Connector disassembly tool

Abstract

To easily cancel a holding state of a terminal by a retainer.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises: a terminal 20; and a connector housing that includes a housing main body 32 having a cavity, and a retainer 50 detachably attached to the housing main body. The housing main body has: a cavity exposure recessed part 40; a pair of retainer guide grooves 44; and a pair of locking parts formed on each bottom face of the pair of retainer guide grooves. The retainer has: a retainer main body 52 that holds a terminal in the cavity; a pair of retainer side parts 56 extending along the pair of retainer guide grooves; and a pair of partner side locking parts formed on each of the pair of retainer side parts. A pair of recessed grooves 48 are formed from respective portions of the housing main body where each of the pair of locking parts is formed toward at least one end of the housing main body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

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

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

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure is a connector comprising: a housing main body having a terminal and a cavity extending from one end to the other end; and a connector housing including a retainer detachably attached to the housing main body, the connector housing accommodating the terminal in the cavity, wherein the housing main body has a cavity exposing recess that exposes an intermediate portion of the cavity in the extending direction to the outside, a pair of retainer guide grooves formed on both sides of the housing main body so as to extend from both sides of the cavity exposing recess in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the cavity, and a pair of retainer guide grooves formed on both sides of the housing main body so as to extend from both sides of the cavity exposing recess in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the cavity. a pair of locking portions formed on each bottom surface of the guide grooves, the retainer having a retainer body that is positioned in the cavity exposing recess to hold the terminals in the cavity, a pair of retainer side portions that extend from both sides of the retainer body along the pair of retainer guide grooves, and a pair of mating locking portions that are formed on each of the pair of retainer side portions and can lock with the locking portions, and a pair of recessed grooves are formed from the locations on the housing body where the pair of locking portions are formed toward at least one end of the housing body.

[0007] The connector disassembly tool of the present disclosure is a connector disassembly tool for releasing the locked state of a retainer relative to a housing main body, and comprises a pair of unlocking portions formed in an elongated shape, and a disassembly tool main body that supports the pair of unlocking portions so that the pair of unlocking portions are maintained in a parallel state according to the locking points between both side portions of the housing main body and the retainer, and each of the pair of unlocking portions has a tip portion that gradually becomes thinner toward the tip so that it can enter between the retainer and the side portion of the housing main body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the state in which the terminal is held by the retainer can be easily released. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the connector with the retainer removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connector disassembly tool according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a connector disassembly tool. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of disassembly of a connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the disassembly work of the connector. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the disassembly work of the connector. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a connector disassembly tool according to a modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0011] The connectors of the present disclosure are as follows.

[0012] (1) A connector comprising a terminal, a housing body having a cavity extending from one end to the other end, and a connector housing including a retainer detachably attached to the housing body and accommodating the terminal in the cavity, wherein the housing body has a cavity exposing recess that exposes an intermediate portion of the extension direction of the cavity to the outside, a pair of retainer guide grooves formed on both sides of the housing body so as to extend from both sides of the cavity exposing recess in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the cavity, and the pair of retainer guides a pair of retaining portions formed on each bottom surface of the groove, the retainer having a retainer body that is positioned in the cavity exposing recess and holds the terminals in the cavity, a pair of retainer side portions that extend from both sides of the retainer body along the pair of retainer guide grooves, and a pair of mating retaining portions that are formed on each of the pair of retainer side portions and can engage with the locking portions, and a pair of recessed grooves are formed from the locations on the housing body where the pair of locking portions are formed toward at least one end of the housing body.

[0013] With this connector, the space within the pair of grooves can be used to easily move the pair of retainer side portions away from the sides of the housing body to release the engagement between the locking portion and the mating locking portion, or to move the retainer body in a direction away from the cavity-exposing recess, thereby easily releasing the retention of the terminals by the retainer.

[0014] (2) In the connector of (1), each of the pair of recessed grooves may extend from a location on the housing body where each of the pair of locking portions is formed toward both ends of the housing body.

[0015] This allows the terminals to be easily released from the retainer by utilizing the recessed grooves extending from the locations of the housing body where the pair of locking portions are formed toward both ends of the housing body.

[0016] (3) In the connector of (1) or (2), a slit extending along the extension direction of the cavity may be formed in the inward portion of the retainer body, and the retainer body may have a partially thin-walled portion outside the slit.

[0017] In this case, because the retainer body includes a partially thin-walled portion, even if the distance the retainer body is moved in the direction away from the cavity-exposing recess is small, the inward surface of the thin-walled portion can be easily positioned outward from the outward surface of the housing body, making it even easier to move the retainer body in the direction away from the cavity-exposing recess.

[0018] (4) In the connector of (3), at least one edge of the portion of the retainer body where the thin-walled portion is formed may be partially recessed in the extending direction of the retainer guide groove.

[0019] In this case, for example, when the connector disassembly tool is moved along the retainer guide groove to remove the retainer, the timing at which the connector disassembly tool comes into contact with at least one edge of the part of the retainer body where the thin-walled portion is formed can be adjusted.

[0020] (5) In any one of the connectors (1) to (4), the housing body may have, when the retainer is attached, a main surface located on an extension of the outward surface of the retainer body, and a pair of side surfaces located on an extension of the outward surfaces of the pair of retainer side portions.

[0021] This makes it easy to handle a connector disassembly tool for removing the retainer outside the main surface and the pair of side surfaces.

[0022] (6) In the connector of any one of (1) to (5), the housing body may have a plurality of cavities aligned in a line from one side of the retainer body to the other side.

[0023] In this case, it is easier to separate the retainer from the housing body than when the cavities are arranged in multiple rows.

[0024] (7) A connector according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the housing body has a plurality of cavities arranged in multiple rows at different positions in a direction along the retainer guide groove from one side of the retainer body to the other, the housing body has a plurality of cavity-exposing recesses corresponding to each row of the plurality of cavities, and the retainer may have a plurality of the retainer bodies corresponding to each row of the plurality of cavities.

[0025] As a result, the terminals in each row of the plurality of cavities are released from the retainer body in a batch.

[0026] The connector disassembly tool of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0027] (8) A connector disassembly tool for releasing the locked state of a retainer relative to a housing body, comprising a pair of unlocking portions formed in an elongated shape, and a disassembly tool body that supports the pair of unlocking portions so that the pair of unlocking portions are maintained in a parallel state according to the locking points between both sides of the housing body and the retainer, and each of the pair of unlocking portions has a tip that gradually becomes thinner toward the tip so that it can enter between the retainer and the side of the housing body.

[0028] With this connector disassembly tool, the pair of unlocking parts can be moved along both sides of the housing body, and the tips of the pair of unlocking parts can be inserted between the retainer and the sides of the housing body, thereby releasing the retainer from its engagement with the housing body and easily releasing the terminals from their holding state by the retainer.

[0029] (9) In the connector disassembly tool of (8), the tip of the unlocking portion may have a contact receiving surface that contacts the bottom surface and one side surface of a groove formed in the side portion of the housing body when the unlocking portion moves along the side portion of the housing body, and a release lifting surface that is located opposite the contact receiving surface and gradually moves away from the bottom surface of the groove and one side surface as it moves toward the base end side.

[0030] In this case, when the unlocking portion moves within the groove, the release-lifting surface can move the retainer in a direction away from the bottom surface and one side surface of the groove, thereby releasing the retainer from its locked state with the housing body and moving the retainer in a direction away from the housing body, easily releasing the retainer from its holding of the terminal.

[0031] (10) A connector disassembly tool according to (8) or (9), further comprising an additional lifting portion supported by the disassembly tool main body so as to extend in the same direction as the pair of unlocking portions, and the additional lifting portion may be adapted to enter between the retainer and the housing main body at a position between the pair of unlocking portions when the tip ends of the pair of unlocking portions are inserted between the retainer and the side of the housing main body, thereby moving the retainer in a direction to detach it from the housing main body.

[0032] In this case, the additional lifting portion can lift the retainer body in a direction that further separates it from the cavity exposing recess, making it even easier to disassemble the connector.

[0033] (11) In any one of the connector disassembly tools (8) to (10), the disassembly tool body may be formed in a shape that surrounds at least a portion of the housing body while avoiding interference with the housing body when the pair of unlocking portions move along a pair of grooves formed on both sides of the housing body.

[0034] This makes it easy to move the pair of unlocking parts along the pair of grooves. If the grooves extend through both ends of the housing body, the pair of unlocking parts can be set to pass through the pair of grooves, making it easy to disassemble the connector.

[0035] (12) The connector disassembly tool of any one of (8) to (11) may further include a handle portion protruding from the disassembly tool body.

[0036] In this case, it is easy to apply force to the connector disassembly tool, and therefore the connector disassembly work can be easily carried out.

[0037] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the connector and connector disassembly tool of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0038] [Embodiment] Below, a connector according to an embodiment will be described, and then a connector disassembly tool for disassembling the connector will be described.

[0039] <Connector> Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the connector 10. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the connector 10 with the retainer 50 removed. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1. In Figs. 1 to 4, the terminals 20 and the wires 28 are shown by two-dot chain lines. In Figs. 1 to 3, some of the terminals 20 or some of the wires 28 are shown.

[0040] The connector 10 includes terminals 20 and a connector housing 30 .

[0041] Terminal 20 is formed by pressing a metal plate such as copper, a copper alloy, etc. Terminal 20 is formed in a shape in which counterpart connection portion 22 and electric wire connection portion 24 are linearly connected via link portion 23.

[0042] The mating connection portion 22 is a portion that is connected to a mating terminal or the like. Here, the mating connection portion 22 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape, a shape that is a so-called female terminal. A mating terminal (a so-called male terminal) having a pin-shaped or tab-shaped connection portion is inserted into this mating connection portion 22 and connected. However, the mating connection portion 22 may also be formed in a pin-shaped or tab-shaped shape, a shape that is a so-called male terminal. In the case of a male terminal, a box portion is formed at the base end of the pin-shaped or tab-shaped portion.

[0043] The electric wire connection portion 24 is a portion that is crimped onto an end of the electric wire 28 and connected to the electric wire 28. The electric wire connection portion 24 includes, for example, a core wire crimping portion and a covering crimping portion. However, the covering crimping portion may be omitted from the electric wire connection portion 24.

[0044] The core wire crimping portion is formed in a shape in which a pair of crimping pieces rise from both sides of the bottom plate portion. With the core wire exposed at the end of the electric wire 28 disposed in the core wire crimping portion, the pair of crimping pieces are bent inward. This causes the core wire crimping portion to be crimped onto the exposed core wire.

[0045] The insulation crimping portion is also formed with a pair of crimping pieces rising from both sides of the bottom plate. With the end of the insulating coating of the electric wire 28 disposed in the insulation crimping portion, the pair of crimping pieces are bent inward. This allows the insulation crimping portion to be crimped onto the end of the insulating coating.

[0046] The bottom of the mating connection portion 22 and the bottom of the wire connection portion 24 are connected via the connecting portion 23. Therefore, the bottom of the mating connection portion 22 and the bottoms of the connecting portion 23 and wire connection portion 24 are connected on the same straight line. The mating connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24 protrude from the connecting portion 23. In other words, the terminal 20 is formed in a shape that is recessed toward the bottom between the mating connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24. The retainer 50 fits into the recess between the mating connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24, thereby holding the terminal 20 in a fixed position within the connector housing 30.

[0047] The connector housing 30 includes a housing body 32 and a retainer 50 .

[0048] The housing body 32 has a cavity 34 extending from one end to the other end, and is a component that accommodates the terminals 20 in the cavity 34. The housing body 32 is a component that is molded from resin or the like. With the terminals 20 accommodated in the housing body 32, the connector housing 30 is connected to a mating connector (not shown). This connects the terminals 20 to mating terminals accommodated in the mating connector.

[0049] More specifically, the housing main body 32 includes a flat rectangular parallelepiped portion 33. A cavity 34 is formed in the rectangular parallelepiped portion 33, extending from one end to the other. The cavity 34 is a through hole that opens at one end and the other end of the rectangular parallelepiped portion 33. The cavity 34 is longer than the terminal 20, and the entire extension direction of the terminal 20 is accommodated within the cavity 34. The wire 28 is drawn out from the opening at one end of the cavity 34. The mating terminal is inserted into the opening at the other end of the cavity 34. For ease of explanation, the side of the connector 10 from which the wire 28 extends may be referred to as the rear, and the opposite side may be referred to as the front.

[0050] In this embodiment, the housing main body 32 has a plurality of cavities 34. The plurality of cavities 34 are formed to be aligned in a row in a parallel state from one side of the housing main body 32 (here, the rectangular parallelepiped portion 33) to the other side. By accommodating a terminal 20 in each of the plurality of cavities 34, the plurality of terminals 20 are held in a state where they are aligned in a parallel state in a row.

[0051] A retainer 50 is detachably attached to the housing main body 32. Here, the direction perpendicular to both the extension direction of the plurality of cavities 34 and the direction in which the plurality of cavities 34 are arranged is understood to be the thickness direction of the housing main body 32. The retainer 50 is detachably attached to one surface side of the housing main body 32 in the thickness direction.

[0052] In this embodiment, the housing body 32 is provided with a connector connection locking piece 35 that detachably locks with the mating connector (see FIG. 3). The connector connection locking piece 35 is provided on the opposite side of the rectangular parallelepiped portion 33 from the retainer 50.

[0053] The housing body 32 also includes an operating portion 36 for pressing down the connector connection locking piece 35 and an enclosing portion 37 for enclosing the operating portion 36 (see FIG. 3).

[0054] When the connector 10 is connected to the mating connector, the connector connection locking piece 35 locks with the mating connector, maintaining the connection between the two connectors. In this state, pressing down the operating portion 36 releases the lock between the connector connection locking piece 35 and the mating connector, releasing the connection between the two connectors. The enclosing portion 37, by enclosing the operating portion 36, serves to prevent the connector connection locking piece 35 from being inadvertently pressed down.

[0055] The connector connection locking piece 35, the operating portion 36 and the shape example of the operating portion 36 in the connector 10 do not have to have the above configurations, and these configurations may be omitted.

[0056] The housing body 32 has a cavity exposing recess 40, a retainer guide groove 44, and a pair of locking portions 46.

[0057] The cavity-exposing recess 40 is a recess that exposes the middle portion of the cavity 34 in the extension direction to the outside. In this embodiment, the cavity-exposing recess 40 is formed on one surface side in the thickness direction of the rectangular parallelepiped portion 33 so as to extend in the direction in which the multiple cavities 34 are arranged. The cavity-exposing recess 40 extends in a direction intersecting (here, perpendicular to) the extension direction of the multiple cavities 34 and crosses the middle portion of the multiple cavities 34 in the extension direction. Therefore, the interiors of the multiple cavities 34 in the middle in the longitudinal direction are exposed on one surface side in the thickness direction of the rectangular parallelepiped portion 33. The cavity-exposing recess 40 is located at a portion where the connecting portion 23 is disposed when the terminal 20 is housed in the cavity 34. Therefore, the portion of the terminal 20 that is recessed between the mating connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24 can be exposed to the outside through the cavity-exposing recess 40.

[0058] The opening 34a at one end of the cavity 34 is smaller than the middle portion thereof, and is formed into a retaining shape that prevents the terminal 20 from coming out (see FIG. 4). The tip of the terminal 20 comes into contact with the opening 34a, thereby preventing the terminal 20 from coming out of the opening 34a at one end of the cavity 34. The housing main body 32 also has a resilient locking piece 32P that locks onto the mating connection portion 22 of the terminal 20. The resilient locking piece 32P is a long, thin, elastically deformable piece that can elastically deform in and out of the cavity 34, and its tip is configured to be able to lock into a locking hole 22h formed in the mating connection portion 22 (see FIG. 4). The resilient locking piece 32P is a part that is sometimes called a lance.

[0059] The position of the terminal 20 in the cavity 34 is regulated by the terminal 20 abutting against the opening 34 a and the elastic locking piece 32 P locking into the locking hole 22 h formed in the mating connecting portion 22 .

[0060] The pair of retainer guide grooves 44 are grooves formed on both sides of the housing main body 32 so as to extend from both sides of the cavity exposing recess 40 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the cavities 34. In this embodiment, the retainer guide grooves 44 are recessed grooves that extend on the sides of the housing main body 32 in a direction perpendicular to both the extension direction of the cavities 34 and the direction in which the multiple cavities 34 are arranged. They do not penetrate the housing main body 32 in the thickness direction.

[0061] A pair of locking portions 46 are formed on the bottom surfaces 44b of the pair of retainer guide grooves 44. In this embodiment, the locking portions 46 are formed in the retainer guide groove 44 at positions farther toward the tip of the groove 44 than the bottom of the cavity 34. In this embodiment, the locking portions 46 are locking protrusions. The surface of the locking portion 46 facing the cavity-exposing recess 40 is formed as a guide surface whose height gradually increases as it moves away from the cavity-exposing recess 40. The surface of the locking portion 46 opposite the cavity-exposing recess 40 is formed as an abutment surface whose angle with respect to the side surface of the housing main body 32 is larger (close to a right angle) than the guide surface. This makes it easier for the retainer side portions 56 (described below) of the retainer 50 to climb over the guide surface and to be easily maintained in an engaged state with respect to the abutment surface. In addition to the pair of locking portions 46, an auxiliary locking portion may be provided on the side closer to the cavity-exposing recess 40. The auxiliary locking portion may be configured to lock onto the mating locking portion 58 before the mating locking portion 58 locks onto the locking portion 46, for example.

[0062] A pair of grooves 48 are formed in the housing main body 32 from the locations where the pair of locking portions 46 are formed toward at least one end of the housing main body 32. In this embodiment, the grooves 48 are formed to reach both ends of the housing main body 32. The grooves 48 are formed in a shape in which portions of the same width are continuous in the extending direction.

[0063] Since the recessed groove 48 passes through the location where the locking portion 46 is formed, the retainer guide groove 44 intersects with the intermediate portion in the extending direction of the recessed groove 48. Therefore, the intersection point between the intermediate portion in the extending direction of the recessed groove 48 and the tip end of the retainer guide groove 44 is part of the recessed groove 48 and also part of the retainer guide groove 44.

[0064] The bottom surface 48b of the recessed groove 48 and the bottom surface 44b of the retainer guide groove 44 are located on the same plane. When the unlocking portion 70, which will be described later, is slid over the bottom surface 48b of the recessed groove 48, it reaches a portion that coincides with the bottom surface 44b of the retainer guide groove 44. This makes it easy to insert the unlocking portion 70 between the bottom surface 48b of the recessed groove 48 and the retainer side portion 56.

[0065] Furthermore, the surface of the retainer guide groove 44 that is located away from the cavity-exposing recess 40 is part of a side surface 48a of the groove 48 that is away from the cavity-exposing recess 40. The tip end of a retainer side portion 56, which will be described later, is disposed so as to face the side surface 48a of the groove 48. When a lock-releasing portion 70, which will be described later, is slid over the side surface 48a and bottom surface 48b of the groove 48, the lock-releasing portion 70 can be easily inserted between the side surface of the groove 48 and the tip end of the retainer side portion 56.

[0066] The retainer 50 includes a retainer body 52 , a pair of retainer side portions 56 , and a mating locking portion 58 .

[0067] The retainer body 52 is disposed in the cavity-exposing recess 40 to hold the terminal 20 in the cavity 34. In this embodiment, the retainer body 52 is formed in the shape of an elongated plate that can be disposed in the cavity-exposing recess 40 over the entire extension direction of the cavity-exposing recess 40, i.e., the entire width direction of the rectangular parallelepiped portion 33. The width of the retainer body 52 is the same as the width of the cavity-exposing recess 40, and the retainer body 52 is accommodated within the cavity-exposing recess 40 and is positioned in the front-to-rear direction of the connector housing 30.

[0068] The outward surface 52f of the retainer body 52 is a flat surface. When the retainer 50 is attached to the housing body 32, the main surface 32f1 on one thickness direction side of the housing body 32 is located on an extension of the outward surface 52f of the retainer body 52. ​​It is preferable that the main surface 32f1 on one thickness direction side of the housing body 32 is a surface that does not have a protrusion protruding from the outward surface 52f of the retainer body 52.

[0069] The portions of the inward surface of the retainer body 52 that face the side walls that separate the cavities 34 are formed in a shape that faces the side walls with as small a gap as possible, thereby holding the terminals 20 accommodated in each cavity 34 in an insulated state.

[0070] The portion of the inward-facing surface of the retainer body 52 that is positioned in each cavity 34 is formed to protrude into the cavity 34 so as to be able to fit into the recess between the mating connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24 of the terminal 20 that is placed in the cavity 34. A portion of the inward-facing surface of the retainer body 52 that is positioned in each cavity 34 may be partially recessed relative to other portions to match the shape of the terminal 20. The inward-facing portion of the retainer body 52 protrudes into the cavity 34 and fits into the recess between the mating connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24 of the terminal 20 in the cavity 34, thereby holding the terminal 20 in a fixed position within the cavity 34. In this state, the retainer body 52 is fitted into the cavity-exposing recess 40. If the terminal 20 attempts to move in its extension direction, the force is received by the front and rear surfaces of the cavity-exposing recess 40 via the retainer body 52.

[0071] A slit 52s extending along the extension direction of the cavity is formed in the inward facing portion of the retainer body 52. ​​The retainer body 52 has a partial thin-walled portion 52p outside the slit 52s.

[0072] In this embodiment, the retainer body 52 has lightening holes 52h formed through a middle portion in the thickness direction thereof. The lightening holes 52h are flat holes formed in regions extending from each end to the first and second cavities 34. Elongated slits 52s are formed in the retainer body 52 in portions extending from each lightening hole 52h to one of the cavities 34. The portions of the retainer body 52 that are located outside the slits 52s and surround each lightening hole 52h are thin-walled portions 52p.

[0073] The inward surface of the thin-walled portion 52p is located outward from the main surface 32f1 of the housing main body 32 in the initial stage of lifting the retainer main body 52 from the cavity-exposing recess 40. Furthermore, there is no part on the front extension of the inward surface of the thin-walled portion 52p that would interfere with the placement of a disassembly tool. This makes it easy to remove the retainer 50 from the connector housing 30 using the thin-walled portion 52p.

[0074] Furthermore, at least one edge of the portion of the retainer body 52 where the thin-walled portion 52p is formed is partially recessed in the extension direction of the retainer guide groove 44 (the same direction as the extension direction of the cavity 34), thereby forming a recess 52g. In this embodiment, the edge of the retainer body 52 on the tip side of the terminal 20 (opposite the side from which the electric wire 28 extends) is recessed to form the recess 52g. In this embodiment, the recess 52g is recessed over the entire width direction of the lightening hole 52h, but the recess 52g may be formed only in a portion corresponding to the width of the thin-walled portion 52p, which corresponds to the width of the slit 52s.

[0075] The pair of retainer side portions 56 are formed so as to extend from both sides of the retainer body 52 along the pair of retainer guide grooves 44. In this embodiment, the retainer side portions 56 are rectangular plates of equal width. The width of the retainer side portions 56 is such that they fit within the retainer guide grooves 44, and the width of the retainer side portions 56 is such that the retainer Guide groove 44 In this embodiment, the width of the retainer side portions 56 in the front-rear direction of the housing main body 32 is greater than the width of the retainer main body 52.

[0076] The length of the retainer side portion 56 is set so that, when the retainer body 52 is placed in the cavity-exposing recess 40, the tip of the retainer side portion 56 reaches just before the side surface 48a of the recess groove 48 (for example, within 2 mm, preferably within 1 mm).

[0077] The inward-facing surface of the tip of the retainer side portion 56 is formed as a guide surface 56g that faces outward as it approaches the tip. When the retainer side portion 56 is moved along the retainer guide groove 44, the guide surface 56g comes into contact with the locking portion 46, allowing the retainer side portion 56 to easily elastically deform outward.

[0078] Since the tip of the retainer side portion 56 reaches just before the side surface 48a of the recessed groove 48, it is less likely that surrounding components will come into contact with the guide surface 56g and unintentionally deform the retainer side portion 56 outward.

[0079] A pair of mating locking portions 58 capable of locking with the locking portions 46 are formed on each of the pair of retainer side portions 56. In this embodiment, the mating locking portions 58 are recesses that lock with the locking portions 46, which are protrusions. More specifically, the mating locking portions 58 are groove-shaped and extend along the extension direction of the retainer side portions 56, formed on the inward surfaces of the retainer side portions 56. The tip ends of the mating locking portions 58 reach just short of the tip ends of the retainer side portions 56. At the tip end of the mating locking portion 58, the surface facing the retainer main body 52 is a locking surface 58f that can lock with the locking portions 46.

[0080] The mating locking portion 58 extends toward the base ends of the pair of retainer side portions 56 and penetrates the retainer body 52. ​​This makes it easy to mold the groove-shaped mating locking portion 58 using a mold. It is not essential that the mating locking portion 58 reach the base ends of the pair of retainer side portions 56.

[0081] The retainer side portions 56 can be locked to the locking portions 46 when positioned in the retainer guide grooves 44. When the retainer 50 is attached to the connector housing 30, both outward side surfaces 32f2 of the housing main body 32 are located on extensions of the outward surfaces 56f of the retainer side portions 56. It is preferable that the side surfaces 32f2 of the housing main body 32 are surfaces that do not have protrusions that protrude from the outward surfaces 56f of the retainer side portions 56.

[0082] In this connector 10, the terminals 20 are inserted into the cavities 34, and then the retainer 50 is attached to the connector housing 30, thereby retaining the terminals 20 in the cavities 34. With the retainer 50 attached, the locking portions 46 of the connector housing 30 are locked with the mating locking portions 58 of the retainer 50. The inward-facing portions of the retainer body 52 are inserted into the cavities 34, and are inserted into the recesses between the mating connecting portions 22 and the wire connecting portions 24 of the terminals 20 in the cavities 34.

[0083] Toward a decarbonized society, there is a demand for improving the recyclability of on-board parts installed in vehicles. The connector 10 is an example of a part that can be used as an on-board part. To improve the recyclability of the connector 10, it is required that the metal terminals 20 and the resin connector housing 30 can be easily and quickly disassembled.

[0084] There is a demand for the connector 10 to be able to quickly release the state in which the retainer 50 is raised from the connector housing 30 and the retainer body 52 is caught on the terminals 20 in the cavity 34. If the state in which the retainer 50 is caught on the terminals 20 can be released, the connector 10 can be easily disassembled by pulling the wires 28 or the like to remove the terminals 20 from the cavities 34. Note that it is sufficient for the connector 10 to be able to be disassembled at least into the connector housing 30, which is the resin portion, and the terminals 20; it is not essential that the connector housing 30 be able to be disassembled into the housing body 32 and the retainer 50.

[0085] <Connector disassembly tool> The following describes a connector disassembly tool 60 that can be used to disassemble the connector 10. Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the connector disassembly tool 60.

[0086] The connector disassembly tool 60 includes a pair of unlocking parts 70 and a disassembly tool main body 62. The connector disassembly tool 60 may be, for example, a resin molded part, a tool made of metal, or a composite part made of resin and metal.

[0087] The pair of unlocking portions 70 are formed in an elongated shape. The tip portions of the unlocking portions 70 are formed in a shape that gradually tapers toward the tip so that they can fit between the retainer side portion 56 and the housing main body 32. The disassembly tool main body 62 supports the pair of unlocking portions 70 in a parallel state. The disassembly tool main body 62 keeps the pair of unlocking portions 70 in a parallel state that corresponds to the spacing between the pair of recessed grooves 48.

[0088] More specifically, the unlocking portion 70 is formed in an elongated shape with a thickness that allows it to be placed in the recessed groove 48 with its extension direction aligned with the extension direction of the recessed groove 48. The unlocking portion 70 includes a main body portion 71 and a tip portion 72. The main body portion 71 is a portion where portions with the same cross-sectional shape are continuous. The base end of the main body portion 71 is supported by the disassembly tool main body 62. The tip portion 72 is a portion that is linearly connected to the tip of the main body portion 71 and gradually becomes thinner.

[0089] The main body 71 includes a first contact surface 71a and a second contact surface 71b adjacent to each other and perpendicular to each other. The first contact surface 71a can contact the bottom surface 48b of the groove 48, and the second contact surface 71b can contact the side surface 48a of the groove 48.

[0090] The main body 71 includes an outward surface 71c facing away from the first contact surface 71a and an inclined surface 71d that gradually slopes toward the first contact surface 71a as it extends from the outward surface 71c toward the side opposite the second contact surface 71b. The first contact surface 71a and the outward surface 71c are parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the first contact surface 71a and the inclined surface 71d are connected via a connecting surface 71e. Therefore, the main body 71 is an elongated member surrounded by the first contact surface 71a, the second contact surface 71b, the outward surface 71c, the inclined surface 71d, and the connecting surface 71e.

[0091] The tip portion 72 includes a first contact surface 72a, a second contact surface 72b, an outward surface 72c, an inclined surface 72d, and a connecting surface 72e.

[0092] The first contact surface 72a is located on a planar extension of the first contact surface 71a, and the second contact surface 72b is located on a planar extension of the second contact surface 71b. Therefore, the unlocking portion 70 can be moved along the groove 48 with the first contact surfaces 71a and 72a in contact with the bottom surface 48b of the groove 48 and the second contact surfaces 71b and 72b in contact with the side surface 48a of the groove 48. The first contact surface 72a and the second contact surface 72b are an example of contact receiving surfaces that come into contact with the bottom surface 48b and side surface 48a of the groove 48 when the unlocking portion 70 moves within the groove 48.

[0093] The outward surface 72c is formed in a shape that gradually approaches the first contact surface 72a from the tip edge of the outward surface 71c toward the tip side. In this embodiment, the portion of the outward surface 72c near the tip is formed in a shape that gradually approaches the first contact surface 72a as it moves toward the side opposite the second contact surface 72b.

[0094] The inclined surface 72d is formed in a shape that gradually approaches the first contact surface 72a and the second contact surface 72b from the tip edge of the inclined surface 71d toward the tip side.

[0095] The outward surface 72c and the inclined surface 72d are located on the opposite side of the contact receiving surface including the first contact surface 72a and the second contact surface 72b, and are an example of a lift-off surface that gradually moves away from the bottom surface 48b and side surface 48a of the groove 48 as it moves toward the base end.

[0096] The connecting surface 72e is formed in a shape that connects the first contact surface 72a and the inclined surface 72d.

[0097] Each of the above surfaces may be flat or curved, and rounded or chamfered portions may be interposed between the surfaces.

[0098] The tip of the unlocking portion 70 may be sharp, flat, or rounded. In this embodiment, the tip of the unlocking portion 70 is flat.

[0099] The disassembly tool body 62 includes a pair of side portions 66 and a connecting portion 64 .

[0100] The pair of side portions 66 are configured such that guide protrusions 66g are formed at the tip portions of elongated plate-like portions 66a. The plate-like portion 66a is formed in a plate shape that can be positioned outside the side surface 32f2 of the housing main body 32 that is closer to the cavity-exposing recess 40 than the recessed groove 48. The elongated guide protrusion 66g protrudes inward from the tip portion of the plate-like portion 66a. The guide protrusion 66g is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a width corresponding to the width of the recessed groove 48. By positioning the guide protrusion 66g within the recessed groove 48, the connector disassembly tool 60 is guided to move along the recessed groove 48.

[0101] An unlocking portion 70 protrudes from each of the inner portions of the tip ends of the pair of side portions 66. The unlocking portion 70 protrudes in the extension direction of the guide protrusion 66g. After the first contact surfaces 71a, 72a and second contact surfaces 71b, 72b of the unlocking portion 70 come into contact with the bottom surface 48b and side surface 48a of the recessed groove 48 and slide, the guide protrusion 66g can enter the recessed groove 48.

[0102] The connecting portion 64 connects the base ends of the pair of side portions 66 to each other, and maintains the pair of side portions 66 in a parallel state. This leaves a gap between the pair of side portions 66 that corresponds to the width of the housing main body 32.

[0103] The connecting portion 64 includes a pair of plate portions 64a arranged in a parallel state with a gap therebetween. Each of the pair of plate portions 64a maintains a pair of side portions 66 in a parallel state. One opening between the pair of plate portions 64a is closed, but this is not essential.

[0104] With the guide protrusion 66g disposed in the recessed groove 48, the inward surface of the connecting portion 64 is Connector housing 30 Housing body 32 of The inward surface of the side portion 66 is disposed opposite the main surface 32f1. As described above, the inward surface of the side portion 66 is also disposed opposite the side surface 32f2 of the connector housing 30. The housing main body 32 does not have any portion that protrudes from the main surface 32f1 or the side surface 32f2.

[0105] Therefore, the disassembly tool body 62 is shaped to surround at least a portion of the periphery of the housing body 32 while avoiding interference with the housing body 32 when the pair of lock-releasing portions 70 move along the pair of recessed grooves 48 .

[0106] When the housing main body 32 has a portion that protrudes from the main surface 32f1 or the side surface 32f2, the inward portion of the disassembly tool main body may have a recessed shape that avoids the protruding portion.

[0107] The housing main body 32 may have an annular shape that surrounds the entire periphery of the housing main body 32, for example, a rectangular frame shape.

[0108] In this embodiment, the connector disassembly tool 60 further includes an additional lifting portion 80 .

[0109] The additional lifting portion 80 is supported by the disassembly tool main body 62 so as to extend in the same direction as the pair of unlocking portions 70. The additional lifting portion 80 is formed in a plate shape that is perpendicular to the direction in which the pair of unlocking portions 70 are aligned. The edge of the additional lifting portion 80 facing the pair of unlocking portions 70 is formed into a contact edge 81 that comes into contact with the main surface 32f1 of the housing main body 32 when the pair of unlocking portions 70 move along the pair of grooves 48.

[0110] The additional lifting portion 80 has a lifting edge 82 that extends toward the pair of unlocking portions 70 as it extends toward the tip end. In other words, the lifting edge 82 extends in a direction away from the pair of unlocking portions 70 as it extends from the tip of the contact edge 81 toward the base end of the additional lifting portion 80.

[0111] In this embodiment, the protruding length of the pair of unlocking portions 70 is the same as the protruding length of the additional lifting portions 80. The protruding lengths of the pair of unlocking portions 70 and the additional lifting portions 80 may be set according to the shape of the retainer 50 so that the pair of unlocking portions 70 can come into contact with the retainer 50 before the additional lifting portions 80 do.

[0112] Then, with the tip ends 72 of the pair of unlocking portions 70 inserted between the retainer side portions 56 and the side surface 32f2 of the housing main body 32, the additional lifting portions 80 can insert between the main surface 32f1 of the housing main body 32 and the retainer main body 52. ​​At this time, the contact edges 81 come into contact with the main surface 32f1 of the housing main body 32, and the lifting edges 82 come into contact with the inward surface of the retainer main body 52. ​​As the additional lifting portions 80 insert toward the gap between the main surface 32f1 of the housing main body 32 and the retainer main body 52, the lifting edges 82 can move the retainer main body 52 in a direction away from the cavity-exposing recess 40.

[0113] <Connector disassembly work> An example of disassembling the connector 10 using the connector disassembly tool 60 will now be described.

[0114] First, as shown in Figure 7, the connector 10 to be disassembled is prepared. A terminal 20 is housed in each cavity 34 of the connector 10. It is assumed that the retainer body 52 is inserted into the recess between the mating connection portion 22 and the electric wire connection portion 24, and the elastic locking piece 32P is caught in the locking hole 22h of the mating connection portion 22. The electric wire 28, to which the terminal 20 is crimped at the end, extends from the cavity 34 toward the rear end of the housing body 32.

[0115] The pair of unlocking portions 70 are inserted into the pair of grooves 48 from the front side of the housing main body 32, so that the first contact surfaces 71a, 72a of the unlocking portions 70 come into contact with the bottom surface 48b of the groove 48, and the second contact surfaces 71b, 72b come into contact with the side surface 48a of the groove 48. In addition, the contact edge 81 of the additional lifting portion 80 comes into contact with the main surface 32f1 of the housing main body 32.

[0116] While maintaining the above contact state, the pair of unlocking portions 70 are further pushed into the pair of recessed grooves 48. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the tip ends of the unlocking portions 70 enter between the side surface 32f2 of the housing main body 32 and the retainer side portion 56.

[0117] More specifically, of the tip portion 72 of the unlocking portion 70, the outward surface 72c and the inclined surface 72d that constitute the release and lifting surface fit into the gap between the bottom surface 48b and the side surface 48a of the groove 48 and the tip portion of the retainer side portion 56. The outward surface 72c and the inclined surface 72d that constitute the release and lifting surface are formed in a shape that approaches the bottom surface 48b and the side surface 48a of the groove 48 as they approach the tip, so that the tip portion can easily fit into the gap between the bottom surface 48b and the side surface 48a of the groove 48 and the tip portion of the retainer side portion 56. Furthermore, a guide surface 56g is formed at the tip portion of the retainer side portion 56, so this guide surface can increase the gap between the bottom surface 48b and the side surface 48a of the groove 48 and the tip portion of the retainer side portion 56. This also allows the tip of the unlocking portion 70 to easily enter the gap between the bottom surface 48 b and side surface 48 a of the recessed groove 48 and the tip of the retainer side portion 56 .

[0118] When the tip 72 and main body 71 of the unlocking portion 70 enter between the side surface 32f2 of the housing main body 32 and the retainer side portion 56, the tip of the retainer side portion 56 elastically deforms in a direction away from the side surface 32f2. This releases the locked state between the locking portion 46 and the mating locking portion 58. In this state, the tip 72 and main body 71 of the unlocking portion 70 can move the retainer side portion 56 toward the retainer main body 52. ​​This causes the retainer main body 52 to move in a direction away from the cavity-exposing recess 40.

[0119] It is preferable that when the unlocking portion 70 enters the gap between the tip of the retainer side portion 56, the retainer body 52 is released from the recess between the mating connection portion 22 and the wire connection portion 24, i.e., the retainer 50 releases the holding state of the terminal 20.

[0120] When the retainer 50 releases the terminals 20 from their holding state, the terminals 20 are held by the elastic locking pieces 32P. It is expected that the locking state by the elastic locking pieces 32P will be released by pulling the wires 28 with a large force. If the connector housing 30 is not intended to be reused, the elastic locking pieces 32P may be damaged.

[0121] As the pair of unlocking portions 70 is pushed into the pair of recessed grooves 48, the tips of the additional lifting portions 80 reach the retainer body 52, and the lifting edges 82 begin to contact the retainer body 52 from the inside. In this embodiment, the additional lifting portions 80 are located at the thin-walled portions 52p (i.e., the locations where the slits 52s are formed) in the extension direction of the retainer body 52. ​​Therefore, the lifting edges 82 come into contact with the thin-walled portions 52p. The inward surfaces of the thin-walled portions 52p are positioned at a position that rises above the main surface 32f1 of the housing body 32 earlier than the inward surfaces of other portions of the retainer body 52. ​​Therefore, the additional lifting portions 80 can lift the retainer body 52 at an early stage when the amount of lift of the retainer body 52 is small.

[0122] Furthermore, a recess 52g is formed in the portion of the retainer body 52 where the thin-walled portion 52p is formed. The position or timing at which the tip of the additional lifting portion 80 begins to contact the retainer body 52 can be adjusted by adjusting the recess length of the recess 52g.

[0123] 9, when the retainer 50 is further pushed, the lifting edges 82 lift the retainer body 52 further upward, and the retainer body 52 moves out of the cavity-exposing recesses 40, and the retainer side portions 56 move out of the retainer guide grooves 44. This separates the retainer 50 from the housing body 32.

[0124] The disassembly tool body 62 surrounds at least a portion of the housing body 32 while avoiding interference with the housing body 32. Therefore, when the pair of unlocking portions 70 pass through the recessed grooves 48, the disassembly tool body 62 can move out around the housing body 32 in the same direction. In other words, if the connector 10 is pulled out so that it passes through the connector disassembly tool 60 with the pair of unlocking portions 70 guided by the pair of recessed grooves 48, the retainer 50 is disassembled from the housing body 32. At this time, the retainer 50 is pushed by the disassembly tool body 62, allowing it to be more reliably separated from the housing body 32.

[0125] After the retainer 50 is disassembled relative to the housing body 32 , the wire 28 may be pulled to remove the terminal 20 from the cavity 34 .

[0126] Even if the connector 10 does not have the recessed groove 48, the connector disassembly tool 60 can deform the retainer side portion 56 in a direction away from the side surface 32f2 of the connector housing 30. Even in this case, the connector disassembly tool 60 can be used as a disassembly tool for disassembling the terminals 20 from the connector housing 30.

[0127] <Effects, etc.> According to the connector 10 configured as described above, the space within the pair of recessed grooves 48 can be used to easily access the gap between the pair of retainer side portions 56 and the side surface 32f2 of the housing main body 32. Therefore, by using the pair of recessed grooves 48, it is easy to move the pair of retainer side portions 56 in a direction away from the side surface 32f2 of the housing main body 32 to release the engagement between the locking portion 46 and the mating locking portion 58, or to move the retainer main body 52 in a direction away from the cavity-exposing recess 40. This makes it easy to release the state in which the terminal 20 is held by the retainer 50.

[0128] This allows the metal terminals 20 and the resin connector housing 30 to be easily and quickly disassembled when recycling connectors, which are on-board components, for example, in an effort to achieve decarbonization.

[0129] Furthermore, because each of the pair of recessed grooves 48 extends from the location of the housing body 32 where the pair of locking portions 46 are formed toward both ends of the housing body 32, the retained state of the terminals 20 by the retainer 50 can be easily released by using the recessed grooves 48. For example, after the pair of unlocking portions 70 are inserted between the retainer side portion 56 and the side surface 32f2 of the housing body 32, the pair of unlocking portions 70 can be passed through the pair of recessed grooves 48. This allows the retainer 50 to be moved by the additional lifting portion 80, or the retainer 50 to be pushed aside by the disassembling tool body 62.

[0130] Furthermore, because the retainer body 52 has a partial thin-walled portion 52p, even if the distance by which the retainer body 52 is moved in the direction away from the cavity-exposing recess 40 is small, the inward surface of the thin-walled portion 52p can be easily positioned outward from the main surface 32f1 of the housing body 32. This makes it easier to move the retainer body 52 further in the direction away from the cavity-exposing recess 40 from a state in which the retainer 50 is slightly lifted.

[0131] Furthermore, at least one edge of the portion of the retainer body 52 where the thin-walled portion 52p is formed is formed as a partially recessed recess 52g, so that, for example, when the connector disassembly tool 60 is moved along the retainer guide groove 44 to remove the retainer 50, the timing at which the connector disassembly tool 60 comes into contact with at least one edge of the portion of the retainer body 52 where the thin-walled portion 52p is formed can be adjusted.

[0132] This makes it easy to use the same connector disassembly tool 60 as a disassembly tool for different types of connectors, for example, when there are different types of connectors with different lengths or different types of connectors with different retainer positions, by adjusting the amount of recess in the recess.

[0133] Furthermore, when the retainer 50 is attached, the housing main body 32 has a main surface 32f1 located on an extension of the outward surface of the retainer main body 52 and a pair of side surfaces 32f2 located on extensions of the outward surfaces of the pair of retainer side portions 56, so that the connector disassembly tool 60 for removing the retainer 50 can be easily handled outside the main surface 32f1 and the pair of side surfaces 32f2. For example, the connector housing 30 can be passed through the connector disassembly tool 60, and the operation of removing the retainer 50 can be performed using the connector disassembly tool 60.

[0134] Furthermore, since the housing body 32 has only a plurality of cavities 34 arranged in a line, the retainer 50 can be easily separated from the housing body 32 .

[0135] Furthermore, according to this connector disassembly tool 60, each of the pair of locking release portions 70 has a tip portion 72 that gradually tapers toward the tip so that it can fit between the retainer 50 and the side portion of the housing body 32. Therefore, the pair of locking release portions 70 can be moved along both sides of the housing body 32 to allow the tip portions 72 of the pair of locking release portions 70 to fit between the retainer 50 and the side portion of the housing body 32. This releases the lock of the retainer 50 with respect to the housing body 32, making it easy to release the state in which the terminals 20 are held by the retainer 50.

[0136] The tip end 72 of the unlocking portion 70 has a first contact surface 72a and a second contact surface 72b as contact receiving surfaces that contact the bottom surface 48b and one side surface 48a of the groove 48, and an outward surface 72c and an inclined surface 72d as release-lifting surfaces that are located on the opposite side from the contact receiving surfaces and gradually move away from the bottom surface 48b and side surface 48a of the groove 48 toward the base end. Therefore, when the unlocking portion 70 moves within the groove 48, the release-lifting surfaces can move the retainer 50 in a direction away from the bottom surface 48b and side surface 48a of the groove 48. This releases the retainer 50 from the housing main body 32 and allows the retainer 50 to move in a direction that releases it from the housing main body 32, easily releasing the retained state of the terminal 20 by the retainer 50.

[0137] In addition, since the disassembly tool main body 62 has an additional lifting portion 80, the retainer 50 lifted by the unlocking portion 70 can be further lifted by the additional lifting portion 80 in a direction that causes it to be further removed from the cavity-exposing recess 40, making disassembly of the connector 10 even easier.

[0138] Furthermore, because the disassembly tool main body 62 is formed in a shape that surrounds at least a portion of the periphery of the housing main body 32 while avoiding interference with the housing main body 32 when the pair of unlocking parts 70 move along the pair of grooves 48, the pair of unlocking parts 70 can be easily moved along the pair of grooves 48. If the grooves 48 extend through both ends of the housing main body 32, the pair of unlocking parts 70 can be set to pass through the pair of grooves 48, making it easier to disassemble the connector 10.

[0139] [Variations] As in the connector disassembly tool 160 according to a modified example shown in Fig. 10, the connector disassembly tool 160 may include a handle portion 170 that protrudes from the disassembly tool body 62. The handle portion 170 protrudes from the disassembly tool body 62 to hold the connector disassembly tool 160 in a fixed position or to receive a force that moves it relative to the connector 10. The handle portion 170 may be a thin, rod-shaped handle that can be easily grasped by the operator's hand 180. The handle portion 170 may extend in any direction from the disassembly tool body 62. In Fig. 10, the handle portion 170 protrudes from the connecting portion 64 relative to the disassembly tool body 62 in the same direction as the unlocking portion 70.

[0140] The handle may be a plate-, square-, or rod-shaped protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the side portion 66. The handle does not need to be large enough to be grasped by hand. For example, it may be a protrusion with a surface large enough to withstand the force of fingers.

[0141] The connector 10 itself is small (approximately 10 mm to 15 mm in width), and therefore the disassembly tool main body 62 itself is also likely to be small. In such a case, by providing the connector disassembly tool 160 with the handle portion 170, the connector disassembly tool 160 can be easily moved relative to the connector 10. This makes it easy to disassemble the connector 10.

[0142] As in the modified connector 210 shown in Figure 11, the housing body 232 corresponding to the housing body 32 may have multiple cavities 34 arranged in multiple rows at different positions in a direction along the retainer guide groove 44 from one side to the other side of the retainer body 252 corresponding to the retainer body 52.

[0143] In this case, the housing main body 232 has a plurality of cavity exposing recesses 240 corresponding to the cavity exposing recesses 40, one for each row of the plurality of cavities. The retainer 250 corresponding to the retainer has a plurality of retainer main bodies 252, one for each row of the plurality of cavities 34.

[0144] In this case, too, the connector 210 has the recessed groove 48, so that the locked state of the retainer 250 with respect to the housing main body 232 can be easily released, as in the above embodiment.

[0145] Furthermore, by lengthening the side portion 66 of the connector disassembly tool 60, the unlocking portion 70 can be easily inserted between the retainer side portion 256 corresponding to the retainer side portion 56 and the side portion of the housing main body 232, as in the above embodiment, to easily unlock the retainer 250 from the housing main body 232.

[0146] This allows the terminals 20 in each row of the plurality of cavities 34 to be released from the retainer body 252 all at once.

[0147] In the present modified example, after releasing the locked state of the retainer 250 from the housing main body 232, the terminal 20 can be removed, and then the retainer 250 can be detached from the housing main body 232. It is not necessary to detach the retainer 250 from the housing main body 232.

[0148] The configurations described in the above embodiment and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually contradictory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 10. 210 connector 20 terminals 22 Counterpart connection part 22h locking hole 23 Connecting part 24 Wire connection 28 Electric wire 30 Connector housing 32, 232 Housing body 32P Elastic locking piece 32f1 Main surface of housing body 32f2 Side of the housing body 33 Rectangular parallelepiped shape part 34 Cavity 34a Cavity opening 35 Connector connection locking piece 36 Operation section 37 Enclosure 40, 240 Cavity exposure recess 44 Retainer guide groove 46 Locking part 48 Groove 48a Side of groove (one side) 48b Bottom of groove 50, 250 retainer 52, 252 Retainer body 52f Outward facing 52g recess 52h Lightening hole 52p Thin section 52s slit 56, 256 Retainer side 56f outward facing surface 56g guide surface 58 Counterpart locking part 58f Locking surface 60, 160 Connector disassembly tool 62 Disassembly tool body 64 Connecting part 64a Plate section 66 Side 66a Plate-shaped part 66g Guide protrusion 70 Unlocking part 71 Main body 71a 1st contact surface 72a 1st contact surface (contact receiving surface) 71b Second contact surface 72b 2nd contact surface (contact receiving surface) 71c outward facing surface 72c Outward facing surface (lifting surface) 71d Slope 72d Inclined surface (separation lifting surface) 71e, 72e connection surface 72 Tip 80 Additional lifting section 81 Contact Edge 82 Lifting edge 170 Handle 180 Worker's Hands

Claims

1. A connector disassembly tool for releasing a retainer from a housing body, A pair of unlocking portions formed in an elongated shape; a disassembly tool body that supports the pair of locking release portions so that the pair of locking release portions are maintained in a parallel state according to locking positions between the side portions of the housing body and the retainer; Equipped with Each of the pair of unlocking portions has a tip end portion that gradually narrows toward the tip end so that it can be inserted between the retainer and the side portion of the housing body. A connector disassembly tool in which the tip of the unlocking portion has a contact receiving surface that contacts the bottom surface and one side surface of a groove formed in the side portion of the housing body when the unlocking portion moves along the side portion of the housing body, and a release lifting surface that is located opposite the contact receiving surface and gradually moves away from the bottom surface of the groove and one side surface as it moves toward the base end.

2. A connector disassembly tool for releasing the locked state of a retainer relative to a housing body, A pair of unlocking portions formed in an elongated shape; a disassembly tool body that supports the pair of locking release portions so that the pair of locking release portions are maintained in a parallel state according to locking positions between the side portions of the housing body and the retainer; Equipped with each of the pair of unlocking portions has a tip end portion that gradually narrows toward the tip end so that the unlocking portion can be inserted between the retainer and the side portion of the housing main body; The disassembly tool further includes an additional lifting portion supported by the disassembly tool body so as to extend in the same direction as the pair of unlocking portions, The additional lifting portion is a connector disassembly tool that, when the tip ends of the pair of unlocking portions are inserted between the retainer and the side of the housing body, inserts itself between the retainer and the housing body at a position between the pair of unlocking portions and moves the retainer in a direction to detach it from the housing body.

3. A connector disassembly tool according to claim 1 or claim 2, The disassembly tool body is formed in a shape that surrounds at least a portion of the housing body while avoiding interference with the housing body when the pair of unlocking portions move along a pair of grooves formed on both sides of the housing body.

4. A connector disassembly tool for releasing the locked state of a retainer relative to a housing body, A pair of unlocking portions formed in an elongated shape; a disassembly tool body that supports the pair of locking release portions so that the pair of locking release portions are maintained in a parallel state according to locking positions between the side portions of the housing body and the retainer; Equipped with each of the pair of unlocking portions has a tip end portion that gradually narrows toward the tip end so that the unlocking portion can be inserted between the retainer and the side portion of the housing main body; The connector disassembly tool further includes a handle portion protruding from the disassembly tool body.

Images