connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can improve reliability by preventing forced mating. [Solution] The front member of the first connector 10 has a plate-shaped front wall 38. The front wall 38 is positioned opposite the front surface of the housing of the first connector 10. A through hole 47 is provided in the front wall 38. A recess 33 communicating with the through hole 47 is provided on the front surface of the housing. The second connector 80 has a twist-prevention projection 87 that extends from the through hole 47 to the recess 33. The portion of the front wall 38 facing the through hole 47 is provided with a convex portion 51 that protrudes into the recess 33 and can contact the inner surface (inner lower surface 33) of the recess 33 in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] The connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a female housing and a male housing that can be fitted to each other. A horizontal rib is formed on the male housing. When the female housing and the male housing are tilted with respect to the normal fitting posture, the horizontal rib interferes with the mating female housing to prevent cross-threading. A plate-like front stopper is disposed on the front side of the female housing. A horizontal groove into which the horizontal rib enters during fitting is formed in the front stopper. The horizontal groove is formed in a shape that extends longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. Patent Document 2 discloses a connector including a cross-threading prevention portion corresponding to the horizontal rib and a front holder corresponding to the front stopper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, there are cases where a male housing other than the one described above is attempted to be fitted into a female housing. This other housing has a different transverse rib that is slightly different in shape from the transverse rib described above. Since the shape of this other transverse rib and the shape of the transverse groove described above do not match, it is possible to prevent the fitting of the other male housing and female housing from progressing. However, there is a slight possibility that the other transverse rib may be guided by the rounded tip of the other transverse rib, for example, and be forced into the transverse groove while widening the opening width of the groove. In light of this, there is a need to develop a technology that can more reliably prevent misfitting of a male housing and female housing.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a connector that can enhance reliability in preventing mis-mating. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of this disclosure comprises a first connector and a second connector that can be mated with each other, wherein the first connector has a first housing and a front member, the front member has a plate-shaped front wall with its plate surface facing in the front-rear direction, the front wall faces the front surface of the first housing, the front wall is provided with a through hole, the front surface of the first housing is provided with a recess communicating with the through hole, the second connector has a twist-prevention projection that extends from the through hole to the recess when the first connector and the second connector are mated, and the portion of the front wall facing the through hole is provided with a convex portion that protrudes into the recess and can contact the inner surface of the recess in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that can enhance reliability in preventing mis-mating. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view of the first connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the first connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view of the second connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view of another second connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a front view of yet another second connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a front view of the first housing in Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the front member from the rear in Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a front view of the front member in Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a front view of another first connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a front view of yet another first connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in Embodiment 1 where the rearward protrusions of each convex part are arranged inside the recesses. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an enlarged front view showing the state in Embodiment 1 where another anti-prying projection interferes with the main body of each protrusion. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a magnified side cross-sectional view showing the state in Embodiment 1 where another anti-prying projection interferes with the main body of the protrusion. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The connector disclosed herein is (1) The device comprises a first connector and a second connector that can be mated with each other, the first connector having a first housing and a front member, the front member having a plate-shaped front wall with its plate surface facing in the front-rear direction, the front wall facing the front surface of the first housing, the front wall having a through hole, the front surface of the first housing having a recess communicating with the through hole, the second connector having a twist-prevention projection that extends from the through hole to the recess when the first connector and the second connector are mated together, and the portion of the front wall facing the through hole having a convex portion that protrudes into the recess and can contact the inner surface of the recess in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction.

[0010] For example, if a second connector having a different anti-tampering projection with a slightly different shape from the first connector is to be fitted into the first connector, there is a concern that the other anti-tampering projection will press against the surface of the through-hole, causing the opening width of the through-hole to widen in a direction intersecting the front-to-back direction, a phenomenon known as "mouth-opening." If mouth-opening occurs in the through-hole and the other anti-tampering projection is forced into the through-hole, the other second connector will be mistakenly fitted into the first connector. However, with the configuration of (1) above, even if the other anti-tampering part presses against the surface of the through-hole, the convex part can contact the inner surface of the concave part in a direction intersecting the front-to-back direction, thus preventing mouth-opening of the through-hole. As a result, it is possible to prevent the other second connector from being mistakenly fitted into the first connector.

[0011] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, it is preferable that the protrusion also protrudes in a direction that narrows the opening width of the through hole, and that the anti-twist projection is provided with a recess to receive the protrusion. According to the configuration described in (2) above, multiple types of first connectors can be arranged in a so-called staggered rib structure, where the positions of the protrusions in the through-holes differ from each other, thereby preventing a first connector from being mistakenly mated with another second connector. In particular, since the protrusions serve both to suppress the opening of the through-hole and to function as ribs in the staggered rib structure, the configuration can be simplified compared to cases where both functions are provided in separate parts.

[0012] (3) In the connector described in (2) above, when the direction intersecting the front-rear direction is defined as the vertical direction, the through hole has an extending inner surface that extends longer in the left-right direction than in the vertical direction, and a plurality of the convex portions are preferably arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the extending inner surface of the through hole. According to the configuration of (3) above, when another kinking prevention protrusion presses the extending inner surface of the recess, the plurality of convex portions arranged side by side in the left-right direction can each contact the inner surface of the recess. Therefore, it is possible to more surely prevent another second connector from being erroneously fitted to the first connector.

[0013] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this exemplification, and is intended to be defined by the claims and to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0014] <Embodiment 1> The connector according to Embodiment 1 includes a first connector 10 and a second connector 80 that can be fitted to each other. As shown in FIG. 2, the first connector 10 has a first terminal fitting 11, a first housing 12, a cover 13, a lever 14, a retainer 15, a seal ring 16, and a front member 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the second connector 80 has a second terminal fitting 81 and a second housing 82. In the following description, regarding the front-rear direction, the surface side where the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are fitted to each other is defined as the front side. The vertical direction and the left-right direction are based on the vertical direction and the left-right direction in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively. Reference numerals X, Y, and Z in FIGS. 1 to 3 indicate the front, left, and upper directions, respectively. These direction references do not necessarily coincide with the direction references in a state where the connector is mounted on a vehicle or the like not shown in the drawings.

[0015] (Second Connector 80) The second connector 80 is a male connector. The second housing 82 is a male housing made of synthetic resin and has a hood portion 83 as shown in Figure 3. The hood portion 83 is a rectangular tube shape with rounded corners and is open to the front. In this embodiment 1, the hood portion 83 is formed to be longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. Multiple second terminal fittings 81 are mounted on the second housing 82. The second terminal fittings 81 are male terminal fittings made of conductive metal and have tab portions 84. The tab portions 84 of each second terminal fitting 81 are arranged in multiple rows in the up-down direction and multiple columns in the left-right direction inside the hood portion 83. One of the second terminal fittings 81 is configured as a larger second terminal fitting 81A. Unlike the others, the larger second terminal fitting 81A has a wider tab portion 84A in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 3, the larger second terminal fitting 81A is located at the top of one end (right end) in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the hood portion 83.

[0016] A pair of cam pins 85 (cam followers) protrude from the outer surface of the left and right side walls of the hood portion 83. Each cam pin 85 engages with the lever 14 during the mating process of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80. Multiple entry-restricting ribs 86 are formed on the hood portion 83. Multiple entry-restricting ribs 86 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction on the upper and lower walls of the hood portion 83. Multiple entry-restricting ribs 86 are also arranged in a row in the vertical direction on the left and right side walls of the hood portion 83. The tip of each entry-restricting rib 86 is located in front of the tip of the tab portion 84 of each second terminal fitting 81. For example, by pressing the fingertips of an operator (not shown) against the tip of each entry-restricting rib 86 and the tip of the anti-prying projection 87 (described later), it is possible to avoid contact between the fingertips and the tips of each second terminal fitting 81.

[0017] A twist-prevention projection 87 is formed on the hood portion 83. The twist-prevention projection 87 protrudes forward from the rear surface of the hood portion 83. The twist-prevention projection 87 is flat and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. In a front view of the hood portion 83, the twist-prevention projection 87 extends from one end to the other in the left-right direction of the hood portion 83. In this embodiment 1, the twist-prevention projection 87 is positioned between the tab portions 84 of each second terminal fitting 81, which are arranged in the second and third rows from the top. In short, the twist-prevention projection 87 is positioned in the center in the vertical direction inside the hood portion 83. The tip of the twist-prevention projection 87 is located in front of the tip of the tab portion 84 of each second terminal fitting 81. Although not shown in the figures, the outer circumference of the tip of the twist-prevention projection 87 is chamfered and rounded.

[0018] When the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated, the anti-pry projection 87 fits into the through hole 47 of the front member 17 (described later), and further into the recess 33 of the first housing 12 (described later). Multiple recesses 88 are formed in the anti-pry projection 87. As shown in Figure 3, each recess 88 is arranged on the lower surface of the anti-pry projection 87 at intervals in the left-right direction. Each recess 88 is configured on the lower surface of the anti-pry projection 87 as a groove with a concave cross-section extending in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment 1, each recess 88 is repeatedly formed on the lower surface of the anti-pry projection 87 at a constant pitch (constant formation interval) in the left-right direction. However, each recess 88 does not have to be formed at a constant pitch in the left-right direction, and their arrangement is arbitrary. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated, each protrusion 51 of the front member 17 (described later) fits into each recess 88.

[0019] In this embodiment 1, to prevent other second connectors 80A and 80B having the same arrangement of male terminal fittings and the same external shape of male housings from being mistakenly fitted into the first connector 10, the formation positions of the recesses 88, 88A, and 88B in the anti-twist projections 87, 87A, and 87B are made different to accommodate this. For example, in the case of another second connector 80A, as shown in Figure 4, each of the other recesses 88A is formed on the upper surface of another anti-twist projection 87A. The left-right pitch of each of the other recesses 88A is the same as that of each recess 88. Also, for example, in the case of another second connector 80B, each of the other recesses 88B is formed on the upper and lower surfaces of each of the other anti-twist projections 87B. When viewed in the left-right direction, each of the other recesses 88B is formed alternately on the upper and lower surfaces of the other anti-twist projections 87B. On the upper and lower surfaces of each of the other anti-prying protrusions 87B, the left-right pitch of each of the other recesses 88B is greater than that of each of the recesses 88.

[0020] (First connector 10) The first connector 10 is a male connector. The first housing 12 is a female housing made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the first housing 12 has a housing body 18 and a surrounding portion 19 that surrounds the outer circumference of the housing body 18. The housing body 18 is a block-shaped rectangle in front view with rounded corners and is longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. The hood portion 83 of the second connector 80 is fitted between the housing body 18 and the surrounding portion 19 from the front.

[0021] The seal ring 16 is made of rubber such as silicone rubber and is attached to the outer surface of the housing body 18, as shown in Figure 2. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated, the seal ring 16 is compressed between the housing body 18 and the hood portion 83.

[0022] As shown in Figure 6, the housing body 18 has a plurality of receiving grooves 21 formed therein. Each receiving groove 21 extends in the front-rear direction on the outer circumferential surface of the housing body 18. Each receiving groove 21 is arranged at circumferential intervals on the top surface, bottom surface, and left and right side surfaces of the housing body 18, and opens on each surface. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated, each entry suppression rib 86 fits into each receiving groove 21.

[0023] Multiple cavities 22 are formed in the housing body 18 at positions corresponding to the tab portions 84 of each second terminal fitting 81. Each cavity 22 extends in the front-rear direction and opens to the front and rear surfaces of the first housing 12. Elastically deformable lances 23 protrude from the inner wall of each cavity 22. As shown in Figure 2, a mounting hole 24 is opened in the middle of the front-rear portion of the lower surface of the housing body 18. The mounting hole 24 communicates with each cavity 22 inside the housing body 18. A retainer 15 is inserted into the mounting hole 24 from below.

[0024] The first terminal fitting 11 is a female terminal fitting made of conductive metal. As shown in Figure 2, the first terminal fitting 11 has a cylindrical box portion 25 and a barrel portion 26 located behind the box portion 25. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated, a tab portion 84 is inserted into the box portion 25 from the front. The first terminal fitting 11 and the second terminal fitting 81 are connected when the tab portion 84 comes into contact with an elastic contact piece (not shown) located inside the box portion 25. The barrel portion 26 is crimped and connected to the end of the electric wire 28 together with a rubber stopper 27. With the first terminal fitting 11 inserted into the cavity 22, the rubber stopper 27 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cavity 22. The electric wire 28 extends rearward from the first housing 12. The first terminal fitting 11 is temporarily prevented from coming out of the cavity 22 by being locked to the lance 23. Furthermore, the first terminal fitting 11 is secondarily prevented from coming loose in the cavity 22 by being locked to the retainer 15. Note that each first terminal fitting 11 includes a larger first terminal fitting (not shown). The larger first terminal fitting is connected to a larger second terminal fitting 81A. As shown in Figure 6, the housing body 18 includes a large cavity 22A that houses the larger first terminal fitting. The large cavity 22 is formed in a tower portion 29 that protrudes from the upper part of one side on the left or right side of the front surface of the housing body 18. A vertical groove 31 is formed on the front surface of the housing body 18, extending vertically along one side of the tower portion 29. Multiple vertical ribs 32 are formed on the lower surface of the tower portion 29, arranged in the left-right direction.

[0025] The cover 13 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the first housing 12 as shown in Figure 2. Each electric wire 28 extending from the first housing 12 is covered by the cover 13 and then led out of the cover 13 in a predetermined direction.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, a recess 33 is open on the front surface of the housing body 18. The recess 33 has an opening shape that extends long from one end to the other in the left-right direction on the front surface of the housing body 18. On one end of the front surface of the housing body 18 in the left-right direction, the recess 33 communicates with the concave space 34 between each vertical rib 32 in the tower portion 29, and also communicates with the vertical groove 31. As shown in Figure 11, the rear end of the recess 33 is located behind the mounting hole 24.

[0027] As shown in Figure 6, a pair of support shafts 35 protrude from the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls of the enclosing portion 19. As shown in Figure 11, a lever 14 is rotatably supported on each support shaft 35. The lever 14 is made of synthetic resin and has a gate-like shape as shown in Figure 1. As the lever 14 rotates around the support shaft 35 while engaging with the cam pin 85, the mating of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 proceeds with low mating force. When the rotation of the lever 14 is complete, a locking portion 36 formed on the lever 14 is locked into a locking receiving portion 37 (see Figure 2) formed on the cover 13, thereby holding the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 in the mated state.

[0028] Next, the front member 17 will be described. The front member 17 is made of synthetic resin and has a cap-like shape overall. As shown in Figure 7, the front member 17 has a plate-shaped front wall 38 with its plate surface facing in the front-rear direction, and a peripheral wall 39 that protrudes rearward from the outer edge of the front wall 38.

[0029] The front wall 38 is longer in the left-right direction than in the vertical direction. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the front wall 38 is positioned to cover the front portion of the housing body 18, excluding the tower portion 29. Each lance 23 is covered in front by the front wall 38. The peripheral wall 39 is positioned to cover the front end of the outer circumferential surface of the housing body 18. The rear ends of the upper wall portion and the left and right side wall portions of the peripheral wall 39 are positioned to be able to contact the seal ring 16 from the front. As shown in Figure 2, the rear end of the lower wall portion of the peripheral wall 39 is positioned to be able to contact the retainer 15.

[0030] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a plurality of grooves 41 are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the front member 17 at intervals in the circumferential direction. Each groove 41 extends from the front wall 38 to the peripheral wall 39 and opens to the front surface of the front wall 38. When the front member 17 is mounted on the housing body 18, each groove 41 communicates with each receiving groove 21. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated, each entry-restricting rib 86 fits into each groove 41. A pair of locking portions 42 are formed on the left and right side walls of the peripheral wall 39 at intervals in the vertical direction. Each locking portion 42 is claw-shaped. The front member 17 is held in place by the housing body 18 when each locking portion 42 fits into each locking recess 43 formed on the left and right sides of the housing body 18.

[0031] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the front wall 38 has a plurality of tab insertion holes 44. Each tab insertion hole 44 is arranged in multiple rows vertically and in multiple columns horizontally, corresponding to the tab portion 84 of each second terminal fitting 81. The tab portion 84 of each second terminal fitting 81 is inserted through each tab insertion hole 44. The front wall 38 also has a plurality of jig insertion holes 45. Each jig insertion hole 45 is arranged adjacent to each tab insertion hole 44. A jig (not shown) for releasing the locking of the lance 23 to each first terminal fitting 11 is inserted through each jig insertion hole 45.

[0032] A tower through-hole 46 is formed in the front wall 38. The tower through-hole 46 is a large opening in the upper part of one side of the front wall 38. As shown in Figure 1, with the front member 17 attached to the housing body 18, the tower portion 29 of the housing body 18 is inserted through the tower through-hole 46. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a through-hole 47 is formed in the front wall 38. The through-hole 47 has a slit shape that extends long from one end to the other in the left-right direction of the front wall 38. The through-hole 47 communicates with the tower through-hole 46 on one end of the front wall 38 in the left-right direction. In this embodiment 1, the through-hole 47 is located between the tab insertion holes 44, which are arranged in the second and third rows from the top. In short, the through-hole 47 is located in the center of the front wall 38 in the vertical direction. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated, the anti-twist projection 87 of the second connector 80 is inserted through the through hole 47 in a mated state.

[0033] As shown in Figure 8, the inner upper surface (the upper surface facing downwards) and the inner lower surface (the lower surface facing upwards) of the inner surface of the through hole 47 are configured as extended inner surfaces 48 and 49 that extend longer in the left-right direction than in the vertical direction. The upper extended inner surface 48 intersects perpendicularly with the tower through hole 46 at one end in the left-right direction and extends continuously in the left-right direction without any steps.

[0034] Multiple protrusions 51 are formed on the front wall 38 at positions facing the through hole 47. Each protrusion 51 is provided to project from the inner surface of the through hole 47 so as to narrow the vertical opening width of the through hole 47. In this embodiment 1, multiple protrusions 51 are provided in a row at intervals in the left-right direction on the lower extending inner surface 49 (the surface at the height of the dashed line in Figure 8). In this embodiment 1, each protrusion 51 is repeatedly formed at a constant pitch in the left-right direction on the lower extending inner surface 49. However, each protrusion 51 does not have to be formed at a constant pitch in the left-right direction, and their arrangement is arbitrary according to each recess 88.

[0035] As shown in Figures 7, 11, and 13, the protrusion 51 is composed of a protruding main body 52 that protrudes from the lower extending inner surface 49 and a rear projection 53 that protrudes rearward from the protruding main body 52. ​​The protrusion 51 has a rectangular rib shape that extends in the front-rear direction from the protruding main body 52 to the rear projection 53. The protruding main body 52 is formed along the entire length in the front-rear direction of the lower extending inner surface 49 so as to correspond to the thickness of the front wall 38 in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 13, the front surface of the protruding main body 52 is arranged along the vertical and left-right directions, except for the chamfer on the outer circumference of the tip. The rear projection 53 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the front wall 38. As shown in Figure 7, the protruding main body 52 and the rear projection 53 have a rectangular cross-sectional shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the vertical direction, and are continuous with each other without steps, having the same cross-sectional shape. A tapered portion 54 that narrows towards the tip is formed at the rear end of the rear projection 53.

[0036] When the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated, each protrusion 51 fits into the recess 88 of the anti-prying protrusion 87 and fits in. In contrast, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, there exist other first connectors 10A and 10B that have the same arrangement of female terminal fittings as the first connector 10 and the same external shape of the female housing. The other protrusions 51A and 51B formed on these other first connectors 10A and 10B are set to have a so-called rib-staggered structure, with their formation positions relative to the through-hole 47 differing from those of the protrusion 51. In this way, the other protrusions 51A and 51B do not fit into the recess 88, and the other first connectors 10A and 10B are prevented from being mistakenly mated to the second connector 80.

[0037] For example, in the case of another first connector 10A, as shown in Figure 9, multiple additional protrusions 51A are arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction on the upper extending inner surface 48 (the surface at the height indicated by the dashed line in Figure 9). The left-right pitch of each additional protrusion 51A is the same as that of each additional protrusion 51. Since each of these additional protrusions 51A is compatible with each of the additional recesses 88A, mating between the other first connector 10A and the other second connector 80A is achieved.

[0038] Furthermore, in the case of another first connector 10B, as shown in Figure 10, other protrusions 51B are formed on the upper and lower extended inner surfaces 48 and 49, respectively. When viewed in the left-right direction, these other protrusions 51B are alternately formed on the upper extended inner surface 48 and the lower extended inner surface 49. On the upper and lower extended inner surfaces 48 and 49, the left-right pitch of each other protrusion 51B is greater than that of each protrusion 51. Since each of these other protrusions 51B is in a fitting relationship with each of the other recesses 88B, mating between the other first connector 10B and the other second connector 80B is achieved.

[0039] (The function of the connector) In the assembled state of the first connector 10, the front wall 38 of the front member 17 covers the front side of the housing body 18, so that the rear projections 53 of each convex portion 51 are positioned opposite to the inner lower surface 33A (the surface facing upward on the lower side) of the recess 33 of the housing body 18 so as to be able to contact it (see Figure 13). As shown in Figure 11, the rear projections 53 of each convex portion 51 are positioned so as to be able to contact the inner lower surface 33A of the recess 33 with a gap between them in the left-right direction.

[0040] When the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated together, the tab portion 84 of the second terminal fitting 81 is inserted from the tab insertion hole 44 of the front member 17 to the cavity 22 of the housing body 18 and connected to the first terminal fitting 11 housed in the cavity 22. The anti-prying projection 87 is inserted from the through hole 47 of the front member 17 to the recess 33 of the housing body 18. Each protrusion 51 fits into each recess 88 of the anti-prying portion and fits into each recess 88.

[0041] In contrast, if, for example, a different second connector 80A than the second connector 80 is mistakenly mated to the first connector 10, there is a concern that another anti-prying projection 87A will be guided by the rounded shape formed on the outer circumference of its tip and push the opening width of the through hole 47 in the vertical direction. If the opening width of the through hole widens in the vertical direction, the anti-prying projection may be forced into the through hole, and in the worst case, a different second connector may be mistakenly mated to the first connector.

[0042] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the tip surface of another anti-prying projection 87A may contact the front surface of the main body 52 of each projection 51 (the filled area in Figure 12 is the contact area), and a pressing force P in the opening direction may act on the through hole 47, causing the lower extending inner surface 49 to separate from the upper extending inner surface 48. In this case, in this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 13, the rear projection 53 of the projection 51 can contact the inner lower surface 33A of the recess 33 in the opening direction of the through hole 47 (the direction in which the pressing force P acts). Therefore, the rear projection 53 of the projection 51 is prevented from moving to a position lower than the inner lower surface 33A of the recess 33, and the lower extending inner surface 49 is prevented from separating from the upper extending inner surface 48. In other words, the opening of the through hole 47 is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where another anti-prying projection 87A is forced into the through hole 47, and to reliably prevent another second connector 80A from being mistakenly mated to the first connector 10. In short, the staggered rib structure can further enhance the reliability of preventing mis-mating.

[0043] As described above, the connector according to this embodiment 1 comprises a first connector 10 and a second connector 80 that can be mated with each other. The first connector 10 has a first housing 12 and a front member 17. The front member 17 has a plate-shaped front wall 38 with its plate surface facing in the front-rear direction. The front wall 38 faces the front surface of the first housing 12. A through hole 47 is formed in the front wall 38. A recess 33 communicating with the through hole 47 is formed on the front surface of the first housing 12. The second connector 80 has a twist-prevention projection 87 that extends from the through hole 47 to the recess 33 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated together. A convex portion 51 is formed on the portion of the front wall 38 facing the through hole 47, which protrudes into the recess 33 and can contact the inner surface of the recess 33 in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction (downward in the case of Figures 12 and 13).

[0044] If another second connector 80A, 80B is to be mated with the first connector 10, and another anti-twist projection 87B, 87B presses against the surface of the through hole 47, the rear projection 53 of the convex portion 51 can contact the inner surface of the concave portion 33 (in the case of Figures 12 and 13, the inner lower surface 33A) in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction, thereby preventing the through hole 47 from opening. As a result, it is possible to prevent another second connector 80, 80B from being mistakenly mated with the first connector 10.

[0045] In this embodiment 1, the protrusion 51 also protrudes in a direction that narrows the opening width of the through hole 47. The anti-twist projection 87 has a recess 88 that receives the protrusion 51. This allows multiple types of first connectors 10 to have different formation positions of the protrusion 51 in the through hole 47, creating a so-called staggered rib structure, which prevents the first connector 10 from being mistakenly fitted to another second connector 80A, 80B. Since the protrusion 51 combines the function of suppressing the opening of the through hole 47 and the function of a rib in the staggered rib structure, the configuration can be simplified compared to the case where both functions are provided in separate parts.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the through hole 47 has extended inner surfaces 48 and 49 that extend longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction, and multiple protrusions 51 are arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction on the lower extended inner surface 49 of the through hole 47. As a result, when another anti-twist projection 87A or 87B presses against the lower extended inner surface 49 of the recess 33, the multiple protrusions 51 arranged in the left-right direction can each contact the inner surface of the recess 33. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent another second connector 80A or 80B from being mistakenly mated with the first connector 10.

[0047] [Other embodiments of this disclosure] Embodiment 1 disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. In the first embodiment described above, the convex portion was provided protruding from the inner surface of the concave portion. In contrast, according to other embodiments, it is sufficient for the convex portion to be positioned facing the inner surface of the concave portion, and for example, the convex portion may be provided only on the rear surface of the front member and may not protrude into the interior of the concave portion. In the first embodiment described above, the protrusion served both to suppress the opening of the through-hole and to function as a rib in the rib-staggered structure. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the protrusion may only serve to suppress the opening of the through-hole and may not serve as a rib in the rib-staggered structure. If the protrusion does not serve as a rib in the rib-staggered structure, an independent rib in the rib-staggered structure may be formed on the inner surface of the through-hole separately from the protrusion. In the first embodiment described above, multiple protrusions were formed at positions facing the through-hole in the front member. In contrast, according to other embodiments, only one protrusion may be formed at a position facing the through-hole in the front member. This single protrusion can be formed with a wide width in the left-right direction. In the first embodiment described above, the protrusion was provided on the lower extended inner surface of the through hole. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the protrusion may be provided on the upper extended inner surface of the through hole. Alternatively, the protrusion may be provided on both the upper and lower extended inner surfaces of the through hole. In the first embodiment described above, the front member did not have a retainer function for locking the first terminal fitting. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the front member may have a retainer function for locking the first terminal fitting. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10…First connector 10A... Another first connector 10B…(Another) First Connector 11…First terminal fitting 12…1st Housing 13…cover 14... Lever 15…Retainer 16... Seal ring 17…Front component 18… Housing body 19...Siege 21... Receiving groove 22... Cavity 23... Lance 24… Mounting holes 25...Hakobe 26... Barrel section 27... Rubber stopper 28...Electric wire 29...Tower section 31…Vertical groove 32…Vertical ribs 33…recess 33A...Inner lower surface (inner surface) of the recess 34...Concave space part 35...Spindle 36... Rock Club 37... Lock receiving part 38...Front wall 39...peripheral wall 41… Groove 42... Locking part 43… Locking recess 44... Tab insertion hole 45…Jig insertion hole 46…Tower through-hole 47…Through hole 48... Upper extended inner surface 49... Lower extended inner surface 51…Convex part 51A... Another protrusion 51B...(another) protrusion 52...Convex body part 53... Rear protrusion 54...Tapered section 80...Second connector 80A... Another second connector 80B…(Another) second connector 81...Second terminal fitting 81A...Large second terminal fitting 82...Second Housing 83...Food Department 84... Tab section 84A... Wide tab section 85... Kampin 86…Entry suppression rib 87... Anti-prying protrusion 87A...Another anti-prying projection 87B... (Further) another anti-prying projection 88...dent 88A... Another dent 88B... (another) dent P…Press force

Claims

1. It comprises a first connector and a second connector that can be mated to each other, The first connector has a housing and a front member, The aforementioned front member has a plate-shaped front wall with its plate surface facing in the front-rear direction, The front wall faces the front surface of the housing, The front wall is provided with a through hole. The front surface of the housing is provided with a recess that communicates with the through hole, The second connector has a twist-prevention projection that extends from the through hole to the recess when the first connector and the second connector are mated together, A connector wherein the portion of the front wall facing the through hole is provided with a protrusion that projects into the interior of the recess and can contact the inner surface of the recess in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction.

2. The aforementioned protrusion also protrudes in a direction that narrows the opening width of the through hole. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the anti-twist projection is provided with a recess for receiving the protrusion.

3. When the direction intersecting the aforementioned front-to-back direction is defined as the up-and-down direction, the through-hole has an extended inner surface that extends longer in the left-to-right direction than in the up-and-down direction. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protrusions are arranged in a plurality at intervals in the left-right direction on the extended inner surface of the through hole.

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