connector

Abstract

To suppress the deformation of a wall portion that constitutes a receiving frame in a connector.SOLUTION: A connector 10 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 includes a flat first surface 41 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 11, a pair of wall surface portions 43 rising from both ends in the width direction of the first surface 41, a pair of projection portion 44 protruding inward in the width direction from the rising ends of the pair of wall surfaces 43, and a second surface 42 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 11 and extending from the pair of wall surface portions 43 to the side opposite to the projecting portion 44 side. The second surface 42 is positioned higher than the first surface 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A bracket fitting is attached to the housing of the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1. Two rows of receiving frames with a T-shaped cross section are formed on the base of the housing. The bracket fitting is configured with a main insertion piece inserted between the two rows of receiving frames and sub-insertion pieces on both sides of the main insertion piece arranged in parallel like a fork. The two rows of receiving frames are pushed between the main insertion piece and the sub-insertion piece in the bracket fitting. In this way, the bracket fitting is attached to the housing. Furthermore, FIG. 4 of Patent Document 1 discloses an L-shaped receiving frame as a conventional example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-157935 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In either the T-shape or L-shape described above, when an external force such as vibration or prying force is applied to the receiving frame, the wall portion of the receiving frame that rises from the base may be deformed.

[0005] In view of this, the present disclosure provides a technique capable of suppressing deformation of a wall portion that constitutes a receiving frame in a connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a flat first surface formed on an outer peripheral surface of the housing, a pair of wall portions rising from both widthwise ends of the first surface, a pair of protrusions protruding inward in the widthwise direction from the rising ends of the pair of wall portions, and a second surface formed on the outer peripheral surface and extending from the pair of wall portions to the opposite side to the protrusions, the second surface being positioned at a higher position than the first surface. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress deformation of the wall surface portion that constitutes the receiving frame in the connector. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector as seen obliquely from behind. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the upper portion of the connector. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which the mating connector is mated with the connector and a bracket is attached. 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 of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A housing is provided having a flat first surface formed on an outer peripheral surface of the housing, a pair of wall portions rising from both widthwise ends of the first surface, a pair of protrusions protruding inward in the widthwise direction from the rising ends of the pair of wall portions, and a second surface formed on the outer peripheral surface and extending from the pair of wall portions to an opposite side to the protrusions, the second surface being positioned at a higher position than the first surface. In the above connector, a receiving frame is formed by a pair of wall portions and a pair of protruding portions. A second surface extends from the pair of wall portions to the opposite side to the protruding portions, and the second surface is disposed at a higher position than the first surface. Therefore, according to this configuration, the wall portions are reinforced compared to a configuration in which the second surface is disposed at the same height as the first surface, and therefore deformation of the wall portions when an external force is applied to the wall portions can be suppressed.

[0010] (2) The second surface is preferably located at a position lower than the rising edge of the wall portion. According to this configuration, sink marks are less likely to occur on the second surface, compared to a configuration in which the second surface is disposed at the same height as the rising edge of the wall portion.

[0011] (3) It is preferable that the protrusion has an opposing surface facing the first surface, and the second surface is disposed at the same height as the opposing surface or at a higher height than the opposing surface. According to this configuration, it is possible to reinforce the entire wall portion in the rising direction at a position lower than the protruding portion.

[0012] (4) It is preferable that the width dimension between the inner and outer sides in the width direction of the wall portion is larger than the difference in height between the rising edge of the wall portion and the second surface. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the moment that occurs when the rising end side of the wall portion is subjected to an external force directed outward in the width direction, thereby suppressing deformation of the rising end side of the wall portion.

[0013] (5) It is preferable that an outer surface in the width direction of the wall portion is connected to the second surface via a curved surface. With this configuration, when the rising end side of the wall portion is bent and deformed outward in the width direction, the stress applied to the base side of the wall portion can be distributed by the curved surface, thereby further suppressing deformation of the wall portion.

[0014] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A first embodiment of the connector of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In this first embodiment, the right and left sides in Figures 3 to 5 are defined as the front and rear, respectively. The up and down directions are defined as the top and bottom directions in Figures 1 to 4. The width direction is defined as the left and right direction in Figure 2.

[0015] The connector 10 of the present embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a type of connector that is fixed to a bracket 90 (see FIG. 5). The connector 10 includes a housing 11 and terminal fittings 12 (see FIG. 3). The housing 11 includes a sub-housing 20 and a holder 30.

[0016] The sub-housing 20 has insulating properties. The sub-housing 20 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 3, the sub-housing 20 has a cavity 20A. The terminal fitting 12 is disposed in the cavity 20A. The terminal fitting 12 is male. The terminal fitting 12 is conductive. The terminal fitting 12 is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate. The electric wire 70 is electrically connected to the rear end of the terminal fitting 12 by crimping. The terminal fitting 12 is inserted from the rear into the cavity 20A with the electric wire 70 connected thereto.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, a plurality of sub-housings 20 (seven sub-housings) are provided. Hereinafter, the seven sub-housings 20 are also referred to as sub-housings 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27. The sub-housings 21 to 27 are arranged in a vertically stacked manner. The sub-housings 21 to 27 are connected to the sub-housings 20 adjacent thereto above and below. The sub-housings 22 to 27 are restricted from moving forward by the sub-housings 20 adjacent thereto below. The sub-housings 21 to 26 are restricted from moving backward by the sub-housings 20 adjacent thereto above. Therefore, after being connected to each other vertically, the sub-housings 21 to 27 are fitted halfway into the holder 30, and are properly fitted in order from the lower sub-housing 20. The uppermost sub-housing 27 is prevented from coming off by a retaining portion 33 of the holder 30, which will be described later. As a result, all the sub-housings 21 to 27 are prevented from coming off.

[0018] The holder 30 has insulating properties. The holder 30 is made of synthetic resin. The holder 30 has a function of holding the sub-housings 21 to 27. As shown in FIG. 4, the holder 30 has a central wall portion 31, a storage portion 32, a retaining portion 33, and a hood portion 34.

[0019] The central wall portion 31 has a thickness in the front-rear direction. The accommodation portion 32 protrudes rearward from the outer periphery of the central wall portion 31 in a cylindrical shape (more specifically, a rectangular cylindrical shape). The accommodation portion 32 opens at the rear surface of the holder 30. The sub-housings 21-27 in a connected state are fitted into the accommodation portion 32 from behind.

[0020] The retaining portions 33 protrude into the accommodating portion 32 from the inner peripheral surface (more specifically, the top surface) of the accommodating portion 32. The retaining portions 33 lock the uppermost sub-housing 27 among the sub-housings 21-27 fitted into the accommodating portion 32. The retaining portions 33 are arranged in pairs in the width direction (see FIG. 2). The retaining portions 33 are arranged outward in the width direction from a pair of wall portions 43, which will be described later. This allows the connector 10 to have a low profile.

[0021] The hood portion 34 has a cylindrical shape (more specifically, a square cylindrical shape) that protrudes forward from the outer periphery of the central wall portion 31. A mating connector 80 (see FIG. 5) is fitted into the hood portion 34.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holder 30 has a first surface 41, a second surface 42, a wall surface portion 43, a protruding portion 44, and a curved surface 45.

[0023] The first surface 41 is a flat surface formed on the outer circumferential surface (more specifically, the upper surface) of the holder 30. The first surface 41 is formed on the upper surface of the accommodation portion 32.

[0024] The wall portions 43 rise from both widthwise ends of the first surface 41 and are arranged in pairs on both widthwise sides of the first surface 41. The pair of wall portions 43 face each other in the widthwise direction. An inner surface 43A of the wall portions 43 is a flat surface perpendicular to the first surface 41. The rising edges of the wall portions 43 are located at the same height as the upper surface of the hood portion 34.

[0025] The protruding portions 44 protrude inward in the width direction from the rising ends of the pair of wall portions 43. The protruding portions 44 have an opposing surface 44A that faces the first surface 41. The opposing surface 44A is the lower surface of the protruding portion 44 and is parallel to the first surface 41. The upper surface of the protruding portion 44 is disposed at the same height as the upper surface of the hood portion 34 and is flush with the upper surface of the hood portion 34.

[0026] The second surface 42 is formed on the outer peripheral surface (more specifically, the upper surface) of the holder 30 and is a flat surface. The second surface 42 spreads outward in the width direction from the outer side surfaces 43B of the pair of wall surface portions 43. The second surface 42 is parallel to the first surface 41 and is disposed at a position higher than the first surface 41. The second surface 42 is disposed at a position lower than the rising edge of the wall surface portion 43. With this configuration, sink marks are less likely to occur on the second surface 42 compared to a configuration in which the second surface 42 is disposed at the same height as the rising edge of the wall surface portion 43. The second surface 42 is disposed at the same height as the opposing surface 44A.

[0027] A width dimension W between the inner side surface 43A and the outer side surface 43B in the width direction of the wall surface portion 43 is larger than a difference T between the height position of the rising edge of the wall surface portion 43 and the height position of the second surface 42. A lower end portion of the outer side surface 43B in the width direction of the wall surface portion 43 is continuous with the second surface 42 via a curved surface 45.

[0028] 2 and 3, the holder 30 has a rear wall portion 46 and a through hole 47. The rear wall portion 46 rises from the front end side (more specifically, the front end) of the first surface 41 between the pair of wall surface portions 43. The through hole 47 penetrates the center portion in the width direction of the rear wall portion 46 in the front-rear direction. The through hole 47 communicates with the inner space of the hood portion 34. The rear wall portion 46 is divided in the width direction by the through hole 47, and each of the through holes 47 is connected to the inner surface 43A of the pair of wall surface portions 43.

[0029] As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the holder 30 has a connecting portion 50, an extending portion 51, and a locking portion 52. The connecting portion 50 connects the rising ends of the pair of wall surface portions 43 at a position forward of the protruding portion 44. The rear end of the connecting portion 50 is connected to the front ends of the pair of protruding portions 44. The front end of the connecting portion 50 is connected to the rear end of the hood portion 34. This configuration can prevent foreign matter from entering between the connecting portion 50 and the first surface 41 from the front. The upper surface of the connecting portion 50 is flush with the upper surface of the hood portion 34.

[0030] The extension portion 51 extends rearward in a cantilever manner from the widthwise center of the rear end portion of the connecting portion 50. The extension portion 51 is disposed between the pair of protrusions 44 in the widthwise direction.

[0031] The locking portion 52 protrudes downward from the extending end of the extending portion 51. The locking portion 52 has an inclined surface 52A and an locking surface 52B. The inclined surface 52A is inclined such that the lower end portion is inclined forward. The locking surface 52B is formed on the front surface of the locking portion 52.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, a bracket 90 is attached to the connector 10. The bracket 90 is made of, for example, metal. The bracket 90 has a connecting portion 91 that is connected to the connector 10. The connecting portion 91 is plate-shaped. A locking hole 92 is formed in the connecting portion 91, penetrating the connecting portion 91 in the thickness direction. The locking hole 92 is rectangular. The width dimension of the connecting portion 91 is smaller than the widthwise distance between the pair of wall portions 43 and larger than the widthwise distance between the pair of protruding portions 44. The thickness dimension of the connecting portion 91 is smaller than the distance between the first surface 41 and the opposing surface 44A. The connecting portion 91 is inserted from the rear into a receiving frame formed by the pair of wall portions 43 and the pair of protruding portions 44. When the connecting portion 91 contacts the inclined surface 52A of the locking portion 52, it enters the receiving frame while bending the connecting portion 50 and the extending portion 51 upward. When the locking portion 52 fits into the locking hole 92 of the connecting portion 91, the connecting portion 91 is locked. In this way, the bracket 90 is attached to the connector 10.

[0033] When the bracket 90 is attached to the connector 10, an external force may be applied to the wall surface portion 43 due to vibration or twisting of the bracket 90. In this regard, as described above, in the connector 10, the second surface 42 extends outward in the width direction from the outer side surfaces 43B of the pair of wall surface portions 43. The second surface 42 is disposed at a position higher than the first surface 41. Therefore, according to this configuration, the wall surface portion 43 is reinforced compared to a configuration in which the second surface 42 is disposed at the same height as the first surface 41, and therefore deformation of the wall surface portion 43 when an external force is applied to the wall surface portion 43 can be suppressed.

[0034] Furthermore, the protruding portion 44 has an opposing surface 44A opposing the first surface 41, and the second surface 42 is disposed at a position higher than the opposing surface 44A. According to this configuration, the entire rising direction of the wall surface portion 43 can be reinforced at a position lower than the protruding portion 44.

[0035] Furthermore, the width dimension W between the inner side surface 43A and the outer side surface 43B in the width direction of the wall surface portion 43 is larger than the difference T between the height position of the rising edge of the wall surface portion 43 and the height position of the second surface 42. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the moment and stress generated in the wall surface portion 43 when the rising end side of the wall surface portion 43 (more specifically, the portion of the wall surface portion 43 above the second surface 42) is subjected to an external force directed outward in the width direction, and therefore it is possible to suppress deformation of the rising end side of the wall surface portion 43 (more specifically, the portion of the wall surface portion 43 above the second surface 42).

[0036] Furthermore, the outer side surface 43B of the wall portion 43 in the width direction is continuous with the second surface 42 via the curved surface 45. With this configuration, when the rising end side of the wall portion 43 is bent and deformed outward in the width direction, the stress applied to the base side of the wall portion 43 can be dispersed by the curved surface 45, so that the deformation of the wall portion 43 can be further suppressed.

[0037] [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-mentioned Example 1, the second surface is configured to be disposed at the same height as the opposing surface, but it may be configured to be disposed at a higher position than the opposing surface. Even in this case, it is possible to reinforce the entire rising direction of the wall surface portion at a position lower than the protruding portion. Also, although the strength of the wall surface portion is reduced, the second surface may be configured to be disposed at a lower position than the opposing surface. (2) The second surface may be located at a higher position than the first surface, and may be located at the same height as the rising edge of the wall portion, for example. (3) In the above Example 1, the width dimension between the inner and outer sides in the width direction of the wall portion was larger than the difference between the height position of the rising edge of the wall portion and the height position of the second surface. However, the width dimension between the inner and outer sides in the width direction of the wall portion may be smaller than or the same as the difference between the height position of the rising edge of the wall portion and the height position of the second surface. (4) The curved surface may not be present. In other words, the outer surface of the wall portion in the width direction may be directly connected to the second surface. For example, the outer surface of the wall portion in the width direction may be perpendicular to the second surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10…Connector 11. Housing 12...Terminal metal fitting 20…Sub-housing 20A…cavity 21…Sub-housing 22…Sub-housing 23…Sub-housing 24…Sub-housing 25…Sub-housing 26…Sub-housing 27…Sub-housing 30…Holder 31…Central wall 32…Storage section 33…Retaining part 34…Hood section 41...Side 1 42…Second side 43…Wall section 43A…Inner surface 43B…Outer surface 44...Protruding part 44A…Facing surface 45…Curved surface 46…Back wall part 47…Through hole 50…Connecting part 51...Extending part 52...Latching part 52A…Slanted surface 52B…Engagement surface 70...Electric wire 80…Mating connector 90…Bracket 91...Connection part 92…Latching hole T…The difference between the height position of the rising edge of the wall and the height position of the second surface W: Width dimension between the inner and outer sides of the wall

Claims

1. A housing is provided. The housing includes: A hood portion opening forward; a flat first surface formed on an outer peripheral surface of the housing; A pair of wall surface portions rising from both ends in a width direction of the first surface; A pair of protruding portions protruding inward in the width direction from the rising ends of the pair of wall portions; a second surface formed on the outer circumferential surface and extending from the pair of wall surface portions to a side opposite to the protruding portion; A connecting portion connecting the rising ends of the pair of wall portions, The front end of the connecting portion is connected to the rear end of the hood portion, The second surface of the connector is disposed at a higher position than the first surface.

2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the second surface is located at a position lower than a rising edge of the wall portion.

3. The protrusion has an opposing surface opposing the first surface, The connector according to claim 2 , wherein the second surface is disposed at the same height as the opposing surface or at a higher height than the opposing surface.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 2, wherein a width dimension between an inner surface and an outer surface in a width direction of the wall portion is greater than a difference in height between a rising edge of the wall portion and a height position of the second surface.

5. The connector according to claim 2 , wherein an outer surface in a width direction of the wall portion is connected to the second surface via a curved surface.

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