GB2432466A

GB2432466A - Electrical connector housing for retaining terminals

Info

Publication number: GB2432466A
Application number: GB0623077A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tetsuya Watanabe; Shinji Kodama; Kenji Suzuki; Kaoru Sawairi
Original assignee: Yazaki Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Corp
Priority date: 2005-11-22
Filing date: 2006-11-20
Publication date: 2007-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-20
Also published as: CN1992443B; JP4820270B2; JP2007173216A; GB2432466B; CN1992443A; GB0623077D0

Abstract

A connector comprises a housing body 10 and an outer part 20. The housing body has chambers for receiving terminals, and lances to hold the terminals in place. The outer part, which is in one piece, has both a front part 21 with bores 21 a for the entry of terminals, and also a spacer part to lock the terminals in place. The outer part joins with the housing body in a direction Y2 which is at right angles to the longitudinal direction Y1 of the terminals, and has both a provisional locking position and a full locking position. The provision of a front piece which is separate from the housing body means that it can be moulded without needed extra holes which would weaken it; making this integral with the spacer means that only two parts are nevertheless required in total.

Description

CONNECTOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(I) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connector, in particular to a connector which includes: a connector housing having a terminal locking lance for firstly locking a terminal; and a spaccr for secondly locking the terminal, wherein the spacer is mounted into the connector housing from a direction crossing at right angles a longitudinal direction of the terminal.

(2) Description of the Related Art

So far, as the connector described above, for example, a connector shown in Fig. 32 is known (Japanese Patent Application Laid- Open No. 117-296895). This conventional connector includes: a connector housing is 200 having terminal locking lances 201 for firstly locking terminals 100 that are received in terminal receiving chambers; and a retainer (i.e. spacer) 300 for secondly locking the terminals 100, wherein the retainer 300 is inserted into the connector housing 200 from a direction Y2 crossing at right angles a longitudinal direction Yl of the terminal 100.

As shown in Fig. 32, the front of the connector housing 200, which is located at an end side of the terminal 100 in the longitudinal direction Yl thereof, is provided with inserting holes 202a for inserting terminals of a mating connector and cavity holes 202b for a mold which molds the terminal locking lances 201. That is, the front of the connector housing 200 has a plurality of the holes, causing a deterioration in the mechanical strength of the connector housing 200.

In order to remove the above problem, for example, a connector shown in Fig. 33 has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-196122). As shown in Fig. 33, this conventional connector includes: a connector housing 200 having terminal locking s lances 201 for firstly locking terminals that are received in terminal receiving chambers; and a spacer 300 for secondly locking the terminals, wherein the spacer 300 is inserted into the connector housing 200 from a direction Y2 crossing at right angles a longitudinal direction Yl of the terminal.

The Front of the connector housing 200 is opened and therefore, a mold for molding the terminal locking lances 201 is drawn out from the opening. The connector further includes a front holder 400 which is fit into the opening of the connector housing 200 and has inserting holes 401 for inserting mating terminals. Since the connector housing 200 having the terminal locking lances 201 is separated from the front holder 400, therefore the front holder 400 does not need cavity holes for drawing out a mold which molds the terminal locking lances 201.

Therefore, the mechanical strength of the front of the connector can be improved. However, the connector requires the front holder 400 which is separated from the connector housing 200, causing an increase in the number of components and therefore, causing a cost-up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to solve the above problem and to provide a connector, by which the mechanical strength of the connector is improved, the number of components of the connector is reduced, arid a cost-down of the connector is attained.

In order to attain the above objective, the present invention is to provide a connector including: (A) a housing body including terminal receiving chambers and terminal locking lances for locking terminals received in the terminal receiving chambers; and (B) an outer part including a front part which covers an end side of the housing body in a longitudinal direction of the terminal and has mating terminal inserting o holes communicating with the terminal receiving chambers and a spacer part which is mounted into the housing body from a mounting direction (of the spacer part) crossing at right angles the longitudinal direction of the terminal and is locked into the housing body at both of a provisional locking position for allowing the terminals to he inserted into the terminal receiving chambers and a full locking position for locking the terminals and preventing the terminals from coming out from the terminal receiving chambers, wherein the front part and the spacer part are formed in one piece.

With the construction described above, the housing body has terminal receiving chambers and terminal locking lances for locking terminals received in the terminal receiving chambers. The outer part has: a front part which covers an end side of the housing body in. a longitudinal direction of the terminal and has mating terminal inserting holes communicating with the terminal receiving chambers; and a spacer part which is mounted into the housing body from a mounting direction (of the spacer part) crossing at right angles the longitudinal direction of the terminal and is locked into the housing body at both a provisional locking position for allowing the terminals to be inserted into the terminal receiving chambers and a full locking position for locking the terminals and preventing the terminals from coming out from the terminal receiving chambers, wherein the front part and the spacer part are formed in one piece.

With the construction described above, the front part is provided which is separated from the housing body that includes the terminal locking lances. Therefore, the front part does not need to have cavity o holes for drawing out a mold which molds the terminal locking lances and therefore, the mechanical strength of the front part can be improved.

Since the front part and the spacer part are formed in one piece, therefore the number of components can be reduced and a cost-down can be attained.

Preferably, the housing body includes a pair of outer sides parallel to the mounting direction of the spacer part and the terminal receivin.g chamber is formed between the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part is further integrally provided with a pair of side cover parts for covering the pair of the outer sides, wherein a first locking means, which locks the housing body and the outer part together at the provisional locking position and the full locking position, is provided outside the outer side of the housing body and inside the side cover part of the outer part.

With the construction described above, when the outer part is mounted to the housing body from the mounting direction, the first locking means provided to the outer side of the housing body and the first locking means provided to the side cover part of the outer part function, so that the housing body and the outer part are locked together at the provisional locking position and the full locking position.

With the construction described above, the first locking means is provided to the outer side of the housing body and the first locking means is provided to the side cover part that is integrally formed with the outer part, therefore in comparison with such a case in which the first locking means are provided to the spacer part and to the front part, a space for the first locking means can be large, so that the locking can he

stable.

Preferably, the first locking means provided inside the side cover part of the outer part is a locking projection or a locking groove, which is formed along the longitudinal direction of the terminal at least from an rear end of the outer part in the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

With the construction described above, the first locking means provided inside the side cover part of the outer part is a locking projection or a locking groove, which is formed along the longitudinal direction of the terminal at least from an rear end of the outer part in the longitudinal direction of the terminal. Therefore, the locking projection or the locking groove can be formed by using a mold which is drawn out along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

With the construction described above, since the locking projection or the locking groove can be formed by usin.g a mold which is drawn out along the longitudinal direction of the terminal, therefore the formation of the first locking means can be easy and a cost-down can be attained.

Preferably, the first locking means provided inside the side cover C) part of the outer part is a locking projection or a locking groove, which passes through a through hole formed in the front part and is formed along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

With the construction described above, the first locking means provided inside the side cover part of the outer part is a locking projection or a locking groove. The locking projection or the locking groove is formed passing through a through hole formed in the front part and is formed along the longitudinal direction of the terminal. Therefore, the locking projection or the locking groove can be formed by using a moid which is drawn out along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

With the construction described above, the locking projection or the locking groove is formed passing through a through hole formed in the front part and is formed along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

Therefore, the locking projection or the locking groove can be formed by using a mold which is drawn out along the longitudinal direction of the terminal, and therefore the formation of the first locking means can he easy and a cost-down can be attained.

Preferably, the housing body includes a pair of outer sides parallel to the mounting direction of the spacer part and the terminal receiving chamber is formed between the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part is further integrally provided with a pair of side cover parts for covering the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part includes a bridge for linking corners, each located at a rear end side of the outer part in the longitudinal direction of the terminal between the pair of the side cover parts and located on the side of the housing body in the mounting direction of the spacer part, wherein the housing body includes a cantilever-type flexible locking part formed at a rear end of the housing body in the longitudinal direction of the terminal, having a fixed end located on the outer part-side thereof in the mounting direction of the spacer part and a free end located on the housing body-side thereof, wherein the free end bends toward the front end in the longitudinal direction of the terminal when the outer part is mounted to the housing body so that the flexible locking part allows the bridge to move in the mounting direction of the spacer part, while on a condition that the housing body and the outer part are at the full locking position, the flexible locking part is lined up with the bridge in the mounting direction of the spacer part so that the flexible locking part locks the bridge.

With the construction described above, on a condition that the housing body and the outer part are at the full locking position, the flexible locking part of the housing body is lined up with the bridge in the mounting direction of the spacer part so that the flexible locking part locks the bridge. Therefore, the full locking can be attained at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction of the housing body and the outer part.

With the construction described above, since the full lockin.g can he attained at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction of the housing body and the outer part, therefore the holding force of the full locking can be improved.

Preferably, the bridge and the flexible locking part each is provided with a provisional locking means, which locks the housing body and the outer part together at the provisional locking position.

With the construction described above, the bridge and the flexible locking part each is provided with a provisional locking means, which locks the housing body and the outer part together at the provisional locking position. Therefore, the provisional locking can be attained at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction of the housing body and the outer part.

With the construction described above, since the provisional locking can be attained at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction of the housing body and the outer part, therefore the holding force of the provisional locking can be improved.

Preferably, the housing body includes a pair of outer sides parallel to the mounting direction of' the spacer part and the terminal receiving chamber is formed between the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part is further integrally provided with a pair of side cover parts for covering the pair of the outer sides, wherein the pair of the outer sides each has a projection flush with an outer side of the pair of the side cover parts, the projection being located at the rear end-side of the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal and located at the housing body-side of the outer side in the mounting direction of the spacer part, wherein a portion of the pair of the side cover parts facing the projection is notched.

With the construction described above, since the pair of the outer sides each has a projection flush vith an outer side of the pair of the side cover parts, the projection being located at the rear end-side of the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal and located at the

S

housing body-side of the outer side in the mounting direction of the spacer part, wherein a portion of the pair of the side cover parts facing the projection is notched, therefore a gap between the outer part and the housing body is not formed on a straight line and therefore, an electric wire or the like can be prevented from entering from the gap to turn up the outer part.

With the construction described above, since an electric wire or the like can be prevented from entering from the gap to turn up the outer part, therefore a defective product can be prevented from occurring.

Preferably, the housing body includes a pair of outer sides parallel to the mounting direction of the spacer part and the terminal receiving chamber is formed between the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part is further integrally provided with a pair of side cover parts for covering the pair of the outer sides, is wherein the pair of the outer sides each has a cover part protecting part for covering an outer side of the pair of the side cover parts, the cover part protecting part being located at the rear end-side of the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal and located at the housing body-side of the outer side in the mounting direction of the spacer part.

With the construction described above, since the pair of the outer sides each has a cover part protecting part for covering an outer side of the pair of the side cover parts, the cover part protecting part being located at the rear end-side of the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal and located at the housing body-side of the outer side in the mounting direction of the spacer part, therefore an electric wire or the like can be prevented from entering from the gap between the outer

Q

part and the housing body to turn up the outer part.

Preferably. on a condition that the outer part is locked with the housing body at the provisional locking position, the terminal locking lance of the housing body is exposed through the mating terminal inserting hole of the front part.

With the construction described above, on a condition that the outer part is locked with the housing body at the provisional locking position, a terminal-drawing-out jig such as a driver can be inserted from the mating terminal inserting hole so as to draw out the terminal by removing the locking of the terminal by the terminal locking lance.

Therefore, front part can be free from having a hole for inserting the terminal-drawing-out ji.g besides the mating terminal inserting hole.

Further, in a case when the terminal locking lance is to be exposed through the mating terminal inserting hole at the full pocking position, is the mating terminal inserting hole must be formed larger than a space for inserting the mating terminal. However, since the terminal locking lance is exposed through the mating terminal inserting hole at the provisional pocking position, therefore such a necessity as described above can be eliminated.

With the construction described above, front part can be free from having a hole for inserting the terminal-drawing-out jig besides the mating terminal inserting hole. Further, in a case when the terminal locking lance is to be exposed through the mating terminal inserting hole at the full pocking position, the mating terminal inserting hole must be formed larger than a space for inserting the mating terminal. However, since the terminal locking lance is exposed through the mating terminal inserting hole at the provisional pocking position, therefore such a necessity as described above can he eliminated. Therefore, the mechanical strength of the front part can be further improved.

Preferably, the terminal has an abutting face crossing the longitudinal direction of the terminal, the front part has an exposing hole, and the abutting face and the exposing hole are lined up in the longitudinal direction of the terminal so that the abutting face is exposed through the exposing hole on a condition that the outer part is locked with the housing body at at least one position of the full locking position io and the provisional locking position.

With the construction described above, the terminal has an abutting face crossing the longitudinal direction of the terminal. The front part has an exposing hole. The abutting face and the exposing hole are lined up in the longitudinal direction of the terminal so that the abutting lace is exposed through the exposing hole on a condition that the outer part is locked with the housing body at at least one position of the full locking position and the provisional locking position.

With the construction described above, at at least one position of the full locking position and the provisional locking position, a continuity test probe can be inserted toward the longitudinal direction from the exposing hole of the front part, from which the abutting face is exposed, so that the abutting face can be lined up with the exposing hole in the longitudinal direction and the abutting face can abut an abutting face crossing a longitudinal direction so as to carry out an electrical continuity test of the terminal. That is, the electrical continuity test of the terminal can be carried out easily and securely. ii

Preferably, the exposing hole exposes the abutting face on a condition that the outer part is locked with the housing body only at the full locking position between the full locking position and the provisional locking position.

With the construction described above, the electrical continuity test of the terminal can be carried out on a condition that the outer part is locked to the housing body at the full locking position.

With the construction described above, in a case when the electrical continuity test of the tcrrninal is carried out at the provisional locking position, the full locking might be possibly attained without carrying out the electrical continuity test undesirably. However, since the electrical continuity test of the terminal can be carried out at the full locking position, such a problem as described above does not occur. That is, the electrical continuity test of the terminal can be carried out more easily and securely.

Preferably, the housing body includes a pair of outer sides parallel to the mounting direction of the spacer part and the terminal receiving chamber is formed between the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part is further integrally provided with a pair of side cover parts for covering the pair of the outer sides, wherein the housing body includes: a pair of lock protecting wall formed along the longitudinal direction of the terminal nipping a locking arm part for locking a mating connector housing; and a flexible locking arm projecting along the lock protecting wall, wherein a second locking means, which locks the housing body and the outer part together a the provisional locking position and the full locking position, is provided to the lock protecting wall-side of the flexible locking arm and to the flexible locking arm-side of the lock protecting wall.

With the construction described above, since a sccond locking means, which locks the housing body and the outer part together at the provisional locking position and the full locking position, is provided to the lock protecting wail-side of the flexible locking arm and to the flexible locking arm-side of the lock protecting wall, therefore the second locking means can be provided by using a dead space between the io locking arm part and the lock protecting wall.

With the construction described above, since the second locking means can be provided by using a dead space between the locking arm part and the lock protecting wall, therefore the holding force of the provisional locking and the full locking can be improved while a space can be saved.

Preferably, on a condition that the housing body and the outer part are between the provisional locking position and the full locking position, the flexible locking arm bends in a direction in which the flexible locking arm leaves the lock protecting wall, so that the second locking means prevents the locking arm part from bending in the mounting direction of the spacer part.

With the construction described above, on a condition that the housing body and the outer part are between the provisional locking position and the full locking position, the flexible locking arm bends in a direction in which the flexible locking arm leaves the lock protecting wail, so that the second locking means prevents the locking arm part from bending in the mounting direction of the spacer part. Therefore, on a condition that the housing body and the outer part are between the provisional locking position and the full locking position, that is, on a condition that a terminal is halfway inserted, the locking arm part does not bend, so that the connector cannot be coupled with the mating connector.

\Vith the construction described above, since on a condition that the housing body and the outer part are between the provisional locking position and the full locking position, that is, on a condition that a terminal is halfway inserted, the locking arm part does not bend, so that the connector cannot be coupled with the mating connector, therefore the condition of the halfway insertion of the terminal can be easily recognized, thereby preventing the terminal from being halfway inserted.

Preferably, the lock protecting wall is formed in such a manner that a wall face thereof located at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal leaves the flexible locking arm than a wall face thereof on which the second locking means are formed leaves, wherein the flexible locking arm is formed in such a manner that the flexible locking arm projects toward the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal than a wall face thereof on which the second locking means are formed.

With the construction described above, the lock protecting wail is formed in such. a manner that a wall face thereof located at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal leaves the flexible locking arm than a wall face thereof on which the second locking means are formed leaves, wherein the flexible locking arm is formed in such a I 4 manner that the flexible locking arm projects toward the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal than a wall face thereof on which the second locking means are formed. Therefore, a gap occurs at the lock protecting wall-side of the flexible locking arm.

With the construction described above, a gap occurs at the lock protecting wall-side of the flexible locking arm. Therefore, the lock of the second locking means can be easily removed by inserting a finger into the gap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF [HF. {)RA WINGS

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an outer cover and a housing body 10 according to the First preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the outer cover 20 taken along II --Ii line in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the housing body 10 taken along TIT -111 line in Fig. I; Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a connector at a provisional locking position; Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a connector at a full locking position; Figure 6 is a partial enlarged cross sectional view of a connector at a provisiona1 locking position; Figure 7 is a partial enlarged cross sectional view of a connector at a full locking position; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an outer cover 20 according to another preferred embodiment; Figure 9 is a front view of the outer cover 20 shown in Fig. 8; Figure 10 is a side view of the outer cover 20 shown in Fig. 8; Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an outer cover 20 and a housing body 10 according to the second prcfcrred embodiment of a connector of the present invention; Figure 12 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. 11 at a provisional locking position; Figure 13 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. 11 at a full locking position; Figure 14 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. 11 when a terminal is halfway inserted; Figure 15 is a rear exploded perspective view illustrating an outer cover 20 and a housing body 1 0 according to the third preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention; Figure 16 is a front perspective view of a housing body shown in Fig. 15; Figure 17 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. 15 at a provisional locking position; Figure 1 8 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. 1 5 at a full locking position; Figure 19 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. 15 when a terminal is halfway inserted; Figure 20 illustrates a way how to release the locking of the connector shown in Fig. 15; Figure 21 is a front exploded perspective view illustrating an outer cover 20 and a housing body 10 according to the fourth preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention; Figure 22 is a cross sectional view of the connector shown in Fig. 21 at a provisional locking position; Figure 23 is a cross sectional view of the connector shown in Fig. 21 at a full locking position; Figure 24 is a front exploded perspective view illustrating an outer cover 20 and a housing body 10 according to the fifth preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention; io Figure 25 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another example of a connector according to the fifth preferred embodiment; Figure 26 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a further example of a connector according to the fifth preferred embodiment; Figure 27 is a rear exploded perspective view illustrating an outer is cover 20 and a housing body 10 according to the sixth preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention; Figure 28 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. 27 at a full locking position; Figure 29 is a cross sectional view illustrating a state when locking between the second wedged projection and the wedged groove is removed; Figure 30 is a partial enlarged cross sectional view of a connector according to another preferred embodiment at a provisional locking position; Figure 31 is a partial enlarged cross sectional view of a connector according to another preferred embodiment at a full locking position; Figure 32 is a crosssectional view of an example of a conventional connector; and Figure 33 is a cross sectional view of another example of a conventional connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Preferred Embodiment in the following, the first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings.

io Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an outer cover (i.e. outer part) 20 and a housing body 10 according to the first preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the outer cover 20 taken along TI --II hnc in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the housing body 10 taken along Iii -lii line in Fig. 1. Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a connector at a provisional locking position. Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a connector at a full locking position. Figure 6 is a partial enlarged cross sectional view of a connector at a provisional locking position. Figure 7 is a partial enlarged cross sectional view of a connector at a full locking position. Figure 8 is a perspective view of an outer cover 20 according to another preferred embodiment. Figure 9 is a front view of the outer cover shown in Fig. 8. Figure 10 is a side view othe outer cover 20 shown in Fig. 8.

As shown in the figures, the connector includes: a housing body 10 made of synthetic resin having terminal receiving chambers C; an outer cover 20 to be mounted to the housing body i 0 in a mounting direction 3.

Y2 of the outer cover 20, which direction Y2 crosses at right angles a longitudinal direction Yl of a terminal 30 (Figs. 4 and 5) received in the terminal receiving chamber C; and the female terminals 30 (Figs. 4 and 5) to be received from the rear of the terminal receiving chamber C. As an example, the connector includes two steps of eight terminal receiving chambers C, the two steps being lined up in the mounting direction Y2.

As shown in Fig. 1, the housing body 10 has a box-shape and inc hides a fitting groove 11 into which the spacer part 24 (explained later on) of the outer cover 20 is fit, wherein the spacer part 24 extends in a crossing direction Y3 crossing at right angles in the middle of the housing body 10 in the longitudinal direction Yl of the terminal 30. The housing body 10 further includes: a lower wall 12 crossing at right angles the mounting direction Y2 of the spacer 24; and a flexible locking lance 13 (hereinafter, locking lance 13) having a locking part 13a which approaches the lower wall 12 as advancing to the front end of the housing body, wherein the locking lance 13 is provided nearer to the front end of the housing body than the fitting groove 11 is provided (Fig. 3). The lower wall 12 and the locking lance 13 partition the mounting direction Y2 of the front end-side of the terminal receiving chamber C (Figs. 4 and 5).

The housing body 10 further includes partition wail 14 and upper wall 15 each parallel to the lower wall 12, each of which is located in the rear oithe fitting groove 11 (Fig. 3). The lower wall 12, partition wall 14 and upper vall 1 5 partition the mounting direction Y2 of the rear part of the terminal receiving chamber C (Figs. 4 and 5). The housing body 10 further includes: a pair of sides 16 (i.e. the outer sides) each being parallel to both the mounting direction Y2 and the longitudinal direction Yl; and partition walls 17 parallel to the side 16, which is located on the front end-side of the terminal 30 than the fitting groove 11 (Fig. 1). The terminal receiving chambers C are formed between the pair of sides 16.

The sides 16 and the partition walls 17 partition the crossing direction Y3 of the front end-side of the terminal receiving chamber C. A height Lil from the lower wall 12 to a lower face of the locking part 13a of the first step is equal to a height L12 from an upper face of the partition wall 14 to a lower lace of the locking part 13a of the second step (Fig. 3).

The housing body 10 further includes partition walls 18 parallel to the side 16, which is formed in the rear of the fitting groove 11, wherein the partition walls 1 8 partition the crossing direction Y3 of the rear side of the terminal receiving chambers C (Fig. 1). Outer sides of the respective sides 16 of the housing body 10 are provided with respective locking projections iôa, 16b for engaging with respective provisional locking grooves 22a and full locking grooves 22b (i.e. locking grooves) of the outer cover 20 (Fig. I).

The outer cover 20 includes: a front part 21 which covers an end side of the housing body 10 in the longitudinal direction Yl and has mating terminal inserting holes 21a (hereinafter, terminal inserting holes 21a) which communicate with the terminal receiving chambers C and into which mating male terminals are inserted; side cover parts 22 which cover the sides 16 of the housing body 10 and inside of which the provisional locking grooves 22a and full locking grooves 22b (Fig. 2) are formed; a locking arm part 23 having a locking projection 23a to be locked to a mating connector housing (not shown in the figure); and a spacer part 24 (Fig. 2) which is formed inside the locking arm part 23 and to be inserted into the fitting groove 11 of' the housing body 10 from the mounting direction Y2.

Thus, the Left and right sides 16 of the housing body 10 have the S respective locking projections 16a and 16b as the first locking means, while the left and right side cover parts 22 of the outer cover 20 have the respective provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22b, thereby a space for the first locking means can he set large in comparison with a case in which the spacer part 24 and the front part 21 are provided with respective locking means, therefore the stable locking can be attained.

As shown in Fig. 2, each of the provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22h is formed in a straight line along the longitudinal direction Yl from the rear end of the outer cover 20 in the longitudinal direction Yl. Therefore, when the outer cover 20 is formed, the provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22b can be formed by using a mold which is to be drawn out along the longitudinal direction Y 1. That is, this mold can be drawn out in the same direction as that of a mold for forming the inside of the side cover parts 22 or forming the rear end-side of the spacer part 24, therefore the provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22b can be formed without increasing the number of the directions of the drawing-out of the mold and therefore, a cost-down of the fabrication can be attained.

The spacer part 24 includes an upper wall 24a and a partition wall 24b (Fig. 2) which partition the mounting direction Y2 of the middle part of the terminal receiving chamber C (Figs. 4 and 5). The spacer part 24 further includes a partition wall 24c being parallel to the side cover parts 22 (Fig. 2), which partitions the crossing direction Y3 of the middle part of the terminal receiving chamber C. As shown in Fig. 6, the terminal 30 has a tube part 30a having, for example, a rectangular shape, into which a mating male terminal (i.e. the mating terminal) enters. The terminal 30 has a first locking step 31 for corresponding to the locking lance 13 and a second locking step 32 for corresponding to the spacer part 24 at the rear side thereof. The a first locking step 31 is Formed at a rear end of a first projection (i.e. the io projection) 33 which is projectingly formed outside the tube part 30a.

The first projection 33 is provided with an abutting face 34 For abutting the continuity test probe at the front end-side thereof A height L21 from a lower face of the terminal 30 to a horizontal face 35 is approximately equal to or a little smaller than a height LI 1 and L12 (Fig. 3) in the housing body 10. A height L22 of the first projection 33 is a little larger than the height Lii and LI 2 (Fig. 3) in the housing body 10. An electric wire L is crimp-connected to a crimp-connecting piece 36 situated at the rear side of the terminal 30.

in the following, the provisional locking position of the connector will be explained with reference to Fig. 4, The provisional locking position corresponds to a condition that the outer cover 20 is slid toward the housing body 10 and mounted to the housing body 10 so as to insert the spacer part 24 of the outer cover 20 into the fitting groove 11 of the housing body so that the locking projections l6a, i6h of the housing body 10 are provisionally locked by the provisional locking grooves 22a of the outer cover 20. At the provisional locking position. an upper face of the partition wall 14, an upper face of the partition wall 24b and an upper face of the locking lance 1 3 lie in a row without any step. A.t the provisional locking position, as shown in Fig. 6, a height L31 from the lower wall 12 to a portion of the partition wall 24b situated nearest to the lower wall 12 is equal to or a little larger than the height L22 of the first projection 33 of the terminal 30. Thereby, at the provisional locking position, the spacer pa.rt 24 allows the insertion of the terminal 30 into the terminal receiving chamber C. At the provisional locking position, first, the terminal 30 is inserted o into the terminal receiving chamber C of the lower step. The terminal 30 is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber C from the rear of the housing body 10 and advances toward the end along the lower wall 12.

When the first projection 33 of the terminal 30 enters up to the locking part 13a, the locking part 13a bends upward in the figure. When the fli-st projection 33 further advances up to the front end-side beyond the locking part 13a, the locking part 13a is restored downward in the figure and locks to the first locking step 31 of the terminal 30 so as to firstly lock the terminal 30, so that the terminal 30 is received in and held by the terminal receiving chamber C. In the following, the insertion of the terminal 30 into the terminal receiving chamber C of the upper step will be explained. The terminal 30 is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber C from the rear of the housing body 1 0 and advances forward along the upper face of the rear partition wail 1 4 and then along the upper face of the partition wall 24b of the spacer part 24. When the first projection 33 of the terminal 30 enters up to the locking part 13a, the upper locking part 13a bends upward in the figure. When the first projection 33 further advances up to the front end-side beyond the locking part 13a, the locking part 13a is restored downward in the figure and locks to the first locking step 3 1 of the terminal 30 so as to firstly lock the terminal 30, so that the terminal 30 is received in and held by the terminal receiving chamber C. The locking part 13a is provided with a projection 13a1 projecting toward the front end-side at an end of the locking part 13a. As shown in Fig. 6, a lower face of the projection 13a1 abuts against an upper face of the first projection 33 of the terminal 30.

io As a result of the insertion of the terminal 30, as shown in Fig. 6, the terminal 30 is received in the terminal receiving chamber C in a manner that the first projection 33 faces toward the outer cover 20- side in the mounting direction Y2. The locking lance 13 locks the terminal 30 at a portion of the terminal 30 situated in the rear of the ahutting face 34 and situated at the outer cover 20-side in the mounting direction Y2.

Thereby, the abutting face 34 and the locking part 13a are lined up in the mounting direction Y2 viewed from the front end-side. At the provisional locking position, the terminal inserting hole 21a and the abutting face 34 are lined up in the longitudinal direction Yl. Further, at the provisional locking position, the terminal inserting hole 21a and the projection 13a1 of the locking part 13a are lined up in the longitudinal direction Yl Thereby, at the provisional locking position, the abutting face 34 and the projection 13a1 of the locking lance 13 are exposed through the terminal inserting hole 21a.

Therefore, when the terminal 30 is mistakenly inserted, at the provisional locking position, a terminal-drawing-out jig (not shown in the figure) such as a driver is inserted from the terminal inserting hole 21a, that is, the terminal-drawing-out jig is inserted between the projection 1 3a1 of the locking lance 1 3 and the first projection 33 of the terminal 30 so as to bend the locking lance 13 upward, so that the primary locking (i.e. flrst locking) of the terminal 30 by the locking lance 13 can he removed. Thereby, a hole for inserting a terminal-drawing-out jig is not necessary for the front part 21 besides the terminal inserting hole 21a, Moreover, in a case when the locking lance 13 is to he exposed through the terminal inserting hole 21a at the full pocking rn position, the terminal inserting hole 21a must be formed larger than a space for inserting the mating terminal, however, in the present invention, since the terminal locking lance 13 is exposed through the terminal inserting hole 21a at the provisional pocking position, therefore such a necessity as described above can be eliminated. Therefore, the mechanical strength of the front part 21 can be further improved.

Finally, the outer cover 20 is further pressed downward to be slid.

Thereby, the lock between the provisional locking groove 22a and the locking projections 16a, 16b is removed, so that the locking projections 16a, 16b of the housing body 10 is locked by the full locking groove 22h of the outer cover 20 so that the full locking position is attained. At the full locking position, as shown in Fig. 5, the partition wall 24b of the spacer part 24 locks the second locking step 32 of the terminal 30, so that the terminal 30 is secondly locked. As for the upper step of the terminal receiving chamber C, the upper wall 24a of the spacer part 24 locks the second locking stcp 32 of the terminal 30, so that the terminal 30 is secondly locked. Thus, at the full locking position, the spacer part 24 locks the terminal 30 and therefore, even if the lock of the terminal 30 by the locking lance 13 is removed, the terminal 30 does not come out from the terminal receiving chamber C. The front part 21 of the outer cover 20 is provided with a test jig inserting hole 21b (i.e. the exposing hole) for inserting a continuity test probe for carrying out an electrical continuity test of the terminal 30 besides the terminal inserting hole 21a (Figs. 6 and 7). As shown in Fig. 7, at the full locking position, the abutting face 34 and the test jig inserting hole 21b are lined up in the longitudinal direction Yl. Thereby, at the full locking position, the abutting face 34 of the terminal 30 is exposed through the test jig inserting hole 21b. Therefore, if the continuity test probe (not shown in the figure) is inserted from the test jig inserting hole 21b along the longitudinal direction Yl after the full locking of the connector is carried out, the continuity test probe abuts against the abutting face 34, so that the electrical continuity test of the terminal 30 can be carried out.

As for the electrical continuity test of the terminal 30, the continuity test probe might be inserted into the tube part 30a of the terminal 30 from the terminal inserting hole 21a at the full locking position so as to make the continuity test probe come in contact with the terminal 30 without using the test jig inserting hole 21b. However, in a case of the female terminal 30 of this preferred embodiment, the continuity test probe must he inserted obliquely so as to come in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the tube part 30a, therefore it is difficult to make the continuity test probe abut against the terminal 30 securely.

Moreover, when the continuity test probe is allowed to come in contact with a spring situated within the tube part 30a, the spring might be undesirably deformed.

Therefore, in this preferred embodiment, the terminal 30 is provided with the abutting face 34, which is exposed through the test jig inserting hole 21b, and the continuity test probe is inserted from the test jig inserting hole 2lb along the longitudinal direction Yl, so that the continuity test probe can be easily and securely abut against the abutting face 34 so as to carry out the electrical continuity test.

That is, since the electrical continuity test is carried out at the full io locking position in the preferred embodiment, therefore the electrical continuity test of the terminal 30 can be easily and securely carried out.

On the other hand, in a case of a connector in which a continuity test is carried out at the provisional locking position while the continuity test is not carried out at the full locking position, in the event that the electrical continuity test is mistakenly not carried out upon the provisional locking condition and then the full locking is carried out, it is necessary to return to the provisional locking position to carry out the electrical continuity test.

With the construction of the connector of the present invention described above, since the front part 21 is provided separately from the housing body 10 that receives the locking lance 13, therefore the front part 21 does not necessitate a hole for drawing out a mold for molding the locking lance 1 3 and therefore, the mechanical strength of the front part 21 can be improved. Moreover, since the spacer part 24 and the front part 21 are formed in one piece, therefore the number of components can he reduced and a cost-down can be attained.

With the construction of the connector described above, as for the terminal 30, the abutting face 34 is formed at the front end-side of the first projection 33 and the first locking step 31 for locking the locking lance 13 is formed at the rear end of the first projection 33. Thereby, since a projection for forming the abutting face 34 and a projection for forming the first locking step 31 arc not necessarily provided separately, therefore a shape of' the terminal 30 can be simple.

Further, in the above first preferred embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the provisional locking groove 22a and the full locking groove 22b are formed by using a mold, which faces the rear end in the longitudinal direction Yl and is drawn out along the longitudinal direction Yl.

However, instead, the provisional locking groove 22a and the lull locking groove 22b may be formed as shown in Figs. 8 -10.

As shown in Figs. 8 -JO, the provisional locking groove 22a is is formed by being passed through a drawing-out hole 21c (i.e. the through hole) for a mold for molding the provisional locking groove 22a and is formed along the longitudinal direction Yl, the drawing-out hole 21c being provided in the front part 21. The full locking groove 22b is formed by being passed through a drawing-out hole 2ld (i.e. the through hole) for a mold for moiding the provisional locking groovc 22b and is formed along the longitudinal direction Yl, the drawing-out hole 21d being provided in the front part 21. Thereby, when the outer cover 20 is formed, the provisional locking groove 22a and the full locking groove 22b can be formed by using a mold, which faces the front end-side in the longitudinal direction Yl and is drawn out along the longitudinal direction Yl. That is, the mold can be drawn out in the same direction as that of a mold for molding the front of the front part 2], the terminal inserting hole 21a and the test jig inserting hole 21b. Therefore, the provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22b can be formed without increasing the number of the directions of the drawing-out of the mold and therefore, a cost-down of the fabrication can be attained.

As for an example shown in Figs. 8 -10, the provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22b are formed passing through the side cover parts 22. However, instead, the provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22b may be formed concave as shown in Fig. 2.

As for an example shown in Figs. 8 10, explained the case in which the provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22b are formed inside the side cover parts 22 situated left and right. However, in is a case in which the locking projections are formed inside the side cover parts 22 situated left and right, if they are formed passing through a drawing-out hole formed in the front part 21 and formed along the longitudinal direction Yl, they can be formed by using a mold, which faces the front end-side of the outer cover 20 in the longitudinal direction Yl and is drawn out along the longitudinal direction Yl just like the provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22b.

Alternatively, both of the provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22b shown in Fig. 2 and the provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22b shown in Fig. 8 -1 0 may be formed.

S e cond.frrdmb od i rn ent In the following, the second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an outer cover 20 and a housing body 10 according to the second preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. 11 at a provisional locking position. Figure 13 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. II at a full locking position. Figure 14 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. II when a terminal is halfway inserted.

The second preferred embodiment is different from the first io preferred embodiment in a point that th.e latter includes a second locking means (i.e. full locking projection, provisional locking projection, locking projection) explained later on. In the following, the second locking means will be explained.

As shown in Fig. 11, the outer cover 20 includes the locking arm part 23 situated at the outer cover 20-side in the mounting direction Y2.

The locking arm part 23 includes: an arm part 23b, which bends toward the housing body 10-side in the mounting direction Y2 upon coupling with a mating connector housing so as to allow the mating connector housing to move in the coupling direction (i.e. in the longitudinal direction Yl) and is restored to its original state when the mating connector housing is in its coupling position; and a locking projection 23a formed on the arm part 23b for locking the mating connector housing.

The outer cover 20 includes a pair of lock protecting walls 25 formed at both sides of the locking arm part 23. The pair of the lock protecting wails 25 extend from a rear end to a front end thereof along the longitudina' direction Yl. The rear end of the pair of the lock protecting walls 25 in the longitudinal direction Yl is provided integrally with a flange part 26 being parallel to the mounting direction Y3, The housing body 10 includes a pair of flexible locking arms 19 projecting along the lock protecting wall 25 between the pair of the lock protecting walls 25. The pair of the flexible locking arms 19 can bend in the mounting direction Y3.

The flexible locking arm 19 includes a provisional locking projection l9a and a full locking projection 19b (i.e. the second locking means) for locking with the locking projection 25a (i.e. the second locking means) of the outer cover 20, at the lock protecting wall 25-side of the flexible locking arm 19. The provisional locking projection 19a and the full locking projection I 9b is formed in such a manner that a projection height thereof increases as approaching the housing body 10-side in the mounting direction Y2.

The locking projection 25a is provided with a locking projection 25a, which locks with the provisional locking prejection 19a of the flexible locking arm 19 at the provisional locking position as shown in Fig. 12 and locks with the full locking projection 19b of the flexible locking arm 19 at the full locking position as shown in Fig. 13, at the flexible locking arm 19-side of the lock protecting wall 25.

In the following, assembly of the connector described above will be explained. First, when the outer cover 20 is slid toward the housing body and mounted to the housing body 10 so as to insert the spacer part 24 into the fitting groove 11 of the housing body 10, similarly to the first preferred embodiment, the locking projections l6a and l6b formed in the housing body 1 0 are provisionally locked by the provisional locking groove 22a of the outer cover 20. As shown in Fig. 13, the locking projection 25a of the housing body 10 is locked with the pro\'isional locking projection 19a of the outer cover 20. Thus, when the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 are locked together at the provisional locking position, the spacer part 24 allows the terminal 30 to be inserted into the terminal receiving chamber C. At the provisional locking position, the terminal 30 is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber C. Finally, the outer cover 20 is further pressed and slid toward the housing body 10. Thereby, the lock between o the provisional locking groove 22a and the locking projections 16a, l6b and the lock between the provisional locking projection 19a and the locking projection 25a are removed, so that the locking projections 16a, 16b of the housing body 10 are fully locked with the full locking groove 22h of the outer cover 20. Also, the locking projection 25a of the housing body 10 is fully locked with the full locking projection 19h of the outer cover 20. Thus, when the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 are locked together at the full locking position, the spacer part 24 locks the terminal 30 preventing the terminal 30 from coming out from the terminal receiving chamber C. As shown in Fig. 6, on a condition of the halfway insertion of the terminal that an end of the terminal 30 is not completely inserted up to an end of the terminal receiving chamber C, the partition wall 24b of the spacer part 24 interferes with a horizontal face 35 of the terminal 30, so that the lock at the full locking position cannot be attained. That is. as shown in Fig. 14, on the condition of the halfway insertion of the terminal, the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 are situated between the provisional locking position and the lull locking position.

On this condition, the full locking projection 19b abuts against the locking projection 25a, so that the flexible locking arm 19 bends in a direction in which the flexible locking arm 19 leaves the lock protecting wall 25 and is located below the locking arm part 23.

Thereby, the locking arm part 23 never bends toward the housing body 10-side in the mounting direction Y2 beyond the flexible locking arm 19. Therefore, the locking arm part 23 cannot allow the mating connector housing to move toward the coupling direction. As a result, since the connector cannot be coupled with the mating connector housing, therefore a condition of the halfway insertion of the terminal is easily recognized and therefore, the halfway insertion of the terminal can be prevented irom occurring.

According to the connector of the second preferred embodiment, since the second locking means (i.e. provisional locking projection l9a, full locking projection 19b and locking projection 25a), which lock the housing body 1 0 and the outer cover 20 together at the provisional locking position and the lull locking position, is provided to the lock protecting wall 25-side of the flexible locking arm 19 and to the flexible locking arm 19-side of the lock protecting waIl 25, therefore the second locking means can be provided by using a dead space between the locking arm part 23 and the lock protecting wail 25 and therefore, the holding Force of the provisional locking and the full locking can be improved while a space can be saved.

S Third freSerred Em bodimen,t In the following, the third preferred

embodiment of the present invention will he explained. Figure 15 is a rear exploded perspective view illustrating an outer cover 20 and a housing body 10 according to the third preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention.

Figure 16 is a front perspective view of a housing body shown in Fig. 15.

Figure 17 is a rear view of thc connector shown in Fig. 15 at a provisional locking position. Figure 1 8 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. 15 at a full locking position. Figure 19 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. 15 when a terminal is halfway inserted. Figure 20 illustrates a way how to release the locking of the connector shown in Fig. 15.

fhe third preferred embodiment is different from the second preferred embodiment in a construction of the first locking means, in that the outer cover 20 is provided with a tapered face 27 and in that the is flexible locking arm 19 is provided with a lock removing part l9c, which will be explained in the following.

In the third preferred embodiment, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, a projection 28 is provided at a position shown by a dotted line inside the left and right side cover parts 22 of the outer cover 20, while a provisional locking groove 16e and a full locking groove 16d are formed on left and right sides 16 of the housing body 10. In this ease, ii the locking projection 28 is formed at the rear end of the outer cover 20 in the longitudinal direction Yl straightly along the longitudinal direction Yl, the locking projection 28 can be formed by using a mold which is drawn out from the rear end of the outer cover 20 in the longitudinal direction Yl along the longitudinal direction. similarly to the locking grooves 22a and 22b.

A tapered face 27, which leaves the flexible locking arm 19 as approaching the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction Vi, is provided on a wall face situated at the flexible locking arm I 9-side of the lock protecting wall 25. By providing the tapered face 27 in such a manner, a wall face situated at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction VI compared to a wall face WI on which the locking projection 25a as the second locking means is formed, that is, the tapered face 27 is formed in a manner leaving the flexible locking arm 19. The lock removing part 19c of the flexible locking arm 19 is formed in such a manner that the lock removing part l9c projects toward the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction Yl compared to a wall face Wi on which the locking projection 25a is formed.

in the following, assembly of the connector described above will be explained. First, when the outer cover 20 is slid toward the housing body and mounted to the housing body 10 so as to insert the spacer part 24 into the fitting groove 11 of the housing body 10, the locking projection 28 of the outer cover 20 is provisionally locked with the provisional locking groove 16c of the housing body 10. As shown in Fig. 17, the locking projection 25a of the housing body 10 is provisionally locked with the provisional locking projection 19a of the outer cover 20. Thus, when the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 are locked together at the provisional locking position, the spacer part 24 allows the terminal to be inserted into the terminal receiving chamber C. At the provisional locking position, the terminals 30 are inserted into the respective terminal receiving chambers C. Finally, the outer

LI

cover 20 is further pressed and slid toward the housing body 10. Thereby, the lock between the provisional locking groove 16c and the locking projection 28 and the lock between the provisional locking projection 19a and the locking projection 25a are removed, thereby the locking projection 28 of the outer cover 20 is fully locked with the full locking groove 16d of the housing body 10. Further, the locking projection 25a of the housing body 10 is locked with the full locking projection 19b of the outer cover 20. Thus, when the housing body 10 and the outer cover are locked together at the full locking position, the spacer part 24 locks the terminal 30 to prevent the terminal 30 from coming out from the terminal receiving chamber C. As shown in Fig. 1 9, on a condition that the housing body 1 0 and the outer cover 20 are between the provisional locking position and the full locking position, that is, on a condition of the halfway insertion of is the terminal, similarly to the second preferred embodiment, the flexible locking arm 19 bends in a direction in which the flexible locking arm 19 leaves the lock protecting wall 25 so as to prevent the locking arm part 23 from bending toward the housing body 10-side in the mounting direction Y2.

In the following, the removal of the lock will be explained. As shown in Fig. 20, upon the removal of the lock, a finger is inserted into a gap formed between the tapered face 27 and the lock removing part I 9c ol the flexible locking arm 19 to bend the pair of the flexible locking arms 19 in a direction in which the pair of the flexible locking arms 19 leaves the lock protecting wail 25 so as to remove the lock with. the locking projection 25a. In the second preferred embodiment in which there is no gap between the lock protecting wail 25 and the flexible locking arm 19, it is necessary to use a lock-removing jig to bend the pair of the flexible locking arms 19 in a direction in which the pair of the flexible locking arms 19 leaves thc lock protecting wall 25, moreover since the pair of the flexible locking arms 19 is provided in the direction Y3, therefore it is very difficult to bend the pair of the flexible locking arms 1 9 simultaneously.

In this respect, according to the third preferred embodiment, since there is a gap between the tapered face 27 and the lock removing part 19c, fl) therefore the lock of the flexible locking arm 19 can be easily removed by using a finger without the special jig as used in the second preferred embodiment.

In the third preferred embodiment described above, by providing the tapered face 27 in such a manner, a wall face situated at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction Yl compared to a wall face Wi on which the locking projection 25a is formed, that is, the tapered face 27 is formed in a manner leaving the flexible locking arm 19. However.

instead, for example, a step may be formed in a manner that a wall face thereof situated at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction Yl compared to a wall face WI leaves the flexible locking arm 1 9.

Fourth PreferrejErnbodinem In the following, the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Figure 21 is a front exploded perspective view illustrating an outer cover 20 and a housing body 10 according to the fourth preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention.

Figure 22 is a cross sectional view of the connector shown in Fig. 21 at a provisional locking position. Figure 23 is a cross sectional view of the connector shown in Fig. 21 at a full locking position.

The fourth preferred embodiment is different from the first S preferred embodiment in that the outer cover 20 is provided with a bridge 29 and in that the housing body 10 is provided with a flexible locking part 37, which will be explained in the following.

The bridge 29 is provided at the rear end in the longitudinal direction Yl between the left and right side cover parts 22 and the end of o the housing body 10-side in the mounting direction Y2. The flexible locking part 37 is provided at the rear end of the housing body 10 in the longitudinal direction Vi. The flexible locking part 37 is formed in a cantilever-shape having a fixed end 37a located at the outer cover 20side in the mounting direction Y2 and a free end 37b located at the housing body TO-side. The fixed end 37a continues to the upper wall 15.

When the outer cover 20 is mounted to the housing body 1.0, the free end 37h of the flexible locking part 37 bends toward the front end-side in the longitudinal direction Yl so as to allow the bridge 29 to move in the mounting direction Y2.

As shown in Fig. 23, on a condition that the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 are at the full locking position, the flexible locking part 37 is restored toward the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction Yl and lined up with the bridge 29 in the mounting direction so as to lock the bridge 29. Each of the bridge 29 and the flexible locking part 37 is provided with a provisional locking projection 29a and a provisional locking groove 37c, respectively. as locking means for locking the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 at the provisional locking position.

In the following, assembly of the connector described above will he explained. First, when the outer cover 20 is slid toward the housing body 1 0 and mounted to the housing body 1 0 so as to insert the spacer part 24 into the fitting groove 11 of the housing body 10, the free end 37b of the flexible locking part 37 is pressed by the bridge 29 and bent toward the front end-side in the longitudinal direction Yl so as to allow the bridge 29 to move in the mounting direction Y2.

lo When the outer cover 20 is further slid toward the housing body 10, similarly to the first preferred embodiment, the locking projections 16a, 16b of the housing body 10 are provisionally locked with the provisional locking groove 22a of the outer cover 20. Further, as shown in Fig. 22, the provisional locking projection 29a of the bridge 29 and the is provisional locking groove 37c of the flexible locking part 37 are provisionally locked. Thus, when the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 are locked together at the provisional locking position, the spacer part 24 allows the terminal 30 to be inserted into the terminal receiving chamber C. At the provisional locking position, the terminals 30 are inserted into the respective terminal receiving chambers C. Finally, the outer cover 20 is further slid toward the housing body 1 0. Thereby, the lock between the provisional locking groove 22a and the locking projections 16a, 16b and the lock between the provisional locking projection 29a and the provisional locking groove 37c are removed, and the locking projections 16a, 16b of the housing body 10 are fully locked with the full locking groove 22b of the outer cover 20.

As shown in Fig. 23, the free end 37b of the flexible locking part 37 is restored toward the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction Vi, so that the bridge 29 and the flexible locking part 37 are lined up in the mounting direction Y2, and the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 are locked together at the full locking position. Thereby, the spacer 24 locks the terminal 30 so as to prevent the terminal 30 from coming out from the terminal receiving charnher C. According to the fourth preferred embodiment, the provisional io locking and the full locking are attained at the rear end-side of the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 in the longitudinal direction Yl, thereby improving the holding force of the provisional locking and the full locking.

is fifth Prelerred Embodiment In the following, the filth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Figure 24 is a front exploded perspective view illustrating an outer cover 20 and a housing body 10 according to the fift.h preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention.

Figure 25 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another example of a connector according to the fifth preferred embodiment. Figure 26 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a further example of a connector according to the fifth preferred embodiment.

In the first to fourth preferred embodiments described above, for example, as shown in Fig. 18, the gap S formed between the housing body 1 0 and the outer cover 20 extends straightly along the mounting direction Y2. As for such a construction, there might he a problem that an electric wire is caught by the gap S causing the outer cover 20 to be turned up.

Therefore, in the fifth preferred embodiment, the housing body 10 is provided with an outer cover protecting part 38. As shown in Fig. 24, at respective corners located at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction VI and the housing body 10-side in the mounting direction Y2, the pair of the left and right sidcs 16 is provided with the respective projection-shaped outer cover protecting parts 38 each flush with the outer side of each of the pair of the left and right side cover parts 22. The pair of the left and right side cover parts 22 each has a notched portion which faces the corresponding outer cover protecting part 38.

With the construction described above, an electric wire can be prevented from entering from. the gap S located at the front end in the is mounting direction Y2 and the end opposite to the front part 21 of the side cover part 22, thereby preventing the outer cover 20 from being turned up.

Alternatively, an outer cover protecting part 38 shown in Fig. 25 may be provided, in this case, each of the pair of the left and right sides 16 is provided with the outer cover protecting part 38 which covers the outer side of each of the pair of the left and right side cover parts 22, at the corner located at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction Yl and the housing body 10-side in the mounting direction Y2 thereof. The pair of the left and right side cover parts 22 each has a concave portion 39 which faces the outer cover protecting part 38. The concave portion 39 is formed in such a manner that the outer side of the pair of the side cover part 22 is flush with the outer cover protecting part 38.

According to the construction described above, since the outer cover protecting part 38 is formed so as to cover the outer side of the side cover part 22, therefore an electric wire can be prevented from entering from a gap between the outer cover 20 and the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 can be prevented from being turned up.

In an example shown in Fig. 25, the concave portion 39 is formed from the end of the outer cover 20-side in the mounting direction Y2 to the end of the housing body I 0-side. However, instead, as shown in Fig. to 26, the concave portion 39 may be formed only for a part which faces the outer cover protecting part 38.

Sixth Prefetred Embodirnnt In the following, the sixth preferred embodiment of the present is invention will be explained. Figure 27 is a rear exploded perspective view illustrating an outer cover 20 and a housing body 10 according to the sixth preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention.

Figure 28 is a rear view of the connector shown in Fig. 27 at a full locking position. Figure 29 is a cross sectional view illustrating a state when locking between the second wedged projection and the wedged groove is removed.

The sixth preferred embodiment is different from the first preferred embodiment in that the outer cover 20 is provided with a bridge 29 and a wedged groove 40 and that the housing body 10 is provided with a wedged projection 41. The bridge 29 is provided at the rear end in the longitudinal direction Yl between the left and right side cover parts 22 and the end of the housing body 10-side in the mounting direction Y2.

Thereby, the bridge 29 is provided at the rear end of the side cover part 22 in the longitudinal direction Yl so that the bridge 29 is situated at the housing body 10-side in the mounting direction Y2 compared to the terminal receiving chamber C on a condition that the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 are locked together at the provisional locking position.

The outer cover 20 is also provided with a wedged groove 40 concave facing to the outer cover 20-side in the mounting direction Y2.

The wedged groove 40 is provided at the rear end of the outer cover 20 in the longitudinal direction Yl. The wedged groove 40 is formed in such a manner that a width thereof in the crossing direction Y3 increases as approaching the outer cover 20-side in the mounting direction Y2.

The housing body 10 is provided with the wedged projection 41 is projecting toward the outer cover 20-side in the mounting direction Y2.

The wedged projection 41 is provided at the rear end of the housing body 1 0 in the longitudinal direction Yl. The wedged projection 41 is formed in such a manner that a width thereof in the crossing direction Y3 increases as approaching the outer cover 20-side in the mounting direction Y2. As shown in Fig. 28, the wedged groove 40 and the wedged projection 41 fit to each other at the full locking position.

As for the connector according to the sixth prelerred embodiment, the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 are fully locked together at the rear end in the longitudinal direction Yl by means of the wedged groove 40 and the wedged projection 41. Therefore, even when an electric wire L is affected by force toward the housing body 10-side in the mounting direction Y2, the lock between the wedged groove 40 and the wedged projection 41 is not removed.

in the event that the lock between the wedged groove 40 and the wedged projection 41 is removed, as shown in Fig. 29, the bridges 29 catches the electric wire L so as to prevent the lock between the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 from being removed. That is, the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 can be firmly locked together at the full locking position. By means of the bridge 29, there is no gap S extending straight along the mounting direction Y2, therefore the turning-up and damage of the side cover part 23 can be prevented from occurring.

In the sixth preferred embodiment described above, the outer cover is provided with the wedged groove 40 while the housing body 10 is provided with the wedged projection 41. However, instead, the outer cover 20 may be provided with the wedged projection 41 while the is housing body 10 may be provided with the wedged groove 40.

In the preferred first to sixth embodiments described above, in the outer cover 20 as the outer part, not only the front part 21 and the spacer part 24 but also the left and right side cover parts 22 and the locking arm part 23 having the locking projection 23a are formed in one piece.

However, as for the outer part, the left and right side cover parts 22 and the locking arm part 23 are not necessarily formed iii one piece provided that the front part 21 and the spacer part 24 are formed in one piece.

In the preferred first to sixth embodiments described above, the left and right sides 1.6 of the housing body 10 have the first locking means (the locking projections 16a and 16b) for locking the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 at the provisional and full locking positions, outside each side 16, while the left and right side cover parts 22 of the outer cover 20 have first locking means (the provisional locking groove 22a and full locking groove 22h), inside each side cover part 22.

However, for example, a locking means may he provided to the spacer s part 24 and to a portion. of the housing body 10, the portion facing the spacer part 24, and a locking means may he provided to the front part 21 and to a portion of the housing body 10, the portion facing the front part. 21.

in the preferred first to sixth embodiments described above, the io inside of the left and right side cover parts 22 are provided with the concave provisional locking groove 22a and the full locking groove 22b.

However, for example, the concave provisional locking groove 22a and the full locking groove 22b may he formed penetrating through the side cover parts 22 provided that locking steps locking with the locking projections 16a, 16b of the housing body 10 are formed.

in the preferred first to sixth embodiments described above, the abutting face 34 crossing the longitudinal direction Yl is formed outside the tube part 30a of the terminal 30. However, instead, for example., the abutting face 34 may be formed in the tube part 30a of the terminal 30.

Thus, ii the abutting face 34 is formed in the tube part 30a of the terminal 30, the abutting face 34 is exposed through the terminal inserting hole 21a at the full locking position, therefore a continuity lest probe can be inserted from the terminal inserting hole 21 a so as to carry out a continuity test.

Tn the preferred first to sixth embodiments described above, the test jig inserting hole 21b for inserting a continuity test probe is provided for carrying out an electrical continuity test of the terminal 30 on a condition that the housing body 10 and the outer cover 20 are fully locked together.

However, as shown in Fig. 30 in which the terminal inserting hole 21a and the abutting face 34 of the terminal 30 are lined up in the longitudinal direction and the abutting face 34 is exposed from the terminal inserting hole 21a, if a continuity test is not necessary upon the full locking, as shown in Figs. 30 and 31, the front part 21 has no necessity to have the test jig inserting hole 21h besides the terminal inserting hole 21a and the abutting face 34 is not necessarily to be io exposed upon the full locking. In this ease, an electrical continuity test is carried out by inserting a continuity test probe from the terminal inserting hole 21a so as to make the test probe abut against the abutting face 34.

Therefore, as described above, the front part 21 has no necessity to have the test jig inserting hole 2lh besides the terminal inserting hole 21a. Further, when the abutting face 34 formed outside the tube part 30a of the terminal 30 is exposed through the terminal inserting hole 21a at the full locking position, the terminal inserting hole 21a must be made larger than a space for inserting a mating terminal, however, since the abutting face 34 formed outside the inserting hole is exposed through the terminal inserting hole 21a at the provisional locking position, therefore the terminal inserting hole 21a is not necessary to be made larger than a space for inserting a mating terminal, thereby the mechanical strength of the front part 21 can be further improved. Moreover, there is no possibiLity that a mating male terminal Is inserted into the test jig inserting hole 21b in a pinched manner.

in the preferred first to sixth embodiments described above, at the fully locking position, the abutting lace 34 is exposed through the test jig inserting hole 2lb of the front part 21, and at the provisional locking position, the abutting face 34 is exposed through the terminal inserting hole 21a. However, instead, the abutting face 34 may be exposed at the full locking position, at the provisional locking position or at both the full locking position and the provisional locking position provided that the front part 21 includes an exposing hole through which the abutting face 34 is exposed. Further, the terminal inserting hole 21a may be used as the exposing hole or, alternatively, a hole other than the terminal inserting hole 21a may be formed as the exposing hole.

In the preferred first to sixth embodiments described above, as shown in Fig. 6, upon the provisional locking, not only the locking lance 13 but also the abutting face 34 of the terminal 30 are exposed through is the terminal inserting hole 2la. However, instead, as shown in Fig. 7, on a condition of the full locking, the test jig inserting hole 2ib for exposing the abutting face 34 may be provided besides the terminal inserting hole 2ia and an electrical continuity test may be carried out on a condition of the full locking. In this ease, upon the provisional locking, the terminal 30 can he received facing toward a dilferent direction through the terminal inserting hole 21a.

On a condition of the full lockIng, if it is possible that the locking lance 13 and a terminal drawing-out jig inserting hole (not shown in the figure), which is formed to insert a terminal drawing-out jig for removing the lock of the locking lance besides the terminal inserting hole 2la, are lined up in the longitudinal direction Yl and the locking lance 13 is exposed from the terminal drawing-out jig inserting hole so that the lock of the locking lance 13 can be removed on the condition of the full locking, the locking lance 13 is not necessary to be exposed through the terminal inserting hole 21a upon the provisional locking and a different portion may be locked.

in the preferred first to sixth embodiments described above, the abutting face 34 is formed at a very front end outside the tube part 30a of the terminal 30. however, instead, the abutting face 34 may be formed, for example, at a little rear side compared to the very front end.

In the preferred first to sixth embodiments described above, the number of the steps of the terminal receiving chambers C is two.

However, the number of the steps may he more than two. in the preferred first to fifth embodiments described above, the locking projection 23a is provided on the locking arm part 23. However, instead, for example, the locking projection 23a may he formed on the left and right side cover parts 22 of the outer cover 20 or outside the lower wall 12 of the housing body 10.

The aforementioned preferred embodiments are described to aid in understanding the present invention and variations may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A connector comprising: (A) a housing body

including terminal receiving chambers and terminal locking lances for locking tcrminals received in the terminal s receiving chambers; and (B) an outer part including a front part which covers an end side of the housing body in a longitudinal direction of the terminal and has mating terminal inserting holes communicating with the terminal receiving chambers and a spacer part which is mounted into the housing body from a mounting direction crossing at right angles the longitudinal direction of the terminal and is locked into the housing body at both of a provisional locking position for allowing the terminals to be inserted into the terminal receiving chambers and a full locking position for locking the terminals and preventing the terminals from coming out from the terminal receiving chambers, wherein the front part and the spacer part are formed in one piece.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing body includes a pair of outer sides parallel to the mounting direction of the spacer part and the terminal receiving chamber is formed between the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part is further integrally provided with a pair of side cover parts for covering the pair of the outer sides, wherein a first locking means, which locks the housing body and the outer part together at the provisional locking position and the full iocking position, is provided outside the outer side of the housing body and inside the side cover part of the outer part.

3, The connector according to claim 2, wherein the first locking means provided inside the side cover part of the outer part is a locking projection or a locking groove, which is formed along the longitudinal direction of the terminal at least from an rear end of the outer part in the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

4. The connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first locking means provided inside the side cover part of the outer part is a locking projection or a locking groove, which passes through a through hole formed in the front part and is Formed along the longitudinal dIrection of the terminal.

5. The connector according to claim I, wherein the housing body includes a pair of' outer sides parallel to the mounting direction of the spacer part and the terminal receiving chamber is formed between the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part is further integrally provided with a pair of side cover parts for covering the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part includes a bridge for linking corners, each located at a rear end side of the outer part in the longitudinal direction of the terminal between the pair of the side cover parts and located on the side of the housing body in the mounting direction of the spacer part, wherein the housing body includes a cantilever-type flexible locking part formed at a rear end of the housing body in the longitudinal direction of the terminal, having a fixed end located on the outer part-side thereof in the mounting direction of the spacer part and a free end located on the housing body-side thereof, wherein the free end bends toward the front end in the longitudinal direction of the terminal when the outer part is mounted to the housing body so that the flexible locking part allows the bridge to move in the mounting direction of the spacer part, while on a condition that the housing body and the outer part are at the full locking position, the flexible locking part is lined up with the bridge in the mounting direction of the spacer part so that the flexible locking part locks the bridge.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the bridge and the flexible locking part each is provided with a provisional locking means, io which locks the housing body and the outer part together at the provisional locking position.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing body includes a pair of outer sides parallel to the mounting direction of the spacer part and the terminal receiving chamber is formed between the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part is further integrally provided with a pair of side cover parts for covering the pair of the outer sides, wherein the pair of the outer sides each has a projection flush with an outer side of the pair of the side cover parts, the projection being located at the rear end-side of the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal and located at the housing body-side of the outer side in the mounting direction of the spacer part, wherein a portion of the pair of the side cover parts facing the projection is notched.

8. The connector according to claim I, wherein the housing body includes a pair of outer sides parallel to the mounting direction of the spacer part and the terminal receiving chamber is formed between the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part is further integrally provided with a pair of side cover parts for covering the pair of the outer sides, wherein the pair of the outer sides each has a cover part protecting part for covering an outer side of the pair of the side cover parts. thc cover part protecting part being located at the rear end-side of the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal and located at the housing body-side of the outer side in the mounting direction of the spacer part.

9. The connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 -8, wherein on a condition that the outer part is locked with the housing body at the provisional locking position, the terminal locking lance of the housing body is exposed through the mating terminal inserting hole of the front part.

10. The connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 -9, wherein the terminal has an abutting face crossing the longitudinal direction of the terminal, the front part has an exposing hole, and the abutting face and the exposing hole are lined up in the longitudinal direction of the terminal so that the abutting face is exposed through the exposing hole :o on a condition that the outer part is locked with the housing body at at least one position of the full locking position and the provisional locking position.

11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the exposing hole exposes the abutting face on a condition that the outer part is locked with the housing body only at the full locking position between the full locking position and the provisional locking position.

1
2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing body includes a pair of outer sides parallel to the mounting direction of the spacer part and the terminal receiving chamber is formed between the pair of the outer sides, wherein the outer part is further integrally provided with a pair of side cover parts for covering the pair of the outer sides, wherein the housing body includes: a pair of lock protecting wall formed along the longitudinal direction of the terminal nipping a locking arm part For locking a mating connector housing; and a flexible locking arm io projecting along the lock protecting wall, wherein a second locking means, which locks the housing body and the outer part together at the provisional locking position and the full locking position, is provided to the lock protecting wall-side of the flexible locking arm and to the flexible locking arm-side of the lock protecting wall.

13. The connector according to claim 12, wherein on a condition that the housing body and the outer part are between the provisional locking position and the full locking position, the flexible locking arm bends in a direction in which the flexible locking arm leaves the lock protecting wall, so that the second locking means prevents the locking arm part from bending in the mounting direction of the spacer part.

14. The connector according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the lock protecting wall is formed in such a manner that a wall face thereof located at the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal leaves the flexible locking arm than a wall face thereof on which the second locking means are formed leaves, :53 wherein the flexible locking arm is formed in such a manncr that the flexible locking arm projects toward the rear end-side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal than a wall face thereof on which the second locking means are formed.