# US 11,309,663 B2 · Connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,309,663 B2 - Document ID: US11309663B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/137,354 - Filed: 2020-12-30 - Published: 2021-07-22 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-16 - Assignees: Yazaki Corporation - Applicants: Yazaki Corporation - Inventors: Akihiro Saito - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11309663B2 ## CPC - H01R 13/6275: {Latching arms not integral with the housing (H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence)} - H01R 13/641: by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement - H01R 13/6272: {comprising a single latching arm} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A connector includes a sensing member inserted into the second housing along the first direction, and a sensing mechanism allowing the sensing member to advance to a predetermined engaged position along the first direction when the first housing and the second housing are completely fitted, and locking the sensing member at a position before the engaged position when the first housing and the second housing are not completely fitted. The sensing member includes an exposed portion exposed to an outer space when the sensing member is in the engaged position. In the exposed portion, a first surface exposed to a side opposite to a side of a central axis of the second housing is an inclined surface or an arc-shaped surface extending in a direction inclined with respect to the first direction and facing a side opposite to a side of the first housing in the first direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector comprising: a first housing; a second housing that is fitted into the first housing along a first direction; a sensing member that is inserted into the second housing along the first direction; and a sensing mechanism that allows the sensing member to advance to a predetermined engaged position along the first direction when the first housing and the second housing are completely fitted, and locking the sensing member at a position before the engaged position when the first housing and the second housing are not completely fitted, wherein the sensing member includes an exposed portion positioned in an end portion of the sensing member and exposed to an outer space when the sensing member is in the engaged position, and in the exposed portion, a first surface exposed to a side opposite to a side of a central axis of the second housing is an inclined surface or an arc-shaped surface extending in a direction inclined with respect to the first direction and facing a side opposite to a side of the first housing in the first direction, the second housing includes an arm extending along the first direction and engaged with the first housing when the first housing and the second housing are completely fitted, the arm exposes the exposed portion and covers a second portion of the sensing member that is adjacent to the exposed portion when the sensing member is in the engaged position, and the first surface is inclined from the end portion to the second portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the sensing member includes a stored portion covered with the second housing when the sensing member is in the engaged position, the exposed portion includes an end surface orthogonal to the first direction, and the first surface connects the end surface with the stored portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein an inclination angle of the first surface with respect to the first direction is an angle setting a direction of resultant force acting on the sensing member in the first direction to a direction in which the sensing member is pushed, when frictional force in a direction of extracting the sensing member with a human finger is applied to the first surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The connector according to claim 2, wherein an inclination angle of the first surface with respect to the first direction is an angle setting a direction of resultant force acting on the sensing member in the first direction to a direction in which the sensing member is pushed, when frictional force in a direction of extracting the sensing member with a human finger is applied to the first surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the inclination angle of the first surface with respect to the first direction is 45° or more. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The connector according to claim 2, wherein the inclination angle of the first surface with respect to the first direction is 45° or more. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the sensing member includes a recessed portion into which a jig to extract the sensing member is inserted, and the recessed portion is opened to the first surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The connector according to claim 2, wherein the sensing member includes a recessed portion into which a jig to extract the sensing member is inserted, and the recessed portion is opened to the first surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The connector according to claim 3, wherein the sensing member includes a recessed portion into which a jig to extract the sensing member is inserted, and the recessed portion is opened to the first surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The connector according to claim 5, wherein the sensing member includes a recessed portion into which a jig to extract the sensing member is inserted, and the recessed portion is opened to the first surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The connector according to claim 7, wherein in an opening of the recessed portion, a portion in which the recessed portion and the first surface cross has a chamfered shape with rounded corners.