JP2000091004A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect elastic contact pieces of an upper/lower two-stage terminal group projecting from a housing by pressing an electric wire in a pressure contact slot of terminals after housing the terminals in a housing chamber of first/second blocks housed in the housing. SOLUTION: A locking arm 26 containing a first locking element 28 is arranged in the upper wall part 20 of a housing 12 of a first connector element 10, and a first projection 30a and a second projection 30b are arranged in grooves 30 formed in the respective side wall parts 18. The first connector element 10 is composed of an upper stage first block 32 and a lower stage second block 34, and terminal housing chambers 36 for inserting pressure contact type terminals 40 connected with wires 50 are arranged in respective ones. The second block 34 can house terminals in the same as the number of the terminal housing chambers 36. After the wires 50 are brought into pressure contact with the terminals 40, the first block 32 and the second block 34 are inserted into the housing 12. A lance for locking the terminals 40 on walls of the first/second blocks 32, 34 is arranged in the terminals 40.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an FPC (flexib
The present invention relates to a connector used in connection with a printed circuit and / or a bus bar.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-48243 discloses an FP.
A connector for C is disclosed, and FIG. 7 in the publication discloses a mating female connector portion 37 and a terminal protection connector 35. In this configuration, the terminal protection connector 35 is
Since the elastic contact portion 40 must be exposed to the outside, there is a possibility that the elastic contact portion 40 may be damaged or deformed due to contact with a foreign substance or the like before connection with the terminal portion 45 of the FPC. is there. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, a terminal protection member 5 for protecting the elastic contact portion 24 is provided on the outer periphery of the male connector housing 2. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as the terminal portion 45 is inserted into the opening 4, the terminal protection member 5 slides,
The elastic contact portion 24 is exposed. As a result, the elastic contact portions 24
And the terminal portion 31a can be electrically connected.

[0003] Also, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-24222 discloses that
A connector structure for an FPC having two terminals is disclosed. In this connector, the elastic contact pieces 7b are provided on both left and right sides of the common male connector case 6. The electrical contact 7 is held at a predetermined position in the male connector case 6 using a flexible housing lance 8. Before the male connector 5 is connected to the female connector 2, the elastic contact piece 7b is retracted into the male connector case 6. When the male connector 5 is connected to the female connector 2, the female connector
The housing lance 8 is provided by the projecting member 10 provided on
, The elastic contact piece 7b is pushed forward. As a result, the elastic contact piece 7b comes into contact with the FPC 3.

The one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-48243 only discloses an FPC connector provided with a single-stage terminal. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-24222 discloses a device provided with two-stage terminals, but crimp terminals are used for these terminals. The crimp terminal is provided with a wire barrel and an insulation barrel, and the end of the wire is peeled and the exposed core wire is crimped to the wire barrel, and an insulation coating is crimped to the insulation barrel. The operation of crimping an electric wire to such a crimp terminal is performed before inserting the terminal into the housing. After crimping the electric wire, the wires are inserted one by one into the housing. This is because a large pressing force is required particularly when the core wire is crimped to the wire barrel, so that this crimping operation cannot be performed inside the housing.

[0005] As another method for connecting electric wires, there is a method using a press contact terminal. The insulation displacement terminal has a pair of blades for making cuts on both sides of the electric wire and simultaneously contacting the core wire. Then, the electric wire is electrically connected to the terminal by being inserted between the pair of blades from above the pressure contact terminal. In a connector using such a press contact terminal, a manufacturing process is adopted in which a plurality of press contact terminals are inserted in advance into a housing, and thereafter the wires are collectively pushed into a blade by a pressing means. Thereby, workability is improved. In order to perform the operation of pushing the electric wire into the press contact terminal in the housing, a relatively large pressing force is required. Supposedly, Japanese Patent Publication 2-24222
As described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H10 (1995), when a pressure contact terminal is applied to a connector in which terminals are arranged in upper and lower two stages, when a wire is pushed into a pressure contact terminal arranged on one surface, a housing on the other surface is crushed. Will be lost. Therefore, when a connector in which pressure contact terminals are arranged in upper and lower stages is required, a housing structure in which upper and lower terminal housing chambers are integrally formed as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-24222 cannot be adopted.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Specifically, upper and lower portions 2 that can protrude from the upper and lower surfaces of the housing.
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector structure having a housing for accommodating two separate internal blocks, each of which can accommodate a terminal, in order to protect the resilient contact pieces of the terminal group of the step.
Still another object is to connect and / or disconnect the first connector element and the second connector element before contacting the FPC and / or the bus bar of the second connector element with the contact piece of the terminal. It is to provide a structure in which the retractable contact piece of the connector element is protected. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a crimping connection which is connected to an electric wire by pressing the electric wire into a crimping slot of the terminal after the terminal is preliminarily accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers of the first block and the second block accommodated in the housing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-stage connector using upper and lower terminals.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided:
A connector comprising one connector element and a second connector element, wherein the first connector element includes a first block that houses at least one first terminal, and a second block that houses at least one second terminal, The first block and the second
And a housing for housing the block.
The block and the second block have a retreat position where the contact piece of the first terminal and the contact piece of the second terminal are retracted in the housing, and the contact piece of the first terminal and the second block.
The contact piece of the terminal is movable in the housing between an advanced position in which the contact piece is inserted into the first opening and the second opening of the housing, wherein the housing has an end wall having an opening. An upper wall having a first opening aligned with the first terminal, a lower wall having a second opening aligned with the second terminal, and a side wall; The side wall is at least the first side of the first block.
A groove for accommodating a pin and a second pin of the second block, wherein each groove is provided between the first block and the second block before the first connector element and the second connector element are connected.
A pair of protrusions for holding the first pin and the second pin at positions inside the groove for holding the block in the retracted position, wherein the first connector element and the second connector element are connected When the first pin and the second pin are movable from an inner position of the groove to an outer position of the groove, while the second connector element is provided with a recess accommodating the first connector element, An electric contact element formed on the concave portion and capable of electrically contacting the contact piece of the first terminal and the contact piece of the second terminal, and being inserted into an opening of the first connector element, A connector comprising: a projection arm for moving the first block and the second block from the retracted position to the advanced position to electrically connect the contact piece and the electrical contact element. are doing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector comprising a first connector element and a second connector element, wherein the first connector element includes a first block for housing at least one first terminal, and at least one second terminal. A second block accommodating a terminal; a housing accommodating the first block and the second block; wherein the housing has an end wall having an opening; and a first opening aligned with the first terminal. And a lower wall having a second opening aligned with the second terminal. The first block and the second block are provided with a contact piece of the first terminal and the second block. A retreat position in which the contact pieces of the two terminals retreat in the housing, and the contact pieces of the first terminal and the contact pieces of the second terminal move to the first opening and the second opening of the housing, respectively. Forward penetrated Moveable within the housing to and from a location, the housing having an end wall, an upper wall having a first opening aligned with the first terminal, and an upper wall aligned with the second terminal. A lower wall having a second opening arranged side by side, and a side wall, wherein each side wall has a groove for accommodating at least a first pin of the first block and a second pin of the second block; Each groove is the first
Before the connector element and the second connector element are connected, the first pin and the second pin are held at an inner position of the groove to hold the first block and the second block at the retracted position. Having a pair of projections,
When the connector element and the second connector element are connected, the first pin and the second pin are movable from an inner position of the groove to an outer position of the groove, and the second connector element is connected to the second connector element. A first guide groove for guiding the first pin and a second guide groove for guiding the second pin, wherein the first block and the second block are connected when the first connector element and the second connector element are connected to each other; The second block moves to the forward position, and when the first connector element and the second connector element are separated, the first block and the second block move to the retracted position. Provides connectors.

According to a third aspect, the first terminal and the second terminal are of a pressure contact type. In claim 4, each of the side walls is
A guide passage that guides the first pin and the second pin to first and second protrusions that elastically and selectively holds the first block and the second block at the advanced position and the retracted position. I have it.

[0010] More specifically, in the invention of claim 2, the projection may be constituted by a beam-shaped stopper arm for preventing the housing, the first block and the second block from being separated. Further, in the invention according to claim 2, the side wall has a flexible space and a partition wall adjacent to each groove, and when the first block and the second block move to a forward position, the partition wall is formed. May be flexibly accommodated in the flexible space.

In the invention of claim 1 or claim 2,
A third pin mounted on the first block and connected to another groove in the housing; and a fourth pin mounted on the second block and connected to another groove in the housing. You may. Furthermore,
In the invention according to claim 2, the first pin and the second pin are aligned on the same straight line with the contact piece of the first terminal and the contact piece of the second terminal, respectively. The 2nd pin is set longer than the 3rd and 4th pins.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG.
0 will be described. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. 4 to 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 9 and 10 show a press-contact type terminal used in the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first connector element 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. First connector element 10
Is composed of a housing 12 made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The housing 12 has an end wall 14 provided with an opening 16.
, An upper wall 20 including at least one opening 24, and a lower wall 22. The upper wall 20 of the housing 12 is further provided with a locking arm 26 including a first locking element 28 described below. Each side wall 18 has at least one groove 30
Are formed. Each groove 30 has at least one first
One projection 30a and second projection 30b are formed. The function of these projections 30a, 30b will be described later.

The first connector element 10 comprises an upper first block 32 and a lower second block 34. Each of the first block 32 and the second block 34 has a wire 5
At least one terminal accommodating chamber 36 into which a conductive press-contact type terminal 40 to which the terminal 0 is connected is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 40 is not accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 36 located at the center of the first block 32. The reason is that when the first block 32 and the second block 34 are connected and inserted into the housing 12, the terminals 4
0 is aligned with the locking arm 26 of the housing 12 and positioned below the locking arm 26. As shown in the first block 32, the second block 34 can accommodate as many terminals 40 as the number of the terminal receiving chambers 36. That is, the second block 34
The terminals 40 can be accommodated in all of the terminal insertion chambers 36.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged views of a press-contact type terminal 40 formed by punching a metal plate and bending it. However, a crimp-type terminal can also be used as the terminal 40. As shown in FIG. 9, each terminal 40 has a first block 32 and a second block 3
4 are provided with contact pieces 42 protruding outward (upward). FIGS. 9 and 10 show a state before the wire 50 is pressed against the terminal 40. Each terminal 4
0 has a pressure contact slot 46a having a blade portion 44 comprising at least one blade member 46. The insulated wire 50 is inserted into the press-contact slot 46a to make contact with the blade member 46, and the wire 50 is tightened between the opposing blade members 46. as a result,
The blade member 46 penetrates the insulating layer of the wire 50, and complete electrical contact is made between the blade member 46 and the metal part of the wire 50.

In the pressing operation, the terminal 40 is connected to the housing 1.
In the state in which the housing 12 is housed, the pressing can be performed with a low pressing force that does not damage the housing 12.
Obviously, the wire 50 is connected to the terminal 40 by the first block 3.
Even before the second and third blocks 34 are inserted, they can be pressed against the terminal 40. On the other hand, in the case of a crimp type terminal, the wire 50 cannot be crimped in the housing. This is because the housing 12 is damaged since a relatively strong pressing force is required.

In FIG. 1, the terminal 40 is connected to the first block 3.
After the wire 50 is pressed into the terminal 40 and the second block 34 is pressed into the terminal 40, the first block 32 and the second block 34 are inserted into the housing 12. The terminal 40 is provided with a lance 48 (see FIG. 3) for locking the terminal 40 to the respective walls 33 of the first block 32 and the second block 34.

The first block 32 has a first pin 32a provided on a side wall thereof. In the second block 34, a second pin 34a is provided on a side wall of the second block 34, similarly to the first pin 32a. In the first block 32, a third pin 32b is further provided on a side wall thereof. 2nd block 3
4 is provided with a fourth pin 34b, and the third pin 32b is aligned with the fourth pin 34b. First block 3
When the second and second blocks 34 are inserted into the housing 12,
The first pin 32a and the second pin 34a are inserted into the groove 30 closer to the end wall portion 14 of the housing 12 in a state of being lined up (vertically). In order to guide the first pin 32a and the second pin 34a at the time of assembly, a guide passage (not shown) is preferably formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 18. Thereby, the first block 32 and the second block 34 can be easily inserted into the housing 12. Similarly, the third pin 32b and the fourth pin 34b are housed in the groove 30 farther from the end wall portion 14. First pin 32
a and the second pin 34a are connected to the groove 30 closer to the end wall portion 14.
Is held in an internal position 30e between the projection 30a and the projection 30b protruding from the inner wall. Similarly, the third pin 32b and the fourth pin 34b are held in an internal position 30e between the projection 30a and the groove 30b in the groove 30 far from the end wall portion 14. As a result, the first block 32 and the second block 34
Are held in the retracted position within the housing 12 and the terminals 40
Is held in a protective state in which the contact piece 42 is retracted into the housing 12 (see FIG. 2).

The first block 32 and the second block 34
Although shown in the drawing as including the third pin 32b and the fourth pin 34b, respectively, the third pin 32b and the fourth pin 34b can be freely slid in the groove 30 farther from the end wall 14 instead of the third pin 32b and the fourth pin 34b. Other guide elements may be employed. Also, the projections 30a and 3a are not necessarily in the groove 30 far from the end wall portion 14.
0b need not be formed.

FIG. 2 shows the second connector element 60 having a recess 62 for receiving the first connector element 10. The recess 62 is formed by the upper wall and the lower wall of the second connector element 60. The upper surface and the lower surface of the concave portion 62 are provided with electric contact elements 60A electrically connected to the terminals 40 of the first block 32 and the terminals 40 of the second block 34, respectively. In this embodiment, an FPC 64 or a bus bar 66 disposed above and below the inner wall of the recess 62 is provided as the electric contact element 60A. 2 and 3, the FPC 64 is provided on the upper side and the bus bar 66 is provided on the lower side. However, both the FPC 64 and the bus bar 66 may be used. When the bus bar 66 is used, a soldering portion 68 for fixing the bus bar 66 to the wall 70 of the second connector element 60 is provided.

A tapered projection 72 is provided at the center of the inside of the second connector element 60. The projection 72 has the function of cooperating with the opening 16 of the first connector element 10. When the projection 72 is inserted between the first block 32 and the second block 34 through the opening 16, the tapered tip of the projection 72 forms a chamfer at the tip of the mating surface between the first block 32 and the second block 34. Into the recessed portion 33a, and is inserted between the mating surfaces of the two.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the first connector element 10 and the second connector element 60 are completely connected. In this state, the projections 72 move in opposite directions so that the contact pieces 42 of the upper terminals 40 are connected to the FPC 64 and the contact pieces 42 of the lower terminals 40 are connected to the bus bar 66. The first block 32 and the second block 34 are pressed. Upper terminal 40 and lower terminal 4
The zero contact pieces 42 are arranged through the openings 24 provided in the upper wall 20 and the lower wall 22 of the housing 12, respectively. Furthermore, the first locking element 28 of the locking arm 26 of the housing 12 engages with a locking element (not shown) formed in the recess 62 of the second connector element 60.

During the insertion of the projection 72 of the second connector element 60 into the opening 16 of the first connector element 10, the first pin 32a
And the second pin 34a are urged from the inner position 30e of the groove 30 closer to the end wall portion 14 beyond the protrusions 30a and 30b to the outer positions 30c and 30d, and the third pin of the first block 32 32b and the fourth pin 3 of the second block 34
4b are arranged at external positions 30c and 30d of the groove 30 far from the end wall portion 14, respectively.

When the first connector element 10 and the second connector element 60 are separated, the first block 32 and the second block 34 remain in a state where the contact pieces 42 of the terminals 40 are exposed. The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 solves this problem. First connector element 1
0 'has the same configuration as the first connector element 10 shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment. However, the configuration of the housing 12 'shown in FIG. 4 is different from the housing 12 of the first embodiment. For example, the side wall portion 18 '
Is different from the structure of the side wall 18 of the housing 12 of the first embodiment. Further, no opening is formed in the end wall portion 14 '. A guide passage 31 is provided to facilitate insertion of the first block 32 'and the second block 34' into the housing 12 '. When the first block 32 'and the second block 34' are inserted into the housing 12 ', in these positions, as shown in FIG. 5, the contact piece 42 of the terminal 40 is held at the retracted position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side schematic view showing the first connector element 10 '. The housing 12 ′ has, for example, four protrusions 12a as a cantilever-shaped stopper arm having a plurality of functions. For example, when the first pin 32a ', the second pin 34a', the third pin 32b ', and the fourth pin 34b' are inserted into the guide passage 31 of the housing 12 ', each beam-shaped projection 12a becomes a flexible space. 12c, it is elastically bent and retracted. Each protrusion 12
a is completely inserted into the guide passage 31, the flexible projections 12 a become the first pin 32 a ′ and the second pin 34.
a ', the third pin 32b', and the fourth pin 34b 'are elastically pressed and locked in place. Thereby, the first block 32 'and the second block 34' are connected to the housing 12 '.
Along the guide passage 31 in the removal direction. Therefore, the first block 32 'and the second block 34' are prevented from falling off the housing 12 '.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 7 in the housing 12 ', the first connector element 10' is inserted into the second connector element 60 'for connection with the second connector element 60'. . The second connector element 60 'is similar in configuration to the second connector element 60 of the first embodiment. This is because the FPC 64 as the electrical contact element 60A and the bus bar 66 are provided in the recess 6 as shown in FIG.
This is because they are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of 2 ′. In FIG. 5, F
The state where the PC 64 and the bus bar 66 are used is shown.
Alternatively, the bus bar 66 can be
This is the same as the embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the projection 72 is formed on the second connector element 60, whereas the second connector element 6
The projection 72 is not formed at 0 ', but a pair of guide grooves 61 and 63 are formed. First connector element 1
0 ′ and the second connector element 60 ′ are connected, the guide groove 61 fits with the first pin 32a ′, and the guide groove 63
Is fitted with the second pin 34a '. In order to facilitate this fitting, the first pin 32a 'and the second pin 34a' are formed longer than the third pin 32b 'and the fourth pin 34b', respectively.

After this fitting, the first
Pin 32a 'and second pin 34 fitted in guide groove 63
With the guidance of a ′, the first block 32 ′ and the second block 34 ′ are moved in opposite directions until the contact piece 42 of the terminal 40 is fitted to the FPC 64 and the bus bar 66. In this respect, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. However, the first connector element 10 '
The connection between the second connector element 60 'and the second connector element 60' is disconnected, and the two are separated from the state shown in FIG. 6 (FIG. 5).
, The first block 32 'and the second block 34' return to the retracted positions. Because the first block 32 'and the second block 32'
The guide grooves 61 and 63 are connected to the first pin 32a 'and the second pin 34 until the block 34' is taken again between the beam-shaped protrusion 12a and the opposing protrusion 12b (FIGS. 5 and 7).
This is because a 'is forcibly guided.

In the above case, the third pin 32b 'and the fourth pin 34b' need not necessarily be fitted in the guide grooves 61 and 63, respectively. This is because the movement of the contact piece 42 of the terminal 40 is more directly controlled by the first pin 32a 'and the second pin 34a', rather than by the third pin 32b 'and the fourth pin 34b'. As described above, the contact piece 42 of the terminal 40 includes the first pin 32a 'and the second pin 34.
This is because they are on the same straight line as a ′. This is shown in FIG.

Further, when the state of the first connector element 10 'and the second connector element 60' is changed from the state shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 6, at least the first pin 32a 'and the second pin 34a' are urged in a direction to get over the beam-shaped projection 12a and the opposing projection 12b. When the first connector element 10 ′ and the second connector element 60 ′ are connected, the first pin 32 a ′ and the second pin 34 a ′ are guided along the guide grooves 61 and 63, respectively, so that a beam-shaped projection is formed. 12a is a flexible space 12
On the other hand, the partition wall 13 bends when climbing over the projection 12b while retracting to the position c, and finally the first pin 32a 'and the second pin 34a' reach the external position 30e.

When the first connector element 10 'and the second connector element 60' are separated, the first pin 32a 'and the second pin 34a' move from the external position 32e 'to the inside of the groove shown in FIG. Return to position 30e. The first pin 32a 'and the second
During the return operation of the pin 34a ', the first pin 32a' and the second pin 34a 'come into contact with the projection 12b, and until the first pin 32a' and the second pin 34a 'pass between the projection 12a and the projection 12b. The partition wall 13 is bent into the partition wall flexible space 15.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first connector element according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the first connector element and the second connector element of the first embodiment of the present invention are assembled when the terminal is at a retracted position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the first connector element and the second connector element of the first embodiment are completely connected.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a first connector element of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the first connector element and the second connector element of the second embodiment are assembled when the terminal is at a retracted position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a first connector element and a second connector element of the second embodiment are connected.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic side view showing the first connector element of the second embodiment when the terminal is in the retracted position.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a first block and a second block of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a press contact type terminal.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a press contact type terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10 'First connector element 12, 12' Housing 16 Opening 18, 18 'Side wall part 20 Upper wall part 22 Lower wall part 32, 32' First block 32a, 32a 'First pin 32b, 32b' Third pin 34, 34 'Second block 34a, 34a' Fourth pin 40 Terminal 42 Contact piece 60, 60 'Second connector element 60A Electrical contact element

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A connector comprising a first connector element and a second connector element, wherein the first connector element accommodates a first block containing at least one first terminal and at least one second terminal. A second block, and a housing for accommodating the first block and the second block. The first block and the second block are configured such that a contact piece of the first terminal and a contact piece of the second terminal are formed in the housing. And the contact piece of the first terminal and the contact piece of the second terminal are in the first position of the housing.
The housing is movable in the housing between an opening and an advanced position respectively inserted into the second opening, and the housing has an end wall having an opening and a first terminal aligned with the first terminal. An upper wall having an opening, a lower wall having a second opening aligned with the second terminal,
A side wall portion, wherein each of the side wall portions has a groove for accommodating at least a first pin of the first block and a second pin of the second block, and each of the grooves is provided between the first connector element and the first Before the two connector elements are connected, a pair of projections for holding the first pin and the second pin at an inner position of the groove for holding the first block and the second block at the retracted position are provided. Having, when the first connector element and the second connector element are connected, the first pin and the second pin are movable from an inner position of the groove to an outer position of the groove; The second connector element has a recess for accommodating the first connector element, and an electrical contact formed on the recess and electrically contacting the contact piece of the first terminal and the contact piece of the second terminal. A contact element and an opening in the first connector element And a projecting arm for moving the first block and the second block from the retracted position to the advanced position to electrically connect the contact piece and the electrical contact element. The connector characterized by the above. 2. A connector comprising a first connector element and a second connector element, wherein the first connector element accommodates a first block accommodating at least one first terminal and an accommodating at least one second terminal. And a housing for accommodating the first block and the second block. The housing has an end wall portion having an opening and a first opening portion aligned with the first terminal. A lower wall having a second opening aligned with the second terminal; and wherein the first block and the second block are provided with a contact piece of the first terminal and a second terminal. A retreat position in which the contact piece retreats in the housing, and the contact piece of the first terminal and the contact piece of the second terminal are inserted into the first opening and the second opening of the housing, respectively. Between the forward position The housing is movable within the housing, the housing having an end wall, an upper wall having a first opening aligned with the first terminal, and a second opening aligned with the second terminal. And a side wall portion, wherein each side wall portion is at least a first side of the first block.
A groove for accommodating a pin and a second pin of the second block, wherein each groove is provided between the first block and the second block before the first connector element and the second connector element are connected.
A pair of protrusions for holding the first pin and the second pin at positions inside the groove for holding the block in the retracted position, wherein the first connector element and the second connector element are connected When the first pin and the second pin are movable from an inner position of the groove to an outer position of the groove, the second connector element includes a first guide groove for guiding the first pin and a second guide groove. A second guide groove for guiding a pin, wherein when the first connector element and the second connector element are connected, the first block and the second block move to the forward position, and 1 connector element and the second
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first block and the second block move to the retracted position when the connector element is separated. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are of a press-contact type. 4. The first pin according to claim 1, wherein each side wall includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion that elastically and selectively hold the first block and the second block at the advanced position and the retracted position. 3. The connector according to claim 2, further comprising a guide passage for guiding said second pin.