阅读说明：本技术 连接器 (Connector with a locking member ) 是由 弘田胜则 于 2019-05-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及连接器,能够确保设计的自由度,且能够抑制大型化。移动板(13)插入于连接器主体(12)的罩部(11)内,且能够在临时卡止位置与嵌合位置之间移动,具有临时卡止部(91)和弹性卡止片(46)。临时卡止部在临时卡止位置与连接器主体的干渉部干渉而限制移动板向嵌合位置的移动。弹性卡止片卡止于对方连接器(阴型连接器(60))的承接部(75),在对方连接器从罩部脱离的过程中维持与承接部的卡止而容许移动板从嵌合位置向临时卡止位置的移动。连接器主体具有限制面(28),在移动板从嵌合位置返回临时卡止位置时,到临时卡止部相对于第2干渉部(36)的越上量表示最大值时为止,限制面限制弹性卡止片的挠曲动作。(The invention relates to a connector, which can ensure the freedom degree of design and inhibit the upsizing. The moving plate (13) is inserted into a cover part (11) of the connector body (12), can move between a temporary locking position and a fitting position, and is provided with a temporary locking part (91) and an elastic locking piece (46). The temporary locking unit interferes with the interface of the connector body at the temporary locking position to restrict the movement of the moving plate to the fitting position. The elastic locking piece is locked on a receiving part (75) of a counterpart connector (female connector (60)), and the locking with the receiving part is maintained in the process of disengaging the counterpart connector from the cover part, so that the moving plate is allowed to move from the fitting position to the temporary locking position. The connector body has a restriction surface (28) that restricts the flexing operation of the elastic locking piece until the temporary locking section indicates a maximum value with respect to the upward amount of the 2 nd interference unit (36) when the moving plate is returned from the fitting position to the temporary locking position.)

1. a connector is provided with:

A connector body having a hood;

A terminal part having a pole piece protruding into the hood; and

A moving plate inserted into the cover portion and movable between a temporary locking position and a fitting position on the inner side of the temporary locking position in a state where the pole piece is positioned,

The moving plate has:

A temporary locking unit that, in the temporary locking position, interferes with an interference of the connector body to restrict movement of the moving plate to the fitting position, and that, when the moving plate is returned from the fitting position to the temporary locking position, passes over the interference; and

An elastic locking piece locked to the receiving portion of the mating connector, the locking piece being maintained with the receiving portion while the mating connector is being removed from the cover portion, the movement of the moving plate from the fitting position to the temporary locking position being allowed, the elastic locking piece being deformed by flexure to release the locking with the receiving portion when the mating connector is completely removed from the cover portion,

The connector body has a limiting surface,

The restriction surface restricts the flexing operation of the elastic locking piece until the rising amount of the temporary locking section with respect to the interference section indicates a maximum value when the moving plate returns from the fitting position to the temporary locking position.

2. The connector of claim 1,

The connector main body is provided with an anti-prying part which protrudes into the cover part from the bottom surface side of the cover part to avoid prying up of the pole piece, and the anti-prying part is provided with the limiting surface.

3. The connector of claim 2,

The counterpart connector has a concave portion for receiving the pry-resistant portion, and the receiving portion is provided on an inner surface of the concave portion.

4. The connector according to claim 2 or claim 3,

The connector body has: a housing having the cover; and a front holder fitted to the housing and covering a front surface of the housing,

The housing has a cavity into which the terminal fitting can be inserted, and a flexibly deformable lance that protrudes into the cavity to prevent the terminal fitting from coming off,

the front retainer has a protruding piece on the rear surface side for restricting the flexing action of the lance, and the pick-proof portion on the front surface side.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector.

background

the connector described in patent document 1 includes: a male housing having a cover; a terminal part having a pole piece protruding into the hood part; and a moving plate inserted into the cover part and capable of moving between an initial position (temporary locking position) and a fitting position at the inner side of the initial position in a state that the pole piece is positioned.

The moving plate is pushed by a female housing of a mating connector fitted in the hood to move from an initial position to a fitting position, and is pulled back from the fitting position to the initial position when the female housing is detached from the hood.

The moving plate has a holding projection (temporary locking part) and an elastic locking piece protruding forward from a part closer to the end than the holding projection.

The male housing has an initial position holding projection that is locked to the holding projection and restricts the movement of the moving plate to the fitting position side (back side). The female housing has a locking portion (receiving portion) locked to the elastic locking piece.

When the connector is fitted, the female housing is inserted into the hood. Then, the elastic locking piece is locked to the locking part, and the backward relative movement of the moving plate with respect to the female housing is restricted. When the female housing presses the moving plate, the holding projection is disengaged from the initial position holding projection, and the moving plate is allowed to move to the fitting position.

when the connector in the fitted state is disengaged, the female housing is pulled out from the hood. At this time, the elastic locking piece is locked at the locking part, so that the moving plate and the female shell move towards the initial position together. When the female housing is completely separated, the elastic locking piece is separated from the locking part, and the moving plate is stopped at the initial position.

[ Prior art documents ]

[ patent document ]

[ patent document 1 ] Japanese patent laid-open No. 2017-134981

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, when the moving plate returns from the fitting position to the initial position, the holding projection gets over the initial position holding projection, and therefore resistance may be generated to restrict the moving plate from moving to the initial position. At this time, if the locking force of the elastic locking piece to the locking portion is weak, the elastic locking piece may be accidentally disengaged from the locking portion before the moving plate returns to the home position. Therefore, the locking force of the elastic locking piece needs to be increased in advance. However, if the amount of locking of the elastic locking piece to the locking portion is increased in order to increase the locking force of the elastic locking piece, the locking portion that is the locking counterpart of the elastic locking piece or the receiving structure of the female housing that receives the elastic locking piece also becomes large. As a result, the degree of freedom in design is reduced, and the entire structure is likely to be large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector capable of securing a degree of freedom in design and suppressing an increase in size.

Means for solving the problems

The connector of the present invention includes: a connector body having a hood; a terminal part having a pole piece protruding into the hood; and a moving plate inserted into the cover portion and movable between a temporary locking position and a fitting position on a back side of the temporary locking position in a state where the pole piece is positioned, the moving plate including: a temporary locking unit that, in the temporary locking position, interferes with an interference of the connector body to restrict movement of the moving plate to the fitting position, and that, when the moving plate is returned from the fitting position to the temporary locking position, passes over the interference; and an elastic locking piece locked to the receiving portion of the counterpart connector, the elastic locking piece maintaining locking with the receiving portion in a process of disengaging the counterpart connector from the cover portion and allowing movement of the moving plate from the fitting position to the temporary locking position, the elastic locking piece being flexibly deformed to release locking with the receiving portion when the counterpart connector is completely disengaged from the cover portion, the connector body having a restriction surface that restricts flexing operation of the elastic locking piece until the temporary locking portion indicates a maximum value with respect to an increasing amount of the stem when the moving plate returns from the fitting position to the temporary locking position.

The temporary engagement section is arranged to cross the interference section while the counterpart connector is disengaged from the hood section. The flexing operation of the elastic locking piece is restricted by the restriction surface of the connector body until the rising amount of the temporary locking section with respect to the interference section becomes the maximum value. Therefore, the locking state of the elastic locking piece and the receiving part can be well maintained, and the moving plate can reliably return to the temporary locking position. The restricting surface of the connector body restricts the flexing operation of the elastic locking piece, so that a predetermined locking force can be obtained without increasing the locking amount of the elastic locking piece with respect to the receiving part. As a result, the elastic locking piece does not need to be enlarged, and even the receiving portion side of the mating connector does not need to be enlarged, so that the enlargement can be suppressed and the degree of freedom in design can be secured.

Drawings

fig. 1 is a sectional view showing an initial state in which a counterpart connector is inserted into a hood in embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the elastic locking piece is deformed by bending during the process of fitting/removing the connector.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the temporary locking portion is deformed by bending during the process of fitting/removing the connector at a stage different from that of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the flexing operation of the elastic locking piece is restricted by the restricting surface at the stage of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the flexing operation of the elastic locking piece is restricted by the restricting surface when the connector is properly fitted.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where the temporary locking portion is substantially in a natural state when the connectors are normally fitted.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the housing.

Fig. 9 is a front view of the housing.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the moving plate.

Fig. 11 is a front view of the moving plate.

Fig. 12 is a rear view of the moving plate.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the front holder.

Fig. 14 is a front view of the front holder.

Fig. 15 is a front view of the counterpart connector.

fig. 16 is a sectional view of the counterpart connector.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown below.

(1) The connector main body is provided with an anti-prying part which protrudes into the cover part from the bottom surface side of the cover part to avoid prying up of the pole piece, and the anti-prying part is provided with the limiting surface. Thus, a dedicated structure for the regulating surface does not need to be provided in the connector body, and the structure can be simplified.

(2) The counterpart connector has a concave portion for receiving the prying-resistant portion, and the receiving portion is provided on an inner surface of the concave portion. According to the present invention, the elastic locking piece does not become large, and therefore the recess does not need to be opened widely. Therefore, structural restrictions on the periphery of the recess of the mating connector can be reduced.

(3) The connector body has: a housing having the hood; and a front holder which is attached to the housing and covers a front surface of the housing, wherein the housing has a cavity into which the terminal fitting can be inserted and a flexibly deformable lance which protrudes into the cavity and prevents the terminal fitting from coming off, the front holder has a protruding piece which restricts a flexing operation of the lance on a rear surface side, and the front holder has the tamper-proof portion on a front surface side. Thus, the front holder can be integrated with a function of restricting the flexing operation of the lance to perform secondary coming-off prevention of the terminal component, a function of preventing the prying-up of the projecting piece, and a function of restricting the flexing operation of the elastic locking piece to suppress the enlargement, and structural restrictions on the housing can be reduced by a corresponding amount.

< example 1>

Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. In embodiment 1, as shown in fig. 1, a pair of male and female connectors 10 and 60 are configured to be fitted to each other. The male connector 10 includes: a connector body 12 having a hood 11; and a moving plate 13 movably disposed in the cover 11. The female connector 60 is a mating connector and includes a mating connector body 61, and the mating connector body 61 has a portion that can be fitted into the cover 11. Hereinafter, the front-rear direction is defined as the front side on the side facing each other when the connectors 10 and 60 start to be fitted, and the vertical direction is defined as the reference of each figure.

< female connector 60>

The mating connector body 61 is made of synthetic resin, and as shown in fig. 15 and 16, includes a mating housing 62 and a separate front mating holder 63 attached to the mating housing 62.

The counter front holder 63 has a counter front wall portion 64 covering the front surface of the counter case 62. As shown in fig. 15, the counter front wall portion 64 has a plurality of pole piece insertion holes 65, and pole pieces (tab)51 of the terminal component 50 described later can be inserted into the pole piece insertion holes 65. A plurality of pole piece insertion holes 65 are arranged in the opposing front wall portion 64 in the upper and lower 2 layers in the left-right direction. The counter front wall portion 64 has a pair of through holes 66 at the left and right center portions on both upper and lower sides of the region where each pole piece insertion hole 65 is disposed. Each through hole 66 has an opening shape elongated in the left-right direction in the opposing front wall portion 64. As shown in fig. 1, the counter front wall portion 64 has counter projecting pieces 67 projecting rearward at positions corresponding to the pole piece insertion holes 65.

As shown in fig. 16, the counter housing 62 includes a counter housing main body 68 and a fitting cylinder portion 69 surrounding the outer periphery of the counter housing main body 68, and the counter housing main body 68 and the fitting cylinder portion 69 are integrally formed. The space between the mating housing main body 68 and the fitting cylinder portion 69 is open forward as a fitting space 70 into which the cover 11 can be fitted. The mating housing 62 has a lock arm 71 projecting forward in an upper region of the fitting space 70. The lock arm 71 is elastically locked to a lock portion 31 of the cover portion 11, which will be described later, and thereby both connectors 10 and 60 are held in a fitted state.

As shown in fig. 1, the counter housing main body 68 has a plurality of counter cavities 72 at positions corresponding to the respective pole piece insertion holes 65 of the counter front holder 63, and flexible counter lances 73 projecting forward are provided on inner walls of the respective counter cavities 72. Each pair of lance members 73 is arranged in a back-to-back state in each of the upper and lower pair of square cavities 72.

The counterpart terminal fitting 80 is inserted into each counterpart cavity 72 from the rear. The mating terminal fitting 80 is a female terminal fitting, and has a box portion 81 at the front and a portion connected to a terminal end of an electric wire 82 by crimping at the rear. The mating lance 73 elastically locks the box portion 81, thereby achieving the first-stage disengagement of the mating terminal fitting 80 in the mating cavity 72. In addition, when the counterpart front holder 63 is normally fitted to the counterpart housing 62, the counterpart projecting piece 67 enters the flexing area of the counterpart lance 73, the flexing action of the counterpart lance 73 is restricted, and the second-stage coming-off prevention of the counterpart terminal part 80 in the counterpart cavity 72 is achieved.

As shown in fig. 1, the rubber stopper 83 is housed behind the counter housing body 68. The rubber stopper 83 is retained by the counter housing body 68 so as to be prevented from coming off by a rear retainer 84 attached to the counter housing body 68. The first electric wires 82 connected to the respective square terminal pieces 80 are inserted through the rubber plugs 83. Thereby, the electric wires 82 are liquid-tightly sealed from the counterpart housing 62. The seal ring 85 is fitted to the mating housing main body 68. When the connectors 10 and 60 are fitted to each other, the seal ring 85 is sandwiched between the mating housing main body 68 and the hood 11, and the connectors 10 and 60 are sealed in a liquid-tight manner.

As shown in fig. 16, the counter housing body 68 has a pair of recesses 74 at positions corresponding to the through holes 66 of the counter front holder 63, that is, at upper and lower sides of a region where the respective counter cavities 72 are disposed, and at a left-right direction center portion. Each recess 74 extends long in the front-rear-right direction, and has a slit shape with a front end opening on the front surface of the counter housing body 68. The rear end of each recess 74 is located in the opposite housing

the vicinity of the front-rear center of the seal ring 62 overlaps with the region where the seal ring 85 is fitted in the front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 15, the upper recess 74 has a receiving portion 75 protruding inward (toward the left and right center sides of the recess 74) on one of the left and right end faces (the right end face in the figure). The lower recess 74 has a receiving portion 75 protruding inward on the other end surface (the left end surface in the figure) on the left and right sides. Each receiving portion 75 is provided to fill the upper and lower opening portions of the concave portion 74 at 2 positions in the diagonal direction around the center portion of the counter housing 62. As shown in fig. 2, the protruding end surface of the receiving portion 75 is arranged flat in the front-rear direction. The front and rear surfaces of the receiving portion 75 are inclined to taper toward the projecting end surface.

< Male connector 10>

The connector body 12 is made of synthetic resin, and as shown in fig. 1, includes a housing 14 and a front holder 15 that is a separate body and is attached to the housing 14.

As shown in fig. 13, the front holder 15 includes a front wall portion 16 covering the front surface of the housing 14, and a tubular peripheral wall portion 17 projecting rearward from the outer periphery of the front wall portion 16. As shown in fig. 13 and 14, the front wall portion 16 has a bridging portion 18 bridging in the left-right direction at the upper and lower center portions, and has a pair of insertion holes 19 extending in the left-right direction and penetrating in the front-rear direction at both upper and lower sides across the bridging portion 18. As shown in fig. 1, the bridging portion 18 has a plurality of projecting pieces 21 which are paired up and down and project rearward on the rear surface.

As shown in fig. 14, the peripheral wall portion 17 has a pair of notches 22 extending in the front-rear direction and opening to the front surface on one of the left and right sides (left side in the drawing) of the upper surface portion and the other of the left and right sides (right side in the drawing) of the lower surface portion. The notch portion 22 has a substantially rectangular notch shape. The peripheral wall portion 17 includes a plate piece portion 23 (see fig. 13) that is lowered one piece from the rear portion of the upper and lower surfaces (the portion behind a stopper portion 25 described later) on the other of the left and right sides of the upper surface portion and on the left and right sides of the lower surface portion, and a retainer locking portion 24 that projects inward (the upper and lower center sides) in a claw shape as shown in fig. 14 on the rear portion of the plate piece portion 23. The peripheral wall 17 has rib-like stoppers 25 extending in the left-right direction except the notches 22 on the outer peripheries of the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion.

As shown in fig. 13 and 14, the front holder 15 has a pair of pry-resistant portions 26 protruding forward at both upper and lower end portions and a left and right center portion of the front surface near the peripheral wall portion 17. Each pick-proof portion 26 is disposed in the left-right direction at a position close to the retainer locking portion 24.

Each anti-pry portion 26 is formed in a shape of a projecting plate along the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, and is formed with a projecting amount (front-rear length) larger than that of the pole piece 51 projecting into the hood portion 11. Each pick-proof portion 26 has a notch-shaped relief recess 27 at a corner portion of the front end. The escape recess 27 is formed by recessing the upper pick-proof portion 26 toward the left and right edges, and by recessing the lower pick-proof portion 26 toward the left and right edges. As shown in fig. 2, the relief recess 27 is defined by a straight portion extending in the front-rear direction and opening at the front end and an inclined portion inclined rearward from the straight portion.

Each pick-proof portion 26 has a regulating surface 28 at a rear side surface portion continuing from the relief recess 27. As shown in fig. 14, the regulating surface 28 is formed in the front-rear direction as one of the left and right edges of the upper pick-proof portion 26, and is formed in the front-rear direction as the other of the left and right edges of the lower pick-proof portion 26. The restricting surface 28 is provided in a manner not having a special form at a side surface portion of the anti-pry portion 26 on the restricting surface 28 side, and is disposed substantially parallel to a side surface portion of the anti-pry portion 26 on the side opposite to the restricting surface 28 side. When the retainer 15 is assembled to the case 14, the pry-resistant portion 26 can be pinched by fingers for assembly, and good workability can be ensured.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the housing 14 includes a substantially square block-shaped housing main body 29 and a cylindrical cover portion 11 protruding forward from the housing main body 29. The cover portion 11 has a projection-like lock portion 31 as a locking counterpart of the lock arm 71 at a distal end portion of an outer surface.

As shown in fig. 1, the housing main body 29 has a plurality of cavities 32, and a flexible lance 33 protruding forward is provided on the inner wall of each cavity 32. The lances 33 are arranged in back-to-back states in the upper and lower cavities 32.

A terminal fitting 50 is inserted into each cavity 32 from the rear. The terminal fitting 50 is a male terminal fitting, has a pole piece 51 projecting forward, and has a portion at the rear that is connected to a terminal end of an electric wire 52 by crimping. The one-stage coming-off prevention of the terminal fitting 50 in the cavity 32 is achieved by elastically catching the terminal fitting 50 by the lance 33. In addition, when the front holder 15 is properly fitted to the housing 14, the tab 21 enters the flexing area of the lance 33, restricting the flexing action of the lance 33, thereby achieving secondary coming-off prevention of the terminal fitting 50 in the cavity 32.

As shown in fig. 1, a rubber plug 53 is housed in the rear of the case main body 29. The rubber plug 53 is retained in the housing body 29 so as to be prevented from coming off by a rear retainer 54 attached to the housing body 29. The electric wires 52 connected to the terminal fittings 50 are inserted into the rubber plugs 53. Thereby, the electric wires 52 and the housing 14 are sealed liquid-tightly.

The front end of the housing body 29 is disposed at a circumferential distance from the cover 11, and has an outer circumferential surface facing the inner circumferential surface of the cover 11. The peripheral wall 17 of the front holder 15 is externally fitted to the front end of the housing body 29. The front end of the housing body 29 is divided into upper and lower parts (see fig. 9), and is inserted into the insertion hole 19 of the front holder 15 fitted to the housing 14.

As shown in fig. 9, the case body 29 has a pair of shallow recesses 34 extending in the front-rear direction and opened at both front and rear ends in the upper and lower portions of the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion. Each recess 34 is disposed at 2 positions in the diagonal direction with the center portion of the front surface of the case main body 29 as the center. Each pocket 34 includes a first interference unit 35 and a second interference unit 36 on the inner side. The 1 st interference unit 35 and the 2 nd interference unit 36 are in the shape of a claw projecting toward the bottom surface of the pocket 34, and have a projection amount corresponding to the depth of the pocket 34.

The 1 st interference unit 35 and the 2 nd interference unit 36 are disposed so as to be shifted from each other in the front-rear and left-right directions. As shown in fig. 1 and 4, the 1 st interference unit 35 is located on the front side of the 2 nd interference unit 36. The 1 st interference unit 35 and the 2 nd interference unit 36 are both inclined rearward at the front surface, the rear surface is substantially steep in the up-down direction, and the projecting end surfaces are arranged flat in the front-rear direction. Each pocket 34 has a movement restriction space 37 capable of restricting the forward and backward movement of the moving plate 13 between the 1 st and 2 nd interference units 35, 36.

As shown in fig. 9, the case body 29 has holder-side recesses 38 of the same form as the recesses 34 at 2 positions in the diagonal direction on the opposite side to the side on which the recesses 34 are disposed, at the upper and lower portions of the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion. Each holder-side recess 38 has a holder-side first 1-way interference element 41 and a holder-side second 2-way interference element 42 on the inner side. The holder-side 1 st interference element 41 and the holder-side 2 nd interference element 42 are arranged offset in the front-rear and left-right directions from each other in the same manner as the first 1 st interference element 35 and the second 2 nd interference element 36, but as shown in fig. 1, the holder-side 1 st interference element 41 and the holder-side 2 nd interference element 42 are longer in the front-rear direction and are also longer in the distance of separation from each other than the 1 st interference element 35 and the 2 nd interference element 36.

As shown in fig. 1, the cover portion 11 has a step surface 39 facing forward at a position corresponding to the recess 34 and the holder-side recess 38 in the front-rear direction. When the front holder 15 is properly assembled to the housing 14, the stopper portion 25 is disposed so as to be able to abut against the stepped surface 39 from the front, and the plate portion 23 of the peripheral wall portion 17 enters the holder-side recess 38, and the holder lock portion 24 elastically locks the rear surface of the holder-side 2 nd trunk portion 42, so that the movement of the front holder 15 in the front-rear direction is restricted. Although not shown, the holder lock 24 is sandwiched between the holder-side first-phase interference section 41 and the holder-side second-phase interference section 42, and the front holder 15 is held in a temporarily locked state in which the bending operation of the lance 33 is permitted before the terminal fitting 50 is inserted into the cavity 32 of the housing body 29.

As shown in fig. 1, the moving plate 13 has a plate-shaped plate body 43, and is inserted into the cover 11 with the plate surface of the plate body 43 facing in the front-rear direction. The moving plate 13 is movable in the front-rear direction while being inserted into the cover 11 between a temporary locking position (see fig. 1) in which the plate main body 43 is positioned at a position spaced forward from the rear end surface of the cover 11 (the front wall portion 16 or the front end portion of the housing main body 20) and a fitting position (see fig. 6) in which the plate main body 43 is positioned so as to be able to abut against the rear end surface of the cover 11.

As shown in fig. 10 to 12, the plate main body 43 has a plurality of positioning holes 44 at positions corresponding to the respective cavities 32. As shown in fig. 4, the pole piece 51 of the terminal fitting 50 is inserted into the positioning hole 44 in a radially positioned state. As shown in fig. 10 to 12, the plate body 43 has a pair of through holes 45 at the left and right center portions on both the upper and lower sides of the region where the positioning holes 44 are disposed. Each through hole 45 has an opening shape elongated in the left-right direction, and as shown in fig. 2, the pry-resistant portion 26 is inserted through the inside of each through hole 45 in a state of being positioned in the radial direction.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, the plate body 43 has a pair of elastic locking pieces 46 at both upper and lower end portions of the front surface. Each of the elastic locking pieces 46 is disposed at 2 positions in the diagonal direction around the center of the front surface of the moving plate 13. The upper elastic locking piece 46 is disposed adjacent to one of the left and right sides (left side in the drawing) of the upper through hole 45 in the front surface of the plate body 43, and the lower elastic locking piece 46 is disposed adjacent to the other of the left and right sides (right side in the drawing) of the lower through hole 45 in the front surface of the plate body 43.

The elastic locking piece 46 includes: a square column-shaped elastic body 47 protruding forward from the front surface of the plate body 43; and a claw-shaped locking projection 48 projecting laterally (in a direction opposite to the through hole 45 side) from a front end portion (distal end portion) of the elastic body 47. The elastic body 47 can flex in the left-right direction with the base end side continuous with the front surface of the plate body 43 as a fulcrum.

The vertical thickness of the elastic body 47 is set to be slightly smaller than the vertical thickness of the anti-pry portion 26. As shown in fig. 2, in the elastic body 47, a surface opposite to the side from which the locking projection 48 projects and a surface facing the through hole 45 are formed as a regulated surface 49 which is flat in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The restricted surface 49 of the elastic body 47 is disposed in contact with the restricting surface 28 of the anti-pry portion 26 in the front-rear direction, and restricts the flexing operation of the elastic locking piece 46.

The protruding end surface of the locking projection 48 is arranged flat along the front-rear direction. The front and rear surfaces of the locking projection 48 are inclined to taper toward the projecting end surface. As the elastic body 47 flexes, the rear surface of the locking projection 48 faces the rear surface of the receiving portion 75 (the rear surface when viewed from the mating connector body 61 side), and the elastic locking piece 46 is locked to the receiving portion 75 (see fig. 3 and 6).

As shown in fig. 12, the plate body 43 has a pair of temporary locking portions 91 at both upper and lower end portions of the rear surface. Each of the temporary locking portions 91 is disposed at 2 positions in the diagonal direction around the center of the rear surface of the moving plate 13. The upper temporary locking portion 91 is disposed slightly apart from one of the left and right sides (right side in the drawing) of the upper through hole 45 in the rear surface of the plate body 43, and the lower temporary locking portion 91 is disposed slightly apart from the other of the left and right sides (left side in the drawing) of the lower through hole 45 in the rear surface of the plate body 43. The elastic locking piece 46 and the temporary locking portion 91 are disposed on the same right and left side of the front and rear surfaces of the moving plate 13.

As shown in fig. 4 and 7, the temporary locking portion 91 includes: a projecting plate-shaped temporary locking body 92 projecting rearward from the rear surface of the plate body 43; and a interference protrusion 93 that protrudes inward (toward the top-bottom center of the plate body 43) from the rear end portion (front end portion) of the temporary locking body 92. The temporary locking body 92 can flex in the vertical direction (the plate thickness direction of the temporary locking body 92) with the base end side continuous with the rear surface of the plate body 43 as a fulcrum. As shown in fig. 10, a thick-fleshed reinforcing portion 94 is provided on the proximal end side of the temporary locking body 92.

As shown in fig. 12, the interference protrusion 93 is formed in a rib shape extending in the left-right direction over the substantially full width of the temporary locking body 92. As shown in fig. 4 and 7, the projection end surfaces of the interference projection unit 93 are arranged flat along the front-rear direction. The front surfaces of the interference projection portions 93 are disposed steeply in the substantially vertical direction, and the rear surfaces of the interference projection portions 93 are inclined forward. The projection dimension (lateral dimension) of the interference protrusion section 93 is larger than the projection dimension (lateral dimension) of the locking projection 48 of the elastic locking piece 46.

As shown in fig. 10, the moving plate 13 has a pair of guide walls 95 that protrude rearward less from the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the outer periphery of the plate main body 43. The guide wall 95 is disposed so as to cover the upper and lower surfaces of the front end side of the peripheral wall 17 at the fitting position, and the rear end thereof can abut against the stopper 25.

< assembling work of moving plate 13 >

The moving plate 13 is inserted into the cover 11 from the front and held at a temporary locking position with respect to the housing 14 (see fig. 1). At the temporary locking position, the temporary locking portion 91 enters the corresponding recess 34 of the housing main body 29 through the notch 22 of the peripheral wall portion 17, and the relative projection member 93 is fitted into the movement restriction space 37. At this time, the front surface of the projection interference unit 93 may face and abut against the rear surface of the 1 st interference unit 35, and forward escape of the moving plate 13 from the cover section 11 may be restricted. The rear surface of the projection member 93 may obliquely face and abut against the front surface of the 2 nd interference unit 36, and thereby restrict the moving plate 13 from falling into the rear side (fitting position side) of the cover portion 11.

The front holder 15 is normally attached to the housing 14 before the moving plate 13 is held at the temporary locking position. When the moving plate 13 is at the temporary locking position, the tamper-proof portion 26 of the front holder 15 is inserted into the through hole 45 of the plate main body 43 and positioned (see fig. 2). At this time, the elastic locking piece 46 is disposed to face the escape recess 27 of the tamper-proof portion 26 except for the proximal end side, and the elastic body 47 is in a state of being capable of being deformed toward the escape recess 27.

The terminal fitting 50 is inserted into the cavity 32 of the housing body 29 properly, and the pole piece 51 is projected into the cover 11 (see fig. 1). When the moving plate 13 is at the temporary locking position, the tip of the pole piece 51 of the terminal fitting 50 is inserted into the positioning hole 44 of the plate main body 43 and positioned, and is protected by the moving plate 13.

< fitting work of both connectors 10, 60>

In the above state, the mating connector body 61 is inserted into the hood 11. When the mating connector body 61 approaches the plate body 43 of the moving plate 13, the pry-resistant portion 26 enters the recess 74 through the through-hole 66, and the elastic locking piece 46 arranged adjacent to the pry-resistant portion 26 also enters the recess 74 through the through-hole 66. When the elastic locking piece 46 enters the recess 74, the locking projection 48 slides on the projecting end surface from the front surface of the receiving portion 75 (the front surface when viewed from the mating connector body 61 side), and the elastic body 47 (the portion excluding the base end side) is deformed toward the escape recess 27 of the tamper-proof portion 26 (see fig. 3).

The insertion of the mating connector body 61 into the hood 11 is continued, and when the mating front wall portion 64 of the mating front holder 63 (a portion corresponding to the front surface of the mating connector body 61 (the front surface when viewed from the mating connector body 61 side)) reaches a position of contact with the plate body 43 of the moving plate 13, the elastic body 47 is substantially elastically restored to a natural state, and at the same time, the locking projection 48 is disposed so as to face the rear surface of the receiving portion 75 (the rear surface when viewed from the mating connector body 61 side) (see fig. 5). Therefore, when the mating connector body 61 is displaced in the direction of disengaging from the cover 11, the movable plate 13 is displaced in the disengaging direction together with the mating connector body 61 while the elastic locking piece 46 is locked to the receiving portion 75 and the locked state is maintained.

When the insertion operation of the mating connector body 61 into the cover portion 11 is continued and the pressing force applied to the moving plate 13 from the mating connector body 61 increases, the interference projection 93 of the temporary locking unit 91 slides on the projecting end surface from the front surface of the 2 nd interference unit 36, and the temporary locking body 92 deforms by flexing (see fig. 4). Thereby, the locked state (temporary locked state) between the temporary locking unit 91 and the 2 nd interference unit 36 is released.

When the moving plate 13 is pressed against the mating connector body 61 and the plate body 43 moves toward the back side (fitting position side) of the cover 11, the temporary locking body 92 is substantially elastically restored to a natural state. Then, the interference projection sections 93 recede into the back space of the pockets 34 over the 2-way section 36. While the moving plate 13 is moving to the fitting position, the interference projection unit 93 is positioned in the back space of the recess 34, and maintains the locking released state between the temporary locking unit 91 and the 2 nd interference unit 36 (see fig. 7).

When the moving plate 13 moves toward the fitting position, the amount of penetration of the anti-pry portion 26 into the recess 74 gradually increases (see fig. 2, 3, 5, and 6 in this order), and the elastic locking piece 46 moves so as to retreat relative to the corresponding anti-pry portion 26. Therefore, the area covered by the restricting surface 28 of the corresponding anti-pry portion 26 is gradually increased in the restricted surface 49 of the elastic body 47 of the elastic locking piece 46.

When the mating connector body 61 is properly inserted into the hood 11, the lock arm 71 elastically locks the lock portion 31, and the plate body 43 abuts against the front wall portion 16 of the front holder 15 and is sandwiched between the connector body 12 and the mating connector body 61 (see fig. 7). Thus, the connectors 10 and 60 are properly fitted, the pole piece 51 of the terminal fitting 50 is inserted into the box portion 81 of the counterpart terminal fitting 80 through the positioning hole 44, and the terminal fittings 50 and 80 are electrically connected.

At this time, the tamper-proof portion 26 enters deeply into the recess 74, and the escape recess 27 of the tamper-proof portion 26 is located at a position separated forward from the elastic locking piece 46 (see fig. 6). The restricting surface 28 of the anti-pry portion 26 is in contact with and opposed to the restricted surface 49 of the elastic body 47 of the elastic locking piece 46 so as to cover the entire restricted surface 49. This can reliably restrict the flexing operation of the elastic locking piece 46.

However, when the mating connector body 61 is inserted into the hood 11 in an inclined posture from the normal insertion posture in the front-rear direction, the mating connector body 61 hits the prying prevention portion 26, so that the mating connector body 61 can be prevented from hitting the tip portion of the pole piece 51 of the terminal part 50, and the pole piece 51 can be prevented from being pried up.

< separation work of both connectors 10, 60>

When both connectors 10 and 60 are disengaged by maintenance or the like, the lock arm 71 is first disengaged from the lock portion 31, and the mating connector body 61 is pulled out rearward (rearward when viewed from the mating connector body 61) away from the front wall portion 16 in this state. At the initial stage of the backward movement of the mating connector body 61 (backward movement when viewed from the mating connector body 61), the restricted surface 49 of the elastic body 47 of the elastic locking piece 46 faces the restricting surface 28 of the pry-resistant portion 26, and the flexing operation of the elastic locking piece 46 is restricted, so that the locked state between the locking projection 48 of the elastic locking piece 46 and the receiving portion 75 is maintained. Therefore, the moving plate 13 moves in a direction to return to the initial position together with the mating connector body 61.

In the initial phase of the retraction of the counterpart connector body 61, the interference projection 93 of the temporary engagement section 91 is positioned within the recess 34 and separates rearward from the 2 nd interference unit 36, and no resistance is generated by the interference between the temporary engagement section 91 and the 2 nd interference unit 36 (see fig. 7). When both connectors 10 and 60 are fitted, the bending operation of the temporary locking portion 91 is restricted as the distal end of the temporary locking portion 91 goes beyond the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion 17 in the rear of the notch portion 22.

In the final phase of the retraction of the counterpart connector body 61, the front surface of the projection member 93 abuts against the rear surface of the 2 nd interference element 36 in the vertical direction (the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving plate 13), and due to the interference of the projection member 93 with the 2 nd interference element 36, resistance force is generated in the moving plate 13 to restrict the movement to the initial position.

As described above, when the maximum value is indicated as the amount of the interference projection section 93 increases above the projection end surface of the second 2-way communication unit 36, the temporary locking body 92 of the temporary locking section 91 is maximally deformed in a flexing manner, and the resistance becomes maximum (see fig. 4). At this time, a part of the restricted surface 49 of the elastic body 47 and the restricting surface 28 of the anti-pry portion 26 can be in contact with each other and opposed to each other (see fig. 5). Specifically, the restricted surface 49 of the elastic body 47 has a distal end region facing the escape recess 27 of the anti-pry portion 26, and a proximal end region and a region slightly distal from the proximal end region face the restricting surface 28 of the anti-pry portion 26. In this way, the restricted surface 49 of the elastic body 47 faces the restricting surface 28 of the anti-pry portion 26 at a region closer to the distal end than the proximal end, and therefore the flexing operation of the elastic body 47 is restricted by the restricting surface 28. Thus, the interference protrusion section 93 and the 2 nd interference unit 36 interfere with each other, and when the temporary locking section 91 becomes larger to the maximum, the locking state between the locking protrusion 48 of the elastic locking piece 46 and the receptacle section 75 is maintained, and the state in which the moving plate 13 moves together with the counterpart connector body 61 is continuously maintained.

When the counter connector body 61 is retracted and the moving plate 13 is returned to the initial position, the temporary locking body 92 is substantially elastically restored to the natural state, and the interference projection member 93 is fitted into the movement restricting space 37 (see fig. 1). When a tensile force is applied to the counterpart connector body 61 in a direction away from the cover section 11 from this state, the interference projection section 93 abuts against the 1 st interference element 35 to restrict the movement of the moving plate 13. At this time, of the restricted surfaces 49 of the elastic body 47, only the proximal end portion faces the restricting surface 28 of the anti-pry portion 26, and most of the restricted surfaces including the distal end side are disposed so as to face the escape recess 27 of the anti-pry portion 26 (see fig. 2). Therefore, when the mating connector body 61 is separated from the hood 11, the elastic body 47 is deformed to be deflected toward the escape recess 27 (see fig. 3), the locking projection 48 is disengaged from the receiving portion 75, and the locked state of the elastic locking piece 46 and the receiving portion 75 is released. Thus, when the counterpart connector body 61 is disengaged from the hood 11, the moving plate 13 is separated from the counterpart connector body 61 and is held at the initial position.

< Effect >

According to this embodiment 1, during the disengagement of the counterpart connector body 61 from the cover portion 11, the interference projection 93 of the temporary locking portion 91 moves up the 2 nd interference section 36 until the upward movement of the temporary locking portion 91 indicates the maximum value, and the flexing operation of the elastic body 47 of the elastic locking piece 46 is restricted by the restricting surface 28 of the anti-prying portion 26 of the connector body 12, so that the locking state of the elastic locking piece 46 with the receiving portion 75 is maintained, and the operation of returning the moving plate 13 to the home position is ensured.

in this case, even if the amount of locking when the locking projection 48 of the elastic locking piece 46 is locked to the receiving portion 75 is increased, the restriction force of the restriction surface 28 overcomes the resistance when the interference projection portion 93 of the temporary locking portion 91 moves up the 2 nd interference portion 36, and the locked state of the elastic locking piece 46 and the receiving portion 75 can be maintained. Therefore, the protruding dimension of the locking projection 48 of the elastic locking piece 46 can be sufficiently reduced, and the protruding dimension of the receiving portion 75 can also be reduced. As a result, the size can be suppressed from increasing, and the degree of freedom in design can be improved. The receiving portion 75 is provided on the inner surface of the recess 74 of the mating connector body 61, and the elastic locking piece 46 enters the recess 74 together with the pry-resistant portion 26, but since the protruding dimension of the locking projection 48 is small, the opening diameter of the recess 74 can be reduced, and the structural restriction around the recess 74 in the mating connector body 61 can be reduced by a corresponding amount.

Further, since the restricting surface 28 is provided on the pry-resistant portion 26, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated structure, and the structure can be simplified. Further, since the pry-resistant portion 26 is provided in the front holder 15, the pry-resistant function of the pole piece 51, the deflection-restricting function of the elastic locking piece 46, and the retaining function of the terminal fitting 50 can be concentrated on the front holder 15, and the structural restriction of the housing 14 can be reduced by a corresponding amount.

< other examples >

Other embodiments are briefly described below.

(1) The connector main body does not have a front holder and may be constituted only by the housing. In this case, the tamper-proof portion may be provided in the housing.

(2) The restricting surface may be provided in a portion of the connector body other than the pry-resistant portion.

(3) in contrast to embodiment 1 described above, the 2 nd interference unit may be formed so as to be flexurally deformed and the temporary locking unit may be fixedly provided to the moving plate.

Description of the reference numerals

10 … male connector

11 … cover part

12 … connector body

13 … moving plate

14 … casing

15 … front holder

21 … tab

26 … anti-pry part

28 … limiting surface

32 … chamber

33 … spear

35 … first of the elements

36 … 2 nd interference unit

46 … elastic stop sheet

49 … restrained surface

50 … terminal fitting

51 … Pole piece

60 … female connector (opposite connector)

74 … concave part

75 … acceptor

91 … temporary stop