Connector device

Abstract

To improve workability.SOLUTION: A connector device 1 comprises: a first connector 10 including a plurality of first terminal metal fittings 18; and a second connector 20 which can be fitted to the first connector 10. The second connector 20 comprises: a holder 22; a plurality of sub connectors 33 and 34 attached to the holder 22; and a plurality of second terminal metal fittings 45 attached to the sub connectors 33 and 34. The plurality of sub connectors 33 and 34 attached to the holder 22 can be individually moved from an initial position to a connection position for connecting the first terminal metal fitting 18 and the second terminal metal fitting 45.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lever-type connector that includes a first connector having a cam pin and a lever member attached to a second connector. When the lever member is rotated, the cam pin slides in a cam groove of the lever member, and the two connectors are fitted together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-107010 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Since there is a limit to the maximum rotation angle of the lever member, as the number of poles of a connector increases, the operating force required to rotate the lever member increases, resulting in a problem of reduced workability.

[0005] The connector device of the present disclosure has been completed in light of the above circumstances, and aims to improve workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector device of the present disclosure comprises: a first connector having a plurality of first terminal fittings; a second connector that is matable with the first connector, The second connector is A holder and A plurality of sub-connectors attached to the holder; and a plurality of second terminal fittings attached to the sub-connector, The plurality of sub-connectors attached to the holder can be moved individually from an initial position to a connection position where the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings are connected to each other. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve workability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the connector device of the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the sub-connector is attached to the holder at an initial position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing a state in which the sub-connector is attached to the holder in an initial position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the second connector, in which the sub-connector is held in the initial position, is fitted into the first connector. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing a state in which the second connector, in which the sub-connector is held in the initial position, is fitted into the first connector. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which some of the sub-connectors have been moved from the initial positions to the connection positions from the state shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are fitted together and the sub-connector is moved to the connection position. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are fitted together and the sub-connectors other than the locking sub-connector are moved to the connected position. [Figure 16] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are mated and all the sub-connectors have been moved to the connected position. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state of the connector device of the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the connector device in an exploded state. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are fitted together and the sub-connector is moved to the connection position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector device of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A first connector having a plurality of first terminal fittings and a second connector that can be fitted to the first connector, the second connector being configured to include a holder, a plurality of sub-connectors attached to the holder, and a plurality of second terminal fittings attached to the sub-connector, the plurality of sub-connectors attached to the holder being capable of being moved individually from an initial position to a connection position where the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings are connected. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, when the second connector is fitted to the first connector with the plurality of sub-connectors held in the initial position of the holder, and the sub-connector is advanced to the connection position, the second terminal fittings are connected to the first terminal fittings. By pushing the plurality of sub-connectors into the connection position at different times, the maximum value of the frictional resistance generated between the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings can be reduced, resulting in excellent workability.

[0010] (2) The connection position is set to a position forward of the initial position, and when the sub-connector is in the initial position, the rear end of the connection operation portion formed at the rear end of the sub-connector protrudes rearward beyond the rear end of the holder. With this configuration, it is easy to check whether the sub-connector is in the initial position or the connection position, and it is easy to push the sub-connector from the initial position into the connection position.

[0011] (3) When the holder is fitted into the first connector and the sub-connector is in the initial position, it is preferable that the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings are held in a positional relationship in which they are not in contact with each other. With this configuration, no frictional resistance is generated between the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings during the process of fitting the holder into the first connector.

[0012] (4) It is preferable that the sub-connector is formed with an elastic locking piece that restricts the sub-connector from moving from the initial position to the connected position when the holder is not engaged with the first connector, and the first connector is formed with a release portion that releases the movement restriction by the elastic locking piece when the holder is engaged with the first connector. According to this configuration, when the holder is engaged with the first connector, the movement restriction by the elastic locking piece is released by the release portion. Since there is no need to manually release the movement restriction by the elastic locking piece, workability is good.

[0013] (5) In (4), it is preferable that the release portion releases the restriction on movement by elastically deforming the elastic locking piece, and the first connector is formed with a receiving recess for elastically returning the elastic locking piece when the sub-connector moves to the connecting position. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the elastic locking piece from remaining in an elastically deformed state.

[0014] (6) The sub-connectors are preferably attached to the holder in a stacked state, and each sub-connector is preferably formed with a stopper that engages with the rear of another sub-connector adjacent to the sub-connector in the stacking direction. With this configuration, if the sub-connector with the stopper is prevented from falling out of the holder, the sub-connector adjacent to that sub-connector can also be prevented from falling out.

[0015] (7) It is preferable that the first terminal fitting has a tab inserted into the second terminal fitting, the first connector has a fitting space that receives the tab and fits the holder, the first connector is formed with a guide portion that protrudes along the tab, and the sub-connector is guided by sliding contact with the guide portion during the process of moving the sub-connector from the initial position to the connection position. According to this configuration, the sub-connector is guided by the guide portion during the process of pushing the sub-connector from the initial position to the connection position, so that the tab is connected without interfering with the second terminal fitting.

[0016] (8) The holder is formed with a locking arm that elastically deforms during the process of mating the holder with the first connector and elastically returns to its original shape when properly mated with the first connector to prevent the holder from coming loose, and the plurality of sub-connectors preferably include a locking sub-connector having a deflection restricting portion, and when the holder is mated with the first connector and the locking sub-connector is pushed into the connected position, the deflection restricting portion is preferably positioned to restrict the elastic deformation of the locking arm. With this configuration, the deflection restricting portion of the locking sub-connector restricts the elastic deformation of the locking arm, thereby enabling the holder and the first connector to be reliably maintained in a mated state.

[0017] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A connector device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 16. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In this first embodiment, the forward and backward directions are defined as the positive direction of the X-axis in Figs. 1 to 3, 5 to 9, and 11 to 16. The left and right directions are defined as the positive direction of the Y-axis in Figs. 1 to 5, 9 to 11, 13, and 14. The up and down directions are defined as the positive direction of the Z-axis in Figs. 1 to 4, 6 to 10, 12, 13, 15, and 16.

[0018] The connector device 1 of the first embodiment includes a first connector 10 and a second connector 20, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The first connector 10 includes a first housing 11 and a plurality of first terminal fittings 18. The first housing 11 is a single component having a terminal holding portion 12 and a square tubular hood portion 13 protruding rearward (toward the first connector 10) from the outer periphery of the terminal holding portion 12. The inside of the hood portion 13 is a fitting space 14 for fitting the second housing 21. As shown in Figs. 11, 12, 14 to 16, a plurality of first terminal fittings 18 are attached to the terminal holding portion 12. The first terminal fittings 18 are male terminals connected to the first electric wire 46 and having an elongated tab 19 at the tip. The first terminal fittings 18 are attached to the first housing 11 with the tab 19 protruding from the terminal holding portion 12 into the hood portion 13.

[0019] A lock portion (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the upper wall of the hood portion 13. As shown in Figs. 2, 12, 15, and 16, a plurality of guide portions 15 extending rearward from the terminal holding portion 12 are arranged in the hood portion 13. The plurality of guide portions 15 are flat with their plate thicknesses facing the vertical direction, and are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. As shown in Figs. 2, 11, and 14, a plurality of release portions 16 having a protruding shape are formed at intervals in the vertical direction on both left and right inner surfaces of the hood portion 13. The plurality of guide portions 15 and the plurality of release portions 16 are arranged alternately in the vertical direction. As shown in Figs. 11 and 14, a plurality of accommodating recesses 17 are formed at intervals in the vertical direction on both left and right inner surfaces of the hood portion 13. The accommodating recesses 17 are shaped to be recessed more than the release portions 16. The accommodating recesses 17 are located at the same height as the release portions 16, and are arranged adjacent to the front of the release portions.

[0020] The second connector 20 is configured to include a second housing 21 and a plurality of second terminal fittings 45. The second housing 21 includes a holder 22 and a plurality of sub-connectors 33, 34 attached to the holder 22 so as to be stacked in the vertical direction. The holder 22 is a single component made of synthetic resin. The holder 22 has an upper wall portion, left and right side walls, and a lower wall portion, and is shaped like a rectangular cylinder that is open on both the front and rear sides.

[0021] A lock arm 23 is formed on the upper surface of the holder 22, extending backward in a cantilever shape along the upper wall. A release operation portion 24 is formed at the rear end of the lock arm 23. The lock arm 23 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction so as to move the release operation portion 24 closer to or farther away from the upper wall. A pair of left and right notches 25 are formed in the upper wall directly below the release operation portion 24. The space between the upper wall of the holder 22 and the release operation portion 24 is a deflection allowance space 26 (see Figs. 15 and 16) for allowing elastic deformation of the lock arm 23 in the unlocking direction. The inside of the holder 22 is an accommodation space 27 for accommodating a plurality of sub-connectors 33, 34 in a vertically stacked arrangement.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of initial position front stop portions 28 having a protruding shape are formed at intervals in the vertical direction on both the left and right inner wall portions. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a plurality of initial position retaining portions 29 are formed at intervals in the vertical direction on both the left and right inner wall portions. The initial position retaining portions 29 are disposed rearward of the initial position front stop portions 28. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of interference avoiding portions 30 are formed at intervals in the vertical direction on both the left and right inner wall portions. The interference avoiding portions 30 are shaped to be recessed more than the initial position front stop portions 28. The interference avoiding portions 30 are located at the same height as the initial position front stop portions 28 and are disposed adjacent to the front of the initial position front stop portions 28.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 6, a plurality of protruding connection position front stop portions 31 are formed at intervals in the vertical direction on both the left and right inner wall portions. The connection position front stop portion 31 is disposed at the rear end portion of the accommodation space 27. As shown in Figs. 5, 11, and 14, a plurality of connection position retaining portions 32 are formed at intervals in the vertical direction on both the left and right inner wall portions. The connection position retaining portions 32 are located at the same height as the initial position front stop portion 28 and are located rearward of the initial position front stop portion 28.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, the sub-connectors 33, 34 are flat, thick plates whose thickness in the up-down direction is smaller than their dimensions in the front-rear and left-right directions. As shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 12, a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 35 are formed in each of the sub-connectors 33, 34 and aligned in the left-right direction. A pair of left and right elastic locking pieces 36 are formed in the sub-connectors 33, 34. The pair of elastic locking pieces 36 extend forward in a cantilever shape along both the left and right outer surfaces of the sub-connectors 33, 34. An initial position abutment 37 is formed at the front end of the elastic locking piece 36.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6, the sub-connectors 33 and 34 are formed with a pair of left and right initial position locking projections 38. As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right movement operation parts 39 in the form of a projection are formed at the rear end of the sub-connectors 33 and 34. As shown in FIG. 6, a part of the pair of movement operation parts 39 functions as a connection position abutment part 40. As shown in FIG. 2, 5, 11, and 14, a pair of connection position locking projections 41 are formed on both left and right outer surfaces of the sub-connectors 33 and 34. The connection position locking projections 41 are disposed rearward of the elastic locking pieces 36. As shown in FIG. 1, 2, 7, and 8, a pair of left and right stoppers 42 protruding downward are formed at the rear end of each sub-connector 33 and 34.

[0026] Of the multiple sub-connectors 33, 34, the sub-connector 33 arranged at the top in the stacking direction functions as the locking sub-connector 33. A pair of left and right flexure restriction portions 43 are formed on the locking sub-connector 33. The flexure restriction portions 43 protrude upward from the rear end portion of the locking sub-connector 33.

[0027] 5, 11, 12, 14 to 16, a plurality of female second terminal fittings 45 connected to second electric wires 47 are inserted into each terminal accommodating chamber 35 from the rear of the sub-connectors 33, 34. The second terminal fittings 45 are provided with elastic contact pieces (not shown) that come into contact with the tabs 19 of the first terminal fittings 18 in an elastically deformed state.

[0028] Next, the connection process of the connector device 1 of the first embodiment will be described. First, the second terminal fittings 45 are inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 35 of the sub-connectors 33, 34. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the sub-connectors 33, 34 are inserted into the holder 22 from the rear. At this time, the sub-connector 34 in the lowest row is attached first, and the sub-connectors 34 in the upper rows are attached in sequence. Finally, the locking sub-connector 33 in the highest row is attached. In the process of attaching the sub-connectors 33, 34 to the holder 22, the initial position abutment portion 37 overcomes the connection position retaining portion 32 while the elastic locking piece 36 elastically deforms inward in the left-right direction. Then, the initial position abutment portion 37 engages with the initial position front stop portion 28 from the rear, and the initial position locking projection 38 engages with the initial position retaining portion 29 from the front, thereby holding the sub-connectors 33, 34 in the initial position.

[0029] Once all the sub-connectors 33, 34 have been attached to their initial positions, the holder 22 is inserted into the mating space 14 of the hood portion 13 as shown in FIG. 9 to fit the first housing 11 and the second housing 21 together. In the process of fitting the two housings 11, 21 together, the lock arm 23 temporarily elastically deforms downward. At this time, the deflection restriction portion 43 of the locking sub-connector 33 is located rearward of the rear end of the lock arm 23, so there is no hindrance to the elastic deformation of the lock arm 23. When the two housings 11, 21 are properly fitted together, the lock arm 23 elastically returns to its original position and engages with the lock portion (not shown). This engagement locks the first housing 11 and the holder 22 into the fitted state.

[0030] When both housings 11, 21 are properly fitted together and the sub-connectors 33, 34 are in their initial positions, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the front ends of the holder 22 and the sub-connectors 33, 34 do not reach the tabs 19 of the first terminal fittings 18, so that the first terminal fittings 18 and the second terminal fittings 45 are not in contact with each other. Also, as shown in Figure 11, the elastic locking pieces 36 are elastically deformed by the release portions 16 of the first housing 11, so that the initial position abutment portions 37 are disengaged from the initial position front stop portions 28. This allows the sub-connectors 33, 34, which have been held in their initial positions, to move forward to a connection position forward of the initial positions.

[0031] After both housings 11, 21 are properly fitted together, the sub-connectors 33, 34 are moved forward one by one from the initial position to the connection position. When the sub-connectors 33, 34 are held in the initial position, the movement operation part 39 protrudes rearward from the holder 22, and the rear end of the movement operation part 39 is located rearward of the rear end of the holder 22. The stoppers 42 of each of the sub-connectors 33, 34 other than the bottommost sub-connector 34 are disposed so as to face the sub-connectors 34 located below them from behind. Therefore, when the topmost locking sub-connector 33 is moved forward, the sub-connectors 34 other than the topmost sub-connector 34 are also moved forward.

[0032] Therefore, first, the lowest sub-connector 34 is pushed to the connection position. At this time, the moving operation part 39 is pushed from the rear. In the process of advancing the sub-connector 34 to the connection position, the tab 19 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 35 and contacts the elastic contact piece (not shown) of the second terminal metal fitting 45, and contact between the tab 19 and the second terminal metal fitting 45 begins. During the period until the connection is completed, frictional resistance due to the elasticity of the elastic contact piece is generated between the tab 19 and the elastic contact piece (not shown). When the sub-connector 34 reaches the connection position, the connection position abutment part 40 engages with the connection position front stop part 31 from the rear, and the connection position locking protrusion 41 engages with the connection position removal stop part 32 from the front, as shown in FIG. 14. This locking holds the sub-connector 34 in the connection position.

[0033] After the sub-connector 34 in the lowest row is moved to the connection position, the sub-connector 34 in the second row from the bottom is pushed into the connection position. After this, as shown in FIG. 13, the sub-connectors 34 in the upper rows are moved to the connection position in sequence. Finally, the locking sub-connector 33 in the highest row is pushed into the connection position. If all the sub-connectors 33, 34 are advanced to the connection position at the same timing, the frictional resistance becomes significantly large. In this respect, the second connector 20 of the first embodiment can move the multiple sub-connectors 33, 34 from the initial position to the connection position one by one, independently of the other sub-connectors 33, 34. Therefore, the resistance caused by the connection between the first terminal metal fitting 18 and the second terminal metal fitting 45 can be reduced. When all the sub-connectors 33, 34 are moved to the connection position, the fitting operation of the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 is completed.

[0034] 1 and 16, when the mating of both connectors 10, 20 is complete, the flexure restricting portion 43 of the locking sub-connector 33 fits into the notch 25 of the holder 22 and slips under the release operation portion 24 of the lock arm 23. The flexure restricting portion 43 is disposed in the flexure allowing space 26 of the release operation portion 24, so that it is not possible to perform an unlocking operation to disengage the lock arm 23 from the lock portion (not shown). This allows both connectors 10, 20 to be reliably locked in the mated state.

[0035] When the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are separated, the locking sub-connector 33 in the top row is moved from the connected position to the initial position as shown in FIG. 15. Next, the sub-connector 34 in the second row from the top is returned from the connected position to the initial position. Thereafter, the sub-connectors 34 in the lower rows are sequentially returned to their initial positions. When the sub-connectors 33, 34 are moved from the connected position to the initial position, frictional resistance occurs between the tab 19 and the elastic contact piece (not shown). However, since the sub-connectors 33, 34 can be moved individually one by one, the resistance when moving the sub-connectors 33, 34 can be reduced. After all the sub-connectors 33, 34 are moved to their initial positions, the release operation portion 24 of the lock arm 23 is pressed downward to release the lock arm 23 from the lock portion, and the two connectors 10, 20 are pulled back and forth away from each other.

[0036] The connector device 1 of the first embodiment includes a first connector 10 having a plurality of first terminal fittings 18, and a second connector 20 that can be mated with the first connector 10. The second connector 20 includes a second housing 21 and a plurality of second terminal fittings 45. The second housing 21 includes a holder 22 and a plurality of sub-connectors 33, 34 attached to the holder 22. A plurality of second terminal fittings 45 are attached to each of the sub-connectors 33, 34. The sub-connectors 33, 34 attached to the holder 22 can be moved individually one by one from an initial position to a connection position where the first terminal fittings 18 and the second terminal fittings 45 are connected.

[0037] With the multiple sub-connectors 33, 34 held in their initial positions in the holder 22, the second connector 20 is fitted into the first connector 10, and the sub-connectors 33, 34 are advanced to the connection position, whereby the second terminal fittings 45 are connected to the first terminal fittings 18. By moving the multiple sub-connectors 33, 34 to the connection position at different times, the maximum value of the frictional resistance generated between the first terminal fittings 18 and the second terminal fittings 45 can be reduced, resulting in excellent workability.

[0038] The connection position is set to a position forward of the initial position. When the sub-connectors 33, 34 are in the initial position, the rear end of the movement operation portion 39 formed at the rear end of the sub-connectors 33, 34 protrudes rearward beyond the rear end of the holder 22. This configuration makes it easy to visually check whether the sub-connectors 33, 34 are in the initial position or the connection position. In addition, the sub-connectors 33, 34 can be easily pushed from the initial position into the connection position.

[0039] When holder 22 is fitted into hood portion 13 of first connector 10 and sub-connectors 33, 34 are in their initial positions, first terminal fittings 18 and second terminal fittings 45 are held in a positional relationship in which they are not in contact with each other. With this configuration, no frictional resistance occurs between first terminal fittings 18 and second terminal fittings 45 during the process of fitting holder 22 into first connector 10, resulting in excellent workability.

[0040] The sub-connectors 33, 34 are formed with elastic locking pieces 36 that restrict the sub-connectors 33, 34 from moving from the initial position to the connected position when the holder 22 is not yet engaged with the first connector 10. The first connector 10 is formed with a release portion 16 that releases the movement restriction by the elastic locking pieces 36 when the holder 22 is engaged with the first connector 10. According to this configuration, when the holder 22 is engaged with the first connector 10, the movement restriction by the elastic locking pieces 36 is released by the release portion 16. Since there is no need to manually release the movement restriction by the elastic locking pieces 36, workability is good.

[0041] The release portion 16 releases the restriction on movement by elastically deforming the elastic locking piece 36. The first connector 10 is formed with an accommodation recess 17 for accommodating the initial position abutment portion 37 when the sub-connectors 33, 34 move to the connecting position. The holder 22 is formed with an interference avoidance portion 30 for accommodating the initial position abutment portion 37 when the sub-connectors 33, 34 move to the connecting position. The initial position abutment portion 37 is accommodated in the accommodation recess 17 and the interference avoidance portion 30, so that the elastic locking piece 36 can be elastically restored. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the elastic locking piece 36 from remaining in an elastically deformed state after the two connectors 10, 20 are mated.

[0042] The multiple sub-connectors 33, 34 are attached to the holder 22 in a vertically stacked state. The sub-connectors 33, 34 are formed with stoppers 42 that engage with the other sub-connectors 34 on the lower level adjacent to them in the stacking direction from the rear. With this configuration, if the sub-connectors 33, 34 on which the stoppers 42 are formed are prevented from falling out of the holder 22, the sub-connectors 34 adjacent to those sub-connectors 33, 34 can also be prevented from falling out.

[0043] The first terminal fitting 18 has a tab 19 that is inserted into the second terminal fitting 45. The first connector 10 has a mating space 14 that houses the tab 19 and into which the holder 22 is fitted. The first connector 10 is formed with a guide portion 15 that protrudes along the tab 19. In the process of inserting the holder 22 into the mating space 14 as the two connectors 10, 20 are fitted together, the sub-connectors 33, 34 are guided by sliding against the guide portion 15. In the process of advancing the sub-connectors 33, 34 from the initial position to the connection position, the sub-connectors 33, 34 are also guided by sliding against the guide portion 15. As the sub-connectors 33, 34 are guided by the guide portion 15, the tab 19 is connected to the second terminal fitting 45 without interfering with it.

[0044] The holder 22 is formed with a lock arm 23. The lock arm 23 is elastically deformed during the fitting process to the first connector 10. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are properly fitted, the lock arm 23 elastically returns to its original position to prevent the holder 22 from being removed. The sub-connectors 33, 34 include a locking sub-connector 33 having a deflection restricting portion 43. When the holder 22 is fitted to the hood portion 13 of the first connector 10 and the locking sub-connector 33 is pushed into the connection position, the deflection restricting portion 43 restricts the elastic deformation of the lock arm 23. With this configuration, the deflection restricting portion 43 of the locking sub-connector 33 restricts the elastic deformation of the lock arm 23, thereby enabling the holder 22 and the first connector 10 to be reliably maintained in a fitted state.

[0045] [Example 2] A connector device 2 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 17 to 19. Regarding the front-rear direction, the positive direction of the X-axis in Figs. 17 to 19 is defined as the front. Regarding the left-right direction, the positive direction of the Y-axis in Figs. 17 to 19 is defined as the right. Regarding the up-down direction, the positive direction of the Z-axis in Figs. 17 and 18 is defined as the up.

[0046] The connector device 2 of the present embodiment 2 differs from that of embodiment 1 in the shape of a part of the holder 62 and the multiple sub-connectors 65 constituting the second housing 61 of the second connector 60. The connector device 2 of the present embodiment 2 is designed so that the sub-connector 65 pushed into the connecting position of the holder 62 can be returned to the initial position by manual operation without using a jig. As the other configurations are the same as those of embodiment 1 described above, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations, and explanations of the structure, action and effect will be omitted.

[0047] A pair of elastic lock pieces 66 are formed on both the left and right outer surfaces of the sub-connector 65. The elastic lock pieces 66 extend rearward in a cantilever shape and are capable of elastic deformation in the left and right direction. A connection position locking projection 68 is formed on the elastic lock pieces 66. The rear end of the elastic lock pieces 66 functions as a return operation portion 67. The return operation portion 67 is exposed on the rear end surface of the sub-connector 65.

[0048] When the sub-connector 65 has moved to the connected position, the connection position locking projections 68 lock with the connection position retaining portions 63 of the holder 62 from the front, thereby restricting the sub-connector 65 from moving toward the initial position. Since the return operation portions 67 protrude rearward beyond the rear end surface of the holder 62, when the pair of return operation portions 67 are pinched from both the left and right sides to elastically deform the elastic lock pieces 66, the premature position locking projections come off the connection position retaining portions 63. If the sub-connector 65 is pulled rearward in this state, the sub-connector 65 from the connected position can be returned to the initial position.

[0049] [Other Examples] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but is indicated by the claims. The present invention includes the equivalent meaning of the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims, and is intended to include the following embodiments. When the sub-connector is in the initial position, the rear end of the connection operation portion may be located at the same position as the rear end of the holder or further forward than the rear end of the holder. When the holder is fitted into the first connector and the sub-connector is in the initial position, the first terminal metal fitting and the second terminal metal fitting may come into contact with each other. The restriction on the movement of the elastic engaging piece may be released by a manual operation. The first connector may have a shape that does not have a receiving recess. The sub-connector may not have a stopper. The first connector may have a shape that does not include a guide portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1...Connector device 2...Connector device 10…First connector 11…First housing 12...Terminal holding part 13…Hood section 14...Mating space 15...Guide section 16…Release section 17…Housing recess 18...First terminal metal fitting 19…Tab 20…Second connector 21…Second housing 22…Holder 23...Lock arm 24...Release operation part 25…Notch 26… Deflection allowance space 27…Containment space 28…Front stop for initial position 29…Initial position retaining part 30…Interference avoidance section 31…Front stop for connection position 32…Connection position retaining part 33...Lock sub-connector (sub-connector) 34…Sub-connector 35...Terminal chamber 36...Elastic locking piece 37...Abutting part for initial position 38…Locking protrusion for initial position 39…Movement operation unit 40…Connection position abutment 41...Connection position locking projection 42…Stopper 43... Deflection control section 45…Second terminal metal fitting 46…First wire 47…Second electric wire 60…Second connector 61…Second housing 62…Holder 63…Connection position retainer 65...Sub-connector 66...Elastic lock piece 67…Return operation part 68…Connection position locking protrusion

Claims

1. a first connector having a plurality of first terminal fittings; a second connector that is matable with the first connector, The second connector is A holder and A plurality of sub-connectors attached to the holder; a plurality of second terminal fittings attached to the sub-connector, the plurality of sub-connectors attached to the holder are capable of being moved individually from an initial position to a connection position at which the first terminal metal fittings and the second terminal metal fittings are connected to each other, a lock arm is formed in the holder, the lock arm being elastically deformed in the process of fitting the holder to the first connector, and elastically returning to its original state when the holder and the first connector are fitted together, to lock the holder and the first connector in a fitted state; the plurality of sub-connectors include a locking sub-connector having a deflection restricting portion, A connector device in which, when the holder and the first connector are locked in a mated state by the lock arm and the locking sub-connector is pushed into the connected position, the deflection control portion is positioned to control the elastic deformation of the lock arm.

2. The connection position is set to a position forward of the initial position, 2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein a rear end of a connection operation portion formed at a rear end of the sub-connector protrudes rearward beyond a rear end of the holder when the sub-connector is in the initial position.

3. The connector device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the holder is engaged with the first connector and the sub-connector is in the initial position, the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings are maintained in a positional relationship in which they are not in contact with each other.

4. the sub-connector is formed with an elastic locking piece for restricting the sub-connector from moving from the initial position to the connection position when the holder is not yet engaged with the first connector, 4. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the first connector is formed with a release portion that releases the movement restriction by the elastic locking piece when the holder is fitted to the first connector.

5. The release portion releases the restriction on movement by elastically deforming the elastic locking piece, 5. The connector device according to claim 4, wherein the first connector is formed with a receiving recess for allowing the elastic locking piece to elastically return to its original position when the sub-connector is moved to the connecting position.

6. The plurality of sub-connectors are attached to the holder in a stacked state, 6. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the sub-connector is formed with a stopper that engages with another sub-connector adjacent thereto in the stacking direction from behind.

7. The first terminal metal has a tab that is inserted into the second terminal metal, the first connector has a fitting space for accommodating the tab and fitting the holder therein; The first connector is formed with a guide portion that protrudes along the tab, 7. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the sub-connector is guided in sliding contact with the guide portion during the process of moving the sub-connector from the initial position to the connection position.

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