connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can ensure the stability of the retainer's locking to the terminal. [Solution] The retainer 60 is positioned in the mounting hole 37 of the housing 30 and moves left and right from a temporary locking position to a permanent locking position. The main body 61 of the retainer 60 is positioned with a gap between it and the front surface of the mounting hole 37 at the temporary locking position. The front projections of the retainer 60 (each end front projection 74 and the intermediate front projection 73) are positioned to contact the front surface of the mounting hole 37 at the temporary locking position. The rear surface of the mounting hole 37 has a push-in portion 45 that pushes the retainer 60 forward as it moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. The front surface of the mounting hole 37 has recesses (each end recess 48 and the intermediate recess 44) that accommodate the front projections at the permanent locking position of the retainer 60.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a terminal, a housing that houses the terminal, and a side retainer (hereinafter referred to as "retainer") attached to the housing. The retainer is movable in the left-right direction between a temporary locking position and a main locking position with respect to the housing. This retainer has an elastically deformable lance. The lance is disposed so as to be able to engage with the terminal from the rear at each of the temporary locking position and the main locking position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the retainer is in the main locking position, a clearance (gap) occurs between the terminal and the lance due to assembly tolerances and dimensional tolerances. If a large clearance occurs between the terminal and the lance, the stability of the engagement of the retainer with the terminal is impaired, and problems such as impairment of the stability of the connection state between the terminal and the mating terminal may occur.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector capable of ensuring the stability of the engagement of the retainer with the terminal.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure is a connector comprising a housing, a retainer, and terminals, wherein the housing has a cavity extending in the front-rear direction and a mounting hole intersecting the cavity, the retainer is arranged to be movable between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction while positioned in the mounting hole relative to the housing, the terminals are positioned in the cavity and are prevented from coming out of the cavity rearward by the retainer in the permanent locking position, and the retainer The connector comprises a main body portion positioned with a gap between it and the front surface of the mounting hole at the temporary locking position, and a front projection portion projecting forward from the main body portion, wherein the front projection portion faces the front surface of the mounting hole so as to be in contact with it at the temporary locking position, the rear surface of the mounting hole has a push-in portion that pushes the retainer forward when it moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, and the front surface of the mounting hole has a recess that accommodates the front projection portion of the retainer at the permanent locking position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that can ensure the stability of the retainer's locking to the terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, in which the terminal housed in the housing is locked to the lance of the retainer. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view of the housing of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, viewed from one side. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan cross-sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, showing the housing cut in the middle section. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the retainer from the front in the connector according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view of the retainer in the connector according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a side view of the retainer in the connector according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, cut at a position corresponding to the lance when the retainer is positioned in a temporary locking position relative to the housing. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, cut at the position corresponding to the lance when the retainer is positioned in the locking position relative to the housing. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, cut at a position corresponding to the upper end of the retainer when the retainer is positioned in a temporary locking position relative to the housing. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, cut at a position corresponding to the upper end of the retainer when the retainer is positioned in the locking position relative to the housing. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an enlarged side view of the retainer housing portion in the housing, as seen from one side, when the retainer is positioned in a temporary locking position relative to the housing in the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an enlarged side view of the retainer housing portion in the housing, as seen from one side, when the retainer is positioned in a temporary locking position relative to the housing in the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a side view of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, when the retainer is positioned in the locking position relative to the housing, as seen from the other side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The connector disclosed herein is (1) A connector comprising a housing, a retainer, and a terminal, wherein the housing has a cavity extending in the front-rear direction and a mounting hole intersecting the cavity, the retainer is arranged to be movable between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction when positioned in the mounting hole relative to the housing, the terminal is positioned in the cavity and is prevented from coming out of the cavity rearward by the retainer in the permanent locking position, the retainer has a main body portion positioned with a gap between it and the front hole surface of the mounting hole in the temporary locking position, and a front projection portion projecting forward from the main body portion, the front projection portion facing the front hole surface of the mounting hole in the temporary locking position so as to be in contact with the front hole surface of the mounting hole, the rear hole surface of the mounting hole has a push portion that pushes the retainer forward when it moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, and the front hole surface of the mounting hole has a recess that accommodates the front projection portion of the retainer in the permanent locking position.

[0010] As the retainer moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the retainer is pushed forward by the push-in portion, reducing the clearance between the retainer and the terminal and ensuring the stability of the retainer's locking to the terminal. When the retainer is in the temporary locking position, there is a gap between the main body of the retainer and the front surface of the mounting hole, but the front projection faces the front surface of the mounting hole so that it can contact the front surface of the mounting hole, allowing the retainer to be positioned inside the mounting hole without rattling. When the retainer is in the permanent locking position, the front projection can be moved into the recess, avoiding interference between the front projection and the housing, and preventing increased assembly resistance when the retainer moves to the permanent locking position.

[0011] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, it is preferable that the retainer has a rear projection that protrudes rearward from the main body, and that the rear projection is opposite to the rear surface of the mounting hole at the locking position so as to be able to contact it.

[0012] When the retainer is in the main locking position, if the front protrusion escapes into the recess, there is a concern that a gap may occur between the main body portion and the hole surface on the rear side of the mounting hole. However, according to the configuration of (2) above, since the rear protrusion faces the hole surface on the rear side of the mounting hole in the main locking position, the retainer can be placed inside the mating hole without rattling even in the main locking position.

[0013] (3) In the connector according to (1) or (2) above, it is preferred that the mounting hole has an insertion opening that opens on one side surface of the housing, and the front protrusion reduces the amount of exposure from the insertion opening from the temporary locking position to the main locking position.

[0014] According to the configuration of (3) above, after performing the operation to move the retainer to the main locking position, by checking the degree of reduction in the exposed amount of the front protrusion through the insertion opening, it is possible to detect whether the retainer has correctly moved to the main locking position.

[0015] (4) In the connector according to any one of (1) to (3) above, the mounting hole is provided from the insertion opening that opens on one side surface of the housing to the inner end surface closer to the other side surface of the housing, and a window hole communicating with the mounting hole opens on the other side surface of the housing, and it is preferred that the front protrusion is arranged so as to face the window hole in the main locking position.

[0016] According to the configuration of (4) above, after performing the operation to move the retainer to the main locking position, by checking whether the front protrusion is visible through the window hole, it is possible to detect whether the retainer has correctly moved to the main locking position.

[0017] (5) In the connector according to any one of (1) to (4) above, the retainer has an elastically deformable lance that faces the terminal from the rear at each of the temporary locking position and the main locking position, and it is preferred that the lance contacts the terminal in the main locking position.

[0018] When the lance is in contact with the terminal in the locked position, the terminal is housed in the cavity without any rattling. For example, if the terminal is a shield terminal connected to a shielded wire, the shielding performance can be improved.

[0019] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples and is intended to be included in the claims, with all modifications in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0020] <Embodiment 1> The connector 10 according to Embodiment 1 comprises a terminal 20, a housing 30 that accommodates the terminal 20, and a retainer 60 that is attached to the housing 30. The terminal 20 is a so-called shield terminal and is connected to the end portion of a shielded wire 100. The housing 30 mates with a mating connector (not shown). In the following description, the front-rear direction is defined as the side of the housing 30 that mates with the mating connector being the front. The up-down direction is based on the up-down direction in each figure except for Figures 6, 10, and 11. The reference numerals X, Y, and Z in Figures 1 and 2 represent the front, right, and up directions, respectively. The directional references are for convenience only and do not necessarily coincide with the directional references when the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like (not shown).

[0021] (Terminals) As shown in Figure 2, the terminal 20 has an inner conductor 21, a dielectric 22 that houses the inner conductor 21, and an outer conductor 23 that surrounds the dielectric 22. The inner conductor 21 and the outer conductor 23 are made of conductive metals. The dielectric 22 is made of synthetic resin (insulating resin). The dielectric 22 maintains an insulating state between the outer conductor 23 and the inner conductor 21. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the inner conductors 21 are housed in pairs in the left-right direction inside the dielectric 22 and are connected to the insulated wires 110 (twisted pair wires, etc.) of the shielded wire 100 by crimping. As shown in Figure 2, the inner conductor 21 has a male tab 24 at its front. The outer conductor 23 has a cylindrical portion 25 in front of the dielectric 22. The male tab 24 protrudes from the dielectric 22 into the interior of the cylindrical portion 25.

[0022] The outer conductor 23 has a locking projection 26 that protrudes upward. The locking projection 26 is claw-shaped and is formed by cutting (bending) a part of the upper wall of the outer conductor 23. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the lance 66 of the retainer 60, which will be described later, can be locked onto the locking projection 26. The outer conductor 23 also has a pair of left and right protruding pieces 27 that protrude downward. As shown in Figure 1, the protruding pieces 27 are plate-shaped along the front-rear direction and are formed by the downwardly protruding portions on the left and right side walls of the outer conductor 23. As shown in Figure 9, each protruding piece 27 is locked onto a retaining piece 72 of the retainer 60, which will be described later.

[0023] (housing) The housing 30 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the housing 30 is constructed by sequentially connecting a fitting portion 31, a housing body 32, and a rear cylindrical portion 33 from the front to the rear. As shown in Figure 1, the fitting portion 31, the housing body 32, and the rear cylindrical portion 33 all have a rectangular outer shape. The fitting portion 31 and the housing body 32 are each formed to be slightly larger than the rear cylindrical portion 33.

[0024] The mating portion 31 has a front cylindrical portion 34 and a hood portion 35 that surrounds the outer circumference of the front cylindrical portion 34. A mating housing of a mating connector (not shown) is fitted and inserted between the hood portion 35 and the front cylindrical portion 34. A locking portion capable of securing the mating housing when mating is formed on the upper wall of the hood portion 35, but this is not shown.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the front cylindrical portion 34 and the rear cylindrical portion 33 have cavities 36 extending in the front-rear direction. The housing body 32 has mounting holes 37 that intersect with the cavities 36. The terminals 20 are housed from the cavity 36 of the front cylindrical portion 34 through the mounting holes 37. The end portion of the shielded wire 100 is housed in the cavity 36 of the rear cylindrical portion 33.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the mounting hole 37 has an insertion opening 38 that opens on one side (right side) of the housing body 32. As shown in Figures 4, 8 and 9, the mounting hole 37 extends in the left-right direction from the insertion opening 38 to the inner end surface 46 near the other side (left side) of the housing body 32. The retainer 60 is inserted into the mounting hole 37 from one side (right side) of the housing body 32 through the insertion opening 38.

[0027] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the upper and lower surfaces of the mounting hole 37 (the downward-facing surface and the upward-facing surface) each have recessed first locking receiving portion 41 and second locking receiving portion 42, arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The first locking receiving portion 41 is positioned to one side of the second locking receiving portion 42. The left-right opening width of the second locking receiving portion 42 is greater than the left-right opening width of the first locking receiving portion 41. The first locking receiving portion 41 and the second locking receiving portion 42 are designed to accommodate the first locking receiving portion 67 and the second locking receiving portion 68 of the retainer 60, which will be described later.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the width of the mounting hole 37 in the front-to-back direction is narrower in the upper and lower middle section compared to the upper and lower ends, forming an H shape (inverted H shape) in side view. The housing body 32 has a pair of intermediate protrusions 39 that extend inward in the front-to-back direction in the upper-to-lower middle section of the mounting hole 37. Each intermediate protrusion 39 faces the other with a gap in the front-to-back direction via the upper-to-lower middle section of the mounting hole 37. As shown in Figure 4, an intermediate slope 43 is formed on one side of the rear intermediate protrusion 39, which slopes inward to the left and right (to the other side) as it extends forward. An intermediate recess 44 extending in the left-to-right direction is formed on the rear surface of the front intermediate protrusion 39 (the surface facing the rear intermediate protrusion 39).

[0029] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the front hole surfaces (facing rear) at both the upper and lower ends of the mounting hole 37 of the housing body 32 are front wall surfaces 53 arranged along the left-right direction, except for the end recesses 48 and the like which will be described later. The rear hole surfaces (facing forward) at both the upper and lower ends of the mounting hole 37 of the housing body 32 are rear wall surfaces 54 arranged along the left-right direction, except for the push-in portions 45 and the like which will be described later. The front hole surfaces and rear hole surfaces at the upper and lower intermediate parts of the mounting hole 37 of the housing body 32 are also wall surfaces corresponding to the front wall surface 53 and the rear wall surface 54, respectively. As shown in Figures 3, 10, and 11, the rear wall surface 54 of the mounting hole 37 has a push-in portion 45 that slopes forward as it moves to the other side. The push-in portion 45 is located near the rear end surface 46 of the mounting hole 37. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, a straight surface portion 47 is formed between the rear end surface 46 of the mounting hole 37 and the push-in portion 45, oriented in the left-right direction. The pair of upper and lower push-in portions 45 serve to push the retainer 60 forward as it moves to the locking position, as will be described later.

[0030] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, an end recess 48 is formed as a recess in the front wall surface 53 of the mounting hole 37. The end recess 48 is located near the rear end surface 46 of the mounting hole 37 and faces the push-in portion 45 and the straight surface portion 47 in the front-rear direction. One side of the end recess 48 (the side facing the other direction) has a sloped shape that inclines forward as it moves to the other side.

[0031] As shown in Figure 14, the other side of the housing body 32 has a pair of upper and lower end window holes 51 and an intermediate window hole 52 located between the end window holes 51 in the vertical direction. Each end window hole 51 is a slit-shaped hole extending in the vertical direction and communicates with each end recess 48 (see Figures 10 and 11). The intermediate window hole 52 is also a slit-shaped hole extending in the vertical direction and communicates with the intermediate recess 44 (see Figure 4). The intermediate window hole 52 is located in front of each end window hole 51 in the front-rear direction. Each end window hole 51 is located at the same position as each other in the front-rear direction.

[0032] (Retainer) The retainer 60 is made of synthetic resin. When inserted into the mounting hole 37, the retainer 60 is movable in the left-right direction between a temporary locking position (see Figures 8 and 10) and a permanent locking position (see Figures 9 and 11) relative to the housing 30.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the retainer 60 has a main body portion 61 that forms a rectangular frame when viewed from the front. The main body portion 61 has an H shape (inverted H shape) when viewed from the side. As shown in Figure 10, when the retainer 60 is in the temporary locking position, the main body portion 61 is positioned to be in contact with the rear wall surface 54 of the mounting hole 37 and away from the front wall surface 53 of the mounting hole 37. As shown in Figure 11, when the retainer 60 is in the permanent locking position, the main body portion 61 is positioned to be in contact with the front wall surface 53 of the mounting hole 37 and away from the rear wall surface 54 of the mounting hole 37.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the main body 61 has a lower wall 62, an upper wall 63, and a pair of left and right side walls 64 and 65 connecting the lower wall 62 and the upper wall 63, respectively. Each side wall 64 and 65 is installed vertically between the front and rear intermediate portions of the lower surface of the lower wall 62 and the upper surface of the upper wall 63. Of the pair of left and right side walls 64 and 65, one side wall 64 has a greater thickness in the left-right direction than the other side wall 65.

[0035] A lance 66 is formed in the upper wall 63 of the main body 61. The lance 66 is elastically deformable within a pair of left and right notches formed in a part of the upper wall 63 of the main body 61. The lance 66 has a shape that extends in the front-rear direction within each notch and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction with the rear end of the main body 61 as the pivot point.

[0036] On the upper surface of the upper wall 63 and the lower surface of the lower wall 62 of the main body 61, a first locking portion 67 and a second locking portion 68 are formed, protruding side by side in the left-right direction. Both the first locking portion 67 and the second locking portion 68 have a rib shape that extends in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first locking portion 67 is positioned behind and to one side of the second locking portion 68. As shown in Figure 5, the upper wall 63 and the lower wall 62 of the main body 61 have a deflection-allowing space 69 that allows for the elastic deformation of the first locking portion 67 and the second locking portion 68. On the upper wall 63 of the main body 61, the first locking portion 67, the second locking portion 68 and the deflection-allowing space 69 are positioned to one side of the lance 66 and are arranged alongside the lance 66.

[0037] A pair of left and right relief grooves 71 are formed on the upper surface of the lower wall 62 of the main body 61. Each relief groove 71 extends in the front-rear direction and is spaced apart in the left-right direction. During the insertion process of the terminal 20, each projection 27 enters and is released into each relief groove 71 (see Figure 8). A pair of left and right retaining portions 72 are also formed on the upper surface of the lower wall 62 of the main body 61 at positions adjacent to each relief groove 71. Each retaining portion 72 has a vertical front surface facing forward in the front-rear intermediate part of the lower wall 62 of the main body 61. When the retainer 60 is in the locked position, the front surface of each retaining portion 72 faces the rear end of each projection 27 so as to be able to contact it, preventing the terminal 20 from coming out of the cavity 36 (see Figure 9).

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the retainer 60 has an intermediate front projection 73 that protrudes forward from the front surface of one side wall 64. The intermediate front projection 73 extends in the vertical direction with a constant cross-sectional shape (trapezoidal cross-section). One side of the intermediate front projection 73 has a sloping shape that inclines to the other side as it extends forward. The tip surface (front end surface) of the intermediate front projection 73 is positioned vertically along the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 9, when the retainer 60 is in the locked position, the intermediate front projection 73 enters and is released into the intermediate recess 44.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, the retainer 60 has a pair of upper and lower end-side front projections 74 that protrude forward from the front surfaces of the other ends of the upper wall 63 and the lower wall 62. Each end-side front projection 74 extends in the vertical direction with a constant cross-sectional shape (trapezoidal cross-section). The vertical dimension of the lower end-side front projection 74 is smaller than the vertical dimension of the upper end-side front projection 74. One side surface of each end-side front projection 74 has a sloping shape that inclines to the other side as it extends forward. The tip surface (front end surface) of each end-side front projection 74 is arranged vertically along the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 11, when the retainer 60 is in the locked position, the end-side front projections 74 enter and are released into the end-side recesses 48.

[0040] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the retainer 60 has a pair of upper and lower end-side rear projections 75 that project rearward from the rear surface of one end of the upper wall 63 and the lower wall 62. Each end-side rear projection 75 extends vertically with a constant cross-sectional shape (trapezoidal cross-section). Each end-side rear projection 75 is made up of the same shape and size as the others. The other side of each end-side rear projection 75 has a sloping shape that inclines toward the other side as it extends forward. The tip surface (rear end surface) of each end-side front projection 74 is arranged vertically along the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 11, when the retainer 60 is in the locking position, the tip surfaces of each end-side rear projection 75 face the rear wall surface 54 of the mounting hole 37 so as to be able to contact it.

[0041] (Function of the connector) During assembly, the retainer 60 is inserted into the mounting hole 37 from the insertion opening 38 of the housing 30. During the insertion of the retainer 60, the other side wall 65 of the main body 61 enters the upper and lower intermediate portion of the mounting hole 37, which is formed to be narrow in front-to-back width between the intermediate protrusions 39. As shown in Figure 8, the second locking portion 68 elastically fits into the second locking receiving portion 42, and the first locking portion 67 elastically fits into the first locking receiving portion 41, thereby holding the retainer 60 in a temporary locking position relative to the housing 30. When the retainer 60 is in the temporary locking position, one end of the main body 61 is positioned to protrude to one side from the insertion opening 38 of the housing 30.

[0042] As shown in Figure 12, when the retainer 60 is in the temporary locking position, the rear surfaces of the upper wall 63 and lower wall 62 of the main body 61 are positioned to contact the rear wall surface 54 of the mounting hole 37. Furthermore, in the temporary locking position, the tip surface of the intermediate front projection 73 is positioned to contact the front hole surface in the upper and lower intermediate part of the mounting hole 37, and the tip surfaces of each end-side front projection 74 are positioned to contact the front wall surface 53 of the mounting hole 37. As a result, the retainer 60 is held in the temporary locking position with reduced rattling relative to the housing 30. As shown in Figure 10, the other side of each end-side rear projection 75 is positioned to contact the chamfered portion 49 formed on one side end of the rear wall surface 54 of the mounting hole 37. As shown in Figure 12, when the retainer 60 is in the temporary locking position, each end-side front projection 74 and the intermediate front projection 73 are positioned so that one entire side surface is visible through the insertion opening 38. Each end-side rear projection 75 is positioned in front of the chamfered portion 49 so that the entire side surface is visible.

[0043] In the above state, the terminal 20 is inserted into the cavity 36 of the housing 30 from the rear. During the insertion of the terminal 20, the locking projection 26 interferes with the lance 66, causing the lance 66 to elastically deform upward. After the insertion of the terminal 20 is complete, the lance 66 elastically returns to its original position, and the tip surface of the lance 66 is positioned to lock behind the locking projection 26 (see Figure 8). At this time, a clearance in the front-rear direction may be formed between the lance 66 and the locking projection 26. Each projection 27 is positioned in front of each relief groove 71 and on the other side of each retaining portion 72, alongside the retaining portion 72.

[0044] Next, the retainer 60 is pushed to the other side and moved toward the locking position. As the retainer 60 moves toward the locking position, the beveled corner portion 77 (see Figure 10) formed on the rear surface of the other end of the main body portion 61 (the leading end in the direction of movement of the retainer 60 toward the locking position) slides along the push-in portion 45, applying a pressing force that pushes the retainer 60 forward as it moves toward the other side. As a result, the retainer 60 moves diagonally forward in the left-right direction. While the retainer 60 moves diagonally forward, one side of each end-side front projection 74 slides along one side of each end-side recess 48, and the other side of each end-side rear projection 75 slides along the chamfered portion 49 of the mounting hole 37.

[0045] The push-in portion 45 moves the retainer 60 diagonally forward, reducing the clearance between the lance 66 and the locking projection 26. As the retainer 60 reaches the locking position, the tip surface of the lance 66 comes into contact with the locking projection 26, causing the lance 66 to press the locking projection 26 forward. As shown in Figure 9, when the retainer 60 reaches the locking position, the first locking portion 67 also elastically fits into the second locking receiving portion 42, and the other side of the main body portion 61 abuts against the inner end surface 46 of the mounting hole 37. This holds the retainer 60 in the locking position relative to the housing 30. When the retainer 60 is in the locking position, the entire main body portion 61 is housed inside the mounting hole 37. Also, in the locking position, as shown in Figure 13, the front surfaces of the upper wall 63 and lower wall 62 of the main body portion 61 face each other so as to be able to contact the front wall surface 53 of the mounting hole 37. Each end-side rear projection 75 faces the rear wall surface 54 of the mounting hole 37, making contact with one side of it. Each end-side front projection 74 enters the respective end-side recess 48 to avoid interference with the housing body 32 (see Figure 11). The intermediate front projection 73 also enters the intermediate recess 44 to avoid interference with the housing body 32. As a result, the retainer 60 is held in this locked position with minimal rattling relative to the housing 30.

[0046] When the retainer 60 is in the locked position, each end-side front projection 74 is positioned to face each end-side window hole 51 from one side. As shown in Figure 14, the worker can detect that the retainer 60 has reached the locked position by viewing each end-side front projection 74 through each end-side window hole 51 from the other side.

[0047] Furthermore, as the retainer 60 moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the amount of exposure of the front projections 74 on each end and the intermediate front projection 73 facing the insertion opening 38 decreases, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. As shown in Figure 13, when the retainer 60 reaches the permanent locking position, the amount of exposure of the front projections 74 on each end and the intermediate front projection 73 becomes zero, and the worker can no longer see the front projections 74 on each end and the intermediate front projection 73 through the insertion opening 38 from one side. Therefore, the fact that the front projections 74 on each end and the intermediate front projection 73 are no longer visible from one side can be used to detect that the retainer 60 has reached the permanent locking position.

[0048] When the retainer 60 is in the locked position, the locking state (contact state) between the tip surface of the lance 66 and the locking projection 26 is maintained (see Figure 2), and each retaining portion 72 faces each projection 27 so as to be able to contact it from the rear (see Figure 9). As a result, the terminal 20 is securely held in the housing 30 in a state where it is prevented from coming out of the cavity 36. In addition, since the rattle of the terminal 20 is suppressed by the lance 66, the shielding performance can be improved.

[0049] As described above, the connector 10 according to this embodiment 1 comprises a housing 30, a retainer 60, and a terminal 20. The housing 30 has a cavity 36 extending in the front-rear direction and a mounting hole 37 intersecting the cavity 36. The retainer 60 is positioned relative to the housing 30 in the mounting hole 37 so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position in a left-right direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The terminal 20 is positioned in the cavity 36, and its dislodgement from the cavity 36 to the rear is prevented by the retainer 60 in the permanent locking position. The retainer 60 has a main body 61 positioned with a gap between it and the front wall surface 53 (front hole surface) of the mounting hole 37 in the temporary locking position, and front projections 74 and intermediate front projections 73 (front projections) that protrude forward from the main body 61. The front projections 74 and intermediate front projections 73 face each other so as to be able to contact the front wall surface 53 of the mounting hole 37 in the temporary locking position. The rear wall surface 54 (rear hole surface) of the mounting hole 37 has a push-in portion 45 that pushes forward the retainer 60 as it moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. The front wall surface 53 of the mounting hole 37 has end recesses 48 and intermediate recesses 44 (recesses) that accommodate the end front protrusions 74 and intermediate front protrusions 73 of the retainer 60 at the permanent locking position.

[0050] As the retainer 60 moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the retainer 60 is pushed forward by the push-in portion 45, thereby reducing the clearance between the retainer 60 and the terminal 20 and ensuring the stability of the retainer 60's locking to the terminal 20. When the retainer 60 is in the temporary locking position, there is a gap between the main body portion 61 of the retainer 60 and the front wall surface 53 of the mounting hole 37. However, each end-side front projection 74 and the intermediate front projection 73 are positioned to contact the front wall surface 53 of the mounting hole 37 (specifically, the intermediate front projection 73 is positioned on the front hole surface in the upper and lower intermediate portion of the mounting hole 37), allowing the retainer 60 to be positioned inside the mounting hole 37 without rattling. When the retainer 60 is in the locked position, the front projections 74 at each end and the intermediate front projection 73 can be moved into the recesses 48 at each end and the intermediate recess 44, thereby avoiding interference with the housing 30 and preventing an increase in the assembly resistance of the retainer 60 when it moves to the locked position.

[0051] In this embodiment 1, the retainer 60 has rear projections 75 (rear projections) on each end that protrude rearward from the main body 61, and each rear projection 75 is positioned to be in contact with the rear wall surface 54 (rear hole surface) of the mounting hole 37 at the locking position. Since each rear projection 75 is positioned to be in contact with the rear wall surface 54 of the mounting hole 37 at the locking position, the retainer 60 can be positioned inside the mounting hole 37 without rattling even at the locking position.

[0052] In this embodiment 1, the mounting hole 37 has an insertion opening 38 that opens on one side of the housing 30, and the amount of exposure of each end-side front projection 74 and the intermediate front projection 73 (front projection) from the insertion opening 38 decreases from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. After moving the retainer 60 to the permanent locking position, it is possible to detect whether the retainer 60 has moved correctly to the permanent locking position by checking the degree of reduction in the amount of exposure of each end-side front projection 74 and the intermediate front projection 73 through the insertion opening 38 (in this embodiment 1, the amount of exposure is zero).

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the mounting hole 37 is formed from an insertion opening 38 on one side of the housing 30 to the inner end face 46 near the other side of the housing 30, and each end-side window hole 51 (window hole) that communicates with the mounting hole 37 is opened on the other side of the housing 30. Each end-side front projection 74 (front projection) is positioned to face each end-side window hole 51 at the locking position. Therefore, after moving the retainer 60 to the locking position, it is possible to more reliably detect whether the retainer 60 has moved correctly to the locking position by checking whether the end-side front projection 74 is visible through each end-side window hole 51.

[0054] Furthermore, the retainer 60 has an elastically deformable lance 66 that faces the terminal 20 from the rear at both the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position. Since this lance 66 is in contact with the terminal 20 at the permanent locking position, the terminal 20 is housed in the cavity 36 without rattling. In particular, in this embodiment 1, since the terminal 20 is a shielding terminal connected to the shielded wire 100, the shielding performance can be improved.

[0055] [Other embodiments of this disclosure] Embodiment 1 disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. In the first embodiment described above, the push-in portion was formed in an inclined shape on the rear wall surface of the mounting hole. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the push-in portion may be formed in a stepped shape rather than an inclined shape on the rear wall surface of the mounting hole. For example, the inclined portion of the retainer may slide against the stepped push-in portion, causing the retainer to move forward. In the first embodiment described above, the retainer was provided with a rear projection. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the retainer does not need to be provided with a rear projection. In the first embodiment described above, the retainer was provided with a lance. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the retainer does not need to be provided with a lance. For example, when the retainer is in the locking position, the front surface of the retaining portion may contact the protruding portion of the terminal. In the first embodiment described above, the terminal was a shield terminal connected to a shielded wire. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the terminal may be a general terminal made entirely of conductive metal connected to a general wire. In the first embodiment described above, the front projection was composed of front projections at each end and an intermediate front projection. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the front projection may be composed of either the front projections at each end or the intermediate front projection. In the first embodiment described above, the amount of the forward projection exposed from the insertion opening was zero at the locking position. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the forward projection may be visible at the locking position. The point is that the operator should be able to confirm the degree of reduction in the amount of the forward projection exposed through the insertion opening. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10… Connectors 20… Terminals 21...Inner conductor 22… Dielectrics 23…Outer conductor 24... Male Tab 25...Cylindrical part 26…Latching protrusion 27...Protruding piece 30… Housing 31…Matching part 32… Housing body 33...Rear cylinder part 34...Front cylinder part 35…Food Department 36... Cavity 37… Mounting hole 38... Insertion opening 39…Intermediate overhang 41...First locking receiving part 42...Second locking receiver 43…Intermediate slope section 44…Intermediate recess (recess) 45... Push-in part 46…Rear end surface 47…Straight surface 48…End-side recess (recess) 49... Chamfered section 51…End window opening 52…Intermediate window opening 53…Front wall surface (the front surface of the mounting hole) 54...Rear wall surface (the hole surface on the rear side of the mounting hole) 60…Retainer 61...Main body 62... Lower wall 63... Upper wall 64... Side wall (side wall) 65... Other side walls (side walls) 66... ​​Lance 67...First locking part 68...Second locking section 69... Allowable deflection space 71…Escape ditch 72... Retaining part 73…Intermediate front protrusion (front protrusion) 74…End front protrusion (front protrusion) 75...End side rear projection (rear projection) 77... Sloping section 100... Shielded power line 110...Insulated wire

Claims

1. A connector comprising a housing, a retainer, and terminals, The housing has a cavity extending in the front-rear direction and a mounting hole intersecting the cavity, The retainer is positioned in the mounting hole relative to the housing and is movably arranged between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The terminal is positioned in the cavity, and its rearward dislodgement from the cavity is prevented by the retainer at the locking position. The retainer has a main body portion that is positioned with a gap between it and the front hole surface of the mounting hole at the temporary locking position, and a front projection portion that protrudes forward from the main body portion. The forward projection is positioned to be able to contact the front surface of the mounting hole at the temporary locking position. The rear surface of the mounting hole has a push-in portion that pushes the retainer forward as it moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. A connector wherein the front surface of the mounting hole has a recess that accommodates the front projection of the retainer at the main locking position.

2. The retainer has a rear projection that protrudes rearward from the main body. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the rear projection is positioned to be in contact with the rear surface of the mounting hole at the locking position.

3. The mounting hole has an insertion opening that opens on one side of the housing, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the forward projection reduces the amount of exposure from the insertion opening from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position.

4. The mounting hole is provided from the insertion opening to the inner end face of the housing, which is closer to the other side. The other side of the housing has a window opening that communicates with the mounting hole. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the forward projection is positioned to face the window opening in the locking position.

5. The retainer has an elastically deformable lance that faces the terminal from the rear at each of the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lance is in contact with the terminal at the locking position.

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