connector

Abstract

To provide a connector with excellent productivity.SOLUTION: A female connector 2 has a plurality of sub-connectors 4a to 4c arranged in a horizontal direction. The sub-connectors 4a-4 each have a locking projection 47 that is provided in a freely projectable and retractable manner at a locking position where the locking projection 47 projects than a right outer side and is locked to the adjacent sub-connectors 4a to 4c and at a storing position where the locking projection 47 is stored inside than the right outer side. The locking projection 47 is locked to a locking recess 410 of adjacent sub-connectors 4a to 4c at the locking position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

Technical Field

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[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 selects 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 fits 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 object, the connector according to the present invention is characterized by the following. 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 has a plurality of sub-connectors arranged in a first intersecting direction that intersects the mating direction with the mated connector, The subconnector has a locking projection that is provided to be retractable into and out of a locking position that protrudes from the outer surface on one side in the first crossing direction and engages with an adjacent subconnector, and a housing position that is located on the other side in the first crossing direction from the locking position. death , Furthermore, a hinge that supports the locking projection so as to be rotatable about an axis along the fitting direction, It has a locking recess provided in a recess on one side of the second intersecting direction that intersects the fitting direction and the first intersecting direction, into which the locking projection of the adjacent subconnector is inserted and locked, When the subconnector is slid toward the other side in the second crossing direction relative to another subconnector, and brought adjacent to one side in the first crossing direction, the subconnector pushes the locking projection of the other subconnector, causing it to rotate to the locking position, and the locking projection and the locking recess engage. It must be a connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a connector with excellent productivity can be provided.

[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 and female connectors shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a left side view of the subconnector shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the adjacent subconnectors shown in Figure 1 before locking. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 4. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the adjacent sub-connectors shown in FIG. 1 during locking. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the adjacent sub-connectors shown in FIG. 1 after locking. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 10. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the adjacent sub-connectors shown in FIG. 1 during spacer assembly. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H of FIG. 13. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the adjacent sub-connectors shown in FIG. 1 after spacer assembly. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line J-J of FIG. 16. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line K-K of FIG. 16. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a connector of another embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a connector of another embodiment.

BEST MODE 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 21 will be described. The connector 1 is typically a connector mounted on a vehicle. Note that the "male connector" of the present invention corresponds to the male connector 3, and the "female connector" of the present invention corresponds to the female connector 2.

[0011] For the sake of explanation, as shown in Figures 1 to 21, 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, with the right side corresponding to one side of the "first intersecting direction" and the left side corresponding to the other side of the "first intersecting direction". The up-down direction corresponds to the "second intersecting direction" of the present invention, with the upper side corresponding to one side of the "second intersecting direction" and the lower side corresponding to the other side of the "second intersecting direction".

[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 Figure 1, 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 from the lower side 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 Figure 4, each spacer 5 has a spacer body portion 51 that locks onto the terminal, a pair of side walls 52 and 53 that sandwich both sides of the spacer body portion 51 in the left-right direction, and a locking portion 54 that locks onto the sub-connector 4 to which it is assembled. The spacer body portion 51 is provided in a substantially cylindrical shape and has a locking portion (not shown) that locks onto the terminal housed in the sub-connector 4.

[0021] The pair of side walls 52 and 53 are arranged in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the left and right directions, and protrude above the upper wall 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 right side wall 53 is longer in the front-rear direction than the left side wall 52. The front ends of the pair of side walls 52 and 53 are located at the same position in the front-rear direction, but the rear end of side wall 53 is located behind the rear end of side wall 52.

[0022] Furthermore, the side wall portion 53 is provided with a notch at its upper end, which is further rear than the spacer body portion 51. The notched upper end surface S1 of the side wall portion 53 is provided on a tapered surface that approaches the top as it moves to the right, as shown in Figures 14 and 17. In addition, the lower end surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 52 and 53 are provided to be on the same plane as the lower wall portion of the spacer body portion 51.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, a groove 55 extending in the vertical direction is provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 52 and 53, in the portion located above the spacer body portion 51. The locking portion 54 is provided along the front-rear direction so as to close the upper side of this groove 55. The upper and lower surfaces of the locking portion 54 are provided on vertical surfaces perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0024] Next, we will describe the subconnector 4. As shown in Figure 1, 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] As shown in Figure 4 and other figures, 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 outer surface of the housing 42 so as to be recessed to the left and right sides. 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 recess forming the side wall assembly portion 44b is provided with a lower projection 45 and an upper projection 46 that engage with the locking portion 54 provided on the spacer 5. The lower projection 45 and the upper projection 46 are provided on the upper side of the main assembly portion 44a. The lower projection 45 and the upper projection 46 engage with the locking portion 54 of the spacer 5 and serve to prevent the spacer 5 from detaching from the subconnector 4.

[0028] The housing 42 is provided with a locking projection 47 for engaging with an adjacent subconnector 4. The locking projection 47 is provided so as to be able to protrude from the right outer surface of the housing 42 (hereinafter referred to as the "right outer surface") and engage with the adjacent subconnector 4 to the right (the position of the left locking projection 47 in Figures 17 and 18), and to be housed in a position where it is housed inside the right outer surface (i.e., to the left of the locking position) (the position of the right locking projection 47 in Figures 17 and 18).

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the housing 42 is provided with a receiving recess 48 on its right outer surface. As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the locking projection 47 is in a receiving position when it is housed in this receiving recess 48. As shown in Figure 4, the receiving recess 48 is provided by recessing the right outer surface of the housing 42. The receiving recess 48 is provided in a rectangular shape that is elongated in the front-to-back direction when viewed from the right side. The rear side of the receiving recess 48 is provided behind the side wall assembly portion 44b, and the front side is provided by further recessing the side wall assembly portion 44b.

[0030] As shown in Figure 19, the housing 42 is provided with a hinge 49 that supports a locking projection 47 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the front-rear direction. The hinge 49 is provided in the shape of a long rod, with a locking projection 47 protruding from one end in the longitudinal direction. The other end face of the hinge 49 in the longitudinal direction, on the side facing the protruding direction of the locking projection 47, forms a connecting portion 491 that connects to the lower surface of the housing recess 48. The hinge 49 is provided so as to be rotatable about this connecting portion 491. When the hinge 49 is in the locked position, its side surface abuts against the housing 42, and when it is in the housing position, the other end face in the longitudinal direction abuts against the housing 42, preventing it from rotating any further.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the housing 42 is provided with a locking recess 410 on its upper side, into which the locking projection 47 of the adjacent subconnector 4 is inserted and locked. As shown in Figure 3, the housing 42 has a recess 411 on its left outer surface (hereinafter, "left outer surface") that is located behind the side wall assembly portion 44b. The recess 411 extends to the lower end of the housing 42. The front of the recess 411 protrudes above the rear. The upper inner surface on the rear side of this recess 411 is recessed to provide the locking recess 410. Also, as shown in Figure 6, the lower end surface S2 of the left wall portion constituting the locking recess 410 is provided with a tapered surface that approaches the upper side as it moves to the right.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the locking projection 47 is provided with a first locking projection 471 that is pushed by the adjacent subconnector 4 and rotates to a locking position to lock into the locking recess 410, and a second locking projection 472 that is pushed by the spacer 5 and rotates to a housing position. The first locking projection 471 is provided projecting rearward from the hinge 49 and is housed in a housing recess 48 provided behind the side wall assembly portion 44b. The second locking projection 72 is provided projecting in front of the hinge 49 and is housed in a housing recess 48 provided in the side wall assembly portion 44b. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, the first locking projection 471 and the second locking projection 472 are provided projecting downward from the hinge 49 in the locking position. The first locking projection 471 is provided projecting downward from the second locking projection 472.

[0033] Next, the guide rib 41 provided on the subconnector 4 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the subconnector 4a has one guide rib 41 on the lower surface of the housing 42, behind the main assembly portion 44a. The one guide rib 41 is located in the center of the left-right direction on 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 vicinity of the main assembly portion 44a.

[0034] The sub-connector 4b has two guide ribs 41 on the lower surface of the housing 42, behind the main assembly portion 44a. 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 vicinity of the main assembly portion 44a. The sub-connector 4c does not have guide ribs 41.

[0035] Female connectors 2a to 2c are constructed by combining the three types of subconnectors 4a to 4c described above. Female connector 2a is constructed by arranging subconnectors 4a, 4a, and 4c from right to left. Female connector 2b is constructed by arranging subconnectors 4b, 4a, and 4c from right to left. Female connector 2c is constructed by arranging subconnectors 4a and 4b from right to left.

[0036] 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.

[0037] Next, the assembly procedure for female connector 2c will be described, using female connector 2 of the above configuration as an example.

[0038] When no force is acting on the hinge 49 from the adjacent subconnector 4 or spacer 5, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the weight of the locking projection 47 causes the hinge 49 to rotate slightly towards the locking position from the housing position, so that the locking projection 47 protrudes beyond the right outer surface of the housing 42. Next, the subconnector 4a is brought closer to the right side of the subconnector 4b, with the lower side facing forward.

[0039] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, when the subconnector 4a is brought closer, as shown in Figure 9, the first locking projection 471 of the subconnector 4b and the lower end surface S2 of the left wall portion constituting the locking recess 410 of the subconnector 4a come into contact. The first locking projection 471 of the subconnector 4b is pushed downward by the subconnector 4a, causing the locking projection 47 to rotate toward the locking position. At this time, the first locking projection 471 rotates along the taper of the lower end surface S2, and the first locking projection 471 is guided into the locking recess 410 from the lower opening of the locking recess 410.

[0040] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, when the locking projection 47 reaches the locking position, the first locking projection 471 is inserted into the locking recess 410, and the locking recess 410 and the first locking projection 471 are locked together. At this time, as shown in Figure 11, the second locking projection 472 of the subconnector 4b is housed in the recess 411 of the adjacent subconnector 4a.

[0041] Next, the spacer 5 is attached to the subconnectors 4a and 4b from below. Before attaching the spacer 5, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the locking projection 47 of the subconnector 4a that is not used for locking is positioned to protrude outward from the right outer surface of the subconnector 4a. Next, the spacer 5 is brought closer to the subconnectors 4a and 4b from below.

[0042] As shown in Figures 13 to 15, when the spacer 5 is brought closer, as shown in Figure 14, the second locking projection 472 of the subconnector 4a and the upper end surface S1 of the side wall 53 of the spacer 5 come into contact. The spacer 5 pushes the second locking projection 472 of the subconnector 4a upward, causing the locking projection 47 to rotate toward the housing position. At this time, the second locking projection 472 rotates toward the locking position along the taper of the upper end surface S1, and the second locking projection 472 is guided into the housing recess 48.

[0043] As shown in Figures 16 to 18, when the spacer 5 is locked to the subconnector 4, the locking projection 47 reaches its housing position and is housed in the housing recess 48. As a result, the locking projection 47 of the subconnector 4a that is not used for locking does not protrude beyond the right outer surface of the subconnector 4a.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] As shown in Figure 1, if female connectors 2a to 2c with 6 poles, 6 poles, and 2 poles are required from right to left, then, as in the embodiment described above, three subconnectors 4a, 4a, and 4c are selected as female connector 2a and locked together to manufacture one female connector 2a. Similarly, three subconnectors 4b, 4a, and 4c are selected as female connector 2b and locked together to manufacture one female connector 2b. Furthermore, two subconnectors 4a and 4b are selected as female connector 2c and locked together to manufacture one female connector 2c.

[0047] Depending on the vehicle specifications, as shown in Figure 20, if female connectors 2d to 2f with 4 pins, 8 pins, and 4 pins are required from right to left, two subconnectors 4a, 4a are selected as female connector 2d, and these are locked together to manufacture one female connector 2d. Four subconnectors 4c, 4b, 4a, 4c are selected as female connector 2e, and these are locked together to manufacture one female connector 2e. Two subconnectors 4a, 4b are selected as female connector 2f, and these are locked together to manufacture one female connector 2f.

[0048] Depending on the vehicle specifications, as shown in Figure 21, 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 for female connector 2g, and these are connected to manufacture one female connector 2g. Two subconnectors 4b and 4a are selected for female connector 2h, and these are connected to manufacture one female connector 2h. Three subconnectors 4c, 4a, and 4b are selected for female connector 2i, and these are connected to manufacture one female connector 2f.

[0049] According to the embodiment described above, the female connector 2 has a plurality of subconnectors 4 arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Each subconnector 4 has a locking projection 47 that is retractable into and out of a locking position that protrudes from the right outer surface and locks into an adjacent subconnector 4, and a housing position that is housed inside the right outer surface. This allows for the manufacture of female connectors 2 with various specifications by combining and locking multiple types (three types in this embodiment) of subconnectors 4. In other words, a portion of the subconnectors 4 can be standardized for female connectors 2 with various specifications, thereby improving productivity. Furthermore, adjacent subconnectors 4 can be easily locked together by the locking projection 47. Moreover, the locking projection 47 that is not used for locking can be housed in the housing position. As a result, the female connector 2 does not have locking projections 47 positioned between it and adjacent male connectors 3 or other female connectors 2, thus enabling a reduction in width in the left-right direction.

[0050] According to the embodiment described above, the locking projection 47 is positioned to be housed in a housing recess 48 provided on the right outer surface of the subconnector 4. By providing the housing recess 48, the locking projection 47 can be easily housed.

[0051] According to the embodiment described above, when subconnector 4a is slid downward in the vertical direction relative to another subconnector 4b and brought adjacent to the right side, subconnector 4a pushes the locking projection 47 of the other subconnector 4b, rotating it to the locking position, and the locking projection 47 and the locking recess 410 lock together. As a result, when subconnector 4a is slid downward relative to another subconnector 4b and brought adjacent to it, adjacent subconnectors 4a and 4b can be locked together.

[0052] According to the embodiment described above, when the spacer 5 is assembled to the subconnector 4a, the spacer 5 pushes the locking projection 47 of the subconnector 4a and rotates it to the housing position. As a result, the locking projection 47, which is not used for locking, can be positioned in the housing position simply by assembling the spacer 5 to the subconnector 4a.

[0053] According to the embodiment described above, the locking projection 47 is provided with a first locking projection 471 that is pushed by the adjacent subconnector 4a, rotates to a locking position, and locks into the locking recess 410, and a second locking projection 472 that is pushed by the spacer 5, and rotates to a housing position, arranged in the front-to-back direction. This allows the locking projection 47 to be rotated to a locking position when pushed by the subconnector 4a and to a housing position when pushed by the spacer 5, with a simple configuration.

[0054] According to the embodiment described above, the spacer 5 has a function to detect the insertion of the terminal into the female connector 2. This makes it possible to detect the insertion of the terminal into the female connector 2.

[0055] 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.

[0056] In the embodiment described above, the locking projection 47 was provided by a hinge 49 so as to be able to extend and retract between a locking position and a housing position, but it is not limited to this. The locking projection 47 may also be provided so as to be able to extend and retract by supporting it with a slider.

[0057] In the embodiment described above, spacers 5 were attached to the subconnectors 4a to 4c, but spacers 5 are not essential and can be omitted.

[0058] 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 [6]. [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 connectors (2a to 2i) have a plurality of subconnectors (4a to 4c) arranged in a first crossing direction (left to right direction) that intersects the mating direction (up and down direction) with the mated connector (3), Each subconnector (4a to 4c) has a locking projection (47) that is provided to protrude from the outer surface on one side (right side) of the first crossing direction and engage with an adjacent subconnector (4a to 4c), and to retract into a housing position located on the other side (left side) of the first crossing direction than the locking position. Connector (1).

[0059] According to the configuration described in [1] above, mating connectors (2a to 2i) of various specifications can be manufactured by combining and locking multiple types of subconnectors (4a to 4c). In other words, at least a portion of the subconnectors (4a to 4c) can be made common to mating connectors (2a to 2i) of various specifications, thereby improving productivity. In addition, adjacent subconnectors (4a to 4c) can be easily locked together by the locking projections (47). Moreover, the locking projections (47) that are not used for locking can be stored in their respective housing positions. As a result, the locking projections (47) of the mating connectors (2a to 2i) do not protrude from adjacent mated connectors (3) or other mating connectors (2a to 2i), or the amount of protrusion is reduced, thus enabling a reduction in the width in the first crossing direction.

[0060] [2] In the connector (1) described in [1], The outer surface of the subconnectors (4a to 4c) is provided with a receiving recess (48). The locking projection (47) is defined as having a housing position where it is housed in the housing recess (48). Connector (1).

[0061] According to the configuration described in [2] above, the locking projection (47) can be easily accommodated by providing the receiving recess (48).

[0062] [3] In the connector (1) described in [1], Each subconnector (4a to 4c) has a hinge (49) that supports the locking projection (47) so as to be rotatable about an axis along the mating direction (front-rear direction), and a locking recess (410) provided recessed on one side (upper side) of a second intersecting direction that intersects the mating direction (front-rear direction) and the first intersecting direction (left-right direction), into which the locking projection (47) of the adjacent subconnector (4a to 4c) is inserted and locked. When the sub-connectors (4a-4c) are slid toward the other side (downward) in the second crossing direction relative to the other sub-connectors (4a-4c), and are brought adjacent to one side (right) in the first crossing direction, the sub-connectors (4a-4c) push against the locking projection (47) of the other sub-connectors (4a-4c), causing them to rotate to the locking position, and the locking projection (47) and the locking recess (410) engage. Connector (1).

[0063] According to the configuration described in [3] above, when subconnectors (4a~4c) are slid adjacent to other subconnectors (4a~4c) toward the other side (downward) in the second crossing direction, adjacent subconnectors (4a~4c) can be locked together.

[0064] [4] In the connector (1) described in [3], Each of the mating connectors (2a to 2i) has a spacer (5) that is assembled to each of the subconnectors (4a to 4c) from the other side (bottom side) in the second crossing direction. When the spacer (5) is assembled to the sub-connectors (4a to 4c), the spacer (5) pushes the locking projection (47) of the sub-connectors (4a to 4c) and rotates them to the housing position. Connector (1).

[0065] According to the configuration described in [4] above, the locking projection (47) that is not used for locking can be positioned in a housing position simply by assembling the spacer (5) to the subconnector (4a to 4c).

[0066] [5] In the connector (1) described in [4], The locking projection (47) is provided with a first locking projection (471) that is pushed by the adjacent sub-connectors (4a to 4c) and rotates to the locking position to engage with the locking recess (410), and a second locking projection (472) that is pushed by the spacer (5) and rotates to the housing position, both arranged side by side in the fitting direction. Connector (1).

[0067] According to the configuration described in [5] above, the locking projection (47) can be rotated to the locking position by being pressed by the subconnectors (4a~4c), and then rotated to the housing position by being pressed by the spacer (5), with a simple configuration.

[0068] [6] In the connector (1) described in [4] or [5], 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).

[0069] According to the configuration described in [6] above, the insertion of terminals into the mating connectors (2a to 2i) can be detected. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1 Connector 2a~2i Female connector (mating connector) 3 Male connector (mating connector) 4a~4c Subconnector 47 Locking protrusion 48 Receiving recess 49 Hinge 410 Locking recess 471 First locking protrusion 472 Second locking protrusion 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 has a plurality of subconnectors arranged in a first intersecting direction that intersects the mating direction with the mated connector, The subconnector has a locking projection that is provided to protrude from the outer surface on one side in the first crossing direction and engage with an adjacent subconnector, and a housing position located on the other side in the first crossing direction from the locking position, and is retractable between these two positions. Furthermore, a hinge that supports the locking projection so as to be rotatable about an axis along the fitting direction, It has a locking recess provided in a recess on one side of the second intersecting direction that intersects the fitting direction and the first intersecting direction, into which the locking projection of the adjacent subconnector is inserted and locked, When the subconnector is slid toward the other side in the second crossing direction relative to another subconnector, and brought adjacent to one side in the first crossing direction, the subconnector pushes the locking projection of the other subconnector, causing it to rotate to the locking position, and the locking projection and the locking recess engage. connector.

2. In the connector according to claim 1, The outer surface of the subconnector is provided with a housing recess. The locking projection is defined as having a position where it is housed in the housing recess as the housing position. connector.

3. In the connector according to claim 1, The mating connector has a spacer that is assembled to each of the subconnectors from the other side in the second crossing direction, When the spacer is assembled to the subconnector, the spacer pushes the locking projection of the subconnector, causing it to rotate to the housing position. connector.

4. In the connector according to claim 3, The locking projection is provided with a first locking projection that is pushed by the adjacent subconnector and rotates to the locking position to engage with the locking recess, and a second locking projection that is pushed by the spacer and rotates to the housing position, both arranged side by side in the fitting direction. connector.

5. In the connector according to claim 3 or 4, 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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