connector

Abstract

A connector is provided, a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction are set as orthogonal 3 directions, and a retainer is inserted and fitted into a fitting hole of a housing that is open in the first direction. A locking portion is provided on an inner peripheral wall of the fitting hole, on a pair of inner wall surfaces that are opposed in the second direction. The retainer includes a pair of first outer surfaces that are opposed in the first direction, a pair of second outer surfaces that are opposed in the second direction, and a pair of third outer surfaces that are opposed in the third direction. An elongated hole that passes through the third outer surfaces in the third direction is formed so as to be close to the second outer surfaces and extend in the first direction as a long side direction. A beam portion that is supported by both sides of a pair of long side direction end portions is formed between the elongated hole and the second outer surfaces. A locking protrusion that is locked by the locking portion is formed in a middle portion of the long side direction of the beam portion. A stress relaxation structure that relieves a force acting on the middle portion of the beam portion includes a hole expansion portion that expands at least one of the pair of long side direction end portions of the elongated hole in a short side direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector. Background Technology

[0002] In the connector disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-115409, a retainer is inserted into the retainer mounting portion of the housing. When the retainer is inserted, the retainer's locking claws pass over and lock into the locking portions of the openings on the left and right side walls of the housing, thereby positioning the retainer in the mounting position.

[0003] A through hole is formed through the sidewall of the retainer in the front-to-back direction, and this through hole is designed to be longer in the vertical direction. A beam is formed on the sidewall of the retainer along the long side (vertical direction) of the through hole. The beam is supported at both ends in the vertical direction, and a locking claw is formed protruding from the outer side of the beam.

[0004] However, stress concentrates near the center of the long side of the beam supported on both sides. Therefore, the stress acting on the retainer becomes higher. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides a connector for mitigating stress acting on a retainer.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a connector comprising: a housing having a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction orthogonally arranged in three directions; the housing having a fitting hole opening in the first direction; and locking portions respectively provided on a pair of inner wall surfaces facing each other in the second direction in the inner peripheral wall of the fitting hole; and a retainer inserted from the first direction and fitted into the fitting hole. The retainer includes: a pair of first outer surfaces facing each other in the first direction; a pair of second outer surfaces facing each other in the second direction; a pair of third outer surfaces facing each other in the third direction; and an elongated hole adjacent to each of the second outer surfaces and extending through the pair of third outer surfaces in the third direction, with the first direction as its long side. Furthermore, the retainer includes: a beam portion formed between the elongated hole and the corresponding second outer surface, extending with the first direction as the long side direction, and supported on both sides at a pair of long side direction ends; a locking protrusion protruding outward from the middle portion of the beam portion in the long side direction and locking into the corresponding locking portion; and a stress-relieving structure that relieves the stress acting on the middle portion of the beam portion in the long side direction. The stress-relieving structure includes a hole expansion portion that expands at least one of the pair of long side direction ends of the elongated hole in the short side direction.

[0007] According to this structure, the periphery of the long-side end of the beam, which is expanded in the through-hole expansion section (stress-relieving structure), becomes more easily deformable, as does the long-side end of the beam and the portion supporting it. As a result, stress concentration at the middle of the long-side of the beam is alleviated, thus mitigating the stress acting on the retainer.

[0008] In one embodiment, the stress-relieving structure includes: a hollow portion that is spaced at a predetermined distance in a first direction relative to at least one of the pair of long-side ends of the elongated hole and extends through the pair of third outer surfaces in a third-direction direction; and a leg formed between the hollow portion and at least one of the pair of long-side ends of the elongated hole, extending from at least one of the pair of long-side ends of the beam portion along a short-side direction and supporting the beam portion, wherein the thickness of the leg portion in the first direction is adjusted by the predetermined distance.

[0009] According to this structure, the thickness of the leg extending from the long side end of the beam along the short side direction is adjusted by setting the distance in the first direction between the end of the long side of the elongated hole and the hollowed-out portion, i.e., the specified distance. This allows the leg to deform easily, thus dispersing stress and mitigating stress concentration in the middle of the beam along its long side.

[0010] In one embodiment, the hollow portion includes a guide hole 37 for terminal insertion. According to this structure, the guide hole originally present in the retainer is used as the hollow portion, thus simplifying the construction.

[0011] In one embodiment, the hollow portion includes a groove formed on the second outer surface. According to this structure, stress concentration in the beam portion can be mitigated by using a groove as a simple construction for the hollow portion.

[0012] In one embodiment, the long-side end of the elongated hole, expanded by the hole expansion portion, is disposed close to a corner portion formed by the first outer surface and the second outer surface. The stress-relieving structure includes a leg formed between the first outer surface and the long-side end of the elongated hole, extending from the corresponding long-side end of the beam portion along the short-side direction, and supporting the beam portion.

[0013] According to this structure, the simple construction of the long side end of the beam that is expanded by the hole expansion section near the corner can make the leg extending from the long side end of the beam in the short side direction easy to deform, and can disperse stress to alleviate stress concentration in the beam.

[0014] In one embodiment, a notch recess is formed on the second outer surface, the notch recess being adjacent to the third-direction side of the beam portion, communicating with the elongated hole, and adjusting the width of the beam portion in the third-direction direction. According to this structure, the ease of deflection of the beam portion can be easily adjusted by the simple construction of the notch recess, and the force (insertion force) required to insert the retainer into the fitting hole can be easily adjusted. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 (A) and (B) are three-dimensional views of the shell viewed from different angles.

[0017] Figure 3 In the diagram, (A) is the front view of the shell, and (B) is the rear view of the shell.

[0018] Figure 4 In the diagram, (A) is the top view of the shell, and (B) is the right view of the shell.

[0019] Figure 5 In the image, (A) and (B) are three-dimensional views of the retainer viewed from different angles.

[0020] Figure 6 In the image, (A) is the front view of the retainer, and (B) is the rear view of the retainer.

[0021] Figure 7 In the image, (A) is the left view of the retainer, and (B) is the right view of the retainer.

[0022] Figure 8 In the diagram, (A) and (B) are enlarged sectional views of the peripheral portions of the left and right beam sections in their officially locked state.

[0023] Figure 9 In the diagram, (A) and (B) are cross-sectional views of the housing with the retainer installed. Figure 9 In the diagram, (A) represents the temporary locking state of the retainer, and (B) represents the formal locking state of the retainer.

[0024] Figure 10 In the diagram, (A) and (B) are schematic diagrams of the periphery of the elongated hole of the retainer in the modified example.

[0025] Label Explanation

[0026] 1: Connector;

[0027] 2: Shell;

[0028] 3: Retainer;

[0029] 4: Fitting hole;

[0030] 5: Long hole;

[0031] 6: Long hole;

[0032] 7: Beam section;

[0033] 8: Beam section;

[0034] 10A: Elongated hole;

[0035] 10B: Elongated hole;

[0036] 11, 12, 13, 14: Legs;

[0037] 31: Upper surface (first outer surface);

[0038] 32: Lower surface (first outer surface);

[0039] 33: Left side (second outer surface);

[0040] 34: Right side face (second outer surface);

[0041] 35: Front surface (third outer surface);

[0042] 36: Rear surface (third outer surface);

[0043] 43: Left inner wall surface;

[0044] 44: Right inner wall surface;

[0045] 45L(45): Caliper section;

[0046] 45R(45): Caliper section;

[0047] 51: End point along the longer side;

[0048] 52: End of the long side;

[0049] 53: Hole expansion section;

[0050] 54: Hole expansion section;

[0051] 61: End point along the longer side;

[0052] 62: End of the long side;

[0053] 63: Hole expansion section;

[0054] 64: Hole expansion section;

[0055] 71: End point along the longer side;

[0056] 72: End point along the longer side;

[0057] 73: A fixed protrusion;

[0058] 81: End point along the longer side;

[0059] 82: End point along the longer side;

[0060] 83: A fixed protrusion;

[0061] 101: End point along the longer side;

[0062] 102: End point along the longer side;

[0063] 103: Hole expansion section;

[0064] 104: Hole expansion section;

[0065] C: Corner;

[0066] L: Long side direction;

[0067] M7: Stress-relieving structure;

[0068] M8: Stress-relieving structure;

[0069] S: Short side direction;

[0070] S1: One side;

[0071] S2: The other side;

[0072] X: Up and down direction (first direction);

[0073] Y: Left / right direction (second direction);

[0074] Z: Forward / backward direction (third direction);

[0075] t1, t2, t3, t4: thickness. Detailed Implementation

[0076] Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0077] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, connector 1 has a housing 2 and a retainer 3.

[0078] In the following description, the vertical direction X (first direction), the horizontal direction Y (second direction), and the front-back direction Z (third direction) will be described as three orthogonal directions. However, when this connector 1 is installed on the target device, the first, second, and third orthogonal directions can be set to the desired directions.

[0079] Next, the casing 2 will be described.

[0080] Figure 2 (A) and Figure 2 (B) is a three-dimensional view of the shell 2 viewed from different angles. Figure 3 (A) is a front view of housing 2. Figure 3 (B) is the rear view of housing 2. Figure 4 (A) is a top view of shell 2. Figure 4 (B) is the right view of housing 2.

[0081] Reference Figure 2 (A) Figure 2 (B) Figure 3 (A) Figure 3 (B) Figure 4 (A) and Figure 4 (B) The housing 2 is a generally rectangular block formed by integral molding of an insulating synthetic resin material. The housing 2 includes: an upper surface 21, a lower surface 22, a left side surface 23, a right side surface 24, a front surface 25, a rear surface 26, a front terminal insertion hole 27, a rear terminal insertion hole 28, and a fitting hole 4. The front surface 25 is formed by the front surface of a plate-like portion extending in all four directions relative to the upper surface 21, the lower surface 22, the left side surface 23, and the right side surface 24.

[0082] The fitting hole 4 is a roughly rectangular cross-section hole with an opening 4a on the upper surface 21 and a depth direction that is the vertical direction X. The fitting hole 4 opens upward X1 through the opening 4a on the upper surface 21, which is the vertical direction X. The retainer 3 is inserted into the fitting hole 4 through the opening 4a from the upper X1 to the lower X2 and is fitted in place (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0083] like Figure 4 As shown in (A), the inner peripheral wall of the fitting hole 4 includes a front inner wall surface 41 and a rear inner wall surface 42 facing each other in the front-rear direction Z, and a left inner wall surface 43 and a right inner wall surface 44 facing each other in the left-right direction Y. A locking portion 45L and a locking portion 45R of the locking retainer 3 are respectively formed on the left inner wall surface 43 and the right inner wall surface 44.

[0084] The locking part 45L (see reference) is provided on the left inner wall 43. Figure 2 (A) Figure 8 (A) and Figure 9 (A) is disposed close to the opening 4a. A locking part 45R (see reference) is provided on the right inner wall 44. Figure 8(A) is located near the center of the fitting hole 4 in the depth direction (vertical direction X). Each locking part 45L and 45R is a protrusion with a mountain-shaped cross-section extending in the front-back direction. Hereinafter, when collectively referred to as locking parts 45L and 45R, they will be simply referred to as locking parts 45.

[0085] like Figure 2 (A) Figure 2 (B) Figure 3 (A) and Figure 3 As shown in (B), a front terminal insertion hole 27 is formed in the front portion 2F, which is positioned in the housing 2 further forward than the fitting hole 4. The front terminal insertion hole 27 extends through the front portion 2F in the front-rear direction Z, opening into the front surface 25 and the front inner wall surface 41 of the fitting hole 4. A plurality of front terminal insertion holes 27 are arranged in the left-right direction Y to form a column, for example, arranged vertically in four columns.

[0086] A rear terminal insertion hole 28 is formed in the rear portion 2B, which is positioned Z2 rearward of the fitting hole 4 within the housing 2. The rear terminal insertion hole 28 extends through the rear portion 2B in the longitudinal direction Z, opening into the rear surface 26 and the rear inner wall surface 42 of the fitting hole 4. A plurality of rear terminal insertion holes 28 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction Y, for example, in four vertical rows. When viewed along the longitudinal direction Z, each rear terminal insertion hole 28 is positioned in the same position as its corresponding front terminal insertion hole 27 in both the vertical direction X and the left-right direction Y.

[0087] Next, the retainer 3 will be explained.

[0088] Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 (B) is a three-dimensional view of the retainer 3 viewed from different angles. Figure 6 (A) is a front view of retainer 3. Figure 6 (B) is the rear view of retainer 3. Figure 7 (A) is the left view of retainer 3. Figure 7 (B) is the right view of retainer 3.

[0089] Reference Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (B) Figure 6 (A) Figure 6 (B) Figure 7 (A) and Figure 7(B) The retainer 3 is a generally rectangular block formed by integral molding of an insulating synthetic resin material. The retainer 3 includes: an upper surface 31 and a lower surface 32 (corresponding to a pair of first outer surfaces facing each other in the vertical direction X), a left side surface 33 and a right side surface 34 (corresponding to a pair of second outer surfaces facing each other in the horizontal direction Y), a front surface 35 and a rear surface 36 (corresponding to a pair of third outer surfaces facing each other in the front-back direction Z), and multiple rows of guide holes 37.

[0090] The guide hole 37 is arranged in the same manner as the front terminal insertion hole 27 and the rear terminal insertion hole 28 of the housing 2. When the retainer 3 is inserted into the fitting hole 4, the front terminal insertion hole 27 and the rear terminal insertion hole 28 of the housing 2 are connected through the guide hole 37 of the retainer 3.

[0091] A locking portion (not shown) protrudes from the inner surface of the guide hole 37, which locks the terminal (not shown) inserted into the guide hole 37. In the properly locked state of the retainer 3 (refer to...), Figure 9 Under (B) conditions, the locking part locks the terminal, and in the temporary locking state of the retainer 3 (refer to...) Figure 9 Under (A) conditions, the locking part releases the locking of the terminal.

[0092] In addition, the retainer 3 includes: a pair of elongated holes 5 and 6 as a pair of through holes, a pair of beams 7 and 8, and stress relief structures M7 and M8 for mitigating the stress acting on each beam 7 and 8.

[0093] First, the structure around the beam 7 on the left side will be explained.

[0094] Figure 8 (A) is an enlarged sectional view of the peripheral portion of the left side of beam 7 in its formal locking state. (See image for example.) Figure 8 As shown in (A), the elongated hole 5 on the left side is a through hole that is close to the left side surface 33 (second outer surface) and penetrates the front surface 35 and the rear surface 36 (a pair of third outer surfaces) in the front-rear direction Z. It is an elongated hole that extends relatively long in the direction L with the vertical direction X as the long side.

[0095] The elongated hole 5 has a pair of long-side end portions 51 and 52 facing each other in the long-side direction L. Furthermore, the elongated hole 5 has a hole expansion portion 53 that expands one long-side end portion 51 towards one side S1 in the short-side direction S (the side opposite to the left side surface 33 to which the elongated hole 5 is located), and a hole expansion portion 54 that expands one long-side end portion 51 towards the other side S2 in the short-side direction S (the side of the left side surface 33 to which the elongated hole 5 is located). That is, the elongated hole 5 is formed in a T-shape.

[0096] The left-side beam portion 7 is formed between the elongated hole 5 and the left-side surface 33, along the left-side elongated hole 5. The beam portion 7 extends relatively long along the vertical direction X, with its long side direction L as the longitudinal direction. The beam portion 7 has a pair of long-side end portions 71 and 72 facing each other along the longitudinal direction L, and the beam portion 7 is supported on both sides at the pair of long-side end portions 71 and 72. A pair of locking protrusions 73 are formed protruding outward from the middle portion along the longitudinal direction L of the beam portion 7.

[0097] The stress-relieving structure M7, which alleviates the stress acting on the left side of the beam 7, includes the aforementioned hole expansion portions 53 and 54 and the legs 11 and 12 with adjusted thickness.

[0098] Specifically, the long side end 51 of the elongated hole 5, which has been expanded by the hole expansion portions 53 and 54, is disposed close to the corner portion C formed by the upper surface 31 (first outer surface) and the left side surface 33 (second outer surface). Between the upper surface 31 and the long side end 51 of the elongated hole 5, a leg portion 11 is formed that extends from the long side end 71 of the beam portion 7 to both sides S1 and S2 in the short side direction S to support the beam portion 7.

[0099] The thickness t1 of the leg 11 is adjusted by the vertical distance X between the upper surface 31 and the end 51 of the long side of the elongated hole 5. By adjusting the thickness t1 of the leg 11, the leg 11 becomes easier to deform. As a result, the stress in the beam 7 is dispersed, and the stress concentration in the middle part of the long side of the beam 7 is alleviated.

[0100] A guide hole 37 is disposed close to the other long side end 52 of the elongated hole 5 at an X2 distance. Between the guide hole 37 and the other long side end 52 of the elongated hole 5, a leg 12 is formed, which extends from the other long side end 72 of the beam 7 along the short side direction S and supports the beam 7 via the other long side end 72.

[0101] The thickness t2 of the leg 12 is adjusted by the vertical distance X between the other long side end 52 of the elongated hole 5 and the adjacent guide hole 37. By adjusting the thickness t2, the leg 12 becomes easier to deform. As a result, the stress in the beam 7 is dispersed, and the stress concentration in the middle part of the long side of the beam 7 is alleviated.

[0102] Regarding the thicknesses t1 and t2 of each leg 11 and 12, relative to the reference thickness t7 of the beam 7 (the thickness in the left-right direction Y of the portion without the locking protrusion 73), there are cases where the specified thickness is set in the range of 80% to 150%, a specified thickness is set in the range of 80% to 120%, a specified thickness is set in the range of 90% to 110%, a specified thickness is set in the range of 95% to 105%, and a case where the thickness is set to be equal.

[0103] The pair of locking protrusions 73 of the beam 7 are mountain-shaped protrusions extending in the front-rear direction Z, and are arranged adjacently in the vertical direction X. For example... Figure 9 As shown in (A), the lower locking protrusion 73 passes over and locks into the locking portion 45L, thereby temporarily locking the retainer 3. Additionally, as... Figure 8 (A) and Figure 9 As shown in (B), the upper locking protrusion 73 passes over and locks into the locking portion 45L, thereby bringing the retainer 3 into a fully locked state. During this passage, the beam portion 7 flexes.

[0104] like Figure 5 (B) and Figure 7 As shown in (A), a notch recess 91 is formed on the left side 33, adjacent to the rear Z2 in the front-rear direction Z of the beam 7. The notch recess 91 communicates with the elongated hole 5 and functions to adjust the width W7 of the beam 7 in the front-rear direction Z.

[0105] Next, the structure around the beam 8 on the right side will be explained.

[0106] Figure 8 (B) is an enlarged sectional view of the periphery of the right-side beam 8 in its formally locked state. (See diagram below.) Figure 8 As shown in (B), the elongated hole 6 on the right side is a through hole that is close to the right side surface 34 (second outer surface) and penetrates the front surface 35 and the rear surface 36 (a pair of third outer surfaces) in the front-rear direction Z. It is an elongated hole that extends relatively long with the vertical direction X as the long side direction L.

[0107] The elongated hole 6 has a pair of long-side end portions 61 and 62 facing each other in the long-side direction L. Additionally, the elongated hole 6 has a pair of hole expansion portions 63 and 64 that expand the pair of long-side end portions 61 and 62 toward one side S1 in the short-side direction S (the opposite side to the right side surface 34 to which the elongated hole 6 is located). That is, the elongated hole 6 is formed in a groove shape.

[0108] The right-side beam portion 8 is formed between the elongated hole 5 and the right-side surface 34, along the right-side elongated hole 5. The beam portion 8 extends relatively long along the vertical direction X, with its long side direction L as the longitudinal direction. The beam portion 8 has a pair of long side-direction ends 81 and 82 facing each other along the longitudinal direction L, and the beam portion 8 is supported on both sides at the pair of long side-direction ends 81 and 82. A pair of locking protrusions 83 are formed protruding outward from the middle portion along the longitudinal direction L of the beam portion 8.

[0109] The stress-relieving structure M8, which alleviates the stress acting on the right side of the beam 8, includes: the hole expansion portions 63 and 64, the guide hole 37 and groove 38 serving as the hollow portion, and the legs 13 and 14 with adjusted thickness.

[0110] Specifically, a guide hole 37 (hollowed-out portion) and a groove 38 (hollowed-out portion) formed on the right side surface 34 are disposed close to the upper X1 of a long side end 61 that has been expanded with the through hole expansion portion 63 of the elongated hole 6.

[0111] A leg 13 is formed between the long side end 61 of the elongated hole 6 and the hollowed-out portion (guide hole 37, groove 38). The leg 13 extends from the long side end 81 of the beam portion 8 toward the short side S side S1 and supports the beam portion 8 via the long side end 81.

[0112] The thickness t3 of the leg 13 is adjusted by the vertical distance X between the end 51 of the long side of the elongated hole 6 and the hollowed-out portion (guide hole 37 and groove 38) adjacent to it above X1. By adjusting the thickness t3 of the leg 13, the leg 13 becomes easier to deform. As a result, the stress in the beam 8 is dispersed, and the stress concentration in the middle part of the long side of the beam 8 is alleviated.

[0113] A guide hole 37 (hollowed-out portion) is disposed close to the other long side end 62 of the elongated hole 6 at X2. Between the guide hole 37 and the other long side end 62 of the elongated hole 6, a leg 14 is formed. The leg 14 extends from the other long side end 82 of the beam portion 8 toward one side S1 in the short side direction S and supports the beam portion 8 via the long side end 82.

[0114] The thickness t4 of the leg 14 is adjusted by the vertical distance X between the other long side end 62 of the elongated hole 6 and the adjacent guide hole 37. By adjusting the thickness t4, the leg 14 becomes easier to deform. As a result, the stress in the beam 8 is dispersed, and the stress concentration in the middle part of the long side of the beam 8 is alleviated.

[0115] Regarding the thicknesses t3 and t4 of each leg 13 and 14, relative to the reference thickness t8 of the beam 8 (the thickness in the left-right direction Y of the portion without the locking protrusion 83), there are cases where the specified thickness is set in the range of 80% to 150%, the specified thickness is set in the range of 80% to 120%, the specified thickness is set in the range of 90% to 110%, the specified thickness is set in the range of 95% to 105%, and the thickness is set to be equal.

[0116] The pair of locking protrusions 83 on the beam 8 are mountain-shaped protrusions extending in the longitudinal direction Z, and are arranged adjacently in the vertical direction X. The lower locking protrusion 83 crosses over and locks into the locking part 45R, thereby, as Figure 9 As shown in (A), the retainer 3 is in a temporary locked state. Furthermore, the upper locking protrusion 83 extends and locks into the locking portion 45R, thereby, as... Figure 8 (B) and Figure 9 As shown in (B), the retainer 3 is in the officially locked state.

[0117] like Figure 5 (A) and Figure 7 As shown in (B), a notch recess 92 is formed on the right side 34, adjacent to the rear Z2 in the front-rear direction Z of the beam 8. The notch recess 92 communicates with the elongated hole 6, and functions to adjust the width W8 of the beam 8 in the front-rear direction Z.

[0118] In this embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0119] That is, such as Figure 8 (A) and Figure 8 As shown in (B), the peripheral portions of the long-side ends 51, 61, 62 of the through-hole expansion portions 53, 54; 63, 64 (stress-relieving structures M7, M8) of the elongated holes 5, 6, become more easily deformable, as do the long-side ends 71, 81, 82 of the beam portions 7, 8, and the portions supporting them. This reduces stress concentration at the middle portion of the long-side of the beam portions 7, 8, thus enabling the connector 1 to alleviate stress acting on the retainer 3.

[0120] Furthermore, regarding the stress-relieving structure M8 for the beam portion 8, the thickness t3 of the leg 13 extending from the long side end 81 of the beam portion 8 along the short side direction S is adjusted by setting the vertical distance X between the long side end 61 of the elongated hole 6 and the adjacent hollow portion (guide hole 37 and groove 38). Additionally, the thickness t4 of the leg 14 extending from the other long side end 82 of the beam portion 8 along the short side direction S is adjusted by setting the vertical distance X between the other long side end 62 of the elongated hole 6 and the adjacent hollow portion (guide hole 37). This allows the legs 13 and 14 to deform easily, dispersing the stress in the beam portion 8 and thus mitigating stress concentration.

[0121] Similarly, regarding the stress-relieving structure M7 for the beam portion 7, the thickness t2 of the leg 12 extending from the other long side end 72 of the beam portion 7 along the short side direction S is adjusted by setting the vertical distance X between the other long side end 52 of the elongated hole 5 and the adjacent hollow portion (guide hole 37). This allows the leg 12 to deform easily, enabling stress dispersion in the beam portion 7 and thus mitigating stress concentration.

[0122] Furthermore, the hollowed-out portion can be simplified by using the pre-existing guide hole 37 in the retainer 3. Additionally, the simple construction of the hollowed-out portion using a groove 38 formed on the right side 34 helps to alleviate stress concentration in the beam portion 8.

[0123] Furthermore, regarding the stress-relieving structure M7 for the beam portion 7, the simple structure of the long side end 51, which is expanded by the hole expansion portions 53 and 54 and is arranged close to the corner portion C, allows the leg portion 11, which extends from the long side end 71 of the beam portion 7 along the short side direction S, to be easily deformed, thereby dispersing the stress of the beam portion 7 and relieving stress concentration.

[0124] like Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 (B) and Figure 7 (A) and Figure 7 As shown in (B), notches and recesses 91 and 92 are formed on the left side 33 and right side 34, adjacent to the rear Z2 of the corresponding beams 7 and 8 and communicating with the corresponding elongated holes 5 and 6. Through each notch and recess 91 and 92, the widths W7 and W8 in the front-rear direction Z of the corresponding beams 7 and 8 can be adjusted (see reference). Figure 7 (A) and Figure 7 (B) Therefore, by setting the simple structure of the notch recesses 91 and 92, the flexibility of the beams 7 and 8 can be easily adjusted, thereby making it easy to adjust the force (insertion force) required to insert the retainer 3 into the fitting hole 4.

[0125] Additionally, a T-shaped example is shown as an elongated hole (see reference). Figure 8 Examples of (A) elongated holes 5) and groove shapes (see reference) Figure 8 (B) elongated hole 6), but not limited to this, for example, as an elongated hole adjacent to beam 7 or 8, angular elongated holes 10A and 10B can also be used, said angular elongated hole 10A as shown in the schematic diagram. Figure 10 As shown in (A), a pair of long-side ends 101, 102 are provided. One long-side end 101 (or the other long-side end 102) is expanded only to one side S1 in the short-side direction S via a hole expansion portion 103. The angular elongated hole 10B is shown in the schematic diagram. Figure 10 As shown in (B), the hole expansion portion 104 expands one long side end 101 (or another long side end 102) only to the other side S2 in the short side direction S.

[0126] In summary, regarding elongated holes, as long as at least one end along the long side is expanded towards at least one of the short sides, they can be in the form of an I-shape (not shown), in addition to the aforementioned T-shape, groove shape, and angular shape. Furthermore, the left and right elongated holes can be of different shapes, or they can be symmetrically shaped. Additionally, the left and right elongated holes can be positioned at different locations or at the same location in the vertical direction.

[0127] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific details; however, those skilled in the art who have understood the above description will readily consider modifications, alterations, and equivalents thereof. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A connector having: The housing has a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction that are orthogonal to each other. The housing has a fitting hole that opens in the first direction. On a pair of inner wall surfaces facing each other in the second direction, there are locking parts respectively. as well as A retainer, which is inserted from the first direction and fitted into the fitting hole. The retainer includes: a pair of first outer surfaces opposed in a first direction; a pair of second outer surfaces opposed in a second direction; a pair of third outer surfaces opposed in a third direction; an elongated hole adjacent to each of the second outer surfaces and extending through the pair of third outer surfaces in the third direction, and extending with the first direction as its long side; a beam formed between the elongated hole and the corresponding second outer surface, extending with the first direction as its long side, and supported on both sides at the ends of the pair of long sides; a locking protrusion protruding outward from the middle portion of the beam in the long side direction and locking into the corresponding locking portion; and a stress-relieving structure that relieves the stress acting on the middle portion of the beam in the long side direction. The stress-relieving structure includes a hole expansion portion that expands at least one of the two long-side ends of the elongated hole only in the short-side direction.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The stress-relieving structure includes: a hollow portion that is spaced at a predetermined distance in the first direction relative to at least one of the pair of long-side ends of the elongated hole and extends through the pair of third outer surfaces in the third direction; and a leg that is formed between the hollow portion and at least one of the pair of long-side ends of the elongated hole, extends from at least one of the pair of long-side ends of the beam portion along the short-side direction, and supports the beam portion, wherein the thickness of the leg portion in the first direction is adjusted by the predetermined distance.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, The hollowed-out portion includes a guide hole for terminal insertion.

4. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, The hollowed-out portion includes a groove formed on the second outer surface.

5. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, The thickness of the leg in the first direction is set to be in the range of 80% to 150% of the reference thickness of the beam in the second direction.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The long side end of the elongated hole, which is expanded by the hole expansion portion, is positioned close to the corner portion formed by the first outer surface and the second outer surface. The stress-relieving structure includes a leg formed between the first outer surface and the long-side end of the elongated hole that expands through the hole expansion portion, extending from the corresponding long-side end of the beam along the short-side direction, and supporting the beam.

7. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, A notch or recess is formed on the second outer surface. The notch or recess is adjacent to the third direction side of the beam and communicates with the elongated hole, thereby adjusting the width of the beam in the third direction.

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