WO2024048553A1

WO2024048553A1 - Connector

Info

Publication number: WO2024048553A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/031111
Authority: WO
Inventors: 新史野崎
Original assignee: 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所; 住友電装株式会社; 住友電気工業株式会社
Priority date: 2022-09-02
Filing date: 2023-08-29
Publication date: 2024-03-07
Also published as: JP2024035435A

Abstract

The present invention prevents interference of a cover with a tab.　This layered connector (A) comprises: housings (21, 22, 23, 24); male terminal fittings (40) that include tabs (42) which project frontward in a cantilevered shape, and that are attached to the housings (21, 22, 23, 24) in a state in which the tabs (42) are made to project frontward from the front surfaces of the housings (21, 22, 23, 24); and a cover (50) that can be attached to, and removed from, the housings (21, 22, 23, 24) and that covers the tabs (42) when attached to the housings (21, 22, 23, 24). In the housings (21, 22, 23, 24) and the cover (50), guide ribs (27) and guide grooves (63) are formed for guiding the cover (50) to be relatively displaced with respect to the housings (21, 22, 23, 24) along a route that does not interfere with the tabs (42).

Description

connector

The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Patent Document 1 discloses a male connector that includes a plurality of stacked flat male subhousings and a male terminal fitting attached to each male subhousing. This male connector is attached to a male holder having a hood portion, and a moving plate is accommodated in the hood portion. The tab at the tip of the male terminal fitting is positioned by a moving plate.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-044386

When the male connector is not attached to the male holder, the tab of the male terminal fitting protrudes to the front of the male subhousing and is exposed, so there is a risk that the tab may be deformed due to interference with other members. As a countermeasure against this problem, it is conceivable to attach a cover surrounding the tab to the front end of the male side subhousing.

However, since the tab protrudes forward from the front of the male sub-housing, when removing the cover from the male sub-housing, if the cover tilts diagonally around the front of the male sub-housing, the cover will interfere with the tab. There is a possibility that Furthermore, when attaching the cover after attaching the male terminal fitting to the male sub-housing, if the cover is tilted, there is a risk that the cover will interfere with the tab.

The connector of the present disclosure was developed based on the above circumstances, and aims to prevent the cover from interfering with the tab.

The connector of the present disclosure includes:
housing and
a male terminal fitting having a tab projecting forward in a cantilevered manner and being attached to the housing with the tab projecting forward from the front surface of the housing;
a cover that is removable from the housing and covers the tab when attached to the housing;
The housing and the cover are formed with a guide portion that guides the cover to be displaced relative to the housing along a path that does not interfere with the tab.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the cover from interfering with the tab.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the laminated connector of Example 1, viewed diagonally from above and from the front. FIG. 2 is a back sectional view of the laminated connector. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the stacked connector in an exploded state, viewed diagonally from above and behind. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the laminated connector set on the jig, as viewed obliquely from above and from the front. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cover removed from the housing using a jig, viewed diagonally from above and from the front. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the third housing viewed diagonally from above and behind. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the third housing viewed diagonally from below and behind. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cover viewed diagonally from above and behind. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cover viewed diagonally from below and behind. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the process of stacking connectors. FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing the process of stacking connectors. FIG. 12 is a plan cross-sectional view showing a state in which the holding function of the receiving portion and the elastic holding piece is exerted. FIG. 13 is a plan cross-sectional view showing a state in which the holding function of the receiving portion and the elastic holding piece is released.

[Description of embodiments of the present disclosure]
First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.
The connector of the present disclosure includes:
(1) A housing, a male terminal fitting having a tab protruding forward in a cantilevered manner and attached to the housing with the tab protruding forward from the front surface of the housing, and a male terminal fitting that can be attached to and detached from the housing. and a cover that covers the tab when attached to the housing, the housing and the cover being guided to displace the cover relative to the housing along a path that does not interfere with the tab. A guide portion is formed. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, since the cover is guided to move along a path that does not interfere with the tab, it is possible to prevent the cover from interfering with the tab.

(2) Preferably, the guide path by the guide portion is a straight path in the front-rear direction parallel to the protruding direction of the tab. According to this configuration, since the moving path of the cover is a straight path parallel to the protruding direction of the tab, interference between the cover and the tab can be prevented without increasing the size of the cover. The shape of the housing and the shape of the cover can be simplified.

(3) In (2), the housing and the cover have a flat shape with a width larger than a height, and the cover has a cover portion that covers the plurality of tabs arranged in the width direction. and an arm portion extending rearward in a cantilevered manner from both ends in the width direction of the cover portion, and the guide portion is preferably formed on the arm portion. According to this configuration, even if the cover is tilted in the height direction immediately after the rear end of the guide part on the cover side separates from the front end part of the guide part on the housing side during the process of removing the cover from the housing, the cover will not be removed. can be prevented from interfering with the tab.

(4) In (3), the plurality of housings are stacked in the height direction, and in the state in which the plurality of housings are stacked, the plurality of covers are arranged in a stacked manner in the height direction, and in the stacked state It is preferable that the two overlapping covers have a positioning portion formed therein to restrict relative displacement in the width direction by fitting into each other. According to this configuration, the relative displacement in the width direction of the two overlapping covers in a stacked state is regulated by the fitting of the positioning parts, so that some of the stacked covers are attached to the housing. It is possible to prevent the position from shifting in the width direction with respect to the paper.

(5) In (3) or (4), a plurality of the housings are stacked in the height direction, and in a state in which the plurality of housings are stacked, the plurality of covers are stacked in the height direction and lined up. Preferably, a jig locking portion is formed on an outer surface of the plurality of covers. According to this configuration, by locking the jig to the plurality of jig locking portions lined up in the height direction, the plurality of covers can be removed from the housing with one action.

(6) In (5), it is preferable that the jig locking portion has a protrusion shape in which at least a portion of the area of the arm portion where the guide portion is formed is thickened. According to this configuration, the rigidity of the portion of the cover where the guide portion is formed is increased by the protruding jig locking portion, so that due to deformation of the guide portion on the cover side, both guide portions It is possible to prevent strain from occurring between the parts.

[Details of embodiments of the present disclosure]
[Example 1]
A laminated connector A of Example 1 embodying the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the scope of the claims, and includes all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims. In the first embodiment, regarding the front-back direction, the F direction in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 13 is defined as the front. Regarding the left and right directions, the R direction in FIGS. 1 to 9, 12, and 13 is defined as the right direction. The left and right direction and the width direction are used interchangeably. Regarding the vertical direction, the H direction in FIGS. 1 to 11 is defined as upward. The vertical direction, height direction, and stacking direction are used synonymously.

<Overview of laminated connector A>
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the laminated connector A of the first embodiment includes

sub-connectors

11, 12, 13, and 14 of multiple types (four types, first to fourth in the first embodiment). There is. As shown in FIG. 11, each

sub-connector

11, 12, 13, 14 includes a

housing

21, 22, 23, 24, a plurality of male terminal fittings 40 attached to the

housing

21, 22, 23, 24, and a housing. A cover 50 attached to 21, 22, 23, and 24 is provided.

The sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14 as a whole have a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape with a height smaller than the depth in the front-rear direction and the width in the left-right direction. A stacked connector A is constructed by assembling a plurality of types of

sub-connectors

11, 12, 13, and 14 in a stacked state in the height direction. Specifically, one first sub-connector 11, one second sub-connector 12, three third sub-connectors 13, and one fourth sub-connector 14 are stacked in order from the bottom.

The assembled laminated connector A is constructed with the cover 50 removed from each

housing

21, 22, 23, 24, that is, with the tab 42 of the male terminal fitting 40 protruding forward from the front surface of each

housing

21, 22, 23, 24. In this state, it can be attached to an outer housing (not shown). The outer housing includes a frame that accommodates the stacked

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24, and a rectangular cylindrical hood that projects forward from the frame. The plurality of tabs 42 protruding from the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 are collectively surrounded by the hood portion. The front ends of the plurality of tabs 42 are positioned by a moving plate (not shown) housed within the hood.

<Configuration of

housings

21, 22, 23, 24>
The common structure of the first to

fourth housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3, 6, 7, and 11. Each of the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 as a whole has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the height dimension is smaller than the depth dimension in the front-rear direction and the width dimension in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 11, in each of the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24, a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 25, which are elongated in the front-rear direction, are formed in parallel in the width direction. The terminal accommodating chamber 25 is open at both front and rear end surfaces of the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24. A lance 26 is formed in each terminal accommodating chamber 25 to prevent a male terminal fitting 40, which will be described later, from coming out.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a pair of guide ribs 27 are formed on both left and right outer surfaces of the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24. The guide rib 27 is a portion that functions as a guide portion for guiding the cover 50 when the cover 50 is attached to and detached from the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24. The guide rib 27 has a shape that projects outward in the width direction from the outer surfaces of the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 and extends linearly in the front-rear direction. The guide rib 27 is arranged in the front end side region of the

housing

21 , 22 , 23 , 24 . The rear end portion of the guide rib 27 functions as a receiving portion 28. The receiving part 28 has the function of holding the cover 50 in the assembled state with the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24, and the function of controlling the relative displacement in the front-rear direction of the two

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 stacked on top of each other. It also has a regulating function.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, bulges 29 projecting outward in the width direction are formed in the rear end regions of both left and right outer surfaces. The upper surface of the bulge 29 is located below the upper surfaces of the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 and the receiving portion 28, and this difference in height forms an upper surface recess 30 above the bulge 29. . In a plan view of the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 from above, the receiving portion 28 and the upper surface recess 30 are arranged adjacent to each other in the front and rear. A jig fixing part 31 is formed at the rear end of the bulging part 29 and has a shape that projects outward in the width direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, lock protrusions 32 are formed on both left and right outer surfaces of the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24, and extend in a rib shape in the front-rear direction. The above is the common structure of the first to

fourth housings

21, 22, 23, and 24.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, elastic locking pieces 33 are formed at both left and right end portions of the upper surfaces of the first to

third housings

21, 22, and 23 to project upward in the form of walls. The elastic lock piece 33 can be elastically deformed to tilt in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic lock piece 33 locks the vertically overlapping

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 in a stacked state by engaging with the lock protrusion 32.

A holding release portion 34 is formed in the second to

fourth housings

22, 23, and 24 (see FIGS. 6, 7, and 10). The holding release portion 34 is a portion of the bulge portion 29 that protrudes below the lower surfaces of the

housings

22, 23, and 24. In plan view, the holding release portion 34 is arranged in the same area as the upper surface recess 30. The holding release portion 34 has a function of releasing the lock between the first to

third housings

21, 22, 23 and the cover 50.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, and 11, a plurality of protrusions 35 are formed on the second housing 22 and the third housing 23. The plurality of protrusions 35 are arranged on the upper surfaces of the second housing 22 and the third housing 23 so as to be lined up at a predetermined pitch in the width direction. In the width direction, the plurality of protrusions 35 are arranged at the same positions as the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 25 formed in the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24. In the front-rear direction, the protrusion 35 is disposed more rearward than the lance 26.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 11, a plurality of notches 36 are formed in the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24. Each notch 36 has a shape in which the bottom wall portions of the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24 are cut out in an elongated manner in the front-rear direction along the terminal accommodating chamber 25. As shown in FIG. 11, the front edge 36F of the notch 36 is located further back than the lance 26. As shown in FIG. The cutout portion 36 communicates with the terminal accommodating chamber 25 over its entire length. The rear end of the notch 36 communicates with the opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 25 on the rear end surfaces of the third housing 23 and the fourth housing 24 .

<Configuration of male terminal fitting 40>
The male terminal fitting 40 as a whole has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the male terminal fitting 40 includes a terminal body 41, an elongated tab 42 projecting forward from the terminal body 41 in a cantilevered manner, and a crimp portion 43 extending rearward from the terminal body 41. has. The crimp portion 43 is connected to the front end of the electric wire 46 by crimp. A protruding primary locking portion 44 is formed in the central region of the terminal main body portion 41 in the front-rear direction. A step-shaped secondary locking portion 45 is formed at the rear end portion of the terminal body portion 41 .

<Configuration of cover 50>
The cover 50 is a common component for the first to

fourth housings

21, 22, 23, and 24. The cover 50 is a single component made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cover 50 has a flat shape in which the height is smaller than the depth in the front-rear direction and the width in the left-right direction. The cover 50 has one cover portion 51 in the shape of a flat rectangular tube and a pair of bilaterally symmetrical arm portions 60.

The cover portion 51 has an upper wall portion 52, a lower wall portion 53, and a pair of left and right side wall portions 54. As shown in FIG. 11, an inspection opening 55 that is elongated in the left-right direction is formed on the front surface of the cover portion 51. The inspection port 55 is an opening that communicates the internal space of the cover part 51 to the front outside of the cover part 51. The left and right side wall portions 54 have a width dimension that is approximately the same as the height dimension of the side wall portion 54, and have a thick block shape as a whole. A positioning recess 56 is formed in both side walls 54 and has a shape in which the upper surface of the side wall 54 is elongated and recessed in the front-rear direction. A positioning protrusion 57 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the side wall portion 54 is formed on both side wall portions 54 . In a plan view of the cover 50 from above, the positioning protrusion 57 is arranged in the same area as the positioning recess 56.

The pair of arm portions 60 are shaped like cantilevers extending rearward from both left and right ends of the cover portion 51, that is, from the rear end of the side wall portion 54. The upper surface of the arm section 60 is set higher than the upper surface of the side wall section 54, and due to this height difference, a step-shaped abutting section 61 facing forward is formed at the front end of the arm section 60. The lower surface of the arm portion 60 is set higher than the lower surface of the side wall portion 54, and due to this difference in height, a step-shaped detachment restriction portion 62 facing rearward is formed at the rear end portion of the side wall portion 54.

Each arm portion 60 is formed with a guide groove 63 that extends linearly in the front-rear direction. The guide groove 63 is constituted by a side plate part 64, an upper plate part 65, and a lower plate part 66, and opens on the inner side surface of the arm part 60 (the surface where the arm parts 60 face each other). The front end of the guide groove 63 opens to the front end surface of the arm section 60, and the rear end of the guide groove 63 opens to the rear end surface of the arm section 60. The guide groove 63 has the function of stabilizing the posture of the cover 50 with respect to the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 when the cover 50 is attached to and detached from the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24, and the function of guiding the cover 50 along a predetermined path. This is a guide section that performs a guiding function. The dimension in the front-rear direction from the rear end surface of the cover part 51 to the rear end of the guide groove 63 is larger than the dimension from the front end surface of the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 to the front end of the tab 42 (projection dimension of the tab 42). It is set.

A pair of elastic holding pieces 67 are formed on the pair of arm parts 60. The elastic holding piece 67 is disposed at the rear end of the guide groove 63 and has a shape extending rearward in a cantilevered manner. A holding protrusion 68 is formed at the rear end of the elastic holding piece 67 and projects inward in the width direction (in the direction toward the elastic holding piece 67 on the opposite side). The elastic holding piece 67 can be elastically deformed in the width direction using the front end of the elastic holding piece 67 as a fulcrum. A portion of the elastic holding piece 67 located in front of the holding protrusion 68 constitutes a rear end portion of the side plate portion 64 . The rear end portion of the elastic holding piece 67 on which the holding protrusion 68 is formed is disposed further rearward than the rear end of the upper plate portion 65 .

A protection portion 69 for protecting the elastic holding piece 67 is formed at the rear end of the arm portion 60. The protection portion 69 is a wall-shaped portion disposed outside the elastic holding piece 67 in the width direction. A front end portion of the protection portion 69 is continuous with the outer surface of the side plate portion 64. A front end side region of the protection portion 69 is continuous with the upper plate portion 65 and the lower plate portion 66. A jig locking portion 70 is formed on the arm portion 60 . The jig locking portion 70 has a block shape that protrudes outward in the width direction from the outer surface of the front end portion of the protection portion 69. The jig locking portion 70 is disposed within a region of the arm portion 60 in the front-rear direction where the guide groove 63 is formed. The strength and rigidity of the portion of the arm portion 60 where the guide groove 63 is formed is increased by the jig locking portion 70 having a large dimension in the width direction.

<Procedure for attaching the cover 50 to the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24>
The cover 50 is assembled to the first to

fourth housings

21, 22, 23, 24 before the male terminal fittings 40 are attached to the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24. When assembling, the cover 50 is approached from the front to the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24, the rear end of the arm portion 60 is aligned with the outer surface of the

housing

21, 22, 23, 24, and the guide groove is aligned. The rear end of the guide rib 63 is fitted into the front end of the guide rib 27. By fitting the guide ribs 27 and the guide grooves 63, the cover 50 is positioned with respect to the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 in the vertical and horizontal directions. At this time, since the holding protrusion 68 interferes with the guide rib 27, the elastic holding piece 67 is elastically deformed outward in the width direction.

When the cover 50 is moved rearward from this state, the cover 50 is held in a fixed position by sliding contact between the guide ribs 27 and the guide grooves 63, and the assembly of the cover 50 to the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 progresses. When the cover 50 reaches the normal assembly position, the holding protrusion 68 passes the rear end of the guide rib 27, so the elastic holding piece 67 elastically returns inward in the width direction, and the holding protrusion 68 It is locked to the receiving part 28 from the rear. This locking prevents the cover 50 from moving forward from the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24. When the proper assembly position is reached, the rear end surface of the cover portion 51 abuts against the front end surfaces of the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 in a surface contact state. This contact prevents the cover 50 from moving backward relative to the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24. As described above, the cover 50 is maintained in an assembled state with respect to the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24.

After the cover 50 is assembled to the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24, the male terminal fittings 40 are attached to each

housing

21, 22, 23, 24. As shown in FIG. 11, the male terminal fitting 40 accommodates the terminal body portion 41 and the crimp portion 43 in the terminal accommodating chamber 25, and has the tab 42 projected forward from the front end surface of the

housing

21, 22, 23, 24. It is attached to the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 in this state. The male terminal fittings 40 attached to the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 are restricted from moving backwards by locking the primary locking portions 44 formed on the terminal body 41 with the lances 26. Retained. In each

housing

21, 22, 23, 24, the plurality of tabs 42 protruding forward from the

housing

21, 22, 23, 24 are collectively covered by one covering part 51, and are covered all around from the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. be surrounded for a long time. Therefore, there is no risk of foreign matter interfering with the tab 42. Through the above steps, the assembly of the first to

fourth sub-connectors

11, 12, 13, and 14 is completed.

<Assembling procedure for laminated connector A>
When stacking the first to

fourth sub-connectors

11, 12, 13, and 14, first, the second sub-connector 12 is stacked on top of the first sub-connector 11. In the process of stacking the second sub-connector 12 on the first sub-connector 11, as shown in FIG. The holding piece 67 is elastically deformed outward in the width direction. Due to this elastic deformation, the elastic holding piece 67 (holding protrusion 68) is disengaged from the receiving portion 28, and the holding of the elastic holding piece 67 in the first sub-connector 11 is released. Similarly, in the stacking process, as shown in FIG. 10, the detachment regulating part 62 of the cover 50 of the second sub-connector 12 is locked from the front to the abutting part 61 of the cover 50 of the first sub-connector 11. The cover 50 of the first sub-connector 11 is restricted from moving forward from the first housing 21. Therefore, the cover 50 of the first sub-connector 11 is maintained in a state where it is assembled to the first housing 21, that is, a state in which the tab 42 of the first sub-connector 11 is protected by the cover 50 is maintained.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first sub-connector 11 and the second sub-connector 12, which are stacked one above the other, are stacked together by locking the elastic lock piece 33 of the first housing 21 and the lock protrusion 32 of the second housing 22. held in state. In the state where the first sub-connector 11 and the second sub-connector 12 are stacked, the holding release part 34 of the second housing 22 fits into the upper surface recess 30 of the first housing 21, so that both

housings

21 and 22 are moved in the left-right direction. is positioned. At the same time, the holding release part 34 of the second housing 22 engages with the receiving part 28 of the first housing 21 from behind, thereby preventing the second housing 22 from moving forward relative to the first housing 21. Regulated.

After this, the third sub-connector 13 is superimposed on the upper surface of the second sub-connector 12. At this time, similarly to when the second sub-connector 12 is stacked on the top surface of the first sub-connector 11, the holding of the elastic holding piece 67 in the second sub-connector 12 is released by the holding release part 34 of the third sub-connector 13. At the same time, the cover 50 of the second sub-connector 12 is prevented from moving forward from the second housing 22 due to the engagement between the detachment restricting portion 62 and the abutting portion 61 . The superposed second sub-connector 12 and third sub-connector 13 are held in a stacked state and positioned in the left-right direction.

Further, due to the engagement between the holding release portion 34 and the receiving portion 28, the third housing 23 is prevented from moving forward relative to the second housing 22. As shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 35 of the second housing 22 faces the front edge 36F of the notch 36 of the third housing 23 in a close positional relationship from the rear. Relative displacement toward the rear with respect to the housing 22 is restricted. Further, the protrusion 35 of the second housing 22 enters into the terminal accommodating chamber 25 from the notch 36 of the third housing 23 and engages with the secondary locking part 45 of the male terminal fitting 40 in the third housing 23. It can be locked from the rear. Thereby, the male terminal fitting 40 inside the third housing 23 is reliably held in a state where it is not removed by the lance 26 and the protrusion 35.

After this, another third sub-connector 13 is placed on top of the third sub-connector 13. At this time, similarly to when the third sub-connector 13 is stacked on the upper surface of the second sub-connector 12, the elastic holding piece 67 of the lower third sub-connector 13 is moved by the holding release portion 34 of the upper third sub-connector 13. is released, and the cover 50 of the lower third sub-connector 13 is prevented from moving forward from the third housing 23 due to the engagement between the detachment restricting portion 62 and the abutting portion 61. The superimposed third sub-connectors 13 are held in a stacked state and positioned in the left-right direction.

After stacking the three third sub-connectors 13, the fourth sub-connector 14 is stacked on top of the third sub-connector 13 in the uppermost layer. At this time, similarly to when the third sub-connectors 13 are overlapped, the holding release portion 34 of the fourth sub-connector 14 releases the holding of the elastic holding piece 67 in the third sub-connector 13 on the uppermost layer, and Due to the engagement between the restricting portion 62 and the abutment portion 61, the cover 50 of the third sub-connector 13 in the uppermost layer is restricted from moving forward from the third housing 23. The superposed third sub-connector 13 and fourth sub-connector 14 are held in a stacked state and positioned in the left-right direction. The elastic holding piece 67 of the cover 50 of the fourth sub-connector 14 remains locked to the receiving portion 28 of the fourth housing 24. Through the above steps, the process of laminating the sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14 is completed, and the assembly of the laminated connector A is completed.

<Procedure for removing cover 50 from

housing

21, 22, 23, 24>
When attaching the assembled multilayer connector A to an outer housing (not shown), the cover 50 is removed from the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 by using a jig 75. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the jig 75 includes a fixed member 76 and a movable member 77. A fixing groove 78 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the fixed member 76, and a locking groove 79 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the movable member 77. The laminated connector A is attached to the first to

fourth housings

21, 22, 23, 24 by fitting the jig fixing portions 31 of the first to

fourth housings

21, 22, 23, 24 into the fixing grooves 78. The cover 50 is set in the jig 75 with the jig locking portion 70 of the cover 50 fitted into the locking groove 79 (see FIG. 4).

After setting the laminated connector A on the jig 75, the elastic holding piece 67 of the cover 50 of the fourth sub-connector 14 is removed from the receiving part 28 using an operating tool (not shown), and the elastic holding piece 67 of the fourth sub-connector 14 is removed. 67 is released. By releasing the hold on the fourth sub-connector 14, the cover 50 of the fourth sub-connector 14 can be removed forward from the fourth housing 24, and as a result, the first to third sub-connectors 11, 12, 13 It becomes possible to remove the cover 50 from the first to

third housings

21, 22, and 23 forward. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the movable member 77 is slid forward relative to the fixed member 76 while the elastic holding piece 67 of the fourth sub-connector 14 is still released. As a result, all the covers 50 can be removed forward from the first to

fourth housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 with one action.

In the process of detaching the cover 50 from the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24, the posture of the cover 50 with respect to the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 is maintained at a constant posture by the engagement of the guide ribs 27 and the guide grooves 63. Since the guide ribs 27 and the guide grooves 63 have a shape extending in the front-rear direction parallel to the direction in which the tabs 42 protrude from the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24, the cover 50 can be removed from the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24. The cover portion 51 does not interfere with the tab 42 during the removal process.

In addition, immediately before or after the cover 50 separates from the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24, the cover 50 may be displaced in the vertical direction or tilted in the vertical direction with respect to the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24. In this case, there is a concern that the cover portion 51 may interfere with the tab 42. However, since the length from the rear end of the cover part 51 to the rear end of the guide groove 63 is set larger than the protrusion dimension of the tab 42 from the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24, the cover part 51 There is no risk of interference with 42.

The laminated connector A of the first embodiment includes a plurality of

housings

21, 22, 23, 24, a plurality of male terminal fittings 40, and a plurality of covers 50. The plurality of

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 are assembled in a stacked state in the height direction. The male terminal fitting 40 has an elongated tab 42 at its front end, and is attached to the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 with the tab 42 protruding forward from the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24. The cover 50 has a cover portion 51 that covers the tab 42 and is attached to the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24. When the cover 50 is attached to the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24, the tab 42 can be protected by the cover portion 51.

A receiving portion 28 and an elastic holding piece 67 are formed on the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 as holding portions that hold the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 in the attached state. Of the two

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 that overlap in a stacked state, the upper (one)

housing

22, 23, 24 has a

lower housing

22, 23, 24 as it is stacked on the lower (other)

housing

21, 22, 23. A holding release portion 34 is formed to release the holding function of the receiving portion 28 and the elastic holding piece 67 in the

side housings

21, 22, 23. According to this configuration, the holding function of the receiving part 28 and the elastic holding piece 67 is released by simply stacking the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24, so the holding function of the receiving part 28 and the elastic holding piece 67 is released. There is no need for a separate process (separate work).

Of the two covers 50 that overlap in a stacked state, the upper (one) cover 50 attached to the upper (one)

housing

22 , 23 , 24 has a detachment regulating portion 62 formed therein. The detachment regulating portion 62 prevents the lower (other) cover 50 from detaching forward from the

lower housings

21 , 22 , 23 . If the lower cover 50 comes off the

lower housing

21, 22, 23 immediately after being released from the holding by the receiving part 28 and the elastic holding piece 67, then the sub-connectors 12, 13, 14 (

housing

22, 23, 24), the tabs 42 of the

lower sub-connectors

11, 12, 13 remain exposed. In view of this point, the lower cover 50, which has been released from the holding by the receiving portion 28 and the elastic holding piece 67, is kept in a state in which it does not separate from the

lower housing

21, 22, 23 by the separation regulating portion 62. This can prevent the tabs 42 from being exposed during the process of stacking the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24. After all the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 are stacked, if the last stacked fourth housing 24 on the top layer (one side) and the cover 50 on the top layer (one side) are released, all the covers 50 can be removed from the

housing

21, 22, 23, 24.

The receiving portion 28 formed on the upper (one)

housing

22, 23, 24 and the elastic holding piece 67 formed on the upper (one) cover 50 are connected to the

upper housing

22, 23, 24 and the upper cover. It is arranged so as to be exposed on the outer surface (upper surface) of 50. According to this configuration, in a state in which all the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 are stacked, it is possible to easily release the holding between the fourth housing 24, which is the uppermost layer, and the cover 50, which is the uppermost layer. Can be done.

A test opening 55 is formed in the front surface of the cover portion 51 of the cover 50 into which a continuity test probe P (see FIG. 11) that contacts the tab 42 enters. According to this configuration, the probe P can be inserted into the cover part 51 from the front of the cover 50 and brought into contact with the front end of the tab 42 while the tab 42 remains surrounded by the cover 50. That is, the continuity test can be performed while the tab 42 is protected by the cover 50.

The

housings

21 , 22 , 23 , 24 and the cover 50 have guide ribs 27 and guides as guide portions that guide the cover 50 to be displaced relative to the

housings

21 , 22 , 23 , 24 along a path that does not interfere with the tabs 42 . A groove 63 is formed. According to this configuration, the cover 50 is guided to move along a path that does not interfere with the tabs 42, so that the cover 50 is moved along a path that does not interfere with the tabs 42 during the process of attaching and detaching the cover 50 to and from the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24. Interference can be prevented.

The guide path by the guide ribs 27 and the guide grooves 63 is a straight path in the front-rear direction parallel to the protruding direction of the tabs 42. According to this configuration, interference between the cover 50 and the tab 42 can be prevented without increasing the size of the cover 50 in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. Therefore, the shapes of the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 and the shape of the cover 50 can be simplified.

The

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 and the cover 50 have a flat shape with a width larger than a height. The cover 50 has a cover part 51 that collectively covers the plurality of tabs 42 arranged in the width direction, and an arm part 60 that extends rearward from both ends of the cover part 51 in the width direction. The guide groove 63 is formed in the arm portion 60. According to this configuration, in the process of removing the cover 50 from the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24, the rear end of the guide groove 63 of the cover 50 separates from the front end of the guide rib 27 of the

housing

21, 22, 23, 24. Immediately thereafter, even if the cover 50 tilts in the height direction (vertical direction) or moves in the height direction (vertical direction), the cover part 51 can be prevented from interfering with the tab 42.

The plurality of

sub-connectors

11, 12, 13, 14 (

housings

21, 22, 23, 24) are stacked in the height direction. When the plurality of

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24 are stacked, the plurality of covers 50 are arranged in a stacked manner in the height direction. A positioning recess 56 and a positioning protrusion 57 are formed in the two covers 50 that overlap in a stacked state as positioning parts that restrict relative displacement in the width direction by fitting into each other. According to this configuration, the relative displacement of the two covers 50 that overlap each other in the stacked state in the width direction is regulated by the fitting between the positioning protrusion 57 and the positioning recess 56. Thereby, it is possible to prevent some of the covers 50 among the plurality of stacked covers 50 from shifting in the width direction with respect to the

housings

21, 22, 23, and 24.

The cover 50 is formed with jig locking portions 70 that are arranged in the stacking direction with the sub-connectors 11, 12, 13, and 14 stacked together. According to this configuration, when all the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 and all the covers 50 are stacked, the locking grooves 79 of the jig 75 are locked to all the jig locking parts 70. , all the covers 50 can be removed from the

housings

21, 22, 23, 24 with one action.

The jig locking portion 70 has a protrusion shape in which at least a portion of the area of the arm portion 60 where the guide groove 63 is formed is thickened. According to this configuration, the rigidity of the portion of the cover 50 where the guide groove 63 is formed is increased by the protruding jig locking portion 70. Therefore, it is possible to prevent prying between the guide rib 27 and the guide groove 63 due to deformation of the portion of the cover 50 where the guide groove 63 is formed (the guide portion on the cover 50 side).

[Other Examples]
The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the above description and drawings, but is indicated by the claims. The present invention includes the meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims and all changes within the scope of the claims, and also includes the following embodiments.
The male terminal fitting may be attached to the housing before the cover is attached to the housing.
The covering portion of the cover is not limited to a rectangular cylindrical shape that surrounds the entire surface of the tab in the upper, lower, left, and right directions, but may have a shape in which any of the upper, lower, left, and right sides are open.
The cover part is not limited to a shape that encloses a plurality of tabs all at once, but may be a shape that covers a plurality of tabs individually.
The guide path by the guide portion is not limited to a straight path in the front-rear direction parallel to the direction in which the tab projects, but may be a curved path, a path bent in an L-shape, or the like.
A guide groove may be formed in the housing and a guide rib may be formed in the cover.
The jig locking portion is not limited to a protrusion shape, but may be a concave shape.

A...Laminated connector (connector)
P... Probe 11... First sub connector 12... Second sub connector 13... Third sub connector 14... Fourth sub connector 21... First housing 22... Second housing 23... Third housing 24... Fourth housing 25... Terminal Accommodation chamber 26...Lance 27...Guide rib (housing side guide part)
28...Receiving part 29...Bulging part 30...Top recess 31...Jig fixing part 32...Lock protrusion 33...Elastic lock piece 34...Holding release part 35...Protrusion 36...Notch 36F...Front edge 40 of the notch... Male terminal fitting 41...Terminal body part 42...Tab 43...Crimp part 44...Primary locking part 45...Secondary locking part 46...Electric wire 50...Cover 51...Cover part 52...Upper wall part 53...Lower wall part 54... Side wall portion 55...Inspection port 56...Positioning recess (positioning portion)
57...Positioning protrusion (positioning part)
60...Arm part 61...Abutting part 62...Removal regulating part 63...Guide groove (cover side guide part)
64...Side plate part 65...Upper plate part 66...Lower plate part 67...Elastic holding piece 68...Holding protrusion 69...Protection part 70...Jig locking part 75...Jig 76...Fixing member 77...Movable member 78...Fixing groove 79...Latching groove

Claims

housing and
a male terminal fitting having a tab projecting forward in a cantilevered manner and being attached to the housing with the tab projecting forward from the front surface of the housing;
a cover that is removable from the housing and covers the tab when attached to the housing;
The connector includes a guide portion formed in the housing and the cover to guide the cover to be displaced relative to the housing along a path that does not interfere with the tab.
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the guide path by the guide portion is a linear path in a front-rear direction parallel to the protruding direction of the tab.
The housing and the cover have a flat shape with a width larger than a height,
The cover has a cover portion that covers the plurality of tabs arranged in the width direction, and an arm portion that extends rearward in a cantilever shape from both ends of the cover portion in the width direction,
The connector according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion is formed on the arm portion.
A plurality of the housings are stacked in the height direction,
When the plurality of housings are stacked, the plurality of covers are arranged in a stacked manner in the height direction,
4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the two covers overlapped in a stacked state are provided with positioning parts that restrict relative displacement in the width direction by fitting into each other.
A plurality of the housings are stacked in the height direction,
When the plurality of housings are stacked, the plurality of covers are stacked and arranged in a height direction,
5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein a jig locking portion is formed on an outer surface of the plurality of covers.
6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the jig locking portion has a protrusion shape in which at least a portion of the arm portion where the guide portion is formed is thickened.