Connectors and connector assemblies

Abstract

To provide a connector which can preferably inhibit rotation relative to a fixing member.SOLUTION: A connector 21 comprises a connector housing 22 that is fixed to a lamp body 41 having a fixing hole 42 penetrating through the lamp body 41 along a first axis X. The connector housing 22 comprises: a body part 24 which may penetrate through the fixing hole 42; a flange part 25 that extends outward in a direction intersecting the first axis X from the body part 24; a seating surface 26 that is provided at the flange part 25 and may abut the lamp body 41 along the first axis X; an elastic locking piece 27 that extends along the first axis X from the seating surface 26 and can lock onto the lamp body 41; and a protective wall 29 that is provided adjacent to the elastic locking piece 27 and protects the elastic locking piece 27. The protective wall 29 has an anti-rotation rib 30 that protrudes in a direction intersecting the first axis X and prevents rotation of the connector housing 22 relative to the lamp body 41 about the first axis X.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a connector assembly. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a connector assembly in which one connector constituting the connector assembly is fixed to a fixing member having a fixing hole (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A connector housing of such a connector includes a cylindrical main body portion penetrating the fixing hole, and an elastic locking portion locked to the fixing member. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-102872 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] By the way, for example, when a water-stopping rubber ring that is in pressure contact with the inner wall surface of the fixing hole is arranged around the connector housing, if the connector housing rotates about the axis along the penetration direction of the fixing hole relative to the fixing member, the water stopping performance of the rubber ring deteriorates. In such cases, it is necessary to firmly suppress the rotation of the connector relative to the fixing member.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector and a connector assembly that can suitably suppress rotation of the connector relative to a fixing member. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a connector housing that is fixed to a fixing member having a fixing hole penetrating along a first axis, the connector housing comprising: a main body portion that can penetrate the fixing hole; a flange portion extending outward from the main body portion in a direction intersecting the first axis; a seating surface provided on the flange portion that can abut against the fixing member along the first axis; an elastic locking piece extending from the seating surface along the first axis and locking against the fixing member; and a protective wall provided adjacent to the elastic locking piece to protect the elastic locking piece, the protective wall having an anti-rotation rib that protrudes in a direction intersecting the first axis and prevents the connector housing from rotating about the first axis relative to the fixing member.

[0007] The connector assembly of the present disclosure comprises a connector having a connector housing fixed to a fixing member having a fixing hole penetrating along a first axis, and an add-on connector having an add-on connector housing fitted to the connector housing fixed to the fixing member, wherein the connector housing comprises a main body portion that can penetrate the fixing hole, a flange portion extending outward from the main body portion in a direction intersecting the first axis, a seating surface provided on the flange portion that can abut against the fixing member along the first axis, an elastic locking piece extending from the seating surface along the first axis and locking against the fixing member, and a protective wall provided adjacent to the elastic locking piece to protect the elastic locking piece, wherein the protective wall has an anti-rotation rib protruding in a direction intersecting the first axis to prevent the connector housing from rotating about the first axis relative to the fixing member, and the add-on connector housing comprises a deformation restricting portion inserted between the elastic locking piece locked to the fixing member and the main body portion to restrict the elastic deformation of the elastic locking piece. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The connector and connector assembly of this disclosure can suitably suppress rotation of the connector relative to the fixing member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lamp body and connector assembly in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp body and connector in one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view of the lamp body and connector in one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a connector in one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged plan view of a connector in one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a connector in one embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8-8 in Figure 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The connector disclosed herein is [1] A connector comprising a connector housing fixed to a fixing member having a fixing hole penetrating along a first axis, wherein the connector housing comprises a main body portion that can penetrate the fixing hole, a flange portion extending outward from the main body portion in a direction intersecting the first axis, a seating surface provided on the flange portion that can abut against the fixing member along the first axis, an elastic locking piece extending from the seating surface along the first axis and locking against the fixing member, and a protective wall provided adjacent to the elastic locking piece to protect the elastic locking piece, wherein the protective wall has an anti-rotation rib that protrudes in a direction intersecting the first axis and prevents the connector housing from rotating about the first axis relative to the fixing member.

[0011] According to this configuration, the connector housing is provided with a protective wall adjacent to the elastic locking piece to protect it. For example, before the connector housing is fixed to the fixing member, this prevents unintended large forces from being applied to the elastic locking piece. Therefore, for example, damage to the elastic locking piece is suppressed. Furthermore, the protective wall has anti-rotation ribs that protrude in a direction intersecting the first axis and prevent the connector housing from rotating about the first axis relative to the fixing member. Therefore, rotation of the connector about the first axis relative to the fixing member is prevented. Since the anti-rotation ribs are provided on the protective wall, the structure of the connector housing can be simplified compared to, for example, when the anti-rotation ribs are provided separately in a different part from the protective wall. In other words, the protective wall with anti-rotation ribs serves to protect the elastic locking piece before the connector housing is fixed to the fixing member, and serves to prevent the connector from rotating once the connector housing is fixed to the fixing member.

[0012] [2] In the above [1], the protective wall may be provided in a pair so as to sandwich the elastic locking piece. According to this configuration, a pair of protective walls are provided to sandwich the elastic locking piece, thus further suppressing the application of unintended large forces to the elastic locking piece. Therefore, for example, damage to the elastic locking piece is further suppressed.

[0013] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the anti-rotation rib may be provided in a position close to the seating surface in a direction along the first axis. According to this configuration, since the rotation prevention rib is provided at a position close to the seating surface in the direction along the first axis, it is possible to suppress the rotation prevention rib from coming into sliding contact with the fixing member more than necessary in the initial stage when the main body portion is inserted into the fixing hole. Therefore, for example, the assemblability when inserting the main body portion into the fixing hole is improved. Further, for example, wear of the rotation prevention rib can be suppressed. Therefore, in the final stage when the seating surface is abutted against the fixing member, the rotation prevention rib can be satisfactorily brought into contact with the fixing member, and rotation of the connector housing about the first axis with respect to the fixing member can be satisfactorily prevented.

[0014] [4] In any one of the above [1] to [3], the rotation prevention rib may have an inclined surface whose protruding amount increases as approaching the seating surface from an end portion distant from the seating surface.

[0015] According to this configuration, since the rotation prevention rib has an inclined surface whose protruding amount increases as approaching the seating surface from an end portion distant from the seating surface, the assemblability when inserting the main body portion into the fixing hole becomes smooth.

[0016] [5] In any one of the above [1] to [4], the main body portion has a rectangular outer shape when viewed from the direction along the first axis, and the elastic locking piece and the protection wall may be provided at a position offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion when viewed from the direction along the first axis.

[0017] According to this configuration, since the elastic locking piece and the protection wall are provided at a position offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion when viewed from the direction along the first axis, rotation of the connector about the first axis with respect to the fixing member is further prevented. That is, for example, even if play is suppressed to be small at the center position in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion, play at a position offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion becomes large. In contrast, by providing the elastic locking piece and the protection wall at a position offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion, play at a position offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion can be suppressed to be small, so rotation of the connector is further prevented.

[0018] [6] In any one of [1] to [5] above, a rubber ring that can be press-contacted with the inner wall surface of the fixing hole may be fitted around the outer circumference of the flange portion. According to this configuration, since the rubber ring that can be press-contacted with the inner wall surface of the fixing hole is fitted around the outer circumference of the flange portion, water is shut off at said portion. In such a connector, if the connector rotates about the first axis, the force for press-contacting with the inner wall surface of the fixing hole is partially weakened, which may deteriorate the water stopping performance of the rubber ring. The present configuration can avoid this problem, so good water stopping performance can be maintained.

[0019] The connector assembly of the present disclosure is [7] A connector assembly comprising: a connector including a connector housing fixed to a fixing member having a fixing hole penetrating along a first axis; and a retrofitted connector including a retrofitted connector housing fitted onto the connector housing fixed to the fixing member, wherein the connector housing comprises: a main body portion capable of penetrating the fixing hole; a flange portion extending outward from the main body portion in a direction intersecting the first axis; a seating surface provided on the flange portion and capable of abutting against the fixing member along the first axis; an elastic locking piece extending from the seating surface along the first axis and capable of locking to the fixing member; and a protection wall provided adjacent to the elastic locking piece to protect the elastic locking piece, wherein the protection wall has an anti-rotation rib protruding in a direction intersecting the first axis to prevent rotation of the connector housing relative to the fixing member about the first axis, and the retrofitted connector housing includes a deformation restricting portion that restricts elastic deformation of the elastic locking piece by being inserted between the elastic locking piece locked to the fixing member and the main body portion.

[0020] According to this configuration, the connector housing is provided with a protective wall adjacent to the elastic locking piece to protect it. For example, before the connector housing is fixed to the fixing member, this prevents unintended large forces from being applied to the elastic locking piece. Therefore, for example, damage to the elastic locking piece is suppressed. Furthermore, the protective wall has anti-rotation ribs that protrude in a direction intersecting the first axis and prevent the connector housing from rotating about the first axis relative to the fixing member. Therefore, rotation of the connector about the first axis relative to the fixing member is prevented. Since the anti-rotation ribs are provided on the protective wall, the structure of the connector housing can be simplified compared to, for example, when the anti-rotation ribs are provided separately in a different part from the protective wall. In other words, the protective wall with anti-rotation ribs serves to protect the elastic locking piece before the connector housing is fixed to the fixing member, and serves to prevent the connector from rotating once the connector housing is fixed to the fixing member. Furthermore, the add-on connector housing includes a deformation restricting part that is inserted between the elastic locking piece, which is locked to the fixing member, and the main body, thereby restricting the elastic deformation of the elastic locking piece. This prevents the elastic locking piece from being released from the fixing member. As a result, the connector is less likely to detach from the fixing member.

[0021] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the connector assemblies of this disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, some parts of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified for ease of explanation. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "parallel," "orthogonal," and "circular" include not only cases where they are strictly parallel, orthogonal, or circular, but also cases where they are approximately parallel, orthogonal, or circular within the range that produces the effects of this embodiment. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown in the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the claims are intended.

[0022] (Configuration of connector assembly 11) As shown in Figure 1, the connector assembly 11 comprises a connector 21 and an add-on connector 31 connected to the connector 21. The connector assembly 11 is for connecting, for example, a lamp (not shown) installed in a vehicle to an electric wire. In this embodiment, the lamp is connected to the connector 21 and fixed to a lamp body 41 which serves as a fixing member. The add-on connector 31 is connected to the electric wire and fitted onto the connector 21 fixed to the lamp body 41. In the figure, a first axis X, a second axis Y perpendicular to the first axis X, and a third axis Z perpendicular to both the first axis X and the second axis Y are shown. In this embodiment, the direction along the first axis X is sometimes referred to as the through direction or depth direction, the direction along the second axis Y is sometimes referred to as the width direction, and the direction along the third axis Z is sometimes referred to as the height direction.

[0023] (Configuration of lamp body 41) As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the lamp body 41 has a fixing hole 42 that penetrates along the first axis X. As shown in Figure 3, the fixing hole 42 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the direction along the first axis X. In this embodiment, when viewed from the direction along the first axis X, the longitudinal direction of the fixing hole 42 is the direction along the second axis Y, which is the width direction, and the short direction of the fixing hole 42 is the direction along the third axis Z, which is the height direction. The fixing hole 42 has a locking portion 44 and a positioning groove 45, etc., on a part of its inner wall surface 43.

[0024] (Configuration of connector 21) As shown in Figure 3, the connector 21 has a connector housing 22 and a plurality of terminals 23 held in the connector housing 22. The connector housing 22 is made of a resin material.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the connector housing 22 comprises a main body portion 24, a flange portion 25, a seating surface 26, an elastic locking piece 27, a positioning projection 28, and a protective wall 29. The main body portion 24 is designed to allow passage through a fixing hole 42 and is fixed to the lamp body 41 with the main body portion 24 passing through the fixing hole 42. As shown in Figure 3, the main body portion 24 has a rectangular shape when viewed from a direction along the first axis X. The main body portion 24 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape and holds a plurality of terminals 23 inside. In this embodiment, the plurality of terminals 23 are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 24 when viewed from a direction along the first axis X.

[0026] The flange portion 25 extends outward from the outer circumference of the main body portion 24 in a direction intersecting the first axis X. A rubber ring 51 is fitted around the flange portion 25 so as to be able to press against the inner wall surface 43 of the fixing hole 42.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the rubber ring 51 seals off water at the fixing hole 42 by pressing against the inner wall surface 43 of the fixing hole 42 while the connector housing 22 is fixed to the lamp body 41. Note that in Figure 4, the inside of the connector housing 22 is schematically shown, and the terminals 23 and other components are not shown.

[0028] The seating surface 26 is provided on the flange portion 25 and is a surface that can abut against the lamp body 41 along the first axis X. That is, the seating surface 26 is a surface on the flange portion 25 that extends outward from the outer circumference of the main body portion 24 and is perpendicular to the first axis X, and when the connector housing 22 is fixed to the lamp body 41, it abuts against the lamp body 41 in the direction along the first axis X.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the elastic locking piece 27 extends from the seating surface 26 along the first axis X and is capable of locking onto the ramp body 41. More specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the elastic locking piece 27 has an extended portion 27a that extends from the seating surface 26 along the first axis X while having a gap with the main body portion 24, and a claw portion 27b that protrudes from the tip of the extended portion 27a in a direction away from the main body portion 24. The elastic locking piece 27 is designed so that the extended portion 27a is elastically deformable. When the main body portion 24 is inserted into the fixing hole 42, the extended portion 27a of the elastic locking piece 27 is elastically deformed, and when the seating surface 26 abuts against the lamp body 41, the elastic deformation of the extended portion 27a is released, and the claw portion 27b is locked into the locking portion 44 of the lamp body 41.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the elastic locking piece 27 is positioned offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body 24 when viewed from the direction along the first axis X. In other words, the elastic locking piece 27 is positioned offset from the center in the width direction of the main body 24 along the second axis Y. Furthermore, the elastic locking piece 27 is provided on both sides in the short direction of the main body 24 when viewed from the direction along the first axis X. In other words, there are two elastic locking pieces 27 provided in the height direction along the third axis Z. And the two elastic locking pieces 27 in the height direction are positioned offset in the opposite direction from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body 24.

[0031] The positioning projection 28 is erected from a part of the main body 24. The positioning projection 28 is located offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body 24 when viewed from a direction along the first axis X, and is located on the side where the elastic locking piece 27 is not provided. The positioning projection 28 is located on only one side in the short direction of the main body 24 when viewed from a direction along the first axis X. The positioning projection 28 fits into the positioning groove 45 of the ramp body 41 when the main body 24 is inserted into the fixing hole 42, thereby preventing incorrect assembly.

[0032] The protective wall 29 is provided adjacent to the elastic locking piece 27 to protect the elastic locking piece 27. A pair of protective walls 29 are provided so as to sandwich the elastic locking piece 27. The protective wall 29 is erected from the main body 24 so as to cover the widthwise side of the extended portion 27a of the elastic locking piece 27. The protective wall 29 is formed in the direction along the first axis X from the seating surface 26 to a position beyond the tip of the elastic locking piece 27. The protective wall 29 prevents unintended large forces from being applied to the elastic locking piece 27 before the connector housing 22 is fixed to the lamp body 41.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2, 6, 7, and 8, the protective wall 29 has anti-rotation ribs 30. The anti-rotation ribs 30 protrude in a direction intersecting the first axis X to prevent the connector housing 22 from rotating about the first axis X relative to the ramp body 41.

[0034] In this embodiment, the anti-rotation rib 30 is provided on a protective wall 29 adjacent to one of the two elastic locking pieces 27. More specifically, the anti-rotation rib 30 is provided on the protective wall 29 on the side where the positioning projection 28 is not provided in the height direction along the third axis Z.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the anti-rotation ribs 30 protrude from each of the pair of protective walls 29, which are provided so as to sandwich the elastic locking piece 27, in the width direction along the second axis Y, and in a direction away from each other.

[0036] The anti-rotation rib 30 is provided at a position close to the seating surface 26 in the direction along the first axis X. In this embodiment, the anti-rotation rib 30 is provided at a position that connects to the seating surface 26 in a part of the direction along the first axis X. The anti-rotation rib 30 has an inclined surface 30a in which the amount of protrusion increases as it approaches the seating surface 26 from the end furthest from the seating surface 26.

[0037] As shown in Figure 8, in the lamp body 41, the pair of opposing contact surfaces 46 that the pair of anti-rotation ribs 30 will come into contact with are formed such that the gap between them widens slightly as they move towards the seating surface 26. In other words, the pair of contact surfaces 46 are tapered surfaces that widen slightly as they move in the direction from which the mold is removed during manufacturing.

[0038] The anti-rotation rib 30 prevents the connector housing 22 from rotating around the first axis X relative to the lamp body 41 by contacting the contact surface 46 while the connector housing 22 is fixed to the lamp body 41. In other words, the anti-rotation rib 30 prevents rattling in the rotational direction of the connector housing 22 around the first axis X relative to the lamp body 41.

[0039] (Configuration of the add-on connector 31) As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the add-on connector 31 has an add-on connector housing 32 and a plurality of terminals (not shown) held in the add-on connector housing 32. The add-on connector housing 32 is made of resin material.

[0040] The add-on connector housing 32 is designed to be fitted onto the connector housing 22, which is fixed to the lamp body 41. The terminals of the add-on connector 31 are connected to the terminals 23 of the connector 21 when the add-on connector housing 32 is fitted onto the connector housing 22.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the add-on connector housing 32 is equipped with a deformation restricting portion 33. The deformation restricting portion 33 is inserted between the elastic locking piece 27, which is locked to the lamp body 41, and the main body portion 24 when the add-on connector housing 32 is fitted onto the connector housing 22, thereby restricting the elastic deformation of the elastic locking piece 27.

[0042] Next, the operation of the connector assembly 11 configured as described above will be explained. As the main body 24 of the connector housing 22 is inserted into the fixing hole 42 of the lamp body 41 along the first axis X, the seating surface 26 provided on the flange portion 25 abuts against the lamp body 41. The elastic locking piece 27 then locks into the lamp body 41, fixing the connector 21 to the lamp body 41.

[0043] Furthermore, when the add-on connector housing 32 is fitted onto the connector housing 22, the terminals of the add-on connector 31 are connected to the terminals 23 of the connector 21, and the deformation restricting portion 33 is inserted between the elastic locking piece 27 and the main body portion 24. As a result, the elastic deformation of the elastic locking piece 27 is restricted, preventing the connector 21 from coming off the lamp body 41.

[0044] Next, the effects of the above embodiment are described below. (1) The connector housing 22 is provided with a protective wall 29 adjacent to the elastic locking piece 27 to protect the elastic locking piece 27. Therefore, for example, before fixing the connector housing 22 to the lamp body 41, it is prevented that an unintended large force will be applied to the elastic locking piece 27. Therefore, for example, damage to the elastic locking piece 27 is prevented.

[0045] Furthermore, the protective wall 29 has anti-rotation ribs 30 that protrude in a direction intersecting the first axis X, preventing the connector housing 22 from rotating about the first axis X relative to the lamp body 41. Thus, rotation of the connector 21 about the first axis X relative to the lamp body 41 is prevented. Since the anti-rotation ribs 30 are provided on the protective wall 29, the structure of the connector housing 22 can be simplified compared to, for example, a case where the anti-rotation ribs 30 are provided separately in a different part from the protective wall 29. In other words, the protective wall 29 with the anti-rotation ribs 30 serves to protect the elastic locking piece 27 before the connector housing 22 is fixed to the lamp body 41. Also, the protective wall 29 with the anti-rotation ribs 30 serves to prevent the connector 21 from rotating when the connector housing 22 is fixed to the lamp body 41.

[0046] (2) Since the protective walls 29 are provided in pairs so as to sandwich the elastic locking pieces 27, the application of unintended large forces to the elastic locking pieces 27 is further suppressed. Therefore, for example, damage to the elastic locking pieces 27 is further suppressed.

[0047] (3) Since the anti-rotation rib 30 is provided in a position close to the seating surface 26 in the direction along the first axis X, it is possible to suppress the anti-rotation rib 30 from sliding against the lamp body 41 more than necessary in the initial stage when inserting the main body 24 into the fixing hole 42. Therefore, for example, the assembly of the main body 24 into the fixing hole 42 is improved. Also, for example, wear of the anti-rotation rib 30 can be suppressed. Therefore, in the final stage when the seating surface 26 abuts against the lamp body 41, the anti-rotation rib 30 can be brought into good contact with the contact surface 46 of the lamp body 41, and rotation of the connector housing 22 around the first axis X relative to the lamp body 41 can be effectively prevented.

[0048] (4) The anti-rotation rib 30 has an inclined surface 30a in which the amount of protrusion increases from the end furthest from the seating surface 26 as it approaches the seating surface 26, which makes it easier to assemble the main body 24 by inserting it into the fixing hole 42.

[0049] (5) The elastic locking piece 27 and the protective wall 29 are positioned offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body 24 when viewed from a direction along the first axis X, thereby further preventing rotation of the connector 21 around the first axis X relative to the lamp body 41. That is, for example, even if rattle is suppressed to a small extent at the center position in the longitudinal direction of the main body 24, rattle will be increased at positions offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body 24. In contrast, since the elastic locking piece 27 and the protective wall 29 are positioned offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body 24, rattle at positions offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body 24 can be suppressed to a small extent, thereby further preventing rotation of the connector 21.

[0050] (6) A rubber ring 51 that can be pressed against the inner wall surface 43 of the fixing hole 42 is fitted around the flange portion 25, so that part is sealed off. With such a connector 21, if the connector 21 rotates around the first axis X, the pressure on the inner wall surface 43 of the fixing hole 42 may be partially weakened, which may worsen the water-sealing ability of the rubber ring 51. However, this can be avoided, so good water sealing can be maintained.

[0051] (7) The add-on connector housing 32 includes a deformation restricting portion 33 that is inserted between the elastic locking piece 27, which is locked to the lamp body 41, and the main body portion 24, thereby restricting the elastic deformation of the elastic locking piece 27. This prevents the elastic locking piece 27 from being released from its locking position on the lamp body 41. This prevents the connector 21 from coming off the lamp body 41.

[0052] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically. In the above embodiment, the protective wall 29 is provided in a pair so as to sandwich the elastic locking piece 27, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be provided on only one side of the elastic locking piece 27. That is, the anti-rotation rib 30 may be provided together with the protective wall 29 on only one side of the elastic locking piece 27.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the anti-rotation rib 30 is provided at a position close to the seating surface 26 in the direction along the first axis X of the protective wall 29, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be provided along the entire direction along the first axis X of the protective wall 29. Also, in the above embodiment, the anti-rotation rib 30 is provided at a position connected to the seating surface 26, but it is not limited to this, and it does not have to be connected to the seating surface 26.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the anti-rotation rib 30 has an inclined surface 30a that increases in protrusion from the end furthest from the seating surface 26 as it approaches the seating surface 26, but it is not limited to this, and it does not have to have an inclined surface 30a.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the elastic locking piece 27 and the protective wall 29 are provided at positions offset from the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body 24, but this is not limited to this. For example, either the elastic locking piece 27 or the protective wall 29 may be provided at the center position in the longitudinal direction of the main body 24.

[0056] In the above embodiment, a rubber ring 51 that can be pressed against the inner wall surface 43 of the fixing hole 42 is fitted around the flange portion 25, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, other parts may have water-stopping members of other structures.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the add-on connector housing 32 is provided with a deformation restricting portion 33 that restricts the elastic deformation of the elastic locking piece 27, but it is not limited to this, and a configuration without a deformation restricting portion 33 is also possible.

[0058] In the above embodiment, The anti-rotation rib 30 is Although it has been stated that the protective wall 29 is provided adjacent to one of the two elastic locking pieces 27, it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be provided on all of the protective walls 29.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the connector housing 22 is provided with two elastic locking pieces 27, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured to have only one elastic locking piece 27 or to have three or more.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the fixing member to which the connector housing 22 is fixed is the lamp body 41, but it is not limited to this and may be implemented as a fixing member other than the lamp body 41. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 11 Connector Assembly 21 Connectors 22 Connector Housing 23 terminals 24 Main body 25 Flange section 26 Seat surface 27 Elastic locking piece 27a Extension part 27b Claw part 28 Positioning protrusion 29 Protective Wall 30 Anti-rotation ribs 30a Slope 31. Aftermarket connector 32. Aftermarket connector housing 33 Deformation Control Section 41 Lamp body (fixing component) 42 Fixing hole 43 Interior wall surface 44 Locking part 45 Positioning groove 46 Contact surface 51 Rubber ring X 1st axis Y 2nd axis Z 3rd axis

Claims

1. A connector comprising a connector housing that is fixed to a fixing member having a fixing hole penetrating along a first axis, The connector housing is A main body portion through which the aforementioned fixing hole can pass, A flange portion extending outward from the main body in a direction intersecting the first axis, A seating surface provided on the flange portion, which can abut against the fixing member along the first axis, An elastic locking piece extending from the seating surface along the first axis and capable of locking with the fixing member, A protective wall provided adjacent to the elastic locking piece to protect the elastic locking piece, Equipped with, The protective wall has anti-rotation ribs that protrude in a direction intersecting the first axis and prevent the connector housing from rotating about the first axis relative to the fixing member. The anti-rotation rib is provided in a position close to the seating surface in a direction along the first axis. connector.

2. A connector comprising a connector housing that is fixed to a fixing member having a fixing hole penetrating along a first axis, The connector housing is A main body portion through which the aforementioned fixing hole can pass, A flange portion extending outward from the main body in a direction intersecting the first axis, A seating surface provided on the flange portion, which can abut against the fixing member along the first axis, An elastic locking piece extending from the seating surface along the first axis and capable of locking with the fixing member, A protective wall provided adjacent to the elastic locking piece to protect the elastic locking piece, Equipped with, The protective wall has anti-rotation ribs that protrude in a direction intersecting the first axis and prevent the connector housing from rotating about the first axis relative to the fixing member. The anti-rotation rib has an inclined surface in which the amount of protrusion increases from the end furthest from the seating surface towards the seating surface. connector.

3. A connector comprising a connector housing fixed to a fixing member having a fixing hole penetrating along a first axis, A connector assembly comprising: an add-on connector having an add-on connector housing that is fitted to the connector housing fixed to the fixing member, The connector housing is A main body portion through which the aforementioned fixing hole can pass, A flange portion extending outward from the main body in a direction intersecting the first axis, A seating surface provided on the flange portion, which can abut against the fixing member along the first axis, An elastic locking piece extending from the seating surface along the first axis and capable of locking with the fixing member, A protective wall provided adjacent to the elastic locking piece to protect the elastic locking piece, Equipped with, The protective wall has anti-rotation ribs that protrude in a direction intersecting the first axis and prevent the connector housing from rotating about the first axis relative to the fixing member. The aforementioned add-on connector housing is The system includes a deformation restricting portion that is inserted between the elastic locking piece, which is locked to the fixing member, and the main body, thereby restricting the elastic deformation of the elastic locking piece. Connector assembly.

Images