connector

Abstract

To reduce the thickness of a connection end side portion of a housing in accordance with restrictions on a mating connection object, improve contact holding force, and prevent breakage of an engaging arm engaging with a contact.SOLUTION: A contact 21 is provided with an engaging portion 26 that engages with a housing 22. The housing 22 includes an insertion end portion 29 into which a contact 21 is inserted, and a connection end portion 30 connected to a mating connection target 11, a contact insertion hole 31, and an engagement arm 32 extending in a cantilevered manner from the connection end portion 30 side toward the insertion end portion 29 side, the engagement arm 32 includes an engaged portion 33 that engages with the engaging portion 26, and an extension arm portion 34 extending from the engaged portion 33 toward the insertion end portion 29. The extension arm portion 34 faces an inner wall 37 that defines the contact insertion hole 31 via a space, and regulates the amount of bending of the engagement arm 32 when the distal end side abuts against the inner wall 37 in a case in which the engagement arm 32 is bent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector that includes contacts to be connected to electric wires and a housing into which the contacts are inserted and that holds the contacts, and that is to be connected to a mating connection target. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, connectors have been used that include contacts to be connected to electric wires and a housing into which the contacts are inserted and that hold the contacts, and that are connected to a mating connection object. In such connectors, the housing is provided with an insertion end, which is the end into which the contacts are inserted, a connection end, which is the end connected to the mating connection object, and contact insertion holes, which extend from the insertion end to the connection end and into which the contacts are inserted. Furthermore, in such connectors, the housing is provided with engagement arms that engage with the contacts inserted in the contact insertion holes to hold the contacts. Connectors in which the housing is provided with engagement arms that engage with the contacts inserted in the contact insertion holes to hold the contacts inserted in the contact insertion holes in the housing are known, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2.

[0003] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes terminal fittings 30 as contacts and a housing 10 provided with cavities 11, which are contact insertion holes into which the terminal fittings 30 are inserted. The cavities 11 are provided in the housing 10 so as to penetrate from the insertion end to the connection end of the housing 10. The housing 10 is also provided with lances 17, which serve as engagement arms that engage with the terminal fittings 30. The lances 17 are provided in the housing 10 so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the insertion end toward the connection end, and are configured to engage with the terminal fittings 30 inserted in the cavities 11.

[0004] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a housing 1 having a fork-shaped terminal 13 as a contact and a terminal accommodating section 2 that is a contact insertion hole into which the fork-shaped terminal 13 is inserted. The terminal accommodating section 2 is provided in the housing 1 so as to penetrate from the insertion end to the connection end of the housing 1. The housing 1 also has a lance-shaped locking piece 14 as an engaging arm that engages with the fork-shaped terminal 13. The lance-shaped locking piece 14 is provided in the housing 1 so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the connection end side toward the insertion end side, and is configured to engage with the fork-shaped terminal 13 inserted in the terminal accommodating section 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-216810 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-115336 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the lance 17 that engages with the terminal fitting 30 inserted into the cavity 11 is provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the insertion end side of the housing 10 toward the connection end side. As a result, the tip end portion of the cantilevered lance 17 is disposed so as to extend toward the connection end side of the housing 10. Here, in order to protect the tip end portion of the cantilevered lance 17 from the outside, it is necessary to prevent the tip end portion of the lance 17 from protruding outward from the wall of the housing 10. For this reason, in the connector of Patent Document 1, the overall thickness of the connection end side portion of the housing 10 where the tip end portion of the lance 17 is disposed must be sufficiently large so that the tip end portion of the cantilevered lance 17 can be housed and protected inside.

[0007] On the other hand, due to structural constraints of the mating connection object to which the connector is connected, it may be necessary to reduce the thickness of the portion of the housing near the connection end. However, in the connector of Patent Document 1, the thickness of the portion of the housing 10 near the connection end, where the tip end portion of the cantilevered lance 17 is located, must be sufficiently large, making it difficult to reduce the thickness of the portion of the housing 10 near the connection end. For this reason, the connector of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the portion of the housing 10 near the connection end in accordance with the constraints imposed by the mating connection object.

[0008] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 2, lance-shaped locking pieces 14 that engage with fork-shaped terminals 13 inserted into terminal accommodating sections 2 are provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the connection end side of the housing 1 toward the insertion end side. As a result, the tip end portions of the cantilevered lance-shaped locking pieces 14 are arranged so as to extend at the insertion end side of the housing 1. As a result, the tip end portions of the cantilevered lance-shaped locking pieces 14 are housed inside the insertion end side of the housing 1 and are protected from the outside. This makes it possible to meet the requirement that the thickness of the connection end side of the housing be reduced due to structural constraints on the mating connection object to which the connector is connected.

[0009] However, in the connector disclosed in Patent Document 2, the lance-shaped locking pieces 14 are provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the connection end side to the insertion end side of the housing 1, and are configured to engage with the fork-shaped terminals 13 at the tip ends of the cantilevered extension. Therefore, when the fork-shaped terminals 13 engaged with the lance-shaped locking pieces 14 are urged in a direction to come out of the housing 1, that is, when the fork-shaped terminals 13 are urged toward the insertion end side of the housing 1, the lance-shaped locking pieces 14 easily bend, making the fork-shaped terminals 13 more likely to come out of the housing 1. Therefore, the connector of Patent Document 2 has a problem in that the fork-shaped terminals 13 tend to come out of the housing 1 easily, reducing the contact retention force that holds the fork-shaped terminals 13, which are contacts, in the housing. Furthermore, in the connector disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the fork terminal 13 engaged with the lance-shaped locking piece 14 is urged in a direction to come out of the housing 1, that is, when the fork terminal 13 is urged toward the insertion end of the housing 1, the lance-shaped locking piece 14 easily bends, and there is a risk that the lance-shaped locking piece 14 will bend excessively. If the lance-shaped locking piece 14 bends excessively, there is a risk that the lance-shaped locking piece 14, which is an engaging arm, will be damaged.

[0010] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a connector that can reduce the thickness of the connection end portion of the housing in accordance with the constraints imposed by the mating connection object, improve the contact retention force that holds the contacts in the housing, and prevent damage to the engagement arms that engage with the contacts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] (1) A connector according to one aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems comprises contacts to be connected to electric wires, and a housing into which the contacts are inserted and which holds the contacts, and is connected to a mating connection object, wherein the contacts are provided with engaging portions that engage with the housing when inserted into the housing, and the housing is provided with an insertion end which is an end into which the contacts are inserted, a connection end which is an end connected to the connection object, a contact insertion hole which penetrates from the insertion end to the connection end and into which the contacts are inserted, and an engaging arm which extends in a cantilevered manner from the connection end side toward the insertion end side and engages with the contact inserted into the contact insertion hole, The engaging arm has an engaged portion that is provided at a midpoint of the engaging arm extending cantilevered from the connection end side toward the insertion end side and engages with the engaging portion, and an extension arm portion that is provided as a tip portion of the cantilevered engaging arm and extends from the engaged portion toward the insertion end side, the extension arm portion being arranged opposite to an inner wall that defines the contact insertion hole in the housing across a space and extending along the inner wall, and the extension arm portion is configured so that when the contact is forced toward the insertion end side and the engaging portion forces the engaged portion, causing the engaging arm to elastically deform and bend, the tip side of the extension arm portion abuts against the inner wall to regulate the amount of bending of the engaging arm.

[0012] According to this configuration, the engagement arm that engages with the contact inserted into the contact insertion hole is provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the connection end side of the housing toward the insertion end side. As a result, the tip end portion of the cantilevered engagement arm is positioned so as to extend toward the insertion end side of the housing. Therefore, the tip end portion of the cantilevered engagement arm is housed inside the insertion end side of the housing and protected from the outside. This allows for a reduction in the thickness of the connection end side of the housing due to structural constraints of the mating connection object to which the connector is connected. In other words, the above configuration makes it possible to realize a connector that allows the thickness of the connection end side of the housing to be reduced in accordance with the constraints imposed by the mating connection object.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the engaging arm engages with the engaging portion of the contact at an engaged portion provided midway along its cantilevered extension, and the extension arm, which serves as the distal end of the engaging arm, extends from the engaged portion toward the insertion end. Furthermore, the extension arm is configured to face the inner wall of the housing defining the contact insertion hole, with a space between them, and to extend along the inner wall. When the contact is biased toward the insertion end and the engaging arm bends, the distal end of the extension arm abuts against the inner wall of the housing defining the contact insertion hole, thereby restricting the amount of bending of the engaging arm. Therefore, when a contact engaged with the engaging arm is biased in a direction to be removed from the housing, i.e., when the contact is biased toward the insertion end of the housing, the engaging arm bends, and the distal end of the extension arm abuts against the inner wall of the housing, restricting the amount of bending of the engaging arm. The extension arm abuts against the inner wall of the housing, restricting the amount of deflection of the engagement arm, thereby preventing the engagement portion of the contact from disengaging from the engaged portion of the engagement arm and preventing the contact from coming out of the housing. This improves the contact retention force that holds the contact in the housing. Furthermore, with the above configuration, when a contact engaged with the engagement arm is biased in a direction that causes it to come out of the housing, i.e., when the contact is biased toward the insertion end of the housing, the engagement arm bends, and the extension arm abuts against the inner wall of the housing, restricting the amount of deflection of the engagement arm. This prevents the engagement arm from bending excessively, thereby preventing damage to the engagement arm.

[0014] Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to provide a connector in which the thickness of the portion of the housing on the connection end side can be made thinner in accordance with the constraints imposed by the mating connection object, the contact retention force that holds the contact in the housing can be improved, and damage to the engagement arms that engage with the contacts can be prevented.

[0015] (2) A base portion of the engaging arm that extends cantilever-like from the connection end side toward the insertion end side of the housing may be exposed to the outside of the housing and form part of a wall of the housing.

[0016] With this configuration, the base portion of the engagement arm extending cantilevered from the connection end side of the housing toward the insertion end side is provided so as to form part of the wall portion of the housing exposed to the outside, and therefore the base portion of the engagement arm arranged on the connection end side of the housing can also be used as part of the wall portion of the connection end side of the housing, making it possible to further reduce the thickness of the connection end side of the housing.

[0017] (3) The extension arm portion may have an inclined surface extending obliquely from the connection end side toward the insertion end side, and the inclined surface may be configured to extend toward the inner wall side that the extension arm portion faces as it moves toward the insertion end side.

[0018] According to this configuration, the extension arm portion at the tip of the engagement arm extending toward the insertion end side is provided with an inclined surface that extends closer to the inner wall of the housing that defines the contact insertion hole as it approaches the insertion end side. Therefore, when a contact is inserted into the contact insertion hole from the insertion end side, the contact moves smoothly along the inclined surface while sliding against the inclined surface of the extension arm portion. When the engagement portion of the contact passes over the inclined surface of the extension arm portion and reaches a position where it passes over the engaged portion of the engagement arm, the engagement portion and the engaged portion engage, and the contact is held. Therefore, with the above configuration, the engagement arm and the contact can be smoothly engaged when the contact is inserted into the contact insertion hole.

[0019] (4) The extension arm portion may be configured so that when an external force acts on the wire connected to the contact inserted into the contact insertion hole in a direction that pulls the contact toward the insertion end, causing the engagement arm to elastically deform and bend, the tip of the extension arm abuts against the inner wall to regulate the bending of the engagement arm.

[0020] According to this configuration, when an external force acts on the electric wire to which the contact is connected in a direction in which the electric wire is pulled out of the connector, the engaging arm bends, and the tip end of the extension arm abuts against the inner wall of the housing that defines the contact insertion hole, thereby regulating the amount of bending of the engaging arm. As a result, when an external force acts on the electric wire in the pulling direction, the engaging portion of the contact and the engaged portion of the engaging arm are prevented from disengaging, preventing the contact from coming out of the housing. This improves the contact retention force that holds the contact in the housing when an external force acts on the electric wire in the pulling direction. Furthermore, when an external force acts on the electric wire in the pulling direction, the engaging arm is prevented from bending excessively, preventing damage to the engaging arm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, a connector can be provided in which the thickness of the connection end portion of the housing can be reduced in accordance with the constraints imposed by the mating connection object, the contact retention force that holds the contact in the housing can be improved, and damage to the engagement arms that engage with the contacts can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a terminal block that is a mating connection target; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state before the connector and the terminal block are connected to each other. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector, showing a partial cross section. [Figure 5] 5A is a front view of the contact, FIG. 5B is a side view of the contact, and FIG. 5C is a bottom view of the contact, showing the contact connected to an electric wire. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along a connection direction in which the connector and the terminal block are connected. [Figure 7] 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross section of the connector shown in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the connector. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the connector, the perspective view including a partial cross section. [Figure 10] 1 is a view of a housing of a connector as viewed from one end side in a connection direction. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the connector, taken along the line AA in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the connector, taken along the line BB in FIG. 10. [Figure 13] These are cross-sectional views of a portion of the housing and a contact, and are figures for explaining the operation of the connector when the contact is inserted into the contact insertion hole of the housing. Figure 13(A) is a figure showing the state before the contact is inserted into the contact insertion hole, Figure 13(B) is a figure showing the state when the contact is in the middle of being inserted into the contact insertion hole, and Figure 13(C) is a figure showing the state when the contact has been inserted into the contact insertion hole. [Figure 14] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing and a contact, illustrating the operation of the connector when an external force acts on an electric wire connected to the contact in a direction that pulls the contact out of the housing. FIG. [Figure 15]These are cross-sectional views of a portion of the housing and a contact, and are figures for explaining the operation of the connector when removing the contact from the housing. Figure 15(A) is a figure showing the state in which the contact removal tool is inserted into the contact insertion hole, and Figure 15(B) is a figure showing the state in which the contact removal tool abuts against the engagement arm of the housing. [Figure 16] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing, illustrating a modified example of an extension arm portion of an engagement arm of the housing. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the housing, illustrating a modified example of the engagement arm of the housing. [Figure 18] 18A and 18B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the connector when removing a contact from the housing shown in FIG. 17, where FIG. 18A shows the state before the contact removal jig is inserted into the jig hole provided in the engagement arm of the housing, and FIG. 18B shows the state after the contact removal jig has been inserted into the jig hole in the engagement arm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention is applicable to a wide variety of applications as a connector that includes contacts to be connected to electric wires and a housing that holds the contacts inserted therein, and that is connected to a mating connection target.

[0024] [Outline of connector configuration] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a terminal block 11, which is a mating connection target. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state before the connector 1 and the terminal block 11 are connected. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the connector 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the connector 1, including a partial cross section. Note that Figs. 1 to 4 show a state in which an electric wire 10 is connected to the connector 1, and in Figs. 1 to 4, the portion of the electric wire 10 that is connected to the connector 1 is schematically shown.

[0025] 1 to 4 is configured to include a plurality of contacts 21 and a housing 22 that holds the plurality of contacts 21. The plurality of contacts 21 are connected to the plurality of electric wires 10, respectively. Each of the plurality of contacts 21 is inserted into and held in the housing 22. In this embodiment, an example of a connector 1 including three contacts 21 as the plurality of contacts 21 held in the housing 22 is shown. Note that the number of contacts 21 included in the connector 1 is not limited to three, and various numbers may be used.

[0026] The connector 1 is connected to a plurality of electric wires 10 by connecting the electric wires 10 to each of the plurality of contacts 21. The connector 1 is configured to electrically connect the plurality of electric wires 10 and the terminal block 11 by connecting the plurality of electric wires 10 connected to the terminal block 11, which is the mating connection target.

[0027] A terminal block 11, which is the mating connection target to which the connector 1 is connected, is attached to, for example, a board (not shown). By connecting the connector 1 connected to the terminal block 11 and the plurality of electric wires 10, the plurality of electric wires 10 and the board (not shown) are electrically connected. The terminal block 11 has a mating housing 12 and a plurality of mating contacts 13 held in the mating housing 12.

[0028] The mating housing 12 is configured to be connected to the housing 22 of the connector 1 by fitting with the housing 22. The mating housing 12 is also provided with a plurality of fitting holes 14. Each of the plurality of fitting holes 14 is configured to fit with a connection end 30 side portion of a plurality of contact holding portions 27 of the housing 22, which will be described later. The connection end 30 side portions of the plurality of contact holding portions 27 of the housing 22, which will be described later, fit with each of the plurality of fitting holes 14, thereby connecting the housing 22 and the mating housing 12 by fitting.

[0029] Each of the plurality of mating contacts 13 is configured to be electrically connected to each of the plurality of contacts 21 in the connector 1. The plurality of mating contacts 13 are held in the mating housing 12 and arranged inside the plurality of fitting holes 14. When the housing 22 of the connector 1 is fitted and connected to the mating housing 12 of the terminal block 11, the plurality of contacts 21 of the connector 1 and the plurality of mating contacts 13 of the terminal block 11 come into contact with each other and are electrically connected.

[0030] In this embodiment, the mating connection object to which the connector 1 is connected is the terminal block 11, but this is not limitative. That is, the mating connection object to which the connector 1 is connected may be in a form other than the terminal block 11.

[0031] The configuration of the connector 1 will be described in more detail below. For convenience of explanation, the connection direction X1, width direction X2, and front-rear direction X3 of the connector 1 are defined as shown by double-headed arrows X1 to X3 in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the drawings described below. The connection direction X1 is configured as a direction parallel to the direction in which the connector 1 and the terminal block 11 are fitted and connected. The width direction X2 and the front-rear direction X3 are configured as directions perpendicular to the connection direction X1, and the width direction X2 and the front-rear direction X3 are configured as directions perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment, the connector 1 is configured such that the length in the width direction X2 is slightly longer than the length in the front-rear direction X3.

[0032] [contact] Fig. 5 shows the contact 21 in a state connected to the electric wire 10, Fig. 5(A) is a front view of the contact 21, Fig. 5(B) is a side view of the contact 21, and Fig. 5(C) is a bottom view of the contact 21. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1, taken along a connecting direction X1 in which the connector 1 and the terminal block 11 are connected. Fig. 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of the cross-section of the connector 1 shown in Fig. 6.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 , the connector 1 includes a plurality of contacts 21, and in this embodiment, three contacts 21 are provided. In this embodiment, a configuration is illustrated in which three contacts 21, namely, contacts 21a, 21b, and 21c, are provided. The contacts 21, namely, contacts 21a, 21b, and 21c, are formed to have the same shape. Each of the contacts 21 is formed of a conductive metal material, and is configured to be connected to the electric wire 10 and inserted into and held by the housing 22. The contacts 21 are held by the housing 22 with their longitudinal directions extending parallel to one another along the connection direction X1. When the connector 1 and the terminal block 11 are connected, the contacts 21 are configured to come into contact with the mating contacts 13 of the terminal block 11 to electrically connect the mating contacts 13 and the electric wire 10.

[0034] Each of the plurality of contacts 21 is provided with a wire crimping portion 23, a core wire crimping portion 24, a contact connecting portion 25, and an engaging portion 26, and the wire crimping portion 23, the core wire crimping portion 24, the contact connecting portion 25, and the engaging portion 26 are provided integrally in the contact 21. In the contact 21, the wire crimping portion 23, the core wire crimping portion 24, and the contact connecting portion 25 are arranged in series in this order, and the direction in which the wire crimping portion 23, the core wire crimping portion 24, and the contact connecting portion 25 are arranged constitutes the longitudinal direction of the contact 21.

[0035] The wire crimping portion 23 is provided as a portion on one end side of the contact 21 in the longitudinal direction, and is provided as a portion to be crimped to the electric wire 10. The electric wire 10 has a core wire 10a and an insulating coating 10b that covers the periphery of the core wire 10a. At the end of the electric wire 10 that is connected to the contact 21, the insulating coating 10b is partially removed, exposing the core wire 10a to the outside. The wire crimping portion 23 is provided as a portion to be crimped to the electric wire 10 by being crimped to the insulating coating 10b at the end of the electric wire 10.

[0036] The core wire crimping portion 24 is provided as a portion to be crimped onto the core wire 10a of the electric wire 10, and is configured to be crimped onto the portion of the end of the electric wire 10 where the core wire 10a is exposed.

[0037] The contact connecting portion 25 is provided as a portion on the other longitudinal end side of the contact 21. In other words, the contact connecting portion 25 is provided as a portion on the longitudinal end side of the contact 21 opposite the wire crimping portion 23 side. The contact connecting portion 25 is provided as a portion to be connected to the mating contact 13 of the terminal block 11.

[0038] The contact connecting portion 25 is provided as a portion formed by bending a flat plate-like portion so as to form a flat tubular shape. The contact connecting portion 25 is configured so as to be connected to the mating contact 13 of the terminal block 11 by fitting the mating contact 13 inside the flat tubular portion. The contact connecting portion 25 is also provided with a contact point 25a formed to protrude inside the flat tubular portion so as to be in constant contact with the connected mating contact 13.

[0039] The engaging portion 26 is provided as a portion that engages with the housing 22 when the contact 21 is inserted into the housing 22, and in this embodiment, is provided as an edge portion of the contact connecting portion 25, that is, an edge portion of one longitudinal end of the contact 21 in the contact connecting portion 25. More specifically, the engaging portion 26 is provided as an edge portion of the contact connecting portion 25, that is, an edge portion on the wire crimping portion 23 side in the longitudinal direction of the contact 21. The engaging portion 26, which is provided as an edge portion of the contact connecting portion 25 on the wire crimping portion 23 side of the contact 21, is formed as a notched portion that is recessed in a step from the contact connecting portion 25 side toward the wire crimping portion 23 side, and is configured to easily engage with the housing 22. The engaging portion 26 is configured to engage with the housing 22 at an engaged portion 33 provided on an engaging arm 32, which will be described later.

[0040] [housing] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the housing 22 of the connector 1. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the housing 22, including a partial cross section. Fig. 10 is a view of the housing 22 as viewed from one end in the connection direction X1. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the housing 22, taken along the line AA in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the housing 22, taken along the line BB in Fig. 10.

[0041] 1 to 4 and 6 to 12, the housing 22 is configured to receive and hold the multiple contacts 21 and to be connected to the mating housing 12 of the terminal block 11. The housing 22 is made of an insulating resin material. The housing 22 includes multiple contact holding portions 27 that respectively hold the multiple contacts 21, and a base portion 28 that integrally joins the multiple contact holding portions 27.

[0042] Each of the contact holding portions 27 is provided as a rectangular cylindrical portion extending in the connection direction X1, and is provided so as to extend parallel to one another in the connection direction X1. Each of the contact holding portions 27 is configured to hold a corresponding one of the contacts 21. In the connector 1 of this embodiment, three contact holding portions 27 are provided, corresponding to the number of contacts 21. Specifically, in the housing 22 of this embodiment, the contact holding portions 27 are provided as contact holding portions 27a, 27b, and 27c. The contact holding portion 27a is configured to hold the contact 21a, the contact holding portion 27b is configured to hold the contact 21b, and the contact holding portion 27c is configured to hold the contact 21c.

[0043] The contact holding portion 27a is configured so that the contacts 21a are inserted into it from one end in the connection direction X1 and hold the contacts 21a. The other end in the connection direction X1 of the contact holding portion 27a is configured to fit into one of the fitting holes 14 provided in the mating housing 12 of the terminal block 11 and connect to the mating housing 12. The contact holding portion 27b is configured so that the contacts 21b are inserted into it from one end in the connection direction X1 and hold the contacts 21b. The other end in the connection direction X1 of the contact holding portion 27b is configured so that the contacts 21c are inserted into it from one end in the connection direction X1 and hold the contacts 21c. The contact holding portion 27c is configured to fit into one of a plurality of fitting holes 14 provided in the mating housing 12 of the terminal block 11 at the other end side in the connection direction X1, and to be connected to the mating housing 12.

[0044] The contact holding portion 27a, the contact holding portion 27b, and the contact holding portion 27c are provided at different positions in the housing 22. In this embodiment, the contact holding portion 27a is provided at one end of the housing 22 in the width direction X2, and the contact holding portion 27b and the contact holding portion 27c are provided at the other end of the housing 22 in the width direction X2. The contact holding portion 27b and the contact holding portion 27c are provided side by side in the front-rear direction X3.

[0045] Base 28 is provided as a portion that integrally joins multiple contact holding portions 27, which extend parallel to one another in a rectangular tubular shape along connection direction X1, at one end in connection direction X1, where contacts 21 are inserted. That is, base 28 is provided as a portion that integrally joins contact holding portions 27a, 27b, and 27c, which extend parallel to one another in a rectangular tubular shape along connection direction X1, at one end in connection direction X1. Base 28 is also provided to extend in width direction X2 and front-rear direction X3, and is provided to integrally join ends of contact holding portions 27a, 27b, and 27c.

[0046] Here, we will explain in more detail the configuration of the housing 22. The housing 22 is provided with an insertion end 29, which is the end into which the contacts 21 are inserted, a connection end 30, which is the end connected to the terminal block 11, which is the mating connection target of the connector 1, contact insertion holes 31 into which the contacts 21 are inserted, and engagement arms 32 that engage with the contacts 21.

[0047] The insertion end 29 of the housing 22 is configured as an end of the housing 22 into which the contacts 21 are inserted, and is provided as an end of the housing 22 on the base 28 side in the connection direction X1. The insertion end 29 of the housing 22 is configured as an end of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 into which the contacts 21 are inserted. That is, the insertion end 29 of the contact holding portion 27, which is the end into which the contacts 21 are inserted, constitutes the insertion end 29 of the housing 22. In this embodiment, each of the multiple contact holding portions 27 (27a, 27b, 27c) is provided with an insertion end 29, which is the end into which the contacts 21 are inserted. More specifically, the insertion end 29 of the contact holding portion 27a is provided as the insertion end 29, the insertion end 29 of the contact holding portion 27b is provided as the insertion end 29, and the insertion end 29 of the contact holding portion 27c is provided as the insertion end 29.

[0048] The connection end 30 of the housing 22 is configured as an end of the housing 22 that is connected to the mating housing 12 of the terminal block 11, and is provided as an end of the housing 22 opposite the base 28 side in the connection direction X1 of the housing 22. The connection end 30 of the housing 22 is configured as an end of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 that is connected to the mating housing 12 of the terminal block 11. That is, the connection end 30 of the contact holding portion 27, which is an end of the contact holding portion 27 that fits into the fitting hole 14 of the mating housing 12 of the terminal block 11 and is connected to the mating housing 12, constitutes the connection end 30 of the housing 22. In this embodiment, each of the multiple contact holding portions 27 (27a, 27b, 27c) is provided with a connection end 30 that fits into the fitting hole 14 of the mating housing 12 of the terminal block 11 and is connected to the mating housing 12. More specifically, connection end 30a is provided as connection end 30 in contact holding portion 27a, connection end 30b is provided as connection end 30 in contact holding portion 27b, and connection end 30c is provided as connection end 30 in contact holding portion 27c.

[0049] As described above, the housing 22 is configured by integrally joining the contact holding portions 27a, 27b, and 27c at the insertion end 29 (29a, 29b, 29c) side with the base 28. The housing 22 is provided such that the portions of the contact holding portions 27a, 27b, and 27c at the connection end 30 (30a, 30b, 30c) side protrude from the base 28 side along the connection direction X1.

[0050] 3, 4, and 6 to 12, the contact insertion holes 31 are provided in the housing 22 so as to penetrate from the insertion end 29 to the connection end 30, and are provided as holes into which the contacts 21 are inserted. A plurality of contact insertion holes 31 are provided in the housing 22, and in this embodiment, three contact insertion holes 31 are provided corresponding to the number of contacts 21 of the connector 1. Each of the plurality of contact insertion holes 31 is provided so as to penetrate the housing 22 along the connection direction X1. A contact insertion hole 31 is provided in each of the plurality of contact holding portions 27 in the housing 22. That is, a contact insertion hole 31 is provided in each of the contact holding portions 27a, 27b, and 27c.

[0051] The contact insertion holes 31 provided in the contact holding portion 27a are provided to extend through the contact holding portion 27a in the connection direction X1 from the insertion end 29a to the connection end 30a. That is, the contact insertion holes 31 of the contact holding portion 27a are open to the outside at the insertion end 29a and also open to the outside at the connection end 30a, and are provided as through holes extending from the insertion end 29a to the connection end 30a. The contacts 21a are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 of the contact holding portion 27a from the insertion end 29a side and are held in the contact insertion holes 31 by the contact holding portion 27a. Note that the contacts 21a, connected to the electric wire 10, are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 of the contact holding portion 27a from the contact connection portion 25 side, and the contacts 21a are held by the contact holding portion 27a with the entire contacts 21a disposed and accommodated in the contact insertion holes 31. When the contacts 21a are held by the contact holding portion 27a, the wires 10 connected to the contacts 21a are pulled out from the insertion end portion 29a of the contact holding portion 27a.

[0052] The contact insertion holes 31 provided in the contact holding portion 27b are provided to extend through the contact holding portion 27b from the insertion end 29b to the connection end 30b in the connection direction X1. That is, the contact insertion holes 31 of the contact holding portion 27b are open to the outside at the insertion end 29b and also open to the outside at the connection end 30b, and are provided as through holes extending from the insertion end 29b to the connection end 30b. The contacts 21b are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 of the contact holding portion 27b from the insertion end 29b side and are held in the contact insertion holes 31 by the contact holding portion 27b. Note that the contacts 21b, connected to the electric wire 10, are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 of the contact holding portion 27b from the contact connection portion 25 side, and the contacts 21b are held by the contact holding portion 27b with the entire contacts 21b disposed and accommodated in the contact insertion holes 31. When the contacts 21b are held by the contact holding portion 27b, the wires 10 connected to the contacts 21b are pulled out from the insertion end portion 29b of the contact holding portion 27b.

[0053] The contact insertion holes 31 provided in the contact holding portion 27c are provided to extend through the contact holding portion 27c from the insertion end 29c to the connection end 30c in the connection direction X1. That is, the contact insertion holes 31 of the contact holding portion 27c are open to the outside at the insertion end 29c and also open to the outside at the connection end 30c, and are provided as through holes extending from the insertion end 29c to the connection end 30c. The contacts 21c are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 of the contact holding portion 27c from the insertion end 29c side and are held in the contact insertion holes 31 by the contact holding portion 27c. Note that the contacts 21c, connected to the electric wire 10, are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 of the contact holding portion 27c from the contact connection portion 25 side, and the contacts 21c are held by the contact holding portion 27c with the entire contacts 21c disposed and accommodated in the contact insertion holes 31. When the contacts 21c are held by the contact holding portion 27c, the wires 10 connected to the contacts 21c are pulled out from the insertion end portion 29c of the contact holding portion 27c.

[0054] [Engagement arm] 2 to 4 and 6 to 12, the engagement arm 32 is provided in the housing 22 so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the connection end 30 side toward the insertion end 29 side. The engagement arm 32 is provided as a portion in the housing 22 that engages with the contact 21 inserted into the contact insertion hole 31.

[0055] A plurality of engagement arms 32 are provided in the housing 22, each corresponding to a contact holding portion 27 that holds the contacts 21, and in this embodiment, each engagement arm 32 is provided in a pair for each contact holding portion 27. That is, in the housing 22 of this embodiment, an engagement arm 32 is provided for each of the three contact holding portions 27, and each contact holding portion 27 is provided in a pair. Therefore, each contact holding portion 27 is provided with two engagement arms 32. Therefore, a total of six engagement arms 32 are provided in the housing 22 of this embodiment. Specifically, in the housing 22 of this embodiment, the engagement arms 32 include an engagement arm 32a provided in the contact holding portion 27a, an engagement arm 32b provided in the contact holding portion 27b, and an engagement arm 32c provided in the contact holding portion 27c.

[0056] The contact holding portion 27a is provided with a pair of engagement arms 32a. That is, the contact holding portion 27a is provided with two engagement arms 32a. Each of the pair of engagement arms 32a provided on the contact holding portion 27a is provided to extend in a cantilevered manner from the connection end portion 30a toward the insertion end portion 29a along the connection direction X1, and is provided to extend parallel to each other. Each of the pair of engagement arms 32a is configured to engage with the contact 21a inserted in the contact insertion hole 31 of the contact holding portion 27a and to hold the contact 21a.

[0057] The contact holding portion 27b is provided with a pair of engagement arms 32b. That is, the contact holding portion 27b is provided with two engagement arms 32b. Each of the pair of engagement arms 32b provided on the contact holding portion 27b is provided to extend in a cantilevered manner from the connection end portion 30b toward the insertion end portion 29b along the connection direction X1, and is provided to extend parallel to each other. Each of the pair of engagement arms 32b is configured to engage with the contact 21b inserted into the contact insertion hole 31 of the contact holding portion 27b and hold the contact 21b.

[0058] The contact holding portion 27c is provided with a pair of engagement arms 32c. That is, the contact holding portion 27c is provided with two engagement arms 32c. Each of the pair of engagement arms 32c provided on the contact holding portion 27c is provided to extend in a cantilevered manner from the connection end portion 30c toward the insertion end portion 29c along the connection direction X1, and is provided to extend parallel to each other. Each of the pair of engagement arms 32c is configured to engage with the contact 21c inserted into the contact insertion hole 31 of the contact holding portion 27c and to hold the contact 21c.

[0059] The engagement arm 32a provided on the contact holding portion 27a, the engagement arm 32b provided on the contact holding portion 27b, and the engagement arm 32c provided on the contact holding portion 27c are configured similarly and are all formed in the same shape. Since the engagement arms 32a, 32b, and 32c have the same structure, the structure of the engagement arms 32 (32a, 32b, 32c) will be described below as the structure of the engagement arm 32.

[0060] The engaging arm 32 is configured to have an engaged portion 33, an extension arm portion 34, and a base portion 35.

[0061] The engaged portion 33 is provided on the engaging arm 32 as a portion that engages with the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21. The engaged portion 33 is provided at a midpoint on the engaging arm 32 that extends in a cantilevered manner from the connection end 30 side toward the insertion end 29 side. The engaged portion 33 is also provided as a protrusion that protrudes in a stepped manner toward the inside of the contact holding portion 27a at a midpoint on the cantilevered engaging arm 32. In other words, the engaged portion 33 is provided at a midpoint on the cantilevered engaging arm 32 so as to protrude in a stepped manner within the contact insertion hole 31 inside the contact holding portion 27a.

[0062] Furthermore, the engaged portion 33 protruding in a stepped shape from the engaging arm 32 has an end face 33a extending in a direction perpendicular to the connecting direction X1 at an end on the connection end 30 side in the connecting direction X1. The engaged portion 33 is configured to engage with the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 by abutting against the engaging portion 26 at the end face 33a. The engaged portion 33 is configured to engage with the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 when the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 abuts against the engaged portion 33 from the connection end 30 side toward the insertion end 29 side in the connecting direction X1. Therefore, when the contact 21 is urged in a direction to be removed from the contact holding portion 27 with the engaged engaged portion 33 and the engaging portion 26 engaged with each other, that is, when the contact 21 is urged toward the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27, movement of the contact holding portion 27 of the contact 21 toward the insertion end 29 side is restricted by the engagement between the engaged portion 33 and the engaging portion 26. This prevents the contacts 21 from slipping out of the contact holding portion 27.

[0063] The extension arm portion 34 of the engagement arm 32 is provided as a tip end portion of the cantilevered engagement arm 32, extending from the engaged portion 33 toward the insertion end 29. The extension arm portion 34 is disposed opposite, across a space, to an inner wall 37 that defines the contact insertion hole 31 in the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22, and is disposed so as to extend along the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27. More specifically, the extension arm portion 34 is disposed opposite, across a space, to a wall surface of the inner wall 37 that defines the contact insertion hole 31 in the contact holding portion 27, on the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27. Furthermore, the extension arm portion 34 is disposed opposite, across a space, to the inner wall 37 that defines the contact insertion hole 31 in the contact holding portion 27 in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction X1. In this embodiment, the inner wall 37 of the contact holding part 27, which the extension arm part 34 faces across a space, is provided to extend parallel to the connection direction X1. The portion of the extension arm part 34 facing the inner wall 37 is provided with an opposing surface 34b that extends parallel to the connection direction X1 and the inner wall 37, as shown in Figures 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12.

[0064] The engaging arm 32 engages at the engaged portion 33 with the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 inserted into the contact insertion hole 31 of the contact holding portion 27. When the engaging arm 32 and the contact 21 are engaged, the engaging portion 26 and the engaged portion 33 abut and engage in contact with each other in the connection direction X1, restricting movement of the contact 21 toward the insertion end 29 of the contact holding portion 27. When the contact 21 is urged toward the insertion end 29 in this state, the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 urges the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32 toward the insertion end 29. When the engaged portion 33, which protrudes inward of the contact holding portion 27 at a midpoint of the engaging arm 32 extending cantilevered toward the insertion end 29, is urged toward the insertion end 29 by the engaging portion 26, the engaging arm 32 elastically deforms and bends. At this time, the engaging arm 32 bends toward the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27, which is the side of the engaging arm 32 opposite the inside of the contact holding portion 27 where the engaged portion 33 is provided. Then, as the engaging arm 32 bends toward the inner wall 37, the extension arm portion 34, which is the tip portion of the engaging arm 32 extending from the engaged portion 33 toward the insertion end 29, is displaced toward the inner wall 37, and the tip side of the extension arm portion 34 abuts against the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27. In this way, the extension arm portion 34 is configured to abut against the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 at the tip side when the contact 21 is urged toward the insertion end 29, the engaging portion 26 urges the engaged portion 33, and the engaging arm 32 is elastically deformed and bent. Furthermore, when the engaging arm 32 bends, the extension arm 34 comes into contact with the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 at its tip end, thereby restricting the amount of bending of the engaging arm 32 .

[0065] The contacts 21, while connected to the electric wires 10, are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 and held by the contact holding portion 27. Therefore, when an external force acts on the electric wire 10 connected to the contacts 21 while inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 in a direction that pulls the contacts 21 toward the insertion end portion 29, the contacts 21 are urged toward the insertion end portion 29, and the engaging portions 26 urge the engaged portions 33 toward the insertion end portion 29. When the engaging portions 26 urge the engaged portions 33, the engaging arms 32 are elastically deformed and bent, as described above, and the tip ends of the extension arm portions 34 of the engaging arms 32 come into contact with the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 that defines the contact insertion holes 31, thereby restricting the bending of the engaging arms 32. Therefore, when an external force acts on the wire 10 connected to the contact 21 inserted into the contact insertion hole 31 in a direction that pulls the contact 21 toward the insertion end 29, causing the engagement arm 32 to elastically deform and bend, the extension arm portion 34 is configured to abut against the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 at the tip side of the extension arm portion 34 to regulate the bending of the engagement arm 32.

[0066] The extension arm 34 is provided with an inclined surface 34a formed as a surface facing the inside of the contact holding portion 27. The inclined surface 34a of the extension arm 34 is provided as a surface extending obliquely in a direction from the connection end 30 side of the contact holding portion 27 toward the insertion end 29 side. Furthermore, the inclined surface 34a of the extension arm 34 is provided so as to extend toward the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 that the extension arm 34 faces as it approaches the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27. As a result, the inclined surface 34a of the extension arm 34 on the tip side of the engagement arm 32 extending toward the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27 is provided so as to extend closer to the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 that defines the contact insertion hole 31 as it approaches the insertion end 29 side. The inclined surface 34a is provided so as to be continuous without a step with the engaged portion 33 that protrudes inward of the contact holding portion 27 on the connection end 30 side. Therefore, when the contact 21 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 31 from the insertion end 29 side, the contact 21 moves smoothly along the inclined surface 34a while sliding against the inclined surface 34a. When the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 reaches the position of the engaged portion 33, the engaging portion 26 passes over the engaged portion 33, and the engaging portion 26 engages with the engaged portion 33.

[0067] The base portion 35 of the engagement arm 32 is configured as a base portion of the engagement arm 32 extending in a cantilevered manner from the connection end 30 side toward the insertion end 29 side in the housing 22. The base portion 35 and the extension arm portion 34 are continuous, and the extension arm portion 34 extends toward the insertion end 29 side from the base portion 35 toward the insertion end 29 side. The base portion 35 is exposed to the outside of the housing 22 and forms a part of the wall of the housing 22. More specifically, the base portion 35 forms a part of the wall of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side, that is, the wall exposed to the outside of the housing 22. As shown in Figures 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, a slit 36 ​​is formed in the wall of the connection end 30 side of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 to form the engagement arm 32 extending in a cantilevered manner in the housing 22 and elastically deformable. In the wall of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 on the connection end portion 30 side, the base side portion 35 is arranged together with the slit 36 ​​in a state where it is exposed to the outside of the housing 22 .

[0068] [Configuration regarding the thickness of the housing connection end portion] Because the connector 1 is connected to a terminal block 11, which is the mating connection target, the housing 22 of the connector 1 is configured so that it can be connected to the terminal block 11 in accordance with the structural constraints of the terminal block 11, which is the mating connection target. Therefore, the portion of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side that is connected to the mating housing 12 of the terminal block 11 needs to be configured so that it can be fitted into and connected to the mating hole 14 of the mating housing 12. In other words, the portion of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side needs to be configured so that it can be fitted into and connected to the mating hole 14 of the mating housing 12. Therefore, if the dimension of the cross section of the mating hole 14 in the short direction becomes small due to constraints on the arrangement space of the mating hole 14 in the mating housing 12, it becomes necessary to reduce the thickness of the portion of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side.

[0069] In the connector 1, the engagement arm 32 that engages with the contact 21 inserted in the contact insertion hole 31 is provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the connection end 30 side of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 toward the insertion end 29 side. As a result, the extension arm portion 34, which is the tip portion of the cantilevered engagement arm 32, is arranged to extend on the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22. The tip portion of the cantilevered engagement arm 32 is then housed and arranged inside the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27. In other words, the insertion end 29 side portion of the contact holding portion 27 is arranged to surround the tip portion of the engagement arm 32. As a result, the tip portion of the engagement arm 32 is protected from the outside by the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22.

[0070] On the other hand, in the portion of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side, the base portion 35 of the engaging arm 32, which is the base portion of the engaging arm 32, is arranged, but the tip portion of the engaging arm 32 is not arranged. Therefore, in the portion of the contact holding portion 27 on the connection end 30 side, there is no need to provide a protective wall structure surrounding the tip portion of the engaging arm 32 to protect the tip portion of the engaging arm 32. This allows the thickness of the portion of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side to be thin. Therefore, in the connector 1, if a thin thickness is required in the portion of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side due to structural constraints of the terminal block 11, which is the mating connection object to which the connector 1 is connected, this requirement can be met. In other words, in the connector 1, the thickness of the portion of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side can be thinned in accordance with the constraints imposed by the mating connection object.

[0071] In the connector 1, the thickness of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side is thin. With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the thickness dimension T1 of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side is indicated by a double-headed arrow T1, and the thickness dimension T2 of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 on the insertion end 29 side is indicated by a double-headed arrow T2. In the housing 22 of the connector 1, the thickness of the contact holding portion 27 on the connection end 30 side is thinner than the thickness of the contact holding portion 27 on the insertion end 29 side. That is, the thickness dimension T1 of the contact holding portion 27 on the connection end 30 side is set smaller than the thickness dimension T2 of the contact holding portion 27 on the insertion end 29 side. More specifically, the thickness dimension T1 in the width direction X2 of the contact holding portion 27a on the connection end 30a side is set smaller than the thickness dimension T2 of the contact holding portion 27a on the insertion end 29a side. Furthermore, the thickness dimension T1 in the front-rear direction X3 of the portion of contact holding portion 27b facing the connection end 30b is set smaller than the thickness dimension T2 in the front-rear direction X3 of the portion of contact holding portion 27b facing the insertion end 29b. Furthermore, the thickness dimension T1 in the front-rear direction X3 of the portion of contact holding portion 27c facing the connection end 30c is set smaller than the thickness dimension T2 in the front-rear direction X3 of the portion of contact holding portion 27c facing the insertion end 29c. The thickness dimension T1 of the portion of contact holding portion 27 facing the connection end 30 is set to a smaller dimension in accordance with the constraints imposed by the short-side dimension of the cross section of fitting hole 14 of mating housing 12 of terminal block 11, which is the mating connection target.

[0072] [Connector operation] Next, the operation of the connector 1 described above will be described. First, the operation of the connector 1 will be described when the contacts 21 are inserted into the housing 22 and held in the housing 22. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing 22 and the contacts 21, and is a diagram for explaining the operation of the connector 1 in which the contacts 21 are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 of the housing 22. Fig. 13(A) is a diagram showing the state before the contacts 21 are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31. Fig. 13(B) is a diagram showing the state in which the contacts 21 are in the middle of being inserted into the contact insertion holes 31. Fig. 13(C) is a diagram showing the state after the contacts 21 are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31. The cross-sectional view of Fig. 13 shows a cross-section of the contact holding portion 27c of the housing 22 and the contacts 21c. In addition, in Figure 13, the electric wire 10 is shown schematically, with the core wire 10a of the electric wire 10 being omitted, and only the shape portion corresponding to the outer shape of the insulating coating 10b of the electric wire 10 being shown as a cross section with uniform hatching.

[0073] 13(a), when the contacts 21 are inserted into the housing 22, the contacts 21, with the electric wires 10 connected thereto, are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 provided in the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22. The contacts 21 are inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 from the end on the contact connecting portion 25 side, which is the end opposite to the end connected to the electric wires 10. The contacts 21 are also inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 from the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22.

[0074] 13(b), when the contact 21 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 31, the contact 21 moves through the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 in the connection direction X1 from the insertion end 29 side toward the connection end 30 side in the contact insertion hole 31. Then, when the contact 21 reaches a position within the contact insertion hole 31 where it abuts against the extension arm portion 34 of the engagement arm 32, the tip end of the contact connection portion 25 abuts against the inclined surface 34a of the extension arm portion 34.

[0075] When the contact 21 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 31 and the tip of the contact connecting portion 25 abuts against the inclined surface 34a of the extension arm portion 34, the engaging arm 32 is urged at the inclined surface 34a from the contact 21 toward the connection end portion 30. When the engaging arm 32 is urged by the contact 21 at the inclined surface 34a, it bends toward the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27, which the extension arm portion 34 faces. As the engaging arm 32 bends toward the inner wall 37, the contact 21 moves smoothly along the inclined surface 34a while the tip of the contact connecting portion 25 slides against the inclined surface 34a. When the contact connecting portion 25 of the contact 21 inserted in the contact insertion hole 31 reaches the position of the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32, the contact connecting portion 25 passes over the engaged portion 33.

[0076] 13(C), when the contact 21 is further inserted into the contact insertion hole 31 such that the contact connecting portion 25 passes through the engaged portion 33, the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 reaches the position of the engaged portion 33. When the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 reaches the position of the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32, the engaging portion 26 passes over the engaged portion 33, climbing over it. Then, when the engaging portion 26, which is provided as a stepped recess as an edge portion of the contact connecting portion 25, passes the engaged portion 33, the engaged portion 33 is displaced so as to fit into the engaging portion 26, and the engaging arm 32 elastically recovers and returns to its original state. As a result, the engaging portion 26 engages with the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32. When the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 engages with the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32, the contact 21 is held by the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22.

[0077] Next, an operation of the connector 1 when the contacts 21 held in the housing 22 are biased in a direction to be removed from the housing 22 will be described. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing 22 and the contacts 21, and is a diagram for explaining the operation of the connector 1 when an external force acts on the electric wire 10 connected to the contacts 21 in a direction to pull the contacts 21 out of the housing 22. The cross-sectional view of Fig. 14 illustrates a portion of the contact holding portion 27c in the housing 22 and a cross-section of the contacts 21c. Also, in Fig. 14, the direction of the external force acting on the electric wire 10 in a direction to pull the contacts 21 out of the housing 22 is indicated by arrow F. Also, in Fig. 14, the electric wire 10 is shown schematically, with the core 10a of the electric wire 10 omitted, and only the portion shaped corresponding to the outer shape of the insulating coating 10b of the electric wire 10 shown in a uniformly hatched cross-section.

[0078] 14 , when an external force acts on the wire 10 connected to the contact 21 held in the housing 22 in a direction to pull the contact 21 out of the housing 22, the contact 21 is urged in the direction to be removed from the housing 22. When the contact 21 is urged in the direction to be removed from the housing 22, the contact 21 is urged toward the insertion end 29 of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22. At this time, the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 abuts against the end face 33a of the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32 and engages with the engaged portion 33, so that movement of the contact 21 toward the insertion end 29 is restricted. Therefore, when the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 urges the engaged portion 33, which protrudes inward of the contact holding portion 27 at a midpoint of the cantilevered engaging arm 32, toward the insertion end 29, the engaging arm 32 is elastically deformed and bent. At this time, the engaging arm 32 bends toward the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27, which is the side of the engaging arm 32 opposite the inside of the contact holding portion 27 where the engaged portion 33 is provided. Then, as the engaging arm 32 bends toward the inner wall 37, the extension arm portion 34, which is the tip end portion of the engaging arm 32 extending from the engaged portion 33 toward the insertion end portion 29, is displaced toward the inner wall 37, and the tip end of the extension arm portion 34 abuts against the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27. Then, as the engaging arm 32 bends toward the inner wall 37 and the tip end of the extension arm portion 34 abuts against the inner wall 37, the amount of bending of the engaging arm 32 is regulated.

[0079] When an external force acts on the wire 10 and urges the contact 21 in a direction to come out of the housing 22, the engaging arm 32 bends and the extension arm portion 34 of the engaging arm 32 abuts against the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27, thereby restricting the amount of flexing of the engaging arm 32. This prevents the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 from disengaging from the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32, preventing the contact 21 from coming out of the housing 22. Therefore, even when an external force acts on the wire 10 and urges the contact 21 in a direction to come out of the housing 22, the contact 21 remains held in the housing 22 and is prevented from coming out of the housing 22.

[0080] Next, the operation of the connector 1 when the contacts 21 are removed from the housing 22 will be described. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing 22 and the contacts 21, and is a view for explaining the operation of the connector 1 when the contacts 21 are removed from the housing 22. Fig. 15(A) is a view showing a state in which the contact removal jig 50 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 31. Fig. 15(B) is a view showing a state in which the contact removal jig 50 abuts against the engagement arm 32 of the housing 22. The cross-sectional view of Fig. 15 shows cross sections of the contact holding portion 27c of the housing 22 and the contacts 21c. Fig. 15 also shows the electric wire 10 schematically, omitting the illustration of the core wire 10a of the electric wire 10 and illustrating only the portion shaped corresponding to the outer shape of the insulating coating 10b of the electric wire 10 in a uniformly hatched cross section.

[0081] 15(A), when removing the contacts 21 held in the housing 22 from the housing 22, a contact removal jig 50 is used. The jig 50 is formed in the shape of an elongated rod to be inserted into the contact insertion hole 31, for example, in the shape of a rod extending with a rectangular cross section. The jig 50 is formed in the shape of a rod with a cross section large enough to be inserted through a gap between the inner periphery of the contact insertion hole 31 and the outer periphery of the electric wire 10 connected to the contact 21 held in the housing 22 and drawn out of the contact insertion hole 31. The tip end of the jig 50 is provided with a slope 50a that is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the jig 50. Therefore, the tip end of the jig 50 is formed in a pointed shape so as to be pointed toward the tip end.

[0082] When removing the contacts 21 from the housing 22, the jig 50 is inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 provided in the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 from the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27. At this time, the jig 50 is inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 of the contact holding portion 27 from the tip side where the slope 50a is provided. When the jig 50 is inserted into the contact insertion holes 31, the tip end of the jig 50 moves along the contact insertion hole 31 toward the connection end 30 side of the contact holding portion 27.

[0083] 15(B), when the jig 50 is inserted into the deep side of the contact insertion hole 31, the slope 50a of the tip end of the jig 50 abuts against the slope 34a of the extension arm portion 34, which is the tip portion of the engagement arm 32. When the slope 50a of the jig 50 abuts against the slope 34a of the extension arm portion 34, the extension arm portion 34 is urged toward the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27. As the extension arm portion 34 is urged toward the inner wall 37, the engagement arm 32 is deflected toward the inner wall 37. As the engagement arm 32 deflects toward the inner wall 37, the engaged portion 33 of the engagement arm 32 is displaced away from the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 in a direction perpendicular to the connecting direction X1. This disengages the engaged portion 33 from the engaging portion 26. When the jig 50 is used to remove the contact 21 from the housing 22, no force is applied to urge the contact 21 toward the insertion end 29. Therefore, no frictional force is generated between the engaged portion 33 and the engaging portion 26 due to the contact 21 being urged toward the insertion end 29, and the engaged portion 33 is displaced relative to the engaging portion 26 in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction X1, thereby disengaging the engaged portion 33 from the engaging portion 26.

[0084] When the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32 and the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 are disengaged, the contact 21 becomes removable from the housing 22. In this state, when the electric wire 10 connected to the contact 21 is pulled out of the housing 22, that is, when the electric wire 10 is pulled in the direction from the connection end 30 toward the insertion end 29, the contact 21 moves toward the insertion end 29 together with the electric wire 10. As a result, the contact 21 is pulled out of the contact insertion hole 31 and removed from the housing 22.

[0085] [Actions and Effects of This Embodiment] According to this embodiment, the engagement arms 32 that engage with the contacts 21 inserted into the contact insertion holes 31 are provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the connection end 30 side of the housing 22 toward the insertion end 29 side. As a result, the tip end portions of the cantilevered engagement arms 32 are arranged to extend toward the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22. Therefore, the tip end portions of the cantilevered engagement arms 32 are housed inside the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 and are protected from the outside. This allows for a reduction in the thickness of the connection end 30 side portion of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 due to structural constraints of the terminal block 11, which is the mating connection target, to which the connector 1 is connected. In other words, this embodiment makes it possible to realize a connector 1 that can reduce the thickness of the connection end 30 side portion of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 in accordance with the constraints imposed by the terminal block 11, which is the mating connection target.

[0086] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the engaging arm 32 engages with the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 at an engaged portion 33 provided midway along the cantilevered extension, and an extension arm portion 34 as its tip end portion is provided so as to extend from the engaged portion 33 toward the insertion end 29. Furthermore, the extension arm portion 34 is arranged opposite to and extends along an inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 that defines the contact insertion hole 31, with a space between them, and is configured so that when the contact 21 is biased toward the insertion end 29 and the engaging arm 32 bends, the tip end of the extension arm portion 34 abuts against the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 that defines the contact insertion hole 31, thereby restricting the amount of bending of the engaging arm 32. Therefore, when the contact 21 engaged with the engaging arm 32 is urged in a direction to come out of the housing 22, that is, when the contact 21 is urged toward the insertion end 29 of the housing 22, the engaging arm 32 bends, and the extension arm portion 34 at the tip side of the engaging arm 32 abuts against the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22, restricting the amount of bending of the engaging arm 32. The extension arm portion 34 abuts against the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22, restricting the amount of bending of the engaging arm 32, prevents the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 from disengaging from the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32, and prevents the contact 21 from coming out of the housing 22. This improves the contact retention force that holds the contact 21 in the housing 22. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the contact 21 engaged with the engagement arm 32 is urged in a direction to be removed from the housing 22, that is, when the contact 21 is urged toward the insertion end 29 of the housing 22, the engagement arm 32 bends, and the extension arm portion 34 abuts against the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22, thereby restricting the amount of bending of the engagement arm 32. This prevents the engagement arm 32 from bending excessively, and prevents the engagement arm 32 from being damaged.

[0087] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 in which the thickness of the portion of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side can be reduced in accordance with the constraints imposed by the mating connection object, thereby improving the contact retention force that holds the contact 21 in the housing 22 and preventing damage to the engagement arm 32 that engages with the contact 21.

[0088] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the base portion 35 of the engagement arm 32 extending in a cantilevered manner from the connection end 30 side of the housing 22 toward the insertion end 29 side is provided so as to form part of the wall portion of the housing 22 exposed to the outside. Therefore, the base portion 35 of the engagement arm 32 arranged on the connection end 30 side of the housing 22 can also be used as part of the wall portion of the part of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side, and the thickness of the part of the housing 22 on the connection end 30 side can be further reduced.

[0089] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the extension arm portion 34 at the tip side of the engagement arm 32 extending toward the insertion end 29 is provided with an inclined surface 34a that extends closer to the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 that defines the contact insertion hole 31 as it approaches the insertion end 29. Therefore, when the contact 21 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 31 from the insertion end 29 side, the contact 21 moves smoothly along the inclined surface 34a while sliding against the inclined surface 34a of the extension arm portion 34. When the engagement portion 26 of the contact 21 passes the inclined surface 34a of the extension arm portion 34 and reaches a position where it passes over the engaged portion 33 of the engagement arm 32, the engagement portion 26 engages with the engaged portion 33, and the contact 21 is held. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the contact 21 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 31, the engagement arm 32 and the contact 21 can be smoothly engaged with each other.

[0090] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when an external force acts on the electric wire 10 connected to the contact 21 in a direction to pull the electric wire 10 out of the connector 1, the engaging arm 32 bends, and the tip end of the extension arm portion 34 abuts against the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 of the housing 22 that defines the contact insertion hole 31, thereby restricting the amount of bending of the engaging arm 32. As a result, when an external force acts on the electric wire 10 in the pulling direction, the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 and the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32 are prevented from disengaging, and the contact 21 is prevented from coming out of the housing 22. This improves the contact retention force that holds the contact 21 in the housing 22 when an external force acts on the electric wire 10 in the pulling direction. Furthermore, when an external force acts on the electric wire 10 in the pulling direction, the engaging arm 32 is prevented from bending excessively, thereby preventing the engaging arm 32 from being damaged.

[0091] [Variations] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, the following modifications may be made.

[0092] (1) In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the connector 1 is provided with a plurality of contacts 21, but this is not necessarily the case. An example may be implemented in which the connector 1 is provided with one contact 21. That is, an example may be implemented in which only one terminal holding portion 27 is provided in the housing 22 of the connector 1. Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the connector 1 is provided with three contacts 21 as the plurality of contacts 21, but this is not necessarily the case. An example may be implemented in which the connector 1 is provided with two contacts 21 or four or more contacts 21 as the plurality of contacts 21. That is, an example may be implemented in which the housing 22 of the connector 1 is provided with two or four or more terminal holding portions 27.

[0093] (2) In the above embodiment, the mating connection object to which the connector 1 is connected is the terminal block 11, but this need not be the case. That is, the mating connection object to which the connector 1 is connected may be something other than the terminal block 11. For example, the mating connection object to which the connector 1 is connected may be a mating connector having mating contacts 13. Alternatively, the mating connection object to which the connector 1 is connected may be a board on which the mating contacts 13 are mounted.

[0094] (3) In the above embodiment, the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 is provided as an edge portion of the contact connecting portion 25, but this is not necessarily the case, and other forms of engaging portion 26 may be implemented. For example, the engaging portion 26 may be provided as a recess or hole provided in the contact connecting portion 25.

[0095] (4) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a pair of engagement arms 32 are provided on the contact holder 27 has been exemplified, but this is not necessarily the case. For example, a configuration in which one engagement arm 32 is provided on the contact holder 27 may be implemented. Alternatively, a configuration in which three or more engagement arms 32 are provided on the contact holder 27 may be implemented.

[0096] (5) In the above embodiment, the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27, which faces the extension arm portion 34 of the engagement arm 32 across a space, is arranged to extend parallel to the connecting direction X1, and the opposing surface 34b of the portion of the extension arm portion 34 that faces the inner wall 37 is arranged to extend parallel to the connecting direction X1 and the inner wall 37. However, this is not necessarily the case. A configuration may also be implemented in which the inner wall 37 of the terminal holding portion 27, which faces the extension arm portion 34 across a space, and the opposing surface 34b of the extension arm portion 34 do not extend parallel to the connecting direction X1. For example, a modified example of the configuration shown in FIG. 16 may be implemented.

[0097] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing 22, illustrating a modified example of the extension arm portion 34 of the engagement arm 32 of the housing 22. Note that the cross-sectional view of Fig. 16 illustrates a cross-section of the contact holding portion 27c of the housing 22.

[0098] 16, the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27, which faces the extension arm portion 34 of the engagement arm 32 across a space, is provided with a sloped surface 37a that extends obliquely with respect to the connection direction X1 in a portion facing the extension arm portion 34. More specifically, the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 extends parallel to the connection direction X1 in a portion other than the sloped surface 37a that does not face the extension arm portion 34. The sloped surface 37a of the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27 that faces the extension arm portion 34 extends toward the extension arm portion 34 as it approaches the connection end portion 30, and is provided to extend obliquely with respect to the connection direction X1.

[0099] Furthermore, a facing surface 34b of the extension arm portion 34 of the engagement arm 32, which faces the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27, is provided to face the inclined surface 37a of the inner wall 37 across a space. Furthermore, the facing surface 34b of the extension arm portion 34 extends at an angle with respect to the connection direction X1, and is provided to extend in a direction parallel to the inclined surface 37a of the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27.

[0100] As shown in the modified example in Figure 16, a configuration may be implemented in which the inner wall 37 of the terminal holding portion 27 that faces the extension arm portion 34 across a space and the opposing surface 34b of the extension arm portion 34 do not extend parallel to the connection direction X1.

[0101] (6) In the above embodiment, the contact removal jig 50 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 31 from the insertion end 29 side of the contact holding portion 27 to disengage the engagement arm 32 from the contact 21, thereby removing the contact 21 from the housing 22. However, this is not necessarily the case. A contact removal jig of a different form from the jig 50 may be used, and a configuration corresponding to the contact removal jig may be provided on the engagement arm 32, thereby removing the contact 21 from the housing 22. For example, modified forms such as those shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 may be implemented.

[0102] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the housing 22 and is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the engagement arm 32 of the housing 22. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the connector 1 when removing the contacts 21 from the housing 22 shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 18(A) is a diagram showing a state before the contact removal jig 51 is inserted into the jig hole 34c provided in the engagement arm 32 of the housing 22. FIG. 18(B) is a diagram showing a state after the contact removal jig 51 has been inserted into the jig hole 34c of the engagement arm 32. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 18 shows the contact holding portion 27c of the housing 22 and cross sections of the contacts 21. FIG. 18 also shows the electric wire 10 schematically, omitting the illustration of the core wire 10a of the electric wire 10 and illustrating only the portion shaped corresponding to the outer shape of the insulating coating 10b of the electric wire 10 in a uniformly hatched cross section.

[0103] 17 and 18, a contact removal jig 51 is used when removing the contacts 21 held in the housing 22 from the housing 22. In the modification shown in Fig. 17 and 18, the engagement arm 32 of the housing 22 is provided with a structure corresponding to the contact removal jig 51.

[0104] 18, jig 51 is formed in the shape of an elongated rod, for example, a rod extending with a rectangular cross section. Jig 51 is provided at its tip end with engagement protrusion 51a that can be inserted into and engage with jig hole 34c formed in engagement arm 32 of housing 22. Engagement protrusion 51a is provided as a portion that protrudes in a protruding manner from the tip end of the main body portion of jig 51, with a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the main body portion of jig 51 that extends in a rod shape.

[0105] 17 and 18, the engagement arm 32 of the housing 22 is provided with a jig hole 34c in the extension arm portion 34, into which the engagement protrusion 51a on the tip end of the jig 51 is inserted. The jig hole 34c is provided in the extension arm portion 34 so as to open toward the connection end 30 of the contact holding portion 27. Furthermore, the jig hole 34c is provided in the extension arm portion 34 as a hole that extends from the connection end 30 side of the contact holding portion 27 toward the insertion end 29 side.

[0106] 18(A), when removing the contact 21 from the housing 22, the jig 51 is inserted into the jig hole 34c provided in the extension arm portion 34 of the engagement arm 32 of the housing 22 from the connection end 30 side of the contact holding portion 27. At this time, the engagement protrusion 51a on the tip side of the jig 51 is inserted into the jig hole 34c that opens on the connection end 30 side of the extension arm portion 34. When the engagement protrusion 51a of the jig 51 is inserted into the jig hole 34c of the engagement arm 32, the engagement protrusion 51a of the jig 51 moves so as to fit into the back side of the jig hole 34c of the engagement arm 32, and becomes able to engage with the jig hole 34c.

[0107] 18(B), once the engagement protrusion 51a of the jig 51 is inserted into the jig hole 34c of the engagement arm 32, the jig 51 is then manipulated to be displaced relative to the housing 22 in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction X1. More specifically, with the engagement protrusion 51a engaged in the jig hole 34c, the jig 51 is manipulated to be displaced relative to the housing 22 in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction X1, that is, toward the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27, which the extension arm portion 34 faces. When the jig 51 with the engagement protrusion 51a engaged in the jig hole 34c is manipulated to be displaced relative to the housing 22 toward the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27, the extension arm portion 34 of the engagement arm 32 is urged toward the inner wall 37 of the contact holding portion 27. As the extension arm portion 34 is urged toward the inner wall 37, the engagement arm 32 is deflected toward the inner wall 37. As the engaging arm 32 bends toward the inner wall 37, the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32 is displaced away from the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 in a direction perpendicular to the connecting direction X1. This disengages the engaged portion 33 from the engaging portion 26. When the contact 21 is removed from the housing 22 using the jig 51, no force is applied to urge the contact 21 toward the insertion end 29. Therefore, no frictional force is generated between the engaged portion 33 and the engaging portion 26 due to the contact 21 being urged toward the insertion end 29. As the engaged portion 33 is displaced away from the engaging portion 26 in a direction perpendicular to the connecting direction X1, the engagement between the engaged portion 33 and the engaging portion 26 can be disengaged.

[0108] When the engaged portion 33 of the engaging arm 32 and the engaging portion 26 of the contact 21 are disengaged, the contact 21 becomes removable from the housing 22. In this state, when the electric wire 10 connected to the contact 21 is pulled out of the housing 22, that is, when the electric wire 10 is pulled in the direction from the connection end 30 toward the insertion end 29, the contact 21 moves toward the insertion end 29 together with the electric wire 10. As a result, the contact 21 is pulled out of the contact insertion hole 31 and removed from the housing 22.

[0109] As shown in the modified example in Figures 17 and 18, when removing the contacts 21 held in the housing 22 from the housing 22, a dedicated contact removal jig 51 may be used, and a jig hole 34c corresponding to the dedicated contact removal jig 51 may be provided in the engagement arm 32 of the housing 22. [Industrial Applicability]

[0110] The present invention can be widely applied as a connector that includes contacts to be connected to electric wires and a housing into which the contacts are inserted and that holds the contacts, and that is connected to a mating connection object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1 connector 10 Electric wire 11 Terminal block (connection target) 21 Contacts 22 Housing 26 Engagement part 29, 29a, 29b, 29c Insertion end 30, 30a, 30b, 30c Connection end 31 Contact insertion hole 32 Engagement arm 33 Engaged part 34 Extension arm 37 Inner wall

Claims

1. A connector comprising contacts to be connected to electric wires and a housing into which the contacts are inserted and which holds the contacts, the connector being connected to a mating connection target, The contact is provided with an engaging portion that engages with the housing when inserted into the housing, The housing is provided with an insertion end portion into which the contact is inserted, a connection end portion which is an end portion connected to the connection object, a contact insertion hole which is provided to penetrate from the insertion end portion to the connection end portion and into which the contact is inserted, and an engagement arm which is provided to extend in a cantilevered manner from the connection end side toward the insertion end side and engages with the contact inserted into the contact insertion hole, the engaging arm has an engaged portion that is provided at a midpoint of the engaging arm extending in a cantilevered manner from the connection end side toward the insertion end side and engages with the engaging portion, and an extension arm portion that is provided as a tip end portion of the cantilevered engaging arm and extends from the engaged portion toward the insertion end side, the extension arm portion is disposed opposite an inner wall of the housing that defines the contact insertion hole, with a space therebetween, and is provided so as to extend along the inner wall; A connector characterized in that, when the contact is urged toward the insertion end portion, the engaging portion urges the engaged portion, and the engaging arm elastically deforms and bends, the extension arm portion abuts against the inner wall at the tip side of the extension arm portion to regulate the amount of bending of the engaging arm.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, A connector characterized in that the base portion of the engagement arm, which extends cantilevered from the connection end side toward the insertion end side of the housing, is exposed to the outside of the housing and forms part of the wall of the housing.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, A connector characterized in that the extension arm portion has an inclined surface extending obliquely in a direction from the connection end side toward the insertion end side, and the inclined surface is arranged so as to extend toward the inner wall side that the extension arm portion faces as it moves toward the insertion end side.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A connector characterized in that when an external force acts on the wire connected to the contact inserted into the contact insertion hole in a direction pulling the contact toward the insertion end, causing the engagement arm to elastically deform and bend, the extension arm abuts against the inner wall at the tip side of the extension arm to regulate the bending of the engagement arm.

Images