EP3691049B1

EP3691049B1 - Connector device

Info

Publication number: EP3691049B1
Application number: EP20150425.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hironori Tanaka
Original assignee: Hirose Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hirose Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-01-31
Filing date: 2020-01-07
Publication date: 2021-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-07
Also published as: EP3691049A1; JP7282449B2; JP2020123532A

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a connector device having two connectors to be connected to each other and suitably used for electrical connection between electric or electronic devices.

BACKGROUND ART

Japanese utility model bulletin No. 3146918 discloses a connector usable for electrical connection between electric or electronic devices. The connector is configured such that a connection end portion of a female connector is inserted into a connection end portion of a male connector, and three contact pins of the male connector are inserted into three contact pin receiving holes of the female connector to electrically connect them to each other
JP 2011 146304 A and JP 2009 064716 A disclose connector devices according to the preamble of claim 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By the way, technology to realize IoT (Internet of Things) has been developed in recent years. In the IoT, various devices, such as home electric appliances, vehicles, industrial machines and medical devices, are connected to the Internet, and sensors are mounted on these devices to remotely monitor or control these devices by information terminal devices. In order to mount a sensor on a device, a connector to electrically connect the device to the sensor is required. It is necessary to avoid the increase in size of a device owing to mounting a sensor and a connector on the device. Therefore, a sensor and a connector to be mounted on a device are desired to be small in size.
In decreasing the size of a connector, there are following problems. In a connector, terminals are arranged at predetermined positions separated away from each other, and the terminals are firmly supported inside a connector housing so as to maintain their positional arrangements. As the size of a connector becomes smaller, sizes of terminals and a connector housing become smaller, so that it may be difficult to construct a structure for firmly supporting the terminals inside the connector housing.
Furthermore, it is necessary to secure the strength of terminals of a connector in order to avoid damaging the terminals owing to repeated insertion and removal of the connector to a mating connector. When the size of a connector becomes small, the diameter of each terminal becomes small, so that it may be difficult to secure the strength of terminals.
Additionally, it is necessary to design connectors so as to easily align the orientations of the connectors with each other and to properly bring terminals of one connector into contact with terminals of the other connector when the connectors are connected to each other. In this regard, the connectors disclosed in Japanese utility model bulletin No. 3146918 is configured such that when a male connector is connected to a female connector, a mark provided on the outer circumferential face of the connection end portion of the male connector is aligned with a mark provided on the outer circumferential face of the connection end portion of the female connector so that a rib formed on the connection end portion of the female connector is inserted into a groove formed on the connection end portion of the male connector to bring three contact pins of the male connector into contact with three contact receiving pins of the female connector respectively.
However, as the sizes of connectors become small, even if a mark is provided on the outer circumferential face of a connector housing of each connector, the size of each mark becomes smaller, and therefore, it becomes difficult to recognize the marks. Additionally, in a small size connector, it is not easy to finely turn the connector in a circumferential direction by picking it with his fingers, and therefore, when the connectors are connected to each other, a work for positioning the connectors such that a rib of one connector is inserted into a groove of the other connector becomes difficult.
The present invention is made in view of the above described problems, for instance. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector device which is capable of decreasing the sizes of connectors while realizing a configuration for firmly supporting terminals of each of the connectors, securing the strength of the terminals, and easy connectability between the connectors.
To achieve the object, the present invention is a connector device according to claim 1. Other aspects of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
According to the present invention, it becomes possible to decrease the sizes of connectors while realizing a configuration for supporting terminals of each of the connectors firmly, securing the strength of the terminals, and easy connectability between the connectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connector device according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a receptacle of the connector device according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an inside terminal, an intermediate terminal and an outside terminal of the receptacle of the connector device according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the inside terminal, the intermediate terminal and the outside terminal of the receptacle, when viewed from the direction shown by the arrow IV in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the inside terminal, the intermediate terminal and the outside terminal of the receptacle, when viewed from the direction shown by the arrow V in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the cross section of the receptacle taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a disassembled view showing a plug of the connector device according to the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a plug main body of the plug of the connector device according to the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an inside terminal, an intermediate terminal and an outside terminal of the plug of the connector device according to the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing of the inside terminal, the intermediate terminal and the outside terminal of the plug, when viewed from the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the inside terminal, the intermediate terminal and the outside terminal of the plug, when viewed from the direction of the arrow XI in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the cross section of the plug main body taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 8;
FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the cross section of the plug main body taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a housing of the plug of the connector device according to the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the state in which the receptacle and the plug are connected to each other, in the connector device according to the present invention; and
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a dye piece used for molding a supporting part of the plug of the connector device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(Connector Device) FIG. 1 shows a connector device 1 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the connector device 1 includes a receptacle 11 as a first connector and a plug 41 as a second connector. The receptacle 11 is connected to circuits 3 and 4 (see FIG. 2) respectively provided on the upper face and the lower face of a printed board 2 of an electric or electronic device. The plug 41 is connected to electric wires 6, 7 and 8 of a cable 5. When the receptacle 11 is fitted into the plug 41, the circuits 3 and 4 are electrically connected to the electric wires 6, 7 and 8.
(Receptacle) FIG. 2 shows the receptacle 11. FIG. 3 shows an inside terminal 12, an intermediate terminal 18 and an outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11. FIG. 4 shows the inside terminal 12, the intermediate terminal 18 and the outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11, when viewed from the direction of the arrow IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows the inside terminal 12, the intermediate terminal 18 and the outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11, when viewed from the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 shows the cross section of the receptacle 11 taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 2. For convenience of explanation, in the receptacle 11, the side into which the plug 41 is fitted is defined as "front", and the side which is attached to the printed board 2 is defined as "back". When the receptacle 11 is placed as shown in FIG. 2, the upper side and the lower side in FIG. 2 are respectively defined as "upper" and "lower" of the receptacle 11. When the receptacle 11 placed as shown in FIG. 2 is viewed from the front side, the left side and the right side are respectively defined as "left" and "right" of the receptacle 11. In FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, the arrows F1, B1, U1, D1, L1 and R1 indicate the "front" side, the "back" side, the "upper" side, the "lower" side, the "left" side and the "right" side of the receptacle 11, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, the receptacle 11 includes the inside terminal 12 (a first inside terminal), the intermediate terminal 18, the outside terminal 24 (a first outside terminal), a supporting part 30 (a first supporting part) and a seal ring 35. The inside terminal 12, the intermediate terminal 18 and the outside terminal 24 are each formed by press working an electric conductive metal plate such as a brass plate, for instance. The inside terminal 12, the intermediate terminal 18 and the outside terminal 24 are electrically separated from each other.
As shown in FIG. 3, the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11 has a contact piece 13, a connection piece 14 and a coupling part 15. In the inside terminal 12, the contact piece 13 is disposed on the front end side of the receptacle 11, and comes into contact with a contact piece 44 of an inside terminal 43 of the plug 41 when the receptacle 11 is connected to the plug 41. As shown in FIG. 6, the contact piece 13 is shaped like a pin of which axis line A1 extends in the front and back directions of the receptacle 11. Specifically, the contact piece 13 is formed into a shape like a pin by bending a metal plate into a cylindrical shape with a closed tip end.
In the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11, as shown in FIG. 2, the connection piece 14 is disposed on the back end side of the receptacle 11, and connected to the circuit 3 (a first connected object) provided on the upper face of the printed board 2 when the receptacle 11 is attached to the printed board 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the connection piece 14 is formed into a flat plate shape such that its lower face extends in the front and back directions and in the left and right directions of the receptacle 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the connection piece 14 is disposed above the axis line A1, and the lower face of the connection piece 14 is parallel to the axis line A1.
In the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11, as shown in FIG. 3, the coupling part 15 couples the back end of the contact piece 13 to the front end of the connection piece 14. The coupling part 15 extends from the back end of the contact piece 13 backward, curves upward, extends upward, curves backward and then extends to the front end of the connection piece 14.
The intermediate terminal 18 of the receptacle 11 has a contact piece 19, a connection piece 20 and a coupling part 21. In the intermediate terminal 18, the contact piece 19 comes into contact with a contact piece 50 of an intermediate terminal 49 of the plug 41 when the receptacle 11 is connected to the plug 41. As shown in FIG. 4, the contact piece 19 is formed into a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11. The contact piece 19 is disposed coaxially with the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11 on the outer circumferential side of the contact piece 13.
In the intermediate terminal 18 of the receptacle 11, as shown in FIG. 2, the connection piece 20 is connected to a portion of the circuit 4 provided on the lower face of the printed board 2 when the receptacle 11 is attached to the printed board 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the connection piece 20 is formed into a flat plate shape such that its upper face extends in the front and back directions and in the left and right directions of the receptacle 11 and is parallel to the lower face of the connection piece 14 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11. The connection piece 20 is disposed below the axis line A1 and on the lower left side of the connection piece 14 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11.
In the intermediate terminal 18 of the receptacle 11, the coupling part 21 couples a left portion of the back end of the contact piece 19 to the front end of the connection piece 20. The coupling part 21 extends from the left portion of the back end of the contact piece 19 backward, curves leftward and then extends to the front end of the connection piece 20.
The outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11 has a contact piece 25, a connection piece 26 and a coupling part 27. In the outside terminal 24, the contact piece 25 comes into contact with a contact piece 56 of an outside terminal 55 of the plug 41 when the receptacle 11 is connected to the plug 41. As shown in FIG. 4, the contact piece 25 is formed into a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the contact piece 19 of the intermediate terminal 18 of the receptacle 11. The contact piece 25 is disposed coaxially with the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 and the contact piece 19 of the intermediate terminal 18 of the receptacle 11 on the outer circumferential side of the contact piece 19 of the intermediate terminal 18 of the receptacle 11.
In the outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11, the connection piece 26 is connected to another portion of the circuit 4 (a second connected object) provided on the lower face of the printed board 2 when the receptacle 11 is attached to the printed board 2. As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the connection piece 26 is formed into a flat plate shape such that its upper face extends in the front and back directions and in the left and right directions of the receptacle 11 and is parallel to the lower face of the connection piece 14 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11. The connection piece 26 is disposed below the axis line A1 and on the lower right side of the connection piece 14 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11. As shown in FIG. 5, when the receptacle 11 is viewed from the upper side, the connection piece 26 of the outside terminal 24 and the connection piece 20 of the intermediate terminal 18 are disposed almost symmetrically with respect to the axis line A1. In the receptacle 11, the upper face of the connection piece 20 of the intermediate terminal 18 and the upper face of the connection piece 26 of the outside terminal 24 are positioned on the same plane.
In the outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11, the coupling part 27 couples a right portion of the back end of the contact piece 25 to the front end of the connection piece 26. The coupling part 27 extends from the right portion of the back end of the contact piece 25 backward, curves rightward and then extends to the front end of the connection piece 26.
The supporting part 30 of the receptacle 11 supports the inside terminal 12, the intermediate terminal 18 and the outside terminal 24 in such a manner that they are electrically insulated from each other. As shown in FIG. 6, the supporting part 30 is formed by a single resin-molded body which encloses the coupling part 15 of the inside terminal 12, the coupling part 21 of the intermediate terminal 18 and the coupling part 27 of the outside terminal 24 together and fills a space between the coupling parts 15 and 21, a space between the coupling parts 15 and 27, and a space between the coupling parts 21 and 27. As described later, the supporting part 30 is produced by insert molding (or integrally molding). The supporting part 30 is formed into a columnar shape coaxially with the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11. In the receptacle 11, the back end portions (base end portions) of the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12, the contact piece 19 of the intermediate terminal 18 and the contact piece 25 of the outside terminal 24 are embedded in the resin-molded body which forms the supporting part 30.
On the back end side of the outer circumferential part of the supporting part 30, an attachment groove 31 is formed along the entire circumference. The attachment groove 31 is used to attach the receptacle 11 to a case of the electric or electronic device in which the printed board 2 is accommodated. On the center side of the circumferential part of the supporting part 30 in the front and back directions, a seal ring insertion groove 32 is formed along the entire circumference. A seal ring 35 as a seal member is fitted into the seal ring insertion groove 32. The seal ring 35 is a member to water-tightly seal a space between the receptacle 11 and a plug 41 when the receptacle 11 and the plug 41 are connected to each other. The seal ring 35 is formed into a ring shape and made of elastic material such as rubber, for instance. On the front side of the outer circumferential part of the supporting part 30, a locking protrusion 33 is formed along the entire circumference as a locking part for locking the receptacle 11 and the plug 41 together when the receptacle 11 is connected to the plug 41.
(Plug) FIG. 7 is a disassembled view showing the plug 41. FIG. 8 shows a plug main body 42 of the plug 41. FIG. 9 shows the inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49 and the outside terminal 55 of the plug 41. FIG. 10 shows the inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49 and the outside terminal 55 when viewed from the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 shows the inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49 and the outside terminal 55 when viewed from the direction of the arrow XI in FIG. 9. FIG. 12 shows the cross section of the plug main body 42 taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 8. FIG. 13 shows the cross section of the plug main body 42 taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal cross section of a housing 68 of the plug 41 when the housing 68 is cut by a plane including the axis line of the housing 68. For convenience of explanation, in the plug 41, the side which is fitted into the receptacle 11 is defined as "front", and the side to which the electric wires 6, 7 and 8 of the cable 5 are connected is defined as "back". When the plug main body 42 is placed as shown in FIG. 8, the upper side and the lower side in FIG. 8 are respectively defined as "upper" and "lower" of the plug 41. When the plug main body 42 placed as shown in FIG. 8 is viewed from the front side, the left side and the right side are respectively defined as "left" and "right" of the plug 41. In FIG. 7 to FIG. 14, the arrows F2, B2, U2, D2, L2 and R2 indicate the "front" side, the "back" side, the "upper" side, the "lower" side, the "left" side and the "right" side of the of the plug 41, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 7, the plug 41 includes the plug main body 42 and the housing 68. The plug main body 42 includes the inside terminal 43 (a second inside terminal), the intermediate terminal 49, the outside terminal 55 (a second outside terminal) and a supporting part 65 (a second supporting part) . The inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49 and the outside terminal 55 are each formed by press working an electric conductive metal plate such as a brass plate, for instance. The inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49 and the outside terminal 55 are electrically separated from each other.
As shown in FIG. 9, the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41 has the contact piece 44, a connection piece 45 and a coupling part 46. In the inside terminal 43, the contact piece 44 is disposed on the front end side of the plug 41, and comes into contact with the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11 when the plug 41 is connected to the receptacle 11. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, the contact piece 44 is formed into a cylindrical shape such that its axis line A2 extends in the front and back directions of the plug 41. The contact piece 44 has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11 and smaller than the inner diameter of the contact piece 19 of the intermediate terminal 18 of the receptacle 11.
The contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41 has a contact protrusion 61 and a blocking protrusion 62. The contact protrusion 61 has a function to electrically connect the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41 to the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11 by coming into contact with the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11 when the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11 is inserted inside the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41 to connect the plug 41 to the receptacle 11. The blocking protrusion 62 has a function to prevent resin from flowing to the tip end side of the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 in a molding process for the supporting part 65 of the plug 41, as described later. The contact protrusion 61 and the blocking protrusion 62 protrude inwardly in a radial direction of the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 from the same position in a circumferential direction of the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43. The blocking protrusion 62 is disposed closer to the back side (base end side) of the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 than the contact protrusion 61. The height of the blocking protrusion 62 (i.e. the length from the inner circumferential face of the contact piece 44 to the protruded end of the blocking protrusion 62) is equal to or higher than the height of the contact protrusion 61 (i.e. the length from the inner circumferential face of the contact piece 44 to the protruded end of the contact protrusion 61) . The width of the blocking protrusion 62 is equal to or larger than the width of the contact protrusion 61. As shown in FIG. 12, in the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41 of the present embodiment, a set of the contact protrusion 61 and the blocking protrusion 62 is formed on each of a left portion and a right portion of the contact piece 44 in a symmetrical manner with respect to the axis line A2.
In the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41, as shown in FIG. 9, the connection piece 45 is disposed on the back end side of the plug 41. As shown by the broken line in FIG. 14, the end portion of the electric wire 6 (a third connected object) is connected to the upper face of the connection piece 45 by, for instance, soldering when the plug 41 is connected to the cable 5. As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the connection piece 45 is formed into a flat plate shape such that its upper face extends in the front and back directions and in the left and right directions of the plug 41 and is parallel to the axis line A2. The connection piece 45 is disposed slightly below the axis line A2 and on the left side of the axis line A2.
In the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the coupling part 46 couples a lower portion of the back end of the contact piece 44 to the front end of the connection piece 45. The coupling part 46 extends from the lower portion of the back end of the contact piece 44 backward, curves leftward and then extends to the front end of the connection piece 45.
As shown in FIG. 9, the intermediate terminal 49 of the plug 41 has the contact piece 50, a connection piece 51 and a coupling part 52. In the intermediate terminal 49 of the plug 41, the contact piece 50 comes into contact with the contact piece 19 of the intermediate terminal 18 of the receptacle 11 when the plug 41 is connected to the receptacle 11. The contact piece 50 is formed into a cylindrical shape. The contact piece 50 has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41, larger than the outer diameter of the contact piece 19 of the intermediate terminal 18 of the receptacle 11 and smaller than the outer diameter of the contact piece 25 of the outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11. As shown in FIG. 10, the contact piece 50 is disposed coaxially with the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41 on the outer circumferential side of the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41. In the contact piece 50 of the intermediate terminal 49, two sets of the contact protrusion 61 and the blocking protrusion 62 are formed in the same manner as the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43.
In the intermediate terminal 49 of the plug 41, as shown in FIG. 9, the connection piece 51 is disposed on the back end side of the plug 41. As shown by the broken line in FIG. 14, the end portion of the electric wire 7 is connected to the upper face of the connection piece 51, by, for instance, soldering when the plug 41 is connected to the cable 5. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 11, the connection piece 51 is formed into a flat plate shape such that its upper face extends in the front and back directions and in the left and right directions of the plug 41 and is parallel to the upper face of the connection piece 45 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41. The connection piece 45 is disposed below the connection piece 45 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41 and on the right side of the axis line A2.
In the intermediate terminal 49 of the plug 41, the coupling part 52 couples a lower portion of the back end of the contact piece 50 to the front end of the connection piece 51. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the coupling part 52 extends from the lower portion of the back end of the contact piece 50 backward, curves rightward and then extends to the front end of the connection piece 51.
The outside terminal 55 of the plug 41, as shown in FIG. 9, has the contact piece 56, a connection piece 57 and a coupling part 58. In the outside terminal 55 of the plug 41, the contact piece 56 comes into contact with the contact piece 25 of the outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11 when the plug 41 is connected to the receptacle 11. The contact piece 56 is formed into a cylindrical shape. The contact piece 56 has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the contact piece 50 of the intermediate terminal 49 of the plug 41 and larger than the outer diameter of the contact piece 25 of the outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11. As shown in FIG. 10, the contact piece 56 is disposed coaxially with the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41 and the contact piece 50 of the intermediate terminal 49 of the plug 41 on the outer circumferential side of the contact piece 50 of the intermediate terminal 49 of the plug 41. In the contact piece 56, two sets of the contact protrusion 61 and the blocking protrusion 62 are formed in the same manner as the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41 and the contact piece 50 of the intermediate terminal 49 of the plug 41.
In the outside terminal 55 of the plug 41, as shown in FIG. 9, the connection piece 57 is disposed on the back end side of the plug 41. As shown by the broken line in FIG. 14, the end portion of the electric wire 8 (a fourth connected object) is connected to the upper face of the connection piece 57 when the plug is connected to the cable 5. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 11, the connection piece 57 is formed in a flat plate shape such that its upper face extends in the front and back directions and in the left and right directions of the plug 41 and is parallel to the upper faces of the connection piece 45 of the inside terminal 43 and the connection piece 51 of the intermediate terminal 49 of the plug 41. The connection piece 57 is disposed just below the axis line A2 and below the connection piece 51 of the intermediate terminal 49 of the plug 41.
In the outside terminal 55 of the plug 41, the coupling part 58 couples the back end of a lower portion of the contact piece 56 to the front end of the connection piece 57. As shown in FIG. 9, the coupling part 58 extends from the back end of the lower portion of the contact piece 56 backward straightly.
The supporting part 65 of the plug 41 supports the inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49 and the outside terminal 55 in such a manner that they are electrically insulated from each other. As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the supporting part 65 is formed by a single resin-molded body which encloses the coupling part 46 of the inside terminal 43, the coupling part 52 of the intermediate terminal 49 and the coupling part 58 of the outside terminal 55 together and fills a space between the coupling parts 46 and 52, a space between the coupling parts 46 and 58, and a space between the coupling parts 52 and 58. The supporting part 65 is produced by insert molding (or integrally molding) in the same manner as the supporting part 30 of the receptacle 11. The supporting part 65 is formed into a columnar shape coaxial with the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41. In the plug 41, the back end portions (base end portions) of the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43, the contact piece 50 of the intermediate terminal 49 and the contact piece 56 of the outside terminal 55 are embedded in the resin-molded body which forms the supporting part 65. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 12, a fixing groove 66 for fixing the supporting part 65 in an accommodating part 69 of the housing 68 is formed in each of a left portion and a right portion of the outer circumferential part of the supporting part 65.
The housing 68 of the plug 41 is, as shown in FIG. 7, formed into a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape and made of non-electric conductive material such as resin, for instance. As shown in FIG. 14, the accommodating part 69 for accommodating the inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49, the outside terminal 55 and the supporting part 65 of the plug 41 is formed inside the housing 68. Fixing protrusions 70 are formed at two places on the circumferential wall of the accommodating part 69, respectively. The fixing protrusions 70 are inserted into the fixing grooves 66 of the supporting part 65 to fix the supporting part 65 inside the accommodating part 69. An electric wire holding part 71 is formed on the back side of the accommodating part 69 inside the housing 68. The electric wire holding part 71 supports the end portions of the electric wires 6, 7 and 8 connected to the connection piece 45 of the inside terminal 43, the connection piece 51 of the the intermediate terminal 49 and the connection piece 57 of the the outside terminal 55, respectively. An insertion hole 72 is formed on the front end side of the housing 68. The supporting part 30 of the receptacle 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 72 when the plug 41 is connected to the receptacle 11. The insertion hole 72 is communicated with the accommodating part 69. The front end portions of the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43, the contact piece 50 of the intermediate terminal 49 and the contact piece 56 of the outside terminal 55 are disposed inside the insertion hole 72. The insertion hole 72 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the supporting part 30 of the receptacle 11 such that the supporting part 30 is fitted therein. On the back side of the inner circumferential face of the insertion hole 72, a locking recess 73 is formed along the entire circumference as a locking part for locking the receptacle 11 and the plug 41 together. On the opening side (front side) of the inner circumferential face of the insertion hole 72, a seal ring contact face 74 with which the seal ring 35 comes into contact is formed along the entire circumference. The housing 68 is produced by over-molding as described later.
(Producing of Connectors) The receptacle 11 is produced as follows, for instance. Firstly, the inside terminal 12, the intermediate terminal 18 and the outside terminal 24 are formed by performing press working on metal plates. Next, the supporting part 30 is formed around the coupling parts 15, 21 and 27 of the inside terminal 12, intermediate terminal 18 and outside terminal 24 by performing insert molding. Specifically, in the insert molding process, the coupling parts 15, 21 and 27 of the inside terminal 12, intermediate terminal 18 and outside terminal 24 are disposed inside a dye, and then resin of non-electric conductive material is injected in the dye to mold the supporting part 30. Then, the receptacle 11 is completed.
A way to produce the plug main body 42 of the plug 41 is as follows, for instance. Firstly, the inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49 and the outside terminal 55 is formed by performing press working on metal plates. Next, the supporting part 65 is formed around the coupling parts 46, 52 and 58 of the inside terminal 43, intermediate terminal 49 and outside terminal 55 by performing insert molding. Specifically, in the insert molding process, the coupling parts 46, 52 and 58 of the inside terminal 43, intermediate terminal 49 and outside terminal 55 are disposed inside a dye, and then resin of non-electric conductive material is injected in the dye to mold the supporting part 65. Then, the plug main body 42 of the plug 41 is completed.
FIG. 16 shows a dye piece 81 constituting a part of a dye used for molding the supporting part 65 of the plug main body 42. In the molding process for the supporting part 65, the dye piece 81 shown in FIG. 16 is inserted into the inside of the contact piece 44 of the cylindrically formed inside terminal 43, a space between the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 and the contact piece 50 of the intermediate terminal 49 which are disposed coaxially, and a space between the contact piece 50 of the intermediate terminal 49 and the contact piece 56 of the outside terminal 55 which are disposed coaxially. The dye piece 81 has a portion 82 to be inserted into the inside of the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43. The portion 82 has a columnar shape and an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the contact piece 44. Furthermore, the contact piece 44 has the two contact protrusions 61 protruding inwardly, as described above. Moreover, the columnar portion 82 of the dye piece 81 has grooves 85. The grooves 85 are respectively disposed at two places on the outer circumferential face of the columnar portion 82 and formed so as to extend in the axial direction from the tip end toward the base end side of the columnar part 82. In the molding process, when the columnar portion 82 of the dye piece 81 is inserted into the inside of the contact piece 44, the contact protrusions 61 are inserted in the grooves 85 so that the columnar portion 82 of the dye piece 81 can enter the inside of the contact piece 44. Additionally, the contact piece 44 has the two blocking protrusions 62 protruding inwardly as with the contact protrusions 61. Because the blocking protrusions 62 are disposed at the same positions as the contact protrusions 61 in a circumferential direction of the contact piece 44, when the columnar portion 82 of the dye piece 81 is inserted into the inside of the contact piece 44, the blocking protrusions 62 are inserted in the grooves 85 formed in the columnar portion 82 of the dye piece 81. Because the blocking protrusions 62 are disposed closer to the back end side of the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 than the contact protrusions 61, when the columnar portion 82 of the dye piece 81 is inserted into the inside of the contact piece 44, the positions of the blocking protrusions 62 become closer to the tip end side of the columnar portion 82 of the dye piece 81 than the positions of the contact protrusions 61. Thus, when resin is injected into the dye, the resin which flows toward the tip end side of the contact piece 44 through the grooves 85 formed in the columnar portion 82 of the dye piece 81 is blocked by the blocking protrusions 62. If the blocking protrusions 62 are not provided, when resin is injected into the dye, the resin may flow toward the tip end side of the contact piece 44 through the grooves 85 formed in the columnar portion 82 of the dye piece 81 and reaches the positions where the contact protrusions 61 are formed in the contact piece 44. If the resin may flow up to the tip end side of the contact piece 44, stripe-shaped resin pieces may be formed in the contact piece 44 of the completed plug 41. Additionally, the resin pieces may be bent or broken, and caught between the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 of the plug 41 and the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 of the receptacle 11, causing contact failure. By forming the blocking protrusions 62 in the contact piece 44, it becomes possible to inhibit the formation of the resin pieces and to prevent contact failure between the contact piece 44 and the contact piece 13 owing to the resin pieces.
In the same manner, in the dye piece 81, when resin is injected into the dye, the resin which flows toward the tip end side of the contact piece 50 through the two grooves 85 formed in a cylindrical portion 83 inserted into the space between the contact piece 44 of the inside terminal 43 and the contact piece 50 of the intermediate terminal 49 is blocked by the two blocking protrusions 62 of the contact piece 50. This makes it possible to inhibit the formation of stripe-shaped resin pieces inside the contact piece 50, to prevent the resin pieces from being caught between the contact piece 50 and the contact piece 19, and to prevent contact failure between these contact pieces. In the same manner, in the dye piece 81, when resin is injected into the dye, the resin which flows toward the tip end side of the contact piece 56 through the two grooves 85 formed in a cylindrical portion 84 inserted into the space between the contact piece 50 of the intermediate terminal 49 and the contact piece 56 of the outside terminal 55 is blocked by the two blocking protrusions 62 of the contact piece 56. This makes it possible to inhibit the formation of stripe-shaped resin pieces inside the contact piece 56, to prevent the resin pieces from being caught between the contact piece 56 and the contact piece 25, and to prevent contact failure between these contact pieces.
(Assembling of Connector Device) The connector device 1 is assembled as follows, for instance. To assemble the receptacle 11, a manufacture (or a user) connects the connection piece 14 of the inside terminal 12 to the circuit 3 provided on the upper face of the printed board 2, by soldering, for instance. Additionally, the manufacture connects the connection piece 20 of the intermediate terminal 18 to a part of the circuit 4 provided on the lower face of the printed board 2, by soldering, for instance. Additionally, the manufacture connects the connection piece 26 of the outside terminal 24 to the other part of the circuit 4 by soldering, for instance. On the other hand, to assemble the plug 41, the manufacture connects the electric wires 6, 7 and 8 of the cable 5 to the connection pieces 45, 51 and 57 of the inside terminal 43, intermediate terminal 49 and outside terminal 55 by soldering, for instance. Then, the manufacture performs a molding process to form the housing 68. In the molding process, the housing 68 is molded by over-molding so as to enclose the plug main body 42, the end portions of the electric wires 6, 7 and 8 and the others. The molding process of the housing 68 is finished, and then the plug 41 is completed.
To connect the plug 41 to the receptacle 11, a manufacture or a user inserts the supporting part 30 of the receptacle 11 into the insertion hole 72 of the housing 68 of the plug 41. When the supporting part 30 is inserted and fitted into the insertion hole 72, as shown in FIG. 15, the contact pieces 13, 19 and 25 of the inside terminal 12, intermediate terminal 18 and outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11 come into contact with the contact pieces 44, 50 and 56 of the inside terminal 43, intermediate terminal 49 and outside terminal 55 of the plug 41, respectively. Additionally, when the supporting part 30 is inserted and fitted into the insertion hole 72, the locking protrusion 33 formed in the supporting part 30 of the receptacle 11 is caught in or engaged with the locking recess 73 formed in the housing 68 of the plug 41, so that the receptacle 11 and the plug 41 are locked together. Additionally, when the supporting part 30 is inserted and fitted into the insertion hole 72, the seal ring 35 comes into contact with the inner face of the seal ring insertion recess 32 and the seal ring contact face 74 to water-tightly seal the space between the receptacle 11 and the plug 41.
As described above, in the receptacle 11 of the connector device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the supporting part 30 is formed by a single resin-molded body molded by insert molding, so that it becomes possible to firmly support the inside terminal 12, the intermediate terminal 18 and the outside terminal 24 by the supporting part 30 while decreasing the size of the receptacle 11. Furthermore, in the plug 41, the supporting part 65 is formed by a single resin-molded body molded by insert molding, so that it becomes possible to firmly support the inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49 and the outside terminal 55 by the supporting part 65 while decreasing the size of the plug 41. Additionally, according to the way of supporting terminals by a resin-molded body molded by insertion molding, it it possible to easily realize a structure of supporting three terminals firmly, like the receptacle 11 or the plug 41 of the embodiment, and further to easily realize a structure of supporting four or more terminals firmly.
In the receptacle 1, the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a closed tip end (which outwardly looks like a pin), and the contact pieces 19 and 25 of the intermediate terminal 18 and outside terminal 24 are each formed into a cylindrical shape, so that it becomes possible to realize the contact pieces 13, 19 and 25 each having high strength while decreasing the size of the receptacle 11. Furthermore, in the plug 41, the contact pieces 44, 50 and 56 of the inside terminal 43, intermediate terminal 49 and outside terminal 55 are each formed into a cylindrical shape, so that it becomes possible to realize the contact pieces 44, 50 and 56 each having high strength while decreasing the size of the plug 41. Accordingly, it becomes possible to prevent the contact pieces 13, 19, 25, 44, 50 and 56 from being damaged owing to repeated insertion and removal of the plug 41 to the receptacle 11, and to realize the small and strong connector device 1.
Additionally, in the receptacle 11, the contact piece 13 of the inside terminal 12 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a closed tip end (which outwardly looks like a pin), the contact pieces 19 and 25 of the intermediate terminal 18 and outside terminal 24 are each formed into a cylindrical shape, and the contact pieces 13, 19 and 25 are disposed coaxially. Furthermore, in the plug 41, the contact pieces 44, 50 and 56 of the inside terminal 43, intermediate terminal 49 and outside terminal 55 are each formed into a cylindrical shape and are disposed coaxially. Accordingly, when the plug 41 is connected to the receptacle 11, the position (orientation) of the plug 41 with respect to the receptacle 11 is not restricted in a circumferential direction. That is, even if the plug 41 is rotated around the axis line A2, and as a result, the position of the plug 41 is varied in a circumferential direction, it becomes possible to fit the plug 31 into the receptacle 11 and to bring the contact pieces of the terminals into contact with each other surely. Accordingly, it becomes possible to realize high connectability between the receptacle 11 and the plug 41 while decreasing in the size of the connector device 1. Additionally, according to the way of disposing cylindrical contact pieces coaxially, it becomes possible to realize high connectability between the receptacle and the plug not only in a structure of having three terminals, like the receptacle 11 or the plug 41 of the present embodiment, but in a structure of having four or more terminals.
In the connector device 1 of the present embodiment, the receptacle 11 has an overall length of about 5 mm and an outer diameter of about 3 mm, for instance. The plug 41 has an overall length of about 12 mm and an outer diameter of about 4 mm, for instance. In the connector device 1 with such a small size, it becomes possible to support the terminals firmly, to realize the contact pieces with high strength and to realize high connectability between the receptacle 11 and the plug 41, as described above.
In the receptacle 11, the base end portions of the contact pieces 13, 19 and 25 of the inside terminal 12, intermediate terminal 18 and outside terminal 24 are embedded in the resin-molded body which forms the supporting part 30. According to the configuration, it becomes possible to heighten the strength of supporting the contact pieces 13, 19 and 25 by the supporting part 30. Furthermore, in the plug 41, the base end portions of the contact pieces 44, 50 and 56 of the inside terminal 43, intermediate terminal 49 and outside terminal 55 are embedded in the resin-molded body which forms the supporting part 65. According to the configuration, it becomes possible to heighten the strength of supporting the contact pieces 44, 50 and 56 by the supporting part 65.
In the connector device 1, the seal ring 35 provided on the outer circumferential part of the supporting part 30 of the receptacle 11 makes it possible to water-tightly seal a space between the receptacle 11 and the plug 41 which are connected to each other. Therefore, in the state where the receptacle 11 and the plug 41 are connected to each other, it becomes possible to prevent water from entering in the housing 68 of the plug 41 and to heighten the water-proof performance of the connector device 1.
In the connector device 1, the locking protrusion 33 provided on the outer circumferential part of the supporting part 30 of the receptacle 11 is caught in or engaged with the locking recess 73 provided on the inner circumferential part of the insertion hole 72 of the housing 68 of the plug 41, so that the receptacle 11 and the plug 41 which are connected to each other are locked together to maintain the connected state between them.
In the plug 41, the blocking protrusions 62 formed in the contact pieces 44, 50 and 56 of the inside terminal 43, intermediate terminal 49 and outside terminal 55 make it possible to inhibit resin injected into the dye from being flowed to the tip end sides of the contact pieces 44, 50 and 56 in the molding process for the supporting part 65. Therefore, as described above, it become possible to prevent the occurrence of contact failure between the contact pieces.
The above embodiment exemplifies the receptacle 11 and the plug 41 each having three terminals disposed coaxially. However, the receptacle 11 and the plug 41 may be provided with the coaxially disposed two, or four or more terminals.
In the above embodiment, the inside terminal 12, the intermediate terminal 18 and the outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11 are respectively inserted into the insides of the inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49 and the outside terminal 55 of the plug 41. However, the inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49 and the outside terminal 55 of the plug 41 may be respectively inserted into the insides of the inside terminal 12, the intermediate terminal 18 and the outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11.
In the above embodiment, the seal ring 35 is mounted on the outer circumferential part of the supporting part 30 of the receptacle 11. However, the seal ring 35 may be mounted on the inner circumferential part of the insertion hole 72 of the housing 68 of the plug 41.
In the above embodiment, the locking protrusion 33 is formed on the outer circumferential part of the supporting part 30 of the receptacle 11 and the locking recess 73 is formed on the inner circumferential part of the insertion hole 72 of the housing 68 of the plug 41. However, the locking recess may be formed on the outer circumferential part of the supporting part 30 of the receptacle 11 and the locking protrusion may be formed on the inner circumferential part of the insertion hole 72 of the housing 68 of the plug 41.
In the above embodiment, two sets of contact protrusion 61 and the blocking protrusion 62 are formed in the contact pieces 44, 50 and 56 of the inside terminal 43, intermediate terminal 49 and outside terminal 55 of the plug 41, respectively. However, three or more sets of the contact protrusion 61 and the blocking protrusion 62 may be formed in the contact pieces 44, 50 and 56 of the inside terminal 43, intermediate terminal 49 and outside terminal 55, respectively.
In the above embodiment, the inwardly protruding contact protrusion 61 and blocking protrusion 62 are formed in the contact pieces 44, 50 and 56 of the inside terminal 43, the intermediate terminal 49 and the outside terminal 55 of the plug 41, respectively. Alternatively, outwardly protruding contact protrusion and blocking protrusion may be formed in the contact pieces 13, 19 and 25 of the inside terminal 12, intermediate terminal 18 and outside terminal 24 of the receptacle 11, respectively.
Additionally, a connected object to be connected to the receptacle 11 is not limited to a printed board, and a connected object to be connected to the plug 41 is not limited to an electric wire. Furthermore, the above embodiment exemplifies a connector device having a receptacle to be connected to a printed board and a plug to be connected to electric wires of a cable. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The connector device of the present invention may have a jack to be connected to electric wires of a cable and a plug to be connected to electric wires of another cable.

Claims

A connector device (1) comprising a first connector (11) and a second connector (41) to be connected to each other, wherein
the first connector (11) includes a first inside terminal (12), at least one first outside terminal (24), and a first supporting part (30) which supports the first inside terminal (12) and the first outside terminal (24),

the first inside terminal (12) has a pin-shaped or cylindrical contact piece (13), a connection piece (14) to be connected to a first connected object (3), and a coupling part (15) which couples the contact piece (13) of the first inside terminal (12) to the connection piece (14) of the first inside terminal (12),

the first outside terminal (24) has a cylindrical contact piece (25) which is disposed coaxially with the contact piece (13) of the first inside terminal (12) on an outer circumferential side of the contact piece (13) of the first inside terminal (12), a connection piece (26) to be connected to a second connected object (4), and a coupling part (27) which couples the contact piece (25) of the first outside terminal (24) to the connection piece (26) of the first outside terminal (24),

the first supporting part (30) is formed by a single resin-molded body which encloses the coupling part (15) of the first inside terminal (12) and the coupling part (27) of the first outside terminal (24) together and fills a space between the coupling part (15) of the first inside terminal (12) and the coupling part (27) of the first outside terminal (24),

the second connector (41) includes a second inside terminal (43), at least one second outside terminal (55), and a second supporting part (65) which supports the second inside terminal (43) and the second outside terminal (55),

the second inside terminal (43) has a cylindrical contact piece (44) which comes into contact with the contact piece (13) of the first inside terminal (12), a connection piece (45) to be connected to a third connected object (6), and a coupling part (46) which couples the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43) to the connection piece (45) of the second inside terminal (43),

the second outside terminal (55) has a cylindrical contact piece (56) which is disposed coaxially with the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43) on an outer circumferential side of the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43) and comes into contact with the contact piece (25) of the first outside terminal (24), a connection piece (57) to be connected to a fourth connected object (7), and a coupling part (58) which couples the contact piece (56) of the second outside terminal (55) to the connection piece (57) of the second outside terminal (55),

the second supporting part (65) is formed by a single resin-molded body which encloses the coupling part (46) of the second inside terminal (43) and the coupling part (58) of the second outside terminal (55) together and fills a space between the coupling part (46) of the second inside terminal (43) and the coupling part (58) of the second outside terminal (55),

the contact piece (13) of the first inside terminal (12) is inserted inside the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43) when the first connector (11) is connected to the second connector (41),
the contact piece (25) of the first outside terminal (24) is inserted inside the contact piece (56) of the second outside terminal (55) when the first connector (11) is connected to the second connector,
characterized in that

the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43) has a contact protrusion (61) and a blocking protrusion (62), the contact protrusion (61) of the second inside terminal (43) comes into contact with the contact piece (13) of the first inside terminal (12) when the contact piece (13) of the first inside terminal (12) is inserted inside the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43), the blocking protrusion (62) of the second inside terminal (43) prevents resin from being flowed to a tip end side of the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43) when the second supporting part (65) is molded,

the contact protrusion (61) of the second inside terminal (43) and the blocking protrusion (62) of the second inside terminal (43) protrude inwardly in a radial direction of the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43) from a same position in a circumferential direction of the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43),

the blocking protrusion (62) of the second inside terminal (43) is disposed closer to a base end side of the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43) in an axial direction of the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43) than the contact protrusion (61) of the second inside terminal (43),

the contact piece (56) of the second outside terminal (55) has a contact protrusion (61) and a blocking protrusion (62), the contact protrusion (61) of the second outside terminal (55) comes into contact with the contact piece (25) of the first outside terminal (24) when the contact piece (25) of the first outside terminal (24) is inserted inside the contact piece (56) of the second outside terminal (55), the blocking protrusion (62) of the second outside terminal (55) prevents resin from being flowed to a tip end side of the contact piece (56) of the second outside terminal (55) when the second supporting part (65) is molded,

the contact protrusion (61) of the second outside terminal (55) and the blocking protrusion (62) of the second outside terminal (55) protrude inwardly in a radial direction of the contact piece (56) of the second outside terminal (55) from a same position in a circumferential direction of the contact piece (56) of the second outside terminal (55), and

the blocking protrusion (62) of the second outside terminal (55) is disposed closer to a base end side of the contact piece (56) of the second outside terminal (55) in an axial direction of the contact piece (56) of the second outside terminal (55) than the contact protrusion (61) of the second outside terminal (55).
The connector device (1) according to claim 1, wherein
base end portions of the contact piece (13) of the first inside terminal (12) and the contact piece (25) of the first outside terminal (24) are embedded in the resin-molded body which forms the first supporting part (30), or base end portions of the contact piece (44) of the second inside terminal (43) and the contact piece (56) of the second outside terminal (55) are embedded in the resin-molded body which forms the second supporting part (65).
The connector device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the first connector (11) includes at least two said first outside terminals (18, 24),

the contact piece (25) of one of said at least two first outside terminals (18, 24) is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the contact piece (19) of the other of said at least two first outside terminals (18, 24),

the coupling part (15) of the first inside terminal (12) and the coupling parts (21, 27) of said at least two first outside terminals (18, 24) are enclosed together by the resin-molded body which forms the first supporting part (30),

a space between the coupling part (15) of the first inside terminal (12) and each of the coupling parts (21, 27) of said at least two first outside terminals (18, 24) and a space between the coupling parts (21, 27) of said at least two first outside terminals (18, 24) are filled with the resin-molded body which forms the first supporting part (30),

the second connector (41) includes at least two said second outside terminals (49, 55),

the contact piece (56) of one of said at least two second outside terminals (49, 55) is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the contact piece (50) of the other of said at least two second outside terminals (49, 55),

the coupling part (46) of the second inside terminal (43) and the coupling parts (52, 58) of said at least two second outside terminals (49, 55) are enclosed together by the resin-molded body which forms the second supporting part (65), and

a space between the coupling part (46) of the second inside terminal (43) and each of the coupling parts (52, 58) of said at least two second outside terminals (49, 55) and a space between the coupling parts (52, 58) of said at least two second outside terminals (49, 55) are filled with the resin-molded body which forms the second supporting part (65).
The connector device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the second connector (41) includes a housing (68) having an accommodating part (69) and an insertion hole (72), the accommodating part (69) accommodates the second inside terminal (43), the second outside terminal (55) and the second supporting part (65), the first supporting part (30) is inserted into the insertion hole (72) when the first connector (11) is connected to the second connector (41), and

a seal member (35) to seal a space between the first supporting part (30) and the insertion hole (72) is provided on an outer circumferential part of the first supporting part (30) or on an inner circumferential part of the insertion hole (72).
The connector device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the second connector (41) includes a housing (68) having an accommodating part (69) and an insertion hole (72), the accommodating part (69) accommodates the second inside terminal (43), the second outside terminal (55) and the second supporting part (65), the first supporting part (30) is inserted into an insertion hole (72) when the first connector (11) is connected to the second connector (41),

locking parts (33, 73) for locking the first connector (11) and the second connector (41) together are respectively provided on an outer circumferential part of the first supporting part (30) and on an inner circumferential part of the insertion hole (72), and one of the holding parts (33, 73) is caught in or engaged with the other of the holding parts (33, 73) when the first supporting part (30) is inserted into the insertion hole (72).