JP7813612B2 - female connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention primarily relates to a female connector that mates with a male connector.

Conventionally, female and male connectors are known for use in connecting female and male terminals. The female and male terminals are connected when the female connector is mated with the male connector. Furthermore, the female connector is locked to prevent it from coming off the male connector. Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose configurations that reduce the effort required to release this lock.

Patent Document 1 discloses a female connector equipped with an operating part for unlocking. The female connector of Patent Document 2 is equipped with a slide member with a locking protrusion. The male connector of Patent Document 2 is equipped with a guide groove for guiding this slide member, allowing for smooth operation of the slide member. Patent Document 3 discloses a female connector equipped with a slide lock member. This slide lock member is equipped with an operating part for easily sliding the slide lock member.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-67359 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-40266 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-158674

Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose configurations that reduce the effort required to unlock the female and male connectors. However, the configurations in Patent Documents 1 to 3 require the user to separate the female connector from the male connector while maintaining the unlocked state. Therefore, there is room for improvement.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its primary objective is to provide a female connector that can be easily detached from a male connector and maintained in that detached state.

Means to solve the problem and effects

The problem that this invention aims to solve is as described above. Next, we will explain the means for solving this problem and its effects.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a female connector having the following configuration. That is, the female connector includes a locking portion, a release operation portion, and an auxiliary portion. The locking portion engages with an engaging portion of the male connector to lock it from being detached from the male connector. The release operation portion deforms or displaces upon receiving a first operating force, thereby releasing the locking portion from the engaging portion. The auxiliary portion has a separation operation portion, a connecting portion, and a pressing portion. When the separation operation portion receives a second operating force while the locking portion is in a state where it is disengaged from the engaging portion, the connecting portion transmits the second operating force to the pressing portion, and the pressing portion presses the male connector to separate the locking portion from the engaging portion. The direction of the second operating force received by the separation operation portion differs from the direction in which the pressing portion presses the male connector. The connecting portion is curved.

This allows the operator to detach the female connector from the male connector and maintain the detached state simply by operating the release operation unit and the separation operation unit. Furthermore, since the direction in which the separation operation unit is operated is not limited, the separation operation unit can be configured to operate in a direction that is easy for the operator to operate. Furthermore, because the connecting unit is curved, the force can be transmitted even if the direction of the second operating force differs from the direction in which the pressing unit presses the male connector.

In the above-mentioned female connector, it is preferable that the direction of the first operating force received by the release operating unit and the direction of the second operating force received by the separation operating unit are parallel and opposite to each other.

This allows the operator to pinch the release operation part and the separation operation part, reducing the effort required to disconnect the female connector from the male connector.

The above-mentioned female connector preferably has the following configuration. That is, the female connector has a first connector surface and a second connector surface opposing the first connector surface. The release operation unit is located on the first connector surface. The separation operation unit is located on the second connector surface.

This allows the operator to operate the release operation unit and separation operation unit while holding the female connector between their fingers, reducing the effort required to disconnect the female connector from the male connector.

In the above-mentioned female connector, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary portion is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary portion.

As a result, the pressing part is large in size, making it less likely to deform when the male connector is pressed.

In the above-mentioned female connector, it is preferable that the auxiliary portion be switchable between a first state in which the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion matches the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion, and a second state in which the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion.

This allows you to switch between the first and second states as needed.

The female connector preferably includes a connector body in which at least a portion of an insertion passage through which the connecting portion is inserted is formed.

The connecting portion can be placed inside the female connector and guided through the insertion passage.

The above-mentioned female connector preferably has the following configuration: the female connector includes an insertion passage cover attached to the connector body. The insertion passage cover forms part of the wall surface of the insertion passage.

This allows the shape of the connector body to be relatively simple, making it easier to manufacture the female connector.

The above-mentioned female connector preferably has the following configuration: That is, the release operation unit and the separation operation unit for operating the auxiliary unit are integrally provided. The direction of the first operation force is the same as the direction of the second operation force. The separation operation unit is operated by operating the release operation unit, or the release operation unit is operated by operating the separation operation unit.

This simplifies the operator's operation and also makes it possible to handle situations where the operator can only touch part of the female connector.

1 is a perspective view of a female connector and a male connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing the operation of inserting the female connector into the male connector. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing the operation of removing the female connector from the male connector. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the auxiliary unit is switched from a first state to a second state. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing the process of attaching the insertion passage cover to the female connector of the first modified example. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector of the first modified example taken along the line BB. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to a second modified example. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to a third modified example. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to a fourth modified example. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to a fifth modified example.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a male connector 10 and a female connector 20. The male connector 10 and the female connector 20 are, for example, connectors for use in vehicles, but may also be installed in devices other than automobiles. One or more male terminals 11 are arranged in the male connector 10. An electric wire 11a is connected to the male terminal 11. The electric wire 11a is connected to another connector or electrical equipment. Similarly, one or more female terminals 22 are arranged in the female connector 20. An electric wire 22a is connected to the female terminal 22. The electric wire 22a is connected to another connector or electrical equipment. By mating the female connector 20 with the male connector 10, the female terminal 22 is connected to the male terminal 11. This allows electrical continuity between the male terminal 11 and the female terminal 22.

The male connector 10 is a generally box-shaped resin component. The male connector 10 is molded, for example, using a mold. The male connector 10 has an engagement portion 12 and an insertion port 13. The engagement portion 12 is formed on one side of the male connector 10 and engages with a locking portion 23, which will be described later. The insertion port 13 is an opening on one side of the male connector 10. The female connector 20 is inserted into the insertion port 13.

The female connector 20 comprises a connector body 21, a locking portion 23, a release operation portion 24, and an auxiliary portion 25. These components are described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

The connector body 21 is a rectangular parallelepiped member made of resin. In the following explanation, each direction will be described using the height direction (first direction), width direction (second direction), and insertion/removal direction. The insertion/removal direction is the direction in which the female connector 20 and female terminals 22 are inserted and removed. The height direction, width direction, and insertion/removal direction are perpendicular to each other. A first connector surface 21a is formed at one end of the connector body 21 in the height direction. A second connector surface 21b is formed at the other end of the connector body 21 in the height direction. Therefore, the first connector surface 21a and the second connector surface 21b are arranged to face each other. In addition, a third connector surface 21c is formed at one end of the connector body 21 in the insertion/removal direction (the male connector 10 side). Therefore, the third connector surface 21c is perpendicular to the first connector surface 21a and the second connector surface 21b.

An insertion passage 21d is also formed inside the connector body 21. One end of the insertion passage 21d is formed on the second connector surface 21b, and the other end of the insertion passage 21d is formed on the third connector surface 21c. Therefore, the insertion passage 21d is not a straight line, but rather a curved path. An auxiliary portion 25, described below, is disposed in the insertion passage 21d.

The locking portion 23 is a protrusion formed on the first connector surface 21a. As shown in Figure 2, when the female connector 20 is inserted into the male connector 10, the locking portion 23 fits into the engaging portion 12. This locks the female connector 20 from coming off the male connector 10. The front surface of the locking portion 23 is sloped so that the locking portion 23 can smoothly fit into the engaging portion 12. Hereinafter, the locking of the male connector 10 and the female connector 20 may be simply referred to as the lock.

The locking structure of this embodiment is an example. For example, the engaging portion 12 of the male connector 10 may be a protrusion, and the locking portion 23 of the female connector 20 may be a hole. Alternatively, a recess may be formed instead of a hole. Alternatively, one of the engaging portion 12 and the locking portion 23 may be shaped like a claw, and the other may be shaped so that the claw can catch on it.

The release operation unit 24 is formed on the first connector surface 21a. That is, the lock unit 23 and the release operation unit 24 are connected via the first connector surface 21a. The release operation unit 24 is the part that the operator operates to release the lock. The lock is released when the operator operates the release operation unit 24. Specifically, the operator applies a first operating force (Figure 3) to the release operation unit 24 by pressing the release operation unit 24 toward one side in the height direction (toward the connector main body 21). When the release operation unit 24 receives the first operating force, a portion of the connector main body 21 deforms and the release operation unit 24 is displaced. As a result, the lock unit 23, which is connected to the release operation unit 24, is displaced in a direction that disengages it from the engagement unit 12. This releases the lock.

When the operator applies a first operating force to the release operating part 24, the lock is released. However, if the operator then releases the release operating part 24, the deflection of the locking part 23 and other parts returns to its original position, and the female connector 20 is once again locked to the male connector 10. Therefore, in order to remove the female connector 20 from the male connector 10, it is necessary to simultaneously release the lock and separate the female connector 20 from the male connector 10; more specifically, to separate the locking part 23 from the engaging part 12. Conventionally, this required complex operations such as pulling the wire 22a while performing the unlocking operation.

The auxiliary part 25 is a member that separates the locking part 23 from the engaging part 12 with a simple operation. The auxiliary part 25 is made of, for example, a flexible hard resin. The auxiliary part 25 includes a separation operation part 25a, a connecting part 25b, and a pressing part 25c. The separation operation part 25a and the pressing part 25c are connected via the connecting part 25b.

The separation operation portion 25a is located on the second connector surface 21b. The connecting portion 25b is inserted into the insertion passage 21d. The connecting portion 25b is curved and positioned along the insertion passage 21d. The pressing portion 25c is located on the third connector surface 21c.

As shown in the upper diagram of Figure 3, when the male connector 10 and the female connector 20 are mated, the separation operation portion 25a is separated from the first connector surface 21a. Furthermore, the pressing portion 25c is in close proximity to or in contact with the wall surface of the male connector 10. When the operator applies a second operating force to the separation operation portion 25a, the separation operation portion 25a moves closer to the first connector surface 21a. As a result, the pressing portion 25c presses against the wall surface of the male connector 10, and if the lock is released, the male connector 10 separates from the female connector 20. As a result, the engaging portion 12 separates from the locking portion 23. In this way, by using the auxiliary portion 25, the locking portion 23 can be separated from the engaging portion 12 with a simple operation.

In order to separate the locking portion 23 from the engaging portion 12 using the auxiliary portion 25, it is necessary to release the lock. To do this, the operator applies a first operating force to the release operating portion 24, and simultaneously or thereafter applies a second operating force to the auxiliary portion 25. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the lock is released and the engaging portion 12 is separated from the locking portion 23. Therefore, even if the operator releases their hands from the release operating portion 24 and auxiliary portion 25, the unlocked state is maintained. This allows the female connector 20 to be removed from the male connector 10 without performing any complicated procedures.

As described above, the insertion passage 21d is curved. By making the insertion passage 21d curved rather than L-shaped, the second operating force applied to the separation operation portion 25a can be appropriately transmitted to the pressing portion 25c. This allows the connecting portion 25b to move while deforming. Furthermore, by curving the insertion passage 21d, the direction of the second operating force can be made different from the direction in which the auxiliary portion 25 presses the male connector 10 (pressing direction). As a result, the separation operation portion 25a can be positioned in a location that is easy for the operator to operate, or the auxiliary portion 25 can be configured so that the direction is easy for the operator to operate.

Here, the first operating force and the second operating force are parallel and directed in opposite directions. More specifically, the first operating force and the second operating force are both directed toward the center of the connector body 21. Furthermore, the separation operating unit 25a is located at the end of the release operating unit 24 extended in the height direction (the direction of the first operating force and the second operating force). Therefore, the operator can grasp the release operating unit 24 and the separation operating unit 25a with the fingers of one hand and operate them simultaneously or approximately simultaneously.

Furthermore, below, the area of a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary portion 25 will be simply referred to as the "cross-sectional area." The cross-sectional area of the pressing portion 25c is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 25b. As a result, the pressing portion 25c is less likely to bend or deform when pressed, allowing the male connector 10 to be pressed sufficiently. The cross-sectional area of the pressing portion 25c is also larger than the cross-sectional area of the insertion passage 21d. This prevents the pressing portion 25c from entering the insertion passage 21d. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of the separating operation portion 25a is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 25b. This makes it easier for the operator to apply the second operating force.

Next, the configuration of the auxiliary portion 25 will be described with reference to Figure 4. As described above, the cross-sectional areas of the separating operation portion 25a and the pressing portion 25c are larger than the cross-sectional area of the insertion passage 21d. Therefore, a structure is required to enable the auxiliary portion 25 to be inserted into the insertion passage 21d. Specifically, the auxiliary portion 25 is configured to be switchable from a first state to a second state as shown in Figure 4. The configuration of the pressing portion 25c differs between the first and second states. Specifically, in the first state, the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion 25c and the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 25b are the same. In the second state, the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion 25c is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 25b. Therefore, in the first state, the auxiliary portion 25 can be inserted into the insertion passage 21d.

In the first state, the auxiliary portion 25 has a notch 25d formed therein. The notch 25d is roughly U-shaped. In other words, there are two parallel notches and a notch perpendicular to the first two that connects them. As a result, by bending the tip of the connecting portion 25b to one side and bending the portion surrounded by the notch 25d to the opposite side, the shape of the pressing portion 25c changes, and the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion 25c becomes larger than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 25b.

After inserting the auxiliary part 25 in the first state into the insertion passage 21d, the worker bends the connecting part 25b using the notch 25d or the like to change the shape of the pressing part 25c. This results in an auxiliary part 25 with a large cross-sectional area and a retaining function.

The second state can also be switched to the first state by unbending the bend. This allows the auxiliary part 25 to be easily removed from the female connector 20, for example, when replacing the auxiliary part 25. Switching from the first state to the second state may be reversible or irreversible. Switching from the first state to the second state is not limited to bending, and can be achieved in a variety of ways, such as by attaching another member or by crushing and deforming the tip.

Next, a first modified example will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the process of attaching the insertion passage cover 28 to the female connector 20 of the first modified example. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector 20 of the first modified example taken along the line B-B. In the following description, components that are the same as or similar to those in the previous embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their description may be omitted.

The female connector 20 of the first modified example differs from the above embodiment in the configuration of the connector body 21. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the connector body 21 of the first modified example is configured so that the insertion passage cover 28 can be attached and detached. Furthermore, by attaching the insertion passage cover 28 to the connector body 21, an insertion passage 21d is formed. A portion of the insertion passage cover 28 forms the wall surface of the insertion passage 21d.

As shown in Figure 6, the connector body 21 is formed with a guide rail 21e that extends in the insertion/removal direction. Meanwhile, the insertion passage cover 28 is formed with a protrusion 28a that is shaped to match the guide rail 21e. By matching the protrusion 28a with the guide rail 21e, the insertion passage cover 28 can be slid in the appropriate direction while preventing it from falling off with a simple structure.

By using the first modified example, the shape of the connector body 21 can be simplified. In particular, when molding the connector body 21 using a mold, a slide mold may be required if a curved path is formed inside the connector body 21. In this regard, the first modified example simplifies the shape of the connector body 21 (particularly the shape of the portion related to the insertion passage 21d), making it easier to mold the connector body 21 without using a slide mold.

Next, a second modified example will be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector 20 of the second modified example.

In the second modified example, the position of the auxiliary portion 25 (particularly the separating operation portion 25a) differs from that of the above embodiment. In the female connector 20 of the second modified example, the release operation portion 24 and the separating operation portion 25a are integrally formed. Specifically, the insertion passage 21d is formed to connect the third connector surface 21c and the first connector surface 21a. Furthermore, the insertion passage 21d passes through the release operation portion 24. In other words, the end of the insertion passage 21d on the first connector surface 21a side is located at the release operation portion 24. Therefore, the separating operation portion 25a is located further outward in the height direction than the release operation portion 24.

Because the separation operation unit 25a is positioned as described above, the direction of the second operation force in the second modified example is the same as the direction of the first operation force. Furthermore, by applying the second operation force to the separation operation unit 25a, the separation operation unit 25a moves closer to the release operation unit 24. The separation operation unit 25a then presses the release operation unit 24, causing the first operation force to act on the release operation unit 24 and release the lock. At this time, the second operation force causes the pressing unit 25c to press against the wall surface of the male connector 10, separating the lock unit 23 from the engagement unit 12.

In the second variant, the operator can operate the release operation unit 24 and the auxiliary unit 25 by simply operating one location. This simplifies the operator's operation. It can also be used in situations where the operator can only access part of the female connector 20 due to space or size limitations.

Next, a third modified example will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector 20 of the third modified example.

The female connector 20 of the second modified example described above is configured so that the release operation unit 24 is operated by operating the separation operation unit 25a. In contrast, the female connector 20 of the third modified example is configured so that the separation operation unit 25a is operated by operating the release operation unit 24.

In the third modified example, the insertion passage 21d does not pass through the release operation portion 24, and the separation operation portion 25a is located closer to the center of the connector in the height direction than the release operation portion 24. With this configuration, when a first operation force is applied to the release operation portion 24, it displaces, releasing the lock, and the release operation portion 24 presses the separation operation portion 25a, applying a second operation force to the separation operation portion 25a. As a result, the pressing portion 25c presses against the wall surface of the male connector 10, separating the lock portion 23 from the engagement portion 12.

In the third variant, the release operation unit 24 is operated first, followed by the separation operation unit 25a, so that the auxiliary unit 25 can be operated after the lock is released (or during the process of releasing the lock).

The third variant may also be combined with the first variant. That is, the connector body 21 may be divided into multiple parts, which may then be combined to form the connector body 21.

Next, we will explain the fourth modified example with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector 20 of the fourth modified example.

In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 25b moves along the insertion passage 21d while being deformed by the second operating force. In contrast, in the fourth modified example, the insertion passage 21d and the connecting portion 25b are configured as arcs with a constant curvature. This allows the connecting portion 25b to move without being deformed.

The fourth modified example is a configuration in which the connecting portion 25b is not deformed, applied to the third modified example. However, the configuration in which the connecting portion 25b is not deformed can also be applied to the above embodiment or other modified examples. The fourth modified example may also be combined with the first modified example. In other words, the connector body 21 of the fourth modified example may be divided into multiple parts, which may then be combined to form the connector body 21.

Next, we will explain the fifth variant with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector 20 of the fifth variant.

In the above embodiment, one auxiliary part 25 is provided, but in the fifth modified example, two auxiliary parts 25 are provided. Specifically, the female connector 20 of the fifth modified example includes an auxiliary part 25 with the layout of the above embodiment and an auxiliary part 25 of the second modified example. In the fifth modified example, the second operating forces applied to the two separating operation parts 25a are parallel and directed in opposite directions. Therefore, the operator can simultaneously operate the two separating operation parts 25a by grasping them with the fingers of one hand.

In the female connector 20 of the fifth variant, two pressing portions 25c are positioned at separate locations. This allows the male connector 10 to be pressed more evenly in the insertion/removal direction, making it less likely that a force will be applied in the rotational direction. This allows the locking portion 23 to be smoothly separated from the engaging portion 12.

In the fifth variant, the above embodiment is combined with the second variant, but the above embodiment may also be combined with the third variant.

As described above, the female connector 20 of this embodiment comprises a locking portion 23, a release operation portion 24, and an auxiliary portion 25. The locking portion 23 engages with the engaging portion 12 of the male connector 10 to lock it from being detached from the male connector 10. The release operation portion 24 deforms or displaces when subjected to a first operating force, releasing the locking portion 23 from the engaging portion 12. The auxiliary portion 25 has a separation operation portion 25a, a connecting portion 25b, and a pressing portion 25c. When the separation operation portion 25a receives a second operating force while the locking portion 23 is disengaged from the engaging portion 12, the connecting portion 25b transmits the second operating force to the pressing portion 25c, and the pressing portion 25c presses the male connector 10 to separate the locking portion 23 from the engaging portion 12.

This allows the operator to disconnect the female connector 20 from the male connector 10 and maintain the disconnected state simply by operating the release operation unit 24 and the separation operation unit 25a.

In the female connector 20 of this embodiment, the direction of the second operating force received by the separating operation portion 25a is different from the direction in which the pressing portion 25c presses the male connector 10.

This means that the direction in which the separating operation unit 25a can be operated is not limited, and the separating operation unit 25a can be configured to be oriented in a way that is easy for the operator to operate, for example.

In the female connector 20 of this embodiment, the connecting portion 25b is curved.

Because the connecting portion 25b is curved, the force can be transmitted even if the direction of the second operating force differs from the direction in which the pressing portion 25c presses the male connector 10.

In the female connector 20 of this embodiment, the direction of the first operating force received by the release operating portion 24 and the direction of the second operating force received by the separation operating portion 25a are parallel and opposite to each other.

This allows the operator to pinch the release operation part 24 and the separation operation part 25a, reducing the effort required to disconnect the female connector 20 from the male connector 10.

The female connector 20 of this embodiment has a first connector surface 21a and a second connector surface 21b opposite the first connector surface 21a. The release operation unit 24 is located on the first connector surface 21a. The separation operation unit 25a is located on the second connector surface 21b.

This allows the operator to operate the release operation unit 24 and the separation operation unit 25a while holding the female connector 20 between their fingers, thereby reducing the effort required to remove the female connector 20 from the male connector 10.

In the female connector 20 of this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion 25c taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary portion 25 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 25b taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary portion 25.

As a result, the pressing portion 25c has large dimensions, making it less likely to deform when pressing the male connector 10.

In the female connector 20 of this embodiment, the auxiliary portion 25 can be switched between a first state in which the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion 25c matches the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 25b, and a second state in which the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion 25c is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 25b.

This allows you to switch between the first and second states as needed.

The female connector 20 of this embodiment includes a connector body 21 having an insertion passage 21d formed therein through which the connecting portion 25b is inserted.

The connecting portion 25b can be positioned inside the female connector 20 while being guided by the insertion passage 21d.

The female connector 20 of the first variant includes an insertion passage cover 28 attached to the connector body 21. The insertion passage cover 28 forms part of the wall surface of the insertion passage 21d.

This allows the shape of the connector body 21 to be relatively simple, making it easier to manufacture the female connector 20.

In the female connector 20 of the second or third variant, the release operation unit 24 and the separation operation unit 25a for operating the auxiliary unit 25 are integrally provided. The direction of the first operating force is the same as the direction of the second operating force. The separation operation unit 25a is operated by operating the release operation unit 24, or the release operation unit 24 is operated by operating the separation operation unit 25a.

This simplifies the operator's operation. It can also be used in situations where the operator can only touch part of the female connector 20.

In the above embodiment, the male terminals 11 and female terminals 22 are arranged side by side only in the width direction, but they may also be arranged side by side in the height direction.

The above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows:

The insertion passage 21d in the above embodiment is an example, and a different path may be formed. For example, the insertion passage 21d may be a linear path parallel to the insertion/removal direction. Furthermore, the space below the release operating portion 24 (the gap for deforming the release operating portion 24) may be used as the insertion passage 21d.

In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion 25c is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 25b. Alternatively, the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion 25c may be the same as or smaller than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 25b. In this case, a member for receiving the pressing portion 25c may be provided on the male connector 10 so that the pressing portion 25c can appropriately press against the wall surface of the male connector 10.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Male connector 11 Male terminal 12 Engagement portion 13 Insertion opening 20 Female connector 21 Connector body 22 Female terminal 23 Lock portion 24 Release operation portion 25 Auxiliary portion 25a Separation operation portion 25b Connecting portion 25c Pressing portion 25d Notch

Claims (8)

a locking portion that engages with an engaging portion of the male connector to lock the male connector so as not to be detached from the male connector;
a release operation portion that is deformed or displaced by receiving a first operation force to release the lock portion from the engagement portion;
an auxiliary unit having a separation operation unit, a connecting unit, and a pressing unit, wherein when the lock unit is disengaged from the engaging unit, the separation operation unit receives a second operating force, causing the connecting unit to transmit the second operating force to the pressing unit, and the pressing unit to press the male connector to separate the lock unit from the engaging unit;
Equipped with
a direction of the second operating force received by the separating operation portion and a direction of the pressing portion pressing the male connector are different from each other;
A female connector characterized in that the connecting portion is curved . 2. The female connector of claim 1 ,
A female connector, characterized in that the direction of the first operating force received by the release operating portion and the direction of the second operating force received by the separation operating portion are parallel and opposite to each other. 3. The female connector according to claim 1 ,
a first connector surface and a second connector surface opposite the first connector surface;
The release operation portion is disposed on the first connector surface,
The female connector, wherein the separating operation portion is disposed on the second connector surface. 4. The female connector according to claim 1,
A female connector characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion cut in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary portion is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion cut in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary portion. 5. The female connector according to claim 4 ,
A female connector characterized in that the auxiliary portion is switchable between a first state in which the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion matches the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion, and a second state in which the cross-sectional area of the pressing portion is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion. 6. A female connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A female connector comprising a connector body in which at least a portion of an insertion passage through which the connecting portion is inserted is formed. 7. The female connector according to claim 6 ,
an insertion passage cover attached to the connector body;
The female connector is characterized in that the insertion passage cover forms a part of the wall surface of the insertion passage. 2. The female connector of claim 1,
the release operation unit and the separation operation unit for operating the auxiliary unit are integrally provided,
The direction of the first operating force and the direction of the second operating force are the same,
A female connector characterized in that the separation operation unit is operated by operating the release operation unit, or the release operation unit is operated by operating the separation operation unit.