Connector and Connector Unit

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of suppressing increase in size.SOLUTION: A housing 3 of a connector 1 is inserted and fitted into a partner connector in an insertion direction. A normal fitting detection member 7 is supported by an outer wall surface (a top wall surface 31) of the housing 3 slidably in the insertion direction. The normal fitting detection member 7 includes: a base that has a detection part for detecting normal fitting at a detection position; an elastic piece 71 extending from the base in the insertion direction; and a pair of guide pieces 72. The guide pieces 72 are engaged with the housing 3 to guide the sliding of the normal fitting detection member 7. The elastic piece 71 allows the normal fitting detection member 7 to move to the detection position by being elastically deformed in a width direction W. A lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71 and a lower surface 72k of the guide pieces 72 are arranged so that their positions are shifted in a height direction H1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a connector unit.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a connector position detection member for detecting a normal fitting state of a pair of connectors is movably supported by a housing of one of the connectors. The connector position detection member includes a base portion, a pair of elastic pieces extending from the base portion toward the housing side of the other connector, and a pair of support arms extending from the base portion in parallel with the pair of elastic pieces. The pair of support arms are disposed on both sides of the pair of elastic pieces.

[0003] When the connectors are fitted, when a wedge piece of the other connector expands the pair of elastic pieces, the holding state of the connector position detection member with respect to one housing is released, and the connector position detection member can move toward the other housing side by the guidance of the pair of support arms. By this movement, a flange of the connector position detection member abuts against one housing, and normal fitting is detected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the lower surface of the elastic piece and the lower surface of the support arm are arranged at the same height position. For this reason, when some of a plurality of terminals arranged below the outer wall surface of the housing are terminals having a larger size than the remaining terminals, if the position of the some terminals is shifted in the width direction so that the connector does not increase in size in the height direction, the connector increases in size in the width direction. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, a connector and a connector unit capable of suppressing an increase in size are provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) One embodiment of the present invention includes a housing (3) that is partially inserted and fitted in an insertion direction (X1) orthogonal to the height direction (H1) and the width direction (W) into a mating housing (8) of a mating connector (2), a plurality of terminals (4) respectively accommodated in a plurality of terminal accommodation holes (3P, 3S) formed in the housing, and a normal fitting detection member (7) that is slidably supported in the insertion direction on an outer wall surface (31) of the housing along the insertion direction at a non-detection position and a detection position on the insertion direction side of the non-detection position, and detects normal fitting with respect to the mating connector. The normal fitting detection member includes a base (70) having a detection portion (73) that detects the normal fitting by abutting against the housing at the detection position, an elastic piece (71) that extends from the base in the insertion direction and allows the normal fitting detection member to move to the detection position by being elastically deformed in the width direction, and a pair of guide pieces (72) that extend from the base in the insertion direction and engage with the housing to guide the sliding of the normal fitting detection member. The extended ends of the pair of guide pieces are arranged at the same position as the extended end of the elastic piece with respect to the insertion direction and on a pair of outer sides in the width direction of the extended end of the elastic piece, and a lower surface (71k) of the elastic piece including the lower surface of the extended end of the elastic piece and a lower surface (72k) of the guide piece including the lower surface of the extended end of the guide piece are arranged with a shift in the height direction. A connector (1) is provided. The outer wall surface includes a central guide portion (42) that guides the lower surface of the elastic piece, and a pair of side guide portions (43) that guide the lower surfaces of the pair of guide pieces. The plurality of terminals include a plurality of central terminals (4S) arranged in the width direction below or obliquely below the elastic piece, and a pair of side terminals (4P) arranged on both sides in the width direction with respect to the plurality of central terminals below or obliquely below the pair of guide pieces. The connector includes a support portion (61) supported by the outer wall surface and an arm portion (62) extending parallel to the insertion direction from the support portion, and is provided with a locking mechanism (6) for locking the fitting state with respect to the mating connector. At least a part of the elastic piece is arranged below the arm portion, the pair of guide pieces are arranged on both sides sandwiching the locking mechanism in the width direction, the lower surface of the guide piece is arranged at a higher position than the lower surface of the elastic piece, and the side terminal is a terminal larger in size than the central terminal.

[0007] With this configuration, it is possible to arrange the lower surface of the elastic piece and the lower surfaces of the pair of guide pieces of the normal fitting detection member disposed on the outer wall surface of the housing with a shift in the height direction according to the size and layout of the terminals disposed below the outer wall surface. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the connector. The alphanumeric characters within parentheses represent corresponding components and the like in the embodiments described later. However, this does not of course mean that the present invention should be limited to those embodiments. The same applies hereinafter in this section. Also The outer wall surface includes a central guide portion (42) that guides the lower surface of the elastic piece, and a pair of side guide portions (43) that guide the lower surfaces of the pair of guide pieces. In this configuration, on the outer wall surface, the central guide portion that guides the lower surface of the elastic piece and the pair of side guide portions that guide the lower surfaces of the pair of guide pieces are arranged with their positions shifted in the height direction, so that the height positions of the central guide portion and the side guide portion can be adapted to the size and layout of the terminals arranged below the outer wall surface. Also The plurality of terminals include a plurality of central terminals (4S) arranged side by side in the width direction below or obliquely below the elastic piece, and a pair of side terminals (4P) arranged on both sides in the width direction below or obliquely below the pair of guide pieces and opposite to the plurality of central terminals. In this configuration, depending on the difference in size between the central terminals and the side terminals, the lower surface of the elastic piece and the lower surface of the guide piece are shifted in position in the height direction. Also It includes a support portion (61) supported on the outer wall surface and an arm portion (62) extending parallel to the insertion direction from the support portion, and is provided with a locking mechanism (6) for locking the fitting state with the mating connector. At least a part of the elastic piece is arranged below the arm portion, the pair of guide pieces are arranged on both sides sandwiching the locking mechanism in the width direction, the lower surface of the guide piece is arranged at a higher position than the lower surface of the elastic piece, and the side terminal is a terminal larger in size than the central terminal.

[0008] In this configuration, corresponding to the side terminals larger in size than the central terminals, the height position of the lower surface of the guide piece is made higher than the height position of the lower surface of the elastic piece. (2In one embodiment of the present invention, the central terminal includes a signal terminal (4S), and the side terminal includes a power supply terminal (4P). In this configuration, the height of the lower surface of the guide piece corresponding to the power supply terminal, which is larger than the signal terminal, is made higher than the height of the lower surface of the elastic piece corresponding to the signal terminal. ( 3 )In one embodiment of the present invention, a pair of protective ribs (37) are provided on the outer wall surface of the housing so as to project therefrom and extend in the insertion direction on both sides of the lock mechanism sandwiching the lock mechanism in the width direction to protect the lock, and the upper surface (72j) of the guide piece is at the same height or lower than the upper surface (37j) of the protective rib.

[0009] In this configuration, the pair of guide pieces of the normal fitting detection member are arranged so as not to exceed the height of the upper surfaces of the pair of protective ribs that are usually provided on both sides of the lock mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the connector in the height direction. ( 4 )In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes a protrusion (36) protruding in the height direction from the outer wall surface, and the elastic piece is a pair of elastic pieces (71) that hold the normal fitting detection member in the non-detection position by sandwiching the protrusion in the width direction, and includes a pair of elastic pieces that are expanded by a release piece (88) disposed in the insertion chamber of the mating connector when the connectors are fitted to release the locking to the protrusion. In this configuration, the operations of locking and unlocking the protrusion by the pair of elastic pieces are ensured. ( 5 )One embodiment of the present invention provides a connector unit (U) including the connector and the mating connector. In this configuration, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the connector unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a connector and a connector unit capable of suppressing an increase in size are provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 10

Figure 11A

Figure 11B

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector unit U including a connector 1 and a mating connector 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The connector 1 is a plug connector and includes an insulating housing 3, a plurality of terminals 4, a retainer 5, a locking mechanism 6, and a correct mating detection member 7. The mating connector 2 is a receptacle connector and includes an insulating mating housing 8 that forms an insertion chamber 100 (see FIG. 2A ) and a plurality of mating terminals 9.

[0013] The housing 3 of the connector 1, which is a plug connector, is inserted and fitted into an insertion chamber 100 of a mating housing 8 of a mating connector 2, which is a receptacle connector, along an insertion direction X1 perpendicular to a height direction H1 and a width direction W. In the connector 1, the retainer 5 is attached to the housing 3 and engages with the multiple terminals 4, thereby preventing the multiple terminals 4 from coming off the housing 3. The locking mechanism 6 functions to lock the mated state of the connector 1 with the mating connector 2. The correct mating detection member 7 functions to detect that the connector 1 is properly mated with the mating connector 2.

[0014] The plurality of terminals 4 of the connector 1 include signal terminals 4S as a plurality of central terminals arranged side by side in the width direction W, and a pair of power supply terminals 4P as side terminals arranged on both sides of the plurality of signal terminals 4S sandwiching them in the width direction W. When the signal terminals 4S and the power supply terminals 4P are collectively referred to, they are simply called terminals 4. The power supply terminals 4P are terminals larger in size than the signal terminals 4S. Each signal terminal 4S includes a wire connection portion 4Sa connected to a wire WS and a box-shaped female contact portion 4Sb. Each power supply terminal 4P includes a wire connection portion 4Pa connected to a wire WP and a box-shaped female contact portion 4Pb.

[0015] The mating connector 2 is, for example, a connector mounted on the surface of a substrate (not shown). The plurality of mating terminals 9 of the mating connector 2 include a plurality of mating signal terminals 9S arranged side by side in the width direction W, and a pair of mating power supply terminals 9P arranged on both sides of the plurality of mating signal terminals 9S sandwiching them in the width direction W. When the mating signal terminals 9S and the mating power supply terminals 9P are collectively referred to, they are simply called mating terminals 9. The mating power supply terminals 9P are terminals larger in size than the mating signal terminals 9S.

[0016] Each mating signal terminal 9S includes a fixing portion 9Sa, a male contact portion 9Sb, and a substrate connection portion 9Sc. Each mating signal terminal 9S is formed of a pair of plate materials connected orthogonally, with the fixing portion 9Sa and the male contact portion 9Sb arranged on one plate material and the substrate connection portion 9Sc arranged on the other plate material. Each mating power supply terminal 9P includes a fixing portion 9Pa, a male contact portion 9Pb, and a substrate connection portion 9Pc. Each mating power supply terminal 9P is formed of a pair of plate materials connected orthogonally, with the fixing portion 9Pa and the male contact portion 9Pb arranged on one plate material and the substrate connection portion 9Pc arranged on the other plate material.

[0017] The male contact portion 9Sb of the corresponding mating signal terminal 9S of the mating connector 2 is inserted and fitted into the female contact portion 4Sb of each signal terminal 4S of the connector 1 for connection. The male contact portion 9Pb of the corresponding mating power supply terminal 9P of the mating connector 2 is inserted and fitted into the female contact portion 4Pb of each power supply terminal 4P of the connector 1 for connection. First, the mating connector 2 will be described in detail.

[0018] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the mating connector 2. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the connector unit U in a mated state. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the mating housing 8 of the mating connector 2 includes a top wall portion 81, a bottom wall portion 82, a pair of side wall portions 83, and a rear wall portion 84. The mating housing 8 forms an insertion chamber 100 (see also FIG. 8) that opens at an inlet opening 101 on the connector 1 side (i.e., the opposite side X2 of the insertion direction X1).

[0019] The insertion chamber 100 is defined by the top wall portion 81, the bottom wall portion 82, a pair of side wall portions 83, and the rear wall portion 84 (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the housing 3 of the connector 1 is inserted and fitted into the insertion chamber 100 of the mating housing 8 of the mating connector 2 in the insertion direction X1. As shown in FIG. 2A, on the inner wall surface 83a of each side wall portion 83, a guide groove 85 having a sectional groove shape extending in the insertion direction X1 from the inlet opening 101 is formed. From the inner wall surface 81a of the top wall portion 81, a pair of guide ribs 86 project. The pair of guide ribs 86 are respectively arranged close to the corresponding side wall portions 83 and extend in the insertion direction X1 from the inlet opening 101. The guide groove 85 and the guide ribs 86 engage with corresponding portions of the housing 3 of the connector 1 to guide the insertion and fitting of the housing 3 into the insertion chamber 100.

[0020] Also, a locking portion 87 projects from the central portion in the width direction W of the inner wall surface 81a of the top wall portion 81. The locking portion 87 is disposed near the inlet opening 101 of the insertion chamber 100. The locking mechanism 6 of the connector 1 is locked to the locking portion 87. A release piece 88 projecting from the inner wall surface 84a (see FIG. 8) of the rear wall portion 84 to the substantially central position of the insertion chamber 100 on the connector 1 side (the opposite side X2 of the insertion direction X1) is formed. A pair of trapezoidal wing portions 88b projecting laterally are formed at the tip portion 88a of the release piece 88. A plurality of fixing holes 89S, 89P (see FIG. 1) through which a plurality of mating terminals 9 are respectively inserted and fixed are formed through the rear wall portion 84.

[0021] The fixing portion 9Sa of each mating signal terminal 9S is inserted and fixed into the fixing hole 89S. The fixing portion 9Pa of each mating power terminal 9P is inserted and fixed into the fixing hole 89P. The board connection portion 9Sc (see FIG. 6A) of each mating signal terminal 9S is connected to a signal pattern of a board (not shown), and the board connection portion 9Pc (see FIG. 6A) of each mating power terminal 9P is connected to a power pattern of a board (not shown).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 8, the male contact portion 9Sb of the mating signal terminal 9S and the male contact portion 9Pb of the mating power terminal 9P are disposed in the insertion chamber 100 in a state of protruding from the inner wall surface 84a of the rear wall portion 84 toward the opposite side X2 of the insertion direction X1. As shown in FIG. 6A, the board connection portion 9Sc of the mating signal terminal 9S and the board connection portion 9Pc of the mating power terminal 9P extend outward from the rear wall portion 84 and extend downward to the board side (not shown).

[0023] Next, the connector 1 will be described. FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the connector 1. FIG. 4A is a schematic side view of the connector 1. FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector 1 and corresponds to the sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A is a front view of the connector 1. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 and corresponds to the sectional view taken along line VB-VB in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6A is a rear view of the connector unit U. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the connector unit U and corresponds to the sectional view taken along line VIB-VIB in FIG. 6A.

[0024] First, the housing 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B. The housing 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes, as outer wall surfaces, a top wall surface 31, a bottom wall surface 32, a front wall surface 33, a rear wall surface 34, and a pair of side wall surfaces 35. In the housing 3, a plurality of terminal accommodation holes 3S and 3P that open in the front wall surface 33 and the rear wall surface 34 and extend in the insertion direction X1 are formed. The plurality of terminal accommodation holes 3S are arranged side by side in the width direction W, and the pair of terminal accommodation holes 3P are arranged on both sides sandwiching the plurality of terminal accommodation holes 3S in the width direction W. Each signal terminal 4S is accommodated and held in the corresponding terminal accommodation hole 3S. Each power terminal 4P is accommodated and held in the corresponding terminal accommodation hole 3P.

[0025] On the top wall surface 31 as the outer wall surface of the housing 3, a protrusion 36, a lock mechanism 6, a pair of inner ribs 37, and a pair of outer ribs 38 are arranged. The pair of inner ribs 37 are arranged on both sides sandwiching the protrusion 36 in the width direction W. The pair of outer ribs 38 are arranged on both sides sandwiching the pair of inner ribs 37 in the width direction W. Also, on the pair of side wall surfaces 35 of the housing 3, a pair of side ribs 39 that protrude outward and extend in the insertion direction X1 are formed.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6B, when the housing 3 is inserted and fitted into the insertion chamber 100 of the mating housing 8, each outer rib 38 of the housing 3 is guided between the corresponding guide rib 86 of the mating housing 8 and the inner wall surface 83a of the corresponding side wall portion 83. Also, the pair of side ribs 39 of the housing 3 are guided by the pair of guide grooves 85 of the pair of side wall portions 83 of the mating housing 8.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4B, the top wall surface 31 includes a protrusion forming portion 41, a pair of central guiding portions 42, a pair of side guiding portions 43, and a pair of outer rib forming portions 44. The protrusion forming portion 41 is arranged at the central portion in the width direction W of the top wall surface 31. The pair of central guiding portions 42 are arranged on both sides sandwiching the protrusion forming portion 41 in the width direction W. The pair of side guiding portions 43 are arranged on both sides sandwiching the pair of central guiding portions 42 in the width direction W. The pair of outer rib forming portions 44 are arranged on both sides sandwiching the pair of inner ribs 37 in the width direction W.

[0028] The protrusion 36 protrudes in the height direction H1 from the protrusion forming portion 41. The protrusion 36 is formed in a T shape in plan view. That is, the protrusion 36 includes a rectangular locking portion 36a extending in the width direction W, and a guide portion 36b extending from the central portion of the locking portion 36a in the width direction W to the opposite side X2 of the insertion direction X1, with the extending end being tapered. The pair of central guide portions 42 are arranged at a higher position than the protrusion forming portion 41. The pair of central guide portions 42 function to guide the lower surfaces 71k of a pair of elastic pieces 71 (to be described later) of the normal fitting detection member 7 respectively.

[0029] The pair of side guide portions 43 are arranged at a higher position than the pair of central guide portions 42. The pair of side guide portions 43 function to guide the lower surfaces 72k of a pair of guide pieces 72 (to be described later) of the normal fitting detection member 7 respectively. Also, the pair of side guide portions 43 also function as an inner rib forming portion where a pair of inner ribs 37 protrude. As shown in FIG. 4B, a guide groove 37b with a rectangular cross section is formed on the inner side surface 37a of the base of the pair of inner ribs 37. The lower inner wall surface of each guide groove 37b corresponds to the side guide portion 43 that guides the lower surface 72k of the corresponding guide piece 72 of the normal fitting detection member 7. The pair of outer rib forming portions 44 are arranged at the same height position as the pair of side guide portions 43.

[0030] Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, the detected portion 45 is constituted by the bottom of the recess 34a formed in the rear wall surface 34. The detected portion 45 abuts against a detection portion 73 (to be described later) of the normal fitting detection member 7. Next, the lock mechanism 6 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3A, the locking mechanism 6 includes a pair of support portions 61, a pair of arm portions 62, a hook portion 63, and a finger operation portion 64. The pair of support portions 61 are formed to protrude at both side positions that are the end positions on the insertion direction X1 side of the top wall surface 31 and sandwich the protrusion forming portion 41 in the width direction W. The pair of arm portions 62 extend from the corresponding support portions 61 to the opposite side X2 of the insertion direction X1. The middle portions 62a of the arm portions 62 are connected by a hook portion 63 for locking. The extending ends of the arm portions 62 are connected by a finger operation portion 64 for unlocking operation. The pair of arm portions 62 are supported in a cantilever manner by the corresponding support portions 61 and can be elastically bent and displaced vertically with the support portion 61 as a fulcrum.

[0031] When the locking mechanism 6 is fitted to the mating connector 2, it is inserted into the insertion chamber 100 of the mating housing 8 together with the housing 3. Along with this insertion, the pair of arm portions 62 are elastically restored after being once bent, so that the hook portion 63 rides over and is locked to the locking portion 87 (see Fig. 2A) in the insertion chamber 100. Thereby, the fitting state between the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 is locked by the locking mechanism 6.

[0032] Next, the proper fitting detection member 7 will be described in detail. The proper fitting detection member 7 is slidably supported in the insertion direction X1 on the top wall surface 31 as an outer wall surface at a non-detection position (see Fig. 5B) and a detection position (see Fig. 7). The detection position is the position on the insertion direction X1 side of the non-detection position, and the proper fitting detection member 7 detects proper fitting to the mating connector 2 at the detection position.

[0033] The proper fitting detection member 7 includes a base portion 70, a pair of elastic pieces 71, a pair of guide pieces 72, and a detection portion 73. The base portion 70 is formed in a block shape. The detection portion 73 is formed as a flange-shaped portion that protrudes outward from the end portion on the opposite side X2 of the insertion direction X1 of the base portion 70. The detection portion 73 detects proper fitting to the mating connector 2 by abutting against the detected portion 45 (see Fig. 5B) of the housing 3 at the detection position.

[0034] The pair of elastic pieces 71 extend parallel to the insertion direction X1 from the base 70 and are spaced apart from each other in the width direction W. The pair of guide pieces 72 are disposed on both sides sandwiching the pair of elastic pieces 71 in the width direction W and on both sides sandwiching the locking mechanism 6 in the width direction W, and extend parallel to the insertion direction X1 from the base 70. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4B, each guide piece 72 has an angular cross-section and includes a wide lower portion 72a in the width direction W and an upper portion 72b narrower than the lower portion 72a. A part of the lower portion 72a projects outward with respect to the upper portion 72b, and the projecting portion is fitted and guided in the guide groove 37b of the corresponding inner rib 37.

[0035] Further, an outward hook portion 72c is provided at the tip of the upper portion 72b. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the proper fitting detection member 7 is in the non-detection position, the hook portion 72c is hooked and locked to the locking step portion 37c of the inner surface 37a, thereby preventing the proper fitting detection member 7 from being detached from the housing 3. The upper surfaces 72j of the pair of guide pieces 72 are set to the same height or a height equal to or lower than the upper surfaces 37j of the pair of inner ribs 37.

[0036] At least a part of the pair of elastic pieces 71 is disposed below the corresponding arm portion 62 of the locking mechanism 6. When the proper fitting detection member 7 slides and displaces, the lower surfaces 71k of the pair of elastic pieces 71 are slidably guided by the pair of central guide portions 42 of the top wall surface 31, respectively. Also, when the proper fitting detection member 7 slides and displaces, a part of the pair of guide pieces 72 is slidably guided by the guide grooves 37b of the corresponding inner ribs 37. Specifically, the lower surfaces 72k (the lower surfaces of the lower portions 72a) of the pair of guide pieces 72 are slidably guided by the pair of side guide portions 43 of the top wall surface 31 (corresponding to the inner wall surfaces below the guide grooves 37b), respectively.

[0037] The lower surface 72k of the guide piece 72 guided by the side guide portion 43 and the lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71 guided by the central guide portion 42 are arranged with their positions shifted in the height direction H1. Specifically, the lower surface 72k of the guide piece 72 is arranged at a higher position than the lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71. Also, below or obliquely below the pair of elastic pieces 71, a plurality of signal terminals 4S (central terminals) are arranged side by side in the width direction W. Below or obliquely below the pair of guide pieces 72, a pair of power supply terminals 4P (side terminals) are arranged on both sides sandwiching the plurality of signal terminals 4S (central terminals) in the width direction W.

[0038] Each elastic piece 71 is supported in a cantilevered manner by a base portion 70. Each elastic piece 71 has a base end portion 71a which is a fixed end portion fixed to the base portion 70, and a tip end portion 71b which is a free end portion. In the vicinity of the tip end portions 71b of the pair of elastic pieces 71, a trapezoidal first protrusion 71c protruding inward and a trapezoidal second protrusion 71d protruding inward are formed on the inner surface. The first protrusion 71c is arranged closer to the tip end portion 71b side than the second protrusion 71d.

[0039] The trapezoidal first protrusions 71c of the pair of elastic pieces 71 have inclined surfaces 71e that move away from each other in the width direction W toward the insertion direction X1 as the surfaces on the insertion direction X1 side. Also, a locking rectangular groove 71f is formed between the first protrusion 71c and the second protrusion 71d of each elastic piece 71. The trapezoidal second protrusions 71d of the pair of elastic pieces 71 have inclined surfaces 71g that approach each other in the width direction W toward the insertion direction X1 as the surfaces on the opposite side X2 of the insertion direction X1.

[0040] Next, the operation of the normal fitting detection member 7 will be described separately before connector fitting, during connector fitting, and during normal fitting detection. Specifically, FIGS. 5B, 6B, and 7 are cross-sectional views taken at the upper portion 72b of the guide piece 72, corresponding to before connector fitting, during connector fitting, and during normal fitting detection, respectively. FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B are cross-sectional views taken at the lower portion 72a of the guide piece 72, corresponding to before connector fitting, during connector fitting, and during normal fitting detection, respectively. FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B are broken perspective views taken at the upper portion 72b of the guide piece 72, corresponding to before connector fitting, during connector fitting, and during normal fitting detection, respectively.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5B (see also FIGS. 8 and 10), when the normal fitting detection member 7 is in the non-detection position before connector fitting, the locking portion 36a of the protrusion 36 is fitted into the rectangular groove 71f of the pair of elastic pieces 71, and the locking portion 36a of the protrusion 36 is clamped by the pair of elastic pieces 71. By clamping the protrusion 36, the pair of elastic pieces hold the normal fitting detection member 7 in the non-detection position with respect to the housing 3. In the non-detection position, the detection portion 73 of the normal fitting detection member 7 is separated from the detected portion 45 of the housing 3.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6B (see also FIGS. 9A and 11A), when the connector 1 with the normal fitting detection member 7 held in the non-detection position is fitted to the mating connector 2, the pair of wing portions 88b of the release piece 88 of the mating housing 8 push and expand the tip portions 71b of the pair of elastic pieces 71 through the top portions of the first protrusions 71c of the pair of elastic pieces 71, whereby the holding of the normal fitting detection member 7 in the non-detection position with respect to the housing 3 is released, and the normal fitting detection member 7 can be slid and displaced toward the detection position side.

[0043] Next, as shown in FIG. 7 (see also FIGS. 9B and 11B), when the normal fitting detection member 7 is slid to the detection position on the insertion direction X1 side, the detection portion 73 abuts against the detected portion 45 of the housing 3, and normal fitting is detected. Also, the pair of elastic pieces 71 elastically return inward from the expanded state, and the second protrusions 71d of the pair of elastic pieces 71 are arranged on the insertion direction X1 side with respect to the pair of wing portions 88b of the release piece 88. Thereby, the normal fitting detection member is held at the detection position with a predetermined holding force.

[0044] On the other hand, when the base 70 of the normal fitting detection member 7 is pulled to the opposite side X2 of the insertion direction X1, although not shown, a pair of wings 88b of the release piece 88 push the tip portions 71b of the pair of elastic pieces 71 through the tops of the second protrusions 71d of the pair of elastic pieces 71, thereby expanding the tip portions 71b of the pair of elastic pieces 71. As a result, the holding of the normal fitting detection member 7 at the detection position with respect to the housing 3 is released, and it becomes possible to slide and displace to the non-detection position side.

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71 of the normal fitting detection member 7 disposed on the top wall surface 31 (outer wall surface) of the housing 3 and the lower surfaces 72k of the pair of guide pieces 72 can be arranged with their positions shifted in the height direction H1 according to the size and layout of the terminal 4 disposed below the top wall surface 31. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the housing 3.

[0046] Moreover, the top wall surface 31 (outer wall surface) of the housing 3 includes a central guide portion 42 that guides the lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71 and a pair of side guide portions 43 that guide the lower surfaces 72k of the pair of guide pieces 72. Therefore, on the top wall surface 31, the central guide portion 42 that guides the lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71 and the pair of side guide portions 43 that guide the lower surfaces 72k of the pair of guide pieces 72 are arranged with their positions shifted in the height direction H1, so that the height positions of the central guide portion 42 and the side guide portions 43 can be adapted to the size of the terminal 4 disposed below the top wall surface 31.

[0047] Also, a plurality of central terminals (signal terminals 4S) are arranged side by side in the width direction W below or obliquely below the elastic piece 71, and a pair of side terminals (power terminals 4P) are arranged on both sides below or obliquely below the pair of guide pieces 72 and sandwiching the plurality of central terminals (signal terminals 4S) in the width direction W. Then, according to the difference in size between the central terminals and the side terminals, the lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71 and the lower surface 72k of the guide piece 72 are shifted in the height direction H1.

[0048] In addition, the elastic piece 71, at least a part of which is disposed below the arm portion 62 of the locking mechanism 6, is restricted in the height direction H1 in terms of layout. On the other hand, a pair of guide pieces 72 disposed on both sides sandwiching the locking mechanism 6 in the width direction W have a margin in the height direction H1 in terms of layout. Therefore, the lower surface 72k of the guide piece 72 corresponding to the side terminal (power terminal 4P), which is a large terminal, is disposed higher than the lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71 corresponding to the center terminal (signal terminal 4S), which is a small terminal.

[0049] That is, the height of the lower surface 72k of the guide piece 72 corresponding to the power terminal 4P, which is larger than the signal terminal 4S, is made higher than the height of the lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71 corresponding to the signal terminal 4S. Thereby, effective use of space is achieved in terms of the layout of the terminal accommodation holes 3P, 3S for accommodating the respective terminals 4P, 4S in the housing 3, and an increase in the size of the connector 1 is suppressed. In addition, the pair of inner ribs 37 are a pair of protective ribs usually provided on both sides of the locking mechanism 6 in order to prevent foreign matter from entering the locking mechanism 6. The upper surface 72j of the guide piece 72 is equal to or lower than the upper surface 37j of the inner rib 37. That is, the lower surface 72k of the guide piece 72 is made higher than the lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71 by a predetermined displacement amount, but the displacement amount is set so as to satisfy the condition that it does not exceed the height of the upper surface 37j of the inner rib 37 (protective rib) where the upper surface 72j of the guide piece 72 originally is. For this reason, an increase in the size of the connector 1 in the height direction H1 can be suppressed.

[0050] In addition, a pair of elastic pieces 71 of the normal fitting detection member 7 hold the normal fitting detection member 7 at the non-detection position (see FIG. 5B) by sandwiching the protrusion 36 in the width direction W. Further, when the connectors are mated, the pair of elastic pieces 71 are expanded by a release piece 88 disposed in the insertion chamber 100 of the mating connector 2, thereby releasing the locking to the protrusion 36 (see FIG. 6B). For this reason, the operations of locking and unlocking the protrusion 36 by the pair of elastic pieces 71 can be surely performed.

[0051] Also, in a connector unit U including a connector 1 and a mating connector 2, enlargement can be suppressed. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, although not shown, as long as the lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71 and the lower surface 72k of the guide piece 72 are arranged with their positions shifted in the height direction H1, the lower surface 71k of the elastic piece 71 may be arranged higher than the lower surface 72k of the guide piece 72. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified within the scope described in the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] 1 Connector 2 Mating Connector 3P Terminal Accommodation Hole 3S Terminal Accommodation Hole 4 Terminal 4P Power Terminal (Side Terminal) 4S Signal Terminal (Central Terminal) 5 Retainer 6 Lock Mechanism 7 Normal Fitting Detection Member 8 Mating Housing 9 Mating Terminal 9P Mating Power Terminal 9S Mating Signal Terminal 31 Top Wall Surface (Outer Wall Surface) 36 Projection 36a Locking Portion 37 Inner Rib 37a Inner Surface 37b Guide Groove 37j Upper Surface 38 Outer Rib 39 Side Rib 41 Projection Formation Portion 42 Central Guide Portion 43 Side Guide Portion 44 Outer Rib Formation Portion 45 Detection Target Portion 61 Support Portion 62 Arm Portion 63 Hook Portion 64 Finger Operation Portion 70 Base Portion 71 Elastic Piece 71a Base end portion 71b Tip end portion 71c First protrusion 71d Second protrusion 71f Rectangular groove 71k Lower surface 72 Guide piece 72a Lower part 72b Upper part 72c Hook portion 72j Upper surface 72k Lower surface 73 Detection unit 88 Release piece 88a Tip end portion 88b Wing portion 100 Insertion chamber 101 Entrance opening H1 Height direction U Connector unit W Width direction X1 Insertion direction X2 Opposite side

Claims

1. A housing, a part of which is inserted and fitted in an insertion direction orthogonal to the height direction and the width direction into an insertion chamber of a mating housing of a mating connector; A plurality of terminals respectively received in a plurality of terminal receiving holes formed in the housing; A proper mating detection member slidably supported in the insertion direction on an outer wall surface of the housing along the insertion direction at a non-detection position and a detection position on the insertion direction side of the non-detection position, for detecting proper mating with the mating connector; and The proper mating detection member includes a base portion having a detection portion for detecting the proper mating by abutting against the housing at the detection position, an elastic piece extending from the base portion in the insertion direction and allowing the proper mating detection member to move to the detection position by being elastically deformed in the width direction, and a pair of guide pieces extending from the base portion in the insertion direction and engaging with the housing to guide the sliding of the proper mating detection member; The extending ends of the pair of guide pieces are arranged at the same position as the extending end of the elastic piece with respect to the insertion direction and on a pair of outer sides in the width direction of the extending end of the elastic piece, and the lower surface of the elastic piece including the lower surface of the extending end of the elastic piece and the lower surface of the guide piece including the lower surface of the extending end of the guide piece are arranged with a shift in the height direction; The outer wall surface includes a central guide portion for guiding the lower surface of the elastic piece and a pair of side guide portions for guiding the lower surfaces of the pair of guide pieces; The plurality of terminals include a plurality of central terminals arranged side by side in the width direction below or obliquely below the elastic piece, and a pair of side terminals arranged on both sides in the width direction with respect to the plurality of central terminals below or obliquely below the pair of guide pieces; A support portion supported on the outer wall surface and an arm portion extending parallel to the insertion direction from the support portion, and a locking mechanism for locking the mating state with the mating connector; At least a part of the elastic piece is arranged below the arm portion; The pair of guide pieces are arranged on both sides sandwiching the locking mechanism in the width direction; The lower surface of the guide piece is arranged at a higher position than the lower surface of the elastic piece; The side terminal is a terminal having a larger size than the central terminal, the connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the central terminal includes a signal terminal, and the side terminal includes a power supply terminal.

3. A pair of protective ribs are respectively formed to project from the outer wall surface of the housing, extend in the insertion direction on both sides sandwiching the lock mechanism in the width direction, and protect the lock mechanism. The upper surface of the guide piece is at a height equal to or lower than the upper surface of the protective rib. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The housing includes a protrusion protruding from the outer wall surface in the height direction. The elastic pieces are a pair of elastic pieces that hold the normal fitting detection member in the non-detection position by sandwiching the protrusion in the width direction, and include a pair of elastic pieces that are expanded by a release piece disposed in the insertion chamber of the mating connector when the connectors are mated to release the locking with respect to the protrusion. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A connector unit including the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the mating connector.

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