Connector

Abstract

The invention provides a connector which can maintain the clamping force of a front part relative to a housing. A connector (10) is provided with: a housing (20) having a chamber (28); and a front section (51) that is movable along the front surface side of the housing (20) in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction, and that is locked to the housing (20) at the main locking position. The housing (20) has a locking portion. The front section (51) has: a tab insertion hole (61) that communicates with the chamber (28) at the main locking position; an elastic part (67); a deformation permitting section (65) that permits the elastic deformation of the elastic section (67); and a protruding portion (64) protruding from the elastic portion (67) and facing the locking portion so as to be able to be locked to the locking portion at the main locking position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 includes a housing body and a terminal retaining member mounted on the housing body. Terminal parts are housed in the housing body. The terminal retaining member is configured to move relative to the housing body between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position. In the temporary locking position, insertion of the terminal parts into the housing body is permitted. In the permanent locking position, dislodgement of the terminal parts from the housing body rearward is prevented. The terminal retaining member has a front wall portion (hereinafter referred to as the "front portion") opposing the front surface of the housing body. The front portion has a tab insertion hole communicating with a chamber in the permanent locking position. The tab of a male terminal part is inserted into the tab insertion hole of the front portion. The housing body has a temporary locking retaining portion and a permanent locking retaining portion. The front portion has a retaining protrusion. The retaining protrusion is formed in the shape of a claw protruding from the left and right side end faces of the front portion. By engaging the retaining protrusion with the temporary locking retaining portion, the terminal retaining member is held relative to the housing body in the temporary locking position. By keeping the protrusion locked in place by the retaining part for the formal locking, the terminal retaining member is held relative to the housing body in the formal locking position. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-118239 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, if the operation of moving the terminal retaining member between the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position is performed repeatedly, the locking part of the front part will undergo plastic deformation, which may lead to a decrease in the locking force of the retaining part relative to the temporary locking part and the retaining part for permanent locking.

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a connector capable of maintaining a locking force between the front portion and the housing. Solution for solving the problem

[0006] The connector disclosed herein comprises: a housing having a chamber; and a front portion movable along the front surface of the housing in a direction intersecting the front and rear directions, and locked in the housing at a locking position, the housing having a locking portion, the front portion having: a tab insertion hole communicating with the chamber at the locking position; an elastic portion; a deformation-allowing portion allowing elastic deformation of the elastic portion; and a protrusion protruding from the elastic portion and opposing the locking portion at the locking position in a manner capable of locking in the locking portion. Invention Effects

[0007] According to this disclosure, a connector capable of maintaining a locking force between the front portion and the housing can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 This is a side sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the connector housing according to Embodiment 1. Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the temporary locking part, the permanent locking part, and their peripheral structure in the connector of Embodiment 1, enlarged. Figure 5 This is a top view of the assembly components of the connector according to Embodiment 1. Figure 6 This is a side view of the assembly components of the connector according to Embodiment 1. Figure 7 This is a front view of the assembly components of the connector according to Embodiment 1. Figure 8 This is a rear view of the assembly components of the connector according to Embodiment 1. Figure 9 This is an enlarged front view showing the state in which the protrusion in the connector of Embodiment 1 is locked in place by a temporary locking part. Figure 10 This is an enlarged front view showing the state in which the protrusion in the connector of Embodiment 1 is locked in place by the locking part used for formal locking. Figure 11 This is a front-view cross-sectional view enlarged to show the state in which the protrusion in the connector of Embodiment 1 is locked in place by the locking part used for regular locking. Detailed Implementation

[0009] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure] The embodiments of this disclosure are first described by listing them. The connector disclosed herein, (1) The device comprises: a housing having a chamber; and a front portion capable of moving along the front surface of the housing in a direction intersecting the front and rear directions, and locking onto the housing at a locking position, the housing having a locking portion, the front portion having: a tab insertion hole communicating with the chamber at the locking position; an elastic portion; a deformation-allowing portion allowing elastic deformation of the elastic portion; and a protrusion protruding from the elastic portion and opposing the locking portion at the locking position in a manner that allows it to lock onto the locking portion. According to the structure described in (1) above, after the elastic part undergoes elastic deformation towards the deformation-allowing part, the protrusion can be locked against the locking part at the locking position. This avoids generating large stresses on the protrusion. Even if, for example, locking and unlocking operations of the front part are repeatedly performed relative to the housing, the locking force of the protrusion relative to the locking part can be maintained.

[0010] (2) Based on the connector described in (1) above, it is preferable that the front surface of the housing has a pair of guide portions disposed at the locking position on both sides of the front portion, the locking portion being disposed on the opposing surfaces of the pair of guide portions, the protrusion protruding from the side end face of the front portion, and the deformation-allowing portion being configured to be visually confirmed under the main view of the front portion. Based on the structure described in (2) above, by visually confirming the state of the deformation-allowing part under main view observation, it is possible to detect whether the protrusion is properly locked in the locking part.

[0011] (3) Based on the connector described in (2) above, the deformation-allowing part may be formed in the front part as a hole shape that extends along the front-rear direction, and the elastic part is provided between the side end face of the front part and the deformation-allowing part, and is formed as a double-support beam extending along the moving direction of the front part. According to the structure described above (3), the protrusion can be stably maintained in the locking position by the elastic reaction force of the double-support beam-shaped elastic portion extending along the moving direction of the front portion. In addition, by visually confirming the opening shape of the deformation-allowing portion of the hole shape, it is easy to detect whether the protrusion is properly locked in the locking position.

[0012] (4) Based on the connector described in (3) above, it is preferable that, in the width direction intersecting the front-back direction and the movement direction, the width dimension of the elastic portion between the side end face of the front portion and the deformation-allowing portion is smaller than the opening width of the deformation-allowing portion. According to the structure described in (4) above, the elastic part can be elastically deformed towards the deformation-allowing part with sufficient deflection, which can ensure that the protrusion size of the protrusion is large.

[0013] (5) Based on the connector described in any one of (1) to (4) above, it is preferred that the front part has a plurality of jig insertion holes arranged in parallel with the tab insertion hole, the plurality of jig insertion holes including a plurality of end-side jig insertion holes arranged close to the side end face of the front part and in the moving direction, and a portion of the deformation-allowing part is formed as a recessed shape on the side end face of the front part, the recess being disposed between adjacent end-side jig insertion holes in the moving direction. According to the structure described in (5), the dead zone of the front part formed between the insertion holes of the adjacent end fixtures in the moving direction can be effectively utilized as part of the deformation allowable part, i.e., the formation area of ​​the recess, thus achieving excellent space efficiency.

[0014] (6) Based on the connector described in any of (2) to (5) above, it is preferable that the front part and the housing are constructed with different colors from each other. According to the structure described in (6), since the contrast difference between the front part and the housing becomes clear, it is possible to improve the visual confirmation when inspecting the state of the deformation-allowing part.

[0015] (7) Based on the connector described in any one of (1) to (6) above, it is preferable that the front part is provided on the assembly member, the assembly member having a stop part capable of locking the terminal part inserted into the chamber at the locking position. According to the structure described in (7), the assembly component can have the functions of both the front part and the stop part.

[0016] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, which are intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0017] <Implementation Method 1> like Figure 1 As shown, the connector 10 of Embodiment 1 includes: a housing 20; and an assembly member 50 assembled relative to the housing 20 to be movable between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position (locking position). The housing 20 engages with a counterpart connector (not shown). Figure 2 As shown, terminal parts 90 are housed in the housing 20. The assembly member 50 has a front portion 51 and a stop portion 52. Furthermore, in the following description, regarding the front-rear direction, the engagement direction of the housing 20 relative to the other connector is defined as front. The vertical direction is defined as... Figure 5 The vertical direction of all other figures is used as the reference. The vertical direction is synonymous with the height direction, and the horizontal direction is synonymous with the width direction. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The symbols X, Y, and Z in the diagram represent forward, right, and upward, respectively. These directional references are defined for convenience and may not necessarily be consistent with the directional references when the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown) or similar vehicle.

[0018] (Housing 20 and terminal parts 90) The shell 20 is made of synthetic resin. For example... Figure 3As shown, the housing 20 is generally block-shaped, with its left-right dimensions longer than its top-bottom dimensions. A flange 21 extends radially outward at the rear end of the housing 20. A locking arm 22, capable of elastic deformation, protrudes from the upper surface of the housing 20. The locking arm 22 extends rearward from the left-right middle portion of the front end of the upper surface of the housing 20. The rear end of the locking arm 22 is disposed inside the opening 23 formed in the flange 21. The locking arm 22 engages the other connector's housing (not shown), maintaining the connector 10 and the other connector in a mating state.

[0019] A pair of recesses 24 are formed on the left and right sides of the housing 20. Each recess 24 is formed at the lower part of the side of the housing 20 in a shape that is recessed relative to the upper part. In addition, a stop part mounting hole 25 is formed on the housing 20. The stop part mounting hole 25 opens on three sides from the lower surface of the housing 20 to the inside of each recess 24 (facing the left and right outer sides). Figure 2 As shown, the stop portion 52 of the assembly component 50 is inserted from below into the stop portion assembly hole 25.

[0020] like Figure 3 As shown, a pair of retaining protrusions 26 and 27 are formed inside each recess 24 of the housing 20, one at the top and one at the bottom. Each retaining protrusion 26 and 27 is formed into a rib shape extending in the front-rear direction. The retaining protrusions 26 and 27 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction in the portion of each recess 24 that is forward of the stop mounting hole 25. The retaining protrusions 26 and 27, together with the locking portions 35 and 36 described later, serve to hold the assembly member 50 relative to the housing 20 in a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position.

[0021] Multiple chambers 28 are formed in the shell 20. For example Figure 2 As shown, each chamber 28 extends along the front-rear direction, with its front end opening on the front surface of the housing 20 and its rear end opening on the rear surface of the housing 20. In this embodiment 1, each chamber 28 is arranged in the housing 20 in three layers in the vertical direction and in multiple rows in the horizontal direction. Each chamber 28 is divided into a front portion 28A and a rear portion 28B inside the housing 20 by a stop portion mounting hole 25. The housing 20 has a spear-shaped portion 29 that protrudes from the inner wall of the front portion 28A of each chamber 28 and is capable of elastic deformation. The front end of the spear-shaped portion 29 is exposed on the front surface side of the housing 20 when the housing 20 is in a single-piece form (see reference). Figure 3 The assembly component 50 is covered by the front part 51 when it is assembled into the housing 20 (see reference). Figure 2 Terminal part 90 is inserted into chamber 28 of housing 20 from the rear. Terminal part 90 is locked in place by spear-shaped portion 29, initially preventing terminal part 90 from falling rearward from chamber 28.

[0022] Terminal component 90 is made of conductive metal. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the terminal part 90 is generally formed into a shape that extends elongatedly in the front-to-back direction. The terminal part 90 has a cylindrical connecting portion 91 and a cylindrical portion 92 disposed rearward of the connecting portion 91. The protrusion 191 of the opposite male terminal part 190 is inserted into the connecting portion 91 for connection. The aforementioned spear-shaped portion 29 engages with the protruding portion at the front end of the connecting portion 91. The cylindrical portion 92 is pressed against the end portion of the wire W for connection. The wire W extends rearward from the rear surface of the housing 20. The stop portion 52 provides secondary suppression against the terminal part 90 falling rearward from the chamber 28.

[0023] like Figure 3 As shown, a rib-shaped protrusion 31 extending in the left-right direction is formed at the upper end of the front surface of the housing 20. The protrusion 31 extends across the entire width of the housing 20 in the left-right direction. The middle left and right portions of the protrusion 31 form the front end portion 22A of the locking arm 22. The front end portion 22A of the locking arm 22 protrudes forward from the surrounding area. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the left and right middle portions of the front part 51 can abut against the front end 22A of the locking arm 22 from below.

[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, a pair of rib-shaped guide portions 32 extending upward and downward are formed at the left and right ends of the front surface of the housing 20. The upper end of each guide portion 32 is connected to the left and right ends of the protrusion 31. Each guide portion 32 and the protrusion 31 are formed in a door-shaped configuration at the upper end of the front surface of the housing 20 when viewed from the main view. Figure 1 As shown, when assembling the assembly component 50 into the housing 20, each guide portion 32 is arranged to clamp the front portion 51 from the left and right sides.

[0025] like Figure 3 As shown, each guide portion 32 has opposing surfaces 33 that are oriented to face each other in the left-right direction. Figure 3 (Only one side is shown in the diagram). Figure 4 As shown, a guide groove 34 extending in the upward and downward direction is recessed in the rear portion of the opposing surface 33 of the guide portion 32. A locking portion 35 for formal locking and a locking portion 36 for temporary locking are recessed in the groove surface (inner side in the depth direction) of the guide groove 34 of the guide portion 32 at intervals in the vertical direction. The locking portion 36 for temporary locking is positioned lower than the locking portion 35 for formal locking. The locking portions 35 for formal locking and 36 for temporary locking are formed covering the entire width of the guide groove 34 in the front-rear direction. Figure 11As shown, the lower inner surfaces (the surfaces facing upwards on the lower side) of both the locking portion 35 for formal locking and the locking portion 36 for temporary locking are horizontally arranged in the left-right direction. The upper inner surfaces (the surfaces facing downwards on the upper side) of both the locking portion 35 for formal locking and the locking portion 36 for temporary locking are inclined downwards towards the left and right sides. An upward surface 37 is formed in the groove surface of the guide groove 34 at a position between the upper inner surface of the locking portion 36 for temporary locking and the lower inner surface of the locking portion 35 for formal locking. A retraction surface 38 is formed in the groove surface of the guide groove 34 at a position lower than the lower inner surface of the locking portion 36 for temporary locking and further to the left and right sides than the upward surface 37. A sliding surface 39 is formed in the groove surface of the guide groove 34 at a position between the lower inner surface of the locking portion 36 for temporary locking and the retraction surface 38, and at the same position in the left-right direction as the upward surface 37. During the assembly process of the assembly component 50, the protrusion 64 of the front part 51 crosses the sliding surface 39 from the retraction surface 38 side and is inserted into the temporary locking part 36, and then crosses the upward surface 37 and is inserted into the formal locking part 35.

[0026] like Figure 4 As shown, the front portion of the opposing surface 33 of the guide portion 32 is positioned to the left and right inner side of the groove surface of the guide groove 34 along the vertical and front-back directions. A pair of window openings 41 spaced apart in the vertical direction are provided on the front surface of each guide portion 32. Each window opening 41 is formed by drawing a die (not shown) for forming the locking portion 35 for formal locking and the locking portion 36 for temporary locking, respectively. Each window opening 41 is arranged such that it converges within the thickness range of each guide portion 32 in the left-right direction. In the case of this embodiment 1, each window opening 41 is formed corresponding to both the locking portion 35 for formal locking and the locking portion 36 for temporary locking. Each window opening 41 has a cross-sectional shape (opening shape) similar to that of the locking portion 35 for formal locking and the locking portion 36 for temporary locking, respectively. The upper window 41 is configured such that its rear end communicates with the internal space of the locking portion 35 for formal locking, its front end opens on the front surface of the guide portion 32, and it is closed in the circumferential direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The lower window 41 is configured such that its rear end communicates with the internal space of the locking portion 36 for temporary locking, its front end opens on the front surface of the guide portion 32, and it is also closed in the circumferential direction. The protrusions 64 that are locked in the locking portions 35 and 36 can be visually confirmed from the front through each window 41.

[0027] (Assembly component 50) Assembly component 50 is made of synthetic resin. For example... Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the assembly member 50 has a front portion 51 on the front end side and a stop portion 52 on the rear end side. In addition, the assembly member 50 has a pair of left and right side plate portions 53 between the front portion 51 and the stop portion 52.

[0028] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, both the front part 51 and the stop part 52 have a rectangular shape when viewed from the front and rear, with the left and right dimensions longer than the top and bottom dimensions. Figure 7 As shown, the front portion 51 is formed in the shape of a plate, and is arranged such that the plate surface faces the front-rear direction. Figure 8 As shown, the stop portion 52 is formed in a grid shape and is arranged opposite to the front portion 51 at a distance in the front-rear direction. Figure 6 As shown, the side plate portion 53 is formed in a plate shape and is arranged so that the plate surface faces the left and right directions. Figure 5 As shown, each side plate portion 53 extends in the front-to-back direction, with its front end connected to the left-to-right end of the front portion 51 and its rear end connected to the left-to-right end of the stop portion 52. Overall, the assembly member 50 has an internal space 54 that appears as a rectangular frame when viewed from above.

[0029] The assembly member 50 is assembled to the housing 20 from below and is held relative to the housing 20 in a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position by a locking mechanism described later. The assembly member 50 moves upward relative to the housing 20 from the temporary locking position toward the permanent locking position. The front part 51 is disposed along the front surface side of the housing 20. The stop part 52 is inserted into the stop part mounting hole 25 of the housing 20. Each side plate part 53 is fitted into each recess 24 of the housing 20 and disposed along the inner side of each recess 24. Figure 2 As shown, the front portion of the housing 20 (the front portion 28A having each chamber 28) fits into the internal space 54 of the assembly member 50.

[0030] like Figure 8 As shown, the stop portion 52 has multiple through holes 55. In the case of this embodiment 1, each through hole 55 is formed into a rectangular cross-sectional shape (opening shape) that is longer in the vertical direction, and is arranged in two layers in the vertical direction and multiple rows in the horizontal direction. Each through hole 55 communicates with each of the chambers 28 of the two lower layers except the uppermost layer at the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position. Multiple anti-disengagement portions 56 are formed protruding from the inner wall of each through hole 55 of the stop portion 52. Each anti-disengagement portion 56 is configured to engage with each of the terminal parts 90 inserted into each of the chambers 28 of the two lower layers (for the middle layer chambers 28, refer to...). Figure 2 Each anti-detachment part 56 is also formed protrudingly on the upper surface of the stop part 52. Each anti-detachment part 56 on the upper surface side of the stop part 52 is configured to engage with each terminal part 90 inserted into each of the uppermost chambers 28.

[0031] like Figure 5 As shown, each side plate portion 53 has a pair of left and right retaining bodies 57. The retaining bodies 57 are formed into ribs extending in the forward and backward direction at the upper end of the side plate portion 53 and protrude into the internal space 54.

[0032] like Figures 5-7 As shown, the front portion 51 has: a rectangular plate-shaped front wall portion 58; and a plurality of rib-shaped end wall portions 59 extending vertically and arranged horizontally on the rear surface side of the front wall portion 58. Each end wall portion 59 is connected in the front-rear direction to a partition (not shown) between adjacent chambers 28 in the housing 20 in the horizontal direction, forming an integral partition. Each end wall portion 59 is arranged to cover the front end portion of the connecting portion 91 of the terminal part 90 from both the left and right sides.

[0033] like Figure 7 As shown, the front wall portion 58 has a plurality of tab insertion holes 61. In the case of this embodiment 1, each tab insertion hole 61 is formed with a rectangular cross-sectional shape and is arranged in three layers in the vertical direction and in multiple rows in the horizontal direction. On the front surface of the front wall portion 58, an introduction surface 62 that expands forward is formed at the opening edge of each tab insertion hole 61. Each tab insertion hole 61 communicates with each chamber 28 at the final locking position. The tab 191 of the opposite male terminal part 190 is introduced by the introduction surface 62 and passes through the tab insertion hole 61 to connect with the terminal part 90 housed in the chamber 28.

[0034] Furthermore, the front wall portion 58 has a plurality of jig insertion holes 63 arranged side-by-side in the left-right direction relative to each tab insertion hole 61. Each jig insertion hole 63 is formed in a rectangular cross-sectional shape and is arranged corresponding to each tab insertion hole 61. In the case of this embodiment 1, each jig insertion hole 63 is arranged alternately with each tab insertion hole 61 at the same height position, arranged to the left of the corresponding tab insertion hole 61. The leftmost jig insertion hole 63 is configured as an end-side jig insertion hole 63A. The end-side jig insertion holes 63A are close to the left side end face 68 of the front wall portion 58, and three are arranged in the vertical direction. Figure 9 As shown, each jig insertion hole 63 is positioned opposite the front end of the spear-shaped portion 29 at the temporary locking position. When the assembly component 50 is in the temporary locking position, the release jig (not shown) can pass through the jig insertion hole 63 and contact the front end of the spear-shaped portion 29, causing the spear-shaped portion 29 to... Figure 9 The lower part of the lance 29 flexes downward (in the direction of releasing the locking from the terminal part 90). With the lance 29 flexed downward, the terminal part 90 can be pulled out of the chamber 28 by pulling the wire W backward.

[0035] like Figure 7 As shown, the front part 51 has a pair of left and right protrusions 64. Each protrusion 64 is positioned at the left-right end of each end wall portion 59, with the end wall portion 59 protruding from its left-right outer side end face 68. Each protrusion 64 is positioned vertically within the height range between the uppermost tab insertion hole 61 (fixture insertion hole 63) and the adjacent tab insertion hole 61 (fixture insertion hole 63) below it. Figure 6 As shown, the protrusion 64 is formed as a rib extending in the front-rear direction, covering the entire thickness of the end wall portion 59 in the front-rear direction. Figure 11 As shown, the external shape of the protrusion 64, when viewed from the main view, consists of a portion that slopes downward toward the left and right sides, a portion located at the lower end that extends horizontally toward the left and right sides, and a portion that is connected in a curved shape on the left and right sides.

[0036] like Figure 7 As shown, the front portion 51 has a pair of left and right deformation-allowing portions 65. In the case of this embodiment 1, each deformation-allowing portion 65 is configured as a hole with a vertical dimension longer than its horizontal dimension at the end wall portion 59 and the end of the front wall portion 58 located in the left and right directions. Each deformation-allowing portion 65 is positioned on the left and right inner side of the end wall portion 59 than each protrusion 64. Figure 11 As shown, the deformation-allowing portion 65 extends upward and downward with a certain width at its upper and lower middle portions. The upper end of the deformation-allowing portion 65 bends upward from the upper and lower middle portions. The lower end of the deformation-allowing portion 65 bends downward from the upper and lower middle portions. The protrusion 64 is disposed on the side end faces 68 on the left and right outer sides of the end wall portion 59 at a height position corresponding to the upper and lower middle portions of the deformation-allowing portion 65.

[0037] like Figure 7 As shown, the left and right inner portions of each deformation-allowing portion 65 extend continuously from the end wall portion 59 to the front wall portion 58, with the front end opening on the front surface of the front wall portion 58. Figure 6 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, a portion of each deformation-allowing portion 65 is formed on the left and right outer side end faces 68 of the front wall portion 58 by cutting out recesses 66. The left and right outer portions of each deformation-allowing portion 65 open onto the front surface of the end wall portion 59, rearward of the front surface of the front wall portion 58. The rear end of each deformation-allowing portion 65 opens onto the rear surface of the end wall portion 59. The recesses 66 are, for example, located at the left end of the front wall portion 58, within a range overlapping in the vertical direction with the portions between the adjacent end-side fixture insertion holes 63A in the vertical direction.

[0038] like Figure 7As shown, the front portion 51 has a pair of left and right elastic portions 67. Each elastic portion 67 has a defined left-right width between the left and right outer side end faces 68 of the end wall portion 59 and the left and right outer inner side faces of the deformation-allowing portion 65, forming a shape that extends upward and downward according to the vertical dimension of the deformation-allowing portion 65. The vertical ends of the elastic portions 67 are supported on corresponding connecting portions of the end wall portion 59. That is, the elastic portions 67 are formed as double-support beams supported by the aforementioned connecting portions. Each protrusion 64 protrudes from the upper and lower middle portions of the left and right outer side end faces 68 of each elastic portion 67. The elastic portions 67 are designed to elastically deform in the direction that narrows the left and right width of the deformation-allowing portion 65.

[0039] (Function of connector 10) Assembly component 50 is assembled to housing 20 from below. During assembly, protrusion 64 slides (slidably moves) on sliding surface 39 from retraction surface 38 side, and elastic part 67 elastically deforms toward deformation-allowing part 65. When assembly component 50 reaches temporary locking position, elastic part 67 elastically resets, causing protrusion 64 to engage with temporary locking part 36 (see reference). Figure 9 Furthermore, the retaining body 57 is embedded between the pair of retaining protrusions 26 and 27 in the vertical direction (not shown). Here, by the protrusion 64 contacting the inner lower surface of the temporary locking portion 36, the retaining body 57 contacts the upper surface of the lower retaining protrusion 27, thereby preventing the assembly member 50, which has reached the temporary locking position, from disengaging downward from the housing 20. In addition, the protrusion 64 contacting the inner upper surface of the temporary locking portion 36, the retaining body 57 contacting the lower surface of the upper retaining protrusion 26, thereby preventing the assembly member 50, which has reached the temporary locking position, from moving towards the permanent locking position.

[0040] With the assembly component 50 held in a temporarily locked position relative to the housing 20, the terminal parts 90 are inserted into each chamber 28 of the housing 20 from the rear. The terminal parts 90 are initially prevented from detaching within the chambers 28 by the spear-shaped portions 29.

[0041] Next, the assembly component 50 is pressed upward toward the final locking position into the housing 20. The end wall portion 59 located at the left and right ends moves along the corresponding guide groove 34. During the movement of the assembly component 50 toward the final locking position, the protrusion 64 is on the upward surface 37 (refer to...) Figure 11The elastic part 67 slides upwards, and the elastic part 67 elastically deforms in an arc shape towards the deformation-allowing part 65. When the assembly member 50 reaches the final locking position, the elastic part 67 elastically resets, causing the protrusion 64 to engage with the locking part 35 for final locking. Furthermore, the retaining body 57 is positioned on the upper surface of the upper retaining protrusion 26 (not shown). By contacting the inner lower surface of the locking part 35 for final locking with the protrusion 64, the retaining body 57 remains in contact with the upper surface of the upper retaining protrusion 26, thereby preventing the assembly member 50, having reached the final locking position, from moving downwards toward the temporary locking position (see reference). Figure 10 Furthermore, by contacting the inner upper surface of the locking portion 35 for proper locking with the protrusion 64, the body 57 remains in contact with the inner lower surface of the recess 24, thereby preventing the assembly member 50, which has reached the proper locking position, from moving further upward. In this way, the assembly member 50 is held relative to the housing 20 in the proper locking position. Here, the terminal part 90 is further prevented from detaching by the anti-detachment portion 56. The tab insertion hole 61 is configured to communicate with the chamber 28.

[0042] If we assume that the assembly component 50 is stopped relative to the housing 20 at a position midway from the temporary locking position toward the final locking position, then the protrusion 64 remains in contact with the upper surface 37, and the elastic deformation of the elastic part 67 cannot be eliminated. Therefore, by visually confirming the elastic deformation state of the elastic part 67 (the deformation state of the deformation-allowing part 65) under a main view, it can be determined that the protrusion 64 is still located on the upper surface 37 and the assembly component 50 has not reached the final locking position. In contrast, as... Figure 10 As shown, by visually confirming the state of the elastic part 67 extending in the vertical direction and elastically resetting by using the upper window 41, it can be determined that the protrusion 64 has crossed the upper surface 37 and the assembly member 50 has reached the final locking position. In particular, in the case of this embodiment 1, the housing 20 and the assembly member 50 are constructed with different colors, such as black for the housing 20 and white for the assembly member 50. Therefore, a contrast difference is generated between the housing 20 and the assembly member 50, improving the reliability of detecting the assembly state of the assembly member 50 relative to the housing 20.

[0043] However, if the assembly component 50 is repeatedly moved between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position relative to the housing 20, the protrusion 64 will reciprocate between the permanent locking portion 35 and the temporary locking portion 36. At this time, since stress accumulates in the protrusion 64 each time it moves upwards towards the ascending surface 37, plastic deformation may occur in the protrusion 64. However, in the case of Embodiment 1, the elastic portion 67 elastically deforms when the protrusion 64 moves upwards towards the ascending surface 37, thus mitigating the stress generated in the protrusion 64. As a result, plastic deformation such as breakage of the protrusion 64 can be avoided.

[0044] As described above, the connector 10 of this embodiment 1 includes: a housing 20 having a chamber 28; and a front portion 51 movable along the front surface of the housing 20 in a direction intersecting the front and rear directions, and locked in the housing 20 at a fixed position. The housing 20 has a locking portion 35 for fixed locking. The front portion 51 includes: a tab insertion hole 61 communicating with the chamber 28 at the fixed position; an elastic portion 67; a deformation-allowing portion 65 allowing elastic deformation of the elastic portion 67; and a protrusion 64 protruding from the elastic portion 67 and opposing the locking portion 35 so as to be locked in the locking portion 35 at the fixed position.

[0045] According to the above structure, after the elastic portion 67 undergoes elastic deformation towards the deformation-allowing portion 65, the protrusion 64 can be locked against the locking portion 35 for locking at the final locking position. This avoids generating large stresses in the protrusion 64. In particular, even when repeatedly locking (locking at the final locking position) and releasing (releasing from the final locking position) operations are performed relative to the housing 20, for example, with the front portion 51, the locking force of the protrusion 64 can be maintained.

[0046] Furthermore, the front surface of the housing 20 has a pair of guide portions 32 disposed on both sides of the front portion 51 at the final locking position. A locking portion 35 for final locking is provided in the guide groove 34 of the opposing surface 33 of each of the pair of guide portions 32. A protrusion 64 protrudes from the side end face 68 of the end wall portion 59 of the front portion 51. The deformation-allowing portion 65 is configured to be visually confirmed under a frontal view of the front portion 51. With this structure, by visually confirming the state of the deformation-allowing portion 65 under a frontal view, it is possible to know whether the protrusion 64 is properly locked into the locking portion 35. In particular, since the front portion 51 and the housing 20 are constructed with different colors, the contrast difference is clear, and visual confirmation is improved.

[0047] Furthermore, the deformation-allowing portion 65 is formed in the front portion 51 as a hole extending along the front-rear direction. An elastic portion 67 is provided between the side end face 68 of the front portion 51 and the deformation-allowing portion 65, and is formed as a double-support beam extending in the moving direction (vertical direction) of the front portion 51. According to this structure, the elastic reaction force of the double-support beam-shaped elastic portion 67 can stably maintain the state in which the protrusion 64 is locked in the locking portion 35.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, in the width direction (left-right direction), the width of the elastic portion 67 between the side end face 68 of the front portion 51 and the deformation-allowing portion 65 is specified to be smaller than the opening width of the deformation-allowing portion 65. According to this structure, the elastic portion 67 can elastically deform towards the deformation-allowing portion 65 with sufficient deflection, which can ensure that the protrusion size of the protrusion 64 is large.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the front portion 51 has a plurality of fixture insertion holes 63 arranged side-by-side with the tab insertion holes 61. The plurality of fixture insertion holes 63 include a plurality of end-side fixture insertion holes 63A arranged close to the side end face 68 of the front portion 51 and in the moving direction (vertical direction). A portion of the deformation-allowing portion 65 is formed as a recess 66 in the side end face 68 of the front portion 51. The recess 66 is arranged between adjacent end-side fixture insertion holes 63A in the moving direction. According to this structure, the dead zone of the front portion 51 formed between adjacent end-side fixture insertion holes 63A in the moving direction can be effectively utilized as a part of the deformation-allowing portion 65, i.e., the formation area of ​​the recess 66. Therefore, space efficiency is excellent, and it is possible to form the deformation-allowing portion 65 in the front portion 51 without increasing the size of the existing front portion 51.

[0050] [Other embodiments of this disclosure] It should be considered that the above-described implementation method 1 disclosed herein is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the front portion 51 is configured as part of the assembly member 50. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the front portion may also be configured solely as a portion disposed on the front surface side of the housing. For example, the front portion may be separate from the housing and may be configured as any one of a front cover, a front stop mounting hole, and a front stop member. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the deformation-allowing portion 65 is configured as a through hole in the front portion 51. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the deformation-allowing portion may also be configured as a deformable part in the front portion that is thinner than the surrounding walls. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the assembly member 50 (front part 51) is configured to be movable relative to the housing 20 between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the assembly member (front part) may be configured to directly reach the permanent locking position (locking position) relative to the housing without passing through a temporary locking position. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0051] 10… connectors 20…shell 21…Flange portion 22… Locking arm 22A…the front end of the locking arm 23…Opening hole 24…concave 25… Stop assembly hole 26…the upper side retains the protrusion 27…the lower side retains the protrusion 28… chambers 28A… Anterior part of chamber 28B…rear part of chamber 29…spear-shaped part 31…protruding part 32…Guidance Department 33… Opposite surfaces 34…Guide slot 35…Standard locking part (locking part) for use with the card. 36… Temporary card stopping part 37…Upwards 38…Retreat side 39… Sliding surface 41… Window opening 50…Assembly components 51…Front-end 52…stop section 53…Side panel section 54… Interior Space 55…through hole 56… Anti-hair loss section 57… Maintain the main body 58…Anterior wall portion 59...End wall part 61…Protrusion through hole 62…Introducing facial 63… Fixture insertion hole 63A…End-side fixture insertion hole 64…Protrusion 65…Deformation Allowable Part 66…recess 67…elastic part 68…side end face 90…Terminal parts 91…Connecting part 92…Cylinder section 190… Male terminal component 191… punctum W…electric wire

Claims

1. A connector comprising: A shell having a cavity; and The front part is movable along the front surface of the housing in a direction intersecting the front and rear directions, and is locked in place by the housing at a locking position. The housing has a locking part. The front portion has: a tab insertion hole communicating with the chamber at the locking position; an elastic portion; a deformation-allowing portion allowing elastic deformation of the elastic portion; and a protrusion protruding from the elastic portion and opposing the locking portion at the formal locking position in a manner that allows it to lock onto the locking portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The front surface of the housing has a pair of guide portions disposed at the locking position on both sides of the front portion. The locking portion is disposed on the opposite surface of each of the pair of guide portions. The protrusion extends from the side end face of the front part. The deformation-permitting part is configured to be visually confirmed under the main view of the front part.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, The deformation-permitting part is formed in the front part as a hole shape that extends along the front-back direction. The elastic portion is defined between the side end face of the front portion and the deformation-allowing portion, and is formed as a double-support beam extending along the movement direction of the front portion.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein, In the width direction intersecting the front-back direction and the movement direction, the width dimension of the elastic portion between the side end face of the front portion and the deformation-allowing portion is specified to be smaller than the opening width of the deformation-allowing portion.

5. The connector according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The front part has a plurality of fixture insertion holes arranged in parallel with the tab insertion holes. The plurality of fixture insertion holes include a plurality of end-side fixture insertion holes arranged near the side end face of the front part and in the moving direction. A portion of the deformation-allowing portion is formed as a recessed area on the side end face of the front portion. The recess is disposed between adjacent end-side fixture insertion holes in the direction of movement.

6. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, The front section and the housing are constructed with different color schemes for each other.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The front part is disposed on the assembly member, which has a stop part capable of locking the terminal part inserted into the chamber at the locking position.

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