Connector

Abstract

The cover is prevented from interfering with the tab. A laminated connector (A) is provided with: a housing (21, 22, 23, 24); a male terminal fitting (40) having a tab (42) projecting forward in a cantilevered manner, the male terminal fitting (40) being attached to the housing (21, 22, 23, 24) in a state in which the tab (42) projects forward from the front surface of the housing (21, 22, 23, 24); and a cover (50) that can be attached to and detached from the housing (21, 22, 23, 24) and covers the tab (42) in a state of being attached to the housing (21, 22, 23, 24), in which a guide rib (27) and a guide groove (63) are formed in the housing (21, 22, 23, 24) and the cover (50), and the guide rib (27) and the guide groove (63) guide the cover (50) so that the cover (50) is displaced relative to the housing (21, 22, 23, 24) on a path that does not interfere with the tab (42).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a male connector having a plurality of stacked flat male sub-shells and a male terminal part mounted on each male sub-shell. The male connector is mounted on a male retaining body having a cover portion, and a movable plate is housed in the cover portion. The protrusion at the top of the male terminal part is positioned by the movable plate. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-044386 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] When the male connector is not mounted on the male retainer, the tab of the male terminal part protrudes and is exposed in front of the male sub-shell, so the tab may be deformed due to interference with other components. As a countermeasure, a cover surrounding the tab is pre-installed at the front end of the male sub-shell.

[0005] However, since the tab protrudes forward from the front surface of the male sub-shell, when the cover is removed from the male sub-shell, if the cover is tilted with the front surface of the male sub-shell as a fulcrum, the cover may interfere with the tab. In addition, when the cover is installed after the male terminal part is installed on the male sub-shell, if the cover is tilted, the cover may interfere with the tab.

[0006] The connector of the present invention is completed based on the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the cover from interfering with the protrusion. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0007] The connector of the present invention comprises: a shell; a male terminal part having a protrusion protruding forward in a cantilevered manner, so that the protrusion is installed on the shell in a state where it protrudes forward from the front surface of the shell; and a cover that can be installed and removed relative to the shell and covers the protrusion when installed on the shell, wherein a guide portion is formed on the shell and the cover, and the guide portion guides the cover in a manner that allows it to be relatively displaced relative to the shell on a path that does not interfere with the protrusion. Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the cover from interfering with the tab. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the stacked connector of Example 1 viewed from the upper front obliquely. Figure 2is a rear cross-sectional view of a stacked connector. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the exploded state of the stacked connector as seen from the upper rear oblique view. Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing a state where the stacking connector is installed on a jig, as seen from the upper front obliquely. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a state where the cover is removed from the housing using a jig, as seen from the upper front obliquely. Figure 6 This is a stereoscopic view of the third shell viewed from the upper rear. Figure 7 This is a stereoscopic view of the third shell viewed from the lower rear. Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional view of the cover viewed from the upper rear. Fig. 9 This is a three-dimensional view of the cover viewed from the rear and obliquely below. Fig.10 This is a side view showing the process of stacking connectors. Fig.11 It is a side cross-sectional view showing the process of stacking connectors. Fig.12 It is a plan cross-sectional view showing a state in which the holding function of the receiving portion and the elastic holding piece is exerted. Fig.13 It is a plan cross-sectional view showing a state in which the holding functions of the receiving portion and the elastic holding piece are released. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] [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) It comprises: a housing; a male terminal part having a protrusion protruding forward in a cantilevered manner, so that the protrusion is installed on the housing in a state where the protrusion protrudes forward from the front surface of the housing; and a cover that can be attached to and detached from the housing and covers the protrusion when attached to the housing, wherein a guide portion is formed between the housing and the cover, and the guide portion guides the cover in a manner that allows the cover to be relatively displaced relative to the housing on a path that does not interfere with the protrusion. According to the structure of the present invention, since the cover is guided in a manner that moves on a path that does not interfere with the protrusion, interference between the cover and the tab can be prevented.

[0011] (2) Preferably, the guide path of the guide portion is a straight path in the front-rear direction parallel to the protruding direction of the protruding piece. According to this structure, since the movement path of the cover is a straight path parallel to the protruding direction of the protruding piece, interference between the cover and the protruding piece can be prevented even if the cover is not enlarged. The shape of the housing and the shape of the cover can be simplified.

[0012] (3) In (2), preferably, the shell and the cover form a flat shape whose width dimension is larger than the height dimension, the cover has a covering portion and an arm portion, the covering portion covers the plurality of protrusions arranged in the width direction, the arm portion extends rearward in a cantilevered manner from both ends of the covering portion in the width direction, and the guide portion is formed on the arm portion. According to this structure, during the process of removing the cover from the shell, even if the cover tilts in the height direction after the rear end of the guide portion on the cover side is separated from the front end of the guide portion on the shell side, the covering portion can be prevented from interfering with the protrusion.

[0013] (4) In (3), preferably, the plurality of shells are stacked in the height direction, and when the plurality of shells are stacked, the plurality of covers are arranged in a stacked manner in the height direction, and two covers that overlap each other in the stacked state are formed with positioning parts that restrict relative displacement in the width direction by mutual engagement. According to this structure, the two covers that overlap each other in the stacked state are restricted from relative displacement in the width direction by mutual engagement of the positioning parts, so that some of the stacked covers can be prevented from being misaligned in the width direction relative to the shell.

[0014] (5) In (3) or (4), preferably, the plurality of shells are stacked in the height direction, and when the plurality of shells are stacked, the plurality of covers are stacked in the height direction, and a jig stopper is formed on the outer side of the plurality of covers. According to this structure, by causing the jig to stop at the plurality of jig stoppers arranged in the height direction, the plurality of covers can be removed from the shell in one action.

[0015] (6) In (5), it is preferred that the jig stopper is formed so that at least a portion of the region in the arm portion where the guide portion is formed is in the shape of a thick-walled protrusion. According to this structure, since the rigidity of the portion in the cover where the guide portion is formed is improved by the protruding jig stopper, it is possible to prevent the guide portions on both sides from being deformed due to the deformation of the guide portion on the cover side.

[0016] [Details of Embodiments of the Invention] [Example 1] Reference Figures 1 to 13 The stacked connector A of the first embodiment of the present invention is described. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope of the same concept as the claims. In the first embodiment, regarding the front and rear directions, Figure 1 , 3 The F direction in 13 is defined as the front. Regarding the left and right directions, Figures 1 to 9 The R direction in 12 and 13 is defined as the right direction. The left-right direction and the width direction are used synonymously. Figures 1 to 11 The H direction in the formula is defined as the upward direction. The up-down direction, the height direction, and the stacking direction are used synonymously.

[0017] <Overview of stacking connector A> like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the stacked connector A of the first embodiment includes multiple types (four types, namely, the first to fourth types in the first embodiment) of sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14. Fig.11 As shown, each sub-connector 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 includes a housing 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , a plurality of male terminal fittings 40 mounted on the housing 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , and a cover 50 mounted on the housing 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 .

[0018] The sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, 14 are formed as a whole into a flat rectangular shape whose height dimension is small relative to the depth dimension in the front-back direction and the width dimension in the left-right direction. The stacked connector A is formed by assembling a plurality of sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, 14 in a stacked state in the height direction. Specifically, a first sub-connector 11, a second sub-connector 12, three third sub-connectors 13, and a fourth sub-connector 14 are stacked in order from the bottom.

[0019] The assembled stacked connector A is installed in an outer housing (not shown) in a state where the cover 50 is removed from each housing 21, 22, 23, 24, that is, in a state where the tabs 42 of the male terminal parts 40 protrude forward from the front surface of each housing 21, 22, 23, 24. The outer housing has a frame that accommodates the stacked housings 21, 22, 23, 24 and a square cylindrical cover that protrudes forward from the frame. The plurality of tabs 42 protruding from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 are surrounded by the cover. The front ends of the plurality of tabs 42 are positioned by a movable plate (not shown) accommodated in the cover.

[0020] <Structure of Housings 21, 22, 23, 24> Reference Figure 3 , 6 , 7, and 11 illustrate the common structure of the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, and 24. Each housing 21, 22, 23, and 24 is formed as a whole in the shape of a flat rectangle whose height dimension is smaller than the depth dimension in the front-rear direction and the width dimension in the left-right direction. Fig.11 As shown, a plurality of terminal storage chambers 25 elongated in the front-to-back direction are formed in parallel in the width direction in each housing 21, 22, 23, 24. The terminal storage chambers 25 are open at both end surfaces of the housing 21, 22, 23, 24. A lance 26 is formed in each terminal storage chamber 25, and the lance 26 is used to prevent the male terminal parts 40 described later from falling off.

[0021] like Figure 2 , 6 As shown, a pair of guide ribs 27 are formed on the left and right outer side surfaces of the housing 21, 22, 23, 24. The guide ribs 27 are portions that function as guides for guiding the cover 50 when the cover 50 is mounted or removed relative to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24. The guide ribs 27 are shaped so as to protrude outward in the width direction from the outer surface of the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 and extend linearly in the front-to-back direction. The guide ribs 27 are arranged in the front end side area of ​​the housing 21, 22, 23, 24. The rear end of the guide ribs 27 functions as a receiving portion 28. The receiving portion 28 has the function of keeping the cover 50 in a state of being assembled to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 and the function of limiting the relative displacement of the two housings 21, 22, 23, 24 that overlap each other in a stacked state in the front-to-back direction.

[0022] like Figure 6 , 7 As shown, a bulge 29 that protrudes outward in the width direction is formed in the rear end area of ​​the left and right outer side surfaces. The upper surface of the bulge 29 is located lower than the upper surface of the shell 21, 22, 23, 24 and the receiving portion 28, and due to this height difference, an upper surface recess 30 is formed above the bulge 29. When the shell 21, 22, 23, 24 is viewed from above, the receiving portion 28 and the upper surface recess 30 are arranged in a front-to-rear adjacent manner. A jig fixing portion 31 that is shaped to protrude outward in the width direction is formed at the rear end of the bulge 29. As shown in FIG. Figure 2 , 7 As shown, locking protrusions 32 extending in a rib-like manner along the front-rear direction are formed on the left and right outer sides of the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24. The above is a common structure of the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, and 24.

[0023] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown in FIG. 6 , elastic locking pieces 33 are formed at the left and right ends of the upper surfaces of the first to third housings 21, 22, and 23. The elastic locking pieces 33 are shaped like walls protruding upward. The elastic locking pieces 33 can be elastically deformed in a manner that is inclined in the left and right directions. Figure 2 As shown, the elastic locking piece 33 is locked with the locking protrusion 32, thereby locking the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 stacked up and down to each other in a stacked state.

[0024] The second to fourth housings 22, 23, 24 are provided with a holding release portion 34 (see Figure 6 , 7, 10). The holding release portion 34 is a portion of the bulging portion 29 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the housing 22, 23, 24. When viewed from above, the holding release portion 34 and the upper surface recess 30 are arranged in the same area. The holding release portion 34 has a function of releasing the locking of the first to third housings 21, 22, 23 and the cover 50.

[0025] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, a plurality of protrusions 35 are formed on the second housing 22 and the third housing 23. The plurality of protrusions 35 are arranged on the upper surfaces of the second housing 22 and the third housing 23 in a manner arranged at a predetermined pitch along the width direction. In the width direction, the plurality of protrusions 35 are arranged at the same position as the plurality of terminal storage chambers 25 formed in the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24. In the front-to-back direction, the protrusions 35 are arranged behind the lance 26.

[0026] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, a plurality of cutouts 36 are formed in the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24. Each cutout 36 is formed by cutting out the bottom wall of the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24 in a slender manner in the front-rear direction along the terminal storage chamber 25. Fig.11 As shown, the front end edge 36F of the cutout portion 36 is located behind the lance 26. The cutout portion 36 communicates with the terminal receiving chamber 25 over its entire length. The rear end of the cutout portion 36 communicates with the opening of the terminal receiving chamber 25 at the rear end surface of the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24.

[0027] <Structure of the male terminal part 40> The male terminal part 40 is generally elongated in the front-rear direction. Fig.11 As shown, the male terminal part 40 has a terminal body 41, an elongated protrusion 42 protruding forward in a cantilevered manner from the terminal body 41, and a crimping portion 43 extending rearward from the terminal body 41. The crimping portion 43 is connected to the front end of the electric wire 46 by crimping. A protruding primary stopper 44 is formed in the central area of ​​the front-to-back direction of the terminal body 41. A stepped secondary stopper 45 is formed at the rear end of the terminal body 41.

[0028] <Structure of Cover 50> The cover 50 is a common component for the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, and 24. The cover 50 is a single component made of synthetic resin. Figure 8 , 9 As shown, the cover 50 is a flat shape with a height dimension smaller than the depth dimension in the front-rear direction and the width dimension in the left-right direction. The cover 50 has a cover portion 51 in the shape of a flat square tube and a pair of arm portions 60 that are symmetrical with respect to each other.

[0029] The cover portion 51 includes an upper wall portion 52, a lower wall portion 53, and a pair of left and right side walls 54. Fig.11 As shown, an inspection port 55 elongated in the left-right direction is formed on the front surface of the cover 51. The inspection port 55 is an opening that connects the internal space of the cover 51 with the front exterior of the cover 51. The left and right side walls 54 have a width dimension that is substantially the same as the height dimension of the side wall 54, and are thick-walled blocks as a whole. Positioning recesses 56 are formed on the side walls 54 in a shape that makes the upper surface of the side wall 54 elongated and concave in the front-back direction. Positioning protrusions 57 protruding downward from the lower surface of the side wall 54 are formed on the side walls 54. When the cover 50 is viewed from above, the positioning protrusions 57 and the positioning recesses 56 are arranged in the same area.

[0030] The pair of arm portions 60 are shaped to extend rearward in a cantilevered manner from the left and right ends of the cover portion 51, that is, the rear end of the side wall portion 54. The upper surface of the arm portion 60 is set higher than the upper surface of the side wall portion 54, and due to the height difference, a step-shaped abutment portion 61 facing forward is formed at the front end of the arm portion 60. The lower surface of the arm portion 60 is set higher than the lower surface of the side wall portion 54, and due to the height difference, a step-shaped disengagement restriction portion 62 facing rearward is formed at the rear end of the side wall portion 54.

[0031] A guide groove 63 is formed in each arm portion 60 and extends linearly in the front-back direction. The guide groove 63 is composed of a side plate portion 64, an upper plate portion 65, and a lower plate portion 66, and is opened on the inner side surface of the arm portion 60 (the surface of the arm portions 60 facing each other). The front end of the guide groove 63 is opened at the front end surface of the arm portion 60, and the rear end of the guide groove 63 is opened at the rear end surface of the arm portion 60. The guide groove 63 is a guide portion that plays a function of stabilizing the posture of the cover 50 relative to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 and guiding the cover 50 along a predetermined path when the cover 50 is attached or detached relative to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24. The dimension in the front-back direction from the rear end surface of the cover portion 51 to the rear end of the guide groove 63 is set to be larger than the dimension from the front end surface of the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 to the front end of the protrusion 42 (the protrusion dimension of the protrusion 42).

[0032] A pair of elastic retaining pieces 67 are formed in the pair of arm portions 60. The elastic retaining piece 67 is arranged at the rear end portion of the guide groove 63, and is formed to extend rearward in a cantilevered shape. A retaining protrusion 68 is formed at the rear end portion of the elastic retaining piece 67, which protrudes inward in the width direction (toward the direction of the elastic retaining piece 67 on the opposite side). The elastic retaining piece 67 can be elastically deformed in the width direction with the front end portion of the elastic retaining piece 67 as a fulcrum. The portion of the elastic retaining piece 67 that is closer to the front than the retaining protrusion 68 constitutes the rear end portion of the side plate portion 64. The rear end portion of the elastic retaining piece 67 where the retaining protrusion 68 is formed is arranged farther back than the rear end of the upper plate portion 65.

[0033] A protection portion 69 for protecting the elastic retaining piece 67 is formed at the rear end portion of the arm portion 60. The protection portion 69 is a wall-shaped portion disposed on the outside in the width direction relative to the elastic retaining piece 67. The front end portion of the protection portion 69 is connected to the outer side surface of the side plate portion 64. The front end side area of ​​the protection portion 69 is connected to the upper plate portion 65 and the lower plate portion 66. A jig stopper 70 is formed on the arm portion 60. The jig stopper 70 is in the shape of a block protruding from the outer side surface of the front end portion of the protection portion 69 to the outside in the width direction. The jig stopper 70 is disposed within the range of the region of the arm portion 60 where the guide groove 63 is formed in the front-to-back direction. The strength and rigidity of the portion of the arm portion 60 where the guide groove 63 is formed are improved by the jig stopper 70 having a large dimension in the width direction.

[0034] <Steps for Mounting Cover 50 to Housings 21, 22, 23, 24> The assembly of the cover 50 with respect to the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, 24 is performed before the male terminal parts 40 are mounted on the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. During the assembly, the cover 50 is brought close to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 from the front, the rear end of the arm 60 is brought along the outer side of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, and the rear end of the guide groove 63 is engaged with the front end of the guide rib 27. The cover 50 is positioned with respect to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 in the up-down direction and the left-right direction by the engagement of the guide rib 27 and the guide groove 63. At this time, because the retaining protrusion 68 interferes with the guide rib 27, the elastic retaining piece 67 is elastically deformed outward in the width direction.

[0035] When the cover 50 is moved backward from this state, the cover 50 is held in a certain posture by the sliding contact between the guide rib 27 and the guide groove 63, and the assembly of the cover 50 relative to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 advances. When the cover 50 reaches the normal assembly position, the retaining protrusion 68 passes the rear end of the guide rib 27, so that Fig.12 As shown, the elastic retaining piece 67 is elastically reset to the inner side in the width direction, and the retaining protrusion 68 is locked to the receiving portion 28 from the rear. By this locking, the limiting cover 50 is separated from the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 to the front. When the normal assembly position is reached, the rear end surface of the cover 51 abuts against the front end surface of the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 in a surface contact state. By this abutment, the limiting cover 50 is relatively displaced to the rear relative to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24. Through the above, the cover 50 is kept in an assembled state relative to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0036] After the cover 50 is assembled to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, the male terminal parts 40 are mounted to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. Fig.11As shown, the male terminal part 40 is installed on the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 in a state where the terminal body 41 and the crimping part 43 are accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber 25 and the protrusion 42 protrudes forward from the front end surface of the housing 21, 22, 23, 24. The male terminal part 40 installed on the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 is kept in a state of being restricted from moving backward by causing the primary locking part 44 formed on the terminal body 41 to be locked on the lance 26. In each housing 21, 22, 23, 24, a plurality of protrusions 42 protruding forward from the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 are covered by a covering part 51 and surrounded all around from the top to the bottom and from the left to the right. Therefore, it is impossible for foreign matter to interfere with the protrusion 42. Through the above, the assembly of the first to fourth sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, 14 is completed.

[0037] <Assembly steps of stacking connector A> When stacking the first to fourth sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14, first, the second sub-connector 12 is overlapped with the upper surface of the first sub-connector 11. In the process of stacking the second sub-connector 12 on the first sub-connector 11, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown, the retaining release portion 34 of the second sub-connector 12 interferes with the retaining protrusion 68 of the first sub-connector 11, causing the elastic retaining piece 67 to elastically deform outward in the width direction. Through this elastic deformation, the locking of the elastic retaining piece 67 (retaining protrusion 68) and the receiving portion 28 is released, and the retention of the elastic retaining piece 67 in the first sub-connector 11 is released. Similarly, during the stacking process, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown, since the disengagement restriction portion 62 of the cover 50 of the second sub-connector 12 is locked to the abutment portion 61 of the cover 50 of the first sub-connector 11 from the front, the cover 50 of the first sub-connector 11 is restricted from moving forward from the first housing 21. Therefore, the state in which the cover 50 of the first sub-connector 11 is assembled to the first housing 21, that is, the state in which the tab 42 of the first sub-connector 11 is protected by the cover 50, can be maintained.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the first sub-connector 11 and the second sub-connector 12, which are overlapped with each other, are held in a stacked state by the locking of the elastic locking piece 33 of the first housing 21 and the locking protrusion 32 of the second housing 22. When the first sub-connector 11 and the second sub-connector 12 are stacked, the retaining release portion 34 of the second housing 22 is engaged with the upper surface recess 30 of the first housing 21, so that the two housings 21 and 22 are positioned in the left-right direction. At the same time, the retaining release portion 34 of the second housing 22 is locked to the receiving portion 28 of the first housing 21 from the rear, so that the second housing 22 is restricted from moving forward relative to the first housing 21.

[0039] After that, the upper surfaces of the third sub-connector 13 and the second sub-connector 12 are overlapped with each other. At this time, similarly to the case of overlapping the upper surfaces of the second sub-connector 12 and the first sub-connector 11, the elastic retaining piece 67 in the second sub-connector 12 is released by the retaining release portion 34 of the third sub-connector 13, and the cover 50 of the second sub-connector 12 is restricted from moving forward from the second housing 22 by disengaging the locking of the limiting portion 62 and the abutting portion 61. The second sub-connector 12 and the third sub-connector 13 overlapped with each other are kept in a stacked state and positioned in the left-right direction.

[0040] In addition, by keeping the release portion 34 and the receiving portion 28 locked, the third housing 23 is restricted from moving forward relative to the second housing 22. Fig.11 As shown in the figure, the protrusion 35 of the second housing 22 is opposed to the front end edge 36F of the cutout 36 of the third housing 23 in a positional relationship approaching from the rear, so that the third housing 23 is restricted from relative displacement to the rear with respect to the second housing 22. Furthermore, the protrusion 35 of the second housing 22 enters the terminal storage chamber 25 from the cutout 36 of the third housing 23 and can be locked from the rear to the secondary locking portion 45 of the male terminal part 40 in the third housing 23. As a result, the male terminal part 40 in the third housing 23 is reliably maintained in a state of preventing it from coming off by the lance 26 and the protrusion 35.

[0041] After that, the other third sub-connector 13 is overlapped with the upper surface of the third sub-connector 13. At this time, similarly to the case of overlapping the third sub-connector 13 with the upper surface of the second sub-connector 12, the elastic holding piece 67 in the lower third sub-connector 13 is released by the holding release portion 34 of the upper third sub-connector 13, and the cover 50 of the lower third sub-connector 13 is restricted from moving forward from the third housing 23 by the release from the locking of the restriction portion 62 and the abutment portion 61. The overlapping third sub-connectors 13 are kept in a stacked state and positioned in the left-right direction.

[0042] After stacking the three third sub-connectors 13, the fourth sub-connector 14 is overlapped with the upper surface of the third sub-connector 13 at the top layer. At this time, as in the case of overlapping the third sub-connectors 13, the elastic retaining piece 67 in the third sub-connector 13 at the top layer is released by the retaining release portion 34 of the fourth sub-connector 14, and the cover 50 of the third sub-connector 13 at the top layer is restricted from moving forward from the third housing 23 by disengaging the locking of the limiting portion 62 and the abutting portion 61. The overlapping third sub-connectors 13 and fourth sub-connector 14 are kept in a stacked state and positioned in the left-right direction. The elastic retaining piece 67 of the cover 50 of the fourth sub-connector 14 is still locked to the receiving portion 28 of the fourth housing 24. Through the above, the stacking process of the sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14 is completed, and the assembly of the stacked connector A is completed.

[0043] <Step of Removing Cover 50 from Housings 21, 22, 23, 24> When the assembled stacking connector A is mounted on an outer housing (not shown), the cover 50 is removed from the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 in advance by using a jig 75. Figure 4 , 5 As shown, the jig 75 includes a fixing member 76 and a movable member 77. A fixing groove 78 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the fixing member 76, and a locking groove 79 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the movable member 77. The stacked connector A is set on the jig 75 in a state where the jig fixing portion 31 of the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, 24 is engaged with the fixing groove 78, and the jig locking portion 70 of the cover 50 mounted on the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, 24 is engaged with the locking groove 79 (see Figure 4 ).

[0044] After the stacked connector A is set on the jig 75, the elastic retaining piece 67 of the cover 50 of the fourth sub-connector 14 is removed from the receiving portion 28 by an operating tool (not shown) or the like, thereby releasing the retention of the elastic retaining piece 67 in the fourth sub-connector 14. By releasing the retention in the fourth sub-connector 14, the cover 50 of the fourth sub-connector 14 can be detached forward from the fourth housing 24, and further, the cover 50 can be detached forward from the first to third housings 21, 22, 23 in the first to third sub-connectors 11, 12, 13. In addition, in a state where the retention of the elastic retaining piece 67 in the fourth sub-connector 14 is released, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the movable member 77 is slid forward relative to the fixed member 76. Thus, all the covers 50 can be detached forward from the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, 24 in one operation.

[0045] During the process of the cover 50 being separated from the housing 21, 22, 23, 24, the cover 50 is kept in a certain posture relative to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 by the engagement of the guide rib 27 and the guide groove 63. Furthermore, since the guide rib 27 and the guide groove 63 are shaped to extend in the front-rear direction parallel to the protruding direction of the protruding piece 42 from the housing 21, 22, 23, 24, the cover 51 does not interfere with the protruding piece 42 during the process of the cover 50 being separated from the housing 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0046] In addition, when the cover 50 is displaced or tilted in the vertical direction relative to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 just before or after the cover 50 is detached from the housing 21, 22, 23, 24, the cover 51 may interfere with the protrusion 42. However, since the length from the rear end of the cover 51 to the rear end of the guide groove 63 is set larger than the protrusion dimension of the protrusion 42 from the housing 21, 22, 23, 24, the cover 51 is unlikely to interfere with the protrusion 42.

[0047] The stacking connector A of the first embodiment includes a plurality of housings 21, 22, 23, 24, a plurality of male terminal parts 40, and a plurality of covers 50. The plurality of housings 21, 22, 23, 24 are assembled in a stacked state in the height direction. The male terminal parts 40 have an elongated protrusion 42 at the front end portion, and are mounted on the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 in a state where the protrusion 42 protrudes forward of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. The cover 50 has a covering portion 51 that covers the protrusion 42, and is mounted on the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. When the cover 50 is mounted on the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, the protrusion 42 can be protected by the covering portion 51.

[0048] The housings 21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 are provided with a receiving portion 28 and an elastic retaining piece 67 as a retaining portion for retaining the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 in an installed state. The housing 22, 23, 24 on the upper side (one side) of the two housings 21, 22, 23, 24 stacked on each other in a stacked state is provided with a retaining release portion 34 for releasing the retaining function of the receiving portion 28 and the elastic retaining piece 67 in the housing 21, 22, 23 on the lower side (the other side) along with the housing 21, 22, 23 stacked on the lower side. According to this structure, the retaining function of the receiving portion 28 and the elastic retaining piece 67 can be released simply by stacking the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, so that an additional process (another operation) for releasing the retaining function of the receiving portion 28 and the elastic retaining piece 67 is not required.

[0049] The upper cover 50 of the two covers 50 that overlap each other in the stacked state and are mounted on the upper shell 22, 23, 24 is formed with a disengagement restriction portion 62. The disengagement restriction portion 62 restricts the lower cover 50 (the other side) from disengaging forward from the lower shell 21, 22, 23. If the lower cover 50 is immediately disengaged from the lower shell 21, 22, 23 at the time when the holding of the receiving portion 28 and the elastic holding piece 67 is released, the protrusion 42 of the lower sub-connector 11, 12, 13 will be exposed in the process of stacking the sub-connectors 12, 13, 14 (shells 22, 23, 24) thereafter. In view of this, the lower cover 50, from which the holding of the receiving portion 28 and the elastic holding piece 67 is released, is maintained by the disengagement restriction portion 62 in a state in which it does not disengage from the lower shell 21, 22, 23. Thus, the protrusion 42 can be prevented from being exposed during the stacking of the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24. After all the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 are stacked, if the fourth housing 24 and the cover 50 of the uppermost layer (one side) that are stacked last are released, all the covers 50 can be removed from the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24.

[0050] The receiving portion 28 formed on the upper (one side) housing 22, 23, 24 and the elastic retaining piece 67 formed on the upper (one side) cover 50 are arranged so as to be exposed on the outer surface (upper surface) of the upper housing 22, 23, 24 and the upper cover 50. According to this structure, when all the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 are stacked, the retention of the fourth housing 24 and the uppermost cover 50, which are the last to overlap each other, can be easily released.

[0051] An inspection port 55 is formed on the front surface of the cover portion 51 of the cap 50. The inspection port 55 is used to allow a probe P (see FIG. 1 ) for inspection to contact the protrusion 42. Fig.11 According to this structure, while the protrusion 42 is surrounded by the cover 50, the probe P can be inserted into the cover portion 51 from the front of the cover 50 and abutted against the front end of the protrusion 42. That is, the conduction inspection can be performed while the protrusion 42 is protected by the cover 50.

[0052] The housing 21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 are provided with guide ribs 27 and guide grooves 63 as guide portions for guiding the cover 50 to be relatively displaced relative to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 on a path that does not interfere with the protrusion 42. According to this structure, since the cover 50 is guided to move on a path that does not interfere with the protrusion 42, the cover 50 can be prevented from interfering with the protrusion 42 during the process of attaching and detaching the cover 50 relative to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0053] The guide path of the guide rib 27 and the guide groove 63 is a straight path in the front-rear direction parallel to the protruding direction of the protruding piece 42. According to this structure, even if the cover 50 is not enlarged in the up-down direction or the left-right direction, the interference between the cover 50 and the protruding piece 42 can be prevented. Therefore, the shapes of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 and the shape of the cover 50 can be simplified.

[0054] The housing 21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 form a flat shape with a larger width dimension than a height dimension. The cover 50 includes a cover portion 51 that covers a plurality of protrusions 42 arranged in the width direction, and an arm portion 60 that extends rearward in a cantilevered manner from both ends in the width direction of the cover portion 51. A guide groove 63 is formed in the arm portion 60. According to this structure, during the process of removing the cover 50 from the housing 21, 22, 23, 24, even if the cover 50 is tilted in the height direction (vertical direction) or moved in the height direction (vertical direction) immediately after the rear end of the guide groove 63 of the cover 50 is separated from the front end of the guide rib 27 of the housing 21, 22, 23, 24, the cover portion 51 can be prevented from interfering with the protrusion 42.

[0055] A plurality of sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, 14 (housings 21, 22, 23, 24) are stacked in the height direction. In a state where a plurality of housings 21, 22, 23, 24 are stacked, a plurality of covers 50 are arranged in a stacked manner in the height direction. On two covers 50 that overlap each other in the stacked state, a positioning recess 56 and a positioning protrusion 57 are formed as positioning portions that restrict relative displacement in the width direction by interlocking with each other. According to this structure, the two covers 50 that overlap each other in the stacked state are restricted from relative displacement in the width direction by interlocking with the positioning protrusion 57 and the positioning recess 56. Thus, it is possible to prevent a portion of the covers 50 in the stacked plurality of covers 50 from being misaligned in the width direction relative to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0056] The cover 50 is formed with a jig locking portion 70, and the jig locking portion 70 is arranged in the stacking direction when the sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14 are stacked. According to this structure, when all the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 and all the covers 50 are stacked, by locking the locking grooves 79 of the jig 75 to all the jig locking portions 70, all the covers 50 can be removed from the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 in one action.

[0057] The jig stopper 70 is formed in a protrusion shape in which at least a portion of the region where the guide groove 63 is formed in the arm portion 60 is thick-walled. According to this structure, the rigidity of the portion where the guide groove 63 is formed in the cover 50 is improved by the protrusion-shaped jig stopper 70. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a tightness between the guide rib 27 and the guide groove 63 due to the deformation of the portion where the guide groove 63 is formed in the cover 50 (the guide portion on the cover 50 side).

[0058] [Other embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the above description and drawings, but is shown by the claims. The present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and protection scope equivalent to the claims, and also includes the following embodiments. The male terminal parts may be mounted on the housing before the cover is mounted on the housing. The covering portion of the cap is not limited to a square tube shape that surrounds the protruding piece over the entire top, bottom, left, and right surfaces, but may be a shape that is open on any one of the top, bottom, left, and right surfaces. The covering portion is not limited to a shape that surrounds the plurality of protrusions collectively, and may be a shape that covers the plurality of protrusions individually. The guide path of the guide portion is not limited to a straight path in the front-rear direction parallel to the protruding direction of the protruding piece, and may be a curved path, a path bent into an L-shape, or the like. It is also possible to form guide grooves on the housing and guide ribs on the cover. The jig locking portion is not limited to a protruding shape, and may also be a recessed shape. Description of Reference Numerals

[0059] A: Stacked connector (connector) 11: 1st sub-connector 12: Second sub-connector 13: 3rd sub-connector 14: 4th sub-connector 21: Shell 1 22: Second Shell 23: The third shell 24: Shell 4 25: Terminal storage room 26: Spear 27: Guide rib (guide part on the housing side) 28: Bearing part 29: bulge 30: Concave part on the upper surface 31: Jig fixing part 32: Locking protrusion 33: Elastic locking piece 34: Hold release section 35: protrusion 36: Incision 36F: Front edge of the cutout 40: Male terminal parts 41: Terminal body 42: Tab 43: Crimping part 44: Primary stopper 45: Secondary stopper 46: Wire 50: Cover 51: Covering 52: Upper wall 53: Lower wall 54: Side wall 55: Inspection port 56: Positioning recess (positioning part) 57: Positioning convex part (positioning part) 60: Arm 61: Collision Department 62: Escape from the restricted area 63: Guide groove (guide part on the cover side) 64: Side panel 65: Upper plate part 66: Lower plate 67: Elastic retaining sheet 68: Keep the protrusion 69: Protection Department 70: Fixture stopper 75: Jig 76: Fixed components 77: Movable components 78: Fixed slot 79: Stop groove

Claims

1. A connector having: case; a male terminal part having a protrusion protruding forward in a cantilevered manner, and being mounted on the housing in a state where the protrusion protrudes forward from the front surface of the housing; and The cover is removable relative to the housing and covers the protrusion when mounted on the housing, wherein: The housing and the cover are provided with guide portions that guide the cover to be relatively displaced with respect to the housing on a path that does not interfere with the protruding piece.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The guide path of the guide portion is a linear path in the front-rear direction parallel to the protruding direction of the protruding piece.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: The housing and the cover are formed into a flat shape with a larger width dimension than a height dimension, The cover has a covering portion and an arm portion, wherein the covering portion covers the plurality of protrusions arranged in the width direction, and the arm portion extends rearward in a cantilevered manner from both ends of the covering portion in the width direction. The guide portion is formed on the arm portion.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: A plurality of the shells are stacked in the height direction, When the plurality of shells are stacked, the plurality of covers are arranged in a stacked manner in the height direction. The two covers overlapped with each other in the stacked state are formed with positioning portions which restrict relative displacement in the width direction by fitting with each other.

5. The connector according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein: A plurality of the shells are stacked in the height direction, When the plurality of shells are stacked, the plurality of covers are stacked in a height direction. A jig locking portion is formed on the outer side surfaces of the plurality of covers.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein: The jig locking portion is formed in a protrusion shape having a thick wall in at least a portion of a region of the arm portion where the guide portion is formed.

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