Holder member

Abstract

To provide a holder member that can be used with narrow-pitch connectors and that can save space.SOLUTION: A holder member 1 includes a first member 2 and a second member 3, and the first member 2 and / or the second member 3 includes wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b that can accommodate two or more electric wires W. The wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b each include a first wall portion 211 extending along an axial direction D3 and an arrangement direction D1 of the electric wires W, a second wall portion 212 extending along the axial direction D3 and the arrangement direction D1 of the electric wires W and spaced a predetermined distance from the first wall portion 211, and an end wall 214 connecting the first wall portion 211 and the second wall portion 212. A space is defined by the first wall portion 211, the second wall portion 212, and the end wall 214, and the wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b each have an introduction portion 215 at the end opposite the end wall 214 in the arrangement direction D1, the introduction portion having an opening OP through which the electric wire W can be introduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a holder member. [Background technology]

[0002] Waterproof connectors sometimes use waterproof members such as rubber to prevent moisture from penetrating between the electric wires and the connector housing. For example, Patent Document 1 (Patent Document 1) discloses a waterproof connector including a housing, a waterproof member disposed between the housing and the electric wires to separate the interior and exterior of the housing, and a rear holder attached to the housing to prevent the waterproof member from falling off the housing. More specifically, in the waterproof connector of Patent Document 1, the rear holder is composed of two combined thin-plate members. Each combined member includes a wire accommodating section in which one electric wire is attached and accommodated, and the wire accommodating section has a wire entry slit for allowing the electric wire to enter from the mating surfaces of the two combined members. Furthermore, the combined member has flexure slits on both sides of the wire entry slit so that the slit widens to a distance corresponding to the diameter of the electric wire when an electric wire is inserted.

[0003] When assembling the waterproof connector of Patent Document 1, due to its structure, the waterproof member is first inserted onto the electric wire, and then the terminal is crimped. After the terminal and the waterproof member with the wire already inserted are inserted into the housing, one of the combined members is attached to each of the multiple electric wires while widening the wire entry slits of the combined member (at this time, the flexure slits become narrower). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-61274 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The rear holder of the waterproof connector in Patent Document 1 is attached to multiple electric wires by moving it in the direction between the rows of terminals (a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction of the terminals), and furthermore, flexure slits are provided on both sides of the electric wire entry slit in the pitch direction (arrangement direction) of the electric wires. Therefore, a large space is required in the part that holds the electric wires in the pitch direction of the electric wires, and this can only be achieved with a large-pitch connector that has a large pitch between the electric wires (terminals).

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a holder member that can accommodate narrow-pitch connectors and that can save space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The holder member of the present invention is attached to a connector housing provided with a waterproof member at an end portion from which a plurality of electric wires arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction are led out, the holder member comprising a first member and a second member connected to each other, the first member and the second member being configured to face each other in the arrangement direction when the first member and the second member are connected, the first member and / or the second member comprising an electric wire accommodating portion capable of accommodating two or more electric wires among the plurality of electric wires arranged in the arrangement direction, the electric wire accommodating portion extending along the axial direction of the electric wires and the arrangement direction, a first wall portion extending in the axial direction of the electric wires and along the arrangement direction and spaced a predetermined distance from the first wall portion; and an end wall connecting the first wall portion and the second wall portion at an end of the first wall portion and the second wall portion opposite an end where the first member and the second member are connected to each other in the arrangement direction, wherein the first wall portion, the second wall portion, and the end wall define a space capable of accommodating a plurality of electric wires, and the electric wire accommodating portion has an introduction portion at an end opposite the end wall in the arrangement direction, the end portion having an opening that allows the electric wires to be introduced into the space of the electric wire accommodating portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The holder member of the present invention can accommodate connectors with narrow pitches, making it possible to save space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a holder member according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a connector housing. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a state before a holder member of an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a connector housing. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a top view of the holder member connected to the connector housing as viewed in the axial direction. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first member and a second member of the holder member are assembled together. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first member of the holder member. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first member of the holder member as viewed from another angle. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first member of the holder member as viewed from still another angle. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the holder member. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another modified example of the holder member. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 3. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing yet another modified example of the holder member. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before a first member of a holder member is attached to an electric wire. [Figure 16] 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first member of the holder member is attached to the electric wire, following the state shown in FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first and second members of the holder member are attached to the electric wires in the state shown in FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 18] 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first member and the second member are assembled together from the state shown in FIG. 17. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a holder member according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the holder member of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. Note that in this specification, "perpendicular to A" and similar expressions do not refer only to a direction that is completely perpendicular to A, but also refer to a direction that is approximately perpendicular to A. Also, in this specification, "parallel to B" and similar expressions do not refer only to a direction that is completely parallel to B, but also refer to a direction that is approximately parallel to B. Also, in this specification, "C-shape" and similar expressions do not refer only to a perfect C-shape, but also refer to a shape that visually resembles a C-shape (approximately a C-shape), such as a C-shape with chamfered corners.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holder member 1 is attached to a connector housing C1 of a connector C, which has a waterproof member WP (see FIG. 2) provided at an end portion from which a plurality of electric wires W arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction D1 are led out. By being attached to the connector housing C1, the holder member 1 prevents the waterproof member WP from coming off the connector housing C1. As shown in FIG. 1, the holder member 1 is configured to hold a plurality of electric wires W. In this embodiment, the holder member 1 is detachably attached to the connector housing C1. The holder member 1 is configured so that it can be retrofitted to the connector housing C1 (it can be optionally attached to a finished connector C (see the lower portion of FIG. 2) that does not have the holder member 1). However, the holder member 1 may also be incorporated in advance as part of the finished connector C. In this specification, the holder member 1 and the connector C (including the electric wires W, terminals, and connector housing C1) are collectively referred to as a connector structure.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector C includes a plurality of electric wires W arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction D1. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector C includes a connector housing C1, to which a plurality of electric wires W and terminals (not shown) crimped to the ends of the electric wires W are connected. A waterproof member WP is provided at an end (the upper end in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the connector housing C1 from which the plurality of electric wires W are led out. The number of electric wires W provided in the connector C is not particularly limited. The holder member 1 of this embodiment is suitably used, for example, when the number of electric wires W provided in the connector C is four or more per row. The electric wires W may be arranged in only one row in the connector, or in two or more rows. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the connector C includes a total of 16 electric wires W (eight wires per row, for a total of 16 wires in two rows). The electric wires W are arranged at a predetermined pitch (equal distance) in the arrangement direction D1. In this embodiment, the electric wires W in one row arranged in the arrangement direction D1 are separated at the center of the arrangement direction D1 into a group of electric wires on one side of the arrangement direction D1 and a group of electric wires on the other side (the spacing between the group of electric wires on one side of the arrangement direction D1 and the group of electric wires on the other side is wider than the spacing between the electric wires W in the group of electric wires on one side or the other side).

[0013] In this specification, the "arrangement direction D1" refers to the direction (pitch direction) in which the electric wires W or terminals are arranged in a predetermined direction. For example, when a plurality of electric wires W or terminals are arranged in a row, the arrangement direction D1 is the direction in which the electric wires W or terminals are arranged. In addition, in this specification, the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction D1 is referred to as the inter-row direction D2. In this specification, the direction in which the number of arranged electric wires W or terminals increases is referred to as the arrangement direction D1, and the direction in which the number of arranged electric wires W or terminals decreases is referred to as the inter-row direction D2. In addition, when the number of arranged electric wires W or terminals is the same in two directions, the direction in which the interval between the electric wires W or terminals narrows is referred to as the arrangement direction D1, and the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction D1 is referred to as the inter-row direction D2. In addition, in this specification, the direction in which the electric wires W extend is referred to as the axial direction D3 of the electric wires W. The axial direction D3 of the electric wires W is a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction D1 and the inter-row direction D2. In addition, within the axial direction D3 of the electric wires W, the direction in which the electric wires W are led out of the connector housing C1 (upward in FIGS. 1 and 2) is referred to as the lead-out direction D31, and the direction in which the electric wires W are led into the connector housing C1 is referred to as the lead-out direction D32. When the holder member 1 is described using the arrangement direction D1, the inter-row direction D2, and the axial direction D3, these directions refer to the state in which the holder member 1 is connected to the connector housing C1. When the connector housing C1 is described using the arrangement direction D1, the inter-row direction D2, and the axial direction D3, these directions may refer to the state in which the holder member 1 is connected to the connector housing C1.

[0014] The connector housing C1 is molded from an electrically insulating synthetic resin and accommodates a portion of the electric wire W and the terminals. The connector housing C1 is configured to be electrically connected to a mating connector housing (not shown) of a mating connector (not shown). The mating connector housing may have a configuration similar to the connector housing C1 described below, except that the mating connector housing is male-female reversed from the connector housing C1, and is similarly configured to allow attachment of the holder member 1.

[0015] In this embodiment, the connector housing C1 has terminal accommodating portions (not shown) corresponding to the number of terminals to be attached. The connector housing C1 also has a waterproofing member accommodating portion C11 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) on the lead-out direction D31 side of the terminal accommodating portions in the axial direction D3, and the waterproofing member WP is accommodated in the waterproofing member accommodating portion C11.

[0016] While the shape and structure of the connector housing C1 are not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the connector housing C1 includes a plurality of connector side walls CW1, CW2, CW3, and CW4 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Specifically, the connector housing C1 includes a first connector side wall CW1 and a second connector side wall CW2 that extend along the arrangement direction D1 and the axial direction D3, and a third connector side wall CW3 and a fourth connector side wall CW4 that extend along the inter-row direction D2 and the axial direction D3.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the connector side walls CW3 and CW4 of the connector housing C1 have engaged portions CE that engage with engaging portions 221 of the holder member 1, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 4, the engaged portions CE of the connector housing C1 engage with the engaging portions 221 of the holder member 1, thereby preventing the holder member 1 from being separated from the connector housing C1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the engaged portions CE are provided on the end sides of the third connector side wall CW3 and the fourth connector side wall CW4 in the lead-out direction D31. As shown in FIG. 4, the engaged portions CE have stepped portions CE1 that engage with the engaging portions 221 of the holder member 1 in the axial direction D3, and have guide surfaces CE2 that are inclined toward the stepped portions CE1 in the lead-out direction D31 in the axial direction D3 so that their heights from the third connector side wall CW3 and the fourth connector side wall CW4 decrease as they progress in the lead-out direction D31. The shape and structure of the engaged portion CE are not particularly limited as long as they can engage with the engaging portion 221 of the holder member 1 and prevent the holder member 1 from coming off the connector housing C1. The position at which the engaged portion CE is provided is also not particularly limited, and the engaged portion CE may be provided on another side wall (for example, the first connector side wall CW1 and the second connector side wall CW2).

[0018] 1 and 2, the connector side walls CW1 and CW2 are provided with connector-side posture maintaining portions CP that engage with posture maintaining portions 222 (see FIG. 8) of the holder member 1, which will be described later. Specifically, the connector-side posture maintaining portions CP are provided on the first connector side wall CW1 and the second connector side wall CW2. The connector-side posture maintaining portions CP engage with the posture maintaining portions 222 of the holder member 1 in the arrangement direction D1, thereby preventing the holder member 1 from moving in the arrangement direction D1 relative to the connector housing C1 and tilting with respect to the axial direction D3. In addition, in the present embodiment, the connector-side posture maintaining portions CP engage with the posture maintaining portions 222 of the holder member 1 in the arrangement direction D1, thereby preventing the first member 2 and the second member 3 of the holder member 1 from moving away from each other in the arrangement direction D1, as will be described later.

[0019] In this embodiment, the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP extends in the axial direction D3 on the first connector side wall CW1 and the second connector side wall CW2. More specifically, the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP is configured as a protrusion extending from the outer surface of the first connector side wall CW1 and the second connector side wall CW2. The shape and structure of the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP are not particularly limited as long as the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP engages with the posture maintaining portion 222 of the holder member 1 in the arrangement direction D1 to prevent the holder member 1 from moving in the arrangement direction D1 relative to the connector housing C1 and tilting in the axial direction D3. The connector-side posture maintaining portion may be configured as a recessed groove instead of a protrusion (in this case, the posture maintaining portion of the holder member 1 is configured as a convex portion such as a protrusion).

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the waterproofing member accommodating portion C11 of the connector housing C1 is configured to accommodate the waterproofing member WP at the end of the connector housing C1 on the leading-out direction D31 side. The waterproofing member accommodating portion C11 is shaped to correspond to the shape of the waterproofing member WP to be provided. In this embodiment, the waterproofing member accommodating portion C11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space so as to accommodate the waterproofing member WP, which has a substantially rectangular plate shape. In this embodiment, the waterproofing member accommodating portion C11 is defined by the ends of the first to fourth connector side walls CW1 to CW4 on the leading-out direction D31 side. In this embodiment, the waterproofing member WP is accommodated in the waterproofing member accommodating portion C11 so as to be exposed at the end of the connector housing C1 on the leading-out direction D31 side. In this embodiment, two independent waterproofing member accommodating portions C11 are provided to separately accommodate two waterproofing members WP provided in the arrangement direction D1. The two waterproofing member accommodating sections C11 are separated by a partition wall C12 (see FIG. 2) extending in the inter-row direction D2 and the axial direction D3. The shape, size, and number of the waterproofing member accommodating sections C11 can be changed as appropriate depending on the waterproofing member WP to be accommodated. For example, if there is only one waterproofing member WP, only one waterproofing member accommodating section C11 is provided, and if there are multiple waterproofing members WP, multiple waterproofing member accommodating sections C11 are provided.

[0021] The electric wire W extending from the connector housing C1 has a conductor disposed inside and a coating disposed on the outside of the conductor. The use and type of the electric wire W are not particularly limited, and it may be for power supply or electrical signal transmission. A terminal (not shown) is provided at the end of the electric wire W, and is configured to be connected to a terminal of a mating connector (mating connector housing). The terminal is made of a conductive metal material. The terminal is crimped at the end of the electric wire W, and the electric wire W with the crimped terminal is inserted into an electric wire insertion hole WP1 (see Figures 2 and 3) of the waterproof member WP, thereby connecting to the connector housing C1.

[0022] The waterproof member WP is a member that prevents moisture from penetrating into the connector housing C1 from the lead-out portion of the electric wires W. The waterproof member WP is made of a flexible waterproof material such as rubber. As shown in FIG. 2, the waterproof member WP has wire insertion holes WP1, the number of which corresponds to the number of electric wires W provided in the connector housing C1. The waterproof member WP prevents gaps from being formed between the outer periphery of the electric wires W and the waterproof member WP (the inner peripheral edge of the wire insertion hole WP1) when the electric wires W are inserted into the wire insertion holes WP1, thereby preventing moisture from penetrating between the outer periphery of the electric wires W and the waterproof member WP. The shape and structure of the waterproof member WP are not particularly limited as long as they can prevent moisture from penetrating into the connector housing C1 from the lead-out portion of the electric wires W. In this embodiment, the waterproof member WP is formed in a block shape with a predetermined thickness. A plurality of concave and convex portions are provided on the outer periphery of the waterproof member WP facing the connector side walls CW1 to CW4 of the connector housing C1. In this case, the waterproof member WP is press-fitted into the waterproof member accommodating portion C11, thereby improving sealing performance and preventing the waterproof member WP from coming off the waterproof member accommodating portion C11. As shown in FIG. 2, when the waterproof member WP is placed in the waterproof member accommodating portion C11, one surface of the waterproof member WP in the axial direction D3 is exposed at the end of the connector housing C1. The wire insertion hole WP1 of the waterproof member WP penetrates from one surface to the other in the axial direction D3 of the waterproof member WP, and the inner surface of the wire insertion hole WP1 has a portion with a reduced diameter along the axial direction D3. In this case, when the electric wire W is press-fitted, the reduced-diameter portion of the wire insertion hole WP1 comes into closer contact with the outer periphery of the electric wire W, further preventing a gap from occurring between the outer periphery of the electric wire W and the waterproof member WP. The multiple wire insertion holes WP1 are provided at positions corresponding to the positions of the terminals of the connector C used and are spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the terminal pitch. That is, the center position of the wire insertion hole WP1 is set to correspond to (coincide with) the center position of the wire W or the terminal.

[0023] 1 and 2, the holder member 1 is attached to the end of the connector housing C1 on the leading-out direction D31 side, and prevents the waterproofing member WP provided at the end of the connector housing C1 on the leading-out direction D31 side from coming off. As will be described later, the holder member 1 also holds a plurality of electric wires W in a collectively housed state. The material constituting the holder member 1 is not particularly limited, but the holder member 1 is made of, for example, an electrically insulating synthetic resin.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, the holder member includes a first member 2 and a second member 3 that are connected to each other. The first member 2 and the second member 3 are configured to face each other in the arrangement direction D1 when the first member 2 and the second member 3 are connected. In this embodiment, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are configured from the same material. In this case, the first member 2 and the second member 3 can be manufactured using the same mold, and the holder member 1 can be manufactured at low cost. Note that the first member 2 and the second member 3 may have different shapes and structures as long as they are connectable to each other.

[0025] The first member 2 and the second member 3 will be described below. Note that the second member 3 basically has the same configuration as the first member 2, and therefore, in the following description, the description of the second member 3 may be omitted. When describing the first member 2, the first member 2 can be read as the second member 3, and the same description of the second member 3 as that of the first member 2 will be omitted. Furthermore, each configuration of the first member 2 and the second member 3 described below may be provided in only one of the first member 2 and the second member 3, or may be provided in both.

[0026] 6 to 8, in this embodiment, the first member 2 includes a main body 21 having wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b, and a connection portion 22 connected to the connector housing C1. The wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b are configured to be able to accommodate two or more wires W out of the plurality of wires W arranged in the arrangement direction D1.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the connection portion 22 is a portion that connects the holder member 1 to the connector housing C1. The shape and structure of the connection portion 22 are not particularly limited as long as it allows the holder member 1 to be connected to the connector housing C1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, the connection portion 22 of the first member 2 has a first plate-shaped portion 22a that faces the first connector side wall CW1 of the connector housing C1, a second plate-shaped portion 22b that faces the second connector side wall CW2, and a third plate-shaped portion 22c that faces the third connector side wall CW3 when connected to the connector housing C1. The first plate-shaped portion 22a, the second plate-shaped portion 22b, and the third plate-shaped portion 22c are formed in a substantially C-shape when viewed in the axial direction D3. 1, the connection portion 22 having the first plate-shaped portion 22a, the second plate-shaped portion 22b, and the third plate-shaped portion 22c is arranged so as to cover one side and the other side of the connector housing C1 from the outside in the arrangement direction D1, and can stably hold the holder member 1 relative to the connector housing C1 in a state in which the first member 2 and the second member 3 are connected. This prevents the electric wire W from bending near the electric wire insertion hole WP1, and prevents a gap from being generated between the electric wire W and the electric wire insertion hole WP1.

[0028] 6 to 8, in this embodiment, the first plate-shaped portion 22a and the second plate-shaped portion 22b extend in the arrangement direction D1 from positions where end walls 214 (described later) of the wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b are provided, along second wall portions 212 and third wall portions 213 (described later) of the wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b. The first plate-shaped portion 22a and the second plate-shaped portion 22b extend a length that is shorter than the length of the second wall portion 212 and the third wall portion 213 in the arrangement direction D1, and the first plate-shaped portion 22a and the second plate-shaped portion 22b are not formed on the free end sides (sides that engage with the second member 3) of the second wall portion 212 and the third wall portion 213. In this case, as will be described later, when the electric wire W is accommodated in the electric wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b, the second wall portion 212 and the third wall portion 213 are more likely to be elastically deformed, making it easier to accommodate the electric wire W in the electric wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b.

[0029] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 , the connection portion 22 includes an engaging portion 221 for preventing the holder member 1 from being disengaged from the connector housing C1. The engaging portion 221 is engageable with an engaged portion CE provided on the connector housing C1, and by engaging with the engaged portion CE in the axial direction D3, the holder member 1 is prevented from being disengaged from the connector housing C1. The shape and structure of the engaging portion 221 are not particularly limited as long as it can prevent the holder member 1 from being disengaged from the connector housing C1 by engaging with the engaged portion CE in the axial direction D3. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 221 has a stepped portion 221a and an inclined surface 221b, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 . By moving the holder member 1 in the axial direction D3 relative to the connector housing C1, the engaging portion 221 moves over the guide surface CE2 of the engaged portion CE of the connector housing C1, and the stepped portion 221a of the engaging portion 221 engages with the stepped portion CE1 of the engaged portion CE. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 221 is provided on the inner surface of the third plate-shaped portion 22c of the connecting portion 22, but the position at which the engaging portion is provided is not particularly limited. The engaging portion may be provided on one or more of the first plate-shaped portion 22a to the third plate-shaped portion 22c.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 8, the first member 2 includes a pressing rib R that can press the waterproof member WP provided on the connector housing C1 in the axial direction D3 (the introduction direction D32). The pressing rib R presses the waterproof member WP in the axial direction D3, thereby preventing the waterproof member WP from coming off the connector housing C1. When the first member 2 is attached to the connector housing C1, the pressing rib R protrudes from the surface of the waterproof member WP in the axial direction D3 and into the introduction direction D32 (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 8). The shape of the pressing rib R is not particularly limited as long as it can press the waterproof member WP in the axial direction D3. In this embodiment, the pressing rib R is configured as a linear protrusion, as shown in FIG. 8. More specifically, the pressing rib R protrudes and extends in the introduction direction D32 along the inter-row direction D2 on the surface of the end wall 214 facing the waterproof member WP so as to press the end of the waterproof member WP in the arrangement direction D1. In this embodiment, as will be described later, when the electric wires W are accommodated in the electric wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b, the electric wires Wb closest to the end walls 214 (see FIG. 5) may be displaced in the arrangement direction D1 (see FIG. 5). Even if a small gap occurs between the electric wires Wb closest to the end walls 214 and the electric wire insertion holes WP1, the pressing ribs R press and deform the outer peripheral edge of the waterproofing member WP on the outside of the arrangement direction D1 (the end wall 214 side), thereby closing the small gap. This further improves waterproofing performance. The positions at which the pressing ribs are provided are not particularly limited as long as they can press the waterproofing member WP in the axial direction D3. For example, the pressing ribs may be provided on the surfaces of one or more of the first to third wall portions 211 to 213 that face the waterproofing member WP. The shape of the pressing ribs is not limited to linear and may be dotted or have other shapes.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the first member 2 is connected to the connector housing C1, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressing rib R and the connecting portion 22 sandwich the side wall (third connector side wall CW3) of the connector housing C1. In this case, the side wall (third connector side wall CW3) of the connector housing C1 is sandwiched between the pressing rib R and the connecting portion 22 (third plate-shaped portion 22c). This allows the first member 2 to be held in a predetermined position relative to the connector housing C1. Therefore, for example, even if only the first member 2 is attached to the connector housing C1 and the second member 3 is not attached to the first member 2 and the connector housing C1, the first member 2 is stably held in the same state as in the fully attached state (see FIG. 1). Therefore, with the first member 2 stably held in the connector housing C1, the second member 3 can be attached to the first member 2, facilitating connection between the first member 2 and the second member 3.

[0032] The connection portion 22 includes an attitude maintaining portion 222 that engages with the connector housing C1 in the arrangement direction D1 to restrict the first member 2 and the second member 3 from moving away from each other in the arrangement direction D1 (see FIG. 8 ). The attitude maintaining portion 222 engages with the connector-side attitude maintaining portion CP of the connector housing C1 in the arrangement direction D1. Specifically, when the first member 2 and the second member 3 are attached to the connector housing C1, the attitude maintaining portion 222 maintains the attitude of the first member 2 relative to the connector housing C1 to restrict the first member 2 and the second member 3 from moving away from each other. This prevents the connection between the first member 2 and the second member 3 from being released. Furthermore, engagement between the attitude maintaining portion 222 and the connector-side attitude maintaining portion CP allows the first member 2 to be maintained in a predetermined attitude when only the first member 2 is attached to the connector housing C1. In this embodiment, the side wall of the connector housing C1 is clamped between the pressure rib R and the engagement portion 221, and the posture maintaining portion 222 and the connector side posture maintaining portion CP engage in the arrangement direction, thereby more stably holding the first member 2 relative to the connector housing C1.

[0033] In this embodiment, the posture maintaining portion 222 also functions as a guide portion that guides the first member 2 in the axial direction D3. Specifically, with the posture maintaining portion 222 engaged with the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP in the arrangement direction D1, the first member 2 is moved in the axial direction D3 relative to the connector housing C1, thereby stably attaching the first member 2 to the connector housing C1. In this case, the first member 2 and the second member 3 can be easily attached to the connector housing C1, and the connection between the first member 2 and the second member 3 is prevented from being released when an external force is applied to the first member 2 and / or the second member 3 during use of the connector C with the first member 2 and the second member 3 attached to the connector housing C1 (see FIG. 1 ).

[0034] The shape and structure of the posture maintaining portion 222 are not particularly limited as long as it can engage with the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP in the arrangement direction D1. In this embodiment, the posture maintaining portion 222 is a recessed groove extending along the axial direction D3 on the inner surfaces of the first plate-shaped portion 22a and the second plate-shaped portion 22b of the connecting portion 22 that face the side walls (first connector side wall CW1, second connector side wall CW2) of the connector housing C1, as shown in Fig. 8. Also, the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP is formed by a protrusion that extends along the axial direction D3 on the outer surfaces of the side walls (first connector side wall CW1, second connector side wall CW2) of the connector housing C1 and engages with the posture maintaining portion 222, which is a recessed groove, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. As a modified example, for example, the posture maintaining portion may be constituted by a protrusion protruding from the inner surface of the connection portion 22 (first plate-shaped portion 22a and second plate-shaped portion 22b) toward the side walls (first connector side wall CW1, second connector side wall CW2) of the connector housing C1, and the connector side posture maintaining portion may be constituted by a recessed groove formed on the outer surface of the side walls (first connector side wall CW1, second connector side wall CW2) of the connector housing C1.

[0035] As another modification of the posture maintaining portion, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the posture maintaining portion 222 may further have a locking function in the axial direction D3. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the posture maintaining portion 222 may be configured to engage with the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP in the arrangement direction D1 and to engage with the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP in the axial direction D3 when the first member 2 is attached. In FIG. 10, the posture maintaining portion 222 is formed in the first plate-shaped portion 22a and the second plate-shaped portion 22b of the connecting portion 22 as a slit (or a non-penetrating recess) extending in the axial direction D3. Furthermore, the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP is formed as a protrusion having a length corresponding to the length of the posture maintaining portion 222 in the axial direction D3 on the first connector side wall CW1 and the second connector side wall CW2. A pair of side edges extending in the axial direction D3 of the posture maintaining portion 222 engage with a pair of side edges of the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP in the arrangement direction D1, thereby restricting movement of the first member 2 in the arrangement direction D1 relative to the connector housing C1. Furthermore, an end of the posture maintaining portion 222 on the introduction direction D32 side in the axial direction D3 engages with an end of the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP on the introduction direction D32 side in the axial direction D3, thereby restricting movement of the first member 2 in the extraction direction D31 relative to the connector housing C1. Thus, in the case of the modified example shown in FIG. 10 , movement of the holder member 1 in the arrangement direction D1 and the axial direction D3 relative to the connector housing C1 is restricted with a simple configuration. Therefore, deterioration of waterproof performance due to movement or rattle of the holder member 1 in the arrangement direction D1 and the axial direction D3 is suppressed. 10, in the process of attaching the first member 2 to the connector housing C1, the first member 2 is guided in the axial direction D3 relative to the connector housing C1 with the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP partially inserted into the posture maintaining portion 222. Therefore, the posture maintaining portion 222 shown in FIG. 10 not only maintains the posture but also has a guiding function in the axial direction D3.

[0036] As another modification of the posture maintaining portion, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the posture maintaining portion 222 may have a guiding function in the arrangement direction D1. The posture maintaining portion 222 shown in FIG. 11 guides the holder member 1 in the arrangement direction D1 relative to the connector housing C1 and restricts movement in the axial direction D3. When only the first member 2 is attached to the connector housing C1, the posture maintaining portion 222 shown in FIG. 11 can maintain the first member 2 in a posture similar to that in the completed attachment state. As shown in FIG. 11, the posture maintaining portion 222 of this modification is a protrusion extending in the arrangement direction D1 on the inner surfaces of the first plate-shaped portion 22a and the second plate-shaped portion 22b of the connecting portion 22, and the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP, which guides the posture maintaining portion 222, is configured as a recessed groove extending along the arrangement direction D1. As a modified example of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , for example, the posture maintaining portion may be a recessed groove formed on the inner surface of the connecting portion 22 (the first plate-shaped portion 22a and the second plate-shaped portion 22b), and the connector-side posture maintaining portion may be a protrusion formed on the outer surface of the side wall (the first connector side wall CW1, the second connector side wall CW2) of the connector housing C1. Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , a stopper portion ST is provided that restricts movement of the first member 2 in the arrangement direction D1 in a direction in which the first member 2 is removed from the connector housing C1 when the first member 2 moves in the arrangement direction D1 to the attachment completion position of the first member 2. In this case, when the second member 3 is attached to the first member 2 with the first member 2 attached to the connector housing C1, movement of the first member 2 in the arrangement direction D1 is restricted (in this modified example, movement in the inter-row direction D2 and the axial direction D3 is also restricted). This facilitates attachment of the second member 3 to the first member 2. In this embodiment, the stopper portion ST protrudes from the bottom of the groove-shaped connector side posture maintaining portion CP so as to engage with the posture maintaining portion 222 of the first member 2 in the attached state in the arrangement direction D1.

[0037] The wire housings 21a and 21b are portions that house two or more of the electric wires W arranged in the arrangement direction D1. In this embodiment, the first member 2 includes a first wire housing 21a and a second wire housing 21b (hereinafter, the first wire housing 21a and the second wire housing 21b are collectively referred to as "wire housings") that extend parallel to each other along the arrangement direction D1. Note that, in the case of a connector in which the electric wires W are arranged in only one row, there is only one wire housing, whereas in the case of a connector in which the electric wires W are arranged in three or more rows, there may be three or more wire housings. Note that, in this embodiment, each of the wire housings 21a and 21b of the first member 2 is configured to house four of the eight electric wires W arranged in one row in the arrangement direction D1, but the number of electric wires W housed in the wire housing is not particularly limited. 1, the first member 2 and the second member 3 accommodate the same number of electric wires W, four in each of the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b of the first member 2 and four in each of the electric wire accommodating portions of the second member 3. However, the lengths of the first member 2 and the second member 3 in the arrangement direction D1 may be changed so that the first member 2 and the second member 3 accommodate different numbers of electric wires W.

[0038] 6 to 8 , the wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b (main body 21) of the first member 2 include a first wall portion 211 extending along the axial direction D3 of the electric wires W and the arrangement direction D1, a second wall portion 212 extending along the axial direction D3 of the electric wires W and the arrangement direction D1 and spaced a predetermined distance from the first wall portion 211, a third wall portion 213 extending along the axial direction D3 of the electric wires W and the arrangement direction D1 and spaced a predetermined distance from the first wall portion 211, and an end wall 214 connecting the first wall portion 211 and the second wall portion 212 at ends of the first wall portion 211 and the second wall portion 212 opposite to ends at which the first member 2 and the second member 3 are connected to each other in the arrangement direction D1. In the present embodiment, the end wall 214 is configured to connect the first wall portion 211, the second wall portion 212, and the third wall portion 213. In addition, in this embodiment, the holder member 1 is provided with restricting portions 216a, 216b that can engage with the electric wire W so as to restrict the electric wire W from escaping from the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b through the introduction portion 215 described later when the first member 2 and the second member 3 are connected.

[0039] In the connector, when the electric wires W are arranged in only one row, the third wall is not provided, and only one electric wire accommodating section is defined by the first wall, the second wall, and the end wall. When the electric wires W are arranged in three or more rows, more electric wire accommodating sections are defined by other walls such as the fourth wall in addition to the first to third walls.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 , the first wall portion 211, the second wall portion 212, and the third wall portion 213 (hereinafter simply referred to as “wall portions”) are wall-like portions extending along the axial direction D3 and the arrangement direction D1 (a direction perpendicular to the inter-row direction D2). The “wall-like” portions are not necessarily limited to those that do not penetrate in the inter-row direction D2 as shown in the drawings, but may have portions that partially penetrate in the inter-row direction D2. The walls 211 to 213 are configured to hold the plurality of electric wires W aligned in the arrangement direction D1 in a bundled state, and extend substantially parallel to the plurality of electric wires W. In this embodiment, the first wall portion 211, the second wall portion 212, and the third wall portion 213 extend substantially parallel to each other, and the first to third wall portions 211 to 213 are connected to each other by end walls 214. In the present embodiment, the first wall 211, the second wall 212, and the end wall 214 define a first space SP1 in the first electric wire accommodating section 21a that can accommodate a plurality of electric wires W. The first wall 211, the third wall 213, and the end wall 214 define a second space SP2 in the second electric wire accommodating section 21b that can accommodate a plurality of electric wires W. Each of the first space SP1 and the second space SP2 is a space that penetrates in the axial direction D3 and can accommodate a plurality of electric wires W inserted therethrough. The first space SP1 and the second space SP2 are opened in the arrangement direction D1 by the introduction portions 215 of the first member 2 and the second member 3, and the introduction portions 215 are configured to allow the electric wires W to move in the arrangement direction D1 from the first space SP1 to the second space SP2.

[0041] The wall thicknesses (thicknesses in the inter-row direction D2) of the first to third wall portions 211 to 213 are not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 to Fig. 9, the thicknesses of the second wall portions 212 and the third wall portions 213 on both sides in the inter-row direction D2 are thinner than the thickness of the central first wall portion 211 in the inter-row direction D2. In this case, when two rows of electric wires W are inserted into the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b of the first member 2 at one time, the first wall portion 211 functions as a stable core, and the second wall portions 212 and the third wall portions 213 on both sides become more flexible, making it possible to easily accommodate the electric wires W in the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b.

[0042] As will be described later, the length in the axial direction D3 of the wall portions 211-213 is set so as to reduce the influence on the root portion of the electric wire W led out from the electric wire insertion hole WP1 of the waterproofing member WP when a bending force or the like is applied to the electric wire W guided along the wall portions 211-213 in the lead-out direction D31 side from the upper end of the wall portions 211-213. The length in the axial direction D3 of the wall portions 211-213 is not particularly limited as long as it is set so as to reduce the influence on the root portion of the electric wire W, but is preferably at least two times, and preferably three times, the outer diameter of the electric wire W, for example.

[0043] The separation distance between the wall portions 211 to 213 in the inter-row direction D2 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the electric wire W and to a distance that prevents the electric wire W from moving significantly in the inter-row direction D2. For example, the separation distance between the wall portions 211 to 213 in the inter-row direction D2 is preferably 1.0 to 1.2 times, and more preferably 1.0 to 1.1 times, the outer diameter of the electric wire W. Note that the separation distance between the wall portions 211 to 213 in the inter-row direction D2 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the electric wire W as long as the electric wire W can be accommodated in the electric wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b.

[0044] Furthermore, the length of the wall portions 211 to 213 in the arrangement direction D1 is not particularly limited as long as the desired number of electric wires W can be accommodated in the electric wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b, and is changed appropriately depending on the number of electric wires W to be accommodated.

[0045] The end wall 214 defines one end of the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b in the arrangement direction D1. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 to 8, the end wall 214 connects the first wall portion 211 and the second wall portion 212 in the inter-row direction D2. The end wall 214 also connects the first wall portion 211 and the third wall portion 213 in the inter-row direction D2. The end wall 214 faces an outer surface of the outermost electric wire Wb (see FIGS. 1 and 5) in the arrangement direction D1 among the plurality of electric wires W arranged in the arrangement direction D1. In the present embodiment, the end wall 214 is configured to come into contact with the outer surface of the outermost electric wire Wb in the arrangement direction D1, but may not come into contact with it.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7 , the wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b have, at their ends opposite the end walls 214 in the arrangement direction D1, introduction portions 215 having openings OP through which the wire W can be introduced into the spaces SP1 and SP2 of the wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b. The introduction portions 215 are inlet portions for accommodating the wire W connected to the connector housing C1 into the wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b. The introduction portions 215 are provided in each of the first wire accommodating portion 21a and the second wire accommodating portion 21b. In this embodiment, the introduction portions 215 have openings OP whose width is smaller than the outer diameter of the wire W. When the wire W passes through the openings OP of the introduction portions 215, the second wall portion 212 and the third wall portion 213 bend, widening the openings OP. As a result, the wire W is accommodated in the wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b through the introduction portions 215.

[0047] The shape and structure of the introduction portion 215 are not particularly limited as long as it can accommodate the electric wires W in the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the introduction portion 215 has an inclined surface 215a that is inclined so that the gap in the inter-row direction D2 gradually decreases toward the inside of the first space SP1 and the second space SP2 of the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b in the arrangement direction D1.

[0048] 3 and 5 to 7, the holder member 1 includes restricting portions 216a and 216b that can engage with the electric wire W to restrict the electric wire W from passing through the introduction portion 215 from the electric wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b when the first member 2 and the second member 3 are connected. In this embodiment, the first restricting portion 216a is provided in the first electric wire accommodating portion 21a, and the second restricting portion 216b is provided in the second electric wire accommodating portion 21b (hereinafter, the first restricting portion 216a and the second restricting portion 216b are collectively referred to as restricting portions). The restricting portions 216a and 216b restrict the electric wire W from passing through the introduction portion 215 from the electric wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b in the arrangement direction D1.

[0049] The restricting portions 216a, 216b are configured so that even if a force acting on the electric wire W in the arrangement direction D1 in a direction of exiting from the wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b is not easily converted into a force that widens the opening OP of the introduction portion 215, thereby preventing the electric wire W from being released from the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b. The shape and structure of the restricting portions 216a, 216b are not particularly limited as long as they can restrict the electric wire W from being released from the wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b through the introduction portion 215 in the arrangement direction D1. In the present embodiment, the restricting portions 216a, 216b are formed by flat surfaces that extend in the inter-row direction D2 and the axial direction D3 around the opening OP of the introduction portion 215, which has a width narrower than the outer diameter of the electric wire W, and that can come into contact with the outer periphery of the electric wire W. In the present embodiment, the restricting portions 216a, 216b are connected to the inclined surface 215a of the introduction portion 215 in the arrangement direction D1. In this embodiment, the first restricting portion 216a and the second restricting portion 216b are configured with different shapes because the same member is used for the first member 2 and the second member 3, but the first restricting portion 216a and the second restricting portion 216b may have the same shape and structure.

[0050] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 , the first member 2 and the second member 3 have an engagement structure ES that engages with the free end (the end opposite the end wall 214) of the first wall portion 211 in the arrangement direction D1 to suppress movement of the first member 2 and the second member 3 in a direction separating them from each other in the arrangement direction D1 when connected to the second member 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 , the engagement structure ES is composed of a first-member-side engagement protrusion ES1 and a second-member-side engagement protrusion ES2. The first-member-side engagement protrusion ES1 and the second-member-side engagement protrusion ES2 are configured to engage with each other in the arrangement direction D1 by sliding the first member 2 relative to the second member 3 in the axial direction D3. The shape and structure of the first-member-side engagement protrusion ES1 and the second-member-side engagement protrusion ES2 are not particularly limited as long as they can engage with each other to suppress movement of the first member 2 and the second member 3 in a direction separating them from each other in the arrangement direction D1. In this embodiment, the first-component engaging protrusion ES1 has two hook-shaped portions, a first hook portion and a second hook portion, in the arrangement direction D1, and the first hook-shaped portion at the tip end is offset from the second hook-shaped portion in the inter-row direction D2. The second-component engaging protrusion ES2 has a similar structure. In this embodiment, the engagement strength in the arrangement direction D1 can be increased by engaging the two hook-shaped portions. In this embodiment, as described above, the central first wall portion 211 is thicker in the inter-row direction D2 than the outer second wall portion 212 and third wall portion 213, making it easier to form the complex-shaped engaging structures ES described above.

[0051] In this embodiment, a lock mechanism LM is provided on the free end sides of the second wall portion 212 and the third wall portion 213 to restrict relative movement of the first member 2 and the second member 3 in the axial direction D3 when the first member 2 and the second member 3 are moved relatively in the axial direction D3 to reach a predetermined assembly position (see FIG. 6) (see FIGS. 7, 12, and 13). Specifically, the first member 2 and the second member 3, which are symmetrical to each other, have first engagement step portions LM11 (first engagement step portion of the first member) and LM21 (first engagement step portion of the second member) on the second wall portion 212, and second engagement step portions LM12 (second engagement step portion of the first member) and LM22 (second engagement step portion of the second member) on the third wall portion 213. 12, the first engagement step LM11 of the second wall portion 212 provided on the first member 2 engages with the second engagement step LM22 of the third wall portion provided on the second member 3. Also, as shown in Fig. 13, the first engagement step LM12 of the third wall portion 213 provided on the first member 2 engages with the first engagement step LM21 of the second wall portion provided on the second member 3. As a result, in Figs. 12 and 13, when the first member 2 attempts to move upward relative to the second member 3, the first engagement step LM11 of the first member 2 engages with the second engagement step LM22 of the second member 3, thereby restricting the upward movement of the first member 2 relative to the second member 3. Furthermore, when the first member 2 attempts to move downward relative to the second member 3, the second engagement step LM12 of the first member 2 engages with the first engagement step LM21 of the second member 3, thereby restricting the downward movement of the first member 2 relative to the second member 3. As a result, when the first member 2 and the second member 3 move to a predetermined assembly position shown in Fig. 6, the first member 2 and the second member 3 become one body. Therefore, after the first member 2 and the second member 3 are assembled to the electric wire W at a position away from the connector housing C1 as shown in Fig. 2, the assembly of the first member 2 and the second member 3 can be easily moved in the axial direction D3 toward the connector housing C1.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first engagement steps LM11, LM21 are provided on the free end side of the second wall portion 212, and are configured to be guided into guide grooves G (see FIG. 7) that are provided with the second engagement steps LM12, LM22 and extend in the axial direction D3 when the first member 2 and the second member 3 are slid in the axial direction D3. The first engagement steps LM11, LM21 and the second engagement steps LM12, LM22 are provided at corresponding positions in the axial direction D3. The portion adjacent to the first engagement step portions LM11, LM21 in the axial direction D3 has an inclined surface LM3 (see Figures 12 and 13), and when the third wall portion 213 bends outward while sliding against the inclined surface LM3 of the second wall portion 212 and is positioned in a predetermined assembly position, the outwardly bent third wall portion 213 returns to the state shown in Figures 12 and 13, and the first engagement step portions LM11, LM21 engage with the second engagement step portions LM12, LM22.

[0053] In addition, the second wall portion 212 or the third wall portion 213 may have a reinforcing portion RI that partially increases the thickness in the inter-row direction D2, as shown in FIG. 14 , to prevent the first member 2 and the second member 3 from coming apart due to outward bending in the inter-row direction D2 at a predetermined assembly position. In this modification, the reinforcing portion RI protrudes outward in the inter-row direction D2 from the center to the free end of the third wall portion 213 in the arrangement direction D1. The reinforcing portion RI of the first member 2 extends beyond the portion where the third wall portion 213 of the first member 2 and the second wall portion of the second member 3 engage, to the outside of the second wall portion of the second member 3, in the arrangement direction D1. This thickens the third wall portion 213 of the first member 2, making it less susceptible to outward deformation, and the portion of the reinforcing portion RI that covers the outside of the second wall portion of the second member 3 prevents the second wall portion of the second member 3 from deforming outward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second wall portion 212 and the third wall portion 213 of the first member 2 and the second member 3 from being bent outward in the inter-row direction D2 and becoming disengaged.

[0054] Next, the effects of the holder member 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. As described above, the first member 2 and the second member 3 of the holder member 1 each include electric wire accommodating sections 21a, 21b that can accommodate two or more electric wires W. The electric wire accommodating section 21a includes a first wall section 211, a second wall section 212, and an end wall 214, and the first wall section 211, the second wall section 212, and the end wall 214 define a first space SP1 that can accommodate the electric wires W in the arrangement direction D1. The first member 2 and the second member 3 each include an introduction section 215 that can accommodate the electric wires W into the first space SP1 in the arrangement direction D1. With the above configuration, the holder member 1 of this embodiment can collectively accommodate multiple electric wires W arranged side by side in the arrangement direction D1 in the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b. Even in a connector C with a narrow pitch between the multiple electric wires W in the arrangement direction D1, a portion of the holder member 1 does not get caught between the electric wires W in the arrangement direction D1. Therefore, even in a connector C with a narrow pitch, attachment to the electric wires W is easy. Furthermore, because multiple electric wires W are collectively accommodated in the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b, which have one independent space (first space SP1, second space SP2), the size of the holder member 1 required per electric wire W can be reduced. Therefore, the holder member 1 can be made more compact, enabling space savings.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first wall portion 211, the second wall portion 212, and the third wall portion 213 of the first member 2 and the second member 3 extend along the axial direction D3 and the arrangement direction D1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of electric wires W are exposed from the holder member 1 at a position spaced apart from the electric wire insertion hole WP1 of the waterproofing member WP in the axial direction D3 by the height of the walls 211 to 213. Therefore, even if the plurality of electric wires W exposed from the holder member 1 are bent, the first wall portion 211, the second wall portion 212, the third wall portion 213, and the end wall 214 suppress bending of the portions of the electric wires W within the electric wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b of the holder member 1. Therefore, a decrease in the waterproofing effect due to deformation of the periphery of the electric wire insertion hole WP1 caused by bending of the root portions of the electric wires W is suppressed.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first wall portion 211, the second wall portion 212, the third wall portion 213, and the end wall 214 of each of the first member 2 and the second member 3 are formed as walls extending a predetermined length in the axial direction D3. Therefore, since the first member 2 and the second member 3 have a predetermined width in the axial direction D3, for example, when the first member 2 and the second member 3 are connected at a position away from the connector housing C1 (see FIG. 18 ), the first member 2 and the second member 3 can be easily moved to the connector housing C1 in an assembled state (even without the locking mechanism LM). If the holder member 1 has the locking mechanism LM described above, the holder member 1 can be moved even more easily to the connector housing C1. In this embodiment, the first to third wall portions 211 to 213 are formed as flat plates, thereby reducing the contact area with the outer periphery of the electric wire W. Therefore, when the holder member 1 is moved into the connector housing C1, the contact resistance between the electric wire W and the first to third wall portions 211 to 213 is smaller (compared to the case in which most of the outer periphery of the electric wire W is covered by the portion to be accommodated as in Patent Document 1). Therefore, the holder member 1 can be moved smoothly toward the connector housing C1.

[0057] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to enable the wires W accommodated in the wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b to be bundled in the arrangement direction D1 so that the interval in the arrangement direction D1 between the wires W becomes shorter, the interval L1 in the arrangement direction D1 between the regulating portions 216a and 216b and the end wall 214 is shorter than the interval L2 in the arrangement direction D1 between the outer end WP11 in the arrangement direction D1 of the wire insertion hole WP1 of the waterproof member WP through which the wire Wa adjacent to the regulating portions 216a and 216b is inserted and the outer end WP12 in the arrangement direction D1 of the wire insertion hole WP1 of the waterproof member WP through which the wire Wb adjacent to the end wall 214 is inserted (L1 < L2). In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of wires W are bundled so that the gap in the arrangement direction D1 becomes smaller, and the plurality of wires W are substantially integrated. Thereby, it is suppressed that each of the plurality of wires W moves freely in different directions. Therefore, for example, it is suppressed that a force for deforming the waterproof member WP is applied to the periphery of the wire insertion hole WP1 due to the plurality of wires W moving in different directions, such as two adjacent wires W moving in opposite directions to each other. Further, since the holder member 1 can obtain the effect of bundling the plurality of wires W, the function of the bundling band conventionally used for bundling the plurality of wires W can be provided to the holder member 1. The size of the interval L1 in the arrangement direction D1 between the regulating portions 216a and 216b and the end wall 214 is not particularly limited as long as it is smaller than the above-mentioned interval L2 and the above-described predetermined effect can be obtained. For example, it is preferably corresponding to the product of the number of wires W accommodated in each of the wire accommodating portions 21a and 21b and the diameter of the wire W. More specifically, the size of the interval L1 in the arrangement direction D1 between the regulating portions 216a and 216b and the end wall 214 can be designed to be 1 to 1.1 times, preferably 1 to 1.05 times, more preferably equal to the product of the number of wires W and the diameter of the wire W.

[0058] 5 and 9, in this embodiment, the distance in the arrangement direction D1 between the wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b (the distance in the arrangement direction D1 from the upper ends to the lower ends (boundaries with the waterproofing member WP) of the first wall portion 211 to the third wall portion 213) is configured to be relatively wide on the side closer to the connector housing C1 (the lower side in FIG. 5) and relatively narrow on the opposite side of the connector housing C1 (the upper side in FIG. 5) in the axial direction D3 of the wire W. In this case, the distance between the outer periphery of the wire W and the end wall 214 or the restricting portions 216a, 216b is wide near the wire insertion hole WP1, and the wire W is hardly restrained by the end wall 214 (or the restricting portions 216a, 216b). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, even if the portion of the electric wire W inserted into the electric wire insertion hole WP1 and the portion separated from the electric wire insertion hole WP1 in the leading-out direction D31 (the upper portion in FIG. 5) are offset in the arrangement direction D1, the portion of the electric wire W near the electric wire insertion hole WP1 is not restrained by the end wall 214 (or the restricting portions 216a, 216b) and therefore deforms gently in the leading-out direction D31. Therefore, the application of a force that deforms the electric wire insertion hole WP1 from the electric wire W is suppressed, and deterioration of waterproof performance is suppressed. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the spacing in the inter-row direction D2 between the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b is configured to be relatively wide on the side close to the connector housing C1 and relatively narrow on the opposite side of the connector housing C1 in the axial direction D3 of the electric wire W. In this case, the application of force from the electric wires W that deforms the electric wire insertion holes WP1 in the inter-row direction D2 is suppressed, and deterioration of waterproof performance is suppressed. Note that the terms "relatively wide" and "relatively narrow" refer to a comparison of the relative sizes between the side of the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b that is closer to the connector housing C1 and the opposite side of the connector housing C1 (the side farther from the connector housing C1), and a specific distance does not need to be defined. For example, even if the end wall 214 and the restricting portions 216a, 216b penetrate in the arrangement direction D1 on the side closer to the connector housing C1 (when the distance is not defined), the side closer to the connector housing C1 is considered "relatively wide."

[0059] 9, in the present embodiment, a portion of the inner surface of the end wall 214 on the lead-out direction D31 side protrudes inward in the arrangement direction D1 relative to a portion on the lead-in direction D32 side, and portions of the inner surfaces of the first to third wall portions 211 to 213 on the lead-out direction D31 side protrude inward in the inter-row direction D2 relative to a portion on the lead-in direction D32 side. Also, the restricting portions 216a, 216b are provided so as to be able to come into contact with the electric wire W only on the lead-out direction D31 side, and are not provided on the lead-in direction D32 side. The portions of the first to third wall portions 211 to 213 and the end wall 214 on the lead-out direction D31 side are not particularly limited, but can be, for example, within a range of 1 / 2, preferably 1 / 3, and more preferably 1 / 4 of the total length of the first to third wall portions 211 to 213 and the end wall 214 in the axial direction D3 from the end portion (the upper end in Figure 5) on the lead-out direction D31 side in the axial direction D3.

[0060] Next, an example of a method for connecting the holder member 1 of this embodiment to the electric wire W and the connector housing C1 will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 18. Note that the following description is merely an example, and the method for connecting the holder member 1 to the electric wire W and the connector housing C1 is not limited to the following description, and other connection methods may also be used.

[0061] First, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the first member 2 is connected to a plurality of electric wires W. Specifically, an operator grips the first member 2 and moves the first member 2 in the arrangement direction D1 of the electric wires W relative to the plurality of electric wires W. More specifically, by moving the inclined surface 215a of the introduction portion 215 of the first member 2 so as to press the electric wires W against the electric wires W, the second wall portion 212 and the third wall portion 213 are bent outward in the inter-row direction D2, widening the opening width of the opening OP (see FIG. 7 ), and the plurality of electric wires W are accommodated in the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b (see FIG. 16 ). During this operation, the second wall portion 212 and the third wall portion 213 of the first member 2 are provided in the shape of walls extending in the axial direction D3 and the arrangement direction D1, making it easy for the operator to grip the first member 2 and apply a pushing force to the electric wires W.

[0062] When the plurality of electric wires W are accommodated in the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b, the second wall portion 212 and the third wall portion 213 that have been bent outward in the inter-row direction D2 elastically return to their original position, the opening width of the opening OP narrows, and the accommodation of the electric wires W in the first member 2 is completed. At this time, the narrowing of the opening width of the opening OP causes the restricting portion 216a of the first member 2 to face the electric wires W in the arrangement direction D1, and the electric wires W are prevented from coming out of the electric wire accommodating portions 21a, 21b.

[0063] 17, the second member 3 is attached to the electric wire W in a similar manner. In this embodiment, the second member 3 is attached at a position offset from the first member 2 in the axial direction D3.

[0064] When the first member 2 and the second member 3 are attached to the electric wire W, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are connected to each other. Specifically, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are moved relatively in the axial direction D3 so as to approach each other. When the first member 2 and the second member 3 are moved relatively in the axial direction D3, as described above, the first engagement step LM11 of the second wall portion 212 provided on the first member 2 engages with the second engagement step LM22 of the third wall portion provided on the second member 3 (see FIG. 12). Furthermore, the second engagement step LM12 of the third wall portion 213 provided on the first member 2 engages with the first engagement step LM21 of the second wall portion provided on the second member 3 (see FIG. 13). This restricts the relative movement between the first member 2 and the second member 3 in the axial direction D3. Furthermore, the first-member-side engaging protrusions ES1 of the first member 2 and the second-member-side engaging protrusions ES2 of the second member 3 engage with each other, restricting relative movement in the arrangement direction D1 between the first member 2 and the second member 3. As a result, the first member 2 and the second member 3 form an integrated assembly (see FIG. 18).

[0065] 18, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are slid in the axial direction D3 along the electric wire W. When the first member 2 and the second member 3 reach the position of the connector housing C1, the posture maintaining portion 222 provided on the connection portion 22 of the first member 2 and the second member 3 is guided along the axial direction D3 by the connector-side posture maintaining portion CP provided on the connector housing C1. When the first member 2 and the third member 3 are moved in the axial direction D3 in the introduction direction D32, the engaging portion 221 of the connection portion 22 engages with the engaged portion CE of the connector housing C1, preventing the holder member 1 from being disengaged from the connector housing C1 in the axial direction D3, and completing the connection of the holder member 1 to the connector housing C1 (see FIG. 1). [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Holder member 2 First member 21 Main Unit 21a First wire housing 21b Second wire housing 211 1st wall section 212 Second wall section 213 Third wall section 214 End Wall 215 Introduction 215a Slope 216a 1st Regulatory Division 216b Second Regulatory Division 22 Connection 22a First plate-shaped portion 22b Second plate-shaped portion 22c Third plate-shaped part 221 Engagement part 221a Step 221b Slope 222 Posture holding part 3 Second member C Connector C1 Connector Housing C11 Waterproof material storage section C12 Bulkhead CE engaged part CE1 Step CE2 guideway CP connector side posture holding part CW1 First connector side wall CW2 2nd Connector Sidewall CW3 3rd Connector Sidewall CW4 4th connector side wall D1 Array direction D2 Column direction D3 Axial direction D31 Derivation direction D32 Introduction direction ES engagement structure ES1 First member side engaging protrusion ES2 Second member side engaging protrusion G guide groove L1: Distance between the restricting portion and the end wall in the arrangement direction L2: The distance in the arrangement direction between the outer end of the wire insertion hole through which the wire adjacent to the restricting portion is inserted and the outer end of the wire insertion hole through which the wire adjacent to the end wall is inserted. LM locking mechanism LM11, LM21 1st engagement step LM12, LM22 2nd engagement stage LM3 Inclined surface OP Opening R pressing rib RI reinforcement part SP1 1st space SP2 2nd space ST stopper part W electric wire Wa Electric wires adjacent to the restricting part Wb Wire adjacent to end wall WP waterproofing materials WP1 wire insertion hole WP11 Outer end in the arrangement direction of the wire insertion hole through which the wire adjacent to the restricting part is inserted WP12 Outer end in the arrangement direction of the wire insertion hole through which the wire adjacent to the end wall is inserted

Claims

1. A holder member attached to a connector housing having a waterproof member at an end portion from which a plurality of electric wires arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction are led out, the holder member includes a first member and a second member connected to each other, the first member and the second member being configured to face each other in the arrangement direction in a state in which the first member and the second member are connected to each other; the first member and / or the second member includes a wire accommodating portion capable of accommodating two or more of the plurality of wires arranged in the arrangement direction, The wire housing portion is a first wall portion extending along the axial direction of the electric wires and the arrangement direction; a second wall portion extending along the axial direction and the arrangement direction of the electric wires and spaced a predetermined distance from the first wall portion; an end wall connecting the first wall portion and the second wall portion at an end portion opposite to an end portion where the first member and the second member are connected to each other in the arrangement direction; Equipped with the first wall portion, the second wall portion, and the end wall define a space capable of accommodating a plurality of electric wires; The wire accommodating portion has an introduction portion having an opening through which the wire can be introduced into the space of the wire accommodating portion, at an end portion opposite to the end wall in the arrangement direction. Holder component.

2. the holder member includes a restricting portion that can be engaged with the electric wire so as to restrict the electric wire from being removed from the electric wire accommodating portion through the introducing portion when the first member and the second member are connected to each other; In order to make it possible to bundle the electric wires accommodated in the electric wire accommodating portion in the arrangement direction so that the interval between the electric wires accommodated in the electric wire accommodating portion in the arrangement direction is shortened, the interval between the restricting portion and the end wall in the arrangement direction is the distance between the outer end in the arrangement direction of the wire insertion hole of the waterproofing member, through which the wire adjacent to the restricting portion is inserted, and the outer end in the arrangement direction of the wire insertion hole of the waterproofing member, through which the wire adjacent to the end wall is inserted, is shorter than the distance in the arrangement direction between the outer end in the arrangement direction of the wire insertion hole of the waterproofing member, through which the wire adjacent to the end wall is inserted. The holder member according to claim 1 .

3. 3. The holder member according to claim 2, wherein the spacing between the wire accommodating portions in the arrangement direction is configured to be relatively wide on the side closer to the connector housing and relatively narrow on the opposite side of the connector housing in the axial direction of the wires.

4. the first member and / or the second member includes a connection portion connected to the connector housing, The connection portion is 2. The holder member according to claim 1, further comprising a position maintaining portion that engages with the connector housing in the arrangement direction so as to restrict the first member and the second member from moving in a direction away from each other in the arrangement direction.

5. the first member and / or the second member includes a connection portion connected to the connector housing, and a pressing rib provided on the connector housing that can press the waterproofing member in the axial direction, 2. The holder member according to claim 1, wherein the first member and / or the second member is configured to sandwich a side wall of the connector housing between the pressing rib and the connection portion when the first member and / or the second member is connected to the connector housing.

6. the first member and the second member each include a first wire accommodating portion and a second wire accommodating portion extending parallel to each other along the arrangement direction, the holder member further includes a third wall portion extending along the axial direction and the arrangement direction of the electric wires and spaced a predetermined distance from the first wall portion, the end wall is configured to connect the first wall portion, the second wall portion, and the third wall portion; a first space capable of accommodating a plurality of electric wires is defined in the first electric wire accommodating portion by the first wall portion, the second wall portion, and the end wall; a second space capable of accommodating a plurality of electric wires is defined in the second electric wire accommodating portion by the first wall portion, the third wall portion, and the end wall; The holder member according to claim 1 .

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