Connector

Abstract

To disclose a connector in which separation between split retainers is suppressed, thereby making it possible to inhibit an external force propagating along an electric wire from being transmitted to a terminal side.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises a plurality of terminals 12, a plurality of electric wires 16, and a back retainer 18 that is made from a synthetic resin and is assembled on the side of a connector housing 14. The back retainer 18 includes split retainers 42a, 42b, each of the split retainers 42a, 42b having a split projection 46 located between the plurality of electric wires 16. The split retainers 42a, 42b fixed to each other combine the split projections 46 to form an electric wire retaining projection 48 disposed between the plurality of electric wires 16. The electric wire retaining projection 48 includes first band attachment sections 58. The plurality of electric wires 16 are bundled together and fixed in close contact with the electric wire retaining part 48 by means of a first cable tie 65 stretched between the first band attachment sections 58. The split projections 46 are pressed against each other from both sides in a first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Connectors have been used to electrically connect in-vehicle devices. Such connectors include a connector housing, terminals accommodated in the connector housing, and electric wires connected to the terminals, and the electric wires are drawn out from an electric wire outlet of the connector housing. If an external force applied to the electric wire drawn out is transmitted to the terminal side, problems such as contact micro-sliding wear occur. Therefore, in order to prevent the external force applied to the electric wire from being applied to the terminal side, for example, Patent Document 1 has a resin back retainer that holds the electric wire in the connector housing while suppressing the vibration of the electric wire. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-78600 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the back retainer is composed of a pair of split retainers that are assembled together and sandwich the electric wire in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the electric wire. Therefore, it is considered that the split retainers may tend to open apart due to repeated transmission of vibration from the electric wire to the back retainer or creeping in a high-temperature environment, causing a gap to form between the back retainer and the electric wire, and the external force transmitted to the electric wire may reach the terminal side. In particular, it was considered that the possibility of a gap occurring increases when the diameter of the electric wire increases due to the increase in the voltage of in-vehicle parts.

[0005] In view of this, a connector is disclosed that can suppress the opening between the split retainers and thereby suppress the propagation of the external force transmitted to the wires to the terminal side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of terminals accommodated in a connector housing, a plurality of electric wires connected respectively to the plurality of terminals and drawn out to the outside of the connector housing in parallel with gaps between them, and a plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions into which the plurality of electric wires drawn out to the outside of the connector housing are inserted and held in a pressure-welded state, and a back retainer made of synthetic resin assembled to the connector housing side, the back retainer having a pair of split retainers that sandwich and hold the electric wires from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the axis of each of the electric wires and are fixed to each other, the pair of split retainers each having a plurality of recessed grooves that are in close contact with outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of electric wires, and a split protrusion that is located between the plurality of recessed grooves in the parallel direction of the plurality of electric wires and protrudes in the drawing-out direction of the plurality of electric wires, and by fixing the pair of split retainers to each other, the plurality of recessed grooves partition the plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions into parallel rows, and the split protrusions are combined to form a wire pressing protrusion that is positioned between the plurality of electric wires protruding from the plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions and extending in the pull-out direction, the wire pressing protrusion has a pair of wire contact surfaces that contact the electric wires arranged on both sides in the parallel direction, and a pair of first band attachment portions provided on both end faces in a first direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the pair of electric wire contact surfaces, and the plurality of electric wires protruding from the plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions and extending in the pull-out direction are bound and fixed to each other by a first cable tie stretched between the pair of first band attachment portions, with the plurality of electric wires protruding from the plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions and extending in the pull-out direction being in close contact with the pair of electric wire contact surfaces of the wire pressing protrusion of the back retainer, and the first cable tie contacts the pair of first band attachment portions from both sides in the first direction, pressing the split protrusions of the pair of split retainers that constitute the wire pressing protrusion against each other from both sides in the first direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the connector of the present disclosure, the separation between the split retainers can be suppressed, and the propagation of external forces acting on the wires to the terminals can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a main part of the connector shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the back retainer is removed from the connector shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view showing a split retainer constituting the connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the split retainer shown in FIG. 8 from the bottom side. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the split retainer shown in FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a front view of the split retainer shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a back retainer constituting the connector shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the rear side. 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 connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A connector housing includes a plurality of terminals accommodated in the connector housing, a plurality of electric wires connected to the plurality of terminals and drawn out in parallel with gaps between them to the outside of the connector housing, and a plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions into which the plurality of electric wires drawn out to the outside of the connector housing are inserted and held in a pressure-welded state, and a back retainer made of synthetic resin is assembled to the connector housing side, the back retainer having a pair of split retainers that sandwich and hold the electric wires from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the axis of each of the electric wires and are fixed to each other, the pair of split retainers each having a plurality of recessed grooves that are in close contact with outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of electric wires, and a split protrusion that is located between the plurality of recessed grooves in the parallel direction of the plurality of electric wires and protrudes in the drawing direction of the plurality of electric wires, and the pair of split retainers are fixed to each other, so that the plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions are partitioned and arranged in parallel by the plurality of recessed grooves. and the split protrusions are combined to form a wire pressing protrusion that is arranged between the plurality of electric wires protruding from the plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions and extending in the pull-out direction, the wire pressing protrusion has a pair of wire contact surfaces that contact the electric wires arranged on both sides in the parallel direction, and a pair of first band attachment portions provided on both end faces in a first direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the pair of electric wire contact surfaces, and the plurality of electric wires protruding from the plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions and extending in the pull-out direction are bound and fixed to each other by a first cable tie stretched between the pair of first band attachment portions in a state in which the plurality of electric wires protruding from the plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions and extending in the pull-out direction are in close contact with the pair of electric wire contact surfaces of the wire pressing protrusion of the back retainer, and the first cable tie contacts the pair of first band attachment portions from both sides in the first direction, pressing the respective split protrusions of the pair of split retainers that constitute the wire pressing protrusion against each other from both sides in the first direction.

[0010] According to the connector of the present disclosure, the back retainer made of synthetic resin is composed of a pair of split retainers that sandwich and hold the electric wires from both sides in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the electric wires and are fixed to each other, and each of the pair of split retainers has a plurality of grooves that are in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the electric wires, and a split protrusion that is located between the plurality of grooves in the parallel direction of the electric wires and protrudes in the drawing direction of the plurality of electric wires. By fixing the pair of split retainers to each other, the plurality of electric wire insertion tube parts are partitioned and arranged in parallel by the plurality of grooves, and the split protrusions are combined to form an electric wire pressing protrusion that is arranged between the plurality of electric wires that protrude from the plurality of electric wire insertion tube parts and extend in the drawing direction. Furthermore, the electric wire pressing protrusion has a pair of electric wire contact surfaces that contact the electric wires arranged on both sides in the parallel direction of the electric wires, and a pair of first band attachment parts provided on both end faces in a first direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the pair of electric wire contact surfaces.

[0011] By bridging the first cable tie between the pair of first band attachment parts, the electric wires protruding from the electric wire insertion tube parts and extending in the drawing direction can be clamped between the electric wire pressing protrusions while being in close contact with the pair of electric wire contact surfaces of the electric wire pressing protrusions of the back retainer, and can be bound and fixed to each other. This makes it possible to suppress the movement of the electric wires protruding from the electric wire insertion tube parts of the back retainer and extending in the drawing direction by bringing them into close contact with the pair of electric wire contact surfaces of the electric wire pressing protrusions by the binding force of the first cable tie. As a result, it is possible to advantageously suppress or prevent the electric wires protruding from the electric wire insertion tube parts from being displaced by an external force, and advantageously suppress or prevent the occurrence of a gap between the back retainer and the electric wires due to an opening between the split retainers.

[0012] In addition, first cable ties contact the pair of first band attachment portions from both sides in the first direction, pressing the split protrusions of the pair of split retainers constituting the wire pressing protrusion against each other from both sides in the first direction. As a result, the wire pressing protrusion formed by the split protrusions of the pair of split retainers can be held in the assembly direction by the binding force of the first cable ties, and opening between the split retainers can be more effectively suppressed or prevented.

[0013] In this manner, the connector of the present disclosure can utilize the binding force of the first cable tie to simultaneously suppress the movement of the wires relative to the back retainer and to hold the split retainers constituting the back retainer in a coupled state, thereby providing a connector that can suppress the opening between the split retainers and suppress the propagation of external forces transmitted to the wires to the terminals.

[0014] In addition, the back retainer only needs to be assembled to the connector housing. For example, it may be assembled directly to the connector housing, or it may be indirectly assembled to the connector housing via another member assembled to the connector housing, such as a metal shield shell that covers the outer surface of the connector housing.

[0015] Furthermore, the first band attachment portion and the second band attachment portion described below can be of any shape that allows a cable tie to be attached, and may be gutter-shaped, cylindrical, or frame-shaped.

[0016] (2) In the above (1), it is preferable that the pair of wire contact surfaces of the wire pressing protrusion are configured as curved surfaces that are convex inward in the opposing direction. By making the pair of wire contact surfaces curved surfaces that are convex inward in the opposing direction, a wide contact area between the wires and the wire contact surfaces can be secured, and the effect of holding the wires by the wire pressing protrusion arranged between the multiple wires can be improved.

[0017] (3) In the above (1) or (2), it is preferable that the connector further includes a metallic shield shell that is fixed to the connector housing to cover the connector housing and has a cylindrical electric wire outlet through which the plurality of electric wires drawn out to the outside of the connector housing are drawn out, the back retainer is fitted into the electric wire outlet of the shield shell, the electric wire outlet of the shield shell has a plurality of engaged portions spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the electric wire outlet, the back retainer has a first engaging portion having a crushed rib provided on both sides in the first direction and engaging with the engaged portions, and a second engaging portion having a crushed rib provided on both sides in the parallel direction and engaging with the engaged portions, and when the back retainer is fitted into the electric wire outlet, the first engaging portion is pressed against the engaged portion via the crushed rib on both sides in the first direction, and the second engaging portion is pressed against the engaged portion via the crushed rib on both sides in the parallel direction.

[0018] A back retainer, through which a plurality of electric wires drawn from a connector housing are inserted and held in a pressure-contact state, is fitted to an electric wire outlet of a metallic shield shell fixed to the connector housing. The back retainer includes a first engagement portion that is pressure-contacted to the engaged portion of the electric wire outlet via a crushing rib on both sides in a first direction (e.g., both upper and lower sides) in a state of being fitted to the electric wire outlet, and a second engagement portion that is pressure-contacted to the engaged portion of the electric wire outlet via a crushing rib on both sides in a parallel direction of the electric wires (e.g., both left and right sides). Therefore, even if the back retainer is fitted to the electric wire outlet of the shield shell with some wobble, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are pressure-contacted to the engaged portion while crushing the crushing rib in both the first direction (e.g., the up-down direction) and the parallel direction (e.g., the left-right direction), which are two directions perpendicular to the drawing direction (axial direction) of the electric wires. As a result, the squashing rib absorbs the rattle, and the displacement of the back retainer fitted in the electric wire outlet with respect to the electric wire outlet is suppressed. This makes it possible to suppress the displacement of the back retainer with respect to the shield shell due to vibrations during mounting on a vehicle by using the squashing rib while making the back retainer from a synthetic resin without increasing the size of the connector housing or the back retainer or making the back retainer from a metal. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent the transmission of an external force applied to the electric wire to the terminal side while suppressing the increase in size of the connector itself and the increase in manufacturing cost. In addition, it is possible to improve the external force blocking performance of the back retainer, which suppresses the transmission of an external force from the electric wire. In particular, since the electric wire outlet into which the back retainer is fitted is configured using a metallic shield shell, defects such as the occurrence of gaps due to creep in a high temperature environment can be advantageously suppressed compared to a case in which the electric wire outlet is provided in a connector housing made of a synthetic resin, and the state of pressure contact with the engaged part via the squashing rib of the engaging part can be advantageously maintained.

[0019] The fitting structure of the back retainer to the wire outlet of the shield shell may be any structure. For example, a back retainer is provided with an elastic lock piece and a shield shell is provided with the elastic lock piece. The locking projection may be adapted to be locked into the locking projection.

[0020] (4) In the above (3), it is preferable that each of the split retainers has a second band mounting portion provided on the end side opposite the split protrusion in the withdrawal direction, the back retainer formed by assembling the split retainers to each other has a pair of the second band mounting portions arranged on both sides in the first direction, and a second cable tie stretched between the pair of second band mounting portions presses the pair of split retainers against each other from both sides in the first direction, and the back retainer is tied and fixed to the wire withdrawal port of the shield shell.

[0021] The split retainer has a pair of second band attachment parts on the opposite side in the pull-out direction from the split protrusion on which the first band attachment part is provided, and the split retainers can be held in an assembled state by a second cable tie stretched between the pair of second band attachment parts. This allows the split retainers to be held in the assembly direction by the binding force of the second cable tie at a location away from the split protrusion, and further advantageously suppresses or prevents the split retainers from opening up.

[0022] Furthermore, the fastening force of the second cable tie can be used to fasten the back retainer to the wire outlet of the shield shell, thereby preventing the split retainers from opening apart and more effectively preventing the external force applied to the wires from propagating to the terminals.

[0023] (5) In the above (3) or (4), it is preferable that the multiple engaged portions of the electric wire outlet include a multiple first engaged portions arranged on both sides in the parallel direction and a multiple second engaged portions arranged on both sides in the first direction, the back retainer includes a multiple first engaging portions arranged on both sides in the parallel direction and a multiple second engaging portions arranged on both sides in the first direction, and when the back retainer is fitted into the electric wire outlet, the first engaging portions are pressed against the first engaged portions on both sides in the parallel direction via the crushing ribs on both sides in the first direction, and the second engaging portions are pressed against the second engaged portions on both sides in the first direction via the crushing ribs on both sides in the parallel direction.

[0024] This is because the engaging portion can be pressed against the engaged portion via the crushing rib on both sides of the first direction and the parallel direction, which more stably suppresses displacement of the back retainer relative to the shield shell and suppresses or prevents external force applied to the wire from being transmitted to the terminal side.

[0025] (6) In any one of (1) to (5) above, it is preferable that a diameter dimension of an inner peripheral surface of each of the electric wire insertion tube portions of the back retainer is made larger than a diameter dimension of the outer peripheral surface of each of the electric wires inserted inside the electric wire insertion tube portion, and a plurality of electric wire pressing protrusions are provided spaced apart from each other on the inner peripheral surface of each of the electric wires, protruding radially inward from the outer peripheral surface of each of the electric wires, and each of the electric wire pressing protrusions presses an insulating coating constituting the outer peripheral surface of each of the electric wires radially inward, thereby inserting and holding the electric wires in a pressure-welded state into the electric wire insertion tube portion.

[0026] The diameter of the inner peripheral surface of each electric wire insertion tube portion is larger than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of each electric wire, and a gap is formed between them. Furthermore, the plurality of electric wire pressing protrusions are provided at a distance from each other. Therefore, the insulating coating elastically deformed radially outward by being pressed by the electric wire pressing protrusions can be absorbed in the gaps extending between the electric wire pressing protrusions. Therefore, the electric wire can be advantageously fixed in position to the electric wire insertion tube portion by pressing the electric wire pressing protrusions against the insulating coating, while reducing the assembly force required when assembling the electric wire insertion tube portion to the electric wire, thereby improving the assembly workability. Preferably, the plurality of electric wire pressing protrusions are scattered at a distance from each other in both the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the electric wire insertion tube portion. This allows the electric wire to be fixed over a wider range by the pressing of the electric wire pressing protrusions, and further improves the external force blocking performance of the back retainer, which suppresses the transmission of an external force from the electric wire.

[0027] (7) In any one of the above (3) to (5), it is preferable that the back retainer has an elastic locking piece that protrudes in a cantilever shape toward the electric wire outlet of the shield shell, the elastic locking piece having a fitting hole at a protruding end, the shield shell has a locking protrusion that protrudes from an outer circumferential surface of the electric wire outlet, and the back retainer is fitted into the electric wire outlet of the shield shell by fitting the locking protrusion of the shield shell into the fitting hole of the elastic locking piece of the back retainer. Since it is sufficient to provide an elastic locking piece on a back retainer made of synthetic resin and form a locking protrusion on the shield shell, it is possible to simplify the structure of the shield shell while facilitating molding of the elastic locking piece, and to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0028] (8) In the above item (7), it is preferable that the wire outlet of the shield shell has a concave locking piece accommodating portion that opens to the outer circumferential surface of the wire outlet, the locking protrusion is protruded from a bottom surface of the locking piece accommodating portion, and the elastic locking piece of the back retainer is accommodated in the locking piece accommodating portion when the back retainer is fitted to the shield shell.

[0029] When the back retainer is fitted to the shield shell, the elastic locking pieces of the back retainer are accommodated in the locking piece accommodating portion of the shield shell, so that the elastic locking pieces are prevented from protruding outward from the outer periphery of the electric wire outlet. This makes it possible to advantageously prevent the elastic locking pieces from interfering with other members and to prevent the back retainer from unexpectedly coming off from the electric wire outlet. Furthermore, since the locking protrusion of the electric wire outlet is also provided on the bottom surface of the locking piece accommodating portion, the locking protrusion is also prevented from protruding outward from the outer periphery of the electric wire outlet, making it possible to prevent interference with other members. More preferably, the depth dimension of the locking piece accommodating portion is adjusted so that the elastic locking pieces do not protrude outward from the outer periphery of the electric wire outlet.

[0030] (9) In the above item (8), it is preferable that the wire outlet of the shield shell has a cylindrical end portion located on the wire outlet direction side, the cylindrical end portion having a plurality of notched engaged portions penetrating in the plate thickness direction and opening on the end face on the wire outlet direction side, at least one of the engaged portions being provided opening on the bottom face of the lock piece accommodating portion, and the base end side of the elastic lock piece of the back retainer has the second engaging portion having a protruding shape protruding from the elastic lock piece toward the wire side and pressed into the at least one engaged portion.

[0031] The engaged portion provided at the electric wire outlet of the shield shell is configured as a notch that penetrates the cylindrical end in the plate thickness direction and opens on the end face in the electric wire outlet direction, so that the engaged portion can be provided without increasing the size of the shield shell. Furthermore, one of the engaged portions is provided opening on the bottom face of the lock piece housing portion, and the second engaging portion that is press-fitted therein has a protruding shape that protrudes from the elastic lock piece toward the electric wire side, so that it is provided space-efficiently by making good use of the empty space on the back side of the elastic lock piece. This makes it possible to provide the engaged portion and the second engaging portion that fits therein in a space-saving manner without increasing the size of the connector.

[0032] (10) In the above item (9), it is preferable that the back retainer includes a mounting tubular portion that is fitted into the inner peripheral side of the tubular end of the electric wire outlet, and the first engaging portion having a protruding shape that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the mounting tubular portion, and when the back retainer is in a fitted state with the shield shell, the first engaging portion is accommodated in the engaged portion without protruding to the outer peripheral side of the electric wire outlet.

[0033] The first engaging portion protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the mounting cylindrical portion of the back retainer which is fitted into the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical end of the electric wire outlet, and the first engaging portion can be housed in the engaged portion which penetrates the cylindrical end in the plate thickness direction, and the first engaging portion can be press-fitted into the engaged portion. Therefore, the engaged portion and the first engaging portion press-fitted therein can be arranged using the cylindrical end of the electric wire outlet, and the engaged portion and the first engaging portion fitted therein can be provided in a space-saving manner without increasing the size of the connector.

[0034] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Specific examples of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0035] <Embodiment 1> A connector 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 12. The connector 10 includes terminals 12, and when the connector 10 is connected to a mating connector (not shown), the terminals 12 in the connector 10 and the mating terminals in the mating connector are electrically connected to each other. The connector 10 can be arranged in any orientation, but in the following description, the upper side refers to the upper side in Fig. 3, the lower side refers to the lower side in Fig. 3, the front side refers to the left side in Fig. 2, the rear side refers to the right side in Fig. 2, the left side refers to the lower side in Fig. 2, and the right side refers to the upper side in Fig. 2. In addition, for multiple identical members, only some of the members may be labeled with reference numerals, and the reference numerals may be omitted for the other members.

[0036] <Connector 10> 1 to 4, the connector 10 has a plurality of terminals 12, 12 (a pair in the first embodiment) housed in a connector housing 14, and a plurality of electric wires 16, 16 (a pair in the first embodiment) connected to the plurality of terminals 12, respectively, and drawn out in parallel with a gap between them to the outside of the connector housing 14. The connector 10 also has a back retainer 18 made of synthetic resin assembled to the connector housing 14 side, and the back retainer 18 has a plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions 20 (a pair in the first embodiment) through which the plurality of electric wires 16 drawn out to the outside of the connector housing 14 are inserted and held in a pressure-welded state. In the first embodiment, a pair of connector housings 14, 14 are provided, and each of the connector housings 14 houses each of the terminals 12.

[0037] The connector housings 14, the terminals 12, and the electric wires 16 are disposed at a distance from one another in the left-right direction, and in the first embodiment, the electric wires 16 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction. As will be described later, the electric wires 16 are pulled out rearward from the connector housings 14, and the pulling direction of the electric wires 16 is the front-rear direction (particularly, the direction from the front to the rear).

[0038] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the connector 10 includes a metallic shield shell 24 that is fixed to and covers the connector housing 14 and has a cylindrical electric wire outlet 22 through which the multiple electric wires 16 are drawn to the outside of the connector housing 14. The back retainer 18 is fitted into the electric wire outlet 22 of the shield shell 24.

[0039] <Terminal 12> In the first embodiment, the mating terminal (not shown) connected to each terminal 12 is a pin terminal, and the specific structure is not limited as long as it has a cylindrical connection portion 26 into which the pin-shaped mating terminal is press-fitted, and for example, a structure such as the female terminal (10) described in JP 2021-28899 A can be adopted. More specifically, each terminal 12 in the first embodiment is configured to include a terminal body 28 having a cylindrical connection portion 26 and a clip spring 30 as an elastic member attached to the tip portion (front end portion) of the terminal body 28. Then, an electric wire fixing portion 32 to which each electric wire 16 is fixed is provided at the base end portion (rear end portion) of each terminal body 28.

[0040] Each electric wire 16 is a coated electric wire, and is composed of a core wire 34 and an insulating coating 36 made of synthetic resin that covers the core wire 34 over substantially the entire length. The insulating coating 36 is stripped off at the end of each electric wire 16 to expose the core wire 34, and the exposed core wire 34 is fixed to the electric wire fixing portion 32 of each terminal body 28, thereby connecting each terminal body 28 to each electric wire 16. The method of fixing the electric wire fixing portion 32 to the core wire 34 is not limited, and may be adhesion, welding, or crimping using a crimping piece.

[0041] <Connector housing 14> As shown in Fig. 2, the connector housing 14 has a terminal accommodating portion 38 having a substantially rectangular tube shape in which the front end portion of each electric wire 16 and each terminal 12 fixed to the end of each electric wire 16 are accommodated. As described above, in the first embodiment, a pair of connector housings 14, 14 is provided, and each connector housing 14 has a terminal accommodating portion 38. The connector housings 14 (each terminal accommodating portion 38) are separated from each other in the left-right direction and extend in the front-rear direction. The electric wires 16 accommodated in each terminal accommodating portion 38 are drawn out to the outside space through a rear opening 40 of each connector housing 14 (each terminal accommodating portion 38). That is, each electric wire 16 is drawn out from each connector housing 14 toward the rear, and the drawing direction of each electric wire 16 is the front-rear direction (particularly, the direction from the front to the rear).

[0042] Note that the method of fixing each of these connector housings 14 to the shield shell 24 that is fixed in a state of covering each of the connector housings 14 is not limited, but in the first embodiment, as described below, each of the connector housings 14 is inserted into the inside of the shield shell 24 from a rear opening (wire withdrawal port 22). Then, each of the connector housings 14 is fixed to the shield shell 24 by, for example, fitting of recesses and protrusions provided on the outer surface of each of the connector housings 14 and the inner surface of the shield shell 24.

[0043] <Back retainer 18> As also shown in Fig. 12, the back retainer 18 has a pair of split retainers 42a, 42b that sandwich and hold each electric wire 16 from both sides in the axis-perpendicular direction of each electric wire 16 (both top and bottom sides in embodiment 1) and are fixed to each other. In particular, in embodiment 1, the pair of split retainers 42a, 42b have the same shape, and the back retainer 18 is configured by assembling the pair of split retainers 42a, 42b in a top-bottom inverted state. In the following, one (upper) split retainer 42a will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 11, and a description of the other (lower) split retainer 42b will be omitted.

[0044] <Split retainers 42a, 42b> The split retainer 42a has a plurality of (a pair in the first embodiment) recessed grooves 44, 44 in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of each electric wire 16 (the outer circumferential surface of each insulating coating 36), and a split protrusion 46 located between the recessed grooves 44, 44 in the parallel direction (left-right direction) of the electric wires 16 and protruding in the pull-out direction (rearward) of the electric wires 16. Then, by fixing the pair of split retainers 42a, 42b to each other, the electric wire insertion tube portion 20 is partitioned by the upper and lower recessed grooves 44, and the plurality (a pair) of electric wire insertion tube portions 20, 20 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction. In addition, by fixing the pair of split retainers 42a, 42b to each other, the upper and lower split protrusions 46 form an electric wire pressing protrusion 48, which is positioned between the left and right sides of each electric wire 16 that protrudes and extends in the withdrawal direction (rearward) from each electric wire insertion tube portion 20.

[0045] More specifically, the split retainer 42a includes split tubular portions 50 that form each of the recessed grooves 44, and the pair of split tubular portions 50, 50 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The pair of split retainers 42a, 42b are fixed to each other, so that the upper and lower split tubular portions 50 form each of the electric wire insertion tubular portions 20. In the first embodiment, the rear portions of the pair of split tubular portions 50, 50 provided on both the left and right sides have different circumferential lengths. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the upper split retainer 42a, the split tubular portion 50 provided on the left side is formed with a circumferential length shorter than 1 / 2 circumference, and the split tubular portion 50 provided on the right side is formed with a circumferential length of approximately 1 / 2 circumference or slightly longer than 1 / 2 circumference. As a result, when the upper and lower split tubular portions 50 are stacked to form each electric wire insertion tubular portion 20, a gap 52 extending in the front-to-rear direction is formed circumferentially between the upper and lower split tubular portions 50 in the rear portion of each electric wire insertion tubular portion 20.

[0046] In addition, in the split retainer 42a, the left and right split tubular portions 50 are connected by a connecting portion 54. As described above, since the split protrusions 46 are provided between the left and right recessed grooves 44 (the split tubular portions 50), the split protrusions 46 are provided on the connecting portion 54 and protrude rearward beyond the split tubular portions 50. In the upper split retainer 42a, the lower surface of the connecting portion 54 is a flat surface, and the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b are fixed to each other, so that the flat surfaces of the connecting portion 54 overlap each other. Note that the left and right split tubular portions 50 and the connecting portion 54 may be provided with lightening portions at appropriate positions.

[0047] Furthermore, the circumferential length of the front portions of the pair of split tubular portions 50, 50 provided on both the left and right sides is set to approximately 1 / 2 circumference. As a result, when the upper and lower split tubular portions 50 are overlapped to form the electric wire insertion tubular portions 20, the front portions of the electric wire insertion tubular portions 20 are approximately cylindrical. In the first embodiment, the diameter φα (see FIG. 4) of the inner peripheral surface of each electric wire insertion tubular portion 20 formed of the upper and lower split tubular portions 50 (each recessed groove 44) is larger than the diameter φβ (see FIG. 4) of the outer peripheral surface of each electric wire 16 inserted inside each electric wire insertion tubular portion 20.

[0048] <Wire holding protrusion 48> The wire pressing protrusion 48 formed by overlapping the divided protrusions 46 has a pair of wire contact surfaces 56, 56 arranged on both sides in the parallel direction (left-right direction) of each electric wire 16 and contacting each electric wire 16 (see FIG. 5). In the first embodiment, each electric wire contact surface 56 is formed by a curved surface that is convex inward in the opposing direction (left-right direction), and the vertical center of each electric wire contact surface 56 protrudes most inward in the left-right direction. In addition, the wire pressing protrusion 48 has a pair of first band attachment parts 58, 58 on both end surfaces in the first direction perpendicular to the opposing direction (left-right direction) of the pair of electric wire contact surfaces 56, 56, i.e., in the vertical direction. In the first embodiment, the curvature of each electric wire contact surface 56 is approximately equal to the curvature of the outer circumferential surface of each electric wire 16 (the outer circumferential surface of each insulating coating 36), and each electric wire contact surface 56 has a curved surface shape that approximately corresponds to the outer circumferential surface of each electric wire 16. As a result, when each electric wire contact surface 56 comes into intimate contact with the outer circumferential surface of each electric wire 16, each electric wire contact surface 56 comes into intimate contact with the outer circumferential surface of each electric wire 16 over substantially the entire surface.

[0049] Since the wire pressing protrusion 48 is divided into each split protrusion 46 in the vertical direction, each wire contact surface 56 is also divided in the vertical direction, and as shown in Figures 5, 12, etc., split contact surfaces 60 that constitute each wire contact surface 56 are provided on both left and right sides of each split protrusion 46. That is, in the upper split retainer 42a, split contact surfaces 60 that gradually curve outward in the left and right direction as they go upward are provided on both left and right outer surfaces of the lower end portion of the split protrusion 46. The upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b are overlapped and the split contact surfaces 60, 60 that are in a vertically inverted state are continuous with each other in the vertical direction, thereby forming each wire contact surface 56 whose vertical center protrudes most inward in the left and right direction.

[0050] <First band attachment part 58> Also, a first band attachment portion 58 is formed on the upper end surface of the split protrusion 46 in the upper split retainer 42a. In the first embodiment, the first band attachment portion 58 is in the shape of a gutter extending in the left-right direction, and is composed of a flat surface 62 formed by the upper end surface of the split protrusion 46 and extending the entire length in the left-right direction, and both side edges 64, 64 protruding upward from the flat surface 62 on both front-rear sides of the flat surface 62. In this way, by forming the first band attachment portion 58 on the upper end surface of the split protrusion 46 in the split retainer 42a, a pair of first band attachment portions 58, 58 are provided on both vertical end surfaces of the wire pressing protrusion 48 formed by overlapping the upper and lower split protrusions 46, 46.

[0051] <First cable tie 65> The first cable ties 65 are stretched between the first band mounting parts 58, and the electric wires 16 protruding from the electric wire insertion tube parts 20 and extending rearward are bound and fixed to each other in a state of being in close contact with the electric wire contact surfaces 56 of the electric wire pressing protrusions 48 of the back retainer 18. The first cable ties 65 are in contact with the first band mounting parts 58 from both sides in the vertical direction, and press the divided protrusions 46 of the upper and lower divided retainers 42a, 42b constituting the electric wire pressing protrusions 48 against each other from both sides in the vertical direction. In short, the first cable ties 65 are inserted into the first band mounting parts 58, each of which is substantially trough-shaped, and the vertical side portions of the first cable ties 65 are inserted between the both side edges 64 of the first band mounting parts 58 and overlapped on the flat surface 62. This prevents the first cable ties 65 from falling off from the first band attachment portions 58.

[0052] 5, both left and right side portions of the first cable tie 65 are overlapped from the outside with the left and right outer portions of the outer peripheral surface of each electric wire 16 (the outer peripheral surface of each insulating coating 36) and are in close contact with each other. That is, both left and right sides of each electric wire 16 are in close contact with the electric wire pressing protrusion 48 and the first cable tie 65, and the electric wire 16 is sandwiched between the electric wire pressing protrusion 48 and the first cable tie 65. In the first embodiment, the vertical dimension γ (see FIG. 5) of the electric wire pressing protrusion 48 is slightly larger than the diameter dimension φβ of the outer peripheral surface of each electric wire 16, and when the electric wires 16 are fixed by the first cable tie 65, the risk that both the vertical side portions of the first cable tie 65 will lift up from the flat surfaces 62 of each first band attachment portion 58 is reduced. As a result, the first cable tie 65 prevents the upper and lower split tube portions 50, 50 of the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b from being displaced in a direction opening (separating) from each other, thereby preventing gaps from being generated between each electric wire insertion tube portion 20 and each electric wire 16. The first cable tie 65 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and a conventionally known cable tie can be used.

[0053] <Wire pressing protrusion 66> As shown in Figs. 4 and 9, a plurality of electric wire pressing protrusions 66 protruding radially inward are formed on the inner peripheral surface of each of the left and right split tubular portions 50 of the split retainer 42a. In each of the split tubular portions 50, the plurality of electric wire pressing protrusions 66 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction on the same circumference. In addition, the plurality of electric wire pressing protrusions 66 arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction on the same circumference are arranged spaced apart from each other at two locations in the front-rear direction. The plurality of electric wire pressing protrusions 66 provided on each of the left and right split tubular portions 50 are located at approximately equal positions in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the split tubular portions 50 are stacked in the up-down direction to form each electric wire insertion tubular portion 20, the plurality of electric wire pressing protrusions 66 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction over approximately the entire circumference of the same circumference in each electric wire insertion tubular portion 20 having a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0054] 4, the electric wire pressing protrusions 66 protrude radially inward from the outer circumferential surface of each electric wire 16 in a state in which each electric wire 16 is inserted into each electric wire insertion tube portion 20. As a result, the insulating coating 36 constituting the outer circumferential surface of each electric wire 16 is pressed radially inward by each electric wire pressing protrusion 66. As a result, each electric wire 16 is inserted and held in a pressure-contact state in each electric wire insertion tube portion 20. Note that in the first embodiment, as described below, after the back retainer 18 is attached to each electric wire 16, the back retainer 18 is moved forward and assembled to the shield shell 24, so that the back retainer 18 can be displaced in the front-rear direction relative to each electric wire 16 while the insulating coating 36 of each electric wire 16 is pressed by each electric wire pressing protrusion 66.

[0055] In the split retainer 42a, a lock claw 68 protruding downward is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion of one (left in embodiment 1) split tubular portion 50, and a lock frame 70 protruding outward is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the other (right in embodiment 1) split tubular portion 50. As a result, when the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b are overlapped to form the electric wire insertion tubular portions 20, the lock claws 68 and / or the lock frame 70 elastically deform and engage with each other. As a result, the split tubular portions 50 are prevented from being separated, and the electric wire insertion tubular portions 20 are maintained in a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0056] A base portion 72 is provided at the front portion of the split retainer 42a. That is, the base portion 72 is formed by the front portions of the left and right split tubular portions 50, each having a circumferential length of approximately 1 / 2 the circumference, and the front portion of the connecting portion 54 provided between the split tubular portions 50. In other words, the left and right split tubular portions 50 and the connecting portion 54 protrude rearward from the base portion 72. The base portion 72 has a predetermined thickness dimension (front-rear dimension) and is generally rectangular as a whole as viewed in the front-rear direction as shown in Fig. 11, but the portions corresponding to the recessed grooves 44 are recessed in approximately semicircular shapes.

[0057] When the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b are assembled to form the back retainer 18, one base portion 72 and the other base portion 72 that is upside down are overlapped in the vertical direction. Then, as shown in Fig. 3, the pair of base portions 72, 72 are overlapped in the vertical direction to form an attachment tube portion 74 that is fitted into the inner periphery of a later-described tube end portion 128 at the electric wire outlet 22. That is, in a state in which the back retainer 18 is assembled to the shield shell 24 to form the connector 10, the attachment tube portion 74 is fitted into the tube end portion 128.

[0058] In addition, in the split retainer 42a, a plurality of ribs 76 extending rearward from the base portion 72 are provided on the upper surfaces of the left and right split tubular portions 50 and the connecting portion 54, and these ribs 76 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Each of these ribs 76 is generally triangular or trapezoidal in left-right view, and has a portion whose vertical dimension gradually decreases from the front to the rear. The left and right split tubular portions 50 and the connecting portion 54 are reinforced by these ribs 76.

[0059] In particular, by making the vertical dimension of the front portion of each rib 76 larger than that of the rear portion, when the back retainer 18 is fitted into the electric wire outlet 22 of the shield shell 24, a relatively strong reinforcing effect is exhibited in the portion close to the electric wire outlet 22, and displacement of each electric wire 16 inserted into each electric wire insertion tube portion 20 near the electric wire outlet 22 is prevented. On the other hand, by making the vertical dimension of the rear portion of each rib 76 smaller than that of the front portion, elastic deformation of the left and right separate tube portions 50 is permitted to a certain extent, and the risk of damage to each electric wire 16 when the electric wire 16 is significantly displaced relative to each separate tube portion 50 is reduced.

[0060] <Elastic lock piece 78> An elastic lock piece 78 is provided at the upper end of the base portion 72, protruding forward, i.e., toward the electric wire outlet 22 of the shield shell 24, in a cantilever shape, and the elastic lock piece 78 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction. A pair of elastic lock pieces 78, 78 is provided on the split retainer 42a, and each elastic lock piece 78 is separated from each other in the left-right direction. Specifically, each elastic lock piece 78 is provided at a position corresponding to each of the left and right split tube portions 50. Furthermore, a substantially rectangular fitting hole 80 is provided at the protruding end (front end) of each of these elastic lock pieces 78, penetrating in the vertical direction. In the split retainer 42a, a second band attachment portion 82 is provided at the protruding base end (rear end) on the upper end surface of each elastic lock piece 78, to which a second cable tie 87 described later is attached.

[0061] <Second band attachment part 82> Each second band mounting portion 82 is a gutter shape extending in the left-right direction like the above-mentioned first band mounting portion 58, and each second band mounting portion 82 is composed of a flat surface 84 formed by the upper end surface of each elastic lock piece 78 and extending over the entire left-right direction, and both side edges 86, 86 protruding upward from the flat surface 84 on both sides in the front-rear direction of the flat surface 84. That is, in the split retainer 42a, each second band mounting portion 82 is provided on the end side (front end side) opposite to the split protrusion 46 in the drawing direction (front-rear direction) of each electric wire 16. And, by forming each second band mounting portion 82 on the upper end surface of each elastic lock piece 78 in the split retainer 42a, each second band mounting portion 82, 82 is provided on both end surfaces in the first direction (up-down direction) of the back retainer 18 formed by overlapping the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b.

[0062] <Second cable tie 87> The second cable tie 87 stretched between each of the second band mounting portions 82 presses the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b against each other from both the top and bottom, and also fastens the back retainer 18 to the electric wire outlet 22 of the shield shell 24. In short, the second cable tie 87 is inserted into each of the second band mounting portions 82, each of which is substantially trough-shaped, and both upper and lower side portions of the second cable tie 87 are inserted between both side edge portions 86 of each of the second band mounting portions 82 and overlapped on the flat surface 84. This prevents the second cable tie 87 from falling off from each of the second band mounting portions 82.

[0063] 3, both left and right side portions of the second cable tie 87 are overlapped from the outside with the left and right outer portions of the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical end portion 128 of the shield shell 24 described later and are in close contact with each other. In the first embodiment, the second cable tie 87 is provided so as to cover from the outside the fitting portion between the back retainer 18 and the shield shell 24, that is, the fitting portion between the first engaging portion 104 and the first engaged portion 132 described later and the fitting portion between the second engaging portion 108 and the second engaged portion 134 described later. This reduces the risk that vibration transmitted from the outside through each electric wire 16 is transmitted to the back retainer 18 and the fitting between the back retainer 18 and the shield shell 24 is released. The second cable tie 87 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and a conventionally known cable tie can be used.

[0064] Furthermore, in each elastic lock piece 78, the front end of each second band mounting portion 82 has a pair of forward protruding portions 88, 88 that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction and protrude forward, and a connecting portion 90 that connects the protruding tip ends (front ends) of each of these forward protruding portions 88. The fitting hole 80 is formed by the area surrounded by each of these second band mounting portions 82, each of the forward protruding portions 88, and the connecting portion 90. As shown in Figs. 3 and 11, a pair of downward extending portions 92, 92 that extend downward along the front surface of the base portion 72 are provided at the protruding base end (rear end) of each elastic lock piece 78 in the split retainer 42a, and are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. As shown in Figs. 3 and 11, the crushing ribs 106 of the second engagement portion 108 described later are provided on the left-right outer surfaces of each downward extending portion 92 that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. In FIG. 3, the crushing ribs 102, 106 before deformation are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

[0065] In the split retainer 42a, a downwardly protruding elastic lock frame 94 is provided on the left end surface of the base portion 72, and a rightwardly protruding lock claw portion 96 is provided on the right end surface. The elastic lock frame 94 is elastically deformable in the left-right direction, and the back retainer 18 is configured by arranging the split retainers 42a, 42b opposite each other in the up-down direction and engaging the elastic lock frame 94 with the lock claw portion 96. That is, in addition to the engagement between the lock claw portion 68 and the lock frame 70, the engagement between the elastic lock frame 94 and the lock claw portion 96 prevents the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b from being separated, thereby configuring the back retainer 18.

[0066] The elastic locking frame 94 has a pair of downward protruding parts 98, 98 that are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction and protrude downward from the base part 72, and a connecting part 100 that connects the protruding tip parts (lower ends) of the downward protruding parts 98. The locking claw part 96 is adapted to engage with the area surrounded by the downward protruding parts 98 and the connecting part 100.

[0067] <First Engagement Portion 104 and Second Engagement Portion 108> Here, the back retainer 18 has a first engaging portion 104 that has crushing ribs 102, 102 provided on both sides in a first direction (vertical direction) and engages with a first engaged portion 132 that constitutes an engaged portion 130 in the shield shell 24, which will be described later, and a second engaging portion 108 that has crushing ribs 106, 106 provided on both sides in the parallel direction (left-right direction) of each electric wire 16 and engages with a second engaged portion 134 that constitutes the engaged portion 130, which will be described later. As will be described later, at the electric wire outlet 22 in the shield shell 24, the first engaged portions 132 are arranged on both sides in the left-right direction, and the second engaged portions 134 are arranged on both sides in the up-down direction. Therefore, in the back retainer 18, the first engaging portions 104 are arranged on both sides in the left-right direction, and the second engaging portions 108 are arranged on both sides in the up-down direction.

[0068] Specifically, in the split retainer 42a, the first engagement portion 104 is formed in a protruding shape protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the elastic lock frame 94 provided at the left end to the outer peripheral side (left side). That is, vertical wall portions 110, 110 protruding leftward and expanding in the vertical direction are provided in the vertical middle portion of a pair of downward protruding portions 98, 98 separated in the front-rear direction in the elastic lock frame 94. In addition, the protruding tip (left end) of each vertical wall portion 110 is connected by a connecting wall portion 112. As shown in Figs. 8 and 10, the area surrounded by each vertical wall portion 110 and the connecting wall portion 112 forms a substantially rectangular through hole 114 penetrating in the vertical direction. The first engagement portion 104 is configured including each vertical wall portion 110 and the connecting wall portion 112, and crushing ribs 102, 102 protruding on both sides in the first direction (vertical direction) beyond each vertical wall portion 110 are provided on the upper and lower end surfaces of the connecting wall portion 112. The upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b having such a shape are assembled to each other in the vertical direction, thereby providing first engagement portions 104 on both left and right sides of the back retainer 18. Furthermore, since the first engagement portions 104 are provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the elastic lock frame 94 constituting the base portion 72, they are also provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the mounting tube portion 74 constituted by the pair of base portions 72, 72.

[0069] In a state where the split retainer 42a is in a single piece state before the first engaging portions 104 are engaged with the first engaged portions 132 described later, a vertical dimension A (see FIG. 11) between the protruding tips of the crushing ribs 102 is made larger than a vertical dimension C (see FIG. 7) of the first engaged portions 132 described later. As a result, when the back retainer 18 is fitted into the electric wire outlet 22 and the first engaging portions 104 are fitted into the first engaged portions 132, the first engaging portions 104 are pressed against the first engaged portions 132 on both sides in the first direction (vertical direction) via the crushing ribs 102. Also, when the first engaging portions 104 are fitted into the first engaged portions 132, the first engaging portions 104 are accommodated in the first engaged portions 132 without protruding to the outer circumferential side of the electric wire outlet 22.

[0070] As described above, in the split retainer 42a, the crushing ribs 106, 106 of the second engagement portion 108 are provided on the left-right outer surface of each downward extension portion 92 extending downward from each elastic lock piece 78. Specifically, the crushing ribs 106 are provided on the upper end portion of each downward extension portion 92, and each second engagement portion 108 is configured including the upper end portion of each downward extension portion 92. That is, each protruding second engagement portion 108 is configured including each downward extension portion 92 protruding from each elastic lock piece 78 toward each electric wire 16 side (lower side) on the base end side (rear side) of each elastic lock piece 78 of the back retainer 18 (split retainer 42a). The upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b having such a shape are assembled to each other in the vertical direction, so that the second engagement portions 108 are provided on both sides of the back retainer 18 in the first direction (vertical direction).

[0071] In a state where the split retainer 42a is in a single piece state before the second engaging portions 108 are engaged with the second engaged portions 134 described later, a left-right dimension B (see FIG. 11) between the protruding tips of the crushing ribs 106 is made larger than a left-right dimension D (see FIG. 7) of the second engaged portions 134. As a result, when the back retainer 18 is fitted into the electric wire drawing outlet 22 and the second engaging portions 108 are fitted into the second engaged portions 134, the second engaging portions 108 are pressed against the second engaged portions 134 on both left-right sides via the crushing ribs 106. Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, a space may be provided between the downward extensions 92 in the left-right direction, so that when the crushing ribs 106 are pressed against the second engaged portions 134, the downward extensions 92 may be slightly elastically deformed inward in the opposing direction.

[0072] By giving the split retainer 42a this shape, the mold used for molding the split retainer 42a can be removed in the vertical direction when molding the split retainer 42a. This prevents an increase in the number of types of molds, and avoids an increase in costs. Also, by giving the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b the same shape, an increase in the number of types of parts is suppressed, and costs are reduced. Note that the upper and lower split retainers do not necessarily have to have the same shape.

[0073] <Shield Shell 24> The shield shell 24 has a generally cylindrical shape that opens forward as a whole, and covers generally the entire pair of connector housings 14, 14. That is, the shield shell 24 includes an upper wall portion 116 that covers the upper side of each connector housing 14, a lower wall portion 118 that covers the lower side of each connector housing 14, a left wall portion 120 that covers the left connector housing 14 from the left, a right wall portion 122 that covers the right connector housing 14 from the right, and a front wall portion 124 that covers the front of each connector housing 14. In addition, a partition portion 126 that partitions the internal space of the shield shell 24 in the left-right direction is provided inside the shield shell 24 between the left-right sides of each connector housing 14 (each terminal accommodating portion 38).

[0074] This partition portion 126 extends rearward from the front wall portion 124 of the shield shell 24, but is formed with a front-rear dimension that does not reach the rear opening of the shield shell 24. As a result, the rear opening of the shield shell 24 has a substantially rectangular tubular shape surrounded on all four sides by the upper wall portion 116, the lower wall portion 118, the left wall portion 120, and the right wall portion 122, as shown in Figures 3 and 7. Then, each electric wire 16 drawn rearward through the rear opening portion 40 of each connector housing 14 is drawn to the outside of the shield shell 24 through the rear opening portion of the shield shell 24, which is formed in a substantially rectangular tubular shape, and the cylindrical electric wire outlet 22 is formed by this rear opening portion of the shield shell 24.

[0075] In particular, a cylindrical end 128 is formed at the rear end of the shield shell 24, which is the pull-out direction side of the electric wires 16 at the electric wire pull-out port 22. That is, the cylindrical end 128 is a substantially cylindrical portion surrounded by the upper wall portion 116, the lower wall portion 118, the left wall portion 120, and the right wall portion 122 as described above, and a substantially flat and wide portion is provided at the left-right intermediate portion of the upper wall portion 116 and the lower wall portion 118 and the up-down intermediate portion of the left wall portion 120 and the right wall portion 122. In the cylindrical end 128, the upper wall portion 116 and the lower wall portion 118 are connected to the left wall portion 120 and the right wall portion 122 at both left-right end portions, respectively, and these connection portions are formed with portions curved in a rounded shape.

[0076] <Engaged portion 130> Here, the electric wire outlet 22 of the shield shell 24 is provided with a plurality of engaged parts 130 spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the electric wire outlet 22. Specifically, a plurality of notched engaged parts 130 are provided at the cylindrical end 128 of the electric wire outlet 22, penetrating in the plate thickness direction and opening at the end face on the outlet direction side (rear side) of each electric wire 16. More specifically, the plurality of engaged parts 130 are provided at the cylindrical end 128 on both sides in a first direction (vertical direction in the first embodiment) perpendicular to the outlet direction (front-rear direction) of each electric wire 16 and in a parallel direction of each electric wire 16 (horizontal direction in the first embodiment) perpendicular to both the extending direction of each electric wire 16 and the first direction. That is, the engaged parts 130 include a plurality of first engaged parts 132 arranged on both sides in the horizontal direction at the cylindrical end 128, and a plurality of second engaged parts 134 arranged on both sides in the vertical direction. In short, as shown in FIG. 7, a first engaged portion 132 is provided in each of the left wall portion 120 and right wall portion 122 constituting the cylindrical end portion 128, and a second engaged portion 134 is provided in each of the upper wall portion 116 and lower wall portion 118 constituting the cylindrical end portion 128.

[0077] Each of the first engaged portions 132 is provided in a generally flat, vertically intermediate portion of the left wall portion 120 and the right wall portion 122 constituting the cylindrical end portion 128, opens into the rear end face of the cylindrical end portion 128, and penetrates in the left-right direction, which is the plate thickness direction. Each of the first engaged portions 132 has a predetermined vertical dimension C (see FIG. 7).

[0078] Each second engaged portion 134 is provided in a generally flat, left-right intermediate portion of the upper wall portion 116 and the lower wall portion 118 that constitute the cylindrical end portion 128, and in the first embodiment, a pair of second engaged portions 134, 134 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction in each of the upper wall portion 116 and the lower wall portion 118. Each second engaged portion 134 opens at the rear end surface of the cylindrical end portion 128, penetrates in the up-down direction which is the plate thickness direction, and has a predetermined left-right dimension D (see FIG. 7).

[0079] <Lock piece receiving portion 136> In particular, in the first embodiment, a concave lock piece accommodating portion 136 for accommodating each elastic lock piece 78 of the back retainer 18 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire outlet 22 in the shield shell 24, opening to the outer peripheral side and rearward. Specifically, in each of the upper wall portion 116 and the lower wall portion 118 constituting the electric wire outlet 22 (the cylindrical end portion 128), a pair of lock piece accommodating portions 136, 136 are provided in a left-right middle portion that spreads substantially flat, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction and opening to the outer peripheral side, that is, to the up-down direction and rearward. And, each of the second engaged portions 134 is provided at the rear end surface at the bottom of each lock piece accommodating portion 136, penetrating in the up-down direction, which is the plate thickness direction, and thus opening to the bottom surface of each lock piece accommodating portion 136. In addition, a locking protrusion 138 that protrudes outward in the vertical direction is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire withdrawal port 22, and in embodiment 1, a locking protrusion 138 that protrudes outward in the vertical direction is provided on the bottom surface of each locking piece accommodating portion 136, forward of each second engaged portion 134.

[0080] 6, a through hole 140 is formed in the front portion of the upper wall portion 116 of the shield shell 24, penetrating the upper wall portion 116 in the thickness direction (vertical direction), and the cylindrical connection portion 26 of each terminal 12 arranged inside the shield shell 24 is exposed to the external space through the through hole 140. Also, a cylindrical portion 142 that protrudes upward is provided on the periphery of the through hole 140 provided in the upper wall portion 116. The cylindrical portion 142 has a generally elliptical shape with a left-right dimension larger than its front-rear dimension, and a front retainer 144 is attached to the cylindrical portion 142. 2, substantially circular through holes 146 are formed in the front retainer 144 at positions corresponding to the cylindrical connecting portions 26 of the terminals 12, penetrating the front retainer 144 in the vertical direction, and when the connector 10 is connected to a mating connector, a pin-shaped mating terminal is inserted into the cylindrical connecting portion 26 of each terminal 12 through the through hole 146. The cylindrical portion 142 and the front retainer 144 can be fixed to each other by, for example, a locking mechanism (not shown).

[0081] In addition, in the left-right central portion of the shield shell 24, a bolt insertion hole 150 through which a fastening bolt 148 is inserted is formed to penetrate in the up-down direction behind the cylindrical portion 142. This fastening bolt 148 is adapted to be fastened to, for example, a housing of a mating device in which a mating terminal (not shown) is provided, and the fastening force of the fastening bolt 148 can be used to press-fit the mating terminal into the cylindrical connection portion 26 of each terminal 12. The fastening bolt 148 inserted into the bolt insertion hole 150 can be prevented from falling off from the bolt insertion hole 150 by a fixing member 152 such as a C-ring.

[0082] Inside the shield shell 24, an annular waterproof rubber 154 is fitted onto each of the electric wires 16 drawn rearward from the rear opening 40 of each connector housing 14. Each waterproof rubber 154 is inserted into the inside of the shield shell 24 from the rear opening (electric wire outlet 22) of the shield shell 24, and is positioned at the rear of each connector housing 14. Furthermore, as described above, the mounting tube portion 74 of the back retainer 18 is fitted into the rear opening (electric wire outlet 22) of the shield shell 24, preventing each waterproof rubber 154 from falling off.

[0083] <Assembly of connector 10> The following describes a specific example of a method for assembling the connector 10. However, the method for assembling the connector 10 is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0084] First, the insulating coating 36 is stripped off at the end of each electric wire 16 to expose the core wire 34, which is then fixed to the electric wire fixing portion 32 of each terminal body 28, and each clip spring 30 is attached to the front end of each terminal body 28. This results in a state in which each terminal 12 is connected to the end of each electric wire 16. Then, each waterproof rubber 154 is fitted onto each electric wire 16.

[0085] Next, the electric wires 16 to which the terminals 12 and the waterproof rubbers 154 are assembled are inserted from the rear openings 40 of the connector housings 14. After the terminals 12 are inserted to a predetermined position, the connector housings 14 to which the terminals 12 are assembled are inserted from the rear openings (electric wire outlets 22) of the shield shell 24, and the connector housings 14 and the shield shell 24 are fixed, for example, by recess-and-projection fitting. In addition, the front retainer 144 is assembled from above to the cylindrical portion 142 of the shield shell 24. This brings the electric wires 16 into a state of being drawn out (rearward) from the electric wire outlets 22 in the shield shell 24. The fastening bolts 148 are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 150 at an appropriate timing.

[0086] 6, the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b are vertically opposed to each other so as to sandwich each electric wire 16 from above and below at the portion of each electric wire 16 pulled out rearward from the electric wire outlet 22 of the shield shell 24. Thereafter, the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b are brought closer to each other in the vertical direction to engage each lock claw portion 68 with each lock frame body 70, and each elastic lock frame body 94 with each lock claw portion 96. As a result, the back retainer 18 is attached to each electric wire 16 at a position spaced rearward from the shield shell 24.

[0087] Next, the back retainer 18 attached to each electric wire 16 is moved forward toward the shield shell 24. As a result, each elastic lock piece 78 protruding forward in the back retainer 18 is inserted into each lock piece accommodating portion 136 that opens rearward at the electric wire outlet 22 of the shield shell 24, and each elastic lock piece 78 is accommodated in each lock piece accommodating portion 136. Then, while each elastic lock piece 78 is elastically deformed, each elastic lock piece 78 climbs over each lock protrusion 138 provided on the bottom surface of each lock piece accommodating portion 136, and each lock protrusion 138 is fitted into and engaged with each fitting hole 80 of each elastic lock piece 78.

[0088] Also, the first engaging portions 104 and the second engaging portions 108 are inserted into the first engaged portions 132 and the second engaged portions 134 that open rearward at the electric wire outlet 22 of the shield shell 24. As a result, the crushed ribs 102 of the first engaging portions 104 and the crushed ribs 106 of the second engaging portions 108 are compressed and deformed so as to be crushed by the first engaged portions 132 and the second engaged portions 134, respectively, so that the first engaging portions 104 and the second engaging portions 108 are pressed against the first engaged portions 132 and the second engaged portions 134, respectively. As a result, the back retainer 18 fits into the electric wire outlet 22 of the shield shell 24. In this state, an electric wire pressing protrusion 48 is disposed between the electric wires 16, 16 protruding from the electric wire insertion cylindrical portions 20, 20 of the back retainer 18 and extending in the drawing direction (rearward) (see FIG. 2).

[0089] Thereafter, a first cable tie 65 is stretched between the upper and lower first band attachment portions 58 of the wire pressing protrusion 48 disposed between the electric wires 16, 16, and the wire pressing protrusion 48 of the back retainer 18 and each electric wire 16 are fixed by the first cable tie 65. In addition, a second cable tie 87 is stretched between the upper and lower second band attachment portions 82 provided on each elastic lock piece 78, and the back retainer 18 and the shield shell 24 are fixed by the second cable tie 87. In this way, the connector 10 is completed.

[0090] According to the connector 10 of the first embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the electric wires 16 protruding from the electric wire insertion tube portions 20 and extending in the drawing direction (rearward) are bound and fixed to each other in a state of close contact with the electric wire contact surfaces 56 of the electric wire pressing protrusions 48 by the first cable ties 65 stretched between the first band mounting portions 58. As a result, the electric wires 16 and the back retainer 18 are fixed by the first cable ties 65, so that an external force input to each electric wire 16 due to vibration or the like is prevented from being transmitted to the terminals 12. In addition, the first cable ties 65 contact the first band mounting portions 58 from both sides in the vertical direction, and press the split protrusions 46 of the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b against each other from both sides in the vertical direction. This prevents the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b from being displaced in the direction opening (moving apart) from each other, and the state in which each electric wire 16 is clamped by each split tube portion 50 constituting each electric wire insertion tube portion 20 is stably maintained. As a result, not only does the first cable tie 65 simply fix each electric wire 16, but the first cable tie 65 also prevents gaps from being generated between each electric wire insertion tube portion 20 and each electric wire 16, and the effect of blocking external force can be more reliably achieved.

[0091] A pair of wire contact surfaces 56, 56 of the wire pressing protrusion 48 are formed by curved surfaces that are convex inward in the opposing direction (left-right direction). This allows each wire contact surface 56 to be shaped to substantially correspond to the outer circumferential surface of each wire 16, and a wide contact area between each wire contact surface 56 and the outer circumferential surface of each wire 16 can be secured (see FIG. 5). As a result, each wire 16 can be stably held by the first cable tie 65 on both the left and right sides of the wire pressing protrusion 48, and the effect of blocking external forces can be improved. In addition, for example, the resistance when inserting the split protrusion 46 between the wires 16 can be reduced compared to when each wire contact surface is a flat surface, and the ease of assembly when assembling the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b to each wire 16 can be improved.

[0092] A first engaging portion 104 having the crushing ribs 102 and a second engaging portion 108 having the crushing ribs 106 in the back retainer 18 are adapted to be fitted into a plurality of engaged portions 130 (first engaged portions 132 and second engaged portions 134) at the electric wire drawing-out port 22 of the shield shell 24. In particular, by deforming the crushing ribs 102, 106 so as to be crushed against the first engaged portions 132 and the second engaged portions 134, the first engaging portions 104 and the second engaging portions 108 are pressed against the first engaged portions 132 and the second engaged portions 134, thereby preventing rattling between the shield shell 24 and the back retainer 18. As a result, even if an external force such as vibration input from the outside is applied to each electric wire 16, causing each electric wire 16 to swing up and down or left and right, for example, the back retainer 18 is displaced relative to the shield shell 24, preventing the external force from being applied to each terminal 12 connected to each electric wire 16.

[0093] Each split retainer 42a, 42b has a pair of second band attachment parts 82 arranged on both sides in the up-down direction, and the upper and lower split retainers 42a, 42b are pressed against each other from both sides in the up-down direction by a second cable tie 87 stretched between each second band attachment part 82, and the back retainer 18 is tied and fixed to the electric wire outlet 22 of the shield shell 24. As a result, the second cable tie 87 can prevent rattling between the back retainer 18 and the shield shell 24, and each electric wire 16 can be fixed to the shield shell 24 via the back retainer 18. In particular, in the first embodiment, the second cable tie 87 is provided so as to cover the engagement parts between the first engaging parts 104 and the first engaged parts 132, which are the fitting positions of the back retainer 18 and the shield shell 24, and the engagement parts between the second engaging parts 108 and the second engaged parts 134, from the outer periphery. This suppresses rattling between the back retainer 18 and the shield shell 24, and also prevents the engagement between them from being unintentionally released.

[0094] The first engaging portions 104 and the first engaged portions 132 are provided on both left-right sides, and the second engaging portions 108 and the second engaged portions 134 are provided on both top-bottom sides. This allows the first engaging portions 104 and the first engaged portions 132, and the second engaging portions 108 and the second engaged portions 134 to be symmetrically disposed in the left-right and top-bottom directions in the circumferential direction of the electric wire outlet 22, thereby further suppressing displacement of the back retainer 18 relative to the shield shell 24.

[0095] Each electric wire 16 is inserted and held in a pressure-contact state relative to each electric wire insertion tube portion 20 by each electric wire pressing protrusion 66 of the back retainer 18 pressing the insulating coating 36 of each electric wire 16 radially inward. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of displacement of each electric wire 16 relative to the back retainer 18. In particular, in the first embodiment, the multiple electric wire pressing protrusions 66 arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction in each electric wire insertion tube portion 20 are also arranged at intervals in the axial direction, making it possible to effectively reduce the amount of displacement of each electric wire 16 in the rotational direction (twisting).

[0096] The back retainer 18 has the elastic lock pieces 78 and the shield shell 24 has the lock protrusions 138, and the back retainer 18 is fitted into the electric wire outlet 22 of the shield shell 24 by fitting the elastic lock pieces 78 into the lock protrusions 138. This allows the back retainer 18 to be assembled to the shield shell 24 with a simple structure of the elastic lock pieces 78 and the lock protrusions 138. In addition, the shield shell 24 is provided with the lock piece accommodating portions 136 that open on the outer circumferential surface and accommodate the elastic lock pieces 78, so that the amount of protrusion of each elastic lock piece 78 from each lock piece accommodating portion 136 can be reduced or eliminated. This allows the size of the back retainer 18 and the shield shell 24, and therefore the connector 10, to be reduced. In addition, the risk that the engagement between each elastic lock piece 78 and each lock protrusion 138 is unintentionally released and the back retainer 18 falls off the shield shell 24 can be reduced. In particular, in the first embodiment, the second band attachment portions 82 are provided on the elastic lock pieces 78. Therefore, by attaching the second cable tie 87 after fitting the elastic lock pieces 78 and the lock protrusions 138 together, it is possible to further prevent the elastic lock pieces 78 from being unintentionally displaced in a direction that releases the engagement with the lock protrusions 138.

[0097] The second engaged parts 134 are provided at the bottom of the lock piece accommodating parts 136 in which the elastic lock pieces 78 are accommodated, and the second engaging parts 108 that are press-fitted into the second engaged parts 134 are provided on the base end side (rear side) of each elastic lock piece 78. That is, in the upper wall part 116 and the lower wall part 118 of the shield shell 24, the lock piece accommodating parts 136 and the second engaged parts 134 are provided continuously in the up-down direction, and it is possible to prevent the shield shell 24 from becoming large in size compared to a case in which the lock piece accommodating parts and the second engaged parts are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction of the electric wire outlet. Similarly, the elastic lock pieces 78 and the second engaging parts 108 can be provided at the same position in the circumferential direction of the mounting tube part 74 of the back retainer 18, and it is also possible to prevent the back retainer 18 from becoming large in size.

[0098] When the back retainer 18 is fitted to the shield shell 24, each first engaging portion 104 is housed in each first engaged portion 132 without protruding to the outer circumferential side of the electric wire outlet 22. This makes it possible to prevent each first engaging portion 104 from unintentionally falling off each first engaged portion 132 due to contact with other members or an operator, etc.

[0099] <Modification> Although the embodiments have been described above as specific examples of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific descriptions. Modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope of the present disclosure that can achieve the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modified examples of the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0100] (1) The shape of the terminal 12 in the above embodiment is merely an example and is not limited. That is, in the above embodiment, the terminal 12 has a cylindrical connection portion 26 into which a pin-shaped mating terminal is inserted, but is not limited to this aspect. The mating terminal may be flat tab-shaped as described in International Publication No. 2021 / 145197, for example, and in that case, the terminal may have a substantially rectangular terminal insertion gap.

[0101] (2) In the above embodiment, a plurality of first engaging portions 104 and second engaging portions 108 are provided, and a plurality of first engaged portions 132 and second engaged portions 134 are provided corresponding to the plurality of first engaging portions 104 and second engaging portions 108, but this is not limited to the embodiment. That is, in the connector according to the present disclosure, the number of first engaging portions and second engaging portions is not limited, and one or more first engaging portions and second engaging portions may be provided, and one or more first engaged portions and second engaged portions may be provided corresponding to the first engaging portions and second engaging portions. Note that in the connector according to the present disclosure, the first engaging portions and second engaging portions, the first engaged portions and second engaged portions are not essential and may not be provided.

[0102] (3) In the above embodiment, each lock piece accommodating portion 136 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire outlet 22 in the shield shell 24, and each lock protrusion 138 is provided on the bottom surface of each lock piece accommodating portion 136, but this is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, in the connector according to the present disclosure, a lock piece accommodating portion does not have to be provided. For example, the lock protrusion may protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire outlet in the shield shell, and in that case, each elastic lock piece is arranged to be overlapped with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire outlet in the shield shell.

[0103] (4) In the above embodiment, the elastic lock pieces 78 are provided on the outer periphery (outer in the up-down direction) of each second engagement portion 108, but instead of or in addition to the second engagement portion, the elastic lock pieces may be provided on the outer periphery of the first engagement portion. That is, in the above embodiment, the elastic lock pieces 78 are provided on both sides of the back retainer 18 in the up-down direction, but the elastic lock pieces may be provided on one or both sides of the back retainer in the left-right direction to engage with lock protrusions provided on one or both sides of the shield shell in the left-right direction. Note that the elastic lock pieces are not essential to the connector according to the present disclosure.

[0104] (5) In the above embodiment, the back retainer 18 is composed of a pair of split retainers 42a, 42b having the same shape, but the pair of split retainers may have different shapes. The pair of split retainers may be formed as a single unit. For example, a hinge portion may be provided at one circumferential end of each split retainer to enable each split retainer to be opened and closed, and after each electric wire is sandwiched, the split retainers may be fixed to each other by a locking mechanism or the like provided at the other circumferential end of each split retainer.

[0105] (6) In the above embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of each electric wire 16 is in close contact with substantially the entire surface of each electric wire contact surface 56 on both the left and right sides of the electric wire pressing protrusion 48, but it is sufficient that at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of each electric wire and each electric wire contact surface are in close contact with each other. Also, in the above embodiment, each electric wire contact surface 56 is configured as a curved surface that is convex inward in the opposing direction (left and right direction), but it may be, for example, a vertical surface extending in the up and down direction, and each electric wire contact surface extending in the up and down direction may be configured to press and deform an inner portion in the left and right direction of the insulating coating of each electric wire.

[0106] (7) In the above embodiment, the second cable tie 87 is provided in addition to the first cable tie 65, but the connector according to the present disclosure does not need to provide a second cable tie. In addition, the shapes of the first band attachment portion and the second band attachment portion to which the first cable tie and the second cable tie are attached are not limited, and may be a trough shape as in the above embodiment, a cylindrical shape, or a frame shape.

[0107] (8) The back retainer may be directly attached to the connector housing, or may be indirectly attached to the connector housing via another member, such as a shield shell, that is attached to the connector housing. In other words, the shield shell is not essential to the connector according to the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10 Connectors 12 Terminals 14 Connector housing 16 Electric wire 18 Back retainer 20 Wire insertion tube 22 Wire outlet 24 Shield Shell 26 Tubular joint 28 Terminal body 30 Clip spring 32 Wire fixing part 34 core wire 36 Insulation coating 38 Terminal housing 40 Rear opening 42a, 42b Split retainer 44 Groove 46 Split protrusion 48 Wire retaining protrusion 50 split cylinder part 52 Gap 54 Connecting part 56 Wire contact surface 58 First band attachment part 60 split contact surface 62 Flat surface 64 Side edge 65 First Cable Tie 66 Wire pressing convex part 68 Locking claw 70 Lock frame 72 Base 74 Mounting tube 76 Ribs 78 Elastic lock piece 80 Mating hole 82 Second band attachment part 84 Flat surface 86 Side edge 87 Second cable tie 88 Forward protrusion 90 Connection 92 Downward extension part 94 Elastic lock frame 96 Locking claw 98 Downward protrusion 100 Connection 102 Crushed Ribs 104 First engagement part 106 Crushed Ribs 108 Second engagement part 110 Vertical wall section 112 Connecting wall 114 Through hole 116 Upper wall 118 Lower wall 120 Left wall 122 Right wall 124 Front wall 126 Partition 128 Cylindrical End 130 Engaged part 132 First engaged part 134 Second engaged part 136 Lock piece housing 138 Lock protrusion 140 Through hole 142 Cylindrical part 144 Front retainer 146 Through hole 148 Fastening bolt 150 Bolt hole 152 Fixing member 154 Waterproof rubber

Claims

1. A plurality of terminals accommodated in a connector housing; a plurality of electric wires connected to the plurality of terminals, respectively, and drawn out to the outside of the connector housing in parallel with each other with gaps between them; a back retainer made of synthetic resin and attached to the connector housing, the back retainer having a plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions through which the plurality of electric wires drawn out to the outside of the connector housing are inserted and held in a pressure-welded state, The back retainer includes: a pair of split retainers that sandwich and hold the electric wires from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the axis of each of the electric wires and are fixed to each other; each of the pair of split retainers has a plurality of grooves in close contact with outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of electric wires, and a split protrusion located between the plurality of grooves in a parallel direction of the plurality of electric wires and protruding in a drawing direction of the plurality of electric wires; When the pair of split retainers are fixed to each other, the plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions are partitioned and arranged in parallel by the plurality of recessed grooves, and the split protrusions are combined to form electric wire pressing protrusions that protrude from the plurality of electric wire insertion tube portions and are arranged between the plurality of electric wires extending in the pull-out direction, the wire pressing protrusion has a pair of wire contact surfaces that contact the wires arranged on both sides in the parallel direction, and a pair of first band attachment portions provided on end surfaces on both sides in a first direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the pair of wire contact surfaces, A connector in which a first cable tie is stretched between a pair of the first band mounting portions, and a plurality of the electric wires protruding from a plurality of the electric wire insertion tube portions and extending in the withdrawal direction are bound and fixed to each other in a state in close contact with a pair of the electric wire contact surfaces of the electric wire pressing protrusion of the back retainer, and the first cable tie contacts the pair of the first band mounting portions from both sides in the first direction, pressing the respective split protrusions of the pair of the split retainers that constitute the electric wire pressing protrusion against each other from both sides in the first direction.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the pair of wire contact surfaces of the wire pressing projections are formed by curved surfaces that are convex inward in the opposing direction.

3. a metallic shield shell fixed to the connector housing to cover the connector housing, the metallic shield shell having a cylindrical electric wire outlet through which the electric wires are drawn to the outside of the connector housing, the back retainer being fitted into the electric wire outlet of the shield shell, the electric wire outlet of the shield shell has a plurality of engaged portions spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the electric wire outlet, the back retainer has a first engaging portion having a crushed rib provided on both sides in the first direction and engaged with the engaged portion, and a second engaging portion having a crushed rib provided on both sides in the parallel direction and engaged with the engaged portion, 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein when the back retainer is fitted into the wire outlet, the first engaging portion is pressed against the engaged portion via the crushing rib on both sides in the first direction, and the second engaging portion is pressed against the engaged portion via the crushing rib on both sides in the parallel direction.

4. each split retainer has a second band mounting portion provided on an end side opposite to the split protrusion in the pulling-out direction, and the back retainer formed by assembling the split retainers to each other has a pair of the second band mounting portions arranged on both sides in the first direction, 4. The connector as described in claim 3, wherein a second cable tie spans between a pair of the second band mounting portions, pressing the pair of split retainers against each other from both sides in the first direction, and binding and fixing the back retainer to the wire outlet port of the shield shell.

5. the plurality of engaged portions of the electric wire drawing outlet include a plurality of first engaged portions arranged on both sides in the parallel direction and a plurality of second engaged portions arranged on both sides in the first direction, the back retainer includes a plurality of the first engagement portions arranged on both sides in the parallel direction and a plurality of the second engagement portions arranged on both sides in the first direction, 4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein, when the back retainer is fitted into the wire outlet, the first engaging portion is pressed against the first engaged portion on both sides in the parallel direction via the crushing ribs on both sides in the first direction, and the second engaging portion is pressed against the second engaged portion on both sides in the first direction via the crushing ribs on both sides in the parallel direction.

6. a diameter dimension of an inner peripheral surface of each of the electric wire insertion cylindrical portions of the back retainer is larger than a diameter dimension of an outer peripheral surface of each of the electric wires inserted through the electric wire insertion cylindrical portions, a plurality of wire pressing protrusions are provided on the inner peripheral surface of each of the electric wire insertion tubes, the wire pressing protrusions protruding radially inward from the outer peripheral surfaces of the electric wires and spaced apart from each other; 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the wire pressing protrusions presses an insulating coating that constitutes the outer peripheral surface of each of the electric wires radially inward, thereby inserting and holding the electric wires in a pressure-welded state into the wire insertion tube portion.

7. the back retainer has an elastic lock piece that protrudes in a cantilever shape toward the electric wire outlet of the shield shell, the elastic lock piece having a fitting hole at a protruding end portion, The shield shell has a locking protrusion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the electric wire outlet, 4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the back retainer is fitted into the wire outlet of the shield shell by fitting the locking projection of the shield shell into the fitting hole of the elastic locking piece of the back retainer.

8. The electric wire outlet of the shield shell has a concave lock piece accommodating portion that opens to the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire outlet, and the lock protrusion is provided on a bottom surface of the lock piece accommodating portion, 8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the elastic locking piece of the back retainer is accommodated in the locking piece accommodating portion when the back retainer is in a fitted state with respect to the shield shell.

9. the wire outlet of the shield shell is provided with a cylindrical end portion located on the wire outlet direction side, the engaging portions having a plurality of notches penetrating in a plate thickness direction and opening on an end face on the wire outlet direction side, At least one of the engaged portions is provided so as to open on the bottom surface of the lock piece accommodating portion, 9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein a base end side of the elastic locking piece of the back retainer is provided with the second engaging portion having a protruding shape protruding from the elastic locking piece toward the electric wire side and pressed into the at least one engaged portion.

10. the back retainer includes a mounting tubular portion that is fitted into an inner peripheral side of the tubular end portion of the electric wire drawing outlet, and the first engaging portion that is protruded from an outer peripheral surface of the mounting tubular portion, The connector according to claim 9 , wherein, in a state in which the back retainer is fitted to the shield shell, the first engaging portion is accommodated in the engaged portion without protruding to an outer periphery of the wire outlet.

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