Stacking connector

Abstract

To protect a tab.SOLUTION: A stacking connector A includes: multiple housings 21, 22, 23, 24 assembled in a stacking state; male terminal fittings 40 each having a slender tab 42 at a front end, the male terminal fittings 40 attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 with the tabs 42 protruding to the front of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24; and covers 50 attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 and each having a cover part 51 for covering the tab 42. In a state that the covers 50 are respectively attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, each tab 42 can be protected by the cover part 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to stacked connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a male connector having a plurality of stacked flat male sub-housings and male terminal fittings attached to each male sub-housing. This male connector is attached to a male holder having a hood portion, and a moving plate is housed in the hood portion. Tabs at the ends of the male terminal fittings are positioned by the moving plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-044386 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the male connector is not attached to the male holder, the tabs of the male terminal fittings protrude forward from the male sub-housing and are exposed, which may result in the tabs being deformed due to interference with other components.

[0005] The stacked connector of the present disclosure has been developed based on the above circumstances, and has an object to protect the tabs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The laminated connector of the present disclosure comprises: A plurality of housings assembled in a stacked state; a male terminal fitting having an elongated tab at a front end thereof and attached to the housing with the tab protruding forward of the housing; A cover is attached to the housing and has a covering portion that covers the tab. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the tab can be protected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laminated connector according to a first embodiment, as viewed obliquely from above and from the front. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear cross-sectional view of the laminated connector. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the laminated connector in an exploded state, as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stacked connector set in the jig, as viewed obliquely from above and from the front. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cover removed from the housing using a jig, as viewed obliquely from above and from the front. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the third housing as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the third housing as viewed obliquely from below and behind. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cover as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cover as viewed obliquely from below and behind. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the process of stacking the connectors. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the process of stacking the connectors. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a state in which the holding function of the receiving portion and the elastic holding piece is exerted. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a state in which the holding function by the receiving portion and the elastic holding piece is released. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The laminated connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A connector includes a plurality of housings assembled in a stacked state, male terminal fittings having elongated tabs at their front ends and attached to the housings with the tabs protruding forward from the housing, and a cover attached to the housing and having a cover portion that covers the tabs. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, when the cover is attached to the housing, the tabs can be protected by the cover portion.

[0010] (2) It is preferable that the housing and the cover are formed with a holding portion that holds the housing and the cover in an attached state, and that one of the two housings that are stacked on top of each other is formed with a holding release portion that releases the holding function of the holding portion in the other housing as the housing is stacked on the other housing. According to this configuration, the holding function of the holding portion is released simply by stacking the housings, so that a separate process (separate operation) for releasing the holding function of the holding portion is not required.

[0011] (3) In (2), it is preferable that one of the two covers that overlap in a stacked state is formed with a detachment prevention portion that prevents the other cover from being detached from the other housing. If the other cover is detached from the other housing immediately when the holding portion is released, the tab will remain exposed in the process of stacking the housings thereafter. In consideration of this point, the other cover that has been released from the holding portion is kept in a state in which it does not detach from the other housing by the detachment prevention portion. This makes it possible to prevent the tab from being exposed in the process of stacking the housings. After all the housings are stacked, the holding between the last stacked one housing and one cover is released, and all the covers can be removed from the housings.

[0012] (4) In (3), it is preferable that the holding portion formed on the one housing and the one cover is arranged so as to be exposed to the outer surfaces of the one housing and the one cover. With this configuration, when all the housings are stacked, the holding between the one housing and the one cover that were stacked last can be easily released.

[0013] (5) In (3) or (4), it is preferable that the cover has a jig locking portion formed thereon that is aligned in the stacking direction when the housings are stacked. With this configuration, when all the housings and all the covers are stacked, a jig or the like can be locked to all the jig locking portions, so that all the covers can be removed from the housings with a single action.

[0014] (6) In (1), it is preferable that an inspection hole is formed on the front surface of the cover for inserting a probe for a continuity inspection that contacts the tab. With this configuration, a continuity inspection can be performed while the tab is still surrounded by the cover.

[0015] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A stacked connector A according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 13. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In this first embodiment, the F direction in Figs. 1, 3 to 13 is defined as the front with respect to the front-rear direction. The R direction in Figs. 1 to 9, 12, and 13 is defined as the right with respect to the left-right direction. The left-right direction and the width direction are used synonymously. The H direction in Figs. 1 to 11 is defined as the up-down direction. The up-down direction, the height direction, and the stacking direction are used synonymously.

[0016] <Overview of stacked connector A> 1 to 3, the stacked connector A of the present embodiment 1 includes multiple types (four types, first to fourth, in the present embodiment 1) of sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, 14. As shown in Fig. 11, each of the sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, 14 includes a housing 21, 22, 23, 24, a plurality of male terminal fittings 40 attached to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24, and a cover 50 attached to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0017] The sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14 are generally flat rectangular parallelepipeds with a small height dimension relative to their depth dimension in the front-rear direction and width dimension in the left-right direction. The stacked connector A is constructed by assembling a plurality of types of sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14 in a stacked state in the height direction. Specifically, from the bottom, one first sub-connector 11, one second sub-connector 12, three third sub-connectors 13, and one fourth sub-connector 14 are stacked.

[0018] The assembled stacked connector A is attached to an outer housing (not shown) with the covers 50 removed from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, i.e., with the tabs 42 of the male terminal fittings 40 protruding forward from the front faces of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. The outer housing has a frame that houses the stacked housings 21, 22, 23, 24, and a square tubular hood portion that protrudes forward from the frame. The multiple tabs 42 protruding from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 are collectively surrounded by the hood portion. The front ends of the multiple tabs 42 are positioned by a moving plate (not shown) housed in the hood portion.

[0019] <Configuration of housings 21, 22, 23, and 24> The common structure of the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, 24 will be described with reference to Figs. 3, 6, 7, and 11. Each of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 is generally a flat rectangular parallelepiped with a small height dimension relative to its depth dimension in the front-rear direction and its width dimension in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 11, a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 25 elongated in the front-rear direction are formed in each of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 so as to be parallel to each other in the width direction. The terminal accommodating chambers 25 open at both front and rear end faces of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. A lance 26 is formed in each of the terminal accommodating chambers 25 to retain a male terminal fitting 40, which will be described later, from falling out.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, a pair of guide ribs 27 are formed on both the left and right outer surfaces of the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24. The guide ribs 27 function as guides for guiding the cover 50 when attaching or detaching the cover 50 to or from the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24. The guide ribs 27 protrude outward in the width direction from the outer surfaces of the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 and extend linearly in the front-rear direction. The guide ribs 27 are disposed in the front end regions of the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24. The rear end of the guide rib 27 functions as a receiving portion 28. The receiving portion 28 has a function of holding the cover 50 attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 and a function of restricting the relative displacement in the front-rear direction of the two housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 that are stacked in a stacked state.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a bulge 29 protruding outward in the width direction is formed in the rear end regions of both the left and right outer surfaces. The upper surface of the bulge 29 is located lower than the upper surfaces of the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 and the receiving portion 28, and due to this height difference, an upper surface recess 30 is formed above the bulge 29. In a plan view of the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 seen from above, the receiving portion 28 and the upper surface recess 30 are arranged adjacent to each other in the front and rear directions. A jig fixing portion 31 protruding outward in the width direction is formed at the rear end of the bulge 29. As shown in Figs. 2 and 7, a lock protrusion 32 extending in the form of a rib in the front and rear direction is formed on both the left and right outer surfaces of the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24. The above is a common structure of the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, and 24.

[0022] 2, 3 and 6, elastic lock pieces 33 are formed on both left and right ends of the upper surface of the first to third housings 21, 22, 23 in a wall-like shape and protruding upward. The elastic lock pieces 33 can be elastically deformed so as to tilt left and right. As shown in Fig. 2, the elastic lock pieces 33 engage with the lock protrusions to lock the vertically overlapping housings 21, 22, 23, 24 in a stacked state.

[0023] 6, 7 and 10, the second to fourth housings 22, 23 and 24 are formed with a retention release portion 34. The retention release portion 34 is a portion of the bulging portion 29 that protrudes downward from the lower surfaces of the housings 22, 23 and 24. In a plan view, the retention release portion 34 is disposed in the same region as the upper surface recessed portion 30. The retention release portion 34 has a function of releasing the engagement between the first to third housings 21, 22 and 23 and the cover 50.

[0024] 2, 3, 6 and 11, the second housing 22 and the third housing 23 are formed with a plurality of protrusions 35. The plurality of protrusions 35 are arranged on the upper surfaces of the second housing 22 and the third housing 23 so as to be aligned at a predetermined pitch in the width direction. In the width direction, the plurality of protrusions 35 are arranged at the same positions as the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 25 formed in the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24. In the front-rear direction, the protrusions 35 are arranged rearward of the lances 26.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 7 and 11, the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24 are formed with a plurality of notches 36. Each notch 36 is formed by cutting the bottom wall of the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24 in an elongated shape in the front-rear direction along the terminal accommodating chamber 25. As shown in Fig. 11, a front end edge 36F of the notch 36 is located rearward of the lance 26. The notch 36 communicates with the terminal accommodating chamber 25 over its entire length. The rear end of the notch 36 communicates with an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 25 in the rear end face of the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24.

[0026] <Configuration of male terminal fitting 40> The male terminal fitting 40 has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction as a whole. As shown in Fig. 11, the male terminal fitting 40 has a terminal body 41, an elongated tab 42 protruding forward from the terminal body 41 in a cantilever shape, and a crimping portion 43 extending rearward from the terminal body 41. The crimping portion 43 is connected to the front end of the electric wire 46 by crimping. A protruding primary locking portion 44 is formed in the central region of the terminal body 41 in the front-rear direction. A stepped secondary locking portion 45 is formed at the rear end of the terminal body 41.

[0027] <Cover 50 Composition> The cover 50 is a common part for the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, and 24. The cover 50 is a single part made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the cover 50 has a flat shape with a small height compared to its depth in the front-rear direction and its width in the left-right direction. The cover 50 has one covering portion 51 in the shape of a flat rectangular tube and a pair of arm portions 60 that are symmetrical on the left and right.

[0028] The cover 51 has an upper wall 52, a lower wall 53, and a pair of left and right side walls 54. As shown in FIG. 11, an inspection opening 55 that is elongated in the left-right direction is formed on the front surface of the cover 51. The inspection opening 55 is an opening that connects the internal space of the cover 51 to the front outside of the cover 51. The left and right side walls 54 have a width dimension that is approximately the same as the height dimension of the side walls 54, and are thick block-shaped as a whole. The left and right side walls 54 are formed with positioning recesses 56 that are elongated and recessed in the front-rear direction on the upper surfaces of the side walls 54. The left and right side walls 54 are formed with positioning protrusions 57 that protrude downward from the lower surfaces of the side walls 54. In a plan view of the cover 50 seen from above, the positioning protrusions 57 are arranged in the same region as the positioning recesses 56.

[0029] The pair of arm portions 60 extend rearward in a cantilever shape from both the left and right ends of the cover portion 51, i.e., from the rear ends of the side walls 54. The upper surface of the arm portion 60 is set higher than the upper surface of the side walls 54, and due to this height difference, a stepped abutment portion 61 facing forward is formed at the front end of the arm portion 60. The lower surface of the arm portion 60 is set higher than the lower surface of the side walls 54, and due to this height difference, a stepped separation prevention portion 62 facing rearward is formed at the rear end of the side walls 54.

[0030] Each arm 60 is formed with a guide groove 63 that extends linearly in the front-rear direction. The guide groove 63 is formed of a side plate 64, an upper plate 65, and a lower plate 66, and opens on the inner side surface of the arm 60 (the surface where the arm 60 faces each other). The front end of the guide groove 63 opens on the front end surface of the arm 60, and the rear end of the guide groove 63 opens on the rear end surface of the arm 60. The guide groove 63 is a guide portion that exhibits a function of stabilizing the posture of the cover 50 with respect to the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 and a function of guiding the cover 50 along a predetermined path when the cover 50 is attached to or detached from the housing 21, 22, 23, 24. The dimension in the front-rear direction from the rear end surface of the cover 51 to the rear end of the guide groove 63 is set to be larger than the dimension from the front end surface of the housing 21, 22, 23, 24 to the front end of the tab 42 (the protruding dimension of the tab 42).

[0031] A pair of elastic holding pieces 67 are formed on the pair of arm portions 60. The elastic holding piece 67 is disposed at the rear end of the guide groove 63 and extends rearward in a cantilever shape. A holding protrusion 68 is formed at the rear end of the elastic holding piece 67, protruding inward in the width direction (toward the opposite elastic holding piece 67). The elastic holding piece 67 can be elastically deformed in the width direction with the front end of the elastic holding piece 67 as a fulcrum. The part of the elastic holding piece 67 forward of the holding protrusion 68 constitutes the rear end of the side plate portion 64. The rear end of the elastic holding piece 67 where the holding protrusion 68 is formed is disposed rearward of the rear end of the upper plate portion 65.

[0032] A protective portion 69 for protecting the elastic retaining piece 67 is formed at the rear end of the arm portion 60. The protective portion 69 is a wall-like portion located on the widthwise outer side of the elastic retaining piece 67. The front end of the protective portion 69 is connected to the outer surface of the side plate portion 64. The area of ​​the front end of the protective portion 69 is connected to the upper plate portion 65 and the lower plate portion 66. A jig locking portion 70 is formed at the arm portion 60. The jig locking portion 70 has a shape that protrudes outward in the widthwise direction from the outer surface of the front end of the protective portion 69 in a block shape. The jig locking portion 70 is disposed within the range of the area in which the guide groove 63 is formed in the front-rear direction of the arm portion 60. The jig locking portion 70, which has a large dimension in the widthwise direction, increases the strength and rigidity of the part of the arm portion 60 in which the guide groove 63 is formed.

[0033] <Procedure for attaching the cover 50 to the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24> The cover 50 is attached to the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, 24 before the male terminal fittings 40 are attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. During the attachment, the cover 50 is brought close to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 from the front, the rear end of the arm portion 60 is aligned along the outer surface of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, and the rear end of the guide groove 63 is fitted into the front end of the guide rib 27. The engagement of the guide rib 27 with the guide groove 63 positions the cover 50 in the up-down and left-right directions with respect to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. At this time, the holding protrusions 68 interfere with the guide rib 27, so that the elastic holding pieces 67 are elastically deformed outward in the width direction.

[0034] When the cover 50 is moved backward from this state, the guide rib 27 slides against the guide groove 63 to hold the cover 50 in a certain position, and the cover 50 is assembled to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. When the cover 50 reaches the correct assembly position, the retaining projection 68 passes the rear end of the guide rib 27, and the elastic retaining piece 67 elastically returns to the inside in the width direction, as shown in FIG. 12, and the retaining projection 68 engages with the receiving portion 28 from the rear. This engagement prevents the cover 50 from coming off the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 forward. When the cover 50 reaches the correct assembly position, the rear end surface of the covering portion 51 abuts against the front end surface of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 in a face-to-face contact state. This abutment prevents the cover 50 from being displaced backward relative to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. In this manner, the cover 50 is held in an assembled state relative to the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24.

[0035] After the cover 50 is attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, the male terminal fittings 40 are attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. As shown in Fig. 11, the male terminal fittings 40 are attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 with the terminal body portion 41 and the crimping portion 43 housed in the terminal accommodating chamber 25 and the tabs 42 protruding forward from the front end faces of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. The male terminal fittings 40 attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 are held in a state in which their rearward movement is restricted by engaging the primary locking portion 44 formed on the terminal body portion 41 with the lance 26. In each of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, the multiple tabs 42 protruding forward from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 are collectively covered by a single cover portion 51 and are completely surrounded in the vertical and horizontal directions. Therefore, there is no risk of foreign matter interfering with tab 42. In this manner, the assembly of first to fourth sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14 is completed.

[0036] <Assembly procedure for stacked connector A> When stacking the first to fourth sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14, the second sub-connector 12 is first stacked on the top surface of the first sub-connector 11. In the process of stacking the second sub-connector 12 on the first sub-connector 11, as shown in FIG. 13, the retention release portion 34 of the second sub-connector 12 interferes with the retention protrusion 68 of the first sub-connector 11, elastically deforming the elastic retention piece 67 outward in the width direction. This elastic deformation releases the engagement between the elastic retention piece 67 (retention protrusion 68) and the receiving portion 28, and the retention of the elastic retention piece 67 in the first sub-connector 11 is released. Similarly, in the stacking process, as shown in FIG. 10, the removal restriction portion 62 of the cover 50 of the second sub-connector 12 is engaged with the abutment portion 61 of the cover 50 of the first sub-connector 11 from the front, so that the cover 50 of the first sub-connector 11 is restricted from moving forward from the first housing 21. Therefore, the cover 50 of the first sub-connector 11 is maintained in a state where it is attached to the first housing 21, that is, the tabs 42 of the first sub-connector 11 are maintained in a state where they are protected by the cover 50.

[0037] The first sub-connector 11 and the second sub-connector 12, which are stacked one on top of the other, are held in a stacked state by the engagement between the elastic lock piece 33 of the first housing 21 and the lock protrusion 32 of the second housing 22, as shown in Fig. 2. When the first sub-connector 11 and the second sub-connector 12 are stacked, the retention release portion 34 of the second housing 22 fits into the upper surface recess 30 of the first housing 21, thereby positioning both housings 21, 22 in the left-right direction. At the same time, the retention release portion 34 of the second housing 22 engages with the receiving portion 28 of the first housing 21 from the rear, thereby restricting the second housing 22 from moving forward relative to the first housing 21.

[0038] Thereafter, the third sub-connector 13 is placed on the upper surface of the second sub-connector 12. At this time, just as when the second sub-connector 12 is placed on the upper surface of the first sub-connector 11, the retention of the elastic retention piece 67 of the second sub-connector 12 is released by the retention release portion 34 of the third sub-connector 13, and the removal restriction portion 62 engages with the abutment portion 61 to restrict the cover 50 of the second sub-connector 12 from moving forward from the second housing 22. The placed second sub-connector 12 and third sub-connector 13 are held in a stacked state and positioned in the left-right direction.

[0039] Further, the engagement between the release portion 34 and the receiving portion 28 restricts the third housing 23 from moving forward relative to the second housing 22. As shown in Fig. 11, the protrusion 35 of the second housing 22 faces the front end edge 36F of the notch 36 of the third housing 23 in a positional relationship close to the rear, so that the third housing 23 is restricted from moving backward relative to the second housing 22. Furthermore, the protrusion 35 of the second housing 22 enters the terminal accommodating chamber 25 from the notch 36 of the third housing 23 and can be engaged from the rear with the secondary engagement portion 45 of the male terminal fitting 40 in the third housing 23. As a result, the male terminal fitting 40 in the third housing 23 is reliably held in a non-removable state by the lance 26 and the protrusion 35.

[0040] Thereafter, another third sub-connector 13 is placed on the upper surface of the third sub-connector 13. At this time, similar to when the third sub-connector 13 is placed on the upper surface of the second sub-connector 12, the retention of the elastic retention piece 67 of the lower third sub-connector 13 is released by the retention release portion 34 of the upper third sub-connector 13, and the cover 50 of the lower third sub-connector 13 is restricted from moving forward from the third housing 23 by the engagement between the removal restriction portion 62 and the abutment portion 61. The placed third sub-connectors 13 are held in a stacked state and positioned in the left-right direction.

[0041] After stacking the three third sub-connectors 13, the fourth sub-connector 14 is stacked on the top surface of the third sub-connector 13 in the top layer. At this time, similar to when the third sub-connectors 13 are stacked on top of each other, the retention of the elastic retention piece 67 of the third sub-connector 13 in the top layer is released by the retention release portion 34 of the fourth sub-connector 14, and the cover 50 of the third sub-connector 13 in the top layer is restricted from moving forward from the third housing 23 by the engagement between the removal restriction portion 62 and the abutment portion 61. The stacked third sub-connectors 13 and the fourth sub-connector 14 are held in a stacked state and positioned in the left-right direction. The elastic retention piece 67 of the cover 50 of the fourth sub-connector 14 remains engaged with the receiving portion 28 of the fourth housing 24. With the above, the stacking process of the sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14 is completed, and the assembly of the stacked connector A is completed.

[0042] <Procedure for removing the cover 50 from the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24> When attaching the assembled stacked connector A to an outer housing (not shown), a jig 75 is used to remove the cover 50 from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the jig 75 includes a fixed member 76 and a movable member 77. The fixed member 76 is formed with a fixing groove 78 extending in the vertical direction, and the movable member 77 is formed with a locking groove 79 extending in the vertical direction. The stacked connector A is set on the jig 75 with the jig fixing portions 31 of the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, 24 fitted into the fixing grooves 78 and the jig locking portions 70 of the cover 50 attached to the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, 24 fitted into the locking grooves 79 (see Fig. 4).

[0043] After the stacked connector A is set on the jig 75, the elastic retaining piece 67 of the cover 50 of the fourth sub-connector 14 is removed from the receiving portion 28 by an operating tool (not shown) or the like, and the retention of the elastic retaining piece 67 in the fourth sub-connector 14 is released. This release of the retention in the fourth sub-connector 14 allows the cover 50 of the fourth sub-connector 14 to be removed forward from the fourth housing 24, and thus enables the fixed-side protrusions in the first to third sub-connectors 11, 12, and 13 to remove the cover 50 forward from the first to third housings 21, 22, and 23. Then, with the retention of the elastic retaining piece 67 in the fourth sub-connector 14 released, the movable member 77 is slid forward relative to the fixed member 76 as shown in FIG. 5. This allows all the covers 50 to be removed forward from the first to fourth housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 with one action.

[0044] In the process of removing the cover 50 from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, the engagement of the guide rib 27 with the guide groove 63 maintains a constant position of the cover 50 relative to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. The guide rib 27 and the guide groove 63 extend in the front-rear direction parallel to the direction in which the tab 42 protrudes from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. Therefore, in the process of removing the cover 50 from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, the covering portion 51 does not interfere with the tab 42.

[0045] In addition, if the cover 50 is vertically displaced or tilted with respect to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 immediately before or after the cover 50 is detached from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, there is a concern that the covering portion 51 may interfere with the tab 42. However, since the length from the rear end of the covering portion 51 to the rear end of the guide groove 63 is set to be greater than the protruding dimension of the tab 42 from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, there is no risk of the covering portion 51 interfering with the tab 42.

[0046] The stacked connector A of the first embodiment includes a plurality of housings 21, 22, 23, 24, a plurality of male terminal fittings 40, and a plurality of covers 50. The plurality of housings 21, 22, 23, 24 are assembled in a stacked state in the height direction. The male terminal fittings 40 have elongated tabs 42 at their front ends, and are attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 with the tabs 42 protruding forward of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. The cover 50 has a cover portion 51 that covers the tabs 42, and is attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24. When the cover 50 is attached to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, the tabs 42 can be protected by the cover portion 51.

[0047] The housings 21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 are formed with receiving portions 28 and elastic holding pieces 67 as holding portions for holding the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 in an attached state. The upper (one) housing 22, 23, 24 of the two housings 21, 22, 23, 24 overlapping in a stacked state is formed with a holding release portion 34 for releasing the holding function of the receiving portion 28 and the elastic holding piece 67 in the lower housing 21, 22, 23 as it is stacked on the lower (other) housing 21, 22, 23. With this configuration, the holding function of the receiving portion 28 and the elastic holding piece 67 is released simply by stacking the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, so that a separate process (separate work) for releasing the holding function of the receiving portion 28 and the elastic holding piece 67 is not required.

[0048] Of the two covers 50 that overlap in a stacked state, the upper (one) cover 50 attached to the upper (one) housing 22, 23, 24 is formed with a detachment restricting portion 62. The detachment restricting portion 62 restricts the lower (other) cover 50 from being detached forward from the lower housing 21, 22, 23. If the lower cover 50 is detached from the lower housing 21, 22, 23 immediately after the holding by the receiving portion 28 and the elastic holding piece 67 is released, the tab 42 of the lower sub-connector 11, 12, 13 will remain exposed in the process of stacking the sub-connectors 12, 13, 14 (housings 22, 23, 24) thereafter. In view of this, the lower cover 50 that has been released from the holding by the receiving portion 28 and the elastic holding piece 67 is kept in a state in which it does not detach from the lower housing 21, 22, 23 by the detachment restricting portion 62. This makes it possible to prevent the tabs 42 from being exposed in the process of stacking the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24. After all of the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 have been stacked, all of the covers 50 can be removed from the housings 21, 22, 23, and 24 by releasing the hold between the fourth housing 24 of the last stacked top layer (one side) and the cover 50 of the top layer (one side).

[0049] The receiving portions 28 and the elastic retaining pieces 67 formed on the upper (one) housings 22, 23, 24 and the upper (one) cover 50 are arranged so as to be exposed on the outer surfaces (top surfaces) of the upper housings 22, 23, 24 and the upper cover 50. With this configuration, when all the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 are stacked, the retention between the fourth housing 24, the topmost layer that was stacked last, and the cover 50 of the topmost layer can be easily released.

[0050] An inspection opening 55 is formed in the front surface of the covering portion 51 of the cover 50, through which a probe P (see FIG. 11) for a continuity inspection that contacts the tab 42 enters. With this configuration, while the tab 42 remains surrounded by the cover 50, the probe P can be inserted into the covering portion 51 from the front of the cover 50 and brought into contact with the front end of the tab 42. In other words, a continuity inspection can be performed while the tab 42 remains protected by the cover 50.

[0051] The housings 21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 are formed with guide ribs 27 and guide grooves 63 as guide sections that guide the cover 50 so as to displace relative to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 along a path that does not interfere with the tabs 42. According to this configuration, the cover 50 is guided to move along a path that does not interfere with the tabs 42, so that the cover 50 can be prevented from interfering with the tabs 42 during the process of attaching and detaching the cover 50 to and from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0052] The guide path defined by the guide rib 27 and the guide groove 63 is a straight path in the front-rear direction parallel to the protruding direction of the tab 42. With this configuration, interference between the cover 50 and the tab 42 can be prevented without increasing the size of the cover 50 in the up-down or left-right directions. Therefore, the shapes of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 can be simplified.

[0053] The housings 21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 have a flat shape with a width dimension larger than a height dimension. The cover 50 has a cover portion 51 that collectively covers the multiple tabs 42 arranged in the width direction, and an arm portion 60 that extends rearward in a cantilever shape from both ends of the cover portion 51 in the width direction. The guide groove 63 is formed in the arm portion 60. With this configuration, even if the cover 50 tilts in the height direction or moves in the height direction immediately after the rear end of the guide groove 63 of the cover 50 is released from the front end of the guide rib 27 of the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 in the process of removing the cover 50 from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24, it is possible to prevent the cover portion 51 from interfering with the tabs 42.

[0054] The sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, 14 (housings 21, 22, 23, 24) are stacked in the height direction. When the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 are stacked, the covers 50 are arranged so as to be stacked and aligned in the height direction. The two covers 50 overlapping in the stacked state are formed with a positioning recess 56 and a positioning protrusion 57 as positioning parts that restrict relative displacement in the width direction by fitting together. According to this configuration, the two covers 50 overlapping in the stacked state are restricted from relative displacement in the width direction by fitting the positioning protrusion 57 and the positioning recess 56. This makes it possible to prevent some of the stacked covers 50 from being misaligned in the width direction with respect to the housings 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0055] The cover 50 is formed with jig locking portions 70 aligned in the stacking direction when the sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, 14 are stacked. With this configuration, when all the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 and all the covers 50 are stacked, all the jig locking portions 70 are locked with the locking grooves 79 of the jig 75, so that all the covers 50 can be removed from the housings 21, 22, 23, 24 with one action.

[0056] The jig locking portion 70 has a protruding shape obtained by thickening at least a portion of the region of the arm portion 60 where the guide groove 63 is formed. With this configuration, the rigidity of the portion of the cover 50 where the guide groove 63 is formed is increased by the protruding jig locking portion 70. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of prying between the guide rib 27 and the guide groove 63 due to deformation of the portion of the cover 50 where the guide groove 63 is formed (the guide portion on the cover 50 side).

[0057] [Other Examples] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but is indicated by the claims. The present invention includes the equivalent meaning of the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims, including the following embodiments. The covering portion of the cover may be shaped to surround each tab individually. The cover is not limited to a rectangular cylindrical shape that completely surrounds the tab from all sides, and may be a shape that is open on any of the top, bottom, left, and right sides. The holding function of the holding portion may be released not by the hold releasing portion but by a separate process (separate operation). The cover may have a shape that does not include a removal prevention portion. The cover may have a shape that does not include the jig locking portion. The retaining portion may be configured so as not to be exposed on the outer surfaces of the housing and the cover. The inspection port may be opened individually for each tab. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] A…Stacked connector P…Probe 11…First sub-connector 12...Second sub-connector 13…Third sub-connector 14…4th sub-connector 21…1st housing 22…Second housing 23…Third housing 24…4th Housing 25...Terminal chamber 26…Lance 27…Guide rib 28…Receiving part (holding part) 29…bulge 30…Upper surface recess 31...Jig fixing part 32…Lock protrusion 33...Elastic lock piece 34...Holding release section 35...Protrusion 36…Notch 36F: Front edge of the notch 40...Male terminal fitting 41...Terminal body 42…Tab 43…Crimping part 44...Primary locking part 45...Secondary locking part 46...Electric wire 50…Cover 51…Covering part 52...Top wall part 53…Lower wall part 54…Side wall 55…Inspection entrance 56... Positioning recess 57... Positioning protrusion 60…Arm section 61...butt end 62…Withdrawal Control Section 63...Guide groove 64…Side plate part 65…Upper plate 66…Lower plate part 67...Elastic retaining piece (retaining portion) 68...Retaining protrusion 69…Protection Department 70...Jig locking part 75…Jig 76…Fixing member 77... Movable parts 78…Fixing groove 79…Latching groove

Claims

1. A plurality of housings assembled in a stacked state; a male terminal fitting having an elongated tab at a front end thereof and attached to the housing with the tab protruding forward of the housing; a cover attached to the housing and having a covering portion that covers the tab.

2. The housing and the cover are formed with a holding portion for holding the housing and the cover in an attached state, 2. The stacked connector as described in claim 1, wherein one of the two housings overlapping in a stacked state is formed with a retention release portion that releases the retention function of the retention portion in the other housing as the housing is stacked on the other housing.

3. 3. A stacked connector as described in claim 2, wherein, of the two covers that are stacked and overlap each other, one of the covers attached to one of the housings is formed with a detachment prevention portion that prevents the other cover from detaching from the other housing.

4. 4. The stacked connector according to claim 3, wherein the holding portion formed on the one housing and the one cover is arranged so as to be exposed to outer surfaces of the one housing and the one cover.

5. 5. The stacked connector according to claim 3, wherein the cover is formed with jig locking portions that are aligned in the stacking direction when the housings are stacked.

6. 5. The stacked connector according to claim 1, wherein a test hole is formed in a front surface of the cover for inserting a probe for a continuity test that contacts the tab.

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