JP2009193853A - Connector with retainer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector with a retainer for reducing risk of breakage of a locking arm of a retainer, and for reducing the number of components as well as improving assembling workability of components. <P>SOLUTION: The connector with a retainer includes a connector housing, a terminal and a retainer 50 for double locking the terminal inserted into a terminal housing chamber by inserting into a retainer insertion concave part formed at a bottom part of the connector housing. On the retainer, a first and a second retainer parts 53, 52, and a front mask 51 having a terminal leading hole 51a are formed integrally, a cantilever temporary locking arm 57 is fitted on a coupling wall 55 connecting a right-left side edge of the first retainer part 53 and a right-left side edge of the front mask, and a beam main locking arm 61 is fitted on an extended wall 58 of a back side of the first retainer part 53. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector including a retainer that double-locks a terminal inserted into a connector housing.

  An example of this type of conventional connector described in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 is an exploded front view of the connector, FIG. 15 is a view taken along arrow XV in FIG. 14, FIG. 16 shows a state where the retainer is inserted into the connector housing, and FIG. 16 (a) is when the retainer is in the temporary locking position. FIG.16 (b) is a side view which respectively shows a state when a retainer exists in this locking position.

This connector has a connector housing 310, a retainer 350, and terminals (not shown). A terminal is inserted into a terminal accommodating chamber (not shown) of the connector housing 310, and a retainer insertion recess 312 provided at the bottom of the connector housing 310. The retainer 350 is inserted into the retainer 350, and the retainer 350 is moved from the temporary locking position shown in FIG. 16A to the final locking position shown in FIG. .
In the retainer 350, a plurality of locking walls 352 for double locking the terminals are arranged between the side plates 351 at both ends, and the temporary locking protrusions 354a are formed on the outer edges on both sides in the width direction of the side plates 351 at both ends. And a temporary locking arm 355 having a final locking projection 355a on the outer edge. Both of these locking arms 354 and 355 are formed as cantilever arms, and the free end side is bent inward. By using this bending, the connector housing 310 side is changed according to the insertion position of the retainer 350. The temporary locking projection 354a is engaged with the temporary locking claw 314, and the final locking projection 355a is engaged with the final locking claw 315. Further, if the free end sides of both the locking arms 354 and 355 are bent inward, the engagement can be released by pulling in the direction opposite to the insertion direction.

  FIG. 17 is an exploded side sectional view showing an example of a conventional connector including a front mask (also referred to as a front holder) and a retainer (also referred to as a spacer) described in Patent Document 2.

  This connector is a combination of three independent resin molded parts, ie, a connector housing 400, a retainer 450, and a front mask 460. The retainer 450 is inserted into the connector housing 400, so that FIGS. Similarly to the example, the terminals inserted into the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing 400 from the rear are double-locked. The front mask 460 is attached to the front end of the connector housing 400 so as to define the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber and to form a contact surface with respect to the front end surface of the mating connector. A terminal introduction hole 461 for guiding and guiding the female terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber is provided.

The front mask 460 is not formed integrally with the front end of the connector housing 400, but the front mask 460 is formed as an independent molded part. If the front mask 460 is formed integrally, the fluidity of the resin and the mold removal workability deteriorate. For reasons.
JP 2003-22863 A JP 2002-184511 A

  By the way, in the conventional connector retainer 350 shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, since both the locking arms 354 and 355 are configured as cantilever arms and exposed to the outside, a single product before being set in the connector housing 310. When transported in a state or assembled into the connector housing 310, the two locking arms 354 and 355 may hit and be damaged.

  Further, in the connector shown in FIG. 17, since the retainer 450 and the front mask 460 are assembled as separate parts in the connector housing 400, there is a problem that the number of parts increases and the production management of the parts becomes troublesome. . Further, the visual confirmation of the retainer assembly direction is troublesome, and there is a problem that the assembling workability of the parts is poor.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector with a retainer that can reduce the risk of breakage of a retaining arm of the retainer and can reduce the number of parts and improve the workability of assembling parts.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector housing made of synthetic resin in which a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers extending in the front-rear direction are provided in a region surrounded by the outer peripheral wall, and each of the connector housings from the rear end of the connector housing. Terminals that are inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers to be retained and locked by lances provided in the terminal accommodating chambers, and retainer insertion recesses that are formed from the outer peripheral wall of the connector housing toward the inside of the connector housing. And a retaining arm that is inserted into the retainer insertion recess in a direction crossing the insertion direction of the terminal, and that is locked to the connector housing in the inserted state, and is inserted to the final locking position. By attaching to the front end of at least a part of the connector housing, and a retainer made of synthetic resin that double-locks each terminal inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber A front end of the terminal housing chamber in a region where the front end surface of the mating connector is formed, and a leading end of the terminal of the mating connector is directed toward the terminal housed in the terminal housing chamber. In a connector with a retainer, comprising: a front mask made of synthetic resin having a terminal introduction hole, wherein the terminal housing chamber is a first group of terminal housing chambers in which the front mask is mounted on the front end of the connector housing. The retainer is provided with a first retainer portion corresponding to the terminal accommodating chamber of the first group, the front mask is disposed in front of the first retainer portion, and the first mask is disposed. The left and right side edges of the retainer part and the left and right side edges of the front mask are connected to each other by a pair of left and right connecting walls. It is configured as a resin molded part integrally having a mask, and further, a concave notch is formed at the edge of the connecting wall in the direction of insertion into the connector housing, and the locking arm is provided inside the notch, The connector housing is provided with a portion for accommodating the connecting wall and a portion for accommodating the front mask in communication with the retainer insertion recess.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the connector with a retainer according to the first aspect, wherein an extension wall located on an extension of the connecting wall is provided at a rear end of the first retainer portion, and is provided inside the notch. When the first locking arm is used as the first locking arm, a second locking arm for locking the retainer to the connector housing at an insertion position different from the first locking arm on the extension wall. The first locking arm is configured as a cantilever arm that is erected from the inner bottom edge of the notch toward the insertion direction of the retainer into the connector housing, and on the free end side thereof At the edge, it has a locking projection that engages with a first locking portion provided on the connector housing side, and the second locking arm is located slightly in front of the rear edge of the extension wall, In the insertion direction of the retainer into the connector housing By inserting a vertical slit, it is configured as a doubly-supported arm that is thinly left behind the slit in a state where both ends in the longitudinal direction are connected to the extension wall, and the longitudinal direction of the second locking arm A locking projection that engages with a second locking portion provided on the connector housing side is provided on an outer edge of the intermediate portion, and one of the first locking arm or the second locking arm has the retainer A temporary locking arm that locks in the temporary locking position is used, and the other is a permanent locking arm that locks the retainer in the final locking position. Correspondingly, the first locking portion or the second locking arm is used. One of the stop portions is a temporary locking portion that locks the retainer at the temporary locking position, and the other is a main locking portion that locks the retainer at the final locking position. .

  A third aspect of the present invention is the connector with a retainer according to the first or second aspect, wherein the first group of terminal accommodating chambers are provided in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction, and the retainer is arranged from the lower side to the upper side of the connector housing. The retainer is inserted into the retainer insertion recess, and the first retainer portion of the retainer is configured so that when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, the terminal with respect to the terminal housing chamber of the first group is disposed. When the retainer is in the final locking position, the locking protrusions for locking the terminals inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers are provided by the number of vertical steps of the terminal accommodating chambers of the first group. It is characterized by that.

  Invention of Claim 4 is a connector with a retainer of any one of Claims 1-3, Comprising: Between the front mask and the front end of the said connection wall is connected by the flexible connection part. It is characterized by.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the connector with a retainer according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a first terminal accommodating portion is provided at a central portion in the left-right direction of the connector housing. Second terminal accommodating portions are provided on the left and right sides of the terminal accommodating portion, the first terminal accommodating portion is formed with the first group of terminal accommodating chambers, and the second terminal accommodating portion is provided with the first group. A second terminal accommodating chamber into which a second terminal of a size different from the first terminal to be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber is formed, and a second corresponding to the terminal accommodating chamber of the second group is formed in the retainer. A retainer portion is provided, and the second retainer portion is disposed on the front side of the first retainer portion, and is connected to the outer surface of the connecting wall at a position on the front side of the notch. Integrated into the connector housing. The managing, as the retainer insertion recess, and the first retainer insertion recess first retainer portion is inserted, the second retainer portion, characterized in that the second retainer insertion recess is provided to be inserted.

  The invention of claim 6 is the connector with a retainer according to claim 5, wherein the retainer is different in the number of left and right terminal housing chambers arranged in the left and right second terminal housing portions of the connector housing, Corresponding to this, it is configured to be asymmetrical left and right.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the connector with a retainer according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the second retainer portion is located with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber of the second group when the retainer is in the temporary locking position. And when the retainer is in the final locking position, the terminal has a locking projection for locking the terminal inserted into the terminal receiving chamber, and the locking projection is When the retainer is in the final locking position and locks the terminal, it enters the inside of the electrical connection part from the punched hole formed in the bottom wall of the box-shaped electrical connection part at the front of the terminal, An excessive displacement restricting portion of the spring piece in the electrical connecting portion is configured.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the retainer is formed as an integral resin molded part having a front mask and a first retainer portion, and the front mask and the first retainer portion arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction are connected. A locking arm is provided on the connecting wall, and the part with the locking arm is sandwiched between the front mask and the first retainer, so that the locking arm can be safely protected even in the case of a cantilever arm type. Can do. Therefore, even when the retainer is handled as a single item or when it is assembled to the connector housing, there is no possibility of hitting the locking arm and damaging it. Moreover, since there is no problem even if it is a cantilever arm type, it becomes easy to process a latching arm. Further, since the front mask is formed integrally with the retainer, the number of parts constituting the connector can be reduced, and the production controllability of the parts can be improved. In addition, since the retainer has a front mask on the front side and a first retainer portion on the rear side, it is easy to visually confirm the distinction in the front-rear direction from the outer shape, and the assembling workability can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the retainer is provided with the first and second locking arms, and the first locking arm is in a notch provided in the connecting wall that connects the front mask and the first retainer part. Since the second locking arm is provided as a cantilever arm on the extension wall provided at the rear end of the first retainer portion, both the locking arms can be protected from damage. That is, although the first locking arm is a cantilever arm, it can be protected by being sandwiched between the front mask and the first retainer portion as described above. Further, although the second locking arm is exposed to the outside, the second locking arm is not a cantilever arm, but is configured as a both-end support arm, so that it is difficult to break. In addition, since one locking arm is a temporary locking arm and the other locking arm is a main locking arm, the retainer can be locked to the connector housing at the temporary locking position and the main locking position. Easy to assemble the connector. In addition, since the first locking arm and the second locking arm are arranged at positions separated from each other, each locking arm can be easily designed and processed. Similarly, since the locking portion on the housing side is also at a distant position, layout is easy and processing is easy. Since the second locking arm is configured as a both-end support arm, it is difficult to process to some extent, but since it is exposed at the rear side of the first retainer portion, it is not so difficult to process. .

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the first group of terminal accommodating chambers is provided in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction, the connecting wall of the retainer can be correspondingly elongated in the vertical direction, and the locking arm is provided on the connecting wall. It becomes easy to form. Therefore, the length of the locking arm can be increased, and necessary and sufficient flexibility can be easily provided.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since the front mask and the front end of the connecting wall are connected by the connecting portion having flexibility, the front mask can be moved minutely following the terminal on the mating connector side. Therefore, even when the mating terminal enters obliquely, the mating terminal can be properly guided by the guiding action of the terminal introduction hole while moving following the mating terminal. For example, if the pin-shaped male terminal that is the mating terminal enters diagonally, there is a risk of interfering with the front mask if it is as it is, but the terminal moves as the front mask follows the mating terminal. The leading end of the mating terminal can be surely picked up by the introduction hole, and can be guided and guided straight to the female terminal in the connector housing. Therefore, fitting workability with the mating connector is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 5, two types of terminals can be double-locked with one retainer. Moreover, although the 2nd retainer part is connected with the outer surface of the connection wall, since it has connected with the front side of a notch, it does not become an obstacle of a latching arm. In addition, since the second retainer portion sticks to the outside of the connecting wall, it also serves to protect the locking arm on the connecting wall.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the retainer is asymmetrical in the left-right direction, it is possible to restrict the right and left parts from being assembled wrongly when assembled to the connector housing.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the overhanging restricting portion of the spring piece of the terminal is formed by the locking projection of the retainer, it is not necessary to form the overdisplacement restricting portion on the terminal itself, and the structure of the terminal Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the terminal can be reduced. In addition, when the excessive displacement restricting portion is bent and formed on the terminal, it cannot be formed too large due to the strength of the terminal, and as a result, there is a possibility that sufficient excessive displacement restriction cannot be performed. In the case where the excessive displacement restricting portion is formed by the locking projections, it can be formed in a sufficiently large size, so that it is possible to exert a reliable spring piece bending restricting function. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the spring piece from being deformed due to excessive bending, and to prevent the contact load with the mating terminal from being lowered due to the deformation of the spring piece. In addition, when the retainer is fully locked, the retaining protrusion of the retainer enters a punched hole formed in the bottom wall of the electrical connection portion of the terminal. When the convex portion interferes with the terminal and the retainer cannot be inserted to the full locking position, it is possible to detect half insertion of the terminal.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector with a retainer of the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the retainer, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the retainer, FIG. 4 is a side view of the retainer, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the connector with the retainer assembled, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the female terminal is about to be inserted into the connector housing with the retainer temporarily locked. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view cut vertically at the position of the connecting wall, FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the female terminal is inserted into the connector housing while the retainer is temporarily locked, and the upper half is a terminal of the second terminal accommodating portion 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the first half of the first terminal housing section cut longitudinally at the position of the storage chamber, and FIG. 9 is the same as FIG. 7 with the retainer fully locked. FIG. 10 (a FIG. 10B is a side sectional view of the retainer that is vertically locked at the position of the terminal accommodating chamber of the second terminal accommodating portion. FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of the Xa portion of FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a state in which the latching convex portion functions as an excessive displacement restricting portion of the spring piece of the terminal, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a comparative example to the present embodiment shown in FIG. The perspective view of the principal part which shows the example which provided the excessive displacement control part of the spring piece, FIG. 12 is a sectional side view for the effect | action description of the comparative example, FIG. 13 (a) is the front mask in the connector of this embodiment. FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of the XIIIb portion of FIG. 13A.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the retainer-equipped connector 1 according to the present embodiment includes a connector housing 10 made of a synthetic resin having a lock arm 30 for locking the mating connector on the upper surface, and a plurality of two types of sizes. Female terminals (hereinafter also simply referred to as “terminals”) 81 and 82 and a synthetic resin retainer 50 inserted into the connector housing 10 from below.

  The connector housing 10 is provided with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 21 and 22 extending in the front-rear direction inside a region surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 10a. In this case, a first terminal accommodating portion 11 that accommodates a first terminal 82 having a small size is provided in the central portion of the connector housing 10 in the left-right direction. A second terminal accommodating portion 12 that accommodates the two terminals 81 is provided. A first group of terminal housing chambers 21 into which the first terminals 82 are inserted is formed in the upper and lower two stages in the first terminal housing portion 11, and the second terminals 81 are inserted into the second terminal housing portion 12. A second group of terminal accommodating chambers 22 is formed in two upper and lower stages. Here, the number of terminals in the left-right direction of the terminal accommodating chambers 22 of the left and right second terminal accommodating portions 12 is asymmetric.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the terminals 82 and 81 are inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 21 and 22 from the rear end of the connector housing 10, so that the lances 24 and 23 provided in the terminal accommodating chambers 21 and 22. To prevent it from coming off.

  The female terminals 81 and 82 used here have a box-type electrical contact portion 81a at the front, as shown in one example in FIG. 10, and inside the box-type electrical contact portion 81a, It has a spring piece 81e that sandwiches the male terminal 281 of the mating connector with the upper wall 81b. Further, the bottom wall 81c is provided with a punching hole 81d used when the retainer 50 double-locks. Since the other first terminal 82 locks the retainer 50 at the rear end of the electrical contact portion 81a, a punching hole is not particularly required for locking.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, retainer insertion recesses 15 </ b> A and 15 </ b> B are provided on the bottom of the connector housing 10 from the outer peripheral wall 10 a toward the inside of the connector housing 10.

  The retainer 50 is inserted upward into the retainer insertion recesses 15A and 15B so as to be orthogonal to the insertion direction of the terminals 81 and 82. It plays the role which double-locks each terminal 81,82 inserted in the chambers 21,22.

  A front mask 51 is formed integrally with the retainer 50 separately from the first retainer portion 52 and the second retainer portion 53 that perform double locking of the terminals.

  The front mask 51 is attached to the front end of the first terminal accommodating portion 11 of the connector housing 10, thereby defining the front end of the first group of terminal accommodating chambers 21 and the front end surface of the mating connector 200 (see FIG. 13). And has a terminal introduction hole 51a for guiding and guiding the tip (pin) of the male terminal 281 of the mating connector 200 toward the first female terminal 82 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 21. ing.

  The retainer 50 is provided with a first retainer portion 53 corresponding to the above-described first group of terminal accommodating chambers 21 and a second retainer portion 52 corresponding to the second group of terminal accommodating chambers 22. The first retainer portion 53 has a size corresponding to that of the front mask 51, and the front mask 51 is positioned in front of the first retainer portion 53 with an interval. The left and right side edges of the first retainer portion 53 and the left and right side edges of the front mask 51 are connected to each other by a pair of left and right connecting walls 55, so that the retainer 50 is configured as a resin molded part integrally including the front mask 51. Has been.

  A substantially rectangular cutout 56 is formed on the upper end edge side (end edge side in the insertion direction into the connector housing 10) of the connecting wall 55, and a temporary locking arm 57 described later is provided inside the cutout 56. .

  The second retainer portion 52 is disposed on the front side of the first retainer portion 53 and is connected to the outer surface of the connecting wall 55 at a position on the front side of the notch 56, thereby being integrated with the retainer 50. ing. In this case, the second retainer portion 52 is connected to the outer surface of the connecting wall 55, but is connected to the front side of the notch 56, so that it does not interfere with the temporary locking arm 57. The left and right second retainer portions 52 have different left and right dimensions due to different numbers of left and right second group terminal storage chambers 22 arranged in the left and right direction. Therefore, the retainer 50 is configured to be left-right asymmetrical due to the difference in the dimensions of the left and right second retainer portions 52.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the connector housing 10 has, as retainer insertion recesses, a first retainer insertion recess 15A into which the first retainer portion 53 is inserted and a second retainer insertion recess 15B into which the second retainer portion 52 is inserted. Further, a portion 16 for accommodating the connecting wall 55 and a portion 17 for accommodating the front mask 51 are provided in communication with the retainer insertion recesses 15A and 15B.

  The front mask 51 and the front end of the connecting wall 55 are connected by a connecting portion 54 having flexibility. As the flexible connecting portion 54, upper and lower thin plates 54a thinner than the thickness of the connecting wall 55 are used. Thus, by connecting the front mask 51 and the front end of the connecting wall 55 with the flexible connecting portion 54, the front mask 51 is connected to the connector housing 10 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. A minute displacement can be achieved by the left and right gaps H1 and H2 and the front and rear gap H3.

  When the retainer 50 is inserted into the connector housing 10, the retainer 50 is locked at the temporary locking position and the main locking position. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, 7, and 9, the retainer 50 includes a temporary locking arm 57 (first locking arm) as temporary locking means and a main locking mechanism as main locking means. A stop 60 is provided. The temporary locking arm 57 is provided on the connection wall 55. An extension wall 58 is provided at the rear end of the first retainer portion 53 so as to be positioned on the extension of the connecting wall 55, and the main locking portion 60 is provided on the extension wall 58.

  The temporary locking arm 57 is provided inside a notch 56 formed in the upper part of the connecting wall 55, and is located above the retainer 50 (to the connector housing 10) from a base end 57 a connected to the inner bottom edge of the notch 56. And a temporary locking portion 18 (first locking portion) provided on the connector housing 10 side on the side edge of the free end side. It has a main locking projection 57b.

  Further, the main locking portion 60 has a main locking arm 61 (second locking arm). The main locking arm 61 is provided with a longitudinal slit 59 along the insertion direction of the retainer 50 into the connector housing 10 at a position slightly ahead of the rear end edge of the extension wall 58, so that both longitudinal ends 61 a are extended. It is configured as a doubly-supported arm that is thinly left behind the slit 59 in a state of being connected to the wall 58, and is provided with a main locking portion 19 (the first engagement portion 19 provided on the connector housing 10 side on the outer edge of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction). 2 has a locking projection 62 that engages with the locking portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the first retainer portion 53 of the retainer 50 is configured so that the first terminal 82 with respect to the first group of terminal accommodating chambers 21 is located when the retainer 50 is in the temporary locking position. When the retainer 50 is in the final locking position, the locking projection 67 that locks the first terminal 82 inserted in the terminal housing chamber 21 is inserted in the vertical direction of the terminal housing chamber 21 of the first group. It has only the number of steps. The 1st retainer part 53 is comprised as the frame 53a which has the opening which permits insertion of the terminal 82, and the latching convex part 67 is provided in the upper surface of the horizontal frame part.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the second retainer portion 52 of the retainer 50 is inserted into the second group of terminal accommodating chambers 22 when the retainer 50 is in the temporary locking position. When the retainer 50 is in the final locking position, the locking projection 68 that locks the second terminal 81 inserted into the terminal housing chamber 22 is provided with the number of steps in the vertical direction of the second group of terminal housing chambers 22. Have only minutes. The second retainer portion 52 is also configured as a frame body 52a having an opening that allows insertion of the terminal 81, and the locking projection 68 is provided on the upper surface of the horizontal frame portion.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the locking protrusion 68 of the second retainer portion 52 has a box-like shape at the front of the terminal 81 when the retainer 50 is in the main locking position and locks the terminal 81. The punched hole 81d formed in the bottom wall 81c of the electrical contact portion 81a enters the electrical connection portion 81a to form an excessive displacement restricting portion of the spring piece 81e in the electrical contact portion 81a. Yes.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  When assembling the connector 1, as shown in FIG. 7, the retainer 50 is inserted into the connector housing 10 from below, and the temporary locking projection 57 b of the temporary locking arm 57 is inserted into the temporary locking portion 18 on the connector housing 10 side. By engaging, it is locked at the temporary locking position. In this temporarily locked state, the terminals 81 and 82 are inserted into the respective terminal accommodating chambers 21 and 22 and locked by the lances 23 and 24. Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the retainer 50 is further inserted deeply, and the main locking projection 62 of the main locking arm 61 is engaged with the main locking portion 19 on the connector housing 10 side, thereby temporarily Lock in the stop position. Thereby, the terminals 81 and 82 are double-locked by the lances 23 and 24 and the retainer 50 and are prevented from coming off.

  In the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the retainer 50 is formed as an integral resin molded part having the front mask 51 and the first retainer portion 53, and the front mask 51 and the first retainer portion arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. In the case of a cantilever arm type, a temporary locking arm 57 is provided on a connecting wall 55 for connecting 53 and the front mask 51 and the first retainer portion 53 sandwich a portion with the temporary locking arm 57. However, the temporary locking arm 57 can be safely protected. In addition, since the second retainer portion 52 sticks out to the outside of the connecting wall 55, the temporary locking arm on the connecting wall 55 can be more reliably protected.

  Therefore, even when the retainer 50 is handled as a single product or assembled to the connector housing 10, there is no possibility that the temporary locking arm 57 will be hit and damaged. Further, even if formed as a cantilever arm type, there is no risk of damage, so that the temporary locking arm 57 can be easily processed.

  Further, since the front mask 51 is formed integrally with the retainer 50, the number of parts constituting the connector 1 can be reduced, and the production controllability of the parts can be improved.

  Further, since the retainer 50 has a front mask 51 on the front side and a first retainer portion 53 on the rear side, it is easy to visually check the front-rear direction distinction from the outer shape, and the assembling workability can be improved. .

  Further, since the retainer 50 is asymmetrical left and right due to the difference in the dimensions of the left and right second retainer portions 52, the right and left (front and back) are not mistakenly assembled when assembling to the connector housing 10, and the assembling workability is improved. Can be planned.

  In the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the retainer 50 is provided with a temporary locking arm 57 as a cantilever arm in a notch 56 formed in the connecting wall 55 that connects the front mask 51 and the first retainer portion 53. Since the stop arm 61 is provided as a both-end support arm on the extension wall 58 provided at the rear end of the first retainer portion 53, both the locking arms 57 and 61 can be protected from being damaged.

    That is, although the temporary locking arm 57 is a cantilever arm, it can be protected by being sandwiched between the front mask 51 and the first retainer portion 53 as described above. Further, although the main locking arm 61 is exposed to the outside, it can be made difficult to break by being configured as a both-end support arm instead of a cantilever arm.

  Further, since the temporary locking arm 57 and the main locking arm 61 are arranged at positions separated from each other, the respective locking arms 57 and 61 can be easily designed and processed. Similarly, the temporary locking portion 18 and the main locking portion 19 on the connector housing 10 side are also separated from each other, so that layout is easy and processing is easy. In addition, since this latching arm 61 is comprised as a both-ends arm, it will become difficult to process to some extent, but since it is exposed on the back side of the 1st retainer part 53, it will become difficult to process so much. Absent. In addition, since the main locking arm 61 is a double-supported arm, the main locking can be performed firmly and rattling can be prevented.

  In particular, since the first group of terminal accommodating chambers 21 is provided in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction, the connecting wall 55 of the retainer 50 can be correspondingly elongated in the vertical direction. 57 can be easily formed, the length of the locking arm 57 can be increased, and necessary and sufficient flexibility can be easily provided.

  Moreover, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, since the front mask 51 and the front end of the connection wall 55 are connected by a flexible connecting portion 54, the front mask 51 is connected to the mating connector 200 as shown in FIG. Following the male terminal 281 on the side, it can be moved minutely as indicated by an arrow S. Therefore, even when the mating terminal 281 enters obliquely, the mating terminal 281 can be appropriately guided by the guiding action of the terminal introduction hole 51a while moving following the mating terminal 181. For example, when the mating terminal 281 enters obliquely, there is a risk of interfering with the front mask 51 if it remains as it is. However, the front mask 51 moves following the mating terminal 281, so that the terminal introduction hole 51 a The tip of the mating terminal 281 can be reliably picked up, and can be guided and guided straight to the female terminal 82 in the connector housing 10. Therefore, fitting workability with the mating connector is improved.

  Moreover, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, since the latching convex part 68 of the 2nd retainer part 52 comprises the excessive displacement control part of the spring piece 81e of the terminal 81, terminal 81 itself Therefore, it is not necessary to form an excessive displacement restricting portion, and it is not necessary to complicate the structure of the terminal.

  In addition, when the excessive displacement restricting portion is bent and formed on the terminal 81, it cannot be formed so large due to the strength of the terminal 81, and as a result, there is a possibility that sufficient excessive displacement restriction cannot be performed. In the case where the excessive displacement restricting portion is configured by the locking convex portion 68 of the second retainer portion 52, it can be formed in a sufficient size, and therefore a reliable bending restricting function of the spring piece 81e can be exhibited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the spring piece 81e from being deformed due to excessive bending, and to prevent the contact load with the mating terminal 281 from being lowered due to the deformation of the spring piece 81e.

  Incidentally, as in the comparative example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the terminal 181 itself can be provided with an excessive displacement restricting portion 181f. In this case, the protrusion as the excessive displacement restricting portion 181f is bent from the lateral wall of the box-type electrical connecting portion 181a. The electrical connecting portion 181a has an upper wall 181b and a bottom wall 181c, and a mating terminal 281 is sandwiched between the upper wall 181b by a spring piece 181e. A punching hole 181d is provided in the bottom wall 181c. ing.

  In the case of this terminal 181, when the mating terminal (male terminal) 281 enters the gap between the spring piece 181e and the upper wall 181b, the spring piece 181e bends and generates a contact pressure with the mating terminal 281 by the restoring force of the spring piece 181e. I am letting. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, when the mating terminal 281 enters obliquely, the spring piece 181e may be excessively displaced. At that time, the excessive displacement regulating portion 181f functions.

  That is, the excessive displacement restricting portion 181f is inserted below the spring piece 181e with a predetermined interval, whereby the excessive displacement of the spring piece 181e can be restricted.

  However, when the excessive displacement restricting portion 181f is formed directly on the terminal 181 as in this example, an extra hole is opened in the wall of the electrical connecting portion 181a, leading to a decrease in strength of the electrical connecting portion 181a. Further, if the hole is made small in order to avoid a decrease in strength, the excessive displacement restricting portion 181f is reduced, and the amount of the spring piece 181e entering below is reduced, so that the spring piece 181e is bent when the spring piece 181e is bent. May get over the protrusion as the excessive displacement restricting portion 181f. Further, when the excessive displacement restricting portion 181f is bent from the wall of the electrical connecting portion 181a, there is a problem that the pressing process of the terminal 181 increases.

  In this regard, as described in the present embodiment, when the locking convex portion 68 of the retainer 50 has the function of the excessive displacement restricting portion of the spring piece 81e, the above-described merit can be obtained.

  Further, when the retainer 50 is fully locked, the locking projection 68 of the retainer 50 enters the punched hole 81d formed in the bottom wall 81c of the electrical connection portion 81a of the terminal 81. In the half-inserted state, the latching protrusion 68 interferes with the terminal 81 and the retainer 50 cannot be inserted to the fully-locked position, so that the half-insertion of the terminal 81 can be detected.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the temporary locking arm 57 is provided as a cantilever arm on the connecting plate 55 of the retainer 50 and the main locking arm 61 is provided as a both-hold arm on the extension wall 58 has been described. 55 may be provided with a main locking arm as a cantilever arm, and the extension wall 58 may be provided with a temporary locking arm as a both-side support arm.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the connector with a retainer of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the detailed structure of a retainer. It is a top view of a retainer. It is a side view of a retainer. It is a front view of the connector of the state which assembled | attached the retainer. It is a bottom view of the connector in the state where the retainer is assembled. It is a figure which shows the state which is going to insert a female terminal in a connector housing in the state which latched the retainer temporarily, and is a sectional side view cut out longitudinally in the position of the connection wall of a retainer. The figure which shows the state which inserted the female terminal in the connector housing in the state which retained the retainer temporarily, cut | disconnects the upper half longitudinally in the position of the terminal accommodating chamber of a 2nd terminal accommodating part, and a lower half part accommodates a 1st terminal It is a sectional side view cut and shown longitudinally in the position of the terminal accommodating chamber of a part. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing the retainer vertically cut at the same position as in FIG. (A) is a side sectional view showing the retainer in a state of being fully locked, and is cut vertically at the position of the terminal accommodating chamber of the second terminal accommodating portion, and (b) is an enlarged view of the Xa portion of (a). It is sectional drawing for demonstrating a mode that a latching convex part functions as an excessive displacement control part of the spring piece of a terminal. It is a figure which shows the comparative example with respect to this embodiment shown in FIG. 10, and is a perspective view of the principal part which shows the example which provided the excessive displacement control part of the spring piece in the terminal. It is a sectional side view for an operation explanation of the comparative example. (A) is sectional drawing for function description of the front mask in the connector of this embodiment, (b) is an enlarged view of the XIIIb part of (a). It is a disassembled front view of the conventional connector. It is a XV arrow line view of FIG. The state which inserted the retainer in the connector housing is shown, (a) is a side view which shows a state when a retainer exists in a temporary latching position, (b) respectively, when a retainer exists in a regular latching position. It is sectional drawing of the other conventional connector.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector 10 Connector housing 10a Outer peripheral wall 11 1st terminal accommodating part 12 2nd terminal accommodating part 15A, 15B Retainer insertion recessed part 16 Part 17 which accommodates a connection wall 17 Part which accommodates a front mask 18 Temporary latching part 19 This latching part
21 Terminal group chambers 22 of the first group 22 Terminal chambers 23, 24 of the second group Lance 50 Retainer 51 Front mask 51a Terminal introduction hole 52 Second retainer portion 53 First retainer portion 54 Flexible connecting portion 55 Connecting wall 56 Notch 57 Temporary locking arm 57b Temporary locking projection 58 Extension wall 59 Slit 60 Main locking portion 61 Main locking arm 61a Both ends 62 Main locking projection 67 Locking convex portion 68 Locking convex portion 81 Second terminal (female type) Terminal)
81a Box-type electric wire connection portion 81b Upper wall 81c Bottom wall 81d Punching hole 81e Spring piece 82 First terminal (female terminal)
200 Mating connector 281 Mating male terminal (mating terminal)

Claims (7)

A connector housing made of synthetic resin provided with a plurality of terminal housing chambers extending in the front-rear direction inside a region surrounded by the outer peripheral wall, and inserted into each terminal housing chamber from the rear end of the connector housing A terminal that is retained and locked by a lance provided in each terminal accommodating chamber, a retainer insertion recess formed from the outer peripheral wall of the connector housing toward the inside of the connector housing, and the retainer insertion recess The terminal is inserted in a direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the terminal, and is provided with a locking arm that locks against the connector housing in the inserted state. By attaching to the front end of at least a part of the connector housing, the retainer made of a synthetic resin that double-locks each of the terminals that are formed, and in the corresponding region A terminal introduction hole that defines a front end of the child storage chamber and forms a contact surface with respect to a front end surface of the mating connector, and guides and guides the front end of the terminal of the mating connector toward the terminal accommodated in the terminal housing chamber. In a connector with a retainer having a front mask made of synthetic resin,
As the terminal accommodating chamber, a first group terminal accommodating chamber in which the front mask is mounted on the front end is provided in the connector housing, and a first retainer corresponding to the terminal accommodating chamber in the first group is provided in the retainer. And the front mask is disposed in front of the first retainer portion, and the left and right side edges of the first retainer portion and the left and right side edges of the front mask are a pair of left and right connecting walls, respectively. By being connected, the retainer is configured as a resin molded part integrally including the front mask, and further, a concave notch is formed at the edge of the connecting wall in the insertion direction to the connector housing, and the interior of the notch The locking arm is provided, on the other hand, the connector housing is in communication with the retainer insertion recess to receive the connecting wall; Retainer connector with, characterized in that a portion for housing the serial front mask is provided. It is a connector with a retainer of Claim 1, Comprising:
When an extension wall located on the extension of the connecting wall is provided at the rear end of the first retainer portion, and the locking arm provided inside the notch is the first locking arm, A second locking arm is provided for locking the retainer to the connector housing at an insertion position different from the first locking arm, and the first locking arm extends from the inner bottom edge of the notch. The retainer is configured as a cantilever arm erected in the direction of insertion into the connector housing, and engages with a first locking portion provided on the connector housing side at the free end side edge thereof. The second locking arm has a vertical slit along the insertion direction of the retainer into the connector housing at a position slightly in front of the rear end edge of the extension wall; Both longitudinal ends are connected to the extension wall A second latch provided on the connector housing side at the outer edge of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the second latching arm. The first locking arm or the second locking arm is a temporary locking arm for locking the retainer at a temporary locking position, and the other is the retainer. Corresponding to the main locking arm, and correspondingly, one of the first locking portion or the second locking portion temporarily locks the retainer at the temporary locking position. A connector with a retainer, wherein the connector is a stop portion, and the other is a main locking portion that locks the retainer at a main locking position. A connector with a retainer according to claim 1 or 2,
The first group of terminal accommodating chambers are provided in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction, and the retainer is configured to be inserted into the retainer insertion recess from the lower side to the upper side of the connector housing, and the first retainer of the retainer The portion allows insertion of a terminal into the first group terminal receiving chamber when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, and is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber when the retainer is in the main locking position. A connector with a retainer, characterized in that it has locking projections for locking the terminals, corresponding to the number of steps in the vertical direction of the terminal accommodating chambers of the first group. It is a connector with a retainer of any one of Claims 1-3,
A connector with a retainer, wherein the front mask and the front end of the connecting wall are connected by a flexible connecting portion. A connector with a retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A first terminal housing portion is provided at a central portion of the connector housing in the left-right direction, and second terminal housing portions are provided on both the left and right sides of the first terminal housing portion, and the first terminal housing portion includes the first terminal housing portion. A second terminal in which a group terminal housing chamber is formed and a second terminal of a size different from the first terminal inserted in the first group terminal housing chamber is inserted into the second terminal housing portion. A storage chamber is formed, and the retainer is provided with a second retainer portion corresponding to the second group of terminal storage chambers, the second retainer portion being disposed in front of the first retainer portion; and By being connected to the outer surface of the connecting wall at a position in front of the notch, the retainer is integrated with the retainer, and a first retainer portion is inserted into the connector housing as the retainer insertion recess. Retainer insertion Retainer connector with, characterized in that the recess, and a second retainer insertion recess second retainer portion is inserted is provided. It is a connector with a retainer of Claim 5, Comprising:
The retainer is configured to be asymmetric with respect to the left and right second terminal receiving portions of the connector housing, wherein the number of terminal receiving chambers arranged in the left and right direction is different and correspondingly configured. A connector with a retainer according to claim 5 or 6,
The second retainer portion allows insertion of a terminal into the terminal accommodating chamber of the second group when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, and the terminal accommodating when the retainer is in the final locking position. A locking projection for locking the terminal inserted into the chamber, and the locking projection is located at the front of the terminal when the retainer is in the final locking position and locks the terminal. The retainer is configured to enter an inside of the electrical connection part from a punched hole formed in a bottom wall of the box-shaped electrical connection part to constitute an excessive displacement regulating part of a spring piece in the electrical connection part With connector.

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