connector

Abstract

To prevent unnecessary pressing of the lock release button. [Solution] The housing 20 has a cantilever-shaped flexible lock arm portion 23a extending in the connector fitting direction from the fixed end on the outer wall side of the housing body 21, a locking portion provided at its free end and positioned at a lockable position that allows it to lock with the mating locking projection to maintain a fully fitted state, and which moves from the lockable position to a lock-release position that releases the lockable state as the flexible lock arm portion deforms, and a lock release operation portion 23c that deforms the flexible lock arm portion by bending as it is pushed down toward the outer wall surface of the housing body, thereby releasing the lockable state of the locking portion. The fitting guarantee member 30 is provided with a lock release restraint portion 34 positioned between the outer wall surface of the housing body and the lock release operation portion at this locking position, which locks the pressed lock release operation portion and maintains the lockable state of the locking portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector, in order to maintain its fully mated state at the mating completion position with a mating connector, a locking portion of its own housing is locked to a mating locking projection of the mating housing in the fully mated state, which is known. And this connector is provided with a mating guarantee member for allowing a user to determine whether it is in a fully mated state or a semi-mated state with the mating connector. In this connector, if the mating guarantee member is locked at the main locking position with respect to the housing, it is in a fully mated state that can guarantee the energization quality with the mating connector, and if the mating guarantee member is at the temporary locking position with respect to the housing, it is in a semi-mated state that cannot guarantee the energization quality with the mating connector. For this type of connector, for example, it is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, the housing is provided with a cantilever-shaped flexible lock arm, a locking part positioned to engage the mating locking projection in a fully mated state, which releases the lockable state with the mating locking projection by bending and deforming the flexible lock arm, and a lock release operation part that is pushed down to release the lockable state and bend and deform the flexible lock arm. However, in conventional connectors, there is a possibility that the mating guarantee member at the main locking position may be moved to a temporary locking position in conjunction with the pressing operation of the lock release operation part. Therefore, in conventional connectors, even if the mating guarantee member is in the main locking position, there is a risk that the fully mated state with the mating connector may be released if the lock release operation part is pressed down. Therefore, in this type of connector, it is desirable to take measures to prevent unnecessary pressing of the lock release operation part due to contact with surrounding parts, etc.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can prevent unnecessary pressing of the lock release operation part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention comprises a wire with a terminal fitting connected to the end of the wire, a housing having a housing body that houses the terminal fitting and through which the wire is pulled outward, and a fitting guarantee member that stops at a temporary locking position relative to the housing when the housing and the mating housing are in a semi-fitted state, and is relatively movable relative to the housing in the connector insertion / removal direction between the temporary locking position and the full locking position when the housing and the mating housing are in a fully fitted state, and guarantees the fully fitted state at the full locking position, wherein the housing has a cantilever-shaped flexible lock arm portion extending in the connector fitting direction from a fixed end on the outer wall surface side of the housing body, and a fitting guarantee member provided at the free end of the flexible lock arm portion, and the The fitting guarantee member is characterized by having a locking portion positioned at a lockable position that allows it to lock with a mating locking projection on the outer wall surface of the hand housing, maintaining the fully fitted state, and moving from the lockable position to a lock-release position that releases the lockable state as the flexible lock arm deforms, and a lock release operation portion that releases the lockable state of the locking portion by deforming the flexible lock arm as the housing body is pushed down toward the outer wall surface, wherein the fitting guarantee member is provided with a lock release restraint portion positioned between the outer wall surface of the housing body and the lock release operation portion at the locking position, which locks the pressed lock release operation portion and maintains the lockable state of the locking portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the connector according to the present invention, when the housing and the mating housing are fully mated and the mating guarantee member is in the permanent locking position, the unlocking operation part cannot be pressed down until the mating guarantee member has been moved to the temporary locking position. Therefore, even if, for example, surrounding parts come into contact with the unlocking operation part 23c due to vehicle vibrations, the connector according to the present invention can prevent unnecessary pressing of the unlocking operation part. Accordingly, when the housing and the mating housing are fully mated and the mating guarantee member is in the permanent locking position, the connector according to the present invention can maintain the locking part and the mating locking projection in a lockable state, thereby keeping the housing and the mating housing fully mated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector of the embodiment, seen from the side of the lock release restraint portion of the mating guarantee member at the locking position. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the connector of the embodiment together with the mating connector before mating. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of the connector of the embodiment, seen from above. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a partially mated connector and its mating connector. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view of a partially mated connector and its mating connector, as seen from the mating connector side. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a plan view from above of the fully mated connector and mating connector, along with the mating guarantee member in the temporary locking position. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a fully mated connector and its mating connector together with the mating guarantee member at the locking position. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a plan view from above of the fully mated connector and mating connector, along with the mating guarantee member at the locking position. [Figure 10]Figure 10 is a partially enlarged view of the cross-section along line XX in Figure 6. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a partially enlarged view of the cross-section along the line Y1-Y1 in Figure 7. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a partially enlarged view of the cross-section along the line Y1-Y1 in Figure 9. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a partially enlarged view of the cross-section along the line Y2-Y2 in Figure 9. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the fitting guarantee member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the connector according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0010] [Embodiment] A mating connector is provided with two connectors (a first connector and a second connector) that interlock during mating. In this mating connector, the terminal fittings of both connectors interlock during the mating operation, creating a physical and electrical connection between them. Conversely, in this mating connector, the connectors are separated during the disconnection operation, thereby dissolving the physical and electrical connection between the terminal fittings of both connectors. The mating direction and the disconnection direction are opposite to each other. Hereafter, the direction of mating toward the other connector will be referred to as the "connector mating direction," and the direction of disconnection toward the other connector will be referred to as the "connector disconnection direction." When these bidirectional directions are not specified, they will be referred to as the "connector insertion / removal direction."

[0011] Here, the fitting states of each connector are roughly classified into a complete fitting state and a semi-fitting state. The complete fitting state refers to a state where each connector has been fitted and connected to the fitting completion position as designed, and a physical and electrical connection is established between the terminal fittings of both sides, ensuring the power conduction quality between them. The semi-fitting state refers to a state where each connector is not fitted to the fitting completion position, and regardless of whether there is a physical and electrical connection between the terminal fittings of both sides, the power conduction quality between them cannot be guaranteed.

[0012] In the following, we will focus on one of the first connector and the second connector, and explain one embodiment of this one connector in connection with the other mating connector based on FIGS. 1 to 14. Here, this one connector will be described as a female connector, and the other mating connector will be described as a male connector. However, this one connector and the other mating connector may be reversed in terms of male and female.

[0013] Reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 to 9 indicates the connector of this embodiment. This connector 1 includes a wire 10 with terminals, a housing 20, and a fitting guarantee member 30 (FIGS. 1 to 9).

[0014] The wire 10 with terminals includes a wire 11 and a terminal fitting 12 connected to the end of this wire 11 (FIG. 4). The terminal fitting 12 shown here has a terminal connection portion 12a in the shape of a female terminal. The connector 1 includes three such wires 10 with terminals.

[0015] The housing 20 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. This housing 20 has a housing body 21 in which the terminal fitting 12 is accommodated and the wire 11 is drawn out to the outside (FIGS. 1 to 9).

[0016] The housing body 21 accommodates three terminal wires 10 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the connector insertion / removal direction. The housing body 21 extends in the connector insertion / removal direction and has a separate housing section 21a for each terminal wire 10 (hereinafter referred to as "terminal wire housing section") (Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8). These three terminal wire housing sections 21a are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the connector insertion / removal direction and are connected to each other.

[0017] Furthermore, the housing body 21 has a long cylindrical first section 21b that covers the three terminal wire housing sections 21a from the outside and connects them on the inner circumferential surface side (Figure 4). The three terminal wire housing sections 21a protrude from the first section 21b in the connector mating direction and the connector removal direction, respectively. The terminal connection section 12a of the terminal fitting 12 is housed in the protruding portion on the connector mating direction side of the three terminal wire housing sections 21a, and the wire 11 is pulled outwards from the protruding portion on the connector removal direction side.

[0018] Furthermore, the housing body 21 has a second cylindrical portion 21c that is concentric with the first cylindrical portion 21b and has a cylindrical shape, and is formed with a cylindrical gap between it and the outer surface of the first cylindrical portion 21b (Figures 1 to 9). In this housing body 21, when the connector is mated, the elongated cylindrical mating housing 520 of the mating connector 501 is fitted into the cylindrical gap between the first cylindrical portion 21b and the second cylindrical portion 21c (Figures 2 and 5 to 9).

[0019] The connector 1 of this embodiment is provided with a retainer 41 that holds the terminal connection portion 12a within the three terminal wire housing portions 21a into which the wire housing portions 21a are fitted (Figures 2 to 4). This retainer 41 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The connector 1 is also provided with an elongated annular packing 42 that closes the elongated cylindrical gap between the outer surface of the first cylindrical portion 21b and the inner surface of the mating housing 520 when the mating housing 520 is fitted between the first cylindrical portion 21b and the second cylindrical portion 21c to the position where the mating is complete (Figures 2 and 4).

[0020] The housing 20 has a pair of protective walls 22a that project from the outer wall surface of the housing body 21 (Figures 1 to 9). The protective walls 22a shown here are plate-shaped vertical walls that project from the outer wall surface of the terminal-equipped wire housing section 21a and the second cylindrical section 21c, and extend in the direction of connector insertion and removal. The pair of protective walls 22a are positioned opposite each other with a gap between them in the direction of arrangement of the three terminal-equipped wire housing sections 21a. The housing 20 has locking walls 22b for each protective wall 22a that project from one protective wall 22a toward the other protective wall 22a with a gap between them and the outer wall surface of the housing body 21 (Figures 1 to 9). The housing 20 also has a connecting wall 22c that connects the pair of locking walls 22b (Figures 1 to 9). This connecting wall 22c is positioned with a gap between it and the outer wall surface of the housing body 21.

[0021] Housing 20 has a locking mechanism 23 that maintains a fully fitted state by engaging with the mating locking projection 521 on the outer wall surface of the mating housing 520 in a fully fitted state (Figures 1 to 9). This locking mechanism 23 is positioned between a pair of protective walls 22a and is protected by being covered from the outside by this pair of protective walls 22a.

[0022] The locking mechanism 23 has a cantilever-shaped flexible locking arm portion 23a that extends from the fixed end on the outer wall side of the housing body 21 in the connector fitting direction (Figures 1 to 9). The locking mechanism 23 also has a locking portion 23b provided at the free end of its flexible locking arm portion 23a (Figures 2 to 9).

[0023] The locking portion 23b becomes lockable when the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 are fully mated, by being positioned opposite the mating locking projection 521 on the connector mating direction side. This allows the locking mechanism 23 to prevent movement in the un-mating direction between the housing 20 and the mating housing 520. In other words, the locking portion 23b is positioned in a lockable position that allows it to lock with respect to the mating locking projection 521, thereby maintaining the fully mated state of the housing 20 and the mating housing 520.

[0024] The flexible lock arm portion 23a shown here extends from the locking portion 23b in the direction of connector removal, and at its extended end, it is bent toward the terminal-equipped wire housing portion 21a and connected to the outer surface of the terminal-equipped wire housing portion 21a (Figures 10 to 12). The flexible lock arm portion 23a is capable of bending deformation with the bent portion on its fixed end as the pivot point. When the connector is mated, the flexible lock arm portion 23a bends as the locking portion 23b on the free end side rides over the mating locking projection 521, and the bending deformation is released when the mating is complete and the locking portion 23b has overcome the mating locking projection 521. The locking portion 23b is positioned in a lockable position as the bending deformation of the flexible lock arm portion 23a is released.

[0025] On the other hand, when the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 are fully mated, the locking portion 23b can be moved from the lockable position to the unlocked position, which releases the lockable state with the mating locking projection 521, by bending and deforming the flexible lock arm portion 23a. By moving this locking portion 23b to the unlocked position, which is separated from the outer wall surface of the housing body 21, it can overcome the mating locking projection 521 in the connector removal direction. As a result, the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 can move freely in the unlocking direction. In other words, the locking portion 23b can release the fully mated state of the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 by moving from the lockable position to the unlocked position together with the bending and deformation of the flexible lock arm portion 23a.

[0026] Furthermore, the locking mechanism 23 has a lock release operation part 23c that, along with pushing down toward the outer wall surface of the housing body 21, causes the flexible lock arm part 23a to bend and deform, thereby releasing the lockable state of the locking part 23b toward the mating locking projection part 521 (Figures 1 to 9).

[0027] The locking mechanism 23 shown here has two flexible locking arm portions 23a spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to its own extension direction. These pair of flexible locking arm portions 23a are positioned opposite each other with a gap between them in the opposing arrangement direction of the pair of protective walls 22a. The locking mechanism 23 shown here also has a pair of locking arm portions 23d that extend in the connector insertion / removal direction and sandwich the pair of flexible locking arm portions 23a in their opposing arrangement direction (Figures 1 to 9).

[0028] The locking portion 23b is connected to the free ends of the pair of flexible lock arm portions 23a, and also to the ends of the pair of lock arm portions 23d in the connector mating direction. The unlocking operation portion 23c is connected to the ends of the pair of lock arm portions 23d in the connector removal direction.

[0029] The connecting wall 22c of the housing 20 covers the ends of the pair of flexible lock arm portions 23a and the pair of lock arm portions 23d on the locking portion 23b side from the side opposite to the first cylindrical portion 21b side.

[0030] In this housing 20, a portion of the second cylindrical portion 21c of the housing body 21 is cut out in the direction of connector insertion and removal, and a pair of flexible lock arm portions 23a, a locking portion 23b, and a pair of lock arm portions 23d are arranged in the space that appears to have been cut out and removed (Figures 2, 4 to 6, and 8).

[0031] In this locking mechanism 23, the locking portion 23b comes into contact with the mating locking projection 521 while the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 are being fitted together. The mating locking projection 521 is provided with an inclined surface 521a that moves away from the outer wall surface of the mating housing 520 as the housing 20 moves toward the connector fitting direction relative to the mating housing 520 (Figures 2 and 10 to 12). The locking portion 23b comes into contact with the inclined surface 521a while the fitting is in progress, and as it moves along this inclined surface 521a, it bends the pair of flexible locking arm portions 23a away from the first cylindrical portion 21b and the outer wall surface of the mating housing 520, and rides up onto the mating locking projection 521.

[0032] In this locking mechanism 23, when the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 are fully fitted together, the locking portion 23b overcomes the mating locking projection 521, eliminating the bending deformation of the pair of flexible locking arm portions 23a. As a result, the locking portion 23b is positioned to be able to lock onto the mating locking projection 521, so when attempting to separate the housing 20 and the mating housing 520, it locks onto the mating locking projection 521, maintaining the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 in a fully fitted state. In this fully fitted state, the mating locking projection 521 enters the space enclosed by the pair of flexible locking arm portions 23a and the locking portion 23b, and locks onto the locking portion 23b in this space.

[0033] In this locking mechanism 23, a lock release operation part 23c is used as an operation part to release the lockable state of the locking part 23b and the mating locking projection part 521. In this locking mechanism 23, a pair of lock arm parts 23d are made to protrude from a pair of flexible lock arm parts 23a on the opposite side from the terminal-equipped wire housing part 21a side and the first cylindrical part 21b side, and the pair of lock arm parts 23d protrude from the fixed end of the pair of flexible lock arm parts 23a on the connector removal direction side (Figures 10 to 12). In this locking mechanism 23, a lock release operation part 23c is connected to each end of the pair of lock arm parts 23d on the connector removal direction side. As a result, in this locking mechanism 23, when the lock release operation part 23c is pushed toward the terminal-equipped wire housing part 21a side, the lock release operation part 23c side of the pair of lock arm parts 23d is pushed toward the first cylindrical part 21b side.

[0034] The housing 20 is provided with a pivot point 24 for each lock arm portion 23d, which comes into contact with the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion 21c as the pair of lock arm portions 23d are pressed down, and acts as a fulcrum when the unlock operation portion 23c is further pushed toward the terminal wire housing portion 21a (Figures 3, 6, and 7). This pivot point 24 protrudes from the wall surface of the lock arm portion 23d on the side opposite to the flexible lock arm portion 23a, according to the desired lever ratio. The pivot point 24 shown here is located approximately in the center of the wall surface of the lock arm portion 23d in the connector insertion / removal direction.

[0035] In this locking mechanism 23, when separating the fully fitted housing 20 from the mating housing 520, the unlocking operation part 23c is pushed towards the terminal-equipped wire housing part 21a, thereby pushing down the unlocking operation part 23c side of the pair of locking arm parts 23d toward the first cylindrical part 21b, and bringing the pair of pivot points 24 into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical part 21c. In this locking mechanism 23, by further pushing the unlocking operation part 23c toward the terminal-equipped wire housing part 21a, the pair of locking arm parts 23d rotate around the pair of pivot parts 24, lifting the locking part 23b side of the locking arm part 23d and the locking part 23b away from the first cylindrical part 21b and the mating housing 520, while bending the pair of flexible locking arm parts 23a away from the first cylindrical part 21b and the mating housing 520, thereby releasing the lockable state of the locking part 23b and the mating locking projection 521. As a result, the housing 20 can be pulled out from the mating housing 520 in the connector removal direction.

[0036] The mating guarantee member 30 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. This mating guarantee member 30 allows the user to determine whether the mating state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 is fully mated or partially mated, and guarantees that it is fully mated if it is. This mating guarantee member 30 is assembled to the housing 20 between a pair of protective walls 22a. When the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 are partially mated, this mating guarantee member 30 remains in the temporary locking position without moving relative to the housing 20 to the full locking position. Furthermore, when the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 are fully mated, this mating guarantee member 30 can be moved relative to the housing 20 in the connector insertion / removal direction between the temporary locking position and the full locking position. Therefore, by observing whether the fitting guarantee member 30 is in a temporary locking position or a permanent locking position relative to the housing 20, it is possible to determine whether the fitting state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 is fully fitted or partially fitted. Furthermore, when the fitting guarantee member 30 is in the permanent locking position relative to the housing 20, it guarantees a fully fitted state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 520.

[0037] The fitting guarantee member 30 has a pair of side wall portions 31 that sandwich a pair of lock arm portions 23d in their opposing arrangement direction (Figures 1 to 9, 13 and 14). These pair of side wall portions 31 are sandwiched between a pair of protective walls 22a in their opposing arrangement direction.

[0038] The side wall portion 31 is formed as having a rectangular flat plate portion with a first side portion 31a and a second side portion 31b that are aligned along the connector insertion / removal direction (Figures 1, 2, 4 to 6, 8, 13, and 14). The first side portion 31a on the outer wall surface side of the housing body 21 and the second side portion 31b on the locking wall 22b side of the housing 20 are sandwiched between the outer wall surface of the housing body 21 and the locking wall 22b. The fitting guarantee member 30 moves relative to the housing 20 between the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position in the connector insertion / removal direction while suppressing rattling of the housing 20. Therefore, the outer wall surface of the housing body 21 is a guide wall that can guide the first side portion 31a in the connector insertion / removal direction while suppressing the inclination of the first side portion 31a with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction. Furthermore, the locking wall 22b is formed as a guide wall with a shape and arrangement that can guide the second side portion 31b in the connector insertion / removal direction while suppressing the inclination of the second side portion 31b with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction. The distance between the outer wall surface of the housing body 21 and the locking wall 22b is set to a size that allows relative movement of the side wall portion 31 between the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position with respect to the housing 20, while suppressing large rattle of the side wall portion 31 in between.

[0039] The fitting guarantee member 30 has a connecting portion 32 that connects to a pair of side wall portions 31 (Figures 1 to 9 and 14). The fitting guarantee member 30 has a cantilever-shaped fitting guarantee arm 33 that extends from the fixed end on the connecting portion 32 side in the connector fitting direction and applies a reaction force due to the bending deformation at the locking position to the locking portion 23b at the lockable position from the free end side toward the outer wall surface of the housing body 21 (Figures 1 to 9 and 14). The fitting guarantee arm 33 at the locking position applies a reaction force due to its own bending deformation to the locking portion 23b at the lockable position, thereby suppressing the bending deformation of the pair of flexible lock arm portions 23a and maintaining the lockable state between the locking portion 23b and the mating locking projection 521. As a result, the fitting guarantee arm 33 at the locking position can maintain a fully fitted state by the locking mechanism 23.

[0040] The mating guarantee arm 33 shown here has a projection 33a that protrudes from its free end (Figures 4, 8, 10 to 12, and 14). When the mating state of the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 is a semi-matted state, this projection 33a is positioned closer to the locking portion 23b in the space enclosed by the pair of flexible lock arm portions 23a and the locking portion 23b, and its movement in the connector mating direction can be locked by the locking portion 23b (Figure 10). In the case of the mating guarantee member 30, this position relative to the housing 20 is considered the temporary locking position. In this temporary locking position, the relative movement of the mating guarantee member 30 relative to the housing 20 in the connector mating direction is restricted.

[0041] In the fitting guarantee member 30, when the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 are fitted together, the locking portion 23b rides up onto the mating locking projection 521, and the peripheral edge of the projection 33a at the free end of the fitting guarantee arm 33 is lifted by the locking portion 23b, causing the fitting guarantee arm 33 to bend and deform. Then, in the fitting guarantee member 30, when the fitting state of the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 is fully fitted and the locking portion 23b rides over the mating locking projection 521, the projection 33a at the free end of the fitting guarantee arm 33 rides up onto the mating locking projection 521 (Figure 11). In the locking mechanism 23, as previously described, when the locking portion 23b is positioned in a lockable position over the mating locking projection 521, the mating locking projection 521 is inserted into the space enclosed by the pair of flexible locking arm portions 23a and the locking portion 23b. At this time, in the fitting guarantee member 30, the projection 33a at the free end of the fitting guarantee arm 33 remains mounted on the mating locking projection 521 and can be moved to the locking position.

[0042] In the mating guarantee member 30, by moving it to the locking position, the projection 33a at the free end of the mating guarantee arm 33 overcomes the mating locking projection 521 and the locking portion 23b, causing the mating guarantee arm 33 to deform in the direction of eliminating the bending deformation (Figure 12). As a result, in this mating guarantee member 30, the projection 33a is positioned opposite the locking portion 23b on the connector mating direction side, making it possible to lock it, and the peripheral edge of the projection 33a at the free end of the mating guarantee arm 33 acts a reaction force due to the bending deformation on the locking portion 23b at the locking position. Therefore, the mating guarantee member 30 suppresses the movement of the locking portion 23b to the unlocking position while relative movement in the connector removal direction is restricted at the locking position, thus maintaining a fully mated state by the locking mechanism 23.

[0043] When separating the fully mated housing 20 from the mating housing 520, the mating guarantee member 30 is lifted and deformed by an external force applied to the free end of the mating guarantee arm 33, and then moved from the permanent locking position to the temporary locking position. The housing 20 can then be pulled out from the mating housing 520 in the connector removal direction by pressing the lock release operation part 23c, which moves the locking part 23b to the unlocked position.

[0044] In the locking mechanism 23, if the lock release operation unit 23c is pressed when the fitting guarantee member 30 is in the fully locked position, the locking unit 23b moves to the unlocked position, applying force to the free end of the fitting guarantee arm 33, thereby lifting the fitting guarantee arm 33. Therefore, in this case, the fitting guarantee member 30 can be moved from the fully locked position to the temporary locked position, which allows the fully fitted housing 20 and the mating housing 520 to be separated.

[0045] Therefore, the fitting guarantee member 30 is provided with a lock release restraint member 34 that is positioned between the outer wall surface of the housing body 21 and the lock release operation part 23c at the locking position, and locks the pressed lock release operation part 23c to maintain the lockable state of the locking part 23b with respect to the mating locking projection part 521 (Figures 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 to 12 and 14).

[0046] The lock release restraint 34 may either restrain the movement of the lock release operation unit 23c toward the outer wall surface of the housing body 21, or it may allow the movement of the lock release operation unit 23c toward the outer wall surface of the housing body 21 while keeping the locking unit 23b in a lockable position. In this example, the latter type of lock release restraint 34 is provided.

[0047] The lock release restraint portion 34 shown here is connected to the pair of side wall portions 31 between their respective ends in the connector removal direction (Figures 4 and 14). The lock release restraint portion 34 shown here is positioned between the terminal-equipped wire housing portion 21a, which is part of the outer wall surface of the housing body 21, and the lock release operation portion 23c in this locked position (Figure 12).

[0048] Even when the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 are fully fitted together, the lock release restraint 34 is not positioned between the terminal-equipped wire housing 21a and the lock release operation part 23c if the fitting guarantee member 30 is in the temporary locking position (Figures 7 and 11). Therefore, in this case, the lock release operation part 23c can be pushed down until the locking part 23b, which is in the lockable position, is moved to the unlocked position.

[0049] Thus, in this embodiment, the connector 1 cannot push down the unlocking operation part 23c until the mating guarantee member 30 has been moved to the temporary locking position, even when the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 are fully mated and the mating guarantee member 30 is in the permanent locking position. Therefore, even if, for example, surrounding parts come into contact with the unlocking operation part 23c due to vehicle vibrations, the connector 1 of this embodiment can prevent unnecessary pressing of the unlocking operation part 23c. Consequently, the connector 1 of this embodiment can maintain the locking portion 23b and the mating locking projection 521 in a lockable state when the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 are fully mated and the mating guarantee member 30 is in the permanent locking position, thereby keeping the housing 20 and the mating housing 520 in a fully mated state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Connector 10 wires with terminals 11 Electric wire 12 Terminal fittings 20 Housing 21 Housing body 22a Protective wall 22b Locking wall 23a Flexible lock arm section 23b Locking part 23c Unlock operation section 23d Lock arm section 30 Fitting Guarantee Components 31 Side wall section 31a 1st side 31b 2nd side 32 Connecting part 33. Fitting Guarantee Arm 34 Lock release deterrent 520 Other party housing 521 Opposing locking projection

Claims

1. A wire with a terminal fitting attached to the end of the wire, A housing having a housing body that houses the terminal fittings and through which the electric wires are pulled outwards, A fitting guarantee member that, when the housing and the mating housing are in a partially fitted state, is held in a temporary locking position relative to the housing, and when the housing and the mating housing are in a fully fitted state, is movable relative to the housing in the connector insertion / removal direction between the temporary locking position and the full locking position, and guarantees the fully fitted state at the full locking position, Equipped with, The housing comprises a cantilever-shaped flexible lock arm portion extending in the connector fitting direction from a fixed end on the outer wall surface side of the housing body, a locking portion provided at the free end of the flexible lock arm portion and positioned at a lockable position that allows it to lock with a mating locking projection on the outer wall surface of the mating housing to maintain the fully fitted state, and moving from the lockable position to a lock-release position that releases the lockable state as the flexible lock arm portion flexes and deforms, thereby releasing the lockable state of the locking portion. The connector is characterized in that the fitting guarantee member is provided with a lock release restraint portion which is positioned between the outer wall surface of the housing body and the lock release operation portion at the locking position, and which locks the lock release operation portion when it is pressed, thereby maintaining the lockable state of the locking portion.

2. The housing has two flexible lock arm portions spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to its own extension direction, and also has a pair of lock arm portions that extend in the connector insertion / removal direction and sandwich the pair of flexible lock arm portions in their opposing arrangement direction. The locking portion is connected between the free ends of each of the pair of flexible lock arm portions, and is also connected to each end of the pair of lock arm portions in the connector fitting direction. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the unlocking operation part is connected to the respective ends of the pair of lock arm parts in the connector removal direction.

3. The locking portion can move to the unlocked position, which is separated from the outer wall surface of the housing body, thereby allowing it to overcome the mating locking projection in the connector removal direction. The fitting guarantee member comprises a pair of side wall portions that sandwich the pair of lock arm portions in their opposing arrangement direction, a connecting portion that connects the pair of side wall portions, and a cantilever-shaped fitting guarantee arm that extends from the fixed end on the connecting portion side in the connector fitting direction and acts the reaction force due to the bending deformation at the locking position from the free end side toward the outer wall surface of the housing body toward the locking portion at the lockable position. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the lock release restraint portion is connected to the pair of side wall portions between their respective ends in the connector removal direction.

4. The housing has a pair of protective walls that each protrude from the outer wall surface of the housing body, and a locking wall for each protective wall that protrudes from one protective wall toward the other protective wall at a distance from the outer wall surface of the housing body, The pair of side wall portions are sandwiched between the pair of protective walls in their opposing orientations. The side wall portion is formed having a rectangular flat plate portion with a first side portion and a second side portion provided along the connector insertion / removal direction, and the first side portion on the outer wall surface side of the housing body and the second side portion on the locking wall side are sandwiched between the outer wall surface of the housing body and the locking wall. The outer wall surface of the housing body is a guide wall capable of guiding the first side in the connector insertion / removal direction while suppressing the inclination of the first side with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking wall is formed as a guide wall with a shape and arrangement that can guide the second side in the connector insertion / removal direction while suppressing the inclination of the second side with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction.

Images