WO2022024794A1 - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector (30) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a connector housing (50), and a front retainer (100) which is attached to the connector housing (50). The front retainer (100) is formed in the shape of a flat plate. The front retainer (100) includes: an insertion main body portion (110); retainer portions (120); slits (110X) provided between the insertion main body portion (110) and the retainer portions (120); and locking portions (130) which are provided on the retainer portions (120) and which lock to the connector housing (50). The insertion main body portion (110) and the retainer portions (120) are provided side by side in a direction intersecting an insertion direction (D1) of the front retainer (100) with respect to the connector housing (50).

Description

connector

This disclosure relates to connectors.

Conventionally, a connector attached to the case of an electric device mounted on a vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of connector has a terminal fitting connected to the end of an electric wire, a connector housing for holding the terminal fitting, and a front retainer attached to the connector housing. The connector housing is provided with a lance that engages with a terminal fitting inserted into the connector housing. When the terminal fitting is inserted, the lance is pushed by the terminal fitting and retracts into the bending space, and when the terminal fitting is inserted to the normal position, it elastically returns and locks to the terminal fitting. The front retainer regulates that the lance locked to the terminal fitting is retracted into the bending space after being inserted into the bending space of the lance after the terminal fitting is inserted to the normal position. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lance from being unintentionally released from the terminal fitting, and thus it is possible to prevent the terminal fitting from coming off the connector housing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-190670

By the way, in the above-mentioned connector, it is desired to improve the assembly workability of the front retainer with respect to the connector housing, and there is still room for improvement in this respect.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector capable of improving the assembly workability of a front retainer.

The connector of the present disclosure includes a connector housing and a front retainer attached to the connector housing, the front retainer is formed in a flat plate shape, and the front retainer includes an insertion main body portion and a retainer portion. It has a slit provided between the insertion main body portion and the retainer portion, and a locking portion provided in the retainer portion and engaged with the connector housing, and the insertion main body portion and the retainer portion. Is provided side by side in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the front retainer with respect to the connector housing.

According to the connector of the present disclosure, it has the effect of improving the assembly workability of the front retainer.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a wire harness of one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a connector and a case of one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a connector of one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a connector of one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connector mounted on the case of one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connector of one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing the connector housing of one embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the front retainer of one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the front retainer of one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connector of one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method for manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method for manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment.

[Explanation of Embodiments of the present disclosure]
First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.
[1] The connector of the present disclosure includes a connector housing and a front retainer attached to the connector housing. The front retainer is formed in a flat plate shape, and the front retainer includes an insertion main body portion. It has a retainer portion, a slit provided between the insertion main body portion and the retainer portion, and a locking portion provided in the retainer portion and engaged with the connector housing, and the insertion main body portion and the insertion main body portion. The retainer portions are provided side by side in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the front retainer with respect to the connector housing.

According to this configuration, since a slit is provided between the insertion main body portion of the front retainer and the retainer portion, the locking portion can be moved toward the slit when the front retainer is inserted into the connector housing. That is, the retainer portion provided with the locking portion can be bent toward the slit. This allows the front retainer to be inserted into the connector housing while bending the retainer portion toward the slit. Therefore, the operating force when inserting the front retainer into the connector housing can be reduced as compared with the case where the retainer portion does not bend. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability of assembling the front retainer with respect to the connector housing.

[2] The slit is formed so as to extend along the insertion direction, and the retainer portion has an elongated hole longer in the insertion direction than the arrangement direction in which the insertion main body portion and the retainer portion are lined up. It is preferably formed, and the locking portion is preferably provided on the side surface of the side wall constituting the elongated hole.

According to this configuration, since a long hole is provided in the vicinity of the locking portion, the locking portion can be moved toward the long hole when the front retainer is inserted into the connector housing. That is, the side wall of the long hole provided with the locking portion can be bent toward the long hole. As a result, when the front retainer is inserted into the connector housing, the retainer portion can be bent toward the slit, and the side wall constituting the long hole can be bent toward the long hole. Therefore, the operating force when inserting the front retainer into the connector housing can be further reduced.

[3] It is preferable that the elongated hole is provided in the retainer portion on the side closer to the locking portion in the alignment direction. According to this configuration, since the elongated hole is provided on the side closer to the locking portion, the side wall on which the locking portion is formed can be formed thinly. Therefore, the side wall can be easily bent toward the elongated hole. Therefore, the operating force when inserting the front retainer into the connector housing can be further reduced.

[4] It is preferable that the insertion main body portion has a protruding portion that protrudes from the retainer portion to the back side in the insertion direction in the insertion direction. According to this configuration, since the insertion main body portion is formed longer than the retainer portion, the protruding portion of the insertion main body portion can be brought into contact with the connector housing first, and the protruding portion can function as a guide portion. This protrusion guides the insertion of the retainer into the connector housing. Therefore, the assembling property of the retainer portion can be improved.

[5] It is preferable that the protruding portion has a guide portion that is inclined toward the slit. According to this configuration, since the guide portion is provided on the protruding portion of the insertion main body portion that comes into contact with the connector housing first, the wall of the connector housing is slit by the guide portion when the front retainer is inserted into the connector housing. Guided by. This makes it possible to improve the workability of assembling the front retainer with respect to the connector housing.

[6] The front retainer further has a restricting portion connected to the insertion main body portion located on the front side in the insertion direction and the end portion of the retainer portion, and the restricting portion further includes the insertion main body portion and the insertion main body portion. It is preferable that the restricting portion is in contact with the connector housing so as to project in a direction in which the retainer portion is aligned and intersects with both the insertion direction.

According to this configuration, when the front retainer is inserted into the connector housing, the restricting portion comes into contact with the connector housing, so that the amount of the front retainer inserted into the connector housing is restricted. As a result, the appropriate insertion amount of the front retainer can be managed, so that the workability of assembling the front retainer with respect to the connector housing can be improved.

[7] It is preferable that the connector housing has a guide groove extending in the insertion direction, and the insertion main body portion has a rib that protrudes in a direction intersecting the insertion direction and is guided by the guide groove. According to this configuration, the front retainer can be inserted into the connector housing while guiding the rib of the insertion main body portion into the guide groove of the connector housing. This makes it possible to improve the workability of assembling the front retainer with respect to the connector housing. Further, by providing the rib, the rigidity of the insertion main body can be increased.

[8] Further having a connection terminal held in the connector housing, the connector housing is configured to be elastically deformable toward the accommodation space and the accommodation space, and is a locking piece that engages with the connection terminal. The retainer portion is preferably accommodated in the accommodating space.

According to this configuration, by accommodating the retainer portion in the accommodating space, it is restricted that the locking piece that locks with the connection terminal bends toward the accommodating space. As a result, it is possible to prevent the connection terminal from being disengaged from the locking piece, and thus it is possible to preferably prevent the connection terminal from coming off the connector housing.

[Details of Embodiments of the present disclosure]
Specific examples of the connectors of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may differ in each drawing. The term "parallel" or "orthogonal" in the present specification includes not only the case of strictly parallel or orthogonal, but also the case of being substantially parallel or orthogonal within the range in which the action and effect in the present embodiment are exhibited. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is indicated by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

(Overall configuration of wire harness 10)
The wire harness 10 shown in FIG. 1 electrically connects two or three or more electric devices (equipment). The wire harness 10 electrically connects an inverter 11 installed at the front of a vehicle V such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle and a high-pressure battery 12 installed behind the vehicle V from the inverter 11. The inverter 11 is connected to a wheel drive motor (not shown) that is a power source for traveling the vehicle. The inverter 11 generates AC power from the DC power of the high-voltage battery 12, and supplies the AC power to the motor. The high voltage battery 12 is, for example, a battery capable of supplying a voltage of several hundred volts.

The wire harness 10 includes a plurality of electric wires 20 (two in the present embodiment), an exterior member 25 that collectively surrounds the plurality of electric wires 20, and a pair of connectors 30 attached to both ends of the electric wires 20. is doing. One end of the electric wire 20 is connected to the inverter 11 via the connector 30, and the other end of the electric wire 20 is connected to the high voltage battery 12 via the connector 30. The electric wire 20 is, for example, a high voltage electric wire capable of dealing with high voltage and large current. The exterior member 25 protects the electric wire 20 housed therein from flying objects and water droplets.

As shown in FIG. 2, each connector 30 is fixed to a conductive case 15 of an electric device such as an inverter 11 and a high-voltage battery 12 (see FIG. 1). Each connector 30 is electrically connected to, for example, a mating terminal 200 (see FIG. 5) provided in the case 15. As the material of the case 15, for example, a metal material such as iron-based or aluminum-based can be used.

(Structure of case 15)
The case 15 has a box-shaped case main body 16 and an annular mounting portion 17 that is integrally provided with the case main body 16 and protrudes to the outside of the case main body 16. The mounting portion 17 is formed in an annular shape by having a mounting hole 17X penetrating the mounting portion 17.

Here, the "ring" in the present specification means a structure in which the whole is connected to form a continuous ring, that is, an endless structure in which the start point and the end point coincide with each other. Further, the "ring" in the present specification is a circular ring having a circular outer edge shape, an elliptical or oval ring having an outer edge shape, a polygonal ring having a polygonal outer edge shape, and a polygonal ring having a rounded outer edge shape. Including, the outer edge shape consists of any closed shape connected by a straight line or a curve. The "ring" is a shape having a through hole in a plan view, and the outer edge shape and the inner circumference shape of the through hole are the same shape, or the outer edge shape and the inner circumference shape of the through hole are different shapes. including. The "ring" includes a ring having a predetermined length extending along an axial direction in which a central axis passing through the center of the through hole extends, and the length thereof may be large or small. In addition, the "ring" in the present specification may be regarded as a ring as a whole, and includes a C-shaped object having a notch, a slit, or the like in a part thereof.

The mounting hole 17X is formed so as to communicate the internal space of the case body 16 and the external space of the case body 16. The mounting hole 17X is formed, for example, into a flat shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction when viewed from the penetrating direction. In the present specification, the "flat shape" includes, for example, a rectangle, an oval shape, an ellipse shape, and the like. As used herein, an "oval" is a shape consisting of two parallel lines of substantially equal length and two semicircles. The mounting hole 17X of the present embodiment is formed in an oval shape when viewed from the penetrating direction.

In each drawing, the X-axis in the XYZ axes represents the front-back direction of the connector 30, the Y-axis represents the left-right direction (width direction) of the connector 30 orthogonal to the X-axis, and the Z-axis is orthogonal to the XY plane. It represents the vertical direction (height direction) of the connector 30. In the following description, for convenience, the direction extending along the X axis is referred to as the front-back direction X, the direction extending along the Y axis is referred to as the left-right direction Y, and the direction extending along the Z axis is referred to as the up-down direction Z. Further, in the following description, the direction of the X arrow in FIG. 2 is defined as forward, and the direction of the Z arrow is defined as upward.

The case 15 has one or more (two in this embodiment) fixing portions 18 for fixing the connector 30 to the case 15. The two fixing portions 18 are provided on both sides of the mounting portion 17 in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each fixing portion 18 is formed so as to project to the outside of the case body 16, for example. Each fixing portion 18 is formed with a bolt fixing hole 18X that penetrates the fixing portion 18 in the vertical direction Z.

(Configuration of connector 30)
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector 30 has a plurality of connection terminals 40 connected to the ends of the plurality of electric wires 20, and a connector housing 50 holding the plurality of connection terminals 40. .. As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 30 includes rubber rings 91, 92, 93 mounted on the outer periphery of the connector housing 50, a front retainer 100, a rubber stopper 150 mounted on the end of the electric wire 20, and a back retainer. It has 160 and a shield shell 170 that covers the connector housing 50 from the outside.

(Configuration of connection terminal 40)
As shown in FIG. 5, each connection terminal 40 has, for example, a wire connection portion 41 connected to the end of the wire 20 and a terminal connection portion 42 connected to the mating terminal 200. Each connection terminal 40 is, for example, a single component in which the electric wire connection portion 41 and the terminal connection portion 42 are connected in the front-rear direction X and integrally formed. As the material of each connection terminal 40, for example, a metal material such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or stainless steel can be used. The connection terminal 40 can be formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate having excellent conductivity.

(Structure of electric wire connection portion 41)
The electric wire connecting portion 41 is electrically connected to the end portion of the electric wire 20. Here, the electric wire 20 is a coated electric wire having a core wire 21 made of a conductor and an insulating coating 22 covering the outer periphery of the core wire 21. The electric wire connecting portion 41 is connected to, for example, the end portion of the core wire 21 exposed from the insulating coating 22. The electric wire connecting portion 41 is connected to the core wire 21 by, for example, crimping or ultrasonic welding. As a result, the electric wire connecting portion 41 and the core wire 21 are electrically and mechanically connected.

(Structure of terminal connection portion 42)
The terminal connection portion 42 is formed in a flat plate shape, for example. The terminal connection portion 42 is formed with, for example, a through hole 42X into which the bolt B1 is inserted. The through hole 42X penetrates the terminal connection portion 42 in the plate thickness direction (here, the vertical direction Z). The terminal connection portion 42 is electrically and mechanically connected to the mating terminal 200 by, for example, a bolt B1. In the terminal connection portion 42, for example, a locking hole 42Y that penetrates the terminal connection portion 42 in the plate thickness direction is formed between the through hole 42X and the electric wire connection portion 41.

(Structure of connector housing 50)
As shown in FIG. 2, the connector housing 50 has, for example, an annular shape extending in the front-rear direction X. The connector housing 50 is formed, for example, in a flat shape that is longer in the left-right direction Y than in the up-down direction Z. The connector housing 50 has an insertion portion 51 inserted into the mounting hole 17X of the case 15, and an outer arrangement portion 70 arranged outside the case 15. The insertion portion 51 is inserted (fitted) into the mounting hole 17X from the rear to the front along the front-rear direction X. The connector housing 50 is, for example, a single component in which the insertion portion 51 and the outer arrangement portion 70 are integrally formed by being connected in the axial direction (here, the front-rear direction X) of the connector housing 50. As the material of the connector housing 50, for example, an insulating material such as synthetic resin can be used.

As shown in FIG. 4, the insertion portion 51 is formed so as to project forward from the front end of the outer arrangement portion 70, for example. The insertion portion 51 is formed in an annular shape having an outer peripheral surface having a shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 17X (see FIG. 2). The insertion portion 51 is formed, for example, in a flat shape that is longer in the left-right direction Y than in the up-down direction Z. The insertion portion 51 of the present embodiment is formed in an oval ring shape.

(Structure of insertion portion 51)
As shown in FIG. 2, an accommodating groove 51X in which the rubber ring 91 is accommodated is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51. The accommodating groove 51X is formed so as to be recessed in the radial direction of the insertion portion 51 from the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51. The accommodating groove 51X is formed, for example, over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51 in the circumferential direction. A rubber ring 91 is fitted in the accommodating groove 51X. The rubber ring 91 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the connector housing 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the case 15.

A storage groove 51Y in which the rubber ring 92 is housed is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51. The accommodating groove 51Y is provided, for example, behind the accommodating groove 51X. The accommodating groove 51Y is formed so as to be recessed in the radial direction of the insertion portion 51 from the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51. The accommodating groove 51Y is formed, for example, over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51 in the circumferential direction. A rubber ring 92 is fitted in the accommodating groove 51Y. The rubber ring 92 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the connector housing 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the case 15.

(Structure of rubber rings 91 and 92)
The rubber rings 91 and 92 are configured to be elastically deformable. The rubber rings 91 and 92 are, for example, O-rings. The rubber rings 91 and 92 are formed, for example, in a continuous annular shape over the entire circumference of the insertion portion 51 in the circumferential direction. The rubber rings 91 and 92 of the present embodiment are formed in an oval ring shape whose inner peripheral shape and outer peripheral shape form an oval shape.

(Structure of insertion portion 51)
As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion portion 51 has, for example, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) holding holes 52 arranged in the left-right direction Y. Each holding hole 52 is formed so as to penetrate the insertion portion 51 in the front-rear direction X. A connection terminal 40 is held inside each holding hole 52. The plurality of connection terminals 40 held inside the holding hole 52 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 51 when viewed from the front-rear direction X.

As shown in FIG. 5, a locking piece 53 is provided inside each holding hole 52. A storage space 62 is formed above each locking piece 53. Each accommodation space 62 is composed of a gap formed between the upper surface of the locking piece 53 and the inner peripheral surface of the holding hole 52. Each accommodation space 62 is formed so as to open forward.

For example, inside each holding hole 52, each locking piece 53 projects downward from the inner peripheral surface at the rear end portion of the holding hole 52, and then extends forward along the front-rear direction X inside the holding hole 52. Is formed in. Each locking piece 53 has a base end portion (here, a rear end portion) connected to the inner peripheral surface defining the holding hole 52 as a fixed end, and the tip end located on the opposite side in the front-rear direction X from the base end portion. It is formed in a cantilever shape with a portion (here, the front end portion) as a free end. Each locking piece 53 has a spring property. Each locking piece 53 is configured to be elastically deformable so that the tip end portion of the locking piece 53 is displaced in the vertical direction Z with respect to the base end portion of the locking piece 53 inside the holding hole 52. Each locking piece 53 is configured to be able to bend in the vertical direction Z due to elastic deformation, for example. Each locking piece 53 is configured to be elastically deformable toward, for example, the accommodation space 62. At the tip of each locking piece 53, a locking convex portion 54 projecting downward from the lower surface of the locking piece 53 is formed. The locking convex portion 54 is formed so as to project in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the connection terminal 40 (in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction X).

Each connection terminal 40 is inserted into each corresponding holding hole 52 from the rear side. For example, the terminal connection portion 42 of each connection terminal 40 is inserted into the corresponding holding hole 52. The terminal connection portion 42 is arranged below the locking piece 53, for example, inside the holding hole 52. The connection terminal 40 is held inside the holding hole 52, for example, by fitting the locking convex portion 54 of the locking piece 53 into the locking hole 42Y of the terminal connecting portion 42. Here, when the connection terminal 40 is inserted into the holding hole 52, each locking piece 53 is pushed up by the terminal connection portion 42 of the connection terminal 40 and retracts into the accommodation space 62. That is, when the connection terminal 40 is inserted, each locking piece 53 is pressed by the terminal connection portion 42, elastically deforms, bends upward, and retracts into the accommodation space 62. After that, when the connection terminal 40 is inserted to the normal position, each locking piece 53 elastically returns and locks to the connection terminal 40. Specifically, when the locking hole 42Y of the terminal connecting portion 42 is inserted to a position where it overlaps with the locking convex portion 54 in the vertical direction Z, the locking piece 53 elastically returns and the locking convex portion 54 is locked. It is fitted in the hole 42Y, and the locking convex portion 54 is locked in the locking hole 42Y.

The front end of the terminal connection portion 42 in which the through hole 42X is formed is formed so as to project forward from the opening edge of the holding hole 52. That is, the front end portion of the terminal connection portion 42 is exposed to the outside of the holding hole 52 (insertion portion 51).

The insertion portion 51 has a retainer accommodating portion 60 in which the front retainer 100 is accommodated. The retainer accommodating portion 60 is provided, for example, in the holding hole 52. The retainer accommodating portion 60 is also formed, for example, between a plurality of holding holes 52.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the retainer accommodating portion 60 of the present embodiment is formed so as to extend from one of the two holding holes 52 to the other. A part of the retainer accommodating portion 60 is composed of an accommodating space 62. The retainer accommodating portion 60 is formed so as to open forward. As shown in FIG. 4, the front retainer 100 is inserted into the retainer accommodating portion 60 from the front side along the insertion direction D1. Here, the insertion direction D1 is the insertion direction of the front retainer 100 with respect to the connector housing 50. The insertion direction D1 of the present embodiment is a direction parallel to the front-rear direction X, and is a direction from the front to the rear of the front-back direction X.

(Structure of retainer accommodating portion 60)
As shown in FIG. 6, the retainer accommodating portion 60 has an accommodating portion 61 and an accommodating space 62. The accommodating portion 61 and the accommodating space 62 are formed so as to open forward.

As shown in FIG. 7, the accommodating portion 61 is provided between two locking pieces 53 in the left-right direction Y, for example. The accommodating portion 61 is provided so as to be sandwiched between two locking pieces 53 in the left-right direction Y, for example. The accommodating portion 61 is formed so as to be partitioned from each accommodating space 62, for example.

The accommodating portion 61 has, for example, an upper wall portion 63, a bottom wall portion 64, a partition wall 65, and a back wall portion 66. The accommodating portion 61 is composed of, for example, a space surrounded by an upper wall portion 63, a bottom wall portion 64, a partition wall 65, and a back wall portion 66. The partition wall 65 is provided between, for example, the upper wall portion 63 and the bottom wall portion 64, and is formed so as to partition the accommodating portion 61 and each accommodating space 62.

The upper wall portion 63 is formed so as to spread in the left-right direction Y and the front-back direction X, for example. For example, a guide groove 63X is formed in the upper wall portion 63. The guide groove 63X is formed so as to be recessed upward from the lower surface of the upper wall portion 63, for example. The guide groove 63X is provided, for example, in the central portion of the upper wall portion 63 in the left-right direction Y. The guide groove 63X extends in the front-rear direction X, for example.

The bottom wall portion 64 is formed so as to face the upper wall portion 63, for example. For example, a guide groove 64X is formed in the bottom wall portion 64. The guide groove 64X is formed so as to be recessed downward from the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 64, for example. The guide groove 64X is provided, for example, in the central portion of the bottom wall portion 64 in the left-right direction Y. The guide groove 64X extends in the front-rear direction X, for example. The width of the guide groove 64X in the left-right direction Y is wider than, for example, the width of the guide groove 63X in the left-right direction Y.

Here, "opposing" as used herein means that the faces or members are in front of each other, not only when they are completely in front of each other, but also when they are partially in front of each other. Including the case of being in position. Further, "opposite" in the present specification is both a case where a member different from the two parts is interposed between the two parts and a case where nothing is interposed between the two parts. including.

The partition wall 65 extends between, for example, the upper wall portion 63 and the bottom wall portion 64. The partition wall 65 extends in the vertical direction Z, for example. The partition walls 65 are provided, for example, at both ends of the bottom wall portion 64 in the left-right direction Y. As shown in FIG. 6, the partition wall 65 extends, for example, along the insertion direction D1. The partition wall 65 is provided, for example, at a position retracted rearward from the front end surface of the connector housing 50. The front end surface of the partition wall 65 is provided, for example, at a position on the back side (right side in the drawing) of the insertion direction D1 with respect to the front end surface of the connector housing 50.

The back wall portion 66 is provided, for example, between a pair of partition walls 65. The back wall portion 66 is formed so as to spread in the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z, for example. The back wall portion 66 is formed so as to extend from the partition wall 65 in the left-right direction Y, for example.

As shown in FIG. 7, each accommodation space 62 is composed of, for example, a space surrounded by an upper wall portion 63, a partition wall 65, a side wall 67, and a locking piece 53.
The side wall 67 extends, for example, along the vertical direction Z. The side wall 67 extends downward from the lower surface of the upper wall portion 63, for example. The side wall 67 is provided, for example, at a position outside the locking piece 53 in the left-right direction Y. The side wall 67 is provided on the opposite side of the partition wall 65, for example, in the left-right direction Y with the locking piece 53 in between. Therefore, the locking piece 53 is provided so as to be sandwiched between the side wall 67 and the partition wall 65, for example.

As shown in FIG. 6, the side wall 67 extends, for example, along the front-rear direction X. The length of the side wall 67 in the front-rear direction X is shorter than, for example, the length of the partition wall 65 in the front-rear direction X. The front end surface of the side wall 67 is provided, for example, at a position on the front side (left side in the figure) of the insertion direction D1 with respect to the front end surface of the partition wall 65.

(Structure of front retainer 100)
Next, the configuration of the front retainer 100 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the front retainer 100 is formed in a flat plate shape. The front retainer 100 includes an insertion main body 110, one or more (two in this embodiment) retainer portions 120, and slits 110X provided between the insertion main body 110 and each retainer 120. Have. The front retainer 100 is, for example, a locking portion 130 provided in each retainer portion 120 and engaged with the connector housing 50 (see FIG. 5), and a regulating portion 140 connected to the insertion main body portion 110 and a plurality of retainer portions 120. And have. The front retainer 100 is, for example, a single component in which the insertion body portion 110, the retainer portion 120, the locking portion 130, and the regulating portion 140 are continuously and integrally formed. As the material of the front retainer 100, for example, an insulating material such as a synthetic resin can be used.

The insertion main body portion 110 and the two retainer portions 120 are provided side by side along, for example, a direction intersecting the insertion direction D1 (here, the left-right direction Y). The insertion main body 110 is provided, for example, at the center of the front retainer 100 in the left-right direction Y. The two retainer portions 120 are provided on both sides of the insertion main body portion 110 in the left-right direction Y, for example. The two retainer portions 120 are provided so as to sandwich the insertion main body portion 110 from both sides in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each retainer portion 120 is provided, for example, in the left-right direction Y apart from the insertion main body portion 110. Each retainer portion 120 is provided apart from the insertion main body portion 110 by a slit 110X provided between the retainer portion 120 and the insertion main body portion 110.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the front retainer 100, for example, the insertion main body 110 is housed in the storage section 61 of the retainer storage section 60, and the retainer section 120 is housed in the storage space 62 of the retainer storage section 60.

As shown in FIG. 8, the insertion main body 110 is formed in a flat plate shape. The insertion main body 110 has an upper surface and a lower surface which are end faces in the vertical direction Z, a pair of side surfaces which are end faces in the left-right direction Y, and a tip surface 111 which is an end face in the front-rear direction X. Each retainer portion 120 is formed in a flat plate shape. Each retainer portion 120 has an upper surface and a lower surface which are end faces in the vertical direction Z, a pair of side surfaces 121 and 122 which are end faces in the left-right direction Y, and a front end surface 123 which is an end face in the front-rear direction X. Each side surface of the insertion main body portion 110 is provided so as to face the side surface 121 of each retainer portion 120 with the slit 110X in between in the left-right direction Y. The side surface 122 of each retainer portion 120 is, for example, an end surface located on the outermost side of the front retainer 100 in the left-right direction Y.

(Structure of insertion body 110)
The insertion main body 110 has, for example, a predetermined thickness in the vertical direction Z. The insertion main body 110 is formed so as to spread in the left-right direction Y, for example. The insertion body portion 110 is formed so as to extend rearward from the regulation portion 140 along the front-rear direction X, for example. The insertion main body 110 has a fixed end at the base end (front end) connected to the regulation portion 140, and a free end at the tip (rear end) located on the opposite side of the base end in the front-rear direction X. It is formed in a cantilever shape.

The insertion body portion 110 has, for example, a protruding portion 112 that protrudes rearward from the tip surface 123 of the retainer portion 120. The protruding portion 112 protrudes, for example, from the tip surface 123 of the retainer portion 120 to the back side in the insertion direction D1. The protrusion 112 has, for example, a guide portion 113 that is inclined toward the slit 110X. The guide portion 113 is formed, for example, on the end surface of the protruding portion 112 in the left-right direction Y. That is, the guide portion 113 is formed on a part of the side surface of the insertion main body portion 110. The guide portion 113 is formed so as to be inclined so as to approach the adjacent slits 110X from the tip end surface 111 side of the insertion main body portion 110 toward the regulation portion 140 side, for example. For example, the guide portion 113 is formed so as to be inclined so as to approach the slit 110X from the back side (here, the rear side) of the insertion direction D1 toward the front side (here, the front side) of the insertion direction D1. Has been done. In other words, the guide portion 113 is formed so as to be inclined so as to approach the center of the protruding portion 112 in the left-right direction Y from the front side to the back side in the insertion direction D1. The protruding portion 112 having the guide portion 113 is formed so that, for example, the width dimension in the left-right direction Y becomes smaller from the tip end surface 111 side of the protruding portion 112 toward the regulating portion 140 side.

For example, one or more (two in this embodiment) ribs 115 are provided on the upper surface of the insertion main body 110. Each rib 115 projects upward from the upper surface of the insertion main body 110. The two ribs 115 are provided, for example, at the center of the insertion main body 110 in the left-right direction Y. The two ribs 115 are provided, for example, apart from each other in the left-right direction Y. Each rib 115 extends, for example, along the insertion direction D1. Each rib 115 extends, for example, over the entire length of the insertion body 110 in the front-rear direction X. The two ribs 115 are configured to be guided by, for example, the guide groove 63X of the retainer accommodating portion 60 shown in FIG. 7. The two ribs 115 are configured to be movable while being in contact with, for example, the inner surface of the guide groove 63X.

As shown in FIG. 9, for example, one or a plurality (two in this embodiment) ribs 116 are provided on the lower surface of the insertion main body 110. Each rib 116 projects downward from the lower surface of the insertion body 110. The two ribs 116 are provided outside the rib 115, for example, in the left-right direction Y. The two ribs 116 are provided so as to sandwich the two ribs 115 from both sides in the left-right direction Y, for example. The two ribs 116 are provided inside the guide portion 113, for example, in the left-right direction Y. The two ribs 116 are provided, for example, apart from each other in the left-right direction Y. Each rib 116 extends, for example, along the insertion direction D1. Each rib 116 extends, for example, over the entire length of the insertion body 110 in the front-rear direction X. The two ribs 116 are configured to be guided by, for example, the guide groove 64X of the retainer accommodating portion 60 shown in FIG. 7. The two ribs 116 are configured to be movable while in contact with, for example, the inner surface of the guide groove 64X.

(Structure of slit 110X)
Each slit 110X is provided between the insertion main body portion 110 and the corresponding retainer portion 120. Each slit 110X is provided so as to separate the insertion main body portion 110 from the corresponding retainer portion 120. Each slit 110X is formed so as to penetrate the front retainer 100 in the vertical direction Z. Each slit 110X extends, for example, along the insertion direction D1. Each slit 110X has, for example, a predetermined width in the arrangement direction (here, the left-right direction Y) in which the insertion main body portion 110 and the retainer portion 120 are arranged side by side. Each slit 110X is longer in the insertion direction D1 than in the left-right direction Y. Each slit 110X is open to the back side in the insertion direction D1. Each slit 110X extends from the back side (rear side) of the insertion direction D1 toward the front side (front side) of the insertion direction D1, for example. Each slit 110X is not formed so as to extend to the regulation portion 140, for example, in the insertion direction D1. Each slit 110X of the present embodiment is formed so as to cut out the insertion main body portion 110 and the retainer portion 120 from the back side of the insertion direction D1 to the middle of the insertion direction D1. Therefore, the insertion main body portion 110 and the two retainer portions 120 of the present embodiment are connected to each other at the base end portion which is the front end portion of the insertion direction D1. That is, the front retainer 100 of the present embodiment has a connecting portion 118 that connects the proximal end portion of the insertion main body portion 110 and the proximal end portions of the two retainer portions 120.

As shown in FIG. 6, the partition wall 65 of the retainer accommodating portion 60 is inserted into the slit 110X. The front end surface of the partition wall 65 contacts, for example, the connecting portion 118 of the front retainer 100.

(Structure of retainer unit 120)
As shown in FIG. 9, each retainer portion 120 is formed so as to spread in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each retainer portion 120 extends rearward from, for example, the restricting portion 140 along the front-rear direction X. Each retainer portion 120 is formed to have a narrower width in the left-right direction Y than, for example, the insertion main body portion 110. Each retainer portion 120 has, for example, a predetermined thickness in the vertical direction Z. The thickness of each retainer portion 120 in the vertical direction Z is, for example, substantially the same as the thickness of the insertion main body portion 110 in the vertical direction Z. The upper surface of each retainer portion 120 is formed, for example, on the same plane as the upper surface of the insertion main body portion 110. The lower surface of each retainer portion 120 is formed, for example, on the same plane as the lower surface of the insertion main body portion 110. Each retainer portion 120 has a base end portion (front end portion) connected to the regulation portion 140 as a fixed end, and a front end portion (rear end portion) located on the opposite side in the front-rear direction X from the base end portion as a free end. It is formed in a cantilever shape.

For example, one or more (two in this embodiment) ribs 124 are provided on the lower surface of each retainer portion 120. Each rib 124 is formed so as to project downward from the lower surface of each retainer portion 120. The height of each rib 124 in the vertical direction Z is, for example, lower than the height of each rib 116 in the vertical direction Z. The two ribs 124 are provided at both ends of each retainer portion 120 in the left-right direction, for example. That is, the two ribs 124 are formed so as to extend downward from the side surfaces 121 and 122 of each retainer portion 120. Each rib 124 extends, for example, along the insertion direction D1. Each rib 124 is formed so as to extend over the entire length of each retainer portion 120 in the front-rear direction X, for example. A recess 120X is formed on the lower surface of each retainer portion 120 by, for example, two ribs 124.

As shown in FIG. 10, the lower surface of each retainer portion 120 faces, for example, the locking piece 53 of the connector housing 50. For example, a locking piece 53 is inserted into the recess 120X provided on the lower surface of each retainer portion 120. For example, the locking piece 53 is inserted between the pair of ribs 124. The width of the recess 120X in the left-right direction Y is, for example, wider than the width of the locking piece 53 in the left-right direction Y.

As shown in FIG. 8, a locking portion 130 is formed on the side surface 122 of each retainer portion 120. Each locking portion 130 projects outward from the side surface 122 in the left-right direction Y. Each locking portion 130 is provided, for example, in the middle portion of the side surface 122 in the front-rear direction X. Each locking portion 130 has, for example, a predetermined width in the vertical direction Z. Each locking portion 130 has, for example, a front end surface 131 provided on the outermost side in the left-right direction Y, and a rear end surface 132 and a front end surface 133 which are end faces in the front-rear direction X. The tip surface 131 is formed so as to extend parallel to the side surface 122, for example. The rear end surface 132 is formed on, for example, an inclined surface. The rear end surface 132 is formed so as to be inclined so that the amount of protrusion from the side surface 122 increases from the rear end portion of the locking portion 130 toward the front end surface 131, for example. The front end surface 133 is formed on an inclined surface, for example. The front end surface 133 is formed so as to be inclined so that the amount of protrusion from the side surface 122 increases from the front end portion of the locking portion 130 toward the front end surface 131, for example. The front end surface 133 of the locking portion 130 is engaged with, for example, the rear end surface of the side wall 67 shown in FIG.

For example, a long hole 125 is formed in each retainer portion 120. Each elongated hole 125 is formed so as to penetrate each retainer portion 120 in the vertical direction Z. Each elongated hole 125 extends, for example, along the insertion direction D1. Each elongated hole 125 has, for example, a predetermined width in the left-right direction Y. Each elongated hole 125 is longer in the insertion direction D1 than in the left-right direction Y. Each elongated hole 125 is formed so as to extend in the same direction as the slit 110X (here, the insertion direction D1). For example, each elongated hole 125 is formed so as to extend in parallel with the slit 110X.

As shown in FIG. 9, each elongated hole 125 is formed so as to extend from the base end portion of the corresponding retainer portion 120 along the insertion direction D1 to the middle position of the retainer portion 120 in the front-rear direction X, for example. There is. Each elongated hole 125 is composed of, for example, a space surrounded by a side wall 126, a retainer portion 120 constituting the bottom surface of the recess 120X, and a regulating portion 140. The side wall 126 is provided on the outermost side of each retainer portion 120 in the left-right direction Y, and has a side surface 122. The side surface 122 is provided, for example, on the side opposite to the side surface of the side wall 126 constituting the inner surface of the elongated hole 125 in the left-right direction Y. A locking portion 130 is provided on the side surface 122. That is, each locking portion 130 is provided on the side surface 122 of the side wall 126 constituting the elongated hole 125. Here, the side surface 122 constitutes the outer surface of the elongated hole 125. In other words, each elongated hole 125 is provided in the vicinity of the locking portion 130.

Each elongated hole 125 is provided, for example, at a position offset to one side in the left-right direction Y of the retainer portion 120. Each elongated hole 125 is provided, for example, in the left-right direction Y of the retainer portion 120 so as to be offset toward the side closer to the locking portion 130. Each elongated hole 125 is provided, for example, at a position offset to the outside (side surface 122 side) in the left-right direction Y of the corresponding retainer portion 120. For example, in each retainer portion 120, the distance between the elongated hole 125 and the side surface 122 is set shorter than the distance between the elongated hole 125 and the side surface 121. The width of each elongated hole 125 in the left-right direction Y is set to be smaller than, for example, half the width of the retainer portion 120 in the left-right direction Y. For example, each elongated hole 125 is provided as a whole on the outer side (side surface 122 side) of the center of the retainer portion 120 in the left-right direction Y.

Each retainer portion 120 is configured to be able to bend in the left-right direction Y due to elastic deformation, for example. Each retainer portion 120 is configured to be able to bend toward the slit 110X, for example. Each retainer portion 120 is configured to be able to bend, for example, so that the width of the slit 110X in the left-right direction Y becomes smaller.

Each side wall 126 is configured to be able to bend in the left-right direction Y due to elastic deformation, for example. Each side wall 126 is configured to be able to bend, for example, toward the elongated hole 125. Each side wall 126 is configured to be able to bend, for example, so that the width of the elongated hole 125 in the left-right direction Y becomes smaller.

(Structure of Regulatory Department 140)
The restricting portion 140 is connected to, for example, the proximal end portion of the insertion main body portion 110 and is connected to the proximal end portions of the two retainer portions 120. The regulating unit 140 extends from, for example, one retainer unit 120 to the other retainer unit 120 along the left-right direction Y. The regulating portion 140 extends from, for example, the side surface 122 of one retainer portion 120 to the side surface 122 of the other retainer portion 120 along the left-right direction Y. The regulating portion 140 extends, for example, over the entire length of the front retainer 100 in the left-right direction Y.

The regulation unit 140 projects, for example, in a direction intersecting the insertion direction D1. The restricting portion 140 is, for example, in a direction (here, the front-rear direction X) intersecting both the direction in which the insertion main body portion 110 and the retainer portion 120 are lined up (here, the left-right direction Y) and the insertion direction D1 (here, the front-back direction X). It protrudes in the vertical direction Z). The restricting portion 140 projects below, for example, the lower surface of the insertion main body portion 110 and the lower surface of the retainer portion 120. The amount of protrusion of the restricting portion 140 from the lower surface of the insertion main body 110 is set to, for example, the same as the amount of protrusion of the rib 116 from the lower surface of the insertion main body 110. Therefore, the lower surface of the regulating portion 140 is formed on the same plane as the lower surface of the rib 116. As shown in FIG. 8, the restricting portion 140 projects upward from, for example, the upper surface of the insertion main body portion 110 and the upper surface of the retainer portion 120. The amount of protrusion of the restricting portion 140 from the upper surface of the insertion main body 110 is set to, for example, the same as the amount of protrusion of the rib 115 from the upper surface of the insertion main body 110. Therefore, the upper surface of the regulating portion 140 is formed on the same plane as the upper surface of the rib 115.

The regulation unit 140 has, for example, one or a plurality (two in the present embodiment) of protrusions 141 protruding upward from the upper surface of the regulation unit 140. The two protrusions 141 are provided apart from each other, for example, in the left-right direction Y. Each protrusion 141 extends in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each protruding portion 141 is provided, for example, at a position overlapping each slit 110X in the insertion direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the regulating unit 140 contacts, for example, the connector housing 50. For example, the regulating portion 140 contacts the upper wall portion 63 and the bottom wall portion 64 (see FIG. 7) of the retainer accommodating portion 60. The regulating unit 140 regulates the insertion amount of the front retainer 100 into the connector housing 50 by coming into contact with the connector housing 50.

(Structure of outer arrangement portion 70)
As shown in FIG. 4, the outer arrangement portion 70 is formed so as to project rearward from the rear end of the insertion portion 51, for example. The outer arrangement portion 70 has, for example, an annular shape in which the shape seen from the front-rear direction X is longer in the left-right direction Y than in the up-down direction Z. The outer shape of the outer arrangement portion 70 is formed smaller than the outer shape of the insertion portion 51, for example.

The outer arrangement portion 70 has, for example, a plurality of (here, two) accommodating holes 71 arranged in the left-right direction Y. Each accommodating hole 71 is formed so as to penetrate the outer arrangement portion 70 in the front-rear direction X. Each accommodating hole 71 has, for example, an annular shape extending in the front-rear direction X.

As shown in FIG. 5, each accommodating hole 71 communicates with the corresponding holding hole 52. Inside each accommodation hole 71, for example, a connection portion between the electric wire connecting portion 41 and the core wire 21 of the electric wire 20 is accommodated. Inside the accommodating hole 71, for example, the end portion of the insulating coating 22 of the electric wire 20 is accommodated.

At the rear end of each accommodation hole 71, for example, an annular rubber stopper 150 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 22 is accommodated. The rubber stopper 150 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating hole 71. For example, a back retainer 160 is accommodated in the rear end of each accommodating hole 71. The back retainer 160 is provided, for example, so as to come into contact with the rear end surface of the rubber stopper 150. The back retainer 160 has a through hole 160X through which the electric wire 20 penetrates in the front-rear direction X.

A storage groove 70X for accommodating the rubber ring 93 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer arrangement portion 70. A pair of accommodating convex portions 72, 73 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer arrangement portion 70. Each of the accommodating convex portions 72 and 73 protrudes radially outward of the outer arrangement portion 70 from the outer peripheral surface of the outer arrangement portion 70. The accommodating groove 70X is formed by the pair of accommodating protrusions 72 and 73. The accommodating groove 70X is formed, for example, over the entire circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the outer arrangement portion 70. A rubber ring 93 is fitted in the accommodating groove 70X. The rubber ring 93 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the connector housing 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the shield shell 170.

(Structure of rubber ring 93)
The rubber ring 93 is configured to be elastically deformable. The rubber ring 93 is, for example, an O-ring. The rubber ring 93 is formed, for example, in a continuous annular shape over the entire circumference of the outer arrangement portion 70 in the circumferential direction. The rubber ring 93 of the present embodiment is formed in an oval ring shape whose inner peripheral shape and outer peripheral shape form an oval shape.

(Structure of outer arrangement portion 70)
As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of lock arms 80 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer arrangement portion 70. A pair of lock arms 80 are provided, for example, on both side surfaces of the outer arrangement portion 70 in the vertical direction Z. Each lock arm 80 projects outward in the vertical direction Z from the outer peripheral surface of the outer arrangement portion 70 located behind the accommodation convex portion 73 constituting the accommodation groove 70X, and then extends rearward along the front-rear direction X. It is formed like this. At the tip end portion (here, the rear end portion) of each lock arm 80, a locking convex portion 81 projecting to the side opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the outer arrangement portion 70 is formed. Each lock arm 80 is configured to be able to bend in the vertical direction Z due to elastic deformation, for example.

(Structure of shield shell 170)
The shield shell 170 has, for example, a covering portion 171 that covers the outer periphery of the outer arrangement portion 70, and a fixing portion 172 that is integrally formed with the covering portion 171. As the material of the shield shell 170, for example, a metal material such as copper-based or aluminum-based can be used.

(Structure of covering portion 171)
The covering portion 171 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the outer arrangement portion 70 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, for example. The covering portion 171 is formed in an annular shape having an inner peripheral surface having a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the outer arrangement portion 70, for example. The covering portion 171 of the present embodiment is formed in an oval ring shape.

(Structure of fixed portion 172)
The fixing portion 172 is formed so as to project upward from the front end portion of the covering portion 171 for example. The width of the fixed portion 172 in the left-right direction Y is wider than the width of the covering portion 171 in the left-right direction Y. At both ends of the fixed portion 172 in the left-right direction Y, connecting portions 173 projecting forward along the front-rear direction X are provided. Each connection portion 173 is formed with a fixing hole 173X that penetrates the connection portion 173 in the vertical direction Z.

As shown in FIG. 5, the shield shell 170 is fitted from the rear end side of the connector housing 50 to the outside of the outer arrangement portion 70. At this time, in the shield shell 170, the front end surface of the covering portion 171 contacts the rear end surface of the insertion portion 51 from the rear side, and the rear end surface of the covering portion 171 contacts the locking convex portion 81. As a result, the shield shell 170 is positioned in the front-rear direction X with respect to the connector housing 50. At this time, the covering portion 171 covers a portion of the connector housing 50 between the rear end surface of the insertion portion 51 and the locking convex portion 81, that is, the outer peripheral surface of the outer arrangement portion 70.

Further, the connecting portion 173 of the fixing portion 172 is overlapped with the fixing portion 18 so that the fixing hole 173X overlaps the bolt fixing hole 18X of the fixing portion 18 in the vertical direction Z, for example. Then, the connecting portion 173 and the fixing portion 18 are fixed by the bolt B2 inserted into the fixing hole 173X and the bolt fixing hole 18X. As a result, the shield shell 170 is fixed to the case 15, and the shield shell 170 is electrically connected to the case 15.

(Manufacturing method of connector 30)
Next, a method of manufacturing the connector 30 will be described. Here, a method of assembling the front retainer 100 to the connector housing 50 will be described in detail.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, the connector housing 50 and the connection terminal 40 connected to the end of the electric wire 20 are prepared. At this time, for example, the rubber rings 91, 92, and 93 are fitted into the accommodating grooves 51X, 51Y, and 70X of the connector housing 50, respectively. Further, a rubber stopper 150 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the insulating coating 22 of the electric wire 20. Subsequently, the connection terminal 40 connected to the electric wire 20 is inserted into the accommodating hole 71 and the holding hole 52 of the connector housing 50 from the rear. When the terminal connection portion 42 is inserted to the normal position, the locking convex portion 54 of the locking piece 53 is locked to the inner surface of the locking hole 42Y. As a result, it is possible to prevent the connection terminal 40 from coming off the connector housing 50. In this step, the front retainer 100 is not accommodated in the retainer accommodating portion 60, and the retainer portion 120 is not accommodated in the accommodating space 62.

Next, the front retainer 100 is inserted into the retainer accommodating portion 60 of the connector housing 50 from the front along the insertion direction D1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, since the insertion main body 110 of the front retainer 100 is formed longer than the retainer 120 in the front-rear direction X, the protruding portion 112 of the insertion main body 110 precedes the retainer 120. Is inserted into the retainer accommodating portion 60 while in contact with the connector housing 50. The insertion body portion 110 can suitably guide the retainer portion 120 to the accommodation space 62. Further, the protruding portion 112 is formed with a guide portion 113 that is inclined toward the slit 110X. Since the partition wall 65 of the retainer accommodating portion 60 is suitably guided to the slit 110X of the front retainer 100 along the guide portion 113, the retainer portion 120 can be suitably guided by the accommodating space 62. As a result, the workability of assembling the front retainer 100 with respect to the connector housing 50 can be improved. Further, two ribs 115 (see FIG. 8) formed on the upper surface of the insertion main body 110 are inserted along the inner surface of the guide groove 63X of the upper wall 63 shown in FIG. 7, and the insertion main body 110 is inserted. Two ribs 116 (see FIG. 9) formed on the lower surface are inserted along the inner surface of the guide groove 64X of the bottom wall portion 64 shown in FIG. At this time, the front retainer 100 can be moved along the insertion direction D1 while keeping the two ribs 115 in contact with the inner surface of the guide groove 63X and the two ribs 116 in contact with the inner surface of the guide groove 64X.

Subsequently, when the retainer portion 120 is inserted into the accommodation space 62 and the locking portion 130 provided in the retainer portion 120 is brought into contact with the side wall 67 of the accommodation space 62, the side wall 67 causes the locking portion 130 to move in the left-right direction Y. Pressed inward. That is, the side wall 67 presses the pair of locking portions 130 toward each other. At this time, the front retainer 100 is provided with a slit 110X that separates each retainer portion 120 from the insertion main body portion 110. The slit 110X allows each retainer portion 120 to bend in the left-right direction Y. That is, each retainer portion 120 can bend toward the slit 110X. Further, in the front retainer 100, an elongated hole 125 is formed in each retainer portion 120, and a locking portion 130 is formed on a side surface 122 of a side wall 126 constituting the elongated hole 125. As a result, the side wall 126 on which the locking portion 130 is formed is allowed to bend in the left-right direction Y. That is, the side wall 126 can bend toward the elongated hole 125. The bending of each of the retainer portions 120 and the side wall 126 allows the locking portion 130 to be suitably moved toward the slit 110X. Therefore, the operating force when inserting the front retainer 100 into the connector housing 50 can be reduced as compared with the case where the locking portion 130 does not move toward the slit 110X. This makes it possible to improve the workability of assembling the front retainer 100 with respect to the connector housing 50.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the front retainer 100 is inserted to a position where the locking portion 130 is behind the rear end surface of the side wall 67 of the retainer accommodating portion 60, each retainer portion 120 and the side wall 126 are elastically restored. , The locking portion 130 is locked to the rear end surface of the side wall 67. As a result, the front retainer 100 is prevented from coming out of the retainer accommodating portion 60.

Next, the action and effect of this embodiment will be described.
(1) Insertion of the front retainer 100 Since the slit 110X is provided between the main body 110 and the retainer 120, the locking portion 130 is moved toward the slit 110X when the front retainer 100 is inserted into the connector housing 50. Can be made to. That is, the retainer portion 120 provided with the locking portion 130 can be bent toward the slit 110X. As a result, the front retainer 100 can be inserted into the connector housing 50 while bending the retainer portion 120 toward the slit 110X. Therefore, the front retainer 100 can be inserted into the connector housing 50 while narrowing the width of the front retainer 100 in the left-right direction Y. As a result, the operating force when inserting the front retainer 100 into the connector housing 50 can be reduced as compared with the case where the retainer portion 120 does not bend. Therefore, the workability of assembling the front retainer 100 with respect to the connector housing 50 can be improved.

(2) The front retainer 100 was formed into a flat plate. Therefore, for example, the front retainer 100 can be formed smaller and the weight of the front retainer 100 can be reduced as compared with the case where the front retainer 100 is formed in a box shape.

(3) By the way, if the plate thickness of the retainer portion 120 is reduced in order to bend the retainer portion 120, there is a problem that the retainer portion 120 warps when the retainer portion 120 is molded. On the other hand, in the front retainer 100 of the present embodiment, by providing the slit 110X, the retainer portion 120 can be bent without reducing the plate thickness of the retainer portion 120. Therefore, the moldability of the front retainer 100 can be improved.

(4) A long elongated hole 125 was formed in the retainer portion 120 in the insertion direction D1, and a locking portion 130 was provided on the side surface 122 of the side wall 126 constituting the elongated hole 125. According to this configuration, since the elongated hole 125 is provided in the vicinity of the locking portion 130, the locking portion 130 can be moved toward the elongated hole 125 when the front retainer 100 is inserted into the connector housing 50. .. That is, the side wall 126 of the elongated hole 125 provided with the locking portion 130 can be bent toward the elongated hole 125. As a result, when the front retainer 100 is inserted into the connector housing 50, the retainer portion 120 can be bent toward the slit 110X, and the side wall 126 constituting the long hole 125 is bent toward the long hole 125. Can be done. Therefore, the operating force when inserting the front retainer 100 into the connector housing 50 can be further reduced.

(5) A long hole 125 is provided in the retainer portion 120 on the side closer to the locking portion 130 in the left-right direction Y. As a result, the side wall 126 on which the locking portion 130 is formed can be formed thinly, so that the side wall 126 can be easily bent toward the elongated hole 125. This makes it possible to improve the workability of assembling the front retainer 100 with respect to the connector housing 50.

(6) The front retainer 100 is provided with a restricting portion 140 that protrudes in the vertical direction Z intersecting the insertion direction D1 and comes into contact with the connector housing 50. According to this configuration, when the front retainer 100 is inserted into the connector housing 50, the restricting portion 140 comes into contact with the connector housing 50, so that the amount of the front retainer 100 inserted into the connector housing 50 is restricted. As a result, the appropriate insertion amount of the front retainer 100 can be managed, so that the assembly workability of the front retainer 100 with respect to the connector housing 50 can be improved.

(7) Further, by providing the regulating portion 140, the area to which the operating force can be applied when the front retainer 100 is inserted into the connector housing 50 can be increased. Therefore, the workability of assembling the front retainer 100 with respect to the connector housing 50 can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
The above embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.

-The shape of the front retainer 100 in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, the connecting portion 118 may be omitted. For example, the ribs 115 and 116 may be omitted. For example, the rib 124 may be omitted.

-The regulation unit 140 of the above embodiment may be omitted.
The protruding portion 112 in the insertion main body portion 110 of the above embodiment may be omitted.
The elongated hole 125 of the above embodiment may be provided at the center of the retainer portion 120 in the left-right direction Y.

-The elongated hole 125 of the above embodiment may be omitted.
The shape of the retainer accommodating portion 60 in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, the partition wall 65 may be omitted. In this case, the accommodating portion 61 and the accommodating space 62 communicate with each other to form the retainer accommodating portion 60.

-In the above embodiment, the number of connection terminals 40 held in the connector housing 50 is not particularly limited, and the number of connection terminals 40 can be changed according to the specifications of the vehicle V. For example, the number of connection terminals 40 held in the connector housing 50 may be one or three or more. The number of retainer portions 120 of the front retainer 100 can also be changed according to the number of connection terminals 40.

-The arrangement relationship between the inverter 11 and the high-voltage battery 12 in the vehicle V is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be appropriately changed according to the vehicle configuration. For example, the high voltage battery 12 may be arranged substantially on the floor of the vehicle V.

-In the above embodiment, the inverter 11 and the high voltage battery 12 are adopted as the electric devices connected by the wire harness 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be adopted as a wire harness for connecting the inverter 11 and the motor for driving the wheels. That is, it is applicable as long as it electrically connects the electric devices mounted on the vehicle.

-In the above embodiment, the electric wire 20 is embodied as a high-voltage electric wire, but the electric wire 20 may be embodied as a low-voltage electric wire.
-The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, not the above-mentioned meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

The present disclosure includes the following aspects. References have been given to some of the components of the exemplary embodiments, not for limitation, but as an aid to understanding. Some of the items described in the following embodiments may be omitted, or some of the items described in the embodiments may be selected or extracted and combined.

[Appendix 1] The connector (30) according to some aspects of the present disclosure is
Connector housing (50) and
A flat plate front retainer (100) configured to be inserted into the connector housing (50).
The front retainer (100) is
Two retainer portions (120) protruding in the same direction,
A main body portion (insertion main body portion 110) arranged between the two retainer portions (120) at a distance from the two retainer portions (120), which is the same as the two retainer portions (120). It has a main body portion (110) that protrudes in the direction.

[Appendix 2] The connector (30) according to some aspects of the present disclosure is
Connector housing (50) and
A flat plate front retainer (100) configured to be inserted into the connector housing (50).
The front retainer (100) may have two slits (110X) extending along the insertion direction with respect to the connector housing (50).

[Appendix 3] In some mounting examples, the front retainer (100) has a main body portion (insertion main body portion 110) located between the two slits (110X).
It may have two retainer portions (120) located sandwiching the two slits (110X).

[Appendix 4] In some mounting examples, the direction in which the retainer portion (120) protrudes is the length direction (insertion direction D1), and both the length direction (D1) and the thickness direction of the front retainer. The direction of intersection with may be the width direction (arrangement direction Y).

[Appendix 5] In some mounting examples, each retainer portion (120) may have an elongated hole (125) extending in the length direction, and the elongated hole (125) may have an elongated hole (125). ) May be a through hole.

[Appendix 6] In some mounting examples, the front retainer (100) is two protrusions (locking portions 130) protruding outward from both side ends in the width direction, respectively, and the connector housing (50). ) May have a protrusion (130) configured to engage.

[Appendix 7] In some mounting examples, the front retainer (100) is a flat plate portion (1) integrally formed with a base end of the main body portion (insertion main body portion 110) and a base end of the retainer portion (120). It may have a regulation unit 140).

[Appendix 8] In some mounting examples, the flat plate portion (140) may extend in the thickness direction and the width direction.
[Appendix 9] In some mounting examples, the flat plate portion (140) may have two protrusions (141) protruding from the edge in the thickness direction.

[Appendix 10] In some mounting examples, the main body portion (110) may have one or more ribs (115, 116) extending along the length direction (D1).

10 Wire harness 11 Inverter 12 High-voltage battery 15 Case 16 Case body 17 Mounting part 17X Mounting hole 18 Fixing part 18X Bolt fixing hole 20 Wire 21 Core wire 22 Insulation coating 25 Exterior member 30 Connector 40 Connection terminal 41 Wire connection part 42 Terminal connection part 42X Through hole 42Y Locking hole 50 Connector housing 51 Insertion part 51X, 51Y Storage groove 52 Holding hole 53 Locking piece 54 Locking convex part 60 Retainer storage part 61 Storage part 62 Storage space 63 Upper wall part 63X, 64X Guide groove 64 Bottom Wall 65 Partition wall 66 Back wall 67 Side wall 70 Outer arrangement 70X Housing groove 71 Housing hole 72,73 Housing convex 80 Lock arm 81 Locking convex 91,92,93 Rubber ring 100 Front retainer 110 Insertion body 110X Slit 111 Tip surface 112 Protruding part 113 Guide part 115, 116 Rib 118 Connector part 120 Retainer part 120X Recessed part 121, 122 Side surface 123 Tip surface 124 Rib 125 Long hole 126 Side wall 130 Locking part 131 Tip surface 132 Rear end surface 133 Front end surface 140 Regulator 141 Protruding part 150 Rubber stopper 160 Back retainer 160X Through hole 170 Shield shell 171 Covering part 172 Fixed part 173 Connection part 173X Fixed hole 200 Opposite terminal V Vehicle B1, B2 Bolt D1 Insertion direction

Claims (8)

1. With the connector housing
   With a front retainer attached to the connector housing,
   The front retainer is formed in a flat plate shape.
   The front retainer includes an insertion main body portion, a retainer portion, a slit provided between the insertion main body portion and the retainer portion, and a locking portion provided in the retainer portion and engaged with the connector housing. Have,
   The insertion main body portion and the retainer portion are connectors provided side by side in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the front retainer with respect to the connector housing.
2. The slit is formed so as to extend along the insertion direction.
   The retainer portion is formed with a long hole that is longer in the insertion direction than the arrangement direction in which the insertion main body portion and the retainer portion are lined up.
   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion is provided on a side surface of a side wall constituting the elongated hole.
3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the elongated hole is provided in the retainer portion on the side closer to the locking portion in the alignment direction.
4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insertion main body portion has a protruding portion protruding from the retainer portion to the back side in the insertion direction in the insertion direction.
5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the protruding portion has a guide portion that is inclined toward the slit.
6. The front retainer further has a regulating portion connected to the insertion main body portion located on the front side in the insertion direction and the end portion of the retainer portion.
   The restricting portion protrudes in a direction in which the insertion main body portion and the retainer portion are arranged side by side and in a direction intersecting both of the insertion directions.
   The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the regulating unit is in contact with the connector housing.
7. The connector housing has a guide groove extending in the insertion direction.
   The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the insertion main body portion protrudes in a direction intersecting the insertion direction and has a rib guided by the guide groove.
8. Further having a connection terminal held in the connector housing
   The connector housing has a housing space and a locking piece that is elastically deformable toward the housing space and engages with the connection terminal.
   The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the retainer portion is accommodated in the accommodation space.

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