阅读说明：本技术 连接器结构 (Connector structure ) 是由 川原勇三 下斗米大地 于 2018-05-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：防止多个插头侧连接器关于装置侧连接器在连接/断开方向上相对于彼此移动,且插头侧连接器之一可以从装置侧连接器上单独断开。连接器结构包括设置在可弹性变形地设置在插头侧壳体(32)上的可移动构件的横向面对的侧表面的其中一个上的纵向移动限制突出部(54),和设置在片件(48)的横向面对的侧表面的另一个上的一对止动部(56、58),并配置为通过与纵向移动限制突出部(54)关于纵向方向对齐来限制横向邻接的第二壳体(32)的纵向移动限制突出部(54)在纵向方向上的移动。当处于能够将插头侧连接器(30)从装置侧连接器(10)拔出的解锁状态时,纵向移动限制突出部(54)和止动部(56、58)彼此不对齐放置,以释放在纵向方向上的移动的限制。(The plurality of plug-side connectors are prevented from moving relative to each other in the connecting/disconnecting direction with respect to the apparatus-side connector, and one of the plug-side connectors can be individually disconnected from the apparatus-side connector. The connector structure includes a longitudinal movement restricting projection (54) provided on one of laterally facing side surfaces of a movable member elastically deformably provided on the plug-side housing (32), and a pair of stoppers (56, 58) provided on the other of the laterally facing side surfaces of the piece (48), and is configured to restrict movement in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal movement restricting projection (54) of the laterally adjoining second housing (32) by being aligned with the longitudinal movement restricting projection (54) with respect to the longitudinal direction. When in an unlocked state in which the plug-side connector (30) can be pulled out from the device-side connector (10), the longitudinal movement restriction protrusion (54) and the stopper portions (56, 58) are placed out of alignment with each other to release the restriction of the movement in the longitudinal direction.)

1. A connector structure having a first connector including a first housing and a plurality of first terminals provided in the first housing, and a plurality of second connectors each including a second housing and a second terminal provided in the second housing, the plurality of second connectors being configured to be inserted into and pulled out of the first connector in a longitudinal direction in mutually aligned and abutting relationship in a transverse direction, the connector structure comprising:

a movable member provided on at least one of side surfaces of each second housing facing a vertical direction orthogonal to the lateral direction so as to be elastically movable in the vertical direction;

a lock engaging portion provided on the movable member;

a lock engaged portion provided on the first housing so as to be engaged by the lock engaging portion when the second housing is accommodated in the first housing;

a longitudinal movement restricting protrusion provided on one of side surfaces of the movable member facing the lateral direction to move in the vertical direction in synchronization with the lock engaging portion; and the number of the first and second groups,

a stopper portion provided on the other of the side surfaces of the movable member facing the lateral direction to move in the vertical direction in synchronization with the lock engaging portion, and configured to restrict movement of the longitudinal movement restricting protrusion of a laterally adjacent second housing in the longitudinal direction when the second housing positionally coincides with the laterally adjacent second housing with respect to the longitudinal direction;

wherein the longitudinal movement limiting projection and the stopper are configured to be placed out of alignment with each other with respect to the vertical direction to allow the longitudinal movement limiting projection to move in the longitudinal direction with respect to the stopper of the laterally adjoining second housing when the movable member moves in the vertical direction so that the lock catch is disengaged from the lock caught portion.

2. The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the lock catching portion is configured to catch the lock caught portion by moving the movable member in the vertical direction in an elastic manner against the first housing when the second housing is inserted into the first housing, and by restoring its original structure when the second housing is fully inserted into the first housing.

3. The connector structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable member is formed of a piece provided on the second housing made of plastic with a gap defined with respect to a side surface of the second housing facing the vertical direction, the piece being integrally molded with the second housing so as to form a one-piece molded product.

4. The connector structure of claim 3, wherein the sheet forms a beam extending along the second housing in the longitudinal direction and having two longitudinal ends connected to the second housing.

5. The connector structure according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the piece is provided with a lock release operation portion configured to move the piece in the vertical direction to disengage the lock engaging portion from the lock engaged portion by being pressed in the vertical direction.

6. The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each second housing is provided with a vertical movement restricting portion on each side surface thereof facing the lateral direction to restrict movement of the second housing in the vertical direction relative to the laterally adjoining second housing by engaging with a corresponding vertical movement restricting portion provided on the laterally adjoining second housing.

7. The connector structure according to claim 6, wherein each vertical movement restricting portion linearly extends along the second housing in the longitudinal direction and serves as a guide rail to slidably guide movement of the laterally adjoining second housing in the longitudinal direction.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector structure, and more particularly, to a connector structure including a device-side connector and a plurality of plug-side connectors to form a multi-pole connector structure.

Background

A known connector structure for establishing an electrical connection includes a device-side connector including a device-side housing configured to be attached to a printed circuit board or the like and a plurality of device-side terminals provided on the device-side housing, and a plurality of plug-side connectors each including a plug-side housing and plug-side terminals provided on the plug-side housing. The plug-side connector is configured to be selectively connected to the device-side connector, and to be engaged with and disengaged from each other (for example, see patent documents 1 and 2).

In this connector structure, when the plug-side connector is not connected to the apparatus-side connector (or when the plug-side connector is removed from the apparatus-side connector), the adjoining plug-side connectors are not restricted from moving relative to each other in the connecting/disconnecting direction, so that the plug-side connectors may move relative to each other in the connecting/disconnecting direction. Therefore, the operation efficiency of the plug-side connector may be impaired, and the work efficiency of connecting the plug side to the device-side connector may be impaired.

To overcome this problem, it has been proposed to restrict relative movement between the plug-side connectors in the connecting/disconnecting direction by using a side retainer.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, when the side holder is used and the plug-side connector is connected to the device-side connector, it is not possible to pull out only one of the plug-side connectors from the device-side connector. Even if it is desired to pull out only one of the plug-side connectors, all the plug-side connectors connected to each other by the side holder are not pulled out from the device-side connectors at the same time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a connector structure in which, when a plurality of plug-side connectors are disconnected from an apparatus-side connector, the plurality of plug-side connectors are prevented from moving relative to each other in a connecting/disconnecting direction with respect to the apparatus-side connector, and when the plurality of plug-side connectors are connected to the apparatus-side connector, one of the plug-side connectors can still be individually disconnected from the apparatus-side connector.

Means for solving the problems

A connector structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is a connector structure having a first connector (10) and a plurality of second connectors (30), the first connector (10) including a first housing (12) and a plurality of first terminals (16) provided in the first housing (12), the plurality of second connectors (30) each including a second housing (32) and second terminals (36) provided in the second housing (32), the plurality of second connectors being configured to be inserted into and pulled out of the first connector in a longitudinal direction in a mutually aligned and abutting relationship in a transverse direction, the connector structure including: a movable member (48), the movable member (48) being provided on at least one of side surfaces of each second housing (32) facing a vertical direction orthogonal to the lateral direction so as to be elastically movable in the vertical direction; a lock engagement portion (50) provided on the movable member (48); a lock engaged portion (18) provided on the first housing (12) so as to be engaged by the lock engaging portion (50) when the second housing (32) is accommodated in the first housing (12); a longitudinal movement restriction protrusion (54) provided on one of side surfaces of the movable member (48) facing in the lateral direction to move in the vertical direction in synchronization with the lock engagement portion (50); and a stopper portion (56, 58) provided on the other of the side surfaces of the movable member (48) facing the lateral direction to move in the vertical direction in synchronization with the lock engaging portion (50), and configured to restrict movement in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal movement restricting projection (54) of the laterally adjoining second housing (32) when the second housing coincides in position with the laterally adjoining second housing (32) with respect to the longitudinal direction; wherein the longitudinal movement limiting projection (54) and the stopper (56, 58) are configured to be placed out of alignment with each other with respect to the vertical direction to allow the longitudinal movement limiting projection to move in the longitudinal direction with respect to the stopper of the laterally adjoining second housing when the movable member (48) is moved in the vertical direction so that the lock engaging portion (50) is disengaged from the lock engaged portion (18).

According to this arrangement, when the second connector (30) is removed from the first connector (10), relative longitudinal movement between the laterally adjoining second housings (32) can be prevented without the need for a side retainer. When the second connector (30) is pulled out from the connector insertion chamber (14) of the first connector (10), the second connectors (30) are positionally overlapped with each other with respect to the longitudinal direction, thereby facilitating the operation of the second connector (30) and improving the work efficiency of connecting the second connector to the first connector.

When the second connector (30) is inserted into the first connector (10), once the locking catching portion (50) of one of the second connectors (30) is disengaged from the locking caught portion (18), this second connector (30) can be moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to an adjoining second connector (30) or adjoining second connectors (30), so that this second connector (30) can be removed separately from the first connector (10).

In the above connector structure, preferably, the lock engaging portion (50) is configured to engage the lock engaged portion (18) by elastically moving the movable member (48) in the vertical direction against the first housing (12) when the second housing (32) is inserted into the first housing (12), and by restoring its original structure when the second housing (32) is fully inserted into the first housing (12).

According to this arrangement, upon completion of the insertion of the second housing (32), the lock engaging portion (50) is engaged by the lock engaged portion (18) in an automatic and reliable manner.

In the above connector structure, preferably, the movable member (48) is formed of a piece (48), the piece (48) being provided on the second housing (32) made of a plastic material with a gap defined with respect to a side surface of the second housing facing in a vertical direction, the piece (48) being integrally molded with the second housing (32) to form a one-piece molded product.

According to this arrangement, since the sheet (48) forming part of the movable member (48) and the second housing (32) together form an integrally formed one-piece member, the movable member does not require separate components, and the assembly process of the movable member is eliminated, so that the movable member is simple in structure and economical to manufacture.

In the above connector structure, preferably, the sheet (48) forms a beam extending along the second housing (32) in the longitudinal direction and having two longitudinal ends (48A, 48B) connected to the second housing (32).

According to this arrangement, since the piece (48) has no free end, troubles such as winding of the piece (48) of the different second connector (30) during the manufacturing process and the assembling process can be avoided.

In the above connector structure, preferably, the piece (48) is provided with a lock release operation portion (52) configured to move the piece (48) in the vertical direction to disengage the lock engagement portion (50) from the lock engaged portion (18) by being pressed in the vertical direction.

According to this arrangement, by operating the lock release operation portion (52), the unlocking operation can be reliably and easily performed.

In the above connector structure, preferably, each second housing (32) is provided with a vertical movement restricting portion (40, 42, 44, 46) on each side surface thereof facing in the lateral direction to restrict movement of the second housing in the vertical direction relative to the laterally adjacent second housing (32) by engaging with a corresponding vertical movement restricting portion provided on the laterally adjacent second housing.

According to this arrangement, during the insertion process or the like, the second housings (32) laterally adjoining each other are prevented from moving relative to each other in the vertical direction.

In the above connector structure, preferably, each of the vertical movement restricting portions (40, 42, 44, 46) linearly extends along the second housing (32) in the longitudinal direction, and serves as a guide rail to slidably guide the movement of the laterally adjoining second housing (32) in the longitudinal direction.

According to this arrangement, the work efficiency of inserting and removing the second connector (30) with respect to the first connector (10) is improved.

Effects of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a connector structure in which, when a second connector is disconnected from a first connector, a plurality of second connectors are prevented from moving relative to each other in a connecting/disconnecting direction with respect to the first connector, and when the second connector is connected to the first connector, one of the second connectors is still allowed to be individually disconnected from the first connector.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a connector structure according to the present invention;

fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a plug-side connector of the connector structure according to the embodiment;

fig. 3 is a plan view showing a plug-side connector of the connector structure according to the embodiment;

fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a lock mechanism of the connector structure according to the embodiment during a connection process;

fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a longitudinal movement restricting portion of the connector structure according to the embodiment during a connecting process;

fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a lock mechanism of the connector structure according to the embodiment at the time of completion of the connection process;

fig. 7 is a sectional view showing a longitudinal movement restricting portion of the connector structure according to the embodiment at the time of completion of the connecting process.

Detailed Description

Modes for carrying out the invention

An embodiment of a connector structure according to the present invention is described below with reference to fig. 1 to 7. In the following disclosure, the lateral direction (arrangement direction) corresponds to the left-right direction as viewed in fig. 1 to 3, the longitudinal direction (connection/disconnection direction) corresponds to the up-down direction as viewed in fig. 1 to 7, and the vertical direction is a direction orthogonal to both the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction, and corresponds to the left-right direction as viewed in fig. 4 to 7.

As shown in fig. 1 and 4 to 7, the connector structure 1 includes a device-side connector 10, which may be referred to as a first connector, and a plurality of plug-side connectors 30, which may be referred to as second connectors.

The device-side connector 10 is an electrical connector (header), which may be a surface-mount connector, and includes a device-side housing 12 formed by injection molding a plastic material. The device-side housing 12 is provided with four side walls 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and a bottom wall 12E to define a rectangular box shape (fig. 1) having an open top side, and to define a single connector insertion chamber 14 having a rectangular space therein and without any partition wall. The connector insertion chamber 14 accommodates therein a plurality of plug-side connectors 30, the plurality of plug-side connectors 30 being arranged laterally one next to the other in a single row, and configured to be connected and disconnected (inserted and pulled out) with the device-side connector 10 in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the device-side connector 10 is provided with a plurality of male terminals (device-side terminals) 16. The plurality of male terminals 16 are arranged in two rows arranged in the vertical direction, and the male terminals 16 in each row are arranged in the lateral direction at regular intervals. Each male terminal 16 extends through the bottom wall 12E in the longitudinal direction, and is provided with a projection 16A that projects into the connector insertion chamber 14. The male terminal 16 denoted by "GND" in fig. 4 is a ground terminal, and the projection 16A of the ground terminal has a projection length larger than that of the projection 16A of the other male terminal 16. When the plug-side connector 30 is connected to the apparatus-side connector 10, the grounded male terminal 16 establishes a conductive connection (to be described later) with the corresponding female terminal 36 earlier than the non-grounded male terminal 16 establishes a conductive connection with the corresponding female terminal 36, so as to eliminate static electricity, and when the plug-side connector 30 is connected to the apparatus-side connector 10, the apparatus is protected from electrostatic charges.

As shown in fig. 1, the plug-side connector 30 is configured to be inserted into and pulled out of the connector insertion chamber 14 of the device-side connector 10 in a state of being arranged laterally and closely adjoining to each other.

As shown in fig. 1 to 7, each plug-side connector 30 is provided with a plug-side housing 32 made of a molded plastic material. The plug-side housing 32 has a pair of side surfaces 32A and 32B facing in parallel with each other in the lateral direction, and a pair of side surfaces 32C and 32D facing in parallel with each other in the vertical direction to define a substantially rectangular shape. When the plug-side connector 30 is laterally aligned, the side surfaces 32A and 32B of the plug-side housing 32 are opposed on either side thereof to the side surfaces 32A and 32B of the adjoining plug-side housing 32, or one of the side surfaces 32A and 32B of the plug-side housing 32 is opposed on the corresponding side to the corresponding side surface of the adjacent plug-side housing 32, and the other side surfaces 32A, 32B are opposed to the corresponding side surfaces 32A, 32B of the adjoining plug-side housing 32.

As shown in fig. 1, 2, 4 and 6, the plug-side housing 32 of each plug-side connector 30 defines a pair of terminal chambers 34 arranged in the vertical direction and extending in the longitudinal direction. As shown in fig. 4 and 6, each terminal chamber 34 of the plug-side connector 30 accommodates therein a metal female terminal (plug terminal) 36. Each female terminal 36 is electrically connected to one end of an insulated wire (cable) 38. Each female terminal 36 is configured to be electrically connected to the corresponding male terminal 16 when the plug-side connector 30 is inserted into the connector insertion chamber 14 of the device-side connector 10.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, one of the laterally facing side surfaces (the right side surface in fig. 2) of each plug-side housing 32 is provided with a groove 40 defined by a pair of side walls and a catching surface 42 defined by a single side wall, the groove 40 and the catching surface 42 linearly extending in the longitudinal direction in parallel to each other in a spaced-apart relationship. The other laterally facing side surface (the left side surface in fig. 2) is provided with a pair of ribs 44 and 46 linearly extending in the longitudinal direction in parallel with each other in spaced relation.

The groove 40, the catch surface 42 and the ribs 44 and 46 together form a vertical movement restriction. The groove 40 and the catching surface 42 of each plug-side housing 32 catch with the ribs 44 and 46 of the adjoining plug-side housing 32, thereby enabling the two adjoining plug-side housings 32 to slide relative to each other in the longitudinal direction while keeping the two adjoining plug-side housings 32 vertically aligned with each other by preventing the two adjoining plug-side housings 32 from moving vertically relative to each other.

Thus, the groove 40, the snap-fit surface 42, and the ribs 44 and 46 collectively perform the function of a guide rail that slidably guides relative longitudinal movement between the laterally adjoining plug-side housings 32. This can improve the work efficiency of inserting the plug-side connector 30 into the connector insertion chamber 14 and extracting the plug-side connector 30 from the connector insertion chamber 14.

The grooves 40, the click surfaces 42, and the ribs 44 and 46 may vary in vertical position and/or shape for each pair of opposite side surfaces of the adjoining plug-side housing 32, so that the plug-side connectors 30 may be arranged in a prescribed order. In the illustrated embodiment, although the grooves 40 and the ribs 44 extend over the entire longitudinal length of the plug-side housing 32, the snap-fit surfaces 42 and the ribs 46 extend over half of the entire longitudinal length of the plug-side housing 32. However, it is also possible to arrange the catch surface 42 and the ribs 46 so as to also extend over the entire longitudinal length of the plug-side housing 32.

A piece 48 serving as a movable member is integrally formed on one of the vertically facing side surfaces 32C of the plug-side housing 32. Thus, the sheet member 48 is integrally molded with the plug-side housing 3. The piece 48 extends in the longitudinal direction and has a gap 49 defined relative to the side surface 32C, and the piece 48 has longitudinal ends 48A and 48B connected to the plug-side housing 32, thereby forming a beam supported at both ends. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the sheet member 48 is configured to be elastically deformed in an arcuate shape, and thus has an intermediate portion 48C movable in the vertical direction between the end portions 48A and 48B.

The intermediate portion 48C (lock engagement portion) is formed integrally with the lock projection 50. The locking projection 50 projects from the side surface 32C of the plug-side housing 32, and the front surface of the locking projection 50 with respect to the insertion direction (longitudinal direction) is formed as an inclined surface 50A, while the rear surface of the locking projection 50 is formed as a vertical surface 50B.

The inner surface of the side wall 12A of the device-side housing 12 (the surface defining the connector insertion chamber 14) is provided with a locking recess 18 (a locking engaged portion) configured to detachably engage the locking projection 50.

As shown in fig. 4, the locking projection 50 is configured to advance into the connector insertion chamber 14 while abutting against the side wall 12A of the device-side housing 12, so that the piece 48 is deformed toward the side wall 12A. As shown in fig. 6, once the plug-side housing 32 is accommodated in the device-side housing 12 (upon completion of the insertion of the plug-side connector 30), the locking projection 50 is engaged by the locking recess 18. In this engaged state, the plug-side connector 30 is in a locked state in which the plug-side connector 30 is prevented from being pulled out (moved in the longitudinal direction) from the device-side connector 10 by the vertical standing surface 50B of the locking protrusion 50 abutting against the vertical surface 18A of the opposing locking recess 18.

Upon completion of the insertion of the plug-side housing 32 into the device-side housing 12 due to the movement of the piece 48 to return to the original shape, the engagement between the locking projection 50 and the locking recess 18 is achieved in a resilient manner, so that upon completion of the insertion of the plug-side housing 32, the engagement between the locking projection 50 and the locking recess 18 is achieved in a reliable manner without any special measures.

The piece 48 is provided with a lock release operation portion 52 in the vicinity of the end portion 48B. More specifically, the lock release operation portion 52 is integrally molded with the piece 48 in a portion thereof adjacent to the end portion 48B of the piece 48 so as to protrude from the side surface 32C of the plug-side housing 32. In the locked state shown in fig. 6, when the lock release operation portion 52 is pressed toward the side surface 32C in the vertical direction, the piece 48 is elastically biased toward the side wall 12A, thereby removing the locking protrusion 50 from the recess 18. As a result, an unlocked state is achieved in which the engagement between the locking projection 50 and the locking recess 18 is released. In the unlocked state, the plug-side housing 32 can be pulled out of the device-side housing 12 by moving the plug-side connector 30 in the corresponding longitudinal direction.

Therefore, by pushing the lock release operation portion 52, the unlocking operation or release of the locked state can be easily and reliably achieved simply.

As shown in fig. 2, 5, and 7, one side surface 48D of the intermediate portion 48C of the piece 48 is formed integrally with the laterally extending longitudinal movement restricting projection 54, and moves in the vertical direction in synchronization with the locking projection 50 as a result of the above-described elastic deformation.

As shown in fig. 2, 5 and 7, the other side surface 48E of the intermediate portion 48C of the sheet member 48 is integrally formed with a pair of stop projections 56 and 58 placed one behind the other. The stop projections 56 and 58 project laterally from the side surface 48D a distance that allows the longitudinal movement limiting projection 54 of the piece 48 of the plug-side housing 32 laterally abutting therebetween to be received in the vertical direction. The stopper projections 56 and 58 are thus configured to move in the vertical direction in synchronization with the locking projection 50 when the piece 48 undergoes the aforementioned elastic deformation.

As shown in fig. 7, the stopper projections 56 and 58 are placed such that when the plug-side housing 32 positionally coincides with the laterally adjoining plug-side housing 32 of the adjoining plug-side housing 32 with respect to the longitudinal direction, the stopper projections 56 and 58 are aligned with the longitudinal movement restricting projection 54 of the laterally adjoining plug-side housing 32 with respect to the longitudinal direction to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the longitudinal movement restricting projection 54, and as a result, relative longitudinal movement between the adjoining plug-side housings 32 is prevented. In other words, when the laterally adjoining plug-side housings 32 are aligned such that their positions with respect to the longitudinal direction coincide with each other, the longitudinal movement restriction protrusion 54 is caught between the stopper protrusions 56 and 58 of the laterally adjoining plug-side housings 32, and restricts longitudinal movement of the laterally adjoining plug-side housings 32 with respect to each other.

Due to the engagement between the longitudinal movement restricting projections 54 and the stopper projections 56 and 58 of the laterally adjoining plug-side housings 32, the laterally adjoining plug-side housings 32 are prevented from moving longitudinally relative to each other when the plug-side connector 30 is pulled out from the connector insertion chamber 14 of the device-side connector 30 (in the disconnected state) without requiring a side holder. As a result, when the plug-side connector 30 is pulled out from the connector insertion chamber 14 of the device-side connector 30, the plug-side connectors 30 positionally coincide with each other in the longitudinal direction, and the handling of the plug-side connector 30 is facilitated, and the work efficiency of connecting the plug-side connector 30 to the device-side connector 10 is improved.

As shown in fig. 5, when the sheet member 48 is elastically deformed toward the side wall 12A by the unlocking operation, the longitudinal movement restricting projection 54 thereof is disengaged from the stopper projections 56 and 58 of the adjoining plug-side housing 32. Similarly, when the piece 48 is elastically deformed toward the side wall 12 by the unlocking operation, the stopper projections 56 and 58 thereof are disengaged from the longitudinal movement restricting projection 54 of the other adjoining plug-side housing 32. Due to these disengaging actions on either side, the middle plug-side housing 32 can move in the longitudinal direction relative to the adjoining plug-side housing 32.

Therefore, when the unlocked state is produced by pushing the lock release operation portion 52 of one of the plug-side connectors 30 while the plug-side connectors 30 are accommodated in the connector insertion chambers 14 of the device-side connectors 20 in laterally abutting relation to each other, and the locking protrusion 50 is disengaged from the locking recess 18, this plug-side connector 30 can be moved in the longitudinal direction relative to the laterally abutting plug-side connector 30, and this plug-side connector 30 can be individually removed from the device-side connector 10.

Since the sheet piece 48 is formed as a movable member integral with the plug-side housing 32, a separate component is not required as the movable member, and the assembly of the movable member is not required, so that the connector structure can be simplified in structure and reduced in cost. The piece 48 may be provided with a cantilever structure having only one end portion 48A thereof connected to the plug-side housing 32, but it is more preferable to form the piece 48 as a beam supported at both ends because trouble such as entanglement of the pieces 48 of different plug-side connectors during the manufacturing process and the assembling process can be avoided because there is no free end.

The present invention has been described according to specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention as can be understood by those skilled in the art.

For example, a lock mechanism including the lock recess 18 and the lock projection 50 may be provided on each of the vertically facing side walls of the plug-side housing 32 as needed. The groove 40 and the rib 44 may be configured as a dovetail joint such that lateral movement of the laterally adjoining plug-side housing 32 may be limited. The number of the plug-side connectors 30 to be connected to the device-side connector 10 at the same time is not limited to five shown in fig. 1, but may be another number. The connector structure of the present invention is not limited to the combination of the device-side connector 10 and the plug-side connector 30, but may be a combination of a plug and a socket connected to respective electric wires or cables.

The various components of the illustrated embodiment are not entirely necessary to the invention, but may be retained and omitted as needed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Glossary

10: device-side connector (first connector) 12: device side shell (first shell)

12A: side wall 12B: side wall

12C: side wall 12D: side wall

12E: bottom wall 14: connector insertion cavity

16: male terminal (first terminal) 16A: projection part

18: locking concave part (locking engaged part)

18A: vertical surface 30: plug side connector (second connector)

32: plug-side housing (second housing) 32A: side surface

32B: side surface 32C: side surface

32D: side surface 34: terminal cavity

36: female terminal (second terminal) 38: insulated wire

40: groove (vertical movement limiting part)

42: engaging surface (vertical movement limiting part)

44: rib (vertical movement limiting part)

46: rib (vertical movement limiting part)

48: piece (movable member) 49: gap

48A: end portion 48B: end part

48C: intermediate portion 48D: side surface

48E side surface

50: locking projection (locking clamping part)

50A: inclined surface 50B: vertical standing surface

52: lock release operation part

54: longitudinal movement limiting projection

56: stopper projection (stopper) 58: stop protrusion (stop part)