Patent Publication Number: US-6666728-B2

Title: Divided connector and a connection method of a divided connector with a mating connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a divided connector and to a method of connecting a divided connector with a mating connector. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Multi-contact connectors sometimes have a divided form, for example, to prevent an erroneous insertion of terminal fittings. The divided connector has auxiliary connector housings with terminal fittings mounted therein. The auxiliary connector housings are held in accommodating portions of a frame. The divided connector is connected to a mating connector so that the auxiliary connector housings connect with corresponding mating connector housings and the terminal fittings connect with mating terminal fittings. A large connection resistance is generated during the connection of a divided connector due to abrasion of the mating terminal fittings. Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 5-55470 shows a connector that relies upon the cam action of a lever to reduce the connection force. 
     The connecting force has been increasing due to an ongoing tendency to increase the number of contacts of connectors. Thus, a means for further reducing the connecting force has been demanded. 
     The present invention was developed in view of the above problem and an object thereof is to provide a divided connector and a connection method with a reduced connecting force. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a divided connector with a frame that has accommodating portions and auxiliary housings mounted in the accommodating portions. The auxiliary housings are connectable with mating housings in a mating connector. At least one auxiliary housing is displaceable in the frame along a connecting direction with the mating connector between temporary and final mount positions. The displaceable auxiliary housing contacts the mating housing while in the temporary mount position. The other auxiliary housing is connected subsequently with the mating housing while the displaceable auxiliary housing is displaced toward the final mount position. Accordingly, the contact timing of the displaceable auxiliary housing with the corresponding mating housing is different from that of the non-displaceable housing with its mating housing. A plurality of displaceable auxiliary housings may be provided and may have contact timings set differently. Thus, a first displaceable auxiliary housing may contact its mating connector housing at a different time than a second displaceable auxiliary housing. Accordingly, a peak value of a connecting force can be reduced by differing a connecting position of the displaceable auxiliary housing with the mating housing and that of the other housing(s). 
     A holding means may be provided between the displaceable auxiliary housing and the frame for holding the displaceable auxiliary housing at the temporary mount position when the mating connector is connected. The holding means may be freed when the connection of the displaceable auxiliary housing and the mating housing is complete. The holding means may comprise at least one resilient lock on an inner surface of the accommodating portion. The formation of the resilient lock on the inner surface of the accommodating portion of the frame enables the construction of the auxiliary housing to be simpler and smaller as compared to a case where a portion corresponding to the resilient lock is on the auxiliary connector housing. 
     The resilient lock preferably is a semi-locking mechanism that can be deformed resiliently in response to an external force of at least a specified magnitude exerted in the connecting direction for unlocking the displaceable auxiliary housing at the temporary mounting position. 
     The resilient lock preferably is prevented from undergoing a deformation in the unlocking direction by an unlock preventing portion in the mating connector while the displaceable auxiliary housing and the mating connector housing are being connected with each other. Thus, displacement of the displaceable auxiliary housing is prevented. However, the resilient lock is freed from the unlock preventing portion when the displaceable auxiliary housing and the mating housing are connected completely, thereby freeing the displaceable auxiliary housing. The divided connector has a simple construction because the resilient lock acts both as the semi-locking mechanism and as the holding means for the auxiliary housing. 
     Displaceable auxiliary housings preferably are arranged at opposite sides of the non-displaceable auxiliary housing. Accordingly, a connecting operation can be performed smoothly because the connection resistance is not skewed toward one side during the connection with the mating connector. 
     The holding means preferably comprises a resilient restricting piece at one or more of the displaceable auxiliary housings and a restriction receiving portion on the frame. The resilient restricting piece is deformable at an angle, and preferably a right angle, to the connecting direction. The resilient restricting piece is deformed by the mating connector to engage the restriction receiving portion while the displaceable auxiliary housing is being connected with the mating housing. Thus, displacement of the displaceable auxiliary housing is restricted. However, the resilient restricting piece is restored towards its original shape and is disengaged from the restriction receiving portion when the displaceable auxiliary housing is connected completely with the mating housing, thereby permitting displacement of the auxiliary housing. 
     The invention also is directed to a connection method for connecting a divided connector with a mating connector. The method comprises providing a plurality of auxiliary housings to be mounted individually in corresponding accommodating portions of the divided connector. The auxiliary housings each are connectable with one or more mating housings in the mating connector. At least one auxiliary housing is displaceably mounted into a frame along a connecting direction with the mating connector between a temporary mount position and a final mount position. The method further comprises bringing the displaceable auxiliary housing into contact with the mating housing while being positioned in the temporary mount position and subsequently connecting at least one other auxiliary housing with the mating connector housing while the displaceable auxiliary housing is displaced toward the final mount position. 
     Accordingly, the contact timing of the displaceable auxiliary housing with the corresponding mating housing is different from that of the non-displaceable housing(s) with the corresponding mating housing(s). Thus, a peak value of a connecting force can be reduced by differing a connecting position of the displaceable auxiliary housing with the mating connector housing and that of the other housings. 
     The connection method may further comprise the step of holding the displaceable auxiliary housing at the temporary mount position when the mating connector is being connected. The displaceable auxiliary housing is released after it has been connected completely the mating housings. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of 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 front view in section of a divided connector according to one preferred embodiment of the invention before being connected (temporary mount position). 
     FIG. 2 is a side view in section of the divided connector before being connected. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of a male connector. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view in section of a male-side frame. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view in section of a male auxiliary connector mounted at a final mount position. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an insertion opening of an insertion groove. 
     FIGS.  7 (A) to  7 (D) are sections showing a movement of a resilient locking piece. 
     FIG. 8 is a front view in section showing a state where female and male connectors are completely connected. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view in section showing the state where the female and male connectors are completely connected. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view in section of a divided connector according to one further preferred embodiment of the invention before being connected (temporary mount position). 
     FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a female connector. 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view of a male frame. 
     FIG. 13 is a side view in section of a male-side frame. 
     FIG. 14 is a front view in section of the male-side frame. 
     FIG. 15 is a plan view of male auxiliary connectors. 
     FIG. 16 is a front view in section showing a state where the male auxiliary connector is mounted at a temporary mount position or partial locking position. 
     FIG. 17 is a front view in section showing a state where the male auxiliary connector is mounted at a final mount position. 
     FIG. 18 is a plan view of a male connector. 
     FIGS.  19 (A) to  19 (D) are side views in section showing a movement of a resilient restricting piece. 
     FIG. 20 is a side view in section showing the female and male connectors completely connected. 
     FIG. 21 is a side view in section showing a divided connector according to still a further preferred embodiment before being connected (temporary mount position). 
     FIG. 22 is a side view showing a connected state. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A connector according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and comprises a male connector M and a female connector F that are engageable and separable along a connecting direction CD. 
     The female connector F has a female-side frame  10  made e.g. of a synthetic resin and three female auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 C made e.g. of a synthetic resin are held in the female-side frame  10 . The female-side frame  10  includes a wide tubular receptacle  12  with an open bottom. Vertical lock holes  12 A are formed at each of the opposite lateral sides of the receptacle  12 . Three rectangular tubular accommodating portions  13 A- 13 C are arranged substantially side by side along the longitudinal direction of the female-side frame  10  and penetrate the upper wall of the receptacle  12 . The female auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 C are accommodated at lower parts of the respective accommodating portions  13 A- 13 C, and sealing rubber plugs  16  and rubber plug pressing members  17  are mounted thereon. 
     The female auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 C have substantially rectangular parallelepipedic outer shapes and bottom connecting surfaces thereof are substantially flush with each other when mounted in the respective accommodating portions  13 A- 13 C. The female auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 C have vertical cavities  14 , and female terminal fittings  15  are mounted in the cavities  14 . Each female terminal fitting  15  has a terminal connecting portion  15 A at one end. 
     The male connector M has a male-side frame  20  made e.g. of a synthetic resin and at least two male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 B made e.g. of a synthetic resin are mountable to the male-side frame  20 . The male-side frame  20  is narrow and long like the female-side frame  10 , as shown in FIGS. 3 to  5 . A substantially tubular fittable portion  21  is at the upper left of the male-side frame  20  and is fittable into the receptacle  12 . Left and right pairs of resiliently deflectable lock arms  22  project up toward the female connector F on the outer periphery of the fittable portion  21 . When the female-side frame  10  and the male-side frame  20  are connected, the lock arms  22  fit into the lock holes  12 A and protuberances at their leading ends resiliently engage the opening edges of the lock holes  12 A so that the female- and male-side frames  10 ,  20  are locked into each other. 
     A rectangular tubular large accommodating portion  24 A and a rectangular tubular small accommodating portion  24 B open up and down at a lower part of the male-side frame  20  and are partitioned one behind the other by a partition wall  23 . The male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 B can be accommodated in the accommodating portions  24 A,  24 B. Locks  32  are formed on the left and right side walls of the accommodating portion  24 B, as shown in FIG. 3, for locking the male auxiliary connector  40 B in the accommodating portion  24 B. Vertically extending recesses  26  are formed in each of the left and right side walls of the accommodating portion  24 A. An L-shaped resilient lock  27  is formed inside each recess  26 , and a leading end thereof extends up into the fittable portion  21 . A partial locking projection  27 A is near the vertical center of each resilient lock  27  and projects toward the inside of the accommodating portion  24 A. Wings  27 B project laterally from the leading end of each resilient lock  27  to widen the resilient lock  27 . Cuts extend up from the bottom end of the left and right side walls of the accommodating portion  24 A at a total of three positions, and a resiliently deformable lock  29  is formed between two cuts. A locking projection  29 A is formed at the leading end of each lock  29  and projects into the accommodating portion  24 A. The bottom surface of each locking projection  29 A is tapered toward the bottom end. 
     A lever (not shown) is pivotally or movably supported on the female-side frame  10 , and follower pins  33  project from the side surfaces of the male-side frame  20  for engagement with cam grooves formed in the lever. The male-side frame  20  is pulled toward the female-side frame  10  by the cam action effected by operating the lever, thereby connecting or assisting the connection of the female and male connectors F, M. 
     The male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 B have substantially rectangular parallelepipedic outer shapes, as shown in FIGS. 1 to  3 , and have vertical and lateral dimensions that are substantially the same. However, the male auxiliary connector  40 A is about twice as large, as the male auxiliary connector  40 B in forward and backward directions. Both male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 B have cavities  41  at positions substantially corresponding to the respective cavities  14  of the mating male auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 C. Male terminal fittings  43  are mountable in the respective cavities  41  and have tabs  43 A that project up toward a position where the female terminal fittings  15  are to be positioned. Lock projections  44  project from left and right side walls of the male auxiliary connector  40 B, and the male auxiliary connector  40 B is held in the accommodating portion  24 B by engaging the lock projections  44  with the locks  32  of the accommodating portion  24 B. 
     Locking projections  46  are formed at the leading end of each locking piece  29  for engagement with the corresponding resilient locks  27  from below. Locking projections  47  are provided near the front ends of the left and right side walls of the male auxiliary connector for engaging the partial locking projections  27 A of the respective resilient locks  27 . 
     The male auxiliary connectors  40 A are mounted for displacement between a final mount position, where the entire main body thereof is accommodated completely in the accommodating portion  24 A, and a partial locking position located above the final mount position with respect to a connecting direction CD. The main body of the male auxiliary connector  40 A projects from the accommodating portion  24 A toward the fittable portion  21 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the male auxiliary connector  40 A is at the partial locking position. Additionally, the locking projections  46  engage the resilient locks  27  from below and the locking projections  47  are engaged with the partial locking projections  27 A from above to lock the male auxiliary connector  40 A. Upper and lower surfaces of the locking projections  47  and the partial locking projections  27 A are slanted with a moderate angle of inclination. The resilient locks  27  are guided by the slanted surfaces and deform outwardly when an external force acts to push the male auxiliary connector  40 A further in the connecting direction CD from the partial locking position where the locking projections  47  where the locking projections  47  are engaged with the partial locking projections  27 A from above, thereby unlocking the male auxiliary connector  40 A. In other words, the resilient locks  27  form a semi-locking mechanism for the male auxiliary connector  40 A. 
     The main portion of the male auxiliary connector  40 A is in the accommodating portion  24 A when the male auxiliary connector  40 A is at the final mount position, and the upper connecting surface is flush with that of the male auxiliary connector  40 B as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9. At the final mount position, the male auxiliary connector  40 A is locked by engaging the locking projections  29 A of the locks  29  with locking recesses  49  at the bottom of the male auxiliary connector  40 A from inside (FIG.  5 ). 
     Insertion grooves  51  are formed in the walls of the accommodating portions  13 A,  13 B of the female-side frame  10  at positions to receive the leading ends of the resilient locks  27  of the male-side frame  20 , as shown in FIGS. 1,  6  and  7 . The grooves  51  are slightly wider than the leading ends of the resilient locks  27 . Unlock preventing portions  52  project from the opposite side walls at an insertion opening of each groove  51 , and the resilient lock  27  is held between the unlock preventing portions  52  and the bottom of the groove  51 . Hence, the resilient lock  27  cannot deform. The wings  27 B move beyond the unlock preventing portions  52  when the leading ends of the resilient locks  27  are inserted into the grooves  51  by a specified length. Thus, the resilient locks  27  can deform, as shown in FIG.  7 D. Further, an escaping portion  53  is formed in the bottom surface of each groove  51  at the insertion opening for accommodating the partial locking projection  27 A. 
     The male auxiliary connector  40 B is fit into the accommodating portion  24 B of the male-side frame  20  in the connecting direction CD from below to begin assembly of the connector. Thus, the lock projections  44  engage the lock pieces  32  to hold the male auxiliary connector  40 B. 
     The male auxiliary connector  40 A then is fit into the accommodating portion  24 A in the connecting direction CD from below and abuts against the locking projections  29 A. The slanted surfaces cause the locks  29  to deform resiliently outwardly, and permit further movement of the male auxiliary connector  40 A. The locks  29  restore substantially to their original shape when the male auxiliary connector  40 A reaches the final mount position in the accommodating portion  24 A, and the locking projections  29 A fit into the locking recesses  49  to prevent the male auxiliary connector  40 A from coming out downwardly. 
     When the male auxiliary connector  40 A is moved beyond the final mount position, the locking projections  47  abut against the partial locking projections  27 A and the slanted surfaces of the projections  47 ,  27 A deform the resilient locks  27  outward in the widthwise direction of the male-side frame  20 . As a result, the partial locking projections  27 A move onto the locking projections  47 . 
     The resilient locks  27  are restored to their original shape and the locking projections  47  engage the partial locking projections  27 A from above (see FIGS. 1 and 2) when the male auxiliary connector  40 A reaches the partial locking position. Engagement of the locking projections  46  with the rear ends of the resilient locks  27  prevents the male auxiliary connector  40 A from coming out upward. 
     The female and male connectors F, M are connected by first inserting the fittable portion  21  into the receptacle  12 . The male-side frame  20  then is pulled toward the female-side frame  10  by engaging the follower pins  33  of the male-side frame  20  with the cam grooves of the unillustrated lever of the female-side frame and operating the lever as described above. The tabs  43 A of the male terminal fittings  43  that project from the male auxiliary connector  40 A enter the cavities  14  of the corresponding female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B and engage the resilient contacts of the terminal connecting portions  15 A. On the other hand, the leading ends of the resilient locks  27  enter the insertion grooves  51 . However, the unlock preventing portions  52  restrict deformation of the resilient locks  27  (see FIG.  7 (B)). At or near this time, the male auxiliary connector  40 A is subjected to a pushing force acting toward the back side in the connecting direction CD due to a connection resistance of the female and male terminal fittings  15 ,  43  resulting from an approaching movement of the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B. Additionally, the resilient locks  27  are subjected to a force acting outward in the widthwise direction of the female-side frame  10  due to the slanted surfaces of the partial locking projections  27 A and the locking projections  47 . However, the wings  27 B are engaged with the unlock preventing portions  52 . Thus, the resilient deformation of the resilient locks  27  is prevented, and the male auxiliary connector  40 A remains held at the partial locking position. 
     The female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B abut against the male auxiliary connector  40 A when the female and male connectors F, M are connected further. Thus, the wings  27 B move beyond the unlock preventing portions  52  to free the resilient locks  27 , which then are permitted to undergo a resilient deformation (see FIG.  7 (C)). In this way, the male auxiliary connector  40 A and the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B are connected completely. 
     Further connection of the female and male connectors F, M causes the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B to push the male auxiliary connector  40 A. Thus, the resilient locks  27  are guided by the slanted surfaces of the partial locking projections  27 A and the locking projections  47  and deform resiliently outward with respect to the widthwise direction of the male-side frame  20 . As a result, the partial locking projections  27 A move onto the locking projections  47  (see FIG.  7 (D)). The male auxiliary connector  40 A then is moved toward the back side with respect to the connecting direction CD together with the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B. Subsequently, the tabs  43 A that project from the male auxiliary connector  40 B enter the cavities  14  of the corresponding female auxiliary connector  11 C, thereby starting the connection with the female terminal fittings  15 . The female auxiliary connector  11 C abuts against the male auxiliary connector  40 B, and the lock arms  22  of the male-side frame  20  engage the edges of the lock holes  12 A of the female-side frame  10 . Thus the female and male connectors F, M are locked inseparably into each other (see FIGS.  8  and  9 ). At this time, the male auxiliary connector  40 A is at the final mount position, and the locking projections  29 A engage the locking recesses  49  from inside. The partial locking projections  27 A of the resilient locks  27  move over the locking projections  47  and the resilient locks  27  are restored to their original shape so that the partial locking projections  27 A enter the escaping portions  53 . In this way, the auxiliary connectors  40 B,  11 C are connected completely, and the female and male connectors F, M are connected properly with each other. 
     As described above, one male auxiliary connector  40 A is mounted displaceably into the male-side frame  20  along the connecting direction CD, is held at the partial locking position with respect to the connecting direction CD by the resilient locks  27 , and is connected with the mating female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B prior to the other male auxiliary connector  40 B. Upon completion of this connection, partial locking by the resilient locks  27  is cancelled. Thus, the other male auxiliary connector  40 B is connected while the male auxiliary connector  40 A is displaced to the back side with respect to the connecting direction CD. By connecting the male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 B with the mating side at different positions, a peak value of the connecting force can be reduced. 
     Further, the resilient locks  27  are formed on the inner surface of the accommodating portion  24 A of the male-side frame  20 . Thus, the male auxiliary connector  40 A is simple and small as compared to a case where resilient locks are on the male auxiliary connector. 
     The male auxiliary connector  40 A is held temporarily at the partial locking position (FIGS. 1,  2 ) during connection with the mating female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B because the unlock preventing portions  52  of the female-side frame  10  prevent the resilient deformation of the resilient locks  27  in unlocking direction. However, the resilient locks  27  disengage from the unlock preventing portions  52  and deform resiliently in unlocking direction when the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B are connected completed, thereby freeing the male auxiliary connector  40 A. The construction is simple because the resilient locks  27  act both as the semi-locking mechanism and as the holding means for the male auxiliary connector  40 A. 
     A further embodiment of the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 10 to  22 , and comprises a male connector M and a female connector F that are engageable and separable along a connecting direction CD. 
     The female connector F has a female-side frame  10  made of a synthetic resin, and three female auxiliary connectors  11 A to  11 C made e.g. of a synthetic resin are held in the female-side frame  10 . The female-side frame  10  includes a wide tubular receptacle  12  with an open bottom. A transverse edge of the receptacle  12  defines a flange, and lock holes  12 A are formed in the flange. Three open-ended rectangular tubular accommodating portions  13 A- 13 C are arranged substantially side by side along the longitudinal direction of the frame  10  and penetrate the upper wall of the receptacle  12 . The female auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 C are accommodated at lower parts of the respective accommodating portions  13 A- 13 C. 
     The female auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 C have substantially rectangular parallelepipedic outer shapes and are held in the accommodating portions  13 A- 13 C by unillustrated locking means. The female auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 C mounted in the female-side frame  10  have their bottom connecting surfaces substantially flush with each other. The respective female auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 C have vertically aligned cavities  14 , and female terminal fittings (not shown) are mountable in cavities  14 . Each female terminal fitting has a terminal connecting portion at one end. 
     The male connector M has a male-side frame  20  made e.g. of a synthetic resin and two male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 B made e.g. of a synthetic resin are held in the male-side frame  20 . The male-side frame  20  is long and narrow like the female-side frame  10 , as shown in FIGS. 12 to  14 , and has a substantially tubular fittable portion  21  that can be fit into the receptacle  12 . Resiliently deflectable lock arms  22  project up toward the female connector F on the outer periphery of the fittable portion  21 . The lock arms  22  fit into the lock holes  12 A and protuberances at their leading ends engage edges of the lock holes  12 A when the female-side frame  10  and the male-side frame  20  are connected, so that the female- and male-side frames  10 ,  20  are locked into each other. 
     Large and small rectangular tubular accommodating portions  24 A and  24 B open upwardly and downwardly at a lower part of the male-side frame  20  and are partitioned one behind the other by a partition wall  23 . The male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 B can be accommodated in the accommodating portions  24 A and  24 B. A lock  32  is formed on each of the left and right side walls of the accommodating portion  24 B for locking the male auxiliary connector  40 B. Vertical recesses  26  are formed in the left and right side walls of the accommodating portion  24 A. An L-shaped lock  27  is formed inside each recess  26  (see also FIG.  16 ), and a leading end portion thereof extends up into the fittable portion  21 . The leading ends of the respective locks  27  are resiliently deformable in the widthwise direction of the male-side frame  20 . Further, a partial locking projection  27 A is provided near a vertical center of each lock  27  and projects toward the inside of the accommodating portion  24 A. Cuts extend up from the bottom end of the left and right side walls of the accommodating portion  24 A at three positions, and a resiliently deformable lock  29  is formed between two cuts. A locking projection  29 A is formed at the leading end of each lock  29  and projects more into the accommodating portion  24 A. Each locking projection  29 A has a tapered bottom end. A substantially planar restriction receiving portion  31  bridges the left and right walls of the accommodating portion  24 A at a center position of the accommodating portion  24  with respect to forward and backward directions, and a restriction recess  31 A is formed at the upper end of its front surface. 
     Although not shown in detail, a lever preferably is pivotally supported on the female-side frame  10 , and follower pins  33  project from the side surfaces of the male-side frame  20  for engagement with cam grooves in the lever. The male-side frame  20  is pulled toward the female-side frame  10  by the cam action effected by operating the lever, thereby assisting the connection of the female and male connectors F, M. 
     The male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 B both have substantially rectangular parallelepipedic outer shapes as shown in FIGS. 10,  15  and  16 , and their dimensions in vertical and widthwise directions are substantially the same. However, the male auxiliary connector  40 A is about twice as large as the male auxiliary connector  40 B in forward and backward directions. Both male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 B have cavities  41  at positions corresponding to the cavities  14  of the mating female auxiliary connectors  11 A to  11 C, and male terminal fittings  43  are mounted in the cavities  41  such that the tabs  43 A thereof project up toward a position where the terminal connection portion  15 A is to be positioned. Locks  44  project from the left and right side walls of the male auxiliary connector  40 B, and the male auxiliary connector  40 B is held in the accommodating portion  24 B by the engagement of the locks  44  with the locks  32  of the accommodating portion  24 B. 
     Locks  46  project on each of the left and right side walls of the male auxiliary connector  40 A for engagement with the corresponding locks  27  from below. Further, locks  47  are provided near the front ends of the left and right side walls of the male auxiliary connector  40 A for engagement with the partial locking projections  27 A of the locks  27 . 
     The male auxiliary connector  40 A is mounted for displacement between a final mount position, where the entire main body thereof is in the accommodating portion  24 A, and a partial locking position located before the final mount position with respect to a connecting direction CD. When the male auxiliary connector  40 A is at the partial locking position, the main body of the male auxiliary connector  40 A projects from the accommodating portion  24 A toward the fittable portion  21 , as shown in FIGS. 10 and 16, the locks  46  are engaged with the locks  27  from below and the locks  47  are engaged with the partial locking projections  27 A from above to lock the male auxiliary connector  40 A. Locking surfaces of the locks  47  and the partial locking projections  27 A are slanted with a moderate angle of inclination. The locks  27  are guided by the slanted surfaces to deform resiliently outward when an external force pushes the male auxiliary connector  40 A further from the partial locking position where the locks  47  and the partial locking projections  27 A are engaged. Thus, the locks  27  disengage from the male auxiliary connector  40 A. 
     When the male auxiliary connector  40 A is at the final mount position, the main portion thereof is in the accommodating portion  24 A and the upper connecting surface is flush with that of the male auxiliary connector  40 B, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 20. At the final mount position, the male auxiliary connector  40 A is locked by the engagement of the locking projections  29 A on the locks  29  with locking recesses  49  at the bottom end of the male auxiliary connector  40 A from inside. 
     A transverse escape groove  151  is formed in the upper surface of the male auxiliary connector  40 A at a center position with respect to forward and backward directions. A bottom part of the restriction receiving portion  31  of the male-side frame  20  enters the escape groove  151  when the male auxiliary connector  40 A is at the partial locking position. A gate-shaped supporting wall  152  stands up at the front side of the escape groove  151 , and a resilient restricting piece  153  extends down from the upper side of the supporting wall  152 . This resilient restricting piece  153  is resiliently deformable at substantially a right angle to the connecting direction CD of the female and male connectors F, M, and is engageable with the restriction receiving portion  31  to restrict a downward displacement of the male auxiliary connector  40 A when the resilient restricting piece  153  is deformed resiliently backward with the male auxiliary connector  40 A located at the partial locking position. Further, a pushable projection  154  with a slanted upper surface is provided on the front surface of the resilient restricting piece  153 . During the connection of the female and male connectors F, M, a pusher  16  at the bottom end of the accommodating portion  13 A of the female-side frame  10  contacts the pushable projection  154 , to deform backward. Further, an escape portion  17  is recessed above the pusher  16 , so that the leading end of the pushable projection  154  can enter the escaping portion  17  when the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B are connected properly with the male auxiliary connector  40 A. 
     The connector is assembled by first fitting the male auxiliary connector  40 B into the accommodating portion  24 B of the male-side frame  20  from below until the locks  44  engage the locks  32  to hold the male auxiliary connector  40 B. The male auxiliary connector  40 A then is fitted into the accommodating portion  40 A from below. Sufficient insertion causes the male auxiliary connector  40 B to abut against the slanted surfaces of locking projections  29 A. As a result, the locks  29  deform resiliently to permit further insertion of the male auxiliary connector  40 A. The locks  29  are restored substantially to their original shape when the male auxiliary connector  40 A is fitted to the final mount position in the accommodating portion  24 A, and the locking projections  29 A fit into the locking recesses  49  to prevent the male auxiliary connector  40 A from coming out downward. 
     The male auxiliary connector  40 A can be moved up beyond the final mount position. Thus, the locks  47  abut against the partial locking projections  27 A and the locks  27  deform resiliently out so that the partial locking projections  27 A move onto the locks  47 . The locks  27  are restored to their original shape when the male auxiliary connector  40 A reaches the partial locking position and the locks  47  engage with the partial locking projections  27 A from above (see FIG.  16 ). On the other hand, the locks  46  engage the rear ends of the locks  27  to preventing the male auxiliary connector  40 A from coming out upward. 
     The female and male connectors F, M are connected by first inserting the fittable portion  21  into the receptacle  12 . The male-side frame  20  then is pulled toward the female-side frame  10  by engaging the follower pins  33  of the male-side frame  20  with the cam grooves of the unillustrated lever of the female-side frame and operating the lever as described above. The pushable projection  154  first contacts the pusher  16  of the female-side frame  10  (see FIG.  19 ), thereby resiliently deforming the resilient restricting piece  153  back and fitting it into the restriction recess  31 A of the restriction receiving portion  31 . The tabs  43 A of the male terminal fittings  43  then enter the cavities  14  of the corresponding female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B and engage the contacts of the terminal connecting portions of the female terminal fittings. The male auxiliary connector  40 A is subjected to a pushing force acting toward the back side in the connecting direction CD due to a connection resistance of the female and male terminal fittings resulting from an approaching movement of the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B. However, the resilient restricting piece  153  is engaged with the restriction receiving portion  31 . Thus, the male auxiliary connector  40 A remains at the partial locking position. The connection of the female and male connectors F, M advances further so that the pushable projection  154  slides over and passes the outer surface of the pusher  16  while being held in contact therewith (see FIG.  19 (B)). The female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B reach a position where they abut against the male auxiliary connector  40 A and the pushable projection  154  moves beyond the pusher  16  (see FIG.  19 (C)). Thus, the resilient restricting piece  153  is restored to its original shape and the leading end of the pushable projection  154  enters the escaping portion  17  (see FIG.  19 (D)). In this way, the connection of the male auxiliary connector  40 A and the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B is completed with the male auxiliary connector  40 A freed from restriction. 
     As the connection of the female and male connectors F, M proceeds, the male auxiliary connector  40 A is pushed by the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B and moves with the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B to the back side with respect to the connecting direction CD. The tabs  43 A that project from the male auxiliary connector  40 B then enter the cavities  14  of the corresponding female auxiliary connector  11 C, thereby starting the connection with the female terminal fittings  15 . The connection of the auxiliary connectors  40 B,  11 C is complete when the female auxiliary connector  11 C abuts the male auxiliary connector  40 B. As a result, the female and male connectors F, M are connected properly, as shown in FIG.  20 . At this time, the lock arms  22  of the male-side frame  20  engage the edges of the lock holes  12 A of the female-side frame  10  to lock the female and male connectors F, M into each other. The male auxiliary connector  40 A is at the final mount position and the locking projections  29 A engage the locking recesses  49  from inside. 
     As described above, one male auxiliary connector  40 A is held at the partial locking position by the resilient restricting piece  153  and the restriction receiving portion  31 , and is connected with the mating female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B prior to the other male auxiliary connector  40 B. Upon the completion of this connection, the auxiliary connector  40 A is freed from the resilient restricting piece  153  and the restriction receiving portion  31 . The other male auxiliary connector  40 B then is connected while the male auxiliary connector  40 A is displaced to the back side with respect to the connecting direction CD. Connecting the male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 B with the mating side at different positions reduces the peak connecting force. 
     The resilient restricting piece  153  in the male auxiliary connector  40 A engages the restriction receiving portion  31  in the male-side frame  20  to restrict displacement of the male auxiliary connector  40 A to the back side with respect to the connecting direction CD while the male auxiliary connector  40 A is being connected with the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B. Upon the completion of this connection, the resilient restricting piece  153  is restored towards its original shape and disengages from the restriction receiving portion  31 , thereby permitting the displacement of the male auxiliary connector  40 A. 
     A further embodiment of the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. No description is given on the construction substantially the same as that of the previous embodiments by identifying it by the same reference numerals. 
     A male connector M 2  of this embodiment has three accommodating portions  24 A to  24 C arranged substantially side by side in a male-side frame  60 . Similar to the first embodiment, the male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 B are accommodated in the accommodating portions  24 A,  24 B. A male auxiliary connector  40 C has a construction similar to the male auxiliary connector  40 A and is accommodated in the accommodating portion  24 C. Locks  61  and a restriction receiving portion  62  in this accommodating portion  24 C are displaced more toward the back side with respect to the connecting direction CD as compared with the locks  27  and the restriction receiving portion  31  in the accommodating portion  24 A. In other words, a partial locking position of the male auxiliary connector  40 C is more backward than the male auxiliary connector  40 A and is before a mount position of the male auxiliary connector  40 B with respect to the connecting direction CD. Thus, the contact timing of the male auxiliary connector  40 C with its mating connector  11 D,  11 E is different from the male auxiliary connector  40 A, so that all male auxiliary connectors  40 A- 40 C have different contact timings with their respective mating auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 E. 
     A female connector F 2  has five accommodating portions  13 A- 13 E arranged side by side in a female-side frame  63 , and female auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 E are in the respective accommodating portions  13 A- 13 E. The accommodating portions  13 D,  13 E and the female auxiliary connectors  11 D,  11 E therein are similar to the accommodating portions  13 A,  13 B and the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B accommodated therein. The connecting surfaces thereof are flush with each other when the female auxiliary connectors  11 A- 11 E are mounted in the female-side frame  63 . 
     When the connection of the female and male connectors F 2 , M 2  is started, a pushing portion  16  of the accommodating portion  13 A first resiliently deforms the resilient restricting piece  153 , which then engages the restriction receiving portion  31  to restrict a displacement of the male auxiliary connector  40 A. Tabs  43 A project from the male auxiliary connector  40 A and are inserted into terminal connecting portions of female terminal fittings (not shown) of the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B to start the connection of the male auxiliary connector  40 A and the female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B. 
     The pushing portion  16  of the accommodating portion  13 D then deforms the resilient restricting piece  153  of the male auxiliary connector  40 C, which engages the restriction receiving portion  62  to restrict a displacement of the male auxiliary connector  40 C, thereby starting the connection of the male auxiliary connector  40 C and the female auxiliary connectors  11 D,  11 E. 
     The female auxiliary connectors  11 A,  11 B reach a position where they abut the male auxiliary connector  40 A as the connection of the female and male connectors F 2 , M 2  proceeds. The resilient restricting piece  153  then is restored to its original shape and disengages from the restriction receiving portion  31 . The male auxiliary connector  40 A is displaced toward the back side with respect to the connecting direction CD as the connection proceeds further. The resilient restricting piece  153 , restored to its original shape, disengages from the restriction receiving portion  62  when the female auxiliary connectors  11 D,  11 E reach a position where they abut against the male auxiliary connector  40 C. The male auxiliary connector  40 C is displaced toward the back side with respect to the connecting direction CD as the connection proceeds. Finally, the male auxiliary connector  40 B and the female auxiliary connector  11 C are connected, and the connection of the female and male connectors F 2 , M 2  is completed when the upper connecting surfaces of the respective male auxiliary connectors  40 A to  40 C become substantially flush with each other. 
     If the male auxiliary connectors are arranged in the order of  40 A,  40 C,  40 B from front in the male-side frame  60 , the connectors F 2 , M 2  may be inclined to each other and may not be properly connected with each other due to a connection resistance skewed toward one side during the connection of the female and male connectors F 2 , M 2 . However, in this embodiment, the male auxiliary connector  40 B is between the male auxiliary connectors  40 A,  40 C mounted at positions before the final mount position with respect to the connecting direction CD. Thus, the connection resistance is unlikely to skew toward one side and a connecting operation can be performed smoothly. 
     The invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiments. For example, the following embodiments also are embraced by the technical scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. Beside the following embodiments, various changes can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined in the claims. 
     Contrary to the illustrated embodiments, the female connector may have the auxiliary connector housings movable along the connecting direction and held at the partial locking position. 
     In the first foregoing embodiment, the divided connector has two auxiliary connector housings that are connected with the mating side at different positions, and the connecting operation is performed at two stages. However, according to the present invention, three or more auxiliary connectors may be provided, and an operation of connecting these auxiliary connectors may be performed at three or more stages.