JP2005276724A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make both housings hard to incline to a connector in fitted condition. <P>SOLUTION: A cam 17 is provided in a male housing 10 and a lever 33 having a cam groove engaging with the cam pin 17 is attached to the female housing 20. A lock portion 41 is provided in an operation portion 35 on this side of the lever 33 as shown and a locked portion 44 able to engage with the lock portion 41 when the lever 33 reaches the fitting position in an exterior surface on this side of the female housing 20 as shown. A seal rings 25 is attached to the female housing 20 and projecting portions 45 able to be elastically compressed by the male housing 10 when fitted is provided in the seal ring 25. The projection portions 45 are disposed at positions on the sides near and far from the lock means 40. The projection portion 45A on the side of the lock means 40 is formed to have the thickness larger than that of the projection portion 45B on the side opposite to the lock means 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

Conventionally, a lock arm provided on one housing is engaged with a locked part provided on the other housing to hold both housings, and is formed between the lock arm and the locked part. As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-228688, it is known that both housings are restricted from rattling back and forth due to the clearance. In this case, an overhanging portion that protrudes radially outward from the rear end of the seal ring disposed between the fitting peripheral surfaces of both housings is provided, and the overhanging portion is fitted between the fitting end surfaces of both housings during fitting. By sandwiching and elastically compressing the two housings, the two housings are restricted from moving back and forth, so that the terminal fittings connected to each other are prevented from being worn.
Utility Model Registration No. 2542639

The connector described above has a structure in which the locking means (the lock arm and the locked portion) are arranged only in a part of the circumferential region of both housings, and thus the following two problems may occur.
1stly, it is easy to be in the state which was slightly separated about the part on the opposite side to a locking means among both housings, and there exists a possibility that both housings may be hold | maintained in the attitude | position which inclined the mutual fitting surface. In that case, there is a concern that the contact allowance varies between the two connected terminal fittings arranged near the locking means and those arranged far away.
Secondly, the portion of the two housings opposite to the locking means tends to be slightly separated, so that the one on the far side of the overhanging portion is closer to the locking means. The amount of compression tends to decrease. If this happens, there will be a difference in vibration absorption performance between the overhanging part close to the locking means and the overhanging part, and it will be possible to appropriately prevent the occurrence of fine sliding wear between the connected terminal fittings There is a risk of disappearing.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances.

  As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a pair of connector housings that can be fitted to each other, and a lock unit that can hold both connector housings in a fitted state. Is disposed in a part of the circumferential region of the connector housing, and is elastically compressed between the two connector housings when mated, thereby restricting both connector housings from moving freely in the mating / detaching direction. Possible elastic members are arranged at least on the locking means side and the opposite side, and the portion of the elastic member on the locking means side is formed to have a larger thickness than the opposite side portion. It has the characteristics in the configuration.

  The invention of claim 2 includes a pair of connector housings that can be fitted to each other, and locking means that can hold both connector housings in a fitted state, and the locking means is part of a circumferential region in the connector housing. An elastic member that is arranged and elastically compressed between the two connector housings when mated so that the two connector housings can be prevented from freely moving in the mating / detaching direction is at least on the locking means side The portion of the elastic member on the side opposite to the locking means is formed so that the thickness dimension is larger than the portion on the locking means side. Have.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, a lever having a cam groove is attached to one connector housing of the two connector housings, whereas the other connector housing is provided. The housing is provided with a cam pin that can be engaged with the cam groove, and both connector housings are fitted by a cam action that is exerted by rotating the lever from a state in which the cam pin enters the cam groove. The locking means is composed of a locking portion provided on the lever and a locked portion provided on either one of the connector housings and capable of locking the locking portion. It has the characteristics.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the lock means includes an elastically deformable lock arm provided in one connector housing of the two connector housings, and the other. It is characterized in that it is provided with a connector housing and a locked portion to which the lock arm can be locked.

<Invention of Claim 1>
Among the elastic members, the lock means side portion has a larger thickness than the opposite side portion, so the amount of compression of the lock means side portion in the fitted state, that is, the elastic force, is less than the opposite side portion. Can also be increased. Thereby, both the connector housings fitted can be made difficult to tilt.

<Invention of Claim 2>
Of the elastic member, the portion on the side opposite to the locking means has a thickness dimension larger than that on the locking means side, so even if both connector housings are inclined in the fitted state, the locking means side It is possible to keep the amount of compression, that is, the resilience of the portion on the opposite side and the portion on the opposite side substantially uniform. Thereby, favorable vibration absorption performance can be exhibited.

<Invention of Claim 3>
When the lever is rotated, both connector housings are fitted by cam action exerted by the cam pins engaging with the cam grooves. At the time of fitting, the connector housing is held in the fitted state by the locking portion of the lever being locked to the locked portion. <Invention of Claim 4>
When the two connector housings are fitted, the lock arm is locked to the locked portion, so that the two connector housings are held in the fitted state.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this Embodiment 1, the lever type connector provided with the lever 33 is shown. The lever-type connector generally includes both male and female housings 10 and 20 that can be fitted to each other, and a lever 33 is mounted on the female housing 20 side. In the following description, the fitting surface side of both housings 10 and 20 will be referred to as the front, and the description in the vertical direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  First, the male housing 10 will be described. The male housing 10 is made of synthetic resin, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the male housing 10 has a horizontally long shape as a whole, and a terminal accommodating portion 11 that can accommodate the male terminal fitting 13, and a terminal accommodating portion. 11 and a hood portion 12 protruding forward. In the terminal accommodating portion 11, cavities 14 into which the male terminal fittings 13 can be inserted from the rear are arranged in two rows in the upper and lower sides and five chambers in parallel in the width direction. In each cavity 14, a lance 15 is provided that can be elastically locked to the male terminal fitting 13 to prevent it from coming off. The male terminal fitting 13 includes a main body portion 13a having a substantially box shape, a tab portion 13b protruding forward from the main body portion 13a, and a barrel portion 13c protruding rearward from the main body portion 13a. The tab portion 13b is arranged in a state of protruding into the hood portion 12 in the inserted state, and can be connected to the mating female terminal fitting 24. The barrel portion 13c is provided with a pair of caulking pieces on the front and rear, and the front caulking pieces are crimped to the core wire of the electric wire W and the rear caulking pieces are fitted to the sealing plug 16 fitted to the covering of the electric wire W, respectively. Has been.

  The hood portion 12 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape surrounding the tab portion 13b of each male terminal fitting 13, and a terminal accommodating portion of the female housing 20 can be fitted to the inside from the front. A pair of cam pins 17 project outwardly at a substantially central position in the width direction (longitudinal direction) of the upper and lower outer surfaces of the hood portion 12. The cam pin 17 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and can be engaged with a cam groove 37 of a lever 33 described later. A pair of release portions 18 project outwardly from the upper and lower outer surfaces of the hood portion 12 at the side of the cam pin 17 (right side in FIG. 1). The release portion 18 is formed lower than the cam pin 17 and has an elongated rib shape in the front and rear direction, and can be engaged with a holding arm 39 of the lever 33 described later. Further, a pair of vertically long guide plates 19 are provided to protrude forward from the front surface (fitting surface) of the terminal accommodating portion 11.

  Next, the female housing 20 will be described. The female housing 20 is made of a synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the female housing 20 has a horizontally long shape as a whole, and a terminal accommodating portion 21 that can accommodate the female terminal fitting 24, and the periphery thereof. It is comprised from the outer cylinder part 22 which surrounds, and the connection part 23 which connects the terminal accommodating part 21 and the outer cylinder part 22, and between these terminal accommodating parts 21 and the outer cylinder part 22, the food | hood part of the male housing 10 is comprised. 12 can be fitted from the front. A rubber seal ring 25 having elasticity capable of sealing between the housings 10 and 20 in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion 12 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21. In the terminal accommodating portion 21, cavities 26 into which the female terminal fittings 24 can be inserted from the rear are arranged in two upper and lower tiers and five chambers in parallel in the width direction, like the male side. A lance 27 that can be elastically locked to the female terminal fitting 24 is provided in each cavity 26. The female terminal fitting 24 has a configuration in which a main body portion 24a having a substantially box shape and a barrel portion 24b are connected in the front-rear direction. An elastic contact piece 24c capable of elastic contact with the tab portion 13b of the male terminal fitting 13 is provided in the main body portion 24a. The barrel portion 24b has a pair of caulking pieces on the front and rear as in the case of the male side, and is crimped together with the seal plug 28 against the end portion of the electric wire W. Further, a pair of vertically long guide grooves 29 into which the guide plate 19 of the male housing 10 can enter is provided on the front surface (fitting surface) of the terminal accommodating portion 21.

  The entire outer cylinder portion 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape. A pair of notches are formed in the outer cylinder portion 22 at the upper and lower portions shown in FIG. The lever accommodating portion 30 is formed by opening both the upper and lower portions of the outer cylinder portion 22 sideways and rearwardly, and a circular shaft portion 31 that can pivotally support the lever 33 protrudes from the ceiling surface. Has been. The upper and lower portions of the outer cylindrical portion 22 are formed to bulge outward in the middle, and a pair of cam pin entrances 32 into which the cam pins 17 of the male housing 10 can enter is formed there. The cam pin lead-in port 32 is formed so as to communicate with the lever housing portion 30 and is formed so as to extend sideways (left side in FIG. 2) so as to allow the release portion 18 to enter.

  The lever 33 has a substantially portal shape as a whole, and has a configuration in which a pair of arm portions 34 are connected by an operation portion 35. Both arm portions 34 are provided with a bearing portion 36 into which the shaft portion 31 of the outer cylinder portion 22 can be fitted, and a cam groove 37 into which the cam pin 17 of the male housing 10 can be engaged. The cam groove 37 has a substantially arc shape that gradually approaches the bearing portion 36 that is a rotation shaft from the entrance portion 37a to the back end portion 37b. When the lever 33 is attached to the female housing 20, both arm portions 34 are inserted into both lever housing portions 30 of the outer cylinder portion 22 and the shaft portion 31 is fitted to the bearing portion 36. In the mounted state, the lever 33 has an initial position in which the entrance portion 37a of the cam groove 37 faces the cam pin advancement entrance 32 and the operation portion 35 protrudes rearward of the female housing 20 (FIG. 4). The rear end portion 37b is disposed immediately before the bearing portion 36, and the operation portion 35 is disposed in contact with or close to the side surface of the female housing 20. It can be turned around the center. When the cam pin 17 is engaged with the cam groove 37 during this rotation, the fitting / removing operation between the male housing 10 and the female housing 20 is assisted. Further, the lever 33 is rotated from the initial position to the fitting position side by being engaged with an engaging portion 38 provided at the periphery of the lever accommodating portion 30 in the outer cylindrical portion 22. A holding arm 39 that can be held in a restricted state is provided. The holding arm 39 is elastically deformed and locked when the release portion 18 of the male housing 10 is engaged as the cam pin 17 enters the entrance portion 37a of the cam groove 37 when fitted. Is to be canceled.

  Here, the locking means 40 for holding both the housings 10 and 20 in the fitted state will be described. The locking means 40 is disposed only on the right side portion (a part) shown in FIG. 2 in the circumferential region of the female housing 20 and the lever 33. In detail, the lock part 41 is provided by notching the operation part 35 arranged on the right side of FIG. The lock part 41 is composed of a pair of piece parts 42 that are cantilevered and elastically deformable, and a bridging part 43 that bridges the tips of the two piece parts 42. On the other hand, of the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 22, the side surface that opposes the operating portion 35 of the lever 33 when it reaches the fitting position (the right outer surface shown in FIG. 2 and the front outer surface shown in FIG. 7). Are provided with a locked portion 44 that can be locked by the lock portion 41 described above. Specifically, when the lever 33 reaches the fitting position, the surface of the lock portion 41 facing the base side of the piece portion 42 of the bridging portion 43 is locked to the front surface of the locked portion 44. Thus, the lever 33 is restricted from rotating from the fitting position to the initial position side, so that the housings 10 and 20 are held through the lever 33 so as not to be detached from the fitted state. (Fig. 7). The rear surface of the locked portion 44 is formed as a tapered guide surface so that the lock portion 41 can easily ride on during the fitting process.

  The seal ring 25 is integrally formed with an overhanging portion 45 that projects outward in the radial direction. Specifically, the overhanging portion 45 has a shape that is curved in a substantially arc shape along the peripheral surfaces of the terminal accommodating portion 21 and the outer cylindrical portion 22, and is formed at four corner portions (each corner portion) of the outer peripheral surface of the seal ring 25. There are a total of four, two on the side closer to the locking means 40 and two on the far side. Each overhanging portion 45 is configured to protrude rearward from the rear end portion of the seal ring 25 and toward the outer cylinder portion 22, and a portion protruding backward is recessed in the front surface of the connecting portion 23. Is received in the receiving recess 46. Each overhanging portion 45 can be elastically compressed by the front end surface of the hood portion 12 of the male housing 10 when fitted. In addition, the outward projecting dimension of each projecting portion 45 is set to the extent that the outer end contacts or does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 22. In the following description, when distinguishing each overhanging portion 45, for both overhanging portions on the side close to the locking means 40 (both overhanging portions on the right side shown in FIG. 2), the suffix A is added to the reference sign. For both overhangs on the side far from 40 (both overhangs on the left side shown in FIG. 2), a subscript B is added to the reference, and if not collectively distinguished, no subscript is added. To do.

  In the present embodiment, of the overhang portions 45, the right side shown in FIG. 2, that is, the both overhang portions 45A closer to the locking means 40 is the left side shown in FIG. It is formed so that the thickness dimension (the length dimension in the direction along the fitting / removing direction of both housings 10 and 20) is larger than that of the protruding portion 45B. That is, both the overhanging portions 45A on the side close to the locking means 40 are set at positions where the front end surfaces protrude forward by a predetermined dimension from both the overhanging portions 45B on the far side. Therefore, the amount by which each overhanging portion 45 is compressed in the fitted state is exerted by the both overhanging portions 45A closer to the locking means 40 being larger than the both overhanging portions 45B on the far side. The resilience that is closer to the locking means 40 is also higher. Here, in the fitted state, the portion PB (the back side portion shown in FIG. 7) on the opposite side to the locking means 40 in the circumferential region of both housings 10 and 20 is the portion on the side where the locking means 40 is disposed. It is easier to displace in the separation direction than PA (the front side portion shown in FIG. 7) by the amount not pressed by the locking means 40. However, as described above, both the overhanging portions 45A on the side close to the locking means 40 exert a higher elastic force than the both overhanging portions 45B on the far side. The part PA on the side where the means 40 is arranged and the part PB on the opposite side of the locking means 40 are kept at substantially the same position in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the fitting surfaces of the housings 10 and 20 can be kept substantially parallel to each other. The difference in thickness between the two overhanging portions 45A on the side close to the locking means 40 and the two overhanging portions 45B on the far side is sufficient to keep the fitting surfaces of the housings 10 and 20 substantially parallel to each other. The size is set so that the elasticity can be obtained.

  This embodiment has the structure as described above, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently. The operation | work which fits the female housing 20 which mounted | wore with the lever 33 in the initial position, and the male housing 10 is performed. When the hood portion 12 of the male housing 10 is fitted between the terminal accommodating portion 21 and the outer cylinder portion 22 of the female housing 20, the cam pin 17 and the release portion 18 enter the cam pin entrance 32, and the cam pin 17 moves to the lever 33. The cam groove 37 enters the entrance 37a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the cam pin 17 enters to the back of the entrance portion 37 a of the cam groove 37, the release portion 18 engages with the holding arm 39 and elastically deforms it, thereby engaging with the engagement portion 38. Since the state is released and the temporary holding state of the lever 33 at the initial position is released, the lever 33 is operated so as to be pushed toward the male housing 10 side. Then, the lever 33 is pivotally displaced about the shaft portion 31, and the cam pin 17 moves along the peripheral edge of the cam groove 37 from the entrance portion 37 a to the back end portion 37 b side (shaft portion 31 side). The female housing 20 is relatively drawn toward the male housing 10 and the fitting proceeds. At this time, since the cam pin 17 engages with the peripheral edge of the cam groove 37, the cam action is exhibited, so that the fitting operation can be performed with a low operation force. In this fitting process, the seal ring 25 is brought into sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion 12 while being compressed in the radial direction.

  Immediately before the lever 33 reaches the fitting position, the front end surface of the hood portion 12 abuts against the overhanging portion 45 of the seal ring 25, and the overhanging portion 45 is sandwiched between the connecting portion 23 and the hood portion 12 and elastic. Compressed. On the other hand, the bridging portion 43 of the lock portion 41 rides on the guide surface of the locked portion 44, and both arm portions 34 are elastically deformed. When the lever 33 reaches the fitting position, the cam pin 17 reaches the back end portion 37b of the cam groove 37 and the female housing 20 is fitted to the male housing 10 to a normal depth as shown in FIG. The At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the bridging portion 43 of the lock portion 41 gets over the locked portion 44, the both arm portions 34 are restored, and the bridging portion 43 is locked to the front surface of the locked portion 44. The Thereby, the lever 33 is held so as not to rotate from the fitting position to the initial position side. Since the cam pin 17 of the male housing 10 is engaged with the cam groove 37 of the lever 33, both the housings 10 and 20 are held from the normal fitting state so as not to be detached via the lever 33 whose rotation is restricted. It has come to be. At the time of this normal fitting, the tab portion 13b of the male terminal fitting 13 enters the main body portion 24a of the female terminal fitting 24 and is elastically contacted with the internal elastic contact piece 24c. Furthermore, since each overhang | projection part 45 is elastically compressed between the hood part 12 and the connection part 23 at the time of regular fitting, it can control that both housings 10 and 20 rattle back and forth. It is possible to prevent the connected terminal fittings 13 and 24 from being slightly slid and worn.

  Here, the compression state of each overhanging portion 45 will be described in detail. Of each overhanging portion 45, both overhanging portions 45A on the side closer to the locking means 40 are set to have a thickness dimension larger than that of both overhanging portions 45B on the far side, so that they are compressed between the housings 10 and 20. The amount to be applied is larger than that of the two overhanging portions 45B on the far side, thereby increasing the resilience, that is, the force for urging the housings 10 and 20 in the separating direction. Here, in the circumferential regions of both housings 10 and 20, the portion PB opposite to the locking means 40 side is not pressed by the locking means 40, and thus is slightly displaced in the separating direction. However, the part PA on the locking means 40 side of the housings 10 and 20 is urged in the separating direction by the large elastic force of the both overhang portions 45A on the side close to the locking means 40 described above. The front and rear positions of the portion PB on the opposite side to 40 and the portion PA on the locking means 40 side are maintained at substantially the same position. As a result, the housings 10 and 20 are prevented from being inclined and the fitting surfaces are kept substantially parallel to each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the contact margin from varying between the terminal fittings 13 and 24 in the connected state on the side closer to the locking means 40 and on the side farther from the locking means 40. The contact allowance of 24 can be made uniform.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the both overhanging portions 45A on the locking means 40 side of each overhanging portion 45 are larger in thickness than the opposite overhanging portions 45B. The compression amount of the both overhang portions 45A on the locking means 40 side, that is, the elastic force, can be increased more than the both overhang portions 45B on the opposite side. As a result, it is possible to make it difficult to incline the two housings 10 and 20 that are fitted together, and to prevent the contact allowance of the connected terminal fittings 13 and 24 from varying between those close to the locking means 40 and those far from the locking means 40. Can do.

<Embodiment 2>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8 or FIG. In the second embodiment, in the lever-type connector shown in the first embodiment described above, a case where the setting of the thickness dimension of each overhanging portion 45 ′ is reversed from that in the first embodiment is shown. Since other structures, operations, and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment, duplicate descriptions are omitted.

  Of each overhanging portion 45 ′, both overhanging portions 45 B ′ on the opposite side to the locking means 40 have a thickness dimension larger than both overhanging portions 45 A ′ on the locking means 40 side, as shown in FIG. The two overhanging portions 45B ′ on the opposite side of the locking means 40 with respect to the front end surface are set at positions projecting forward from the both overhanging portions 45A ′ on the locking means 40 side. ing. The difference in thickness between the two protruding portions 45B 'on the opposite side of the locking means 40 and the two protruding portions 45A' on the locking means 40 side is the locking means 40 in the circumferential region of both housings 10 and 20. The portion PB on the opposite side is set to be approximately equal to the distance that can be separated from the fitted state.

  When the fitting operation is performed and both the housings 10 and 20 reach the normal fitting, as shown in FIG. 9, each overhanging portion 45 ′ is elastically compressed between the hood portion 12 and the connecting portion 23. At the same time, the locking portion 41 of the lever 33 is engaged with the locked portion 44 of the female housing 20, so that both the housings 10 and 20 are held in a properly fitted state. Here, the portion PB on the opposite side of the locking means 40 in the circumferential regions of both the housings 10 and 20 is not easily pressed by the locking means 40 and thus is easily displaced in the separating direction. However, the both overhanging portions 45B ′ on the opposite side to the locking means 40 are larger in thickness than the overhanging portion 45A ′ on the locking means 40 side. When the opposite portion PB is displaced in the separating direction (both housings 10 and 20 are inclined), the two protruding portions 45B 'on the opposite side of the locking means 40 and the two protruding portions 45A' on the locking means 40 side The amount of compression can be kept almost uniform. Thus, even if the housings 10 and 20 are inclined in the normal fitting state, the vibration absorption performance of each overhanging portion 45 ′ is substantially equal (uniform), and thus exhibits good vibration absorption performance. be able to.

<Embodiment 3>
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this Embodiment 3, the connector which does not have a lever is illustrated. This connector roughly includes both male and female housings 50, 60 that can be fitted to each other, and locking means 80 (lock arm 70 and locked portion 53) are provided in a part of the circumferential region of both housings 50, 60. Is provided. In the following description, the fitting surface side of both housings 50 and 60 will be referred to as the front, and the description in the vertical direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

  First, the male housing 50 will be described. The male housing 50 is made of synthetic resin, and includes a hood portion 51 that is directly connected to the wall surface of the device and has a substantially rectangular tube shape protruding forward as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. From the rear end surface of the male housing 50, tab-shaped male terminal fittings 52 that are arranged in parallel in two upper and lower stages and three in the width direction are provided to protrude forward, and the periphery thereof is surrounded by the hood portion 51. . A locked portion 53 that constitutes the locking means 80 is provided so as to protrude upward at a substantially center in the width direction on the outer surface of the upper portion (a part of the circumferential region) of the hood portion 51. The front surface of the locked portion 53 is formed so as to be inclined upward so as to guide the lock arm 70 to ride up. On the other hand, the rear surface of the locked portion 53 that is a locking surface with the lock arm 70 is formed as a substantially straight surface along the vertical direction.

  Next, the female housing 60 will be described. The female housing 60 is made of synthetic resin, and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a terminal accommodating portion 61 that can accommodate the female terminal fitting 24, and an outer cylindrical portion 62 that surrounds the terminal accommodating portion 61. The rear end portion of the outer cylinder portion 62 is connected to the terminal accommodating portion 61 by the connecting portion 63. Between the terminal accommodating part 61 and the outer cylinder part 62, the hood part 51 of the male housing 50 can be fitted from the front. The terminal accommodating portion 61 has a substantially block shape, and a cavity 65 into which the female terminal fitting 64 can be inserted from the rear is provided in parallel in two upper and lower tiers and three chambers in the width direction. A cantilever lance 66 that can be locked to the female terminal fitting 64 is provided on the lower surface of each cavity 65. The female terminal fitting 64 has a substantially box-shaped main body portion 64a and a barrel portion 64b that is crimped and connected to the end portion of the electric wire W. An elastic contact piece (not shown) capable of elastic contact with the male terminal fitting 52 inserted from the front is provided in the main body portion 64a. The barrel part 64b has a pair of caulking pieces on the front and back, among which a front caulking piece is fitted to the core wire of the electric wire W and a rear caulking piece is fitted to the covering of the electric wire W. 67 are respectively crimped.

  A front retainer 68 having a bending restricting portion 68a capable of restricting the bending deformation of the lance 66 is attached to the front end portion of the terminal accommodating portion 61 (the front retainer 68 is not shown in FIG. 11). A rubber seal ring 69 having an elasticity capable of sealing between the housings 50 and 60 in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion 51 on the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion of the terminal accommodating portion 61 relative to the front retainer 68. Is inserted. Further, the seal ring 69 is prevented from coming forward by being locked to the rear end portion of the front retainer 68 whose front edge is at the final locking position.

  The outer cylinder part 62 is formed in the substantially square cylinder shape opened ahead. A notch space is formed over a predetermined range in the rear portion of the upper portion (part of the circumferential region) of the outer cylinder portion 62 from the front end portion, and a lock release arm 73 and a lock means 80 are formed there. A lock arm 70 is provided. The lock arm 70 has a configuration in which the front end portions of a pair of cantilevered arm portions 34 with the rear end side as a base end are connected to each other, and has a substantially U-shape in plan view. The lock arm 70 can be elastically tilted and displaced along the vertical direction (direction intersecting the fitting / removing direction) with both base end portions 71 as fulcrums. The front surface of the lock arm 70 forms a substantially straight surface along the vertical direction, while the rear surface has a so-called overhang shape (reverse taper shape) that forms an upward slope toward the front. Yes.

  On the other hand, the lock release arm 73 is connected to the terminal accommodating portion 61 at an intermediate position between both base end portions 71 of the lock arm 70, and can be elastically deformed up and down like a seesaw with the support portion 74 as a fulcrum. . The lock release arm 73 includes an engaging portion 75 that extends forward from the support portion 74 and can be engaged with the engaged portion 72 of the lock arm 70 from below, and extends rearward from the support portion 74. In addition, an operation unit 76 that can be pressed from above is provided. Therefore, when the operating portion 76 is pressed downward, the engaging portion 75 is displaced upward while being engaged with the engaged portion 72 of the lock arm 70, so that the lock arm 70 is moved upward, that is, with the locked portion 53. It is lifted in the direction in which the locked state is released. The operation part 76 is formed wider than the engaging part 75 and the support part 74, and a pair of auxiliary support parts 77 whose both end parts form a cantilever are provided. Both auxiliary support portions 77 are connected to the terminal accommodating portion 61 at substantially the same position as the support portion 74 in the front-rear direction and at a lateral position of both base end portions 71 of the lock arm 70.

  Now, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the seal ring 69 is integrally formed with an overhang portion 78 that projects outward in the radial direction. Specifically, the overhang portions 78 have a vertically long shape when viewed from the front, and are paired from the upper and lower end positions on both side surfaces along the vertical direction of the outer peripheral surface of the seal ring 69, that is, on the side closer to the locking means 80. There are four in total, two on the far side. Each overhanging portion 78 is configured to protrude rearward from the rear end portion of the seal ring 69 and toward the outer cylinder portion 62, and a portion protruding backward is recessed in the front surface of the connecting portion 63. Is received in the receiving recess 79. And each overhang | projection part 78 can be elastically compressed by the front-end surface of the hood part 51 of the male housing 50 at the time of a fitting. The outward projecting dimension of each projecting portion 78 is set to such an extent that the outer end of the projecting portion 78 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 62. In the following description, when distinguishing each overhanging portion 78, for both overhanging portions on the side close to the locking means 80 (upper both overhanging portions shown in FIG. 11), the suffix A is added to the reference sign. For both overhanging portions far from 80 (the lower overhanging portions shown in FIG. 11), a suffix B is added to the reference symbol, and a suffix is not added when referring generically without distinction. And

  In the present embodiment, out of the overhang portions 78, the overhang portions 78A on the upper side shown in FIG. 11, that is, the side closer to the locking means 80, are both on the lower side, that is, the far side shown in FIG. It is formed so that the thickness dimension (the length dimension in the direction along the fitting / removing direction of the two housings 50, 60) is larger than the overhanging portion 78B. Specifically, the two protruding portions 78A on the side close to the locking means 80 are set at positions where the front end surfaces protrude forward by a predetermined dimension from both the protruding portions 78B on the far side. Accordingly, the amount by which each overhang 78 is compressed in the fitted state is larger in the two overhangs 78A closer to the locking means 80 than in the far side both overhangs 78B. Also, the resilience applied is higher on the side closer to the locking means 80. Here, in the fitted state, a portion PB (upper portion shown in FIG. 16) on the opposite side of the locking means 80 in the circumferential region of both housings 50, 60 is a portion PA on the side where the locking means 80 is disposed. It is easier to displace in the separating direction than there is no pressing by the locking means 80 (lower part shown in FIG. 16). However, as described above, the two protruding portions 78A on the side close to the locking means 80 exhibit a higher resilience than the two protruding portions 78B on the far side. The part PA on the side where the means 80 is disposed and the part PB on the opposite side of the locking means 80 are kept at substantially the same position in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the fitting surfaces of both housings 50 and 60 can be kept substantially parallel to each other. The difference in thickness between the two protruding portions 78A on the side close to the locking means 80 and the two protruding portions 78B on the far side is sufficient to keep the fitting surfaces of the two housings 50 and 60 parallel to each other. The size is set so that the force can be obtained.

  This embodiment has the structure as described above, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently. When the hood portion 51 of the male housing 50 is fitted to a predetermined depth between the terminal accommodating portion 61 and the outer cylinder portion 62 of the female housing 60, as shown in FIG. 70 rides while sliding. In the fitting process, the seal ring 69 is brought into sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion 51 while being compressed in the radial direction.

  When the fitting further proceeds, the front end surface of the hood portion 51 abuts against each overhang portion 78 of the seal ring 69 and each overhang portion 78 is sandwiched between the connecting portion 63 and the hood portion 51 to be elastic. Compressed. When the two housings 50 and 60 are fitted to the normal depth, the lock arm 70 gets over the locked portion 53 and is restored as shown in FIG. Locked against the rear surface. Thereby, both the housings 50 and 60 are held so as not to be detached from the normal fitting state. At the time of regular fitting, the male terminal fitting 52 enters the main body 64a of the female terminal fitting 64 and is elastically contacted with the internal elastic contact piece. Further, at the time of normal fitting, as shown in FIG. 16, each overhanging portion 78 is elastically compressed between the hood portion 51 and the connecting portion 63, so that both housings 50, 60 are not able to rattle back and forth. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the two terminal fittings 52 and 64 connected from sliding finely and wearing out.

  Here, the compression state of each overhang part 78 will be described in detail. Of the overhang portions 78, the overhang portions 78A on the side close to the locking means 80 are set to be larger in thickness than the overhang portions 78B on the far side. The amount to be applied is larger than that of the two overhanging portions 78B on the far side, thereby increasing the resilience, that is, the force for urging the two housings 50, 60 in the separating direction. Here, in the circumferential regions of the housings 50 and 60, the portion PB on the opposite side to the locking means 80 side is not pressed by the locking means 80, and thus is slightly displaced in the separating direction. However, the portion PA on the locking means 80 side of both housings 50, 60 is urged in the separating direction by the large elastic force of the two protruding portions 78A on the side close to the locking means 80 described above. The front and rear positions of the portion PB on the opposite side to 80 and the portion PA on the locking means 80 side are maintained at substantially the same position. As a result, the housings 50 and 60 are prevented from being inclined and the fitting surfaces are kept substantially parallel to each other. Therefore, of the two terminal fittings 52 and 64 in the connected state, the contact margin between the one near the locking means 80 (the one arranged at the upper stage) and the one at the far side (the one arranged at the lower stage). Variation can be prevented, and the contact allowance of all the terminal fittings 52 and 64 can be made uniform.

<Embodiment 4>
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 17 or FIG. In the fourth embodiment, in the connector shown in the third embodiment described above, the setting of the thickness dimension of each overhang portion 78 ′ is reversed from that in the third embodiment. Since other structures, operations, and effects are the same as those in the third embodiment, redundant description is omitted.

  Of each overhang 78 ', both overhangs 78B' on the opposite side of the locking means 80 are larger in thickness than both overhangs 78A 'on the locking means 80 side, as shown in FIG. The two projecting portions 78B ′ on the opposite side of the locking means 80 with respect to the front end surface are set at positions projecting forward from the both projecting portions 78A ′ on the locking means 80 side. ing. The difference in thickness between the two protruding portions 78B 'on the opposite side to the locking means 80 and the two protruding portions 78A' on the locking means 80 side is the locking means 80 in the circumferential direction region of both housings 50, 60. The portion PB on the opposite side is set to be approximately equal to the distance that can be separated from the fitted state.

  When the fitting operation is performed and the two housings 50 and 60 reach the normal fitting, the overhang portions 78 ′ are elastically compressed between the hood portion 51 and the connecting portion 63 as shown in FIG. 18. At the same time, the lock arm 70 is engaged with the locked portion 53, so that the two housings 50 and 60 are held in a properly fitted state. Here, the portion PB on the opposite side of the locking means 80 in the circumferential regions of both housings 50 and 60 is not pressed by the locking means 80 and is thus easily displaced in the separating direction. However, the two protruding portions 78B 'on the opposite side to the locking means 80 are larger in thickness than the protruding portions 78A' on the locking means 80 side. When the opposite side portion PB is displaced in the separating direction, the amount of compression between the two protruding portions 78B 'on the opposite side of the locking means 80 and the two protruding portions 78A' on the locking means 80 side can be kept substantially uniform. . Thus, even when both housings 50 and 60 are inclined in the normal fitting state, the vibration absorbing performance of each overhanging portion 78 'is substantially equal (uniform), and thus exhibits excellent vibration absorbing performance. be able to.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) The number, size, shape, and circumferential arrangement of the overhang portions in the seal ring can be arbitrarily changed in addition to the above embodiments. For example, the present invention includes an extension portion that is formed in an annular shape formed over the entire circumference of the seal ring.

(2) What separated the overhang | projection part from the seal ring and used as the separate elastic member is also contained in this invention. In that case, the present invention can also be applied to a non-waterproof type connector having no seal ring.
(3) The present invention includes a seal ring (elastic member) attached to the male connector side.
(4) The circumferential arrangement position of the locking means in the housing can be arbitrarily changed.

(5) In the lever type connector shown in the first and second embodiments, a locking means may be provided on the lever and the male housing. In the case where the electric wire cover is attached to the male housing or the female housing, the lever and the electric wire cover may be provided with locking means.
(6) In the lever connector shown in the first and second embodiments, a lever may be mounted on the male housing side.
(7) In the connectors shown in the third and fourth embodiments, a lock arm may be provided on the male housing side, and a locked portion may be provided on the female housing side.

The front view of the male housing which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Front view of female housing Plan sectional view showing the state before fitting both housings The top view which shows the state before fitting both housings The top view which shows the state which the cam pin entered into the entrance part of a cam groove A plan view showing a state where the lever has reached the fitting position and both housings are properly fitted. Plan sectional view showing the state where both housings are properly fitted Plan sectional drawing which shows the state before fitting both the housings concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention Plan sectional view showing the state where both housings are properly fitted Front view of male housing according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention Front view of female housing Side sectional view showing the state before fitting both housings Cross-sectional view of the main part showing the state before fitting both housings Side sectional view showing a state in the middle of fitting both housings Side sectional view showing a state where both housings are properly fitted. Cross-sectional view of the main part showing a state where both housings are properly fitted Sectional drawing of the principal part which shows the state before fitting both the housings which concern on Embodiment 4 of this invention. Cross-sectional view of the main part showing a state where both housings are properly fitted

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Male housing (the other connector housing)
17 ... Cam pin 20 ... Female housing (one connector housing)
33 ... Lever 37 ... Cam groove 40 ... Locking means 41 ... Lock portion 44 ... Locked portion 45, 45 '... Overhang portion (elastic member)
45A, 45A '... overhang (locking means side)
45B, 45B '... overhang (portion opposite to the locking means)
50. Male housing (the other connector housing)
53 ... Locked portion 60 ... Female housing (one connector housing)
70 ... Lock arm 80 ... Locking means 78, 78 '... Overhanging part (elastic member)
78A, 78A '... overhanging part (the part on the locking means side)
78B, 78B '... overhang (portion opposite to the locking means)

Claims (4)

A pair of connector housings that can be fitted to each other, and a lock unit that can hold both connector housings in a fitted state, and the lock unit is disposed in a part of a circumferential region of the connector housing,
An elastic member capable of restricting both connector housings from loosely moving in the fitting / removing direction by being elastically compressed between the two connector housings during fitting includes at least the locking means side and the opposite side thereof. The connector is characterized in that the portion of the elastic member on the side of the locking means is formed to have a thickness dimension larger than that of the portion on the opposite side. A pair of connector housings that can be fitted to each other, and a lock unit that can hold both connector housings in a fitted state, and the lock unit is disposed in a part of a circumferential region of the connector housing,
An elastic member capable of restricting both connector housings from loosely moving in the fitting / removing direction by being elastically compressed between the two connector housings during fitting includes at least the locking means side and the opposite side thereof. The connector is characterized in that a portion of the elastic member on the side opposite to the locking means is formed to have a thickness dimension larger than that of the portion on the locking means side. Among the two connector housings, one connector housing is provided with a lever having a cam groove, whereas the other connector housing is provided with a cam pin that can be engaged with the cam groove. Both connector housings are adapted to be fitted by cam action exerted by turning the lever from the state in which the cam pin enters the cam groove,
The lock means comprises a lock portion provided on a lever, and a locked portion provided on either one of the connector housings and capable of locking the lock portion. The connector according to claim 2. The locking means is composed of an elastically deformable lock arm provided in one of the connector housings, and a locked portion provided in the other connector housing and engageable with the lock arm. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector is provided.

Images