connector

Abstract

This technology provides a solution that can prevent excessive lance deflection while simultaneously achieving a low profile. [Solution] The connector 10 includes a housing 20 having a cavity 24 for housing a terminal fitting 90, a lance 25 for preventing the terminal fitting 90 housed in the cavity 24 from coming out, and a lance deflection space 26 that allows elastic deformation of the lance 25. The lance 25 has a main body 25A and a projection 25B protruding from the main body 25A in one direction (to the right) perpendicular to the deflection direction (up and down direction) in which the lance 25 bends and the extension direction (front and back direction) of the lance 25. The lance deflection space 26 has a first deflection space 26A and a second deflection space 26B aligned in one direction (to the right) relative to the first deflection space 26A. At the same position in the deflection direction, it further includes a deflection prevention part 27 aligned in one direction relative to the first deflection space 26A, which prevents the lance 25 from bending beyond its elastic limit by contact with the projection 25B.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 prevents excessive deflection of the lance by the bottom wall of the terminal accommodating portion in the housing. A deflection space is formed between the lance and the bottom wall.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 is structured such that the deflection space and the bottom wall overlap in the deflection direction of the lance. When considering reducing the height of the connector, there is a concern that such a configuration may act in an unfavorable direction, and a technique that can achieve both prevention of excessive deflection of the lance and reduction in height is desired.

[0005] The present disclosure has been completed based on the circumstances described above, and an object thereof is to provide a technique that can achieve both prevention of excessive deflection of a lance and reduction in height.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises: a housing having a cavity for accommodating a terminal fitting; a lance that prevents the terminal fitting accommodated in the cavity from coming off; a lance deflection space that allows elastic deformation of the lance; and ​The lance has a main body and a projection that protrudes from the main body in one direction perpendicular to the bending direction in which the lance bends and the extension direction of the lance. The aforementioned lance deflection space is A first deflection space that allows the main body to deflect, It has a second deflection space that allows the deflection of the protrusion, Further comprising a deflection prevention portion that, at the same position in the deflection direction, is aligned in one direction with respect to the first deflection space and prevents the lance from deflecting beyond its elastic limit by contacting the projection, In the aforementioned deflection direction, the second deflection space is arranged between the protrusion and the deflection prevention portion. In the direction of deflection, the surface of the protrusion facing the second deflection space is spaced further away from the first deflection space than the surface of the main body facing the first deflection space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to achieve both the prevention of excessive lance deflection and a low profile. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the housing body, seen from the front right at an oblique angle. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a magnified perspective view of the main part of the housing body, seen from the front left at an oblique angle. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an enlarged front view of the main parts of the housing body as seen from the front. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow AA in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of BB as seen by the arrow in Figure 6. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an enlarged front view of the essential part of the housing body as viewed from the front in a state where the lance is deflected. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure includes: (1) a housing having a cavity for accommodating a terminal fitting; a lance that prevents the terminal fitting accommodated in the cavity from coming off; a lance deflection space that allows elastic deformation of the lance; , the connector comprising: the lance has a main body portion, and a protrusion protruding from the main body portion in one direction orthogonal to a deflection direction in which the lance deflects and an extending direction of the lance, the lance deflection space includes: a first deflection space that allows deflection of the main body portion; and a second deflection space that allows deflection of the protrusion, the connector further comprising a deflection prevention portion that is arranged side by side with the first deflection space in the one direction at the same position in the deflection direction, and prevents the lance from deflecting beyond its elastic limit by contact with the protrusion, in the deflection direction, the second deflection space is disposed between the protrusion and the deflection prevention portion, in the deflection direction, the surface of the protrusion facing the second deflection space is farther away from the first deflection space than the surface of the main body portion facing the first deflection space.

[0010] According to the configuration of (1) above, excessive deflection of the lance can be prevented by the deflection preventing portion and the protruding portion. In the deflection direction, the surface of the protruding portion facing the second deflection space is spaced further away from the first deflection space than the surface of the main body portion facing the first deflection space, such that the deflection preventing portion is positioned side by side in one direction relative to the first deflection space. When the protruding portion comes into contact with the deflection preventing portion, the main body portion and the deflection preventing portion are aligned in one direction at the same position in the deflection direction, which facilitates a reduction in height.

[0011] (2) In the connector according to (1) above, it is preferable that at least two of the cavities provided side by side in the deflection direction communicate with each other via the lance deflection space.

[0012] According to the configuration of (2) above, there is no need to provide an excessive deflection preventing wall between the two cavities, which can contribute to a reduction in the height of the connector.

[0013] (3) In the connector according to (2) above, in the deflection direction, the surface of the deflection preventing portion facing the protruding portion is closer to the protruding portion than the surface of the main body portion in the deflected state of the lance facing the first deflection space, and it is preferable that the side surface of the deflection preventing portion facing the main body portion is inclined so as to move away from the main body portion as it approaches the protruding portion.

[0014] According to the configuration of (3) above, the side surface of the deflection preventing portion facing the main body portion is inclined so as to move away from the main body portion as it approaches the protruding portion. Therefore, while preventing the deflection preventing portion from colliding with the main body portion when the lance is deflected, the thickness of the deflection preventing portion in one direction can be secured to reinforce the deflection preventing portion.

[0015] (4) In the connector according to any one of (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the protruding portion has a contact surface, and when the lance is elastically deformed, the contact surface comes into surface contact with the deflection preventing portion.

[0016] According to the configuration of (4) above, the contact surface can disperse the pressure generated between itself and the deflection preventing portion.

[0017] (5) In the connector described in (1) to (3) above, the lance has a jig contact portion that sandwiches the main body and contacts a jig on the side opposite to the projection, and in a state in which the lance prevents the terminal fitting housed in the cavity from coming out, it is preferable that the jig contact portion is spaced apart from the terminal fitting in a direction perpendicular to the bending direction and the extension direction and opposite to the one direction.

[0018] According to the configuration of (5) above, when the jig is brought into contact with the jig contact portion, it is possible to make it difficult for the jig to come into contact with the terminal fitting, and to prevent the terminal fitting from being deformed by the jig coming into contact with the terminal fitting.

[0019] (6) In the connector described in (5) above, the jig contact portion has a contact surface for contacting the jig, the lance deflection space has a third deflection space that is aligned with the first deflection space in the other direction and allows deflection of the jig contact portion, the contact surface is formed on the side of the jig contact portion opposite to the side facing the third deflection space, and is inclined toward the tip in the extension direction toward the third deflection space, and preferably the inclination angle of the contact surface toward the extension direction at the tip side is greater than the inclination angle of the contact surface toward the extension direction at the base end side.

[0020] According to the configuration of (6) above, the thickness of the tip portion in the extension direction of the contact surface can be secured, and deformation of the jig contact portion can be prevented when the jig makes contact.

[0021] [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.

[0022] <Embodiment 1> Embodiment 1 of the connector 10 of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In the figures, "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "right," and "left" are represented by "F," "B," "U," "D," "R," and "L," respectively. These 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). As shown in Figure 1, the connector 10 of Embodiment 1 comprises a housing 20, a plurality of terminal fittings 90 housed in the housing 20, and a retainer 60 movably assembled to the housing 20. The housing 20 is matable with a mating connector (not shown).

[0023] [Housing and terminal fitting configuration] The housing 20 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figure 2, the housing 20 includes a housing body 21, a locking arm 22, and a front member 23 which is separate from the housing body 21 and covers the front surface of the housing body 21. The locking arm 22 is provided in the center of the housing body 21 in the left-right direction and extends in the front-rear direction (see Figure 1). The locking arm 22 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction with its front end as a pivot point, and locks onto a mating connector (not shown) to hold the mating connector and the housing 20 in a mated state.

[0024] The housing body 21 has a plurality of cavities 24 that penetrate in the front-to-back direction, elastically deformable lances 25 that protrude forward from the inner wall of each cavity 24, a lance deflection space 26 (see Figure 6), a deflection prevention portion 27 (see Figure 6), and a retainer mounting hole 28. The lances 25 are formed to extend forward in a cantilevered manner from the front of the cavity 24.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the lance 25 has a main body 25A, a projection 25B, and a jig contact portion 25C. As shown in Figure 6, the main body 25A is the part of the lance 25 with the largest dimension in the deflection direction (vertical direction, and hereinafter simply referred to as the deflection direction). The main body 25A is positioned towards the left in the cavity 24.

[0026] The projection 25B is the smallest part of the lance 25 in the deflection direction (vertical direction). The projection 25B is provided projecting to the right from the main body 25A in a direction perpendicular to both the deflection direction (vertical direction) in which the lance 25 deflects and the extension direction of the lance 25 (front-rear direction, hereinafter simply referred to as the extension direction). The projection 25B extends from the base end to the tip of the main body 25A. The upper end surface of the projection 25B and the upper end surface of the main body 25A are flush from the base end to the tip (see Figures 4 and 5). The projection 25B is positioned towards the right in the cavity 24. A contact surface 25D is formed on the projection 25B. The contact surface 25D is formed facing downward. The contact surface 25D is formed inclined upward toward the front (see Figure 7). The lower surface of the projection 25B and the right side surface of the main body 25A are connected by a tapered surface 25F (see Figure 6).

[0027] The jig contact portion 25C is provided projecting to the left, which is the opposite direction to the other direction. In other words, the main body portion 25A, the projection portion 25B, and the jig contact portion 25C are aligned in the left-right direction (a direction perpendicular to the deflection direction and the extension direction). The jig contact portion 25C is located on the opposite side of the projection portion 25B, with the main body portion 25A in between. The jig contact portion 25C is located to the right of the cavity 24 (see Figure 6). A contact surface 25E is formed on the jig contact portion 25C. As shown in Figure 8, the contact surface 25E is formed facing upward. The contact surface 25E is formed on the side of the jig contact portion 25C opposite to the side facing the third deflection space 26C. The contact surface 25E is inclined to approach the third deflection space 26C toward the tip of the extension direction of the lance 25. In other words, the contact surface 25E is formed inclined downward toward the front. Specifically, the inclination angle of the lance 25 with respect to the extension direction (front-to-back direction) at the tip end of the contact surface 25E is set to be greater than the inclination angle of the contact surface 25E with respect to the extension direction at the base end.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the lance deflection space 26 is formed between the upper cavity 24 and the lower cavity 24. The lance deflection space 26 is located directly below the main body 25A, the projection 25B, and the jig contact portion 25C of the upper lance 25. The two cavities 24, which are arranged side by side in the vertical direction (deflection direction), are in communication via the lance deflection space 26. The lance deflection space 26 has a first deflection space 26A that allows deflection of the main body 25A, a second deflection space 26B that is aligned in one direction (to the right) relative to the first deflection space 26A and allows deflection of the projection 25B, and a third deflection space 26C that is aligned in the other direction (to the left) relative to the first deflection space 26A and allows deflection of the jig contact portion 25C.

[0029] The first deflection space 26A is located directly below the main body portion 25A of the upper lance 25. The first deflection space 26A communicates with the lower cavity 24. The second deflection space 26B is formed between the protrusion 25B and the deflection prevention portion 27 in the vertical direction (deflection direction). The second deflection space 26B is located directly below the protrusion 25B of the upper lance 25. The second deflection space 26B is located directly above the deflection prevention portion 27. The second deflection space 26B does not communicate with the lower cavity 24. The second deflection space 26B communicates with the first deflection space 26A. The upper end of the second deflection space 26B is located above the upper end of the first deflection space 26A. In other words, there is a height difference between the second deflection space 26B and the first deflection space 26A. At the same position in the deflection direction (vertical direction), the second deflection space 26B is aligned to the right in a unidirectional direction with respect to the main body portion 25A of the upper lance 25.

[0030] The third deflection space 26C is located directly below the jig contact portion 25C on the upper lance 25. The third deflection space 26C is in communication with the first deflection space 26A. The third deflection space 26C is aligned horizontally with respect to the first deflection space 26A. The third deflection space 26C is not in communication with the lower cavity 24. In other words, the lower cavity 24 is only in communication with the first deflection space 26A. There is no difference in height between the third deflection space 26C and the first deflection space 26A. In the deflection direction (vertical direction), the surface (contact surface 25E) of the protrusion 25B facing the second deflection space 26B when the lance 25 is not deflected is spaced further upward from the first deflection space 26A than the surface 25H of the main body 25A facing the first deflection space 26A.

[0031] The deflection prevention section 27 is provided between the upper cavity 24 and the lower cavity 24. The deflection prevention section 27 is positioned to cover the right side of the lower cavity 24 from above. The deflection prevention section 27 is located directly below the projection 25B on the upper lance 25, and is positioned spaced apart from the projection 25B in the vertical direction (deflection direction) via the second deflection space 26B. That is, at the same position in the deflection direction (vertical direction), the deflection prevention sections 27 are arranged side by side in one direction (rightward direction). As shown in Figure 6, when viewed from the front-to-back direction, the deflection prevention section 27 is formed in a trapezoidal shape such that its width in the left-to-right direction narrows upward. The side surface 25G of the deflection prevention section 27 facing the right end of the main body 25A is inclined to move away to the right from the right end surface of the main body 25A as it approaches the projection 25B. The side surface 25G is parallel to the tapered surface 25F. In the deflection direction (vertical direction), the surface 27A of the deflection prevention portion 27 facing the protrusion 25B is closer to the protrusion 25B than the surface 25H of the main body portion 25A facing the first deflection space 26A.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the retainer mounting hole 28 is formed in the center of the housing body 21 in the front-to-back direction, recessed upward from the bottom surface. The retainer mounting hole 28 is open downward, to the left, and to the right. The retainer mounting hole 28 communicates with each cavity 24 inside the housing body 21 and is located behind each lance 25. The main body 61 of the retainer 60, which will be described later, is inserted into the retainer mounting hole 28 from below.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the housing body 21 is provided with a main locking portion 34 and a temporary locking portion 35 positioned below the main locking portion 34 on both the left and right sides in front of the retainer mounting hole 28. The main locking portion 34 and the temporary locking portion 35 protrude outward in the left and right directions and have a rib-like shape that extends in the front and rear directions. The main locking portion 34 and the temporary locking portion 35 have the function of holding the position of the retainer 60 relative to the housing 20 in the main locking position and the temporary locking position by engaging the protrusion 65 (see Figure 1) of the retainer 60 with them.

[0034] The terminal fitting 90 is made of conductive metal. The terminal fitting 90 is inserted into each cavity 24 from the rear. As shown in Figure 2, the terminal fitting 90 is exemplified as a female terminal and has a rectangular tubular box portion 91 at its front. The box portion 91 receives the tab of a mating terminal fitting (not shown) and is electrically connected to the mating terminal fitting. A projection 91A is provided at the front end of the box portion 91, protruding downward. The rear of the terminal fitting 90 is crimped to the end of the electric wire W and is electrically and mechanically connected. The front member 23 prevents the box portion 91 from coming out forward.

[0035] [Retainer configuration] The retainer 60 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figure 1, the retainer 60 has a main body portion 61 that extends long in the left-right direction, and a pair of side plate portions 62 that protrude forward from both the left and right ends of the main body portion 61. The main body portion 61 is positioned within the retainer mounting hole 28 (see Figure 2) and moves vertically between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position within the retainer mounting hole 28. Each side plate portion 62 is positioned to cover a part of both the left-right sides of the housing body 21 from the outside in the left-right direction (see Figure 3).

[0036] The main body 61 has a plurality of through holes 63 that penetrate in the front-to-back direction. Each through hole 63 is arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction in the main body 61. Each through hole 63 is provided with a retaining portion 64 that protrudes upward from the bottom surface (see Figure 2). Each retaining portion 64 is also formed on the top surface of the main body 61, arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction. When the main body 61 is positioned within the retainer mounting hole 28, each through hole 63 is arranged in communication with the lower cavity 24 (see Figure 2). Each retaining portion 64 is arranged to correspond individually to the upper and lower cavities 24 (see Figure 2).

[0037] When the retainer 60 is in a temporary locking position relative to the housing 20, the retaining portion 64 is retracted from the cavity 24, allowing the terminal fitting 90 to be inserted into the cavity 24 (not shown). As shown in Figure 2, when the retainer 60 is in the permanent locking position relative to the housing 20, the retaining portion 64 enters the cavity 24 and is positioned to be lockable to the rear surface of the box portion 91. The terminal fitting 90 is held in place within the cavity 24 by the retaining portion 64.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, each side plate portion 62 is a flat plate with its surface oriented in the left-right direction, and is elastically deformable in the left-right direction with its rear end portion, which is connected to the main body portion 61, as a pivot point. A protrusion 65 is provided on the inner surface of each side plate portion 62 in the left-right direction. The protrusion 65 is rib-shaped and extends in the front-rear direction, and is formed along the upper end of each side plate portion 62 (see Figure 3).

[0039] [Function of the connector] The main body portion 61 of the retainer 60 is inserted into the retainer mounting hole 28 from below. During the assembly process of the retainer 60, the protrusion 65 moves upward from below over the temporary locking portion 35, causing the side plate portion 62 to elastically deform outwards to the left and right, with the rear end as the pivot point.

[0040] When the protrusion 65 moves upward over the temporary locking portion 35, the side plate portion 62 elastically returns to its original state (natural state without elastic deformation), and the protrusion 65 fits between the temporary locking portion 35 and the permanent locking portion 34. As a result, the retainer 60 is held in the temporary locking position relative to the housing 20.

[0041] When the retainer 60 is in a temporary locking position relative to the housing 20, terminal fittings 90 are inserted into each cavity 24 from the rear. The terminal fittings 90 are pre-connected to the ends of the electric wires W (see Figure 2).

[0042] When the terminal fitting 90 is inserted into the cavity 24 from the rear, the lance 25 is pressed downward by the projection 91A of the box portion 91 and elastically deforms downward with its rear end (base end) as the fulcrum (see Figures 7 and 9). At this time, the lance 25 enters the lance deflection space 26 (see Figure 9). In other words, the lance deflection space 26 is a space that allows elastic deformation of the lance 25. At this time, the main body portion 25A enters the first deflection space 26A, and the projection 25B enters the second deflection space 26B (see Figure 9). At this time, in the deflection direction, the surface 27A of the deflection prevention portion 27 facing the projection 25B is closer to the projection 25B than the surface 25H of the main body portion 25A facing the first deflection space 26A when the lance 25 is deflected. The tapered surface 25F of the deflection prevention portion 27 allows the main body portion 25A to enter the first deflection space 26A without getting caught on the deflection prevention portion 27. Then, when the projection 91A passes forward through the lance 25, the lance 25 elastically returns to its original position (see Figure 2). As a result, the main body portion 25A of each lance 25 is positioned to be able to lock onto the rear end of the projection 91A of the box portion 91 of each terminal fitting 90 (see Figure 2). In this way, the lance 25 prevents the terminal fitting 90 housed in the cavity 24 from coming loose.

[0043] After inserting the terminal fittings 90 into each cavity 24, the retainer 60 is pushed up. As a result, the protrusion 65 moves upward from below over the locking portion 34, causing the side plate portion 62 to elastically deform outwards to the left and right, with the rear end as the pivot point.

[0044] When the protrusion 65 moves upward over the locking portion 34, the side plate portion 62 elastically returns to its original state (natural state without elastic deformation), and the protrusion 65 is positioned above the locking portion 34 (see Figure 3). As a result, the retainer 60 is held in the locking position relative to the housing 20. When the retainer 60 reaches the locking position, each retaining portion 64 is positioned to be lockable to the rear surface of the box portion 91 of each terminal fitting 90 (see Figure 2).

[0045] When removing the terminal fitting 90 from the cavity 24, first the retainer 60 is moved from the permanent locking position to the temporary locking position. At this time, the protrusion 65 crosses over the permanent locking portion 34 downwards, causing the side plate portion 62 to elastically deform outwards to the left and right, with the rear end as the pivot point.

[0046] When the protrusion 65 moves downward over the main locking portion 34, the side plate portion 62 elastically returns to its original state (natural state without elastic deformation), and the protrusion 65 fits between the temporary locking portion 35 and the main locking portion 34. As a result, the retainer 60 is held in a temporary locking position relative to the housing 20. At this time, the retaining portion 64 is positioned below the rear surface of the box portion 91 of each terminal fitting 90.

[0047] The jig (not shown) is brought into contact with the contact surface 25E of the jig contact portion 25C from the front, and the contact surface 25E is pressed downward. With the lance 25 preventing the terminal fitting 90 housed in the cavity 24 from coming out, the jig contact portion 25C is spaced apart from the terminal fitting 90 in the left direction, which is perpendicular to the bending direction and the extension direction, and is opposite to one of the directions (see Figure 6). Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the jig to come into contact with the box portion 91, and to prevent the jig from coming into contact with the box portion 91 and damaging it. When the contact surface 25E is pressed downward by the jig, the lance 25 elastically deforms downward with its rear end (base end) as the fulcrum. As a result, the main body portion 25A enters the first bending space 26A, the projection portion 25B enters the second bending space 26B, and the jig contact portion 25C enters the third bending space 26C. Then, the contact surface 25D of the projection 25B makes surface contact with the upper surface of the deflection prevention portion 27 (see Figure 7). In other words, the deflection prevention portion 27 prevents the lance 25 from deflecting excessively beyond its elastic limit by contact with the projection 25B, thereby preventing plastic deformation. With the main body portion 25A and projection 25B of the lance 25 detached downwards from the rear of the projection 91A of the box portion 91, the terminal fitting 90 is removed backwards from the cavity 24.

[0048] As described above, the connector 10 of Embodiment 1 includes a housing 20 having a cavity 24 for housing a terminal fitting 90, a lance 25 for preventing the terminal fitting 90 housed in the cavity 24 from coming loose, and a lance deflection space 26 that allows elastic deformation of the lance 25. The lance 25 has a main body portion 25A and a projection 25B that protrudes from the main body portion 25A in one direction (to the right) perpendicular to the deflection direction (up and down direction) in which the lance 25 bends and the extension direction (front and back direction) of the lance 25. The lance deflection space 26 has a first deflection space 26A that allows the deflection of the main body portion 25A, and a second deflection space 26B that is aligned in one direction (to the right) relative to the first deflection space 26A and allows the deflection of the projection 25B. The lance is further provided with a deflection prevention portion 27 that is aligned in one direction (to the right) with respect to the first deflection space 26A at the same position in the deflection direction (vertical direction), and which prevents the lance 25 from deflecting beyond its elastic limit by contacting the projection 25B. In the deflection direction (vertical direction), the second deflection space 26B is located between the projection 25B and the deflection prevention portion 27. In the deflection direction (vertical direction), the surface of the projection 25B facing the second deflection space 26B (contact surface 25E) is spaced further away from the first deflection space 26A than the surface 25H of the main body portion 25A facing the first deflection space 26A.

[0049] With this configuration, the deflection prevention portion 27 and the projection portion 25B can prevent excessive deflection of the lance 25. Furthermore, in the deflection direction, the surface of the projection portion 25B facing the second deflection space 26B (contact surface 25E) is spaced further away from the first deflection space 26A than the surface 25H of the main body portion 25A facing the first deflection space 26A, so that the deflection prevention portion 27 is aligned in one direction with respect to the first deflection space 26A. When the projection portion 25B contacts the deflection prevention portion 27, the main body portion 25A and the deflection prevention portion 27 are aligned in the same position and in one direction in the deflection direction, making it easy to reduce the profile.

[0050] Two cavities 24, arranged side by side in the direction of deflection (vertical direction), communicate with each other via a lance deflection space 26. This configuration eliminates the need for an excessive deflection prevention wall between the two cavities 24, thus contributing to a lower profile connector 10.

[0051] In the deflection direction (vertical direction), the surface 27A of the deflection prevention portion 27 facing the protrusion 25B is closer to the protrusion 25B than the surface 25H of the main body portion 25A facing the first deflection space 26A when the lance 25 is deflected. The side surface 25G of the deflection prevention portion 27 facing the main body portion 25A is inclined to move away from the main body portion 25A as it approaches the protrusion 25B. With this configuration, the side surface 25G of the deflection prevention portion 27 facing the main body portion 25A is inclined to move away from the main body portion 25A as it approaches the protrusion 25B. Therefore, the deflection prevention portion 27 can be reinforced by ensuring the thickness of the deflection prevention portion 27 in one direction, while preventing the deflection prevention portion 27 from hitting the main body portion 25A when the lance 25 is deflected.

[0052] The projection 25B has a contact surface 25D. When the lance 25 undergoes elastic deformation, the contact surface 25D makes surface contact with the deflection prevention portion 27. With this configuration, the pressure generated between the contact surface 25D and the deflection prevention portion 27 can be distributed.

[0053] The lance 25 has a jig contact portion 25C that sandwiches the main body portion 25A and contacts the jig on the opposite side of the projection portion 25B. When the lance 25 prevents the terminal fitting 90 housed in the cavity 24 from coming out, the jig contact portion 25C is perpendicular to the bending direction (up and down direction) and the extension direction (front and back direction) with respect to the terminal fitting 90, and is spaced apart in one direction (right direction) and the other direction (left direction) opposite to the other direction. With this configuration, when the jig is brought into contact with the jig contact portion 25C, it is difficult for the jig to come into contact with the terminal fitting 90, and it is possible to prevent the terminal fitting 90 from being deformed by the jig coming into contact with the terminal fitting 90.

[0054] The jig contact portion 25C has a contact surface 25E that the jig contacts. The lance deflection space 26 has a third deflection space 26C that is aligned in the opposite direction (leftward) to the first deflection space 26A and allows deflection of the jig contact portion 25C. The contact surface 25E is formed on the side of the jig contact portion 25C opposite to the side facing the third deflection space 26C and is inclined to approach the third deflection space 26C towards the tip in the extension direction (front-rear direction). The inclination angle of the contact surface 25E with respect to the extension direction (front-rear direction) at the tip side is greater than the inclination angle of the contact surface 25E with respect to the extension direction (front-rear direction) at the base end side. With this configuration, the thickness of the tip of the contact surface 25E in the extension direction (front-rear direction) can be secured, and deformation of the jig contact portion 25C can be prevented when the jig makes contact.

[0055] [Other embodiments of this disclosure] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. (1) Unlike the above embodiment, the number of cavities in the vertical direction may be three or more. (2) Unlike the above embodiment, the side of the deflection prevention portion facing the main body may be curved so that it moves away from the main body as it approaches the protrusion. (3) Unlike the above embodiment, when the lance undergoes elastic deformation, the protrusion may be in line contact with the deflection prevention portion or in point contact. (4) Unlike the above embodiment, when the lance is in a state in which the terminal fitting housed in the cavity is prevented from coming out, the jig contact portion may be adjacent to the terminal fitting in the other direction. (5) Unlike the above embodiment, the angle of inclination with respect to the extension direction of the contact surface of the jig contact portion may be the same from the base end to the tip end. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 10: Connector 20: Housing 21: Housing body 22: Lock Arm 23: Front component 24: Cavity 25: Lance 25A: Main body 25B: Projection 25C: Jig contact area 25D: Contact surface 25E: Contact surface (the surface facing the second deflection space in the protrusion) 25F: Tapered surface 25G: Side 25H: Surface facing the first deflection space in the main body. 26: Lance deflection space 26A: First flex space 26B: Second Flexural Space 26C: Third Flexural Space 27: Deflection prevention section 27A: Surface facing the protrusion in the deflection prevention section 28: Retainer mounting hole 29: Second Lance Flex Space 34: This locking part 35: Temporary locking part 60: Retainer 61: Main body 62: Side plate part 63: Through hole 64: Retaining part 65: Convex part 90: Terminal fittings 91: Hakobe 91A:Protrusion W: Electric wire

Claims

1. A housing having a cavity for housing terminal fittings, A lance for preventing the terminal fitting housed in the cavity from coming loose, A lance deflection space that allows elastic deformation of the lance, Equipped with, The lance has a main body and a projection that protrudes from the main body in one direction perpendicular to the bending direction in which the lance bends and the extension direction of the lance. The aforementioned lance deflection space is A first deflection space that allows the main body to deflect, It has a second deflection space that allows the deflection of the protrusion, Further comprising a deflection prevention portion that, at the same position in the deflection direction, is aligned in one direction with respect to the first deflection space and prevents the lance from deflecting beyond its elastic limit by contacting the projection, In the aforementioned deflection direction, the second deflection space is arranged between the protrusion and the deflection prevention portion. In the direction of deflection, the surface of the protrusion facing the second deflection space is spaced further away from the first deflection space than the surface of the main body facing the first deflection space.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the cavities arranged in the direction of deflection are in communication through the lance deflection space.

3. In the aforementioned deflection direction, the surface of the deflection prevention portion facing the protrusion is closer to the protrusion than the surface of the main body portion facing the first deflection space when the lance is deflected. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the side surface of the deflection prevention portion facing the main body is inclined to move away from the main body as it approaches the protrusion.

4. The aforementioned projection has a contact surface, The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the lance undergoes elastic deformation, the contact surface comes into contact with the deflection prevention portion in a surface contact state.

5. The lance has a jig contact portion that sandwiches the main body and contacts the jig on the opposite side of the projection, The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in a state in which the lance prevents the terminal fitting housed in the cavity from coming out, the jig contact portion is spaced apart from the terminal fitting in a direction perpendicular to the bending direction and the extension direction, and opposite to the one direction.

6. The jig contact portion has a contact surface that contacts the jig, The lance deflection space has a third deflection space that is aligned with the first deflection space in the other direction and allows the deflection of the jig contact portion. The aforementioned contact surface is formed on the side of the jig contact portion opposite to the side facing the third deflection space, and is inclined to approach the third deflection space toward the tip in the extension direction. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the angle of inclination with respect to the extension direction at the tip side of the contact surface is greater than the angle of inclination with respect to the extension direction at the base end side of the contact surface.

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