JP7633095B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector.

Conventionally, a connector is known that includes a housing, a terminal accommodated in the housing, and a retainer that is assembled to the housing and acts as a spacer that engages with the terminal to hold the terminal in the housing (see Patent Document 1). The retainer is assembled to the housing so that it can move between a provisionally retained position that allows the terminal to be inserted into the housing, and a fully retained position that engages with the terminal accommodated in the housing.

Between the housing and the retainer, a temporary locking projection and a locking step are provided as a temporary locking portion that holds the retainer in the temporary locking position. Also, between the housing and the retainer, a full locking projection and a locking step are provided as a full locking portion that holds the retainer in the full locking position.

The retainer is held in the temporary locking position relative to the housing by the engagement between the temporary locking projection and the locking step and the abutment between the full locking projection and the locking step. When the retainer moves from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, the full locking projection slides over the locking step and overcomes the locking step, thereby engaging the full locking projection with the locking step. The engagement between the full locking projection and the locking step holds the retainer in the full locking position relative to the housing.

JP 2002-75507 A

In a connector such as that described in Patent Document 1, the locking step portion serving as the main locking projection provided on the housing and the main locking projection serving as the main locking projection provided on the spacer are each formed as protrusions that protrude outward.

The retained projection and the fully-retained projection are always in contact while the spacer moves between the provisionally-retained position and the fully-retained position. Therefore, when an operating force is applied to move the spacer, a load due to that operating force is always applied between the retained projection and the fully-retained projection. In addition, if an external force is applied to the spacer while it is held in the provisionally-retained position, the load due to that external force is applied to the retained projection and the fully-retained projection.

If load is applied to the main locking projection and the main locking projection frequently, the main locking projection and the main locking projection may be damaged. If the main locking projection and the main locking projection are damaged, the retention of the terminal in the housing may become unstable.

The present invention was made in consideration of the problems inherent in the conventional technology. The object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can stably hold terminals in the housing.

The connector according to this embodiment includes a housing and a spacer that is assembled to the housing and engages with a terminal housed in the housing to hold the terminal in the housing. The spacer is assembled to the housing so as to be movable between a temporary locking position where the terminal can be inserted into the housing and a full locking position where the spacer engages with the terminal housed in the housing. Between the housing and the spacer, a temporary locking portion that holds the spacer in the temporary locking position and a full locking portion that holds the spacer in the full locking position are provided. The full locking portion has a main locking projection provided on the housing and a main locking projection provided on the spacer that can engage with the main locking projection. The main locking projection and the main locking projection are spaced apart at the temporary locking position of the spacer. Between the housing and the spacer, a guide portion is provided that moves the spacer and engages the main locking projection and the main locking projection when the spacer is moved from the temporary locking position toward the full locking position.

It is preferable that the guide portion has a guide surface that slides to move the spacer as the spacer moves from the provisional locking position to the final locking position.

It is preferable that the guide portion has an elastic arm that is elastically deformed by the movement of the spacer from the provisionally locked position to the fully locked position, and moves the spacer by restoring from the elastic deformation.

It is preferable that the locking projection is provided on an elastically deformable locking arm, and the spacer is provided with a deformation restriction portion that restricts excessive deformation of the locking arm.

It is preferable that an auxiliary locking portion is provided between the housing and the spacer, which is engaged by the movement of the spacer by the guide portion and holds the spacer in the main locking position.

It is preferable that the auxiliary locking portion is provided with an auxiliary guide portion that moves the spacer and engages the main locking projection with the main locking projection when the spacer is moved from the provisional locking position toward the main locking position.

The present invention provides a connector that can stably hold terminals in the housing.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment when the spacer is placed in a temporary locking position. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment when the spacer is placed in a full locking position. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment when the spacer is placed in a temporary locking position. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a spacer of the connector according to the first embodiment, the spacer being in the middle of moving from a partial locking position to a full locking position. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment when the spacer is placed in a full locking position. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the second embodiment when the spacer is placed in the temporary locking position. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a spacer of a connector according to a second embodiment, the spacer being in the middle of moving from a partial locking position to a full locking position. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the second embodiment when the spacer is placed in the final locking position. FIG.

The connector according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings have been exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

First Embodiment
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the connector 1 according to this embodiment is capable of mating with a mating connector (not shown). The connector 1 includes a housing 3 and a spacer 7. The terminals 5 are housed inside the housing 3.

The housing 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 3 is formed in a case shape that extends in the direction in which the connector 1 and the mating connector are fitted together. Inside the housing 3, multiple terminal accommodating chambers 9 capable of accommodating terminals 5 are provided.

The terminal accommodating chamber 9 extends in the mating direction of the connector 1 and the mating connector. A locking lance 11 is provided inside the terminal accommodating chamber 9 so as to be elastically deformable. The locking lance 11 engages with the terminal 5 to prevent the terminal 5 from falling out of the terminal accommodating chamber 9, and holds the terminal 5 in the terminal accommodating chamber 9.

The terminal 5 is made of a conductive material. The terminal 5 is, for example, a female terminal having a box-shaped connection portion extending along the mating direction of the connector 1 and the mating connector. The terminal 5 is electrically connected to the end portion of the electric wire 13 that is drawn out of the terminal accommodating chamber 9. The electric wire 13 is electrically connected to, for example, a power source, an instrument, etc. The terminal 5 is electrically connected to the end portion of the electric wire 13 by crimping the crimping piece of the terminal 5.

The terminal 5 electrically connected to the electric wire 13 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 9 through the opening in the housing 3 through which the electric wire 13 is pulled out. The terminal 5 inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 9 slides against the locking lance 11, elastically deforming the locking lance 11 downward, and is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 9. The locking lance 11, which has recovered from the elastic deformation, engages with the terminal 5 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 9, and the terminal 5 is held in the terminal accommodating chamber 9.

When the connector 1 and the mating connector are mated, the housing 3, in which the terminals 5 are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 9, electrically connects the mating terminals (not shown) accommodated in the mating connector to the terminals 5. The housing 3 is provided with a spacer accommodating section 15 in which the spacer 7 is assembled. The spacer accommodating section 15 is open on the underside and communicates with the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 9. The spacer 7 is assembled into the spacer accommodating section 15 through the opening.

The spacer 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The spacer 7 has a main body 17 arranged in the direction in which the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 9 are arranged, and side walls 19, 19 that are integrally formed on both sides of the main body 17.

The main body 17 is provided with a plurality of holes 21 that penetrate in the direction in which the terminals 5 are inserted into the housing 3. The upper surface of the main body 17 and the lower surface of the holes 21 are provided with terminal locking portions 23 that can engage with the terminals 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the multiple holes 21 and the upper surface of the main body 17 coincide with the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 9 and the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chambers 9 when the spacer 7 is held in the temporary locking position in the spacer accommodating portion 15. Therefore, when the spacer 7 is in the temporary locking position, the terminal 5 can be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 9.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the spacer 7 moves from the provisional locking position to the full locking position, the terminal locking portion 23 engages with the terminal 5. By engaging the terminal locking portion 23 with the terminal 5, the terminal 5 can be doubly prevented from falling out of the terminal accommodating chamber 9 together with the locking lance 11. This allows the terminal 5 to be stably held in the terminal accommodating chamber 9.

In this way, the spacer 7 is assembled in the spacer accommodating portion 15 of the housing 3 so as to be movable between the temporary locking position and the full locking position. The spacer 7 is held in the temporary locking position and the full locking position by the temporary locking portion 25 and the full locking portion 27 provided between the side walls 19, 19 of the spacer 7 and the spacer accommodating portion 15. The temporary locking portion 25 and the full locking portion 27 are provided on both sides of the side walls 19, 19 of the spacer 7. Note that the temporary locking portions 25, 25 and the full locking portions 27, 27 are provided symmetrically, so in the following, one temporary locking portion 25 and the full locking portion 27 will be described, and the other temporary locking portion 25 and the full locking portion 27 will not be described.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the temporary locking portion 25 includes a temporary locking projection 29 and a temporary locking projection 31. The temporary locking projection 29 is formed in the spacer accommodating portion 15 of the housing 3, protruding from the inner wall surface of the housing 3 toward the inside of the spacer accommodating portion 15. The lower side of the temporary locking projection 29 is formed with an inclined surface that can slide against the temporary locking projection 31. The upper side of the temporary locking projection 29 is a locking surface formed with a horizontal surface that can engage with the temporary locking projection 31.

The temporary locking projection 31 is formed on the free end of the temporary locking arm 33, which is an elastic arm that is elastically deformable and provided on the side wall 19 of the spacer 7, and protrudes toward the temporary locking projection 29. The upper side of the temporary locking projection 31 is formed with an inclined surface that can slide against the inclined surface of the temporary locking projection 29. The lower side of the temporary locking projection 31 is a locking surface formed with a horizontal surface that can engage with the locking surface of the temporary locking projection 29.

When the spacer 7 is inserted into the spacer housing 15, the inclined surface of the provisionally locked projection 29 slides against the inclined surface of the provisionally locked projection 31, causing the provisionally locked arm 33 to elastically deform. As shown in FIG. 4, when the spacer 7 is placed in the provisionally locked position in the spacer housing 15, the provisionally locked arm 33 is restored from elastic deformation, and the locking surface of the provisionally locked projection 29 engages with the locking surface of the provisionally locked projection 31. The engagement between the provisionally locked projection 29 and the provisionally locked projection 31 restricts the movement of the spacer 7 in the direction of removal from the spacer housing 15.

Although not shown, the temporary locking portion 25 has a restricting portion that restricts movement of the spacer 7 in the insertion direction into the spacer accommodating portion 15 when the spacer 7 is placed in the temporary locking position of the spacer accommodating portion 15. The restricting portion is set so that the engagement is released by strongly pressing the spacer 7 toward the inside of the spacer accommodating portion 15. Therefore, when the spacer 7 is in the temporary locking position and an unexpected external force is applied to the spacer 7, the restricting portion can prevent the spacer 7 from moving to the full locking position. Such a temporary locking portion 25 allows the spacer 7 to be stably held in the temporary locking position relative to the spacer accommodating portion 15.

The main locking portion 27 has a main locking projection 35 and a main locking projection 37. The main locking projection 35 is formed in the spacer accommodating portion 15 of the housing 3, protruding from the inner wall surface of the housing 3 located forward of the provisionally locked projection 29 in the insertion direction of the spacer 7 toward the inside of the spacer accommodating portion 15. The lower side of the main locking projection 35 is formed as an inclined surface. The upper side of the main locking projection 35 is a locking surface formed as a horizontal surface that can engage with the main locking projection 37.

The main locking projection 37 is formed on the free end of the main locking arm 39, which is elastically deformable and provided on the side wall 19 of the spacer 7, protruding toward the main locking projection 35. The upper side of the main locking projection 37 is formed as an inclined surface. The lower side of the main locking projection 37 is a locking surface formed as a horizontal surface that can engage with the locking surface of the main locking projection 35.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the temporary locking position of the spacer 7 relative to the spacer accommodating section 15, the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37 are arranged apart from each other in the main locking section 27. Therefore, as shown by the arrow, when the spacer 7 moves from the temporary locking position to the main locking position, the load due to the operating force initially applied to the spacer 7 is not applied to the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37. In addition, even if an external force is applied to the spacer 7 held in the temporary locking position, the load due to the external force is not applied to the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37. Therefore, the chances of load being applied to the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37 can be reduced, and damage to the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37 can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the spacer 7 is moved from the provisionally locked position to the provisionally locked position with respect to the spacer housing 15, the spacer 7 is moved by the guide portion 41 as shown by the arrow, and the fully locked projection 35 and the fully locked projection 37 come into contact. When the fully locked projection 35 and the fully locked projection 37 come into contact and the spacer 7 is moved by the guide portion 41, the fully locked arm 39 elastically deforms as shown by the imaginary line, and the fully locked projection 35 and the fully locked projection 37 slide against each other. At this time, the engagement between the provisionally locked projection 29 and the provisionally locked projection 31 is released in the provisionally locked portion 25. In addition, the engagement of the above-mentioned regulating portion (not shown) is also released.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the sliding of the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37 of the main locking portion 27 is completed, the spacer 7 is moved as shown by the arrow, and the spacer 7 is placed in the main locking position of the spacer accommodating portion 15. When the spacer 7 is placed in the main locking position of the spacer accommodating portion 15, the main locking arm 39 is restored from elastic deformation, and the locking surface of the main locking projection 35 and the locking surface of the main locking projection 37 are engaged. The engagement of the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37 restricts the movement of the spacer 7 in the direction of removal from the spacer accommodating portion 15.

The guide portion 41 has a first inclined surface 43 as a guide surface and a second inclined surface 45 as a guide surface. The first inclined surface 43 is provided on the inner wall surface of the housing 3 located between the provisionally locked projection 29 and the opening of the spacer accommodating portion 15 in the spacer accommodating portion 15 of the housing 3. The first inclined surface 43 is an inclined surface that slopes upward from the end on the provisionally locked projection 29 side to the end on the fully locked projection 35 side.

The second inclined surface 45 is provided on the outer wall surface of the side wall 19 of the spacer 7, located between the temporary locking projection 31 and the lower end of the side wall 19. The second inclined surface 45 is an inclined surface that slopes upward from the end on the temporary locking projection 31 side to the end on the full locking projection 37 side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide portion 41 is arranged with the first inclined surface 43 and the second inclined surface 45 spaced apart when the spacer 7 is in the provisional locking position relative to the spacer accommodating portion 15. As shown in FIG. 5, when the spacer 7 is moved from the provisional locking position to the final locking position relative to the spacer accommodating portion 15, the first inclined surface 43 and the second inclined surface 45 slide against each other. When the first inclined surface 43 and the second inclined surface 45 slide against each other, the spacer 7 moves along the first inclined surface 43 and the second inclined surface 45 as shown by the arrow, and the fully locked projection 35 and the fully locked projection 37 come into contact with each other at the fully locked portion 27.

6, when the spacer 7 is moved in the insertion direction of the spacer accommodating section 15 as shown by the arrow, and the spacer 7 is placed in the full locking position of the spacer accommodating section 15, the sliding between the first inclined surface 43 and the second inclined surface 45 of the guiding section 41 ends. At this time, the fully locked projection 35 and the fully locked projection 37 are engaged in the fully locked section 27. With this guiding section 41, the fully locked projection 35 and the fully locked projection 37, which were separated in the provisional locking position of the spacer 7, can be engaged in the fully locked position of the spacer 7. The guiding section 41 includes the first inclined surface 43 and the second inclined surface 45, but it is sufficient to include at least one of the first inclined surface 43 and the second inclined surface 45.

Here, an auxiliary locking portion 47 that holds the spacer 7 in the main locking position is provided between the housing 3 and the spacer 7. The auxiliary locking portion 47 includes an auxiliary recess 49 and an auxiliary protrusion 51. The auxiliary recess 49 is formed on the inner wall surface of the housing 3 on the opening side of the spacer accommodating portion 15 on the main locking protrusion 35 side in the spacer accommodating portion 15 of the housing 3. The auxiliary protrusion 51 is formed on the side wall 19 of the spacer 7 so as to protrude from the outer wall surface on the lower end side of the side wall 19 on the main locking protrusion 37 side so as to be able to engage with the auxiliary recess 49.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the spacer 7 is in the provisionally locked position relative to the spacer housing 15, the auxiliary locking portion 47 is positioned such that the auxiliary protrusion 51 abuts against the opening edge of the spacer housing 15. Therefore, when in the provisionally locked position, the spacer 7 is restricted from moving toward the main locking protrusion 35.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the spacer 7 is moved by the guide portion 41 and placed in the main locking position of the spacer accommodating portion 15, the auxiliary recess 49 and auxiliary protrusion 51 engage with each other. The engagement between the auxiliary recess 49 and the auxiliary protrusion 51 restricts the movement of the spacer 7 in the insertion/removal direction relative to the spacer accommodating portion 15. Such an auxiliary locking portion 47 makes it possible to hold the spacer 7 more stably in the main locking position relative to the spacer accommodating portion 15.

Here, the auxiliary recess 49 of the auxiliary locking portion 47 is provided with an auxiliary guide portion 53. The auxiliary guide portion 53 is provided inside the auxiliary recess 49 on the inner wall surface on the opening side of the spacer accommodating portion 15. The auxiliary guide portion 53 is an inclined surface that slopes upward from the end on the provisionally locked projection 29 side to the end on the fully locked projection 35 side.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the spacer 7 is moved from the provisional locking position to the full locking position relative to the spacer housing 15, the auxiliary guide portion 53 slides against the auxiliary protrusion 51, as shown by the imaginary line. When the auxiliary guide portion 53 slides against the auxiliary protrusion 51, the spacer 7 moves along the auxiliary guide portion 53.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the spacer 7 is placed in the main locking position of the spacer accommodating section 15, the auxiliary guide section 53 stops sliding against the auxiliary protrusion 51, and the auxiliary recess 49 engages with the auxiliary protrusion 51. When the auxiliary recess 49 engages with the auxiliary protrusion 51, the main locking projection 35 engages with the main locking projection 37 in the main locking section 27. Such an auxiliary guide section 53 allows the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37 to stably engage with each other in the main locking position of the spacer 7 in the main locking section 27.

The spacer 7 is provided with a provisional locking arm 33 and a full locking arm 39 that are elastically deformable. An external force may be applied to the provisional locking arm 33 and the full locking arm 39, for example, when the spacer 7 is handled by itself. When an external force is applied to the provisional locking arm 33 and the full locking arm 39, they may deform excessively, possibly resulting in plastic deformation or breakage.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the spacer 7 is provided with a deformation restriction portion 55 that restricts excessive deformation of the temporary locking arm 33 and the full locking arm 39. The deformation restriction portion 55 is formed on the side wall 19 of the spacer 7, extending from the outer wall surface located between the temporary locking arm 33 and the full locking arm 39 in the same direction as the extension direction of the temporary locking arm 33 and the full locking arm 39.

When the temporary locking arm 33 or the final locking arm 39 is about to be deformed excessively, the deformation restricting portion 55 comes into contact with the temporary locking arm 33 or the final locking arm 39, restricting further deformation. Such a deformation restricting portion 55 prevents the temporary locking arm 33 and the final locking arm 39 from being deformed excessively, suppresses plastic deformation and breakage, and allows stable elastic deformation.

In such a connector 1, the fully-locking portion 27 has the fully-locked projection 35 and the fully-locked projection 37 spaced apart at the provisionally-locked position of the spacer 7. A guide portion 41 is provided between the housing 3 and the spacer 7, which moves the spacer 7 and engages the fully-locked projection 35 and the fully-locked projection 37 when the spacer 7 is moved from the provisionally-locked position toward the fully-locked position.

As a result, when the spacer 7 moves from the provisional locking position to the final locking position, the load caused by the operating force initially applied to the spacer 7 is not applied to the final locking projection 35 and the final locking projection 37. In addition, even if an external force is applied to the spacer 7 held in the provisional locking position, the load caused by that external force is not applied to the final locking projection 35 and the final locking projection 37.

In the final locking portion 27, the fully locked projection 35 and the fully locked projection 37, which are separated at the provisionally locked position of the spacer 7, can be engaged at the fully locked position of the spacer 7 by moving the spacer 7 with the guide portion 41. This allows the spacer 7 to hold the terminal 5 in the housing 3.

Therefore, in such a connector 1, the chances of load being applied to the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37 are reduced, damage to the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37 is suppressed, and the terminal 5 can be stably held in the housing 3.

The guide portion 41 also has a first inclined surface 43 and a second inclined surface 45 as guide surfaces that slide to move the spacer 7 as the spacer 7 moves from the provisional locking position to the final locking position. This allows the spacer 7 to move along the shapes of the first inclined surface 43 and the second inclined surface 45, allowing the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37 to stably engage with each other.

Furthermore, the spacer 7 is provided with a deformation restriction portion 55 that restricts excessive deformation of the main locking arm 39. This prevents the main locking arm 39 from being excessively deformed, suppresses plastic deformation and breakage, and allows for stable elastic deformation.

In addition, an auxiliary locking portion 47 is provided between the housing 3 and the spacer 7. The auxiliary locking portion 47 is engaged with the spacer 7 by moving it with the guide portion 41, and holds the spacer 7 in the main locking position. This allows the spacer 7 to be stably held in the main locking position.

Furthermore, the auxiliary locking portion 47 is provided with an auxiliary guide portion 53 that moves the spacer 7 when the spacer 7 is moved from the provisional locking position toward the final locking position, and engages the main locking projection 35 with the main locking projection 37. This allows the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37 to stably engage with each other.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The connector 101 according to this embodiment has a provisional locking arm 33, which acts as an elastic arm that is elastically deformed by the movement of the spacer 7 from the provisional locking position to the full locking position, and moves the spacer 7 by restoring the elastic deformation.

Note that the same symbols are used for configurations similar to those in the first embodiment, and explanations of the configurations and functions are omitted with reference to the first embodiment, but since the configuration is the same as the first embodiment, the effects obtained are the same.

As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the guide portion 41 includes a temporary locking arm 33, a third inclined surface 103 as a guide surface, and a fourth inclined surface 105 as a guide surface. The third inclined surface 103 is provided on the inner wall surface of the housing 3 located below the temporary locking projection 29 in the spacer accommodating portion 15 of the housing 3. The third inclined surface 103 is an inclined surface that slopes upward from the end on the temporary locking projection 29 side to the end on the final locking projection 35 side.

The fourth inclined surface 105 is provided on the inner wall surface located on the lower side of the inside of the arm recess 107 provided on the side wall 19 of the spacer 7 below the temporary locking projection 31 of the temporary locking arm 33. The temporarily locked projection 29 engages with the arm recess 107 when the spacer 7 is in the temporary locking position relative to the spacer accommodating section 15. The fourth inclined surface 105 is an inclined surface that slopes upward from the end on the temporary locking projection 31 side to the end on the full locking projection 37 side.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the guide portion 41, when the spacer 7 is in the provisionally locked position relative to the spacer accommodating portion 15, the provisionally locked projection 29 engages with the arm recess 107, and the third inclined surface 103 and the fourth inclined surface 105 are arranged opposite each other. As shown in FIG. 8, when the spacer 7 is moved from the provisionally locked position to the fully locked position relative to the spacer accommodating portion 15, the third inclined surface 103 and the fourth inclined surface 105 slide against each other. When the third inclined surface 103 and the fourth inclined surface 105 slide against each other, the spacer 7 moves along the third inclined surface 103 and the fourth inclined surface 105. Therefore, the third inclined surface 103 and the fourth inclined surface 105 have the same function as the first inclined surface 43 and the second inclined surface 45 in the first embodiment.

When the spacer 7 moves along the third inclined surface 103 and the fourth inclined surface 105, the provisional locking arm 33 elastically deforms toward the final locking projection 37. At this time, the final locking projection 35 and the final locking projection 37 come into contact with each other at the final locking portion 27. Note that excessive elastic deformation of the provisional locking arm 33 is restricted by the deformation restriction portion 55.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the spacer 7 is placed in the full locking position of the spacer accommodating section 15, the sliding between the third inclined surface 103 and the fourth inclined surface 105 of the guide section 41 ends, and the temporary locking arm 33 is restored from elastic deformation. When the temporary locking arm 33 is restored from elastic deformation, the restoring force of the temporary locking arm 33 presses the spacer 7 toward the main locking projection 35, and the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37 are engaged in the main locking section 27. Such a guide section 41 allows the main locking projection 35 and the main locking projection 37, which were separated at the temporary locking position of the spacer 7, to be engaged at the main locking position of the spacer 7 in the main locking section 27.

In such a connector 101, the guide portion 41 has a provisional locking arm 33 that is elastically deformed by the movement of the spacer 7 from the provisional locking position to the full locking position, and moves the spacer 7 by recovering from the elastic deformation. Therefore, the spacer 7 can be moved by the elastic deformation force of the provisional locking arm 33, and the fully locked projection 35 and the fully locked projection 37 can be stably engaged.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

For example, the provisional locking arm is elastically deformable, but does not have to be elastically deformable. In this case, it is preferable to provide a guide portion that moves the spacer and engages the provisionally locked projection with the provisionally locked projection when the spacer is inserted into the spacer receiving portion and positioned at the provisional locking position. In addition, by making the provisional locking arm not elastically deformable, the rigidity of the spacer can be increased and damage to the spacer can be suppressed.

Although the guide surface is an inclined surface, it is not limited to this and may have any shape, such as a curved surface, as long as it is possible to move the spacer and engage the main locking projection and the provisional locking projection when the spacer is in the main locking position.

1, 101 Connector 3 Housing 5 Terminal 7 Spacer 25 Provisional locking portion 27 Full locking portion 33 Provisional locking arm (elastic arm)
35 Main locking projection 37 Main locking projection 39 Main locking arm 41 Guide portion 43 First inclined surface (guiding surface)
45 Second slope (guiding surface)
47 Auxiliary locking portion 53 Auxiliary guide portion 55 Deformation restriction portion 101 Connector 103 Third inclined surface (guiding surface)
105 Fourth slope (guiding surface)

Claims (5)

Housing and
a spacer that is assembled to the housing and engages with a terminal accommodated in the housing to hold the terminal in the housing;
Equipped with
the spacer is assembled to the housing so as to be movable between a provisional locking position at which the terminal can be inserted into the housing and a full locking position at which the spacer is engaged with the terminal accommodated in the housing;
a temporary locking portion that holds the spacer at a temporary locking position and a full locking portion that holds the spacer at a full locking position are provided between the housing and the spacer,
the main locking portion has a main locking projection provided on the housing and a main locking projection provided on the spacer and capable of engaging with the main locking projection,
the to-be-latched projection and the final latching projection are spaced apart from each other at a provisional latching position of the spacer,
a guide portion is provided between the housing and the spacer, the guide portion moving the spacer and engaging the to-be-locked projection with the final locking projection when the spacer is moved from the partial locking position toward the final locking position,
The guide portion is a connector having an elastic arm that is elastically deformed by movement of the spacer from the provisional locking position toward the final locking position, and moves the spacer by recovering from the elastic deformation . The connector according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion has a guide surface that slides to move the spacer as the spacer moves from the provisional locking position to the final locking position. Housing and
a spacer that is assembled to the housing and engages with a terminal accommodated in the housing to hold the terminal in the housing;
Equipped with
the spacer is assembled to the housing so as to be movable between a provisional locking position at which the terminal can be inserted into the housing and a full locking position at which the spacer is engaged with the terminal accommodated in the housing;
a temporary locking portion that holds the spacer at a temporary locking position and a full locking portion that holds the spacer at a full locking position are provided between the housing and the spacer,
the main locking portion has a main locking projection provided on the housing and a main locking projection provided on the spacer and capable of engaging with the main locking projection,
the to-be-latched projection and the final latching projection are spaced apart from each other at a provisional latching position of the spacer,
a guide portion is provided between the housing and the spacer, the guide portion moving the spacer and engaging the to-be-locked projection with the final locking projection when the spacer is moved from the partial locking position toward the final locking position,
The main locking projection is provided on an elastically deformable main locking arm,
The spacer is provided with a deformation restricting portion for restricting excessive deformation of the main locking arm. Housing and
a spacer that is assembled to the housing and engages with a terminal accommodated in the housing to hold the terminal in the housing;
Equipped with
the spacer is assembled to the housing so as to be movable between a provisional locking position at which the terminal can be inserted into the housing and a full locking position at which the spacer is engaged with the terminal accommodated in the housing;
a temporary locking portion that holds the spacer at a temporary locking position and a full locking portion that holds the spacer at a full locking position are provided between the housing and the spacer,
the main locking portion has a main locking projection provided on the housing and a main locking projection provided on the spacer and capable of engaging with the main locking projection,
the to-be-latched projection and the final latching projection are spaced apart from each other at a provisional latching position of the spacer,
a guide portion is provided between the housing and the spacer, the guide portion moving the spacer and engaging the to-be-locked projection with the final locking projection when the spacer is moved from the partial locking position toward the final locking position,
The connector further includes an auxiliary locking portion provided between the housing and the spacer, the auxiliary locking portion being engaged with the spacer as the spacer is moved by the guide portion, and holding the spacer in a main locking position. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary locking portion is provided with an auxiliary guide portion which moves the spacer and engages the to-be-locked projection with the final locking projection when the spacer is moved from the partial locking position toward the final locking position.

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