connector

Abstract

To prevent a terminal module from detaching from an accommodation space of a housing with certainty.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises: a terminal module 30 that has a terminal metal fitting 31 to be connected with an electric wire 33; and a housing 20 that accommodates the terminal module 30. The housing 20 has: a housing main body 60 that has an accommodation space S1 for accommodating the terminal module 30; and a cover 70 that covers the accommodation space S1. The housing main body 60 is provided with a lock part 162 for restricting the terminal module 30 from detaching from the accommodation space S1. The cover 70 is provided with a holding projection 75 for restricting the lock part 162 from being deflected and deformed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] The L-shaped connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an L-shaped terminal, an L-shaped inner housing made of insulating resin for accommodating the L-shaped terminal, a shield shell made of conductive metal for covering the horizontal cylindrical portion of the inner housing, a conductive housing made of conductive metal for accommodating the vertical rectangular cylindrical portion of the inner housing, and an outer housing made of insulating resin for covering the shield shell.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a configuration where a terminal module composed of a plurality of terminal fittings is inserted into a housing accommodation space through an opening as in the connector of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to securely hold the terminal module within the accommodation space. Therefore, a configuration capable of reliably preventing the terminal module from detaching from the housing accommodation space is required.

[0005] The present disclosure has been completed based on the above circumstances, and can reliably prevent the terminal module from detaching from the housing accommodation space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure includes a terminal module having terminal fittings connected to electric wires, a housing for accommodating the terminal module, Equipped with, The aforementioned housing is A housing body having a housing space for housing the terminal module, A cover that covers the aforementioned storage space, It has, The housing body is provided with a locking mechanism that restricts the terminal module from detaching from the housing space. The cover is provided with retaining protrusions that restrict the bending deformation of the locking portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to reliably prevent the terminal module from detaching from the housing space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front perspective view showing an example of a connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view including a partial cross-section of the terminal module. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal module from the right side. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the housing body from the rear. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the connector from the rear, with the cover removed. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector from the right side when it is mated to the mating connector. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken at a different location than in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the state of inserting the terminal module into the cable routing space. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the state in which the terminal module is inserted into the housing space. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a perspective view seen from the rear side of the connector. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the state before the cover is assembled to the housing body. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view seen from the front side of the cover. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the A-A cross section of FIG. 7 in the state before the cover is assembled to the housing body. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the A-A cross section of FIG. 7 in the state after the cover is assembled to the housing body.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure (1) includes a terminal module having a terminal fitting connected to an electric wire, a housing that houses the terminal module, and the housing includes a housing body having a housing space for housing the terminal module, a cover that covers the housing space, and a lock portion for restricting the detachment of the terminal module from the housing space of the housing body is provided on the housing body, a holding projection for restricting the bending deformation of the lock portion is provided on the cover. According to the connector of the present disclosure, the detachment of the terminal module from the housing space of the housing body can be restricted by the lock portion. Moreover, by assembling the cover to the housing body, the bending deformation of the lock portion can be restricted by the holding projection of the cover, so that the detachment of the terminal module from the housing space can be reliably prevented.

[0010] (2) Preferably, the locking portion is provided with a tapered surface that is inclined to protrude toward the entry path of the retaining projection as it moves toward the front side in the direction of assembly of the cover to the housing body. This configuration prevents the retaining protrusion from hitting the locking mechanism on the housing body when the cover is assembled to the housing body.

[0011] (3) Preferably, the housing body is provided with a retaining wall located on the opposite side of the locking portion from the retaining projection, which prevents the retaining projection from separating from the locking portion. With this configuration, the retaining projection can be prevented from separating from the locking part by the protective wall, and bending of the locking part can be reliably prevented.

[0012] (4) Preferably, the protective wall is provided with a guide surface that is inclined to protrude toward the entry path of the retaining projection as it moves toward the front side in the direction of assembly of the cover to the housing body. This configuration prevents the retaining protrusions from hitting the protective wall when the cover is assembled onto the housing body.

[0013] (5) The cover is provided with a locking claw that engages with the outer surface of the housing body, In the cover, it is preferable that the locking claw is positioned near the retaining projection. With this configuration, the retaining wall prevents the retaining projection from moving away from the locking part, so the locking claw located near the retaining projection also becomes difficult to move.

[0014] (6) The cover is provided with a sealing ring that is in close contact with the sealing surface between the cover and the housing body, and it is preferable that the outer surface of the retaining projection is flush with the sealing surface. With this configuration, compared to a configuration where there is a step between the outer surface of the retaining protrusion and the sealing surface, there is no risk of the seal ring catching on such a step when attaching it to the cover, making the process of attaching the seal ring to the cover smoother.

[0015] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] [Example 1] Embodiment 1 of the connector of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 15. In Embodiment 1, the up and down directions are defined as upward and downward, respectively, as shown in Figures 1 to 13. The front and back directions are defined as forward and backward, respectively, as shown on the left and right sides in Figures 1 to 15. The left and right directions are defined as left and right, respectively, as shown on the rear and front sides in Figures 1 to 13.

[0016] (Connector configuration) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector 10 of this embodiment 1 comprises a housing 20, a terminal module 30, a plug 41, a plug cover 42, a first seal ring 43, and a second seal ring 44. The connector 10 is configured as a female connector. The terminal module 30 is housed in the housing 20.

[0017] Connector 10 is connected to the mating connector 50, as shown in Figure 7. The mating connector 50 is configured as a male connector. The mating connector 50 comprises a mating housing 51 and a mating terminal fitting 52. When housing 20 and mating housing 51 are mated together, the terminal fitting 31 (described later) and the mating terminal fitting 52 are connected.

[0018] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the terminal module 30 comprises a terminal fitting 31 and a terminal housing member 32. The terminal module 30 is configured as a rectangular block in plan view, elongated in the left-right direction. The terminal fitting 31 is connected to the electric wire 33. The electric wire 33 has a conductor 33A and an insulating sheath 33B covering the conductor 33A. The terminal fitting 31 has a box portion 31A, a first crimping portion 31B, and a second crimping portion 31C. The mating terminal fitting 52 is inserted into the box portion 31A. The first crimping portion 31B is crimped to the insulating sheath 33B. The second crimping portion 31C is crimped to the conductor 33A leading out from the insulating sheath 33B of the electric wire 33.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the terminal housing member 32 comprises a main body 34 and a front part 35. The main body 34 and the front part 35 are each single components made of synthetic resin. The terminal housing member 32 is constructed by assembling the front part 35 to the main body 34 from above. The terminal housing member 32 houses a plurality of terminal fittings 31 (four terminal fittings 31 in this embodiment) arranged in a single row in the left-right direction (arrangement direction). The terminal housing member 32 is provided with a plurality of terminal housing chambers 32A (four terminal housing chambers 32A in this embodiment). An opening 32B of the terminal housing chamber 32A is provided at the front end of the terminal housing member 32. The electric wires 33 connected to each of the plurality of terminal fittings 31 are led out from the rear end of the terminal housing member 32. The main body 34 is provided with a lance 34A to prevent the terminal fittings 31 from coming loose.

[0020] Of the four terminal fittings 31, the two wires connected to the two inner terminal fittings 31 in the left-right direction (arrangement direction) are differential pair wires for communication. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the two wires 33 configured as a differential pair wire are surrounded by an insulating sheath 36. The sheath 36 prevents the two wires 33 configured as a differential pair wire from separating, thereby preventing deterioration of communication performance. The two wires connected to the two outer terminal fittings 31 in the left-right direction (arrangement direction) are, for example, wires for power supply.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 7, the housing 20 has a housing body 60 and a cover 70. The housing 20 is L-shaped when viewed from the left and right directions. The housing body 60 and the cover 70 are each single parts made of synthetic resin. The housing 20 is constructed by assembling the cover 70 to the housing body 60.

[0022] As shown in Figure 5, the housing body 60 comprises a cable routing side body portion 61, a housing side body portion 62, and a hood portion 63. The cable routing side body portion 61 is cylindrical and extends vertically. A rectangular body-side opening 61A is provided at the rear end of the cable routing side body portion 61. A first opening 61B (see Figure 7) that penetrates vertically is provided at the lower end of the cable routing side body portion 61. The housing side body portion 62 protrudes forward from the upper end of the cable routing side body portion 61. The hood portion 63 covers the outer circumference of the housing side body portion 62. A second seal ring 44 is positioned between the hood portion 63 and the housing side body portion 62.

[0023] A housing space S1 for housing the terminal module 30 is provided inside the housing body 62. The housing space S1 is a rectangular parallelepiped space that is long in the left-right direction. The front end of the housing space S1 is open to the outside for inserting the mating terminal fitting 52. A second opening 62A is provided at the rear end of the housing space S1 in the housing body 62. The terminal module 30 is inserted from the rear through the second opening 62A.

[0024] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the main body 61 on the cable routing side is provided with a first cable routing section 64. The first cable routing section 64 has a wave shape when viewed from the left-right direction. Any cross-section of the first cable routing section 64 perpendicular to the left-right direction has the same shape. The first cable routing section 64 constitutes the left-right central portion of the front wall inside the main body 61 on the cable routing side. The left-right width of the first cable routing section 64 is approximately the same as the sum of the diameters of the four electric wires 33. The first cable routing section 64 has a first convex portion 64A, a first concave portion 64B, a second convex portion 64C, and a first flat portion 64D. The first cable routing section 64 is arranged from top to bottom in the order of the first convex portion 64A, the first concave portion 64B, the second convex portion 64C, and the first flat portion 64D. The first convex portion 64A protrudes backward in a mountain shape. The first protrusion 64A constitutes the rear end portion of the lower wall that forms the accommodation space S1. The first recess 64B is recessed forward. The second protrusion 64C protrudes rearward in a mountain shape. The tip of the second protrusion 64C is located forward of the tip of the first protrusion 64A. The first protrusion 64A and the second protrusion 64C have a convex curved top. The first flat portion 64D has surfaces parallel to the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the wiring side main body 61 is provided with a pair of anti-opening walls 65 to prevent the multiple electric wires 33 from spreading apart. The anti-opening walls 65 are provided adjacent to both the left and right sides of the first wiring section 64 on the front wall inside the wiring side main body 61. The pair of anti-opening walls 65 and the first wiring section 64 form a stepped structure in which the center in the left-right direction is recessed towards the front. As shown in Figures 5 and 8, a guide surface 66 for guiding the terminal module 30 is provided on the lower end side of the anti-opening wall 65. The guide surface 66 is an inclined surface that protrudes rearward as it goes upward. The rear end of the guide surface 66 is located in a position that coincides with the rear end (second opening 62A) of the housing space S1 in the vertical direction.

[0026] As shown in Figure 7, a plug housing section 61C for housing the plug 41 is provided at the lower end of the main body section 61 on the cable side. The plug housing section 61C is open to the outside through a first opening 61B. The plug 41, which is configured as a rubber plug, is press-fitted into the plug housing section 61C. The sheath 36 passes through a through hole 41A provided in the center of the plug 41. The plug cover 42 closes the first opening 61B and prevents the plug 41 from coming out.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the cable routing side main body 61 is provided with a locking receiving portion 67 into which the locking claw 73 of the cover 70, which will be described later, engages.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the cover 70 has a plate portion 71, a bulging portion 72, a locking claw 73, and a second cable routing portion 74. The cover 70 covers the housing space S1 of the housing body 60 from the rear. The plate portion 71 is a rectangular plate shape corresponding to the shape of the body-side opening 61A of the housing body 60. The plate portion 71 closes the body-side opening 61A. The bulging portion 72 bulges forward from the center of the front surface of the plate portion 71. A first seal ring 43 is assembled on the outer circumference of the bulging portion 72. A pair of locking claws 73 are provided on both the left and right sides of the plate portion 71. The locking claws 73 engage with the outer surface of the housing body 60 (more specifically, the locking receiving portion 67).

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the second cable section 74 protrudes forward from the center and lower end of the bulging section 72 in the left-right direction. The width of the second cable section 74 in the left-right direction is slightly smaller than the width of the first cable section 64 in the left-right direction. Any cross-section of the second cable section 74 perpendicular to the left-right direction has the same shape. The second cable section 74 has a third convex portion 74A and a second flat portion 74B. The second cable section 74 is arranged from top to bottom in the order of the third convex portion 74A and the second flat portion 74B. The third convex portion 74A protrudes forward in a mountain shape. The third convex portion 74A has a convex curved top. The second flat portion 74B has surfaces parallel to the vertical and left-right directions.

[0030] As shown in Figure 7, a wiring space S2 is provided between the housing body 60 and the cover 70, through which the electric wire 33 is routed. More specifically, the wiring space S2 is formed by a first wiring section 64, a second wiring section 74, and a pair of opening prevention walls 65. The wiring space S2 is formed above and adjacent to the plug housing section 61C. The electric wire 33 routed in the wiring space S2 is led out downward from the housing 20 through the first opening 61B.

[0031] As shown in Figure 7, the housing body 60 and cover 70 are provided with strain relief sections 80 that hold all the electric wires 33 in the wiring space S2 in a bent state. The strain relief section 80 is composed of a first wiring section 64 and a second wiring section 74. The electric wires 33 in the wiring space S2 are held in a wavy bend when viewed from the left and right directions by being held between the first wiring section 64 and the second wiring section 74 from the front and rear directions. Specifically, the electric wires 33 led out from the terminal module 30 to the rear are pushed toward the first protrusion 64A by the second wiring section 74, causing them to bend so as to protrude rearward along the first protrusion 64A and so as to protrude forward along the third protrusion 74A. This restricts the movement of all electric wires 33 in the wiring space S2. Furthermore, even if the electric wire 33 leading out from the housing 20 is pulled downward, the electric wire does not get caught in the first wiring section 64 and the second wiring section 74 and shift downward, thus suppressing the tensile force acting on the connection portion 37 between the electric wire 33 and the terminal fitting 31. Therefore, damage to the connection portion 37 between the electric wire 33 and the terminal fitting 31 can be suppressed. The connection portion 37 is composed of the first crimping section 31B, the second crimping section 31C, and a part of the conductor 33A that is crimped to them.

[0032] The four electric wires 33 are routed in parallel in the left-right direction within the routing space S2. The electric wires 33 within the routing space S2 are sandwiched from the outside in the left-right direction (arrangement direction) by a pair of anti-opening walls 65. If the electric wires 33 on the outside in the left-right direction (arrangement direction) spread outwards, excess length will be created in the spread electric wires 33, and these spread electric wires 33 will come out of the routing space S2 and will no longer catch on the first routing section 64 and the second routing section 74. Therefore, there is a risk that the spread electric wires 33 will no longer function as strain relief. However, by sandwiching the multiple electric wires 33 from the outside in the left-right direction (arrangement direction) with a pair of anti-opening walls 65, the length of all electric wires 33 within the routing space S2 can be made equal, and all electric wires 33 can function as strain relief.

[0033] The terminal module 30 is assembled into the housing body 60 by the process shown in Figures 9 and 10. As shown in Figure 9, the terminal module 30 is inserted into the housing body 60 through the first opening 61B and the plug housing portion 61C. As shown in Figure 9, the terminal module 30 is inserted into the housing body 60 in a position such that the arrangement direction of the multiple terminal fittings 31 is in the left-right direction. The direction in which the terminal module 30 is inserted into the housing body 60 through the first opening 61B is called the first insertion direction. The first insertion direction is the up-down direction. The front side of the first insertion direction is the upward side. The rear side of the first insertion direction is the downward side.

[0034] The terminal module 30 is inserted into the housing space S1 through the second opening 62A. The direction in which the terminal module 30 is inserted into the housing space S1 through the second opening 62A is called the second insertion direction. The second insertion direction is the direction that intersects with the first insertion direction. The second insertion direction is the direction perpendicular to the first insertion direction and is the front-to-back direction. The front side of the second insertion direction is the front side. The rear side of the second insertion direction is the rear side.

[0035] The pair of left and right guide surfaces 66 guide the terminal module 30, which is moving forward (upward) in the first insertion direction, to the rear (rear) side in the second insertion direction. Specifically, the terminal module 30, which is moving upward inside the housing body 60 from the first opening 61B, comes into contact with the pair of left and right guide surfaces 66 from below, and when it tries to move further upward, it is guided to the rear and upward side by the guide surfaces 66. As a result, the terminal module 30 moves to the rear of the housing space S1 and the second opening 62A. Specifically, the terminal module 30 pops out to the rear of the housing body 60 through the body-side opening 61A. Subsequently, by tilting the terminal module 30 forward so that its tip faces forward behind the second opening 62A, it becomes easier to smoothly insert the terminal module 30 into the housing space S1.

[0036] By providing a strain relief section 80 inside the housing 20, it becomes easier to create the necessary excess length of the electric wire 33 when housing the terminal module 30 in the housing space S1. Specifically, when the terminal module 30 is positioned in the insertion position relative to the housing space S1 at the rear of the housing space S1 (as shown in Figure 2), an excess length of the electric wire 33 protruding rearward from the housing body 60 is required. Because the strain relief section 80 bends the electric wire 33, the length of the electric wire 33 is set to be longer compared to a configuration in which the electric wire 33 is routed in a straight line. Therefore, by utilizing the longer routed portion of the electric wire 33, the necessary excess length of the electric wire 33 when housing the terminal module 30 in the housing space S1 can be created.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, the end (upper end) 36A of the sheath 36 on the forward side in the first insertion direction is located within the formation range AR of the guide surface 66 in the first insertion direction (vertical direction). The formation range AR is the range from the lower end to the upper end of the guide surface 66 in the vertical direction. The housing body 60 is provided with a recess 68 that is recessed forward of the guide surface 66 at a position that overlaps with the guide surface 66 in the first insertion direction. The recess 68 is composed of the lower end portions of a pair of anti-opening walls 65 and the lower end portion of the first cable routing portion 64 (the lower end portion of the second protrusion 64C and the upper end portion of the first flat portion 64D). The end 36A of the sheath 36 can be inserted into the recess 68. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the end 36A of the sheath 36 from interfering with the guide surface 66 of the housing body 60, etc.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, the strain relief section 80 comprises a first bending path 81 and a second bending path 82. The first bending path 81 is a path that bends and holds the electric wire 33 at the lower end of the wiring space S2. The second bending path 82 is a path that bends and holds the electric wire 33 at the upper end of the wiring space S2. The second bending path 82 is located closer to the housing space S1 than the first bending path 81. The first bending path 81 includes a first recess 64B and a third protrusion 74A. The second bending path 82 includes a first protrusion 64A and a part of the bulging portion 72 (the part facing the first protrusion 64A in the front-rear direction).

[0039] The clearance between the second bent path 82 and the electric wire 33 is smaller than the clearance between the first bent path 81 and the electric wire 33. For example, the clearance between the first bent path 81 and the electric wire 33 is the gap that occurs between the first bent path 81 and the electric wire 33 in the front-rear direction. The clearance between the second bent path 82 and the electric wire 33 is the gap that occurs between the second bent path 82 and the electric wire 33 in the front-rear direction. For example, as shown in Figure 7, there is almost no clearance between the second bent path 82 and the electric wire 33, and it is smaller than the clearance between the first bent path 81 and the electric wire 33. As a result, 1 Bending path 81 Rather than 2 Bending path82 This makes it easier to suppress rattling (vibration) of the electric wire 33 in the front-to-back direction. As a result, the load on the connection part 37 between the electric wire 33 and the terminal fitting 31 can be reduced.

[0040] (Retaining structure for terminal modules) As shown in Figure 11, the terminal module 30 is held by the housing body 60 and the cover 70. As shown in Figure 12, the cover 70 is assembled to the housing body 60 from the rear.

[0041] As shown in Figure 14, the housing body 60 is provided with a pair of side walls 161 that constitute the front end portion of the housing space S1. The pair of side walls 161 face each other in the left-right direction. The pair of side walls 161 sandwich the terminal module 30, which is housed in the housing space S1, from both sides in the left-right direction. The housing body 60 is provided with a pair of locking parts 162 that extend rearward from the rear ends of the pair of side walls 161. The locking parts 162 restrict the terminal module 30 from leaving the housing space S1. The locking parts 162 are capable of bending and deforming outward in the left-right direction (opposite to the other locking part 162). The locking part 162 has an extension 162A that tapers to the rearward side in a plan view, and a protrusion 162B that protrudes inward in the left-right direction (towards the other locking part 162) from the middle of the extension 162A. The rear side of the protrusion 162B is inclined to protrude inward in the left-right direction (towards the other locking portion 162) as it moves forward.

[0042] As shown in Figure 14, the pair of locking parts 162 are hooked onto the left and right sides of the rear end of the terminal module 30 when it is housed in the housing space S1. The protrusion 162B is located behind the rear end of the terminal module 30. As a result, the terminal module 30 is restricted from moving backward by the pair of locking parts 162. In this way, the pair of locking parts 162 can restrict the terminal module 30 from leaving the housing space S1 of the housing body 60.

[0043] As shown in Figure 13, the cover 70 is provided with a pair of retaining protrusions 75 that restrict the bending deformation of the locking portion 162. The pair of retaining protrusions 75 protrude forward from a position slightly below the left and right ends on the upper side of the bulging portion 72. The retaining protrusions 75 are rectangular parallelepipeds that are elongated in the vertical direction and have rounded corners. As shown in Figure 15, when the cover 70 is assembled to the housing body 60, the retaining protrusions 75 are positioned opposite the left and right outer side of the locking portion 162 (opposite side from the other locking portion 162). Specifically, the tip (front end) of the retaining protrusion 75 is positioned opposite the tip (rear end) of the locking portion 162 from the left and right outer side (opposite side from the other locking portion 162). By interfering with the locking portion 162, the retaining protrusions 75 can restrict the bending deformation of the locking portion 162 outward in the left and right direction. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the terminal module 30 from coming out of the housing space S1.

[0044] As shown in Figure 14, the locking portion 162 is provided with a tapered surface 162C. The tapered surface 162C is the left-right outer surface of the locking portion 162 (opposite to the other locking portion 162). The tapered surface 162C is inclined to protrude toward the entry path of the retaining projection 75 as it moves toward the front side (see Figure 15) in the direction of assembly of the cover 70 to the housing body 60 (front-rear direction). The entry path of the retaining projection 75 is a long path in the front-rear direction formed by the locking portion 162 and the prevention wall 163, which will be described later. With this configuration, as shown in Figure 15, when the cover 70 is assembled to the housing body 60, the retaining projection 75 moves forward along the tapered surface 162C of the locking portion 162, thus preventing the retaining projection 75 from hitting the locking portion 162.

[0045] As shown in Figure 14, the housing body 60 is provided with a pair of protective walls 163 that constitute the rear end portion of the storage space S1. The protective walls 163 are walls that prevent the retaining projection 75 from separating from the locking portion 162. The protective walls 163 are spaced apart on the left-right outer side of the locking portion 162 (opposite side from the other locking portion 162). As shown in Figure 15, when the cover 70 is assembled to the housing body 60, the protective walls 163 are located on the opposite side of the locking portion 162 from the retaining projection 75. The protective walls 163 restrict the movement of the retaining projection 75 outward in the left-right direction by interfering with the retaining projection 75. In this way, the protective walls 163 can prevent the retaining projection 75 from separating from the locking portion 162, and can reliably prevent the bending of the locking portion 162.

[0046] As shown in Figure 14, the protective wall 163 is provided with a guide surface 163A. The guide surface 163A is the inner surface of the protective wall 163 in the left-right direction (towards the other protective wall 163). The guide surface 163A is inclined to protrude toward the entry path of the retaining projection 75 as it moves toward the front side (see Figure 15) in the direction of assembly of the cover 70 to the housing body 60 (front-rear direction). As a result, when assembling the cover 70 to the housing body 60 as shown in Figure 15, the retaining projection 75 moves forward along the guide surface 163A of the protective wall 163, thus preventing the retaining projection 75 from hitting the protective wall 163.

[0047] As shown in Figure 14, the housing body 60 is provided with a body-side opening 61A behind the protective wall 163. In the cross-section shown in Figure 14, the body-side opening 61A is recessed outward in the left-right direction (on the opposite side from the other protective wall 163) compared to the inner surface (guide surface 163A) of the protective wall 163. That is, a step is formed between the body-side opening 61A and the guide surface 163A. The rear end of the guide surface 163A is provided with a chamfered portion 163B from which the corner has been removed. The rear end of the body-side opening 61A is provided with a chamfered portion 61D from which the corner has been removed.

[0048] figure 13As shown, in the cover 70, the upper locking claw 73 is positioned near the retaining projection 75. The upper locking claw 73 is at the same height as the retaining projection 75 in the vertical direction. The upper pair of locking claws 73 are positioned to sandwich the pair of retaining projections 75 from both the left and right sides. The left locking claw 73 is spaced apart from the left retaining projection 75 in the left direction by a distance approximately equal to the width of the first seal ring 43. The right locking claw 73 is spaced apart from the right retaining projection 75 in the left direction by a distance approximately equal to the width of the first seal ring 43. The position of the tip (front end) of the locking claw 73 is at the same position as the tip (front end) of the retaining projection 75 in the front-rear direction. Because the retaining projection 75 is prevented from moving away from the locking portion 162 by the retaining wall 163, the locking claws 73 located near the retaining projection 75 also do not move easily.

[0049] As shown in Figure 13, the side surface of the bulge 72 forms a sealing surface 72A between the cover 70 and the housing body 60. As shown in Figure 15, the first seal ring 43 is in close contact with the sealing surface 72A when the cover 70 is assembled to the housing body 60. The outer surface 75A of the retaining projection 75 is flush with the sealing surface 72A. This eliminates the risk of the first seal ring 43 getting caught on such a step when attaching it to the cover 70, compared to a configuration where there is a step between the outer surface of the retaining projection 75 and the sealing surface 72A, making the process of attaching the first seal ring 43 to the cover 70 smoother.

[0050] (The process of assembling the cover onto the housing body) As shown in Figure 14, with the terminal module 30 housed in the housing body 60, the cover 70 with the first seal ring 43 attached is assembled from the rear, as shown in Figure 12. The retaining projection 75 moves forward along the entry path (the path between the locking portion 162 and the retaining wall 163). At this time, the retaining projection 75 is guided forward by the tapered surface 162C of the locking portion 162 and the guide surface 163A of the retaining wall 163. Subsequently, the four locking claws 73 of the cover 70 engage with the four locking receiving portions 67 of the housing body 60, respectively.

[0051] The retaining projection 75 is positioned between the locking portion 162 and the protective wall 163. As a result, the retaining projection 75 restricts the bending deformation of the locking portion 162 outward in the left-right direction (towards the other locking portion 162), and the protective wall 163 restricts the bending deformation of the retaining projection 75 outward in the left-right direction (towards the other locking portion 162). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the locking state of the terminal module 30 by the locking portion 162 from being released.

[0052] As shown in Figure 15, the first seal ring 43 is sandwiched from the left and right by the body-side opening 61A of the housing body 60 and the sealing surface 72A of the cover 70. The first seal ring 43 is also sandwiched from the left and right by the rear end of the protective wall 163 of the housing body 60 and the rear surface of the plate portion 71 of the cover 70.

[0053] (Effects of Example 1) The housing body 60 of the connector 10 in Embodiment 1 is provided with a locking portion 162 that restricts the terminal module 30 from detaching from the housing space S1. The cover 70 is provided with a retaining projection 75 that restricts the bending deformation of the locking portion 162. As a result, the locking portion 162 can restrict the terminal module 30 from detaching from the housing space S1 of the housing body 60. Furthermore, by assembling the cover 70 to the housing body 60, the retaining projection 75 of the cover 70 can restrict the bending deformation of the locking portion 162, thereby reliably preventing the terminal module 30 from detaching from the housing space S1.

[0054] Furthermore, the locking portion 162 is provided with a tapered surface 162C that inclins to protrude toward the entry path of the retaining projection 75 as it moves toward the front side in the direction of assembly of the cover 70 to the housing body 60. With this configuration, when assembling the cover 70 to the housing body 60, it is possible to prevent the retaining projection 75 from abutting against the locking portion 162 of the housing body 60.

[0055] Furthermore, the housing body 60 is provided with a retaining wall 163 located on the opposite side of the locking portion 162 from the retaining projection 75, which prevents the retaining projection 75 from separating from the locking portion 162. With this configuration, the retaining projection 75 can be prevented from separating from the locking portion 162 by the retaining wall 163, and bending of the locking portion 162 can be reliably prevented.

[0056] Furthermore, the protective wall 163 is provided with a guide surface 163A that inclins to protrude toward the entry path of the retaining projection 75 as it moves toward the front side in the direction of assembly of the cover 70 to the housing body 60. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the retaining projection 75 from hitting the protective wall 163 when assembling the cover 70 to the housing body 60.

[0057] Furthermore, the cover 70 is provided with a locking claw 73 that engages with the outer surface of the housing body 60. In the cover 70, the locking claw 73 is positioned near the retaining projection 75. With this configuration, the retaining projection 75 is prevented from moving away from the locking portion 162 by the retaining wall 163, so the locking claw 73 located near the retaining projection 75 also does not easily move.

[0058] Furthermore, the cover 70 is equipped with a first seal ring 43 that is in close contact with the sealing surface 72A between the cover 70 and the housing body 60. The outer surface of the retaining projection 75 is flush with the sealing surface 72A. With this configuration, compared to a configuration in which there is a step between the outer surface of the retaining projection 75 and the sealing surface 72A, there is no risk of the first seal ring 43 getting caught on such a step when attaching it to the cover 70, and the work of attaching the first seal ring 43 to the cover 70 becomes smoother.

[0059] [Other examples] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings, but is shown in the claims. The present invention includes the meaning of equivalents to the claims and all modifications within the claims, and is intended to include embodiments such as those described below. In the above embodiment 1, a tapered surface may be provided on at least one of the left and right sides of the retaining projection 75. For example, a tapered surface may be provided on the side of the retaining projection 75 that is on the inside in the left-right direction (towards the other retaining projection 75), inclined to protrude inward in the left-right direction as it approaches the rear. For example, a tapered surface may be provided on the side of the retaining projection 75 that is on the outside in the left-right direction (opposite to the other retaining projection 75), inclined to protrude outward in the left-right direction as it approaches the rear. In the above embodiment 1, the shape of the locking portion 162 may be L-shaped in plan view. For example, the convex portion 162B may protrude inward in the left-right direction from the tip of the extension portion 162A (towards the other locking portion 162). In the above embodiment 1, a configuration in which four terminal fittings 31 are provided on the connector 10 was illustrated, but a configuration with any other number of terminal fittings 31 may also be used. In the above embodiment 1, a configuration in which a pair of opening prevention walls 65 are provided on the housing 20 was illustrated, but a configuration in which the opening prevention wall 65 is provided on only one side, either the left or the right, is also possible. In the above embodiment 1, two of the multiple wires 33 located on the inside in the left-right direction were configured as differential pair wires for communication, but wires for other purposes may also be used. In the above embodiment 1, the clearance between the second bending path 82 and the electric wire 33 was smaller than the clearance between the first bending path 81 and the electric wire 33. However, the clearance between the second bending path 82 and the electric wire 33 may be larger or about the same. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10… Connectors 20… Housing 30…Terminal module 31…Terminal fittings 31A…Hakobe 31B...First crimping section 31C...Second crimping section 32…Terminal housing member 32A…Terminal housing room 32B…Aperture 33...Electric wire 33A…Conductor 33B...Insulating coating 34...Main body 34A...Lance 35…Front section 36... Sheath 36A...end 37…Connection part 41... stopper 41A...Through hole 42... Stopper cover 43…First seal ring 44…Second seal ring 50...Mother connector 51...Opponent's housing 52...Mating terminal fittings 60… Housing body 61…Routing side main body part 61A...Opening on the main body side 61B…1st opening 61C... Stopper housing 61D... Chamfered section 62... Main body section for housing 62A...Second opening 63…Food Department 64...First Cable Distribution Section 64A...First protrusion 64B...First recess 64C...Second protrusion 64D…1st flat part 65... Wall to prevent opening 66... ​​Guide surface 67... Lock receiving part 68…recess 70...cover 71...Plate part 72...bulge 72A...Sealing surface 73... Lock claw 74...Second Cable Distribution Section 74A...Third protrusion 74B…Second flat part 75...Holding protrusion 75A…Outer surface 80...Strain Relief Department 161...Side wall 162...Rock Club 162A...Extension part 162B... protruding part 162C... Tapered surface 163…Prevention wall 163A... Guide surface 163B... Chamfered section 81...First bending path 82...Second bending path AR… Formation range S1... Containment space S2…Routing space

Claims

1. A terminal module having terminal fittings connected to the front end of an electric wire, A housing for the aforementioned terminal module, Equipped with, The aforementioned housing is A housing body having a housing space for housing the terminal module, A cover that covers the aforementioned storage space, It has, An opening for inserting the terminal module is provided at the rear end of the aforementioned housing space. The housing body is provided with a locking portion that engages with the rear end of the terminal module. The aforementioned locking portion is capable of bending and deforming outward in the left-right direction. The cover is provided with retaining protrusions that are positioned opposite to the locking portion from the left and right outer sides, The retaining projection is a connector provided within the housing space.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion is provided with a tapered surface that inclins to protrude toward the entry path of the retaining projection as it moves toward the front side in the assembly direction of the cover to the housing body.

3. The cover is equipped with a sealing ring that is in close contact with the sealing surface between it and the housing body, The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the retaining projection is flush with the sealing surface.

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