JP2018055852A - Connector apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector apparatus capable of easily engaging a connector and a mating connector even when positioning between the connector and the mating connector cannot be intentionally performed.SOLUTION: A connector apparatus includes a first connector 10, a support 30 for supporting the first connector 10 and a second connector 20 capable of being engaged with the first connector 10. The support 30 can move in an engagement direction together with the first connector 10 while supporting the first connector 10 movably in an optional orthogonal direction orthogonal to the engagement direction. The connector apparatus has guide mechanisms 14, 24, 25 capable of guiding a position of the first connector 10 in the orthogonal direction to a position suitable for engagement with the second connector 20 in accordance with movement of the support 30. The support 30 includes a first frame 40 to which the first connector 10 is attached, a second frame 50, and an elastic member 60 for elastically connecting the first and second frames 40, 50 so as to relatively move them.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector device including a first connector, a support body that supports the first connector, and a second connector that can be fitted to the first connector.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector device (a combination of a connector and a counterpart connector) configured to attach a connector to a predetermined structure (for example, a dash panel of an automobile) and fit the counterpart connector to the connector is provided. Are known.

  For example, in one of the conventional connector devices (hereinafter referred to as “conventional device”), in order to prevent displacement (rattle) between the mounting panel to which the connector is attached and the connector, the displacement (gap) A member that absorbs rattling is sandwiched between the mounting panel and the connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2006-18771, A

  In a connector device such as a conventional device, when the connector and the mating connector are actually actually fitted, the positions of the two are aligned by an operator's manual work or the like.

  On the other hand, in recent years, from the viewpoint of improving the production efficiency of a target to which the connector device is applied (for example, the above-described automobile), the counterpart connector is not handled alone, and the counterpart connector is integrated with other members. There is a case where the module body is configured in advance and this module body is handled (that is, a wide variety of members including the mating connector are collectively handled). When handling the latter (module body), in some cases, priority is given to the positioning of a member other than the mating connector, and the positioning of the mating connector is handled as in the former handling (conventional mating connector alone). May not be possible.

  In other words, due to the fact that the connector and the mating connector cannot be sufficiently aligned, one or both of the connector and the mating connector at the time of mating is possible even if the mating of the connector and the mating connector is possible. There is a possibility that the load (external force or the like) exerted on the connector becomes larger than that of a connector device such as a conventional device. In general, such a load is desirably as small as possible from the viewpoint of maintenance of the connector device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is to easily fit the connector and the counterpart connector even when the connector and the counterpart connector cannot be intentionally aligned. It is an object of the present invention to provide a possible connector device.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the connector device according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (4).
(1)
A connector device comprising: a first connector; a support that supports the first connector; and a second connector that can be fitted to the first connector;
The support is
In a state where the first connector is supported so as to be movable in any orthogonal direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, the first connector can be moved in the fitting direction together with the first connector;
The connector device includes:
A guide mechanism capable of guiding the position of the first connector in the orthogonal direction to a position suitable for fitting with the second connector as the support moves.
It must be a connector device.
(2)
In the connector device according to (1) above,
The support is
Supporting the first connector in an elastically movable manner in the fitting direction;
It must be a connector device.
(3)
In the connector device according to (1) or (2) above,
The support is
The first frame to which the first connector is attached, the second frame different from the first frame, and the relative position of the first frame and the second frame can be elastically changed. An elastic member connecting the first frame and the second frame,
It must be a connector device.
(4)
In the connector device according to any one of (1) to (3) above,
One of the first connector and the second connector is
A guide chamber that defines a fitting chamber that can accommodate the other of the first connector and the second connector, and that is inclined so as to move away from the fitting chamber at the opening end of the fitting chamber as it approaches the opening end. Has a surface,
The other of the first connector and the second connector is
At the tip in the fitting direction, it has a guided surface that is inclined so as to come into contact with the guide surface,
The guide surface and the guided surface constitute the guide mechanism.
It must be a connector device.

  According to the connector device having the above configuration (1), when the support body supporting the first connector is moved in the fitting direction toward the second connector, the first connector is movable in an arbitrary orthogonal direction. Therefore, the positioning of the first connector and the second connector is naturally performed by the guide mechanism (automatically even if the operator does not perform it intentionally). In other words, even if the position of the first connector is not intentionally operated, the positioning of the first connector and the second connector is completed only by bringing the support body close to the second connector. Can be fitted with a load.

  Therefore, for example, when the support body (and the first connector) is connected to the module body described above and the second connector is fixed to the dash panel or the like, priority is given to the alignment of a member different from the first connector. Even if the module body is handled, there is no particular problem in alignment and fitting between the first connector and the second connector.

  Therefore, the connector device of this configuration can easily fit the connector and the mating connector even when the alignment between the connector and the mating connector cannot be performed intentionally.

  According to the connector device having the above configuration (2), even when the support is further moved in the fitting direction after fitting the first connector and the second connector (so-called overstroke occurs) When the support and the first connector are elastically displaced in the fitting direction, the further movement (overstroke) can be absorbed. Therefore, the load which arises in a connector and the other party connector by such movement (overstroke) of a support can be reduced.

  According to the connector device having the configuration (3), the first connector can be supported by the support body as described above. That is, since the first frame and the second frame can move relative to each other with the elastic member interposed therebetween, the first connector attached to the first frame can move in any orthogonal direction and fitting direction. Therefore, even if it is a case where position alignment with a connector and the other party connector cannot be performed intentionally, a connector and the other party connector can be easily fitted.

  According to the connector device having the above configuration (4), when the first connector and the second connector approach each other during fitting, the guided surface slides along the guide surface, Positioning with the second connector is performed. Therefore, the above-described guide mechanism can be realized.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if it is a case where position alignment with a connector and the other party connector cannot be performed intentionally, the connector apparatus which can fit a connector and the other party connector easily can be provided.

  The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading a form for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector device in a state where the assembly of the support is completed by assembling the first frame to the second frame. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state immediately before the elastic member fixed to the first frame and the column portion of the second frame are assembled when the first frame is assembled to the second frame. (B) is a figure which shows the state after both are assembled | attached. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the elastic member fixed to the first frame and the column portion of the second frame are assembled in a state where the assembly of the first frame to the second frame is completed. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a region including the elastic member along the vertical direction in FIG. FIG. 5 is a view of the connector device shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from above. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the female connector is brought closer to the male connector by bringing the second frame closer to the mounting panel in the connector device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the female connector and the male connector in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state where the fitting between the female connector and the male connector is completed.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a connector device (hereinafter referred to as “connector device 1”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the connector device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a female connector 10, a male connector 20 that can be fitted to the female connector 10, and a support body 30 that supports the female connector 10. . The support 30 includes a first frame 40 to which the female connector 10 is assembled, a second frame 50 different from the first frame 40, and an elastic member 60 that connects the first frame 40 and the second frame 50. Including.

  Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1 (the same applies to other drawings), x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis that are orthogonal to each other are defined. In particular, the z-axis positive direction and the z-axis negative direction are also referred to as “upward direction” and “downward direction”, respectively. The z-axis direction corresponds to the “fitting direction”.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the assembly of the support 30 is completed by assembling the first frame 40 with the female connector 10 and the elastic member 60 assembled to the second frame 50. Then, the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 are fitted together by bringing the second frame 50 of the support 30 that has been assembled close to the male connector 20.

  The male connector 20 is fixed to a flat mounting panel P. As the mounting panel P, for example, a dash panel of an automobile, a casing of a control box attached to the dash panel, a circuit board, and the like can be assumed. On the other hand, the support body 30 (in particular, the second frame 50) to which the female connector 10 is attached may be a part of a module body (not shown) in which a plurality of members other than the female connector 10 are integrated. It may be a single member independent of such a module body. As the module body, for example, an instrument panel housing and a door trim can be assumed. In addition, when such a module body is used, the support body 30 may be a concept including not only the first frame 40, the second frame 50, and the elastic member 60 but also the module body.

  Hereinafter, the detail of each member which comprises the connector apparatus 1 is demonstrated in order.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the female connector 10 includes a resin-made connector housing 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 5, a large number of terminal insertion holes 12 penetrating in the vertical direction are formed inside the connector housing 11. A metal female terminal 13 is inserted and fixed in each terminal insertion hole 12.

  Guided surfaces 14 are respectively formed at the four corners of the lower end portion (tip portion) of the connector housing 11. Each guided surface 14 is inclined so as to approach the center of the connector housing 11 in the x-axis direction as it approaches the lower end, and inclined so as to approach the center of the connector housing 11 in the y-axis direction as it approaches the lower end. And a surface. As will be described later, the guided surface 14 comes into contact with a guide surface 24 formed on the male connector 20.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the male connector 20 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped resin-made connector housing 21. A fitting chamber 22 that is a space for accommodating the connector housing 11 of the female connector 10 is defined inside the connector housing 21. A large number of metal male terminals 23 extending in the vertical direction are fixedly arranged in the fitting chamber 22 (see FIGS. 6 to 8 to be described later).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower end portion of the male terminal 23 extending in the vertical direction is bent and extends along the surface of the mounting panel P in the positive y-axis direction. The tip of the lower end of the male terminal 23 is bent downward and penetrates the mounting panel P in the negative z-axis direction. In this example, the mounting panel P is a housing of a control box attached to a dash panel or the like of an automobile, and the lower end portion of the male terminal 23 penetrating the mounting panel P is connected to an electronic circuit or the like in the housing. ing.

  A guide surface 24 is formed on each of a pair of edges extending in the y-axis direction (front-rear direction in FIG. 1) at the upper end (tip portion) of the connector housing 21 at the upper end surface of a convex portion protruding upward. . Each guide surface 24 is an inclined surface that is inclined so as to move away from the center of the connector housing 21 in the x-axis direction as it approaches the upper end. In other words, each guide surface 24 is inclined at the opening end of the fitting chamber 22 so as to move away from the fitting chamber 22 as it approaches the opening end.

  Further, the upper end surface of the convex portion projecting upward is formed at the center portion in the x-axis direction of the pair of edge portions extending in the x-axis direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1) at the upper end portion (tip portion) of the connector housing 21. A guide surface 25 is formed. Each guide surface 25 is an inclined surface that is inclined so as to move away from the center of the connector housing 21 in the y-axis direction as it approaches the upper end. In other words, each guide surface 25 is inclined at the opening end of the fitting chamber 22 so as to move away from the fitting chamber 22 as it approaches the opening end.

  Next, the support 30 including the first frame 40, the second frame 50, and the elastic member 60 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the resin-made first frame 40 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. An attachment port 41 (through hole) is formed at the center of the first frame 40. Using this attachment port 41, the female connector 10 is assembled to the first frame 40 so that the connector housing 11 of the female connector 10 protrudes downward.

  At the edges of the four sides of the first frame 40, rectangular window frame portions 42 are provided so that a part protrudes outward in the xy plane direction. Each window frame portion 42 surrounds a rectangular window portion (through hole) 43. An elastic member 60 is assembled to each window frame portion 42 and window portion 43 (details will be described later).

  Next, the elastic member 60 will be described. The four elastic members 60 respectively assembled to the four window frame portions 42 and the window portion 43 have the same shape. Hereinafter, the elastic member 60 positioned at the edge in the x-axis positive direction of the first frame 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The elastic member 60 may be made of resin or metal as long as it has elasticity. In FIG. 3, the first frame 40 is not shown for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the elastic member 60 has an upper end portion 61 having a rectangular flat plate shape extending in the y-axis direction. From the four corners of the upper end portion 61, elongated plate-like plate-like extending portions 62 respectively extend downward. Each plate-like extension part 62 is bent so as to swell outward in the x-axis direction.

  Lower end portions (tip portions) of the two plate-like extension portions 62 located on the x-axis positive direction side, and lower end portions (tip portions) of the two plate-like extension portions 62 located on the x-axis negative direction side Are connected by a connecting portion 63 extending in the y-axis direction. A protrusion 64 extending in the y-axis direction is provided on the outer surface of each connecting portion 63 in the x-axis direction. As will be described later, the protrusion 64 is used when the elastic member 60 is attached to the first frame 40.

  The upper end 61 is connected between the two plate-like extensions 62 located on the x-axis positive direction side and between the two plate-like extensions 62 located on the x-axis negative direction side. A plate-like engagement portion 65 having both ends connected to the portion 63 is provided. Each plate-like engaging portion 65 is bent so as to be recessed inward in the x-axis direction.

  A pair of drooping portions 66 that are upper portions of the pair of plate-like engaging portions 65 extend downward substantially parallel to each other along the vertical direction from the upper end portion 61. A locking projection 67 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces (inner side surfaces in the x-axis direction) of the lower ends of the pair of hanging portions 66. As will be described later, the locking projection 67 is used for assembling the second frame 50 to the elastic member 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4B, the four elastic members 60 are configured such that the extending direction of the corresponding side of the four sides of the first frame 40 and the extending direction of the upper end portion 61 coincide with each other. In addition, it is assembled to the first frame 40 by being inserted into the corresponding window portion 43 from below to above. In the state where the assembly is completed, the pair of protrusions 64 of the elastic member 60 are locked to the window frame portion 42 of the first frame 40 as shown in FIG. The elastic member 60 may be fixed so as not to move relative to the window frame part 42 (adhesion and welding, etc.), and fixed so as to be movable relative to the window frame part 42 in the y-axis direction (of the window frame part 42). The inner peripheral surface may be pressed and held by the elastic force of the elastic member 60.

  Next, the second frame 50 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the resin-made second frame 50 has a rectangular flat plate shape. A rectangular insertion hole (through hole) 51 for inserting the connector housing 11 of the female connector 10 is formed at the center of the second frame 50.

  Around the four sides of the insertion opening 51 in the second frame 50, column portions 52 are provided to stand upward along the respective sides. As shown in FIG. 3A, each column portion 52 is connected to a flat plate portion 53 that rises upward in parallel with a corresponding side of the insertion hole 51, and both side edges of the flat plate portion 53, and the insertion hole 51. And a pair of side plate portions 55 that stand vertically upward to the corresponding side of each other. Thereby, the flat plate portion 53 and the pair of side plate portions 55 have an H-shape when viewed from above.

  The upper end portions of the pair of side plate portions 55 protrude upward from the upper end portion of the flat plate portion 53. An engagement hole 54 (through hole) is formed at the center of each flat plate portion 53. As will be described later, the engagement hole 54 is used for assembling the second frame 50 to the elastic member 60.

  The first frame 40 in which the female connector 10 and the elastic member 60 are assembled is assembled to the second frame 50 from above as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. At the time of this assembly, the connector housing 11 of the female connector 10 is inserted into the insertion port 51, and each column portion 52 of the second frame 50 corresponds to the corresponding window of the first frame 40 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. It is inserted into the corresponding internal space of the elastic member 60 through the portion 43.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lower end portion of the connector housing 11 of the female connector 10 protrudes below the second frame 50 in a state where this assembly is completed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 4 in particular, the flat plate portion 53 of each column portion 52 is inserted into the space between the pair of hanging portions 66 of the corresponding elastic member 60 to form the flat plate portion 53. A pair of locking projections 67 are inserted and engaged in the engaged holes 54.

  The second frame 50 and each elastic member 60 are connected by the engagement between the engagement hole 54 and the locking protrusion 67. At this time, the upper end portions of the pair of side plate portions 55 of each column portion 52 are held so as to sandwich the upper end portion 61 of the corresponding elastic member 60.

  Thus, the assembly of the support 30 is completed by assembling the first frame 40 to the second frame 50. In the state where the assembly of the support 30 is completed, the four elastic members 60 are formed by the first frame 40 and the second frame so that the relative position between the first frame 40 and the second frame 50 can be changed elastically. 50 will be connected.

  As a result, the second frame 50 is elastic to the female connector 10 fixed to the first frame 40 in any direction orthogonal to the z-axis direction (fitting direction) (any direction along the xy plane direction). It is supported so that it can move relative to each other and elastically move in the z-axis direction (fitting direction). Further, the second frame 50 is movable together with the female connector 10 in the z-axis direction (fitting direction).

  In the present example, the second frame 50 in the support 30 that has been assembled in this way uses bolt holes 56 (see FIGS. 1 and 5) provided at the four corners of the second frame 50. These are connected and fixed to a module body (not shown) in which the plurality of members described above are integrated.

  After the assembly of the support body 30 is completed as shown in FIG. 2, the second frame 50 (specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in order to fit the female connector 10 and the male connector 20). The entire module body to which the second frame 50 is connected is moved downward to bring the female connector 10 closer to the male connector 20 (mounting panel P).

  At this time, the positioning of the female connector 10 with respect to the male connector 20 may not be sufficiently performed by giving priority to the positioning of other members integrated with the module body. In this case, the female connector 10 may be displaced with respect to the male connector 20 in the xy plane direction.

  For example, when the female connector 10 is displaced with respect to the male connector 20 in the x-axis direction, the guided surface 14 of the connector housing 11 of the female connector 10 and the guide surface 24 of the connector housing 21 of the male connector 20. Can face-to-face. At this time, as described above, the female connector 10 moves relative to the second frame 50 (module body) in the x-axis direction by the action of the elastic member 60.

  Due to this relative movement, the guided surface 14 of the female connector 10 moves so as to slide along the guide surface 24 of the male connector 20 as the second frame 50 (module body) descends. Furthermore, the position of the female connector 10 in the x-axis direction is guided toward a position suitable for fitting with the male connector 20 while the elastic member 60 is bent. As a result, the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 are aligned, and the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 are appropriately fitted as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, for example, when the female connector 10 is misaligned with respect to the male connector 20 in the y-axis direction, an edge (corner portion) extending in the x-axis direction on the lower end surface of the connector housing 11 of the female connector 10. ) And the guide surface 25 of the connector housing 21 of the male connector 20 can come into contact with each other. At this time, the female connector 10 moves relative to the second frame 50 (module body) in the y-axis direction by the action of the elastic member 60.

  By this relative movement, as the second frame 50 (module body) is lowered, the edge portion (corner portion) of the female connector 10 is moved so as to slide along the guide surface 25 of the male connector 20. The position of the female connector 10 in the y-axis direction is guided toward a position suitable for fitting with the male connector 20 with 60 bends. As a result, the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 are aligned, and the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 are appropriately fitted as shown in FIG.

  The guided surface 14 of the female connector 10 and the guide surfaces 24 and 25 of the male connector 20 correspond to the “guide mechanism” in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 are completely fitted, the female terminal 13 in the female connector 10 (see FIG. 5) and the male terminal 23 in the male connector 20 are connected. Then, the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 are electrically connected.

  Furthermore, even after the fitting of the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 is completed, even when the second frame 50 (module body) is further lowered for various reasons (so-called overstroke occurs) Since the second frame 50 elastically supports the female connector 10 in the z-axis direction (fitting direction), the further lowering is absorbed by the bending of the elastic member 60. Therefore, the load which arises in the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 by overstroke can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, a structure for attaching the connector housing 11 of the female connector 10 to the attachment port 41 of the first frame 40 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connector housing 11 is provided with a pair of lock arms 15 so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 16.

  When the pair of lock arms 15 are in the initial positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the detailed description is omitted. However, when a part of the pair of lock arms 15 abuts a part of the first frame 40, the connector The housing 11 is fixed so as not to move relative to the first frame 40. In other words, the connector housing 11 is fixed so as not to move relative to the first frame 40 before the female connector 10 is fitted to the male connector 20.

  Then, when the fitting of the female connector 10 to the male connector 20 proceeds, a pair of protrusions 17 provided on the pair of lock arms 15 are formed on the inner wall surface of the connector housing 21 of the male connector 20 (see FIG. 1). Thereby, a pair of lock arm 15 rotates only a predetermined angle from the initial position.

  As a result, the fixation of the connector housing 11 in the x-axis direction with respect to the first frame 40 is temporarily released, and the connector housing 11 can be moved relative to the first frame 40 (only in the x-axis direction). For this reason, when the female connector 10 is displaced with respect to the male connector 20 in the x-axis direction at the start of fitting, the connector housing 11 moves so as to slide relative to the first frame 40, and the above-described The bending of the elastic member 60 in the x-axis direction that has been caused by the guidance of the “guide mechanism” is released.

  Thereafter, at the stage where the fitting of the female connector 10 to the male connector 20 is completed, the pair of lock arms 15 is further rotated, and detailed description is omitted, but the other part of the pair of lock arms 15 is the first. The connector housing 11 is fixed to the first frame 40 again so as not to move relative to the first frame 40 by contacting a part of the one frame 40. That is, after the female connector 10 is fitted to the male connector 20, the connector housing 11 is again fixed to the first frame 40 so as not to be relatively movable.

  In this manner, the pair of lock arms 15 of the connector housing 11 constitutes an attachment structure that can temporarily release the fixing of the connector housing 11 to the first frame 40 during the fitting between the connectors.

  As described above, according to the connector device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the support body 30 (specifically, the second frame 50) that supports the female connector 10 faces the male connector 20 in the z-axis direction (fitting direction). ), The female connector 10 can be moved in an arbitrary xy plane direction, so that the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 are aligned by the “guide mechanism”. Therefore, even if the female connector 10 is not intentionally and directly operated, the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 are fitted only by bringing the support body 30 (second frame 50) toward the male connector 20. be able to.

  Therefore, when the support body 30 (second frame 50) is connected to the above-described module body or the like, the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 are connected even if the module body is handled so as to give priority to the alignment of other members. It can be easily fitted. Therefore, the connector device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can easily fit the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 even when the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 cannot be intentionally aligned. is there.

  Furthermore, even after the fitting between the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 is completed, even when the support 30 (second frame 50) is further moved in the fitting direction (so-called overstroke occurs). Since the support body 30 (second frame 50) elastically supports the female connector 10 in the fitting direction, the support body 30 (second frame 50) can absorb the further movement. Therefore, damage to the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 due to overstroke can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, even if a positional deviation occurs between the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 during fitting, the guided surface 14 of the female connector 10 moves so as to slide along the guide surface 24 of the male connector 20. As a result, the female connector 10 and the male connector 20 are aligned. Therefore, the above-described guide mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration.

<Other aspects>
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various modification is employable within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like can be made as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, arrangement location, and the like of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the “first connector” and the “second connector” of the present invention correspond to the female connector 10 and the male connector 20, respectively. However, conversely, the “first connector” and the “second connector” of the present invention correspond to a male connector (a connector that accommodates a male terminal) and a female connector (a connector that accommodates a female terminal), respectively. Good.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the elastic member 60 (see, for example, FIGS. 2 and 3) having a specific structure is used. However, the elastic member is not necessarily required to have the specific structure described above, and may be a leaf spring having a simple structure or a spring-like spring as long as it has the function described above.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, the connector housing 11 and the 1st flame | frame 40 of the female connector 10 are comprised as a separate member. However, the connector housing 11 of the female connector 10 and the first frame 40 may be configured as an integral member.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, the 1st flame | frame 40 and the elastic member 60 are comprised as a separate member. However, the first frame 40 and the elastic member 60 may be configured as an integral member. Further, the first frame 40, the second frame 50, and the elastic member 60 may be configured as an integral member. In addition, in the above embodiment, the elastic member 60 is bonded and fixed to the first frame 40, but the elastic member 60 may be held (fitted) to the first frame 40 so as to be movable.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the second frame 50 elastically moves the female connector 10 in any direction (any direction along the xy plane direction) perpendicular to the z-axis direction (fitting direction). It is possible to support the elastically movable relative to the z-axis direction (fitting direction). However, the second frame 50 is capable of elastically moving the female connector 10 in any direction orthogonal to the z-axis direction (fitting direction) (any direction along the xy plane direction). The z-axis direction (fitting direction) may be supported so as not to be relatively movable.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the guided surface 14 of the female connector 10 and the guide surfaces 24 and 25 of the male connector 20 constitute the “guide mechanism” of the present invention. However, the “guide mechanism” of the present invention may be configured using, for example, a dedicated guide bar extending from the mounting panel P to which the male connector 20 is fixed.

Here, the features of the above-described embodiment of the connector device according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed in the following (1) to (4), respectively.
(1)
A first connector (10), a support body (40-60 as a whole) that supports the first connector, ie, 30, and a second connector (20) that can be fitted to the first connector. A connector device (1) comprising:
The support (30) is
The first connector (10) is moved in the fitting direction together with the first connector (10) in a state where the first connector (10) is supported so as to be movable in any orthogonal direction (front and rear, right and left directions in FIG. 1) orthogonal to the fitting direction. Is possible,
The connector device (1)
A guide mechanism capable of guiding the position of the first connector (10) in the orthogonal direction to a position suitable for fitting with the second connector (20) as the support (30, 40) moves. (14, 24)
Connector device.
(2)
In the connector device according to (1) above,
The support (30) is
The first connector (10) is supported so as to be elastically movable in the fitting direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1).
Connector device.
(3)
In the connector device according to (1) or (2) above,
The support (30) is
A first frame (40) to which the first connector (10) is attached, a second frame (50) different from the first frame, and a relative position of the first frame and the second frame (see FIG. An elastic member (60) that connects the first frame and the second frame so that the displacement of the front, back, left, right, up and down of 1) can be changed elastically.
Connector device.
(4)
In the connector device according to any one of (1) to (3) above,
One (20) of the first connector and the second connector is
The fitting chamber (22) capable of accommodating the other (10) of the first connector and the second connector is defined, and the opening end of the fitting chamber is closer to the opening end from the fitting chamber. Having a guide surface (24) that is inclined away;
The other of the first connector and the second connector (10) is
At the tip in the fitting direction, it has a guided surface (14) that is inclined so as to come into contact with the guide surface (24),
The guide surface (24) and the guided surface (14) constitute the guide mechanism.
Connector device.

1 Connector device 10 Female connector (first connector)
14 Guided surface 20 Male connector (second connector)
22 Fitting chamber 24 Guide surface 30 Support body 40 First frame (support body)
50 Second frame (support)
60 Elastic member (support)

Claims (4)

A connector device comprising: a first connector; a support that supports the first connector; and a second connector that can be fitted to the first connector;
The support is
In a state where the first connector is supported so as to be movable in any orthogonal direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, the first connector can be moved in the fitting direction together with the first connector;
The connector device includes:
A guide mechanism capable of guiding the position of the first connector in the orthogonal direction to a position suitable for fitting with the second connector as the support moves.
Connector device. The connector device according to claim 1,
The support is
Supporting the first connector in an elastically movable manner in the fitting direction;
Connector device. In the connector device according to claim 1 or 2,
The support is
The first frame to which the first connector is attached, the second frame different from the first frame, and the relative position of the first frame and the second frame can be elastically changed. An elastic member connecting the first frame and the second frame,
Connector device. In the connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
One of the first connector and the second connector is
A guide chamber that defines a fitting chamber that can accommodate the other of the first connector and the second connector, and that is inclined so as to move away from the fitting chamber at the opening end of the fitting chamber as it approaches the opening end. Has a surface,
The other of the first connector and the second connector is
At the tip in the fitting direction, it has a guided surface that is inclined so as to come into contact with the guide surface,
The guide surface and the guided surface constitute the guide mechanism.
Connector device.

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