Connector and housing

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of suppressing entanglement between housings at the time of transporting the housing before incorporating terminals and achieving miniaturization in two directions orthogonal to a fitting direction.SOLUTION: A housing 3 of a connector includes: a housing main body 30; a lock arm 4; a retainer 5 hinge-connected to the housing body 30; and a first restraining rib 71, and is integrally formed of a single member. The first restraining rib 71 is formed on a top wall surface 31a (a first outer wall surface) of the housing main body 30, and can restrain a retainer of another housing from entering between the top wall surface 31a and the lock arm 4. The first restraining rib 71 can escape to a first recess part 81 provided on a back surface 42b of a release operation protrusion part 42 of the lock arm 4 when the lock arm 4 is bent to the maximum.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A-1B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a housing.

Background Art

[0002] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the lock arm is bent and deformed in a direction approaching the upper surface (opposing wall surface) of the housing, a rib provided on the lock arm is fitted into a relief recess provided on the opposing wall surface. Thereby, a reduction in height is achieved. Further, a retainer capable of opening and closing a retainer mounting hole formed on the lower surface of the housing body is rotatably connected to the opening edge of the retainer mounting hole via a hinge. The retainer is formed together with the housing body in a fully open state. The retainer in use locks to the terminal fitting in the cavity in a closed state to prevent the terminal fitting from coming off.

[0003] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 2, a groove portion is provided on the opposing wall surface of the housing so that a rib provided on the lock arm is fitted. In order to achieve a reduction in height, in the height direction, a part of the position of the cavity for accommodating the terminals and the position of the groove portion overlap each other. Further, in the width direction orthogonal to the fitting direction and the height direction of the connector, the cavity is offset and arranged at a position avoiding the groove portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the case where the housing has a retainer that can be opened and closed by a hinge, when a large number of housings before incorporating the terminals are transported together, etc., a part of the retainer in the open state of another housing may enter between the lock arm and the opposing wall surface of the housing, and it is expected that the housings will become entangled with each other.

[0006] Therefore, the inventor of the present application assumes that the entry of the retainer is suppressed by adjusting the height of the rib provided on the lock arm as in Patent Documents 1 and 2. However, in that case, in order to achieve miniaturization in the height direction (low profile), the relief recess provided in the housing body (groove portion in Patent Document 2) and the cavity for accommodating the terminals need to be arranged with their positions offset from each other in the width direction. For this reason, the housing body becomes larger in the width direction.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention provides a connector that can suppress entanglement between housings during transportation of the housing before incorporating the terminals, etc., and can achieve miniaturization in two directions orthogonal to the fitting direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention provides a connector (1) that can be fitted in a fitting direction (X1) to a mating connector, comprising a terminal (2) and a housing (3; 3P; 3Q; 3R) integrally formed of a single member. The housing includes a housing body (30) having a width direction (W) and a height direction (H) orthogonal to the fitting direction, a lock arm (4; 4P; 4Q; 4R), a retainer (5), and a first suppression rib (71; 71P). The housing body includes a first wall (31) and a second wall (32) facing each other in the height direction, and a terminal accommodation chamber (3S) for accommodating the terminal. The second wall includes a retainer insertion hole (38) communicating with the terminal accommodation chamber. The lock arm includes an arm body (40), a lock projection (41), and a release operation projection (42). The arm body is supported in a cantilever manner on a first outer wall surface (41a) which is an outer wall surface of the first wall, and is elastically bendable toward the first outer wall surface. The arm body includes a base end portion (40a), a tip end portion (40b), an inner surface (40c) facing the first outer wall surface, and an outer surface (40d). The lock projection protrudes from the outer surface of the arm body between the base end portion and the tip end portion, and can lock the fitting state with respect to the mating connector. The release operation projection protrudes from the outer surface of the tip end portion of the arm body and can be pressed when releasing the lock of the lock projection. The retainer is hinge-connected to the housing body so as to be insertable into the retainer insertion hole. The retainer can lock the terminal in the terminal accommodation chamber when inserted into the retainer insertion hole. The first suppression rib is formed on the first outer wall surface and can suppress the entry of the retainer of another connector between the first outer wall surface and the lock arm. The first suppression rib can escape into a first recess (81) provided on the back surface (42b) of the release operation projection when the lock arm is at maximum deflection.

[0009] According to this configuration, when a large number of housings before terminal incorporation are transported collectively, etc., a part of the retainer in a state of being detached from the retainer insertion hole in another housing can be prevented from entering between the tip of the arm body of the lock arm and the first outer wall surface of the housing body by the first suppression rib. Further, when the lock arm bends with the maximum deflection, the first suppression rib can escape into the first recess on the back surface of the release operation convex portion of the lock arm. By effectively using the space (first recess) on the back surface of the release operation convex portion, miniaturization in the height direction can be achieved. Further, since the first suppression rib protruding from the first outer wall surface of the housing body does not affect the layout of the terminal accommodation chamber, miniaturization in the width direction can be achieved.

[0010] The alphanumeric characters in parentheses represent corresponding components, etc. in the embodiments described later, but this, of course, does not mean that the present invention should be limited to those embodiments. The same applies hereinafter in this section.

[0011] In one embodiment, a plurality of the terminals are provided, and a plurality of the terminal accommodation chambers are provided side by side in the width direction. The plurality of terminal accommodation chambers are arranged at a constant arrangement interval (D1) in the width direction. In the width direction, the width (W1) of the first suppression rib is equal to (W1 = D1) or greater than or equal to (W1 ≧ D1) the arrangement interval of the terminal accommodation chambers. According to this configuration, by using a wide first suppression rib in the width direction, the effect of suppressing a part of the retainer of another housing from entering between the lock arm and the first outer wall surface when transporting the housing before terminal incorporation, etc., can be enhanced.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first suppression rib includes a plurality of first suppression ribs spaced apart in the width direction. According to this configuration, by using a plurality of first suppression ribs spaced apart in the width direction, the effect of suppressing a part of the retainer of another housing from entering between the lock arm and the first outer wall surface when transporting the housing before terminal incorporation, etc., can be enhanced.

[0013] In one embodiment, a plurality of the terminals are provided, and a plurality of the terminal accommodation chambers are provided side by side in the width direction. The plurality of terminal accommodation chambers are arranged at a constant arrangement interval (D1) in the width direction. The lock arm projects from the inner surface of the arm body and has a width (W2) smaller than the arrangement interval of the terminal accommodation chambers in the width direction, and includes at least two second restraining ribs (72) spaced apart from both sides in the width direction of the first recess. The first outer wall surface includes a second recess (82) between adjacent terminal accommodation chambers, into which the second restraining ribs can respectively escape when the lock arm is at maximum deflection, and the second recess has a width smaller than the arrangement interval of the terminal accommodation chambers in the width direction.

[0014] According to this configuration, the first restraining rib and the two second restraining ribs adjacent to both sides in the width direction of the first recess project in opposite directions to each other and are arranged in a triangular shape. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the effect of suppressing a part of a retainer of another housing from entering between the lock arm and the first outer wall surface during conveyance of the housing before the terminals are incorporated. Further, the second recess into which the second restraining rib escapes when the lock arm is at maximum deflection is arranged between adjacent terminal accommodation chambers arranged at a constant arrangement interval in the width direction. Therefore, miniaturization in the height direction and the width direction can be achieved.

[0015] In one embodiment, the housing is integrally resin-molded. The housing includes a support portion (60) that supports the base end portion of the lock arm. The support portion includes a die-cut opening (60a) sized to enclose the first restraining rib when viewed from the direction opposite to the fitting direction. According to this configuration, when the resin molding of the housing is completed, the slide die used to form the end surface in the fitting direction of the first restraining rib can be removed through the die-cut opening. Therefore, the manufacturing becomes easy.

[0016] One embodiment of the present invention provides a housing integrally formed of a single member and used for a connector that can be fitted in a fitting direction with respect to a mating connector. The housing includes a housing body having a width direction and a height direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, a lock arm, a retainer, and a first suppression rib. The housing body includes a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the height direction, and a terminal accommodation chamber capable of accommodating the terminals. The second wall includes a retainer insertion hole communicating with the terminal accommodation chamber. The lock arm includes an arm body, a lock protrusion, and a release operation protrusion. The arm body is supported in a cantilever manner on a first outer wall surface that is an outer wall surface of the first wall, and is elastically deformable by bending toward the first outer wall surface. The arm body includes a base end portion, a tip end portion, an inner surface facing the first outer wall surface, and an outer surface. The lock protrusion protrudes from the outer surface of the arm body between the base end portion and the tip end portion, and can lock the fitting state with respect to the mating connector. The release operation protrusion protrudes from the outer surface of the tip end portion of the arm body and can be pressed when releasing the lock of the lock protrusion. The retainer is hinged to the housing body so as to be insertable into the retainer insertion hole. The retainer can lock the terminals in the terminal accommodation chamber in a state of being inserted into the retainer insertion hole. The first suppression rib is formed on the first outer wall surface and can suppress the retainer of another housing from entering between the first outer wall surface and the lock arm. The first suppression rib can escape into a first recess provided on the back surface of the release operation protrusion when the lock arm is at maximum deflection.

[0017] According to this configuration, when a large number of housings are transported together, etc., it is possible to suppress, by the first suppression rib, a part of the retainer in a state of being detached from the retainer insertion hole in another housing from entering between the tip of the arm body of the lock arm and the first outer wall surface of the housing body. Further, when the lock arm bends with the maximum deflection, the first suppression rib can escape into the first recess on the back surface of the release operation convex portion of the lock arm. By effectively using the space (first recess) on the back surface of the release operation convex portion, miniaturization in the height direction can be achieved. Further, since the first suppression rib protruding from the first outer wall surface of the housing body does not affect the layout of the terminal accommodation chamber, miniaturization in the width direction can be achieved.

Effect of the Invention

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, entanglement between housings can be suppressed during transportation of the housing before terminal incorporation, etc., and miniaturization can be achieved in two directions orthogonal to the fitting direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1A-1B

Figure 2A-2B

Figure 3A-3B

Figure 4

Figure 5A-5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8A-8B

Figure 9A-9B

Figure 10A-10B

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a housing 3 in a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention from an upper rear diagonal direction, and Figure 1B is a perspective view of the housing 3 from an upper front diagonal direction. Figure 2A is a perspective view of the housing 3 from a lower rear diagonal direction, and Figure 2B is a perspective view of the housing 3 from a lower front diagonal direction. Figures 3A and 3B are rear and front views of the housing 3. Figure 4 is a rear view of the housing 3 with the retainer 5 opened. Figures 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the housing 3. Figure 5A corresponds to a VA-VA cross-sectional view of Figure 4, and Figure 5B corresponds to a VB-VB cross-sectional view of Figure 4.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1A to 2B, the connector 1 (see Figure 6) includes a plurality of conductive terminals 2 (see Figure 6) and an insulating housing 3. The housing 3 includes a housing body 30 in which a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers 3S are formed, a lock arm 4 for locking the mating state with a mating connector (not shown), and a retainer 5 for preventing the terminals 2 from coming out of the terminal accommodation chambers 3S. The housing 3 is integrally formed as a single member.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5A, the lock arm 4 is supported by the housing main body 30. The retainer 5 is hinge-connected to the housing main body 30. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the retainer 5 can open and close the retainer insertion hole 38 of the housing main body 30 by swinging via the hinge HJ.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3A, the housing 3 includes a first suppression rib 71 disposed on the housing main body 30 and a first recess 81 provided on the back surface 42b of the release operation convex portion 42 of the lock arm 4. Further, the housing 3 includes two second suppression ribs 72 provided on the back surface 42b of the release operation convex portion 42 of the lock arm 4 and two second recesses 82 provided on the housing main body 30. The first suppression rib 71 and the second suppression ribs 72 function to prevent a part of the retainer 5 of the other connector 1 from entering between the lock arm 4 and the housing main body 30 during transportation or the like (see FIG. 7).

[0025] First, the terminal 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1. The terminal 2 is a female terminal. The terminal 2 is inserted and fitted with a male terminal (not shown) which is a corresponding mating terminal. The terminal 2 includes a square tubular terminal connection portion 20, a wire connection portion 21 connected to the end of the electric wire 90, and a groove-shaped bridging portion 22 connecting between the terminal connection portion 20 and the wire connection portion 21.

[0026] The wire connection portion 21 includes a wire barrel 21a connecting the core wire 90a of the electric wire 90 and an insulation barrel 21b connecting the insulating coating portion 90b of the electric wire 90. The terminal 2 is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 3S from the side of the terminal connection portion 20 in the insertion direction which is the same as the fitting direction X1.

[0027] The terminal connection part 20 includes a top wall 23, a bottom wall 24, a pair of side walls 25 (only one is shown in Fig. 6), a lance locking hole 26 as a lance locking part, a retainer locking part 27, and an elastic tongue piece 29 having a contact part 28. The bottom wall 24 includes an outer bottom wall 24a and an inner bottom wall 24b that are doubly overlapped. The outer bottom wall 24a extends orthogonally from one side wall 25, and the inner bottom wall 24b extends orthogonally from the other side wall 25. The elastic tongue piece 29 is a cantilevered tongue piece formed by cutting and raising a part of the inner bottom wall 24b into a mountain shape, and is elastically deformable in the height direction H.

[0028] The lance locking hole 26 of the terminal 2 is formed in the bottom wall 24. A locking projection 37a of the housing lance 37 of the housing body 30 can be inserted and locked into the lance locking hole 26 of the terminal 2. The retainer locking part 27 is arranged at the rear end of the bottom wall 24. The retainer 5 is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 3S through the retainer insertion hole 38 of the housing body 30 and can be locked to the retainer locking part 27 of the terminal 2.

[0029] Next, the housing 3 will be described. As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, the housing 3 includes a housing body 30, a lock arm 4, and a retainer 5. The housing 3 is integrally molded from resin. The housing 3 has a width direction W and a height direction H that are orthogonal to the fitting direction X1 with respect to the mating connector.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the housing body 30 includes a top wall 31 (first wall), a bottom wall 32 (second wall), a front wall 33, a rear wall 34, a pair of side walls 35, a plurality of partition walls 36, a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers 3S, a support part 60 (see Figs. 1B and 5A), a pair of inner ribs 61, a pair of outer ribs 62, a first suppression rib 71, and a pair of second recesses 82. The top wall 31 (first wall) and the bottom wall 32 (second wall) face each other in the height direction H. Also, as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, the housing body 30 includes a housing lance 37 and a retainer insertion hole 38 formed in the bottom wall 24.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the housing body 30 includes, as outer wall surfaces, a top wall surface 31a (first outer wall surface), a bottom wall surface 32a (second outer wall surface), a front wall surface 33a, a rear wall surface 34a, and a pair of side wall surfaces 35a. As shown in FIG. 5A, the support portion 60 is disposed at the front end portion (the end portion in the fitting direction X1) of the top wall surface 31a. The support portion 60 supports the lock arm 4 in a cantilever manner via the base end portion 40a of the arm body 40 of the lock arm 4. The support portion 60 includes a die-cut opening 60a sized to enclose the first suppression rib 71 when viewed from the opposite direction X2 of the fitting direction X1 (see FIG. 3B). When viewed from the opposite direction X2 of the fitting direction X1, as shown in FIG. 3B, the end face 71a (see FIG. 5A) of the first suppression rib 71 in the fitting direction X1 is visible through the die-cut opening 60a.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 5B and 6, a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers 3S open to the front wall surface 33a and the rear wall surface 34a and extend in the fitting direction X1. As shown in FIG. 3A, the terminal accommodation chambers 3S are formed between the top wall 31 and the bottom wall 32, between the partition walls 36, or between the side wall 35 and the partition wall 36. The plurality of terminal accommodation chambers 3S are arranged side by side in the width direction W. As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of terminal accommodation chambers 3S are arranged at a constant arrangement interval D1 (corresponding to the interval between adjacent terminal accommodation chambers 3S in the width direction W) with respect to the width direction W. Also, with respect to the width direction W, the terminal accommodation chambers 3S have a width WS.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the first suppression rib 71 is formed to protrude at a position on the top wall surface 31a of the housing body 30 that faces the rear surface 42b of the release operation convex portion 42 of the lock arm 4 and extends in the fitting direction X1 (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 4). With respect to the width direction W, the width W1 of the first suppression rib 71 is made smaller than the arrangement interval D1 of the terminal accommodation chambers 3S, for example, as shown in the figure (W1 < D1).

[0034] With respect to the width direction W, the width W2 of the second suppression rib 72 is smaller than the arrangement interval D1 of the terminal accommodation chambers 3S (W2 < D1). Also, with respect to the width direction W, the width W3 of the second recess 82 is smaller than the arrangement interval D1 of the terminal accommodation chambers 3S. (W3 < D1) As shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B, the inner ribs 61 and the outer ribs extend in the fitting direction X1. The pair of inner ribs 61 are arranged close to both sides in the width direction W of the lock arm 4, and prevent foreign matter from entering from the side below the lock arm 4. When the connector 1 is fitted to a mating connector (not shown), the pair of outer ribs 62 function together with a guiding mechanism (not shown) of the mating connector to guide the fitting to the mating connector.

[0035] Next, the lock arm 4 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 5A, the lock arm 4 includes an arm body 40 having a base end portion 40a, a tip end portion 40b, an inner surface 40c, and an outer surface 40d, a hook-shaped lock projection 41, a release operation projection 42, two second restraining ribs 72, and a first recess 81. The tip end portion 40b of the arm body 40 is arranged in the direction X2 opposite to the fitting direction X1 with respect to the base end portion 40a. The inner surface 40c is a surface facing the top wall surface 31a. The outer surface 40d is a surface on the opposite side of the inner surface 40c.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 5A, the lock projection 41 protrudes from the outer surface 40d at an intermediate position between the base end portion 40a and the tip end portion 40b. The lock projection 41 can lock the fitting state by locking to a locking portion (not shown) of the mating housing when fitting to the mating connector.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3A, the release operation projection 42 protrudes from the outer surface 40d of the tip end portion 40b of the arm body 40. When the lock of the lock projection 41 is released, the release operation projection 42 is pressed by an operator toward the top wall surface 31a. The release operation projection 42 includes an outward surface 42a and a back surface 42b facing the top wall surface 31a.

[0038] A first recess 81 is arranged at the center of the back surface 42b of the release operation projection 42. When the lock arm 4 bends with the maximum deflection, the first restraining rib 71 is configured to be able to escape into the first recess 81.

[0039] Further, on the back surface 42b of the unlocking operation convex portion 42, two second restraining ribs 72 are protruding and formed at both side positions in the width direction W of the first recess 81. The second restraining ribs 72 extend in the extending direction of the arm body 40. When the locking arm 4 bends with the maximum deflection, each second restraining rib 72 is configured to be able to escape into the corresponding second recess 82.

[0040] Next, the retainer 5 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 6, the retainer 5 includes a rectangular retainer body 50 having a base end portion 50a, a tip end portion 50b, a front surface 50c, and a back surface 50d, and a locking convex portion 51 that protrudes from the back surface 50d and is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 3S through the retainer insertion hole 38. The retainer 5 is hinge-connected to the rear end 32b of the bottom wall 32 of the housing body 30. Specifically, the retainer 5 is integrally formed with the housing body 30 via a flexible hinge HJ.

[0041] The hinge HJ connects between the rear end 32b of the bottom wall 32 of the housing body 30 and the base end portion 50a of the retainer body 50. The hinge HJ supports the retainer 5 so as to be swingable. As shown in FIG. 6, the locking convex portion 51 of the retainer 5 is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 3S through the retainer insertion hole 38 of the housing body 30 and locks to the retainer locking portion 27 of the terminal 2, thereby preventing the terminal 2 from coming off.

[0042] According to the present embodiment, when a large number of housings 3 before terminal incorporation are collectively transported or the like, as shown in FIG. 7, a part of the retainer 5 in the open state of another housing 3 enters between the arm body 40 of the locking arm 4 and the top wall surface 31a of the housing body 30, which can be suppressed by the first restraining rib 71 formed on the top wall surface 31a (first outer wall surface) of the housing body 30.

[0043] Also, when the lock arm 4 deflects at its maximum deflection, the first suppression rib 71 can escape into the first recess 81 (see FIG. 3A) on the back surface 42b of the release operation convex portion 42 of the lock arm 4. Therefore, by effectively using the space (the first recess 81) on the back surface 42b of the release operation convex portion 42, miniaturization in the height direction H can be achieved. Further, since the first suppression rib 71 provided on the housing main body 30 does not affect the layout of the terminal accommodation chamber 3S, miniaturization in the width direction W can be achieved.

[0044] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the lock arm 4 includes two second suppression ribs 72 that protrude from the inner surface 40c of the arm main body 40 and are spaced apart from both sides in the width direction W of the first suppression rib 71. The second suppression rib 72 has a width W2 that is smaller than the arrangement interval D1 of the terminal accommodation chambers 3S. The top wall surface 31a includes a second recess 82 into which the second suppression rib 72 can escape when the lock arm 4 deflects at its maximum deflection between adjacent terminal accommodation chambers 3S. The second recess 82 has a width W3 that is smaller than the arrangement interval D1 of the terminal accommodation chambers 3S.

[0045] According to this configuration, the first suppression rib 71 and the two second suppression ribs 72 adjacent to both sides of the first suppression rib 71 in the width direction W protrude in opposite directions from each other and are arranged in a triangular shape. Therefore, during the conveyance of the housing 3 before terminal incorporation or the like, the effect of suppressing a part of the retainer 5 of another connector 1 from entering between the lock arm 4 and the top wall surface 31a can be enhanced. Further, the second recess 82 into which the second suppression rib 72 escapes when the lock arm 4 deflects at its maximum deflection is arranged between adjacent terminal accommodation chambers 3S arranged at a constant arrangement interval D1 in the width direction W. Therefore, miniaturization in the height direction H and the width direction W can be achieved.

[0046] Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, the housing 3 including the lock arm 4 is integrally resin-molded. The support portion 60 of the housing 3 that supports the base end portion 40a of the lock arm 4 includes a die-cut opening 60a (see FIG. 3B) having a size that includes the first suppression rib 71 when viewed from the opposite direction X2 of the fitting direction X1. According to this configuration, when the resin molding of the housing 3 is completed, the slide die used to form the end face 71a in the fitting direction X1 of the first suppression rib 71 can be removed through the die-cut opening 60a. Therefore, the manufacturing becomes easy.

[0047] Next, FIGS. 8A and 8B are a rear view and a front view of a housing 3P according to another embodiment of the present invention. The main differences between the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B and the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B are as follows.

[0048] That is, in the housing 3P, in the width direction W, the width W1 of the first suppression rib 71P is made equal (W1 = D1) or greater than or equal to (W1 ≧ D1) the arrangement interval D1 of the terminal accommodation chambers 3S. In the drawing, the width W1 of the first suppression rib 71P is made larger than the arrangement interval D1 of the terminal accommodation chambers 3S (W1 > D1). However, the width W1 of the first suppression rib 71P needs to be smaller than the width of the first recess 81 on the rear surface 42b of the release operation convex portion 42 of the lock arm 4P. Further, the lock arm 4P does not include the second suppression rib 72.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8B, the support portion 60 of the housing 3P includes a die-cut opening 60a having a size that includes the first suppression rib 71P when viewed from the opposite direction X2 of the fitting direction X1. The die-cut opening 60a is also widened according to the wide first suppression rib 71P. When viewed from the opposite direction X2 of the fitting direction X1, as shown in FIG. 8B, the end face 71Pa in the fitting direction X1 of the first suppression rib 71P can be visually recognized through the die-cut opening 60a. In the configurations of the embodiments of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the configurations common to the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B are given common reference numerals.

[0050] According to this embodiment, by using the wide first suppression rib 71P in the width direction W, when the housing 3P before terminal incorporation is being transported or the like, it is possible to enhance the effect of suppressing a part of the retainer 5 of another housing 3P from entering between the lock arm 4P and the top wall surface 31a (first outer wall surface) of the housing body 30. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the second suppression rib 72 on the lock arm 4P. By not providing the second suppression rib 72, the structure can be simplified.

[0051] Next, FIGS. 9A and 9B are a rear view and a front view of a housing 3Q according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The main difference between the embodiment of FIGS. 9A and 9B and the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B is that the housing 3Q includes a plurality (two in this embodiment) of first suppression ribs 71 spaced apart in the width direction W. Also, the lock arm 4Q does not include the second suppression rib 72.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 9B, the support portion 60 of the housing 3Q includes a die-cut opening 60a sized to enclose a plurality of first suppression ribs 71 together when viewed from the direction X2 opposite to the fitting direction X1. However, a die-cut opening 60a corresponding to each first suppression rib 71 may be provided. In the configurations of the embodiments of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0053] According to this embodiment, by using a plurality of first suppression ribs 71 spaced apart in the width direction W, when the housing 3Q before terminal incorporation is being transported or the like, it is possible to enhance the effect of suppressing a part of the retainer 5 of another housing 3Q from entering between the lock arm 4Q and the top wall surface 31a (first outer wall surface) of the housing body 30. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the second suppression rib 72 on the lock arm 4Q. By not providing the second suppression rib 72, the structure can be simplified.

[0054] Next, FIGS. 10A and 10B are rear and front views of the housing 3R of still another embodiment of the present invention. The main difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 10A and 10B and those of FIGS. 3A and 3B is that the lock arm 4R of the housing 3R includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) second restraining ribs 72 spaced apart on both sides in the width direction W of the first recess 81. In the configuration of the embodiments of FIGS. 10A and 10B, components common to the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B are denoted by common reference numerals.

[0055] According to this embodiment, in addition to the first restraining rib 71 and the two second restraining ribs 72 adjacent to both sides in the width direction W of the first recess 81 protruding in opposite directions and arranged in a triangular shape, two second restraining ribs 72 are arranged on both sides in the width direction W of the first recess 81. Therefore, when transporting the housing 3R before terminal incorporation or the like, the effect of suppressing a part of the retainer 5 of another housing 3R from entering between the lock arm 4R and the top wall surface 31a can be enhanced.

[0056] Further, the second recess 82 into which the second restraining rib 72 escapes when the lock arm 4R is at its maximum deflection is arranged between adjacent terminal accommodation chambers 3S arranged at a constant arrangement interval D1 in the width direction W. Therefore, miniaturization in the height direction H and the width direction W can be achieved.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, a single terminal 2 may be provided and a single terminal accommodation chamber 3S may be provided. Also, in the embodiments of FIGS. 8A and 9A, second restraining ribs 72 may be added to both sides in the width direction W of the first recess 81. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified within the scope described in the claims.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0058] 1 Connector 2 Terminal 3; 3P; 3Q; 3R Housing 3S Terminal Accommodation Chamber 4; 4P; 4Q; 4R Lock Arm 5 retainer 30 housing body 31 top wall (first wall) 31a top wall surface (first outer wall surface) 32 bottom wall (second wall) 38 retainer insertion hole 40 arm body 40a base end portion 40b tip end portion 40c inner surface 40d outer surface 41 lock projection 42 release operation projection 42a surface 42b back surface 71;71P first suppression rib 71a;71Pa end face 72 second suppression rib 81 first recess 82 second recess D1 arrangement interval H height direction HJ hinge W width direction X1 fitting direction X2 opposite direction

Claims

1. A connector that can be fitted in a fitting direction to a mating connector, comprising: terminals and a housing integrally formed as a single member, wherein the housing is a housing body having a width direction and a height direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, and including a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the height direction, and a terminal accommodation chamber for accommodating the terminals. The second wall includes a retainer insertion hole communicating with the terminal accommodation chamber; and a housing body, a lock arm that is supported in a cantilever manner on a first outer wall surface that is an outer wall surface of the first wall, and that can be elastically bent and deformed toward the first outer wall surface, the lock arm including a base end portion, a tip end portion, an inner surface facing the first outer wall surface, and an outer surface; a lock projection that protrudes from the outer surface of the lock arm between the base end portion and the tip end portion and that can lock the fitting state with respect to the mating connector; and a release operation projection that protrudes from the outer surface of the tip end portion of the lock arm and that can be pressed when releasing the lock of the lock projection, a retainer that is hinge-connected to the housing body so as to be insertable into the retainer insertion hole and that can lock the terminals in the terminal accommodation chamber in a state of being inserted into the retainer insertion hole, a first suppression rib formed on the first outer wall surface and capable of suppressing entry of a retainer of another connector between the first outer wall surface and the lock arm, the first suppression rib being capable of escaping into a first recess provided on the back surface of the release operation projection when the lock arm is at maximum deflection; a connector, comprising.

2. A plurality of the terminals are provided, a plurality of the terminal accommodation chambers are provided side by side in the width direction, the plurality of terminal accommodation chambers are arranged at a constant arrangement interval in the width direction, The connector according to claim 1, wherein, in the width direction, the width of the first suppression rib is equal to or greater than the arrangement interval of the terminal accommodation chambers.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first suppression rib includes a plurality of first suppression ribs spaced apart in the width direction.

4. A plurality of the terminals are provided, a plurality of the terminal accommodation chambers are provided side by side in the width direction, the plurality of terminal accommodation chambers are arranged at a constant arrangement interval in the width direction, the lock arm protrudes from the inner surface of the lock arm body and has a width smaller than the arrangement interval of the terminal accommodation chambers in the width direction, and includes at least two second suppression ribs spaced apart on both sides in the width direction of the first recess. The first outer wall surface includes second recesses between adjacent ones of the terminal accommodation chambers, the second ribs being escapable into the second recesses when the lock arms are at maximum deflection, the second recesses having a width smaller than the arrangement interval of the terminal accommodation chambers in the width direction, the connector according to claim 1.

5. The housing is integrally resin-molded, The housing includes a support portion that supports the base end portion of the lock arm, The support portion includes a die-cut opening sized to enclose the first restraining rib as viewed from the direction opposite to the fitting direction, the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A connector used for a connector that can be fitted in a fitting direction to a mating connector, the housing being integrally formed of a single member, A housing body having a width direction and a height direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, the housing body including a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the height direction, and a terminal accommodation chamber capable of accommodating terminals, the second wall including a retainer insertion hole communicating with the terminal accommodation chamber, A lock arm that is cantilevered and supported on a first outer wall surface that is an outer wall surface of the first wall, the lock arm being elastically deflectable toward the first outer wall surface, the lock arm including a base end portion, a tip end portion, an inner surface facing the first outer wall surface, and an outer surface, a lock convex portion that protrudes from the outer surface of the lock arm between the base end portion and the tip end portion and that can lock a fitting state with respect to the mating connector, and a release operation convex portion that protrudes from the outer surface of the tip end portion of the lock arm and that can be pressed when unlocking the lock convex portion, A retainer that is hinge-connected to the housing body so as to be insertable into the retainer insertion hole and that can lock the terminals in the terminal accommodation chamber in a state of being inserted into the retainer insertion hole, A first restraining rib formed on the first outer wall surface and capable of suppressing entry of a retainer of another housing between the first outer wall surface and the lock arm, the first restraining rib being escapable into a first recess provided on the back surface of the release operation convex portion when the lock arm is at maximum deflection, the housing.

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