Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can increase the operability of a rock arm even when there is an abnormal substance.SOLUTION: A connector 10 includes: a housing body 21 which can be engaged with the other housing 90 from the front; and an elastically rock arm 47 extending in a longitudinal direction and latching the other housing 90. In the back end part of the rock arm 47, there is a pressing unit 53 for cancelling the latch of the other housing 90 by being pressed by one surface side of the housing body 21. An abnormal substance discharge unit 40 is formed in a position closer to one surface of the housing body 21 than the pressing unit 53.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] The connector of Patent Document 1 includes a housing and a lock arm connected to the housing. The lock arm extends in the front-rear direction and is elastically deformable in a U-shape. This lock arm locks the mating housing and holds the housing and the mating housing in a fitted state. A pressing operation portion is formed at the rear end portion of the lock arm. The pressing operation portion is pressed toward the housing side when unlocking the locking between the housing and the mating housing. Connectors having such a lock arm are also disclosed in Patent Documents 2, 3, and 4.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, depending on the situation where the connector is mounted, foreign matter such as mud may enter from the outside into the space between the housing and the pressing operation portion. If the foreign matter remains deposited in the space, the pressing operation portion cannot be properly pressed, which may hinder the operability when unlocking the lock arm.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector capable of ensuring the operability when unlocking a lock arm.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure includes a housing body that can be fitted into a mating housing from the front, a lock arm that extends in the front-rear direction and is elastically deformable to lock the mating housing, a pressing portion formed at the rear end portion of the lock arm and pressed against one surface side of the housing body to release the locking with the mating housing, and a foreign matter discharge portion formed on one surface side of the housing body from the pressing portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector capable of ensuring the operability when unlocking a lock arm.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

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 (1) includes a housing body that can be fitted into the mating housing from the front, a lock arm that extends in the front-rear direction and is elastically deformable to lock the mating housing, a pressing portion formed at the rear end portion of the lock arm and pressed against one surface side of the housing body to release the locking with the mating housing, and a foreign matter discharge portion formed on one surface side of the housing body from the pressing portion. According to the above configuration, the foreign matter discharge portion can discharge foreign matter that has entered between one surface side of the housing body and the pressing portion. Therefore, even in a situation where foreign matter enters between one surface side of the housing body and the pressing portion, an operation of releasing the locking between the lock arm and the mating housing, in other words, a pressing operation of the pressing portion, can be performed.

[0010] (2) It is preferable to have a slope portion as the foreign matter discharge portion that is inclined in a direction away from the pressing portion as it goes rearward at a position facing the pressing portion on one surface side of the housing body. According to the above configuration, even if foreign matter accumulates between one surface side of the housing body and the pressing portion, the foreign matter can be pushed out from the slope portion along with the pressing operation of the pressing portion.

[0011] (3) It is good to include a rib that protrudes from the housing body toward the pressing portion, and the slope portion has a first slope portion at an end portion on the tip side in the protruding direction of the rib. According to the above configuration, since the first slope portion is close to and faces the pressing portion, the foreign matter deposited on the first slope portion can be effectively pushed out by the pressing portion.

[0012] (4) When the pressing part is in the state closest to one surface side of the housing body, it is preferable that there is a release part which is a gap opened rearward between the pressing part and the first slope part. According to the above configuration, since the release part can promote the discharge of foreign matters, it becomes difficult for foreign matters to remain between one surface side of the housing body and the pressing part.

[0013] (5) It is preferable that the slope part has a second slope part which is inclined in a planar shape at a position adjacent to the rib on one surface side of the housing body. According to the above configuration, in addition to the first slope part, foreign matters can also be discharged from the second slope part, and it becomes more difficult for foreign matters to remain between one surface side of the housing body and the pressing part.

[0014] (6) It is preferable to provide a protruding part that protrudes from at least one of the housing body and the pressing part toward the other, and the protruding part has a tapered part as the foreign matter discharge part whose thickness decreases as it goes toward the other. According to the above configuration, along with the pressing operation of the pressing part, the tapered part of the protruding part can scrape and discharge the foreign matters deposited between one surface side of the housing body and the pressing part.

[0015] (7) The protruding part is composed of a rib that protrudes from the housing body toward the pressing part and a counter rib that protrudes from the pressing part toward the housing body, and it is preferable that the rib and the counter rib oppose each other's tapered parts. According to the above configuration, the foreign matters deposited between one surface side of the housing body and the pressing part can be effectively pushed out from between the tapered part of the rib and the tapered part of the counter rib along with the pressing operation of the pressing part.

[0016] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this exemplification, and is shown by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

[0017] <Embodiment 1> The connector 10 according to Embodiment 1 includes a housing 20 made of synthetic resin. The housing 20 is fitted to a mating housing 90. In the following description, regarding the front-rear direction, the side where the housing 20 is fitted to the mating housing 90 is defined as the front side. The left side in FIG. 3 is the front side. The up-down direction is based on the up-down direction in each figure except FIG. 4. The up-down direction is synonymous with the height direction. The left-right direction is synonymous with the width direction. These directions do not necessarily coincide with the directions in the state where the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown) or the like.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the mating housing 90 has a cylindrical hood portion 91. A plurality of mating terminal fittings 92 project into the hood portion 91. A mating lock portion 93 projects from the upper wall of the hood portion 91.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 20 has a housing body 21 that is fitted into the hood portion 91. The housing body 21 has a plurality of cavities 22. Terminal fittings 23 are inserted into each cavity 22 from the rear. The housing body 21 has lances 24 that project forward from the inner surface of each cavity 22. The terminal fittings 23 are locked to the lances 24 and are primarily prevented from coming out within the cavities 22. The terminal fittings 23 are crimped to the terminal portions of the electric wires 80 and are electrically connected to the mating terminal fittings 92 when the housing 20 and the mating housing 90 are fitted together.

[0020] A retainer (not shown) is assembled to the housing body 21 from the side. The retainer secondarily prevents the terminal fittings 23 from coming out. A seal ring 27 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the housing body 21. The seal ring 27 is hermetically sandwiched between the housing body 21 and the hood portion 91.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing body 21 has a plurality of cavity tower portions 28. Each cavity tower portion 28 has a cylindrical shape and protrudes rearward of the housing body 21. The rear portion of each cavity 22 is formed within each cavity tower portion 28. A rubber plug 29 fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 80 is inserted into each cavity tower portion 28 in a liquid-tight manner.

[0022] The housing body 21 has a frame portion 31 at the rear end that collectively surrounds each cavity tower portion 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the frame portion 31 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the rear and has a horizontally extending plate-like upper side portion 32 in the left-right direction.

[0023] The housing body 21 has a second slope portion 33 as a slope portion that slopes downward rearward on the upper surface (one surface) of the left and right central portions of the upper side portion 32. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the second slope portion 33 is a flat inclined surface that continues without unevenness and is inclined at a constant inclination angle with respect to the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rear end portion of the second slope portion 33 is disposed at a position facing the large-diameter cavity tower portion 28 from above.

[0024] The housing body 21 has ribs 34 as a pair of protruding portions that protrude upward (toward the pressing portion 53 described later) from positions adjacent to the end portions on both the left and right sides of the second slope portion 33 on the upper surface of the upper side portion 32. Each rib 34 has a shape that extends in the front-rear direction while being continuous with the end portions on both the left and right sides of the second slope portion 33.

[0025] Each rib 34 has a first slope portion 35 as a slope portion that slopes downward rearward at the upper end portion (the end portion on the tip side in the protruding direction of the rib 34). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first slope portion 35 is the top portion of the rib 34 and is inclined at a constant inclination angle that is gentler than that of the second slope portion 33 with respect to the front-rear direction. The front end portion of the first slope portion 35 is adjacent to the front end portion of the second slope portion 33 at the same height.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, each rib 34 has an inner inclined surface 36 that inclines from the first slope portion 35 (upper end portion) to the second slope portion 33 (lower end portion) on the inner surfaces facing each other in the left - right direction so as to approach the left - right central portion of the housing body 21. Each rib 34 has an outer inclined surface 37 on the outer surface opposite to the inner inclined surface 36 that inclines away from the left - right central portion of the housing body 21 as it goes downward from the first slope portion 35. In the case of the first embodiment, the inner inclined surface 36 and the outer inclined surface 37 are each inclined at an inclination angle of 45 degrees or less, preferably 30 degrees or less, with respect to the vertical direction. Each rib 34 is configured as a tapered portion 38 having a tapered shape that gradually becomes narrower toward the first slope portion 35 by the inner inclined surface 36 and the outer inclined surface 37.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, the housing body 21 has a third slope portion 39 that inclines away from the left - right central portion of the housing body 21 at a position on the upper surface of the upper side portion 32 adjacent to the outer inclined surface 37 of each rib 34. The third slope portion 39 is a flat surface that continues without unevenness and inclines at a constant inclination angle that is gentler than the outer inclined surface 37 with respect to the left - right direction.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 5, the housing body 21 has a weir portion 41 that protrudes upward from the front end portion of the upper side portion 32. The weir portion 41 is connected to the front end portions of the second slope portion 33, the rib 34, and the third slope portion 39 respectively and forms a transverse wall shape extending in the left - right direction. The upper end portion of the weir portion 41 is arranged at the same height as the front end portions of the first slope portion 35 and the second slope portion 33 respectively. As shown in Fig. 3, the seal ring 27 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the housing body 21 is arranged in front of the weir portion 41.

[0029] The first slope portion 35, the second slope portion 33, the third slope portion 39, and the tapered portion 38 (inner inclined surface 36, outer inclined surface 37) of the rib 34, together with the tapered portion 58 (opposite inner inclined surface 56, opposite outer inclined surface 57) of the opposing rib 55 described later, constitute a foreign matter discharge portion 40 capable of discharging foreign matters such as mud that have entered the housing 20.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 20 has a fitting cylinder portion 42 that surrounds the outer periphery of the housing body 21. A hood portion 91 of the mating housing 90 is fitted between the fitting cylinder portion 42 and the housing body 21. The fitting cylinder portion 42 has, at its rear end portion, a back wall portion 43 that projects radially from the front end portion of the frame portion 31.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the fitting cylinder portion 42 has an opening 44 that penetrates the left and right central portions of the upper wall, a pair of protection portions 45 that partition the end portions on both the left and right sides of the opening 44, an inversion regulation portion 46 that partitions the front end portion of the opening 44, and a lock arm 47 that is disposed in the opening 44 so as to be elastically deformable.

[0032] Each protection portion 45 extends in the front-rear direction and faces each other through the opening 44. As shown in FIG. 1, both circumferential end portions of the back wall portion 43 are respectively connected to each protection portion 45. The weir portion 41 is connected to both circumferential end portions of the back wall portion 43 between each protection portion 45. As shown in FIG. 2, the inversion regulation portion 46 is in the shape of a horizontal plate and is installed in the left-right direction between the upper front portions of each protection portion 45. Each protection portion 45 protects the lock arm 47 from both the left and right sides. The inversion regulation portion 46 is disposed so as to be able to regulate the displacement of the lock arm 47 in the inversion direction (displacement to the side opposite to the normal side).

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the lock arm 47 has a lock body 48 in the shape of a rectangular plate that is long in the front-rear direction, and a pair of fulcrum portions 49 that extend laterally (specifically, obliquely forward) from both end portions on the left and right sides of the lock body 48 and are connected to each protection portion 45. The lock body 48 is elastically deformable (tilt-displaceable) in a seesaw shape with each fulcrum portion 49 as a fulcrum.

[0034] The lock body 48 has, at its front end portion, an interference portion 51 that faces the inversion regulation portion 46 from below. As shown in FIG. 7, the interference portion 51 interferes with the inversion regulation portion 46 when the lock arm 47 is inverted.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the lock body 48 has a lock hole 52 that vertically penetrates a portion behind the interference portion 51 and in front of each fulcrum portion 49. As shown in FIG. 3, the mating lock portion 93 fits into the lock hole 52 of the lock body 48. Thereby, the housing 20 and the mating housing 90 are held in a fitted state.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the lock arm 47 has a pressing portion 53 that is wider than the lock body 48 behind the lock body 48. The rear end portion of the pressing portion 53 is disposed behind the back wall portion 43. As shown in FIG. 6, when the lock arm 47 is in the natural state, the upper surface of the pressing portion 53 is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface of the lock body 48 and is exposed upward through the opening 44. By pressing the pressing portion 53 from above, the front end portion of the lock body 48 is displaced upward, and the mating lock portion 93 comes out of the lock hole 52, making it possible to release the locking between the mating lock portion 93 and the lock arm 47.

[0037] The lock hole 52 is open behind the lock arm 47 through the left and right central portions of the lower surface of the pressing portion 53. As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, a pair of retracting surfaces 54 that slope upward toward the rear are formed on both the left and right sides of the lower surface of the pressing portion 53.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the lock arm 47 has opposing ribs 55 as a pair of protruding portions that protrude downward (toward the housing body 21 side) from both left and right end portions of the lower surface of the pressing portion 53 sandwiching each retracting surface 54. Each opposing rib 55 extends in the front-rear direction while being continuous with each retracting surface 54, and the front end portion is disposed close (adjacent) to each fulcrum portion 49. As shown in FIG. 6, when the lock arm 47 is in the natural state, the lower end portions of the opposing ribs 55 are horizontally disposed along the front-rear direction.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 1, each pair of opposing ribs 55 has opposing inner inclined surfaces 56 that are inclined so as to approach the left and right central portions of the pressing portion 53 as they go upward from the lower end portions on the inner surfaces that face each other in the left - right direction. The opposing inner inclined surfaces 56 are formed so as to notch a range of more than half of the entire width of the opposing rib 55 on the inner side. Each pair of opposing ribs 55 has opposing outer inclined surfaces 57 that are inclined so as to move away from the left and right central portions of the pressing portion 53 as they go upward from the lower end portions on the outer surface opposite to the opposing inner inclined surface 56. The opposing outer inclined surfaces 57 are formed in a range narrower than that of the opposing inner inclined surfaces 56. The illustrated opposing outer inclined surface 57 is configured as a curved inclined surface. Each pair of opposing ribs 55 forms a tapered portion 58 having a tapered shape that gradually becomes narrower toward the lower end portion by the opposing inner inclined surface 56 and the opposing outer inclined surface 57. The lower end portion of the tapered portion 58 of each pair of opposing ribs 55 and the upper end portion of the tapered portion 38 of each rib 34 face each other in the vertical direction and restrict excessive pressing operations of the pressing portion 53 by abutting against each other.

[0040] The structure of the connector 10 according to the first embodiment is as described above. Subsequently, the operation of the connector 10 will be described. When the housing 20 and the mating housing 90 are in a fitted state, depending on the situation where the connector 10 is mounted, foreign matter such as mud may enter the housing 20. If the foreign matter enters the space 59 (see Figs. 1 and 5) between the pressing portion 53, which is the deflection space of the lock arm 47, and the housing body 21, and the pressing operation of the pressing portion 53 is obstructed by the foreign matter, the lock between the lock arm 47 and the mating lock portion 93 cannot be released.

[0041] On the other hand, in the case of the first embodiment, a first slope portion 35 is formed on a pair of ribs 34 protruding from the upper surface side (one - side surface) of the housing body 21. For this reason, the foreign matter can move backward along the first slope portion 35 of each rib 34 and fall downward from the rear end portion of the first slope portion 35.

[0042] Also, a second slope portion 33 is formed between the ribs 34 on the upper surface side of the housing body 21. Therefore, foreign matter can move rearward along the second slope portion 33 and drop downward from the rear end portion of the second slope portion 33. Thus, in the case of the first embodiment, it is difficult for foreign matter to stay in the space 59, and the pressing operation (pushing-down operation) of the pressing portion 53 on the space 59 can be performed. Even if foreign matter accumulates in the space 59, along with the pressing operation of the pressing portion 53, the lower surface side of the pressing portion 53 including the opposing ribs 55 can push the foreign matter rearward and discharge it.

[0043] Furthermore, the front end portions of the first slope portion 35 and the second slope portion 33 are connected to a weir portion 41 in the shape of a transverse wall. Therefore, the weir portion 41 can restrict the movement of foreign matter to the fitting area side between the housing body 21 and the mating housing 90.

[0044] In the case of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the interference portion 51 of the lock body 48 interferes with the inversion restricting portion 46 and the bending movement of the lock arm 47 is restricted, the pressing portion 53 is in the state closest to the upper surface of the housing body 21. In such a state where the pressing portion 53 is closest to the upper surface of the housing body 21, a rearwardly open opening portion 61 is formed between the upper end portion of the tapered portion 38 of the rib 34 and the lower end portion of the tapered portion 58 of the opposing rib 55. Therefore, foreign matter accumulated in the space 59 can be easily discharged rearward from the opening portion 61, and it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from staying between the tapered portions 38 and 58 of the rib 34 and the opposing rib 55, respectively. Also, in the state where the pressing portion 53 is closest to the upper surface of the housing body 21, a space that expands vertically rearward is formed between the retracting surface 54 and the second slope portion 33. Therefore, foreign matter can be easily discharged from between the retracting surface 54 and the second slope portion 33.

[0045] Moreover, the tapered portions 38 and 58 of the rib 34 and the opposing rib 55 can push aside the foreign matter deposited in the space 59 to the left and right sides as the pressing portion 53 is pressed. For example, a part of the foreign matter can be moved inward by the inner inclined surface 36 of the rib 34 and the opposing inner inclined surface 56 of the opposing rib 55, and can fall downward from the second slope portion 33. The other part of the foreign matter can be moved outward by the outer inclined surface 37 of the rib 34 and the opposing outer inclined surface 57 of the opposing rib 55, and can be dropped downward from the third slope portion 39.

[0046] And in the case of the first embodiment, when the lock arm 47 is in an elastically deformed state, the upper end portion of the tapered portion 38 of each rib 34 and the lower end portion of the tapered portion 58 of each opposing rib 55 face each other in proximity via the opening portion 61. Therefore, the tapered portions 38 and 58 of the rib 34 and the opposing rib 55 can apply an extrusion force to the foreign matter deposited in the space 59 from both the upper and lower sides as the pressing portion 53 is pressed. Thus, the foreign matter can be effectively discharged from between the tapered portions 38 and 58 of the rib 34 and the opposing rib 55.

[0047] As described above, the first slope portion 35, the second slope portion 33, the third slope portion 39, and the tapered portions 38 and 58 of the rib 34 and the opposing rib 55 function as the foreign matter discharge portion 40, and can discharge foreign matter such as mud that has entered the space 59 between the pressing portion 53 and the housing body 21. For this reason, an operation of releasing the locking between the lock arm 47 and the mating housing 90, that is, a pressing operation of the pressing portion 53, can be performed.

[0048] Among the foreign matter discharge portion 40, the first slope portion 35 and the second slope portion 33 as slope portions can move the foreign matter backward along their inclined shapes and discharge the foreign matter from the rear end portion of the housing body 21. In particular, since the first slope portion 35 faces the pressing portion 53 in proximity, the foreign matter can be effectively pushed out as the pressing portion 53 is pressed.

[0049] Further, in a state where the pressing portion 53 is closest to the upper surface of the housing main body 21, an opening portion 61 is formed between the pressing portion 53 and the first slope portion 35. Therefore, it is possible to promote the discharge of foreign matter from the opening portion 61, and it becomes more difficult for foreign matter to remain between the upper surface of the housing main body 21 and the pressing portion 53.

[0050] Furthermore, among the foreign matter discharge portions 40, the tapered portions 38 and 58 respectively formed on the rib 34 and the opposing rib 55 as protruding portions can scrape and discharge the foreign matter deposited in the space 59 to both the left and right sides along with the pressing operation of the pressing portion 53.

[0051] <Embodiment 2> As shown in FIG. 8, in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, the shape of the pair of opposing ribs 55 formed on the lower surface side of the pressing portion 53 of the lock arm 47 is different from that in Embodiment 1. Otherwise, it is the same as in Embodiment 1. Each opposing rib 55 has an opposing inner slope 56 that inclines toward the left and right central portions of the pressing portion 53 as it goes upward from the lower end on the inner surfaces that face each other in the left - right direction, similar to Embodiment 1. The opposing inner slope 56 is formed so as to notch nearly the inner half of the entire width of the opposing rib 55. Each opposing rib 55 has an opposing outer slope 57A that inclines away from the left and right central portions of the pressing portion 53 as it goes upward from the lower end on the outer surface opposite to the opposing inner slope 56. The opposing outer slope 57A is formed so as to notch nearly the outer half of the entire width of the opposing rib 55. The opposing inner slope 56 and the opposing outer slope 57A are configured as planes that incline linearly as they go upward. Each opposing rib 55 forms a tapered portion 58 having a tapered shape that gradually becomes narrower toward the lower end by the opposing inner slope 56 and the opposing outer slope 57A. In the case of Embodiment 2, the tapered portions 38 and 58 respectively formed on the rib 34 and the opposing rib 55 can scrape and discharge the foreign matter deposited in the space 59 evenly to both the left and right sides along with the pressing operation of the pressing portion 53.

[0052] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The above-described Embodiments 1 and 2 disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the case of the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, the first slope portion and the second slope portion were configured as planes that linearly inclined rearward. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the first slope portion and the second slope portion may be configured as downwardly concave or upwardly convex curved surfaces that curve rearward. In the case of the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, the lock arm was supported by the protection portion via the fulcrum portion. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the lock arm may be supported by the housing main body via a leg portion that stands up from the upper surface of the housing main body. In the case of the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, the tapered portion of the rib was formed over the entire height of the rib, and the tapered portion of the opposing rib was formed only at the lower end portion of the opposing rib. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the tapered portion of the rib may be formed only at the upper end portion of the rib, and the tapered portion of the opposing rib may be formed over the entire height of the opposing rib. In the case of the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, the respective tapered portions of the rib and the opposing rib had a narrow shape in which the thickness in the width direction decreased toward the other side. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the respective tapered portions of the rib and the opposing rib may have a shape in which the thickness in the front-rear direction (the thickness direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1) decreases toward the other side. In the case of the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, the rib and the opposing rib were formed in pairs at intervals in the left-right direction in the housing main body and the pressing portion, respectively. In contrast, the rib and the opposing rib may be formed only one each in the housing main body and the pressing portion, respectively, or three or more may be formed at intervals in the left-right direction. In the case of the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, the protruding portion as the foreign matter discharge portion was formed as a rib and an opposing rib in the housing main body and the pressing portion, respectively. In contrast, the protruding portion as the foreign matter discharge portion may be simply provided protruding in the housing main body and the pressing portion, respectively, instead of being in the form of a rib. In the case of the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, the protruding portion as the foreign matter discharge portion was formed as a rib and a counter rib on the housing main body and the pressing portion, respectively. In contrast, the protruding portion as the foreign matter discharge portion may be formed in a shape protruding from either the housing main body or the pressing portion to the other.

Explanation of Signs

[0053] 10…Connector 20…Housing 21…Housing Main Body 22…Cavity 23…Terminal Fitting 24…Lance 27…Sealing Ring 28…Cavity Tower Portion 29…Rubber Plug 31…Frame Portion 32…Upper Side Portion 33…Second Slope Portion (Slope Portion) 34…Rib (Protruding Portion) 35…First Slope Portion (Slope Portion) 36…Inner Slope 37…Outer Slope 38…Tapered Portion (of Rib) 39…Third Slope Portion 40…Foreign Matter Discharge Portion 41…Weir Portion 42…Fitting Cylinder Portion 43…Back Wall Portion 44…Opening 45…Protection Portion 46…Inversion Regulation Portion 47…Lock Arm 48…Lock Main Body 49…Fulcrum Portion 51…Interference Portion 52…Lock Hole 53…Pressing Portion 54…Retreat Surface 55…Counter Rib (Protruding Portion) 56…Counter Inner Slope 57, 57A…Counter Outer Slope 58…Tapered Portion (of Counter Rib) 59…Space 61…Open part 80…Electric wire 90…Counterpart housing 91…Hood part 92…Counterpart terminal fitting 93…Counterpart lock part

Claims

1. A housing body that can be fitted into the mating housing from the front, An elastically deformable locking arm that extends in the front-rear direction and locks the mating housing, A pressing portion formed at the rear end portion of the locking arm and pressed against one surface side of the housing body to release the locking with the mating housing, A foreign matter discharge portion formed on one surface side of the housing body from the pressing portion, Comprising, The housing body has a lateral wall-shaped weir portion that protrudes toward the pressing portion and extends in the left-right direction, The front end portion of the foreign matter discharge portion is connected to the weir portion, A connector in which the fitting area between the housing body and the mating housing and the foreign matter discharge portion are partitioned by the weir portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a slope portion as the foreign matter discharge portion that is inclined in a direction away from the pressing portion as it goes rearward at a position facing the pressing portion on one surface side of the housing body.

3. A housing body that can be fitted into the mating housing from the front, An elastically deformable locking arm that extends in the front-rear direction and locks the mating housing, A pressing portion formed at the rear end portion of the locking arm and pressed against one surface side of the housing body to release the locking with the mating housing, A foreign matter discharge portion formed on one surface side of the housing body from the pressing portion, comprising, At a position facing the pressing portion on one surface side of the housing body, it has a slope portion as the foreign matter discharge portion that is inclined in a direction away from the pressing portion as it goes rearward, Further comprising a rib protruding from the housing body toward the pressing portion, The connector, wherein the slope portion has a first slope portion at an end portion on the tip side in the protruding direction of the rib.

4. The connector according to claim 3, having an open portion that is a gap opened rearward between the pressing portion and the first slope portion in a state where the pressing portion is closest to one surface side of the housing body.

5. The connector according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the slope portion has a second slope portion that is inclined in a planar shape at a position adjacent to the rib on one surface side of the housing body.

6. A housing body that can be fitted into the mating housing from the front, An elastically deformable locking arm that extends in the front-rear direction and locks the mating housing, A pressing portion formed at the rear end of the lock arm and pressed against one surface side of the housing body to release the locking with the mating housing; A foreign matter discharge portion formed on one surface side of the housing body from the pressing portion; and Further provided with a protruding portion protruding from at least one of the housing body and the pressing portion toward the other; The protruding portion has a tapered portion as the foreign matter discharge portion that decreases in thickness as it goes toward the other, the connector.

7. The protruding portion includes a rib protruding from the housing body toward the pressing portion and an opposing rib protruding from the pressing portion toward the housing body; The rib and the opposing rib face each other's tapered portions, the connector according to claim 6.

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