Connector

Abstract

A connector (100) is provided with: a terminal fitting (10) connected to a core wire (83); a housing (91) in which a plurality of recesses (91A) arranged in the left-right direction and accommodating the terminal fitting (10) are formed; and a covering part (92) having a covering surface (92G) covering the recesses (91A) from a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The covering part (92) is separate from the terminal fitting (10), and the housing (91) has a receiving surface (91S) that faces the covering surface (92G). A region of the covering surface (92G) that faces the receiving surface (91S) is provided with a plurality of protrusions (92D) that are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, the protrusions (92D) having a minimum separation dimension in the left-right direction smaller than the outer diameter dimension of a coating (82). In a state in which the covering surface (92G) covers the recesses (91A) accommodating the terminal fitting (10), the front end of the coating (82) is routed between the adjacent protrusions (92D).

Description

connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal fitting including a terminal body and a slide part attached to the terminal body. The terminal fitting is accommodated in a housing. A core wire exposed from the insulation at the end of an electric wire is inserted into the terminal body. As the slide part moves relative to the terminal body, the lower contact surface and the upper contact surface of the terminal body change between a contact state in which they contact the core wire and a non-contact state in which they do not contact the core wire. Patent Document 2 also discloses a terminal fitting with a similar configuration.

[0003] JP 2019-145208 A JP 2021-28882 A

[0004] In the second embodiment of Patent Document 1, a configuration is disclosed that includes a pair of connecting pieces that extend rearward from the rear ends of both left and right side walls of the connecting tube portion of the terminal body and sandwich the core wire, and an upper holding piece and a lower holding piece that extend rearward from the rear ends of both upper and lower side walls of the connecting part of the terminal body and sandwich the insulating coating. However, with this configuration, there is a concern that the shape of the terminal body will be complex and the process of forming the terminal body will be long.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can hold the coating together with the core wire exposed from the coating while preventing the shape of the terminal fitting from becoming complicated.

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises: terminal fittings connected to core wires exposed from the coating at the front end of the wire; a housing having a plurality of recesses arranged side by side in the left-right direction to accommodate the terminal fittings; and a cover portion having a cover surface that covers the recesses in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction, wherein the cover portion is separate from the terminal fittings; the housing has a receiving surface arranged behind the recesses and facing the cover surface; and a region of the cover surface facing the receiving surface is provided with a plurality of protrusions arranged side by side and spaced apart in the left-to-right direction, the minimum spacing dimension between the protrusions in the left-to-right direction being smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the coating; and when the cover surface covers the recesses that accommodate the terminal fittings, the front end of the coating is routed between adjacent protrusions.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to hold the coating together with the core wire exposed from the coating while preventing the shape of the terminal fitting from becoming complicated.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector of a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of electric wires are fixed by a sheet. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a housing and a protrusion of the housing. FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom view showing the housing and the protrusion of the housing. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a cover and the protrusion of the cover. FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom view showing the cover and the protrusion of the cover. FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sliding member is positioned at a first position relative to a connecting member. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sliding member is positioned at a second position relative to a connecting member. FIG. 9 is a plan cross-sectional view showing a state in which thin electric wires are routed between the protrusions of the housing or the cover. FIG. 10 is a plan cross-sectional view showing a state in which thick electric wires are routed between the protrusions of the housing or the cover. FIG. 11 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a completed connector.

[0009] [Explanation of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. (1) A connector comprising: a terminal fitting connected to a core wire exposed from a coating at a front end of an electric wire; a housing having a plurality of recesses arranged side by side in the left-right direction to accommodate the terminal fitting; and a cover portion having a cover surface that covers the recesses in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction, wherein the cover portion is separate from the terminal fitting; the housing has a receiving surface arranged behind the recesses and facing the cover surface, and a region of the cover surface facing the receiving surface is provided with a plurality of protrusions arranged side by side and spaced apart in the left-right direction, the minimum distance between the protrusions in the left-right direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the coating, and when the cover surface covers the recesses that accommodate the terminal fittings, the front end of the coating is routed between adjacent protrusions.

[0010] In the connector (1), the front end of the sheath is routed between the protrusions, and the protrusions press against and clamp the outer periphery of the front end of the sheath. The structure of the terminal fittings can be simplified by providing a structure for holding the sheath in a cover separate from the terminal fittings 10. Here, the minimum separation dimension refers to the smallest dimension between adjacent protrusions in the left-right direction.

[0011] (2) The connector according to (1), wherein the electric wire is routed in the recess with its axis in the front-rear direction, and the cover portion is stacked on the receiving surface from the protruding direction of the protrusion portion.

[0012] In the connector of (2), the protrusions can be brought close to the sheath from a direction intersecting the axis of the electric wire, so that the sheath can be easily routed between the protrusions.

[0013] (3) A connector as described in (1) or (2), in which a U-shaped recessed surface is formed between adjacent protrusions with its bottom aligned with the covering surface, the protrusions have a ridge formed by a front edge of the recessed surface and a front end surface facing forward of the protrusions at right angles, the minimum width dimension of the recessed surface in the left-right direction is the minimum separation dimension, and the front end of the covering is routed on the recessed surface.

[0014] In the connector (3), even if the sheath wired on the recessed surface is pulled backward, the ridges bite into the outer surface of the sheath, preventing the sheath from shifting backward. Here, the minimum width dimension means the smallest width dimension on the recessed surface.

[0015] (4) The connector described in (3), wherein the protrusions include a plurality of first protrusions spaced apart in the left-right direction and a plurality of second protrusions arranged forward of the first protrusions and spaced apart in the left-right direction, the recessed surfaces of the first protrusions and the recessed surfaces of the second protrusions are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction, and the minimum width dimension of the recessed surface of the first protrusions in the left-to-right direction is larger than the minimum width dimension of the recessed surface of the second protrusions in the left-to-right direction.

[0016] The connector (4) can accommodate coatings with different outer diameters by virtue of the first and second protrusions.

[0017] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] <Embodiment 1> As shown in Fig. 1 , a connector 100 of embodiment 1 includes a terminal fitting 10, a housing 91, a cover portion 92, and a lower housing 93. The terminal fitting 10 includes a connecting member 11 and a sliding member 12, which are separate from each other. The connecting member 11 and the sliding member 12 are formed by pressing conductive metal plates. The housing 91, the covering portion 92, and the lower housing 93 are made of synthetic resin. In the drawings of embodiment 1, the "front side," "rear side," "upper side," "lower side," "right side," and "left side" are represented by "F," "B," "U," "D," "R," and "L," respectively. The front-to-rear direction is the direction in which the connector 100 is mated with a mating connector (not shown).

[0018] [Configuration of the Connection Member] The connection member 11 has a rectangular cylindrical connection body 11A extending in the front-to-rear direction and a pair of contact portions 11B extending rearward from the rear end of the connection body 11A. The connection body 11A is open on both sides in the front-to-rear direction. The connection member 11 has a locking portion 11C protruding upward from the top wall of the connection body 11A.

[0019] The connecting body 11A has a resilient contact piece (not shown) inside. The resilient contact piece is connected to a tab of a mating terminal (not shown). The tab is inserted into the connecting member 11 from the front, comes into contact with the resilient contact piece, and is connected to the connecting member 11.

[0020] Each contact portion 11B extends rearward in a strip shape from the rear end of the upper and lower walls of the connecting body 11A. Each contact portion 11B is elastically deformable in the vertical direction, with the rear end of each wall of the connecting body 11A as a fulcrum. This allows each contact portion 11B to elastically deform in the vertical direction and move closer to and farther away from each other.

[0021] [Configuration of Slide Member] The slide member 12 has a rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The slide member 12 is open on both sides in the front-rear direction. With the contact portions 11B of the connection member 11 inserted, the slide member 12 is slidable between a first position and a second position relative to the connection member 11 (see FIGS. 7 and 8 ). When the slide member 12 is positioned in the first position, one of two types of electric wires 81 can be inserted into the terminal fitting 10. Specifically, the electric wire 81 is a coated electric wire having a coating 82 and a core 83. The two types of electric wires 81 that can be inserted into the terminal fitting 10 differ in outer diameter of the coating 82 and the core 83. Hereinafter, of the two types of electric wires 81, the one with the larger outer diameter of the coating 82 and the core 83 will be simply referred to as the thick electric wire 81. Furthermore, of the two types of electric wires 81, the one with the smaller outer diameter of the coating 82 and the core 83 will be simply referred to as the thin electric wire 81.

[0022] 2, regardless of the difference in outer diameter, the wires 81 are arranged in parallel with their front ends having their insulation 82 stripped off to expose their core wires 83, and the insulation 82 is fixed to a sheet 84 made of nonwoven fabric or the like. By handling the sheet 84, each of the wires 81 fixed to the sheet 84 can be inserted into each of the terminal fittings 10 at once.

[0023] When the electric wire 81 is inserted into the terminal fitting 10 with the sliding member 12 in the first position, the upper contact portion 11B of the connecting member 11 is spaced apart from the core wire 83 of the electric wire 81 (see FIG. 7). When the sliding member 12 is displaced from the first position to the second position with the electric wire 81 inserted, the upper contact portion 11B is brought into contact with the core wire 83 (see FIG. 8). The first position is rearward of the second position.

[0024] For example, the connecting member 11 is provided with a locking portion (not shown), and the sliding member 12 is provided with a locked portion (not shown). When the locking portion locks into the locked portion, the sliding member 12 is held in a first position relative to the connecting member 11 (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, the sliding member 12 is provided with a front locked portion (not shown) forward of the locked portion. When the locking portion locks into the front locked portion, the sliding member 12 is held in a second position relative to the connecting member 11 (see FIG. 8).

[0025] [Housing Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 91 is flat and has a thickness oriented in the vertical direction. The housing 91 has a plurality of recesses 91A. Each recess 91A is separated by a partition wall 91F that extends in the front-rear direction and rises upward. The recesses 91A extend in the front-rear direction like a groove and are aligned in the left-right direction. A cavity 91B is provided in front of each recess 91A so as to be connected to the other recesses 91A (see FIGS. 7 and 8 ). An upward-facing receiving surface 91S is provided behind the recesses 91A. Protrusions 91D are provided on both left-right edges of the housing 91, protruding outward in the left-right direction. Only the left protrusion 91D is shown in FIG. 1 .

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower surface of the housing 91 is formed as a cover surface 91G. The cover surface 91G is composed of multiple surfaces facing downward and positioned at different positions in the up-down direction. Multiple protrusions 91H are provided on the cover surface 91G and protrude downward. The protrusions 91H include multiple first protrusions 91J and multiple second protrusions 91K. The multiple first protrusions 91J are arranged at a distance from each other in the left-right direction. The multiple second protrusions 91K are arranged at a distance from each other in the left-right direction. The second protrusions 91K are positioned forward of the first protrusions 91J. The second protrusions 91K and the first protrusions 91J are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction by a predetermined distance.

[0027] Between adjacent first protrusions 91J in the left-right direction, a U-shaped recessed surface 91L is formed, with its bottom aligned with the cover surface 91G. Each first protrusion 91J has a ridge 91N formed by a front edge of the recessed surface 91L perpendicular to a front end surface 91M of the first protrusion 91J (see FIG. 4).

[0028] Between adjacent second protrusions 91K in the left-right direction, a U-shaped recessed surface 91P is formed, with its bottom aligned with the covering surface 91G. Each second protrusion 91K has a ridge 91R formed by a perpendicular intersection between the front edge of the recessed surface 91P and a front end surface 91Q of the second protrusion 91K (see FIG. 4). The recessed surfaces 91L of the first protrusion 91J and the recessed surfaces 91P of the second protrusion 91K are aligned in the front-rear direction. The minimum width W1 of the recessed surface 91L of the first protrusion 91J in the left-right direction is greater than the minimum width W2 of the recessed surface 91P of the second protrusion 91K (see FIG. 4).

[0029] The minimum width dimensions W1 and W2 are the minimum distance between the first protrusion 91J and the second protrusion 91K in the left-right direction. The minimum width dimension W1 is smaller than the outer diameter of the coating 82 of the thick electric wire 81, larger than the outer diameter of the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81, and larger than the outer diameter of the coating 82 of the thin electric wire 81. The minimum width dimension W2 is smaller than the outer diameter of the coating 82 of the thick electric wire 81, larger than the outer diameter of the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81, smaller than the outer diameter of the coating 82 of the thin electric wire 81, and larger than the outer diameter of the core 83 of the thin electric wire 81.

[0030] [Configuration of Covering Portion] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the covering portion 92 has a flat covering wall 92A with its thickness oriented vertically, and side wall portions 92B that hang down from both left and right edges of the covering wall 92A. The covering portion 92 is a separate component from the terminal fitting 10. The lower surface of the covering wall 92A is formed as a covering surface 92G. The covering surface 92G is formed from the front end to the rear end of the covering portion 92 (see Figure 5). A plurality of protrusions 92D protrude downward from the rear of the covering surface 92G. The protrusions 92D include a plurality of first protrusions 92E and a plurality of second protrusions 92F. The first protrusions 92E are spaced apart from one another in the left-right direction. The second protrusions 92F are spaced apart from one another in the left-right direction. The second protrusions 92F are positioned forward of the first protrusions 92E. The second protrusion 92F and the first protrusion 92E are spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction.

[0031] Between adjacent first protrusions 92E in the left-right direction, a U-shaped recessed surface 92H is formed, with its bottom aligned with the covering surface 92G. Each first protrusion 92E has a ridge 92K formed by a front edge of the recessed surface 92H perpendicular to a front end surface 92J of the first protrusion 92E (see FIG. 6).

[0032] Between adjacent second protrusions 92F in the left-right direction, a U-shaped recessed surface 92L is formed, with its bottom aligned with the covering surface 92G. Each second protrusion 92F has a ridge 92N formed by a front edge of the recessed surface 92L perpendicular to a front end surface 92M of the second protrusion 92F (see FIG. 6). The recessed surfaces 92H of the first protrusion 92E and the recessed surfaces 92L of the second protrusion 92F are aligned in the front-rear direction. The minimum width W3 of the recessed surface 92H of the first protrusion 92E is greater than the minimum width W4 of the recessed surface 92L of the second protrusion 92F.

[0033] The minimum width dimensions W3 and W4 are the minimum distance between the first protrusion 92E and the second protrusion 92F in the left-right direction. The minimum width dimension W3 is smaller than the outer diameter of the coating 82 of the thick electric wire 81, larger than the outer diameter of the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81, and larger than the outer diameter of the coating 82 of the thin electric wire 81. The minimum width dimension W4 is smaller than the outer diameter of the coating 82 of the thick electric wire 81, larger than the outer diameter of the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81, smaller than the outer diameter of the coating 82 of the thin electric wire 81, and larger than the outer diameter of the core 83 of the thin electric wire 81.

[0034] A locking recess 92C is formed on the inner side of each side wall portion 92B in the left-right direction, recessed outward in the left-right direction (see FIG. 5).

[0035] [Configuration of the Lower Housing] As shown in FIG. 1 , the lower housing 93 includes a flat plate portion 93A with its thickness oriented vertically, upright walls 93B extending from both left and right edges of the flat plate portion 93A, and a front wall 93C extending from the front edge of the flat plate portion 93A. The front wall 93C is formed with a plurality of insertion holes 93H extending in the front-rear direction. A locking rib 93G is provided on the left-right outer side of the upright wall 93B, extending in the front-rear direction and protruding outward in the left-right direction. Only the left locking rib 93G is shown in FIG. 1 . The flat plate portion 93A includes a plurality of recesses 93D. The recesses 93D are separated by a partition wall 93K extending in the front-rear direction and rising upward, and are aligned in the left-right direction. A cavity 93E is provided in front of each recess 93D so as to be continuous with one another. The plurality of insertion holes 93H correspond to the cavities 91B and 93E of the housing 91. An upward-facing receiving surface 93J is provided behind the recess 93D.

[0036] [Example of a method for connecting an electric wire to a terminal fitting] As shown in Figure 7, the terminal fitting 10 is placed in the recess 91A and cavity 91B of the housing 91. At this time, the slide member 12 is positioned in a first position relative to the connecting member 11. First, the connecting member 11 is positioned so that it protrudes forward of the slide member 12, and the terminal fitting 10 is inserted into the cavity 91B from the rear. Then, the front end of the connecting member 11 is abutted against the protrusion 91C provided at the front end of the cavity 91B. Then, the locking portion 11C of the connecting member 11 is locked in the through hole 91E formed in the upper wall of the cavity 91B. This prevents the terminal fitting 10 from coming loose from the housing 91.

[0037] Next, the electric wire 81 is inserted from the rear into the terminal fitting 10 with the slide member 12 positioned in the first position relative to the connecting member 11. Here, the insertion of a thin electric wire 81 will be described. After the terminal fittings 10 are accommodated in the recesses 91A and cavities 91B, the exposed core wires 83 of the multiple electric wires 81 fixed to the sheet 84 are inserted all at once. At this time, the axis of the electric wire 81 is aligned in the front-to-rear direction. Then, the electric wire 81 is inserted into the terminal fitting 10 while the insulation 82 is in contact with and aligned with the receiving surface 91S. In this way, the core wire 83 is routed into the recess 91A. When the front end of the insulation 82 reaches a position facing the rear end of the slide member 12 from behind, the insertion of the electric wire 81 into the connecting member 11 is stopped. At this time, the front end of the core wire 83 is inserted into the rear end of the connecting body 11A.

[0038] Next, the slide member 12 is slid from the first position to the second position relative to the connecting member 11. As a result, as shown in Fig. 8, the upper contact portion 11B is pressed downward by the upper wall of the slide member 12 and elastically deformed, moving closer to the lower contact portion 11B and contacting the core wire 83 from above. As a result, the core wire 83 is sandwiched from above and below by the upper and lower contact portions 11B. In this way, the core wire 83 exposed from the coating 82 at the front end of the electric wire 81 is connected to the terminal fitting 10.

[0039] Then, as with the housing 91, the terminal fittings 10 are accommodated in the recesses 93D and cavities 93E of the lower housing 93, and then the electric wire 81 is inserted into the terminal fittings 10, and the slide member 12 is moved from the first position to the second position. In this way, the core wire 83 exposed from the coating 82 at the front end of the electric wire 81 is connected to the terminal fittings 10 accommodated in the lower housing 93.

[0040] Next, the housing 91 and the lower housing 93 are assembled. The housing 91 is positioned with the recess 91A facing upward and the wires 81 extended rearward. The housing 91 is then attached from above between the pair of vertical walls 93B of the lower housing 93. In other words, the housing 91 is stacked on the receiving surface 93J of the lower housing 93 in the direction in which the protrusion 91H projects (vertically) (see FIG. 11 ). The vertical wall 93B of the lower housing 93 has a locking hole 93F formed therethrough in the thickness direction, and the protrusion 91D of the housing 91 is locked into this locking hole 93F (see FIG. 1 ). The covering surface 91G of the housing 91 covers the recess 93D of the lower housing 93 from above in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction (see FIG. 11 ). The receiving surface 93J, located behind the recess 93D, faces the covering surface 91G of the housing 91 from below (see FIG. 11 ). The protrusion 91H is provided on the cover surface 91G in an area facing the receiving surface 93J of the lower housing 93 (see FIG. 11).

[0041] When the cover surface 91G of the housing 91 covers the recess 93D accommodating the terminal fitting 10 connected to the core wire 83 (see FIG. 11 ), the front end of the sheath 82 is routed between the laterally adjacent protrusions 91H (the laterally adjacent first protrusions 91J and the laterally adjacent second protrusions 91K) (see FIG. 9 ). In other words, the front end of the sheath 82 is routed between the recessed surfaces 91L and 91P (see FIG. 9 ). Because the minimum width W2 of the recessed surface 91P is smaller than the outer diameter of the sheath 82 of the thin electric wire 81, the second protrusions 91K press against the sheath 82 from the left and right, and the ridges 91R of the second protrusions 91K bite into the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 82 (see FIG. 9 ). The minimum width W1 of the recessed surface 91L is larger than the outer diameter of the sheath 82 of the thin electric wire 81. Therefore, the coating 82 of the thin electric wire 81 is inserted through the recessed surface 91L without being bitten into by the ridge line 91N of the first protrusion 91J (see FIG. 9).

[0042] On the other hand, when connecting a thick electric wire 81 to the terminal fitting 10, the front end of the insulation 82 is positioned between the first protrusion 91J and the second protrusion 91K, as shown in Fig. 10. The minimum width W1 of the recessed surface 91L is smaller than the outer diameter of the insulation 82 of the thick electric wire 81, so that the first protrusion 91J presses against the insulation 82 from the left and right, and the ridge 91N of the first protrusion 91J bites into the outer peripheral surface of the insulation 82. The minimum width W2 of the recessed surface 91P is larger than the outer diameter of the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81. Therefore, the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81 is inserted into the recessed surface 91P without being bitten by the ridge 91R of the second protrusion 91K.

[0043] Next, the housing 91 and the lower housing 93 are attached between the pair of side wall portions 92B of the cover portion 92. At this time, the housing 91 is sandwiched between the cover portion 92 and the lower housing 93 from above and below, and the pair of locking ribs 93G of the lower housing 93 are locked into the pair of locking recesses 92C (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the housing 91 is positioned with the recesses 91A facing upward and the wires 81 extended rearward. The housing 91 and the lower housing 93 are then attached between the pair of side wall portions 92B of the cover portion 92. At this time, the cover portion 92 is stacked against the receiving surface 91S of the housing 91 in the protruding direction (vertical direction) of the protrusions 92D (see FIG. 11). The covering surface 92G of the cover portion 92 covers the recesses 91A of the housing 91 from above and below, intersecting the front-to-rear direction (see FIG. 11). A receiving surface 91S provided behind the recess 91A faces a covering surface 92G of the covering portion 92 from below (see FIG. 11). The protrusion 92D is provided on the covering surface 92G in an area facing the receiving surface 91S of the housing 91 (see FIG. 11).

[0044] When the cover surface 92G of the cover portion 92 covers the recess 91A accommodating the terminal fitting 10 connected to the core wire 83 (see FIG. 11 ), the front end of the covering 82 is routed between the adjacent protrusions 92D (the first protrusions 92E adjacent to each other in the left-right direction and the second protrusions 92F adjacent to each other in the left-right direction) (see FIG. 9 ). In other words, the front end of the covering 82 is routed between the recessed surfaces 92L and 92H (see FIG. 9 ). Because the minimum width W4 of the recessed surface 92L is smaller than the outer diameter of the covering 82 of the thin electric wire 81, the second protrusions 92F press against the covering 82 from the left and right directions, and the ridges 92N of the second protrusions 92F bite into the covering 82 (see FIG. 9 ). The minimum width W3 of the recessed surface 92H is larger than the outer diameter of the covering 82 of the thin electric wire 81. Therefore, the coating 82 of the thin electric wire 81 is inserted into the recessed surface 92H without being bitten by the ridge line 92K of the first protrusion 92E (see FIG. 9). In this way, the connector 100 is completed.

[0045] On the other hand, when connecting a thick electric wire 81 to the terminal fitting 10, the front end of the insulation 82 is positioned between the first protrusion 92E and the second protrusion 92F, as shown in Fig. 10. The minimum width W3 of the recessed surface 92H is smaller than the outer diameter of the insulation 82 of the thick electric wire 81, so that the first protrusion 92E presses against the insulation 82 from the left and right, and the ridge 92K of the first protrusion 92E bites into the insulation 82. The minimum width W4 of the recessed surface 92L is larger than the outer diameter of the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81. Therefore, the core 83 of the thick electric wire 81 is inserted into the recessed surface 92L without being bitten by the ridge 92N of the second protrusion 92F.

[0046] Next, the effects of this configuration will be illustrated. The connector 100 includes a terminal fitting 10, a housing 91, and a cover portion 92. The terminal fitting 10 is connected to a core wire 83 exposed from the sheath 82 at the front end of the electric wire 81. The housing 91 is formed with a plurality of recesses 91A arranged side by side in the left-right direction to accommodate the terminal fittings 10. The cover portion 92 has a cover surface 92G that covers the recesses 91A from a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The cover portion 92 is separate from the terminal fitting 10, and the housing 91 has a receiving surface 91S arranged behind the recesses 91A and facing the cover surface 92G. A region of the cover surface 92G facing the receiving surface 91S is provided with a plurality of protrusions 92D arranged side by side and spaced apart in the left-right direction. The minimum distance between the protrusions 92D in the left-right direction (minimum width W4) is smaller than the outer diameter of the sheath 82 of the thin electric wire 81. The minimum distance (minimum width W3) between the protrusions 92D in the left-right direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the coating 82 of the thick electric wire 81. When the covering surface 92G covers the recess 91A that houses the terminal fitting 10 to which the core wire 83 is connected, the front end of the coating 82 is arranged between adjacent protrusions 92D.

[0047] With this configuration, the front end of the coating 82 is routed between the protrusions 92D, and the protrusions 92D press against and sandwich the outer circumferential surface of the front end of the coating 82. Since a structure for holding the coating 82 is provided in the cover part 92, which is separate from the terminal fitting 10, the structure of the terminal fitting 10 can be simplified.

[0048] The electric wire 81 is routed in the recess 91A with its axis aligned in the front-to-rear direction, and the cover 92 is stacked on the receiving surface 91S from the vertical direction (protruding direction) of the protrusion 92D. With this configuration, the protrusion 92D can be brought close to the coating 82 in a direction intersecting the axis of the electric wire 81, making it easy to route the coating 82 between the protrusions 92D.

[0049] Between adjacent protrusions 92D, U-shaped recessed surfaces 92H, 92L are formed, with their bottoms aligned with the cover surface 92G. The protrusions 92D have ridgelines 92K, 92N formed by the front edges of the recessed surfaces 92H, 92L intersecting with the front end surfaces 92J, 92M of the protrusions 92D, which face forward. The minimum width dimensions W3, W4 of the recessed surfaces 92H, 92L in the left-right direction are the minimum separation dimensions, and the front end of the sheath 82 is routed to the recessed surfaces 92H, 92L. With this configuration, even if the sheath 82 routed between the recessed surfaces 92H, 92L is pulled rearward, the ridgelines 92K, 92N dig into the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 82, preventing the sheath 82 from shifting rearward.

[0050] The protrusion 92D includes a plurality of first protrusions 92E spaced apart in the left-right direction and a plurality of second protrusions 92F positioned forward of the first protrusions 92E and spaced apart in the left-right direction. The recessed surfaces 92H of the first protrusions 92E and the recessed surfaces 92L of the second protrusions 92F are aligned in the front-rear direction. The minimum width W3 of the recessed surfaces 92H of the first protrusions 92E is greater than the minimum width W4 of the recessed surfaces 92L of the second protrusions 92F. This configuration allows the first protrusions 92E and the second protrusions 92F to accommodate coatings 82 with different outer diameters.

[0051] <Other Embodiments> The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0052] Unlike the first embodiment, the connecting member may be provided with a tab.

[0053] Unlike the first embodiment, the tubular portion of the sliding member is not limited to a rectangular tubular shape, but may be cylindrical.

[0054] Unlike embodiment 1, a third protrusion having a recessed surface narrower than the minimum width dimension of the recessed surface of the second protrusion may be positioned in front of the second protrusion, and a third protrusion having a recessed surface wider than the minimum width dimension of the recessed surface of the first protrusion may be positioned behind the first protrusion.

[0055] Unlike the first embodiment, the cover and the lower housing may sandwich the plurality of housings stacked in the vertical direction from above and below.

[0056] Unlike the first embodiment, electric wires of different thicknesses may be used in combination.

[0057] Unlike the first embodiment, the front end of the insulation of the thick electric wire may be disposed behind the recessed surface of the second protrusion, while not coming into contact with the recessed surface of the second protrusion.

[0058] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Terminal fitting 11: Connection member 11A: Connection body 11B: Contact portion 11C: Locking portion 12: Slide member 81: Electric wire 82: Coating 83: Core wire 84: Sheet 91: Housing 91A: Recess 91B: Cavity 91C: Convex portion 91D: Projection 91E: Through hole 91F: Partition wall 91G: Cover surface 91H: Projection 91J: First projection 91K: Second projection 91L, 91P: Recessed surface 91M, 91Q: Front end surface 91N, 91R: Ridge line 91S: Receiving surface 92: Cover portion 92A: Cover wall 92B: Side wall 92C: Locking recess 92D : Projection 92E: First projection 92F: Second projection 92G: Cover surface 92H, 92L: Recessed surface 92J, 92M: Front end surface 92K, 92N: Ridge line 93: Lower housing 93A: Flat plate portion 93B: Standing wall 93C: Front wall 93D: Recess 93E: Cavity 93F: Locking hole 93G: Locking rib 93H: Insertion hole 93J: Receiving surface 93K: Partition wall 100: Connector W1, W2, W3, W4: Minimum width dimension

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a terminal fitting connected to a core wire exposed from the insulation at a front end of an electric wire; a housing having a plurality of recesses arranged side by side in the left-right direction to accommodate the terminal fitting; and a cover portion having a cover surface that covers the recesses in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction, wherein the cover portion is separate from the terminal fittings, the housing has a receiving surface arranged behind the recesses and facing the cover surface, a region of the cover surface facing the receiving surface is provided with a plurality of protrusions arranged side by side and spaced apart in the left-to-right direction, the minimum spacing dimension between the protrusions in the left-to-right direction is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the insulation, and when the cover surface covers the recesses that accommodate the terminal fittings, the front end of the insulation is routed between adjacent protrusions.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the electric wire is routed in the recess with its axis in the front-rear direction, and the cover is layered on the receiving surface from the protruding direction of the protrusion.

3. A connector as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein a U-shaped recessed surface with its bottom aligned with said covering surface is formed between adjacent protrusions, said protrusions have a ridge line formed by a front end edge of said recessed surface and a front end face facing forward of said protrusions at a right angle, the minimum width dimension of said recessed surface in the left-right direction is the minimum separation dimension, and the front end of said covering is routed onto said recessed surface.

4. The connector as described in claim 3, wherein the protrusions include a plurality of first protrusions spaced apart in the left-right direction and a plurality of second protrusions arranged forward of the first protrusions and spaced apart in the left-right direction, the recessed surfaces of the first protrusions and the recessed surfaces of the second protrusions are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction, and the minimum width dimension in the left-to-right direction of the recessed surface of the first protrusions is greater than the minimum width dimension in the left-to-right direction of the recessed surface of the second protrusions.

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