connector

The connector design addresses interference issues by using a lance that elastically deforms and a rib to guide the retainer to the full locking position, ensuring smooth movement and secure terminal retention.

JP2025115559APending Publication Date: 2025-08-07SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024010070
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-01-26
Publication Date
2025-08-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Interference occurs between the retainer and the lance when the retainer is moved from the temporary locking position to the full locking position due to the elastic deformation of the locking pieces and the off-center positioning of the protruding portion, which can hinder the retainer's movement.

Method used

The connector design includes a housing with a lance that elastically deforms in a second direction perpendicular to the retainer's movement, featuring two locking pieces and a rib extending from a regulating portion positioned off-center, which prevents interference by ensuring the rib abuts against the housing, guiding the retainer to the full locking position.

Benefits of technology

This configuration suppresses interference between the retainer and the lance, allowing smooth transition to the full locking position and preventing the retainer from displacing away from the center plane, thereby securing the terminal in the cavity.

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Abstract

To suppress interference between a retainer and a lance.SOLUTION: A housing 20 is formed with a lance 23 that is elastically deformable in the second direction, and a retainer 30 is equipped with two locking pieces 32, a regulating portion 35, and a rib 36 extending from the regulating portion 35. The surface located at the center between the two locking pieces 32 in the second direction is defined as a center plane CP, and the regulating portion 35 is located at a position shifted from the center plane CP in the second direction. The lance 23 interferes with the terminal 11 during the process of inserting the terminal 11 into the cavity 22 and elastically deforms so as to approach the center plane CP in the second direction, and the two locking pieces 32 interfere with the housing 20 and elastically deform in the second direction so as to move away from the center plane CP as the retainer 30 moves from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, and the rib 36 abuts against the housing 20 during the process of moving the retainer 30 from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, thereby preventing the regulating portion 35 from displacing away from the center plane CP in the second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A conventional connector is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-103551 (Patent Document 1). The connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a female housing, female terminals inserted into cavities in the female housing, and a retainer attached to the front surface of the female housing. When the retainer is attached in the temporary locking position, the protruding portion of the retainer is retracted forward of the deflection space of the lance, allowing elastic deformation of the lance. This allows the female terminal to be inserted into the cavity. When the female terminal reaches its normal position in the cavity, the lance returns to its natural state and locks the female terminal. When the retainer is pushed from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, the protruding portion protrudes into the deflection space, restricting elastic deformation of the lance and preventing the female terminal from slipping out of the cavity.

[0003] In the above connector, the retainer may include a front wall, a protruding portion extending rearward from the front wall, and a locking piece extending rearward from the front wall and engaging with the female housing. The female housing may include a temporary locking portion that engages with the locking piece to hold the retainer in the temporary locking position, and a full locking portion that engages with the locking piece to hold the retainer in the full locking position. In the process of moving the retainer from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, the locking piece elastically deforms to overcome the full locking portion. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the lance elastically deforms in the up-down direction, and the locking piece flexes and deforms in the left-right direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-103551 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Unlike Patent Document 1, if two locking pieces are provided at the upper and lower ends of the retainer and the protruding portion is positioned off-center, when the locking pieces elastically deform, the protruding portion connected to the locking piece via the front wall may also deform in the same direction as the adjacent locking piece. For example, if the protruding portion is positioned above the upper center of the retainer, when the locking piece located at the upper end of the retainer elastically deforms upward, the protruding portion may also be displaced so as to tilt upward. Furthermore, if the deflection space of the lance into which the protruding portion should enter is positioned below the lance, i.e., if the lance is designed to deflect downward when inserting the female terminal into the cavity, when the protruding portion displaces upward, the protruding portion may not be able to enter the deflection space and may interfere with the lance.

[0006] The present disclosure was completed in light of the above circumstances, and has an object to suppress interference between the retainer and the lance when the retainer is moved from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a cavity extending in a first direction, terminals disposed in the cavity, and a retainer assembled to the housing so as to be movable in the first direction between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, the housing having a lance disposed in the cavity and elastically deformable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the retainer comprising two lock pieces for engaging with the housing, a restricting portion that allows insertion of the terminal into the cavity when the retainer is in the temporary locking position and interferes with the lance to prevent the terminal from slipping out of the cavity when the retainer is in the full locking position, and a rib extending from the restricting portion; The surface located at the center of the two locking pieces in the second direction is a central plane, the regulating portion is located at a position shifted from the central plane in the second direction, the lance interferes with the terminal during the process of inserting the terminal into the cavity and elastically deforms to approach the central plane in the second direction, the two locking pieces interfere with the housing and elastically deforms in the second direction to move away from the central plane as the retainer moves from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, and the rib abuts against the housing during the process of moving the retainer from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, thereby preventing the regulating portion from being displaced away from the central plane in the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, interference between the retainer and the lance can be suppressed when the retainer is moved from the partial locking position to the full locking position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the retainer. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the retainer. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the connector. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 when the retainer is in the provisional locking position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 when the retainer is in the full locking position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 4 when the retainer is in the full locking position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view of the AA cross section of FIG. 4 when the retainer is being assembled to the housing, with the terminals omitted. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective view of the section AA in FIG. 4 when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, with the terminals omitted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a cavity extending in a first direction, a terminal disposed in the cavity, and a retainer assembled to the housing so as to be movable in the first direction between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, wherein the housing is formed with a lance disposed in the cavity and elastically deformable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the retainer comprises two lock pieces that engage with the housing, a restricting portion that allows the terminal to be inserted into the cavity when the retainer is in the temporary locking position and interferes with the lance to prevent the terminal from slipping out of the cavity when the retainer is in the full locking position, and a rib extending from the restricting portion. a surface located at the center between the two locking pieces in the second direction is defined as a central plane, the regulating portion is located at a position shifted from the central plane in the second direction, the lance interferes with the terminal during the process of inserting the terminal into the cavity and elastically deforms to approach the central plane in the second direction, the two locking pieces interfere with the housing and elastically deform in the second direction to move away from the central plane as the retainer moves from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, and the rib abuts against the housing during the process of moving the retainer from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, thereby preventing the regulating portion from being displaced away from the central plane in the second direction.

[0011] With this configuration, even if the locking piece elastically deforms in the second direction away from the center plane in the process of moving the retainer from the partial-locking position to the full-locking position, the rib abuts against the housing, thereby preventing the restricting portion from being displaced in the second direction away from the center plane. This prevents interference between the restricting portion and the lance, allowing the retainer to be moved to the full-locking position.

[0012] [2] In the above [1], the regulating portion may include a first regulating portion and a second regulating portion arranged on the opposite side of the center plane from the first regulating portion, the rib may include a first rib extending from the first regulating portion and a second rib extending from the second regulating portion, the cavity may have a first cavity corresponding to the first regulating portion and a second cavity corresponding to the second regulating portion, and the lance may include a first lance arranged in the first cavity and a second lance arranged in the second cavity.

[0013] [3] In the above item [1], it is preferable that the rib is disposed at a position overlapping the lance when viewed in the first direction.

[0014] With this configuration, it is possible to improve the strength of the rib while avoiding an increase in the space required for arranging the rib in the housing.

[0015] [4] In the above [1], it is preferable that the housing has a recess that opens to one side in the first direction and receives the rib, the rib has a guide portion arranged at an end on the other side in the first direction, and the guide portion is inclined so as to approach the center plane in the second direction as it moves toward the other side in the first direction.

[0016] According to this configuration, the guide portion can guide the rib as it enters the recess.

[0017] [5] In the above [1], it is preferable that the housing has a recess that opens to one side in the first direction and receives the rib, the terminal is inserted into the cavity from the other side in the first direction, the rib has a first surface that forms the cavity together with the housing, and an inclined portion that is continuous with the first surface and is arranged at the end of the rib on the other side in the first direction, the first surface faces the terminal from one side in a third direction that is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, and the inclined portion is positioned toward one side of the third direction and is inclined as it approaches the other side in the first direction.

[0018] With this configuration, the inclined portion can suppress interference between the rib and the terminal.

[0019] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In the drawings, for the sake of convenience, some components may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the components may differ between drawings. In this specification, "orthogonal" does not only refer to a strict orthogonal relationship, but also includes a roughly orthogonal relationship within the scope of the operation and effect of the present embodiment.

[0020] <Embodiment> An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. In the following description, the direction indicated by arrow Z is defined as upward, the direction indicated by arrow X as forward, and the direction indicated by arrow Y as leftward. In this embodiment, the front-to-rear direction is an example of a first direction. The left-to-right direction is an example of a second direction. The up-to-down direction is an example of a third direction. Note that, for multiple identical components, only some of the components may be designated with reference numerals, and the reference numerals of the other components may be omitted.

[0021] (Connector 10) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the connector 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 20, two terminals 11, and a retainer 30.

[0022] (Terminal 11) As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal 11 is a female terminal and includes a connecting tubular portion 12, a locking portion 13, and a wire crimping portion 14. The connecting tubular portion 12 is, for example, in the shape of a square tube. A resilient contact piece 12A is formed inside the connecting tubular portion 12. The locking portion 13 is formed at the rear end of the connecting tubular portion 12. The wire crimping portion 14 is continuous with the rear of the connecting tubular portion 12. The connector 10 may further include a terminal different from the terminal 11.

[0023] (Housing 20) As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 20 has a generally block-shaped housing body 21 and two cavities 22 that penetrate the housing body 21 in the front-rear direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 5 , the housing 20 is formed with a lance 23 disposed within the cavity 22 and elastically deformable in the left-right direction, and a flex space 24 into which the lance 23 can elastically deform and enter. The terminal 11 is inserted into the cavity 22 from the rear. During insertion of the terminal 11 into the cavity 22, the lance 23 interferes with the connecting tubular portion 12, elastically deforms, and enters the flex space 24. When the terminal 11 is inserted to the correct position within the cavity 22, the lance 23 elastically returns to its natural state and engages with the locking portion 13 from the rear. This prevents the terminal 11 from slipping out of the cavity 22 rearward. The housing 20 may further include a cavity C1 different from the cavity 22, and a lance L1 (for example, a lance L1 elastically deformable in the vertical direction) disposed in the cavity C1 and different from the lance 23.

[0024] The two cavities 22 are specifically a first cavity 22A and a second cavity 22B. The first cavity 22A is located near the left end of the housing main body 21. The second cavity 22B is located near the right end of the housing main body 21. The lance 23 located in the first cavity 22A is a first lance 23A. The lance 23 located in the second cavity 22B is a second lance 23B. When the retainer 30 is assembled to the housing 20, the first lance 23A and the second lance 23B are located on opposite sides of a center plane CP of the retainer 30 (described later). The first lance 23A is located to the left of the center plane CP, and the second lance 23B is located to the right of the center plane CP.

[0025] The flexure space 24 of the first lance 23A is located to the right of the first lance 23A. The first lance 23A elastically deforms to the right as the terminal 11 is inserted into the first cavity 22A. The flexure space 24 of the second lance 23B is located to the left of the second lance 23B. The second lance 23B elastically deforms to the left as the terminal 11 is inserted into the second cavity 22B. That is, each of the two lances 23 elastically deforms in a direction approaching the center plane CP as the terminal 11 is inserted into the corresponding cavity 22.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 8, the housing 20 has a recess 25 that receives a rib 36 of the retainer 30, which will be described later. The housing 20 has a first opposing surface 26, which is one of the surfaces that form the cavity 22 and faces the terminal 11 from below. The recess 25 is recessed downward from the first opposing surface 26. As shown in Fig. 10, the recess 25 opens forward.

[0027] 1 and 5, the housing 20 has a temporary locking portion 27 and a full locking portion 28 that protrude from both the left and right side surfaces of the housing main body 21. The temporary locking portion 27 is disposed forward of the full locking portion 28. The temporary locking portion 27 is disposed above the full locking portion 28.

[0028] (Retainer 30) 2 and 3, the retainer 30 includes a base wall 31, two locking pieces 32, two restricting portions 35, and two ribs 36. The base wall 31 is a thin plate extending in the front-rear direction. The retainer 30 is provided with a through-hole 31A that penetrates the base wall 31 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the through-hole 31A is disposed at a position that communicates with the cavity 22 of the housing 20.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the two locking pieces 32 extend rearward from the left and right ends of the base wall 31. Each locking piece 32 is shaped like a thin plate extending in the left-right direction. Here, as shown in Figure 2, a plane located at the center between the two locking pieces 32 in the left-right direction is defined as a center plane CP. The center plane CP is a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 3, each locking piece 32 has a locking groove 33 recessed from a side surface of the locking piece 32 close to the center plane CP. The locking groove 33 is formed in two rows, one above the other, extending in the front-rear direction. The locking groove 33 has a first locking groove 33A and a second locking groove 33B located below the first locking groove 33A. A locking protrusion 34 is formed at the rear end of the locking groove 33, extending from the bottom of the locking groove 33 toward the center plane CP in the left-right direction.

[0030] The locking pieces 32 are elastically deformable in the left-right direction. When the retainer 30 is assembled to the housing 20, the two locking pieces 32 are positioned on the outside of the left and right side surfaces of the housing main body 21, respectively, and the retainer 30 is pushed rearward. As the retainer 30 is pushed rearward, the temporary locking portions 27 and the locking protrusions 34 first engage, and the two locking pieces 32 elastically deform in the left-right direction so as to move away from the center plane CP. As the retainer 30 is further pushed rearward, the locking protrusions 34 climb over the temporary locking portions 27, and the temporary locking portions 27 enter the first locking grooves 33A. Then, the locking pieces 32 return to their natural state, and the locking protrusions 34 are positioned between the temporary locking portions 27 and the full locking portions 28 (see FIG. 5). The position of the retainer 30 shown in FIG. 5 is the temporary locking position. The locking protrusions 34 engage with the rear surfaces of the temporary locking portions 27. The locking projection 34 locks with the front surface of the full locking portion 28. Therefore, the retainer 30 is locked with the housing 20 in the front-rear direction and is held in the partial locking position.

[0031] When the retainer 30 is further pushed rearward from the partial locking position, the full-locking portion 28 and the locking projection 34 engage with each other, and the two locking pieces 32 elastically deform so as to move away from the center plane CP in the left-right direction. When the retainer 30 is further pushed rearward, the locking projection 34 climbs over the full-locking portion 28, and the full-locking portion 28 enters the second locking groove 33B. The locking pieces 32 then return to their natural state, and the locking projection 34 is positioned in front of the full-locking portion 28 (see FIG. 7). The position of the retainer 30 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is the full-locking position. As shown in FIG. 7, the locking projection 34 engages with the rear surface of the full-locking portion 28. Furthermore, the base wall 31 engages with the front surface of the housing main body 21. Therefore, the retainer 30 is engaged with the housing 20 in the front-rear direction and is held in the full-locking position.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the restricting portion 35 is disposed closer to the center plane CP with respect to the through-hole 31A. The restricting portion 35 extends rearward from the base wall 31. As shown in FIG. 5, when the retainer 30 is in the provisional locking position, the restricting portion 35 is disposed in front of the deflection space 24. The restricting portion 35 does not enter the deflection space 24. Therefore, the lance 23 elastically deforms in the left-right direction toward the center plane CP and can enter the deflection space 24. This allows the terminal 11 to be inserted into the cavity 22.

[0033] 6, when the retainer 30 is in the full locking position, the restricting portion 35 enters the deflection space 24. When the restricting portion 35 is disposed in the deflection space 24, the lance 23 interferes with the restricting portion 35, thereby restricting the elastic deformation of the lance 23. In other words, the terminal 11 is secondarily locked by the retainer 30. Therefore, the terminal 11 disposed in the correct position in the cavity 22 is prevented from slipping out rearward from the cavity 22.

[0034] The two restricting portions 35 are specifically a first restricting portion 35A and a second restricting portion 35B. The first restricting portion 35A is disposed to the left of the center plane CP. The second restricting portion 35B is disposed to the right of the center plane CP. When the retainer 30 is in the full locking position, the first restricting portion 35A enters the deflection space 24 of the first lance 23A, and the second restricting portion 35B enters the deflection space 24 of the second lance 23B. Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, the retainer 30 may be provided with a restricting portion R1 different from the restricting portion 35 (for example, a restricting portion R1 that restricts the elastic deformation of the lance L1).

[0035] 2 and 3, the ribs 36 extend from the restriction portion 35. In this embodiment, the ribs 36 extend from the restriction portion 35 in a direction away from the center plane CP in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the ribs 36 may extend rearward from the base wall 31. The ribs 36 extending from the first restriction portion 35A are first ribs 36A. The ribs 36 extending from the second restriction portion 35B are second ribs 36B.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, when the retainer 30 is in the partial-locking position, the rib 36 is disposed within the recess 25. As shown in FIG. 8, the recess 25 has an abutment surface 25A that faces the rib 36 in the left-right direction. The rib 36 is disposed close to the abutment surface 25A and is positioned closer to the center plane CP in the left-right direction than the abutment surface 25A. Note that the rib 36 is disposed within the recess 25 and faces the abutment surface 25A in the left-right direction even when the retainer 30 is in the full-locking position and when the retainer 30 is moving from the partial-locking position to the full-locking position. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the rib 36 is positioned so as not to come into contact with the lance 23 when the retainer 30 is in the full-locking position.

[0037] During the process of moving the retainer 30 from the provisional locking position (see FIG. 5 ) to the full locking position (see FIG. 6 ), the locking piece 32 elastically deforms away from the center plane CP in the left-right direction. Here, because the restricting portion 35 is connected to the locking piece 32 via the base wall 31, it is conceivable that the tip end of the restricting portion 35 will displace away from the center plane CP relative to the base end in response to the elastic deformation of the locking piece 32. In particular, if the retainer 30 is moved by pressing only the left-right center portion of the base wall 31 backward with a finger or the like, it is conceivable that the left and right ends of the base wall 31 will deform in a warped manner relative to the left-right center portion, which will likely cause the restricting portion 35 to displace away from the center plane CP. If such displacement of the restricting portion 35 occurs, it is conceivable that the restricting portion 35 will come into contact with the lance 23 in the front-rear direction, thereby hindering movement of the retainer 30 to the full locking position. However, in this embodiment, the rib 36 abuts against the abutment surface 25A, thereby restricting the displacement of the restricting portion 35 away from the center plane CP. Therefore, when the retainer 30 is moved from the partial locking position to the full locking position, interference between the restricting portion 35 and the lance 23 can be suppressed, and the retainer 30 can reach the full locking position.

[0038] 9, the rib 36 may have a portion facing the lance 23 in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, it is possible to increase the volume of the rib 36 and improve the strength of the rib 36 while avoiding an increase in the space required for arranging the rib 36 in the housing 20. This further prevents the restriction portion 35 from being displaced away from the center plane CP.

[0039] As shown in Figure 10, a guide portion 37 is formed at the rear end of the rib 36. The guide portion 37 is disposed at the end of the rib 36 extending from the restricting portion 35. The guide portion 37 is inclined so as to approach the center plane CP in the left-right direction as it extends rearward. The provision of the guide portion 37 makes it easier for the rib 36 to enter the recess 25.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 5, the restricting portion 35 and the rib 36 form a cavity 22 together with the housing 20 in a region forward of the lance 23. As shown in FIG. 8, the rib 36 has a first surface 38 that constitutes the cavity 22. The first surface 38 faces the terminal 11 from below. The first surface 38 is disposed at approximately the same height as the first opposing surface 26. As shown in FIG. 11, an inclined portion 39 is formed at the rear end of the rib 36, continuing from the first surface 38. The inclined portion 39 slopes downward as it extends rearward. The provision of the inclined portion 39 makes it possible to prevent interference between the front end of the terminal 11 and the rear end of the rib 36 in the front-to-rear direction during the process of inserting the terminal 11 into the cavity 22.

[0041] (Effects of the embodiment) (1) A connector 10 according to an embodiment includes a housing 20 having a cavity 22 extending in a first direction (front-rear direction), a terminal 11 disposed in the cavity 22, and a retainer 30 assembled to the housing 20 so as to be movable in the first direction between a temporary locking position and a full locking position. The housing 20 is formed with a lance 23 disposed in the cavity 22 and elastically deformable in a second direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to the first direction. The retainer 30 includes two lock pieces 32 that engage with the housing 20, and a restricting member that allows insertion of the terminal 11 into the cavity 22 when the retainer 30 is in the temporary locking position and interferes with the lance 23 to prevent the terminal 11 from slipping out of the cavity 22 when the retainer 30 is in the full locking position. The retainer 30 has a regulating portion 35 and a rib 36 extending from the regulating portion 35, and the surface located at the center between the two locking pieces 32 in the second direction is defined as a center plane CP, the regulating portion 35 is located at a position shifted in the second direction from the center plane CP, the lance 23 interferes with the terminal 11 during the process of inserting the terminal 11 into the cavity 22 and elastically deforms so as to approach the center plane CP in the second direction, the two locking pieces 32 interfere with the housing 20 and elastically deform in the second direction so as to move away from the center plane CP as the retainer 30 moves from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, and the rib 36 abuts against the housing 20 during the process of moving the retainer 30 from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, thereby preventing the regulating portion 35 from being displaced away from the center plane CP in the second direction.

[0042] With this configuration, even if the locking pieces 32 are elastically deformed in the second direction away from the center plane CP in the process of moving the retainer 30 from the partial locking position to the full locking position, the ribs 36 abut against the housing 20, thereby preventing the restricting portions 35 from being displaced in the second direction away from the center plane CP. This prevents interference between the restricting portions 35 and the lance 23, allowing the retainer 30 to be moved to the full locking position.

[0043] (2) In the embodiment, the regulating portion 35 includes a first regulating portion 35A and a second regulating portion 35B arranged on the opposite side of the center plane CP from the first regulating portion 35A, the rib 36 includes a first rib 36A extending from the first regulating portion 35A and a second rib 36B extending from the second regulating portion 35B, the cavity 22 has a first cavity 22A corresponding to the first regulating portion 35A and a second cavity 22B corresponding to the second regulating portion 35B, and the lance 23 includes a first lance 23A arranged in the first cavity 22A and a second lance 23B arranged in the second cavity 22B.

[0044] (3) In the embodiment, the rib 36 is disposed at a position overlapping the lance 23 when viewed in the first direction (when viewed from the front).

[0045] With this configuration, the strength of the ribs 36 can be improved while avoiding an increase in the space required for arranging the ribs 36 in the housing 20.

[0046] (4) In the embodiment, the housing 20 has a recess 25 that opens to one side (front) in the first direction and receives the rib 36, and the rib 36 has a guide portion 37 arranged at an end on the other side (rear) in the first direction, and the guide portion 37 is inclined so as to approach the center plane CP in the second direction as it moves toward the other side in the first direction.

[0047] With this configuration, the guide portion 37 can guide the rib 36 into the recess 25 .

[0048] (5) In the embodiment, the housing 20 has a recess 25 that opens to one side in the first direction and receives the rib 36, the terminal 11 is inserted into the cavity 22 from the other side in the first direction, the rib 36 has a first surface 38 that forms the cavity 22 together with the housing 20, and an inclined portion 39 that is continuous with the first surface 38 and is arranged at the end of the rib 36 on the other side in the first direction, the first surface 38 faces the terminal 11 from one side (below) in a third direction that is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, and the inclined portion 39 is positioned on one side of the third direction and is inclined as it approaches the other side in the first direction.

[0049] With this configuration, the inclined portion 39 can suppress interference between the rib 36 and the terminal 11.

[0050] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the connector 10 each has two cavities 22, lances 23, restricting portions 35, and ribs 36, but the connectors of the present disclosure may each have one or three or more cavities, lances, restricting portions, and ribs.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the terminal 11 is a female terminal, but the terminal of the present disclosure may be a male terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10: Connector 11: Terminal 12: Connecting tube 12A: Elastic contact piece 13: Locking part 14: Wire crimping section 20: Housing 21: Housing body 22: Cavity 22A: First cavity 22B: Second cavity 23: Lance 23A: First Lance 23B: Second Lance 24: Flexure space 25: Recess 25A: Contact surface 26: First opposing surface 27: Temporary locking part 28: Main locking part 30: Retainer 31: Base wall 31A: Through hole 32: Lock piece 33: Locking groove 33A: 1st locking groove 33B:Second locking groove 34: Locking protrusion 35: Regulation Department 35A: 1st Regulatory Department 35B:Second Regulatory Department 36: Rib 36A: First rib 36B: Second rib 37: Guide section 38: 1st page 39: Inclined part CP: central plane

Claims

1. a housing having a cavity extending in a first direction; a terminal disposed in the cavity; a retainer assembled to the housing so as to be movable in the first direction between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, The housing has a lance disposed in the cavity and elastically deformable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the retainer includes two lock pieces that are engaged with the housing, a restricting portion that allows the terminal to be inserted into the cavity when the retainer is in the temporary locking position and interferes with the lance to prevent the terminal from slipping out of the cavity when the retainer is in the full locking position, and a rib extending from the restricting portion; a surface disposed at the center between the two lock pieces in the second direction is defined as a center surface; the restricting portion is disposed at a position shifted from the central plane in the second direction, the lance interferes with the terminal during insertion of the terminal into the cavity and elastically deforms to approach the center plane in the second direction; the two locking pieces interfere with the housing and elastically deform so as to move away from the center plane in the second direction during the process of the retainer moving from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, A connector in which the rib abuts against the housing as the retainer moves from the temporary locking position to the final locking position, thereby preventing the regulating portion from displacing away from the center plane in the second direction.

2. the restricting portion includes a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion disposed on the opposite side of the center plane from the first restricting portion, The rib includes a first rib extending from the first restricting portion and a second rib extending from the second restricting portion, The cavity includes a first cavity corresponding to the first restricting portion and a second cavity corresponding to the second restricting portion, The connector of claim 1 , wherein the lance comprises a first lance disposed in the first cavity and a second lance disposed in the second cavity.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rib is disposed at a position overlapping the lance when viewed in the first direction.

4. the housing includes a recess that opens to one side in the first direction and receives the rib; the rib has a guide portion disposed at an end portion on the other side in the first direction, 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is inclined so as to approach the center plane in the second direction as it goes toward the other side in the first direction.

5. the housing includes a recess that opens to one side in the first direction and receives the rib; The terminal is inserted into the cavity from the other side in the first direction, the rib has a first surface that defines the cavity together with the housing, and an inclined portion that is continuous with the first surface and is disposed at an end of the rib on the other side in the first direction, the first surface faces the terminal from one side in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction; 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the inclined portion is inclined so as to be positioned toward one side in the third direction as it approaches the other side in the first direction.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Connector

    JP2004103551A