WO2012141337A1

WO2012141337A1 - Butted connector comprising a press - contacted butter terminal hold by a lance and covered on both sides by a protection wall

Info

Publication number: WO2012141337A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/060641
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terufumi Hara; Masayuki Saitoh
Original assignee: Yazaki Corporation
Priority date: 2011-04-14
Filing date: 2012-04-13
Publication date: 2012-10-18
Also published as: JP2012226831A; JP5707212B2

Abstract

When terminal containing holes (21, 31) are slid in a direction, which intersects orthogonally with a direction along a housing central axes (C1, C2), from respective positions in which these holes are displaced in a direction that intersects orthogonally with the direction along the housing central axes, connection of a pair of connector housings (20, 30) is completed, and also a top ends of the butted terminals (10) installed into the connector housings respectively are engaged with each other and the top ends are brought into their butted state. Also, when the top ends of the butted terminals are engaged with a top ends of a counter butted terminals, a top-end positioning pieces of the butted terminals are engaged with the counter butted terminals while being guided by the protection walls (14) respectively, and restrict a disengagement from the counter butted terminals in the axial direction respectively.

Description

DESCRIPTION

BUTTED CONNECTOR COMPRISING A PRESS - CONTACTED BUTTER TERMINAL HOLD BY A LANCE

AND COVERED ON BOTH SIDES BY A PROTECTION WALL

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a butted connector in which butted terminals that are brought into a conduction state to counter terminals respectively when these terminals are butted into the counter terminals are installed in a pair of connector housings that are fitted and connected together.

Background Art

A butted connector is equipped with a pair of connector housings that are fitted and connected together, and butted terminals provided in a pair of these connector housings respectively.

FIG.37 and FIG.38 show an example of the butted terminal that is used in the butted connector in the prior art.

A butted terminal 100 shown herein is used in the butted connector disclosed in following Patent Literature 1 , and has a terminal main body 110, a butted plate portion 120, and a spring portion 130.

In the terminal main body 110, a top-end cylindrical portion 111 shaped like a substantially square cylinder, and an electric wire press-fitting portion 112 extended from the rear end of the top-end

l cylindrical portion 111 are integrally formed of a metal plate by the press working. This terminal main body 110 is inserted into the terminal containing hole of the connector housing (not shown). Then, the terminal main body 110 is engaged with a lance that is made of a resin in the terminal containing hole to prevent its disconnection, and is held in the terminal containing hole.

The butted plate portion 120 is arranged to protrude from the top end of the terminal main body 110, with the purpose of establishing the connection to the counter butted terminal. This butted plate portion 120 corresponds to the part that comes into contact with the top end of the butted terminal in the counter connector housing to establish the electrical connection thereto when the connector housings are fitted and connected mutually.

The spring portion 130 has a corrugated plate structure that supports the butted plate portion 120 in the terminal main body 110 to deform elastically in response to the butting to the counter butted terminal. This spring portion 130 is formed integrally with the butted plate portion 120 by the press working of a metal plate.

The spring portion 130 is fitted into the top-end cylindrical portion 111 such that the butted plate portion 120 is set in a protruded state from the top end of the top-end cylindrical portion 111 . In respective connector housings of the butted connector disclosed in PTL 1 , the butted terminal 100 installed into the terminal - containing hole is positioned by a latch of the lance in a normal position where the butted plate portion 120 is protruded ahead of the terminal containing hole by a predetermined length.

In the butted connector disclosed in PTL 1 , a pair of connector housings are fitted and connected by the butting operation in a state that respective top end faces are opposed to each other, while aligning respective positions of the terminal containing holes mutually. According to the fitting connection of a pair of connector housings, the butted plate portions 120 of the butted terminals 100 installed into respective connector housings come in contact with each other, and thus the opposing butted terminals 100 are brought into a conductiveiy connected state.

The axial load acting between the butted terminals 100, which are brought into the mutually butted state, is supported by the lance, which is made of a resin and latches the butted terminal 100, and the housing lock portion, which couples the connector housings mutually.

Citation List

Patent Literature

PTL 1 : JP-T-10-504676 Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

However, in the butted connector disclosed in PTL 1 , the axial load acting between the butted terminals 100, which are caused to butted mutually, is supported by the lances made of a resin, and the housing lock portions that couples the connector housings mutually.

For this reason, when a resin creep is caused in the lances made of a resin and the housing lock portions due to an aged deterioration of resin, or the like, there was a risk that a contact pressure between the butted terminals 100, 100 would be decreased.

More particularly, as shown in FIG.39, in the case of the conventional butted terminal 100, such a structure is employed that, when connectors 150, 152 are fitted respectively, lances 140 and the housing lock portions (not shown) accept directly the contact load of the spring being generated in an arrow W3 direction along the axial direction. As a result, there was a risk that the lances 140 and the housing lock portions, which are subject continuously to the force in the arrow W3 direction, would be deformed due to a resin creep in the arrow W3 direction along which the load is continuously applied.

The butted terminals 100 should be essentially latched and held in the position located at a distance W1 from the butted portion respectively. However, when the resin creep is generated, the butted terminals 100 are latched and held in the position located at a distance

W2 from the butted portion respectively. This is because the lances 140 and the housing lock portions are deformed by the resin creep. In this manner, when the latching position is displaced from the distance W1 to the distance W2, a normal amount of displacement cannot be maintained as an amount of displacement of the spring portions of the butted terminals 100. Therefore, there is possibility in that the set contact load could not be secured .

Also, the butted terminals 100 being installed into a pair of connector housings are set in the butted state merely by the operation that butts a pair of connector housings mutually in the axial direction. Therefore, in the case where foreign substances such as oxide films, dusts, or the like adhere to a surface of the butted plate portion 120 of the butted terminal 100 in the preceding stage of the butting operation, such foreign substances get stuck between the butted plate portions 120, 120 being put together by the butting operation. As a result, there was a risk that the electrical connectivity between the butted terminals would be spoiled due to the intervention of the foreign substances.

Further, the butted plate portion 120 is exposed from the side surface of the terminal. Therefore, when the butted plate portion 120 is pushed from the side by the external force, or the like, the spring portion 130 is deformed, and thus contact reliability is decreased. Also, alignment of the butted terminals at a time of fitting the terminals becomes unstable in a situation that the butted plate portion 120 is protruded largely from the top end of the top-end cylindrical portion 111. Therefore, both terminals cannot be surely fitted together, and thus there is possibility in that connection reliability would be decreased.

The present invention has been made in view of theses situations and possibilities. It is an object of the present invention to provide a butted connector that is capable of preventing such a situation that a contact pressure between butted terminals that are already butted together is decreased due to a resin creep of lances that latch the butted terminals in a pair of connector housings that are fitted and connected respectively, and the like, also capable of eliminating such a situation that foreign substances get stuck between the butted terminals that are to be butted together and thus mutual conductive connection between the butted terminals is spoiled, also capable of maintaining mutual connectivity between the butted terminals satisfactorily for a long term, and also capable of protecting spring portions against an external force and ensuring the mutual fitting of the butted terminals without fail.

Solution to Problem

The above-mentioned object of the present invention can be attained by the configurations (1 ) to (4) given hereunder.

(1 ) A butted connector includes

a butted terminal which is held in a terminal containing hole by a lance, and whose butted plate portion that is press-contacted to a counter terminal of a same shape as the butted terminal via a spring portion to come into a conductive state is provided to a top end of the butted terminal;

a pair of connector housings which have the terminal containing hole with the lance respectively, and which are fitted and connected mutually by engaging top ends of the butted terminal with each other when mutual positions of the terminal containing holes are caused to coincide with each other by shifting the terminal containing holes in a direction that intersects orthogonally with housing central axes and also sliding the terminal containing holes in the direction that intersects orthogonally with a direction along the housing central axes from slide starting positions that oppose to each other at a predetermined clearance in the direction along the housing central axes;

a top-end positioning piece which is formed on the butted terminal, and which engages with the counter butted terminal to restrict a disengagement from the counter butted terminal in an axial direction when a top end of the butted terminal is caused to engage with the counter butted terminal; and

a protection wall which protrudes from a terminal main body toward the top-end positioning piece to cover both sides of the butted plate portion.

(2) In the butted connector set forth in (1 ), the slide starting positions on the pair of connector housings correspond to positions in which the connector housings are displaced in phase around the housing central axes by a predetermined angle respectively in a condition that the housing central axes of respective connector housings are aligned with each other, and

a sliding operation corresponds to a turning operation executed around the housing central axes respectively.

(3) In the butted connector set forth in (1 ), the slide starting positions on the pair of connector housings correspond to positions in which the housing central axes of respective connector housings are displaced in the direction that intersects orthogonally with the housing central axes, and

a sliding operation corresponds to a translating operation executed in the direction that intersects orthogonally with the housing central axes.

(4) In the butted connector set forth in any one of (1 ) to (3), a terminal protection projection, which comes in touch with a counter connector housing when the connector housings are positioned in the slide starting positions respectively and also slides on a butted face of the counter connector housing at a time of sliding operation to restrict a displacement of mutual connector housings in the direction along the housing central axes, is provided to top end portions of the pair of connector housings respectively. According to the above configuration (1 ), when a pair of connector housings are slid from the slide starting positions in the direction that intersects orthogonally with the direction along the housing central axes respectively, the mutual fitting connection of the connector housings is completed. Also, the mutual butted connection of the butted terminals executed at the time when the mutual fitting connection of the connector housings is completed is attained by the sliding operation by which the top ends of the butted terminals are engaged with each other. Therefore, a large impact force does not act to the butted terminals in the axial direction respectively. Further, the mutual engagement of the top-end positioning pieces can restrict the disengagement of the mutual butted terminals, which are held in their butted state, from the counter butted terminals in the axial direction, and also can suppress that the axial load would be applied to the lances respectively.

Therefore, it can be suppressed that a resin creep would be generated in the lances, and the like of respective connector housings. Also, it can be prevented that a contact pressure applied between the butted terminals would be decreased by the resin creep of the lances, and the like.

Also, the top ends of the butted terminals are engaged with each other at the time when the butted terminals installed in respective connector housings are caused to butt into each other. Therefore, foreign substances such as oxide films, dusts, or the like, which adhere onto the surfaces of the butted plate portions of the butted terminals, can be scrubbed off in the preceding stage to the butting operation. As a result, such a situation is never caused that the foreign substances adhere between the butted terminals that are to be butted into mutually and thus the mutual conductive connection between the butted terminals is spoiled.

Accordingly, mutual connectivity of the butted terminals can be maintained satisfactorily for a long term.

Also, the top-end positioning piece can get smoothly into places between top-end positioning pieces and the butted plate portions of the counter butted terminals, while being guided by the protection wall, respectively. Also, since the protection wall covers both sides of the butted plate portion respectively, such an event can be prevented that the load would be applied to the butted plate portion at a time of transportation , or the like and also the spring portion would be deformed. Further, the movement of the butted plate portion can be restricted by the protection wall after the fitting of the butted terminals is completed , and thus the sliding of the contact caused due to a vibration of the butted connector can be prevented.

According to the above configuration (2), not only the mutual connection of the connector housings but also the mutual connection of the butted terminals can be completed, by simply turning the connector housings around the housing central axes respectively after a pair of connector housings are positioned in the slide starting positions. As a result, the operability needed in connecting the butted terminals mutually can be improved.

According to the above configuration (3), not only the mutual connection of the connector housings but also the mutual connection of the butted terminals can be completed, by simply translating respective connector housings in the direction that intersects orthogonally with the housing central axes after a pair of connector housings are placed in the slide starting position PS respectively. As a result, the operability needed in connecting the butted terminals mutually can be improved.

According to the above configuration (4), when a pair of connector housings are fitted and connected mutually, a clearance between the mutual top end portions of the butted connector housings can be maintained by the terminal protection projections that are provided to the top end portions of the connector housings respectively. As a result, when a protruded length of the terminal protection projections is selected adequately in advance, it can be avoided that an excessive impact force would be applied to the butted terminals at a time of the butting operation, and also it can be prevented that the butted terminals would be deformed by the impact applied in the butting operation.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the butted connector of the present invention, the butted connection of the butted terminals at the time when the fitting connection of a pair of connector housings is completed corresponds to the sliding operation by which the top ends of the butted terminals are caused to engage with each other. Therefore, a large impact force does not act to the butted terminals in the axial direction. Further, the mutual engagement of the top-end positioning pieces can restrict the disengagement of the butted terminals, which have already been held in the butted state, from the counter butted terminals in the axial direction, and also can suppress such an event that the axial load is applied to the lances respectively.

As a result, it can be suppressed that a resin creep would be generated in the lances, and the like of respective connector housings. Also, it can be prevented that a contact pressure applied between the butted terminals would be decreased by the resin creep of the lances, and the like.

Also, the top ends of the butted terminals are engaged with each other at the time when the butted terminals installed in respective connector housings are caused to butt into each other.

Therefore, the foreign substances such as the oxide films, the dusts, or the like, which adhere onto the surfaces of the butted plate portions of the butted terminals, can be scrubbed off in the preceding stage to the butting operation. As a result, such a situation is never caused that the foreign substances adhere between the butted terminals that are to be butted into mutually and thus the mutual conductive connection between the butted terminals is spoiled.

Also, such effects can be achieved that the spring portion used to press-contact the butted plate portion to the counter terminal can be protected against the external force and also a decrease in contact reliability caused due to the deformation can be prevented. Also, since the protection walls act as the guide for the top-end positioning pieces at a time of fitting the butted terminals, the butted terminals can be fitted without fail and also the connection reliability can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG.1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a butted connector according to the present invention.

FIG.2 is a perspective view showing the operations applied at a time of assembling the butted connector according to the present invention.

FIG.3 is a perspective view of a butted terminal that is installed into a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment.

FIG.4 is a side view of the butted terminal shown in FIG.3.

FIG.5 is an exploded perspective view of the butted terminal.

FIG.6 (a) is a side view of a terminal main body.

FIG. 6(b) is a sectional view of the terminal main body.

FIG.7 (a) is a plan view of the butted terminals having protection walls respectively.

FIG.7 (b) is a plan view of the butted terminals having no protection wall according to the comparative example.

FIG.8 (a) is a side view showing an intermediate state that a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment are being aligned with a slide starting position mutually.

Fig.8 (b) is an A-A sectional view in FIG.8(a).

FIG.9 (a) is a side view showing a state that a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment are aligned with the slide starting position mutually.

Fig. 9(b) is a B-B sectional view in FIG. 9(a).

FIG.10 (a) is a C-C sectional view of FIG.9(a).

Fig.10(b) is an enlarged view of a D part in FIG.10(a).

FIG.11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in a state that a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment are aligned with the slide starting position mutually.

FIG.12 is an enlarged view of an E part in FIG.11 .

FIG.13 (a) is a side view showing an intermediate state that a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment are being operated to turn around a housing central axis from the slide starting position.

FIG.13 (b) is an F-F sectional view in FIG.13(a).

FIG.14 (a) is a G-G sectional view of FIG.13(a).

FIG.14(b) is an enlarged view of an H part in FIG.14(a).

FIG.15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in an intermediate state that a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment are being operated to turn around the housing central axis from the slide starting position mutually.

FIG.16 is an enlarged view of an I part in FIG.15.

FIG.17 (a) is a side view showing a state that the fitting connection between a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment is completed mutually.

FIG.17 (b) is a J-J sectional view in FIG.17(a).

FIG.18 (a) is a K-K sectional view in FIG.17(a).

FIG. 18(b) is an enlarged view of an L part in FIG.18(a).

FIG.19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in a state that the fitting connection between a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment is completed mutually.

FIG.20 is an enlarged view of an part in FIG.19.

FIG.21 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a butted connector according to the present invention.

FIG.22 is a perspective view showing a state that the fitting connection between a pair of connector housings is completed in the butted connector shown in FIG.21 .

FIG.23 (a) is a rear view showing a fitting state while a pair of connector housings in the second embodiment are being operated to slide from the slide starting position in the direction intersected orthogonally with a housing central axis.

FIG. 23(b) is a pertinent cross sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state in FIG. 23(a).

FIG.24 (a) is a rear view showing a state that the sliding operation of a pair of connector housings in the second embodiment is further advanced from the state in FIGs.23(a) and 23(b).

FIG.24 (b) is a pertinent cross sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state in FIG.24(a).

FIG.25 (a) is a rear view showing a state immediately before the sliding operation of a pair of connector housings in the second embodiment is completed.

FIG.25(b) is a pertinent cross sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state in FIG.25(a).

FIG.26 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state of a pair of connector housings shown in FIGs.25(a) and 25(b).

FIG.27 is an enlarged view of an N part in FIG.26. FIG.28 (a) is a rear view showing a state that the fitting connection of a pair of connector housings in the second embodiment is completed.

FIG.28(b) is a pertinent cross sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitting completed state in FIG.28(a).

FIG.29 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutually butting state of the butted terminals in a state that the fitting connection between a pair of connector housings in the second embodiment is completed.

FIG.30 is an enlarged view of a P part in FIG.29.

FIG.31 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a butted connector according to the present invention.

FIG.32 is a perspective view showing one of the connector housings shown in FIG.31 when viewed from the top end side.

FIG.33 is a perspective view showing an intermediate state that a pair of connector housings that are shown in FIG.31 are being fitted.

FIG.34(a) is a side view showing a state that a pair of connector housings in the third embodiment are positioned in the slide starting position.

FIG. 34(b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state shown in FIG.34(a).

FIG.34(c) is an enlarged view of a Q part in FIG.34(b).

FIG.35 (a) is a side view showing an intermediate state that a pair of connector housings in the third embodiment are being operated to turn around a housing central axis from the slide starting position.

Fig.35(b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state shown in FIG.35(a), and Fig.35(c) is an enlarged view of an R part in FIG.35(b).

FIG.36 (a) is a side view showing a state that the fitting connection of a pair of connector housings in the third embodiment is completed.

FIG.36(b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state shown in FIG.36(a).

FIG.36(c) is an enlarged view of an S part in FIG.36(b).

FIG.37 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a butted terminal that is installed into a butted connector in the prior art.

FIG.38 is a perspective view of the butted terminal shown in

FIG.37.

FIG.39 is a pertinent sectional view of the butted connector in the prior art.

Description of Embodiments

Preferred embodiments of a butted connector according to the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings hereinafter.

(First Embodiment) FIG.1 to FIG.4, show a configuration of a first embodiment of a butted connector according to the present invention. Here, FIG.1 is an exploded perspective view of the butted connector in the first embodiment, FIG.2 is a perspective view showing the operations applied at a time of assembling the butted connector shown in FIG.1 , FIG.3 is a perspective view of a butted terminal that is installed into a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment, FIG.4 is a side view of the butted terminal shown in FIG.3, FIG.5 is an exploded perspective view of the butted terminal, FIG.6(a) is a side view of a terminal main body, and FIG.6(b) is a sectional view of the terminal main body, and FIG.7(a) is a plan view of the butted terminals having protection walls respectively, and FIG.7(b) is a plan view of the butted terminals having no protection wall according to the comparative example.

Also, FIG.8(a) to FIG.20, show a state that the housings shown in the first embodiment are connected together by the fitting. Here,

FIG.8(a) is a side view showing an intermediate state that a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment are being aligned with a slide starting position mutually, and FIG.8(b) is an A-A sectional view in FIG.8(a), FIG.9(a) is a side view showing a state that a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment are aligned with the slide starting position mutually, and FIG.9(b) is a B-B sectional view in

FIG.9(a), and FIG.10(a) is a C-C sectional view in FIG.9(a), and

FIG.10(b) is an enlarged view of a D part in FIG.10(a). Also, FIG.11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in a state that a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment are aligned with the slide starting position mutually, FIG.12 is an enlarged view of an E part in FIG.11 , FIG.13(a) is a side view showing an intermediate state that a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment are being operated to turn around a housing central axis from the slide starting position, and FIG.13(b) is an F-F sectional view in FIG.13(a), and FIG.14(a) is a G-G sectional view in FIG.13(a), and FIG.14(b) is an enlarged view of an H part in FIG.14(a).

Also, FIG.15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in an intermediate state that a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment are being operated to turn around the housing central axis from the slide starting position mutually, FIG.16 is an enlarged view of an I part in FIG.15, FIG.17(a) is a side view showing a state that the fitting connection between a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment is completed mutually, and FIG.17(b) is a J-J sectional view in FIG.17(a), FIG.18(a) is a K-K sectional view in FIG.17(a), and FIG.18(b) is an enlarged view of an L part in FIG.18(a), FIG.19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in a state that the fitting connection between a pair of connector housings in the first embodiment is completed mutually, and FIG.20 is an enlarged view of an M part in FIG.19.

A butted connector 1 of this first embodiment is constructed by butted terminals 10, and a pair of connector housings 20, 30 in which the butted terminals 10 are installed and held respectively.

As shown in FIG.3 and FIG.4, each of the butted terminals 10 has a terminal main body 11 , a butted plate portion 12, a top-end positioning piece 13, and protection walls 14.

In the terminal main body 11 , the top-end cylindrical portion 111 shaped like a substantially square cylinder, and the electric wire press-fitting portion 112 extended from the rear end of the top-end cylindrical portion 111 are integrally formed of a metal plate by the press working. The terminal main bodies 11 are inserted into terminal containing holes 21 , 31 of the connector housings 20, 30 respectively. The terminal main bodies 11 inserted in the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 are engaged with lances 22, 32 respectively to prevent their disconnection, and are held in the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 respectively.

The butted plate portion 12 has a contact portion 16 on the top end face, and is fitted to protrude from the top end of the top-end cylindrical portion 111 of the terminal main body 11 . The butted plate portion 12 comes into a conductive state to the counter butted terminal when this butted plate portion 12 is press-fitted to the counter butted terminal. This butted plate portion 12 is supported in the terminal main body 11 via spring portions 15 that are formed integrally with the butted plate portion 12. The spring portions 15 serve to support the butted plate portion 12 in the terminal main body 11 , and constitute wavelike springs that are extended from the butted plate portion 12. Both rear end portions 17 of the spring portions 15 are latched in engaging holes 18 provided in the top-end cylindrical portion 111 of the terminal main body 11 , and the spring portions 15 support the butted plate portion 12 to displace elastically along the butting direction.

The top-end positioning piece 13 is formed as a tongue-like piece that is provided to extend upward from the top end of a bottom wall portion 111 a of the top-end cylindrical portion 111 . The top-end positioning piece 13 has an extended plate portion 13a, and a positioning piece portion 13b. This extended plate portion 13a is extended ahead from the top end of the bottom wall portion 111 a in the butting direction of the mutual terminals (an arrow X1 direction in FIG.4). This positioning piece portion 13b stands up from the top end of this extended plate portion 13a in the perpendicularly upward direction that intersects orthogonally with the butting direction (an arrow Y1 direction in FIG.4).

The protection walls 14 are protruded toward the top-end positioning piece 13 from the top ends of the terminal main body 11 . These protection walls 14 are formed to cover both sides of the butted plate portion 12. When the mutual butted terminals 10 are fitted together, the top-end positioning pieces 13 of the butted terminals 10 are forced to get into respective places between the top-end positioning pieces 13 and the butted plate portions 12 of the counter butted terminals mutually. In the present embodiment, the mutual top-end positioning pieces 13 move on circumferences around housing central axes C1 , C2 respectively to come close to each other, and then get into places between the top-end positioning pieces 13 and the butted plate portions 12 respectively.

At this time, each of the top-end positioning pieces 13 comes into touch with the protection wall 14 of the counter butted terminal, and then gets into place between the top-end positioning piece 13 and the butted plate portion 12 while being guided by the protection wall 14. This guiding action is not always needed. However, in case an error is produced in relative positions of the top-end positioning pieces 13 for any reason, displacement in the relative positions is corrected by this guiding action, so that the mutual top-end positioning pieces 13 get smoothly into respective places between the top-end positioning pieces 13 and the butted plate portions 12. In this way, the protection wall 14 has the action to carry out the mutual fitting of the butted terminals 10 without fail and improve the reliability of the contact. Also, as shown in FIGs.6(a) and 6(b), since the protection walls 14 cover both sides of the butted plate portion 12, such an event can be prevented that the load is applied to the butted plate portion 12 at a time of the transportation and thus the spring portion 15 is deformed. Hence, the protection walls 14 have the effect of preventing that the reliability of the contact is decreased. Further, the protection walls 14 can restrict the motion of the butted plate portion 12 in the lateral direction (a Z1 direction in FIGs.7(a) and 7(b)) after the mutual fitting of the butted terminals 10 is completed. Consequently, in contrast to the structure that the protection walls 14 are not provided as shown in FIG.7(b), the protection walls 14 have the action to prevent the contact sliding that is generated by a vibration of the butted connector 1 in the lateral direction. As a result, an increase in resistance of the contact portion caused due to the mutual sliding of the contact portions, which is generated by vibrations of the butted connectors after the fitting, of the butted terminals can be suppressed .

As shown in FIG.4, the positioning piece portion 13b of the top-end positioning piece 13 is positioned with respect to the butted plate portion 12 located at the top end of the top-end cylindrical portion 111 to form a clearance S1 between them. Both sides of this clearance S1 are put between the protection walls 14. As described above, the top-end positioning piece 13, which should get into the clearance S1 , of the counter butted terminal comes into this clearance S1 while being guided by the protection wall 14. Here, as shown in FIGs.6 (a) and 6(b), an energizing force given by the spring portions 15 is acting to the butted plate portion 12 to maintain such a state that the butted plate portion 12 is press-contacted to the positioning piece portion 13b.

In other words, the positioning piece portion 13b restricts the movement of the butted plate portion 12, which is installed into the top-end cylindrical portion 111 , toward the top end side (the arrow X1 side in FIG.4)(movement of the butted plate portion 12 caused by the energizing force of the spring portion 15). Further, as shown in -FIG.20 described later, when the positioning piece portions 13b of the counter butted terminals 10 are forced by the mutual turning operation of the connector housings, described later, to cut into places between the positioning piece portions 13b and the butted plate portions 12 correspondingly, the positioning piece portions 13b of the butted terminals 10 are brought into an engaged state with the positioning piece portions 13b of the counter butted terminal 10. Therefore, the positioning piece portions 13b restrict the disengagement of the butted terminals 10 from the counter butted terminals 10 in the axial direction respectively.

To explain in more detail, when the positioning piece portions 13b of the counter butted terminals 10 are forced by the mutual turning operations of the connector housings, described later, to break into places between the positioning piece portions 13b and the butted plate portions 12 of the own butted terminals 10, the positioning piece portions 13b and the butted plate portions 12 of the mutual butted terminals 10 are engaged with each other respectively. As a result, the top ends of the corresponding butted terminals 10 are brought into their butted states (connected states) mutually.

A pair of connector housings 20, 30 are equipped with the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 into which the butted terminal 10 is inserted respectively, the lances 22, 32 (see FIG.15), guide protrusions 23 and guide grooves 33 constituting the guiding mechanism respectively, and a lock arm 24 and a lock groove 34 constituting the locking mechanism, respectively.

The connector housing 20 corresponds to a so-called female housing. As shown in FIG.1 , this connector housing 20 has a cylindrical hood portion 25 on the top end side. This hood portion 25 is fitted turnably onto an outer periphery of the connector housing 30 as a male housing on the front-end side.

The terminal containing holes 21 , 31 are arranged in plural at a predetermined interval on respective circumferences of the connector housings 20, 30 around the housing central axes C 1 , C2.

As shown in FIG.15 and FIG.16, the lances 22, 32 provided to respective connector housings 20, 30 latch the butted terminals 10, which are inserted into the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 of the connector housings 20, 30 respectively, in their normal positions respectively. In the normal positions, the top-end positioning pieces 13 and the butted plate portions 12 are set to protrude ahead of the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 by a predetermined length respectively.

As shown in FIG.1 , the guide protrusions 23 constituting the guiding mechanism correspond to columnar projections that are provided on an inner periphery of the hood portion 25 of the connector housing 20 to protrude inwardly. As shown in FIGs.10 (a) and 10(b), the guide protrusion 23 is provided in two opposing positions on the inner periphery of the hood portion 25.

The guide grooves 33 constituting the guiding mechanism correspond to the recesses that are formed on the outer circumference of the connector housing 30. The guide grooves 33 guide the guide protrusion 23 respectively when the connector housings 20, 30 are connected by the fitting, and thus restrict the mutual fitting motion of the connector housings 20, 30.

As shown in FIG.1 , each of the guide grooves 33 is constructed by an axial direction groove 33a and a peripheral direction groove 33b. This axial direction groove 33a is provided to extend along the housing central axis C2. This peripheral direction groove 33b is formed to extend from the rear end of the axial direction groove 33a in the peripheral direction.

The axial direction grooves 33a are formed by a predetermined length from the top end side of the connector housing 30 along the housing central axis C2. These axial direction grooves 33a restrict the movement of the fitted guide protrusion 23 along the direction of the housing central axis C2 respectively. As shown in FIGs.10(a) and 10(b), the axial direction groove 33a is provided to the outer periphery of the connector housing 30 in two opposing positions that correspond to the arrangement of the guide protrusions 23 in the hood portion 25. The rear ends of the axial direction grooves 33a serve as slide starting positions PS from which relatively turning operations between both connector housings 20, 30 in the peripheral direction are started respectively. When the guide protrusions 23 reach the slide starting positions PS respectively, a top end 25a of the hood portion 25 comes into contact with a stepped portion 35a formed on the outer periphery of the connector housing 30, as shown in FIG.11 . Thus, such an event can be restricted that the mutual fitting of the housings in the axial direction becomes deeper.

Also, when the guide protrusions 23 reach the slide starting positions PS respectively, the positions of the top end portions of respective housings in the axial direction are placed in the positions that oppose to each other at a predetermined clearance in the direction of the housing central axes C 1 , C2, as shown in FIG.12, such that the positioning piece portions 13b of the butted terminals 10 installed in the connector housing 20 are positioned on the inner side of the positioning piece portions 13b of the butted terminals 10 installed in the connector housing 30 respectively.

When the guide protrusions 23 are moved on the axial direction grooves 33a respectively and when the guide protrusions 23 reach the slide starting positions PS respectively, the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 provided in respective connector housings are arranged in their positions where these holes are displaced in the peripheral direction that intersects orthogonally with the housing central axes C1 , C2, as shown in FIGs.8 (a) to FIG.9(b). At this time, an amount of displacement between the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 in the peripheral direction is indicated with an angle Θ1 shown in FIG. 9(b).

In other words, in the case of the present embodiment, the slide starting positions PS set on a pair of connector housings 20, 30 correspond to the position where their phases are shifted only by an angle Θ1 around the housing central axes C1 , C2 in such a condition that the housing central axes C 1 , C2 of respective connector housings are aligned with each other.

As shown in FIG.2, the peripheral direction grooves 33b allow the guide protrusion 23 to move in the peripheral direction respectively when the connector housings 20, 30 positioned in the slide starting positions PS respectively are relatively turned in the opposite directions mutually, as indicated with arrows R1 , R2.

As explained above, the guiding mechanisms each constructed by the guide protrusion 23 and the guide groove 33 are provided. Therefore, when a pair of connector housings 20, 30 are operated to slide (turn) from the slide starting positions PS in the peripheral direction, which intersects orthogonally with the direction of the housing central axes C 1 , C2, respectively in such a manner that the mutual positions of the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 are aligned with each other, the mutual connection of the connector housings can be completed.

Also, as shown in FIGs.17(a) and 17(b), when the positions of the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 are set by the turning operation of the connector housings from the slide starting positions PS to coincide with each other, the top ends of the butted terminals 10 installed into respective connector housings are engaged with each other. Thus, the top ends of the corresponding butted terminals 10 are brought into the butted state mutually.

Further, to explain in detail, as shown in FIG.20, the positioning piece portions 13b of the top-end positioning pieces 13 cut into places between the positioning piece portions 13b and the butted plate portions 12 of the counter butted terminals 10 respectively at the time when both top ends of the butted terminals 10 and the counter butted terminals 10 are engaged with each other. According to this cutting-into operation, the top end portions of the butted terminals 10 are engaged with each other, so that the disengagement of the butted terminal 10 from the counter butted terminal 10 in the axial direction is restricted.

As shown in FIG.1 , the lock arm 24 constituting the locking mechanism is provided onto the hood portion 25 of the connector housing 20. As shown in FIG.1 , this lock arm 24 has an arm portion 24a formed by cutting off a part of the peripheral wall of the hood portion 25 from the surrounding area like an arm shape, and an engaging projection 24b formed on the free end side of the arm portion 24a to rise toward the inner diameter side.

As shown in FIG.1 , the lock groove 34 constituting the locking mechanism is provided onto the outer periphery of the connector housing 30 to engage with the lock arm 24. As shown in FIG.1 , this lock groove 34 has a guiding groove portion 34a, an engaging groove 34b provided to the rear end of the guiding groove portion 34a in the peripheral direction, and a raised crisping portion 34c for partitioning the lock groove 34 into the guiding groove portion 34a and the engaging groove 34b. The guiding groove portion 34a corresponds to the recess that allows the engaging projection 24b to move therein at the time when the guide protrusions 23 are moved on the guide groove 33 up to the slide starting position PS and when the guide protrusions 23 are moved from the slide starting positions PS along the peripheral direction groove 33b.

The engaging groove 34b corresponds to the recess that engages with the engaging projection 24b to restrict the movement of the engaging projection 24b in the peripheral direction at the time when the guide protrusions 23 reach the rear ends of the peripheral direction grooves 33b and thus the positions of the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 of the mutual housings are aligned with each other.

The raised crisping portion 34c corresponds to the raised portion that the engaging projection 24b gets over before the engaging projection 24b is engaged with the engaging groove 34b. This raised crisping portion 34c gives a crisp feel to the worker based on a resistance force that is produced when the engaging projection 24b gets over the raised crisping portion 34c. This sense of touch of the raised crisping portion 34c makes the worker aware of that the connection of the connector housings 20, 30 is going to complete.

Next, a series of operations applied when the connector housings 20, 30 are fitted and connected mutually in the butted connector 1 explained above will be explained based on the drawings hereunder.

First, as shown in FIG.1 , the housing central axes C1 , C2 of the connector housings 20, 30 are set to align with each other, and also the positions of the guide protrusions 23 on the connector housing 20 are set to coincide with the positions of the axial direction grooves 33a on the connector housing 30 respectively. Thus, the connector housing 20 and the connector housing 30 are positioned to oppose to each other.

Then, the connector housings 20, 30 are fitted mutually, and then the guide protrusions 23 are pushed forward along the axial direction grooves 33a, as shown in FIGs.8(a) and 8(b). At this time, as shown in FIG.8(b), the terminal containing holes 21 in the connector housing 20 and the terminal containing hole 31 in the connector housing 30 are arranged to displace in the peripheral direction.

Then, when the fitting of the connector housing 20 and the connector housing 30 in the axial direction is further deepened, the guide protrusions 23 reach the slide starting positions PS, as shown in FIGs.9(a)and 9(b) . When the guide protrusions 23 reach the slide starting positions PS, the engaging projection 24b of the lock arm 24 is positioned in the guiding groove portion 34a of the lock groove 34, as shown in FIGs.10(a) and 10(b). Also, when the guide protrusions 23 reach the slide starting positions PS, the butted terminals 10 as the butted objects in the connector housings 20, 30 are positioned mutually in the axial positions where the positioning piece portions 13b of one butted terminals 10 are allowed to enter into respective inner sides of the positioning piece portions 13b of the other butted terminals 10, as shown in FIG.11 and FIG.12.

Then, as shown in FIGs.13(a) and 13(b), the connector housing 20 and the connector housing 30 are operated to turn mutually such that the guide protrusions 23 are moved in the peripheral direction grooves 33b from the slide starting positions PS in the peripheral direction. As the guide protrusions 23 come closer to the rear ends of the peripheral direction grooves 33b, a difference angle Θ in phase between the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 of the mutual housings is narrowed, as shown in FIG.13(b). Also, as shown in FIGs.14(a) and 14(b), the engaging projection 24b of the lock arm 24 is moved toward the raised crisping portion 34c in the guiding groove portion 34a of the lock groove 34. Also, as shown in FIG.15 and FIG.16, the displacement between the butted terminals 10 as the butted objects in the peripheral direction in the connector housings 20, 30 is gradually reduced.

The relative turning operations of the connector housings 20, 30 proceed moreover. Then, as shown in FIG.17(a), the guide protrusions 23 arrive at the rear ends of the peripheral direction grooves 33b. At that time, as shown in FIG.17(b), the positions of the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 of the mutual housings coincide with each other, and thus the fitting connection of the mutual housings is brought into its completed state. Also, at this time, as shown in FIGs.18(a) and 18(b), the engaging projection 24b of the lock arm 24 goes over the raised crisping portion 34c and engages with the engaging groove 34b. Thus, the movement of the mutual housings in the peripheral direction is restricted , and the mutual housings are put in their locked state. Also, at this time, as shown in FIG.19 and FIG.20, the butted terminals 10 as the butted objects in the connector housings 20, 30 are engaged with each other such that the positioning piece portions 13b of one butted terminals 10 are forced to cut into places between the positioning piece portions 13b and the butted plate portions 12 of the other butted terminals 10 correspondingly. Accordingly, the butted plate portions 12 of the butted terminals 10 come in their butted states to the top-end positioning pieces 13 of the counter butted terminals 10 respectively, and thus the mutual butted connection of the butted terminals 10 is completed.

In the case of the butted connector 1 in the first embodiment explained above, the mutual fitting connection of the connector housings can be completed by turning (sliding) a pair of connector housings 20, 30 in the peripheral direction, which intersects orthogonally with the directions along the housing central axes C1 , C2, from the slide starting positions PS. Then, the mutual butting connection of the butted terminals 10 executed at the time when the mutual fitting connection of the connector housings is completed can be attained by the sliding operation by which the top ends of the butted terminals 10 are engaged with each other. Therefore, a large impact force does not act to the respective butted terminals 10 in the axial direction. Further, the mutual engagement of the top-end positioning pieces 13 can restrict the disengagement of the butted terminals 10, which have already been held in the butted state mutually, from the counter butted terminals 10 in the axial direction, and thus can suppress such an event that the axial load acts to the lances 22, 32 respectively.

As a result, it can be suppressed that a resin creep would be generated in the lances 22, 32, and the like of respective connector housings. Also, it can be prevented that a contact pressure between the butted terminals 10 would be decreased by the resin creep of the lances 22, 32, and the like.

Also, the top ends of the butted terminals 10 are engaged with each other at the time when the butted terminals 10 installed in respective connector housings are caused to butt into each other. Therefore, the foreign substances such as the oxide films, the dusts, or the like, which adhere onto the surfaces of the butted plate portions

12 of the butted terminals 10, can be scrubbed off in the preceding stage to the butting operation. As a result, such a situation is never caused that the foreign substances adhere between the butted terminals 10 that are to be butted into mutually and thus the mutual conductive connection between the butted terminals 10 is spoiled.

Accordingly, mutual connectivity of the butted terminals 10 can be maintained satisfactorily for a long term.

Also, in the case of the butted connector 1 in the present embodiment, not only the mutual connection of the connector housings but also the mutual connection of the butted terminals 10 can be completed, by simply turning the connector housings around the housing central axes C 1 , C2 respectively after a pair of connector housings 20, 30 are placed in the slide starting position PS respectively. As a result, the operability needed in connecting mutually the butted terminals 10 can be improved.

Further, such effects can be achieved that the spring portion 15 used to press-contact the butted plate portion 12 to the counter butted terminal can be protected against the external force and also a decrease in the contact reliability due to the deformation can be prevented. Also, because the protection walls 14 act as the guide for the top-end positioning pieces 13 at a time of fitting the butted terminals, the butted terminals 10 can be fitted to each other without fail and also the connection reliability can be improved. In addition to the above, it can be suppressed that resistance of the contact portions would be increased due to the sliding of the terminal contact portions caused by a vibration of the connectors after the mutual fitting.

(Second Embodiment)

FIG.21 to FIG.30, show a configuration of a second embodiment of a butted connector according to the present invention. Here, FIG.21 is an exploded perspective view of the butted connector in the second embodiment, FIG.22 is a perspective view showing a state that the fitting connection between a pair of connector housings is completed in the butted connector shown in FIG.21 , FIG.23(a) is a rear view showing a fitting state while a pair of connector housings in the second embodiment are being operated to slide from the slide starting position in the direction intersected orthogonally with a housing central axis, and FIG.23(b) is a pertinent cross sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state in FIG.23(a), and FIG.24(a) is a rear view showing a state that the sliding operation of a pair of connector housings in the second embodiment is further advanced from the state in FIGs.23(a) and 23(b), and FIG.24(b) is a pertinent cross sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state in FIG.24(a).

Also, FIG.25(a) is a rear view showing a state immediately before the sliding operation of a pair of connector housings in the second embodiment is completed, and FIG.25(b) is a pertinent cross sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state in FIG.25(a), FIG.26 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state of a pair of connector housings shown in FIG.25, FIG.27 is an enlarged view of an N part in FIG.26, FIG.28(a) is a rear view showing a state that the fitting connection of a pair of connector housings in the second embodiment is completed, and FIG.28(b) is a pertinent cross sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitting completed state in FIG.28(a), FIG.29 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutually butting state of the butted terminals in a state that the fitting connection between a pair of connector housings in the second embodiment is completed, and FIG.30 is an enlarged view of a P part in FIG.29.

In a butted connector 1A of the second embodiment shown in FIG.21 to FIG.30, the reference symbols common to those in the first embodiment are affixed to the configurations that are common to those of the butted connector 1 in the first embodiment, or the configurations that correspond to those of the butted connector 1 in the first embodiment, and explanation of such configurations will be simplified hereunder.

In the case of the butted connector 1A of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG.21 , one connector housing 30 out of a pair of connector housings 20, 30, which are to be fitted and connected, has a profile shaped like a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. A lock projection 37 is provided on both side surfaces of the connector housing 30 respectively to protrude outward. These lock projections 37 are engaged with the connector housing 20 when the fitting connection of the connector housing 30 to the connector housing 20 is completed .

Also, in the other connector housing 20 to which the connector housing 30 is fitted and connected, the hood portion 25 extended on the top end side provides a containing space 26 shaped like a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, to which the connector housing 30 is fitted and installed . The containing space 26 corresponds to the space whose upper side that intersects orthogonally with the housing central axis C 1 of the connector housing 20 is opened .

Also, a lock hole 27 is provided in both side walls of the hood portion 25, which defines the containing space 26, respectively. The lock projection 37 is engaged with the lock projections 37 respectively when the fitting connection of the connector housing 30 to the connector housing 20 is completed.

The second embodiment is common to the first embodiment in that the butted terminals 10 shown in FIG.3 and FIG.4 are installed into the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 provided in the connector housings 20, 30 respectively.

In the case of the butted connector 1A of the second embodiment, respective slide starting positions PS set on a pair of connector housings 20, 30 are placed in the positions where the housing central axes C1 , C2 of respective connector housings are displaced in the direction, which intersects orthogonally with the housing central axes C1 , C2 (an arrow Y2 direction in FIG.21 ), respectively.

Concretely, the slide starting position PS corresponds to the upper end edge of the containing space 26, as shown in FIG. 23(b), in the direction that intersects orthogonally with the housing central axes C1 , C2, and also corresponds to the position where the top ends of respective housings come in touch with each other, as shown in FIG.26, in the axial direction of the housing central axes C1 , C2.

Also, the sliding operation taken when a pair of connector housings 20, 30 are fitted and connected mutually corresponds to the translating operation in the direction that intersects orthogonally with the housing central axes C1 , C2, as indicated with an arrow Y3 in FIG. 23(a).

When the sliding operation for pushing the connector housing 30 into the containing space 26 is executed from the slide starting position PS shown in FIGs.23 (a) and 23(b), the mutual fitting of the connector housings becomes deeper, as shown in FIGs.24 (a) , 24(b) , 25(a) and 25(b), with the progress of the sliding operation.

In the sliding operation executed from the slide starting positions PS of the mutual housings, as shown in FIG.26 and FIG.27, the axial positions of respective butted terminals 10 are placed such that the positioning piece portions 13b formed at the top ends of the butted terminals 10, which are installed into the connector housings 20,

30 respectively, can be engaged with each other by the sliding operation.

As shown in FIGs.28(a) and 28(b), a lower face 30a of the connector housing 30 comes in touch with an inner bottom face 25b of the hood portion 25 at the termination of the sliding operation, so that the further pushing operation of the connector housing 30 is restricted. At this time, not only the positions of the terminal containing holes 21 ,

31 arranged in the connector housings 20, 30 are aligned with each other, but also the lock projections 37 on both sides of the connector housing 30 are engaged with the lock holes 27 of the connector housing 20 respectively, as shown in FIG.28(b), and thus the mutually connected state of the connector housings is locked.

In the case of the butted connector 1 A of the second embodiment, the butted terminals 10 installed into respective housings are put in their butted state, as shown in FIG.29 and FIG.30, in the condition that the fitting connection of the connector housings 20, 30 is completed. In their butted state, the positioning piece portions 13b at the top ends of the butted terminals 10 are forced to cut into places between the positioning piece portions 13b and the butted plate portions 12 of the counter butted terminals 10.

In the case of the butted connector 1A of the second embodiment explained above, not only the mutual connection of the connector housings but also the mutual connection of the butted terminals 10 can be completed, by simply translating respective connector housings in the direction that intersects orthogonally with the housing central axes C1 , C2 after a pair of connector housings 20, 30 are placed in the slide starting position PS respectively. As a result, the operability needed in connecting the butted terminals 10 mutually can be improved.

(Third Embodiment)

FIG.31 to FIG.36(c), show a configuration of a third embodiment of a butted connector according to the present invention. Here, FIG.31 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the butted connector according to the present invention, FIG.32 is a perspective view showing one of the connector housings shown in

FIG.31 when viewed from the top end side, FIG.33 is a perspective view showing an intermediate state that a pair of connector housings shown in FIG.31 are being fitted, FIG.34(a) is a side view showing a state that a pair of connector housings in the third embodiment are positioned in the slide starting position, FIG.34(b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state shown in FIG.34(a), and FIG.34(c) is an enlarged view of a Q part in FIG.34(b), FIG.35(a) is a side view showing an intermediate state that a pair of connector housings in the third embodiment are being operated to turn around a housing central axis from the slide starting position, FIG.35(b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state shown in FIG.35(a), and FIG.35(c) is an enlarged view of an R part in FIG.35(b), and FIG.36(a) is a side view showing a state that the fitting connection of a pair of connector housings in the third embodiment is completed, FIG.36(b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mutual positional relation of the butted terminals in the fitted state shown in FIG.36(a), and FIG.36(c) is an enlarged view of an S part in FIG.36(b).

A butted connector 1 B of this third embodiment corresponds to such a connector that a part of the butted connector 1 of the first embodiment is improved.

The improved aspect resides in that, as shown in FIG.31 and FIG.32, terminal protection projections 28, 38 are provided to the top end portions of a pair of connector housings 20, 30 respectively.

As shown in FIG.34, the terminal protection projections 28, 38 come in contact with butted faces (top end faces) 20b, 30b of the counter connector housings at the time when the connector housings are placed in the slide starting position PS respectively. Also, the terminal protecting projections 28, 38 are slid over the butted faces 20b, 30b of the counter connector housings at a time of the sliding operation, and restrict the displacement of the mutual connector housings in the direction of the housing central axes C 1 , C2.

The butted connector 1 B of the third embodiment has the configurations common to those of the first embodiment except that the terminal protecting projections 28, 38 are added. The same reference symbols are affixed to the common configurations, and their explanation will be omitted herein.

In the case of the butted connector 1 B of the third embodiment explained as above, when a pair of connector housings 20, 30 are fitted and connected mutually, the connector housings are relatively turned from the slide starting positions PS mutually, as shown in FIG.33 and FIG.34, and then the positions of the terminal containing holes 21 , 31 being displaced in the peripheral directions of respective housings are aligned with each other, as shown in FIGs.35(a), 35(b) and 35(c) and FIGs.36(a), 36(b) and 36(c). Consequently, the butted terminals 10 of respective connector housings can be butted-connected. In this manner, a clearance between the mutual top end portions of the butted connector housings can be maintained by the terminal protection projections 28, 38, which are provided to the top end portions of the connector housings respectively, during the sliding operation by which the mutual connector housings are turned relatively from the slide starting positions PS. As a result, when a protruded length of the terminal protection projections 28, 38 is selected adequately in advance, it can be avoided that an excessive impact force would be applied to the butted terminals 10 at a time of the butting operation, and also it can be prevented that the butted terminals 10 would be deformed by the impact applied in the butting operation.

In this case, the butted connector of the present invention is not restricted to respective embodiments mentioned above, and appropriate variations, improvements, and the like can be applied.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011 -090408 filed on April 14, 2011 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Industrial Applicability

Also, the top ends of the butted terminals are engaged with each other at the time when the butted terminals installed in respective connector housings are caused to butted into each other. Therefore, the foreign substances such as the oxide films, the dusts, or the like, which adhere onto the surfaces of the butted plate portions of the butted terminals, can be scrubbed off in the preceding stage to the butting operation. As a result, such a situation is never caused that the foreign substances adhere between the butted terminals that are to be butted into mutually and thus the mutual conductive connection between the butted terminals is spoiled.

Reference Signs List

1 , 1 A, 1 B butted connector;

10 butted terminal;

11 terminal main body;

12 butted plate portion;

13 top end positioning piece;

13b positioning piece portion;

14 protection wall;

15 spring portion;

20, 30 connector housing;

21 , 31 terminal containing hole;

22, 32 lance; 23 guide protrusion;

33 guide groove; and

C1 , C2 housing central axis.

Claims

1 . A butted connector, comprising:

a pair of connector housings that have the terminal containing hole with the lance respectively and that are fitted and connected mutually by engaging mutual top ends of the butted terminals with each other, when mutual positions of the terminal containing holes are aligned with each other by shifting the terminal containing holes in a direction, which intersects orthogonally with housing central axes, and then executing a sliding operation of the terminal containing holes in a direction, which intersects orthogonally with a direction along the housing central axes, from slide starting positions that oppose to each other at a predetermined clearance in the direction along the housing central axes;

2. The butted connector according to claim 1 , wherein the slide starting positions on the pair of connector housings correspond to positions in which the connector housings are displaced in phase around the housing central axes by a predetermined angle respectively in such a condition that the housing central axes of respective connector housings are aligned with each other, and

the sliding operation corresponds to a turning operation executed around the housing central axes respectively.

3. The butted connector according to claim 1 , wherein the slide starting positions on the pair of connector housings correspond to positions in which the housing central axes of respective connector housings are displaced in the direction that intersects orthogonally with the housing central axes, and

the sliding operation corresponds to a translating operation executed in the direction that intersects orthogonally with the housing central axes.

4. A butted connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a terminal protection projection, which comes in touch with a counter connector housing when the connector housings are positioned in the slide starting positions respectively and also slides on a butted face of the counter connector housing at a time of the sliding operation to restrict a displacement of mutual connector housings in the direction along the housing central axes, is provided to top end portions of the pair of connector housings respectively.