Connector

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a connector which is provided with a front cover integrated holder and can perform terminal half-insertion detection using an inspection slider with high precision. A housing of the connector has a front surface portion facing forward, an end surface portion disposed so as to intersect the front surface portion, and a main body fitting portion extending inside the housing and opening at the end surface portion. The holder has a holder main body disposed inside the main body fitting portion, a front cover portion disposed so as to cover the front surface portion, and a connecting portion connecting the holder main body and the front cover portion. The holder main body has a main body end portion that reduces the amount of protrusion from the end surface portion from the temporary locking position to the main locking position, and a retaining portion that locks the terminal fitting at the main locking position. The main body end portion is disposed inside the housing at the main locking position. The front cover portion has a recess that opens the front surface of the main body end portion forward at a midway position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector. Background Art

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a housing for accommodating terminal parts, and a retainer as a front cover integrated retainer mounted on the housing in a manner that can be moved between a temporary locking position and a formal locking position. The retainer includes a front cover portion covering the front surface of the housing, a retaining portion arranged at a position further back than the front cover portion, and a pair of side plates connecting the retaining portion and the front cover portion in the width direction. The retaining portion locks the terminal parts at the formal locking position to restrict the terminal parts from coming out of the housing.

[0003] However, if the terminal part is not inserted to the specified insertion position relative to the housing and stays in the half-insertion position, the retainer interferes with the terminal part, preventing the retainer from moving from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. As a result, a portion of the front cover and the retainer protrudes from the lower surface of the housing. Therefore, by visually confirming the protruding state of the retainer with a clamp or the like, it is possible to detect the situation where the terminal part remains in the half-insertion position.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a holder in which a front cover corresponding to a front cover portion and a spacer corresponding to a holding portion are connected by a coupling body of a flexible hinge. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-129111 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-315546 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] In Patent Document 1, it is assumed that when the connector is small, if the terminal parts stay in the half-inserted position relative to the housing, the amount of protrusion of the retainer from the housing becomes small, making it difficult to visually check the protruding state of the retainer with a jig or the like.

[0007] like Fig.13As shown in the first reference example, for example, if the front cover portion 700 and the retaining portion 300 are composed of separate components, when the terminal part 200 is located in the semi-insertion position, only the retaining portion 300 protrudes from the lower surface of the shell 400. The inspection slider 80 that moves along the lower surface of the shell 400 can touch the protruding portion of the retaining portion 300. Assuming that the inspection slider 80 touches the protruding portion of the retaining portion 300, it can be determined that the retaining member 600 has not reached the formal locking position, and then it can be detected that the terminal part 200 stays in the semi-insertion position. That is, by using the detection method of the inspection slider 80, it is possible to detect that the terminal part 200 stays in the semi-insertion position (hereinafter, this detection is referred to as "terminal semi-insertion detection using the inspection slider 80"). However, in the case of patent document 1, the retaining member is an integral component in which the front cover portion and the retaining portion are integrated. If the retaining member is an integral component, then as Fig.14 As shown in the second reference example (not the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1), when the terminal part 200 is located at the half-insertion position, the front cover part 700 also protrudes from the lower surface of the housing 400 together with the holding part 300. Fig.14 As shown by the arrow, the inspection slider 80 leaves the lower surface of the housing 400 and moves along the lower surfaces of the front cover 700 and the holding portion 300. Therefore, sometimes the inspection slider 80 does not touch the protruding portion of the holding portion 300, so that the terminal half-insertion detection using the inspection slider 80 cannot be performed.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector including a front cover-integrated holder and capable of performing a terminal half-insertion detection using a test slider with high accuracy. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0009] The connector disclosed herein comprises: a terminal part connected to an end of an electric wire; a housing for accommodating the terminal part; and a retainer configured to be movable relative to the housing between a temporary locking position and a formal locking position, the housing comprising a front surface portion facing forward, an end surface portion arranged to intersect the front surface portion, and a main body mounting portion extending inside the housing and opening at the end surface portion, the retainer comprising a retainer main body arranged inside the main body mounting portion, a front cover portion arranged to cover the front surface portion, and a connecting portion connecting the retainer main body and the front cover portion, the retainer main body comprising a main body end portion for reducing a protrusion amount protruding from the end surface portion from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position, and a retaining portion for locking the terminal part at the formal locking position, the main body end portion being arranged inside the housing at the formal locking position, and the front cover portion comprising a recessed portion for opening the front surface of the main body end portion forward at the temporary locking position or at a midway position between the temporary locking position and the formal locking position. Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector including a front cover-integrated holder and capable of performing a terminal half-insertion detection using a test slider with high accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is a front view showing a state in which the retainer in the connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is located at the final locking position. Figure 2 This is a side view showing a state in which the retainer in the connector according to the first embodiment is located at a permanent locking position. Figure 3 This is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the retainer in the connector according to the first embodiment is located at a permanent locking position. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the retainer in the connector according to the first embodiment is locked with respect to the housing at a temporary locking position. Figure 5 This is a side sectional view showing a state in which the retainer in the connector according to the first embodiment is located at the temporary locking position. Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the housing in the connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 7 This is a side view of the housing in the connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the holder in the connector according to the first embodiment. Fig. 9 The connector of the first embodiment is from and Figure 8Perspective views of the holder viewed from different directions. Fig.10 This is a front view of the holder in the connector according to the first embodiment. Fig.11 This is a side sectional view showing a state in which the inspection slider in the connector of the first embodiment passes through the recessed portion of the front cover portion and interferes with the main body end portion of the holder main body to perform terminal half-insertion detection. Fig.12 This is a bottom view showing a state in which the inspection slider in the connector of the first embodiment passes through the recessed portion of the front cover portion and interferes with the main body end portion of the holder main body to perform terminal half-insertion detection. Fig.13 It is a side sectional view showing a state in which the inspection slider in the first reference example interferes with the protruding portion of the holder body to perform half-insertion detection of the terminal. Fig.14 It is a side sectional view showing a state in which the movement of the inspection slider in the second reference example does not interfere with the protruding portion of the holder body and the terminal half-insertion detection cannot be performed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of examples. The connector disclosed in the present invention is configured as follows: (1) A method of manufacturing a terminal according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is connected to an end of an electric wire, wherein the terminal is received in the terminal, and wherein the terminal is arranged to be movable relative to the housing between a temporary locking position and a formal locking position, wherein the housing has a front surface portion facing forward, an end surface portion arranged to intersect the front surface portion, and a main body mounting portion extending inside the housing and opening at the end surface portion, wherein the main body has a main body arranged inside the main body mounting portion, a front cover portion arranged to cover the front surface portion, and a connecting portion connecting the main body to the front cover portion, wherein the main body has a main body end portion that reduces a protrusion from the end surface portion from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position, and a retaining portion that locks the terminal at the formal locking position, wherein the main body end portion is arranged inside the housing at the formal locking position, and the front cover portion has a recessed portion that opens the front surface of the main body end portion forward at the temporary locking position or at a midway position between the temporary locking position and the formal locking position.

[0013] Assuming that the terminal part is not inserted to the specified insertion position relative to the shell and stays in the half-insertion position, the retainer interferes with the terminal part and prevents the retainer from moving from the temporary stop position to the formal stop position. That is, the retainer stays in the temporary stop position or the midway position relative to the shell. When the retainer is located at the temporary stop position or the midway position, the main body end of the retainer body is in a state of protruding from the end face of the shell. The inspection slider that moves from the recessed portion of the front cover along the end face of the shell can touch the front surface of the main body end. Therefore, even if it is a connector with a front cover integrated retainer that integrates the retainer body and the front cover, the inspection slider can touch the retainer body when the terminal part is half-inserted, and the terminal half-insertion detection using the inspection slider can be performed.

[0014] (2) In the connector described in (1), preferably, the shell has a pair of side portions in a width direction respectively intersecting the front surface portion and the end surface portion, the connecting portion has a pair of side walls covering the pair of side portions, and the end surface portion is exposed in a space portion formed between the pair of side walls.

[0015] Since the front surface of the main body end portion is opened forward from the space portion formed between the side walls through the recessed portion, interference between the inspection slider and the connecting portion can be avoided when performing the half-insertion detection of the terminal.

[0016] (3) In the connector described in (1) or (2), preferably, when the retaining member body interferes with the terminal part halfway inserted into the housing at the midway position, the inner bottom surface of the recess and the end surface portion are arranged without steps in the front-to-back direction.

[0017] According to the configuration of (3) above, the inspection slider can move from the inner bottom surface of the recessed portion to the end surface portion.

[0018] (4) In the connector described in any one of (1) to (3), preferably, the housing has a cavity for accommodating the terminal part, the cavity is open to the front surface portion, and when the retaining member body is located in the formal locking position, a portion of the front surface portion is configured to be exposed inside the recess.

[0019] When the holder body is located at the permanent locking position, the exposure state of a part of the front surface portion is confirmed through the recessed portion, and it is possible to detect that the holder is located at the permanent locking position.

[0020] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Hereinafter, specific examples of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the examples, but is indicated by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0021] <Implementation Method 1> like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 20, a terminal part 90 received in the housing 20, and a retainer 50 mounted on the housing 20. The housing 20 can be mated with a counterpart housing (not shown). In the following description, regarding the front-to-back direction, the side of the housing 20 facing the counterpart housing when mated is referred to as the front side. The top-to-bottom direction is denoted by the top-to-bottom direction except for the top-to-bottom direction. Fig.12 The left-right direction is a direction that intersects the front-back direction and the up-down direction. Figure 1 The above direction is not necessarily consistent with the direction of the connector 10 when it is mounted on a vehicle or the like.

[0022] (Housing and terminal parts) The housing 20 is made of synthetic resin such as Figure 6 As shown, the housing body 21 has a rectangular block shape. Figure 3 As shown, the housing body 21 has a plurality of cavities 22. Each cavity 22 extends in the front-to-back direction and opens on the front and rear surfaces of the housing body 21. The front surface of the housing body 21 is configured as a front surface portion 24 covered by the below-described front cover portion 52 of the retainer 50. The terminal parts 90 are inserted into the corresponding cavities 22 from the rear of the housing 20.

[0023] The housing body 21 has elastically deformable lances 23 protruding from the inner wall lower surface of each cavity 22. The lances 23 are exposed at the front surface portion 24. The terminal fittings 90 are locked to the lances 23 and are housed in a state where they are restricted from coming out of the cavity 22.

[0024] The terminal part 90 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate. Figure 3 As shown, the terminal part 90 has a cylindrical connecting portion 91 and a barrel 92 arranged at a position behind the connecting portion 91. The connecting portion 91 receives a protrusion 190 of a counterpart terminal part of a counterpart connector (not shown) when the connector 10 is engaged, and is electrically connected to the counterpart terminal part. The lance 23 is locked in a first protrusion 93 formed on the lower surface of the connecting portion 91. The connecting portion 91 is provided with a second protrusion 94 protruding at a position behind the first protrusion 93. The rear end of the second protrusion 94 is located at the rear end of the connecting portion 91 and can contact the anti-detachment portion 55 of the retaining member 50 described below. The barrel 92 is electrically and mechanically connected to the terminal end of the electric wire 100. In addition, the electric wire 100 is a covered electric wire formed by covering the periphery of a conductor such as a core wire with an insulating coating.

[0025] like Figure 3 and Figure 6As shown, the housing body 21 has a main body assembly portion 25 extending in the up-down direction and opening on the lower surface of the housing body 21 in the middle of the front-back direction. The main body assembly portion 25 is connected to each cavity 22. The retainer main body 51 of the retainer 50 described below is arranged inside the main body assembly portion 25. Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, the lower surface of the housing body 21 has an end surface 26 intersecting and connected to the front surface 24 at a position forward of the opening of the main body mounting portion 25. The end surface 26 is a horizontal surface along the front-back direction and the left-right direction, and is arranged between the front surface 24 and the main body mounting portion 25.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown, the housing body 21 has a partitioning portion 27 protruding forward from the left and right ends of the front surface portion 24. Each partitioning portion 27 has an inner side surface 28 that is parallel to each other. The inner side surface 28 of each partitioning portion 27 is arranged in the up-down direction. The housing body 21 has a second latching receiving portion 29 opened on the inner side surface 28 of each partitioning portion 27. The second latching receiving portion 29 is open in front of the housing body 21.

[0027] like Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the housing body 21 has a pair of side portions 31 on the end surfaces on both sides, which intersect the front surface portion 24 and the end surface portion 26. The housing body 21 has a rib-shaped first locking receiving portion 32 extending in the front-back direction on each side portion 31. The first locking receiving portion 32 is arranged in pairs on each side portion 31 in the up-down direction.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown, a mounting portion 33 is provided between the upper ends of each partition portion 27. The housing body 21 has a cover mounting portion 34 between the inner side surfaces 28 of each partition portion 27 and at a position lower than the mounting portion 33. The cover mounting portion 34 is open in front of the housing body 21. The front cover portion 52 described below of the retainer 50 is arranged inside the cover mounting portion 34. The housing body 21 has a pair of housing groove portions 35 opened on both left and right sides of the lower end portion of the front surface portion 24. Each housing groove portion 35 is open from the front surface portion 24 to the end surface portion 26.

[0029] Furthermore, the housing 20 has a lock arm 36 that protrudes from the upper surface of the housing body 21 , and a protruding portion 37 that protrudes upward and downward from the rear end portion of the housing body 21 .

[0030] The locking arm 36 extends from the front end connected to the mounting portion 33 to the rear end, and can be elastically deformed in the up-down direction with the front end as a fulcrum. The locking arm 36 is locked to the other housing (not shown) to keep the housing 20 and the other housing in a mating state. Each extension 37 is wall-shaped, with the wall surface facing the front and the rear. The upper extension 37 surrounds the outer periphery of the rear end of the locking arm 36. The operator can perform the mating and disengagement operation of the connector 10 while holding each extension 37.

[0031] (Retaining Parts) The retainer 50 is made of a synthetic resin such as Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, there is a holder body 51, a front cover portion 52 arranged opposite to the holder body 51 and in front of the holder body 51, and a connecting portion 53 connecting the holder body 51 and the front cover portion 52. The positional relationship between the holder body 51 and the front cover portion 52 is maintained constant by the connecting portion 53.

[0032] The holder body 51 has a rectangular block shape and can be fitted into the interior of the body assembly portion 25 (see Figure 3 ). The retainer body 51 has a plurality of through holes 54 extending in the front-to-back direction. When the retainer body 51 is disposed inside the body assembly portion 25, each through hole 54 is connected to each cavity 22 other than the uppermost layer. The retainer body 51 has a rib-shaped anti-detachment portion 55 protruding from the lower surface of the inner wall of each through hole 54. Each anti-detachment portion 55 is formed in each of the through holes 54. In addition, in the upper surface of the retainer body 51, the anti-detachment portion 55 is also formed in a row at a position corresponding to the cavity 22 of the uppermost layer.

[0033] The front cover 52 is in the shape of a rectangular plate, with the plate surface facing forward and backward. Figure 8 to Figure 10 As shown, the front cover portion 52 has a plurality of protrusion insertion holes 56 that penetrate in the front-to-back direction. When the front cover portion 52 is configured to cover the front surface portion 24, each protrusion insertion hole 56 communicates with each cavity 22 (see Figure 3 When the connector 10 is mated, the tab 190 of the other terminal part is inserted into the tab insertion hole 56. Fig.10 As shown, the front cover 52 has a second stopper 57 protruding from the end surfaces on both sides. The second stopper 57 can be stopped at the second stop receiving portion 29 (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).

[0034] The front cover portion 52 has a pair of retainer grooves 58 extending through the front-back direction on both sides of the lower end. Each retainer groove 58 opens at an inner bottom surface 63 of a recess 62 described below of the front cover portion 52. When the front cover portion 52 is configured to cover the front surface portion 24, as shown in FIG. Figure 1As shown, each retainer groove 58 is connected to each housing groove 35. When the connector 10 is mated, a rib of a counterpart housing (not shown) is mated with each retainer groove 58 and each housing groove 35. If the housing 20 is in an incorrect mating posture with respect to the counterpart housing, the restriction rib is mated with the retainer groove 58 and the housing groove 35. Thus, the connector 10 is prevented from being mated incorrectly.

[0035] like Figure 8 to Figure 10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the connecting portion 53 is composed of a pair of side walls 59 arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Each side wall 59 is in a wall shape, and the wall surface is arranged in the left-right direction. The front end of each side wall 59 is connected to the end surfaces of the left and right sides of the front cover portion 52. The rear end of each side wall 59 is connected to the end surfaces of the left and right sides of the retainer body 51. Between the retainer body 51 and the front cover portion 52 and between each side wall 59, a space portion 60 is formed that passes through in the up-down direction (see FIG. 1 ). Fig. 9 ). When the retaining member 50 is assembled to the housing 20, as shown in FIG. Fig.12 As shown, the end surface portion 26 is exposed and arranged in the space portion 60. Figure 4 As shown, each side wall 59 has a first locking portion 61 protruding from the inner surface facing each other toward the space 60. The first locking portion 61 can be locked to the first locking receiving portion 32.

[0036] The retainer 50 is configured to be movable between a temporary locking position and a formal locking position relative to the housing 20. In the temporary locking position, the first locking portion 61 is embedded between the upper and lower first locking receiving portions 32 (see Figure 4 ), the first stopper 61 is arranged below the first stop receiving portion 32 on the upper side. Thus, the retainer 50 is kept relative to the housing 20 in a state where movement to the temporary stop position is restricted. In the formal stop position, the first stopper 61 is arranged above the first stop receiving portion 32 on the upper side, and the second stopper 57 is embedded in the second stop receiving portion 29 (refer to Figure 1 Thus, in the formal locking position where the retaining member 50 is held relative to the housing 20 and movement to the formal locking position is restricted, the upper end of the front cover portion 52 is blocked by the mounting portion 33, and movement of the retaining member 50 to a position above the formal locking position is reliably restricted.

[0037] like Fig.10As shown, the retaining member 50 has a recessed portion 62 in a concave shape on the lower surface of the front cover portion 52. The recess 62 penetrates the lower end portion of the front cover portion 52 in the front-to-back direction except for the left and right ends, and is open on the lower surface of the front cover portion 52, and is also open on the front surface and the rear surface of the front cover portion 52. Specifically, the recess 62 is divided by an inner bottom surface 63 extending longer in the left-to-right direction at the left and right central portions of the front cover portion 52, a pair of inner end surfaces 64 extending shorter in the up-down direction at the left and right ends of the front cover portion 52, and a right-angled or curved inner corner portion 65 located between the upper end of each inner end surface 64 and each end of the left and right ends of the inner bottom surface 63. The width of the recess 62 in the left-to-right direction exceeds half of the entire width of the front cover portion 52 in the left-to-right direction. The depth (height H1) of the recess 62 in the up-down direction is set to be the same as the thickness H2 of the cavity bottom 38 formed between the cavity 22 and the end surface portion 26 in the shell 20 (refer to Figure 5 ), or smaller than the thickness H2 of the cavity bottom 38 (H1≤H2). In addition, the depth (height H1) of the recess 62 in the up-down direction is set to be the same as the movement amount of the retainer 50 from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position, or smaller than the movement amount of the retainer 50.

[0038] like Fig.10 As shown, the holder body 51 has a body end 66 at the lower end in the vertical direction and in the same height range as the recess 62. The front surface of the body end 66 is arranged to be open to the front from the recess 62 and can be seen from the front.

[0039] (Function of connector) like Figure 3 As shown, when the retainer 50 is held at the temporary locking position relative to the housing 20, the terminal part 90 is inserted into the cavity 22 of the housing 20. The terminal part 90 is previously connected to the terminal end of the electric wire 100. When the terminal part 90 is correctly inserted to a predetermined position relative to the cavity 22, the lance 23 is configured to be locked to the first protrusion 93 of the connecting portion 91. Thus, the terminal part 90 is configured in the cavity 22 in a state where it is restricted from being pulled out once.

[0040] When the retainer 50 is in the temporary stop position, the front cover portion 52 is arranged inside the cover assembly portion 34. The first protrusion 93 of the terminal part 90 inserted into the cavity 22 at the lowermost end is arranged separately from the cover bottom 67 located at the upper part of the recess 62. The terminal part 90 is restricted from further advancement by touching the front cover portion 52. In addition, when the retainer 50 is in the temporary stop position, the retainer body 51 is arranged inside the body assembly portion 25, and the anti-detachment portion 55 is arranged to retreat from the cavity 22. Thus, the insertion of the terminal part 90 into the cavity 22 is allowed. The recessed portion 62 of the front cover 52 and the main body end 66 of the holder main body 51 are arranged below the end surface 26 in the temporary locking position. The front surface of the main body end 66 is arranged to be open forward from the recessed portion 62 in the temporary locking position and can be seen from the front.

[0041] After the terminal part 90 is inserted into the cavity 22, the retainer 50 moves from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. If a pressing force is applied upward to the retainer 50, the first locking receiving portion 32 and the first locking portion 61 are released from locking, and the second locking receiving portion 29 and the second locking portion 57 are released from locking, and the retainer 50 becomes movable to the formal locking position.

[0042] If the retaining member 50 reaches the formal locking position, Figure 3 As shown, the anti-slip portion 55 is configured to be able to be locked to the second protrusion 94 of the connecting portion 91. Thus, the terminal part 90 is secondarily restricted from slipping out. The main body end 66 of the retainer main body 51 reduces the amount of protrusion from the end surface portion 26 during the process from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position, and is entirely accommodated inside the main body assembly portion 25 in the formal locking position. When the retainer 50 is in the formal locking position, the cavity bottom 38 enters the space 60, and the lower surface of the retainer body 51 is arranged at the same height as the end surface 26. The inner bottom surface 63 of the recess 62 is arranged at the same height as the upper end of the cavity bottom 38. Figure 1 As shown, the lower end of the front surface portion 24 (including the front surface of the cavity bottom 38) is configured to be open to the front from the recess 62 and can be recognized from the front. Figure 3 As shown, the lowermost cavity 22 is arranged apart from the recess 62 so as not to communicate with the recess 62 even in the permanent locking position. The cover bottom 67 is arranged forward of the lance 23 protruding from the lowermost cavity 22.

[0043] In contrast, Fig.11 As shown, when the terminal part 90 is not inserted to the specified position relative to the cavity 22 and stays at the half-insertion position in the middle of the insertion, the inner surface of the through hole 54 of the retainer body 51 and the second protrusion 94 of the connecting portion 91 interfere with each other when the retainer 50 is halfway from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. As a result, the movement of the retainer 50 to the formal locking position is restricted. In addition, Fig.11 2 shows a case where one terminal part 90 inserted into the cavity 22 of the lowest layer stays at the half-insertion position, but when other terminal parts 90 stay at the half-insertion position, the movement of the retainer 50 to the formal locking position is also restricted in the same manner.

[0044] like Fig.11As shown, the inner bottom surface 63 of the recessed portion 62 is arranged so as to be aligned with the end surface portion 26 at the same height position at the midway position. The portion from the inner bottom surface 63 of the recessed portion 62 to the end surface portion 26 is arranged continuously in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the cover bottom 67 and the cavity bottom 38 are arranged in the same height range in the front-to-back direction. The main body end portion 66 also protrudes from the end surface portion 26 at a midway position. The front surface of the main body end portion 66 is disposed so as to be open to the front from the recessed portion 62 and can be recognized from the front.

[0045] After the moving operation of the retainer 50, an inspection is performed to determine whether the terminal part 90 is in the half-inserted position relative to the cavity 22. Fig.11 The inspection slider 80 is shown. The inspection slider 80 is set to move linearly from the front of the housing 20 along the end surface 26 to the rear. Specifically, the inspection slider 80 is in the shape of a horizontal plate and is set to move parallel to the end surface 26 at a certain height position. In addition, in the case of the first embodiment, since the lower side extension portion 37 is provided at the rear end of the housing 20, the inspection slider 80 cannot be moved from the rear of the housing 20.

[0046] The inspection slider 80 enters the recess 62 from the front and further moves along the portion from the inner bottom surface 63 of the recess 62 to the end surface 26. Here, if the terminal part 90 is inserted to a predetermined position relative to the cavity 22, the retainer 50 can reach the formal locking position, so that the lower surface of the retainer body 51 and the end surface 26 are continuous at the same height position. Therefore, the inspection slider 80 can move directly backward from the end surface 26 along the lower surface of the retainer body 51.

[0047] On the other hand, if the terminal part 90 stays in the semi-insertion position relative to the cavity 22, as described above, the main body end 66 of the retaining member main body 51 protrudes from the end surface portion 26, so that the rear end surface (the top end surface in the moving direction) of the inspection slider 80 abuts against the front surface of the main body end 66. As a result, the movement of the inspection slider 80 is restricted. In this way, it can be seen that by restricting the movement of the inspection slider 80, the retaining member 50 is located in the middle position and the terminal part 90 stays in the semi-insertion position relative to the cavity 22. That is, by using the detection method using the inspection slider 80, it is possible to indirectly detect that the terminal part 90 is in the semi-insertion position (hereinafter referred to as "terminal semi-insertion detection using the inspection slider 80").

[0048] As described above, in the case of the present first embodiment, the retainer 50 is a retainer of the front cover integrated type in which the front cover portion 52 and the retainer main body 51 are connected by the connecting portion 53. The retainer main body 51 has a main body end portion 66 that reduces the amount of protrusion from the end face portion 26 of the housing 20 from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. The front cover portion 52 has a recessed portion 62 that opens the front surface of the main body end portion 66 to the front at the temporary locking position and the midway position between the temporary locking position and the formal locking position. When the terminal part 90 stops at the half-insertion position, if the retainer 50 interferes with the terminal part 90 and stops at the midway position, the main body end portion 66 of the retainer main body 51 protrudes from the end face portion 26, and the inspection slider 80 that moves from the recessed portion 62 along the end face portion 26 can touch the front surface of the main body end portion 66. Therefore, even in the connector 10 including the front cover-integrated holder 50 , the inspection slider 80 can be brought into contact with the holder body 51 when the terminal fitting 90 is half-inserted, and the terminal half-insertion detection can be performed using the inspection slider 80 .

[0049] In addition, in the case of the present embodiment 1, the end surface portion 26 of the shell 20 is exposed in the space portion 60 formed between the side walls 59 of the connecting portion 53, and the front surface of the main body end 66 is opened to the front from the space portion 60 through the recess 62, so that when the terminal half-insertion detection is performed using the inspection slider 80, interference between the inspection slider 80 and the connecting portion 53 can be easily avoided.

[0050] In addition, when the terminal part 90 is halfway inserted and the retainer body 51 is located at the midway position, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown, the inner bottom surface 63 of the recessed portion 62 and the end surface portion 26 are arranged without a step in the front-rear direction, and the inspection slider 80 can move from the inner bottom surface 63 of the recessed portion 62 to the end surface portion 26 .

[0051] In addition, when the retainer 50 is located in the formal locking position, since a portion of the front surface portion 24 of the housing 20 is exposed inside the recess 62, the exposure state of the front surface portion 24 can be confirmed through the recess 62, and the position of the retainer 50 in the formal locking position can also be detected.

[0052] [Other embodiments of the present disclosure] The first embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as an example in all aspects and not restrictive. In the case of the first embodiment, as a member for holding the retainer on the housing, the retainer is provided with a first stopper and a second stopper, and the housing is provided with a first stopper receiving portion and a second stopper receiving portion. In contrast, in the case of other embodiments, as a member for holding the retainer on the housing, the retainer may be provided with only a first stopper, and the housing may be provided with only a first stopper receiving portion. In the case of the first embodiment, the recessed portion is provided in a portion other than the left and right ends of the lower end portion of the front cover portion. In contrast, in the case of other embodiments, the recessed portion may be provided over the entire width of the lower end portion of the front cover portion in the left-right direction. Alternatively, a plurality of recessed portions may be provided at intervals in the left-right direction. In the case of the first embodiment, when the retainer is at the midway position when the terminal part is half inserted, the inner bottom surface of the recess and the end surface are arranged without steps in the front-back direction. In contrast, in the case of other embodiments, when the retainer is at the midway position when the terminal part is half inserted, the inner bottom surface of the recess may also be arranged with steps at a position above the end surface. The recessed portion of the front cover opens the front surface of the main body end forward at the temporary locking position. In the present disclosure, when the retainer is at the temporary locking position, interference with the terminal parts at the half-insertion position is also included in the scope of the assumption. Description of Reference Numerals

[0053] 10…Connector 20…Housing 21…Housing body 22…Cavity 23…Spear 24…Front surface 25…Main assembly 26…End face 27…District Division 28…Inside 29…Second locking receiving portion 31… Side view 32…first locking receiving portion 33…Erection Department 34…Hood assembly part 35…Casing groove 36…Locking arm 37…Extension 38…Cavity bottom 50…Retaining parts 51…Retainer body 52…Front cover 53…Connection 54…Through hole 55…Anti-slip part 56…Tub insertion hole 57…Second stopper 58…Retainer groove 59…Sidewall 60…Space Department 61 ... first stopper 62…concave 63…Inner bottom 64…Inner end face 65…Inner corner 66…Main body end 67…Hood bottom 80…Inspection slider 90…Terminal parts 91…Connection 92…Cylinder 93…First protrusion 94…Second protrusion 100…Wire 190…Tab of the other terminal part 200…Terminal parts of reference figure 300…Reference diagram of the holding part 400...Refer to the housing in the figure 600...Reference figure holder 700…Refer to the front cover of the figure

Claims

1. A connector having: Terminal parts, which are connected to the ends of the wires; a housing for receiving the terminal parts; and The retainer is configured to be movable relative to the housing between a temporary locking position and a formal locking position, The housing has a front surface portion facing forward, an end surface portion arranged to intersect the front surface portion, and a main body mounting portion extending inside the housing and opening at the end surface portion. The holder includes a holder body disposed inside the body mounting portion, a front cover portion disposed to cover the front surface portion, and a connecting portion connecting the holder body and the front cover portion. The retainer body has a body end portion that reduces the amount of protrusion from the end surface portion from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position, and a retaining portion that locks the terminal part at the formal locking position. The main body end is arranged inside the housing at the formal locking position, The front cover has a recessed portion that opens the front surface of the main body end portion forward at the temporary locking position or at a midway position between the temporary locking position and the final locking position.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The housing has a pair of side surfaces in a width direction intersecting the front surface and the end surface. The connecting portion has a pair of side walls covering the pair of side portions, The end surface portion is exposed in a space portion formed between the pair of side walls.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: When the holder body interferes with the terminal part in the middle of being inserted into the housing at the middle position, the inner bottom surface of the recess and the end surface portion are arranged without a step in the front-rear direction.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The housing has a cavity for accommodating the terminal part. The cavity opens at the front surface portion, When the holder body is located at the permanent locking position, a part of the front surface portion is arranged to be exposed inside the recessed portion.

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