JP2020013687A - Connector device and wiring harness - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector device that facilitates removal of a front holder from a housing, and a wiring harness.SOLUTION: A connector device 1 applied to a wiring harness includes: a first connector 2 having a first terminal 21, a first housing 22, and a front holder 23; a second connector 3 having a second terminal 31 and a second housing 32; a rotation support mechanism 5 including a taper portion 51, and a rotation fulcrum portion 52; and a final unlocking mechanism 6 including a tip 32f of the second housing 32, and a hook 61, and in the second housing 32, in a state in which the rotation fulcrum portion 52 is in contact with the tapered portion 51, and the tip 32f of the second housing 32 is hooked on a hook 61, the final lock between the front holder 23 and the first housing 22 can be released by the relative rotation with respect to the first housing 22 with the rotation fulcrum portion 52 as a fulcrum.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector device and a wire harness.

  As a conventional connector applied to a wire harness or the like of a vehicle, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a connector device including a pair of connectors. The pair of connectors includes a pair of housings each having a terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating a terminal, and a pair of front holders mounted on each of the housings to double-lock the terminal in the terminal accommodating chamber.

JP 2017-157478 A

  By the way, the connector device described in Patent Document 1 described above has room for further improvement in terms of facilitating the operation of removing the front holder once mounted on the housing, for example.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector device and a wire harness that can facilitate an operation of removing a front holder from a housing.

  In order to achieve the above object, a connector device according to the present invention is provided in a first terminal, a first housing for accommodating the first terminal along an axial direction, and a fitting space of the first housing. A first connector having a front holder for holding the first terminal between the first housing and the first housing in the axial direction in a state where the first terminal is fully locked to the first housing; A second connector capable of being connected, and a second connector having a second housing accommodating the second terminal along the axial direction and capable of being fitted into the fitting space along the axial direction; A tapered portion provided on the distal end portion of the first housing in the axial direction facing the fitting space portion, and a distal end portion of the second housing provided on an outer surface of the second housing are provided. The mating empty A rotation support mechanism including a rotation fulcrum that can be brought into contact with the tapered portion in a state where the taper portion is located inside the portion, the tip end of the second housing, and the taper provided on the front holder. And a final unlocking mechanism including a hook portion in which the tip portion of the second housing can be hooked in a state where the portion and the rotation fulcrum portion are in contact with each other. The rotation fulcrum portion is in contact with the tapered portion, and the tip end of the second housing is hooked on the hook portion so that the rotation fulcrum portion is relatively rotated with respect to the first housing with the rotation fulcrum portion as a fulcrum. The main lock between the front holder and the first housing can be released.

  Further, in the connector device, the front holder may include a plurality of partition plates fitted to the first housing, and the hook may connect the plurality of partition plates.

  Further, in the connector device, the first connector and the second connector may be configured such that the second housing fits into the fitting space portion in a circumferential direction around the axial direction and the first terminal and the second terminal Are different from each other in a connector engagement position where the connector is electrically connected to the main engagement release position and a full unlocking position where the rotation fulcrum portion is in contact with the tapered portion and the distal end portion of the second housing is hooked on the hook portion. Things.

  Further, in the connector device, the rotation fulcrum may be guided along the axial direction by the guide recess along with the fitting operation of the second housing to the fitting space. .

  In order to achieve the above object, a wire harness device according to the present invention includes a first wiring member having conductivity, a second wiring member having conductivity, the first wiring member, and the second wiring member. A connector device that is electrically connectable to a cable, the connector device accommodating a first terminal electrically connected to the first cable, and accommodating the first terminal along an axial direction. A first housing that is provided in the fitting space of the first housing, and the first terminal is disposed between the first housing and the first housing in the axial direction in a state where the first terminal is fully locked to the first housing. A first connector having a front holder for holding, a second terminal electrically connected to the second wiring member and electrically connectable to the first terminal; and a second terminal along the axial direction. A terminal is accommodated and fitted in the fitting space along the axial direction. A second connector having a second housing capable of being provided, a tapered portion provided at the axial end of the first housing facing the fitting space portion, and provided on an outer surface of the second housing. A rotation support mechanism configured to include a rotation fulcrum that is capable of abutting on the tapered portion with the tip of the second housing in the axial direction positioned within the fitting space; 2 The structure includes a tip portion of the housing, and a hook portion provided on the front holder, wherein the tip portion of the second housing can be hooked in a state where the tapered portion and the rotation fulcrum portion are in contact with each other. The second housing is rotated in a state where the rotation fulcrum portion is in contact with the tapered portion and the distal end portion of the second housing is hooked on the hook portion. Characterized in that by relative rotation with respect to the first housing the fulcrum portion as a fulcrum is unlockable the final locking of the first housing and the front holder.

  A connector device and a wire harness according to the present invention include a first connector, a second connector, a rotation support mechanism, and a final unlocking mechanism. With this configuration, the connector device and the wire harness can also release the final engagement between the front holder and the first housing while also using the second housing configured to be fittable with the first housing. As a result, the connector device and the wire harness have an effect that the operation of removing the front holder from the housing can be facilitated.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a male connector of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the female connector of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of the male connector of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a male housing of the male connector of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a front holder of the male connector of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a temporarily locked state of the front holder of the male connector of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a female connector of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line DD shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a connector fitting state of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a connector fitting state of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating an unlocking operation state of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a lock release operation state of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a lock release operation state of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating an unlocking operation state of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a lock release operation state of the connector device according to the embodiment. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a locking release operation state of the connector device according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the embodiment. The components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

  In FIG. 1 described below, only a part of the plurality of wiring members is omitted and shown by two-dot chain lines, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show only a part of the plurality of wiring members by solid lines. In the other drawings, the illustration of the routing material itself is omitted. 2 and 3, only some of the plurality of terminals are shown by solid lines, and the other terminals do not show the terminals themselves. In the following description, among the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction that intersect with each other, the first direction is referred to as “axial direction X”, and the second direction is referred to as “width direction Y”. The third direction is referred to as “height direction Z”. Here, the axial direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are orthogonal to each other. The axial direction X is typically a direction along a fitting direction of a male connector and a female connector described later, and more specifically, a direction along an extending direction of each terminal of the male connector and the female connector. It is. Unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following description represents a direction in a state where the respective parts are assembled to each other.

[Embodiment]
The connector device 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 is applied to, for example, a wire harness WH used in an automobile or the like. The wire harness WH is, for example, a bundle of a plurality of wiring members W1 and W2 used for power supply and signal communication for connection between devices mounted on a vehicle to form a collective component, and a plurality of connectors such as connectors. The wiring members W1 and W2 are connected to each device. The wire harness WH includes wiring members W1 and W2 having conductivity and the connector device 1. The wire harness WH may further include a grommet, a protector, a fixture, an electric connection box, and the like. The wiring members W1 and W2 are, for example, an electric wire in which the outside of a conductor portion (core wire) made of a plurality of conductive metal wires is covered with an insulating covering portion, an electric wire bundle in which the electric wires are bundled, and a conductive rod shape. It is composed of a metal rod or the like whose outside is covered with an insulating coating.

  The connector device 1 according to the present embodiment is for connecting a wiring member to a wiring member capable of electrically connecting a wiring member W1 as a first wiring member and a wiring member W2 as a second wiring member. Connection mechanism. The connector device 1 includes a male connector 2 as a first connector and a female connector 3 as a second connector. The male connector 2 holds a male terminal 21 that is electrically connected to a terminal of the routing material W1. The female connector 3 holds a female terminal 31 that is electrically connected to a terminal of the wiring member W2. The male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are arranged and fitted to face each other in the axial direction X. In the connector device 1, the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are fitted to each other and joined by a connector, so that the terminal 21 and the terminal 31 are electrically connected to each other, and an electrical connection portion is formed therebetween. . As a result, the connector device 1 electrically connects the routing material W1 and the routing material W2. Hereinafter, the configurations of the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the male connector 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 to 10. The male connector 2 includes a terminal 21 as a first terminal, a male housing 22 as a first housing, a front holder 23, a holder locking mechanism 24, and a packing 25. In the following description, in the male connector 2, the female connector 3 side in the axial direction X may be referred to as a front side, and the opposite side in the axial direction X may be referred to as a rear side.

  The terminal 21 is a male metal fitting made of a conductive metal material, and can be electrically connected to the female terminal 31. The terminal 21 is electrically connected to a terminal of the wiring member W1. The terminal 21 is provided with a rubber stopper 21a constituting a water-stopping member at an end on the side of the wiring member W1. A plurality of terminals 21 are provided on the male housing 22.

  The male housing 22 is a member that accommodates and holds the terminal 21 along the axial direction X. The male housing 22 is configured to be able to mutually fit with a female housing 32 of the female connector 3 described later. The male housing 22 is made of an insulating resin material. The male housing 22 includes a terminal holding portion 22A and a hood portion 22B, which are integrally formed. In the male housing 22, the terminal holding portion 22A is located on the rear side in the axial direction X, and the hood portion 22B is located on the front side in the axial direction X.

  The terminal holding portion 22A is a portion that accommodates and holds the terminal 21. The terminal holding portion 22A includes a main body 22a and a plurality of cavities 22b formed in the main body 22a. The main body 22a is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a corner has a curved shape. Each cavity 22b is a space constituting a terminal insertion chamber into which the terminal 21 can be inserted along the axial direction X. A plurality of cavities 22b are provided side by side in the width direction Y and the height direction Z according to the number of terminals 21 provided in the male housing 22. Each cavity 22b extends along the axial direction X and penetrates through the main body 22a. Each cavity 22b has an inner surface formed with a lance 22c (see FIG. 5, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, etc.) for locking the terminal 21 at a regular position. In addition, the terminal holding portion 22A of the present embodiment has a holder fitting groove portion 22d (see FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 7, 9, and 10) into which partition plates 23a and 23b of a front holder 23 described later fit. Are formed. A plurality of holder fitting grooves 22d are formed on the front surface in the axial direction X of the terminal holding portion 22A. The plurality of holder fitting groove portions 22d are formed in a substantially lattice shape along the width direction Y and the height direction Z so as to partition each cavity 22b as a whole.

  The hood part 22B is a part that forms the fitting space part 22C. The hood portion 22B is formed in a tubular shape corresponding to the outer shape of the female housing 32. Here, the hood portion 22B is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape whose axis is along the axial direction X and whose corners are curved. The hood portion 22B is connected to the terminal holding portion 22A on the rear side in the axial direction X, and is open on the front side in the axial direction X. The inner space of the hood 22B forms a fitting space 22C. The fitting space 22C is a space in which the female housing 32 can be fitted. The fitting space 22C is formed in an inner shape into which the female housing 32 can be fitted. The male terminal 21 held in the cavity 22b of the terminal holding portion 22A has a tip (tab) exposed in the fitting space 22C. The fitting space 22C of the present embodiment is also a space in which a front holder 23 described later is held. The hood 22B has a plurality of guide recesses 22e (see FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7, and the like). Each guide recess 22e is a groove for guiding the relative movement between the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 along the axial direction X when the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 are fitted. Each guide concave portion 22e is formed on the inner surface of the hood portion 22B, and is provided to extend along the axial direction X so as to face the fitting space portion 22C. Here, a total of four guide recesses 22e are provided near each of the four corners of the hood portion 22B.

  The front holder 23 is a member that is provided in the fitting space 22 </ b> C and holds the terminal 21 between the male housing 22 and the male housing 22 in the axial direction X in a state where the terminal 21 is fully locked. The front holder 23 is made of an insulating resin material. Here, the front holder 23 is locked to the terminal holding portion 22A of the male housing 22 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The front holder 23 of the present embodiment is configured to include a plurality of partition plates 23a and 23b, which are integrally formed in a substantially lattice shape along the width direction Y and the height direction Z as a whole. (Refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 8, etc.). More specifically, the partition plate 23a is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and forms a vertical partition plate extending along the height direction Z. A plurality of partition plates 23a are provided at intervals along the width direction Y. Here, three partition plates 23a are provided. On the other hand, the partition plate 23b is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and constitutes a horizontal partition plate extending along the width direction Y. A plurality of partition plates 23b are provided at intervals along the height direction Z. Here, three partition plates 23b are provided. The front holder 23 is fully locked to the terminal holding portion 22A via a holder locking mechanism 24 described later in a state where the partition plates 23a and 23b are fitted in the holder fitting groove portions 22d of the terminal holding portion 22A. (See FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 9, etc.). The front holder 23 is configured to partition each cavity 22b in a state where the partition plates 23a and 23b are fitted in the holder fitting grooves 22d. In this state, the front holder 23 regulates the deformation of the lance 22c to the unlocking side by the partition plate 23b fitted in the holder fitting groove 22d (see FIG. 5 and the like). With the above configuration, the front holder 23 holds the respective terminals 21 inserted and held in the respective cavities 22b at the proper positions.

  The holder locking mechanism 24 locks the front holder 23 with respect to the male housing 22. Here, the holder locking mechanism 24 locks the front holder 23 to the terminal holding portion 22A of the male housing 22 (see FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, etc.). The holder locking mechanism 24 of the present embodiment is configured to include a full locking portion 24a and a temporary locking portion 24b. The final locking portion 24a is a portion for permanently locking the front holder 23 at the final locking position (see FIG. 9 and the like) with respect to the terminal holding portion 22A. On the other hand, the temporary locking portion 24b is a portion for temporarily locking the front holder 23 to the terminal holding portion 22A at a temporary locking position (see FIG. 10 and the like).

  Here, the final locking position of the front holder 23 with respect to the terminal holding portion 22A is, as described above, that each of the partition plates 23a and 23b is fitted into the holder fitting groove 22d and the locking of the lance 22c is performed by the partition plate 23b. This is a position that restricts deformation to the release side (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, the provisional locking position of the front holder 23 with respect to the terminal holding portion 22A is a position where the front holder 23 is pulled out to the front side in the axial direction X from the final locking position, and the lance 22c is moved to the unlocking side. This is the position where deformation is allowed. In other words, the final locking position is a position where the front holder 23 is pushed rearward in the axial direction X from the temporary locking position.

  The main locking portion 24a and the temporary locking portion 24b are both formed in a protruding shape on the partition plate 23a (see FIG. 8 and the like). Here, a total of two locking portions 24a are provided, one for each of the partition plates 23a on both sides in the width direction Y among the three partition plates 23a. The two final locking portions 24a are formed at positions shifted along the height direction Z, and are formed so as to protrude toward the partition plate 23a located at the center in the width direction Y among the three partition plates 23a. You. Similarly, two temporary locking portions 24b are provided for each of the three partition plates 23a on both sides in the width direction Y among the three partition plates 23a. The two temporary locking portions 24b are formed at positions shifted along the height direction Z, and are formed so as to protrude toward the partition plate 23a located at the center in the width direction Y among the three partition plates 23a. You. Here, the holder locking mechanism 24 is configured such that the main locking portion 24a provided on one partition plate 23a and the temporary locking portion 24b provided on the other partition plate 23a are substantially in the height direction Z. The temporary locking portion 24b provided on one partition plate 23a and the permanent locking portion 24a provided on the other partition plate 23a are provided at substantially the same position. Then, each temporary locking portion 24b is provided at the rear end of the partition plate 23a in the axial direction X. Each of the permanent locking portions 24a is provided on the front side of each of the temporary locking portions 24b in the axial direction X (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

  Each of the permanent locking portions 24a and each of the temporary locking portions 24b are formed at positions where they can be in contact with the contact end face 22f formed on the terminal holding portion 22A. Here, the contact end face 22f of the terminal holding portion 22A is formed at the front end in the axial direction X of the holder fitting groove 22d. The holder locking mechanism 24 regulates the movement of the front holder 23 to the front side in the axial direction X by the respective final locking portions 24a abutting on the contact end surface 22f in the final locking position shown in FIG. The front holder 23 is fully locked to the terminal holding portion 22A. Further, the holder locking mechanism 24 restricts the movement of the front holder 23 to the front side in the axial direction X by bringing the respective temporary locking portions 24b into contact with the contact end surface 22f at the temporary locking position shown in FIG. Then, the front holder 23 is temporarily locked to the terminal holding portion 22A.

  The packing 25 is a water blocking member formed in an annular shape. The packing 25 is provided in the fitting space portion 22C, and is mounted on the outer surface of the terminal holding portion 22A. The packing 25 is interposed between the outer surface of the terminal holding portion 22A of the male housing 22 and the inner surface of the hood portion 32B of the female housing 32 described later in a state where the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 described later are fitted with a connector. Then, the water comes into contact with them to stop the water (see FIG. 14 etc.).

  Next, the female connector 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 11, and 12. FIG. The female connector 3 has a terminal 31 as a second terminal and a female housing 32 as a second housing. In the following description, in the female connector 3, the male connector 2 side in the axial direction X may be referred to as a front side, and the opposite side in the axial direction X may be referred to as a rear side.

  The terminal 31 is a female metal fitting made of a conductive metal material, and can be electrically connected to the male terminal 21. The terminal 31 is electrically connected to a terminal of the wiring member W2. The terminal 31 is provided with a rubber stopper 31a constituting a water-stopping member at an end on the side of the wiring member W1. A plurality of terminals 31 are provided on the female housing 32.

  The female housing 32 is a member that accommodates and holds the terminal 31 along the axial direction X. The female housing 32 is configured to be mutually fittable with the male housing 22 of the male connector 2 described above. The female housing 32 is made of an insulating resin material. The female housing 32 includes a terminal holding portion 32A and a hood portion 32B, which are integrally formed. In the female housing 32, the terminal holding portion 32A is located on the rear side in the axial direction X, and the hood portion 32B is located on the front side in the axial direction X.

  The terminal holding portion 32A is a portion that accommodates and holds the terminal 31. The terminal holding portion 32A includes a main body 32a and a plurality of cavities 32b formed in the main body 32a. The main body 32a is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a corner has a curved shape. Each cavity 32b is a space that forms a terminal insertion chamber into which the terminal 31 can be inserted along the axial direction X (see also FIG. 14 and the like). A plurality of cavities 32b are provided side by side in the width direction Y and the height direction Z according to the number of terminals 31 provided on the male housing 22. Each cavity 32b extends along the axial direction X and penetrates through the main body 32a. Each cavity 32b has an inner surface formed with a lance 32c (see also FIG. 14 and the like) for locking the terminal 31 at a regular position. Further, the terminal holding portion 32A of the present embodiment is formed with a holder fitting groove 32d (see FIGS. 11 and 12) into which the partition plates 23a and 23b of the front holder 23 fit. The plurality of holder fitting groove portions 32d are formed on the front surface of the terminal holding portion 32A in the axial direction X. The plurality of holder fitting grooves 32d are generally formed in a substantially lattice shape along the width direction Y and the height direction Z so as to partition each cavity 32b.

  The hood part 32B is a part that forms the fitting space part 32C. The hood portion 32B is formed in a tubular shape corresponding to the inner shape of the fitting space portion 22C of the male housing 22. The hood portion 32B is formed in an outer shape that can be fitted into the fitting space portion 22C. Here, the hood portion 32B is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape whose axis is along the axial direction X and whose corners are curved. The hood portion 32B is connected to the terminal holding portion 32A on the rear side in the axial direction X, and is open on the front side in the axial direction X. The inner space of the hood portion 32B forms a fitting space portion 32C. The fitting space portion 32C is a space portion in which a part of the terminal holding portion 22A of the male housing 22 and the front holder 23 can be fitted. The fitting space portion 32C is formed in an inner shape into which a part of the terminal holding portion 22A and the front holder 23 can be fitted. The hood 32B has a plurality of side ribs 32e. Each side rib 32e is a protruding portion guided by the guide recess 22e with the relative movement between the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 along the axial direction X when the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 are fitted. is there. That is, each side rib 32e is a portion guided along the axial direction X by each guide recess 22e of the male housing 22 with the fitting operation of the female housing 32 into the fitting space 22C. Each side rib 32e is formed on the outer surface of the hood portion 32B and is provided to extend along the axial direction X. Here, a total of four side ribs 32e are provided near each of the four corners of the hood portion 32B. Two of the four side ribs 32e are provided on one surface in the width direction Y of the hood portion 32B, and the remaining two are provided on the other surface in the width direction Y of the hood portion 32B. Each side rib 32e is formed so as to protrude outward from the hood portion 32B in the width direction Y.

  In the connector device 1 configured as described above, when the front holder 23 is fully locked to the male housing 22, the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 are moved in the axial direction X as shown in FIGS. Are fitted along. In this case, in the connector device 1, the terminal holder 22 </ b> A of the male housing 22 and the front holder 23 are fitted into the fitting space 32 </ b> C of the female housing 32, and the hood 32 </ b> B of the female housing 32 is 22 fits into the fitting space 22C. In this case, in the connector device 1, the front ends of the partition plates 23a and 23b of the front holder 23 in the axial direction X are fitted into the holder fitting grooves 32d. At this time, in the connector device 1, the side ribs 32 e of the female housing 32 are inserted into the guide recesses 22 e of the male housing 22, respectively, and the connector housing 1 is moved along with the relative movement of the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 along the axial direction X. Guided by the guide recess 22e. Thereby, in the connector device 1, the fitting operation of the female housing 32 to the fitting space 22C is guided. As described above, the male terminal 22 and the female terminal 31 of the connector device 1 are electrically connected to each other by fitting the male housing 22 and the female housing 32, and the wiring member W1 is connected to the wiring member W1. The cable W2 is electrically connected.

  In addition, the connector device 1 of the present embodiment, in the above-described configuration, further includes, as shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, and FIG. And an unlocking mechanism 6. With this configuration, the connector device 1 of the present embodiment also uses the female housing 32 as a jig for releasing the final lock of the front holder 23 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a “release jig”). This facilitates the work of removing the front holder 23 once attached to the male housing 22 once again.

  Specifically, the rotation support mechanism 5 is a part that constitutes a rotation fulcrum for relatively rotating the female housing 32 with respect to the male housing 22 when the female housing 32 is also used as a release jig. is there. The rotation support mechanism 5 includes a tapered portion 51 and a rotation fulcrum portion 52.

  The tapered portion 51 is provided at the front end (front end) 22g of the male housing 22 in the axial direction X so as to face the fitting space 22C (see also FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 6 and 7). Two taper portions 51 are provided at a tip portion 22g in the axial direction X of the hood portion 22B. One taper portion 51 is provided at each of both ends in the width direction Y of one surface in the height direction Z at the tip end portion 22g of the hood portion 22B. Each tapered portion 51 has a curved surface in a cross section along the width direction Y and the height direction Z (in other words, a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction X), and extends from the front side to the rear side in the axial direction X. As a result, the inclined surface is formed so as to gradually reduce the diameter.

  The rotation fulcrum portion 52 is provided on the outer surface of the female housing 32, and abuts on the tapered portion 51 in a state where the distal end portion (front end portion) 32f of the female housing 32 in the axial direction X is located in the fitting space portion 22C. It is a possible part. The above-described side rib 32e guided along the axial direction X by the guide concave portion 22e with the fitting operation of the female housing 32 to the fitting space portion 22C also serves as the rotation fulcrum portion 52 of the present embodiment (FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 11, etc.). Each side rib 32e provided in the vicinity of each of the four corners of the hood portion 32B can function as the rotation fulcrum portion 52.

  When the female housing 32, which is also used as a release jig, is relatively rotated with respect to the male housing 22, the final locking release mechanism 6 moves the front holder 23 from the final locking position with the relative rotation. This is a part for shifting to the temporary locking position (particularly, see FIGS. 17 and 20). The final unlocking mechanism 6 is configured to include the distal end 32 f of the female housing 32 and a hook 61.

  The distal end 32f of the female housing 32 that constitutes the final unlocking mechanism 6 is the front end in the axial direction X of the hood 32B. In the distal end portion 32f of the present embodiment, a portion of the hood portion 32B corresponding to the surface on which the above-described rotation fulcrum portion 52 (side rib 32e) is formed functions as the final locking release mechanism 6. In the distal end portion 32f of the present embodiment, when the female housing 32 is fitted to the male housing 22 with a connector, a portion extending along the height direction Z in the hood portion 32B functions as the final locking release mechanism 6. (See also FIG. 1, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, etc.).

  The hook portion 61 is provided on the front holder 23 and is a portion where the distal end portion 32f of the female housing 32 can be hooked in a state where the tapered portion 51 and the rotation fulcrum portion 52 are in contact with each other. In the state in which the front holder 23 is fully locked to the male housing 22, the hooking portion 61 of the present embodiment is configured such that one end in the height direction Z of each of the partition plates 23 a of the front holder 23 extends along the width direction Y. (See also FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and the like). Here, the hooking portion 61 connects the ends located on the taper portion 51 side in the height direction Z along the width direction Y in each partition plate 23a. Further, here, the hooking portion 61 connects the front end in the axial direction X of each partition plate 23a along the width direction Y. Note that, here, the front holder 23 has an end portion (in other words, a side opposite to the side connected by the hook portion 61) located on the side opposite to the tapered portion 51 side in the height direction Z in each partition plate 23a. The ends are also connected in the width direction Y by the beam portions 23c.

  The female housing 32 configured as described above uses the rotation fulcrum 52 as a fulcrum with respect to the male housing 22 with the rotation fulcrum 52 abutting on the tapered portion 51 and the tip portion 32f hooked on the hook 61. It is possible to rotate relatively. With this configuration, the female housing 32 can release the final lock between the front holder 23 and the male housing 22. That is, with this configuration, the connector device 1 can use the female housing 32 as a release jig.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are connected in the axial direction X around the connector fitting position where the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 are fitted with the connector. The main lock release position where the housing 32 is used as a release jig is configured to be different from each other. The connector fitting position is a position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, and is a position where the female housing 32 is fitted in the fitting space 22C and the terminals 21 and 31 are electrically connected. On the other hand, the final unlocking position is a position shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. The pivot fulcrum 52 abuts the tapered portion 51 and the tip of the female housing 32 The position where the portion 32f is hooked on the hooking portion 61. Here, the final unlocking position corresponds to a position where the female connector 3 is rotated relative to the male connector 2 by about 90 ° around the axial direction X from the connector fitting position.

  15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 described above are diagrams illustrating a state in which the front holder 23 is unlocked. 15, 16, and 17 show the stage in which the front holder 23 is still in the fully locked state, and FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 show the stage in which the fully locked state of the front holder 23 is released. This shows a stage in which the state has shifted to the locked state.

  More specifically, when the female housing 32 is used as a release jig, it is handled as follows. First, as shown in FIGS. 15, 16, and 17, the female housing 32 has the two side ribs 32 e along the tapered portion 51 of the male housing 22 and the distal end 32 f hooks on the hook 61 of the front holder 23. It is positioned as follows. In this case, the female housing 32 is positioned such that, of the four side ribs 32e provided, two side ribs 32e provided on one side surface of the hood portion 32B are in contact with the respective tapered portions 51. In this manner, the female housing 32 is positioned at the final unlocking position with respect to the male housing 22. As a result, in the female housing 32, each side rib 32 e comes into contact with each tapered portion 51 and functions as a rotation fulcrum 52. The rotation axis of the relative rotation of the female housing 32 formed by the contact of each side rib 32e with each tapered portion 51 is along the width direction Y. It should be noted that the female housing 32 is also permanently locked with respect to the male housing 22 by being rotated by 180 ° around the axial direction X from the positional relationship shown in FIGS. 15, 16, and 17. It can be positioned at the release position.

  The female housing 32 is relatively rotated using the rotation fulcrum 52 as a fulcrum using the lever principle, and as shown in FIGS. 18, 19, and 20, the distal end portion hooked on the hook 61. 32f allows the front holder 23 to be pulled out to the front side in the axial direction X from the final locking position. As a result, the front holder 23 is pulled out from the final locking position to the front side in the axial direction X by the distal end portion 32f with the relative rotation of the female housing 32, whereby the final locking by the final locking portion 24a is released. Then, the state is shifted to the temporary locking state.

  The connector device 1 and the wire harness WH described above include the male connector 2, the female connector 3, the rotation support mechanism 5, and the final lock release mechanism 6. With this configuration, the connector device 1 and the wire harness WH can also release the final engagement between the front holder 23 and the male housing 22 while also using the female housing 32 configured to be fittable with the male housing 22. . Therefore, the connector device 1 and the wire harness WH can easily release the final engagement between the front holder 23 and the male housing 22 without using a dedicated jig. As a result, the connector device 1 and the wire harness WH can facilitate the operation of removing the front holder 23 from the male housing 22.

  Further, in the connector device 1 and the wire harness WH described above, the hook portions 61 connect the plurality of partition plates 23a of the front holder 23. With this configuration, the hook portion 61 of the connector device 1 and the wire harness WH can also be used as the opening suppressing rib of the plurality of partition plates 23a. As a result, even if the connector housing 1 and the wire harness WH contact the partition plate 23a unintentionally, for example, with the female housing 32 or other foreign matter (for example, a finger of an operator), the rigid body can be used. The deformation of the partition plate 23a can be suppressed by the hook portion 61 that is configured. Thus, the connector device 1 and the wire harness WH suppress, for example, the occurrence of twisting in the male terminal 21 having the tab exposed between the fitting space portions 22C and located between the plurality of partition plates 23a. Can be.

  Further, the connector device 1 and the wire harness WH described above are configured such that the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are different from each other in the connector fitting position and the final unlocking position. With this configuration, the connector device 1 and the wire harness WH can easily disconnect the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 when using the female housing 32 as a release jig after facilitating the operation of removing the front holder 23. Can be prevented from fitting into a connector.

  Further, the connector device 1 and the wire harness WH described above are side ribs guided along the axial direction X by the guide concave portions 22e with the fitting operation as the rotation fulcrum portions 52 constituting the rotation support mechanism 5. 32e can also be used. With this configuration, the connector device 1 and the wire harness WH can realize the rotation support mechanism 5 for rotating the female housing 32 relative to the male housing 22 in a space-saving manner. As a result, in the connector device 1 and the wire harness WH, the operation of removing the front holder 23 is facilitated, and the device can be prevented from being enlarged.

  Note that the connector device and the wire harness according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims.

  In the above description, the rotation fulcrum 52 has been described as being shared by the side ribs 32e, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided separately from the side ribs 32e.

  In the above description, the hook portion 61 has been described as connecting the plurality of partition plates 23a and also serving as the opening suppression rib of the partition plate 23a, but is not limited thereto, and has a configuration in which the plurality of partition plates 23a are not connected. There may be.

  In the above description, the final unlocking position has been described as being equivalent to a position where the female connector 3 is relatively rotated about the axial direction X by about 90 ° from the connector fitting position with respect to the male connector 2. However, the position is not limited to this, and may be a position relatively rotated at an angle different from 90 °. Furthermore, the connector fitting position and the final unlocking position may coincide with each other.

  In the above description, the connector device 1 has been described assuming that the first connector is the male connector 2 and the second connector is the female connector 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and conversely, the first connector is a female connector. Yes, the second connector may be a male connector.

1 connector device 2 male connector (first connector)
3 Female connector (second connector)
5 Rotation support mechanism 6 Final lock release mechanism 21 Terminal (first terminal)
22 Male housing (first housing)
22C Fitting space 22e Guide recess 23 Front holders 23a, 23b Partition plate 31 Terminal (second terminal)
32 female housing (second housing)
22g, 32f Tip part 51 Taper part 52 Rotation fulcrum part 61 Hook part W1 Routing material (first routing material)
W2 routing material (second routing material)
WH Wire harness X Axial direction

Claims (5)

A first terminal, a first housing for accommodating the first terminal along the axial direction, and a first housing provided in a fitting space of the first housing, the first terminal being fixed to the first housing in the axial direction. A first connector having a front holder that holds the first terminal between the first connector and the first housing;
A second terminal electrically connectable to the first terminal; and a second terminal accommodating the second terminal along the axial direction and capable of being fitted into the fitting space along the axial direction. A second connector having a housing;
A tapered portion provided on the distal end portion of the first housing in the axial direction facing the fitting space portion, and a distal end portion of the second housing provided on an outer surface of the second housing are provided. A rotation support mechanism that includes a rotation fulcrum that is capable of abutting on the tapered portion while being positioned in the fitting space,
A tip portion of the second housing, and a hook portion provided on the front holder, wherein the tip portion of the second housing can be hooked in a state where the tapered portion and the pivot point come into contact with each other. And a final unlocking mechanism composed of
The second housing is configured such that the rotation fulcrum portion is in contact with the tapered portion and the distal end portion of the second housing is hooked on the hook portion. The main lock between the front holder and the first housing can be released by relative rotation.
Connector device. The front holder has a plurality of partition plates fitted to the first housing,
The hook portion connects the plurality of partition plates,
The connector device according to claim 1. The first connector and the second connector are configured such that the second housing is fitted in the fitting space in the circumferential direction around the axial direction, and the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other. And a final unlocking position at which the rotating fulcrum contacts the tapered portion and the distal end of the second housing is hooked on the hook.
The connector device according to claim 1. The first housing has a guide recess provided along the axial direction facing the fitting space,
The rotation fulcrum portion is guided along the axial direction by the guide recess along with the fitting operation of the second housing to the fitting space portion.
The connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A first wiring member having conductivity;
A second wiring member having conductivity;
A connector device capable of electrically connecting the first wiring member and the second wiring member,
The connector device,
A first terminal electrically connected to the first wiring member, a first housing accommodating the first terminal along an axial direction, and the first terminal provided in a fitting space of the first housing. A first connector having a front holder that holds the first terminal between the first housing and the first housing in a state where the first terminal is fully locked to the housing;
A second terminal electrically connected to the second wiring member and electrically connectable to the first terminal; and a second terminal accommodated along the axial direction and accommodating the second terminal along the axial direction. A second connector having a second housing fittable in the fitting space portion;
A tapered portion provided on the distal end portion of the first housing in the axial direction facing the fitting space portion, and a distal end portion of the second housing provided on an outer surface of the second housing are provided. A rotation support mechanism configured to include a rotation fulcrum that is capable of abutting on the tapered portion while being positioned in the fitting space,
A tip portion of the second housing, and a hook portion provided on the front holder, wherein the tip portion of the second housing can be hooked in a state where the tapered portion and the pivot point come into contact with each other. And a final unlocking mechanism composed of
The second housing is configured such that the rotation fulcrum portion is in contact with the tapered portion and the distal end portion of the second housing is hooked on the hook portion. The main lock between the front holder and the first housing can be released by relative rotation.
Wire harness.

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