Connector and end structure of wire harness

Abstract

A connector (20) is provided with a housing (21) and a cover (24) attached to the housing (21). The housing (21) has a plurality of cavities (25) extending in the front-rear direction and housing terminals (22) connected to the terminal sections of the electric wires (90), and an electric wire lead-out surface (21F) on which the rear ends of the plurality of cavities (25) are arranged in the height direction and the width direction and open. The cover (24) has a back wall section (44) further rearward than the electric wire lead-out surface (21F), and an electric wire routing space (49) is defined between the back wall section (44) and the electric wire lead-out surface (21F). The back wall section (44) has a flat opening-shaped wire leading-out opening (46) extending in the width direction at a position facing one end surface section (21G) on one end side in the height direction of the wire leading-out surface (21F) across the wire routing space (49).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an end structure of a connector and a wire harness. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a flat cable crimping connector including a housing, a pressing cover, and a strain relief member. A crimp terminal is received in a terminal receiving chamber of the housing. The crimp terminal has an exposed portion that protrudes from the terminal receiving chamber. A flat cable is pressed by the pressing cover against the exposed portion of the crimp terminal. The strain relief member holds the flat cable in a bent state between the strain relief member and the pressing cover.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a crimping connector including a housing and an outer cover that houses the housing. A wire extending from the housing is drawn upward through a wire extraction window that opens in the upper surface of the rear portion of the outer cover, and is further bent and drawn rearward.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a connector including a housing and a pair of wire holding portions mounted on the rear end portion of the housing. A pair of upper and lower wire bending portions for bending a wire are provided in each wire holding portion. In addition, Patent Documents 4 and 5 also disclose a structure in which a wire (including a flat cable) is disposed in a cover in a bent state. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-198063 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-37055 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-31298 Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-168515 Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-196349 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, when the number of poles of the terminals increases and a plurality of wires are densely arranged in the cover, it is sometimes difficult to apply the techniques disclosed in the above Patent Documents 1 to 5 directly. For example, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the wire is bent at a steep angle in the cover (between the strain relief member and the housing), and the wire routing in the cover is narrow, it is difficult to bend a plurality of wires. In this regard, for example, if the strain relief member structure is omitted and the bending angle of the wire is set to be gentle, when the wire is pulled rearward, excessive stress acts on the connection portion between the wire and the terminal, and there is a problem that the connection state between the wire and the terminal cannot be properly maintained.

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to, corresponding to the multi-polarization of the connector, apply stress to the connection portion of the wire and the terminal gently while stretching the wire. Solution to the problem

[0008] The present invention includes a housing and a cover mounted on the housing. The housing has a plurality of cavities and a wire lead-out surface. The plurality of cavities extend in the front-rear direction and accommodate terminals connected to the terminal portions of wires. On the wire lead-out surface, the rear ends of the plurality of cavities are arranged and opened in the height direction and the width direction. The cover has a back wall portion at a position behind the wire lead-out surface, and a wire laying space is defined between the back wall portion and the wire lead-out surface. The back wall portion has a flat opening-shaped wire outlet extending in the width direction at a position facing the end surface on one end side in the height direction of the wire lead-out surface across the wire laying space. Advantages of the invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to correspond to the multi-polarization of the connector, and at the same time, it is possible to relieve the stress acting on the connection portion of the wire and the terminal when the wire is stretched. Description of the drawings

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an end structure of a wire harness including a connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in a mated state with a mating connector. Figure 4 is an enlarged top view of the cover and its peripheral portion in the connector. Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the cover and its peripheral portion in the connector. Figure 6 is a rear view of the connector. Figure 7 is a rear view of the housing. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cover viewed from the front. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the first cover viewed from the left rear. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the second cover viewed from the right rear. Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

[0011] [Description of the embodiment of the present invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described. The connector of the present invention (1) It includes a housing and a cover mounted on the housing. The housing has a plurality of cavities and a wire lead-out surface. The plurality of cavities extend in the front-rear direction and accommodate terminals connected to the terminal portions of wires. On the wire lead-out surface, the rear ends of the plurality of cavities are arranged and opened in the height direction and the width direction. The cover has a back wall portion at a position behind the wire lead-out surface, and a wire routing space is defined between the back wall portion and the wire lead-out surface. The back wall portion has a flat opening-shaped wire outlet extending in the width direction at a position facing the end face on one end side in the height direction of the wire lead-out surface across the wire routing space.

[0012] According to the above structure, each wire led out from the wire lead-out surface of the housing to the wire routing space can be concentrated at the flat wire outlet in the width direction and led out rearward in a compact state. Therefore, a state where each wire is not easily movable at the wire outlet can be formed. In particular, each wire led out from the rear ends of the cavities opened at the other end face on the other end side in the height direction of the wire lead-out surface to the wire routing space can be arranged in a posture inclined toward one end side in the height direction toward the wire outlet. As a result, the tensile force when the wire is stretched rearward is not easily transmitted to the connection portion between the wire and the terminal, and the connection state between the wire and the terminal can be appropriately maintained.

[0013] (2) Preferably, the cover has a protrusion that protrudes into the wire routing space and bends the wire routing path formed between the end face and the wire outlet toward the other end side in the height direction.

[0014] According to the above structure, a part (the wire on one end side in the height direction) or all of each wire led out from the rear ends of the cavities opened at the end face to the wire routing space can be temporarily bent toward the other end side in the height direction by the protrusion, and arranged in a posture inclined toward one end side in the height direction from the bent position toward the wire outlet. As a result, the tensile force when the wire is stretched is further not easily transmitted to the connection portion between the wire and the terminal, and the connection state between the wire and the terminal can be more reliably maintained.

[0015] (3) Preferably, the cover has a pair of side wall portions and a base wall portion. The pair of side wall portions intersect with the back wall portion to close the end faces on both ends in the width direction of the cover. The base wall portion intersects with the pair of side wall portions to close the end face on one end in the height direction of the cover. The protrusion is plate-shaped, and is configured with the plate surface facing the front-rear direction, such that one end in the height direction is connected to the base wall portion, and both ends in the width direction are connected to the corresponding side wall portions.

[0016] According to the above structure, since the protruding portion is connected to both the base wall portion and the side wall portion, the rigidity of the protruding portion can be improved. As a result, it is possible to prevent the protruding portion from breaking or being damaged when the tensile force during wire stretching is transmitted to the protruding portion via each wire.

[0017] (4) Preferably, the cover has a first cover and a second cover that can be separated from each other, the wire outlet has a first wire outlet and a second wire outlet, the first wire outlet is formed in the first cover, and the second wire outlet is formed in the second cover and communicates with the first wire outlet.

[0018] According to the above structure, while sandwiching each wire and assembling the first cover and the second cover, the first wire outlet and the second wire outlet can be made to communicate with each other to form a wire outlet in a state where each wire is arranged inside. Therefore, the operation of attaching the cover to the housing can be easily performed.

[0019] In addition, the present invention preferably is (5) An end structure of a wire harness, which includes the connector according to any one of the above (1)-(4) and a flat wire harness portion, the flat wire harness portion is arranged at a position rearward of the cover and opposed to the wire outlet, and concentrates a plurality of wires led out from the wire outlet, and has a flat outer shape in the width direction.

[0020] According to the above structure, by arranging the flat wire harness portion at a position rearward of the wire outlet and opposed to the wire outlet, the outer shape of the flat wire harness portion can be made flat in the width direction corresponding to the opening shape of the wire outlet. Therefore, each wire can be neatly led out from the wire outlet to the flat wire harness portion, and an unnecessary load applied to each wire can be suppressed.

[0021] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Invention] Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to this example, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0022] <Embodiment 1> As Figure 1 shown, the connector 20 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is provided at the end portion of the end structure 10 of the wire harness. The end structure 10 of the wire harness has a flat wire harness portion 80 near the connector 20, and the flat wire harness portion 80 includes a plurality of wires 90 led out from the connector 20.

[0023] As Figure 2As shown, the connector 20 includes a housing 21, a plurality of terminals 22 housed in the housing 21, a lever 23 rotatably supported by the housing 21, and a cover 24 attached to the housing 21. The housing 21 can be fitted with a mating connector 100. In addition, in the following description, regarding the front-rear direction, the side of the surface where the housing 21 and the mating connector 100 face each other when fitted is defined as the front side. The up-down direction is based on the up-down direction in each figure other than Figure 4 The up-down direction is synonymous with the height direction. The left-right direction is based on the left-right direction in Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 . The left-right direction is synonymous with the width direction. These directions do not necessarily coincide with the reference directions in the state where the connector 20 is mounted on a vehicle or the like.

[0024] (Mating Connector) As Figure 3 shown, the mating connector 100 includes a mating housing 120 and a plurality of mating terminals 130 housed in the mating housing 120. The mating housing 120 is made of synthetic resin and has a square shape as a whole. The mating terminals 130 are made of conductive metal and are connected to the terminal portions of the mating wires 150. The mating terminals 130 have cylindrical terminal connection portions 131.

[0025] (Housing, Terminals, and Lever) The housing 21 is made of synthetic resin and is composed of a plurality of sub-housings 21A and an outer housing 21B that houses each sub-housing 21A, as Figure 3 and Figure 7 shown. Each sub-housing 21A has a shape flattened in the width direction and is arranged in a state of being stacked in the up-down direction inside the outer housing 21B. As Figure 2 and Figure 7 shown, each sub-housing 21A has a plurality of cavities 25. The cavities 25 are arranged in a row along the width direction in the sub-housing 21A. As Figure 3 shown, the sub-housing 21A has elastic-deformable lance-shaped portions 26 protruding from the inner walls of the cavities 25.

[0026] The terminals 22 are inserted into the cavities 25 from the rear and are initially locked by the corresponding lance-shaped portions 26. The terminals 22 are made of conductive metal and, as Figure 3 shown, have tabs 22A protruding forward and cylindrical portions 22B formed at the rear ends and connected to the terminal portions (front ends) of the wires 90. When the housing 21 and the mating housing 120 are fitted, the tabs 22A of the terminals 22 are inserted into the terminal connection portions 131 of the mating terminals 130, and the terminals 22 and the mating terminals 130 are electrically connected.

[0027] As Figure 3As shown, among the sub - housings 21A stacked in the vertical direction, the terminal 22 inserted into the cavity 25 of the lower sub - housing 21A of the upper and lower sub - housings 21A adjacent to each other is secondarily locked by the stopper body portion 27 protruding from the upper sub - housing 21A. The terminal 22 inserted into the cavity 25 of the uppermost sub - housing 21A is secondarily locked by the separate stopper body 28 (refer to Figure 2 ) mounted on this sub - housing 21A. The stopper body portion 27 and the stopper body 28 protrude into the cavity 25 through the stopper body mounting holes 29 opened on the upper surface of the sub - housing 21A to lock the corresponding terminal 22.

[0028] As Figure 2 shown, the outer housing 21B is a square - tube - shaped housing penetrating in the front - rear direction. Inside the outer housing 21B, the sub - housings 21A inserted and held in a stacked state from the rear are arranged. As Figure 3 shown, the outer housing 21B has a fitting space 30 that is open in front of the front surface of each sub - housing 21A. The mating housing 120 is inserted into the fitting space 30 of the outer housing 21B and fitted thereto. As Figure 7 shown, a pair of support shafts 31 are formed protruding from the outer surfaces of both side walls of the outer housing 21B. The two support shafts 31 support the rod 23 so that it can rotate.

[0029] The rod 23 is made of synthetic resin. As Figure 2 shown, it has a pair of arm portions 32 opposed to each other at intervals in the width direction and a connecting portion 33 that extends in the width direction and connects the two arm portions 32. A shaft hole 34 and a cam groove 35 are respectively formed in the two arm portions 32. An elastically deformable elastic locking portion 36 is formed in the connecting portion 33.

[0030] The rod 23 can rotate relative to the housing 21 about the support shaft 31 inserted into the shaft hole 34 to a temporary locking position (refer to Figure 1 ) and a formal locking position (refer to Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 ). In the temporary locking position, the connecting portion 33 is arranged to be separated above the front end of the outer housing 21B (refer to Figure 1 ). During the rotation of the rod 23 from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position, an unillustrated cam follower formed on the mating housing 120 slides on the groove surface of the cam groove 35 to perform the fitting of the housing 21 and the mating housing 120. In the formal locking position, as Figure 3 shown, the connecting portion 33 is arranged to approach above the rear end of the outer housing 21B, and the elastic locking portion 36 is locked with the rod locking portion 37 formed on the upper wall of the outer housing 21B. By the engagement of the elastic locking portion 36 with the rod locking portion 37, the rod 23 is held in a state where its rotation relative to the outer housing 21B is restricted, and the housing 21 and the mating housing 120 are held in a fitted state. As Figure 4As shown, the rod locking portion 37 is formed to project rearward from the central portion in the width direction at the rear end of the upper wall of the outer housing 21B so as to cover the upper wall portion 43 of the lid 24 described later from above.

[0031] As Figure 4 shown, on the outer surface of the upper wall of the outer housing 21B, a pair of lid locking portions 38 are formed to project at positions on both sides in the width direction with the rod locking portion 37 interposed therebetween. The two lid locking portions 38 are each in the shape of a claw, and engage with the lid 24 to restrict the lid 24 from detaching from the housing 21. As Figure 7 shown, lid locking portions 38 are also formed in pairs along the width direction on the outer surface of the lower wall of the outer housing 21B. The two lid locking portions 38 formed on the lower wall of the outer housing 21B and the two lid locking portions 38 formed on the upper wall of the outer housing 21B are arranged at the same positions in the width direction of the housing 21.

[0032] As Figure 3 and Figure 7 shown, the rear surface of the housing 21 is arranged along the height direction and the width direction, and is configured as a wire lead-out surface 21F for leading out the respective electric wires 90 from the rear ends of the respective cavities 25. On the wire lead-out surface 21F of the housing 21, the rear ends of the respective cavities 25 of the respective sub-housings 21A in a stacked state are arranged and opened in the height direction and the width direction.

[0033] (Lid) The lid 24 is made of synthetic resin and is in the shape of a cap, and is attached to the rear end portion of the housing 21 from the rear. As Figure 8 shown, the lid 24 has a pair of side wall portions 41, a base wall portion 42, an upper wall portion 43, and a back wall portion 44. The two side wall portions 41 are plate-shaped along the height direction, and are arranged opposite to each other with an interval therebetween in the width direction. The base wall portion 42 is plate-shaped along the width direction, extends along the width direction, and is connected to the lower ends of the respective side wall portions 41 to close the lower surface (end face on one end side in the height direction) of the lid 24. The upper wall portion 43 is plate-shaped along the width direction, extends along the width direction, and is connected to the upper ends of the respective side wall portions 41 to close the upper surface (end face on the other end side in the height direction) of the lid 24. The back wall portion 44 is plate-shaped with the plate surface facing the front-rear direction, extends along the height direction, and is connected to the rear ends of the respective side wall portions 41, base wall portion 42, and upper wall portion 43. As Figure 6 shown, except for the wire lead-out port 46 described later, the rear surface of the lid 24 is closed.

[0034] As Figure 8 shown, the front ends of the respective side wall portions 41, base wall portion 42, and upper wall portion 43 are configured as an open end 24F of the lid 24 having a square shape in the front view. The upper wall portion 43 is formed shorter than the base wall portion 42 in the front-rear direction. As Figure 3As shown, the upper portion of the back wall portion 44 forms an inclined surface portion 45 that inclines forward toward the rear end of the upper wall portion 43. The upper portion of the rear end of the side wall portion 41 is connected to the inclined surface portion 45 and inclines along the inclined surface portion 45.

[0035] As Figure 6 shown, a wire lead-out opening 46 is formed through the lower portion of the back wall portion 44. The wire lead-out opening 46 has a horizontally long rectangular flat opening shape extending in the width direction. Specifically, the wire lead-out opening 46 is formed such that the width dimension is larger than the height dimension and opens throughout the entire width of the back wall. The two ends in the width direction of the wire lead-out opening 46 are delimited by the lower portions of the rear ends of the corresponding side wall portions 41. In addition, the wire lead-out opening 46 opens in the lower portion of the back wall portion 44 (a portion lower than the central portion in the height direction of the back wall portion 44). The lower end of the wire lead-out opening 46 is delimited by the rear end of the base wall portion 42 and is arranged along the width direction. As Figure 3 shown, a lead-out guiding portion 47 is formed to bend backward in the lower portion of the back wall portion 44 and above the wire lead-out opening 46. As Figure 6 shown, the upper end of the wire lead-out opening 46 is delimited by the rear end of the lead-out guiding portion 47 and is arranged along the width direction. The upper end, lower end, and the two ends in the width direction of the wire lead-out opening 46 are respectively arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction and are formed at the rearmost end of the cover 24.

[0036] As Figure 6 and Figure 8 shown, a pair of locking portions 48 arranged at intervals in the width direction are respectively formed at the front end portions of the upper wall portion 43 and the base wall portion 42. Each locking portion 48 has a U-shaped top view, protrudes forward from the front end portions of the upper wall portion 43 and the base wall portion 42 respectively, and can be elastically deformed in the up-down direction. Each locking portion 48 is engaged with the corresponding cover locking portion 38. By engaging each locking portion 48 with each cover locking portion 38, the opening end 24F of the cover 24 is arranged in contact with the outer peripheral edge portion of the wire lead-out opening 46 of the housing 21, and the cover 24 is held on the housing 21. As Figure 3 shown, a wire laying space 49 is formed between the wire lead-out surface 21F in the cover 24 and the back wall portion 44. As Figure 5 shown, when the rod 23 is in the formal locking position, the connecting portion 33 of the rod 23 is arranged to face the upper surface of the upper wall portion 43 and can be placed on the upper surface of the upper wall portion 43.

[0037] As Figure 3 shown, the wire lead-out opening 46 is arranged at a position facing the one end surface portion 21G of the rear end opening of the lowermost cavity 25 on the lower end side of the wire lead-out surface 21F of the housing 21, with a wire laying space 49 therebetween. The one end surface portion 21G is on the wire lead-out surface 21F of the housing 21 and in the same height range as the wire lead-out opening 46 (starting from the lower end of the wire lead-out surface 21F, with Figure 3It is formed with a height dimension corresponding to the height of the wire lead-out port 46 within the range (with the double-dashed line as the upper limit).

[0038] On the front end side of the base wall portion 42, a protrusion 51 is formed so as to protrude into the wire laying space 49. The protrusion 51 is plate-shaped and is arranged with its plate surface facing the front and rear directions. The protrusion 51 extends relatively long in the width direction, and both ends in the width direction are connected to the corresponding side wall portions 41. Thus, the protrusion 51 closes the front end side of the lower end portion of the wire laying space 49 behind one end face portion 21G. When viewing the connector 20 from the rear, the protrusion 51 can be visually recognized through the wire lead-out port 46, but the rear ends of the lowermost chambers 25 opening in the one end face portion 21G are hidden by the protrusion 51 and cannot be visually recognized (refer to Figure 6 ).

[0039] As Figure 2 and Figure 8 shown, the cover 24 is composed of a first cover 24A and a second cover 24B that can be divided from each other in the width direction. In other words, the cover 24 is formed by combining the first cover 24A and the second cover 24B from the width direction.

[0040] As Figure 6 shown, when the connector 20 is viewed from the rear, the first cover 24A is arranged on the right side (one side in the width direction) and constitutes the right half of the cover 24. The second cover 24B is arranged on the left side (the other side in the width direction) when the connector 20 is viewed from the rear and constitutes the left half of the cover 24. In addition, in the following description, "right side" and "left side" are based on the "right side" and "left side" when viewed from the rear. As Figure 9 shown, the first cover 24A has the side wall portion 41 on the right side, a first base wall portion 42A that is the right part of the base wall portion 42, a first upper wall portion 43A that is the right part of the upper wall portion 43, and a first back wall portion 44A that is the right part of the back wall portion 44. Each locking portion 48 on the right side is formed on the first cover 24A. In addition, the first cover 24A has a first protrusion 51A that is the right part of the protrusion 51 and a first wire lead-out port 46A that is the right part of the wire lead-out port 46. As Figure 10 shown, the second cover 24B has the side wall portion 41 on the left side, a second base wall portion 42B that is the left part of the base wall portion 42, a second upper wall portion 43B that is the left part of the upper wall portion 43, a second back wall portion 44B that is the left part of the back wall portion 44, a locking portion 48 on the left side, a second protrusion 51B that is the left part of the protrusion 51, and a second wire lead-out port 46B that is the right part of the wire lead-out port 46. As Figure 8As shown, the protrusion 51 is divided into a first protrusion 51A and a second protrusion 51B at the center in the width direction of the cover 24. Similarly, the wire outlet 46 communicates with and is divided into a first wire outlet 46A and a second wire outlet 46B at the center in the width direction of the cover 24.

[0041] As Figure 9 shown, the first cover 24A has a pair of upper and lower first locking portions 53 protruding from the first back wall portion 44A toward the other side in the width direction on the side of the second back wall portion 44B. The two first locking portions 53 are U-shaped in plan view and are respectively elastically deformably arranged at the upper part (the right side portion of the inclined surface portion 45) and the lower part of the first back wall portion 44A. As Figure 10 shown, the second cover 24B is provided with a pair of upper and lower second locking portions 54 protruding from the outer surface on the side of the first back wall portion 44A of the second back wall portion 44B, that is, on the side close to the width direction. The two second locking portions 54 are respectively claw-shaped and are arranged at the upper part (the left side portion of the inclined surface portion 45) and the lower part of the second back wall portion 44B. As Figure 6 shown, the two second locking portions 54 are locked to the corresponding first locking portions 53. By locking the two second locking portions 54 to the two first locking portions 53, the first cover 24A and the second cover 24B are integrated. Then, the first cover 24A and the second cover 24B are fitted into and locked to the housing 21 from the rear and are held in a fixed state.

[0042] (Flat wire harness portion) As Figure 1 shown, the flat wire harness portion 80 is disposed opposite to the wire outlet 46 at a position rearward of the wire outlet 46. The flat wire harness portion 80 forms a flat cross-sectional shape corresponding to the wire outlet 46 and is disposed within a range overlapping the wire outlet 46 in the height direction and the width direction in the end structure 10 of the wire harness.

[0043] As Figure 3 and Figure 6 shown, while maintaining the stacked state (stacking order) of the sub-housing 21A accommodating the respective wires 90, the respective wires 90 are led out from the wire outlet 46 in a closely stacked state. The respective wires 90 led out from the wire outlet 46 are arranged on a welding piece (not shown) in each layer and are clamped by the respective welding pieces from the up and down directions, and are formed into a flat wire harness portion 80 that is flat in the width direction through a welding process such as ultrasonic welding or hot melting welding. In short, the flat wire harness portion 80 integrates the respective layers through a welding process at the end portion 81 while maintaining the stacked state of the respective wires 90. In addition, the front and rear length of the flat wire harness portion 80 is arbitrary and can be appropriately determined according to circumstances. Further, the flat wire harness portion 80 can be assembled to an assembly surface (not shown).

[0044] (Functions of the connector and the end structure of the wire harness) When assembling the cover 24, the first cover 24A and the second cover 24B are joined together in the width direction with respect to each wire 90 exposed between each sub-housing 21A and the flat wire harness portion 80. By engaging each first locking portion 53 and each second locking portion 54 with each other, the cover 24 is formed integrally with the state that each wire 90 is inserted inside the first cover 24A and the second cover 24B.

[0045] Next, each sub-housing 21A is inserted into the outer housing 21B from the rear, and each sub-housing 21A is held in a stacked state in the vertical direction inside the outer housing 21B. And the cover 24 is attached to the outer housing 21B from the rear, and by engaging each locking portion 48 and each cover locking portion 38 with each other, the cover 24 is held in a non-removable state on the housing 21. Then, by the rotational operation of the lever 23, the housing 21 is engaged with the mating connector 100.

[0046] As Figure 3 shown, each wire 90 led out from the rear end of each cavity 25 in each sub-housing 21A on the upper layer side and the middle layer side (each sub-housing 21A of the lower third to sixth layers in the case of Figure 3 ) extends while inclining downward in the wire laying space 49 of the cover 24, reaches the wire outlet 46 opening at the lower end side of the back wall portion 44, and is led out rearward from the wire outlet 46 while being guided by the lead-out guide portion 47. Each wire 90 gradually converges tightly from the wire lead-out surface 21F (rear end) of the housing 21 to the wire outlet 466 in the wire laying space 49. Each wire 90 led out from the rear end of each cavity 25 in each sub-housing 21A on the lower layer side (each sub-housing 21A of the lower first and second layers in the case of Figure 3 ) is pressed by the protrusion 51 and temporarily lifted upward, and after passing over the protrusion 51, extends while inclining downward, reaches the wire outlet 46, and is led out rearward from the wire outlet 46. Here, each wire 90 led out from the rear end of each cavity 25 of the lowermost sub-housing 21A is pushed up by the upper end of the protrusion 51 and contacts the adjacent wires 90 on the upper layer side, and becomes a shape that is bent and deformed at the position corresponding to the protrusion 51.

[0047] As Figure 3 and Figure 6 shown, each wire 90 maintains the stacked state of each sub-housing 21A at the wire outlet 46 of the back wall portion 44, and at the same time is pressed against the upper end (lead-out guide portion 47) of the wire outlet 46 and converges tightly in a state of being forced upward. And as Figure 1 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, each wire 90 led out from the wire outlet 46 of the back wall portion 44 goes straight rearward as it is and is introduced into the inside of the flat wire harness portion 80.

[0048] In addition, in the case of the first embodiment, when the connector 20 is viewed from the rear, each locking portion 48 and each lid locking portion 38 are respectively arranged at point-symmetrical positions. Therefore, the lid 24 can also be mounted on the housing 21 in a posture opposite to the above. When the lid 24 takes a posture opposite to the above, the wire outlet 46 opens at the upper end side of the back wall portion 44, one end face portion 21G is located at the upper end side of the wire outlet surface 21F, and the laying form of each wire 90 in the wire laying space 49 is opposite to the above.

[0049] According to the first embodiment, each wire 90 is inserted into the wire outlet 46 of the back wall portion 44 in a tight state, and is further arranged in the wire laying space 49 of the lid 24 in a bent state or an inclined state. Therefore, even if a tensile force acting rearward is applied to each wire 90 extending rearward from the flat wire harness portion 80 or the flat wire harness portion 80, the movement of each wire 90 can be restricted at the wire outlet 46, and further, the laying state of each wire 90 can be maintained in the wire laying space 49. Therefore, the above tensile force can be prevented from being transmitted to the connection portions (the portions connected through the cylindrical portion 22B) of each wire 90 and each terminal 22 at the terminal portions of each wire 90. As a result, the connection state between each wire 90 and each terminal 22 can be appropriately maintained. In particular, in the case of the first embodiment, the movement of each wire 90 can be restricted without narrowing or complicating the wire laying path in the lid 24. Therefore, it is possible to correspond to a multi-pole connector.

[0050] In addition, since the wire laying path between the one end face portion 21G of the wire outlet surface 21F of the housing 21 and the wire outlet 46 is bent upward by the protrusion 51, each wire 90 led out from the rear end of each cavity 25 in each sub-housing 21A on the lower layer side can be inserted into the wire laying space 49 in a bent state. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the above tensile force from being transmitted to the connection portions of each wire 90 and each terminal 22.

[0051] In addition, since the lower end of the protrusion 51 is connected to the base wall portion 42 and both widthwise ends of the protrusion 51 are connected to the corresponding side wall portions 41, the rigidity of the protrusion 51 can be improved, and the situation where the protrusion 51 breaks or is damaged when a tensile force acts can be prevented.

[0052] In addition, the lid 24 is composed of a first lid 24A and a second lid 24B. While sandwiching each wire 90 and assembling the first lid 24A and the second lid 24B, the first wire outlet 46A and the second wire outlet 46B can be communicated to form the wire outlet 46 in a state where each wire 90 is laid inside. Therefore, the operation of mounting the lid 24 on the housing 21 can be easily performed.

[0053] Further, according to the end structure 10 of the wire harness of the present Embodiment 1, a flat wire harness portion 80 is provided at a position rearward of the cover 24 and opposed to the wire lead-out port 46. The flat wire harness portion 80 gathers the respective wires 90 led out from the wire lead-out port 46. The outer shape of the flat wire harness portion 80 is a shape that is flat in the width direction corresponding to the opening shape of the wire lead-out port 46. Therefore, the respective wires 90 can be neatly led out from the wire lead-out port 46 to the flat wire harness portion 80, and unnecessary load applied to the respective wires 90 can be suppressed. Moreover, the stacked state of the respective wires 90 can be maintained as it is in the stacked state of the sub-cases 21A corresponding to the respective wires 90.

[0054] [Other Embodiments of the Present Invention] It should be considered that the above-described Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. In the case of the above-described Embodiment 1, the cover has a protrusion projecting into the wire laying space. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the cover may not have a protrusion projecting into the wire laying space. In the case of the above-described Embodiment 1, the protrusion is connected to both the base wall portion and the side wall portion. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the protrusion may be connected to only either the base wall portion or the side wall portion. In the case of the above-described Embodiment 1, the cover is constituted by a first cover and a second cover that are separate from each other. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the cover may be integrally formed by a flexible hinge connecting the first cover and the second cover. Or, the cover may not have a hinge and may be a rigid member that is integral as a whole. In the case of the above-described Embodiment 1, the flat wire harness portion is formed by resin-coating the respective wires led out from the wire lead-out port into an outer shape that is flat in the width direction. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the flat wire harness portion may be formed by holding the respective wires led out from the wire lead-out port with a clip or a band or the like into an outer shape that is flat in the width direction. Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0055] 10: End structure of wire harness 20: Connector 21: Housing 21A: Sub-housing 21B: Outer housing 21F: Wire lead-out surface 21G: One end surface portion 22: Terminal 22A: Tab 22B: Cylindrical portion 23: Rod 24: Cover 24A: First cover 24B: Second cover 24F: Open end 25: Cavity 26: Lance part 27: Stopper body part 28: Stopper body 29: Stopper body mounting hole 30: Fitting space 31: Support shaft 32: Arm part 33: Connecting part 34: Shaft hole 35: Cam groove 36: Elastic locking part 37: Rod locking part 38: Cover locking part 41: Side wall part 42: Base wall part 42A: First base wall part 42B: Second base wall part 43: Upper wall part 43A: First upper wall part 43B: Second upper wall part 44: Back wall part 44A: First back wall part 44B: Second back wall part 45: Inclined surface part 46: Wire outlet 46A: First wire outlet 46B: Second wire outlet 47: Outlet guide part 48: Locking part 49: Wire laying space 51: Protrusion 51A: First protrusion 51B: Second protrusion 53: First locking part 54: Second locking part 80: Flat wire harness part 81: End part 90: Wire 100: Mate connector 120: Mate housing 130: Mate terminal 131: Terminal connection part 150: Mate wire

Claims

1. A connector includes a housing and a cover mounted on the housing. The housing has a plurality of cavities and a wire lead-out surface. The plurality of cavities extend in the front-rear direction and accommodate terminals connected to the terminal portions of wires. On the wire lead-out surface, the rear ends of the plurality of cavities are arranged and open in the height direction and the width direction. The cover has a back wall portion at a position behind the wire lead-out surface, and a wire laying space is defined between the back wall portion and the wire lead-out surface. The back wall portion has a flat opening-shaped wire outlet at a position facing the one end surface on the one end side in the height direction of the wire lead-out surface across the wire laying space and extending in the width direction.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a protrusion that protrudes into the wire laying space and bends the wire laying path formed between the one end surface and the wire outlet toward the other end side in the height direction.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the cover has a pair of side wall portions and a base wall portion. The pair of side wall portions intersect with the back wall portion and close the end surfaces at both ends in the width direction of the cover. The base wall portion intersects with the pair of side wall portions and closes the end surface at one end in the height direction of the cover. The protrusion is in a plate shape, with the plate surface arranged in the front-rear direction, connecting one end in the height direction to the base wall portion, and connecting both ends in the width direction to the corresponding side wall portions.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a first cover and a second cover that can be separated from each other. The wire outlet has a first wire outlet and a second wire outlet. The first wire outlet is formed on the first cover, and the second wire outlet is formed on the second cover and communicates with the first wire outlet.

5. An end structure of a wire harness includes the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a flat wire harness portion. The flat wire harness portion is arranged at a position behind the cover and facing the wire outlet, so that a plurality of wires led out from the wire outlet are concentrated and have a flat outer shape in the width direction.

Images