JP2007080690A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent wear of a terminal fitting due to vibration. <P>SOLUTION: The connector is provided with an outer housing 10 of bottomed cylindrical shape, a spring member 50 housed in this outer housing 10, and an inner housing 30 which is housed in the outer housing 10 and interposes the spring member 50 between the inner wall 12 of the outer housing 10 and holds a female terminal fitting 80. The inner housing 30 is pushed by a male connector M and moves to the inner wall 12 side as the male connector M is fitted and locked to the outer housing 10, and is supported floating in engagement direction through the spring member 50 between the inner wall 12 and the male connector M. When vibration occurs, the inner housing 30 can move following the movement of the outer housing 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

A connector described in Patent Document 1 is known as a connector. This is constituted by a pair of male and female connectors that can be fitted to each other, and the female connector includes a terminal housing portion that holds the female terminal fitting and an outer cylinder portion that surrounds the outer surface with a space therebetween. . A seal ring is fitted on the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion at an inner position of the outer cylinder portion. On the other hand, the male connector includes a cylindrical hood portion from which a tab of the male terminal fitting is projected. When both connectors are fitted, the peripheral wall of the hood part enters the gap between the seal ring and the outer cylinder part, and the seal ring is compressed in the thickness direction, whereby the gap between the two connectors is sealed.
Sho 63-257187

  By the way, when the above-described connector is used in a place where vibration frequently occurs, for example, in an engine room of an automobile, the terminal fittings may be rubbed against each other due to vibration and worn. There was concern that the sex could be impaired. This is mainly due to the fact that both connectors behave differently with vibration and cause rattling, and there may be a situation in which there is a seal ring that fills the gap between both connectors. It has been difficult to sufficiently suppress rattling, and improvements have been demanded.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress wear of terminal fittings due to vibration.

  As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that a cylindrical outer housing having one end closed by a back wall, a spring member accommodated in the outer housing, and the outer housing An inner housing that holds a terminal fitting and has a holding surface that holds the spring member between the inner wall and the inner wall, and the inner housing holds a mating terminal fitting on the outer housing Is fitted into and locked into the mating connector and moves toward the back wall, and is supported in a floating manner in the mating direction via the spring member between the back wall and the mating connector. It is characterized by its configuration.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, an engagement receiving portion is provided on the inner surface of the outer housing, and an engagement portion is provided on the outer surface of the inner housing. Before the connector is fitted, the inner housing is rigidly assembled to the outer housing by the engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion coming into contact with each other, while the mating connector is fitted. The engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion are separated from each other by the movement of the inner housing, whereby the rigid state of the inner housing is released.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second aspect, the outer surface of the other of the engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion is surrounded from three directions before the mating connector is fitted. In this way, a floating restricting portion is provided for restricting the inner housing from moving in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. During the fitting of the mating connector, the other outer surface and the floating restricting portion slide with each other. The movement of the inner housing is guided to move, and after the mating connector is fitted, the inner housing moves to a playable space where the play is allowed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the spring member according to any one of the first to third aspects, at least three fulcrum portions are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the fulcrum portions are provided on the spring member. It is characterized in that the pressing surface of the inner housing is pressed against and supported by the mating connector side by the elastic force.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the mating connector has a peripheral wall that can enter between the inner surface of the outer housing and the outer surface of the inner housing. A hood portion provided is provided, and on the outer surface of the inner housing, a flange portion projecting radially outward is provided at a position facing the front end of the peripheral wall of the hood portion in the fitting direction. And a seal member that can be compressed between the outer surface of the inner housing and the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the hood portion after the mating connector is fitted, and further, the protruding end of the flange portion The peripheral wall of the hood part is expanded and deformed by the elastic force of the seal member after the mating connector is fitted to the part facing the seal member. Having said where the deformation restricting portion to press from the outside is provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first and fifth aspects, a lock arm that is elastically deformable is provided on one of the mating connector and the outer housing, and a lock receiving portion is provided on the other. The lock arm elastically locks the lock receiving portion so that the mating connector is held in the outer housing in a detachment restricted state, and the outer housing and the Each of the corresponding parts of the mating connector is formed of a synthetic resin material, and the other side provided with the lock receiving portion is harder than the other side provided with the lock arm. Is attached with a metal reinforcing plate so as to cover at least part or all of the surface in contact with the lock receiving portion. To have the feature.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the sixth aspect, the one of the mating connector and the outer housing is provided with a lifting portion that is displaced in conjunction with the lock arm, A lift receiving portion is provided at a position aligned with the lock receiving portion, and during the fitting of the mating connector, the lifting portion rides on the lift receiving portion, and the lock arm is moved along with this riding operation. It is characterized in that the lock arm and the lock receiving portion do not interfere with each other by being lifted.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the one according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the lock arm is provided in the outer housing, the spring member is made of a metal leaf spring material, and the reinforcing plate Is characterized in that a part of the leaf spring material is formed to extend along the inner surface of the lock arm.

<Invention of Claim 1>
When the mating connector is fitted and locked to the outer housing, the inner housing is floatingly supported in the mating direction via the spring member between the mating connector and the back wall of the outer housing, so the mating connector mates When vibration occurs later, the inner housing moves following the mating connector moved by the vibration, and wear of the terminal fittings due to vibration can be suppressed.

<Invention of Claim 2>
Before mating the mating connector, the inner housing is rigidly assembled to the outer housing by the engagement portion and the mating receiving portion abutting each other. The fitting position with respect to can be correctly determined. On the other hand, since the inner housing moves with the mating connector mating, the engaging portion and the engaging receiving portion are separated from each other and the inner housing is released from the rigid state, so that the inner housing floats freely. Supported.

<Invention of Claim 3>
During the mating of the mating connector, the play restricting portion and the other outer surface surrounded by the play restricting portion slide with each other to guide the movement of the inner housing, so that the coaxiality between the inner housing and the mating connector is maintained. Be drunk. On the other hand, after the mating connector is fitted, the inner housing moves to the freely movable space where the inner housing can move, so that the smoothness of the following operation of the inner housing is ensured.

<Invention of Claim 4>
At least three fulcrum parts are installed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the spring member, and the pressing force of the inner housing is pressed against and supported by the mating connector side by the elastic force of these fulcrum parts. Are evenly distributed over the entire circumference of the inner housing. Thereby, the shaft runout of the inner housing can be prevented.

<Invention of Claim 5>
Since the deformation restricting part suppresses the outer wall of the hood part from expanding and deforming due to the elastic force of the seal member from the outside, the hood part will not rattle when vibration occurs after mating with the mating connector. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the sealing performance of the sealing member.

<Invention of Claim 6>
Either one of the mating connector or outer housing is provided with a lock arm, the other is provided with a lock receiving portion, and the other is harder than the other. If the elastic force of the member continues to act, the surface of the lock arm that comes into contact with the lock receiving portion is deformed by the creep of the resin, so that there is a concern that the lock function is lowered and rattling occurs between both housings. However, according to the invention of claim 6, since the metal reinforcing plate is attached to the lock arm so as to cover at least a part or all of the surface in contact with the lock receiving portion, the resin creep is prevented. Can be prevented.

<Invention of Claim 7>
During the mating of the mating connector, the lifting portion rides on the lifting receiving portion, and the lock arm is lifted along with this lifting operation so that the lock arm and the lock receiving portion do not interfere with each other. Is not scraped off by a metal reinforcing plate attached to the lock arm, and the lock function can be kept good.

<Invention of Claim 8>
The spring member is composed of a leaf spring material, and the reinforcement plate is formed by extending a part of the leaf spring material along the inner surface of the lock arm, so that it is not necessary to manufacture the reinforcement plate and the spring member separately. The score can be reduced. In addition, since the reinforcing plate extends along the inner surface of the lock arm, the lock arm can be reliably reinforced over a wide range.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, of the pair of male and female connectors F and M that can be fitted to each other, the female connector F is illustrated, and a plurality of independent structures such as the outer housing 10, the inner housing 30, and the spring member 50 are provided. It is configured with parts. In the following description, the front and rear direction is based on the fitting surface side of both connectors F and M, and the vertical direction is based on FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The mating male connector M is made of synthetic resin and is directly connected to a wall surface of a device (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, two straight male terminal fittings 90 are provided. A vertical wall-shaped terminal holding portion 92 that penetrates and holds each male terminal fitting 90, a substantially rectangular tubular hood portion 93 that protrudes forward from the peripheral edge of the terminal holding portion 92, and a peripheral edge of the terminal holding portion 92 The hood portion 93 and the rectangular tube portion 94 projecting rearward on the opposite side. The front end portion of the terminal holding portion 92 is arranged to protrude into the hood portion 93, the rear end portion of the terminal holding portion 92 is arranged to protrude into the rectangular tube portion 94, and the intermediate portion of the terminal holding portion 92 is a terminal It is provided in the holding portion 92. The hood portion 93 can be fitted inside the outer housing 10 on the female connector F side.

  The distal end portion of the peripheral wall of the hood portion 93 is a pressing portion 95 that is thinned by cutting out the outer surface thereof, and the inner housing 30 on the female connector F side can be pushed. A plurality of (specifically, eight) guide ribs 96 are provided on the peripheral wall of the hood portion 93 at intervals in the circumferential direction. The guide rib 96 has a protrusion extending in the front-rear direction, and each rear end position is aligned with the rear end position of the hood portion 93, while each front end position is a front end position (pressing portion) of the hood portion 93. 95) (excluding 95) and those in the position retracted backward are mixed. A lock receiving portion 97 projects from the upper surface of the peripheral wall of the hood portion 93. The front surface of the lock receiving portion 97 is a tapered guide surface 97A that is inclined upward, and the rear surface of the lock receiving portion 97 is a locking surface 97B that stands substantially vertically. A pair of guide ribs 96 are arranged on both sides of the upper surface of the peripheral wall of the hood portion 93 with the lock receiving portion 97 interposed therebetween. Both guide ribs 96 are in a position where the front end is retracted rearward, and can be brought into contact with the resistance arm 11 provided in the outer housing 10 when the connectors F and M are fitted together.

  The female connector F is roughly made of a synthetic resin and a substantially block-shaped inner housing 30 that holds a female terminal fitting 80 connected to the end of the electric wire W, a metal spring member 50, and a spring member 50. And an outer housing 10 that is a synthetic resin material that houses and surrounds the inner housing 30 and has a substantially rectangular tube shape (specifically, a bottomed rectangular tube shape). Between the inner housing 30 and the outer housing 10, a fitting space Q in which a peripheral wall of the hood portion 93 on the male connector M side can be fitted from the front is secured in a form that opens forward. Furthermore, a retainer 31, a seal member 32, and a front member 33 are respectively assembled to the inner housing 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner housing 30 includes a main body portion 35 provided with two terminal accommodating chambers 34 side by side, and a flange portion 36 that projects over the entire circumference from the outer peripheral surface of the rear end of the main body portion 35. And a terminal insertion portion 37 that protrudes rearward from the rear end surface of the main body portion 35 and communicates with each terminal accommodating chamber 34. The terminal insertion portion 37 includes two cylindrical portions 37A extending in the front-rear direction, and the peripheral walls of both cylindrical portions 37A are partially joined in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a lance 38 that protrudes in a cantilevered manner toward the front is provided on the upper wall of each terminal accommodating chamber 34 in the main body 35. The lance 38 can be bent and deformed in the vertical direction, and the one located on the left side as viewed from the front is exposed and disposed, while the upper part of the lance 38 located on the right side as viewed from the front is covered by a covering portion 39 with the bending space interposed therebetween. Covered. The cover 39 has a hook shape with its root connected to the rear end of the main body 35. A front member locking groove 41 that locks the front member 33 extends in the width direction on the upper surface of the cover 39. Similarly, a front member locking groove 41 is formed in a pair on the lower surface of the main body 35 facing the cover 39. A mounting hole 42 for the retainer 31 is formed on both side surfaces of the main body 35. The mounting hole 42 of the retainer 31 passes through the terminal accommodating chambers 34 in the width direction through the bottom of the cover portion 39, and is also open to the upper surface of the main body portion 35 on the side of the cover portion 39. .

  The retainer 31 is a so-called side-type retainer, which is formed of a synthetic resin material, and has a flat operation portion 43 that can close one end opening of the mounting hole 42, and comb teeth that protrude from the plane of the operation portion 43. And a terminal locking portion 44 having a shape. The terminal locking portion 44 can be locked to a locking protrusion 82 projecting from the box portion 81 of the female terminal fitting 80, whereby the female terminal fitting 80 is held in a state of being prevented from being detached from the main body portion 35. It is like that. The retainer 31 is arranged in a floating state with respect to the mounting hole 42 of the main body portion 35 and allows the female terminal fitting 80 to be inserted and withdrawn. It is possible to move between the main locking position where the metal fitting 80 is locked.

  The front member 33 is formed of a synthetic resin material as a whole in a cap shape, and a front wall portion 45 that covers the front of the main body portion 35 and a peripheral wall portion that protrudes rearward from the periphery of the front wall portion 45 and covers the side of the main body portion 35. 46. The front wall 45 is formed with a terminal insertion opening 45A of a male terminal fitting 90 at a position corresponding to each terminal accommodating chamber 34, and the male terminal fitting 90 is inserted from the front to the terminal accommodating chamber 34. It is possible to be guided to. A pair of retaining protrusions 47 are provided on the inner side surfaces of the upper and lower walls of the peripheral wall 46, and both the retaining protrusions 47 can be locked in the corresponding front member locking grooves 41. That is, as the front member 33 is applied to the main body portion 35 at a normal depth, the retaining projection 47 is elastically fitted into the front member locking groove 41, whereby the front member 33 is fitted into the inner housing 30. It is locked in a state that prevents it from coming off.

  An insertion port 46A of the retainer 31 is cut out at the rear end portion of the peripheral wall portion 46, and the insertion operation of the retainer 31 is allowed by the insertion port 46A communicating with the mounting hole 42. The peripheral wall portion 46 is provided with a jig insertion portion 48 that is inclined inward toward the insertion port 46 </ b> A, and a jig (not shown) is slidably inserted into the slope surface of the jig insertion portion 48. The retainer 31 in the main locking position can be taken out. In addition, a plurality of built-up portions 49 protrude from the peripheral wall portion 46 at intervals in the circumferential direction. Each build-up portion 49 is pressed against or crushed on the inner surface of the hood portion 93 on the male connector M side, so that no rattling occurs with the male connector M.

  Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the main body portion 35, a rubber-made annular seal member 32 is fitted at a position immediately before the flange portion 36. The seal member 32 has an insertion hole 32A through which the main body portion 35 can penetrate at the center, the center portion in the front-rear direction bulges outward in the radial direction, and the front end portion and the rear end portion have the outer surface thereof. Thinned by notching. The front end portion of the thinned seal member 32 can be fitted into a notch recess 71 formed in the front end edge of the peripheral wall portion 46 of the front member 33, and the rear end portion of the thinned seal member 32 is It is possible to fit into a groove 72 formed on the front surface of the flange portion 36. This prevents the seal member 32 from floating from the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 30.

  The above-described concave groove 72 is provided over the entire circumference at the root portion of the front surface of the flange portion 36 that continues to the main body portion 35. Further, a deformation restricting portion 73 protruding forward is provided at the projecting end portion of the flange portion 36, and the hood portion 93 on the male connector M side from the front is placed in a recess 74 inside the deformation restricting portion 73. The pressing portion 95 can enter. The seal member 32 is elastically sandwiched between the peripheral wall of the hood portion 93 and the main body portion 35 to be in a liquid-tight state. In this case, the pressing portion 95 of the hood portion 93 is the seal member. When the force in the expanding direction is received by the elastic force of 32, the deformation restricting portion 73 described above is set so that the pressing portion 95 is pressed from the outside and the expanding operation of the pressing portion 95 is prevented. ing. As shown in FIG. 4, a large number of biting protrusions 75 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner side surface of the deformation restricting portion 73, and these biting protrusions 75 are located outside the pressing portion 95 of the hood portion 93. By biting into the side surface, the hood portion 93 is held in a positioned state in the circumferential direction.

  A pair of recessed grooves 76 are provided on the upper surface of the projecting end surface of the flange portion 36 in the width direction, and a pair of guide ribs 77 are also provided on the lower surface of the flange portion 36 in the width direction. A pair of engaging portions 78 project from the projecting end surface of the flange portion 36 on both side surfaces thereof. As shown in FIG. 14, the engaging portion 78 is engageable with an engaging receiving portion 29 provided in the outer housing 10, and the front surface thereof is an engaging surface 78 </ b> A that is cut substantially vertically, and the rear surface thereof. Is a guide surface 78B having an upward gradient toward the front.

  The spring member 50 is made of a leaf spring material, and is formed by bending a metal plate after cutting it into a predetermined shape. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the spring member 50 includes a substantially square plate-like flat plate portion 52 having a through hole 51 through which the terminal insertion portion 37 of the inner housing 30 penetrates in a loosely fitted state. The four fulcrum portions 53 formed in a band shape that is folded back along the corresponding side edges from the four corners on the front surface side of the flat plate portion 52, and the positioning projections 55 bent rearward from the both side edges of the flat plate portion 52 It is configured. Each fulcrum portion 53 is installed with an angular difference of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction in the flat plate portion 52, and is bent in a mountain shape after extending in a clockwise direction toward the free end side in the clockwise direction. Of the fulcrum portion 53, the free end portion bent in a mountain shape is a pressing portion 54 that presses the rear end surface of the flange portion 36 of the inner housing 30 with the reaction force. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the rear end surface of the flange portion 36 is a flat surface having no irregularities that are vertically cut, and is configured as a pressing surface 36A of the present invention.

  On the other hand, the outer housing 10 includes a back wall 12 and an outer cylinder portion 13 that protrudes forward from the periphery of the back wall 12 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8. A spring member 50 and an inner housing 30 are inserted in this order into the outer housing 10, and the spring member 50 is abutted against the back wall 12, and the inner housing 30 is elastically supported by the spring member 50. . A guide tube portion 14 is provided on the front surface of the back wall 12 so as to protrude forward at a position corresponding to the through hole 51 of the spring member 50. The guide tube portion 14 includes a loose insertion hole 14 </ b> A through which the terminal insertion portion 37 of the inner housing 30 can be loosely inserted in a form penetrating the back wall 12. The terminal insertion portion 37 passes through the through hole 51 of the spring member 50 and is then inserted into the loose insertion hole 14A. In this state, the terminal insertion portion 37 is movable in the front and rear direction. In addition, the back wall 12 is provided with penetrating holes 15 through which the positioning protrusions 55 of the spring member 50 are inserted and hooked at both sides of the loose insertion hole 14A.

  On the upper wall of the outer cylinder portion 13, a lock arm 16 that can be locked with the lock receiving portion 97 on the male connector M side is provided. The lock arm 16 is housed in an arm housing space 17 that is formed by cutting out the upper wall of the outer tube portion 13 and opening the back wall 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the lock arm 16 is supported on both side edges of the arm accommodating space 17 via a pair of connecting portions 18, and can be bent and deformed in the vertical direction with both connecting portions 18 as fulcrums. It is said that. At the rear end of the lock arm 16, there is provided a wide arm operation portion 19 that releases the locked state with the lock receiving portion 97. The outer cylinder portion 13 is provided with a pair of projecting portions 21 that project into the arm accommodating space 17 and cover the upper sides of the arm operating portion 19. The lock arm 16 is hooked by the electric wire W or the like on the arm operating portion 19. You can avoid the situation of drowning. At the front end of the lock arm 16, a lock head 22 having an upper surface that inclines forward and downward in a natural state is provided, and a lock hole 23 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view is provided through the lock head 22. Has been. The front surface of the locking hole 23 is a locked surface 23 </ b> A that is inclined upward toward the front, and can be firmly locked to the base of the locking surface 97 </ b> B of the lock receiving portion 97. Of the lower surface of the lock arm 16, a rear region of the locking hole 23 is provided with a kerf 24 that extends in the front-rear direction and opens on the rear surface.

  Further, a bridge portion 25 is provided on the upper wall of the outer cylinder portion 13 so as to cross the front region of the arm accommodating space 17 in the width direction. The front end portion of the lock head 22 is located below the bridge portion 25 and is visible from the front opening of the outer cylinder portion 13 (details will be described later in an insertion space Z) when viewed from the front. A pair of resistance arms extending rearward from the front end of the outer cylinder portion 13 while being arranged in parallel with the upper wall with a slight gap below both side edges of the arm accommodating space 17 in the outer cylinder portion 13. 11 is provided.

  The resistance arm 11 can be bent and deformed in the width direction, and an abutting portion 11 </ b> A that protrudes inward and faces the arm accommodating space 17 is provided at a tip portion thereof. The abutting portion 11A abuts against the front end of the guide rib 96 provided on the upper surface of the peripheral wall of the hood portion 93, and by this abutment, the resistance arm 11 is bent and deformed outward against its elastic force. In order to bend the resistance arm 11, a large fitting operation force is required, and an inertia lock mechanism that generates a large fitting resistance acts, so that the fitting operation proceeds at a stretch and the connectors F and M are half-fitted. The situation where it is kept in the state can be avoided.

  Further, the outer cylinder portion 13 is provided at a position corresponding to the guide rib 96 provided on the hood portion 93 on the male connector M side and the guide rib 77 provided on the flange portion 36 of the inner housing 30 and the engaging portion 78 in the front-rear direction. A guide groove 26 is provided to extend in the direction. The guide ribs 96, 77, etc. are guided by moving into the guide groove 26. Among the guide grooves 26, the one corresponding to the pair of guide ribs 96 provided on the upper surface of the peripheral wall of the hood portion 93 is constituted by an insertion space Z formed between the inner surfaces of the resistance arm 11. The lock receiving portion 97 can be entered together with the guide ribs 96.

  Of the guide grooves 26, those corresponding to the guide ribs 96 provided on both side surfaces of the peripheral wall of the hood portion 93 and the engaging portions 78 provided on the flange portion 36 of the inner housing 30 are opened in the back wall 12. The main guide groove 26 </ b> A can be communicated with the retaining hole 15. Of the groove surfaces of the main guide groove 26 </ b> A, a pair of engagement receiving portions 29 including a receiving main body portion 27 and a play restricting portion 28 are provided in the middle of the front and rear direction at the groove bottoms facing each other in the width direction. It has been. The receiving body portion 27 is formed to project inward, and the front surface of the receiving body portion 27 is an upward gradient toward the rear to be a guided surface 27A that can be slidably contacted with the guide surface 78B of the engaging portion 78, and its rear surface is substantially the same. The engaging surface 78A of the engaging portion 78 is vertically raised to be an engaged surface 27B that can come into contact with the surface. The protruding height of the receiving body 27 is set smaller than the depth of the main guide groove 26A, and the vertical width of the receiving main body 27 is set smaller than the vertical width of the groove bottom of the main guide groove 26A.

  Then, the play restricting portion 28 provides the rear end portion of the receiving main body portion 27 and the rear end portion of the receiving main body portion 27 so as to narrow the groove width on the groove surface of the main guide groove 26A in the rear region thereof. It is formed in a substantially gate shape surrounding the part from three directions. An engagement portion 78 that is engaged with the receiving body portion 27 is tightly fitted to the play restricting portion 28, whereby the engagement portion 78 is restrained in the height direction and the width direction to restrict its play. It is like that. Specifically, the play restricting portion 28 is provided along the entire area of the main guide groove 26A in the height direction and the width direction, and the longitudinal length from the rear end position of the receiving body portion 27 is determined by both connectors F and M. It is set smaller than the moving amount of the inner housing 30 that moves with the fitting. When both the connectors F and M are properly fitted, the engaging portion 78 is separated from the play restricting portion 28 and the play restricting state is released.

  In addition, a pair of slits 57 (two pairs of slits 57 on both sides) extending in the front-rear direction and opening in the back wall 12 are provided at the upper and lower positions sandwiching the main guide groove 26A in the outer cylinder portion 13. . A bent piece 58 including the main guide groove 26A is formed between the upper and lower slits 57, and the bent piece 58 can be bent and deformed in the width direction with the front end portion of the outer cylinder portion 13 as a base end. When the engaging portion 78 enters the main guide groove 26A and reaches a position corresponding to the guided surface 27A of the receiving body portion 27, the bending piece 58 expands outward so that the riding operation of the engaging portion 78 is allowed. Is done. Further, when both the connectors F and M are properly fitted, the flexure piece 58 is elastically restored, and the engaging surface 78A of the engaging portion 78 and the engaged surface 27B of the receiving body portion 27 face each other in the disconnecting direction, Accordingly, the engagement portion 78 is locked to the engagement receiving portion 29 in a state of being prevented from coming off.

  This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently. First, the seal member 32 is attached to the main body portion 35 of the inner housing 30 from the front and the front member 33 is covered, and the retainer 31 is inserted from the side into the attachment hole 42 of the main body portion 35 to temporarily engage. Keep in the stop position. Then, the female terminal fitting 80 crimp-connected to the terminal of the electric wire W is sequentially inserted into the loose insertion hole 14A of the outer housing 10 and the through hole 51 of the spring member 50, and further from the rear to the terminal accommodating chamber 34 of the inner housing 30. insert. A rubber plug 89 is fitted to the end of the electric wire W, and the rubber plug 89 is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 34 so that the terminal accommodating chamber 34 is sealed. Next, the retainer 31 is pushed into the main locking position, and the female terminal fitting 80 that is normally inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 34 is double-stopped by the lance 38 and the retainer 31.

  Subsequently, the spring member 50 is inserted into the outer housing 10 from the front, the guide tube portion 14 of the back wall 12 is passed through the through hole 51 of the spring member 50, and the spring member 50 is positioned in the retaining hole 15 of the back wall 12. The protrusion 55 is inserted in a hooked state, and the spring member 50 is brought into contact with the back wall 12 of the outer housing 10 in a positioned state. Further, the inner housing 30 is inserted from the front, and the pressing surface 36 </ b> A of the inner housing 30 is elastically brought into contact with the pressing portion 54 of the fulcrum 53 of the spring member 50. When inserting the inner housing 30, the engaging portion 78 of the flange portion 36 is inserted from the front into the main guide groove 26 </ b> A of the outer housing 10, and the inner housing 30 is further pushed inward to be received by the engaging portion 78. The main body 27 is moved over elastically. When the inner housing 30 reaches the normal insertion position, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the engaging portion 78 is surrounded by the play restricting portion 28 and is prevented from coming off to the receiving body portion 27 in a restrained state, and the spring member. The 50 fulcrum portions 53 are lightly compressed between the pressing surface 36 </ b> A of the inner housing 30 and the front surface of the back wall 12. When the inner housing 30 reaches the normal insertion position, the rear end position of the terminal insertion portion 37 is substantially flush with the rear surface position of the rear wall 12 of the outer housing 10, and the front end position of the front member 33 is the outer housing position. It is arranged at a position protruding slightly forward from the front opening of 10.

  After the components on the female connector F side are assembled and assembled as described above, the male connector M is fitted into the outer housing 10 from the front. When fitting the male connector M, the guide rib 96 of the corresponding hood portion 93 is fitted into the guide groove 26 of the outer housing 10 while inserting the peripheral wall of the hood portion 93 into the fitting space Q of the outer housing 10. The hood part 93 is pushed in from the state. Then, the pressing portion 95 of the hood portion 93 enters the recess 74 inside the deformation restricting portion 73 and is pressed against the front surface of the flange portion 36. When the fitting operation of the male connector M further proceeds, the flange portion 36 is pushed back by the pressing portion 95, and the engaging portion 78 is separated from the receiving body portion 27.

  Thereafter, when the mating operation of the male connector M further proceeds, the inner housing 30 is guided to move coaxially as the engaging portion 78 slides on the play restricting portion 28. When both the connectors F and M are properly fitted, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the engaging portion 78 is separated from the play restricting portion 28, and the inner housing 30 is located at the rear portion in the outer housing 10. It is pushed into the open allowance space.

  Before and after the pressing portion 95 of the hood portion 93 is pressed against the front surface of the flange portion 36, the lock arm 16 of the outer housing 10 is elastically applied to the guide surface 97A of the lock receiving portion 97 as shown in FIG. Get on. When both the connectors F and M reach the normal fitting position, as shown in FIG. 13, the lock arm 16 is elastically locked to the lock receiving portion 97, and both the connectors F and M are held in the disengagement restricted state. Is done. When the connectors F and M are properly fitted in this way, the inner housing 30 is pushed into the free space as described above, and the spring member 50 is interposed between the back wall 12 of the outer housing 10 and the male connector M. Via, is supported floating in at least the fitting direction. Further, the fulcrum portion 53 of the spring member 50 is elastically deformed while pressing the pressing surface 36 </ b> A of the inner housing 30. The peripheral wall of the hood portion 93 is sandwiched in the thickness direction between the deformation restricting portion 73 of the flange portion 36 and the outer peripheral surface of the seal member 32, and the biting protrusion 75 of the deformation restricting portion 73 and the built-up portion of the front member 33. 49 is firmly held on the inner housing 30 side. As a result, the male connector M and the inner housing 30 behave integrally.

  By the way, when the device vibrates when both connectors F and M are in the fitted state, the male connector M directly connected to the device also vibrates. Then, the inner housing 30 that is floatingly supported via the spring member 50 between the male connector M and the outer housing 10 is also displaced following the movement of the male connector M, and while the vibration continues, the inner housing 30 and the male housing 30 are moved. There is no rattling between the connector M and the connector M. Therefore, the male terminal fitting 90 held by the male connector M and the female terminal fitting 80 held by the inner housing 30 substantially synchronize the timing of vibration, and the male and female terminal fittings 80, 90 are worn by vibration. Can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the inner housing 30 is floatingly supported so as to be able to follow the male connector M, thereby suppressing or eliminating wear between the terminal fittings 80 and 90 caused by vibration. Therefore, the contact reliability of the both terminal fittings 80 and 90 can be ensured.

  Further, before the mating with the male connector M, the engagement portion 78 of the inner housing 30 is rigidly assembled to the engagement receiving portion 29 of the outer housing 10 by being held in the play restricted state by the play restricting portion 28. The rattling of the inner housing 30 is restricted, and the fitting position with the male connector M can be determined correctly. In the middle of fitting with the male connector M, the movement of the inner housing 30 is guided by the sliding of the engaging portion 78 and the free movement restricting portion 28, so the coaxiality between the inner housing 30 and the male connector M is Kept. When the male connector M is properly fitted, the engaging portion 78 is separated from the free movement restricting portion 28 of the engagement receiving portion 29 to release the rigid state, and the inner housing 30 is free to move in the outer housing 10. Since it moves to the permissible space, the smoothness of the following operation of the inner housing 30 with respect to the male connector M is ensured.

The spring member 50 is provided with four fulcrum portions 53 at equal intervals (90-degree difference) in the circumferential direction, and the pressing surface 36A of the inner housing 30 is pressed and supported to the male connector M side by the elastic force of these fulcrum portions 53. As a result, the elastic force of the fulcrum portion 53 acts evenly over the entire circumference of the inner housing 30, and the shaft deflection of the inner housing 30 can be prevented.
Further, since the deformation restricting portion 73 presses and restricts the peripheral wall of the hood portion 93 from receiving the elastic force of the sealing member 32 from the outside, after the connectors F and M are fitted together. When vibration is generated, rattling of the hood portion 93 can be suppressed to a small level, and as a result, deterioration of the sealing performance of the seal member 32 can be prevented.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the form of the part related to the lock structure of both male and female connectors F and M is different from that in the first embodiment. However, the forms of the inner housing 30 and the retainer 31, the seal member 32, and the front member 33 assembled to the inner housing 30 are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The outer housing 10 is made of polybutylene terephthalate resin (hereinafter referred to as PBT resin), and does not contain a reinforcing material such as glass fiber in order to ensure good flexibility of the lock arm 16. On the other hand, the hood portion 93 of the male connector M is configured to contain a reinforcing material such as glass fiber, and has a higher hardness than the outer housing 10.

Therefore, when the male connector M continues to receive the elastic force acting in the separating direction of the two connectors F and M by the spring member 50 when both the connectors F and M are in the fitted state, the lock arm 16 is creeped by the resin. Depending on the situation, deformation may occur.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the metal reinforcing plate 101 is inserted into the lock arm 16 so as to cover at least a part of the surface in contact with the lock receiving portion 97, thereby preventing resin creep. I can do it.

  The reinforcing plate 101 is integrally formed from the spring member 50, and is raised from the center of the upper edge of the flat plate portion 52 as shown in FIGS. A base end portion 102 disposed along the front surface of the lock arm 16 and an extension portion 103 extending forward from the rising end and disposed along the inner surface of the lock arm 16. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 22, a cut groove 24 that extends in the front-rear direction and opens on both front and rear faces is provided on the lower surface of the lock arm 16, and the extending portion 103 is fitted into the cut groove 24. Are to be held. The front end portion of the extending portion 103 is provided with a substantially rectangular window hole 104 communicating with the locking hole 23 at a position corresponding to the locking hole 23 of the lock arm 16.

  Further, in the second embodiment, protection for preventing the metal reinforcing plate 101 from sliding on the lock receiving portion 97 and scraping the lock receiving portion 97 during the fitting process of the connectors F and M. Means are provided. That is, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28, the lock arm 16 is fitted into the widened portion 105 widened outward on both sides of the lock arm 16 of the first embodiment in the process of fitting both the connectors F and M. A pair of lifting portions 106 are provided for lifting the lever to a position where it does not interfere with the lock receiving portion 97. As shown in FIG. 21, a pair of lift receiving portions 107 that can be locked with the lifting portion 106 protrudes from the male connector M on the mating side on both sides of the lock receiving portion 97 on the upper surface of the hood portion 93. It is installed.

  The front surface of the lift receiving portion 107 is a guide surface 107A that is inclined upward and the guide surface 97A of the lock receiving portion 97 and the front end position thereof are aligned at substantially the same position. Further, the lift receiving portion 107 is integrally connected to the guide rib 96 on the side thereof. The upper end position of the lift receiving portion 107 is set to a position lower than the upper end positions of the guide rib 96 and the lock receiving portion 97. A lifting portion guide groove 108 that extends in the front-rear direction and opens to the front surface is provided in a front region of the lifting receiving portion 107 on the upper surface of the hood portion 93. The lifting portion 106 moves along the lifting portion guide groove 108 so that the lifting portion 106 can smoothly ride on the guide surface 107A of the lifting receiving portion 107.

  The lifting portion 106 protrudes downward from the front end portion of the widened portion 105 formed integrally on both sides of the lock arm 16. The widened portion 105 is thinner than the corresponding lock arm 16 by thinning the rear region of the lifting portion 106. The front surface of the lifting portion 106 has a downward slope toward the rear, and is capable of sliding contact with the guide surface 107A of the lifting receiving portion 107. In addition, the rear end position of the lifting portion 106 is aligned with the substantially same position as the front end position of the locking hole 23.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that the inner housing 30 is floatingly supported between the male connector M and the inner wall 12 of the outer housing 10 via the spring member 50. In the following, the locking action by the lock arm 16 will be described in detail.

  First, the mating operation of both the connectors F and M is started from a state where the male and female connectors F and M face each other with their mating surfaces facing each other. As shown in FIG. 24B, after a while after the start of fitting, the lifting portion 106 is ridden ahead of the guide surface 107A of the lifting receiving portion 107, and the lock arm 16 integrated with the lifting portion 106 in accordance with this riding operation. Is lifted. As shown in FIG. 23A, in this state, the lock arm 16 reaches a position corresponding to the lock receiving portion 97, but does not contact the lock receiving portion 97 and floats above the guide surface 97A of the lock receiving portion 97. It is arranged in the state. As shown in FIG. 23B, when the fitting is advanced and the lifting portion 106 reaches a position where it can get over the lifting receiving portion 107, the lock arm 16 similarly has the lock receiving portion 97 as shown in FIGS. 23A and 27. Although it reaches a position where it can be overcome, it does not interfere with the lock receiving portion 97.

  When the fitting further proceeds and the connectors F and M reach the normal fitting position, the lifting portion 106 gets over the lifting receiving portion 107 and the lock arm 16 together with the widening portion 105 as shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B. The elastic arm returns and the lock arm 16 and the lock receiving portion 97 are engaged with each other in the direction in which both the connectors F and M are removed, and the lifting portion 106 and the lifting receiving portion 107 are also engaged in the same direction in which both the connectors F and M are removed. The two connectors F and M are held in a state where they are separated from each other. The reinforcing plate 101 attached to the lock arm 16 comes into contact with the locking surface 97B of the lock receiving portion 97 only after both the connectors F and M are properly fitted. As shown in FIG. 29, when both connectors F and M are properly fitted, the engaging portion 78 is separated from the engaging receiving portion 29 (not including the play restricting portion 28), and the inner housing 30 is moved. It will enter the free space.

According to the second embodiment, since the metal reinforcing plate 101 is attached to the lock arm 16 to protect the lock arm 16, resin creep after the connectors F and M are fitted together is prevented. can do.
Further, in the process of fitting both the connectors F and M, the lock arm 16 is lifted to a position where it does not interfere with the lock receiving portion 97 by the lifting operation of the lifting portion 106, so that the metal reinforcing plate 101 is attached to the lock arm 16. Even if it is installed, the lock receiving portion 97 is not cut and damaged by the reinforcing plate 101, and the lock function can be kept good.

  Further, since the reinforcing plate 101 is formed by extending a part of the spring member 50 along the kerf 24 of the lock arm 16, there is no need to manufacture the reinforcing plate 101 and the spring member 50 separately. The number of parts can be reduced and the structure can be simplified.

<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) In the above embodiment, the spring member is made of a leaf spring material. However, according to the present invention, the spring member may be, for example, a coil spring, or a cushioning member such as rubber. It may be.
(2) In the above embodiment, the play restricting portion is provided in the engagement receiving portion. However, according to the present invention, the play restricting portion may be provided in the engaging portion. In short, when the engaging portion and the engaging receiving portion are in the engaged state, any one of them may be surrounded from the three directions to restrict its movement.
(3) In the above embodiment, when the engaging portion and the engagement receiving portion are in the engaged state, both are loosely regulated by the floating restricting portion. There is a built-up portion that fills the gap between the two portions and the engagement receiving portion, and both may be assembled rigidly via the built-up portion.
(4) In the above embodiment, the inner housing is locked to the outer housing in a state of retaining the outer housing by the engagement between the engaging portion and the engagement receiving portion. The portion and the engagement receiving portion may not have such a locking function.
(5) In the above-described embodiment, four fulcrum portions of the spring member are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. However, according to the present invention, at least 3 fulcrum portions of the spring member are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. It is sufficient if two are installed.
(6) In the above embodiment, the lock arm is provided on the female connector side and the lock receiving portion is provided on the male connector side. However, according to the present invention, on the contrary, the lock receiver is provided on the female connector side. May be provided, and a lock arm may be provided on the male connector side.
(7) According to the present invention, the metal reinforcing plate may be mounted so as to cover the entire locked surface of the locking hole of the lock arm. As a result, the reinforcing plate can come into contact with the entire locking surface of the lock receiving portion.
(8) According to the present invention, a reinforcing plate formed separately from the spring member may be attached to the lock arm.
(9) According to the present invention, the male connector may include an inner housing, an outer housing, a spring member, and the like.

The disassembled perspective view of the connector of Embodiment 1 Front view of outer housing Rear view of outer housing Front view of inner housing Rear view of inner housing Front view of male connector Side sectional view of the inner housing and the parts assembled to it Side view of outer housing Cross section of outer housing Side view of spring member Side sectional view of both connectors before mating Side cross-sectional view of both connectors during mating Cross-sectional side view of both mated connectors Cross section of female connector Cross-sectional view of both connectors mated correctly Side sectional view of the female connector showing a state in which the engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion are engaged. Side sectional view of female connector showing state where engagement portion and engagement receiving portion are separated from each other Cross-sectional side view of female connector showing assembly of inner housing etc. The disassembled perspective view of the connector of Embodiment 2. Front view of outer housing Front view of male connector Side view of outer housing Side view of spring member Side sectional view of both connectors when the lock arm is lifted during mating Cross-sectional side view of both connectors when the lifting part is lifted onto the receiving part during mating Side sectional view of both connectors when the lock arm gets over the lock receiving part at the end of mating Cross-sectional side view of both connectors when the lifting part gets over the lifting receiving part at the end of the mating Side sectional view of both connectors when they are properly fitted and the lock arm and lock receiving part are in the locked state Side sectional view of both connectors when they are properly fitted and the lifting part and the lifting receiving part are in the locked state An enlarged side sectional view showing a state where the lock arm is lifted to a position where it does not interfere with the lock receiving portion. Cross section of outer housing Cross-sectional view of both connectors mated correctly

Explanation of symbols

F ... Female connector M ... Male connector 10 ... Outer housing 13 ... Outer cylinder 16 ... Lock arm 23 ... Locking hole 26 ... Guide groove 26A ... Main guide groove 30 ... Inner housing 31 ... Retainer 32 ... Seal member 33 ... Front member 34 ... Terminal accommodating chamber 36 ... Flange part 50 ... Spring member 51 ... Through hole 53 ... Supporting point part 78 ... Engagement part 80 ... Female terminal metal fitting 89 ... Rubber plug 90 ... Male terminal metal fitting 93 ... Hood part 96 ... Guide rib 97 ... Lock Receiving part

Claims (8)

A cylindrical outer housing having one end closed by a back wall, a spring member housed in the outer housing, and a pressing surface that is also housed in the outer housing and sandwiches the spring member between the back wall. And an inner housing for holding the terminal fitting,
The inner housing is moved into the back wall by being pushed into the mating connector by fitting and locking the mating connector holding the mating terminal fitting to the outer housing. A connector, wherein the connector is floatingly supported in a fitting direction via the spring member. An engagement receiving portion is provided on the inner surface of the outer housing, and an engagement portion is provided on the outer surface of the inner housing,
Before the mating connector is fitted, the inner housing is rigidly assembled to the outer housing by the engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion abutting each other,
The rigid state of the inner housing is released by separating the engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion from each other by the movement of the inner housing accompanying the fitting of the mating connector. The connector according to 1. Either one of the engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion surrounds the other outer surface from three directions before the mating connector is fitted, so that the inner housing is moved in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. A floating regulation part is provided to regulate
During the mating of the mating connector, the other outer surface and the play restricting portion slide relative to each other to guide the movement of the inner housing, and after the mating connector is fitted, the inner housing moves loosely. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the connector moves to a possible allowance space. At least three fulcrum portions are installed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the spring member, and these fulcrum portions press and support the pressing surface of the inner housing against the mating connector side by its elastic force. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The mating connector is provided with a hood portion having a peripheral wall that can enter between the inner surface of the outer housing and the outer surface of the inner housing, and the outer surface of the inner housing has a tip of the peripheral wall of the hood portion. And a flange portion protruding outward in the radial direction is provided at a position opposite to the fitting direction, and the outer surface of the inner housing and the hood portion are arranged at a position aligned with the flange portion after the mating connector is fitted. A sealing member that can be compressed between the inner surface of the peripheral wall is fitted, and
At the projecting end of the flange portion, the peripheral wall of the hood portion is expanded and deformed by the elastic force of the seal member after the mating connector is fitted at a position facing the seal member. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a deformation restricting portion that is pressed from the outside is provided. One of the mating connector and the outer housing is provided with an elastically deformable lock arm, and the other is provided with a lock receiving portion. The lock arm elastically locks the lock receiving portion. The mating connector is held in the outer housing in a detachment restricted state, and the corresponding portions of the outer housing and the mating connector are both formed of a synthetic resin material, and the lock receiver The other side provided with the part is harder than the one provided with the lock arm,
6. A metal reinforcing plate is attached to the lock arm so as to cover at least part or all of a surface in contact with the lock receiving portion. Connector described in. One of the mating connector and the outer housing is provided with a lifting portion that is displaced in conjunction with the lock arm, and the other is provided with a lifting receiving portion that is aligned with the lock receiving portion. And
During the mating of the mating connector, the lifting portion rides on the lifting receiving portion, and the lock arm is lifted along with the riding operation, so that the lock arm and the lock receiving portion are non-interfering with each other. The connector according to claim 6, wherein The lock arm is provided in the outer housing;
The said spring member is comprised with the metal leaf | plate spring material, and the said reinforcement board is formed so that a part of said leaf | plate spring material may extend along the inner surface of the said lock arm. The connector according to claim 6 or 7.

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