connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that makes it possible to configure a fitting connector by combining a sub-connector and a spacer, make at least a part of the sub-connector and the spacer common, and improve productivity.SOLUTION: Female connectors 2a to 2c have a plurality of sub-connectors 4a to 4c arranged adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction and a plurality of spacers 5 assembled to the plurality of sub-connectors 4a to 4c from a vertical direction. Each of the spacers 5 has a locking projection 54 provided on a side facing the adjacent sub-connectors 4a to 4c and locked to the adjacent sub-connectors 4a to 4c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a connector has been proposed that includes a multi-pole male connector and a plurality of female connectors with fewer poles that are fitted to the male connector. One of the conventional connectors is configured to select a desired female connector corresponding to the use of the connector or the like from a group of female connectors having different numbers of poles and fit it to the male connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This conventional connector is configured such that a detachable partition plate can freely define a housing portion into which a desired female connector can be fitted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional connectors need to prepare a plurality of female connectors having different numbers of poles so that a desired female connector can be selected from the plurality of female connectors, and there has been a tendency for the types of female connectors to increase. Thus, there has been room for improvement in conventional connectors from the perspective of productivity.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector with excellent productivity.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above-described object, the connector according to the present invention is characterized as follows. A connector comprising a plurality of mating connectors and a mated connector having a housing portion into which the plurality of mating connectors are inserted, The mating connector comprises a plurality of subconnectors arranged adjacent to each other in a first intersecting direction that intersects the mating direction with the mated connector, and a plurality of spacers assembled to the plurality of subconnectors from a second intersecting direction that intersects both the mating direction and the first intersecting direction. Each of the aforementioned spacers is provided on a side facing an adjacent subconnector and has a locking portion that engages with the adjacent subconnector or the spacer. death , The locking portion is composed of a locking projection. In the mating connector, the pair of spacers assembled to the pair of sub-connectors arranged at both ends in the first intersecting direction have a flat surface on the outer side in the first intersecting direction and the locking projection on the inner side in the first intersecting direction. It must be a connector. A connector comprising a plurality of mating connectors and a mated connector having a housing portion into which the plurality of mating connectors are inserted, The mating connector comprises a plurality of subconnectors arranged adjacent to each other in a first intersecting direction that intersects the mating direction with the mated connector, and a plurality of spacers assembled to the plurality of subconnectors from a second intersecting direction that intersects both the mating direction and the first intersecting direction. Each of the aforementioned spacers is provided on a side facing an adjacent subconnector and has a locking portion that engages with the adjacent subconnector or the spacer. The locking portion is composed of locking projections extending in the second intersecting direction, The locking projection slides into the locking recess provided in the subconnector from the second intersecting direction and locks in the second intersecting direction. It must be a connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a mating connector can be constructed by combining subconnectors and spacers, and at least a portion of the subconnectors and spacers can be made common, thereby improving productivity.

[0008] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by referring to the attached drawings and reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is an exploded front view of the male connector and female connector shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the female connector 2a shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the female connector 2a shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded bottom view of the female connector 2a shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the female connector 2b shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the female connector 2b shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an exploded bottom view of the female connector 2b shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the female connector 2c shown in Figure 1. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a bottom view of the female connector 2c shown in Figure 1. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an exploded bottom view of the female connector 2c shown in Figure 1. [Figure 12] It is an exploded perspective view of the connector of other embodiments. [Figure 13] It is an exploded perspective view of the connector of other embodiments.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 13 will be described. The connector 1 is typically a connector mounted on a vehicle. Note that the "fitting male connector" of the present invention corresponds to the male connector 3, and the "fitting female connector" of the present invention corresponds to the female connector 2.

[0011] For the sake of explanation, as shown in Figures 1 to 13, we define "front (F)", "rear (B)", "left (L)", "right (R)", "up (U)", and "down (D)". The "front-back direction", "left-right direction", and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-back direction corresponds to the "fitting direction" of the present invention. The left-right direction corresponds to the "first intersecting direction" of the present invention. The up-down direction corresponds to the "second intersecting direction" of the present invention.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, connector 1 is composed of multiple (three in this example) female connectors 2 (female connectors 2a to 2c) and a male connector 3 into which the multiple female connectors 2 are mated. The female connectors 2 and male connector 3 that make up connector 1 will be described in order below.

[0013] First, let's describe the male connector 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the male connector 3 comprises a male terminal (not shown) and a housing 6 that holds the male terminal. The housing 6 has a roughly rectangular cylindrical shape that is long in the left-right direction and has an opening on the front side. The cylindrical hole in this housing 6 is a housing section 61 into which multiple female connectors 2 are inserted and housed.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, multiple (seven in this example) protrusions 62 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction at predetermined intervals, projecting short distances downward from the upper wall of the housing 6 within the housing section 61. As a result, multiple (eight in this example) housing chambers 63 are defined within the housing section 61, between the left wall and the protrusions 62, between adjacent protrusions 62, and between the protrusions 62 and the right wall, each housing a subconnector 4, which will be described later. Since each housing chamber 63 has 2 poles, the male connector 3 has 16 poles.

[0015] In each of the multiple storage compartments 63, one or two guide grooves 64 extending in the front-to-back direction are provided on the lower wall of the housing 6. When there is one guide groove 64, it is located in the central region in the left-right direction of the storage compartment 63; when there are two guide grooves 64, they are located at both ends in the left-right direction. In this example, the first, second, fifth, and seventh storage compartments 63 from the right have one guide groove 64. The fourth and eighth storage compartments 63 from the right have two guide grooves 64. The third and sixth storage compartments 63 from the right do not have guide grooves 64.

[0016] Thus, the shape of the housing chamber 63 is determined by the guide groove 64. In other words, the guide groove 64, together with the guide rib 41 described later, serves to guide the insertion of the female connector 2 into the male connector 3, and also serves to prevent the incorrect insertion of the female connector 2 into the male connector 3.

[0017] Next, the female connector 2 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the multiple female connectors 2a to 2c are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 1, each female connector 2 has a female terminal (not shown), multiple subconnectors 4 (subconnectors 4a to 4c) that hold the female terminal, and multiple spacers 5. The multiple subconnectors 4 are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The spacers 5 are assembled to the subconnectors 4 in the vertical direction. There is a one-to-one relationship between the subconnectors 4 and the spacers 5, and the number of subconnectors 4 and spacers 5 are equal.

[0018] In this example, female connector 2a consists of three sub-connectors 4 and three spacers 5 that are attached to each of the three sub-connectors 4. Similarly, female connector 2b consists of three sub-connectors 4 and three spacers 5 that are attached to each of the three sub-connectors 4. Similarly, female connector 2c consists of two sub-connectors 4 and two spacers 5 that are attached to each of the two sub-connectors 4.

[0019] The sub-connectors 4 and spacers 5 that make up female connectors 2a to 2c will be described in order below. First, before describing the sub-connectors 4, the spacers 5 will be described. The spacers 5 are assembled from the bottom of the sub-connectors 4 and are locked to the sub-connectors 4 in the vertical direction. The spacers 5 are locked to the sub-connectors 4 at a locking position that locks onto the terminals housed inside the sub-connectors 4. If the terminals are not inserted in the correct position, the spacers 5 cannot lock to the sub-connectors 4 at the locking position and will protrude below the sub-connectors 4. This allows for detection of terminal insertion.

[0020] Multiple spacers 5 are all provided in the same shape. As shown in Figures 3 to 11, each spacer 5 has a spacer body 51 that locks with the terminal, a pair of side walls 52 and 53 that sandwich both sides of the spacer body 51 in the left-right direction, a locking projection 54 that locks with the adjacent subconnector 4, and a locking part 55 (see Figures 3, 6, and 9) that locks with the subconnector 4 to which it is assembled. The spacer body 51 is provided in a substantially cylindrical shape and has a locking part (not shown) that locks with the terminal housed in the subconnector 4.

[0021] The pair of side walls 52 and 53 are provided in a rectangular shape when viewed from the left and right directions, and protrude above the upper wall portion of the spacer body 51. The pair of side walls 52 and 53 protrude from the spacer body 51 on both sides in the front-rear direction. The left and right end faces of the pair of side walls 52 and 53 are provided with tapered surfaces that approach each other as they extend outward in the left-right direction. In addition, the lower end faces of the pair of side walls 52 and 53 are provided to be on the same plane as the lower wall portion of the spacer body 51.

[0022] The locking projection 54 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall portion 52, on a portion located on one side in the front-rear direction relative to the spacer body portion 51. The locking projection 54 extends vertically and is provided from the upper end to the lower end of the side wall portion 52. The sides of the locking projection 54 that face each other in the front-rear direction are provided with tapered surfaces that approach each other as they get closer to the side wall portion 52. The outer surface of the side wall portion 53 is provided with a flat portion 53a where the locking projection 54 is not provided.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3, 6, and 9, a groove 56 extending in the vertical direction is provided on the inner surface of the pair of side wall portions 52 and 53, in the portion located above the spacer body portion 51. The locking portion 55 is provided along the front-rear direction so as to close the upper side of this groove 56. The upper and lower surfaces of the locking portion 55 are provided on vertical surfaces perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0024] Next, we will describe the subconnector 4. As shown in Figure 6, in this example, three different shapes of subconnector 4 are available. The difference between the three shapes of subconnector 4 lies in the number of guide ribs 41 that are slid into the guide groove 64 described above. Before describing these guide ribs 41, we will describe the common shape of the three types of subconnector 4.

[0025] The subconnector 4 has a roughly rectangular columnar housing 42 that is long in the front-to-back direction, and terminal housing chambers 43 that penetrate in the front-to-back direction are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction at predetermined intervals. In other words, the subconnector 4 has 2 poles.

[0026] The housing 42 is provided with a mounting portion 44 to which the spacer 5 is assembled. The mounting portion 44 has a main mounting portion 44a to which the spacer main body portion 51 is assembled, and a pair of side wall mounting portions 44b to which the pair of side wall portions 52 and 53 are assembled. The main mounting portion 44a is formed by cutting out the central region in the front-rear direction of the lower wall portion of the housing 42 so as to be recessed upwards. The side wall mounting portions 44b are formed by cutting out the side wall portion of the housing 42 so as to be recessed to the left and right. When the side wall portions 52 and 53 of the spacer 5 are assembled into the recesses forming the side wall mounting portions 44b, the outer surfaces of the side wall portions 52 and 53 and the left and right outer surfaces of the housing 42 become coplanar.

[0027] In the housing 42, the recesses forming the side wall assembly portion 44b are provided with a lower projection 45 and an upper projection 46 that engage with a locking portion 55 provided on the spacer 5. The lower projection 45 and the upper projection 46 engage with the locking portion 55 of the spacer 5 and serve to prevent the spacer 5 from detaching from the subconnector 4.

[0028] The left and right sides of the housing 42 are provided with locking grooves 47 and 48, which serve as a first locking recess and a second locking recess, respectively, for engaging with the locking projection 54 of the spacer 5 of the adjacent subconnector 2. As shown in Figure 4 and other figures, in this example, the locking groove 47 is located on the right side of the housing 42, in front of the assembly portion 44. The locking groove 48 is located on the left side of the housing 42, behind the assembly portion 44. As shown in Figure 3 and other figures, the locking grooves 47 and 48 extend vertically, reaching the lower ends of the left and right sides of the housing 42. The locking grooves 47 and 48 are formed with tapered surfaces, where their pair of inner surfaces in the front-rear direction approach each other as they move outward in the left-right direction. The locking projection 54 provided on the spacer 5 can slide into the locking grooves 47 and 48 vertically through the opening at their lower ends. When the locking projection 54 is inserted into the locking grooves 47 and 48, it is locked in the left-right direction by the action of the tapered surfaces.

[0029] Next, the guide rib 41 provided on the subconnector 4 will be described. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the subconnector 4a has one guide rib 41 on the lower surface of the housing 42, behind the assembly portion 44. The one guide rib 41 is located in the left-right center of the lower surface of the housing 42. The one guide rib 41 extends in the front-rear direction from the rear end of the lower surface to the main assembly portion 44a.

[0030] The subconnector 4b has two guide ribs 41 on the lower surface of the housing 42, behind the assembly portion 44. The two guide ribs 41 are provided at both the left and right ends of the lower surface of the housing 42. The two guide ribs 41 extend in the front-rear direction from the rear end of the lower surface to the side wall assembly portion 44b. The subconnector 4c does not have guide ribs 41.

[0031] Female connectors 2a to 2c are constructed by combining the three types of subconnectors 4a to 4c described above. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, female connector 2a is constructed by arranging subconnectors 4a, 4a, and 4c in the order from right to left. For the leftmost and middle subconnectors 4c and 4a, the spacer 5 is assembled with the side wall portion 53, which has a flat portion 53a formed thereon, facing left, and the side wall portion 52, which has a locking projection 54, facing right. For the rightmost subconnector 4a, the spacer 5 is assembled with the side wall portion 53, which has a flat portion 53a formed thereon, facing right, and the side wall portion 52, which has a locking projection 54, facing left.

[0032] The locking projections 54 of the spacer 5 attached to the leftmost and centered subconnectors 4c and 4a engage with the locking grooves 48 provided on the left side of the adjacent subconnectors 4a, 4a to the right. The locking projections 54 of the spacer 5 attached to the rightmost subconnector 4a engage with the locking grooves 47 provided on the right side of the adjacent subconnector 4a to the left.

[0033] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the female connector 2b is configured with subconnectors 4b, 4a, and 4c arranged from right to left. The leftmost and middle subconnectors 4c and 4a are fitted with spacers 5 with the side wall portion 53, which has a flat surface 53a, facing left and the side wall portion 52, which has a locking projection 54, facing right. The rightmost subconnector 4b is fitted with spacers 5 with the side wall portion 53, which has a flat surface 53a, facing right and the side wall portion 52, which has a locking projection 54, facing left.

[0034] The locking projections 54 of the spacers 5 attached to the leftmost and centered subconnectors 4c and 4a engage with the locking grooves 48 provided on the left side of the adjacent subconnectors 4a and 4b to the right. The locking projections 54 of the spacers 5 attached to the rightmost subconnector 4b engage with the locking grooves 47 provided on the right side of the adjacent subconnector 4a to the left.

[0035] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the female connector 2c is configured with subconnectors 4a and 4b arranged from right to left. The spacer 5 is assembled to the leftmost subconnector 4b with the side wall portion 53, which has a flat surface 53a, facing left and the side wall portion 52, which has a locking projection 54, facing right. The spacer 5 is assembled to the rightmost subconnector 4a with the side wall portion 53, which has a flat surface 53a, facing right and the side wall portion 52, which has a locking projection 54, facing left.

[0036] The locking projection 54 of the spacer 5 attached to the leftmost sub-connector 4b engages with a locking groove 48 provided on the left side of the adjacent sub-connector 4a to the right. The locking projection 54 of the spacer 5 attached to the rightmost sub-connector 4a engages with a locking groove 47 provided on the right side of the adjacent sub-connector 4b to the left.

[0037] Female connector 2a, as described above, can be accommodated in the first to third housing chambers 63 from the right, where the guide rib 41 and guide groove 64 are aligned, but cannot be accommodated in any other position due to interference from the guide rib 41. Female connector 2b can be accommodated in the fourth to sixth housing chambers 63 from the right, where the guide rib 41 and guide groove 64 are aligned, but cannot be accommodated in any other position due to interference from the guide rib 41. Female connector 2c can be accommodated in the seventh and eighth housing chambers 63 from the right, but cannot be accommodated in any other position due to interference from the guide rib 41. Therefore, it is possible to prevent incorrect insertion of female connectors 2a to 2c into male connector 3.

[0038] The subconnectors 4 and spacers 5 that make up the female connector 2 have been explained above. Since the female connector 2 has subconnectors 4 with different external shapes, the external shapes of each female connector 2a to 2c are different. In other words, the external shape of the female connector 2 is determined by the subconnectors 4.

[0039] The female connector 2 is subject to various conditions when selecting the subconnector 4 (i.e., when manufacturing the female connector 2). In this example, these conditions are the number of poles and the shape of the housing chamber 63 of the male connector 3.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, if female connectors 2a to 2c with 6 pins, 6 pins, and 2 pins from right to left are required, then, as in the embodiment described above, three subconnectors 4a, 4a, and 4c are selected as female connector 2a and locked together with spacer 5 to manufacture one female connector 2a. Similarly, three subconnectors 4b, 4a, and 4c are selected as female connector 2b and locked together with spacer 5 to manufacture one female connector 2b. Furthermore, two subconnectors 4a and 4b are selected as female connector 2c and locked together with spacer 5 to manufacture one female connector 2c.

[0041] Depending on the vehicle specifications, as shown in Figure 12, if female connectors 2d to 2f with 4 poles, 8 poles, and 4 poles are required from right to left, two subconnectors 4a, 4a are selected as female connector 2d and locked together with spacer 5 to manufacture one female connector 2d. Four subconnectors 4c, 4b, 4a, 4c are selected as female connector 2e and locked together with spacer 5 to manufacture one female connector 2e. Two subconnectors 4a, 4b are selected as female connector 2f and locked together with spacer 5 to manufacture one female connector 2f.

[0042] Depending on the vehicle specifications, as shown in Figure 13, if female connectors 2g to 2i with 6 pins, 4 pins, and 6 pins from right to left are required, three subconnectors 4a, 4a, and 4c are selected as female connector 2g, and these are locked together with spacer 5 to manufacture one female connector 2g. Two subconnectors 4b and 4a are selected as female connector 2h, and these are locked together with spacer 5 to manufacture one female connector 2h. Three subconnectors 4c, 4a, and 4b are selected as female connector 2i, and these are locked together with spacer 5 to manufacture one female connector 2f.

[0043] According to the embodiment described above, the female connector 2 has a plurality of subconnectors 4 and a plurality of spacers 5, and each spacer 5 is provided on the side facing the adjacent subconnector 4 and has a locking projection 54 that engages with the adjacent subconnector 4. As a result, by combining multiple types (three types in this embodiment) of subconnectors 4 and engaging them with the spacers 5, female connectors 2 of various specifications can be manufactured. In other words, some of the subconnectors 4 and spacers 5 can be standardized for female connectors 2 of various specifications, thereby improving productivity.

[0044] According to the embodiment described above, the female connector 2 is assembled to a pair of sub-connectors 4 located at both ends in the left-right direction. The spacer 5 has a flat portion 53a on its outer side surface in the left-right direction and a locking projection 54 on its inner side surface. As a result, the female connector 2 does not have locking projections 54 between it and adjacent male connectors 3 or other female connectors 2, thus enabling a reduction in width in the left-right direction.

[0045] According to the embodiment described above, the female connector 2 is assembled to a pair of sub-connectors 4 located at both ends in the left-right direction. The spacers 5 are provided to be the same shape as each other and are assembled in a position rotated 180° around the vertical axis. This allows the left and right sides of the female connector 2 to be constructed from flat portions 53a while using spacers 5 of the same shape, thereby reducing the number of parts, standardizing them, and increasing productivity.

[0046] According to the embodiment described above, the spacer 5 attached to the sub-connector 4 located in the middle of the female connector 2 is attached in the same orientation as the spacer 5 attached to the leftmost sub-connector 4. This allows the same shaped spacer 5 to be attached to multiple sub-connectors 4, thereby reducing the number of parts, standardizing them, and increasing productivity.

[0047] According to the embodiment described above, the subconnector 4 has a locking groove 47 on the left side of the housing 42 in front of the assembly portion 44, and a locking groove 48 on the right side of the housing 42 in rear of the assembly portion 44. As a result, the locking projection 54 can be locked into the locking grooves 47 and 48 regardless of whether the spacer 5 is assembled with the locking projection 54 protruding to the right or to the left.

[0048] According to the embodiment described above, the locking projection 54 slides vertically into the locking grooves 47 and 48 provided in the sub-connector 4 and locks horizontally. This allows the locking projection 54 to be locked into the locking grooves 47 and 48 when the spacer 5 is assembled to the sub-connector 4.

[0049] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc., as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0050] For example, in the embodiment described above, the spacer 5 of the middle sub-connector 4 was assembled in the same orientation as the spacer 5 of the sub-connector 4 located at the left end, but this is not the only option. It may also be assembled in the same orientation as the spacer 5 of the sub-connector 4 located at the right end.

[0051] In the embodiment described above, the spacer 5 was provided with a locking projection 54 as a locking portion, but it is not limited to this. The spacer 5 may also be provided with a locking groove as a locking portion.

[0052] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the spacer 5 attached to the pair of sub-connectors 4 located at both ends in the left-right direction of the female connector 2 had a flat portion 53a on its outer side in the left-right direction and a locking projection 54 on its inner side, but it is not limited to this. If it is acceptable to leave some space between adjacent female connectors 2, the locking projection 54 may be provided on the outer side of the female connector 2 in the left-right direction.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the spacers 5 attached to the pair of subconnectors 4 located at both ends were assembled in a position rotated 180° relative to each other around the vertical axis. This resulted in a flat surface 53a being provided on the outer surfaces of the pair of subconnectors 4 located at both ends, but this is not the only option. Alternatively, mirror-shaped spacers 5 may be attached to the pair of subconnectors 4 located at both ends so that a flat surface 53a is provided on the outer surfaces of the pair of subconnectors 4 located at both ends.

[0054] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the locking projection 54 provided on the spacer 5 was locked to the adjacent sub-connector 4, but it is not limited to this, and may be locked to the adjacent spacer 5.

[0055] Here, the features of the embodiments of the connector according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [7]. [1] A connector (1) comprising a plurality of mating connectors (2a to 2i) and a mated connector (3) having a housing portion (61) into which the plurality of mating connectors (2a to 2i) are inserted, The mating connector (2a to 2i) comprises a plurality of sub-connectors (4a to 4c) arranged adjacent to each other in a first intersecting direction (left-right direction) that intersects the mating direction (front-back direction) with the mated connector (3), and a plurality of spacers (5) assembled to the plurality of sub-connectors (4a to 4c) from a second intersecting direction (up-down direction) that intersects both the mating direction (front-back direction) and the first intersecting direction (left-right direction), Each of the spacers (5) is provided on a side facing an adjacent subconnector (4a to 4c) and has a locking portion (54) that engages with the adjacent subconnector (4a to 4c) or the spacer (5). Connector (1).

[0056] According to the configuration described in [1] above, mating connectors (2a to 2i) of various specifications can be manufactured by combining subconnectors (4a to 4c) and locking them with spacers (5). In other words, at least some of the subconnectors (4a to 4c) and spacers (5) can be standardized for mating connectors (2a to 2i) of various specifications, thereby improving productivity.

[0057] [2] In the connector (1) described in [1], The locking portion is composed of a locking projection (54), The pair of spacers (5) assembled to the pair of sub-connectors (4a to 4c) located at both ends of the mating connector (2a to 2i) in the first crossing direction (left-right direction) have a flat portion (53a) on the outer side surface in the first crossing direction (left-right direction) and the locking projection (54) on the inner side surface in the first crossing direction (left-right direction). Connector (1).

[0058] According to the configuration described in [2] above, the mating connectors (2a to 2i) do not have locking protrusions (54) between them and adjacent mating connectors (3) or other mating connectors (2a to 2i), thus enabling a reduction in the width in the first intersecting direction.

[0059] [3] In the connector (1) described in [2], The pair of spacers (5) assembled to the pair of subconnectors (4a to 4c) are provided with the same shape as each other and are assembled in a position rotated 180° relative to each other around the second intersecting direction (vertical direction). Connector (1).

[0060] According to the configuration described in [3] above, the mating connectors (2a to 2i) can be assembled with spacers (5) of the same shape, and both sides in the first intersecting direction can be constructed from flat sections (53a), thereby reducing the number of parts, standardizing them, and increasing productivity.

[0061] [4] In the connector (1) described in [3], The spacers (5) that are assembled to the multiple subconnectors (4a to 4c) are all provided in the same shape. The spacer (5) assembled to the subconnector (4a-4c) positioned between the pair of subconnectors (4a-4c) is assembled in the same orientation as the spacer (5) assembled to either of the pair of subconnectors (4a-4c). Connector (1).

[0062] According to the configuration described in [4] above, spacers (5) of the same shape can be attached to multiple subconnectors (4a to 4c), thereby reducing the number of parts, standardizing them, and increasing productivity.

[0063] [5] In the connector (1) described in [3] or [4], The spacer (5) has a spacer body portion (51) that locks onto the terminals inserted into the sub-connectors (4a to 4c), and a pair of side wall portions (52, 53) that sandwich both sides of the spacer body portion (51) in the first intersecting direction (left-right direction). The locking projection (54) is provided on one of the pair of side wall portions (52, 53) on one side in the fitting direction (front-rear direction) relative to the spacer body portion (51). The sub-connectors (4a to 4c) have a mounting portion (44) to which the spacer (5) is assembled, a first locking recess (47) that engages with the locking projection (54) provided on one side surface in the first intersecting direction (left-right direction) on one side of the mounting portion (44) in the fitting direction (front-rear direction), and a second locking recess (48) provided on the other side surface in the first intersecting direction (left-right direction) on the other side of the fitting direction (front-rear direction) on the other side of the mounting portion (44). Connector (1).

[0064] According to the configuration described in [5] above, the locking projection (54) can be locked into the first locking recess (47) and the second locking recess (48) regardless of whether the spacer (5) is assembled in such a position that the locking projection (54) protrudes to one side in the first intersecting direction or to the other side in the first intersecting direction.

[0065] [6] In the connector (1) described in [1], The locking portion is composed of a locking projection (54) extending in the second intersecting direction (vertical direction), The locking projection (54) slides into the locking recesses (47, 48) provided in the subconnectors (4a~4c) from the second crossing direction (vertical direction) and locks in the second crossing direction (vertical direction). Connector (1).

[0066] According to the configuration described in [6] above, the locking projection (54) can be locked with the first locking recess (47) and the second locking recess (48) when the spacer (5) is assembled to the subconnectors (4a to 4c).

[0067] [7] In connector (1) described in any one of items [1] to [4], The aforementioned spacer (5) is It has a function to detect the insertion of the terminal into the mating connector (2a to 2i), Connector (1).

[0068] According to the configuration described in [7] above, the insertion of a terminal can be detected. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1 Connector 2a~2i Female connector (mating connector) 3 Male connector (mating connector) 4a~4c Subconnector 5 Spacers 44 Assembled part 47 Locking groove (first locking recess, locking recess) 48 Locking groove (second locking recess, locking recess) 51 Spacer body 52, 53 Side wall section 53a Flat part 54 Locking protrusion (locking part) 61 Storage Unit

Claims

1. A connector comprising a plurality of mating connectors and a mated connector having a housing portion into which the plurality of mating connectors are inserted, The mating connector comprises a plurality of subconnectors arranged adjacent to each other in a first intersecting direction that intersects the mating direction with the mated connector, and a plurality of spacers assembled to the plurality of subconnectors from a second intersecting direction that intersects both the mating direction and the first intersecting direction. Each of the aforementioned spacers is provided on a side facing an adjacent subconnector and has a locking portion that engages with the adjacent subconnector or the spacer. The locking portion is composed of a locking projection. In the mating connector, the pair of spacers assembled to the pair of sub-connectors arranged at both ends in the first intersecting direction have a flat surface on the outer side in the first intersecting direction and the locking projection on the inner side in the first intersecting direction. connector.

2. In the connector according to claim 1, The pair of spacers to be assembled to the pair of subconnectors are provided with the same shape as each other and are assembled in a position rotated 180° relative to each other around the second intersecting direction. connector.

3. In the connector according to claim 2, The spacers, which are assembled to multiple subconnectors, are all provided in the same shape. The spacer assembled to the subconnector positioned between the pair of subconnectors is assembled in the same orientation as the spacer assembled to either of the pair of subconnectors. connector.

4. In the connector according to claim 2 or 3, The spacer has a spacer body that engages with the terminal inserted into the subconnector, and a pair of side wall portions that sandwich both sides of the spacer body in the first intersecting direction. The locking projection is provided on one of the pair of side wall portions on one side in the fitting direction relative to the spacer body portion. The subconnector has a mounting portion to which the spacer is assembled, a first locking recess that engages with the locking projection provided on one side of the first intersecting direction side toward the mounting portion in the fitting direction, and a second locking recess provided on the other side of the first intersecting direction side toward the mounting portion in the fitting direction. connector.

5. A connector comprising a plurality of mating connectors and a mated connector having a housing portion into which the plurality of mating connectors are inserted, The mating connector comprises a plurality of subconnectors arranged adjacent to each other in a first intersecting direction that intersects the mating direction with the mated connector, and a plurality of spacers assembled to the plurality of subconnectors from a second intersecting direction that intersects both the mating direction and the first intersecting direction. Each of the aforementioned spacers is provided on a side facing an adjacent subconnector and has a locking portion that engages with the adjacent subconnector or the spacer. The locking portion is composed of a locking projection extending in the second intersecting direction, The locking projection slides into the locking recess provided in the subconnector from the second intersecting direction and locks in the second intersecting direction. connector.

6. In the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The previous spacer is When the terminal housed within the subconnector is inserted in its correct position, it is locked to the subconnector in the locking position that engages with the terminal. If the terminal is not inserted into the correct position, it will not be locked to the subconnector at the locking position, and will protrude from the subconnector to one side in the second crossing direction. The insertion of the terminal into the mating connector is detected. connector.

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