Connector

Abstract

To simplify a shape of a housing to further downsize a connector.SOLUTION: A connector 20 that holds a terminal 10, comprises: a housing 30 formed with a cavity 44 capable of accommodating the terminal; and a retainer 80 that can be attached to the housing at a temporary fitting position and an actual fitting position. The retainer 80 includes: a lance 86 that can be temporarily locked with the terminal in the cavity at the temporary fitting position; and a locking convex part 83 that can be locked with the terminal in the cavity at the actual fitting position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a housing body having a cavity into which a terminal fitting can be inserted and removed, and a retainer. The housing body has a lance formed therein for primary locking with the terminal fitting. The retainer has a locking projection formed therein for secondary locking with the terminal fitting. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-305473 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this regard, there is a demand for simplifying the shape of the housing and further miniaturizing the connector.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to simplify the shape of the housing and further reduce the size of the connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure is a connector that holds a terminal and includes a housing having a cavity formed therein capable of accommodating the terminal, and a retainer that can be attached to the housing in a temporary attachment position and a final attachment position, the retainer including a lance that can be temporarily engaged with the terminal in the cavity at the temporary attachment position, and a locking protrusion that can be engaged with the terminal in the cavity at the final attachment position. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the shape of the housing can be simplified, and the connector can be further miniaturized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the retainer is temporarily attached. [Figure 7] 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the retainer is temporarily attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The connectors of the present disclosure are as follows.

[0011] (1) A connector for holding a terminal, comprising: a housing having a cavity capable of accommodating the terminal; and a retainer that can be attached to the housing in a temporary mounting position and a final mounting position, the retainer including a lance that can temporarily engage the terminal in the cavity at the temporary mounting position, and a locking protrusion that can engage the terminal in the cavity at the final mounting position.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the retainer is provided with a lance that provisionally retains the terminal, which allows the shape of the housing to be simplified and the connector to be made smaller.

[0013] (2) In the connector of (1), the terminal may include a recess that is recessed in part of its extension direction, the lance may be capable of being provisionally engaged with the recess, and the engaging protrusion may be capable of being engaged with the recess.

[0014] In this case, the lance can be provisionally locked in the recess that is engaged with the locking protrusion, so there is no need to form a separate portion on the terminal where the lance can provisionally lock, which makes it possible to simplify and miniaturize the terminal, and also contributes to miniaturization of the connector.

[0015] (3) A connector as defined in (1) or (2), wherein the housing has an opening for permanent installation and an opening for temporary installation, the retainer includes a retainer body to be installed in the opening for permanent installation and a pair of locking walls extending from both sides of the retainer body along both sides of the housing, the locking protrusions are formed to protrude from the retainer body toward the cavity, and the lance is formed to protrude in the same direction as the locking walls at an intermediate position in the extension direction of the retainer body so that it can be positioned in the opening for temporary installation, and may be elastically deformed along a direction intersecting the extension direction of the cavity.

[0016] In this case, the lance is formed to protrude in the same direction as the locking wall portion at the middle of the extension direction of the retainer body so that it can be placed in the temporary attachment opening, and elastically deforms in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the cavity. Therefore, the structure for forming the lance can be made smaller than when the lance is oriented along the extension direction of the cavity, and this makes it possible to reduce the size of the connector in the front-rear direction.

[0017] (4) In the connector of (3), the base end of the lance may be integrally connected to the locking protrusion, which makes it easy to reinforce the lance even if the protruding length of the lance is increased.

[0018] (5) In a connector of (3) or (4), the lance has an elastic piece and a temporary-engagement protrusion protruding toward the cavity at a location away from the base end of the elastic piece, and when the retainer is in the temporary attachment position, the lance is placed in the temporary attachment opening and the temporary-engagement protrusion protrudes into the cavity so as to be able to temporarily engage with the terminal in the cavity, and when the retainer is in the full attachment position, the temporary-engagement protrusion moves beyond the terminal to release the temporary engagement with the terminal, and the engagement protrusion protrudes into the cavity so as to be able to engage with the terminal in the cavity.

[0019] As a result, when the retainer is in the temporary mounting position, it can be temporarily locked to the terminal by the lance. When the retainer is pushed to move to the full mounting position, the temporary lock between the lance and the terminal is released, and the locking protrusion can lock onto the terminal without the lance getting in the way.

[0020] (6) In the connector of (5), the temporary-locking convex portion may have a first guide surface that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the temporary-locking convex portion toward the side where the terminal is inserted in the extension direction of the cavity, and a second guide surface that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the temporary-locking convex portion toward the tip side of the lance.

[0021] In this case, when the retainer is in the temporary attachment position, the temporary-locking protrusion protrudes into the cavity. When the terminal is inserted into the cavity, the terminal comes into contact with the first guide surface, causing the lance to elastically deform in a direction to retract from the cavity. When the terminal is further pressed in, the lance elastically returns to its original shape, allowing the temporary-locking protrusion to temporarily lock onto the terminal. When the retainer is pressed from the temporary attachment position toward the full attachment position, the second guide surface comes into contact with the terminal, causing the lance to elastically deform in a direction to retract from the cavity. As a result, the temporary-locking protrusion rides over the terminal, and the temporary lock between the lance and the terminal is released.

[0022] (7) A connector according to any one of (3) to (6), wherein the housing includes a vertical wall extending along the extension direction of the cavity and the protruding direction of the locking wall portion, and the temporary attachment opening may be a slit formed in the vertical wall and extending along the protruding direction of the locking wall portion.

[0023] In this case, the retainer is guided by the lance being disposed in the slit-shaped temporary attachment opening, and the lance can be elastically deformed by utilizing the space within the slit.

[0024] (8) In the connector of (7), the vertical wall may include an outer wall exposed on any one of the sides of the housing, and the temporary attachment opening may be a slit formed in the outer wall.

[0025] In this way, if the temporary attachment opening is a slit formed in the outer wall, it is easy to ensure space for the lance to elastically deform outward.

[0026] (9) A connector according to (7) or (8), wherein the housing includes a pair of temporary attachment locking portions that temporarily lock with the pair of locking wall portions when the retainer is in the temporary attachment position, and a pair of full attachment locking portions that lock with the pair of locking wall portions when the retainer is in the full attachment position, the pair of temporary attachment locking portions and the pair of full attachment locking portions are formed in an elongated convex shape along the extension direction of the cavity, and the temporary attachment opening may be a slit formed to cross at least one of the pair of temporary attachment locking portions and at least one of the pair of full attachment locking portions.

[0027] In this case, the locking wall portion locks into the temporary-attachment locking portion or the final-attachment locking portion near where the lance is guided by the slit-shaped temporary-attachment opening, so that the locking wall portion smoothly locks into the temporary-attachment locking portion or the final-attachment locking portion.

[0028] [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.

[0029] [Embodiment] A connector according to an embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector 20. Figs. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views of the connector 20. Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 1. In Fig. 5, electric wires 18 are indicated by two-dot chain lines. Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1 showing a state in which the retainer is temporarily attached, and Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 1 showing a state in which the retainer is temporarily attached.

[0030] <Overall structure of connector> The following describes the overall structure of the connector 20. The connector 20 holds the terminals 10.

[0031] The terminal 10 is formed by pressing a metal plate or the like. The terminal 10 includes a coating crimping portion 11, a core crimping portion 12, and a terminal connection portion 13. The coating crimping portion 11 is a portion that is crimped to the coating portion of the end of the electric wire 18. The core crimping portion 12 is a portion that is crimped to the core portion exposed at the end of the electric wire 18. The terminal connection portion 13 is a portion that is connected to a mating terminal, and is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The coating crimping portion 11, the core crimping portion 12, and the terminal connection portion 13 are linearly arranged in this order. The coating crimping portion 11 and the terminal connection portion 13 are thicker than the core crimping portion 12. For this reason, when the terminal 10 is observed from the side, a recess 14 that is recessed in a part of the extension direction of the terminal 10 is formed on the core crimping portion 12 between the coating crimping portion 11 and the terminal connection portion 13.

[0032] In this embodiment, the connector 20 holds a plurality of terminals 10. More specifically, a plurality of (e.g., two) terminals 10 are held in a plurality of stages (e.g., two stages). In each stage, a plurality of terminals 10 are arranged in a row in parallel. The plurality of terminals 10 may be terminals of the same size and material, or may be terminals of different sizes or materials. The number of terminals 10 held by the connector 20 is arbitrary.

[0033] The connector 20 includes a housing 30 and a retainer 80. The retainer 80 holds the multiple terminals 10 in at least one stage so that they do not come off from the housing 30. In this embodiment, the connector 20 further includes a cover 60. The cover 60 is attached to the housing 30 on the opposite side to the retainer 80. The cover 60 holds the multiple terminals 10 in the other stages so that they do not come off from the housing 30.

[0034] In the following description, the terminal connection portion 13 side in the extension direction of the terminal 10 may be referred to as the front side, and the coating crimping portion 11 side as the rear side. Also, the cover 60 side may be referred to as the lower side, and the retainer 80 side as the upper side. Furthermore, the left and right directions may be referred to assuming a state in which one is standing on the cover 60 and facing the front side.

[0035] The housing 30 is formed of resin or the like, and includes terminal accommodating portions 32, 42. In this embodiment, the housing 30 includes a lower terminal accommodating portion 32 and an upper terminal accommodating portion 42. The lower terminal accommodating portion 32 has a cavity 34 that accommodates the terminal 10. In this embodiment, the lower terminal accommodating portion 32 has a plurality (two in this case) of cavities 34 arranged in parallel. The upper terminal accommodating portion 42 has a cavity 44 that accommodates the terminal 10. In this embodiment, the upper terminal accommodating portion 42 has a plurality (two in this case) of cavities 44 arranged in parallel.

[0036] The retainer 80 combines with the upper terminal accommodating portion 42 to hold the terminal 10 in the upper cavity 44. That is, before the retainer 80 is fully attached, the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44. With the terminal 10 inserted into the cavity 44, the retainer 80 is fully attached to the upper terminal accommodating portion 42. This prevents the terminal 10 from falling out of the upper cavity 44.

[0037] The cover 60 is combined with the lower terminal accommodating portion 32 to hold the terminal 10 in the lower cavity 34. In other words, before the cover 60 is attached to the lower terminal accommodating portion 32, the terminal 10 is set in the lower cavity 34. In this state, the cover 60 is attached to the lower terminal accommodating portion 32. This prevents the terminal 10 from falling out of the lower cavity 34.

[0038] It is not essential that the connector includes the above-mentioned cover 60 and the terminals 10 held by the cover 60 .

[0039] The structure in which the terminal 10 is held by the retainer 80 will now be described in more detail.

[0040] <Retainer retention structure> The retainer 80 is configured to be mountable to the housing 30 at a temporary mounting position and a permanent mounting position. The permanent mounting is a state in which the retainer 80 is engaged with the terminal 10 so as to prevent the terminal 10 from coming off when the connector 20 is in use. When the retainer 80 is mounted to the housing 30 at the permanent mounting position, the terminal 10 is held in the cavity 44 without coming off the housing 30 even when the connector 20 is carried or inserted into or removed from the mating connector. The temporary mounting is a state in which the terminal 10 can be temporarily retained before the permanent mounting state is reached. It is assumed that the holding force of the retainer 80 for the terminal 10 in the temporary mounting state is smaller than the holding force of the retainer 80 for the terminal 10 in the permanent mounting state. For example, the holding force of the retainer 80 for the terminal 10 in the temporary mounting state may be large enough to hold the terminal 10 during the operation of moving the retainer 80 from the temporary mounting position to the permanent mounting position.

[0041] More specifically, the housing 30 has a partition plate portion 31 that partitions the upper stage cavity 44 from the lower side. In this embodiment, the partition plate portion 31 is located between the lower terminal accommodating portion and the lower terminal accommodating portion, and partitions the lower cavity 34 from the upper cavity 44. The partition plate portion 31 can also be understood as a bottom plate located at the bottom of the upper stage cavity 44. The housing 30 has vertical walls 43a, 43b from the partition plate portion 31 toward the upper side. The vertical walls 43a, 43b are plate-shaped portions that are perpendicular to the partition plate portion 31 and extend along the extension direction of the cavity 44. The vertical walls 43a, 43b are also aligned with the protruding direction of the locking wall portion 84 described later. The vertical walls 43a, 43b include a pair of outer walls 43a located on both sides of the housing 30. The pair of outer walls 43a are exposed to the left or right outside of the housing 30. The vertical walls 43a, 43b also include an intermediate wall 43b that separates the multiple cavities 44. The intermediate wall 43b is located between the pair of outer walls 43a, and the pair of outer walls 43a and the intermediate wall 43b are arranged in parallel with each other at an interval in the width direction of the housing 30.

[0042] A front plate portion 31F extending in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction is provided at the front edge of the housing 30. The front plate portion 31F is located at the front end of the cavity 44. The terminal 10 arranged in the cavity 44 is restricted from moving forward by contacting the front plate portion 31F. A connection hole 31Fa into which a mating terminal (e.g., a male terminal having a long and thin plate portion or a pin-shaped portion) can be inserted is formed in the front plate portion 31F. The mating terminal can be connected to the terminal 10 in the cavity 44 through the connection hole 31Fa.

[0043] At least a part of the opening of the pair of outer walls 43a and the intermediate wall 43b on the opposite side to the partition plate portion 31 is closed by the ceiling plate portion 43c. The upper terminal accommodating portion 42 includes an upper portion of the partition plate portion 31, the pair of outer walls 43a, the intermediate wall 43b, the ceiling plate portion 43c, and the front plate portion 31F, and a plurality of cavities 44 are formed in the gaps between the pair of outer walls 43a and the intermediate wall 43b. The cavities 44 have a rear opening, and the terminals 10 are inserted into the cavities through the rear opening.

[0044] The housing 30 has a permanent mounting opening 36 and a temporary mounting opening 38 .

[0045] In this embodiment, the central portion of the ceiling plate portion 43c of the housing 30 in the extending direction of the cavity 44 is formed to be partially recessed, and the main mounting opening 36 is formed in part of the recessed portion. When the front end of the terminal 10 arranged in the cavity 44 is in contact with the front plate portion 31F, at least a part of the recess 14 of the terminal 10 can be exposed to the outside of the housing 30 through the main mounting opening 36.

[0046] In addition, the rear of the pair of outer walls 43a of the housing 30 is partially recessed, and a temporary attachment opening 38 is formed in a part of the recessed portion. The temporary attachment opening 38 is formed in a slit shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the cavity 44. The temporary attachment opening 38 is also a slit along the protruding direction of the locking wall portion 84 described later. In the extension direction of the cavity 44, at least a part of the formation position of the temporary attachment opening 38 overlaps with at least a part of the regular attachment opening 36. In this embodiment, the temporary attachment opening 38 is located in a position in front of the regular attachment opening 36 in the extension direction of the cavity 44. Then, when the front end of the terminal 10 arranged in the cavity 44 is in contact with the front plate portion 31F, at least a part of the recess 14 of the terminal 10 can be exposed to the outside of the housing 30 through both the regular attachment opening 36 and the temporary attachment opening 38 (see FIG. 6).

[0047] The temporary attachment opening 38 extends downward beyond the bottom surface of the cavity 44 on the opposite side to the full-attachment opening 36. A recess 44h is partially formed in the bottom surface portion of the cavity 44 at a position corresponding to the tip of the temporary attachment opening 38. This recess is continuous with the temporary attachment opening 38, and in the full-attached state, the temporary locking protrusion 88 of the lance 86 is disposed in this recess 44h (see FIGS. 4 and 6).

[0048] The retainer 80 can be mounted to the housing 30 at a temporary mounting position and a full mounting position. The retainer 80 includes a lance 86 and a locking protrusion 83. When the retainer 80 is mounted at the temporary mounting position, the lance 86 can be temporarily locked to the terminal 10 in the cavity 44, resulting in a temporary mounting state. Here, the lance 86 protrudes into the cavity 44 through the temporary mounting opening 38 and temporarily locks to the terminal 10. When the retainer 80 is mounted at the full mounting position, the locking protrusion 83 can be locked to the terminal 10 in the cavity 44, resulting in a full mounting state. Here, the locking protrusion 83 can protrude into the cavity 44 through the full mounting opening 36 and lock to the terminal 10.

[0049] Specifically, the housing 30 has a pair of temporary attachment locking portions 47 and a pair of full attachment locking portions 46 .

[0050] The pair of temporary attachment locking portions 47 are portions that lock onto the pair of locking wall portions 84 of the retainer 80 when the retainer 80 is in the temporary attachment position.

[0051] The pair of full-attachment locking portions 46 are portions that lock onto a pair of locking walls 84 of the retainer 80 when the retainer 80 is in the full-attachment position.

[0052] The pair of temporary attachment locking portions 47 protrude outward from the bottom surfaces of the recessed portions of the outer surfaces of the pair of outer walls 43a. The pair of temporary attachment locking portions 47 are formed in a shape including the tips of the outer walls 43a, that is, portions whose protruding dimensions gradually decrease upward.

[0053] The pair of main-attachment locking portions 46 protrude outward from the bottom surfaces of the recessed portions of the outer surfaces of the pair of outer walls 43a. The pair of main-attachment locking portions 46 are formed in a shape including the tip of the outer wall 43a, that is, a portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases toward the top.

[0054] The pair of temporary installation locking portions 47 are located on the side closer to the permanent installation opening 36, i.e., on the upper side, relative to the pair of permanent installation locking portions 46. Therefore, after the retainer 80 is temporarily locked to the pair of temporary installation locking portions 47 and placed in a temporary installation state, it can be further pushed to lock to the pair of permanent installation locking portions 46 and placed in a permanent installation state.

[0055] The pair of permanent attachment locking portions 46 and the pair of temporary attachment locking portions 47 are formed in an elongated convex shape along the extension direction of the cavity 44. The front ends of the pair of permanent attachment locking portions 46 and the pair of temporary attachment locking portions 47 are located forward of the permanent attachment opening 36, and the rear ends of the pair of permanent attachment locking portions 46 and the pair of temporary attachment locking portions 47 are located rearward of the permanent attachment opening 36.

[0056] The temporary attachment locking portion 47 extends across the permanent attachment locking portion 46 and the temporary attachment locking portion 47 on each of the pair of outer walls 43a. Therefore, when the housing 30 is observed from the side, the slit-shaped temporary attachment locking portion 47 intersects with the intermediate portion in the extending direction of the permanent attachment locking portion 46 and the temporary attachment locking portion 47. The temporary attachment locking portion 47 may intersect with the permanent attachment locking portion 46 or the temporary attachment locking portion 47. The temporary attachment locking portion 47 does not have to intersect with the permanent attachment locking portion 46 and the temporary attachment locking portion 47.

[0057] The retainer 80 includes a retainer body 82 and a pair of locking walls 84 .

[0058] The retainer body 82 is a part that is attached to the main mounting opening 36. Here, the retainer body 82 is formed in a plate shape that expands to a size that can collectively block the main mounting openings 36 corresponding to the multiple cavities 44. In this embodiment, the middle part in the front-rear direction of the ceiling plate portion 43c is partially recessed, and the retainer body 82 is formed in a plate shape that can be placed in the recessed part of the ceiling plate portion 43c. When the retainer body 82 is placed in the recessed part, the front end of the retainer body 82 contacts an end face of the ceiling plate portion 43c that is located in front of the recessed part, and the rear end of the retainer body 82 contacts an end face of the ceiling plate portion 43c that is located in the rear of the recessed part. This positions the retainer 80 in the front-rear direction.

[0059] A locking protrusion 83 is formed on the retainer body 82. Here, a plurality of locking protrusions 83 are formed in parallel corresponding to a plurality of cavities 44. The locking protrusion 83 is formed in the middle of the extension direction of the cavity 44, more specifically, in the region where the core wire crimping portion 12 is located in the extension direction of the cavity 44. The locking protrusion 83 has an elongated shape along the extension direction of the cavity 44. The length of the locking protrusion 83 is set to a size that is, for example, equal to or less than the distance between the coating crimping portion 11 and the terminal connection portion 13 and allows the terminal 10 to be positioned in the extension direction.

[0060] Then, with the retainer body 82 attached to the full-attachment opening 36, the locking protrusion 83 is disposed at a position corresponding to the full-attachment opening 36. With the retainer 80 in a temporary attachment state, the locking protrusion 83 does not protrude into the cavity 44, but is disposed within the full-attachment opening 36 or outside it. With the retainer 80 in a full-attachment state, the locking protrusion 83 can protrude from the retainer body 82 into the cavity 44. In this state, the locking protrusion 83 can fit into the recess 14 between the insulation crimping portion 11 and the terminal connection portion 13 of the terminal 10 in the cavity 44. This positions the terminal 10 in its extension direction, and prevents it from slipping out backward.

[0061] The pair of locking walls 84 extend from both sides of the retainer body 82 to both sides of the terminal accommodating portion 42, here along the outer surfaces of the pair of outer walls 43a. A slip-out prevention protrusion 85 is formed on the inner surface of the pair of locking walls 84 at a position near the tip. The slip-out prevention protrusion 85 is a protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface of the locking wall 84, and is formed in a shape that includes a portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases toward the tip side of the locking wall 84. The pair of locking walls 84 can be locked to the pair of temporary installation locking portions 47 or the pair of full installation locking portions 46.

[0062] The slip-off prevention protrusion 85 may have an elongated protrusion shape along the extension direction of the cavity 44. The slip-off prevention protrusion 85 may have a length approximately equal to that of the pair of temporary attachment locking portions 47 or the pair of full attachment locking portions 46. This allows the entire extension direction of the slip-off prevention protrusion 85 to be locked by the pair of temporary attachment locking portions 47 or the pair of full attachment locking portions 46, stabilizing the temporary attachment state or the full attachment state of the retainer 80.

[0063] The lance 86 is a portion that provisionally engages the terminal 10 in the cavity 44 when the retainer 80 is in the provisional attachment position.

[0064] Here, the lance 86 is formed to protrude in the same direction as the locking wall portions 84 at an intermediate position in the extending direction of the retainer body 82 so that it can be placed in the temporary attachment opening 38. More specifically, the lance 86 protrudes from a portion of the retainer body 82 that faces the terminal accommodating portion 42 and is between the pair of locking wall portions 84. With the retainer 80 attached to the permanent attachment opening 36, the lance 86 is placed in the temporary attachment opening 38. The lance 86 is long in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the cavity 44 and is configured to be elastically deformable along a direction intersecting the extending direction of the cavity 44.

[0065] Preferably, the length of the lance 86 in the front-rear direction may be the same as the gap width of the temporary attachment opening 38 in the front-rear direction so that the lance 86 fits into the temporary attachment opening 38 without rattling in the front-rear direction.

[0066] In this embodiment, the base end of the lance 86 is integrally connected to one side of the locking protrusion 83. This provides a reinforced configuration compared to a case in which the lance 86 protrudes from the retainer body 82 without being connected to the locking protrusion 83. This makes the lance 86 less likely to break. Due to the configuration in which the lance 86 is guided by the temporary attachment opening 38 in the extension direction of the cavity 44, the locking protrusion 83 is guided toward the full attachment opening 36, making it possible to smoothly attach the retainer 80.

[0067] The lance 86 has an elastic piece 87 and a provisional locking protrusion 88 .

[0068] The elastic piece 87 is a long and thin portion that extends in a direction (here, the up-down direction) that intersects (here, perpendicular to) the extension direction of the cavity 44, and is configured to be elastically deformable in a direction (here, the left-right direction) that intersects (here, perpendicular to) the extension direction of the cavity 44. As described above, the base end of the elastic piece 87 is integrally connected to the outer surface of the locking protrusion 83. The tip of the elastic piece 87 further protrudes from the tip of the locking protrusion 83, and can easily be elastically deformed in the left-right direction.

[0069] The temporary locking protrusion 88 is formed so as to protrude toward the cavity 44 at a position away from the base end of the elastic piece 87. Here, the temporary locking protrusion 88 protrudes toward the cavity 44 at a position away from the tip of the locking protrusion 83.

[0070] With the lance 86 disposed in the temporary-attachment opening 38, the temporary-locking protrusion 88 can protrude from the temporary-attachment opening 38 into the cavity 44. Therefore, the temporary-locking protrusion 88 can be temporarily locked in the recess 14 of the terminal 10 from the right or left side of the terminal 10.

[0071] Since the provisional locking protrusions 88 are disposed at a position away from the tip of the locking protrusions 83, the provisional locking protrusions 88 can be provisionally locked to the recessed portion 14 before the locking protrusions 83 are locked to the recessed portion 14. Moreover, when the locking protrusions 83 are locked to the recessed portion, the provisional locking protrusions 88 can be located at a position beyond the recessed portion 14.

[0072] The temporary locking protrusion 88 has a first guide surface 88f1 and a second guide surface 88f2.

[0073] The first guide surface 88f1 is a surface of the temporary-locking protrusion 88 facing diagonally rearward. The first guide surface 88f1 is a surface that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the temporary-locking protrusion 88 toward the side (rear side) into which the terminal 10 is inserted in the extension direction of the cavity 44. When the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44 with the temporary-locking protrusion 88 protruding from the temporary attachment opening 38 into the cavity 44, the tip of the terminal 10 can come into contact with the first guide surface 88f1.

[0074] The second guide surface 88f2 is a surface of the temporary-locking protrusion 88 that faces obliquely downward. The second guide surface 88f2 is a surface that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the temporary-locking protrusion 88 toward the tip side of the lance 86. The temporary-locking protrusion 88 protrudes from the temporary attachment opening 38 into the cavity 44 and is disposed in the recess 14 of the terminal 10. When the retainer 80 is pressed from this state, the second guide surface 88f2 can come into contact with the core wire crimping portion 12.

[0075] The front-facing surface of the temporary-locking protrusion 88 may be a temporary-locking surface 88f3 perpendicular to the extension direction of the cavity 44. The temporary-locking surface 88f3 is a surface that contacts the terminal connecting portion 13 to facilitate removal of the terminal 10 when the terminal 10 attempts to be removed rearward from the cavity 44. If the temporary-locking surface 88f3 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the cavity 44, the lance 86 is unlikely to elastically deform in a direction that releases the temporary lock even if the temporary-locking surface 88f3 contacts the terminal connecting portion 13. This allows the temporary locking state to be effectively maintained.

[0076] <Terminal holding work> An example of the holding operation of the terminal 10 will now be described.

[0077] For example, a retainer 80 is prepared in a state in which a pair of retaining projections 85 are engaged with a pair of temporary attachment locking portions 47 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). In this state, the locking projections 83 do not protrude into the cavity 44. Therefore, when the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44 through the rear opening 45, it can be inserted deep into the cavity 44, i.e., toward the front side, without being caught by the locking projections 83.

[0078] In the above state, the elastic piece 87 of the lance 86 is disposed within the temporary-attachment opening 38. The temporary-retaining protrusion 88 protruding from the elastic piece 87 protrudes from the temporary-attachment opening 38 into the cavity 44. Therefore, when the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44 through the rear opening 45, the terminal connection portion 13 of the terminal 10 comes into contact with the temporary-retaining protrusion 88.

[0079] At this time, the tip of the terminal connecting portion 13 comes into contact with the first guide surface 88f1 of the temporary-locking protrusion 88 (see FIG. 7). As described above, the first guide surface 88f1 is a surface that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the temporary-locking protrusion 88 as the terminal 10 is inserted toward the rear. Therefore, when the terminal 10 is inserted deep into the cavity 44, the tip of the terminal connecting portion 13 comes into contact with the first guide surface 88f1, and pushes the temporary-locking protrusion 88 in a direction to retreat from the cavity 44, i.e., to the outside right or left. This allows the terminal 10 to move deep into the cavity 44, i.e., to the front side.

[0080] When the terminal connection portion 13 passes over the provisional-locking protrusion 88, the elastic force of the elastic piece 87 returning to its original shape causes the provisional-locking protrusion 88 to return to a state in which it protrudes into the cavity 44. As a result, the provisional-locking protrusion 88 is provisionally locked in the recess 14 of the terminal 10 (see FIG. 6).

[0081] The terminals 10 are inserted into each cavity 44 in the same manner as described above. With each terminal 10 inserted into each cavity 44, the temporary-locking protrusions 88 temporarily lock the terminals 10. Therefore, once the terminals 10 are inserted into the cavities 44, the insertion work of the terminals 10 can be easily performed one after another without worrying about the terminals 10 coming out.

[0082] With the terminals 10 provisionally retained in the respective cavities 44, the retainer 80 is pushed from the provisional attachment position toward the final attachment position.

[0083] At this time, the temporary-locking protrusion 88 is pressed in the direction in which the retainer 80 is pressed, i.e., downward perpendicular to the extending direction of the cavity 44. Then, the temporary-locking protrusion 88 moves from the recess 14 toward the core wire crimping portion 12 and contacts the core wire crimping portion 12. As described above, the second guide surface 88f2 is a surface that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the temporary-locking protrusion 88 toward the tip side of the lance 86. Therefore, the second guide surface 88f2 contacts the core wire crimping portion 12, and the temporary-locking protrusion 88 moves in a direction to retreat from the cavity 44, i.e., to the right outer side or the left outer side. As a result, the temporary-locking protrusion 88 passes over the core wire crimping portion 12 and moves below the core wire crimping portion 12, and the temporary lock on the terminal 10 is released. The provisionally retaining protrusion 88 , which has passed downward over the core wire crimping portion 12 , returns to its original position on the cavity 44 side by the elastic force of the elastic piece 87 , and is disposed in the partial recess 44 h of the cavity 44 .

[0084] Instead of the temporary-locking protrusion 88 being temporarily locked in the recess 14, the locking protrusion 83 passes through the full-attachment opening 36 and enters the cavity 44. The locking protrusion 83 enters the recess 14 from the side opposite the core wire crimping portion 12.

[0085] When the retainer 80 has its retaining projections 85 of the pair of locking walls 84 passing over the locking portion 46 for final installation and locking therewith in a non-slip manner, the retainer 80 reaches the final installation position and is final installed in the housing 30. In this state, the locking projections 83 are kept protruding into the cavity 44, and the core wire crimping portion 12 is locked to the locking projections 83 from the front. This prevents the terminal 10 from slipping out of the cavity 44 backward.

[0086] <Effects, etc.> In the connector configured as described above, the retainer 80 includes the lances 86 capable of provisionally engaging the terminals 10 in the provisional attachment position, and the locking protrusions capable of engaging the terminals 10 in the final attachment position. This allows the shape of the housing 30 to be simplified, and the connector 20 to be made smaller.

[0087] That is, generally, when comparing a housing having a cavity with a retainer that holds the terminals in the cavity, the shape of the housing tends to be more complicated. Moreover, the housing often incorporates a guide structure, a lock structure, etc., for connection to the mating connector, which also tends to make the shape of the housing more complicated. For this reason, forming a lance in the housing tends to lead to an increase in size due to mold restrictions, etc.

[0088] Therefore, by forming the lance 86 in the retainer 80 as in this embodiment, it is possible to simplify the shape of the housing 30 and make it smaller. In addition, since the retainer 80 has a simpler shape than the housing 30, forming the housing 30 on the retainer 80 places fewer mold restrictions and is unlikely to lead to an increase in the size of the retainer 80. This allows the connector 20 as a whole to have a simplified shape and be made smaller.

[0089] In addition, both the lance 86 and the locking protrusion 83 can be locked into the recess 14 of the terminal 10. Therefore, it is not necessary to form a separate portion for provisionally locking the lance 86 in the terminal 10. This enables the terminal 10 to be simplified and made smaller, which contributes to the miniaturization of the connector 20.

[0090] However, the lance and the locking projection may be locked to the terminal at different positions.

[0091] Furthermore, the lance 86 is formed to protrude in the same direction as the locking wall portion 84 at the middle of the extension direction of the retainer body 82 so that it can be placed in the temporary attachment opening 38, and is elastically deformed in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the cavity 44. Therefore, the structure for forming the lance 86 can be made smaller than when the lance is oriented along the extension direction of the cavity. This allows the size of the connector 20 in the front-rear direction to be reduced.

[0092] The lance may be aligned along the extension direction of the cavity. For example, the lance may protrude from the locking wall along the extension direction of the cavity, and an opening into which the lance can be disposed may be formed in the side of the housing.

[0093] Furthermore, the base end of the lance 86 is integrally connected to the locking protrusion 83. This reinforces the lance 86 and makes it less susceptible to damage.

[0094] Furthermore, the lance 86 has an elastic piece 87 and a temporary-locking protrusion 88, and when the retainer 80 is in the temporary-attachment position, the lance 86 is placed in the temporary-attachment opening 38, and the temporary-locking protrusion 88 protrudes into the cavity 44 and disengages and locks into the recess of the terminal 10. Then, when the retainer 80 is in the full-attachment position, the temporary-locking protrusion 88 moves beyond the terminal 10 to release the temporary lock on the terminal 10. Instead, the retainer body 82 is attached to the full-attachment opening 36, and the locking protrusion 83 protrudes into the cavity 44 and locks into the recess of the terminal 10.

[0095] Therefore, with the retainer 80 in the temporary mounting position, the lance 86 can be temporarily locked to the terminal 10. Then, when the retainer 80 is pushed and moved to the full mounting position, the temporary lock between the lance 86 and the terminal 10 is released, and the locking protrusion 83 temporarily locks to the terminal 10.

[0096] If the lance 86 and the locking protrusion 83 are in the same position or at least partially overlap in the extension direction of the terminal 10, it is easy to realize a configuration in which the lance 86 and the locking protrusion 83 lock into the same recess 14 of the terminal 10.

[0097] Further, the temporary-locking protrusion 88 has a first guide surface 88f1 and a second guide surface 88f2. Therefore, when the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44 with the retainer 80 in the temporary attachment position, the terminal 10 can come into contact with the first guide surface 88f1. This allows the lance 86 to easily elastically deform in a direction retracting from the cavity 44. Then, when the terminal 10 is further pushed in, the lance 86 elastically returns to its original shape, and the temporary-locking protrusion 88 can temporarily lock the terminal 10.

[0098] Furthermore, when the retainer 80 is pushed from the temporary mounting position toward the final mounting position, the second guide surface 88f2 comes into contact with the terminal 10, and the lance 86 can easily elastically deform in a direction to retreat from the cavity 44. As a result, the temporary-locking protrusion 88 passes over the terminal 10, and the temporary lock between the lance 86 and the terminal 10 is released. This makes it easy to temporarily lock the lance 86 to the terminal 10 by inserting the terminal 10, and to release the temporary lock between the lance 86 and the terminal 10 by pushing the lance 86.

[0099] Furthermore, after the lock between the lance 86 and the terminal 10 is released, the locking protrusion 83 can be easily locked into the recess 14 .

[0100] In addition, when the locking protrusion 83 is locked in the recess 14, the lance may be kept provisionally locked to the terminal 10.

[0101] The housing 30 also includes an outer wall 43a as a vertical wall, and the temporary attachment opening 38 is formed in the outer wall 43a as a slit extending in the protruding direction of the locking wall portion 84. Therefore, the lance 86 is arranged in the slit-shaped temporary attachment opening 38, thereby guiding the retainer 80. The lance 86 is also easily elastically deformed by utilizing the space within the slit.

[0102] Furthermore, if the temporary attachment opening 38 is formed in the outer wall 43a, it is easy to ensure a space that allows the lance 86 to elastically deform outward from the outer wall 43a. This allows the lance 86 to be largely elastically deformed outward even if the temporary-locking protrusion 88 is caused to protrude sufficiently into the cavity 44. By causing the temporary-locking protrusion 88 to protrude sufficiently into the cavity 44, it is easy to maintain the state in which the lance 86 is temporarily locked to the terminal 10.

[0103] In addition, the slit-shaped temporary attachment opening 38 crosses the temporary attachment locking portion 47 and the regular attachment locking portion 46. Therefore, the slip-out prevention protrusion 85 of the locking wall portion 84 locks with the temporary attachment locking portion 47 or the regular attachment locking portion 46 near the position where the lance 86 is guided by the temporary attachment opening 38. Therefore, the slip-out prevention protrusion 85 of the locking wall portion 84 can be smoothly locked with the temporary attachment locking portion 47 or the regular attachment locking portion 46.

[0104] In addition, in a configuration in which the lance 86 and the locking protrusion 83 are locked to the recess 14 at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the terminal 10, the locking protrusion 83 is locked to the terminal 10 in the middle of the locking region between the retaining protrusion 85 and the main installation locking portion 46. This makes it possible to more firmly prevent the terminal 10 from being pulled out by the locking protrusion 83.

[0105] The connector may have three or more cavities arranged side by side. In this case, a temporary attachment opening may be formed in a wall that separates the cavities, and the lance may be disposed in the temporary attachment opening.

[0106] The above-mentioned configuration can also be applied to a configuration in which terminals inserted into multiple cavities are prevented from falling out by the same retainer. For example, the retainer body 82, the locking protrusions 83, and the lances 86 may be provided in multiple stages corresponding to the respective stages.

[0107] The configurations described in the above embodiment and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10 Terminals 11 Covering crimp part 12 Wire crimping section 13 Terminal connection 14 Recess 18 Electric wire 20 Connectors 30 Housing 31 Partition plate 31F Front plate part 31Fa Connection hole 32, 42 Terminal housing 34, 44 Cavity 36 Mounting opening 38 Temporary fitting opening 43a Exterior wall (vertical wall) 43b Intermediate wall (vertical wall) 43c Ceiling panel 44h dent 45 Rear opening 46 Locking part for mounting 47 Temporary fitting locking part 60 Cover 80 Retainer 82 Retainer body 83 Locking protrusion 84 Locking wall 85 Anti-slip protrusion 86 Lance 87 Elastic Piece 88 Temporary locking protrusion 88f1 First guide surface 88f2 Second guide surface 88f3 Temporary locking surface

Claims

1. A connector for holding terminals, comprising: a housing having a cavity capable of accommodating the terminal; a retainer that can be attached to the housing at a temporary attachment position and a regular attachment position; Equipped with The retainer includes a lance capable of provisionally engaging with the terminal in the cavity at the provisional attachment position, and a locking protrusion capable of engaging with the terminal in the cavity at the full attachment position.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, The terminal includes a recess that is recessed in a portion of the extending direction of the terminal, The lance can be provisionally engaged with the recess, and the engaging protrusion can be engaged with the recess.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, The housing has a permanent mounting opening and a temporary mounting opening, the retainer includes a retainer body that is attached to the main attachment opening, and a pair of locking walls that extend from both sides of the retainer body along both sides of the housing, The locking protrusion is formed so as to protrude from the retainer body toward the cavity, The lance is formed to protrude in the same direction as the locking wall portion at an intermediate position in the extension direction of the retainer body so that it can be positioned in the temporary attachment opening, and elastically deforms along a direction intersecting the extension direction of the cavity.

4. 4. The connector of claim 3, A connector, wherein a base end of the lance is integrally connected to the locking protrusion.

5. 4. The connector of claim 3, The lance has an elastic piece and a provisional locking protrusion protruding toward the cavity at a location away from a base end of the elastic piece, When the retainer is in the temporary mounting position, the lance is disposed in the temporary mounting opening, and the temporary locking protrusion projects into the cavity, so that the retainer can be temporarily locked to the terminal in the cavity. A connector in which, when the retainer is located in the actual installation position, the temporary engagement protrusion moves over the terminal to release the temporary engagement with the terminal, and the engagement protrusion protrudes into the cavity, becoming capable of engaging with the terminal in the cavity.

6. 6. The connector of claim 5, The connector has a first guide surface that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the temporary-locking protrusion toward the side where the terminal is inserted in the extension direction of the cavity, and a second guide surface that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the temporary-locking protrusion toward the tip side of the lance.

7. 4. The connector of claim 3, The housing includes a vertical wall along an extension direction of the cavity and a protruding direction of the locking wall portion, The temporary attachment opening is a slit formed in the vertical wall and aligned along a protruding direction of the locking wall portion.

8. 8. The connector of claim 7, the vertical wall includes an outer wall exposed on any one side surface of the housing, The temporary attachment opening is a slit formed in the outer wall of the connector.

9. 8. The connector of claim 7, the housing includes a pair of temporary installation locking portions that temporarily lock with the pair of locking wall portions when the retainer is located at the temporary installation position, and a pair of full installation locking portions that lock with the pair of locking wall portions when the retainer is located at the full installation position, The pair of temporary attachment locking portions and the pair of full attachment locking portions are formed in an elongated convex shape along an extension direction of the cavity, The temporary attachment opening is a slit formed across at least one of the pair of temporary attachment engaging portions and at least one of the pair of full attachment engaging portions.

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