Patent Publication Number: US-10770834-B2

Title: Fitting connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-201620 filed in Japan on Oct. 26, 2018. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a fitting connector. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, known has been a fitting connector that includes two connectors fitted into each other such as a female connector and a male connector and, by providing a complete fitting state between the connectors, makes terminals of both connectors electrically connect with each other. In this fitting connector, in order to maintain the fitting state between the respective connectors in a complete fitting state as is, a holding structure is provided between the housings of the respective connectors. The holding structure includes a first latch hold portion provided on one housing and a second latch hold portion provided on the other housing and, by causing the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion to latch in a connector removal direction at the time of a complete fitting state, maintains the connectors in the complete fitting state as is. 
     In this holding structure, one of the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion is formed as a hole portion or a groove portion, and the other one is formed as a protrusion portion that is inserted to the hole portion or the groove portion. This holding structure is also provided with a latch release function for canceling the latched state between the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion. The latch release function is a function of detaching the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion from each other in a latched state in accordance with the predetermined latch release operation. For example, the holding structure includes a latch hold body on which the first latch hold portion is provided, and the latch hold body has the latch release function. The latch hold body includes a first latch hold portion provided on one end, a latch-release operation portion provided on the other end, a cantilever latch arm portion on which the first latch hold portion is provided at a free end and arranged between the first latch hold portion and the latch-release operation portion, and a fulcrum portion that causes the latch arm portion to elastically deform and causes the first latch hold portion as the point of action to detach from a second latch hold portion when the latch-release operation portion as the point of effort is pushed in a latched state. The fitting connector including such a holding structure is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5729248, for example. 
     Incidentally, in such a holding structure, in order to detach the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion from each other in a latched state, a lever ratio between a portion between the fulcrum in the latch hold body and the point of effort and a portion between the fulcrum and the point of action, and the push operation amount of the latch-release operation portion are set. In this holding structure, the lever ratio and the push operation amount are determined in accordance with a latching margin, static frictional force, or the like between the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion in a latched state, for example. In the conventional holding structure, because the lever ratio is set at a single fulcrum, depending on the magnitude of the latching margin, the static frictional force, or the like, the latch hold body may become large and the push operation amount may become large, and thus it is difficult to reduce the push operation force of the latch-release operation portion while preventing the physical size of the fitting connector from increasing in size. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a fitting connector that makes it possible to improve usability in latch release operation of the holding structure. 
     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, and is configured to electrically connect the terminal with the counterpart terminal when a fitting state between the housing and the counter housing along with insertion and fitting between the housing and the counter housing is in a complete fitting state; and a holding structure that includes a first latch hold portion provided on the housing and a second latch hold portion provided on the counterpart housing, is configured to cause the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion to be in a state capable of latching in a connector removal direction when the fitting state is in the complete fitting state, and maintains the fitting state in the complete fitting state as is, wherein the holding structure includes a latch hold body on which the first latch hold portion is provided, and the latch hold body includes the first latch hold portion provided on one end in a connector insertion-removal direction, a latch-release operation portion provided on the other end in the connector insertion-removal direction, a cantilever latch arm portion on which the first latch hold portion is provided at a free end and arranged between the first latch hold portion and the latch-release operation portion, a latch-release arm portion coupling the first latch hold portion and the latch-release operation portion, a first fulcrum portion provided on the latch-release arm portion and configured to exert force in a detaching direction from the second latch hold portion on the first latch hold portion as a point of action with a contact point with a first release-operation force receiving portion as a fulcrum when the latch-release operation portion as a point of effort is pushed in a state where the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion are able to latch, and a second fulcrum portion provided on the latch-release operation portion side relative to the first fulcrum portion in the latch-release arm portion and configured to contact with a second release-operation force receiving portion on the latch-release operation portion side relative to the first release-operation force receiving portion along with continuation of the push operation and exert the force in the detaching direction from the second latch hold portion on the first latch hold portion as a point of action with a contact point with the second release-operation force receiving portion as a new fulcrum. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, in the fitting connector, it is desirable to further include an elastic member configured to exert resilient force in the connector removal direction on each of the first connector and the second connector when the fitting state is in the complete fitting state, wherein the holding structure causes the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion to be in a latched state in the connector removal direction by the resilient force of the elastic member when the fitting state is in the complete fitting state, and maintains the fitting state in the complete fitting state as is. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the fitting connector, it is desirable to configure that a first fulcrum by the contact point between the first fulcrum portion and the first release-operation force receiving portion is, as viewed in a push operation direction for the latch-release operation portion, provided on a near side relative to a second fulcrum by the contact point between the second fulcrum portion and the second release-operation force receiving portion. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the fitting connector, it is desirable to configure that the first release-operation force receiving portion and the second release-operation force receiving portion are provided on the housing or the counterpart housing. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the fitting connector, it is desirable to configure that the housing includes a tubular housing having the connector insertion-removal direction as a tube axial direction, and the latch hold body that is configured to connect a fixed end of the latch arm portion to an external wall surface of the tubular housing and make at least the first latch hold portion be opposingly arranged to a through-hole provided on the outer wall surface of the tubular housing, and the counterpart housing includes a counterpart tubular housing having the connector insertion-removal direction as a tube axial direction and configured to be inserted to and fitted in an internal space of the tubular housing, and the second latch hold portion projecting from an outer wall surface of the counterpart tubular housing. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the fitting connector, it is desirable to configure that the through-hole of the tubular housing is formed to be opposingly arranged to the first fulcrum portion also, and the holding structure uses an opposing wall surface to the first fulcrum portion via the through-hole in the outer wall surface of the counterpart housing as the first release-operation force receiving portion, and uses a peripheral edge portion of an opening on a connector insertion direction side in an opposing wall surface to the second fulcrum portion in the outer wall surface of the tubular housing as the second release-operation force receiving portion. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the fitting connector, it is desirable to configure that one of the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion is formed as a hole portion or a groove portion, and the other one is formed as a protrusion portion to insert to the hole portion or the groove portion. 
     The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a situation at the time a first connector and a second connector according to an embodiment are in a complete fitting state; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating a situation at the time the first connector and the second connector of the embodiment are in the complete fitting state; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a situation before fitting in the first connector and the second connector of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the first connector; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of internal components of the first connector; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the second connector; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view at the line X-X in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view for explaining a latch release operation at the time a first fulcrum is a fulcrum; and 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view for explaining the latch release operation at the time a second fulcrum is the fulcrum. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following describes an exemplary embodiment of a fitting connector according to the present invention in detail based on the accompanying drawings. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited by the embodiment. 
     Embodiment 
     In a fitting connector, provided are two connectors (a first connector and a second connector) to be fitted to each other along with insertion operation between the two. In this fitting connector, terminals of both connectors are fitted in along with the insertion and fitting operation, and the terminals are physically and electrically connected. Meanwhile, in this fitting connector, the respective connectors are pulled away along with removal operation between the two and, along with this, the physical and electrical connection of the terminals of both is canceled. The insertion direction and the removal direction are in reverse directions to each other. In the following description, the insertion direction (a fitting direction) of the self to the counterpart is referred to as “connector insertion direction”, and the removal direction of the self from the counterpart is referred to as “connector removal direction”. When the direction out of these directions is not specified, it is referred to as “connector insertion-removal direction”. Moreover, an orthogonal direction with respect to the connector insertion-removal direction is referred to as “first orthogonal direction”, and the orthogonal direction with respect to the connector insertion-removal direction and the first orthogonal direction is referred to as “second orthogonal direction”. 
     The fitting state of each connector is broadly divided into a complete fitting state and a half-fitting state. The complete fitting state means a state where housings of the respective connectors have been finished inserting to each other up to a position as designed, and where the physical and electrical connection of the terminals of both connectors has been established. The half-fitting state means a state where the housings of the respective connectors are fitted to each other except for the complete fitting state. For example, if it is in the middle of insertion and fitting operation of the respective connectors, a fitting state before reaching a complete fitting state is referred to as a half-fitting state, and if it is in the middle of removal operation of the respective connectors, a fitting state after releasing the complete fitting state is referred to as a half-fitting state. 
     The following describes the fitting connector of the present embodiment with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 9 . 
     The reference signs  1  and  2  in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3  represent a first connector and a second connector, respectively, that the fitting connector of the present embodiment is provided with. The fitting connector of the present embodiment is a female-male connector having a female connector and a male connector, and the first connector  1  is described as the female connector and the second connector  2  is described as the male connector. 
     The first connector  1  includes terminals (hereinafter referred to as “female terminals”)  10 , and a housing (hereinafter referred to as “female housing”)  20  that holds the female terminals  10  ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). The first connector  1  further includes a shield structure  30  ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5 ) that prevents infiltration of external noise, and a seal member  40  ( FIG. 5 ) that prevents infiltration of liquid from the outside. The second connector  2  is a counterpart connector fitted into the first connector  1 , and includes counterpart terminals (hereinafter referred to as “male terminals”)  110 , a counterpart housing (hereinafter referred to as “male housing”)  120  that holds the male terminals  110 , a shield structure  130  that prevents infiltration of external noise, and a seal member  140  that prevents infiltration of liquid from the outside ( FIG. 6 ). In this fitting connector, when the fitting state between the female housing  20  and the male housing  120 , along with the insertion and fitting of the housings, is in a complete fitting state, the female terminals  10  and the male terminals  110  are electrically connected. In this example, the male housing  120  is inserted to the inside of the female housing  20 . Furthermore, in this example, two sets of a combination in which the female terminal  10  and the male terminal  110  are physically and electrically connected are provided. In the first connector  1 , two female terminals  10  are arranged side by side at intervals in the orthogonal direction (the first orthogonal direction) with respect to the connector insertion-removal direction. In the second connector, two male terminals  110  are arranged side by side at intervals in the orthogonal direction (the first orthogonal direction) with respect to the connector insertion-removal direction. 
     In addition, in this fitting connector, a seal member  50  that improves liquid-tightness at a fitting portion between the first connector  1  and the second connector  2  is provided ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). In this example, the seal member  50  is provided on the first connector  1 . Furthermore, in this fitting connector, provided is, between the first connector  1  and the second connector  2 , a holding structure  60  that maintains the fitting state between the female housing  20  and the male housing  120  (hereinafter also referred to as “between the housings”) in a complete fitting state as is ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 6 ). 
     The female terminal  10  includes a terminal connection portion  11  that is physically and electrically connected to the male terminal  110 , and a wire connection portion  12  that is physically and electrically connected to an electric wire W 1  ( FIG. 5 ). The male terminal  110  includes, as with the female terminal  10 , a terminal connection portion  111  that is physically and electrically connected to the female terminal  10 , and a wire connection portion  112  that is physically and electrically connected to an electric wire W 2  ( FIG. 6 ). In this example, the terminal connection portion  111  of the male terminal  110  is formed in a columnar shape for which the axial direction is matched to the connector insertion-removal direction and, in order to insert and fit the terminal connection portion  111  into the inside, the terminal connection portion  11  of the female terminal  10  is formed in a cylindrical shape matching with the shape of the terminal connection portion  111 . Each of the wire connection portions  12  and  112  is formed so that the respective electric wires W 1  and W 2  can be drawn out to the connector removal direction. The wire connection portions  12  and  112  of this example are swaged to and pressed to core wires W 1   a  and W 2   a  of the terminals of the electric wires W 1  and W 2 , thereby electrically connecting to the core wires W 1   a  and W 2   a.    
     The female housing  20  and the male housing  120  are shaped in respective predetermined shapes with an insulative material such as synthetic resin material. The female housing  20  and the male housing  120  of this example each include a tubular hood having the connector insertion-removal direction as a tube axial direction as described later. Each hood uses its internal space as a terminal housing chamber and, in this internal space, terminal holding bodies are arranged in an integrated state. When the female housing  20  and the male housing  120  are in a fitting state, one hood is accommodated in the other hood. At that time, the respective tube axes roughly match. That is, in this fitting connector, the tube axial directions of the respective hoods of the female housing  20  and the male housing  120  are the connector insertion-removal direction. 
     Specifically, the female housing  20  is in a two-block construction of an outer housing  20 A and an inner housing  20 B ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ). 
     The outer housing  20 A is a tubular housing having the connector insertion-removal direction as the tube axial direction, and constitutes the foregoing hood of the female housing  20 . This outer housing  20 A is open at both ends in the tube axial direction. The outer housing  20 A of this example is shaped in an angular cylindrical shape that has first and second walls  20 A 1  and  20 A 2  that are in a substantially rectangular shape and are opposingly arranged at intervals in the first orthogonal direction, and third and fourth walls  20 A 3  and  20 A 4  that are in a substantially rectangular shape and are opposingly arranged at intervals in the second orthogonal direction ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ). In the female housing  20 , the inner housing  20 B is housed and held in the rectangular parallelepiped internal space surrounded by the first to the fourth walls  20 A 1 ,  20 A 2 ,  20 A 3 , and  20 A 4 . An assurance member  80 , which will be described later, is attached to this outer housing  20 A. 
     The inner housing  20 B includes terminal housing portions  21  in which the respective female terminals  10  are housed, and terminal holding portions  22  as the foregoing terminal holding bodies for the respective female terminals  10  ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). The terminal housing portion  21  is formed in a tubular shape for which the connector insertion-removal direction is the tube axial direction and in which both ends are opened, and in the inside, respective terminal housing chambers (depiction omitted) for the female terminals  10  are formed. The terminal holding portion  22  is formed in a tubular shape for which the connector insertion-removal direction is the tube axial direction and in which both ends are opened, and is made to extend along the connector insertion direction from the opening at the end portion on the connector insertion direction side in the terminal housing portion  21 . Two pieces of this terminal holding portion  22  for each female terminal  10  are arranged side by side. In this example, each terminal holding portion  22  is arranged in the first orthogonal direction. In each terminal holding portion  22 , the inner space is a terminal housing chamber (depiction omitted), and each terminal housing chamber is made to communicate with the terminal housing chamber of the terminal housing portion  21  via the opening at the end portion on the connector removal direction side. 
     This inner housing  20 B is inserted to the inner space from the opening on the connector insertion direction side of the outer housing  20 A, and detaching from the opening is restrained by a latching mechanism  23  at the terminal housing portion  21  ( FIG. 4 ). The latching mechanism  23  is made up of latch portions such as claw portions provided on each of the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing  20 A and the terminal housing portion  21 , and restricts the movement on the connector insertion direction side of the inner housing  20 B with respect to the outer housing  20 A. This latching mechanism  23  arranges the claw portions, by making the claw portions of the inner housing  20 B climb over the claw portions of the outer housing  20 A along with the insertion operation of the inner housing  20 B to the inner space of the outer housing  20 A, in a state where the respective claw portions can latch. 
     In this female housing  20 , elastic members  24  are interposed between the outer housing  20 A and the inner housing  20 B ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). The elastic members  24  are each arranged at four corners on the connector removal direction side of the outer housing  20 A and between the wall surface that partly closes the opening at each corner and the terminal housing portion  21 . Each elastic member  24  is arranged so as to exert resilient force in the connector insertion-removal direction between them. In this example, a helical spring is used as the elastic member  24 , and a shaft portion  21   a  that is inserted to and pivotally supports this elastic member  24  is provided at each of four corners of the terminal housing portion  21  ( FIG. 5 ). Each elastic member  24  is compressed when the claw portions of the inner housing  20 B climb over the claw portions of the outer housing  20 A, and causes the latch portions of the latching mechanism  23  to latch together by the resilient force in the extension direction as the reaction force. 
     The female terminal  10  is inserted from the opening at the end portion on the connector removal direction side in the terminal housing portion  21  together with the terminal of the electric wire W 1 , and is housed in the terminal housing chamber of the terminal housing portion  21  and the terminal housing chamber of the terminal holding portion  22 . In the terminal housing chamber of the terminal housing portion  21 , the wire connection portion  12  of the female terminal  10  and the terminal of the electric wire W 1  connected to this wire connection portion  12  are housed. In the terminal housing chamber of the terminal holding portion  22 , the terminal connection portion  11  of the female terminal  10  is housed and held. 
     The electric wire W 1  is drawn out toward the outside from the opening at the end portion on the connector removal direction side in the terminal housing portion  21 . Thus, in each terminal housing chamber of the terminal housing portion  21 , the annular seal member  40  that is coaxial with the electric wire W 1  and lets the electric wire W 1  pass through is deployed. The seal member  40  causes a sheath W 1   b  ( FIG. 5 ) of the electric wire W 1  to tightly adhere to the inner peripheral surface and causes the inner peripheral surface of the terminal housing chamber of the terminal housing portion  21  to tightly adhere to the outer peripheral surface, thereby preventing infiltration of liquid (such as water) into the inside of the terminal holding portion  22  from the electric wire W 1  side. 
     The shield structure  30  is for preventing infiltration of external noise into the female terminals  10  and the terminals of the electric wires W 1  that are housed in this female housing  20 . The shield structure  30  of this example includes a shield shell  31  ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5 ). 
     The shield shell  31  is of a tubular shape molded with a conductive material such as metal, and is shaped into a tubular shape for which the tube axial direction is the connector insertion-removal direction and in which both ends are opened. In this shield shell  31 , the terminal housing portion  21  of the inner housing  20 B is arranged on the same tube axis, and the inner housing  20 B is integrally shaped at the terminal housing portion  21  by insert molding or the like. 
     The shield shell  31  of this example exposes, in a state after shaping of the inner housing  20 B, the outer peripheral surface of the end portion on the connector insertion direction side. In this shield shell  31 , after completing fitting in the second connector  2 , the exposed surface on the connector insertion direction side is physically and electrically connected to a shield shell  131  of the second connector  2 . 
     The shield shell  31  of this example is made to project from the end portion on the connector removal direction side of the terminal housing portion  21 . In this shield shell  31 , two electric wires W 1  are drawn out from the end portion on the connector removal direction side of the projecting portion. In the inside of this shield shell  31 , a holding member (what is called a rear holder)  25  that holds the two electric wires W 1  is inserted ( FIG. 5 ). The holding member  25  is shaped with an insulative material such as synthetic resin. In the shield shell  31 , the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion, together with the drawn out electric wires W 1 , is covered with a braid (depiction omitted). The braid is a member braided in a tubular and mesh-like shape with a conductive material such as metal. 
     In the first connector  1  of this example, a tubular space S for which the end portion on the connector insertion direction side is opened is formed on the connector insertion direction side relative to the exposed surface on the connector insertion direction side of the shield shell  31  and is formed between the outer housing  20 A and the inner housing  20 B and between the outer housing  20 A and the shield shell  31  ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 ). The second connector  2  is fitted in the first connector  1  while being inserted to the tubular space S from the opening. At that time, in the inside of the outer housing  20 A, the connector insertion direction side in the second connector  2  is housed. Then, in the inside of the male housing  120  on the connector insertion direction side in the second connector  2 , inserted are the end portion on the connector insertion direction side in the terminal housing portion  21 , the end portion on the connector insertion direction side in the shield shell  31 , and the terminal holding portion  22 . The male terminal  110  is, along with the insertion thereof, inserted into the inside of the terminal connection portion  11  via the opening of the terminal holding portion  22 . Thus, the seal member  50  is annularly shaped, and lets the end portion on the connector insertion direction side in the terminal housing portion  21  pass through. Then, the seal member  50  causes the inner peripheral surface to tightly adhere to the end portion of the terminal housing portion  21  and causes the outer peripheral surface to tightly adhere to the inner peripheral surface of the male housing  120  inserted to the space S. Note that the opening at the end portion on the connector insertion direction side of the terminal housing portion  21  is closed except for the portion communicating with the terminal holding portion  22 . 
     The male housing  120  is a counterpart tubular housing having the connector insertion-removal direction as the tube axial direction, and is inserted to and fitted in the inner space of the female housing  20  (the tubular space S of the first connector  1 ). This male housing  120  includes a terminal housing portion  121  in which the respective male terminals  110  are housed, and terminal holding portions  122  having the function as the foregoing terminal holding body for each male terminal  110  ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6 ). The terminal housing portion  121  is formed in a tubular shape for which the connector insertion-removal direction is the tube axial direction and in which both ends are opened, and in the inside, respective terminal housing chambers (depiction omitted) for the male terminals  110  are formed. The end portion on the connector insertion direction side in the terminal housing portion  121  constitutes the foregoing hood, and is inserted to the tubular space S of the first connector  1 . The outer peripheral surface of the seal member  50  is made to tightly adhere to the inner peripheral surface of the end portion. The terminal housing portion  121  of this example is shaped in a tubular shape matching with the shapes of the outer peripheral surface of the terminal housing portion  21  of the inner housing  20 B and the outer peripheral surface of the shield shell  31 . The terminal holding portion  122  is formed in a tubular shape for which the connector insertion-removal direction is the tube axial direction and in which both ends are opened, and in the inside, respective terminal housing chambers (depiction omitted) for the male terminals  110  are formed. This terminal holding portion  122  is arranged at the opening of the end portion on the connector removal direction side of the terminal housing portion  121 . The terminal housing chambers of the terminal holding portion  122  are made to communicate with the terminal housing chambers of the terminal housing portion  121  via the opening at the end portion on the connector insertion direction side. 
     The male terminal  110  is inserted from the opening at the end portion on the connector removal direction side in the terminal holding portion  122  together with the terminal of the electric wire W 2 , and is housed in the terminal housing chamber of the terminal housing portion  121  and the terminal housing chamber of the terminal holding portion  122 . In the terminal housing chamber of the terminal housing portion  121 , the terminal connection portion  111  of the male terminal  110  is housed. In the terminal housing chamber of the terminal holding portion  122 , the wire connection portion  112  of the male terminal  110  and the terminal of the electric wire W 2  connected to the wire connection portion  112  are housed. 
     The electric wire W 2  is drawn out toward the outside from the opening at the end portion on the connector removal direction side in the terminal holding portion  122 . Thus, in each terminal housing chamber of the terminal holding portion  122 , the annular seal member  140  that is coaxial with the electric wire W 2  and lets the electric wire W 2  pass through is deployed. The seal member  140  causes a sheath W 2   b  ( FIG. 6 ) of the electric wire W 2  to tightly adhere to the inner peripheral surface and causes the inner peripheral surface of the terminal housing chamber of the terminal holding portion  122  to tightly adhere to the outer peripheral surface, thereby preventing infiltration of liquid (such as water) into the inside of the terminal housing portion  121  from the electric wire W 2  side. 
     The shield structure  130  is for preventing infiltration of external noise into the male terminals  110  and the terminals of the electric wires W 2  that are housed in the male housing  120 . The shield structure  130  of this example includes the shield shell  131  ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 6 ). 
     The shield shell  131  is of a tubular shape molded with a conductive material such as metal, and is shaped into a tubular shape for which the tube axial direction is the connector insertion-removal direction and in which both ends are opened. In this shield shell  131 , it is arranged to extend from the terminal housing portion  121  in the male housing  120  over the terminal holding portion  122 , and the male housing  120  is integrally shaped by insert molding or the like. 
     The shield shell  131  of this example exposes, in a state after shaping the male housing  120 , the inner peripheral surface of the end portion on the connector insertion direction side. In this shield shell  131 , after completing fitting in the first connector  1 , the exposed surface on the connector insertion direction side is physically and electrically connected to the shield shell  31  of the first connector  1 . 
     The shield shell  131  of this example is made to project from the end portion on the connector removal direction side of the male housing  120 . In this shield shell  131 , two electric wires W 2  are drawn out from the end portion on the connector removal direction side of the projecting portion. In the inside of the shield shell  131 , a holding member (what is called a rear holder)  125  that holds the two electric wires W 2  is inserted ( FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 6 ). The holding member  125  is shaped with an insulative material such as synthetic resin. In the shield shell  131 , the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion, together with the drawn out electric wires W 2 , is covered with a braid (depiction omitted). The braid is a member braided in a tubular and mesh-like shape with a conductive material such as metal. 
     In this fitting connector, when the fitting state of the female housing  20  and the male housing  120  is in a complete fitting state, the holding structure  60  restricts the relative movement of the respective housings in the connector removal direction between the housings, so as to maintain the female housing  20  and the male housing  120  in the complete fitting state as is. This holding structure  60  includes a first latch hold portion  61  provided on the female housing  20  and a second latch hold portion  62  provided on the male housing  120  ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 ) and, by making the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  be in a state capable of latching in the connector removal direction when the female housing  20  and the male housing  120  are in a complete fitting state, maintains the fitting state in the complete fitting state as is. One of the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  is formed as a hole portion or a groove portion, and the other one is formed as a protrusion portion to insert to the hole portion or the groove portion. In this example, the first latch hold portion  61  is formed as a hole portion and the second latch hold portion  62  is formed as a protrusion portion. 
     In this holding structure  60 , the second latch hold portion  62  is made to project from the outer wall portion of the male housing  120 . The holding structure  60  further includes a latch hold body  70  on which the first latch hold portion  61  is provided ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 ). The latch hold body  70  is formed integrally with the outer housing  20 A of the female housing  20 . 
     The latch hold body  70  includes the first latch hold portion  61  provided on one end in the connector insertion-removal direction, and a latch-release operation portion  72  provided on the other end in the connector insertion-removal direction ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 ). The latch hold body  70  of this example is, on the outer housing  20 A, provided with the first latch hold portion  61  on one end on the connector insertion direction side and provided with the latch-release operation portion  72  on the other end on the connector removal direction side. The latch-release operation portion  72  is a region to be pushed when releasing a state where the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  can latch or a latched state. 
     The latch hold body  70  further includes a latch arm portion  73  of a cantilever on which the first latch hold portion  61  is provided at a free end and arranged between the first latch hold portion  61  and the latch-release operation portion  72  ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 ). The latch arm portion  73  connects a fixed end to the outer wall surface of the outer housing  20 A. The latch hold body  70  is connected to the outer wall surface of the outer housing  20 A in a cantilever state via the fixed end of the latch arm portion  73 . 
     The latch hold body  70  further includes latch-release arm portions  74  that couple the first latch hold portion  61  and the latch-release operation portion  72  ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 ). The latch-release arm portions  74 , when the latch-release operation portion  72  is pushed, exert the force corresponding to the push operation force thereof (release operation force) on the first latch hold portion  61 . Consequently, the latch hold body  70  includes a first fulcrum portion  75  and a second fulcrum portion  76  provided on the latch-release arm portion  74  ( FIG. 7  to  FIG. 9 ). In this latch hold body  70 , the first fulcrum portion  75  is provided on the first latch hold portion  61  side, and the second fulcrum portion  76  is provided on the latch-release operation portion  72  side ( FIG. 7 ). Then, in this holding structure  60 , receiving portions that receive the force in applying the push operation force (release operation force) to the latch-release operation portion  72  (hereinafter referred to as “release-operation force receiving portions”) are provided corresponding to the first fulcrum portion  75  and to the second fulcrum portion  76 . In this holding structure  60 , a first release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1  corresponding to the first fulcrum portion  75  and a second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 2  corresponding to the second fulcrum portion  76  are provided ( FIG. 7  to  FIG. 9 ). The first release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1  and the second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 2  are provided on the female housing  20  or the male housing  120 . 
     In this latch hold body  70 , when push operation is performed on the latch-release operation portion  72  as a point of effort, with the contact point between the first fulcrum portion  75  and the first release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1  as illustrated in  FIG. 8  as a fulcrum, the force corresponding to the push operation force is exerted on the first latch hold portion  61 . Then, in this latch hold body  70 , when the push operation is continued, the fulcrum is moved to the contact point that is between the second fulcrum portion  76  provided on the latch-release operation portion  72  side relative to the first fulcrum portion  75  and the second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , and the force corresponding to the push operation force is exerted on the first latch hold portion  61 . That is, the first fulcrum portion  75  is provided on the latch-release arm portion  74  so that, when the latch-release operation portion  72  as the point of effort is pushed in a state where the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  can latch, with the contact point with the first release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1  as a fulcrum, the force in the detaching direction from the second latch hold portion  62  is exerted on the first latch hold portion  61  as a point of action. The second fulcrum portion  76  is provided on the latch-release arm portion  74  so that, along with the continuation of the push operation, the second fulcrum portion  76  comes in contact with the second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 2  on the latch-release operation portion  72  side relative to the first release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1  and, with the contact point with the second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 2  as a new fulcrum, exerts the force in the detaching direction from the second latch hold portion  62  on the first latch hold portion  61  as a point of action. 
     In order to implement such series of movement, a first fulcrum by the contact point between the first fulcrum portion  75  and the first release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1  is, as viewed in the push operation direction for the latch-release operation portion  72 , provided on the near side relative to a second fulcrum by the contact point between the second fulcrum portion  76  and the second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 2 . 
     In this example, a through-hole  26  is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the outer housing  20 A ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 7 ). The latch hold body  70  makes at least the first latch hold portion  61  be opposingly arranged to the through-hole  26 . In the through-hole  26 , the second latch hold portion  62  provided on the outer wall surface of the male housing  120  is also opposingly arranged when the fitting state between the housings is in a complete fitting state. 
     Specifically, the outer housing  20 A of this example includes, as the outer wall surfaces, a main-outer wall surface  20 Aa constituting a contour shape, and a sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab that is offset toward the inner space side relative to the main-outer wall surface  20 Aa ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 7 ). 
     The latch hold body  70  connects the fixed end of the latch arm portion  73  to the sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab and arranges it on the inner space side relative to the main-outer wall surface  20 Aa. The foregoing through-hole  26  is formed on the connector insertion direction side relative to the sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab. Accordingly, in the latch hold body  70  of this example, the first latch hold portion  61 , the free end side relative to the fixed end in the latch arm portion  73 , and the first latch hold portion  61  side relative to the position of the fixed end of the latch arm portion  73  in the latch-release arm portion  74  are arranged at the through-hole  26 . Then, in this latch hold body  70 , the fixed end of the latch arm portion  73  is connected to the sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab, and the latch-release operation portion  72  and the portion up to the latch-release operation portion  72  from the position of the fixed end of the latch arm portion  73  in the latch-release arm portion  74  are opposingly arranged to the sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab at intervals. The latch-release operation portion  72  is pushed toward the sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab in performing latch release operation. 
     In this example, the through-hole  26  is formed to be opposingly arranged to the first fulcrum portion  75  also. In the latch hold body  70 , the first fulcrum portion  75  is arranged at the through-hole  26 , and the second fulcrum portion  76  is opposingly arranged to the sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab at intervals ( FIG. 7 ). Thus, in the holding structure  60  of this example, the opposing wall surface to the first fulcrum portion  75  in the outer wall surface of the terminal housing portion  121  via the through-hole  26  is used as the first release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1 . In this case, the peripheral edge portion of the opening on the connector insertion direction side in the opposing wall surface is used as the first release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1 . Furthermore, the holding structure  60  of this example uses the opposing wall surface to the second fulcrum portion  76  in the outer peripheral wall of the outer housing  20 A as the second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 2 . In this case, the opposing wall surface to the second fulcrum portion  76  in the sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab is used as the second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 2 . The outer wall surface of the terminal housing portion  121  in this example is, as viewed in the push operation direction for the latch-release operation portion  72 , provided on the near side relative to the sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab. 
     The interval between the first fulcrum portion  75  and the first release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1  and the interval between the second fulcrum portion  76  and the second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 2  are set depending on the timing of switching from the fulcrum at the contact point between the first fulcrum portion  75  and the first release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1  to the fulcrum at the contact point between the second fulcrum portion  76  and the second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 2 , for example. The first fulcrum portion  75  and the second fulcrum portion  76 , depending on the timing of switching thereof, may be the use of the wall surface of the latch-release arm portion  74 , or may be the use of a projecting portion projecting from the wall surface of the latch-release arm portion  74 . In this case, the wall surface of the latch-release arm portion  74  is used as the first fulcrum portion  75 , and the projecting portion projecting from the wall surface of the latch-release arm portion  74  is used as the second fulcrum portion  76  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     The latch hold body  70  of this example includes one latch arm portion  73  extending toward the connector insertion direction side from the fixed end, and at the free end on the extending direction in the latch arm portion  73 , the through-hole-shaped first latch hold portion  61  is provided ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 ). The through-hole-shaped first latch hold portion  61  causes the second latch hold portion  62  to latch the wall portion on the connector insertion direction side in the peripheral edge portion of the through hole, when the protrusion-shaped second latch hold portion  62  is inserted. The latch hold body  70  of this example includes a rectangular piece portion  77  on the connector insertion direction side relative to the first latch hold portion  61  ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 7 ). In this case, the second latch hold portion  62  is made to latch the wall portion constituting the through-hole-shaped first latch hold portion  61  in the piece portion  77 . 
     The latch hold body  70  of this example includes two latch-release arm portions  74  arranged so as to sandwich the first latch hold portion  61  and the latch arm portion  73  at intervals in the connector insertion-removal direction and in the orthogonal direction (first orthogonal direction) with respect to the opposingly arranged direction of the latch-release operation portion  72  and the sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 ). The latch-release arm portions  74  are extended in the connector insertion-removal direction, and one end on the connector insertion direction side is coupled to the piece portion  77  and the other end on the connector removal direction side is coupled to the latch-release operation portion  72 . The first fulcrum portion  75  and the second fulcrum portion  76  are provided on the respective latch-release arm portions  74 . 
     The latch hold body  70  of this example arranges the latch-release operation portion  72  on the connector removal direction side relative to the fixed end of the latch arm portion  73  ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 ). The latch-release operation portion  72  of this example is formed as a rectangular piece portion. 
     In the fitting connector of this example, the above-described holding structure  60  is provided at two locations. In this case, the through-hole  26  and the sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab are provided on a part of each of the third and the fourth walls  20 A 3  and  20 A 4 , the respective through-holes  26  are opposingly arranged at intervals in the second orthogonal direction, and the respective sub-outer wall surfaces  20 Ab are opposingly arranged at intervals in the second orthogonal direction. In the outer housing  20 A, on each sub-outer wall surface  20 Ab of the third and the fourth walls  20 A 3  and  20 A 4 , one each of the latch hold body  70  is provided. In the outer peripheral surface of the male housing  120 , on the portion opposingly arranged to each through-hole  26 , one each of the second latch hold portion  62  is provided. 
     In the holding structure  60  in the foregoing, at an initial stage where latch release operation is performed on the latch-release operation portion  72 , with the contact point between the first fulcrum portion  75  and the first release-operation force receiving portion Fu 1  as the fulcrum (first fulcrum), the force in the detaching direction from the second latch hold portion  62  is exerted on the first latch hold portion  61 , and thereafter, the fulcrum is moved to the contact point (second fulcrum) between the second fulcrum portion  76  on the latch-release operation portion  72  side relative to the first fulcrum and the second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 2 , and the force in the detaching direction from the second latch hold portion  62  is exerted on the first latch hold portion  61 . For example, assuming that the second fulcrum by the second fulcrum portion  76  and the second release-operation force receiving portion Fu 2  is a conventional fulcrum, in this holding structure  60 , because the first fulcrum is provided on the first latch hold portion  61  side relative to the second fulcrum, it is possible to increase the force in the detaching direction from the second latch hold portion  62  in the first latch hold portion  61  while reducing the initial push operation force for the latch-release operation portion  72  relative to the conventional case. Meanwhile, in this holding structure  60 , by providing the first fulcrum closer to the first latch hold portion  61  side, a relative movement amount in the detaching direction of the first latch hold portion  61  with respect to the second latch hold portion  62  is made smaller relative to the conventional case. However, in this holding structure  60 , because the fulcrum switches to the second fulcrum from the first fulcrum by the continuation of the push operation for the latch-release operation portion  72 , it is possible to ensure the relative movement amount in the detaching direction of the first latch hold portion  61  with respect to the second latch hold portion  62  while suppressing an increase in the amount of push operation for the latch-release operation portion  72 . That is, in this holding structure  60 , it is possible to release a state capable of latching between the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  while reducing the push operation force for the latch-release operation portion  72  and suppressing an increase in the push operation amount for the latch-release operation portion  72 . 
     In particular, in this fitting connector, when the first connector  1  and the second connector  2  are inserted and fitted in, by the pushing force toward the inner housing  20 B from the second connector  2  side, each of the foregoing elastic members  24  is compressed. Then, in this fitting connector, when the fitting state between the housings is turned into a complete fitting state, the male housing  120  is pushed back via the inner housing  20 B by the resilient force in the extension direction of each elastic member  24 , and the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  are made to latch. That is, the elastic members  24  of the first connector  1  exert the resilient force in the connector removal direction on each of the first connector and the second connector, when the fitting state between the housings is in a complete fitting state, and cause the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  to be in a latched state in the connector removal direction by the resilient force, and to maintain the fitting state in the complete fitting state as is. Thus, in this fitting connector, there is a need to exert the force resisting against the static frictional force between the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  on the first latch hold portion  61  in latch release operation. However, the holding structure  60  causes the first latch hold portion  61  to detach from the second latch hold portion  62  by switching two fulcrums as in the foregoing, and thus it is possible to exert the force resisting against the static frictional force between the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  on the first latch hold portion  61  while reducing the push operation force for the latch-release operation portion  72  and suppressing an increase in the push operation amount for the latch-release operation portion  72 . That is, this holding structure  60  causes the first latch hold portion  61  to detach from the second latch hold portion  62  by switching two fulcrums as in the foregoing, and thus, it is possible to release a latched state between the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62 , while reducing the push operation force for the latch-release operation portion  72  and suppressing an increase in the push operation amount for the latch-release operation portion  72  and while ensuring the holding force (static frictional force) between the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  that is before latch release operation. 
     In the fitting connector, by increasing in size of the latch hold body  70  by changing the lever ratio, it is possible to release a state capable of latching between the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  or a latched state, while reducing the push operation force for the latch-release operation portion  72  and suppressing an increase in the push operation amount for the latch-release operation portion  72  and while ensuring the holding force (static frictional force) between the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62 . However, in this case, along with the increase in size of the latch hold body  70 , it leads to an increase in the physical size of the fitting connector. The fitting connector of the present embodiment can also prevent such an increase in the physical size, because there is no need to increase in size of the latch hold body  70 . 
     In the fitting connector, even if the cross-sectional area of the orthogonal cross-section with respect to the axis line of the latch arm portion  73  is reduced, it is possible to release a state capable of latching between the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  or a latched state, while reducing the push operation force for the latch-release operation portion  72  and suppressing an increase in the push operation amount for the latch-release operation portion  72  and while ensuring the holding force (static frictional force) between the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62 . However, in this case, because the strength of the latch arm portion  73  is reduced, it may lead to the reduction in durability of the holding structure  60 . The fitting connector of the present embodiment can also prevent such reduction in durability of the holding structure  60 . 
     As in the foregoing, in the fitting connector of the present embodiment, the holding structure  60  configured to cause the first latch hold portion  61  to detach from the second latch hold portion  62  by switching two fulcrums is included, and it is possible to release a state capable of latching between the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  or a latched state, while reducing the push operation force for the latch-release operation portion  72  and suppressing an increase in the push operation amount for the latch-release operation portion  72  and while ensuring the holding force (static frictional force) between the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  until performing latch release operation. Accordingly, this fitting connector makes it possible to improve usability in performing the latch release operation in the holding structure  60 . 
     Incidentally, in this fitting connector, provided is an assurance member  80  that, when the fitting state between the housings is in a complete fitting state, restricts the movement in the detaching direction of the first latch hold portion  61  with respect to the second latch hold portion  62 , and assures that the fitting state is in the complete fitting state ( FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 ). The assurance member  80  restricts the movement in the detaching direction of the first latch hold portion  61  and maintains the state where the first latch hold portion  61  and the second latch hold portion  62  can latch, thereby assuring that the fitting state is in a complete fitting state. 
     The assurance member  80  is a member capable of relatively moving in the connector insertion-removal direction with respect to the female housing  20 . This assurance member  80  is assembled to the female housing  20  so as to be relatively movable in the connector insertion-removal direction between a final latch position and a provisional latch position when the fitting state between the housings is in a complete fitting state. The assurance member  80  of this example is assembled so as to be relatively movable in the connector insertion-removal direction with respect to the outer housing  20 A. 
     The final latch position means the position at which, out of the relative positions of the assurance member  80  with respect to the female housing  20 , the movement in the detaching direction of the first latch hold portion  61  with respect to the second latch hold portion  62  is restricted. The assurance member  80  at the final latch position restricts the movement in the detaching direction of the first latch hold portion  61  with respect to the second latch hold portion  62 , by latching any region in the latch hold body  70 . The assurance member  80  of this example latches the latch-release operation portion  72  at the final latch position, thereby restricting the movement in the detaching direction of the first latch hold portion  61  with respect to the second latch hold portion  62 . Meanwhile, the provisional latch position means a position at which, out of the relative positions of the assurance member  80  with respect to the female housing  20 , the movement in the detaching direction thereof is not yet restricted. The assurance member  80  at the provisional latch position of this example is unable to latch the latch-release operation portion  72  and is unable to restrict the movement in the detaching direction of the first latch hold portion  61  with respect to the second latch hold portion  62 . 
     Thus, if the fitting state between the housings is in a complete fitting state, it is possible to relatively move this assurance member  80  to the final latch position from the provisional latch position with respect to the female housing  20 . Meanwhile, when the fitting state between the housings is in a half-fitting state, it is not possible to relatively move this assurance member  80  to the final latch position from the provisional latch position with respect to the female housing  20 . Thus, this assurance member  80  can let a worker and the like determine that the fitting state between the housings (between the connectors) is in a complete fitting state, if it is possible to relatively move it from the provisional latch position to the final latch position. Meanwhile, this assurance member  80  can let the worker and the like determine that the fitting state between the housings (between the connectors) is in a half-fitting state, if it is not possible to relatively move it from the provisional latch position to the final latch position. That is, this assurance member  80  can be used also for detecting the fitting state between the housings. 
     This assurance member  80  embodies a function of assuring connector fitting position (connector position assurance (CPA)), and that is well known in the relevant technical field. Accordingly, the detailed description thereof is omitted. 
     In the holding structure of the fitting connector according to the present embodiment, at an initial stage where latch release operation is performed on the latch-release operation portion, with the contact point between the first fulcrum portion and the first release-operation force receiving portion as the fulcrum (first fulcrum), the force in the detaching direction from the second latch hold portion is exerted on the first latch hold portion, and thereafter, the fulcrum is moved to the contact point (second fulcrum) between the second fulcrum portion on the latch-release operation portion side relative to the first fulcrum and the second release-operation force receiving portion, and the force in the detaching direction from the second latch hold portion is exerted on the first latch hold portion. The fitting connector in the present embodiment includes the holding structure configured to switch such two fulcrums and cause the first latch hold portion to detach from the second latch hold portion, and when the latch release operation is performed, it is able to release a state capable of latching between the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion or a latched state, while reducing the push operation force for the latch-release operation portion and suppressing an increase in the push operation amount for the latch-release operation portion and while ensuring the holding force (static frictional force) between the first latch hold portion and the second latch hold portion until performing the latch release operation. Accordingly, this fitting connector makes it possible to improve usability in performing the latch release operation in the holding structure. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.