JP3642378B2

JP3642378B2 - Mating detection connector

Info

Publication number: JP3642378B2
Application number: JP17613997A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 治川瀬; 亮太郎石川; 悟西出
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 1997-07-01
Filing date: 1997-07-01
Publication date: 2005-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2017-07-01
Also published as: JPH1126088A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、コネクタハウジングが半嵌合状態に留め置かれたことを検知する機能を備えたコネクタに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、コネクタハウジングの半嵌合を検知するためにロック片の変位動作を利用することが考えられ、その一例として実開平１−１６５５８２号公報に記載のものが知られている。これは図２６に示すように、雌ハウジングａに、上面に突起ｂを設けた撓み変形可能なロック片ｃが設けられるとともに、雄ハウジングｄのフードｅに上記の突起ｂが嵌まるロック孔ｆが開口されていて、両ハウジングａ，ｄを嵌合すると、突起ｂがフードｅの内面側に潜り込んでロック片ｃが撓み変形しつつ押し込まれ、両ハウジングａ，ｄが正規に嵌合されると、ロック片ｃが復動して突起ｂがロック孔ｆに嵌まることでロックされる。そして、ロック片ｃの傾動端の下面側に挿入される検知部材ｇが備えられており、両ハウジングａ，ｄが正規に嵌合されていれば、ロック片ｃが元姿勢に復動して、その側面に形成された逃がし溝ｈが検知部材ｇに設けられた突条ｉの位置と整合しているので、突条ｉが逃がし溝ｈに進入しつつ検知部材ｇの押し込みが可能であり、一方、両ハウジングａ，ｄが半嵌合状態に留め置かれていると、ロック片ｃが傾動しているため逃がし溝ｈの位置がずれて、突条ｉがロック片ｃの操作部ｊに突き当たることで検知部材ｇの押し込みが規制され、これをもって半嵌合を検知するようになっている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで上記のような構造のものでは、検知部材ｇは検知操作が行われる前には、同図に示すように後退位置に仮係止されている必要がある。なぜなら予め前進位置に押し込まれていると、ロック片ｃの撓み変形が阻止されてハウジングａ，ｄ同士の嵌合自体ができないからである。従来では、検知部材ｇの後端を雌ハウジングａの後面から突出させた状態で仮係止していた。これは検知部材ｇの押し込み操作のしやすさを考慮してのものであり、例えば、検知部材ｇが雌ハウジングａの後面から出っ張らないように仮係止されていてそこから内部に押し込もうとすると、きわめてやり難い。
しかしながら、検知部材ｇの後端が突出した状態で仮係止されていると、搬送途中等に他の部材に当たりやすくて、検知部材ｇが雌ハウジングａから外れてしまったり、係止部分が損傷するおそれがあった。
本発明は上記のような課題を解決すべく完成されたものである。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１の発明は、互いに嵌合される一対のコネクタハウジングのいずれか一方には弾性的に傾動可能なロック片が設けられ、そのロック片は、両コネクタハウジングの嵌合に伴い相手のコネクタハウジングに設けられた係止部を通過することで傾動し、両コネクタハウジングが正規に嵌合されたところで復動して前記係止部に係止されることにより、両コネクタハウジングが正規の嵌合状態にロックされるとともに、前記ロック片を設けた側のコネクタハウジングには、このロック片の傾動端の傾動位置に押し込み可能な検知部材が設けられた嵌合検知コネクタにおいて、前記検知部材は前記押し込み方向に沿った前後方向の途中位置で屈曲可能に形成され、押し込み操作前にはこの検知部材の後部が前記コネクタハウジング側に折り畳まれるように屈曲され、押し込み操作時には真直姿勢に伸ばされる構成としたところに特徴を有する。
【０００５】
請求項２の発明は、請求項１の発明において、前記検知部材はヒンジを介して屈曲可能とされているところに特徴を有する。
請求項３の発明は、請求項１または請求項２の発明において、前記検知部材の後部を屈曲状態に係止する係止手段を備えているところに特徴を有する。
【０００６】
請求項４の発明は、請求項３の発明において、前記両コネクタハウジングの嵌合動作に伴い前記検知部材の後部の係止を解除する解除手段を備えているところに特徴を有する。
請求項５の発明は、請求項１、請求項２、請求項３または請求項４の発明において、前記検知部材を真直姿勢に保持する保持手段を備えているところに特徴を有する。
【０００７】
【発明の作用および効果】
＜請求項１の発明＞
嵌合検知を行うべく検知部材が押し込まれる前の状態では、検知部材の後部が屈曲されてコネクタハウジング側に折り畳まれている。検知部材を押し込む際には、後部を真直姿勢に伸ばしてコネクタハウジングから突出させる。
検知部材の押し込み操作のしやすさを確保したまま、押し込み操作前には検知部材が他の部材にぶつかることを極力防止することができる。
＜請求項２の発明＞
検知部材の後部側がヒンジを介して屈曲される。構造が簡単となる。
＜請求項３の発明＞
押し込み前において、検知部材の後部は係止手段により確実に屈曲状態に係止される。
【０００８】
＜請求項４の発明＞
両コネクタハウジングを嵌合することに伴い、検知部材の後部の係止が解除手段により自動的に解除される。引き続いて検知部材を伸ばして押し込む操作をスムーズに行うことができる。
＜請求項５の発明＞
検知部材の押し込み操作をより確実に行うことができる。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を添付図面に基づいて説明する。
＜第１実施形態＞
本発明の第１実施形態を図１ないし図１７によって説明する。
本実施形態のコネクタは、図１に示すように、互いに嵌合される雄側のコネクタハウジングＭ（以下、単に雄ハウジングという）と、雌側のコネクタハウジングＦ（以下、単に雌ハウジングという）とを備えている。
雄ハウジングＭは、エンジン補機等の合成樹脂製の機器から直に突出して形成されており、嵌合面となる前面が開放された有底の略角筒形に形成され、内部が嵌合凹部１となっており、その嵌合凹部１内に図示しない複数本（本実施形態では３本）の雄側端子金具が奥面から整列して突出されている。
【００１０】
一方の雌ハウジングＦは同じく合成樹脂材により形成され、雄ハウジングＭの嵌合凹部１内に嵌合可能なブロック状に形成されている。雌ハウジングＦ内には、複数（３個）のキャビティ３が雄ハウジングＭの雄側端子金具と対応して整列して形成されており、各キャビティ３内には、電線の端末に固着された図示しない雌側端子金具が後面側から挿入され、キャビティ３内に設けられたランス４で係止されて抜け止め状態で収容されるようになっている。
【００１１】
両ハウジングＭ，Ｆ間には、これらを正規に嵌合された状態にロックするロック機構が備えられている。そのため、雌ハウジングＦの上面における幅方向の中央部にはロック片５が設けられている。このロック片５は、前縁から少し後方に入った位置で立ち上がったのち後方に向けて延出された形状となっている。ロック片５の先端側は、図２に示すように間に溝６が切られて二股状に形成され、その溝６の基端部に上方に突出したロック突部７が形成されている。
【００１２】
ロック片５の左右両側には一対の側壁８が形成されている。両側壁８の後端側の上面には、ロック解除部９が設けられている。このロック解除部９は、各側壁８の上面の後縁から立ち上がって前方に向けて延出した一対の支持片１０を有し、その支持片１０の延出端の間に押圧部１１をわたした形状であって、上記したロック片５の先端から立ち上げられた左右の連結部１３が、ロック解除部９の押圧部１１の下面に連結されている。
【００１３】
一方、雄ハウジングＭの上面は、幅方向の中央部分が厚肉で一段高く形成されていて、この厚肉部１５の下面には、前縁から少し後方に入った位置から後面に開口するロック溝１６が形成されている。これにより雌ハウジングＦを雄ハウジングＭに向けて押し込むと、ロック片５のロック突部７が厚肉部１５の前面に当たったのち、ロック突部７がその下に潜り込んで、ロック解除部９をおじぎするように撓み変形させつつロック片５も下方に撓み変形して押し込まれる。そして正規に嵌合されたところで、ロック突部７がロック溝１６の前端部に対応するため、ロック片５が元姿勢に復元しつつロック突部７がロック溝１６の前端部に嵌まり込んでロックされるようになっている（図１４参照）。なお、ロック解除部９を押圧すればロックの解除が可能となる。
【００１４】
この実施形態では、両ハウジングＭ，Ｆが正規の嵌合状態にあるか否かを検知するための検知部材１７が設けられている。
この検知部材１７は、雌ハウジングＦの後面側からロック片５の下面に向けて前方に押し込み可能に装着される。検知部材１７は、合成樹脂材により図３に示すような形状に成形される。検知部材１７は、大まかに分けて、検知部１８と操作部１９とから構成されている。検知部１８は、偏平な基板２０の幅方向の中央部に前後方向の突条２１が突設され、突条２１の後端は基板２０の後縁より突出している。一方、操作部１９は、基部２３に押込部２４を直角に連設した厚肉のＬ字形に形成されている。操作部１９における基部２３の端縁には、検知部１８の突条２１の後方突出端を嵌めて逃がす逃がし溝２５が切られている。そして、基部２３の端縁における逃がし溝２５の左右両側の部分が、検知部１８の基板２０の後縁の左右両端部とそれぞれ薄肉のヒンジ２７を介して連結されている。したがって検知部材１７は、図３に示す成形状態（以下、真直姿勢という）から、操作部１９をヒンジ２７を中心として９０度屈曲させて、図４に示すように、全体として角Ｃ形（以下、屈曲姿勢という）に変形可能とされている。
【００１５】
雌ハウジングＦ側において、上記した一対の側壁８には、図５に示すように、その内面の下端に、検知部材１７における検知部１８の基板２０の両端が嵌まる前後方向のガイド溝２９が形成されている。また、両ガイド溝２９の間の位置の底面の後縁部には、図１にも示すように、後面側をテーパ面とした係止突部３０が形成されている。また、検知部１８の基板２０における突条２１を設けた部分の下面には、溝３１が形成されている。
【００１６】
検知部材１７は、図４に示すような屈曲姿勢とされた状態において、検知部１８の基板２０の両端をガイド溝２９に嵌め、溝３１を係止突部３０に沿わせつつ後方から挿入される。この検知部材１７の挿入は、図６に示すように、操作部１９の縦向きとなった基部２３がロック解除部９の押圧部１１の後面に突き当たることで停止される。また、検知部材１７の操作部１９における押込部２４の端縁には、図３にも示すように仮係止鈎３３が形成されており、この仮係止鈎３３がロック解除部９における押圧部１１の前面に係止されることで、操作部１９の戻り止めと、検知部材１７全体の後止めとがなされ、もって検知部材１７が後退位置に仮係止されるようになっている。
【００１７】
検知部材１７の仮係止鈎３３の角部にはテーパ面３４が形成されており、上記のように仮係止鈎３３がロック解除部９に係止された状態では、両ハウジングＭ，Ｆが嵌合された場合に、テーパ面３４が、雄ハウジングＭの厚肉部１５の前縁と当接可能に対応するようになっている。詳しくは後記するが、両ハウジングＭ，Ｆの嵌合途中で厚肉部１５の前縁がテーパ面３４を押圧することで、操作部１９を図１３の時計回り方向に回動させて仮係止鈎３３の係止を解除し得るようになっている。
【００１８】
上記のように検知部材１７の仮係止鈎３３の係止が外れたのちは、操作部１９をさらに同方向に回動して真直姿勢にもち来たすことが可能となっている。検知部材１７の操作部１９における基部２３の先端側の左右の側面には、図３に示すように突起３５が設けられる一方、側壁８の内面には、図８，９に示すように前後方向を向いたガイド突条３６が突設されていて、上記した操作部１９が真直姿勢に回動されることに伴い、図８に示すように、突起３５がガイド突条３６を乗り越えてその下面側に嵌まって操作部１９が戻り止めされ、すなわち真直姿勢に保持されるようになっている。
【００１９】
検知部材１７は、上記の真直姿勢から操作部１９の押込部２４を押圧することにより、ガイド溝２９に沿って前方への押し込みが可能であり、縦向きとなった押込部２４がロック解除部９の押圧部１１に当たることで押し込みが停止される（前進位置：図１６参照）。また、操作部１９における基部２３の外面（図１６では下面）には、雌ハウジングＦの上面に設けられた係止突部３０を嵌めて逃がす逃がし溝３７が、後縁から少し入った位置から前縁に開口して形成されていて、上記のように検知部材１７が前進位置に押し込まれたところで、係止突部３０が逃がし溝３７の後端部を乗り越えてその後方に到り、これにより検知部材１７の後止めがなされるようになっている。
【００２０】
本実施形態は上記のような構造であって、続いてその作動を説明する。
雌ハウジングＦには雌側端子金具が挿入されるとともに、図１０に示すように、検知部材１７が屈曲姿勢とされて、既述した要領によって後退位置に装着され、仮係止鈎３３がロック解除部９に引っ掛けられることで仮係止される。検知部材１７が屈曲姿勢で後退位置に装着された場合には、検知部材１７は雌ハウジングＦの後面から出っ張らない。
【００２１】
雌ハウジングＦは上記の状態で組付現場に搬入され、組み付け現場では、図１０の矢線に示すように、雌ハウジングＦが雄ハウジングＭに対して押し込まれる。
雌ハウジングＦが押し込まれると、まず図１１，１２に示すように、ロック片５のロック突部７が雄ハウジングＭの厚肉部１５の前面に当たる。さらに押し込まれると、図１３に示すように、ロック突部７がその厚肉部１５の下に潜り込んで、ロック解除部９をおじぎするように撓み変形させつつロック片５も下方に撓み変形して押し込まれる。それとともに、厚肉部１５の前面が検知部材１７の仮係止鈎３３のテーパ面３４に当たってこれを押圧し、操作部１９がヒンジ２７を中心として同図の時計回り方向に回動し、仮係止鈎３３の係止が外れる。
【００２２】
さらに雌ハウジングＦが押し込まれて、両ハウジングＭ，Ｆが正規に嵌合されると、ロック突部７が厚肉部１５の下面のロック溝１６の前端部に対応するため、図１４に示すように、ロック片５並びにロック解除部９が元姿勢に復元しつつ、ロック突部７がロック溝１６の前端部に嵌まり込んで係止される。
【００２３】
続いて、検知部材１７の操作部１９をヒンジ２７を中心にさらに時計回り方向に回動させ、同図に示すように真直姿勢に持ち来す。このとき既述したように、検知部材１７の突起３５がガイド突条３６を乗り越えてその下側に係止されることによって、検知部材１７が真直姿勢に保持され、操作部１９の押込部２４が縦向きとなって雌ハウジングＦの後面から突出した状態となる。次に、押込部２４を図１４の矢線に示すように押し込む。そうすると、ヒンジ２７を偏平に折り畳みつつ基部２３の逃がし溝２５の奥面が検知部１８の突条２１の後端に突き当たって、検知部材１７がガイド溝２９に沿って一体的に前方に押し込まれる。
【００２４】
上記のように両ハウジングＭ，Ｆが正規に嵌合されていれば、ロック片５が元姿勢に復元してその下面側が開放されているので、検知部材１７の検知部１８がロック片５の下面に進入する。図１５，１６に示すように、検知部材１７の操作部１９における縦向きとなった押込部２４がロック解除部９の押圧部１１に当たることで押し込みが停止され、それとともに雌ハウジングＦの上面の係止突部３０が逃がし溝３７の後端部を乗り越えてその後方に出るので、それにより後止めがなされて検知部材１７が前進位置に本係止される。
【００２５】
一方、両ハウジングＭ，Ｆが正規に嵌合されずに半嵌合状態に留め置かれていると、図１７に示すように、ロック片５のロック突部７が厚肉部１５の下に潜って下方に撓み変形した姿勢を取っている。この状態では、検知部材１７を同図の矢線に示すように押し込むと、検知部１８に設けられた突条２１の先端がロック突部７の前面に突き当たるため、その押し込みが規制される。これにより半嵌合が検知される。
【００２６】
引き続いてさらに検知部材１７を押し込むと、ロック片５が検知部材１７で押圧されることにより雌ハウジングＦ全体が押し込まれ、雌ハウジングＦが正規位置まで押し込まれたところで、ロック片５が復動しつつロック突部７がロック溝１６の前端部に嵌まることで両ハウジングＭ，Ｆがロックされる。検知部材１７の押し込みをさらに継続すると、既述のように検知部１８がロック片５の下面に進入しつつその前進が許容されて、図１５，１６のように検知部材１７が前進位置に本係止される。
【００２７】
以上説明したように本実施形態によれば、検知部材１７の押し込み操作を行う前には、検知部材１７の操作部１９が雌ハウジングＦ側に折り畳まれて後面から突出しない状態に保持され、一方、検知部材１７の押し込み操作を行う際には、操作部１９が伸ばされて雌ハウジングＦの後面から突出した状態とされる。したがって、検知部材１７の押し込み操作のしやすさを確保したまま、押し込み操作前には検知部材１７が他の部材にぶつかることを極力防止することができる。
【００２８】
検知部材１７は押し込み操作の待機位置である後端位置で仮係止されるから、雌ハウジングＦの後面側に突出することがより確実に防止される。しかもその仮係止は、両ハウジングＭ，Ｆを嵌合することに伴って自動的に解除されるから、引き続いて検知部材１７を伸ばして押し込む操作をスムーズに行うことができる。
【００２９】
＜第２実施形態＞
次に、本発明の第２実施形態を図１８ないし図２５によって説明する。
この第２実施形態では、検知部材を屈曲姿勢にして雌ハウジングＦに装着した場合に、その屈曲姿勢に仮係止する部分の構造に変更が加えられている。
そのため本第２実施形態の検知部材１７Ａでは、図１８に示すように、第１実施形態に例示した仮係止鈎３３に代わり、図１８に示すように、操作部１９の基部２３の両側面に、仮係止突部４０が突設されている。そして、検知部材１７Ａが屈曲姿勢で、図１９の矢線に示すように雌ハウジングＦに対して後面側から挿入された場合、図２０に示すように、操作部１９の基部２３がロック解除部９の押圧部１１に当たって前止めされたときに、上記の仮係止突部４０がロック解除部９の支持片１０の回曲部１０Ａ（図１９参照）付近を乗り越えてその内側に入り、これにより操作部１９の戻り並びに検知部材１７Ａの後止めがなされ、すなわち検知部材１７Ａが屈曲姿勢で後端位置に仮係止される。なお、検知部材１７Ａの操作部１９を図２０の時計回り方向に回動させれば、仮係止突部４０を支持片１０の内側から外側に乗り越えさせつつ、真直姿勢に伸ばすことが可能である。
その他の構造については、上記第１実施形態と同様であって、同一部位については同一符号を付すことで、重複した説明は省略する。
【００３０】
第２実施形態の作用は以下のようである。
まず、図２０に示すように、検知部材１７Ａが屈曲姿勢とされて後退位置に装着され、仮係止突部４０がロック解除部９の支持片１０の内側に嵌まることで仮係止される。検知部材１７Ａが屈曲姿勢で後退位置に装着された場合には、検知部材１７Ａは雌ハウジングＦの後面から出っ張らない。雌ハウジングＦは上記の状態で組付現場に搬入され、組み付け現場では、同図の矢線に示すように、雌ハウジングＦが雄ハウジングＭに対して押し込まれる。雌ハウジングＦが押し込まれると、図２１に示すように、ロック片５のロック突部７が雄ハウジングＭの厚肉部１５の前面に当たり、さらに押し込まれると、図２２に示すように、ロック突部７がその厚肉部１５の下に潜り込んで、ロック片５が下方に撓み変形しつつ押し込まれる。
【００３１】
さらに雌ハウジングＦが押し込まれて、両ハウジングＭ，Ｆが正規に嵌合されると、ロック片５のロック突部７がロック溝１６の前端部に対応して、図２３に示すように、ロック片５が元姿勢に復元しつつ、ロック突部７がロック溝１６の前端部に嵌まり込んでロックされる。
【００３２】
次に、検知部材１７Ａの操作部１９における押込部２４の先端に治具等をを引っ掛けてヒンジ２７を中心に時計回り方向に回動させると、仮係止突部４０が支持片１０を乗り越えつつ同図に示すように真直姿勢に持ち来される。このとき、検知部材１７Ａの突起３５がガイド突条３６を乗り越えてその下側に係止されることによって、検知部材１７Ａが真直姿勢に保持され、操作部１９の押込部２４が縦向きとなって雌ハウジングＦの後面から突出した状態となる。次に、押込部２４を図２３の矢線に示すように押し込むと、検知部材１７Ａがガイド溝２９に沿って一体的に前方に押し込まれる。
【００３３】
上記のように両ハウジングＭ，Ｆが正規に嵌合されていれば、ロック片５が元姿勢に復元してその下面側が開放されているので、検知部材１７Ａの検知部１８がロック片５の下面に進入し、図２４に示すように、検知部材１７Ａの縦向きの押込部２４がロック解除部９の押圧部１１に当たって前止めされ、また、雌ハウジングＦの上面の係止突部３０が逃がし溝３７の後端部を乗り越えてその後方に出て後止めされることによって、検知部材１７Ａが前進位置に本係止される。
【００３４】
一方、両ハウジングＭ，Ｆが正規に嵌合されずに半嵌合状態に留め置かれていると、図２５に示すように、ロック片５のロック突部７が下方に撓み変形した姿勢を取っている。この状態では、検知部材１７Ａを同図の矢線に示すように押し込むと、検知部１８の突条２１がロック片５のロック突部７の先端面に突き当たるため、その押し込みが規制される。これにより半嵌合が検知される。引き続いてさらに検知部材１７Ａを押し込むと、ロック片５を介して雌ハウジングＦ全体が押し込まれ、雌ハウジングＦが正規位置まで押し込まれたところで、ロック片５が復動しつつ両ハウジングＭ，Ｆがロックされる。検知部材１７Ａの押し込みをさらに継続すると、検知部１８がロック片５の下面に進入しつつその前進が許容されて、図２４のように検知部材１７Ａが前進位置に本係止される。
検知部材１７Ａの仮係止が自動的に解除されること以外は、前記第１実施形態と同様の効果を得ることができる。
【００３５】
＜他の実施形態＞
本発明は上記記述及び図面によって説明した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、例えば次のような実施形態も本発明の技術的範囲に含まれ、さらに、下記以外にも要旨を逸脱しない範囲内で種々変更して実施することができる。
（１）検知部材は、軸を介して屈曲姿勢と真直姿勢の間で回動させる構造としてもよい。
（２）本発明は、慣性ロックと通常のロック形式のもののいずれにも適用することができる。
（３）また、シーソー式のロック片を備えたものにも同様に適用することが可能である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態に係る分解状態の縦断面図
【図２】雌ハウジングの平面図
【図３】検知部材の斜視図
【図４】その屈曲姿勢にある場合の側面図
【図５】図６のＸ−Ｘ線断面図
【図６】検知部材を雌ハウジングに対して後退位置に組み付けた状態の縦断面図
【図７】検知部材を真直姿勢に回動した状態の縦断面図
【図８】検知部材を真直姿勢に係止する部分の構造を示す部分拡大断面図
【図９】検知部材を雌ハウジングに対して後退位置に組み付けた状態の背面図
【図１０】両ハウジングの嵌合前の状態の縦断面図
【図１１】嵌合前の状態における雌ハウジングの平面図
【図１２】両ハウジングの嵌合途中でロック突部が厚肉部に当たった状態の縦断面図
【図１３】両ハウジングの嵌合途中でロック片が傾動している状態の縦断面図
【図１４】検知部材の押し込みを開始する状態の縦断面図
【図１５】検知部材が前進位置に係止された状態の雌ハウジングの平面図
【図１６】両ハウジングが正規に嵌合されて検知部材が前進位置に係止された状態の縦断面図
【図１７】半嵌合を検知した状態の縦断面図
【図１８】本発明の第２実施形態に係る検知部材の斜視図
【図１９】検知部材の装着動作を説明する縦断面図
【図２０】両ハウジングの嵌合前の状態の縦断面図
【図２１】両ハウジングの嵌合途中でロック突部が厚肉部に当たった状態の縦断面図
【図２２】両ハウジングの嵌合途中でロック片が傾動している状態の縦断面図
【図２３】検知部材の押し込みを開始する状態の縦断面図
【図２４】両ハウジングが正規に嵌合されて検知部材が前進位置に係止された状態の縦断面図
【図２５】半嵌合を検知した状態の縦断面図
【図２６】従来例の一部切欠側面図
【符号の説明】
Ｍ…雄ハウジング
Ｆ…雌ハウジング
５…ロック片
７…ロック突部
９…ロック解除部
１０…支持片
１１…押圧部
１５…厚肉部
１６…ロック溝
１７…検知部材
１８…検知部
１９…操作部
２７…ヒンジ
２９…ガイド溝
３３…仮係止鈎
３４…テーパ面
３５…突起
３６…ガイド突条
１７Ａ…検知部材
４０…仮係止突部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector having a function of detecting that a connector housing is held in a half-fitted state.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in order to detect the half-fitting of the connector housing, it is conceivable to use a displacement operation of the lock piece. As an example, one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-165582 is known. As shown in FIG. 26, the female housing a is provided with a deformable lock piece c having a protrusion b on the upper surface, and the lock hole f in which the protrusion b is fitted in the hood e of the male housing d. When the two housings a and d are fitted, the protrusion b enters the inner surface of the hood e and the lock piece c is pushed in while being deformed, so that the two housings a and d are properly fitted. Then, the lock piece c is moved backward, and the protrusion b is fitted in the lock hole f to be locked. And if the detection member g inserted in the lower surface side of the tilting end of the lock piece c is provided and both the housings a and d are properly fitted, the lock piece c returns to the original posture. Since the escape groove h formed on the side surface is aligned with the position of the protrusion i provided on the detection member g, the detection member g can be pushed in while the protrusion i enters the escape groove h. On the other hand, if both the housings a and d are kept in the half-fitted state, the locking piece c is tilted, so that the position of the escape groove h is shifted, and the protrusion i is the operating portion j of the locking piece c. The pressing of the detection member g is restricted by abutting against this, and half-fitting is detected with this.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the thing of the above structures, before the detection operation is performed, as shown in the figure, the detection member g needs to be temporarily latched in the retracted position. This is because if it is pushed into the advance position in advance, the deformation of the lock piece c is prevented and the housings a and d cannot be fitted together. Conventionally, the detection member g is temporarily locked with the rear end protruding from the rear surface of the female housing a. This is in consideration of the ease of the pushing operation of the detection member g. For example, the detection member g is temporarily locked so as not to protrude from the rear surface of the female housing a, and is pushed into the inside from there. Then it is extremely difficult to do.
However, if it is temporarily locked with the rear end of the detection member g protruding, it may easily hit another member during transportation or the like, and the detection member g may be detached from the female housing a, or the locking portion may be damaged. There was a risk.
The present invention has been completed to solve the above-described problems.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, either one of the pair of connector housings fitted to each other is provided with an elastically tiltable lock piece, and the lock piece is a mating connector when the two connector housings are fitted. The connector housing is tilted by passing through the locking portion provided in the housing and moved backward when the two connector housings are properly fitted to be locked to the locking portion, so that the two connector housings are properly fitted. In the fitting detection connector in which the connector housing on the side provided with the lock piece is provided with a detection member that can be pushed into the tilt position of the tilt end of the lock piece. It is formed so that it can be bent at a midway position in the front-rear direction along the pushing direction, and the rear part of the detection member is folded to the connector housing side before pushing operation. It is bent so that, at the time of pressing operation characterized in was configured to be extended to the straight position.
[0005]
The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the detection member is bendable via a hinge.
The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that in the invention of claim 1 or claim 2, there is provided a locking means for locking the rear portion of the detection member in a bent state.
[0006]
The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that in the invention of claim 3, there is provided release means for releasing the locking of the rear part of the detection member in accordance with the fitting operation of the two connector housings.
The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4, it comprises a holding means for holding the detection member in a straight posture.
[0007]
Operation and effect of the invention
<Invention of Claim 1>
In a state before the detection member is pushed in to detect fitting, the rear portion of the detection member is bent and folded to the connector housing side. When the detection member is pushed in, the rear portion is extended in a straight posture and protruded from the connector housing.
It is possible to prevent the detection member from hitting another member as much as possible before the push-in operation while ensuring the ease of the push-in operation of the detection member.
<Invention of Claim 2>
The rear side of the detection member is bent through the hinge. The structure becomes simple.
<Invention of Claim 3>
Before the push-in, the rear part of the detection member is securely locked in the bent state by the locking means.
[0008]
<Invention of Claim 4>
When the two connector housings are fitted, the locking of the rear portion of the detection member is automatically released by the release means. Subsequently, the operation of extending and pushing the detection member can be performed smoothly.
<Invention of Claim 5>
The pushing operation of the detection member can be performed more reliably.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the connector according to the present embodiment includes a male connector housing M (hereinafter simply referred to as a male housing) and a female connector housing F (hereinafter simply referred to as a female housing) that are fitted to each other. It has.
The male housing M is formed so as to project directly from a synthetic resin device such as an engine auxiliary machine, and is formed into a bottomed substantially rectangular tube shape with the front surface serving as a fitting surface open, and the inside is fitted. A plurality of (three in the present embodiment) male terminal fittings (not shown) are aligned and protrude from the back surface in the fitting recess 1.
[0010]
One female housing F is also formed of a synthetic resin material, and is formed in a block shape that can be fitted into the fitting recess 1 of the male housing M. In the female housing F, a plurality of (three) cavities 3 are formed in alignment with the male terminal fittings of the male housing M, and are fixed to the ends of the electric wires in each cavity 3. A female terminal fitting (not shown) is inserted from the rear surface side, and is latched by a lance 4 provided in the cavity 3 so as to be housed in a retaining state.
[0011]
A locking mechanism is provided between the housings M and F to lock them in a properly fitted state. Therefore, a lock piece 5 is provided at the center in the width direction on the upper surface of the female housing F. This lock piece 5 has a shape extending up backward after standing up at a position slightly behind the front edge. As shown in FIG. 2, a groove 6 is cut between the two ends of the lock piece 5 to form a fork, and a lock protrusion 7 protruding upward is formed at the base end of the groove 6.
[0012]
A pair of side walls 8 are formed on the left and right sides of the lock piece 5. On the upper surface on the rear end side of the side walls 8, a lock release portion 9 is provided. The unlocking portion 9 has a pair of support pieces 10 that rise from the rear edge of the upper surface of each side wall 8 and extend forward, and the pressing portion 11 is interposed between the extension ends of the support pieces 10. The right and left connecting portions 13 that are raised from the tip of the lock piece 5 are connected to the lower surface of the pressing portion 11 of the lock releasing portion 9.
[0013]
On the other hand, the upper surface of the male housing M has a thick central portion in the width direction and is formed one step higher, and the lower surface of the thick wall portion 15 is a lock that opens to the rear surface from a position slightly behind the front edge. A groove 16 is formed. As a result, when the female housing F is pushed toward the male housing M, the lock projection 7 of the lock piece 5 hits the front surface of the thick portion 15, and then the lock projection 7 sinks underneath the lock projection 7. The lock piece 5 is also deformed and pushed downward while being bent and deformed so as to bow. When the lock projection 7 is properly fitted, the lock protrusion 7 corresponds to the front end portion of the lock groove 16, so that the lock protrusion 7 is fitted into the front end portion of the lock groove 16 while the lock piece 5 is restored to the original posture. (See FIG. 14). Note that if the lock release unit 9 is pressed, the lock can be released.
[0014]
In this embodiment, a detection member 17 is provided for detecting whether or not both housings M and F are in a properly fitted state.
The detection member 17 is mounted so as to be able to be pushed forward from the rear surface side of the female housing F toward the lower surface of the lock piece 5. The detection member 17 is formed into a shape as shown in FIG. 3 from a synthetic resin material. The detection member 17 is roughly divided into a detection unit 18 and an operation unit 19. In the detection unit 18, a protrusion 21 in the front-rear direction protrudes from the center of the flat substrate 20 in the width direction, and the rear end of the protrusion 21 protrudes from the rear edge of the substrate 20. On the other hand, the operation part 19 is formed in a thick L-shape in which the pushing part 24 is connected to the base part 23 at a right angle. An escape groove 25 is cut at the end edge of the base 23 of the operation unit 19 so that the rear protruding end of the protrusion 21 of the detection unit 18 is fitted and released. The left and right side portions of the relief groove 25 at the end edge of the base portion 23 are connected to the left and right end portions of the rear edge of the substrate 20 of the detection unit 18 via thin hinges 27, respectively. Accordingly, the detection member 17 is bent from the molded state shown in FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as a straight posture) by bending the operation unit 19 90 degrees around the hinge 27, and as shown in FIG. , Called a bending posture).
[0015]
On the female housing F side, the pair of side walls 8 are provided with guide grooves 29 in the front-rear direction in which both ends of the substrate 20 of the detection unit 18 in the detection member 17 are fitted at the lower ends of the inner surfaces thereof, as shown in FIG. Is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a locking projection 30 having a tapered rear surface is formed on the rear edge of the bottom surface at a position between the guide grooves 29. A groove 31 is formed on the lower surface of the portion of the substrate 20 of the detection unit 18 where the protrusions 21 are provided.
[0016]
In a state where the detection member 17 is in a bent posture as shown in FIG. 4, both ends of the substrate 20 of the detection unit 18 are fitted into the guide groove 29, and the detection member 17 is inserted from the rear side along the groove 31 along the locking protrusion 30. The As shown in FIG. 6, the insertion of the detection member 17 is stopped when the base portion 23 of the operation portion 19 which is oriented vertically hits the rear surface of the pressing portion 11 of the unlocking portion 9. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a temporary locking rod 33 is formed at the edge of the pushing portion 24 in the operation portion 19 of the detection member 17, and the temporary locking rod 33 is pressed by the unlocking portion 9. By being locked to the front surface of the portion 11, the detent of the operation portion 19 and the back stop of the entire detection member 17 are made, so that the detection member 17 is temporarily locked in the retracted position.
[0017]
Tapered surfaces 34 are formed at the corners of the temporary locking rod 33 of the detection member 17. When the temporary locking rod 33 is locked to the unlocking portion 9 as described above, both housings M, F When the is fitted, the tapered surface 34 corresponds to be able to contact the front edge of the thick portion 15 of the male housing M. As will be described in detail later, the front edge of the thick wall portion 15 presses the tapered surface 34 during the fitting of the housings M and F, thereby rotating the operation portion 19 in the clockwise direction in FIG. The locking of the toe 33 can be released.
[0018]
After the temporary locking rod 33 of the detection member 17 is unlocked as described above, the operation unit 19 can be further rotated in the same direction to return to a straight posture. As shown in FIG. 3, protrusions 35 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the distal end side of the base 23 in the operation portion 19 of the detection member 17, while the side walls 8 are provided on the inner surface of the side wall 8 in the front-rear direction as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, the protrusion 35 gets over the guide protrusion 36 and the lower surface thereof, as the guide protrusion 36 facing the protrusion is protruded and the operation portion 19 is rotated to the straight position. The operation portion 19 is detented by being fitted to the side, that is, is held in a straight posture.
[0019]
The detection member 17 can be pushed forward along the guide groove 29 by pressing the pushing portion 24 of the operation portion 19 from the above-mentioned straight posture, and the pushing portion 24 which is in the vertical direction is the unlocking portion. The pressing is stopped by hitting the 9 pressing portion 11 (advanced position: see FIG. 16). Further, an escape groove 37 that fits and releases the locking protrusion 30 provided on the upper surface of the female housing F is formed on the outer surface (the lower surface in FIG. 16) of the base portion 23 in the operation portion 19 from a position slightly inserted from the rear edge. When the detection member 17 is pushed into the forward position as described above, the locking protrusion 30 gets over the rear end of the escape groove 37 and reaches the rear thereof. Thus, the detection member 17 is stopped.
[0020]
The present embodiment has the structure as described above, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently.
The female terminal F is inserted into the female housing F, and as shown in FIG. 10, the detection member 17 is in a bent posture and is mounted in the retracted position as described above, and the temporary locking rod 33 is locked. It is temporarily locked by being hooked on the release portion 9. When the detection member 17 is mounted in the retracted position in a bent posture, the detection member 17 does not protrude from the rear surface of the female housing F.
[0021]
The female housing F is carried into the assembling site in the above-described state, and the female housing F is pushed into the male housing M as shown by the arrow in FIG.
When the female housing F is pushed in, first, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the lock projection 7 of the lock piece 5 contacts the front surface of the thick portion 15 of the male housing M. When pushed further, as shown in FIG. 13, the lock protrusion 7 sinks under the thick wall portion 15 to bend and deform so as to bow the lock release portion 9, and the lock piece 5 is also bent and deformed downward. And pushed. At the same time, the front surface of the thick wall portion 15 hits and presses against the tapered surface 34 of the temporary locking rod 33 of the detection member 17, and the operation portion 19 rotates about the hinge 27 in the clockwise direction of FIG. The locking bar 33 is unlocked.
[0022]
Further, when the female housing F is pushed in and both the housings M and F are properly fitted, the lock projection 7 corresponds to the front end of the lock groove 16 on the lower surface of the thick portion 15, and is shown in FIG. 14. As described above, while the lock piece 5 and the lock release portion 9 are restored to the original posture, the lock projection 7 is fitted into the front end portion of the lock groove 16 and locked.
[0023]
Subsequently, the operation portion 19 of the detection member 17 is further rotated clockwise about the hinge 27 and brought into a straight posture as shown in the figure. At this time, as described above, the protrusion 35 of the detection member 17 gets over the guide protrusion 36 and is locked to the lower side thereof, whereby the detection member 17 is held in a straight posture, and the pushing portion 24 of the operation unit 19 is held. Becomes a state of projecting from the rear surface of the female housing F. Next, the pushing part 24 is pushed in as shown by the arrow in FIG. Then, the back surface of the relief groove 25 of the base portion 23 abuts against the rear end of the protrusion 21 of the detection portion 18 while the hinge 27 is folded flat, and the detection member 17 is pushed forward integrally along the guide groove 29. .
[0024]
If the housings M and F are properly fitted as described above, the lock piece 5 is restored to the original posture and the lower surface side is opened, so that the detection portion 18 of the detection member 17 is connected to the lock piece 5. Enter the lower surface. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the pushing portion 24 in the operation portion 19 of the detection member 17 that is vertically oriented hits the pushing portion 11 of the unlocking portion 9 to stop pushing, and at the same time, on the upper surface of the female housing F Since the locking projection 30 gets over the rear end of the escape groove 37 and comes to the rear thereof, the back stop is thereby performed and the detection member 17 is fully locked in the forward position.
[0025]
On the other hand, when both the housings M and F are not properly fitted and are kept in a semi-fitted state, the lock protrusion 7 of the lock piece 5 is placed under the thick part 15 as shown in FIG. It takes a posture of being bent and bent downward. In this state, when the detection member 17 is pushed in as indicated by the arrow in the figure, the tip of the protrusion 21 provided on the detection unit 18 abuts against the front surface of the lock projection 7, so that the push-in is restricted. Thereby, half-fitting is detected.
[0026]
Subsequently, when the detection member 17 is further pushed in, the lock piece 5 is pushed by the detection member 17 so that the entire female housing F is pushed in. When the female housing F is pushed to the normal position, the lock piece 5 moves backward. On the other hand, the housings M and F are locked when the lock protrusion 7 is fitted into the front end of the lock groove 16. If the pushing of the detecting member 17 is further continued, the detecting portion 18 is allowed to advance while entering the lower surface of the lock piece 5 as described above, and the detecting member 17 is moved to the advanced position as shown in FIGS. Locked.
[0027]
As described above, according to this embodiment, before the detection member 17 is pushed in, the operation portion 19 of the detection member 17 is folded to the female housing F side and is not protruded from the rear surface. When the pushing operation of the detection member 17 is performed, the operation portion 19 is extended and protrudes from the rear surface of the female housing F. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the detection member 17 from colliding with another member as much as possible before the push-in operation while ensuring the ease of the push-in operation of the detection member 17.
[0028]
Since the detection member 17 is temporarily locked at the rear end position that is the standby position for the push-in operation, the detection member 17 is more reliably prevented from projecting to the rear surface side of the female housing F. Moreover, since the temporary locking is automatically released as the housings M and F are fitted, the operation of subsequently extending and pushing the detection member 17 can be performed smoothly.
[0029]
Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the second embodiment, when the detection member is bent and attached to the female housing F, the structure of the portion temporarily locked in the bent posture is changed.
Therefore, in the detection member 17A of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, instead of the temporary locking rod 33 illustrated in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, both side surfaces of the base 23 of the operation unit 19. In addition, a temporary locking projection 40 is provided. When the detection member 17A is in a bent posture and is inserted from the rear side with respect to the female housing F as shown by the arrow in FIG. 19, the base 23 of the operation unit 19 is unlocked as shown in FIG. 9 and the temporary locking projection 40 gets over the vicinity of the turning portion 10A (see FIG. 19) of the support piece 10 of the unlocking portion 9 and enters the inside thereof. As a result, the operating portion 19 is returned and the detection member 17A is stopped, that is, the detection member 17A is temporarily locked at the rear end position in a bent posture. In addition, if the operation part 19 of the detection member 17A is rotated in the clockwise direction of FIG. 20, it is possible to extend the temporary locking projection 40 from the inside to the outside of the support piece 10 and to extend in a straight posture. is there.
About another structure, it is the same as that of the said 1st Embodiment, Comprising: The duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol about the same site | part.
[0030]
The operation of the second embodiment is as follows.
First, as shown in FIG. 20, the detection member 17 </ b> A is bent and mounted in the retracted position, and the temporary locking protrusion 40 is temporarily locked by being fitted inside the support piece 10 of the unlocking portion 9. The When the detection member 17A is mounted in the retracted position in a bent posture, the detection member 17A does not protrude from the rear surface of the female housing F. The female housing F is carried into the assembly site in the above-described state, and the female housing F is pushed into the male housing M at the assembly site, as indicated by the arrow line in FIG. When the female housing F is pushed in, as shown in FIG. 21, the lock projection 7 of the lock piece 5 hits the front surface of the thick portion 15 of the male housing M, and when pushed further, as shown in FIG. The part 7 sinks under the thick part 15 and the lock piece 5 is pushed in while being bent and deformed downward.
[0031]
Further, when the female housing F is pushed in and both the housings M and F are properly fitted, the lock protrusion 7 of the lock piece 5 corresponds to the front end of the lock groove 16, as shown in FIG. While the lock piece 5 is restored to the original posture, the lock protrusion 7 is fitted into the front end of the lock groove 16 and locked.
[0032]
Next, when a jig or the like is hooked on the tip of the pushing portion 24 of the operation portion 19 of the detection member 17A and rotated clockwise about the hinge 27, the temporary locking projection 40 gets over the support piece 10. However, it is brought to a straight posture as shown in the figure. At this time, the projection 35 of the detection member 17A gets over the guide protrusion 36 and is locked to the lower side thereof, whereby the detection member 17A is held in a straight posture, and the pushing portion 24 of the operation unit 19 is in the vertical orientation. Thus, the female housing F protrudes from the rear surface. Next, when the pushing portion 24 is pushed in as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 23, the detection member 17 </ b> A is pushed forward integrally along the guide groove 29.
[0033]
If the two housings M and F are properly fitted as described above, the lock piece 5 is restored to its original posture and the lower surface side is opened. As shown in FIG. 24, the vertical pressing portion 24 of the detection member 17A hits the pressing portion 11 of the unlocking portion 9 to be stopped in advance, and the locking projection 30 on the upper surface of the female housing F The detection member 17A is finally locked at the forward movement position by overcoming the rear end portion of the escape groove 37 and exiting to the rear of the escape groove 37 and being stopped.
[0034]
On the other hand, when both the housings M and F are not properly fitted and are kept in a semi-fitted state, the lock projection 7 of the lock piece 5 is bent downward and deformed as shown in FIG. taking it. In this state, when the detection member 17A is pushed in as shown by the arrow in the figure, the protrusion 21 of the detection unit 18 abuts against the distal end surface of the lock projection 7 of the lock piece 5, so that the push-in is restricted. Thereby, half-fitting is detected. Subsequently, when the detection member 17A is further pushed in, the entire female housing F is pushed in via the lock piece 5, and when the female housing F is pushed to the normal position, the lock piece 5 moves backward and the two housings M, F move. Locked. When the pressing of the detection member 17A is further continued, the detection unit 18 is allowed to advance while entering the lower surface of the lock piece 5, and the detection member 17A is finally locked at the advance position as shown in FIG.
The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained except that the temporary locking of the detection member 17A is automatically released.
[0035]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) The detection member may be configured to rotate between a bending posture and a straight posture through an axis.
(2) The present invention can be applied to both an inertia lock and a normal lock type.
(3) Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a device provided with a seesaw type lock piece.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view in an exploded state according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a female housing. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a detection member. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the detection member assembled in a retracted position with respect to the female housing. FIG. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structure of a portion for locking the detection member in a straight posture. FIG. 9 is a rear view of the detection member assembled in a retracted position with respect to the female housing. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a female housing in a state before mating between both housings. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the locking projection hits a thick part during mating of both housings. Longitudinal section [Fig. 13] Longitudinal section with the locking piece tilted during the fitting of both housings FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the state in which the detection member starts to be pushed in. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the female housing in a state where the detection member is locked at the forward position. FIG. FIG. 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a state in which half-fitting is detected. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the detection member according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the mounting operation of the detection member. FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view of the two housings before fitting. FIG. Fig. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a state in which the locking piece is tilted during the fitting of both housings. Fig. 23 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a state in which the detection member starts to be pushed. Vertical with the housing properly fitted and the detection member locked in the forward position Rear view Figure 25 is a longitudinal sectional view of a state where the detected partial connection [26] partially cutaway side view of a conventional example [Description of symbols]
M ... male housing F ... female housing 5 ... lock piece 7 ... lock protrusion 9 ... lock release part 10 ... support piece 11 ... pressing part 15 ... thick part 16 ... lock groove 17 ... detection member 18 ... detection part 19 ... operation Portion 27 ... Hinge 29 ... Guide groove 33 ... Temporary locking rod 34 ... Tapered surface 35 ... Projection 36 ... Guide protrusion 17A ... Detection member 40 ... Temporary locking projection

Claims

Either one of the pair of connector housings fitted to each other is provided with an elastically tiltable lock piece, and the lock piece is a latch provided on the mating connector housing when the two connector housings are fitted. When the two connector housings are properly fitted, the two connector housings are locked in the proper fitting state by being moved backward and locked to the locking portion. In the connector detection connector provided with a detection member that can be pushed into the tilt position of the tilt end of the lock piece on the connector housing on the side where the lock piece is provided,
The detection member is formed so as to be able to be bent at a midway position in the front-rear direction along the push-in direction, and is bent so that the rear portion of the detection member is folded toward the connector housing before the push-in operation. A connector for detecting fitting, characterized in that the connector is extended.

The fitting detection connector according to claim 1, wherein the detection member is bendable via a hinge.

The fitting detection connector according to claim 1, further comprising a locking unit that locks a rear portion of the detection member in a bent state.

4. The fitting detection connector according to claim 3, further comprising release means for releasing the locking of the rear portion of the detection member in accordance with the fitting operation of the two connector housings.

5. The fitting detection connector according to claim 1, further comprising holding means for holding the detection member in a straight posture.