Patent ID: 12249784

DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION

Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure

First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described.

(1) The connector of the present disclosure is provided with a first housing having a first facing surface and a first lock portion, and a second housing having a second facing surface and a second lock portion, wherein the first facing surface and the second facing surface are arranged to face each other, the first lock portion and the second lock portion are respectively arranged in a rear part of the first facing surface and a rear part of the second facing surface and locked to each other to hold the first housing and the second housing in a combined state, the first housing and the second housing include a recess for receiving a protrusion provided in a mating housing as a connection partner in the combined state, and the recess is arranged between a front part of the first facing surface and a front part of the second facing surface and forward of a locked part of the first lock portion and the second lock portion.

When the first housing and the second housing are in the combined state, a gap is formed between the front part of the first facing surface and the front part of the second facing surface and forward of the locked part of the first lock portion and the second lock portion. However, this gap serves as the recess for receiving the protrusion provided in the mating housing as the connection partner. Thus, according to the above configuration, a space between the first facing surface and the second facing surface can be effectively utilized.

(2) Preferably, the recess receives a protrusion for preventing forced connection of the mating housing. The protrusion for preventing forced connection tends to be enlarged and the recess also tends to be enlarged. In that respect, according to the above configuration, since the recess is arranged between the front part of the first facing surface and the front part of the second facing surface, a large space can be secured along a plane direction of the first facing surface and the second facing surface. Therefore, the protrusion for preventing forced connection can be formed in large size in the plane direction of the first facing surface and the second facing surface.

(3) The first lock portion and the second lock portion may be slide locks for locking a movement along the plane direction of the first facing surface and the second facing surface. Since the first lock portion and the second lock portion are slide locks, positional deviations of the first housing and the second housing in the plane direction are prevented. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the shape of the recess can be stably maintained.

(4) At least one of the first housing and the second housing may include a projecting piece projecting rearward from a rear surface and the projecting piece is arranged in a positioning hole of a sealing member, and at least one of the first lock portion and the second lock portion may be arranged at a position continuous with a base of the projecting piece. Since the projecting piece is arranged in the positioning hole of the sealing member, the sealing member can be positioned and arranged on the rear surface side of at least one of the first housing and the second housing. Here, since the base of the projecting piece is arranged at the position continuous with at least one of the first lock portion and the second lock portion, space efficiency is improved.

Details of Embodiment of Present Disclosure

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

<Overall Structure of Connector>

A connector according to an embodiment includes, as shown inFIG.1, an inner housing10, a front member11, a sealing member12, a sealing ring13, a rear holder14, an outer housing15, an outer shell16, a wire cover17, a lever18and female terminal fittings19. The inner housing10, the front member11, the rear holder14, the outer housing15, the outer shell16, the wire cover17and the lever18are made of synthetic resin. The sealing member12and the sealing ring13are made of rubber. The terminal fittings19are made of conductive metal.

The front member11is arranged to cover the front surface of the inner housing10. The front member11includes a retaining portion21for retaining the terminal fittings19in the inner housing10. The sealing member12is a one-piece rubber plug and arranged to be sandwiched between the inner housing10and the rear holder14. The sealing member12seals wires20connected to the terminal fittings19in a liquid-tight manner and seals the inside of the inner housing10in a liquid-tight manner. The wires20are arranged into the wire cover17from the rear holder14and drawn out to outside from the wire cover17.

The outer housing15is arranged to surround the inner housing10. The outer shell16constitutes a part outside the outer housing15and supports the lever18. The lever18is rotated about a position supported by the outer shell16with the connector engaged with a mating housing90. In this way, the connection of the connector and the mating housing90proceeds. The sealing ring13is arranged in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing15. The mating housing90is fit into between the outer shell16and a part inside the outer housing15from front. The connector and the mating housing90are sealed in a liquid-tight manner via the sealing ring13. The inner housing10is composed of a first housing22and a second housing23.

Each structure of the mating housing90, the first housing22and the second housing23is specifically described below. Note that, in this specification, a direction in which a later-described first facing surface27of the first housing22and a later-described second facing surface43of the second housing23are facing each other is defined as an “up-down direction” and a “height direction”. That is, the height direction is synonymous with the up-down direction. Further, a direction intersecting, more specifically orthogonal to, both the “front-rear direction” and the “up-down direction” is defined as a “width direction”. Further, a direction orthogonal to the “up-down direction” is defined as a “plane direction”. Further, in figures, a rightward direction along the width direction is defined as an “X direction”, an upward direction is defined as a “Y direction” and a forward direction is defined as a “Z direction” when the connector is viewed from front. Note that, in this embodiment, a right side and a left side when the connector is viewed from front are equivalent to “one widthwise side” and the “other widthwise side.

<Mating Housing>

The mating housing90is made of synthetic resin and includes, as shown inFIG.1, a receptacle91in the form of a rectangular tube. A plurality of male terminal fittings95are arranged to project into the receptacle91. A protrusion92for preventing forced connection is arranged to project side by side with the male terminal fittings95in the receptacle91. The protrusion92is in the form of a plate piece extending along the width direction and projects from the back wall of the receptacle91. The protrusion92is arranged closer to one side from a widthwise central part in the receptacle91. The tip of the protrusion92is arranged forward of the tips of the respective male terminal fittings95. If an attempt is made to connect the inner housing10in a posture inclined with respect to the front-rear direction to the mating housing90, the inner housing10abuts on the tip of the protrusion92, thereby avoiding the abutment of the inner housing10on the tips of the male terminal fittings95. In this way, the breakage and damage of the tips of the male terminal fittings95due to interference with the inner housing10are hindered.

<First Housing>

As shown inFIG.6, the first housing22has a flat shape extending in the width direction as a whole. The first housing22is arranged below the second housing23in the inner housing10.

The first housing22includes a plurality of first cavities24inside. Each first cavity24is provided to penetrate through the first housing22in the front-rear direction. As shown inFIG.1, the first housing22includes first locking lances25projecting forward from the inner walls of the first cavities24. The terminal fitting19is inserted into the first cavity24of the first housing22from behind. The terminal fitting19is locked by the first locking lance25and retained in the first cavity24.

As shown inFIGS.6and7, a front part of the upper wall of the first housing22is cut. The respective first locking lances25are arranged in an exposed manner in the front part of the upper wall of the first housing22. The first housing22includes a first slit groove26extending in the width direction between the front part and a rear part. The first slit groove26communicates with the respective first cavities24. As shown inFIG.1, the retaining portion21of the front member11is laterally inserted into the first slit groove26.

As shown inFIG.6, the upper surface of the first housing22is configured as the first facing surface27flat in the width direction. The respective first locking lances25are exposed in a front part of the first facing surface27. The first slit groove26is open between the front part and a rear part of the first facing surface27.

The first housing22includes a low-height portion28located on one widthwise side and a high-height portion29located on the other widthwise side and higher in height than the low-height portion28. A first step31extending in the height direction is formed between the high-height portion29and the low-height portion28. The low-height portion28and the high-height portion29are respectively configured to have different widths. Specifically, the width of the low-height portion28is larger than that of the high-height portion29.

As shown inFIG.6, a plurality of the first cavities24are arranged in the width direction in two upper and lower stages in each of the high-height portion29and the low-height portion28. The respective first cavities24formed in the high-height portion29are configured to have a larger opening dimension than the respective first cavities24formed in the low-height portion28. Out of the respective first cavities24, those formed in the upper stage of the high-height portion29have parts overlapping the first step31in the up-down direction.

A first lock portion32projects on the first facing surface27in the rear part of the low-height portion28. The first lock portion32includes front and rear guide ribs33respectively extending in parallel to the width direction, a pair of pressing portions34arranged at two intermediate positions spaced apart in the width direction on each of the guide ribs33and projecting inward to face the corresponding ones of the other guide rib33, and a claw-like lock projection35projecting on the first facing surface27at a position in a central part in the width direction between the both guide ribs33and near the first step31. As shown inFIG.7, out of the both guide ribs33, the front guide rib33is arranged adjacent to the first slit groove26. The rear guide rib33is arranged along the rear end of the rear part of the low-height portion28, i.e. along the rear end of the first housing22. The other widthwise end of each guide rib33is connected to the first step31. One widthwise end of each guide rib33is connected to a closing portion36. The closing portion36is in the form of a rectangular frame and projects on the first facing surface27of the rear part of the low-height portion28. The upper surfaces of the both guide ribs33and that of the closing portion36are continuous without any step. Projecting dimensions of the both guide ribs33and the closing portion36are larger than that of the lock projection35and smaller than a height of the first step31. The height of the first step31is, in other words, a projecting dimension from the first facing surface27.

The first housing22includes a plurality of projecting pieces37projecting rearward from a rear surface. Each projecting piece37is in the form of a plate piece extending along the width direction. The respective projecting pieces37include a plurality of lock portion coupling projecting pieces37A connected to the rear guide rib33in an upper part of the rear surface of the low-height portion28. As shown inFIG.2, the plurality of lock portion coupling projecting pieces37A are arranged at intervals in the width direction with bases thereof, i.e. base ends thereof in a projecting direction coupled to the rear guide rib33. The respective lock portion coupling projecting pieces37A and the respective pressing portions34are alternately arranged in the width direction. The respective projecting pieces37are positioned and inserted into positioning holes38provided in the sealing member12. The sealing member12is positioned and arranged on the rear surface side of the first housing22by the respective projecting pieces37. As shown inFIG.6, the first facing surface27of the high-height portion29is arranged at a position higher than the first facing surface27of the low-height portion28via the first step31. The first facing surface27in the rear part of the high-height portion29is formed flat as a whole and has no irregularities.

<Second Housing>

As shown inFIGS.8and9, the second housing23has a flat shape extending in the width direction as a whole. The second housing23is arranged above the first housing22in the inner housing10.

The second housing23includes a plurality of second cavities39inside. Each second cavity39is provided to penetrate through the second housing23in the front-rear direction. As shown inFIG.1, the second housing23includes second locking lances41projecting forward from the inner walls of the second cavities39. The terminal fitting19is inserted into the second cavity39of the second housing23from behind. The terminal fitting19is locked by the second locking lance41and retained in the second cavity39.

As shown inFIG.9, a front part of the lower wall of the second housing23is cut. The respective second locking lances41are arranged in an exposed manner in the front part of the lower wall of the second housing23. The second housing23includes a second slit groove42extending in the width direction between the front part and a rear part. The second slit groove42communicates with the respective second cavities39. The retaining portion21of the front member11is laterally inserted into the second slit groove42.

The lower surface of the second housing23is configured as the second facing surface43flat in the width direction. The respective second locking lances41are exposed in a front part of the second facing surface43. The second slit groove42is open between the front part and a rear part of the second facing surface43.

As shown inFIG.8, the second housing23includes a one-side facing portion44located on one widthwise side and an other-side facing portion45located on the other widthwise side and having a smaller vertical dimension than the one-side facing portion44. A second step46extending in the height direction is formed between the one-side facing portion44and the other-side facing portion45. As shown inFIG.4, the one-side facing portion44is arranged to face the low-height portion28from above in the inner housing10. The other-side facing portion45is arranged to face the high-height portion29from above in the inner housing10. The one-side facing portion44has a width corresponding to the low-height portion28and the other-side facing portion45has a width corresponding to the high-height portion29. The second step46has a smaller height than the first step31.

As shown inFIG.8, a plurality of the second cavities39are arranged in the width direction in two upper and lower stages in the one-side facing portion44, and a plurality of the second cavities39are arranged in a row in the width direction in the other-side facing portion45. The respective second cavities39formed in the other-side facing portion45are configured to have a larger opening dimension than the respective second cavities39formed in the one-side facing portion44.

As shown inFIGS.8and9, a second lock portion51projects on the second facing surface43in the rear part of the one-side facing portion44. The second lock portion51includes base portions52projecting at three positions spaced apart in the width direction on the second facing surface43, a pair of pressed portions53extending between the base portions52adjacent in the width direction, and a lock piece54cantilevered toward the other side from the base portion52located on the other widthwise side. The both pressed portions53and the lock piece54are arranged to face the second facing surface43in the rear part of the one-side facing portion44while being spaced apart. The lock piece54includes a rectangular lock hole55open in a central part. The lock piece54is vertically deflectable and deformable with a part coupled to the base portion52located on the other widthwise side as a fulcrum. The base portion52located on a widthwise central side is in the form of a rectangular frame.

The second housing23includes a plurality of projecting pieces37projecting rearward from a rear surface and positioned and arranged in the positioning holes38of the sealing member12, similarly to the first housing22. The respective projecting pieces37are arranged side by side in the width direction in an upper part of the rear surface of the second housing23.

As shown inFIG.8, the second facing surface43of the other-side facing portion45is arranged at a position higher than the second facing surface43of the one-side facing portion44via the second step46. As shown inFIG.9, the second facing surface43of the other-side facing portion45is formed flat as a whole and has no irregularities.

<Structure and Functions of Inner Housing>

In assembling, the second housing23is lowered to the first housing22from above. Then, the second facing surface43in the rear part of the one-side facing portion44is arranged to abut on the upper surfaces of the both guide ribs33and the upper surface of the closing portion36, the lower surface of the second lock portion51is arranged to abut on the first facing surface27in the rear part of the low-height portion28, and the second facing surface43of the other-side facing portion45is arranged to abut on the first facing surface27of the high-height portion29. At this time, the lock piece54is adjacent to the lock projection35on the one widthwise side, and the second housing23is positionally deviated toward the one widthwise side from a proper assembly position with respect to the first housing22.

Subsequently, the second housing23is slid and moved to the other widthwise side with respect to the first housing22. In the process of moving the second housing23, the second facing surface43in the rear part of the one-side facing portion44slides on the upper surfaces of the both guide ribs33and the like, the lower surface of the second lock portion51slides on the first facing surface27in the rear part of the low-height portion28, and the second facing surface43of the other-side facing portion45slides on the first facing surface27of the high-height portion29. Further, in the process of moving the second housing23, front and rear end parts of the respective pressed portions53slip under the respective pressing portions34and, further, the lock piece54is deflected and deformed upward by interfering with the lock projection35. Thereafter, the lock piece54is resiliently restored and, as shown inFIG.2, the lock projection35is fit into the lock hole55of the lock piece54. Then, the second step46of the second housing23butts against the first step31of the first housing22and the movement of the second housing23is stopped. The lock piece54locks the lock projection35, whereby a positional deviation in the width direction of the second housing23with respect to the first housing22is restricted. Further, by the abutment of the front and rear end parts of the respective pressed portions53on the lower surfaces of the respective pressing portions34, the second housing23is restricted from being displaced in a direction away from the first housing22.

In the above way, the second housing23is properly assembled with the first housing22and, as shown inFIG.3, the inner housing10is formed in which the first and second housings22,23are held in the combined state. As shown inFIG.5, if the inner housing10is viewed from behind, the second facing surface43of the other-side facing portion45is in contact with the first facing surface27of the high-height portion29and the first and second steps31,46are in contact with each other in the width direction on the other widthwise side, and the second facing surface43in the rear part of the one-side facing portion44is in contact with the upper surface of the rear guide rib33on the one widthwise side. Thus, the first and second housings22,23are in contact without any gap at a boundary thereof on the rear surface of the inner housing10.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG.4, if the inner housing10is viewed from front, the second facing surface43of the other-side facing portion45is in contact with the first facing surface27of the high-height portion29on the other widthwise side, but a gap is formed in the up-down direction between the first facing surface27in the front part of the low-height portion28and the second facing surface43in the front part of the one-side facing portion44. The first facing surface27in the front part of the low-height portion28and the second facing surface43in the front part of the one-side facing portion44are arranged to face in parallel to each other via the gap.

Here, a recess56is formed to be open between the first and second facing surfaces27and43on the one widthwise side of the front surface of the inner housing10. The back surface of the recess56is defined by the front guide rib33of the first lock portion32. One widthwise end of the recess56is open in one side surface of the inner housing10. The other widthwise end of the recess56is defined by the first step31. The upper surface of the recess56is defined by the second facing surface43in the front part of the one-side facing portion44. The lower surface of the recess56is defined by the first facing surface27in the front part of the low-height portion28. In short, the recess56is formed into a slit groove long in the width direction.

With the connector connected to the mating housing90, the protrusion92for preventing forced connection is arranged to enter the recess56via a hole part of the front member11. In this way, the upper surface of the protrusion92is arranged to contactably face the second facing surface43in the front part of the one-side facing portion44. The lower surface of the protrusion92is arranged to contactably face the first facing surface27in the front part of the low-height portion28. The recess56is filled by the protrusion92.

As just described, according to this embodiment, the first and second lock portions32,51are respectively arranged in the rear part of the first facing surface27and the rear part of the second facing surface43, the first and second housings22,23include the recess56for receiving the protrusion92of the mating housing90in the inner housing10in the combined state, and the recess56is arranged between the front part of the first facing surface27and the front part of the second facing surface43and forward of the locked part of the first and second lock portions32,51. Thus, the recess56formed forward of the locked part of the first and second lock portions32,51is used as a part for receiving the protrusion92. Therefore, a space between the first facing surface27of the first housing22and the second facing surface43of the second housing23is effectively utilized.

Further, in the case of this embodiment, the protrusion92for preventing forced connection is arranged along a plane direction of the first and second surfaces27,43, more specifically along the width direction, and the enlargement of the protrusion92in the width direction can be coped with.

Furthermore, the first and second housings22,23include the plurality of projecting pieces37, the respective projecting pieces37are arranged in the positioning holes38of the sealing member12, and the first lock portion32is arranged at a position continuous with the bases of the lock portion coupling projecting pieces37A, out of the respective projecting pieces37. Thus, space efficiency is improved and, in addition, the strength of the first lock portion32and the projecting pieces37can be enhanced.

Other Embodiments

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

Although the first and second lock portions are slide locks in the case of the above embodiment, the first and second lock portions may be resilient locks having locking mechanisms resilient in a separating direction of the first and second housings as another embodiment.

Although the first lock portion is arranged at the position continuous with the bases of the lock portion coupling projecting pieces in the case of the above embodiment, the second lock portion may be arranged at the position continuous with the bases of the lock portion coupling projecting pieces as another embodiment. Alternatively, both the first and second lock portions may be arranged at positions continuous with the bases of the lock portion coupling projecting pieces.

When the connector is in use, the front-rear direction may be inclined with respect to a horizontal direction or may be parallel to a vertical direction. Further, the up-down direction may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction or may be parallel to the horizontal direction.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10. . . inner housing11. . . front member12. . . sealing member13. . . sealing ring14. . . rear holder15. . . outer housing16. . . outer shell17. . . wire cover18. . . lever19. . . terminal fitting20. . . wire21. . . retaining portion22. . . first housing23. . . second housing24. . . first cavity25. . . first locking lance26. . . first slit groove27. . . first facing surface28. . . low-height portion29. . . high-height portion31. . . first step32. . . first lock portion33. . . guide rib34. . . pressing portion35. . . lock projection36. . . closing portion37. . . projecting piece37A . . . lock portion coupling projecting piece38. . . positioning hole39. . . second cavity41. . . second locking lance42. . . second slit groove43. . . second facing surface44. . . one-side facing portion45. . . other-side facing portion46. . . second step51. . . second lock portion52. . . base portion53. . . pressed portion54. . . lock piece55. . . lock hole56. . . recess90. . . mating housing91. . . receptacle92. . . protrusion95. . . male terminal fitting