Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which can hold a coating together with a core wire exposed from the coating, while preventing complication in shape of a terminal fitting.SOLUTION: A connector 100 comprises: a terminal fitting 10 connected to a core wire 83; a housing 91 provided with a plurality of recesses 91A which is aligned in the horizontal direction and houses the terminal fitting 10; and a covering part 92 having a covering surface 92G which covers the recesses 91A from a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction. The covering part 92 is a separate body from the terminal fitting 10. The housing 91 has a receiving surface 91S facing the covering surface 92G. In a region, of the covering surface 92G, facing the receiving surface 91S, there are provided a plurality of protrusions 92D aligned away from one another in the horizontal direction. A minimum separation size in the horizontal direction of the protrusions 92D is smaller than an outer diameter size of a coating 82. When the covering surface 92G covers the recesses 91A housing the terminal fitting 10, a front end of the coating 82 is placed between the protrusions 92D adjacent to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal fitting including a terminal body and a slide part attached to the terminal body. The terminal fitting is accommodated in a housing. A core wire exposed from the coating at the end of an electric wire is inserted into the terminal body. As the slide part moves relative to the terminal body, the lower contact surface and the upper contact surface of the terminal body change between a contact state in which they contact the core wire and a non-contact state in which they do not contact the core wire. Patent Document 2 also discloses a similar configuration to this terminal fitting. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-145208 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-28882 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the second embodiment of Patent Document 1, a configuration is disclosed that includes a pair of connection pieces that extend rearward from the rear ends of both left and right side walls of the connection tube part of the terminal body and sandwich the core wire, and an upper holding piece and a lower holding piece that extend rearward from the rear ends of both upper and lower side walls of the connection part of the terminal body and sandwich the insulating coating. However, in the case of this configuration, there is a concern that the shape of the terminal body becomes complicated and the process of forming the terminal body becomes long.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that is capable of holding the coating together with the core wire exposed from the coating, while preventing the shape of the terminal fittings from becoming complicated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises: a terminal metal fitting connected to a core wire exposed from a coating at a front end of the electric wire; a housing having a plurality of recesses arranged side by side in the left-right direction and configured to receive the terminal fittings; A cover portion having a cover surface that covers the recess from a direction intersecting the front-rear direction; Equipped with The cover portion is separate from the terminal metal fitting, The housing has a receiving surface aligned behind the recess and facing the covering surface, A region of the covering surface facing the receiving surface is provided with a plurality of protrusions arranged side by side and spaced apart in the left-right direction, a minimum distance between the protrusions in a left-right direction is smaller than an outer diameter of the coating; When the covering surface covers the recess that houses the terminal metal fitting, the front end of the coating is arranged between the adjacent protrusions. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to hold the coating together with the core wire exposed from the coating while preventing the shape of the terminal fitting from becoming complicated. [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 plan view showing a state in which a plurality of electric wires are fixed by a sheet. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the housing and a protrusion of the housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom view showing the housing and the protrusion of the housing. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the cover and the protrusion of the cover. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom view showing the cover and the protrusion of the cover. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sliding member is located at a first position relative to the connecting member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sliding member is located at a second position relative to the connecting member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a state in which thin electric wires are routed between the protrusions of the housing or the cover. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a state in which a thick electric wire is routed between the protrusions of the housing or the cover. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the completed connector. 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. (1) A terminal metal fitting connected to a core wire exposed from a coating at a front end of the electric wire; a housing having a plurality of recesses arranged side by side in the left-right direction and configured to receive the terminal fittings; A cover portion having a cover surface that covers the recess from a direction intersecting the front-rear direction; Equipped with The cover portion is separate from the terminal metal fitting, The housing has a receiving surface aligned behind the recess and facing the covering surface, A region of the covering surface facing the receiving surface is provided with a plurality of protrusions arranged side by side and spaced apart in the left-right direction, a minimum distance between the protrusions in a left-right direction is smaller than an outer diameter of the coating; a front end portion of the covering is disposed between adjacent ones of the protrusions when the covering surface covers the recesses that house the terminal fittings.

[0010] In the connector (1), the front end of the covering is arranged between the protrusions, so that the protrusions press and pinch the outer circumferential surface of the front end of the covering. The structure of the terminal fittings can be simplified by providing a structure for holding the covering in a cover part separate from the terminal fittings 10. Here, the minimum separation dimension means the smallest dimension between adjacent protrusions in the left-right direction.

[0011] (2) The electric wire is arranged in the recess with its axis extending in the front-rear direction, The connector according to (1), wherein the cover portion is stacked on the receiving surface in a protruding direction of the protrusion portion.

[0012] (2) The connector can bring the projections close to the insulation from a direction intersecting the axis of the wire, making it easy to route the insulation between the projections.

[0013] (3) Between adjacent protrusions, a U-shaped recessed surface is formed with its bottom aligned with the cover surface, the protrusion has a ridge line formed by a front end edge of the recessed surface and a front end surface of the protrusion facing forward, the ridge line being perpendicular to the front end edge of the recessed surface, the minimum width dimension of the recessed surface in the left-right direction is the minimum separation dimension, The connector according to (1) or (2), wherein a front end of the covering is routed to the recessed surface.

[0014] In the case of the connector (3), even if the insulation wired on the recessed surface is pulled backward, the ridges bite into the outer peripheral surface of the insulation wire, preventing the insulation wire from shifting backward. Here, the minimum width dimension means the smallest width dimension on the recessed surface.

[0015] (4) The protrusion includes a plurality of first protrusions arranged at a distance from one another in the left-right direction, and a plurality of second protrusions arranged forward of the first protrusions and at a distance from one another in the left-right direction, The recessed surface of the first protrusion and the recessed surface of the second protrusion are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, The connector according to (3), wherein the minimum width dimension in the left-right direction of the recessed surface of the first protrusion is greater than the minimum width dimension in the left-right direction of the recessed surface of the second protrusion.

[0016] The connector (4) can accommodate coatings with different outer diameters by using the first and second protrusions.

[0017] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] <Embodiment 1> As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 100 of the first embodiment includes a terminal fitting 10, a housing 91, a cover portion 92, and a lower housing 93. The terminal fitting 10 includes a connecting member 11 and a sliding member 12, which are separate from each other. The connecting member 11 and the sliding member 12 are formed by pressing a conductive metal plate. The housing 91, the cover portion 92, and the lower housing 93 are made of synthetic resin. 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, in the drawings. The front-rear direction is the direction in which the connector 100 is fitted into a mating connector (not shown).

[0018] [Configuration of connecting parts] The connection member 11 has a connection body 11A that is shaped like a square tube and extends in the front-rear direction, and a pair of contact portions 11B that extend rearward from the rear end of the connection body 11A. The connection body 11A is open on both sides in the front-rear direction. The connection member 11 has a locking portion 11C that protrudes upward from the upper wall of the connection body 11A.

[0019] The connection body 11A has a resilient contact piece (not shown) inside. The resilient contact piece is connected to a tab of a mating terminal fitting (not shown). The tab is inserted into the connection member 11 from the front of the connection member 11, and is connected to the connection member 11 by coming into contact with the resilient contact piece.

[0020] Each contact portion 11B extends backward in a strip shape from the rear end of each of the upper and lower walls of the connection body 11A. Each contact portion 11B is elastically deformable in the vertical direction with the rear end of each of the upper and lower walls of the connection body 11A as a fulcrum. This allows each contact portion 11B to elastically deform in the vertical direction and move closer to and away from each other.

[0021] [Configuration of slide parts] The slide member 12 has a rectangular tube shape extending in the front-rear direction. The slide member 12 is open on both sides in the front-rear direction. The slide member 12 can slide between a first position and a second position with respect to the connection member 11 with each contact portion 11B of the connection member 11 inserted therein (see Figs. 7 and 8). Either of two types of electric wires 81 can be inserted into the terminal fitting 10 with the slide member 12 positioned at the first position. Specifically, the electric wire 81 is a coated electric wire having a coating 82 and a core wire 83. The two types of electric wires 81 that can be inserted into the terminal fitting 10 have different outer diameters of the coating 82 and the core wire 83. Hereinafter, of the two types of electric wires 81, the one having the larger outer diameters of the coating 82 and the core wire 83 is also simply referred to as the thick electric wire 81. Also, of the two types of electric wires 81, the one having the smaller outer diameters of the coating 82 and the core wire 83 is also simply referred to as the thin electric wire 81.

[0022] 2, regardless of the difference in outer diameter, the electric wires 81 are arranged in parallel at the front end with their coverings 82 stripped off to expose their core wires 83, and the coverings 82 are fixed to a sheet 84 made of nonwoven fabric or the like. Each of the electric wires 81 fixed to the sheet 84 can be inserted into each of the terminal fittings 10 at the same time by handling the sheet 84.

[0023] When an electric wire 81 is inserted into the terminal fitting 10 with the slide member 12 in the first position, the upper contact portion 11B of the connection member 11 is separated from the core wire 83 of the electric wire 81 (see FIG. 7). When the slide member 12 is displaced from the first position to the second position with the electric wire 81 inserted, the upper contact portion 11B is brought into contact with the core wire 83 (see FIG. 8). The first position is rearward of the second position.

[0024] For example, connecting member 11 is provided with a locking portion (not shown), and sliding member 12 is provided with a locked portion (not shown). The locking portion locks into the locked portion, thereby holding sliding member 12 in a first position relative to connecting member 11 (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, sliding member 12 is provided with a front locked portion (not shown) forward of the locked portion. The locking portion locks into the front locked portion, thereby holding sliding member 12 in a second position relative to connecting member 11 (see FIG. 8).

[0025] [Housing configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 91 is flat with its thickness oriented in the up-down direction. The housing 91 has a plurality of recesses 91A. Each recess 91A is partitioned by a partition wall 91F that extends in the front-rear direction and stands upward. Each recess 91A extends in the front-rear direction like a groove and is lined up in the left-right direction. A cavity 91B is provided in front of each recess 91A so as to be continuous with each other (see FIGS. 7 and 8). An upward receiving surface 91S is provided behind the recess 91A. A protrusion 91D is provided on each of both left-right side edges of the housing 91 so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction. Only the left protrusion 91D is shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower surface of the housing 91 is formed as a cover surface 91G. The cover surface 91G is composed of a plurality of surfaces facing downward and positioned at different positions in the up-down direction. A plurality of protrusions 91H are provided on the cover surface 91G so as to protrude downward. The protrusions 91H have a plurality of first protrusions 91J and a plurality of second protrusions 91K. The plurality of first protrusions 91J are arranged in a line spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The plurality of second protrusions 91K are arranged in a line spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The second protrusions 91K are disposed forward of the first protrusions 91J. The second protrusions 91K and the first protrusions 91J are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction.

[0027] Between the first protrusions 91J adjacent in the left-right direction, a U-shaped recessed surface 91L is formed with its bottom aligned with the covering surface 91G. The first protrusions 91J have a ridgeline 91N formed by a front end edge of the recessed surface 91L and a front end surface 91M facing forward of the first protrusions 91J intersecting at right angles (see FIG. 4).

[0028] Between the second protrusions 91K adjacent in the left-right direction, a U-shaped recessed surface 91P is formed with its bottom aligned with the covering surface 91G. The second protrusions 91K have a ridge 91R formed by a front end edge of the recessed surface 91P and a front end surface 91Q facing forward of the second protrusions 91K intersecting at right angles (see FIG. 4). The recessed surfaces 91L of the first protrusions 91J and the recessed surfaces 91P of the second protrusions 91K are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The minimum width dimension W1 in the left-right direction of the recessed surface 91L of the first protrusions 91J is larger than the minimum width dimension W2 in the left-right direction of the recessed surface 91P of the second protrusions 91K (see FIG. 4).

[0029] The minimum width dimensions W1, W2 are the minimum distance between the first protrusion 91J and the second protrusion 91K in the left-right direction. The minimum width dimension W1 is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the covering 82 of the thick electric wire 81, larger than the outer diameter dimension of the core wire 83 of the thick electric wire 81, and larger than the outer diameter dimension of the covering 82 of the thin electric wire 81. The minimum width dimension W2 is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the covering 82 of the thick electric wire 81, larger than the outer diameter dimension of the core wire 83 of the thick electric wire 81, smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the covering 82 of the thin electric wire 81, and larger than the outer diameter dimension of the core wire 83 of the thin electric wire 81.

[0030] [Covering section configuration] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the cover portion 92 has a flat cover wall 92A with its thickness direction facing the up-down direction, and side wall portions 92B hanging down from both left and right end edges of the cover wall 92A. The cover portion 92 is a separate component from the terminal fitting 10. The lower surface of the cover wall 92A is formed as a cover surface 92G. The cover surface 92G is formed from the front end to the rear end of the cover portion 92 (see Fig. 5). A plurality of protrusions 92D are provided at the rear of the cover surface 92G so as to protrude downward. The protrusions 92D have a plurality of first protrusions 92E and a plurality of second protrusions 92F. The plurality of first protrusions 92E are arranged in a spaced relationship in the left-right direction. The plurality of second protrusions 92F are arranged in a spaced relationship in the left-right direction. The second protrusions 92F are disposed forward of the first protrusions 92E. The second protrusion 92F and the first protrusion 92E are spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction.

[0031] Between the first protrusions 92E adjacent in the left-right direction, a U-shaped recessed surface 92H is formed with its bottom aligned with the covering surface 92G. The first protrusions 92E have a ridgeline 92K formed by a front end edge of the recessed surface 92H and a front end surface 92J facing forward of the first protrusions 92E intersecting at right angles (see FIG. 6).

[0032] Between the second protrusions 92F adjacent in the left-right direction, a U-shaped recessed surface 92L is formed with its bottom aligned with the covering surface 92G. The second protrusions 92F have a ridgeline 92N formed by a front end edge of the recessed surface 92L and a front end surface 92M facing forward of the second protrusions 92F intersecting at right angles (see FIG. 6). The recessed surface 92H of the first protrusions 92E and the recessed surface 92L of the second protrusions 92F are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The minimum width dimension W3 in the left-right direction of the recessed surface 92H of the first protrusions 92E is larger than the minimum width dimension W4 in the left-right direction of the recessed surface 92L of the second protrusions 92F.

[0033] The minimum width dimensions W3 and W4 are the minimum distance between the first protrusion 92E and the second protrusion 92F in the left-right direction. The minimum width dimension W3 is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the covering 82 of the thick electric wire 81, larger than the outer diameter dimension of the core wire 83 of the thick electric wire 81, and larger than the outer diameter dimension of the covering 82 of the thin electric wire 81. The minimum width dimension W4 is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the covering 82 of the thick electric wire 81, larger than the outer diameter dimension of the core wire 83 of the thick electric wire 81, smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the covering 82 of the thin electric wire 81, and larger than the outer diameter dimension of the core wire 83 of the thin electric wire 81.

[0034] A locking recess 92C is formed on the inner side in the left-right direction of each side wall portion 92B so as to be recessed outward in the left-right direction (see FIG. 5).

[0035] [Lower housing configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the lower housing 93 has a flat plate portion 93A with a plate thickness direction facing the up-down direction, a standing wall 93B rising from both left and right end edges of the flat plate portion 93A, and a front wall 93C rising from the front end edge of the flat plate portion 93A. The front wall 93C is formed with a plurality of insertion holes 93H penetrating in the front-rear direction. On the left-right outer side of the standing wall 93B, a locking rib 93G is provided extending in the front-rear direction and protruding outward in the left-right direction. In FIG. 1, only the left locking rib 93G is shown. The flat plate portion 93A has a plurality of recesses 93D. Each recess 93D is partitioned by a partition wall 93K extending in the front-rear direction and rising upward, and is lined up in the left-right direction. In front of each recess 93D, a cavity 93E is provided so as to be continuous. The plurality of insertion holes 93H correspond to the cavity 91B of the housing 91 and the cavity 93E. An upwardly facing receiving surface 93J is provided behind the recess 93D.

[0036] [An example of how to connect a wire to a terminal] As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal fitting 10 is placed in the recess 91A and the cavity 91B of the housing 91. At this time, the slide member 12 is in a state of being located at a first position with respect to the connection member 11. First, the connection member 11 is in a position protruding forward of the slide member 12, and the terminal fitting 10 is inserted from the rear into the cavity 91B. Then, the front end of the connection member 11 is abutted against a protrusion 91C provided at the front end of the cavity 91B. Then, the locking portion 11C of the connection member 11 is locked in a through hole 91E formed in the upper wall of the cavity 91B. This prevents the terminal fitting 10 from coming off the housing 91.

[0037] Next, the electric wire 81 is inserted from the rear into the terminal fitting 10 in which the slide member 12 is arranged in the first position relative to the connection member 11. Here, a case where a thin electric wire 81 is inserted will be described. After the terminal fittings 10 are accommodated in each recess 91A and cavity 91B, the exposed core wires 83 of the multiple electric wires 81 fixed to the sheet 84 are inserted all at once. At this time, the axis of the electric wire 81 is set in the front-rear direction. Then, the electric wire 81 is inserted into the terminal fitting 10 while the coating 82 is in contact with and aligned with the receiving surface 91S. In this way, the core wire 83 is arranged in the recess 91A. When the front end of the coating 82 reaches a position facing the rear end of the slide member 12 from the rear, the insertion of the electric wire 81 into the connection member 11 is stopped. At this time, the front end of the core wire 83 is inserted into the rear end of the connection body 11A.

[0038] Next, the slide member 12 is slid from the first position to the second position relative to the connection member 11. As a result, as shown in Fig. 8, the upper contact portion 11B is pressed downward by the upper wall of the slide member 12 and elastically deformed, approaches the lower contact portion 11B, and contacts the core wire 83 from above. As a result, the core wire 83 is sandwiched from above and below by the upper and lower contact portions 11B. In this way, the core wire 83 exposed from the coating 82 at the front end portion of the electric wire 81 is connected to the terminal fitting 10.

[0039] Then, similarly to the housing 91, the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated in the recess 93D and the cavity 93E of the lower housing 93, and then the electric wire 81 is inserted into the terminal fitting 10, and the slide member 12 is moved from the first position to the second position. In this manner, the core wire 83 exposed from the coating 82 at the front end of the electric wire 81 is connected to the terminal fitting 10 accommodated in the lower housing 93.

[0040] Next, the housing 91 and the lower housing 93 are assembled. At this time, the recess 91A of the housing 91 is on the upper side, and the electric wire 81 is pulled out backward. Then, the housing 91 is attached from above between the pair of vertical walls 93B of the lower housing 93. In other words, the housing 91 is stacked on the receiving surface 93J of the lower housing 93 from the protruding direction (vertical direction) of the protruding portion 91H (see FIG. 11). The vertical wall 93B of the lower housing 93 has a locking hole 93F formed therethrough in the plate thickness direction, and the protruding portion 91D of the housing 91 is locked in the locking hole 93F (see FIG. 1). At this time, the covering surface 91G of the housing 91 covers the recess 93D of the lower housing 93 from the vertical direction intersecting the front-rear direction (see FIG. 11). Also, the receiving surface 93J provided behind the recess 93D faces the covering surface 91G of the housing 91 from below (see FIG. 11). The protrusion 91H is provided in an area of ​​the cover surface 91G facing a receiving surface 93J of the lower housing 93 (see FIG. 11).

[0041] In a state where the cover surface 91G of the housing 91 covers the recess 93D accommodating the terminal fitting 10 connected to the core wire 83 (see FIG. 11), the front end of the sheath 82 is arranged between the protrusions 91H adjacent in the left-right direction (the first protrusions 91J adjacent in the left-right direction and the second protrusions 91K adjacent in the left-right direction) (see FIG. 9). In other words, the front end of the sheath 82 is arranged in the recessed surfaces 91L and 91P (see FIG. 9). Since the minimum width dimension W2 of the recessed surface 91P is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the sheath 82 of the thin electric wire 81, the second protrusions 91K press the sheath 82 from the left-right direction and sandwich it, and the ridge line 91R of the second protrusions 91K bites into the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 82 (see FIG. 9). The minimum width dimension W1 of the recessed surface 91L is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the sheath 82 of the thin electric wire 81. Therefore, the coating 82 of the thin electric wire 81 is inserted through the recessed surface 91L without being bitten into by the ridge line 91N of the first protrusion 91J (see FIG. 9).

[0042] On the other hand, when a thick electric wire 81 is connected to the terminal fitting 10, the front end of the coating 82 is disposed between the first protrusion 91J and the second protrusion 91K as shown in Fig. 10. Since the minimum width dimension W1 of the recessed surface 91L is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the coating 82 of the thick electric wire 81, the first protrusion 91J presses the coating 82 from the left and right directions to pinch it, and the ridge 91N of the first protrusion 91J bites into the outer circumferential surface of the coating 82. The minimum width dimension W2 of the recessed surface 91P is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81. Therefore, the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81 is inserted into the recessed surface 91P without being bitten by the ridge 91R of the second protrusion 91K.

[0043] Next, the housing 91 and the lower housing 93 are attached between the pair of side wall portions 92B of the cover portion 92. At this time, the housing 91 is sandwiched between the cover portion 92 and the lower housing 93 from above and below, and the pair of locking ribs 93G of the lower housing 93 are locked to the pair of locking recesses 92C (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the recesses 91A of the housing 91 are placed on the upper side, and the electric wires 81 are pulled out backward. Then, the housing 91 and the lower housing 93 are attached between the pair of side wall portions 92B of the cover portion 92. At this time, the cover portion 92 is stacked on the receiving surface 91S of the housing 91 from the protruding direction (vertical direction) of the protruding portion 92D (see FIG. 11). The cover surface 92G of the cover portion 92 covers the recesses 91A of the housing 91 from the vertical direction intersecting the front-rear direction (see FIG. 11). A receiving surface 91S provided behind the recess 91A faces a covering surface 92G of the covering portion 92 from below (see FIG. 11). The protrusion 92D is provided in an area of ​​the covering surface 92G facing the receiving surface 91S of the housing 91 (see FIG. 11).

[0044] In a state where the cover surface 92G of the cover portion 92 covers the recess 91A accommodating the terminal fitting 10 connected to the core wire 83 (see FIG. 11), the front end of the coating 82 is arranged between the protrusions 92D adjacent in the left-right direction (the first protrusions 92E adjacent in the left-right direction and the second protrusions 92F adjacent in the left-right direction) (see FIG. 9). In other words, the front end of the coating 82 is arranged in the recessed surfaces 92L and 92H (see FIG. 9). Since the minimum width dimension W4 of the recessed surface 92L is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the coating 82 of the thin electric wire 81, the second protrusions 92F press the coating 82 from the left-right direction and sandwich it, and the ridges 92N of the second protrusions 92F bite into the coating 82 (see FIG. 9). The minimum width dimension W3 of the recessed surface 92H is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the coating 82 of the thin electric wire 81. Therefore, the covering 82 of the thin electric wire 81 is inserted into the recessed surface 92H without being bitten by the ridge line 92K of the first protrusion 92E (see FIG. 9). In this manner, the connector 100 is completed.

[0045] On the other hand, when connecting a thick electric wire 81 to the terminal fitting 10, the front end of the coating 82 is disposed between the first protrusion 92E and the second protrusion 92F as shown in Fig. 10. Since the minimum width dimension W3 of the recessed surface 92H is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the coating 82 of the thick electric wire 81, the first protrusion 92E presses the coating 82 from the left and right directions to pinch it, and the ridge 92K of the first protrusion 92E bites into the coating 82. The minimum width dimension W4 of the recessed surface 92L is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81. Therefore, the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81 is inserted into the recessed surface 92L without being bitten by the ridge 92N of the second protrusion 92F.

[0046] Next, the effects of this configuration will be illustrated. The connector 100 includes a terminal fitting 10, a housing 91, and a cover portion 92. The terminal fitting 10 is connected to a core wire 83 exposed from a coating 82 at the front end of an electric wire 81. The housing 91 is formed with a plurality of recesses 91A arranged side by side in the left-right direction to accommodate the terminal fittings 10. The cover portion 92 has a cover surface 92G that covers the recesses 91A from a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The cover portion 92 is separate from the terminal fitting 10, and the housing 91 has a receiving surface 91S arranged behind the recesses 91A and facing the cover surface 92G. A region of the cover surface 92G facing the receiving surface 91S is provided with a plurality of protrusions 92D arranged side by side and spaced apart in the left-right direction. The minimum distance (minimum width W4) between the protrusions 92D in the left-right direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the coating 82 of the thin electric wire 81. The minimum distance (minimum width W3) between the protrusions 92D in the left-right direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the coating 82 of the thick electric wire 81. In a state in which the covering surface 92G covers the recess 91A accommodating the terminal fitting 10 to which the core wire 83 is connected, the front end of the coating 82 is arranged between the adjacent protrusions 92D.

[0047] According to this configuration, the front end of the covering 82 is arranged between the protrusions 92D, so that the protrusions 92D press against and sandwich the outer circumferential surface of the front end of the covering 82. Since a structure for holding the covering 82 is provided in the cover part 92 which is separate from the terminal fitting 10, the structure of the terminal fitting 10 can be simplified.

[0048] The electric wire 81 is routed in the recess 91A with its axis in the front-rear direction, and the cover 92 is stacked on the receiving surface 91S from the up-down direction (projecting direction) of the protrusion 92D. With this configuration, the protrusion 92D can be brought close to the coating 82 from a direction intersecting the axis of the electric wire 81, making it easy to route the coating 82 between the protrusions 92D.

[0049] Between adjacent protrusions 92D, U-shaped recessed surfaces 92H, 92L are formed with their bottoms aligned with the covering surface 92G. The protrusions 92D have ridges 92K, 92N formed by the front end edges of the recessed surfaces 92H, 92L and the front end surfaces 92J, 92M facing forward of the protrusions 92D, which are perpendicular to each other. The minimum width dimensions W3, W4 in the left-right direction of the recessed surfaces 92H, 92L are the minimum separation dimensions, and the front end of the cover 82 is arranged on the recessed surfaces 92H, 92L. With this configuration, even if the cover 82 arranged on the recessed surfaces 92H, 92L is pulled backward, the ridges 92K, 92N bite into the outer peripheral surface of the cover 82, preventing the cover 82 from shifting backward.

[0050] The protrusion 92D has a plurality of first protrusions 92E spaced apart in the left-right direction, and a plurality of second protrusions 92F arranged forward of the first protrusions 92E and spaced apart in the left-right direction. The recessed surface 92H of the first protrusion 92E and the recessed surface 92L of the second protrusion 92F are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The minimum width dimension W3 in the left-right direction of the recessed surface 92H of the first protrusion 92E is larger than the minimum width dimension W4 in the left-right direction of the recessed surface 92L of the second protrusion 92F. This configuration makes it possible to accommodate coatings 82 with different outer diameters by using the first protrusion 92E and the second protrusion 92F.

[0051] <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.

[0052] Unlike the first embodiment, the connecting member may be provided with a tab.

[0053] Unlike the first embodiment, the tubular portion of the sliding member is not limited to a rectangular tubular shape, and may be cylindrical.

[0054] Unlike embodiment 1, a third protrusion having a recessed surface narrower than the minimum width dimension of the recessed surface of the second protrusion may be arranged in front of the second protrusion, and a third protrusion having a recessed surface wider than the minimum width dimension of the recessed surface of the first protrusion may be arranged behind the first protrusion.

[0055] Unlike the first embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of housings stacked in the vertical direction are sandwiched from above and below by a cover portion and a lower housing.

[0056] Unlike the first embodiment, electric wires of different thicknesses may be used in combination.

[0057] Unlike the first embodiment, the front end of the insulation of the thick electric wire may be disposed behind the recessed surface of the second protrusion, while not coming into contact with the recessed surface of the second protrusion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10: Terminal fitting 11: Connection parts 11A: Connection body 11B: Contact part 11C: Locking part 12: Slide member 81:Electric wire 82: Covering 83: Core wire 84:Sheet 91: Housing 91A: Recess 91B: Cavity 91C: Convex 91D: Protrusion 91E:Through hole 91F: Partition wall 91G: Covered surface 91H:Protrusion 91J: 1st protrusion 91K: 2nd protrusion 91L, 91P: Concave surface 91M, 91Q: Front end surface 91N, 91R: Ridgeline 91S: Receiving surface 92: Cover 92A: Covering wall 92B: Side wall part 92C: Locking recess 92D:Protrusion 92E: 1st protrusion 92F: 2nd protrusion 92G: Covered surface 92H, 92L: Recessed surface 92J, 92M: Front end surface 92K, 92N: Ridgeline 93: Lower housing 93A: Flat plate part 93B: Standing wall 93C: Front wall 93D: Recess 93E: Cavity 93F: Locking hole 93G: Locking rib 93H: Through hole 93J: Receiving surface 93K: Partition wall 100: Connector W1, W2, W3, W4: Minimum width dimensions

Claims

1. a terminal metal fitting connected to a core wire exposed from a coating at a front end of the electric wire; a housing having a plurality of recesses arranged side by side in the left-right direction and configured to receive the terminal fittings; A cover portion having a cover surface that covers the recess from a direction intersecting the front-rear direction; Equipped with The cover portion is separate from the terminal metal fitting, The housing has a receiving surface aligned behind the recess and facing the covering surface, A region of the covering surface facing the receiving surface is provided with a plurality of protrusions arranged side by side and spaced apart in the left-right direction, a minimum distance between the protrusions in a left-right direction is smaller than an outer diameter of the coating; a front end portion of the covering is disposed between adjacent ones of the protrusions when the covering surface covers the recesses that house the terminal fittings.

2. The electric wire is arranged in the recess with its axis extending in the front-rear direction, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the cover portion is layered on the receiving surface in a protruding direction of the protrusion portion.

3. Between the adjacent protrusions, a U-shaped recessed surface is formed with its bottom aligned with the cover surface, the protrusion has a ridge line formed by a front end edge of the recessed surface and a front end surface of the protrusion facing forward, the ridge line being perpendicular to the front end edge of the recessed surface, the minimum width dimension of the recessed surface in the left-right direction is the minimum separation dimension, 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a front end of the covering is routed to the recessed surface.

4. The protrusions include a plurality of first protrusions arranged at a distance from one another in the left-right direction, and a plurality of second protrusions arranged forward of the first protrusions and at a distance from one another in the left-right direction, The recessed surface of the first protrusion and the recessed surface of the second protrusion are arranged side by side in a front-rear direction, The connector according to claim 3 , wherein a minimum width dimension in the left-right direction of the recessed surface of the first protrusion is greater than a minimum width dimension in the left-right direction of the recessed surface of the second protrusion.

Images