Connector device

Abstract

The present invention enables smooth fitting to a counterpart connector which is in an inclined orientation.　A connector device (10) comprises: a holder (11); a housing (20) which is fitted to a counterpart connector (50) from below the counterpart connector (50); and a fulcrum part (37) which, at one location on a lower surface (20S) of the housing (20), supports the housing (20) on the holder (11). The housing (20) is tiltable about the fulcrum part (37) in a two dimensional direction that intersects the direction of fitting to the counterpart connector (50). A first interference part (27), a second interference part (28), and third interference part (29) which surround the fulcrum part (37) along the entire periphery thereof in a plan view from above the housing (20) are provided to the housing (20).

Description

Connector device

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a floating connector that includes a slide housing with contacts attached and a base housing that holds the slide housing so that it can be relatively displaced in both the depth and width directions. This floating connector is capable of absorbing misalignment in two dimensions perpendicular to the mating direction during the mating process with a mating connector.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-093424

[0004] When the floating connector is mated with an inclined mating connector, it is difficult to correct the inclination, making it difficult for the floating connector to smoothly mate with an inclined mating connector.

[0005] The present disclosure was completed in light of the above circumstances, and has an object to enable smooth mating with a mating connector that is tilted.

[0006] The connector device of the present disclosure comprises a holder; a housing that is fitted to a mating connector from below the mating connector; and a fulcrum portion that supports the housing on the holder at one point on the underside of the housing, wherein the housing is tiltable around the fulcrum portion in a two-dimensional direction that intersects with the fitting direction with the mating connector, and the housing is provided with an interference portion that surrounds the fulcrum portion all around when viewed in a plan view from above.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to smoothly mate with a mating connector that is tilted.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector device of the first embodiment and the mating connector have been separated. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector device. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the connector device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the mating connector in an oblique position is pressing the interference portion. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the housing is tilted in the same direction as the mating connector. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 3 in the same state as FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the mating connector in an oblique position is pressing the interference portion. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the housing is tilted in the same direction as the mating connector. FIG. 11 is a rear view in the same state as FIG. 10.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. Any combination of the following 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 holder; a housing that is mated with a mating connector from below the mating connector; and a fulcrum portion that supports the housing on the holder at one location on the underside of the housing, wherein the housing is tiltable about the fulcrum portion in a two-dimensional direction that intersects with the mating direction of the mating connector, and the housing is provided with an interference portion that surrounds the fulcrum portion all around in a plan view of the housing viewed from above. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, since the interference portion surrounds the fulcrum portion all around in a plan view of the housing viewed from above, regardless of which portion of the interference portion the mating connector presses in the circumferential direction, the pressing force received by the interference portion from the mating connector acts on the housing as a moment force that swings the housing in the same direction as the mating connector. As a result, the housing tilts in the same direction as the mating connector, using the fulcrum portion as a fulcrum, so there is no risk of wrenching between the mating connector and the housing, and the housing can be smoothly mated with a tilted mating connector.

[0010] (2) It is preferable that the housing is capable of relative displacement with respect to the holder in a two-dimensional direction intersecting the mating direction with the mating connector. With this configuration, even if the mating connector is misaligned with the housing in the two-dimensional direction, the housing can absorb the misalignment of the mating connector by moving relative to the holder in the two-dimensional direction.

[0011] (3) In (2), it is preferable that the fulcrum portion is integrally formed on the lower surface of the housing, and the holder has a sliding surface that allows the fulcrum portion to slide in the two-dimensional direction. With this configuration, even if the housing moves in a two-dimensional direction that intersects the mating direction, the position of the fulcrum portion relative to the interference portion is kept constant. Therefore, even if the mating connector is misaligned in the two-dimensional direction, the housing can be tilted to the same position as the mating connector.

[0012] (4) In (1) to (3), at least one of the holder and the housing is preferably formed with an elastic retaining portion that can hold the housing in a neutral position facing the mating direction relative to the mating connector. With this configuration, the mating connector and the housing can be smoothly mated when the mating connector is not tilted.

[0013] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] [Example 1] A connector device 10 according to Example 1 embodying the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In Example 1, with regard to the front-to-back direction, the F direction in Figures 1, 2, and 4 to 8 is defined as the front. With regard to the up-down direction, the H direction in Figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 11 is defined as the up. With regard to the left-to-right direction, the R direction in Figures 1 to 4 and 9 to 11 is defined as the right.

[0014] The connector device 10 of the first embodiment is a device mounted on, for example, the chassis (not shown) of an automobile. The connector device 10 is fitted from below to a mating connector 50 mounted on the body (not shown) of the automobile. The mating connector 50 has female mating terminals (not shown). A guide portion 51 protruding toward the connector device 10 is formed on the surface (lower surface) of the mating connector 50 facing the connector device 10. The guide portion 51 has a guide surface 52 inclined with respect to the mating direction (up-down direction) with the mating connector 50. When the connector device 10 and the mating connector 50 are fitted together with a misalignment in a two-dimensional direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the mating direction, the guide surface 52 slides against the connector device 10, thereby correcting the misalignment in the two-dimensional directions (front-rear and left-right directions) between the connector device 10 and the mating connector 50.

[0015] The connector device 10 is configured by assembling a holder 11 fixed to a chassis, a housing 20, and male terminal fittings (not shown). The neutral position of the holder 11 and the housing 20 is defined as when the holder 11 and the housing 20 are facing each other directly without tilting relative to the mating connector 50. The holder 11 is made of synthetic resin and is a single component having a front wall 12, a pair of symmetrical side walls 13, and a bottom wall 14. The pair of side walls 13 extend rearward from both left and right edges of the front wall 12. The bottom wall 14 extends rearward from the lower edge of the front wall 12. Both left and right edges of the bottom wall 14 are connected perpendicularly to the lower edges of the left and right side walls 13. The upper surface of the bottom wall 14 is configured as a horizontal plane in the neutral position and functions as a sliding surface 15 that supports the housing 20.

[0016] A pair of symmetrical support grooves 16 are formed in the pair of side wall portions 13. The support grooves 16 extend in the front-rear direction and are open to the inner surface and rear end surface of the side wall portions 13. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the inner surface of the support groove 16 are flat and can serve as support surfaces 17 for stabilizing the posture of the housing 20. When the holder 11 and the housing 20 are facing the mating connector 50, the support surfaces 17 are perpendicular to the mating direction and extend in the front-rear direction (horizontal). A stopper 18 is formed on the upper surface of the inner surface of the support groove 16, protruding downward in a stepped shape.

[0017] The housing 20 is a single component made of synthetic resin and includes a terminal holding portion 21, a mating portion 22, and a wire cover 35. The terminal holding portion 21 is a rectangular parallelepiped portion. The mating portion 22 is a square tubular portion extending upward from the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 21. The wire cover 35 is a rectangular box-shaped portion connected to the lower surface of the terminal holding portion 21 and open at the rear. Male terminal fittings (not shown) are held in the terminal holding portion 21. Tabs for the terminal fittings are disposed within the mating portion 22. Electric wires (not shown) connected to multiple terminal fittings are bundled together to form a wire harness 39. The wire harness 39 is bent rearward inside the wire cover 35 and led out behind the wire cover 35.

[0018] In a plan view of the housing 20 viewed from above, the opening edge of the mating portion 22 has a rectangular shape with its long sides oriented in the left-right direction. A tapered guide slope 23 is formed around the entire upper end of the opening edge of the mating portion 22. The mating portion 22 is the portion into which the mating connector 50 is fitted from above. The mating portion 22 is composed of a front wall 24, a pair of left and right side walls 25, and a rear wall 26. The areas of the inner surface of the mating portion 22 below the guide slope 23 are defined as the "inner surface of the mating portion 22." The inner surfaces of the corners where the left and right end edges of the front wall 24 connect with the front edges of the side walls 25 and the corners where the left and right end edges of the rear wall 26 connect with the rear edges of the side walls 25 form quarter-circular arcs in a plan view. The four areas of the inner surface of the mating portion 22 other than the four corners are flat.

[0019] The inner surface of the fitting portion 22 functions as continuous interference portions 27 to 29 around its entire circumference. As shown in FIG. 4 , the interference portions 27 to 29 include a pair of first interference portions 27 that are symmetrical from front to back, a pair of second interference portions 28 that are symmetrical from left to right, and four third interference portions 29. The first interference portions 27 are formed by flat areas on the inner surfaces of the front wall 24 and the rear wall 26. The second interference portions 28 are formed by flat areas on the inner surfaces of the pair of left and right side walls 25. The third interference portions 29 are formed by quarter-circular arc areas on the inner surface of the fitting portion 22.

[0020] A pair of symmetrical protrusions 30 are formed on the outer surface of the side wall 25 of the fitting portion 22. The protrusions 30 are elongated in the front-to-rear direction as a whole. An upper elastic retaining portion 31 is formed on the upper surface of the protrusions 30, extending rearward in a cantilevered manner. A lower elastic retaining portion 32 is formed on the lower surface of the protrusions 30, extending forward in a cantilevered manner. The upper elastic retaining portion 31 and the lower elastic retaining portion 32 are capable of elastic displacement in the vertical direction.

[0021] A fulcrum portion 37 is formed on the bottom wall 36 of the wire cover 35. The fulcrum portion 37 is a portion that protrudes downward from the underside of the bottom wall 36. The fulcrum portion 37 has a hemispherical or nearly hemispherical shape consisting only of curved surfaces. In a plan view, the fulcrum portion 37 is located at the center of the housing 20, a position close to the center, a position coinciding with the center of gravity of the housing 20, or a position close to the center of gravity of the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 4 , in a plan view, the fulcrum portion 37 is located so as to be surrounded in all directions by the interference portions 27 to 29. The fulcrum portion 37 is located midway between the pair of first interference portions 27 in the front-rear direction. The fulcrum portion 37 is located midway between the pair of second interference portions 28 in the left-right direction. The fulcrum portion 37 is located midway between two opposing third interference portions 29 in the diagonal direction of the opening edge of the fitting portion 22.

[0022] When the housing 20 is attached to the holder 11, the fulcrum portion 37 rests on the sliding surface 15 of the bottom wall portion 14 of the holder 11, the pair of protrusions 30 are housed in the pair of support grooves 16, and the wire holding portion, fitting portion 22, and wire cover 35 of the housing 20 are housed inside the holder 11. When assembling the housing 20 to the holder 11, the protrusions 30 are inserted into the support grooves 16 from the rear of the holder 11. During the insertion process, the upper elastic holding portion 31 interferes with the stopper 18, causing elastic displacement of the upper elastic holding portion 31 and the lower elastic holding portion 32. When the upper elastic holding portion 31 passes through the stopper 18, assembly of the housing 20 to the holder 11 is complete. The rear end of the upper elastic holding portion 31 engages with the stopper 18, preventing the housing 20 from slipping out of the holder 11.

[0023] When the mating connector 50 and the connector device 10 are not mated, the housing 20 is held in a neutral position by the left and right upper elastic retaining portions 31 and the left and right lower elastic retaining portions 32 contacting the upper and lower support surfaces 17, 17 of the support groove 16. At this time, the upper elastic retaining portions 31 and the lower elastic retaining portions 32 may or may not be elastically deformed.

[0024] 3, 5, 6, and 9, the lower surface 20S of the housing 20 in the neutral position is parallel to the sliding surface 15, which is the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 14. When the housing 20 is in the neutral position, a first clearance 41 corresponding to the protruding dimension of the fulcrum portion 37 is secured between the lower surface 20S of the housing 20 and the sliding surface 15. Similarly, when the housing 20 is in the neutral position, as shown in FIG. 4, a second clearance 42 is secured between the front and both left and right outer surfaces of the outer periphery of the housing 20 and the front wall portion 12 and both left and right side wall portions 13 of the holder 11. The rear surface of the housing 20 is exposed to the rear outside of the holder 11. The upper elastic retaining portion 31 and the lower elastic retaining portion 32 are capable of elastic deformation in both the up and down directions within the support groove 16.

[0025] By providing the first clearance 41 and the second clearance 42, the housing 20 in a neutral position can tilt in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions with the lower end of the fulcrum portion 37 as a fulcrum. Furthermore, as the housing 20 tilts in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, the upper elastic retaining portion 31 and the lower elastic retaining portion 32 in the support groove 16 elastically deform while in contact with the support surface 17. The first clearance 41 allows the housing 20 to translate in the horizontal direction (front-to-back and left-to-right) relative to the holder 11. The direction of translation of the housing 20 is a two-dimensional direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the connector device 10 and the mating connector 50. When the housing 20 moves horizontally, the lower end of the fulcrum portion 37 slides on the sliding surface 15 of the holder 11, and the upper elastic retaining portion 31 and the lower elastic retaining portion 32 come into sliding contact with the support surface 17.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6 , when the mating connector 50 attempts to enter the mating portion 22 while tilted forward, the mating connector 50 interferes with the pair of front and rear first interference portions 27 and applies a pressing force to the housing 20 in the mating direction (downward). This pressing force generates a moment force in the housing 20 that tilts it forward around the fulcrum portion 37. The pair of front and rear first interference portions 27 to which the pressing force is applied are positioned at separate positions on either side of the fulcrum portion 37 in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, when the mating connector 50 presses the first interference portions 27 downward while tilted forward, the moment force generated in the housing 20 acts to tilt the housing 20 forward, so that the housing 20 tilts forward in the same manner as the mating connector 50, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 .

[0027] Even when the mating connector 50 attempts to enter the mating portion 22 with its posture tilted backward, the pressing force acting on the first interference portion 27 causes the housing 20 to tilt in the same direction as the mating connector 50, as described above. Therefore, whether the mating connector 50 is tilted forward or backward when mating is attempted, the mating of the mating connector 50 and the housing 20 proceeds smoothly.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 9 , when the mating connector 50 attempts to enter the mating portion 22 while tilted to the right, the mating connector 50 interferes with the pair of left and right second interference portions 28 and applies a pressing force to the housing 20 in the mating direction (downward). This pressing force generates a moment force in the housing 20 that tilts it to the right around the fulcrum portion 37. The pair of left and right second interference portions 28 to which the pressing force is applied are positioned at separate positions on either side of the fulcrum portion 37 in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the second interference portions 28 are pressed downward while the mating connector 50 is tilted to the right, the moment force generated in the housing 20 acts to tilt the housing 20 to the right, so that the housing 20 tilts to the right, just like the mating connector 50, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 .

[0029] Even when the mating connector 50 attempts to enter the mating portion 22 with its posture tilted to the left, the pressing force acting on the second interference portion 28 causes the housing 20 to tilt in the same direction as the mating connector 50, as described above. Therefore, whether the mating connector 50 is tilted to the left or right when mating is attempted, the mating of the mating connector 50 and the housing 20 proceeds smoothly.

[0030] When the mating connector 50 attempts to enter the mating portion 22 while tilted in both the front-rear and left-right directions, the mating connector 50 interferes with both the pair of front-rear first interference portions 27 and the pair of left-right second interference portions 28, and a pressing force in the mating direction (downward) is applied to the first interference portions 27 and the second interference portions 28. This pressing force generates a moment force in the housing 20 in a direction that tilts the housing 20 about the fulcrum portion 37. This moment force is a force that tilts the housing 20 in the same direction as the mating connector 50 in the front-rear and left-right directions, so the housing 20 tilts in the same direction as the mating connector 50.

[0031] The connector device 10 of the first embodiment includes a holder 11, a housing 20 that is mated with a mating connector 50 from below the mating connector 50, and a fulcrum portion 37. The fulcrum portion 37 is a portion that supports the housing 20 on the holder 11 at one location on the underside 20S of the housing 20 in a plan view. The housing 20 is tiltable around the fulcrum portion 37 in a two-dimensional direction (horizontal direction) that intersects with the mating direction with the mating connector 50. The housing 20 is provided with interference portions 27 to 29 that surround the entire periphery of the fulcrum portion 37 in a plan view of the housing 20 viewed from above.

[0032] According to the connector device 10 of the first embodiment, the interference portions 27-29 surround the entire periphery of the fulcrum portion 37 in a plan view of the housing 20 seen from above, so that even if the mating connector 50 presses any portion of the interference portions 27-29 in the circumferential direction, the pressing force received by the interference portions 27-29 from the mating connector 50 acts on the housing 20 as a moment force that swings the orientation of the housing 20 in the same direction as the mating connector 50. As a result, the orientation of the housing 20 tilts in the same direction as the mating connector 50, with the fulcrum portion 37 as the fulcrum, so there is no risk of wringing occurring between the mating connector 50 and the housing 20. Therefore, the connector device 10 can be smoothly mated with the tilted mating connector 50.

[0033] The housing 20 is capable of relative displacement with respect to the holder 11 in two-dimensional directions (front-rear and left-right directions) that intersect with the mating direction with the mating connector 50. With this configuration, even if the mating connector 50 is misaligned with respect to the housing 20 in the two-dimensional direction, the housing 20 can absorb the misalignment of the mating connector 50 by displacing relative to the holder 11 in the two-dimensional direction.

[0034] The fulcrum portion 37 is formed integrally with the lower surface 20S of the housing 20. The holder 11 has a sliding surface 15 that allows the fulcrum portion 37 to slide in two dimensions. With this configuration, even if the housing 20 moves in a two-dimensional direction that intersects with the mating direction, the position of the fulcrum portion 37 relative to the interference portions 27 to 29 remains constant. Therefore, even if the mating connector 50 is displaced in the two-dimensional direction, the orientation of the housing 20 can be tilted to the same orientation as the mating connector 50.

[0035] When the housing 20 is not tilted relative to the mating connector 50 and is positioned facing the mating direction with the mating connector 50, this position is defined as the neutral position of the housing 20. The housing 20 is formed with elastic retaining portions 31, 32 that can maintain the position of the housing 20 in the neutral position. With this configuration, the mating connector 50 and the housing 20 can be smoothly mated with each other when the mating connector 50 is not tilted.

[0036] 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 within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, including the following embodiments. The fulcrum portion is not limited to a downward protrusion formed on the underside of the housing, but may be an upward protrusion formed on the holder. The fulcrum portion is not limited to a shape that makes point contact with the holder, but may be a truncated cone or other cone-shaped shape with a flat portion that can make surface contact with the holder. In this case, the housing can be held in a neutral position by making the flat portion surface-contact with the holder. The fulcrum portion may be formed integrally with the holder. The planar shape of the interference portion is not limited to a rectangle, but may be a circle, an oval, an ellipse, or the like. The housing may be a combination of multiple parts. The elastic holding portion may be formed on the holder. The wire cover may be a separate part from the terminal holding portion and the fitting portion.

[0037] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Connector device 11...Holder 12...Front wall portion 13...Side wall portion 14...Bottom wall portion 15...Sliding surface 16...Support groove 17...Support surface 18...Stopper 20...Housing 20S...Underside of housing 21...Terminal holding portion 22...Fitting portion 23...Guiding slope 24...Front wall 25...Side wall 26...Rear wall 27...First interference portion 28...Second interference portion 29...Third interference portion 30...Protrusion portion 31...Upper elastic holding portion 32...Lower elastic holding portion 35...Wire cover 36...Bottom wall 37...Fulcrum portion 39...Wire harness 41...First clearance 42...Second clearance 50...Mating connector 51...Guiding portion 52...Guiding surface

Claims

1. A connector device comprising: a holder; a housing that is mated with a mating connector from below the mating connector; and a fulcrum portion that supports the housing on the holder at one location on the underside of the housing, wherein the housing is tiltable around the fulcrum portion in a two-dimensional direction that intersects with the mating direction with the mating connector, and the housing is provided with an interference portion that surrounds the fulcrum portion all around when viewed in a plan view from above.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is capable of relative displacement with respect to the holder in a two-dimensional direction intersecting the direction of mating with the mating connector.

3. A connector device as described in claim 2, wherein the fulcrum portion is formed integrally with the lower surface of the housing, and the holder has a sliding surface that allows the fulcrum portion to slide in the two-dimensional direction.

4. A connector device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the holder and the housing is formed with an elastic retaining portion capable of maintaining the housing in a neutral position facing the mating direction relative to the mating connector.

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