Connectors

Abstract

A holder 20 of a connector 1 comprises a block-shaped terminal retainer 25a, which locks a terminal metal part 100 when it faces a locking surface forming part of the terminal retainer 100 in the receiving direction, and a reinforcing rib 25b, which is integrated with a side surface 25d of the terminal retainer 25a, wherein the sliding direction is the normal direction of the side surface 25d. An upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25b is positioned such that the minimum distance C1 in the vertical direction between the upper surface 25c and a lower end 101d of a locking surface 101b of the terminal metal part 100 received in the cavity 13 is set to the minimum within a permissible range in which reception of the terminal metal part 100 is not prevented.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. State of the art

[0002] A connector is known that comprises a housing with a cavity (connector receiving chamber) for receiving a metal connector part. Japanese patent application 2010-73375 describes a technique for a connector that uses a double locking mechanism, in which the metal connector part is primarily locked using a pin and secondarily locked using a secondary locking element provided on a holder inserted from the side of the housing. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the connector described in Japanese patent application 2010-73375, the secondary locking element, which serves as the terminal retainer in the holder, is simply a block-shaped projection. Therefore, if the terminal metal part, held in a secondary locking position within the cavity, is pulled out of the cavity by an external force, the secondary locking element can deform depending on the magnitude of the force received by the terminal metal part.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector which reduces the deformation of a connector retaining part in a holder caused by an external force.

[0005] A connector according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing with a cavity for receiving a terminal metal part and a holder which can be slidably attached to and removed from the housing in a sliding direction orthogonal to a receiving direction of the terminal metal part, wherein the holder comprises a block-shaped terminal retaining part which can be moved freely in and out of an interior of the cavity in accordance with the sliding of the holder and which locks the terminal metal part when it is facing a locking surface forming part of the terminal metal part in the receiving direction, and a reinforcing rib which is integrated with a side surface of the terminal retaining part, wherein the sliding direction is a normal direction;wherein a vertical direction in which the heights of the connection retaining part and the reinforcing rib are defined is orthogonal to the receiving direction and the sliding direction; and wherein an upper surface of the reinforcing rib is positioned such that a minimum vertical distance between the upper surface and a lower end of a barrier surface of the connection retaining part received in the cavity is set to a minimum within a permissible range in which receiving of the connection metal part is not prevented.

[0006] According to the configuration mentioned above, a connector can be provided which reduces deformation of the connector retaining part of the holder caused by an external force. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of the connector according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is a front view of the connector when a holder is temporarily locked. Fig. Figure 4 is a front view of the connector when the holder is fully locked. Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to a VV section in Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of the connector according to a VI section in Fig. 5. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the holder. Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector when the holder is temporarily locked. Fig. Figure 9 is a partially enlarged view of the connector corresponding to Part IX of Fig. 8. Fig. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the connector when the holder is fully locked. Fig. Figure 11 is a partially enlarged view of the connector corresponding to Part XI of Fig. 10. Detailed description of the invention

[0007] The connector according to one embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. For clarity, the dimensional relationships in the drawings are exaggerated and may differ from the actual dimensions.

[0008] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of connector 1.

[0009] Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows front views of connector 1 in a direction opposite to the direction in which a more complementary connector is to be connected. Fig. Figure 3 shows connector 1 when a holder 20 is temporarily locked. Fig. Figure 4 shows connector 1 when holder 20 is fully locked. The temporarily locked state and the fully locked state of holder 20 are described in detail below.

[0010] Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of connector 1 corresponding to a VV section in Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view of connector 1 corresponding to a VI section in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5 and Fig. However, for the sake of simplicity, a connecting retaining part 100 is shown in a side view in Figure 6.

[0011] Connector 1 is shown, for example, as an automotive connector for electrically connecting electrical components, such as between a power source and a device, or between one device and another. Connector 1 is electrically connected to one electrical component and to a complementary connector (not shown) that is electrically connected to the other electrical component. In this embodiment, the complementary connector is assumed to be a male connector and connector 1 is a female connector. One or more electrical wires (not shown), which are electrically connected to the electrical component, are connected to connector 1 via the terminal metal part 100.

[0012] The connecting metal part 100 is a rod-shaped conductive element and is connected to a terminal of an electrical wire. The connecting metal part 100 comprises a connecting part 101, a connection 102, and an intermediate part 103.

[0013] The connecting part 101 is connected externally to the complementary terminal of a complementary connector. A tab-shaped complementary connecting part is provided at the complementary terminal and can be inserted into the connecting part 101, which, for example, has a box-like shape. An elastic part with a contact for contacting the complementary connecting part is provided in the connecting part 101. A locking part 101a (see Fig. 6), which can engage with a locking projection 14c of a mandrel 14 described below, is formed on an outer surface of the connecting part 101 and projects outwards. Part of an end edge of the connecting part 101 facing the connection 102 forms a locking surface 101b (see Fig. 6), which is locked with an engagement part 25 of the holder 20 described below.

[0014] The connector 102 connects electrical wires. The connector 102 comprises a conductor crimping part, which includes a pair of crimping parts, and a covering fixing part, which also includes a pair of crimping parts. The conductor crimping part is crimped onto the conductor of the electrical wire by crimping the pair of crimping parts, and the metal connecting part 100 is electrically connected to the electrical wire. The covering fixing part is fixed to the cover of the electrical wire by crimping the pair of crimping parts, and the metal connecting part 100 is fixed to the electrical wire.

[0015] The intermediate part 103 is arranged between the connecting part 101 and the connection 102 and is integrated with the connecting part 101 and the connection 102. A portion of an end edge of the connecting part 101, with the exception of a portion adjoining the intermediate part 103, forms the barrier surface 101b.

[0016] The plug-in part 1 comprises a housing 10, the holder 20 and a pack 30.

[0017] In this embodiment, the connecting metal part 100 is formed in a cavity 13 in the housing 10. The direction (hereinafter referred to as the "receiving direction") in which the connecting metal part 100 is received in the cavity 13 is defined below as an X-direction. The X-direction is aligned with a longitudinal direction of the housing 10. A Y-direction and a Z-direction are orthogonal to the X-direction and orthogonal to each other. In this embodiment, the Y-direction is aligned with a lateral direction of the housing 10. The Z-direction is aligned with a vertical direction of the housing 10. For simplicity, in this embodiment, the Z-direction is oriented from bottom to top. Hereinafter, the terms "top" and "bottom" may be used with reference to the Z-direction defined above.

[0018] In this case, the connection direction of connector 1 with a complementary connector corresponds to the X-direction. The cutting plane of Fig. 5 is an imaginary XZ plane that passes through the center in the Y direction of an exemplary cavity 13 into which the connecting metal part 100 is inserted within the four cavities 13.

[0019] The housing 10 is a housing element made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin and is fitted to the complementary housing of the complementary connector. As in this embodiment, a housing in which the connector is a female connector can be referred to as a female housing.

[0020] The housing 10 comprises a housing body 11 and a connecting end 12. The housing body 11a holds the connecting end 12 integrated in the X-direction and has a mating opening 11a or similar for mating with the complementary housing. The connecting end 12 is positioned closer to the complementary connector than the housing body 11 in the X-direction when the connector 1 is mated with the complementary connector. The connecting end 12 is connected to the mating opening of the complementary connector via the holder 12.

[0021] The housing 10 includes a cavity 13, a mandrel 14, a retaining opening 15 and a locking arm 16.

[0022] The cavity 13 is a receiving element that has an elongated interior S1 extending in the X-direction and accommodates the connecting metal part 100. The connecting metal part 100 is inserted into the cavity 13 in an orientation where its extension is aligned in the X-direction. A plurality of cavities 13 are arranged in the Y-direction. In this embodiment, four cavities 13 are provided. In other words, the housing 10 can connect a maximum of four connecting metal parts 100, corresponding to four electrical wires. Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. Figures 11 show conditions in which the connecting metal parts 100 are only received in a cavity 13, which is arranged at the very inside in the sliding direction when the holder 20 is attached to the housing 10, within the four cavities 13.

[0023] An opening on the downstream side of the cavity 13 in the X-direction is a receiving opening 13a for receiving the terminal metal part 100 in the cavity 13. Although not shown, after the terminal metal part 100 has been received in the cavity 13, the electrical wire connected to the terminal metal part 100 is pulled out of the receiving opening 13a of the housing 10. An opening on the upstream side of the cavity 13 in the X-direction is a connecting opening 13b for inserting the complementary connecting part of the complementary connector into the complementary connector when the connector 1 is fitted into the complementary connector. The connecting opening 13b is formed on an end face 12a of the connecting end 12. An opening wheel of the connecting opening 13b can be a tapered surface that slopes from the outside towards the cavity 13 to facilitate the insertion of the complementary connecting part.

[0024] The mandrel 14 locks the connecting metal part 100 received in the cavity 13. In this embodiment, the mandrel 14 is received on the lower side of the connecting end 12 in the Z-direction. The mandrel 14 extends in the X-direction with one end 14 on the forward side as a free end. The mandrel 14 is shaped such that it deforms elastically in a direction in which the mandrel 14 moves away from the cavity 13 when it receives an external force. The direction in which the mandrel 14 moves away from the cavity 13 extends approximately in the Z-direction from an upper side to a lower side. The mandrel 14 has a locking projection 14c, which is arranged on the inner side 14b facing the cavity 13. The locking projection 14c projects in the Z-direction on the side of the end 14a of the mandrel 14 in the X-direction.When the connecting metal part 100 is received in the cavity 13, the locking projection 14c faces the locking part 101a, which is part of the connecting metal part 100, in the X direction.

[0025] When the connecting metal part 100 is inserted into the cavity 13 and the interior space S1 is empty, the locking element 101a comes into contact with the locking projection 14c of the mandrel 14 as the connecting metal part 100 is inserted, and the mandrel 14 deforms elastically to move away from the cavity 13. Subsequently, the connecting metal part 100 is inserted further, and the locking element 101a moves over the locking projection 14c to restore the shape of the mandrel 14 to the cavity 13. Finally, the connecting metal part 100 is positioned in its normal position within the cavity 13. In this normal position, the locking element 101a and the connecting projection 14c face each other with a small gap in the X-direction, so that the connecting metal part 100 is received in the cavity 13 in a state that prevents it from being removed from the cavity 13.

[0026] When the holder 20 is attached to the connecting end 12, the engagement part 25 provided on the holder 20 slides into the retaining opening 15 in the direction opposite to the Y direction (see Fig. 1) In the following, the direction in which the holder 20 slides removably with respect to the end part 12 is referred to as the “sliding direction”. The holder opening 15 is provided on the base end of the mandrel 14 in the connecting end 12 in the form of a groove extending in the Y-direction in accordance with the sliding direction and extends between the outer surface and the cavity 13.

[0027] The holder opening 15 has an opposing surface 11b, at least part of which faces the engagement part 25 in the X-direction when the holder 20 is attached to the connecting end 12. The opposing surface 11b has a rail-like guide 11c extending in the sliding direction.

[0028] The locking arm 16 has a portion that connects to an upper surface of the housing 10 at its base end and extends in the X-direction with the side mating with the complementary housing as a free end. It deforms elastically in the Z-direction when it receives an external force. When the housing 10 and the complementary housing are mated, the locking arm 16 engages with the locking portion of the complementary housing to maintain the mated state. The locking arm 16 is elastically designed to release the engagement with the locking portion, thereby abandoning the mated state between the housing 10 and the locking housing.

[0029] Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the holder 20 from a direction in which a connection space S2 receiving the connection end 12 of the housing 12 can be visually recognized.

[0030] The holder 20 is removably attached to the housing 10 and locks the connecting metal part 100 received in the cavity 13 when it is attached to the housing 10. In this embodiment, the holder 20 is removably attached to the connecting end 12, which is part of the housing 10, and locks the connecting metal part 100 when it is attached to the connecting end 12. The holder can also be referred to as a "spacer".

[0031] The holder 20 is designed with a form for receiving at least a portion of the connecting end 12 in the connecting space S2. In other words, the holder 20 is attached to the connecting end 12 to cover it. In this embodiment, the holder 20 has the form of a housing with a front wall 21, an upper wall 22, a lower wall 23, and a side wall 24.

[0032] When the holder 20 is attached to the connecting end 12, the front wall 21 faces close to the end face of the connecting end 12. The front wall 21 has a connection insertion opening 21a at a position facing the connection opening 13b of each cavity 13.

[0033] The upper wall 22 is closely adjacent to the upper part of the connecting end 12 when the holder 20 is attached to the connecting end 12. The upper wall 22 abuts the upper end of the front wall 21.

[0034] The lower wall 23 faces closely towards the lower part of the connecting end 12, i.e., the mandrel 14 of each cavity 13, when the holder 20 is attached to the connecting end 12. The lower wall 23 abuts the lower end of the front wall 21. The lower wall 23 has the engagement portion 25, which is at least partially opposite the connecting space S2 along a free end opposite a fixed end face that abuts the front wall 21. The engagement portion 25 has a groove portion 26 in a position facing the rail-like guide 11c in the holder opening 15 when the holder 20 is attached to the connecting end 12. The groove portion 26 extends in the sliding direction and engages slidably with the rail-like guide portion 11c.

[0035] The side wall 24 is closely oriented towards one side of the connecting end 12 when the holder 20 is attached to the connecting end 12. In this embodiment, assuming the holder 20 is attached to the connecting end 12, the side wall 24 abuts the lateral ends of the front wall 21, the upper wall 22, and the lower wall 23 as viewed from the Y-direction.

[0036] In the holder 20, a space roughly enclosed by the inner surfaces of the front wall 21, the upper wall surface 22, the lower wall surface 23, and the side wall 24 forms the connection space S2. The holder 20 has no wall facing the front wall 21 across the connection space S2, with the exception of the engagement part 25, and it has no wall facing the side wall 24 across the connection space S2. Therefore, an operator can attach the holder 20 to the connection end 12 by sliding the holder 20 in the direction opposite to the Y-direction while inserting the engagement part 25 into the holder opening 15 provided in the connection end 12.

[0037] Furthermore, the holder has 20 connecting retaining parts 25a and reinforcing ribs 25b, which form parts of the engagement part 25.

[0038] The connecting retaining elements 25a are provided corresponding to each cavity 13 and are block-shaped convex parts that can extend forwards and backwards into the interior S1 of each cavity 13 in accordance with the sliding of the holder 20. In this embodiment, four cavities 13 are provided, and four connecting retaining elements 25a for the holder 20 are arranged parallel to each other in the Y-direction, corresponding to the sliding direction and the spacing of the cavities 13. Hereinafter, the direction in which the height of the connecting retaining elements 25a and the reinforcing ribs 25 is defined is referred to as the "height direction." The height direction is orthogonal to the receiving direction and the sliding direction and, in this embodiment, corresponds to the Z-direction.

[0039] Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of connector 1 when holder 20 is temporarily locked. The section plane in Fig. 8 corresponds to the position of the XX section in Fig. 5 and is the YZ plane, which extends directly in front of the connecting retaining parts 25a, as also explained below. Fig. 10 is the case. Fig. Figure 9 is a partially enlarged view of connector 1 corresponding to Part IX of Fig. 8.

[0040] In the temporarily locked state of the holder 20, the holder 20 is attached to the connection end 12, which is part of the housing 10, and the connection retaining parts 25a must not enter the interior S1 of any of the cavities 13. Regarding the connection retaining part 100 already received in the cavity 13, the connection retaining part 25a is not facing the locking surface 101b of the connection part 101 in the X-direction corresponding to the receiving direction when the holder 20 is in a temporarily locked state. In other words, the holder 20 does not lock the connection metal part 100 in the temporarily locked state, and the connection metal part 100 is, for example, removed from the cavity 13 when the connection retaining part 100 is pulled in the opposite direction to the X-direction.If the interior S1 of the cavity 13 is empty, the connecting metal part 100 can be inserted into the cavity 13 from the outside when the holder 20 is in the temporarily locked state.

[0041] Fig. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of connector 1 when holder 20 is in the final locked position. The section plane of Fig. 10 corresponds to the XX average in Fig. 5 and is located on the YZ plane, which extends directly in front of each terminal retaining part 25a. Fig. Figure 11 is a partially enlarged view of connector 1 corresponding to Part XI in Fig. 10.

[0042] In the fully locked state of the holder 20, the holder 20 is attached to the connecting end 12, which is part of the housing 10, and all connecting retaining parts 25a are in a fully locked position, in which entry into the interior S1 of each corresponding cavity 12 has been completed. With regard to the connecting metal part 100 already received in the cavity 13, the connecting retaining part 25a faces at least a portion of the locking surface 101b of the connecting part 101 in the X-direction, which corresponds to the receiving direction when the holder 20 is in the fully locked state. In other words, the holder 20 locks the connecting metal part 100 in the finally locked state and the locking surface 101b comes into contact with the connecting retaining part 25a, for example, when the connecting metal part 100 is pulled in the direction opposite to the X-direction, so that the connecting metal part 100 cannot exit the cavity 13.If the interior S1 of the cavity 12 is empty and the holder 20 is in the finally locked state, the connecting metal part 100 cannot be inserted into the cavity 13 from the outside because the direction of movement is blocked by the connecting retaining part 25a entering the interior S1.

[0043] The reinforcing ribs 25b are integrated with the side surfaces 25d of the connecting retaining parts 25a. At least one of the two side surfaces of the connecting retaining part 25a is configured as the side surface 25d, and the sliding direction is the normal direction of the two surfaces.

[0044] In this embodiment, among the four connection retaining parts 25a, the connection retaining part 25a closest to the side wall 24 has only one side surface 25d facing the adjacent connection retaining part 25a. It should be noted that the connection retaining part 25a with only one side surface 25d is structurally stronger than the other connection retaining part 25a because the side opposite side surface 25d is integrated with the side wall 24. The other three connection retaining parts 25a, however, are provided with reinforcing ribs 25b on both side surfaces 25d.

[0045] To improve the strength of the connecting retaining part 25a, the length of the reinforcing rib 25b in the X direction is preferably set as long as possible, provided that it does not impede the entry of the engagement part 25 into the retaining opening 15.

[0046] In the Z-direction, corresponding to the vertical direction, a minimum distance C1 is defined within the distances between an upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25b and a lower end 101d of the locking surface 101b of the connecting metal part 100 received in the cavity 13. In this case, the upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25b is positioned such that the minimum distance C1 is the minimum within a permissible range in which the reception of the connecting metal part 100 is not prevented. Even if part of the reinforcing rib 25b enters the interior S1 when the holder 20 is in the temporarily locked state, the movement of the connecting metal part 100 in the receiving direction is not restricted.

[0047] Furthermore, an outer surface nearest to the mandrel 14 is defined as an outer surface 101c of the connecting part 101 of the connecting metal part 100 received in the cavity 13. A lower end 101d of the locking surface 101b is also an end of the outer surface 101c. If the holder 20 is assumed to be in the temporarily locked state, a portion of the reinforcing rib 25b enters the interior S1, and the connecting part 101 of the connecting metal part 100 passes over the upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25b. Because at this point the minimum distance C1 is set to the minimum within the permissible range, the outer surface 101c of the connecting part 101 and the upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25b can be brought into close contact with each other. In other words, the height of the upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25b can be set high enough to be close to the outer surface 101c.

[0048] In this embodiment, the width of the connecting retaining parts 25a with the reinforcing ribs provided on both side surfaces 25d differs in the Y-direction in accordance with the sliding direction for each reinforcing rib 25b. The width of the reinforcing rib 25b can be set accordingly, according to the condition that, for example, the entry of the locking part 101a of the outwardly projecting connecting metal part 100 is not prevented when the connecting metal part 100 is received in the cavity 13.

[0049] In this embodiment, the connecting metal part 13, which is received in the cavity 13, is locked by the connecting retaining part 25a of the holder 20 and also by the pin 14 as a retaining element separate from the connecting retaining part 25a. Therefore, the locking of the connecting retaining part 100 by the pin 14 can be described as a "primary locking" mechanism, and the locking of the connecting retaining part 100 by the connecting retaining part 25a can be described as a "secondary locking" mechanism. The connector 1 has a double locking mechanism that achieves double locking through primary and secondary locking.

[0050] The seal 30 is an annular elastic body that is attached to the base of the connection end 12 facing the fitting opening 11a in the housing 10. The provision of the seal 30 ensures a tighter fit between the housing body 11 and the complementary housing when the connector 1 is fitted to the complementary connector.

[0051] The following describes the operation and effect of connector 1.

[0052] First, the connector 1 comprises the housing 10 with the cavity 13 for receiving the terminal metal part 100. The holder 20 can be slidably attached to and removed from the housing 10 in a direction orthogonal to the receiving direction of the terminal metal part 100. The holder comprises the block-shaped terminal retaining part 25a, which can be freely moved in and out of the interior S1 of the cavity 13 corresponding to the sliding of the holder 20 and locks the terminal metal part 100 when it faces the locking surface 101b, which forms part of the terminal metal part 100, in the receiving direction. The holder 20 further comprises the reinforcing rib 25b, which is integrated with the side surface 25d of the terminal retaining part 25a, the sliding direction being the normal direction of the side surface 25d.The vertical direction in which the height of the connection retaining part 25a and the reinforcing rib 25d is defined is orthogonal to the receiving direction and the sliding direction. The upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25b is positioned such that the minimum vertical distance C1 between the upper surface 25c and the lower end 101d of the barrier surface 101b of the connecting metal part 100 received in the cavity 13 is set to the minimum within a permissible range in which the receiving of the connecting metal part 100 is not prevented.

[0053] The receiving direction of the connecting metal part 100 with respect to the cavity 13 corresponds to the X-direction as described above. The sliding direction of the holder 20 with respect to the housing 10 corresponds to the Y-direction as described above. The vertical direction in which the height of the connecting retaining part 25a and the reinforcing rib 25b is defined corresponds to the Z-direction as described above.

[0054] In connector 1 with the configuration described above, the reinforcing rib 25b is integrated with the terminal retaining part 25a of the holder 20. Then, as described above, the height position of the upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25c can be set so high that it is close to the lower end 101d of the barrier surface 101b, which is part of the terminal metal part 100.

[0055] This refers to Fig. 6 Assume that the connection metal part 100, which is received in the cavity 13 and also locked by the connection retaining part 25a, is pulled in the direction in which the connection metal part 100 is ejected from the cavity 13 by an external force, i.e., in the direction opposite to the X-direction. In this case, the lower end 101d of the locking surface 101b of the connection metal part 100 contacts and presses against the connection retaining part 25a, and the connection retaining part 25a, which is indirectly subjected to an external force, exerts a force as indicated by the black arrow in Fig. Figure 6 shows a portion of the housing 10. At this point, in this embodiment as described above, the height position of the upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25b is raised, so that the height position at which the connecting retainer 25a contacts a portion of the housing 10 is also raised. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, a portion of the housing 10, which is contacted by the terminal retaining part 25a subjected to an external force, is a first free contact position P1 located on the opposite surface 11b. The height position of the first contact position P1 corresponds to the height position of the upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25b when the deformation of the terminal retaining part 25a due to an external force is taken into account. In other words, the difference between the height position of the lower end 101d, corresponding to the height position at which the terminal retaining part 25a receives an external force from the terminal metal part 100, and the height position of the first contact position P1, at which the external force is exerted on the housing 10, is approximately the minimum distance C1.Therefore, deformation of the connecting retaining part 25a due to an external force is reduced to a small backward tilt due to the difference in height position defined by the minimum distance C1.

[0056] In a comparative example, it is assumed that the holder 20 contains the connection retaining part 25a, but not the reinforcing rib 25b. In this case, a part of the housing 10 contacted by the connection retaining part 25a assumes a second contact position P2, which is located on the opposite surface 11b and differs from the first contact position P1. The height position of the second contact position P2 corresponds to the height position of a root surface 125c of the connection retaining part 25a of the engagement part 25. Fig. In Figure 6, the root surface 125c is indicated by an imaginary line. In the terminal retaining part 25a, the difference between the height position of the lower end 101d, corresponding to the height position at which the external force is received by the terminal metal part 100, and the height position of the second contact position P2, at which the external force is exerted on the housing 10, is specified as a virtual distance C2. As described above, in the comparative example, the virtual distance C2 is larger due to the absence of the reinforcing ribs 25b, so that the deformation of the terminal retaining part 25a due to the external force can exhibit a large backward tilt due to the difference in height position defined by the virtual distance C2.

[0057] As described above, according to this embodiment, the connector 1 can be provided which reduces the deformation of the terminal retaining part 25a of the holder 20 caused by the external force. Reducing the deformation of the terminal retaining part 25a means that the terminal retaining force can be easily maintained by the terminal retaining part 25a.

[0058] It is further assumed that the holder 20 is in the temporary locking position, in which the connector retaining part 25a cannot enter the interior S1 of the cavity 13, while it is attached to the housing 10. At this point, the upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25b in the connector 1 can be facing at least a portion of the connecting metal part 100, which is not yet fully inserted into the cavity 13, in the vertical direction.

[0059] If, in this case, as in Fig.As shown in Figure 9, when the holder 20 is in the temporarily locked state and the terminal metal part 100 is inserted into the cavity 13, part of the terminal metal part 100 comes close to the upper surface 25c of the reinforcing rib 25b. Therefore, in the connector 1, the reinforcing rib 25b can be used as a guide for inserting the terminal metal part 100 into the cavity 13, while part of the terminal metal part 100 is brought into contact with the upper surface 25c. The reinforcing rib 25b thus acts as a guide, preventing the terminal metal part 100 from getting caught on any part of the cavity 13 when it is inserted. This also improves the ease of assembly of the connector 1.

[0060] In the description above, the housing 10 comprises four cavities 13, and the connecting metal part 100 is connected to one of the cavities 13. However, the number of cavities 13 contained in the housing 10 or the number of connecting metal parts connected to the cavities 13 is arbitrary.

[0061] The present invention has been described above with reference to one embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described here and the configurations of different parts can be replaced by configurations with a similar function, as long as the scope of the invention defined by the claims is not thereby departed from. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2010-73375 [0002, 0003]

Claims

[1] Connectors (1), comprising: a housing (10) having a cavity (13) for receiving a connecting metal part (100), and a holder (20) which can be slidably attached to and removed from the housing (10) in a sliding direction orthogonal to a receiving direction of the connecting metal part (100), wherein the holder (20) comprises a block-shaped connection retaining part (25a) which can be moved freely in and out of an interior space (S1) of the cavity (13) in accordance with the sliding of the holder (20) and which locks the connection metal part (100) when it is facing a locking surface (101b) which forms part of the connection metal part (100) in the receiving direction, and a reinforcing rib (25b) which is integrated with a side surface (25d) of the connection retaining part (25a), wherein the sliding direction is a direction normal to the side surface (25d), wherein a height direction in which the heights of the connecting retaining part (25a) and the reinforcing rib (25b) are defined is orthogonal to the receiving direction and the sliding direction, and wherein an upper surface (25c) of the reinforcing rib (25b) is positioned such that a minimum distance (C1) in the vertical direction between the upper surface (25c) and a lower end (101d) of the barrier surface (101b) of the connecting retaining part (100) received in the cavity (13) is set to a minimum within a permissible range in which the receipt of the connecting metal part (100) is not prevented. [2] Connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface (25c) of the reinforcing rib (25b) faces at least a part of the connector retaining part (100) which is not yet fully received in the cavity (13) in the vertical direction when the retainer (20) is attached to the housing (10) and is in a temporarily locked position in which entry of the retaining part (25a) into the interior (S1) of the cavity (13) is prevented.

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