Structure

Abstract

To provide a structure having a structure capable of achieving stronger retention of contacts.SOLUTION: A structure 100 comprises a contact 200, a holding member 300, and a falling prevention reinforcement member 600. The contact 200 includes an engaged part 210. The holding member 300 includes a lance 310, a base part 320, and a reception part 330. An engagement part 312 of the lance 310 is positioned behind the engaged part 210 in a cross direction, and is opposite to the engaged part 210. The base part 320 is positioned so as to be separated from the lance 310 in an orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the cross direction. The falling prevention reinforcement member 600 is at least partially constructed by an elastic body 622. The falling prevention reinforcement member 600 is inserted into the reception part 330 along the cross direction. The elastic body 622 adheres to the base part 320 or the lance 310 so as to be compressed, and thus, a deviation of the lance 310 is regulated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure having a contact retaining structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses this type of structure (waterproof connector) 900. With reference to Figs. 17 and 18, the waterproof connector 900 of Patent Document 1 includes a female housing 920, a plurality of conductive terminals (contacts) 930, and a front seal unit 940. The female housing 920 includes a plurality of terminal accommodating spaces 922 and a plurality of holes 924. The terminal accommodating spaces 922 correspond to the holes 924, respectively. The terminal accommodating spaces 922 include lances 9222. The contacts 930 are inserted into the terminal accommodating spaces 922, respectively. The contacts 930 include lance engaging portions 932. The lance engaging portions 932 engage with the lances 9222. The front seal unit 940 includes a plurality of protruding portions 942. The protruding portions 942 are inserted into the holes 924, respectively. The tip portions of the protruding portions 942 are located on the +Z side of the lances 9222.

[0003] In the waterproof connector 900 of Patent Document 1, the tip portion of the protrusion 942 is located on the +Z side of the lance 9222 engaged with the lance engagement portion 932, and movement of the lance 9222 in a direction away from the contact 930, i.e., movement in the +Z direction, is suppressed. This prevents the lance 9222 from coming off the lance engagement portion 932 and the contact 930 from slipping out to the -X side in the waterproof connector 900 of Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-033893 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a structure such as the structure 900 of Patent Document 1, there is a demand for a structure that can realize stronger prevention of the contact from coming off.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure capable of realizing stronger prevention of the contact from coming off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a first structure, A structure including a contact, a holding member, and a retaining reinforcement member, The contact has a locked portion, The holding member holds the contact, The retaining member has a lance, a base, and a receiving portion; The lance extends in a cantilever manner, The lance has a locking portion at its tip, the engaging portion is located rearward of the engaged portion in the front-rear direction and faces the engaged portion, The base portion is located away from the lance in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, The receiving portion is located between the lance and the base portion in the orthogonal direction, The retaining reinforcement member is at least partially made of an elastic material, The retaining reinforcement member is inserted into the receiving portion along the front-rear direction, The elastic body is compressed and in close contact with the base or the lance, thereby restricting the displacement of the lance. Provides structure.

[0008] The present invention also provides a first structure as a second structure, The structure includes a plurality of the contacts, The retaining reinforcement member has a frame shape surrounding the periphery of the plurality of contacts. Provides structure.

[0009] The present invention also provides a third structure, which is a second structure, The retaining reinforcement member includes a support portion and a waterproof seal member, The support portion is made of a frame-shaped insulator and extends in the front-rear direction. the waterproof seal member is made of an annular elastic body, and is attached to and supported by the support portion in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction; The waterproof seal member is compressed and in close contact with the base, thereby restricting the displacement of the lance and providing the structure with waterproof performance. Provides structure.

[0010] The present invention also provides a fourth structure, which is the third structure, The structure includes a short-circuit terminal and an attachment member, the shorting terminal shorts a plurality of the contacts, A part of the mounting member constitutes the retaining reinforcement member, The mounting member is separate from the holding member, the mounting member is attached to the holding member and covers the short-circuit terminal, The mounting member includes a main portion in addition to the support portion and the waterproof seal member, The support portion extends rearward from the main portion in the front-rear direction, The structure functions as a waterproof branch connector. Provides structure.

[0011] The present invention also provides a fifth structure, which is the fourth structure, The holding member has a frame-shaped covered portion, The covered portion constitutes a front end of the holding member in the front-rear direction, The covered portion is open forward in the front-rear direction, The mounting member has a cap portion, The cap portion covers the covered portion from the outside in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and closes the opening. Provides structure.

[0012] The present invention also provides a sixth structure, which is a second structure, The retaining reinforcement member includes a support portion and an elastic body, The support portion has a contact portion and a relief portion, The contact portion is in contact with the lance, The relief portion is spaced from the lance, The recess is located rearward of the contact portion in the front-rear direction, The elastic body is supported by the support portion, The elastic body is located between the support portion and the base portion in the perpendicular direction. Provides structure.

[0013] The present invention also provides a seventh structure, which is a second structure, The structure includes a mounting member, A part of the mounting member constitutes the retaining reinforcement member, The mounting member is separate from the holding member, The mounting member is attached to the holding member. Provides structure. Effect of the Invention

[0014] In the waterproof connector 900 of Patent Document 1, because the hole 924 of the female housing 920 requires a clearance for inserting the protrusion 942 of the front seal unit 940, a gap inevitably occurs between the protrusion 942 inserted into the hole 924 and the lance 9222. As a result, in the waterproof connector 900, even when the protrusion 942 is inserted into the hole 924, there is room for the lance 9222 to displace in the +Z direction, and the contact 930 does not have a strong retaining structure.

[0015] In contrast, the structure of the present invention is configured as follows: the retaining reinforcement member is at least partially made of an elastic body; the retaining reinforcement member is inserted into the receiving portion along the front-rear direction; the elastic body is compressed and in close contact with the base or the lance, thereby restricting the displacement of the lance. As a result, in the structure of the present invention, there is no room for the lance to displace in a direction away from the contact, and therefore the contact is more firmly prevented from coming out. In other words, the structure of the present invention has a higher effect of preventing the contact from coming out than the waterproof connector 900 of Patent Document 1. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a mounting member is attached to a holding member. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the structure of FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of FIG. 2 taken along line AA. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective cross-sectional view showing the structure of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2 is another cutaway perspective cross-sectional view showing the structure of FIG. 1, in which the contacts are not held by the holding member and have been removed. [Figure 6] 2 is another perspective view of the structure of FIG 1, in which the mounting member has been removed from the retaining member; [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the structure of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a top view showing structural elements included in the structure of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view of the structural element of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the structural element of FIG. 9 taken along line BB. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the structural elements of FIG. 10 . [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the structural element of FIG. 11 taken along line CC, in which a portion of the structural element is shown in an enlarged scale. [Figure 13] 9 is a top view showing the structural elements of FIG. 8 other than the mounting members. FIG. [Figure 14] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a short-circuit terminal included in the structure of Fig. 6. In the figure, the connecting portion of the short-circuit terminal is not broken off. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a top view showing the short-circuit terminal of FIG. [Figure 16] 15 is another perspective view showing the shorting terminal of FIG 14. In the figure, the connecting portion of the shorting terminal is broken off. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of Patent Document 1. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the structure 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of contacts 200, a holding member 300, and a retaining reinforcement member 600.

[0018] 3, the holding member 300 of the present embodiment is made of an insulator. The holding member 300 holds the contacts 200. The holding member 300 has a plurality of lances 310, a base portion 320, and a receiving portion 330.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 10, each of the lances 310 in this embodiment extends in a cantilever shape. Each of the lances 310 extends forward in the front-rear direction. That is, each of the lances 310 extends forward in a cantilever shape in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the front-rear direction is the X direction. Here, the front is the +X direction, and the rear is the -X direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the lances 310 correspond to the contacts 200, respectively.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the lance 310 is provided with a locking portion 312 at its tip, i.e., front end.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the locking portion 312 in this embodiment is located at the front end of the lance 310 in the front-rear direction. The locking portion 312 is located at the inner end of the lance 310 in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the orthogonal direction is the Z direction. The orthogonal direction is also the up-down direction. Here, the upward direction is the +Z direction, and the downward direction is the -Z direction. The locking portion 312 intersects with the front-rear direction. The locking portion 312 is a surface facing forward in the front-rear direction.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 11, the plurality of lances 310 includes a plurality of first lances 3102 and a plurality of second lances 3104 .

[0023] 11, the first lance 3102 of this embodiment is located above the second lance 3104 in the up-down direction. The first lance 3102 corresponds to each of the second lances 3104. The first lance 3102 and the corresponding second lance 3104 are aligned in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The first lance 3102 and the corresponding second lance 3104 are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to a plane perpendicular to the orthogonal direction.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 11, the second lance 3104 of this embodiment is located below the corresponding first lance 3102 in the up-down direction.

[0025] 10, the base 320 of this embodiment is located away from the lance 310 in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The base 320 is located outside the lance 310 in the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 11, the base 320 has a first base portion 322 and a second base portion 324 .

[0027] 11, the first base 322 in this embodiment is located above the second base 324 in the up-down direction. The first base 322 and the second base 324 are aligned in the perpendicular direction. The first base 322 is located outside the first lance 3102 in the perpendicular direction. In other words, the first base 322 is located above the first lance 3102 in the up-down direction.

[0028] 11, the second base 324 in this embodiment is located below the first base 322 in the up-down direction. The second base 324 is located outside the second lance 3104 in the perpendicular direction. In other words, the second base 324 is located below the second lance 3104 in the up-down direction.

[0029] 3, the receiving portion 330 in this embodiment is located between the lance 310 and the base portion 320 in the orthogonal direction. The receiving portion 330 is located outside the lance 310 in the orthogonal direction. The receiving portion 330 is located inside the base portion 320 in the orthogonal direction.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 11, the receiving portion 330 has two plate receiving portions 332 and a plurality of protrusion receiving portions 334 .

[0031] 11, each of the plate portion receiving portions 332 in this embodiment is a space extending in the front-rear direction. The plate portion receiving portion 332 is located outside the protrusion portion receiving portion 334 in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The plate portion receiving portion 332 has a rear surface 333 facing forward in the front-rear direction. The rear surface 333 defines the rear end of the plate portion receiving portion 332 in the front-rear direction.

[0032] With reference to FIG. 11, the plate receiving portion 332 includes a first plate receiving portion 3322 and a second plate receiving portion 3324 .

[0033] As shown in FIG. 11, the first plate receiving portion 3322 in this embodiment is located above the second plate receiving portion 3324 in the vertical direction. The first plate receiving portion 3322 and the second plate receiving portion 3324 are aligned in the perpendicular direction. The first plate receiving portion 3322 is located between the first lance 3102 and the first base 322 in the perpendicular direction. The first plate receiving portion 3322 is located outside the first lance 3102 in the perpendicular direction. That is, the first plate receiving portion 3322 is located above the first lance 3102 in the vertical direction. The first plate receiving portion 3322 is located inside the first base 322 in the perpendicular direction. That is, the first plate receiving portion 3322 is located below the first base 322 in the vertical direction.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 11, the second plate receiving portion 3324 in this embodiment is located below the first plate receiving portion 3322 in the up-down direction. The second plate receiving portion 3324 is located between the second lance 3104 and the second base 324 in the perpendicular direction. The second plate receiving portion 3324 is located outside the second lance 3104 in the perpendicular direction. That is, the second plate receiving portion 3324 is located below the second lance 3104 in the up-down direction. The second plate receiving portion 3324 is located inside the second base 324 in the perpendicular direction. That is, the second plate receiving portion 3324 is located above the second base 324 in the up-down direction.

[0035] 11, each of the protrusion receiving portions 334 in this embodiment is a space extending in the front-rear direction. Each of the protrusion receiving portions 334 is located inside the plate receiving portion 332 in an orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The protrusion receiving portion 334 is located between the base portion 320 and the lance 310 in the orthogonal direction. More specifically, the protrusion receiving portion 334 corresponds to the lance 310, and each of the protrusion receiving portions 334 is located between the corresponding lance 310 and the base portion 320 in the orthogonal direction.

[0036] 11, the protrusion receiver 334 includes a plurality of first protrusion receivers 3342 and a plurality of second protrusion receivers 3344. As shown in FIG.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 11, the first protrusion receiving portion 3342 of this embodiment is located above the second protrusion receiving portion 3344 in the up-down direction. The first protrusion receiving portion 3342 and the second protrusion receiving portion 3344 are aligned in the orthogonal direction. More specifically, the first protrusion receiving portion 3342 corresponds to each of the second protrusion receiving portions 3344, and the first protrusion receiving portion 3342 and the corresponding second protrusion receiving portion 3344 are aligned in the orthogonal direction. The first protrusion receiving portion 3342 is located between the first lance 3102 and the first base portion 322 in the orthogonal direction. More specifically, the first protrusion receiving portion 3342 corresponds to each of the first lances 3102, and each of the first protrusion receiving portions 3342 is located between the corresponding first lance 3102 and the first base portion 322 in the orthogonal direction. Each of the first protrusion receiving portions 3342 is located outside the corresponding first lance 3102 in the perpendicular direction. That is, each of the first protrusion receiving portions 3342 is located above the corresponding first lance 3102 in the vertical direction. Each of the first protrusion receiving portions 3342 is located inside the first base portion 322 in the perpendicular direction. That is, each of the first protrusion receiving portions 3342 is located below the first base portion 322 in the vertical direction.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 11, the second protrusion receiving portion 3344 of this embodiment is located below the first protrusion receiving portion 3342 in the vertical direction. The second protrusion receiving portion 3344 is located between the second lance 3104 and the second base 324 in the orthogonal direction. More specifically, the second protrusion receiving portion 3344 corresponds to each of the second lances 3104, and each of the second protrusion receiving portions 3344 is located between the corresponding second lance 3104 and the second base 324 in the orthogonal direction. Each of the second protrusion receiving portions 3344 is located outside the corresponding second lance 3104 in the orthogonal direction. That is, each of the second protrusion receiving portions 3344 is located below the corresponding second lance 3104 in the vertical direction. Each of the second protrusion receiving portions 3344 is located inside the second base 324 in the orthogonal direction. That is, each of the second protrusion receiving portions 3344 is located above the second base portion 324 in the up-down direction.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 10, the holding member 300 has a frame-shaped covered portion 340 .

[0040] As shown in Fig. 10, the covered portion 340 in this embodiment extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base portion 320. The covered portion 340 constitutes the front end 302 in the front-rear direction of the holding member 300. As shown in Fig. 6, the covered portion 340 opens forward in the front-rear direction. That is, the covered portion 340 has an opening 342 at the front end 302 in the front-rear direction.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 10, the holding member 300 has a plurality of contact receiving holes 350 and a cable holding portion 360.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 10, each of the contact accommodating holes 350 in this embodiment extends forward from the rear end 304 in the front-rear direction of the holding member 300. The contact accommodating holes 350 correspond to the lances 310, respectively. With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 10, the contact accommodating holes 350 correspond to the contacts 200, respectively. The contact accommodating holes 350 accommodate the contacts 200. That is, each of the contact accommodating holes 350 accommodates the corresponding contact 200. As shown again in FIG. 10, the locking portion 312 of the lance 310 is located in the contact accommodating hole 350. That is, each of the locking portions 312 of the lance 310 is located in the corresponding contact accommodating hole 350. With reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the contact accommodating holes 350 correspond to the protruding portion receiving portions 334, respectively. The contact accommodating holes 350 are located inside the protruding portion receiving portions 334 in the orthogonal direction. That is, each of the contact accommodating holes 350 is located inside the corresponding protrusion receiving portion 334 in the perpendicular direction. The contact accommodating holes 350 communicate with the corresponding protrusion receiving portion 334 in the perpendicular direction. That is, each of the contact accommodating holes 350 communicates with the corresponding protrusion receiving portion 334 in the perpendicular direction.

[0043] 10 , the cable holding portion 360 of the present embodiment defines a rear end 304 in the front-rear direction of the holding member 300. Each of the lances 310 extends forward in the front-rear direction from the cable holding portion 360. That is, the base of each of the lances 310 is connected to the cable holding portion 360.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 12, the holding member 300 has a plurality of held portion accommodating holes 370.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 12, each of the held portion accommodating holes 370 in this embodiment is located behind the front end 302 of the holding member 300 in the front-rear direction. Each of the held portion accommodating holes 370 extends in the front-rear direction. Each of the held portion accommodating holes 370 corresponds to a contact accommodating hole 350. The held portion accommodating holes 370 communicate with the contact accommodating hole 350. That is, each of the held portion accommodating holes 370 communicates with the corresponding contact accommodating hole 350. The held portion accommodating holes 370 have a holding portion 372. The holding portion 372 is a groove on both sides of the held portion accommodating hole 370 in a pitch direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the perpendicular direction. In this embodiment, the pitch direction is the Y direction.

[0046] 7, the retaining reinforcing member 600 of this embodiment is at least partially composed of an elastic body 622. More specifically, referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, the retaining reinforcing member 600 has a frame shape surrounding the periphery of the plurality of contacts 200. As shown in FIG. 3, the retaining reinforcing member 600 is inserted into the receiving portion 330 along the front-rear direction. The elastic body 622 is compressed and in close contact with the base portion 320, thereby restricting the displacement of the lance 310. That is, the elastic body 622 is compressed and in close contact with the base portion 320, so that the retaining reinforcing member 600 presses the lance 310 against the appropriate position AP.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 10, the retaining reinforcing member 600 includes a support portion 610 and a waterproof seal member 620 .

[0048] 7, the support portion 610 of the present embodiment is made of a frame-shaped insulator. The support portion 610 extends in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the support portion 610 is received in the receiving portion 330.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 11, the support portion 610 has a plurality of first support portions 6102 and a plurality of second support portions 6104.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 11, the first support portion 6102 of this embodiment is located above the second support portion 6104 in the up-down direction. The first support portion 6102 and the second support portion 6104 are aligned in an orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. More specifically, the first support portion 6102 corresponds to each of the second support portions 6104, and the first support portion 6102 and the corresponding second support portion 6104 are aligned in the orthogonal direction. The first support portion 6102 is located between the first lance 3102 and the first base portion 322 in the orthogonal direction. More specifically, the first support portion 6102 corresponds to each of the first lances 3102, and each of the first support portions 6102 is located between the corresponding first lance 3102 and the first base portion 322 in the orthogonal direction. Each of the first supports 6102 is located outside the corresponding first lance 3102 in the perpendicular direction. That is, each of the first supports 6102 is located above the corresponding first lance 3102 in the vertical direction. Each of the first supports 6102 is located inside the first base 322 in the perpendicular direction. That is, each of the first supports 6102 is located below the first base 322 in the vertical direction. The first supports 6102 are each received in the first protrusion receiving portion 3342.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 11, the second support portion 6104 in this embodiment is located below the first support portion 6102 in the vertical direction. The second support portion 6104 is located between the second lance 3104 and the second base portion 324 in the orthogonal direction. More specifically, the second support portion 6104 corresponds to each of the second lances 3104, and each of the second support portions 6104 is located between the corresponding second lance 3104 and the second base portion 324 in the orthogonal direction. Each of the second support portions 6104 is located outside the corresponding second lance 3104 in the orthogonal direction. That is, each of the second support portions 6104 is located below the corresponding second lance 3104 in the vertical direction. Each of the second support portions 6104 is located inside the second base portion 324 in the orthogonal direction. That is, each of the second support portions 6104 is located above the second base portion 324 in the up-down direction.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 10, the support portion 610 has a plurality of contact portions 612 and a plurality of recesses 614 .

[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the contact portions 612 in this embodiment intersects with the front-rear direction. More specifically, each of the contact portions 612 intersects with the front-rear direction obliquely. Each of the contact portions 612 intersects with the orthogonal direction. More specifically, each of the contact portions 612 intersects with the orthogonal direction obliquely. Each of the contact portions 612 faces inward in the orthogonal direction. The contact portions 612 are located in front of the recesses 614 in the front-rear direction. More specifically, each of the contact portions 612 corresponds to each of the recesses 614, and each of the contact portions 612 is located in front of the corresponding recesses 614 in the front-rear direction. The contact portions 612 are in contact with the lance 310. More specifically, the contact portions 612 are in contact with the front end of the lance 310. The contact portions 612 of the first support portion 6102 are in contact with the first lance 3102 from the outside in the orthogonal direction. That is, the contact portion 612 of the first support portion 6102 contacts the first lance 3102 from above in the vertical direction. With reference to Figures 10 and 11, the contact portion 612 of the second support portion 6104 contacts the second lance 3104 from outside in the perpendicular direction. That is, the contact portion 612 of the second support portion 6104 contacts the second lance 3104 from below in the vertical direction.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the recesses 614 in this embodiment intersects with the orthogonal direction. More specifically, each of the recesses 614 is orthogonal to the orthogonal direction. Each of the recesses 614 faces inward in the orthogonal direction. The recesses 614 are located behind the contact portions 612 in the front-rear direction. That is, each of the recesses 614 is located behind the corresponding contact portions 612 in the front-rear direction. The recesses 614 define the rear end of the retaining reinforcement member 600 in the front-rear direction. The recesses 614 are spaced apart from the lance 310. More specifically, the recesses 614 are spaced apart from the lance 310 outward in the orthogonal direction. That is, the recesses 614 are not in contact with the lance 310. The recesses 614 are recessed outward in the orthogonal direction, forming a step between the recesses 614 and the contact portions 612. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the escape portion 614 may have any shape as long as it is separated from the lance 310 so as not to come into contact with the lance 310. For example, the escape portion 614 may be a slope that extends perpendicularly outward as it moves rearward in the fore-and-aft direction from the contact portion 612.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the recess 614 of the first support portion 6102 is spaced outward from the first lance 3102 in the perpendicular direction. That is, the recess 614 of the first support portion 6102 is spaced upward from the first lance 3102 in the vertical direction. That is, the recess 614 of the first support portion 6102 is not in contact with the first lance 3102. With reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the recess 614 of the second support portion 6104 is spaced outward from the second lance 3104 in the perpendicular direction. That is, the recess 614 of the second support portion 6104 is spaced downward from the second lance 3104 in the vertical direction. That is, the recess 614 of the second support portion 6104 is not in contact with the second lance 3104.

[0056] As described above, the structure 100 of this embodiment is configured such that the contact portion 612 of the support portion 610 contacts the lance 310, while the relief portion 614 of the support portion 610 is spaced apart from the lance 310. This allows the support portion 610 to contact only the front end of the lance 310, without applying a load to the base of the lance 310, thereby preventing damage to the cantilever-shaped lance 310.

[0057] 3, the support part 610 has a C-face 611 formed thereon. The C-face 611 is located at the rear end of the support part 610 in the front-rear direction. The C-face 611 is located at the rear end of the recess 614 in the front-rear direction. The C-face 611 functions as a guide when attaching the waterproof seal member 620 to the support part 610.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, the support portion 610 has a frame portion 616 and a plurality of protrusions 618 .

[0059] 7, the frame portion 616 of the present embodiment defines the rear end of the support portion 610 in the front-rear direction. The frame portion 616 has a cross section in the shape of a rounded rectangular ring in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Each of the recesses 614 is provided in the frame portion 616. Each of the recesses 614 is located at the rear end of the frame portion 616 in the front-rear direction.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 11, the frame portion 616 has two plate portions 617.

[0061] 7, each of the plate portions 617 in the present embodiment has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the orthogonal direction. Referring to FIG. 11, the two plate portions 617 are arranged side by side in the orthogonal direction. The plate portions 617 are received in the plate portion receiving portions 332.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 11, the plate portion 617 includes a first plate portion 6172 and a second plate portion 6174 .

[0063] 11, the first plate portion 6172 of the present embodiment has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the orthogonal direction. The first plate portion 6172 and the second plate portion 6174 are aligned in the orthogonal direction. The first plate portion 6172 is located above the second plate portion 6174 in the up-down direction. The first plate portion 6172 is received in the first plate portion receiving portion 3322.

[0064] 11, the second plate portion 6174 of the present embodiment has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the orthogonal direction. The second plate portion 6174 is located below the first plate portion 6172 in the up-down direction. The second plate portion 6174 is received in the second plate portion receiving portion 3324.

[0065] With reference to FIG. 7, each of the protrusions 618 in this embodiment protrudes from the frame portion 616 inward in the orthogonal direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the protrusions 618 are located outside the lances 310 in the orthogonal direction. More specifically, the protrusions 618 correspond to the lances 310, and each of the protrusions 618 is located outside the corresponding lances 310 in the orthogonal direction. The protrusions 618 are received in the protrusion receiving portions 334. With reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the protrusions 618 correspond to the contact portions 612 and the recesses 614, respectively. Each of the contact portions 612 is provided on the corresponding protrusions 618. Each of the recesses 614 is located rearward of the corresponding protrusions 618 in the front-rear direction.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 618 includes a plurality of first protrusions 6182 and a plurality of second protrusions 6184 .

[0067] As shown in FIG. 11, the first protrusion 6182 in this embodiment is located above the second protrusion 6184 in the vertical direction. Each of the first protrusions 6182 protrudes inward from the first plate portion 6172 in the orthogonal direction. That is, each of the first protrusions 6182 protrudes downward from the first plate portion 6172 in the vertical direction. The first protrusions 6182 are located outside the first lances 3102 in the orthogonal direction. More specifically, the first protrusions 6182 correspond to the first lances 3102, and each of the first protrusions 6182 is located outside the corresponding first lances 3102 in the orthogonal direction. The first protrusions 6182 are located above the first lances 3102 in the vertical direction. That is, each of the first protrusions 6182 is located above the corresponding first lances 3102 in the vertical direction. The first protrusions 6182 are received in the first protrusion receiving portions 3342, respectively.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 11, the second protrusion 6184 in this embodiment is located below the first protrusion 6182 in the vertical direction. Each of the second protrusions 6184 protrudes inward from the second plate portion 6174 in the orthogonal direction. That is, each of the second protrusions 6184 protrudes upward from the second plate portion 6174 in the vertical direction. The second protrusions 6184 are located outside the second lances 3104 in the orthogonal direction. More specifically, the second protrusions 6184 correspond to the second lances 3104, and each of the second protrusions 6184 is located outside the corresponding second lances 3104 in the orthogonal direction. The second protrusions 6184 are located below the second lances 3104 in the vertical direction. That is, each of the second protrusions 6184 is located below the corresponding second lances 3104 in the vertical direction. The second protrusions 6184 are received in the second protrusion receiving portions 3344, respectively.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 7, the waterproof seal member 620 of this embodiment is made of an insulating material. Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the waterproof seal member 620 is made of an annular elastic body 622. That is, the retaining reinforcement member 600 includes a support portion 610 and an elastic body 622. Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, the waterproof seal member 620 is attached to the support portion 610 in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction and supported by the support portion 610. That is, the elastic body 622 is supported by the support portion 610. The waterproof seal member 620 is attached to the outer surface of the frame-shaped support portion 610 in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic body 622 is located between the support portion 610 and the base portion 320 in the perpendicular direction. The waterproof seal member 620 made of the annular elastic body 622 is compressed and in close contact with the base portion 320, thereby restricting the displacement of the lance 310. In the front-rear direction, the front end of the covered portion 340 is located forward of the front end of the waterproof seal member 620. In the front-rear direction, the front end of the recess 614 is located rearward of the front end of the waterproof seal member 620. In the front-rear direction, the rear end of the recess 614 is located rearward of the rear end of the waterproof seal member 620.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 11, the elastic body 622 has a first elastic portion 6222 and a second elastic portion 6224.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 11, the first elastic portion 6222 of this embodiment is located above the second elastic portion 6224 in the vertical direction. The first elastic portion 6222 and the second elastic portion 6224 are aligned in the perpendicular direction. The first elastic portion 6222 is located between the first support portion 6102 and the first base portion 322 in the perpendicular direction. The first elastic portion 6222 is located outside the first support portion 6102 in the perpendicular direction. That is, the first elastic portion 6222 is located above the first support portion 6102 in the vertical direction. The first elastic portion 6222 is located inside the first base portion 322 in the perpendicular direction. That is, the first elastic portion 6222 is located below the first base portion 322 in the vertical direction.

[0072] 11, the second elastic portion 6224 in this embodiment is located below the first elastic portion 6222 in the up-down direction. The second elastic portion 6224 is located between the second support portion 6104 and the second base portion 324 in the orthogonal direction. The second elastic portion 6224 is located outside the second support portion 6104 in the orthogonal direction. That is, the second elastic portion 6224 is located below the second support portion 6104 in the up-down direction. The second elastic portion 6224 is located inside the second base portion 324 in the orthogonal direction. That is, the second elastic portion 6224 is located above the second base portion 324 in the up-down direction.

[0073] 5, each of the contacts 200 in this embodiment is made of metal. Each of the contacts 200 is a so-called socket contact (female contact). With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the contacts 200 are arranged in two rows perpendicular to each other. The contacts 200 in each row are arranged in the pitch direction. As shown in FIG. 3, a cable 700 is connected to the rear end of the contacts 200 in the front-rear direction. The contacts 200 have a locked portion 210.

[0074] 3, in this embodiment, the locked portion 210 faces rearward in the front-rear direction. The locked portion 210 intersects with the front-rear direction. The locking portion 312 is located rearward of the locked portion 210 in the front-rear direction and faces the locked portion 210. More specifically, when the locking portion 312 is in the proper position AP, it is located rearward of the locked portion 210 in the front-rear direction and faces the locked portion 210.

[0075] 3, structure 100 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of short-circuit terminals 400 and an attachment member 500. Note that, referring to Fig. 10, holding member 300, attachment member 500, and short-circuit terminal 400 configure a structural element 800.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 15, each of the short-circuiting terminals 400 of this embodiment is made of metal. As shown in FIG. 12, each of the short-circuiting terminals 400 is press-fitted and held in the holding member 300. Note that each of the short-circuiting terminals 400 is not held by the mounting member 500. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the short-circuiting terminals 400 is covered by the mounting member 500. As shown in FIG. 4, the short-circuiting terminal 400 shorts the multiple contacts 200. In this way, the structure 100 of this embodiment functions as the waterproof branch connector 100. Note that the present invention is not limited thereto, and the structure 100 does not need to have the short-circuiting terminal 400. That is, the structure 100 may be a general connector that fits with a mating connector.

[0077] 15, a short-circuit terminal 400 of the present embodiment has a plurality of held portions 410, a plurality of contact portions 420, a plurality of extension portions 430, and a plurality of connecting portions 450. As shown in FIG.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 12, the held portions 410 in this embodiment are held by holding portions 372. With reference to Figs. 11 and 12, the held portions 410 are divided into two rows in the perpendicular direction. As shown again in Fig. 12, the held portions 410 in each row are aligned in the pitch direction. The held portions 410 correspond to the held portion accommodating holes 370 of the holding member 300, respectively. Each of the held portions 410 is press-fitted into the holding portions 372 of the corresponding held portion accommodating holes 370.

[0079] 15, the contact portions 420 of the present embodiment are so-called pin contacts (male contacts). The contact portions 420 are arranged at regular intervals in the pitch direction. The contact portions 420 correspond to the held portions 410, respectively. Each of the contact portions 420 is located behind the corresponding held portion 410 in the front-rear direction.

[0080] 12, each of the extensions 430 in this embodiment extends forward in the front-rear direction from one of the held portions 410 and protrudes forward in the front-rear direction beyond the holding portion 372. As shown in FIG 15, the extensions 430 are positioned apart from each other in the pitch direction.

[0081] 15, the extension portion 430 of the present embodiment is provided with a weak portion 432 having a low strength. More specifically, the weak portion 432 has the smallest strength among the extension portion 430. The weak portion 432 also has a strength lower than that of the held portion 410 and the connecting portion 450. The weak portion 432 is a groove extending in the pitch direction.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 15, the multiple connecting parts 450 of this embodiment are located apart from each other in the pitch direction and are located in front of the multiple extending parts 430 in the front-rear direction. In the pitch direction, each connecting part 450 connects two adjacent held parts 410 in the pitch direction via one extending part 430. Each connecting part 450 connects one extending part 430 extending from one held part 410 and another extending part 430 extending from the remaining held part 410 among two held parts 410 adjacent to each other in the pitch direction. With reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 16, the connecting part 450 can be broken off and removed from the short-circuit terminal 400. More specifically, the connecting part 450 can be separated from the short-circuit terminal 400 by dividing the connecting part 450 at the weak part 432 in the front-rear direction.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 3, the mounting member 500 of this embodiment is attached to the holding member 300 and covers the short-circuit terminal 400. As shown in Fig. 6, the mounting member 500 is a separate body from the holding member 300. With reference to Figs. 6 and 12, when the mounting member 500 is not attached to the holding member 300, each of the held portion accommodating holes 370 communicates with the outside of the holding member 300 via the opening 342 of the covered portion 340. As shown in Fig. 10, the mounting member 500 includes a support portion 610 and a waterproof seal member 620. That is, a part of the mounting member 500 constitutes a retaining reinforcement member 600.

[0084] 10, the mounting member 500 includes a main portion 510 in addition to a support portion 610 and a waterproof seal member 620. The main portion 510 is located in front of the support portion 610 in the front-rear direction. The main portion 510 is located in front of the waterproof seal member 620 in the front-rear direction. The support portion 610 extends rearward from the main portion 510 in the front-rear direction.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 10, the mounting member 500 has a cap portion 520 .

[0086] As shown in FIG. 10, the cap portion 520 of this embodiment defines the front end of the mounting member 500 in the front-rear direction. The cap portion 520 defines both outer ends of the mounting member 500 in the orthogonal direction. The cap portion 520 is located forward of the support portion 610 in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the rear end of the cap portion 520 is located forward of the front end of the support portion 610. The cap portion 520 is located outward of the support portion 610 in the orthogonal direction. The cap portion 520 is located forward of the waterproof seal member 620 in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the rear end of the cap portion 520 is located forward of the front end of the waterproof seal member 620. The cap portion 520 is located outward of the waterproof seal member 620 in the orthogonal direction. 6 and 10, the cap portion 520 covers the covered portion 340 from the outside in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and closes the opening 342, and the waterproof seal member 620 made of a ring-shaped elastic body 622 is compressed and adheres closely to the base portion 320, thereby providing the structure (waterproof branch connector) 100 with waterproof performance. As a result, even if the waterproof branch connector 100 is used outdoors with the front surface 502 of the mounting member 500 facing upward, rainwater does not come into direct contact with the waterproof seal member 620, so that the waterproof performance of the waterproof branch connector 100 does not deteriorate.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 10, the mounting member 500 has a covered portion accommodating portion 540 .

[0088] 10, the covered portion accommodating portion 540 in this embodiment is recessed forward in the front-rear direction. The covered portion accommodating portion 540 is located inside the cap portion 520 in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The covered portion accommodating portion 540 is located outside the support portion 610 in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The covered portion accommodating portion 540 is located outside the waterproof seal member 620 in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The covered portion accommodating portion 540 accommodates the covered portion 340.

[0089] Although the present invention has been specifically described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications are possible.

[0090] Although the mounting member 500 in the present embodiment has the cap portion 520, the present invention is not limited to this, and the mounting member 500 does not have to have the cap portion 520. In other words, the mounting member 500 may be composed of only the frame-shaped support portion 610 and the annular elastic body 622.

[0091] The retaining reinforcing member 600 in this embodiment is composed of a support portion 610 and a waterproof seal member 620 made of an elastic body 622, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the retaining reinforcing member 600 does not have to have the support portion 610. That is, the retaining reinforcing member 600 may be composed of only the elastic body 622. The retaining reinforcing member 600 may also be composed of a plurality of elastic bodies 622 received in the receiving portion 330. Furthermore, the retaining reinforcing member 600 may also be composed of a plurality of inserts received in the receiving portion 330, the inserts being partially composed of the elastic body 622.

[0092] As described above, in the structure 100 of the present embodiment, the elastic body 622 is compressed and in close contact with the base 320, thereby restricting the displacement of the lance 310, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the elastic body 622 may be compressed and in close contact with the lance 310, thereby restricting the displacement of the lance 310. In other words, it is sufficient that the elastic body 622 is compressed and in close contact with the base 320 or the lance 310, thereby restricting the displacement of the lance 310.

[0093] Although the structure 100 of the present embodiment has a plurality of contacts 200, a plurality of lances 310, a plurality of protrusion receiving portions 334, a plurality of contact accommodating holes 350, a plurality of contact portions 612, a plurality of recesses 614, and a plurality of protrusions 618, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the number of each of the contacts 200, the lances 310, the protrusion receiving portions 334, the contact accommodating holes 350, the contact portions 612, the recesses 614, and the protrusions 618 may be one. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 100 Structure (Waterproof branch connector) 200 Contacts 210 Locked part 300 Retaining member 302 front end 304 Rear end 310 Lance 3102 1st Reims 3104 2nd Lance 312 Locking part 320 base 322 1st base 324 Second base 330 Receptor 332 Plate receiving part 333 Rear 3322 First plate receiving part 3324 Second plate receiving part 334 Protrusion Receptacle 3342 First protrusion receiving part 3344 Second protrusion receiving part 340 Covered part 342 Aperture 350 Contact receiving hole 360 Cable holder 370 Holding part accommodation hole 372 Holding part 400 Shorting terminal 410 Holding part 420 Contact part 430 Extension 432 Weak part 450 Connection section 500 Mounting parts 502 Front 510 Main Section 520 Cap part 540 Covered part housing part 600 Reinforcement material to prevent slipping out 610 Support part 611 C side 6102 1st support part 6104 Second support part 612 Contact part 614 Relief 616 Frame 617 Board part 6172 1st plate part 6174 2nd plate part 618 Protrusion 6182 1st protrusion 6184 Second protrusion 620 Waterproof sealing material 622 Elastic Body 6222 First elastic part 6224 Second elastic part 700 Cable 800 Structural Elements AP proper position

Claims

1. A structure including a contact, a holding member, and a retaining reinforcement member, The contact has a locked portion, The holding member holds the contact, The retaining member has a lance, a base, and a receiving portion; The lance extends in a cantilever manner, The lance has a locking portion at its tip, the engaging portion is located rearward of the engaged portion in the front-rear direction and faces the engaged portion, The base portion is located away from the lance in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, The receiving portion is located between the lance and the base portion in the orthogonal direction, The retaining reinforcement member is at least partially made of an elastic material, The retaining reinforcement member is inserted into the receiving portion along the front-rear direction, The elastic body is compressed and in close contact with the base or the lance, thereby restricting the displacement of the lance. structure.

2. 2. The structure of claim 1, The structure includes a plurality of the contacts, The retaining reinforcement member has a frame shape surrounding the periphery of the plurality of contacts. structure.

3. 3. The structure of claim 2, The retaining reinforcement member includes a support portion and a waterproof seal member, The support portion is made of a frame-shaped insulator and extends in the front-rear direction. the waterproof seal member is made of an annular elastic body, and is attached to and supported by the support portion in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction; The waterproof seal member is compressed and in close contact with the base, thereby restricting the displacement of the lance and providing the structure with waterproof performance. structure.

4. 4. The structure of claim 3, The structure includes a short-circuit terminal and an attachment member, the shorting terminal shorts a plurality of the contacts, A part of the mounting member constitutes the retaining reinforcement member, The mounting member is separate from the holding member, the mounting member is attached to the holding member and covers the short-circuit terminal, The mounting member includes a main portion in addition to the support portion and the waterproof seal member, The support portion extends rearward from the main portion in the front-rear direction, The structure functions as a waterproof branch connector. structure.

5. 5. The structure of claim 4, The holding member has a frame-shaped covered portion, The covered portion constitutes a front end of the holding member in the front-rear direction, The covered portion is open forward in the front-rear direction, The mounting member has a cap portion, The cap portion covers the covered portion from the outside in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and closes the opening. structure.

6. 3. The structure of claim 2, The retaining reinforcement member includes a support portion and an elastic body, The support portion has a contact portion and a relief portion, The contact portion is in contact with the lance, The relief portion is spaced from the lance, The recess is located rearward of the contact portion in the front-rear direction, The elastic body is supported by the support portion, The elastic body is located between the support portion and the base portion in the perpendicular direction. structure.

7. 3. The structure of claim 2, The structure includes a mounting member, A part of the mounting member constitutes the retaining reinforcement member, The mounting member is separate from the holding member, The mounting member is attached to the holding member. structure.

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