Connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector which can smoothly perform fitting operation and can further appropriately generate fitting sound. The housing (20) is provided with: a lock arm (28) which extends from the front end to the rear end in the direction in which the housing (20) is fitted to the counterpart housing (100), is elastically deformable in the direction intersecting the direction in which the housing (20) is fitted, and is locked to the counterpart housing (100); an end surface (26) disposed so as to face the rear end of the lock arm (28) in the intersecting direction; a pair of side sections (39) which are provided so as to protrude from the end surface (26) and which are disposed on both sides of the rear end section of the lock arm (28); and a covering part (41) which is erected on the pair of side parts (39) and covers the rear end part of the lock arm (28) from the opposite side of the end surface (26). Stepped portions (43, 44) are formed toward the rear side on a top surface (42) of the cover portion (41), the top surface (42) being on the opposite side from a surface facing the lock arm (28).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The connector described in Patent Document 1 comprises: a housing; a locking arm formed on an upper wall of the housing; a pair of plate-shaped support walls arranged with the rear end of the locking arm interposed therebetween; and a connecting portion mounted on each of the plate-shaped support walls and covering a portion of the rear end of the locking arm. A locking operation space is formed at the rear end of the connecting portion.

[0003] The connector described in Patent Document 2 comprises: a housing; a locking arm formed on the upper surface of the housing; an upper surface side protecting portion covering the rear end of the locking arm from above; and a pair of side side protecting portions covering the rear end of the locking arm from both left and right sides.

[0004] In Patent Documents 1 and 2, the rear end of the lock arm is configured as an operating portion (described as a "lock operating portion" in Patent Document 1). An operator can release the engagement between the housing and the mating housing by pressing the upper surface of the operating portion with a finger.

[0005] Patent Documents 3 and 4 also disclose locking arms having such operating portions. Patent Document 3 discloses the following technology: having a second locking protection wall covering the base end side of the locking arm, thereby achieving improved operability. Patent Document 4 discloses a technology for increasing the collision sound (referred to as "fitting sound" in Patent Document 4) generated by the elastic recovery of the locking arm. The fitting sound is the sound generated when the elastically recovered locking arm hits the wall surface of the other housing when the housing and the other housing reach the normal fitting position. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-190298 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-57578 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-66030 Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-158417 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the case of Patent Document 1, when the housing and the other housing are mated, the operator's finger may accidentally touch the upper surface of the operating portion through the locking operation space, and the housing reaches the regular mating position with the operating portion pressed down. In this way, after the housing reaches the mating position, even if the operator's finger leaves the operating portion, the locking arm may not be able to elastically restore with an appropriate elastic reaction force. Therefore, the above-mentioned mating sound becomes smaller, and there is a possibility that the detection based on hearing, which is the mating standard, cannot function.

[0008] In contrast, in the case of Patent Document 2, since the upper surface side protection portion covers the rear end portion of the locking arm from the upper side, it is possible to prevent the operator's fingers from contacting the rear end portion of the locking arm. Therefore, in the case of Patent Document 2, a mating sound may be generated. However, if the operator's fingers are pressed against the upper surface of the upper surface side protection portion to mate the housing and the other housing, the fingers may slide on the upper surface of the upper surface side protection portion, and the operation may not be smoothly performed.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector which can appropriately generate a mating sound and further can smoothly advance the mating operation. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0010] The connector of the present invention comprises a shell that is mated with a counterpart shell, the shell comprising: a locking arm that extends from a front end to a rear end in a mating direction with the counterpart shell, can be elastically deformed in a cross direction intersecting with the mating direction, and is locked in the counterpart shell; an end face that is arranged opposite to a rear end portion of the locking arm including the rear end in the cross direction; a pair of side portions that protrude from the end face and are arranged on both sides of the rear end portion of the locking arm; a covering portion that is mounted on the pair of side portions and covers the rear end portion of the locking arm from the opposite side of the end face; and a step portion that is formed toward the rear side on the top surface of the covering portion that is located on the opposite side to the surface opposite to the locking arm. Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided a connector which can appropriately generate a mating sound and further can smoothly advance a mating operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector in Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from obliquely above and from the front. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector. Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the housing viewed from the upper rear. Figure 4 is the rear view of the housing. Figure 5It is a partial cross-sectional view which enlarges the portion of the housing having the operating portion and the covering portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] [Description of Embodiments of the Invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples. The connector of the present invention, (1) A shell that is mated with a counterpart shell, the shell comprising: a locking arm extending from a front end to a rear end in a mating direction with the counterpart shell, capable of elastic deformation in a cross direction intersecting the mating direction and being locked in the counterpart shell; an end face arranged opposite to a rear end portion of the locking arm including the rear end in the cross direction; a pair of side portions protruding from the end face and arranged on both sides of the rear end portion of the locking arm; a covering portion mounted on the pair of side portions and covering the rear end portion of the locking arm from the opposite side of the end face; and a step portion formed toward the rear side on a top surface of the covering portion that is located on the opposite side to the surface opposite to the locking arm. According to the above structure, when the housing and the other housing are mated, the operator's fingers can be placed against the top surface of the cover to prevent the fingers from contacting the rear end of the lock arm. As a result, the lock arm can be prevented from accidentally elastically deforming, and when the housing reaches the normal mating position, the lock arm can be appropriately elastically restored to produce a predetermined mating sound. In addition, when the housing is pressed into the other housing, the step portion serves as an anti-slip portion for the fingers, so the mating operation can be carried out smoothly.

[0014] (2) Preferably, the rear end portion of the locking arm is arranged at a position farther from the end surface than a portion of the locking arm other than the rear end portion, and the covering portion is formed in a manner that covers the entire rear end portion of the locking arm when viewed from the opposite side of the end surface. According to the above configuration, it is easy to place the operator's fingers against the top surface of the cover portion, while more reliably preventing the fingers from contacting the rear end portion of the lock arm.

[0015] (3) Preferably, a plurality of the step portions are formed on the top surface of the cover portion so as to be aligned along the fitting direction. According to the above configuration, the plurality of step portions can function more effectively as anti-slip portions for fingers.

[0016] (4) Preferably, the step portion is formed in a trapezoidal shape or a U-shape when viewed from the side opposite to the end surface. According to the above structure, when the operator's finger is placed against the top surface of the cover, the finger can be moved along the trapezoidal or U-shaped step portion, so that a larger amount of the finger can be hooked on the step portion. As a result, the trapezoidal or U-shaped step portion can function more effectively as an anti-slip portion for the finger.

[0017] (5) Preferably, a plurality of the step portions are arranged along the fitting direction on the top surface of the cover portion and each of the step portions is trapezoidal or U-shaped when viewed from the side opposite to the end surface, forming a corrugated shape as a whole. According to the above structure, the multiple steps of trapezoidal or U-shaped parts can further effectively play a role as the anti-slip part of the finger. In addition, each step is formed into a corrugated shape as a whole, so it is easy to identify as the part that the finger is pressed against.

[0018] (6) Preferably, the rear end portion of the lock arm has a groove portion on a surface facing the cover portion, and the groove portion is inclined in a direction away from the cover portion as it goes toward the rear side. According to the above structure, when the housing is in the proper mating position, the jig or the like can be used to elastically deform the locking arm in the unlocking direction along the groove of the rear end of the locking arm. Therefore, even if the rear end of the locking arm is covered by the covering portion, the housing and the other housing can be properly released from mating.

[0019] [Details of Embodiments of the Invention] Specific examples of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0020] <Implementation Method 1> The connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal component 80, a housing 20, and a stopper 90. Figure 2 As shown, the housing 20 can be mated with the counterpart housing 100. In the following description, regarding the front-back direction, the side where the housing 20 and the counterpart housing 100 are mated, more specifically, the side where the housing 20 and the counterpart housing 100 face each other when mating starts is referred to as the front side. Figure 2 The left side is the front side. The up and down direction is based on the up and down direction of each figure. This up and down direction is not necessarily consistent with the gravity direction when the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like. Figure 4 The left and right directions are taken as the reference. Figure 1 In the figure, the reference numerals X, Y, and Z represent the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction, respectively. In the following description, the front end portion refers to the front side portion including the front end, and the rear end portion refers to the rear side portion including the rear end.

[0021] (Terminal parts) The terminal part 80 is integrally formed by bending a conductive metal plate or the like. Figure 2As shown, the terminal part 80 is elongated in the front-to-back direction, and has a connecting portion 81 at the front end and a barrel portion 82 at the rear end. The connecting portion 81 is in the shape of a square barrel, and receives the tab 181 of the other terminal part 180 mounted on the other housing 100, and is electrically connected to the other terminal part 180. The barrel portion 82 is crimped to the terminal portion of the wire W, and is electrically and mechanically connected to the wire W.

[0022] (case) The housing 20 is made of synthetic resin, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing body 21 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above and is long in the left-right direction. Figure 2 As shown, the housing body 21 has a plurality of cavities 22 extending in the front-rear direction. A lance 23 is protrudingly formed on the inner wall of each cavity 22. The terminal part 80 is inserted into the cavity 22 from the rear side, and the connecting part 81 is locked to the lance 23, thereby preventing the terminal from being initially removed from the housing body 21. The wire W is led out from the cavity 22 of the housing body 21 to the rear side.

[0023] The housing body 21 has a stopper mounting hole 24 in the middle of the front-to-back direction, and the stopper mounting hole 24 is open over the left and right side surfaces and the bottom surface of the housing body 21. Each cavity 22 is divided into front and back sections via the stopper mounting hole 24 on the inner side of the housing body 21 (see Figure 3 ).like Figure 1 As shown, the housing body 21 has a protruding wall 25 formed from the upper front end to the left and right front ends. The front surface 21A of the housing body 21 is controlled and arranged at a front-rear position corresponding to the rear end of the protruding wall 25 (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper surface of the housing body 21 is formed as an end surface 26 facing upward. The end surface 26 of the housing body 21 has a concave surface 27 that is recessed from both sides in the right direction in the middle portion in the left-right direction. The housing 20 has a locking arm 28 that protrudes from the concave surface 27 of the housing body 21. The locking arm 28 has a pair of arm bodies 29 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction and a connecting portion 31 that is connected to the rear end of each arm body 29.

[0025] Each arm body 29 is in the shape of a plate extending in the front-to-back direction and is arranged parallel to each other. The front end of each arm body 29 is connected to the upper front end of the concave surface 27 of the housing body 21, forming a part of the protruding wall 25. The locking arm 28 can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction with the front end of each arm body 29 as a fulcrum. A locking protrusion 32 is protrudingly formed on the upper surface of each arm body 29. Figure 2 As shown, the locking protrusion 32 is inserted into the locking hole 111 formed in the cover portion 110 of the counterpart housing 100, so that the housing 20 and the counterpart housing 100 are kept in the fitted state. Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the connection portion 31 is in the shape of a rib extending in the left-right direction, and the end portions in the left-right direction are connected to the rear ends of the arm bodies 29 .

[0026] like Figure 4 As shown, the lock arm 28 has an operating portion 33 protruding upward from the connecting portion 31. The operating portion 33 is composed of a leg portion 34 and an operating body 35 connected to the upper end of each leg portion 34, and the leg portion 34 stands up short from multiple locations in the connecting portion 31 spaced apart in the left-right direction, in the case shown in the figure, from three locations.

[0027] Each leg portion 34 is arranged at a position corresponding to each arm body 29 and a position corresponding to between each arm body 29 in the left-right direction. Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rear surface of the leg portion 34 is in the shape of an inclined surface that tilts backward toward the upper side. Figure 4 As shown, the operating body 35 is in the shape of a plate extending in the left-right direction, and the end portions and the middle portion in the left-right direction are respectively connected to the upper end of the connecting portion 31. The upper surface of the operating body 35 is arranged at a position higher than the upper surfaces of each arm body 29 and the connecting portion 31, and becomes an opposing surface 36 opposed to the cover portion 41 described later.

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rear end portion of the operating body 35 is formed to be thicker than the front end portion of the operating body 35. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rear end of the operating body 35 has a notch-shaped groove 37 in the middle of the left-right direction of the facing surface 36. The groove 37 has a certain width in the left-right direction at the facing surface 36 of the rear end of the operating body 35, such as Figure 5 As shown, it is in the shape of an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear side.

[0029] The housing 20 has a flange portion 38 extending over the entire circumference from the rear end portion of the housing body 21. Figure 4 As shown, the flange portion 38 has a rectangular outer shape with chamfered four corners in a rear view.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 20 has a pair of side portions 39 covering the operating portion 33 from the side on the left and right sides of the operating portion 33 sandwiching the lock arm 28. Each side portion 39 protrudes from the end surface 26 of the housing body 21, and the rear end portion is integrated with the flange portion 38. When viewed from above, each side portion 39 has a tapered shape in which the distance between each other decreases as it goes toward the front side.

[0031] The housing 20 has a cover 41 connected to the upper ends of the side portions 39 and mounted on the side portions 39. The rear end of the cover 41 is integrated with the flange 38. The cover 41 has a trapezoidal or U-shaped outer shape that decreases in width toward the front side in a plan view.

[0032] The front end and the rear end of the covering portion 41 are arranged along the left-right direction. Figure 2 As shown, the front end of the cover portion 41 is arranged at a position overlapping with each arm body 29 in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the cover portion 41 is arranged at the same position as the rear end of the housing body 21 in the front-rear direction.

[0033] The cover 41 is located above the operation portion 33 and covers the operation portion 33 from above. In other words, the cover 41 is spaced apart from the entire facing surface 36 of the operation portion 33. The entire operation portion 33 is covered by the cover 41 when the housing 20 is viewed from above.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the upper surface of the cover 41 is the top surface 42, and when the housing 20 and the counterpart housing 100 are mated, the operator's finger F is pressed against the top surface 42. A plurality of step portions 43 and 44 are formed on the top surface 42 of the cover 41. Each step portion 43 and 44 is arranged toward the rear side. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , each step portion 43, 44 is a curved surface inclined forward relative to the vertical direction. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, each step portion 43, 44 is trapezoidal or U-shaped in a plan view, and has a straight portion 45 extending in the left-right direction and a pair of inclined portions 46 whose distance from each other increases as the distance increases toward the rear side. The front end of each inclined portion 46 and the left and right ends of each straight portion 45 are connected via a corner portion 47 that is curved in a plan view. The rear end of each inclined portion 46 is located at the rear end of the cover portion 41. Each step portion 43, 44 is similar to the outer shape of the cover portion 41, and is generally in a corrugated shape in a plan view.

[0035] In the case of the first embodiment, each step portion 43, 44 is composed of a first step portion 43 and a second step portion 44. The straight portion 45 of the first step portion 43 is arranged on the front side of the straight portion 45 of the second step portion 44. The corner portion 47 of the second step portion 44 has a larger curvature radius than the corner portion 47 of the first step portion 43.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, on the top surface 42 of the cover portion 41, a third flat surface 48 is formed on the rear side of the second step portion 44, a second flat surface 49 is formed between the first step portion 43 and the second step portion 44, and a first flat surface 51 is formed on the front side of the first step portion 43. The first flat surface 51, the second flat surface 49, and the third flat surface 48 are all arranged toward the upper side and are formed flatly along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0037] The second flat surface 49 is arranged at a position higher than the third flat surface 48 via the second step portion 44. The first flat surface 51 is arranged at a position higher than the second flat surface 49 via the first step portion 43. The first step portion 43 is arranged at a position higher than the second step portion 44 via the second flat surface 49. More specifically, Figure 5 As shown, in the cross-sectional view of the housing 20 , the top surface 42 of the cover portion 41 is formed in an upward step shape toward the front side.

[0038] (Stop) The stopper 90 is made of synthetic resin, such as Figure 2 As shown, the stopper body 91, the front cover portion 92 and a pair of side walls 93 (in Figure 1 Only one is shown in the figure).

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the stopper body 91 is in a square shape and is inserted into the inner side of the stopper mounting hole 24. The stopper body 91 has a plurality of through holes 94 communicating with each cavity 22 and a plurality of anti-detachment portions 95 for preventing each terminal part 80 from being detached in a secondary manner.

[0040] The front cover portion 92 is plate-shaped and is disposed opposite to the front surface 21A of the housing body 21. The front cover portion 92 has a plurality of protrusion insertion holes 96 communicating with each cavity 22. The protrusions 181 of the mating terminal parts 180 are inserted from the front into each protrusion insertion hole 96. The stopper 90 is assembled to the housing body 21 from the lower side. The front cover portion 92 is stopped by the protrusion wall 25 from the lower side.

[0041] (Function of connector) When the shell 20 and the other shell 100 are mated, the shell 20 is pressed forward toward the other shell 100. Due to the installation environment of the connector 10 and the like, the operator sometimes has to hold the shell 20 from both sides when performing the mating operation. Here, because the operating portion 33 of the locking arm 28 is arranged on the end surface 26 of the shell body 21, the operating portion 33 may be accidentally pressed down if the operator's finger touches the operating portion 33. On the other hand, in the case of the present embodiment 1, a covering portion 41 is arranged on the upper side of the operating portion 33 so as to cover the entire operating portion 33. Therefore, when performing the mating operation, as shown in FIG. Figure 2As shown, the finger F can be reliably placed against the cover portion 41. In this way, the operator can place the thumb against the cover portion 41 and the index finger against the lower end of the flange portion 38 to perform the fitting operation. Therefore, during the fitting operation, the operation portion 33 can be prevented from being pressed down by the operator's finger F.

[0042] During the mating process of the housing 20, the locking protrusion 32 interferes with the cover 110 of the other housing 100, so that the locking arm 28 is elastically deformed, and the operating portion 33 is displaced downward in a manner close to the end surface 26 of the housing body 21. Here, the mating resistance is generated due to the interference between the housing 20 and the other housing 100 and the contact between the terminal part 80 and the other terminal part 180. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the operator can overcome the fitting resistance and press the step portions 43 and 44 formed on the top surface 42 of the cover portion 41 from behind with the finger F. Therefore, the finger F will not slide on the top surface 42 of the cover portion 41, and the fitting operation can be promoted. Figure 1 As shown, since each step portion 43, 44 is trapezoidal or U-shaped in a plan view, the finger F can be placed relatively widely along each step portion 43, 44, and each step portion 43, 44 effectively functions as an anti-slip portion for the finger F.

[0043] Then, when the housing 20 reaches the proper mating position, the locking arm 28 elastically recovers, and while the locking protrusion 32 is embedded in the locking hole 111, each arm body 29, which obtains the elastic reaction force of the locking arm 28, strikes the inner wall (wall surface) of the cover 110 to produce a mating sound. By hearing the mating sound, the operator can determine that the housing 20 has reached the proper mating position. That is, the operator can know the mating state of the connector 10 by hearing.

[0044] When the housing 20 and the counterpart housing 100 are to be disengaged due to maintenance or the like, the locking arm 28 needs to be elastically deformed in the direction of releasing the locking protrusion 32 from the locking hole 111. Usually, the operator can elastically deform the locking arm 28 in the direction of releasing the locking protrusion 32 by pressing the opposing surface 36, which is the upper surface of the operating portion 33, with a finger from above. However, in the case of the present embodiment 1, since the covering portion 41 is arranged on the upper side of the operating portion 33 so as to cover the entire operating portion 33, it is difficult for the operator's finger to abut against the opposing surface 36 of the operating portion 33, but a groove portion 37 that is inclined downward toward the rear side is formed on the opposing surface 36 of the operating portion 33. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, by inserting the jig 200 between the operating portion 33 and the cover portion 41 from the rear, the jig 200 is moved along the groove 37, so that the lock arm 28 can be elastically deformed in the unlocking direction. Thus, the housing 20 can be pulled away from the mating housing 100.

[0045] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the housing 20 and the counterpart housing 100 are mated, the finger F of the operator is pressed against the top surface 42 of the cover portion 41, thereby preventing the finger F from contacting the rear end of the lock arm 28. As a result, the lock arm 28 can be prevented from being accidentally elastically deformed, and when the housing 20 reaches the regular mating position, the lock arm 28 can be appropriately elastically restored to produce a predetermined mating sound. In addition, when the housing 20 is pressed into the counterpart housing 100, the step portions 43 and 44 serve as anti-slip portions for the finger F, so that the mating operation can be smoothly performed.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the fingers F of the operator can be guided along the stepped portions 43 and 44 of the trapezoidal or U-shaped shapes that protrude forward, so that the hook margin of the fingers F on the stepped portions 43 and 44 can be increased, and the fingers F can effectively function as anti-slip portions. Furthermore, since the stepped portions 43 and 44 are formed in a corrugated shape as a whole, they can be easily recognized as portions for the fingers F to abut.

[0047] Even if the operation portion 33 is covered by the cover portion 41 , the housing 20 and the mating housing 100 can be appropriately released by moving the jig 200 along the groove 37 of the operation portion 33 .

[0048] [Other embodiments of the present invention] It should be considered that the above-mentioned Embodiment 1 disclosed this time is an illustration and not restrictive in all aspects. In the case of the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, a plurality of step portions are formed on the top surface of the operation portion. On the other hand, according to another embodiment, only one step portion may be formed on the top surface of the operation portion. In the case of the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the step portion is formed by the straight portion and the pair of inclined portions into a trapezoidal or U-shaped shape when viewed from above. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the entire step portion can be a straight portion, forming a straight line when viewed from above. Alternatively, the entire step portion can be formed into a curved shape when viewed from above. In the case of the first embodiment, the locking arm is a structure that is elastically deformed with the front end portion connected to the upper surface of the housing body as a fulcrum. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the locking arm may have a pair of support arms extending in the middle of the front-back direction and connected to each side portion, and elastically deforms in a seesaw-like manner with each support arm as a fulcrum. In the case of the first embodiment, the lock arm has a pair of arm bodies arranged at a distance in the left-right direction. In contrast, according to another embodiment, the lock arm may have a single arm body connected over the entire width in the left-right direction. In the case of the first embodiment, the jig is moved along the groove of the operating part to elastically deform the lock arm in the unlocking direction. In contrast, according to other embodiments, for example, when the connector is a large connector, the lock arm may be elastically deformed in the unlocking direction by moving the fingertip along the groove of the operating part. Description of Reference Numerals

[0049] 10: Connector 20: Shell 21: Shell body 21A: Front surface 22: Cavity 23: Spear 24: Stopper mounting hole 25: Breakout 26: End face 27: Concave 28: Locking arm 29: Arm body 31: Connection 32: Locking protrusion 33: Operation Department 34: Legs 35: Operation subject 36: Opposite surface 37: Groove 38: Flange 39: Side 41: Covering 42: Top surface 43: First step (step) 44: Second step (step) 45: Straight 46: Inclined part 47: Corner 48: 3rd flat surface 49: Second flat surface 51: 1st flat surface 80: Terminal parts 81: Connection 82: Cylinder 90: Stopper 91: Stopper body 92: Front cover 93: Sidewall 94: Through hole 95: Anti-slip part 96: Tab insertion hole 100: Other shell 110: Hood 111: Locking hole 180: Other terminal parts 181: Tab 200: Jig F: Finger W: Wire

Claims

1. A connector comprising a housing that engages with a counterpart housing, The housing has: A locking arm extending from a front end to a rear end in a mating direction with the mating shell, and capable of elastic deformation in a direction intersecting with the mating direction, and being locked in the mating shell; an end surface disposed opposite to a rear end portion of the locking arm including the rear end in the intersecting direction; a pair of side portions, protruding from the end surface and arranged on both sides of the rear end portion of the locking arm; a covering portion, which is mounted on the pair of side portions and covers the rear end portion of the locking arm from the opposite side of the end surface; as well as The step portion is formed toward the rear side on a top surface of the cover portion that is located on the opposite side to a surface of the cover portion that faces the lock arm.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The rear end portion of the lock arm is arranged at a position farther from the end surface than a portion of the lock arm other than the rear end portion. The covering portion is formed so as to cover the entire rear end portion of the lock arm when viewed from the side opposite to the end surface.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: A plurality of the step portions are formed on the top surface of the cover portion in a row along the fitting direction.

4. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The step portion is formed in a trapezoidal shape or a U-shape when viewed from the side opposite to the end surface.

5. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The plurality of step portions are arranged along the fitting direction on the top surface of the cover portion, and each of the step portions is trapezoidal or U-shaped when viewed from the side opposite to the end surface, forming a corrugated shape as a whole.

6. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The rear end portion of the lock arm has a groove portion on a surface facing the cover portion, and the groove portion is inclined in a direction away from the cover portion as it goes toward the rear side.

Images