Connector and wire harness

Abstract

To provide a connector and a wire harness capable of properly suppressing inclination of a terminal.SOLUTION: The connector 1 includes the terminals 10 and the housing 20, and each of the terminals 10 includes the locking projection 11 that is locked to the 21a of the terminal-accommodating portion of the housing 20 along the axial direction X. The terminal-accommodating portion side 21a includes the insertion hole 26 into which the terminals 10 are inserted along the axial direction X, the lance 27 that is provided on the inner surface side 26a of the insertion hole 26, is configured to be elastically deformable along the height direction Z, and is locked to the locking projection 11, and the lance 27 that is provided on the inner surface side 26a of the insertion hole 26 and is located on the back side of the insertion hole 26 with respect to the lance 27 in the axial direction X. And a rib 28 that comes into contact with the terminals 10 in a state where the lances 27 and the locking projections 11 are locked along the axial direction X and suppresses inclination of the terminals 10 with respect to an inner surface 26a of the insertion holes 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As a conventional technique relating to a connector for a wire harness, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a terminal electrically connected to a mating terminal of a mating connector, and a housing having a terminal accommodating portion for holding the terminal therein and adapted to be fitted axially with a mating housing of the mating connector. The terminal accommodating portion of the housing is provided with a lance that engages with the terminal along the axial direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-199069 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the connector described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, for example, there is a risk that the terminal's holding force by the lance may decrease if the terminal tilts relative to the terminal accommodating portion, so there is room for further improvement in terms of properly suppressing the tilt of the terminal.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a wire harness that can appropriately suppress tilt of terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector of the present invention comprises a terminal electrically connected to a mating terminal of a mating connector, and a housing having a terminal accommodating portion that holds the terminal therein and that is fitted with a mating housing of the mating connector along an axial direction, wherein the terminal has a locking protrusion that engages with the terminal accommodating portion along the axial direction, and the terminal accommodating portion includes an insertion hole into which the terminal is inserted along the axial direction, a lance provided on the inner surface of the insertion hole and configured to be elastically deformable along a height direction that intersects the axial direction and that engages with the locking protrusion, and a rib provided on the inner surface of the insertion hole and positioned deeper into the insertion hole than the lance in the axial direction, and that abuts against the terminal when the lance and the locking protrusion are engaged along the axial direction, thereby suppressing inclination of the terminal relative to the inner surface of the insertion hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the connector and wire harness according to the present invention, the terminal accommodating portion includes a rib provided on the inner surface of the insertion hole, positioned axially deeper than the lance, and abutting against the terminal when the lance and the locking projection are locked in the axial direction, thereby suppressing tilt of the terminal relative to the inner surface of the insertion hole. With this configuration, the connector and wire harness can suppress an increase in the insertion force (sliding resistance) of the terminal into the insertion hole, for example, due to the rib being positioned deeper than the lance. As a result, the connector and wire harness have the advantage of being able to appropriately suppress tilt of the terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a wire harness to which a connector according to an embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a connector and a mating connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exemplary front view of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment, showing a state before the terminals are assembled at a position corresponding to that shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exemplary front view of the vicinity of a rib of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the terminals are in the middle of being assembled at a position corresponding to that shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the terminals are in the middle of being assembled at a position corresponding to that shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the lance in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the terminal (rib) in FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 4, showing the state in which the terminal has been completely assembled. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 4, showing the state in which the terminal has been completely assembled. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the lance in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the terminal (rib) in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a rib of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a locking projection of a connector according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially identical. Note that in this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish between parts, members, portions, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

[0010] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wire harness WH to which a connector 1 according to an embodiment is applied. The connector 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated into the wire harness WH to be routed in a vehicle such as an automobile. Here, the wire harness WH is, for example, a composite component made up of wiring materials W used for power supply and signal communication to connect various devices mounted on the vehicle, and the wiring materials W are connected to the various devices using connectors 1 or the like. The wire harness WH of this embodiment includes a plurality of conductive wiring materials W, connectors 1 provided at the ends of the plurality of wiring materials W, and a mating connector 100 electrically and mechanically connected to the connector 1. The wire harness WH may further include various other components such as grommets, protectors, and fixtures.

[0011] In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction will be referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the axial direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are approximately perpendicular to one another. The axial direction X typically aligns with the extension direction of the wiring material W, the mating direction (insertion direction) of the connector 1 and the mating connector 100, etc. The width direction Y typically aligns with the radial direction of the wiring material W, the width direction of the connector 1 and the mating connector 100, etc. The height direction Z typically aligns with the radial direction of the wiring material W, the height direction (up-down direction) of the connector 1 and the mating connector 100, etc. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description will be described as directions when the connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are assembled to a vehicle.

[0012] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 and the mating connector 100. As shown in Fig. 2, the mating connector 100 has, for example, a mating housing 120 and a mating terminal (not shown) provided inside the mating housing 120. The mating terminal is, for example, a male terminal fitting made of a conductive metal material, and is electrically connected to a terminal 10 (see Fig. 3) of the connector 1. The mating terminal is configured to include, for example, an electrical connection portion electrically connected to the terminal 10 and an electric wire crimping portion electrically connected to an end of an electric wire (not shown).

[0013] The mating housing 120 holds mating terminals and the like therein. The mating housing 120 includes, for example, a mating housing main body 121 and a locking portion 122 protruding from the mating housing main body 121 in the height direction Z. The mating housing main body 121 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape that conforms to the outer peripheral surface of a packing 50 of the connector 1, which will be described later. A mating terminal accommodating chamber that extends along the axial direction X and accommodates the mating terminals is provided inside the mating housing main body 121. The mating housing 120 is formed, for example, by the mating housing main body 121 and the locking portion 122 being integrally formed from an insulating resin material.

[0014] The locking portion 122 is a portion that is locked with the housing lock 25 of the connector 1 along the axial direction X. The locking portion 122 is formed, for example, in a claw shape on the outer peripheral surface of the mating housing main body 121. The locking portion 122 has one end face 122a located on one end side in the axial direction X (the connector 1 side) and another end face 122b located on the other end side in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the one end face 122a is inclined with respect to the axial direction X. Specifically, the one end face 122a is inclined so as to gradually move away from the outer peripheral surface of the mating housing main body 121 along the height direction Z as it moves toward the other end side in the axial direction X (the side opposite the connector 1). The one end face 122a is formed as an inclined surface that the housing lock 25 of the connector 1 moves over as the connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are mated.

[0015] The other end surface 122b is formed, for example, as a flat surface extending along the height direction Z. When the connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are fully mated, that is, when the housing lock 25 has climbed over the lock engaging portion 122, the other end surface 122b is engaged with the housing lock 25 along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the engagement between the other end surface 122b and the housing lock 25 restricts movement of the connector 1 relative to the mating connector 100 along the axial direction X, and the fully mated state between the connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is maintained.

[0016] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the connector 1 includes, for example, a terminal 10, a housing 20, a mating assurance member 30, a retainer 40, a packing 50, and a wire seal 60. The terminal 10 is, for example, a female terminal fitting made of a conductive metal material, and is electrically connected to the mating terminal described above. The terminal 10 includes, for example, an electrical connection portion electrically connected to the mating terminal, and a wire crimping portion electrically connected to an end of the wiring material W. The terminal 10 is also referred to as a crimp terminal, etc.

[0017] The wiring material W is configured to include, for example, a linear conductor portion having electrical conductivity and an insulating covering portion having electrical insulation that covers the outside of the conductor portion. The wiring material W is an insulated electric wire in which the conductor portion is covered with an insulating covering portion. Note that the conductor portion in this embodiment is a core wire in which multiple conductive metal wires are bundled together, but it may also be a twisted core wire in which the multiple metal wires are twisted together. The insulating covering portion is an electric wire covering that covers the outer periphery of the conductor portion. The insulating covering portion is formed, for example, by extrusion molding an insulating resin material or the like.

[0018] Each wiring material W extends linearly along the axial direction X and is formed to extend with approximately the same diameter in the axial direction X (extension direction). Furthermore, each wiring material W has, for example, a substantially circular cross-sectional shape of the conductor portion (cross-sectional shape intersecting the axial direction X) and a substantially annular cross-sectional shape of the insulating coating portion, so that the overall cross-sectional shape is substantially circular. At least one end of each wiring material W has the insulating coating portion stripped off, and a terminal 10 is crimped to the conductor portion exposed from the insulating coating portion. The wiring material W is also referred to as a terminal-attached electric wire, etc.

[0019] The housing 20 holds the terminals 10, the wiring material W, the wire seal 60, etc. inside. The housing 20 includes, for example, a housing main body 21, a pair of protective walls 22 protruding in the height direction from the housing main body 21, a connecting wall 23 connecting the pair of protective walls 22, and a housing lock 25 provided so as to be elastically deformable in the height direction Z relative to the housing main body 21. The housing 20 is formed by integrally forming the housing main body 21, the pair of protective walls 22, the connecting wall 23, and the housing lock 25 using, for example, an insulating resin material or the like.

[0020] The housing main body 21 is configured to include, for example, a plurality of terminal accommodating portions 21a, an inner cylindrical portion 21b, and an outer cylindrical portion 21c. Each of the plurality of terminal accommodating portions 21a extends along the axial direction X and accommodates a terminal 10 therein. In this embodiment, the housing main body 21 is provided with three terminal accommodating portions 21a lined up along the width direction Y. Adjacent terminal accommodating portions 21a in the width direction Y are connected to each other. Each terminal accommodating portion 21a is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape that conforms to the outer shape of the terminal 10, and protrudes from the inner cylindrical portion 21b along the axial direction X.

[0021] The inner cylindrical portion 21b covers the outer peripheries of the terminal accommodating portions 21a and is connected to the terminal accommodating portions 21a. The inner cylindrical portion 21b is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape that follows the inner circumferential surface of the packing 50. The outer cylindrical portion 21c covers the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 21b and is formed approximately concentrically with the inner cylindrical portion 21b. In this embodiment, a fitting recess into which the mating housing 120 of the mating connector 100 described above is fitted is provided between the outer cylindrical portion 21c and the inner cylindrical portion 21b. The outer cylindrical portion 21c is formed, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape that follows the outer periphery of the mating housing 120. Note that the outer cylindrical portion 21c has a notch for forming a housing lock 25, for example, in a portion between the pair of protective walls 22.

[0022] The pair of protective walls 22 cover the housing lock 25 and the mating assurance member 30 from both sides in the width direction Y. The pair of protective walls 22, for example, protrude in the height direction Z from both ends of the outer tube portion 21c in the width direction Y and extend along the axial direction X. Stopper portions 24 are provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of protective walls 22, and are engaged with the mating assurance member 30 in the axial direction X when the mating assurance member 30 is in the main locking position. The stopper portions 24 are provided, for example, on the other end side of the pair of protective walls 22 in the axial direction X (the mating connector 100 side), and protrude from the pair of protective walls 22 toward each other in the width direction Y.

[0023] The connecting wall 23 connects one end (upper end) of the pair of protective walls 22 in the height direction Z. The connecting wall 23 is provided, for example, on the other end side of the pair of protective walls 22 in the axial direction X, and extends along the width direction Y so as to span between the pair of protective walls 22. In this embodiment, an insertion space into which the fit assurance member 30 is inserted is provided between the pair of protective walls 22, the connecting wall 23, and the inner cylindrical portion 21b. The connecting wall 23 covers the fit assurance member 30 from one end side (upper side) in the height direction Z when the fit assurance member 30 is in the full-locking position and the temporary-locking position. In addition, a housing lock 25 is provided between the pair of protective walls 22 on the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b.

[0024] The mating assurance member 30 is a member that allows the user to determine whether the mated state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 is a fully mated state or a partially mated state, and guarantees this if it is a fully mated state. The mating assurance member 30 is assembled to the housing 20, and is configured so as to be immovable relative to the housing 20 from a provisional locking position when the mating state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 is a partially mated state. On the other hand, the mating assurance member 30 is configured so as to be movable relative to the housing 20 along the axial direction X between the provisional locking position and the full locking position when the mating state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 is a fully mated state.

[0025] Therefore, the fitting assurance member 30 can determine whether the fitting state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 is a completely fitted state or a partially fitted state depending on whether it is positioned at the temporary locking position or the full locking position with respect to the housing 20. When it is positioned at the full locking position with respect to the housing 20, the fitting assurance member 30 guarantees that the fitting state between the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 is a completely fitted state.

[0026] The mating assurance member 30 includes, for example, a mating assurance arm portion 31, a contact portion 32, a first protrusion portion 33, a second protrusion portion 34, a connecting portion 35, a pair of side walls 36, and an operating portion 37. The connecting portion 35 and the pair of side walls 36 are portions that constitute the main body of the mating assurance member 30. The mating assurance arm portion 31 is a portion that protrudes in a cantilever spring shape from the connecting portion 35 that constitutes the main body toward the main locking portion 25b (see FIG. 5) of the housing lock 25. The contact portion 32 is provided at the tip of the mating assurance arm portion 31 and is a portion that abuts against the main locking portion 25b as the lock arm portion 25a elastically deforms when the main locking portion 25b overcomes the locking engagement portion 122 described above.

[0027] The first protrusion 33 is provided at the tip of the fitting assurance arm 31 and is a portion that engages with the full-locking portion 25b when the fitting assurance member 30 is positioned at the full-locking position. The second protrusion 34 is a portion that engages with a temporary-locking portion (not shown) of the housing lock 25 when the fitting assurance member 30 is positioned at the temporary-locking position. The operating portion 37 is a portion used as an operating portion for moving the fitting assurance member 30 along the axial direction X between the temporary-locking position and the full-locking position. The fitting assurance member 30 has the fitting assurance arm 31, the abutting portion 32, the first protrusion 33, the second protrusion 34, the connecting portion 35, the pair of side walls 36, and the operating portion 37 that are integrally formed from, for example, a flexible synthetic resin material or the like.

[0028] The retainer 40 has a plurality of terminal accommodating portions 21a inserted therein and holds the terminals 10 in each of the terminal accommodating portions 21a. The retainer 40 has insertion holes into which the terminal accommodating portions 21a are inserted along the axial direction X, and through holes that communicate with the insertion holes and into which mating terminals of the mating connector 100 are inserted along the axial direction X. The retainer 40 is formed, for example, from an insulating resin material.

[0029] The packing 50 prevents foreign matter such as moisture from entering the inside of the housing 20. The packing 50 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or resin. The packing 50 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b described above, and is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b. When the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 are fitted together, the packing 50 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b and the inner peripheral surface of the mating housing 120.

[0030] The wire seal 60 prevents foreign matter such as moisture from entering the inside of the housing 20. The wire seal 60 is formed of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or resin. The wire seal 60 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the wiring material W, and is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the wiring material W. When the wiring material W is attached inside the housing 20, the wire seal 60 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the wiring material W and the inner peripheral surface of the inner tube portion 21b.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a front view of connector 1, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of connector 1, showing the state before assembly (before insertion) of terminal 10 at a position corresponding to Fig. 11 (a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 4). As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, housing lock 25 includes, for example, lock arm portion 25a, full-locking portion 25b, temporary-locking portion, folding arm portion, and unlocking operation portion 25e.

[0032] The lock arm portion 25a (see FIG. 5) is a portion of the housing lock 25 that is formed in a cantilever spring shape and is formed to be elastically deformable along the height direction Z. The lock arm portion 25a includes, for example, a base end portion (fulcrum portion) that protrudes along the height direction Z from the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b, and a tip portion that is connected to the base end portion via a curved portion and extends along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the housing lock 25 is provided with a pair of lock arm portions 25a spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y.

[0033] The main locking portion 25b extends along the width direction Y of the housing lock 25 and connects the free ends of the pair of locking arm portions 25a. The main locking portion 25b climbs over one end surface 122a (inclined surface) in the axial direction X of the locking portion 122 (see FIG. 2) described above as the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 are mated. When the housing 20 and the mating housing 120 are fully mated, the main locking portion 25b returns to its free state and is locked with the other end surface 122b in the axial direction X of the locking portion 122. In this state, the locking portion 122 is engaged between the pair of locking arm portions 25a. The main locking portion 25b is locked with the first protrusion 33 of the mating member 30 when the mating member 30 is positioned in the main locking position.

[0034] The folded arm portion is a portion of the housing lock 25 formed by folding back a part of the lock arm portion 25a from both ends of the full-locking portion 25b in the width direction Y along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the housing lock 25 is provided with a pair of folded arm portions spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y. The temporary-locking portion is a portion of the housing lock 25 that is engaged with the second protrusion 34 of the fitting assurance member 30 when the fitting assurance member 30 is positioned in the temporary-locking position. The temporary-locking portion is provided, for example, at approximately the center of the pair of folded arm portions in the axial direction X, and protrudes from the pair of folded arm portions in directions away from each other along the width direction Y.

[0035] The unlocking operation portion 25e (see FIG. 5) is a portion of the housing lock 25 that is used as an operation portion for releasing the locked state between the main locking portion 25b and the locking portion 122. The unlocking operation portion 25e extends along the width direction Y and connects one end of the pair of folded arms in the axial direction X. For example, when the unlocking operation portion 25e is pushed toward the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21b (housing main body 21) along the height direction Z, the main locking portion 25b side rises along the height direction Z toward the side away from the locking portion 122. This allows the locked state between the main locking portion 25b and the locking portion 122 to be released.

[0036] Here, in this embodiment, the terminal accommodating portion 21a is configured to include an insertion hole 26, a lance 27, and a rib 28. The insertion hole 26 is a portion of the terminal accommodating portion 21a into which the terminal 10 is inserted along the axial direction X. The insertion hole 26 is configured, for example, as a through hole that penetrates the terminal accommodating portion 21a and the above-mentioned inner cylindrical portion 21b along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the terminal 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 from one end side in the axial direction X (the side opposite to the mating connector 100) toward the other end side in the axial direction X (the mating connector 100 side). Therefore, in this embodiment, the one end side of the insertion hole 26 in the axial direction X is the front side of the insertion hole 26, and the other end side in the axial direction is the back side of the insertion hole 26.

[0037] The lance 27 is a portion of the terminal accommodating portion 21a that is engaged with the locking protrusion 11 of the terminal 10. The lance 27 is formed, for example, in the shape of a cantilever spring on the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26 and is configured to be elastically deformable along the height direction Z. That is, a pair of slits is provided on both sides of the lance 27 in the width direction Y on the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26 to allow elastic deformation of the lance 27. The locking protrusion 11 protrudes, for example, from the terminal 10 along the height direction Z. The locking protrusion 11 is provided at one end in the axial direction X and has a locking surface 11a that is engaged with the lance 27 along the axial direction X.

[0038] The lance 27 also has, for example, a locked surface 27a and an inclined surface 27b. The inclined surface 27b is provided on the inner surface of the lance 27 and is inclined with respect to the axial direction X. Specifically, the inclined surface 27b is inclined so as to gradually approach the center line of the insertion hole 26 from one end side (terminal 10 side) to the other end side in the axial direction X. That is, the inclined surface 27b protrudes radially inward from the inner surface of the lance 27. The inclined surface 27b is formed as a slope that the locking projection 11 overcomes as the terminal 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 26.

[0039] The locked surface 27a is provided at the other end of the lance 27 in the axial direction X, and is formed as a flat surface extending along the height direction Z (radial direction). When the locking projection 11 of the terminal 10 climbs over the inclined surface 27b of the lance 27, the locked surface 27a is locked with the locking surface 11a of the locking projection 11 along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the locking between the locked surface 27a and the locking surface 11a prevents the terminal 10 from moving (coming out) toward one end of the terminal accommodating portion 21a (housing 20) in the axial direction X.

[0040] The rib 28 prevents the terminal 10 from tilting in the terminal accommodating portion 21a. The rib 28 is provided, for example, on the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26 and is positioned deeper into the insertion hole 26 than the lance 27 in the axial direction X. That is, the rib 28 is positioned on the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26, shifted toward the other end side in the axial direction X (the side opposite the terminal 10, toward the mating connector 100) with respect to the lance 27. The rib 28 protrudes radially inward from the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26. The rib 28 abuts against the terminal 10, thereby preventing the terminal 10 from tilting relative to the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a front view of the vicinity of a rib 28 of the connector 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the ribs 28 are provided, for example, in pairs on the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26, spaced apart from each other along the width direction Y. The pair of ribs 28 protrude from the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26 toward each other along the width direction Y. Each of the pair of ribs 28 is formed in a hemispherical shape on the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26. That is, each of the pair of ribs 28 has a hemispherical (arcuate) cross-sectional shape. The pair of ribs 28 are provided in positions on the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26 that overlap each other along the width direction Y, and are aligned in a straight line along the width direction Y.

[0042] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of connector 1, showing a state in which terminal 10 is being assembled (inserted) at a position corresponding to Fig. 11, Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of connector 1, showing a state in which terminal 10 is being assembled (inserted) at a position corresponding to Fig. 12, Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of lance 27 in Fig. 7, Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of terminal 10 (rib 28) in Fig. 8, Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 4, showing a state in which terminal 10 has been assembled (inserted), Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in Fig. 4, showing a state in which terminal 10 has been assembled (inserted), Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of lance 27 in Fig. 11, and Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of terminal 10 (rib 28) in Fig. 12.

[0043] 7 to 10, in this embodiment, the terminal 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 from one end in the axial direction X toward the other end in the axial direction X (toward the mating connector 100). At this time, in this embodiment, the rib 28 is configured not to abut against the terminal 10 when the locking projection 11 is positioned at a peak position P1 (see FIG. 9) where the lance 27 is deflected relative to the lance 27 to generate a maximum load, and when the rib 28 is positioned at a pre-peak position P2 before the maximum load is generated. The pre-peak position P2 is, for example, a range along the axial direction X between one end of the lance 27 in the axial direction X (the end opposite to the locked surface 27a) and the peak position P1.

[0044] In this embodiment, the rib 28 is configured to abut against the terminal 10 when the locking projection 11 is positioned at a post-peak position P3 after the locking projection 11 has deflected the lance 27 relative to the lance 27 to generate a maximum load. That is, in this embodiment, the tip of the terminal 10 begins to abut against the rib 28 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) when the locking projection 11 passes the peak position P1 relative to the lance 27 along the axial direction X. The post-peak position P3 is, for example, a range along the axial direction X between the other end of the lance 27 in the axial direction X (the locked surface 27a) and the peak position P1.

[0045] 11 to 14, the ribs 28 come into contact with the terminal 10 when the locking projection 11 is at the post-peak position P3 relative to the lance 27 and the locking projection 11 has climbed over the inclined surface 27b, thereby locking the locked surface 27a with the locking surface 11a. That is, in this embodiment, when the locking projection 11 climbs over the inclined surface 27b, thereby locking the locked surface 27a with the locking surface 11a, the tip of the terminal 10 is inserted (press-fitted) between the pair of ribs 28 (see FIG. 14). In this state, the tip of the terminal 10 is positioned closer to the other end in the axial direction X (the innermost side of the insertion hole 26) than the pair of ribs 28. Each of the pair of ribs 28 has a hemispherical (arcuate) cross-sectional shape and is in surface contact with the tip of the terminal 10 to prevent the terminal 10 from tilting relative to the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26.

[0046] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a rib 28 of the connector 1, and Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a locking projection 11 of the connector 1. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, in this embodiment, the terminal 10 is inserted (press-fitted) between a pair of ribs 28, thereby appropriately suppressing tilt of the terminal 10 with respect to the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26. If the terminal 10 were to be arranged tilted with respect to the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26, the opposing area between the locked surface 27a of the lance 27 (see Fig. 16) and the locking projection 11 (locking surface 11a) in the axial direction X would decrease, and the holding force of the lance 27 to hold the terminal 10 would be reduced. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the pair of ribs 28 can prevent the terminal 10 from tilting, so that the engaging surface 27a of the lance 27 and the engaging protrusion 11 (engaging surface 11a) can be placed directly opposite each other to prevent a reduction in the opposing area, and ultimately prevent a reduction in the holding force of the lance 27 on the terminal 10.

[0047] As described above, in the connector 1 and wire harness WH of this embodiment, the terminal accommodating portion 21a includes the insertion hole 26 into which the terminal 10 is inserted along the axial direction X, the lance 27 provided on the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26, configured to be elastically deformable along the height direction Z, and engaged with the locking protrusion 11, and the rib 28 provided on the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26 and positioned deeper into the insertion hole 26 than the lance 27 in the axial direction X. The rib 28 abuts against the terminal 10 when the lance 27 and the locking protrusion 11 are engaged along the axial direction X, thereby suppressing tilt of the terminal 10 relative to the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26. With this configuration, the connector 1 and wire harness WH can suppress an increase in the insertion force (sliding resistance) of the terminal 10 into the insertion hole 26, for example, due to the rib 28 being positioned deeper into the insertion hole 26 than the lance 27. As a result, the connector 1 and wire harness WH can appropriately suppress tilt of the terminal 10.

[0048] Furthermore, in the connector 1 and wire harness WH of this embodiment, the rib 28 does not abut against the terminal 10 when the locking projection 11 is positioned at peak position P1 where the locking projection 11 deflects the lance 27 relative to the lance 27 to generate the maximum load, or when the locking projection 11 is positioned at pre-peak position P2 before the maximum load is generated, but abuts against the terminal 10 when the locking projection 11 is positioned at post-peak position P3 after the maximum load is generated. With this configuration, the connector 1 and wire harness WH can, for example, cause the rib 28 to abut against the terminal 10 when the terminal 10 is positioned at post-peak position P3, thereby further suppressing an increase in the insertion force (sliding resistance) of the terminal 10 into the insertion hole 26.

[0049] In the connector 1 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment, the ribs 28 are provided in pairs at intervals along the width direction Y on the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26. With this configuration, the connector 1 and the wire harness WH can, for example, more appropriately suppress the inclination of the terminals 10 relative to the inner surface 26a of the insertion hole 26 by the abutment of the pair of ribs 28 and the terminals 10.

[0050] In the connector 1 and the wire harness WH of the present embodiment, the ribs 28 have a hemispherical cross-sectional shape. With this configuration, the connector 1 and the wire harness WH can reduce the contact area with the terminals 10 by, for example, the hemispherical ribs 28, and therefore, can further suppress an increase in the insertion force (sliding resistance) of the terminals 10 into the insertion holes 26.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the housing lock 25 is formed in a cantilever spring shape relative to the housing main body 21, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, the housing lock 25 may be formed in a doubly supported spring shape relative to the housing main body 21. In addition, in the present embodiment, the connector 1 is configured as a female connector and the mating connector 100 is configured as a male connector, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, the connector 1 may be configured as a male connector and the mating connector 100 as a female connector.

[0052] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the specifications of each configuration, shape, and the like (structure, type, direction, format, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 connector 10 terminals 11 Locking protrusion 11a Locking surface 20. Housing 21a Terminal housing 26 Insertion hole 26a Inner surface 27 Lance 27a Locked surface 28 Ribs 100 Mating Connector 120 Opponent Housing P1 Peak position P2 Pre-peak position P3 Post-peak position W Routing material WH Wire Harness X-axis direction Y width direction Z height direction

Claims

1. a terminal electrically connected to a mating terminal of a mating connector; a housing having a terminal accommodating portion for holding the terminal therein and adapted to be fitted with a mating housing of the mating connector along an axial direction; The terminal has a locking protrusion that is locked in the terminal accommodating portion along the axial direction, The terminal accommodating portion is an insertion hole into which the terminal is inserted along the axial direction; a lance provided on an inner surface of the insertion hole, configured to be elastically deformable along a height direction intersecting the axial direction, and engaged with the engaging projection; a rib provided on the inner surface of the insertion hole, positioned deeper than the lance in the insertion hole in the axial direction, and abutting against the terminal when the lance and the locking projection are locked together in the axial direction, thereby suppressing inclination of the terminal relative to the inner surface of the insertion hole; connector.

2. The rib does not come into contact with the terminal when the locking projection is positioned at a peak position where the locking projection deflects the lance relative to the lance to generate a maximum load, and when the locking projection is positioned at a pre-peak position before the maximum load is generated, but comes into contact with the terminal when the locking projection is positioned at a post-peak position after the maximum load is generated. The connector according to claim 1 .

3. The ribs are provided in pairs on the inner surface of the insertion hole at intervals along a width direction intersecting the axial direction and the height direction.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The rib has a hemispherical cross-sectional shape.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A conductive wiring material; A connector provided at an end of the wiring material, The connector comprises: a terminal electrically connected to a mating terminal of a mating connector; a housing having a terminal accommodating portion for holding the terminal therein and adapted to be fitted with a mating housing of the mating connector along an axial direction; The terminal has a locking protrusion that is locked in the terminal accommodating portion along the axial direction, The terminal accommodating portion is an insertion hole into which the terminal is inserted along the axial direction; a lance provided on an inner surface of the insertion hole, configured to be elastically deformable along a height direction intersecting the axial direction, and engaged with the engaging projection; a rib provided on the inner surface of the insertion hole, positioned deeper than the lance in the insertion hole in the axial direction, and abutting against the terminal when the lance and the locking projection are locked together in the axial direction, thereby suppressing inclination of the terminal relative to the inner surface of the insertion hole; Wire harness.

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