connector

The connector design addresses the issue of unintentional release by using a tilting arm portion in the detection member, ensuring secure locking without rattle-filling protrusions.

JP7655467B2Active Publication Date: 2025-04-02AUTONETWORKS TECH LTD +2
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022010629
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-01-27
Publication Date
2025-04-02
Estimated Expiration
2042-01-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In connectors with detection members, the rattle-filling protrusions can increase frictional force, making it easier to unintentionally release the locked state at the standby position.

Method used

The connector design includes a housing, a housing member, and a detection member with an arm portion that tilts opposite to the release direction when pressed, preventing unintentional release without relying on rattle-filling protrusions.

Benefits of technology

This configuration effectively prevents unintentional release of the locked state at the standby position, maintaining the locked state securely without the need for rattle-filling protrusions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To make an unexpected cancellation of a locked state at a standby position hard to occur without performing backlash elimination.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises a housing (e.g., a sub housing 40), a storage member (e.g., a holder 20) and a detection member 60. The storage member includes a stopper part 22. The detection member 60 includes an arm part 62. A tip end of the arm part 62 abuts on the stopper 22 from a rear side, thereby regulating forward movement of the detection member 60 in a state where the detection member is disposed at a standby position. In the process of regularly fitting the housing to the storage member, the tip end of the arm part 62 is pressed by the housing and moved in a cancellation direction, thereby allowing the detection member 60 to move from the standby position to a detection position. Further, the detection member 60 includes a pressing part 61. In a case where the pressing part 61 is pressed in the state where the detection member 60 is disposed at the standby position, the detection member 60 is disposed in a direction where the tip end of the arm part 62 is tilted to an opposite side of the cancellation direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, connectors equipped with a detection member have been known. This type of connector can detect that the housing is properly mated with the mating housing when the detection member reaches the detection position from the standby position. For example, in Patent Document 1, when the connector housing is not properly mated with the mating housing, the CPA device (detection member) is locked at the provisional locking position (standby position) and movement to the full locking position (detection position) is restricted. When the connector housing is properly mated with the mating housing, the CPA device is released from the locked state at the provisional locking position and can move to the full locking position. Therefore, this connector can detect that the connector housing is properly mated with the mating housing when the CPA device reaches the full locking position.

[0003] In this type of connector, there is a risk that the detection member may rattle, causing unintended release of the locked state at the standby position. Therefore, the connector of Patent Document 1 has the following configuration. That is, the CPA device has an arm portion that abuts against the lock portion of the connector housing at the temporary locking position. The connector housing has a guide groove that guides the CPA device from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. The CPA device has a protruding plate portion that engages with the guide groove. The protruding plate portion has a backlash-reducing protrusion formed thereon for tilting the CPA device in a direction that increases the locking allowance of the engaging protrusion with respect to the locking portion at the temporary locking position. According to this configuration, the backlash-reducing protrusion reduces the backlash of the CPA device, thereby increasing the locking allowance of the engaging protrusion with respect to the locking portion, making it less likely that unintended male release of the locked state at the temporary locking position will occur. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-68497 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the connector of Patent Document 1, the backlash is eliminated by the backlash-eliminating protrusions, which increases the frictional force that occurs when the CPA device is pushed in. This makes it easy for the force required to push in the CPA device to be large.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a technique that can make it difficult for the locked state in the standby position to be unintentionally released, without eliminating the backlash. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a accommodating member into which the housing is fitted from the rear, and a detection member attached to the accommodating member so as to be movable between a standby position and a detection position forward of the standby position, wherein the accommodating member has a stopper portion, and the detection member has an arm portion extending cantilevered forward, such that the tip of the arm portion abuts the stopper portion from the rear, thereby restricting forward movement of the detection member when it is disposed at the standby position, and during the process of the housing being properly fitted into the accommodating member, the tip of the arm portion is pressed by the housing and moves in a release direction, thereby allowing the detection member to move from the standby position to the detection position, and further, the detection member has a pressing portion, and when the pressing portion is pressed while the detection member is disposed at the standby position, the detection member is oriented so as to tilt the tip of the arm portion in the opposite direction to the release direction. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to make it difficult for the locked state in the standby position to be unintentionally released, even without eliminating the backlash. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector coupling structure in which a connector according to a first embodiment is coupled to a mating connector. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector coupling structure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the detection member as viewed from above. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the detection member as viewed from below. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the detection member is placed at the standby position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view taken along a plane passing through the guide portion and the guide projection in the same state as that shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the detection member is released from the locked state at the standby position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the detection member is moving from the standby position to the detection position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view taken along a plane passing through the guide portion and the guide projection in the same state as that shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the detection member is placed at the detection position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view taken along a plane passing through the guide portion and the guide projection in the same state as that shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A housing comprising: a accommodating member into which the housing is fitted from the rear; and a detection member attached to the accommodating member so as to be movable between a standby position and a detection position forward of the standby position, wherein the accommodating member has a stopper portion, and the detection member has an arm portion extending forward in a cantilever manner, and a tip of the arm portion abuts against the stopper portion from the rear, thereby restricting forward movement of the detection member when it is arranged at the standby position; and during the process of the housing being properly fitted into the accommodating member, the tip of the arm portion is pressed by the housing and moves in a release direction, thereby allowing the detection member to move from the standby position to the detection position; and further, the detection member has a pressing portion, and when the pressing portion is pressed while the detection member is arranged at the standby position, the detection member is oriented so as to tilt the tip of the arm portion in the opposite direction to the release direction. According to this configuration, when the pressing portion of the detection member is pressed, the tip of the arm portion tilts in the opposite direction to the release direction, making it difficult for the locking state between the arm portion and the stopper portion to be released. Moreover, there is no need to eliminate play in the detection member. Therefore, according to this configuration, even without eliminating play, it is possible to make it difficult for unintended release of the locking state at the standby position to occur.

[0011] (2) It is preferable that the pressing portion has a pressing surface, and that the pressing surface is inclined so that the end portion on the release direction side is inclined toward the fitting direction of the housing when the detection member is placed in the standby position. According to this configuration, when the detection member is placed in the standby position and the pressing surface is pressed, the entire detection member is likely to be displaced so that the tip side is tilted in the opposite direction to the release direction, and as a result, the tip of the arm portion is likely to be tilted in the opposite direction to the release direction. Therefore, according to this configuration, the locked state between the arm portion and the stopper portion is unlikely to be released, and unintended release of the locked state at the standby position can be unlikely to occur.

[0012] (3) It is preferable that the center of the pressing surface is parallel to the fitting direction of the housing and is located on the release direction side of an imaginary line passing through a fulcrum at which the detection member is supported by the accommodating member. With this configuration, when the pressing surface is pressed, the force applied in the release direction tends to be large. When a force is applied to the pressing surface in the release direction, a moment is generated around the fulcrum, causing the tip of the arm to tilt in the opposite direction to the release direction. Therefore, with this configuration, the locked state between the arm and the stopper is less likely to be released, making it less likely that the locked state at the standby position will be released unintentionally.

[0013] (4) It is preferable that the accommodating member has a guide portion that guides the detection member from the standby position to the detection position, and that the guide portion guides the detection member such that the inclination angle of the pressing surface with respect to a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction of the housing is smaller when the detection member is positioned at the detection position than when the detection member is positioned at the standby position. According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of deformation of the arm portion as the detection member moves from the standby position toward the detection position.

[0014] (5) It is preferable that the arm portion has a tip surface which abuts against the stopper portion from behind, and that the tip surface is inclined so that the end on the release direction side is inclined opposite to the fitting direction of the housing when the detection member is positioned in the standby position. According to this configuration, when the detection member is positioned in the standby position, even if the pressing portion is pressed and the tip surface hits the stopper portion, the tip surface is unlikely to move in the release direction, and therefore the tip surface is unlikely to ride up on the release direction side of the stopper portion.

[0015] (6) It is preferable that the detection member has a removal prevention portion which, when the detection member is positioned in the standby position, is positioned in a position that allows the housing to be fitted into the accommodating member, and that, when the detection member is positioned in the detection position, the removal prevention portion is positioned in a position that prevents the housing from being removed from the rear. According to this configuration, after the housing is fitted into the accommodating member, the housing can be prevented from coming off from the rear by the retaining portion.

[0016] (7) It is preferable that the retaining portion constitutes a part of the pressing portion. According to this configuration, the retaining portion can also function as a part of the pressing portion.

[0017] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11. Figs. 1 and 2 disclose a connector coupling structure C in which the connector 10 of the first embodiment is coupled to a mating connector 110. In this first embodiment, the forward and backward directions are defined as the direction in which the connector 10 and the mating connector 110 are fitted to each other, and the backward direction is defined as the direction in which they are separated. In the up and down directions, the directions shown in Figs. 1 to 11 are defined as upward and downward. In the width direction, the direction perpendicular to the paper plane of Figs. 2 and 6 to 11 (the direction perpendicular to the forward and backward directions and the up and down directions) is defined as the width direction. The upward direction corresponds to an example of the "release direction".

[0018] <Connector configuration> As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the connector 10 includes a holder 20, a sub-housing 40, a detection member 60, and a terminal fitting 80. The holder 20 corresponds to an example of an "accommodating member". The sub-housing 40 is fitted to the holder 20 from the rear. The sub-housing 40 (more specifically, the sub-housing 45 arranged at the top of the multiple sub-housings 40) corresponds to an example of a "housing". The detection member 60 is arranged to be movable between a standby position and a detection position forward of the standby position with respect to the holder 20. When the detection member 60 reaches the standby position, it is locked to the holder 20 from the front, and the movement from the standby position to the detection position is restricted. During the process of the sub-housing 40 being properly fitted to the holder 20, the detection member 60 is pressed by the sub-housing 40 (more specifically, the sub-housing 45) to release the locked state with the holder 20, and the detection member 60 is allowed to move to the detection position. Therefore, the connector 10 can detect that the sub-housing 40 (more specifically, the sub-housing 45) has been properly fitted when the detection member 60 reaches the detection position.

[0019] The holder 20 has insulating properties. The holder 20 is made of synthetic resin. The holder 20 has a storage portion 21, a stopper portion 22, a guide portion 23, and a lock arm 24, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7.

[0020] The accommodation portion 21 opens to the rear surface of the holder 20. The sub-housing 40 is fitted into the accommodation portion 21 from the rear.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 6 and 11, the stopper portion 22 engages the detection member 60 arranged in the standby position from the front, and engages the detection member 60 arranged in the detection position from the rear. The stopper portion 22 extends in the width direction, and is a rectangle that is long in the front-rear direction in a side cross-sectional view. The upper and lower surfaces of the stopper portion 22 are flat surfaces along the front-rear direction and the width direction. The front and rear surfaces of the stopper portion 22 are flat surfaces along the up-down direction and the width direction. The stopper portion 22 constitutes a part of the upper inner wall of the storage portion 21. The sub-housing 40 (more specifically, the sub-housing 45) is fitted into the storage portion 21 along the lower surface of the stopper portion 22. That is, when the sub-housing 40 (more specifically, the sub-housing 45) is properly fitted into the storage portion 21, the lower surface of the stopper portion 22 is arranged adjacent to or facing the upper surface of the sub-housing 40 (more specifically, the sub-housing 45).

[0022] The guide portion 23 guides the detection member 60 arranged in the initial position of the guide portion 23 to the standby position, and guides the detection member 60 from the standby position to the detection position. As shown in Figs. 7, 10, and 12, the guide portion 23 is configured as a guide groove. The guide portion 23 has an entrance 23A, a first guide portion 23B, a second guide portion 23C, and a third guide portion 23D. The entrance 23A opens to the rear surface of the holder 20. The first guide portion 23B extends linearly forward from the entrance 23A. The second guide portion 23C is inclined downward from the front end of the first guide portion 23B toward the front. The third guide portion 23D extends linearly forward from the front end of the second guide portion 23C. The third guide portion 23D is disposed lower than the first guide portion 23B.

[0023] 11, the lock arm 24 extends in a cantilever shape rearward from a fulcrum provided in front of the stopper portion 22, and the extended end side is capable of bending and deforming in the vertical direction. The lock arm 24 is disposed in a position above the stopper portion 22. The lock arm 24 has an outer locking portion 24A provided on the upper surface. The outer locking portion 24A is engaged with the mating connector 110.

[0024] The sub-housing 40 has insulating properties. The sub-housing 40 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 2, the sub-housing 40 has a cavity 40A and a lance 40B. The cavity 40A opens to the rear surface of the sub-housing 40. The terminal fitting 80 is inserted into the cavity 40A from the rear. The lance 40B protrudes into the cavity 40A. The lance 40B prevents the terminal fitting 80 arranged in the cavity 40A from slipping out rearward.

[0025] A plurality of sub-housings 40 (five in the present embodiment) are provided. Hereinafter, the five sub-housings 40 will also be referred to as sub-housings 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45. The sub-housings 41 to 45 each have a flat shape that is elongated in the width direction, and are arranged in sequence from the bottom up. In this way, since the connector 10 has a housing formed by a plurality of sub-housings 41 to 45, it is possible to reduce the mating force.

[0026] Although not shown, when the lower sub-housings 41 to 44 are in a partially fitted state with the holder 20, the sub-housings 42 to 45 interfere with the lower sub-housings 41 to 44, and thus their forward movement is restricted. When the upper sub-housings 42 to 45 are properly fitted with the holder 20, the sub-housings 41 to 44 interfere with the upper sub-housings 42 to 45, and thus their backward movement is restricted. Therefore, the sub-housings 41 to 45 are fitted into the accommodating portion 21 in order from the bottom. As a result, the lower sub-housings 41 to 44 are prevented from falling off backward by the upper sub-housings 42 to 45. The sub-housing 45 arranged at the top is prevented from falling off backward by the detection member 60.

[0027] The sub-housing 45 arranged at the top is fitted into the housing 21 along the lower surface of the stopper portion 22. As shown in FIG. 6, the sub-housing 45 has a first surface 45A, a second surface 45B, and a release portion 45C. The first surface 45A is formed on the upper surface of the sub-housing 45, and is arranged adjacent to or facing the lower surface of the stopper portion 22 when the detection member 60 is arranged at the detection position (see FIG. 11). The second surface 45B is formed on the upper surface of the sub-housing 45 at a position rearward and above the first surface 45A. The release portion 45C is in a form that protrudes upward from the rear end portion of the first surface 45A. The release portion 45C is configured as a step provided between the first surface 45A and the second surface 45B. The release portion 45C is a flat surface along the vertical direction and the width direction. The height of the release portion 45C (the length in the vertical direction based on the first surface 45A) is the same as or higher than the height of the stopper portion 22. During the process of fitting the sub-housing 40 (more specifically, the sub-housing 45) into the holder 20, the release portion 45C presses the detection member 60 arranged in the standby position from behind and lifts it upward (see FIG. 8). This releases the engagement between the stopper portion 22 and the detection member 60, and allows the detection member 60 to move to the detection position.

[0028] The detection member 60 has insulating properties. The detection member 60 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the detection member 60 has a pressing portion 61, an arm portion 62, a locking arm 63, guide protrusions 64, 65, a removal prevention portion 66, and a bending restriction portion 67.

[0029] The pressing portion 61 is a portion for pressing the detection member 60 forward, and is provided at the rear end of the detection member 60. The pressing portion 61 has a shape that is long in the width direction. The pressing portion 61 has a pressing surface 61A on its rear surface. The pressing surface 61A is a flat surface. The pressing surface 61A has a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction.

[0030] The arm portion 62 extends forward from the center of the width direction of the pressing portion 61 in a cantilever shape, and the tip side can be bent and deformed in the vertical direction. The bending direction of the arm portion 62 is a direction intersecting the direction in which the detection member 60 moves between the standby position and the detection position. The arm portion 62 has an arm body 62A extending forward from the pressing portion 61 in a cantilever shape, and a locking portion 62B protruding downward from the tip of the arm body 62A. The locking portion 62B of the arm portion 62 is locked to the holder 20. The arm portion 62 has a tip surface 62C. The tip surface 62C is a flat surface. The tip surface 62C abuts against the stopper portion 22 from the rear when the detection member 60 reaches the standby position. This restricts the forward movement of the detection member 60.

[0031] The locking arms 63 extend forward in a cantilever shape from both widthwise ends of the pressing portion 61, and the tip side is flexible and deformable in the width direction. The locking arms 63 form a pair in the width direction. The front end of the locking arms 63 is disposed at a position forward of the front end of the arm portion 62. Each pair of locking arms 63 has a locking arm main body 63A extending forward in a cantilever shape from the pressing portion 61, and a locking protrusion 63B protruding inward in the width direction from the tip of the locking arm main body 63A. The locking protrusion 63B of the locking arm 63 is locked to the holder 20 when the detection member 60 is disposed at the standby position. This restricts the rearward movement of the detection member 60. That is, the detection member 60 disposed at the standby position is restricted from moving forward and backward by the arm portion 62 and the locking arm 63.

[0032] The guide protrusions 64, 65 protrude outward from the outer surfaces of the pair of locking arms 63. The guide protrusions 64, 65 are arranged at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction. The guide protrusions 64, 65 are cylindrical. The axial direction of the guide protrusions 64, 65 is along the width direction. The guide protrusions 64, 65 fit into the groove-shaped guide portion 23 and are guided along the guide portion 23. As a result, the detection member 60 is guided by the guide portion 23 from the initial position to the standby position and from the standby position to the detection position.

[0033] The retaining portion 66 is provided at the rear end of the detection member 60. The retaining portion 66 constitutes a part of the pressing portion 61. Therefore, the pressing portion 61 is large and configured to be easy to press. The retaining portion 66 protrudes downward from the lower end of the arm body 62A of the arm portion 62. When the detection member 60 is arranged in the detection position, the retaining portion 66 is arranged behind the sub-housing 40 (more specifically, the sub-housing 45) properly fitted in the holder 20, and prevents the sub-housing 40 (more specifically, the sub-housing 45) from coming off from the rear (see FIG. 11).

[0034] The flexure restricting portion 67 protrudes forward from the pressing portion 61 at a position above the arm portion 62. The front end of the flexure restricting portion 67 is located behind the front end of the arm portion 62. The flexure restricting portion 67 has a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction in a plan view. When the detection member 60 is located at the detection position, the flexure restricting portion 67 is located below the lock arm 24 and interferes with the lock arm 24 attempting to flex downward, thereby restricting the flexure of the lock arm 24 (see FIG. 11).

[0035] 2, the terminal fitting 80 is a female type. The terminal fitting 80 is conductive. The terminal fitting 80 is formed by bending a metal plate or the like. An electric wire 90 is electrically connected to the rear end side of the terminal fitting 80 by crimping or the like.

[0036] <Configuration of the other connector> As shown in FIG. 2, the mating connector 110 includes a mating holder 120, a mating sub-housing 140, and mating terminal fittings 180. As shown in FIG.

[0037] The mating holder 120 includes a mating accommodating portion 121, a hood portion 122, and an inner locking portion 123. The mating accommodating portion 121 opens to the rear surface of the mating holder 120.

[0038] The hood portion 122 protrudes rearward in a cylindrical shape (more specifically, in a rectangular cylindrical shape) from the outer periphery of the mating accommodating portion 121. Into the hood portion 122, the connector 10 is fitted.

[0039] The inner locking portion 123 is provided on the inner side of the projecting end portion of the hood portion 122. The inner locking portion 123 is locked to the outer locking portion 24A of the lock arm 24 of the connector 10.

[0040] The mating sub-housing 140 has insulating properties. The mating sub-housing 140 is made of synthetic resin. The mating sub-housing 140 has a cavity 140A and a lance 40B. The cavity 140A opens to the rear surface of the mating sub-housing 140. The mating terminal fitting 180 is inserted into the cavity 140A from the rear. The lance 140B protrudes into the cavity 140A. The lance 140B prevents the mating terminal fitting 180 arranged in the cavity 140A from slipping out rearward.

[0041] A plurality of mating sub-housings 140 (six in this embodiment) are provided. Hereinafter, the six mating sub-housings 140 are also referred to as mating sub-housings 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146. Each of the mating sub-housings 141 to 146 has a flat shape that is elongated in the width direction, and is arranged next to each other from the bottom.

[0042] The mating terminal fitting 180 is a male type. The mating terminal fitting 180 is conductive. The mating terminal fitting 180 is formed by bending a metal plate or the like. An electric wire 190 is electrically connected to the rear end side of the mating terminal fitting 180 by crimping or the like.

[0043] <Function and effect of connector> The connector 10 is assembled as follows. First, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the detection member 60 is placed in a standby position relative to the holder 20. Specifically, the guide protrusions 64, 65 of the detection member 60 are fitted into the guide portions 23 from the entrances 23A of the holder 20, and move along the guide portions 23. The tip surfaces 62C of the arms 62 abut against the rear surface of the stopper portion 22, restricting the detection member 60 from moving forward. This places the detection member 60 in the standby position.

[0044] However, there is a clearance between the guide projections 64, 65 and the guide portion 23. Therefore, there is a risk that the detection member 60 will rattle and the tip of the arm portion 62 will tilt upward and ride up on the upper surface of the stopper portion 22. In this regard, the detection member 60 is arranged in a direction that tilts the tip of the arm portion 62 downward when the pressing portion 61 is pressed in a state in which the detection member 60 is arranged in the standby position. Specifically, the pressing surface 61A is inclined so that the upper end portion tilts toward the fitting direction of the sub-housing 40 (forward in the present embodiment 1) when the detection member 60 is arranged in the standby position. According to this configuration, when the pressing surface 61A is pressed in a state in which the detection member 60 is arranged in the standby position, the tip of the arm portion 62 is likely to tilt downward, and the locked state between the arm portion 62 and the stopper portion 22 is unlikely to be released.

[0045] Moreover, the center 61C of the pressing surface 61A is parallel to the fitting direction of the sub-housing 40 (the front-rear direction in the present embodiment 1), and is disposed above an imaginary line VL passing through a fulcrum SP at which the detection member 60 is supported by the holder 20. The fulcrum SP is the midpoint of the guide protrusions 64, 65. With this configuration, when the pressing surface 61A is pressed, a large force is likely to be applied to the upper end side of the pressing surface 61A. When a force is applied to the upper end side of the pressing surface 61A, a moment is generated around the fulcrum SP, causing the tip of the arm portion 62 to tilt downward. As a result, the locked state between the arm portion 62 and the stopper portion 22 is difficult to release.

[0046] Furthermore, the tip surface 62C of the arm portion 62 is inclined such that the upper end is inclined backward when the detection member 60 is disposed at the standby position. With this configuration, even if the pressing portion 61 is pressed and the tip surface 62C hits the stopper portion 22 when the detection member 60 is disposed at the standby position, the tip surface 62C is unlikely to move upward and therefore unlikely to ride up onto the upper surface of the stopper portion 22. That is, with this configuration, the locked state between the arm portion 62 and the stopper portion 22 is unlikely to be released.

[0047] After the detection member 60 is placed in the standby position, the uppermost sub-housing 45 is properly fitted to the holder 20. In the process of properly fitting the sub-housing 45, the locked state of the detection member 60 in the standby position is released. Specifically, the rear surface of the locking portion 62B of the arm portion 62 is inclined so that the lower end is inclined forward when the detection member 60 is placed in the standby position. In the process of properly fitting the sub-housing 45, the rear surface of the locking portion 62B is pressed by the release portion 45C of the sub-housing 45 and rides up onto the second surface 45B as shown in FIG. 8. As a result, the tip of the arm portion 62 is placed at a position above the stopper portion 22. That is, the locked state between the arm portion 62 and the stopper portion 22 is released, and the detection member 60 is allowed to move to the detection position.

[0048] When the pressing surface 61A of the detection member 60 is pressed in a state where the locking state at the standby position is released, the detection member 60 moves forward along the guide portion 23 and reaches the detection position as shown in Figs. 8 to 11. In the process of the detection member 60 reaching the detection position, the arm portion 62 of the detection member 60 moves along the upper surface of the stopper portion 22 with the tip portion being flexibly deformed upward. Then, when the locking portion 62B of the arm portion 62 reaches a position forward of the stopper portion 22, it returns to its original shape by its own elastic force and is locked by the stopper portion 22 from the rear. This prevents the detection member 60 from coming off backward. In addition, the removal prevention portion 66 of the detection member 60 is disposed adjacent to or facing the rear surface of the sub-housing 40 (more specifically, the sub-housing 45). As a result, the removal prevention portion 66 prevents the sub-housing 45 from coming off from the rear. In addition, the bending restriction portion 67 is disposed adjacent to or facing the lower surface of the lock arm 24 of the holder 20. Thereby, the flexure restricting portion 67 restricts downward flexure deformation of the lock arm 24. As a result, unintentional release of the lock arm 24 is suppressed.

[0049] As shown in Figs. 7, 10 and 12, the guide portion 23 guides the detection member 60 so that the inclination angle of the pressing surface 61A with respect to a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction of the sub-housing 40 is smaller when the detection member 60 is placed at the detection position than when the detection member 60 is placed at the standby position. Specifically, when the detection member 60 is placed at the standby position, as shown in Fig. 7, the center of the front guide protrusion 64 is placed at the third guide portion 23D, and the center of the rear guide protrusion 65 is placed at the first guide portion 23B. In contrast, when the detection member 60 is placed at the detection position, as shown in Fig. 12, both of the guide protrusions 64 and 65 are placed at the third guide portion 23D. As a result, the inclination angle of the pressing surface 61A with respect to a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction of the sub-housing 40 is smaller when the detection member 60 is placed at the detection position than when the detection member 60 is placed at the standby position. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the deformation amount of the arm portion 62 as the detection member 60 moves from the standby position toward the detection position.

[0050] [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. (1) In the above embodiment 1, the housing is a sub-housing and the accommodating member is a holder, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the housing may be a first housing and the accommodating member may be a second housing that is fitted into the first housing. (2) In the first embodiment, the pressing portion has a pressing surface, but the pressing portion may have no pressing surface. For example, the pressing portion may have a stepped shape. (3) In the above embodiment 1, the tip surface of the arm portion is configured so that the end portion on the release direction side is inclined in the opposite direction to the fitting direction of the housing when the detection member is arranged in the standby position, but a different configuration is also possible. For example, the tip surface of the arm portion may not be inclined when the detection member is arranged in the standby position, or the end portion on the release direction side may be inclined in the fitting direction of the housing. (4) In the above-described first embodiment, the detection member has a retaining portion. However, the detection member may have no retaining portion. (5) In the above-described first embodiment, the retaining portion constitutes a part of the pressing portion. However, the retaining portion does not have to constitute a part of the pressing portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10…Connector 20...Holder (housing member) 21…Storage section 22...Stopper part 23...Guide section 23A…Entrance 23B…First guide section 23C…Second guide section 23D…Third guide section 24…Lock arm 24A…Outside locking part 40…Sub-housing 40A…cavity 40B…Lance 41…Sub-housing 42…Sub-housing 43…Sub-housing 44…Sub-housing 45...Sub-housing (housing) 45A…Side 1 45B…Second side 45C...Release part 60…Detection member 61...Pressing part 61A…Pressing surface 62…Arm section 62A…Arm body 62B…Locking part 62C…Tip surface 63...Lock arm 63A…Lock arm body 63B…Latching protrusion 64...Guide protrusion 65...Guide protrusion 66…Retaining part 67...Deflection control section 80...Terminal fitting 90...Electric wire 110…Mating connector 120…Matching holder 121…Matching housing part 122…Hood section 123…Inner locking part 140…Matching sub-housing 140A…cavity 140B…Lance 141…Matching sub-housing 142…Matching sub-housing 143…Matching sub-housing 144…Matching sub-housing 145…Matching sub-housing 146…Matching sub-housing 180…Mating terminal fitting 190...Electric wire C…Connector connection structure SP…Fulcrum VL…Virtual line

Claims

1. Housing and a receiving member into which the housing is fitted from the rear; a detection member attached to the storage member so as to be movable between a standby position and a detection position forward of the standby position, The housing member has a stopper portion, The detection member has an arm portion extending forward in a cantilever shape, When the tip end of the arm portion abuts against the stopper portion from the rear, the forward movement of the detection member is restricted while the detection member is disposed at the standby position, In the process of properly fitting the housing into the accommodating member, the tip of the arm portion is pressed by the housing and moves in a release direction intersecting with the front-rear direction, thereby allowing the detection member to move from the standby position to the detection position, Furthermore, the detection member has a pressing portion, A connector in which, when the detection member is positioned in the standby position and the pressing portion is pressed forward, the detection member is positioned in an orientation that tilts the tip of the arm portion in the opposite direction to the release direction.

2. The pressing portion has a pressing surface, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing surface is inclined such that an end portion on the releasing direction side is inclined toward a fitting direction of the housing when the detection member is placed at the standby position.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein a center of the pressing surface is parallel to a fitting direction of the housing and is disposed on the release direction side of an imaginary line passing through a fulcrum at which the detection member is supported by the accommodating member.

4. the housing member has a guide portion that guides the detection member from the standby position to the detection position, 4. A connector as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the guide portion guides the pressing surface so that the inclination angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the mating direction of the housing is smaller when the detecting member is positioned at the detecting position than when the detecting member is positioned at the standby position.

5. the arm portion has a tip surface that abuts against the stopper portion from behind, A connector as described in any one of claims 1 and 4, wherein the tip surface is inclined so that the end on the release direction side is inclined opposite to the mating direction of the housing when the detection member is positioned in the standby position.

6. The detection member has a retaining portion, the stopper portion is disposed at a position that allows the housing to be fitted into the accommodating member when the detection member is disposed at the standby position, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the stopper portion is disposed at a position that prevents the housing from coming out from behind when the detection member is disposed at the detection position.

7. The connector according to claim 6 , wherein the retaining portion constitutes a part of the pressing portion.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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