Connector

Abstract

To suppress assembly failures of a connector.SOLUTION: A connector 10 that holds a first terminal and a second terminal, comprises: a housing 30 that has a first terminal accommodation part 32 with a first cavity for accommodating the first terminal, and a second terminal accommodation part 42 with a second cavity for accommodating the second terminal; a first holding member 60 that comes together with the first terminal accommodation part at a first normal position to hold the first terminal in the first cavity; and a second holding member 80 that comes together with the second terminal accommodation part at a second normal position to hold the second terminal in the second cavity. The first holding member reaches the first normal position in a first direction P1 and comes together with the first terminal accommodation part. The second holding member 80 reaches the second normal position in a second direction P2 different from the first direction P1 and comes together with the second terminal accommodation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a housing having a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers formed in upper and lower stages. The electric wire terminals accommodated in the upper and lower terminal accommodating chambers are prevented from coming out by a common retainer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-55470 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this regard, it is desirable to further reduce connector assembly defects.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce connector assembly defects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure is a connector that holds a first terminal and a second terminal, and comprises a housing including a first terminal accommodating portion having a first cavity that accommodates the first terminal and a second terminal accommodating portion having a second cavity that accommodates the second terminal, a first retaining member that combines with the first terminal accommodating portion in a first normal position to hold the first terminal in the first cavity, and a second retaining member that combines with the second terminal accommodating portion in a second normal position to hold the second terminal in the second cavity, wherein the first retaining member reaches the first normal position along a first direction to combine with the first terminal accommodating portion, and the second retaining member reaches the second normal position along a second direction different from the first direction to combine with the second terminal accommodating portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, assembly defects of connectors are suppressed. [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 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 rear view showing the connector in which the retainer is temporarily held. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which the cover and the retainer interfere with each other. 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 that holds a first terminal and a second terminal, comprising: a housing including a first terminal accommodating portion having a first cavity that accommodates the first terminal, and a second terminal accommodating portion having a second cavity that accommodates the second terminal; a first retaining member that combines with the first terminal accommodating portion in a first normal position to hold the first terminal in the first cavity, and a second retaining member that combines with the second terminal accommodating portion in a second normal position to hold the second terminal in the second cavity, wherein the first retaining member reaches the first normal position along a first direction to combine with the first terminal accommodating portion, and the second retaining member reaches the second normal position along a second direction different from the first direction to combine with the second terminal accommodating portion.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the first direction when the first holding member reaches the first normal position is different from the second direction when the second holding member reaches the second normal position. Therefore, the operation of setting the first terminal and combining the first holding member and the operation of setting the second terminal and combining the second holding member can be clearly distinguished and each operation can be performed. Therefore, the terminals are prevented from being set in the wrong cavities, and defective assembly of the connector is prevented.

[0013] (2) In the connector of (1), the second retaining member that moves to the second normal position along the second direction may be set in a positional relationship in which it interferes with the first retaining member that is located in front of the first normal position.

[0014] In this case, when the first holding member is located in front of the first correct position, the second holding member interferes with the first holding member. Therefore, it is possible to know that the first holding member is not assembled in the correct position by not being able to move the second holding member to the second correct position. This prevents connector assembly failures.

[0015] (3) A connector according to (1) or (2), wherein the first terminal accommodating portion has a first set opening on the opposite side to the second terminal accommodating portion, the first direction is a direction along the extension direction of the first cavity, the first normal position is a position where the first retaining member blocks the first set opening, the second terminal accommodating portion has a second set opening on one side in the extension direction of the second cavity and a positioning opening on the opposite side to the first terminal accommodating portion, the second direction is a direction intersecting the extension direction of the second cavity, and the second normal position may be a position where the second retaining member is fitted into the positioning opening.

[0016] In this case, the first holding member can reach the first normal position along a first direction parallel to the extension direction of the first cavity. The second holding member can reach the second normal position along a second direction intersecting the extension direction of the second cavity. Therefore, the setting operation of the first terminal and the setting operation of the second terminal can be clearly differentiated, and assembly defects of the connector are suppressed.

[0017] (4) In a connector of (3), a first terminal positioning protrusion may be formed on an inner periphery of the first cavity opposite the first set opening, and a second terminal positioning protrusion capable of protruding into the second cavity may be formed on the second retaining member.

[0018] As a result, the first terminal in the first cavity can be positioned from the second terminal accommodating portion side by the first terminal positioning protrusion. The second terminal in the second cavity can be positioned by the second terminal positioning protrusion protruding into the second cavity from the positioning opening side. This makes it easy to align the positions of the terminals in the first and second cavities. In addition, since it is not necessary to form a protrusion for terminal positioning on the first holding member, it is easy to realize a configuration in which the first holding member moves along the extension direction of the first cavity to reach the first regular position.

[0019] (5) In the connector of (4), when the second terminal is incompletely set in the second cavity, the second terminal positioning protrusion may interfere with the second terminal, and when the second terminal positioning protrusion interferes with the second terminal, and when the second retaining member moving to the second normal position along the second direction interferes with the first retaining member located just before the first normal position, at least a portion of the second retaining member may protrude from the housing.

[0020] In this case, when at least a portion of the second retaining member protrudes from the housing, it can be determined that the first retaining member has not reached the first correct position or that the second terminal is not completely set in the second cavity.

[0021] (6) In any one of the connectors (3) to (5), the first retaining member may include a cover body that covers the first set opening, and a pair of side wall portions extending from both sides of the cover body along both sides of the first terminal accommodating portion, and at least one of the pair of side wall portions has an interference protrusion from which an end portion partially protrudes, and before the first retaining member reaches the first normal position, the interference protrusion is positioned in a position where it interferes with the second retaining member moving toward the second normal position, and when the first retaining member reaches the first normal position, the interference protrusion is positioned in a position that avoids the movement path of the second retaining member moving toward the second normal position.

[0022] In this case, if the first holding member is in an incompletely assembled state, the second holding member interferes with the interference protrusion, thereby making it possible to know that the first holding member is in an incompletely assembled state.

[0023] (7) In the connector of (6), the second retaining member may include a retainer body that is attached to the positioning opening, and a pair of locking wall portions that extend from both sides of the retainer body along both sides of the second terminal accommodating portion, and at least one of the pair of locking wall portions may be positioned in a position where it can interfere with the interference protrusion.

[0024] This allows the retainer to be engaged with the housing by utilizing the locking wall portion of the retainer. Since the locking wall portion can be engaged with the housing at a portion where there is no interference protrusion, the length of the locking wall portion can be increased.

[0025] (8) In the connector of (7), the housing may include a pair of locking portions that engage with the pair of locking wall portions when the second retaining member is located at the second normal position, and a pair of temporary locking portions that engage with the pair of locking wall portions in a state before the second retaining member positions the second terminal, and the first retaining member may be configured to be movable toward the first normal position while avoiding interference between at least one of the pair of locking wall portions and the interference protrusion when the pair of locking wall portions are engaged with the pair of temporary locking portions.

[0026] This allows the first holding member to be moved toward the first regular position in a state in which the second holding member is temporarily assembled to the housing, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the connector.

[0027] (9) A connector according to (7) or (8), wherein at least one of the pair of locking walls has a guide protrusion protruding toward the housing and extending along the second direction, a guide groove for guiding the guide protrusion is formed in the housing, and the portion of the pair of locking walls on which the guide protrusion is formed is formed so as to be able to interfere with the interference protrusion.

[0028] In this case, the portion of the pair of engagement walls on which the guide protrusion is formed is formed so as to be able to interfere with the interference protrusion, so that the interference state is more reliably maintained when the first retaining member is not assembled in the first normal position.

[0029] [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.

[0030] [Embodiment] A connector according to an embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector 10. Figs. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views of the connector 10. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1. Terminals 10A and 10B are shown in Figs. 2 to 4, and an electric wire 18 is shown by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 4.

[0031] <Overall structure of connector> The overall structure of the connector will now be described. Connector 10 holds first terminal 10A and second terminal 10B.

[0032] The first terminal 10A and the second terminal 10B are formed by pressing a metal plate or the like. The first terminal 10A includes a coating crimping portion 11A, a core crimping portion 12A, and a terminal connection portion 13A. The coating crimping portion 11A is a portion that is crimped to the coating portion of the end of the electric wire 18. The core crimping portion 12A is a portion that is crimped to the core portion exposed at the end of the electric wire 18. The terminal connection portion 13A is a portion that is connected to a mating terminal, and is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The coating crimping portion 11A, the core crimping portion 12A, and the terminal connection portion 13A are linearly arranged in this order. The thicknesses of the coating crimping portion 11A and the terminal connection portion 13A are greater than the thickness of the core crimping portion 12A. Therefore, when first terminal 10A is observed from the side, a recess is observed on core wire crimping portion 12A between coating crimping portion 11A and terminal connection portion 13A.

[0033] Similar to the first terminal 10A, the second terminal 10B also includes a coating crimping portion 11B, a core wire crimping portion 12B, and a terminal connecting portion 13B.

[0034] First terminal 10A and second terminal 10B may be terminals having the same size, material, etc., or may be terminals having different sizes or materials.

[0035] In this embodiment, the connector 10 includes a plurality of (here, two) first terminals 10A and a plurality of (here, two) second terminals 10B. The plurality of first terminals 10A are arranged in a row in parallel. The plurality of second terminals 10B are also arranged in a row in parallel. The plurality of first terminals 10A and the plurality of second terminals 10B are adjacent to each other. In other words, the connector 10 holds the plurality of first terminals 10A and the plurality of second terminals 10B in a first row and a second row. The number of first terminals 10A and second terminals 10B held by the connector 10 is arbitrary.

[0036] In the following description, the terminal connection portion 13A side in the extension direction of the first terminal 10A may be referred to as the front side, and the coating crimping portion 11A side as the rear side. The first terminal 10A side may be referred to as the lower side, and the second terminal 10B side as the upper side. Furthermore, the left-right direction may be referred to assuming a state in which one is standing on the first terminal 10A and facing the front side.

[0037] The connector 10 includes a housing 30, a cover 60 as a first holding member, and a retainer 80 as a second holding member.

[0038] The housing 30 is formed of resin or the like, and includes a first terminal accommodating portion 32 and a second terminal accommodating portion 42. The first terminal accommodating portion 32 has a first cavity 34 that accommodates the first terminal 10A. In this embodiment, the first terminal accommodating portion 32 has a plurality (two in this case) of first cavities 34 arranged in parallel. The second terminal accommodating portion 42 has a second cavity 44 that accommodates the second terminal 10B. In this embodiment, the second terminal accommodating portion 42 has a plurality (two in this case) of second cavities 44 arranged in parallel.

[0039] The cover 60 is combined with the first terminal accommodating portion 32 to hold the first terminal 10A in the first cavity 34. That is, the first terminal 10A is set in the first cavity 34 when the cover 60 is not attached to the first regular position. In this state, the cover 60 is attached so as to be combined with the first terminal accommodating portion 32. Then, the first terminal 10A is prevented from coming out of the first cavity 34. The position where the cover 60 is combined with the first terminal accommodating portion 32 so that the first terminal 10A is prevented from coming out of the first cavity 34 is the first regular position (see Figs. 1 and 4). The state before the cover 60 reaches the first regular position is sometimes referred to as the non-regular state.

[0040] The retainer 80 is combined with the second terminal accommodating portion 42 to hold the second terminal 10B in the second cavity 44. That is, the second terminal 10B is set in the second cavity 44 when the retainer 80 is not attached to the second regular position. In this state, the retainer 80 is attached so as to be combined with the second terminal accommodating portion 42. Then, the second terminal 10B is prevented from coming out of the second cavity 44. The position where the retainer 80 is combined with the second terminal accommodating portion 42 so as to prevent the second terminal 10B from coming out of the second cavity 44 is the second regular position (see FIGS. 1 and 4). The state before the retainer 80 reaches the second regular position is sometimes referred to as the non-regular state.

[0041] The cover 60 can reach a first regular position along a first direction P1 (see FIG. 2) and be combined with the first terminal accommodating portion 32. The retainer 80 can reach a second regular position along a second direction P2 (see FIG. 2) different from the first direction and be combined with the second terminal accommodating portion 42. Therefore, the attachment operations of the cover 60 and the retainer 80 to the housing 30 are different. Therefore, the operation of setting and holding the first terminal 10A in the first cavity 34 and the operation of setting and holding the second terminal 10B in the second cavity 44 can be recognized by an operator as clearly different operations.

[0042] Furthermore, when the cover 60 is located in front of the first normal position, the retainer 80, which moves to the second normal position along the second direction P2, is set to a positional relationship in which it interferes with the cover 60. The positional relationship in which the retainer 80 interferes with the cover 60 is a positional relationship in which the retainer 80 comes into contact with the cover 60 and cannot move toward the second normal position. In other words, when the cover 60 is in an incompletely combined state with the housing 30, the retainer 80 is not completely combined with the housing 30. For this reason, when the retainer 80 is not completely combined with the housing 30, that is, when the retainer 80 cannot reach the second normal position, it can be easily detected that the cover 60 is in an incompletely combined state with the housing.

[0043] The configuration of each part will now be described in more detail.

[0044] <First terminal retention structure> A more detailed description will be given of the main structure of first terminal accommodating portion 32 that holds first terminal 10A.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the housing 30 has a common plate portion 31 located between the first terminal accommodating portion 32 and the second terminal accommodating portion 42. A pair of first cavity side walls 33a extend from both side edges of the common plate portion 31. A middle partition 33b extends from a widthwise middle portion of the common plate portion 31. The pair of first cavity side walls 33a and the middle partition 33b protrude toward the same main surface side of the common plate portion 31. The pair of first cavity side walls 33a and the middle partition 33b are arranged in parallel with a gap in the width direction of the housing 30. The first terminal accommodating portion 32 includes a lower portion of the common plate portion 31, a pair of first cavity side walls 33a, and the middle partition 33b, and a plurality of first cavities 34 are formed in each gap between the pair of first cavity side walls 33a and the middle partition 33b.

[0046] 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 first cavity 34. The first terminal 10A disposed in the first cavity 34 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 first terminal 10A in the first cavity 34 through the connection hole 31Fa.

[0047] The first terminal accommodating portion 32 has a first set opening 35 on the opposite side to the second terminal accommodating portion 42. The first set opening 35 is formed in a slit shape that opens downward. The first set opening 35 is longer than the first terminal 10A. Therefore, the first terminal 10A can be set in the first cavity 34 through the first set opening 35. Specifically, the first terminal 10A can be set in the first cavity 34 from the lower side of the first terminal accommodating portion 32 through the first set opening 35. Note that, during actual work, it is also assumed that the first set opening 35 faces upward and is set in the first cavity 34 from above through the first set opening 35. The electric wire 18 extending from the first terminal 10A can extend to the outside through the rear opening of the first cavity 34.

[0048] A first terminal positioning protrusion 36 is formed on the inner periphery of the first cavity 34 on the opposite side to the first set opening 35. The part of the inner periphery of the first cavity 34 on the opposite side to the first set opening 35 is the part on the common plate portion 31 side. The first terminal positioning protrusion 36 is formed in the middle part of the first cavity 34 in the extending direction, more specifically, in the region where the core wire crimping portion 12A is located in the extending direction of the first cavity 34. Then, with the first terminal 10A disposed in the first cavity 34, the first terminal positioning protrusion 36 can fit into the recess between the coating crimping portion 11A and the terminal connection portion 13A of the first terminal 10A. This positions the first terminal 10A in the extending direction, and prevents it from slipping out backward.

[0049] The cover 60 is combined with the first terminal accommodating portion 32 so as to cover the first set opening 35. This prevents the first terminal 10A from coming off the first cavity 34. Here, the cover 60 plays a role in restricting the first terminal 10A from moving in a direction away from the first terminal positioning protrusion 36 while covering the first set opening 35. This keeps the first terminal positioning protrusion 36 fitted into the recess of the first terminal 10A, and prevents the first terminal 10A from coming off the first cavity 34.

[0050] As described above, the position where the cover 60 covers the first set opening 35 is the first normal position where the cover 60 is properly combined with the first terminal accommodating portion 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). The cover 60 can reach the first normal position by moving along the first direction P1. In this embodiment, the first direction P1 is a direction along the extension direction of the first cavity 34. An example of a configuration that realizes this configuration will be described below.

[0051] Specifically, a combination protrusion 37 is formed on the outer surface of a pair of first cavity side walls 33a. A combination surface 37f is formed on the second terminal accommodating portion 42 side of the combination protrusion 37. The combination surface 37f includes a combination support surface 37fa along the extension direction of the first terminal 10A and the width direction of the housing 30, and a combination guide surface 37fb that faces the second terminal accommodating portion 42 side as it moves forward. A gap is formed on the second terminal accommodating portion 42 side of the combination surface 37f, in which the insertion side combination protrusion 65 of the cover 60 can be disposed.

[0052] Further, on the outer surfaces of the pair of first cavity side walls 33a, here at a position near the rear, there is formed a slip-out prevention protrusion 38. The slip-out prevention protrusion 38 is formed in a shape including a portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases toward the rear.

[0053] The cover 60 includes a cover body 62 and a pair of side walls 64 .

[0054] The cover body 62 is formed in a plate shape, here a rectangular plate shape, that expands to a size that allows the first set openings 35 of the multiple first cavities 34 to be covered all at once.

[0055] The pair of side walls 64 are formed in a plate shape, here an elongated plate shape, extending from both sides of the cover body 62 toward both side surfaces of the first terminal accommodating portion 32. An insertion side combining convex portion 65 is formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 64. The insertion side combining convex portion 65 is formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 64 at a position away from the cover body 62. Here, the insertion side combining convex portion 65 is an elongated convex portion extending along the tip edge of the inner surface of the side wall portion 64. An insertion side combining surface 65f is formed on the cover body 62 side of the insertion side combining convex portion 65. The insertion side combining surface 65f is a surface along the extension direction of the first terminal 10A and the width direction of the housing 30, similar to the combining support surface 37fa.

[0056] Further, a slip-preventing protrusion 66 is formed on the inner surface of the pair of side wall portions 64, here at a position near the rear. The slip-preventing protrusion 66 is formed in a shape including a portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases toward the front.

[0057] An example of the combining operation of the cover 60 will be described. With the first terminal 10A accommodated in the first cavity 34, the cover 60 is fitted onto the first terminal accommodating portion 32 from the rear of the first terminal accommodating portion 32 (see FIG. 6). At this time, the pair of side wall portions 64 are disposed outside the pair of first cavity side walls 33a, and the insertion side combining protrusion 65 is inserted into the gap on the second terminal accommodating portion 42 side relative to the combining protrusion 37.

[0058] When the cover 60 is pushed forward, the slip-off prevention protrusions 66 climb over the slip-off prevention protrusions 38 and engage with the slip-off prevention protrusions 38 to prevent the cover 60 from slipping off rearward. In this state, the cover 60 is in contact with the front plate portion 31F. In this state, the combination support surface 37fa and the insertion side combination surface 65f are in contact with each other while facing each other, preventing the cover 60 from coming off downward (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6).

[0059] When the cover 60 moves forward, the combination guide surface 37fb may guide the cover 60 gradually toward the second terminal accommodating portion 42. This makes it difficult for the cover 60 to come into contact with the first terminal 10A in the initial stage, allowing the cover 60 to move smoothly.

[0060] The cover 60 only needs to move along the first direction P1 when it reaches the first regular position, and may move in a direction different from the first direction P1 before that. For example, the cover 60 does not need to be fitted onto the first terminal accommodating portion 32 from behind the first terminal accommodating portion 32. For example, the cover 60 may be pushed toward the first terminal accommodating portion 32 from below the first terminal accommodating portion 32, and the pair of side wall portions 64 may climb over the combining protrusion 37 from the outer sides in the width direction and enter into the gap on the second terminal accommodating portion 42 side relative to the combining protrusion 37.

[0061] As described above, when the cover 60 is combined with the first terminal accommodating portion 32, the inner surface of the cover body 62 comes into contact with the first terminal 10A in the first cavity 34 from the first set opening 35 side. This prevents the first terminal 10A from moving toward the first set opening 35 side, and keeps the first terminal positioning protrusion 36 engaged with the first terminal 10A. By engaging the first terminal positioning protrusion 36 with the first terminal 10A, the first terminal 10A is prevented from slipping out rearward of the first cavity 34.

[0062] <Second terminal retention structure> The main component of second terminal accommodating portion 42 that holds second terminal 10B will be described in more detail.

[0063] In the housing 30, a pair of second cavity side walls 43a extend from both side edges of the common plate portion 31. A middle partition 43b extends from the middle portion of the common plate portion 31 in the width direction. The pair of second cavity side walls 43a and the middle partition 43b protrude from the main surface side of the common plate portion 31 opposite to the pair of first cavity side walls 33a and the middle partition 33b. The pair of second cavity side walls 43a and the middle partition 43b are arranged in parallel with a gap in the width direction of the housing 30. At least a part of the opening of the pair of second cavity side walls 43a and the middle partition 43b opposite to the common plate portion 31 is closed by a ceiling plate portion 43c. The second terminal accommodating portion 42 is configured to include an upper portion of the common plate portion 31, a pair of second cavity side walls 43a, an intermediate partition 43b, and a ceiling plate portion 43c, and a plurality of second cavities 44 are formed in each gap between the pair of second cavity side walls 43a and the intermediate partition 43b.

[0064] The front plate portion 31F is also located at the front end of the second cavity 44. The second terminal 10B disposed in the second cavity 44 is restricted from moving forward by contacting the front plate portion 31F. A connection hole 31Fa is also formed in the front plate portion 31F at a position corresponding to the second cavity 44. A mating terminal can be connected to the second terminal 10B in the second cavity 44 through the connection hole 31Fa.

[0065] The second terminal accommodating portion 42 has a second set opening 45 on one side in the extending direction of the second cavity 44, here on the rear side. The second set opening 45 opens larger than the shape of the second terminal 10B projected in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the second terminal 10B can be set in the second cavity 44 through the second set opening 45. The first cavity 34 is formed with a first terminal positioning protrusion 36 that protrudes into the first cavity 34. Therefore, when the first terminal 10A is inserted from the rear side opening of the first cavity 34, it is considered that the first terminal 10A will be caught by the first terminal positioning protrusion 36 on the way. Therefore, it is considered appropriate for the first cavity 34 to set the first terminal 10A from the first set opening 35. Since the second cavity 44 does not have a protrusion for preventing removal, like the first terminal positioning protrusion 36, the second terminal 10B is smoothly set into the second cavity 44 through the second setting opening 45.

[0066] The second terminal accommodating portion 42 has a positioning opening 48 on the opposite side to the first terminal accommodating portion 32. The positioning opening 48 is an opening for mounting a retainer 80 for positioning. In this embodiment, the positioning opening 48 is formed on the opposite side of the second cavity 44 to the first terminal accommodating portion 32. The positioning opening 48 is located rearward of the ceiling plate portion 43c. In this embodiment, the positioning opening 48 reaches the rear opening of the second cavity 44, i.e., the second set opening 45. It is also assumed that the positioning opening is partially formed in the middle of the second cavity in the extending direction.

[0067] The recess between the coating crimping portion 11B and the terminal connecting portion 13B of the second terminal 10B set in the second cavity 44 is disposed at a position exposed to the outside through the second setting opening 45.

[0068] The retainer 80 is combined with the second terminal accommodating portion 42 by being fitted into the positioning opening 48. In this state, the retainer 80 fits into the recess of the second terminal 10B, preventing the second terminal 10B from coming out of the second cavity 44 toward the second set opening 45 side.

[0069] As described above, the state in which the retainer 80 fits into the positioning opening 48 and into the recess of the second terminal 10B is the second normal position (see FIGS. 1 and 4). The retainer 80 can reach the second normal position by moving along the second direction P2. In this embodiment, the second direction P2 is a direction intersecting the extension direction of the second cavity 44, more specifically, a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the second cavity 44. An example configuration that realizes this configuration will be described below.

[0070] Specifically, a pair of locking portions 46 and a pair of temporary locking portions 47 are formed on the outer surfaces of the pair of second cavity side walls 43a.

[0071] The pair of locking portions 46 protrude outward from the outer surfaces of the pair of second cavity side walls 43a. The pair of locking portions 46 are formed in a shape that includes the tip of the second cavity side wall 43a, that is, a portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases toward the upper side.

[0072] The pair of temporary locking portions 47 protrude outward from the outer surfaces of the pair of second cavity side walls 43a. The pair of temporary locking portions 47 are formed in a shape including the tip of the second cavity side wall 43a, that is, a portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases toward the upper side.

[0073] The pair of temporary-locking portions 47 are located on the side away from the first terminal accommodating portion 32, i.e., on the upper side, relative to the pair of locking portions 46. Therefore, the retainer 80 can be locked to the pair of locking portions 46 after being temporarily locked to the pair of temporary-locking portions 47.

[0074] The retainer 80 includes a retainer body 82 and a pair of locking walls 84 .

[0075] The retainer body 82 is formed in a plate shape, here a rectangular plate shape, that expands to a size that allows the positioning openings 48 corresponding to the multiple second cavities 44 to be closed all at once.

[0076] A second terminal positioning protrusion 83 is formed on the retainer body 82. Here, a plurality of second terminal positioning protrusions 83 are formed in parallel corresponding to a plurality of second cavities 44. The second terminal positioning protrusion 83 is formed in an intermediate portion in the extending direction of the second cavity 44, more specifically, in an area where the core wire crimping portion 12B is located in the extending direction of the second cavity 44. Then, when the retainer body 82 is attached to the positioning opening 48, the second terminal positioning protrusion 83 can protrude into the second cavity 44. In this state, the second terminal positioning protrusion 83 can fit into a recess between the coating crimping portion 11B and the terminal connecting portion 13B of the second terminal 10B in the second cavity 44. As a result, the second terminal 10B is positioned in its extending direction, and backward slipping out is suppressed.

[0077] The pair of locking walls 84 extend from both sides of the retainer body 82 to both sides of the second terminal accommodating portion 42, here along the outer surfaces of the pair of second cavity side 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 locking portions 47 or the pair of locking portions 46.

[0078] At least one of the pair of locking walls 84 has a guide protrusion 87 that protrudes toward the housing 30 and extends along the second direction P2 (here, the up-down direction). In this embodiment, the guide protrusion 87 is formed along the front edge of the inner surface of the locking wall 84.

[0079] A guide groove 30g that guides the guide protrusion 87 is formed in the housing 30. The guide groove 30g is formed between the front ends of the locking portion 46 and the temporary locking portion 47 and a protrusion located away from the front ends to the front side.

[0080] When the retainer 80 is attached to the second terminal accommodating portion 42 along the second direction P2, the guide protrusion 87 is guided along the guide groove 30g. This allows the retainer 80 to move smoothly along the second direction P2. Furthermore, when the retainer 80 is properly combined with the second terminal accommodating portion 42 and positioned at the second normal position, the guide protrusion 87 comes into contact with the side surface of the guide groove 30g, here, with the front ends of the locking portion 46 and the temporary locking portion 47. This prevents the retainer 80 from coming off backward from the second terminal accommodating portion 42.

[0081] In this embodiment, a convex portion is formed at a forward position in the middle portion of the inner surface of the retainer body 82, and the convex portion fits into a recess formed in the middle partition 43b, thereby preventing the retainer 80 from coming off rearward.

[0082] An example of the assembly operation of the retainer 80 will now be described.

[0083] For example, a retainer 80 is prepared in a state in which a pair of anti-slip protrusions 85 of the retainer 80 are locked with a pair of temporary locking portions 47 (see FIG. 6). In this state, the second terminal positioning protrusions 83 do not protrude into the second cavity 44. Therefore, the second terminal 10B can be smoothly inserted into the second cavity 44 through the rear second set opening 45. In other words, before the retainer 80 positions the second terminal 10B, the pair of temporary locking portions 47 are locked with the anti-slip protrusions 85 of the pair of locking walls 84.

[0084] With the second terminal 10B accommodated in the second cavity 44, the retainer 80 is further pushed. When the retainer 80 is pushed in, the guide protrusions 87 are guided by the guide grooves 30g, so that the retainer 80 can move smoothly along the second direction P2. When the retainer 80 is pushed, the pair of retaining protrusions 85 pass over the pair of locking portions 46 and can be locked to the pair of locking portions 46 to prevent the retainer 80 from coming off. As a result, the retainer 80 moves along the second direction P2 to reach the second normal position, and is normally combined with the second terminal accommodating portion 42. In other words, with the retainer 80 positioned at the second normal position, the pair of locking portions 46 are locked to the pair of retaining protrusions 85 of the pair of locking walls 84.

[0085] The retainer 80 only needs to move along the second direction P2 when it reaches the second normal position, and may move in a direction different from the second direction P2 before that. In addition, the second direction P2 may be a direction different from a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the second cavity 44, for example, a direction along a diagonal direction with respect to the extension direction of the second cavity 44.

[0086] <About the configuration for interference> As described above, when the cover 60 is located in front of the first normal position, the retainer 80, which moves along the second direction P2 to the second normal position, is set in a positional relationship in which it interferes with the cover 60. An example of a configuration for achieving this will be described.

[0087] At least one tip of the pair of side wall portions 64 of the cover 60 has an interference protrusion 67. In this embodiment, both side wall portions 64 have the interference protrusion 67. The interference protrusion 67 protrudes from the tip of the side wall portion 64 toward the second terminal accommodating portion 42. The interference protrusion 67 protrudes partially in the front-rear direction at the tip of the side wall portion 64. Therefore, the portion of the side wall portion 64 where the interference protrusion 67 is not formed is partially recessed from the interference protrusion 67.

[0088] The interference protrusion 67 is formed at a position where it interferes with the locking wall 84 of the retainer 80 moving toward the second normal position when the cover 60 has not yet reached the first normal position. Moreover, the interference protrusion 67 is formed at a position that avoids the movement path of the locking wall 84 of the retainer 80 moving toward the second normal position when the cover 60 has reached the first normal position.

[0089] In this embodiment, the side wall 64 of the cover 60 and the locking wall 84 of the retainer 80 face each other in the up-down direction on the side surface of the housing 30. The locking wall 84 of the retainer 80 partially overlaps the side wall 64 of the cover 60 in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the interference protrusion 67 is not formed in the portion of the side wall 64 of the cover 60 that overlaps with the locking wall 84. In the front-rear direction, the interference protrusion 67 is formed forward of the portion of the side wall 64 of the cover 60 that overlaps with the locking wall 84.

[0090] For example, assume that the cover 60 is positioned just before reaching the first normal position along the first direction P1 (see FIG. 7). In this state, the rear end of the interference protrusion 67 is positioned below the front end of the locking wall portion 84. Therefore, when the retainer 80 is pushed in the above state, the locking wall portion 84 interferes with the interference protrusion 67. As a result, the retainer 80 cannot be pushed down, and the retainer 80 is maintained in a state protruding from the upper surface of the housing 30.

[0091] Therefore, when the retainer 80 is attached, by noticing that the retainer 80 cannot be properly combined, it is possible to easily notice that the combination of the cover 60 is not normal.

[0092] In addition, the portion of the locking wall 84 where the guide protrusion 87 is formed interferes with the interference protrusion 67, so the locking wall 84 interfering with the guide protrusion 87 is unlikely to deform. For this reason, for example, even if the retainer 80 is pressed down with a strong force, the locking wall 84 interfering with the interference protrusion 67 is unlikely to deform outward, and the interference state between the locking wall 84 and the interference protrusion 67 is likely to be maintained.

[0093] Furthermore, if second terminal 10B is not fully inserted into second cavity 44, second terminal positioning convex portion 83 interferes with coating crimping portion 11B. Therefore, even if second terminal 10B is not completely set in second cavity 44, second terminal positioning convex portion 83 interferes with second terminal 10B, making it impossible to press down retainer 80. Even in this case, by noticing that retainer 80 cannot be properly combined when retainer 80 is attached, it is possible to easily notice that second terminal 10B is not properly set.

[0094] In other words, improper combination of the cover 60 or improper setting of the second terminal 10B can be noticed by the inability to combine the retainer 80 normally. The fact that the retainer 80 is not combined normally can be easily noticed by checking that a part of the retainer 80 protrudes from the upper surface of the housing 30, as described above.

[0095] When the cover 60 is properly combined and the second terminal 10B is fully inserted, the retaining projections 85 of the pair of locking walls 84 are locked with the locking portions 46. In this state, the upper surface of the retainer 80 may be flush with the upper surface of the housing 30 or may be recessed from the upper surface.

[0096] In addition, when the slip-off prevention protrusions 85 of the locking wall portions 84 of the retainer 80 are locked with the temporary locking portions 47, the tip ends of the locking wall portions 84 are positioned at positions that are removed from the movement trajectory of the interference protrusions 67. Therefore, when the retainer 80 is temporarily attached to the second terminal accommodating portion 42, the cover 60 can move along the first direction P1 to reach the first normal position without causing the interference protrusions 67 to interfere with the locking wall portions 84.

[0097] Therefore, the housing 30 with the retainer 80 temporarily held therein can be prepared, and the first terminal 10A, the second terminal 10B, the cover 60, and the like can be assembled to the housing 30 with the retainer 80 temporarily held therein.

[0098] <Effects, etc.> According to the connector configured as above, the cover 60 as the first holding member reaches the first regular position along the first direction P1 and is combined with the first terminal accommodating portion 32, and the retainer 80 as the second holding member reaches the second regular position along the second direction P2 different from the first direction P1 and is combined with the second terminal accommodating portion 42. Therefore, the first direction P1 in which the retainer 80 moves to reach the combination is different from the second direction P2 in which the cover 60 moves. Therefore, the work of setting the first terminal 10A and combining the cover 60 and the work of setting the second terminal 10B and combining the retainer 80 are clearly distinguished and each work is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first terminal 10A and the second terminal 10B from being confused or being set in the wrong place, and thus to prevent assembly failure of the connector 10. In addition, since it is possible to prevent the first terminal 10A and the second terminal from being confused, the assembly workability is improved, which contributes to reducing the cost of the connector 10.

[0099] Furthermore, when the cover 60 is located in front of the first normal position, the retainer 80 interferes with the cover 60. Therefore, the fact that the retainer 80 cannot be moved to the second normal position indicates that the cover is not assembled in the first normal position. Improper installation of the cover 60 is more reliably detected, and the occurrence of assembly defects of the connector 10 is suppressed. Furthermore, since assembly defect inspection can be easily performed, this contributes to cost reduction of the connector 10.

[0100] Moreover, the cover 60 can reach the first normal position along a first direction P1 along the extension direction of the first cavity 34. The retainer 80 can reach the second normal position along a second direction P2 intersecting the extension direction of the second cavity 44. Therefore, when the cover 60 is not properly assembled, the cover 60 and the retainer 80 are likely to interfere with each other. Furthermore, the assembly operations of the cover 60 and the retainer 80 can be clearly differentiated, which further suppresses assembly defects of the connector 10 due to mistakes in the terminals 10A, 10B, etc.

[0101] Further, the first terminal positioning protrusion 36 is formed in the first cavity 34, and the second terminal positioning protrusion 83 is formed in the retainer 80. Therefore, the first terminal 10A in the first cavity 34 can be positioned from the second terminal accommodating portion 42 side by the first terminal positioning protrusion 36. The second terminal 10B in the second cavity 44 can be positioned from the positioning opening 48 by the second terminal positioning protrusion 83. Therefore, the orientations of the recesses into which the positioning protrusions 36 and 83 fit can be aligned in the first cavity 34 and the second cavity 44, and the postures of the terminals 10A and 10B can be easily aligned. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to form a protrusion for terminal positioning in the retainer 80, it is easy to realize a configuration in which the retainer 80 moves along the first direction P1 along the extension direction of the first cavity 34 to reach the first regular position.

[0102] Furthermore, when at least a part of the retainer 80 protrudes from the housing 30, it can be known that the cover 60 has not reached the first regular position or that the second terminal 10B has not been completely set in the second cavity 44. In other words, by observing the state of one location, it is possible to detect the occurrence of a defect in either of the two locations.

[0103] Further, the tip of the side wall of the retainer 80 partially protrudes to form an interference protrusion 67. Then, before the retainer 80 reaches the first normal position, the interference protrusion 67 interferes with the retainer 80 moving toward the second normal position. Furthermore, when the retainer 80 reaches the first normal position, the interference protrusion 67 is disposed at a position that avoids the movement path of the retainer 80 moving toward the second normal position. Therefore, if the cover 60 is in an incompletely assembled state, the retainer 80 interferes with the interference protrusion 67, thereby making it possible to know that the cover 60 is in an incompletely assembled state.

[0104] Furthermore, since the locking wall portion 84 of the retainer 80 can interfere with the interference protrusion 67, a configuration can be realized in which it is possible to know that the cover 60 is in an incompletely assembled state by utilizing the locking wall portion 84 of the retainer 80. Furthermore, since the locking wall portion 84 can be locked to the housing 30 at a portion where there is no interference protrusion 67, the length of the locking wall portion 84 can be increased. This allows the elastic deformation area of ​​the locking wall portion 84 to be increased, which contributes to a smoother combination operation of the retainer 80.

[0105] Furthermore, with the retainer 80 in a provisionally locked state, the cover 60 can move toward the first regular position while avoiding interference between the locking wall portion 84 and the interference protrusion 67. Therefore, the connector 10 can be assembled using a provisionally assembled part of the housing 30 and the retainer 80, rather than using the housing 30 and the retainer 80 as separate parts. This improves the ease of assembly of the connector 10.

[0106] In addition, the portion of the pair of locking walls 84 where the guide protrusions 87 are formed is formed to be able to interfere with the interference protrusions 67, so that the locking wall portions 84 are unlikely to deform even if they interfere with the interference protrusions 67. This makes it possible to more reliably maintain the interference state.

[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 Connectors 10A 1st terminal 10B 2nd terminal 11A, 11B Covered crimp part 12A, 12B core wire crimping section 13A, 13B terminal connection 18 Electric wire 30 Housing 30g Guide groove 31 Common plate section 31F Front plate part 31Fa Connection hole 32 First terminal housing 33a First cavity side wall 33b Intermediate partition 34 First Cavity 35 First set opening 36 First terminal positioning protrusion 37 Combining protrusion 37f Combining surface 37fa combined support surface 37fb Combined guide surface 38 Anti-slip protrusion 42 Second terminal housing 43a Second cavity side wall 43b Intermediate partition 43c Ceiling panel 44 2nd Cavity 45 Second set opening 46 Locking part 47 Temporary locking part 48 Positioning opening 60 cover (first holding member) 62 Cover body 64 Side wall 65 Insertion side joining protrusion 65f Insertion side joining surface 66 Anti-slip protrusion 67 Interference protrusion 80 Retainer (second retaining member) 82 Retainer body 83 Second terminal positioning protrusion 84 Locking wall 85 Anti-slip protrusion 87 Guide protrusion P1 1st direction P2 2nd direction

Claims

1. A connector that holds a first terminal and a second terminal, a housing including a first terminal accommodating portion having a first cavity for accommodating the first terminal and a second terminal accommodating portion having a second cavity for accommodating the second terminal; a first holding member that is coupled with the first terminal receiving portion at a first normal position to hold the first terminal in the first cavity; a second holding member that is coupled with the second terminal receiving portion at a second normal position to hold the second terminal in the second cavity; Equipped with the first holding member reaches the first normal position along a first direction and is joined with the first terminal receiving portion; A connector, wherein the second holding member reaches the second normal position along a second direction different from the first direction and combines with the second terminal accommodating portion.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, A connector, wherein the second retaining member, which moves to the second normal position along the second direction, is set in a positional relationship in which it interferes with the first retaining member, which is positioned in front of the first normal position.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, the first terminal accommodating portion has a first set opening on an opposite side to the second terminal accommodating portion, the first direction is a direction along an extension direction of the first cavity, the first normal position is a position where the first holding member covers the first set opening, the second terminal accommodating portion has a second set opening on one side in an extension direction of the second cavity and a positioning opening on an opposite side to the first terminal accommodating portion, the second direction intersects with an extension direction of the second cavity, The second normal position is a position where the second holding member is fitted into the positioning opening.

4. 4. The connector of claim 3, a first terminal positioning protrusion is formed on an inner periphery of the first cavity on a side opposite to the first set opening, A connector, wherein the second holding member is formed with a second terminal positioning protrusion capable of protruding into the second cavity.

5. 5. The connector of claim 4, When the second terminal is not completely set in the second cavity, the second terminal positioning protrusion interferes with the second terminal, a connector in which at least a portion of the second retaining member protrudes from the housing when the second terminal positioning protrusion interferes with the second terminal and when the second retaining member moving to the second normal position along the second direction interferes with the first retaining member located just before the first normal position.

6. 4. The connector of claim 3, the first holding member includes a cover body that closes the first set opening, and a pair of side wall portions that extend from both sides of the cover body along both side surfaces of the first terminal accommodating portion, At least one of the pair of side walls has a partially protruding interference protrusion at its tip, before the first holding member reaches the first normal position, the interference convex portion is disposed at a position where it interferes with the second holding member moving toward the second normal position; a connector, wherein when the first retaining member reaches the first normal position, the interference protrusion is positioned at a position that avoids a movement path of the second retaining member toward the second normal position.

7. 7. The connector of claim 6, the second holding member includes a retainer body that is attached to the positioning opening, and a pair of locking walls that extend from both sides of the retainer body along both sides of the second terminal accommodating portion, At least one of the pair of locking walls is disposed at a position where it can interfere with the interference protrusion.

8. 8. The connector of claim 7, the housing includes a pair of locking portions that lock with the pair of locking wall portions when the second holding member is located at the second normal position, and a pair of temporary locking portions that lock with the pair of locking wall portions when the second holding member is in a state before positioning the second terminals, A connector in which, when the pair of locking wall portions are engaged with the pair of temporary locking portions, the first retaining member is configured to be movable toward the first normal position while avoiding interference between at least one of the pair of locking wall portions and the interference protrusion.

9. 8. The connector of claim 7, At least one of the pair of locking walls has a guide protrusion that protrudes toward the housing and extends along the second direction, A guide groove for guiding the guide protrusion is formed in the housing, a portion of the pair of locking walls on which the guide protrusion is formed is formed so as to be able to interfere with the interference protrusion.

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