JP2021190160A - connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector in which an inner housing can be easily assembled to an outer housing.SOLUTION: A connector 1 comprises an outer housing 2 and an inner housing 3. When the inner housing 3 is in a state completely fitted into the outer housing 2, a locking mechanism 6 restricts movement in a removal direction from the outer housing 2. The inner housing 3 has: a body part 4 which has a terminal housing chamber 31 for housing and holding a wire-equipped terminal WT; and an operation member 5 which is formed to protrude, in the removal direction, from an end on an opening 32 side of the body part 4 while in a state engaged with the body part 4. The operation member 5 has a frame-like part 40 which is formed to protrude further outside than an outer peripheral edge of the end on the opening 32 side when viewed from the removal direction of the inner housing 3, and which is pressed in an insertion direction while in an engaged state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a connector.

Conventionally, there are connectors having a plurality of housings. Patent Document 1 describes an outer housing that is fixed to the first surface of the wall portion with the insertion portion inserted into the hole portion of the wall portion, and an outer housing that is inserted from the side of the second surface with respect to the hole portion. A connector with an inner housing that engages with the housing is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-58597

By the way, when the connector has an outer housing and an inner housing, it is desirable that the inner housing can be easily assembled to the outer housing. However, in a state where the terminal with an electric wire is housed and held in the inner housing, it is difficult to easily push in the end portion of the inner housing on the removal direction side, and there is a possibility that the inner housing cannot be completely fitted to the outer housing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector to which an inner housing can be easily assembled to an outer housing.

In order to achieve the above object, the connector according to the present invention has an outer housing partially inserted into a through hole penetrating from the front surface of the wall portion to the back surface and fixed to the front surface, and a back surface side of the wall portion. Insertion into the outer housing when the inner housing is inserted into the outer housing through the through hole and fitted in the insertion direction, and the inner housing is in a completely fitted state with respect to the outer housing. The inner housing is provided with a locking mechanism for restricting movement in the extraction direction opposite to the direction, and the inner housing communicates the terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating and holding the terminal with an electric wire, and the terminal accommodating chamber and the outside. , The main body having an opening into which the terminal with electric wire is inserted is engaged with the opening side end of the main body, and in an engaged state engaged with the main body, the opening side end. It has an operating member formed so as to project from the portion in the removal direction, and the operating member is formed so as to project outward from the outer peripheral edge of the opening side end portion when viewed from the removal direction. It is characterized by having a frame-shaped portion that is pressed in the insertion direction in the engaged state.

Further, in the connector, the inner housing is such that the end face on the opening side of the main body is located inside the through hole when the fitting state is the perfect fitting state.

Further, in the connector, when the fitting state is the perfect fitting state, the end surface of the frame-shaped portion in the removal direction is positioned on the same surface as the back surface of the wall portion. It is composed.

Further, in the connector, the inner housing has a pair of long side portions extending in a first direction orthogonal to the insertion direction when the opening side end is viewed from the removal direction, and the insertion direction. And a pair of short side portions extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the operating member faces the pair of the short side portions in the removal direction in the engaged state. And a pair of short side portions formed of the above, and a long side portion formed so as to face one of the pair of long side portions in the extraction direction and connecting the pair of the short side portions in the second direction. , Have.

Further, in the connector, the operating member is formed over the entire circumference along the outer periphery of the opening side end portion, and is divided into two when viewed from the removal direction.

Further, in the connector, the operating member has a grip portion that protrudes in the removal direction and is formed so that an operator can grip the connector, and is detachably engaged with the opening side end portion. Is.

The connector according to the present invention has an effect that the inner housing can be easily assembled to the outer housing.

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a third perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing an inner housing inserted into the outer housing. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the inner housing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the inner housing according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing a main body portion and an operation member attached to the main body portion. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the inner housing in the connector according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the inner housing according to the second embodiment, and is a diagram showing a main body portion and an operation member attached to the main body portion. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the inner housing according to the second embodiment, and is a diagram showing a main body portion and an operation member attached to the main body portion. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the inner housing in the connector according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the inner housing according to the third embodiment, and is a diagram showing a main body portion and an operation member attached to the main body portion. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the inner housing according to the third embodiment, and is a diagram showing a main body portion and an operation member attached to the main body portion.

Hereinafter, the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, 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.

[First Embodiment]
The connector 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The X direction shown in each of FIGS. 1 to 6 (including FIGS. 7 to 12) is the first direction of the connector 1 in the present embodiment. The first direction is, for example, the longitudinal direction of the connector 1 when the connector 1 is viewed from the Z direction. The Y direction is the second direction of the connector 1 in the present embodiment. The second direction is, for example, the lateral direction of the connector 1 when the connector 1 is viewed from the Z direction. Of the Y directions, the Y1 direction is the upper side in the second direction, and the Y2 direction is the lower side in the second direction. The Z direction is the insertion / removal direction of the connector 1 in the present embodiment. Of the Z directions, the Z1 direction is the insertion direction and the Z2 direction is the removal direction. The X, Y, and Z directions are orthogonal to each other.

The connector 1 in this embodiment is applied to, for example, a wire harness or the like used in a vehicle such as an automobile. Here, the connector 1 is a wire-to-wire connection mechanism for connecting a plurality of wires W constituting the wire harness. The connector 1 is connected to a mating connector (not shown) corresponding to the connector 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connector 1 is fixed to the wall portion 100. The wall portion 100 is, for example, a part of a housing of a device mounted on a vehicle. The wall portion 100 may be a wall portion constituting the housing of the inverter or the motor. The wall portion 100 has a front surface 100a and a back surface 100b. The surface 100a is, for example, the outer surface of the housing. The back surface 100b is, for example, the inner surface of the housing. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the wall portion 100 has a through hole 101. The through hole 101 penetrates from the front surface 100a of the wall portion 100 to the back surface 100b, and is open at each of the front surface 100a and the back surface 100b. The cross-sectional shape of the through hole 101 is a rectangle with four corners rounded in an arc shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 1 of the present embodiment includes an outer housing 2 and an inner housing 3.

The outer housing 2 is fitted with the inner housing 3 to form the connector 1. A part of the outer housing 2 is inserted into the through hole 101 of the wall portion 100 and fixed to the surface 100a of the wall portion 100. The outer housing 2 has a tubular shape in which both ends of the connector 1 in the insertion / removal direction are open, and the inner housing 3 is accommodated through one of the openings. The outer housing 2 is molded from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The cross-sectional shape of the outer housing 2 in a cross section orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction is a rectangle with four corners rounded in an arc shape. The outer housing 2 is fixed to the surface 100a of the wall portion 100 via the flange portion 11. The flange portion 11 projects from the outer surface of the outer housing 2 in a direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction. The flange portion 11 is provided with through holes through which bolts 102 are inserted at both ends of the connector 1 in the first direction. The outer housing 2 is fixed to the wall portion 100 by fastening bolts 102 inserted into the through holes of the flange portion 11. A pair of first locked portions 12 are provided on the inner surface of the outer housing 2. The pair of first locked portions 12 face each other in the first direction of the connector 1. The first locked portion 12 locks the inner housing 3 with respect to the outer housing 2 and holds the inner housing 3.

The inner housing 3 is inserted into the outer housing 2 from the back surface 100b side of the wall portion 100 via the through hole 101 and fitted in the insertion direction. The inner housing 3 is locked to the outer housing 2 by the locking mechanism 6. The locking mechanism 6 restricts the outer housing 2 from moving in the pulling-out direction when the inner housing 3 is completely fitted to the outer housing 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner housing 3 has a main body portion 4 and an operating member 5. When the inner housing 3 is completely fitted to the outer housing 2, the end face of the main body 4 on the opening 32 side is located inside the through hole 101.

The main body 4 is a portion that accommodates and holds the terminal WT with an electric wire. The terminal WT with an electric wire is, for example, a metal terminal to which the electric wire W is connected. The terminal accommodated and held by the main body 4 is, for example, a male terminal. In addition, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the terminal WT with an electric wire is shown by a two-dot chain line, but in FIG. 3, they are omitted. The main body 4 is composed of an outer shell member 20 and a terminal holding member 30.

The outer shell member 20 has a tubular shape in which both ends in the insertion / removal direction are open, and accommodates the terminal holding member 30 from the opening on the removal direction side. The outer shell member 20 is molded of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The cross-sectional shape in the cross section orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction of the outer shell member 20 is a rectangle with four corners rounded in an arc shape. The outer shell member 20 has a tubular outer wall portion 21 and a second locked portion 22. The second locked portion 22 is provided on the outer surface of the main body portion 4, that is, on the wall surface of the outer wall portion 21. The second locked portion 22 is located on the upper side in the second direction of the wall surface of the outer wall portion 21 and is located in the central portion in the first direction. The second locked portion 22 locks the terminal holding member 30 with respect to the outer shell member 20 to hold the terminal holding member 30. The second locked portion 22 is locked to the second locking portion 34 of the terminal holding member 30 in a completely housed state in which the terminal holding member 30 is completely housed in the outer shell member 20.

The terminal holding member 30 has a tubular shape in which both ends in the insertion / removal direction are open, and accommodates the terminal WT with an electric wire from the opening on the removal direction side. The terminal holding member 30 is molded of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The cross-sectional shape in the cross section orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction of the terminal holding member 30 is a rectangle with four corners rounded in an arc shape. The terminal holding member 30 has a pair of long side portions 3a extending in the first direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and a second direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and the first direction when the inner housing 3 is viewed from the removal direction. It has a pair of short side portions 3b extending to (FIG. 5). Further, the terminal holding member 30 includes a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 31 formed in cooperation with the outer shell member 20, a plurality of openings 32, a first locking portion 33, and a second locking portion 34. , A first engaging portion 35 and a second engaging portion 36.

The terminal accommodating chamber 31 is a portion for accommodating and holding the terminal WT with an electric wire. A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 31 are arranged in the first direction and the second direction of the main body 4, respectively. The terminal accommodating chamber 31 is a so-called cavity and penetrates along the insertion / removal direction of the main body 4. The terminal accommodating chamber 31 extends inside the outer shell member 20 and the terminal holding member 30 along the insertion / removal direction and is formed in a hollow shape. The terminal WT with an electric wire housed in the terminal storage chamber 31 is held by engaging with the lance 37. The terminal accommodating chamber 31 is formed as a space portion having a size and shape into which the terminal WT can be inserted according to the outer shape of the terminal WT with an electric wire, and accommodates the terminal WT inside.

The opening 32 is a portion where the terminal accommodating chamber 31 and the outside are communicated with each other and the terminal WT with an electric wire is inserted. A plurality of openings 32 are arranged in the first direction and the second direction of the terminal holding member 30, respectively. The opening 32 is an opening formed at the end of the terminal accommodating chamber 31 on the removal direction side.

The first locking portion 33 is a so-called flexible lock arm. The first locking portion 33 is provided on a pair of outer wall surfaces 30a of the outer wall surface of the terminal holding member 30 that extends along the second direction and faces the outside in the first direction. The first locking portion 33 extends along the insertion / removal direction of the terminal holding member 30. The first locking portion 33 locks to the first locked portion 12 (FIG. 3) of the outer housing 2 when the inner housing 3 is inserted into the outer housing 2. When the inner housing 3 is completely fitted to the outer housing 2, the first locking portion 33 is locked by the first locked portion 12. The first locked portion 12 restricts the inner housing 3 from moving in the removal direction from the outer housing 2 in a completely fitted state in which the inner housing 3 is completely fitted to the outer housing 2.

The second locking portion 34 is a so-called flexible lock arm. The second locking portion 34 is provided on one of the pair of outer wall surfaces 30b of the outer wall surface of the terminal holding member 30 that extends along the first direction and faces the outside in the second direction. The second locking portion 34 is provided on the outer wall surface 30b on the upper side in the second direction. The second locking portion 34 is locked to the second locked portion 22 (FIG. 4) of the outer shell member 20 when the terminal holding member 30 is inserted into the outer shell member 20. When the terminal holding member 30 is completely fitted to the outer shell member 20, the second locking portion 34 is locked by the second locked portion 22. The second locked portion 22 regulates the movement of the terminal holding member 30 from the outer shell member 20 in the removal direction in the fully fitted state in which the terminal holding member 30 is completely fitted to the outer shell member 20. ..

The first engaging portion 35 is formed so as to project from the end portion of the terminal holding member 30 on the removal direction side in the removal direction. The first engaging portion 35 is arranged on each of the pair of short side portions 3b of the terminal holding member 30. The first engaging portion 35 is formed at both ends of the short side portion 3b in the second direction. The shape of the first engaging portion 35 in the cross section orthogonal to the second direction is an L-shape. The free end of the L-shape is formed from one of the pair of short side portions 3b in the first direction toward the other side. A plurality of second engaging portions 36 are provided on the long side portions 3a at the ends of the terminal holding member 30 on the removal direction side. Two second engaging portions 36 are formed at each long side portion 3a of the terminal holding member 30 with an interval in the first direction. The second engaging portion 36 has an L-shaped cross section when viewed from the first direction. The free end of the L-shape is formed toward the upper side in the second direction.

The operating member 5 is formed by engaging with the opening 32 side end of the main body 4 and projecting from the opening 32 side end in the extraction direction in an engaged state engaged with the main body 4. It is a thing. The end on the opening 32 side of the main body 4 is also the end on the removal direction side of the terminal holding member 30. The operating member 5 is molded of an insulating synthetic resin. The operating member 5 is formed in a U-shape when viewed from the removal direction in an engaged state in which it is engaged with the main body portion 4.

The operating member 5 has a pair of short side portions 5b and a long side portion 5a connecting the pair of short side portions 5b in the first direction. The pair of short side portions 5b are portions formed so as to face the pair of short side portions 3b in the terminal holding member 30 in the first direction in an engaged state in which the operating member 5 is engaged with the main body portion 4. The long side portion 5a is a portion formed so as to face one of the pair of long side portions 3a in the terminal holding member 30 in the insertion / extraction direction in an engaged state in which the operating member 5 is engaged with the main body portion 4. .. Further, the operating member 5 has a frame-shaped portion 40, a pressing surface 41, a first engaged portion 42, a second engaged portion 46, and a locking arm 43.

The frame-shaped portion 40 is formed so as to project outward from the outer peripheral edge of the end portion on the side of the opening 32 when viewed from the extraction direction, and the operating member 5 is pressed in the insertion direction in an engaged state in which the operating member 5 is engaged with the main body portion 4. This is the part. The frame-shaped portion 40 is formed along a portion formed along a long side portion 5a extending in the first direction and a short side portion 5b extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Has an orthogonal part.

The pressing surface 41 is a surface formed on the operating member 5 and pressed in the insertion direction in an engaged state in which the operating member 5 is engaged with the main body 4. The pressing surface 41 is formed flat along the first direction and the second direction of the operating member 5. The pressing surface 41 has a size and a width that can be pressed by an operator with fingers. The operating member 5 is configured such that the pressing surface 41 is located on the same surface as the back surface 100b of the wall portion 100 when the inner housing 3 is completely fitted to the outer housing 2.

The first engaged portion 42 is provided on each of the pair of short side portions 5b side of the frame-shaped portion 40. The first engaged portion 42 has a groove 42a extending in the second direction. One of the grooves 42a opens in the second direction, and the first engaging portion 35 of the main body portion 4 is accommodated along the second direction through the opening. The shape of the first engaged portion 42 in the cross section orthogonal to the second direction is an L-shape. The free end of the L-shape is formed toward the outside of the pair of short sides 5b in the first direction. The first engaged portion 42 engages with the first engaging portion 35 of the main body portion 4 housed in the groove 42a, and restricts the movement of the operating member 5 on the removal direction side. The second engaged portion 46 is provided on the long side portion 5a side of the frame-shaped portion 40. Two second engaged portions 46 are formed on the long side portion 5a side of the frame-shaped portion 40 with an interval in the first direction. The second engaged portion 46 has an inverted L-shaped cross section when viewed from the first direction. The free end of the inverted L shape is formed toward the lower side in the second direction. The second engaged portion 46 engages with the second engaged portion 36 in an engaged state in which the operating member 5 is engaged with the main body portion 4. By engaging with the second engaging portion 36, the second engaged portion 46 restricts the movement of the operating member 5 toward the removal direction side.

The locking arm 43 is provided on each of the pair of short side portions 5b side of the frame-shaped portion 40. The locking arm 43 extends in the second direction and is formed in a cantilever shape from the upper end in the second direction to the lower end in the second direction. A protrusion is provided at the lower end of the locking arm 43 in the second direction. The protrusion is formed so as to project from one of the pair of short side portions 5b in the first direction toward the other side. The locking arm 43 locks the first engaging portion 35 of the main body portion 4 housed in the groove 42a, and restricts the movement of the operating member 5 upward in the second direction.

The method of assembling the inner housing 3 of the present embodiment will be described. First, the operator assembles the terminal holding member 30 to the outer shell member 20 to form the main body portion 4. Specifically, the operator inserts the terminal holding member 30 from the opening on the removal direction side of the outer shell member 20. Then, the operator assembles the terminal WT with an electric wire to the main body 4 in a state where the terminal holding member 30 is temporarily locked to the outer shell member 20. After assembling the terminal WT with an electric wire to the main body 4, the operator holds the terminal until the second locking portion 34 of the terminal holding member 30 is locked to the second locked portion 22 of the outer shell member 20. Push in the member 30.

Next, the operator assembles the operation member 5 to the main body 4. Specifically, the operator arranges the operation member 5 on the upper side in the second direction of the end portion on the removal direction side of the main body portion 4 (FIG. 5). At this time, the operating member 5 is arranged so that the opening in the U-shape faces the electric wire W side and the first engaged portion 42 faces the insertion direction. Here, it is assumed that the electric wires W are in a bundled state.

Then, the operator moves the operating member 5 from the upper side in the second direction to the lower side in the second direction in the same direction, and from the opening on the lower side in the second direction in the groove 42a of the first engaged portion 42 to the inside. The first engaging portion 35 of the main body portion 4 is inserted. Further, the operator allows the pair of short side portions 5b of the operating member 5 to face the pair of short side portions 3b of the main body portion 4 in the insertion / extraction direction, and the long side portion 5a of the operating member 5 is the second of the main body portion 4. The operating member 5 is slid and moved to a position facing the long side portion 3a on the upper side in the direction in the insertion / extraction direction. In this case, the operator slides the locking arm 43 and the first engaging portion 35 arranged on the lower side in the second direction of the two first engaging portions 35 until they are engaged. Then, when the locking arm 43 bends and deforms due to the protrusion of the locking arm 43 and gets over the first engaging portion 35 arranged on the lower side in the second direction, the operating member 5 engages with the main body portion 4. It will be in a combined state. The second engaged portion 46 of the operating member 5 engages with the second engaging portion 36 of the main body portion 4.

Next, the operator attaches the outer housing 2 to the wall portion 100 (FIG. 3). A seal member S and a holder H are attached to the outer housing 2 (FIG. 6). The operator inserts a part of the outer housing 2 into the through hole 101 of the wall portion 100, and fixes the outer housing 2 to the wall portion 100 by the bolt 102. The bolt 102 is inserted into the through hole of the outer housing 2 and screwed into the screw hole of the wall portion 100. The flange portion 11 of the outer housing 2 is fastened to the wall portion 100 by two bolts 102.

Next, the inner housing 3 is inserted into the outer housing 2. The inner housing 3 is inserted into the through hole 101 and the outer housing 2 from the side of the back surface 100b. At this time, when the end portion of the inner housing 3 on the removal direction side protrudes from the back surface 100b to the removal direction side, for example, the operator inserts a pair of short side portions 5b of the operation member 5 protruding from the back surface 100b. Push in at the same time toward the direction side (Fig. 3). When the position of the inner housing 3 is in the semi-locking position, the operating member 5 partially protrudes from the through hole 101, and the protruding portion is pushed into the through hole 101, so that the inner housing 3 is completely engaged. Move to the stop position. When the inner housing 3 is inserted into the outer housing 2 to the perfect fitting position, the first locking portion 33 of the inner housing 3 is locked to the pair of first locked portions 12 of the outer housing 2. The second locking portion 34 is locked to the second locked portion 22. When the inner housing 3 is completely fitted to the outer housing 2, the assembly of the connector 1 is completed. The operator can reliably assemble the inner housing 3 to the outer housing 2 by simultaneously pressing the two pressing surfaces 41 at both ends of the operating member 5 in the first direction toward the insertion direction.

Further, when the inner housing 3 is fitted to the outer housing 2, the operator is completely satisfied if the end surface of the frame-shaped portion 40 in the removal direction is located on the same surface as the back surface 100b of the wall portion 100. It can be determined that it is in the fitted state. According to the connector 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily visually determine whether or not the inner housing 3 is completely fitted to the outer housing 2.

Further, since the operating member 5 is locked to the main body 4 in the second direction, the operating member 5 is provided on the back surface 101a in the fully fitted state in which the inner housing 3 is completely fitted to the outer housing 2. It gets stuck in the opening of the through hole 101, and movement in the second direction as well as the first direction is restricted. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operating member 5 from being easily detached from the main body 4.

As described above, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the inner housing 3 is engaged with the main body portion 4 having the terminal accommodating chamber 31 for accommodating and holding the terminal WT with an electric wire and the main body portion 4. The main body portion 4 has an operating member 5 formed so as to project from the end portion on the opening 32 side in the removal direction. The operating member 5 has a frame-shaped portion 40 that is formed so as to project outward from the outer peripheral edge of the end portion on the side of the opening 32 when viewed from the extraction direction, and is pressed in the insertion direction in the engaged state.

With the above configuration, for example, when the inner housing 3 to which the terminal WT with an electric wire is assembled is fitted to the outer housing 2, the operating member 5 increases the number of surfaces on which the inner housing 3 can be pushed in the insertion direction. Further, since the surface that pushes the inner housing 3 by the operating member 5 moves toward the removal direction side, the inner housing 3 can be pushed further toward the outer housing 2 by pushing the operating member 5 in the insertion direction. As a result, the operator can easily push the inner housing 3 toward the outer housing 2 via the operation member 5, and the operator can easily assemble the inner housing 3 to the outer housing 2.

Further, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, when the main body 4 is in the completely fitted state, the end face in the removal direction is located inside the through hole 101. As a result, by engaging the operating member 5 with the end on the opening 32 side of the main body 4, the length of the main body 4 in the insertion / removal direction becomes long, and the operating member is in the semi-fitting state. When 5 is outside the through hole 101, the inner housing 3 can be pushed further toward the insertion direction.

Further, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, when the operating member 5 is in the completely fitted state, the end surface of the frame-shaped portion 40 in the removal direction is located on the same surface as the back surface 100b of the wall portion 100. It is configured as follows. As a result, when the inner housing 3 with respect to the outer housing 2 is in the semi-fitted state, the operating member 5 does not have the same surface as the back surface 100b of the wall portion 100, and protrudes from the back surface 100b toward the removal direction. Can be easily visually confirmed to be in a semi-fitted state. Further, in the fully fitted state, the end portion on the removal direction side of the operating member 5 is located on the same surface as the back surface 100b of the wall portion 100, so that the operator can more easily visually confirm the completely fitted state. Can be done.

Further, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the operating member 5 has a pair of short side portions 5b and a pair of short side portions 5b in the first direction according to the shape of the opening 32 side end portion of the inner housing 3. It has a long side portion 5a connected in a second orthogonal direction. As a result, for example, the inner housing 3 is fitted to the outer housing 2 along the insertion direction by simultaneously pressing the pair of short side portions 5b separated in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the inner housing 3 in the insertion direction. It becomes possible to do.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. The connector 1A according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the shape of the operating member 5A is mainly different. In FIG. 7, the description of the wall portion 100, the outer housing 2 constituting the connector 1A, and the like is omitted. In the following description, the configurations common to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted (the same applies to the following embodiments).

The operating member 5A engages with the opening 32 side end of the main body 4A, and in an engaged state engaged with the main body 4A, over the entire circumference along the outer periphery of the opening 32 side end. It is what is formed. The operation member 5A is divided into two when viewed from the removal direction of the inner housing 3. The operating member 5A is composed of two divided bodies 7. The divided body 7 is formed in a U shape when viewed from the removal direction of the inner housing 3. The operation member 5A has a frame-shaped portion 40A, a pressing surface 41A, a first engaged portion 42A, a second engaged portion 46, a locking arm 43A, and a locking arm locking groove 47. ..

The frame-shaped portion 40A is formed so as to project outward from the outer peripheral edge of the end portion on the side of the opening 32 when viewed from the removal direction of the inner housing 3 in the engaged state in which the two divided bodies 7 are engaged with each other. This is a portion where the operating member 5A is pressed in the insertion direction in an engaged state in which it is engaged with the main body portion 4A. The frame-shaped portion 40A has a wall portion whose end surface in the removal direction is in an engaged state in which the two divided bodies 7 are engaged with each other and in a fully fitted state of the inner housing 3 with respect to the outer housing 2. It is configured to be located on the same surface as the back surface 100b of 100. The frame-shaped portion 40A is formed along a portion formed along a long side portion 5a extending in the first direction and a short side portion 5b extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Has an orthogonal part.

The pressing surface 41A is formed on each divided body 7, and is pressed in the insertion direction in an engaged state in which the operating member 5A is engaged with the main body 4A in an engaged state in which the two divided bodies 7 are engaged with each other. It is the surface to be done. The operating member 5A is formed so that the pressing surface 41A is located on the same surface as the back surface 100b of the wall portion 100 when the inner housing 3 is completely fitted to the outer housing 2.

The first engaged portion 42A is provided on each of the pair of short side portions 5b in the divided body 7. The first engaged portion 42A has a groove 42Aa extending in the second direction. The groove 42Aa accommodates the first engaging portion 35A of the main body portion 4A through an opening in the insertion direction orthogonal to the second direction. The first engaging portion 35A of the present embodiment has a different shape from the first engaging portion 35 of the above embodiment. The shape of the cross section of the first engaging portion 35A orthogonal to the second direction of the first engaging portion 35A is not an L-shape but a simple convex shape. The first engaged portion 42A engages with the first engaging portion 35A of the main body portion 4A housed in the groove 42Aa, and restricts the movement of the operating member 5A in the first direction and the second direction.

The locking arm 43A is provided on one of the pair of short side portions 5b in the divided body 7. The locking arm 43A projects outward from the end surface of the short side portion 5b in the second direction, and is formed in a cantilever shape along the second direction. A protrusion is provided at the end of the locking arm 43A in the second direction. The protrusion is formed so as to project from one of the pair of short side portions 5b in the first direction toward the other side. When the two split bodies 7 are combined, the locking arm 43A is inserted into the locking arm locking groove 47 of the other split body 7 along the second direction, and is inserted into the locking arm locking groove 47. It locks on the formed protrusions and regulates the separation of the two split bodies 7. The locking arm locking groove 47 is provided on the other of the two short side portions 5b of each divided body 7 (FIG. 9).

The method of assembling the connector 1A in the present embodiment will be described. It is assumed that the terminal WT with an electric wire is attached to the main body 4A by the method described in the first embodiment.

First, the operator assembles the operation member 5A to the main body 4A. Specifically, the operator arranges one of the two divided bodies 7 on the upper side in the second direction of the removal direction side end portion of the main body portion 4A, and the other is the second end portion of the main body portion 4A in the removal direction side. Place it on the lower side in two directions. At this time, the divided body 7 is arranged so that the opening in the U-shape faces the electric wire W side and the opening of the groove 42Aa faces the insertion direction.

Next, the operator combines the two divided bodies 7 so as to sandwich the bundle of electric wires W, and locks one locking arm 43A to the protrusion formed in the other locking arm locking groove 47. The two split bodies 7 are joined in the second direction. Then, the first engaging portion 35A engages with the groove 42Aa. Further, the locking arm 43A engages with the locking arm locking groove 47. As a result, the operating member 5A is in an engaged state in which it is engaged with the main body portion 4A. The operator ensures that the inner housing 3 is pressed against the outer housing 2 by simultaneously pressing the two locations at both ends of the operating member 5 in the first direction or the two locations at both ends in the second direction toward the insertion direction. Can be assembled.

As described above, in the connector 1A of the present embodiment, the operating member 5A is formed over the entire circumference along the outer periphery of the end portion on the side of the opening 32, and is divided into two when viewed from the removal direction. .. Thereby, for example, the force for pushing the operating member 5A is efficiently transmitted to the inner housing 3, and the inner housing 3 can be efficiently fitted to the outer housing 2. Further, even when the terminal WT with an electric wire is already assembled to the inner housing 3, the operation member 5A can be easily attached to the inner housing 3. Further, in the engaged state in which the operating member 5A is engaged with the main body 4A, the operating member 5A seen from the removal direction forms an annular shape, so that the rigidity can be further increased, and the U-shaped operating member can be used. By increasing the number of pressed points, the degree of freedom of the pressed points can be increased and the assembly workability can be improved.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, the connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. The connector 1B according to the third embodiment has a different shape of the operating member 5B from the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Further, the operation member 5B of the third embodiment is removed from the main body portion 4B after the inner housing 3 is fitted to the outer housing 2. In FIG. 10, the description of the wall portion 100, the outer housing 2 constituting the connector 1B, and the like is omitted.

The operating member 5B is formed by engaging with the opening 32 side end of the main body 4B and projecting from the opening 32 side end in an engaged state with the main body 4B in the extraction direction. It is a thing. The end on the opening 32 side of the main body 4B is also the end on the removal direction side of the terminal holding member 30. The operating member 5B is molded of an insulating synthetic resin. The operation member 5B is formed in a U shape when viewed from the removal direction in an engaged state in which it is engaged with the main body portion 4B. The operating member 5B may be made of a metal material.

The operating member 5B has a pair of short side portions 5b and a long side portion 5a connecting the pair of short side portions 5b in the second direction. The pair of short side portions 5b are portions formed so as to face the pair of short side portions 3b in the extraction direction in an engaged state in which the operating member 5B is engaged with the main body portion 4B. The long side portion 5a is a portion formed so as to face one of the pair of long side portions 3a in the insertion / extraction direction in an engaged state in which the operating member 5B is engaged with the main body portion 4B.

The operation member 5B has a grip portion 8 that protrudes in the removal direction and is formed so that the operator can grip it. The grip portion 8 is a portion that is sandwiched by an operator with a fingertip or the like when the operation member 5B is moved with respect to the main body portion 4B in the insertion / extraction direction, and is formed so as to project toward the extraction direction side from the frame-shaped portion 40B. ing. The grip portion 8 has, for example, a rectangular cross-sectional shape in a cross section orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction. The length of the grip portion 8 in the first direction is, for example, longer than the length in the second direction. The plate thickness of the grip portion 8 in the second direction is formed to be substantially the same as the width of the pressing surface 41B corresponding to the long side portion 5a in the second direction, for example. The operation member 5B has a frame-shaped portion 40B, a pressing surface 41B, a pair of first protrusions 81, a pair of engagement protrusions 83, and a second protrusion 82.

The frame-shaped portion 40B is formed so as to project outward from the outer peripheral edge of the opening 32 side end when the inner housing 3 is viewed from the removal direction, and is inserted in an engaged state in which the operating member 5B is engaged with the main body portion 4B. This is the part that is pressed in the direction. The frame-shaped portion 40B is formed along a portion formed along a long side portion 5a extending in the first direction and a short side portion 5b extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Has an orthogonal part.

The pressing surface 41B is a surface formed on the operating member 5B and pressed in the insertion direction in an engaged state in which the operating member 5B is engaged with the main body portion 4B. The pressing surface 41B is formed flat along the first direction and the second direction of the operating member 5B. The pressing surface 41B has a size and a size that can be pressed by an operator with fingers. The operation member 5B is configured such that the pressing surface 41B is located on the same surface as the back surface 100b of the wall portion 100 when the inner housing 3 is completely fitted to the outer housing 2.

The pair of first protrusions 81 and second protrusions 82 are formed so as to project from the insertion direction side end surface of the operating member 5B in the insertion direction. The first protrusion 81 is provided on each short side portion 5b. Each first protrusion 81 has a contact surface 81a and an engagement protrusion 83. The contact surface 81a is a portion that comes into contact with the opening 32 side end surface of the main body 4B in an engaged state in which the operating member 5B is engaged with the main body 4B. The engaging protrusion 83 is formed so as to project toward the insertion direction side of the operating member 5B, and is inserted into the engaging hole 4a of the main body 4B in an engaged state in which the operating member 5B is engaged with the main body 4B. Engagement holes 4a are provided at both ends in the first direction on the end surface on the opening 32 side of the main body 4B. The second protrusion 82 is provided on the long side portion 5a. The second protrusion 82 is formed on the long side portion 5a in the direction opposite to the grip portion 8 side. The second protrusion 82 has a contact surface 82a that abuts on the end surface of the main body 4B on the opening 32 side in an engaged state in which the operating member 5B is engaged with the main body 4B.

The method of assembling the connector 1B in the present embodiment will be described. It is assumed that the terminal WT with an electric wire is attached to the main body 4B by the method described in the first embodiment.

First, the operator assembles the operation member 5B to the main body 4B. Specifically, the operator arranges the operation member 5B on the upper side in the second direction of the removal direction side end portion of the main body portion 4B while sandwiching the grip portion 8 of the operation member 5B with a fingertip. At this time, in the operating member 5B, the opening in the U-shape faces the electric wire W side, and the first protrusion 81 and the second protrusion 82 on which the engaging protrusion 83 is formed face the insertion direction (or the grip portion). 8 is arranged so as to face the removal direction). Here, it is assumed that the electric wires W are in a bundled state.

Then, the operator moves the operation member 5B from the upper side in the second direction to the lower side in the second direction in the same direction, and moves the long side portion 5a to the main body portion 4B side while abutting the bundle of the electric wires W. .. Further, the operator moves the operating member 5B toward the main body 4B while gripping the grip portion 8, engages the engaging protrusion 83 with the engaging hole 4a, and opens the opening of the main body 4B. Assemble the operating member 5B so as to push the operation member 5B until the contact surface 81a of the first protrusion 81 and the contact surface 82a of the second protrusion 82 come into contact with the end surface on the 32 side. As a result, the operating member 5B is in an engaged state in which it is engaged with the main body portion 4B.

The operator grips the grip portion 8 and pulls it out in the removal direction in the fully fitted state in which the inner housing 3 composed of the operation member 5B and the main body portion 4B is completely fitted to the outer housing 2. Remove the operating member 5B from. As a result, the operating member 5B can be reused and can be reused as a jig.

As described above, in the connector 1B of the present embodiment, the operating member 5B has a grip portion 8 formed so that the operator can grip it, and is detachably engaged with the end portion on the opening 32 side. .. As a result, the operator can hold the grip portion 8 of the operating member 5B and remove the operating member 5B from the inner housing 3. As a result, the operating member 5B can be reused as a jig, and the cost increase of the entire connector 1B can be suppressed. Further, since the operation member 5B can be removed from the inner housing 3, the weight of the entire connector 1B can be reduced.

In the first and third embodiments, the operating members 5, 5B are assembled to the main body portions 4, 4B with the opening in the U-shape facing downward in the second direction, but the present invention is limited to this. It is not something that is done. For example, the operating members 5, 5B may be assembled to the main body portions 4, 4B with the opening in the U-shape facing upward in the second direction.

The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be combined and executed as appropriate.

1,1A, 1B Connector 2 Outer housing 3 Inner housing 4,4A, 4B Main body 5,5A, 5B Operation member 6 Locking mechanism 12 First locked part 22 Second locked part 30 Terminal holding member 32 Opening Part 33 1st locking part 34 2nd locking part 35, 35A 1st engaging part 36 2nd engaging part 40, 40A, 40B Frame-shaped part 41, 41A, 41B Pressing surface 42, 42A 1st engaged Part 42a, 42Aa Groove 43, 43A Locking arm 46 Second engaged part 47 Locking arm Locking groove 81 First protrusion 81a, 82a Contact surface 82 Second protrusion 83 Engaging protrusion 100 Wall

Claims (6)

An outer housing that is partially inserted into a through hole that penetrates from the front surface of the wall to the back surface and is fixed to the front surface.
An inner housing that is inserted into the outer housing from the back surface side of the wall portion through the through hole and fitted in the insertion direction, and an inner housing.
The inner housing is provided with a locking mechanism for restricting the movement of the inner housing to the outer housing in the removal direction opposite to the insertion direction when the inner housing is in a completely fitted state.
The inner housing is
A terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating and holding a terminal with an electric wire, and a main body portion having an opening for communicating the terminal accommodating chamber with the outside and inserting the terminal with an electric wire.
It has an operating member formed by engaging with the opening side end portion of the main body portion and projecting from the opening side end portion in the extraction direction in an engaged state engaged with the main body portion. death,
The operating member
It has a frame-shaped portion that is formed so as to project outward from the outer peripheral edge of the opening side end portion when viewed from the removal direction and is pressed in the insertion direction in the engaged state.
A connector that features that. The inner housing is
When the fitting state is the perfect fitting state, the opening side end surface of the main body portion is located inside the through hole.
The connector according to claim 1. The operating member
When the fitting state is the perfect fitting state, the end surface of the frame-shaped portion in the removal direction is configured to be located on the same surface as the back surface of the wall portion.
The connector according to claim 1 or 2. The inner housing is
When the opening side end is viewed from the removal direction, a pair of long side portions extending in the first direction orthogonal to the insertion direction, and a second direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and the first direction. With a pair of short sides extending to,
The operating member
In the engaged state, the pair of short side portions and the pair of short side portions formed facing the removal direction, and one of the pair of long side portions facing the removal direction are formed. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a pair of long side portions connecting the short side portions in the second direction. The operating member
It is formed over the entire circumference along the outer circumference of the opening side end portion, and is divided into two when viewed from the removal direction.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The operating member
It has a grip portion that protrudes in the removal direction and is formed so that an operator can grip it.
Detachably engaged with the opening side end,
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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