Connector

A connector includes female and male housings (10, 40) that are connectable along a connecting direction (CD). A connection detector (30) is mounted on the female housing (10) for movement along the connecting direction (CD) between standby and detection positions. The connection detector (30) does not contact receiving portions (48) of the male housing (40) when the connection detector (30) is at the standby position. However, pressing portions (32) of the connection detector (30) press the receiving portions (48) when the connection detector (CD) is at the detection position to prevent relative movements of the connection detector (30) and the male connector housing (40). Thus, connection resistance between the receiving portions (48) and the pressing portions (32) is not produced when the connection detector (30) is at the standby position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-24435 discloses a connector with male and female housings that can be connected to one another along a connecting direction. A rib projects from the outer peripheral surface of the female housing and is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of a receptacle of the male connector housing to prevent backlash between the housings in directions intersecting the connecting direction and consequently to prevent fine sliding abrasion between terminal fittings mounted in the housings.

Sliding resistance is produced between the rib and the receptacle over the entire stroke from the start to the end of a connecting operation. Thus, a large connection resistance exists and an improvement has been desired.

The present invention was developed in view of the above situation and an object thereof is to reduce connection resistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a connector with first and second housings that are connectable with each other. A connection detector is assembled with a first housing to prevent relative movements in directions intersecting a connecting direction of the two housings and to permit movements between a standby position and a detection position in a direction substantially parallel to the connecting direction of the housings. A restriction is provided in the second housing of the connector housings. The connection detector is arranged to avoid contact with the restriction when the connection detector is at the standby position. The connection detector has at least one pressing portion that presses the restriction when the connection detector is at the detection position to prevent relative movements of the connection detector with respect to the second housing in directions intersecting the connecting direction.

The pressing portion does not press the restriction when the connection detector is at the standby position and hence the pressing portion does not produce connection resistance. Thus, the two housings can be connected smoothly. However, the pressing portion of the connection detector presses the restriction when the connection detector is at the detection position to prevent backlash between the two housings.

The restriction preferably is inclined with respect to the moving direction of the connection detector. Thus, pressing forces of the pressing portion against the receiving portion increase as the connection detector approaches the detection position.

The second housing preferably is formed with at least one guide rib that is substantially parallel to the connecting direction. The guide rib is disposed for sliding contact with the first housing.

The restriction is defined on a surface of the guide rib different from a sliding contact surface with the first housing. Thus, the shape of the second housing can be simplified as compared with the case where a special restriction is formed separately from the guide rib.

The guide rib preferably is widened gradually in a moving direction of the connection detector from the standby position towards the detection position so that the restriction is inclined with respect to the moving direction of the connection detector. Thus, a force of the pressing portion pressing the restriction increases to strengthen a biting action as the connection detector approaches the detection position. Thus, movements of the connection detector relative to the second housing are prevented more reliably.

The guide rib preferably is formed with at least one eave continuous with the restriction an aligned at an angle to the restriction.

A mount space preferably is defined between the eave and the restriction. The mount space receives the connection detector and prevents loose movements thereof.

The guide rib on the second housing preferably is arranged adjacent to a lock for locking the two housings in a properly connected condition.

The guide rib preferably slides in contact with an inner peripheral surface of a tubular fitting of the first housing in the process of connecting the two housings to prevent inclinations of the two housings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A connector in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is illustratedFIGS. 1 to 13and includes a female housing10, a connection detector30assembled with the female housing10and a male housing40.

The female connector housing10is formed unitarily e.g. of synthetic resin and includes a substantially block-shaped terminal accommodating portion11and a substantially tubular fitting12that surrounds the terminal accommodating portion11. Female terminal fittings13are inserted into the terminal accommodating portion11from behind and are retained respectively by locking lances14. The tubular fitting12is supported on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion11and projects forward from a position near the rear end of the terminal accommodating portion11. A receptacle42of the male housing40is insertable into a substantially tubular connection space between the terminal accommodating portion11and the tubular fitting12. A cutout16is formed in the top wall of the tubular fitting12and a front stop17is defined between the cutout16and the front end of the tubular fitting12. Left and right holding ribs18are formed on the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion11and extend in substantially forward and backward direction FBD, which is parallel to a connecting direction CD of the housings10,40and to a moving direction of the connection detector30. The holding ribs18are formed in a rear portion of the terminal accommodating portion11with respect to forward and backward direction FBD.

A lock arm19is formed on the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion11at a position aligned with the cutout16. The lock arm19is a substantially horizontal plate that is long in the forward and backward direction FBD. A locking hole20penetrates a front part of the lock arm19vertically and in a direction substantially normal to the connecting direction CD. Thus, a locking portion21is formed near the front end of the lock arm19and forward of the locking hole20. The lock arm19is formed with one or more Legs22extend substantially perpendicularly down a longitudinal intermediate position of the lock arm19and support and support the lock arm19on the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion11. Retaining projections23are formed on the opposite left and right edges of the lock arm19. In a free state free from resilient deformation, the lock arm19is in a locking posture substantially in parallel with the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion11and substantially parallel to the connecting direction CD of the two housings10,40. However, the lock arm19is resiliently displaceable like a seesaw about the legs22and assumes an unlocking posture by displacing the front end up.

The connection detector30is made unitarily e.g. of synthetic resin and includes a substantially rectangular plate-shaped main portion31that is long in forward and backward direction FBD. Two pressing portions32project forward from substantially opposite left and right sides of the front end of the main portion31and a substantially rectangular plate-shaped resilient locking piece33is cantilevered forward from the front end edge of the main portion31at a position between the pressing portions32. Left and right connection ribs34project down from opposite sides of the bottom surface of the connection detector30and extend from the rear end of the main portion31to the front ends of the pressing portions32. Each connection rib34has a substantially L-shaped cross section. Left and right guide grooves35are formed on the inwardly facing sides of the connection ribs34and extend continuously along substantially the entire length of the connection detector30. The main portion31and the pressing portions32are thick and have a sufficiently high rigidity to be difficult to deform resiliently. Step-shaped contacts36are formed on the upper surfaces of the pressing portions32at positions behind the front ends of the pressing portions32. Locking claws37project in near the front ends of the pressing portions32. The lower surface of the resilient locking piece33is substantially continuous and flush with the lower surface of the main portion31. Front parts of the resilient locking piece33are resiliently deformable up and down in a direction intersecting the connecting direction. A locking projection38projects down near the front end of the resilient locking piece33.

The connection detector30is assembled with the lock arm19by engaging the guide grooves35with the opposite left and right edges of the lock arm19and by fitting a rear part of the main portion31between the holding ribs18. Thus, the lock arm19and the connection detector30can incline together like a seesaw. Further, the engagement of the guide grooves35with the side edges of the lock arm19prevents vertical or transverse backlash movements of the connection detector30relative to the lock arm19in directions intersecting the connecting direction CD of the two housings10,40. The disposition of connection detector30between the holding ribs18also prevents lateral movement relative to the female connector housing10.

The assembled connection detector30is movable relative to the female housing10in forward and backward direction FBD and parallel to connecting and separating directions CD of the two housings10,40between a standby position SP (seeFIGS. 2 and 10) and a detection position DP (seeFIGS. 1 and 13). At the standby position SP, the locking claws37engage the retaining projections23from the front to prevent a backward detachment of the connection detector30and the locking projection38engages the locking portion21from behind to prevent a forward movement of the connection detector30towards the detection position DP. As a result, that the connection detector30is held at the standby position SP. On the other hand, at the detection position DP, the contacts36engage the front-stop17to prevent a forward movement of the connection detector30and the locking projection38engages the locking portion21from the front to prevent a backward of the connection detector30toward the standby position SP. The engagement of the guide grooves35with the side edges of the lock arm19and the holding of the main portion31between the holding ribs18prevents the connection detector30from moving up, down, left or right relative to the lock arm19while moving between the standby position SP and the detection position DP.

The male housing40is made unitarily e.g. of synthetic resin to include a substantially block shaped terminal holding portion41and a receptacle42that projects forward from the terminal holding portion41. Male terminal fittings43are inserted into the terminal holding portion41and retained by locking lances44. Tabs43a at the leading ends of the male terminal fittings43project from the front end surface of the terminal holding portion41and are surrounded by the receptacle42. A lock44projects up from a lateral center position on the upper surface of the top wall of the receptacle42.

Similarly, two guide ribs45project from the upper surface of the top wall of the receptacle42and extend in substantially forward and backward directions FBD. The guide ribs45are arranged opposite left and right sides of the lock44, and slide in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tubular fitting12in the process of connecting the two housings10,40to prevent inclinations of the housings10,40. As a result, the connecting operation is performed smoothly. Receiving surfaces47face inwardly on the guide ribs45and are inclined with respect to the connecting direction CD of the two housings10,40. Specifically, the guide ribs45gradually widen in a moving direction of the connection detector30from the standby position SP towards the detection position DP. The left and right receiving surfaces47are slanted so that a spacing therebetween is narrowed gradually towards the rear end of the male connector housing40. Receiving portions48are defined at rear end areas of the receiving surfaces47for receiving a pressing force from the connection detector30. A maximum spacing between the front ends of the left and right receiving surfaces47exceeds a distance between the outer surfaces of the pressing portions32of the connection detector30, and a minimum spacing between the receiving portions48at the rear of the two receiving surfaces47is less than the distance between the outer surfaces of the pressing portions32.

The connection detector30is positioned at the standby position SP prior to connecting the two housings10,40. The two housings10,40then are brought closer to insert the receptacle42into the connection space15. In the connection process, the front end of the lock arm19contacts the lock44and displaces resiliently up. The connection detector30inclines together with the lock arm19. The locking projection38is in contact with the locking portion21in a partly connected state of the two housings10,40. Thus, the connection detector30cannot move to the detection position DP.

The locking portion21passes the lock44when the two housings10,40are connected properly. Thus, the lock arm19restores resiliently to the locking posture and the lock44engages in the locking hole20. The main portion31and the pressing portions32of the connection detector30return with the lock arm19to their horizontal postures together. However, the resilient locking piece33is deformed resiliently up relative to the main portion31and the pressing portions32because the locking projection38is still on the upper end of the lock44. In this way, as shown inFIG. 12, the lock projection38is disengaged from the locking portion21. Therefore the connection detector30is permitted to move towards the detection position DP.

The front end of the connection detector30is behind the receiving portions48and the pressing portions32are spaced from the receiving surfaces47when the connection detector30is at the standby position SP on the properly connected housings10,40, as shown inFIG. 2. The connection detector30then is moved forward towards the detection position DP. Outer edges of the front ends of the pressing portions32contact the receiving portions48of the receiving surfaces47immediately before the connection detector30reaches the detection position DP. Additional pushing forces move the connection detector30forward so that the pressing portions32slide and strongly pressing the receiving portions48to bite therein. Both the receiving portions48and the pressing portions32have high rigidity and are difficult to deform resiliently deform. Accordingly, the receiving portions48and the pressing portions32deform plastically. This pressing state of the pressing portion32against the receiving portions48is kept until the connection detector30reaches the detection position.

Frictional resistance and the biting action between the pressing portions32and the receiving portions48while the connection detector30is at the detection position DP prevents the connection detector30from making relative backlash movements in forward and backward directions FBD, vertical directions and lateral directions with respect to the male connector housing40. Relative backlash movements between the female and male housings10and40also are prevented in vertical and lateral directions. This prevention of relative backlash movements prevents fine sliding abrasion of the electrically connected female and male terminal fittings13and43.

As described above, the connection detector30does not contact the receiving portions48when the connection detector30is at the standby position SP. However, the pressing portions32of the connection detector30press against the receiving portions48of the male housing40to produce large frictional resistance when the connection detector30is at the detection position DP. Thus, the connection detector30cannot move with respect to the male housing40in vertical and lateral directions intersecting the connecting direction CD of the two connector housings10,40. Additionally, connection resistance caused by pressing the pressing portions32against the receiving portions48during the connection process is prevented by holding the connection detector30at the standby position SP. Therefore, the connecting operation of the two connector housings10,40can be performed easily and smoothly.

The guide ribs45of the male housing40are substantially parallel with the connecting direction CD and slide in contact with the female housing10. Additionally, the receiving portions48are provided on the receiving surfaces47, which are different from sliding contact surfaces46of the guide ribs45with the female housing10. The guide ribs also function as the receiving portions48, and the shape of the male housing40is simplified as compared to the case where receiving portions are formed separate from the guide ribs.

The guide ribs45are widened gradually in the moving direction of the connection detector30from the standby position SP towards the detection position DP to form the inclined receiving portions48. Thus, pressing forces of the pressing portions32against the receiving portions48increase to strengthen the biting action as the connection detector30approaches the detection position DP, and movements of the connection detector30relative to the male housing40are prevented more reliably.

The prior art guide ribs of the housing have inner surfaces that are substantially parallel to the outer surfaces, and hence the prior art guide ribs are of substantially constant width over their entire length. The gradually widened guide ribs45of the invention have slanted receiving surfaces47that can be formed merely by obliquely cutting the inner surfaces of cavities in a mold (not shown) for molding the male housing40. As described above, there is no need to fabricate a new mold for changing the shapes of the guide ribs, therefore the mold cost can be reduced.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15. In the second embodiment, left and right eaves71project in from the tops of the guide ribs45of a male housing40A. Each eave71is arranged at substantially right angles to the corresponding receiving surface47of the guide rib45, and a projecting distance thereof is reduced gradually from the front end to the rear end of the guide rib45. When viewed from above, the guide ribs45with the eaves71extend with the substantially same width in forward and backward directions FBD, and the projecting distances of the eaves71are substantially zero at the rear ends of the guide ribs45.

A spacing between the lower surfaces of the eaves71and the upper surface of the receptacle42is substantially constant in forward and backward directions FBD and is substantially equal to a distance between upper and lower surfaces of the pressing portions32of the connection detector30(thickness). Mount spaces72for the connection detector30are defined by the eaves71, the guide ribs45and the receptacle42for receiving the pressing portions32and preventing loose movements thereof.

According to the second embodiment, the pressing portions32enter the mount spaces72below the eaves71as the two housings10,40A are connected. Thus, the connection detector30reliably is prevented from making outward movements with respect to the male housing40A and, consequently, vertical backlash of the two housings10,40A is hindered reliably.

The invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiments. For example, the following embodiments are also embraced by the technical scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

The connection detector may be mounted to the outer peripheral surface of the receptacle of the male housing, and the receiving portions may be on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular fitting of the female housing.

Backlash between the connection detector and the male housing in directions intersecting the connecting direction CD of the two housings may be prevented by at least partly sandwiching the receiving portions by the pair of pressing portions of the connection detector.

The connection detector may be formed so as not to be inclined together with the lock arm and may be provided without touching the lock arm.

The receiving portions may be provided separately from the guide ribs.

The connection detector may be formed to be insertable into the receptacle of the male housing. In this case, vertical backlash of the two housings may be prevented by wedging the connection detector at least partly between the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion of the female housing and the inner surface of the receptacle.