Connector with a connector member having four terminals

Abstract

To provide a connector that more efficiently arranges four terminals each forming a substantially oblong rectangular part on a surface of a housing forming a substantially circular surface in a cross-sectional direction, inside a circle formed by the substantially circular shape.SOLUTION: A connector member comprises four plate-like terminals, and a housing that supports the terminals. A part of each terminal is exposed from the housing along a fitting direction to an opposite connector member on the opposite side of a fitting side to the opposite connector member. At least a part of an exposed part of the terminal exposed from the housing is surrounded circumferentially by a wall of the housing. An inner wall of the wall of the housing has a circular shape on any one cross section orthogonal to the fitting direction. The terminals have substantially oblong shapes with the same size and shape as each other inside a circle formed by the inner wall on the cross section. Substantially oblong rectangular parts formed by the terminals are arranged inside the circle in point symmetry with respect to the center of the circle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector including a connector member having a plurality of, particularly four, terminals on a substantially cylindrical portion provided on the side that is to be fitted with a mating connector member. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2015-41408 A discloses a waterproof connector consisting of a plug and a receptacle. The plug mainly consists of a plug housing, a plurality of female terminals supported by the plug housing, and a waterproof packing provided inside the plug housing. On the other hand, the receptacle mainly consists of a receptacle housing and a plurality of male terminals supported by the receptacle housing.

[0003] The plug housing includes a main body and a terminal fixing portion, the main body being generally cylindrical and having an insertion receiving portion disposed therein, while the terminal fixing portion is a generally columnar member having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion receiving portion and disposed concentrically with the insertion receiving portion and extending toward the receptacle along the mating direction of the plug and receptacle. The outer peripheral surface of the terminal fixing portion of the plug housing forms an approximately circular surface in a cross-sectional direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the plug and receptacle, and multiple female terminals, here a total of six, are arranged on this approximately cylindrical surface, along the mating direction of the plug and receptacle, and equally spaced from each other in the circumferential direction of the terminal fixing portion. When the plug and receptacle are mated, a specified portion of the receptacle is inserted into the insertion receiving portion of the plug in a specified orientation, and further, the terminal fixing portion of the plug is inserted into a specified portion of the receptacle, and the multiple female terminals on the plug side are correspondingly connected to the multiple male terminals on the receptacle side.

[0004] The arrangement of the female terminals in the cross-sectional direction of the terminal fixing portion disclosed herein, in other words, the method of arranging the female terminals on a substantially circular surface, is considered to be typical for this type of terminal; however, when the female terminals are made larger and the number of female terminals is reduced, particularly when the number is four, the above-mentioned typical arrangement method is not necessarily efficient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-41408 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the problems in the conventional technology, and aims to provide a connector having a connector member in which four terminals forming an approximately rectangular portion on a housing surface that forms an approximately circular surface in the cross-sectional direction are more efficiently arranged inside the circle formed by the approximately circular surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention is a connector comprising a connector member having four terminals of a plate-shaped body and a housing supporting the terminals, and a mating connector member connected thereto, wherein a portion of each of the terminals is exposed from the housing along the mating direction with the mating connector member on the side opposite to the mating side with the mating connector member, at least a portion of the exposed portion of the terminal exposed from the housing is circumferentially surrounded by the wall of the housing, the inner wall of the housing wall has a circular shape in any cross section perpendicular to the mating direction, the terminals have approximately rectangular shapes of the same size and shape within the circle formed in the cross section by the inner wall, and the approximately rectangular rectangular portions formed by the terminals are arranged within the circle in point symmetry with respect to the center of the circle. According to the connector of this aspect, the terminals can be efficiently arranged on the surface of the substantially circular housing. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector having a small connector member in which four terminals forming an approximately rectangular portion on a housing surface that forms an approximately circular surface in the cross-sectional direction are more efficiently arranged inside the circle formed by the approximately circular surface. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a waterproof connector part utilizing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector member; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first connector member; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(a) is a front view of the seal member, and FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 8(a). [Figure 9] 11 is a perspective view of a sealing member and a second connector member; FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a side view showing a state in which the second connector member is fitted into the sealing member. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a perspective view of the second connector member as viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first connector member and the second connector member in a connected state. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 13. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 13 is a perspective view showing a cross section of the second connector member together with a cable attached to the second terminal. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a rear view of the second connector member of the second housing and the second terminal. FIG. [Figure 18] 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 16. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, modes of use, and relative positions of components described in the following embodiments are arbitrary and can be changed according to the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied or various conditions. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically described below.

[0011] 1 shows a perspective view of a waterproof connector part 10 using a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The waterproof connector part 10 of the present invention can be used, for example, for CAN communication on a bicycle, and in actual use, the waterproof connector part 10 is attached to a separate member from the waterproof connector part 10, for example, a panel housing of the bicycle. The diameter of the waterproof connector part 10 is, for example, about 6 mm.

[0012] The waterproof connector part 10 includes a first connector member 20 and a second connector member 60. Fig. 1 shows a state before the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 are connected. Note that Fig. 1 shows the second connector 6 to which a molded member 69 is connected, rather than the second connector member 60 itself. However, the molded member 69 is not the second connector member 60, but is an example of a member that can be attached to the second connector member 60 to accommodate a cable (see Fig. 16) or the like, and is not a component of the waterproof connector part 10 of the present invention. Similarly, the packing 3 attached to the first connector member 20 is not a substantial component of the waterproof connector part 10 of the present invention.

[0013] To connect the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60, a mating recess 23 is provided in the first housing 22 of the first connector member 20, and a corresponding mating protrusion 63 is provided in the second housing 62 of the second connector member 60. When connecting the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60, the mating protrusion 63 is fitted into the mating recess 23 along the mating direction "α". As a result, the first terminal 21 provided on the first connector member 20 and the second terminal 61 provided on the second connector member 60 (see FIG. 10, etc.) come into contact with each other, and the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 are electrically connected.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the first connector member 20, FIG. 3 shows a plan view thereof, FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4. The first connector member 20 includes a first terminal 21, a first housing 22 supporting the first terminal 21, and a seal member 50 provided inside the first housing 22. The first housing 22 further includes a main body case member 30 and an attached case member 40 made of resin, which are attached to each other along the fitting direction (α). FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the main body case member 30, and FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the attached case member 40. (a) of FIG. 6 and (a) of FIG. 7 are perspective views of the main body case member 30 or the attached case member 40 as viewed from the front side, and (b) of FIG. 6 and (b) of FIG. 7 are perspective views of the main body case member 30 or the attached case member 40 as viewed from the back side.

[0015] The main body case member 30 has a main body 32 having an approximately cylindrical shape with a bottom, and further has an approximately cylindrical protrusion 36 having a smaller diameter than the main body 32 extending from this main body 32 on the side opposite the side where it is assembled to the assembly case member 40, and a terminal support portion 37 extending from this approximately cylindrical protrusion 36.

[0016] An end of the main body 32 is open on the side where it is to be assembled with the assembly case member 40. When assembling the first connector member 20, the assembly case member 40 is assembled to the main body case member 30 through this opening 38. When the main body case member 30 and the assembly case member 40 are assembled, the seal member 50 is disposed inside the main body case member 30 by utilizing the main body case member 30 and the assembly case member 40. Thereafter, by attaching the second connector member 60 to the main body case member 30, the seal member 50 is completely accommodated inside the waterproof connector part 10 with the exterior of the seal member 50 being substantially covered.

[0017] The peripheral wall 33 of the main body 32 is provided with a cutout portion 34 formed by cutting out the edge on the side to be assembled with the assembly case member 40, and a slit 35 cut out along the fitting direction (α) from the edge on the side to be assembled with the assembly case member 40. Furthermore, a locking hole 31 is provided in the middle in the circumferential direction between the cutout portion 34 and the slit 35, penetrating the peripheral wall 33. These are used when assembling the main body case member 30 and the assembly case member 40.

[0018] Two annular grooves are provided in the substantially cylindrical protrusion 36. A waterproof packing 3 can be attached to the annular groove 36a. When the first connector member 20 is attached to another member, the packing 3 fills the gap between the another member and the first connector member 20. Meanwhile, the annular groove 36b functions as a locking portion that locks the first connector member 20 to a predetermined portion of the other member.

[0019] The terminal support portion 37 is used as a portion supporting the first terminal 21 to be installed in the first housing 22, and has grooves corresponding to the shape of the first terminal 21. These grooves are provided in a state of continuity with the through-holes 32a for installing the first terminals 21.

[0020] The assembly case member 40 includes a cylindrical large diameter portion 42 and a small diameter portion 46. The large diameter portion 42 and the small diameter portion 46 communicate along the fitting direction (α) and form therein a hollow portion 43 into which the fitting protrusion 63 of the second connector member 60 is inserted when the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 are connected. The hollow portion 43 cooperates with the seal member 50 to form the fitting recess 23 of the first housing 22.

[0021] A protruding portion 44 extending from the large diameter portion 42 along the fitting direction (α) is provided on the peripheral wall 46a of the small diameter portion 46 by utilizing the difference in diameter between the large diameter portion 42 and the small diameter portion 46. In addition, a locking portion 45 protruding outward from the peripheral wall 46a of the small diameter portion 46 in the cross-sectional direction (β-γ direction) is provided at a position facing the protruding portion 44 in a cross-section (β-γ plane) perpendicular to the fitting direction "α". The locking portion 45 is provided so as to be elastically displaceable toward the inside of the hollow portion 43 in the cross-sectional direction (β-γ direction), and has the function of being locked to a predetermined portion of another member when the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 are connected, thereby fixing the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60.

[0022] When the main case member 30 and the assembled case member 40 are assembled, the protrusion 44 is guided along the fitting direction (α) through the cutout 34 of the main case member 30. Meanwhile, the locking portion 45 is guided along the fitting direction (α) through the slit 35 of the main case member 30. These functions allow the main case member 30 and the assembled case member 40 to be attached in the correct direction. A locking projection 41 protruding from the peripheral wall 46a is provided at the intermediate portion in the circumferential direction between the protrusion 44 and the locking portion 45. The locking projection 41 is used to fit into the locking hole 31 of the main case member 30 and fix the assembled case member 40 to the main case member 30 when the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 are connected. In addition, a locking hole 48 penetrating the peripheral wall 46a is provided at a position of the locking projection 41 close to the large diameter portion 42. The locking holes 48 are used to secure the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 together.

[0023] A plurality of first terminals 21, four in total in this embodiment, are provided. They all have the same size and shape, and are arranged along the fitting direction (α) while being inserted into the through holes 32a provided in the main body case member 30. A locking protrusion 211 is provided at the middle part of the first terminal 21 to fix the first terminal 21 to the through hole 32a. The tip side of the first terminal 21, i.e., the contact part 210 with the second terminal 61, is formed in a rod shape and is provided in an exposed state in the hollow part 43 of the assembly case member 40, in other words, inside the fitting recess 23 of the first housing 22. The rear end side 212 of the first terminal 21 is also provided in an exposed state, and is connected to a predetermined part of the separate member when the waterproof connector part 10 is attached to the separate member.

[0024] 8(a) shows a front view of the seal member 50, (b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 8(a), and FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the seal member 50 and the second connector member 60. In FIG. Furthermore, Figure 10 shows a side view of the state in which the second connector member 60 is fitted into the sealing member 50, Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view along line DD in Figure 10, and Figure 12 shows an oblique view of the second connector member 60 as seen from the rear side. Fig. 13 is a plan view of the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 in a connected state, Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in Fig. 13, and Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in Fig. 14. Figs. 13 to 15 correspond to Figs. 3 to 5 of the first connector member 20, respectively.

[0025] The seal member 50 is made of an elastically deformable material such as silicon or rubber, includes a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 50a and a substantially circular bottom wall 50b, and has an overall substantially cylindrical shape that is flat and has a bottom. At one end of the seal member 50, a recessed recess 54 is formed by utilizing the inner surfaces of the peripheral wall 50a and the bottom wall 50b. When the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 are connected, the fitting protrusion 63 of the second connector member 60 is fitted into the fitting recess 23 of the first connector member 20, and as a result, the substantially cylindrical portion 67, which is a part of the fitting protrusion 63, is fitted into the recess 54. An annular inward protrusion 59 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 54, in other words, on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 50a of the seal member 50, in order to fill the gap between the fitted substantially cylindrical portion 67 and the seal member 50.

[0026] The bottom surface of the recess 54 faces the end surface 64 of the approximately cylindrical portion 67 on the mating side when the approximately cylindrical portion 67 is fitted into the recess 54, and forms an opposing surface 55 that can abut at least a part of the end surface 64. The opposing surface 55 has an approximately circular shape in a cross section (β-γ plane) perpendicular to the mating direction (α). The opposing surface 55 is provided with the same number of through holes 51 as the number of first terminals 21, that is, four in total, for passing the first terminals 21 through. These four through holes 51 are arranged point symmetrically with respect to the center 53 of the approximately circular opposing surface 55, and each through hole 51 has a reduced diameter portion 51a near the approximate center in the mating direction (α). The first terminals 21 can be press-fitted and held in the through holes 51 by utilizing these reduced diameter portions 51a.

[0027] The opposing surface 55 is further provided with a total of four annular protrusions 52 of the same size and shape, point-symmetrical with respect to the center 53 of the circle, corresponding to the through hole 51. These annular protrusions 52 have a tapered shape extending from the opposing surface 55 side toward the end surface 64 side along the fitting direction (α), and are provided near the exit of the through hole 51 in a state where they closely surround the periphery of the first terminal 21 that penetrates the through hole 51. In order to arrange as many annular protrusions 52 as possible in a limited space, the annular protrusions 52 are arranged inside the circle formed by the opposing surface 55 in a state where each of them is inscribed in the circle. The annular protrusions 52 work together with the end surface 64 of the fitting convex portion 63 as described later to enhance the waterproof function. In addition to this, they also have the function of more effectively preventing insulation breakdown. That is, by providing the annular protrusion 52, the first terminals arranged in the through hole 51 have a larger creepage distance along the shape of the seal member 50, and more specifically, by utilizing the mountain-shaped annular protrusion 52 having the inclined surface 52a, the first terminals are spaced apart from each other on the surface of the seal member 50 by, for example, the distance from the position "m" to the position "n" in Fig. 8(b), and therefore a larger creepage distance is provided than in the seal member made of a substantially flat soft elastic body as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Thus, by providing the annular protrusion 52, it is possible to more effectively prevent dielectric breakdown.

[0028] The opposing surface 55 is further provided with a dividing protrusion 56 that protrudes from the opposing surface 55 side toward the end surface 64 side along the fitting direction (α) between the annular protrusions when the fitting protrusion 63 is fitted into the fitting recess 23, and divides the annular protrusions 52 from each other. The dividing protrusion 56 extends radially in a substantially cross shape from the center 53 of the circle of the opposing surface 55, which is substantially circular, so as to equally divide the annular protrusions 52 from each other. By providing the dividing protrusion 56, the creeping distance between the first terminals 21 can be further increased. That is, the distance along the shape of the seal member 50 from the position "m" to the position "n" shown in FIG. 8(b) is increased by the ridge of the dividing protrusion 56. In order to increase the creepage distance, it is preferable that the dividing projection 56 is larger than the annular projection 52 and projects from the opposing surface 55 side toward the end surface 64 side as shown in the figure.

[0029] The seal member 50 is installed on the bottom surface of the fitting recess 23 of the first housing 22, in other words, on the bottom surface 39 of the main body case member 30. In order to fix the seal member 50 to the main body case member 30, an annular outward protrusion 57 is provided on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50a of the seal member 50. The seal member 50 is installed in the waterproof connector part 10 in a state of being pressed into the main body case member 30 by utilizing this outward protrusion 57. The outer wall of the seal member 50 is further provided with an outward protrusion 58 at a position corresponding to the inward protrusion 59 in the fitting direction (α). When the approximately cylindrical portion 67 is fitted into the recessed portion 54 and the seal member 50 is expanded in diameter at the position where the inward protrusion 59 is provided, the outward protrusion 58 collides with the circumferential inner wall of the open portion 38 of the main body case member 30, and the seal member 50 is pressed more strongly against the main body case member 30, filling the gap between the seal member 50 and the approximately cylindrical portion 67. In this manner, the outer protrusion 58 can cooperate with the inner protrusion 59 to enhance the prevention function.

[0030] The second connector member 60 includes a second terminal 61 and a resin-made second housing 62 that supports the second terminal 61. The second housing 62 includes a main body 68, a substantially cylindrical portion 67 including an end face 64 provided on one end side of the main body 68, and a terminal mounting structure (73) provided on the other end side of the main body 68. The second housing 62 substantially forms the mating protrusion 63 in its entirety. However, the mating protrusion may be formed by only a part of the second housing 62. The main body 68 and the terminal mounting structure (73) are separated by a flange 71. As described with reference to FIG. 1, during actual use, the mounting structure (73) is inserted into the molded member 69 together with a cable or the like.

[0031] The main body 68 has a generally cylindrical shape. The generally cylindrical portion 67 has a smaller diameter than the main body 68. A locking projection 68a protruding outward is provided on the side surface of the main body 68. When the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 are connected, the locking projection 68a fits into a locking hole 48 provided in the assembly case member 40 of the first connector member 20. As a result, the second connector member 60 is fixed to the first connector member 20. When the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 are connected, the flange 71 is abutted against a semi-annular surface 43a provided inside the hollow portion 43 of the first connector member 20. As a result, the second connector member 60 is positioned at a predetermined position of the first connector member 20 while being sandwiched between the locking projection 68a and the flange 71.

[0032] An end face 64 of the substantially cylindrical portion 67 is provided with annular recesses 65a that receive at least a part of the annular protrusion 52 of the opposing surface 55 when the end face 64 abuts against the seal member 50. The annular recesses 65a are provided at corresponding positions of the annular protrusion 52 of the opposing surface 55, and the number of the annular recesses 65a is the same as that of the annular protrusions 52. These annular recesses 65a have a shape recessed from the opposing surface 55 side toward the end face 64 side, and also have a shape tapered in the same direction. The annular recesses 65a communicate with the terminal insertion hole 65 of the second housing 62 in which the second terminal 61 is arranged, and have a function of guiding the insertion of the contact portion 210 of the first terminal 21 provided in the first connector member 20 into the terminal insertion hole 65 when the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 are connected. The contact portion 210 guided by the annular recess 65a comes into contact with the contact portion 610 of the second terminal 61 inside the terminal insertion hole 65, and is electrically connected thereto.

[0033] When the fitting convex portion 63 is further pressed into the fitting concave portion 23, the annular recess 65a, with the first terminal 21 penetrating the terminal insertion hole 65, clamps the received annular protrusion 52 between itself and the bottom surface 39 of the fitting concave portion 23, causing at least a part of the annular protrusion 52 to elastically contract. This further narrows the gap with the first terminal 21 and enhances the adhesion with the annular protrusion 52. This elastic contraction improves the waterproof function. Furthermore, this configuration can more effectively prevent dielectric breakdown. This is because the annular recess 65a having a shape corresponding to the annular protrusion 52 can substantially eliminate the gap between the first terminals, i.e., the spatial distance, and therefore can prevent dielectric breakdown caused by the spatial distance.

[0034] The end face 64 is further provided with a protrusion accommodating portion 66 extending radially in a substantially cross shape adjacent to the annular recess 65a in correspondence with the dividing protrusion 56 of the opposing face 55. The protrusion accommodating portion 66 has a shape recessed from the opposing face 55 side toward the end face 64 side, similar to the annular recess 65a, and can accommodate the dividing protrusion 56 when the end face 64 and the opposing face 55 abut against each other. By providing the protrusion accommodating portion 66 adjacent to the annular recess 65a, the protrusion accommodating portion 66 can accommodate not only the dividing protrusion 56 but also a part of the annular protrusion 52. When the annular protrusion 52 is elastically contracted, a part of the annular protrusion 52 is wrinkled toward the center of the circle of the opposing face 55. If the wrinkled part has nowhere to go, it may reduce the adhesion between the annular recess 65a and the annular protrusion 52. According to this configuration, this portion is accommodated in the protrusion accommodating portion 66, thereby ensuring close contact. The protrusion accommodating portion 66 is sized to maintain the gap 66a even when the dividing protrusion 56 is accommodated, so that it can also accommodate a part of the annular protrusion 52. By providing a similar gap 66b for the protrusion 56a provided on the opposite side to the facing surface 55, it is possible to accommodate other wrinkled portions as well.

[0035] 16 to 18, the second terminal 61 and the mounting structure of the second terminal 61 in the second housing 62 will be described. Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing a cross section of the second connector member 60 together with the cable 9 to be attached to the second terminal 61, Fig. 17 is a rear view of the second connector member 60 of the second housing 62 and the second terminal 61, and Fig. 18 is a cross section taken along line GG in Fig. 16. Note that Fig. 17 is a rear view, but can be understood to essentially show a cross section (β-γ plane) perpendicular to the fitting direction (α) like Fig. 18.

[0036] The second terminals 61 are provided in the same number as the first terminals 21, that is, four in total. They are all formed by punching a flat metal plate and have the same shape and size. The second terminals 61 formed as plate-like bodies are inserted into through holes 65b provided in the second connector member 60 along the fitting direction (α). In order to fix the second terminals 61 in the through holes 65b, a locking protrusion 611 is provided in the middle of the second terminals 61. Of these second terminals 61, the second terminal 61A is used as a ground terminal, while the remaining three second terminals 61B are used as signal terminals. The second terminal 61A used as a ground terminal is positioned in the second housing 62 slightly closer to the connection side with the first connector member 20 than the second terminals 61B used as signal terminals. Positioning in this manner ensures that when the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 are connected, the second terminal 61A, which is a ground terminal, is connected to ground before the second terminal 61B, which is a signal terminal, makes a signal connection, thereby preventing noise.

[0037] A contact portion 610 that comes into contact with the first terminal 21 is provided on the mating side of the second terminal 61 with the first connector member 20. The contact portion 610 is disposed inside a terminal insertion hole 65 that communicates with both an annular recess 65a and a through hole 65b provided in an end face 64 of the second housing 62, and is connected to the first terminal 21 inserted into the terminal insertion hole 65 inside the terminal insertion hole 65 through the end face 64. More specifically, when the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 are connected, the mating protrusion 63 is fitted into the mating recess 23, and the contact portion 210 of the first terminal 21 is guided to the terminal insertion hole 65 by the annular recess 65a provided in the end face 64 and comes into contact with the second terminal 61 disposed in the through hole 65b. The contact portion 610 of the second terminal 61 has a two-point contact structure, and when the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 61 are in contact with each other, the contact portion 210 of the first terminal 21 is sandwiched between the contact portions 610a of the contact portion 610 and held in that state. A part 612 of the second terminal 61 on the side opposite to the mating side with the first connector member 20 is exposed from the second housing 62 along the mating direction (α) of the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 60 in a normal state, more specifically, for example, before the mold member 69 is connected. The exposed portion 612 of the second terminal 61 is a portion that can be used as a connecting portion for attaching a cable, and at least a part of it is circumferentially surrounded by the wall 72 of the second housing 62. In order to facilitate the attachment of the core wire 91 exposed from the covering 92 of the cable 9, it is preferable to provide a through hole 613 in the exposed portion 612, which is a connecting portion. By providing through hole 613 , core wire 91 can be reliably fixed around through hole 613 with a portion of the solder taken into through hole 613 .

[0038] As shown in Fig. 17, the inner wall 72a of the wall 72 forms a circle 76 in a cross section (β-γ plane) perpendicular to the fitting direction (α), for example, in the cross section shown in Fig. 17. The second terminals 61 are substantially rectangular in shape and of the same size and shape inside the circle 76, and the substantially rectangular rectangular portions 75 formed by the second terminals 61 are arranged in the circle 76 in point symmetry with respect to the center 76a of the circle 76. With this arrangement, the four second terminals 61 can be arranged more efficiently inside the circle 76, making it possible to further miniaturize the connector.

[0039] From the viewpoint of efficient arrangement inside the circle 76, it is preferable that the rectangular portions 75 have an orthogonal relationship with each other inside the circle 76. Also, from the viewpoint of arranging larger terminals, it is preferable to arrange rectangular portions 75 so that when each of the rectangular portions 75 is extended along the longitudinal direction of the rectangular portion 75, any of the other rectangular portions 75 is positioned on the extension line (K) of the rectangular portion 75. Furthermore, from the same viewpoint, it is preferable that each of the rectangular portions 75 is disposed inside the circle 76 with one end 615 in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular portion 75 being substantially inscribed in the circle 76. "Substantially" means that it is sufficient for each of the rectangular portions 75 to be close to the circle 76 from the viewpoint of efficient arrangement, even if the ends 615 are not completely inscribed.

[0040] By providing the wall 72, a space 74 that accommodates at least a part of the exposed portion 612 is formed inside the wall 72. This space 74 may be further divided for each second terminal 61 by partition plates 73 that are provided inside the circle 76 in a state where they protrude on the side opposite to the side where the first connector member 20 is fitted and that separate the rectangular portions 75. The partition plates 73 extend radially in four directions from the center 76a of the circle 76 so as to evenly separate the second terminals 61. The second terminals 61 are arranged along the fitting direction (α) with their plate surfaces aligned with these partition plates 73. When attaching the core wire 91 of the cable 9 to the exposed portion 612, the tip of the core wire 91 is inserted into the space 74 formed by using the wall 72 or the like, so that the core wire 91 can be easily positioned at an appropriate position of the second terminal 61 and soldered.

[0041] Numerous modifications or other embodiments of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, with the aid of the teachings set forth in the above description, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms have been employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. For example, in the present embodiment, the waterproof connector has been described as an example, but the configuration of the present invention can also be applied to connectors other than waterproof connectors, such as electrical connectors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 9 Cable 91 Core Wire 92 Covering 10 Waterproof connector parts 20 First connector member 21 First terminal 210 Contact part 22 First Housing 23 Fitting recess 30 Main body case material 31 Locking hole 32 Main unit 32a through hole 33 Peripheral wall 36 Cylindrical protrusion 38 Recessed part 39 Bottom 40 Assembly case parts 41 Locking protrusion 45 Locking part 50 Elastic sealing member 51 Through hole 52 Annular protrusion 52a Slope 54 Depression 55 Opposite Surface 56 Cutting protrusion 6 Second Connector 60 Second connector member 61 Second terminal 610 Contact part 612 Rear end side 62 Second Housing 63 Fitting protrusion 64 End face 65 Terminal insertion hole 65a Circular recess 66 Protrusion accommodation part 66a Gap 68 Main Body 73 Partition 74 Space 75 Rectangular part 76 yen

Claims

1. A connector comprising a connector member having four plate-shaped terminals and a housing supporting the terminals, and a mating connector member connected thereto, a portion of each of the terminals being exposed from the housing along a mating direction with the mating connector member on a side opposite to a mating side with the mating connector member; At least a portion of the exposed portion of the terminal exposed from the housing is circumferentially surrounded by a wall of the housing, The inner wall of the housing has a circular shape in any cross section perpendicular to the fitting direction, The terminals have substantially rectangular shapes of the same size and shape inside a circle formed in the cross section by the inner wall, the terminals each define a substantially rectangular shape, the terminals being disposed within the circle and symmetrically with respect to a center of the circle; A connector characterized in that each of the rectangular portions is arranged inside the circle with one end of the rectangular portion in the longitudinal direction being substantially inscribed in the circle.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a partition plate for separating the rectangular portions is provided inside the circle so as to protrude on a side opposite to a side that is fitted with the mating connector member.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the partition plates extend radially in four directions from a center of the circle so as to evenly separate the terminals from each other.

4. A connector comprising a connector member having four plate-shaped terminals and a housing supporting the terminals, and a mating connector member connected thereto, a portion of each of the terminals being exposed from the housing along a mating direction with the mating connector member on a side opposite to a mating side with the mating connector member; At least a portion of the exposed portion of the terminal exposed from the housing is circumferentially surrounded by a wall of the housing, The inner wall of the housing has a circular shape in any cross section perpendicular to the fitting direction, The terminals have substantially rectangular shapes of the same size and shape inside a circle formed in the cross section by the inner wall, the terminals each define a substantially rectangular shape, the terminals being disposed within the circle and symmetrically with respect to a center of the circle; A partition plate is provided inside the circle to separate the rectangular portions, a partition plate extending radially in four directions from a center of the circle so as to evenly separate the terminals from each other,

5. The connector according to claim 4 , wherein each of the rectangular portions is disposed inside the circle with one end of the rectangular portion in the longitudinal direction being substantially inscribed in the circle.

6. 6. The connector member according to claim 2, wherein the terminal is a plate-like body provided on the connector member along the fitting direction with a plate surface aligned with the partition plate.

7. A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rectangular portions have an orthogonal relationship to each other within the circle.

8. 8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein when each of the rectangular portions is extended along a longitudinal direction of the rectangular portion, any of the rectangular portions is positioned on an extension line of the rectangular portion.

9. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the exposed portion is accommodated in a space formed by a wall of the housing.

10. 10. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the exposed portion is a portion that can be used as a connecting portion for attaching a cable, and a through hole for soldering is provided in the connecting portion.

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