Connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector capable of improving the workability of the movement work of a holder with respect to a housing. A connector (10) is provided with: a housing (20) having a cavity (26) extending in the front-rear direction; a terminal fitting (90) housed in the cavity; and a holder (60) capable of moving from a temporary locking position to a formal locking position in one vertical direction with respect to the housing. The holder has an insertion portion (63) through which the terminal fitting can be inserted, allows the terminal fitting to pass through the insertion portion in the temporary locking position, and restricts the terminal fitting from coming out of the cavity in the formal locking position. A pressing part (97) is formed on the terminal fitting. The insertion portion includes a pressed insertion portion (63A) that is pressed in one of the vertical direction by the pressing portion at the temporary locking position and moves the holder to the main locking position.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a housing having a contact accommodation space (hereinafter referred to as a cavity), contacts (hereinafter referred to as terminal parts), and a retaining member. The terminal parts are inserted and accommodated in the cavity of the housing. The retaining member is assembled to the housing after the terminal parts. By assembling the retaining member to the housing, the terminal parts are restricted from coming out of the housing. In addition, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose terminal parts. Patent Document 4 discloses a retaining member. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-57213 Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-56792 Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-243011 Patent Document 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-7385 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, after the operation of inserting the terminal parts into the housing, it is necessary to manually move the retaining member to the official locking position (including the case of using a jig, etc.), and there is still room for improvement from the viewpoint of workability.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a connector capable of improving the workability of the movement operation of the retaining member relative to the housing. Solutions to the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure includes: a housing having a cavity extending in the front-rear direction; terminal parts accommodated in the cavity; and a retaining member capable of moving from a temporary locking position to an official locking position in one direction of the up-down direction relative to the housing. The retaining member is configured to have an insertion portion through which the terminal parts can be inserted. The terminal parts are allowed to pass through the insertion portion at the temporary locking position, and the terminal parts are restricted from coming out of the cavity at the official locking position. A pressing portion is formed on the terminal parts. The insertion portion includes a pressed insertion portion, and the pressed insertion portion is pressed in one direction of the up-down direction by the pressing portion at the temporary locking position, so that the retaining member moves to the official locking position. Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a connector capable of improving the workability of the movement operation of the retaining member relative to the housing can be provided. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the inner housing in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the terminal component in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 4 is a magnified perspective view showing the bottom surface of the retaining member mounting hole in the inner housing of the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the retaining member in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 6 is a front view of the retaining member in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 7 is a magnified perspective view showing the pressed insertion portion of the retaining member in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 8 is a side sectional view showing the state in which the retaining member is disposed at the temporary locking position with respect to the housing in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 9 is a magnified cross-sectional view showing a portion including the housing locking portion and the pressed insertion portion when the retaining member is disposed at the temporary locking position with respect to the housing in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 10 is a side sectional view showing the state in which the pressing portion starts to contact the pressed protrusion during the process of inserting the terminal component at the uppermost layer into the cavity in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 11 is a side sectional view showing the state in which all the terminal components are inserted into the cavity and the retaining member is disposed at the formal locking position with respect to the housing in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 12 is a magnified cross-sectional view showing a portion including the terminal component, the housing locking portion, and the pressed insertion portion when the retaining member is disposed at the formal locking position with respect to the housing in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 13 is a top view showing the state in which the tip of the jig starts to be assembled to the housing when the retaining member is disposed at the formal locking position with respect to the housing in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 14 is a top view showing the state in which the tip of the jig slides on the cam portion of the housing and the retaining member moves to the complete position with respect to the housing in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 15This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion including a terminal fitting, a housing locking portion, and a pushed-through portion when the holder is arranged at a complete position relative to the housing in the connector of the first embodiment. Figure 16 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of the connector according to the first embodiment where the tip end portion of the stopper portion is fitted and locked with the complete receiving portion when the holder is arranged at the complete position relative to the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of examples. The connector disclosed in the present invention is configured as follows: (1) It comprises: a shell having a cavity extending in the front-to-back direction; a terminal part which is accommodated in the cavity; and a retaining member which can be moved in an upward and downward direction from a temporary locking position to a formal locking position relative to the shell, the retaining member being configured to have an insertion portion through which the terminal part can be inserted, allowing the terminal part to pass through the insertion portion at the temporary locking position and restricting the terminal part from escaping from the cavity at the formal locking position, a pressing portion being formed on the terminal part, the insertion portion including a pressed insertion portion, which is pressed in an upward and downward direction by the pressing portion at the temporary locking position to move the retaining member to the formal locking position.

[0010] When the retainer is located at the temporary locking position and the top end of the terminal part is about to pass through the inside of the pressed insertion part, the pressing part of the terminal part presses the pressed insertion part of the retainer, and the retainer can move from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. Thus, the retainer can be automatically moved to the formal locking position in conjunction with the operation of inserting the terminal part into the housing.

[0011] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, preferably, the retaining member has a shell locking portion that is locked to the shell at the temporary locking position, a plurality of the insertion portions are formed on the retaining member, and the pressed insertion portion is composed of an insertion portion located closest to the shell locking portion among the plurality of the insertion portions.

[0012] According to the configuration of (2), since the pressing force of the pressing portion pressing the pressed insertion portion is efficiently transmitted to the housing lock portion, the locking of the housing lock portion and the housing at the temporary locking position can be easily released.

[0013] (3) In the connector described in the above (1) or (2), preferably, a plurality of the insertion portions are formed in the holding member in the vertical direction, and the pressed insertion portion is constituted by the insertion portion at the end of the other side in the vertical direction among the plurality of insertion portions.

[0014] According to the structure of the above (3), when inserting the terminal parts into the cavity in turn from one end in the vertical direction, when inserting the terminal part into the cavity at the end of the other side in the vertical direction, the pressed insertion portion is pressed by the pressing portion of the terminal part in the direction of one side in the vertical direction, and the holding member can be easily moved to the formal locking position.

[0015] (4) In the connector described in any one of the above (1) to (3), preferably, a plurality of the insertion portions are formed in the holding member in the horizontal direction, and the pressed insertion portion is constituted by the insertion portions at the left and right ends among the plurality of insertion portions.

[0016] According to the structure of the above (4), since the pressing force acting on the holding member from the pressing portion acts on the pressed insertion portions at the left and right ends of the holding member with good balance, the holding member can be smoothly moved to the formal locking position.

[0017] (5) In the connector described in any one of the above (1) to (4), preferably, on the inner surface portion of the pressed insertion portion at one side in the vertical direction, a pressed protrusion that protrudes toward the other side in the vertical direction and can contact the pressing portion is formed, and on the inner surface portion of the pressed insertion portion at the other side in the vertical direction, a recess that is recessed toward the other side in the vertical direction is formed.

[0018] According to the structure of the above (5), when the holding member moves to the formal locking position, since the pressing portion of the terminal part presses the pressed protrusion of the pressed insertion portion, by adjusting the protruding size and shape of the pressed protrusion, the pressing force acting on the holding member from the pressing portion can be adjusted. In addition, even when the pressing portion contacts the pressed protrusion and the terminal part is displaced in the direction above the pressed protrusion, a part of the displaced terminal part can yield to the recess. Thus, contact between the terminal part and the inner surface of the pressed insertion portion can be avoided.

[0019] (6) In the connector described in the above (5), it can be that the holding member can move from the formal locking position to the other side in the horizontal direction relative to the housing to the full position, so that the locking range of the holding member relative to the terminal part extends to one side in the horizontal direction of the recess.

[0020] There is a concern that due to the presence of the recess, the terminal part after being pressed into the interior of the insertion part may not be stably locked to the holding member at the formal locking position. Regarding this point, according to the structure of (6) above, by moving the holding member from the formal locking position to the full position, the locking range of the holding member with respect to the terminal part becomes larger in one of the left and right directions of the recess. Therefore, the left-right center of the locking range can be shifted from the left-right center of the recess to one of the left and right directions. As a result, the terminal part can be stably locked to the holding member at the full position.

[0021] (7) In the connector described in (6) above, it may be that the housing has a cam portion for moving the holding member to the full position. The cam portion extends in the front-rear direction, opens forward, and has a shape that inclines toward the other of the left and right directions as it tends toward the rear.

[0022] For example, during the process of assembling a jig for conduction inspection and a jig for inspecting the assembled state of the holding member to the housing from the front, the holding member can be moved from the formal locking position to the full position by the tip of the jig displacing along the cam portion. Thus, there is no need to perform a special operation to move the holding member to the full position, and an improvement in workability can be ensured.

[0023] [Details of the Embodiment of the Present Disclosure] Hereinafter, specific examples of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to this example, but refers to what is shown in the claims and includes all changes within the meaning equivalent to the claims and the scope.

[0024] <Embodiment 1> The connector 10 of Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure includes a housing 20, a terminal part 90 housed in the housing 20, and a holding member 60 movably assembled to the housing 20. The housing 20 can be engaged with a mating connector (not shown). In addition, in the following description, regarding the front-rear direction, the direction in which the housing 20 is engaged with the mating connector is taken as the front. The up-down direction is based on the up-down direction of each drawing except Figure 13 and Figure 14 The left-right direction is based on the left-right direction of Figure 6 , Figure 9 , Figures 12 to 16 . The reference of the above directions is not necessarily the same as the reference of the directions in the state where the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown) or the like. Figure 1 In

[0025] (Overall Structure of Connector 10) Specifically, as Figure 1As shown, the connector 10 includes an inner housing 21, an outer housing 22, a terminal part 90, a retainer 60, a front bracket 23, a rubber ring 130, a general rubber plug 110, an operating rod 120, and a cover (not shown). The inner housing 21, the outer housing 22, the retainer 60, the front bracket 23, the operating rod 120, and the cover are made of synthetic resin. The terminal part 90 is made of metal. The rubber ring 130 and the general rubber plug 110 are made of rubber such as silicone rubber.

[0026] The outer shell 22 is cylindrical and surrounds the outer circumference of the inner shell 21 over the entire circumference. A cover of a mating connector (not shown) can be fitted between the outer shell 22 and the inner shell 21. The outer shell 22 and the inner shell 21 are connected to each other via a joint 24 ( Figure 2 Only the connecting portion 24 of the inner shell 21 is shown in the figure, and the shell 20 is connected to each other, thereby forming an integral body.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the inner housing 21 is in a block shape that is long in the left-right direction. A plurality of cavities 26 that penetrate in the front-back direction are formed in the inner housing 21. Each cavity 26 is arranged in multiple layers in the up-down direction and in multiple rows in the left-right direction. Figure 8 and Figure 10 As shown, an elastically deformable lance 27 is protruded from the upper surface of the inner wall of each cavity 26. The terminal fitting 90 is inserted into each cavity 26 from the rear. The terminal fitting 90 is locked to the lance 27 and is prevented from coming out of the cavity 26 at once.

[0028] In addition, if Figure 2 and Figure 10 As shown in FIG. 2 , a retainer assembly hole 28 extending in the up-down direction and opening on the upper surface of the inner housing 21 is formed in the inner housing 21. Each cavity 26 is separated front and back inside the inner housing 21 via the retainer assembly hole 28. The lance 27 is formed on the inner wall of the cavity 26 located forward of the retainer assembly hole 28. Figure 2 As shown, on the left and right sides of the inner housing 21, a rib-shaped movement limiting portion 29 ( Figure 2 Only the right side is shown in the figure). Figure 9 , Figure 12 and Figure 15 As shown, the upper surface of the movement limiting portion 29 is inclined downward toward the outer side in the left-right direction. The lower surface of the movement limiting portion 29 is gently inclined downward toward the outer side in the left-right direction. The retainer 60 is retained by the housing 20 in a state where movement is restricted by being locked to the movement limiting portion 29.

[0029] like Figure 3As shown, the terminal part 90 is integrally shaped like a slender body in the front-rear direction. The terminal part 90 has a square tube-shaped connecting part 91, a tube part 92 located at a position rearward of the connecting part 91, and a connecting part 93 located between the connecting part 91 and the tube part 92 and connecting the two. The tube part 92 is crimped to the end part of the electric wire W to be electrically and mechanically connected thereto. When the housing 20 is engaged with the mating connector, the connecting part 91 is electrically connected to a mating terminal part (male terminal part) not shown.

[0030] On the upper wall of the connecting part 91, a lance-shaped member engaging part 94 and a holder engaging part 95 are formed to protrude. At a position near the front end of the upper wall of the connecting part 91, the lance-shaped member engaging part 94 is formed in a shape that bends a part of the upper wall upward. At the rear end of the upper wall of the connecting part 91, the holder engaging part 95 is similarly formed in a shape that bends a part of the upper wall upward. As Figure 11 shown, the lance-shaped member 27 can be engaged with the lance-shaped member engaging part 94. The holder 60 can be engaged with the holder engaging part 95.

[0031] The holder 60 can move relative to the housing 20 from a temporary locking position (see Figures 8 to 10 ) downward (one direction in the vertical direction) toward a formal locking position (see Figures 11 to 13 ). In addition, in the case of the first embodiment, the holder 60 can move from the formal locking position leftward (the other direction in the left-right direction) toward a full position (see Figures 14 to 16 ). As will be described below, the holder 60 locks the terminal part 90 in the formal locking position and stabilizes the locking relative to the terminal part 90 in the full position.

[0032] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the holder 60 has a holder main body part 61 having a rectangular outer shape in a front view and a covering part 62 connected to the upper end part of the holder main body part 61. The holder main body part 61 is inserted and housed in the holder fitting hole 28. In the holder main body part 61, a plurality of insertion parts 63 penetrating the holder main body part 61 in the front-rear direction are formed. Each insertion part 63 is arranged in multiple layers in the vertical direction and in multiple columns in the left-right direction so as to correspond to each cavity 26 (except for the lowermost cavity 26).

[0033] As Figure 8 shown, the covering part 62 is configured to include a part integrally connected to the upper end part of the holder main body part 61 and extending more rearward than the holder main body part 61. When the holder 60 is in the formal locking position and the full position, as Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 15 shown, the covering part 62 covers and closes the upper surface opening of the holder fitting hole 28. AsFigure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a pair of housing locking portions 64 are formed at the ends of the left and right sides of the cover portion 62, which are bent and extended downward. Each housing locking portion 64 is arranged to be opposed to each other with a gap between the left and right side surfaces of the retainer main body 61. On the inner side surface in the left and right directions of each housing locking portion 64, a first locking portion 65 and a second locking portion 66 are arranged in a concave manner in the up and down direction. The first locking portion 65 is arranged at a position lower than the second locking portion 66. As shown in FIG. Figure 9 , Figure 12 and Figure 15 As shown, the upper surface of the first stopper 65 (the surface of the first stopper 65 located on the upper side and facing downward) is inclined upward toward the inner side of the left-right direction. The lower surface of the first stopper 65 (the surface of the first stopper 65 located on the lower side and facing upward) is inclined upward slowly toward the inner side of the left-right direction. The upper surface of the second stopper 66 (the surface of the second stopper 66 located on the upper side and facing downward) is inclined upward toward the inner side of the left-right direction. The lower surface of the second stopper 66 (the surface of the second stopper 66 located on the lower side and facing upward) is inclined downward toward the inner side of the left-right direction. Each shell locking portion 64 can be elastically deformed in the left-right direction with the root 67 connected to the upper wall portion of the covering portion 62 as a fulcrum.

[0034] like Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the front bracket 23 is mounted on the inner housing 21 so as to cover the front surface of the inner housing 21. The rubber ring 130 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 21. When the housing 20 is mated with the mating connector, the rubber ring 130 is arranged in a compressed state between the cover portion of the mating connector and the inner housing 21. Thus, the housing 20 and the mating connector are sealed. The rubber ring 130 is arranged adjacent to the cover portion 62 at a position behind the retainer 60.

[0035] like Figure 8 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the general rubber plug 110 is accommodated in the storage recess 31 opened on the rear surface of the inner housing 21. The general rubber plug 110 accommodated in the storage recess 31 is restricted from coming out to the rear by the back wall of the outer housing 22. The outer peripheral surface of the general rubber plug 110 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 31 in a liquid-tight manner. The general rubber plug 110 has a plurality of sealing holes 111 that pass through in the front-to-back direction. The wire W connected to the terminal part 90 is inserted through each sealing hole 111 in a liquid-tight manner. In this way, the interior of the cavity 26 is sealed.

[0036] like Figure 1As shown, the operating lever 120 has an operating portion 121 extending in the vertical direction, and a pair of arm portions 122 protruding from the upper and lower end portions of the operating portion 121 so as to face each other. Each arm portion 122 is supported by a support shaft 32 ( Figure 1 only the support shaft 32 formed on the upper wall is shown in the figure) formed on the upper wall and the lower wall of the outer housing 22 so as to be rotatable. The operating lever 120 can rotate relative to the housing 20 about the support shaft 32 between the initial position and the fitting position. When the operating lever 120 is in the initial position, each arm portion 122 is engaged with the other connector. In this state, when rotated from the initial position toward the fitting position, the other connector is pulled toward the housing 20, and the housing 20 and the other connector are fitted with a low fitting force. A cover (not shown) is attached to the outer housing 22 from the rear. The cover covers each wire W extending from the rear surface of the inner housing 21 and defines the lead-out direction of each wire W.

[0037] (Detailed structure of terminal part 90, inner housing 21, and holder 60) As Figure 3 shown, the terminal part 90 has a base wall 96 as a bottom plate portion extending over the entire length in the front-rear direction. A pressing portion 97 is formed to protrude from the base wall 96. The pressing portion 97 has a function of pressing the pressed insertion portion 63A described below to move the holder 60 from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. The pressing portion 97 has a rib shape in which the left and right central portions of the base wall 96 bulge downward and is formed to extend relatively long in the front-rear direction. The front surface of the pressing portion 97 faces downward and is inclined rearward. The front surface of the pressing portion 97 is disposed at a position overlapping the rear end portion of the connecting portion 91 in the front-rear direction. The lower surface of the pressing portion 97 is disposed in the front-rear direction. The rear surface of the pressing portion 97 faces downward and is inclined forward. The rear surface of the pressing portion 97 is disposed at a position overlapping the connecting portion 93 in the front-rear direction.

[0038] The inner housing 21 has a plurality of partition portions 33 (portions corresponding to the insertion portions of the lowermost layer) formed between the lower end of the holder 60 in the formal locking position and the full position and communicating with the cavities 26 of the lowermost layer. As Figure 4 shown, each partition portion 33 is protrudingly provided on the bottom surface of the holder fitting hole 28 of the inner housing 21 so as to be arranged in the left-right direction. A stopper portion 34 is formed on the partition portion 33 located at the left and right central portions of the inner housing 21. The stopper portion 34 has a rib shape extending in the front-rear direction and is protrudingly provided at the left and right central portions of the upper end surface of the partition portion 33. As Figure 16 shown, the following formal locking receiving portion 71 and full receiving portion 72 of the holder 60 can be locked to the stopper portion 34.

[0039] As Figure 6As shown, the holding member 60 has a plurality of protruding wall portions 68 arranged in the left - right direction on the lower surface of the holding member main body portion 61. When the holding member 60 is in the normal locking position and the full position, each partition wall portion 33 and each protruding wall portion 68 are arranged opposite to each other in a manner that they can come into contact with each other. A portion corresponding to the lowermost insertion portion is demarcated between each partition wall portion 33 and each protruding wall portion 68. In the protruding wall portion 68 located at the left - right center portion of the holding member 60, a normal locking receiving portion 71 and a full receiving portion 72 are formed. The normal locking receiving portion 71 and the full receiving portion 72 are in the shape of grooves extending in the front - rear direction and are recessed and arranged in the left - right direction on the lower end surface of the protruding wall portion 68. By the tip of the stopper portion 34 being fitted into the normal locking receiving portion 71 for locking, the position deviation of the holding member 60 in the left - right direction at the normal locking position is restricted. In addition, by the tip of the stopper portion 34 being fitted into the full receiving portion 72 for locking, the position deviation of the holding member 60 in the left - right direction at the full position is restricted (refer to Figure 16 ). At the side corner portion of the normal locking receiving portion 71 on the other side in the left - right direction ( Figure 6 the right side), a conical cutout portion 73 is formed which facilitates the stopper portion 34 to cross from the normal locking receiving portion 71 to the full receiving portion 72.

[0040] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, a part of each insertion portion 63 is configured as a pressed insertion portion 63A. The inner surface of the pressed insertion portion 63A (the following lower inner surface portion 74) faces the pressing portion 97 of the terminal part 90 and is pressed downward (one side of the up - down direction) by the pressing portion 97. The pressed insertion portion 63A is composed of the insertion portions 63 at the ends on both sides among the multiple columns of insertion portions 63 arranged in the left - right direction. In addition, the pressed insertion portion 63A is composed of the insertion portions 63 at the uppermost (the other side of the up - down direction) among the multiple layers of insertion portions 63 arranged in the up - down direction. That is to say, the pressed insertion portion 63A is composed of the insertion portions 63 at the left - right end portions and the upper end portions among each insertion portion 63. Moreover, among each insertion portion 63, the pressed insertion portion 63A is arranged at the position closest to the housing locking portion 64. The insertion portions 63 other than the pressed insertion portion 63A among each insertion portion 63 are configured as normal insertion portions 63 that are not pressed by the pressing portion 97 of the terminal part 90.

[0041] As Figure 7As shown, the lower inner surface portion 74, which is located below (one side in the vertical direction) among the upper and lower inner surface portions that face each other in the vertical direction and are arranged in the left - right direction of the pressed insertion portion 63A, has a pressed protrusion portion 75 that protrudes upward (the other side in the vertical direction). The pressed protrusion portion 75 protrudes and is provided at the left - right center portion of the lower inner surface portion 74. The pressed protrusion portion 75 has a flat - table shape. The front surface of the pressed protrusion portion 75 faces the front - surface opening of the pressed insertion portion 63A and is arranged in the left - right direction and the vertical direction. The upper surface (the top surface in the protruding direction) of the pressed protrusion portion 75 is flatly arranged in the left - right direction and the front - rear direction. The rear surface of the pressed protrusion portion 75 faces forward and slopes upward. When the terminal part 90 passes through the inside of the pressed insertion portion 63A, the pressing portion 97 contacts in such a way that it can slide from the rear surface of the pressed protrusion portion 75 to the upper surface.

[0042] In addition, as Figure 7 shown, the upper inner surface portion 76, which is located above (the other side in the vertical direction) among the upper and lower inner surface portions of the pressed insertion portion 63A, has a recess 77 that is recessed upward (the other side in the vertical direction). The recess 77 is recessed and provided at the left - right center portion of the upper inner surface portion 76. The recess 77 is curved and concave when viewed from the front, and opens at the upper - edge portion of the front - surface opening of the pressed insertion portion 63A. When the terminal part 90 passes through the inside of the pressed insertion portion 63A, when the pressing portion 97 gets above the pressed protrusion portion 75, the holding - part engaging portion 95 enters the recess 77 and yields.

[0043] In addition, among the left - and - right inner surface portions that face each other in the left - right direction and are arranged in the vertical direction of the pressed insertion portion 63A, on the side - inner surface portion 78 that is on the other side in the left - right direction ( Figure 7 the right side), there is a side - recess 79 that is recessed in one direction in the left - right direction. The side - recess 79 is recessed and provided at the upper - end portion of the side - inner surface portion 78. The side - recess 79 is rectangular and concave and long in the vertical direction when viewed from the front, and opens at one - edge portion of the front - surface opening of the pressed insertion portion 63A. As Figure 15 shown, when the holding part 60 is in the full position, one side wall (right side wall) of the connecting portion 93 of the terminal part 90 enters the side - recess 79 and yields.

[0044] The portion of the front surface of the holding - part main body portion 61 that faces the holding - part engaging portion 95 of the terminal part 90 when the holding part 60 is in the formal locking position and the full position is configured to be able to be locked to the locking range S of the terminal part 90 ( Figure 12 and Figure 15(in the range demarcated by the dashed line along the shape of the terminal part 90). The locking range S is formed at the opening edge part above each insertion part 63 on the front surface of the holder main body part 61. When the insertion part 63A is pressed, the locking range S is configured to expand and become larger toward one side in the left - right direction of the recess 77 as the holder 60 moves from the formal locking position to the full position.

[0045] As Figure 5 shown, the holder 60 has a pair of grooves 81 arranged at intervals on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the covering part 62. Each groove 81 extends in the front - rear direction and opens at the front end surface of the covering part 62. One side ( Figure 5 (the left side in this case)) of the groove surface of each groove 81 is configured as a cam part 82 that can engage with the following jig 40. The cam part 82 has a shape that inclines toward the other side ( Figure 5 (the right side in this case)) in the left - right direction as it moves from the front end surface (the front - facing open surface) of the covering part 62 toward the rear.

[0046] (Function of the connector 10) In the state where the holder 60 is arranged at the temporary locking position relative to the housing 20, as Figure 8 shown, the holder main body part 61 is inserted into the holder fitting hole 28, and the covering part 62 is arranged to float upward from the upper surface of the inner housing 21. Each insertion part 63 and each cavity 26 are arranged to communicate with each other in the front - rear direction. Inside each insertion part 63, a passage through which the terminal part 90 can be inserted is ensured. The pressed projection 75 of the pressed insertion part 63A is arranged at a position where the passage can be ensured and interference with the pressing part 97 can occur. In addition, at the temporary locking position, as Figure 9 shown, the movement restricting part 29 of the inner housing 21 is inserted into the first locking part 65 of the housing locking part 64, and the holder 60 is held in a state where its movement relative to the housing 20 to the temporary locking position is restricted.

[0047] When the holder 60 is at the temporary locking position, the terminal part 90 connected to the end part of the electric wire W is inserted into the cavity 26 of the housing 20 from the rear. In the case of the first embodiment, the terminal part 90 is inserted into each cavity 26 of each upper and lower layer in sequence from the lower layer to the upper layer by an unillustrated automatic machine or the like. If the terminal part 90 is inserted into the cavity 26 at the normal depth, the barb engaging part 94 of the barb is arranged to be able to engage with the barb 27, thereby restricting the terminal part 90 from coming out of the cavity 26 once.

[0048] As Figure 9As shown, when the top terminal part 90 is inserted into the cavity 26 and the connecting part 91 is to pass through the inside of the pressed insertion part 63A from the cavity 26 at the rear side, the front surface of the pressing part 97 contacts the rear surface of the pressed protrusion 75. By the inclined surface contact between the front surface of the pressing part 97 and the rear surface of the pressed protrusion 75, a part of the pressing force (operating force) for pressing the terminal part 90 forward is converted into a pressing force for moving the holder 60 downward (one side in the vertical direction). The first locking part 65 of the housing locking part 64 that receives the downward pressing force separates from the movement restricting part 29, releasing the locking between the first locking part 65 and the movement restricting part 29. Thus, together with the reset action of the housing locking part 64, the holder 60 moves from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position.

[0049] If, as the holder 60 moves downward, the connecting part 91 is displaced upward relative to the holder 60, the locking part 95 of the holder enters the recess 77. Thereby, interference between the locking part 95 of the holder and the holder main body part 61 is avoided. After that, the connecting part 91 is deeply inserted into the cavity 26 at the front side. As the pressing part 97 moves over the pressed protrusion 75, the lower surface of the pressing part 97 contacts the upper surface of the pressed protrusion 75. During the period when the pressing part 97 moves over the pressed protrusion 75, the holder 60 continues to move toward the formal locking position. After the pressing part 97 moves over the pressed protrusion 75, the holder 60 can automatically reach the formal locking position.

[0050] At the formal locking position, as Figure 11 shown, the holder 60 faces the locking part 95 of the terminal part 90 in a manner that can lock from the rear, secondarily restricting the terminal part 90 from coming out of the cavity 26. Then, as Figure 12 shown, the movement restricting part 29 of the inner housing 21 is inserted into the second locking part 66 of the housing locking part 64, and the tip part of the stopper part 34 is inserted into the formal locking receiving part 71 (refer to the double-dot chain line in Figure 16 ). Thus, the holder 60 is held in a state where its movement toward the formal locking position relative to the housing 20 is restricted.

[0051] At the formal locking position, as Figure 12 shown, the left-right center of the locking range S of the holder 60 coincides with or is substantially the same as the left-right center of the recess 77 of the pressed insertion part 63A. In this way, the shear area of the holder 60 relative to the terminal part 90 is reduced by the recess 77, and there is a concern that the stability of the locking relative to the terminal part 90 cannot be ensured. In contrast, in the case of the first embodiment 1, the holder 60 moves from the formal locking position to the full position relative to the housing 20. Thus, as Figure 15 shown, the locking range S of the holder 60 is offset from the center of the recess 77 of the pressed insertion part 63A, and the stability of the locking can be ensured.

[0052] When moving the holding member 60 to the fully inserted position, there is no need to use a dedicated jig, and it is possible to use a jig for checking the conduction state of the inspection terminal part 90 and a jig for checking the semi-inserted state of the holding member 60. In the case of the first embodiment, as Figure 13 shown, a combined jig 40 having a probe 41 for detecting the conduction state of the terminal part 90 and a semi-insertion detection part 42 for detecting the semi-inserted state of the holding member 60 with respect to the housing 20 is used. The probe 41 is arranged at a position corresponding to each terminal part 90 so as to be able to come into individual contact with each terminal part 90. The semi-insertion detection part 42 is formed in a plate shape and is arranged at a height position where it can interfere with the semi-inserted holding member 60 so as to be able to detect the semi-inserted state of the holding member 60 (the protruding state and the floating state protruding from the upper surface of the inner housing 21). Moreover, the jig 40 has a pair of cam engagement parts 43 on the left and right sides of the semi-insertion detection part 42 and at the same height position as the semi-insertion detection part 42. Similar to the semi-insertion detection part 42, the cam engagement part 43 has a function of detecting the semi-inserted state of the holding member 60.

[0053] In a state where the holding member 60 is arranged at the formal locking position with respect to the housing 20, as Figure 13 shown, the jig 40 is assembled into the connector 10 (specifically, the inside of the outer housing 22) from the front. Each cam engagement part 43 is displaced along the groove part 35 formed on the upper surface of the front bracket 23, thereby guiding the assembly of the jig 40. Then, as Figure 14 shown, the tip parts of each cam engagement part 43 enter each recess 81 and are displaced along the cam part 82, whereby the holding member 60 moves to the other side in the left-right direction, and the stopper part 34 can cross the cutout part 73 and reach the fully inserted position. As Figure 16 shown, in the fully inserted position, the tip part of the stopper part 34 is embedded in the fully receiving part 72, restricting the position shift of the holding member 60 in the left-right direction. In addition, as Figure 15 shown, by maintaining the state where the second locking part 66 can be locked to the movement restricting part 29, the position shift of the holding member 60 in the up-down direction is also restricted.

[0054] In this way, by moving the holding member 60 from the formal locking position to the fully inserted position, the holding member 60 is displaced to one side in the left-right direction with respect to the housing 20, and the locking range S of the holding member 60 with respect to the terminal part 90 is greatly extended to one side in the left-right direction of the concave part 77 (refer to Figure 15 ). Thereby, it is possible to increase the shear area of the holding member 60 with respect to the terminal part 90, and thus ensure the stability of the locking with respect to the terminal part 90.

[0055] As described above, the connector 10 of the present embodiment 1 includes a housing 20 having a cavity 26 extending in the front-rear direction, a terminal part 90 accommodated in the cavity 26, and a retainer 60 that can move downward (in one direction of the vertical direction) from a temporary locking position to a formal locking position relative to the housing 20. The retainer 60 is configured to have an insertion portion 63 through which the terminal part 90 can be inserted, allowing the terminal part 90 to pass through the insertion portion 63 at the temporary locking position, and restricting the terminal part 90 from escaping from the cavity 26 at the formal locking position. A pressing portion 97 is formed on the terminal part 90. The insertion portion 63 includes a pressed insertion portion 63A, which is pressed downward by the pressing portion 97 at the temporary locking position, so that the retainer 60 can be moved to the formal locking position.

[0056] According to the above structure of the first embodiment, when the retainer 60 is located at the temporary locking position and the connecting portion 91 of the terminal part 90 is about to pass through the inside of the pressed insertion portion 63A, the pressing portion 97 presses the pressed insertion portion 63A, and the retainer 60 can be moved from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. Thus, the retainer 60 can be automatically moved to the formal locking position in conjunction with the operation of inserting the terminal part 90 into the housing 20.

[0057] In addition, in the case of the present embodiment 1, the retainer 60 has the housing locking portion 64 that is locked to the housing 20 at the temporary locking position. The pressed insertion portion 63A is composed of the insertion portion 63 located closest to the housing locking portion 64 among the plurality of insertion portions 63. According to this structure, the pressing force of the pressing portion 97 pressing the pressed insertion portion 63A is efficiently transmitted to the housing locking portion 64, so that the locking of the housing locking portion 64 and the housing 20 at the temporary locking position can be easily released.

[0058] In addition, in the case of the first embodiment, the pressed insertion portion 63A is composed of the insertion portion 63 located at the upper end (the other end of the upper and lower directions) among the plurality of insertion portions 63 arranged in the upper and lower directions. According to this structure, the terminal parts 90 are sequentially inserted from the cavities 26 of the lower layer to the cavities 26 of the upper layer. When the terminal parts 90 are inserted into the cavities 26 located at the upper end, the pressed insertion portion 63A is pressed downward by the pressing portion 97 of the terminal parts 90, and the retainer 60 can be easily moved to the formal locking position.

[0059] In the case of the first embodiment, the pressed insertion portion 63A is composed of the insertion portions 63 located at the left and right end portions among the plurality of insertion portions 63 arranged in the left-right direction. According to this structure, since the pressing force from the pressing portion 97 acting on the retainer 60 acts on the pressed insertion portions 63A located at the left and right end portions of the retainer 60 in a well-balanced manner, the retainer 60 can be smoothly moved to the formal locking position without being tilted.

[0060] Further, in the case of the first embodiment, a pressed protrusion 75 that can come into contact with the pressing portion 97 is formed on the lower inner surface portion 74, which is located on the lower side, of the inner surface of the pressed insertion portion 63A, and a recess 77 is formed on the upper inner surface portion 76, which is located on the upper side. According to this structure, when the holder 60 moves to the official locking position, since the pressing portion 97 of the terminal part 90 presses the pressed protrusion 75 of the pressed insertion portion 63A, by adjusting the protruding size and shape of the pressed protrusion 75, the pressing force acting on the holder 60 from the pressing portion 97 can be adjusted. Further, even when the pressing portion 97 comes into contact with the pressed protrusion 75, the locking portion 95 of the terminal part 90 that has been displaced upward beyond the pressed protrusion 75 can yield to the recess 77. Thereby, contact between the terminal part 90 and the holder 60 can be avoided.

[0061] Further, in the case of the first embodiment, the holder 60 is arranged so as to be able to move from the official locking position to the other side in the left - right direction with respect to the housing 20 to the full position, so that the locking range S of the holder 60 with respect to the terminal part 90 extends to one side in the left - right direction of the recess 77. According to this structure, by moving the holder 60 from the official locking position to the full position, the terminal part 90 can be stably locked to the holder 60 in the full position.

[0062] In addition, in the case of the first embodiment, the housing 20 has a cam portion 82 that can move the holder 60 to the full position. The cam portion 82 extends in the front - rear direction, opens forward, and has a shape that is inclined toward the other side in the left - right direction as it tends toward the rear. According to this structure, during the process of assembling the jig 40 used for conduction inspection or the like to the housing 20 from the front, the holder 60 can move from the official locking position to the full position by the tip of the jig 40 being displaced along the cam portion 82. Thus, there is no need to perform a special operation to move the holder 60 to the full position, and an improvement in workability can be ensured.

[0063] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] It should be considered that the above - described first embodiment disclosed this time is merely an example in all aspects and is not restrictive. In the case of the above - described first embodiment, a part of the plurality of insertion portions 63 is configured as the pressed insertion portion 63A. In contrast, according to other embodiments, all of the plurality of insertion portions may be configured as the pressed insertion portion. Further, when only one insertion portion is formed in the housing, the one insertion portion may also be configured as the pressed insertion portion. In the case of the above-described Embodiment 1, the holding member 60 is configured to move downward from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position with respect to the housing 20, and to move leftward from the formal locking position to the complete position. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the holding member may also be configured to move upward from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position with respect to the housing, and may also be configured to move rightward from the formal locking position to the complete position. In the case of the above-described Embodiment 1, the holding member 60 is capable of moving between the temporary locking position and the formal locking position with respect to the housing 20, and is capable of moving between the formal locking position and the complete position. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the holding member may also be configured to be capable of moving between the temporary locking position and the formal locking position with respect to the housing, but not to move between the formal locking position and the complete position. Description of Reference Numerals

[0064] 10…Connector 20…Housing 21…Inner housing 22…Outer housing 23…Front bracket 24…Joint portion 26…Cavity 27…Spear-like member 28…Holding member fitting hole 29…Movement restricting portion 31…Receiving recess 32…Support shaft 33…Partition portion 34…Stopping portion 35…Groove portion 40…Clamp 41…Probe 42…Half-insertion detection portion 43…Cam engagement portion 60…Holding member 61…Holding member main body portion 62…Cover portion 63…Insertion portion 63A…Pressed insertion portion 64…Housing locking portion 65…First locking portion 66…Second locking portion 67…Root portion 68…Protruding wall portion 71…Formal locking receiving portion 72…Complete receiving portion 73…Cutout portion 74…Lower inner surface portion 75…Pressed protrusion 76…Upper inner surface part 77…Recess 78…One side inner surface part 79…Side recess 81…Groove 82…Cam part 90…Terminal part 91…Connection part 92…Cylindrical part 93…Linking part 94…Spear-shaped part engaging portion 95…Holder engaging portion 96…Base wall 97…Pressing part 110…Overall rubber plug 111…Sealing hole 120…Operating rod 121…Operating part 122…Arm part 130…Rubber ring S…Engaging range W…Electric wire

Claims

1. A connector having: A housing having a cavity extending in a front-to-rear direction; a terminal part received in the cavity; and The retainer can be moved in one direction of the upper and lower directions from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position relative to the housing, The retainer is configured to have an insertion portion through which the terminal part can be inserted, to allow the terminal part to pass through the insertion portion at the temporary locking position, and to restrict the terminal part from escaping from the cavity at the formal locking position. A pressing portion is formed on the terminal part, The insertion portion includes a pressed insertion portion that is pressed in one of the upper and lower directions by the pressing portion at the temporary locking position to move the retainer to the final locking position.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The retainer has a housing locking portion locked to the housing at the temporary locking position. A plurality of the insertion portions are formed on the retaining member, The pressed insertion portion is composed of an insertion portion located closest to the housing locking portion among the plurality of insertion portions.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The holder has a plurality of insertion portions arranged in a vertical direction. The pressed insertion portion is composed of the insertion portion located at the other end portion in the up-down direction among the plurality of the insertion portions.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The holder has a plurality of insertion portions arranged in a left-right direction. The pressed insertion portion is composed of the insertion portions located at the left and right end portions among the plurality of the insertion portions.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: A pressed protrusion is formed on an inner surface portion located on one side in the up-down direction of the inner surface of the pressed insertion portion, the protrusion protruding toward the other side in the up-down direction and capable of contacting the pressing portion. A recessed portion that is recessed toward the other side in the vertical direction is formed on the inner surface portion of the pressed insertion portion that is located on the other side in the vertical direction.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein: The retainer is movable relative to the housing from the permanent locking position to the other side in the left-right direction to a complete position so that a locking range of the retainer with respect to the terminal part is expanded to one side in the left-right direction of the recess.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein: The housing has a cam portion for moving the retainer to the complete position, the cam portion extending in the front-rear direction, opening forward, and having a shape that inclines in the other direction of the left-right direction as it goes backward.

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