connector

Abstract

To further miniaturize the connector.SOLUTION: A connector 20 that holds a terminal 10 includes: a housing 30 in which a cavity 44 capable of accommodating the terminal is formed; a retainer 80 that can be attached to the housing 30 at a temporary attachment position and at an actual attachment position. The retainer 80 includes a locking protrusion 83 that can lock on the terminal housed in the cavity. When the retainer is located at the temporary attachment position, the locking protrusion is retracted from the cavity, and the locking protrusion protrudes into the cavity and locks onto the terminal inside the cavity by rotating from the temporary mounting position to the main mounting position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a housing main body portion in which a cavity into which a terminal fitting can be inserted and removed is formed, and a retainer. The retainer has a locking protrusion that secondarily locks to the terminal fitting. The retainer is movable between a temporary locking position and a main locking position with respect to the housing main body portion. At the temporary locking position, insertion and removal of the female terminal fitting are allowed, and at the main locking position, the locking protrusion secondarily locks to the female terminal fitting.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, it is desired to further miniaturize the connector.

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of the present disclosure is to further miniaturize the connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of this disclosure is a connector for holding a terminal, comprising: a housing having a cavity capable of accommodating the terminal; and a retainer that can be mounted on the housing in a temporary mounting position and a permanent mounting position, wherein the retainer includes a locking projection capable of engaging with the terminal housed in the cavity, and the retainer, when positioned in the temporary mounting position, has the locking projection retracted from the cavity, and rotates from the temporary mounting position toward the permanent mounting position, causing the locking projection to protrude into the cavity and engage with the terminal in the cavity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the connector will be made even smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view showing the connector in a temporarily installed state. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector in a temporarily installed state. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 5. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 5. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a side view of the connector showing the retainer in the retracted position. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector with the retainer retracted. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The connectors of this disclosure are as follows:

[0011] (1) A connector for holding a terminal, comprising a housing having a cavity formed therein that can accommodate the terminal, and a retainer that can be mounted on the housing in a temporary mounting position and a permanent mounting position, wherein the retainer includes a locking projection that can lock onto the terminal housed in the cavity, and the retainer, when in the temporary mounting position, has the locking projection retracted from the cavity, and when rotated from the temporary mounting position toward the permanent mounting position, the locking projection protrudes into the cavity and locks onto the terminal in the cavity.

[0012] With this connector, the retainer rotates from a temporary mounting position to a permanent mounting position, allowing the locking projection to engage with the terminal in the cavity and hold the terminal in place. Therefore, compared to a configuration where the retainer moves in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the terminal to position the terminal, the configuration that supports the retainer movably can be miniaturized. This makes it possible to miniaturize the connector.

[0013] (2) The connector according to (1), wherein the rear side in the direction of insertion of the terminal into the cavity is the front side and the opposite side is the rear side, and the retainer may be supported so as to be movable in the temporary mounting position along an inclined direction that moves away from the cavity as it moves towards the rear side along the extending direction of the cavity.

[0014] In this case, since the retainer is supported so as to be movable in the tilting direction in the temporary mounting position, if the terminal comes into contact with the locking projection during insertion into the cavity, the locking projection can move away from the cavity.

[0015] (3) A connector of (1) or (2), with the back side in the insertion direction of the terminal into the cavity being the front side and the opposite direction being the back side. The housing has a mounting opening for mounting the retainer. The retainer includes a retainer body mounted in the mounting opening, a pair of locking wall portions extending along both sides of the housing from both sides of the retainer body, and a pair of retaining projections protruding from the inner surfaces of the pair of locking wall portions. The housing includes a pair of temporary locking projections and a pair of main locking projections protruding from its outer surfaces on both sides. The pair of temporary locking projections are located closer to the mounting opening than the pair of main locking projections. Between the temporary locking projections and the main locking projections, there is an inclined direction that extends away from the cavity along the extending direction of the cavity towards the back side, and an inclined temporary support groove is formed to support the retaining projection in a posture along the inclined direction. The surface of the main locking projection on the side opposite to the mounting opening may be a main locking surface that locks with the retaining projection to keep the retainer in the main mounting position.

[0016] In this case, by arranging the pair of retaining projections in the inclined temporary support groove, the retainer is held in the temporary mounting position. In this state, the terminal can be easily inserted into the cavity. Then, when the retainer is pushed and rotated, the pair of retaining projections cross over the pair of main locking projections and lock to the main locking surface. Thereby, the retainer is held in the main mounting position and the terminal is retained.

[0017] (4) A connector of (3), wherein the back groove forming surface that forms one groove side surface of the inclined temporary support groove among the main locking projections is located closer to the front of the main locking projections, and the temporary locking projections may be located in front of the trailing edge of the back groove forming surface in the extending direction of the cavity.

[0018] In this case, in the vertical direction, the arrangement space between the temporary locking projections and the main locking projections can be reduced, contributing to the miniaturization of the connector.

[0019] (5)(4) The connector, wherein the portion of the main locking projection that is rearward of the rear groove forming surface is formed on a retainer widening surface in which the length of the projection from the outer surface of the housing increases as it moves away from the mounting opening, and the rear groove forming surface and the front groove forming surface of the temporary locking projection that forms the other groove side of the inclined temporary support groove may be in a position that is closer to perpendicular to the side surface of the housing than the retainer widening surface.

[0020] In this case, when the retainer is in the temporary mounting position, the anti-removal projection is held in an inclined position between the nearly vertical groove-forming surface on the back and the groove-forming surface on the front. Therefore, the retainer is easily held in an inclined position. When the retainer is rotated, the anti-removal projection comes into contact with the retainer's spreading surface, and the pair of locking walls are pushed apart. As a result, the anti-removal projection can easily pass over the main locking projection and lock into the main locking projection.

[0021] (6) A connector according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein the portion of the locking projection that enters the cavity when the retainer is in the temporary mounting position is formed on a retraction guide surface that moves away from the cavity as it moves toward the rear.

[0022] In this case, when inserting the terminal into the cavity, if the terminal comes into contact with the retraction guide surface of the locking projection, the locking projection is guided in a direction that retracts from inside the cavity. This allows the terminal to be smoothly inserted into the cavity.

[0023] (7)(6) The connector is such that the retraction guide surface is a surface facing the terminal from the direction of pushing the terminal into the cavity when the retainer is in the permanent mounting position, and a retaining surface is adjacent to the front of the retraction guide surface for preventing the terminal from being removed when the retainer is in the permanent mounting position.

[0024] With this connector, the retainer is rotatable, so when the retainer is in the temporary mounting position, the locking surface tends to be positioned so that it retracts into the cavity. In such cases, when inserting a terminal into the cavity, if the terminal comes into contact with the retraction guide surface of the locking projection, the locking projection is guided in the direction of retraction from the cavity, and the locking surface is also easily guided in the direction of retraction from the cavity. As a result, the terminal is smoothly inserted into the cavity.

[0025] (8) A connector according to any one of (2) to (7), wherein the housing may include a retainer locking surface located behind the retainer in the temporary mounting position and in contact with the retainer from the rear.

[0026] This prevents the retainer from coming loose from its temporary mounting position.

[0027] (9)(8) connector, wherein the retainer has an inclined retaining surface that is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the cavity when in the permanent mounting position and faces rearward so as to face the retainer retaining surface when in the temporary mounting position, and the retainer may be retained by the inclined retaining surface contacting the retainer retaining surface.

[0028] As a result, when the retainer moves in the direction of removal, the inclined retaining surface contacts the retainer retaining receiving surface, thus stabilizing the inclined position of the retainer in the removed state. This allows for smoother return movement of the retainer afterward.

[0029] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the connectors of this disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to these examples, and all modifications are intended to be included in the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims as indicated by the claims.

[0030] [Embodiment] The connector according to the embodiment will be described below. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the connector 20. Figures 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views showing the connector 20. Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of line IV-IV in Figure 1. In Figure 4, the electric wire 18 is shown by a dashed line. Figure 5 is a side view showing the connector 20 in a temporarily installed state. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector 20 in a temporarily installed state. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the same location as line IV-IV. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of line VII-VII in Figure 5, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of line VIII-VIII in Figure 5. Temporary installation state "Temporarily installed" refers to the state in which the retainer 80 is in the temporary installation position, while "permanently installed" refers to the state in which the retainer 80 is in the permanent installation position.

[0031] <Overall structure of the connector> The overall structure of connector 20 will be described. Connector 20 holds terminal 10.

[0032] The terminal 10 is formed by pressing a metal plate. The terminal 10 comprises a coating crimping portion 11, a core wire crimping portion 12, and a terminal connection portion 13. The coating crimping portion 11 is the portion that is crimped to the coating portion at the end of the electric wire 18. The core wire crimping portion 12 is the portion that is crimped to the core wire portion exposed at the end of the electric wire 18. The terminal connection portion 13 is the portion that is connected to the other terminal and is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The coating crimping portion 11, the core wire crimping portion 12, and the terminal connection portion 13 are arranged in a straight line in this order. The thickness of the coating crimping portion 11 and the terminal connection portion 13 is greater than the thickness of the core wire crimping portion 12. Therefore, when the terminal 10 is observed from the side, a recess 14 is formed on the core wire crimping portion 12, between the coating crimping portion 11 and the terminal connection portion 13, in a recess in a part of the extending direction of the terminal 10.

[0033] In this embodiment, the connector 20 holds multiple terminals 10. More specifically, multiple (e.g., two) terminals 10 are held in multiple rows (e.g., two rows). In each row, multiple terminals 10 are arranged in a parallel line. The multiple terminals 10 may be the same size and made of the same material, or they may be different in size or material. The number of terminals 10 held by the connector 20 is arbitrary.

[0034] The connector 20 comprises a housing 30 and a retainer 80. The retainer 80 holds multiple terminals 10 in at least one stage so as not to come loose from the housing 30. In this embodiment, the connector 20 further comprises a cover 60. The cover 60 is mounted on the housing 30 on the side opposite to the retainer 80. The cover 60 holds multiple terminals 10 in other stages so as not to come loose from the housing 30.

[0035] In the following explanation, the terminal connection portion 13 side may be referred to as the front side and the insulation crimp portion 11 side as the rear side in the extending direction of the terminal 10. Also, the cover 60 side may be referred to as the lower side and the retainer 80 side as the upper side. Furthermore, cover 60 against In some cases, the left and right directions may be referenced assuming a forward-facing orientation.

[0036] The housing 30 is made of resin or the like and includes terminal housing sections 32 and 42. In this embodiment, the housing 30 includes a lower terminal housing section 32 and an upper terminal housing section 42. The lower terminal housing section 32 has a cavity 34 for housing the terminal 10. In this embodiment, the lower terminal housing section 32 has a plurality (two in this case) of cavities 34 arranged in parallel. The upper terminal housing section 42 has a cavity 44 for housing the terminal 10. In this embodiment, the upper terminal housing section 42 has a plurality (two in this case) of cavities 44 arranged in parallel.

[0037] The retainer 80 combines with the upper terminal housing 42 to hold the terminal 10 within the upper cavity 44. In other words, the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44 before the retainer 80 is permanently installed. With the terminal 10 inserted into the cavity 44, the retainer 80 is permanently installed into the upper terminal housing 42. This prevents the terminal 10 from coming out of the upper cavity 44. Note that the back side of the insertion direction of the terminal 10 into the cavity 44 is the front side, and the opposite direction is the rear side.

[0038] The cover 60 combines with the lower terminal housing 32 to hold the terminal 10 within the lower cavity 34. In other words, the terminal 10 is set in the lower cavity 34 before the cover 60 is attached to the lower terminal housing 32. In this state, the cover 60 is attached to the lower terminal housing 32. This prevents the terminal 10 from coming out of the lower cavity 34.

[0039] It is not essential that this connector includes the cover 60 and the terminals 10 held by the cover 60.

[0040] The configuration in which the terminal 10 is held by the retainer 80 will be described in more detail.

[0041] <Regarding the retaining structure using retainers> The retainer 80 is configured to be mounted on the housing 30 in both a temporary mounting position and a permanent mounting position. Permanent mounting is the state in which the retainer 80 is locked onto the terminal 10 to prevent the terminal 10 from coming loose when the connector 20 is in use. When the retainer 80 is mounted on the housing 30 in the permanent mounting position, the terminal 10 will not come loose from the housing 30 and will be held within the cavity 44 even when the connector 20 is carried or inserted into and removed from the mating connector. Temporary mounting is the state before permanent mounting, in which the retainer 80 is combined with the housing 30 and can be handled as a single unit, and the terminal 10 can be inserted into the cavity 44. In other words, in the temporary mounting state, the housing 30 and the retainer 80 can be stored and transported as a single part and provided to the person inserting the terminal 10.

[0042] More specifically, the housing 30 has a partition plate portion 31 that separates the upper cavity 44 from the lower side. In this embodiment, the partition plate portion 31 is UpperThe partition plate portion 31 is located between the terminal housing portion and the lower terminal housing portion, separating the lower cavity 34 from the upper cavity 44. The partition plate portion 31 can also be understood as a bottom plate located at the bottom of the upper cavity 44. The housing 30 includes a pair of outer walls 43, 43 located on both sides of the housing 30. The pair of outer walls 43, 43 extend upward from both sides of the partition plate portion 31. The pair of outer walls 43, 43 are plate-like portions that are perpendicular to the partition plate portion 31 and extend along the direction of extension of the cavity 44. The pair of outer walls 43, 43 also align with the protruding direction of the locking wall portion 84, which will be described later. The pair of outer walls 43, 43 are exposed on the left or right outside of the housing 30.

[0043] Furthermore, the housing 30 includes an intermediate wall 42M between a pair of outer walls 43, 43 that separates multiple cavities 44. In other words, the pair of outer walls 43, 43 and the intermediate wall 42M are arranged in parallel with a gap between them in the width direction of the housing 30.

[0044] The front edge of the housing 30 is provided with a front plate portion 31F that extends in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The front plate portion 31F is located at the front end of the cavity 44. The terminal 10, which is located inside the cavity 44, is restricted from moving forward by contacting the front plate portion 31F. The front plate portion 31F has a connection hole 31Fa into which a mating terminal (for example, a male terminal having an elongated plate portion or a pin-shaped portion) can be inserted. The mating terminal can be connected to the terminal 10 inside the cavity 44 through the connection hole 31Fa.

[0045] At least a portion of the opening on the side opposite the partition plate portion 31 of the pair of outer walls 43, 43 and intermediate wall 42M is closed by the ceiling plate portion 43c. The upper terminal housing portion 42 is configured to include the upper part of the partition plate portion 31, the pair of outer walls 43, 43, the intermediate wall 42M, the ceiling plate portion 43c, and the front plate portion 31F, and a plurality of cavities 44 are formed in the gaps between the pair of outer walls 43, 43 and the intermediate wall 42M. The cavities 44 have rear openings, and the terminals 10 are inserted into the cavities through these rear openings.

[0046] The housing 30 has a mounting opening 45 into which the retainer 80 is fitted.

[0047] In this embodiment, a partially open mounting opening 45 is formed in the middle of the extension direction of the cavity 44 within the ceiling plate portion 43c of the housing 30. With the front end of the terminal 10 placed inside the cavity 44 in contact with the front plate portion 31F, at least a portion of the recess 14 of the terminal 10 can be exposed to the outside of the housing 30 through the mounting opening 45. The retainer 80 is fitted into the mounting opening 45, and the mounting opening 45 is closed with the retainer 80 positioned in the front-rear direction.

[0048] The housing 30 includes a pair of temporary locking protrusions 46 and a pair of permanent locking protrusions 48 that project from both of its outer surfaces. The pair of temporary locking protrusions 46 are located closer to the mounting opening 45 than the pair of permanent locking protrusions 48. Therefore, the retainer 80, which is mounted to the housing 30 from the mounting opening 45 side, can be temporarily locked to the pair of temporary locking protrusions 46 and then permanently locked to the pair of permanent locking protrusions 48.

[0049] More specifically, the portion of the pair of outer walls 43, 43 corresponding to the mounting opening 45 is recessed compared to the other portions. The bottom surface of the recessed portion of the outer wall 43, 43 is part of the outer surface of the outer wall 43, and a temporary locking projection 46 and a permanent locking projection 48 are formed on this bottom surface.

[0050] The locking projection 48 is formed in a long convex shape along the front-rear direction. The length of the locking projection 48 is preferably as large as possible within the recessed portion of the outer wall 43, 43, for example, it is at least half the front-rear length of the mounting opening 45.

[0051] The temporary locking projection 46 is formed in a convex shape and is positioned above the main locking projection 48 at a distance. The front-to-back length of the temporary locking projection 46 may be shorter than the front-to-back length of the main locking projection 48. In this embodiment, the temporary locking projection 46 is located above the front end of the main locking projection 48. Also, the front-to-back length of the temporary locking projection 46 is less than or equal to half the front-to-back length of the main locking projection 48.

[0052] The retainer 80 can be mounted on the housing 30 in both a temporary mounting position and a permanent mounting position. The retainer 80 includes a locking projection 83 that can engage with the terminal 10 housed in the cavity 44.

[0053] With the retainer 80 in the temporary mounting position, the locking projection 83 is in the cavity 44 The locking projection 83 is retracted from the cavity 44. Here, when we say that the locking projection 83 is retracted from the cavity 44, it means that the position of the locking projection 83 in the temporary mounting state is located further from the center of the cavity 44 compared to the position of the locking projection 83 in the permanent mounting state. For this reason, when the retainer 80 is mounted in the temporary mounting position, a part of the locking projection 83 may be inserted into the cavity 44. In other words, the locking projection 83 in the temporary mounting state should be in a state that does not hinder the insertion of the terminal 10 into the cavity 44 as little as the locking projection 83 in the permanent mounting state.

[0054] The retainer 80 can rotate from a temporary mounting position to a permanent mounting position. The rotation of the retainer 80 is performed by rotating within a predetermined range around an axis perpendicular to the extending direction of the cavity 44 (in this case, around an axis in the left-right direction). When the retainer 80 rotates to the permanent mounting position, the locking projection 83 protrudes into the cavity 44 through the mounting opening 45 and can be locked onto the terminal 10 inside the cavity 44.

[0055] More specifically, the retainer 80 comprises a retainer body 82, a pair of locking walls 84, and a pair of anti-removal projections 85.

[0056] The retainer body 82 is formed in a plate shape, in this case a rectangular plate shape, that expands to a size that can collectively close the mounting openings 45 corresponding to multiple cavities 44. The retainer body 82 is mounted in the mounting openings 45 so as to close the upper openings of the multiple cavities 44.

[0057] A locking projection 83 is formed on the retainer body 82. Here, multiple locking projections 83 are formed in parallel, corresponding to multiple cavities 44. The locking projections 83 are formed in the middle of the extending direction of the cavity 44, more specifically, in the region where the core wire crimping portion 12 is located in the extending direction of the cavity 44. When the retainer body 82 is mounted in the mounting opening 45, the locking projections 83 can protrude into the cavity 44. In this state, the locking projections 83 can fit into the recess 14 between the insulated crimping portion 11 and the terminal connection portion 13 of the terminal 10 inside the cavity 44. This positions the terminal 10 in its extending direction and prevents it from coming loose to the rear.

[0058] The pair of locking walls 84 extend from both sides of the retainer body 82 along both sides of the housing 30, in this case along the outer surfaces of the pair of outer walls 43, 43. A pair of anti-removal projections 85 are formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of locking walls 84, near the tips. The anti-removal projections 85 are elongated projections that protrude from the inner surfaces of the locking walls 84. In the installed state, the anti-removal projections 85 are aligned with the extending direction of the cavity 44. In this embodiment, the tip edge of the locking wall 84 is aligned with the extending direction of the cavity 44 in the installed state, and the anti-removal projections 85 are aligned with the tip edge of the locking wall 84. The anti-removal projections 85 are formed in a shape that includes a guide surface 85f whose protrusion gradually decreases toward the tip side of the locking wall 84 (see Figures 3 and 8). The pair of locking wall portions 84 can be locked to a pair of temporary locking protrusions 46 or a pair of permanent locking protrusions 48.

[0059] Furthermore, in the temporary mounting position, the retainer 80 is supported so as to be movable along an inclination direction that is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the cavity 44. The inclination direction is such that as it moves towards the rear along the extending direction of the cavity 44, it moves away from the cavity 44. Because the retainer 80 is supported so as to be movable along the above inclination direction, when inserting the terminal 10 into the cavity 44, if the terminal 10 interferes with the locking projection 83, the retainer 80 can be moved backward to eliminate the interference between the terminal 10 and the locking projection 83.

[0060] More specifically, an inclined temporary support groove 90 extending along the inclination direction is formed between the temporary locking projection 46 and the permanent locking projection 48. The width of the inclined temporary support groove 90 is approximately the same as or greater than the width of the retaining projection 85, within a range that can support the retaining projection 85 along the inclination direction. By positioning the retaining projection 85 within the inclined temporary support groove 90, the retaining projection 85 is supported in a posture along the inclination direction. It is preferable that the retaining projection 85 can move diagonally within the inclined temporary support groove 90.

[0061] One side of the inclined temporary support groove 90 is the front groove forming surface 46f1, and the other side of the groove is the back groove forming surface 48f1. The front groove forming surface 46f1 is the lower side of the temporary locking projection 46 that is farther from the mounting opening 45. The back groove forming surface 48f1 is the upper side of the permanent locking projection 48 that is closer to the mounting opening 45.

[0062] The rear groove forming surface 48f1 is located towards the front of the locking projection 48. For example, the rear groove forming surface 48f1 is formed to extend from the front edge of the locking projection 48 to a region of 1 / 2 to 3 / 4 of the way to the rear. The rear groove forming surface 48f1 extends from the portion of the locking projection 48 that is connected to the rear of the rear groove forming surface 48f1, and slopes gradually downward toward the front.

[0063] The portion of the locking projection 48 that is rearward from the inner groove forming surface 48f1 is formed on the retainer widening surface 48f2. The retainer widening surface 48f2 is formed on a slope where the length of the projection from the outer surface of the housing 30 increases as it moves away from the mounting opening 45 (see Figure 8). The downward-facing surface of the locking projection 48 opposite to the mounting opening 45 is formed on the main locking surface 48f3, which engages with the retaining projection 85 to keep the retainer 80 in the permanent mounting position (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0064] In this embodiment, in a side view, the retainer widening surface 48f2 and the locking surface 48f3 are formed in a shape that extends along the extending direction of the cavity 44. Therefore, when the locking projection 48 is viewed from the side, the portion where the retainer widening surface 48f2 is formed is a continuous portion of the same width, and the upper part of the front portion where the rear groove forming surface 48f1 is formed shows a shape that slopes downward toward the front.

[0065] With the retaining projection 85 positioned on the inner groove forming surface 48f1, when the retainer 80 is pressed, the retaining projection 85 comes into contact with the retainer's expanding surface 48f2. As a result of the retainer 80 being pressed, the retaining projection 85 rides up onto the retainer's expanding surface 48f2, and the locking wall portion 84 elastically deforms and spreads outward. When the retaining projection 85 rides over the main locking projection 48 from below, the locking wall portion 84 elastically returns to its original shape, and the retaining projection 85 can be locked from below onto the main locking surface 48f3 of the main locking projection 48.

[0066] The temporary locking projection 46 is located in front of the rear edge of the inner groove forming surface 48f1 in the extending direction of the cavity 44. In other words, when the main locking projection 48 is viewed from the side, the temporary locking projection 46 is located above the portion that extends diagonally downward toward the front. This means that the space of the main locking projection 48 that slopes diagonally downward can be effectively utilized to provide space for the temporary locking retaining projection 85.

[0067] The front edge of the temporary locking projection 46 may be located behind or in front of the front edge of the main locking projection 48. In this embodiment, the front edge of the temporary locking projection 46 is located in front of the front edge of the main locking projection 48.

[0068] The temporary locking projection 46 may extend behind the rear edge of the rear groove forming surface 48f1 in the direction of extension of the cavity 44. In this case, from the viewpoint of strength, it is preferable to increase the vertical dimension of the temporary locking projection 46 while extending it to the rear. From the viewpoint of further miniaturization, it is preferable that the temporary locking projection 46 is located in front of the rear edge of the rear groove forming surface 48f1.

[0069] It is preferable that the rear groove forming surface 48f1 and the front groove forming surface 46f1 are in a position that is closer to perpendicular to the outer surface of the outer wall 43, which is the side surface of the housing 30, than the retainer widening surface 48f2. In this embodiment, the rear groove forming surface 48f1 and the front groove forming surface 46f1 are perpendicular to the outer surface of the outer wall 43 (see Figure 7), but they may also be inclined with respect to that outer surface.

[0070] If the rear groove forming surface 48f1 and the front groove forming surface 46f1 are in a position that is nearly perpendicular to the outer surface of the outer wall 43, it is easier to maintain the state in which the retaining projection 85 is supported along the inclined temporary support groove 90.

[0071] Furthermore, by pressing the rear end of the retainer 80, the front end of the retaining projection 85 is held in place by the front groove forming surface 46f1, and the rear portion of the retaining projection 85 can easily move over the retainer spreading surface 48f2, making it easy for the retainer 80 to rotate around the front end of the retaining projection 85.

[0072] Furthermore, since it is not necessary to form an inclined shape at the front end of the locking projection 48 to widen the retainer 80, it is possible to prevent the front end of the locking projection 48 from becoming too thin.

[0073] With the retainer 80 temporarily installed, the locking wall portion 84 of the retainer 80 abuts against the front wall of the recess formed in the outer wall 43, restricting the forward movement of the retainer 80. In this state, a portion of the locking projection 83 may protrude into the cavity 44 through the mounting opening 45 (see Figure 6). In this case, the inserted terminal 10 may contact the locking projection 83, causing the retainer 80 to retract.

[0074] The portion of the locking projection 83 that enters the cavity 44 when the retainer 80 is in the temporary mounting position may have a retraction guide surface 83f1 that moves away from the cavity 44 as it approaches the rear. In this embodiment, the front portion of the tip surface of the locking projection 83 is the retraction guide surface 83f1. The retraction guide surface 83f1 is the surface that faces the terminal 10 from the direction (above) that pushes the terminal 10 into the cavity 44 when the retainer 80 is in the permanent mounting position. The retraction guide surface 83f1 is formed on a surface that is aligned with the extending direction of the retaining projection 85. In the permanent mounting state, the retraction guide surface 83f1 is aligned with the extending direction of the cavity 44. In the temporary mounting state, the retraction guide surface 83f1 is aligned with the inclined direction which is the extending direction of the retaining projection 85, and the tip of the retraction guide surface 83f1 is facing rearward as it enters the cavity 44.

[0075] When the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44, the tip of the terminal 10 comes into contact with the retractable guide surface 83f1. This causes the tip of the terminal 10 to push the retractable guide surface 83f1 out of the cavity 44. As a result, the retainer 80 moves diagonally backward, and the locking projection 83 retracts from the cavity 44. This allows the terminal 10 to be inserted deep into the cavity 44 without interfering with the locking projection 83.

[0076] The locking projection 83 has a retaining surface 83f2 that is continuous with the retractable guide surface 83f1. The retaining surface 83f2 is connected to the front of the retractable guide surface 83f1 and is the surface that prevents the terminal 10 from being removed when the retainer 80 is in the permanent mounting position. It is preferable, but not essential, that the retaining surface 83f2 be a surface perpendicular to the extending direction of the cavity 44.

[0077] As described above, since the retainer 80 is configured to rotate around its front end, in the temporary mounting state, the retaining surface 83f2 tends to be positioned to fit into the cavity 44. In such a case, the retaining surface 83f2 Connecting The retraction guide surface 83f1 can smoothly guide the locking projection 83 in the direction of retraction from the cavity 44 when the terminal 10 is inserted.

[0078] The housing 30 is located behind the retainer 80 in the temporary mounting position and includes a retainer retention receiving surface 43f that can contact the retainer 80 from the rear. In this embodiment, the retainer retention receiving surface 43f is the rear surface of the recess in the outer wall 43 and faces forward. The retainer retention receiving surface 43f is a surface perpendicular to the extending direction of the cavity 44. The retainer retention receiving surface 43f can contact the rear of the locking wall portion 84 of the retainer 80 to restrict the rearward dislodgement of the retainer 80.

[0079] The retainer 80 has an inclined retaining surface 84f that is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the cavity 44 when in the permanent mounting position, and faces rearward so as to face the retainer retaining surface 43f when in the temporary mounting position. In this embodiment, the inclined retaining surface 84f is formed as an inclined surface that moves forward as it goes downward when in the permanent mounting state. When in the temporary mounting state, it is preferable that the inclined retaining surface 84f is as parallel as possible to the retainer retaining surface 43f, but this is not essential.

[0080] As the retainer 80 moves backward, the inclined retaining surface 84f contacts the retainer retaining receiving surface 43f, restricting its backward movement. At this time, guided by the inclined temporary support groove 90, the retainer 80 can maintain surface contact with the retainer retaining receiving surface 43f within an allowable inclined position. As a result, even when the retainer 80 has moved backward, it can maintain a stable inclined position. Therefore, after the terminal 10 is inserted, the retainer 80 can stably return to its forward position.

[0081] <Terminal holding procedure> An example of the procedure for holding terminal 10 will be described.

[0082] The retainer 80 is prepared with the housing 30 temporarily attached (see Figures 5 to 8). In this state, the retaining projection 85 of the retainer 80 is fitted into the inclined temporary support groove 90 and is supported in an inclined position relative to the housing 30. The retaining projection 85 extends forward beyond the main locking projection 48. The retaining projection 85 is movable within the inclined temporary support groove 90 along the inclination direction of the groove 90. Therefore, the retainer 80 can move backward in an inclined position until the inclined retaining surface 84f contacts the retainer retaining receiving surface 43f. In addition, the front tip of the locking projection 83 protrudes into the cavity 44 (see Figure 6), and the front end of the retractable guide surface 83f1 faces diagonally backward within the cavity 44.

[0083] The terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44 from the rear opening of the cavity 44. The tip of the terminal 10 then contacts the retraction guide surface 83f1 of the locking projection 83. As the terminal 10 moves further in, the tip of the terminal 10 pushes the retraction guide surface 83f1 outward and rearward from the cavity 44 (see Figures 9 and 10). This causes the retainer 80 to move away from the cavity 44 along the inclination direction of the inclined temporary support groove 90. This allows the terminal 10 to advance further into the cavity 44. When the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44 until it contacts the inner surface of the front plate portion 31F, the recess 14 of the terminal 10 is positioned inside the mounting opening 45. This allows the retainer 80 to return to its original position. The retainer 80 may return to its original position by its own weight or by manual operation by an operator. When the retainer 80 returns to its original position, the front end of the locking projection 83 enters the cavity 44. As a result, the retaining surface 83f2 of the locking projection 83 can catch on the rear end of the terminal connection portion 13, preventing the terminal 10 from coming loose when the retainer 80 rotates to the permanent mounting position.

[0084] Next, the retainer 80 is pushed toward the mounting opening 45. Preferably, the rear end of the retainer 80 is pushed toward the mounting opening 45. When the retainer 80 is pushed, the guide surface 85f of the retaining projection 85 is pressed against the retainer spreading surface 48f2 of the locking projection 48, so that the locking wall portion 84 is spread outward along the inclination of the retainer spreading surface 48f2. The front end of the retaining projection 85 is locked toward the front groove forming surface 46f1, so it is difficult for it to move upward. For this reason, the retainer 80 can rotate around the front end of the retaining projection 85.

[0085] In particular, the front groove forming surface 46f1 is in a position that is closer to perpendicular to the outer surface of the outer wall 43 than the retainer spreading surface 48f2. As a result, the rear end of the retaining projection 85 can easily overcome the main locking projection 48 by contacting the retainer spreading surface 48f2, while the rear end of the retaining projection 85 has difficulty overcoming the front groove forming surface 46f1. As a result, the retainer 80 can rotate more reliably around the front end of the retaining projection 85.

[0086] When the retaining projection 85 crosses over the main locking projection 48, the retaining projection 85 engages with the main locking surface 48f3 of the main locking projection 48. As a result, the retainer 80 is permanently mounted to the housing 30 in its permanent mounting position.

[0087] In this state, the tip of the locking projection 83 of the retainer 80 enters the cavity 44 and locks into the recess 14 of the terminal 10. As a result, the terminal 10 is held in place so that it does not come out to the rear of the cavity 44.

[0088] <Effects, etc.> With the connector 20 configured as described above, the retainer 80 rotates from the temporary mounting position to the permanent mounting position, allowing the locking projection 83 to lock onto the terminal 10 in the cavity 44 and hold the terminal 10. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the retainer moves in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the terminal to position the terminal, the configuration that supports the retainer 80 to move can be miniaturized. For example, in a configuration in which the retainer moves in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the terminal to position the terminal, space must be secured on the side surface of the housing for the retaining projection to move in parallel. In this embodiment, it is sufficient to provide space on the side surface of the housing 30 for the retaining projection 85 to rotate. Therefore, the housing 30 can be miniaturized, and the entire connector 20 can also be miniaturized.

[0089] Furthermore, the retainer 80 is supported so as to be movable along the inclined direction in the temporary mounting position. Therefore, if the terminal 10 comes into contact with the locking projection 83 during insertion, the locking projection 83 can move away from the cavity 44, allowing the terminal 10 to be inserted smoothly.

[0090] Furthermore, the retainer 80 is held in a temporary mounting position by the placement of the pair of retaining projections 85 in the inclined temporary support groove 90. In this state, the terminal 10 can be easily inserted into the cavity 44. When the retainer 80 is pushed and rotated, the pair of retaining projections 85 pass over the pair of permanent locking projections 48 and lock into the permanent locking surface 48f3. This easily realizes a configuration in which the retainer 80 is held in the permanent mounting position and the terminal 10 is prevented from coming loose.

[0091] Furthermore, the inner groove forming surface 48f1 is located towards the front of the main locking projection 48, and the temporary locking projection 46 is located in front of the rear edge of the inner groove forming surface 48f1. As a result, the space required for the temporary locking projection 46 and the main locking projection 48 in the vertical direction can be reduced, contributing to the miniaturization of the connector 20.

[0092] Furthermore, when the retainer 80 is in the temporary mounting position, the retaining projection 85 fits between the nearly vertical rear groove forming surface 48f1 and the front groove forming surface 46f1. This makes it easier to securely hold the retainer 80 in an inclined position. When the retainer 80 rotates, the retaining projection 85 contacts the retainer spreading surface 48f2, and the pair of locking wall portions 84 are pushed apart. As a result, the retaining projection 85 can easily pass over the main locking projection 48 and lock into the main locking projection 48.

[0093] Furthermore, a retraction guide surface 83f1 is formed on the locking projection 83. Therefore, when the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44, if the terminal 10 comes into contact with the retraction guide surface 83f1 of the locking projection 83, the locking projection 83 is guided in a direction that retracts from inside the cavity 44. As a result, the terminal 10 is smoothly inserted into the cavity 44.

[0094] Furthermore, the retaining surface 83f2 is adjacent to the retraction guide surface 83f1 on the front side. Because the retainer 80 is configured to rotate, when the retainer 80 is in the temporary mounting position, the retaining surface 83f2 tends to be positioned to enter the cavity 44. In such a case, when inserting the terminal 10 into the cavity 44, if the terminal 10 comes into contact with the retraction guide surface 83f1 of the locking projection 83, the locking projection 83 is guided in the direction of retraction from the cavity 44, and the retaining surface 83f2 is also easily guided in the direction of retraction from the cavity 44. As a result, the terminal 10 is smoothly inserted into the cavity 44.

[0095] Furthermore, the retaining surface 83f2 also helps to prevent the terminal 10 from coming out to the rear during rotation of the retainer 80.

[0096] Furthermore, the housing 30 is Retainer stopper receiving surface 43f Because of this, the retainer 80 is prevented from coming out rearward from its temporary mounting position.

[0097] Furthermore, the retainer 80 has an inclined anti-removal surface 84f. When the retainer 80 moves in the removal direction, the inclined anti-removal surface 84f comes into contact with the retainer anti-removal receiving surface 43f, so that the retainer 80 is stably maintained in an inclined position when it is in the anti-removal state. Therefore, it is easy to maintain the state in which the anti-removal projection 85 follows the inclined temporary support groove 90. This allows for smooth return movement of the retainer 80 afterward.

[0098] [Differentiation] The configuration for supporting the retainer 80 in a rotatable manner is not limited to the above example. For example, the retainer may rotate on the housing by forming a convex portion on one of the pair of locking walls of the retainer and a recess in which the convex portion fits on the other, and the convex portion rotatably fits into the recess.

[0099] Furthermore, the components described in the above embodiments and each of the modified examples can be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0100] 10 terminals 11 Covering crimp part 12. Core wire crimping section 13 Terminal connection section 14 recess 18 Electric wire 20 connectors 30 Housing 31 Partition plate section 31F Front plate part 31Fa connection port 32, 42 Terminal housing section 34, 44 Cavity 42M Intermediate Wall 43 Exterior Wall 43c Ceiling panel section 43f Retainer anti-removal receiving surface 45. Opening for mounting 46 Temporary locking protrusion 46f1 Front side groove forming surface 48 Locking protrusions 48f1 Back groove forming surface 48f2 Retainer widening surface 48f3 Main locking surface 60 Cover 80 Retainers 82 Retainer body 83 Locking projection 83f1 Evacuation guidance panel 83f2 Retaining surface 84 Locking wall section 84f Inclined retaining surface 85 Retaining protrusion 85f guide surface 90 Inclined temporary support groove

Claims

1. A connector that holds terminals, A housing having a cavity formed in which the aforementioned terminals can be accommodated, A retainer that can be attached to the housing in a temporary mounting position and a permanent mounting position, Equipped with, The retainer includes a locking projection that can engage with the terminal housed in the cavity, When the retainer is in the temporary mounting position, the locking projection is retracted from the cavity, and as it rotates from the temporary mounting position toward the permanent mounting position, the locking projection protrudes into the cavity and locks into the terminal inside the cavity. The side of the insertion direction of the terminal into the cavity is defined as the front side, and the opposite side is defined as the rear side. The connector is supported such that, in the temporary mounting position, the retainer is movable along an inclined direction that moves away from the cavity as it moves towards the rear along the extending direction of the cavity.

2. A connector for holding terminals, A housing having a cavity formed in which the aforementioned terminals can be accommodated, A retainer that can be attached to the housing in a temporary mounting position and a permanent mounting position, Equipped with, The retainer includes a locking projection that can engage with the terminal housed in the cavity, When the retainer is in the temporary mounting position, the locking projection is retracted from the cavity, and as it rotates from the temporary mounting position toward the permanent mounting position, the locking projection protrudes into the cavity and locks into the terminal inside the cavity. The side of the insertion direction of the terminal into the cavity is defined as the front side, and the opposite side is defined as the rear side. The housing has a mounting opening into which the retainer is fitted, The retainer includes a retainer body fitted into the mounting opening, a pair of locking walls extending from both sides of the retainer body along both sides of the housing, and a pair of anti-removal projections protruding from the inner surfaces of the pair of locking walls. The housing includes a pair of temporary locking protrusions and a pair of permanent locking protrusions protruding from both outer surfaces thereof, wherein the pair of temporary locking protrusions are located closer to the mounting opening than the pair of permanent locking protrusions. Between the temporary locking projection and the permanent locking projection, an inclined temporary support groove is formed that extends in an inclined direction that moves away from the cavity as it moves towards the rear along the extending direction of the cavity, and supports the retaining projection in an orientation along the inclined direction. A connector in which the side of the aforementioned locking projection opposite to the mounting opening is a locking surface that engages with the retaining projection to keep the retainer in the mounting position.

3. The connector according to claim 2, The inner groove forming surface of the aforementioned locking projection, which forms one of the groove sides of the inclined temporary support groove, is located towards the front of the aforementioned locking projection. The connector wherein the temporary locking projection is located in front of the trailing edge of the inner groove forming surface in the extending direction of the cavity.

4. The connector according to claim 3, The portion of the aforementioned locking projection that is located behind the inner groove forming surface is formed on a retainer widening surface in which the length of the projection from the outer surface of the housing increases as it moves away from the mounting opening. A connector in which the rear groove forming surface and the front groove forming surface of the temporary locking projection that forms the other groove side of the inclined temporary support groove are in a position that is closer to perpendicular to the side surface of the housing than the retainer widening surface.

5. The connector according to claim 1, A connector in which the portion of the locking projection that enters the cavity when the retainer is in the temporary mounting position is formed on a retraction guide surface that moves away from the cavity as it approaches the rear.

6. The connector according to claim 5, The retraction guide surface is a surface facing the terminal from the direction in which the terminal is pushed into the cavity when the retainer is in the permanent mounting position. A connector having, on the front side of the retractable guide surface, a retaining surface that prevents the terminal from being removed when the retainer is in the permanent mounting position.

7. The connector according to claim 1, The housing is located behind the retainer in the temporary mounting position and includes a retainer retention surface that contacts the retainer from the rear.

8. The connector according to claim 7, The retainer has an inclined retaining surface that, when positioned in the permanent mounting position, is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the cavity, and when positioned in the temporary mounting position, is inclined to face the rear so as to face the retainer retaining receiving surface. A connector in which the inclined retaining surface contacts the retainer retaining receiving surface, thereby preventing the retainer from being removed.

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