JP2014165029A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect an unsatisfactory attached state of a front mask.SOLUTION: A front mask 53 is attached to the front end face of an inner housing 22. A lock pawl 58 is formed on the front mask 53 and is bent and deformed in the course of being attached to the inner housing 22. Upon attached, the lock pawl 58 returns from the bent state and locks into a locking recessed part 59. If the attached state of the front mask 53 is unsatisfactory and the lock pawl 58 remains bent, the detection part 65 of a retainer 61 interferes with the bent lock pawl 58 and hinders the retainer 61 from reaching an actual lock position when the retainer 61 is moved from a temporary lock position to the actual lock position. Accordingly this makes an operator aware that the attached state of the front mask 53 is unsatisfactory.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  Conventionally, there has been known a connector in which a front end surface of a connector housing is opened and this open surface is covered with a front mask (holding member). The following patent document 1 can be mentioned as such a connector. The front mask functions as a front stop wall of each cavity that accommodates the terminal fitting. The front mask in Patent Document 1 has locking protrusions formed on the bottom wall and the ceiling wall. When the front mask is mounted on the connector housing, the locking protrusions run on the upper and lower surfaces of the connector housing, and when the front mask is fitted to the proper mounting position, the locking protrusions are on the connector housing side. The front mask is mounted in a state in which the front mask is prevented from being detached from the connector housing.

JP 2002-31474 A

  In the above configuration, when the front mask has not reached the normal mounting state with respect to the connector housing, the locking protrusions still ride on the upper and lower surfaces of the connector housing. However, it was not easy to grasp the situation of such incomplete wearing from the outside.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector that can easily detect the situation when the front mask is in an incompletely mounted state. To do.

  The connector of the present invention is a connector provided with a front mask that is attached to the front end surface of the connector housing and performs front stop of a terminal fitting housed therein, and is a terminal inserted into a cavity formed in the connector housing In the middle of mounting the front mask to the connector housing formed on the metal fitting and the front mask, the lock which is bent and deformed outward from the outer surface of the connector housing and is elastically restored when the mounting is completed and locked to the connector housing. A claw, a retainer that is attached to the connector housing and can be locked to the terminal fitting, and a detector that is formed on the retainer and that can enter the bending area of the lock claw in the process of attaching the retainer to the connector housing. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, when the front mask is attached to the connector housing in a normal state, the lock claw is elastically restored and is removed from the bending region. Therefore, the retainer detection unit can enter the bending area of the lock claw and attach the retainer to the connector housing in a normal state. However, if the mounting condition of the front mask is incomplete, the lock claw bends outward and remains in the bending area. When the front mask is in such a state, even if the retainer is to be mounted on the connector housing, the detection unit interferes with the lock claw and cannot be brought into the normal mounting state. Therefore, the operator can detect that the front mask is not completely mounted when the retainer cannot be mounted on the connector housing.

The side view which shows the state before the fitting of the connector with a booster mechanism of a present Example. Side view showing the state after mating Front view of fixed connector unit Similarly back view The rear view which shows the state which removed the alignment plate in FIG. Bottom view of fixed connector unit The rear view which shows the state which removed the alignment plate in FIG. Cross section of alignment plate Side view showing the first lever side connector when the lever is in the initial position Side view showing the first lever side connector when the lever is in the fitting completion position Front view of the first lever side connector when the lever is in the fitting completion position AA line sectional view of FIG. The figure seen from the arrow P direction of FIG. Front view showing the outer housing of the first lever side connector Front view of batch rubber stopper CC sectional view of FIG. 15 showing the wire insertion hole DD sectional view of FIG. 15 showing positioning holes Rear view of inner housing Enlarged sectional view showing the fitting state of the positioning pin and positioning hole Explanatory drawing which shows the influence on the sealing condition to the electric wire inserted in the electric wire insertion hole accompanying the positioning pin having been inserted in the positioning hole EE sectional view of FIG. 11 showing the accommodation state of the slider Sectional drawing corresponding to the FF line in FIG. 11 which shows the connection condition of a lever and a slider when a lever exists in an initial position. Sectional drawing corresponding to the FF line in FIG. 11 which shows the connection condition of a lever and a slider when a lever exists in a fitting completion position. Retainer front view Rear view of front mask Cross-sectional view corresponding to the line BB in FIG. 11 showing the state when the retainer is in the temporary locking position. Sectional view corresponding to the line BB in FIG. 11 showing the state when the retainer is in the final locking position. 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line BB in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the position of a slider when a 1st fixed side connector and a 1st lever side connector fit shallowly and a cam follower entered the entrance part of a cam groove Sectional view showing slider position when mating is complete Sectional drawing which shows the state before fitting with the 1st fixed side connector and the 1st lever side connector Sectional drawing which shows a state when fitting is completed Rear view when the lever is in the mating completion position in the second lever side connector The side view when the lever is also in the initial position Front view when in the mating completion position Same side view

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.
(1) In the connector of the present invention, the retainer is mounted on the connector housing from the direction along the bending direction of the lock claw, and in the mounted state, the detection unit can come into contact with the outer surface of the lock claw. It is preferable that it is the structure which can control bending.
According to such a configuration, when the retainer and the front mask are both attached to the connector housing in a normal state, the detection unit can come into contact with the outer surface of the lock claw, and the bending in the direction to release the lock is restricted. Therefore, the wearing situation of the front mask can be strengthened.
(2) Also, the retainer moves between a temporary locking position where the terminal fitting can be freely inserted into and removed from the cavity with respect to the connector housing, and a final locking position where the retainer is locked to the terminal fitting to prevent the cavity from coming off the cavity. On the other hand, the detection part is formed to extend from the base part of the retainer toward the front end side of the connector housing to which the front mask is mounted, and the detection part is operated to return the retainer from the main locking position to the temporary locking position. It is good also as a structure which serves as the cancellation | release operation part for performing.
According to such a configuration, the detection unit can have both a function of detecting incomplete mounting of the front mask and a function as a release operation unit for performing a return operation of the retainer. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified as compared with a configuration in which these functions are provided to separate parts.

<Example>
Next, an embodiment embodying the connector of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Outline of connector with booster mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the connector with a booster mechanism of this embodiment, two fixed-side connectors (first and second fixed-side connectors F1, F2) are arranged in parallel on the substrate 1. The fixed-side connector unit U and first and second lever-side connectors L1 and L2 that can be fitted to the fixed-side connectors F1 and F2.

(Fixed-side connector unit U: mainly refer to FIGS. 1 to 8)
The fixed side unit U has a substrate 1, and the first and second fixed side connectors F 1 and F 2 are mounted on the substrate 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the first fixed-side connector F1 and the second fixed-side connector F2 are arranged such that the long sides of the first fixed-side connector F1 and the second fixed-side connector F2 are aligned on the same line along the arrangement direction of the two fixed-side connectors F1, F2. It is installed in this way.

  Both fixed-side connectors F1 and F2 have square tube-shaped hood portions 2 and 3 protruding from the substrate 1 forward in the fitting direction (upward in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 3, guide protrusion shafts 4 and 5 for guiding fitting with the lever side connectors L1 and L2 are provided in the hood portions 2 and 3 of the both fixed side connectors F1 and F2, respectively. , Both are integrally formed so as to project from the back wall of the hood portions 2 and 3 toward the fitting surface. Two guide protrusion shafts 4 and 5 are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction on the first fixed-side connector F1, and one guide protrusion shaft 4 is arranged on the center portion of the second fixed-side connector F2. It is formed in a shape.

  In a state where both the fixed side connectors F1 and F2 are fitted with lever side connectors L1 and L2, which will be described later, the guide protrusion shafts 4 and 5 are connected to the corresponding lever side connectors L1 and L2. It penetrates the range up to the batch rubber plug 39 incorporated in L2.

  A plurality of male terminal fittings 6 each formed in a rod shaft shape are arranged so as to protrude in both the hood portions 2 and 3. In this embodiment, the first fixed-side connector F1 has more male terminal fittings 6 than the second fixed-side connector F2, and has a multi-polar setting. The male terminal fittings 6 in the two fixed-side connectors F1 and F2 are pushed into the back walls of the respective hood portions 2 and 3 and protrude rearward through the substrate 1, and then downward (rear side of FIG. 1). Direction).

  A protective wall 7 is provided on the rear surface side of the substrate 1 so as to surround each of the male terminal fittings 6 protruding from the substrate 1 (see FIGS. 4 and 31). The protective wall 7 is provided in a range from the upper edge portion of the substrate 1 to both side edge portions in the longitudinal direction, and is formed so as to protrude in the protruding direction of each male terminal fitting 6.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the tip portions of all male terminal fittings 6 are inserted into the positioning through holes 9 formed so as to penetrate the alignment plate 8. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the alignment plate 8 is formed of a long flat plate material, and the hole group of the positioning through-hole 9 is divided into these arrangement regions corresponding to the two fixed-side connectors F1 and F2. ing. As shown in FIG. 8, step edges 10 are formed in steps on both ends of the alignment plate 8 in the longitudinal direction. Further, a stepped hole 11 penetrates between the arrangement regions of the positioning through holes 9 in the alignment plate 8. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, hook edges 12 are formed on both side walls of the protective wall 7 so as to face each other at the lower ends, and the alignment plate 8 has both step edges 10 hooked edges. 12 is held and held. Further, an intermediate wall 13 projects rearward in a vertical direction at a portion between the first and second fixed-side connectors F1 and F2 on the rear surface of the substrate 1, and a lower end portion of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 7, the intermediate holding part 14 is formed in a hook shape. The intermediate holding part 14 is inserted into the stepped hole 11 of the alignment plate 8 in a locked state. As a result, the alignment plate 8 is held at the intermediate portion where the influence of the warp or the like is likely to occur, so that it is possible to correct this even when a warp occurs and to secure the alignment plate 8 more reliably.

  A clip 15 as shown in FIG. 5 protrudes from the lower end surface of both side walls of the protective wall 7. Both clips 15 are used for temporary holding until each male terminal fitting 6 is inserted into a through hole (not shown) of a printed board 16 (see FIG. 4) and soldered. It is inserted into a temporary holding hole (not shown) provided and is elastically locked.

  Two cam followers 17 project from the outer surface of the hood portion 2 of the first fixed-side connector F1 on both long-side surfaces (surfaces along the direction in which both fixed-side connectors are arranged). Both cam followers 17 are formed in a pin shaft shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the second fixed-side connector F <b> 2 is at a height position near the opening edge of the hood portion 2 and with respect to the center line in the longitudinal direction of the hood portion 2. It is biased in the direction away from. On the other hand, the surface on which the cam follower 18 is provided in the second fixed side connector F2 is the outer surface of the hood portion 3, and both surfaces on the short side (the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of both the fixed side connectors F1 and F2). Along the surface). The cam follower 18 in the second fixed-side connector F2 is arranged at the center in the height direction along the surfaces on both short sides (see FIG. 3), and the height position is set lower than the first fixed-side connector. (See FIG. 1).

(First lever side connector L1: mainly FIGS. 9 to 32)
The first lever side connector L1 incorporates a slider 19 as a booster mechanism that engages with the cam follower 17 of the first fixed side connector F1 (see FIG. 29, FIG. 30, etc.). The lever 20 for moving is provided (refer FIG. 9, FIG. 10). In the present embodiment, the connector housing of the first lever side connector L1 is composed of an outer housing 21 serving as an outer casing and an inner housing 22 incorporated therein as shown in FIG. .

  The outer housing 21 is formed in a rectangular tube shape that opens to the front side (the side facing the first fixed connector F1), and the inside serves as a housing space for the inner housing 22. The rear surface of the inner wall 23 of the housing space of the outer housing 21 is an electric wire drawing surface 67. A plurality of electric wire insertion holes 24 are formed through the same surface 67 so that each electric wire W connected to the female terminal fitting 25 is drawn out of the outer housing 21 (connector housing). The back wall 23 has a pair of relief holes 69 </ b> A for allowing the guide protrusion shafts 4 of the first fixed connector F <b> 1 to escape.

  As shown in FIG. 12 and the like, a slider housing chamber 26 for housing the slider 19 is formed on the inner surface side of both long side portions of the outer housing 21. Both slider accommodating chambers 26 are respectively opened on one short side surface of the outer housing 21 (the outer surface in the arrangement direction of both fixed connectors) (see FIG. 13), and serves as an insertion port 27 for the slider 19. .

  As shown in FIG. 14, on the front wall constituting the fitting surface side of the outer housing 21, the entrances 28 through which the respective cam followers 17 of the first fixed connector F1 can enter are respectively opened at corresponding positions. The entrance 28 communicates with both the slider accommodating chambers 26.

  As shown in FIG. 13 and the like, the slider 19 has a pair of arm portions 19A slidably accommodated in both slider accommodating chambers 26, and one ends thereof are connected by a connecting portion 19B. On the opposite surface side of both arm portions 19A (the side that is exposed to the housing space for the inner housing 22 and faces it), two cam grooves 29 are recessed on one side corresponding to each cam follower 17 of the first fixed connector F1. It is formed (see FIG. 21). The cam groove 29 engages with the corresponding cam follower 17 to bring the first fixed side connector F1 and the first lever side connector L1 into a fitted state while generating a boosting action with the sliding movement of the slider 19. Has a guiding function.

  As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, a bendable locking claw 30 (locking means) is formed on one side edge (upper edge in the drawing) near the free ends of both arm portions 19 </ b> A of the slider 19. On the other hand, in the slider housing chamber 26 of the outer housing 21, first and second locking recesses 31 and 32 are formed at two locations separated in the moving direction of the slider 19. When the locking claw 30 is locked in the first locking recess 31 (the state shown in FIG. 29), the slider 19 moves outward from the outer housing 21 in the arrangement direction of the first and second fixed-side connectors F1, F2. It is held at the operation start position where a part of the projection protrudes. When the slider 19 is held at the operation start position, the inlets of the two cam grooves 29 of the slider 19 communicate with the corresponding advancement inlets 28 and are in a state where the cam follower 17 of the first fixed connector F1 can be received. . Further, the rear end surface of the slider 19 in the insertion direction of the locking claw 30 is an upright surface, and this surface is locked to the hole wall of the first locking recess 31 so that the slider 19 is separated from the outer housing 21. It is held in a state where it is prevented from coming off. On the other hand, the front end surface side of the locking claw 30 is an inclined surface, and when a predetermined pressing force is applied to the slider 19, the locking claw 30 is released from the locking with the first locking recess 31 and moved forward in the pressing direction. Is possible. However, the front end surface of the locking claw 30 is formed with a relatively steep slope, and unless the pushing force is applied to the slider 19 to some extent, the locking with the first locking recess 31 is not inadvertently released. is there.

  When the locking claw 30 is locked in the second locking recess 32 (see FIG. 30), the slider 19 is held at the operation end position with the connecting portion 19B contacting the side wall surface of the outer housing 21. Is done. At this time, the cam follower 17 has reached the end of the cam groove 29, and the fitting of the first fixed side connector F1 and the first lever side connector L1 has been completed. The locking state between the locking claw 30 and the second locking recess 32 can be released by applying a strong force in the pulling direction to the slider 19.

  As shown in FIG. 14, both sides of the outer housing 21 on the side where the insertion port 27 of the slider is formed and close to the fitting surface are cut away, and a pair of rotating shafts for attaching the lever 20 is cut here. 34 protrudes along the short side direction.

  The lever 20 can rotate between the initial position (position shown in FIG. 1) and the fitting completion position (position shown in FIG. 2) around both the rotation shafts 34. The lever 20 is formed of a pair of lever plates 20A that sandwich the surfaces of the outer housing 21 on both long sides, and an operating portion 20B that connects the ends of both lever plates 20A. When the rotation shaft 34 is inserted into the free end portions of both lever plates 20 </ b> A in a retaining state, the entire lever 20 can be rotated around the rotation shaft 34. As shown in FIG. 21 to FIG. 23, as shown in FIG. 21 to FIG. 23, the connecting grooves 33 formed in the shape of elongated holes are respectively formed in the free ends of the inner surfaces of the lever plates 20A. A connecting pin 35 that protrudes from the outer surface of the slider 19 near the connecting portion 19B of the both arm portions 19A is fitted in the both linking grooves 33, whereby the slider 19 is interlocked with the turning motion of the lever 20. Can be slid.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the outer housing 21 has a stepped shape so that a stopper edge 36 for restricting the rotation of the lever 20 at the fitting completion position protrudes outwardly. Is provided. In other words, both long side surfaces of the outer housing 21 are formed such that the lower region of the outer housing 21 protrudes outward with the stopper edge 36 as a boundary. The stopper edge 36 is formed so as to extend horizontally from the end portion on the side facing the second fixed side connector F2 along the direction in which both the fixed side connectors are arranged, and then descend substantially in an arc toward the rotation shaft 34. ing.

  On the other hand, on the inner surface side of both lever plates 20A of the lever 20, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, a contact edge 37 having a shape suitable for the shape of the stopper edge 36 is provided in a step shape. The lower region is formed so as to bulge outward. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 23, the lever 20 is restricted from rotating at the fitting completion position shown in FIG. 2 or the like when the contact edge 37 contacts the stopper edge 36. As shown in FIG. 23, when the lever is in the fitting completion position, the outer surface of the operation portion 20B of the lever 20 and the outer surface on the short side of the outer housing 21 are substantially flush with each other.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21, when the lever 20 is in the initial position and the slider 19 is in the operation start position, the connecting portion 19B side of the slider 19 protrudes outward from the outer housing 21 as described above. It has become. At this time, a portion of the side edges of both lever plates 20A of the lever 20 corresponding to the protruding end portion of the slider 19 and the illustrated height direction (hereinafter, this portion is referred to as a protective edge portion 38) With respect to the assembling direction, the projecting end portion of the slider 19 is placed almost at the same position, or is positioned behind the assembling direction. Therefore, when a foreign object approaches the projecting end portion of the slider 19 from behind the slider 19 in the assembling direction, the foreign material is likely to abut against both protective edge portions 38 of the lever 20 rather than abutting the projecting end portion of the slider 19. The situation is realized. Further, as is clear from the figure, when viewed from the direction shown in the figure, the distance from the pivot shaft 34 of the lever 20 to the protective edge 38 is larger than the distance from the lever 20 to the operation part 20B. Since it is sufficiently short, the force required to unlock the locking claw 30 is considerably larger in the pushing force acting on the protective edge 38 than in the case of operating the operation portion 20B. Accordingly, the locking claw 30 is less likely to be unlocked when the same pressing force is applied to the protective edge 38 than when the pressing force is directly applied to the slider 19.

  Next, the inner housing 22 incorporated in the accommodation space of the outer housing 21 will be described. As shown in FIG. 12 and the like, a batch rubber stopper 39 is attached to the rear surface side of the inner housing 22. A rubber plug housing portion 40 for housing the batch rubber plug 39 is formed at the rear portion of the inner housing 22. The rubber stopper accommodating portion 40 is formed inside a portion extending in a rectangular tube shape from the periphery of the rear end surface (partition wall 41) of the inner housing 22 toward the rear. As shown in FIG. 18, a pair of locking protrusions 43 for the outer housing 21 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the peripheral wall 42 of the inner housing 22 at one end. The interval between the lock projections 43 arranged on the upper side is set to be narrower than the interval between the lock projections 43 arranged on the lower side. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, lock receiving edges 44 are formed on the back wall 23 of the outer housing 21 corresponding to the lock protrusions 43. If the inner housing 22 is to be mounted upside down from the normal posture with respect to the outer housing 21, the lock protrusion 43 and the lock receiving edge 44 interfere with each other due to the difference in spacing. Can not be assembled.

  The partition wall 41 of the inner housing 22 partitions the rubber plug housing portion 40 and the terminal housing portion 46 that houses the female terminal fitting 25. The partition wall 41 is open at the rear end side of each cavity 47 that accommodates the female terminal fitting 25, and communicates coaxially with each wire insertion hole 45 of the batch rubber plug 39 and each wire insertion hole 24 of the back wall 23 of the outer housing 21. I have to do it. The partition wall 41 is formed with a pair of escape holes 69B for allowing the guide protrusion shafts 4 of the first fixed connector F1 to escape (see FIG. 18).

  As shown in FIG. 12 and the like, the collective rubber plug 39 is attached in contact with the rear surface of the partition wall 41, and when the inner housing 22 is assembled into the outer housing 21, the inner rubber plug 39 is connected to the rear wall 23 of the outer housing 21. It is held between them. The collective rubber plug 39 is attached to the rear surface of the partition wall 41 in a positioned state by the following configuration.

  FIG. 18 is a view of the inner housing 22 as viewed from the rubber stopper housing 40 side. As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 19, a plurality of positioning pins 48 are arranged along the longitudinal direction at the center portion in the height direction on the rear surface side of the partition wall 41. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the wire insertion hole 45 formed in the partition wall 41 is divided into three arrangement regions according to the size of the female terminal fitting 25 to be inserted. 48 is arrange | positioned in the diagonal position around each electric wire penetration hole 45 of the center step of the arrangement | positioning area | regions of a middle step. Each positioning pin 48 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.

  On the other hand, the collective rubber plug 39 is formed so as to be housed in the rubber plug housing portion 40, and as shown in FIG. 16, three outer lips 49 are formed on the outer peripheral surface. It can be adhered in a sealed state along the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a plurality of wire insertion holes 45 are formed through the batch rubber plug 39. Two inner lips 50 are formed in each wire insertion hole 45, and can be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the coating of the wire W in a sealed state. In addition, positioning holes 51 are coaxially recessed at positions corresponding to the positioning pins 48 on both the front and back surfaces of the collective rubber plug 39. Each positioning hole 51 is arranged at a diagonal position around the central wire insertion hole 45 among the wire insertion holes 45 in the middle region of the collective rubber plug 39. Each positioning hole 51 is formed to have a hole diameter that allows the positioning pin 48 to be inserted with a press fit, and has a dimension slightly deeper than the entire length of the positioning pin 48. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, each positioning hole 51 is formed with a narrowed portion 51A having a small hole diameter in a portion near the back. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the position where the narrowed portion 51 </ b> A is formed in the insertion direction (axial direction) of the electric wire W is the position of one inner lip 50 in the electric wire insertion hole 45 of the batch rubber plug 39. Are almost aligned.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of cavities 47 that can accommodate the female terminal fittings 25 are formed in the terminal housing portion 46 of the inner housing 22. A deflectable lance 52 is formed at the tip of each cavity 47 and can be elastically locked to the female terminal fitting 25.

  A front mask 53 is fitted and attached to the front end face of the terminal accommodating portion 46 as shown in FIG. The front mask 53 has a portion that communicates with each cavity 47 and accommodates the front end portion of the female terminal fitting 25, and a front stop wall 54 that abuts the front end face of the female terminal fitting 25 is formed in this accommodating portion. Each front stop wall 54 has a tab insertion hole 55 into which the male terminal fitting 6 can enter, and a jig insertion hole 55A is opened below the tab insertion hole 55. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 25, the front mask 53 is provided with a pair of escape holes 69C for allowing the guide protrusion shafts 4 of the first fixed connector F1 to escape. Further, as shown in FIG. 25, the front mask 53 is divided into left and right at the upper edge of the surface facing the inner housing 22, and a pair of pressing pieces 56 extend toward the seal ring 57. The tips of both pressing pieces 56 rise upward just before the seal ring 57 to prevent the seal ring 57 from coming off. A pair of lock claws 58 are provided at the lower edge of the seal ring 57 so as to be divided into left and right. As shown in FIGS. 26 to 28, both the lock claws 58 are engaged with a lock recess 59 formed in a corresponding position on the lower surface of the terminal accommodating portion 46 in the inner housing 22, whereby the front mask 53 is engaged with the inner housing 22. Is mounted against.

  As shown in FIG. 12 etc., between the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating part 46 and the inner surface of the outer housing 21, it is the fitting space S where fitting with the 1st stationary side housing F1 is performed. Further, the seal ring 57 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the inner portion of the terminal accommodating portion 46. The seal ring 57 can seal between the inner surface of the hood portion 2 of the first fixed-side housing F1 and the first lever-side connector L1.

  A retainer insertion hole 60 is opened in the side surface of the terminal accommodating portion 46 in the inner housing 22, and a retainer 61 is movably assembled in the retainer insertion hole 60 (see FIG. 24 and the like). FIG. 24 is a front view of the retainer 61. The retainer 61 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape, and as shown in FIG. 24, a plurality of locking holes 64 corresponding to the cavities 47 and the guide protrusion shafts 4 of the first fixed side connector F1 are allowed to escape. A pair of escape holes 69D are opened. In addition, a temporary locking claw 62 and a final locking claw 63 are formed to protrude from both side edges in the longitudinal direction of the retainer 61 in the insertion direction of the retainer 61. Although not shown in detail, the locking claws 62 and 63 are sequentially releasably locked to a locking receiving portion formed in the retainer insertion hole 60 so that the retainer 61 is temporarily engaged with the inner housing 22. It is held at both the stop position (position shown in FIG. 26) and the main locking position (position shown in FIG. 27). When the retainer 61 is in the temporary locking position, the female terminal fitting 25 can be inserted into and removed from the cavity 47. When the retainer 61 is in the full locking position, the female terminal fitting 25 is locked to the retainer 61 and engaged by the lance 52. Along with the stop, it is in a state of being double-prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 28, a pair of detection portions 65 are formed so as to protrude forward on both sides in the width direction of the lower edge of the retainer 61. The detection unit 65 is formed to project forward with a width that is wider than both lock claws 58 of the front mask 53. When the retainer 61 is in the temporary locking position, as shown in FIG. 26, the detecting portion 65 of the retainer 61 is positioned below the lock claw 58 and the lock claw 58 is locked to the inner housing 22. The bending operation is allowed. However, when the retainer 61 is in the main locking position, as shown in FIG. 27, the detection unit 65 of the retainer 61 is in close contact with the lock claw 58 that is locked with respect to the inner housing 22, and Deflection is disabled. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 28, if the front mask 53 is in an incompletely mounted state with respect to the inner housing 22 and the lock claw 58 remains bent at a position in front of the lock recess 59, the retainer 61 Before moving from the temporary locking position to the final locking position, the detection unit 65 cannot interfere with the lock claw 58 and reach the final locking position, which causes the front mask 53 to be incomplete for the operator. Can be informed that it is in a worn state.

  Next, the electric wire cover 66 attached to the outer housing 21 will be described. The electric wire cover 66 is for correcting the drawing direction of the electric wire W drawn from the first lever side connector L1. As shown in FIG. 12 and the like, the electric wire cover 66 is attached so as to cover the electric wire drawing surface (the rear surface of the rear wall 23) of the outer housing 21, and the lever 20 is attached so as to straddle the electric wire cover 66. . The electric wire cover 66 has an electric wire outlet 68 that opens to the side (see FIG. 1). In the present embodiment, the opening direction of the wire outlet 68 is set to the outside of the arrangement direction of the first and second fixed-side connectors F1, F2.

(Second lever side connector L2: see FIGS. 33 to 36)
The second lever side connector L2 is basically the same as the first lever side connector L1 as its constituent members. For this reason, redundant description is omitted. The main differences are that the second lever side connector L2 is not provided with a slider, the operating direction of the lever 70 is orthogonal to the first lever side connector L1, and the wire outlet port 72 in the wire cover 71. Is the direction opposite to the first lever side connector L2. Hereinafter, the configuration regarding these differences will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 33, the lever 70 of the second lever-side connector L2 has both short sides of the side surfaces adjacent to the fitting surface K and the wire drawing surface H in the outer housing 73 of the second lever-side connector L2. It is mounted so as to straddle between the clubs. The rotation direction is a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 1 (a direction substantially along the fitting direction), and is a direction along both surfaces where the cam followers 18 are provided in the second fixed side connector F2. Thus, the rotation direction of the lever 70 of the second lever side connector L2 is substantially orthogonal to the rotation direction of the lever 70 of the first lever side connector L1.

  Further, cam grooves 74 as indicated by broken lines in FIGS. 34 and 36 are formed in the inner surfaces of both lever plates 70A constituting the lever 70, and the second fixed side connector F2 is rotated by the lever 70 turning operation. By engaging with the corresponding cam follower 18, both connectors F2, L2 are guided to the fitted state by a boosting action.

  The lever 70 of the second lever side connector L2 is also rotatable between an initial position (position shown in FIG. 34) and a fitting completion position (position shown in FIG. 36). A mechanism for holding the lever 70 at the initial position is provided in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 75 of both lever plates 70A constituting the lever 70. Since the mechanism for holding the initial position is well known, the detailed structure is not shown in the drawing, but simply, the lever plates 70A are provided with hook-like temporary holding means that can be elastically deformed. The lever 70 is engaged with the outer housing 73 to hold the lever 70 at the initial position. When the second fixed connector F2 is shallowly fitted, the tip of the second fixed connector F2 that has entered the second lever connector L2 is inserted. The temporary holding state at the initial position described above is automatically released. For holding at the mating completion position, a bendable lock arm 76 is formed in the center of the operation portion 70B of the lever 70, and the lock arm 76 is provided at a lower portion of the side surface of the outer housing 73 (see FIG. 1)).

  The electric wire cover 71 of the second lever side connector L2 is attached so as to cover the electric wire drawing surface of the outer housing 73 of the second lever side connector L2. In this embodiment, the opening direction of the wire outlet port 72 of the wire cover 71 in the second lever side connector L2 is outward in the arrangement direction of the first and second fixed side connectors F1, F2, that is, the first lever side connector. It is set in the direction opposite to the opening direction of L1. Further, the wire outlet 72 of the wire cover 71 is expanded in a trumpet shape to form a tape winding portion 78 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the lever 20 of the first lever side connector L1 is attached so as to straddle the electric wire cover 66 attached to the connector L1, but the electric wire cover 71 of the second lever side connector L2 is attached. Is not like that. In other words, in the first lever side connector L1, the operation direction of the lever 20 is the direction along the direction in which the electric wire W is drawn from the electric wire cover 66, but in the second lever side connector L2, the operation direction of the lever 70 and the electric wire The relationship is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which W is drawn. Therefore, when the lever 70 is in the initial position shown in FIG. 34 approaching the electric wire cover 71 side, there is a concern about interference with the electric wire cover 71. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. A constricted portion 79 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the correction portion 71A.

  That is, the electric wire cover 71 of the second lever side connector L2 has a base portion 71B for attachment to the outer housing 73, and protrudes integrally from the base portion 71B and extends substantially parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the lever 70. It is formed from a hollow straightening portion 71A for straightening the pulling direction of W.

  As shown in FIGS. 34 and 36, the correction portion 71A does not rise from the vicinity of the upper and lower side edges of the base portion 71B, but straightens while forming curved surfaces (neck portions 79) on both sides of the base portion near the center. It is formed to stand up. On the other hand, in the electric wire cover 66 of the first lever side connector L1 described above, as shown in FIG. 27, the straightening portion 66A starts to rise from a portion close to the side edge portion of the base portion 66B, from which the protruding end portion side It is formed so as to gradually condense toward. Thus, in contrast with the first lever side connector L1, the electric wire cover 71 of the second lever side connector L2 raises the straightening portion 71A from the side edge of the base portion 71B through the constricted portion 79 at a stretch, so that the electric wire cover The inner space 71 is narrowed down in the centered state. As a result, the electric wires W in the electric wire cover 71 are collectively accommodated in the upper space in the electric wire cover 71. Therefore, the electric wire W at the electric wire outlet 72 is restricted from being scattered downward, so that the tape winding operation in the tape winding portion 78 can be smoothly performed. Further, since the constricted portion 79 is formed in the electric wire cover 71, it contributes to avoiding interference with the operation portion 70B when the lever 70 is in the initial position.

  Next, the fitting operation of the connector according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the fitting operation of the second lever side connector L2 with respect to the second fixed side connector F2 will be described (the fitting operation of the first lever side connector L1 with respect to the first fixed side connector F1 may be preceded). In that case, with the lever 70 of the second lever side connector L2 held in the initial position shown in FIG. 34, the second lever side connector L2 is shallowly fitted to the second fixed side connector F2 from the direction shown in FIG. . Then, both cam followers 18 of the second fixed side connector F2 enter the entrance portion of the cam groove 74 of the lever 70 of the second lever side connector L2. Thereafter, when the lever 70 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIGS. 34 and 36, the cam follower 18 is displaced along the cam groove 74, and the second fixed side connector F2 and the second fixed side connector F2 are moved by the boosting action generated in the process. The fitting with the two lever side connector L2 proceeds. When the lever 70 reaches the fitting completion position shown in FIGS. 2 and 36 and is held at the same position, the second fixed side connector F2 and the second lever side connector L2 are in a proper fitting state.

  Next, the fitting operation | work of the 1st lever side connector L1 with respect to the 1st fixed side connector F1 is demonstrated. In a state where the lever of the first lever side connector L1 is held at the initial position shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the slider 19 has the locking claw 30 locked in the first locking recess 31. It is held at the indicated operation start position. Then, when the first lever-side connector L1 is shallowly fitted from the direction shown in FIG. 1 to the first fixed-side connector F1, each cam follower 17 of the first fixed-side connector F1 is opened to the outer housing 21. It enters the inlet of the corresponding cam groove 29 via the opening 28. Thereafter, when the lever 20 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 29 or the like, the locking state between the locking claw 30 and the first locking recess 31 is released and interlocked with the rotation of the lever 20. Then, the slider 19 is displaced toward the back in the slider accommodating chamber 26. Along with this, each cam follower 17 is displaced along the corresponding cam groove 29, and the first fixed side connector F1 and the first lever side connector L1 advance by the boosting action generated in the process. Then, the lever 20 reaches the fitting completion position shown in FIG. 30, and the slider 19 reaches the operation end position. The locking claw 30 is locked to the second locking recess 32, so that the slider 19 and the lever 20 are moved to these positions. The lever 20 may be separately provided with a releasable locking device to reinforce the holding force at the fitting completion position. Thus, the first lever side connector L1 and the first fixed side connector F1 are properly fitted.

The effects of the present embodiment described above are as follows.
(1) In this embodiment, the first fixed-side connector F1 and the second fixed-side connector F2 that are arranged in parallel have a relationship in which the directions of the surfaces on which the cam followers 17 and 18 are provided are orthogonal to each other. Accordingly, in the first lever side connector L1 and the second lever side connector L2, the rotational directions of the levers 20 and 70 are also orthogonal to each other. Therefore, compared with the case where the levers 20 and 70 are rotated in parallel with each other, it is easier to avoid a situation in which the levers 20 and 70 interfere with each other between the two fixed-side connectors F1 and F2. Since the distance between the fixed side connectors F1 and F2 can be reduced, the fixed side connector unit U can be reduced in size.

Further, since the slider 19 incorporated in the first lever side connector L1 protrudes outward from the outer housing 21 in the arrangement direction of the two fixed side connectors F1 and F2 at the operation start position, this is also the case with the two fixed side connectors. This contributes to reducing the distance between F1 and F2.
Further, since the wiring direction of the electric wires W in both the lever side connectors L1, L2 is set to the outside (opposite direction) of the both fixed side connectors F1, F2, the same as the above, both the fixed side connectors F1, F2 Contributes to reducing the distance between them.

(2) In the second lever side connector L2, since the space in which the lever 70 rotates is set to a space different from the space from which the wire cover 71 protrudes, the lever length can be set regardless of the protruding height of the wire cover 71. it can. Thereby, the lever 70 can be reduced in size.

In addition, since the wire cover 71 of the second lever side connector L2 raises the correcting portion 71A from the base portion 71B through the constricted portion 79 and narrows the inner space of the electric wire cover 71 at the central portion, the electric wire W is constricted to the constricted portion. It can be accommodated in a centralized state in a space above 79. Therefore, the work when winding the electric wire W together with the electric wire cover 71 with a tape becomes easy.
Further, in the second lever side connector L2, when the lever 70 is in the initial position, the operation portion 70B of the lever 70 is positioned in the vicinity of the constricted portion 79 in the electric wire cover 71 along the extending direction of the constricted portion 79. Therefore, the lever 70 in the initial position can be disposed without interfering with the wire cover 71.

(3) In the first and second lever side connectors L1 and L2, when the front mask 53 is mounted in an incomplete state and the lock claw 58 remains bent, the retainer 61 is temporarily locked. When moving from the position to the full locking position, the detection unit 65 of the retainer 61 is prevented from interfering with the lock claw 58 and moving to the full locking position. Therefore, when the retainer 61 is moved to the full locking position, the operator can be surely recognized that the mounting state of the front mask 53 is incomplete.

In addition, when the retainer 61 and the front mask 53 are both attached to the inner housing 22 in a normal state, the detection unit 65 enters the bending area of the lock claw 58 and restricts the bending. The force is increased, and the wearing state of the front mask 53 is strengthened.
Furthermore, since the detection unit 65 of the retainer 61 has a function as a release operation unit when the retainer 61 is returned from the final locking position to the temporary locking position by an operation from the front of the connector L1, these functions are provided. The configuration can be simplified as compared with the case of setting separately.

(4) In the first and second lever-side connectors L1 and L2, by forming the restricting portion 51A in the middle portion in the axial direction in each positioning hole 51 of the collective rubber plug 39, the protrusion is formed from the inner housing 22 side. When the positioning pin 48 thus pressed is press-fitted, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the surrounding meat on which the narrowed portion 51A is formed is locally moved toward the adjacent wire insertion hole 45 side. . Thereby, the press-contact force with respect to the coating | cover of the electric wire W is strengthened locally, and the sealing performance with respect to the electric wire W can be strengthened.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the position in the axial direction of the wire insertion hole 45 of the narrowed portion 51 </ b> A is aligned with the position of the peak portion of the inner lip 50, so that the sealing performance for the wire covering is effectively enhanced. be able to.

Further, since the positioning holes 51 are arranged at diagonal positions around the wire insertion holes 45, the sealing force for the wires W is made uniform in the circumferential direction while reducing the pitch between the wire insertion holes 45 as much as possible. Can contribute.
(5) In the first lever-side connector L1, the protective edge 38 of the lever 20 is positioned at or behind the slider 19 protruding from the outer housing 21 at the initial position, and this protective edge. Inadvertent pressing of the slider 19 can be avoided with a simple configuration in which 38 is set at a position close to the rotation shaft 34.

  Further, since the lever 20 has a pair of lever plates 20A sandwiching the slider 19 and the rear edge portions of the levers 20 are the protective edge portions 38, when the foreign matter approaches the projecting end portion of the slider 19 from the rear, the foreign matter is the slider. The possibility of coming into contact with both protective edge portions 38 is higher than 19. Therefore, inadvertent pressing of the slider 19 can be more effectively avoided.

<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, both the slider 19 and the lever 20 are incorporated into the first lever side connector L1, but either one may be incorporated. Conversely, both the lever 70 and the slider may be incorporated in the second lever side connector L2.
(2) In the above embodiment, the connector housings of the first and second lever-side connectors L1 and L2 have a two-member structure of outer and inner, but they may be formed of a single member. In that case, the inner wall 23 of the connector housing (outer housing) may be formed separately. In such a configuration, positioning pins may be formed on the rear wall 23 formed separately, and the positioning pins 48 may be inserted into the positioning holes 51 formed on the front and back of the batch rubber plug 39.

(3) In the above embodiment, the positioning holes 51 are formed on both the front and back surfaces of the collective rubber plug 39, but they may be provided on one side facing the inner housing 22.
(4) In the above embodiment, the retainer 61 is held at the two positions of the temporary locking position and the final locking position, but it is not always necessary to set the temporary locking position.
(5) In the above-described embodiment, the front mask 53 is fitted from the front of the inner housing 22 (the direction along the fitting direction). However, the front mask 53 is assembled from the direction orthogonal to the fitting direction (for example, the horizontal direction). It may be.
(6) In the above-described embodiment, the assembly direction of the retainer 61 is the same direction as the bending direction of the lock claw 58, but it may be a direction orthogonal.

21 ... Outer housing (connector housing)
25 ... Female terminal fitting 47 ... Cavity 53 ... Front mask 58 ... Lock claw 61 ... Retainer 65 ... Detector

Claims (3)

A connector equipped with a front mask that is attached to the front end surface of the connector housing and performs front stop of the terminal fitting housed inside,
A terminal fitting inserted into a cavity formed in the connector housing;
A lock that is formed in the front mask and is bent and deformed outwardly from the outer surface of the connector housing and is elastically restored when the mounting is completed, and locked to the connector housing. Nails,
A retainer mounted on the connector housing and lockable to the terminal fitting;
A connector comprising: a detecting portion formed on the retainer and capable of entering into a bending region of the lock claw in a process in which the retainer is attached to the connector housing.   The retainer is attached to the connector housing from a direction along the bending direction of the lock claw, and in the mounted state, the detection unit can come into contact with the outer surface of the lock claw so that the bending of the lock claw can be restricted. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The retainer is located between a temporary locking position where the terminal fitting can be freely inserted into and removed from the cavity with respect to the connector housing and a final locking position where the retainer is locked to the terminal fitting to prevent the cavity from coming off from the cavity. While movable
The detection portion is formed to extend from a base portion of the retainer toward a front end side of the connector housing to which the front mask is mounted, and the detection portion moves the retainer from the final locking position to the temporary locking position. The connector according to claim 2, which also serves as a release operation unit for performing a return operation.

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