Connector

Abstract

To provide a technique that can prevent deformation of a connector with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises a storage member 31 that stores a female terminal fitting 33, and a covering member 32 that covers the female terminal fitting 33 stored in the storage member 31. The storage member 31 has a locking part 31J, and the covering member 32 has a part to be locked 32D to which the locking part 31J is locked. The locking part 31J is elastically deformed in a downward direction (predetermined direction) by the part to be locked 32D, and is elastically restored to be locked to the part to be locked 32D. The covering member 32 has a regulation part 32G. In a state where the locking part 31J is elastically deformed in the downward direction (predetermined direction) by the part to be locked 32D, the regulation part 32G regulates separation of the covering member 32 from the storage member 31 in an upward direction that is a direction opposite to the downward direction (predetermined direction).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to prevent deformation of a terminal unit protruding rearward from a connector housing by attaching a displacement restriction member thereto. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-114334 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, a displacement restricting member is separately provided, which increases the number of parts.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a technique that can suppress deformation of a connector with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] a housing member for housing the terminal fitting; a cover member for covering the terminal metal fitting housed in the housing member; Equipped with The housing member has a locking portion, The covering member has a locked portion to which the locking portion is locked, The locking portion is configured to be elastically deformed in a predetermined direction by the locked portion and to be elastically restored to its original shape so as to be locked to the locked portion, The covering member has a restricting portion, The regulating portion regulates the covering member from moving away from the accommodating member in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction when the engaging portion is elastically deformed in the predetermined direction by the engaged portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, deformation of the connector can be suppressed with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the housing member as viewed from above on the left side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing member as viewed from below on the right side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the housing member. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged side view showing the housing member. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the housing member as viewed from below and on the left side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the covering member as viewed from below on the left side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the covering member as viewed from below on the right side. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the mating housing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the connector with the covering member in the second position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the connector with the covering member in the first position. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a state in which the connector is inserted into the hood portion with the covering member disposed in the second position. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a state in which the covering member is displaced to a first position with the connector inserted into the hood portion. 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] (1) a housing member for housing a terminal metal fitting; a cover member for covering the terminal metal fitting housed in the housing member; Equipped with The housing member has a locking portion, The covering member has a locked portion to which the locking portion is locked, The locking portion is configured to be elastically deformed in a predetermined direction by the locked portion and to be elastically restored to its original shape so as to be locked to the locked portion, The cover member has a restricting portion, The regulating portion regulates the covering member from moving away from the accommodating member in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction when the engaging portion is elastically deformed in the predetermined direction by the engaged portion.

[0011] (1) The connector has a restricting portion on the cover member. This restricts the cover member from moving away from the accommodating member due to the reaction force even if the engaging portion elastically deforms. This makes it possible to prevent plastic deformation of the cover member without increasing the number of parts.

[0012] (2) The covering member is displaceable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing member, the engaging portion is configured to elastically deform and elastically return to its original state while the covering member is displaced between the first position and the second position, the accommodating member has a guide portion with which the restricting portion engages from the predetermined direction side, The connector according to (1), wherein the regulating portion always maintains a state of being engaged with the guide portion while the cover member is displaced between the first position and the second position.

[0013] The connector of (2) can reliably restrict the covering member from being separated from the accommodating member while the engaging portion is elastically deformed and restored.

[0014] (3) A connector described in (1) or (2), wherein the covering member has a flat plate portion facing the accommodating member and a flat reinforcing wall portion extending in a direction intersecting the plate portion.

[0015] (3) The connector can prevent the plate portion from bending by reinforcing the plate portion with the reinforcing wall portion.

[0016] (4) The plate portion has a plate thickness direction oriented in the up-down direction, The reinforcing wall portion has a plate thickness direction oriented in the left-right direction, The restricting portion is provided at a lower end of a front end portion of the reinforcing wall portion, The connector according to (3), wherein the engaged portion protrudes downward from the plate portion and is connected to an upper end of the front end portion of the reinforcing wall portion.

[0017] (4) In the connector, both the engaging portion and the regulating portion are provided at the front end portion of the reinforcing wall portion, and the regulating portion is disposed in the vicinity of the engaging portion to which the reaction force of the elastically deformed engaging portion is applied, thereby efficiently restricting the plate portion from moving away from the accommodating member.

[0018] (5) The covering member has a first wall portion that extends long in the front-rear direction with a plate thickness direction in the left-right direction and hangs down from a right end edge of the plate portion, and a second wall portion that extends long in the front-rear direction with a plate thickness direction in the left-right direction and hangs down from a left end edge of the plate portion, The length of the second wall portion in the front-rear direction is shorter than that of the first wall portion, the first wall portion covers the entire right side wall portion of the accommodating member in the front-rear direction and is engaged with the right side wall portion, the second wall portion covers a rear side of the left side wall portion of the accommodating member and is engaged with the left side wall portion, The locking portion extends in the front-rear direction and is disposed in front of the second wall portion. The connector according to (4), wherein the reinforcing wall portion extends forward from a front end of the second wall portion and is positioned to the right of the engaging portion.

[0019] In the connector (5), the locking portion is provided in a region in front of the second wall portion, so that the second wall portion cannot engage with the front side of the left side wall portion of the housing member. However, since the reinforcing wall portion extends forward from the front end of the second wall portion and is disposed to the right of the locking portion, the reinforcing wall portion can be disposed adjacent to the right of the locking portion, and the plate portion (covering member) can be reinforced in the region in front of the second wall portion so as not to separate from the housing member.

[0020] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] <Embodiment 1> A connector 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 15. In the first embodiment, the "front side", "rear side", "upper side", "lower side", "right side", and "left side" are represented by "F", "B", "U", "D", "R", and "L", respectively. The connector 10 is a connector for in-vehicle communication. As shown in Fig. 1, the connector 10 includes a housing member 31, a cover member 32, and a female terminal fitting 33. The connector 10 is fitted into a mating connector 70. The mating connector 70 includes a hood portion 70A and a rear wall portion 70B.

[0021] [Configuration of storage components] The housing member 31 is a dielectric material made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing member 31 is elongated in the front-rear direction as a whole, and has a bottom wall portion 31A, a left side wall portion 31B and a right side wall portion 31S rising from both left and right side edges of the bottom wall portion 31A, and a front wall portion 31C continuing to the front ends of the bottom wall portion 31A, the left side wall portion 31B, and the right side wall portion 31S. A partition wall portion 31D rising upward is formed in the center of the bottom wall portion 31A in the left-right direction. Inside the housing member 31, a pair of left and right housing chambers 31E are formed, which are partitioned by the partition wall portion 31D, the left side wall portion 31B, and the right side wall portion 31S and are open to the top and rear of the housing member 31. Each accommodating chamber 31E accommodates a female terminal fitting 33, which is a terminal fitting described later, and a slip-out prevention protrusion 31F is formed on the bottom surface of each accommodating chamber 31E to engage with the rear end of the box portion 33A of the female terminal fitting 33 and prevent the female terminal fitting 33 from displacing backward.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a plurality of locking protrusions 31G are provided on the outer surface of each of the left side wall portion 31B and the right side wall portion 31S, protruding outward in the left-right direction. Specifically, three locking protrusions 31G are provided in a line in the front-rear direction on the right side wall portion 31S. One locking protrusion 31G is provided on the left side wall portion 31B. The upper region of the outer surface of each locking protrusion 31G is an inclined surface that slopes upward toward the center in the left-right direction. The lower surface of the locking protrusion 31G rises steeply toward the center in the left-right direction. A plurality of finger hooking protrusions 31Q are provided on the lower surface of the rear side of the bottom wall portion 31A, protruding downward (see Fig. 3). Each finger hooking protrusion 31Q extends in the left-right direction and is spaced apart from one another in the front-rear direction (see Fig. 3).

[0023] 2, a pair of left and right through-holes 31H are formed in the front wall portion 31C, penetrating from the front end surface of the accommodating member 31 to each of the accommodating chambers 31E. A thin and long tab-shaped mating terminal (not shown) is inserted into the through-holes 31H from the front.

[0024] The left end of the front wall 31C is provided with a locking portion 31J. In other words, the housing member 31 has the locking portion 31J. The locking portion 31J extends rearward from the left end of the front wall 31C in a cantilever shape. The locking portion 31J is elongated in the front-rear direction. The locking portion 31J extends rearward along the left side wall 31B. The rear side of the locking portion 31J is inclined so as to move away from the left side wall 31B leftward and rearward. The space between the locking portion 31J and the left side wall 31B is formed as an allowable space S into which the elastically deformed locking portion 31J can enter. The left and right surfaces at the rear end of the locking portion 31J are formed as a right inclined surface 31P and a left inclined surface 31N inclined in a direction approaching each other as they approach each other toward the rear (see FIG. 4).

[0025] As shown in Fig. 5, a protrusion 31K protruding upward is provided at the rear end of the locking portion 31J. The front and rear surfaces of the protrusion 31K are formed as a front inclined surface 31L and a rear inclined surface 31M that are inclined in such a way that they approach each other as they go upward. As shown in Fig. 6, a guide portion 31R is formed at the lower edge where the left side wall portion 31B and the bottom wall portion 31A are connected. In other words, the housing member 31 has a guide portion 31R. The guide portion 31R is formed at the lower edge where the left side wall portion 31B and the bottom wall portion 31A are connected, recessed upward, and extending in the front-rear direction.

[0026] [Configuration of covering material] The covering member 32 is a dielectric material made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 7, the covering member 32 has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction as a whole. The covering member 32 has a plate portion 32A, a first wall portion 32B, a second wall portion 32L, a reinforcing wall portion 32C, and a locked portion 32D. The plate portion 32A has a flat plate shape, and the plate thickness direction faces the up-down direction. The plate portion 32A is provided with a plurality of finger hooking protrusions 32K protruding upward. The finger hooking protrusions 32K extend in the left-right direction and are arranged at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 1).

[0027] The first wall portion 32B extends in the front-rear direction with the plate thickness direction facing the left-right direction and hangs down from the right edge of the plate portion 32A. The first wall portion 32B is connected to the entire front-rear direction of the right edge of the plate portion 32A. The second wall portion 32L extends in the front-rear direction with the plate thickness direction facing the left-right direction and hangs down from the left edge of the plate portion 32A. The front edge of the second wall portion 32L is located in the center of the plate portion 32A in the front-rear direction. The rear ends of the first wall portion 32B and the second wall portion 32L are formed flush with the rear end of the plate portion 32A. In other words, the length of the second wall portion 32L in the front-rear direction is shorter than that of the first wall portion 32B.

[0028] The first wall portion 32B and the second wall portion 32L can be elastically deformed so as to expand in the left-right direction with their upper end edges (boundaries with the plate portion 32A) as fulcrums. Locking recesses 32E recessed outward in the left-right direction are formed on the inner surfaces of the first wall portion 32B and the second wall portion 32L (see Figs. 7 and 8). The lower ends of the locking recesses 32E are located above the lower ends of the first wall portion 32B and the second wall portion 32L.

[0029] The reinforcing wall 32C extends downward from the lower plate surface of the plate portion 32A (the plate surface facing the housing member 31) in a direction perpendicular to this plate surface in a flat plate shape. The plate thickness direction of the reinforcing wall 32C faces the left-right direction. The reinforcing wall 32C extends forward from the front end of the second wall portion 32L. The left surface of the reinforcing wall 32C is located to the right of the left surface of the second wall portion 32L. The right surface of the reinforcing wall 32C is flush with the right surface of the second wall portion 32L (see FIG. 8). The front end of the left surface of the reinforcing wall 32C is formed as an inclined surface 32F inclined forward and rightward. The lower end of the front end of the reinforcing wall 32C is provided with a restricting portion 32G extending rightward in a cantilever shape. In other words, the covering member 32 has a restricting portion 32G.

[0030] The locked portion 32D is provided so as to protrude downward from the lower plate surface of the plate portion 32A. The locked portion 32D is disposed so as to be continuous with the upper end of the front end portion of the reinforcing wall portion 32C. The locked portion 32D is disposed so as to extend to the left of the reinforcing wall portion 32C. The front and rear surfaces of the locked portion 32D are formed as a front inclined surface 32H and a rear inclined surface 32J which are inclined so as to approach each other as they go upward.

[0031] [Female terminal fitting configuration] 1, the female terminal fitting 33 has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction as a whole. The front end region of the female terminal fitting 33 is a square cylindrical box portion 33A into which a mating terminal (not shown) is inserted for conductive connection. The female terminal fitting 33 accommodated in the accommodation chamber 31E is prevented from coming off backward from the accommodation member 31 by engaging the box portion 33A with the retaining projection 31F.

[0032] The rear end region of the female terminal fitting 33 is an open barrel-shaped crimping portion 33B extending rearward from the rear end of the box portion 33A. The front end of the electric wire W is fixed to the crimping portion 33B so as to be conductive. The two electric wires W fixed to the two female terminal fittings 33 constitute a twisted pair wire. The twisted pair wire exhibits a shielding function for suppressing electromagnetic noise by twisting the two electric wires W together in a spiral shape. The two electric wires W are covered with an outer sheath (not shown), but the outer sheath is removed at the front end of the twisted pair wire, and the two electric wires W are exposed in an untwisted state. The two female terminal fittings 33 fixed individually to the front ends of the two electric wires W are accommodated in the accommodation chamber 31E from above the accommodation member 31.

[0033] [Mating connector configuration] The mating connector 70 is a dielectric material made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 1, the mating connector 70 is in the shape of a block that is long in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the hood portion 70A is in the shape of a square tube that extends in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the hood portion 70A is open toward the rear. A mountain-shaped portion 70E is provided on the inner surface of the left wall portion of the hood portion 70A, protruding inward in the left-right direction. The front and rear surfaces of the mountain-shaped portion 70E are formed as a front inclined surface 70F and a rear inclined surface 70G that are inclined so as to approach each other toward the right. The back wall portion 70B is disposed to close the front end of the hood portion 70A. Two insertion holes 70C are formed in the back wall portion 70B, penetrating in the front-rear direction. A tab-shaped mating terminal (not shown) is press-fitted into each insertion hole 70C. As a result, the insertion hole 70C holds the pressed-fit mating terminal inserted therein.

[0034] [An example of connector assembly procedure] Next, the procedure for assembling the connector 10 will be described. First, the two female terminal fittings 33 fixed to the electric wires W are accommodated in the accommodation chamber 31E of the accommodation member 31. At this time, the female terminal fittings 33 are accommodated in the accommodation chamber 31E with the box portion 33A adjacent to the rear surface of the front wall portion 31C and the crimping portion 33B positioned at the rear of the accommodation member 31. Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the relative position of the cover member 32 with respect to the accommodation member 31 in the front-rear direction is arranged so that the locked portion 32D is located behind the protrusion 31K, and the cover member 32 is combined so as to cover the accommodation member 31 from above. At this time, the first wall portion 32B and the second wall portion 32L are elastically deformed outward in the left-right direction by contacting the locking projection 31G from above. Then, when the lower ends of the locking projections 31G reach the respective locking recesses 32E, the first wall portion 32B and the second wall portion 32L elastically return to their original state (see FIG. 11).

[0035] At the same time, the restricting portion 32G of the reinforcing wall portion 32C comes into contact with the left side wall portion 31B, so that the reinforcing wall portion 32C is elastically deformed to the left. Then, when the restricting portion 32G reaches a position lower than the guide portion 31R of the left side wall portion 31B, the reinforcing wall portion 32C elastically returns to its original position (see FIG. 12). As a result, the restricting portion 32G is engaged with the guide portion 31R from below. In this manner, the covering member 32 is attached to the accommodating member 31. In a state in which the covering member 32 is attached to the accommodating member 31, the front inclined surface 32H of the engaged portion 32D faces the rear inclined surface 31M of the protrusion 31K (see FIG. 10). The plate portion 32A of the covering member 32 faces the accommodating member 31 (see FIG. 12). Also, the reinforcing wall portion 32C is disposed rearward of the engaging portion 31J (see FIG. 10). At this time, the position of the covering member 32 with respect to the accommodating member 31 is the second position.

[0036] Next, the covering member 32 is displaced forward so as to slide relative to the housing member 31. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, when the covering member 32 arranged at the second position is displaced forward relative to the housing member 31, the locked portion 32D is also displaced forward together with the covering member 32. As a result, the rear inclined surface 31M of the protrusion 31K of the locking portion 31J is pressed downward by the front inclined surface 32H, and the locking portion 31J is elastically deformed downward (see the locking portion 31J indicated by the two-dot chain line). The direction (downward) in which the locking portion 31J is elastically deformed by the locked portion 32D is a predetermined direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the covering member 32 is slid relative to the housing member 31.

[0037] When the covering member 32 is further displaced forward relative to the containing member 31, the locked portion 32D passes through the protrusion 31K and reaches the front of the protrusion 31K. As a result, the locking portion 31J, which has been elastically deformed downward, elastically returns to its original state (see the locking portion 31J shown by the solid line). As a result, the rear inclined surface 32J of the locked portion 32D faces the front inclined surface 31L of the protrusion 31K. In this way, the locking portion 31J is locked to the locked portion 32D. At this time, the reinforcing wall portion 32C enters the allowable space S from the rear and is disposed to the right of the rear of the locking portion 31J (see FIG. 15). The reinforcing wall portion 32C has an inclined surface 32F formed at its tip portion so as to avoid the locking portion 31J (see FIG. 15), so that it easily enters the allowable space S. As a result, the locking portion 31J is restricted from being displaced into the allowable space S, and the covering member 32 is restricted from being displaced backward. At this time, the position of the covering member 32 relative to the containing member 31 is the first position.

[0038] While the covering member 32 is displaced between the first position and the second position, the restricting portion 32G always maintains a state of being locked to the guide portion 31R (see FIG. 12) and slides back and forth relative to the guide portion 31R. As a result, the restricting portion 32G restricts the plate portion 32A of the covering member 32 from moving upward (opposite to the predetermined direction (downward)) relative to the accommodating member 31 in a state in which the locking portion 31J is elastically deformed downward by the locked portion 32D (see FIG. 12).

[0039] The covering member 32 is held in the first position when the locking portion 31J is locked to the locked portion 32D. When the covering member 32 is in the first position, the reinforcing wall portion 32C is disposed in the allowable space S, thereby restricting the locking portion 31J from elastically deforming to the right (see FIG. 15). The covering member 32 in the first position covers the female terminal fittings 33 housed in the housing member 31 from above. At this time, the first wall portion 32B covers the entire right side wall portion 31S of the housing member 31 in the front-rear direction and is in a state of being locked with the right side wall portion 31S (see FIG. 11). The second wall portion 32L covers the rear side of the left side wall portion 31B of the housing member 31 and is in a state of being locked with the left side wall portion 31B (see FIG. 11). The locking portions 31J are arranged side by side in front of the second wall portion 32L even when the position of the covering member 32 is in the first position and the second position (see FIGS. 10 and 13). In this manner, the assembly of the connector 10 is completed. The connector 10 with the covering member 32 arranged in the first position can be transported from the location where the connector 10 was assembled to the location where it will be used (the location where it will be mated with the mating connector 70).

[0040] Next, the connector 10 is fitted to the mating connector 70. Specifically, the position of the cover member 32 relative to the accommodating member 31 is displaced from the first position backward to the second position. At this time, the front inclined surface 31L of the protrusion 31K of the locking portion 31J is pressed downward by the rear inclined surface 32J, and the locking portion 31J is elastically deformed downward. When the cover member 32 is further displaced backward relative to the accommodating member 31, the locked portion 32D passes rearward through the protrusion 31K and reaches the rear of the protrusion 31K (see FIG. 10). As a result, the locking portion 31J, which has been elastically deformed downward, elastically returns to its original state (see FIG. 10). Thus, the front inclined surface 32H of the locked portion 32D faces the rear inclined surface 31M of the protrusion 31K, and the locking portion 31J is released from the locked portion 32D (see FIG. 10). At this time, reinforcing wall portion 32C is positioned outside allowable space S (see FIG. 14). Covering member 32 is displaceable between a first position and a second position. When covering member 32 is in the second position, reinforcing wall portion 32C is positioned outside allowable space S, allowing locking portion 31J to elastically deform and enter and be accommodated in allowable space S. Covering member 32 is positioned in the second position when locking portion 31J is disengaged from locked portion 32D.

[0041] Next, the connector 10 is inserted into the hood portion 70A of the mating connector 70. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 14, the connector 10 is inserted into the hood portion 70A with the front end of the connector 10 facing the hood portion 70A when the covering member 32 is in the second position.

[0042] As the connector 10 is inserted further into the hood portion 70A, the locking portion 31J comes into contact with the mountain portion 70E of the hood portion 70A and is pressed rightward by the rear inclined surface 70G of the mountain portion 70E. This causes the locking portion 31J to elastically deform rightward so as to approach the left side wall portion 31B and enter the allowable space S (see the locking portion 31J indicated by the two-dot chain line).

[0043] When the connector 10 is further inserted into the hood portion 70A, the front end of the connector 10 comes into contact with the rear surface of the inner wall portion 70B. As a result, the mating terminal (not shown) is inserted into the box portion 33A, and electrical continuity is established between the female terminal fitting 33 and the mating terminal. At this time, the rear end of the locking portion 31J passes over the mountain portion 70E in a forward direction, and the locking portion 31J elastically returns to its original state (see the locking portion 31J shown by the dashed line). Then, the left inclined surface 31N faces the front inclined surface 70F. Thus, the locking portion 31J is elastically deformed by the mountain portion 70E, and elastically returns to its original state to be locked by the mountain portion 70E.

[0044] Next, the position of the covering member 32 relative to the housing member 31 is displaced forward from the second position to the first position. At this time, the rear inclined surface 31M of the protrusion 31K of the locking portion 31J is pressed downward by the front inclined surface 32H, and the locking portion 31J is elastically deformed downward (see FIG. 13). When the covering member 32 is further displaced forward relative to the housing member 31, the locked portion 32D passes forward through the protrusion 31K and reaches the front of the protrusion 31K (see FIG. 13). As a result, the locking portion 31J, which has been elastically deformed downward, elastically returns to its original state. As a result, the rear inclined surface 32J of the locked portion 32D faces the front inclined surface 31L of the protrusion 31K (see FIG. 13).

[0045] At this time, as shown in Fig. 15, reinforcing wall portion 32C is disposed within allowable space S and to the right of the rear end portion of locking portion 31J. Thus, covering member 32 is disposed in the first position, and locking portion 31J is restricted from entering allowable space S. In other words, when connector 10 is inserted into hood portion 70A, locking portion 31J is held in a state locked with mountain-shaped portion 70E within hood portion 70A by reinforcing wall portion 32C, preventing connector 10 from coming off hood portion 70A. In this way, mating of mating connector 70 and connector 10 is completed.

[0046] When the connector 10 is to be removed from the mating connector 70, the position of the cover member 32 relative to the accommodating member 31 is moved backward from the first position to the second position, and the reinforcing wall portion 32C is removed from the allowable space S (see FIG. 14). Then, the connector 10 is displaced in a direction (backward) to remove it from the hood portion 70A. At this time, the left inclined surface 31N of the locking portion 31J is pressed rightward by the front inclined surface 70F of the mountain-shaped portion 70E (see FIG. 14). As a result, the locking portion 31J is elastically deformed in a direction approaching the left wall portion 31B and enters the allowable space S (see FIG. 14). When the connector 10 is further displaced in a direction (backward) to remove it from the hood portion 70A, the front end (base end) of the locking portion 31J reaches the mountain-shaped portion 70E. Then, the locking portion 31J elastically returns to its original state. In this way, the connector 10 can be removed from the mating connector 70.

[0047] Next, the effects of this configuration will be illustrated. The connector 10 includes a housing member 31 that houses female terminal fittings 33, and a cover member 32 that covers the female terminal fittings 33 housed in the housing member 31. The housing member 31 has a locking portion 31J, and the cover member 32 has a locked portion 32D that is locked by the locking portion 31J. The locking portion 31J is configured to be elastically deformed downward (in a predetermined direction) by the locked portion 32D and to elastically return to its original shape to be locked by the locked portion 32D. The cover member 32 has a restricting portion 32G. The restricting portion 32G restricts the cover member 32 from moving away from the housing member 31 in an upward direction opposite to the downward direction (predetermined direction) when the locking portion 31J is elastically deformed downward (in a predetermined direction) by the locked portion 32D. According to this configuration, by providing a regulating portion 32G on the covering member 32, even if the engaging portion 31J elastically deforms, the reaction force regulates the covering member 32 from moving away from the accommodating member 31, so that plastic deformation of the covering member 32 can be prevented without increasing the number of parts.

[0048] The covering member 32 is displaceable between a first position and a second position relative to the accommodating member 31. The locking portion 31J is configured to elastically deform and elastically return while the covering member 32 is displaced between the first position and the second position. The accommodating member 31 has a guide portion 31R that is locked by the restricting portion 32G from the downward (predetermined direction) side. The restricting portion 32G always maintains a state of being locked to the guide portion 31R while the covering member 32 is displaced between the first position and the second position. With this configuration, the covering member 32 can be reliably restricted from moving away from the accommodating member 31 while the locking portion 31J is elastically deformed and elastically returned.

[0049] Covering member 32 has flat plate portion 32A facing housing member 31, and flat reinforcing wall portion 32C extending in a direction intersecting plate portion 32A. According to this configuration, reinforcing wall portion 32C reinforces plate portion 32A, thereby preventing plate portion 32A from bending.

[0050] The plate portion 32A has a thickness direction oriented in the up-down direction, and the reinforcing wall portion 32C has a thickness direction oriented in the left-right direction. The restricting portion 32G is provided at the lower end of the front end of the reinforcing wall portion 32C, and the locked portion 32D protrudes downward from the plate portion 32A and is connected to the upper end of the front end of the reinforcing wall portion 32C. With this configuration, the locked portion 32D and the restricting portion 32G are both provided at the front end of the reinforcing wall portion 32C, and the restricting portion 32G is disposed in the vicinity of the locked portion 32D to which the reaction force of the elastically deformed locking portion 31J is applied, so that the plate portion 32A can be efficiently restricted from moving away from the housing member 31.

[0051] The cover member 32 has a first wall portion 32B that extends long in the front-rear direction with the plate thickness direction facing the left-right direction and hangs down from the right end edge of the plate portion 32A, and a second wall portion 32L that extends long in the front-rear direction with the plate thickness direction facing the left-right direction and hangs down from the left end edge of the plate portion 32A. The length of the second wall portion 32L in the front-rear direction is shorter than that of the first wall portion 32B. The first wall portion 32B covers the entire front-rear direction of the right side wall portion 31S of the storage member 31 and engages with the right side wall portion 31S, and the second wall portion 32L covers the rear side of the left side wall portion 31B of the storage member 31 and engages with the left side wall portion 31B. The engaging portion 31J has a form that extends in the front-rear direction and is arranged in line in front of the second wall portion 32L, and the reinforcing wall portion 32C extends forward from the front end of the second wall portion 32L and is arranged to the right of the engaging portion 31J. According to this configuration, since the locking portion 31J is provided in a region in front of the second wall portion 32L, the second wall portion 32L cannot engage with the front side of the left side wall portion 31B of the accommodating member 31. However, since the reinforcing wall portion 32C extends forward from the front end of the second wall portion 32L and is disposed to the right of the locking portion 31J, the reinforcing wall portion 32C can be disposed adjacent to the right of the locking portion 31J, and the plate portion 32A (covering member 32) can be reinforced so as not to be separated from the accommodating member 31 in the region in front of the second wall portion 32L.

[0052] <Other embodiments> The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0053] Unlike the first embodiment, the locked portion may be provided on the right wall of the hood portion, and the second locked portion and the locking portion may be provided on the right side.

[0054] Unlike the first embodiment, a male terminal fitting having a tab may be used as the terminal fitting.

[0055] The direction in which the engaging portion is elastically deformed by the engaged portion is not limited to the downward direction, but may be the upward direction, the leftward direction, the rightward direction, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10 … Connector 31 ... Housing member 31A…Bottom wall part 31B...Left side wall 31C...Front wall part 31D...Bulkhead part 31E ... Containment room 31F … Stopper protrusion 31G … Lock protrusion 31H...Through hole 31J…Locking part 31K…protrusion 31L…Front slope 31M…Rear side slope 31N…Left side slope 31P...Right side slope 31Q...Finger rest protrusion 31R … Guide section 31S...Right side wall 32 ... Covering member 32A...Plate part 32B…First wall part 32C … Reinforced wall 32D…Locked part 32E…Latching recess 32F…Sloped surface 32G ... Regulatory Department 32H…Front slope 32J…Rear side slope 32K…Finger rest protrusion 32L…Second wall part 33...Female terminal fitting (terminal fitting) 33A…Hakobe 33B … Crimping section 70 …Mating connector 70A…Hood section 70B…Back wall part 70C ...Through hole 70E…Chevron-shaped part 70F…Front slope 70G…Rear side slope S: Allowable space W…Electric wire

Claims

1. a housing member for housing the terminal fitting; a cover member for covering the terminal metal fitting housed in the housing member; Equipped with The housing member has a locking portion, The covering member has a locked portion to which the locking portion is locked, The locking portion is configured to be elastically deformed in a predetermined direction by the locked portion and to be elastically restored to its original shape so as to be locked to the locked portion, The cover member has a restricting portion, The regulating portion regulates the covering member from moving away from the accommodating member in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction when the engaging portion is elastically deformed in the predetermined direction by the engaged portion.

2. the covering member is displaceable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing member; the engaging portion is configured to elastically deform and elastically return to its original state while the covering member is displaced between the first position and the second position, the accommodating member has a guide portion with which the restricting portion engages from the predetermined direction side, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the restricting portion is constantly maintained in a state of being engaged with the guide portion while the covering member is displaced between the first position and the second position.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the cover member has a flat plate portion facing the accommodating member, and a flat reinforcing wall portion extending in a direction intersecting the plate portion.

4. The plate portion has a plate thickness direction oriented in the up-down direction, The reinforcing wall portion has a plate thickness direction oriented in the left-right direction, The restricting portion is provided at a lower end of a front end portion of the reinforcing wall portion, The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the engaged portion protrudes downward from the plate portion and is continuous with an upper end of the front end portion of the reinforcing wall portion.

5. The covering member has a first wall portion that extends long in the front-rear direction with a plate thickness direction in the left-right direction and hangs down from a right end edge of the plate portion, and a second wall portion that extends long in the front-rear direction with a plate thickness direction in the left-right direction and hangs down from a left end edge of the plate portion, The length of the second wall portion in the front-rear direction is shorter than that of the first wall portion, the first wall portion covers the entire right side wall portion of the accommodation member in the front-rear direction and is engaged with the right side wall portion, the second wall portion covers a rear side of the left side wall portion of the accommodating member and is engaged with the left side wall portion, The locking portion extends in the front-rear direction and is disposed in front of the second wall portion, The connector according to claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing wall portion extends forward from a front end of the second wall portion and is disposed to the right of the locking portion.

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