Mating connector

Abstract

To provide a fitting connector which can improve workability in assembly work.SOLUTION: A fitting connector 1 comprises: a first connector 10 which has a first housing, a first detection terminal 31, and a second detection terminal 32; and a second connector 20 which has a second housing 5 and a short-circuit terminal 60, and which is fitted to the first connector along a first direction X. The first detection terminal and the second detection terminal are aligned in a second direction. The short-circuit terminal has: a first terminal part 61 which can make contact with the first detection terminal; and a second terminal part 62 which can make contact with the second detection terminal. The second terminal part has: a main body 64; and a protruding part 65 which protrudes from the main body. The first housing has a restriction part 40 which deforms the second terminal part. A guide wall 43 of the restriction part has a first inclined surface 43a which, in a fitting process, deforms the main body in a direction away from the second detection terminal while guiding the protruding part, and the guide wall brings the main body away from the second detection terminal when the connectors are not completely fitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fitting connector. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are techniques for detecting the fitting state of connectors. Patent Document 1 discloses a lock connector that engages a flexible locking piece provided on one connector with an engaging portion provided on the other connector that can engage with the flexible locking piece. The lock connector of Patent Document 1 includes a probe that detects the locked state of the mutual connectors. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 6-310209 Summary of the Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a fitting connector having a detection structure for detecting complete fitting, it is desired that the workability of assembly work can be improved. For example, if an increase in fitting force caused by providing the detection structure can be suppressed, this leads to improvement in workability.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a fitting connector capable of improving the workability of assembly work. Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The mating connector of the present invention comprises: a first connector having a first housing and a first detection terminal and a second detection terminal held by the first housing; and a second connector having a second housing and a short-circuit terminal held by the second housing, which mates with the first connector in a first direction, wherein the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal are arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the short-circuit terminal has a first terminal portion that can contact the first detection terminal and a second terminal portion that can contact the second detection terminal, and the second terminal portion has a body that can contact the second detection terminal and a projection that protrudes from the body in the second direction The first housing has a protruding portion and a guide wall extending along the first direction, the guide wall has a first inclined surface that guides the protruding portion while the second connector is mated with the first connector, and deforms the main body away from the second detection terminal, and is configured to support the protruding portion while the main body is separated from the second detection terminal while the second connector is not mated with the first connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The mating connector according to the present invention has a restricting portion that deforms the second terminal portion so as not to come into contact with the second detection terminal when the first connector and the second connector are not fully mated. The guide wall of the restricting portion is configured to support the protruding portion of the second terminal portion while the second connector is not fully mated with the first connector, keeping the main body of the second terminal portion separated from the second detection terminal. The mating connector according to the present invention has the effect of improving the workability of assembly work by restricting contact of the second terminal portion of the two terminal portions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mating connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of a mating connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the first connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the short-circuit terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the detection terminal and regulating unit of the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the fitting process of the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the fitting process of the embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the fitting process of the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the fitting process of the embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the fully fitted state of the embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the detachment process of the embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view showing an example of a short-circuit terminal in an embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the regulatory portion according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the regulatory portion according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of a modified embodiment of the regulating portion. [Figure 18] Figure 18 shows the second terminal portion during the detachment process in a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 19] Figure 19 shows the second terminal portion during the detachment process in a modified example of the embodiment. [Description of Embodiments]

[0009] Hereinafter, a fitting connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. The present embodiment relates to a fitting connector. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fitting connector according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fitting connector according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a first connector according to the embodiment, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second connector according to the embodiment, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a short-circuit terminal according to the embodiment, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a detection terminal and a restriction portion of the embodiment, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector according to the embodiment, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a fitting process of the embodiment, FIGS. 9 to 11 are cross-sectional views showing the fitting process of the embodiment, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a completely fitted state of the embodiment, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a detachment process of the embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an example of the short-circuit terminal of the embodiment. FIG. 3 shows the III-III cross-section of FIG. 2.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a fitting connector 1 includes a first connector 10 and a second connector 20. The first connector 10 is a part of a housing of a device mounted on a vehicle. The illustrated first connector 10 is a connector having a plurality of male terminals 3. The second connector 20 is a connector having a plurality of female terminals 6. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are completely fitted, the male terminals 3 and the female terminals 6 are electrically connected. In the present specification, a direction in which the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are fitted and detached is referred to as a first direction X.

[0012] The axial direction of the male terminal 3 and the female terminal 6 is a first direction X. The plurality of male terminals 3 and the plurality of female terminals 6 are arranged in a grid along a second direction Y and a third direction Z. The second direction Y and the third direction Z are orthogonal to the first direction X. Further, the second direction Y and the third direction Z are orthogonal to each other.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a first connector 10 includes a first housing 2, a plurality of male terminals 3, a first detection terminal 31, and a second detection terminal 32. The first housing 2 is molded from an insulating synthetic resin. The first housing 2 includes a housing main body 21, a hood portion 22, and a boss 23. The housing main body 21, the hood portion 22, and the boss 23 are integrally formed. The housing main body 21 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The male terminals 3 and the detection terminals 31, 32 are held by the housing main body 21. The male terminals 3 and the detection terminals 31, 32 penetrate the housing main body 21 along the first direction X. The first housing 2 may be insert-molded with respect to the male terminals 3 and the detection terminals 31, 32.

[0014] The hood portion 22 protrudes from the housing main body 21 along the first direction X. The hood portion 22 is a fitting portion that fits with a second connector 20. The hood portion 22 has a rectangular tubular shape. The boss 23 protrudes toward the third direction Z from an outer surface of the hood portion 22. The boss 23 has a cylindrical shape. The first housing 2 includes two coaxially arranged bosses 23. The two bosses 23 protrude in directions opposite to each other.

[0015] The housing main body 21 has a recess 21a. The recess 21a is located on a side opposite to the hood portion 22 side in the first direction X. The recess 21a opens toward the first direction X. One end of each of the male terminals 3 and the detection terminals 31, 32 protrudes into the internal space of the hood portion 22, and the other end protrudes into the recess 21a. A substrate 24 shown in FIG. 2 is accommodated in the recess 21a. The male terminals 3 and the detection terminals 31, 32 are connected to a circuit of the substrate 24. The illustrated male terminal 3 has a prismatic shape.

[0016] As shown in Figure 3, the first detection terminal 31 and the second detection terminal 32 in this embodiment have the same prism shape as the male terminal 3. The first detection terminal 31 and the second detection terminal 32 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y. A rib 22a is provided on the inner wall surface of the hood portion 22 to guide the second connector 20. The rib 22a extends in the first direction X.

[0017] The first housing 2 has a restricting portion 40 adjacent to the second detection terminal 32. The restricting portion 40 protrudes from the retaining wall 21b of the housing body 21 along the first direction X. The retaining wall 21b is a wall perpendicular to the first direction X and separates the internal space of the hood portion 22 from the recess 21a. The male terminal 3, the first detection terminal 31, and the second detection terminal 32 are held by the retaining wall 21b. As will be described later, the restricting portion 40 is configured to prevent the two detection terminals 31 and 32 from being short-circuited when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are not fully mated.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the second connector 20 includes a second housing 5, a female terminal 6, a lever 7, a front holder 8, a packing P1, and a short-circuit terminal 60. The second housing 5, lever 7, and front holder 8 are molded from insulating synthetic resin. The second housing 5 has a housing body 51, a cylindrical portion 52, and a support shaft 53. The housing body 51, cylindrical portion 52, and support shaft 53 are integrally formed.

[0019] The housing body 51 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing body 51 has a plurality of terminal housing chambers 51a that accommodate a plurality of female terminals 6. The terminal housing chambers 51a penetrate the housing body 51 along the first direction X. The plurality of terminal housing chambers 51a are arranged in a grid along the second direction Y and the third direction Z. The female terminals 6 inserted into the terminal housing chambers 51a are held by side spacers (not shown).

[0020] The packing P1 is fitted to the outer surface of the housing body 51. The illustrated shape of the packing P1 is rectangular. The front holder 8 engages with the housing body 51 to hold the packing P1. The front holder 8 has a plurality of through holes 8a into which the male terminal 3 is inserted. The plurality of through holes 8a are arranged in a grid pattern along the second direction Y and the third direction Z.

[0021] The cylindrical portion 52 has a rectangular shape and protrudes from the housing body 51 along the first direction X. The electric wire W connected to the female terminal 6 is drawn out through the internal space of the cylindrical portion 52. The cylindrical portion 52 houses a wire packing (not shown) and a rear holder (not shown) for sealing the electric wire W. The support shaft 53 protrudes from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 52 along the third direction Z. The second housing 5 has two coaxially arranged support shafts 53.

[0022] The lever 7 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 53. The mating connector 1 of this embodiment is a lever-type connector that allows the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 to be mated by the lever 7. The lever 7 and the boss 23 constitute a low insertion force (LIF) mechanism. As shown by arrow AR1 in Figure 2, the lever 7 rotates around the support shaft 53 as its center of rotation.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the lever 7 is stopped in a temporarily locked position. The lever 7 has a groove that guides the boss 23 of the first housing 2. When the front holder 8 of the second connector 20 is inserted into the hood portion 22 of the first connector 10, the boss 23 is guided into the groove of the lever 7. With the boss 23 inserted into the groove of the lever 7, the operator rotates the lever 7. The rotational force applied to the lever 7 is converted into a force in the first direction X, causing the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 to move relative to each other in the first direction X.

[0024] The mating connector 1 of this embodiment has an electrical detection mechanism that detects when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are fully mated. The detection mechanism includes two detection terminals 31, 32 and a regulating portion 40 of the first connector 10, and a short-circuit terminal 60 of the second connector 20.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the housing body 51 has a recess 51b that accommodates the short-circuit terminal 60. The recess 51b opens toward the front holder 8. The front holder 8 has a through hole 8b opposite the recess 51b. The through hole 8b and the recess 51b are shaped to allow the regulating portion 40 and detection terminals 31, 32 of the first connector 10 to be inserted.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the short-circuit terminal 60 has a first terminal portion 61, a second terminal portion 62, and a base portion 63. The base portion 63, the first terminal portion 61, and the second terminal portion 62 are formed of conductive metal plates. The illustrated base portion 63 has a flat plate shape. The first terminal portion 61 and the second terminal portion 62 extend from the base portion 63 along a first direction X and are aligned in a second direction Y.

[0027] The first terminal portion 61 is a cantilever arm supported by the base portion 63 and is elastically deformable. The first terminal portion 61 is flexibly deformable at least in the third direction Z. The first terminal portion 61 is contactable with the first detection terminal 31 of the first connector 10. More specifically, the second connector 20 holds a short-circuit terminal 60 such that the first terminal portion 61 is positioned on the extension of the first detection terminal 31 in the first direction X. In other words, the short-circuit terminal 60 is positioned such that the first terminal portion 61 moves on the extension of the first detection terminal 31 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are mated. A contact portion 61a is formed at the tip of the first terminal portion 61 that contacts the first detection terminal 31. The contact portion 61a is a portion that is bent so as to be convex in the third direction Z.

[0028] The second terminal portion 62 has a body 64 and a protruding portion 65. The body 64 is a cantilever arm supported by a base portion 63 and is elastically deformable. The body 64 is flexibly deformable in the second direction Y and the third direction Z. The body 64 faces the first terminal portion 61 in the second direction Y. A gap is provided between the body 64 and the first terminal portion 61. The size of this gap is such that the restricting portion 40 of the first connector 10 can enter. The body 64 is longer than the first terminal portion 61.

[0029] The main body 64 is capable of contacting the second detection terminal 32 of the first connector 10. More specifically, the second connector 20 holds a short-circuit terminal 60 such that the main body 64 is positioned on the extension of the second detection terminal 32 in the first direction X. In other words, the short-circuit terminal 60 is positioned such that the main body 64 moves on the extension of the second detection terminal 32 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are mated. A contact portion 64a is formed on the tip side of the main body 64 that contacts the second detection terminal 32. The contact portion 64a is a portion that is bent so as to be convex toward the third direction Z. The two contact portions 61a and 64a are positioned at the same location in the first direction X.

[0030] The protrusion 65 protrudes from the side surface 64b of the main body 64 along the second direction Y. The side surface 64b is the surface facing the first terminal portion 61. In other words, the protrusion 65 protrudes from the main body 64 toward the first terminal portion 61. The position of the protrusion 65 is the tip of the main body 64. The protrusion 65 is located on the tip side of the main body 64 than the contact portion 64a. In the first direction X, the position of the protrusion 65 is further from the base portion 63 than the tip of the first terminal portion 61. The protrusion 65 is capable of contacting the restricting portion 40 of the first connector 10. The second connector 20 holds the short-circuit terminal 60 such that the protrusion 65 is positioned on the extension of the restricting portion 40 in the first direction X. In other words, the short-circuit terminal 60 is positioned such that the protrusion 65 moves along the extension of the restricting portion 40 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are mated.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the first housing 2 has a control structure 4 including a restricting portion 40. The control structure 4 has a restricting portion 40 and a support wall 41. The illustrated restricting portion 40 and support wall 41 are integral; however, the restricting portion 40 and the support wall 41 may be provided separately. The control structure 4 protrudes along the first direction X from the opposing surface 21c of the retaining wall 21b. The opposing surface 21c is the surface facing the front holder 8 of the second connector 20. The restricting portion 40 is positioned on one side in the third direction Z with respect to the first detection terminal 31 and the second detection terminal 32.

[0032] The regulating section 40 has a main wall 42 and a guide wall 43. The main wall 42 protrudes from the opposing surface 21c along the first direction X. The shape of the main wall 42 is a flat plate shape perpendicular to the second direction Y. The position of the main wall 42 is between the two detection terminals 31 and 32 in the second direction Y. More specifically, the main wall 42 is positioned closer to the first detection terminal 31 than to the midpoint between the two detection terminals 31 and 32.

[0033] The guide wall 43 is positioned at the tip of the main wall 42. The guide wall 43 protrudes from the side of the main wall 42 toward the second detection terminal 32. The guide wall 43 is a wall that guides the protruding portion 65 of the short-circuit terminal 60. The guide wall 43 is formed in a plate shape and is bent at one point in the middle. When viewed from the second direction Y, the shape of the guide wall 43 is approximately V-shaped. The guide wall 43 is located between the two detection terminals 31 and 32 in the second direction Y.

[0034] The guide wall 43 has a first inclined surface 43a and a support surface 43b. The first inclined surface 43a is positioned in the path of the protruding portion 65 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are mated. The first inclined surface 43a is a surface that is inclined with respect to the first direction X when viewed from the second direction Y. The first inclined surface 43a is inclined so that it moves away from the second detection terminal 32 as it approaches the retaining wall 21b along the first direction X.

[0035] The support surface 43b is a plane along the first direction X and faces away from the side of the second detection terminal 32. The support surface 43b is continuous with and intersects with the first inclined surface 43a. The boundary between the support surface 43b and the first inclined surface 43a is the bend in the guide wall 43.

[0036] The support wall 41 is a wall that supports the first detection terminal 31 and the second detection terminal 32. The support wall 41 is located on the opposite side of the guide wall 43 from the first detection terminal 31 and the second detection terminal 32. That is, the support wall 41 supports the two detection terminals 31 and 32 from the side opposite to the guide wall 43. When viewed from the first direction X, the shape of the support wall 41 is approximately T-shaped. The support wall 41 and the main wall 42 constitute a partition wall that separates the two detection terminals 31 and 32. The support wall 41 supports the two detection terminals 31 and 32 in the third direction Z and also supports the two detection terminals 31 and 32 in the second direction Y. The support wall 41 restricts the two detection terminals 31 and 32 from approaching the second direction Y.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, the first inclined surface 43a protrudes in the first direction X beyond the tip of the second detection terminal 32. That is, the guide wall 43 is provided to a position further from the retaining wall 21b than the tip of the second detection terminal 32. The end 43f of the support surface 43b is spaced apart from the opposing surface 21c. That is, a gap is provided between the guide wall 43 and the opposing surface 21c through which the protruding portion 65 of the short-circuit terminal 60 can pass.

[0038] Figure 8 shows the process of mating the first connector 10 and the second connector 20. Note that the front holder 8 of the second connector 20 is omitted in Figure 8. The second connector 20 moves in the mating direction with respect to the first connector 10 due to the insertion force F1 generated by the lever 7. As shown in Figure 8, the protruding portion 65 of the second terminal portion 62 contacts the first inclined surface 43a of the regulating portion 40. The first inclined surface 43a guides the protruding portion 65 in the direction away from the second detection terminal 32, as indicated by the arrow AR2 in Figure 8. In other words, the first inclined surface 43a elastically deforms the body 64 of the second terminal portion 62 so that it moves away from the second detection terminal 32.

[0039] Figure 9 shows the elastically deformed second terminal portion 62. As indicated by arrow AR3, the main body 64 of the second terminal portion 62 deforms by bending in the third direction Z so as to move away from the second detection terminal 32. The first inclined surface 43a deforms the main body 64 to a position where it does not come into contact with the second detection terminal 32. The male terminal 3 is inserted into the corresponding female terminal 6.

[0040] Figure 10 shows the first terminal portion 61 in contact with the first detection terminal 31. Figure 10 is a view of the short-circuit terminal 60, which is in the same position as in Figure 9, from the side of the first terminal portion 61. The restricting portion 40 is positioned so as not to interfere with the first terminal portion 61. Therefore, the first terminal portion 61 contacts the first detection terminal 31 without interfering with the restricting portion 40. In other words, the first housing 2 of this embodiment is configured to deform only the second terminal portion 62 of the short-circuit terminal 60, out of the first terminal portion 61 and the second terminal portion 62. After contacting the first detection terminal 31, the first terminal portion 61 undergoes slight elastic deformation, causing the contact portion 61a to slide against the first detection terminal 31. In this way, the first housing 2 of this embodiment achieves a state in which the first detection terminal 31 and the second detection terminal 32 are blocked by deforming the second terminal portion 62.

[0041] As the first connector 10 moves further in the mating direction, the projection 65 passes the first inclined surface 43a and is supported by the support surface 43b, as shown in Figure 11. The support surface 43b supports the projection 65 so that the second terminal portion 62 does not come into contact with the second detection terminal 32. The position and length of the support surface 43b are determined so that the support surface 43b continues to support the projection 65 while the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are not fully mated.

[0042] When the second connector 20 moves to the fully mated position, the protruding portion 65 passes the support surface 43b, and the restriction by the restricting portion 40 is released. In other words, the restricting portion 40 allows the second terminal portion 62 to contact the second detection terminal 32 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are fully mated. The second terminal portion 62 deforms toward the second detection terminal 32 due to its elastic restoring force and comes into contact with the second detection terminal 32.

[0043] Figure 12 shows a cross-section of the fully mated connector 1. The body 64 of the second terminal portion 62 is in contact with the second detection terminal 32. Therefore, the short-circuit terminal 60 electrically connects the first detection terminal 31 and the second detection terminal 32. When the first detection terminal 31 and the second detection terminal 32 are short-circuited, the lamp 25 connected to the detection circuit on the circuit board 24 lights up. The operator can confirm that the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are fully mated by the illumination of the lamp 25.

[0044] Figure 13 shows the second connector 20 in the process of being removed from the first connector 10. The second connector 20 moves in the removal direction relative to the first connector 10 by the removal force F2 generated by the lever 7. The second terminal portion 62 in Figure 13 is pulled out to a position where it does not contact the second detection terminal 32. The shape of the second terminal portion 62 is restored to the shape when no external force is applied. The protruding portion 65 of the second terminal portion 62 contacts the back surface 43c of the guide wall 43 after the main body 64 has separated from the second detection terminal 32. The back surface 43c is the surface of the guide wall 43 opposite to the first inclined surface 43a. The back surface 43c is inclined at the same angle as the first inclined surface 43a.

[0045] The protruding portion 65 overcomes the guide wall 43 while elastically deforming the main body 64 of the second terminal portion 62. When the protruding portion 65 overcomes the guide wall 43, the first terminal portion 61 is separated from the first detection terminal 31. Therefore, the force required to pull the second connector 20 out of the first connector 10 is reduced. In other words, the force applied to the lever 7 to detach the second connector 20 becomes smaller.

[0046] The short-circuit terminal 60 may be formed in a box shape as shown in Figure 14. The base portion 63 shown in Figure 14 has a rectangular tube shape. The short-circuit terminal 60 in Figure 14 has a pair of side walls 66 facing each other between the first terminal portion 61 and the second terminal portion 62. The side walls 66 extend from the base portion 63 to a position facing the protruding portion 65. The short-circuit terminal 60 also has a bottom wall 67 facing the first terminal portion 61 and the second terminal portion 62. A notch 67a corresponding to the restricting portion 40 is formed in the bottom wall 67. The notch 67a is formed so as not to hinder the deformation of the second terminal portion 62 when the second terminal portion 62 is guided by the restricting portion 40. The notch 67a is formed so that the tip of the main body 64 protrudes outward from the bottom wall 67. The box-shaped short-circuit terminal 60 may be press-fitted into the recess 51b of the second housing 5.

[0047] As described above, the mating connector 1 of this embodiment has a first connector 10 and a second connector 20. The first connector 10 has a first housing 2 and a first detection terminal 31 and a second detection terminal 32 held by the first housing 2. The second connector 20 has a second housing 5 and a short-circuit terminal 60 held by the second housing 5, and mates with the first connector 10 along the first direction X. The first detection terminal 31 and the second detection terminal 32 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y which is perpendicular to the first direction X. The short-circuit terminal 60 has a first terminal portion 61 that can contact the first detection terminal 31 and a second terminal portion 62 that can contact the second detection terminal 32.

[0048] The second terminal portion 62 has a main body 64 that can contact the second detection terminal 32, and a protruding portion 65 that protrudes from the main body 64 along the second direction Y. The first housing 2 has a restricting portion 40. The restricting portion 40 is configured to deform the second terminal portion 62 so that it does not come into contact with the second detection terminal 32 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are not fully mated.

[0049] The restricting portion 40 has a guide wall 43 extending along a first direction X. The guide wall 43 has a first inclined surface 43a. The first inclined surface 43a deforms the main body 64 away from the second detection terminal 32 while guiding the protrusion 65 during the process in which the second connector 20 is mated with the first connector 10. Furthermore, the guide wall 43 is configured to support the protrusion 65 while the main body 64 is separated from the second detection terminal 32 while the second connector 20 is not fully mated with the first connector 10. In this embodiment, the support surface 43b of the guide wall 43 supports the protrusion 65 until the two connectors 10 and 20 are fully mated. In the mating connector 1 of this embodiment, the second terminal portion 62 of the two terminal portions 61 and 62 of the short-circuit terminal 60 is deformed so that a short circuit does not occur when it is partially mated. Compared to a configuration in which both terminal portions 61 and 62 are deformed, the force required for mating is reduced and workability is improved.

[0050] In this embodiment, the restricting portion 40 is positioned between the first detection terminal 31 and the second detection terminal 32 in the second direction Y. The protruding portion 65 protrudes from the main body 64 of the second terminal portion 62 toward the first terminal portion 61. In other words, the restricting portion 40 is positioned using the space between the first detection terminal 31 and the second detection terminal 32. This configuration suppresses the increase in size of the mating connector 1 caused by providing the restricting portion 40.

[0051] [Modified examples of embodiments] Modified embodiments will now be described. Figures 15 and 16 are perspective views of the restricting portion according to the modified embodiment, Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the restricting portion according to the modified embodiment, and Figures 18 and 19 are diagrams showing the second terminal portion during the detachment process in the modified embodiment. Figure 17 shows the cross-section XVII-XVII in Figure 18. In the modified embodiment, one difference from the above embodiment is that, for example, the guide wall 43 of the restricting portion 40 has a second inclined surface 43d.

[0052] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the modified guide wall 43 has the same first inclined surface 43a and support surface 43b as in the above embodiment. Therefore, the modified guide wall 43 can deform the second terminal portion 62 so that it does not come into contact with the second detection terminal 32 when it is partially fitted. The modified guide wall 43 has a second inclined surface 43d instead of the back surface 43c of the above embodiment. The second inclined surface 43d is formed on the back side relative to the first inclined surface 43a.

[0053] The second inclined surface 43d is inclined with respect to the first direction X and also with respect to the second direction Y. The inclination direction of the second inclined surface 43d with respect to the first direction X is the same as the inclination direction of the first inclined surface 43a with respect to the first direction X. That is, the second inclined surface 43d is inclined so that as it approaches the retaining wall 21b along the first direction X, it moves away from the second detection terminal 32.

[0054] The inclination direction of the second inclined surface 43d with respect to the second direction Y is determined so that the main body 64 is deformed by bending toward the second direction Y while guiding the protruding portion 65 during the detachment process. As shown in Figure 17, the second inclined surface 43d is inclined so that it moves away from the second detection terminal 32 as it moves away from the main wall 42 along the second direction Y. In other words, the second inclined surface 43d is inclined so that the protruding portion 65 is guided toward the side surface 43e of the guide wall 43.

[0055] The second inclined surface 43d is positioned to contact the protruding portion 65 of the second terminal portion 62 during the detachment process. The second inclined surface 43d guides the protruding portion 65 and converts the force F2 in the detachment direction into a force in the second direction Y, thereby deforming the second terminal portion 62. More specifically, as shown by the arrow AR4 in Figures 18 and 19, the second inclined surface 43d causes the main body 64 of the second terminal portion 62 to bend and deform in the second direction Y. The main body 64 elastically deforms toward the side away from the first terminal portion 61. The protruding portion 65 overcomes the guide wall 43 while elastically deforming the main body 64. At this time, the protruding portion 65 overcomes the guide wall 43 while sliding against the side surface 43e of the guide wall 43.

[0056] As can be seen from Figure 18, etc., when the protruding portion 65 crosses over the guide wall 43, the first terminal portion 61 is already separated from the first detection terminal 31. In other words, the sliding force between the first terminal portion 61 and the first detection terminal 31 is eliminated. Therefore, the force required to pull the second connector 20 out of the first connector 10 is reduced.

[0057] As described above, the guide wall 43 in this modified example has a second inclined surface 43d formed on the back side with respect to the first inclined surface 43a. The second inclined surface 43d is an inclined surface that guides the protruding portion 65 while causing the main body 64 to bend and deform in the second direction Y during the process in which the second connector 20 detaches from the first connector 10. The protruding portion 65 overcomes the guide wall 43 while being guided by the second inclined surface 43d while the main body 64 is bent and deformed. With the configuration of this modified example, it is possible to reduce the detachment force required to detach the second connector 20.

[0058] The embodiments and modifications disclosed above can be combined and implemented as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1: Mating connector 2: First housing, 3: Male terminal, 4: Control structure 5: Second housing, 6: Female terminal, 7: Lever, 8: Front holder 10: First connector, 20: Second connector 21: Housing body, 21a: Recess, 21b: Retaining wall 22: Food Department, 23: Boss 31: First detection terminal, 32: Second detection terminal 40: Regulation part, 41: Support wall, 42: Main wall 43: Guide wall, 43a: First inclined surface, 43b: Support surface, 43c: Back surface 43d: Second slope 51: Housing body, 51a: Terminal housing chamber, 51b: Recess 52: Cylinder part, 53: Support shaft 60: Short-circuit terminal, 61: First terminal section, 62: Second terminal section, 63: Base section 64: Main body, 65: Projection, 66: Side wall, 67: Bottom wall X: first direction, Y: second direction, Z: third direction

Claims

1. A first connector having a first housing, a first detection terminal and a second detection terminal held by the first housing, A second connector having a second housing and a short-circuit terminal held by the second housing, and which fits to the first connector along a first direction, Equipped with, The first detection terminal and the second detection terminal are arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The short-circuit terminal has a first terminal portion that can contact the first detection terminal and a second terminal portion that can contact the second detection terminal. The second terminal portion comprises a main body that can contact the second detection terminal, and a protruding portion that extends from the main body along the second direction. The first housing has a restricting portion that deforms the second terminal portion so as not to come into contact with the second detection terminal when the first connector and the second connector are not fully mated together. The regulating section has a guide wall extending along the first direction, The guide wall has a first inclined surface that guides the protrusion while deforming the main body away from the second detection terminal during the process in which the second connector is mated with the first connector, and is configured to support the protrusion while the main body is separated from the second detection terminal while the second connector is not fully mated with the first connector. The guide wall has a second inclined surface formed on the back side with respect to the first inclined surface, The second inclined surface is an inclined surface that guides the protruding portion while causing the main body to bend and deform toward the second direction during the process in which the second connector detaches from the first connector. The protruding portion, while being guided by the second inclined surface, overcomes the guide wall while the main body is bent and deformed. A mating connector characterized by the following features.

2. The regulating unit is positioned between the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal in the second direction. The aforementioned protrusion extends from the main body toward the first terminal portion. The mating connector according to claim 1.

Images