Connector Structure

Abstract

A connector structure (CS) that includes: an adapter (1) that fits to a partner connector (100) that includes partner terminals (102, 103) that are parallel to each other; and a connector (2) that fits into the adapter (1) in a fitting direction (X1). The connector includes a connector housing (3), a center terminal (4), and an outer terminal (5). The center terminal (4) includes a center terminal section (40) that has a center axis (C1) that extends in the fitting direction. The outer terminal (5) includes a cylindrical outer terminal section (50) that concentrically surrounds the center terminal section (40). The adapter (1) includes an adapter housing (7), a first relay contact (8), and a second relay contact (9). The adapter housing (7) and the connector housing (3) can rotate relative to each other, around the center axis (C1). A first contact piece (81) in the first relay contact (8) is in contact with an outer circumferential surface (40b) of a protruding section (40a) of the center terminal section (40) and a second contact piece is in contact with the partner terminals. A third contact piece (91) in the second relay contact (9) is in contact with an outer circumferential surface (50a) of the outer terminal section (50) and a fourth contact piece (92) is in contact with the partner terminals.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector structure. [Background technology]

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a socket element and a plug element that are connected to each other. The socket element has a pair of pins arranged side by side and parallel to each other, and each of the pair of pins is connected to a corresponding electric wire. The plug element has a pair of female terminals arranged side by side and parallel to each other, and each of the pair of female terminals is connected to the pair of pins. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-288122 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when mating the socket element and the plug element, it is necessary to align the plug element with the socket element so that the positions of the pair of pins and the pair of female terminals are aligned, which makes the mating work less efficient.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a connector structure that does not require the operation of aligning the orientation with the mating connector and is excellent in fitting workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a connector structure including an adapter adapted to be mated with a mating connector including a mating housing and a plurality of mating terminals supported by the mating housing and extending parallel to one another, and a connector adapted to be mated with the adapter in a mating direction. The connector includes a connector housing, a center terminal including a pin-shaped center terminal portion supported by the connector housing and having a central axis extending in the mating direction, and an outer terminal supported by the connector housing and including a cylindrical outer terminal portion concentrically surrounding the center terminal portion with an insulating portion interposed therebetween, the center terminal portion including a protrusion protruding from the outer terminal portion in the mating direction. The adapter includes an adapter housing adapted to be mated with the connector housing in the mating direction and rotatably displaceable relative to the connector housing about the central axis, and first and second relay contacts supported by the adapter housing. The first relay contact includes a first contact piece that resiliently contacts an outer peripheral surface of the protrusion of the center terminal portion and a second contact piece that resiliently contacts the corresponding mating terminal. The second relay contact includes a third contact piece portion that resiliently contacts the outer peripheral surface of the outer terminal portion, and a fourth contact piece portion that resiliently contacts the corresponding mating terminal. The adapter housing includes a fitting tubular portion having an annular locking protrusion extending circumferentially around the entire outer surface. The connector housing includes a cylindrical portion centered on the central axis, divided circumferentially by a slit extending axially to its tip, elastically deformable in the radial direction, and having at least one locking protrusion on its inner circumferential surface. When the fitting tubular portion is inserted and fitted into the cylindrical portion, the locking protrusion overcomes and locks against the locking protrusion, preventing the fitting tubular portion from coming off.

[0007] According to this configuration, the adapter is pre-connected to the mating connector. That is, the second contact piece portion of the first relay contact and the fourth contact piece portion of the second relay contact of the adapter are connected to the corresponding mating terminals. When the connector is mated to the adapter in the mating direction, the first contact piece portion of the first relay contact resiliently contacts the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion of the center terminal portion of the connector, and the third contact piece portion of the second relay contact resiliently contacts the outer peripheral surface of the outer terminal portion of the connector. Because the adapter housing and the connector housing can be rotated relative to each other about the central axis of the center terminal portion, there is no need to align the connector with the adapter, improving mating workability. Furthermore, when the adapter and connector are mated, the locking protrusion on the inner peripheral surface of the connector's cylindrical portion elastically overcomes and locks against the annular engaging protrusion on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter's mating tubular portion, preventing the adapter and connector from coming loose. When the connector's cylindrical portion and the adapter's mating tubular portion rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction, the locking protrusion and the engaging protrusion also rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction. This prevents the adapter and connector from coming loose, regardless of their orientation relative to the mating connector.

[0008] In one embodiment, when the adapter housing and the connector housing are rotated relative to each other, the contact portion of the first contact piece is slidably displaced in a circumferential direction relative to the outer peripheral surface of the center terminal, and the contact portion of the third contact piece is slidably displaced in a circumferential direction relative to the outer peripheral surface of the outer terminal, which allows terminal connection between the adapter and the connector to be performed regardless of the orientation of the adapter and the connector relative to the mating connector.

[0011] In one embodiment, a plurality of the outer terminals are provided in a state insulated from each other, a plurality of the second relay contacts are provided corresponding to the plurality of outer terminals, and positions of contact portions of the plurality of second relay contacts with the corresponding outer terminals are offset from each other in the mating direction. With this configuration, even if the mating terminal and the connector terminal have three or more poles, mating is possible regardless of the orientation of the connector.

[0012] In one embodiment, the insulating portion includes an insulating member including an insulating cylindrical portion that is centered on the central axis and into which the center terminal portion is inserted and fitted and that is inserted and fitted into the outer terminal portion. With this configuration, the center terminal portion and the outer terminal portion, which are concentrically arranged, can be insulated from each other with a simple structure that uses the insulating cylindrical portion.

[0013] In one embodiment, the center terminal includes a first wire connection portion extending from the center terminal portion and to which a corresponding electric wire is connected, the outer terminal includes a second wire connection portion extending from the outer terminal portion and to which a corresponding electric wire is connected, and the insulating member includes an insulating wall portion extending from the insulating tube portion and providing insulation between the first wire connection portion and the second wire connection portion. With this configuration, the first wire connection portion and the second wire connection portion can be insulated with a simple structure using the insulating wall portion extending from the insulating tube portion.

[0014] In one embodiment, the center terminal, the outer terminal, and the insulating member may be formed as a unit, which simplifies assembly work.

[0015] In one embodiment, the adapter housing includes positioned portions that engage with positioning portions of the mating housing so that the first relay contacts and the second relay contacts are aligned with the corresponding mating terminals. With this configuration, when the adapter is pre-fitted to the mating connector, each of the relay contacts can be easily positioned with respect to the corresponding mating terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a connector of a connector structure according to one embodiment of the present invention before being mated with an adapter that has been mated in advance with a mating connector. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of the connector structure in a state where it is mated with a mating connector. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a connector that is a component of the connector structure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector structure in a mated state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector. [Figure 5] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the center terminal of the connector, FIG. 5B is a plan view of the center terminal, and FIG. 5C is a side view of the center terminal. [Figure 6] 6A is a perspective view of an outer terminal of the connector, FIG. 6B is a plan view of the outer terminal, and FIG. 6C is a side view of the outer terminal. [Figure 7] 7A is a perspective view of the insulating member, FIG. 7B is a front view of the insulating member, and FIG. 7C is a rear view of the insulating member. [Figure 8] 8A is a schematic perspective view of the connector, FIG. 8B is a front view of the connector, and FIG. 8C is a side view of the connector. [Figure 9] 9A, 9B and 9C are a perspective view, a front view and a rear view, respectively, of the connector housing in an open state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the adapter. [Figure 12] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a first relay contact which is a component of the adapter, and FIGS. 12B and 12C are side views of the first relay contact from different directions. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of a second relay contact that is a component of the adapter. [Figure 14] 14A, 14B, and 14C are front, rear, and side views of the adapter, respectively. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged front view of the adapter attached to the mating connector. [Figure 16A] FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of the adapter attached to the mating connector, and corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line 16A-16A in FIG. [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the adapter attached to the mating connector, and corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line 16B-16B in FIG. [Figure 17] 17A, 17B, and 17C are perspective views of the connector structure mated with the mating connector in different orientations. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a center terminal and an outer terminal in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] 1A and 1B are schematic perspective views showing a connector structure according to one embodiment of the present invention in use. The connector structure CS includes an adapter 1 pre-attached to a mating connector 100, and a connector 2 mated with the adapter 1 in a mating direction X1.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 2, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector structure CS in a mated state. As shown in Fig. 3, the mating connector 100 includes a mating housing 101 and a plurality of, for example, two mating terminals 102 and 103. The two mating terminals 102 and 103 are housed and held in the mating housing 101 and are pin-shaped terminals extending parallel to each other in the mating direction X1.

[0020] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 2. As shown in Figure 4, the connector 2 includes a connector housing 3, a center terminal 4, an outer terminal 5, and an insulating member 6. The connector housing 3 is made of an insulating material. The center terminal 4 and the outer terminal 5 are made of a conductive material. The center terminal 4 and the outer terminal 5 are supported by the connector housing 3. In Figure 4, the main body 30 and the cover 32 that constitute the connector housing 3 are shown separately.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the center terminal 4 includes a pin-shaped center terminal portion 40 extending in the fitting direction X1. The center terminal portion 40 may be a hollow pin as shown. The center terminal portion 40 has a central axis C1. The outer terminal 5 includes a cylindrical outer terminal portion 50 that concentrically surrounds the center terminal portion 40 with an insulating member 6 interposed therebetween. That is, the outer terminal portion 50 and the center terminal portion 40 share the central axis C1. The center terminal portion 40 includes a protrusion 40a that protrudes from the outer terminal portion 50 in the fitting direction X1.

[0022] Specifically, the insulating member 6 is releasably engaged with the connector housing 3. The insulating member 6 is interposed between the center terminal 4 and the outer terminal 5 to insulate the center terminal 4 from the outer terminal 5.

[0023] The adapter 1 includes an adapter housing 7, a first relay contact 8, and a second relay contact 9. The adapter housing 7 is made of an insulating material. The adapter housing 7 is fitted into the connector housing 3 in a fitting direction X1. The adapter housing 7 is rotatable relative to the connector housing 3 around the central axis C1 of the center terminal 4.

[0024] The first relay contact 8 and the second relay contact 9 are made of a conductive material and are supported by the adapter housing 7 .

[0025] The first relay contact 8 includes a fixed portion 80, a first contact piece 81, and a second contact piece 82. The fixed portion 80 is press-fitted and fixed into the adapter housing 7. The first contact piece 81 extends in a cantilevered manner from the fixed portion 80 and is in elastic contact with the outer circumferential surface 40b of the protruding portion 40a of the center terminal portion 40. The second contact piece 82 extends in a cantilevered manner from the fixed portion 80 and is in elastic contact with the corresponding mating terminal 102.

[0026] The second relay contact 9 includes a fixed portion 90, a third contact piece 91, and a fourth contact piece 92. The fixed portion 90 is press-fitted and fixed into the adapter housing 7. The third contact piece 91 extends in a cantilevered manner from the fixed portion 90 and is in elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface 50a of the outer terminal portion 50. The fourth contact piece 92 extends in a cantilevered manner from the fixed portion 90 and is in elastic contact with the corresponding mating terminal 103.

[0027] Next, the center terminal 4 will be described.

[0028] 5A is a perspective view of the center terminal 4, FIG. 5B is a plan view of the center terminal 4, and FIG. 5C is a side view of the center terminal 4. As shown in FIG.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the center terminal 4 includes a center terminal portion 40, a support portion 41, a tapered portion 42, a positioning wall portion 43, and a first wire connection portion 44. The center terminal 4 is formed using sheet metal. The center terminal portion 40 and the support portion 41 are formed in a cylindrical shape centered on a central axis C1. The center terminal portion 40 extends from one axial end of the support portion 41 via the tapered portion 42, and has a reduced diameter relative to the support portion 41.

[0030] A rear half portion (a portion opposite to the center terminal portion 40) of the support portion 41 is cut open. The first wire connection portion 44 extends downward from the cut open portion of the support portion 41 via the positioning wall portion 43, perpendicular to the central axis C1. Specifically, the first wire connection portion 44 includes a wire barrel 44a that connects the core wire of the electric wire D1 (see FIG. 4) and an insulation barrel 44b that connects the insulating coating portion of the electric wire D1.

[0031] The positioning wall portion 43 includes a pair of wall portions 43a, 43b facing each other in a direction parallel to the central axis C1, and a pair of wall portions 43c, 43d facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the central axis C1.

[0032] Next, the outer terminal 5 will be described.

[0033] 6A is a perspective view of the outer terminal 5, FIG. 6B is a plan view of the outer terminal 5, and FIG. 6C is a side view of the outer terminal 5. As shown in FIG.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the outer terminal 5 includes an outer terminal portion 50, a positioning wall portion 51, a second wire connection portion 52, and a positioning protrusion 53. The outer terminal 5 is formed using sheet metal. The outer terminal portion 50 has a cylindrical shape centered on a central axis C1. The positioning wall portion 51 is formed by cutting open one end of the outer terminal portion 50 in the axial direction. The positioning wall portion 51 includes a pair of wall portions 51a, 51b facing each other in a direction parallel to the central axis C1, and a pair of wall portions 51c, 51d facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the central axis C1.

[0035] The second wire connection portion 52 extends downward perpendicular to the central axis C1 from the outer terminal portion 50 via the positioning wall portion 51. Specifically, the second wire connection portion 52 includes a wire barrel 52a that connects the core wire of the electric wire D2 (see FIG. 4) and an insulation barrel 52b that connects the insulating coating portion of the electric wire D2.

[0036] Next, the insulating member 6 will be described.

[0037] 7A is a perspective view of the insulating member 6, FIG. 7B is a front view of the insulating member 6, and FIG. 7C is a rear view of the insulating member 6. As shown in FIG.

[0038] 7A to 7C, the insulating member 6 includes an insulating tubular portion 60 and an insulating wall portion 61. The insulating tubular portion 60 mainly functions to provide insulation between the center terminal portion 40 of the center terminal 4 and the outer terminal portion 50 of the outer terminal 5. The insulating wall portion 61 mainly functions to provide insulation between the first wire connecting portion 44 of the center terminal portion 40 of the center terminal 4 and the second wire connecting portion 52 of the outer terminal 5.

[0039] Specifically, the insulating cylindrical portion 60 includes a peripheral wall portion 60a, an end wall portion 60b, an outer peripheral surface 60c, an inner peripheral surface 60d, and an insertion hole 60e. The end wall portion 60b is disposed at one end of the insulating cylindrical portion 60. The insertion hole 60e is formed in the end wall portion 60b.

[0040] 2, the center terminal portion 40 and the support portion 41 of the center terminal 4 are inserted and fitted into the insulating tubular portion 60. The insulating tubular portion 60 is inserted and fitted into the outer terminal portion 50 of the outer terminal 5. The position of one end of the insulating tubular portion 60 is aligned with the position of one end of the outer terminal portion 50.

[0041] The inner peripheral surface 60d of the insulating cylindrical portion 60 has a shape including a small diameter portion that follows the outer peripheral surface 40b of the center terminal portion 40, a large diameter portion that follows the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 41, and a tapered portion that is close to the tapered portion 42. A part of the center terminal portion 40 passes through the insertion hole 60e and protrudes outward from the insulating cylindrical portion 60 (i.e., from the outer terminal portion 50), forming a protruding portion 40a.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the insulating wall 61 includes a top wall 62, a front wall 63, a pair of side walls 64, 65, a pair of locking projections 66, and an accommodating portion 67. The top wall 62 is semi-cylindrical, and the upper ends of the pair of side walls 64, 65 are connected to each other in an inverted U shape. The accommodating portion 67 is formed by the top wall 62, the front wall 63, and the pair of side walls 64, 65, and mainly accommodates the positioning wall 43 and the first wire connecting portion 44 of the center terminal 4 (see FIG. 2). The front wall 63 is interposed between the first wire connecting portion 44 of the center terminal 4 and the second wire connecting portion 52 of the outer terminal 5, and functions to insulate the wire connecting portions 44, 52 from each other.

[0043] The insulating cylindrical portion 60 extends forward from the front wall portion 63. The inside of the insulating cylindrical portion 60 communicates with the inside of the accommodating portion 67 through an insertion hole that penetrates the front wall portion 63.

[0044] 7C, a protrusion 64b is formed to protrude from an inner surface 64a of the side wall 64. A holding portion 68 that fits and holds the positioning wall 43 of the center terminal 4 within the accommodating portion 67 is formed by the inner surfaces of the top wall 62, the front wall 63, and the pair of side walls 64, 65 and the upper surface of the protrusion 64b.

[0045] Specifically, when the center terminal 4 shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C is attached to the insulating member 6 shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the center terminal portion 40 and the support portion 41 of the center terminal 4 are inserted into the insulating cylindrical portion 60, and a part of the center terminal portion 40 protrudes from the insulating cylindrical portion 60 as the protrusion 40a. The wall portion 43c of the positioning wall portion 43 of the center terminal 4 is aligned with the inner surface 64a of the side wall portion 64 of the insulating wall portion 61 of the insulating member 6, and the lower edge of the wall portion 43c is received by the upper surface 64c of the protrusion 64b. The wall portion 43d of the positioning wall portion 43 of the center terminal 4 is aligned with the inner surface 65a of the side wall portion 65 of the insulating member 6. The wall portion 43a of the positioning wall portion 43 of the center terminal 4 is received by the inner surface 63a (corresponding to the rear surface) of the front wall portion 63 of the insulating wall portion 61 of the insulating member 6. As a result, the center terminal 4 is positioned relative to the insulating member 6 in three orthogonal directions including the direction of the central axis C1.

[0046] A recess 63c is formed to protrude from an outer surface 63b (corresponding to the front surface) of the front wall portion 63. When the outer terminal 5 shown in Figures 6A to 6C is attached to the insulating member 6 shown in Figures 7A to 7C, the outer terminal portion 50 of the outer terminal 5 is fitted onto the insulating tubular portion 60 of the insulating member 6. In addition, the wall portion 51b of the positioning wall portion 51 of the outer terminal 5 is received by the outer surface 63b of the front wall portion 63 of the insulating wall portion 61 of the insulating member 6.

[0047] Furthermore, the positioning projections 53 of the outer terminals 5 are inserted and fitted into corresponding engagement grooves 30h of the connector housing 3 (see FIG. 9C).

[0048] Next, the connector housing 3 will be described.

[0049] 8A, 8B, and 8C are respectively a schematic perspective view, a front view, and a side view of the connector 2. Figures 9A, 9B, and 9C are respectively a perspective view, a front view, and a rear view of the connector housing 3 in an open state.

[0050] 8A, 8B, and 8C, and 9A, 9B, and 9C, the connector housing 3 includes a main body 30, a cylindrical portion 31, a cover 32, and a flexible connection portion 33. The main body 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes an upper wall 30a, a pair of side walls 30b, and a front wall 30c. The main body 30 is open on the rear side, and in the assembled state, the open portion on the rear side of the main body 30 is closed by the cover 32.

[0051] The cylindrical portion 31 is a cylindrical portion whose center is aligned with the central axis C1. The cylindrical portion 31 is divided in the circumferential direction by a plurality of slits 31a extending axially to the tip, and is elastically deformable in the radial direction. A locking protrusion 31c is formed on the inner peripheral surface 31b of the cylindrical portion 31 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B).

[0052] At least one locking protrusion 31c may be provided. In the example of Fig. 8B, four locking protrusions 31c are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The locking protrusions 31c elastically ride over and are locked onto the annular locking protrusion 74 (see Fig. 10) of the adapter 1.

[0053] The flexible connection part 33 connects the rear edge of the upper wall part 30a of the main body part 30 to the cover 32, and serves as a hinge when rotating the cover 32 open and closed. The cover 32 includes a plate-shaped main body part 32a and two pairs of U-shaped elastically deformable hooking arms 32b, 32c on the left and right.

[0054] Two pairs of locking projections 30d, 30e are formed on a pair of side walls 30b of the main body 30 to respectively lock onto corresponding pairs of hooking arms 32b, 32c of the cover 32. When the cover 32 is closed, each of the hooking arms 32b, 32c elastically moves over the corresponding locking projections 30d, 30e and is locked onto the corresponding locking projections 30d, 30e. This locks the cover 32 in the closed state.

[0055] A resilient hook portion 30f (see FIG. 4) is provided at the rear edge of each side wall portion 30b of the main body 30, and is adapted to engage with a corresponding locking projection 66 provided on the insulating member 6. By engaging each resilient hook portion 30f with the corresponding locking projection 66 of the insulating member 6, the insulating member 6 is held in place within the connector housing 3 and prevented from coming off.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 9C, a terminal portion accommodating portion 34 and a connection space portion 35 are formed within the main body portion 30. The terminal portion accommodating portion 34 mainly accommodates the center terminal portion 40 and the outer terminal portion 50 (see Fig. 2). The connection space portion 35 mainly accommodates the first electric wire connecting portion 44 of the center terminal 4 and the second electric wire connecting portion 52 of the outer terminal 5, and within the connection space portion 35, the electric wire connecting portions 44, 52 are connected to the corresponding electric wires D1, D2.

[0057] The terminal accommodating portion 34 is formed by an inverted U-shaped first partition wall portion 30g provided on the main body portion 30. An engagement groove 30h is formed at the top of the first partition wall portion 30g, with which the positioning protrusion 53 of the outer terminal 5 engages. An insertion hole 30j that opens the terminal accommodating portion 34 to the outside is formed in the front wall portion 30c of the main body portion 30. The center terminal portion 40, the insulating tube portion 60, and a portion of the outer terminal portion 50 protrude to the outside through the insertion hole 30j.

[0058] The connection space 35 is arranged to communicate with the lower part of the terminal accommodating portion 34. The electric wires D1, D2 (see FIG. 2) drawn into the connection space 35 from below are connected to the corresponding first electric wire connecting portion 44 of the center terminal 4 and the second electric wire connecting portion 52 of the outer terminal 5 within the connection space 35. A protrusion 30m is formed on the front wall 30c within the connection space 35. The wall portion 51c of the positioning wall portion 51 of the outer terminal 5 inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 34 is received by the upper surface 30n of the lower protrusion 30m. A lightening hole 30k is formed in the protrusion 30m.

[0059] Next, the adapter 1 will be described.

[0060] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter 1. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the adapter 1. FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the first relay contact 8, and FIGS. 12B and 12C are side views of the first relay contact 8 from different directions. FIGS. 13A and 13B are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of the second relay contact 9. FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C are a front view, a rear view, and a side view, respectively, of the adapter 1. FIG. 15 is an enlarged front view of the adapter 1 attached to the mating connector 100. FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of the adapter 1 attached to the mating connector, corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along line 16A-16A in FIG. 15. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the adapter 1 attached to the mating connector 100, corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along line 16B-16B in FIG. 15.

[0061] 10, the adapter 1 includes an adapter housing 7, a first relay contact 8, and a second relay contact 9. The first relay contact 8 is connected to a mating terminal 102, and the second relay contact 9 is connected to a mating terminal 103.

[0062] First, the first relay contact 8 will be described.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C, the first relay contact 8 includes a fixed portion 80, a first contact piece portion 81, and a second contact piece portion 82. The fixed portion 80 includes a first fixed piece portion 80a, a second fixed piece portion 80b, and a bridge portion 80c. The bridge portion 80c connects one end of the first fixed piece portion 80a and one end of the second fixed piece portion 80b. The first fixed piece portion 80a is formed wider than the second fixed piece portion 80b. Press-fit protrusions 80d are formed on the outer surfaces of the first fixed piece portion 80a and the second fixed piece portion 80b.

[0064] The first contact piece 81 extends in a cantilevered manner from one end of the first fixed piece 80a. The first contact piece 81 includes a first inclined surface 81a, a second inclined surface 81b, and a contact portion 81c. The first inclined surface 81a and the second inclined surface 81b are inclined in opposite directions to form a mountain shape, and the contact portion 81c is provided at the apex of the mountain shape. The contact portion 81c of the first contact piece 81 elastically contacts the outer peripheral surface 40b of the protrusion 40a of the center terminal portion 40 of the connector 2.

[0065] The second contact piece 82 extends in a cantilevered manner from the bridge portion 80c toward the opposite side to the first contact piece 81. The second contact piece 82 includes a first inclined surface 82a, a second inclined surface 82b, a contact portion 82c, and an extended piece 82d. The first inclined surface 82a and the second inclined surface 82b are inclined in opposite directions to form a mountain shape, and the contact portion 82c is provided at the top of the mountain shape. The contact portion 82c of the second contact piece 82 protrudes on the same side as the contact portion 81c of the first contact piece 81. The extended piece 82d extends from the tip of the second inclined surface 82b in a direction approximately perpendicular to the fixed portion 80.

[0066] Next, the second relay contact 9 will be described.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 10, 13A, and 13B, the second relay contact 9 includes a fixed portion 90, a third contact piece 91, and a fourth contact piece 92. The fixed portion 90 includes a first fixed piece 90a, a second fixed piece 90b, and a bridge portion 90c. The bridge portion 90c connects one end of the first fixed piece 90a and one end of the second fixed piece 90b. The first fixed piece 90a is wider than the second fixed piece 90b. Press-fit protrusions 90d are formed on the outer surfaces of the first fixed piece 90a and the second fixed piece 90b.

[0068] The third contact piece 91 extends in a cantilevered manner from one end of the first fixed piece 90a. The third contact piece 91 includes a first inclined surface 91a, a second inclined surface 91b, and a contact portion 91c. The first inclined surface 91a and the second inclined surface 91b are inclined in opposite directions to form a mountain shape, and the contact portion 91c is provided at the apex of the mountain shape. The contact portion 91c of the third contact piece 91 elastically contacts the outer peripheral surface 50a of the outer terminal portion 50 of the connector 2.

[0069] The fourth contact piece 92 extends in a cantilevered manner from the bridge portion 90c toward the opposite side to the third contact piece 91. The fourth contact piece 92 includes a first inclined surface 92a, a second inclined surface 92b, a contact portion 92c, and an extended piece 92d. The first inclined surface 92a and the second inclined surface 92b are inclined in opposite directions to form a mountain shape, and the contact portion 92c is provided at the apex of the mountain shape. The contact portion 92c of the fourth contact piece 92 protrudes on the same side as the contact portion 91c of the third contact piece 91. The extended piece 92d extends from the tip of the second inclined surface 92b in a direction approximately perpendicular to the fixed portion 90.

[0070] Next, the adapter housing 7 will be described with reference to Figures 10, 11, 14A, 14B, 14C, 15, 16A, and 16B. The adapter housing 7 includes a first end portion 7a, a second end portion 7b, an outer circumferential portion 7c, a first terminal insertion recess 71, a pair of second terminal insertion recesses 72, a fitting tubular portion 73, an annular locking protrusion 74, a first relay contact holding groove 75, a second relay contact holding groove 76, an annular protrusion 77, a pair of elastic pieces 78, and a pair of positioned portions 79.

[0071] The outer peripheral portion 7c of the adapter housing 7 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. A predetermined range from the first end portion 7a of the adapter housing 7 in the fitting direction X1 constitutes a cylindrical fitting tube portion 73 that is inserted and fitted into the cylindrical portion 31 of the connector 2. The first terminal insertion recess 71 is an inner space of the fitting tube portion 73 and is open to the first end portion 7a side. The center terminal portion 40 and the outer terminal portion 50 of the connector 2 are inserted into the first terminal insertion recess 71.

[0072] A circumferentially extending annular locking protrusion 74 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of fitting tubular portion 73 at first end portion 7a. When adapter 1 is fitted to connector 2, locking protrusion 31c (see FIGS. 8B, 9A, and 9B) on connector 2 elastically rides over and locks onto annular locking protrusion 74 (see FIG. 3).

[0073] The pair of second terminal insertion recesses 72 are for inserting the pair of mating terminals 102, 103, respectively, and are formed within a predetermined range on the opposite side of the second end 7b in the fitting direction X1 (see FIGS. 16A and 16B). The pair of second terminal insertion recesses 72 are open on the second end 7b side.

[0074] The first relay contact holding groove 75 and the second relay contact holding groove 76 are formed in a predetermined range on the opposite side of the second end 7b in the fitting direction X1, and are open on the second end 7b side.

[0075] The first relay contact holding groove 75 is disposed adjacent to the first terminal insertion recess 71 into which the center terminal portion 40 is inserted and the second terminal insertion recess 72 into which one mating terminal 102 is inserted. The fixing portion 80 of the first relay contact 8 is press-fitted and fixed into the first relay contact holding groove 75 (see FIG. 16A). The contact portion 81c of the first contact piece portion 81 of the first relay contact 8 is disposed so as to extend into the first terminal insertion recess 71. The contact portion 82c of the second contact piece portion 82 of the first relay contact 8 is disposed so as to extend into the corresponding second terminal insertion recess 72.

[0076] The second relay contact holding groove 76 is disposed adjacent to the first terminal insertion recess 71 into which the outer terminal portion 50 is inserted and the second terminal insertion recess 72 into which the other mating terminal 102 is inserted. The fixing portion 90 of the second relay contact 9 is press-fitted and fixed into the second relay contact holding groove 76 (see FIG. 16B). The contact portion 91c of the third contact piece portion 91 of the second relay contact 9 is disposed so as to extend into the first terminal insertion recess 71. The contact portion 92c of the fourth contact piece portion 92 of the second relay contact 9 is disposed so as to extend into the corresponding second terminal insertion recess 72.

[0077] As shown in Figures 10, 11, and 14C, a circumferentially extending annular protrusion 77 is formed on the outer circumferential portion 7c within a predetermined range from the second end portion 7b. A pair of cantilevered elastic pieces 78 are formed so as to extend a predetermined length from the end of the annular protrusion 77 on the first end portion 7a side toward the first end portion 7a. The pair of elastic pieces 78 have an arc-shaped cross section and are arranged on opposite sides in the radial direction. A gap S (see Figure 16A) is provided between the pair of elastic pieces 78 and the outer circumferential portion 7c, and the pair of elastic pieces 78 are elastically deformable in the radial direction.

[0078] A pair of positioned portions 79 protrude from the outer surfaces of the pair of elastic piece portions 78 near their respective tip portions. Each of the pair of positioned portions 79 is formed as a mountain-shaped protrusion. The pair of positioned portions 79 are disposed at positions that are asymmetrical with respect to the center C2 (see FIG. 14A) of the first terminal insertion recess 71. As shown in FIG. 15, the pair of positioned portions 79 engage with positioning grooves 104, 105 (positioning portions) provided in the mating housing 101 of the mating connector 100, thereby positioning the adapter 1 relative to the mating connector 100 in the circumferential direction of the fitting cylindrical portion 73.

[0079] According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1A, the adapter 1 is pre-connected to the mating connector 100. That is, the second contact piece portion 82 of the first relay contact 8 of the adapter 1 and the fourth contact piece portion 92 of the second relay contact 9 are connected to the corresponding mating terminals 102, 103 (see Figs. 16A and 16B). When the connector 2 is mated to the adapter 1 in the mating direction X1, as shown in Fig. 3, the first contact piece portion 81 of the first relay contact 8 is brought into elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface 40b of the protruding portion 40a of the center terminal portion 40 of the connector 2, and the third contact piece portion 91 of the second relay contact 9 is brought into elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface 50a of the outer terminal portion 50 of the connector 2.

[0080] Since the adapter housing 7 and the connector housing 3 can be relatively rotationally displaced around the central axis C1 of the center terminal portion 40, the connector 2 can be mated with the adapter 1 regardless of the direction in which the connector 2 faces relative to the adapter 1, as shown in Figures 1B and 17A to 17C. In other words, there is no need to align the orientation of the connector 2 with the adapter 1, improving the mating workability.

[0081] 3, when the adapter housing 7 and the connector housing 3 undergo relative rotational displacement around the central axis C1, the contact portion 81c of the first contact piece 81 of the first relay contact 8 slides and displaces in the circumferential direction relative to the outer peripheral surface 40b of the protruding portion 40a of the center terminal portion 40, and the contact portion 91c of the third contact piece 91 of the second relay contact 9 slides and displaces in the circumferential direction relative to the outer peripheral surface 50a of the outer terminal portion 50. Therefore, terminal connection using the adapter 1 and the connector 2 is substantially possible regardless of the orientation relative to the mating connector 100.

[0082] Furthermore, when the adapter 1 and the connector 2 are mated, the locking protrusion 31c on the inner peripheral surface 31b of the cylindrical portion 31 on the connector 2 side elastically overcomes and locks against the annular engaging protrusion 74 on the outer peripheral surface of the mating tubular portion 73 on the adapter 1 side, as shown in FIG. 3 , thereby preventing the connector 2 from coming off the adapter 1. When the cylindrical portion 31 on the connector 2 side and the mating tubular portion 73 on the adapter 1 side rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction, the locking protrusion 31c and the engaging protrusion 74 also rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the adapter 1 and the connector 2 can be prevented from coming off regardless of their orientation relative to the mating connector 100. In other words, the locking structure does not interfere with the relative rotational displacement between the adapter 1 and the connector 2.

[0083] 2, the insulating member 6 includes an insulating tubular portion 60 into which the center terminal portion 40 is inserted and fitted, and which is also inserted and fitted into the outer terminal portion 50, with the center being centered on the central axis C1. Therefore, with a simple structure using the insulating tubular portion 60, it is possible to insulate the center terminal portion 40 and the outer terminal portion 50, which are arranged concentrically.

[0084] The insulating member 6 also includes an insulating wall portion 61 that provides insulation between the first wire connection portion 44 of the center terminal 4 and the second wire connection portion 52 of the outer terminal 5, and the insulating wall portion 61 extends from the insulating cylindrical portion 60. Therefore, with a practical and simple structure that uses the insulating wall portion 61 extending from the insulating cylindrical portion 60, the first wire connection portion 44 and the second wire connection portion 52 can be insulated from each other.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the center terminal 4, the outer terminal 5 and the insulating member 6 are unitized, the assembly work can be easily performed.

[0086] The adapter housing 7 includes positioned portions 79 (see FIG. 15) that engage with positioning grooves 104, 105 of the mating housing 101 so that the first relay contacts 8 and the second relay contacts 9 are aligned with the corresponding mating terminals 102, 103, respectively. Therefore, when the adapter 1 is pre-fitted to the mating connector 100, the respective relay contacts 8, 9 can be easily positioned with respect to the corresponding mating terminals 102, 103.

[0087] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, although not shown, the insulating portion interposed between the center terminal portion 40 and the outer terminal portion 50 may be formed by a part of the connector housing 3.

[0088] 18, two outer terminals 5P, 5Q may be provided. The outer terminal portion 50P of the outer terminal 5P and the outer terminal portion 50Q of the outer terminal portion 50Q are arranged spaced apart in the axial direction of the insulating cylindrical portion 60 (the fitting direction X1) while surrounding the insulating cylindrical portion 60. On the adapter 1 side, two second relay contacts 9P, 9Q are provided corresponding to the two outer terminals 5P, 5Q, respectively.

[0089] Furthermore, the position of the contact portion 92Pc of the fourth contact piece 92P of the second relay contact 9P relative to the outer terminal 5P and the position of the contact portion 92Qc of the fourth contact piece 92Q of the second relay contact 9Q relative to the outer terminal 5Q are offset from each other in the mating direction X1. In this case, a three-pole terminal connection is possible regardless of the orientation of the connector relative to the mating connector. Note that three or more outer terminals and three or more second relay contacts may be provided.

[0090] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art who understand the above content will easily be able to think of modifications, variations, and equivalents thereof. Therefore, the present invention should be considered to be within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 adapter 2 connectors 3 Connector housing 4 Center terminal 5;5P,5Q outer terminal 6. Insulating material 7 Adapter Housing 8. First relay contact 9;9P,9Q 2nd relay contact 30 Main body 31 Cylindrical section 31a Slit 31b Inner surface 31c Locking protrusion 32 Cover 34 Terminal housing 35 Connecting space 40 Center terminal 40a protrusion 40b Outer surface 43 Positioning wall 44 First wire connection 50;50P,50Q outer terminal 50a Outer surface 51 Positioning wall 52 Second wire connection part 60 Insulating tube part (insulating part) 61 Insulating wall 66 Locking protrusion 73 Fitting cylinder 74 Locking protrusion 75 First relay contact retaining groove 76 Second relay contact retaining groove 78 Elastic piece 79 Positioned part 80 Fixed part 81 1st contact piece part 81c Contact part 82 Second contact piece 82c Contact part 90 Fixed part 91 Third contact piece 91c Contact part 92;92P,92Q 4th contact piece 92c;92Pc,92Qc Contact part 100 Mating Connector 101 Opposite housing 102,103 Mating terminal 104,105 Positioning groove (positioning part) C1 center axis CS Connector Structure D1,D2 wire X1 Mating direction

Claims

1. an adapter that is fitted to a mating connector including a mating housing and a plurality of mating terminals that are supported by the mating housing and extend parallel to one another; a connector that is fitted to the adapter in a fitting direction, the connector includes a connector housing, a center terminal supported by the connector housing and including a pin-shaped center terminal portion having a central axis extending in the fitting direction, and an outer terminal supported by the connector housing and including a cylindrical outer terminal portion concentrically surrounding the center terminal portion with an insulating portion interposed therebetween, the center terminal portion including a protrusion protruding from the outer terminal portion in the fitting direction, the adapter includes an adapter housing that is fitted to the connector housing in the fitting direction and is rotatably displaceable about the central axis relative to the connector housing, and a first relay contact and a second relay contact that are supported by the adapter housing, the first relay contact includes a first contact piece portion that is in elastic contact with an outer peripheral surface of the protrusion of the center terminal portion, and a second contact piece portion that is in elastic contact with the corresponding mating terminal, the second relay contact includes a third contact piece portion that is in elastic contact with an outer peripheral surface of the outer terminal portion, and a fourth contact piece portion that is in elastic contact with the corresponding mating terminal, the adapter housing includes a fitting tubular portion having an annular locking projection extending around the entire circumferential direction of an outer peripheral surface, the connector housing includes a cylindrical portion centered on the central axis, the cylindrical portion being divided in the circumferential direction by a slit extending in the axial direction to a tip, the cylindrical portion being elastically deformable in the radial direction, and the cylindrical portion having at least one locking projection on an inner circumferential surface, The connector structure is configured such that when the fitting tubular portion is inserted and fitted into the cylindrical portion, the locking projection rides over and engages with the engaging projection, thereby preventing the fitting tubular portion from coming off.

2. 2. The connector structure of claim 1, wherein when the adapter housing and the connector housing undergo relative rotational displacement, the contact portion of the first contact piece portion slides circumferentially against the outer peripheral surface of the center terminal portion, and the contact portion of the third contact piece portion slides circumferentially against the outer peripheral surface of the outer terminal portion.

3. a plurality of the outer terminals are provided in a state insulated from each other; a plurality of the second relay contacts are provided corresponding to the plurality of outer terminals; 3. The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein positions of contact portions of the second relay contacts relative to the corresponding outer terminals are offset from each other in the mating direction.

4. The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insulating portion comprises an insulating member including an insulating cylindrical portion centered on the central axis, into which the center terminal portion is inserted and fitted, and which is inserted and fitted into the outer terminal portion.

5. the center terminal includes a first wire connection portion extending from the center terminal portion and to which a corresponding wire is connected, the outer terminal includes a second wire connection portion extending from the outer terminal portion and to which a corresponding wire is connected, 5. The connector structure according to claim 4, wherein the insulating member includes an insulating wall portion extending from the insulating cylindrical portion and providing insulation between the first electric wire connecting portion and the second electric wire connecting portion.

6. 6. The connector structure according to claim 4, wherein the center terminal, the outer terminal, and the insulating member are unitized.

7. A connector structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the adapter housing includes a positioning portion that engages with a positioning portion of the mating housing so that the first relay contact and the second relay contact are aligned with their corresponding mating terminals.

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