Connector

A connector 10 includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12 to be coupled to each other. The first and second housings 11, 12 respectively include a first wall 24 and a second wall 44 partitioning between the first and second housings 11, 12. The first housing 11 includes a first cavity 13, a reference portion 27 constituting a part of the first wall, 24 and a first opening 29 communicating with the first cavity 13. The second housing 12 includes a restricting portion 47 constituting a part of the second wall 44. The restricting portion 47 projects into the first cavity 13 from the first opening 29 beyond the reference portion 27, and a tip thereof in a projecting direction is arranged to face an end part of a wire 30.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-143813, filed on Aug. 27, 2020, with the Japan Patent Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a connector.

BACKGROUND

A connector disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2019-067562 includes a plurality of housings. The respective housings are stacked in a vertical direction with facing surfaces thereof facing each other. Terminal fittings are accommodated in each housing. The terminal fittings are connected to end parts of wires. Note that a connector configured by stacking a plurality of housings is also disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication Nos. 2017-004737, 2004-335305 and 2004-241205.

SUMMARY

In the case of Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2019-067562, when a worker pinches the wires pulled out from the rear surfaces of the respective housings stacked in the vertical direction, the respective housings may be pushed and deformed by the wires. For example, there is a concern that so-called opening between the mutually facing surfaces of the housings stacked one above the other occurs.

Accordingly, the present disclosure aims to provide a connector capable of suppressing the deformation of housings.

The present disclosure is directed to a connector with a first housing and a second housing to be coupled to each other, and a terminal fitting connected to an end part of a wire, the terminal fitting being accommodated in the first housing, wherein the first and second housings respectively include a first wall and a second wall partitioning between the first and second housings, the first housing includes a first cavity extending in a front-rear direction, a reference portion constituting a part of the first wall and a first opening located behind the reference portion, the first opening communicating with the first cavity, the terminal fitting is arranged inside the first cavity together with the end part of the wire, the second housing includes a restricting portion constituting a part of the second wall, the restricting portion projects into the first cavity from the first opening beyond the reference portion, and a tip of the restricting portion in a projecting direction is arranged to face the end part of the wire.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector capable of suppressing the deformation of housings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure]

(1) The connector of the present disclosure includes a first housing and a second housing to be coupled to each other, and a terminal fitting connected to an end part of a wire, the terminal fitting being accommodated in the first housing, wherein the first and second housings respectively include a first wall and a second wall partitioning between the first and second housings, the first housing includes a first cavity extending in a front-rear direction, a reference portion constituting a part of the first wall and a first opening located behind the reference portion, the first opening communicating with the first cavity, the terminal fitting is arranged inside the first cavity together with the end part of the wire, the second housing includes a restricting portion constituting a part of the second wall, the restricting portion projects into the first cavity from the first opening beyond the reference portion, and a tip of the restricting portion in a projecting direction is arranged to face the end part of the wire.

If a worker pinches the wires pulled out from the rear surfaces of the respective first and second housings, there is a concern that the wire pulled out from the rear surface of the first housing is displaced toward the second housing and mutually facing surfaces of the first and second housings may be deformed to be open. However, according to the above configuration, a displacement of the wire pulled out from the rear surface of the first housing toward the second housing is suppressed by the contact of the wire with the restricting portion. As a result, the inclination of the end part of the wire and the terminal fitting arranged inside the first housing can be suppressed and, consequently, the deformation of the first and second housings can be suppressed.

Particularly, the restricting portion projects into the first cavity in the above configuration, but the terminal fitting can be inserted into the first cavity from behind in a state before the first and second housings are coupled to each other. Therefore, the presence of the restricting portion does not cause any obstruction in arranging the terminal fitting inside the first cavity.

(2) The first opening may be open rearwardly of the first housing.

According to this configuration, the wire pulled out from the rear surface of the first housing may be largely displaced from the first opening toward the second housing, but a displacement of the wire can be effectively suppressed by arranging the restricting portion in the first opening.

(3) A plurality of the first cavities may be arranged side by side in a width direction in the first housing and the first opening may communicate over and with the plurality of first cavities, and the restricting portion may project over the plurality of first cavities.

According to this configuration, since the first opening and the restricting portion need not be provided for each first cavity, the structure of the connector can be simplified.

(4) The second housing may include a plurality of second cavities extending in the front-rear direction and arranged side by side in the width direction, the second wall may include a second opening located in front of the restricting portion and communicating with the second cavities, the reference portion may be arranged inside the second opening, and the restricting portion may be a rib-like wall extending in the width direction.

According to this configuration, since the restricting portion, which is the rib-like wall extending in the width direction, is provided behind the second opening of the second housing, a reduction in the rigidity of the second housing can be suppressed. Further, since the restricting portion is arranged inside the first opening and the reference portion is arranged inside the second opening, the enlargement of the first and second housings in directions facing each other can be avoided.

[Details of Embodiment of Present Disclosure]

A specific example of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these illustrations and is intended to be represented by claims and include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, a connector10of one embodiment includes a first housing11and a second housing12to be stacked on each other. The first and second housings11,12are connected to an unillustrated mating housing while being coupled to each other. Note that, in the following description, a vertical direction is based on a vertical direction of each ofFIGS.2and5. A width direction is based on a lateral direction of each ofFIGS.3and4. A left side of each ofFIGS.2and5and13is referred to as a front side concerning a front-rear direction. The mating housing is connected to the first and second housings11,12in a coupled state from front.

The first housing11is arranged below the second housing12. As shown inFIG.3, the first housing11has a rectangular shape in a plan view and has a flat shape elongated in the width direction. The first housing11includes a plurality of first cavities13. The respective first cavities13are partially open in the upper surface of the first housing11and arranged side by side in the width direction.

As shown inFIG.3, the first housing11includes a plurality of first detecting portions14. The respective detecting portions14project from the upper surface of the first housing11and are arranged side by side in the width direction. Further, each first detecting portion14is arranged to straddle between the adjacent first cavities13. The first housing11includes a plurality of first locking lances15in front of the respective first detecting portions14. The respective first locking lances15are exposed on the upper surface of the first housing11and arranged at positions corresponding to the first cavities13.

As shown inFIG.2, a terminal fitting20is inserted into the first cavity13from behind. The terminal fitting20is locked by the first locking lance15, whereby escape from the first cavity13is primarily restricted. The terminal fitting20includes a barrel portion21to be connected to an end part of a wire30. The wire30is pulled out rearward from the first housing11.

As shown inFIGS.1and3, the first housing11includes a pair of side walls16rising upward on both widthwise end sides. Each side wall16has a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. A first lock portion17is provided to project higher on a rear end part of each side wall16. As shown inFIGS.3and5, a rib-like first lock projection18extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the inner surface of each first lock portion17.

As shown inFIG.1, a first fulcrum portion19is provided on a front end part of each side wall16. The first fulcrum portion19is provided by recessing the inner surface of the side wall16and is open forward. The first housing11includes a front wall22long in the width direction. A plurality of tab insertion openings23communicating with the respective first cavities13are provided to be open in the front wall22. A tab of an unillustrated mating terminal fitting is inserted into each tab insertion opening23from front. The tab of the mating terminal fitting is electrically connected to the terminal fitting20arranged in the first cavity13.

As shown inFIG.3, the first housing11includes a first wall24covering the upper surfaces of the respective first cavities13. The first wall24serves as a part partitioning between the first and second housings11,12when the first and second housings11,12are coupled. The first wall24is coupled to first partition walls25arranged between the first cavities13adjacent in the width direction. Specifically, the first wall24includes a first intermediate portion26coupled to the respective first detecting portions14in the front-rear direction and a reference portion27arranged behind the first intermediate portion26. The front end of the first intermediate portion26is coupled to base ends of the respective first locking lances15.

The reference portion27is in the form of a strip (rib) extending in the width direction. As shown inFIG.2, the lower surface of the reference portion27is a flat surface along the front-rear direction and forms the inner surfaces of the first cavities13. The lower surface of the reference portion27is arranged in proximity to the barrel portions21of the terminal fittings20. The upper surface of the reference portion27is a flat surface along the front-rear direction and forms the inner surfaces of the second cavities31to be described later when the first and second housings11,12are coupled.

As shown inFIG.3, the first housing11includes an intermediate opening28between the first intermediate portion26and the reference portion27. The first housing11also includes a first opening29behind the reference portion27. A rear part of each first cavity13is open upward through the intermediate opening28and the first opening29except a part covered by the reference portion27. The first opening29is open rearwardly of the first housing11. The wires30pulled out rearward from the first housing11are displaceable toward the first opening29. The first housing11includes a plate-like rear bottom wall52closing the lower surface of the first opening29.

The second housing12is arranged above the first housing11. As shown inFIG.4, the second housing12has a rectangular shape in a bottom view and has a flat shape elongated in the width direction. The second housing12includes a plurality of second cavities31. The respective second cavities31are partially open in the lower surface of the second housing12and arranged side by side in the width direction.

The second housing12includes a plurality of second detecting portions32. The respective detecting portions32project from the lower surface of the second housing12and are arranged side by side in the width direction. Further, each second detecting portion32is arranged to straddle between the adjacent second cavities31. The second housing12includes a plurality of second locking lances33in front of the respective second detecting portions32. The respective second locking lances33are exposed on the lower surface of the second housing12and arranged at positions corresponding to the second cavities31. As shown inFIG.2, the terminal fitting20is inserted into the second cavity31from behind. The terminal fitting20is structured as described above. Further, the second housing12includes a front wall34and a plurality of tab insertion openings35similar to those of the first housing11.

As shown inFIG.1, the second housing12includes a lock arm36projecting rearward from a front end part on a widthwise central side of an upper surface. The lock arm36locks the mating housing and holds the connector10and the mating housing in a connected state.

As shown inFIG.4, the second housing12includes second fulcrum portions37and second lock portions38on side surface portions39on both widthwise end sides. A pair of the second lock portions38are arranged on rear end sides of the respective side surface portions39. The second lock portion38includes a rib-like second lock projection41extending in the front-rear direction on the side surface portion39. The second lock projection41is lockable to the first lock projection18.

A pair of the second fulcrum portions37are arranged on front end sides of the respective side surface portions39. As shown inFIGS.4and5, the second fulcrum portion37includes a recessed groove42formed by recessing the side surface portion39. The recessed groove42is open forward and rearward. The second fulcrum portion37includes a rotating portion43inside the recessed groove42.

As shown inFIG.4, the second housing12includes a second wall44covering the lower surfaces of the respective second cavities31. The second wall44serves as a part partitioning between the first and second housings11,12when the first and second housings11,12are coupled. The second wall44is coupled to second partition walls45arranged between the second cavities31adjacent in the width direction. Specifically, the second wall44includes a second intermediate portion46coupled to the respective second detecting portions14in the front-rear direction and a restricting portion47arranged behind the second intermediate portion46. The front end of the second intermediate portion46forms base ends of the respective second locking lances33. As shown inFIG.2, the rear end of the second intermediate portion46is arranged behind the rear end of the first intermediate portion26when the first and second housings11,12are coupled.

As shown inFIG.4, the restricting portion47is in the form of a strip (rib) extending in the width direction and arranged in a rear end part of the second housing12. As shown inFIG.2, the rear surface of the restricting portion47forms the rear surface of the second housing12. The upper surface of the restricting portion47is a flat surface along the front-rear direction and forms the inner surfaces of the second cavities31. The upper surface of the restricting portion47is arranged in proximity to the barrel portions21of the terminal fittings20. The lower surface of the restricting portion47is a flat surface along the front-rear direction and forms the inner surfaces of the second cavities31when the second and second housings11,12are coupled. The lower surface of the restricting portion47is also a surface capable of restricting movements of the wires30. The lower surface of the restricting portion47is arranged below the other lower surface of the side wall44. A vertical thickness of the restricting portion47is larger than that of the reference portion27.

As shown inFIG.4, the second housing12includes a second opening48between the second intermediate portion46and the restricting portion47. A rear part of each second cavity31is open downward through the second opening48except a part covered by the restricting portion47. An opening width in the front-rear direction of the second opening48is smaller than a length in the front-rear direction of the reference portion27.

(Coupling Method and Coupling Structure of First Housing11and Second Housing12)

In coupling the first and second housings11,12, the rotating portions43of the second fulcrum portions37are inserted into the first fulcrum portions19from front. In that state, the second housing12is rotated from an upright posture to a horizontal posture via an oblique posture (seeFIG.5) with engaged positions of the first and second fulcrum portions19,37as fulcrums.

When the second housing12reaches a position to assume the horizontal posture, the first and second housings11,12are stopped at a coupling position by the locking of the first and second lock projections18,41.

With the first and second housings11,12coupled, the second detecting portions32enter the first cavities13from above and the terminal fittings20in the first cavities13are secondarily retained by the second detecting portions32as shown inFIG.2. Similarly, the first detecting portions14enter the second cavities31from below and the terminal fittings20in the second cavities31are secondarily retained by the first detecting portions14.

With the first and second housings11,12coupled, a thick rear part49of the second intermediate portion46enters the intermediate opening28from above, the reference portion27enters the second opening48from below and the restricting portion47enters the first opening29from above as shown inFIG.2.

The first and second cavities13,31have a large opening diameter in rear regions for accommodating the barrel portions21having a large diameter. Thus, a height increase of the connector10needs to be suppressed by thinning wall parts partitioning between the first and second cavities13,31. In that respect, since the restricting portion47constituting a part of the first wall24and the reference portion27constituting a part of the second wall44are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction and do not overlap in the vertical direction according to the above configuration, a height increase of the connector10can be suppressed.

Further, with the first and second housings11,12coupled, the lower surface (tip in a projecting direction) of the restricting portion47is arranged beyond the reference portion27to be below the lower surface of the reference portion27. That is, the lower surface of the restricting portion47is at a position deep in the first cavities13. Specifically, the lower surface of the restricting portion47is arranged below the upper ends of the barrel portions21of the terminal fittings20arranged in the first cavities13.

Here, the end part of the wire30is accommodated together with the terminal fitting20inside the first cavity13. The end part of the wire30includes a contact portion51arranged near and forward of the rear surface of the first housing11. The contact portion51is a coating part of the wire30and proximately arranged to be able to contact the lower surface of the restricting portion47. If the wire30is arranged along the front-rear direction, a distance between the lower surface of the restricting portion47and the contact portion51is shorter than a distance between the upper surface of the restricting portion47and a corresponding part of the end part of the wire30arranged in the second cavity31.

For example, if a worker pinches each wire30pulled out from the respective first and second housings11,12, the end part of the wire30arranged inside the first cavity13is going to be displaced upward. If this upward displacement of the wire30cannot be suppressed, there is a concern that the terminal fitting20arranged inside the first cavity13is inclined downward toward a front side and presses the lower surface of the first cavity13and so-called opening between the mutually facing surfaces of the first and second housings11,12occurs.

However, in the case of this embodiment, if the end part of the wire30arranged inside the first cavity13is going to be displaced upward, the contact portion51contacts the lower surface of the restricting portion47. Thus, an upward displacement of the wire30can be suppressed. As a result, the occurrence of the opening between the mutually facing surfaces of the first and second housings11,12can be suppressed.

Particularly, since the terminal fitting20is inserted into the first cavity13in the absence of the restricting portion47, an inserting operation of the terminal fitting20into the first cavity13is not hindered.

Further, in the case of this embodiment, the plurality of first cavities13are arranged side by side in the width direction in the first housing11, one first opening29communicates with all of the respective first cavities13, and one restricting portion47projects over the respective first cavities13. Thus, the structure of the connector10can be simplified as compared to the case where the first opening29and the restricting portion47are provided for each first cavity13.

Further, since the rib-like restricting portion47extending in the width direction is provided behind the second opening48of the second housing12, a reduction in the rigidity of the second housing12can be suppressed. Moreover, since the restricting portion47is arranged inside the first opening29and the reference portion27is arranged inside the second opening48, the enlargement of the first and second housings11,12in the vertical direction can be avoided.

[Other Embodiments of Present Disclosure]

The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered illustrative in all aspects, rather than restrictive.

Although the first housing is arranged below the second housing in the case of the above embodiment, a first housing may be arranged above a second housing as another embodiment. Alternatively, a first housing and a second housing may be arranged side by side in the width direction.

Although the reference portion and the restricting portion are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction in the case of the above embodiment, a reference portion and a restricting portion may be arranged to overlap in the vertical direction as another embodiment.

Although the second housing is rotated and coupled to the first housing in the case of the above embodiment, a first housing and a second housing may be brought closer and coupled from a state where these housings are separated in parallel to each other.