is integrally formed on the lower surface of the housing, 3. The connector device according to claim 2, wherein the holder has a sliding surface that allows the fulcrum portion to slide in the two-dimensional direction.

4. A connector device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the holder and the housing has an elastic retaining portion formed thereon that can maintain the orientation of the housing in a neutral orientation facing the mating direction with the mating connector.

Images