connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which can be easily disengaged from a mating connector.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises a detection member 30 whose movement from an initial position to a detection position is permitted when the connector is normally engaged with a mating housing 51. A housing 11 has: a lock arm 14 which extends from an outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11 and is formed in a bendably deformable manner so as to be locked to the mating housing 51; and an unlocking part 17 disposed on the tip end side of the lock arm 14. The detection member 30 has: a body part 31; and a locking arm 36 which extends from the body part 31 and is formed in a bendably deformable manner, and which holds the detection member 30 in the detection position by being locked to the unlocking part 17. When the detection member 30 is in the initial position, the locking arm 36 is arranged continuously with the unlocking part 17 in an engagement direction where the housing 11 and the mating housing 51 are engaged with each other, whereas when the detection member 30 is in the detection position, the locking arm is arranged to overlap the unlocking part 17 in a direction intersecting the engagement direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present disclosure relates to a connector. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Conventionally, an electrical connector described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-92398 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) is known as a connector capable of detecting a mating state. This electrical connector includes a male connector, a female connector that mates with the male connector, and a slider for confirming the mating state between the male connector and the female connector. The slider is held by the male connector housing so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a main locking position. In the mating operation of the male connector and the female connector, it can be detected that the male connector and the female connector are in a completely mated state when the slider can move to the main locking position. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-92398 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 In the above configuration, the male connector includes a flexible lock arm protruding from the outer peripheral wall of the male connector housing. The lock arm includes a pair of arm portions extending toward the female connector side, a connecting portion connecting the free end sides thereof, and an intermediate connecting portion connecting the intermediate portion between these free ends and the base ends. The female connector includes a fitting hood portion into which the male connector housing is fitted. The fitting hood portion is provided with an engaging convex portion that engages with the connecting portion of the lock arm in a state where the male connector and the female connector are completely mated. When separating the male connector and the female connector, the lock between the engaging convex portion and the connecting portion is released by pressing the intermediate connecting portion downward to bend the lock arm. 【0005】 When the above electrical connector is miniaturized, the intermediate connecting portion that is pressed when the locking arm is bent becomes smaller, which may make it more difficult to release the lock between the engaging projection and the connecting portion. [Means for solving the problem] 【0006】 The connector of this disclosure comprises a housing that can be fitted into a mating housing, and a sensing member that is held so as to be movable between an initial position and a detection position relative to the housing, and is permitted to move from the initial position to the detection position when the housing and the mating housing are properly fitted together, wherein the housing comprises a locking arm that extends from the outer peripheral wall of the housing and is formed to be flexible and deformable, and can be locked into the mating housing, and a locking part disposed on the tip side of the locking arm, wherein the sensing member comprises a main body and a locking arm that extends from the main body and is formed to be flexible and deformable, and holds the sensing member in the detection position by locking into the locking part, wherein the locking arm is arranged in conjunction with the locking part in the fitting direction in which the housing and the mating housing are fitted together when the sensing member is in the initial position, and is arranged to overlap with the locking part in a direction intersecting the fitting direction when the sensing member is in the detection position. [Effects of the Invention] 【0007】 According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that makes it easy to disengage the mating of one connector from the other. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0008】 [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of the connector with the sensing element held in its initial position. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the state in cross-section AA of Figure 2 before the housing and the mating housing are fitted together, and the sensing member is in its initial position. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the state in which the housing and the mating housing are partially fitted together in the AA section of Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the state in cross-section AA of Figure 2 where the housing and the mating housing are properly fitted together and the sensing member is in its initial position. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the state in cross-section AA of Figure 2 where the housing and the mating housing are properly fitted together and the detection member is in the detection position. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the process of unlocking the lock between the normally fitted housing and the mating housing in the AA section of Figure 2. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the state in which the detection member is in the detection position in the BB cross-section of Figure 2. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the CC shown in Figure 8. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a rear view of the connector. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 10. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the housing. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a magnified perspective view showing the locking arm of the detection member. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0009】 [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. 【0010】 (1) The connector of the present disclosure includes a housing that can be fitted into a mating housing, and a detection member that is held movably between an initial position and a detection position with respect to the housing, and movement from the initial position to the detection position is allowed in a state where the housing and the mating housing are properly fitted. The housing includes a lock arm that extends from an outer peripheral wall of the housing and is formed to be elastically deformable and can be locked to the mating housing, and a lock release portion disposed on the tip end side of the lock arm. The detection member includes a main body portion, and a locking arm that extends from the main body portion and is formed to be elastically deformable and holds the detection member at the detection position by engaging with the lock release portion. The locking arm is arranged in continuation with the lock release portion in the fitting direction in which the housing and the mating housing are fitted when the detection member is in the initial position, and overlaps the lock release portion in a direction intersecting the fitting direction when the detection member is in the detection position. 【0011】 According to such a configuration, in a state where the detection member is held at the initial position, since the locking arm and the lock release portion are arranged in continuation in the fitting direction, when the operator releases the fitting between the housing and the mating housing, it is easy for the operator to place a finger or the like on the lock release portion. Further, since the locking arm is made elastically deformable, when the operator presses the lock release portion to bend the lock arm, the locking arm can also be pressed and bent together. Therefore, the operation of releasing the fitting is easy to perform. 【0012】 (2) The housing preferably includes a first guide portion, and the detection member includes a second guide portion that slidably contacts the first guide portion, and the movement of the detection member between the initial position and the detection position is guided by the sliding contact between the first guide portion and the second guide portion. 【0013】 According to such a configuration, it is possible to guide the movement of the detection member between the initial position and the detection position. 【0014】 (3) The first guide part preferably includes a first stopper part, and the second guide part preferably includes a second stopper part that locks with the first stopper part to prevent the detection member from coming off the housing when the detection member is in the initial position. 【0015】 According to such a configuration, the detection member can be prevented from coming off the housing by the locking of the first stopper part and the second stopper part. 【0016】 (4) The main body part is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral wall of the housing. The detection member is arranged to be spaced apart from the mating housing more than the locking arm, and preferably includes an operation part that rises from the main body part in a direction intersecting the fitting direction. 【0017】 According to such a configuration, it is easy to move the detection member between the initial position and the detection position by the operation part. 【0018】 (5) The operation part is preferably arranged in the space between the locking arm and the outer peripheral wall of the housing when the detection member is in the detection position to restrict the bending deformation of the locking arm, and allows the bending deformation of the locking arm when the detection member is in the initial position. 【0019】 According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the release of the fitting due to the bending deformation of the locking arm when the detection member is in the detection position. 【0020】 (6) The operation part preferably closes the space between the locking arm and the outer peripheral wall of the housing in the fitting direction. 【0021】 According to such a configuration, the operation part can suppress the entry of foreign matter into the space between the locking arm and the outer peripheral wall of the housing, and suppress damage to the detection member and the like. 【0022】 (7) The housing preferably comprises a pair of protective walls rising from the outer peripheral wall of the housing and positioned on both sides of the lock arm, and a connecting portion connecting the pair of protective walls, wherein the lock arm is positioned between the connecting portion and the outer peripheral wall of the housing. 【0023】 With this configuration, the pair of protective walls prevents foreign objects from entering the space between the lock arm and the outer wall of the housing, thereby preventing damage to the detection member. The connecting part prevents the lock release part and the locking arm from being released. 【0024】 [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. 【0025】 <Embodiment> Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13. In the following description, the direction indicated by arrow Z is considered upward, the direction indicated by arrow X is considered forward, and the direction indicated by arrow Y is considered left. Note that for multiple identical components, reference numerals may be assigned to only some of the components, while the reference numerals for other components may be omitted. 【0026】 [connector] As shown in Figure 1, the connector 10 of this embodiment comprises a housing 11 and a detection member 30 assembled to the housing 11. As shown in Figure 3, the mating partner of the connector 10 is a mating connector 50 comprising a mating housing 51. The housing 11 and the mating housing 51 are mated in the front-to-back direction (an example of a mating direction). 【0027】 [Opponent's Housing] The mating connector 50 comprises a mating housing 51 and a mating terminal (not shown) housed within the mating housing 51. The mating housing 51 is provided with a recessed locking receiving portion 52. As will be described later, the locking receiving portion 52 is designed to receive the locking portion 15 of the housing 11 (see Figure 5). In this embodiment, the mating terminal is a tab-shaped male terminal. 【0028】 [housing] The housing 11 is made of insulating synthetic resin and has a substantially block-like shape. As shown in Figure 1, the housing 11 has a cavity 12 that penetrates in the front-to-back direction. Terminals (not shown) are housed inside the cavity 12. In this embodiment, these terminals are female terminals. 【0029】 [Lock Arm] A lock arm 14 is formed on the upper outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11. The lock arm 14 has an overall elongated shape extending in the front-rear direction. The lock arm 14 is cantilevered, extending rearward from the front end of the outer peripheral wall 13. The lock arm 14 is designed to bend and deform vertically, with the front end as approximately the pivot point. A lock portion 15 that protrudes upward is formed approximately in the center of the lock arm 14 in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 5, a lock recess 15A is formed below the lock portion 15, recessing upward from the lower surface of the lock arm 14. 【0030】 As shown in Figure 1, the lock arm 14 comprises a front section 14A, a pair of left and right side frame sections 16 extending cantilevered rearward from the front section 14A, and a lock release section 17 that bridges the portions of the pair of side frame sections 16 that are close to their rear ends (tip sections). 【0031】 [Unlock section] As shown in Figure 12, the unlocking portion 17 is roughly plate-shaped. The unlocking portion 17 has a locking receiving portion 18 that is recessed downward from the upper surface. The locking receiving portion 18 is located on the front side of the unlocking portion 17. On the rear side of the unlocking portion 17, a housing portion 19 is formed as a recess in the front. On the front side of the housing portion 19, an engaging recess 20 is formed as a recess further forward. The engaging recess 20 is located at the left-right center position of the unlocking portion 17 and is smaller in the left-right dimension than the housing portion 19. The housing portion 19 and the engaging recess 20 have a shape that is cut out from the rear of the unlocking portion 17. 【0032】 Operating part receiving parts 21 are formed at the rear ends on both the left and right sides of the unlocking part 17. The operating part receiving part 21 has an upper contact part 21A that extends rearward from the unlocking part 17 and a front contact part 21B that extends downward from the unlocking part 17. 【0033】 [Pair of protective walls, connecting section] As shown in Figures 1 and 12, a pair of protective walls 22 are formed at both the left and right ends of approximately the rear one-third of the upper outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11. The pair of protective walls 22 rise upward from the outer peripheral wall 13. The pair of protective walls 22 are positioned to the left and right of the lock arm 14. This prevents foreign objects from entering between the lock arm 14 and the outer peripheral wall 13. The front portions of the pair of protective walls 22 are connected by a connecting portion 25. The connecting portion 25 comprises a side portion 25A extending upward from each protective wall 22 and a ceiling portion 25B connecting the upper ends of the left and right pair of side portions 25A. As shown in Figure 3, the ceiling portion 25B is positioned in front of and above the unlocking portion 17. 【0034】 [First Guide Section] As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the housing 11 has a first guide portion 23 provided for each protective wall 22. In this embodiment, the first guide portion 23 is formed in a groove shape on each protective wall 22. The first guide portion 23 consists of an upper outer peripheral wall 13, a protective wall 22, and a groove wall 22A connected to the protective wall 22 and facing the upper outer peripheral wall 13 in the vertical direction. The groove wall 22A extends from each protective wall 22 in the left-right direction toward the lock arm 14. Specifically, on the left protective wall 22, the groove wall 22A extends to the right from the upper end of the protective wall 22. On the right protective wall 22, the groove wall 22A extends to the left from the upper end of the protective wall 22. Therefore, the left first guide portion 23 is concave to the left. The right first guide portion 23 is concave to the right. The vertical dimension of the first guide section 23, i.e., the groove width, is set to be the same as, or slightly larger than, the plate thickness of the main body section 31 of the detection member 30 (the plate thickness of the second guide section 32) (see Figure 10). 【0035】 [First Stopper Division] As shown in Figure 11, the rear portion of the first guide portion 23 has protrusions 22B that project from each protective wall 22 toward the detection member 30 in the left-right direction. The rear portion of the protrusion 22B is shaped to be inclined toward the detection member 30 in the left-right direction as it moves forward. The front end surface of the protrusion 22B is provided in a shape that is sharply cut away from the protective wall 22. The front end surface of the protrusion 22B is designated as the first stopper portion 24. 【0036】 [Detection component] The detection member 30 is made of an insulating synthetic resin. As shown in Figure 1, the detection member 30 comprises a main body 31, a detection arm 34 extending diagonally forward and upward from the left-right center position of the front end of the main body 31, a locking arm 36 extending upward from the front-rear and left-right approximate center position of the main body 31, and an operating part 41 extending upward from the rear end of the main body 31 (one example is in a direction intersecting the fitting direction). 【0037】 [Main body, second guide section, second stopper section] The main body portion 31 is a flattened plate shape in the vertical direction. Second guide portions 32 are formed on both the left and right sides of the front end of the main body portion 31, projecting outward in the left-right direction. The thickness of the second guide portions 32 is the same as the thickness of the main body portion 31. The second guide portions 32 are able to enter the first guide portion 23 (see Figures 10 and 11). The second guide portions 32 are in sliding contact with the inner wall of the first guide portion 23. As shown in Figure 11, the front portion of the second guide portion 32 is shaped to be inclined so that the amount of protrusion from the main body portion 31 increases towards the rear. The rear end surface of the second guide portion 32 is provided in a shape that is cut off from the side surface of the main body portion 31. The rear end surface of the second guide portion 32 is the second stopper portion 33. The position of the detection member 30 relative to the housing 11 when the first stopper portion 24 and the second stopper portion 33 are locked is the initial position (see Figure 3). 【0038】 As shown in Figure 3, a protruding front stop portion 35 is formed on the upper surface of the front end of the detection arm 34. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the detection arm 34 is designed to bend and deform relative to the main body portion 31. When the detection member 30 is in its initial position, the front stop portion 35 is positioned opposite the lock portion 15 in the front-rear direction. This restricts the detection member 30 from moving forward from its initial position when the housing 11 and the mating housing 51 are not engaged (see Figure 3) or are partially engaged (see Figure 4). 【0039】 As shown in Figure 5, when the housing 11 and the mating housing 51 are fully fitted together (normally fitted state), the locking portion 15 and the locking receiving portion 52 engage. The end of the mating housing 51 on the housing 11 side (rear end, right end in the figure) interferes with the front stop portion 35 of the detection arm 34 of the detection member 30, causing the detection arm 34 to bend downward. As a result, the front stop portion 35 is positioned to face the lock recess 15A. By moving the detection member 30 forward from the state in Figure 5, the detection member 30 reaches the detection position, as shown in Figure 6. When the detection member 30 is in the detection position, the front stop portion 35 is housed within the lock recess 15A. As described above, the normal fitting of the housing 11 and the mating housing 51 can be detected when the detection member 30 moves to the detection position. 【0040】 [Locking arm] As shown in Figure 7, the locking arm 36 is designed to bend and deform relative to the main body 31. As shown in Figure 13, a plate-shaped locking piece 37, which is flattened vertically, is formed at the tip of the locking arm 36. The locking piece 37 extends forward from the upper end of the locking arm 36. A locking projection 38 is formed at the front end of the locking piece 37, projecting downward from the lower surface of the locking piece 37. A recessed fitting portion 39 is formed at the upper end of the locking arm 36, recessed rearward from the front surface of the locking arm 36. The recessed fitting portion 39 is groove-shaped, and the locking piece 37 forms the upper wall of this groove. The locking arm 36 is equipped with an engaging projection 40 that extends downward from the lower surface of the locking piece 37. The engaging projection 40 is positioned at the left-right center of the rear portion of the locking piece 37. The engaging projection 40 is positioned to partition the recessed fitting portion 39. 【0041】 As shown in Figures 3 and 5, when the detection member 30 is in its initial position, the locking piece 37 of the locking arm 36 is positioned behind the release section 17. The locking piece 37 is positioned above the release section 17, and the lower surface of the locking piece 37 and the upper surface of the release section 17 are at approximately the same height. As shown in Figure 2, the locking piece 37 is positioned to overlap with the housing section 19 of the release section 17 in a plan view. The operator can place their fingers or other body parts on the upper surface of the locking piece 37 and the upper surface of the release section 17 from above. As shown in Figure 7, by pressing downwards with fingers or other body parts (fingers F1 in the figure) placed on the upper surface of the locking piece 37 and the upper surface of the release section 17, the locking arm 14 can be bent downwards. 【0042】 As shown in Figure 6, when the detection member 30 is in the detection position, the locking piece 37 is positioned to overlap the unlocking portion 17 above it (an example of a direction intersecting the fitting direction). The locking projection 38 engages with the inner wall of the locking receiving portion 18, holding the detection member 30 in the detection position. The rear portion of the unlocking portion 17 is fitted into the fitting portion 39. This positions the unlocking portion 17 vertically relative to the locking piece 37, making it difficult for the locking projection 38 to disengage from the locking receiving portion 18. 【0043】 Furthermore, the ceiling portion 25B of the connecting portion 25 is positioned in front of the locking piece 37 and the lock release portion 17. This prevents the locking between the locking projection 38 and the locking receiving portion 18 from being released due to stress being applied to the locking piece 37 from the front. For example, if a foreign object approaches from the front of the locking piece 37, this foreign object is blocked by the ceiling portion 25B and is less likely to hit the locking piece 37. Therefore, the locking between the locking projection 38 and the locking receiving portion 18 is more easily maintained. 【0044】 As shown in Figure 9, when the detection member 30 is in the detection position, the rear portion of the fitting portion 39 of the locking arm 36 is housed in the housing portion 19. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the engaging projection 40 is housed in the engaging recess 20. The engagement of these members guides the locking of the locking arm 36 and the unlocking portion 17 when the detection member 30 moves. In addition, the unlocking portion 17 is positioned in the left-right direction relative to the locking arm 36. 【0045】 [Operation section] As shown in Figure 5, the operating section 41 is a flattened plate in the front-rear direction. The lower part of the operating section 41 is a thickened section 41A with a large plate thickness. The thickened section 41A suppresses the bending deformation of the operating section 41 relative to the main body 31. The operating section 41 is the part that the operator can grip when moving the detection member 30 relative to the housing 11. For example, by pushing the rear surface of the operating section 41 from behind, the detection member 30 can be moved from the initial position to the detection position. Alternatively, by holding the left and right edges of the operating section 41 and pulling it backward, the detection member 30 can be moved from the detection position to the initial position. 【0046】 As shown in Figure 6, when the detection member 30 is in the detection position, the operating unit 41 is received by the operating unit receiving unit 21. Specifically, the upper surface of the operating unit 41 abuts against the upper contact unit 21A. This prevents the lock release unit 17 from being pressed downward and the lock arm 14 from bending downward in the detection position. Also, the front surface of the operating unit 41 abuts against the front contact unit 21B. This prevents the operating unit 41 from moving forward. As shown in Figure 3, when the detection member 30 is in the initial position, the operating unit 41 does not enter the space between the outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11 and the lock arm 14. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the bending deformation of the lock arm 14 is not restricted. 【0047】 As shown in Figures 6 and 10, the operating unit 41 is designed to be able to close the space between the lock arm 14 and the outer peripheral wall 13 from the rear. This prevents damage to the detection member 30 caused by foreign objects entering the space between the lock arm 14 and the outer peripheral wall 13. 【0048】 [Mating operation between housing and mating housing, and mating detection] The connector 10 of this embodiment has the configuration described above, and below, an example of the mating operation between the housing 11 (connector 10) and the mating housing 51 (mating connector 50) will be described. First, the detection member 30 is assembled to the housing 11 in its initial position. The left and right second guide portions 32 of the detection member 30 are inserted into the left and right first guide portions 23 of the housing 11. The front inclined portion of the second guide portion 32 is brought into sliding contact with the rear inclined portion of the protrusion 22B, and the detection member 30 is pushed forward relative to the housing 11. When the second guide portion 32 overcomes the protrusion 22B, the detection member 30 reaches its initial position. The first stopper portion 24 and the second stopper portion 33 lock together in the front-rear direction, holding the detection member 30 in its initial position (see Figure 11). 【0049】 Next, housing 11 and the mating housing 51 are positioned facing each other (see Figure 3). Housing 11 and the mating housing 51 are brought closer to each other. When the rear end of the mating housing 51 on the housing 11 side (right end in the figure) rides up onto the locking part 15, the locking arm 14 bends downward and deforms (see Figure 4). 【0050】 When the housing 11 and the mating housing 51 are not fully fitted together (partially fitted), the rear end of the mating housing 51 does not overcome the locking portion 15, and the locking arm 14 remains bent downward. Therefore, the locking portion 15 and the front stop portion 35 are positioned opposite each other, making it impossible to move the detection member 30 forward. 【0051】 When housing 11 and mating housing 51 are fully fitted together (normal fitting state), the rear end of mating housing 51 overcomes the locking portion 15, and the lock arm 14 returns to its natural state (see Figure 5). On the other hand, the rear end of mating housing 51 pushes down the front stop portion 35, causing the detection arm 34 to bend and deform. This allows the front stop portion 35 to enter the lock recess 15A. At this point, the detection member 30 can be moved to the detection position by pushing it forward. 【0052】 During the process of pushing the detection member 30 from its initial position to the detection position, the movement of the detection member 30 is guided by the engagement of the first guide portion 23 and the second guide portion 32. As the detection member 30 moves forward, the locking arm 36 and the unlocking portion 17 engage. First, the locking piece 37 rides up onto the unlocking portion 17. The engaging projection 40 enters the engaging recess 20 and slides against the inner wall of the engaging recess 20. The locking arm 36 also enters the housing portion 19 and slides against the inner wall of the housing portion 19. This guides the locking of the locking arm 36 and the unlocking portion 17. When the detection member 30 moves to the detection position, the locking projection 38 engages with the inner wall of the locking receiver 18. This holds the detection member 30 in the detection position (see Figures 6 and 8). When the detection member 30 moves to the detection position, it is possible to detect that the housing 11 and the mating housing 51 are properly fitted together. 【0053】 [Disconnection operation between housings] Next, we will describe an example of an operation to separate housing 11 and mating housing 51 from each other, from a state in which housing 11 and mating housing 51 are properly fitted together. As shown in Figure 6, when the detection member 30 is in the detection position, the front stop portion 35 is positioned within the lock recess 15A. Also, the operating portion 41 engages with the operating portion receiving portion 21, and the upper surface of the operating portion 41 is in contact with the upper contact portion 21A. For this reason, when the detection member 30 is in the detection position, the lock arm 14 cannot be bent downward. In other words, the locked state between the lock portion 15 and the lock receiving portion 52 cannot be released. Therefore, when separating the housing 11 from the mating housing 51, the detection member 30 is first moved to its initial position. 【0054】 Once the detection member 30 moves to its initial position, as shown in Figure 5, the locking piece 37 of the locking arm 36 is positioned in a front-to-back direction in conjunction with the unlocking part 17. Therefore, the operator can make contact with their fingers or other body parts from above, from the upper surface of the unlocking part 17 to the upper surface of the locking piece 37. Furthermore, since the locking arm 36 is flexible, when the operator presses the unlocking part 17 downwards to bend the locking arm 14, the locking arm 36 also bends together with the unlocking part 17, so that the pressing action of the unlocking part 17 is not easily hindered (see Figure 7). 【0055】 While it is expected that the unlocking portion 17 will become smaller when the connector 10 is miniaturized, in this embodiment, since the locking arm 36 is provided as described above, the portion for which fingers or other hand rest when bending the locking arm 14 can be made larger, thereby suppressing a decrease in the operability of the unlocking portion 17. Furthermore, when the detection member 30 is in the detection position, the locking arm 36 is positioned to overlap the unlocking portion 17 in the vertical direction (see Figure 6). For this reason, compared to, for example, simply forming the unlocking portion 17 to be long in the front-to-back direction, in this embodiment, the connector 10 in the normal mating state can be made smaller in the front-to-back direction. 【0056】 As shown in Figure 7, with the lock arm 14 bent downward, the housing 11 and the mating housing 51 are separated from each other in the front-rear direction. The pressure of the release part 17 may be stopped when the rear end of the mating housing 51 rides onto the lock part 15. The separation operation between the housing 11 and the mating housing 51 is completed when the housing 11 is positioned outside the mating housing 51 (see Figure 3). 【0057】 [Effects of the Embodiment] According to the embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. The connector 10 according to this embodiment includes a housing 11 that can be fitted into a mating housing 51, and a detection member 30 that is held so as to be movable between an initial position and a detection position relative to the housing 11, and is permitted to move from the initial position to the detection position when the housing 11 and the mating housing 51 are properly fitted together. The housing 11 is formed to extend from the outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11 and bendable, and is lockable with the mating housing 51, and a lock release is disposed on the tip side of the lock arm 14. The detection member 30 comprises a main body 31 and a locking arm 36 extending from the main body 31 and formed to be flexible and deformable, which locks with the unlocking part 17 to hold the detection member 30 in the detection position. The locking arm 36 is arranged in conjunction with the unlocking part 17 in the fitting direction (front-rear direction) in which the housing 11 and the mating housing 51 fit together when the detection member 30 is in the initial position, and is arranged to overlap with the unlocking part 17 in a direction intersecting the fitting direction (upward) when the detection member 30 is in the detection position. 【0058】 With this configuration, when the detection member 30 is held in its initial position, the locking arm 36 and the unlocking part 17 are arranged in a continuous line in the fitting direction, making it easy for the operator to place their fingers or other body parts on the unlocking part 17 when releasing the fitting between the housing 11 and the mating housing 51. Furthermore, since the locking arm 36 is designed to bend and deform, when the operator presses the unlocking part 17 to bend the locking arm 14, they can also press and bend the locking arm 36 at the same time. Therefore, the operation of releasing the fitting is easy to perform. 【0059】 In this embodiment, the housing 11 includes a first guide portion 23, and the detection member 30 includes a second guide portion 32 that slides against the first guide portion 23. The sliding contact between the first guide portion 23 and the second guide portion 32 guides the movement of the detection member 30 between its initial position and the detection position. 【0060】 With this configuration, the detection member 30 can be guided to move between the initial position and the detection position. 【0061】 In this embodiment, the first guide portion 23 includes a first stopper portion 24, and the second guide portion 32 includes a second stopper portion 33 that engages with the first stopper portion 24 when the detection member 30 is in its initial position, preventing the detection member 30 from coming off the housing 11. 【0062】 With this configuration, the detection member 30 can be prevented from coming off the housing 11 by locking the first stopper portion 24 and the second stopper portion 33 together. 【0063】 In this embodiment, the main body 31 slides against the outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11, and the detection member 30 is positioned further away from the mating housing 51 than the locking arm 36 and includes an operating part 41 that rises from the main body 31 in a direction intersecting the fitting direction (upward). 【0064】 With this configuration, the operating unit 41 makes it easy to move the detection member 30 between the initial position and the detection position. 【0065】 In this embodiment, the operating unit 41 is positioned in the space between the lock arm 14 and the outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11 when the detection member 30 is in the detection position, thereby restricting the bending deformation of the lock arm 14, and allowing the bending deformation of the lock arm 14 when the detection member 30 is in the initial position. 【0066】 With this configuration, when the detection member 30 is in the detection position, it is possible to suppress the release of the engagement due to the bending deformation of the lock arm 14. 【0067】 In this embodiment, the operating section 41 closes the space between the lock arm 14 and the outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11 in the fitting direction. 【0068】 With this configuration, the operating unit 41 can prevent foreign objects from entering the space between the lock arm 14 and the outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11, thereby preventing damage to the detection member 30. 【0069】 In this embodiment, the housing 11 includes a pair of protective walls 22 that rise from the outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11 and are arranged on both sides of the lock arm 14, and a connecting portion 25 that connects the pair of protective walls 22, with the lock arm 14 positioned between the connecting portion 25 and the outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11. 【0070】 With this configuration, the pair of protective walls 22 prevent foreign objects from entering the space between the lock arm 14 and the outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 11, thereby preventing damage to the detection member 30. The connecting portion 25 prevents the lock release portion 17 and the locking arm 36 from being released. 【0071】 <Other Embodiments> (1) In the above embodiment, when the detection member 30 is in its initial position, the locking piece 37 is positioned above the unlocking part 17, and the lower surface of the locking piece 37 and the upper surface of the unlocking part 17 are at approximately the same height, but the embodiment is not limited to this. When the detection member is in its initial position, the difference in height between the locking arm (locking piece) and the unlocking part is sufficient to allow the operator to contact both the locking arm and the unlocking part with their fingers or the like. (2) In the above embodiment, engagement structures are provided between the engaging projection 40 and the engaging recess 20, between the locking arm 36 and the housing 19, and between the fitting portion 39 and the lock release portion 17. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and at least some of these engagement structures may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols] 【0072】 10: Connector 11: Housing 12: Cavity 13: Outer wall 14: Lock Arm 14A: First half 15: Rock Club 15A: Lock recess 16: Side frame 17: Unlocking section 18: Locking receiver 19: Detention Unit 20: Engagement recess 21: Operating unit receiving part 21A: Upper contact part 21B: Front contact part 22: Protective wall 22A: Groove wall 22B: Protrusion 23: First Guide Section 24: First Stopper Section 25: Connection part 25A: Side 25B: Ceiling section 30: Detection element 31: Main body 32: Second Guide Section 33: Second Stopper Section 34: Detection Arm 35: Front stopping section 36: Locking arm 37: Locking piece 38: Locking protrusion 39: Inset part 40: Engagement protrusion 41: Operation section 41A: Thick part 50: Mate connector 51: Opponent's Housing 52: Locking mechanism F1: Finger

Claims

[Claim 1] A housing that can be fitted into the mating housing, The system includes a detection member that is held so as to be movable between an initial position and a detection position relative to the housing, and is permitted to move from the initial position to the detection position when the housing and the mating housing are properly fitted together, The housing comprises a locking arm extending from the outer peripheral wall of the housing and formed to be flexible and deformable, and capable of engaging with the mating housing, and a lock release portion disposed on the tip side of the locking arm, The detection member comprises a main body and a locking arm extending from the main body and formed to be flexible and deformable, which locks with the unlocking portion to hold the detection member in the detection position. The locking arm is arranged in conjunction with the unlocking portion in the fitting direction in which the housing and the mating housing are fitted together when the detection member is in the initial position, and is arranged to overlap with the unlocking portion in a direction intersecting the fitting direction when the detection member is in the detection position. The locking arm has a locking piece that is pressed by a finger, When the detection member is in the initial position, the locking piece is arranged in conjunction with the unlocking portion in the fitting direction, and the finger can be contacted from above, extending from the upper surface of the unlocking portion to the upper surface of the locking piece. A connector in which, when the detection member is in the initial position, an operator presses the release part downward with their finger to bend the lock arm, and the locking arm bends together with the lock arm due to the finger, thereby releasing the lock arm from the mating housing. [Claim 2] The housing is equipped with a first guide section, The detection member includes a second guide portion that slides against the first guide portion, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the sliding contact between the first guide portion and the second guide portion guides the movement of the detection member between the initial position and the detection position. [Claim 3] The first guide section includes a first stopper section, The connector according to claim 2, wherein the second guide portion includes a second stopper portion that engages with the first stopper portion when the detection member is in the initial position to prevent the detection member from coming off the housing. [Claim 4] The main body is in sliding contact with the outer circumferential wall of the housing. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection member is positioned further apart from the mating housing than the locking arm and includes an operating portion that rises from the main body in a direction intersecting the fitting direction. [Claim 5] The connector according to claim 4, wherein the operating unit is positioned in the space between the lock arm and the outer peripheral wall of the housing when the detection member is in the detection position, thereby restricting the bending deformation of the lock arm, and allowing the bending deformation of the lock arm when the detection member is in the initial position. [Claim 6] The connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the operating section closes the space between the lock arm and the outer wall of the housing in the fitting direction. [Claim 7] The housing comprises a pair of protective walls rising from the outer peripheral wall of the housing and positioned on both sides of the lock arm, and a connecting portion connecting the pair of protective walls. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lock arm is disposed between the connecting portion and the outer peripheral wall of the housing.

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