Connector device

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of absorbing any rotation-direction positional displacement and any linear positional displacement with respect to a mating connector.　A connector device (A) comprises a rectangular terminal-holding member (10) that is fitted to a mating connector (B), and a rectangular first member (26) that surrounds the terminal-holding member (10). The terminal-holding member (10) and the first member (26) have guide portions (31) that enable relative movement along a side-surface portion (14) and a first side-wall portion (29), which are two parallel sides of a rectangle configured by the terminal-holding member (10) and the first member (26). The guide portions (31) have a pair of guide ribs (30) that are formed on the first side-wall portion (29) of the first member (26), a spring portion (20) that is provided to the side-surface portion (14) of the terminal-holding member (10) and is capable of elastically contacting the first member (26), and a locking protrusion (16) that is provided to the side-surface portion (14) of the terminal-holding member (10) and is disposed so as to sandwich the guide ribs (30) together with the spring portion (20).

Description

Connector device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connector assembly in which a pair of floating panel mounts are provided on a housing. When this electrical connector assembly is attached to a panel, the housing can be rotated in a plane parallel to the panel.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-24983

[0004] The above-described electrical connector assembly allows the housing to be rotated, but does not have a structure for linearly displacing the housing relative to the panel.

[0005] The floating connector of the present disclosure was developed based on the above circumstances, and aims to be able to absorb not only rotational misalignment but also linear misalignment.

[0006] The connector device of the present disclosure comprises a square terminal holding member that is fitted into a mating connector, and a square tubular member that surrounds the terminal holding member, wherein the terminal holding member and the tubular member have guide portions that enable the terminal holding member and the tubular member to move relative to each other along two parallel sides that form the square, and the guide portions have: a pair of guide ribs formed on the two sides of one of the terminal holding member and the tubular member; spring portions provided on the two sides of the other of the terminal holding member and the tubular member and capable of elastically abutting against the one member; and locking protrusions provided on the two sides of the other member and positioned so as to sandwich the guide ribs between the spring portions.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to absorb rotational misalignment and linear misalignment with the mating connector.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector device of the first embodiment, viewed from diagonally above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector device and the mating connector, viewed from diagonally below, in a state before mating. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the terminal holding member, viewed from diagonally above. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the terminal holding member, viewed from diagonally below. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first member (rectangular tubular member), viewed from diagonally above. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first member (rectangular tubular member), viewed from diagonally below. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second member, viewed from diagonally above. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second member, viewed from diagonally below. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the connector device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y, showing a state in which the terminal holding member has been displaced forward relative to the first member (rectangular tubular member). FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which the terminal holding member has been displaced clockwise relative to the rectangular tubular member. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the shape of the front spring portion in the state of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the shape of the right spring portion in Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the shape of the left spring portion in Fig. 14.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. Any combination of the following exemplary embodiments, provided no contradictions exist, is also included in the embodiments for carrying out the invention. The connector device of the present disclosure includes: (1) a rectangular terminal holding member that is mated with a mating connector; and a rectangular tubular member that surrounds the terminal holding member. The terminal holding member and the tubular member have guide portions that allow the terminal holding member and the tubular member to move relative to each other along two parallel sides that form the rectangle. The guide portions have a pair of guide ribs formed on the two sides of one of the terminal holding member and the tubular member, spring portions provided on the two sides of the other of the terminal holding member and the tubular member and capable of elastically abutting against the one of the members, and locking protrusions provided on the two sides of the other member and positioned to sandwich the guide ribs between the spring portions.

[0010] According to the configuration of the present disclosure, the guide rib is sandwiched between the spring portion and the locking protrusion, thereby holding the terminal holding member and the rectangular tubular member in an assembled state. Positional deviations between the mating connector and the terminal holding member in a direction parallel to the two sides are absorbed by the terminal holding member and the rectangular tubular member relatively displacing parallel to the guide rib. Positional deviations in the rotational direction between the mating connector and the terminal holding member are absorbed by the terminal holding member and the rectangular tubular member relatively displacing in the rotational direction while elastically deforming the spring portions provided on the two sides. According to the present disclosure, not only rotational positional deviations but also linear positional deviations can be absorbed.

[0011] (2) When the terminal holding member and the rectangular tube member are in a neutral position, it is preferable that all of the spring portions are elastically deformed. With this configuration, rattle between the terminal holding member and the rectangular tube member in the neutral position can be prevented.

[0012] (3) In (2), it is preferable that the spring portion has a cantilevered shape extending from the other member toward the guide rib in a direction parallel to the mating direction of the mating connector, and that the extending end surface of the spring portion is inclined so as to move away from the guide rib from the one member toward the other member when the spring portion is not elastically deformed. With this configuration, when the spring portion is pressed against the guide rib from the not elastically deformed state, the extending end surface of the spring portion can be prevented from slipping off the guide rib.

[0013] (4) In (1) to (3), it is preferable that the four spring portions are formed on the terminal holding member and are arranged at both ends of the two sides of the terminal holding member in the longitudinal direction. With this configuration, when the terminal holding member and the rectangular tube member are displaced relative to each other parallel to the two sides, relative rotation between the terminal holding member and the rectangular tube member can be suppressed.

[0014] (5) In (4), when the amount of relative displacement between the terminal holding member and the rectangular tubular member in the rotational direction is at its maximum, it is preferable that the four spring portions overlap with the guide ribs when viewed in the direction of fitting to the mating connector. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the spring portions from coming off the guide ribs when the amount of relative displacement between the terminal holding member and the rectangular tubular member in the rotational direction is at its maximum.

[0015] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] [Example 1] Example 1 embodying the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In Example 1, with regard to the front-to-back direction, the F direction in FIGS. 1 to 9 and 11 to 13 is defined as the front. With regard to the up-down direction, the H direction in FIGS. 1 to 8, 10, and 14 to 16 is defined as the up. With regard to the left-to-right direction, the R direction in FIGS. 1 to 16 is defined as the right.

[0016] The connector device A of this embodiment 1 is attached to a plate-shaped support member P and is mated with a mating connector B attached to a mating support member M. In this embodiment 1, the mating connector B is disposed above the connector device A, and the mating connector B and the connector device A are mated by approaching each other in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, the mating direction between the connector device A and the mating connector B will be simply referred to as the "mating direction."

[0017] The mating connector B has a housing main body 50 and female mating terminals (not shown) housed within the housing main body 50. A guide portion 51 that protrudes toward the connector device A is formed on the surface (bottom surface) of the housing main body 50 facing the connector device A. The guide portion 51 has a guide surface 52 that is inclined with respect to the mating direction. When the mating connector B and the connector device A are mated while misaligned in a two-dimensional direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the mating direction, the guide surface 52 slides against the opening edge of the connector device A, thereby correcting the misalignment between the mating connector B and the connector device A in the two-dimensional directions (front-back and left-right directions).

[0018] The connector device A is configured to include a terminal holding member 10, a plurality of male terminal fittings 24 (see FIG. 10 ), and a holder 25. The terminal holding member 10 is rectangular with a mating recess 11 formed on its upper surface (the surface facing the mating connector B). That is, when viewed from above, the terminal holding member 10 is rectangular. The terminal holding member 10 has a front surface 12, a rear surface 13, and a pair of left and right side surfaces 14. A plurality of terminal fittings 24 are attached to the terminal holding member 10.

[0019] The opening edge of the mating recess 11 in the terminal holding member 10 is rectangular. The front surface 12, rear surface 13, and upper ends of both left and right side surfaces 14 form the opening edge of the mating recess 11. A first holding protrusion 15 is formed on each of the left and right outer surfaces of the terminal holding member 10. The first holding protrusion 15 has an elongated shape that extends vertically (in a direction parallel to the mating direction) and is located at the center of the terminal holding member 10 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0020] Of the front surface 12, rear surface 13, and left and right side surface portions 14 that constitute the fitting recess 11, the pair of left and right side surface portions 14 that extend in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view are two parallel sides that constitute the rectangular shape of the terminal holding member 10. Locking protrusions 16 are formed on the upper edge portions of the left and right side surface portions 14. The locking protrusions 16 are elongated in the front-to-rear direction and have a rib-like shape that protrudes in the left-to-right direction from the outer surface of the terminal holding member 10 (side surface portions 14). First sliding surfaces 17 that are curved so as to bulge downward in a side view viewed from the left-to-right direction are formed on both front and rear ends of the underside of the locking protrusions 16.

[0021] A pair of spring portions 20 are formed at the front and rear ends of each of the left and right side surface portions 14 of the terminal holding member 10, spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Each spring portion 20 extends upward in a cantilevered manner from the outer surface of the terminal holding member 10 (the outer surface of the side surface portion 14) along the side surface portion 14. Each spring portion 20 has a plate-shaped main body portion 21 and a head portion 22. The plate-shaped main body portion 21 is plate-shaped with its thickness oriented in the left-right direction. The head portion 22 protrudes from the upper end of the plate-shaped main body portion 21 toward the opposite side (outer surface side) from the side surface portion 14. The upper end surface of the plate-shaped main body portion 21 and the upper surface of the head portion 22 form a locking surface 23 that is flush with the surface.

[0022] The locking surface 23 (the extending end surface of the spring portion 20) is disposed opposite the first sliding contact surface 17 on the underside of the locking protrusion 16 with a gap therebetween. The spring portion 20 is elastically deformable so as to tilt in the left-right direction (the direction in which it moves away from or toward the outer surface of the terminal holding member 10). Figures 10, 14 to 16 are front views of the terminal holding member 10 and the spring portion 20 as seen from the front. The front view direction is perpendicular to both the mating direction (up-down direction) and the elastic deformation direction of the spring portion 20 (left-right direction). When the spring portion 20 is not elastically deformed, as shown in Figure 15, the locking surface 23 is inclined in the left-right direction (the elastic deformation direction of the spring portion 20) so that it becomes lower as it approaches the side portion 14. 16, when the spring portion 20 is elastically deformed so as to tilt toward the side surface portion 14, the locking surface 23 is inclined so as to become lower in the left-right direction the closer it is to the side surface portion 14, just like when it is not elastically deformed. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the greater the amount of elastic deformation of the spring portion 20 toward the side surface portion 14 (the tilt of the spring portion 20), the greater the tilt angle θ of the locking surface 23 in the left-right direction.

[0023] The holder 25 is comprised of a first member 26 and a second member 40, which are molded as separate components. The first member 26 is a single member having a rectangular shape in a plan view. The first member 26 is a square tubular member having a box shape with open top and bottom surfaces, and completely surrounds the terminal holding member 10. The first member 26 has a first front wall 27, a first rear wall 28, and a pair of left and right first side walls 29. The first member 26 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. Of the four walls 27, 28, and 29 that make up the first member 26, the pair of left and right first side walls 29 extending in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view are two parallel sides that make up the rectangle of the first member 26.

[0024] Guide ribs 30 extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the upper ends of the inner surfaces of both the left and right first side wall portions 29. The guide ribs 30 are formed continuously over the entire length of the first side wall portions 29 in the front-rear direction. The pair of left and right guide ribs 30, the pair of left and right locking protrusions 16, and the four spring portions 20 constitute a guide portion 31. A first retaining plate portion 32 that is elastically deformable in the left-right direction is formed in the center of the guide rib 30 in the front-rear direction. A first retaining portion 33 that has an uneven shape in a plan view is formed on the inner surface of the first retaining plate portion 32. The first retaining portion 33 is located in the center of the first side wall portions 29 in the front-rear direction.

[0025] A pair of protrusions 34 is formed on each of the left and right ends of the first front wall portion 27 and the left and right ends of the second rear wall portion 42. The protrusions 34 are disposed in the vertical center of the first front wall portion 27 and the first rear wall portion 28, and protrude from the outer surfaces of the first front wall portion 27 and the first rear wall portion 28. A second sliding surface 35 is formed on the lower surface of the protrusion 34, and is curved so as to bulge downward in a front view of the first member 26 viewed from the front.

[0026] A second retaining plate 36 is formed at the left-right center of the first front wall 27 and the left-right center of the first rear wall 28. The second retaining plate 36 is disposed at the upper end of the first front wall 27 and the upper end of the first rear wall 28. A second retaining protrusion 37 is formed on the outer surface of the second retaining plate 36. The second retaining plate 36 is configured to be elastically deformable in a curved form in the front-rear direction.

[0027] The second member 40 is a single member having a rectangular shape in a plan view, similar to the first member 26. The second member 40 has a second front wall portion 41, a second rear wall portion 42, and a pair of left and right second side wall portions 43, and is box-shaped with both top and bottom surfaces open. The second member 40 is large enough to surround the first member 26 in a plan view. Guide grooves 44 extending in the left-right direction are formed on the inner surfaces of the second front wall portion 41 and the second rear wall portion 42, respectively.

[0028] A pair of left and right guide grooves 45 are formed on the inner surface of each of the second front wall portion 41 and the second rear wall portion 42. The guide grooves 45 extend in the vertical direction. The lower ends of the guide grooves 45 open to the lower surface of the second member 40. The upper end of the right guide groove 45 communicates with a position to the right of the center in the horizontal direction of the guide groove 44. The upper end of the left guide groove 45 communicates with the left end of the guide groove 44. The left-right distance between the right and left guide grooves 45 is the same as the left-right distance between the pair of protrusions 34.

[0029] A second holding portion 46 having an uneven shape in a plan view is formed in the left-right central portion of the inner surface of the second front wall portion 41 and the left-right central portion of the inner surface of the second rear wall portion 42. The second holding portion 46 is disposed at the upper end portion of the second member 40.

[0030] Next, the assembly procedure for the connector device A will be described. The terminal holding member 10 is assembled by fitting it into the interior of the first member 26 from above. During the fitting process, the four spring portions 20 slide against the guide ribs 30, elastically deforming to approach the side surface portions 14. When the locking projections 16 abut the upper surfaces of the guide ribs 30, the spring portions 20 elastically return to their original position and come close to and face the lower surfaces of the guide ribs 30, with the guide ribs 30 sandwiched vertically between the locking projections 16 and the spring portions 20. As a result, the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 can move relative to each other in the front-to-rear direction, but their relative movement in the up-and-down direction is restricted.

[0031] When the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 are assembled, if the first holding protrusion 15 and the first holding portion 33 are not locked, the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 are displaced relative to each other in the front-to-rear direction to lock the first holding protrusion 15 and the first holding portion 33. When the first holding protrusion 15 and the first holding portion 33 are locked, the front-to-rear center of the terminal holding member 10 and the front-to-rear center of the first member 26 coincide with each other, and the terminal holding member 10 is held in a neutral position in the front-to-rear direction relative to the first member 26. This completes the assembly of the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26.

[0032] When the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 are assembled, the four spring portions 20 are in elastic contact with the inner surface of the first side wall portion 29 of the first member 26. That is, the spring portions 20 tilt the plate-shaped main body portion 21 toward the side surface portion 14, and elastically deform with the head portion 22 in contact with the first side wall portion 29. The four spring portions 20 are symmetrical in size, shape, and arrangement, so the amount of elastic deformation of the four spring portions 20 is the same. When the mating connector B and the connector device A (terminal holding member 10) are not mated, the four spring portions 20 elastically contact the first side wall portion 29, thereby holding the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 in a neutral position in the left-right direction.

[0033] After the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 are assembled, the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 are fitted into the interior of the second member 40 from below. At this time, the four protrusions 34 are fitted into the four guide grooves 45. Then, after the protrusions 34 reach the guide grooves 44, the first member 26 is moved rightward relative to the second member 40, and the protrusions 34 are fitted into the guide grooves 44. As a result, the first member 26 and the terminal holding member 10 are able to move relative to the second member 40 in the left-right direction, but are restricted from moving relative to each other in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

[0034] When the first member 26 and the second member 40 are assembled, if the second holding protrusion 37 and the second holding portion 46 are not locked, the first member 26 and the second member 40 are displaced relative to each other in the left-right direction to lock the second holding protrusion 37 and the second holding portion 46. Locking the second holding protrusion 37 and the second holding portion 46 causes the left-right center of the first member 26 to coincide with the left-right center of the second member 40, and the first member 26 is held in a neutral position relative to the second member 40. This completes the assembly of the terminal holding member 10, the first member 26, and the second member 40, i.e., the assembly of the connector device A. Alternatively, the first member 26 and the second member 40 may be assembled first, and then the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 may be assembled.

[0035] The mating connector B and the connector device A are mated by vertically approaching the plate-shaped support member P and the mating support member M. When the mating connector B and the connector device A are mated, if there is any misalignment between the mating connector B and the terminal holding member 10 in the front-to-back or left-to-right direction, the misalignment is absorbed as follows.

[0036] If the terminal holding member 10 is misaligned in the front-to-rear direction relative to the mating connector B, the guide surface 52 of the mating connector B presses the terminal holding member 10 forward or backward while sliding against the opening edge on the top surface of the terminal holding member 10. This pressing force elastically deforms the first holding plate portion 32, disengages the first holding protrusion 15 from the first holding portion 33, and relatively displaces the terminal holding member 10 in the front-to-rear direction from the neutral position on the first member 26. At this time, the first sliding contact surface 17 of the locking protrusion 16 slides against the top surface of the guide rib 30. Because the first sliding contact surface 17 is curved, frictional resistance between the first sliding contact surface 17 and the locking protrusion 16 is kept small.

[0037] If the terminal holding member 10 is misaligned in the left-right direction relative to the mating connector B, the guide surface 52 of the mating connector B presses the terminal holding member 10 to the left or right while sliding against the opening edge on the top surface of the terminal holding member 10. This pressing force elastically deforms the second holding plate 36, disengages the second holding protrusion 37 from the second holding portion 46, and relatively displaces the first member 26 in the left-right direction from the neutral position of the second member 40. At this time, the second sliding contact surface 35 of the protrusion 34 slides against the inner surface of the guide groove 44. Because the second sliding contact surface 35 is curved, frictional resistance between the second sliding contact surface 35 and the inner surface of the guide groove 44 is kept small.

[0038] Furthermore, if the terminal holding member 10 is misaligned in both the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions relative to the mating connector B, the terminal holding member 10 will be displaced relative to the first member 26 in the front-to-rear direction, and the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 will be displaced relative to the second member 40 in the left-to-right direction. As a result, the misalignment between the mating connector B and the terminal holding member 10 is absorbed, and the mating terminal (not shown) and the terminal fitting 24 are connected.

[0039] Furthermore, if the terminal holding member 10 is misaligned relative to the mating connector B so that it rotates in a planar view, the guide surface 52 of the mating connector B will slide against the opening edge on the top surface of the terminal holding member 10 and press in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in a planar view.

[0040] This pressure causes the first holding plate 32 to elastically deform, the first holding protrusion 15 to come off the first holding portion 33, and the terminal holding member 10 to be displaced in the front-to-rear direction from the neutral position on the first member 26. At the same time, the terminal holding member 10 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the first member 26.

[0041] 13 , when the terminal holding member 10 is displaced clockwise relative to the first member 26, the rear end of the right side surface portion 14 approaches the right first side wall portion 29 and the front end of the left side surface portion 14 approaches the left first side wall portion 29, so that the amount of elastic deformation of the spring portion 20 arranged at the rear end of the right side surface portion 14 and the spring portion 20 arranged at the front end of the left side surface portion 14 increases. On the other hand, the front end of the right side surface portion 14 moves away from the right first side wall portion 29 and the rear end of the left side surface portion 14 moves away from the left first side wall portion 29, so that the spring portion 20 arranged at the front end of the right side surface portion 14 and the spring portion 20 arranged at the rear end of the left side surface portion 14 are in a free state where they are not elastically deformed.

[0042] 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the spring portion 20 located at the front end of the left side surface portion 14 has undergone large elastic deformation, while the spring portion 20 located at the front end of the right side surface portion 14 has become free. In this state, the locking surface 23 of the left spring portion 20 is in a position where it can be locked onto the guide rib 30 from below, and the right end of the locking surface 23 of the right spring portion 20 is also in a position where it can be locked onto the guide rib 30 from below. Because the left and right locking projections 16 and the four spring portions 20 are positioned so as to sandwich the guide rib 30 from above and below, the terminal holding member 10 does not move vertically relative to the first member 26. As a result, rotational misalignment between the mating connector B and the terminal holding member 10 is absorbed.

[0043] The connector device A of the first embodiment includes a rectangular terminal holding member 10 that is mated with a mating connector B, and a rectangular first member 26 that surrounds the terminal holding member 10. The terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 have guide portions 31. The guide portions 31 allow the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 to move relative to each other along two parallel sides (the side surface portion 14 and the first side wall portion 29) that form the rectangular shape of the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 in a plan view. The guide portion 31 includes a pair of symmetrical guide ribs 30, four symmetrical spring portions 20, and a pair of symmetrical locking protrusions 16. The pair of guide ribs 30 are formed on the two parallel sides (the first side wall portion 29) of the first member 26. The spring portions 20 are provided on both the left and right side surface portions 14 of the terminal holding member 10 and are capable of elastically abutting against the first member 26. The pair of locking projections 16 are provided on both the left and right side surfaces 14 of the terminal holding member 10 and are arranged so as to sandwich the guide rib 30 between the spring portion 20 and the locking projections 16 .

[0044] According to the connector device A of the first embodiment, the guide rib 30 is sandwiched between the spring portion 20 and the locking protrusion 16, thereby holding the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 in an assembled state. Misalignment between the mating connector B and the terminal holding member 10 in a direction parallel to the side surface portion 14 and the first side wall portion 29 is absorbed by the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 relatively displacing parallel to the guide rib 30. Misalignment in the rotational direction between the mating connector B and the terminal holding member 10 in a plan view is absorbed by the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 relatively displacing in the rotational direction while elastically deforming the spring portion 20 provided on the side surface portion 14 of the terminal holding member 10. The connector device A of the first embodiment can absorb not only misalignment in the rotational direction but also linear misalignment.

[0045] When the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 are in a neutral position, all four spring portions 20, i.e., all spring portions 20, are elastically deformed. This configuration prevents rattle between the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 in the neutral position. The spring portions 20 extend in a cantilevered manner from the terminal holding member 10 toward the guide rib 30 parallel to the mating direction with the mating connector B. When the spring portions 20 are not elastically deformed, the extending end faces (locking surfaces 23) of the spring portions 20 are inclined from the first side wall portion 29 of the first member 26 toward the side surface portion 14 of the terminal holding member 10 so as to move away from the lower surface of the guide rib 30. This configuration prevents the extending end faces of the spring portions 20 from slipping off the guide rib 30 when the spring portions 20 are pressed against the guide rib 30 from a state in which they are not elastically deformed.

[0046] The four spring portions 20 are formed on the terminal holding member 10 and are arranged at both ends of the left and right side surface portions 14 of the terminal holding member 10 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). With this configuration, relative rotation between the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 can be suppressed when the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 relatively displace in the front-rear direction parallel to the side surface portions 14 and the first side wall portion 29. When the amount of relative displacement between the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 in the rotational direction is at its maximum, the four spring portions 20 overlap with the guide rib 30 in a plan view seen in the direction of mating with the mating connector B. With this configuration, the spring portions 20 can be prevented from coming off the guide rib 30 when the amount of relative displacement between the terminal holding member 10 and the first member 26 in the rotational direction is at its maximum.

[0047] Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, but is defined by the claims. The present invention includes all modifications equivalent to the claims and within the scope of the claims, including the following embodiments. The number of spring portions provided on one of the two sides on which a guide rib is formed may be one or three or more. The number of spring portions provided on one of the two sides on which a guide rib is formed may be different from the number of spring portions provided on the other side. The spring portions may not elastically deform when the terminal holding member and the rectangular tubular member are in a neutral position. The spring portions may be located at positions other than both longitudinal ends of the two sides. The guide rib may be formed on the terminal holding member, and the spring portions may be formed on the rectangular tubular member. The guide rib may be formed on the rectangular tubular member, and the spring portions may be formed on both the terminal holding member and the rectangular tubular member. A configuration may be adopted in which some of the four spring portions disengage from the guide rib when the relative displacement between the terminal holding member and the rectangular tubular member in the rotational direction is maximized.

[0048] A...Connector device B...Mating connector M...Mating support member P...Plate-shaped support member θ...Tilt angle 10...Terminal holding member 11...Fitting recess 12...Front surface 13...Rear surface 14...Side surface (two parallel sides constituting a rectangle) 15...First holding projection 16...Latching protrusion 17...First sliding surface 20...Spring portion 21...Plate-shaped main body 22...Head portion 23...Latching surface (extending end surface of spring portion) 24...Terminal fitting 25...Holder 26...First member 27...First front wall portion 28...First rear wall portion 29...First side wall portion (two parallel sides constituting a rectangle) 30...Guide rib 31...Guide portion 32...First holding plate portion 33...First holding portion 34...Protrusion portion 35...Second sliding surface 36...Second holding plate portion 37: Second holding protrusion 40: Second member 41: Second front wall portion 42: Second rear wall portion 43: Second side wall portion 44: Guide groove 45: Lead-in groove 46: Second holding portion 50: Housing main body 51: Guide portion 52: Guide surface

Claims

1. A connector device comprising: a rectangular terminal holding member which is fitted into a mating connector; and a rectangular angular tube member which surrounds the terminal holding member, wherein the terminal holding member and the angular tube member have guide portions which enable the terminal holding member and the angular tube member to move relatively along two parallel sides which constitute the rectangle, and the guide portions have: a pair of guide ribs formed on the two sides of one of the terminal holding member and the angular tube member, a spring portion which is provided on the two sides of the other of the terminal holding member and the angular tube member and is capable of elastically abutting against the one of the members, and a locking protrusion which is provided on the two sides of the other member and is positioned so as to sandwich the guide ribs between the spring portion and the guide ribs.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein all of said spring portions are elastically deformed when said terminal holding member and said rectangular tube member are in a neutral position.

3. A connector device as described in claim 2, wherein the spring portion extends in a cantilever shape from the other member toward the guide rib parallel to the mating direction into the mating connector, and the extending end face of the spring portion is inclined so as to move away from the guide rib from the one member side toward the other member side when the spring portion is not elastically deformed.

4. A connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the four spring portions are formed on the terminal holding member and are arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two sides of the terminal holding member.

5. A connector device as described in claim 4, wherein when the relative displacement between the terminal holding member and the rectangular tube member in the rotational direction is at its maximum, the four spring portions overlap with the guide ribs when viewed in the direction of fitting into the mating connector.

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