Connector and Connector Disassembler

Abstract

To easily cancel a holding state of a terminal by a retainer.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises: a terminal; and a connector housing 30 that includes a housing main body 32 having a cavity, and a retainer 50 detachably attached to the housing main body, the connector housing accommodating the terminal in the cavity. The housing main body has: a cavity exposure recessed part 40 that exposes an intermediate part in an extension direction of the cavity to the outside; and a pair of locking parts formed at both side parts of the housing main body. The retainer has: a retainer main body 52 that holds the terminal in the cavity; a pair of retainer side parts 56 extending from both side parts of the retainer main body toward the pair of locking parts; a pair of partner side locking parts formed on each of the pair of retainer side parts and that can be locked with the locking parts. A division recessed part 57 recessed in an extension direction of the cavity is formed in each of the pair of retainer side parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a connector disassembly tool. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal extraction jig for use with a connector having an upper terminal held by a lance mechanism and upper and lower guide protrusions located closer to the opening than the upper terminal. The terminal extraction jig has a jig body and a release pin. The jig body is inserted into the outer housing of the connector from the tip side, and the release pin facing the lance mechanism is rotated around the central axis of the jig body to release the lance mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-170108 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some connectors have a retainer attached to a housing body to hold terminals, but even in connectors that use a retainer to hold terminals, there is a demand for a way to easily release the terminals from the retainer.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to make it possible to easily release the state in which a terminal is held by a retainer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure includes a terminal, a housing body having a cavity extending from one end to the other end, and a retainer detachably attached to the housing body, and includes a connector housing for accommodating the terminal in the cavity. The housing body has a cavity exposure recess for exposing an intermediate portion in the extending direction of the cavity to the outside, and a pair of locking portions formed on both side portions of the housing body. The retainer includes a retainer body disposed in the cavity exposure recess for holding the terminal in the cavity, a pair of retainer side portions extending from both side portions of the retainer body toward the pair of locking portions, and a pair of mating locking portions formed on each of the pair of retainer side portions and capable of locking with the locking portions. Each of the pair of retainer side portions is formed with a dividing recess recessed in the extending direction of the cavity.

[0007] Further, the connector disassembling tool of the present disclosure is a connector disassembling tool for releasing the locked state of the retainer with respect to the housing body, and includes a pair of dividing blades and a disassembling tool body for supporting the pair of dividing blades so as to be maintained in a parallel state according to the width of the pair of locking portions of the retainer with respect to both side portions of the housing body.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the holding state of the terminal by the retainer can be easily released.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] [Explanation of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and explained.

[0011] The connector of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0012] (1) A connector including a terminal, a housing body having a cavity extending from one end to the other end, and a retainer detachably attached to the housing body, the connector housing for accommodating the terminal in the cavity, wherein the housing body has a cavity exposure recess for exposing an intermediate portion in the extending direction of the cavity to the outside, and a pair of locking portions formed on both side portions of the housing body, the retainer has a retainer body disposed in the cavity exposure recess for holding the terminal in the cavity, a pair of retainer side portions extending from both side portions of the retainer body toward the pair of locking portions, and a pair of mating locking portions formed on each of the pair of retainer side portions and capable of locking with the locking portions, and a cutting recess recessed in the extending direction of the cavity is formed on each of the pair of retainer side portions.

[0013] According to this connector, the retainer side portion can be easily cut using the cutting recess. By cutting the retainer side portion, the retainer can be moved in a direction away from the housing body. Thereby, the holding state of the terminal by the retainer is easily released, and the terminal is easily separated from the housing body.

[0014] (2) The connector according to (1), wherein the recess for cutting may be formed in a V-shaped recessed shape from at least one of the edge on one end side and the edge on the other end side of the housing body in the retainer side portion.

[0015] Thereby, it is easy to guide the cutting blade to a fixed position of the cutting recess that is recessed in a V shape. Thereby, the retainer side portion can be easily and stably cut.

[0016] (3) The connector according to (1) or (2), wherein the recess for cutting may be formed on both of the edge on one end side and the edge on the other end side of the housing body in the retainer side portion.

[0017] In this case, since the retainer side portion can be cut using the cutting recess from either the edge on one end side or the edge on the other end side of the housing body in the retainer side portion, the workability is excellent.

[0018] (4) The connector according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein a concave groove extending from the position where the cutting recess is disposed to at least one of one end and the other end of the housing body may be formed on both side portions of the housing body.

[0019] Thereby, the cutting blade for cutting can be moved along the concave groove and cut into the cutting recess. Thereby, the cutting operation of the retainer side portion can be easily and stably performed.

[0020] (5) The connector according to (4), wherein the concave groove has a side surface facing the tip of the retainer side portion and extending along the extending direction of the cavity, and the side surface may be formed at a position spaced apart from the tip of the retainer side portion.

[0021] In this case, after the cutting blade for cutting cuts into the retainer side portion, the cut portion moves so as to fill the gap, so that the cutting blade for cutting can enter between the cut retainer side portions. For this reason, the cutting of the retainer side portion can be easily performed.

[0022] (6) Any one of the connectors from (1) to (5), wherein the housing body may have a main surface located on an extension of the outer surface of the retainer body and a pair of side surfaces located on extensions of the outer surfaces of the pair of retainer side portions in a state where the retainer is mounted.

[0023] Thereby, it is easy to retrieve a connector disassembling tool for removing the retainer outside the main surface and the pair of side surfaces.

[0024] Further, the connector disassembling tool of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0025] (7) A connector disassembling tool for releasing the locking state of the retainer with respect to the housing body, comprising a pair of cutting blades and a disassembling tool body that supports the pair of cutting blades so as to be maintained in a parallel state according to the width of the pair of locking portions of the retainer with respect to both side portions of the housing body.

[0026] According to this connector disassembling tool, the pair of cutting blades can be moved along both side portions of the housing body toward the pair of locking portions of the retainer or the vicinity thereof. Then, the pair of locking portions of the retainer or the vicinity thereof can be cut by the pair of cutting blades, and the retainer can be moved in a direction away from the housing body to release the holding state of the terminal.

[0027] (8) The connector disassembling tool of (7), wherein the pair of cutting blades may be supported by the disassembling tool body so as to be replaceable.

[0028] Thereby, when the cutting blade is worn or the like, the cutting blade can be replaced.

[0029] (9) (7) or (8) connector disassembling tool, wherein the disassembling tool body may be formed in a shape that surrounds at least a part of the housing body while avoiding interference with the housing body when the pair of cutting blades move along both side portions of the housing body.

[0030] Thereby, it is easy to move the pair of cutting blades collectively toward the pair of locking portions or the vicinity thereof. And, the work of collectively cutting the pair of locking portions of the retainer or the vicinity thereof by the pair of cutting blades can be easily carried out.

[0031] (10) Any one of the connector disassembling tools from (7) to (9) may further include a handle portion protruding from the disassembling tool body.

[0032] Thereby, since it is easy to apply force to the connector disassembling tool, the work of disassembling the connector can be easily carried out.

[0033] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the connector and the connector disassembling tool of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0034] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, the connector according to the embodiment will be described, and then the connector disassembling tool for disassembling the connector will be described.

[0035] [Connector] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the connector 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the connector 10 with the retainer 50 removed. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, some terminals 20 and wires 28 are shown by two-dot chain lines.

[0036] The connector 10 includes a terminal 20 and a connector housing 30.

[0037] The terminal 20 is formed by press-working a metal plate material such as copper or a copper alloy. The terminal 20 is formed in a shape in which the mating-side connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24 are linearly connected via the connecting portion 23 (see FIG. 4).

[0038] The mating-side connection portion 22 is a portion that is connected to a terminal or the like on the mating side. Here, the mating-side connection portion 22 is formed in a shape of a square tube, that is, a shape as a so-called female terminal. And, a mating-side terminal (so-called male terminal) having a pin-shaped or tab-shaped connection portion is inserted and connected to the mating-side connection portion 22. However, the mating-side connection portion 22 may be formed in a pin-shaped or tab-shaped shape, that is, a shape as a so-called male terminal. In the case of a male terminal, a box portion is formed at the base end portion of the pin-shaped or tab-shaped portion.

[0039] The wire connection portion 24 is a portion that is crimped to the end portion of the wire 28 and connected to the wire 28. The wire connection portion 24 includes, for example, a core wire crimping portion and a covering crimping portion. However, in the wire connection portion 24, the covering crimping portion may be omitted.

[0040] The core wire crimping portion is formed in a shape in which a pair of crimping pieces rise from both side portions of the bottom plate portion. With the core wire exposed at the end portion of the wire 28 disposed within the core wire crimping portion, the pair of crimping pieces are bent inward. Thereby, the core wire crimping portion is crimped to the exposed core wire.

[0041] The covering crimping portion is also formed in a shape in which a pair of crimping pieces rise from both side portions of the bottom plate portion. With the end portion of the insulating covering of the wire 28 disposed within the covering crimping portion, the pair of crimping pieces are bent inward. Thereby, the covering crimping portion is crimped to the end portion of the insulating covering.

[0042] The bottom of the mating-side connection portion 22 and the bottom of the wire connection portion 24 are connected via the connecting portion 23. Therefore, the bottom of the mating-side connection portion 22, the connecting portion 23, and the bottom of the wire connection portion 24 are connected in a straight line. The mating-side connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24 protrude with respect to the connecting portion 23. In other words, the terminal 20 is formed in a shape that is recessed on the bottom side between the mating-side connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24. The retainer 50 fits into the recess between the mating-side connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24, thereby holding the terminal 20 in a fixed position within the connector housing 30.

[0043] The connector housing 30 includes a housing body 32 and a retainer 50.

[0044] The housing body 32 has a cavity 34 that extends from one end to the other end, and is a component that houses the terminal 20 within the cavity 34. The housing body 32 is a component formed by die molding with resin or the like. With the terminal 20 housed within the housing body 32, the connector housing 30 is connected to a mating connector (not shown). Thereby, the terminal 20 is connected to a mating terminal housed within the mating connector.

[0045] More specifically, the housing body 32 includes a flat rectangular parallelepiped-shaped portion 33. A cavity 34 that extends from one end to the other end is formed in the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped portion 33. The cavity 34 is a through-hole that opens at one end and the other end of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped portion 33. The cavity 34 is longer than the terminal 20, and the entire extending direction of the terminal 20 is housed within the cavity 34. The wire 28 is drawn out from the opening on one end side of the cavity 34. The mating terminal is inserted from the opening on the other end side of the cavity 34. For the sake of convenience in explanation, in the connector 10, the side from which the wire 28 extends may be referred to as the rear, and the opposite side may be referred to as the front.

[0046] In this embodiment, the housing body 32 has a plurality of cavities 34. The plurality of cavities 34 are formed so as to be arranged in a plurality of rows (two rows in this embodiment) in parallel from one side to the other side of the housing body 32 (here, the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped portion 33). Here, it is assumed that the direction orthogonal to both the extending direction of the plurality of cavities 34 and the direction in which the plurality of cavities 34 are arranged is grasped as the thickness direction of the housing body 32. Each row of the plurality of cavities 34 is arranged at different positions in the thickness direction of the housing body 32. By accommodating the terminals 20 in each of the plurality of cavities 34, the plurality of terminals 20 are held in a state of being arranged in a plurality of rows in parallel. The housing body 32 may be formed such that a plurality of cavities are arranged in a single row.

[0047] A retainer 50 is detachably attached to the housing body 32. The retainer 50 is detachably attached to one surface side in the thickness direction of the housing body 32.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, the housing body 32 includes a connector connection locking piece 35 that detachably locks to a mating connector (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The connector connection locking piece 35 is provided on the side opposite to the retainer 50 with respect to the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped portion 33.

[0049] Further, the housing body 32 includes an operation portion 36 for pressing down the connector connection locking piece 35 and an enclosure portion 37 surrounding the operation portion 36 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0050] In a state where the connector 10 is connected to a mating connector, the connector connection locking piece 35 locks to the mating connector, and the connection state of both connectors is maintained. Also, in this state, by pressing down the operation portion 36, the locking state between the connector connection locking piece 35 and the mating connector is released, and the connection state of both connectors is released. The enclosure portion 37 serves to prevent the connector connection locking piece 35 from being inadvertently pressed down by surrounding the operation portion 36.

[0051] In the connector 10, the locking piece 35 for connector connection, the operation part 36, and the shape example of the operation part 36 do not need to be in the above configuration, and these configurations may be omitted.

[0052] The housing body 32 has a cavity exposure recess 40 and a pair of locking parts 46.

[0053] The cavity exposure recess 40 is a recess that exposes the intermediate part in the extending direction of the cavity 34 to the outside. In the present embodiment, the cavity exposure recess 40 opens to one side in the thickness direction of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped part 33. The cavity exposure recess 40 also extends in the direction in which a plurality of cavities 34 are arranged. Furthermore, the cavity exposure recess 40 extends in a direction (here, a direction perpendicular) intersecting the extending direction of the plurality of cavities 34 and crosses the intermediate part in the extending direction of the plurality of cavities 34. In the present embodiment, since a plurality of cavities 34 are arranged in a plurality of rows (here, two rows), the depth of the cavity exposure recess 40 is set to a size that crosses the intermediate part in the extending direction of the plurality of rows of cavities 34. For this reason, the inside of the intermediate part in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of cavities 34 can be exposed to one side in the thickness direction of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped part 33. The position of the cavity exposure recess 40 is the part where the connecting part 23 is arranged in a state where the terminal 20 is accommodated in the cavity 34. For this reason, the recessed part between the mating connection part 22 and the wire connection part 24 of the terminal 20 can be exposed to the outside through the cavity exposure recess 40.

[0054] Note that the opening 34a at one end of the cavity 34 is formed in a retaining shape that reduces the opening size at its middle part to retain the terminal 20 (see FIG. 4). When the tip of the terminal 20 contacts the opening 34a, the terminal 20 is prevented from coming out of the opening 34a at one end of the cavity 34. Further, the housing body 32 has an elastic locking piece 32P that locks to the mating connection part 22 of the terminal 20. The elastic locking piece 32P is an elongated elastic deformation piece that can be elastically deformed toward the inside and outside of the cavity 34, and its tip is configured to be lockable in a locking hole 22h formed in the mating connection part 22 (see FIG. 4). Such an elastic locking piece 32P is a part sometimes called a lance.

[0055] The position of the terminal 20 within the cavity 34 is a position regulated by the terminal 20 hitting the opening 34a and the elastic locking piece 32P locking in the locking hole 22h formed in the mating connection part 22.

[0056] A pair of locking parts 46 are formed on both side parts of the housing body 32. In this embodiment, a pair of retainer guide grooves 44 are formed on both side parts of the housing body 32, and are formed on the bottom surface 44b of each of the pair of retainer guide grooves 44.

[0057] The pair of retainer guide grooves 44 are grooves formed on both side parts of the housing body 32 so as to extend in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the cavity 34 from both side parts of the cavity exposure recess 40. In this embodiment, the retainer guide groove 44 is a concave groove extending in a direction orthogonal to both the extending direction of the cavity 34 and the direction in which the plurality of cavities 34 are arranged on the side part of the housing body 32. The retainer guide groove 44 does not penetrate in the thickness direction of the housing body 32.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the locking portion 46 is formed at a position on the bottom surface 44b of the retainer guide groove 44 on the tip side of the retainer guide groove 44 rather than the bottom of the cavity 34. In the present embodiment, the locking portion 46 is a protruding portion for locking. The surface of the locking portion 46 on the cavity exposure recess 40 side is formed as a guide surface that gradually increases the height of the locking portion as it moves away from the cavity exposure recess 40. The surface of the locking portion 46 on the side opposite to the cavity exposure recess 40 is formed as a contact surface with an angle with respect to the side surface of the housing body 32 being larger (closer to a right angle) than the guide surface. Thereby, the retainer side portion 56 (described later) of the retainer 50 can easily cross over the guide surface and can be easily maintained in a locked state with respect to the contact surface. Note that, separately from the pair of locking portions 46, an auxiliary locking portion 47 may be provided on the side closer to the cavity exposure recess 40. The auxiliary locking portion 47 may be, for example, a portion that locks to the mating locking portion 58 in a state before the mating locking portion 58 locks to the locking portion 46.

[0059] A pair of concave grooves 48 are formed so as to extend from the locations where the respective pair of locking portions 46 are formed in the housing body 32 toward at least one end of the housing body 32. In the present embodiment, the concave grooves 48 are formed so as to reach both ends of the housing body 32. The concave grooves 48 are formed in a shape in which the same width portions are continuous in the extending direction thereof.

[0060] Since the concave groove 48 passes through the location where the locking portion 46 is formed, the retainer guide groove 44 intersects with the intermediate portion in the extending direction of the concave groove 48. Therefore, the intersection point between the intermediate portion in the extending direction of the concave groove 48 and the tip portion of the retainer guide groove 44 is a part of the concave groove 48 and also a part of the retainer guide groove 44.

[0061] The bottom surface 48b of the concave groove 48 and the bottom surface 44b of the retainer guide groove 44 are located on the same plane. The middle part in the extending direction of the bottom surface 48b of the concave groove 48 and the tip part of the bottom surface 44b of the retainer guide groove 44 are on the same plane. When the cutting blade 70 described later is moved along the concave groove 48, it reaches the intersection with the retainer guide groove 44. Thereby, it is easy to apply the cutting blade 70 to the retainer side part 56 located in the retainer guide groove 44.

[0062] Also, the surface located on the side away from the cavity exposure recess 40 with respect to the retainer guide groove 44 is a part of the side surface 48a of the concave groove 48 on the side away from the cavity exposure recess 40. The side surface 48a extends along the extending direction of the cavity 34 and faces the tip of the retainer side part 56 described later.

[0063] The retainer 50 includes a retainer body 52, a pair of retainer side parts 56, and a mating locking part 58.

[0064] The retainer body 52 is disposed in the cavity exposure recess 40 and holds the terminals 20 in the cavity 34. In the present embodiment, the retainer body 52 has a plurality of terminal holding parts 52a, 52b according to each column of the cavity 34. The terminal holding part 52a is a part that holds the terminals 20 in the cavity 34 arranged on the side close to the opening of the cavity exposure recess 40. The terminal holding part 52b is a part that holds the terminals 20 in the cavity 34 arranged on the back side of the cavity exposure recess 40. Each of the terminal holding parts 52a, 52b is formed in a long plate shape that can be disposed in the cavity exposure recess 40 over the entire extending direction of the cavity exposure recess 40, that is, over the entire width direction of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped part 33. The widths of the terminal holding parts 52a, 52b are the same as the width of the cavity exposure recess 40, and the terminal holding parts 52a, 52b are housed in the cavity exposure recess 40 and are positioned in the front-rear direction of the connector housing 30.

[0065] The outward-facing surface 52f of the retainer body 52 (the outward-facing surface of the terminal holding portion 52a) is a flat surface. In a state where the retainer 50 is attached to the housing body 32, the main surface 32f1 on one side in the thickness direction of the housing body 32 is located on the extension of the outward-facing surface 52f of the retainer body 52. It is preferable that the main surface 32f1 on one side in the thickness direction of the housing body 32 is a surface that does not have a protrusion protruding from the outward-facing surface 52f of the retainer body 52.

[0066] The portions of the terminal holding portions 52a and 52b facing the back side of the cavity exposure recess 40 are formed in a shape that protrudes into the cavity 34 so as to be able to enter the recess between the mating connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24 of the terminal 20 disposed in the cavity 34. When the rearward portions of the terminal holding portions 52a and 52b protrude into the cavity 34 and enter the recess between the mating connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24 of the terminal 20 in the cavity 34, the terminal 20 is held at a fixed position in the cavity 34. In this state, the retainer body 52 is fitted into the cavity exposure recess 40. When the terminal 20 attempts to move in its extending direction, the force is received by the front and rear surfaces of the cavity exposure recess 40 via the retainer body 52.

[0067] In a state where the retainer 50 is positioned in front of the cavity exposure recess 40 rather than at the back, the terminal holding portions 52a and 52b can be prevented from protruding into the cavity 34. In this provisional mounting state, the terminal 20 can enter the cavity 34 without interfering with the terminal holding portions 52a and 52b of the retainer 50, and can also exit from the cavity 34.

[0068] A wall partitioning between adjacent cavities 34 may be formed between the terminal holding portions 52a and 52b. Thereby, the terminal 20 accommodated in the cavity 34 closer to the opening of the cavity exposure recess 40 can be partitioned by the wall. The terminal 20 accommodated in the cavity 34 on the back side of the cavity exposure recess 40 is preferably partitioned by a wall formed in the housing body 32 itself.

[0069] A pair of retainer side portions 56 are formed so as to extend from both side portions of the retainer main body 52 toward the pair of locking portions 46. In the present embodiment, the pair of retainer side portions 56 are formed so as to extend along the retainer guide groove 44. In the present embodiment, the retainer side portions 56 are rectangular plate-shaped with equal width. The width of the retainer side portions 56 is such that it can be accommodated within the retainer guide groove 44 and is set to the same width as the retainer. Guide groove 44 In the present embodiment, the width of the retainer side portions 56 in the front-rear direction of the housing main body 32 is larger than the width of the retainer main body 52.

[0070] The length of the retainer side portions 56 is set such that, in a state where the retainer main body 52 is disposed within the cavity exposure recess 40, the tip end portion of the retainer side portions 56 reaches in front of the side surface 48a of the concave groove 48.

[0071] The inward-facing surface of the tip end portion of the retainer side portions 56 is formed as a guide surface 56g that faces outward as it extends toward the tip end side. When the retainer side portions 56 are moved along the retainer guide groove 44 in the retainer guide groove 44, the guide surface 56g comes into contact with the locking portion 46, enabling the retainer side portions 56 to easily elastically deform outward.

[0072] Since the tip end portion of the retainer side portions 56 reaches in front of the side surface 48a of the concave groove 48, a state where a peripheral member comes into contact with the guide surface 56g and unintentionally deforms the retainer side portions 56 outward is less likely to occur.

[0073] The side surface 48a is preferably formed at a position spaced apart from the tip end of the retainer side portions 56. As will be described later, when the cutting blade 70 cuts into the retainer side portions 56, it is assumed that the cutting location is pushed back by the thickness of the cutting blade 70. A clearance space for the cutting location can be ensured by the gap S between the side surface 48a and the tip end of the retainer side portions 56.

[0074] On each of the pair of retainer side portions 56, a pair of mating locking portions 58 that can be locked with the locking portion 46 are formed. In the present embodiment, the mating locking portion 58 is a concave portion that locks with the locking portion 46 which is a protrusion. More specifically, on the inner-facing surface of the retainer side portion 56, a groove-shaped mating locking portion 58 extending along the extending direction of the retainer side portion 56 is formed. The tip of the mating locking portion 58 reaches in front of the tip of the retainer side portion 56. At the tip of the mating locking portion 58, the surface facing the retainer body 52 side is a locking surface 58f that can be locked with the locking portion 46.

[0075] Note that the mating locking portion 58 extends toward the proximal ends of the pair of retainer side portions 56 and penetrates the retainer body 52. Thereby, it is easy to mold the groove-shaped mating locking portion 58 by die casting. It is not essential that the mating locking portion 58 reaches the proximal ends of the pair of retainer side portions 56.

[0076] The retainer side portion 56 can be locked with the locking portion 46 while being disposed in the retainer guide groove 44. In a state where the retainer 50 is attached to the connector housing 30, both outward-facing side surfaces 32f2 of the housing body 32 are located on the extension of the outward-facing surface 56f of the retainer side portion 56. The side surface 32f2 of the housing body 32 is preferably a surface that does not have a protrusion protruding from the outward-facing surface 56f of the retainer side portion 56.

[0077] On each of the pair of retainer side portions 56, a dividing recess 57 that is recessed in the extending direction of the cavity 34 is formed. That is, the dividing recess 57 is a recess that is recessed from the front edge of the retainer side portion 56 toward the rear or from the rear edge toward the front. In the present embodiment, on each of the pair of retainer side portions 56, a dividing recess 57 that is recessed from the front edge toward the rear and a dividing recess 57 that is recessed from the rear edge toward the front are formed.

[0078] The recess 57 for breaking is a recess for facilitating the breaking of the retainer side portion 56 into a plurality in the extending direction. The recess 57 for breaking may be understood as a recess for partially weakening a part of the retainer side portion 56 in the extending direction to facilitate breaking, or may be understood as a recess for guiding a blade for breaking the retainer side portion 56, or may be understood as a recess serving as a trigger when the retainer side portion 56 breaks.

[0079] Incidentally, when the locking portion 46 and the mating locking portion 58 are locked, the retainer side portion 56 elastically deforms in the thickness direction. Since the recess 57 for breaking is a recess that is recessed in the extending direction of the cavity 34, it is difficult for the retainer side portion 56 to be broken with the recess 57 for breaking as a trigger due to the elastic deformation of the retainer side portion 56 in the thickness direction.

[0080] The shape of the recess 57 for breaking is arbitrary. In the present embodiment, the recess 57 for breaking is formed in a shape that is recessed in a V shape from the edge of the retainer side portion 56. For this reason, the cutting blade 70 is guided to the bottommost valley portion of the recess 57 for breaking. Therefore, the portion where the cutting blade 70 contacts the retainer side portion 56 becomes a fixed position, and the breaking position of the retainer side portion 56 is stabilized.

[0081] The recess for breaking may be a U-shaped groove or a rectangular groove shape in which the bottom is perpendicular to the groove depth direction.

[0082] The recess 57 for breaking is formed on the base end side of the retainer side portion 56 with respect to the locking surface 58f. For this reason, when the retainer side portion 56 is broken on the extension line of the recess 57 for breaking, the tip portion of the retainer side portion 56 having the locking surface 58f is broken with respect to the portion on its base end side. For this reason, the other part of the retainer 50 can be separated from the tip portion having the locking surface 58f that can contact the locking portion 46, and the retainer 50 can be brought into the above-described temporarily attached state. As a result, the terminal holding portions 52a and 52b are retracted from the respective cavities 34, and the terminals 20 can be removed from the respective cavities 34.

[0083] The recess 57 for cutting is preferably located within the concave groove 48. If the recess 57 for cutting is located within the concave groove 48, it is easier to guide the cutting blade 70 to the recess 57 for cutting using the concave groove 48. The recess 57 for cutting is preferably located closer to the side surface 48c facing the side surface 48a than the side surface 48a within the concave groove 48. If the recess 57 for cutting is located closer to the side surface 48a within the concave groove 48, it is easier to press the cutting blade 70 against the portion on the base end side of the locking surface 58f with respect to the retainer side portion 56.

[0084] Also, the recess 57 for cutting may be located at a predetermined distance from the side surface 48c. The predetermined distance may be the distance between the surface that can contact the side surface 48c side of the cutting blade 70 and the blade tip in the thickness direction of the cutting blade 70. Thereby, when the said surface of the cutting blade 70 is brought into contact with the side surface 48c and slid, the blade tip of the cutting blade 70 can be guided to the recess 57 for cutting.

[0085] In this connector 10, with the retainer 50 temporarily attached to the connector housing 30, the terminal 20 is inserted into the cavity 34, whereby the terminal 20 is held within the cavity 34. In the attached state of the retainer 50, the locking portion 46 of the connector housing 30 is in a state of being locked to the mating locking portion 58 of the retainer 50. Also, the inward portion of the retainer body 52 has entered the cavity 34 and is in a state of having entered the recess between the mating connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24 of the terminal 20 within the cavity 34.

[0086] There is a demand to improve the recyclability of in-vehicle parts mounted on vehicles for decarbonization. The connector 10 is an example of a part applicable as an in-vehicle part. Regarding the connector 10, in order to improve the recyclability, it is required to disassemble the metal terminal 20 and the resin-made connector housing 30 simply and quickly.

[0087] Regarding the connector 10, it is required to quickly release the state where the retainer 50 is caught by the terminal 20 in the cavity 34 by lifting the retainer 50 from the connector housing 30. If the state where the retainer 50 is caught by the terminal 20 can be released, the terminal 20 can be easily pulled out from the cavity 34 by pulling the electric wire 28 or the like, and the connector 10 can be easily disassembled. Note that the connector 10 only needs to be disassembled into at least the connector housing 30 which is a resin part and the terminal 20, and it is not necessary to disassemble the connector housing 30 into the housing body 32 and the retainer 50.

[0088] In this connector 10, by using the above-mentioned dividing recess 57 to divide the retainer side portion 56, the retainer 50 can be made in the same state as the temporarily attached state. Thereby, the terminal 20 can be easily separated from the connector housing 30.

[0089] <Connector disassembling tool> Hereinafter, a connector disassembling tool 60 applicable to the disassembly of the connector 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the connector disassembling tool 60. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5.

[0090] The connector disassembling tool 60 is a tool for releasing the locking state of the retainer 50 with respect to the housing body 32, and includes a pair of dividing blades 70 and a disassembling tool body 62. The dividing blade 70 is preferably a blade formed of a hard material such as a metal blade or a ceramic blade. The disassembling tool body 62 may be, for example, a resin injection molded product or may be formed of metal.

[0091] The dividing blade 70 is a blade having a blade tip 72. In the present embodiment, the dividing blade 70 is formed in an elongated shape. One end in the extending direction of the dividing blade 70 is formed with a blade tip 72 that gradually becomes thinner toward its tip. In the present embodiment, the blade tip 72 is a double-edged blade with both sides inclined. The blade tip may be a single-edged blade with only one side inclined.

[0092] In this embodiment, the cutting blade 70 is formed in a shape that gradually thins toward one side in the width direction, but this is not essential.

[0093] The other end portion of the cutting blade 70 in the width direction is supported by the base member 74. In this embodiment, the base member 74 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The cutting blade 70 is supported in a protruding state on one main surface of the base member 74. The cutting blade 70 and the base member 74 may be integrally formed by metal cutting or the like, or may be joined together by welding or screwing. A screw shaft portion 75 protrudes from the other main surface of the base member 74. The screw shaft portion 75 is integrated with the base member 74, for example, by being inserted into a hole formed in the base member 74.

[0094] The disassembling tool body 62 supports the pair of cutting blades 70 so that the pair of cutting blades 70 are kept in a parallel state according to the widths of the pair of locking portions (the locking portion 46 and the mating locking portion 58) of the retainer 50 with respect to both side portions of the housing body 32.

[0095] More specifically, the disassembling tool body 62 is formed in a rectangular tube shape having a pair of side wall portions 64 and a connecting wall portion 68 connecting both side edges of the pair of side wall portions 64.

[0096] Each of the pair of side wall portions 64 supports a cutting blade 70. In this embodiment, the cutting blade 70 is supported by the side wall portion 64 so as to be replaceable.

[0097] That is, a blade support recess 65 into which the base member 74 can be fitted is formed in each inward portion of the pair of side wall portions 64. The blade support recess 65 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped recess shape extending along the direction connecting both openings of the disassembling tool body 62 at the middle portion between both side edges of the side wall portion 64. The base member 74 is fitted into the blade support recess 65 so that the cutting blade 70 protrudes from the disassembling tool body 62. In this state, it is preferable that the inner surface of the side wall portion 64 and the inner surface of the base member 74 are located on the same plane.

[0098] A screw insertion hole is formed in the side wall portion 64, and the screw shaft portion 75 protrudes outside the side wall portion 64 through the screw insertion hole. The portion of the screw shaft portion 75 that protrudes from the outer surface of the side wall portion 64 is screwed into the nut 76. Thereby, the base member 74 having the cutting blade 70 is attached to the side wall portion 64. If the nut 76 is removed, the base member 74 can be removed from the blade support recess 65, and the cutting blade 70 can be removed. By fitting another base member 74 having a cutting blade 70 into the blade support recess 65 and screwing and fastening the screw shaft portion 75 of the base member 74 to the nut 76, the cutting blade 70 can be replaced.

[0099] It is not essential that the cutting blade 70 be replaceable with respect to the disassembling tool body 62. The cutting blade 70 may be integrally formed with respect to the disassembling tool body 62 by cutting or the like.

[0100] A guide protrusion 66 is provided protruding on the extension of the cutting blade 70 among the pair of side wall portions 64. The guide protrusion 66 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped protrusion. The width of the guide protrusion 66 may be a width obtained by subtracting the thickness of the cutting blade 70 from the width of the concave groove 48. The guide protrusion 66 can move along the concave groove 48 while being guided by the concave groove 48. The guide protrusion 66 is located on the side opposite to the cutting edge 72 with respect to the cutting blade 70. The guide protrusion 66 can enter the concave groove 48 following the cutting blade 70 and contact the side surface 48a of the concave groove 48 to guide the cutting blade 70. Also, if the width of the guide protrusion 66 is a width obtained by subtracting the thickness of the cutting blade 70 from the width of the concave groove 48, the guide protrusion 66 can easily pass through the concave groove 48 without interfering with the non-cut portion of the retainer side portion 56.

[0101] A pair of connecting wall portions 68 connect both side portions of the pair of side wall portions 64. The pair of connecting wall portions 68 and the pair of side wall portions 64 are formed in a shape that surrounds at least a part around the housing body 32 while avoiding interference with the housing body 32 when the pair of cutting blades 70 move along both side portions of the housing body 32.

[0102] In this embodiment, the pair of side wall portions 64 face the pair of side surfaces 32f2 of the housing main body 32. The distance between the pair of side wall portions 64 is set to a size that can regulate the position of the housing main body 32 in the width direction by contacting the pair of side surfaces 32f2, for example, slightly larger than the distance between the pair of side surfaces 32f2 of the housing main body 32.

[0103] One of the connecting wall portions 68 faces the main surface 32f1 of the housing main body 32 with the pair of cutting blades 70 inserted into the cutting recess 57. The other connecting wall portion 68 faces the surface of the housing main body 32 opposite to the main surface 32f1, here, the outward-facing surface of the surrounding portion 37, with the pair of cutting blades 70 inserted into the cutting recess 57. The distance between the pair of connecting wall portions 68 is set to a size that can regulate the position of the housing main body 32 in the thickness direction by contacting the surfaces on both sides in the thickness direction of the housing main body 32, for example, slightly larger than the dimension of the housing main body 32 in the thickness direction.

[0104] When the housing main body 32 has a portion protruding from the main surface 32f1 or the side surface 32f2, the inward portion of the disassembling tool body may have a concave shape that avoids the protruding portion.

[0105] It is not essential for the disassembling tool body 62 to surround the entire periphery of the housing main body 32. For example, one of the pair of connecting wall portions 68 may be omitted.

[0106] In this embodiment, the connector disassembling tool 60 further includes a handle portion 69 protruding outward from the disassembling tool body 62. More specifically, the handle portion 69 protrudes so as to protrude outward from the pair of connecting wall portions 68. The handle portion 69 is formed in a plate shape orthogonal to the extending direction of the cutting blade 70. Therefore, the handle portion 69 has a surface 69f that extends in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the cutting blade 70. By applying a force to the handle portion 69, an operator can easily apply a force to move the connector disassembling tool 60 with respect to the connector 10.

[0107] It is not essential that the holding part 69 has the above shape. The holding part may be an elongated rod-shaped handle that is easy for an operator to grasp. That is, the holding part only needs to be a part that holds the connector disassembling tool 60 in a fixed position or receives a force for moving it relative to the connector 10 by protruding from the disassembling tool main body 62.

[0108] It is not essential that the connector disassembling tool 60 has a holding part.

[0109] The connector 10 itself may be small (for example, about 10 mm to 15 mm in width), and thus, the disassembling tool main body 62 itself may also be small. In such a case, by providing the connector disassembling tool 60 with the holding part 69, it is easy to move the connector disassembling tool 60 relative to the connector 10. Thereby, the disassembling operation of the connector 10 can be easily performed.

[0110] <Disassembly operation of the connector> An example of the operation of disassembling the connector 10 using the above connector disassembling tool 60 will be described.

[0111] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the disassembly operation. In FIG. 7, a state where the connector 10 is passing through the connector disassembling tool 60 is shown. FIGS. 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams showing the cutting operation of the cutting blade 70 in the cross section taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

[0112] First, as shown in FIG. 7, prepare the connector 10 to be disassembled. Terminals 20 are accommodated in the respective cavities 34 of the connector 10. It is conceivable that the retainer main body 52 enters the recess between the mating connection part 22 and the wire connection part 24, and the elastic locking piece 32P is hooked on the locking hole 22h of the mating connection part 22. The wire 28 with the terminal 20 crimped to its end extends from the cavity 34 to the rear end side of the housing main body 32.

[0113] Push the housing body 32 into the connector disassembling tool 60 from its front side. Then, the pair of cutting blades 70 enter into the pair of concave grooves 48. With the housing body 32 guided by the inner surface of the disassembling tool body 62 and the pair of cutting blades 70 guided by the pair of concave grooves 48, the pair of cutting blades 70 move along the pair of concave grooves 48 toward the retainer side portion 56.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 8, the cutting blade 70 approaches the pair of retainer side portions 56 and enters into the cutting recess 57. If the cutting recess 57 is a V-shaped groove, the cutting edge 72 of the cutting blade 70 is guided by the inclined surface of the V-shaped groove and is guided toward the deepest apex of the V shape. For this reason, the position where the cutting edge 72 starts to cut into the retainer side portion 56 becomes stable.

[0115] As the cutting blade 70 cuts into the retainer side portion 56, as shown in FIG. 9, the cutting blade 70 enters between the tip portion including the locking surface 58f of the retainer side portion 56 and the remaining portion on the base end side of the retainer side portion 56. The cut tip portion of the retainer side portion 56 is pushed back by the thickness of the cutting blade 70 toward the side surface 48a in the concave groove 48.

[0116] If a space of at least the thickness of the cutting blade 70 is provided between the tip of the retainer side portion 56 before cutting and the side surface 48a, a space for the cut tip portion of the retainer side portion 56 to retreat can be secured, and the cutting blade 70 can smoothly cut into the retainer side portion 56.

[0117] The cutting blade passes through the retainer side portion 56, and the connector 10 comes out of the connector disassembling tool 60. After the cutting blade passes through the retainer side portion 56, the guide protrusion 66 moves in the concave groove 48, so that the tip portion of the retainer side portion 56 remaining in the concave groove 48 can be removed by being pushed back.

[0118] In the above state, since the retainer main body 52 is separated from the tip including the locking surface 58f of the retainer side portion 56, the retainer main body 52 can move in a direction away from the cavity 34. As a result, the holding state of the terminal 20 by the retainer main body 52 is released, and the terminal 20 can be pulled out of the cavity 34 by pulling the electric wire 28 or the like. If the terminal 20 is pulled out of the cavity 34, the retainer 50 can also be separated from the housing main body 32.

[0119] Note that since the cutting recesses 57 are formed on both sides of the retainer side portion 56, even if the insertion direction of the connector 10 with respect to the connector disassembling tool 60 is opposite to the above, the cutting operation of the retainer side portion 56 by the cutting blade 70 can be performed. That is, the disassembling operation of the connector 10 can be performed regardless of the insertion direction of the connector 10 with respect to the connector disassembling tool 60.

[0120] <Effect, etc.> According to the connector 10 configured as described above, since the cutting recesses 57 recessed in the extending direction of the cavity 34 are formed in each of the pair of retainer side portions 56, the retainer side portion 56 can be easily cut using the cutting recesses 57. By cutting the retainer side portion 56, the retainer main body 52 can be separated from the locking portion between the locking portion 46 and the mating locking portion 58, and the retainer main body 52 can be moved in a direction away from the housing main body 32. As a result, the holding state of the terminal 20 by the retainer 50 is easily released, and the terminal 20 is easily separated from the housing main body 32.

[0121] If the cutting recess 57 is formed in a V-shaped recessed shape, it is easy to guide the cutting edge 72 of the cutting blade 70 to a certain position of the cutting recess 57. Thereby, the cutting of the retainer side portion 56 can be performed easily and stably at a certain position.

[0122] Further, since the cutting recesses 57 are formed on the edges on both sides of the retainer side portion 56, the retainer side portion 56 can be cut using the cutting recesses 57 from any edge of the retainer side portion 56, and the workability is excellent.

[0123] In addition, since a gap S is provided between the side surface 48a of the concave groove 48 and the tip of the retainer side portion 56, after the cutting blade 70 cuts into the retainer side portion 56, the severed tip portion of the retainer side portion 56 can move so as to fill the gap S. Therefore, the cutting blade 70 can easily enter between the severed retainer side portions 56, and the severing of the retainer side portion 56 can be easily performed.

[0124] Further, the housing main body 32 has a main surface 32f1 located on the extension of the outer surface 52f of the retainer main body 52 and a pair of side surfaces 32f2 located on the extensions of the outer surfaces 56f of the pair of retainer side portions 56 in a state where the retainer 50 is mounted. Therefore, it is easy to retrieve the connector disassembling tool 60 for removing the retainer 50 outside the main surface 32f1 and the pair of side surfaces 32f2.

[0125] Further, according to the connector disassembling tool 60 configured as described above, the pair of cutting blades 70 can be moved along both side portions of the housing main body 32 toward the locking portion of the retainer 50 or the vicinity thereof. Then, the pair of locking portions of the retainer or the vicinity thereof are severed by the pair of cutting blades 70, and the retainer 50, particularly the retainer main body 52, can be moved in a direction away from the housing main body 32. Thereby, the holding state of the terminal 20 by the retainer main body 52 can be released, and the terminal 20 can be disassembled from the housing main body 32. A pair

[0126] In addition, since the pair of cutting blades 70 are supported by the disassembling tool main body 62 so as to be replaceable, the cutting blades 70 can be replaced when the cutting blades 70 are worn or the like.

[0127] <> ​Also, when a pair of cutting blades 70 move along both side portions of the housing body 32, the disassembling tool body 62 is formed in a shape that surrounds at least a part around the housing body 32 while avoiding interference with the housing body 32. Therefore, it is easy to move the pair of cutting blades 70 collectively toward a pair of locking portions or the vicinity thereof. Then, with the pair of cutting blades 70, the operation of collectively cutting a pair of locking portions of the retainer 50 or the vicinity thereof can be easily performed.

[0128] In addition, since the connector disassembling tool 60 includes a handle portion 69 that protrudes from the disassembling tool body 62, it is easy to apply a force to the connector disassembling tool 60. Thereby, the disassembling operation of the connector 10 using the connector disassembling tool 60 can be easily performed.

[0129] Note that each configuration described in the above embodiment and each modification can be appropriately combined as long as they do not conflict with each other.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0130] 10 Connector 20 Terminal 22 Mate Connection Port 22h Locking Hole 23 Connecting Port 24 Wire Connection Port 28 Electric Wire 30 Connector Housing 32 Housing Body 32P Elastic Locking Piece 32f1 Main Surface of Housing Body 32f2 Side Surface of Housing Body 33 Cuboid Shape Portion 34 Cavity 34a Opening 35 Locking Piece for Connector Connection 36 Operation Portion 37 Enclosure Portion 40 Recess for Cavity Exposure 44 Retainer Guide Groove 44b Bottom Surface of Retainer Guide Groove 46 Locking Portion 47 Auxiliary Locking Portion 48 Concave groove 48a, 48c Side surfaces of the concave groove 48b Bottom surface 50 Retainer 52 Retainer body 52a, 52b Terminal holding portions 52f Outer-facing surface of the retainer body 56 Retainer side portion 56f Outer-facing surface of the retainer side portion 56g Guide surface 57 Notch for separation 58 Counterpart locking portion 58f Locking surface 60 Connector disassembling tool 62 Disassembling tool body 64 Side wall portion 65 Blade support recess 66 Guide protrusion 68 Connecting wall portion 69 Holding handle 69f Surface of the holding handle 70 Separating blade 72 Blade tip 74 Base member 75 Screw shaft portion 76 Nut S Gap between the tip of the retainer side portion and the side surface of the concave groove

Claims

1. a terminal, a housing body having a cavity extending from one end to the other end, and a retainer detachably attached to the housing body, a connector housing for accommodating the terminal in the cavity, a connector comprising: the housing body has a cavity exposure recess for exposing an intermediate portion in the extending direction of the cavity to the outside, and a pair of locking portions formed on both side portions of the housing body, the retainer has a retainer body disposed in the cavity exposure recess for holding the terminal in the cavity, a pair of retainer side portions extending from both side portions of the retainer body toward the pair of locking portions, and a pair of mating locking portions formed on each of the pair of retainer side portions and capable of locking with the locking portions, a connector, wherein each of the pair of retainer side portions is formed with a dividing recess recessed in the extending direction of the cavity.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the dividing recess is formed in a shape recessed in a V shape from at least one of an edge on one end side and an edge on the other end side of the housing body of the retainer side portion.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dividing recess is formed on both an edge on one end side and an edge on the other end side of the housing body of the retainer side portion.

4. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein concave grooves are formed on both side portions of the housing body, extending from a position where the dividing recess is disposed to at least one of one end and the other end of the housing body.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the concave groove has a side surface facing the tip of the retainer side portion and extending along the extending direction of the cavity, and the side surface is formed at a position spaced apart from the tip of the retainer side portion.

6. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing body has a main surface located on an extension of an outer-facing surface of the retainer body and a pair of side surfaces located on extensions of outer-facing surfaces of the pair of retainer side portions in a state where the retainer is mounted.

7. a connector disassembling tool for releasing a locked state of a retainer with respect to a housing body, a pair of cutting blades, A disassembling tool body that supports the pair of cutting blades so that the pair of cutting blades are maintained in a parallel state according to the widths of the pair of locking portions of the retainer with respect to both side portions of the housing body, A connector disassembling tool comprising the same. **Claim 8** The connector disassembling tool according to claim 7, wherein the pair of cutting blades are supported by the disassembling tool body so as to be replaceable. **Claim 9** The connector disassembling tool according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the disassembling tool body is formed in a shape that surrounds at least a part around the housing body while avoiding interference with the housing body when the pair of cutting blades move along both side portions of the housing body. **Claim 10** The connector disassembling tool according to claim 7 or claim 8, further comprising a handle portion protruding from the disassembling tool body.

Images