Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can suppress the generation of a strong reaction force against a front holder when the front holder is attached to the front end of a housing, thereby reducing the operating force required when attaching and detaching the front holder.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes a housing 2 that can be mated with a mating housing 111, and a front holder 3 that is attached to the front end 14 of the housing 2. The housing 2 has a main lock portion 28. The front holder 3 has a main lock 37 that is locked by the main lock portion 28 when the front holder 3 is main locked to the housing 2, and a pair of main lock slits 37a that are provided to sandwich the main lock 37 in the front-to-rear direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a known connector includes a housing that can be mated with a mating housing and a front holder that is attached to the front end of the housing (see Patent Document 1). The connector described in Patent Document 1 has a protrusion that protrudes from the outer surface of the front retainer (front holder) and is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the mating housing that is fitted onto the front retainer, thereby eliminating any backlash between the front retainer and the mating housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-203633 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the connector described above, the front holder is difficult to bend when attached to the front end of the housing, and a strong reaction force is generated against the front holder, which may result in high operating force being required when attaching and removing the front holder.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can suppress the generation of a strong reaction force on the front holder when the front holder is attached to the front end portion of the housing, thereby reducing the operating force required when attaching and detaching the front holder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing that can be mated with a mating housing and a front holder that is attached to the front end of the housing, the housing having a main engagement lock portion, and the front holder having a main engagement lock that engages with the main engagement lock portion when the front holder is main engaged with the housing, and a pair of main engagement slits that are arranged to sandwich the main engagement lock in the front-to-back direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a connector can be provided that can suppress the generation of strong reaction force against the front holder when attaching the front holder to the front end of the housing, thereby reducing the operating force required when attaching and removing the front holder. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fitting detection member as seen from the opposite side to FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of a front holder that constitutes the connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the front holder shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 10 is a front view showing the front holder attached to the housing (temporarily locked state). FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 11] 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section along line AA in FIG. 7, showing the front holder attached to the housing (full locking state). [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of part E in FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the left-right center showing a state in which the fitting detection member is placed on the housing lock mechanism. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the outer edge side showing a state in which the fitting detection member is placed on the housing lock mechanism. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken at the center of the left and right, showing a state in which the fitting detection member is being inserted. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the fitting detection member has been assembled. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the fitting detection member has been assembled. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the connector and the mating connector before they are mated. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 19. [Figure 21] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 19. [Figure 22] 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector and the mating connector are in the middle of being fitted together, corresponding to the cross section taken along the line FF in FIG. 19. [Figure 23] 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector and the mating connector are in the middle of being fitted together, corresponding to the cross section along the line GG in FIG. 19. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] [Outline of Connector 1] 1 to 4, connector 1 includes a housing 2, a front holder 3, a mating detection member 4, and a sealing member 6. In this embodiment, connector 1 is a female connector configured to be matable with a mating connector 101 (see FIGS. 19 to 23, a male connector) along the front-rear direction.

[0011] The X direction shown in Figures 1 to 4 is the direction along the operation direction (slide direction) of the mating detection member 4, also referred to as "CPA," and corresponds to the mating direction (front-rear direction) of the connector 1 and the mating connector 101. The Y direction shown in Figures 1 to 4 corresponds to the left-right direction (width direction) of the connector 1 and is perpendicular to the X direction. The Z direction shown in Figures 1 to 4 corresponds to the height direction (up-down direction) of the connector 1 and is perpendicular to the X and Y directions.

[0012] [Housing 2] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 8, and 10, the housing 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The housing 2 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material. The housing 2 integrally comprises a cylindrical inner housing 11 and a cylindrical outer housing 12 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11 with a gap therebetween. A mating housing 111 (see Figures 19 to 23) of a mating connector 101 is inserted into the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 12.

[0013] The inner housing 11 is formed with a plurality of (three in this embodiment) terminal accommodating chambers 13 into which a plurality of terminals (female terminals in this embodiment) are inserted from the rear. The terminal accommodating chambers 13 are also called "cavities." Each terminal accommodating chamber 13 is open to the outside through an opening at the front end 14 of the inner housing 11, and a mating terminal (not shown, male terminal in this embodiment) of the mating connector 101 is inserted through this opening.

[0014] The inner housing 11 is also referred to as the "housing body," and the outer housing 12 is also referred to as the "hood." The inner housing 11 is formed so as to protrude slightly forward from the front end face of the outer housing 12, and an annular seal member 6, also referred to as a "packing," is attached to the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11 covered by the outer housing 12. A front holder 3 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of a front end 14 of the inner housing 11, which protrudes slightly forward from the outer housing 12.

[0015] A housing lock mechanism 20 is provided on the upper outer peripheral surface 12a (see FIGS. 1 to 3 and 18) of the housing 2. The housing lock mechanism 20 is a mechanism for maintaining the fit between the housing 2 and the mating housing 111. The housing lock mechanism 20 has an elastically deformable lock arm 21 and an elastically deformable release arm 24.

[0016] The lock arm 21 is formed in a U-shape in a plan view. The lock arm 21 is formed in a cantilever shape on the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11, and integrally includes a pair of left and right elastic arm pieces 22 extending forward parallel to the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11, and a locking piece 23 connecting the front ends of the elastic arm pieces 22 in the left-right direction. When the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are fully mated, the locking piece 23 locks with a locking portion 112 (see FIGS. 20 and 22) of the mating housing 111.

[0017] The lock arm 21 is formed in a cantilever shape at the front end of each of a pair of elastic arm pieces 22, and is connected to a release arm 24 that is U-shaped in plan view and extends rearward.

[0018] The release arm 24 has an unlocking operation portion 25 that is pressed down when the locking piece 23 is released from the locking portion 112 of the mating housing 111. The unlocking operation portion 25 is spaced apart from the housing 2 (inner housing 11) in the vertical direction and is positioned above the elastic arm piece 22. When the unlocking operation portion 25 is pressed down and displaced downward, an upward unlocking force is applied to the locking piece 23 via the release arm 24.

[0019] A fall-off prevention protrusion 29 is provided in the left-right center of the unlocking operation unit 25, with which a fall-off prevention protrusion 51 (described later) can come into contact when the mating detection member 4 moves rearward during mating of the connector 1 with the mating connector 101. The upper part of the fall-off prevention protrusion 29 is provided with an inclined surface 29a formed in a downward slope from the front to the rear, and a vertical surface 29b located in front of the inclined surface 29a and formed perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface 12a.

[0020] The housing 2 is provided with a pair of protective walls 16 that sandwich the lock arm 21 in the left-right direction. The pair of protective walls 16 are erected on top of the outer housing 12 to protect the housing lock mechanism 20. A beam 17 extending in the left-right direction is provided in front of the protective walls 16. Both left-right ends of the beam 17 are connected to the protective walls 16 and are disposed at a distance from the outer housing 12. The housing 2 is mounted with the fitting detection member 4 disposed in the space defined by the outer housing 12, the pair of protective walls 16, and the beam 17.

[0021] On each of the left and right side surfaces of the release arm 24, there is provided a locking projection 26 that protrudes toward the opposing protective wall portion 16 (see FIGS. 3 and 21). The lower end surface of the locking projection 26 is provided with an inclined surface 26a that slopes upward from the front to the rear, and a flat surface 26b that is located in front of the inclined surface 26a and is formed parallel to the outer circumferential surface 12a (see FIG. 21). A locking projection 43 of the fitting detection member 4, which will be described later, is locked onto the locking projection 26.

[0022] The engaging projection 26 is positioned above the upper outer peripheral surface 12a of the housing 2, thereby forming a gap S between the outer peripheral surface 12a and the engaging projection 26, through which the engaging projection 43 of the fitting detection member 4 can pass in the forward and backward directions (see Figures 21 and 23).

[0023] The housing 2 is provided with a temporary locking portion 27 that, when the front holder 3 is attached (temporarily locked), locks the temporary lock 36 formed on the front holder 3. The temporary locking portion 27 is provided with a vertical surface 27a that is formed to be perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface 12a (see FIG. 10).

[0024] The housing 2 is provided with a main locking portion 28 that, when the front holder 3 is attached (mainly locked), locks a main lock 37 formed on the front holder 3. The main locking portion 28 is provided with a main locking insertion inclined surface portion 28a that is formed in an upward slope from the front to the rear, and a main locking release inclined surface portion 28b that is located behind the main locking insertion inclined surface portion 28a and is formed in a downward slope from the front to the rear (see Figures 9 and 12).

[0025] [Front holder 3] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 5, and 6, the front holder 3 is attached to the housing 2. The front holder 3 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material. The front holder 3 has a cylindrical holder main body 31. The holder main body 31 is integrally formed with a holder upper wall portion 32 and a holder lower wall portion 33 that face each other and are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and holder side wall portions 34 that connect the left and right end edges of the holder upper wall portion 32 and the left and right end edges of the holder lower wall portion 33.

[0026] A temporary-locking arm 35 extending rearward is formed at the rear of each of the left and right sides of the holder upper wall 32. A pair of left and right temporary-locking slits 35a is provided in the holder upper wall 32 so as to sandwich each temporary-locking arm 35 in the left-right direction. Each temporary-locking slit 35a is open at its rear end. This defines an elastically deformable temporary-locking arm 35 between the pair of left and right temporary-locking slits 35a. In addition, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) temporary-locking locks 36 are provided on the underside of the rear end of each temporary-locking arm 35 so as to protrude downward.

[0027] A main lock 37 protrudes downward from the center in the left-right direction on the underside of the holder upper wall 32. A pair of front and rear main lock slits 37a are provided in the holder upper wall 32 so as to sandwich the main lock 37 in the front-rear direction. Of the pair of main lock slits 37a, the front main lock slit 37a is open at its front end, and the rear main lock slit 37a is open at its rear end. The main lock 37 also has an insertion inclined surface 37b that slopes upward from the front to the rear, and a release inclined surface 37c that is located in front of the insertion inclined surface 37b and slopes downward from the front to the rear (see FIGS. 9 and 12).

[0028] Furthermore, a flange portion 38 is provided at the rear end of the holder upper wall portion 32, protruding upward. The flange portion 38 extends in the left-right direction, and a flange-side temporary-locking slit 38a that continues to the pair of temporary-locking slits 35a is formed at the base end of the flange portion 38. The flange portion 38 also has a flange-side full-locking slit 38b that continues to the rearmost full-locking slit 37a of the pair of full-locking slits 37a. The flange portion 38 also has a slip-off prevention portion 39 that is located in front of the seal member 6 when the front holder 3 is attached to the front end 14 of the inner housing 11. The slip-off prevention portion 39 has a vertical surface 39a that is located at the rear end of the flange portion 38 and is formed perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface 12a (see FIG. 13).

[0029] [Attaching the front holder 3 to the housing 2 (temporarily locked state)] As shown in Figures 8 and 10 , when attaching the front holder 3 to the front end 14 of the inner housing 11, the front end 14 is inserted into the inside of the front holder 3 from the rear end opening of the front holder 3 and moved in the front-rear direction. When the front holder 3 is moved in the front-rear direction, the temporary lock 36 of the front holder 3 is engaged (prevented from coming off) with the temporary lock portion 27 provided on the front end 14, thereby attaching (temporarily locking) the front holder 3 to the housing 2. In other words, the temporary lock 36 of the front holder 3 is engaged with the temporary lock portion 27 of the housing 2, thereby bringing the front holder 3 into a temporary locked state. When the front holder 3 is temporarily locked to the housing 2, unintentional detachment (disengagement) of the front holder 3 from the front end 14 of the inner housing 11 is suppressed. When the front holder 3 is attached to the housing 2 (in a provisionally locked state), the insertion inclined surface 37b provided on the full lock lock 37 of the front holder 3 abuts (faces) the full lock insertion inclined surface 28a of the housing 2.

[0030] [Attaching the front holder 3 to the housing 2 (full locking state)] 11 and 12 , when the front holder 3 is further pushed toward the front end portion 14, the main lock lock 37 of the front holder 3 moves along the main lock insertion inclined surface 28a of the housing 2, the main lock lock 37 is displaced upward, and the holder upper wall portion 32 is bent. As a result, the main lock lock 37 of the front holder 3 is locked (prevented from coming off) by the main lock lock portion 28 provided on the front end portion 14, and the front holder 3 is attached (mainly locked) to the housing 2. In other words, the main lock lock 37 of the front holder 3 is locked by the main lock lock portion 28 of the housing 2, so that the front holder 3 is in a main locked state. Furthermore, when the front holder 3 is attached to the housing 2 (main locked state), the release inclined surface 37c provided on the main lock lock 37 of the front holder 3 abuts (faces) the main lock release inclined surface 28b of the housing 2.

[0031] On the other hand, when the front holder 3 is released from the main lock (when it is removed from the front end portion 14), the main lock lock 37 of the front holder 3 moves along the main lock release inclined surface portion 28b of the housing 2, causing the main lock lock 37 to displace upward and bending the holder upper wall portion 32. In short, because the pair of front and rear main lock slits 37a are provided in the holder upper wall portion 32, the holder upper wall portion 32 of the front holder 3 is more likely to bend with the displacement of the main lock lock 37 when the front holder 3 is inserted and released from the main lock as described above. As a result, it is possible to prevent a strong reaction force from being generated against the front holder 3, and it is also possible to keep the operating forces (insertion force, release force) when the front holder 3 is inserted and released from the main lock low.

[0032] [Mating detection member 4] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the mating detection member 4 is slidably attached to the outer surface of the housing 2 and is a member for detecting the mating of the housing 2 with the mating housing 111. The mating detection member 4 is formed, for example, from a synthetic resin material. The mating detection member 4 is attached to the rear of the housing 2 and is configured to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction. The mating detection member 4 integrally includes a pair of side wall portions 41 facing each other in the left-to-right direction and a support wall portion 42 connecting the rear portions of the upper ends of the side wall portions 41 (see Figures 2 and 4).

[0033] A locking projection 43 is provided on the opposing surface of each side wall 41, projecting toward the opposing side wall 41 to correspond to the locked projection 26 of the housing 2. An inclined surface 43a, which slopes upward from the front to the rear, and a flat surface 43b, which is positioned behind the inclined surface 43a and extends in the front-to-rear direction, are provided on the upper end surface of the locking projection 43 so as to be continuous with each other (see FIGS. 4 and 23). When the fitting detection member 4 passes through the gap S of the housing 2 and reaches the provisionally locked position, the locking projection 43 is locked by the locked projection 26 of the housing 2 (see FIG. 18).

[0034] A slide operation portion 44 that is operated when sliding the fitting detection member 4 is provided on the upper surface of the support wall portion 42 (see FIGS. 2 and 14) to protrude therefrom.

[0035] A drop-out prevention protrusion 51 protrudes downward from the underside of the support wall portion 42. The drop-out prevention protrusion 51 can come into contact with the drop-out prevention protrusion 29 provided on the housing lock mechanism 20 when the mating detection member 4 moves rearward during the mating of the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 (see FIGS. 4 and 14). The drop-out prevention protrusion 51 is configured to pass above the drop-out prevention protrusion 29 when the mating detection member 4 is attached to the housing 2. The lower part of the drop-out prevention protrusion 51 is provided with an inclined surface 51a that slopes downward from the front to the rear, and a vertical surface 51b that is positioned rearward of the inclined surface 51a and is formed perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface 12a (see FIGS. 4 and 22).

[0036] An arm piece 45 extending forward is provided at the center of the support wall portion 42 in the left-right direction (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The arm piece 45 is supported by the support wall portion 42 in a cantilevered manner and is formed so as to tilt downward. A locking claw 46 extending downward is formed at the front end of the arm piece 45 (see FIGS. 4 and 8). The arm piece 45 is configured so that the locking claw 46 can swing upward with its rear end as a fulcrum and be elastically deformable. When the fitting detection member 4 is in the temporary locking position, the locking claw 46 abuts against the rear end of the locking piece 23 of the housing 2 (see FIG. 20), and when the fitting detection member 4 is in the full locking position, the locking claw 46 is locked to the locking piece 23 (not shown).

[0037] [Assembly procedure for each component that makes up connector 1] The following describes the procedure for assembling the components that make up the connector 1. First, the seal member 6 is attached to the housing 2, and then the terminals to which electric wires (not shown) are connected are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 13 of the housing 2.

[0038] Next, the front holder 3 is attached to the front end portion 14 of the inner housing 11. This prevents the terminals from coming off the front holder 3. The front holder 3 may be configured to be able to be provisionally and fully locked to the front end portion 14 of the inner housing 11. In this case, for example, with the front holder 3 provisionally locked to the front end portion 14, the terminals may be inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 13, and then the front holder 3 may be slid relative to the front end portion 14 to be fully locked.

[0039] Next, the fitting detection member 4 is attached to the housing 2 from the rear to the temporary locking position. Specifically, the fitting detection member 4 is placed from above close to the outer peripheral surface 12a of the housing 2 (see FIGS. 14 and 15). Once the fitting detection member 4 is placed on the outer peripheral surface 12a of the housing 2, for example, a finger is placed on the slide operation portion 44, and the fitting detection member 4 is slid forward.

[0040] During the sliding of the fitting detection member 4, the locking protrusion 43 of the fitting detection member 4 comes into contact with the locked protrusion 26 of the housing 2. Specifically, the inclined surface 43a of the locking protrusion 43 comes into contact with the inclined surface 26a of the locked protrusion 26. If the fitting detection member 4 continues to slide in this state, the inclined surfaces 43a, 26a come into contact with each other, guiding the locking protrusion 43 to slip under the locked protrusion 26. As a result, the release arm 24 on which the locked protrusion 26 is provided is swung, and the locking piece 23 is lifted upward, the gap S widens, and the locking protrusion 43 enters the gap S.

[0041] During the middle stage of sliding the fitting detection member 4, the fall-off prevention protrusion 51 on the fitting detection member 4 presses down the fall-off prevention protrusion 29 on the housing 2, causing the fall-off prevention protrusion 29 to pass below the fall-off prevention protrusion 51 (see FIG. 16 ). During this middle stage of sliding the fitting detection member 4, the inclined surface 51 a of the fall-off prevention protrusion 51 comes into contact with the inclined surface 29 a of the fall-off prevention protrusion 29, and the fall-off prevention protrusion 51 of the fitting detection member 4 moves along the inclined surface 29 a of the fall-off prevention protrusion 29.

[0042] As the fitting detection member 4 continues to slide, the flat surface 43b of the locking projection 43 comes into contact with the inclined surface 26a and then the flat surface 26b of the locked projection 26, passing through the gap S. When the locking projection 43 has completely passed through the gap S, the locking piece 23 that had been raised upward returns to its original position, and the locking projection 43 is locked by the locked projection 26 (see Figures 17 and 18), and the fitting detection member 4 is attached to the housing 2 in the provisionally locked position. This completes the assembly of the components that make up the connector 1, and the connector 1 is completed. When the fitting detection member 4 has been attached to the housing 2, the rear end surface of the fitting detection member 4 comes into contact with the vertical surface 29b of the slip-out prevention projection 29 (see Figure 17).

[0043] [Mating procedure between connector 1 and mating connector 101] The following describes the procedure for fitting the connector 1 to the mating connector 101. As shown in Figures 19 to 21, the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are fitted together with the fitting detection member 4 temporarily locked to the housing 2. First, the mating housing 111 is inserted between the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 11 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 12.

[0044] At this time, the locking portion 112 of the mating housing 111 moves rearward from below while elastically deforming the locking piece 23 of the housing 2, and the locking portion 112 of the mating housing 111 and the locking piece 23 are locked together. As a result, the locking claw 46 of the arm piece 45 of the fitting detection member 4 is lifted upward by the locking portion 112 of the mating housing 111 (i.e., the arm piece 45 is elastically deformed), and the abutment state of the locking claw 46 with the rear end of the locking piece 23 is released.

[0045] In this state, when the mating detection member 4 is pushed forward to displace it to the full locking position, the locking claw 46 moves forward over the locking piece 23 from above, causing the arm piece 45 to recover from its elastic deformation and locking the locking claw 46 and the locking piece 23 (not shown). This completes the mating of the connector 1 and the mating connector 101. When the mating of the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 is complete, the mating terminal is inserted into the terminal and electrically connected to the terminal.

[0046] [During mating of connector 1 and mating connector 101 (preventing disconnection of mating detection member 4)] 22 and 23, when the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are in the middle of mating, if the front end of the housing locking mechanism 20 is lifted, the rear end of the housing locking mechanism 20 will be lowered. If the mating detection member 4 moves rearward unintentionally, the vertical surface 51b of the anti-detachment protrusion 51 provided on the mating detection member 4 will come into contact with the vertical surface 29b of the anti-detachment protrusion 29 provided on the housing locking mechanism 20, stopping the rearward movement of the mating detection member 4 (see FIG. 22). On the other hand, if the mating detection member 4 does not have the anti-detachment protrusion 51, it will not come into contact with the anti-detachment protrusion 29 of the housing locking mechanism 20, and the rearward movement of the mating detection member 4 cannot be stopped.

[0047] [Procedure for disengaging connector 1 from mating connector 101] The following describes the procedure for disengaging the connector 1 from the mating connector 101. To disengage the connector 1 from the mating connector 101, first, the mating detection member 4 is pulled backward and returned from the full locking position to the partial locking position.

[0048] Next, the unlocking operation portion 25 of the housing locking mechanism 20 in the housing 2 is pressed downward. This causes the unlocking arm 24 to swing, displacing the locking piece 23 of the locking arm 21 upward, and releasing the lock between the locking piece 23 and the locking portion 112 of the mating housing 111. In this state, the connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are moved apart, thereby disengaging the mating between the connector 1 and the mating connector 101.

[0049] [Actions and Effects] As described above, the connector 1 according to this embodiment includes the housing 2 that can be mated with the mating housing 111, and the front holder 3 that is attached to the front end portion 14 of the housing 2. The housing 2 has a main lock portion 28. The front holder 3 has a main lock 37 that is locked by the main lock portion 28 when the front holder 3 is main locked to the housing 2, and a pair of main lock slits 37a that are provided to sandwich the main lock 37 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0050] The pair of main locking slits 37a provided in the front holder 3 makes it easier for the front holder 3 to bend when attaching (inserting the main locking) and removing (releasing the main locking) the front holder 3. This makes it possible to prevent a strong reaction force from being generated against the front holder 3 when inserting the front holder 3 for main locking and when releasing the main locking, and also makes it possible to keep the operating force (insertion force, release force) when inserting the front holder 3 for main locking and when releasing the main locking low.

[0051] According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 that can suppress the generation of a strong reaction force against the front holder 3 when attaching the front holder 3 to the front end portion 14 of the housing 2, thereby reducing the operating force required when attaching and removing the front holder 3.

[0052] In the connector 1, the full-lock lock 37 may be configured to pass above the full-lock lock portion 28 when the front holder 3 moves from the partial-lock position to the full-lock position. The upper part of the full-lock lock portion 28 may be provided with a full-lock insertion inclined surface portion 28a that is formed in an upward slope from the front to the rear, and a full-lock release inclined surface portion 28b that is located behind the full-lock insertion inclined surface portion 28a and is formed in a downward slope from the front to the rear. The lower part of the full-lock lock 37 may be provided with an insertion inclined surface 37b that is formed in an upward slope from the front to the rear, and a release inclined surface 37c that is located in front of the insertion inclined surface 37b and is formed in a downward slope from the front to the rear.

[0053] When the front holder 3 is attached to the housing 2 (in a temporary locking state), the insertion inclined surface 37b provided on the full-locking lock 37 of the front holder 3 abuts against (faces) the full-locking insertion inclined surface portion 28a of the housing 2. When the front holder 3 is pushed toward the front end portion 14 from this state, the full-locking lock 37 of the front holder 3 moves along the full-locking insertion inclined surface portion 28a of the housing 2. This allows the front holder 3 to be attached to the housing 2 (full-locking insertion).

[0054] On the other hand, when the front holder 3 is attached to the housing 2 (full lock state), the release inclined surface 37c provided on the full lock lock 37 of the front holder 3 abuts against (faces) the full lock release inclined surface 28b of the housing 2. When an attempt is made to remove the front holder 3 from the front end portion 14 in this state, the full lock lock 37 of the front holder 3 moves along the full lock release inclined surface 28b of the housing 2. This allows the front holder 3 to be removed from the housing 2 (full lock release).

[0055] In the connector 1, the housing 2 may have a temporary-locking lock portion 27. The front holder 3 may have a temporary-locking lock 36 that is locked by the temporary-locking lock portion 27 when the front holder 3 is temporarily locked to the housing 2, and a pair of temporary-locking slits 35a that are provided so as to sandwich the temporary-locking lock 36 in the left-right direction.

[0056] The front holder 3 is brought into a temporarily locked state by the temporary locking lock 36 of the front holder 3 being locked with the temporary locking lock portion 27 of the housing 2, thereby improving the workability when attaching the front holder 3. Furthermore, the pair of temporary locking slits 35a are provided in the front holder 3, so the front holder 3 is more likely to bend when attached (temporarily locked). This makes it possible to prevent a strong reaction force from being generated against the front holder 3 when the front holder 3 is temporarily locked, and also makes it possible to keep the operating force when the front holder 3 is temporarily locked low.

[0057] In the connector 1, the front holder 3 may have a flange portion 38 protruding from the rear end portion of the front holder 3. The base end portion of the flange portion 38 may be provided with a flange-side temporary-locking slit 38a continuing to the pair of temporary-locking slits 35a, and a flange-side full-locking slit 38b continuing to the rearmost full-locking slit 37a of the pair of full-locking slits 37a.

[0058] By providing the flange portion 38 at the rear end portion of the front holder 3, the strength of the front holder 3 against impacts and the like can be improved, and deformation of the front holder 3 due to impacts and the like can be suppressed.

[0059] The connector 1 may include an annular sealing member 6 attached to the front end portion 14 of the housing 2. The flange portion 38 may have a slip-out prevention portion 39 located in front of the sealing member 6 when the front holder 3 is fully locked to the front end portion 14 of the housing 2.

[0060] Because the flange portion 38 has a slip-out prevention portion 39, the slip-out prevention portion 39 prevents the sealing member 6 from slipping out and coming off from the front end portion 14 of the housing 2, thereby maintaining the sealing member 6 in its normal position.

[0061] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 connector 2. Housing 3 Front Holder 6 Sealing material 14 Front end 27 Temporary locking part 28 Main locking part 28a Main locking insertion slope section 28b Main lock release inclined surface part 35a Temporary locking slit 36 Temporary lock 37 Main lock 37a Main locking slit 37b Insertion inclined surface 37c Release slope 38 Flange 38a Flange side temporary locking slit 38b Main locking slit on flange side 39 Anti-slip part 111 Opposite Housing

Claims

1. a housing that can be mated with a mating housing; a front holder attached to a front end of the housing, The housing has a main locking portion, The front holder is a final lock that is engaged with the final lock portion when the front holder is final-locked to the housing; a pair of final locking slits provided to sandwich the final lock in the front-rear direction; connector.

2. the full lock is configured so that the front holder passes above the full lock portion when moving from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, An upper portion of the main locking portion is provided with a main locking insertion inclined surface portion that is formed in an upward inclination from the front to the rear, and a main locking release inclined surface portion that is located behind the main locking insertion inclined surface portion and is formed in a downward inclination from the front to the rear, The lower part of the main lock is provided with an insertion inclined surface that is formed in an upward inclination from the front to the rear, and a release inclined surface that is located in front of the insertion inclined surface and is formed in a downward inclination from the front to the rear. The connector according to claim 1 .

3. The housing has a temporary locking portion, The front holder is a temporary lock that is engaged with the temporary lock portion when the front holder is temporarily locked to the housing; a pair of temporary locking slits provided so as to sandwich the temporary lock in the left-right direction; 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The front holder has a flange portion protruding from a rear end portion of the front holder, The base end of the flange portion is a flange-side temporary-retaining slit connected to the pair of temporary-retaining slits; A flange-side main locking slit is provided, which is continuous with the rear main locking slit of the pair of main locking slits. The connector according to claim 3.

5. an annular seal member attached to a front end of the housing; the flange portion has a slip-out prevention portion that is located in front of the seal member when the front holder is fully engaged with the front end portion of the housing. The connector according to claim 4.

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