connector

Abstract

A connector is provided, the connector including: a housing including a cylindrical wall portion; and a hollow annular front retainer attached to the cylindrical wall portion to surround an outer periphery of the cylindrical wall portion. The front retainer includes a pair of first locking portions and a pair of operating portions arranged to face each other in a radial direction of the front retainer. The connector is configured such that, in a state in which the front retainer is fitted outside the cylindrical wall portion, the pair of first locking portions engage with the cylindrical wall portion; and in response to an operation of displacing the pair of operating portions to approach each other in the radial direction, the pair of first locking portions are displaced to release the engagement between the front retainer and the cylindrical wall portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector including a housing including a cylindrical wall portion constituting a fitting position with a mating piece, and a hollow annular front retainer attached to the cylindrical wall portion so as to surround an outer periphery of the cylindrical wall portion. BACKGROUND

[0002] Related art describes a connector including a housing including a cylindrical cover provided so as to surround a terminal fitting, a gasket externally fitted on the cover so as to seal a space between a mating piece and the cylindrical wall portion, and a front retainer attached to and engaged with the cover so as to prevent the gasket from falling off (see, for example, JP 2020-194645 A).

[0003] In the connector of the above-described type, the front retainer is separable from the cover for purposes such as gasket replacement and connector recycling.

[0004] However, in the above-described connector of the related art, due to its structure, the cover must be separated from the front retainer by releasing the engagement between the cover and the front retainer using a special tool for releasing the engagement between the cover and the front retainer. From the perspective of promoting and improving the work efficiency of separating the front retainer, it is desirable to be able to separate the front retainer without using such a special tool. SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure provides a connector in which the front retainer can be separated without using a special tool or the like.

[0006] According to an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure, a connector includes a terminal fitting, an electric wire connected to the terminal fitting, a housing including a cylindrical wall portion that accommodates the terminal fitting and provided with a position fitted with a mating piece, a sealing member provided so as to surround an outer periphery of the cylindrical wall portion, and a front retainer having a hollow annular shape, configured to prevent the sealing member from falling off from the cylindrical wall portion, and attached to the cylindrical wall portion so as to surround the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall portion. The front retainer includes a pair of first locking portions arranged to face each other in a radial direction of the front retainer and engageable with the cylindrical wall portion, and a pair of operation portions arranged to face each other in the radial direction at positions different from the pair of first locking portions. The connector is configured such that, in a state in which the front retainer is externally fitted on the cylindrical wall portion, the pair of first locking portions is engaged with the cylindrical wall portion, and in response to an operation of displacing the pair of operation portions to approach each other in the radial direction, the pair of first locking portions is displaced to release the engagement between the front retainer and the cylindrical wall portion.

[0007] The present disclosure is briefly described above. The details of the present disclosure will be further clarified through a mode for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing each part of the fitting portion of the housing in the connector shown in Figure 1

[0010] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting portion of the housing taken along the line A-A in Figure 1

[0011] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting portion of the housing taken along the line B-B in Figure 3

[0012] Figure 5 is a top view of the front holder.

[0013] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the front holder.

[0014] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cross section taken along the line C-C in Figure 6

[0015] Figure 8 is a view for explaining a deformation state of the front holder when a pair of operation portions is operated in the front holder, corresponding to Figure 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] <EMBODIMENT>

[0017] Hereinafter, a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The connector 1 shown in is functioning as a relay connector, which electrically connects a pair of electric wires 2 extending from a body portion 11 of a housing 10 and a mating member (not shown) including a fitted portion to be fitted to a fitting portion 12 of the housing 10. The mating member is, for example, an inverter (DC-AC converter) mounted on a vehicle, and one end portion of the pair of electric wires 2 extending from the body portion 11 is connected to, for example, an air conditioner mounted on the vehicle.

[0018] Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, "front-rear direction", "up-down direction", and "left-right direction" are as shown in Figures 1 to 8 ​​​​​The "front-rear direction", "up-down direction", and "left-right direction" are orthogonal to each other. The up-down direction coincides with the direction of assembly of the assembled portion 12 and the assembled portion of the counterpart.

[0019] The connector 1 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 is a resin molded product, and as shown in Figure 1 and 2 , mainly includes a body portion 11, an assembled portion 12, a protruding portion 13 integrally.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1 , the body portion 11 has a substantially rectangular box shape extending in the front-rear direction. A substantially rectangular opening (not shown) is formed in a lower portion of the body portion 11 so as to communicate the internal space of the body portion 11 with the outside in the up-down direction. This opening is sealed liquid-tightly by a resin cover (not shown) to which a rubber gasket (not shown) is attached. A pressure plate 80 is provided to cover this cover. Various components including a fuse (not shown) are housed in the internal space of the body portion 11.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the assembled portion 12 is a substantially cylindrical portion protruding upward from a substantially central portion of the upper surface of the body portion 11, and is a portion corresponding to the assembly position with the assembled portion of the counterpart. As shown in Figure 2 , the gasket 30, the front holder 40, and the inner housing 50 are attached to the assembled portion 12 in this order from above (see Figure 2 ). Details of the gasket 30, the front holder 40, and the inner housing 50 will be described later.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1 , the protruding portion 13 is a portion having an upper surface protruding upward and a lower surface recessed upward at a front end portion of the upper wall of the body portion 11. In this example, the protruding portion 13 has a semi-cylindrical shape protruding upward and extending in the left-right direction. In other words, in the protruding portion 13, a portion of the upper wall (outer wall) of the body portion 11 is bent to protrude upward, thereby forming a hollow portion below the bent portion. Note that the thickness of the upper wall (outer wall) of the body portion 11 is substantially constant at this bent position. The protruding portion 13 is a portion for housing the above-mentioned fuse (not shown).

[0023] A pair of terminal insertion holes 14 are formed in the upper wall of the body portion 11 of the housing 10 at positions corresponding to the assembled portion 12 so as to be spaced apart in the left-right direction and communicate the internal space of the body portion 11 and the interior of the assembled portion 12 in the up-down direction (see Figure 4 ). A pair of terminals 6 are inserted into the pair of terminal insertion holes 14 from below (see also Figure 2 ).

[0024] A pair of wire insertion holes (not shown) are formed on the rear wall of the body portion 11 of the housing 10, spaced apart in the left-right direction and communicating the interior space of the body portion 11 with the exterior in the front-back direction. A pair of wires 2 extending from the housing 10 to the exterior are respectively inserted through the pair of wire insertion holes (see also...). Figure 1 ).

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, a locking protrusion 16 is provided at each of the four corner portions on the outer peripheral side surface of the body portion 11 of the housing 10. The locking protrusion 16 serves to hold the cover (not shown) to the housing 10 by engaging with the locking frame portion 63 of the cover (not shown).

[0026] Next, we will refer to Figure 2 The details of the assembly portion 12 of the housing 10, as well as the details of the gasket 30, the front retainer 40 and the inner housing 50 attached to the assembly portion 12 from above, are described in sequence.

[0027] First, the assembly portion 12 will be described. An annular groove portion 17, opening upwards and recessed downwards, is formed around the base portion of the substantially cylindrical assembly portion 12, which protrudes from the upper wall of the body portion 11 of the housing 10 (see [link to description]). Figures 2 to 4 The lower edge portion 33 of the gasket 30 (described later) is received in the annular groove portion 17 (see [link]). Figure 3 and 4 Assembly part 12 accommodates terminal 6, which is inserted from below through terminal insertion hole 14 as described above (see above). Figure 2 ).

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, a pair of flat plate-shaped portions 18 with through holes are formed at both ends of the upper region of the substantially cylindrical assembly portion 12 in the left-right direction, so as to face each other in the left-right direction and extend in the front-back direction. A pair of locking frame portions 19 are formed at both ends of the upper region of the substantially cylindrical assembly portion 12 in the front-back direction, so as to face each other in the front-back direction and extend in the left-right direction. Each locking frame portion 19 has a cantilever shape with a free end at the upper end and is elastically deformable in the front-back direction.

[0029] A pair of flat portions 18 have through holes for locking the front retainer 40 (see...) Figure 4 ), and a pair of locking frame portions 19 are used to lock the inner housing 50 (see Figure 3 By providing a pair of flat plate portions 18 and a pair of locking frame portions 19, the upper portion of the assembly portion 12 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above (see above). Figure 2 ).

[0030] Next, gasket 30 will be described. Gasket 30 is a rubber sealing member having a substantially cylindrical shape. Gasket 30 is used to seal the gap between the outer periphery of the assembly portion 12 and the inner periphery of the mating part to be assembled with the assembly portion 12.

[0031] The gasket 30 includes a cylindrical body portion 31 with annular lip portions formed on its inner and outer peripheries; a cylindrical upper edge portion 32 extending upward from the body portion 31; and a cylindrical lower edge portion 33 extending downward from the body portion 31. The gasket 30 is mounted on and thus attached to the mounting portion 12 from the top outside, such that the lower edge portion 33 is received in the annular groove portion 17 and adheres tightly to the outer periphery (lower cylindrical region) of the mounting portion 12.

[0032] Next, the front retainer 40 will be described. The front retainer 40 is a resin molded product and is positioned adjacent to the gasket 30 to prevent the gasket 30 from detaching from the assembly portion 12 (upward). Figure 2 As shown, the front retainer 40 has a hollow annular shape overall. The front retainer 40 includes a cylindrical body portion 41.

[0033] like Figure 2 , 4 As shown in Figures 7, the body portion 41 includes a pair of engaging protrusions 42 protruding from the annular inner surface, which are formed at the left and right ends respectively in the circumferential direction. The pair of engaging protrusions 42 are connected to the housing 10 (see Figure 7). Figure 4 The pair of flat plate portions 18 of the assembly portion 12 (see) Figure 2 The through-hole engagement. On both sides of each engagement protrusion 42 in the circumferential direction, the extension portion 43 is formed to protrude from the annular inner surface of the body portion 41 and extend circumferentially from the engagement protrusion 42 toward both sides along the upper edge of the body portion 41 (see...). Figure 7 The protruding end surface of extension 43 is a flat surface extending in the front-rear direction (see...). Figures 5 to 7 ).

[0034] like Figure 3 and 7As shown, at the front and rear ends of the upper portion of the body part 41 in the circumferential direction, first ribs 44 are respectively formed to protrude from the inner surface of the annulus and extend circumferentially to both sides along the upper edge of the body part 41. On the underside of each first rib 44, a plurality of (three) second ribs 45 are formed to protrude from different positions on the inner surface of the annulus in the circumferential direction of the body part 41 and extend downward (i.e., in the axial direction of the annulus) from the first ribs 44 (see Figure 1). Figure 7 The protruding end surface of the first rib 44 is a flat surface extending in the left-right direction (see...). Figures 5 to 7 ).

[0035] The following text is as follows Figure 7 As shown, in the body portion 41, the circumferential region where the engaging protrusion 42 and the extension portion 43 are provided (basically, the circumferential region where the extension portion 43 extends in the circumferential direction) is called the "locking portion 46", the circumferential region where the first rib 44 and the second rib 45 are provided (basically, the circumferential region where the first rib 44 extends in the circumferential direction) is called the "operating portion 47", and the region that connects the adjacent locking portion 46 and operating portion 47 in the circumferential direction is called the "connecting portion 48".

[0036] By providing the front retainer 40 with a pair of locking portions 46 (particularly the extension portion 43) and a pair of operating portions 47 (particularly the first rib portion 44) as described above, such as Figure 5 As shown, the upper opening of the front retainer 40 has a substantially rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the upper portion of the mounting portion 12 (see Figure 1). Figure 2 A pair of locking portions 46 correspond to the two sides of a substantially rectangular shape facing each other in the left-right direction, a pair of operating portions 47 correspond to the two sides of a substantially rectangular shape facing each other in the front-back direction, and four connecting portions 48 correspond to the four corners of a substantially rectangular shape.

[0037] The locking portion 46 has higher stiffness than the connecting portion 48 because the locking portion 46 is provided with the engaging protrusion 42 and the extension portion 43. Similarly, the operating portion 47 has higher stiffness than the connecting portion 48 because it is provided with the first rib 44 and the second rib 45. In other words, the stiffness of the predetermined portions (i.e., the locking portion 46, the operating portion 47, and the connecting portion 48) in the circumferential direction of the front retainer 40 increases with the increase of the thickness of the predetermined portions in the radial direction.

[0038] Therefore, as Figure 8 As shown, due to the stiffness difference between the operating portion 47 and the connecting portion 48, when a pair of operating portions 47 are displaced toward each other in the front-rear direction (radial direction) (see...) Figure 8the white arrows in FIG. 6), a circumferential external force is applied to the four connecting portions 48 from the pair of operation portions 47 while the shape of the pair of operation portions 47 substantially remains unchanged. Due to the difference in rigidity between the locking portions 46 and the connecting portions 48, the pair of locking portions 46 is displaced away from each other in the left-right direction (radially outward) due to the external force described above while the shape of the pair of locking portions 46 substantially remains unchanged (see Figure 8 the thick black arrows in FIG. 6), the four connecting portions 48 are bent in correspondence with the displacement of the pair of operation portions 47 and the pair of locking portions 46. The function and effect of this deformation and displacement will be described later.

[0039] The front holder 40 is inserted from above into the fitting portion 12 to which the gasket 30 is attached, and is attached to the outer periphery of the fitting portion 12 so that the lower edge portion of the fitting portion 12 covers the outer periphery of the upper edge portion 32 of the gasket 30 (see Figure 3 and 4 ). When the front holder 40 is attached to the fitting portion 12 as shown in Figure 4 , the front holder 40 is prevented from falling off (upward) from the fitting portion 12 by engaging a pair of engagement protrusions 42 of the front holder 40 with the through holes of a pair of flat plate-shaped portions 18 of the fitting portion 12 of the housing 10. The lower edge portion of the front holder 40 is adjacent to the gasket 30 and covers the outer periphery of the upper edge portion 32 of the gasket 30, thereby preventing the gasket 30 from falling off (upward) from the fitting portion 12.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3 , the pair of operation portions 47 (more specifically, the first rib portions 44) of the front holder 40 are arranged so as to be adjacent to the outside of the upper edge portions of the pair of locking frame portions 19 of the fitting portion 12, respectively, with a slight gap between the pair of operation portions 47 and the pair of locking frame portions 19 in the front-rear direction. The effect of providing this gap will be described later.

[0041] Next, the inner housing 50 will be described. The inner housing 50 is a resin molded product, and has a function of defining an opening of a mating connector (not shown) into which a mating piece is inserted, a function of holding the terminal 6, a function of aligning the terminal 6 with a mating terminal (not shown) provided on the mating piece (not shown) (so-called alignment function), and the like. As shown in Figure 2 , the inner housing 50 has a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the up-down direction. When viewed in the up-down direction, the substantially rectangular outer shape of the inner housing 50 corresponds to the shape of the upper end portion of the fitting portion 12 (see Figure 2 ). The upper end opening 51 of the inner housing 50 serves as an opening of a mating connector into which a mating piece is inserted.

[0042] A pair of locking protrusions 52 are formed on a pair of side surfaces of the inner housing 50 that face each other in the front-rear direction, respectively, as shown inFigure 2 That is, a pair of locking protrusions 52 are arranged at positions corresponding to the pair of operation portions 47 of the front holder 40 in the circumferential direction of the inner housing 50 (see Figure 2 ). The pair of locking protrusions 52 engage with the open edges of the pair of locking frame portions 19 (see Figure 2 ) of the fitting portion 12 of the case 10 (see Figure 3 ).

[0043] The inner housing 50 is inserted from above into the fitting portion 12 to which the gasket 30 and the front holder 40 are attached, and is disposed in the cylinder of the fitting portion 12. When the inner housing 50 is attached to the fitting portion 12, as shown in Figure 3 , the inner housing 50 is prevented from falling out of the fitting portion 12 (upward) by engaging the pair of locking protrusions 52 of the inner housing 50 with the open edges of the pair of locking frame portions 19 of the fitting portion 12 of the case 10.

[0044] Immediately before the engagement between the pair of locking protrusions 52 and the open edges of the pair of locking frame portions 19 is completed, the pair of locking frame portions 19 is temporarily deformed outward (away from each other in the front-rear direction) by the pressure from the pair of locking protrusions 52. In this regard, as described above, since the pair of operation portions 47 (the first rib portions 44) are arranged with a slight gap outside the upper edge portions of the pair of locking frame portions 19, the pair of locking frame portions 19 does not interfere with the pair of operation portions 47 (the first rib portions 44) when the pair of locking frame portions 19 is temporarily deformed. Thus, the inner housing 50 can be smoothly attached to the fitting portion 12.

[0045] In this way, the pair of terminals 6 is inserted from below into the pair of terminal insertion holes 14 (see Figure 4 ) of the case 10 while the inner housing 50 is located within the cylinder of the fitting portion 12. The pair of terminals 6 is fixed to the case 10 with the upper end portions of the pair of terminals 6 exposed within the fitting portion 12 (see Figure 4 ) by engaging the pair of locking pieces 53 provided on the inner housing 50 with the pair of locking holes 6a provided on the pair of terminals 6.

[0046] As described above, after the gasket 30, the front holder 40, and the inner housing 50 are attached to the fitting portion 12, the front holder 40 can be required to be detached from the fitting portion 12 for the purpose of replacing the gasket 30, recycling the connector 1, and the like. In this case, from the viewpoint of facilitating and improving the efficiency of the detaching work, it is desirable that the front holder 40 can be detached from the fitting portion 12 without using a special tool or the like.

[0047] In this regard, in the connector 1, in order to separate the front holder 40 from the fitting portion 12, a pair of operation portions 47 are pressed so as to be clamped in the front-rear direction, so that the pair of operation portions 47 are displaced toward each other in the front-rear direction (see the thick white arrow in Figure 8 Fig. 16). Thus, as described above, by displacing the pair of locking portions 46 away from each other in the left-right direction (radially outward) (see the thick black arrow in Figure 8 Fig. 16), the engagement between the pair of engagement protrusions 42 and the through holes of the pair of flat plate portions 18 of the fitting portion 12 is released (see Figure 4 Fig. 16), and the front holder 40 becomes separable from the fitting portion 12. By pulling the front holder 40 upward from the fitting portion 12 while maintaining this state, the front holder 40 is separable from the fitting portion 12 without using a special tool or the like. As described above, since the pair of operation portions 47 (the first rib portions 44) are arranged outside the upper edge portions of the pair of locking frame portions 19 with a slight gap, the work of displacing the pair of operation portions 47 toward each other can be performed without difficulty.

[0048] When the pair of operation portions 47 are displaced toward each other in the front-rear direction so as to separate the front holder 40 from the fitting portion 12, even if the pair of operation portions 47 (more specifically, the first rib portions 44) contact the upper edge portions of the pair of locking frame portions 19 of the fitting portion 12, since the pair of locking frame portions 19 are pressed by the pair of operation portions 47 and are displaced toward each other in the front-rear direction, the separation work of the front holder 40 is not hindered. In this case, since the engagement edge of the engagement of the open edge of the pair of locking frame portions 19 and the pair of locking protrusions 52 of the inner housing 50 (the Figure 3 ) increases, release of the engagement is prevented, and when the front holder 40 is separated, an effect of preventing erroneous separation of the inner housing 50 is exerted.

[0049] Next, the pressure plate 80 will be described. The pressure plate 80 has a function of preventing the above-described cover (not shown) from falling off (i.e., falling downward) from the housing 10 and a function of fixing the connector 1 to a mating piece. The pressure plate 80 is formed by subjecting a single metal plate to a predetermined pressing process, a bending process, or the like.

[0050] As shown in Figure 1 Fig. 17, the pressure plate 80 has a plate-like shape capable of covering the entire lower surface of the housing 10. The pressure plate 80 is provided with flange portions 81 at a plurality of positions (two positions in this example) that extend so as to protrude from the housing 10 when the pressure plate 80 is attached to the housing 10. A bolt insertion hole 82 is formed through each flange portion 81 in the up-down direction. A screw insertion hole (not shown) that penetrates in the upward-downward direction is formed at a plurality of predetermined positions of the pressure plate 80.

[0051] The pressure plate 80 is attached to the housing 10 from below so as to cover the above-described cover (not shown) from below, such that the pressure plate 80 is fixed to the housing 10 by screwing a screw inserted through each screw insertion hole (not shown) into a corresponding internally threaded portion provided on the housing 10. By fixing the pressure plate 80 to the housing 10, the cover is prevented from falling off (i.e., falling downward) from the housing 10.

[0052] As described above, the installation of the connector 1 is completed, and the Figure 1 connector 1 shown is obtained. The installation connector 1 is installed to a mating piece such that the fitting portion 12 is fitted to a fitted portion of the mating piece, and the installation connector 1 is fastened and fixed to the mating piece using a bolt (not shown) inserted through a bolt insertion hole 82 of the flange portion 81 of the pressure plate 80. The mating connector of the mating piece is inserted into the fitting portion 12 of the installation connector 1. Thus, the mating terminals (female terminals) housed in the mating connector are electrically connected to the pair of terminals 6 positioned within the fitting portion 12.

[0053] <Function and Effect>

[0054] As described above, according to the connector 1 of the present embodiment, by fitting the hollow annular front holder 40 externally on the fitting portion 12 of the housing 10, the pair of locking portions 46 of the front holder 40 engage with the fitting portion 12. By displacing the pair of operation portions 47 of the front holder 40 toward each other in the radial direction, the locking portions 46 are displaced such that the engagement between the locking portions 46 and the fitting portion 12 is released. Thus, the engagement between the fitting portion 12 of the housing 10 and the front holder 40 can be released without using a special tool or the like.

[0055] Further, the rigidity of the connecting portion 48 is lower than the rigidity of the locking portions 46 of the front holder 40, and the rigidity of the connecting portion 48 is lower than the rigidity of the operation portions 47 of the front holder 40. Due to the difference in rigidity between the operation portions 47 and the connecting portion 48, when the pair of operation portions 47 are displaced toward each other in the radial direction, an external force in the circumferential direction is applied from the operation portions 47 to the connecting portion 48 while substantially maintaining the shape of the operation portions 47. Further, due to the difference in rigidity between the locking portions 46 and the connecting portion 48, the locking portions 46 are displaced radially outward due to the above-described external force while the shape of the locking portions 46 is substantially maintained, and the connecting portion 48 is bent in correspondence with the displacement of the operation portions 47 and the locking portions 46. Due to this deformation and displacement, the engagement between the locking portions 46 and the fitting portion 12 is released.

[0056] Further, the operation portion 47 of the front holder 40 includes the ribs 44 and 45 that protrude from the annular inner surface of the front holder 40 and extend in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the front holder 40. The ribs 44 and 45 make the operation portion 47 more difficult to deform than other portions (e.g., the connection portion 48), and increase the rigidity of the operation portion 47 as a whole. Further, the locking portion 46 of the front holder 40 includes the engagement protrusion 42 that protrudes from the annular inner surface of the front holder 40 and the extension portion 43 that extends in the circumferential direction from the engagement protrusion 42. The engagement protrusion 42 and the extension portion 43 make the locking portion 46 more difficult to deform than other portions (e.g., the connection portion 48), and increase the rigidity of the locking portion 46 as a whole.

[0057] <Other Embodiments>

[0058] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified, improved, and the like as appropriate. In addition, the materials, shapes, sizes, numbers, arrangement positions, and the like of the constituent elements in the above-described embodiments are optional, and are not limited, as long as the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0059] In the above-described embodiments, the locking portion 46 of the front holder 40 is provided with the engagement protrusion 42 and the extension portion 43, but it is possible to provide only the engagement protrusion 42 and not to provide the extension portion 43. Similarly, the operation portion 47 of the front holder 40 is provided with the first rib 44 and the second rib 45, but it is possible to provide only one of the first rib 44 and the second rib 45.

[0060] Further, in the above-described embodiments, the pair of locking protrusions 52 of the inner housing 50 are arranged at positions corresponding to the pair of operation portions 47 of the front holder 40 in the circumferential direction of the inner housing 50 (see Figure 2 , for example). In contrast, the pair of locking protrusions 52 of the inner housing 50 can be arranged at positions not corresponding to the pair of operation portions 47 of the front holder 40 in the circumferential direction of the inner housing 50.

[0061] Here, the first to third aspects of the connector 1 according to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are briefly summarized and listed below.

[0062] According to a first illustrative aspect of this disclosure, the connector (1) includes: a terminal connector (6); wires (2, 3) connected to the terminal connector (6); a housing (10) including a cylindrical wall portion (12) that receives the terminal connector (6) and is provided with a position for assembly with a mating part; a sealing member (30) configured to surround the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall portion (12); and a front retainer (40) having a hollow annular shape, configured to prevent the sealing member (30) from detaching from the cylindrical wall portion (12), and the front retainer (40) being attached to the cylindrical wall portion (12) to surround the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall portion (12). The front retainer (40) includes: a pair of first locking portions (46) arranged to face each other in the radial direction of the front retainer (40) and engage with the cylindrical wall portion (12); and a pair of operating portions (47) arranged to face each other in the radial direction at a different position from the pair of first locking portions (46). The connector (1) is configured such that: when the front retainer (40) is externally mounted on the cylindrical wall portion (12), the pair of first locking portions (46) engage with the cylindrical wall portion (12); and in response to an operation that displaces the pair of operating portions (47) to approach each other in the radial direction, the pair of first locking portions (46) are displaced to release the engagement between the front retainer (46) and the cylindrical wall portion (12).

[0063] According to the connector with the configuration described in the first aspect above, a hollow annular front retainer is externally mounted on a cylindrical wall portion that houses the terminal connector, such that a pair of first locking portions of the front retainer engage with the cylindrical wall portion. The front retainer prevents the sealing member from detaching. By displacing the pair of operating portions of the front retainer toward each other in the radial direction, the first locking portions are displaced, thereby releasing the engagement between the first locking portions and the cylindrical wall portion. Therefore, the engagement between the cylindrical wall portion of the housing and the front retainer can be released simply by, for example, manually performing this release operation by an operator without the use of special tools.

[0064] According to a second illustrative aspect of this disclosure, the front retainer (40) includes a connecting portion (48) configured to connect between a first locking portion (46) and an operating portion (47), the connecting portion (48) being adjacent to the first locking portion (46) and the operating portion (47) in the circumferential direction of the front retainer (40). The stiffness of the connecting portion (48) is lower than that of the first locking portion (46), and the stiffness of the connecting portion (48) is lower than that of the operating portion (47).

[0065] According to the connector configured with the above-described second aspect, the rigidity of the connection portion is smaller than the rigidity of the first locking portion of the front holder, and the rigidity of the connection portion is smaller than the rigidity of the operation portion of the front holder. Due to the difference in rigidity between the operation portion and the connection portion, when the pair of operation portions are displaced toward each other in the radial direction, an external force in the circumferential direction is applied from the operation portion to the connection portion while substantially maintaining the shape of the operation portion. In addition, due to the difference in rigidity between the first locking portion and the connection portion, the first locking portion is displaced radially outward due to the above-described external force while the shape of the first locking portion is substantially maintained, and the connection portion is bent in correspondence with the displacement of the operation portion and the first locking portion. Due to such deformation and displacement, the engagement between the first locking portion and the cylindrical wall portion is released.

[0066] According to a third illustrative aspect of the present disclosure, the operation portion (47) includes a rib (44, 45) that protrudes from an inner annular surface of the front holder (40) and extends along at least one of an axial direction and a circumferential direction of the front holder (40), and the first locking portion (46) includes an engagement protrusion (42) that protrudes from the inner annular surface. Also, the first locking portion (46) can further include an extension portion (43) that extends from the engagement protrusion (42) along the circumferential direction.

[0067] According to the connector configured with the above-described third aspect, the operation portion of the front holder includes a rib that protrudes from an inner surface of the front holder and extends along an axial direction and a circumferential direction of the front holder. The rib makes it more difficult for the operation portion to deform than other portions (e.g., the connection portion), and increases the rigidity of the operation portion as a whole. In addition, the first locking portion of the front holder includes an engagement protrusion that protrudes from an inner annular surface of the front holder and an extension portion that extends from the engagement protrusion along the circumferential direction. The engagement protrusion and the extension portion make it more difficult for the first locking portion to deform than other portions (e.g., the connection portion), and increase the rigidity of the first locking portion as a whole. Therefore, by the above-described deformation and displacement, the engagement between the first locking portion and the cylindrical wall portion is released when the above-described release operation is performed.

[0068] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the connector 1 can have the following features.

[0069] The connector (1) according to any one of the above first to third aspects, further comprising: an inner housing (50) provided in the cylinder of the cylindrical wall portion (12), wherein the inner housing (50) includes a second locking portion (52) engageable with the cylindrical wall portion (12) at a position corresponding to the operation portion (47) of the front holder (40), and when the operation portion (47) of the front holder (40) is operated to release the engagement with the first locking portion (46), the operation portion (47) presses the cylindrical wall portion (12) radially inward, thereby preventing release of the engagement between the second locking portion (52) and the cylindrical wall portion (12).

[0070] According to the connector having the above configuration, the inner housing is provided in the cylinder of the cylindrical wall portion of the housing. When the front holder is separated from the cylindrical wall portion, the operation portion of the front holder is operated (i.e., displaced radially inward), so that the operation portion presses the cylindrical wall portion radially inward. This pressing prevents the engagement between the second locking portion of the inner housing and the cylindrical wall portion from being released. Thus, erroneous separation of the inner housing can be avoided when the front holder is separated.

[0071] According to the connector of the present disclosure, by fitting the hollow annular front holder externally on the cylindrical wall portion that accommodates the terminal fittings, a pair of first locking portions of the front holder engages with the cylindrical wall portion. The front holder prevents the sealing member from falling off. By displacing a pair of operation portions of the front holder toward each other in the radial direction, the first locking portions are displaced so that the engagement between the first locking portions and the cylindrical wall portion is released. Thus, for example, the engagement between the cylindrical wall portion of the housing and the front holder can be released only by an operator manually performing such a release operation. The cylindrical wall portion of the housing only needs to have a shape that can be regarded as a cylindrical shape as a whole, and can include structures of locking protrusions, locking grooves, and through-holes for engagement with the front holder, as well as slits for flexibly adjusting these structures. In this way, the present disclosure can provide a connector in which the front holder can be separated without using a special tool or the like.

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a terminal fitting, an electric wire connected to the terminal fitting; a housing including a cylindrical wall portion that houses the terminal fitting and provided with a position to which a mating piece is fitted; a sealing member provided so as to surround an outer periphery of the cylindrical wall portion; a front retainer having a hollow annular shape, the front retainer being configured to prevent the sealing member from falling off from the cylindrical wall portion, and the front retainer being attached to the cylindrical wall portion so as to surround the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall portion, wherein the front retainer includes: a pair of first locking portions arranged so as to face each other in a radial direction of the front retainer and engageable with the cylindrical wall portion; and a pair of operation portions arranged so as to face each other in the radial direction at positions different from the pair of first locking portions; and the connector is configured so that: in a state where the front retainer is externally fitted on the cylindrical wall portion, the pair of first locking portions engage with the cylindrical wall portion, and the pair of operation portions are arranged adjacent to an outer side of the cylindrical wall portion with a gap between the pair of operation portions and the cylindrical wall portion; and in response to an operation of displacing the pair of operation portions so as to approach each other in the radial direction and reduce the gap, the pair of first locking portions are displaced to release the engagement between the front retainer and the cylindrical wall portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the front retainer includes a connecting portion provided so as to connect between the first locking portions and the operation portions, the connecting portion being adjacent to the first locking portions and the operation portions in a circumferential direction of the front retainer; a rigidity of the connecting portion is smaller than a rigidity of the first locking portions, and a rigidity of the connecting portion is smaller than a rigidity of the operation portions.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation portions include a rib portion protruding from an annular inner surface of the front retainer and extending along at least one of an axial direction and a circumferential direction of the front retainer, and the first locking portions include an engagement protrusion protruding from the annular inner surface.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the first locking portions further include an extension portion extending from the engagement protrusion in the circumferential direction.

5. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an inner housing provided inside a cylinder of the cylindrical wall portion, wherein the inner housing includes a second locking portion engageable with the cylindrical wall portion at a position corresponding to the operation portions of the front retainer, and when the operation portions of the front retainer are operated to release the engagement with the first locking portions, the operation portions press the cylindrical wall portion radially inward, thereby preventing release of the engagement between the second locking portion and the cylindrical wall portion.

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