connector

Abstract

To provide a connector whose front holder is hardly removed, and which can be easily downsized.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises: a terminal; a housing 20 having a terminal housing part which internally houses the terminal; a seal ring 26 fitted to the housing 20; a front holder 50 which engages with the housing 20 so as to prevent removal of the seal ring 26; and a retainer 30 which is assembled to the housing 20 and the front holder 50. When the retainer 30 is at a temporary locking position, the terminal is permitted to be inserted into the terminal housing part. When the retainer 30 is at a regular locking position, the terminal is prevented from being removed inside the terminal housing part. A first direction intersects a second direction in which the front holder 50 engages with the housing 20. The front holder 50 has an insertion recess 54 into which the retainer 30 is inserted in the first direction. An inner wall of the insertion recess 54 is provided with a locking structure 57 which is locked to the retainer 30 so as to hold the retainer 30 in the temporary locking position and the regular locking position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A known waterproof connector that uses a retainer to prevent terminal fittings from coming loose is the female connector described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-329554 (Patent Document 1 below). This female connector includes terminal fittings, a housing body capable of accommodating the terminal fittings, a waterproof rubber ring, a retaining member that holds the rubber ring against the housing body, and a retainer that prevents the terminal fittings from coming loose from the housing body. The housing body includes a terminal accommodating portion and a retaining groove recessed in the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion. The retaining member includes a front wall, a retaining plate extending rearward from the front wall, and a retaining protrusion protruding from the retaining plate. The retaining groove and the retaining protrusion engage with each other to attach the retaining member to the housing body.

[0003] The housing body is formed with a retainer mounting hole that communicates with the terminal accommodating portion. A holding protrusion is provided on the edge of the retainer mounting hole to hold the retainer in the retainer mounting hole. The retainer has a first holding recess and a second holding recess that can be engaged with the holding protrusion. When the first holding recess engages with the holding protrusion, the retainer is held in a temporary locking position. When the second holding recess engages with the holding protrusion, the retainer is held in a final locking position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-329554 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above configuration, if the female connector is to be made smaller, it is possible to thin the housing body. However, if the housing body is thinned, the engagement margin between the retaining groove and the retaining protrusion becomes smaller, which may make the retaining member more likely to come off the housing body. Also, it may be impossible to form the retaining protrusion for holding the retainer on the housing body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a terminal, a housing having a terminal accommodating portion in which the terminal is accommodated, a seal ring attached to the housing, a front holder that fits into the housing and prevents the seal ring from coming out, and a retainer that is assembled to the housing and the front holder and is movable in a first direction between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, wherein when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, the terminal is allowed to be inserted into the terminal accommodating portion, and when the retainer is in the full locking position, the terminal is prevented from coming out inside the terminal accommodating portion, the first direction intersects with a second direction in which the front holder fits into the housing, the front holder has an insertion recess into which the retainer is inserted in the first direction, and the inner wall of the insertion recess is formed with a locking structure that engages with the retainer to hold the retainer in the temporary locking position and the full locking position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector in which the front holder is less likely to come off and which can be easily miniaturized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing how the retainer is assembled to the housing and the front holder. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which the retainer is held in the provisionally locked position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing the retainer held in the full locking position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a right side view of the connector excluding the retainer. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the retainer. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the retainer. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the front holder. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the front holder. 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.

[0010] (1) The connector of the present disclosure comprises a terminal, a housing having a terminal accommodating portion in which the terminal is accommodated, a seal ring attached to the housing, a front holder that fits into the housing and prevents the seal ring from coming out, and a retainer that is assembled to the housing and the front holder and is movable in a first direction between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, wherein when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, the terminal is allowed to be inserted into the terminal accommodating portion, and when the retainer is in the full locking position, the terminal is prevented from coming out inside the terminal accommodating portion, the first direction intersects with a second direction in which the front holder fits into the housing, the front holder has an insertion recess into which the retainer is inserted in the first direction, and the inner wall of the insertion recess is formed with a locking structure that engages with the retainer to hold the retainer in the temporary locking position and the full locking position.

[0011] With this configuration, the locking structure that holds the retainer in the partial locking position and the full locking position is provided on the front holder, not on the housing, so the housing can be made thinner, which makes it easier to make the connector smaller.

[0012] Furthermore, because the retainer is inserted into the insertion recess provided in the front holder in a first direction, the inner wall of the insertion recess and the retainer are arranged facing each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction. Therefore, the retainer restricts movement of the front holder in the second direction. Meanwhile, the retainer is also attached to the housing. Therefore, movement of the front holder in the second direction relative to the housing can be restricted. With the above configuration, even if the connector is miniaturized, it is easy to ensure an engagement margin between the front holder and the retainer in the second direction, and an engagement margin between the retainer and the housing. Therefore, a connector can be provided in which the front holder is less likely to come off.

[0013] (2) It is preferable that the locking structure comprises a first recess recessed from the inner wall of the insertion recess and a second recess recessed from the inner wall of the insertion recess and positioned further back in the insertion recess than the first recess, and that the retainer comprises a locking protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the retainer, and that the first recess and the locking protrusion are engaged to hold the retainer in a temporary locking position, and that the second recess and the locking protrusion are engaged to hold the retainer in a full locking position.

[0014] With this configuration, the retainer can be held in the temporary locking position by the first recess and the locking projection engaging with each other, and the retainer can be held in the full locking position by the second recess and the locking projection engaging with each other.

[0015] (3) It is preferable that the front holder has a locking portion that protrudes from the inner wall of the insertion recess toward the retainer, and the retainer has a lock receiving portion that is arranged so as to be able to engage with the locking portion in the first direction when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, and that the retainer is prevented from slipping out of the insertion recess by the locking portion and the lock receiving portion engaging with each other.

[0016] With this configuration, the locking portion and the lock receiving portion are engaged with each other, thereby preventing the retainer from slipping out of the insertion recess. Furthermore, the locking portion and the lock receiving portion are engaged with each other, thereby holding the retainer in the provisionally engaged position.

[0017] (4) It is preferable that the housing includes a lance that is disposed in the terminal accommodating portion and engages with the terminal, and the front holder has a deflection space for the lance.

[0018] According to this configuration, by providing a space for the lance to bend in the front holder, it is easier to make the connector even more compact.

[0019] (5) The above-mentioned connector is a connector that is fitted into the inside of a mating hood portion, and the front holder has a first rib that protrudes from the outer surface of the front holder to one side in the first direction and extends in the second direction, and the retainer has a second rib that protrudes from the outer surface of the retainer to one side in the first direction and extends in the second direction, and it is preferable that the first rib and the second rib are arranged in series in the second direction and are adapted to slide against the inner surface of the mating hood portion when fitted with the mating hood portion.

[0020] With this configuration, the first rib and the second rib slide against the inner surface of the mating hood portion, thereby suppressing vibration of the retainer and front holder relative to the mating hood portion when the connector is used in a vibrating environment.

[0021] (6) It is preferable that the front holder has a fitting cylindrical portion that fits into the housing from the outside, the insertion recess is formed by penetrating the fitting cylindrical portion in a third direction that intersects both the first direction and the second direction, and the engagement between the locking structure and the retainer is visible from the outside.

[0022] With this configuration, the engagement between the locking structure and the retainer can be visually confirmed from the outside.

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

[0024] <Embodiment> An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13. A connector 10 of this embodiment is intended for use in a vibration environment, such as in a vehicle. In the following description, the direction indicated by arrow Z is defined as upward, the direction indicated by arrow X as forward, and the direction indicated by arrow Y as leftward. Note that, in some cases, when multiple identical components are used, only some of the components will be designated by reference numerals, and the reference numerals for the other components will be omitted.

[0025] [connector] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 20, a retainer 30, a seal ring 26 attached to the housing 20, and a front holder 50 that prevents the seal ring 26 from coming off the housing 20. As shown in Figure 7, terminals 11 are accommodated in the housing 20. The terminals 11 are prevented from coming off the housing 20 by the retainer 30. In this embodiment, the left-right direction is an example of a first direction in which the retainer 30 is movable. The front-rear direction is an example of a second direction in which the front holder 50 fits into the housing 20. The up-down direction is an example of a third direction that intersects both the first direction and the second direction.

[0026] Terminal The terminal 11 is formed by processing a conductive metal plate. As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 11 includes a rectangular tubular connecting portion 12 and a wire connecting portion 13 that is crimped to the electric wire W. The connecting portion 12 includes a locking portion 14 that protrudes upward from the upper wall of the connecting portion 12. The locking portion 14 locks with a lance 23A of the housing 20. A tubular waterproof rubber stopper 15 is attached to the outer surface of the electric wire W. The rubber stopper 15 tightly contacts the inner wall of the wire insertion portion 24 of the housing 20 to prevent water from entering the housing 20. An elastic contact piece (not shown) is provided inside the connecting portion 12. The elastic contact piece contacts and electrically connects with a male terminal (not shown) of a mating connector that is inserted into the connecting portion 12. The terminal 11 is shown only in FIGS. 6 and 7 and is omitted in the other figures.

[0027] [housing] The housing 20 is made of insulating synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 6 , the housing 20 includes a housing main body 21 and a hood portion 22 that expands in diameter from the outer peripheral surface at the rear of the housing main body 21 and opens forward. The housing main body 21 is provided with a terminal accommodating portion 23 that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction. A lance 23A is provided within the terminal accommodating portion 23 and protrudes forward and downward from the upper wall of the terminal accommodating portion 23. A wire insertion portion 24, through which an electric wire W is inserted, is provided in communication with the rear of the terminal accommodating portion 23. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , three terminal accommodating portions 23 are provided side by side in the left-to-right direction. A release piece 23B is provided on the right side of the lance 23A and is used to release the engagement by the lance 23A.

[0028] Although not shown, hood portion 22 fits from the outside into a mating hood portion of the mating connector, and the mating hood portion fits from the outside into housing main body 21. As shown in Fig. 7, housing 20 has a fitting lock receiving portion 25 below housing main body 21. Fitting lock receiving portion 25 is designed to engage with a fitting lock portion (not shown) that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the mating hood portion.

[0029] [Seal ring] As shown in Figure 6, a seal ring 26, which is an annular elastic member, is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the housing body 21 slightly rearward of the center in the front-to-rear direction. The housing body 21 has a pressing portion 27 that presses the rear end of the seal ring 26 from behind. The front end of the seal ring 26 is pressed from the front by the rear end of the front holder 50. The seal ring 26 is disposed in a compressed state between the outer peripheral surface of the housing body 21 and the inner peripheral surface of the mating hood portion, and waterproofs the mating surfaces of the connector 10 and the mating connector.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 6, the housing main body 21 has an accommodating space 28 for accommodating the accommodated portion 34 of the retainer 30, located forward of the portion where the seal ring 26 is attached. The accommodating space 28 communicates with the terminal accommodating portion 23. As shown in Fig. 2, the accommodating space 28 is elongated in the left-right direction and opens to the right and upward. As shown in Fig. 9, the accommodating space 28 is located forward of the front end of the hood portion 22.

[0031] [Front holder] The front holder 50 is made of insulating synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 12, the front holder 50 includes a front wall 51 and a fitting tubular portion 52 extending rearward from the outer edge of the front wall 51. As shown in Fig. 6, the fitting tubular portion 52 is configured to fit into the housing main body 21 from the outside. When the fitting tubular portion 52 and the housing main body 21 are fitted together, the rear end of the fitting tubular portion 52 presses the front end of the seal ring 26 from the front. The front holder 50 prevents the seal ring 26 from slipping forward from its normal mounting position on the outer circumferential surface of the housing main body 21.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 6, three through holes 51A that communicate with the terminal accommodating portions 23 are provided in the front wall 51 of the front holder 50. As shown in Fig. 13, two partition walls 59 that separate the interior of the front holder 50 are provided between adjacent through holes 51A in the left-right direction. When the front holder 50 is assembled to the housing main body 21, each partition wall 59 is arranged along the side wall of each terminal accommodating portion 23.

[0033] 12, the front wall 51 of the front holder 50 is provided with an unlocking hole 51B that is located to the upper right of the through-hole 51A and communicates with the through-hole 51A. As will be described in detail later, the locking between the lance 23A and the locking portion 14 of the terminal 11 can be released by inserting a jig (not shown) into the unlocking hole 51B and operating it.

[0034] A flexure space 52A is formed in the center of the front-to-rear upper portion of the fitting tubular portion 52, penetrating the fitting tubular portion 52 in the vertical direction. Three flexure spaces 52A are provided, aligned in the left-to-right direction. As shown in FIG. 6 , each flexure space 52A is disposed above the corresponding lance 23A. When the terminal 11 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 23, the lance 23A is able to flex upward and enter the flexure space 52A. By providing the flexure space 52A in the fitting tubular portion 52 rather than in the housing main body 21, the housing main body 21 can be made thinner. This makes it easier to reduce the size of the connector 10 in the vertical direction.

[0035] In this embodiment, the flexure space 52A is provided so as to penetrate the fitting tubular portion 52 in the vertical direction, and the fitting tubular portion 52 is not configured to cover the flexure space 52A from above. Therefore, since there is no portion that covers the flexure space 52A, the fitting tubular portion 52 can be made thinner, and the connector 10 can be made smaller in size in the vertical direction.

[0036] 12, an insertion hole 53 is formed in the right portion of the fitting cylindrical portion 52, penetrating the fitting cylindrical portion 52 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 3, when the retainer 30 is assembled to the housing main body 21 and the front holder 50, the retainer 30 is inserted into the insertion hole 53.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 12, an insertion recess 54 is provided in the upper portion of the fitting cylindrical portion 52 so as to communicate with the insertion hole 53. The insertion recess 54 is provided in the shape of a groove recessed to the left. The insertion recess 54 is formed by penetrating the fitting cylindrical portion 52 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 9, when the front holder 50 is fitted into the housing main body 21, the insertion recess 54 is arranged so as to communicate with the accommodating space 28. As will be described later, the retainer protrusion 36 of the retainer 30 is adapted to be inserted into the insertion recess 54 (see FIG. 6).

[0038] As shown in FIG. 12, the front holder 50 has a first recess 55 and a second recess 56 recessed from the front inner wall of the insertion recess 54. The first recess 55 and the second recess 56 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The second recess 56 is arranged further back (left side) from the insertion recess 54 than the first recess 55. As will be described later, the retainer 30 is held in a temporary locking position (see FIG. 4) by the locking protrusion 40A of the retainer 30 locking with the first recess 55. The retainer 30 is held in a full locking position (see FIG. 5) by the locking protrusion 40A locking with the second recess 56. That is, the first recess 55 and the second recess 56 form a locking structure 57 for locking the retainer 30.

[0039] 12, the front holder 50 has a locking portion 58 that protrudes forward from the inner wall on the rear side of the insertion recess 54. As will be described later, the locking portion 58 is arranged to protrude into the retainer recess 37 of the retainer 30 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0040] 12 and 13, the front holder 50 includes a plurality of ribs 60 that protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of the fitting tubular portion 52 and extend in the front-rear direction. Of the plurality of ribs 60, the rib 60 that protrudes rightward from the outer circumferential surface on the right side of the fitting tubular portion 52 is designated as a first rib 60A.

[0041] [Retainer] The retainer 30 is made of insulating synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 10, the retainer 30 includes a retainer body 31 extending in the left-right direction, an operating portion 32 disposed at the right end of the retainer body 31, and a retaining portion 33 extending diagonally downward and forward from the retainer body 31. In the retainer 30, the portion formed by the retainer body 31 and the retaining portion 33 constitutes a received portion 34. The received portion 34 is arranged to be disposed within the receiving space 28 of the housing 20 (see Fig. 6).

[0042] As shown in Fig. 10, the operating portion 32 is provided to extend downward and forward relative to the retainer body 31. As shown in Fig. 3, when assembling the retainer 30 into the accommodation space 28 and the insertion recess 54, the operating portion 32 is operated by the operator's fingers or the like. The operating portion 32 is configured to be sized so as to be able to close the right edge of the accommodation space 28. The operating portion 32 is adapted to be housed inside the insertion hole 53.

[0043] The retainer 30 includes a second rib 35 that protrudes rightward from the operating portion 32 and extends in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the second rib 35 is arranged to be continuous with the first rib 60A of the fitting tubular portion 52 in the front-rear direction. Although not shown, when the connector 10 is mated with a mating connector, the housing main body 21, the retainer 30, and the front holder 50 are fitted inside the mating hood portion. At this time, the first rib 60A and the second rib 35 are in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mating hood portion. This makes it possible to suppress vibration of the front holder 50 and the retainer 30 relative to the mating hood portion.

[0044] The plurality of ribs 60 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) other than the first rib 60A provided on the front holder 50 are also in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mating hood portion, thereby suppressing vibration of the front holder 50 relative to the mating hood portion in the same manner as above.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 10, three retaining portions 33 are provided side by side in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 6, when the retainer 30 is held in the temporary locking position relative to the housing 20, the retaining portions 33 are disposed outside the terminal accommodating portion 23, allowing the terminal 11 to be inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 23. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, when the retainer 30 is held in the full locking position, the retaining portions 33 are disposed inside the terminal accommodating portion 23. As a result, as shown in Fig. 7, the retaining portions 33 are disposed so as to be able to lock from the rear end of the connecting tube portion 12 of the terminal 11 accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 23. Therefore, the terminal 11 is prevented from slipping out rearward from the terminal accommodating portion 23.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 11 , the retainer 30 has a retainer protrusion 36 on the upper part of the retainer main body 31. The retainer protrusion 36 extends in the left-right direction and is disposed in a position on the retainer 30 closer to the operating portion 32. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the retainer protrusion 36 is a member that is inserted into the insertion recess 54 of the front holder 50. As shown in FIG. 11 , the retainer protrusion 36 has a retainer recess 37 that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the retainer protrusion 36. The retainer recess 37 is composed of a bottom 38 and a pair of groove side portions 39 that rise upward from both side edges of the bottom 38. The retainer recess 37 is open to the rear.

[0047] The retainer protrusion 36 has a flexible piece 40 on the front side of the retainer recess 37. The flexible piece 40 is long in the left-right direction and flat in the front-rear direction. The left end of the flexible piece 40 is connected to the left groove side portion 39 of the retainer recess 37. The right end of the flexible piece 40 is connected to the right groove side portion 39 of the retainer recess 37. In other words, the flexible piece 40 has a double-supported beam shape. The flexible piece 40 is configured to be able to bend rearward and enter the retainer recess 37. As shown in FIG. 10 , the flexible piece 40 has a locking protrusion 40A that protrudes from the outer surface of the front side of the flexible piece 40.

[0048] 4 and 5, when the retainer 30 is assembled to the housing 20 and the front holder 50, the locking projection 40A can be locked with either the first recess 55 or the second recess 56. As shown in Fig. 4, when the locking projection 40A is locked with the first recess 55, the retainer 30 is held in a temporary locking position. As shown in Fig. 5, when the locking projection 40A is locked with the second recess 56, the retainer 30 is held in a full locking position.

[0049] The retainer 30 is movable in the left-right direction between the temporary locking position and the full locking position. More specifically, when the retainer 30 moves in the left-right direction, the flexible piece 40 elastically deforms rearward and enters the retainer recess 37, thereby disengaging the locking protrusion 40A from the first recess 55 or the second recess 56. When the locking protrusion 40A is locked with the first recess 55 or the second recess 56, the flexible piece 40 is in its natural state.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 10, the front portion of the retainer 30 is provided with a groove 41 constituted by the lower surface of the retainer protrusion 36, the front surface of the retainer body 31, and the upper surface of the retaining portion 33. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the groove 41 is in sliding contact with the rear end of the upper wall of the terminal accommodating portion 23 disposed in front of the retainer 30. This makes it possible to guide the insertion of the retainer 30 into the accommodating space 28 and the insertion recess 54. It also makes it possible to position the retainer 30 in the up-down direction relative to the housing body 21.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4 , the locking portion 58 of the front holder 50 can enter the retainer recess 37. The left groove side portion 39 of the retainer recess 37 is the lock receiving portion 42. When the retainer 30 is in the temporary locking position, the lock receiving portion 42 and the locking portion 58 face each other in the left-right direction and are close to each other. If the retainer 30 held in the temporary locking position moves to the right due to an external force or the like, the lock receiving portion 42 and the locking portion 58 engage with each other in the left-right direction, restricting further rightward movement of the retainer 30. This prevents the retainer 30 from coming out of the insertion recess 54. Furthermore, when the lock receiving portion 42 and the locking portion 58 are engaged with each other, the engagement between the locking protrusion 40A and the first recess 55 is not released. Therefore, the retainer 30 can be held in the temporary locking position. More specifically, the engagement between the lock receiving portion 42 and the lock portion 58 can restrict the retainer 30 from moving further forward (to the right) of the insertion recess 54 than the provisionally locked position.

[0052] 4 and 5, when the retainer 30 and the front holder 50 are assembled to the housing 20, the locked state of the retainer 30 and the front holder 50 can be visually confirmed through the insertion recess 54 that penetrates the fitting tubular portion 52 in the vertical direction. This allows the position of the retainer 30 relative to the housing main body 21 to be confirmed. For example, in FIG. 4, it can be confirmed that the retainer 30 is held in the provisionally locked position by the locking of the first recess 55 with the locking projection 40A. In FIG. 5, it can be confirmed that the retainer 30 is held in the full locked position by the locking of the second recess 56 with the locking projection 40A.

[0053] [Connector assembly] The connector 10 of this embodiment has the above-described configuration, and an example of assembling the connector 10 will now be described.

[0054] A seal ring 26 is attached from the front to the outer peripheral surface of the housing body 21. The rear end of the seal ring 26 is pressed from behind by a pressing portion 27 of the housing body 21.

[0055] Next, the front holder 50 is assembled to the housing 20. That is, the fitting cylindrical portion 52 is fitted into the housing main body 21. When the fitting cylindrical portion 52 is fitted into the housing main body 21, the front wall 51 of the front holder 50 abuts against the front end of the housing main body 21. The front end of the seal ring 26 is pressed from the front by the rear end of the fitting cylindrical portion 52.

[0056] The retainer 30 is assembled to the housing 20 and the front holder 50 (see FIG. 3). The accommodated portion 34 is inserted into the accommodation space 28 of the housing main body 21 through the insertion hole 53 of the fitting tubular portion 52. The retainer protrusion 36 is inserted into the insertion recess 54. The locking protrusion 40A engages with the front inner wall of the insertion recess 54, causing the flexible piece 40 to bend rearward. When the retainer 30 is moved further toward the back (left) of the accommodation space 28 and the insertion recess 54, the locking protrusion 40A is positioned within the first recess 55, and the flexible piece 40 returns to its natural state. The locking protrusion 40A engages with the first recess 55, holding the retainer 30 in the provisionally locked position (see FIG. 4).

[0057] With the retainer 30 held in the temporary locking position, the terminal 11 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 23. Because the retaining portion 33 is disposed outside the terminal accommodating portion 23, the insertion of the terminal 11 into the terminal accommodating portion 23 is not hindered by the retaining portion 33 (see FIG. 6). The lance 23A and the locking portion 14 lock together, and the terminal 11 is held in the terminal accommodating portion 23.

[0058] Subsequently, when the retainer 30 is further moved leftward, the engagement between the locking protrusion 40A and the first recess 55 is released. The locking protrusion 40A engages with the front inner wall of the insertion recess 54, causing the flexible piece 40 to bend rearward. When the retainer 30 is further moved leftward, the locking protrusion 40A is disposed within the second recess 56, and the flexible piece 40 returns to its natural state. The engagement between the locking protrusion 40A and the second recess 56 holds the retainer 30 in the main locking position (see FIG. 5). Because the retaining portion 33 is disposed inside the terminal accommodating portion 23, the terminal 11 is prevented from falling out of the terminal accommodating portion 23 (see FIG. 7). This completes the assembly of the connector 10.

[0059] [Prevents the front holder from coming off the housing] If the front holder 50 moves forward due to an external force or the like and attempts to detach from the housing main body 21, the rear surface of the retainer protrusion 36 engages with the rear inner wall of the insertion recess 54 in the front-to-rear direction (see FIG. 7). This restricts the front holder 50 from moving forward relative to the retainer 30. Meanwhile, by restricting the forward movement of the front holder 50, the retainer 30 is pushed forward by the front holder 50. Then, the front portion of the accommodated portion 34 of the retainer 30 engages with the upper wall of the terminal accommodating portion 23 in the front-to-rear direction (see FIG. 7). This restricts the retainer 30 from moving forward relative to the housing 20. As a result, the front holder 50 is restricted from moving forward relative to the housing 20, and thus detachment of the front holder 50 from the housing 20 is suppressed.

[0060] In this embodiment, as described above, movement of the front holder 50 in the front-rear direction relative to the housing 20 is indirectly restricted via the retainer 30. Therefore, the housing 20 and the front holder 50 in this embodiment do not have a retaining structure that directly locks them to each other in the front-rear direction and prevents the front holder 50 from coming off the housing main body 21. By omitting the retaining structure that directly locks the housing 20 and the front holder 50, the connector 10 can be made even smaller.

[0061] In this embodiment, the retainer 30, the accommodation space 28 into which the retainer 30 is inserted, and the insertion recess 54 are formed to be long in the left-right direction in which the retainer 30 is movable. This makes it easy to ensure a large locking margin in the left-right direction for locking the front holder 50 and the retainer 30 in the front-rear direction, and a large locking margin in the left-right direction for locking the housing 20 and the retainer 30 in the front-rear direction. This makes it easy to improve the holding force of the front holder 50 to the housing 20.

[0062] [Disassembly of Connector 10] Next, a description will be given of an example of disassembly of the connector 10. Here, disassembly of the connector 10 means separating each component of the connector 10.

[0063] First, in the opposite manner to assembling the connector 10, the retainer 30 is moved toward the front (right) of the accommodation space 28 and the insertion recess 54. For example, the retainer 30 can be moved to the right by inserting a retainer operating jig (not shown) into the retainer recess 37 and pressing the groove side portion 39 on the right side of the retainer recess 37. By moving the retainer 30 to the right, the retainer 30 is moved from the full-locking position to the partial-locking position.

[0064] With the retainer 30 held in the temporary locking position, for example, the terminal 11 to be repaired can be removed from the terminal accommodating portion 23 and replaced with a new terminal 11. To remove the terminal 11, a tool (not shown) is inserted into the locking release hole 51B and the release piece 23B provided on the right side of the lance 23A is pressed upward to release the lock between the lance 23A and the locking portion 14 (see FIG. 2). Alternatively, the release piece 23B may be moved upward by the tool via the deflection space 52A (see FIG. 4). With the lock between the lance 23A and the locking portion 14 released, the terminal 11 is pulled out rearward.

[0065] By further moving the retainer 30 to the right, the retainer 30 is pulled out from the accommodating space 28 and the interior of the insertion recess 54. This allows the front holder 50 and the seal ring 26 to be removed from the housing 20. This completes the disassembly of the connector 10.

[0066] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. The connector 10 according to the embodiment includes terminals 11, a housing 20 having terminal accommodating portions 23 in which the terminals 11 are accommodated, a seal ring 26 attached to the housing 20, a front holder 50 fitted to the housing 20 to prevent the seal ring 26 from coming off, and a retainer 30 assembled to the housing 20 and the front holder 50 and movable in a first direction (left and right direction) between a temporary locking position and a full locking position. When the retainer 30 is in the temporary locking position, the terminals 11 are retained. When the retainer 30 is allowed to be inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 23 and is in the main locking position, the terminal 11 is prevented from slipping out from inside the terminal accommodating portion 23, the first direction intersects with the second direction (front-to-back direction) in which the front holder 50 fits into the housing 20, the front holder 50 has an insertion recess 54 into which the retainer 30 is inserted in the first direction, and a locking structure 57 is formed on the inner wall of the insertion recess 54, which locks with the retainer 30 to hold the retainer 30 in the temporary locking position and the main locking position.

[0067] With this configuration, the locking structure 57 that holds the retainer 30 in the partial locking position and the full locking position is provided on the front holder 50, not on the housing 20, which makes it easier to thin the housing 20. This makes it easier to make the connector 10 smaller.

[0068] Furthermore, because the retainer 30 is inserted into the insertion recess 54 provided in the front holder 50 in the first direction, the inner wall of the insertion recess 54 and the retainer 30 are arranged facing each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction. Therefore, the retainer 30 restricts movement of the front holder 50 in the second direction. Meanwhile, the retainer 30 is also assembled to the housing 20. Therefore, movement of the front holder 50 in the second direction relative to the housing 20 can be restricted. With the above configuration, even if the connector 10 is made smaller, it is easy to ensure an engagement margin between the front holder 50 and the retainer 30 in the second direction, and an engagement margin between the retainer 30 and the housing 20. Therefore, it is possible to provide a connector 10 in which the front holder 50 is less likely to come off.

[0069] In the embodiment, the locking structure 57 comprises a first recess 55 recessed from the inner wall of the insertion recess 54, and a second recess 56 recessed from the inner wall of the insertion recess 54 and positioned further back in the insertion recess 54 than the first recess 55, and the retainer 30 comprises a locking protrusion 40A protruding from the outer surface of the retainer 30, and the first recess 55 and the locking protrusion 40A are engaged to hold the retainer 30 in a temporary locking position, and the second recess 56 and the locking protrusion 40A are engaged to hold the retainer 30 in a full locking position.

[0070] With this configuration, the retainer 30 can be held in the temporary locking position by locking the first recess 55 with the locking projection 40A, and the retainer 30 can be held in the full locking position by locking the second recess 56 with the locking projection 40A.

[0071] In an embodiment, the front holder 50 has a locking portion 58 that protrudes from the inner wall of the insertion recess 54 toward the retainer 30, and the retainer 30 has a lock receiving portion 42 that is arranged so as to be able to engage with the locking portion 58 in a first direction when the retainer 30 is in a temporary locking position, and the locking portion 58 and the lock receiving portion 42 are engaged with each other to prevent the retainer 30 from slipping out of the insertion recess 54.

[0072] With this configuration, the locking portion 58 and the lock receiving portion 42 are engaged with each other, thereby preventing the retainer 30 from slipping out of the insertion recess 54. Furthermore, the locking portion 58 and the lock receiving portion 42 are engaged with each other, thereby holding the retainer 30 in the provisionally engaged position.

[0073] In this embodiment, the housing 20 is provided with a lance 23A that is disposed in the terminal accommodating portion 23 and engages with the terminal 11, and the front holder 50 has a deflection space 52A for the lance 23A.

[0074] According to this configuration, by providing the deflection space 52A for the lance 23A in the front holder 50, the connector 10 can be made even more compact.

[0075] The connector 10 of the embodiment is a connector 10 that is fitted inside a mating hood portion, and the front holder 50 has a first rib 60A that protrudes from the outer surface of the front holder 50 to one side (right side) in the first direction and extends in the second direction, and the retainer 30 has a second rib 35 that protrudes from the outer surface of the retainer 30 to one side in the first direction and extends in the second direction, and the first rib 60A and the second rib 35 are arranged in series in the second direction and are adapted to slide against the inner surface of the mating hood portion when fitted with the mating hood portion.

[0076] With this configuration, the first rib 60A and the second rib 35 slide against the inner surface of the mating hood portion, thereby suppressing vibration of the retainer 30 and the front holder 50 relative to the mating hood portion when the connector 10 is used in a vibrating environment.

[0077] In the embodiment, the front holder 50 has an engaging tubular portion 52 that engages with the housing 20 from the outside, and the insertion recess 54 is formed by penetrating the engaging tubular portion 52 in a third direction (vertical direction) that intersects both the first direction and the second direction, so that the engagement between the engaging structure 57 and the retainer 30 can be seen from the outside.

[0078] With this configuration, the engagement between the locking structure 57 and the retainer 30 can be visually confirmed from the outside.

[0079] <Other embodiments> (1) In the above embodiment, the locking structure 57 of the front holder 50 includes the first recess 55 and the second recess 56, and the retainer 30 includes the locking protrusion 40A that locks with the locking structure 57. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the locking structure of the front holder may be a locking protrusion, and the retainer may include a first recess and a second recess that lock with the locking protrusion. (2) In the above embodiment, the terminals 11 of the connector 10 are female terminals having the connecting tubular portions 12, but this is not limitative and the terminals may be tab-shaped male terminals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10: Connector 11: Terminal 12: Connecting tube 13: Wire connection 14: Locking part 15: Rubber stopper 20: Housing 21: Housing body 22: Food Section 23: Terminal housing 23A: Lance 23B: Release piece 24: Wire insertion part 25: Mating lock receiver 26: Seal ring 27: Clamp 28: Containment Space 30: Retainer 31: Retainer body 32: Control section 33: Retaining part 34: Containment Unit 35: Second Rib 36: Retainer protrusion 37: Retainer recess 38: Bottom 39: Groove side 40: Flexure piece 40A: Locking protrusion 41: Groove 42: Lock receiving part 50: Front holder 51: Front wall 51A: Through hole 51B: Unlatching hole 52: Fitting cylinder 52A: Deflection space 53: Insertion hole 54: Insertion recess 55: First recess 56: Second recess 57: Locking structure 58: Rock Club 59: Bulkhead 60: Ribs 60A: First rib W: Electric wire

Claims

1. The terminal and a housing having a terminal accommodating portion in which the terminal is accommodated; a seal ring attached to the housing; a front holder that fits into the housing and prevents the seal ring from coming off; a retainer assembled to the housing and the front holder and movable in a first direction between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, When the retainer is in the temporary locking position, the terminal is allowed to be inserted into the terminal accommodating portion, When the retainer is in the full locking position, the terminal is prevented from slipping out of the terminal accommodating portion, the first direction intersects with a second direction in which the front holder is fitted to the housing, the front holder has an insertion recess into which the retainer is inserted in the first direction, an inner wall of the insertion recess is formed with a locking structure that locks with the retainer to hold the retainer at the temporary locking position and the full locking position; the inner wall of the insertion recess includes a one-side inner wall disposed on one side in the second direction and an other-side inner wall disposed on the other side in the second direction, the one-side inner wall and the other-side inner wall being disposed opposite to each other in the second direction, the locking structure includes a first recess recessed from the one side inner wall, and a second recess recessed from the one side inner wall and disposed deeper in the insertion recess than the first recess, The retainer includes a locking projection that projects from an outer surface of the retainer, The retainer is held in a provisionally locked position by the first recess and the locking projection being locked. The retainer is held in a full locking position by the second recess and the locking projection being locked together. the front holder includes a locking portion that protrudes from the other-side inner wall toward the retainer, is disposed flush with an outer surface of the front holder, and is exposed to the outside; the retainer includes a lock receiving portion that is arranged to be able to be locked with the lock portion in the first direction when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, The connector wherein the locking portion and the lock receiving portion are engaged with each other, thereby preventing the retainer from coming out of the insertion recess.

2. the housing includes a lance disposed in the terminal accommodating portion and adapted to engage with the terminal; The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the front holder has a deflection space for the lance.

3. A connector that is fitted to the inside of a mating hood portion, the front holder includes a first rib that protrudes from an outer surface of the front holder to one side in the first direction and extends in the second direction; the retainer includes a second rib that protrudes from an outer surface of the retainer to one side in the first direction and extends in the second direction; 3. A connector as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first rib and the second rib are arranged in series in the second direction and are adapted to slide against the inner surface of the mating hood portion when mated with the mating hood portion.

4. the front holder includes a fitting cylindrical portion that fits into the housing from the outside, the insertion recess is formed to penetrate the fitting cylindrical portion in a third direction that intersects both the first direction and the second direction, 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the engagement between the locking structure and the retainer is visible from the outside.

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