Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of preventing a retainer from shifting against a housing so as to be inclined from an assembling direction.SOLUTION: A connector 11 includes a retainer 14 assembled relative to a housing 13 in an assembling direction crossing an insertion direction X1 of a terminal 12. The retainer 14 has an upper wall 14a, a lower wall 14b, a base end connecting wall, and a connecting unit wall, and a coupling portion 14d, and being movable between a temporary locking position and a regular locking position. The housing 13 has a first projection, the upper wall 14a has a first locking portion provided at an end opposite to the coupling portion 14d, and the first locking portion can get over the first projection by the upper wall 14a being bent upward. The housing 13 has a guide groove 13d extending along the assembling direction, and the upper wall 14a has a guide rib 44 extending along the assembling direction and fitted to the guide groove 13d.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a connector including a terminal, a housing into which the terminal is inserted, and a retainer assembled in an assembling direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal with respect to the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This retainer has parallel upper surface walls and holding walls with the housing disposed therebetween, and side walls connecting the upper surface walls and the holding walls at the rear end in the assembling direction. Then, the retainer is movable between a temporary locking position that allows insertion and removal of the terminal with respect to the housing by bending of the holding wall having a locking portion, and a main locking position that restricts removal of the terminal at a position in front of the temporary locking position in the assembling direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the connector as described above, there is a risk that the retainer may be displaced so as to tilt from the assembling direction with respect to the housing, for example, when the holding wall is bent. This may cause, for example, the retainer to be detached from the housing.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector capable of preventing the retainer from being displaced so as to tilt from the assembling direction with respect to the housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure includes a terminal, a housing into which the terminal is inserted, and a retainer assembled in an assembling direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal with respect to the housing. The retainer has parallel upper and lower walls between which the housing is disposed, a proximal end connecting wall connecting the upper and lower walls at an end portion rearward in the assembling direction, and a connecting portion connecting the upper and lower walls at an end portion forward in the insertion direction. The retainer is movable between a temporary locking position allowing insertion and removal of the terminal with respect to the housing and a main locking position regulating removal of the terminal at a position forward in the assembling direction than the temporary locking position. The housing has a first convex portion. The upper wall is provided at an end portion opposite to the connecting portion, and has a first locking portion disposed rearward in the assembling direction than the first convex portion at the temporary locking position and forward in the assembling direction than the first convex portion at the main locking position. The first locking portion is configured such that the upper wall can overcome the first convex portion by bending upward when the retainer moves between the temporary locking position and the main locking position. Further, the housing has a guide groove extending along the assembling direction, and the upper wall has a guide rib extending along the assembling direction and fitted into the guide groove.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the connector of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the retainer from being displaced so as to tilt from the assembling direction with respect to the housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure is [1] A connector comprising a terminal, a housing into which the terminal is inserted, and a retainer assembled in an assembling direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal with respect to the housing, wherein the retainer has parallel upper and lower walls with the housing disposed therebetween, a base end connecting wall connecting the upper and lower walls at the rear end in the assembling direction, and a connecting portion connecting the upper and lower walls at the front end in the insertion direction, and is movable between a temporary locking position allowing insertion and removal of the terminal with respect to the housing and a main locking position restricting removal of the terminal at a position in front of the temporary locking position in the assembling direction. The housing has a first convex portion, the upper wall is provided at an end opposite to the connecting portion, and has a first locking portion disposed behind the first convex portion in the assembling direction at the temporary locking position and in front of the first convex portion in the assembling direction at the main locking position. The first locking portion is configured such that the upper wall can bend upward to overcome the first convex portion when the retainer moves between the temporary locking position and the main locking position. Further, the housing has a guide groove extending along the assembling direction, and the upper wall has a guide rib extending along the assembling direction and fitting into the guide groove.

[0010] According to the same configuration, since the first locking portion of the upper wall is configured to overcome the first convex portion of the housing by the upward bending of the upper wall when the retainer moves between the temporary locking position and the main locking position, the retainer is prevented from easily switching to the temporary locking position or the main locking position. And the retainer can be switched between the temporary locking position and the main locking position by applying a certain amount of operating force. Also, since the housing has a guide groove extending along the assembling direction of the retainer and the upper wall has a guide rib extending along the assembling direction of the retainer and fitting into the guide groove, the retainer is prevented from shifting relative to the housing so as to tilt from the assembling direction. Thereby, for example, detachment of the retainer from the housing is prevented.

[0011] [2] In [1] above, the guide rib may have an inclined portion at the front end in the assembling direction, where the amount of protrusion from the upper wall decreases toward the end. According to this configuration, since the guide rib has an inclined portion at the front end in the assembling direction, where the amount of protrusion from the upper wall decreases toward the end, the guide rib is prevented from getting caught when assembling the retainer to the housing, and the assemblability is improved.

[0012] [3] In [1] or [2] above, the guide rib may be continuously provided over the entire assembling direction on the upper wall. According to this configuration, since the guide rib is continuously provided over the entire assembling direction on the upper wall, it can engage with the guide groove over the entire assembling direction on the upper wall. Therefore, compared with the case where the guide rib is provided on a part of the assembling direction on the upper wall, the retainer is more effectively prevented from tilting and shifting in the assembling direction with respect to the housing.

[0013] [4] In any one of [1] to [3] above, the guide rib may be provided at a distance from the first locking portion in the insertion direction. According to this configuration, since the guide rib is provided at a distance from the first locking portion in the insertion direction of the terminal, the guide rib is less likely to be affected by the deflection of the upper wall when the first locking portion gets over the first convex portion. That is, for example, when the guide rib is continuously provided with the first locking portion, there is a risk that the guide rib may come out of the guide groove due to the influence of the deflection of the upper wall when the first locking portion gets over the first convex portion, but this can be suppressed.

[0014] [5] In any one of [1] to [4] above, the guide groove may have a bottom. According to this configuration, since the guide groove has a bottom, for example, the rigidity of the housing can be ensured to be higher compared with the case where the guide groove is a through hole without a bottom.

[0015] [6] In any one of the above [1] to [5], the housing has a communication hole that communicates with the portion where the terminal is disposed up to the portion facing the lower wall and extends along the assembling direction, the lower wall has a base portion that extends along the assembling direction and fits into the communication hole, and the base portion may have a retaining projection engageable with the terminal to regulate the removal of the terminal at the main locking position.

[0016] According to the same configuration, since the housing has a communication hole extending along the assembling direction of the retainer and the lower wall has a base portion extending along the assembling direction and fitting into the communication hole, it is possible to prevent the retainer from being displaced so as to tilt from the assembling direction with respect to the housing even on the lower wall side. And since the communication hole communicates up to the portion where the terminal is disposed and the base portion has a retaining projection engageable with the terminal to regulate the removal of the terminal at the main locking position, the removal of the terminal is regulated. That is, in this configuration, the base portion has both a function of preventing the retainer from being displaced so as to tilt from the assembling direction and a function of having a retaining projection for regulating the removal of the terminal.

[0017] [7] In the above [6], the guide rib may be provided at a position overlapping the base portion in the insertion direction. According to the same configuration, since the guide rib is provided at a position overlapping the base portion in the insertion direction of the terminal, it is possible to prevent the retainer from being displaced so as to tilt from the assembling direction with respect to the housing at the same position on the upper wall side and the lower wall side.

[0018] [8] In any one of the above [1] to [7], the housing has a second convex portion disposed in front of the first convex portion in the assembling direction, the upper wall has a detachment prevention portion disposed in front of the second convex portion in the assembling direction at the temporary locking position and the main locking position, the second convex portion has a key recess recessed toward the rear in the assembling direction, and the detachment prevention portion may have a key projection that fits into the key recess at the temporary locking position to prevent the upper wall from deflecting upward.

[0019] According to the same structure, the second convex part of the housing has a key recess recessed rearward in the assembling direction, and the detachment prevention part of the retainer has a key convex part that fits into the key recess at the temporary locking position to prevent the upper wall from deflecting upward. Therefore, the retainer is prevented from detaching from the housing. That is, even if a large force acting rearward in the assembling direction is applied to the retainer at the temporary locking position, the key convex part fits into the key recess, thereby preventing the upper wall from deflecting upward and preventing the detachment prevention part from overcoming the second convex part. As a result, the retainer is prevented from detaching from the housing.

[0020] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may be different in each drawing. Further, the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0021] (Configuration of Connector 11) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connector 11 includes a terminal 12, a housing 13, and a retainer 14. In the figure, a first axis X, a second axis Y orthogonal to the first axis X, and a third axis Z orthogonal to both the first axis X and the second axis Y are illustrated. Also, in the figure, an insertion direction X1, which is one direction along the first axis X, in other words, the front X1 of the insertion direction, and a rear X2 of the insertion direction, which is the other direction along the first axis X and is opposite to the front X1 of the insertion direction, are illustrated. Further, in the figure, an assembling direction Y1, which is one direction along the second axis Y, in other words, the front Y1 of the assembling direction, and a rear Y2 of the assembling direction, which is the other direction along the second axis Y and is opposite to the front Y1 of the assembling direction, are illustrated. Also, in the figure, an upward Z1, which is one direction along the third axis Z, and a downward Z2, which is the other direction along the third axis Z and is opposite to the upward Z1, are illustrated.

[0022] (Configuration of Terminal 12) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the terminal 12 is a female terminal made of metal and extending along the first axis X. The base end portion of the terminal 12 is connected to the electric wire 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the electric wire 21 has a core wire 21a made of a conductor and an insulating coating 21b covering the outer periphery of the core wire 21a. And the base end portion of the terminal 12 is connected to the end portion of the core wire 21a exposed from the end portion of the electric wire 21. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connector 11 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of, specifically three terminals 12. The three terminals 12 are arranged side by side along the second axis Y.

[0023] (Configuration of the housing 13) The housing 13 is made of resin. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 13 has a cylindrical portion 13a extending along the insertion direction X1 of the terminal 12 for inserting the terminal 12, and an outer shape portion 13b covering the base end side of the cylindrical portion 13a while being connected to the base end portion of the cylindrical portion 13a. The cylindrical portion 13a is formed to be able to hold three terminals 12 arranged side by side along the second axis Y.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 9, the cylindrical portion 13a has a communication hole 13c that communicates from below Z2 to the portion where the terminal 12 is disposed and extends along the second axis Y. The communication hole 13c is continuously formed in a range along the second axis Y that includes all three terminals 12 arranged side by side along the second axis Y.

[0025] Also, a waterproof rubber ring 22 is externally fitted to the outer periphery of the base end side of the cylindrical portion 13a. The waterproof rubber ring 22 prevents the intrusion of liquid by being compressed by a mating connector (not shown) when the mating connector is fitted to the connector 11.

[0026] (Configuration of the retainer 14) The retainer 14 is made of resin. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the retainer 14 is assembled to the cylindrical portion 13a of the housing 13 in an assembling direction Y1 that intersects the insertion direction X1 of the terminal 12.

[0027] The retainer 14 has a parallel upper wall 14a and a lower wall 14b between which the cylindrical portion 13a of the housing 13 is disposed, and a base end connecting wall 14c that connects the upper wall 14a and the lower wall 14b at the end in the rearward Y2 in the assembling direction of the retainer 14. Further, the retainer 14 has a connecting portion 14d that connects the upper wall 14a and the lower wall 14b at the end in the forward X1 in the insertion direction of the terminal 12. The connecting portion 14d connects the upper wall 14a and the lower wall 14b except for the portions corresponding to the three terminals 12.

[0028] And the retainer 14 is movable between a temporary locking position (see FIG. 3) that allows insertion and removal of the terminal 12 with respect to the housing 13 and a main locking position (see FIG. 1) that restricts removal of the terminal 12 at a position in the forward Y1 in the assembling direction from the temporary locking position.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower wall 14b of the retainer 14 has a base portion 14e that extends along the assembling direction Y1 of the retainer 14 and fits into the communication hole 13c of the housing 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the base portion 14e is formed over the entire assembling direction Y1 on the lower wall 14b. And the base portion 14e has a retaining projection 14f that can engage with the terminal 12 to restrict removal of the terminal 12 at the main locking position.

[0030] The retaining projection 14f is provided on a part of the base portion 14e in the assembling direction Y1. The retaining projections 14f of the present embodiment are provided in three in a row in the assembling direction Y1 corresponding to the three terminals 12. As shown in FIG. 9, the retaining projection 14f is arranged at a position where it can engage with the engaged portion 12a of the terminal 12 at the main locking position, thereby restricting removal of the terminal 12 with respect to the housing 13, in other words, movement in the rearward X2 in the insertion direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the retaining projection 14f is arranged at a position where it cannot engage with the engaged portion 12a of the terminal 12 at the temporary locking position, thereby allowing insertion and removal of the terminal 12 with respect to the housing 13.

[0031] (Detailed Configuration of Housing 13 and Retainer 14) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the housing 13 has a first convex portion 31, a second convex portion 32, a third convex portion 33, and a fourth convex portion 34 on a surface facing the upper wall 14a of the retainer 14 in the cylindrical portion 13a. The first convex portion 31, the second convex portion 32, the third convex portion 33, and the fourth convex portion 34 project upward Z1 from the cylindrical portion 13a. The second convex portion 32 is disposed in front Y1 in the assembling direction than the first convex portion 31. The third convex portion 33 is disposed behind Y2 in the assembling direction than the first convex portion 31. The fourth convex portion 34 is disposed behind Y2 in the assembling direction than the third convex portion 33.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8, the upper wall 14a of the retainer 14 has a first locking portion 41, a second locking portion 42, and a detachment preventing portion 43. The first locking portion 41, the second locking portion 42, and the detachment preventing portion 43 project downward Z2 from the upper wall 14a. Further, the first locking portion 41, the second locking portion 42, and the detachment preventing portion 43 are provided at an end portion of the upper wall 14a on the side opposite to the connecting portion 14d, in other words, at an end portion behind X2 in the insertion direction. The second locking portion 42 is disposed behind Y2 in the assembling direction than the first locking portion 41. The detachment preventing portion 43 is disposed in front Y1 in the assembling direction than the first locking portion 41. Further, the detachment preventing portion 43 is provided at an end portion in front Y1 in the assembling direction on the upper wall 14a.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 10, the first locking portion 41 is behind Y2 in the assembling direction than the first convex portion 31 at the temporary locking position and is disposed between the first convex portion 31 and the third convex portion 33. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the first locking portion 41 is in front Y1 in the assembling direction than the first convex portion 31 at the main locking position and is disposed between the first convex portion 31 and the second convex portion 32.

[0034] The first locking portion 41 arranged as described above enables the upper wall 14a to bend upward Z1 to overcome the first convex portion 31 when the retainer 14 moves between the temporary locking position and the main locking position.

[0035] Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the second locking portion 42 is behind the third convex portion 33 in the assembling direction Y2 at the temporary locking position and is disposed between the third convex portion 33 and the fourth convex portion 34. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the second locking portion 42 is in front of the third convex portion 33 in the assembling direction Y1 at the main locking position and is disposed between the first convex portion 31 and the third convex portion 33.

[0036] The second locking portion 42 arranged as described above enables the upper wall 14a to bend upward Z1 to overcome the third convex portion 33 when the retainer 14 moves between the temporary locking position and the main locking position.

[0037] In this embodiment, in a state where the retainer 14 is in the temporary locking position (see FIG. 10) or the main locking position (see FIG. 8), the opposing surfaces of the first convex portion 31 and the first locking portion 41 are inclined surfaces inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to the assembling direction Y1. Also, in a state where the retainer 14 is in the temporary locking position or the main locking position, the opposing surfaces of the third convex portion 33 and the second locking portion 42 are inclined surfaces inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to the assembling direction Y1. These inclined surfaces are set such that when a force in the forward Y1 or rearward Y2 direction of the assembling direction is applied to the retainer 14, a component force that bends the upper wall 14a upward Z1 is generated. Therefore, by applying a force in the forward Y1 or rearward Y2 direction of the assembling direction to the retainer 14, the upper wall 14a can be bent upward Z1. Thus, by the first locking portion 41 overcoming the first convex portion 31 and the second locking portion 42 overcoming the third convex portion 33, the retainer 14 can be moved to the temporary locking position or the main locking position. Note that each inclined surface is set to a largely inclined angle or a slightly inclined angle according to the force required when operating the retainer 14.

[0038] Also, as shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the retainer 14 is in the temporary locking position, the opposing surface of the fourth convex portion 34 with respect to the second locking portion 42 is a first orthogonal surface 34a orthogonal to the assembling direction Y1. Further, in a state where the retainer 14 is in the temporary locking position, the opposing surface of the second locking portion 42 with respect to the fourth convex portion 34 is a second orthogonal surface 42a orthogonal to the assembling direction Y1. Thereby, in a state where the retainer 14 is in the temporary locking position, even if a force in the rearward Y2 direction of the assembling direction is applied to the retainer 14, a component force that deflects the upper wall 14a upward Z1 is unlikely to occur.

[0039] Also, the second convex portion 32 has a key recess 32a recessed toward the rear Y2 in the assembling direction. The detachment prevention portion 43 has a key protrusion 43a that fits into the key recess 32a at the temporary locking position to prevent the upper wall 14a from deflecting upward Z1. The key recess 32a is formed at the base end portion of the second convex portion 32 that protrudes upward Z1 from the cylindrical portion 13a. The key protrusion 43a is formed at the tip end portion of the detachment prevention portion 43 that protrudes downward Z2 from the upper wall 14a. In the present embodiment, the thickness along the third axis Z of the portion that protrudes forward Y1 in the assembling direction due to the formation of the key recess 32a in the second convex portion 32 is set to be the same as the thickness along the third axis Z of the key protrusion 43a.

[0040] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the cylindrical portion 13a of the housing 13 has a guide groove 13d extending along the assembling direction Y1. The guide groove 13d of the present embodiment has a bottom 13e. In other words, the guide groove 13d does not communicate to the portion where the terminal 12 is disposed. And, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper wall 14a of the retainer 14 has a guide rib 44 that extends along the assembling direction Y1 and fits into the guide groove 13d.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the guide rib 44 has an inclined portion 44a at the front end in the assembling direction Y1, and the amount of protrusion from the upper wall 14a decreases toward the end. Further, the guide rib 44 is continuously provided over the entire assembling direction Y1 of the retainer 14 on the upper wall 14a. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the guide rib 44 is provided at a distance from the first locking portion 41, the second locking portion 42, and the detachment prevention portion 43 in the insertion direction X1. In other words, the guide rib 44 is provided with respect to the first locking portion 41, the second locking portion 42, and the detachment prevention portion 43 via a flat surface 45.

[0042] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the guide rib 44 is provided at a position overlapping the base portion 14e in the insertion direction X1. In the present embodiment, the guide rib 44 is provided so as to be entirely within the range where the base portion 14e is provided in the insertion direction X1. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the guide groove 13d is provided at a position overlapping the communication hole 13c in the insertion direction X1.

[0043] (Operation of the Embodiment) Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The retainer 14 is assembled to the cylindrical portion 13a of the housing 13 in the assembling direction Y1 that intersects the insertion direction X1 of the terminal 12. Specifically, the retainer 14 is assembled to the housing 13 such that the cylindrical portion 13a of the housing 13 is inserted between the tip ends of the upper wall 14a and the lower wall 14b.

[0044] In a state where the retainer 14 is in the temporary locking position (see FIGS. 10 and 11), the insertion and removal of the terminal 12 with respect to the housing 13 are allowed because the retaining projection 14f is disposed at a position where it cannot engage with the engaged portion 12a of the terminal 12.

[0045] Also, in a state where the retainer 14 is in the main locking position (see FIGS. 8 and 9), the removal of the terminal 12 with respect to the housing 13 is restricted because the retaining projection 14f is disposed at a position where it can engage with the engaged portion 12a of the terminal 12.

[0046] (Effects of the Embodiment) Next, the effects of the above embodiment will be described below. (1) The first locking portion 41 of the upper wall 14a is configured to overcome the first convex portion 31 of the housing 13 when the upper wall 14a bends upward in the Z1 direction as the retainer 14 moves between the temporary locking position and the main locking position. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the retainer 14 from being easily switched to the temporary locking position or the main locking position, for example, unintentionally. Then, the retainer 14 can be switched between the temporary locking position and the main locking position by applying a certain amount of operating force. Further, the cylindrical portion 13a of the housing 13 has a guide groove 13d extending along the assembling direction Y1 of the retainer 14, and the upper wall 14a has a guide rib 44 extending along the assembling direction Y1 of the retainer 14 and fitting into the guide groove 13d. Therefore, for example, when viewed from above in the Z1 direction, the retainer 14 is prevented from being displaced so as to tilt from the assembling direction Y1 with respect to the housing 13. Thereby, for example, the detachment of the retainer 14 from the housing 13 is prevented.

[0047] (2) The guide rib 44 has an inclined portion 44a at the end in the front Y1 of the assembling direction, and the protruding amount from the upper wall 14a becomes smaller toward the end. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the guide rib 44 from being caught when the retainer 14 is assembled to the housing 13, and the assemblability is improved.

[0048] (3) Since the guide rib 44 is continuously provided over the entire assembling direction Y1 on the upper wall 14a, it is possible to engage with the guide groove 13d over the entire assembling direction Y1 on the upper wall 14a. Therefore, compared with the case where the guide rib 44 is provided on a part of the assembling direction Y1 on the upper wall 14a, it is possible to further prevent the retainer 14 from being displaced so as to tilt from the assembling direction Y1 with respect to the housing 13.

[0049] (4) Since the guide rib 44 is provided at a distance from the first locking portion 41 and the second locking portion 42 in the insertion direction X1 of the terminal 12, it is difficult for the first locking portion 41 and the second locking portion 42 to be affected by the deflection of the upper wall 14a when overcoming the first convex portion 31 and the third convex portion 33. That is, for example, when the guide rib 44 is provided continuously with the first locking portion 41 and the second locking portion 42, the first locking portion 41 and the second locking portion 42 are likely to be affected by the deflection of the upper wall 14a when overcoming the first convex portion 31 and the third convex portion 33. As a result, the guide rib 44 may come off from the guide groove 13d, but this can be suppressed.

[0050] (5) Since the guide groove 13d has a bottom portion 13e, for example, the rigidity of the housing 13 can be ensured to be higher than the case where the guide groove 13d is a through hole without a bottom portion 13e.

[0051] (6) The cylindrical portion 13a of the housing 13 has a communication hole 13c extending along the assembling direction Y1 of the retainer 14, and the lower wall 14b has a base portion 14e extending along the assembling direction Y1 and fitting into the communication hole 13c. Therefore, even on the lower wall 14b side, the retainer 14 is prevented from being displaced so as to tilt from the assembling direction Y1 with respect to the housing 13. And the communication hole 13c communicates to the portion where the terminal 12 is arranged, and since the base portion 14e has a retaining projection 14f engageable with the terminal 12 to regulate the removal of the terminal 12 at the main locking position, the removal of the terminal 12 is regulated. That is, in this configuration, the base portion 14e has a function of preventing the retainer 14 from being displaced so as to tilt from the assembling direction Y1 and a function of having a retaining projection 14f for regulating the removal of the terminal 12.

[0052] (7) Since the guide rib 44 is provided at a position overlapping the base portion 14e in the insertion direction X1 of the terminal 12, the retainer 14 is prevented from being displaced so as to tilt from the assembling direction Y1 with respect to the housing 13 at the same position on the upper wall 14a side and the lower wall 14b side.

[0053] (8) The second convex portion 32 of the housing 13 has a key recess 32a recessed toward the rear Y2 in the assembling direction, and the detachment prevention portion 43 of the retainer 14 has a key projection 43a that fits into the key recess 32a at the temporary locking position to prevent the upper wall 14a from deflecting upward Z1. Therefore, detachment of the retainer 14 from the housing 13 is prevented. That is, even if a large force is applied to the retainer 14 in the rearward Y2 direction in the assembling direction at the temporary locking position, the key projection 43a fits into the key recess 32a, thereby preventing the upper wall 14a from deflecting upward Z1 and preventing the detachment prevention portion 43 from overcoming the second convex portion 32. As a result, detachment of the retainer 14 from the housing 13 is prevented.

[0054] (Modification example) The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other as long as they do not technically conflict.

[0055] · In the above embodiment, the guide rib 44 has an inclined portion 44a at the end in the forward Y1 direction of the assembling direction, and the protruding amount from the upper wall 14a decreases toward the end, but it is not limited to this, and a configuration without the inclined portion 44a may be used.

[0056] · In the above embodiment, the guide rib 44 is provided continuously over the entire assembling direction Y1 on the upper wall 14a, but it is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration in which a plurality of guide ribs 44 are provided intermittently in the assembling direction Y1 may be used.

[0057] · In the above embodiment, the guide rib 44 is provided spaced apart from the first locking portion 41 and the second locking portion 42 in the insertion direction X1 of the terminal 12, but it is not limited to this, and for example, the guide rib 44 may be provided continuously with the first locking portion 41 and the second locking portion 42.

[0058] · In the above embodiment, the guide groove 13d has a shape with a bottom 13e, but it is not limited to this, and for example, the guide groove 13d may be a through hole without a bottom 13e.

[0059] · In the above embodiment, the lower wall 14b has a base portion 14e that extends along the assembling direction Y1 and fits into the communication hole 13c. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration without the base portion 14e may also be adopted. That is, for example, even on the lower wall 14b side, it may not have the base portion 14e for preventing the retainer 14 from shifting so as to tilt from the assembling direction Y1 with respect to the housing 13.

[0060] · In the above embodiment, the guide rib 44 is provided so that the entire guide rib 44 is within the range where the base portion 14e is provided in the insertion direction X1 of the terminal 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a part of the guide rib 44 may be provided at a position overlapping with the range where the base portion 14e is provided. Further, for example, the guide rib 44 may be provided at a position not overlapping with the base portion 14e in the insertion direction X1 of the terminal 12.

[0061] · In the above embodiment, the housing 13 has the second convex portion 32 having the key recess 32a, and the retainer 14 has the detachment prevention portion 43 having the key convex portion 43a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration without the second convex portion 32 and the detachment prevention portion 43 may also be adopted.

[0062] · In the above embodiment, the detachment prevention portion 43 is provided at the front end Y1 in the assembling direction on the upper wall 14a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be provided at a portion other than the end.

[0063] · In the above embodiment, the connector 11 is configured to have the third convex portion 33 and the second locking portion 42 that function in the same manner as the first convex portion 31 and the first locking portion 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration without the third convex portion 33 and the second locking portion 42 may also be adopted.

[0064] · In the above embodiment, the fourth convex portion 34 has the first orthogonal surface 34a orthogonal to the assembling direction Y1, and the second locking portion 42 has the second orthogonal surface 42a orthogonal to the assembling direction Y1. However, a configuration without the first orthogonal surface 34a and the second orthogonal surface 42a may also be adopted.

[0065] · In the above-described embodiment, the connector 11 is configured to include three terminals 12. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, it may be changed to a configuration including two terminals 12 or four or more terminals 12.

Explanation of Signs

[0066] 11 Connector 12 Terminal 12a Engaged portion 13 Housing 13a Cylindrical portion 13b Outer shape portion 13c Communication hole 13d Guide groove 13e Bottom portion 14 Retainer 14a Upper wall 14b Lower wall 14c Base end connecting wall 14d Connecting portion 14e Base portion 14f Withdrawal prevention protrusion 21 Electric wire 21a Core wire 21b Insulation coating 22 Waterproof rubber ring 31 First convex portion 32 Second convex portion 32a Key recess 33 Third convex portion 34 Fourth convex portion 34a First orthogonal surface 41 First locking portion 42 Second locking portion 42a Second orthogonal surface 43 Withdrawal prevention portion 43a Key convex portion 44 Guide rib 44a Inclined portion 45 Flat surface X First axis X1 Front in the insertion direction (insertion direction) X2 Rear in the insertion direction Y Second axis Y1 Front in the assembling direction (assembling direction) Y2 Rear in the assembling direction Z Third axis Above Z1 Below Z2

Claims

1. A terminal, a housing into which the terminal is inserted, and a retainer assembled in an assembling direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal with respect to the housing, and the retainer has parallel upper and lower walls with the housing disposed therebetween, a proximal connecting wall connecting the upper and lower walls at an end portion rearward in the assembling direction, and a connecting portion connecting the upper and lower walls at an end portion forward in the insertion direction, and is movable between a temporary locking position allowing insertion and removal of the terminal with respect to the housing and a main locking position regulating removal of the terminal at a position forward of the temporary locking position in the assembling direction. A connector, wherein the housing has a first convex portion, the upper wall is provided at an end portion opposite to the connecting portion, and has a first locking portion disposed rearward of the first convex portion in the assembling direction at the temporary locking position and forward of the first convex portion in the assembling direction at the main locking position, the first locking portion is configured such that the upper wall can overcome the first convex portion by bending upward when the retainer moves between the temporary locking position and the main locking position, furthermore, the housing has a guide groove extending along the assembling direction, and the upper wall has a guide rib extending along the assembling direction and fitting into the guide groove. A connector.

2. The guide rib has an inclined portion at a front end portion in the assembling direction, where the amount of protrusion from the upper wall decreases toward the end portion. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The guide rib is continuously provided over the entire length of the upper wall in the assembling direction. The connector according to claim 1.

4. The guide rib is provided at a distance from the first locking portion in the insertion direction. The connector according to claim 1.

5. The guide groove has a bottom. The connector according to claim 1.

6. The housing has a communication hole that communicates to a portion where the terminal is disposed at a portion facing the lower wall and extends along the assembling direction, the lower wall has a base portion extending along the assembling direction and fitting into the communication hole, and the base portion has a retaining protrusion engageable with the terminal to regulate removal of the terminal at the main locking position. The connector according to claim 1.

7. The guide rib is provided at a position overlapping the base portion in the insertion direction. The connector according to claim 6.

8. The housing has a second convex portion disposed forward of the first convex portion in the assembling direction. The upper wall has a detachment prevention portion disposed forward of the second convex portion in the assembling direction at the temporary locking position and the main locking position. The second convex portion has a key recess recessed rearward in the assembling direction. The detachment prevention portion has a key convex portion that fits into the key recess at the temporary locking position to prevent the upper wall from deflecting upward. The connector according to claim 1.

Images