Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector in which a terminal hardly comes off from a housing.SOLUTION: A connector includes a housing having a cavity extending in a first direction, a terminal connected to an end part of a wire and to be inserted into the cavity, and a spacer including a base end part, a lock portion extending from the base end part in a second direction intersecting the first direction and a rib portion arranged side by side with the lock portion in the first direction and extending from the base end part in the second direction. The spacer restricts movement of the terminal in the first direction with respect to the housing by the lock portion being locked to the housing, and when the electric wire is pulled in the first direction, even if the base end portion is pushed in the first direction by the terminal, the spacer restricts deflection of the lock portion by the lock portion coming into contact with the rib portion, and maintains locking to the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a connector. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Connectors equipped with spacers as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known as connectors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-45540 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-211381 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the connectors disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, if the spacer is deformed when the electric wire is pulled, the engagement allowance of the spacer decreases, and the terminal may come off the housing.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides a connector in which terminals are less likely to come off from a housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing having a cavity extending in a first direction, a terminal connected to an end of an electric wire and inserted into the cavity, and a spacer having a base end, a locking portion extending from the base end in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a rib portion extending from the base end in the second direction in an arrangement aligned with the locking portion in the first direction, wherein the locking portion engages with the housing to restrict movement of the terminal in the first direction relative to the housing, and the locking portion and the rib portion have relative positions such that the locking portion, when bent in the first direction, contacts the rib portion to restrict bending of the locking portion and maintains its engagement with the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the terminals are less likely to come off from the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a housing and a spacer of a connector according to an embodiment, with a portion thereof being in cross section; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a spacer of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing the function of the spacer of the connector according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be assigned the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of these components may be omitted. In this disclosure, terms are defined as follows: "Connection" is not limited to mechanical connection, but may also include electrical connection. That is, "connection" is not limited to direct connection between two elements to be connected, but may also include connection between two elements via another element interposed therebetween. "Parallel," "orthogonal," or "same" may include "substantially parallel," "substantially orthogonal," or "substantially the same," respectively.

[0010] In this disclosure, the +X direction, −X direction, +Y direction, −Y direction, +Z direction, and −Z direction are defined as follows: The +Y direction is the direction in which the electric wire W is inserted into the housing 10 described below (see FIG. 2). The -Y direction is the direction opposite to the +Y direction, and is the direction in which the electric wire W is removed from the housing 10. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the +Y direction and the -Y direction, they will simply be referred to as the "Y direction." The +X direction is a direction perpendicular to the Y direction in which a base end portion 31 of a spacer 30 (described later) extends (see FIG. 2). The -X direction is the direction opposite to the +X direction. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the +X direction and the -X direction, they will simply be referred to as the "X direction." The +Z direction is the direction in which the locking portion 32 and the rib portion, which will be described later, extend (see FIG. 2). The -Z direction is the direction opposite to the +Z direction. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the +Z direction and the -Z direction, they will simply be referred to as the "Z direction." In this embodiment, the Y direction is an example of a "first direction," the Z direction is an example of a "second direction," and the X direction is an example of a "third direction."

[0011] <Connector> Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment, and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector according to an embodiment, in which reference numeral 1 denotes a connector. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 1 includes, for example, a housing 10, terminals 20, electric wires W, a spacer 30, a cover portion 50, and an electric wire guide portion 60.

[0012] <Housing> The outer periphery of the -Y direction end 15 of the housing 10 is covered by a cover part 50. The +Y direction end of the housing 10 is exposed. The +Y direction end 16 of the housing 10 has an outer shape that is oval and / or elliptical along the XZ plane. The housing 10 is provided with a plurality of cavities 11. The cavities 11 have through holes that penetrate the housing 10 in the Y direction. Terminals 20 are inserted into the cavities 11. The cavities 11 open to an end 16 of the housing 10 in the +Y direction. The inside of the cavities 11 has a reduced diameter so as to restrict the position of the terminals 20 at the end 16 in the +Y direction. The cavities 11 have a cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the outer shape of the terminals 20 when viewed in the Y direction.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a housing and a spacer of the connector according to the embodiment, with a part in section. In the housing 10 of this embodiment, three terminals 20 are inserted. The cavities 11 accommodate the terminals 20. The number of cavities 11 corresponds to the number of terminals 20. In this embodiment, there are three cavities 11, but the number is not limited to this. There may be a single terminal 20. There may be a single cavity 11. The three cavities 11 are lined up in the X direction. The three cavities 11 are spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The three cavities 11 are parallel to each other.

[0014] An upper fixing hole (fixing hole) 17 is formed on the +Z direction surface of the cavity 11 (see Figures 3 and 6). A lower fixing hole (fixing hole) 18 is formed on the -Z direction surface of the cavity 11 (see Figures 3 and 6). The upper fixing hole 17 and the lower fixing hole 18 penetrate the cavity 11 in the Z direction. Both the upper fixing hole 17 and the lower fixing hole 18 are connected to the interior of the cavity 11 and to a groove portion 12a, which will be described later. A lock portion 32 and a rib portion 33 of the spacer 30 are inserted into the upper fixing hole 17. A base end portion 31 of the spacer 30 is inserted into the lower fixing hole 18. The positions and shapes of the upper fixing hole 17 and the lower fixing hole 18 correspond to the notches 23 and the spacers 30 described later. The upper fixing hole 17 and the lower fixing hole 18 will be described later.

[0015] The housing 10 has a hood portion 12 at its end 16 in the +Y direction. The hood portion 12 surrounds the three cavities 11 when viewed in the Y direction. The hood portion 12 surrounds the entire +Y direction end 16 of the housing 10. The hood portion 12 is spaced apart from all three cavities 11 when viewed in the Y direction. A groove portion 12a is formed between the hood portion 12 and the cavity 11. A female connector enters the groove portion 12a when the connector 1 is connected to a mating connector (not shown). The mating connector is mated with the groove portion 12a. As described below, the depth of the groove portion 12a in the Y direction is closer to the +Y direction end 16 than the -Y direction end position of the terminal 20 housed in the cavity 11. The depth of the groove portion 12a in the Y direction is closer to the +Y direction end 16 than the spacer 30, described below. The hood portion 12, the cavity 11, and the groove portion 12a act as a guide when connecting a mating connector.

[0016] The housing 10 has grooves 13 and 14 on the outer periphery in the -Y direction relative to the hood portion 12. Groove 13 is continuous around the entire circumference of the housing 10 along the ZX plane. Both grooves 14 are formed around the entire circumference of the housing 10. Groove 13 and groove 14 are adjacent to each other in the Y direction. Groove 13 is adjacent to groove 14 in the +Y direction. Groove 14 is located in the -Y direction relative to groove 13. A sealing ring 43, described later, is fitted into groove 13. A sealing ring 44, described later, is fitted into groove 14. The housing 10 is formed so that the outer periphery in the −Y direction from the groove 14 has a smaller outer diameter dimension than the end 16 in the +Y direction.

[0017] The housing 10 has an open end in the -Y direction. The opening at the end in the -Y direction of the housing 10 is connected to the cavity 11. The outer shape of the -Y direction end of the housing 10 is smaller than the outer shape of the hood portion 12. The outer shape of the ZX plane of the housing 10 at the -Y direction end is smaller than the outer shape of the XZ plane of the hood portion 12. The outer periphery of the opening at the end of the housing 10 in the -Y direction is covered by a cover part 50, which will be described later. An electric wire W is inserted into the opening at the end of the housing 10 in the -Y direction via the cover part 50 and a sealing ring 41, which will be described later.

[0018] <Terminal> An electric wire W is connected to the end of the terminal 20 in the -Y direction. The terminal 20 is connected to the end of the electric wire W in the +Y direction. The terminal 20 has a rectangular portion 21 and a connecting portion 22. The rectangular portion 21 can be connected to a terminal of a mating connector. The connecting portion 22 is connected to an electric wire W. The connecting portion 22 is continuous with the rectangular portion 21 in the −Y direction.

[0019] The rectangular portion 21 has a rectangular ZX cross-sectional shape. The rectangular portion 21 is formed in the shape of a column with a rectangular cross-section having an axis along the Y direction. The rectangular portion 21 may be formed, for example, by bending a plate around the axis. The rectangular portion 21 has a thickness dimension along the Z direction that is smaller than its width dimension along the X direction. The rectangular portion 21 and the connecting portion 22 are formed from a conductive material such as metal. The rectangular portion 21 has the same ZX cross-sectional shape over its entire length in the Y direction, except for a notch 23, which will be described later. The rectangular portion 21 has the same thickness dimension along the Z direction over its entire length in the Y direction. The rectangular portion 21 has the same width dimension along the X direction over its entire length in the Y direction, except for the notch 23.

[0020] The length of rectangular portion 21 in the Y direction is smaller than the length of cavity 11 in the Y direction. Rectangular portion 21 is housed inside cavity 11, close to the end in the +Y direction. Rectangular portion 21 is housed inside cavity 11 together with connecting portion 22. The length of rectangular portion 21 in the X direction is slightly smaller than the X direction dimension inside cavity 11. The length of rectangular portion 21 in the Z direction is slightly smaller than the Z direction dimension inside cavity 11.

[0021] The rectangular portion 21 has a notch 23 near the center in the Y direction. The notches 23 are formed on both end portions of the rectangular portion 21 in the X direction. The notches 23 have shapes symmetrical to each other in the X direction with respect to the center of the rectangular portion 21. The notches 23 are each formed to reduce the width dimension of the rectangular portion 21 in the X direction. The notches 23 may be formed by cutting out a plate that forms the outer shape of the rectangular portion 21. The notches 23 are formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in the Z direction.

[0022] The shape and position of the notch 23 correspond to the shape and position of the upper fixing hole 17, the lower fixing hole 18, and the spacer 30. When viewed in the Z direction, the +Y-direction end (end face) 23c of the notch 23 has a linear shape that follows the X direction. When viewed in the Z direction, the -Y-direction end (end face) 23d of the notch 23 has a linear shape that follows the X direction. The width dimension of the notch 23 in the X direction is the same over the entire length in the Z direction. The width dimension of the notch 23 in the Y direction is the same over the entire length in the Z direction. The width of the notch 23 in the X direction is equal to the X direction dimension of the spacer 30 described later. The width of the notch 23 in the X direction is equal to or slightly larger than the X direction dimension of the base end portion 31 of the spacer 30 described later (see FIG. 6).

[0023] When terminal 20 is inserted into the cavity, +Y-direction end 23c of notch 23 coincides with +Y-direction end (end face) 17c of upper fixing hole 17 and +Y-direction end (end face) 18c of lower fixing hole 18. That is, as viewed in the Z direction, +Y-direction end 23c of notch 23 is positioned to overlap +Y-direction end face 17c of upper fixing hole 17 and +Y-direction end face 18c of lower fixing hole 18. As viewed in the Z direction, +Y-direction end 23c of notch 23 is positioned to coincide with +Y-direction end (end face) 31d of base end 31 of spacer 30, which will be described later, and +Y-direction end (end face) 33d of rib portion 33.

[0024] When terminal 20 is inserted into the cavity, -Y direction end 23d of notch 23 coincides with -Y direction end face 18d of lower fixing hole 18. In other words, when viewed in the Z direction, -Y direction end 23d of notch 23 is located at a position that coincides with -Y direction end face 18d of lower fixing hole 18. When the terminal 20 is inserted into the cavity, the -Y direction end 23d of the notch 23 is located closer to the -Y direction end 15 than the -Y direction end (end face) 17d of the upper fixing hole 17. The width of the notch 23 in the X direction is equal to or slightly larger than the X direction dimensions of a locking portion 32 and a rib portion 33 of a spacer 30, which will be described later.

[0025] <Spacer> Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a spacer of the connector of the embodiment, Fig. 5 is a front view showing the connector of the embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the YZ plane showing the connector of the embodiment. The spacer 30 has a base end portion 31, a locking portion 32, a rib portion 33, an operating portion 34, and a lower beam 35. The spacer 30 is an elastic member. The spacer 30 is elastically deformable. The spacer 30 is formed from an elastic material such as resin. The base end portion 31, the locking portion 32, the rib portion 33, the operating portion 34, and the lower beam 35 are integrally formed in the spacer 30. The spacer 30 is a resin spacer for terminal locking.

[0026] The lower beam 35 extends in the X direction. The lower beam 35 has an operating portion 34 protruding in the +Y direction near the center in the X direction. The lower beam 35 has a rectangular YZ cross section excluding the operating portion 34. The X-direction dimension of the lower beam 35 is the same as the X-direction dimension inside the cavity 11 and the X-direction dimension of the rectangular portion 21. Base ends 31 are connected to both ends of the lower beam 35 extending in the X direction. The Y-direction dimension of the lower beam 35 is the same as the Y-direction dimension of the lower fixing hole 18 and the Y-direction dimension of the notch 23. The Y-direction dimension of the lower beam 35 is the same as the overall length of the lower beam 35 along the X direction, excluding the operating portion 34.

[0027] Two base ends 31 are provided on one spacer 30. Both base ends 31 extend in the Z direction. The base ends 31 rise in the +Z direction from both ends of the lower beam 35 in the X direction. The -Z direction ends of both base ends 31 are connected to the lower beam 35. The two base ends 31 have shapes that are perpendicular to the center of the lower beam 35 in the X direction. The distance in the X direction that the two base ends 31 are separated from each other is equal to the X direction dimension of the rectangular portion 21. The two base ends 31 sandwich the rectangular portion 21 in the X direction. The X-direction dimension of the base end portion 31 is the same as the X-direction dimension of the upper fixing hole 17 and the X-direction dimension of the notch 23. The X-direction dimension of the base end portion 31 is the same as the X-direction dimension of the lock portion 32 and the X-direction dimension of the rib portion 33.

[0028] The Y-direction dimension of the base end 31 is larger than the X-direction dimension of the base end 31. The base end 31 is plate-shaped. The Y-direction dimension of the base end 31 is the same as the Y-direction dimension of the lower beam 35. The Y-direction dimension of the base end 31 is the same as the Y-direction dimension of the lower fixing hole 18 and the Y-direction dimension of the cutout 23. The Y-direction dimension of the base end 31 is uniform at the position in the Z direction where it contacts the lower fixing hole 18. The base end 31 contacts the lower fixing hole 18 near the -Z-direction end. The Y-direction dimension of the base end 31 is smaller at the +Z-direction end than at the -Z-direction end.

[0029] The XY cross section of each of the base ends 31 is rectangular. The -Y direction end (end face) 31c of the base end 31 and the +Y direction end (end face) 31d are parallel to each other. The -Y direction end face 31c of the base end 31 and the +Y direction end face 31d are along the YZ plane. The -Y direction end face 31c of the base end 31 and the +Y direction end face 31d both coincide with the Y direction end of the lower beam 35. The end of the base end 31 in the +Z direction is connected to the lock portion 32 and the rib portion 33 .

[0030] The locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 are provided as a pair on one base end portion 31. One pair of the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 is provided on one base end portion 31. In other words, two pairs of the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 are provided on one spacer 30. The pairs of the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 are spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The pairs of the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 sandwich the rectangular portion 21 in the X direction. The distance in the X direction by which the pairs of the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 are spaced apart from each other is equal to the dimension in the X direction between the notches 23 located on both sides of the rectangular portion 21.

[0031] The locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 extend in the Z direction. The locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 are parallel to each other. The locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 are aligned in the Y direction. The locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 are spaced apart in the Y direction. The locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 both extend in the +Z direction from the end of the base end portion 31 in the +Z direction. The locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 pass through the upper fixing hole 17 at positions aligned along the Y direction.

[0032] The locking portion 32 is disposed at a position closer to the end portion 15 in the -Y direction than the rib portion 33. The locking portion 32 is disposed at a position closer to the end portion 15 in the -Y direction at the end portion of the base end portion 31 in the +Z direction. The locking portion 32 is connected to the base end portion 31 at a position spaced apart from the rib portion 33 in the -Y direction.

[0033] The locking portion 32 passes through the upper fixing hole 17. The tip 32a of the locking portion 32 protrudes in the +Z direction further than the upper surface of the cavity 11 in the +Z direction. The locking portion 32 has a protrusion 36 near the tip 32a. The protrusion 36 protrudes in the -Y direction. The width dimension of the locking portion 32 in the -Y direction increases near the tip 32a due to the protrusion 36. The locking portion 32 has a rectangular XY cross-sectional shape excluding the protrusion 36. The locking portion 32 is columnar with the protrusion 36 protruding in the -Y direction. The locking portion 32 has the same XY cross-sectional shape over its entire length in the Z direction excluding the protrusion 36.

[0034] The locking portion 32 has an end (end face) 32c in the -Y direction, which is closer to the base end 31 than the protrusion 36, and an end (end face) 32d in the +Y direction, which are parallel to each other. The locking portion 32 has an end face 32c in the -Y direction, which is closer to the base end 31 than the protrusion 36, and an end face 32d in the +Y direction, which are aligned along the YZ plane. The -Y direction end face 32c of the locking portion 32 is closer to the rib portion 33 in the Y direction than the -Z direction end face 31c of the base end 31. The protrusion 36 protrudes in the -Y direction further than the end face 32c in the -Y direction. The -Z direction surface of the protrusion 36 is formed on a plane along the XY plane. The protrusion 36 is located in the Z direction at a position where the -Z direction surface is in contact with the upper surface of the cavity 11 in the +Z direction.

[0035] The rib portion 33 is positioned closer to the end portion 16 in the +Y direction than the locking portion 32. The rib portion 33 passes through the upper fixing hole 17. As shown in FIG. 5, the tip 33a of the rib portion 33 protrudes in the +Z direction from the upper surface of the cavity 11 in the +Z direction. Unlike the locking portion 32, the rib portion 33 does not have a protrusion 36. The rib portion 33 has a rectangular XY cross-sectional shape. The rib portion 33 has the same XY cross-sectional shape over its entire length in the Z direction. The rib portion 33 is a rib that prevents the locking arm from bending.

[0036] The +Z-direction end face 33d of the rib portion 33 is formed on a plane along the XY plane. The -Z-direction end (end face) 33c of the rib portion 33 is formed on a plane along the XY plane. The -Y-direction end face 33c and the +Y-direction end face 33d of the rib portion 33 are parallel to each other. A tip 33a of the rib portion 33 is located at the same position in the Z direction as a tip 32a of the locking portion 32. A base end of the rib portion 33 is connected to the +Z direction end of the base end portion 31 at the same position in the Z direction as the base end of the locking portion 32. An end face 33d in the +Z direction of the rib portion 33 is flush with an end face 31d in the +Z direction of the base end portion 31.

[0037] The -Y direction end face 32c of the locking portion 32 and the +Y direction end face 33d of the rib portion 33 are parallel to each other. In the Y direction, the distance 32T between the -Y direction end face 32c of the locking portion 32 and the +Y direction end face 33d of the rib portion 33 is the same as the Y direction distance of the upper fixing hole 17. In the Y direction, the distance between the +Y direction end face 33d of the rib portion 33 and the protrusion 36 is greater than the Y direction distance of the upper fixing hole 17.

[0038] In the Y direction, a distance 32t between the +Y-direction end face 32d of the locking portion 32 and the -Y-direction end face 33c of the rib portion 33 is the same as, but larger than, the length by which the convex portion 36 protrudes from the -Y-direction end face 32c. The distance 32t is the X-direction separation distance between the +Y-direction end face 32d of the locking portion 32 and the -Y-direction end face 33c of the rib portion 33. The distance 32t corresponds to the X-direction separation distance between the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33. The Y-direction protrusion length of the convex portion 36 is the same as or smaller than the separation distance 32t between the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33. The separation distance 32t is larger at a position close to the tip 32a of the locking portion 32 and the tip 33a of the rib portion 33 than at a position close to the base end portion 31 in the Z direction.

[0039] <Cover> The cover portion 50 covers a portion of the housing 10 that is close to the end 15. The end 15 of the housing 10 is inserted into the cover portion 50 in the -Y direction. The ZX cross-sectional shape of the cover portion 50 surrounds the ZX cross-sectional shape contour of the housing 10 near the end 15. The -Y direction end of the cover portion 50 is almost even with the end 15. The +Y direction end of the cover portion 50 reaches close to the groove portion 14. The +Y direction end of the cover portion 50 sandwiches a sealing ring 44 between itself and the outer periphery of the housing 10.

[0040] <Electric wire> The electric wires W are electrically connected to the rectangular portion 21 via the connection portion 22. Sealing rings 41 are attached to the electric wires W at positions close to the connection portion 22. A sealing ring 41 is attached to each electric wire W. The sealing rings 41, 43, and 44 are sealing members. The sealing members are made of, for example, waterproof rubber. The sealing members shield the inside of the cavity 11. The sealing ring 41 is housed in the wire guide portion 60 .

[0041] <Wire guide section> The wire guide portion 60 has an upper guide portion 61 and a lower guide portion 62. The upper guide portion 61 covers the three sealing rings 41 from the +Z direction. The lower guide portion 62 covers the three sealing rings 41 from the -Z direction. The upper guide portion 61 and the lower guide portion 62 sandwich the three sealing rings 41 in the Z direction, and the wire guide portion 60 is inserted into the housing 10 in the +Y direction with the sealing rings 41 sandwiched between them. The wire guide portion 60 is inserted into the housing 10 simultaneously with the terminals 20. When the wire guide portion 60 is inserted into the housing 10, the outer periphery of the housing 10 is covered by the cover portion 50.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the function of the spacer of the connector according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 1 is made by assembling the electric wire W, the sealing ring 41, the upper guide portion 61, the lower guide portion 62, the sealing ring 43, the sealing ring 44, the cover portion 50, and the housing 10.

[0043] During assembly, the terminals 20 are inserted into the cavities 11 of the housing 10 in the +Y direction. The terminals 20 are moved in the +Y direction. The +Y direction ends of the terminals 20 are stored inside the cavities 11 to a position close to the +Y direction ends. When the terminals 20 are in the stored position, the Y direction positions of the notches 23 inside the cavities 11 coincide with the upper fixing holes 17 and the lower fixing holes 18. The +Y direction end 23c of the notches 23 coincides with the +Y direction end face 17c of the upper fixing hole 17 and the +Y direction end face 18c of the lower fixing hole 18. The end faces 23c, 17c, and 18c are flush with each other. Furthermore, the spacer 30 is inserted into the lower fixing hole 18 so that the tip 32a of the locking portion 32 and the tip 33a of the rib portion 33 face in the +Z direction. The spacer 30 is then moved in the +Z direction so that the tip 32a of the locking portion 32 and the tip 33a of the rib portion 33 are inserted into the upper fixing hole 17.

[0044] When the protrusion 36 passes through the upper fixing hole 17, the locking portion 32 elastically deforms so as to bend in the + direction. After the protrusion 36 passes through the upper fixing hole 17, the locking portion 32 returns to its original shape. Then, the surface of the protrusion 36 facing the -Z direction comes into contact with the upper surface of the cavity 11 facing the +Z direction. The protrusion 36 is locked to the cavity 11. At the same time, the lower beam 35 is in the lower fixing hole 18 and comes into contact with the upper surface of the cavity 11 in the -Z direction. The spacer 30 is fixed in position in the Z direction at a position where the -Z direction surface of the protrusion 36 comes into contact with the upper surface of the cavity 11 in the +Z direction. The spacer 30 is fixed by the protrusion 36.

[0045] At the same time, the +Y-direction end face 33d of the rib portion 33 coincides with the +Y-direction end face 17c of the upper fixing hole 17 and the +Y-direction end face 18c of the lower fixing hole 18. In other words, the end face 33d, the end portion 23c, the end face 17c, and the end face 18c are flush with each other. The end face 33d is in contact with the end face 17c. With the above-described surfaces in contact with each other, the position of the spacer 30 in the Y direction is determined by the upper fixing hole 17 and the lower fixing hole 18.

[0046] The +Y-direction end face 31d of the base end portion 31 coincides with the +Y-direction end face 17c of the upper fixing hole 17, the +Y-direction end face 23c of the cutout 23, and the +Y-direction end face 18c of the lower fixing hole 18. The end face 31d is in contact with the end face 23c. The end face 31d is flush with the end face 18c. Because the end face 18c is flush with the +Y-direction end face 23c of the cutout 23, the end face 31d coincides with the end face 23c in the Y direction. In other words, the end face 31d, the end face 23c, the end face 17c, and the end face 18c are flush with each other. The end face 31d is in contact with the end face 18c.

[0047] Furthermore, the -Y direction end face 32c of the locking portion 32 coincides with the +Y direction end face 17c of the upper fixing hole 17. At the same time, the -Y direction end face 31c of the base end portion 31 coincides with the -Y direction end (end face) 18d of the lower fixing hole 18. The end face 32c is in contact with the end face 17c. The end face 31c is in contact with the end face 18c.

[0048] With the above-mentioned surfaces in contact with each other, the position of the spacer 30 in the Y direction is determined by the upper fixing hole 17 and the lower fixing hole 18. Similarly, with the above-mentioned surfaces in contact with each other, the Y-direction position of the terminal 20 is determined by the spacer 30 . In the connector 1 of the embodiment, the terminals 20 are inserted into the housing 10, and then the spacer 30 is assembled to fix the terminals 20 to the housing 10. At this time, the spacer 30 is locked into the upper fixing hole 17 of the housing 10 by the protrusion 36 at the tip of the locking portion 32.

[0049] Next, consider a case where the terminal 20 is pulled in the −Y direction. A situation in which the terminal 20 is pulled can easily occur, for example, when the housing 10 is fixed and the electric wire W is pulled in the −Y direction.

[0050] First, the +Y-direction end 23c of the notch 23 of the terminal 20 is in contact with the +Y-direction end face 31d of the base end 31. When the terminal 20 is pulled in the -Y direction, the spacer 30 is pushed in the -Y direction by the terminal 20. Then, the locking portion 32 of the spacer 30 is pressed in the -Y direction toward the -Y-direction end face 17d of the upper fixing hole 17. At the same time, the base end 31 of the spacer 30 is pressed in the -Y direction toward the -Y-direction end face 17d of the lower fixing hole 18.

[0051] The locking portion 32 is elastically deformed because its Y-direction dimension is smaller than that of the base end portion 31. The -Y-direction end face 32c of the locking portion 32 is pressed in the +Y-direction by the +Y-direction end face 17d of the upper fixing hole 17. 7, the tip 32a of the locking portion 32 bends from the base end in the -Z direction toward the +Y direction. The tip 32a of the locking portion 32 tilts from the base end in the -Z direction toward the +Y direction. The rib portion 33 is located further in the +Y direction than the locking portion 32. Therefore, the tip 32a of the locking portion 32 comes into contact with the end face 33c of the rib portion 33 in the -Y direction.

[0052] When the tip 32a of the locking portion 32 comes into contact with the end face 33c, the locking portion 32 does not deform any further. In other words, the movement distance of the tip 32a in the +Y direction does not exceed the distance 32t. In other words, the movement distance of the tip 32a in the +Y direction can be limited to a range smaller than the distance 32t. The rib portion 33 acts as a deflection prevention portion for the locking portion 32.

[0053] Since the movement distance of the tip 32a is within a range smaller than the distance 32t, the locking portion 32 does not deform until the protrusion 36 is positioned in the +Y direction relative to the -Y direction end face 17d of the upper fixing hole 17. In other words, the locking portion 32 does not deform until the protrusion 36 is positioned so as to come out of the upper fixing hole 17. The locking portion 32 maintains the locked state. Therefore, the spacer 30 remains in a state where it cannot come out of the housing 10.

[0054] Moreover, the spacer 30 has two sets of locking portions 32 and rib portions 33, one at each end in the X direction. Therefore, the spacer 30 does not have one of the locking portions 32 come off the housing 10. The spacer 30 maintains a state in which it does not come off the housing 10. With this configuration, the spacer 30 can maintain the locked state, so that the terminal 20 will not come out of the cavity 11 even if the terminal 20 is pulled in the −Y direction.

[0055] In contrast, in a conventional structure without the rib portion 33, the locking portion 32 may deform to a position where the protrusion 36 comes out of the upper fixing hole 17, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 7, and the locked state may not be maintained.

[0056] <Action and effect> The connector 1 of the embodiment includes a housing 10 having a cavity (hole) 11 extending in the Y direction (first direction), a terminal 20 connected to an electric wire W and inserted into the cavity 11, and a spacer (locking member) 30 including a base end 31, a locking portion (locking arm) 32 extending from the base end 31 in the Z direction (second direction), and a rib portion (deflection prevention rib) 33 aligned with the locking portion 32 in the Y direction and extending from the base end 31 in the Z direction. With this configuration, when the electric wire W is pulled in the -Y direction, causing the terminal 20 to be pulled in the -Y direction, the locking portion 32 is pressed against the cavity 11 by the terminal 20, and the tip 32a is deflected so as to tilt toward the +Y direction. Then, the locking portion 32 contacts the rib portion 33 while maintaining a protrusion (engagement margin) 36 that engages with the housing 10, thereby restricting deflection of the locking portion 32. The spacer 3- is less likely to come off the housing 10. At the same time, the terminal 20 is less likely to come off the housing 10.

[0057] In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the locking portion 32 is connected to the base end 31 at a position spaced apart from the rib portion 36 in one direction in which the terminal 20 is removed from the cavity 11. In other words, the protrusion 36 of the locking portion 32 is located on the opposite side of the rib portion 33, on the -Y direction side in which the wire W is pulled. In other words, the load in the -Y direction that causes the terminal 20 to come out when the wire W is pulled or when mating with a mating connector terminal is not in a direction that reduces the engagement of the locking portion 32. Therefore, even when a force in the -Y direction is applied, the spacer 30 can firmly hold the terminal 20 without it falling off the housing 10. This makes it difficult for the terminal 20 to come out of the housing 10.

[0058] Furthermore, the spacer 30 has two sets of locking portions 32 and rib portions 33, one on each side of the terminal 20 in the X direction. With this configuration, the spacer 30 can lock the terminal 20 on both sides of the terminal 20 in the X direction, thereby stably fixing the terminal 20. Furthermore, terminal 20 has notches 23 recessed in a third direction intersecting with the first and second directions at positions corresponding to the pairs of locking portion 32 and rib portion 33. This configuration enables spacer 30 to reliably lock terminal 20, making it difficult for terminal 20 to come out of housing 10.

[0059] In the connector 1 of the embodiment, the rib portion 33, which is a deflection prevention rib, is provided at a position corresponding to the deflection direction of the locking portion 32 due to pulling of the electric wire W in the -Y direction. This structure for increasing the holding force can suppress a decrease in the engagement allowance of the locking portion 32 with the housing 10 of the spacer 30 due to pulling of the electric wire W in the -Y direction, i.e., the reduction in the length in the -Y direction over which the protrusion 36 is caught.

[0060] The locking portion 32 has a protrusion 36 that protrudes in the first direction in the direction in which the terminal 20 is removed from the cavity 11 and is locked to the housing 10. Furthermore, the protrusion 36 that holds the spacer 30 so that it does not come off the housing 10 also serves as a structure for locking the terminal 20. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced with a simple structure.

[0061] In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the protruding length of the convex portion 36 in the first direction is equal to or smaller than the separation distance 32t between the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33. Furthermore, the clearance between the upper fixing hole 17 and the spacer 30 is eliminated to prevent the engagement allowance from decreasing due to excessive deflection of the locking portion 32. With this structure, even if the electric wire W is pulled in the −Y direction, an engagement margin for the lock of the spacer 30 is ensured, preventing the lock from being released and the spacer 30 from falling off the housing 10. The terminal 20 is less likely to come off the housing 10.

[0062] In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 have the same length in the second direction from the base end 31 to the tip 32a and tip 33a. Therefore, even if the wire W is pulled in the -Y direction and the locking portion 32 is bent in the +Y direction, the locking portion 32 reliably contacts the end face 32c of the rib portion 33, preventing the locking portion 32 from deforming significantly. Therefore, when the wire W is pulled in the -Y direction during vehicle installation or connector assembly, the spacer 30 is less likely to fall off due to the wire W being released from its engagement with the housing 10. This also makes it difficult for the terminal 20 to come off the housing 10.

[0063] The separation distance 32t between the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 is greater in the second direction at a position close to the tip ends 32a, 33a of the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 than at a position close to the base end 31. This makes it easier to insert the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33 into the fixing hole 17, and also increases the strength of the locking portion 32 and the rib portion 33.

[0064] Several embodiments and modifications have been described above. However, the embodiments and modifications are not limited to the examples described above. For example, in the embodiments, it is also possible to individually select the individual configurations described above and combine them to implement the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1...Connector 10. Housing 11...Cavity (hole) 12...Hood section 12a...Groove 13, 14...Groove 15,16...End 17...Top fixing hole (fixing hole) 17c, 17d…End (end face) 18…Lower fixing hole (fixing hole) 18c, 18d...end (end face) 20...Terminal 21...Rectangular part 22...Connection 23...Notch 23c, 23d...end (end face) 30...Spacer 31...Proximal end 31c, 31d...End (end face) 32...Rock section 32a,33a...Tip 32c, 32d…End (end face) 32t…separation distance 32T…distance 33...Rib section 33c, 33d...end (end face) 34...Operation unit 35…lower digit 36...Convex part 41, 43, 44...Sealing rings 50...Cover part 60...Wire guide section 61...Upper guide section 62…Lower guide part W…Electric wire

Claims

1. a housing having a cavity extending in a first direction; a terminal connected to an end of the electric wire and inserted into the cavity; a spacer including a base end portion, a lock portion extending from the base end portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a rib portion extending from the base end portion in the second direction and aligned with the lock portion in the first direction; Equipped with The spacer has a locking portion that is engaged with the housing to restrict movement of the terminal relative to the housing in the first direction, and the locking portion and the rib portion have a relative position where the locking portion bent in the first direction comes into contact with the rib portion to restrict the bending of the locking portion and maintain the locking to the housing. connector.

2. the locking portion is connected to the base end portion at a position spaced apart from the rib portion in the first direction in a direction in which the terminal is removed from the cavity; The connector according to claim 1.

3. The spacer has two pairs of the lock portion and the rib portion at positions sandwiching the terminal. The connector according to claim 2.

4. The locking portion has a protrusion that protrudes in a direction in which the terminal is removed from the cavity in the first direction and is engaged with the housing. The connector according to claim 2.

5. the terminal has a notch recessed in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction at a position corresponding to the pair of the locking portion and the rib portion; The connector according to claim 3.

6. a protruding length of the convex portion in the first direction is equal to or smaller than a distance between the lock portion and the rib portion; The connector according to claim 4.

7. the separation distance between the locking portion and the rib portion is larger at a position close to the tip end of the locking portion and the rib portion in the second direction than at a position close to the base end of the locking portion and the rib portion in the second direction; The connector according to claim 6.

8. The locking portion and the rib portion have the same length from the base end to the tip in the second direction. The connector according to claim 7.

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