JP7287836B2 - mating connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to mating connectors.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a connector, after a terminal fitting is physically and electrically connected to an end of an electric wire, the terminal fitting is accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber through a terminal accommodating opening of a housing. In the housing, terminal insertion openings for mating terminal fittings are formed at one end in the connector inserting/removing direction between the mating connector, and terminal receiving openings are formed at the other end in the connector inserting/removing direction. The terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber from the opening toward the terminal insertion opening. In order to prevent the terminal fitting from coming out of the terminal receiving chamber, the connector is provided with a terminal locking component (so-called retainer) that locks the locked portion of the terminal fitting with the terminal locking portion (described below. Patent document 1). The terminal locking part is a separate part assembled to the housing, and is relatively moved with respect to the housing, so that the locked part of the terminal fitting is locked by the terminal locking part inserted into the terminal receiving chamber. Further, as a connector, there is known one in which two electric wires drawn out of a housing are twisted as a twisted pair (Patent Document 2 below).

JP-A-11-354185 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-217358

By the way, in a connector, when locking the locked portion of the terminal fitting with the terminal locking portion, the terminal locking portion is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber while applying force to the terminal locking component. In some cases, the insertion work becomes difficult due to various factors such as the above. In order to simplify the insertion work, the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 adopts a structure in which force is applied from the mating connector to the terminal locking part in conjunction with the insertion fitting operation into the mating connector. However, there is room for improvement in the workability of inserting the terminal locking portion into the terminal receiving chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fitting connector capable of improving workability of inserting a terminal locking portion into a terminal accommodating chamber.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a first connector and a second connector that are electrically connected at a connector fitting position where the first connector is fitted to each other, and the first connector comprises a first terminal fitting and the first terminal. A metal fitting moves relative to the first housing along a direction orthogonal to the connector inserting/removing direction between the first housing and the first connector and the second connector, in which the metal fitting is accommodated in the accommodation completion position of the terminal accommodating chamber. a second terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to the first terminal fitting at the connector mating position; and a second housing in which second terminal fittings are accommodated and in which the first connector is inserted and fitted up to the connector fitting position, wherein the first housing is connected to a housing main body in which the terminal accommodating chambers are formed; , provided at both ends of the housing main body in a direction orthogonal to the connector insertion/removal direction and the direction of relative movement of the terminal engaging parts with respect to the first housing, and the terminal engaging parts are arranged along the direction of relative movement with respect to the first housing. The second housing includes a connector accommodating chamber for inserting and fitting the first connector to the connector fitting position along the connector insertion direction, and the connector accommodating chamber for the first connector. and a connector insertion opening serving as an insertion start position into the chamber, wherein the terminal locking part is provided with a terminal locking portion for locking the first terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position, and the terminal locking portion along the direction of relative movement between the non-locking position where locking of the first terminal fitting by the terminal locking portion is impossible and the locking position where locking of the first terminal fitting by the terminal locking portion is possible. A terminal locking body displaceable with respect to one housing is provided at both ends of the terminal locking body in a direction orthogonal to the connector inserting/removing direction and the relative movement direction, and guided by the guide body along the relative movement direction. and a body to be guided is provided between the first connector and the second connector by the second housing interlocking with the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector into the second housing. A pushing mechanism is provided for moving the terminal locking body from the non-locking position to the locking position while sandwiching the first connector, and the pushing mechanism is adapted to move in the connector insertion direction and the relative movement direction. a pressed portion formed in the body to be guided outside the terminal accommodating chamber in the orthogonal direction and having an inclined wall inclined with respect to the connector insertion direction and the relative movement direction; and the second housing. provided at the peripheral edge of the connector insertion opening in the connector receiving chamber, the inclined wall of the pushed portion abuts during the insertion fitting operation of the first connector into the connector receiving chamber, and as the insertion fitting operation progresses, the a pushing portion that pushes the pushed portion along the inclined wall in a direction of displacing the terminal locking body from the non-locking position to the locking position.

Here, it is preferable that the pushed portion is provided on each of the guided bodies .

Further, the pushing mechanism includes a first pushed portion as the pushed portion having a first inclined wall as the inclined wall, a first pushing portion as the pushing portion, and the first formed in the housing, arranged on the side of the displacement direction of the terminal locking body from the non-locking position to the locking position relative to the first pushed portion, and a second pressed portion having a second inclined wall inclined with respect to the direction of relative movement of the terminal locking component with respect to one housing; The second inclined wall of the second pushed portion abuts during the operation, and the second pushed portion moves along the second inclined wall in the displacement direction as the insertion fitting operation progresses. and a second pushing portion that pushes and moves in the opposite direction.

Further, the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall are formed so that the inclination directions with respect to the connector insertion direction are opposite to each other and the inclination angles with respect to the connector insertion direction are the same angle. It is preferable that the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion are arranged to face each other in the direction of relative movement between the first housing and the terminal locking component.

The second housing includes a first inclined portion formed at the same angle of inclination as the first inclined wall and arranged to face the first inclined wall at the connector fitting position, and the second inclined wall. and a second inclined portion which is formed at the same inclination angle as the connector fitting position and arranged to face the second inclined wall at the connector fitting position, wherein the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion It is desirable that the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall are sandwiched at the connector fitting position.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a first connector and a second connector that are electrically connected at a connector fitting position where the first connector and the second connector are fitted to each other, wherein the first connector comprises a first terminal fitting and the first terminal fitting. 1. A first housing in which a terminal fitting is accommodated in an accommodation completion position of a terminal accommodation chamber; Displaceable with respect to the first housing between a non-locking position in which the first terminal fitting cannot be locked and a locking position in which the first terminal fitting can be locked by the terminal locking portion. a terminal locking body, wherein the second connector includes a second terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to the first terminal fitting at the connector fitting position; a second housing that is accommodated and into which the first connector is inserted and fitted up to the connector fitting position; a pushing mechanism for moving the terminal locking body from the non-locking position to the locking position while sandwiching the first connector between the second housings in conjunction with the insertion and fitting operation of the connector; The terminal locking body has a fixed end on the first housing, and is a flexible cantilever capable of being elastically deformed along a direction crossing a connector insertion direction of the first connector into the second housing. and the terminal locking portion provided at a free end of the flexible portion and displaced between the unlocked position and the locking position as the flexible portion elastically deforms. , the second housing includes a connector accommodation chamber into which the first connector is inserted and fitted along the connector insertion direction up to the connector fitting position; The pushing mechanism is provided on the periphery of the connector insertion opening in the second housing, and engages the terminals during the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector into the connector receiving chamber. a pushing portion that abuts against the flexible portion of the body and pushes the flexible portion of the terminal locking body in a displacement direction from the unlocking position to the locking position as the insertion and fitting operation progresses; It is characterized by having

Further, the terminal locking bodies are provided at two locations in the first housing in a direction perpendicular to the connector insertion direction, and the pushing portion is arranged on the periphery of the connector insertion opening in the second housing to engage the terminals. It is desirable to provide for each stopper.

Further, a plurality of the first connectors are provided, each of the first connectors includes two of the first terminal fittings to which electric wires are physically and electrically connected, and the first housing includes the first terminal fittings. and the terminal receiving chamber for each of the first terminal fittings that accommodates the electric wire and draws out the electric wire, and the terminal locking body in which the terminal locking portion for each of the first terminal fittings is formed. Preferably, the second housing has the connector receiving chamber and the connector insertion opening for each of the first connectors.

In the fitting connector according to the present invention, the pushing mechanism interlocks with the insertion fitting operation of the first connector into the connector accommodating chamber of the second housing, and the terminal locking body is pushed while the first connector is sandwiched between the second housing. It can be pushed from the unlocked position to the locked position. Therefore, the fitting connector according to the present invention can suppress variation in the magnitude and direction of the force applied to the terminal locking body by the pushing mechanism, so that the workability of inserting the terminal locking portion into the terminal receiving chamber can be improved. can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mating connector of the embodiment before the connector is inserted. FIG. 2 is a top view of the mating connector of the embodiment before the connector is inserted. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X1-X1 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X2-X2 of FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the start of operation of the pushing mechanism in the mating connector of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a top view showing the start of operation of the pushing mechanism in the mating connector of the embodiment. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X1-X1 of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X2-X2 of FIG. 6. FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the mating connector of the embodiment in the middle of inserting the connector and after the operation of the pushing mechanism is completed. FIG. 10 is a top view showing the mating connector of the embodiment in the middle of connector insertion and after the operation of the pushing mechanism is completed. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X1-X1 of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X2-X2 of FIG. 10. FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mating connector of the embodiment at the connector mating position. FIG. 14 is a top view of the mating connector of the embodiment at the connector mating position. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X1-X1 of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X2-X2 of FIG. 14. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view along line X3-X3 of FIG. 14. FIG. FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector; FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector viewed from another angle. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a fitting connector of a modified example before the connector is inserted. FIG. 21 is a top view showing a first connector of a modification. FIG. 22 is a side view showing the first connector of the modification. FIG. 23 is a plan view of the first connector of the modification as viewed from the terminal insertion opening side. FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a fitting connector of a modification before connector insertion. FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modified fitting connector at the connector fitting position. FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a modified second connector. FIG. 27 is a plan view showing a step of forming twisted pair wires. FIG. 28 is a plan view showing a step of forming twisted pair wires. FIG. 29 is a plan view showing a step of forming twisted pair wires. FIG. 30 is a plan view showing a step of forming twisted pair wires.

An embodiment of a fitting connector according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

[Embodiment]
One embodiment of a mating connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19. FIG.

Reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 to 17 indicates the mating connector of this embodiment. This fitting connector 1 comprises a first connector 1A and a second connector 1B which are electrically connected at a connector fitting position where they are fitted together.

The first connector 1A includes a terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as "first terminal fitting") 10 and a housing (hereinafter referred to as "first housing") 20 (Figs. 4, 8, 12 and 16). and FIG. 17). The second connector 1B includes a terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as "second terminal fitting") 30 and a housing (hereinafter referred to as "second housing") 40 (Figs. 4, 8, 12, 16 and 17). The first connector 1A includes a plurality of first terminal fittings 10. As shown in FIG. Also, the second connector 1B has the same number of second terminal fittings 30 as the first terminal fittings 10 thereof.

The first terminal fitting 10 and the second terminal fitting 30 are each formed of a conductive material such as metal. The first terminal fitting 10 and the second terminal fitting 30 are physically and electrically connected to each other at the connector fitting position. The first terminal fitting 10 has a terminal connection portion 11 and a wire connection portion 12 (FIGS. 4, 8, 12, 16 and 17). Further, the second terminal fitting 30 has a terminal connection portion 31 and a wire connection portion 32 (FIGS. 4, 8, 12, 16 and 17).

The respective terminal connection portions 11 and 31 are physically and electrically connected to each other at the connector fitting position. The terminal connection portions 11 and 31 in this example are formed so as to be electrically connected by being fitted together at the connector fitting position. Therefore, one of the terminal connection portions 11 and 31 is formed in the shape of a female terminal, and the other is formed in the shape of a male terminal. In this example, the terminal connection portion 11 is formed in the shape of a rectangular tubular female terminal, and the terminal connection portion 31 is formed in the shape of a male terminal that is fitted inside the terminal connection portion 11 . Here, the terminal connection portion 31 is formed as a needle terminal shape. In the terminal connection portion 11, the terminal connection portion 31 is inserted along the cylinder axis direction from one end side in the axial direction through an opening at one end in the cylinder axis direction. Here, the cylindrical axis direction of the terminal connection portion 11 and the axial direction of the terminal connection portion 31 are the terminal insertion/extraction direction between the terminal connection portion 11 and the terminal connection portion 31, and the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B (connector insertion direction or connector withdrawal direction).

Each of the wire connection portions 12 and 32 is individually physically and electrically connected to the end of the wire We (FIGS. 4, 8, 12, 16 and 17). The wire connection portion 12 is arranged on the other end side of the terminal connection portion 11 in the cylinder axis direction, and allows the physically and electrically connected electric wire We to be pulled out along the cylinder axis direction. The wire connection portion 32 is arranged on the other end side of the terminal connection portion 31 in the axial direction, and pulls out the wire We physically and electrically connected to the terminal connection portion 31 along the axial direction. For example, the respective wire connection portions 12 and 32 are crimped to the core wire We1 (FIGS. 4, 8, 12, 16 and 17) at the end of the wire We by crimping the end of the wire We. is physically and electrically connected to the 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9 to 11, and 13 to 15, illustration of the electric wire We is omitted.

The first housing 20 and the second housing 40 are each molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

The first housing 20 has a terminal accommodating chamber 21a in which the first terminal fitting 10 is accommodated (Figs. 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16 and 17). The terminal accommodating chamber 21a allows the first terminal fitting 10 to be inserted to the accommodation completion position, and accommodates the first terminal fitting 10 to the accommodation completion position. Therefore, the first housing 20 accommodates the first terminal fitting 10 physically and electrically connected to the end of the wire We at the accommodation completion position of the terminal accommodation chamber 21a.

The terminal connecting portion 11 of the first terminal fitting 10 in the terminal accommodating chamber 21a is fitted and connected to the terminal connecting portion 31 of the second terminal fitting 30 inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 21a. Therefore, the first housing 20 has a terminal insertion opening 21b, which is an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 21a, formed at one end in the connector inserting/removing direction, and used when inserting the second terminal fitting 30 into the terminal accommodating chamber 21a. (Figures 4, 8, 12, 16 and 17). Further, the first housing 20 is another opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 21a and is formed at the other end in the connector inserting/removing direction. 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16 and 17. The terminal housing opening 21c is also used as a wire outlet for drawing out the wire We whose end is physically and electrically connected to the wire connection portion 12 of the first terminal fitting 10 to the outside of the terminal housing chamber 21a.

In the illustrated first housing 20 , the terminal accommodating chamber 21 a is formed for each first terminal fitting 10 . Here, two sets of a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 21a arranged in a direction perpendicular to the connector insertion/removal direction are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction and the connector insertion/removal direction. In the first housing 20, each terminal receiving chamber 21a is formed in a parallelepiped housing main body 21 (FIGS. 4, 8, 12, 16 and 17).

The second housing 40 has a terminal accommodating chamber 41a in which the second terminal fitting 30 is accommodated (Figs. 1, 3 to 5, 7 to 9, 11 to 13, 15, 16 and 17). The terminal accommodating chamber 41a allows the second terminal fitting 30 to be inserted to the accommodation completion position, and accommodates the second terminal fitting 30 to the accommodation completion position. In this terminal accommodating chamber 41a, the second terminal fitting 30 is held at the accommodation completion position. Therefore, the second housing 40 allows the second terminal fitting 30, which is physically and electrically connected to the end of the wire We, to be accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber 41a at the accommodation completion position and held at the accommodation completion position. The illustrated terminal accommodating chamber 41 a is formed as one chamber that accommodates all the second terminal fittings 30 . In the terminal accommodating chamber 41a, two sets of a plurality of second terminal fittings 30 arranged along the direction perpendicular to the connector insertion/removal direction are arranged along the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction and the connector insertion/removal direction.

The terminal accommodating chamber 41a is also used as a chamber (hereinafter also referred to as "connector accommodating chamber" as necessary) 41a into which the first connector 1A is inserted and fitted up to the connector fitting position along the connector insertion direction. . In the second housing 40, the space inside the housing main body 41 in the shape of a rectangular tube is used as a connector accommodating chamber (terminal accommodating chamber) 41a (FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, 7 to 9, and 11). 13, 15, 16 and 17). The second housing 40 also has a connector insertion opening 41b, which is a starting position for inserting the first connector 1A into the connector accommodating chamber 41a (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4). In the second housing 40, the opening at one end of the housing main body 41 in the cylindrical axis direction is used as a connector insertion opening 41b, and the first connector 1A is inserted from the tip of the housing main body 21 into the connector insertion opening 41b.

The mating connector 1 has a holding mechanism 50 that holds the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B at the connector mating position (FIGS. 1 to 12 and 17). The holding mechanism 50 includes a first engaging body 51 provided on the first housing 20 and a second engaging body 52 provided on the second housing 40 (FIG. 17). When the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B are in the connector mating position, the holding mechanism 50 engages the first engaging member 51 and the second engaging member 52 in the connector removal direction. The first connector 1A and the second connector 1B are held at the connector fitting position.

The exemplified first engaging body 51 has a cantilever elastically deformable piece-shaped flexible piece portion 51a having a fixed end on the housing main body 21 side (FIGS. 1 to 12, 17 and 18). ). The flexible piece portion 51a has a fixed end disposed on the front end side of the housing main body 21 in the connector insertion/removal direction, and a free end disposed on the rear end side of the housing main body 21 opposite to the front end side. . The first engaging member 51 has a claw-like engaging portion 51b between the fixed end and the free end of the flexible piece portion 51a (FIGS. 1 to 12, 17 and 18). On the other hand, the illustrated second engaging member 52 is disposed on the connector removal direction side of the locking portion 51b at the connector fitting position, and is a claw-like locking member that can be mutually locked with the locking portion 51b. It has a portion 52a (FIG. 17). The engaging portion 52 a is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the housing main body 41 . In the illustrated holding mechanism 50, the flexible piece portion 51a is bent while the locking portion 52a pushes the locking portion 51b while the first connector 1A is being inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 41a. In this holding mechanism 50, when the insertion operation of the first connector 1A further progresses to the connector fitting position, the locking portions 51b and 52a climb over each other and the flexible piece portion 51a Deflection is eliminated, and the locking portions 51b and 52a are arranged to face each other in the connector removal direction. When the locking portions 51b and 52a are arranged to face each other, the holding mechanism 50 bends the flexible piece portion 51a with the free end side as a point of force, thereby allowing the locking portions 51b and 52a to face each other. By canceling the arranged state, the first connector 1A can be pulled out from the connector accommodating chamber 41a.

By the way, the first connector 1A locks the first terminal fitting 10 relative to the first housing 20 at the accommodation completion position of the terminal accommodation chamber 21a, and holds the first terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. A locking body (so-called retainer) 61 is provided (FIGS. 4, 8, 12 and 16 to 19). The terminal locking body 61 has a terminal locking portion 61a that locks the first terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position (FIGS. 4, 8, 12 and 16 to 19). The terminal engaging portion 61a is formed to enter into the terminal receiving chamber 21a to engage the first terminal fitting 10. As shown in FIG. The first terminal fitting 10 has an engaged portion 13 to be engaged with the terminal engaging portion 61a (FIGS. 4, 8, 12, 16 and 17). Here, the end surface of the terminal connection portion 11 on the wire connection portion 12 side is used as the locked portion 13 . The illustrated terminal locking body 61 moves relative to the first housing 20 toward the terminal receiving opening 21c of the first terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position (that is, when the first terminal fitting 10 moves from the terminal accommodating chamber 21a to the terminal receiving opening 21c). relative movement in the terminal withdrawal direction). Accordingly, the illustrated terminal locking portion 61a is formed to enable such locking. The terminal locking body 61 has a terminal locking portion 61 a for each of the first terminal fittings 10 .

In the first connector 1A, the terminal lock body 61 is configured to be displaceable with respect to the first housing 20 between the unlocked position and the locked position. The non-locking position is a position where locking of the first terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position by the terminal locking portion 61a is impossible among the positions of the terminal locking body 61 relative to the first housing 20. It's about. When the terminal locking body 61 is in the unlocked position, the first terminal fitting 10 can be inserted from the terminal receiving opening 21c to the accommodation completion position of the terminal receiving chamber 21a, and the first terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position can be inserted. The terminal fitting 10 can be pulled out from the terminal accommodating opening 21c. On the other hand, the locking position is one of the relative positions of the terminal locking body 61 with respect to the first housing 20, in which the first terminal fitting 10 can be locked at the accommodation completion position by the terminal locking portion 61a. It's about position. When the terminal locking body 61 is at the locking position, the first terminal fitting 10 cannot be inserted from the terminal receiving opening 21c to the accommodation completion position of the terminal receiving chamber 21a, and the first terminal at the accommodation completion position cannot be inserted. The metal fitting 10 cannot be pulled out from the terminal receiving opening 21c. The terminal locking portion 61a is arranged outside the terminal receiving chamber 21a when the terminal locking body 61 is at the unlocked position, and is inside the terminal receiving chamber 21a when the terminal locking body 61 is at the locking position. to engage the first terminal fitting 10 .

This connector 1A has a terminal locking component 60 having a terminal locking body 61 formed thereon as a separate component from the first housing 20 (Figs. 1, 3 to 5, 7 to 9, 11-13 and 15-19). The terminal locking part 60 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. This terminal locking component 60 is assembled movably relative to the first housing 20 so that the terminal locking body 61 can be displaced between the unlocked position and the locked position. Here, along the direction orthogonal to the direction of connector insertion into the connector accommodating chamber 41a of the second housing 40, the terminal locking body 61 is displaced between the unlocked position and the locked position. It is assembled so as to be relatively movable with respect to the housing 20 .

The first housing 20 has a guide body 22 that guides the terminal locking component 60 along the direction of relative movement (FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9 to 11, 13 to 15, 18 and 19). The terminal locking component 60 has a guided body 62 that is guided by the guide body 22 along the direction of relative movement with respect to the first housing 20 (FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, 7 to 9, and FIG. 11, 12, 15, 18 and 19). The guide bodies 22 are provided at both ends of the housing main body 21 in a direction orthogonal to the connector insertion/removal direction and the relative movement direction of the terminal locking parts 60 . The guided members 62 are provided at both ends of the terminal locking body 61 in a direction orthogonal to the connector inserting/removing direction and the relative movement direction of the terminal locking component 60 .

The guide body 22 and the guided body 62 in this example are flat plates each having a flat surface along the connector inserting/removing direction and the relative movement direction of the terminal locking component 60 , and the guided body 62 is the groove portion of the guiding body 22 . 22a (FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 18 and 19). In the guide body 22, a guide portion 22b along the direction of relative movement of the terminal locking component 60 is provided on the peripheral wall of the groove portion 22a (FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 18). and FIG. 19). The guide portions 22b are provided at two locations in the connector insertion/extraction direction. On the other hand, in the body to be guided 62, a to-be-guided portion 62a along the direction of relative movement of the terminal locking component 60 is provided on the outer peripheral wall (FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 9). 18 and Figure 19). As the guided portion 62a, there are provided one that is arranged to face and is guided by one guide portion 22b, and one that is arranged to face and is guided by the other guide portion 22b.

Between the first housing 20 and the terminal locking component 60, the terminal locking component 60 is locked to the first housing 20 at the non-locking position, and the terminal locking component 60 is locked at the locking position. A locking mechanism that can be locked to the first housing 20 is provided. For example, the locking mechanism is provided between each of the guide body 22 and the guided body 62 and between the pair of the guide portion 22b and the guided portion 62a. The guide portion 22b includes a first locking groove portion 22c for locking the terminal locking component 60 to the first housing 20 at the non-locking position, and a first locking groove portion 22c for locking the terminal locking component 60 to the first housing 20 at the locking position. A second locking groove portion 22d is formed (FIGS. 3, 7, 11, 15, 18 and 19). On the other hand, the guided portion 62a is fitted into the first locking groove portion 22c when the terminal locking component 60 is at the non-locking position, and the second locking groove portion 22c is engaged when the terminal locking component 60 is at the locking position. A locking protrusion 62b is formed to be fitted into the groove 22d (FIGS. 3, 7, 11, 15, 18 and 19). The guided portion 62a is formed with a flexible portion 62c that can be elastically deformed in the connector insertion/removal direction. , FIGS. 11, 15, 18 and 19).

In this locking mechanism, when the terminal locking component 60 is fitted in the first locking groove portion 22c, a force from the terminal locking component 60 toward the locking position from the non-locking position is applied to the first housing 20. When the locking protrusion 62b acts on the first locking groove 22c, the flexible portion 62c is deflected by the reaction force of the force acting on the first locking groove 22c from the locking projection 62b, and the locking projection 62b is moved from the first locking groove 22c. Detach. In this locking mechanism, by continuously applying a force from the unlocked position to the locked position, the locking protrusion 62b enters the second locking groove 22d, and the terminal locking component 60 is moved to the locking position. is locked to the first housing 20 with . The first locking groove portion 22c, the second locking groove portion 22d, and the locking projection portion 62b are formed to have a shape that allows movement between such a non-locking position and a locking position. In this example, the first locking groove portion 22c, the second locking groove portion 22d, and the locking projection portion 62b are each provided with an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the connector insertion/removal direction and the relative movement direction of the terminal locking component 60. It converts the force in the direction of relative movement from the unlocked position to the locked position into the force in the bending direction of the flexible portion 62c. The illustrated first locking groove 22c, second locking groove 22d, and locking protrusion 62b are each formed in a triangular prism shape, and are capable of moving not only from the unlocked position to the locked position but also from the locked position. Movement from the locked position to the unlocked position is also possible.

In the mating connector 1 of this embodiment, the terminal locking body 61 is moved by indirectly or directly acting on the terminal locking body 61 from the unlocked position to the locking position. A pushing mechanism 70 that indirectly or directly pushes from the unlocked position to the locked position is provided (FIGS. 1 to 8 and 11). The pushing mechanism 70 is provided between the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B, and interlocks with the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector 1A into the connector accommodating chamber 41a of the second housing 40. As shown in FIG. The pushing mechanism 70 is constructed such that the second housing 40 sandwiches the first connector 1A and indirectly or directly pushes the terminal locking body 61 from the unlocking position to the locking position.

Specifically, the pushing mechanism 70 includes a pushed portion 71 formed on the terminal locking component 60, and a pushing portion 72 provided on the periphery of the connector insertion opening 41b of the second housing 40 ( 3, 7 and 11). In this pushing mechanism 70, the pushing portion 72 moves the pushed portion 71 out of the terminal locking body 61 in conjunction with the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector 1A into the connector accommodating chamber 41a of the second housing 40. A pushed portion 71 and a pushing portion 72 are formed to push and move in the direction of displacement from the stop position to the locking position. Therefore, the pushed portion 71 is provided at the end of the terminal locking member 60 opposite to the direction in which the terminal locking body 61 is displaced from the non-locking position to the locking position. The pushing portion 72 is provided at the peripheral edge of the connector insertion opening 41b of the second housing 40 so as to face the pushed portion 71 while the first connector 1A is being inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 41a.

The pressed portion 71 has an inclined wall 71a that is inclined with respect to the connector insertion/removal direction (connector insertion direction or connector withdrawal direction) and the relative movement direction of the terminal locking component 60 with respect to the first housing 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2). 3 to 5, 7, 8, 11, 15, 18 and 19). The inclined wall 71a is formed on the end surface of the pushed portion 71 on the side opposite to the displacement direction of the terminal locking body 61 from the non-locking position to the locking position. The inclined wall 71a is tilted from the connector removal direction side of the end face thereof, and is inclined in the displacement direction side of the terminal locking body 61 from the unlocked position to the locked position on the connector insertion direction side of the tilting starting point. It is a thing.

The inclined wall 71a is formed so as to be inclined at an acute angle with respect to the connector insertion/removal direction in order to reduce the insertion force when inserting and fitting the first connector 1A into the connector accommodating chamber 41a of the second housing 40. is desirable. The inclination wall 71a can reduce the insertion force when inserting the first connector 1A into the connector accommodating chamber 41a of the second housing 40 as the inclination angle with respect to the connector insertion/removal direction becomes smaller among the acute angles. On the other hand, the inclination wall 71a becomes longer in the connector inserting/removing direction as the inclination angle thereof becomes smaller. Therefore, the pushed portion 71 is positioned outside the terminal accommodating chamber 21a (that is, outside the housing main body 21) in a direction orthogonal to the connector inserting/removing direction and the relative movement direction of the terminal locking component 60 with respect to the first housing 20. Placement is desirable. The pushed portion 71 shown here is formed in the guided body 62 (FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, 7, 8, 11, 15, 18 and 19). Therefore, the pushing mechanism 70 indirectly pushes the terminal locking body 61 from the unlocking position to the locking position. The pushed portion 71 in this example is the end of the guided body 62 on the connector insertion direction side, and the displacement direction of the terminal locking body 61 in the guided body 62 from the non-locking position to the locking position. is formed at the opposite end.

Further, when the pushed portion 71 is provided outside the terminal accommodating chamber 21a, the pushing mechanism 70 suppresses the displacement of the force acting on the terminal locking component 60 from the center of gravity of the terminal locking component 60. is desirable. Therefore, the pressed portions 71 are provided at a plurality of positions at intervals in the direction orthogonal to the connector inserting/removing direction and the relative movement direction of the terminal locking component 60 with respect to the first housing 20 . It is desirable to force the center of gravity from the unlocked position toward the locked position. For example, the pushed portions 71 are desirably provided at both ends of the terminal locking component 60 in the orthogonal direction. This exemplified pushed portion 71 is the tip of each guided body 62 on the connector insertion direction side, and is a portion of the terminal locking body 61 of each guided body 62 that moves from the unlocked position to the locked position. It is provided at the end on the side opposite to the displacement direction.

In the pushing mechanism 70 shown here, part of the peripheral edge of the connector insertion opening 41 b in the second housing 40 is used as the pushing portion 72 . A pushing portion 72 is provided for each pushed portion 71 on the peripheral edge thereof. At the pushing portion 72, the inclined wall 71a of the pushed portion 71 abuts during the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector 1A into the connector accommodating chamber 41a of the second housing 40. As shown in FIG. The pushing portion 72 pushes the pushed portion 71 along the inclined wall 71a in the direction of displacing the terminal locking body 61 from the non-locking position to the locking position as the insertion and fitting operation progresses.

The pushing mechanism 70 may be configured only by a combination of the pushed portion 71 and the pushing portion 72, or may be configured as follows. Therefore, hereinafter, the pressed portion 71 will be referred to as the first pressed portion 71, and the inclined wall 71a will be referred to as the first inclined wall 71a. Moreover, the pushing portion 72 is hereinafter referred to as the first pushing portion 72 .

In addition to the first pushed portion 71 and the second pushed portion 72, the pushing mechanism 70 includes a second pushed portion 73 formed in the first housing 20 and a connector insertion portion in the second housing 40. and a second pushing portion 74 provided on the periphery of the mouth 41b (FIGS. 3, 7 and 11).

In this pushing mechanism 70, the second pushing portion 74 moves the second pushed portion 73 to the first pushed portion 73 in conjunction with the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector 1A into the connector accommodating chamber 41a of the second housing 40. A combination of the moving part 71 and the first pushing part 72 pushes and moves in the opposite direction to form a second pushed part 73 and a second pushing part 74 . Therefore, the second pressed portion 73 is provided on the first housing 20 on the side of the first pressed portion 71 in the direction in which the terminal locking body 61 is displaced from the unlocked position to the locked position. The second pushed portion 73 is arranged to face the second pushed portion 73 at the periphery of the connector insertion opening 41b in the second housing 40 while the first connector 1A is being inserted into the connector receiving chamber 41a. set in part.

The second pushed portion 73 is provided at the end of the first housing 20 on the side of the terminal locking body 61 that is displaced from the unlocked position to the locked position relative to the first pushed portion 71 . The illustrated second pressed portion 73 is the tip of each guide body 22 on the connector insertion direction side, and is a portion of the terminal locking body 61 on each guide body 22 that moves from the unlocked position to the locked position. It is provided at the end in the displacement direction (FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 15, 18 and 19).

Further, the second pushed portion 73 has a second inclined wall 73 a inclined with respect to the connector insertion/extraction direction (connector insertion direction or connector extraction direction) and the relative movement direction of the terminal locking component 60 with respect to the first housing 20 . (FIGS. 1-3, 5-7, 11, 15, 18 and 19). The second inclined wall 73a is formed on the end surface of the second pressed portion 73 on the side of the displacement direction of the terminal locking body 61 from the non-locking position to the locking position. The second inclined wall 73a has an inclination starting point on the connector removal direction side of the end surface thereof, and is located on the connector insertion direction side of the inclination starting point on the displacement direction side of the terminal locking body 61 from the locking position to the unlocking position. It is tilted toward

In this pushing mechanism 70 , part of the peripheral edge of the connector insertion opening 41 b in the second housing 40 is used as a second pushing portion 74 . A second pushing portion 74 is provided for each second pushed portion 73 on the peripheral edge thereof. In the second pushing portion 74, the second inclined wall 73a of the second pushed portion 73 abuts during the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector 1A into the connector accommodating chamber 41a of the second housing 40. As shown in FIG. The second pushing portion 74 displaces the second pressed portion 73 from the locking position of the terminal locking body 61 to the unlocking position along the second inclined wall 73a as the insertion fitting operation progresses. direction (that is, opposite to the direction of displacement of the terminal locking body 61 from the non-locking position to the locking position).

In this pushing mechanism 70, the combination of the first pushed portion 71 and the first pushed portion 72 causes the terminal locking component 60 to move relative to the first housing 20, and the second pushed portion The first pressed portion 71 and the first pressing portion 71 are arranged so that the combined force of the first pushed portion 73 and the second pressing portion 74 for moving the first housing 20 relative to the terminal locking component 60 have the same magnitude. A moving portion 72, a second pushed portion 73, and a second pushing portion 74 are formed. In the pushing mechanism 70, the direction of the force generated by the combination of the first pushed portion 71 and the first pushing portion 72 and the combination of the second pushed portion 73 and the second pushing portion 74 are A first pushed portion 71, a first pushed portion 72, a second pushed portion 73, and a second pushed portion 74 are formed so that the directions of the forces applied by the two are opposite to each other. For example, the first inclined wall 71a of the first pushed portion 71 and the second inclined wall 73a of the second pushed portion 73 have opposite inclination directions with respect to the connector insertion direction, and are inclined with respect to the connector insertion direction. They are formed so that the angles are the same as each other. The first pressing portion 72 and the second pressing portion 74 are formed to face each other in the direction of relative movement between the first housing 20 and the terminal locking component 60 . As a result, the pushing mechanism 70 applies a force of equal magnitude from the first pushing portion 72 side and the second pushing portion 74 side for relatively moving the first housing 20 and the terminal locking component 60 . can be made to act in the opposite direction.

Here, the second housing 40 includes a first inclined portion 42 which is formed at the same angle of inclination as the first inclined wall 71a and arranged to face the first inclined wall 71a at the connector fitting position, and a second inclined wall. It is desirable to have a second inclined portion 43 which is formed at the same angle of inclination as 73a and which is arranged to face the second inclined wall 73a at the connector fitting position (FIGS. 3, 7, 11 and 15). ). The first inclined portion 42 and the second inclined portion 43 are formed on the inner peripheral wall of the housing main body 41 . The first inclined portion 42 and the second inclined portion 43 are formed so as to clamp the first inclined wall 71a and the second inclined wall 73a at the connector fitting position. As a result, the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B can increase the mutual contact area at the connector fitting position, so that rattling at the connector fitting position can be suppressed.

In addition, in the first connector 1A, together with the terminal locking body 61, although not shown, a so-called flexible lance provided on the first housing 20 and the first terminal fitting 10 locked by the lance are provided. and a to-be-latched portion. That is, in the first connector 1A, the first terminal fitting 10 may be locked at the accommodation completion position by the lance and the locked portion of the first terminal fitting 10. FIG.

As described above, the mating connector 1 of the present embodiment is interlocked with the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector 1A into the connector receiving chamber 41a of the second housing 40 by the pushing mechanism 70, and the second housing 40 is moved. The terminal locking body 61 can be pushed from the non-locking position to the locking position while sandwiching the first connector 1A. Therefore, in this mating connector 1, when the terminal locking body 61 is pushed from the non-locking position to the locking position by the pushing mechanism 70, the first connector 1A in the connector accommodating chamber 41a is displaced. Since rattling can be suppressed, oblique insertion of the first connector 1A into the connector accommodating chamber 41a can be suppressed. Therefore, the fitting connector 1 of the present embodiment can suppress variations in the magnitude and direction of the force applied to the terminal locking body 61 by the pushing mechanism 70, so that the terminal locking portion 61a is pushed into the terminal accommodating chamber 21a. can improve the insertion workability. In the mating connector 1 of the present embodiment, the pushing mechanism 70 applies force to the first pushing portion 72 side and the second pushing portion 74 to move the first housing 20 and the terminal locking component 60 relative to each other. They are made to act on each other in equal magnitudes and in opposite directions from the sides.

Furthermore, in the fitting connector 1 of the present embodiment, the inclination angles of the first inclined wall 71a of the first pushed portion 71 and the second inclined wall 73a of the second pushed portion 73 are made acute and shallow. As a result, the insertion force required when inserting and fitting the first connector 1A into the connector receiving chamber 41a of the second housing 40 is reduced. Therefore, the mating connector 1 can be pushed by the pushing mechanism 70 to move the terminal locking body 61 from the unlocked position while inserting and fitting the first connector 1A into the connector accommodating chamber 41a of the second housing 40 with a light insertion force. Since the terminal locking portion 61a can be displaced to the locking position, the workability of inserting the terminal locking portion 61a into the terminal accommodating chamber 21a can be improved.

Furthermore, in the mating connector 1 of the present embodiment, the terminal locking body 61 is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position during the work process of inserting and fitting the first connector 1A into the connector receiving chamber 41a of the second housing 40. It includes a work process to displace to. Therefore, the fitting connector 1 does not need to be independently displaced from the unlocked position to the locked position, thereby simplifying the assembly work. Further, in this fitting connector 1, it is not necessary to independently displace the terminal locking body 61 from the non-locking position to the locking position. Since it is attached to the first housing 20, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an unforeseen event such as forgetting to attach the terminal locking body 61. FIG.

[Modification]
In the mating connector 1 of the above-described embodiment, the terminal locking body 61 is provided on the terminal locking component 60 as a component separate from the first housing 20 . In this modified example, by providing a terminal locking body as a part of the first housing, the same effect as that of the fitting connector 1 of the embodiment is obtained. Reference numeral 101 in FIG. 20 indicates a fitting connector of this modification. The fitting connector 101 includes a first connector 101A and a second connector 101B that are electrically connected at a connector fitting position where they are fitted together.

The first connector 101A has a first housing 120 (FIGS. 20 to 23), and a first terminal fitting 110 (FIG. 27) physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire We is a terminal of the first housing 120. It is housed in the housing chamber 121a (FIG. 23). The second connector 1B has a second housing 140, and second terminal fittings 130 physically and electrically connected to terminals of electric wires (not shown) are accommodated in terminal accommodating chambers 141a of the second housing 140. (FIGS. 20 and 24). The fitting connector 101 of this modified example includes a plurality of first connectors 101A, and the respective first connectors 101A are inserted and fitted into the terminal accommodating chambers 141a of the second connector 1B (FIGS. 20, 24 and 25). ). For the first terminal fitting 110 and the second terminal fitting 130, for example, the first terminal fitting 10 and the second terminal fitting 30 of the above-described embodiment may be used.

The first housing 120 and the second housing 140 are each molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

The first connector 101A includes a plurality of first terminal fittings 110 to which the wires We are physically and electrically connected. A terminal accommodating chamber 121a is formed for each first terminal fitting 110 in the first housing 120, and the electric wire We is drawn out from the terminal accommodating chamber 121a in which the first terminal fitting 110 is accommodated. The illustrated first connector 101A includes two first terminal fittings 110 and a first housing 120 in which two terminal receiving chambers 121a are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the connector insertion/removal direction. In the first housing 120, each terminal receiving chamber 121a is formed in a parallelepiped housing main body 121 (FIG. 23).

The first housing 120 further has a terminal locking body 122 having a terminal locking portion 122a (FIGS. 21 to 25). The terminal locking body 122 is molded integrally with the housing main body 121 as a part of the first housing 120 . This terminal lock body 122 is formed to be displaced between a non-lock position and a lock position with respect to the housing main body 121, and is arranged in a direction crossing the connector insertion/removal direction (connector insertion direction or connector withdrawal direction). displace along The terminal locking bodies 122 are provided at two locations in the housing main body 121 of the first housing 120 in a direction orthogonal to the connector inserting/removing direction.

One of the terminal locking bodies 122 locks the first terminal fitting 110 in one of the terminal accommodating chambers 121a, and the other of the terminal locking bodies 122 engages the first terminal fitting 110 in the other terminal accommodating chamber 121a. may be locked. Further, both of the terminal locking bodies 122 may lock the first terminal fittings 110 of the respective terminal accommodating chambers 121a. The latter is exemplified here. Accordingly, the terminal locking body 122 is formed with a terminal locking portion 122a for each of the first terminal fittings 110 in each terminal receiving chamber 121a. The terminal locking body 122 is provided on each of the outer walls 123a and 123b, which are perpendicular to the connector inserting/removing direction of the housing main body 121 and the arrangement direction of the two terminal accommodating chambers 121a (FIGS. 21 and 23). ).

The terminal locking body 122 has a cantilevered flexible portion 122b with a fixed end provided on the housing main body 121 of the first housing 120 (FIGS. 21 to 24). The flexible portion 122b is formed so as to be elastically deformable along a direction intersecting the connector inserting/removing direction. The two terminal locking portions 122a are provided at the free ends of the flexible portion 122b and protrude from the free ends toward the terminal accommodating chamber 121a. In this terminal locking body 122, the terminal locking portion 122a is displaced between the non-locking position and the locking position as the flexible portion 122b elastically deforms.

In the illustrated terminal locking body 122, the flexible portion 122b protrudes from the outer wall 123a (123b) at the unlocked position, and the terminal locking portion 122a is at least at the unlocked position. It is formed so as to be disposed outside the terminal receiving chamber 121a. The illustrated terminal locking body 122 is formed so that the flexible portion 122b enters the terminal accommodating chamber 121a to lock the first terminal fitting 110 at the locking position. For example, the flexible portion 122b is formed as a flexible piece extending in a single piece from a fixed end on the side of the outer wall 123a (123b) toward a free end. The illustrated flexible portion 122b has a thickness that is gradually thinner on the fixed end side than on the free end side. Through-holes 124 are formed in the outer walls 123a and 123b to communicate with the respective terminal accommodating chambers 121a and to accommodate the flexible portion 122b at the locking position (FIG. 20). Each outer wall 123a, 123b forms a wall of each terminal receiving chamber 121a. Therefore, in the terminal locking body 122, the terminal locking portion 122a enters into the terminal accommodating chamber 121a at the locking position.

The terminal accommodating chamber 141a of the second housing 140 accommodates a number of second terminal fittings 130 corresponding to the number of the first terminal fittings 110 included in one first connector 101A. Accordingly, two second terminal fittings 130 are accommodated in the illustrated terminal accommodating chamber 141a. This terminal accommodating chamber 141a is also used as a chamber (hereinafter also referred to as "connector accommodating chamber" as necessary) 141a for inserting and fitting the first connector 101A along the connector insertion direction to the connector fitting position. . In the second housing 140, a connector accommodating chamber (terminal accommodating chamber) 141a is formed for each first connector 101A. The second housing 140 also has a connector insertion opening 141b, which is a starting position for inserting the first connector 101A into the connector accommodating chamber 141a (FIGS. 20, 24 and 27). The connector insertion opening 141b is provided for each first connector 101A.

In the fitting connector 101 of this modification, the terminal locking bodies 122 are directly unlocked by applying a force directed from the unlocking position to the locking position to the terminal locking bodies 122 . A pushing mechanism 170 is provided for pushing from the locking position to the locking position (FIGS. 24 and 26). The pushing mechanism 170 is provided between the first connector 101A and the second connector 101B, and interlocks with the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector 101A into the connector accommodating chamber 141a of the second housing 140. As shown in FIG. The pushing mechanism 170 is configured such that the second housing 140 sandwiches the first connector 101A and directly pushes the terminal locking body 122 from the unlocking position to the locking position.

Specifically, this pushing mechanism 170 includes a pushing portion 172 provided on the periphery of the connector insertion opening 141b in the second housing 140 (FIGS. 24 and 26). In this pushing mechanism 170, the pushing portion 172 engages the terminal at the flexible portion 122b of the terminal locking body 122 in conjunction with the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector 101A into the connector accommodating chamber 141a of the second housing 140. A force is applied to the side opposite to the stopping portion 122a. The pushing portion 172 is formed to push and move the terminal locking body 122 in the direction of displacement from the unlocking position to the locking position by its force.

In the pushing mechanism 170 shown here, part of the peripheral edge of the connector insertion opening 141 b in the second housing 140 is used as the pushing portion 172 . The pushing portion 172 is provided on the periphery of each terminal locking body 122 . In this example, two pushing portions 172 are provided on the periphery of the connector insertion opening 141 b in the second housing 140 . Each pressing portion 172 is arranged at its peripheral edge in a direction orthogonal to the connector inserting/removing direction and the arranging direction of the two terminal accommodating chambers 121a. In the pushing portion 172, the opposite side of the flexible portion 122b of the terminal locking body 122 to the terminal locking portion 122a is pushed during the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector 101A into the connector accommodating chamber 141a of the second housing 140. abut. The pushing portion 172 pushes the flexible portion 122b from the fixed end side to the free end side in the direction of displacing the terminal locking body 122 from the non-locking position to the locking position as the insertion and fitting operation progresses. move.

As described above, the fitting connector 101 of the present modification is interlocked with the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector 101A into the connector accommodating chamber 141a of the second housing 140 by the pushing mechanism 170, and the second housing 101 The terminal lock body 122 can be pushed from the unlocked position to the locked position while the first connector 101A is sandwiched between the clamps 140. As shown in FIG. Therefore, in this mating connector 101, when the terminal locking body 122 is pushed from the non-locking position to the locking position by the pushing mechanism 170, the first connector 101A in the connector accommodating chamber 141a is displaced. Since rattling can be suppressed, oblique insertion of the first connector 101A into the connector accommodating chamber 141a can be suppressed. Therefore, in the fitting connector 101 of this modified example, variations in the magnitude and direction of the force applied to the terminal locking body 122 by the pushing mechanism 170 can be suppressed. can improve the insertion workability. In the fitting connector 101 of this modified example, the pushing mechanism 170 applies a force for pushing the two terminal locking bodies 122 in one first connector 101A from the unlocked position to the locked position. From the portion 172, they are caused to act in opposite directions with an equal size.

Further, in the mating connector 101 of this modification, the terminal locking body 122 is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position during the work process of inserting and fitting the first connector 101A into the connector receiving chamber 141a of the second housing 140. and the work process to displace. Therefore, the fitting connector 101 does not need to be independently displaced from the unlocked position to the locked position, thereby simplifying the assembly work. In addition, this mating connector 101 does not require the operation of displacing the terminal locking body 122 from the non-locking position to the locking position by itself, and the terminal locking body 122 is a part of the first housing 120 . Since it is integrally formed as a single piece, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an unforeseen situation such as forgetting to assemble the terminal locking body 122 .

By the way, the first connector 101A of this modified example may be connected to one end and the other end of a twisted pair wire (a so-called twisted pair cable). Here, conventionally, a combination of two terminal fittings forming a pair is accommodated in one housing, and there are some that require formation of a plurality of sets of twisted pair wires in that one housing. However, in the fitting connector 101 of this modified example, after forming a twisted pair for each first connector 101A, each first connector 101A is inserted and fitted into the connector accommodating chamber 141a of the second housing 140. Therefore, the work in forming the twisted pair wire can be improved as compared with such a conventional one.

For example, in this modification, one ends of two electric wires We are accommodated in the respective terminal accommodating chambers 121a of one first connector 101A at the accommodation completion positions, and the other ends of the two electric wires We are accommodated in the accommodation completion positions of the respective terminal accommodation chambers 121a of the first connector 101A (FIG. 27). In this modification, one first connector 101A is fixed to the fixing jig E1, and the other first connector 101A is installed in the twister E2 (FIG. 28). The first connector 101A is rotated to twist the two electric wires We to form a twisted pair of the two electric wires We (FIG. 29). After that, in this modified example, one first connector 101A is removed from the fixing jig E1, and the other first connector 101A is removed from the twister E2 (FIG. 30).

Reference Signs List 1, 101 fitting connector 1A, 101A first connector 1B, 101B second connector 10, 110 first terminal fitting 13 engaged portion 20, 120 first housing 21a, 121a terminal receiving chamber 30, 130 second terminal fitting 40 , 140 second housing 41a, 141a connector accommodating chamber (terminal accommodating chamber)
41b, 141b Connector insertion port 42 First inclined portion 43 Second inclined portion 60 Terminal locking component 61 Terminal locking body 61a Terminal locking portion 70 Pushing mechanism 71 Pushed portion (first pushed portion)
71a inclined wall (first inclined wall)
72 pusher (first pusher)
73 second pushed portion 73a second inclined wall 74 second pushing portion 122 terminal locking body 122a terminal locking portion 122b flexible portion 170 pushing mechanism 172 pushing portion

Claims (8)

a first connector and a second connector that are electrically connected at a connector mating position that is mated with each other;
The first connector includes a first terminal fitting, a first housing in which the first terminal fitting is accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber at an accommodation completion position, and a connector insertion/extraction direction between the first connector and the second connector. a terminal locking component assembled so as to be movable relative to the first housing along a direction orthogonal to the
The second connector accommodates a second terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to the first terminal fitting at the connector fitting position, and the second terminal fitting. a second housing for inserting and fitting to the connector fitting position,
The first housing is provided at both ends of the housing main body in which the terminal accommodating chambers are formed and in a direction orthogonal to the connector inserting/removing direction and the relative movement direction of the terminal locking parts with respect to the first housing, a guide body that guides the terminal locking component along a direction of relative movement with respect to the first housing;
The second housing includes a connector receiving chamber into which the first connector is inserted and fitted up to the connector fitting position along the connector insertion direction, and a connector insertion opening serving as an insertion start position of the first connector into the connector receiving chamber. and
The terminal locking component is provided with a terminal locking portion for locking the first terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position, and is in a non-locking position where locking of the first terminal fitting by the terminal locking portion is impossible. and a locking position where the first terminal fitting can be locked by the terminal locking portion along the direction of relative movement with respect to the first housing; and the connector a guided body provided at both ends of the terminal locking body in a direction orthogonal to the insertion/removal direction and the relative movement direction and guided by the guide body along the relative movement direction;
Between the first connector and the second connector, the terminals are locked while the first connector is sandwiched between the second housing in conjunction with the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector into the second housing. providing a pushing mechanism for moving the body from the unlocked position to the locked position ;
The pushing mechanism is formed on the body to be guided outside the terminal accommodating chamber in a direction orthogonal to the connector insertion direction and the relative movement direction, and is positioned relative to the connector insertion direction and the relative movement direction. and a pushed portion provided on the periphery of the connector insertion opening in the second housing, and the pushed portion provided during the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector into the connector receiving chamber. and pushes the pushed portion along the inclined wall in the direction of displacement from the unlocked position to the locked position of the terminal locking body as the insertion and fitting operation progresses. A mating connector , comprising: a moving pusher . 2. The fitting connector according to claim 1, wherein the pushed portion is provided on each of the guided members. The pushing mechanism includes a first pushed portion as the pushed portion having a first inclined wall as the inclined wall, a first pushing portion as the pushing portion, and the first housing. and disposed on the side of the terminal locking body in the displacement direction from the unlocking position to the locking position relative to the first pressed portion, and in the connector insertion direction and the relative movement direction. and a second pushed portion provided on the periphery of the connector insertion opening in the second housing, the second pushed portion being provided during the insertion and fitting operation. a second pushing portion that abuts against the second inclined wall of the and presses and moves the second pushed portion along the second inclined wall in a direction opposite to the displacement direction as the insertion fitting operation progresses; 3. A mating connector according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: The first slanted wall and the second slanted wall are formed so that the slanting directions with respect to the connector insertion direction are opposite to each other and the slanting angles with respect to the connector insertion direction are the same angle,
4. The mating connector according to claim 3, wherein said first pressing portion and said second pressing portion are formed to face each other in said relative movement direction. The second housing has a first inclined portion formed at the same angle of inclination as the first inclined wall, and facing the first inclined wall at the connector fitting position, and a first inclined portion which is the same as the second inclined wall. a second inclined portion formed at an inclined angle and opposed to the second inclined wall at the connector fitting position;
5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are formed to clamp the first inclined wall and the second inclined wall at the connector fitting position. Mating connector as described. a first connector and a second connector that are electrically connected at a connector mating position that is mated with each other;
The first connector includes: a first terminal fitting; a first housing in which the first terminal fitting is accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber at an accommodation completion position; A non-locking position in which the terminal locking portion cannot lock the first terminal fitting, and a locking position in which the terminal locking portion can lock the first terminal fitting. a terminal locking body displaceable with respect to the first housing between
The second connector accommodates a second terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to the first terminal fitting at the connector fitting position, and the second terminal fitting. a second housing for inserting and fitting to the connector fitting position,
Between the first connector and the second connector, the terminals are locked while the first connector is sandwiched between the second housing in conjunction with the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector into the second housing. providing a pushing mechanism for moving the body from the unlocked position to the locked position;
The terminal locking body has a fixed end provided on the first housing, and is a cantilever capable of being elastically deformed along a direction intersecting a connector insertion direction of the first connector into the second housing. a flexible portion; and the terminal locking portion provided at a free end of the flexible portion and displaced between the unlocked position and the locked position as the flexible portion elastically deforms. death,
The second housing includes a connector housing chamber into which the first connector is inserted and fitted along the connector insertion direction up to the connector fitting position, and a connector inserting chamber which is an insertion start position of the first connector into the connector housing chamber. having a mouth and
The pushing mechanism is provided on the periphery of the connector insertion opening in the second housing, and the flexible portion of the terminal locking body abuts during the insertion and fitting operation of the first connector into the connector receiving chamber. and a pushing portion that pushes the flexible portion in a direction of displacement of the terminal locking body from the non-locking position to the locking position as the insertion and fitting operation progresses. connector. The terminal locking bodies are provided at two locations in the first housing in a direction orthogonal to the connector insertion direction,
7. The fitting connector according to claim 6, wherein the pushing portion is provided for each of the terminal locking bodies around the periphery of the connector insertion opening in the second housing. comprising a plurality of the first connectors,
The first connector includes two first terminal fittings to which electric wires are physically and electrically connected,
The first housing is formed with the terminal accommodating chamber for each of the first terminal fittings that accommodates the first terminal fittings and allows the electric wire to be drawn out, and the terminal locking portion for each of the first terminal fittings. and the terminal locking body,
8. A fitting connector according to claim 6, wherein said second housing has said connector accommodating chamber and said connector insertion opening for each of said first connectors.

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