connector

Abstract

To make it hard for a foreign matter to reach a male terminal fitting.SOLUTION: A connector 10 includes a male side housing 30 and a female side housing 60. The male side housing 30 has a cylindrical hood part 31 to which the female housing 60 is to be fitted. The female side housing 60 has an opposing surface 60A that opposes a deep surface 40 of the hood part 31. The opposing surface 60A has a first opposing surface 61 in which an insertion opening 68 opens and a second opposing surface 62 arranged by opposing the first opposing surface 61 via a female side stepped surface 66. The deep surface 40 includes a first deep surface 41 that opposes the first opposing surface 61, a second deep surface 42 that opposes the second opposing surface 62, and a male side stepped surface 46 arranged between the first deep surface 41 and the second deep surface 42 and opposing the female side stepped surface 66.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which a male housing (a female connector housing in Patent Document 1) and a female housing (a male connector housing in Patent Document 1) are fitted together. The male housing has a cylindrical hood portion. Male terminal fittings (electrical connection portions in Patent Document 1) are arranged within the hood portion so as to protrude from the inner surface of the hood portion. When the female housing is fitted into the hood portion, the female terminal fittings housed within the female housing are connected to the male terminal fittings. Connectors of this type are also disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 4. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-161411 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-220798 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-166105 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-17085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this type of connector, there is a risk that foreign matter may enter through the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion and the outer peripheral surface of the female housing that fits inside the hood portion, and then travel around to the front end face of the female housing and come into contact with the male terminal fittings. If a foreign matter comes into contact with the male terminal fittings, there is a risk that the male terminal fittings will be short-circuited via the foreign matter.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a technique that makes it difficult for foreign matter to reach the male terminal fitting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises: A male terminal fitting, a male housing that accommodates the male terminal fittings; a female terminal fitting to be connected to the male terminal fitting; a female housing that accommodates the female terminal fittings, The male housing has a cylindrical hood portion into which the female housing fits, the female housing has an opposing surface that faces a rear surface of the hood portion in a fitted state in which the female housing is fitted to the hood portion, the opposing surfaces include a first opposing surface in which the insertion opening of the male terminal fitting opens, and a second opposing surface disposed between the first opposing surface and a female-side step surface, When a direction in which the female housing fits into the hood portion is defined as a fitting direction, a direction in which the female housing separates from the hood portion is defined as a separation direction, and a direction intersecting the fitting direction is defined as a vertical direction, the second opposing surface is disposed above the first opposing surface and is shifted in position from the first opposing surface in the fitting direction or the separation direction, The rear surface has a first rear surface facing the first opposing surface, a second rear surface facing the second opposing surface, and a male side step surface disposed between the first rear surface and the second rear surface and facing the female side step surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, foreign matter can be made less likely to reach the male terminal fitting. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of a male housing accommodating male terminal fittings. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the female housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the female housing. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of foreign matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) a male terminal fitting; a male housing that accommodates the male terminal fittings; a female terminal fitting to be connected to the male terminal fitting; a female housing that accommodates the female terminal fittings, The male housing has a cylindrical hood portion into which the female housing fits, the female housing has an opposing surface that faces a rear surface of the hood portion in a fitted state in which the female housing is fitted to the hood portion, the opposing surfaces include a first opposing surface in which the insertion opening of the male terminal fitting opens, and a second opposing surface disposed between the first opposing surface and a female-side step surface, When a direction in which the female housing fits into the hood portion is defined as a fitting direction, a direction in which the female housing separates from the hood portion is defined as a separation direction, and a direction intersecting the fitting direction is defined as a vertical direction, the second opposing surface is disposed above the first opposing surface and is shifted in position from the first opposing surface in the fitting direction or the separation direction, The rear surface has a first rear surface facing the first opposing surface, a second rear surface facing the second opposing surface, and a male side step surface disposed between the first rear surface and the second rear surface and facing the female side step surface.

[0010] With this configuration, even if a foreign object enters through the gap between the upper surface of the female housing and the ceiling wall of the hood portion and reaches the second opposing surface, the foreign object is likely to become trapped between the female stepped surface and the male stepped surface, making it difficult for the foreign object to reach the first opposing surface, which is located below the second opposing surface, and as a result, difficult for the foreign object to reach the male terminal fitting inserted into the insertion opening.

[0011] (2) The first opposing surface may be disposed closer to the fitting direction than the second opposing surface, and the first rear surface may be disposed closer to the fitting direction than the second rear surface.

[0012] With this configuration, even if a foreign object reaches the second opposing surface, it is likely to remain on the female side step surface, making it difficult for the foreign object to reach the first opposing surface, which is located below the second opposing surface, and as a result, it becomes difficult for the foreign object to reach the male terminal fitting inserted into the insertion port.

[0013] (3) The female housing may have a discharge hole that opens to at least one of the female step surface and the second opposing surface.

[0014] With this configuration, foreign matter that reaches the second opposing surface is more likely to be discharged into the discharge hole before reaching the first opposing surface, making it even more difficult for foreign matter to reach the first opposing surface and the male terminal fitting.

[0015] (4) The bottom surface of the inner circumferential surface of the discharge hole may have an inclined surface that is inclined obliquely downward toward the removal direction.

[0016] According to this configuration, the inclined surface can guide foreign matter in the discharge hole to the side opposite to the female-side step surface.

[0017] (5) The rear surface may have a third rear surface disposed below the first rear surface, and the inner circumferential surface of the hood portion may have a discharge groove extending from the third rear surface.

[0018] With this configuration, even if a foreign object reaches the gap between the first rear surface and the first opposing surface, it is easily discharged into the discharge groove located below the first rear surface, thereby preventing the foreign object from getting stuck between the first opposing surface and the first rear surface and remaining in contact with the male terminal fitting.

[0019] (6) The third rear surface may be disposed on the removal direction side of the first rear surface, with a second male side step surface interposed between the third rear surface and the first rear surface. The second male side step surface may have a slope portion that slopes obliquely downward toward the removal direction.

[0020] According to this configuration, foreign matter that has fallen through the gap formed between the first opposing surface and the first rear surface can be guided to the discharge groove by the sloped portion.

[0021] (7) The male housing may have a protrusion protruding from the first rear surface. The protrusion may be disposed in the insertion opening in the mated state. The male terminal fitting may protrude from a tip of the protrusion.

[0022] With this configuration, the portion of the male terminal fitting that is located outside (in the mating direction) the insertion opening is covered by the convex portion, making it easier for foreign matter to fall below the male terminal fitting along the outer periphery of the convex portion, making it more difficult for foreign matter to reach the male terminal fitting.

[0023] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0024] [Embodiment 1] Fig. 1 discloses a connector 10 according to a first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the connector 10 includes male terminal fittings 20, a male housing 30, female terminal fittings 50, a female housing 60, and a retainer 90.

[0025] The male housing 30 and the female housing 60 fit together. In the following description, the mating direction in which the female housing 60 fits into the male housing 30 is referred to as the front, and the removal direction in which the female housing 60 removes from the male housing 30 is referred to as the rear. The up-down direction shown in Figures 2, 4, 5, and 6 is referred to as the up-down direction. The left-right direction shown in Figures 2 and 4 is referred to as the width direction. In the drawings, the front is referred to as "F," the rear is referred to as "R," the top is referred to as "U," and the bottom is referred to as "L."

[0026] <Male terminal fittings> The male terminal fittings 20 are electrically conductive. The male terminal fittings 20 are made of, for example, metal. As shown in Fig. 5, the male terminal fittings 20 have a base 21 and a tab 22. The tab 22 is located rearward of the base 21 and protrudes rearward. In other words, the base 21 and the tab 22 extend in the front-to-rear direction. A plurality of male terminal fittings 20 (four in this embodiment) are provided at intervals in the width direction.

[0027] <Male housing> The male housing 30 accommodates a plurality of male terminal fittings 20. The male housing 30 is insulating. The male housing 30 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the male housing 30 has a hood portion 31. The hood portion 31 is tubular and open to the rear, more specifically, rectangular. The hood portion 31 has a wall portion 32 and a tubular portion 33 that protrudes from the outer periphery of the wall portion 32 toward the rear in a cylindrical shape (more specifically, rectangular).

[0028] The wall portion 32 has a thickness in the front-to-rear direction. The thickness of the wall portion 32 can be set as desired. The wall portion 32 has through holes 34 that accommodate the bases 21 of the male terminal fittings 20. The through holes 34 penetrate the wall portion 32 in the front-to-rear direction. The male terminal fittings 20 may be held in the through holes 34 by, for example, insert molding. The tabs 22 of the male terminal fittings 20 protrude rearward from the rear surface of the wall portion 32 and are arranged in a form that protrudes into the hood portion 31. A plurality of through holes 34 (four in this embodiment) are provided at intervals in the width direction. A male terminal fitting 20 is inserted into each of the plurality of through holes 34.

[0029] A rear surface 40 of the hood portion 31 is formed on the rear surface of the wall portion 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the rear surface 40 extends in the vertical and width directions and faces rearward. The rear surface 40 has a first rear surface 41, a second rear surface 42, a third rear surface 43, a fourth rear surface 44, and a fifth rear surface 45. The first rear surface 41, the second rear surface 42, the third rear surface 43, the fourth rear surface 44, and the fifth rear surface 45 are flat surfaces that face rearward. The second rear surface 42, the third rear surface 43, the fourth rear surface 44, and the fifth rear surface 45 are continuous surfaces without any steps.

[0030] The second rear surface 42 is disposed above the first rear surface 41, with the male side step surface 46 interposed therebetween. The second rear surface 42 is disposed rearward of the first rear surface 41. The lower end of the second rear surface 42 is continuous with the rear end of the male side step surface 46, and the upper end of the first rear surface 41 is continuous with the front end of the male side step surface 46. The male side step surface 46 extends in the front-to-rear and width directions and faces downward.

[0031] The third rear surface 43 is disposed below the first rear surface 41, with the second male side step surface 47 in between. The third rear surface 43 is disposed rearward of the first rear surface 41. The upper end of the third rear surface 43 is continuous with the rear end of the second male side step surface 47, and the lower end of the first rear surface 41 is continuous with the front end of the second male side step surface 47. The second male side step surface 47 extends in the front-to-rear and width directions and faces upward. The second male side step surface 47 has a slope portion 47A that slopes diagonally downward toward the rear (see FIG. 5).

[0032] The fourth rear surface 44 is disposed on one side in the width direction of the first rear surface 41, and the fifth rear surface 45 is disposed on the other side in the width direction of the first rear surface 41. The fourth rear surface 44 is flush with the second rear surface 42 and also flush with the third rear surface 43. The fifth rear surface 45 is flush with the second rear surface 42 and also flush with the third rear surface 43.

[0033] The wall portion 32 has a protrusion 48 that protrudes rearward beyond the first rear surface 41. The protrusions 48 are provided corresponding to the respective through holes 34, and a plurality of protrusions 48 (four in this embodiment) are provided at intervals in the width direction. The through holes 34 penetrate the wall portion 32 in the front-rear direction so as to pass through the protrusions 48. The tabs 22 of the male terminal fittings 20 protrude rearward from openings formed at the tips of the protrusions 48. The protrusions 48 are inserted into the insertion openings 68 of the female housing 60 in a mated state in which the female housing 60 is mated with the hood portion 31 of the male housing 30.

[0034] As described above, the tubular portion 33 has a tubular shape. The bottom surface of the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion 33 (i.e., the inner circumferential surface of the hood portion 31) has a discharge groove 49. The discharge groove 49 extends rearward from the third inner surface 43. The discharge groove 49 extends to the rear end of the hood portion 31. As shown in FIG. 1 , the tubular portion 33 has a locking hole 33A that locks the female housing 60. The locking hole 33A passes through the top wall 33B of the tubular portion 33 in the vertical direction.

[0035] <Female terminal fittings> The female terminal fittings 50 are electrically conductive. The female terminal fittings 50 are made of, for example, metal. The female terminal fittings 50 are formed, for example, by bending a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 5 , the female terminal fittings 50 have a main body portion 51 and an electric wire connection portion 52. The main body portion 51 is tubular and the tab 22 is inserted therein. This electrically connects the female terminal fittings 50 to the male terminal fittings 20. The conductor 92 of the electric wire 91 is electrically connected to the electric wire connection portion 52 by crimping or the like. A plurality of female terminal fittings 50 (four in this embodiment) are provided at intervals in the width direction.

[0036] <Female housing> The female housing 60 accommodates a plurality of female terminal fittings 50. The female housing 60 is insulating. The female housing 60 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 5, the female housing 60 has an opposing surface 60A that faces the rear surface 40 of the hood portion 31 when the female housing 60 is mated with the hood portion 31 of the male housing 30. The opposing surface 60A is formed on the front surface of the female housing 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the opposing surface 60A has a first opposing surface 61, a second opposing surface 62, a third opposing surface 63, a fourth opposing surface 64, and a fifth opposing surface 65. The first opposing surface 61, the second opposing surface 62, the third opposing surface 63, the fourth opposing surface 64, and the fifth opposing surface 65 are flat surfaces that face forward. The second opposing surface 62, the third opposing surface 63, the fourth opposing surface 64, and the fifth opposing surface 65 are continuous surfaces without any steps.

[0037] In the fitted state, the first opposing surface 61 faces the first deep surface 41. The second opposing surface 62 faces the second deep surface 42. The third opposing surface 63 faces the third deep surface 43. The fourth opposing surface 64 faces the fourth deep surface 44. The fifth opposing surface 65 faces the fifth deep surface 45.

[0038] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the second opposing surface 62 is disposed above the first opposing surface 61, with a female-side step surface 66 interposed therebetween. The second opposing surface 62 is disposed rearward of the first opposing surface 61. The lower end of the second opposing surface 62 is continuous with the rear end of the female-side step surface 66, and the upper end of the first opposing surface 61 is continuous with the front end of the female-side step surface 66. The female-side step surface 66 extends in the front-rear and width directions and faces upward. The female-side step surface 66 faces the male-side step surface 46 in the mated state.

[0039] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the third opposing surface 63 is disposed below the first opposing surface 61 with the second female side step surface 67 interposed therebetween. The third opposing surface 63 is disposed rearward of the first opposing surface 61. The upper end of the third opposing surface 63 is continuous with the rear end of the second female side step surface 67, and the lower end of the first opposing surface 61 is continuous with the front end of the second female side step surface 67. The second female side step surface 67 is inclined downward toward the rear and faces downward. The second female side step surface 67 faces the second male side step surface 47 in the mated state.

[0040] 4, the fourth opposing surface 64 is disposed on one side in the width direction of the first opposing surface 61, and the fifth opposing surface 65 is disposed on the other side in the width direction of the first opposing surface 61. The fourth opposing surface 64 is flush with the second opposing surface 62 and also flush with the third opposing surface 63. The fifth opposing surface 65 is flush with the second opposing surface 62 and also flush with the third opposing surface 63.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the female housing 60 has an insertion opening 68 opening to the first opposing surface 61, a cavity 69 communicating with the insertion opening 68, and a lance 70. The male terminal fittings 20 are inserted into the insertion openings 68. A plurality of insertion openings 68 (four in this embodiment) are provided at intervals in the width direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The front ends of the cavities 69 communicate with the insertion openings 68. The cavities 69 are provided corresponding to the respective insertion openings 68. The female terminal fittings 50 are disposed in the cavities 69. The lance 70 protrudes into the cavity 69 from the underside thereof. The lance 70 locks the female terminal fittings 50 disposed in the cavities 69 from behind.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the female housing 60 has a discharge hole 71. The discharge hole 71 is formed in the second opposing surface 62. The discharge hole 71 can also be considered to be formed between the second opposing surface 62 and the female side stepped surface 66. The discharge hole 71 has a shape that is elongated in the width direction. The discharge hole 71 is arranged across the multiple insertion holes 68 in the width direction. As shown in Figure 5, the bottom surface of the inner periphery of the discharge hole 71 has a flat horizontal surface 72 and an inclined surface 73 that slopes downward toward the rear. The front end of the horizontal surface 72 is continuous with the rear end of the female side stepped surface 66 and is flush with the female side stepped surface 66. The front end of the inclined surface 73 is continuous with the rear end of the horizontal surface 72.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 , the female housing 60 has a housing main body 74, a bridge portion 75, and a lock arm 76. The housing main body 74 has the cavity 69 described above. The bridge portion 75 rises from both widthwise sides of the upper surface of the housing main body 74 at the front end side of the housing main body 74, and has a shape in which the upper ends are connected to each other. The area surrounded by the housing main body 74 and the bridge portion 75 is the discharge hole 71. The lock arm 76 has an arm portion 77 extending cantilevered rearward from the upper surface of the bridge portion 75, and a locking portion 78 formed on the upper surface of the arm portion 77. During the process of mating the female housing 60 with the male housing 30, the lock arm 76 is pressed by the open end of the hood portion 31, bending downward and entering the hood portion 31, and the locking portion 78 enters the locking hole 33A of the hood portion 31, thereby locking to the hood portion 31. This maintains the mated state.

[0044] <Retainer> The retainer 90 is engaged with the female housing 60 and prevents the female terminal fittings 50 arranged in the cavities 69 from slipping out rearward.

[0045] <Connector Function> When the connector 10 is mated, there is a risk that foreign matter may enter the gap between the male housing 30 and the female housing 60. For example, if the connector 10 is placed in an oil environment, oil may splash onto the upper surface of the locking arm 76 along with foreign matter such as metal chips from the motor. As shown by the arrows in Figure 6, the foreign matter may be carried by the oil and move along the upper surface of the locking arm 76, entering the gap between the male housing 30 and the female housing 60. If a foreign matter enters, there is a risk that the male terminal fittings 20 may short-circuit with other male terminal fittings 20 spaced apart in the width direction. Therefore, it is necessary to make it difficult for foreign matter to come into contact with the male terminal fittings 20.

[0046] To address this issue, in the connector 10, the second opposing surface 62 is disposed above the first opposing surface 61 where the insertion opening 68 opens, with the female side stepped surface 66 interposed therebetween. The second opposing surface 62 is disposed rearward of the first opposing surface 61. The female side stepped surface 66 faces upward. Therefore, even if a foreign object moves forward on the upper surface of the locking arm 76 and reaches the second opposing surface 62, it is likely to remain on the female side stepped surface 66 and is less likely to reach the first opposing surface 61. As a result, the foreign object is less likely to come into contact with the male terminal fitting 20.

[0047] Furthermore, the second opposing surface 62 is provided with a discharge hole 71. Therefore, foreign matter that reaches the second opposing surface 62 is easily discharged into the discharge hole 71. Therefore, with this configuration, foreign matter is even less likely to reach the first opposing surface 61, and contact between the foreign matter and the male terminal fitting 20 can be more reliably prevented.

[0048] Furthermore, the bottom surface of the inner circumferential surface of the discharge hole 71 has an inclined surface 73 that slopes downward toward the rear. Therefore, with this configuration, foreign matter inside the discharge hole 71 can be guided rearward by the inclined surface 73.

[0049] Furthermore, a third rear surface 43 is disposed below the first rear surface 41. The bottom surface of the inner circumferential surface of the hood portion 31 has a discharge groove 49 extending rearward from the third rear surface 43. With this configuration, foreign matter is easily discharged into the discharge groove 49 disposed below the first rear surface 41. This prevents foreign matter from getting stuck between the first opposing surface 61 and the first rear surface 41 and remaining in contact with the male terminal fitting 20.

[0050] Furthermore, third rear surface 43 is disposed rearward of first rear surface 41, with second male side step surface 47 interposed between third rear surface 43 and first rear surface 41. Second male side step surface 47 has slope portion 47A that slopes obliquely downward toward the rear. With this configuration, foreign matter that falls through the gap formed between first opposing surface 61 and first rear surface 41 can be guided to discharge groove 49 by slope portion 47A.

[0051] Furthermore, the male housing 30 has a protrusion 48 that protrudes from the rear surface 40. In the mated state, the protrusion 48 is positioned within the insertion opening 68. The male terminal fittings 20 protrude rearward from openings formed at the tips of the protrusions 48. With this configuration, the portions of the male terminal fittings 20 that are positioned outside (in front of) the insertion opening 68 are covered by the protrusions 48, making it easier for foreign matter to fall below the male terminal fittings 20 along the outer periphery of the protrusions 48, and therefore making it more difficult for foreign matter to reach the male terminal fittings 20.

[0052] [Another embodiment of the present disclosure] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. (1) The second opposing surface may be configured to be located forward of the first opposing surface. The second rear surface may be configured to be located forward of the first rear surface. The female-side stepped surface may face downward. The male-side stepped surface may face upward. (2) The third rear surface may be flush with the first rear surface. (3) The discharge hole may be configured to open in the female-side stepped surface, or may be configured to open in both the second opposing surface and the female-side stepped surface. (4) The inner peripheral surface of the discharge hole may not have an inclined surface. (5) The inner peripheral surface of the hood portion may not have a discharge groove. (6) The second male side step surface may not have a slope portion. (7) The male housing may not have a protrusion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10: Connector 20: Male terminal fitting 21: Base 22: Tab 30: Male housing 31: Hood section 32: Wall part 33:Cylinder part 33A: Locking hole 33B: Ceiling wall 34:Through hole 40: Back side 41: First inner wall 42: Second inner wall 43: Third inner wall 44: 4th inner wall 45: 5th inner wall 46: Male side step surface 47: 2nd male side step surface 47A: Slope section 48: Convex part 49: Discharge groove 50: Female terminal fitting 51: Main body 52: Wire connection part 60: Female housing 60A: Opposite surface 61: First opposing surface 62: Second opposing surface 63: Third opposing surface 64: 4th opposing surface 65: 5th opposing surface 66:Female side stepped surface 67: 2nd female side stepped surface 68: Insertion port 69: Cavity 70: Lance 71: Discharge hole 72 :Horizontal plane 73: Inclined surface 74: Housing body 75:Erection section 76: Lock arm 77: Arm part 78: Locking part 90: Retainer 91:Electric wire 92: Conductor

Claims

1. A male terminal fitting, a male housing that accommodates the male terminal fittings; a female terminal fitting to be connected to the male terminal fitting; a female housing that accommodates the female terminal fittings, The male housing has a cylindrical hood portion into which the female housing fits, the female housing has an opposing surface that faces a rear surface of the hood portion in a fitted state in which the female housing is fitted to the hood portion, the opposing surfaces include a first opposing surface in which the insertion opening of the male terminal fitting is opened, and a second opposing surface disposed between the first opposing surface and a female-side step surface, When a direction in which the female housing is fitted into the hood portion is defined as a fitting direction, a direction in which the female housing is separated from the hood portion is defined as a separation direction, and a direction intersecting the fitting direction is defined as a vertical direction, the second opposing surface is disposed above the first opposing surface and is shifted in position from the first opposing surface in the fitting direction or the separation direction, the rear surface includes a first rear surface facing the first opposing surface, a second rear surface facing the second opposing surface, and a male-side step surface disposed between the first rear surface and the second rear surface and facing the female-side step surface, The first opposing surface is disposed closer to the fitting direction than the second opposing surface, and the first rear surface is disposed closer to the fitting direction than the second rear surface. The female housing is a connector having a discharge hole that opens to at least one of the female step surface and the second opposing surface.

2. A male terminal fitting, a male housing that accommodates the male terminal fittings; a female terminal fitting to be connected to the male terminal fitting; a female housing that accommodates the female terminal fittings, The male housing has a cylindrical hood portion into which the female housing fits, the female housing has an opposing surface that faces a rear surface of the hood portion in a fitted state in which the female housing is fitted to the hood portion, the opposing surfaces include a first opposing surface in which the insertion opening of the male terminal fitting is opened, and a second opposing surface disposed between the first opposing surface and a female-side step surface, When a direction in which the female housing is fitted into the hood portion is defined as a fitting direction, a direction in which the female housing is separated from the hood portion is defined as a separation direction, and a direction intersecting the fitting direction is defined as a vertical direction, the second opposing surface is disposed above the first opposing surface and is shifted in position from the first opposing surface in the fitting direction or the separation direction, the rear surface includes a first rear surface facing the first opposing surface, a second rear surface facing the second opposing surface, and a male-side step surface disposed between the first rear surface and the second rear surface and facing the female-side step surface, The rear surface includes a third rear surface disposed below the first rear surface, The connector has an inner peripheral surface of the hood portion having a discharge groove extending from the third inner surface.

3. The connector according to claim 2 , wherein the first opposing surface is disposed on the mating direction side of the second opposing surface, and the first rear surface is disposed on the mating direction side of the second rear surface.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the female housing has a discharge hole that opens to at least one of the female step surface and the second opposing surface.

5. 5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the inner circumferential bottom surface of the discharge hole has an inclined surface that slopes obliquely downward toward the removal direction.

6. the third rear surface is disposed on the removal direction side of the first rear surface with a second male-side step surface interposed between the third rear surface and the first rear surface, The connector according to claim 2 , wherein the second male side step surface has a slope portion that slopes obliquely downward toward the removal direction.

7. the male housing has a protrusion protruding from the first rear surface, The protrusion is disposed in a state of being inserted into the insertion opening in the fitted state, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the male terminal metal fitting protrudes from a tip end of the protrusion.

Images