Fitting connector

A fitting connector includes: a first connector; a second connector; a detection member that is relatively movable to a main locking position with respect to a housing when the housings are completely fitted to each other and is locked to the housing at the main locking position; and first and second holding structures which keep the completely fitted state, in which the first holding structure includes a first locking holder for the housing with a locking portion and a second locking holder provided in the counterpart housing and entering the locking portion to regulate the relative movement between the housings in the completely fitted state, in which the second locking holder includes a protrusion portion entering the locking portion and a flexible portion capable of moving the protrusion portion in a direction opposite to the insertion direction toward the locking portion while being bent.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-019947 filed in Japan on Feb. 6, 2017.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fitting connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there has been known a fitting connector including two connectors such as a female connector and a male connector to be fitted to each other and electrically connecting both terminals when the two connectors are fitted to each other. In the fitting connectors, a holding structure is provided between housings thereof to keep a fitted state between the housings of the connectors in a completely fitted state. The holding structure is used to keep the housings in the completely fitted state by engaging locking and holding portions respectively provided in the housings. For example, as the holding structure, a lock structure in which a claw portion or the like is locked to a counterpart member is used. This kind of fitting connector is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 5653150.

Incidentally, a holding force required for the holding structure is different in response to the use environment or the like of the fitting connector. For example, when the holding force is increased to keep the completely fitted state, the locking and holding portions of the holding structure are increased in size or the number of the holding structure arrangement positions is increased. However, the fitting connector has concern that the workability at the time of inserting and extracting the connectors (the workability at the time of fitting the connectors or the workability at the time of releasing the fitted state between the connectors) may degrade in accordance with an increase in holding force. Further, the holding force needs to be kept.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a fitting connector capable of increasing a holding force for keeping a completely fitted state and keeping the holding force while preventing degradation in workability at the time of inserting and extracting a connector.

In order to achieve the above mentioned object, a fitting connector according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first connector that includes a terminal and a housing holding the terminal; a second connector that includes a counterpart terminal and a counterpart housing holding the counterpart terminal, the counterpart terminal being electrically connected to the terminal when a mutual fitted state in accordance with an insertion between the counterpart housing and the housing is in a completely fitted state; a detection member that is a member for detecting the fitted state, is relatively movable to a main locking position with respect to the housing when the fitted state is in the completely fitted state, and is locked to the housing at the main locking position; and a first holding structure and a second holding structure that keep the fitted state in the completely fitted state, wherein the first holding structure includes a first locking holder that is provided in the housing and includes a locking portion formed by a hole portion or a groove portion and a second locking holder that is provided in the counterpart housing and enters the locking portion of the first locking holder when the fitted state is in the completely fitted state to regulate a relative movement between the housing and the counterpart housing in a connector extraction direction, the second locking holder includes a protrusion portion that enters the locking portion of the first locking holder and a flexible portion that has flexibility and is capable of moving the protrusion portion in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first locking holder is inserted into the locking portion while the flexible portion being bent, and the detection member includes a bending locking portion that locks the bending of the flexible portion within a range in which the protrusion portion does not come out from the locking portion of the first locking holder at the main locking position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the fitting connector, it is desirable that the first holding structure is a slide locking structure in which the first locking holder and the second locking holder relatively move in accordance with the insertion between the housing and the counterpart housing and the protrusion portion of the second locking holder enters the locking portion of the first locking holder when the fitted state becomes the completely fitted state.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the fitting connector, it is desirable that the detection member is attached to the housing to be relatively movable with respect to the housing from a retracted position in which the bending of the flexible portion is not locked to the main locking position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fitting connector according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Additionally, the invention is not limited to the embodiment.

Embodiment

A fitting connector is provided with two connectors (a first connector and a second connector) which are fitted to each other. In the fitting connector, the first connector and the second connector are fitted to each other by a mutual insertion operation and both terminals are fitted to each other along with the fitting so that the terminals are physically and electrically connected to each other. Meanwhile, in the fitting connector, the first connector and the second connector are separated from each other by a mutual extraction operation and the physical and electrical connection between both terminals is released along with this operation. The insertion direction (the fitting direction) and the extraction direction are opposite directions. In the description below, the insertion direction will be referred to as a “connector insertion direction”, the fitting direction will be referred to as a “connector fitting direction”, and the extraction direction will be referred to as a “connector extraction direction”. Each of these directions indicates a direction with respect to its counterpart connector. Further, if these bidirectional orientations are not specified, the direction will be referred to as a “connector insertion and extraction direction”. Further, a direction relative to or orthogonal to the connector insertion and extraction direction will be referred to as a “first orthogonal direction” and a direction orthogonal to the connector insertion and extraction direction and the first orthogonal direction will be referred to as a “second orthogonal direction”.

Further, the fitting connector includes a detection member that determines the fitted state between the first connector and the second connector (hereinafter, referred to as the “connectors”). The detection member is used to determine whether the connectors are completely fitted to each other or half fitted to each other and detects the fitted state of the housings of the first connector and the second connector. The completely fitted state indicates a state where the housings of the first connector and the second connector are completely inserted to designed positions so that both terminals are physically and electrically connected to each other. The half fitted state indicates a state where the housings of the first connector and the second connector are being fitted to each other and a state other than the completely fitted state. For example, the half fitted state indicates the fitted state before the completely fitted state during an operation of fitting the connectors to each other or the fitted state after the completely fitted state is released during an operation of extracting the connectors. The fitting connector includes first and second holding structures which respectively keep the fitted states of the housings of the first connector and the second connector in the completely fitted state.

Hereinafter, a detailed example of each configuration of the fitting connector of the embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 13.

Reference Numerals1and2ofFIGS. 1 to 6respectively indicate the first connector and the second connector of the fitting connector of the embodiment. The fitting connector of the embodiment is a female/male connector including a female connector and a male connector, where the first connector1will be described as the female connector and the second connector2will be described as the male connector.

The first connector1includes a terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a “female terminal”)10and a housing (hereinafter, referred to as a “female housing”)20holding the female terminal10(FIGS. 7 and 8). Further, the first connector1includes a shield structure30which prevents the intrusion of noise from the outside and a seal member40that prevents the intrusion of a liquid from the outside (FIGS. 7 and 8). The second connector2is a counterpart connector which is fitted to the first connector1and includes a counterpart terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a “male terminal”)110, a counterpart housing (hereinafter, referred to as a “male housing”)120which holds the male terminal110, a shield structure130which prevents the intrusion of noise from the outside, and a seal member140which prevents the intrusion of a liquid from the outside (FIG. 9). In the fitting connector, the female terminal10and the male terminal110are electrically connected to each other when the mutual fitted state between the female housing20and the male housing120in accordance with the insertion is the completely fitted state. In this example, the male housing120is inserted into the female housing20. Further, in this example, a combination of the female terminal10and the male terminal110which are physically and electrically connected to each other is provided as two sets and the female terminal10and the male terminal110are arranged side by side in the same direction.

Further, the fitting connector is provided with a seal member50that improves the liquid-tightness at the fitted portion between the first connector1and the second connector2(FIGS. 7 and 8). In this example, the seal member50is provided at the first connector1. Furthermore, the fitting connector is provided with first and second holding structures60and70which are provided between the first connector1and the second connector2to keep the fitted state between the female housing20and the male housing120(hereinafter, referred to as the “housings”) in the completely fitted state (FIGS. 1 and 2). Furthermore, the fitting connector is provided with a detection member80that is a member for detecting the fitted state between the housings and determining the fitted state between the connectors based on the fitted state by an operator or the like (FIG. 7). In this example, the detection member80is provided at the first connector1.

The female terminal10includes a terminal connection portion11which is physically and electrically connected to the male terminal110and a wire connection portion12which is physically and electrically connected to a wire W1(FIG. 8). As in the female terminal10, the male terminal110includes a terminal connection portion111which is physically and electrically connected to the female terminal10and a wire connection portion112which is physically and electrically connected to a wire W2(FIG. 9). In this example, the terminal connection portion111of the male terminal110is formed in a tubular shape of which an axis direction matches the connector insertion and extraction direction and the terminal connection portion11of the female terminal10is formed in a tubular shape to match this shape. Further, the wire connection portions12and112are formed so that their wires W1and W2can be drawn out in the connector extraction direction. Core wires W1aand W2aof the terminals of the wires W1and W2are fixed to the wire connection portions12and112of this example by crimping such as caulking.

Each of the female housing20and the male housing120is molded in a predetermined shape by an insulating material such as a synthetic resin material. As will be described later, each of the female housing20and the male housing120of this example includes a tubular hood of which both ends are opened in the connector insertion and extraction direction. Each hood uses its inner space as a terminal accommodation room and is disposed to be integrated with a terminal holder in the inner space. When the female housing20and the male housing120are in the fitted state, the other hood is accommodated inside one hood so that the tubular axes of the hoods substantially match each other. That is, in the fitting connector, the tubular axis directions of the hoods of the female housing20and the male housing120become the connector insertion and extraction direction.

Specifically, the female housing20is formed as a two split structure including an outer housing20A and an inner housing20B (FIG. 7). The outer housing20A and the inner housing20B are fixed to each other by an engagement mechanism having a claw portion.

The outer housing20A is used to form the above-described hood and is molded in a tubular shape of which both ends in the connector insertion and extraction direction are opened. In this example, the outer housing is molded in a square tubular shape which includes first and second wall bodies20A1and20A2which are formed in a substantially rectangular shape and face each other with a gap therebetween in the first orthogonal direction and third and fourth wall bodies20A3and20A4which are formed in a substantially rectangular shape and face each other with a gap therebetween in the second orthogonal direction (FIGS. 6 and 7). In the outer housing20A, the inner housing20B is accommodated and held in a square inner space surrounded by first to fourth wall bodies20A1,20A2,20A3, and20A4. Although it will be described later, the detection member80is attached to the outer housing20A.

The inner housing20B includes a terminal accommodation portion21which accommodates each of the female terminals10and a terminal holding portion22which is provided as the above-described terminal holder for each female terminal10(FIGS. 7 and 8). The terminal accommodation portion21is molded in a tubular shape of which a tubular axis direction matches the connector insertion and extraction direction so that both ends are opened and a terminal accommodation room (not illustrated) for each female terminal10is formed therein. Further, the terminal holding portion22is molded in a tubular shape of which a tubular axis direction matches the connector insertion and extraction direction so that both ends are opened and extends along the tubular axis direction from an opening of an end on the side of the connector insertion direction of the terminal accommodation portion21. Two terminal holding portions22are arranged side by side for each female terminal10. In this example, the terminal holding portions22are arranged in the first orthogonal direction. In each of the terminal holding portions22, its inner space is formed as a terminal accommodation room (not illustrated) and each terminal accommodation room communicates with the terminal accommodation room of the terminal accommodation portion21through an opening of an end on the side of the connector extraction direction.

The female terminal10is inserted from an opening of an end on the side of the connector extraction direction of the terminal accommodation portion21along with the terminal of the wire W1to be accommodated in the terminal accommodation room of the terminal accommodation portion21and the terminal accommodation room of the terminal holding portion22. The terminal accommodation room of the terminal accommodation portion21accommodates the wire connection portion12of the female terminal10and the terminal of the wire W1connected to the wire connection portion12. Further, the terminal connection portion11of the female terminal10is accommodated and held in the terminal accommodation room of the terminal holding portion22. A tubular lid member23of which both ends are opened is attached to an end on the side of the connector insertion direction of the terminal holding portion22(FIGS. 7 and 8).

The wire W1is drawn outward from an opening of an end on the side of the connector extraction direction of the terminal accommodation portion21. For this reason, the annular seal member40which is concentric with the wire W1and through which the wire W1is inserted is disposed in each of the terminal accommodation rooms of the terminal accommodation portions21. The seal member40prevents the intrusion of a liquid (water or the like) into the terminal holding portion22from the wire W1by bringing a coating W1bof the wire W1into contact with its inner peripheral surface and bringing the inner peripheral surface of the terminal accommodation room of the terminal accommodation portion21into contact with its outer peripheral surface.

The shield structure30is used to prevent the intrusion of noise from the outside toward the terminal of the wire W1and the female terminal10accommodated in the female housing20. The shield structure30of this example includes a shield shell31, a braid32, and a connection member33(FIGS. 7 and 8).

The shield shell31is molded in a tubular shape by a conductive material such as metal and the inner housing20B is integrally molded by insert-molding or the like. Since the shield shell31is integrated with the terminal accommodation portion21of the inner housing20B, the shield shell is molded in a tubular shape of which a tubular axis direction matches the connector insertion and extraction direction so that both ends are opened in accordance with the shape of the terminal accommodation portion21. In the shield shell31of this example, an outer peripheral surface of an end on the side of the connector insertion direction is exposed and the exposed surface is physically and electrically connected to a shield shell131of the second connector2after the fitting to the second connector2. Further, in the shield shell31of this example, an outer peripheral surface of an end on the side of the connector extraction direction is exposed and the exposed surface is covered by an end on the side of the connector insertion direction of the braid32. The braid32is knitted in a tubular shape and a net shape by a conductive material such as metal and covers the terminal of each wire W1drawn outward. The connection member33is molded in a tubular shape and keeps the electrical connection state between the shield shell31and the braid32by pressing the braid32therein against the exposed surface of the end on the side of the connector extraction direction of the shield shell31. The connection member33is connected to the shield shell31through the braid32.

In the first connector1of this example, a tubular space S of which an end on the side of the connector insertion direction is opened is formed among the outer housing20A, the inner housing20B, and the shield shell31(FIG. 6). The second connector2is fitted to the first connector1while being inserted into the tubular space S from the opening. At that time, a portion on the side of the connector insertion direction of the second connector2is accommodated in the outer housing20A. Then, the end on the side of the connector insertion direction of the terminal accommodation portion21, the end on the side of the connector insertion direction of the shield shell31, the terminal holding portion22, and the lid member23are inserted into the male housing120on the side of the connector insertion direction of the second connector2. The male terminal110is inserted into the terminal connection portion11through an opening of the terminal holding portion22and the lid member23in accordance with the insertion. For this reason, the seal member50is molded in an annular shape so that the end on the side of the connector insertion direction of the terminal accommodation portion21is inserted therethrough. Then, the seal member50brings its inner peripheral surface into contact with the end of the terminal accommodation portion21and brings its outer peripheral surface into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the male housing120inserted into the space S. In addition, the opening of the end on the side of the connector insertion direction of the terminal accommodation portion21is blocked except for a portion communicating with the terminal holding portion22.

The male housing120includes a terminal accommodation portion121which accommodates each male terminal110and a terminal holding portion122which is provided for each male terminal110to serve as the above-described terminal holder (FIG. 9). The terminal accommodation portion121is molded in a tubular shape of which a tubular axis direction matches the connector insertion and extraction direction so that both ends are opened and a terminal accommodation room (not illustrated) for each male terminal110is formed therein. An end on the side of the connector insertion direction of the terminal accommodation portion121forms a front hood and is inserted into the tubular space S of the first connector1. The outer peripheral surface of the seal member50comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the end. The terminal accommodation portion121of this example is molded in a tubular shape to match the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the shield shell31or the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodation portion21of the inner housing20B. Further, the terminal holding portion122is molded in a tubular shape of which a tubular axis direction matches the connector insertion and extraction direction so that both ends are opened and a terminal accommodation room (not illustrated) for each male terminal110is formed therein. The terminal holding portion122is disposed at an opening of an end on the side of the connector extraction direction of the terminal accommodation portion121. The terminal accommodation room of the terminal holding portion122communicates with the terminal accommodation room of the terminal accommodation portion121through an opening of an end on the side of the connector insertion direction.

The male terminal110is inserted from an opening of an end on the side of the connector extraction direction of the terminal holding portion122along with the terminal of the wire W2to be accommodated in the terminal accommodation room of the terminal accommodation portion121and the terminal accommodation room of the terminal holding portion122. The terminal accommodation room of the terminal accommodation portion121accommodates the terminal connection portion111of the male terminal110. Further, the terminal accommodation room of the terminal holding portion122accommodates the wire connection portion112of the male terminal110and the terminal of the wire W2connected to the wire connection portion112. In the terminal accommodation room of the terminal holding portion122, a holding target portion113(FIG. 9) of the male terminal110is fitted and held therein.

The wire W2is drawn outward from the opening of the end on the side of the connector extraction direction of the terminal holding portion122. For this reason, an annular seal member140which is concentric with the wire W2and through which the wire W2is inserted is disposed in each terminal accommodation room of the terminal holding portion122. The seal member140prevents the intrusion of a liquid (water or the like) toward the inside of the terminal accommodation portion121from the wire W2by bringing the coating W2bof the wire W2into contact with its inner peripheral surface and bringing the inner peripheral surface of the terminal accommodation room of the terminal holding portion122into contact with its outer peripheral surface.

The shield structure130is used to prevent the intrusion of noise from the outside to the terminal of the wire W2and the male terminal110accommodated in the male housing120. The shield structure130of this example includes a shield shell131, a braid132, and a connection member133(FIG. 9).

The shield shell131is molded in a tubular shape by a conductive material such as metal and the male housing120is integrally molded by insert-molding or the like. The shield shell131is disposed to extend from the terminal accommodation portion121to the terminal holding portion122of the male housing120and is molded in a tubular shape of which a tubular axis direction matches the connector insertion and extraction direction so that both ends are opened. In the shield shell131of this example, an inner peripheral surface of an end on the side of the connector insertion direction is exposed and its exposed surface is physically and electrically connected to the shield shell31of the first connector1after the fitting to the first connector1. Further, in the shield shell131of this example, an outer peripheral surface of an end on the side of the connector extraction direction is exposed and its exposed surface is covered by an end on the side of the connector insertion direction of the braid132which is the same as the braid32of the first connector1. Similarly to the connection member33of the first connector1, the connection member133is molded in a tubular shape and an electrical connection state between the shield shell131and the braid132is kept therein.

In the fitting connector, the first and second holding structures60and70are provided to regulate the relative movement at least between the housings in the connector extraction direction when the fitting operation between the female housing20and the male housing120is performed so that the fitted state becomes the completely fitted state.

The first holding structure60includes a first locking holder61which is provided in any one of the female housing20and the male housing120and a second locking holder62which is provided at the other thereof to engage with the first locking holder61in a locked state when the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state (FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6). The first locking holder61includes a locking portion61awhich is formed by a hole portion or a groove portion. The first holding structure60of this example is formed as a slide locking structure in which the second locking holder62enters the locking portion61aof the first locking holder61when the first locking holder61and the second locking holder62relatively move in accordance with the insertion between the housings so that the fitted state between the housings becomes the completely fitted state. For this reason, the second locking holder62is provided to regulate the relative movement in the connector extraction direction at least between the housings while entering the locking portion61aof the first locking holder61when the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state. For example, the second locking holder62includes a protrusion portion62awhich enters the locking portion61awhen the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state. Further, the second locking holder62also includes a flexible portion62bwhich has flexibility and can move the protrusion portion62ain a direction opposite to the insertion direction toward the locking portion61aof the first locking holder61while being bent.

In this example, the pair of the first locking holder61and the second locking holder62is provided as two sets. Further, in this example, the outer housing20A of the female housing20is provided with the first locking holder61and the male housing120is provided with the second locking holder62.

The first locking holders61of this example are respectively disposed at the first wall body20A1and the second wall body20A2to face each other in the first orthogonal direction. Here, a rectangular penetration hole is formed at each of the first wall body20A1and the second wall body20A2and an inner space formed by the penetration hole is used as the locking portion61a.

Then, the second locking holder62of this example is disposed to match the position of each of the first locking holders61in the male housing120when the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state. The second locking holder62is disposed in the space S of the first connector1in the completely fitted state and is inserted into the locking portion61afrom the space S. For this reason, if the second locking holder62is inserted into the locking portion61aof the first wall body20A1, the protrusion portion62aprotrudes toward the inner wall surface of the first wall body20A1. If the second locking holder62is inserted into the locking portion61aof the second wall body20A2, the protrusion portion62aprotrudes toward the inner wall surface of the second wall body20A2. Further, the flexible portion62bof this example is formed in a cantilevered piece having flexibility and its free end is provided with the protrusion portion62a. Here, the flexible portion62bextends in the connector insertion and extraction direction, a portion on the side of the connector insertion direction of the second connector2is set as a fixed end, and a portion on the side of the connector extraction direction is set as a free end. Further, here, the second locking holder62is provided in a so-called beak protection wall120a(a wall body for protecting a protrusion portion72a(that is, a beak) of the second holding structure70to be described later in the completely fitted state) (FIG. 6).

In the first holding structure60, in accordance with the insertion between the housings is performed, the inner wall surface of the first wall body20A1bends the flexible portion62bwhile moving on one protrusion portion62ain a pressed state and the inner wall surface of the second wall body20A2bends the flexible portion62bwhile moving on the other protrusion portion62ain a pressed state. Then, in the first holding structure60, in a case where the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state, the bending of the flexible portion62bis released when one protrusion portion62ais inserted into the locking portion61aof the first wall body20A1and the bending of the flexible portion62bis released when the other protrusion portion62ais inserted into the locking portion61aof the second wall body20A2. Each protrusion portion62ais locked to each wall surface on the side of the connector insertion and extraction direction of the entered locking portion61a. Thus, since the first holding structure60can regulate the relative movement between the housings in the connector insertion and extraction direction, the fitted state between the housings can be kept in the completely fitted state.

The second holding structure70includes a first locking holder71which is provided at one of the female housing20and the male housing120and a second locking holder72which is provided at the other thereof to engage with the first locking holder71in a locked state when the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state (FIGS. 1 to 4). The first locking holder71includes a locking portion71awhich is formed by a hole portion or a groove portion. The second holding structure70of this example is formed as a slide locking structure in which the second locking holder72enters the locking portion71aof the first locking holder71when the first locking holder71and the second locking holder72relatively move in accordance with the insertion between the housings so that the fitted state between the housings becomes the completely fitted state. For this reason, the second locking holder72is provided to regulate the relative movement at least between the housings in the connector extraction direction while entering the locking portion71aof the first locking holder71when the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state. For example, the second locking holder72includes a protrusion portion72awhich enters the locking portion71awhen the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state.

In this example, the pair of the first locking holder71and the second locking holder72is provided as one set. Further, in this example, the outer housing20A of the female housing20is provided with the first locking holder71and the male housing120is provided with the second locking holder72.

The first locking holder71of this example is disposed at the third wall body20A3. Here, a rectangular inner space of a rectangular annular body71bis used as the locking portion71a. The locking portion71ais a penetration hole for the communication between the space S in the outer housing20A and the outside. The first locking holder71includes arm portions71cwhich are provided at both ends in the first orthogonal direction of a first edge71b1on the side of the connector insertion direction of the rectangular annular body71bto extend in the connector extraction direction from the both ends. Further, the first locking holder71includes a one-side portion71dwhich connects the ends of the arm portions71cin the extension direction. The outer housing20A has a wall portion20A5which is formed on the side of the space S in relation to the one-side portion71dto face the one-side portion71din the second orthogonal direction with a gap therebetween. The first locking holder71can move the first edge71b1in the second orthogonal direction by using a second edge71b2on the side of the connector extraction direction of the rectangular annular body71bas a fulcrum. Then, in the first locking holder71, two arm portions71cmove in synchronization with the movement of the first edge71b1and the one-side portion71dcan be moved toward the wall portion20A5.

Meanwhile, the second locking holder72of this example is disposed to match the position of the first locking holder71when the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state in the male housing120. The second locking holder72is disposed in the space S of the first connector1in the completely fitted state and is inserted into the locking portion71afrom the space S. For this reason, the second locking holder72allows the protrusion portion72ato protrude toward the first locking holder71or the inner wall surface of the third wall body20A3.

In the second holding structure70, the protrusion portion72acomes into contact with the first edge71b1of the first locking holder71in accordance with the insertion between the housings so that the first edge71b1is pressed upward by the pressing force of the protrusion portion72a. Then, in the second holding structure70, the protrusion portion72ais inserted into the locking portion71aso that the first edge71b1returns to an original position when the fitted state between the housings becomes the completely fitted state. Accordingly, the protrusion portion72ais locked to the first edge71b1. Thus, since the second holding structure70can regulate the relative movement between the housings in the connector extraction direction, the fitted state between the housings can be kept in the completely fitted state.

As described above, the fitting connector is provided with the detection member80that detects the fitted state between the female housing20and the male housing120and determines the fitted state between the first connector1and the second connector2by the operator or the like based on the detected fitted state. The detection member80is well known in the technical field which is so-called fitting position assurance lock (CPA).

For example, the detection member80is attached to the outer housing20A and determines the fitted state based on the relative position with respect to the outer housing20A. Here, as the relative position, two locking positions where the detection member80can be locked to the outer housing20A are set. As the two locking positions, a temporary locking position where the detection member80can be locked to the outer housing20A regardless of the fitted state between the housings and a main locking position where the detection member80can be locked to the outer housing20A only when the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state are set. A first holding mechanism for holding the detection member80by the outer housing20A at the temporary locking position and a second holding mechanism for holding the detection member80by the outer housing20A at the main locking position are provided between the outer housing20A and the detection member80. The first and second holding mechanisms are well known in this technical field. For this reason, a detailed description of the first and second holding mechanisms will omitted herein.

The detection member80of this example is attached to the outer housing20A so as to be relatively movable in the connector insertion and extraction direction. The detection member80can relatively move between the temporary locking position and the main locking position with respect to the outer housing20A when the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state. For this reason, the operator or the like can determine that the fitted state between the housings (the connectors) is in the completely fitted state when the detection member80can be relatively moved from the temporary locking position to the main locking position. Meanwhile, the detection member80cannot be relatively moved from the temporary locking position to the main locking position with respect to the outer housing20A when the fitted state between the housings is in the half fitted state. For this reason, the operator or the like can determine that the fitted state between the housings (the connectors) is in the half fitted state based on a state where the detection member80cannot reach the main locking position. In the fitting connector, the outer housing20A, the male housing120, and the detection member80are formed so that the detection member80can be operated with respect to the outer housing20A.

For example, the detection member80of this example includes an operation portion81which is used by the operator or the like during the relative movement, two arm portions82which extend toward the same direction from both ends of the operation portion81, and a guiding target portion83which is provided at an end on the side of the extension direction of each arm portion82(FIG. 7).

The operation portion81of this example is formed to enter a gap between the wall portion20A5of the outer housing20A and the one-side portion71dof the first locking holder71. Specifically, the operation portion81is formed not to enter the gap at the temporary locking position, but to enter the gap at the main locking position.

The arm portions82are provided at both ends of the operation portion81in the first orthogonal direction to extend toward the connector insertion direction while being attached to the outer housing20A. Further, the arm portions82are formed to sandwich the arm portions71cof the first locking holders71while being attached to the outer housing20A and are respectively moved relatively in the connector insertion and extraction direction along the arm portions71c. Further, each arm portions82is formed to be sandwiched between the beak protection wall120aof the male housing120and the arm portion71cat the main locking position.

The guiding target portion83protrudes toward the space S in the second orthogonal direction from an end on the side of the extension direction of the arm portion82. When the detection member80is located at the temporary locking position, a sliding portion123(FIG. 6) provided in the male housing120comes into contact with the guiding target portion83while the fitted state between the housings changes from the half fitted state to the completely fitted state. The sliding portion123is provided for each guiding target portion83. The sliding portion123is provided with a protrusion body124which comes into contact with the guiding target portion83during a change in the fitted state between the housings and slides the guiding target portion83in accordance with the change. The protrusion body124includes an inclined surface (that is, a guide surface)124awhich guides the guiding target portion83in a sliding state in accordance with a change in the fitted state between the housings. The inclined surface124alifts the guiding target portion83while bending the arm portion82with respect to the operation portion81. The guiding target portion83gets on a top surface124bof the protrusion body124over the inclined surface124awhen the fitted state between the housings becomes the completely fitted state (FIG. 10). In this series of movements, the holding position of the detection member80with respect to the outer housing20A is kept by a first holding mechanism (not illustrated).

In this example, since the guiding target portion83gets on the top surface124bof the protrusion body124, the detection member80can be relatively moved from the temporary locking position to the main locking position with respect to the outer housing20A. That is, since the guiding target portion83cannot get on the top surface124bof the protrusion body124when the fitted state between the housings is in the half fitted state, the detection member80cannot be relatively moved toward the main locking position. For this reason, the operator or the like can recognize a state where the position of the detection member80with respect to the outer housing20A is stopped in the half fitted state.

The detection member80is relatively moved with respect to the outer housing20A from the temporary locking position to the main locking position in such a manner that the operator or the like presses and moves the operation portion81. The detection member80locks the guiding target portion83to the outer housing20A at the main locking position to regulate the relative movement in the connector extraction direction. For this reason, the outer housing20A is provided with a locking portion24(FIGS. 10 and 11). The locking portion24is provided at each of the arm portions71cof the first locking holder71. Each locking portion24is disposed to be located at a position closer to the connector insertion direction in relation to the protrusion body124when the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state. The guiding target portion83is locked to an end surface on the side of the connector insertion direction of the locking portion24at the main locking position to regulate the relative movement of the detection member80toward the connector extraction direction.

The locking portion24is formed in a piece shape and is disposed so that a plane opposite to the space S follows the connector insertion and extraction direction. The plane is used as the guide surface24awhich guides the guiding target portion83in a sliding manner at the time of relatively moving the detection member80. The guide surface24ais disposed so as to be substantially flush with the top surface124bon the side of the protruding direction of the protrusion body124in the connector insertion and extraction direction when the fitting state between the housings is in the completely fitted state. For this reason, the locking portion24and the protrusion body124come into contact with each other during the fitting operation between the housings. However, since the locking portion24can be pressed and moved along with the arm portion71cand the rectangular annular body71bby the pressing force of the inclined surface124aof the protrusion body124, it is possible to get over the protrusion body124when the fitted state between the housings is in the completely fitted state. Along with the getting over, the locking portion24returns to an original position along with the arm portion71cand the rectangular annular body71band the guide surface24abecomes substantially flush with the top surface124bof the protrusion body124. For this reason, since the detection member80can transfer the guiding target portion83getting on the top surface124bof the protrusion body124on the guide surface24aof the locking portion24, the relative movement from the temporary locking position to the main locking position becomes possible. The guiding target portion83which is transferred to the guide surface24agets on the locking portion24while moving toward the main locking position along the guide surface24a. Accordingly, the detection member80can lock the guiding target portion83to the end surface on the side of the connector insertion direction of the locking portion24. Thus, the completely fitted state can be recognized by the operator or the like who recognizes the position of the detection member80in the completely fitted state.

In addition, when the first edge71b1is lifted to release the locked state of the second holding structure70at the time of extracting the connector, the arm portion82of the detection member80can be also lifted along with the locking portion24. For this reason, in the fitting connector, the first connector1and the second connector2can be extracted from each other.

Further, another guiding target portion84is provided at each arm portion82of the detection member80(FIG. 7) and the relative movement with respect to the outer housing20A is guided by each guiding target portion84. The outer housing20A is provided with a guide portion25which guides the guiding target portion84in the connector insertion and extraction direction. Here, the guiding target portion84is formed in a piece shape and the guide portion25is formed in a groove shape. Further, here, an allowance (a gap) in the second orthogonal direction is provided between the guiding target portion84and the guide portion25in order to allow the inclination of the detection member80with respect to the outer housing20A as the operation portion81is pressed downward.

As described above, since the fitting connector of the embodiment keeps the completely fitted state between the housings by two holding structures of the first holding structure60and the second holding structure70, it is possible to increase the holding force for keeping the completely fitted state.

Further, in the fitting connector, since the locking holders (the first locking holder61, the second locking holder62, the first locking holder71, and the second locking holder72) of the first holding structure60and the second holding structure70are provided as a part of the female housing20or a part of the male housing120, it is possible to increase the holding force without increasing the number of components.

Further, the fitting connector is provided with the first holding structure60along with the second holding structure70having the same configuration as the related art, but when the second locking holder62of the first holding structure60is provided in the beak protection wall120a, it is possible to increase the holding force without increasing the size compared to the related art.

Furthermore, the fitting connector can reduce each of the connector insertion and extraction force generated by the first holding structure60and the connector insertion and extraction force generated by the second holding structure70by distributing the holding force (the necessary holding force) to be needed to the first holding structure60and the second holding structure70. Here, the connector insertion and extraction force generated by the first holding structure60corresponds to, for example, a pressing force of one protrusion portion62awith respect to the inner wall surface of the first wall body20A1generated by the flexible portion62b(that is, a friction force generated when one protrusion portion62aslides on the inner wall surface of the first wall body20A1), a pressing force of the other protrusion portion62awith respect to the inner wall surface of the second wall body20A2generated by the flexible portion62b(that is, a friction force generated when the other protrusion portion62aslides on the inner wall surface of the second wall body20A2), and the like. Further, the connector insertion and extraction force generated by the second holding structure70corresponds to a force generated when the protrusion portion72apresses the first edge71b1upward (that is, a friction force generated when the protrusion portion72aslides on the first edge71b1) and the like. Such a force increases as the holding force for keeping the completely fitted state increases. For this reason, since the fitting connector can reduce an insertion force at the time of fitting the connector between the first connector1and the second connector2or an extraction force at the time of extracting the connector compared to the case of securing the necessary holding force only by one holding structure, it is possible to prevent degradation in workability at the time of inserting and extracting the connector.

Furthermore, in the fitting connector, since a slide locking structure is used for the first holding structure60and the second holding structure70, it is possible to prevent degradation in workability at the time of inserting and extracting the connector.

In this way, the fitting connector of the embodiment can increase the holding force for keeping the completely fitted state while preventing degradation in workability at the time of inserting and extracting the connector. The fitting connector has a configuration of preventing the unintentional releasing of the locked state of the holding structure in order to keep the increased holding force. For example, in the fitting connector of the embodiment, the second holding structure70is formed so as to generate the same holding force as the conventional holding structure with only one holding structure and the deficiency of the necessary holding force is made up by the first holding structure60. Then, in the fitting connector, since the size of the protrusion portion62aof the first holding structure60is smaller than the size of the protrusion portion72aof the second holding structure70, the holding force generated by the first holding structure60is smaller than the holding force generated by the second holding structure70. For this reason, in the fitting connector, the locked state between the first locking holder61and the second locking holder62of the first holding structure60is kept to prevent degradation in increased holding force.

In the fitting connector of the embodiment, the locked state of the first holding structure60is kept by using the detection member80. For this reason, the detection member80is provided with a bending locking portion85for locking the bending of the flexible portion62bof the second locking holder62within the range in which the protrusion portion62aof the second locking holder62does not come out from the locking portion61aof the first locking holder61at the main locking position (seeFIGS. 1 to 4). As the bending locking portion85, the arm portion82or the guiding target portion83can be used. In this example, the guiding target portion83may be used as the bending locking portion85.

When the detection member80of this example is located at the main locking position, each of the arm portion82and the guiding target portion83is sandwiched between the arm portion71cof the first locking holder71and the beak protection wall120aof the male housing120and the arm portion82and the guiding target portion83respectively face the beak protection wall120ain the second orthogonal direction. For this reason, in the first holding structure60, the second locking holder62is provided in the beak protection wall120aso that the second locking holder62faces the guiding target portion83in the second orthogonal direction at the main locking position and the second locking holder62does not face the guiding target portion83in the second orthogonal direction at the temporary locking position and the locking portion61aof the first locking holder61is provided to match the protrusion portion62aof the second locking holder62at that position. Then, a gap between the second locking holder62and the guiding target portion83in the second orthogonal direction is set so that the bending of the flexible portion62bis locked by the guiding target portion83within a range in which the protrusion portion62adoes not come out from the locking portion61aeven when the flexible portion62bis bent in a direction in which the protrusion portion62acomes out from the locking portion61aat the main locking position (that is, a direction toward the arm portion82).

When the fitting connector includes the first holding structure60and the detection member80with such a configuration, the guiding target portion83(the bending locking portion85) does not lock the bending of the flexible portion62b(FIG. 12) when the detection member80is at the temporary locking position. Then, the protrusion portion62acan be inserted into the locking portion61aat the time of fitting the connectors and the protrusion portion62acan be extracted from the locking portion61aat the time of extracting the connector. For this reason, when the detection member80is located at the temporary locking position, the first connector1and the second connector2can be inserted and extracted. That is, the temporary locking position herein indicates a retracted position of the detection member80where the connectors can be inserted and extracted and the bending of the flexible portion62bis not locked. On the contrary, since the guiding target portion83(the bending locking portion85) and the protrusion portion62ado not come out from the locking portion61a(FIG. 13) when the detection member80is located at the main locking position, the locked state of the first holding structure60can be kept. Thus, the fitting connector can increase the holding force for keeping the completely fitted state and keep the holding force while preventing degradation in workability at the time of inserting and extracting the connector. Then, in the fitting connector, since the locked state of the first holding structure60is kept by the detection member80, it is possible to keep the increased holding force without increasing the number of components or the size thereof. Further, when the fitting connector is mounted on a vehicle or the like, there is an external input in accordance with the vibration in the travel state, but since the holding force for keeping the completely fitted state can be kept, the vibration resistance is also improved.

Since a fitting connector according to the embodiment keeps the completely fitted state between the housings by two holding structures including the first holding structure and the second holding structure, it is possible to increase the holding force for keeping the completely fitted state. Further, since the fitting connector can reduce a force generated by the first holding structure at the time of inserting and extracting the connector and a force generated by the second holding structure at the time of inserting and extracting the connector by distributing the necessary holding force to the first holding structure and the second holding structure, it is possible to reduce the insertion force at the time of fitting the connector or the extraction force at the time of extracting the connector between the female connector and the male connector and thus to prevent degradation in workability at the time of inserting and extracting the connector. Furthermore, in the fitting connector, since the protrusion portion does not come out of the locking portion by the bending locking portion when the detection member is located at the main locking position, it is possible to keep the locked state of the first holding structure. In this way, the fitting connector according to the embodiment can increase the holding force for keeping the completely fitted state and can keep the holding force while preventing degradation in workability at the time of inserting and extracting the connector.