connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of being easily miniaturized.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises a housing 11, a lance 11B, an opening 11F, and an exterior wall part 13B. The housing 11 has a cavity 11A into which a terminal fitting 12 is to be inserted. The lance 11B, which can be elastically deformed, is locked to the terminal fitting 12 inserted into the cavity 11A so as to prevent the terminal fitting 12 from coming off. The opening 11F is opened in an exterior wall surface of the housing 11 so as to be capable of exposing the lance 11B on the exterior wall surface. The exterior wall part 13B is attached to the housing 11 so as to cover the opening 11F. The exterior wall part 13B moves to a separation position to get away from the lance 11B and permit the lance 11B to be elastically deformed and a proximity position to get close to the lance 11B and suppress the elastic deformation of the lance 11B so as to maintain a state in which the lance 11B is locked to the terminal fitting 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which a lance is provided in a cavity. When a terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity, the lance is elastically deformed by the terminal fitting, and when the terminal fitting reaches the proper position in the cavity, the lance elastically returns to prevent the terminal fitting from coming out.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the connector of Patent Document 1, a space for the lance to bend is provided in the connector housing. However, this space is a space used for the lance to bend when the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity, and is not used after the lance is locked to the terminal fitting. Therefore, when attempting to miniaturize the connector, forming such a space may hinder the miniaturization of the connector.

[0005] The present disclosure has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector that is easy to miniaturize.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure includes a housing having a cavity into which a terminal fitting is inserted, An elastically deformable lance that engages with the terminal fitting inserted into the cavity to prevent the terminal fitting from coming loose, An opening is provided in the outer wall surface of the housing, allowing the lance to be exposed on the outer wall surface, The housing is fitted with an outer wall portion that covers the opening, Equipped with, The aforementioned exterior wall portion is, A separation position that allows the lance to undergo elastic deformation, A proximity position that is close to the lance and suppresses the elastic deformation of the lance, thereby maintaining the state in which the lance is locked to the terminal fitting, Move to [location]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is easier to miniaturize the connector. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the housing. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the movable member. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connector with the outer wall sections spaced apart. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view of the connector with the outer wall sections in a spaced-out position. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 5. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector with the outer wall portions in a separated position. [Figure 9] Figure 9 corresponds to the AA cross-section in Figure 5, showing the state where the exterior wall is in close proximity. [Figure 10]Figure 10 corresponds to the BB cross-section in Figure 5, showing the state where the exterior wall is in close proximity. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector with the outer wall in close proximity. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The connector disclosed herein is (1) The device comprises a housing, a lance, an opening, and an outer wall. The housing has a cavity into which a terminal fitting is inserted. The lance is elastically deformable and locks onto the terminal fitting inserted into the cavity to prevent it from coming loose. The opening opens onto the outer wall surface of the housing, allowing the lance to be exposed on the outer wall surface. The outer wall is attached to the housing so as to cover the opening. The outer wall moves between a spaced-out position, which is spaced away from the lance and allows the lance to be elastically deformed, and a close-up position, which is close to the lance and suppresses the elastic deformation of the lance, maintaining the state in which the lance is locked onto the terminal fitting. With this configuration, when inserting or removing the terminal fitting from the cavity, the outer wall is moved to the spaced-out position to create a space into which the lance can be elastically deformed. After the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity, the space into which the lance can be elastically deformed can be eliminated by moving the outer wall to the close-up position. This prevents the formation of dead space within the housing after the terminal fittings have been inserted into the cavity.

[0010] (2) The connector of the present disclosure preferably further includes a retainer attached to the housing. The outer wall portion is integrally formed with the retainer. When the outer wall portion is in the separated position, the retainer is preferably disposed at a temporary locking position that allows insertion of the terminal fitting into the cavity. When the outer wall portion is in the proximity position, the retainer is preferably disposed at a main locking position that locks the terminal fitting inserted to the normal position within the cavity and prevents the terminal fitting from being removed. According to this configuration, since the outer wall portion and the retainer are integrally formed, the outer wall portion and the retainer can be moved together, whereby the two functions of suppressing the elastic deformation of the lance and the main locking of the terminal fitting can be achieved with one operation.

[0011] (3) In the connector of the present disclosure, it is preferable that a jig insertion port for inserting a jig for operating the lance is opened between the front end of the housing and the front end portion of the outer wall portion. When the outer wall portion is in the separated position, the opening dimension of the jig insertion port in the moving direction in which the outer wall portion moves between the separated position and the proximity position is preferably an insertable dimension that allows the jig to be inserted. When the outer wall portion is in the proximity position, the opening dimension is preferably an insertion suppression dimension that suppresses the insertion of the jig. According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress the insertion of the jig when the outer wall portion is in the proximity position and the elastic deformation of the lance is suppressed.

[0012] (4) In the connector of the present disclosure, the housing preferably has a plurality of cavities, and the outer wall portion preferably has a partition wall that partitions the jig insertion ports so as to correspond to each cavity. According to this configuration, it is easy to reliably insert the jig into the necessary cavity.

[0013] (5) In the connector of the present disclosure, a through hole through which a mating terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity is formed through the front end portion of the housing, and a partition portion that partitions the through hole and the jig insertion port is preferably provided. According to this configuration, the partition portion can prevent the jig from being erroneously inserted into the cavity.

[0014] (6) The outer wall portion of the connector disclosed herein is preferably located in front of the retainer and at the front end of the housing. The front end of the outer wall portion is preferably provided with a first locking portion for locking into the housing. The outer wall portion rearward of the first locking portion is preferably provided with a second locking portion for locking into the housing. With this configuration, the first locking portion locks the front end of the outer wall portion into the housing, thereby preventing the position of the front end of the outer wall portion relative to the housing from becoming unstable.

[0015] (7) In the connector of the present disclosure, when the lance deforms and comes into contact with the outer wall portion at a separated position, it is preferable that the stress generated during the elastic deformation of the lance is within the elastic limit of the lance. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the lance from undergoing plastic deformation (the lance remaining deformed).

[0016] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] <Embodiment 1> A connector 10 embodying this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. In the figures, "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "right," and "left" are represented by "F," "B," "U," "D," "R," and "L," respectively. In this embodiment 1, the left-right direction corresponds to the width direction. As shown in Figure 1, the connector 10 comprises a housing 11, terminal fittings 12, and a movable member 13.

[0017] [Housing Configuration] The housing 11 is made of synthetic resin. The housing 11 has a symmetrical block shape as a whole. As shown in Figure 2, multiple cavities 11A (five in this embodiment) that penetrate the housing 11 in the front-to-back direction are formed inside the housing 11 and are arranged in parallel in the left-to-right direction (width direction). Each cavity 11A is provided with a lance 11B that extends forward in a cantilevered manner along its lower surface. The lance 11B has the function of engaging with the terminal fitting 12 inserted into the cavity 11A to prevent the terminal fitting 12 from coming out. The lance 11B is elastically deformable downward.

[0018] At the front end of the housing 11, a through-hole 11C is formed, through which the mating terminal fitting T (see Figure 8) is inserted into the cavity 11A from the front. Below the through-hole 11C, a partition portion 11D is provided along the lower edge of the through-hole 11C. The partition portion 11D is provided along the lower edge of the front end of the housing 11.

[0019] The left and right edges of the housing 11 are provided with a pair of downwardly extending extensions 11E. An opening 11F is formed on the underside of the housing 11, between the pair of extensions 11E. The opening 11F opens to the outer wall surface of the housing 11 from the front-rear center to the front end, and is formed to expose the cavity 11A and lance 11B on the outer wall surface. Rearward of the lance 11B, a retainer insertion hole 11G is formed, recessed upward. The retainer insertion hole 11G is located rearward of the opening 11F and communicates with each cavity 11A.

[0020] A main locking projection 11H and a temporary locking projection 11J are provided on the left-right outer surfaces of a pair of extensions 11E, projecting outward in the left-right direction. The main locking projection 11H and the temporary locking projection 11J are formed to extend long in the front-rear direction. The main locking projection 11H is positioned above the temporary locking projection 11J. A locking claw 11K is provided on the left-right inner lower end of the front end of the pair of extensions 11E, projecting inward in the left-right direction. The locking claw 11K is positioned forward and below the main locking projection 11H and the temporary locking projection 11J.

[0021] [Terminal fitting configuration] The terminal fitting 12 is made of a conductive metal. As shown in Figure 1, the terminal fitting 12 is connected to the end of the electric wire 31 and has a rectangular tubular box portion 12A at its front. The tab of the mating terminal fitting T is inserted into the box portion 12A for connection. The terminal fitting 12 has a retaining portion 12B that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the box portion 12A. The terminal fitting 12 is inserted into each cavity 11A from the rear.

[0022] [Configuration of movable members] The movable member 13 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figure 3, the movable member 13 is configured as a single component that is symmetrical and block-shaped overall. The movable member 13 has a retainer 13A and an outer wall portion 13B. The retainer 13A is formed to be long in the left-right direction and is located at the rear end of the movable member 13. On the front side of the upper end of the retainer 13A, there are a number of locking portions 13C that protrude upward and are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction. These locking portions 13C lock from the rear to the rear end of the box portion 12A of the terminal fitting 12 inserted into the cavity 11A (see Figure 11).

[0023] The outer wall portion 13B is plate-shaped and oriented in the direction of its thickness. The outer wall portion 13B is positioned in front of the retainer 13A and is integrally formed with the retainer 13A. The outer wall portion 13B has a plurality of partition walls 13D, a pair of first locking portions 13E, and a pair of second locking portions 13F.

[0024] Multiple partition walls 13D are flat and oriented in the left-right direction. These partition walls 13D are arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction and are formed to protrude upward from the upper surface of the outer wall portion 13B.

[0025] The pair of first locking portions 13E are flat and oriented in the left-right direction along their thickness. The pair of first locking portions 13E are provided so as to rise one by one from each of the left-right edges of the front end of the outer wall portion 13B. On the left-right outer surfaces of the pair of first locking portions 13E are provided a close-position projection 13G and a spaced-out projection 13H that protrude outward in the left-right direction. The close-position projection 13G is positioned below the spaced-out projection 13H.

[0026] The pair of second locking portions 13F are flat and oriented in the left-right direction along their thickness. The pair of second locking portions 13F are arranged to rise one by one from each of the left-right edges of the outer wall portion 13B. The second locking portions 13F are located on the outer wall portion 13B behind the first locking portion 13E and are spaced apart from the first locking portion 13E. The upper inner ends of the pair of second locking portions 13F are provided with locking claws 13J that protrude inward in the left-right direction. The locking claws 13J are elongated in the front-rear direction and are positioned along the upper edge of the second locking portion 13F. The locking claws 13J are positioned above the proximity projection 13G and the separation projection 13H.

[0027] [Attachment of movable members and terminal fittings to the housing] The movable member 13 thus formed is attached to the housing 11 from below. Specifically, the outer wall portion 13B of the movable member 13 is attached so as to cover the opening 11F of the housing 11 (see Figure 4). At the same time, the retainer 13A of the movable member 13 is inserted and attached from below into the retainer insertion hole 11G of the housing 11 (see Figure 5).

[0028] First, in the outer wall portion 13B, a pair of first locking portions 13E are inserted between a pair of extension portions 11E, and a pair of second locking portions 13F are positioned to cover the left and right outer sides of the pair of extension portions 11E. Then, the spaced-out projection 13H of the first locking portion 13E passes upward over the locking claw 11K of the extension portion 11E and locks onto the locking claw 11K (see Figure 6). At the same time, the temporary locking projection 11J of the extension portion 11E adds the locking claw 13J of the second locking portion 13F downward and locks onto the locking claw 13J (see Figure 7). In this way, the first locking portion 13E and the second locking portion 13F are locked to the housing 11. At this time, the outer wall portion 13B is positioned below the lance 11B, which is not elastically deformed, and is spaced apart from the lance 11B (see Figure 8). When the outer wall portion 13B is positioned at a distance from each other, a deflection-allowable space S is formed between the lower surface of the lance 11B and the upper surface of the outer wall portion 13B, allowing the lance 11B to elastically deform downward (see Figure 8). At this time, the distance between the lower surface of the lance 11B and the upper surface of the outer wall portion 13B is set to be larger than the dimension required to remove the lance 11B from the terminal fitting 12.

[0029] As shown in Figure 8, when the outer wall portion 13B is in a separated position, the locking portion 13C of the retainer 13A does not enter the cavity 11A. At this time, the retainer 13A is positioned in a temporary locking position that allows the terminal fitting 12 to be inserted into the cavity 11A.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, when the movable member 13 is attached to the housing 11, a jig insertion opening 10A is formed between the front end of the housing 11 and the front end of the outer wall portion 13B. The jig insertion opening 10A is elongated in the left-right direction. Multiple partition walls 13D provided on the outer wall portion 13B are arranged to partition the jig insertion opening 10A in the left-right direction, corresponding to each cavity 11A. A jig J (see Figure 8) is inserted into the jig insertion opening 10A from the front. When the outer wall portion 13B is in a spaced-out position, the vertical opening dimension of the jig insertion opening 10A becomes the insertable dimension Sp into which the jig J can be inserted.

[0031] The jig J inserted into the jig insertion opening 10A contacts the front end of the lance 11B, allowing the lance 11B to be manipulated to elastically deform downwards. When the outer wall portion 13B is in a separated position, and the lance 11B elastically deforms downwards, as shown in Figure 8, the tip of the lance 11B abuts against the upper surface of the outer wall portion 13B, which is in a separated position, within the range of the lance 11B's elastic deformation. In other words, when the lance 11B deforms and contacts the outer wall portion 13B, which is in a separated position, the stress generated during the elastic deformation of the lance 11B is within the range of the lance 11B's elastic limit. This prevents the lance 11B from undergoing plastic deformation. The partition portion 11D of the housing 11 is positioned to separate the multiple insertion holes 11C from the jig insertion opening 10A. This prevents the jig J from accidentally entering the multiple insertion holes 11C.

[0032] Next, with the outer wall portion 13B in a separated position and the retainer 13A in a temporarily locked position, the terminal fitting 12 is inserted into the cavity 11A. During the insertion process of the terminal fitting 12, the lance 11B is pressed downward by the box portion 12A and the retaining portion 12B, causing it to elastically deform. When the terminal fitting 12 reaches the correct insertion position, the lance 11B elastically returns upward and locks into the retaining portion 12B, and this locking action holds the terminal fitting 12 in a locked state.

[0033] Next, the movable member 13 is pressed in an upward direction (upward) toward the housing 11. As a result, the proximity projection 13G of the first locking portion 13E passes upward through the locking claw 11K of the extension portion 11E of the housing 11 and locks onto the locking claw 11K (see Figure 9). At the same time, the main locking projection 11H of the extension portion 11E of the housing 11 adds the locking claw 13J of the second locking portion 13F downward and locks onto the locking claw 13J (see Figure 10). As a result, the outer wall portion 13B is positioned in close proximity to the lance 11B, as shown in Figure 11, suppressing the downward elastic deformation of the lance 11B and maintaining the state in which the lance 11B is locked to the retaining portion 12B of the terminal fitting 12. At the close-proximity position, the distance between the lower surface of the lance 11B and the upper surface of the outer wall portion 13B is set to be smaller than the dimension required to detach the lance 11B from the terminal fitting 12. The direction in which the outer wall portion 13B moves between the separated position and the close-proximity position is vertical (the direction of deflection of the lance 11B).

[0034] The retainer 13A is inserted deeply into the retainer insertion hole 11G. The locking portion 13C of the retainer 13A is positioned adjacent to the rear end of the box portion 12A of the terminal fitting 12, which has been inserted to its proper position within the cavity 11A. In this way, the retainer 13A is positioned in a locking position that locks onto the terminal fitting 12, which has been inserted to its proper position within the cavity 11A, and prevents the terminal fitting 12 from being removed when the outer wall portion 13B is in close proximity.

[0035] In this case, the vertical opening dimension of the jig insertion port 10A is smaller than the insertable dimension Sp when the outer wall portion 13B is in a spaced-out position. As a result, insertion of the jig J into the jig insertion port 10A is suppressed. When the outer wall portion 13B is in a close position, the vertical opening dimension of the jig insertion port 10A is smaller than the insertable dimension Sp when the outer wall portion 13B is in a spaced-out position, resulting in an insertion suppression dimension Ss that suppresses the insertion of the jig J.

[0036] Next, the operation of Embodiment 1 will be described. The connector 10 of this disclosure comprises a housing 11, a lance 11B, an opening 11F, and an outer wall portion 13B. The housing 11 has a cavity 11A into which a terminal fitting 12 is inserted. The lance 11B engages with the terminal fitting 12 inserted in the cavity 11A to prevent the terminal fitting 12 from coming out and is elastically deformable. The opening 11F opens into the outer wall surface of the housing 11, allowing the lance 11B to be exposed on the outer wall surface. The outer wall portion 13B is attached to the housing 11 so as to cover the opening 11F. The outer wall portion 13B moves between a spaced position, which is spaced away from the lance 11B and allows the lance 11B to elastically deform, and a close position, which is close to the lance 11B and suppresses the elastic deformation of the lance 11B, maintaining the state in which the lance 11B is engaged with the terminal fitting 12. With this configuration, when inserting or removing the terminal fitting 12 from the cavity 11A, the outer wall portion 13B is moved to a spaced-out position, thereby creating a space in which the lance 11B can elastically deform. After inserting the terminal fitting 12 into the correct position in the cavity 11A, the outer wall portion 13B is moved to a close-proximity position, eliminating the space in which the lance 11B can elastically deform. This prevents the formation of dead space within the housing 11 after the terminal fitting 12 has been inserted into the cavity 11A.

[0037] The connector 10 of this disclosure further comprises a retainer 13A attached to the housing 11. The outer wall portion 13B is integrally formed with the retainer 13A, and when the outer wall portion 13B is in a spaced position, the retainer 13A is positioned in a temporary locking position that allows insertion of the terminal fitting 12 into the cavity 11A. When the outer wall portion 13B is in a close position, the retainer 13A is positioned in a permanent locking position that locks onto the terminal fitting 12 once it has been inserted to its normal position in the cavity 11A, preventing the terminal fitting 12 from being removed. With this configuration, since the outer wall portion 13B and the retainer 13A are integrally formed, the outer wall portion 13B and the retainer 13A can be moved together. This makes it possible to perform two functions—suppression of elastic deformation of the lance 11B and permanent locking of the terminal fitting 12—in a single operation.

[0038] In the connector 10 of this disclosure, a jig insertion port 10A is provided between the front end of the housing 11 and the front end of the outer wall portion 13B, into which a jig J for operating the lance 11B is inserted. When the outer wall portion 13B is in a spaced-out position, the opening dimension of the jig insertion port 10A in the direction of movement of the outer wall portion 13B between the spaced-out position and the close-up position becomes an insertable dimension Sp into which the jig J can be inserted. When the outer wall portion 13B is in a close-up position, the opening dimension becomes an insertion-restricting dimension Ss into which the insertion of the jig J is suppressed. With this configuration, the insertion of the jig J can be suppressed when the outer wall portion 13B is in a close-up position and the elastic deformation of the lance 11B is suppressed.

[0039] In the connector 10 of this disclosure, the housing 11 has a plurality of cavities 11A, and the outer wall portion 13B has partition walls 13D that divide the jig insertion opening 10A to correspond to each cavity 11A. With this configuration, it is easy to reliably insert the jig J into the required cavity 11A.

[0040] In the connector 10 of this disclosure, a through hole 11C is formed at the front end of the housing 11 through which the mating terminal fitting T is inserted into the cavity 11A, and a partition portion 11D is provided to separate the through hole 11C from the jig insertion opening 10A. With this configuration, the partition portion 11D can prevent the jig J from being mistakenly inserted into the cavity 11A.

[0041] The outer wall portion 13B of the connector 10 disclosed herein is located in front of the retainer 13A and positioned at the front end of the housing 11. The front end of the outer wall portion 13B is provided with a first locking portion 13E that locks into the housing 11. The outer wall portion 13B rearward of the first locking portion 13E is provided with a second locking portion 13F that locks into the housing 11. With this configuration, the first locking portion 13E locks the front end of the outer wall portion 13B into the housing 11, thereby preventing the position of the front end of the outer wall portion 13B relative to the housing 11 from becoming unstable.

[0042] In the connector 10 of this disclosure, when the lance 11B deforms and makes contact with the outer wall portion 13B at a separated position, the stress generated during the elastic deformation of the lance 11B is within the elastic limit of the lance 11B. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the lance 11B from undergoing plastic deformation (i.e., remaining deformed).

[0043] [Other embodiments of this disclosure] This disclosure is not limited to Embodiment 1 described above in the description and drawings. The present invention includes the meaning of equivalents of the claims and all modifications within the claims, and is intended to include embodiments such as those described below. (1) Unlike Embodiment 1, a configuration in which only the second locking portion is provided and the first locking portion is not provided is also acceptable. (2) The terminal fitting may be a male terminal fitting. (3) The number of cavities is not limited to the number in Embodiment 1. (4) Unlike Embodiment 1, the movable member and the housing may be integrally molded in such a way that they are connected via a flexible hinge. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 10… Connectors 10A... Jig insertion port 11… Housing 11A... Cavity 11B...Lance 11C... Through hole 11D... Partition section 11E...Extension part 11F…Opening 11G…Retainer insertion hole 11H…Final locking protrusion 11J... Temporary locking projection 11K…Latching claw 12…Terminal fittings 12A…Hakobe 12B…Retaining part 13…Movable parts 13A...Retainer 13B…Outer wall part 13C…Locking part 13D... Partition wall 13E…First locking part 13F…Second locking part 13G… Proximity protrusion 13H…Separated position protrusion 13J…Latching claw 31...Electric wire J... Jig S... Allowable space for deflection Sp... Insertable dimensions Ss... Insertion restraint dimensions T...Mating terminal fitting

Claims

1. A housing having a cavity into which terminal fittings are inserted, An elastically deformable lance that engages with the terminal fitting inserted into the cavity to prevent the terminal fitting from coming loose, An opening is provided in the outer wall surface of the housing, allowing the lance to be exposed on the outer wall surface, The housing is fitted with an outer wall portion that covers the opening, Equipped with, The aforementioned exterior wall portion is, A separation position that allows the lance to undergo elastic deformation, A proximity position that is close to the lance and suppresses the elastic deformation of the lance, thereby maintaining the state in which the lance is locked to the terminal fitting, Move to The housing has one extension on each of its left and right edges, The left and right edges of the outer wall portion are provided with a pair of first locking portions and a pair of second locking portions that engage with the extension portion. The pair of first locking portions are arranged between the pair of extension portions. A connector in which a pair of the second locking portions are arranged to cover the left-right outer sides of the pair of extension portions.

2. The housing further comprises a retainer that is attached to the housing, The outer wall portion is formed integrally with the retainer, When the outer wall portion is in the separated position, the retainer is positioned in a temporary locking position that allows the terminal fitting to be inserted into the cavity. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, when the outer wall portion is in the proximity position, the retainer is positioned in a locking position that engages with the terminal fitting inserted to its normal position in the cavity to prevent the terminal fitting from being removed.

3. Between the front end of the housing and the front end of the outer wall, there is an opening for inserting a jig into which a jig for operating the lance is inserted. When the outer wall portion is in the separated position, the opening dimensions of the jig insertion port in the direction of movement of the outer wall portion between the separated position and the adjacent position become the insertion dimensions into which the jig can be inserted. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the outer wall portion is in the proximity position, the opening dimension becomes an insertion-restricting dimension that prevents the insertion of the jig.

4. The housing has a plurality of cavities, The connector according to claim 3, wherein the outer wall portion has a partition wall that divides the jig insertion opening so as to correspond to each of the cavities.

5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the front end of the housing has a through-hole formed through which a mating terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity, and a partition is provided to separate the through-hole from the jig insertion opening.

6. The aforementioned exterior wall portion is, It is located in front of the aforementioned retainer and positioned at the front end of the housing, The front end of the outer wall portion is provided with a first locking portion that locks into the housing. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the outer wall portion rearward of the first locking portion is provided with a second locking portion that locks to the housing.

7. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the lance deforms and comes into contact with the outer wall portion at the separated position, the stress generated during the elastic deformation of the lance is within the elastic limit of the lance.

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