Patent Publication Number: US-9431777-B2

Title: Connector

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a connector. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-68003 discloses a connector with a connection detecting function. This connector includes male and female housings that are connectable to each other and a spring holder movably mounted on the female housing. The spring holder has a left and right spring accommodating portions capable of accommodating coil springs as separate bodies. 
     The coil springs accommodated in the spring accommodating portions of the spring holder contact ribs on the male housing in the process of connecting the two housings and are pressed by the ribs to compress gradually as the connection proceeds. If a connecting operation of the two housings is stopped halfway, the coil springs release biasing forces accumulated thus far to separate the male housing from the female housing. Thus, the two housings are not left in an incompletely connected state. On the other hand, when the two housings are connected properly, a lock arm on the female housing resiliently locks the male housing to hold the two housings in a connected state. 
     The spring accommodating portions complicate the spring holder and further complicate a mold for molding the spring holder, thereby leading high manufacturing costs. 
     The invention was completed based on the above situation and aims to prevent the structure of a detecting member for detecting an incompletely connected state of a connector from becoming complicated. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention relates to a connector with first and second housing that are connectable to one another and that are configured to be held connected to one another when connected properly. At least one detector is mounted on the first housing and is configured to be pressed and moved by the second housing in the process of connecting the first and second housings. The detector is capable of detecting an incompletely connected state of the first and second housings by separating the second housing from the first housing when a connecting operation of the first and second housings is stopped at an intermediate connection stage. At least one resilient arm is integral or unitary with the detector. The resilient arm slides on at least one guiding surface provided in one of the first and second housings and is deformed in a direction intersecting a connecting direction of the first and second housings in the process of connecting the first and second housings. The resilient arm is configured to apply a separation force to the second housing in a direction to separate the second housing from the first housing. 
     The first housing may have a lock arm and the second housing may be configured to be locked by the lock arm to hold the housings in a properly connected state. 
     The guiding surface may be in the first housing and may be aligned for deflecting and deforming the resilient arm inward of the first housing. The provision of the guiding surface in the first housing prevents the structure of the second housing from becoming complicated. Further, the resilient arm slides on the guiding surface to deflect inward of the first housing. Thus, the deflected resilient arm does not protrude out on the first housing. 
     The detector has at least one regulating portion configured to contact the lock arm in a direction to prevent a release of a locked state to the second housing when the first and second housings are connected properly. Accordingly, the locked state of the lock arm to the second housing is not released inadvertently. 
     Two resilient arms may be provided at a distance from each other and may be deflected and deformed in directions substantially toward each other in the process of connecting the first and second housings. 
     At least one resilient member may be provided adjacent the resilient arm and may be configured to deform the resilient arm in a direction to assist separation forces. Two resilient members may be provided and may be between the resilient arms. 
     The resilient arms may be spaced from each other and may be deflected and deformed toward each other in the process of connecting the first and second housings. A resilient member may be between the resilient arms and may be configured to be pressed by the resilient arms and deformed resiliently to assist separation forces by the resilient arms. Thus, the separation forces for separating the second housing from the first housing can be increased so that reliability of detecting the incompletely connected state of the first and second housings is improved. 
     The resilient member may be a single torsion spring. Accordingly, versatility is excellent. Further, cost is suppressed and parts management is facilitated since it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of torsion springs. In addition, the single torsion spring between the two resilient arms applies equal separation forces to both resilient arms so that forces are applied to the second housing in a well-balanced manner. 
     The first housing may include a housing main body configured with a deflection space for the lock arm between a lock piece of the lock arm and the housing main body. The resilient member may be between the lock piece and the housing main body at least before the detector is moved. Accordingly, a dead space between the lock piece and the housing main body is utilized as an arrangement area for the resilient member, and the first housing can be miniaturized. 
     According to the invention, when the connecting operation of the first and second housings is stopped at an intermediate stage (e.g. halfway), the separation force of the resilient arm deflected and deformed in the direction intersecting the connecting direction of the first and second housings is applied to the second housing and causes the second housing to be separated from the first housing. Thus, the first and second housings are not left in an incompletely connected state. The at least one resilient arm may be integral or unitary with the detector. Therefore, unlike the prior art, the detector need not have a spring accommodating portion for accommodating a spring. As a result, the structure of the detector is not complicated. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though embodiments are separately described, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view showing a state where a detector is assembled at a standby position on a first housing in a connector according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view showing a state immediately before the first housing is lightly fit to a second housing and the detector starts moving toward a detection position. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view showing a state where the first housing is fit deeply to the second housing and both resilient arms of the detector are deflected and deformed. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view showing a state where the first housing is connected properly to the second housing and the detector is at the detection position. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view in section showing a state of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view in section showing a state of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a side view in section showing a state of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view in section showing a state of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view in section showing the state of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view in section showing the state of  FIG. 3  with the second housing omitted. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the detector, 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the detector. 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the detector. 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the second housing. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the second housing. 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of the second housing. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view in section of the second housing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the drawings. A connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a first housing  10  and a second housing  40  that are connectable to each other. A detector  60  is mounted movably on the first housing  10 , and a torsion spring  90 , as a resilient member, is mounted in the first housing. In the following description, ends of the first and second housings  10 ,  40  facing each other when a connecting operation is started are referred to as the front ends concerning a front-back direction. A vertical direction is based on  FIGS. 5 to 8, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 17 , and a width direction is synonymous with a lateral direction of  FIGS. 11 and 14 . 
     The second housing  40  is made of synthetic resin and is configured as a general-purpose male connector housing to be coupled to an unillustrated device. As shown in  FIGS. 14 to 17 , the second housing  40  includes a forwardly open tubular receptacle  41 , and tabs  46  of male terminal fittings  45  project in the receptacle  41 . A lock  42  projects in a widthwise central part of the upper surface of the receptacle  41 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 to 17 , the lock  42  has a standing wall  43  extending along the width direction (direction perpendicular to a connecting direction of the first and second housings  10 ,  40 ) and a guide wall  47  extending forward along the front-back direction (connecting direction of the first and second housings  10 ,  40 ) from the front surface of the standing wall  43  in the connecting direction of the second housing  40 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the lock portion  42  is substantially T-shaped in a plan view. 
     The standing wall  43  is in the form of a rectangular plate when viewed from behind. As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 17 , the rear surface of the standing wall  43  in the connecting direction of the second housing  40  is somewhat inclined toward the upper projecting end. A locking area  48  lockable to a later-described lock arm  32  of the first housing  10  is provided over substantially the entire rear surface of the standing wall  43 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15 to 17 , the front surface of the standing wall  43  is arranged upright substantially along the vertical direction. Two pressing areas  44  are provided at opposite widthwise sides of the guide wall  47  on the front surface of the standing wall  43  for pressing later-described pressed areas of the detector  60 . Note that a lock  42  having the same shape as the above one also is provided in a widthwise central part of the lower surface of the receptacle  41 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 17 , the guide wall  47  is in the form of a right-angled triangular plate in a side view. The front edge of the guide wall  47  is a tapering inclined surface  49  inclined up toward the rear side. The upper end of the inclined surface  49  reaches the upper end of the standing wall  43 . The inclined surface  49  of the guide wall  47  guides the deflection of a lock arm on a mating female connector housing in another use mode that includes no detector  60  of this embodiment. 
     The first housing  10  is made of synthetic resin and includes, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a block-like housing main body  11  and a fitting tube  12  surrounding a rear end of the housing main body  11 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the receptacle  41  of the second housing  40  is fit between the housing main body  11  and the fitting tube  12  when the first and second housings  10 ,  40  are connected. 
     The housing main body  11  includes a plurality of cavities  13 . In this embodiment, two cavities  13  are arranged in parallel in the width direction. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a locking lance  14  projects forward from the lower surface of the inner wall of each cavity  13 . A female terminal fitting  15  is inserted into each cavity  13  from behind. 
     The female terminal fitting  15  is shown in  FIG. 5  and is formed by bending an electrically conductive metal plate that is long and narrow in the front-back direction. The female terminal fitting  15  includes a tubular main body  16  and a barrel  17  located behind the main body  16  is be crimp connected to a core of a wire  20  and a rubber plug  19  fit on the wire  20 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the tab  46  of the male terminal fitting  45  is inserted and connected to the main body  16  when the first and second housings  10 ,  40  are connected properly. The locking lance  14  is locked to the main body  16  to hold the properly inserted female terminal fitting  15  in the cavity  13 . 
     A seal ring  18  is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the housing main body  11 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , and is sandwiched resiliently between the receptacle  41  and the housing main body  11  when the first and second housings  10 ,  40  are connected properly, as shown in  FIG. 8 . In this way, a clearance between the first and second housings  10 ,  40  is sealed in a liquid-tight manner. A front retainer  21  is mounted into the housing main body  11  from the front and regulates deflection of the locking lances  14  for reliably retaining the female terminal fittings  15 . Further, the properly mounted front retainer  21  prevents a forward detachment of the seal ring  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , two protection walls  22  are provided at the top of the fitting tube  12  and are spaced from each other in the width direction. Further, the both protection walls  22  are arranged substantially along the front-back direction. A mounting area  23  is defined between the protection walls  22  for receiving the detector  60 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , guide ribs  24  are provided on the inner surfaces of front ends of the protection walls  22  and extend in the front-back direction. Each guide rib  24  has a rectangular cross-section and is arranged slightly below a center of the protection wall  22  in a height direction. The rear end of each guide rib  24  is tapered reversely to define a stopper end  26  inclined forward toward a widthwise outer side. 
     Two guides  25  are provided behind the guide rib  24  on the inner surface of each protection wall  22  and spaced apart in the height direction. The front end of the guiding portion  25  defines a tapering front slant  27  (guiding surface) inclined back toward a widthwise inner side. The rear end of the guide  25  is formed into a tapering rear slant  28  inclined forward at a steeper angle than the front slant  27  toward the widthwise inner side. Further, a part of an end edge of the guide  25  between the front slant  27  and the rear slant  28  is formed into a straight surface  29  extending along the front-back direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a bridge  31  extends between the upper ends of the protection walls  22  in the width direction. The bridge  31  is in the form of a strip plate and is at a position overlapping with front ends of the guides  25  in the front-back direction. The lock arm  32  projects in a widthwise central part of the bridge  31 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the lock arm  32  includes a lock piece  33  in the form of a strip plate extending obliquely to a front lower side toward the housing main body  11  after extending forward substantially horizontally from the front end of the bridge  31  and further extending substantially horizontally at a front portion  34 . The front portion  34  of the lock piece  33  includes a rib-like lock projection  35  extending in the width direction and projecting down. The lock arm  32  is deflectable and deformable in directions to move the lock piece  33  up and down with the front end of the bridge  31  of the lock piece  33  as a support. A deflection space  36  for allowing the deflection of the lock piece  33  is secured between the lock piece  33  and the housing main body  11 . Further, a part of the lock arm  32  from the front end  34  of the lock piece  33  to the lock projection  35  is provided with a fitting recess  37  that opens down and back. A coil  91  (to be described later) of the torsion spring  90  can fit into the fitting recess  37 . Further, the back surface of the fitting recess  37 , which is the rear surface of the lock projection  35 , is formed into a lock receiving surface  38  lockable to the locking area  48  of the standing wall  43  of the lock  42 . 
     The detector  60  is made of synthetic resin and has two parallel resilient arms  61  extending in the front-back direction. A regulating portion  62  extends in the width direction and couples the front ends of the resilient arms  61 . An engaging portion  63  also extends in the width direction and couples intermediate parts of the resilient arms  61 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 to 13 . The detector  60  is movable to a standby position (see  FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 9 ) and a detection position (see  FIGS. 4 and 8 ) located behind the standby position with respect to the first housing  10  when in the mounting area  23  of the first housing  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the resilient arm  61  has an arm main body  64  in the form of a rectangular column long and narrow in the front-back direction. A sliding portion  65  is connected to the rear end of the arm main body  64  and projects both up and down. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the resilient arm  61  is substantially T-shaped in a side view. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , both arm main bodies  64  are deflectable and deformable inwardly (toward a center axis of the first housing  10  to be described later) with parts thereof coupled to the engaging portion  63  as supports. As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , forwardly open guide grooves  66  are provided on outer side surfaces of the arm main bodies  64  and extend in the front-back direction. The guide ribs  24  fit in the guide grooves  66  when the detector  60  is mounted into the mounting area  23  of the first housing  10 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The rear end of each guide groove  66  is formed into a stopper receiving portion  67  inclined forward toward a radially outer side. The stopper receiving portion  67  is formed by cutting the sliding portion  65 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the stopper receiving portion  67  can come into contact with the stopper end  26  of the first housing  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , an arcuate curved surface  68  is provided on a range of the outer side surface of the sliding portion  65  from a front side to the rear surface. The curved surface  68  can slide on the slant  27  of the guiding portion  25  when the detector  60  is moved. A front side of an inner side surface of the sliding portion  65  is recessed to form a receiving portion  69 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the receiving portion  69  has a substantially L-shaped cross-section. The back end of the receiving portion  69  defines the front end of the arm main body  64 . A spring end portion  92  (to be described later) of the torsion spring  90  can be moved into and locked to the receiving portion  69 . 
     The regulating portion  62  is coupled to the upper surfaces of the front ends of the both arm main bodies  64  and extends slightly higher than the arm main bodies  64 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . An escaping recess  71  is provided on the rear surface of the regulating portion  62 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The regulating portion  62  can regulate deflection of the lock arm  32  at the detection position, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Further, the lock piece  33  of the lock arm  32  can enter the escaping recess  71  of the regulating portion  62  at the detection position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 to 13 , the engaging portion  63  bridges between the inner side surfaces of the arm main bodies  64  in a height range of the arm main bodies  64 . The lower surface of the engaging portion  63  is continuous and flush with those of the arm main bodies  64  and the upper surface of the engaging portion  63  is continuous and flush with those of the arm main bodies  64 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the rear surface of the engaging portion  63  defines a tapered guiding slant  72  inclined up from the front end to the rear end. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , a recess  73  is open on the lower surface at a widthwise central part of the front surface of the engaging portion  63 , and a deep recess  74  is provided in a widthwise central part of the back surface of the recess  73 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the engaging portion  63  becomes deeper in a stepped manner from the front surface thereof to the recess  73  and further to the deep recess  74 . The standing wall  43  is insertable into the recess  73  (see  FIG. 6 ) and the guide wall  47  is insertable into the deep recess  74 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , a single torsion spring  90  is mounted between the resilient arms  61  for one connector. The torsion spring  90  is of a known form and has cylindrical coil  91  formed by winding a wire material and two spring ends  92  extending from the coil  91 . The axis of the coil  91  is aligned vertically when the torsion spring  90  is mounted between the resilient arms  61  and the spring ends  92  face each other while gradually being spaced farther apart toward the rear. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the torsion spring  90  is mounted in a widthwise central part of the first housing  10 . Further, the resilient arms  61  and the guiding portions  25  are arranged symmetrically with respect to a center axis L 1  passing through the widthwise central part of the first housing  10 . 
     The detector  60  is inserted into the mounting area  23  of the first housing  10  from behind. The guide ribs  24  of the first housing  10  slide in the guide grooves  66  of the detector  60  during the inserting process to guide a movement of the detector  60 . 
     The stopper receiving portions  67  of the resilient arms  61  are in contact with the stopper ends  26  of the corresponding guide ribs  24  when the detector  60  is at the standby position to regulate any further forward movement of the detector  60 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Further, the curved surfaces  68  of the sliding portions  65  of the detector  60  are in contact with the slants  27  of the guiding portions  25  of the first housing  10  when the detector  60  is at the standby position, thereby regulating a backward movement of the detector  60  toward the detection position. 
     The torsion spring  90  is mounted between the resilient arms  61  of the detector  60  before or after the detector  60  is assembled. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the coil  91  of the torsion spring  90  is inserted into the fitting recess  37  of the lock arm  32  of the first housing  10 , whereby the torsion spring  90  is arranged in a state substantially positioned on the housing main body  11  toward the center axis of the first housing  10 . Thus, the resilient arms  61  are not deflected or deformed inadvertently, thereby avoiding a situation where the detector  60  accidentally moves forward or backward from the standby position. 
     Subsequently, the housing main body  11  of the first housing  10  is fit lightly into the receptacle  41  of the second housing  40 . Thus, the standing wall  43  and the guide wall  47  of the lock  42  are fit into the recess  73  and the deep recess  74  of the detector  60 . As the housing main body  11  is fit farther, the pressing areas  44  of the standing wall  43  press opposite widthwise end parts of the back surface of the recess  73  and the detector  60  is moved smoothly back toward the detection position as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . During this time, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the lock projection  35  of the lock arm  32  slides on the guiding slant  72  of the engaging portion  63  and the lock piece  33  is deflected and deformed up so that the coil  91  of the torsion spring  90  comes out of the fitting recess  37  of the lock arm  32 . 
     The curved surfaces  68  of the sliding portions  65  slide back on the slants  27  of the guiding portions  25  when the detector  60  is moved back toward the detection position, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 10 . Thus, the arm main bodies  64  are deflected and deformed inward to approach each other. The spring ends  92  of the torsion spring  90  also are deflected and deformed to approach each other as the arm main bodies  64  are deflected and deformed. Note that deflection directions of the arm main bodies  64  and the spring ends  92  of the torsion spring  90  intersect the connecting direction of the first and second housings  10 ,  40  (also a moving direction of the detector  60 ). This deflection and deformation of the resilient arms  61  and the spring ends  92  of the torsion spring  90  accumulates reaction forces of the resilient arms  61  and the torsion spring  90  and applies separation forces to the second housing  40  for pushing the second housing  40  away from the first housing  10 . That is, the resilient arms  61  and the torsion spring  90  function as a reaction force generation means for separating the second housing  40  from the first housing  10 . 
     The connecting operation of the first and second housings  10 ,  40  may be stopped halfway. In this case, the curved surfaces  68  of the sliding portions  65  slide forward on the slants  27  of the guiding portions  25  and the arm main bodies  64  and the both spring ends  92  of the torsion spring  90  displace resiliently away from each other in return directions. Displacement of the arm main bodies  64  away from each other causes the engaging portion  63  to push the pressing areas of the standing wall  43  back so that the second housing  40  is separated from the first housing  10 . As a result, the first and second housings  10 ,  40  are not left in an incompletely connected state. 
     On the other hand, if the connecting operation of the first and second housings  10 ,  40  proceeds without being interrupted, the curved surfaces  68  of the sliding portions  65  slide on the rear slants  28  beyond the straight surfaces  29  of the guiding portions  25 . The resilient arms  61  and the spring ends  92  of the torsion spring  90  are widened away from each other while the sliding portions  65  slide on the rear slants  28 . Thus, the connecting operation of the first and second housings  10 ,  40  proceeds automatically. The resilient arms  61  and the spring end portions  92  of the torsion spring  90  restore resiliently to a natural state when the sliding portions  65  reach positions behind the guiding portions  25 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . At this time, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the arm main bodies  64  of the resilient arms  61  are fit into clearances between the guiding portions  25  arranged one above the other. Thus, the guiding portions  25  do not obstruct returning movements of the resilient arms  61 . In this way, the detector  60  is brought to the detection position. Note that a moving posture of the detector  60  and the posture thereof after the movement are maintained stably by fitting the guide ribs  24  of the first housing  10  into the guide grooves  66  of the detector  60 . 
     When the detector  60  reaches the detection position, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the lock projection  35  of the lock arm  32  moves over the upper surface of the engaging portion  63  and the lock piece  33  is restored resiliently to an original state. As the lock piece  33  is restored, the lock receiving surface  38  of the lock projection  35  of the lock arm  32  faces the locking area  48  of the standing wall  43 . In this way, the first and second housings  10 ,  40  are held in a connected state. Further, when the detector  60  reaches the detection position, the regulating portion  62  is able to contact the lock piece  33  and covers the front end  34  of the lock piece  33  of the lock arm  32  from above. In this way, the lock arm  32  is prevented from being deflected and deformed up in a direction to release a locked state to the lock  42 . At the detection position, an inclined part of the lock piece  33  behind the front end  34  escapes into the escaping recess  71  of the regulating portion  62 . 
     The resilient arms  61  are deflected in directions intersecting the connecting direction during the connection of the first and second housings  10 ,  40  and apply separation forces to the second housing  40  if the connecting operation is stopped halfway for causing the second housing  40  to be separated from the first housing  10 . Thus, the first and second housings  10 ,  40  are not left in an incompletely connected state. The resilient arms  61  are unitary with the detector  60  and the detector  60  is not provided with a spring accommodating portion for accommodating a spring. Thus, the structure of the detector  60  is simplified. 
     The slants  27  are provided in the first housing  10  and function as guiding surfaces for guiding the deflection of the resilient arms  61 . Thus, the structure of the second housing  40  is prevented from becoming complicated. Further, the resilient arms  61  slide on the slants  27  to deflect and deform inward of the first housing  10 . Thus, the deflected resilient arms  61  do not protrude out of the first housing  10  and will not interfere external matter. 
     The regulating portion  62  contacts the lock arm  32  when the first and second housings  10 ,  40  are connected properly. Thus, the lock arm  32  cannot be released inadvertently from the locked state to the lock  42 . 
     Two resilient arms  61  are provided at a distance from each other and the torsion spring  90  for assisting the separation forces by the resilient arms  61  by being pressed and resiliently deformed by the resilient arms  61  is provided between the resilient arms  61 . Thus, the separation forces for separating the second housing  40  from the first housing  10  can be increased as compared with the case where only the resilient arms  61  are provided. As a result, reliability in detecting the incompletely connected state of the first and second housings  10 ,  40  is improved. 
     The resilient member is formed by the existing single torsion spring  90 , so that versatility is excellent. Further, cost can be suppressed and parts management can be facilitated because it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of torsion springs  90 . In addition, the single torsion spring  90  is provided between the resilient arms  61 . Thus, separation forces by the resilient arm portions  61  are applied equally to the second housing  40  in a well-balanced manner. 
     The torsion spring  90  is arranged between the lock piece  33  and the housing main body  11  when the detector  60  is at the standby position. Thus, a dead space between the lock piece  33  and the housing main body  11  is utilized effectively as an arrangement area for the torsion spring  90  and the first housing  10  can be miniaturized. 
     Further, the pressing areas  44  on the front surface of the standing wall  43  of the lock portion  42  and the standing wall  43  has an additional function of pressing the detecting member  60 . Thus, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated rib or the like for pressing the detecting member  60  and an existing male connector housing can be used as it is as the second housing  40 . As a result, the versatility of the connector is improved. 
     The pressing areas  44  are at the opposite sides of the guide wall  47  on the front surface of the standing wall  43 . Thus, the detector  60  pressed by the both pressing areas  44  can be moved toward the detection position in a well-balanced manner. 
     The recess  73  is provided in the widthwise central part of the front end of the detector  60 , and the standing wall  43  is fit into the recess  73  and the pressing areas  44  contact the back surface of the recess  73  when the detector  60  is moved in the process of the connecting the first and second housings  10 ,  40 . Thus, the detector  60  can be moved toward the detection position in a better-balanced manner without being displaced between the pressing areas  44 . 
     Other embodiments are described briefly below. 
     If the resilient arms have a sufficiently high reaction force, the torsion spring as the resilient member can be omitted. That is, the reaction force generation means may be composed only of the resilient arm portions. 
     The resilient member may be another spring, such as a leaf spring or a resiliently deformable cushion member. 
     The detector may move the first housing forward toward the detection position. In this case, the detector may be biased by the reaction force generation means and pushed back to the standby position after being moved temporarily back from the standby position. 
     The guiding surfaces may be provided in the second housing. 
     The resilient arms may be deflected out of the first housing along the slants. 
     The detector may be arranged between the housing main body and the lock piece after reaching the detection position. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
           10  . . . first housing 
           11  . . . housing main body 
           27  . . . slant 
           32  . . . lock arm 
           33  . . . lock piece 
           40  . . . second housing 
           41  . . . receptacle 
           42  . . . lock 
           43  . . . standing wall 
           44  . . . pressing area 
           47  . . . guide wall 
           48  . . . locking area 
           60  . . . detector 
           61  . . . resilient arm 
           62  . . . regulating portion 
           63  . . . engaging portion 
           73  . . . recess 
           90  . . . torsion spring (resilient member)