Connector

Abstract

This connector (C1) is provided with a female terminal (31) and a housing (30) that internally holds the female terminal (31) inserted along a first direction (X1). The female terminal (31) has a peripheral wall (40) having a cylindrical part (41), a peripheral wall (50) having a cylindrical part (51) facing the cylindrical part (41), a cylindrical connection part (60) composed of the cylindrical part (41) and the cylindrical part (51), and an engagement part (110) provided on the peripheral wall (40). The engagement part (110) has an engagement surface (113) facing a first opposite direction (X2) which is a direction opposite to the first direction (X1). The housing (30) has an engagement part (126) that includes an engagement surface (128) facing the first direction (X1). The engagement surface (128) is formed so as to be engageable with the engagement surface (113) in the first direction (X1).

Description

connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors.

[0002] A conventional vehicle-mounted connector includes a female terminal and a housing for holding the female terminal. The cylindrical connecting portion of the female terminal is inserted into the columnar connecting portion of the male terminal, and the columnar connecting portion is electrically connected to the female terminal. This type of female terminal uses a biasing force from a biasing member such as a coil spring to ensure stable contact pressure with the columnar connecting portion of the male terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-28903

[0004] However, in the above connector, improvement in assembly workability is desired. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can improve assembly workability.

[0005] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a female terminal and a housing that holds the female terminal therein when it is inserted along a first direction, wherein the female terminal has a first peripheral wall having a first cylindrical portion, a second peripheral wall having a second cylindrical portion opposite the first cylindrical portion, a cylindrical connecting portion formed by the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion, and a first engaging portion provided on the first peripheral wall, wherein the first engaging portion has a first engaging surface facing a first opposite direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction, and the housing has a second engaging portion including a second engaging surface facing the first direction, and the second engaging surface is formed to be able to engage with the first engaging surface in the first direction.

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure has the effect of improving assembly workability.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wire harness of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a wire harness of an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a wire harness of an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a portion of the wire harness of an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a portion of the wire harness of an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a portion of the wire harness of an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIGS. 5 and 6 ) showing a portion of the wire harness of an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIGS. 5 and 6 ) showing a portion of the wire harness of an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a female terminal of an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIGS. 5 and 6 ) showing a female terminal of an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10 ) showing a female terminal of an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a female terminal of an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a female terminal of an embodiment. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 in Figs. 5 and 6) showing a part of the wire harness of one embodiment. Fig. 15 is a plan view showing the wire harness of one embodiment. Fig. 16 is a plan view showing a part of the wire harness of one embodiment. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a modified wire harness.

[0008] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] A connector of the present disclosure includes a female terminal and a housing that holds the female terminal therein when the female terminal is inserted along a first direction, the female terminal having a first peripheral wall having a first cylindrical portion, a second peripheral wall having a second cylindrical portion facing the first cylindrical portion, a cylindrical connecting portion formed by the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion, and a first engaging portion provided on the first peripheral wall, the first engaging portion having a first engaging surface facing a first opposite direction that is a direction opposite to the first direction, the housing having a second engaging portion including a second engaging surface facing the first direction, the second engaging surface being configured to be engageable with the first engaging surface in the first direction.

[0009] According to this configuration, the female terminal is provided with a first engagement portion having a first engagement surface facing the first opposite direction, and the housing is provided with a second engagement portion having a second engagement surface facing the first direction and engaging with the first engagement surface. The first engagement surface and the second engagement surface are engaged with each other in the first direction, thereby effectively restricting movement of the female terminal in the first opposite direction. This effectively prevents the female terminal from falling out of the housing along the first opposite direction during connector assembly. As a result, connector assembly workability can be improved.

[0010] [2] In the above [1], the second peripheral wall is provided at a position facing a second direction intersecting the first direction from the first peripheral wall, and the first engaging portion is an engaging protrusion protruding from an end face of the first peripheral wall in a second opposite direction, which is the opposite direction to the second direction, toward the second opposite direction, and the second engaging portion may have an engaging convex portion protruding toward the female terminal.

[0011] According to this configuration, the first engaging portion is formed to protrude toward the second engaging portion, and the engaging protrusion of the second engaging portion is formed to protrude toward the first engaging portion. In this way, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are formed to protrude toward each other. This allows the amount of protrusion of the engaging protrusion to be reduced compared to when only the engaging protrusion of the second engaging portion protrudes toward the first engaging portion. Therefore, when the female terminal is inserted into the housing, it is possible to preferably prevent the engaging protrusion from contacting the female terminal in a portion other than the first engaging portion.

[0012] [3] In the above [2], the first tubular portion protrudes in the second opposite direction from the end face of the first circumferential wall in the second opposite direction, and a first protrusion amount of the first engaging portion from the end face of the first circumferential wall in the second opposite direction may be greater than a second protrusion amount of the first tubular portion from the end face of the first circumferential wall in the second opposite direction.

[0013] According to this configuration, the first protrusion amount of the first engagement portion is greater than the second protrusion amount of the first cylindrical portion. That is, the second protrusion amount of the first cylindrical portion is smaller than the first protrusion amount of the first engagement portion. Therefore, when the female terminal is inserted into the housing, it is possible to preferably prevent the first cylindrical portion from contacting the engagement protrusion of the second engagement portion.

[0014] [4] In the above [3], the first engagement portion has a first inclined surface facing the first direction, and the first inclined surface is inclined toward the first opposite direction as it moves from the end of the first inclined surface facing the second direction toward the end of the first inclined surface facing the second opposite direction, and the first engagement surface may extend perpendicular to the first direction.

[0015] According to this configuration, the first engagement surface of the female terminal is formed to extend perpendicular to the first direction, which is the direction of insertion of the female terminal into the housing, thereby enabling the first engagement surface to be suitably engaged with the second engagement surface of the second engagement portion, and making it possible to suitably restrict movement of the female terminal in the first opposite direction.

[0016] [5] In the above [4], the engaging protrusion has a second inclined surface facing the first opposite direction, and the second inclined surface is inclined toward the first direction as it moves from the end of the second inclined surface facing the second opposite direction to the end of the second inclined surface facing the second direction, and the second engaging surface may extend perpendicular to the first direction and extend parallel to the first engaging surface.

[0017] According to this configuration, the second engagement surface of the second engagement portion is formed to extend perpendicular to the first direction, which is the insertion direction of the female terminal into the housing. This allows the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface to be more effectively engaged with each other, and more effectively restricts movement of the female terminal in the first opposite direction. Furthermore, when the female terminal is inserted into the housing, the first inclined surface of the first engagement portion of the female terminal moves along the second inclined surface of the second engagement portion of the housing. This allows the female terminal to be inserted into the housing so that the first engagement portion smoothly rides over the engagement protrusion.

[0018] [6] In any of the above [2] to [5], the housing has a housing main body that accommodates the female terminal therein and a retainer attached to the housing main body, and the second engaging portion is formed in a cantilever shape with a base end connected to a wall portion of the housing main body as a fixed end and a tip end provided on the opposite side of the base end as a free end, and the engaging protrusion may be provided at the tip end.

[0019] According to this configuration, the second engagement portion is formed in a cantilever shape. Therefore, when the female terminal is inserted into the housing, the first engagement portion of the female terminal comes into contact with the second engagement portion, thereby favorably elastically deforming the second engagement portion. This allows the female terminal to be inserted into the housing so that the first engagement portion smoothly rides over the engagement protrusion.

[0020] [7] In any of [1] to [6] above, the first peripheral wall may have a connecting portion provided at the end of the first peripheral wall in the first opposite direction, the female terminal may have an electric wire connection portion provided at the end of the connecting portion in the first opposite direction, the electric wire connection portion being a portion to which an electric wire is electrically connected, and the first engagement portion may be provided at the connecting portion.

[0021] According to this configuration, the first engaging portion is provided on the connecting portion that connects the tubular connecting portion and the wire connecting portion, and the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface of the first engaging portion are engaged with each other in the first direction, thereby preferably restricting movement of the female terminal in the first opposite direction.

[0022] [8] In any of [1] to [7] above, the first tubular portion may have a first inner surface facing the second tubular portion, and the second tubular portion may have a plurality of divided tubular portions divided in the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion, and each of the plurality of divided tubular portions may have a second inner surface facing the first inner surface and a protrusion that protrudes in an arc-shaped cross section from the second inner surface radially inward of the tubular connecting portion.

[0023] According to this configuration, when the columnar connecting portion of the male terminal is press-fitted into the tubular connecting portion, the protrusions provided on the second inner surface of each of the plurality of divided tubular portions come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion. Therefore, in the tubular connecting portion, the plurality of protrusions come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion at multiple locations spaced apart in the axial direction. As a result, even when a swing is transmitted to the male terminal, the contact of the plurality of protrusions with the columnar connecting portion can effectively prevent displacement of the male terminal due to the swing. In other words, compared to when only one protrusion is provided on the second inner surface of the second tubular portion, the contact pressure of the plurality of protrusions can more effectively prevent displacement of the columnar connecting portion inside the tubular connecting portion.

[0024] [9] In the above [8], the plurality of divided tubular portions may be two divided tubular portions, the second tubular portion may have a slit separating the two divided tubular portions, and the slit may be provided at a central position of the tubular connecting portion in the axial direction.

[0025] According to this configuration, the slit separating the two split tubular portions is provided at the axial center of the tubular connecting portion. When the columnar connecting portion of the male terminal inserted into the tubular connecting portion is displaced, the columnar connecting portion rotates around the axial center of the tubular connecting portion. If the contact portion between the protrusion and the columnar connecting portion were provided at this rotation center, the contact pressure of the protrusion would not act as a force to suppress the displacement of the columnar connecting portion. In contrast, in the above configuration, the protrusion is provided at a position other than the slit provided at the axial center of the tubular connecting portion. This allows the protrusion and the columnar connecting portion to come into contact at a position other than the rotation center of the displacement of the columnar connecting portion. This allows the contact pressure of the protrusion to effectively act as a force to suppress the displacement of the columnar connecting portion. As a result, the contact pressure of the multiple protrusions can effectively suppress the displacement of the columnar connecting portion inside the tubular connecting portion.

[0026]

[10] In the above [8] or [9], the female terminal may further include a winding clamp portion that limits the distance between the first inner surface and the second inner surface, the winding clamp portion being formed integrally with the first peripheral wall, and the winding clamp portion extending from the first peripheral wall and folded back while embracing the edge of the second peripheral wall inward, and may be in contact with the outer surface of the second peripheral wall.

[0027] According to this configuration, when the columnar connecting portion of the male terminal is press-fitted into the tubular connecting portion, the retaining portion prevents the separation distance between the first inner surface constituting the tubular connecting portion and the second inner surface constituting the tubular connecting portion from increasing. This restriction by the retaining portion allows the protrusion to be in favorable contact with the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion. As a result, the contact state between the tubular connecting portion and the columnar connecting portion can be stably maintained. Furthermore, the retaining portion is integrally formed with the first peripheral wall. Therefore, the contact state between the tubular connecting portion and the columnar connecting portion can be maintained with a simpler structure than when a separate part such as a coil spring is used. In other words, the structure of the female terminal can be simplified compared to when a separate part such as a coil spring is used.

[0028] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of connectors of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ between the drawings. In this specification, "parallel," "orthogonal," and "perpendicular" do not necessarily refer to strictly parallel, orthogonal, or perpendicular, but also include approximately parallel, orthogonal, or perpendicular within the scope of the effects of the present embodiment. The term "cylindrical" as used in this specification does not only refer to a cylindrical shape formed by assembling multiple components, or a cylindrical shape with a partial cutout, such as a C-shape or U-shape. The term "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes with pointed or rounded corners. In this specification, "facing" refers to surfaces or components facing each other, including not only cases where the surfaces or components are completely facing each other, but also cases where the surfaces or components are partially facing each other. Furthermore, in this specification, "opposing" includes both cases where a separate member is interposed between two parts and cases where nothing is interposed between the two parts. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used in this specification merely to distinguish between objects and not to rank the objects. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included.

[0029] (Overall Configuration of Wire Harness W1) As shown in FIG. 1 , the wire harness W1 includes one or more (two in this embodiment) electric wires 20 and a connector C1 attached to the end of the electric wire 20. The wire harness W1 electrically connects, for example, electrical devices for a vehicle. Examples of the electrical device for a vehicle include an inverter and a wheel drive motor. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the connector C1 is electrically connected to a mating connector provided on the electrical device. The mating connector includes, for example, one or more (two in this embodiment) mating male terminals 200 (see FIG. 4 ) and a mating housing that holds the two male terminals 200. Note that the directions in each drawing do not necessarily represent the orientation of the connector C1 and the wire harness W1 during use.

[0030] (Overall Configuration of Connector C1) As shown in FIG. 2 , connector C1 includes a housing 30 and a plurality of female terminals 31 connected to the ends of a plurality of electric wires 20, respectively. Housing 30 holds the plurality of electric wires 20 and the plurality of female terminals 31. Housing 30 includes a housing main body 120 that accommodates the plurality of female terminals 31 therein and a retainer 130 attached to housing main body 120. Each drawing illustrates mutually orthogonal X-, Y-, and Z-axes. Each drawing illustrates a first direction X1, which is a direction in the X-axis direction along the X-axis, and a first opposite direction X2, which is the opposite direction to first direction X1. Each drawing illustrates a second direction Y1, which is a direction in the Y-axis direction along the Y-axis, and a second opposite direction Y2, which is the opposite direction to second direction Y1. Each drawing illustrates a third direction Z1, which is a direction in the Z-axis direction along the Z-axis, and a third opposite direction Z2, which is the opposite direction to third direction Z1. The directions described above are directions when the connector C1 is assembled to the end of the electric wire 20 unless otherwise specified.

[0031] The female terminals 31 and the electric wires 20 are inserted into the housing body 120 along the first direction X1. A retainer 130 is attached to the housing body 120 along the third direction Z1. For example, a mating connector is connected to the connector C1 along the third direction Z1. For example, the male terminals 200 (see FIG. 4 ) of the mating connector are inserted into the housing body 120 along the third direction Z1.

[0032] (Configuration of Electric Wire 20) Each electric wire 20 has a conductive core wire 21 and an insulating coating 22 that surrounds the outer periphery of the core wire 21 and has insulating properties. For example, a stranded wire made of a plurality of metal wires twisted together or a single-core wire made of a single conductor can be used as the core wire 21. For example, the insulating coating 22 covers the outer periphery of the core wire 21 over the entire circumferential direction.

[0033] An end of the core wire 21 in the first direction X1 is exposed from the insulating coating 22. A female terminal 31 is connected to the end of the core wire 21 in the first direction X1 that is exposed from the insulating coating 22. As shown in Fig. 3 , the end of the electric wire 20 in the first direction X1 is accommodated inside the housing main body 120. The electric wire 20 is led out in the first opposite direction X2 from the end of the housing main body 120 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0034] (Configuration of female terminals 31) As shown in Fig. 2, the two female terminals 31 are electrically connected to the two electric wires 20, respectively. The two female terminals 31 are arranged side by side along the Y-axis direction, for example. The two female terminals 31 have, for example, the same structure as each other. Here, the following description focuses on the female terminal 31 of the two female terminals 31 that is arranged on the second direction Y1 side.

[0035] Each female terminal 31 has a wire connection portion 32 that connects to the end of the electric wire 20, a terminal connection portion 33, and a linking portion 34 that links the wire connection portion 32 and the terminal connection portion 33. Each female terminal 31 is, for example, a single component in which the wire connection portion 32, the linking portion 34, and the terminal connection portion 33 are continuously and integrally formed. Each female terminal 31 in this embodiment is formed by bending a single sheet of metal material. Each female terminal 31 is made of, for example, metal. For example, copper-based or aluminum-based metal materials can be used as the material for each female terminal 31.

[0036] The electric wire connection portion 32 is connected to an end of the core wire 21 exposed from the insulating coating 22. The electric wire connection portion 32 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The electric wire connection portion 32 extends, for example, in a strip shape along the X-axis direction. The electric wire connection portion 32 is connected to the core wire 21 by, for example, crimping or ultrasonic welding. This electrically and mechanically connects the electric wire connection portion 32 and the core wire 21.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 4, the coupling portion 34 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The coupling portion 34 extends, for example, in a strip shape along the X-axis direction. The terminal connection portion 33 is a female terminal portion that connects with a male terminal 200 of a mating connector. Here, the male terminal 200 has a columnar columnar connection portion 201. In this embodiment, the columnar connection portion 201 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0038] The terminal connection portion 33 has a peripheral wall 40 having a cylindrical portion 41, a peripheral wall 50 having a cylindrical portion 51 facing the cylindrical portion 41, and a cylindrical connection portion 60. The terminal connection portion 33 has, for example, a connecting portion 70, a protruding portion 80, a winding pressing portion 90, and a protective portion 100. The peripheral wall 40 and the peripheral wall 50 face each other in the Y-axis direction.

[0039] (Configuration of Peripheral Wall 40 and Peripheral Wall 50) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the first opposite direction X2 has a connecting portion 34. In other words, the connecting portion 34 is formed by the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the first opposite direction X2. The peripheral wall 40 is formed in a band shape extending along the first direction X1. For example, the peripheral wall 40 extends from the end of the wire connection portion 32 in the first direction X1 toward the first direction X1. The peripheral wall 40 is formed in, for example, a flat plate shape. As shown in Figure 4, the peripheral wall 40 has an inner surface facing the peripheral wall 50 and an outer surface provided on the opposite side of the inner surface in the Y-axis direction.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the peripheral wall 50 is formed in a band shape extending along the first direction X1. The peripheral wall 50 is formed in, for example, a flat plate shape. As shown in Figure 4, the peripheral wall 50 has an inner surface facing the inner surface of the peripheral wall 40 and an outer surface provided on the opposite side of the inner surface in the Y-axis direction from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 50. The inner surface of the peripheral wall 50 is provided spaced apart from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 40 in the Y-axis direction. The peripheral wall 50 is provided at a position facing the second direction Y1 from the peripheral wall 40. The peripheral wall 50 extends, for example, parallel to the peripheral wall 40.

[0041] Each of the cylindrical portions 41, 51 is provided at an intermediate position in the X-axis direction of the peripheral walls 40, 50. Each of the cylindrical portions 41, 51 is provided between the winding presser portion 90 and the protective portion 100 in the X-axis direction. Each of the cylindrical portions 41, 51 is formed into a half-cylinder shape as a whole. Each of the cylindrical portions 41, 51 extends along the Z-axis direction over the entire length of the peripheral walls 40, 50 in the Z-axis direction.

[0042] The cylindrical portion 41 and the cylindrical portion 51 are curved in a direction away from each other. The cylindrical portion 41 and the cylindrical portion 51 constitute a cylindrical connecting portion 60. The cylindrical connecting portion 60 is a portion into which the columnar connecting portion 201 of the male terminal 200 is inserted along the third direction Z1 and to which the columnar connecting portion 201 is electrically connected. The axial direction of the cylindrical connecting portion 60 extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the peripheral walls 40, 50 extend (here, the X-axis direction), and in this embodiment, extends along the Z-axis direction. The cylindrical connecting portion 60 is open at both ends in the Z-axis direction.

[0043] 7 , the tubular connecting part 60 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape as a whole. The tubular connecting part 60 has, for example, a maximum inner diameter that is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the columnar connecting part 201. In other words, the tubular connecting part 60 is configured so that the columnar connecting part 201 is press-fitted into the interior of the tubular connecting part 60.

[0044] The cylindrical portion 41 has an inner surface 42 facing the second direction Y1 and an outer surface provided on the opposite side of the inner surface 42. The outer surface of the cylindrical portion 41 is formed into a curved surface whose cross section, obtained by cutting the cylindrical portion 41 along a plane parallel to the X-axis direction, is curved in an arc shape. The outer surface of the cylindrical portion 41 protrudes in an arc shape in the radial direction outward from the cylindrical connecting portion 60. Similarly, the inner surface 42 of the cylindrical portion 41 is formed to be recessed in an arc shape in the radial direction outward from the cylindrical connecting portion 60.

[0045] The inner surface 42 of the tubular portion 41 is provided with a plurality of (two in this embodiment) linear contact portions 43 that protrude from the inner surface 42 toward the radially inward direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. The two linear contact portions 43 are provided at positions spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. The two linear contact portions 43 partially face each other in, for example, the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5 , each linear contact portion 43 extends, for example, along the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion 60.

[0046] 7 , the curvature of the inner surface 42 having the two linear contact portions 43 is set to be smaller than the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 201 of the male terminal 200. This allows the two linear contact portions 43 to be in suitable contact with the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 201. At this time, each linear contact portion 43 is in linear contact with the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 201 along the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. That is, each linear contact portion 43 is in line contact with the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 201.

[0047] 6 , the tubular portion 51 has a plurality of (two in this embodiment) divided tubular portions 52 that are divided in the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion 60, and a slit 53 that separates the two divided tubular portions 52. The two divided tubular portions 52 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion 60, with the slit 53 sandwiched between them. The two divided tubular portions 52 have, for example, the same structure.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 8, each divided cylindrical portion 52 has an inner surface 54 facing the second opposite direction Y2 and an outer surface provided on the opposite side of the inner surface 54. As shown in Fig. 7, the outer surface of each divided cylindrical portion 52 is formed into a curved surface whose cross section, obtained by cutting the divided cylindrical portion 52 along a plane parallel to the X-axis direction, is curved in an arc. The outer surface of the divided cylindrical portion 52 protrudes in an arc-shaped cross section radially outward from the cylindrical connecting portion 60. Similarly, the inner surface 54 of the divided cylindrical portion 52 is formed so as to be recessed in an arc-shaped cross section radially outward from the cylindrical connecting portion 60.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 8, the outer surface of each divided cylindrical portion 52 is provided with a recess 55 that is recessed from the outer surface toward the inside in the radial direction of the cylindrical connecting portion 60. As shown in Fig. 6, the planar shape of the recess 55 as viewed from the Y-axis direction is, for example, rectangular. The recess 55 is formed, for example, over the entire length of the divided cylindrical portion 52 in the Z-axis direction.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 8, the inner surface 54 of each divided cylindrical portion 52 is provided with a protrusion 56 that protrudes from the inner surface 54 toward the inside in the radial direction of the cylindrical connecting portion 60. The protrusion 56 is provided, for example, on the inner surface 54 of the divided cylindrical portion 52 in the portion where the recessed portion 55 is formed. The protrusion 56 can be formed, for example, by embossing. The protrusion 56 is formed in an embossed shape by pressing the outer surface of the divided cylindrical portion 52 with a mold.

[0051] The protrusion 56 is formed, for example, so that the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 56 cut along a plane parallel to the axial direction (here, the Z-axis direction) of the tubular connecting portion 60 protrudes in an arc-like shape radially inward of the tubular connecting portion 60. The protrusion 56 protrudes in an arc-like cross-section radially inward of the tubular connecting portion 60 from the inner surface 54. The protrusion 56 extends along the circumferential direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. The protrusion 56 extends along the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. The protruding tip 56A of the protrusion 56 comes into point contact with, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 201 of the male terminal 200.

[0052] Each protruding tip 56A is provided, for example, at the center in the axial direction (here, the Z-axis direction) of the divided cylindrical portion 52. Each protruding tip 56A is provided in the axial direction of the cylindrical connecting portion 60 at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the center of the cylindrical connecting portion 60 in that axial direction.

[0053] 9, the slit 53 penetrates the cylindrical portion 51 in the Y-axis direction. The slit 53 is provided, for example, at the center of the cylindrical connecting portion 60 in the axial direction of the cylindrical connecting portion 60.

[0054] The slits 53 extend along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 51 over the entire circumferential length of the cylindrical portion 51. For example, the slits 53 extend from an end face of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 along the first opposite direction X2 to a position beyond the divided cylindrical portion 52 in the first opposite direction X2. The slits 53 open in the first direction X1. That is, the slits 53 are formed so as to be cut out from the end face of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 toward the first opposite direction X2.

[0055] The end of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 is formed in a bifurcated structure by the slit 53. That is, the end of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 has two bifurcated divided portions 57. Each divided portion 57 has a divided tubular portion 52. Each divided portion 57 is formed, for example, so as to be cantilevered relative to the end of the peripheral wall 50 in the first opposite direction X2. The two divided portions 57 have, for example, the same structure as each other. The two divided portions 57 are formed symmetrically with respect to an imaginary plane that includes the center of the slit 53 in the Z-axis direction and extends in the X-axis direction.

[0056] (Configuration of connecting portion 70) As shown in Fig. 4, the connecting portion 70 connects the peripheral wall 40 and the peripheral wall 50. The connecting portion 70 connects the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the third opposite direction Z2 to the end of the peripheral wall 50 in the third opposite direction Z2. The connecting portion 70 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 40 and is also formed integrally with the peripheral wall 50. The connecting portion 70 is formed so as to fold back from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the third opposite direction Z2 toward the end face of the peripheral wall 50 in the third opposite direction Z2.

[0057] The connecting portion 70 extends in the first direction X1 from an end portion of the peripheral wall 50 in the first opposite direction X2. The connecting portion 70 protrudes in the third opposite direction Z2 beyond the end surfaces of the peripheral walls 40, 50 in the third opposite direction Z2.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 10 , the connecting portion 70 has an extending portion 71 extending in the third opposite direction Z2 from an end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the third opposite direction Z2, and an extending portion 72 extending in the third opposite direction Z2 from an end face of the peripheral wall 50 in the third opposite direction Z2. The connecting portion 70 has a folded portion 73 connecting the extending portion 71 and the extending portion 72. The folded portion 73 is formed so as to fold back from an end of the extending portion 71 toward the extending portion 72 and the peripheral wall 50. The folded portion 73 is folded back, for example, in a U-shape from the end of the extending portion 71 in the third direction Z1. The extending portion 71, the folded portion 73, and the extending portion 72 form the connecting portion 70 in a U-shaped folded shape that is convex in a direction away from the peripheral walls 40, 50 (here, the third opposite direction Z2). The connecting portion 70 is folded back so that the peripheral wall 50 faces the peripheral wall 40. In other words, in the terminal connection portion 33, the peripheral wall 50 is folded in half by the connecting portion 70 toward the peripheral wall 40.

[0059] (Configuration of the protrusion 80) As shown in FIG. 11 , the protrusion 80 is provided on an end surface of the peripheral wall 50 in the third direction Z1. The protrusion 80 includes, for example, a protrusion base 81 extending in the third direction Z1 from the end surface of the peripheral wall 50 in the third direction Z1, and a protrusion 82 extending in the third direction Z1 from a portion of the protrusion tip surface of the protrusion base 81. The protrusion base 81 is formed integrally and continuously with the peripheral wall 50. The protrusion base 81 extends along the first direction X1 from the end surface of the peripheral wall 50 in the first opposite direction X2. The protrusion 82 is formed integrally and continuously with the protrusion base 81. The protrusion 82 protrudes in the third direction Z1 beyond the protrusion tip surface of the protrusion base 81, i.e., beyond the end surface in the third direction Z1. The protrusion 82 is provided only at a middle position in the X-axis direction of the protrusion base 81. The protrusion 82 is formed so that, in a plan view seen from the Y-axis direction, the width along the X-axis direction decreases as the distance from the protrusion base 81 approaches the protrusion tip surface of the protrusion 82, for example.

[0060] (Configuration of the Winding Presser 90) As shown in FIG. 4 , the winding presser 90 is formed to limit the separation distance between the inner surface 42 of the cylindrical portion 41 and the inner surface 54 of the cylindrical portion 51. The winding presser 90 limits the separation distance between the inner surfaces 42 and 54 from increasing. The winding presser 90 limits the opening of the connecting portion 70. The winding presser 90 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 40. The winding presser 90 is provided, for example, at the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the third direction Z1. The winding presser 90 is formed, for example, to extend from the peripheral wall 40 and fold back while embracing the edge of the peripheral wall 50 inward. The winding presser 90 is formed, for example, to fold back from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the third direction Z1 while locating the end face of the peripheral wall 50 inward in the third direction Z1. The winding presser 90 is in contact with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50.

[0061] The winding presser 90 extends in the first direction X1, for example, from a portion of the peripheral wall 40 that is connected to the connecting portion 34. The winding presser 90 is provided at a position that overlaps with the connecting portion 70 in a plan view seen from the Z-axis direction, for example. For example, the winding presser 90 is provided on the opposite side of the connecting portion 70 in the Z-axis direction, with the peripheral wall 40 in between.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 10 , the winding presser portion 90 includes an extending portion 91 extending in the third direction Z1 from an end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the third direction Z1, a folded portion 92 provided at an end of the extending portion 91, and a pressing portion 93 extending from the end of the folded portion 92 toward the peripheral wall 50. The folded portion 92 is formed so as to be folded back from the end of the extending portion 91 in the third direction Z1 toward the peripheral wall 50. For example, the folded portion 92 is folded back in a U-shape from the end of the extending portion 91 in the third opposite direction Z2. The pressing portion 93 extends in the third opposite direction Z2 from the folded portion 92 toward the protruding portion 80 and the peripheral wall 50. The extending portion 91, the folded portion 92, and the pressing portion 93 form a U-shaped folded shape that is convex in a direction away from the peripheral wall 40 and the peripheral wall 50 (here, in the third direction Z1).

[0063] The pressing portion 93 is provided so as to press the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50 from the outside. The pressing portion 93 is provided, for example, so as to press the outer surface of the protruding base 81 from the outside. The pressing portion 93 has an opposing surface 94 that faces the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50. The opposing surface 94 extends, for example, parallel to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50. The opposing surface 94 is in surface contact with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50, for example.

[0064] As shown in Figure 4, the winding presser portion 90 has a through hole 95 into which the protrusion 82 fits. The through hole 95 penetrates the winding presser portion 90 in the thickness direction. The through hole 95 extends, for example, from the middle position of the folded-back portion 92 to the middle position of the presser portion 93. The through hole 95 is formed to a size that allows the protrusion 82 to fit therein.

[0065] 12 , the winding presser portion 90 defines a through hole 95 and has an engagement surface 96 that engages with the protrusion 82. The engagement surface 96 faces, for example, in the second direction Y1. The engagement surface 96 faces the inner surface of the protrusion 82 in the Y-axis direction. The engagement surface 96 extends, for example, parallel to the inner surface of the protrusion 82. The engagement surface 96 is in surface contact with the inner surface of the protrusion 82. The outer surface of the protrusion 82 is exposed from the winding presser portion 90 by the through hole 95.

[0066] In the terminal connection portion 33 of this embodiment, the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50 is pressed from the outside by the pressing portion 93 of the winding pressing portion 90, and the engagement surface 96 of the winding pressing portion 90 is pressed from the outside by the protrusion 82 of the protruding portion 80. This makes it possible to stably limit the separation distance between the peripheral wall 40 and the peripheral wall 50 from becoming too large.

[0067] (Configuration of protective portion 100) As shown in Fig. 4, the protective portion 100 is provided to protect the end portion of the terminal connection portion 33 in the first direction X1. The protective portion 100 is provided at the end portion of the peripheral wall 40 in the first direction X1. The protective portion 100 is formed, for example, integrally with the peripheral wall 40. The protective portion 100 is formed so as to be folded back from the end portion of the peripheral wall 40 in the first direction X1 while arranging the end portion of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 inside.

[0068] The protective part 100 has an extension part 101 extending from an end of the peripheral wall 40 in the first direction X1 toward the second direction Y1, and a protective wall 102 extending from an end of the extension part 101 in the second direction Y1 toward the peripheral wall 50. The extension part 101 and the protective wall 102 form a U-shaped folded part that is convex in a direction away from the peripheral wall 50 (here, in the first direction X1). The protective wall 102 is provided to face the end of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 in the Y-axis direction. The protective wall 102 is provided spaced apart from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50. That is, a gap is provided between the protective wall 102 and the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50. The protective wall 102 is provided spaced apart from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50, for example, when the columnar connecting part 201 is inserted into the tubular connecting part 60.

[0069] (Configuration of Engaging Portion 110) As shown in FIG. 13 , the female terminal 31 has an engaging portion 110. The engaging portion 110 is provided on the peripheral wall 40. The engaging portion 110 is provided, for example, on the connecting portion 34 of the peripheral wall 40. The engaging portion 110 is provided, for example, on the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the first opposite direction X2 of the terminal connecting portion 33. The engaging portion 110 extends, for example, along the X-axis direction from the connecting portion 34 to the peripheral wall 40 that constitutes the terminal connecting portion 33. The engaging portion 110 is provided, for example, so as to partially overlap with the connecting portion 70 and the winding pressing portion 90 in a plan view seen, for example, from the Z-axis direction. The engaging portion 110 is provided at the center of the peripheral wall 40 in the Z-axis direction.

[0070] 14 , the engaging portion 110 protrudes outward from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 40, i.e., from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Y2, specifically in a direction away from the peripheral wall 50 (here, in the second opposite direction Y2). In other words, the engaging portion 110 is an engaging protrusion that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 40. The engaging portion 110 is formed, for example, in a shape obtained by cutting and raising a portion of the peripheral wall 40. The engaging portion 110 can be formed, for example, by a cutting and raising process.

[0071] The engagement portion 110 has, for example, a protruding tip surface 111, an inclined surface 112, and an engagement surface 113. The protruding tip surface 111 is provided at a position of the engagement portion 110 that is farthest from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 40. The protruding tip surface 111 is formed, for example, as a flat surface. The protruding tip surface 111 extends, for example, parallel to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 40. As shown in FIG. 13 , the protruding tip surface 111 is formed, for example, as a flat surface extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

[0072] 14 , the inclined surface 112 is provided to connect the outer surface of the peripheral wall 40 and the protruding tip surface 111. The inclined surface 112 faces, for example, the first direction X1. The inclined surface 112 is inclined with respect to the first direction X1 and the second direction Y1. For example, the inclined surface 112 is inclined toward the first opposite direction X2 from the end of the inclined surface 112 in the second direction Y1 that is connected to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 40 toward the end of the inclined surface 112 in the second opposite direction Y2 that is connected to the protruding tip surface 111.

[0073] The engagement surface 113 faces the first opposite direction X2. The engagement surface 113 is provided on the end surface of the engagement portion 110 in the first opposite direction X2. That is, the engagement surface 113 is provided on the end surface in the first opposite direction X2, which is the opposite direction to the first direction X1, which is the insertion direction of the female terminal 31 into the housing 30 (see FIG. 1 ). The engagement surface 113 is formed, for example, to extend perpendicular to the first direction X1, which is the insertion direction of the female terminal 31. The engagement surface 113 extends, for example, from the end of the protruding tip surface 111 in the first opposite direction X2 along a second direction Y1 perpendicular to the first direction X1. The engagement surface 113 is not connected, for example, to the outer surface of the connecting portion 34. A space is provided between the engagement surface 113 and the outer surface of the connecting portion 34.

[0074] A first protrusion amount P1 of the engaging portion 110 from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Y2 is greater than a second protrusion amount P2 of the cylindrical portion 41 from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Y2. The first protrusion amount P1 is the longest distance along the Y axis direction from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Y2 to the protruding tip surface 111 of the engaging portion 110. The second protrusion amount P2 is the longest distance along the Y axis direction from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Y2 to the protruding tip of the cylindrical portion 41. Therefore, the protruding tip surface 111 of the engaging portion 110 is located at a position facing the second opposite direction Y2 from the protruding tip of the cylindrical portion 41.

[0075] 13 , the female terminal 31 has, for example, a through hole 115. The through hole 115 is provided in the connecting portion 34 so as to be adjacent to the engaging portion 110 in the X-axis direction. The through hole 115 is provided, for example, in the first opposite direction X2 with respect to the engaging surface 113 of the engaging portion 110. The through hole 115 penetrates the connecting portion 34 in the Y-axis direction. The through hole 115 is formed, for example, to improve workability when forming the engaging portion 110 by cutting out a portion of the peripheral wall 40.

[0076] (Configuration of Housing Body 120) As shown in Fig. 3 , the housing body 120 holds the female terminals 31 so that the electric wires 20 are led out in the first opposite direction X2. The housing body 120 accommodates two female terminals 31 therein. The housing body 120 is formed, for example, in a box shape as a whole. The housing body 120 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0077] The housing main body 120 has an opening 121 that opens in the first opposite direction X2. The electric wires 20 connected to the female terminals 31 are drawn out of the housing main body 120 through the opening 121. The housing main body 120 has, for example, a peripheral wall 122 provided in the third opposite direction Z2 and a tubular portion 123 provided on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 122. The tubular portion 123 is a mating tubular portion into which a mating housing of a mating connector (not shown) is mated. The tubular portion 123 is provided at the end of the peripheral wall 122 in the first direction X1. The tubular portion 123 protrudes from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 122 radially outward of the housing main body 120 (here, in the third opposite direction Z2). The tubular portion 123 is formed, for example, in a rectangular tubular shape.

[0078] The tubular portion 123 has an insertion hole 124. The insertion hole 124 is formed to communicate between the inside and outside of the housing main body 120. The insertion hole 124 opens in the third direction Z1 and also opens in the third opposite direction Z2. For example, the insertion hole 124 penetrates the tubular portion 123 in the Z-axis direction and also penetrates the peripheral wall 122 in the Z-axis direction. The insertion hole 124 is formed to expose the female terminals 31 housed in the housing main body 120. Here, each female terminal 31 housed inside the housing main body 120 is arranged so that the open end of the tubular connecting portion 60 is exposed from the insertion hole 124.

[0079] As shown in Figure 15, the housing main body 120 has a partition wall 125 provided in the internal space of the housing main body 120. The partition wall 125 is formed to divide the internal space of the housing main body 120 into two spaces. The partition wall 125 is provided, for example, at the center of the housing main body 120 in the Y-axis direction. The partition wall 125 extends along the X-axis direction. Two female terminals 31 are housed in each of the two spaces separated by the partition wall 125.

[0080] The housing main body 120 has one or more (two in this embodiment) engaging portions 126. The two engaging portions 126 are provided corresponding to the two female terminals 31, respectively. The two engaging portions 126 are provided, for example, on the end surface of the partition wall 125 that faces the female terminals 31, in this case, on the end surface of the partition wall 125 in the Y-axis direction. Each of the two engaging portions 126 is provided so as to protrude from the end surface of the partition wall 125 in the Y-axis direction toward the female terminal 31. The two engaging portions 126 have, for example, the same structure as each other. Here, the following description will focus on the engaging portion 126 provided on the second direction Y1 side of the two engaging portions 126.

[0081] As shown in Figure 16, the engaging portion 126 is, for example, an engaging piece formed to protrude in the second direction Y1 from the end face of the partition wall 125 in the second direction Y1 and then extend in the first opposite direction X2. The engaging portion 126 is formed in a cantilever shape with a base end connected to the partition wall 125 as a fixed end and a tip end located on the opposite side of the base end in the X-axis direction as a free end. The engaging portion 126 has spring properties. The engaging portion 126 is configured to be elastically deformable so that the tip end of the engaging portion 126 is displaced in the Y-axis direction relative to the base end of the engaging portion 126. The engaging portion 126 is configured to be able to bend in the Y-axis direction due to elastic deformation, for example.

[0082] The tip end of the engaging portion 126, i.e., the end in the first opposite direction X2, has an engaging protrusion 127 that protrudes in the second direction Y1. The engaging protrusion 127 protrudes toward the female terminal 31. The engaging protrusion 127 is provided so as to be engageable with the engaging portion 110 of the female terminal 31 in the first direction X1.

[0083] The engaging protrusion 127 has, for example, an engaging surface 128 and an inclined surface 129. The engaging surface 128 faces the first direction X1. The engaging surface 128 is formed so as to be able to engage with the engaging surface 113 of the engaging portion 110 in the first direction X1. The engaging surface 128 is formed, for example, to extend perpendicular to the first direction X1, which is the insertion direction of the female terminal 31. The engaging surface 128 extends, for example, parallel to the engaging surface 113. The engaging surface 128 extends, for example, along the second direction Y1.

[0084] The inclined surface 129 faces the first opposite direction X2. The inclined surface 129 is a surface that comes into contact with the inclined surface 112 of the engagement surface 113 of the female terminal 31 when the female terminal 31 is inserted into the housing 30 along the first direction X1. The inclined surface 129 is inclined with respect to the first direction X1 and the second direction Y1. For example, the inclined surface 129 is inclined toward the first direction X1 from the end of the inclined surface 129 in the second opposite direction Y2 to the end of the inclined surface 129 in the second direction Y1. That is, the inclined surface 129 is inclined toward the first direction X1 toward the tip of the engagement protrusion 127. The inclined surface 129 is formed by the engagement protrusion 127 becoming thinner toward the tip. The inclined surface 129 is formed, for example, as a curved surface curved in an arc shape.

[0085] The female terminal 31 is inserted into the internal space of the housing main body 120 along the first direction X1. At this time, the inclined surface 112 of the engaging portion 110 of the female terminal 31, which faces the first direction X1, comes into contact with the inclined surface 129 of the engaging portion 126 of the housing main body 120. As the insertion of the female terminal 31 progresses, the inclined surface 112 moves along the inclined surface 129, and the protruding tip surface 111 of the engaging portion 110 comes into contact with the tip of the engaging protrusion 127. Then, the protruding tip surface 111 presses the engaging portion 126, causing the engaging portion 126 to elastically deform and bend toward the partition wall 125. Thereafter, when the engaging portion 110 climbs over the engaging protrusion 127 of the engaging portion 126, the engaging portion 126 elastically returns to its original shape. As a result, the engaging surface 113 of the engaging portion 110 engages with the engaging surface 128 of the engaging portion 126. Such engagement between engagement surface 113 and engagement surface 128 can prevent female terminals 31 from coming off from housing main body 120. For example, when assembling connector C1, specifically before retainer 130 is attached to housing main body 120, female terminals 31 can be prevented from coming off from housing main body 120.

[0086] 3, the retainer 130 is attached to the tubular portion 123 of the housing main body 120. The retainer 130 has a main body portion 131 and one or more (two in this embodiment) restricting portions 132 that restrict movement of the female terminals 31 in the first opposite direction X2. The retainer 130 is, for example, a single component in which the main body portion 131 and the restricting portions 132 are continuously and integrally formed. The retainer 130 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0087] The main body 131 is formed, for example, in a frame shape as a whole. The outer peripheral edge of the main body 131 is formed, for example, in a quadrangular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The main body 131 is formed, for example, so as to cover the end face of the tubular portion 123 in the third opposite direction Z2.

[0088] The main body 131 has one or more (two in this embodiment) insertion holes 133. Each insertion hole 133 penetrates the main body 131 in the Z-axis direction. Each insertion hole 133 is formed to communicate with the insertion hole 124 of the tubular portion 123. The two insertion holes 133 are formed, for example, to expose the open ends of the tubular connecting portions 60 of the two female terminals 31 housed in the housing main body 120, respectively.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 2, two restricting portions 132 are provided corresponding to the two female terminals 31, respectively. The two restricting portions 132 are provided side by side along the Y-axis direction, for example. Each restricting portion 132 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape that accommodates a portion of the female terminal 31. When the retainer 130 is attached to the housing main body 120 along the third direction Z1, the female terminal 31 is inserted into the internal space of the restricting portion 132. When the retainer 130 is attached to the housing main body 120, the restricting portion 132 restricts movement of the female terminal 31 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0090] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The connector C1 includes a female terminal 31 and a housing 30 that holds the female terminal 31 therein when the female terminal 31 is inserted in the first direction X1. The female terminal 31 includes a peripheral wall 40 having a cylindrical portion 41, a peripheral wall 50 having a cylindrical portion 51 facing the cylindrical portion 41, a cylindrical connecting portion 60 formed by the cylindrical portion 41 and the cylindrical portion 51, and an engaging portion 110 provided on the peripheral wall 40. The engaging portion 110 has an engaging surface 113 that faces a first opposite direction X2 that is the opposite direction to the first direction X1. The housing 30 has an engaging portion 126 that includes an engaging surface 128 that faces the first direction X1. The engaging surface 128 is formed to be engageable with the engaging surface 113 in the first direction X1.

[0091] According to this configuration, the female terminal 31 is provided with an engaging portion 110 having an engaging surface 113 facing the first opposite direction X2, and the housing 30 is provided with an engaging portion 126 having an engaging surface 128 facing the first direction X1 and engaging with the engaging surface 113. The engaging surfaces 113 and 128 are engaged with each other in the first direction X1, thereby effectively restricting movement of the female terminal 31 in the first opposite direction X2. This effectively prevents the female terminal 31 from falling off the housing main body 120 of the housing 30 along the first opposite direction X2 during assembly of the connector C1. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector C1 can be improved.

[0092] (2) The engaging portion 110 is formed to protrude toward the engaging portion 126, and the engaging protrusion 127 of the engaging portion 126 is formed to protrude toward the engaging portion 110. In this way, the engaging portion 110 and the engaging portion 126 are formed to protrude toward each other. This makes it possible to reduce the protrusion amount of the engaging protrusion 127 compared to when only the engaging protrusion 127 of the engaging portion 126 protrudes toward the engaging portion 110. Therefore, when the female terminal 31 is inserted into the housing main body 120, it is possible to preferably prevent the engaging protrusion 127 from coming into contact with the female terminal 31 in a portion other than the engaging portion 110.

[0093] (3) The first protrusion amount P1 of the engaging portion 110 from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Y2 is greater than the second protrusion amount P2 of the tubular portion 41 from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Y2. In other words, the second protrusion amount P2 of the tubular portion 41 is smaller than the first protrusion amount P1 of the engaging portion 110. Therefore, when the female terminal 31 is inserted into the housing main body 120 of the housing 30, the tubular portion 41 can be suitably prevented from contacting the engaging protrusion 127 of the engaging portion 126.

[0094] (4) The engagement surface 113 of the female terminal 31 is formed to extend perpendicular to the first direction X1, which is the insertion direction of the female terminal 31 into the housing 30. This allows the engagement surface 113 to be suitably engaged with the engagement surface 128 of the engagement portion 126, and effectively restricts movement of the female terminal 31 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0095] (5) The engagement surface 128 of the engagement portion 126 is formed to extend perpendicular to the first direction X1, which is the insertion direction of the female terminal 31 into the housing 30. This allows the engagement surface 113 and the engagement surface 128 to be more appropriately engaged with each other, and more appropriately restricts movement of the female terminal 31 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0096] (6) When the female terminal 31 is inserted into the housing body 120, the inclined surface 112 of the engaging portion 110 of the female terminal 31 moves along the inclined surface 129 of the engaging portion 126 of the housing body 120. This allows the female terminal 31 to be inserted into the housing body 120 so that the engaging portion 110 smoothly moves over the engaging protrusion 127.

[0097] (7) Furthermore, when the female terminal 31 is inserted into the housing body 120, the inclined surface 112 of the engaging portion 110 and the inclined surface 129 of the engaging portion 126 come into contact with each other. Therefore, the contact area between the inclined surface 112 and the inclined surface 129 during insertion of the female terminal 31 can be made larger than when an inclined surface and a vertical surface come into contact with each other. This makes it possible to suitably reduce the surface pressure applied from the inclined surface 112 to the inclined surface 129. Therefore, it is possible to suitably reduce the amount of wear on the engaging portion 110 and the engaging portion 126 during insertion of the female terminal 31.

[0098] (8) The tubular portion 51 has a plurality of divided tubular portions 52 that are divided in the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. Each of the divided tubular portions 52 has an inner surface 54 that faces the inner surface 42 and a protrusion 56 that protrudes from the inner surface 54 radially inward of the tubular connecting portion 60 in an arc-shaped cross section.

[0099] According to this configuration, when the columnar connecting portion 201 of the male terminal 200 is press-fitted into the tubular connecting portion 60, the protrusions 56 provided on the inner surface 54 of each of the plurality of divided tubular portions 52 are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 201. Therefore, in the tubular connecting portion 60, the plurality of protrusions 56 are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 201 at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the axial direction. As a result, even when a swing is transmitted to the male terminal 200, the displacement of the male terminal 200 due to the swing can be suitably prevented by the contact of the plurality of protrusions 56 with the columnar connecting portion 201. In other words, compared to a case in which only one protrusion 56 is provided on the inner surface 54 of the tubular portion 51, the contact pressure of the plurality of protrusions 56 can suppress the displacement of the columnar connecting portion 201 inside the tubular connecting portion 60.

[0100] (9) The slit 53 separating the two split tubular portions 52 is provided at the center of the tubular connecting portion 60 in the axial direction. When the columnar connecting portion 201 of the male terminal 200 inserted into the tubular connecting portion 60 is displaced, the columnar connecting portion 201 rotates around the center of the tubular connecting portion 60 in the axial direction. If a contact portion between the protrusion 56 and the columnar connecting portion 201 were provided at such a rotation center, the contact pressure of the protrusion 56 on the columnar connecting portion 201 would not act as a force to suppress displacement of the columnar connecting portion 201. In contrast, in the female terminal 31 of this embodiment, the protrusion 56 is provided at a position different from the slit 53 provided at the center of the tubular connecting portion 60 in the axial direction. Therefore, the protrusion 56 can come into contact with the columnar connecting portion 201 at a position different from the rotation center of the displacement of the columnar connecting portion 201. This allows the contact pressure of the protrusions 56 on the columnar connecting part 201 to act suitably as a force that suppresses displacement of the columnar connecting part 201. As a result, the contact pressure of the multiple protrusions 56 can suitably suppress displacement of the columnar connecting part 201 inside the tubular connecting part 60.

[0101] (10) When the columnar connecting portion 201 of the male terminal 200 is press-fitted into the tubular connecting portion 60, the retaining portion 90 prevents the separation distance between the inner surface 42 and the inner surface 54 of the tubular connecting portion 60 from increasing. This restriction by the retaining portion 90 allows the protrusion 56 and the linear contact portion 43 to be in good contact with the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 201. As a result, the press-contact state between the tubular connecting portion 60 and the columnar connecting portion 201 can be stably maintained. Furthermore, the retaining portion 90 is integrally formed with the peripheral wall 40. Therefore, the press-contact state between the tubular connecting portion 60 and the columnar connecting portion 201 can be maintained with a simpler structure than when a separate part such as a coil spring is used. In other words, the structure of the female terminal 31 can be simplified compared to when a separate part such as a coil spring is used.

[0102] (Other Embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the engagement structure between the engagement portion 110 of the female terminal 31 and the engagement portion 126 of the housing 30 can be modified as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 17 , the engagement portion 110 may be embodied as an engagement hole 116 into which an engagement protrusion 127 of the engagement portion 126 fits. The engagement hole 116 is provided in the connecting portion 34 of the peripheral wall 40. The engagement hole 116 penetrates the connecting portion 34 in the Y-axis direction. The inner circumferential surface of the engagement hole 116 has an engagement surface 117 facing the first opposite direction X2. The engagement surface 117 is formed to be engageable with an engagement surface 128 of the engagement protrusion 127. When the engagement protrusion 127 is fitted into the engagement hole 116, the engagement surface 117 of the engagement hole 116 and the engagement surface 128 of the engagement protrusion 127 are engaged with each other in the first direction X1. This effectively restricts movement of the female terminal 31 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0104] The engaging portion 110 in the above embodiment may be provided only on the connecting portion 34 of the peripheral wall 40. The engaging portion 110 in the above embodiment may be provided on the peripheral wall 50.

[0105] The structure of the female terminal 31 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. In the female terminal 31 in the above embodiment, multiple linear contact portions 43 are provided on the inner surface 42 of the tubular portion 41, and the tubular portion 51 has multiple divided tubular portions 52 and protrusions 56 provided on the inner surface 54 thereof, but this is not limited to this. For example, the tubular portion 51 may have multiple linear contact portions 43.

[0106] In the female terminal 31 of the above embodiment, the protrusions 56 may be provided only at intermediate positions in the axial direction of the divided tubular portions 52. The number of divided tubular portions 52 included in the tubular portion 51 of the above embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, the tubular portion 51 may have three or more divided tubular portions 52.

[0107] The structure of the slit 53 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. The slit 53 may be omitted. In this case, the cylindrical portion 51 is not divided in the axial direction of the cylindrical connecting portion 60, and has one protrusion 56 on the inner surface 54, for example.

[0108] The protective portion 100 in the above embodiment may be formed integrally with the peripheral wall 50. In this case, the protective portion 100 is formed, for example, so as to be folded back from the end of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 toward the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the first direction X1.

[0109] The protective portion 100 of the female terminal 31 may be omitted. The position of the winding pressing portion 90 of the female terminal 31 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the winding pressing portion 90 may be provided at a position different from the connecting portion 70 in the X-axis direction.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the contact pressure on the columnar connection portion 201 is ensured by limiting the separation distance between the inner surface 42 and the inner surface 54 using the winding presser portion 90, but this is not limiting. For example, the contact pressure on the columnar connection portion 201 may be ensured using a biasing member such as a coil spring that is separate from the peripheral walls 40, 50.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the wire connection portion 32 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 40, but this is not limiting. For example, the wire connection portion 32 may be formed integrally with the peripheral wall 50. In the female terminal 31 of the above embodiment, of the wire connection portion 32, the terminal connection portion 33, and the linking portion 34, only the terminal connection portion 33 is formed in a structure in which the peripheral wall 50 is folded in half onto the peripheral wall 40. This is not limiting, and for example, the wire connection portion 32, the terminal connection portion 33, and the linking portion 34 may all be formed in a structure in which two plates are folded over one another.

[0112] The housing main body 120 in the above embodiment may have other structural changes as appropriate as long as it has a structure capable of accommodating the female terminals 31 and has the engaging portion 126. For example, the engaging portion 126 may be provided on a wall of the housing main body 120 other than the partition wall 125.

[0113] The structure of the retainer 130 in the above embodiment may be modified as appropriate. For example, the restricting portion 132 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the columnar connecting portion 201 of the male terminal 200 is embodied in a cylindrical shape, but this is not limiting. For example, the columnar connecting portion 201 may be formed in a columnar shape other than a cylindrical shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the columnar connecting portion 201 may be formed in an elliptical or polygonal shape.

[0114] 16 and 17, the engagement surface 128 of the engagement protrusion 127 may be referred to as a housing-side stopper surface or a non-conductor stopper surface. The engagement surface 113 (FIG. 16) and the engagement surface 117 (FIG. 17) of the female terminal 31 may be referred to as a terminal-side stopper surface or a conductor stopper surface. When an external force acts on the housing 30 and / or the wire 20 to move the housing 30 and the wire 20 away from each other along the longitudinal axis of the wire 20, for example, when a tension force acts on the wire 20 to pull the wire 20 in the length direction of the wire 20, the terminal-side stopper surface comes into direct contact with the housing-side stopper surface. The contact between these two stopper surfaces suppresses excessive relative movement between the female terminal 31 and / or the wire 20 and the housing 30 in the longitudinal direction of the wire 20, and prevents, for example, the female terminal 31 from moving together with the wire 20 in the longitudinal direction of the wire 20, and ultimately the female terminal 31 from falling off the housing 30.

[0115] 16 and 17 , the engagement surface 128 and inclined surface 129 of the engagement protrusion 127 may be referred to as the tip length portion of the engagement protrusion 127. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 17 , the engagement surface 128 and inclined surface 129 of the engagement protrusion 127 may be inserted into the engagement hole 116 of the female terminal 31. As shown in Fig. 17 , the connecting portion 34 of the female terminal 31 may have a metal bent portion, and the engagement hole 116 of the female terminal 31 may be formed in the metal bent portion of the connecting portion 34 of the female terminal 31.

[0116] In the illustrated embodiment, the first direction X1 may be referred to as the insertion direction of the female terminal 31 into the housing 30, and the first opposite direction X2 may be referred to as the lead-out direction of the wire 20 from the housing 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 , the longitudinal axis of the female terminal 31 and / or the longitudinal axis of the wire 20 may coincide with the X-axis. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the female terminal 31 may be referred to as a plate-shaped sandwich-type female terminal having a planar direction that may be the XZ plane. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the Z-axis may be referred to as the longitudinal axis of the male terminal 200 and / or the direction of attachment / detachment of the connector C1 to the male terminal 200. The columnar connection portion 201 of the male terminal 200 may be referred to as a straight pin.

[0117] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the meaning described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0118] 20...electric wire, 21...core wire, 22...insulating coating, 30...housing, 31...female terminal, 32...electric wire connection portion, 33...terminal connection portion, 34...coupling portion, 40...circumferential wall (first peripheral wall), 41...cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion), 42...inner surface (first inner surface), 43...linear contact portion, 50...circumferential wall (second peripheral wall), 51...cylindrical portion (second cylindrical portion), 52...divided cylindrical portion, 53...slit, 54...inner surface (second inner surface), 55...recess 1. The protruding portion, 56, protrusion, 56A, protruding tip, 57, dividing portion, 60, cylindrical connecting portion, 70, connecting portion, 71, 72, extending portion, 73, folded portion, 80, protruding portion, 81, protruding base portion, 82, protrusion, 90, winding pressing portion, 91, extending portion, 92, folded portion, 93, pressing portion, 94, opposing surface, 95, through hole, 96, engaging surface, 100, protective portion, 101, extending portion, 102, protective wall, 110, engaging portion (the first 1 engaging portion), 111...protruding tip surface, 112...inclined surface (first inclined surface), 113...engaging surface (first engaging surface), 115...through hole, 116...engaging hole (first engaging portion), 117...engaging surface (first engaging surface), 120...housing main body, 121...opening, 122...circumferential wall, 123...tubular portion, 124...insertion hole, 125...partition wall (wall portion), 126...engaging portion (second engaging portion), 127...engaging protrusion, 128...engaging Mating surface (second engagement surface), 129...inclined surface (second inclined surface), 130...retainer, 131...main body portion, 132...regulating portion, 133...insertion hole, 200...male terminal, 201...columnar connection portion, C1...connector, W1...wire harness, P1...first protrusion amount, P2...second protrusion amount, X1...first direction, X2...first opposite direction, Y1...second direction, Y2...second opposite direction, Z1...third direction, Z2...third opposite direction.

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a female terminal; and a housing that holds the female terminal therein when it is inserted along a first direction, wherein the female terminal has: a first peripheral wall having a first cylindrical portion; a second peripheral wall having a second cylindrical portion opposite the first cylindrical portion; a cylindrical connecting portion constituted by the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion; and a first engagement portion provided on the first peripheral wall, wherein the first engagement portion has a first engagement surface facing a first opposite direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction, and the housing has a second engagement portion including a second engagement surface facing the first direction, and the second engagement surface is formed so as to be able to engage with the first engagement surface in the first direction.

2. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the second peripheral wall is provided at a position facing from the first peripheral wall toward a second direction intersecting the first direction, the first engagement portion is an engagement protrusion protruding toward the second opposite direction from an end face of the first peripheral wall facing in a second opposite direction that is the opposite direction to the second direction, and the second engagement portion has an engagement convex portion protruding toward the female terminal.

3. A connector as described in claim 2, wherein the first tubular portion protrudes in the second opposite direction from the end face of the first peripheral wall in the second opposite direction, and a first protrusion amount of the first engagement portion from the end face of the first peripheral wall in the second opposite direction is greater than a second protrusion amount of the first tubular portion from the end face of the first peripheral wall in the second opposite direction.

4. A connector as described in claim 3, wherein the first engagement portion has a first inclined surface facing the first direction, the first inclined surface inclining toward the first opposite direction from the end of the first inclined surface in the second direction toward the end of the first inclined surface in the second opposite direction, and the first engagement surface extends perpendicular to the first direction.

5. A connector as described in claim 4, wherein the engaging protrusion has a second inclined surface facing the first opposite direction, the second inclined surface inclined toward the first direction from the end of the second inclined surface facing the second opposite direction to the end of the second inclined surface facing the second direction, and the second engaging surface extends perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the first engaging surface.

6. A connector as described in claim 2, wherein the housing has a housing main body that accommodates the female terminal therein, and a retainer attached to the housing main body, the second engagement portion is formed in a cantilever shape with a base end connected to a wall portion of the housing main body as a fixed end and a tip end provided on the opposite side of the base end as a free end, and the engagement protrusion is provided at the tip end.

7. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the first peripheral wall has a connecting portion provided at an end of the first peripheral wall in the first opposite direction, the female terminal has an electric wire connection portion provided at an end of the connecting portion in the first opposite direction, the electric wire connection portion is a portion to which an electric wire is electrically connected, and the first engagement portion is provided on the connecting portion.

8. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the first tubular portion has a first inner surface facing the second tubular portion, the second tubular portion has a plurality of divided tubular portions divided in the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion, and each of the plurality of divided tubular portions has a second inner surface facing the first inner surface and a protrusion that protrudes from the second inner surface radially inward of the tubular connecting portion in an arc-shaped cross section.

9. A connector as described in claim 8, wherein the plurality of split tubular portions are two split tubular portions, the second tubular portion has a slit dividing the two split tubular portions, and the slit is provided at a central position of the tubular connecting portion in the axial direction.

10. A connector as described in claim 8, wherein the female terminal further comprises a roll-holding portion that limits the distance between the first inner surface and the second inner surface, the roll-holding portion being formed integrally with the first peripheral wall, and the roll-holding portion extending from the first peripheral wall and folded back while embracing the edge of the second peripheral wall inward, and contacting the outer surface of the second peripheral wall.

Images