JPH11111378A - United connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a connector from being used in an incompletely united condition by making it possible to determine the incomplete unity of the connector. SOLUTION: Subconnectors 12 are formed by combining upper and lower unit connectors 20, 21 and the subconnectors 12 are inserted into a connector- receiving chamber 14 of a base connector 11, so as to unite them. The dimensions of the subconnectors 12 and the connector-receiving chamber 14 are so set that the subconnectors 12 project partially from the connector- receiving chamber 14, if the subconnectors 12 are not completely inserted into the connector receiving chamber 14, and thereby the complete or incomplete unity is determined, depending on the presence of the projection of the subconnector 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combined connector used by combining two or more connectors.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 11 and 12 show a conventional combined connector. The united connector of FIG. 11 is configured by stacking a plurality of connectors 1 and 1 vertically and uniting them, and housings 2 and 2 of the connectors are formed in the same shape. On the outer surface of each housing 2, 2,
The hooks 3 and the hook grooves 4 are provided so as to be opposed to each other. The housings 2 and 2 are overlapped with each other to prevent the housings 2 and 2 from coming off by being mutually engaged, thereby maintaining the united state. It has become so. 5
Is a terminal housed in the housings 2 and 2, and 6 is a wire harness connected to the terminal 5.

[0003] In the united connector shown in Fig. 12, a plurality of connectors 7, 7, ... are arranged side by side to form a united connector. The plurality of connectors 7, 7,... Comprise housings 9, 9,... Having different numbers of terminal accommodating chambers 8, and these housings 9, 9,. The cover 10 is formed in a rectangular shape into which a predetermined number of connectors 7, 7,... Are inserted. By inserting the connectors 7, 7,. The relative movement is restricted by the cover 10 to form a united connector. In this conventional structure, the connectors 7, 7,... Do not have means for uniting individually, but are simply integrated into the cover 10 to form a united connector.

[0004]

In the structure of FIG. 11, the connectors are united by the engagement of the hooks 3 and the hook grooves 4, and in the structure of FIG. , ... are united.

However, the conventional united connector does not include a means for checking whether the connectors 2, 2, 7, 7,... Are completely integrated. For this reason, it is not possible to discriminate between the completely combined and the incompletely combined, and when the connector is fitted with the mating connector with the incompletely combined state, the connector is dropped or separated from the combined state. For this reason, reliable use is not possible.

Further, the conventional structure has a problem that the connector has a weak coupling force, and even when assembled in a completely integrated state, the connector is decomposed from the combined state by vibration, a pulling force acting on the electric wire, or other external force. I have.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a combined connector which can prevent the use of an incompletely combined connector by employing a structure capable of confirming the combined state of the connectors.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a united connector which is not disassembled by an external force by adopting a structure capable of firmly connecting the connectors.

[0009]

To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of connectors are united by inserting a second connector into a connector accommodating chamber provided in the first connector. A combined connector fitted to a mating connector, wherein the mating with the mating connector is allowed in a state where the second connector is completely inserted into the connector accommodating chamber;
Since the fitting of the second connector to the mating connector is prevented in a state where the second connector is incompletely inserted into the connector accommodating chamber, the structure can be determined based on the state of insertion of the second connector into the connector accommodating chamber. It is characterized by having.

In this combined connector, the first and second connectors are combined by inserting the second connector into the connector accommodating chamber of the first connector. At this time, when the second connector is inserted, that is, when the second connector is completely inserted into the connector accommodating chamber, the mating with the mating connector is allowed. By preventing the engagement, it is possible to determine whether the second connector is completely integrated with the first connector or incompletely integrated, so that use in an incompletely integrated state can be prevented beforehand. , Can make reliable use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the second connector is accommodated in the connector accommodating chamber by the complete insertion, and the second connector is accommodated in the connector accommodating chamber by the incomplete insertion. The dimensions of the second connector and the connector accommodating chamber are set so as to partially protrude from the second connector.

In this combined connector, when the second connector is incompletely inserted into the connector housing chamber of the first connector, the second connector projects from the connector housing chamber. Therefore, complete merging and incomplete merging can be easily determined based on the presence or absence of protrusion.

[0013] A third aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the second aspect, wherein the second connector is formed by combining a plurality of unit connectors.

In this combined connector, a second connector is formed by combining a plurality of unit connectors. Then, the second connector and the first connector are united by inserting the united second connector into the connector accommodating chamber of the first connector. Therefore, the united connector is formed by the two-stage uniting, and the number of united connectors can be increased.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the second connector is formed by combining a plurality of unit connectors, and the insertion opening of the connector accommodating chamber is The frontage dimension is set so that the second connector in the completely combined state of the unit connectors can be inserted, while the second connector in the incompletely combined state cannot be inserted.

Also in this united connector, a second connector is formed by uniting a plurality of unit connectors, and by inserting the second connector into the connector accommodating chamber of the first connector, the second connector is connected to the second connector. The first connector is combined. For this reason, the number of combined connectors can be increased.

In this structure, the second connector in which the unit connectors are completely combined can be inserted into the connector accommodating chamber of the first connector, but when the unit connectors are incompletely combined, the second connector is connected to the first connector. Cannot be inserted into the connector housing chamber. Depending on whether or not it can be inserted into the connector accommodating chamber, it is possible to easily judge the completely unionized state and the incompletely unionized state, and it is possible to respond thereafter.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the third aspect, wherein a concave portion and a convex portion which engage with each other to unite the unit connectors with each of the plurality of unit connectors to be united are opposed to each other. It is characterized by being provided.

When the concave portion and the convex portion are fitted with each other, the unit connectors are completely integrated. On the other hand, when the concave portion and the convex portion do not fit, the unit connector is incompletely united,
The unit connector is in a raised state. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to insert the second connector into the connector accommodating chamber of the first connector, the second connector abuts on the first connector and cannot be inserted. This makes it possible to easily determine the incompletely combined state.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein each of the plurality of unit connectors to be united engages with each other to hold the united state. The members are provided to face each other.

In this structure, since the hook members provided on the unit connectors are engaged with each other to maintain the united state, the unit connectors are firmly connected. For this reason, it is not decomposed by an external force such as vibration or a pulling force acting on the electric wire, and a stable combined state can be obtained.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the first connector can be fitted with a mating connector, and the second connector and the second connector are connected to each other. A retaining groove and a retaining rib that are arranged along a direction intersecting with the mating direction with the mating connector and that are fitted to each other are provided at opposing portions of the connector accommodating chamber.

In this structure, since the retaining grooves and the retaining ribs that engage with each other are formed in a direction that intersects with the mating direction with the mating connector, the mating or mating with the mating connector is performed. This prevents the second connector from being detached from the first connector even when a stress is exerted upon detachment from the cable or a pulling force acts on the electric wire. Therefore, the coupling strength of the connector can be increased, and stable coupling can be performed.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the seventh aspect, wherein an engaging groove for cutting the retaining rib is formed, and the second connector is inserted into a connector accommodating chamber. An engaging projection engaging with the engaging groove is formed in the retaining groove.

In this structure, when the second connector is inserted into the connector accommodating chamber, the engagement projection engages with the engagement groove. This engagement is in the direction in which the second connector is inserted, and the engagement couples the second connector and the first connector. Therefore, the second connector is firmly connected to the first connector even in the insertion direction, and does not come off from the first connector, so that a stable combined state is achieved.

The ninth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the first connector can be brought into contact with a mating connector to which the first connector is fitted, and can be connected to the mating connector. A cam surface for converting a pressing force at the time of fitting into an insertion force of the second connector into the connector accommodating chamber is formed on the second connector.

The cam surface in this structure comes into contact with the mating connector to which the first connector is fitted, and converts a pressing force for fitting to the mating connector into an insertion force of the second connector. Therefore, when fitting the first connector to the mating connector, the second connector can be pushed into the connector accommodating chamber of the first connector. This allows
The second connector is completely inserted. Therefore, even if the second connector is in an incompletely inserted state, the second connector can be completely inserted at the same time as the mating with the mating connector, thereby simplifying the insertion operation.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the first connector is matable with a mating connector, and the second connector and the second connector are connected to each other. A retaining hook and a hook receiver are provided at positions facing the connector accommodating chamber along the direction of mating with the mating connector and engage with each other.

The retaining hook and the hook receiver having this structure are provided along the mating direction with the mating connector, and the first and second connectors are firmly combined by engaging with each other. . Therefore, the second connector does not come off from the first connector even if a stress is applied when the connector is mated with or disengaged from the mating connector or a tensile force is applied to the electric wire.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

First Embodiment FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a base connector as a first connector, and reference numeral 12 denotes a sub-connector as a second connector, all of which are formed of an insulating resin. The combined connector of the present embodiment is formed by combining the sub-connector 12 with the base connector 11.

The base connector 11 has a terminal accommodating chamber 13 for accommodating terminals (not shown).
It is formed in two rows, left and right. On the left and right sides of the terminal accommodating chamber 13, connector accommodating chambers 14 into which the sub-connectors 12 are inserted are formed.

Each of the connector accommodating chambers 14 has a side wall 15 which is a boundary with the terminal accommodating chamber 13, and an upper wall 16 and a lower wall 17 extending in the left-right direction from the upper and lower ends of the side wall 15.
Are formed by being surrounded by a rear wall portion 18 continuously connecting rear ends of the upper wall portion 16 and the lower wall portion 17.
A side surface portion facing the side wall portion 15 and a front surface portion facing the rear wall portion 18 in the connector accommodating chamber 14 are opened, and the opened side portion serves as an insertion opening 19 into which the sub-connector 12 is inserted. I have.

The sub-connector 12 includes a unit connector 20,
21 are formed by stacking and combining two upper and lower stages. FIG. 2 shows a disassembled state of the sub-connector 12, wherein 20 is a lower unit connector, 21 is an upper unit connector, each of which is formed in a rectangular box shape with an open rear surface.

The left and right side portions 34 of the lower unit connector 20
On the rear side, a receiving portion 22 for receiving the upper unit connector 21 is formed so as to protrude. A hook protrusion 23 with which the upper unit connector 21 is engaged is formed above the receiving portion 22. Although the upper surface of the lower unit connector 20 is partially opened, the opening 24 is closed by the bottom unit 25 of the upper unit connector 21 by stacking the upper unit connectors 21. I have.

The left and right side portions 35 of the upper unit connector 21
A hook piece 26 extending downward is formed on the front side of. The hook piece 26 abuts on the receiving portion 22 of the lower unit connector 20 when the upper unit connector 21 is overlaid on the lower unit connector 20. This contact and lower unit connector 2
The upper side unit connector 21 is supported by the lower unit connector 20 as shown in FIG.

The hook piece 26 of the upper unit connector 21 is formed with a hook hole 27 with which the hook projection 23 of the lower unit connector 20 is engaged. The hook hole 27 and the hook projection 23 constitute a hook member that engages with each other. The engagement of the hook hole 27 and the hook projection 23 causes the lower unit connector 20 and the upper unit connector 21 to engage with each other. It does not come off firmly.
Therefore, the upper and lower unit connectors 20 and 21 can be stably combined.

The upper surface 28 of the upper unit connector 21 is partially open, and the opening 31 is closed by a lid 29. The lid 29 is rotatably provided on the upper surface portion 28 of the upper unit connector 21 via the hinge portion 30, and closes the opening 31 by the rotation.

The locking holes 32 are provided at the left and right tip sides of the lid 29.
Are bent and connected to each other. On the other hand, the locking projection 36 facing the locking hole 32 is
Is formed. Therefore, when the lid 29 is rotated in the closing direction, the locking projections 36 and the locking holes 32 are engaged, the closed state of the lid 29 is fixed, and the lid 29 may be opened carelessly. Is prevented.

The sub-connector 12 is assembled by stacking the lower unit connector 20 and the upper unit connector 21 and engaging the hook projections 23 with the hook holes 27 to unite the upper and lower unit connectors 20, 21. Can be Then, by closing the lid 29, as shown in FIG.
Formed.

As described above, the upper and lower unit connectors 20, 2
In the structure in which the sub-connector 12 is formed by combining the sub-connectors 1 and the sub-connector 12 is inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14 of the base connector 11 to be combined, the combined connector is formed by the two-stage combination. There is an advantage that the number of unions can be increased.

Further, a retaining groove 39 is formed in the sub-connector 12. The retaining groove 39 is formed by partially recessing the bottom surface portion 40 of the lower unit connector 20 along the left-right direction, and a retaining rib 38 of the base connector 11 described later fits therein.

In this embodiment, the base connector 1
1 is connected to the mating connector 42 (see FIG. 4) to connect the connectors. 1 and 4, the base connector 11 is fitted into the mating connector 42 from the front surface 43 side. Prior to this fitting, the sub-connector 12 is inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14 of the base connector 11.

The connector accommodating chamber 14 of the base connector 11
As shown in FIG. 1, a retaining rib 38 and an engagement groove 41 are provided in the inside of the.

The retaining rib 38 is provided in the connector housing chamber 14.
Is provided so as to protrude upward from the lower wall portion 17. The retaining ribs 38 are formed along a cross direction orthogonal to the fitting direction in which the base connector 11 is fitted to the mating connector 42, and are formed by inserting the sub-connector 12 into the connector accommodating chamber 14. The retaining rib 38 and the retaining groove 39 of the sub-connector 12 are fitted in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the mating connector 42.

The direction in which the retaining ribs 38 and the retaining grooves 39 are fitted is a direction intersecting with the stress at the time of fitting with or releasing from the mating connector 42 and the pulling force acting on the electric wire. Therefore, even if these act, the sub-connector 12 does not come off from the base connector 11. Therefore, a stable united state can be obtained.
Further, the retaining ribs 38 and the retaining grooves 39 extend along the direction in which the sub-connector 12 is inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14, and thus also function as guides when the sub-connector 12 is inserted. Therefore, the sub-connector 12 can be easily inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14.

The above-mentioned retaining ribs 38 and retaining grooves 3
In addition to 9, in this embodiment, a retaining protrusion 43 is formed. As shown in FIG. 1, the retaining protrusion 43 is formed by extending the front end of the upper wall 16 downward, and abuts on the upper part of the sub-connector 12 inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14. By this contact, the sub-connector 12 is prevented from falling off at the top and bottom sides,
A stable united state can be obtained.

The above-mentioned engaging groove 41 is provided with the retaining rib 3.
8 is partially cut. An engagement protrusion 44 is formed on the sub-connector 12 corresponding to the engagement groove 41.

As shown in FIG. 3, the engaging projection 44 is formed in a retaining groove 39 provided in the lower unit connector 20 of the sub-connector 12. This engagement projection 44 is
The sub-connector 12 is formed into a horizontal shape after being inclined obliquely along the direction in which the sub-connector 12 is inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14. By being formed into such a shape, the insertion of the sub-connector 12 inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14 while the retaining rib 38 and the retaining groove 39 are fitted does not hinder the insertion.

The engaging projection 44 is provided on the sub-connector 1.
2 is inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14 to engage with the engaging groove 41 of the retaining rib 38. By this engagement, the sub-connector 12 is firmly connected to the base connector 11 even in the direction of insertion into the connector accommodating chamber 14.
For this reason, the sub-connector 12 does not come off from the base connector 11, and stable combining can be performed.

In this embodiment, the dimensional relationship between the sub-connector 12 and the connector accommodating chamber 14 is set as follows. That is, the sub-connector 12 is
When the sub-connector 12 is completely inserted into the sub-connector 12, the entire sub-connector 12 is accommodated in the connector accommodating chamber 14 and does not protrude to the outside.
The dimensions of the sub-connector 12 and the connector accommodating chamber 14 are relatively set so that the connector protrudes partially from the connector accommodating chamber 14.

By setting such a dimensional relationship, when the sub-connector 12 is completely inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14, the sub-connector 12 does not protrude.
Even when the base connector 11 is fitted to the mating connector 42, the sub-connector 12 does not interfere with or be caught by the mating connector 42. Therefore, the fitting with the mating connector 42 can be performed smoothly.

FIG. 4 shows a state where the sub-connector 12 is incompletely inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14. In the figure, reference numeral 45 denotes a housing of the mating connector 42, and a fitting chamber 46 is formed on the side where the base connector 11 is fitted. 47 is a terminal projecting into the fitting chamber 46.
The width of the fitting chamber 46 and the front part 43 of the base connector 11
By setting the lengths to be substantially the same, the base connector 11 can be fitted into the fitting chamber 46.

In the case of incomplete insertion into the connector accommodating chamber 14, the sub-connector 12 projects from the side surface of the base connector 11. In this state, the base connector 11 cannot be fitted into the fitting chamber 46. Therefore,
Whether the sub-connector 12 is completely or incompletely inserted can be determined by whether or not the base connector 11 can be fitted with the mating connector 42. Moreover,
Whether or not the mating connector 42 can be fitted is determined by whether or not the sub-connector 12 projects from the base connector 11. Therefore, whether the sub-connector 12 is completely inserted or incompletely inserted can be determined based on the presence or absence of the protrusion of the sub-connector 12, and the complete insertion and the incomplete insertion can be easily determined. .
As a result, it can be prevented from being used erroneously with incomplete insertion, and the sub-connector 12 does not drop off or separate due to incomplete insertion, and reliable use can be performed.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 48 denotes a base connector 1
1 is a lock arm formed on the upper wall portion 16. When the base connector 11 is fitted to the mating connector 42, the lock arm 48 engages with a lock member (not shown) of the mating connector 42 and acts to maintain the connected state of the connectors.

Second Embodiment FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, a cam surface 47 is formed on the sub-connector 12. The cam surface 47 is formed at a portion that can contact the mating connector 42, and is provided on a side surface of the sub-connector 12 on the mating connector 42 side. The cam surface 47 is formed by obliquely cutting a side surface of the mating connector 42 side.
The pressing force at the time of fitting to the mating connector 42 is converted into the pressing force of the sub-connector 12 into the connector housing 14.

When the insertion into the connector accommodating chamber 14 is incomplete, the cam surface 46 of the sub-connector 12
1 protrudes from the side surface. If the base connector 11 is fitted to the mating connector 42 in this state, the cam surface 47 abuts against the end face of the housing 45 of the mating connector 42 and cannot be fitted.

Further, when the base connector 11 is pressed against the mating connector 42 as shown by the arrow C, the cam surface 47 slides with the end face of the mating connector 42. Therefore, the sub-connector 12 is pushed into the connector accommodating chamber 11 as shown by the arrow D. Therefore, even if the sub-connector 12 is in an incompletely inserted state, the base connector 11
Can be completely inserted into the base connector 11 when the connector is fitted to the mating connector 42.

Third Embodiment FIGS. 7 to 9 show a third embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and correspond to each other. The central portion of the base connector 11 in this embodiment is divided into two upper and lower stages, and the upper portion is a terminal accommodating chamber 13. A cover lid 51 is rotatably provided on the upper portion of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 via a hinge portion 52, and the cover lid 5 is rotated by turning in the closing direction.
1 closes the upper part of the terminal accommodating chamber 13.

On the left and right sides of the front end of the cover lid 51, sandwiching pieces 53 are formed. The left and right sandwiching pieces 53 are formed as a pair facing each other at an interval, and sandwich the left and right side walls 54 of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 by rotating the cover lid 51 in the closing direction. A hole 55 is formed in each of the left and right holding pieces 53, and can be engaged with the projections 56 formed on the left and right side walls 54 of the terminal accommodating chamber 13. By this engagement, the cover lid 51
Can stably close the upper part of the terminal accommodating chamber 13.

The lower part below the terminal accommodating chamber 13 is depressed, and a lock arm 48 for engaging with a mating connector (not shown) is provided in the depressed portion.

Connector housings 14 are provided on both left and right sides of the terminal housing 13. Each connector accommodation room 14
Are the lower wall part 17, the upper wall part 16, and the left and right side wall parts 57, 5
8 and is open on the front side. The opened front side is an insertion port 59 into which the sub-connector 12 is inserted. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sub-connector 12 is inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14 along the front-back direction of the base connector 11. The base connector 11 has the insertion opening 59 side fitted to the mating connector.

The connector receiving chamber 14 has a hook receiver 60 therein.
Is provided. The hook receiver 60 is connected to the sub-connector 12.
In the direction of insertion with the mating connector, that is, in the direction of fitting with the mating connector. A retaining hook 61 of the sub-connector 12 is engaged with the hook receiver 60.

As in the first embodiment, the sub-connector 12 is formed by stacking and combining the upper and lower unit connectors 20, 21. FIG. 8 shows the sub-connector 12.

The above-described retaining hooks 61 are provided below the left and right side portions 34 of the lower unit connector 20. The lower unit connector 2 is provided below the left and right side portions 34.
A guide rail portion 65 is formed as a step portion depressed in the width direction of 0. The guide rail portion 65 extends along the insertion direction of the sub-connector 12, and
Is inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14, the guide rail 6
5 slides along the hook receiver 60 of the connector accommodating chamber 14. By this sliding, the sub-connector 12 can be smoothly inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14.

The retaining hook 61 is provided so as to be inclined from above the guide rail portion 65.
The inclination direction of the retaining hook 61 is along the insertion direction of the sub-connector 12, and therefore does not hinder the insertion of the sub-connector 12 into the connector accommodating chamber 14. When the sub-connector 12 is inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14, the retaining hook 61 and the hook receiver 60 of the connector accommodating chamber 14 engage with each other. By this engagement, the sub-connector 12 is firmly combined with the base connector 11.
For this reason, even when a stress is generated when the connector is mated with or released from the mating connector, and even if a pulling force is applied to the electric wire, the sub-connector 12 does not come off from the base connector 11 and maintains a stable combined state. can do.

On the upper surface 62 of the lower unit connector 20,
The projection 63 is formed. A concave portion 64 is formed on the lower surface of the upper unit connector 21 so as to face the convex portion 63. In the present embodiment, the protrusion 63 and the recess 6
4 is used to determine whether the unit connectors 20 and 21 are completely united or incompletely united.

That is, these convex portions 63 and concave portions 64
Are fitted to each other by reliably overlapping the upper and lower unit connectors 20, 21. By this fitting, the upper and lower unit connectors 20 and 21 are brought into a completely integrated state in which the upper and lower unit connectors 20 and 21 are in close contact in the vertical direction. On the other hand, upper and lower unit connectors 20, 2
When the projections 63 are overlapped in a state where they are misaligned,
The recess 64 does not fit.

In addition, the insertion port 59 of the connector accommodating chamber 14 into which the sub-connector 12 in the united state of the unit connectors 20 and 21 is inserted is connected to the sub-connector 1 in the completely united state.
2 is insertable, but the width dimension in the height direction is set so that the sub-connector 12 in the incompletely assembled state cannot be inserted. Therefore, when the upper and lower unit connectors 20 and 21 are completely combined, the sub-connector 12 is smoothly inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14 and combined with the base connector 11.

FIG. 9 shows the insertion of the upper and lower unit connectors 20 and 21 into the connector accommodating chamber 14 in an incompletely combined state. In the case of incomplete merging, since the convex portion 63 and the concave portion 64 do not fit, the upper and lower unit connectors 20 and 21 cannot be in close contact with each other, and the upper unit connector 21 is somewhat raised. Therefore, the combined height of the lower unit connector 20 and the upper unit connector 21 is larger than the width of the insertion opening 59 of the connector accommodating chamber 14. An attempt to insert such a sub-connector 12 into the connector accommodating chamber 14 cannot be made because the end face of the sub-connector 12 and the end face of the insertion slot 59 interfere or collide with each other.

As described above, in the embodiment, the sub-connector 1
2 can be inserted into the connector accommodating chamber 14,
It is possible to determine whether the unit connectors 20 and 21 are completely united or incompletely united. Thereby, the unit connector 20,
21 can be prevented from being used as it is incompletely united, and the unit connector 2 caused by incomplete unity can be prevented.
Omission and separation of 0 and 21 are eliminated, and reliable use can be performed.

FIG. 10 shows a modification of the base connector 11 in the third embodiment. This base connector 1
1 is provided with a two-stage, two-row terminal accommodating chamber 13 at a central portion, and a connector accommodating chamber 14 on both sides of the terminal accommodating chamber 13.
Is provided. A hook receiver 60 is formed in the connector accommodating chamber 14 along the mating direction with the mating connector. By inserting the sub-connector 12 having the structure shown in FIG. Hook 61
Are engaged and are prevented from coming off to unite.

[0073]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the second connector is completely inserted into the connector accommodating chamber, fitting with the mating connector is permitted, and when the second connector is incompletely inserted. By preventing the mating with the mating connector, it is possible to determine whether the second connector is completely or incompletely combined with the first connector. Can be prevented and reliable use can be made.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the second connector protrudes from the connector accommodating chamber when the second connector is incompletely inserted into the connector accommodating chamber, the second connector protrudes from the connector accommodating chamber. Merging and incomplete merging can be easily determined.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the second connector is formed by combining a plurality of unit connectors, and the second connector is inserted into the connector accommodating chamber of the first connector, thereby forming the second connector. And the first connector are combined, so that the combined connector is formed by the two-stage combination, and the number of combined connectors can be increased.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the unit connector is in an incompletely assembled state, the second connector cannot be inserted into the connector accommodating chamber. The incomplete coalescence state can be easily determined.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the concave portion and the convex portion are separated into a complete unity and an incomplete unity of the unit connector by fitting and non-fitting, and when not fitting, the second connector is connected to the first connector. Since it is not possible to insert it into the device, incomplete coalescence can be easily determined.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the hook members are engaged with each other to maintain the united state, the unit connectors are firmly connected and disassembled by an external force such as vibration or a pulling force acting on the electric wire. And a stable united state can be obtained.

According to the invention of claim 7, since the second connector is prevented from coming off from the first connector by the retaining groove and the retaining rib engaged with each other, the uniting strength of the connector is strengthened. And stable coalescence can be performed.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the second connector and the first connector are connected by the engagement of the engagement protrusion with the engagement groove, so that a stable combined state is obtained.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the cam surface converts a pressing force for fitting to the mating connector into an insertion force of the second connector, the first connector is fitted to the mating connector. When mating, the second connector can be pushed into the connector accommodating chamber of the first connector, and the second connector can be completely inserted.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the first and second connectors can be firmly combined with each other by engaging the retaining hook and the hook receiver with each other, so that stable combining can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sub-connector according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a unit connector showing a retaining groove and an engagement protrusion.

FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining fitting with a mating connector in the incompletely inserted state of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an overall perspective view of a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-connector according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the operation of the incomplete merging of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional combined connector.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of another conventional combined connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Base connector (1st connector) 12 Sub-connector (2nd connector) 14 Connector accommodation room 20 Lower unit connector 21 Upper unit connector 23 Hook projection 27 Hook hole 38 Retaining rib 39 Retaining groove 42 Mating connector 47 Cam surface 59 Insertion opening 60 Hook receiver 61 Retaining hook 63 Convex portion 64 Recess

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A united connector in which a plurality of connectors are united by inserting a second connector into a connector accommodating chamber provided in the first connector, and the second connector is fitted into a mating connector. Is completely inserted into the connector accommodating chamber, fitting with the mating connector is allowed, and mating with the mating connector is prevented when the second connector is incompletely inserted into the connector accommodating chamber. Thus, the combined connector has a structure that can be determined based on the state of insertion of the second connector into the connector housing chamber. 2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the second connector is received in the connector receiving chamber by the complete insertion, and the second connector partially projects from the connector receiving chamber by the incomplete insertion. The dimensions of the second connector and the connector accommodating chamber are set in such a manner as to be performed. 3. The combined connector according to claim 2, wherein the second connector is formed by combining a plurality of unit connectors. 4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the second connector is formed by uniting a plurality of unit connectors, and an insertion opening of the connector accommodating chamber is completely connected to the unit connector. An unified connector characterized in that an opening dimension is set such that a second connector in an unionized state can be inserted while a second connector in an incompletely unionized state cannot be inserted. 5. The invention according to claim 3, wherein a concave portion and a convex portion, which are fitted to each other to unite the unit connectors, are provided opposite to each of the unit connectors to be united. A combined connector characterized in that: 6. The invention according to claim 3, wherein a hook member that engages with each other and holds a united state is opposed to each of the unit connectors to be united. A united connector characterized by being provided. 7. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the first connector can be fitted with a mating connector, and the second connector and the connector housing chamber are opposed to each other. In the part,
A combined connector characterized by being provided along a direction intersecting with a mating direction with a mating connector, and provided with a retaining groove and a retaining rib which are fitted to each other. 8. The invention according to claim 7, wherein an engagement groove for cutting the retaining rib is formed, and the second connector is engaged with the engagement groove by inserting the second connector into the connector accommodating chamber. A mating connector, wherein a mating engaging projection is formed in the retaining groove. 9. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said first connector is capable of abutting with a mating connector to be fitted, and is fitted to said mating connector. A cam surface for converting the pressing force of the second connector into an insertion force of the second connector into the connector accommodating chamber is formed on the second connector. 10. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the first connector can be fitted with a mating connector, and the second connector and the connector accommodating chamber are opposed to each other. position,
A combined connector characterized by being provided along a fitting direction with a mating connector and provided with a retaining hook and a hook receiver which are engaged with each other.