Connector

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to suppress poor assembly of a connector. A connector for holding a first terminal and a second terminal includes: a housing including a first terminal housing portion having a first cavity for housing the first terminal and a second terminal housing portion having a second cavity for housing the second terminal; a first holding member which is combined with the first terminal accommodating part at a first normal position and holds the first terminal in the first cavity; and a second holding member which is combined with the second terminal accommodating part at a second normal position and holds the second terminal in the second cavity, the first holding member reaches the first normal position along the first direction and is combined with the first terminal accommodating part, and the second holding member reaches the second normal position along a second direction different from the first direction and is combined with the second terminal accommodating part.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector having a housing having a plurality of terminal storage chambers, the plurality of terminal storage chambers being divided into an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein the wire terminals stored in the upper and lower terminal storage chambers are prevented from falling out by a common retainer. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-55470 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] Here, it is desired to further suppress connector assembly failure.

[0005] In view of this, an object of the present disclosure is to suppress assembly failure of a connector. Solutions for solving problems

[0006] The connector disclosed in the present invention holds a first terminal and a second terminal, and comprises: a housing, including a first terminal receiving portion and a second terminal receiving portion, the first terminal receiving portion having a first cavity for receiving the first terminal, and the second terminal receiving portion having a second cavity for receiving the second terminal; a first holding member, which is combined with the first terminal receiving portion in a first regular position and holds the first terminal in the first cavity; and a second holding member, which is combined with the second terminal receiving portion in a second regular position and holds the second terminal in the second cavity, the first holding member reaches the first regular position along a first direction and is combined with the first terminal receiving portion, and the second holding member reaches the second regular position along a second direction different from the first direction and is combined with the second terminal receiving portion. Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress assembly failure of the connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a connector according to the embodiment. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line IV-IV. Figure 5 yes Figure 1Partial cross-sectional view along line VV. Figure 6 It is a rear view showing the connector in which the retainer is temporarily retained. Figure 7 This is a side view showing a state where the cover and the holder interfere with each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0010] The connector of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0011] (1) A connector for holding a first terminal and a second terminal, comprising: a housing including a first terminal receiving portion and a second terminal receiving portion, the first terminal receiving portion having a first cavity for receiving the first terminal, the second terminal receiving portion having a second cavity for receiving the second terminal; a first holding member that is combined with the first terminal receiving portion in a first regular position and holds the first terminal in the first cavity; and a second holding member that is combined with the second terminal receiving portion in a second regular position and holds the second terminal in the second cavity, the first holding member reaching the first regular position along a first direction and combining with the first terminal receiving portion, and the second holding member reaching the second regular position along a second direction different from the first direction and combining with the second terminal receiving portion.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the first direction when the first holding member reaches the first normal position is different from the second direction when the second holding member reaches the second normal position. Therefore, the operation of setting the first terminal and combining the first holding member can be clearly distinguished from the operation of setting the second terminal and combining the second holding member to perform their respective operations. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the terminal from being set in the wrong cavity and to prevent poor assembly of the connector.

[0013] (2) In the connector of (1), the second holding member moved in the second direction to the second normal position may be set in a positional relationship in which the second holding member interferes with the first holding member located before the first normal position.

[0014] In this case, when the first holding member is located in front of the first regular position, the second holding member interferes with the first holding member. Therefore, by failing to move the second holding member to the second regular position, it can be known that the first holding member is not assembled to the regular position. Thus, poor assembly of the connector can be suppressed.

[0015] (3) In the connector of (1) or (2), the first terminal receiving portion may have a first setting opening on the side opposite to the second terminal receiving portion, the first direction is a direction along the extension direction of the first cavity, the first regular position is a position where the first retaining member blocks the first setting opening, the second terminal receiving portion has a second setting opening on one side of the extension direction of the second cavity, and a positioning opening on the side opposite to the first terminal receiving portion, the second direction is a direction intersecting the extension direction of the second cavity, and the second regular position is a position where the second retaining member is embedded in the positioning opening.

[0016] In this case, the first holding member can reach the first regular position along the first direction along the extension direction of the first cavity. The second holding member can reach the second regular position along the second direction intersecting the extension direction of the second cavity. Therefore, the setting operation of the first terminal and the setting operation of the second terminal can be clearly different, and poor assembly of the connector can be suppressed.

[0017] (4) In the connector of (3), a first terminal positioning protrusion may be formed on the inner peripheral portion of the first cavity on the side opposite to the first setting opening, and a second terminal positioning protrusion that can protrude into the second cavity may be formed on the second retaining member.

[0018] Thus, the first terminal in the first cavity can be positioned from the second terminal storage portion side using the first terminal positioning protrusion. The second terminal in the second cavity can be positioned from the positioning opening side using the second terminal positioning protrusion protruding into the second cavity. Therefore, it is easy to make the postures of the terminals consistent in the first cavity and the second cavity. In addition, it is also possible not to form a protrusion for terminal positioning in the first holding member, so it is easy to realize a structure in which the first holding member moves along the extension direction of the first cavity and reaches the first regular position.

[0019] (5) In the connector of (4), it is also possible that, when the second terminal is not completely disposed in the second cavity, the second terminal positioning protrusion interferes with the second terminal, when the second terminal positioning protrusion interferes with the second terminal, and when the second retaining member moved along the second direction to the second normal position interferes with the first retaining member located in front of the first normal position, at least a portion of the second retaining member protrudes from the shell.

[0020] In this case, since at least a portion of the second holding member protrudes from the housing, it can be known that the first holding member has not reached the first regular position or the second terminal is not completely disposed in the second cavity.

[0021] (6) In any one of the connectors of (3) to (5), the first retaining member may include a cover body for closing the first setting opening, and a pair of side wall portions extending from both sides of the cover body along both side surfaces of the first terminal receiving portion, the top end of at least one of the pair of side wall portions having a locally protruding interference protrusion, and in a state before the first retaining member reaches the first regular position, the interference protrusion is arranged at a position that interferes with the second retaining member toward the second regular position, and in a state when the first retaining member has reached the first regular position, the interference protrusion is arranged at a position that avoids a moving path of the second retaining member toward the second regular position.

[0022] In this case, when the first holding member is in an incompletely assembled state, the incompletely assembled state can be recognized by the interference between the second holding member and the interference projection.

[0023] (7) In the connector of (6), the second retaining member may include a retaining member body mounted to the positioning opening, and a pair of locking wall portions extending from both sides of the retaining member body along both sides of the second terminal receiving portion, and at least one of the pair of locking wall portions is arranged at a position where it can interfere with the interference protrusion.

[0024] Thus, the locking wall of the holder can be used for interference. Since the locking wall can be locked with the housing at a portion where there is no interference projection, the length of the locking wall can be increased.

[0025] (8) In the connector of (7), the shell may include a pair of locking portions that are locked with the pair of locking wall portions when the second retaining member is located in the second normal position, and a pair of temporary locking portions that are locked with the pair of locking wall portions before the second retaining member positions the second terminal, and the shell is configured to avoid interference between at least one of the pair of locking wall portions and the interference protrusion when the pair of locking wall portions are locked with the pair of temporary locking portions, and the first retaining member can move toward the first normal position.

[0026] Thus, the first holding member can be moved toward the first normal position in a state where the second holding member is temporarily assembled to the housing. Therefore, the connector has excellent assembly workability.

[0027] (9) In the connector of (7) or (8), at least one of the pair of locking wall portions may have a guide protrusion protruding toward the shell side and extending along the second direction, a guide groove for guiding the guide protrusion is formed in the shell, and the portion of the pair of locking wall portions where the guide protrusion is formed is formed to interfere with the interference protrusion.

[0028] In this case, since the portion of the pair of locking wall portions where the guide protrusion is formed is formed to interfere with the interference protrusion, the interference state can be more reliably maintained even when the first holding member is not assembled to the first regular position.

[0029] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the connector of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0030] [Implementation Method] The connector according to the embodiment will be described below. Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the connector 10 . Figure 2 and Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view showing the connector 10 . Figure 4 yes Figure 1 IV-IV line cross-sectional view. Figures 2 to 4 Terminals 10A and 10B are shown in FIG. Figure 4 The electric wire 18 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0031] <Overall structure of the connector> The overall structure of the connector will be described. The connector 10 holds the first terminals 10A and the second terminals 10B.

[0032] The first terminal 10A and the second terminal 10B are formed by stamping a metal plate or the like. The first terminal 10A includes a covering crimping portion 11A, a core wire crimping portion 12A, and a terminal connecting portion 13A. The covering crimping portion 11A is a portion of the covering portion crimped to the end of the electric wire 18. The core wire crimping portion 12A is a portion crimped to the core wire portion exposed at the end of the electric wire 18. The terminal connecting portion 13A is a portion connected to the terminal on the other side, and is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. The covering crimping portion 11A, the core wire crimping portion 12A, and the terminal connecting portion 13A are arranged in a straight line in this order. The thickness of the covering crimping portion 11A and the terminal connecting portion 13A is greater than the thickness of the core wire crimping portion 12A. Therefore, when the first terminal 10A is viewed from the side, a depression is observed on the core wire crimping portion 12A and between the covering crimping portion 11A and the terminal connecting portion 13A.

[0033] The second terminal 10B also includes a sheath crimping portion 11B, a core wire crimping portion 12B, and a terminal connecting portion 13B, similarly to the first terminal 10A.

[0034] Furthermore, the first terminal 10A and the second terminal 10B may be terminals having the same size and material, or terminals having different sizes or materials.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the connector 10 includes a plurality of (two in this case) first terminals 10A and a plurality of (two in this case) second terminals 10B. The plurality of first terminals 10A are arranged in a row in a parallel state. The plurality of second terminals 10B are also arranged in a row in a parallel state. The plurality of first terminals 10A and the plurality of second terminals 10B are adjacent to each other. That is, the connector 10 divides the plurality of first terminals 10A and the plurality of second terminals 10B into a first layer and a second layer for holding. In addition, the number of the first terminals 10A and the second terminals 10B held by the connector 10 is arbitrary.

[0036] In the following description, in the extension direction of the first terminal 10A, the terminal connection portion 13A side is sometimes referred to as the front side, and the covering crimping portion 11A side is sometimes referred to as the rear side. In addition, the first terminal 10A side is sometimes referred to as the lower side, and the second terminal 10B side is sometimes referred to as the upper side. Furthermore, sometimes, the left and right directions are referred to in a state where the first terminal 10A is facing the front side.

[0037] The connector 10 includes a housing 30 , a cover 60 as a first holding member, and a holder 80 as a second holding member.

[0038] The housing 30 is formed of resin or the like, and includes a first terminal receiving portion 32 and a second terminal receiving portion 42. The first terminal receiving portion 32 includes a first cavity 34 for receiving the first terminal 10A. In the present embodiment, the first terminal receiving portion 32 includes a plurality of (here, two) first cavities 34 arranged in parallel. The second terminal receiving portion 42 includes a second cavity 44 for receiving the second terminal 10B. In the present embodiment, the second terminal receiving portion 42 includes a plurality of (here, two) second cavities 44 arranged in parallel.

[0039] The cover 60 is integrated with the first terminal receiving portion 32 and holds the first terminal 10A in the first cavity 34. That is, when the cover 60 is not installed in the first normal position, the first terminal 10A is set in the first cavity 34. In this state, the cover 60 is installed in a manner integrated with the first terminal receiving portion 32. Therefore, the first terminal 10A will not fall out of the first cavity 34. The position where the cover 60 and the first terminal receiving portion 32 are integrated so that the first terminal 10A does not fall out of the first cavity 34 is the first normal position (refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4) The state before the cover 60 reaches the first normal position is sometimes referred to as an abnormal state.

[0040] The retaining member 80 is combined with the second terminal receiving portion 42 and retains the second terminal 10B in the second cavity 44. That is, when the retaining member 80 is not installed in the second normal position, the second terminal 10B is set in the second cavity 44. In this state, the retaining member 80 is installed in a manner of being combined with the second terminal receiving portion 42. Therefore, the second terminal 10B will not fall out of the second cavity 44. The position where the retaining member 80 and the second terminal receiving portion 42 are combined so that the second terminal 10B does not fall out of the second cavity 44 is the second normal position (refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 ) The state before the retainer 80 reaches the second normal position is sometimes referred to as an irregular state.

[0041] The cover 60 can be moved along the first direction P1 (see Figure 2 ) reaches the first normal position and is combined with the first terminal receiving portion 32. The retaining member 80 can be moved in a second direction P2 (refer to Figure 2 ) reaches the second normal position and is combined with the second terminal receiving portion 42. Therefore, the installation operations of the cover 60 and the retainer 80 relative to the housing 30 are different. Therefore, the installation and holding operations of the first terminal 10A relative to the first cavity 34 and the installation and holding operations of the second terminal 10B relative to the second cavity 44 can be clearly recognized by the operator as different operations.

[0042] In addition, the positional relationship is set such that when the cover 60 is located in front of the first regular position, the retainer 80 that moves to the second regular position along the second direction P2 interferes with the cover 60. The so-called positional relationship in which the retainer 80 and the cover 60 interfere is a positional relationship in which the retainer 80 abuts against the cover 60 and cannot move toward the second regular position. That is, when the cover 60 is in an incompletely fitted state relative to the housing 30, the retainer 80 is not completely fitted relative to the housing 30. Therefore, by the incomplete fitting of the retainer 80 and the housing 30, that is, the inability to reach the second regular position, it is possible to easily detect that the cover 60 is in an incompletely fitted state relative to the housing.

[0043] The structure of each part will be described in more detail.

[0044] <Regarding the Holding Structure of the First Terminal> The core of the structure in which the first terminal housing portion 32 holds the first terminal 10A will be described in more detail. Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Partial cross-sectional view along line VV.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the housing 30 has a common plate portion 31 located between the first terminal receiving portion 32 and the second terminal receiving portion 42. A pair of first cavity side walls 33a extend from the two side edges of the common plate portion 31. An intermediate partition 33b extends from the middle portion in the width direction of the common plate portion 31. The pair of first cavity side walls 33a and the intermediate partition 33b protrude toward the same main surface side relative to the common plate portion 31. The pair of first cavity side walls 33a and the intermediate partition 33b are arranged in a parallel state with a gap in the width direction of the housing 30. The first terminal receiving portion 32 is a structure having a lower portion of the common plate portion 31, a pair of first cavity side walls 33a and an intermediate partition 33b, and a plurality of first cavities 34 are formed in each gap between the pair of first cavity side walls 33a and the intermediate partition 33b.

[0046] A front plate portion 31F extending in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction is provided at the front edge of the housing 30. The front plate portion 31F is located at the front end of the first cavity 34. The first terminal 10A disposed in the first cavity 34 is restricted from moving forward by contacting the front plate portion 31F. A connection hole 31Fa is formed in the front plate portion 31F, and a counterpart terminal (for example, a male terminal having an elongated plate portion or a pin-shaped portion) can be inserted into the connection hole 31Fa. The counterpart terminal can be connected to the first terminal 10A in the first cavity 34 through the connection hole 31Fa.

[0047] The first terminal receiving portion 32 has a first setting opening 35 on the side opposite to the second terminal receiving portion 42. The first setting opening 35 is formed in a slit shape opening downward. The first setting opening 35 is longer than the first terminal 10A. Therefore, the first terminal 10A can be set in the first cavity 34 through the first setting opening 35. Specifically, the first terminal 10A can be set in the first cavity 34 from the lower side of the first terminal receiving portion 32 through the first setting opening 35. In addition, in actual operation, it is also assumed that the first setting opening 35 is facing upward and is set in the first cavity 34 from above through the first setting opening 35. The electric wire 18 extending from the first terminal 10A can extend outward through the rear opening of the first cavity 34.

[0048] A first terminal positioning protrusion 36 is formed on the side opposite to the first setting opening 35 in the inner circumference of the first cavity 34. The portion on the side opposite to the first setting opening 35 in the inner circumference of the first cavity 34 is a portion on the common plate portion 31 side. The first terminal positioning protrusion 36 is formed in the middle portion of the extension direction of the first cavity 34, more specifically, in the area where the core wire crimping portion 12A is located in the extension direction of the first cavity 34. In addition, when the first terminal 10A is arranged in the first cavity 34, the first terminal positioning protrusion 36 can be embedded in the recess between the covering crimping portion 11A and the terminal connecting portion 13A in the first terminal 10A. As a result, the first terminal 10A is positioned in its extension direction and is prevented from slipping out to the rear.

[0049] The cover 60 is combined with the first terminal receiving portion 32 in a manner of blocking the first setting opening 35. Thus, the first terminal 10A is prevented from being disengaged from the first cavity 34. Here, the cover 60, in a state of blocking the first setting opening 35, plays a role in restricting the first terminal 10A from moving in a direction away from the first terminal positioning protrusion 36. Thus, the state in which the first terminal positioning protrusion 36 is embedded in the concave portion of the first terminal 10A can be maintained, and the first terminal 10A can be prevented from being disengaged from the first cavity 34.

[0050] As described above, the position where the cover 60 closes the first installation opening 35 is the first regular position where the cover 60 and the first terminal receiving portion 32 are normally combined (see Figure 1 and Figure 4 ). The cover 60 can reach the first regular position by moving in the first direction P1. In the present embodiment, the first direction P1 is a direction along the extending direction of the first cavity 34. A structural example for realizing this structure will be described below.

[0051] Specifically, a convex portion 37 for combination is formed on the outer surface of a pair of first cavity side walls 33a. A surface 37f for combination is formed on the second terminal receiving portion 42 side of the convex portion 37 for combination. The surface 37f for combination includes a combination support surface 37fa and a combination guide surface 37fb. The combination support surface 37fa is along the extension direction of the first terminal 10A and the width direction of the housing 30, and the combination guide surface 37fb faces the second terminal receiving portion 42 side as it faces forward. A gap is formed on the second terminal receiving portion 42 side relative to the surface 37f for combination, in which the insertion-side convex portion 65 of the cover 60 can be arranged.

[0052] In addition, on the outer surface of the pair of first cavity side walls 33a, in this case, a position close to the rear portion is formed with a disengagement prevention projection 38. The disengagement prevention projection 38 is formed in a shape including a portion whose protrusion dimension gradually decreases toward the rear.

[0053] The cover 60 includes a cover body 62 and a pair of side wall portions 64 .

[0054] The cover body 62 is formed in a plate shape that is expandable to a size that can collectively close the first installation openings 35 of the plurality of first cavities 34 , and is in a square plate shape here.

[0055] A pair of side wall portions 64 are formed into a plate shape extending from both sides of the cover body 62 toward both side surfaces of the first terminal receiving portion 32, and are in this case in an elongated plate shape. An insertion side combination convex portion 65 is formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 64. The insertion side combination convex portion 65 is formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 64 and at a position separated from the cover body 62. Here, the insertion side combination convex portion 65 is an elongated convex portion extending along the top edge of the inner surface of the side wall portion 64. An insertion side combination surface 65f is formed on the cover body 62 side of the insertion side combination convex portion 65. The insertion side combination surface 65f is a surface along the extension direction of the first terminal 10A and the width direction of the housing 30, similarly to the combination support surface 37fa.

[0056] Furthermore, a retaining projection 66 is formed on the inner surface of the pair of side wall portions 64, in this case, at a position close to the rear portion. The retaining projection 66 is formed in a shape including a portion whose projection size gradually decreases toward the front.

[0057] An example of the assembly operation of the cover 60 is described. When the first terminal 10A is housed in the first cavity 34, the cover 60 is fitted into the first terminal housing portion 32 from the rear (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 6 At this time, the pair of side wall portions 64 are arranged outside the pair of first cavity side walls 33 a, and the insertion-side combining protrusion 65 is inserted into the gap on the second terminal receiving portion 42 side relative to the combining protrusion 37 .

[0058] When the cover 60 is pressed forward, the anti-dropout protrusion 66 passes over the anti-dropout protrusion 38 and is locked relative to the anti-dropout protrusion 38 so as not to fall off backward. In this state, the cover 60 is in contact with the front plate 31F. In this state, the combination support surface 37fa and the insertion side combination surface 65f are in contact with each other in a mutually opposed state, which can prevent the cover 60 from falling off downward (see Figure 5 double-dotted line).

[0059] When the cover 60 moves forward, the combination guide surface 37fb may guide the cover 60 gradually toward the second terminal housing portion 42. Thus, in the initial stage, the cover 60 is unlikely to come into contact with the first terminal 10A, and the cover 60 can move smoothly.

[0060] The cover 60 only needs to move along the first direction P1 when reaching the first normal position, and may also move in a direction different from the first direction P1 before that. For example, the cover 60 may not be externally embedded in the first terminal receiving portion 32 from the rear of the first terminal receiving portion 32. For example, the cover 60 may also be pressed from the bottom of the first terminal receiving portion 32 toward the first terminal receiving portion 32, and the pair of side wall portions 64 may pass over the combination convex portion 37 from the outside in the width direction and enter the gap on the side of the second terminal receiving portion 42 relative to the combination convex portion 37.

[0061] As described above, the cover 60 is combined with the first terminal storage portion 32, so that the inner surface of the cover body 62 contacts the first terminal 10A in the first cavity 34 from the first setting opening 35 side. As a result, the first terminal 10A is prevented from moving toward the first setting opening 35 side, and the first terminal positioning protrusion 36 is kept in a state of being locked with the first terminal 10A. The first terminal positioning protrusion 36 is locked with the first terminal 10A, so that the first terminal 10A is prevented from falling off to the rear of the first cavity 34.

[0062] <Regarding the Holding Structure of the Second Terminal> The structural core of the second terminal accommodating portion 42 holding the second terminal 10B will be described in more detail.

[0063] The housing 30 has a pair of second cavity side walls 43a extending from both side edges of the common plate portion 31. An intermediate partition 43b extends from the middle portion in the width direction of the common plate portion 31. The pair of second cavity side walls 43a and the intermediate partition 43b protrude toward the main surface side of the common plate portion 31 on the side opposite to the pair of first cavity side walls 33a and the intermediate partition 33b. The pair of second cavity side walls 43a and the intermediate partition 43b are arranged in parallel with a gap in the width direction of the housing 30. At least a portion of the opening of the pair of second cavity side walls 43a and the intermediate partition 43b on the side opposite to the common plate portion 31 is closed by the top plate portion 43c. The second terminal receiving portion 42 is a structure including an upper portion of the common plate portion 31, a pair of second cavity side walls 43a, an intermediate partition 43b, and a top plate portion 43c, and a plurality of second cavities 44 are formed in each gap between the pair of second cavity side walls 43a and the intermediate partition 43b.

[0064] The front plate portion 31F is also located at the front end of the second cavity 44. The second terminal 10B disposed in the second cavity 44 is restricted from moving forward by contacting the front plate portion 31F. A connection hole 31Fa is also formed in the front plate portion 31F at a position corresponding to the second cavity 44. The other terminal can be connected to the second terminal 10B in the second cavity 44 through the connection hole 31Fa.

[0065] The second terminal storage portion 42 has a second setting opening 45 on one side of the extension direction of the second cavity 44, in this case, the rear side. The second setting opening 45 is opened larger than the shape of the second terminal 10B projected in the front-back direction. Therefore, the second terminal 10B can be set in the second cavity 44 through the second setting opening 45. In addition, the first terminal positioning convex portion 36 protruding into the first cavity 34 is formed in the first cavity 34. Therefore, it is considered that when the first terminal 10A is inserted from the rear side opening of the first cavity 34, the first terminal 10A is hooked on the first terminal positioning convex portion 36 in the middle. Therefore, with respect to the first cavity 34, it is considered appropriate to set the first terminal 10A from the above-mentioned first setting opening 35. There is no convex portion for realizing the anti-dropping like the first terminal positioning convex portion 36 in the second cavity 44, so the second terminal 10B is smoothly set in the second cavity 44 through the above-mentioned second setting opening 45.

[0066] The second terminal receiving portion 42 has a positioning opening 48 on the side opposite to the first terminal receiving portion 32. The positioning opening 48 is an opening for installing a retaining member 80 for positioning. In the present embodiment, a positioning opening 48 is formed on the side opposite to the first terminal receiving portion 32 in the second cavity 44. The positioning opening 48 is located further back than the top plate portion 43c. In the present embodiment, the positioning opening 48 reaches the rear opening of the second cavity 44, that is, the second setting opening 45. It is also conceivable that the positioning opening is formed locally in the middle portion of the extension direction of the second cavity.

[0067] The recessed portion between the covering crimping portion 11B and the terminal connecting portion 13B in the second terminal 10B provided in the second cavity 44 is arranged at a position exposed to the outside through the second installation opening 45 .

[0068] The holder 80 is combined with the second terminal housing portion 42 so as to fit into the positioning opening 48. In this state, the holder 80 fits into the recess of the second terminal 10B, and prevents the second terminal 10B from coming out of the second cavity 44 toward the second installation opening 45 side.

[0069] As described above, the state in which the retainer 80 is inserted into the positioning opening 48 and into the recess of the second terminal 10B is the second regular position (see Figure 1 and Figure 4 ). The retainer 80 can reach the second regular position by moving along the second direction P2. In the present embodiment, the second direction P2 is a direction intersecting the extension direction of the second cavity 44, and more specifically, a direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the second cavity 44. A structural example for realizing this structure is described below.

[0070] Specifically, a pair of locking portions 46 and a pair of temporary locking portions 47 are formed on the outer surfaces of the pair of second cavity side walls 43 a.

[0071] The pair of locking portions 46 protrude outward from the outer surface of the pair of second cavity side walls 43a. The pair of locking portions 46 are formed into a shape including the top end of the second cavity side wall 43a, that is, the portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases toward the upper side.

[0072] The pair of temporary stoppers 47 protrude outward from the outer surface of the pair of second cavity side walls 43a. The pair of temporary stoppers 47 are formed into a shape including the top end of the second cavity side wall 43a, that is, the portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases toward the upper side.

[0073] The pair of temporary locking portions 47 are located on the side away from the first terminal receiving portion 32 , ie, on the upper side, relative to the pair of locking portions 46 . Therefore, the retainer 80 can be locked with the pair of locking portions 46 after being temporarily locked with the pair of temporary locking portions 47 .

[0074] The holder 80 includes a holder body 82 and a pair of locking wall portions 84 .

[0075] The holder body 82 is formed in a plate shape, here a square plate shape, which is expanded to a size capable of collectively closing the positioning openings 48 corresponding to the plurality of second cavities 44 .

[0076] A second terminal positioning protrusion 83 is formed on the retaining member body 82. Here, a plurality of second terminal positioning protrusions 83 are formed in parallel corresponding to a plurality of second cavities 44. The second terminal positioning protrusion 83 is formed in the middle portion of the extension direction of the second cavity 44, more specifically, in the area where the core wire crimping portion 12B is located in the extension direction of the second cavity 44. And, in a state where the retaining member body 82 is mounted to the positioning opening 48, the second terminal positioning protrusion 83 can protrude into the second cavity 44. In this state, the second terminal positioning protrusion 83 can be embedded in the recess between the covering crimping portion 11B and the terminal connecting portion 13B in the second terminal 10B in the second cavity 44. Thereby, the second terminal 10B is positioned in its extension direction and is prevented from falling off to the rear.

[0077] A pair of locking wall portions 84 extend from both sides of the retainer body 82 along both sides of the second terminal receiving portion 42, here, the outer surface of a pair of second cavity side walls 43a. An anti-slip convex portion 85 is formed near the top end in the inner surface of the pair of locking wall portions 84. The anti-slip convex portion 85 is a convex portion protruding from the inner surface of the locking wall portion 84. The anti-slip convex portion 85 is formed in a shape including a portion whose protruding size gradually decreases toward the top end side of the locking wall portion 84. The pair of locking wall portions 84 can be locked with a pair of temporary locking portions 47 or a pair of locking portions 46.

[0078] At least one of the pair of locking walls 84 has a guide protrusion 87 that protrudes toward the housing 30 and extends in the second direction P2 (here, the vertical direction). In this embodiment, the guide protrusion 87 is formed along the front edge of the inner surface of the locking wall 84 .

[0079] The housing 30 is provided with a guide groove 30g for guiding the guide projection 87. The guide groove 30g is formed between the front ends of the locking portion 46 and the temporary locking portion 47 and the projection located away from the front ends toward the front side.

[0080] When the retainer 80 is mounted to the second terminal receiving portion 42 along the second direction P2, the guide protrusion 87 is guided along the guide groove 30g. Thus, the retainer 80 can move smoothly along the second direction P2. In addition, when the retainer 80 is normally combined with the second terminal receiving portion 42 and is located in the second regular position, the guide protrusion 87 contacts the side surface of the guide groove 30g, in this case, the front end of the stopper 46 and the temporary stopper 47. Thus, the retainer 80 can be prevented from disengaging backward relative to the second terminal receiving portion 42.

[0081] In this embodiment, a convex portion is formed at a front position in the middle portion of the inner surface of the holder body 82, and the convex portion is fitted into the concave portion formed in the middle partition plate 43b, thereby preventing the holder 80 from coming off rearward.

[0082] An example of the joining operation of the holder 80 will be described.

[0083] For example, a member in which a pair of anti-dropping protrusions 85 of the retainer 80 and a pair of temporary stopper portions 47 are locked is prepared (see Figure 6 ). In this state, the second terminal positioning protrusion 83 does not protrude into the second cavity 44. Therefore, the second terminal 10B can be smoothly inserted into the second cavity 44 through the rear second setting opening 45. That is, before the retainer 80 positions the second terminal 10B, the pair of temporary locking portions 47 are locked with the anti-dropping protrusions 85 of the pair of locking wall portions 84.

[0084] In the state where the second terminal 10B is accommodated in the second cavity 44, the retainer 80 is further pressed. When the retainer 80 is pressed in, since the guide protrusion 87 is guided by the guide groove 30g, the retainer 80 can move smoothly along the second direction P2. When the retainer 80 is pressed, the pair of anti-slip protrusions 85 can pass over the pair of stopper portions 46 and be anti-slipped and stopped by the pair of stopper portions 46. Thus, the retainer 80 moves along the second direction P2 and reaches the second regular position, becoming a state of normal integration with the second terminal receiving portion 42. That is, in the state where the retainer 80 is located in the second regular position, the pair of stopper portions 46 are locked with the anti-slip protrusions 85 of the pair of stopper wall portions 84.

[0085] The retainer 80 only needs to move along the second direction P2 when reaching the second normal position, and before that, it can also move in a direction different from the second direction P2. In addition, the second direction P2 can also be a direction different from the direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the second cavity 44, for example, a direction along a direction inclined relative to the extension direction of the second cavity 44.

[0086] <About the structure for interference> As described above, the positional relationship is set such that when the cover 60 is located before the first regular position, the holder 80 moved to the second regular position in the second direction P2 interferes with the cover 60. A configuration example for this purpose will be described.

[0087] The top end of at least one of the pair of side wall portions 64 of the cover 60 has an interference convex portion 67. In the present embodiment, both side wall portions 64 have interference convex portions 67. The interference convex portion 67 protrudes from the top end of the side wall portion 64 toward the second terminal receiving portion 42. The interference convex portion 67 partially protrudes in the front-back direction at the top end of the side wall portion 64. Therefore, the portion of the side wall portion 64 where the interference convex portion 67 is not formed is partially recessed than the interference convex portion 67.

[0088] The interference convex portion 67 is formed at a position where it interferes with the locking wall portion 84 of the holder 80 toward the second normal position before the cover 60 reaches the first normal position. In addition, the interference convex portion 67 is formed at a position that avoids the moving path of the locking wall portion 84 of the holder 80 toward the second normal position when the cover 60 has reached the first normal position.

[0089] In the present embodiment, the side wall portion 64 of the cover 60 and the stop wall portion 84 of the holder 80 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction on the side surface of the housing 30. In the front-to-back direction, the stop wall portion 84 of the holder 80 and the side wall portion 64 of the cover 60 partially overlap each other. In the front-to-back direction, the interference convex portion 67 is not formed in the portion of the side wall portion 64 of the cover 60 that overlaps with the stop wall portion 84. In the front-to-back direction, the interference convex portion 67 is formed on the front side of the portion of the side wall portion 64 of the cover 60 that overlaps with the stop wall portion 84.

[0090] For example, it is assumed that the cover 60 is located before reaching the first regular position along the first direction P1 (see Figure 7 ). In this state, the rear end of the interference protrusion 67 is located below the front end of the stop wall 84. Therefore, in the above state, when the retainer 80 is pressed, the stop wall 84 interferes with the interference protrusion 67. As a result, the retainer 80 cannot be pressed down, and the retainer 80 is kept protruding from the upper surface of the housing 30.

[0091] Therefore, when the retainer 80 is mounted, by noting that the retainer 80 cannot be properly fitted, the possibility that the cover 60 is not properly fitted can be easily noted.

[0092] In addition, since the portion of the locking wall portion 84 where the guide protrusion 87 is formed interferes with the interference protrusion 67, the locking wall portion 84 that interferes with the guide protrusion 87 is difficult to deform. Therefore, for example, even if the retainer 80 is pressed down with a strong force, the locking wall portion 84 that has interfered with the interference protrusion 67 is difficult to deform outward, and the interference state of the locking wall portion 84 and the interference protrusion 67 is easily maintained.

[0093] In addition, when the second terminal 10B is not fully inserted into the second cavity 44, the second terminal positioning protrusion 83 interferes with the covering crimping portion 11B. Therefore, even when the second terminal 10B is not completely set in the second cavity 44, the second terminal positioning protrusion 83 interferes with the second terminal 10B, and the retainer 80 cannot be pressed down. Even in this case, when the retainer 80 is installed, by noting that the retainer 80 cannot be properly fitted, the possibility of abnormal installation of the second terminal 10B can be easily noticed.

[0094] That is, by failing to properly fit the retainer 80, it can be noticed that the cover 60 is not properly fitted or the second terminal 10B is not properly provided. As described above, by confirming that a portion of the retainer 80 protrudes from the upper surface of the housing 30, it can be easily noticed that the retainer 80 is not properly fitted.

[0095] When the cover 60 is normally assembled, when the second terminal 10B is inserted deeply, the anti-dropping protrusions 85 of the pair of locking wall portions 84 are locked with the locking portion 46. In this state, the upper surface of the retainer 80 may be arranged on the same surface as the upper surface of the housing 30, or may be recessed from the upper surface.

[0096] Furthermore, when the anti-dropping protrusion 85 of the locking wall portion 84 of the retainer 80 is locked with the temporary locking portion 47, the top end of the locking wall portion 84 is arranged at a position away from the moving track of the interference protrusion 67. Therefore, when the retainer 80 is temporarily mounted on the second terminal receiving portion 42, the cover 60 can move in the first direction P1 to reach the first regular position without causing the interference protrusion 67 to interfere with the locking wall portion 84.

[0097] Therefore, a member for temporarily holding the holder 80 on the housing 30 is prepared in advance, and the first terminal 10A, the second terminal 10B, the cover 60 and the like can be assembled to the housing 30 temporarily holding the holder 80 .

[0098] <Effects, etc.> According to the connector constructed as described above, the cover 60 as the first holding member reaches the first normal position along the first direction P1 and is combined with the first terminal receiving portion 32, and the retainer 80 as the second holding member reaches the second normal position along the second direction P2 different from the first direction P1 and is combined with the second terminal receiving portion 42. Therefore, in order to achieve the combination, the first direction P1 in which the retainer 80 moves and the second direction P2 in which the cover 60 moves are different. Therefore, the operation of setting the first terminal 10A and combining the cover 60 is clearly distinguished from the operation of setting the second terminal 10B and combining the retainer 80 to perform each operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first terminal 10A and the second terminal 10B from being mistaken or the setting objects thereof from being mistaken, and it is possible to prevent poor assembly of the connector 10. In addition, since it is possible to prevent the first terminal 10A and the second terminal from being mistaken, the assembly workability is improved, which contributes to the cost reduction of the connector 10.

[0099] In addition, when the cover 60 is located in front of the first regular position, the retainer 80 interferes with the cover 60. Therefore, since the retainer 80 cannot be moved to the second regular position, it can be known that the cover is not assembled to the first regular position. The poor installation of the cover 60 can be detected more reliably, and the occurrence of poor assembly of the connector 10 can be suppressed. In addition, since the poor assembly inspection can be easily performed, it helps to reduce the cost of the connector 10.

[0100] In addition, the cover 60 can reach the first regular position along the first direction P1 along the extension direction of the first cavity 34. The retainer 80 can reach the second regular position along the second direction P2 intersecting the extension direction of the second cavity 44. Therefore, when the cover 60 is not properly assembled, the cover 60 and the retainer 80 are easily interfered with. In addition, the assembly operation of the cover 60 and the retainer 80 can be clearly distinguished, and the assembly failure of the connector 10 caused by the error of the terminals 10A and 10B can be further suppressed.

[0101] In addition, the first terminal positioning protrusion 36 is formed in the first cavity 34, and the second terminal positioning protrusion 83 is formed in the retaining member 80. Therefore, the first terminal 10A in the first cavity 34 can be positioned from the second terminal storage portion 42 side using the first terminal positioning protrusion 36. The second terminal 10B in the second cavity 44 can be positioned from the positioning opening 48 using the second terminal positioning protrusion 83. Therefore, in the first cavity 34 and the second cavity 44, the directions of the recesses into which the positioning protrusions 36 and 83 are embedded can be made consistent, and the postures of the terminals 10A and 10B can be easily made consistent. In addition, it is also possible not to form a terminal positioning protrusion on the retaining member 80, so it is easy to realize a structure in which the retaining member 80 moves along the first direction P1 and reaches the first regular position, and the first direction P1 is along the extension direction of the first cavity 34.

[0102] In addition, since at least a portion of the retainer 80 protrudes from the housing 30, it can be known that the cover 60 has not reached the first regular position or the second terminal 10B is not completely disposed in the second cavity 44. That is, by observing the state of one place, the occurrence of a defect in either of the two places can be detected.

[0103] In addition, the top end of the side wall portion of the retainer 80 partially protrudes to form an interference convex portion 67. And, in a state before the retainer 80 reaches the first regular position, the interference convex portion 67 interferes with the retainer 80 moving toward the second regular position. In addition, in a state where the retainer 80 has reached the first regular position, the interference convex portion 67 is arranged at a position avoiding the moving path of the retainer 80 moving toward the second regular position. Therefore, when the cover 60 is in an incomplete assembly state, the incomplete assembly state can be known by the interference between the retainer 80 and the interference convex portion 67.

[0104] In addition, since the locking wall portion 84 of the retainer 80 can interfere with the above-mentioned interference protrusion 67, the locking wall portion 84 of the retainer 80 can realize a structure that can detect that the cover 60 is in an incomplete assembled state. In addition, since the locking wall portion 84 can be locked with the housing 30 at a portion where there is no interference protrusion 67, the length of the locking wall portion 84 can be lengthened. As a result, the elastic deformation area of ​​the locking wall portion 84 can be increased, which helps the smooth assembly operation of the retainer 80.

[0105] In addition, when the retainer 80 is temporarily locked, the interference between the locking wall portion 84 and the interference convex portion 67 can be avoided, and the cover 60 can be moved toward the first normal position. Therefore, instead of making the housing 30 and the retainer 80 as separate components, the connector 10 can be assembled using a component in which the two are temporarily assembled. As a result, the connector 10 has excellent assembly workability.

[0106] In addition, since the portion of the pair of locking wall portions 84 where the guide protrusions 87 are formed is formed to interfere with the interference protrusions 67, the locking wall portions 84 are unlikely to deform even if they interfere with the interference protrusions 67. Therefore, the interference state can be maintained more reliably.

[0107] Furthermore, the respective configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiment and the respective modifications can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other. Description of Reference Numerals

[0108] 10 Connectors 10A Terminal 1 10B 2nd terminal 11A, 11B Covering crimping part 12A, 12B core wire crimping section 13A, 13B terminal connection part 18 Wires 30 Shell 30g boot slot 31 shared board 31F front panel 31Fa connection hole 321st terminal storage part 33a Side wall of cavity 1 33b Middle partition 34 Chamber 1 35 1st setting opening 36 1st terminal positioning protrusion 37 convex part for fitting 37f combination face 37fa combined bearing surface 37fb combined guide surface 38 anti-detachment convex part 42 Second terminal storage portion 43a Second cavity side wall 43b Middle partition 43c Top plate 44 Cavity 2 45 2nd setting opening 46 stopper 47 Temporary stop 48 Positioning opening 60 cover (first holding member) 62 cover body 64 side wall 65 Insertion side joint convex part 65f Insertion side fitting surface 66 anti-falling convex part 67 interference convex part 80 holding member (second holding member) 82 retainer body 83 2nd terminal positioning protrusion 84 stop wall 85 anti-falling convex part 87 guide protrusion P1 Direction 1 P2 2nd direction

Claims

1. A connector, holding a first terminal and a second terminal, comprising: A housing, comprising a first terminal receiving portion and a second terminal receiving portion, wherein the first terminal receiving portion has a first cavity for receiving the first terminal, and the second terminal receiving portion has a second cavity for receiving the second terminal; a first holding member that is combined with the first terminal receiving portion at a first normal position and holds the first terminal in the first cavity; and a second holding member that is combined with the second terminal receiving portion at a second normal position and holds the second terminal in the second cavity; The first holding member reaches the first normal position along the first direction and is combined with the first terminal receiving portion. The second holding member reaches the second regular position along a second direction different from the first direction and is combined with the second terminal housing portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The second holding member moved in the second direction to the second regular position is set to have a positional relationship in which the second holding member interferes with the first holding member located before the first regular position.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The first terminal receiving portion has a first installation opening on a side opposite to the second terminal receiving portion. The first direction is a direction along the extension direction of the first cavity. The first normal position is a position where the first holding member closes the first setting opening. The second terminal receiving portion has a second setting opening on one side of the extension direction of the second cavity and a positioning opening on the side opposite to the first terminal receiving portion. The second direction is a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the second cavity. The second regular position is a position where the second holding member is fitted into the positioning opening.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: A first terminal positioning protrusion is formed on the inner circumference of the first cavity on the side opposite to the first setting opening. The second holding member is formed with a second terminal positioning protrusion that can protrude into the second cavity.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein: When the second terminal is not completely disposed in the second cavity, the second terminal positioning protrusion interferes with the second terminal. In a state where the second terminal positioning protrusion interferes with the second terminal, and where the second retaining member moved along the second direction to the second regular position interferes with the first retaining member located in front of the first regular position, at least a portion of the second retaining member protrudes from the shell.

6. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: The first holding member includes a cover body that closes the first installation opening, and a pair of side walls that extend from both sides of the cover body along both side surfaces of the first terminal receiving portion. The top end of at least one of the pair of side wall portions has a partially protruding interference convex portion, In a state before the first holding member reaches the first normal position, the interference convex portion is arranged at a position where it interferes with the second holding member moving toward the second normal position. In a state where the first holding member has reached the first normal position, the interference projection is arranged at a position avoiding a movement path of the second holding member toward the second normal position.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein: The second holding member includes a holding member body mounted to the positioning opening, and a pair of locking wall portions extending from both sides of the holding member body along both sides of the second terminal receiving portion. At least one of the pair of locking wall portions is arranged at a position where it can interfere with the interference convex portion.

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein: The housing includes a pair of locking portions locked with the pair of locking wall portions when the second holding member is located at the second normal position, and a pair of temporary locking portions locked with the pair of locking wall portions before the second holding member positions the second terminal. The first holding member is configured to be movable toward the first regular position while at least one of the pair of locking walls is prevented from interfering with the interference projection when the pair of locking walls are locked with the pair of temporary locking portions.

9. The connector according to claim 7, wherein: At least one of the pair of locking wall portions has a guide protrusion that protrudes toward the housing and extends along the second direction. The housing is provided with a guide groove for guiding the guide protrusion. The portion of the pair of locking wall portions where the guide protrusion is formed is formed so as to be able to interfere with the interference protrusion.

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