connector

Abstract

It accurately detects when the terminal fitting is partially inserted. [Solution] The connector 1 comprises a terminal fitting 20, a housing 10, and a retainer 70. The housing 10 has a large cavity 11C. The terminal fitting 20 has a cylindrical box portion 21 and a stabilizer 25 protruding from the box portion 21. The retainer 70 has a box portion detection portion 72D, a protrusion detection portion 72E, and a box portion locking portion 72F. The large cavity 11C has a box portion insertion portion 15 and a retainer insertion portion 18 located behind it. The 10 has a retractable portion 12A that communicates with the retainer insertion portion 18 from a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. When the terminal fitting 20 is in the normal insertion state, the box portion 21 is properly positioned in the box portion insertion portion 15, and the box portion locking portion 72F is positioned in the retainer insertion portion 18. When the terminal fitting 20 is in the half-inserted state, the box portion detection portion 72D is in a box portion contact state, and the convex portion detection portion 72E is in a convex portion contact state, and the protruding portion 72C is positioned in the retractable portion 12A.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a terminal fitting is inserted and attached to a cavity of a housing. When the lower surface of the main body portion of the terminal fitting contacts the locking convex portion of the retainer when the retainer is pushed from the temporary locking position to the main locking position in Patent Document 1, it detects that the terminal fitting is in a semi-inserted state in which it is semi-inserted into the cavity. Technologies related to connectors are also known from Patent Documents 2 and 3.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is necessary to avoid the terminal fitting being used as a product while in the semi-inserted state, and a method for more reliably detecting the semi-inserted state is desired.

[0005] The connector of the present disclosure has been completed based on the above circumstances, and aims to more reliably detect the semi-inserted state of the terminal fitting.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure includes a terminal fitting, a housing, and a retainer, The housing has a cavity extending in the front-to-back direction, The terminal fitting has a cylindrical box portion and a protrusion that extends from the peripheral wall of the box portion. The retainer has a box portion detection portion, a protrusion portion detection portion, and a box portion locking portion. The cavity has a box insertion portion and a retainer insertion portion located behind the box insertion portion. The housing has a retractable portion that communicates with the retainer insertion portion from a direction intersecting the front-rear direction, When the terminal fitting is in the correct insertion state, properly positioned in the cavity, the box portion is properly positioned in the box portion insertion portion, and the box portion locking portion is positioned in the retainer insertion portion, When the terminal fitting is in a partially inserted state and not properly positioned in the cavity, the box portion detection unit takes on at least one of the following states: a box portion contact state in which it contacts the box portion, and a convex portion detection unit takes on a convex portion contact state in which it contacts the convex portion, and the box portion locking portion is positioned in the retracted portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the partially inserted state of the terminal fitting can be detected more reliably. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a rear view of the housing. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the terminal fitting. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the retainer and an enlarged perspective view of the large cavity engagement portion. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a rear view of the housing with the retainer positioned in a temporary locking position. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a terminal fitting is inserted into a large cavity and a stabilizer is not inserted into a retainer. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a terminal fitting is inserted into a large cavity and a stabilizer is inserted into a retainer. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a terminal fitting is inserted into a large cavity and a stabilizer is disposed above a convex portion detection portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a terminal fitting is inserted into a large cavity and a stabilizer has passed forward through a protruding portion and a convex portion detection portion. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the terminal fitting inserted into the large cavity has reached a normal insertion state. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the terminal fitting is in a normal insertion state and the retainer is disposed at the main locking position. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a rear view showing a state in which the terminal fitting is in a normal insertion state and the retainer is disposed at the main locking position.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of Embodiment of the Present Disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure is (1) It includes a terminal fitting, a housing, and a retainer. The housing has a cavity extending in the front-rear direction. The terminal fitting has a cylindrical box portion and a convex portion protruding from the peripheral wall of the box portion. The retainer has a box portion detection part, a convex portion detection part, and a box portion locking part. The cavity has a box portion insertion part and a retainer insertion part located behind the box portion insertion part. The housing has a retreat part communicating with the retainer insertion part from a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. When the terminal fitting is in a normal insertion state where it is properly arranged in the cavity, the box portion is properly arranged in the box portion insertion part, and the box portion locking part is arranged in the retainer insertion part. When the terminal fitting is in a semi-insertion state where it is not properly arranged in the cavity, at least one of the states of the box portion contact state where the box portion detection part hits the box portion and the convex portion contact state where the convex portion detection part hits the convex portion is taken, and the box portion locking part is arranged in the retreat part.

[0010] According to this configuration, when the terminal fitting is in the semi-insertion state, at least one of the box portion contact state and the convex portion contact state is taken, so the performance of detecting the semi-insertion state of the terminal fitting with respect to the cavity can be improved.

[0011] (2) The retainer preferably has a protruding portion protruding from one surface facing the terminal fitting. The convex portion detection part is formed on one surface of the retainer. The protruding portion preferably has the box portion detection part formed on the tip surface in the protruding direction and the box portion locking part formed on the front end surface. According to this configuration, it is easy to form the box portion detection part and the convex portion detection part in an integrated form.

[0012] (3) In the state where the retainer is arranged in the retainer insertion part, the protruding portion is preferably arranged offset to one side from the center in the width direction of the retainer insertion part. According to this configuration, the box portion detection part and the box portion locking part can be provided in a form separate from the structure where the lance is locked.

[0013] (4) Preferably, the front end of the retainer is provided with a protruding locking portion, and when the terminal fitting is in the properly inserted state, the box-shaped locking portion is positioned to be able to lock onto the box, and the protruding locking portion is positioned to be able to lock onto the protrusion. With this configuration, when the terminal fitting is in the properly inserted state, two locations, the protruding locking portion and the box-shaped locking portion, can be locked onto the terminal fitting, so that the terminal fitting in the properly inserted state can be more reliably prevented from coming loose.

[0014] (5) Preferably, the protrusion is a stabilizer that prevents the terminal fitting from being incorrectly inserted into the housing. With this configuration, the protrusion can be given the role of preventing the terminal fitting from being incorrectly inserted into the cavity, and it is easy to simplify the structure by having one component (protrusion) perform many functions.

[0015] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] [Embodiment 1] Embodiment 1, which embodies the present disclosure, will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13. In this Embodiment 1, the front-to-back direction is defined as the upper right of Figure 1 being the front and the lower left being the rear. The up-and-down direction is defined as the direction shown in Figure 1 being the up and down directions. The left-to-right direction is defined as the upper left of Figure 1 being the left and the lower right being the right.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the connector 1 of this embodiment is composed of a housing 10 made of synthetic resin, a plurality of metal terminal fittings 20, and a retainer 70 made of synthetic resin.

[0017] [About Housing] Multiple cavities 11 are formed inside the housing 10. As shown in Figure 2, the cavities 11 have multiple small cavities 11A, multiple medium cavities 11B, and multiple large cavities 11C. The multiple small cavities 11A are located in the center in the width direction (left-right direction). The multiple medium cavities 11B are located on both the left and right sides of the multiple small cavities 11A. The multiple large cavities 11C are located further out in the left and right direction than the multiple medium cavities 11B. The small cavities 11A, medium cavities 11B, and large cavities 11C extend and penetrate the housing 10 in the front-rear direction. Terminal fittings of the respective sizes can be inserted into the small cavities 11A, medium cavities 11B, and large cavities 11C from the rear. Note that the terminal fittings inserted into the small cavities 11A and medium cavities 11B are not shown.

[0018] [About the large cavity] As shown in Figure 3, the large cavity 11C has a box portion insertion portion 15, a retainer insertion portion 18, and a lance 14. The box portion insertion portion 15 is formed at the front of the large cavity 11C. The box portion 21 of the terminal fitting 20 is inserted into the box portion insertion portion 15 (see Figures 12 and 13). The retainer insertion portion 18 is located behind the box portion insertion portion 15 in the large cavity 11C. The retainer insertion portion 18 is part of the mounting hole 12, which will be described later. The retainer insertion portion 18 is in the region where the large cavity 11C and the mounting hole 12 overlap, and is above the upper surface of the main body portion 16 of the lance 14.

[0019] The lance 14 is provided as a cantilevered extension forward along the lower wall of the large cavity 11C. The tip of the lance 14 is positioned within the box insertion portion 15. In the large cavity 11C, the lance 14 is provided at a distance from the left and right partition walls (see Figure 2). In its natural state, without any external force applied, the lance 14 maintains a locking position that secures the terminal. When the terminal fitting 20 is inserted into the large cavity 11C, the lance 14 is pressed downward by the box portion 21 of the terminal fitting 20, and it elastically deforms downward with its rear end as a fulcrum, changing to a unlocked position (see Figures 10 and 11). The direction in which the lance 14 elastically deforms is perpendicular to the left-right direction. The lance 14 as a whole has a main body portion 16 that extends forward in a cantilevered manner. When the lance 14 is in the locked position, the upper surface and the lower surface of the main body 16 are parallel to the mounting direction of the terminal fitting 20 to the housing 10 (see Figure 12).

[0020] A locking projection 17 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 16, protruding upward. The locking projection 17 is located in the center of the main body 16 (lance 14) in the front-rear direction. The front surface of the locking projection 17 has a vertically oriented surface when the lance 14 is in the locked position.

[0021] During the process of inserting the terminal fitting 20 into the large cavity 11C (i.e., when the terminal fitting 20 is partially inserted), the locking projection 17 is pressed downward by the box portion 21 of the terminal fitting 20, causing the lance 14 to elastically deform and return to the unlocked position (see Figures 10 and 11). When the terminal fitting 20 is inserted to its proper position in the large cavity 11C, the lance 14 elastically returns to the locked position and locks the terminal fitting 20 (see Figure 12). In this way, the terminal fitting 20 is temporarily locked and prevented from coming loose by the lance 14.

[0022] A bottomed mounting hole 12, elongated in the left-right direction, is formed in the center of the front-rear direction on the lower surface of the housing 10. The mounting hole 12 is located behind the box insertion portion 15. The mounting hole 12 communicates with each cavity 11. A retainer 70 is attached to the mounting hole 12 from below. A retracted portion 12A is formed in the mounting hole 12 of the housing 10. The retracted portion 12A is the gray-shaded area in Figure 3. The retracted portion 12A is located below the retainer insertion portion 18 (i.e., below the upper surface of the main body portion 16 of the lance 14 in its natural state) and communicates with the retainer insertion portion 18 from below (in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction). The lower end of the retracted portion 12A is the lower surface of the large cavity 11C.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, on the left and right sides of the mounting hole 12, a main locking portion 76 and a temporary locking portion 77 are provided between the middle cavity 11B and the large cavity 11C, respectively, to hold the retainer 70 in a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position. The main locking portion 76 is located above the temporary locking portion 77. When the retainer 70 is locked into the main locking portion 76, it is held in the permanent locking position (not shown). When the retainer 70 is locked into the temporary locking portion 77, it is held in the temporary locking position (see Figure 7).

[0024] [Regarding terminal fittings] As shown in Figure 4, the terminal fitting 20 is a male terminal having a tab 22 that protrudes forward from the box portion 21. The terminal fitting 20 is elongated in the front-to-back direction as a whole, and a rectangular tubular box portion 21 is provided in the central part in the front-to-back direction. The terminal fitting 20 is inserted into the large cavity 11C of the housing 10 from the rear of the housing 10 (see Figure 1).

[0025] The terminal fitting 20 has an open barrel-shaped wire crimping section 23 that extends rearward from the box section 21. The wire W is crimped and connected to the wire crimping section 23. The wire W is pulled out to the outside from the rear surface of the housing 10 (see Figures 12 and 13).

[0026] A locking hole 24 is formed in the center of the bottom plate of the box section 21 in both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, with a rectangular opening that penetrates through in the thickness direction of the plate. When the terminal fitting 20 is inserted into its proper position in the large cavity 11C, the locking projection 17 of the lance 14 engages with the front edge of the opening area of ​​the locking hole 24, temporarily locking the terminal fitting 20 in place and preventing it from coming loose (see Figures 12 and 13).

[0027] The box portion 21 is provided with a stabilizer 25, which is a protruding portion. The stabilizer 25 prevents the terminal fitting 20 from being incorrectly inserted into the housing 10. The stabilizer 25 has the function of interfering with the housing 10 when the terminal fitting 20 is inverted from its normal position and assumes an upside-down position, thereby preventing the terminal fitting 20 from being inserted into the housing 10 in the wrong direction. The stabilizer 25 protrudes downward, flush with the right-side plate, which is part of the peripheral wall forming the box portion 21. In other words, the stabilizer 25, being a protruding portion, protrudes from the peripheral wall of the box portion 21. The lower edge of the stabilizer 25 is parallel in the front-rear direction. The stabilizer 25 is located in the center of the box portion 21 in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the stabilizer 25 is located in front of the rear end of the box portion 21.

[0028] [About retainers] As shown in Figure 5, the retainer 70 has a long shape in the left-right direction. The retainer 70 has a small cavity engaging portion 70A, a medium cavity engaging portion 70B, and a large cavity engaging portion 70C. The small cavity engaging portion 70A is located in the center of the retainer 70 in the left-right direction. The medium cavity engaging portion 70B is located adjacent to each of the left-right sides of the small cavity engaging portion 70A. The large cavity engaging portion 70C is located adjacent to each of the left-right sides of the medium cavity engaging portion 70B.

[0029] The small cavity engagement portion 70A has multiple through holes 71A that correspond to the middle and lower small cavities 11A. A locking projection 72A is provided at the lower end of the inner surface of each through hole 71A, protruding upward to prevent the terminal fitting inserted into the small cavity 11A from coming loose. Multiple locking projections 73A are provided at the upper edge of the small cavity engagement portion 70A, protruding upward to prevent the terminal fitting inserted into the upper small cavity 11A from coming loose.

[0030] The middle cavity engagement portion 70B has four through holes 71B that correspond to the middle and lower middle cavities 11B. A locking projection 72B is provided at the lower end of the inner surface of each through hole 71B, protruding upward to prevent the terminal fitting inserted into the middle cavity 11B from coming loose. A locking projection 73B is provided at the upper edge of the middle cavity engagement portion 70B, protruding upward to prevent the terminal fitting inserted into the upper middle cavity 11B from coming loose.

[0031] [Regarding the large cavity engagement area on the right side] The large cavity engagement portion 70C located on the right side has two through holes 71C, corresponding to the middle and lower large cavities 11C. The inner surfaces of these through holes 71C are opposing portions 74 that face the terminal fittings 20 inserted into the large cavities 11C. A stepped portion 71F is provided projecting upward from the lower right end of the inner surface of each through hole 71C. The stepped portion 71F is provided projecting from the opposing portion 74. The stepped portion 71F extends in the front-rear direction and is provided from the front end to the rear end of the retainer 70. On the upper side of the front end of the stepped portion 71F, as shown in Figure 13, a sloped surface inclined upward and backward is formed as a convex locking portion 71G. In other words, a convex locking portion 71G is provided at the front end of the stepped portion 71F that projects from the opposing portion 74 of the retainer 70.

[0032] On the upper surface, which is one of the central surfaces in the front-to-back direction of the stepped portion 71F, a protruding portion 72C and a convex portion detection portion 72E are provided, which protrude upward from this upper surface. The protruding portion 72C has the function of preventing the terminal fitting 20 inserted into the large cavity 11C from coming loose. When the lower end face of the opposing portion 74 of the retainer 70 is viewed from above, the stepped portion 71F, the protruding portion 72C, and the convex portion detection portion 72E are positioned to the right (one side) of the center in the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the opposing portion 74 (see Figure 6).

[0033] The protruding portion 72C has a box-shaped detection portion 72D and a box-shaped locking portion 72F. In other words, the retainer 70 has a box-shaped detection portion 72D, a convex portion detection portion 72E, and a box-shaped locking portion 72F. The box-shaped detection portion 72D is formed flat on the tip surface (upper end surface) of the protruding portion 72C. The box-shaped detection portion 72D is positioned to the left of the right wall of the through hole 71C. The box-shaped detection portion 72D is spaced a predetermined distance from the right wall of the through hole 71C. The box-shaped locking portion 72F is formed on the front end surface of the protruding portion 72C. The box-shaped detection portion 72D and the box-shaped locking portion 72F are connected via an inclined surface 72G that slopes upward and backward (see Figures 6 and 8).

[0034] The protrusion detection unit 72E is located to the right of the projection unit 72C. The protrusion detection unit 72E is located between the box-shaped detection unit 72D and the right wall of the through-hole 71C. The protrusion detection unit 72E is positioned to connect the box-shaped detection unit 72D and the right wall of the through-hole 71C. The upper end surface of the projection unit 72C (i.e., the box-shaped detection unit 72D) is located above the upper end surface of the protrusion detection unit 72E.

[0035] The upper end of the large cavity engagement portion 70C located on the right side is also an opposing portion 74 that faces the terminal fitting 20 inserted into the upper large cavity 11C. To the right of the upper end (opposing portion 74) of the large cavity engagement portion 70C located on the right side, a stepped portion 71H is provided that protrudes upward. The stepped portion 71H is provided on the opposing portion 74. The stepped portion 71H extends in the front-rear direction and is provided from the front end to the rear end of the retainer 70. On the upper side of the front end of the stepped portion 71H, an inclined surface that slopes upward and backward is formed as a convex locking portion 71J.

[0036] A protruding portion 73C and a convex portion detection portion 73E are provided protruding upward from the center of the stepped portion 71H in the front-to-back direction. The protruding portion 73C has the function of preventing the terminal fitting 20 inserted into the large cavity 11C of the upper step from coming loose. The stepped portion 71H, the protruding portion 73C, and the convex portion detection portion 73E are positioned to the right (one side) of the center in the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the opposing portion 74 of the retainer 70 when viewed from above (not shown).

[0037] The protruding portion 73C has a box detection portion 73D and a box locking portion 73F. The box detection portion 73D is formed flat on the leading edge surface (upper end surface) of the protruding portion 73C. The box locking portion 73F is formed on the front end surface of the protruding portion 73C. The box detection portion 73D and the box locking portion 73F are connected via an inclined surface 73G that slopes upward and backward.

[0038] The protrusion detection unit 73E is positioned to the right of the protruding portion 73C. The upper end surface of the protruding portion 73C (i.e., the box-shaped detection unit 73D) is located above the upper end surface of the protrusion detection unit 73E.

[0039] [Regarding the large cavity engagement area on the left side] The large cavity engagement portion 70C located on the left side has three stepped portions 71K, 71L, and 71M that protrude to the left, corresponding to the upper, middle, and lower large cavities 11C. The stepped portions 71K and 71L extend in the front-rear direction and are provided from the front end to the rear end of the retainer 70. The stepped portion 71M is provided so that the lower end of the left large cavity engagement portion 70C protrudes to the left along its entire length.

[0040] The upper surface and left side surface of the stepped portion 71K are opposing portions 74 that face the terminal fitting 20 inserted into the upper large cavity 11C. The lower surface of the stepped portion 71K, the surface of the base wall 70E, the upper end surface of the stepped portion 71L, and the left side surface are opposing portions 74 that face the terminal fitting 20 inserted into the middle large cavity 11C. The lower surface of the stepped portion 71L, the surface of the base wall 70E, the upper surface of the stepped portion 71M, and the upper side of the left side surface are opposing portions 74 that face the terminal fitting 20 inserted into the lower large cavity 11C.

[0041] On the upper side of the front end of the stepped sections 71K, 71L, and 71M, an inclined surface that slopes upward and backward is formed as a convex locking portion 71N.

[0042] A protruding portion 75C and a protruding portion detection portion 75E are provided projecting upward from the center of the upper surface in the front-to-back direction of the stepped portions 71K, 71L, and 71M. The protruding portion 75C has the function of preventing the terminal fitting 20 inserted into the large cavity 11C on the left side of the housing 10 from coming loose.

[0043] The protruding portion 75C has a box section detection portion 75D and a box section locking portion 75F. The box section detection portion 75D is formed flat on the leading edge surface (upper end surface) of the protruding portion 75C. The protruding portion 75C is located to the left of each of the stepped portions 71K, 71L, and 71M. The box section detection portions 75D provided on the stepped portions 71L and 71M are spaced a predetermined distance from the base wall 70E of the large cavity engagement portion 70C on the left side.

[0044] The protrusion detection units 75E provided on the stepped sections 71K, 71L, and 71M are positioned to the right of the protruding portion 75C. The protrusion detection units 75E on the stepped sections 71L and 71M are located between the protruding portion 75C and the base wall 70E. The protrusion detection units 75E on the stepped sections 71L and 71M are positioned connecting the protruding portion 75C and the base wall 70E. The upper end surface of the protruding portion 75C (i.e., the box-shaped detection unit 75D) on the stepped sections 71K, 71L, and 71M is located above the upper end surface of the protrusion detection unit 75E.

[0045] When the retainer 70 is attached to the mounting hole 12 of the housing 10, the protrusions 72C, 73C, and 75C are located to the right of the lance 14 and alongside the lance 14 (see Figure 7).

[0046] On each of the left and right sides of the retainer 70, one locking piece 70D is provided between the middle cavity engaging portion 70B and the large cavity engaging portion 70C. Each locking piece 70D holds the retainer 70 in the temporary locking position by engaging with the temporary locking portion 77 of the housing 10 (see Figure 7). Each locking piece 70D holds the retainer 70 in the permanent locking position by engaging with the permanent locking portion 76 of the housing 10. The way in which each locking piece 70D engages with the permanent locking portion 76 of the housing 10 is not shown.

[0047] [Connector assembly instructions] Next, an example of the assembly procedure for connector 1 will be described. First, the retainer 70 is attached to the housing 10. Specifically, the retainer 70 is inserted into the mounting hole 12 from below the housing 10. Then, the locking piece 70D is locked into the temporary locking portion 77 (see Figure 7). This holds the retainer 70 in the temporary locking position.

[0048] Next, the terminal fitting 20, which is fixed to the end of the electric wire W, is inserted into the large cavity 11C of the housing 10 from the rear. At this time, the insertion direction of the terminal fitting 20 is such that the stabilizer 25 protrudes downward. Here, we will describe the case in which the terminal fitting 20 is inserted through the through hole 71C of the retainer 70.

[0049] As shown in Figure 8, the terminal fitting 20 is inserted from the rear into the through hole 71C of the retainer 70, the box portion 21 is positioned above the protruding portion 72C, and the stabilizer 25 is not inserted into the through hole 71C (i.e., the stabilizer 25 is positioned behind the retainer 70). At this time, the terminal fitting 20 is in a partially inserted state, not positioned in the correct position in the large cavity 11C. If the worker mistakenly pushes the retainer 70 into the mounting hole 12 to move it from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the upper end surface of the protruding portion 72C (box portion detection portion 72D) will come into contact with the bottom surface of the box portion 21, preventing the retainer 70 from moving to the permanent locking position. This allows detection that the terminal fitting 20 is in a partially inserted state. At this time, the box portion locking portion 72F is positioned in the retracted portion 12A of the mounting hole 12.

[0050] Next, as shown in Figure 9, the insertion of the terminal fitting 20 into the large cavity 11C progresses, and the stabilizer 25 reaches a state where it is inserted through the through hole 71C (i.e., the stabilizer 25 faces the opposing portion 74 of the retainer 70). At this time, the vertical dimension L1 (hereinafter simply referred to as dimension L1) between the box portion 21 and the upper end surface of the protruding portion 72C (box portion detection portion 72D) is slightly smaller than the vertical dimension L2 (hereinafter simply referred to as dimension L2) between the lower end edge of the stabilizer 25 and the upper end surface of the stepped portion 71F. Therefore, if an operator mistakenly pushes the retainer 70 into the mounting hole 12 to move it from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the upper end surface of the protruding portion 72C (box portion detection portion 72D) will hit the bottom surface of the box portion 21, making it impossible to move the retainer 70 to the permanent locking position. In this case, since dimension L1 is slightly smaller than dimension L2, the upper end surface of the stepped portion 71F does not abut against the lower end edge of the stabilizer 25.

[0051] If the protrusion dimension of the stabilizer 25 from the box portion 21 is made larger than the design tolerance, or if the terminal fitting 20 is tilted around its own central axis within the large cavity 11C, then dimension L2 may become less than or equal to dimension L1. In such a case, if the worker mistakenly pushes the retainer 70 into the mounting hole 12 to move it from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the upper end surface of the stepped portion 71F will abut against the lower end edge of the stabilizer 25, preventing the retainer 70 from moving to the permanent locking position. This allows detection that the terminal fitting 20 is in a partially inserted state. In other words, the upper end surface of the stepped portion 71F functions to detect that the terminal fitting 20 is in a partially inserted state by abutting against the lower end edge of the stabilizer 25. At this time, the box portion locking portion 72F is positioned in the retracted portion 12A of the mounting hole 12. The retracted section 12A is the region below the upper surface of the main body 16 of the lance 14 in its natural state, and above the lower surface of the large cavity 11C (see Figure 3).

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, as the insertion of the terminal fitting 20 into the large cavity 11C progresses, the stabilizer 25 is positioned between the protruding portion 72C and the right wall of the through hole 71C. At this time, the front end of the box portion 21 abuts against the locking projection 17 of the lance 14, and the lance 14 bends downward and deforms. At this time, dimension L1 is slightly larger than the vertical dimension L3 (hereinafter also simply referred to as dimension L3) between the lower end edge of the stabilizer 25 and the upper end surface of the convex portion detection portion 72E. Therefore, if an operator mistakenly pushes the retainer 70 into the mounting hole 12 to move it from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the upper end surface of the convex portion detection portion 72E abuts against the lower end edge of the stabilizer 25, resulting in a convex portion contact state, and the retainer 70 cannot be moved to the permanent locking position. Thus, the connector 1 takes on at least one of the box portion contact state and the convex portion contact state.

[0053] If the protrusion dimension of the stabilizer 25 from the box portion 21 is made smaller than the design tolerance, or if the terminal fitting 20 is tilted around its own central axis within the large cavity 11C, then dimension L3 may become greater than or equal to dimension L1. In such a case, if the worker mistakenly pushes the retainer 70 into the mounting hole 12 to move it from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the upper end surface of the protrusion 72C (box portion detection portion 72D) will hit the bottom surface of the box portion 21, preventing the retainer 70 from moving to the permanent locking position. This allows detection that the terminal fitting 20 is in a partially inserted state. At this time, the box portion locking portion 72F is positioned in the retracted portion 12A of the mounting hole 12.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, as the insertion of the terminal fitting 20 into the large cavity 11C progresses, the lance 14 bends further downward due to the box portion 21. Then, the stabilizer 25 passes forward through the protrusion 72C and the protrusion detection portion 72E. At this time, if the worker mistakenly pushes the retainer 70 into the mounting hole 12 to move it from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the upper end surface of the protrusion 72C (box portion detection portion 72D) will abut against the bottom surface of the box portion 21, preventing the retainer 70 from moving to the permanent locking position.

[0055] If the protrusion dimension of the stabilizer 25 from the box portion 21 is made larger than the design tolerance, or if the terminal fitting 20 is tilted around its own central axis within the large cavity 11C, then dimension L2 may become less than or equal to dimension L1. In such a case, if the worker mistakenly pushes the retainer 70 into the mounting hole 12 to move it from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the upper end surface of the stepped portion 71F will abut against the lower end edge of the stabilizer 25, preventing the retainer 70 from moving to the permanent locking position. This allows detection that the terminal fitting 20 is in a partially inserted state. At this time, the box portion locking portion 72F is positioned in the retracted portion 12A of the mounting hole 12.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, the insertion of the terminal fitting 20 into the large cavity 11C progresses, and the front end of the locking hole 24 reaches the front of the locking projection 17 of the lance 14. Then, the locking projection 17 enters the locking hole 24 from below, the lance 14 elastically returns to the locked position, and locks the terminal fitting 20. In this way, the terminal fitting 20 is temporarily locked and prevented from coming loose by the lance 14. At this time, the box portion 21 of the terminal fitting 20 is properly positioned in the box portion insertion portion 15. At this time, the terminal fitting 20 is in the properly inserted state, properly positioned in the large cavity 11C.

[0057] Then, when the terminal fitting 20 is in the properly inserted state, pushing the retainer 70 upward into the mounting hole 12 causes the locking piece 70D of the retainer 70 to lock into the main locking portion 76 (see Figure 7 for the positional relationship between the locking piece 70D and the main locking portion 76). At this time, as shown in Figure 13, the box-shaped locking portion 72F of the protruding portion 72C is positioned behind the box-shaped portion 21, and the convex locking portion 71G of the stepped portion 71F is positioned behind the stabilizer 25 (convex portion). Thus, the box-shaped locking portion 72F of the protruding portion 72C is positioned to be lockable to the rear end of the box-shaped portion 21, and the convex locking portion 71G of the stepped portion 71F is positioned to be lockable to the rear end of the stabilizer 25 (convex portion). In this way, the terminal fitting 20 is secondarily locked by the retainer 70. At this time, the box portion 21 of the terminal fitting 20 is positioned in the correct position within the box portion insertion portion 15, and the box portion locking portion 72F is positioned in the retainer insertion portion 18.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14, with the box-shaped locking portion 72F positioned in the retainer insertion portion 18, the protruding portion 72C is positioned to the right (one side) of the center (center in the width direction) of the retainer insertion portion 18. In this way, during the process of inserting the terminal fitting 20 into the housing 10, the connector 1 uses the box-shaped portion 21 and the stabilizer 25 to detect the partially inserted state of the terminal fitting 20 while the box-shaped portion 21 and the stabilizer 25 are positioned above the retainer 70.

[0059] When assembling connector 1, the stepped sections 71H, 71K, 71L, and 71M function similarly to the stepped section 71F. The box-shaped detection sections 73D and 75D function similarly to the box-shaped detection section 72D. The box-shaped locking sections 73F and 75F function similarly to the box-shaped locking section 72F. The protruding detection sections 73E and 75E function similarly to the protruding detection section 72E. The protruding locking sections 71J and 71N function similarly to the protruding locking section 71G.

[0060] Next, the effects of Embodiment 1 will be explained.

[0061] The connector 1 of this disclosure comprises a terminal fitting 20, a housing 10, and a retainer 70. The housing 10 has a large cavity 11C extending in the front-rear direction. The terminal fitting 20 has a cylindrical box portion 21 and a stabilizer 25 (protrusion) protruding from the peripheral wall of the box portion 21. The retainer 70 has a box portion detection portion 72D, a protrusion detection portion 72E, and a box portion locking portion 72F. The large cavity 11C has a box portion insertion portion 15 and a retainer insertion portion 18 located behind the box portion insertion portion 15. The housing 10 has a retracted portion 12A communicating with the retainer insertion portion 18 from a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. When the terminal fitting 20 is in the normal insertion state, properly positioned in the large cavity 11C, the box portion 21 is properly positioned in the box portion insertion portion 15, and the box portion locking portion 72F is positioned in the retainer insertion portion 18. When the terminal fitting 20 is in a partially inserted state, not properly positioned in the large cavity 11C, the box portion detection portion 72D takes on at least one of the following states: a box portion contact state where it contacts the box portion 21, and a convex portion detection portion 72E takes on a convex portion contact state where it contacts the stabilizer 25 (convex portion), and the box portion locking portion 72F is positioned in the retracted portion 12A. With this configuration, when the terminal fitting 20 is in a partially inserted state, at least one of the box portion contact state and the convex portion contact state is taken on, thus improving the performance of detecting the partially inserted state of the terminal fitting 20 relative to the large cavity 11C.

[0062] In the connector 1 of this disclosure, the retainer 70 has a protruding portion 72C that protrudes from the upper surface (one surface) of the stepped portion 71F of the opposing portion 74 facing the terminal fitting 20. The convex portion detection portion 72E is formed on the upper surface (one surface) of the stepped portion 71F of the opposing portion 74 of the retainer 70, and the protruding portion 72C has a box portion detection portion 72D formed on its tip surface in the direction of protrusion and a box portion locking portion 72F formed on its front end surface. With this configuration, the box portion detection portion 72D and the convex portion detection portion 72E can be easily made into a single, integrated form.

[0063] In the connector 1 of this disclosure, with the retainer 70 positioned in the retainer insertion portion 18, the protruding portion 72C is positioned off-center to the right (one side) of the center in the width direction of the retainer insertion portion 18. With this configuration, the box portion detection portion 72D and the box portion locking portion 72F can be provided separately from the structure that locks the lance 14.

[0064] The connector 1 of this disclosure is provided with a protruding locking portion 71G at the front end of the opposing portion 74 of the retainer 70, and when the terminal fitting 20 is in the properly inserted state, the box portion locking portion 72F is positioned to lock onto the box portion 21, and the protruding locking portion 71G is positioned to lock onto the stabilizer 25 (protrusion). With this configuration, when the terminal fitting 20 is in the properly inserted state, both the protruding locking portion 71G and the box portion locking portion 72F can lock onto the terminal fitting 20, thereby more reliably preventing the terminal fitting 20 from coming loose when it is in the properly inserted state.

[0065] In the connector 1 of this disclosure, the protrusion is a stabilizer 25 that prevents the terminal fitting 20 from being incorrectly inserted into the housing 10. With this configuration, the protrusion can serve to prevent the terminal fitting 20 from being incorrectly inserted into the large cavity 11C, and it is easy to simplify the structure by having one component (the protrusion) perform many functions.

[0066] [Other examples] The present invention is not limited to Embodiment 1 described above in the description and drawings, but is shown in the claims. The present invention includes the meaning of equivalents to the claims and all modifications within the claims, and is intended to include embodiments such as those described below.

[0067] Unlike Embodiment 1, a female terminal fitting without tabs may also be used.

[0068] Unlike Embodiment 1, a protrusion may be provided on one side and a protrusion on the other side of the center in the width direction of the retainer insertion portion. Alternatively, a box portion detection portion may be provided on one side in the left-right direction of the lance, and a convex portion detection portion may be provided on the other side in the left-right direction.

[0069] Unlike Embodiment 1, the object to be detected by the protrusion detection unit may also be a lance locking unit, where the lance is locked, instead of the stabilizer.

[0070] Unlike Embodiment 1, the upper end surface of the stepped portion may be used as a protrusion detection portion. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 1… Connector 10… Housing 11…Cavity 11A... Small cavity 11B...Medium Cavity 11C...Large Cavity 12…Mounting holes 12A...Evacuation section 14... Lance 15... Box insertion part 16...Main body 17...Latching protrusion 18…Retainer insertion part 20…Terminal fittings 21…Hakobe 22... Tabs 23...Wire crimping section 24… Locking hole 25… Stabilizer (convex part) 70…Retainer 70A... Small cavity engagement part 70B...Middle cavity engagement part 70C...Large cavity engagement section 70D…Locking piece 70E…Base wall 71A, 71B, 71C…Through hole 71F,71H,71K,71L,71M…Stepped section 71G, 71J, 71N... protruding locking part 72A, 72B, 73A, 73B…Lock protrusion 72C,73C,75C…Protrusion 72D, 73D, 75D... Box-type detection unit 72E, 73E, 75E... Protrusion detection unit 72F, 73F, 75F…Box part locking part 72G,73G…Slanted surface 74... Opposite section 76...Main locking part 77... Temporary locking part L1, L2, L3... Dimensions W…Electric wire

Claims

1. It comprises terminal fittings, a housing, and a retainer. The housing has a cavity extending in the front-to-back direction, The terminal fitting has a cylindrical box portion and a protrusion that extends from the peripheral wall of the box portion. The retainer has a protrusion detection portion and a protrusion locking portion, The cavity has a box-shaped insertion portion, When the terminal fitting is in the correct insertion state, properly positioned in the cavity, the box portion is properly positioned in the box portion insertion portion, and the protrusion locking portion is positioned behind the protrusion, When the terminal fitting is in a partially inserted state and not properly positioned in the cavity, the protrusion detection unit enters a protrusion contact state where it contacts the protrusion. The connector wherein the protrusion detection portion protrudes from the center in the front-to-back direction on one surface of the retainer that extends in the front-to-back direction opposite to the terminal fitting and is exposed upward.

2. It comprises terminal fittings, a housing, and a retainer. The housing has a cavity extending in the front-to-back direction, The terminal fitting has a cylindrical box portion and a protrusion that extends from the peripheral wall of the box portion. The retainer has a protrusion detection portion and a protrusion locking portion, The cavity has a box-shaped insertion portion, When the terminal fitting is in the correct insertion state, properly positioned in the cavity, the box portion is properly positioned in the box portion insertion portion, and the protrusion locking portion is positioned behind the protrusion, When the terminal fitting is in a partially inserted state and not properly positioned in the cavity, the protrusion detection unit enters a protrusion contact state where it contacts the protrusion. The aforementioned protrusion detection portion protrudes from one surface of the retainer facing the terminal fitting, The retainer has a box-shaped detection section, When the terminal fitting is in the partially inserted state, the box portion detection portion takes on at least one of the following states: a box portion contact state in which it contacts the box portion, and a convex portion contact state. The retainer has a protrusion that extends from the one surface, The aforementioned protrusion detection unit is adjacent to the aforementioned protrusion, The aforementioned protruding portion is a connector in which the box-shaped detection portion is formed on the tip surface in the direction of protrusion.

3. The cavity has a retainer insertion portion located behind the box insertion portion, The connector according to claim 2, wherein, with the retainer positioned in the retainer insertion portion, the protruding portion is positioned off-center to one side of the widthwise center of the retainer insertion portion.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protrusion is a stabilizer that prevents the terminal fitting from being incorrectly inserted into the housing.

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