connector

Abstract

To provide a connector equipped with a retainer that has high retention force. [Solution] The connector 10 of the present disclosure is a connector that can be mated with a mating connector in a first direction, and comprises a first connector housing 20, a second connector housing 50 capable of housing the first connector housing 20, and a retainer 70 that is attached across the first connector housing 20 and the second connector housing 50, wherein the retainer 70 can be attached to the first connector housing 20 and the second connector housing 50 from a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the first connector housing 20 is housed in the second connector housing 50, and the retainer 70 holds the first connector housing 20 in the housed state.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As a connector having a retainer, a connector described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-85287 (Patent Document 1 below) is conventionally known. In this connector, the protrusion of the back retainer is engaged with the through hole in the cylindrical portion of the housing to prevent the back retainer from falling off, thereby preventing the second O-ring from falling off. PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0003] PATENT DOCUMENT 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-85287 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] In the above connector, it was sufficient for the retainer to only have a holding force enough to press the second O-ring. However, when an attempt is made to provide the retainer with a function of holding the connector, the engagement force between the protrusion and the through hole is not sufficient. On the other hand, using a bolt instead of the retainer would cause an increase in cost, which cannot be said to be a favorable measure. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0005] The connector of this disclosure is a connector that can mate with a mating connector in a first direction, and comprises a first connector housing, a second connector housing capable of housing the first connector housing, and retainers attached to the first connector housing and the second connector housing, respectively, wherein the retainers can be attached to the first connector housing and the second connector housing from a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the first connector housing is housed in the second connector housing, and the retainers hold the first connector housing in the housed state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector equipped with a retainer having high retention force. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector of one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view of a connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a right side view of a connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing section AA of Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the BB section in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part showing the state before and after the retainer is installed in the BB cross section of Figure 4. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a connector retainer of one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The connector of the present disclosure is a connector that can mate with a mating connector in a first direction, comprising: a first connector housing; a second connector housing capable of housing the first connector housing; and a retainer mounted across the first connector housing and the second connector housing, wherein the retainer is mountable to the first connector housing and the second connector housing from a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the first connector housing is housed in the second connector housing, and the retainer holds the first connector housing in the housed state.

[0009] With this configuration, when the first connector housing is housed within the second connector housing, the retainer is attached from a second direction across both the first and second connector housings. Therefore, the strength of the entire retainer can hold the first connector housing in its housed state. Consequently, even a resin retainer, for example, can adequately perform the function of holding the connector. Furthermore, compared to using bolts instead of retainers, for example, the total weight of the connector body can be reduced, and material costs can be lowered.

[0010] [2] In the connector described in [1] above, it is preferable that the retainer is positioned to penetrate the second connector housing in the second direction in the housing state.

[0011] With this configuration, since the retainer is positioned within the second connector housing, the retainer makes contact with the inside of the second connector housing, thereby increasing the locking force between the second connector housing and the retainer.

[0012] [3] In the connector described in [1] or [2] above, it is preferable that the retainer has a locking portion that prevents the retainer from coming off by engaging with the first connector housing in the second direction in the housing state.

[0013] With this configuration, once the retainer is attached to the connector, the first connector housing and the locking part become locked together, making it difficult for the retainer to come off the first connector housing.

[0014] [4] In the connector described in any of [1] to [3] above, it is preferable that the retainer has a rotation prevention part that prevents the locking part from rotating in the housing state.

[0015] With this configuration, when the retainer is attached to the connector, the first connector housing and the locking portion are positioned in the rotational direction, thereby ensuring more secure locking between the first connector housing and the locking portion.

[0016] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, part of the configuration may be shown exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may differ in each drawing. The terms "orthogonal" and "parallel" in this specification include not only strictly orthogonal or parallel states, but also substantially orthogonal or parallel states within the scope of achieving the operational effects of the present embodiment. The term "cylindrical" used in the description of this specification includes not only structures in which a peripheral wall is continuously formed over the entire circumferential direction, but also structures that form a cylindrical shape by combining a plurality of components, and structures that have a notch or the like in a part of the circumferential direction such as a C-shape or a U-shape. The shape of "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon having sharp or rounded corners. The term "opposing" in this specification refers to faces or members being positioned facing each other, and includes not only the case where they are completely positioned facing each other, but also the case where they are partially positioned facing each other. The term "opposing" in this specification includes not only the case where two members are separated from each other, but also the case where two members are in contact with each other. In addition, terms such as "first", "second", and "third" in this specification are used merely to distinguish objects, and do not rank the objects. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims as indicated by the scope of the claims.

[0017] <Embodiment> An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In the following description, the X-axis direction is defined as the front-rear direction, the Y-axis direction is defined as the left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction is defined as the up-down direction. The direction indicated by arrow X in each drawing is defined as forward, the direction indicated by arrow Y is defined as rightward, and the direction indicated by arrow Z is defined as upward for the description.

[0018] Note that in the present embodiment, the illustrated X-axis direction (front-rear direction) in Fig. 2 corresponds to the first direction of the present disclosure, and the illustrated Y-axis direction (left-right direction) corresponds to the second direction of the present disclosure. Further, each direction in the respective drawings does not necessarily represent the posture of the connector 10 and the mating connector when in use. Furthermore, regarding a plurality of identical members, reference numerals may be attached only to some of the members, and reference numerals for the other members may be omitted.

[0019] (Overall Configuration of Connector 10) As shown in Fig. 1, the connector 10 is configured to be fittable in the front-rear direction with respect to a mating connector (not shown). As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the connector 10 mainly includes an inner housing 20 that accommodates male terminals 21 which are terminal fittings, and an outer housing 50 that is formed to be capable of accommodating the inner housing 20.

[0020] (Configuration of Connector 10) As shown in Fig. 2, the connector 10 (see Fig. 1) includes a plurality of male terminals 21, the inner housing 20, the outer housing 50, a pair of rubber rings 11, and a pair of retainers 70. The connector 10 of the present embodiment includes three male terminals 21. The first connector housing of the present disclosure corresponds to the inner housing 20, and the second connector housing of the present disclosure corresponds to the outer housing 50.

[0021] (Configuration of Male Terminal 21) As shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3, and Fig. 5, the three male terminals 21 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the three male terminals 21 have substantially the same shape, so one male terminal 21 will be described as a representative. Each male terminal 21 has an intermediate portion 21B held by the inner housing 20, and a pair of connecting portions 21A extending from the intermediate portion 21B to both front and rear sides.

[0022] The male terminal 21 is made of metal. For example, conductive metal materials such as copper, copper alloys, aluminum, and aluminum alloys can be used as the material for the male terminal 21. The male terminal 21 can be formed, for example, by cutting a metal plate with excellent conductivity.

[0023] The male terminal 21 is a single component formed integrally by connecting an intermediate portion 21B and a pair of connecting portions 21A in a straight line in the front-to-back direction. The connecting portions 21A are formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape with a rounded tip. The male terminal 21 is connected to the female terminal (not shown) at the connecting portion 21A when the mating connector (not shown) and the connector 10 are mated. Thus, the mating connector (not shown) and the connector 10 are electrically connected.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the intermediate portion 21B is formed with a roughly octagonal cross-section when viewed in the X-axis direction. The intermediate portion 21B is held in the terminal holding portion 29 of the inner housing 20 by insert molding or press-fitting.

[0025] (Inner housing 20) As shown in Figure 1, the inner housing 20 is assembled and housed in the outer housing 50 from the rear. The inner housing 20 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inner housing 20 has a substantially cylindrical inner housing body portion 22 that holds a plurality of male terminals 21 and opens in the front-rear direction.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the inner housing body 22 comprises a pair of hood portions 23 arranged in the front-rear direction, a pair of rubber ring mounting grooves 24 located at both ends of the open side of the two hood portions 23, a flange portion 27 located between the pair of hood portions 23, and a pair of retainer first mounting holes 28 (see Figure 7(A)) located in front of the flange portion 27.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the pair of hood portions 23 are designed so that mating connectors (not shown) can be fitted into them from both the front and rear sides. As shown in Figure 5, the pair of hood portions 23 are positioned to cover the front and rear pair of connection portions 21A of the multiple male terminals 21. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the inner housing body portion 22 holds the intermediate portions 21B of the multiple male terminals 21 that are arranged to penetrate in the front and rear direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, a rubber ring mounting groove 24 is formed on the outer circumference of the hood portion 23. The rubber ring mounting groove 24 has a mounting body groove 25 capable of accommodating the rubber ring body portion 12, which will be described later, and a pair of receiving portions 26 arranged on both the upper and lower sides of the mounting body groove 25, which are capable of accommodating the protruding portion 13, which will be described later. The receiving portion 26 is a groove that extends from the mounting body groove 25 toward the inner housing body portion 22. When the rubber ring 11 is attached to the rubber ring mounting groove 24, the rubber ring body portion 12 is accommodated in the mounting body groove 25, and the protruding portion 13 is accommodated in the receiving portion 26.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the flange portion 27 protrudes radially from the outer circumference of the inner housing body portion 22. The flange portion 27 has a predetermined thickness in the front-rear direction. The flange portion 27 has a stop surface 33 that can come into contact with the contact surface 58 of the outer housing 50, which will be described later. The stop surface 33 is the front-facing surface of the outer surface of the flange portion 27. The stop surface 33 and the contact surface 58 are provided to stop the inner housing 20 from coming into contact with the outer housing 50.

[0030] In Figure 5, when the housings 20 and 50 of the connector 10 are mounted together, the abutment surface 33 contacts the contact surface 58, thereby mounting the inner housing 20 in a predetermined position relative to the outer housing 50. Thus, the abutment surface 33 and the contact surface 58 have a positioning function in the front-rear direction of the housings 20 and 50.

[0031] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, terminal holding portions 29 are formed inside the inner housing main body portion 22, capable of holding each of the three intermediate portions 21B while covering their entire circumference.

[0032] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the inner housing body 22 has a pair of retainer first mounting holes 28 that open in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, since the pair of retainer first mounting holes 28 have substantially the same shape, one retainer first mounting hole 28 will be described as representative.

[0033] As shown in Figure 7(A), the retainer first mounting hole 28 is the internal space of a cylindrical member in which a part of the retainer 70 is housed in the mounting direction. The peripheral wall 28C constituting the retainer first mounting hole 28 has a side opposing wall 28A connected to the terminal holding portion 29, a pair of locking holes 28B above and below, and an opening 28D that opens outward in the mounting direction. The internal spaces of the pair of retainer first mounting holes 28 communicate with the internal space of the retainer second mounting hole 59, which will be described later, at the opening 28D.

[0034] Half the total length of the retainer 70 is accommodated in the first retainer mounting hole 28. The radial dimension of the internal space of the first retainer mounting hole 28 is set to be slightly larger than the radial dimension of the retainer 70. The radial dimension of the internal space of the first retainer mounting hole 28 and the radial dimension of the internal space of the second retainer mounting hole 59 are set to be approximately the same.

[0035] (Rubber ring 11) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector 10 includes a pair of rubber rings 11 that are fitted into a pair of rubber ring mounting grooves 24. The rubber rings 11 are elastic. The rubber rings 11 are annular in shape, elongated in the left-right direction. The rubber rings 11 seal the space between the inner housing 20 and the mating housing.

[0036] The rubber ring 11 is configured to be elastically deformable. As shown in Figure 2, the rubber ring 11 has, for example, a rubber ring body 12 and a plurality (four in this embodiment) of protrusions 13 that protrude from the rubber ring body 12. The rubber ring body 12 is formed, for example, as a continuous annular shape that can be mounted around the entire circumference of the rubber ring mounting groove 24. In other words, the rubber ring 11 in this embodiment is formed as an elongated oval shape that is long in the left-right direction. Each protrusion 13 protrudes in the front-rear direction from, for example, a part of the circumferential direction of the rubber ring body 12. The plurality of protrusions 13 are arranged, for example, side by side in the left-right direction. The protrusions 13 are housed in the receiving portion 26, which prevents the rubber ring 11 from rotating.

[0037] The rubber ring 11 is made of rubber, for example. Examples of materials that can be used for the rubber ring 11 include nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, acrylic rubber, butyl rubber, and ethylene propylene rubber.

[0038] (Outer housing 50) As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the outer housing 50 has an outer housing body portion 55. For example, the outer housing body portion 55 has an outer hood portion 56 that covers the outer circumference of the inner housing body portion 22, and fixing portions 51, 52, and 53 that are integrally formed with the outer hood portion 56. As the material of the outer housing 50, metal materials such as copper or copper alloy, aluminum or aluminum alloy, or stainless steel can be used.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the outer hood portion 56 is formed to partially surround the outer circumference of the inner housing body portion 22, for example. The outer housing body portion 55 has a housing portion 57 (see Figure 2) that partially accommodates the outside of the inner housing 20. The housing portion 57 is formed on both the front and rear sides of the outer hood portion 56 and is formed in an annular shape, for example, having an inner circumferential surface that corresponds to the outer circumferential surface of the inner housing body portion 22. As shown in Figure 5, a contact surface 58 is formed at the rear end of the housing portion 57 that abuts against the abutment surface 33 of the flange portion 27.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1, 6, and 7, the housing portion 57 has a pair of retainer second mounting holes 59 that penetrate in the left-right direction. The retainer second mounting holes 59 have a portion where the remaining half of the retainer 70's total length is positioned. That is, the entire retainer 70 is housed by the retainer first mounting hole 28 and the retainer second mounting hole 59. The retainer mounting holes 28 and 59 are in communication with each other. Therefore, at least half of the retainer 70 is in contact with the second connector housing 50, which increases the locking force between the second connector housing 50 and the retainer 70.

[0041] The outer housing 50 of this embodiment has an overall inverted triangular shape when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, since the pair of retainer second mounting holes 59 have substantially the same shape, one retainer second mounting hole 59 will be described as representative.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1, the fixing parts 51, 52, and 53 are parts that are fastened with mating equipment (not shown) in the vertical or horizontal direction by bolts. The upper part of the outer housing 50 is provided with a first fixing part 51 and a second fixing part 52, and the lower part of the outer housing 50 is provided with a third fixing part 53. Each fixing part 51 and fixing part 52 has a pair of through holes 51A and 52A through which bolts can be inserted in the vertical direction. The third fixing part 53 has a third through hole 53A through which bolts can be inserted in the horizontal direction.

[0043] As shown in Figure 7(A), the internal space of the retainer second mounting hole 59 is formed to communicate with the internal space of the retainer first mounting hole 28 at the front in the mounting direction. As a result, the front portion of the retainer 70 in the mounting direction is accommodated in the retainer first mounting hole 28, and the rear portion of the retainer 70 in the mounting direction is mounted in the retainer second mounting hole 59. In this way, the retainer 70 is mounted in a bolt-like or wedge-like manner across the retainer first mounting hole 28 and the retainer second mounting hole 59.

[0044] As shown in Figure 7(A), the retainer second mounting hole 59 is a housing hole that accommodates the central and tip portions of the main body of the retainer 70 in the mounting direction. The retainer second mounting hole 59 is a housing hole that penetrates the outer housing main body 55 in the left-right direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. The radial dimension of the internal space of the retainer second mounting hole 59 is set to be slightly larger than the radial dimension of the retainer 70.

[0045] The peripheral wall 60 constituting the retainer's second mounting hole 59 has a pair of guide grooves 61 that house a pair of anti-rotation parts 73 (described later), a mounting opening 62A that opens forward in the mounting direction, a mounting opening 62B that opens rearward in the mounting direction, and a notch 63 formed by cutting out a part of the peripheral wall from the mounting opening 62B.

[0046] (Retainer 70) As shown in Figure 2, the retainer 70 is mounted across the inner housing 20 and the outer housing 50. The retainer 70 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. The retainer 70 can hold the inner housing 20 against the outer housing 50 by the strength of the retainer 70 as a whole.

[0047] In the housing state where the inner housing 20 is housed in the outer housing 50, the relative movement of each housing 20, 50 can be restricted by the overall strength of the retainer 70. The retainer 70 is formed, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape overall.

[0048] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the retainer 70 comprises a retainer body portion 71 including the peripheral wall of a cylinder, a pair of locking portions 72 projecting radially outward from one end of the retainer body portion 71, and a pair of anti-rotation portions 73 projecting radially outward from the other end of the retainer body portion 71. The anti-rotation portions 73 are arranged in the same linear direction as the corresponding locking portions 72. In this embodiment, since the pair of locking portions 72 have substantially the same shape, one locking portion 72 will be described as representative. In this embodiment, since the pair of anti-rotation portions 73 have substantially the same shape, one anti-rotation portion 73 will be described as representative.

[0049] The retainer body 71 has a front surface 74 which is the front surface in the mounting direction that is attached to the inner housing 20, a rear surface 75 which is the rear surface in the mounting direction, and an internal partition wall 76 which divides the interior into two vertical halves. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, both the upper and lower sides of the internal partition wall 76 in the retainer body 71 are hollowed out so that they open from the front surface 74 side to the rear surface 75 side.

[0050] As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, a pair of locking parts 72 protrude above and below the retainer body 71. The locking parts 72 are positioned near the front surface 74 of the body. The pair of locking parts 72 are configured to engage with each locking hole 28B. The anti-rotation part 73 is provided on the rear surface 75 side of the retainer body 71. The pair of anti-rotation parts 73 are configured to be housed in each guide groove 61. When the retainer 70 attempts to rotate, the anti-rotation part 73 contacts the groove wall of the guide groove 61, preventing the retainer 70 from rotating. In addition, the movement of the anti-rotation part 73 along the guide groove 61 guides the housing operation of the retainer 70 into each mounting hole 28, 59.

[0051] (Operation of this embodiment) How to assemble the connector This embodiment has the configuration described above, and its operation will now be explained. An example of how to assemble the connector 10 will be described.

[0052] As shown in Figure 2, first, three male terminals 21 are attached to the inner housing main body 22. This causes the middle portion 21B of the male terminals 21 to be held by the terminal holding portion 29.

[0053] Next, the inner housing 20 is housed in the outer housing 50. The abutment surface 33 and the contact surface 58 come into contact, positioning the inner housing 20 relative to the outer housing 50, and it is then housed in the housing section 57.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7(A), at this time, the retainer first mounting hole 28 and the retainer second mounting hole 59 are in communication in the internal space. More specifically, the opening 28D of the retainer first mounting hole 28 and the mounting opening 62A of the retainer second mounting hole 59 are connected.

[0055] Next, with the inner housing 20 housed in the outer housing 50, a pair of retainers 70 are attached across the inner housing 20 and the outer housing 50 in a left-right direction perpendicular to the fitting direction.

[0056] In detail, the retainer 70 enters the second retainer mounting hole 59 from the mounting opening 62B. Then, the retainer body portion 71 enters the first retainer mounting hole 28, and the lock portion 72 is housed in the lock hole 28B through the guide groove 61. Thus, the retainer body portion 71 of the retainer 70 is mounted across the first retainer mounting hole 28 and the second retainer mounting hole 59 (Figure 7(B)). If the inner housing 20 and the outer housing 50 attempt to move relative to each other in the front-rear direction, a shear force will act on the retainer 70, but the retainer 70 will not be sheared, and the inner housing 20 and the outer housing 50 will be held firmly connected.

[0057] At this time, in the mounting direction, each locking portion 72 is fitted into and locked in each locking hole 28B. This locks the retainer 70 from moving in the left-right direction. In addition, each anti-rotation portion 73 is fitted into each guide groove 61 and held in a state where it can contact in the rotational direction. This prevents the retainer 70 from rotating. Furthermore, when the retainer 70 is positioned in the rotational direction by the anti-rotation portion 73, at least one of the locking portion 72 or the anti-rotation portion 73 passes through the guide groove 61, which makes the locking of the locking portion 72 in relation to the locking hole 28B more reliable.

[0058] Furthermore, the retainer 70 is held in the inner housing 20 with the front surface 74 of the retainer 70 having a certain space S1 with the side opposing wall 28A (Figure 7(B)).

[0059] Furthermore, the position, range, and size of the locking hole 28B in the front direction of mounting are not limited to those shown, and as long as they do not impair the purpose of this disclosure, they should be able to perform the function of locking the locking part. Also, the position, range, and size of each guide groove 61 in the rear direction of mounting are not limited to those shown, and as long as they do not impair the purpose of this disclosure, they should be held in contact with the anti-rotation part 73.

[0060] Next, the pair of rubber rings 11 are attached to the rubber ring mounting grooves 24 of the inner housing 20.

[0061] (Effects of the embodiment) The embodiment described above can achieve the following effects. (1) The connector 10 is a connector that can be mated with a mating connector in a first direction (front-to-back direction), and comprises a first connector housing 20, a second connector housing 50 capable of housing the first connector housing 20, and a retainer 70 that is attached across the first connector housing 20 and the second connector housing 50, wherein the retainer 70 can be attached to the first connector housing 20 and the second connector housing 50 from a second direction (left-to-right direction) perpendicular to the first direction (front-to-back direction) when the first connector housing 20 is housed in the second connector housing 50, and the retainer 70 holds the first connector housing in the housed state.

[0062] With this configuration, when the first connector housing 20 is housed in the second connector housing 50, the retainer 70 is attached across both the first connector housing 20 and the second connector housing 50 from a second direction (left-right direction). Therefore, the strength of the entire retainer 70 can hold the first connector housing 20 in the housed state within the second connector housing 50. Thus, even if the retainer 70 is made of resin, for example, it can adequately perform the function of holding the first connector housing 20 of the connector 10 in the second connector housing 50. Furthermore, the total weight of the connector 10 body can be reduced compared to, for example, using a bolt instead of the retainer 70. Thus, further cost reductions can be achieved.

[0063] (2) The retainer 70 is positioned to penetrate the second connector housing 50 in the second direction (left-right direction) when in the housing state.

[0064] With this configuration, since the retainer 70 is positioned within the second connector housing 50, the retainer 70 can contact the second connector housing 50 for up to half its length, thereby increasing the locking force between the second connector housing 50 and the retainer 70.

[0065] (3) The retainer 70 has a locking portion 72 that prevents the retainer 70 from coming off by locking it in the second direction (left-right direction) to the first connector housing 20 when it is in the housing state.

[0066] With this configuration, once the retainer 70 is attached to the connector 10, the first connector housing 20 and the locking part 72 become locked together, making it difficult for the retainer 70 to come off the first connector housing 20.

[0067] (4) The retainer 70 has a rotation prevention part 73 that prevents the locking part 72 from rotating when it is in the housing state.

[0068] With this configuration, when the retainer 70 is attached to the connector 10, the first connector housing 20 and the locking portion 72 are positioned in the rotational direction, thereby ensuring more secure locking between the first connector housing 20 and the locking portion 72. (Other embodiments)

[0069] <Other Embodiments> The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0070] (1) The assembly method of the connector 10 described in the above embodiment is just one example, and other assembly methods may be used as long as they do not impair the purpose of this disclosure.

[0071] (2) In the above embodiment, examples were given in which fixing parts 51, 52, and 53 are provided, but the number of fixing parts may be increased or decreased as long as the purpose of this disclosure is not impaired.

[0072] (3) In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which three male terminals 21 are provided, but the number of male terminals 21 may be increased or decreased as long as the purpose of this disclosure is not impaired.

[0073] (4) In the above embodiment, an example is provided in which a pair of retainers 70 are provided, but the number of retainers 70 may be increased or decreased as long as the purpose of this disclosure is not impaired.

[0074] (5) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the pair of retainers 70 are mounted in a mounting direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to the fitting direction (front-rear direction). However, the retainers 70 may be mounted in any direction as long as the purpose of this disclosure is not impaired, for example, they may be mounted in the up-down direction.

[0075] (6) In the above embodiment, an example is provided in which a pair of locking parts 72 are provided, but as long as the purpose of this disclosure is not impaired, it is sufficient to provide at least one locking structure for holding the connector.

[0076] (7) In the above embodiment, an example is provided in which a pair of anti-rotation parts 73 are provided, but the number of anti-rotation parts 73 may be increased or decreased as long as the purpose of the present disclosure is not impaired.

[0077] (8) In the above embodiment, the shape, size, or mounting range of the pair of retainers 70, which include a pair of locking portions 72 and a pair of anti-rotation portions 73, is an example, and any shape, size, or mounting range may be used as long as it does not impair the purpose of the present disclosure.

[0078] (9) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which a space S1 is present when the pair of retainers 70 are mounted in the retainer first mounting hole and the retainer second mounting hole, but the space S1 does not have to be present in the mounting state as long as the purpose of the present disclosure is not impaired.

[0079] (10) In the above embodiment, the cross-section of the intermediate portion 21B of the male terminal 21 is formed in a substantially octagonal shape, but any shape is acceptable as long as it does not impair the purpose of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 10: Connector 11: Rubber ring 12: Rubber ring body 13: Protrusion 20: Inner housing (first connector housing) 21: Male terminal 21A: Connection part 21B: Middle part 22: Inner housing main body 23: Food Department 24: Rubber ring mounting groove 25: Mounting body groove 26: Receiving Department 27: Flange section 28: Retainer first mounting hole 28A: Side opposing wall 28B: Lock hole 28C: Peripheral wall 28D: Opening 29:Terminal holding part 33: Dead end 50: Outer housing (second connector housing) 51: 1st fixed part 51A: First insertion hole 52:Second fixed part 52A: Second insertion hole 53:Third fixed part 53A: Third insertion hole 55: Outer housing main body 56: Outer hood section 57: Detention Unit 58: Contact surface 59: Retainer second mounting hole 60: Peripheral wall 61: Guide groove 62A, 62B: Mounting socket 63: Notch 70: Retainer 71: Retainer body 72: Rock Club 73: Anti-rotation part 74:Front 75: Rear 76: Internal partition wall S1: Space

Claims

1. A connector that can be mated with a mating connector in a first direction, First connector housing and A second connector housing capable of accommodating the first connector housing, A retainer is mounted across the first connector housing and the second connector housing, The retainer is attachable to the first connector housing and the second connector housing from a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the first connector housing is housed in the second connector housing, and the retainer holds the first connector housing in the housed state.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the retainer is positioned to penetrate the second connector housing in the second direction in the housing state.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retainer has a locking portion that prevents the retainer from coming off by engaging with the first connector housing in the second direction in the housing state.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the retainer has a rotation prevention portion that prevents the rotation of the lock portion in the housing state.

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