Connector

Abstract

To prevent a terminal module from detaching from an accommodation space of a housing with certainty.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises: a terminal module 30 that has a terminal metal fitting 31 to be connected with an electric wire 33; and a housing 20 that accommodates the terminal module 30. The housing 20 has: a housing main body 60 that has an accommodation space S1 for accommodating the terminal module 30; and a cover 70 that covers the accommodation space S1. The housing main body 60 is provided with a lock part 162 for restricting the terminal module 30 from detaching from the accommodation space S1. The cover 70 is provided with a holding projection 75 for restricting the lock part 162 from being deflected and deformed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The L-shaped connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises an L-shaped terminal, an L-shaped inner housing made of insulating resin that accommodates the L-shaped terminal, a shield shell made of conductive metal that covers the horizontal tubular portion of the inner housing, a conductive housing made of conductive metal that accommodates the vertical rectangular tubular portion of the inner housing, and an outer housing made of insulating resin that covers the shield shell. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-119120 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a configuration in which a terminal module composed of multiple terminal fittings is inserted into an accommodating space in a housing through an opening, as in the connector of Patent Document 1, the terminal module needs to be securely held in the accommodating space. Therefore, there is a demand for a configuration that can reliably prevent the terminal module from coming off the accommodating space in the housing.

[0005] The present disclosure has been completed in view of the above circumstances, and makes it possible to reliably prevent the terminal module from coming off from the accommodating space of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises: a terminal module having a terminal metal fitting connected to an electric wire; a housing for accommodating the terminal module; Equipped with The housing includes: a housing body having an accommodation space for accommodating the terminal module; A cover that covers the storage space; having The housing body is provided with a locking portion that prevents the terminal module from being removed from the accommodating space, The cover is provided with a retaining protrusion for restricting bending deformation of the locking portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reliably prevent the terminal module from coming off from the accommodating space of the housing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a connector according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the front side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view including a partial cross section of the terminal module. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal module as viewed from the right side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing body as seen from the rear. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the connector without the cover. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector when viewed from the right side in a state where the connector is mated with the mating connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken at a position different from that in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the terminal module is inserted into the wiring space. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the terminal module is inserted into the accommodation space. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the connector as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state before the cover is attached to the housing main body. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cover as seen from the front side. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section AA in FIG. 7, in a state before the cover is attached to the housing main body. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section AA in FIG. 7, showing a state after the cover has been attached to the housing body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) a terminal module having a terminal fitting connected to an electric wire; a housing for accommodating the terminal module; Equipped with The housing includes: a housing body having an accommodation space for accommodating the terminal module; A cover that covers the storage space; having The housing body is provided with a locking portion that prevents the terminal module from being removed from the accommodating space, The cover is provided with a retaining protrusion for restricting bending deformation of the locking portion. According to the connector of the present disclosure, the locking portion can prevent the terminal module from being removed from the accommodation space of the housing body. In addition, by assembling a cover to the housing body, the retaining protrusion of the cover can prevent the locking portion from being deflected and deformed, thereby reliably preventing the terminal module from being removed from the accommodation space.

[0010] (2) It is preferable that the locking portion has a tapered surface that is inclined so as to protrude toward the insertion path of the holding projection as it approaches the front side in the assembly direction of the cover to the housing body. According to this configuration, when the cover is attached to the housing body, the retaining projection can be prevented from hitting the locking portion of the housing body.

[0011] (3) It is preferable that the housing body is provided with a prevention wall that is located on the opposite side of the locking portion with respect to the retaining projection and prevents the retaining projection from moving away from the locking portion. According to this configuration, the prevention wall can prevent the retaining projection from moving away from the locking portion, and deflection of the locking portion can be reliably prevented.

[0012] (4) It is preferable that the prevention wall is provided with a guide surface that is inclined so as to protrude toward the entry path of the holding projection as it approaches the front side in the assembly direction of the cover to the housing body. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the retaining projections from hitting the prevention wall when assembling the cover to the housing body.

[0013] (5) The cover is provided with a locking claw that engages with the outer surface of the housing body. It is preferable that the locking claw is disposed in the cover near the holding projection. According to this configuration, the movement of the holding projection in the direction away from the locking portion is stopped by the prevention wall, so that the locking claw located in the vicinity of the holding projection is also not easily moved.

[0014] (6) It is preferable that a seal ring be provided which comes into close contact with a seal surface between the cover and the housing body, and that an outer surface of the retaining projection be continuous and flush with the seal surface. With this configuration, compared to a configuration in which there is a step between the outer surface of the retaining projection and the seal surface, there is no risk of the seal ring getting caught on such a step when attaching it to the cover, making the work of attaching the seal ring to the cover smoother.

[0015] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A first embodiment of the connector of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 15. In this first embodiment, the up-down direction is defined as the direction shown in Figures 1 to 13, as it is, as the up-down direction. The left-right direction is defined as the direction shown in Figures 1 to 15, as the forward-backward direction. The forward-left direction is defined as the direction shown in Figures 1 to 13, as the forward-backward direction.

[0016] (Connector configuration) 1 and 2, the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 20, a terminal module 30, a plug 41, a plug cover 42, a first seal ring 43, and a second seal ring 44. The connector 10 is configured as a female connector. The terminal module 30 is accommodated in the housing 20.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 7, the connector 10 is connected to a mating connector 50. The mating connector 50 is configured as a male connector. The mating connector 50 includes a mating housing 51 and mating terminal fittings 52. The housing 20 and the mating housing 51 are fitted together to connect terminal fittings 31 (described later) and the mating terminal fittings 52.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the terminal module 30 includes a terminal fitting 31 and a terminal accommodating member 32. The terminal module 30 is configured in a rectangular block shape in a plan view that is elongated in the left-right direction. The terminal fitting 31 is connected to an electric wire 33. The electric wire 33 has a conductor 33A and an insulating coating 33B that covers the conductor 33A. The terminal fitting 31 has a box portion 31A, a first crimping portion 31B, and a second crimping portion 31C. A mating terminal fitting 52 is inserted into the box portion 31A. The first crimping portion 31B is crimped to the insulating coating 33B. The second crimping portion 31C is crimped to the conductor 33A that is led out from the insulating coating 33B of the electric wire 33.

[0019] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the terminal accommodating member 32 includes a main body 34 and a front portion 35. The main body 34 and the front portion 35 are each a single component made of synthetic resin. The terminal accommodating member 32 is configured by assembling the front portion 35 to the main body 34 from above. The terminal accommodating member 32 accommodates a plurality of terminal fittings 31 (four terminal fittings 31 in this embodiment) in a line parallel to each other in the left-right direction (arrangement direction). The terminal accommodating member 32 is provided with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 32A (four terminal accommodating chambers 32A in this embodiment). The front end of the terminal accommodating member 32 is provided with openings 32B of the terminal accommodating chambers 32A. The electric wires 33 connected to the plurality of terminal fittings 31 are led out from the rear end of the terminal accommodating member 32. The main body 34 is provided with lances 34A for preventing the terminal fittings 31 from coming off.

[0020] Of the four terminal fittings 31, the two electric wires connected to the two inner terminal fittings 31 in the left-right direction (arrangement direction) are a differential pair wire for communication. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 6, the two electric wires 33 constituting the differential pair wire are surrounded by one insulating sheath 36. The sheath 36 can prevent the two electric wires 33 constituting the differential pair wire from being separated, and deterioration of communication performance can be prevented. The two electric wires connected to the two outer terminal fittings 31 in the left-right direction (arrangement direction) are, for example, electric wires for power supply.

[0021] 2 and 7, the housing 20 has a housing main body 60 and a cover 70. The housing 20 is L-shaped when viewed from the left and right direction. The housing main body 60 and the cover 70 are each a single part made of synthetic resin. The housing 20 is formed by assembling the cover 70 to the housing main body 60.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, the housing body 60 includes a wiring side main body portion 61, a receiving side main body portion 62, and a hood portion 63. The wiring side main body portion 61 is cylindrical and extends in the vertical direction. A rectangular main body side opening 61A is provided at the rear end of the wiring side main body portion 61. A first opening 61B (see FIG. 7) that penetrates in the vertical direction is provided at the lower end of the wiring side main body portion 61. The receiving side main body portion 62 protrudes forward from the upper end of the wiring side main body portion 61. The hood portion 63 covers the outer periphery of the receiving side main body portion 62. A second seal ring 44 is provided between the hood portion 63 and the receiving side main body portion 62.

[0023] An accommodation space S1 for accommodating the terminal module 30 is provided within the accommodation side main body 62. The accommodation space S1 is a rectangular parallelepiped space that is long in the left-right direction. The front end of the accommodation space S1 is open to the outside for inserting the mating terminal fitting 52. A second opening 62A is provided at the rear end position of the accommodation space S1 in the accommodation side main body 62. The terminal module 30 is inserted from the rear through the second opening 62A.

[0024] As shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the first wiring portion 64 is provided in the wiring side main body 61. The first wiring portion 64 is wave-shaped when viewed from the left and right direction. Any cross section of the first wiring portion 64 perpendicular to the left and right direction has the same shape. The first wiring portion 64 constitutes the left and right central portion of the front wall in the wiring side main body 61. The left and right width of the first wiring portion 64 is approximately the same as the total diameter of the four electric wires 33. The first wiring portion 64 has a first convex portion 64A, a first recessed portion 64B, a second convex portion 64C, and a first flat portion 64D. The first wiring portion 64 is connected in the order of the first convex portion 64A, the first recessed portion 64B, the second convex portion 64C, and the first flat portion 64D from the upper side. The first convex portion 64A protrudes backward in a mountain shape. The first convex portion 64A constitutes the rear end portion of the lower wall that constitutes the storage space S1. The first recessed portion 64B is recessed forward. The second convex portion 64C protrudes rearward in a mountain shape. The tip of the second convex portion 64C is located forward of the tip of the first convex portion 64A. The first convex portion 64A and the second convex portion 64C have convex curved tops. The first flat portion 64D has surfaces that are parallel in the up-down and left-right directions.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5, the wiring-side main body 61 is provided with a pair of opening prevention walls 65 for preventing the opening of the multiple electric wires 33. The opening prevention walls 65 are provided adjacent to both left and right sides of the first wiring portion 64 on the front wall inside the wiring-side main body 61. The pair of opening prevention walls 65 and the first wiring portion 64 form a stepped structure in which the center in the left and right direction is recessed toward the front. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, a guide surface 66 for guiding the terminal module 30 is provided on the lower end side of the opening prevention walls 65. The guide surface 66 is an inclined surface that protrudes rearward as it goes upward. The rear end of the guide surface 66 is located at a position that overlaps with the rear end (second opening 62A) of the accommodation space S1 in the up-down direction.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 7, a plug accommodating portion 61C for accommodating the plug 41 is provided at the lower end of the wiring side main body portion 61. The plug accommodating portion 61C is open to the outside through a first opening 61B. The plug 41 configured as a rubber plug is press-fitted into the plug accommodating portion 61C. The sheath 36 passes through a through hole 41A provided in the center of the plug 41. The plug cover 42 closes the first opening 61B and prevents the plug 41 from coming off.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the wiring side main body portion 61 is provided with a lock receiving portion 67 that engages with a lock claw 73 of a cover 70, which will be described later.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 70 has a plate portion 71, a bulge portion 72, a locking claw 73, and a second wiring portion 74. The cover 70 covers the accommodation space S1 of the housing main body 60 from the rear. The plate portion 71 is a square plate corresponding to the shape of the main body side opening 61A of the housing main body 60. The plate portion 71 closes the main body side opening 61A. The bulge portion 72 bulges forward from the center of the front surface of the plate portion 71. A first seal ring 43 is attached to the outer periphery of the bulge portion 72. A pair of locking claws 73 are provided on each of the left and right sides of the plate portion 71. The locking claws 73 engage with the outer surface of the housing main body 60 (more specifically, the lock receiving portion 67).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the second wiring portion 74 protrudes forward from the center and lower end side of the bulging portion 72 in the left-right direction. The left-right width of the second wiring portion 74 is slightly smaller than the left-right width of the first wiring portion 64. Any cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction of the second wiring portion 74 has the same shape. The second wiring portion 74 has a third convex portion 74A and a second flat portion 74B. The second wiring portion 74 is connected in this order from the upper side to the third convex portion 74A and the second flat portion 74B. The third convex portion 74A protrudes forward in a mountain shape. The third convex portion 74A has a convex curved top. The second flat portion 74B has a surface parallel to the up-down direction and the left-right direction.

[0030] 7, a wiring space S2 in which the electric wire 33 is routed is provided between the housing body 60 and the cover 70. More specifically, the wiring space S2 is formed by the first wiring portion 64, the second wiring portion 74, and a pair of opening prevention walls 65. The wiring space S2 is formed in a position adjacent to and above the plug accommodating portion 61C. The electric wire 33 routed in the wiring space S2 is led out downward from the housing 20 through the first opening 61B.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7, the housing body 60 and the cover 70 are provided with a strain relief portion 80 that sandwiches all the electric wires 33 in the wiring space S2 in a bent state. The strain relief portion 80 is composed of a first wiring portion 64 and a second wiring portion 74. The electric wires 33 in the wiring space S2 are sandwiched between the first wiring portion 64 and the second wiring portion 74 from the front-rear direction, and are held in a state in which they are bent in a wave-like shape when viewed from the left-right direction. Specifically, the electric wires 33 led out rearward from the terminal module 30 are pushed toward the first convex portion 64A by the second wiring portion 74, and are bent so as to be convex backward along the first convex portion 64A and to be convex forward along the third convex portion 74A. This restricts the loose movement of all the electric wires 33 in the wiring space S2. Even if the electric wire 33 led out from the housing 20 is pulled downward, the electric wire is caught in the first routing portion 64 and the second routing portion 74 and is not displaced downward, so that it is possible to suppress the application of tensile force to the connection portion 37 between the electric wire 33 and the terminal fitting 31. Therefore, it is possible to suppress damage to the connection portion 37 between the electric wire 33 and the terminal fitting 31. The connection portion 37 is composed of the first crimping portion 31B, the second crimping portion 31C, and a part of the conductor 33A crimped thereto.

[0032] The four electric wires 33 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction in the wiring space S2. The electric wires 33 in the wiring space S2 are sandwiched by a pair of opening prevention walls 65 from the outside in the left-right direction (arrangement direction). When the electric wires 33 on the outside in the left-right direction (arrangement direction) spread outward, the spread electric wires 33 have an excess length, and the spread electric wires 33 come out of the wiring space S2 and are no longer caught by the first wiring part 64 and the second wiring part 74. Therefore, there is a risk that the spread electric wires 33 will not function as a strain relief, but by sandwiching the multiple electric wires 33 from the outside in the left-right direction (arrangement direction) by the pair of opening prevention walls 65, the lengths of all the electric wires 33 in the wiring space S2 can be made uniform, and all the electric wires 33 can function as a strain relief.

[0033] The terminal module 30 is assembled to the housing body 60 by the steps shown in Figures 9 and 10. As shown in Figure 9, the terminal module 30 is inserted into the housing body 60 through the first opening 61B and the plug accommodating portion 61C. As shown in Figure 9, the terminal module 30 is inserted into the housing body 60 in an orientation in which the arrangement direction of the multiple terminal fittings 31 is the left-right direction. The direction in which the terminal module 30 is inserted into the housing body 60 through the first opening 61B is defined as a first insertion direction. The first insertion direction is the up-down direction. The front side in the first insertion direction is the upper side. The rear side in the first insertion direction is the lower side.

[0034] The terminal module 30 is inserted into the accommodating space S1 through the second opening 62A. The direction in which the terminal module 30 is inserted into the accommodating space S1 through the second opening 62A is defined as the second insertion direction. The second insertion direction is a direction intersecting the first insertion direction. The second insertion direction is a direction perpendicular to the first insertion direction, that is, the front-to-rear direction. The front side of the second insertion direction is the front side. The rear side of the second insertion direction is the rear side.

[0035] The pair of left and right guide surfaces 66 guide the terminal module 30 moving toward the front side (upper side) in the first insertion direction toward the rear side (rear side) in the second insertion direction. Specifically, the terminal module 30 moving upward in the housing main body 60 from the first opening 61B contacts the pair of left and right guide surfaces 66 from below, and when it tries to move further upward, it is guided toward the rear side and upper side by the guide surfaces 66. As a result, the terminal module 30 moves toward the rear of the accommodation space S1 and the second opening 62A. Specifically, the terminal module 30 pops out toward the rear of the housing main body 60 through the main body side opening 61A. Thereafter, the terminal module 30 is tilted forward so that the tip of the terminal module 30 faces forward behind the second opening 62A, which makes it easier to smoothly insert the terminal module 30 into the accommodation space S1.

[0036] Providing the strain relief portion 80 inside the housing 20 makes it easier to generate the slack length of the electric wires 33 required when accommodating the terminal module 30 in the accommodation space S1. Specifically, when the terminal module 30 is in an insertion posture (posture shown in FIG. 2) for the accommodation space S1 at the rear of the accommodation space S1, the slack length of the electric wires 33 protruding rearward from the housing body 60 is required. The electric wires 33 are bent by the strain relief portion 80, and thus the wiring length of the electric wires 33 is set longer than in a configuration in which the electric wires 33 are wired in a straight line. Therefore, the slack length of the electric wires 33 required when accommodating the terminal module 30 in the accommodation space S1 can be generated by utilizing the long wiring portion of the electric wires 33.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 7, the end (upper end) 36A of the sheath 36 on the front side in the first insertion direction is located within the formation range AR of the guide surface 66 in the first insertion direction (vertical direction). The formation range AR is a range from the lower end to the upper end of the guide surface 66 in the vertical direction. The housing main body 60 is provided with a recess 68 recessed forward of the guide surface 66 at a position overlapping with the guide surface 66 in the first insertion direction. The recess 68 is formed by the lower end portions of the pair of opening prevention walls 65 and the lower end portion of the first wiring portion 64 (the lower end portion of the second convex portion 64C and the upper end portion of the first flat portion 64D). The end 36A of the sheath 36 can be inserted into the recess 68. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the end 36A of the sheath 36 from interfering with the guide surface 66 of the housing main body 60.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, the strain relief portion 80 includes a first bent path 81 and a second bent path 82. The first bent path 81 is a path that bends and holds the electric wire 33 at the lower end side of the wiring space S2. The second bent path 82 is a path that bends and holds the electric wire 33 at the upper end side of the wiring space S2. The second bent path 82 is provided at a position closer to the accommodation space S1 than the first bent path 81. The first bent path 81 includes the first recess 64B and the third convex portion 74A. The second bent path 82 includes the first convex portion 64A and a part of the bulge portion 72 (a part facing the first convex portion 64A in the front-rear direction).

[0039] The clearance between the second bent path 82 and the electric wire 33 is smaller than the clearance between the first bent path 81 and the electric wire 33. For example, the clearance between the first bent path 81 and the electric wire 33 is a gap generated between the first bent path 81 and the electric wire 33 in the front-rear direction. The clearance between the second bent path 82 and the electric wire 33 is a gap generated between the second bent path 82 and the electric wire 33 in the front-rear direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the clearance between the second bent path 82 and the electric wire 33 is almost nonexistent and is smaller than the clearance between the first bent path 81 and the electric wire 33. This makes it easier to suppress backlash (vibration) of the electric wire 33 in the front-rear direction in the first bent path 81 than in the second bent path 82. Therefore, the load on the connection portion 37 between the electric wire 33 and the terminal fitting 31 can be suppressed.

[0040] (Terminal module retention structure) 11, the terminal module 30 is held by a housing body 60 and a cover 70. As shown in FIG. 12, the cover 70 is attached to the housing body 60 from the rear.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 14, the housing body 60 is provided with a pair of side walls 161 that constitute the front end portion of the accommodation space S1. The pair of side walls 161 face each other in the left-right direction. The pair of side walls 161 sandwich the terminal module 30 accommodated in the accommodation space S1 from both left-right sides. The housing body 60 is provided with a pair of locking portions 162 that extend rearward from the rear ends of the pair of side walls 161. The locking portions 162 regulate the removal of the terminal module 30 from the accommodation space S1. The locking portions 162 are capable of bending and deforming outward in the left-right direction (the opposite side to the other locking portion 162). The locking portions 162 have an extending portion 162A that is tapered backward in a plan view, and a convex portion 162B that protrudes inward in the left-right direction (toward the other locking portion 162) from the middle of the extension of the extending portion 162A. The rear side surface of the protruding portion 162B is inclined so as to protrude inward in the left-right direction (towards the other lock portion 162) as it approaches the front.

[0042] 14, the pair of locking portions 162 are hooked onto the left and right sides of the rear end of the terminal module 30 when it is accommodated in the accommodation space S1. The convex portion 162B is located behind the rear end of the terminal module 30. This prevents the terminal module 30 from moving rearward by the pair of locking portions 162. In this manner, the pair of locking portions 162 can prevent the terminal module 30 from being removed from the accommodation space S1 of the housing body 60.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 13, the cover 70 is provided with a pair of holding projections 75 for restricting the bending deformation of the locking portion 162. The pair of holding projections 75 protrude forward from positions slightly below both the left and right ends of the upper side of the bulging portion 72. The holding projections 75 are rectangular parallelepiped shapes that are long in the vertical direction and have rounded corners. As shown in FIG. 15, the holding projections 75 are arranged to face the outer side in the left and right direction of the locking portion 162 (the opposite side to the other locking portion 162) when the cover 70 is assembled to the housing main body 60. Specifically, the tip (front end) of the holding projections 75 is arranged to face the tip (rear end) of the locking portion 162 from the outer side in the left and right direction (the opposite side to the other locking portion 162). The holding projections 75 can restrict the bending deformation of the locking portion 162 outward in the left and right direction by interfering with the locking portion 162. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the terminal module 30 from coming off the accommodation space S1.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 14, the locking portion 162 is provided with a tapered surface 162C. The tapered surface 162C is a surface on the outer side in the left-right direction of the locking portion 162 (opposite to the other locking portion 162). The tapered surface 162C is inclined so as to protrude toward the entry path of the holding protrusion 75 as it moves toward the front side (see FIG. 15) in the assembly direction (front-rear direction) of the cover 70 to the housing main body 60. The entry path of the holding protrusion 75 is a long path in the front-rear direction formed by the locking portion 162 and a prevention wall 163 described later. With this configuration, when the cover 70 is assembled to the housing main body 60 as shown in FIG. 15, the holding protrusion 75 moves forward along the tapered surface 162C of the locking portion 162, so that the holding protrusion 75 can be prevented from hitting the locking portion 162.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 14, the housing main body 60 is provided with a pair of prevention walls 163 constituting the rear end side portion of the accommodation space S1. The prevention walls 163 are walls that prevent the holding protrusions 75 from moving away from the locking parts 162. The prevention walls 163 are arranged apart from each other on the outer side of the locking parts 162 in the left-right direction (opposite the other locking part 162). As shown in FIG. 15, the prevention walls 163 are located on the opposite side of the locking parts 162 with respect to the holding protrusions 75 when the cover 70 is assembled to the housing main body 60. The prevention walls 163 interfere with the holding protrusions 75, thereby restricting the movement of the holding protrusions 75 outward in the left-right direction. In this way, the prevention walls 163 can prevent the holding protrusions 75 from moving away from the locking parts 162, and the deflection of the locking parts 162 can be reliably prevented.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 14, the prevention wall 163 is provided with a guide surface 163A. The guide surface 163A is a surface on the inner side in the left-right direction of the prevention wall 163 (the other prevention wall 163 side). The guide surface 163A is inclined so as to protrude toward the entry path of the holding protrusion 75 as it moves toward the front side (see Fig. 15) in the assembly direction (front-rear direction) of the cover 70 to the housing main body 60. As a result, when the cover 70 is assembled to the housing main body 60 as shown in Fig. 15, the holding protrusion 75 moves forward along the guide surface 163A of the prevention wall 163, so that the holding protrusion 75 can be prevented from hitting the prevention wall 163.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 14, the housing main body 60 has a main body side opening 61A behind the prevention wall 163. In the cross section shown in Fig. 14, the main body side opening 61A is recessed outward in the left-right direction (opposite the other prevention wall 163) from the inner surface (guide surface 163A) of the prevention wall 163. That is, a step is formed between the main body side opening 61A and the guide surface 163A. A chamfered portion 163B with the corners removed is provided at the rear end of the guide surface 163A. A chamfered portion 61D with the corners removed is provided at the rear end of the main body side opening 61A.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, in the cover 70, the upper lock claw 73 is disposed near the holding protrusion 75. The upper lock claw 73 is located at the same height as the holding protrusion 75 in the up-down direction. The pair of upper lock claws 73 are located to sandwich the pair of holding protrusions 75 from both sides in the left-right direction. The left lock claw 73 is spaced apart from the left holding protrusion 75 in the left-right direction by a distance approximately equal to the width of the first seal ring 43. The right lock claw 73 is spaced apart from the right holding protrusion 75 in the left-right direction by a distance approximately equal to the width of the first seal ring 43. The position of the tip (front end) of the lock claw 73 is at the same position as the tip (front end) of the holding protrusion 75 in the front-rear direction. Since the movement of the holding protrusion 75 in the direction away from the lock portion 162 is stopped by the prevention wall 163, the lock claws 73 located near the holding protrusion 75 do not move easily either.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 13, the side surface of the bulging portion 72 forms a seal surface 72A provided between the cover 70 and the housing main body 60. As shown in Fig. 15, the first seal ring 43 is in close contact with the seal surface 72A when the cover 70 is assembled to the housing main body 60. The outer surface 75A of the holding protrusion 75 is flush with the seal surface 72A. As a result, compared to a configuration in which there is a step between the outer surface of the holding protrusion 75 and the seal surface 72A, there is no risk of the first seal ring 43 getting caught on such a step when attaching the first seal ring 43 to the cover 70, and the operation of attaching the first seal ring 43 to the cover 70 becomes smoother.

[0050] (Assembly process of the cover onto the housing body) With the terminal module 30 accommodated in the housing main body 60 as shown in Fig. 14, the cover 70 to which the first seal ring 43 is attached is assembled from the rear as shown in Fig. 12. The retaining projection 75 advances forward along the entry path (path between the locking portion 162 and the prevention wall 163). At that time, the retaining projection 75 is guided forward by the tapered surface 162C of the locking portion 162 and the guide surface 163A of the prevention wall 163. Thereafter, the four locking claws 73 of the cover 70 engage with the four lock receiving portions 67 of the housing main body 60, respectively.

[0051] The retaining projection 75 is disposed between the locking portion 162 and the prevention wall 163. As a result, the retaining projection 75 restricts the locking portion 162 from bending outward in the left-right direction (toward the other locking portion 162), and the prevention wall 163 restricts the retaining projection 75 from bending outward in the left-right direction (toward the other locking portion 162). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the locked state of the terminal module 30 by the locking portion 162 from being released.

[0052] 15, the first seal ring 43 is sandwiched in the left-right direction between the body-side opening 61A of the housing body 60 and the seal surface 72A of the cover 70. The first seal ring 43 is sandwiched in the left-right direction between the rear end of the prevention wall 163 of the housing body 60 and the rear surface of the plate portion 71 of the cover 70.

[0053] (Effects of Example 1) The housing body 60 of the connector 10 of the first embodiment is provided with a locking portion 162 that restricts the removal of the terminal module 30 from the accommodation space S1. The cover 70 is provided with a retaining protrusion 75 that restricts the flexural deformation of the locking portion 162. This allows the locking portion 162 to restrict the removal of the terminal module 30 from the accommodation space S1 of the housing body 60. In addition, by assembling the cover 70 to the housing body 60, the retaining protrusion 75 of the cover 70 can restrict the flexural deformation of the locking portion 162, thereby reliably preventing the removal of the terminal module 30 from the accommodation space S1.

[0054] Furthermore, the locking portion 162 is provided with a tapered surface 162C that is inclined so as to protrude toward the entry path of the retaining projection 75 as it approaches the front side in the assembly direction of the cover 70 to the housing main body 60. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the retaining projection 75 from hitting the locking portion 162 of the housing main body 60 when assembling the cover 70 to the housing main body 60.

[0055] Furthermore, the housing body 60 is provided with a prevention wall 163 that is located on the opposite side of the lock portion 162 with respect to the retaining projection 75 and prevents the retaining projection 75 from moving away from the lock portion 162. According to this configuration, the prevention wall 163 can prevent the retaining projection 75 from moving away from the lock portion 162, and the deflection of the lock portion 162 can be reliably prevented.

[0056] Furthermore, the prevention wall 163 is provided with a guide surface 163A that is inclined so as to protrude toward the entry path of the retaining projection 75 as it moves forward in the assembly direction of the cover 70 to the housing body 60. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the retaining projection 75 from hitting the prevention wall 163 when the cover 70 is assembled to the housing body 60.

[0057] Furthermore, the cover 70 is provided with a locking claw 73 that engages with the outer surface of the housing body 60. The locking claw 73 is disposed in the cover 70 near the holding protrusion 75. According to this configuration, the movement of the holding protrusion 75 in the direction away from the locking portion 162 is stopped by the prevention wall 163, so that the locking claw 73 located in the vicinity of the holding protrusion 75 also does not move easily.

[0058] Furthermore, there is provided a first seal ring 43 that comes into close contact with a seal surface 72A between the cover 70 and the housing main body 60. The outer surface of the retaining projection 75 is flush with the seal surface 72A. With this configuration, compared to a configuration in which there is a step between the outer surface of the retaining projection 75 and the seal surface 72A, there is no risk of the first seal ring 43 getting caught on such a step when attaching the first seal ring 43 to the cover 70, and the operation of attaching the first seal ring 43 to the cover 70 becomes smoother.

[0059] [Other Examples] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but is indicated by the claims. The present invention includes the equivalent meaning of the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims, and is intended to include the following embodiments. In the above-described first embodiment, a tapered surface may be provided on at least one of the left and right side surfaces of the holding protrusion 75. For example, a tapered surface that is inclined so as to protrude inward in the left and right direction as it approaches rearward may be provided on the side surface on the inner side in the left and right direction (the side facing the other holding protrusion 75) of the holding protrusion 75. For example, a tapered surface that is inclined so as to protrude outward in the left and right direction as it approaches rearward may be provided on the outer side in the left and right direction (the side opposite the other holding protrusion 75). In the first embodiment, the locking portion 162 may be L-shaped in plan view. For example, the protruding portion 162B may be shaped to protrude inward in the left-right direction (toward the other locking portion 162) from the tip of the extending portion 162A. In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the connector 10 is provided with four terminal fittings 31, but the connector 10 may be provided with any other number of terminal fittings 31. In the above-mentioned first embodiment, a configuration in which a pair of opening prevention walls 65 are provided on the housing 20 has been exemplified, but a configuration in which an opening prevention wall 65 is provided on only one of the left and right sides may also be used. In the first embodiment, the two electric wires 33 on the inner side in the left-right direction among the plurality of electric wires 33 are configured as a differential pair of wires for communication, but may be electric wires for other purposes. In the above Example 1, the clearance between the second curved path 82 and the electric wire 33 was smaller than the clearance between the first curved path 81 and the electric wire 33, but the clearance between the second curved path 82 and the electric wire 33 may be larger or may be about the same. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10…Connector 20. Housing 30...Terminal module 31...Terminal metal fitting 31A…Hakobe 31B…First crimping section 31C…Second crimping section 32...Terminal receiving member 32A…Terminal chamber 32B…Aperture 33...Electric wire 33A…Conductor 33B…Insulating coating 34…Main body 34A…Lance 35…Front section 36…Sheath 36A...end 37…Connection part 41…Seal 41A...Through hole 42…Bung cover 43…1st seal ring 44…Second seal ring 50…Mating connector 51…Matching housing 52…Mating terminal fitting 60…Housing body 61…Routing side main body part 61A…Main body side opening 61B…1st opening 61C…Plug receiving section 61D…Beveled part 62...Housing side main body part 62A…Second opening 63…Hood section 64…First wiring section 64A…First protrusion 64B…First recess 64C…Second convex part 64D…1st flat part 65...Opening prevention wall 66...Guide surface 67…Lock receiving part 68…Recess 70…Cover 71...Plate part 72...bulge 72A…Seal surface 73…Lock claw 74…Second wiring section 74A…Third protrusion 74B…Second flat part 75...Holding protrusion 75A…Outer surface 80…Strain relief section 161...Side wall 162…Rock section 162A...Extension part 162B…Convex part 162C...Tapered surface 163…Prevention wall 163A...Guide surface 163B…Beveled section 81…First bend 82…Second bend route AR…Formation range S1…Containment space S2…Routing space

Claims

1. a terminal module having a terminal metal fitting connected to an electric wire; a housing for accommodating the terminal module; Equipped with The housing includes: a housing body having an accommodation space for accommodating the terminal module; A cover that covers the storage space; having The housing body is provided with a locking portion that prevents the terminal module from being removed from the accommodating space, The cover is provided with a retaining protrusion for restricting flexural deformation of the locking portion.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion is provided with a tapered surface that is inclined so as to project toward an insertion path of the retaining projection as it approaches a forward direction in which the cover is attached to the housing body.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing body is provided with a prevention wall located on the opposite side of the retaining projection from the locking portion to prevent the retaining projection from moving away from the locking portion.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the prevention wall is provided with a guide surface that is inclined so as to protrude toward an insertion path of the holding projection as it approaches a forward direction in the assembly direction of the cover to the housing body.

5. The cover is provided with a locking claw that engages with the outer surface of the housing body, 5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the locking claw is disposed in the cover adjacent to the retaining projection.

6. a seal ring that is in intimate contact with a sealing surface between the cover and the housing body, 6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the retaining projection is flush with the sealing surface.

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