JP7292981B2 - Connectors and wires with connectors - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a connector and an electric wire with a connector.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a connector and an electric wire with a connector, after a terminal fitting is physically and electrically connected to an end of an electric wire, the terminal fitting is accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber from a terminal accommodating opening of a housing. In the housing, terminal insertion openings for mating terminal fittings are formed at one end in the connector inserting/removing direction between the mating connector and terminal receiving openings are formed at the other end in the connector inserting/removing direction. Documents 1 and 2), the terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber from the terminal receiving opening toward the terminal insertion opening. Further, as a connector, there is known one in which two electric wires drawn out of a housing are twisted as a twisted pair (Patent Document 3 below).

JP-A-2001-043928 JP-A-11-354185 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-217358

By the way, in a connector and an electric wire with a connector, a connection portion between a terminal fitting and an end of the electric wire is accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber of a housing. Therefore, when the terminal fitting is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber, at least at the end of the accommodating operation, a force directed in the insertion direction of the terminal fitting is applied to the electric wire, and the terminal fitting is moved to the terminal accommodating chamber via the electric wire. sometimes pushed. In other words, the conventional connector and connector-equipped wire may bend the wire when pushing the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber through the wire, thereby applying an unnecessary load to the wire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a connector-equipped electric wire that can suppress deterioration in quality.

In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to the present invention provides a terminal fitting that is physically and electrically connected to a mating terminal fitting of a mating connector, and a terminal fitting that is physically and electrically connected to an end of an electric wire. a housing for accommodating and holding the terminal fittings, the housing comprising a terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fittings are accommodated and held at the accommodation completion position; and an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber. a terminal insertion opening formed at one end in the connector insertion/extraction direction between the mating connector and used for inserting the mating terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber, and another opening of the terminal receiving chamber, A wire lead-out opening formed at the other end in the connector insertion/extraction direction for drawing the electric wire out of the terminal accommodating chamber, and an end portion in a direction perpendicular to the connector insertion/extraction direction, which is another opening of the terminal accommodation chamber. a terminal accommodating opening formed in a connected state with respect to the wire outlet and used when accommodating the terminal fitting in a connected state and an end of the electric wire in the terminal accommodating chamber , the terminal fitting and the housing; a first locking structure for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting in the accommodation completion position with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber in a first direction from the terminal insertion opening side to the wire outlet side; a second locking structure for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting at the completed position with respect to the terminal receiving chamber in a second direction toward the terminal receiving opening, wherein the first locking structure is attached to the terminal fitting. a first locked portion provided on the housing, the first locking portion arranged to face the first locked portion of the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position on the wire outlet side; The second locking structure includes a second locked portion provided on the terminal fitting, and a second locked portion provided on the housing for engaging the second locked portion of the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position. a second engaging portion arranged to face the terminal receiving port side, the terminal receiving port being connected also to the terminal receiving port, and the housing moving from the terminal receiving port to the temporary receiving position of the terminal receiving chamber. When inserting the terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire in a connected state to the electric wire outlet, the terminal fitting at the temporary accommodation position is not brought into contact with at least the terminal fitting and the electric wire is inserted from the terminal insertion opening side to the electric wire outlet. By moving the terminal receiving chamber toward the terminal receiving chamber to the accommodation completion position, the first engaged portion is arranged to face the first engaging portion and the second engaged portion is arranged to face the second engaging portion. 2. The engaging portion is arranged opposite to the engaging portion, and suppresses the relative movement of the terminal fitting with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber in the third direction from the wire outlet side to the terminal insertion opening side at the accommodation completion position. A locking member is provided between the terminal fitting and the housing, separately from the first locking structure and the second locking structure, until the locking member is attached to the housing. and a locking structure for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting in the third direction from the wire outlet side to the terminal insertion side with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber.

In order to achieve the above object, the connector according to the present invention includes a terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to the mating terminal fitting of the mating connector, and a terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire. a housing that accommodates and holds the connected terminal fittings, the housing comprising: a terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fittings are accommodated in an accommodation completion position and held in the accommodation completion position; and the terminal accommodation chamber. A terminal insertion opening formed at one end in the connector insertion/extraction direction between the mating connector and used when inserting the mating terminal fitting into the terminal accommodating chamber, and another opening in the terminal accommodating chamber a wire lead-out opening formed at the other end in the connector inserting/removing direction for drawing out the electric wire to the outside of the terminal accommodating chamber; a terminal accommodating opening formed in an end portion so as to be connected to the electric wire outlet and used when the connected terminal fitting and an end of the electric wire are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber; A plurality of housings are provided, and between two adjacent housings to be connected, a connecting structure is provided to connect the two housings, and the connecting structure is provided between the two adjacent housings to be connected. and the connecting structure is provided on one side and the other side in a direction perpendicular to the adjacent direction and the connector inserting/removing direction, and the connecting structure is a first connecting portion provided on one of the two adjacent housings to be connected. and a second connecting portion provided on the other of them and engaged with the first connecting portion to connect the one housing and the other housing, wherein the first connecting portion is connected to the adjacent housing. A flexible cantilevered main body projecting outward from one of the housings in the installation direction, and a free end of the main body projecting toward the other connection structure side, and are connected to each other. a claw portion that hooks onto the second connection portion of the other housing located on the fixed end side of the main body portion when the two adjacent housings are in the connected state, and the fixed end side of the main body portion is connected to the one a hinge portion connected to the outer wall side of the housing and capable of rotating the main portion and the claw portion around a rotation shaft along the connector insertion/extraction direction; a rotation locking portion for suppressing rotation of the main body portion in a direction opposite to the claw portion side by the hinge portion when projecting toward the It is characterized by having said 1st connection part and said 2nd connection part of connection structure, respectively.

In order to achieve the above object, the electric wire with connector according to the present invention comprises an electric wire, a terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to a mating terminal fitting of a mating connector, and an end of the electric wire. a housing that accommodates and holds the terminal fittings that are physically and electrically connected, wherein the housing has a terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fittings are accommodated and held at the accommodation completion position. a terminal insertion opening which is an opening of the terminal receiving chamber and is formed at one end in a connector inserting/removing direction between the mating connector and used when inserting the mating terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber; Another opening of the chamber, which is formed at the other end in the connector inserting/removing direction and allows the electric wire to be pulled out of the terminal accommodating chamber, and a further opening of the terminal accommodating chamber, which is the connector a terminal receiving opening formed at an end in a direction orthogonal to the inserting/removing direction so as to be connected to the wire outlet and used when the connected terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire are received in the terminal receiving chamber; and a first terminal for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting with respect to the terminal receiving chamber in the first direction from the terminal insertion opening side to the wire drawing opening side at the accommodation completion position between the terminal fitting and the housing. 1 locking structure; and a second locking structure for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting with respect to the terminal receiving chamber in the second direction toward the terminal receiving opening at the receiving completion position; A locking structure includes a first locked portion provided on the terminal fitting and a first locked portion provided on the housing, and arranged opposite to the first locked portion of the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position on the wire outlet side. The second locking structure includes: a second locked portion provided on the terminal fitting; a second locking portion arranged opposite to the locked portion on the side of the terminal receiving port, the terminal receiving port being connected also to the terminal receiving port, and the housing extending from the terminal receiving port. When the terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire in the connected state are inserted into the temporary housing position of the terminal housing chamber, the terminal fitting is not brought into contact with at least the terminal fitting, and the terminal fitting is held at the temporary housing position together with the electric wire. By relatively moving the terminal receiving chamber from the insertion port side to the wire outlet side to the accommodation completion position, the first locked portion is arranged to face the first locking portion and the first locking portion is moved. 2. A locked portion is formed so as to face the second locking portion, and the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position is arranged to extend from the wire outlet side to the terminal insertion opening side with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber. A locking member for suppressing relative movement in three directions is provided, and the locking member is attached to the housing separately from the first locking structure and the second locking structure between the terminal fitting and the housing. A locking structure is provided for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting in the accommodation completion position with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber in a third direction from the wire outlet side to the terminal insertion opening side until the terminal fitting is attached. .

In order to achieve the above object, the electric wire with connector according to the present invention comprises an electric wire, a terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to a mating terminal fitting of a mating connector, and an end of the electric wire. a housing that accommodates and holds the terminal fittings that are physically and electrically connected, wherein the housing has a terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fittings are accommodated and held at the accommodation completion position. a terminal insertion opening which is an opening of the terminal receiving chamber and is formed at one end in a connector inserting/removing direction between the mating connector and used when inserting the mating terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber; Another opening of the chamber, which is formed at the other end in the connector inserting/removing direction and allows the electric wire to be pulled out of the terminal accommodating chamber, and a further opening of the terminal accommodating chamber, which is the connector a terminal receiving opening formed at an end in a direction orthogonal to the inserting/removing direction so as to be connected to the wire outlet and used when the connected terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire are received in the terminal receiving chamber; a plurality of the housings connected together, and between two adjacent housings to be connected, a connection structure for connecting the two housings is provided, and the connection structure is the connection target. The connection structure is provided on one side and the other side of the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the two adjacent housings are arranged and the direction in which the connector is inserted and removed, and the connection structure is provided on one of the two adjacent housings to be connected. a first connecting portion provided; and a second connecting portion provided on the other of the first connecting portions and engaging with the first connecting portion to connect the one housing and the other housing, The connecting portion includes a flexible cantilevered main body projecting outward from the one housing in the adjoining direction, and a flexible cantilever main body protruding toward the other connecting structure side. a pawl provided at one end of the main body and hooked to the second connecting part of the other housing located on the fixed end side of the main body when the two adjacent housings to be connected are in the connected state; a hinge portion that connects the fixed end side to the outer wall side of the one housing and allows the main body portion and the claw portion to rotate about a rotation shaft along the connector inserting/removing direction; a rotation locking portion that suppresses rotation of the main body portion in a direction opposite to the claw portion side by the hinge portion when the portion is protruding in the adjoining direction; The housing is characterized by having the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion of the two connecting structures, respectively.

In the connector and the electric wire with the connector according to the present invention, the connected terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber from the terminal accommodating opening along the direction crossing the connector inserting/removing direction. Therefore, in the connector and the wire with the connector, the terminal fitting and the end of the wire in the connected state can be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber without applying an unnecessary load to the wire such as bending the wire. Therefore, the connector and the electric wire with the connector are excellent in workability for accommodating the connected terminal metal fitting and the end of the electric wire in the terminal accommodating chamber, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the quality of the product.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connector and an electric wire with a connector according to an embodiment, and is an exploded perspective view before attaching a locking member. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the connector and the electric wire with the connector of the embodiment, and is an exploded perspective view before the connectors are connected to each other. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector-equipped electric wire of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector-equipped electric wire of the embodiment viewed from another angle. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the electric wire with connector when the terminal fitting is in the temporary accommodation position in the terminal accommodation chamber. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the electric wire with connector when the terminal fitting is in the temporary accommodation position in the terminal accommodation chamber, viewed from the terminal accommodation opening side. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the electric wire with connector when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodation chamber. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connector-equipped wire from another angle when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodation chamber. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the connector-equipped wire seen from the terminal receiving port side when the terminal metal fittings are at the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodating chamber. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the connector-equipped wire viewed from another angle when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodation chamber. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the connector-equipped wire viewed from another angle when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodation chamber. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 11. FIG. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connecting structure between housings. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting structure between the housings viewed from another angle. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connecting structure between housings. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a locking member. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a connector and an electric wire with a connector of the embodiment. FIG. 18 is a perspective view explaining a modified form of the locking member. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a step of forming twisted pair wires. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a step of forming a twisted pair wire. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a step of forming twisted pair wires. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a modification of the twisted-pair wire formation process. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a modification of the twisted-pair wire formation process. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a step of accommodating a terminal fitting connected to a twisted pair wire in a housing, which is a forming step of the modified form. FIG. 25 is a view showing a connector and an electric wire with a connector of a modification, and is an exploded perspective view before the connectors are connected to each other. FIG. 26 is a view of the connector and the electric wire with the connector of the modification as seen from another angle, and is an exploded perspective view before the connectors are connected to each other. FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a connector and an electric wire with a connector of a modification. FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a connector and a connector-equipped wire of a modification as seen from another angle. FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of an electric wire with a connector according to a modification. FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the connector-equipped electric wire of the modification as seen from another angle. FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing the electric wire with connector when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodation chamber. FIG. 32 is a plan view of the connector-equipped wire seen from the terminal receiving opening side when the terminal metal fitting is in the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodating chamber. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Y1-Y1 of FIG. 32. FIG. FIG. 34 is a plan view of the housing viewed from the terminal receiving opening side. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Y2-Y2 of FIG. 32. FIG. FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connecting structure between housings. FIG. 37 is a perspective view illustrating a connecting structure between housings. 38 is a cross-sectional view along line Z1-Z1 of FIG. 36. FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view along line Z1-Z1 of FIG. 37. FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view along line Z1-Z1 of FIG. 28. FIG. FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing the connector and the connector-equipped electric wire before the first connecting portion is accommodated. FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connecting structure between the housing and the lid member.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment of the connector which concerns on this invention, and an electric wire with a connector is described in detail based on drawing. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

[Embodiment]
One embodiment of a connector and an electric wire with a connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 24. FIG.

Reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates the connector of this embodiment. Reference numeral 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2 denotes an electric wire with a connector according to the present embodiment, in which a connector 1 is attached to the end of the electric wire We. Reference numeral 1X in FIGS. 1 and 2 denotes a connector in which a plurality of connectors 1 are collectively connected (hereinafter referred to as "connected connector"). Reference numeral 2X in FIGS. 1 and 2 denotes an electric wire with connectors (hereinafter referred to as "an electric wire with connected connectors") in which a plurality of connectors 1 in a plurality of electric wires 2 with connectors are collectively connected.

A connector 1 includes a terminal fitting 10 and a housing 20 (FIGS. 1 to 9). The connector-equipped electric wire 2 includes a terminal fitting 10 and a housing 20 forming the connector 1 as well as an electric wire We. (Figs. 1 to 9).

The terminal fitting 10 is made of a conductive material such as metal. The terminal fitting 10 is physically and electrically connected to a terminal connection portion 11 physically and electrically connected to a mating terminal fitting (not shown) of the mating connector, and to the end of the electric wire We. and a wire connecting portion 12 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

One of the terminal connecting portion 11 and the mating terminal connecting portion (not shown) of the mating terminal fitting is shaped like a female terminal, and the other is shaped like a male terminal. In this example, the terminal connecting portion 11 is formed in the shape of a rectangular tubular female terminal, and the mating terminal connecting portion is formed in the shape of a male terminal that is fitted inside the terminal connecting portion 11 . In the terminal connection portion 11, the mating terminal connection portion is inserted along the cylinder axis direction from an opening at one end in the cylinder axis direction. Therefore, here, the cylindrical axis direction of the terminal connection portion 11 is the terminal insertion/extraction direction between the terminal connection portion 11 and the mating terminal connection portion, and the connector insertion/extraction direction between the connector 1 and the mating connector. .

The wire connection portion 12 is arranged on the other end side of the terminal connection portion 11 in the cylinder axis direction, and allows the physically and electrically connected electric wire We to be pulled out along the cylinder axis direction. For example, the wire connecting portion 12 is physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire We by crimping the core wire We1 of the end of the electric wire We (FIG. 4).

The housing 20 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. This housing 20 has a terminal accommodating chamber 21 in which the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated (FIGS. 1 to 9). The terminal accommodating chamber 21 allows the terminal fitting 10 to be inserted to the accommodation completion position, and accommodates the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. In the terminal accommodating chamber 21, the terminal fitting 10 is held at the accommodation completion position. Therefore, the housing 20 allows the terminal fitting 10 physically and electrically connected to the end of the wire We to be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 at the accommodation completion position and held at the accommodation completion position.

The terminal connecting portion 11 of the terminal fitting 10 in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 is fitted and connected to the counterpart terminal connecting portion of the counterpart terminal fitting inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 21 . Accordingly, the housing 20 is an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 21, and is formed at one end in the connector inserting/removing direction between the housing 20 and the mating connector. (FIGS. 1 to 9). Further, the housing 20 is another opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 and is formed at the other end in the connector inserting/removing direction. is drawn out of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 (FIGS. 1 to 9).

Here, the housing 20 is another opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 21, and is formed at the end in the direction perpendicular to the connector inserting/removing direction so as to be connected to the wire outlet 23, and the terminal fitting 10 and the wire We are connected. 1 to 9). That is, the connected terminal fitting 10 and the end of the wire We are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 from the terminal accommodating opening 24 along the direction crossing the connector inserting/removing direction.

The illustrated housing 20 has a cuboid outer shape. In this housing 20, a terminal insertion opening 22 is formed in one of its six outer walls, and a wire outlet 23 is formed in the outer wall opposite to the outer wall having the terminal insertion opening 22. As shown in FIG. Furthermore, in this housing 20 , a terminal receiving opening 24 is formed in one outer wall that is connected to the outer wall having the terminal insertion opening 22 and the outer wall having the wire outlet 23 .

The terminal receiving opening 24 of this embodiment is also connected to the terminal insertion opening 22 (FIGS. 3 to 9).

In the connector 1 and the connector-equipped wire 2 of the present embodiment, when the connected terminal fitting 10 and the end of the wire We are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 from the terminal accommodating opening 24 to the accommodation completion position, the terminal fitting 10 is first The terminal connecting portion 11 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 21 while projecting from the terminal insertion opening 22 to the outside of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 (FIGS. 3 to 6). Therefore, when the terminal fitting 10 is completely inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 21, the terminal fitting 10 remains projected from the terminal insertion opening 22 to the outside of the terminal receiving chamber 21 (FIGS. 5 and 6). ). Here, the position of the protruded terminal fitting 10 in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 is referred to as a temporary accommodation position. The housing 20 of this embodiment has a shape that does not abut at least the terminal fitting 10 when the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the end of the electric wire We are inserted from the terminal accommodating opening 24 into the temporary accommodation position of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 . form as

Subsequently, in the connector 1 and the connector-equipped wire 2 of the present embodiment, it is necessary to move the terminal fitting 10 at the temporary accommodation position to the accommodation complete position together with the wire We. Therefore, in the connector 1 and the connector-equipped wire 2, the terminal fitting 10 at the temporary accommodation position is moved from the terminal insertion port 22 side to the wire extraction port 23 side together with the wire We to the terminal accommodation chamber 21 until the accommodation completion position. Move (Figs. 5 to 9). During the relative movement, the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the end of the wire We are moved from the temporary housing position by pulling the wire We drawn out from the wire outlet 23 from the terminal insertion port 22 side to the wire outlet 23 side. Relative movement may be made to the accommodation completion position. During the relative movement, the terminals of the terminal fittings 10 in the connected state and the ends of the wires We are temporarily accommodated by pushing the terminal connection portions 11 of the terminal fittings 10 from the terminal insertion opening 22 side to the wire drawing opening 23 side. to the accommodation completion position. In the housing 20 of the present embodiment, the terminal fitting 10 at the temporary accommodation position can be relatively moved together with the wire We from the terminal insertion opening 22 side to the wire extraction opening 23 side with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 21 to the accommodation completion position. Form as a shape.

In the connector 1 and the connector-equipped wire 2, between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 20, there is a second wire extending from the terminal insertion opening 22 side of the terminal fitting 10 to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 at the accommodation completion position to the wire extraction opening 23 side. A first locking structure 31 that suppresses relative movement in one direction (FIG. 7), and a relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 in the second direction (FIG. 7) with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 toward the terminal accommodating opening 24 at the accommodation completion position. (Figs. 3 and 4).

The first locking structure 31 includes a first locked portion 31a (FIGS. 4 and 11) provided on the terminal fitting 10 and a first locked portion 31a of the terminal fitting 10 provided on the housing 20 at the accommodation completion position. and a first locking portion 31b (FIGS. 3, 4, 8, 10 and 11) arranged opposite to the wire outlet 23 side. The first engaged portion 31a and the first engaging portion 31b are separated by an allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 in the first direction (allowable at the time of design). The amount of relative movement that takes into consideration the tolerance, etc.

The terminal fitting 10 shown here has a protrusion (hereinafter referred to as a "first protrusion") 13 projecting outward from the terminal connecting portion 11 (FIGS. 4, 10 and 11). . Therefore, in the present embodiment, the wall surface of the first protrusion 13 at the accommodation completion position on the side of the wire outlet 23 is used as the first locked portion 31a. On the other hand, the housing 20 shown here has a protrusion accommodating chamber 25 that accommodates the first protrusion 13 when the terminal fitting 10 is in the accommodation completion position (FIGS. 3, 8, 10 and 11). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the wall of the protrusion accommodating chamber 25 on the side of the wire outlet 23 is used as the first locking portion 31b. The housing 20 guides the first projecting portion 13 when the terminal fitting 10 is inserted from the terminal accommodating opening 24 into the temporary housing position, and guides the first projection 13 when the terminal fitting 10 is relatively moved from the temporary housing position to the insertion completion position. A guide portion (hereinafter referred to as “first guide portion”) 41 for guiding the portion 13 is provided (FIGS. 5 to 9). The first guide portion 41 is formed as a concave portion that guides while avoiding the first projection portion 13 .

The second locking structure 32 includes a second locked portion 32a (FIGS. 4 and 11) provided on the terminal fitting 10 and a second locked portion 32a of the terminal fitting 10 provided on the housing 20 at the accommodation completion position. and a second locking portion 32b (FIGS. 3, 4, 8, 10 and 11) disposed opposite to the terminal housing opening 24 side. The second engaged portion 32a and the second engaging portion 32b are separated by an allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 in the second direction (allowable in design). The amount of relative movement that takes into consideration the tolerance, etc.

In this embodiment, the wall surface of the first protrusion 13 at the accommodation completion position on the side of the terminal accommodation opening 24 is used as the second engaged portion 32a (FIGS. 4 and 11). Further, in this embodiment, the wall of the projection accommodating chamber 25 on the side of the terminal accommodating opening 24 is used as the second engaging portion 32b (FIGS. 3, 4, 8 and 11). Here, in this exemplary housing 20, the wall body used as the first locking portion 31b protrudes toward the terminal insertion opening 22 side from the wall body, and the terminal receiving opening of the projection receiving chamber 25 is protruded from the wall body. It has a cantilevered piece located on the 24 side. The piece body is arranged so that the thickness direction is the direction in which the second locked portion 32a and the second locking portion 32b are opposed to each other, and is flexible enough to be bent in the direction in which they are opposed to each other. have. Therefore, here, the piece of the protrusion accommodating chamber 25 on the terminal accommodating opening 24 side is used as the second engaging portion 32b (FIGS. 3, 4 and 11).

Further, in the connector 1 and the electric wire with connector 2, between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 20, the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position is provided from the terminal insertion opening 22 side of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 to the electric wire extraction opening 23 side. There is also a third locking structure 33 that restrains the relative movement in the first direction (FIGS. 3, 4 and 12).

The third locking structure 33 includes a third locked portion 33a (FIGS. 4 and 12) provided on the terminal fitting 10, and a third locked portion 33a (FIGS. 4 and 12) of the terminal fitting 10 provided on the housing 20, and the third locked portion of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. and a third locking portion 33b (FIGS. 3 and 12) disposed opposite to 33a on the wire outlet 23 side. The third locked portion 33a and the third locking portion 33b are arranged so that the distance between the third locked portion 33a and the third locking portion 33b in the opposite arrangement direction at the accommodation completion position is equal to or less than the allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 21 in the first direction. Form.

The terminal fitting 10 shown here is a protrusion (hereinafter referred to as "second protrusion") that protrudes outward from the first protrusion 13 of the terminal connection portion 11 toward the insertion opening side of the mating terminal connection portion. has a part. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second protrusion is used as the third locked portion 33a (FIGS. 4 and 12). The housing 20 is formed with a wall that faces the third engaged portion 33a of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position on the wire outlet 23 side. In this embodiment, the wall is used as the third locking portion 33b.

Furthermore, in the connector 1 and the electric wire with connector 2, between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 20, there is a wire outlet 23 side of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 at the accommodation completion position to the terminal insertion opening 22 side. There is also a fourth locking structure 34 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 11) that restrains relative movement in a third direction (FIG. 7) to. As will be described later, the connector 1 and the connector-equipped wire 2 are provided with a locking member 60 that restrains the relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 in the third direction. Therefore, the fourth locking structure 34 is mainly used to restrain relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 in the third direction until the locking member 60 is attached to the housing 20 .

The fourth locking structure 34 includes a fourth locked portion 34a (FIGS. 4 and 11) provided on the terminal fitting 10, and a fourth locked portion 34a (FIGS. 4 and 11) of the terminal fitting 10 provided on the housing 20 at the accommodation completion position. and a fourth locking portion 34b (FIGS. 3, 4, 8, 10 and 11) arranged opposite to 34a on the terminal insertion opening 22 side. The distance between the fourth locked portion 34a and the fourth locking portion 34b in the opposite arrangement direction at the accommodation completion position is the allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 in the third direction (allowable in design). The amount of relative movement that takes into consideration the tolerance, etc.

In this embodiment, the wall surface of the terminal insertion opening 22 side of the first protrusion 13 at the accommodation completion position is used as the fourth locked portion 34a (FIGS. 4 and 11). Further, in this embodiment, the wall of the protrusion accommodating chamber 25 on the side of the terminal insertion opening 22 is used as the fourth locking portion 34b (FIGS. 3, 4 and 11). Here, the illustrated housing 20 has a claw-like projection protruding from the free end of the above-described piece used as the second locking portion 32b toward the side opposite to the terminal receiving opening 24. have a body Therefore, here, the protrusion on the terminal insertion opening 22 side of the protrusion accommodating chamber 25 is used as the fourth locking portion 34b (FIGS. 3, 4 and 11). When the terminal fitting 10 is relatively moved from the temporary accommodation position to the accommodation completion position, the first protrusion 13 is bent while bending the piece used as the second engagement portion 32b. It is housed in the projection housing chamber 25 by getting over the projection used as 34b and, along with this, canceling the bending of the piece.

In the housing 20 of the present embodiment, the terminal fitting 10 is relatively moved from the temporary accommodation position to the accommodation completion position so that the first locked portion 31a is arranged opposite to the first locked portion 31b and the second locked portion 31b is arranged to face the second locked portion 31b. The portion 32a is formed to have a shape that allows the portion 32a to be arranged opposite to the second locking portion 32b. Further, in the housing 20 of the present embodiment, the terminal fitting 10 is relatively moved from the temporary housing position to the housing completion position, so that the third locked portion 33a is arranged to face the third locking portion 33b and the fourth locked portion 33b is arranged to face the fourth locked portion 33b. The locking portion 34a is formed to have a shape that allows it to be arranged opposite to the fourth locking portion 34b.

Further, in the housing 20 of the present embodiment, when the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the end of the electric wire We are inserted from the terminal accommodating opening 24 into the temporary accommodation position of the terminal accommodating chamber 21, the terminal fitting 10 is not brought into contact with the terminal fitting 10 and is temporarily accommodated. When the terminal fitting 10 at the position is moved from the terminal insertion opening 22 side to the wire outlet 23 side to the accommodation completion position relative to the terminal accommodating chamber 21, the detachment of the terminal fitting 10 from the terminal accommodating opening 24 is suppressed. It also has a guide portion (hereinafter referred to as a “second guide portion”) 42 for guiding the terminal fitting 10 to the accommodation completion position (FIGS. 5 to 9). The second guide portion 42 is formed as a convex wall along the terminal insertion opening 22 .

In the connector 1 and the connector-equipped wire 2 of the present embodiment, the housing 20 has a plurality of combinations of terminal accommodating chambers 21 , terminal insertion openings 22 , wire outlets 23 and terminal accommodating openings 24 . This exemplary housing 20 has two sets of such combinations. The combination of the two sets is perpendicular to the connector insertion/removal direction and the insertion direction of the terminal fitting 10 from the terminal receiving opening 24 into the terminal receiving chamber 21 (that is, the direction perpendicular to the first direction, the third direction, and the second direction). ) are arranged side by side.

A plurality of connectors 1 of this embodiment are prepared, and each of them is connected together to form a connection connector 1X (FIGS. 1 and 2). In addition, a plurality of electric wires 2 with connectors of the present embodiment are prepared, and the respective connectors 1 are connected together to form an electric wire 2X with a connecting connector (FIGS. 1 and 2). In other words, the connection connector 1X and the electric wire 2X with the connection connector are provided with a plurality of housings 20 that are collectively connected. Therefore, between two adjacent housings 20 to be connected, a connection structure 50 for connecting these two housings 20 is provided (FIGS. 13 to 15).

The connecting structure 50 includes a first connecting portion 51 ( FIG. 13 ) provided on one of the two adjacent housings 20 to be connected, and a first connecting portion 51 provided on the other of the housings 20 to engage with the first connecting portion 51 . and a second connecting portion 52 (FIG. 14) that connects the one housing 20A and the other housing 20B. Here, the two adjacent housings 20 to be connected are connected so that the two terminal receiving openings 24 in one of the housings 20 are closed in the other (FIG. 2). Therefore, in this connecting structure 50, the first connecting portion 51 is provided on the terminal accommodating opening 24 side of one housing 20A, and the terminal accommodating opening 24 is provided on the opposite side of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 in the other housing 20B. A second connecting portion 52 is provided. In this example, the housings 20 each have a first connecting portion 51 and a second connecting portion 52, since the same item is used for each housing 20. As shown in FIG.

For example, one of the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 is formed as a first protrusion that protrudes inside the housing 20, and the other of them protrudes outward from the housing 20. It is formed as a protruding second protrusion (FIG. 15). The first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 are arranged to face each other in the direction in which the two housings 20 in the connected state are arranged side by side so as not to release the connected state (FIG. 15). In this example, the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 are formed in a triangular prism shape with the connector inserting/removing direction as the column axis direction. Also, in this illustration, the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 are formed at a plurality of locations.

The illustrated housing 20 has a temporary accommodation chamber 26a that temporarily accommodates the second connecting portion (second projecting portion) 52 of the counterpart when the counterpart to be connected is temporarily connected at the temporary connection position (FIG. 13). . Further, the housing 20 illustrated in this example is designed so that when the counterpart to be connected is relatively moved from the temporary connection position to the connection completion position along one of the connector inserting/removing directions, the connector is removed from the temporary accommodation chamber. The main accommodation chamber 26b in which the second connecting portion (second projecting portion) 52 is fully accommodated and the second connecting portion (second projecting portion) 52 is arranged to face the first connecting portion (first projecting portion) 51 thereof (Fig. 13). The illustrated housing 20 has an opening in its own temporary storage chamber 26a (an opening on the side where the other party to be connected is adjacently provided), and the second connecting portion (second protrusion) 52 of the other party is connected to its own temporary storage chamber 26a. It has a protrusion inserting opening 26c used for temporary accommodation in the accommodation chamber 26a (Fig. 13).

Further, the illustrated housing 20 locks the counterpart at the connection completion position when the counterpart to be connected is relatively moved from the temporary connection position to the connection completion position along one of the connector insertion/removal directions. It has a first locking portion 27a and a second locking portion 27b (FIGS. 13 and 14). One of the first engaging portion 27a and the second engaging portion 27b is formed as a protrusion, and the other is formed as a groove into which the protrusion is inserted at the connection completion position. Here, a semi-cylindrical first engaging portion 27a as a protrusion is formed on the terminal receiving opening 24 side, and a semi-cylindrical first engaging portion 27a as a groove is formed on the opposite side of the terminal receiving chamber 21 from the terminal receiving opening 24. , a second locking portion 27b is formed.

Four housings 20 are connected in the illustrated connection connector 1X and connection connector-equipped wire 2X (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Here, the connector 1 (coupling connector 1X) and the wire with connector 2 (wire with coupling connector 2X) of the present embodiment are inserted from the side of the wire outlet 23 into the terminal accommodating chamber 21 of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. A locking member 60 is provided to restrain relative movement in the third direction toward the mouth 22 (FIGS. 1, 16 and 17). The locking member 60 may be provided for each housing 20, or may be provided for a plurality of housings 20 connected together. The latter is exemplified here.

This exemplary locking member 60 partially covers the respective terminal insertion openings 22 in the four housings 20 and permits insertion of mating terminal connections into the respective terminal insertion openings 22. It has a body 61 (FIGS. 1, 16 and 17). A through-hole 61 a is formed in the locking wall 61 for each terminal insertion opening 22 . The through-hole 61a allows the mating terminal connecting portion to be inserted into the terminal insertion opening 22, while allowing the terminal fitting 10 to move relative to the terminal receiving chamber 21 in the third direction. It is formed in such a shape that the terminal connection portion 11 of the metal fitting 10 can be locked at the peripheral portion thereof. Therefore, the terminal fitting 10 is arranged in the terminal receiving chamber so that the end of the terminal connecting portion 11 (the end of the mating terminal connecting portion on the insertion port side) is arranged at substantially the same position as the terminal insertion port 22 at the accommodation completion position. 21 is housed.

This exemplary locking member 60 has a first retained portion 62a (FIGS. 1, 16 and 17) that engages the first retaining portion 28a (FIGS. 1, 13 and 17) of the housing 20. ing. In this example, a claw-shaped first holding portion 28a is formed, and a U-shaped first held portion 62a having an inner space for hooking on the first holding portion 28a is formed. Further, this exemplary locking member 60 has a second retained portion 62b (FIG. 16) that engages the second retaining portion 28b (FIG. 14) of the housing 20. As shown in FIG. In this example, the second holding portion 28b is formed in a claw shape, and the second holding portion 28b is formed in a claw shape that can be hooked on the second holding portion 28b. The locking member 60 engages the first held portion 62a with the first holding portion 28a, forms the second holding portion 28b, and engages the second holding portion 28b with the second holding portion 28b. Thus, it is held by four housings 20 connected together.

By the way, in the connector 1 (coupling connector 1X) and the wire with connector 2 (wire with coupling connector 2X), the terminal receiving opening 24 of the housing 20 arranged at one end in the arrangement direction remains open ( Figure 17). Therefore, it is desirable that the connector 1 (coupling connector 1X) and the connector-equipped wire 2 (coupling connector-equipped wire 2X) are provided with a lid portion for closing the terminal receiving opening 24 thereof. The lid portion may be attached to the housing 20 as a lid member. Moreover, the lid portion may be provided as a part of the locking member 60 . FIG. 18 illustrates the latter case, in which the locking member 60 is provided with a lid portion 63 .

As described above, in the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the wire with connector 2 (electric wire with connecting connector 2X) of the present embodiment, the end of the terminal fitting 10 and the wire We in the connected state are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 from the terminal accommodating opening 24 along the . Therefore, in the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with connector (electric wire 2X with connecting connector), the terminal fitting 10 and the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state can be connected without applying an unnecessary load to the electric wire We, such as bending the electric wire We. A terminal of the electric wire We can be accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber 21 . Therefore, the connector 1 (coupling connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with connector (coupling connector-equipped wire 2X) are excellent in workability for accommodating the end of the connected terminal fitting 10 and the wire We into the terminal accommodating chamber 21. , the deterioration of product quality can be suppressed.

Further, in the connector 1 (coupling connector 1X) and the wire with connector 2 (wire with coupling connector 2X) of the present embodiment, the relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 in the first direction with respect to the terminal receiving chamber 21 is controlled by the third locking structure 33 . , and the relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 in the third direction with respect to the terminal receiving chamber 21 is suppressed by a locking member 60 such as a so-called front holder. Conventionally, the terminal metal fitting 10 is held in the terminal receiving chamber 21 by the terminal locking body (so-called retainer) assembled to the housing 20 . However, in the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with connector (electric wire 2X with connecting connector) of the present embodiment, the first locking structure 31 and the second locking structure 32 are used instead of the terminal locking body. I am using The first locking structure 31 and the second locking structure 32 can exhibit the locking function by accommodating the terminal fitting 10 in the accommodation completion position of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 . In this way, the connector 1 (coupling connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with connector (coupling connector-equipped electric wire 2X) can be reduced in the terminal locking body, and accordingly, the process of assembling the terminal locking body can also be reduced. can do. Therefore, the connector 1 (coupling connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with connector (coupling connector-equipped wire 2X) can reduce the number of parts and the number of assembling man-hours. Moreover, the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with connector (electric wire 2X with connecting connector) can suppress the occurrence of an unforeseen situation such as forgetting to assemble the terminal locking body.

By the way, the electric wire 2 with a connector (an electric wire with a coupling connector 2X) according to the present embodiment is a twisted pair wire (a so-called twisted pair cable) in which a connector 1 (a coupling connector 1X) is connected to one end and the other end thereof. good too. Here, conventionally, a combination of two terminal fittings forming a pair is accommodated in one housing, and there are some that require formation of a plurality of sets of twisted pair wires in that one housing. However, in the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with connector (electric wire 2X with connecting connector) of the present embodiment, a twisted pair wire is formed for each housing 20 of the connector 1, and then the respective connectors 1 are connected. The ability to interlock with structure 50 allows for improved work in forming twisted wire pairs as compared to such prior art.

For example, in the connector-equipped electric wire 2 of this embodiment, the connector 1A at one end of the two electric wires We is fixed to the fixing jig E1, and the connector 1B at the other end of the two electric wires We is installed in the twister E2. (Fig. 19). In this connector-equipped electric wire 2, the twister E2 rotates the connector 1B to twist the two electric wires We, thereby forming a twisted pair of the two electric wires We (FIG. 20). Thereafter, in this connector-attached electric wire 2, one connector 1A is removed from the fixing jig E1, and the other connector 1B is removed from the twister E2 (FIG. 21).

Further, when a high-hardness conductor such as a so-called hard copper wire is used for the core wire We1 of the electric wire We, a twisted pair wire may be formed as follows to suppress untwisting after the formation. . In this case, the terminal fittings 10 attached to one ends of the two wires We are fixed to the fixing jig E3, and the terminal fittings 10 attached to the other ends of the two wires We are twisted. It is installed on machine E4 (Fig. 22). The twisting machine E4 includes a main rotating shaft E4a that rotates around the axis, a holder E4b provided at the center of rotation of the main rotating shaft E4a, and two rotating members E4c held by the holder E4b. . The two rotating tools E4c are arranged at equal intervals from the rotation center of the main rotating shaft E4a in the holder E4b, and are arranged so that the axial direction of their own rotating shafts is aligned with the axial direction of the main rotating shaft E4a. In the twisting machine E4, a twisted pair is formed by rotating the two rotating tools E4c around the main rotating shaft E4a in a direction opposite to the rotating direction of the main rotating shaft E4a while rotating the main rotating shaft E4a around the axis. (Fig. 23). In this case, after that, the two terminal fittings 10 at one ends of the two wires We are accommodated in one housing 20A, and the two terminal fittings 10 at the other ends of the two wires We are accommodated in the other housing 20B. By doing so, the electric wire 2 with a connector is formed (FIG. 24). At the time of accommodation, in this electric wire with connector 2, as described above, the end of the connected terminal fitting 10 and the electric wire We are moved from the terminal accommodating opening 24 into the terminal accommodating chamber 21 along the direction crossing the connector inserting/removing direction. accommodate. Therefore, even if the connector 1 (coupling connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with connector (coupling connector-equipped wire 2X) of the present embodiment undergo such a twisted-pair forming process, the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state In addition, the workability of accommodating the end of the electric wire We in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 is excellent, and deterioration of the quality of the product can be suppressed.

[Modification]
Modified examples of the connector and the electric wire with the connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 42. FIG.

Reference numeral 101 in FIGS. 25 to 28 indicates the connector of this modified example. Reference numeral 102 in FIGS. 25 to 28 denotes a connector-equipped electric wire of this modification in which a connector 101 is attached to the end of the electric wire We. Reference numeral 101X in FIGS. 25 to 28 denotes a connector (hereinafter referred to as "connected connector") in which a plurality of connectors 101 are collectively connected. Reference numeral 102X in FIGS. 25 to 28 denotes a connector-equipped electric wire in which a plurality of connectors 101 in a plurality of connector-equipped electric wires 102 are collectively connected (hereinafter referred to as "connected connector-equipped electric wire").

A connector 101 includes a terminal fitting 10 and a housing 120 (FIGS. 25 to 32). In this modified example, the same terminal metal fitting 10 as that of the above-described embodiment is taken as an example, but the terminal metal fitting 10 is not necessarily limited to that terminal metal fitting. The electric wire with connector 102 has an electric wire We in addition to the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 120 forming the connector 101. The terminal fitting 10 physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire We is connected to the housing 120. (Figs. 25 to 32).

The housing 120 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. This housing 120 accommodates and holds the terminal fitting 10 physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire We, like the housing 20 of the embodiment. Accordingly, the housing 120 has terminal receiving chambers 121, terminal insertion openings 122, wire outlets 123, and terminal receiving openings 124 arranged in the same manner as the terminal fittings 10 (FIGS. 29 to 32). Therefore, in this housing 120, the connected terminal fitting 10 and the end of the wire We are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 from the terminal accommodating opening 124 along the direction crossing the connector inserting/removing direction, like the housing 20 of the embodiment. .

However, in this housing 120, unlike the housing 20 of the embodiment, the terminal insertion opening 122 and the terminal receiving opening 124 are not connected. Further, unlike the housing 20 of the embodiment, the housing 120 is arranged in the third direction (FIG. 31) from the wire outlet 123 side to the terminal insertion port 122 side with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 121 of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. are restrained by the peripheral portion of the terminal insertion opening 122 .

In the connector 101 and the connector-equipped wire 102 of this modified example, the connected terminal metal fitting 10 and the end of the wire We are inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 121 from the terminal accommodating opening 124 along the direction orthogonal to the connector inserting/removing direction. In the connector 101 and the connector-equipped wire 102 of this modified example, by inserting the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the end of the wire We in this way, the terminal fitting 10 in this connected state and the end of the wire We are connected. It is accommodated in the accommodation completion position of the terminal accommodation chamber 121 (FIGS. 29 to 32). Therefore, the housing 120 of this modified example is formed in a shape that does not hinder the insertion of the ends of the connected terminal fittings 10 and the wires We from the terminal accommodating openings 124 into the accommodation completion positions of the terminal accommodating chambers 121 .

In the connector 101 and the connector-equipped wire 102, between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 120, there is a second wire extending from the terminal insertion opening 122 side of the terminal fitting 10 to the terminal accommodating chamber 121 at the accommodation completion position to the wire extraction opening 123 side. A first locking structure 131 (FIG. 33) is provided to restrain relative movement in one direction (FIG. 31). Further, between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 120, there is provided a second spring that prevents the terminal fitting 10 from moving relative to the terminal accommodating chamber 121 in the second direction (FIG. 31) toward the terminal accommodating opening 124 at the accommodation completion position. A locking structure 132 is provided (FIGS. 29-32).

The first locking structure 131 includes a first locked portion 131a provided on the terminal fitting 10 and a wire outlet 123 provided on the housing 120 to the first locked portion 131a of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. and a first locking portion 131b arranged to face each other on the sides (FIG. 33). The first engaged portion 131a and the first engaging portion 131b are separated by an allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 121 in the first direction (allowable in design). The amount of relative movement that takes into consideration the tolerance, etc.

In this modification, the wall surface of the first projecting portion 13 of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position on the side of the wire outlet 123 is used as the first locked portion 131a. On the other hand, the housing 120 shown here has a protrusion accommodating chamber 125 that accommodates the first protrusion 13 when the terminal fitting 10 is in the accommodation completion position (FIGS. 33 and 34). Therefore, in this modified example, the wall body of the protrusion accommodating chamber 125 on the side of the wire outlet 123 is used as the first locking portion 131b.

The second locking structure 132 includes a second locked portion 132a provided on the terminal fitting 10, and a terminal accommodating opening 124 provided on the housing 120 to the second locked portion 132a of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. and a second locking portion 132b arranged opposite to each other (FIGS. 29 to 34). The second engaged portion 132a and the second engaging portion 132b are separated by an allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 in the second direction with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 121 (allowable in design). The amount of relative movement that takes into consideration the tolerance, etc.

In this embodiment, the rectangular wall surface arranged on the terminal receiving opening 124 side at the terminal fitting 10 accommodation completion position is used as the second locked portion 132a (FIGS. 29 to 34). Here, in the illustrated housing 120 , a plurality of claw portions are formed in the terminal receiving opening 124 . Here, the plurality of claw portions are used as second locking portions 132b (FIGS. 29 to 34). Each of the second locking portions 132b is capable of overriding the terminal fitting 10 inserted from the terminal accommodating opening 124 and capable of locking the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position in the second direction. Formed in shape and arrangement.

Further, in the connector 101 and the connector-equipped wire 102, between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 120, the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 121 from the terminal insertion opening 122 side to the wire extraction opening 123 side. There is also provided a third locking structure 133 that restrains relative movement of the in the first direction (Fig. 35).

The third locking structure 133 includes a third locked portion 133a provided on the terminal fitting 10 and a wire lead-out opening provided on the housing 120 for the third locked portion 133a of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. and a third locking portion 133b arranged to face each other on the 123 side (FIGS. 34 and 35). The third locked portion 133a and the third locking portion 133b are arranged such that the distance between the third locked portion 133a and the third locking portion 133b in the opposing arrangement direction at the accommodation completion position is equal to or less than the allowable amount of relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 121 in the first direction. Form.

In this modification, the third locked portion 33a of the embodiment is used as the third locked portion 133a (FIG. 35). On the other hand, the housing 120 shown here has a protrusion accommodating chamber 126 that accommodates the third locked portion 133a (second protrusion) when the terminal fitting 10 is in the accommodation completion position (FIGS. 34 and 35). ). Therefore, in this modified example, the wall body on the side of the wire outlet 123 in the protrusion accommodating chamber 126 is used as the third locking portion 133b.

In the housing 120 of this modified example, the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated from the terminal accommodating opening 124 to the accommodation completion position of the terminal accommodating chamber 121, so that the first engaged portion 131a is arranged to face the first engaging portion 131b. In addition, the second locked portion 132a is formed to have a shape that allows the second locked portion 132b to be opposed to the second locked portion 132b. Further, in the housing 120 of this modified example, the third locked portion 133a faces the third locking portion 133b by housing the terminal fitting 10 from the terminal housing opening 124 to the housing completion position of the terminal housing chamber 121. It is formed in a shape that can be arranged.

In the connector 101 and the connector-equipped wire 102 of this modified example, the housing 120 has a plurality of combinations of terminal accommodating chambers 121 , terminal insertion openings 122 , wire outlets 123 , and terminal accommodating openings 124 . This exemplary housing 120 has two sets of such combinations. The combination of the two sets is perpendicular to the connector insertion/removal direction and the insertion direction of the terminal fitting 10 from the terminal receiving opening 124 into the terminal receiving chamber 121 (that is, the direction perpendicular to the first direction, the third direction, and the second direction). ) are arranged side by side.

A plurality of connectors 101 of this modified example are prepared, and each of them is collectively connected to form a connection connector 101X (FIGS. 25 to 28). In addition, a plurality of connectors 102 of this modification are prepared, and the respective connectors 101 thereof are collectively connected to form a connecting connector-equipped electric wire 102X (FIGS. 25 to 28). In other words, the connecting connector 101X and the connecting connector-equipped electric wire 102X comprise a plurality of housings 120 connected together. Therefore, between two adjacent housings 120 to be connected, a connection structure 140 for connecting these two housings 120 is provided (FIGS. 25 to 31, 33 and 35 to 40).

Two adjacent housings 120 to be connected are connected so that the two terminal receiving openings 124 in one of them are closed in the other (FIGS. 25 to 28, 36 and 40). Therefore, the connection structure 140 is provided at one end and the other end of the direction orthogonal to the direction of adjacent two housings 120 to be connected and the connector insertion/extraction direction (FIGS. 26 and 26). 36 to 40).

The connecting structure 140 includes a first connecting portion 141 provided on one of the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected, and a first connecting portion 141 provided on the other of the two housings 120 to engage with the first connecting portion 141 to connect one housing 120A. and a second connecting portion 142 for connecting the other housing 120B (FIGS. 36 and 38).

The first connecting portion 141 includes a flexible cantilever main portion 141a protruding outward from one housing 120A in the adjacent direction of two adjacent housings 120 to be connected, and the other connecting portion. It is provided at the free end of the main body portion 141a in a state of protruding toward the structure 140, and when the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected are in the connected state, the second housing 120B of the other housing 120B located on the fixed end side of the main body portion 141a. and a claw portion 141b that hooks onto the connecting portion 142 (FIGS. 36 to 40). The exemplified main body portion 141a is formed in the shape of a rectangular piece.

Further, the first connecting portion 141 connects the fixed end side of the main body portion 141a to the outer wall side of one housing 120A, and rotates the main body portion 141a and the claw portion 141b around the rotating shaft along the connector inserting/removing direction. It has a hinge portion 141c that can be rotated (FIGS. 36 to 39). A so-called living hinge is used for the hinge portion 141c of this example.

The hinge portion 141c is configured such that the main portion 141a in a projecting state with respect to one housing 120A (that is, the main portion 141a projecting in the adjacent direction of the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected) is attached to the claw portion 141b side. formed to be rotated at least 90 degrees to the On the other hand, the protruded main body portion 141a is prevented from rotating in the direction opposite to the side of the claw portion 141b by the hinge portion 141c. Therefore, when the main body portion 141a of the first connecting portion 141 protrudes toward the adjacent direction of the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected, the claw portion 141b side of the main body portion 141a is formed by the hinge portion 141c. It has a rotation locking portion 141d that suppresses reverse rotation (FIGS. 36 to 40). For example, in the illustrated first connecting portion 141, a rectangular piece perpendicular to the direction in which the main portion 141a protrudes is connected to the fixed end of the main portion 141a. A hinge portion 141c is arranged between the outer wall side of 120A. Therefore, here, the one piece is used as the rotation locking portion 141d, and the locking wall 127 provided in the one housing 120A is rotated so that the hook portion 141b side of the main body portion 141a in the protruding state is opposite to the claw portion 141b side. The rotation locking portion 141d is locked so as to suppress the rotation (FIG. 38).

The connection structure 140 includes a lock mechanism 143 that maintains the rotation locking state of the first connection portion 141 by the rotation locking portion 141d and the locking wall 127 (FIGS. 38 and 39). The lock mechanism 143 is configured such that a claw portion 143a provided on the rotation locking portion 141d and a claw portion 143b provided on the locking wall 127 are hooked to each other, whereby the first locking mechanism by the rotation locking portion 141d and the locking wall 127 is held. The rotation locking state of the connecting portion 141 is maintained.

Here, when the main body portion 141a of one housing 120A is in a state in which the claw portion 141b and the second connecting portion 142 can be locked in the adjacent installation direction of the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected, the main portion 141a of the other housing 120A 25 to 28, 32, 34 and 36 to 40). The illustrated second connecting portion 142 has a wall surface that is perpendicular to and connected to the outer wall surface 120a, and the claw portion 141b is arranged to face the wall surface.

In this connection structure 140, when the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected are brought closer together along the adjacent direction, one housing 120A side bends the main body portion 141a while moving the claw portion 141b to the other housing 120A side. It is made to run on the outer wall surface 120a of the housing 120B. In this connection structure 140, by bringing the two housings 120 closer together, the deflection of the main body portion 141a is eliminated on one housing 120A side, and the claw portion 141b and the second connection portion 142 are locked. become possible.

In this example, each housing 120 uses the same item, so each housing 120 has two first connecting portions 141 and two second connecting portions 142 .

In this exemplary connection connector 101X and connection connector-equipped wire 102X, three housings 120 are connected (FIGS. 25 to 28 and 40).

Here, when the connector 101 and the connector-equipped wire 102 are used alone, the first connecting portion 141 may remain in a projecting state. In addition, in the connecting connector 101X and the electric wire 102X with the connecting connector, the first connecting portion 141 of the housing 120 arranged at one end in the arrangement direction may remain in a projecting state (FIG. 41). . Therefore, the housing 120 has a connecting portion accommodating chamber 128 in which the main portion 141a and the claw portion 141b are accommodated when the main portion 141a is rotated toward the claw portion 141b by the hinge portion 141c (FIGS. 28 and 28). 38 to 41). The connecting portion accommodation chamber 128 is formed in each housing 120 .

This connecting structure 140 has a locking mechanism 144 that maintains the state of accommodation of the first connecting portion 141 in the connecting portion accommodating chamber 128 (FIGS. 40 and 41). The locking mechanism 144 engages a locking portion 144a provided on the main body portion 141a of one housing 120A and a claw portion 144b provided on the turning locking portion 141d of the other housing 120B to lock the connection portion housing chamber. The accommodated state of the first connecting portion 141 at 128 is maintained.

Moreover, in the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the wire with connector 102 (electric wire with connecting connector 102X), the terminal receiving opening 124 of the housing 120 arranged at the other end in the arrangement direction does not remain open. As shown in FIGS. 25 to 28 and 40 to 42, a lid member 150 is provided to close the terminal receiving opening 124. As shown in FIG. The illustrated lid member 150 has a rectangular plate-like lid portion 151 that closes the terminal receiving opening 124 .

This exemplary lid member 150 has a coupling portion 152 that couples to the housing 120 to be coupled by engaging the second coupling portion 142 of the housing 120 (FIGS. 25-28 and 40-42). . One connecting portion 152 is provided for each second connecting portion 142 . The connecting portion 152 includes a flexible cantilevered main portion 152a protruding in the orthogonal direction from the lid portion 151 toward the housing 120 to be connected, and a main portion 152a protruding toward the other connecting portion 152 side. A claw portion 152b is provided at the free end of the portion 152a and hooks onto the second connecting portion 142 located on the fixed end side of the main body portion 152a when the cover member 150 and the housing 120 are in the connected state (FIGS. 40 and 40). 42). The main body portion 152 a is formed in the same shape as the main body portion 141 a of the first connecting portion 141 . Further, the claw portion 152b is formed in the same shape as the claw portion 141b of the first connecting portion 141. As shown in FIG.

A locking portion 152c having the same function as the locking portion 144a of the locking mechanism 144 is formed in the illustrated connecting portion 152 (FIGS. 40 to 42). Between the housing 120 and the lid member 150 to be connected, the claw portion 144b of the housing 120 and the locking portion 152c of the lid member 150 constitute a locking mechanism 144 .

As described above, in the connector 101 (coupling connector 101X) and the connector-equipped wire 102 (coupling connector-equipped wire 102X) of the present modification, the ends of the terminal fitting 10 and the wire We in the connected state are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 from the terminal accommodating opening 124 along the . Therefore, the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire with connector 102 (electric wire with connecting connector 102X) are the same as the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire with connector 2 (electric wire with connecting connector 2X) of the embodiment. In addition, the connected terminal fitting 10 and the end of the wire We can be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 without applying an unnecessary load to the wire We such as bending the wire We. Therefore, the connector 101 (coupling connector 101X) and the connector-equipped wire 102 (coupling connector-equipped wire 102X) can be easily accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 of the end of the connected terminal fitting 10 and the wire We. , the deterioration of product quality can be suppressed.

In the connector 101 (coupling connector 101X) and the connector-equipped wire 102 (coupling connector-equipped wire 102X) of this modification, the relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 in the first direction with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 121 is controlled by the third locking structure 133. , the relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 in the third direction with respect to the terminal receiving chamber 121 is suppressed by the peripheral edge portion of the terminal insertion opening 122 in the housing 120 . In the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire with connector 102 (electric wire with connecting connector 102X), like the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire with connector 2 (electric wire with connecting connector 2X) of the embodiment, A first locking structure 131 and a second locking structure 132 are used in place of the conventional terminal locking body. The first locking structure 131 and the second locking structure 132 can exhibit the locking function by accommodating the terminal fitting 10 in the terminal accommodation chamber 121 at the accommodation completion position. In this way, the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the wire with connector 102 (electric wire with connecting connector 102X) can be reduced in the terminal locking body, and accordingly, the process of assembling the terminal locking body can also be reduced. can do. Therefore, the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire with connector 102 (electric wire with connecting connector 102X) are the same as the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire with connector 2 (electric wire with connecting connector 2X) of the embodiment. , it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly man-hours. In addition, the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire with connector 102 (electric wire with connecting connector 102X) are the same as the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire with connector 2 (electric wire with connecting connector 2X) of the embodiment. Also, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an unexpected situation such as forgetting to assemble the terminal locking body.

Here, the connector-equipped wire 102 (connecting connector-equipped wire 102X) of the present modification can be formed into a twisted pair in the same process as the connector-equipped wire 2 (connecting connector-equipped wire 2X) of the embodiment.

1, 101 connector 1X, 101X coupling connector (connector)
2, 102 Wire with connector 2X, 102X Wire with connecting connector (wire with connector)
10 terminal fittings 20, 120 housings 20A, 120A one housing 20B, 120B the other housing 21, 121 terminal accommodating chambers 22, 122 terminal insertion openings 23, 123 wire outlets 24, 124 terminal accommodating openings 31, 131 first locking Structure 31a, 131a First locked portion 31b, 131b First locked portion 32, 132 Second locked structure 32a, 132a Second locked portion 32b, 132b Second locked portion 50 Connection structure 51 First connection Part 52 Second connecting part 60 Locking member 128 Connecting part housing chamber 140 Connecting structure 141 First connecting part 141a Main body part 141b Claw part 141c Hinge part 141d Rotating locking part 142 Second connecting part We Electric wire

Claims (11)

a terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to the mating terminal fitting of the mating connector;
a housing that accommodates and holds the terminal fitting that is physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire;
with
The housing includes a terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fitting is accommodated and held at the accommodation completed position, and an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber. a terminal insertion opening used for inserting the mating terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber; A wire outlet for drawing out of the housing chamber, and a further opening of the terminal housing chamber, which is formed at an end in a direction perpendicular to the connector inserting/removing direction in a state of being connected to the wire outlet and in a connected state. a terminal housing opening used for housing the terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire in the terminal housing chamber ;
Between the terminal fitting and the housing, there is provided a first for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber in the first direction from the terminal insertion opening side to the wire outlet side at the accommodation completion position. a locking structure; and a second locking structure for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting in the accommodation completion position with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber in a second direction toward the terminal accommodation opening,
The first locking structure includes a first locked portion provided on the terminal fitting, and a first locked portion provided on the housing, and the electric wire outlet is attached to the first locked portion of the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position. and a first locking portion arranged opposite to each other on the side,
The second locking structure includes a second locked portion provided on the terminal fitting, and a second locked portion provided on the housing, which is attached to the terminal receiving opening with respect to the second locked portion of the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position. and a second locking portion arranged opposite to the side,
The terminal housing opening is also connected to the terminal insertion opening,
When the terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire in a connected state are inserted from the terminal accommodating opening to the temporary accommodating position of the terminal accommodating chamber, the housing does not contact at least the terminal fitting, and the housing is positioned at the temporary accommodating position. By moving the terminal fitting together with the wire from the terminal insertion port side to the wire outlet side relative to the terminal receiving chamber to the accommodation completion position, the first locked portion is moved to the first engaging portion. formed so as to face the stop portion and the second locked portion to face the second locking portion;
a locking member that suppresses relative movement of the terminal fitting in the accommodation completion position with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber in a third direction from the wire outlet side to the terminal insertion opening side;
Between the terminal fitting and the housing, apart from the first locking structure and the second locking structure, until the locking member is attached to the housing, the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position is maintained. and a locking structure for suppressing relative movement in a third direction from the wire outlet side to the terminal insertion side with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber. a terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to the mating terminal fitting of the mating connector;
a housing that accommodates and holds the terminal fitting that is physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire;
with
The housing includes a terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fitting is accommodated and held at the accommodation completed position, and an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber. a terminal insertion opening used for inserting the mating terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber; A wire outlet for drawing out of the housing chamber, and a further opening of the terminal housing chamber, which is formed at an end in a direction perpendicular to the connector inserting/removing direction in a state of being connected to the wire outlet and in a connected state. a terminal housing opening used for housing the terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire in the terminal housing chamber;
comprising a plurality of said housings connected together;
A connecting structure for connecting the two housings is provided between the two adjacent housings to be connected,
The connection structure is provided on one side and the other side of a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the two adjacent housings to be connected are arranged side by side and the connector insertion/extraction direction,
The connecting structure includes a first connecting portion provided on one of the two adjacent housings to be connected, and a first connecting portion provided on the other of the two housings to engage with the first connecting portion to connect the one housing. a second connecting portion that connects with the other housing,
The first connecting portion includes a flexible cantilevered main body portion projecting outward from the one housing in the adjoining direction, and the other main body projecting toward the connecting structure side. a pawl portion provided at a free end of the housing portion and hooked to the second connecting portion of the other housing located on the fixed end side of the main body portion when the two adjacent housings to be connected are in the connected state; a hinge portion that connects the fixed end side of the main body portion to the outer wall side of the one housing, and that can rotate the main body portion and the claw portion around a rotation shaft along the connector inserting/removing direction; a rotation locking portion for suppressing rotation of the main body portion in a direction opposite to the claw portion side by the hinge portion when the main body portion is protruded in the adjoining direction;
A connector, wherein each said housing has said first connecting portion and said second connecting portion of two said connecting structures respectively. 2. Each of said housings has a connecting part accommodating chamber in which said main body part and said claw part are accommodated when said main body part is rotated toward said claw part by said hinge part. connector described in . Between the terminal fitting and the housing, there is provided a first for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber in the first direction from the terminal insertion opening side to the wire outlet side at the accommodation completion position. a locking structure; and a second locking structure for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting in the accommodation completion position with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber in a second direction toward the terminal accommodation opening,
The first locking structure includes a first locked portion provided on the terminal fitting, and a first locked portion provided on the housing, and the electric wire outlet is attached to the first locked portion of the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position. and a first locking portion arranged opposite to each other on the side,
The second locking structure includes a second locked portion provided on the terminal fitting, and a second locked portion provided on the housing, which is attached to the terminal receiving opening with respect to the second locked portion of the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position. 4. The connector according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a second engaging portion arranged opposite to the side. The terminal housing opening is also connected to the terminal insertion opening,
When the terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire in a connected state are inserted from the terminal accommodating opening to the temporary accommodating position of the terminal accommodating chamber, the housing does not contact at least the terminal fitting, and the housing is positioned at the temporary accommodating position. By moving the terminal fitting together with the wire from the terminal insertion port side to the wire outlet side relative to the terminal receiving chamber to the accommodation completion position, the first locked portion is moved to the first engaging portion. 5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the connector is formed to face the stop portion and the second locked portion is formed to face the second locking portion. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a locking member that suppresses relative movement of the terminal fitting in the accommodation completion position with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber in a third direction from the wire outlet side to the terminal insertion opening side. Connector as described. comprising a plurality of said housings connected together;
2. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting structure between two adjacent housings to be connected, which connects the two housings. The connecting structure includes a first connecting portion provided on the terminal receiving opening side of one of the two adjacent housings to be connected, and the terminal receiving portion on the other side of the housing with the terminal receiving chamber as a boundary. a second connecting portion provided on the side opposite to the mouth and engaged with the first connecting portion to connect the one housing and the other housing;
8. The connector of claim 7, wherein each said housing has said first connecting portion and said second connecting portion respectively. 9. The connector according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a plurality of combinations of said terminal receiving chambers, said terminal insertion openings, said wire outlets and said terminal receiving openings. . an electric wire;
a terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to the mating terminal fitting of the mating connector;
a housing that accommodates and holds the terminal fitting that is physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire;
with
The housing includes a terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fitting is accommodated and held at the accommodation completed position, and an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber. a terminal insertion opening used for inserting the mating terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber; A wire outlet for drawing out of the housing chamber, and a further opening of the terminal housing chamber, which is formed at an end in a direction perpendicular to the connector inserting/removing direction in a state of being connected to the wire outlet and in a connected state. a terminal housing opening used for housing the terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire in the terminal housing chamber ;
Between the terminal fitting and the housing, there is provided a first for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber in the first direction from the terminal insertion opening side to the wire outlet side at the accommodation completion position. a locking structure; and a second locking structure for suppressing relative movement of the terminal fitting in the accommodation completion position with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber in a second direction toward the terminal accommodation opening,
The first locking structure includes a first locked portion provided on the terminal fitting, and a first locked portion provided on the housing, and the electric wire outlet is attached to the first locked portion of the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position. and a first locking portion arranged opposite to each other on the side,
The second locking structure includes a second locked portion provided on the terminal fitting, and a second locked portion provided on the housing, which is attached to the terminal receiving opening with respect to the second locked portion of the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position. and a second locking portion arranged opposite to the side,
The terminal housing opening is also connected to the terminal insertion opening,
When the terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire in a connected state are inserted from the terminal accommodating opening to the temporary accommodating position of the terminal accommodating chamber, the housing does not contact at least the terminal fitting, and the housing is positioned at the temporary accommodating position. By moving the terminal fitting together with the wire from the terminal insertion port side to the wire outlet side relative to the terminal receiving chamber to the accommodation completion position, the first locked portion is moved to the first engaging portion. formed so as to face the stop portion and the second locked portion to face the second locking portion;
a locking member that suppresses relative movement of the terminal fitting in the accommodation completion position with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber in a third direction from the wire outlet side to the terminal insertion opening side;
Between the terminal fitting and the housing, apart from the first locking structure and the second locking structure, until the locking member is attached to the housing, the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position is maintained. and a locking structure for suppressing relative movement in a third direction from the wire outlet side to the terminal insertion side with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber. an electric wire;
a terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to the mating terminal fitting of the mating connector;
a housing that accommodates and holds the terminal fitting that is physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire;
with
The housing includes a terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fitting is accommodated and held at the accommodation completed position, and an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber. a terminal insertion opening used for inserting the mating terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber; A wire outlet for drawing out of the housing chamber, and a further opening of the terminal housing chamber, which is formed at an end in a direction perpendicular to the connector inserting/removing direction in a state of being connected to the wire outlet and in a connected state. a terminal housing opening used for housing the terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire in the terminal housing chamber;
comprising a plurality of said housings connected together;
A connecting structure for connecting the two housings is provided between the two adjacent housings to be connected,
The connection structure is provided on one side and the other side of a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the two adjacent housings to be connected are arranged side by side and the connector insertion/extraction direction,
The connecting structure includes a first connecting portion provided on one of the two adjacent housings to be connected, and a first connecting portion provided on the other of the two housings to engage with the first connecting portion to connect the one housing. a second connecting portion that connects with the other housing,
The first connecting portion includes a flexible cantilevered main body portion projecting outward from the one housing in the adjoining direction, and the other main body projecting toward the connecting structure side. a pawl portion provided at a free end of the housing portion and hooked to the second connecting portion of the other housing located on the fixed end side of the main body portion when the two adjacent housings to be connected are in the connected state; a hinge portion that connects the fixed end side of the main body portion to the outer wall side of the one housing, and that can rotate the main body portion and the claw portion around a rotation shaft along the connector inserting/removing direction; a rotation locking portion for suppressing rotation of the main body portion in a direction opposite to the claw portion side by the hinge portion when the main body portion is protruded in the adjoining direction;
The electric wire with a connector, wherein each of the housings has the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion of the two connecting structures.

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