JP5928819B2 - Hybrid connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hybrid connector.

  As shown in Patent Document 1, conventionally, a hybrid connector in which a plurality of types of terminals having different uses such as a power source and a signal are attached to a resin housing is known. This type of hybrid connector is used in, for example, a load control system mounted on a vehicle.

  For example, the hybrid connector is electrically connected to each other by fitting with a mating connector mounted on a substrate. The hybrid connector is a so-called multipolar electrical connector. Moreover, as another multipolar type electrical connector, there exists a thing shown by patent document 2, for example.

JP 2001-326014 A JP 2011-187324 A

  In a multipolar electrical connector such as the hybrid connector, it is necessary to secure a certain distance (terminal pitch) between adjacent terminals for the purpose of ensuring insulation. For this reason, there is a limit to reducing the distance between the terminals, and as a result, an increase in the size of the entire hybrid connector cannot be avoided, which is a problem.

  The objective of this invention is providing the hybrid connector provided with the structure which can be reduced in size.

  Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid connector in which the optical cable is prevented from being unnecessarily pulled out of the housing.

  A hybrid connector according to the present invention is a hybrid connector that has a mating terminal and is fitted to a mating connector mounted on a substrate, the terminal provided on the end of an electric wire, and the mating connector A terminal accommodating portion that accommodates the terminal so as to be connected to the counterpart terminal, and a front end surface of the optical cable facing the optical element mounted on the substrate at the time of fitting. And a housing that is fitted with the mating connector, and the light accommodating portion is disposed on a rear end surface of the light accommodating portion. From the opening end of the light receiving portion to the other opening end disposed on the bottom surface on the tip end side of the light accommodating portion, and a hole penetrating the light accommodating portion in a bent shape at the tip end side, and the tip surface is the optical element Opposite to the optical cave A terminal for inserting the optical cable, including a hole through which the optical cable is inserted while relaying the insertion hole, the inner diameter of the hole being smaller than the diameter of the optical cable, and reducing the diameter of the optical cable It is equipped with a tightening part to be tightened.

  In the hybrid connector, the tightening portion may have a tapered shape whose inner diameter decreases from the rear toward the front, and may include a tapered surface that tightens the peripheral surface of the optical cable.

  In the hybrid connector, the tapered surface may include a plurality of concave grooves extending in the front-rear direction and spaced from each other in the circumferential direction.

  In the hybrid connector, the housing has a shape recessed upward from a bottom surface, and has a retainer mounting portion connected to the insertion hole together with the terminal accommodating portion, and is mounted on the retainer mounting portion, The retainer which has a terminal latching | locking part latched to the said terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating part may be provided, and the said clamp | tightening part may be provided in the said retainer.

  In the hybrid connector, the light receiving portion may be configured such that the bottom surface on the distal end side faces the optical element while maintaining a gap during the fitting.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the hybrid connector provided with the structure which can be reduced in size can be provided.

Block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle load control system Perspective view of optoelectric hybrid connector Front view of optoelectric hybrid connector Perspective view of the optoelectric hybrid connector viewed from the bottom side A perspective view of the retainer seen from the bottom side Rear view of optoelectric hybrid connector A-A 'line sectional view of FIG. Enlarged sectional view of FIG. Bottom view of the optoelectric hybrid connector as seen from the bottom side where the retainer in the temporarily locked state is mounted B-B 'line sectional view of FIG. Enlarged sectional view of FIG. C-C 'line sectional view of FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. Bottom view of the opto-electric hybrid connector as seen from the bottom side where the retainer in the locked state is mounted D-D 'line sectional view of FIG. FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view. E-E 'line sectional view of FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. Perspective view of optoelectric hybrid connector and mating connector before mating connection Perspective view of photoelectric hybrid connector and mating connector after mating connection Rear view of the optoelectric hybrid connector and the mating connector shown in FIG. Left side view of the optoelectric hybrid connector and the mating connector shown in FIG. 20 is a plan view of the optoelectric hybrid connector and the mating connector shown in FIG. F-F 'line sectional view of FIG. 24 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. G-G 'line sectional view of FIG.

<Embodiment 1>
(Vehicle load control system)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, an opto-electric hybrid connector 1 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a connector 1) used in a vehicle control load system (hereinafter referred to as a control system) 100 is illustrated. First, the control system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle load control system 100. The control system 100 is a system that controls electric power supplied to a load L mounted on the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 100 includes a junction box (hereinafter referred to as JB) 101 and a relay box (hereinafter referred to as RB) 102. The JB 101 and the RB 102 are connected to each other via an optical signal line (optical cable) 103. An optical connecting portion (optical connector) 104 is attached to one end (JB 101 side) of the optical signal line 103.

  The JB 101 mainly includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 101a, a switch 101b, and a light emitting unit 101c. The ECU 101a detects a signal from the manual switch 105 on the outside of the JB 101, and controls the on / off state of the switch 101b based on the detected signal. When an on signal is transmitted from the manual switch 105, the ECU 101a turns on the switch 101b based on the signal. When the switch 101b is turned on, DC power is supplied from the power source 106 to a light emitting unit (for example, LED: Light Emitting Diode) 101c, and the light emitting unit 101c is turned on. The light emitting unit 101c is disposed adjacent to the optical connection unit 104 described above, and outputs an optical signal to the optical connection unit 104 when the switch 101b is in an on state. Then, the optical connecting unit 104 receives the optical signal from the light emitting unit 101c, and then transmits it to the RB 102 side via the optical signal line 103 described above.

  The RB 102 mainly includes the photoelectric hybrid connector 1, a relay device (switching device) 102a, a circuit board 102b, a light receiving unit 102c, and a counterpart connector 102d. The photoelectric hybrid connector 1 is attached to the other end (RB102 side) of the optical signal line 103 described above. In addition to the optical signal line 103, a terminal (female terminal 4) at the end of an electric wire (power cable) 107 for supplying power to the load L is also attached to the connector 1. A power source 108 for supplying DC power to the load L is connected to the electric wire 107. The connector 1 is fitted and connected to a mating connector 102d that is surface-mounted on the circuit board 102b. The mating connector 102d is electrically connected to the load L by a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the circuit board 102b, an electric wire 109, or the like. A relay device 102a is provided between the mating connector 102d and the load L, and power is supplied from the power source 108 to the load L in accordance with the on / off operation of the relay device 102a. Timing is determined. That is, the relay device 102a functions as a switching element that controls the power supplied to the load L.

  On the circuit board 102b, in addition to the mating connector 102d, a light receiving portion (for example, a photodiode) 102c is surface-mounted. The light receiving unit 102c is arranged to face the end of the optical signal line 103 held by the connector 1, and when a light signal transmitted from the JB 101 side through the optical signal line 103 is detected, the light receiving unit (light (Including an optical element that converts a signal into an electric signal) 102c transmits an ON signal obtained by converting the optical signal into an electric signal to the relay device 102a. Then, the relay device 102a is activated to be turned on, and power supply from the power source 108 to the load L is started.

  On the other hand, when the manual switch 105 is in the off state, the ECU 101a does not detect the signal from the manual switch 105, so the switch 101b is controlled to be in the off state and the power supply to the light emitting unit 101c of the power source 106 is stopped. . Then, the optical signal from the light emitting unit 101c is also stopped, and the optical signal is not detected by the light receiving unit 102c. As a result, the relay device 102a is turned off, and power supply from the power source 108 to the load L is stopped. As described above, the control system 100 controls the power supplied to the load L. The ECU 101a, the switch 101b, the light emitting unit 101c, and the like built in the JB 101 constitute a circuit that controls the switching operation of the relay device 102a.

(Optoelectric hybrid connector 1)
Next, the photoelectric hybrid connector 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail. 2 is a perspective view of the photoelectric hybrid connector 1, FIG. 3 is a front view of the photoelectric hybrid connector, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the photoelectric hybrid connector 1 viewed from the bottom side. The connector 1 is fitted and connected to a mating connector 102d (see FIG. 1) mounted on the circuit board 102b. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the connector 1 includes a housing 2 and a retainer 3 attached to the housing 2. 5 is a perspective view of the retainer 3 as viewed from the bottom side, FIG. 6 is a rear view of the photoelectric hybrid connector, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. Although not shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the connector 1 further includes a female terminal 4 attached to the end of the electric wire 107.

  The connector 1 will be described with the left side in FIG. 2 and the back side in FIG. 3 as the rear, and the right side in FIG. 2 and the front side in FIG. 3 as the front. 3 is the right side of the connector 1 and the right side of FIG. First, the housing 2 provided in the connector 1 will be described.

  The housing 2 generally has a block-type external shape that extends forward such that the central portion protrudes from both end portions thereof, and is formed of a synthetic resin molded product having insulating properties. In the central portion of the housing 2, a light accommodating portion 21 for accommodating the terminal of the optical cable 103 is provided. And the terminal accommodating parts 22 and 22 for accommodating the female terminal 4 attached to the terminal of the electric wire 107 are provided in the right and left of this light accommodating part 21, respectively. Of the two terminal accommodating portions 22, 22, the one disposed on the left side of the light accommodating portion 21 is represented as a terminal accommodating portion 22A, and the one disposed on the right side is represented as a terminal accommodating portion 22B.

  The light accommodating portion 21 is a portion that accommodates a terminal of the optical cable 103 used as the optical signal line 103 (see FIG. 1). The light accommodating portion 21 has a shape extending substantially along the front-rear direction, and its front portion protrudes downward from its rear portion. The light accommodating portion 21 is provided with an insertion hole 21a into which the end of the optical cable 103 is inserted. The insertion hole 21 a is a hole penetrating the light accommodating portion 21, and one opening end 21 a 1 thereof is arranged on the rear end surface of the light accommodating portion 21, and the other opening end 21 a 2 is a bottom surface on the front side of the light accommodating portion 21. It is in the form that is arranged in. The rear portion of the insertion hole 21a has a shape extending substantially straight along the front-rear direction of the light receiving portion 21, but the front portion has a shape bent downward (see FIG. 7 etc.). When the end of the optical cable 103 is inserted into such an insertion hole 21a, the optical cable 103 is accommodated in the light accommodating portion 21 such that the front end surface is directed downward. The light accommodating portion 21 is provided with a plurality of (10 in the present embodiment) insertion holes 21a so as not to overlap each other.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each insertion hole 21 a is arranged in four stages in the vertical direction in the light accommodating portion 21. In each stage, two or three insertion holes 21a are arranged in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 4, when the light accommodating portion 21 is viewed from the bottom side, the opening ends 21 a 2 in front of the insertion holes 21 a are located on the bottom surface on the front side of the light accommodating portion 21. Are arranged in four stages in the front-rear direction of the bottom surface so as to face the arrangement. Since the interval between the optical cables 103 can be set narrower than in the case of the electric wire, the interval between the optical cables 103 accommodated in the light accommodating portion 21 is set narrow by the insertion hole 21a having such an arrangement, As a result, the housing 2 (connector 1) can be downsized (particularly in the left-right direction and the width direction).

  The terminal accommodating portion 22 is a portion that accommodates the female terminal 4 attached to the end of the electric wire 107 (see FIG. 1). Although the terminal accommodating portion 22 is shorter than the light accommodating portion 21, the terminal accommodating portion 22 has a shape extending along the front-rear direction, like the light accommodating portion 21. The terminal accommodating portion 22 is provided with an insertion chamber (cavity) 22a extending along the front-rear direction in which the female terminal 4 is inserted. The insertion chamber 22a has a shape such that the terminal accommodating portion 22 is dug in a concave shape from the rear end surface to the front. The inlet 22a1 at the rear end of the insertion chamber 22a is disposed on the rear end surface of the terminal accommodating portion 22 and has a quadrangular shape. On the other hand, at the front end of the insertion chamber 22a, there is a wall portion 22a2 against which the tip of the female terminal 4 inserted into the insertion chamber 22a abuts. The wall 22a2 is provided with an entry hole 22a3 through which the mating male terminal 205 enters the insertion chamber 22a. The position of the entry hole 22a3 in the wall portion 22a2 is such that the male terminal 205 can be connected to the female terminal 4 in the insertion chamber 22a when the mating male terminal enters the insertion chamber 22a from the entry hole 22a3. Is set.

  Four insertion chambers 22a are provided for each of the terminal accommodating portion 22A and the terminal accommodating portion 22B. That is, a total of eight insertion chambers 22 a are provided for one housing 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the four insertion chambers 22 a provided in the terminal accommodating portion 22 </ b> A are arranged in the vertical direction while being aligned in the horizontal direction. Similarly, the four insertion chambers 22a provided in the terminal accommodating portion 22B are arranged in the vertical direction while two in the horizontal direction. The four insertion chambers 22a on the terminal accommodating portion 22A side and the four insertion chambers 22a on the terminal accommodating portion 22B side are arranged in the housing 2 so as to sandwich the ten insertion holes 21a described above from the left and right. Has been. Of the four insertion chambers 22a in the terminal accommodating portion 22A, the two insertion chambers 22a arranged in parallel (that is, in the lower stage) on the lower side, and the lower side of the four insertion chambers 22a in the terminal accommodating portion 22B. The two insertion chambers 22a arranged in parallel (that is, in the lower stage) are arranged in a line with each other in the left-right direction of the housing 2. In addition, the two insertion chambers 22a arranged in parallel on the upper side (that is, the upper stage) in the terminal accommodating portion 22A and the two insertion chambers 22a arranged in parallel on the upper side (that is, the upper stage) in the terminal accommodating portion 22B are also housings. In the left-right direction of 2, they are arranged in a line with each other. In short, each insertion chamber 22a is divided into two stages in the vertical direction of the housing 2, and is arranged in a row along the left-right direction in each stage.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a recessed retainer mounting portion 23 to which the retainer 3 is mounted is provided on the bottom side behind the housing 2. The retainer mounting portion 23 has a generally concave shape from the bottom surface of the housing 2 to the top of the housing 2. Further, the retainer mounting portion 23 is provided along the left-right direction of the housing 2 from one terminal housing portion 22A to the other terminal housing portion 22B so as to cross the light housing portion 21. Of the retainer mounting portion 23, a portion 23a provided in the light accommodating portion 21 is provided in a shape extending in the vertical direction while intersecting with the insertion hole 21a. That is, the portion 23a is provided in the middle of the insertion hole 21a extending in the front-rear direction, and is connected to the insertion hole 21a (see FIG. 7). Moreover, the part 23b provided in terminal accommodating part 22A, 22B among the retainer mounting parts 23 is also provided in the form extended in the up-down direction, intersecting with the insertion chamber 22a. That is, the portion 23b is provided in the middle of the insertion chamber 22a extending in the front-rear direction, and is connected to the insertion chamber 22a.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the housing 2 includes a guide groove 24 and a lock portion 25 that are used when the connector 1 is fitted and connected to the mating connector 102d. The guide groove 24 is used to guide the connector 1 to the back side of the cylindrical housing when the guide groove 24 is inserted into the cylindrical housing (the counterpart housing 200) provided in the counterpart connector 102d. The guide groove 24 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 2 and has a concave shape extending along the front-rear direction of the housing 2. In the case of this embodiment, two guide grooves 24 are provided on the upper surface of the housing 2. Of the two guide grooves 24, one guide groove 24 is assigned to the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 22A, and the other guide groove 24 is assigned to the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 22B. That is, the two guide grooves 24 are provided along the front-rear direction at both end portions of the upper surface of the housing 2.

  The lock portion 25 is used to fix the housing 2 of the connector 1 in a detachable state with respect to the cylindrical housing (the counterpart housing 200) included in the counterpart connector 102d. The lock portion 25 is provided in a shape along the front-rear direction so as to be sandwiched between the guide grooves 24 on the upper surface of the housing 2. That is, the lock portion 25 is assigned to the upper surface of the light accommodating portion 21 among the upper surface of the housing 2. The lock part 25 has a longitudinal spring part 25a provided with one end arranged in the front being fixed to the upper surface of the light accommodating part 21 and the other end arranged in the rear being elastically deformable downward, Protruding portions 25b that are provided on the upper surface of the spring portion 25a and engage with the cylindrical housing provided in the mating connector 102d.

  Next, the retainer 3 will be described. The retainer 3 generally has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction along the left-right direction of the housing 2, and, like the housing 2, is formed of a synthetic resin molded product having insulation properties. In the central portion of the retainer 3, there is provided a light retaining portion 31 that is inserted into a portion 23 a of the retainer mounting portion 23 that is provided in the light accommodating portion 21 and prevents the terminal of the optical cable 103 from being detached. Further, at both ends of the light retaining portion 31, a female inserted into the insertion chamber 22a by being inserted into the portions 23b, 23b of the retainer mounting portion 23 provided in the terminal accommodating portion 22 (22A, 22B). A terminal retaining portion 32 for retaining the mold terminal 4 is provided. In addition, the part inserted in the retainer mounting part 23 (23b) provided in the terminal accommodating part 22A in the terminal retaining part 32 is referred to as a terminal retaining part 32A, and the retainer provided in the terminal accommodating part 22B. A portion inserted into the mounting portion 23 (23b) is represented as a terminal retaining portion 32B.

  When the retainer 3 is mounted on the retainer mounting portion 23, the retainer 3 is inserted so as to go upward from the bottom side of the housing 2. Then, the retainer 3 is first locked to the retainer mounting portion 23 in a state in which a part of the retainer 3 protrudes outside the bottom surface of the housing 2, and is in a so-called temporary locking state. FIG. 4 shows the retainer 3 in a temporarily locked state. When the retainer 3 in the temporarily locked state is further inserted into the retainer mounting portion 23, the retainer 3 is locked in a state of being housed in the retainer mounting portion 23, and is in a so-called main locked state.

  At the side end in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the retainer 3, there is provided a locking claw 33 for maintaining the retainer 3 in a temporarily locked state and a fully locked state with respect to the retainer mounting portion 23. . The locking claw 33 generally extends in the vertical direction at the side end of the retainer 3 and is bent so that the protruding tip is directed forward or backward. Note that the locking claw 33 is elastically deformed when its distal end is pushed by the inner wall of the retainer mounting portion 23, and can be restored to its original shape when the external force is released. A pair of locking claws 33a and 33b are provided at the side end of the retainer 3 so that the directions of the tips are opposite to each other (outward from each other). Of the pair of locking claws 33, the one whose tip is directed toward the front of the housing 2 is represented as a locking claw 33a, and the one whose tip is directed toward the rear of the housing 2 is denoted as a locking claw 33b (see FIG. 5 and the like). Such a pair of locking claws 33 a and 33 b are provided at both end portions of the retainer 3.

  The inner wall surface of the retainer mounting portion 23 provided in the housing 2 has a temporary locking projection (not shown) for locking the locking claw 33 so that the retainer 3 is held in a temporarily locked state. Further, a main locking projection (not shown) for locking the locking claw 33 is provided so that the retainer 3 is held in the main locking state. On the inner wall surface of the retainer mounting portion 23, the temporary locking protrusion is provided on the near side (bottom surface side) of the main locking protrusion. When the retainer 3 is inserted into the retainer mounting portion 23, the locking claw 33 is pushed by the inner wall surface of the retainer mounting portion 23 and is elastically deformed and proceeds to the back side of the retainer mounting portion 23. Then, the locking claw 33 first reaches the temporary locking protrusion, and further moves so as to get over the temporary locking protrusion. The locking claw 33 is sandwiched between the temporary locking projection and the final locking projection and is locked to the temporary locking projection or the like, so that the retainer 3 is attached to the retainer mounting portion 23. Are held in a temporarily locked state. Further, when the retainer 3 in the temporarily locked state is inserted into the rear side of the retainer mounting portion 23, the locking claw 33 moves so as to get over the main locking projection while being elastically deformed, and then returns elastically. The retainer 3 is sandwiched between the main locking protrusion and the inner wall surface (ceiling surface) on the upper side (back side) of the retainer mounting portion 23 and locked to the main locking protrusion or the like. Is held in a fully locked state with respect to the retainer mounting portion 23.

  The light retaining portion 31 includes a hole penetrating in the front-rear direction, and the end of the optical cable 103 is inserted into the hole from the rear toward the front in a state where the retainer 3 is mounted on the retainer mounting portion 23 in the fully locked state. The insertion part (an example of a fastening part) 31a to be provided is provided. The insertion portion 31a is arranged so as to relay the insertion hole 21a when the retainer 3 is mounted on the retainer mounting portion 23 in the fully locked state. The insertion hole 21a and the insertion portion 31a of the light retaining portion 31 are connected to each other while maintaining a space through which the end of the optical cable 103 is inserted. 7 and 8 show a state in which the retainer 3 is mounted on the retainer mounting portion 23 in a fully locked state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the inner diameter of the other opening end 31a2 arranged at the front end is set smaller than the one opening end 31a1 arranged at the rear end of the insertion portion 31a. And the taper-shaped taper surface 31b in which an internal diameter becomes small gradually from the back to the front is provided inside the insertion part 31a. The tapered surface 31b is provided with a plurality of concave groove portions 31c that extend in the front-rear direction and are spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. And in the circumferential direction of the insertion part 31a, the protruding item | line part 31d extended in the front-back direction is distribute | arranged between the adjacent groove parts 31c. In addition, the taper surface 31b is formed by the surface of the protruding item | line part 31d. The inner diameter of the opening end 31 a 1 disposed at the rear end of the insertion part 31 a is set to be substantially the same as or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 21 a provided in the light accommodating part 21. On the other hand, the inner diameter of the opening end 31a2 disposed at the front end of the insertion portion 31a is set smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 21a. The opening end 31 a 2 disposed at the front end is set smaller than the diameter of the optical cable 103. The inner diameter of the opening end 31a2 and the inner diameter of the tapered surface 31b are set to a size that allows the optical cable 103 to pass through in a contracted state (a state in which the peripheral surface of the optical cable 103 is elastically deformed and contracted). Yes.

  A plurality of insertion portions 31 a (10 in the case of the present embodiment) are provided in the light retaining portion 31, and one insertion portion 31 a is assigned to each insertion hole 21 a provided in the light accommodation portion 21. It has been. As shown in FIG. 5, the ten insertion portions 31a are arranged in four stages in the vertical direction, like the insertion hole 21a. Like each insertion hole 21a, each stage has two or three insertion portions 31a arranged in the left-right direction.

  The terminal retaining portion 32 locks the female terminal 4 (specifically, the rear end of the connecting portion 41) inserted in the insertion chamber 22a to prevent the female terminal 4 from moving backward. A terminal locking portion 32a is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal locking portion 32a has a shape protruding upward (lower side in FIG. 5). A plurality (eight in the case of this embodiment) of terminal locking portions 32 a are provided in the terminal retaining portion 32, and one is allocated to each of the insertion chambers 22 a provided in the terminal accommodating portion 22. It has become a form. Therefore, the terminal retaining portion 32 is provided with a terminal retaining portion 32a having different installation heights (height from the bottom side of the retainer 3) so as to be divided into two upper and lower stages (two rows). . In other words, the terminal locking portion 32a is assigned to the lower (lower side) insertion chamber 22a among the insertion chambers 22a arranged in two upper and lower stages (two rows) in the terminal accommodating portion 22. And the upper (upper side) insertion chamber 22a. The terminal retaining portion 32A is provided with two terminal retaining portions 32a divided into upper and lower portions. Similarly, the terminal retaining portion 32B is also provided with two terminal locking portions 32a divided into upper and lower portions.

  In the terminal retaining portion 32, an insertion hole 32b through which the female terminal 4 is inserted is provided between the terminal locking portion 32a assigned to the lower side and the terminal locking portion 32a assigned to the upper side. ing. The insertion hole 32b is for inserting the female terminal 4 inserted into the lower insertion chamber 22a among the insertion chambers 22a provided in the terminal housing portion 22 in two upper and lower stages.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 9 to 18, the step of attaching each end of the optical cable 103 and the electric wire 107 to the connector 1, and the respective ends are prevented from being detached from the connector 1 (housing 2) using the retainer 3 or the like. The principle will be described. 9 to 18, the front side of the connector 1 is shown on the left side, and the rear side of the connector 1 is shown on the right side.

  Here, first, the optical cable 103 and the electric wire 107 attached to the connector 1 will be described. The optical cable 103 is composed of an optical fiber 103a whose outer periphery is covered with a resin sheath 103b. The terminal is inserted in the state of the optical cable 103 into the insertion hole 21 a provided in the connector 1. The electric wire 107 is composed of an outer periphery of a conductor (conductive wire) surrounded by an insulating coating. At the terminal portion of the electric wire 107, the conductor is exposed from the insulation coating, and the female terminal 4 is crimped (clamped) to the exposed conductor portion. The female terminal 4 generally has a shape elongated in the front-rear direction, and is made of a metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape and processed into a predetermined shape. A rectangular tube-shaped connecting portion 41 is provided in front of the female terminal 4, and a crimping portion (barrel) 42 that is crimped to the conductor exposed from the insulating coating is provided behind the connecting portion 41. The connector 1 (housing 2) is provided with the terminal portions of the ten optical cables 103 and the eight female terminals 4 included in the eight electric wires 107.

  Next, a process of attaching the optical cable 103 and the female terminal 4 of the electric wire 107 to the connector 1 will be described. First, the housing 2 and the retainer 3 constituting the connector 1 are prepared in a state of being separated from each other. Next, the retainer 3 is mounted on the retainer mounting portion 23 of the housing 2 in a temporarily locked state. Then, the female terminal 4 provided at the end of the electric wire 107 is inserted into the insertion chamber 22a of the housing 2 in which the retainer 3 in the temporarily locked state is mounted. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the photoelectric hybrid connector 1 as seen from the bottom side where the retainer 3 in the temporarily locked state is mounted.

  10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ′ of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 10. 10 and 11 show a state in which the female terminal 4 is inserted into the insertion chamber 22a of the housing 2 in which the retainer 3 in the temporarily locked state is mounted. When the retainer 3 is attached to the housing 2 in a temporarily locked state, the insertion hole 32b provided in the retainer 3 and the lower (bottom side) insertion chamber 22a provided in the terminal accommodating portion 22 of the housing 2 are in the front-rear direction. In FIG. 2, the space is inserted in a straight line while maintaining a space in which the female terminal 4 can be inserted. Further, when the retainer 3 is in a temporarily locked state, the upper insertion chamber 22a also maintains a space in which the female terminal 4 can be inserted. Each terminal locking portion 32a provided in the retainer 3 stands by on the bottom side of each insertion chamber 22a so as not to interfere with the female terminal 4 inserted into the insertion chamber 22a in the temporary locking state. . In the housing 2 in which the retainer 3 in the temporarily locked state is mounted, the female terminal 4 provided at the terminal portion of the electric wire 107 is inserted into the insertion chamber 22a provided in the terminal accommodating portion 22 of the housing 2. Is done. Note that a lance (not shown) that engages with the connection portion 41 of the female terminal 4 is provided on the inner wall (bottom side inner wall) in front of the insertion chamber 22a. The lances are provided in all the insertion chambers 22a. The female terminal 4 is inserted into the insertion chamber 22a from the inlet 22a1. And the female terminal 4 is inserted in the insertion chamber 22a until the connection part 41 in the front-end | tip contacts the wall part 22a2 in the back | inner side (front). When the distal end portion of the connection portion 41 abuts against the wall portion 22a2, the lance is locked to the connection portion 41, and a cylindrical hole inside the connection portion 41 and an entry hole 22a3 provided in the wall portion 22a2 Are connected in a straight line in the front-rear direction. Finally, the connection portion 41 of the female terminal 4 is accommodated in the front portion of the insertion chamber 22a, and the crimping portion 42 of the female terminal 4 is accommodated in the rear portion of the insertion chamber 22a.

  In contrast, the end of the optical cable 103 is not inserted into the insertion hole 21a of the housing 2 in which the retainer 3 is mounted in a temporarily locked state. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C ′ of FIG. 9, and FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 12. 12 and 13 show a state in which the retainer 3 in the temporarily locked state is mounted on the retainer mounting portion 23 (23a). When the retainer 3 is in a temporarily locked state, the light retaining portion 31 is partially protruded outward (bottom side) from the retainer mounting portion 23 (23a). A gap is formed between the upper end surface of the light retaining portion 31 and the inner wall surface (ceiling surface) 23 c on the upper side of the retainer mounting portion 23. When the light retaining portion 31 is in such a state (temporarily locked state), the position of the insertion portion 31a (the position of the central axis) provided in the light retaining portion 31 is the end of the optical cable 103. In order not to pass, the position is shifted downward (bottom side) with respect to the position of the insertion hole 21a provided in the light accommodating portion 21 (the position of the central axis). When the retainer 3 is in a temporarily locked state, even if the optical cable 103 is inserted from the opening end 21a1 into the insertion hole 21a, the front end portion of the retainer 3 is attached to the retainer mounting portion 23 (23a). Since it hits the end face, the optical cable 103 can no longer enter the back side (front side).

  After the female terminal 4 is attached to the housing 2 in which the retainer 3 is mounted in the temporarily locked state, the retainer 3 is inserted into the retainer mounting portion 23 so as to be in the fully locked state. 14 is a bottom view of the optoelectric hybrid connector 1 as viewed from the bottom surface side where the retainer 3 in the locked state is mounted, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD ′ of FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 15 and 16 show a state in which the female terminal 4 is accommodated in the insertion chamber 22a of the housing 2 in which the retainer 3 in the fully locked state is mounted. When the retainer 3 is inserted into the retainer mounting portion 23 so as to be in a fully locked state, each terminal locking portion 32a provided on the retainer 3 moves toward the upper side of the housing 2 and enters each insertion chamber 22a. It is arranged so as to enter and lock the rear end of the connecting portion 41 of the female terminal 4. In the case of the present embodiment, the upper end surface of each terminal locking portion 32a is addressed from the lower side with respect to the distal end portion (the portion adjacent to the rear end of the connecting portion 41) of the crimping portion 42 of the female terminal 4. It is a broken form.

  When the retainer 3 is in the final locking state, the rear end of the connecting portion 41 is hooked by the terminal locking portion 32a even if the female terminal 4 is pulled backward from the insertion chamber 22a. Therefore, the female terminal 4 is prevented from moving backward from the insertion chamber 22a by being locked by the terminal locking portion 32a. The female terminal 4 of this embodiment is also locked by the above-described lance (not shown) together with the terminal locking portion 32a. That is, the female terminal 4 is doubly locked by the terminal locking portion 32a and the lance, thereby preventing the housing 2 from being pulled out from the insertion chamber 22a. Note that when the retainer 3 is attached to the retainer attachment portion 23 in a fully locked state, the retainer 3 is accommodated in the retainer attachment portion 23.

  After the retainer 3 is attached to the housing 2 in a fully locked state, the end portion of the optical cable 103 is inserted into the insertion hole 21a from the rear opening end 21a1. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E ′ of FIG. 14, and FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 17. 17 and 18 show a state in which the retainer 3 in the fully locked state is mounted on the retainer mounting portion 23 (23a) and the end of the optical cable 103 is inserted into the insertion hole 21a. When the retainer 3 is mounted to the retainer mounting portion 23 in a fully locked state, the upper end surface of the light retaining portion 31 is in contact with the inner wall surface (ceiling surface) 23c on the upper side of the retainer mounting portion 23; Become. The position of the insertion portion 31a provided in the light retaining portion 31 (the position of the central axis) and the position of the insertion hole 21a provided in the light accommodating portion 21 (the position of the central axis) coincide with each other. . Then, the insertion hole 21a and the insertion portion 31a are connected to each other so as to maintain a space through which the end of the optical cable 103 is inserted.

  Thus, after the retainer 3 is mounted on the housing 2 in a fully locked state, the end of the optical cable 103 is inserted into each insertion hole 21 a provided in the light accommodating portion 21. The terminal of the optical cable 103 is inserted from the opening end 21a1 at the rear of the housing 2 (light accommodating portion 21). The inserted optical cable 103 advances forward through the portion of the insertion hole 21a located behind the retainer 3 (light retaining portion 31) for a while and then reaches the insertion portion 31a connected to the insertion hole 21a. Then, the tip of the optical cable 103 enters the insertion part 31a from the opening end 31a1. As described above, the tapered portion 31b is provided on the inner side of the insertion portion 31a so that the inner diameter gradually decreases from the rear toward the front. Therefore, when the optical cable 103 enters the insertion portion 31a from the rear opening end 31a1, the optical cable 103 proceeds to the front side while being guided by the tapered surface 31b, and is tightened and reduced in diameter at the tapered portion of the tapered surface 31b. As described above, the resin sheath 103 b is formed on the peripheral surface of the optical cable 103. Therefore, when tightened to the taper surface 31b, the sheath 103b is elastically deformed and the diameter of the optical cable 103 is reduced.

  When the distal end of the optical cable 103 is tightened by the tapered surface 31b and then inserted further into the rear side, the optical cable 103 enters the insertion hole 21a at the front side of the retainer 3 (light retaining portion 31). The opening end 21a3 of the insertion hole 21a adjacent to the opening end 31a2 on the distal end side of the insertion part 31a has a chamfered inner peripheral edge so that the tip of the optical cable 103 can be easily inserted into the insertion hole 21a. The portion of the optical cable 103 that has been pulled out forward from the insertion portion 31a is released from being tightened by the tapered surface 31b, so that the sheath 103b that has been elastically deformed until then is gradually restored, and the original (initial) thickness (diameter). ) Will return. As described above, the tapered surface 31b is provided with a plurality of concave grooves 31c that extend in the front-rear direction and are spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the contact resistance can be reduced by the amount of the groove portion 31c formed, and the optical cable 103 can be easily passed through the insertion portion 31a.

  The end portion of the optical cable 103 that has passed through the insertion portion 31a and then entered the insertion hole 21a again proceeds in the insertion hole 21a toward the opening end 21a2. When the distal end portion of the optical cable 103 approaches the front portion of the insertion hole 21a, the distal end portion proceeds while being bent along the shape of the curved insertion hole 21a, and further proceeds toward the bottom surface of the housing 2 (light accommodating portion 21). The inner diameter of the opening end 21a2 disposed on the bottom surface of the housing 2 (light accommodating portion 21) is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 21a on the far side (opening end 21a1 side). An annular contact surface 21a4 that contacts the distal end surface of the optical cable 103 is provided on the inner wall of the insertion hole 21a on the back side of the opening end 21a2, and the end portion of the optical cable 103 is located outside the opening end 21a2. Protruding into is prevented. Therefore, the optical cable 103 is finally inserted into the insertion hole 21a until the tip surface comes into contact with the contact surface 21a4.

  In this way, the optical cable 103 inserted and accommodated in the insertion hole 21a is fastened at the midway portion thereof by the tapered surface 31b of the insertion portion 31a. For this reason, even if the end portion of the optical cable 103 is pulled out from the insertion hole 21a, the end portion of the optical cable 103 becomes difficult to move backward from the insertion hole 21a due to the contact resistance between the tapered surface 31b and the optical cable 103. Yes. Therefore, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the optical cable 103 is stopped (prevented from coming off) by using the insertion portion 31 a provided in the retainer 3.

  Through the above steps, the terminals of the electric wire 107 and the optical cable 103 can be attached to the connector 1.

  Next, the photoelectric hybrid connector 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 26. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the photoelectric hybrid connector 1 and the mating connector 102d before the mating connection, and FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the photoelectric hybrid connector 1 and the mating connector 102d after the mating connection. 21 is a rear view of the opto-electric hybrid connector 1 and the mating connector 102d shown in FIG. 20, and FIG. 22 is a left side view of the opto-electric hybrid connector 1 and the mating connector 102d shown in FIG. FIG. 23 is a plan view of the photoelectric hybrid connector 1 and the mating connector 102d shown in FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F ′ of FIG. 23, FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 24, and FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line G-G ′ of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the connector 1 of this embodiment is fitted and connected to the mating connector 102d. First, the mating connector 102d will be described. Note that the mating connector 102d will be described with the side on which the connector 1 enters at the time of fitting connection with the connector 1 as the rear and the opposite side as the front. The left-right direction of the mating connector 102d is based on the case where the mating connector 102d is viewed from the rear.

  The mating connector 102d is mounted on the circuit board 102b as shown in FIG. The circuit board 102b is formed of a printed board, and the circuit board 102b is provided with a wiring pattern (not shown), other mounting parts, and the like. As will be described in detail later, a light receiving element (photodiode) constituting the light receiving portion 102c is mounted on the circuit board 102b. The mating connector 102d is arranged at the end of the rectangular circuit board 102b in plan view so that a part thereof protrudes outward (from the connector 1 side) from the circuit board 102b. Similar to the housing 2 on the connector 1 side, the mating connector 102d includes a mating housing 200 made of a synthetic resin molded product having insulation properties.

  The mating housing 200 generally has a shape extending substantially along the front-rear direction. Further, a space 200a is provided inside the mating housing 200, and the connector 1 is accommodated in the space 200a. The central portion of the counterpart housing 200 has a shape extending longer in the front-rear direction than both end portions thereof, and is a counterpart light accommodation portion 201 that accommodates the light accommodation portion 21 of the housing 2. Then, both end portions of the counterpart light accommodating portion 201 are counterpart terminal accommodating portions 202 that accommodate the two terminal accommodating portions 22 included in the housing 2. In addition, the side which accommodates terminal accommodating part 22A is represented as the other party terminal accommodating part 202A, and the side which accommodates terminal accommodating part 22B is represented as the other party terminal accommodating part 202B. The front portion of the counterpart housing 200 is a front portion 201c of the counterpart light housing portion 201, and has a thin cylindrical shape extending along the front-rear direction. The light accommodating portion 21 is accommodated inside the cylindrical front portion 201c such that the tip portion protrudes outward (forward). Further, the rear part of the mating housing 200 opens rearward (connector 1 side), extends in the left-right direction with respect to the front part 201c, and has a horizontal container shape with a through hole 201b in the bottom. I am doing. The rear portion of the connector 1 is accommodated in the rear portion of the counterpart housing 200 that is in a container shape. As described above, the front portion of the light accommodating portion 21 has a shape protruding downward from the rear portion thereof, so that the counterpart light can be passed through the counterpart housing 200. The bottom surface position of the housing part 201 is set one step lower than the bottom surface position of the counterpart terminal housing part 202.

  An opening 201 a that opens upward is provided in the rear portion of the counterpart housing 200. The opening 201a is provided in an upper portion (ceiling portion) of a central portion (that is, a portion corresponding to the counterpart light accommodating portion 201) in the left-right direction of the rear portion. In addition, a guide convex portion 204 is provided on the upper inner wall (ceiling) of the mating terminal housing portion 202 and projects along the front-rear direction (fitting direction) while projecting downward. When the guide convex portion 204 is advanced along the guide groove 24 when the connector 1 and the mating connector 102d are fitted, the traveling direction of the connector 1 is adjusted, and the connector 1 is connected to the rear side of the mating housing 200. Will be guided to. In addition, a base 203 is provided at the lower end of the counterpart housing 200 and is fixed in such a manner that it is placed on the circuit board 102b. The counterpart housing 200 is fixed to the front side of the circuit board 102b by screwing the base 203 with screws 206 inserted from the back side of the circuit board 102b.

  The mating connector 102d includes a male terminal 205 in addition to the mating housing 200 described above. The male terminal 205 generally has a shape in which an elongated metal member is bent into an L shape. One end 205a of the male terminal 205 is inserted into the mating housing 200 from the front to the rear. The end 205 a of the male terminal 205 is a part connected to the female terminal 4 accommodated in the connector 1 and is accommodated inside the mating terminal accommodating part 202. The end 205a of the male terminal 205 is attached to the mating housing 200 so as to be arranged along the fitting direction while facing rearward (connector 1 side). On the other hand, the other end 205b of the male terminal 205 is fixed by soldering or the like while being inserted into a through hole 102b1 provided in the circuit board 102b. Such a male terminal 205 is connected to a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the circuit board 102b.

  Next, the fitting connection between the connector 1 and the mating connector 102d will be described. When fitting the connector 1 to the mating connector 102d, first, the front end portion of the light accommodating portion 21 extending forward is inserted into the mating housing 200 of the mating connector 102d. Then, the connector 1 is inserted into the mating housing 200 until the distal end portion of the light receiving portion 21 passes through the cylindrical front portion 201c of the mating housing 200 and is exposed to the outside from the front portion 201c. The At this time, the insertion direction (fitting direction) of the connector 1 is adjusted by moving in the guide groove 24 of the connector 1 so that the guide convex portion 204 of the mating connector 102d is transmitted. And the protrusion part 25b of the lock | rock part 25 currently fixed to the upper surface of the connector 1 fits in the opening part 201a provided above the other party housing 200, and the opening edge of the back side of the said opening part 201a When the protrusion 25b is engaged with 201a1, the connector 1 is fixed in a state of being fitted to the mating connector 102d.

  When the connector 1 and the mating connector 102d are fitted and connected to each other, the optical cable 103 provided in the connector 1 and the circuit board 102b on which the mating connector 102d is mounted are optically connected (optically coupled) to each other. The The contents will be described below. When the connector 1 and the mating connector 102d are fitted to each other, an opening end 21a2 on the bottom surface in front of the connector 1 and a light receiving portion (photodiode) 102c on the circuit board 102b on which the mating connector 102d is mounted. Will face each other. As a result, the front end surface of the optical cable 103 (the front end surface of the optical fiber 103a) accommodated on the back side of the opening end 21a2 and the light receiving unit 102c face each other. The optical signal transmitted via the optical cable 103 is emitted (output) from the distal end surface of the optical cable 103, and the emitted (output) optical signal is incident (input) to the light receiving unit 102c.

  It is preferable that the optical axis of the optical fiber 103a included in the optical cable 103 and the optical axis of the light receiving unit (photodiode) 102c are exactly coincident with each other. However, the optical signal of this embodiment sent via the optical cable (optical signal line) 103 is for controlling on / off of the power supplied from the power source 108 to the load L. Therefore, even if the optical axis of the optical fiber 103a and the optical axis of the light receiving portion (photodiode) 102c do not exactly match each other, the on / off of the power supplied to the load L can be controlled. No problem. In other words, in the fitting connection between the connector 1 of the present embodiment and the mating connector 102d, exact optical axis matching is not required, so the connector 1 is easy to manufacture.

  The optical signal incident on the light receiving unit 102c is converted into an electric signal (ON signal) by the light receiving unit 102c, and the electric signal is transmitted to the relay device 102a described above (see FIG. 1). Then, as described above, the relay device 102a is activated and the supply of power to the load L is started.

  In this way, an optical signal can be sent from the optical cable 103 to the light receiving portion 102c on the circuit board 102b, and the connector 1 is fitted and connected to the mating connector 102d, so that the mating circuit It can be said that they are optically connected to the substrate 102b.

  In addition, the front end surface of each optical cable 103 attached to the connector 1 faces each other in a state assigned to each light receiving portion 102c disposed on the circuit board 102b. The position of the bottom surface of the light receiving portion 21 at the tip of the connector 1 is such that when the connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector 102d, the bottom surface of the light receiving portion 21 is mounted on the circuit board 102b. It is set so as not to come into contact with the light receiving unit 102c. In the case of the present embodiment, the distance d between the bottom surface of the light receiving portion 21 and the surface of the circuit board 102b is set to prevent contact between the bottom surface of the light receiving portion 21 and the light receiving portion 102c. Has been. In this way, when the connector 1 is fitted, the light receiving portion 102c is prevented from coming into contact with the bottom surface of the connector 1 and being damaged.

  When the connector 1 and the mating connector 102d are fitted and connected to each other, the female terminal 4 provided in the connector 1 and the male terminal 205 provided in the mating connector 102d are electrically connected to each other. The contents will be described below. When the connector 1 and the mating connector 102d are fitted to each other, they are attached to the inside of the connection portion 41 of the female terminal 4 accommodated in the insertion chamber 22a so as to face the inside of the mating housing 200. The end portion 205a of the male terminal 205 is inserted through the entry hole 22a3. Then, the end portion 205a of the male terminal 205 comes into contact with the inside of the rectangular tube-shaped connecting portion 41 of the female terminal 4, and as a result, the female terminal 4 and the male terminal 205 are electrically connected to each other. Connected to. As described above, when the relay device 102a is in the ON state, power is supplied from the power source 108 to the load L via the electric wire 107 and the like while relaying the connector 1 and the counterpart connector 102d. Each female terminal 4 attached to the connector 1 is assigned with each male terminal 205 of the mating connector 102d, and is electrically connected to each other.

  When the connector 1 is removed from the mating connector 102d, the rear end portion of the lock portion 25 (spring portion 25a) is pushed down so that the projection 25b locked to the opening edge 201a1 can be removed from the opening 201a. While removing, the connector 1 is pulled out rearward.

  In the photoelectric hybrid connector 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the optical cable 103 is used as the signal line, so that the interval between the adjacent optical cables 103 can be set narrowly. Compared to a conventional hybrid connector using a signal line, it is possible to reduce the size (particularly in the left-right direction). In addition, the distance between the optical cable 103 and the power supply electric wire 107 (female terminal 4) can be set narrower than the conventional one, and from this point also downsizing (particularly downsizing in the left-right direction). Is possible.

  Further, since the connector 1 of the present embodiment uses the optical cable 103 as a signal line, the connector 1 is not affected by noise from the electric wire (power cable) 107 or the like, and has an excellent configuration from that point.

  Further, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the optical cable 103 is not used for so-called communication (for communicating optical data), but an optical signal (ON) for controlling on / off the power supplied to the load L. / Off signal). Therefore, the accuracy of alignment between the light receiving portion (photodiode) 102c mounted on the circuit board 102b and the front end surface of the optical cable 103 held by the connector 1 is controlled by turning on / off the power supplied to the load L. Anything is possible. Therefore, the connector 1 according to this embodiment has a structure that is easy to manufacture because a certain degree of dimensional error, mounting error, and the like are allowed.

  Further, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the light accommodating portion 21 has the other opening disposed on the bottom surface on the front end side of the light accommodating portion 21 from one opening end 21 a 1 disposed on the rear end surface of the light accommodating portion 21. The end of the optical cable 103 is inserted such that the end side is bent toward the end 21a2 and is formed with a hole penetrating the light receiving portion 21 so that the tip end surface faces the light receiving portion (optical element, photodiode) 102c. The insertion hole 21a is configured. That is, just by inserting the end of the optical cable 103 into the insertion hole 21a, the optical cable 103 is inserted into the light receiving portion 21 so that the front end surface faces the light receiving portion 102c mounted on the substrate 102b during the fitting. Can be accommodated. Therefore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, it is easy to attach the terminal of the optical cable 103 to the connector 1.

  The connector 1 according to this embodiment is a connector 1 that has a male terminal (mating terminal) 205 and is fitted to a mating connector 102d mounted on a substrate 102b, and is a terminal of an electric wire 107. When the terminal 4 provided on the connector 4 is mated with the mating connector 102d, the terminal accommodating portion 22 that accommodates the terminal 4 so as to be connected to the mating terminal 205, and the front end surface of the optical cable 103 when the mating is performed. A housing 2 having a light accommodating portion 21 for accommodating the terminal of the optical cable 103 so as to face the light receiving portion (optical element) 102c mounted on the substrate 102b, and being fitted to the mating connector 102d; The light accommodating portion 21 is directed from one opening end 21a1 disposed on the rear end surface of the light accommodating portion 21 toward the other opening end 21a2 disposed on the bottom surface on the front end side of the light accommodating portion 21. tip The optical cable 103 has an insertion hole 21a into which the end of the optical cable 103 is inserted so that the distal end face thereof faces the optical element 102c, and is relayed through the insertion hole 21a. On the other hand, it includes a hole through which the optical cable 103 is inserted, the inner diameter of the hole is smaller than the diameter of the optical cable 103, and a tightening portion 31a that tightens the optical cable 103 in a reduced diameter. By providing such a configuration, the connector 1 can be easily attached in a state in which the end of the optical cable 103 is prevented from being detached simply by being inserted into the insertion hole 21a.

  As described above, the inner wall of the insertion hole 21a is preferably provided with an annular contact surface 21a4 that comes into contact with the distal end surface of the optical cable 103. When such a contact surface 21a4 is provided, when the optical cable 103 is inserted into the insertion hole 21a, the end portion of the optical cable 103 is prevented from protruding outward from the opening end 21a2 while the optical cable 103 is inserted. The position can be easily set so as to face the light receiving portion 102c mounted on the substrate 102b.

  Further, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the insertion portion (clamping portion) 31 a is a tapered shape with an inner diameter that decreases from the rear toward the front, and includes a tapered surface 31 b that tightens the peripheral surface of the optical cable 103. Since the connector 1 has such a configuration, the terminal portion of the optical cable 103 can be gradually tightened (diameter reduced) while being inserted into the insertion portion (tightening portion) 31a. Therefore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, it is easy to insert the optical cable 103 into the insertion hole 21a, and the optical cable 103 is prevented from being accidentally pulled out from the rear.

  In the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the tapered surface 31b includes a plurality of recessed groove portions 31c that extend in the front-rear direction and are spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. The connector 1 having such a configuration makes it easier to insert the optical cable 103 into the insertion hole 21a. When the groove portion 31c is formed, the sheath 103b of the optical cable 103 is slightly elastically restored, and the end portion (edge) of the ridge portion 31d arranged so as to sandwich the groove portion 31c is in the sheath 103b of the optical cable 103. On the other hand, it will be in a state of being bitten. That is, the insertion portion 31a of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the groove portion 31c is provided, so that the contact resistance with the optical cable 103 is reduced during insertion, while the contact resistance with the optical cable 103 is kept large during extraction.

  Moreover, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, the housing 2 has a shape recessed upward from the bottom surface, and has a retainer mounting portion 23 connected to the insertion hole 21a together with the terminal accommodating portion 22 (insertion chamber 22a). In addition, the connector 1 of the present embodiment includes the retainer 3 that is mounted on the retainer mounting portion 23 and has a terminal locking portion 32a that locks the terminal 4 stored in the terminal storage portion 22, and includes an insertion portion (tightening). Part) 31 a is provided in the retainer 3. As described above, by providing the insertion portion (clamping portion) 31a in the retainer 3 used for locking the terminal 4 accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 22, it is possible to reduce the number of parts. .

  Further, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the light accommodating portion 21 has a configuration in which the bottom surface on the distal end side faces the light receiving portion (optical element) 102c while keeping a gap when fitted to the mating connector 102d. It has become. That is, since the position of the bottom surface (the bottom surface of the light receiving portion) of the housing 2 included in the connector 1 is set so as to keep a distance from the substrate 102b, the light receiving portion ( An optical element) 102c can be disposed. Therefore, the connector 1 of the present embodiment can be obtained by simply fitting and connecting the mating housing 200 to the front end surface of the optical cable 103 held by the connector 1 and the light receiving portion 102c mounted on the substrate 102b. It can be easily opposed.

<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.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the optical cable 103 is inserted into all the insertion holes 21a, and the female terminal 4 is inserted into all the insertion chambers 22a. However, in other embodiments, the end of the optical cable 103 is used. There may be an insertion hole 21a in which no female terminal 4 is inserted, or there may be an insertion chamber 22a in which the female terminal 4 is not inserted.

  (2) In another embodiment, a configuration using a wavelength multiplexed signal as an optical signal may be used.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the tightening portion (insertion portion) 31a for tightening the optical cable 103 is provided in the retainer 3. However, in other embodiments, it may be provided in the housing 2. Moreover, although the connector 1 of the said embodiment was provided with the retainer 3, the structure by which the retainer was abbreviate | omitted in other embodiment may be sufficient.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photoelectric hybrid connector, 2 ... Housing, 21 ... Light accommodating part, 21a ... Insertion hole, 21a1 ... Rear opening end, 21a2 ... Front (bottom side) opening end, 22 ... Terminal accommodating part, 22a ... Insertion chamber 22a1 ... inlet, 23 ... retainer mounting part, 24 ... guide groove, 25 ... lock part, 3 ... retainer, 31a ... insertion part (clamping part), 31b ... tapered surface, 31c ... groove part, 31d ... projected ridge part, 4 ... Female terminal, 103 ... Optical cable, 107 ... Electric wire, 205 ... Female terminal (mating terminal)

Claims (5)

A hybrid connector having a mating terminal and mated with a mating connector mounted on a board,
A terminal provided at the end of the electric wire;
A terminal accommodating portion that accommodates the terminal so as to be connected to the mating terminal at the time of mating with the mating connector, and a light in which a front end surface of the optical cable is mounted on the substrate at the time of the mating. A light receiving portion for receiving the end of the optical cable so as to face the element, and a housing fitted with the mating connector,
The light accommodating portion is bent in a shape in which a distal end side is bent from one opening end disposed on the rear end surface of the light accommodating portion toward the other opening end disposed on the bottom surface on the distal end side of the light accommodating portion. It has a hole penetrating the light accommodating portion, and has an insertion hole into which the end of the optical cable is inserted in a form in which the tip surface faces the optical element,
The optical cable is inserted while relaying the insertion hole, and includes an insertion portion having a hole surrounded by a tapered tapered surface whose inner diameter decreases from the rear toward the front,
The inner diameter of the rear side of the insertion portion is set to be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the insertion hole or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the insertion hole,
The front side of the insertion portion is tightened in such a manner that the diameter of the optical cable is reduced so that the peripheral surface of the optical cable is elastically deformed, and the end of the optical cable is inserted from the one opening end toward the other opening end. When inserted into the hole, the optical cable has a tightening portion including an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the optical cable so that the optical cable can pass in a reduced diameter state,
A hybrid connector in which the other open end is provided with an annular contact surface that comes into contact with the distal end surface of the optical cable inserted into the insertion hole . The tapered surface extends in the front-rear direction and is spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. When the end of the optical cable is inserted from the one opening end toward the other opening end, contact resistance is reduced. The hybrid connector according to claim 1, wherein the hybrid connector includes a plurality of recess-shaped grooves that are reduced. The housing has a shape recessed upward from the bottom surface, and has a retainer mounting portion connected to the insertion hole together with the terminal accommodating portion,
A retainer having a terminal locking portion mounted on the retainer mounting portion and locked to the terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion;
The hybrid connector according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion is provided in the retainer. The hybrid connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a peripheral edge of the opening end of the insertion hole adjacent to the front side of the insertion portion is chamfered.   5. The hybrid connector according to claim 1, wherein, when the light receiving portion is fitted, the bottom surface on the front end side faces the optical element while maintaining a space. 6.

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