connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector capable of detecting the mating state of the first and second connectors. [Solution] The connector comprises a first connector 10 and a second connector 80 that can be mated with each other. The first connector 10 is provided with a shrinkable portion 32 that shrinks when it comes into contact with the second connector 80. The second connector 80 is provided with a confirmation portion 88 for confirming the relative position with respect to the shrinkable portion 32.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a grommet-equipped connector in which a grommet is attached to the rear portion of a connector. The connector is inserted into an attachment hole of a panel and attached to the panel. The grommet has a panel contact portion that contacts the edge of the attachment hole. The connector is fitted to a mating connector in a state where it is attached to the panel. Patent Document 2 discloses a female connector and a male connector that can be fitted to each other. The female connector has a rubber boot that is attached to the housing so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, there is no description of fitting detection means for detecting whether the connector and the mating connector are correctly fitted. Similarly, in Patent Document 2, there is no description of fitting detection means for detecting whether the female connector and the male connector are correctly fitted.

[0005] For example, in the case of a non-waterproof connector, it is possible to detect whether the connector and the mating connector are properly mated by visually checking the locking state of the lock arm provided on the connector relative to the mating connector. However, in the case of a waterproof connector whose outer circumference is covered with rubber material such as a grommet or rubber boot, the lock arm is hidden by the rubber material and cannot be seen, making it difficult to detect the mating state.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a connector capable of detecting the mating state without relying on a locking arm or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector of this disclosure comprises a first connector and a second connector that can be mated with each other, the first connector is provided with a shrinking portion that shrinks when it comes into contact with the second connector, and the second connector is provided with a confirmation portion for confirming the relative position with respect to the shrinking portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that can detect the mating state without relying on a locking arm or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the first connector and the second connector are mated together in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the first connector and the second connector are partially mated with each other in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the second connector from the front in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view of the housing of the first connector in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a rear view of the housing of the first connector in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a rearward perspective view of the housing of the first connector in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a front view of the rubber member in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a front view of the first connector in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a rear view of the first connector in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the first connector according to Embodiment 1, as seen from the front. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view from the first connector side of the connector according to Embodiment 1, showing the first connector and the second connector mated together. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [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 being provided with a contraction portion that contracts when it comes into contact with the second connector, and the second connector being provided with a confirmation portion for confirming the relative position with respect to the contraction portion. After performing the fitting operation of the first connector and the second connector, by checking the relative positions of the contraction part and the confirmation part, it is possible to detect whether the first connector and the second connector are correctly fitted. For example, if the contraction part contracts and the contraction part becomes invisible from the confirmation part or the visible area of the contraction part decreases by a predetermined amount, it can be detected that the first connector and the second connector are correctly fitted. On the other hand, if the contraction part has not contracted sufficiently and the contraction part is visible from the confirmation part or the visible area of the contraction part has not decreased by a predetermined amount, it can be detected that the first connector and the second connector are in a half-fitted state where they are not correctly fitted.

[0011] (2) In the connector according to (1) above, it is preferable that the contraction part has a bellows shape in which ridges and valleys are repeated in the fitting direction. According to the configuration of (2) above, since the amount of contraction when the contraction part contacts the second connector side can be increased, the reliability in detecting the fitting state of the first connector and the second connector is excellent.

[0012] (3) In the connector according to (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the contraction part is elastically deformable in the fitting direction. According to the configuration of (3) above, when the contraction part contacts the second connector side, the repulsive force of the contraction part can separate the first connector and the second connector from each other. For example, when the operator finishes the fitting operation, by the first connector and the second connector separating from each other, it can be detected that the first connector and the second connector are in a half-fitted state where they are not locked to each other. [[ID= thirteen]]

[0013] (4) In the connector according to (3) above, it is preferable that the contraction part has a perfect circular ring shape when viewed from the second connector side. According to the configuration of (4) above, when the contraction part contacts the second connector side, the force that separates the first connector and the second connector from each other can be transmitted to the operator without waste.

[0014] (5) In the connector according to the above (3) or (4), it is preferable that the contraction part is provided on a rubber member that covers the outer peripheral surface of the housing of the first connector. According to the configuration of the above (5), the rubber member can have both a function of detecting the fitting state of the first connector and the second connector and a function of waterproofing the first connector.

[0015] (6) In the connector according to the above (5), the housing has a lock arm for locking the second connector, and it is preferable that the rubber member has a shape covering the entire outer peripheral surface of the housing and has a mark at a position corresponding to the lock arm. According to the configuration of the above (6), even if the entire outer peripheral surface of the housing is covered by the rubber member, since there is a mark at the position corresponding to the lock arm, the fitting posture of the first connector can be corrected using the mark as a guide, and the lock arm can be brought to a position where it can be locked with the second connector. In particular, in the case of the present disclosure, when detecting the fitting state of the first connector and the second connector, it is only necessary to confirm the relative positions of the confirmation part and the contraction part. For example, it is not necessary to check the locking state of the lock arm with respect to the second connector by turning the rubber member or the like.

[0016] (7) In the connector according to the above (5) or (6), it is preferable that the contraction part is in liquid-tight contact with the second connector side in a contracted state at the time of fitting. According to the configuration of the above (7), the contraction part can have both a function of waterproofing with the second connector side at the time of fitting and a function of detecting the fitting state of the first connector and the second connector.

[0017] (8) In the connector according to any one of the above (1) or (7), the second connector side has a wall surface that expands in a direction intersecting the fitting direction and faces the side where the first connector is located, the confirmation part has a cylindrical shape protruding from the wall surface, and it is preferable that the contraction part is disposed inside the confirmation part in a state of contacting the wall surface at the time of fitting. According to the configuration described in (8) above, the mating state of the first connector and the second connector can be detected by confirming that the contracted portion is positioned inside the confirmation portion when mating.

[0018] (9) In the connector of (8) above, it is preferable that the length of the confirmation portion in the mating direction is set to be shorter than the length of the contracted portion in the mating direction in a natural state where no external force is acting, and to be the same as or longer than the length of the contracted portion in the mating direction in a contracted state that is in contact with the wall surface when mated. According to the configuration described in (9) above, by confirming that the entire shrinkable portion is positioned inside the confirmation portion, it is possible to detect whether the first and second connectors are properly mated. Conversely, by confirming that a part of the shrinkable portion is protruding from inside the confirmation portion, it is possible to detect whether the first and second connectors are not properly mated. Therefore, the mating state of the first and second connectors can be easily detected.

[0019] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the connectors of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples and is intended to be limited to those shown in the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included.

[0020] <Embodiment 1> The connector according to this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a first connector 10 and a second connector 80 that can be mated with each other. The second connector 80 is provided integrally with the device 81. In the following description, the second connector 80 integrated with the device 81 will be referred to as the second connector 80 side. For convenience, the direction in which the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated with each other will be considered forward, and the up and down directions in each figure will remain as up and down directions. In Figures 3 and 10, the symbols X, Y, and Z represent forward, left, and upward, respectively.

[0021] (Second connector 80 side) As shown in Figure 3, the second connector 80 has a hood portion 82 made of synthetic resin and second terminal fittings 83A and 83B made of conductive metal. The hood portion 82 is a rectangular tube shape with rounded corners and is open to the front. A locking projection 84 is formed protruding from the upper wall of the hood portion 82. The locking projection 84 is claw-shaped and engages with the locking arm 26 of the first connector 10, which will be described later. Also, a pair of protective walls 85 are formed protruding from the upper wall of the hood portion 82 on both the left and right sides, flanking the locking projection 84. Each protective wall 85 has a rib shape that extends parallel to each other in the front-rear direction. Each protective wall 85 is positioned to cover the engagement portion between the locking arm 26 and the locking projection 84 from both the left and right sides when mated.

[0022] The second terminal fittings 83A and 83B are male terminal fittings that penetrate the back wall of the hood portion 82 in the front-to-back direction. The second terminal fittings 83A and 83B protrude into the interior of the hood portion 82 and are connected to the first terminal fittings 12A and 12B of the first connector 10, which will be described later. In this embodiment 1, each of the second terminal fittings 83A and 83B consists of a tab-shaped, large second terminal fitting 83A and a pin-shaped, small second terminal fitting 83B.

[0023] The device 81 is made of synthetic resin and has a wall portion 86 that extends in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The rear wall of the hood portion 82 is included in the wall portion 86. The wall portion 86 has a wall surface 87 facing forward. The wall surface 87 is arranged along the radial direction of the hood portion 82.

[0024] A cylindrical inspection portion 88 is formed protruding from the wall surface 87 of the wall portion 86. The inspection portion 88 has a perfect circular annular shape when viewed from the front. The inner circumferential surface of the inspection portion 88 faces the outer circumferential surface of the rear end of the hood portion 82 with a radial gap between them. Between the inner circumferential surface of the inspection portion 88 and the outer circumferential surface of the rear end of the hood portion 82, an insertion space 89 is formed into which the shrinkable portion 32 of the first connector 10, described later, is inserted. As shown in Figure 1, the portion of the wall surface 87 of the wall portion 86 that faces the insertion space 89 contacts the tip surface (contact surface 45) of the shrinkable portion 32.

[0025] (First connector 10) As shown in Figure 1, the first connector 10 comprises a housing 11 made of synthetic resin, first terminal fittings 12A and 12B made of conductive metal, and a rubber member 13 made of rubber such as silicone rubber. The housing 11 has a block-shaped housing body 14 and a cylindrical fitting cylinder portion 15 that covers the outer circumference of the housing body 14. The first connector 10 also has a radially oriented connecting portion 16 at its rear end that connects the housing body 14 and the fitting cylinder portion 15. The space between the housing body 14 and the fitting cylinder portion 15 and in front of the connecting portion 16 is a fitting space 17 into which the hood portion 82 of the second connector 80 can be fitted. A rubber seal ring 18 is attached to the outer circumference of the housing body 14. The seal ring 18 is elastically compressed between the housing body 14 and the hood portion 82, maintaining a liquid-tight seal between the housing body 14 and the hood portion 82.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the housing body 14 has a plurality of cavities 19A, 19B extending in the front-rear direction. First terminal fittings 12A, 12B are inserted into and held in each cavity 19A, 19B from the rear. The first terminal fittings 12A, 12B have a box portion 21 that receives the front part of the second terminal fittings 83A, 83B. An elastic contact portion (not shown) is provided inside the box portion 21. The first terminal fittings 12A, 12B and the second terminal fittings 83A, 83B are electrically connected when the second terminal fittings 83A, 83B come into contact with the elastic contact portion inside the box portion 21. The first terminal fittings 12A, 12B have a barrel portion 23 behind the box portion 21. The barrel portion 23 is crimped to the end of the electric wire 100. The barrel portion 23 is also crimped to and fixed to a rubber stopper 130 fitted to the outer surface of the electric wire 100. The rubber stopper 130 is inserted into the rear end of the cavities 19A and 19B, maintaining a liquid-tight seal between the inner surface of the cavities 19A and 19B and the outer surface of the electric wire 100.

[0027] In this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 4, of the upper and lower cavities 19A and 19B, the upper cavity 19A has a larger opening width in the left-right direction than the lower cavity 19B. As shown in Figure 1, a large first terminal fitting 12A, which can be connected to the second terminal fitting 83A, is inserted and housed in the upper cavity 19A. A small first terminal fitting 12B, which can be connected to the second terminal fitting 83B, is inserted and housed in the lower cavity 19B.

[0028] A front member 24 is attached to the housing body 14 from the front. As shown in Figure 10, the front member 24 covers the front surface of the housing body 14 except around the openings of the cavities 19A and 19B, and is positioned to cover the outer peripheral surface of the front part of the housing body 14. The front member 24 also has the function of preventing the seal ring 18 from coming out forward.

[0029] As shown in Figures 4-6, the upper wall of the fitting cylinder portion 15 is provided with a pair of left and right side wall portions 25, and a lock arm 26 is provided between the side wall portions 25 that are opposite each other in the left-right direction. The lock arm 26 has a pair of left and right pivot points 27 at both ends of its rear end, which are connected to each side wall portion 25. The lock arm 26 is elastically deformable in a seesaw-like manner in the vertical direction with each pivot point 27 as a pivot. As shown in Figure 1, the lock arm 26 is positioned so as to be able to engage with the lock projection 84 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated. The protective wall 85 of the second connector 80 is positioned between the lock arm 26 and the side wall portions 25 when mated.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the left and right rear surfaces of the fitting cylinder portion 15 are end faces 28 that are aligned vertically and connected to the connecting portion 16. The housing 11 has a pair of retaining portions 29 that protrude rearward from the end faces 28 on both the left and right sides. Each retaining portion 29 is a vertically elongated projection. Retaining projections 31 are formed at the rear end of each retaining portion 29, protruding outward to the left and right. As shown in Figures 9 and 11, each retaining portion 29 is inserted into a retaining hole 38 of the rubber member 13, which will be described later. The retaining projections 31 are positioned so as to be able to engage with the opening edge (hooking surface 39) of the retaining hole 38 on the rear surface of the rubber member 13.

[0031] As shown in Figure 10, the rubber member 13 is exemplified as a cylindrical rubber boot with its axis oriented in the front-rear direction. The rubber member 13 is composed of a contraction portion 32, a main body portion 33, and an outlet portion 34 connected from the front to the rear. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion 33 has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the fitting cylinder portion 15 of the housing 11, and adheres closely to the outer circumferential surface of the fitting cylinder portion 15. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the outlet portion 34 is cylindrical and is formed to be longer in the front-rear direction than the main body portion 33. The electric wires 100 connected to each of the first terminal fittings 12A and 12B are inserted into the outlet portion 34 and pulled out to the rear.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 10, the main body 33 is provided with a marker 35 to identify the location of the lock arm 26 inside it. The marker 35 is formed by an engraving, such as letters or symbols, at a position corresponding to the lock arm 26 on the main body 33. In this embodiment 1, the marker 35 is formed by letters such as "LOCK" attached to the flat upper wall surface of the main body 33.

[0033] As shown in Figure 11, the main body portion 33 has a stepped portion 36 at its rear end that expands radially from the front end of the outlet portion 34. As shown in Figure 7, the portion of the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion 33 corresponding to the stepped portion 36 is configured as a contact surface 37 along the radial direction (up and down and left and right directions). The contact surface 37 of the main body portion 33 contacts the end face 28 of the housing 11 from the rear, preventing the rubber member 13 from slipping out of the housing 11 to the rear.

[0034] A pair of retaining holes 38 are formed through the left and right ends of the stepped portion 36. The front end of each retaining hole 38 opens into the contact surface 37. The rear end of each retaining hole 38 opens into the rear end surface of the stepped portion 36. As shown in Figure 9, the rear end surface of the stepped portion 36 is configured as a locking surface 39 that is oriented in the vertical direction. Each retaining hole 38 has an opening shape that is elongated in the vertical direction. The outer circumferential surface of each retaining portion 29 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of each retaining hole 38. The retaining projection 31 of each retaining portion 29 contacts and locks onto the opening edge of each retaining hole 38 on the locking surface 39, preventing the rubber member 13 from coming out forward of the housing 11.

[0035] As shown in Figure 10, the retractable portion 32 is cylindrical in shape and is slightly larger than the main body portion 33. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the retractable portion 32 has a flange portion 41 that extends radially from the front end of the main body portion 33, and a bellows portion 42 that protrudes forward from the radially outer end of the flange portion 41. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated, the bellows portion 42 is positioned in the insertion space 89 and housed inside the confirmation portion 88. The bellows portion 42 has a bellows shape in which peaks 43 that protrude radially outward and valleys 44 that are recessed radially inward are repeated at least twice in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment 1, the peaks 43 and valleys 44 are arranged along the circumference concentric with the axis of the rubber member 13. Each peak 43 is formed at a certain distance from the axis of the rubber member 13 and has the same shape as each other. Similarly, each valley 44 is also formed at a certain distance from the axis of the rubber member 13 and has the same shape as each other. Each peak 43 and each valley 44 has a diameter (inner and outer diameter) that fits within the radial range of the insertion space 89 on the second connector 80 side in the radial direction.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bellows section 42 has a corrugated side cross-section that is continuous by peaks 43 and valleys 44. As shown in Figure 7, the front end (tip) of the bellows section 42 is configured as an annular, more specifically, perfectly circular contact surface 45 when viewed from the front. The contact surface 45 of the bellows section 42 is arranged radially and is pressed against the wall surface 87 of the wall section 86 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated. The contact surface 45 of the bellows section 42 and the radially outer end of the flange section 41 are located at the same position radially. The front-to-back length of the confirmation section 88 is shorter than the front-to-back length (length in the mating direction) of the contracted section 32 in its natural state when not contracted by external force, and is the same as or longer than the front-to-back length of the contracted section 32 in the contracted state (fully contracted state) when the contact surface 45 is pressed against the wall surface 87 of the wall section 86 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are mated.

[0037] (The function of the connector) During assembly, when the rubber member 13 is attached to the housing 11 of the first connector 10, the lead-out portions of each electric wire 100 extending from the housing 11 are positioned inside the lead-out portion 34, and the main body portion 33 is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the fitting cylinder portion 15. Each retaining portion 29 is inserted from the front into each retaining hole 38 of the rubber member 13. As shown in Figure 9, the retaining projection 31 of each retaining portion 29 protrudes rearward from each retaining hole 38 and is hooked onto the hooking surface 39 of the stepped portion 36. This holds the rubber member 13 in the housing 11 in a state where it is prevented from coming loose. As shown in Figure 10, when the rubber member 13 is attached to the housing 11, the contraction portion 32 is positioned to protrude forward of the housing 11.

[0038] Next, the first connector 10 is mated to the second connector 80. When mating the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 begins, the position of the lock arm 26 can be identified using the mark 35 as a guide, so the mating posture of the first connector 10 can be corrected so that the lock arm 26 can be positioned to engage with the lock projection 84 even if it is covered by the rubber member 13 and not visible from the outside.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, during the mating process of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80, the hood portion 82 of the second connector 80 is inserted into the mating space 17 of the first connector 10, and the lock arm 26 rides up onto the lock projection 84 and undergoes elastic deformation. The contraction portion 32 is inserted into the interior of the confirmation portion 88 (insertion space 89), and the contact surface 45 is pressed against the wall surface 87 of the wall portion 86. As a result, the contraction portion 32 is elastically contracted in the front-rear direction by reducing the pitch between the peak portion 43 and the valley portion 44. The contraction portion 32 and the housing 11 are arranged to partially overlap in the front-rear direction. At this stage, if the worker finishes the mating work of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80, the contraction portion 32 will contract and, due to the biasing force (rebound force, elastic reaction force) stored, will try to return to its natural state, and the first connector 10 will be pushed back from the second connector 80 and try to separate in the direction of arrow A in Figure 2. By visually observing this separation or sensing the separation force, the operator can detect that the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are in a partially mated state, not yet fully mated.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are in a partially mated state, the amount of contraction of the contraction portion 32 is smaller than the amount of contraction when fully mated. As a result, the rear end of the contraction portion 32 protrudes (is exposed) behind the rear end of the confirmation portion 88. Therefore, the partially mated state of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 can be detected by confirming or touching the state in which the rear end of the contraction portion 32 is protruding from the confirmation portion 88.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, when the first connector 10 is properly mated with the second connector 80, the lock arm 26 elastically returns to its original position and is positioned to lock onto the lock projection 84. This holds the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 in a mated state. The retractable portion 32 is retracted in the front-rear direction by a larger amount than the semi-matted state, and the entire portion is housed inside the confirmation portion 88. In other words, the retractable portion 32 is hidden from view by the confirmation portion 88. Even if the locking state between the lock arm 26 and the lock projection 84 is not visible due to the rubber member 13, the operator can detect that the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are properly mated by checking the relative position of the retractable portion 32 with respect to the confirmation portion 88. Furthermore, when the retractable portion 32 is positioned in a fully retracted state inside the confirmation portion 88 during mating, the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are biased in the separation direction, eliminating any clearance that could be formed between the lock arm 26 and the lock projection 84. As a result, looseness between the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 in the mated state can be suppressed.

[0042] 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 is provided with a shrinkable portion 32 that shrinks when it comes into contact with the second connector 80. The second connector 80 is provided with a confirmation portion 88 for confirming the relative position with respect to the shrinkable portion 32. According to the configuration of this disclosure, after performing the mating operation of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80, it is possible to detect whether the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are properly mated by confirming the relative position between the shrinkable portion 32 and the confirmation portion 88.

[0043] Furthermore, since the contraction portion 32 has a bellows shape with repeating peaks 43 and valleys 44 in the front-rear direction (mating direction), a large amount of contraction can be secured when the contraction portion 32 contacts the second connector 80, resulting in excellent reliability when detecting the mating state of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80.

[0044] Furthermore, since the contraction portion 32 is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are in a semi-mated state, the repulsive force of the contraction portion 32 can separate the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 from each other, thereby improving the reliability of detecting the semi-mated state.

[0045] Furthermore, since the contraction portion 32 forms a perfect annular shape when viewed from the front (the second connector 80 side), the force that separates the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 from each other can be efficiently transmitted to the operator.

[0046] Furthermore, by providing the shrinkable portion 32 on the rubber member 13 that covers the outer circumferential surface of the housing 11 of the first connector 10, the rubber member 13 can be given both the function of detecting the mating state of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 and the function of waterproofing the first connector 10.

[0047] Furthermore, even if the rubber member 13 covers the entire outer surface of the housing 11, it has a mark 35 at a position corresponding to the lock arm 26. Therefore, the mating posture of the first connector 10 can be corrected using the mark 35 as a guide, bringing the lock arm 26 to a position where it can be locked with the second connector 80. In particular, in this disclosure, when detecting the mating state of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80, it is sufficient to check the relative position between the confirmation part 88 and the contraction part 32. Therefore, there is no need to check the locked state of the lock arm 26 by, for example, shifting the rubber member 13.

[0048] Furthermore, since the contact surface 45 of the shrinkable portion 32 makes liquid-tight contact with the wall surface 87 of the wall portion 86 on the second connector 80 side when mated, the shrinkable portion 32 can be given both the function of providing waterproofing to the second connector 80 side when mated and the function of detecting the mated state of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80.

[0049] In this embodiment 1, the second connector 80 has a wall surface 87 that widens in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction and faces the side where the first connector 10 is located, the confirmation part 88 is cylindrical and protrudes from the wall surface 87, and the retractable part 32 is positioned inside the confirmation part 88 in a state where it is in contact with the wall surface 87 when mated. With this configuration, the mated state of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 can be detected by confirming that the retractable part 32 is positioned inside the confirmation part 88 when mated.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the front-to-back length (length in the mating direction) of the confirmation section 88 is set to be shorter than the front-to-back length of the contracted section 32 in its natural state without external force acting on it, and the same as or longer than the front-to-back length of the contracted section 32 in its fully contracted state when it contacts the wall surface 87 during mating. With this configuration, by confirming that the entire contracted section 32 is positioned inside the confirmation section 88, it is possible to detect that the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are properly mated. Conversely, by confirming that a part of the contracted section 32 is protruding from inside the confirmation section 88, it is possible to detect that the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 are not properly mated. Therefore, the mating state of the first connector 10 and the second connector 80 can be easily detected.

[0051] [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 shrinkable portion was provided on the rubber member, and the first connector was configured as a waterproof connector. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the shrinkable portion may not be provided on the rubber member, and the first connector may be a non-waterproof connector. In the first embodiment described above, the shrinkable portion was provided on the rubber member in a manner that allows for elastic deformation. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the shrinkable portion may not be provided on the rubber member and may have a shape that does not elastically shrink. In the first embodiment described above, the contraction portion was configured in a bellows shape with peaks and valleys repeating at least twice in the front-rear direction. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the contraction portion may be configured in a non-bellows shape consisting of one pair of peaks and valleys. In the first embodiment described above, the entire contraction portion was positioned inside the confirmation portion when fully fitted, and a portion of the contraction portion protruded from the confirmation portion when partially fitted. In contrast, according to other embodiments, a portion of the contraction portion may also protrude from the confirmation portion when fully fitted. The point is that the difference in the degree of contraction of the contraction portion from fully fitted to partially fitted should be visible from the confirmation portion. In the first embodiment described above, the shrinkable portion was configured to contact the wall surface of the equipment wall when mated. In contrast, according to another embodiment, when the second connector is attached to a panel, the shrinkable portion may be configured to contact the wall surface of the panel when mated. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 10…First connector 11… Housing 12A, 12B... First terminal fitting 13…Rubber components 14… Housing body 15… Fitting cylinder 16...Connection part 17…Matching space 18... Seal ring 19A, 19B... Cavity 21…Hakobe 23... Barrel section 24…Front component 25... Side wall section 26... Lock Arm 27...Fulfillment point 28...End face 29...Holding part 31...Holding protrusion 32... Contraction part 33...Main body 34…Derivation part 35... Landmark 36... Stepped section 37... Face 38...Retaining hole 39…Latching surface 41…Flange section 42...bellows 43... Yamabe 44... Tanibe 45…Contact surface 80...Second connector 81...Equipment 82...Food Department 83A, 83B…Second terminal fittings 84... Locking protrusion 85...protective wall 86…Wall part 87...Wall surface 88...Verification Section 89... Insertion space 100...Electric wire 130... Rubber stopper

Claims

1. It comprises a first connector and a second connector that can be mated with each other, The first connector is provided with a shrinkable portion that shrinks when it comes into contact with the second connector side during mating. A connector wherein the second connector side is provided with a confirmation part for confirming the relative position with respect to the shrinking part.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the contraction portion has a bellows shape with alternating peaks and valleys in the mating direction.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the shrinkable portion is elastically deformable in the mating direction.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the shrinking portion is a perfect annular shape when viewed from the second connector side.

5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the shrinkable portion is provided on a rubber member that covers the outer circumferential surface of the housing of the first connector.

6. The housing has a locking arm for securing the second connector. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the rubber member has a shape that covers the entire outer surface of the housing and has a mark at a position corresponding to the lock arm.

7. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the shrinkable portion is in a contracted state when mated and is in liquid-tight contact with the second connector side.

8. The second connector side has a wall surface that extends in a direction intersecting the mating direction and faces the side where the first connector is located. The aforementioned inspection part is cylindrical in shape and protrudes from the wall surface. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shrinking portion is positioned inside the confirmation portion in contact with the wall surface when fitted.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the length of the confirmation portion in the fitting direction is set to be shorter than the length of the contracted portion in the fitting direction in a natural state where no external force is acting, and equal to or longer than the length of the contracted portion in the fitting direction in a contracted state that is in contact with the wall surface when fitted.

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