connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector equipped with a sensing member that can prevent a decrease in the holding force of the sensing member against the connector. [Solution] The detection member 30 of the connector 10 is provided on each of the pair of holding arms 34 and has a pair of abutment pieces 54 that extend inward in the width direction so that their tips are separated by a predetermined distance. The holding portion 20 of the housing 11 has a locking portion on the outside in the width direction that is related to the pair of holding arms 34, and a holding force generating rib 40 that abuts between the tips of the pair of abutment pieces 54 as the detection member 30 reaches the detection position, and applies a reaction force to the pair of abutment pieces 54 toward the locking portion in the width direction Y.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector including a detection member for detecting a fitting state with a mating connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a connector having a fitting detection function by a detection member. The detection member is held by a holding portion and is movable to a detection position when the connector and the mating connector are fitted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a connector, the holding force for a detection member may decrease. For example, when the connector is miniaturized, it is necessary to miniaturize the detection member and the space for arranging the detection member, and the holding force for the detection member in the connector may decrease. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the structure for holding the detection member in the connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The connector of this disclosure is a connector that can be mated to a mating connector, and comprises a housing and a detection member that detects the mating state with the mating connector by moving in the front-rear direction from an initial position to a detection position forward of the initial position, the housing comprises a holding portion that holds the detection member so as to be movable between an initial position and a detection position in the front-rear direction, the detection member comprises a detection piece that extends forward and is movable to a detection position when mated with a mating connector, a pair of holding arms that are spaced apart in a width direction that intersects the front-rear direction and extends forward, and a pair of abutment pieces provided on each of the pair of holding arms and extending inward in the width direction so that their tips are at a predetermined distance apart from each other, the holding portion comprises a locking portion that locks the pair of holding arms on the outside of the pair of holding arms in the width direction, and a holding force generating rib that abuts the tip between the pair of abutment pieces in the process of the detection member reaching the detection position and applies a reaction force to the pair of abutment pieces toward the locking portion in the width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector equipped with a sensing member that can prevent a decrease in the retaining force of the housing on the sensing member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector from the front at an oblique angle. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of the connector. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a rear view of the connector. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the housing from the rear at an oblique angle. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the housing unit at the BB cross-sectional position shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the detection element from the front at an oblique angle. [Figure 7]Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the initial mating state between the mating connectors at the AA cross-sectional position in Figure 2. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the initial mating state between the mating connector and the other connector at the BB cross-sectional position shown in Figure 3. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the detection member as it moves from its initial position to the detection position at the AA cross-sectional position in Figure 2. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the detection member has reached the detection position at the AA cross-sectional position in Figure 2. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows the transition of the holding arm from the initial position to the detection position at the BB cross-section position in Figure 2. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows the transition of the holding arm from the detection position to the initial position at the BB cross-section position in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The connector of the present disclosure is a connector that can be mated to a mating connector, and comprises a housing and a detection member that detects a mated state with a mating connector by moving in the front-rear direction from an initial position to a detection position forward of the initial position, the housing comprises a holding portion that holds the detection member so as to be movable between an initial position and a detection position in the front-rear direction, the detection member comprises a detection piece that extends forward and is movable to a detection position when mated with a mating connector, a pair of holding arms that are spaced apart in a width direction that intersects the front-rear direction and extends forward, and a pair of abutment pieces provided on each of the pair of holding arms and extending inward in the width direction so that their tips are at a predetermined distance apart from each other, the holding portion comprises a locking portion that locks the pair of holding arms on the outside of the pair of holding arms in the width direction, and a holding force generating rib that abuts the tip between the pair of abutment pieces in the process of the detection member reaching the detection position and gives the pair of abutment pieces a reaction force toward the locking portion in the width direction.

[0009] In the connector with the above configuration, as the sensing member moves from its initial position to the detection position, a pair of abutment pieces extending inward in the width direction from the holding arm come into contact with the holding force generating rib at their tips. As a result, the holding arm is subjected to a reaction force in the width direction toward the locking portion via the abutment pieces, thereby increasing the holding force on the holding arm and preventing a decrease in the holding force on the sensing member.

[0010] [2] In the connector described in [1] above, the holding force generating rib comprises a guide portion whose widthwise dimension is narrower than the distance between the pair of abutment pieces, and a widening portion which is provided in front of the guide portion in the front-rear direction and whose widthwise dimension is wider than the distance between the pair of abutment pieces, wherein the widthwise dimension of the widening portion increases as it moves away from the guide portion in the front-rear direction. During the process of the detection member moving, if the engagement between the holding arm and the locking portion is too strong while it is away from the detection position, the detection member may not be able to move smoothly. On the other hand, if the bending deformation of the holding arm in the widthwise direction is too large, the engagement between the holding arm and the locking portion may not be able to be properly performed when the detection member reaches the detection position. In this regard, in the above configuration, during the period when the guide portion is located between the pair of abutment pieces, the pair of holding arms are prevented from bending inward too much by the guide portion, thereby weakening the engagement with the locking portion and making movement in the front-rear direction smoother. During the period when the widened portion is positioned between the pair of abutment pieces, the pair of holding arms gradually bend and deform outward due to this widened portion, thereby increasing the repulsive force with the locking portion and strengthening the holding force against the detection member.

[0011] [3] In the connector of [1] or [2] above, the pair of retaining arms preferably have a locking portion that extends outward in the width direction at the tip of the retaining arm and is locked to the locking portion, and the pair of abutment pieces preferably extend inward in the width direction from the same position in the front-rear direction as the locking portion on the pair of retaining arms. In the above configuration, since the locking portion and the pair of abutment pieces are at the same position in the front-rear direction at the tip of the retaining arm, the reaction force from the retaining force generating rib can be easily transmitted to the locking portion regardless of the amount of deformation when the retaining arm bends in the width direction, and the retaining force of the retaining arm can be increased.

[0012] [4] In the connector of [1] or [2] above, it is preferable that the abutting piece has a notch formed on the rear side in the front-rear direction at the base extending from the pair of holding arms. In the above configuration, by providing a notch at the base of the abutting piece, when the holding force generating rib abuts against the pair of abutting pieces during the process in which the detection member moves from the initial position to the detection position, the abutting piece can be more easily bent rearward than the holding arm. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the holding arm from being greatly bent inward in the width direction during the process in which the detection member moves from the initial position to the detection position.

[0013] [5] In the connector of [1] or [2] above, it is preferable that the housing has a deflection restricting portion that restricts deflection in the vertical direction with respect to the pair of abutting pieces abutting against the holding force generating rib. In the above configuration, the deflection restricting portion can restrict the pair of abutting pieces abutting against the holding force generating rib from being greatly deflected in the vertical direction. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the pair of abutting pieces from being greatly deflected vertically and the assisting force for the detection member from decreasing.

[0014] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be shown exaggerated or simplified.

[0015] In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow Z will be described as upward, the direction indicated by the arrow X will be described as forward, and the direction indicated by the arrow Y will be described as leftward. Then, the direction in which the arrow X extends will be described as the "front-rear direction X", the direction in which the arrow Y extends will be described as the "width direction Y", and the direction in which the arrow Z extends will be described as the "vertical direction Z". Note that for a plurality of identical members, only some of the members may be labeled, and the labels of other members may be omitted.

[0016] As used in this specification, "opposite" means that surfaces or members are positioned facing each other, including not only the case where they are completely facing each other but also the case where they are partially facing each other. Also, as used in this specification, "opposite" includes both the case where a member different from the two parts is interposed between the two parts and the case where nothing is interposed between the two parts.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 10 includes a housing 11 that fits with a mating connector 60 on the front side, and a detection member 30. In this embodiment, the housing 11 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 7, the mating connector 60 that fits with the housing 11 includes a mating housing 61 made of synthetic resin. The mating housing 61 has a cylindrical hood 62 that opens forward. At the front end of the upper wall of the hood 62, a lock receiving portion 63 for locking a lock arm 13 (to be described later) of the connector 10 is formed. The lock receiving portion 63 is a through hole that penetrates the upper wall in the vertical direction.

[0018] The housing 11 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, includes a block-shaped housing body 12, a lock arm 13 integrally connected to the upper part of the housing body 12, and a holding portion 20 provided on the rear end side of the housing body 12 for holding the detection member 30.

[0019] Inside the housing body 12, a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers 14 for accommodating terminals are formed. The terminal accommodation chambers 14 are spaces that penetrate the housing body 12 in the front-rear direction X. In this embodiment, each terminal accommodation chamber 14 is formed by being arranged in the width direction Y and the vertical direction Z inside the housing body 12, respectively.

[0020] The lock arm 13 is a part that extends cantilevered from the front to the rear of the upper part of the housing body 12. That is, the lock arm 13 has a base end on the front side of the housing body 12 and is configured to bend and deform in the vertical direction Z. The tip of the lock arm 13 is provided with a lock projection 16 that protrudes upward. The lock projection 16 is the part that is inserted into the lock receiving part 63 when the connector 10 is mated with the mating connector 60. As shown in Figure 7, the lock projection 16 is provided with a receiving recess 17 that opens downward and accommodates the upper tip of the detection piece 32 of the detection member 30, which will be described later.

[0021] In the lock arm 13, a release operation part 18 is provided behind the lock projection 16 (see Figure 1). The release operation part 18 is the part that receives a pressing operation to release the mating of the lock arm 13 with the mating connector 60. As shown in Figure 4, the release operation part 18 comprises a pair of operating pieces 18B arranged in the width direction Y, and a connecting part 18A that connects the pair of operating pieces 18B. The pair of operating pieces 18B are provided at positions separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction Y.

[0022] In the housing body 12, a flex space 15 is formed below the lock arm 13 to allow elastic deflection of the lock arm 13 during the process of the connector 10 and the mating connector 60 mating. As shown in Figure 7, the flex space 15 is a space in the housing body 12 that extends from the front to the rear and communicates with the housing space 23 of the holding portion 20, which will be described later, at the rear of the housing body 12.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, a holding portion 20 is provided at the rear end of the housing body 12 into which the detection member 30 is inserted and held. The holding portion 20 is also a portion located above the housing body 12 at the rear end. The holding portion 20 has an opening at the rear, through which the detection member 30 can be inserted and held so that it can move in the front-rear direction X.

[0024] The detection member 30 is a component that moves from an initial position to a detection position inside the housing 11 to detect whether or not the lock arm 13 has completed mating with the mating connector 60. As shown in Figure 6, the detection member 30 comprises a base portion 31, a detection piece 32 extending forward from the base portion 31, and a pair of retaining arms 34 spaced apart in the width direction Y that intersects the direction in which the detection piece 32 extends (forward). In this embodiment, the detection member 30 is integrally formed from synthetic resin, and the detection piece 32 and the pair of retaining arms 34 are elastically deformable.

[0025] The base portion 31 is a movable part along the bottom surface of the holding portion 20 and is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The base portion 31 is hollow with an opening at the bottom. An operating portion 33 for receiving operations on the detection member 30 is provided at the rear end of the base portion 31.

[0026] A detection piece 32 extending forward is provided on the front end of the base portion 31. The detection piece 32 extends diagonally upward from the base portion 31 at a predetermined angle, and its tip has a shape that rises diagonally. A detection projection 35 that engages with the lock projection 16 of the lock arm 13 is provided at the tip of the detection piece 32. A contact portion 35A that extends forward is provided at the tip of the detection projection 35, and this contact portion 35A is the part that contacts the bottom surface of the lock projection 16, as will be described later.

[0027] A pair of retaining arms 34 are provided at both ends of the base portion 31 in the width direction Y. The retaining arms 34 extend forward and upward from both ends of the base portion 31 with their thickness direction oriented in the width direction Y, and the portion extending from the base portion 31 is capable of bending and deforming in the width direction Y. The length dimension of the pair of retaining arms 34 from the rear end of the base is shorter than the length dimension of the detection piece 32 from the base portion 31.

[0028] The retaining arm 34 is provided with locking portions 50 and 51, which are projections that extend outward in the width direction Y. The upper locking portion 50 is located at the tip of the pair of retaining arms 34 and is a portion that is inclined forward. The lower locking portion 51 is located below the upper locking portion 50 on the pair of retaining arms 34 and is a portion that has a greater forward inclination angle than the upper locking portion 50 with respect to the front-rear direction X.

[0029] Furthermore, the pair of retaining arms 34 are provided with rear projections 52 that extend outward in the width direction Y. The rear projections 52 are located below the lower locking portion 51 on the retaining arm 34. The rear projections 52 also serve to prevent the detection member 30 from falling out of the retaining portion 20 by overcoming the fall prevention portion 27 of the retaining portion 20, which will be described later.

[0030] Each pair of holding arms 34 is provided with abutment pieces 54 that extend inward in the width direction Y. The abutment pieces 54 extend in the width direction Y such that their ends face each other at a predetermined distance apart on the tip side of the pair of holding arms 34. In this embodiment, the abutment pieces 54 are columnar members, and their position in the vertical direction Z is determined on the pair of holding arms 34 so as to avoid the detection piece 32. Furthermore, the distance between the abutment pieces 54 in the width direction Y is longer than the width direction Y dimension of the guide portion 41 of the holding force generating rib 40 (described later), and shorter than the width direction Y dimension of the widening portion 42.

[0031] The base of each of the pair of abutment pieces 54, extending from the holding arm 34, is provided with a notch 55 formed on the rear side in the front-rear direction X (as shown in Figure 8). This notch 55 also serves to facilitate the bending deformation of the pair of abutment pieces 54 toward the rear in the front-rear direction X.

[0032] Next, the detailed configuration of the holding portion 20 provided by the housing 11 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the holding portion 20 comprises a pair of side walls 21 rising upward from the upper outer surface of the housing body 12, and a mounting portion 22 that is installed in conjunction with the upper ends of each side wall 21.

[0033] The pair of side walls 21 in the holding portion 20 are spaced apart in the width direction Y to avoid the release operation portion 18 of the lock arm 13, and the release operation portion 18 is located in the space enclosed by this pair of side walls 21. The distance between each side wall 21 corresponds to the maximum dimension of the detection member 30 in the width direction Y. Therefore, the space enclosed by the pair of side walls 21 in the width direction Y becomes the housing space 23 in which the base portion 31 and the pair of holding arms 34 of the detection member 30 are housed.

[0034] The erection section 22 is installed on the front end of the pair of side walls 21. As a result, the area of ​​the holding section 20 behind the erection section 22 is open, and the operating piece 18B of the release operation section 18 can be operated from the rear side of the erection section 22.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the rear end position of the side wall 21 in the front-rear direction X extends further to the rear than the rear end position of the operating piece 18B that constitutes the release operation unit 18. Therefore, within the housing space 23, an upper arm housing space 23A is formed between the side wall 21 and the operating piece 18B in the width direction Y, where the upper part of the holding arm 34 of the detection member 30 is housed. The upper arm housing space 23A extends in the width direction Y by a distance corresponding to the thickness dimension of the holding arm 34, and is also a space that extends in the front-rear direction X.

[0036] Furthermore, the holding portion 20 is equipped with locking portions 25 and 26 that lock the pair of holding arms 34 on the outside in the width direction Y as the detection member 30 moves from its initial position to the detection position. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each side wall 21 is provided with an upper locking portion 26 that protrudes inward in the width direction Y and a lower locking portion 25. The front and rear sides of the lower locking portion 25 are chamfered, and each side is an inclined surface that slopes in the width direction Y as it moves inward from the side wall 21. The lower locking portion 25 is located in the front-rear direction X, forward of the upper locking portion 26. Also, the upper locking portion 26 is located above the lower locking portion 25 in the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, the holding portion 20 is equipped with fall prevention portions 27 and 28 to prevent the detection member 30 from falling out. The anti-detachment portion 27 is provided on the side wall 21, rearward in the front-rear direction X compared to each of the locking portions 25 and 26. The anti-detachment portion 28 is provided on the bottom wall that constitutes the holding portion 20. Each of the anti-detachment portions 27 and 28 is located below the lower locking portion 25.

[0037] The erection portion 22 of the holding portion 20 is provided with a holding force generating rib 40 that applies an outward reaction force in the width direction Y to a pair of abutment pieces 54. The holding force generating rib 40 is a block-shaped portion that extends downward from the erection portion 22, and as shown in Figure 5, it comprises a guide portion 41 and a widening portion 42 provided in front of the guide portion 41 (i.e., on the detection position side in the front-rear direction X).

[0038] The guide portion 41 is rectangular in plan view, and its dimension in the width direction Y is narrower than the distance between the tips of the pair of abutment pieces 54. The guide portion 41 extends in the front-rear direction X and has a guide side surface 43 that faces outward in the width direction Y. This guide side surface 43 is also the surface that the tips of the abutment pieces 54 come into contact with as the detection member 30 moves within the holding portion 20.

[0039] The widened portion 42 is a part in which the dimension in the width direction Y increases as it moves away from the guide portion 41 in the front-rear direction X. The widened portion 42 extends in the front-rear direction X and has an inclined side surface 44 that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the front-rear direction X. This inclined side surface 44, like the guide side surface 43, is also the surface that the tip of the abutment piece 54 contacts as the detection member 30 moves within the holding portion 20.

[0040] In the connector 10 with the above configuration, the detection member 30 is held in its initial position by inserting it into the housing space 23 of the holding part 20 from the rear. At this time, first, as the detection member 30 is inserted into the housing space 23, the rear projection 52 of the detection member 30 overcomes the anti-detachment part 27 provided on the side wall 21, and the front end of the base part 31 overcomes the anti-detachment part 28. As the insertion of the detection member 30 into the housing space 23 continues, the pair of holding arms 34 bend and deform inward and are housed in the space in front of the release operation part 18. Then, the upper locking part 50 overcomes the upper locking part 26 provided on the side wall 21, and the upper locking part 50 is locked to the upper locking part 26. As a result, the detection member 30 reaches the initial position shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0041] As shown in Figure 7, in the initial position, the contact portion 35A located at the tip of the detection projection 35 in the deflection space 15 is in contact with the lock projection 16 on the lock arm 13 from below. As a result, the detection piece 32 is held against the lock arm 13 while accumulating elastic force.

[0042] As shown in Figure 8, in the initial position, the holding arm 34 is held in place by the lower locking portion 25 being located in front of the lower locking portion 51 and the upper locking portion 26 being located behind the upper locking portion 50 within the upper arm housing space 23A. At this time, the operating piece 18B of the lock arm 13 is located below the pair of abutment pieces 54, and the movement of the pair of abutment pieces 54 in the front-rear direction X is guided by the upper surface of the operating piece 18B. That is, the operating piece 18B of the release operation unit 18 also functions as a guide portion that guides the movement of the pair of abutment pieces 54 in the front-rear direction X. Note that in the initial position, only the tip end of the base portion 31 of the detection member 30 is housed in the housing space 23, and the rear end is located outside the housing space 23. In the initial position, the abutment pieces 54 of the holding arm 34 are located behind the holding force generating rib 40, and the two are not in contact.

[0043] (Explanation of connector operation while mating is in progress) Next, the operation of each part when the connector 10 is mated with the mating connector 60 will be explained. In the mating process shown in Figure 9, in which the housing body 12 is fitted into the hood 62 of the mating housing 61, the lock projection 16 of the lock arm 13 is pushed down by the inner wall of the hood 62 of the mating housing 61, causing the lock arm 13 and the detection piece 32 to begin to bend downward. As mating with the mating housing 61 progresses, the lock projection 16 is pressed against the hood 62, and the lock arm 13 is pushed down into the bending space 15. When the housing 11 is properly fitted into the mating housing 61, the pressure from the hood 62 on the lock projection 16 is released, and as shown in Figure 9, the lock arm 13 elastically returns to its original position, and the lock projection 16 enters the lock receiving portion 63 from below. As a result, both housings 11 and 61 are held in the properly fitted state by the lock arm 13.

[0044] In the normal mating state, the detection projection 35 of the detection piece 32 is pressed downward by the hood 62, and the contact between the contact portion 35A and the lock projection 16 is released. As a result, the detection member 30 is kept in the same position as the initial position where the detection projection 35 of the detection piece 32 separates from the lock arm 13 and contacts the mating housing 61. In the standby position, the detection piece 32 is bent and deformed by the hood 62, taking on a nearly horizontal tilted position.

[0045] When a forward pushing force is applied to the detection member 30 in the standby position by pressing the operating unit 33, the tip of the detection projection 35 slides under the lock projection 16 of the lock arm 13, causing the detection piece 32 to bend and deform further downward. As a result, the detection piece 32 can move further forward, inserting the detection projection 35 into the housing recess 17 of the lock arm 13.

[0046] As shown in Figure 10, the detection member 30 reaches the detection position when the detection projection 35 is fitted into and housed in the housing recess 17 of the lock arm 13. In other words, the detection member 30 is permitted to slide to the detection position. From this point onward, even if the operating part 33 of the detection member 30 is pressed, the detection projection 35 will come into contact with the front surface of the inner wall of the housing recess 17 of the lock arm 13, making it impossible for the detection member 30 to advance any further.

[0047] The relationship between the holding arm 34 and the locking parts 25 and 26 of the holding part 20 during the process of the detection member 30 moving from its initial position to the detection position will be explained using Figures 11(a) to (c). First, as the detection member 30 moves forward, the guide part 41 of the holding force generating rib 40 is inserted between the pair of abutment pieces 54. As already explained, the dimension of the guide part 41 in the width direction Y is shorter than the distance between the pair of abutment pieces 54, and there is a gap between them in the width direction Y. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11(a), as the detection member 30 continues to move forward, the lower locking part 51 comes into contact with the lower locking part 25, and the pair of holding arms 34 deform inward in the width direction Y. At this time, the guide part 41 prevents the pair of abutment pieces 54 from deforming too much inward in the width direction Y. Furthermore, since the erection section 22 and the operating piece 18B are located above and below the pair of abutment pieces 54, large vertical deflection deformation of the pair of abutment pieces 54 is restricted.

[0048] Next, as shown in Figure 11(b), at the moment when the lower locking portion 51 moves over the lower locking portion 25, the abutment piece 54 comes into contact with the inclined side surface 44 of the widening portion 42 and deforms backward relative to the holding arm 34, starting from the notch 55. By deforming backward relative to the holding arm 34, starting from the notch 55, the abutment piece 54 releases the reaction force from the widening portion 42 and suppresses the holding arm 34 from deforming significantly inward in the width direction Y.

[0049] As the detection member 30 moves forward, the lower locking portion 51 completely moves over the lower locking portion 25. At this time, a gap is created in the width direction Y between the pair of holding arms 34 and the side wall 21, and the bending deformation of the pair of holding arms 34 and the pair of abutment pieces 54 is temporarily released. Then, as the detection member 30 continues to move forward, the tips of the abutment pieces 54 move along the inclined side surface 44 of the widening portion 42, causing the pair of holding arms 34 to bend outward in the width direction Y.

[0050] As shown in Figure 11(c), the detection member 30 continues to move forward, and the abutment piece 54 is positioned on the tip side of the widened section 42. The abutment piece 54 receives an outward reaction force in the width direction Y from the inclined side surface 44 of the widened section 42, pressing the holding arm 34 outward in the width direction Y. In this embodiment, since the locked sections 50, 51 and the pair of abutment pieces 54 are in the same position in the front-rear direction X on the tip side of the holding arm 34, the reaction force from the holding force generating rib 40 via the pair of abutment pieces 54 can be easily transmitted to each locked section 50, 51, regardless of the amount of deformation of the bending deformation of the holding arm 34. This strengthens the locking between the lower locked section 51 and the lower locking section 25 provided on the holding arm 34.

[0051] Furthermore, since the erection section 22 and the release operation section 18 are positioned above and below the pair of abutment pieces 54, the pair of abutment pieces 54 are prevented from bending and deforming significantly in the vertical direction Z. In this embodiment, the erection section 22 and the release operation section 18 of the holding section 20 are examples of bending restricting sections.

[0052] On the other hand, if the housing 11 is not properly fitted into the mating housing 61 but remains partially fitted, the lock arm 13 will be pressed against the hood 62 and remain in a downwardly bent and deformed state. As a result, even if an attempt is made to push the detection member 30 forward, the detection projection 35 of the detection piece 32 interferes with the lock projection 16, preventing the detection piece 32 from entering the bending space 15 provided below the lock arm 13. Consequently, it becomes impossible for the detection member 30 to move to the detection position. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the housing 11 is properly fitted into the mating housing 61 by whether or not the detection member 30 can move to the detection position.

[0053] To separate the two housings 11 and 61 from their properly fitted state, first place your finger or a jig on the operating part 33 at the rear end of the base part 31 of the detection member 30, and then pull the detection member 30 backward.

[0054] The relationship between the holding arm 34 and the locking parts 25 and 26 of the holding part 20 during the process of the detection member 30 moving from the detection position to the standby position will be explained using Figures 12(a) to (c). First, as shown in Figure 12(a), by pulling the detection member 30 backward, the lower locked part 51 that abuts against the front side surface of the lower locking part 25 tilts backward along the slope of the side surface, starting from the point of contact, thereby moving the tips of the pair of abutment pieces 54 backward along the sloped side surface 44 of the widening part 42. As already explained, as the widening part 42 moves backward in the front-rear direction X (i.e., closer to the guide part 41), the dimension in the width direction Y decreases. Therefore, as shown in Figure 12(b), by continuously pulling the detection member 30 backward, the holding arm 34 is deformed inward in the width direction Y, allowing the lower locking portion 51 to overcome the lower locking portion 25.

[0055] In this scenario as well, since the installation section 22 and the release operation section 18 are located above and below the abutment piece 54, large deflection deformation of the abutment piece 54 in the vertical direction Z is restricted. Furthermore, the tips of the pair of abutment pieces 54 move along the inclined side surface 44 of the widening section 42 and then reach the guide side surface 43 of the guide section 41. This suppresses the pair of holding arms 34 from deforming significantly inward in the width direction Y, and prevents the holding arms 34 from falling out of the upper arm housing space 23A.

[0056] As the detection member 30 continues to be pulled backward, the lower locking portion 51 completely moves over the lower locking portion 25. Even in this situation, the tips of the pair of abutment pieces 54 move along the guide side surface 43 of the guide portion 41, thereby preventing the pair of holding arms 34 from bending and deforming significantly inward in the width direction Y. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 12(c), the upper locking portion 50 comes into contact with the upper locking portion 26, and the detection member 30 is held in its initial position.

[0057] By performing a release operation on the release operation unit 18, the lock arm 13 elastically flexes downward, the lock projection 16 separates from the lock receiving unit 63, and the engagement between the lock arm 13 and the lock receiving unit 63 is released. After this, by maintaining the release operation unit 18 in the downward position and pulling the housing 11 away from the mating housing 61, the two housings 11 and 61 are separated from each other.

[0058] (Effects of the embodiment) The embodiment described above can achieve the following effects. (1) In the connector 10, when the detection member 30 reaches the detection position in the mating state with the mating connector 60, a pair of abutment pieces 54 extending inward in the width direction Y from the holding arm 34 contact the holding force generating rib 40 at their tips. As a result, a reaction force is applied to the holding arm 34 in the width direction Y toward each locking part 25, 26 of the holding part 20, thereby increasing the holding force on the holding arm 34. Furthermore, even in the process of the detection member 30 moving from the detection position to the initial position, the pair of abutment pieces 54 and the holding force generating rib 40 restrict the holding arm 34 from bending and deforming significantly in the width direction Y, preventing the holding arm 34 from falling out of the holding part 20. As a result, even when the connector 10 is miniaturized, a decrease in the holding force on the detection member 30 can be prevented.

[0059] (2) During the period when the guide portion 41 of the holding force generating rib 40 is located between the pair of abutment pieces 54, the pair of holding arms 34 are prevented from bending and deforming too much inward by the guide portion 41, and the engagement with each locking portion 25, 26 is weakened. Then, during the period when the widening portion 42 is located between the pair of abutment pieces 54, the pair of holding arms 34 are gradually bent and deformed outward in the width direction Y by the widening portion 42, thereby strengthening the engagement with each locking portion 25, 26. This makes it possible to move the detection member 30 smoothly between the initial position and the detection position, while preventing a decrease in holding force at the detection position.

[0060] (3) Each of the locking portions 50, 51 and the pair of abutment pieces 54 are located at the same position in the front-rear direction X at the tip of the holding arm 34, so that the reaction force from the holding force generating rib 40 can be easily transmitted to the locking portions 50, 51 regardless of the amount of deformation when the holding arm 34 bends in the width direction Y. This makes it possible to increase the holding force on the detection member 30.

[0061] (4) By providing a notch 55 at the base of the abutment piece 54, the abutment piece 54 is more likely to bend and deform backward before the holding arm 34 during the process of the detection member 30 moving from the initial position to the detection position, thereby preventing the holding arm 34 from bending and deforming significantly inward in the width direction Y.

[0062] (5) The mounting portion 22 of the holding portion 20 and the operating piece 18B of the lock arm 13 prevent the pair of abutment pieces 54 that contact the holding force generating rib 40 from bending and deforming significantly in the vertical direction Z. This prevents the contact between the pair of abutment pieces 54 and the holding force generating rib 40 from being forcibly released during the process of the detection member 30 moving from the initial position to the detection position.

[0063] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically. In the above embodiment, two locking portions 25 and 26 were provided on the side wall 21 of the holding portion 20. The holding portion 20 only needs to be configured to lock the holding arm 34 of the detection member 30, and the holding portion 20 may have only one locking portion or three or more locking portions.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the holding force generating rib 40 was equipped with a guide portion 41. Alternatively, the holding force generating rib 40 may not be equipped with a guide portion 41, and may only be equipped with a widening portion 42.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the abutment piece 54 was located in the same position as the locking portions 50 and 51 in the front-rear direction X on the holding arm 34. Alternatively, the abutment piece 54 may be provided in a position different from the locking portions 50 and 51 in the front-rear direction X on the holding arm 34.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the abutment piece 54 was provided with a notch 55. Alternatively, the abutment piece 54 does not need to be provided with a notch 55.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the lock arm 13 was provided above the housing body 12, but the lock arm 13 may also be provided to the side or below the housing body 12. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 10: Connector 11: Housing 12: Housing body 13: Lock Arm 14: Terminal housing room 15: Flexible Space 16: Locking protrusion 17: Recessed recess 18: Release operation unit (flexibility control unit) 18A: Connection part 18B: Operation piece 20: Holding part 21: Side wall 22: Erection section (flexure control section) 23A: Upper arm housing space 23: Containment Space 25: Lower locking part 26: Upper locking part 27: Falling prevention part 28: Falling prevention part 30: Detection element 31: Base section 32: Detection piece 33: Control section 34: Holding arm 35: Detection protrusion 35A: Contact part 40: Holding force generating rib 41: Guide Section 42: Widening section 43: Guide side 44: Slanted side 50: Upper locked part 51: Lower locked part 52: Posterior protrusion 54: Dead end 55: Notch 60: Mate connector 61: Opponent's Housing 62: Food 63: Locking mechanism

Claims

1. A connector that can be mated to a mating connector, Housing and The device includes a detection member that detects the mating state with the mating connector by moving in the front-rear direction from an initial position to a detection position further forward than the initial position, The housing includes a holding portion that holds the detection member so that it can move between the initial position and the detection position in the front-rear direction, The detection member is A detection piece extending forward and, when mated with the mating connector, is capable of moving to the detection position, A pair of holding arms are provided spaced apart in the width direction intersecting the front-rear direction and extending forward, Each of the pair of holding arms is provided with a pair of abutment pieces that extend inward in the width direction so that their ends are at a predetermined distance apart, The aforementioned retaining part is On the outer side in the width direction of the pair of retaining arms, a locking portion is provided for locking the pair of retaining arms, A connector comprising: a retaining force generating rib that, in the process of the sensing member reaching the sensing position, abuts against the tip between the pair of abutment pieces and applies a reaction force toward the locking portion in the width direction to the pair of abutment pieces.

2. The aforementioned holding force generating rib is The dimensions in the width direction of the guide portion are narrower than the distance between the pair of abutment pieces, In the aforementioned front-to-back direction, the widened portion is provided behind the guide portion, and its dimensions in the width direction are wider than the distance between the pair of abutment pieces, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the widened portion increases in width as it moves away from the guide portion in the front-rear direction.

3. The pair of retaining arms each have a retaining portion that extends outward in the width direction at the tip of the retaining arm and is engaged with the locking portion, The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the abutment piece extends inward in the width direction from the same position in the front-rear direction as the locked portion in the pair of holding arms.

4. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of abutment pieces have a notch formed on the rearward side in the front-rear direction at the base extending from the pair of retaining arms.

5. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing is provided with a deflection restricting portion that restricts deflection in the vertical direction with respect to the pair of abutment pieces that abut against the retaining force generating ribs.

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