JP4544065B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

When wiring in an automobile, a split connector is used as a means for connecting the terminal portions of a plurality of wire harnesses routed along individual routes in one place and connecting the integrated terminal portions to the terminal portion of the electric wire on the power supply side. Is used. This split connector includes a frame-like casing in which a plurality of chambers are opened in both front and rear surfaces, and the sub-connectors at the ends of the wire harnesses are inserted into the housing space from the rear. In addition, as a division | segmentation connector, there exist some which are disclosed by the following patent document 1. FIG.
JP-A-10-241801

  Since each of the above-mentioned sub-connectors needs to be assembled in a state of being prevented from being detached from the casing, so-called lances (elastic locking pieces) are arranged in each housing space so as to be able to bend and elastically lock with each sub-connector. Often comes to do. Therefore, in order to allow the elastic deformation of the lance in the casing, a bending space having a predetermined height must be secured.

  However, such a lance is formed in a cantilever shape, and a release operation portion projects forward, particularly at the tip, so that when the lance swings around its fulcrum, it is the most from the fulcrum. The height of the bending space is determined based on the lower end portion of the release operation portion at a far position. Therefore, conventionally, it has been a restriction that a sufficient height must be ensured in the bending space, and it has been difficult to reduce the height of the casing.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to achieve a reduction in the height of a connector.

Invention 請 Motomeko 1 is a connector tubular housing space is composed of a casing provided multiple chambers, a plurality of sub-connectors to be accommodated in fitted into each of the accommodating space, the housing of the respective auxiliary connectors A lock projection protrudes from the outer surface of the outer wall of the casing, and two slits are cut in the outer surface of the wall partitioning the housing space in the casing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction of the sub-connector. Between these, an elastic receiving portion in the form of a doubly-supported beam is constructed so that it can be deflected inward and outward of the casing, the sub-connector is fitted into the accommodating space, and the locking projection is inserted into the elastic receiving portion. In the course of passing, the elastic receiving portion is bent and deformed in a direction away from the housing space, and when the sub-connector is fitted into the housing space to a normal depth, When the lock projection passes through the elastic receiving portion and the elastic receiving portion is elastically restored, the lock projection and the elastic receiving portion are elastically locked to prevent the sub-connector from coming off. In addition, a protective projection is erected on the outer surface of the casing and sandwiching the elastic receiving portion from the fitting direction of the sub-connector .

The invention of claim 2 is the one described in claim 1, together with the retainer mount hole communicating to the respective housing space is formed opening to the outer surface of the casing, the said casing later fitting detection retainer The rear fitting detection retainer is mounted, and a part of the retainer is inserted into the housing space through the retainer mounting hole. When the sub connector is fitted, the housing space is interfered with the sub connector. Assembled in a movable state between a push-in position that restricts the insertion into the storage space and a retreat position that allows the sub-connector to be inserted into the storage space by retreating from the storage space, and the back-fitting When the casing is fitted into the hood portion of the mating connector, the detection retainer contacts the inner surface of the hood portion and It is characterized in that held in the location.

<Invention of Claim 1>
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the sub- connector is fitted into the cylindrical housing space, the lock protrusion provided on the outer surface of the housing of the sub-connector bends the elastic receiving portion provided on the wall surface of the housing space. Deform. When the sub- connector is fitted to the accommodation space to a normal depth, the elastic receiving portion returns and elastically engages with the lock protrusion, so that the sub-connector is accommodated in a retaining state in the accommodation space. Is done.

By the way, since the elastic receiving portion is formed in a doubly-supported beam shape, the portion that engages with the locking projection is linearly displaced. Accordingly, in the case where the elastic receiving portion is formed in a cantilever shape extending in the fitting direction of the sub- connector as in the prior art, a jig operating portion for unlocking is particularly provided in the extending direction at the tip of the elastic receiving portion. In the case of projecting toward the end, the rocking radius drawn by the tip of the jig operation portion becomes larger when elastically bent, so that an extra height of the bending space must be secured. However, in the first aspect of the invention, since the elastic receiving portion is displaced linearly, the height of the bending space that must be ensured can be kept low, so that the casing is reduced in height, and thus the overall height of the connector is reduced. be able to.

Moreover, it can protect from the situation where an elastic receiving part contact | abuts a foreign material by a protection protrusion.

<Invention of Claim 2 >
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the casing is in a state before being fitted into the hood portion of the mating connector, the rear fitting detection retainer is positioned at the retracted position, thereby corresponding to each accommodation space. The sub-connector can be freely inserted. For this reason, fitting with the other party connector can be performed in a combined state in which all the sub-connectors are incorporated in the casing.

  However, for example, a specific sub-connector may be fitted into the casing after completion of the fitting between the casing and the mating connector. In that case, the back-fit detection retainer is held in the pushed-in position in contact with the inner surface of the hood portion of the mating connector. That is, since a part of the rear fitting detection retainer is in the state of entering the accommodation space, the inserted part interferes with the sub connector related to the rear fitting, and the fitting of the sub connector is prohibited. Therefore, in order to mate all the sub-connectors on the casing side with the mating connector, it is necessary to combine them before mating. It can be done.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the male connector 1 will be described. The male connector 1 is of a type that is mounted on a printed circuit board, and the male connector housing 2 is made of a synthetic resin and has a box shape that opens forward. And the fixing attachment part 3 protrudes in the both ends of the rear surface, and the whole male connector 1 is fixed by screwing with respect to a printed circuit board. A plurality of male terminal fittings 4 are mounted on the male connector housing 2, and one end side of each of the male connector housings 2 protrudes from the rear surface of the male connector housing 2 and is bent substantially downward and at a right angle on a printed circuit board (not shown). Soldered to the circuit. Each other end protrudes into the male connector housing 2 and can be connected to a corresponding female terminal fitting 5 on the female connector 9 side described later. Further, on the lower surface in the male connector housing 2, a base portion 6 formed one step higher than the periphery is formed at the central portion in the width direction so as to protrude rearward with a predetermined width. Furthermore, a pair of lower guide ribs 7 are formed to project from the base portion 6 at a position sandwiched from the width direction while maintaining a predetermined distance, and extend to the back wall of the male connector housing 2. On the other hand, on the ceiling surface of the male connector housing 2, a pair of upper guide ribs 8 project downward from the position corresponding to the above-described pedestal 6. A lock receiving edge 10 is formed between the upper guide ribs 8 and at the opening edge of the male connector housing 2 to lock the fitting state of the male and female connectors 9.

  Next, the female connector 9 will be described. The female connector 9 is directly assembled into the casing 11 formed of a synthetic resin material, the two sub-connectors 12 illustrated in the casing 11, and the casing 11. Or it is comprised from several female terminal metal fittings 5 accommodated in the casing 11 after accommodating in the subconnector 12. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the female terminal fitting 5 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate, and an insulation barrel 13 that is crimped to the wire coating and a wire barrel 14 that is crimped to the wire core wire are formed on the rear side. Is provided. Further, a terminal connection portion 15 that can be connected to the male terminal fitting 4 is formed on the front side. The terminal connection portion 15 is formed in a rectangular tube shape, and the male terminal fitting 4 is formed so as to be inserted inward. Further, a latching protrusion 17 that can be engaged with a lance provided in the cavity of the terminal accommodating portion 21 or the sub-connector 12 is formed on the upper surface so as to protrude in a substantially triangular pyramid shape. In this embodiment, two plates are folded on the upper surface of the terminal connection portion 15, but the overlapped plate is cut out over a predetermined range at the rear portion of the latching protrusion 17. By doing so, the lance can be locked more deeply with respect to the latching protrusion 17 and the allowance can be earned. Further, the rear surface of the terminal connecting portion 15 becomes a jaw portion and can be locked with retainers 18 and 19 described later.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a stabilizer, which cannot be passed through an escape groove (not shown) for the stabilizer 20 unless the female terminal fitting 5 is inserted in the correct direction. This serves to prevent reverse insertion of the female terminal fitting 5.

  The casing 11 as a whole is formed so as to be able to be fitted to the male connector housing 2 described above, and a central portion in the width direction is a terminal accommodating portion 21. The terminal accommodating portion 21 is formed with a plurality of cavities 22 penetrating along the front-rear direction, and the female terminal fitting 5 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 21 from behind. A flexible lance is formed in each cavity 22, and is elastically locked to each female terminal fitting 5 so as to be prevented from coming off.

  A lock arm 23 is formed along the front-rear direction at the center in the width direction of the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21 over the entire length of the casing 11. The lock arm 23 is formed in a cantilever shape with the front end side as a fulcrum, and is allowed to bend in the vertical direction. Further, a locking projection 24 is formed on the lock arm 23 near the rear end of the upper surface, and can be elastically locked to the lock receiving edge 10 when the casing 11 is properly fitted in the male connector housing 2. is there. The rear end portion of the lock arm 23 is an operation portion 25 for unlocking operation, and is formed one step higher. Further, in this embodiment, a protective rib 26 is disposed above the lock arm 23 so that the lock arm 23 is not pressed carelessly. The protective rib 26 is formed over the entire width at the rear end edge of the upper surface of the casing 11, and extends over the lock arm 23 while horizontally extending between the pair of sub-connector accommodating portions 27 arranged on both sides of the terminal accommodating portion 21. More specifically, the front of the operation unit 25 is traversed.

  Further, a pair of fitting recesses 28 into which the upper guide ribs 8 of the male connector housing 2 are fitted are formed on both sides of the lock arm 23 from the width direction along the lock arm 23 over the entire length. On the other hand, a base housing recess 21 </ b> A is formed at the center of the lower surface of the terminal housing 21 at a position corresponding to the base 6 of the male connector housing 2. In addition, a pair of guide grooves 29 are formed at positions sandwiching the base portion accommodating recess 21 from the width direction, and the lower guide rib 7 on the male connector housing 2 side can be received.

  Further, the rear side of the lower surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21 is widened so as to be flush with the pedestal accommodating recess 21, and a retainer insertion hole 30 having a slightly wider width is provided behind the pedestal accommodating recess 21. It is open. Therefore, when the male and female connectors 1 and 9 are fitted, the retainer insertion hole 30 is located in the middle of the passage of the base portion 6. The retainer insertion hole 30 communicates with all the cavities 22 in the terminal accommodating portion 21, and the center retainer 18 that can be respectively locked with the female terminal fitting 5 accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 21 is attached thereto. If the center retainer 18 is in a half-inserted state (for example, such a state is caused by interference between the center retainer 18 and the female terminal fitting 5 when the female terminal fitting 5 is half-inserted, or simply because the center retainer 18 is not fully pushed. When the male and female connectors 1 and 9 are fitted, the fitting is restricted by the interference between the base 6 and the center retainer 18, and the half-insertion state of the center retainer 18 is detected. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the center retainer 18 has a substrate 31, and a lower surface side in the drawing is a pushing operation surface 32. Further, it can be fitted into the terminal accommodating portion 21 through the retainer insertion hole 30 on the upper surface side, and a locking step portion 33 is formed corresponding to each cavity 22. In addition, a pair of locking legs 34 that are bifurcated and allowed to bend in the constriction direction are formed upright on both sides in the width direction of the substrate 31, and the center retainer 18 extends into the retainer insertion hole 30. When fitted, it is elastically locked to the casing 11 side at each of the temporary locking position and the final locking position described above. In the temporary locking position, the female terminal fitting 5 can be inserted into and removed from each cavity 22 of the terminal accommodating portion 21. However, in the full locking position, each locking step portion 33 is locked with the jaw portion of the female terminal fitting 5. , Hold them in a retaining state.

  Reference numeral 35 denotes a release notch for removing the center retainer 18, and the release of the center retainer 18 to the casing 11 side is forcibly released by hooking a sharp release jig on the notch. can do.

  Next, the two sub-connector accommodating portions 27 that are integrally disposed on both sides in the width direction of the terminal accommodating portion 21 will be described. However, these only differ in the size of the internal space, and the basic structure is the same. The sub-connector accommodating portion 27 is formed in a rectangular tube shape penetrating in the front-rear direction, and an accommodating space 36 for accommodating the corresponding sub-connector 12 is held inside.

  Both sub-connectors 12 housed from the rear side with respect to both housing spaces 36 differ only in the number of poles, and the basic structure is the same. 10 to 14 show the 10-pole type sub-connector 12 accommodated in the left-side sub-connector accommodating portion 27 in FIG. 1 (the one accommodated on the right side in FIG. 1 is an 8-pole type). The sub-connector 12 is provided with a total of 10 cavities 37, each having two upper and lower tiers, and five cavities 37 are arranged in each of the tiers. In each cavity 37, a lance 16 is disposed on the bottom surface near the front. The lance 16 extends along the front-rear direction, which is the insertion direction of the female terminal fitting 5, and the front-rear ends thereof are connected to the bottom surface of the cavity 37. Thereby, the lance 16 has a doubly-supported beam shape, can be flexibly deformed in the vertical direction, and can be elastically locked to the latching protrusion 17 of the female terminal fitting 5. Further, the sub-connector 12 is provided with a retainer receiving hole 38 for incorporating a side retainer 19 that double-locks the female terminal fitting 5 together with the lance 16. The retainer receiving hole 38 is provided at approximately the middle position in the front-rear direction of the sub-connector 12 so as to open in three directions, that is, the lower surface and both side surfaces in the width direction. Therefore, each cavity 37 is divided forward and backward by the retainer receiving hole 38. Will be. Further, the side opening of both sides of the sub-connector 12 in the width direction and the side opening of the retainer receiving hole 38 have a fitting recess 39 that is one step lower than the periphery thereof, and the side retainer 19 is mounted. The side retainer 19 and the side surface of the sub-connector 12 are substantially flush with each other. In the fitting recess 39, a temporary locking edge 40 and a main locking edge 41 are arranged in the height direction behind the retainer receiving hole 38, and each protrudes with a predetermined width in the front-rear direction. .

  The side retainer 19 includes a main body portion 42 and a pair of side plates 43 disposed on both sides thereof. The main body portion 42 is provided with a plurality of locking step portions 44 that are locked to the jaws of the female terminal fitting 5 housed in the sub-connector 12. On the other hand, a hook recess 45 is formed in a substantially square shape on the inner surface of both side plates 43 and near the upper end. The side retainer 19 is held at the two positions of the temporary locking position and the final locking position by selecting and locking the temporary locking edge 40 or the main locking edge 41 described above on the upper edge of the hooking recess 45. can do. The temporary locking position is a position where each locking step 44 is retracted to the outside of each cavity 37 of the sub-connector 12 so that the female terminal fitting 5 can be inserted into and removed from each cavity 37 of the sub-connector 12. 19 is the position of the main retainer 19 when the upper edge of the hooking recess 45 is unlocked from the temporary locking edge 40 and over the main locking edge 41 and locked there. In this case, each locking step 44 enters the cavity 37 and is locked to the jaw of the female terminal fitting 5 to prevent it from coming off. Even when the side retainer 19 is in either the temporary locking position or the main locking position, the side plates 43 are sandwiched from the front and rear by the step which becomes the outer edge of the hooking recess 45, so that the posture of the side retainer 19 is in the normal state. So that it is not tilted. However, even when the side retainer 19 is mounted, the hook recess 45 is exposed so that the rear portion of the temporary locking edge and the main locking edge is exposed, and thereby, the side edge of the side plate 43 of the side retainer 19 is exposed. It is possible to release the main locking state with respect to the side retainer 19 by exposing and applying a pointed releasing jig. Further, among the steps constituting the hook recess 45, the side plate 43 of the side retainer 19 has a portion facing both side edges in the front-rear direction, and a groove-like taper is set. It does not expand and deform.

  When the side retainer 19 is to be accommodated in the accommodating space 36 of the sub-connector accommodating portion 27 without reaching the final locking position, a structure for prohibiting this is set in the accommodating space 36 in the present embodiment. ing. That is, a pair of detection protrusions 46 project from the lower surface in the accommodation space 36 along the front-rear direction, and the side retainer 19 does not reach the final locking position and projects from the outer surface of the sub-connector 12. In some cases, the side retainer 19 abuts against the end face of the detection protrusion 46 on the entrance side, and further entry is restricted. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the end face on the entrance side of the detection protrusion 46 is set at a position retracted slightly inside the opening face on the rear side of the accommodation space 36. The reason why the end surface is not aligned with the opening edge is that if the sub-connector 12 enters the housing space 36 in an inclined posture, the side retainer 19 will not be detected even if the side retainer 19 has not reached the final locking position. While there is a possibility that a situation in which it is pushed onto the strip 46 and pushed forcibly as it is may be allowed, as in the present embodiment, the start end of the detection projection 46 may be set at a position slightly inward. For example, since the detection protrusion 46 and the side retainer 19 can be abutted with each other while the lower surface of the side retainer 19 is supported by the wall surface on the near side of the start end of the detection protrusion 46, the approach posture of the sub connector 12 can be achieved. This is because the detection ability can be enhanced.

  Further, in the housing space 36, a pair of concave grooves 48 for avoiding interference with the detection protrusions 47 (described below) of the sub-connector 12 are arranged on the outside of both detection protrusions 46 along the front-rear direction.

  A pair of detection protrusions 47 are formed upright on both sides in the width direction of the lower surface of the sub-connector 12 and in front of the retainer receiving hole 38. When the sub-connector 12 is to be inserted later after the male and female connectors 1 and 9 are fitted together, the detection protrusion 47 interferes with a later-fit post-fit detection retainer 49 mounted on the casing 11 to respond. It plays a role of making the fitting into the accommodation space 36 impossible. In addition, a lock protrusion 50 is integrally formed at the front end of the lower surface of the sub-connector 12 and at the center in the width direction. The lock projection 50 is elastically locked to the elastic receiving portion 51 on the casing 11 side so that the sub-connector 12 cannot be removed from the casing 11. Further, a push-up guide surface 52 having a downward slope is formed on the front edge of the upper surface of the lock projection 50 and plays a role of guiding the elastic receiving portion 51 to be deformed in the push-up direction in accordance with the accommodating operation of the sub-connector 12. Furthermore, the upper surface of the lock protrusion 50 is formed in an arc shape such that the central portion in the width direction is most raised. This corresponds to the deformation of the elastic receiving portion 51 in an arc shape when passing through the elastic receiving portion 51 to be locked, that is, a device for preventing interference with the elastic receiving portion 51 during passage. It is.

  On the other hand, a retainer mounting hole 53 is opened at a position substantially parallel to the retainer insertion hole 30 on the lower surface of the sub-connector housing portion 27 in the front-rear direction, and communicates with the housing space 36 inside. The retainer mounting hole 53 opens to a position where the entire main body 42 of the side retainer 19 is exposed when the sub-connector 12 is accommodated in the accommodating space 36 to the normal depth, and the retainer accommodates the sub-connector 12. It is set wider than the hole 38 in the front-rear direction.

  The retainer mounting hole 53 is fitted with a later-fit detection retainer 49 which will be described later, and plays a role in restricting the sub-connector 12 from being rear-fit with respect to the male connector 1. Further, a locking edge 54 that protrudes from the outer side surface in the width direction of the sub-connector housing portion 27 and locks with the side plate 49A of the rear-fit detection retainer 49 to prevent the side plate 49A from coming off. Further, the surface provided with the locking edge 54 is a mounting recess 55 that is lowered by one step from the peripheral surface. When the rear-fit detection retainer 49 is mounted, the side plate 49A of the rear-fit detection retainer 49 and the periphery It is designed to be flush with the other side. At this time, the both side plates 49A of the rear fitting detection retainer 49 are sandwiched from the front and rear by the steps constituting the mounting recess 55, so that the mounting posture of the rear fitting detection retainer 49 is not inclined. However, even when the rear fitting detection retainer 49 is mounted, the mounting recess 55 is partially exposed on the rear side as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, and the rear fitting is detected by providing the exposed portion. The side edge of the side plate 49A of the retainer 49 is exposed, so that the side edge of the side plate 49A can be operated from here with a pointed release jig to release the lock.

  Of the steps constituting the mounting recess 55, the side plate 49A of the rear fitting detection retainer 49 has a portion facing both side edges in the front-rear direction, and a groove-like taper is set, and the side plate 49A expands outward. The deformation is regulated.

  In addition, an elastic receiving portion 51 for locking the sub connector 12 to prevent the sub connector 12 from being detached is disposed at the front portion of the lower surface in both the sub connector housing portions 27. The elastic receiving portions 51 are arranged along the width direction of the corresponding sub-connector accommodating portions 27 (the direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the sub-connector 12), and two slits are cut on both the front and rear sides, so It is formed in a cut out form. Accordingly, the elastic receiving portion 51 is formed in a doubly supported beam shape in which both ends in the width direction are connected, and is allowed to bend in the vertical direction. Further, when the elastic receiving portion 51 is in a natural state, a part of the inner surface side enters the accommodating space 36, and when the sub connector 12 is fitted into the accommodating space 36, the elastic receiving portion 51 contacts the locking protrusion 50. They are in contact with each other. In this embodiment, the edge on the inner surface side of the elastic receiving portion 51 and the side facing the lock protrusion 50 is an inclined surface (push-up receiving surface 56) over a predetermined width range. In the process of sliding contact with the push-up guide surface 52 on the part 50 side, the elastic receiving portion 51 can be pushed up and deformed so as to be retracted from the accommodation space 36. When the lock projection 50 passes through the elastic receiving portion 51, the lock projection 50 is restored and is elastically locked to the lock projection 50.

  Further, a notch recess 57 is disposed at the center in the width direction at the lower end edge of the opening surface on the front side of the accommodating space 36 in both the sub-connector accommodating portions 27. The notch recess 57 exposes the front end surface of the elastic receiving portion 51 that is engaged with the lock projection 50 to the front, including the periphery thereof. By operating the tool, the elastic receiving portion 51 is bent and deformed in the unlocking direction, and the sub-connector 12 can be removed.

  Further, a protective projection 58 is formed on the lower surface of both the sub-connector accommodating portions 27 so as to project the entire elastic receiving portion 51 in a frame shape. The elastic receiving portion 51 is positioned so as to be retracted inward in the height direction from the upper surface of the protective projection 58, and thereby the elastic receiving portion 51 is in contact with a foreign object or the like and hardly receives external force.

  The rear fitting detection retainer 49 detects whether or not the side retainers 19 of both the sub-connectors 12 have reached the final locking position, and after the male and female connectors 1 and 9 are fitted to each other, the side retainer 19 is moved to the sub-connector housing portion 27. It detects when it is going to be assembled, and serves to ensure that both sub-connectors 12 are aligned and accommodated in the casing 11. As shown in FIG. 25, the rear fit detection retainer 49 is composed of a base plate portion 49B and a pair of side plates 49A bent at substantially right angles at both ends thereof.

  The board portion 49B is formed in a crank shape so that the entire upper surface of the center retainer is exposed when the rear fit detection retainer 49 is mounted. This is to release the lock of the center retainer 18 independently without releasing the rear fitting detection retainer 49 so that the female terminal fitting 5 in the terminal accommodating portion 21 can be removed. Further, both side portions of the board portion 49B correspond to the sub-connector accommodating portions 27, and the inner surface side corresponds to both the detection protrusions 47 of each sub-connector 12 to avoid interference with them. A pair of escape recesses 59 are provided.

  The both side plates 49A are formed so as to fit and fit into the mounting recesses 55 of the casing 11 when the rear-fit detection retainer 49 is mounted, and the engaging recess 60 is formed in the inner surface thereof. The both engaging recesses 60 are locked with the locking edge 54 on the casing 11 side at the upper edge in FIG. 22 so that the entire rear fit detection retainer 49 is prevented from coming off. The portion 49B has a slight gap between the lower surface of the casing 11 and, as shown in FIG. 18, a similar gap is also formed between the side plate 49A and the upper edge of the mounting recess 55 on the casing 11 side. It is set to be held. Further, as a result of the engagement edge 54 being able to be displaced in the engagement recess 60 in the vertical direction, the rear fit detection retainer 49 can be displaced to a position where the side plate 49A contacts the upper edge of the mounting recess 55 ( (See FIG. 23). In the following description, the position of the rear fit detection retainer 49 in FIG. 22 is referred to as a retracted position (position where the locking edge 54 contacts the upper edge of the mounting recess 55), and the position in FIG.

  Although the escape recess 59 is located on the entry path of the detection projection 47 when the sub-connector 12 is fitted when in the push-in position, the rear-fit detection retainer 49 can move up and down with respect to the casing 11 as described above. Therefore, even when the fitting operation of the sub-connector 12 is performed at the push-in position, the rear fitting retainer 49 is pushed to the retracted position so that the fitting of the sub-connector 12 is allowed. Further, when in the push-in position, the upper surface of the rear fit detection retainer 49 is set to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the casing 11, and its lower surface is in contact with the upper surface of the side retainer in the final locking position. Is possible.

  In the retracted position, the height of the lower surface of the substrate portion 49B of the rear fit detection retainer 49 is set so as to protrude from the lower surface front portion of the casing 11. Therefore, if the male and female connectors 1 and 9 are fitted while the rear fitting detection retainer 49 is in the retracted position, the rear fitting detection retainer 49 interferes with the opening edge of the male connector housing 2. Since the guide surface 61 inclined at a predetermined gradient is formed on the front edge of the fitting detection retainer 49, the guide surface 61 slides on the opening edge of the male connector housing 2 as the male and female connectors 1 and 9 are engaged. When contacted, the rear fit detection retainer 49 is automatically displaced to the pushed-in position. Therefore, after the male and female connectors are fitted, the rear fitting detection retainer 49 is pressed by the inner surface of the male connector housing 2 and held in the pushed position. Even if it is attempted to be accommodated in the connector accommodating portion 27, the detection protrusion 47 of the sub-connector 12 hits the rear end surface of the rear-fit detection retainer 49, and the rear-fit operation can be prohibited.

  Next, the function and effect of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the female terminal fitting 5 is accommodated in each cavity 22 of the terminal accommodating portion 21 in the casing 11. At that time, the center retainer 18 is fitted in the retainer insertion hole 30 in advance and held at the temporary locking position. When the insertion of the female terminal fitting 5 is completed, the center retainer 18 is inserted further deeply to move to the final locking position. Thereby, each latching step part 33 of the center retainer 18 is latched to the corresponding jaw part of the female terminal fitting 5, and each is in a retaining state.

  On the other hand, the female terminal fitting 5 is similarly inserted into the cavities 37 of both the sub-connectors 12. Prior to the insertion, the side connector 19 is held in the sub-connector 12 at the temporary locking position. The female terminal fittings 5 accommodated in the cavities 37 are brought into a primary locking state by the lance 16 being hooked on the latching protrusions 17. Thereafter, when the side retainer 19 is pushed in to reach the final locking position, the locking step portions 33 are respectively hooked on the corresponding jaw portions of the female terminal metal fitting 5 to be in the secondary locking state.

  Next, the fitting operation of the sub-connector 12 corresponding to the sub-connector accommodating portion 27 of the casing 11 is performed. At this time, the rear fitting detecting retainer 49 is already attached to the casing 11. As described above, the rear-fit detection retainer 49 is mounted in a state in which it can be moved up and down with respect to the casing 11 before the male and female connectors 1 and 9 are fitted. When the sub-connector 12 is accommodated in the orientation as described above, the sub-connector 12 is pushed into the accommodating space 36 while fitting both detection protrusions 47 to the concave grooves 48. Then, after the lock protrusion 50 comes into contact with the elastic receiving portion 51, when the sub-connector 12 is further pressed, the push-up guide surface 52 of the lock protrusion 50 slides on the rear end surface of the elastic receiving portion 51 and is elastic. The receiving portion 51 is pushed up to be bent and deformed in an arc shape. At this time, since the upper surface shape of the lock projection 50 is also formed in an arc shape, the lock projection 50 can smoothly pass through the elastic receiving portion 51. Then, since the elastic receiving portion 51 is restored and deformed after passing, the lock projection 50 is engaged with the elastic receiving portion 51, and thereby the subconnector 12 is housed in the subconnector housing portion 27 in a retaining state.

  By the way, since the elastic receiving part 51 is formed in a doubly-supported beam shape whose width direction is connected, when the lock protrusion 50 passes, the central part thereof is in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elastic receiving part 51. Displaces straight. Therefore, the height required to allow the elastic receiving portion 51 to bend in the accommodation space 36 only needs to be ensured by the protruding height of the lock protrusion 50. On the other hand, when the lock protrusion 50 is locked by a conventional cantilever-like lance structure, usually, such a lance has an overhang portion for release extending in the length direction of the lance. Therefore, when the lance is bent, the deflection locus of the protruding portion has the largest stroke, and the height that must be secured in the accommodation space 36 is much larger than the protruding dimension of the lock protrusion 50. It will be. Therefore, as compared with the conventional lance structure, the height of the accommodation space 36 can be kept low in the present embodiment, which leads to a reduction in the overall height of the female connector 9.

  Thus, when the assembly of the female connector 9 is completed, the male connector 1 is fitted. In this case, the upper and lower guide ribs 7 and 8 on the male connector housing 2 side are fitted into the fitting recess 28 or the guide groove 29 on the casing 11 side, and the fitting operation proceeds smoothly. When the male and female connectors 1 and 9 are in the normal fitting state, the locking projection 24 of the lock arm 23 passes through the lock receiving edge 10 of the male connector housing 2 and locks to the inner surface side. The male and female connectors 1 and 9 are locked in the fitted state, and at the same time, the male and female terminal fittings 4 and 5 are in a regular connection state.

  When it is necessary to remove the female terminal fitting 5 for maintenance or the like, if it is for the sub-connector 12, a pointed jig is thrust through the notch recess 57 formed at the opening edge of the front end of the accommodation space 36. If the elastic receiving portion 51 is bent and deformed in the unlocking direction, the sub-connector 12 can be extracted from the accommodation space 36 in this state. Then, after the extraction, the side retainer 19 is similarly lifted with a jig, and moved from the main locking position to the temporary locking position. Furthermore, the female terminal fitting 5 can be extracted by inserting a jig from the front of the cavity 37 and bending the lance 16.

  When the female terminal fitting 5 accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 21 of the casing 11 is extracted, the female terminal fitting 5 can be extracted in the same manner as described above by directly operating the center retainer 18 with a jig. That is, in this embodiment, the rear fitting detection retainer 49 is formed in a crank shape and the mounting configuration is such that the center retainer 18 is avoided, so that the rear fitting detection retainer 49 is not removed and is immediately installed in the terminal accommodating portion 21. The female terminal fitting 5 can be removed.

  By the way, in this embodiment, when the center retainer 18 and the both side retainers 19 are in the half-inserted state due to the case where the female terminal fitting 5 is not inserted to the normal depth, this is detected. Can be done.

  That is, when the center retainer 18 is in a half-inserted state, the center retainer 18 is in a state of being lifted from the casing 11, so that the base portion 6 of the male connector housing 2 is fitted when the male and female connectors 1 and 9 are fitted. And the half insertion of the center retainer 18 is detected. Further, when the side retainer 19 is half inserted into the sub connector 12, both detection protrusions 46 interfere with the side retainer 19 even if the corresponding sub connector 12 is inserted into the housing space 36 of the casing 11. Therefore, further insertion is prohibited. In this case, as described above, the two detection protrusions 46 are formed starting from the position retracted slightly from the opening edge of the accommodation space 36. Therefore, when the sub-connector 12 is to be accommodated in the accommodating space 36, the front end edge of the side retainer 19 can be reliably abutted against the start end of the detection protrusion 46 even if the sub-connector 12 is inclined. For this reason, it is possible to reliably prevent the sub-connector from being further fitted, and thus it is possible to detect half-insertion of the side retainer 19.

  Moreover, in the thing of 1st Embodiment, if both the subconnectors 12 are not integrated in the casing 11 at the time of the fitting to the male connector 1, they will be integrated in the casing 11 independently afterwards. I can't do it. That is, for example, when only the one-side sub-connector 12 is incorporated in the casing 11 and the male and female connectors 1 and 9 are fitted in this state, and then the other-side sub-connector 12 is to be fitted afterwards, It is prohibited as follows. When the casing 11 is fitted to the male connector 1, the rear fitting detection retainer 49 is pushed by the inner surface of the male connector housing 2, and is held in the pushed-in position in a state where movement to the retracted position is prohibited. Accordingly, when the rear fitting sub-connector is accommodated in the corresponding accommodating space 36 in this state, the rear fitting detection retainer 49 remains in the retracted position even if both detection protrusions 47 abut against the rear end surface of the rear fitting detection retainer 49. Therefore, the rear fitting sub-connector 12 is prohibited from entering by abutting against the detection protrusion 47 at the push-in position. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the three connector portions (the terminal accommodating portion 21 and the two sub-connectors 12) set on the female connector 9 side are not individually guaranteed to be fitted, but these are fitted together. Since this is a guarantee, the reliability can be increased as compared with the case of individual guarantee.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, in addition to the effect of guaranteeing the collective fitting described above, the structure in which the sub-connector 12 is prevented from being detached from the casing 11 is provided with the doubly-supported elastic receiving portion 51. There is also an advantage that the height can be reduced as compared with the conventional cantilever lance structure. Further, the post-fit detection retainer 49 for guaranteeing the collective fitting is formed in a crank shape that avoids the center retainer 18, and therefore, when the female terminal fitting 5 in the terminal accommodating portion 21 is extracted, the post-fit is retained. Since the center retainer 18 can be unlocked without removing the detection retainer 49, the maintenance workability is excellent.

<Reference example>
In the first embodiment described above, the technology for prohibiting the rear fitting by disposing the two sub-connectors 12 in the casing 11 at once is also disclosed. In a reference example described below, another technique for prohibiting the back fitting of the sub-connector 12 is shown.

  The male connector 62 of the reference example is also of a type that is mounted on a printed circuit board, and the male terminal fitting 4 is incorporated into the connector housing 63 having the hood portion 62A by press-fitting or insert molding. A plurality of guide grooves 66 for guiding the main body connector 64 and both sub-connectors 65 are formed in the hood portion 62A. In this reference example, two strips are provided in the width direction for the main body connector 64, and one strip is provided at both ends in the width direction for both sub-connectors 65. The guide grooves 66 are both arranged corresponding to the lower surface and the upper surface in the hood portion 62A, and are formed from the opening edge of the hood portion 62A to the back wall. Further, a pair of reinforcing walls 67 are formed along the guide grooves 66 at positions outside the two guide grooves 66 closer to the center of the guide grooves 66 in the hood portion 62A.

  The reinforcing wall 67 includes a main body wall 67A disposed in the back of the hood portion 62A and an extension wall 67B extending forward from the lower end of the main body wall 67A. The body wall 67A is continuous with the back wall of the hood portion 62A and is formed with a height from the bottom surface of the hood portion 62A to the ceiling surface, and the front end edge thereof is substantially equal to the position of the front end of the male terminal fitting 4. It is formed to be a position protruding slightly forward. As a result, the main body wall 67A can prevent a situation in which the male terminal fitting 4 is twisted and deformed when the male and female connectors 62 and 68 are fitted, in addition to the role of reinforcing the curved deformation of the hood portion 62A. Become. The extension wall 67B extends from the lower end portion of the main body wall 67A to the opening edge of the hood portion 62A. As will be described in detail later, when the main body connector 64 and both sub-connectors 65 are combined, a connecting portion between the two is provided. The male and female connectors 62 and 68 are guided to fit into the gaps formed in

  32 to 34 show the housing 69 of the main body connector 64. Since the basic structure is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings to omit the description. The difference is that connection structures for connecting to the sub-connector 65 are provided on both side surfaces of the housing 69 of the main body connector 64.

The connection structure will be described below. Guide protrusions 70 are formed over substantially the entire length at both ends of the upper surface of the main body connector housing 69 in the width direction. Further, a flange 71 extends horizontally outward from the rear ends of both side surfaces of the main body connector housing 69 so as to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the guide protrusion 70, and the outer side of the protective rib 26 of the lock arm 23. It is aligned with the end position. A lock claw 72 is formed to protrude below the flange 71 and at substantially the center height of the side surface of the main body connector housing 69, and an inclined surface 72A is formed on the lower surface thereof. Stopper walls 73 are arranged at positions that are one step lower than the flange 71 on both side surfaces. The stopper wall 73 extends horizontally along the front-rear direction and is formed with substantially the same protruding width as the flange 71. Below the stopper wall 73, first and second connection receiving portions 74 and 75 are provided. The first connection receiving portion 74 is disposed on the front side of the stopper wall 73, and is formed in a substantially V shape in a horizontal section by two projecting walls 74A (see FIG. 33). Both projecting walls 74A are connected to the stopper wall 73, are formed to have a height extending from the lower end of the main body connector housing 69 slightly upward while forming a divergent shape, and the outer end surface of the stopper wall 73 is formed. It is flush with the outer edge.

  The second connection receiving portion 75 is disposed near the boundary between the stopper wall 73 and the collar piece 71. The second connection receiving portion 75 extends straight downward from the stopper wall 73, extends over substantially the same height range as the first connection receiving portion 74, and has the same amount of outward protrusion. Further, the second connection receiving portion 75 has a narrow base at both side surfaces of the main body connector housing 69, but becomes wider as it goes outward. Specifically, of the side surfaces in the length direction of the second connection receiving portion 75, the side surface facing the protrusion wall 74A on the side close to the second connection receiving portion 75 has a slope opposite to that of the protrusion wall 74A. Although it is an inclined surface, the opposite side surface is an upright surface substantially perpendicular to the side surface of the main body connector housing 69.

  Next, the connection structure on the sub connector 12 side will be described. Both sub-connectors 12 have the same number of poles as in the first embodiment, but have the same basic structure and are symmetrically arranged in the width direction. The sub-connector 12 shown in FIGS. 35 to 37 is the one attached to the side surface on the back side of the main body connector housing 69 in FIG. On both side surfaces of the sub-connectors 12 on the side facing the main body connector housing 69, the connecting portions 76 and the hooking pieces 77 for the connecting receiving portions 74 and 75 are formed.

  The hook piece 77 is disposed at the rear end of the surface of the sub-connector on the side facing the main body connector housing 69. Further, the hook piece 77 is provided so as to be able to be bent inward from the lower end of the sub-connector, and the inside thereof is opened so that the outer shape is substantially U-shaped downward, and is formed at the upper end of the thinned portion. The lock claw 72 on the main body connector housing 69 side is locked, thereby making it possible to restrict the relative vertical movement of the sub connector and the main body connector housing 69. Further, a portion of the side surface of the sub-connector that faces the hook piece 77 is thinned (thinned portion 78) so as to secure a bending space of the hook piece 77.

  The hook piece 77 and the lock claw 72 are disposed at the rear end portion of the sub-connector 12 or the main body connector housing 69 and are in a position exposed to the outside even when the male and female connectors 62 and 68 are fitted. (Refer to FIG. 43) These locking states are visible from the outside, and when the sub connector 65 is in an incompletely connected state, it can be easily grasped by its appearance.

  The connecting portion 76 is disposed in front of the hook piece 77 and includes front and rear connecting rail pieces 79 and 80. The inner surfaces of the rail pieces 79 and 80 are adapted to fit the outer surfaces of the two projecting walls 74A of the first connection receiving portion 74, that is, the width interval between the two connection rail pieces 79 and 80 increases as the depth increases. As a form. Therefore, when connecting the main body connector housing 69 and the sub connector 65, the front and rear connecting rail pieces 79 and 80 and the first connection receiving portion 74 are adapted while the main body connector housing 69 is positioned higher and the sub connector 65 side is positioned lower. If both of them are slid, the connection 76 part and the first connection receiving part 74 are present, and the situation of separation in the width direction due to fitting can be regulated. Further, a deformation restricting piece 81 is formed between the front and rear connecting rail pieces 79 and 80 so as to protrude in parallel with both connecting rail pieces 79 and 80 and over substantially the same height range. This deformation restricting piece 81 restricts both projecting walls 74A from constricting inwardly and deforming by entering between the projecting walls 74A when the connecting portion 76 and the first connecting receiving portion 74 are fitted. Thus, the function of preventing the sub-connector 65 from coming off can be strengthened.

  The side surface of the rear side connecting rail piece 80 that faces the hooking piece 77 is formed to match the side surface of the second connection receiving portion 75. Therefore, the rear connection rail piece 80 is also fitted between the first connection receiving portion 74 and the second connection receiving portion 75. Thus, in a state where the sub-connector 65 is connected to the main body connector housing 69, as shown in FIG. 38, the insertion groove 82 with a predetermined interval is fitted between the male connector 62 and the flange 71 and the stopper wall 73 therebetween. It is formed by opening. When the male and female connectors 62 and 68 are fitted into the insertion groove 82, the main body wall 67A of the reinforcing wall 67 on the male connector 62 side is inserted.

  Next, the operation and effect of the reference example configured as described above will be described in detail. In fitting the male and female connectors 62 and 68, first, female terminal fittings are inserted into the cavities of the main body connector housing 69 and the sub-connectors 65. 5 and a retainer (not shown in detail, but the basic structure is the same as that of the center retainer 18 shown in the first embodiment), and the female terminal fitting 5 is doubled with a lance. Keep it locked.

  Next, the sub-connectors 65 are assembled to both side surfaces of the main body connector 64, respectively. In that case, the main connector 64 side is positioned higher and the sub connector 65 side is positioned relatively lower, and the first connection receiver on the main connector housing 69 side is located between the upper ends of the front and rear connection rail pieces on the sub connector 65 side. In a state where the lower end of the portion 74 is adapted and the rear side connecting rail piece 80 is fitted between the first and second connection receiving portions 74 and 75, the sliding portion 80 is slid in the direction in which they are brought closer to each other. Then, the first connection receiving portion 74 is fitted from the outside by the front and rear connection rail pieces 79, 80, and the rear connection rail piece 80 is fitted between the first and second connection receiving portions 74, 75. In addition, the hooking piece 77 rides on the inclined surface 72A of the lock claw 72 while being deformed inwardly, and after passing, returns to be engaged with the lock claw 72. As a result, the sub-connector 65 is restricted from being pulled downward from the main body connector 64 and is restricted upward by contact with the stopper wall 73 or the flange piece 71. Further, the separation of the sub connector 65 from the main body connector 64 outward in the width direction is restricted by the above-described fitting. At this time, since the deformation restricting piece 81 enters between the projecting walls 74A of the first connection receiving portion 74, the projecting walls 74A are prevented from being squeezed inwardly and deformed, and the fitted state is ensured. Can be maintained.

  If the other sub-connector 65 is also attached to the main body connector 64 as described above, a combined female connector 68 is obtained. If the male connector 62 is fitted in this combined state, the connectors 62 and 68 are locked in the fitted state by the lock arm 23. At the time of this fitting, since the main body wall 67A in the male connector 62 is introduced into the both insertion grooves 82, smooth fitting can be performed without causing a twist. Therefore, the male terminal fitting 4 is not deformed at the time of fitting. In addition, the main body wall 67A also prevents the center of the hood portion 62A of the male connector 62 from being bent and deformed downward.

  By the way, when the female connector 68 has been fitted to the male connector 62 with the main body connector alone without joining the sub-connector 65, when the work of fitting the sub-connector 65 later is to be performed, the rear fitting is performed. The front connecting rail piece 79 of the sub-connector 65 in this way interferes with the lock claw 72 of the main body connector 64, and further fitting is restricted.

  As described above, also in the reference example, the back fitting of the sub-connector 65 can be surely restricted, and the fitting is collectively guaranteed. Further, a reinforcing wall 67 for guiding the fitting of the male and female connectors 62 and 68 is provided on the male connector 62 side. In particular, the male connector can be reinforced by the main body wall 67A.

Perspective view of male connector Same front view Casing perspective view Similarly bottom view Similarly back view Side sectional view of sub connector housing VII-VII sectional view of FIG. Perspective view of female terminal fitting Perspective view of center retainer Perspective view of sub connector Same front view Same side view Similarly bottom view XIV-XIV cross-sectional view in FIG. Perspective view of side retainer Front sectional view showing the way the lock protrusion passes through the elastic receiving part Front sectional view showing a locked state after the lock protrusion has passed through the elastic receiving portion Side sectional view showing a state when the sub-connector is housed in the housing space Side sectional view showing a state when the sub-connector is housed in the housing space Side sectional view showing the state when the housing of the sub-connector is completed Front view of female connector Side view of female connector when rear fit detection retainer is in retracted position Side view of female connector when in the push-in position Bottom view of female connector Perspective view of rear fit detection retainer Same front view Side sectional view showing the mating state of male and female connectors Same cross section Front view of male connector according to reference example Cross sectional view Cross-sectional side view Perspective view of the connector housing Bottom view Side view Perspective view showing one side sub-connector Side view Bottom view Bottom view showing united state of main unit connector housing and sub-connector Plan view Side sectional view showing the connection structure Top view showing the mated state of male and female connectors Same sectional view Cross-sectional side view

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Male connector 9 ... Female connector 11 ... Casing 12 ... Sub-connector 27 ... Sub-connector accommodating part 36 ... Accommodating space 49 ... Back fitting detection retainer 50 ... Lock protrusion 51 ... Elastic receiving part

Claims (2)

A connector comprising a casing provided with a plurality of cylindrical accommodation spaces, and a plurality of sub-connectors that are accommodated in the respective accommodation spaces,
A lock protrusion is formed at the center in the width direction on the outer surface of the housing of each sub-connector, while the outer surface of the wall that partitions the housing space in the casing is substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction of the sub-connector. Two slits are cut into the two, and a doubly-supported elastic receiving portion is erected between the slits so that it can be bent inward and outward of the casing, and the sub-connector is fitted into the receiving space and the locking projection In the course of passing through the elastic receiving portion, the elastic receiving portion is bent and deformed in a direction away from the accommodating space, and when the sub-connector is fitted into the accommodating space to a normal depth, the lock protrusion is elastically deformed. When the elastic receiving portion elastically recovers after passing through the receiving portion, the lock protrusion and the elastic receiving portion are elastically locked, and the sub-connector Only it is adapted to stop is made,
In addition , the connector is characterized in that a protective projection is provided upright on the outer surface of the casing and sandwiching the elastic receiving portion from the fitting direction of the sub- connector. A retainer mounting hole communicating with each of the housing spaces is formed in the outer surface of the casing, and a rear-fit detection retainer is mounted on the casing. The rear-fit detection retainer is attached to the casing. A part is inserted into each of the housing spaces through the retainer mounting hole, and when the sub-connector is fitted, a push-in position for restricting the fitting into the housing space due to interference with the sub-connector, and a retreat from the housing space As a result, the sub-connector is assembled in a movable state with respect to the retracted position allowing the insertion of the sub-connector into the receiving space, and the rear-fit detection retainer is inserted into the hood portion of the mating connector. when the, U claim 1 Symbol mounting, characterized in that it is held in the pushed-in position in contact with the inner surface of the receptacle Kuta.

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