Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can ensure freedom of wiring direction of electric wires and can suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the cavity and vibration of the electric wires.SOLUTION: A retainer 60 is disposed relative to a housing so as to be movable between a partial-locking position and a full-locking position, and moves from the partial-locking position to the full-locking position in a first direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The retainer 60 includes a locking portion 68 that faces a terminal fitting 40 from behind so as to be able to lock with it at the full-locking position, and a gap filling portion 69 that faces the electric wire 200 from a second direction opposite to the first direction so as to be able to come into contact with it at the full-locking position, but does not restrict movement of the electric wire 200 in the first direction. The gap filling portion 69 has a wire-guiding surface 71 that faces the first direction and extends linearly in the front-rear direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a connector housing (hereinafter referred to as "housing"), a cover member, a retainer, and terminal fittings. The housing has a cavity extending in the front-to-rear direction. The terminal fittings are connected to the ends of electric wires and inserted into the housing cavity from the rear. The retainer is inserted into and attached to a retainer attachment portion of the housing. The terminal fittings are engaged with the retainer to prevent them from slipping out of the cavity rearward. The cover member is attached to the housing from the rear. The cover member has an electric wire insertion portion. The electric wires connected to the terminal fittings are inserted into the electric wire insertion portion and drawn upward from the cover member (see Figure 12). Patent Documents 2 to 5 disclose members that hold electric wires in a bent or press-fit state at the rear end of the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-147103 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-142901 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-222157 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-352892 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-231961 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] After the terminal fitting passes through, the electric wire is inserted into the rear end of the cavity of the housing. The maximum outer diameter of the terminal fitting is typically larger than the diameter of the electric wire. Therefore, a gap is formed between the rear end of the cavity and the inner circumferential surface of the cavity. However, such a gap raises concerns that foreign matter may enter the cavity through the gap or that the electric wire may vibrate within the gap. Therefore, a structure that eliminates such gaps as much as possible is needed. In the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1-5, a member that holds the electric wire by bending or otherwise firmly contacts the electric wire, thereby eliminating the gap between the member and the electric wire and suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter into the cavity and the electric wire vibration. However, because the electric wire is held in a bent or press-fit state between the member and the housing, the movement of the electric wire is restricted. This poses a problem of somewhat restricting the routing direction of the electric wire drawn out from the rear of the housing.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can ensure freedom in the routing direction of electric wires and can suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the cavity and the vibration of the electric wires. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a housing, terminal fittings accommodated in the housing, and a retainer arranged to be movable relative to the housing between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, wherein the housing has a cavity extending in a front-to-rear direction, the terminal fittings are connected to terminal portions of electric wires and arranged in the cavity, and the retainer moves from the temporary locking position to the full locking position in a first direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction, and has a locking portion that faces the terminal fittings from behind so as to be able to be locked at the full locking position, and a gap filling portion that faces the electric wire from a second direction opposite the first direction so as to be able to come into contact with the electric wire at the full locking position but does not restrict movement of the electric wire in the first direction, and the gap filling portion has a wire-guiding surface that faces the first direction and extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that ensures freedom in the routing direction of electric wires and can suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the cavity and the vibration of the electric wires. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connector of the first embodiment is mated with a mating connector. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector of the first embodiment, showing a state in which the retainer is held in a provisionally locked position relative to the housing before the terminal fittings are inserted into the cavities. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector of the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from below and behind. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the connector of the first embodiment, including a cross section of the electric wire. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector of the first embodiment, taken at a position corresponding to the wire barrel of the terminal fitting. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the housing of the connector of the first embodiment, as viewed obliquely from below and behind. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the housing in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the terminal fitting in the connector of the first embodiment, as viewed obliquely from below and behind. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the retainer in the connector of the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and to the right. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the retainer in the connector of the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and to the left. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A connector comprising: a housing; terminal fittings accommodated in the housing; and a retainer arranged to be movable relative to the housing between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, wherein the housing has a cavity extending in a front-to-rear direction, the terminal fittings are connected to the ends of electric wires and arranged in the cavity, and the retainer moves from the temporary locking position to the full locking position in a first direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction, and has a locking portion that faces the terminal fittings from behind so as to be able to be locked at the full locking position, and a gap filling portion that faces the electric wire from a second direction opposite to the first direction so as to be able to come into contact with the electric wire at the full locking position but does not restrict movement of the electric wire in the first direction, and the gap filling portion has a wire-guiding surface that faces the first direction and extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction.

[0010] When the retainer is placed in the full locking position relative to the housing, the gap filler faces the electric wire so as to be able to come into contact with it from the second direction opposite to the first direction, thereby filling the gap between the electric wire and the gap filler, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the cavity through the gap and preventing the electric wire from vibrating within the gap. In particular, according to the configuration (1) above, the movement of the electric wire in the first direction is not restricted by the gap filler, and the electric wire is not forcibly bent by the electric wire guide surface, so that the degree of freedom in the routing direction of the electric wire can be ensured.

[0011] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, it is preferable that the wire-guiding surface is an arc-shaped surface that faces the outer circumferential surface of the wire in the circumferential direction.

[0012] By having the wire guide surface contact the outer peripheral surface of the wire in the circumferential direction, the gap that may form between the wire guide surface and the wire can be minimized, thereby more effectively suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter into the cavity and vibration of the wire.

[0013] (3) In the connector described in (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the housing has a retainer mounting hole that opens to the bottom surface facing the second direction, the retainer mounting hole opens across the bottom surface and rear surface of the housing, the retainer is arranged in the retainer mounting hole, and the gap filling portion is arranged exposed on the rear surface of the housing.

[0014] The retainer mounting hole opens from the bottom surface to the rear surface of the housing, and the retainer is disposed in this retainer mounting hole, ensuring a long range in the front-to-rear direction for the electric wire to extend along the electric wire-guiding surface. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent foreign matter from moving into the cavity through the gap between the electric wire and the gap filler, and it is also possible to effectively suppress vibration of the electric wire. Furthermore, because the gap filler is disposed exposed on the rear surface of the housing, it is possible to visually check from behind whether the gap between the electric wire and the gap filler is properly filled.

[0015] (4) In a connector described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the cavities are arranged in a row in the housing in a width direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction and the first direction, the housing has a partition wall arranged between adjacent cavities in the width direction, the retainer has a parallel wall that contacts the partition wall along the first direction and is arranged parallel to the partition wall in the width direction, and the double wall formed by the partition wall and the parallel wall is preferably arranged to separate the adjacent cavities in the width direction.

[0016] Since adjacent cavities in the width direction are separated by a double wall consisting of the partition wall of the housing and the juxtaposed wall of the retainer, the creepage distance between adjacent cavities along the partition wall and the juxtaposed wall of the double wall can be made long. Therefore, even if a foreign object enters a cavity, it is possible to prevent the foreign object from being positioned between the cavity and the adjacent cavity, and to prevent short-circuiting between the terminal fittings positioned in adjacent cavities.

[0017] (5) In the connector described in (4) above, it is preferable that the double walls are arranged at intervals in the fore-and-aft direction in the housing and the retainer, and that one of the housing and the retainer has a convex portion between the front and rear double walls, the convex portion having a thickness corresponding to the widthwise thickness of the double wall, and the other has a concave portion between the front and rear double walls, into which the convex portion fits.

[0018] According to the configuration of (5) above, the convex portions are fitted into the concave portions between the front and rear double walls, so that when a tensile force or vibration force is applied to the wires pulled rearward from the housing, the retainer is prevented from falling off the housing by the fitting of the concave portions and the convex portions. In particular, because the convex portions and the concave portions are formed within the thickness range of the double walls in the width direction, it is possible to avoid the connector becoming larger in width due to the formation of the convex portions and the concave portions.

[0019] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0020] <Embodiment 1> As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 20, a plurality of terminal fittings 40 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) accommodated in the housing 20, and a retainer 60 arranged to be movable relative to the housing 20 between a provisional locking position (see FIG. 2) and a full locking position. The housing 20 is matable with a mating connector 100. In the following description, the forward direction is defined as the direction in which the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 are mated with each other. The up-down direction is based on the up-down direction in FIGS. 1 to 3. The upward direction is the direction in which the retainer 60 moves from the provisional locking position to the full locking position relative to the housing 20, and is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "first direction." The downward direction is the opposite direction to the first direction, and is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "second direction." The up-down direction is synonymous with the height direction. The left-right direction is a direction perpendicular to the forward-backward direction and the up-down direction. The left-right direction is synonymous with the width direction. 3, arrow X indicates the direction along the front-rear direction, arrow Y indicates the direction along the left-right direction (width direction), and arrow Z indicates the direction along the up-down direction. The reference directions for these directions do not necessarily coincide with the reference directions when connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like (not shown).

[0021] (Mating connector 100) As shown in FIG. 1, the mating connector 100 includes a mating housing 110 and a plurality of mating terminal fittings 120 (only one is shown in FIG. 1) that are attached to the mating housing 110. The mating housing 110 is made of synthetic resin and has a square cylindrical hood portion 111 that is open to the front. A locking hole 112 is formed in the top wall of the hood portion 111, penetrating in the vertical direction. When the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 are mated, a locking protrusion 23 of a locking arm 22, which will be described later, fits into the locking hole 112. The mating terminal fitting 120 is made of a conductive metal and has a tab 121 that protrudes into the hood portion 111. The tab 121 is electrically connected to the terminal fitting 40.

[0022] (Housing 20) As shown in Fig. 6, the housing 20 has a square block-shaped housing main body 21 and a lock arm 22 that protrudes from the top surface of the housing main body 21 and extends rearward. As shown in Fig. 1, the lock arm 22 is formed with a lock protrusion 23 that protrudes upward. When the housing 20 is fitted into the inside of the hood portion 111, the lock arm 22 is elastically displaced, and the lock protrusion 23 fits into the lock hole 112 from below, and the housing 20 is held fitted into the mating connector 100.

[0023] The housing body 21 has a retainer attachment hole 24 into which a retainer 60 can be inserted. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the retainer attachment hole 24 opens across the bottom surface (surface facing the second direction) at the rear of the housing body 21, the rear surface, and the left and right side surfaces. The housing body 21 also has a plurality of cavities 25 extending in the front-rear direction. In the first embodiment, the cavities 25 are arranged in a row horizontally in the width direction of the housing body 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal fittings 40 are inserted into the cavities 25 from the rear and accommodated therein.

[0024] The front portion 25F of each cavity 25 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) has a rectangular cross section (not shown), and its top, bottom, left, and right sides are defined by the inner wall of the front portion of the housing body 21. An elastically deformable lance 26 is formed on the underside (the surface located on the lower side and facing upward) of the front portion 25F of each cavity 25. As shown in FIG. 7, the underside of the lance 26 forms part of the underside of the housing body 21. The lance 26 locks the terminal fitting 40 and temporarily prevents the terminal fitting 40 from slipping out rearward from the cavity 25.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear portion 25R of each cavity 25 communicates with the retainer mounting hole 24 and has a portion that overlaps with a terminal insertion passage 67 (described later) of the retainer 60. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rear portion 25R of each cavity 25 is partitioned by a plurality of partition walls 27 arranged at positions other than the left and right ends of the housing body 21 and a pair of side walls 28 located at the left and right ends of the housing body 21, and is open downward and rearward. Each side wall 28 is a rectangular plate-shaped wall that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction when viewed from the side and has a thickness in the left-to-right direction. Each side wall 28 is arranged to separate the left and right outer sides of the cavity 25 formed at the left and right ends.

[0026] The partition walls 27 are arranged side by side on both the left and right sides of the housing main body 21, sandwiching the rear portion 25R of each cavity 25 therebetween. Like the side walls 28, the partition walls 27 are rectangular plates that are long in the front-to-rear direction when viewed from the side, and have a thickness in the left-to-right direction. As shown in FIG. 4 , the lower end of each partition wall 27 is located lower than the lower end of each side wall 28.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, an upper fitting recess 29 is formed in one side surface (left side surface) in the left-right direction of each partition wall 27. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper fitting recess 29 is formed over the entire length of the rear portion 25R of the cavity 25 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the upper fitting recess 29 is defined as having an L-shaped cross section in rear view, and is open to one side (left side), downward, and rearward. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a juxtaposed wall 66 of the retainer 60, which will be described later, fits into the upper fitting recess 29 from below. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a recess 31 is formed in a middle portion in the front-rear direction of each partition wall 27. The recess 31 penetrates the middle portion in the front-rear direction of each partition wall 27 in the thickness direction (width direction) and is open to the left-right and downward. The recess 31 has a rectangular opening shape in side view. The upper surface of recess 31 (the surface located on the upper side and facing downward) is flush with and continuous with the upper surface of upper fitting recess 29 (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a protrusion 73 (described later) of retainer 60 fits into recess 31 from below.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6 , a mounting recess 32 (only the right side is shown in FIG. 6 ) is recessed into each side surface (the outer left and right end surfaces) of the housing main body 21. The mounting recess 32 is located around the periphery of the side opening of the retainer mounting hole 24. As shown in FIG. 3 , a side plate portion 62 (described later) of the retainer 60 is fitted into and attached to the mounting recess 32. As shown in FIG. 6 , the rear surface of the mounting recess 32 is positioned one step below the side surface of the front end of the housing main body 21. A lower protrusion 33 and an upper protrusion 34 protrude from the rear surface of this mounting recess 32. The upper protrusion 34 has a rib shape extending in the front-rear direction and is positioned higher than the lower protrusion 33. The upper protrusion 34 and the lower protrusion 33 are engaged with a stopper portion 65 (described later) of the retainer 60 when the retainer 60 is positioned in the temporary locking position and the full locking position.

[0029] (Terminal fitting 40) The terminal fittings 40 are formed by bending a conductive metal plate or the like. As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal fittings 40 have a shape that extends long in the front-to-rear direction. A box portion 41 is formed at the front of the terminal fittings 40. The box portion 41 is rectangular tubular and penetrates in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 1, when the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 are mated, a tab 121 of the mating terminal fitting 120 is inserted into the box portion 41. The tab 121 comes into contact with an elastic contact portion (not shown) arranged inside the box portion 41. This electrically connects the terminal fittings 40 and the mating terminal fitting 120.

[0030] A locking recess 42 is recessed in the bottom wall of the box portion 41. As shown in FIG. 1, the protruding portion of the lance 26 fits into the locking recess 42. Of the front and rear sides of the locking recess 42 on the bottom wall of the box portion 41, a first protrusion 43 is formed on the front side, and a second protrusion 44 is formed on the rear side. The first protrusion 43 is arranged so as to be able to be locked from the front with the protruding portion of the lance 26. The second protrusion 44 is arranged so as to be able to be locked from the front with a locking portion 68 (described later) of the retainer 60 arranged in the main locking position.

[0031] 8, the terminal fitting 40 has a wire barrel portion 45 located rearward of the box portion 41, and an insulation barrel portion 46 located rearward of the wire barrel portion 45. The box portion 41 and the wire barrel portion 45, and the wire barrel portion 45 and the insulation barrel portion 46 are connected by connecting portions 47 that form the upper end portion of the terminal fitting 40. The wire barrel portion 45 is crimped and electrically connected to the core wire 220 (conductor) that is exposed by removing the coating 210 at the end portion (front end portion) of the electric wire 200. The insulation barrel portion 46 is crimped and mechanically connected to the coating 210 (insulating resin) at the end portion of the electric wire 200.

[0032] (Retainer 60) The retainer 60 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, has a plate-shaped retainer main body 61 and a pair of plate-shaped side plate portions 62 that protrude upward from the left and right ends of the retainer main body 61. As shown in Figure 3, the retainer main body 61 is rectangular in bottom view and has a thickness in the up-down direction. When in the full locking position, the retainer main body 61 closes the lower opening of the retainer attachment hole 24 in the bottom surface of the housing main body 21 (see Figure 1). Each side plate portion 62 is rectangular in side view and has a thickness in the left-right direction.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , each side plate 62 has a protruding portion 63 that protrudes forward beyond the retainer body 61. A recess 64 is formed in the inner surface of the protruding portion 63 of each side plate 62. The recess 64 has a rectangular opening in a side view and opens downward from the protruding portion 63. A rib-like stopper 65 extending in the front-to-rear direction is formed at the upper end of the inner surface of the protruding portion 63 of each side plate 62. The stopper 65 defines the upper end of the recess 64. The stopper 65 fits between the lower protrusion 33 and the upper protrusion 34, thereby holding the retainer 60 in the provisional locking position relative to the housing 20 and preventing it from moving downward (toward the provisional locking position) from the full locking position relative to the housing 20. The stopper 65 is supported by the upper surface of the upper protrusion 34, thereby preventing the retainer 60 from moving downward (toward the provisional locking position) from the full locking position relative to the housing 20. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the side plate portion 62 fits into the mounting recess 32 and abuts against the upper end surface of the mounting recess 32 (the step surface located above the mounting recess 32 and facing downward) from below, thereby stopping the upward movement (first direction) of the retainer 60 arranged in the main locking position.

[0034] 9 and 10, a plurality of juxtaposed walls 66 are formed to protrude from the upper surface of the retainer body 61. The juxtaposed walls 66 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the retainer body 61. Each juxtaposed wall 66 is plate-shaped and extends in the front-rear direction. A plurality of terminal insertion passages 67 are defined between adjacent juxtaposed walls 66 in the width direction and between the juxtaposed walls 66 at the left-right ends and the side plate portions 62 facing the juxtaposed walls 66. A terminal fitting 40 is inserted into each terminal insertion passage 67 from the rear (see FIG. 1).

[0035] 9 and 10, a plurality of locking portions 68 are formed to protrude from the front end of the upper surface of the retainer body 61. Each locking portion 68 has a flat block shape with a flat upper surface and is disposed in a position corresponding to each terminal insertion passage 67. The other left-right end (right end) of each locking portion 68 is connected to the opposing juxtaposed wall 66. As shown in FIG. 1, in the main locking position, the locking portions 68 face the box portion 41 and the second protrusion 44 of each terminal fitting 40 from behind so as to be able to be locked.

[0036] 9 and 10, a plurality of gap fillers 69 are formed to protrude from the rear end of the upper surface of the retainer body 61. Each gap filler 69 has a block shape with a curved upper surface (wire-guiding surface 71, described later) and is disposed in a position corresponding to each terminal insertion passage 67. The other left and right ends of each gap filler 69 are connected to the opposing parallel walls 66. Each gap filler 69 fills the gap between itself and the electric wire 200 in the full locking position, so that it can support the electric wire 200 from below. The rear surface of each gap filler 69 forms the rear surface of the entire retainer 60.

[0037] The upper surface of the gap filling portion 69 faces the first direction and forms a wire-guiding surface 71 that curves along the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire 200. The upper side of the wire-guiding surface 71 is open, and the gap filling portion 69 does not have a structure that restricts movement of the electric wire 200 in the first direction. The wire-guiding surface 71 has an arc-shaped cross section (a shape obtained by cutting the upper surface of the gap filling portion 69 along a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction) (see FIG. 4), and a linear side section (a shape obtained by cutting the upper surface of the gap filling portion 69 along the front-rear direction) that extends linearly in the front-rear direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The electric wire 200 is guided along the wire-guiding surface 71 and disposed linearly in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lowermost end of the wire-guiding surface 71 is located at a height lower than the upper surface of the locking portion 68.

[0038] 4, 9, and 10, a lower fitting recess 72 into which the rear portion of the partition wall 27 fits from above is defined between one left-right end (left end) of the gap filling portion 69 and the juxtaposed wall 66 facing this end. In addition, as shown in Fig. 5, a lower fitting recess 72 into which the front portion of the partition wall 27 fits is defined between one left-right end (left end) of the locking portion 68 and the juxtaposed wall 66 facing this end.

[0039] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a protrusion 73 having a portion protruding to the other left-right side is formed between the front and rear partition walls 27 at the front-rear middle portion of the top surface of the retainer body 61. The protrusion 73 has a rectangular block shape in side view, is connected to the front and rear partition walls 27 in a stepped manner, and has a shape in which the left-right thickness of the partition walls 27 increases on the other side (right side). The rear of the front lower fitting recess 72 is closed by the front surface of the protrusion 73. The front of the rear lower fitting recess 72 is closed by the rear surface of the protrusion 73. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the protrusion 73 can be fitted into the recess 31 in a positioned state.

[0040] (Function of connector 10) 2, when the retainer 60 is disposed in the temporary locking position relative to the housing 20, the retainer body 61 has a portion that protrudes downward from the front portion of the bottom surface of the housing body 21, and the locking portion 68 is retracted downward to enable insertion of the terminal fitting 40 into the cavity 25. In this state, the terminal fitting 40 connected to the end portion of the electric wire 200 is inserted into the cavity 25 from the rear. The box portion 41 of the terminal fitting 40 abuts against the front wall 35 of the cavity 25, thereby stopping the insertion of the terminal fitting 40. Then, the lance 26 faces the locking recess 42 and the first protrusion 43 from the rear so as to be able to lock, thereby temporarily preventing the terminal fitting 40 from slipping out of the cavity 25 rearward.

[0041] When the retainer 60 is disposed in the temporary locking position relative to the housing 20, the juxtaposed wall 66 shallowly fits into the upper fitting recess 29 from below, and the partition wall 27 shallowly fits into the lower fitting recess 72 from above, forming a double wall 80 in which the juxtaposed wall 66 and the partition wall 27 are arranged so as to overlap in the left-right direction (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion 73 shallowly fits into the recess 31 from below. The double wall 80 is formed on both the front and rear sides of the fitting portion between the protrusion 73 and the recess 31. The left-right thickness of the double wall 80 is the same as the left-right thickness of the protrusion 73. The protrusion 73 is disposed continuously with the double wall 80 without any step in the front-to-rear direction.

[0042] After all the terminal fittings 40 are accommodated in the cavities 25, the retainer 60 is moved in a first direction relative to the housing 20 from the provisional locking position to the full locking position. By applying a pushing or pulling force to the retainer 60 in the first direction, the stopper portion 65 overcomes the upper protrusion portion 34, and the retainer 60 reaches the full locking position. When the retainer 60 reaches the full locking position, as shown in FIG. 1 , the locking portion 68 faces the box portion 41 and the second protrusion 44 from behind so as to be able to be locked, thereby secondarily preventing the terminal fittings 40 from slipping out of the cavities 25 backward.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 1, when the retainer 60 reaches the full locking position, the upper surface of the locking portion 68 is positioned adjacent to and facing the wire barrel portion 45. Furthermore, when the retainer 60 reaches the full locking position, as shown in Fig. 4, the wire-guiding surface 71 of the gap filling portion 69 is positioned circumferentially opposite the lower end of the outer surface of the electric wire 200 so as to be able to come into contact with the outer surface of the electric wire 200. As shown in Fig. 1, the portion of the electric wire 200 that is positioned inside the housing 20 (the portion that is positioned at the rear portion 25R of the cavity 25, from the insulation barrel portion 46 to the rear surface of the housing main body 21) is positioned linearly along the wire-guiding surface 71. The lower end of the insulation barrel portion 46 enters and escapes into a stepped recess 74, which is a relatively recessed portion between the locking portion 68 and the gap filling portion 69 on the upper surface of the retainer main body 61.

[0044] Furthermore, when the retainer 60 is disposed in the full locking position relative to the housing 20, the gap between the lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire 200 and the electric wire-guiding surface 71 of the gap filling portion 69 is filled, and the electric wire 200 is disposed so as to be supportable on the electric wire-guiding surface 71. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering through the gap between the gap filling portion 69 and the electric wire 200, and also to prevent the electric wire 200 from vibrating within the gap. On the other hand, since the movement of the electric wire 200 in the first direction is not restricted, the electric wire 200 drawn out from the rear surface of the housing main body 21 can be drawn rearward as is or can be bent upward.

[0045] Furthermore, when the retainer 60 is disposed in the full locking position relative to the housing 20, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the juxtaposed wall 66 is deeply fitted into the upper fitting recess 29 and is positioned so as to be able to contact the entire inner surface of the upper fitting recess 29, and the partition wall 27 is deeply fitted into the lower fitting recess 72 and is positioned so as to be able to contact the entire inner surface of the lower fitting recess 72. The juxtaposed wall 66 and the partition wall 27 interlock in this manner, enhancing the integrity of the double wall 80. In particular, as shown in Figure 5, because the double wall 80 is disposed on both the left and right sides of the wire barrel portion 45, the labyrinth structure formed between the juxtaposed wall 66 and the partition wall 27 increases the creepage distance between adjacent cavities 25, thereby preventing adjacent terminal fittings 40 from shorting each other. As shown in FIG. 1, the protrusion 73 fits deeply into the recess 31, and the front end surface and rear end surface of the protrusion 73 are arranged to be able to come into contact with the front end surface (the end surface located on the front side and facing rearward) and rear end surface (the end surface located on the rear side and facing forward) of the recess 31, respectively, along the up-and-down direction.

[0046] Here, if the electric wire 200 is pulled or vibrated at a position rearward of the housing 20, the tensile force or vibration force will be transmitted to the gap filling portion 69 via the electric wire guide surface 71. However, in the case of the first embodiment, since the convex portion 73 is engaged with the concave portion 31 as described above, it is possible to prevent the stopper portion 65 from disengaging from the upper protrusion portion 34 in the main engagement position. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , when the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 are in a mated state, the front portion of the retainer 60 enters the inside of the hood portion 111, and the movement of the retainer 60 is restricted by the bottom wall of the hood portion 111, thereby reliably preventing the retainer 60 from falling off the housing 20.

[0047] As described above, the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 20, terminal fittings 40 accommodated in the housing 20, and a retainer 60 arranged to be movable relative to the housing 20 between a temporary locking position and a full locking position. The housing 20 has a cavity 25 extending in the front-rear direction. The terminal fittings 40 are connected to terminal ends of the electric wires 200 and are arranged in the cavity 25. The retainer 60 moves in a first direction intersecting the front-rear direction from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. The retainer 60 has a locking portion 68 that faces the terminal fittings 40 from behind in a manner that allows them to be locked at the full locking position, and a gap filler 69 that faces the electric wire 200 in a contactable manner from a second direction opposite the first direction at the full locking position but does not restrict movement of the electric wire 200 in the first direction. In other words, at the full locking position, the electric wire 200 faces the gap filler 69 in a contactable manner from a second direction opposite the first direction. The gap filling portion 69 has a wire-guiding surface 71 that faces the first direction and extends linearly in the front-rear direction.

[0048] When the retainer 60 is arranged in the full locking position relative to the housing 20, the gap closure portion 69 faces the electric wire 200 so as to be able to come into contact with it from the second direction side opposite to the first direction, and therefore the gap between the electric wire 200 and the gap closure portion 69 is closed, making it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the cavity 25 through the gap and to prevent the electric wire 200 from vibrating within the gap. In particular, according to the above, the movement of the electric wire 200 in the first direction is not restricted by the gap closure portion 69 and the electric wire 200 is not forcibly bent by the electric wire guide surface 71, so that the degree of freedom in the routing direction of the electric wire 200 can be ensured.

[0049] Here, since the wire alignment surface 71 is an arc-shaped surface that faces the outer peripheral surface of the wire 200 in the circumferential direction, the gap that may form between the wire alignment surface 71 and the wire 200 can be minimized, and the intrusion of foreign matter into the cavity 25 and vibration of the wire 200 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the housing 20 has a retainer attachment hole 24 that opens to the bottom surface facing the second direction. The retainer attachment hole 24 opens from the bottom surface to the rear surface of the housing 20. The retainer 60 is disposed in the retainer attachment hole 24 in the temporary locking position and the full locking position. The gap filling portion 69 is disposed exposed on the rear surface of the housing 20.

[0051] The retainer mounting hole 24 opens across the bottom surface and rear surface of the housing 20, and the retainer 60 is disposed in this retainer mounting hole 24, so that the range over which the electric wire 200 extends along the electric wire-guiding surface 71 can be secured to be relatively long in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent foreign matter from moving into the cavity 25 through the gap between the electric wire 200 and the gap filling portion 69, and it is also possible to effectively suppress vibration of the electric wire 200. Furthermore, because the gap filling portion 69 is disposed exposed on the rear surface of the housing 20, it is possible to visually check from behind whether the gap between the electric wire 200 and the gap filling portion 69 is properly filled.

[0052] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the cavities 25 are arranged side by side in the housing 20 in the front-rear direction and in a width direction (left-right direction) that intersects with the first direction. The housing 20 has a partition wall 27 that is arranged between adjacent cavities 25 in the width direction. The retainer 60 has a juxtaposed wall 66 that contacts the partition wall 27 along the first direction and is arranged side by side with the partition wall 27 in the width direction. A double wall 80 composed of the partition wall 27 and the juxtaposed wall 66 is arranged to separate adjacent cavities 25 in the width direction. Because adjacent cavities 25 in the width direction are separated by the double wall 80 made up of the partition wall 27 of the housing 20 and the juxtaposed wall 66 of the retainer 60, a creepage distance along the partition wall 27 and the juxtaposed wall 66 of the double wall 80 between adjacent cavities 25 can be increased. Therefore, even if a foreign object gets inside a cavity 25, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the foreign object is positioned between the cavity 25 and the cavity 25 adjacent to the cavity 25, and it is possible to prevent short-circuiting between the wire barrel portions 45 of the terminal fittings 40 positioned in adjacent cavities 25, for example.

[0053] Furthermore, the double walls 80 are arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction in the housing 20 and the retainer 60, the retainer 60 has a protrusion 73 between each of the front and rear double walls 80, the protrusion 73 having a thickness corresponding to the widthwise thickness of the double wall 80, and the housing 20 has a recess 31 between each of the front and rear double walls 80, into which the protrusion 73 fits. With this configuration, the protrusion 73 fits into the recess 31 between each of the front and rear double walls 80, preventing the retainer 60 from falling off the housing 20. In particular, because the protrusion 73 and the recess 31 are formed within the widthwise thickness range of the double wall 80, it is possible to avoid an increase in the widthwise size of the connector 10 due to the formation of the protrusion 73 and the recess 31.

[0054] [Another embodiment of the present disclosure] The first embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the first embodiment, the first direction, which is the direction in which the retainer moves from the partial locking position to the full locking position relative to the housing, is set to an upward direction. In contrast, in other embodiments, the first direction may be set to a downward direction or to either the left or right direction. Furthermore, the first direction may be set to an oblique direction intersecting with both the up-down direction and the left-right direction. In the case of the above-described first embodiment, the wire-guiding surface of the gap filler is formed on an axis along the front-rear direction (see reference numeral 71 in FIG. 1). In contrast to this, according to other embodiments, the wire-guiding surface of the gap filler may be formed at an angle relative to the axis along the front-rear direction, as long as the gist of the invention of the present disclosure is not impaired. In the first embodiment, the wire-guiding surface of the gap filler is an arc-shaped surface that curves along the outer circumferential surface of the wire. In contrast, in other embodiments, the wire-guiding surface of the gap filler does not need to correspond to the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the wire, and may be, for example, a surface that is formed flat along the left-right direction. In the above-described first embodiment, the wire-guiding surface of the gap filler is set to contact the outer peripheral surface of the wire. In contrast, in other embodiments, the wire-guiding surface of the gap filler may be set to face closely to the outer peripheral surface of the wire. In the first embodiment, the retainer has a protrusion and the housing has a recess between the front and rear double walls. In contrast to this, in other embodiments, the retainer may have a recess and the housing may have a protrusion between the front and rear double walls. In the first embodiment, the retainer attachment hole is open to the rear surface of the housing (housing main body) in addition to the bottom surface, and the gap filler is arranged to be exposed to the rear surface of the housing. In contrast, in other embodiments, the retainer attachment hole may not be open to the rear surface of the housing, and the gap filler may not be exposed to the rear surface of the housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10...Connector 20…Housing 21...Housing body 22...Lock arm 23...Lock protrusion 24...Retainer mounting hole 25...cavity 25F…Front of cavity 25R…rear of cavity 26...Lance 27…Bulkhead 28...Side wall 29...Upper fitting recess 31...recess 32...Mounting recess 33…Lower protrusion 34...Upper protrusion 35...Front wall of cavity 40...Terminal fitting 41...Hakobe 42...Latching recess 43...1st protrusion 44…Second protrusion 45...Wire barrel part 46...Insulation barrel part 47...Connection part 60...Retainer 61...Retainer body 62...Side plate part 63...Protrusion 64...Recess 65...Stop 66…Parallel wall 67...Terminal insertion passage 68...Latching part 69...Gap filling part 71...Wire routing surface 72...Lower fitting recess 73...Convex part 74...Step recess 80…double wall 100...Mating connector 110...Matching housing 111...Food section 112...Lock hole 120...Mating terminal fitting 121...Tab 200...Electric wire 210...Covering 220...Core wire

Claims

1. Housing and a terminal fitting accommodated in the housing; a retainer that is arranged to be movable relative to the housing between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, The housing has a cavity extending in the front-rear direction, The terminal fitting is connected to an end portion of an electric wire and is disposed in the cavity, The retainer is The locking mechanism moves from the temporary locking position to the full locking position in a first direction intersecting the front-rear direction, a locking portion facing the terminal metal fitting from behind at the full locking position; a gap filler that faces the electric wire in a contactable manner from a second direction opposite to the first direction at the full locking position but does not restrict movement of the electric wire in the first direction, The gap filling portion has a wire-guiding surface that faces the first direction and extends linearly in the front-rear direction.

2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the wire-guiding surface is an arc-shaped surface that faces the outer peripheral surface of the wire in a circumferential direction.

3. the housing has a retainer mounting hole that opens to a bottom surface facing the second direction, the retainer mounting hole is open across the bottom surface and the rear surface of the housing, The retainer is disposed in the retainer mounting hole, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the clearance filler is disposed exposed on the rear surface of the housing.

4. The plurality of cavities are arranged in the housing in a width direction intersecting the front-rear direction and the first direction, the housing has a partition wall disposed between the cavities adjacent to each other in the width direction, the retainer has a juxtaposed wall that is in contact with the partition wall along the first direction and is arranged alongside the partition wall in the width direction, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein a double wall formed by the partition wall and the juxtaposed wall is arranged so as to separate the cavities adjacent to each other in the width direction.

5. The double walls are disposed in the housing and the retainer with a gap therebetween in the front-rear direction, 5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein one of the housing and the retainer has a protrusion between each of the front and rear double walls, the protrusion having a thickness corresponding to the widthwise thickness of the double wall, and the other has a recess between each of the front and rear double walls into which the protrusion fits.

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