Connector and electrical connection device

Abstract

A connector (10) comprises: a housing (20) which has a cavity (21); and a terminal fitting (90) which is accommodated in the cavity (21). The cavity (21) extends in the front-rear direction and opens in a front surface (31) and a rear surface (32) of the housing (20). A first groove part (26) and a second groove part (27) are formed as recesses in a top surface (35) of the housing (20). The first groove part (26) extends in the front-rear direction and opens in at least one of the front surface (31) and the rear surface (32) of the housing (20). The second groove part (27) extends in the left-right direction, intersects the first groove part (26), and opens in at least one of left and right side surfaces (33, 34) of the housing (20).

Description

Connectors and Electrical Connection Devices

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors and electrical connection devices.

[0002] The connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a housing (male housing) having a terminal insertion hole and a terminal fitting (male terminal fitting) press-fitted into the terminal insertion hole. A liquid reservoir is formed on the top surface of the housing, with a vertical groove extending in the front-to-rear direction and a horizontal groove extending in the left-to-right direction connected to each other. When liquid adheres to the top surface of the housing, the liquid can be collected in the liquid reservoir. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology capable of preventing foreign matter from entering the housing cavity.

[0003] JP 2015-65140 A JP 2017-147103 A

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the liquid from seeping into the board connected to the terminal fittings, the liquid is temporarily stored in a liquid storage section and then drained to the outside of the housing. In contrast, when the terminal fittings are accommodated in the cavities of the housing, it is necessary to quickly drain the liquid that has fallen into the housing to the outside of the housing so that the liquid present between adjacent cavities does not electrically connect and form a leak path.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector and an electrical connecting device that can prevent a leak path from being formed by liquid that has fallen into the housing.

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a cavity and a terminal fitting accommodated in the cavity, the cavity extending in the front-to-rear direction and opening onto the front and rear surfaces of the housing, a first groove portion and a second groove portion recessed into the top surface of the housing, the first groove portion extending in the front-to-rear direction and opening onto at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the housing, and the second groove portion extending in the left-to-right direction, intersecting the first groove portion and opening onto at least one of the left and right side surfaces of the housing.

[0007] In addition, the electrical connection device of the present disclosure is an electrical connection device that includes a case that houses the connector, and the case has an opening that exposes the rear surface of the housing, and a eaves portion that is located above the opening and extends further rearward than the opening.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector and an electrical connecting device that can prevent a leak path from being formed by liquid that has fallen into a housing.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connecting device including a connector of embodiment 1, as seen from an oblique rearward direction. FIG. 2 is a side view of the connector of embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the connector of embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view of the connector of embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a mating connector to which the connector of embodiment 1 is mated. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a housing of the connector of embodiment 1, as seen from an oblique rightward direction. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a housing of the connector of embodiment 1, as seen from an oblique leftward direction. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lever of the connector of embodiment 1, as seen from an oblique rearward direction. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper end portion of the connector of embodiment 1, as seen from an oblique frontward direction.

[0010] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. The connector of the present disclosure includes: (1) a housing having a cavity and a terminal fitting accommodated in the cavity, the cavity extending in a front-rear direction and opening to a front and rear surface of the housing, a first groove and a second groove recessed in an upper surface of the housing, the first groove extending in the front-rear direction and opening to at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the housing, and the second groove extending in a left-right direction, intersecting the first groove and opening to at least one of the left and right side surfaces of the housing.

[0011] According to the above configuration (1), when liquid adheres to the top surface of the housing, the liquid can enter the first groove. The liquid can flow from the first groove through the second groove to the left and right side surfaces of the housing and then fall downward from the left and right side surfaces. This prevents the liquid adhering to the top surface of the housing from flowing to the front and rear surfaces of the housing. As a result, it is possible to prevent the formation of leak paths due to the liquid between the cavities opening to the front and rear surfaces of the housing.

[0012] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, it is preferable that the depth of the second groove from the top surface of the housing is deeper than the depth of the first groove from the top surface of the housing. According to the configuration described in (2) above, at the intersection where the second groove intersects with the first groove, the bottom surface of the second groove is positioned lower than the bottom surface of the first groove, so that liquid flowing through the first groove can easily transfer to the second groove, and water can be more effectively drained from the left and right side surfaces of the housing.

[0013] (3) In the connector described in (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the groove width of the second groove portion in the front-rear direction is wider than the groove width of the first groove portion in the left-right direction. According to the configuration described in (3) above, at the intersection where the second groove portion intersects with the first groove portion, liquid flowing through the first groove portion is more likely to transfer to the second groove portion with a wider groove width, and water can be more effectively drained from the left and right side surfaces of the housing.

[0014] (4) In the connector described in any one of (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the first groove portion opens to each of the front and rear surfaces of the housing, and the second groove portion opens to each of the left and right side surfaces of the housing. According to the configuration described in (4) above, the first groove portion can easily capture liquid adhering to the upper surface of the housing, and the liquid can flow from the first groove portion to the second groove portion extending in either the left or right direction, thereby more reliably draining water from the left and right side surfaces of the housing.

[0015] (5) In the connector according to any one of (1) to (4) above, it is preferable that the first groove is a groove that fits with a protrusion of a mating connector for preventing mis-mating. According to the configuration of (5) above, the first groove can function as a flow path and also as a function to prevent mis-mating with the mating connector.

[0016] (6) In the connector described in any one of (1) to (5) above, it is preferable that the front surface of the housing is a mating surface facing the mating connector, the housing is equipped with a lever for mating with the mating connector, the lever has a cam plate portion disposed along the left and right side surfaces of the housing, and the upper end surface of the cam plate portion is formed with an inclined surface that slopes diagonally downward and rearward from a position facing the side opening of the second groove portion. According to the configuration described in (6) above, liquid falls from the side opening of the second groove portion and can further flow down the inclined surface at the upper end surface of the cam plate portion. Therefore, liquid falling from the side opening of the second groove portion can be prevented from flowing down the cam plate portion to the front side of the housing.

[0017] The electrical connection device disclosed herein is (7) an electrical connection device including a case that houses the connector described in any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the case has an opening that exposes the rear surface of the housing and a visor portion located above the opening and extending rearward beyond the opening. According to the configuration described in (7), liquid falling from above can adhere to the upper surface of the visor portion and fall downward from the outer edge of the visor portion. This prevents liquid from adhering to the upper surface of the housing through the gap between the rear surface of the housing and the upper edge of the opening. Because the visor portion can primarily prevent liquid from entering the connector, a simple waterproof structure such as a second groove portion can suffice for the connector's waterproofing structure.

[0018] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0019] First Embodiment As shown in FIG. 4 , the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 20, a lever 60, a retainer 80, and a terminal fitting 90. The housing 20 is matable with a mating connector 100 shown in FIG. 5 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the connector 10 is provided in an electrical connection device 10A. In the following description, the front-to-rear direction refers to the direction in which the housing 20 mates with the mating connector 100. The front surface 31 of the housing 20 is the mating surface facing the mating connector 100. The up-down direction is based on the up-down direction when the connector 10 and the electrical connection device 10A are mounted on a vehicle (not shown), and the direction of gravity is defined as the downward direction. The left-to-right direction is a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-to-rear direction, and is based on the left-to-right direction when viewed from the front. The up-down direction is synonymous with the height direction, and the left-to-right direction is synonymous with the width direction. In each drawing, the front is represented by the symbol X, the right is represented by the symbol Y, and the top is represented by the symbol Z.

[0020] (Electrical Connection Device 10A) As shown in Fig. 1, the electrical connection device 10A is exemplified as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that is mounted on a vehicle and controls various on-board devices. The electrical connection device 10A includes a connector 10, a mating connector 100 (see Fig. 5), a circuit board (not shown) to which the mating connector 100 is attached, and a case 11 that houses the connector 10, the mating connector 100, and the circuit board.

[0021] The case 11 is made of synthetic resin and has a rectangular box shape as a whole. The top surface of the case 11 is located at the top end of the electrical connection device 10A. An opening 12 is formed in the rear surface of the case 11. The connector 10 is housed and held inside the case 11 with the rear surface 32 of the housing 20 facing the opening 12. The electric wires W (see FIG. 4 ) extending from the rear surface 32 of the housing 20 are pulled out rearward from the electrical connection device 10A through the opening 12.

[0022] The case 11 has a hood 13 located above the opening 12 and extending rearward beyond the opening 12. The hood 13 is a plate-like member that is long in the left-right direction, and is disposed above an operating portion 62 (described later) of a lever 60 that protrudes from the opening 12.

[0023] 5, the mating connector 100 is a male connector and includes a mating housing 120 and a plurality of mating terminal fittings 190. The mating housing 120 is made of synthetic resin and has a cylindrical hood portion 121 that opens toward the rear (the direction in which it mates with the connector 10). Specifically, the hood portion 121 has a rectangular cylindrical shape that is long in the vertical direction.

[0024] Each mating terminal fitting 190 is a wire made of conductive metal and bent into an L-shape. The ends of the portions of each mating terminal fitting 190 extending in the left-right direction are soldered to a circuit board (not shown) for electrical connection. Each mating terminal fitting 190 has a portion extending in the front-rear direction that protrudes into the hood portion 121. The housing 20 of the connector 10 is fitted into the hood portion 121. Each mating terminal fitting 190 is electrically connected to a corresponding terminal fitting 90 inside the hood portion 121.

[0025] A protrusion 122 for preventing mis-mating is formed on the inner surface of the hood portion 121. The protrusion 122 is rib-shaped and extends in the front-to-rear direction on the inner surface of the hood portion 121. When the mating connector 100 is correctly mated with the housing 20, the protrusion 122 fits into a first groove 26 of the housing 20, which will be described later. On the other hand, when the mating connector 100 is in an incorrect mating position with respect to the housing 20, such as being upside down, the protrusion 122 hits the front surface 31 of the housing 20, stopping the mating operation of the connector 10 and the mating connector 100. This prevents mis-mating of the connector 10 and the mating connector 100.

[0026] A pair of left and right cam pins 123 (only one is shown in FIG. 5 ) protrude from the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of the hood portion 121. The cam pins 123 engage with cam grooves 66 (described later) of the lever 60 to mate the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 with a low mating force.

[0027] (Connector 10) The housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and has a rectangular external shape that is elongated in the vertical direction, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. A plurality of cavities 21 are formed in the housing 20 and penetrate the housing in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in Figure 4, the terminal fittings 90 are inserted into the corresponding cavities 21 from the rear and accommodated therein.

[0028] The terminal fitting 90 is made of conductive metal and has a cylindrical box portion 91 at the front end. A mating terminal fitting 190 is inserted into the box portion 91 of the terminal fitting 90. When the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 are mated, the mating terminal fitting 190 comes into contact with a resilient contact piece (not shown) inside the box portion 91, thereby electrically connecting the terminal fitting 90 and the mating terminal fitting 190. The rear end of the terminal fitting 90 is crimped to the end of the electric wire W, thereby electrically and mechanically connecting them.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 6 , a retainer mounting hole 22 is formed in one of the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20 (the surface on the near side of the paper in Fig. 6 and the surface on the right side in Fig. 4 ). The retainer mounting hole 22 opens in an elongated shape extending vertically between a support shaft 23 and a locking receiving portion 24 (described later) in the front-rear direction on the one side surface 33 of the housing 20. The retainer mounting hole 22 communicates with each cavity 21 inside the housing 20. A retainer 80 is inserted into the retainer mounting hole 22 from the side. As shown in Fig. 4 , the terminal fitting 90 is locked by the retainer 80, preventing it from slipping rearward from the cavity 21.

[0030] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a support shaft 23 is formed to protrude from the vertical center near the rear end of the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20. A lever 60 is rotatably supported on each support shaft 23. Furthermore, a locking receiving portion 24 is formed to protrude from each of the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20, forward and below the support shaft 23. The lever 60 is locked to each locking receiving portion 24 when in the provisional locking position. Furthermore, a guide rib 25 is formed to protrude from each of the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20, below the support shaft 23, and extends in an arc shape concentric with the outer periphery of the support shaft 23. The guide rib 25 guides the rotation of the lever 60 about the support shaft 23.

[0031] Lever 60 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Fig. 8, has a pair of cam plate portions 61 in the left-right direction and an operating portion 62 along the left-right direction that connects the upper ends of each cam plate portion 61. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, each cam plate portion 61 is arranged along the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of housing 20. As shown in Fig. 8, each cam plate portion 61 has a shaft hole 63 that receives support shaft 23, a guide groove 64 that receives guide rib 25, and an elastic locking portion 65 that can be locked with lock receiving portion 24. Each cam plate portion 61 also has a cam groove 66 that extends in a curved shape at a position away from shaft hole 63 and has an entrance opening at the outer edge of each cam plate portion 61.

[0032] The lever 60 is supported by the support shaft 23 that fits into the shaft hole 63 relative to the housing 20 and is rotatable about the support shaft 23 between a temporary locking position and a full locking position. Although not shown, at the temporary locking position, the elastic locking portion 65 is locked to the lock receiving portion 24, the operating portion 62 protrudes rearward from the housing 20, and the entrance of the cam groove 66 faces forward. When the housing 20 is shallowly fitted into the hood portion 121, the elastic locking portion 65 is released from the lock receiving portion 24, and the lever 60 becomes rotatable from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. Furthermore, when the housing 20 is shallowly fitted into the hood portion 121, the cam pin 123 enters the entrance of the cam groove 66. When the lever 60 is rotated while holding the operating portion 62 by hand, the cam pin 123 slides along the groove surface of the cam groove 66, and the mating connector 100 is pulled toward the housing 20 with a low mating force. When the lever 60 reaches the full locking position, as shown in Figure 2, the rear end of the cam plate portion 61 approaches the rear surface 32 of the housing 20, and the operating portion 62 is positioned above the housing 20. Then, the cam pin 123 reaches the back side of the cam groove 66, and the housing 20 is fitted into the hood portion 121 at the correct depth.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 , 6 , and 7 , a first groove 26 and a second groove 27 are recessed in the top surface 35 of the housing 20. The first groove 26 and the second groove 27 function as flow paths for liquid. The first groove 26 is located offset from the center of the top surface 35 of the housing 20 to one side (the other side surface 34 opposite the side surface 33 where the retainer mounting hole 22 opens). The first groove 26 extends in the front-rear direction, with its front end opening to the front surface 31 of the housing 20 and its rear end opening to the rear surface 32 of the housing 20. Specifically, the first groove 26 extends the entire length of the top surface 35 of the housing 20 in the front-rear direction, except for an intersection 28 with the second groove 27. A cross section of the first groove 26 taken perpendicular to the extension direction has a U-shape with a flat bottom and is open upward. The upper surface opening 38 of the first groove portion 26 is continuous in a curved shape with a portion of the upper surface 35 of the housing 20 adjacent to the first groove portion 26 .

[0034] As shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7, the second groove 27 is located on the top surface 35 of the housing 20, shifted forward from the center in the front-to-rear direction toward the front end. The second groove 27 extends in the left-right direction, with one left-to-right end opening to one side surface 33 of the housing 20 and the other left-to-right end opening to the other side surface 34 of the housing 20. The second groove 27 extends across the entire width of the top surface 35 of the housing 20 in the left-to-right direction, crossing the first groove 26 near the other side surface 34. An intersection 28 between the first groove 26 and the second groove 27 is perpendicular to the cross section of the second groove 27 taken in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, forming a U-shape with a flat bottom and opening upward. An upper surface opening 39 of the second groove 27 is perpendicular to a portion of the top surface 35 of the housing 20 adjacent to the second groove 27.

[0035] The first groove 26 and the second groove 27 each have a depth extending from top openings 38, 39 that open on the top surface 35 of the housing 20 to the bottom surface. Here, the depth of the second groove 27 is deeper than the depth of the first groove 26. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 , the bottom surface of the second groove 27 is positioned one step lower than the bottom surface of the first groove 26 at the intersection 28 via a vertical step 29. The groove width of the second groove 27 in the front-to-rear direction is constant in the vertical direction. The groove width of the first groove 26 in the left-to-right direction is constant in the vertical direction, except on the top opening 38 side and the bottom side. As shown in FIG. 3 , the groove width of the second groove 27 in the front-to-rear direction is wider than the groove width of the first groove 26 in the left-to-right direction (excluding the top opening 38 side and the bottom side).

[0036] 2 and 6, the opening direction of the second groove 27 in one side surface 33 of the housing 20 is oriented in the same direction as the opening direction of the retainer attachment hole 22. Therefore, the second groove 27 is molded simultaneously with the retainer attachment hole 22 using the same mold that molds the retainer attachment hole 22. Furthermore, the first groove 26 is molded simultaneously with each cavity 21 using the same mold that molds the respective cavities 21.

[0037] When the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 are mated, the protrusion 122 of the mating connector 100 fits into the first groove 26. In other words, the first groove 26 functions as a mis-mating prevention groove 26A. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the mis-mating prevention grooves 26A are formed on each of the top surface 35, bottom surface 36, and left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20. The rear ends of the mis-mating prevention grooves 26A, excluding the first groove 26, are closed in the middle of the housing 20 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0038] When the lever 60 is in the full locking position, as shown in Fig. 3, the upper end of each cam plate portion 61 is positioned so as to contact the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20 without any gaps. As shown in Fig. 2, an inclined surface 68 that slopes obliquely downward toward the rear is formed on the upper end surface of the cam plate portion 61 at a position facing the side opening 37 of the second groove portion 27 from below. The rear end of the inclined surface 68 is closed by a connecting portion 67 that connects to the operating portion 62 of the cam plate portion 61. When the lever 60 is in the full locking position, the connecting portion 67 is shaped to rise upward from the rear end of the inclined surface 68. The rear end of the inclined surface 68 connects to the connecting portion 67 in a curved manner.

[0039] 7, the first grooves 26 and the second grooves 27 are also recessed in the lower surface 36 of the housing 20. The first grooves 26 and the second grooves 27 are configured in the same arrangement on the upper surface 35 and the lower surface 36 of the housing 20. With this configuration, the drainage function of the first grooves 26 and the second grooves 27, which will be described later, can be achieved even when the connector 10 is turned upside down.

[0040] (Function of Connector 10) The electrical connection device 10A of the first embodiment is disposed, for example, under a seat of a vehicle (not shown). If an occupant spills a liquid such as a drink, the liquid may fall on the electrical connection device 10A. In this way, the electrical connection device 10A may be placed in an environment where it is exposed to liquid from above.

[0041] 1, when the connector 10 is housed in the case 11 of the electrical connection device 10A, the rear surface 32 of the housing 20 and the operating portion 62 of the lever 60 are exposed rearward through the opening 12. Here, liquid adhering to the upper surface of the electrical connection device 10A can drip down the upper surface of the eaves portion 13 and out the outer edge of the eaves portion 13. This initially prevents liquid from entering the gap formed between the upper edge of the opening 12 and the upper surface 35 of the housing 20.

[0042] Although the eaves 13 prevent liquid from seeping into the top surface 35 of the housing 20, some liquid may find its way around to the top surface 35 of the housing 20 and enter the rear end of the first groove 26 formed in the top surface 35 of the housing 20. When liquid flows forward from the rear end of the first groove 26, it flows into the second groove 27 at the intersection 28 with the second groove 27 and flows along the second groove 27 in at least one direction (left or right) (see arrows in FIG. 9 ). The liquid then flows out of the side opening 37 of the second groove 27 toward the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20. The liquid that flows toward the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20 falls onto the inclined surface 68 of the cam plate 61 of the lever 60 and flows along the inclined surface 68 diagonally downward and rearward. A slight step is provided between the bottom surface of the second groove 27 and the inclined surface 68. Furthermore, the liquid falls from the rear end side of the inclined surface 68 along the outer surface of the rear end side of the cam plate portion 61 and is drained away.

[0043] In the first embodiment, the bottom surface of the second groove portion 27 is located lower than the bottom surface of the first groove portion 26 via a step portion 29, and the groove width in the front-rear direction of the second groove portion 27 is larger than the groove width in the left-right direction of the first groove portion 26. This makes it easier for liquid to move from the first groove portion 26 to the second groove portion 27, and makes it more difficult for liquid to flow toward the front end side of the first groove portion 26.

[0044] As described above, the liquid flows through the second groove portion 27 and is drained from the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20, thereby preventing the liquid from accumulating on the front surface 31 or rear surface 32 of the housing 20. This prevents the liquid from entering each of the cavities 21 opening to the front surface 31 or rear surface 32 of the housing 20 and the terminal fittings 90 accommodated in each of the cavities 21. In particular, this prevents the terminal fittings 90 from being electrically connected to each other due to liquid present between adjacent cavities 21, causing a short circuit.

[0045] As described above, the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 20 having a cavity 21 and a terminal fitting 90 accommodated in the cavity 21. The cavity 21 extends in the front-rear direction and opens to the front surface 31 and the rear surface 32 of the housing 20. A first groove 26 and a second groove 27 are recessed in the top surface 35 of the housing 20. The first groove 26 extends in the front-rear direction and opens to the front surface 31 and the rear surface 32 of the housing 20. The second groove 27 extends in the left-right direction, intersects with the first groove 26, and opens to the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20.

[0046] According to the above configuration, when liquid enters the top surface 35 of the housing 20, the liquid enters the first groove 26 and can quickly flow from the first groove 26 through the second groove 27 to the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20. This prevents the liquid that has entered the top surface 35 of the housing 20 from flowing to the front surface 31 and the rear surface 32 of the housing 20. As a result, it is possible to prevent the formation of a leak path due to the presence of liquid between the cavities 21 that open to the front surface 31 and the rear surface 32 of the housing 20. In particular, because the first groove 26 opens to each of the front surface 31 and the rear surface 32 of the housing 20 and the second groove 27 opens to each of the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20, the liquid can flow from the first groove 26 to the second groove 27 extending in either the left or right direction, thereby more reliably draining the liquid from the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20.

[0047] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the depth of the second groove 27 from the top surface 35 (top opening 38) of the housing 20 is deeper than the depth of the first groove 26 from the top surface 35 (top opening 39) of the housing 20. Furthermore, the groove width of the second groove 27 in the front-to-rear direction is wider than the groove width of the first groove 26 in the left-to-right direction. Therefore, at the intersection 28 where the second groove 27 intersects with the first groove 26, liquid flowing through the first groove 26 is more likely to transfer to the second groove 27, and water can be more effectively drained from the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment 1, the first groove portion 26 is also a groove portion 26A that engages with a protrusion 122 of the mating connector 100 for preventing mis-fitting, and can combine the function of a flow path with the function of preventing mis-fitting with the mating connector 100.

[0049] Furthermore, in the case of the first embodiment, the front surface 31 of the housing 20 serves as a mating surface that faces the mating connector 100. A lever 60 for mating with the mating connector 100 is attached to the housing 20. The lever 60 has a cam plate portion 61 that is disposed along the left and right side surfaces 33, 34 of the housing 20. An inclined surface 68 is formed on the upper end surface of the cam plate portion 61, sloping diagonally downward and rearward from a position facing the side opening 37 of the second groove portion 27.

[0050] According to the above configuration, the liquid falls from the side opening 37 of the second groove portion 27, and the fallen liquid can further flow along the inclined surface 68 of the cam plate portion 61. Therefore, the liquid that falls from the side opening 37 of the second groove portion 27 can be prevented from flowing along the cam plate portion 61 to the opening side of the cavity 21 on the front surface 31 of the housing 20.

[0051] The electrical connection device 10A of the first embodiment is an electrical connection device 10A that includes a case 11 that houses the above-described connector 10. The case 11 has an opening 12 that exposes the rear surface 32 of the housing 20, and a visor portion 13 that is located above the opening 12 and extends rearward beyond the opening 12.

[0052] With the above configuration, liquid falling from above can adhere to the upper surface 35 of the eaves portion 13 and fall downward from the outer edge of the eaves portion 13. This prevents liquid from entering the upper surface 35 of the housing 20 through the gap between the rear surface 32 of the housing 20 and the upper edge of the opening 12. Because the eaves portion 13 can primarily prevent liquid from entering the connector 10, a simple waterproof structure such as the second groove portion 27 can suffice as the waterproof structure of the connector 10.

[0053] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The above-described first embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the above-described first embodiment, the first groove portion is open on both the front and rear surfaces of the housing. However, the first groove portion may be open on only one of the front and rear surfaces of the housing. In the above-described first embodiment, the second groove portion is open on both the left and right side surfaces of the housing. However, the second groove portion may be open on only one of the left and right side surfaces of the housing. In the above-described first embodiment, the first groove portion is shaped to extend along a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the mating direction. However, the first groove portion may be shaped to extend in the longitudinal direction as a whole, and may extend at a slight incline with respect to the longitudinal axis as long as a person skilled in the art can normally recognize it as the longitudinal direction and the effect is achieved. In the above-described first embodiment, the second groove portion is shaped to extend along a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the mating direction. In contrast, the second groove may have a shape that extends in the left-right direction as a whole, and may extend at a slight incline relative to the left-right axis as long as a person skilled in the art can normally recognize it as left-right and it still provides an effective function. In the first embodiment, the cam plate portion of the lever is disposed along the side surface of the housing, and liquid from the second groove flows down along the outer surface of the cam plate portion. In contrast, in other embodiments, the cam plate portion of the lever may not be located on the side surface of the housing, and liquid from the second groove may flow down along the side surface of the housing.

[0054] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Connector 10A...Electrical connecting device 11...Case 12...Opening 13...Eaves portion 20...Housing 21...Cavity 22...Retainer mounting hole 23...Support shaft 24...Latching receiving portion 25...Guide rib 26...First groove portion 26A...Groove portion for preventing mis-fitting 27...Second groove portion 28...Intersection portion 29...Step portion 31...Front surface 32...Rear surface 33...One side surface (of the left and right side surfaces) 34...Other side surface (of the left and right side surfaces) 35...Top surface 36...Bottom surface 37...Side opening 38...Top opening (of first groove portion) 39...Top opening (of second groove portion) 60...Lever 61...Cam plate portion 62...Operation portion 63...Axis hole 64...Guide groove 65...Elastic locking portion 66...Cam groove 67...Connecting portion 68...Inclined surface 80: Retainer 90: Terminal metal fitting 91: Box portion 100: Mating connector 120: Mating housing 121: Hood portion 122: Protrusion for preventing mis-mating 123: Cam pin 190: Mating terminal metal fitting W: Electric wire

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a housing having a cavity; and a terminal fitting housed in the cavity, wherein the cavity extends in a front-rear direction and opens to a front surface and a rear surface of the housing, a first groove portion and a second groove portion are recessed in an upper surface of the housing, the first groove portion extends in the front-rear direction and opens to at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the housing, and the second groove portion extends in a left-right direction, intersects the first groove portion, and opens to at least one of left and right side surfaces of the housing.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a depth of the second groove portion from the upper surface of the housing is deeper than a depth of the first groove portion from the upper surface of the housing.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein a groove width of the second groove portion in the front-rear direction is wider than a groove width of the first groove portion in the left-right direction.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first groove portion opens to each of the front surface and the rear surface of the housing, and the second groove portion opens to each of the left and right side surfaces of the housing.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first groove portion is a groove portion that fits with a protrusion for preventing misfitting of a mating connector.

6. The front surface of the housing is a fitting surface facing a mating connector, a lever for fitting with the mating connector is attached to the housing, the lever has a cam plate portion disposed along left and right side surfaces of the housing, and an inclined surface that is inclined obliquely downward rearward is formed on an upper end surface of the cam plate portion at a position facing a side surface opening of the second groove portion. The connector according to claim 1.

7. An electrical connection device comprising a case that houses the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the case has an opening that exposes the rear surface of the housing, and an eaves portion that is located above the opening and protrudes rearward from the opening.

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