connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which enables reduction of a molding resin amount of a fitting cylinder part.SOLUTION: A connector 10 includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12. The first housing 11 has a lock part 33 protruding from an outer surface of the first housing 11. The second housing 12 has: a fitting cylinder part 44 in which the first housing 11 is fitted; and a lock arm 46 which is disposed at the outer side of the fitting cylinder part 44 and engaged with the lock part 33 in a state that the second housing 12 is fitted with the first housing 11. The fitting cylinder part 44 has a cutout part 73 which is open to the front side in a direction of fitting with the first housing 11. A part of the lock part 33 is arranged inside the cutout part 73.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a housing and a mating housing that can be fitted together. The housing has a housing main body and a fitting tubular portion that surrounds the outer periphery of the housing main body. The mating housing has a cylindrical hood portion that is fitted between the housing main body and the fitting tubular portion.

[0003] The mating cylindrical portion has a locking arm inside an opening formed in the mating cylindrical portion. The mating housing has a locking protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the hood portion. The locking protrusion engages with the locking arm, thereby maintaining the mating state between the housing and the mating housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-125545 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of Patent Document 1, the fitting tubular portion has a locking arm, and since the fitting tubular portion needs to be strong enough to maintain the engagement between the locking arm and the locking protrusion, the fitting tubular portion tends to be thick, which results in an increase in the amount of resin required to mold the fitting tubular portion.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can reduce the amount of resin used to mold the fitting tubular portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a connector comprising a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first housing has a locking portion protruding from the outer surface of the first housing, the second housing has a fitting cylindrical portion for fitting the first housing inside, and a locking arm disposed on the outside of the fitting cylindrical portion and engaged with the locking portion when fitted with the first housing, the fitting cylindrical portion having a notch that opens to the front side in the fitting direction with the first housing, and a portion of the locking portion disposed inside the notch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that can reduce the amount of resin used to mold the tubular fitting portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first housing and a second housing in a connector according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the first and second housings in a mated state. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the first housing and the second housing in a mated state, with the first housing side cut away. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the recess and protrusion that are fitted together, with the protrusion side cut away. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the recess and protrusion in a mating state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of the locking portion and locking arm, with a part of the locking portion disposed inside the notch and locked to each other, with the locking portion side cut away. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the first housing. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first housing. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the first housing corresponding to the locking portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of the second housing. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the second housing corresponding to the lock arm and the notch. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the second housing corresponding to the recess. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view of the front retainer. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view of the front retainer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A device comprising a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first housing has a locking portion protruding from the outer surface of the first housing, and the second housing has a fitting cylindrical portion for fitting the first housing inside, and a locking arm disposed on the outside of the fitting cylindrical portion and engaged with the locking portion when fitted with the first housing, the fitting cylindrical portion having a notch that opens to the front side in the fitting direction with the first housing, and a portion of the locking portion is disposed inside the notch. According to the above configuration, the fitting cylindrical portion does not have a locking arm, and the locking arm is arranged outside the fitting cylindrical portion so that it can be engaged with the locking portion, so the thickness of the fitting cylindrical portion does not need to be increased, and the amount of resin used to mold the fitting protrusion can be reduced. In particular, even if the locking arm is arranged outside the fitting cylindrical portion, the fitting cylindrical portion has a cutout portion, so that the locking arm and the locking portion can be engaged with each other.

[0011] (2) It is preferable that the second housing has a pressing surface that faces a partition wall portion that is separated by the notch in the fitting cylindrical portion and is contactable from the outside of the fitting cylindrical portion. Because the fitting tube portion has a cutout, there is a concern that the dividing wall portion separated by the cutout portion may open outward from the fitting tube portion. However, with the above configuration, the dividing wall portion can be prevented from opening by coming into contact with the pressing surface.

[0012] (3) The locking portion may have a groove on the base end side in the direction of protrusion from the outer surface, the opposing ends of the dividing wall portion may be fitted into the groove, and the pressing surface may be formed on the groove surface of the groove. With the above configuration, the pressing surface is part of the locking portion, so the structure of the first housing is not complicated. Also, the opposing ends of the dividing wall are fitted into the recessed groove, which reduces rattle between the fitting tubular portion and the first housing, improving vibration resistance.

[0013] (4) The notch and the recessed groove may both be shaped to extend in the fitting direction. According to the above configuration, the range over which the opposing ends of the dividing wall portion are fitted into the recessed groove can be set to be longer, thereby better suppressing rattle between the fitting cylindrical portion and the first housing and further improving vibration resistance.

[0014] (5) The first housing has a cylindrical hood portion with the locking portion protruding from the outer surface, and the second housing has a housing main body portion arranged inside the mating cylindrical portion, and the hood portion is preferably capable of being fitted between the mating cylindrical portion and the housing main body portion. According to the above configuration, the locking arm is positioned outside the mating cylindrical portion, and the mating cylindrical portion and the housing main body can be formed with less constraints from the locking arm, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the shapes of the mating cylindrical portion and the housing main body.

[0015] (6) The second housing may have a cover portion that covers the lock arm from the outside, and the cover portion may be connected to the divided wall portion separated by the cutout portion in the fitting cylindrical portion. According to the above configuration, the cover portion can protect the lock arm and reinforce the dividing wall portion.

[0016] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0017] <Embodiment 1> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , a connector 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12 that can be mated with each other. The second housing 12 includes a main housing 13 and a front retainer 14 attached to the main housing 13. As shown in FIG. 2 , the main housing 13 accommodates a plurality of second terminal fittings 15. The first housing 11 is equipped with a plurality of first terminal fittings 16. In the following description, the front-rear direction refers to the side of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 that faces each other when mating begins. The left-right direction is synonymous with the width direction and is based on the left-right direction in FIG. 3 . The up-down direction is synonymous with the height direction and is based on the up-down direction in each drawing. In FIG. 1 and other figures, the front-rear direction is indicated by the symbol X, the left-right direction is indicated by the symbol Y, and the up-down direction is indicated by the symbol Z. These directional references are for convenience only.

[0018] In the following description, the term "outside" refers to the side of the relevant portion that is farther away from the central axis of the connector 10, and the term "inside" refers to the side of the relevant portion that is closer to the central axis of the connector 10. With respect to the radial direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, the term "outside" corresponds to the radially outer side of the connector 10, and the term "inside" corresponds to the radially inner side of the connector 10.

[0019] (First housing, first terminal fitting) The first housing 11 is made of synthetic resin and has a rectangular cylindrical hood portion 17, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The hood portion 17 has a rear wall 18 with wall surfaces facing forward and backward, a pair of side walls 19 opposing each other on the left and right, and an upper wall 21 and a lower wall 22 opposing each other on the top and bottom. Each of the side walls 19, upper wall 21, and lower wall 22 protrudes forward from the rear wall 18. At the four corners of the hood portion 17, the left and right ends of the upper wall 21 are curvedly connected to the upper ends of the side walls 19, respectively, and the left and right ends of the lower wall 22 are curvedly connected to the lower ends of the side walls 19, respectively.

[0020] Terminal mounting holes 23 are formed through the upper and lower ends of the rear wall 18. As shown in Fig. 2, the first terminal fittings 16 are press-fitted into the terminal mounting holes 23.

[0021] The first terminal fittings 16 are plate-shaped male terminals made of conductive metal. As shown in Fig. 2, the first terminal fittings 16 have a terminal connection portion 24 that penetrates the rear wall 18 and protrudes inside the hood portion 17, and a board connection portion 25 that is exposed at the rear side of the hood portion 17. The terminal connection portion 24 is connected to the second terminal fittings 15 when the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are properly fitted together. The board connection portion 25 is connected to the circuit board P by soldering.

[0022] 7, the hood portion 17 has a plurality of protrusions 26 protruding from the inner surface of each side wall 19. Each protrusion 26 has a rectangular cross section and protrudes horizontally from the upper and lower ends of the inner surface of each side wall 19. Each terminal mounting hole 23 in the rear wall 18 and the first terminal fittings 16 mounted in each terminal mounting hole 23 are disposed between the left and right protrusions 26 in the width direction and at positions overlapping with the left and right protrusions 26 in the height direction, more specifically, at positions within the height range of the left and right protrusions 26.

[0023] The hood portion 17 has a pair of partitioning protrusions 27 that protrude horizontally from the upper and lower middle portions of the inner surface of each side wall 19. Each partitioning protrusion 27 is disposed between the upper and lower protrusions 26 in the height direction. Each partitioning protrusion 27 has a rectangular plate shape and protrudes inward from the inner surface of the side wall 19 more than each of the protrusions 26. As shown in FIG. 8 , the protruding tips of each partitioning protrusion 27 are arranged along the front-to-rear direction while facing each other. An engaging rib 28 extending in the front-to-rear direction is formed on the upper surface of each partitioning protrusion 27.

[0024] In addition to the protrusions 26 and the partitioning protrusions 27, a plurality of ribs 29 are formed to protrude from the inner surface of the hood portion 17. The ribs 29 are arranged at uneven intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the hood portion 17. Each of the protrusions 26, partitioning protrusions 27, and ribs 29 is shaped to extend in the front-to-rear direction, with its rear end connected to the rear wall 18 of the hood portion 17 and its front end located rearward of the front end (opening end) of the hood portion 17. The front end of each partitioning protrusion 27 is located forward of the respective front ends of the protrusions 26 and ribs 29 in a portion closer to the central axis of the hood portion 17.

[0025] The first housing 11 has a flange portion 31 that extends outward from a back wall 18 located at the rear end of the hood portion 17 around the entire periphery. The hood portion 17 has a pair of guide ribs 32 that protrude from the left and right ends of the upper surface of the upper wall 21. Each guide rib 32 extends the entire length of the hood portion 17 in the front-to-rear direction, and its rear end is connected to the flange portion 31.

[0026] The hood portion 17 has a locking portion 33 that protrudes from the left-right middle portion of the upper surface of the upper wall 21. As shown in Fig. 9, the locking portion 33 has an extending portion 34 that extends in the front-to-rear direction on the upper surface of the upper wall 21, and a locking protrusion 35 that protrudes upward from a position near the front end of the extending portion 34. Of the front and rear portions of the extending portion 34 that sandwich the locking protrusion 35, the rear portion has a thick portion 36 that is thicker than the front portion and has a thickness in the up-down direction.

[0027] The rear surface of the locking projection 35 forms a locking surface 37 that stands vertically from the upper surface of the thick portion 36 and is locked by a locking arm 46 (described later) of the second housing 12. The front surface of the locking projection 35 forms an inclined surface 38 that slopes upward from the front portion of the extension portion 34 to the top surface of the locking projection 35 and guides the bending action of the locking arm 46. The lower end of the inclined surface 38 is located below the lower end of the locking surface 37 by the height of the thick portion 36.

[0028] A collision surface 39 is formed on the upper surface of the thick portion 36 along the front-rear direction and is continuous with the lower end of the engagement surface 37 of the locking projection 35. When the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are properly fitted together, the locking arm 46 collides with the collision surface 39, generating a locking sound (see FIG. 2).

[0029] The locking portion 33 has a recessed groove 41 at the lower end of the extending portion 34, which is on the base end side in the protruding direction. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the recessed groove 41 has a rectangular cross section and is recessed into each of the left and right side surfaces at the lower end of the extending portion 34. The recessed groove 41 extends the entire length of the locking portion 33 in the front-to-rear direction, with its front end opening to the front surface of the locking portion 33 and its rear end closed by the flange portion 31.

[0030] Of the groove surfaces of the recessed groove 41, the upper side surface (the surface facing downward) and the lower side surface (the surface facing upward), which face each other vertically, are arranged parallel to each other in the front-rear and left-right directions, and the side surface facing outward in the width direction is arranged along the front-rear and up-down directions. The lower side surface of the recessed groove 41 is formed on the upper surface of the upper wall 21 of the hood portion 17. The upper side surface of the recessed groove 41 forms a pressing surface 42 that faces an opposing end portion 75 of a dividing wall portion 74 (described later) of the second housing 12 so as to be able to come into contact with it from above (outside). The side surfaces of the recessed groove 41 are arranged in the same height range as the flange portion 31.

[0031] (Main housing, second terminal fitting) As described above, the second housing 12 is composed of the main housing 13 and the front retainer 14, which are separate bodies. 10, the main housing 13 is made of synthetic resin and has a housing body 43, a fitting tubular portion 44 surrounding the outer periphery of the housing body 43, a connecting portion 45 radially connecting the housing body 43 and the fitting tubular portion 44, a locking arm 46 disposed above (outside) the fitting tubular portion 44, and a cover portion 47 covering the locking arm 46. As shown in FIG. 2, cavities 48 extending in the front-rear direction are formed in the upper and lower ends of the housing body 43.

[0032] Of the front and rear portions of the housing main body 43 sandwiching the connecting portion 45, the rear portion has an enclosing portion 49 with an elongated elliptical external shape, as shown in Figure 1, and the front portion has a pair of cavity tower portions 51 divided into upper and lower portions.

[0033] Each cavity tower portion 51 is formed for each cavity 48. As shown in FIG. 10 , each cavity tower portion 51 has a front wall 52 that closes the front end of the cavity 48. The front wall 52 is formed with a horizontally elongated insertion opening 53 through which the first terminal fitting 16 can be inserted from the front side. Each cavity tower portion 51 has lances 55 on inner walls 54 that face each other and are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The lances 55 are elastically deformable in the space between the inner walls 54 of each cavity tower portion 51.

[0034] 2, a rubber stopper receiving section 56 is formed at the rear end of each cavity 48, and has a larger opening than the front end of each cavity 48. Each rubber stopper receiving section 56 is defined by a cylindrical section (not shown) formed inside the surrounding section 49.

[0035] The second terminal fittings 15 are inserted into each cavity 48 of the housing body 43 from the rear. The second terminal fittings 15 are female terminals formed by bending a conductive metal plate. As shown in FIG. 2 , the second terminal fittings 15 have a cylindrical box portion 57 that is open at the front and rear, a resilient contact portion 58 that protrudes inside the box portion 57, and a barrel portion 59 that is connected to the electric wire W behind the box portion 57. When the second terminal fittings 15 are properly inserted into the cavities 48, the box portion 57 is engaged with the lance 55. The terminal connection portion 24 of the first terminal fitting 16 is inserted into the box portion 57 through the insertion opening 53, contacts the resilient contact portion 58, and is electrically connected to the second terminal fitting 15. The electric wire W is crimped onto the barrel portion 59 and is drawn out rearward from the housing body 43. A rubber stopper 60 is liquid-tightly housed inside the rubber stopper housing portion 56. The rubber plug 60 is made of rubber such as silicone rubber, and is attached to the outer periphery of the electric wire W. The rubber plug 60 is connected to the second terminal fitting 15 by the barrel portion 59 .

[0036] As shown in Fig. 10, the housing main body 43 has a plurality of recesses 61 on its left and right side surfaces. Each recess 61 has a U-shaped cross section and is provided in pairs, one above the other, on the left and right side surfaces of each cavity tower 51. As shown in Fig. 12, each recess 61 extends the entire length of each cavity tower 51 in the front-rear direction, with its front end opening to the front surface of each cavity tower 51 and its rear end closed by the connecting portion 45.

[0037] Of the groove surfaces of the recess 61, the upper side surface (the surface facing downward) and the lower side surface (the surface facing upward), which face each other vertically, are arranged along the front-rear and left-right directions, and the side surfaces facing outward in the width direction are arranged along the front-rear and up-down directions. Of the groove surfaces of the recess 61, arc-shaped curved surfaces 63 are formed between the upper side surface and each side surface, and between the lower side surface and each side surface. Each cavity tower section 51 has, at its left and right side end portions, rib-shaped elastic wall portions 64 extending in the front-rear direction that divide the upper and lower sides of the recess 61.

[0038] A plurality of small protrusions 62 are formed on the groove surface of the recess 61. As shown in Fig. 4, each small protrusion 62 has an arc-shaped cross section and is disposed opposite the left-right middle portion of each of the upper and lower side surfaces of the recess 61, and is disposed in the top-bottom middle portion of the side surface. As shown in Fig. 12, each small protrusion 62 extends the entire length of each recess 61 in the front-rear direction and has a chamfered slope 65 at its front end.

[0039] As shown in Figure 10, entrance grooves 66 are recessed into the opposing surfaces of the inner wall 54 of each cavity tower section 51, on both sides of the lance 55. Each entrance groove 66 extends in the front-rear direction, with its front end opening to the front surface of the cavity tower section 51. Each cavity tower section 51 has a weir-shaped stopper section 67 that closes the entrance groove 66 midway in the front-rear direction. The stopper section 67 is engaged with a retainer lock section 97 of the front retainer 14, which will be described later.

[0040] The fitting tube portion 44 has a rectangular cylindrical shape and, as shown in FIG. 10 , includes a pair of side walls 68 that face each other laterally, and an upper wall portion 69 and a lower wall portion 71 that face each other vertically. Guide recesses 72 are formed at the left and right ends of the inner surface of the upper wall portion 69. As shown in FIG. 3 , each guide rib 32 of the hood portion 17 fits into each guide recess 72. As shown in FIG. 11 , the fitting tube portion 44 has a notch 73 formed by cutting out a lateral middle portion of the upper wall portion 69. The notch 73 extends in the front-rear direction, with its front end opening to the front end surface of the upper wall portion 69 and its rear end closed by the connecting portion 45. The notch 73 has a constant width in the left-right direction except for the front end portion, which widens toward the front.

[0041] 11, the upper wall portion 69 has a pair of partition walls 74 divided into left and right parts by a cutout portion 73. Each partition wall portion 74 has a plate shape extending in the front-rear and left-right directions, and an end portion opposite an opposing end portion 75, which is the end portion facing the cutout portion 73, is connected to the side wall portion 68 via a guide recess 72, and a rear end portion is connected to the connecting portion 45. The fitting cylindrical portion 44 is continuous in the circumferential direction except for the cutout portion 73.

[0042] The cover 47 has a top plate 76 that faces the upper wall 69 from above, and a pair of side plate sections 77 that face each other on the left and right. The top plate section 76 is plate-shaped along the front-rear and left-right directions, and has a recess 78 that opens at its rear end. The side plate sections 77 are plate-shaped along the front-rear and up-down directions, and connect the top plate section 76 and the upper wall section 69 (dividing wall section 74) in the height direction. A reinforcing section 79 is formed at the front end of the side plate section 77, protruding outward in the width direction. The reinforcing section 79 is triangular in front view, and is erected on the upper surface of the dividing wall section 74.

[0043] The lock arm 46 has an arm main body 81 extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of support portions 82 projecting outward in the width direction from the left and right end surfaces of the arm main body 81. As shown in FIG. 6, each support portion 82 is connected to the corresponding side plate portion 77. The arm main body 81 is disposed between the top plate portion 76 and the upper wall portion 69 in the height direction and is elastically deformable (swingable) like a seesaw with each support portion 82 as a fulcrum. As shown in FIG. 2, a lock hole 83 is formed in the arm main body 81, penetrating it in the vertical direction. A mating detection member (not shown) is housed between the cover portion 47 and the upper wall portion 69 and on the outer periphery of the lock arm 46. This mating detection member is movable relative to the main housing 13 when the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are properly mated, thereby detecting the mating state of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12.

[0044] (front retainer) The front retainer 14 is made of synthetic resin and has a rectangular frame shape, and is attached to each cavity tower portion 51 of the housing main body 43 from the front side. As shown in Fig. 13, the front retainer 14 has an upper portion 84 and a lower portion 85 that face each other vertically, and a pair of side portions 86 that face each other laterally. The left and right ends of the upper portion 84 are connected to the upper ends of each side portion 86 via curved upper corners 87. The left and right ends of the lower portion 85 are connected to the lower ends of each side portion 86 via curved lower corners 88.

[0045] A plurality of rib receiving grooves 89 are recessed into the outer surface of each of the upper portion 84 and the lower portion 85. Each rib receiving groove 89 extends in the front-to-rear direction, with its front end opening to the front surface of the upper portion 84 and the lower portion 85. As shown in FIG. 3, each rib 29 of the hood portion 17 is fitted into each rib receiving groove 89. As shown in FIG. 14, a rib receiving groove 89 is also formed in the side portion 86.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 13 , the front retainer 14 has a partition portion 91 that extends in the left-right direction and has left and right ends connected to the upper and lower middle portions of each side portion 86. The upper and lower spaces in the front retainer 14 separated by the partition portion 91 form a fitting space 92 that penetrates in the front-rear direction. The cavity tower portion 51 is fitted into the fitting space 92 from the rear side. A pair of left and right partition recesses 93 that penetrate the side portion 86 and are open outward in the width direction and to the front side are formed in the upper and lower middle portions of the partition portion 91. As shown in FIG. 3 , each partition recess 93 is fitted with a respective partition protrusion 27 of the hood portion 17. Each partition recess 93 of the partition portion 91 is formed with a rib receiving portion 94 into which each fitting rib 28 of the hood portion 17 is fitted.

[0047] Restriction surfaces 95 are formed at the left and right intermediate portions of the upper and lower surfaces of the partition portion 91. As shown in FIG. 3, each restriction surface 95 faces the corresponding lance 55 so as to be able to come into contact with the lance 55 in the bending direction of the lance 55, thereby restricting the bending movement of the lance 55. Protrusions 96 that define the width of each restriction surface 95 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the partition portion 91 at positions corresponding to the left and right ends of each restriction surface 95. Each protrusion 96 is rib-shaped and extends in the front-to-rear direction, and is arranged at intervals in the width direction equal to the width of the lance 55. Each protrusion 96 restricts displacement of the lance 55 in the width direction.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 13 , a retainer locking portion 97 (see Fig. 1 ) is formed protruding from the rear end portion of the upper and lower surfaces of the partition portion 91 at a position close to and outside each of the protruding portions 96 in the width direction. During the process of assembling the front retainer 14 to the main housing 13, each retainer locking portion 97 enters each entry groove 66 of each cavity tower portion 51. Thereafter, each retainer locking portion 97 elastically moves over each stopper portion 67 and is engaged with each stopper portion 67, thereby holding the front retainer 14 in the main housing 13.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 13, each side portion 86 has relief portions 98 at the top and bottom of the partition recess 93. As shown in Fig. 14, each relief portion 98 is a recessed groove extending in the front-to-rear direction, with its front end opening at the front end face of the side portion 86 and its rear end closed at the rear end of the side portion 86. The groove width of the relief portion 98 in the up-down direction is constant in the front-to-rear direction and is larger than the vertical dimension of the protrusion 26 of the hood portion 17. As shown in Fig. 4, the protrusion 26 is inserted into the relief portion 98 with play in the up-down direction. The relief portion 98 communicates with the vertical middle portion of the fitting space 92 on the inside in the width direction.

[0050] (Connector function) Prior to assembling the second housing 12, the second terminal fittings 15 are inserted from the rear into the cavities 48 of the housing body 43. The second terminal fittings 15 are locked by the lances 55 and are temporarily prevented from coming off the housing body 43.

[0051] When assembling the second housing 12, the front retainer 14 is attached to the housing main body 43 from the front side. The retainer locking portions 97 are locked with the stopper portions 67, thereby properly attaching the front retainer 14 to the housing main body 43. At this time, the cavity tower portions 51 are fitted into the corresponding fitting spaces 92, and the outer periphery of each cavity tower portion 51 is surrounded by the front retainer 14 (see FIG. 2). The partition portions 91 of the front retainer 14 are fitted into the spaces between the inner walls 54 of the cavity tower portions 51. Here, the restricting surfaces 95 of the partition portions 91 face the lances 55 and restrict the bending of the lances 55, thereby allowing the second terminal fittings 15 to be secondarily removed from and into the housing main body 43. Each relief portion 98 of the front retainer 14 is disposed at a height position that overlaps with the corresponding recessed portion 61 of the cavity tower portion 51 , and faces and communicates with that recessed portion 61 .

[0052] Next, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are fitted together. During the fitting process of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, the ribs 29 of the hood portion 17 are inserted into the rib receiving grooves 89 of the front retainer 14 in a fitted state, and the protrusions 26 of the hood portion 17 are inserted into the recesses 61 of the housing main body 43 in a fitted state while being allowed to escape into the relief portions 98 of the front retainer 14.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4 , the base portion of the protrusion 26, which is the base end in the direction of protrusion from the side wall 19, is positioned away from the upper and lower opposing surfaces (inner surfaces) of the relief portion 98 while avoiding contact with the opposing surfaces. On the other hand, the tip portion of the protrusion 26, which is the tip end in the direction of protrusion from the side wall 19, contacts each small protrusion 62 when fitted into the recess 61. Specifically, the upper and lower surfaces and the tip surface in the protruding direction of the protrusion 26 contact the corresponding small protrusion 62 over a long distance along the front-to-rear direction (see FIG. 5 ). This reduces rattle between the hood portion 17 and the housing main body 43. When the upper and lower small protrusions 62 are in contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the protrusion 26, the upper and lower elastic wall portions 64 are elastically deformable in directions away from each other, thereby maintaining each small protrusion 62 in an unbreakable state.

[0054] During the fitting process between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, the lower end of the locking portion 33 of the hood portion 17 enters the inside of the notch 73 of the fitting tubular portion 44, and the opposing end 75 of each partition wall portion 74 is inserted into the recessed groove 41 of the locking portion 33 in a fitted state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 , the opposing end 75 of the partition wall portion 74 is sandwiched vertically by the first housing 11 inside the recessed groove 41, with the pressing surface 42 of the recessed groove 41 facing and contacting the upper surface of the opposing end 75 of the partition wall portion 74, and the lower surface of the recessed groove 41 facing and contacting the lower surface of the opposing end 75 of the partition end. As a result, each partition wall portion 74 is positioned in the first housing 11 and maintains a constant shape as the upper wall portion 69 of the fitting tubular portion 44. Therefore, even if the notch 73 is formed in the upper wall 69 of the fitting cylinder 44, the dividing wall 74 can be prevented from expanding and deforming in a direction that increases the opening width of the notch 73.

[0055] Furthermore, during the fitting process of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, the tip (front end) of the arm main body 81 of the lock arm 46 comes into contact with the inclined surface 38 of the lock protrusion 35 midway up the slope, and the lock arm 46 is set not to come into contact with any part of the hood part 17 other than the lock protrusion 35. In this way, the tip of the arm main body 81 slides over the inclined surface 38 of the lock protrusion 35, causing the lock arm 46 to bend and deform appropriately, preventing unnecessary frictional resistance from occurring between the lock arm 46 and the first housing 11.

[0056] Thereafter, the lock arm 46 elastically returns to its original position, and the lock protrusion 35 fits into the lock hole 83, thereby maintaining the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 in a mated state. At the same time, the first terminal fittings 16 and the second terminal fittings 15 are properly connected (see FIG. 2). Note that the engagement between the lock arm 46 and the lock portion 33 can be released by pressing the rear end of the lock arm 46 through the recess 78.

[0057] If the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are not facing each other at the start of mating, for example, if the second housing 12 is tilted from the correct position relative to the first housing 11, the tip (front end) of each protrusion 26 will interfere with the opposing wall surface of the second housing 12, restricting the mating operation of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12. This prevents the terminal connecting portion 24 of the first terminal fitting 16 from being twisted and deformed due to interference with the second housing 12. Furthermore, because the opposing end 75 of the dividing wall portion 74 is fitted into the recessed groove 41 in the early stages of mating, the tilted position of the second housing 12 relative to the first housing 11 can be quickly corrected, which also prevents the above-mentioned twisted mating.

[0058] When the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are properly fitted together, the aforementioned convex portions 26 remain fitted into the respective concave portions 61, and similarly, the aforementioned opposing ends 75 of the dividing walls 74 remain fitted into the respective concave grooves 41 of the locking portion 33. Therefore, even when the connector 10 is subjected to vibration, rattle between the first housing 11 and the main housing 13 can be suppressed. In particular, on both sides of the connection between the terminal connecting portion 24 of the first terminal fitting 16 and the resilient contact portion 58 of the second terminal fitting 15, a fitting structure between the concave portions 61 and the convex portions 26 is formed at a height position overlapping the connection portion, specifically, in a height range including the connection portion. Furthermore, this fitting structure between the concave portions 61 and the convex portions 26 is also formed at a position overlapping the connection portion in the front-rear direction, specifically, in a range including the connection portion. Therefore, when the connector 10 is subjected to vibration, the effect on the connection portion between the first terminal fitting 16 and the second terminal fitting 15 is reduced, and rattle between the first housing 11 and the main housing 13 can be suppressed.

[0059] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the protrusion 26 is fitted into the recess 61, thereby suppressing rattle of the housing main body 43 inside the hood portion 17, thereby improving vibration resistance. In particular, in the case of the first embodiment, the left and right side surfaces of the housing main body 43 are covered by the front retainer 14, and the front retainer 14 is interposed between the protrusion 26 and the recess 61. However, because the protrusion 26 can be allowed to escape into the relief portion 98 of the front retainer 14, it is possible to achieve a fitting structure between the recess 61 and the protrusion 26.

[0060] Furthermore, a clearance (gap) is formed between the outer surface of the protrusion 26 and the inner surface of the relief portion 98, thereby preventing excessive mating resistance between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12. Furthermore, since the recess 61 is disposed at a height position in the housing main body 43 where it overlaps with the cavity 48, sliding wear between the first terminal fitting 16 and the second terminal fitting 15 can be avoided.

[0061] Furthermore, small protrusions 62 that extend in the front-rear direction and contact protrusions 26 are formed on the inner surface of recess 61, which can more effectively prevent rattling of housing main body 43 inside hood portion 17. In particular, small protrusions 62 are formed on the upper and lower end faces that face each other on the inner surface of recess 61, which can more effectively prevent rattling of housing main body 43 inside hood portion 17.

[0062] In addition, the housing main body 43 has multiple cavity tower sections 51 spaced apart in the vertical direction, and recesses 61 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of each cavity tower section 51, so that by fitting each protrusion 26 into each recess 61, rattle of the housing main body 43 inside the hood section 17 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the fitting cylindrical portion 44 of the second housing 12 does not have the lock arm 46, and the lock arm 46 is arranged above the fitting cylindrical portion 44 so as to be able to engage with the lock portion 33. This prevents the thickness of the fitting cylindrical portion 44 from becoming large, thereby reducing the amount of resin required to mold the fitting protrusion. In particular, even if the lock arm 46 is arranged above the fitting cylindrical portion 44, the fitting cylindrical portion 44 has the cutout portion 73, which makes it possible to achieve engagement between the lock arm 46 and the lock portion 33.

[0064] Furthermore, because the second housing 12 has the pressing surface 42 that faces the partition wall 74 of the fitting tubular portion 44 from above and is capable of contacting the partition wall 74, it is possible to prevent the partition wall 74 from expanding and deforming in a direction that increases the opening width of the notch 73. In particular, because the opposing end 75 of the partition wall 74 is fitted into the recessed groove 41 of the locking portion 33 and the pressing surface 42 is formed on the groove surface of the recessed groove 41, it is possible to avoid the structure of the first housing 11 from becoming complicated. Furthermore, because the opposing end 75 of the partition wall 74 is fitted into the recessed groove 41, it is possible to prevent rattling between the fitting tubular portion 44 and the first housing 11, thereby further improving vibration resistance.

[0065] Furthermore, because the notch 73 and the recess 61 both have a shape that extends in the front-rear direction, the range over which the opposing end 75 of the dividing wall 74 is fitted into the recessed groove 41 can be set to be long in the front-rear direction. As a result, rattle between the fitting tubular portion 44 and the first housing 11 can be effectively suppressed, and vibration resistance can be further improved.

[0066] Furthermore, since the lock arm 46 is positioned above the mating tubular portion 44, the mating tubular portion 44 and the housing main body portion 43 can be formed with less restriction from the lock arm 46, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the shapes of the mating tubular portion 44 and the housing main body portion 43.

[0067] Furthermore, since the second housing 12 has a cover portion 47 that covers the lock arm 46 and the cover portion 47 is connected to the dividing wall portion 74, the lock arm 46 can be protected by the cover portion 47 and the dividing wall portion 74 can be reinforced by the cover portion 47.

[0068] [Another embodiment of the present disclosure] The first embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the first embodiment, the recessed portion is formed on the side surface of the housing main body, and the protruding portion is formed on the inner surface of the hood portion. However, in another embodiment, the recessed portion may be formed on the inner surface of the hood portion, and the protruding portion may be formed on the side surface of the housing main body, which is the opposite of the first embodiment. According to the first embodiment, small convex portions are formed on the groove surface of the recess. In contrast to this, according to other embodiments, small convex portions may not be formed on the groove surface of the recess, and the convex portions may be in surface contact with the groove surface of the recess. In the first embodiment, the pressing surface is formed on the groove surface of the recessed groove of the locking portion. However, in other embodiments, the pressing surface may be formed on a portion of the first housing other than the groove surface of the recessed groove of the locking portion. In the first embodiment, the first terminal fitting has a board connecting portion and the first housing is mounted on the circuit board. In contrast to this, in other embodiments, the first terminal fitting may not have a board connecting portion and the first housing may not be mounted on the circuit board. In the first embodiment, the first housing is configured as a male housing for receiving first terminal fittings as male terminals, and the second housing is configured as a female housing for accommodating second terminal fittings as female terminals. However, in another embodiment, the first housing may be configured as a female housing for receiving first terminal fittings as female terminals, and the second housing may be configured as a male housing for receiving second terminal fittings as male terminals, in contrast to the first embodiment. According to the first embodiment, a clearance (gap) is formed between the outer surface of the convex portion and the inner surface of the relief portion. In contrast, according to other embodiments, a clearance (gap) does not have to be formed between the outer surface of the convex portion and the inner surface of the relief portion. For example, the outer surface of the convex portion may be in partial contact with the inner surface of the relief portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10...Connector 11...1st housing 12...Second housing 13...Main housing 14...Front retainer 15...Second terminal fitting 16...First terminal fitting 17...Food section 18…Back wall 19…Side wall 21...Upper wall 22...Lower wall 23...Terminal mounting hole 24...Terminal connection part 25...Board connection part 26...Convex part 27...Convex section 28...Mating rib 29...Ribs 31...Flange 32...Guide rib 33...Rock section 34...Extending part 35...Lock protrusion 36...Thick wall part 37...Latching surface 38…Slanted surface 39…Collision surface 41...Groove 42...Pressing surface 43...Housing body 44...Mating cylinder 45...Connection part 46...Lock arm 47...Cover 48...cavity 49...Encirclement 51...Cavity tower section 52...Front wall 53...insertion port 54…Inner wall 55...Lance 56...Rubber stopper housing 57...Hakobe 58...Elastic contact part 59...Barrel section 60...Rubber stopper 61...recess 62...Small convex part 63...Curved surface 64...Elastic wall portion 65...Slope 66…Entry groove 67...Stopper part 68...Side wall 69...Top wall part 71…Lower wall part 72...Guide recess 73...Notch 74…Dividing wall part 75...opposite end 76...Top plate 77...Side plate part 78...Recess 79...Reinforcement 81...Arm body 82...Support part 83...Lock hole 84...Upper 85...lower part 86...Side 87...Upper corner 88…Lower corner 89...Rib receiving groove 91...Partition 92...Mating space 93... Compartment recess 94...Rib receiving part 95...Regulatory aspects 96...Protrusion part 97...Retainer lock part 98...Relief P...Circuit board

Claims

1. a first housing and a second housing; the first housing has a locking portion protruding from an outer surface of the first housing, the second housing has a fitting cylindrical portion into which the first housing is fitted, and a lock arm that is disposed outside the fitting cylindrical portion and is locked by the lock portion when the second housing is fitted with the first housing, the fitting cylinder portion has a notch portion that opens to the front side in the fitting direction with the first housing, a part of the locking portion is disposed inside the notch; The first housing has a pressing surface that faces a divided wall portion that is divided by the notch in the fitting cylindrical portion and is contactable from outside the fitting cylindrical portion.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion has a groove on a base end side in a protruding direction from the outer surface, the opposing ends of the dividing wall portion are fitted into the groove, and the pressing surface is formed on a groove surface of the groove.

3. The connector according to claim 2 , wherein the notch and the groove both extend in the fitting direction.

4. the first housing has a cylindrical hood portion with the lock portion protruding from the outer surface, the second housing has a housing main body portion disposed inside the fitting cylindrical portion, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the hood portion is adapted to be fitted between the fitting tubular portion and the housing main body.

5. 5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the second housing has a cover portion that covers the lock arm from the outside, and the cover portion is connected to a divided wall portion separated by the cutout portion in the fitting cylindrical portion.

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