JP2011014364A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the work efficiency in fitting connector housings to each other.SOLUTION: A first connector housing 10 is fitted into a second connector housing 40 to connect a first terminal fitting 13 to second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C. The first connector housing 10 has a first fitting part 11A with a circular shape concentric to the axial line of both connector housings 10, 40 in the fitting direction. The second connector housing 40 has a second fitting part 42 which has a circular shape concentric to the first fitting part 11A and is fittable thereover. The first terminal fitting 13 has a contact part 29 facing in a radial direction crossing the axial line of the first fitting part 11A. The second terminal fitting 44A, 44B, 44C has an annular shape concentric to the second fitting part 42. With both terminal fittings 13, 44A, 44B, 44C connected together, the contact part 29 contacts the peripheral surfaces of the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  In Patent Document 1, a first terminal fitting is attached to a first connector housing, a second terminal fitting is attached to a second connector housing, and the first connector housing and the second connector housing are fitted to each other. A connector for connecting the second terminal fitting is disclosed.

  In this connector, a cylindrical first connection portion is formed at the distal end portion of the first terminal fitting, a cylindrical second connection portion is formed at the distal end portion of the second terminal fitting, and the two terminal fittings are connected. Is adapted to fit the first connection part into the second connection part.

  In this connector, since the cross section of the first connection portion and the second connection portion is circular, it is necessary to align the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting in the circumferential direction around the axis. Absent. Therefore, when attaching the first terminal fitting to the first connector housing and attaching the second terminal fitting to the second connector housing, it is not necessary to position the terminal fitting in the circumferential direction, and workability is expected to be improved.

JP 2004-241246 A

  The connector does not require alignment when attaching terminal fittings to the connector housing. However, when fitting the connector housings together, the connector housings must be aligned in order to properly connect the specified terminal fittings. There is a need to. Such positioning is desired to be improved because workability is greatly reduced when working in an environment where the fitting state of the connector housing cannot be visually confirmed.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve workability when fitting together connector housings.

  As a means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that a first terminal fitting is attached to a first connector housing, a second terminal fitting is attached to a second connector housing, the first connector housing and the first connector 2 is a connector for connecting the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting by fitting a connector housing, wherein the first connector housing is connected to an axis in the fitting direction of the two connector housings. A second fitting portion having a first fitting portion having a concentric circular shape, wherein the second connector housing has a circular shape concentric with the first fitting portion and can be fitted with the first fitting portion; The first terminal fitting has a contact portion facing in the radial direction intersecting the axis of the first fitting portion, and the second terminal fitting is an annular shape concentric with the second fitting portion. The first terminal gold In a state where the second terminal fitting is connected to, it has a feature where the the circumferential surface of the contact portion and the second terminal fitting comes into contact.

  A second aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of second terminal fittings are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the second fitting portion.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of second terminal fittings have different diameters and have a diameter that intersects the axis of the second fitting portion. It is characterized by being arranged at different positions in the direction.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the first fitting portion has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a plurality of the first fitting portions are provided in the first fitting portion. One terminal fitting is accommodated, a plurality of contact portions are exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion, and an electric wire connected to the plurality of first terminal fittings is connected to the first connector. It is led out to the rear of the housing, and the plurality of second terminal fittings are characterized in that they are arranged along the inner periphery of the second fitting portion which is generally cylindrical.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the one according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of contact portions are dispersed in the axial direction of the first fitting portion, and the first fitting portion is located rearward. The plurality of second terminal fittings are arranged so as to be distributed in the axial direction of the second fitting portion and are located rearward. It is characterized in that the diameter dimension is reduced as the value is increased.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first terminal fitting is formed in an elongated shape in the fitting direction of the two connector housings. One terminal metal fitting is characterized in that it is arranged at a position different from each other in the circumferential direction concentric with the fitting portion.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, at least one of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion facing each other has a full circumference. The engaging portion is formed of serrations in which the unevenness is continuous over the surface, and is formed with a locking portion capable of restricting relative rotation in the circumferential direction of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion by locking each other. It has a characteristic where it exists.

<Invention of Claim 1>
The first connector housing and the second connector housing are fitted to each other in the circular second fitting portion in the same manner as the circular first fitting portion, but at this time, even if they are not aligned in the circumferential direction, they are fitted. Is done. Even if both connector housings are fitted without being aligned in the circumferential direction, the second terminal fitting has an annular shape concentric with the axis (second fitting portion) in the fitting direction of both connector housings. Therefore, regardless of the position of the first terminal fitting in the circumferential direction with respect to the second terminal fitting, the contact portion of the first terminal fitting reliably contacts the peripheral surface of the second terminal fitting. Connected.

  According to the present invention, when the two connector housings are fitted together, the two connector housings need only be aligned coaxially, and there is no need to align the two connector housings in the circumferential direction around the axis of the fitting direction. Therefore, it is excellent in workability. Therefore, both connector housings can be easily fitted even in an environment where the fitting state cannot be visually confirmed.

<Invention of Claim 2>
Since the second terminal fitting has an annular shape, a plurality of second terminal fittings cannot be arranged in the circumferential direction in one second connector housing. Accordingly, in the present invention, interference between the second terminal fittings is avoided by arranging the plurality of second terminal fittings at positions different from each other in the axial direction of the second fitting portion.

<Invention of Claim 3>
Since the second terminal fitting has an annular shape, a plurality of second terminal fittings cannot be arranged in the circumferential direction in one second connector housing. Therefore, in the present invention, the plurality of second terminal fittings are arranged at different positions in the radial direction intersecting the axis of the second fitting portion with different diameter dimensions. Thereby, interference between the second terminal fittings can be avoided.

<Invention of Claim 4>
Since the plurality of first terminal fittings are accommodated in the first fitting portion having a substantially cylindrical shape, the lead-out area of the plurality of wires on the rear end surface of the first connector housing is relatively narrow. Therefore, the plurality of electric wires led out to the rear of the first connector housing are easily bundled together.

<Invention of Claim 5>
Since the contact portions of the plurality of first terminal fittings and the plurality of second terminal fittings are distributed in the axial direction, one contact portion is connected to the plurality of second terminal fittings in the fitting process of both connector housings. There is a concern that a plurality of contact portions may come into contact with each other or come into contact with one second terminal fitting, and the contact portion and the second terminal fitting may be deformed due to such contact. However, in the present invention, the radial distance from the axis of the first fitting portion is larger as the contact portion is located at the rear, and the diameter dimension is smaller as the second terminal fitting is located at the rear. Contact with a plurality of second terminal fittings by one contact portion and contact of a plurality of contact portions with one second terminal fitting do not occur.

<Invention of Claim 6>
The first terminal fitting is elongated in the fitting direction of both connector housings, and the space occupied by one first terminal fitting in the circumferential direction is relatively small. Therefore, the plurality of first terminal fittings are dispersed at different positions in the circumferential direction. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an increase in the diameter of the first connector housing.

<Invention of Claim 7>
In a state where both the connector housings are fitted, the relative rotation of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion is restricted by the locking action of the locking portions, so that the contact portion is surrounded by the second terminal fitting. There is no relative movement in the direction. Therefore, in the contact portion and the second terminal fitting, wear caused by sliding in the circumferential direction is suppressed.

Sectional drawing of the 1st connector housing of Embodiment 1. FIG. Sectional view of the second connector housing Sectional view showing the state where the mating of both connector housings has started Sectional view showing the half-fitted state of both connector housings Sectional view showing the state where both connector housings are properly fitted Sectional view showing the state where both connector housings are properly fitted and the detection member has moved to the detection position The top view showing the state in which the detection member attached to the 1st connector housing exists in a standby position A plan view showing a state where both connector housings are properly fitted and the detection member has moved to the detection position. The perspective view of the housing main body which comprises the 1st connector housing Top view of the housing body Side view of housing body from left side Side view of housing body from right side Front view of the housing body Rear view of housing body Perspective view of first terminal fitting Sectional view showing the locking state between the locking parts Partial enlarged sectional view showing the locking state between the locking portions

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The connector of the present embodiment includes a first connector housing 10 and a second connector housing 40 that can be fitted and detached from each other. The first connector housing 10 is configured by assembling a housing main body 11 and an electric wire cover 21, and a detection member 30 is provided in the first connector housing 10.

  The housing main body 11 constituting the first connector housing 10 is made of synthetic resin and has a substantially columnar shape with the axis line in the front-rear direction (direction parallel to the fitting / removing direction of the connector housings 10 and 40). A major portion of the first connector housing 10 excluding the rear end edge portion is a first fitting portion 11 </ b> A configured such that the outer diameter dimension is gradually reduced toward the front. . That is, the housing main body 11 (the first fitting portion 11A) has a diameter reduced toward the front as a whole.

  In the housing body 11, a female terminal fitting 12 for large current (for power circuit) is accommodated at a central position in the radial direction orthogonal to the axis of the first fitting portion 11A. The electric wire 23 connected to the rear end portion of the female terminal fitting 12 is led out to the rear of the housing body 11. A male terminal fitting 43 described later is inserted into the female terminal fitting 12 from the front of the housing body 11.

  In the housing body 11 (first fitting portion 11A), three cavities 16A, 16B, and 16C are provided along the circumference concentric with the axis of the first fitting portion 11A so as to surround the female terminal fitting 12. They are arranged with an equiangular pitch. In each of the cavities 16A, 16B, 16C, a first terminal fitting 13 for small current (for signal circuit) is inserted from the rear. The three cavities 16 </ b> A, 16 </ b> B, and 16 </ b> C are different from each other in the axial direction in the position of the front wall (the wall surface that stops the inserted first terminal fitting 13). That is, the front wall of the upper cavity 16A located above the female terminal fitting 12 is located at the foremost position, and the front wall of the left cavity 16C located obliquely lower left of the female terminal fitting 12 is located at the most rearward position. The front wall of the right cavity 16B located obliquely below and to the right of the female terminal fitting 12 is located between the front wall of the upper cavity 16A and the front wall of the left cavity 16C.

  Accordingly, the positions of the first terminal fittings 13 inserted into the three cavities 16A, 16B, and 16C are also different from each other in the axial direction. That is, the first terminal fitting 13 inserted into the upper cavity 16A is located at the foremost position, and the first terminal fitting 13 inserted into the left cavity 16B is located at the most rearward position and inserted into the right cavity 16B. The one-terminal metal fitting 13 is located in the middle. A communication hole 17 that communicates with the cavities 16A, 16B, and 16C is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion 11A. The communication holes 17 of the cavities 16A, 16B, and 16C are arranged at positions shifted backward from the front wall by a certain dimension. A contact portion 29 of the first terminal fitting 13 to be described later is exposed from the communication hole 17 and protrudes outward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion 11A.

  The three cavities 16A, 16B, and 16C are different from each other in the radial direction, that is, in the radial distance from the axis of the first fitting portion 11A. That is, the uppermost cavity 16A located at the front is the shortest distance from the axis, and the left cavity 16C located at the rearmost is the largest from the axis.

  The first terminal fitting 13 inserted into the three cavities 16A, 16B, and 16C is a common part, and as shown in FIG. A front end side portion of the first terminal fitting 13 serves as a terminal connecting portion 24, and a rear end side portion of the first terminal fitting 13 serves as a crimping portion 25 for connecting the electric wire 23. The electric wire 23 connected to the crimping portion 25 extends rearward coaxially with the first terminal fitting 13 and is led rearward from the housing body 11. The terminal connection portion 24 includes a substrate portion 26, a pair of side plate portions 27 rising from the substrate portion 26, and an elastic contact piece 28 extending so as to be folded back from the front end of the substrate portion 26. . The elastic contact piece 28 has a contact portion 29 bent in a mountain shape, and the contact portion 29 protrudes from the side plate portion 27 to the side opposite to the substrate portion 26.

  In the state where the first terminal fitting 13 is inserted into each of the cavities 16A, 16B, and 16C, the contact portion 29 protrudes from the communication hole 17 to the outer peripheral side of the first fitting portion 11A (radially outward). The radial position and the axial position of the three contact portions 29 are different from each other. That is, the contact portion 29 of the first terminal fitting 13 inserted into the upper cavity 16A is located at the front end portion of the first fitting portion 11A and closest to the axis. Further, the contact portion 29 of the first terminal fitting 13 inserted into the right cavity 16B is disposed behind the contact portion 29 of the upper cavity 16A and at a position radially outside the contact portion 29 of the upper cavity 16A. Is done. Further, the contact portion 29 of the first terminal fitting 13 inserted into the left cavity 16C is located behind the contact portion 29 of the right cavity 16B and radially outside the contact portion 29 of the right cavity 16B. Placed in.

  The housing body 11 is integrally formed with a lock arm 15 that is cantilevered forward along the outer periphery of the housing body 11 and can be elastically bent in the radial direction. A lock protrusion 18 and a pair of symmetrical protrusions 19 are formed on the front end of the lock arm 15. The lock protrusion 18 protrudes radially inward (inner surface side), and the pair of locking protrusions 19 protrude from the lock protrusion 18 to the left and right sides.

  A holding portion 14 having a partially recessed shape is formed at the rear end portion of the outer periphery of the housing body 11 (a position behind the exposed position of the contact portion 29 of the first terminal fitting 13). Similarly, on the outer periphery of the housing body 11, four first locking portions 20 are formed which are arranged at a position slightly ahead of the holding portion 14 and have a protruding shape arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. .

  The electric wire cover 21 has a cylindrical shape and is coaxially assembled to the inner periphery of the rear end portion of the first connector housing 10. A plurality of electric wires 23 connected to the rear end portions of the female terminal fitting 12 and the first terminal fitting 13 and led out from the rear end face of the housing body 11 pass through the electric wire cover 21 and are pulled out to the rear of the electric wire cover 21. It is.

  The detection member 30 is made of a synthetic resin and has a cylindrical shape as a whole. The detection member 30 is attached to the first connector housing 10 so as to surround the first connector housing 10 coaxially. The detection member 30 is in a standby position (see FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 7) with respect to the first connector housing 10 while being in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the housing body 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the wire cover 21. It can move relatively in the front-rear direction (a direction parallel to the fitting direction) between the front position and the detection position (see FIGS. 6 and 8).

  The detection member 30 is formed with an opening 31 that penetrates from the inner periphery to the outer periphery. The opening 31 is elongated in the front-rear direction, and at the front end of the opening 31 is a pair of left and right symmetrical shapes in which the opening area of the opening 31 is partially expanded to the left and right sides (circumferential direction). The relief portion 32 is formed in a square shape. In the circumferential direction of the detection member 30, an arm portion 33 having a shape that extends forward in a cantilevered manner is formed in a region opposite to the opening portion 31. A release projection 34 is formed on the inner surface of the front end portion of the arm portion 33, and a holding projection 35 is formed at a position behind the release projection 34 on the inner surface of the arm portion 33.

  In a state where the detection member 30 is in the standby position, the detection protrusion 30 of the arm portion 33 is engaged with the holding portion 14 of the first connector housing 10, whereby the detection member 30 is held in the standby position. Further, the entire lock arm 15 is exposed to the outer surface side of the detection member 30 at the opening 31, and the locking projection 19 is located in the opening area of the escape portion 32. Therefore, the lock arm 15 can be elastically bent to the release position on the outer peripheral side.

  In the state where the detection member 30 has moved to the detection position, the opening 31 moves forward relative to the lock arm 15, so that the escape portion 32 moves forward relative to the locking protrusion 19. Therefore, the inner peripheral surface of the detection member 30 approaches and faces the outer surface of the locking projection 19, and the locking projection 19 is displaced to the outer surface side by contact with the inner peripheral surface of the detection member 30. Be blocked. That is, the lock arm 15 is held at the lock position in a state where the elastic deflection to the release position is restricted.

  The second connector housing 40 is made of synthetic resin, and has a cylindrical main body portion 41 with an axis line in the front-rear direction, and a cylindrical shape extending coaxially with the main body portion 41 from the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion 41 to the front. The hood-shaped second fitting portion 42 is integrally formed. The main body 41 holds a male terminal fitting 43 connected to the female terminal fitting 12 of the first connector housing 10, and the front end portion of the male terminal fitting 43 forming a pin shape projects forward from the main body 41. And is surrounded by the second fitting portion 42.

  The front end edge of the second fitting portion 42 is a release portion 45 that is continuous over the entire circumference. In addition, a lock groove 47 that is continuous over the entire circumference is formed on the outer circumference of the second fitting portion 42. Further, a relief groove 48 that is continuous over the entire circumference is formed at a position behind the release portion 45 and ahead of the lock groove 47 in the outer periphery of the second fitting portion 42. In addition, a second locking portion 46 is formed on the inner periphery of the front end portion of the second fitting portion 42. The second locking portion 46 is formed of serrations in which irregularities with a fine triangular cross section are alternately continued over the entire circumference.

  The outer diameter of the second fitting portion 42 is the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the detection member 30. In addition, the inner circumference of the second fitting portion 42 is configured such that the inner diameter dimension gradually decreases in steps toward the back (backward). In addition, annular second metal fittings 44A, 44B, and 44C are arranged in three regions of the inner circumference of the second fitting portion 42 having different inner diameter dimensions.

  The second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C are formed by bending a metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape, and have an annular shape. Each of the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C is attached to the second fitting portion 42 along the inner periphery thereof. The second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, and 44C are integrally formed with a conductive portion (not shown) that is elongated rearward and extends in parallel with the axial direction. The conductive portion is accommodated in the main body portion 41. The signal circuit is configured together with the first terminal fitting 13, the electric wire 23 connected to the first terminal fitting 13, and the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C.

  The outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C are curved surfaces parallel to the axis of the second fitting portion 42 (the fitting direction of both connector housings 10, 40), and the second terminal fitting 44A. 44B, 44C are contact surfaces that can contact the contact portion 29 of the first terminal fitting 13 over the entire circumference. The three second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, and 44C have different diameter dimensions. The second terminal metal fitting 44A having the smallest diameter is arranged at the rearmost side of the second fitting portion 42, and the second terminal metal fitting 44C having the largest diameter is arranged at the most front side. That is, the three second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, and 44C are arranged at different positions in the radial direction and at different positions in the axial direction.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the two connector housings 10 and 40 are fitted together, the two connector housings 10 and 40 are shallowly fitted with the detection member 30 held at the standby position in the first connector housing 10. Then, the 2nd fitting part 42 is inserted in the clearance gap between the outer periphery of 11 A of 1st fitting parts, and the inner periphery of the detection member 30. FIG. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the second fitting portion 42 comes into sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the detection member 30, so that the connector housings 10 and 40 approach each other while being kept coaxial. Further, since the first fitting portion 11A, the second fitting portion 42, and the detection member 30 are all circular, it is not necessary to position them in the circumferential direction.

  When the fitting of both the connector housings 10 and 40 proceeds, the release portion 45 of the second fitting portion 42 comes into contact with the front end of the lock arm 15 as shown in FIG. As the fitting proceeds, the lock arm 15 is elastically displaced to the release position. As shown in FIG. 4, the lock protrusion 18 is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second fitting portion 42 while the connector housings 10 and 40 are in a half-fitted state that does not reach the normal fitting state. Maintained.

  Further, when the lock arm 15 is elastically bent, the locking projection 19 is displaced to the outer peripheral side, and the opening edge of the relief portion 32 of the opening 31 is opposed to or approaches the locking projection 19 from the rear. It becomes a state. Therefore, even if the detection member 30 is to be advanced to the detection position in the half-fitted state, the detection member 30 restricts the advancement to the detection position when the locking projection 19 hits the opening edge of the escape portion 32. And held at the standby position.

  Further, in a state where both the connector housings 10 and 40 are half-fitted, as shown in FIG. 4, the release portion 45 elastically bends the arm portion 33 toward the outer peripheral side. The detection member 30 is released from the front stop state (the state where movement to the detection position is restricted) by the arm portion 33 and the holding portion 14. However, the detection member 30 is still held in the standby position by the locking action of the locking protrusion 19. Therefore, when the two connector housings 10 and 40 are fitted, the operator keeps gripping the detection member 30 without touching the first connector housing 10 and continues the work from the fitting start to the fitting completion. Can do.

  When the fitting of both the connector housings 10 and 40 progresses and both the connector housings 10 and 40 reach the normal fitting state, the lock projection 18 reaches the lock groove 47 as shown in FIG. , And the connector housings 10 and 40 are restricted from being detached and locked in a proper fitted state by the locking action of the lock protrusion 18 and the lock groove 47. At this time, since the locking projection 19 is also housed in the lock groove 47 together with the lock projection 18, both the connector housings 10 and 40 are properly fitted by the locking action of the locking projection 19 and the lock groove 47. Locked to state. Further, the arm portion 33 that has been elastically bent in the half-fitted state is also elastically returned to the inner peripheral side in the same manner as the lock arm 15, the holding projection 35 is accommodated in the escape groove 48, and the release projection 34 is locked. It is accommodated in the groove 47.

  In the process in which both the connector housings 10 and 40 are fitted, the two contact portions 29 of the first terminal fitting 13 located at the foremost side of the first fitting portion 11 </ b> A are located on the front end side of the second fitting portion 42. The second terminal metal fittings 44B and 44C pass through the inside, and the contact of the first terminal metal fitting 13 located second from the front of the first fitting portion 11A is located at the forefront of the second fitting portion 42. It passes through the inside of the two-terminal metal fitting 44C.

  And when both connector housings 10 and 40 reach a regular fitting state, the contact part 29 of the 1st terminal metal fitting 13 located in the forefront is arrange | positioned in the backmost part of the 2nd fitting part 42, and is the smallest diameter. It elastically contacts the inner peripheral surface of the second terminal fitting 44A. Further, the contact portion 29 of the first terminal fitting 13 that is second from the front is elastic to the inner peripheral surface of the second terminal fitting 44B that is second from the back of the second fitting portion 42 (that is, second from the front). To touch. Furthermore, the contact portion 29 of the first terminal fitting 13 located at the rearmost position makes elastic contact with the inner peripheral surface of the second terminal fitting 44 </ b> C located at the forefront of the second fitting portion 42. The contact portions 29 of these three first terminal fittings 13 and the three second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C are connected at substantially the same timing. The female terminal fitting 12 and the male terminal fitting 43 are also connected.

  Further, in a state where both the connector housings 10 and 40 are properly fitted, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the inner sides of the first locking portion 20 and the second fitting portion 42 on the outer periphery of the first fitting portion 11A. The circumferential second locking portion 46 is locked, and this locking action restricts relative rotation between the first fitting portion 11A and the second fitting portion 42.

  When both the connector housings 10 and 40 are properly fitted, the locking projection 19 is displaced to the inner peripheral side and is accommodated in the lock groove 47, and a detection member by locking between the locking projection 19 and the opening edge of the opening 31. 30 movement restriction states are released. Therefore, after both the connector housings 10 and 40 have reached the normal fitting state, the operator continues to move forward (the second connector housing 40 without changing their hands while holding the detection member 30 in the fitting operation). To the side). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the detection member 30 moves from the standby position to the detection position. As described above, when the two connector housings 10 and 40 are half-fitted, the movement of the detection member 30 to the detection position is restricted. Therefore, whether or not the detection member 30 can be moved from the standby position to the detection position. Based on this, it is possible to detect the fitting state of both connector housings 10 and 40.

  In the connector according to the present embodiment, the first connector housing 10 is provided with a first fitting portion 11A that is concentric with the axis of the fitting direction of both the connector housings 10 and 40, and the second connector housing 40 has a first fitting portion 11A. A circular shape concentric with the fitting portion 11A, a second fitting portion 42 that can be fitted with the first fitting portion 11A is provided, and the first terminal fitting 13 has a diameter that intersects the axis of the first fitting portion 11A. The contact portion 29 facing in the direction is provided, the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C are concentric with the second fitting portion 42, and the first terminal fitting 13 and the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C are connected. In this state, the contact portion 29 and the inner peripheral surfaces of the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C are brought into contact with each other.

  The first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 40 are fitted to each other in the circular second fitting portion 42 as in the case of the circular first fitting portion 11A. At this time, the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 40 are aligned in the circumferential direction. Even if not, the fitting is performed. Further, even if the connector housings 10 and 40 are fitted without being aligned in the circumferential direction, the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B and 44C are connected to the axis of the fitting direction of the connector housings 10 and 40 (second fitting). Since the concentric ring shape is concentric with the joint portion 42), the first terminal fitting 13 can be contacted at any position in the circumferential direction with respect to the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C. The portion 29 reliably contacts the peripheral surfaces of the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C, and the both terminal fittings 13, 44A, 44B, 44C are connected.

  According to this embodiment, when the two connector housings 10 and 40 are fitted together, both the connector housings 10 and 40 need only be aligned coaxially, and both the circumferential directions around the axis of the fitting direction are both. Since the positioning of the connector housings 10 and 40 is unnecessary, the workability is excellent. Therefore, both connector housings 10 and 40 can be easily fitted even in an environment where the fitting state cannot be visually confirmed.

  In the present embodiment, three second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C are attached to one second connector housing 40, but the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C have an annular shape. The three second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C cannot be arranged in the circumferential direction. For this reason, the three second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C are distributed and arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the second fitting portion 42, whereby the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C are arranged together. To avoid interference.

  Furthermore, as a countermeasure against the fact that the three second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, and 44C cannot be arranged in the circumferential direction, in the present embodiment, the plurality of second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, and 44C have different diameter dimensions. As described above, they are arranged at different positions in the radial direction intersecting the axis of the second fitting portion 42. This avoids interference between the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C.

  Further, the first fitting portion 11A has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the three first terminal fittings 13 are accommodated in the first fitting portion 11A, and three contact portions are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion 11A. 29 is exposed, and the electric wires 23 connected to the three first terminal fittings 13 are led out to the rear of the first connector housing 10. Thus, since the three first terminal fittings 13 are accommodated in the substantially cylindrical first fitting portion 11A, the lead-out area of the three electric wires 23 on the rear end face of the first connector housing 10 is relatively narrow. . Therefore, the three electric wires 23 led out to the rear of the first connector housing 10 are easily bundled together.

  Further, since the contact portions 29 of the plurality of first terminal fittings 13 and the plurality of second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C are arranged in the axial direction, in the fitting process of both the connector housings 10, 40, One contact portion 29 contacts a plurality of second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C, or a plurality of contact portions 29 contact one second terminal fitting 44A, 44B, 44C. Due to this contact, there is a concern about problems such as deformation in the contact portion 29 and the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C.

  However, in this embodiment, the radial distance from the axis of the first fitting portion 11A is larger in the contact portion 29 located behind 11A of the first fitting portion, and the second fitting portion 42 is. Since the diameter dimension of the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, and 44C located at the rear (the front in the first fitting portion 11A) is smaller, a plurality of second terminal fittings 44A and 44B formed by one contact portion 29. , 44C and contact of the plurality of contact portions 29 with respect to one second terminal fitting 44A, 44B, 44C are avoided.

  Moreover, since the 1st terminal metal fitting 13 is elongate in the fitting direction of both the connector housings 10 and 40, the space which the 1st terminal metal fitting 13 occupies in the circumferential direction is comparatively small. Focusing on this point, in the present embodiment, the three first terminal fittings 13 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the diameter increase of the 1st connector housing 10 (1st fitting part 11A) is avoided.

  In addition, the circumferential surfaces of the first fitting portion 11A and the second fitting portion 42 facing each other are formed of serrations in which at least one of the first and second fitting portions 42 has continuous irregularities over the entire circumference, and can be locked together. Portions 20 and 46 are formed. Therefore, in the state in which both the connector housings 10 and 40 are fitted, the relative rotation of the first fitting portion 11A and the second fitting portion 42 is restricted by the locking action between the locking portions 20 and 46. The portion 29 does not move relative to the second terminal fittings 44A, 44B, 44C in the circumferential direction. Thereby, in the contact part 29 and 2nd terminal metal fitting 44A, 44B, 44C, the abrasion resulting from the sliding of the circumferential direction is suppressed.

<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.
(1) In the above embodiment, a plurality of terminal fittings are attached to one connector housing, but the number of terminal fittings attached to one connector housing may be only one.
(2) In the said embodiment, although the contact part of the 1st terminal metal fitting was made into the form which faces a radial direction outward, the form which faces a radial direction inward may be sufficient.
(3) In the above embodiment, the contact portions of all the first terminal fittings face the same direction (outward) in the radial direction. However, the first terminal fitting and the contact points that the contact portion faces radially outward. The first terminal fitting with the portion facing radially inward may be mixed and attached to one first connector housing.
(4) In the above embodiment, the plurality of second terminal fittings are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the second fitting portion. However, the plurality of second terminal fittings are arranged at one location in the axial direction of the second fitting portion. It may be arranged in a concentrated manner. In this case, interference between the second terminal fittings can be avoided by disposing the plurality of second terminal fittings at different positions in the radial direction.
(5) In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of second terminal fittings have different diameter dimensions and are arranged at different positions in the radial direction. However, the plurality of second terminal fittings may have the same diameter dimension. In this case, interference between the second terminal fittings can be avoided by disposing the plurality of second terminal fittings at different positions in the axial direction of the second fitting portion.
(6) In the above embodiment, the first fitting portion is substantially columnar and the second fitting portion is substantially cylindrical. However, the first fitting portion is substantially cylindrical, and the second fitting portion is substantially cylindrical. It may be cylindrical.
(7) In the above embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the second terminal fitting (the surface on which the contact portion contacts) is a curved surface parallel to the axis of the second fitting portion (the fitting direction of both connector housings). According to the invention, the inner peripheral surface of the second terminal fitting may be a tapered surface that is inclined with respect to the axis of the second fitting portion.
(8) In the above embodiment, three first terminal fittings and three second terminal fittings are provided, but the number of first terminal fittings and second terminal fittings may be two or less, or four or more.
(9) In the above embodiment, the number of the second locking portions is four, but the number of the second locking portions may be three or less, or five or more.
(10) In the above-described embodiment, the first locking portion has a plurality of protrusions arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the second locking portion is a serration that is continuous over the entire circumference. The stop part may be a serration that is continuous over the entire circumference, and the second locking part may be a plurality of protrusions arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Both the first locking part and the second locking part may be Serration may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 1st connector housing 11A ... 1st fitting part 13 ... 1st terminal metal fitting 20 ... 1st latching | locking part (locking part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 23 ... Electric wire 29 ... Contact part 40 ... 2nd connector housing 42 ... 2nd fitting part 44A, 44B, 44C ... 2nd terminal metal fitting 46 ... 2nd latching | locking part (locking part)

Claims (7)

Attach the first terminal fitting to the first connector housing,
Attach the second terminal fitting to the second connector housing,
A connector configured to connect the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting by fitting the first connector housing and the second connector housing;
The first connector housing has a first fitting portion that is concentric with an axis in the fitting direction of the two connector housings;
The second connector housing has a circular shape concentric with the first fitting portion, and has a second fitting portion that can be fitted with the first fitting portion,
The first terminal fitting has a contact portion facing in the radial direction intersecting the axis of the first fitting portion,
The second terminal fitting has an annular shape concentric with the second fitting portion,
The connector, wherein the contact portion and a peripheral surface of the second terminal fitting are in contact with each other in a state where the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting are connected.   2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second terminal fittings are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the second fitting portion.   The plurality of second terminal fittings have different diameter dimensions, and are arranged at different positions in a radial direction intersecting the axis of the second fitting portion. Item 2. The connector according to item 2. The first fitting portion has a generally cylindrical shape,
A plurality of the first terminal fittings are accommodated in the first fitting portion, and a plurality of the contact portions are exposed on an outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion,
The electric wires connected to the plurality of first terminal fittings are led out to the rear of the first connector housing,
4. The plurality of second terminal fittings are arranged along an inner periphery of the second fitting portion having a substantially cylindrical shape. 5. connector. The plurality of contact portions are distributed in the axial direction of the first fitting portion, and are arranged so that the distance in the radial direction from the axis of the first fitting portion increases as the position is located rearward. And
The plurality of second terminal fittings are arranged so as to be distributed in the axial direction of the second fitting portion, and the diameter of the second terminal fitting is reduced as it is located rearward. Item 5. The connector according to Item 4. The first terminal fitting is elongated in the fitting direction of the two connector housings,
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of first terminal fittings are arranged at different positions in a circumferential direction concentric with the fitting portion.   At least one of the peripheral surfaces of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion facing each other is composed of serrations in which irregularities are continuous over the entire circumference. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a locking portion capable of restricting relative rotation in a circumferential direction between the fitting portion and the second fitting portion is formed.

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