JP2012038551A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce the size of a housing.
A connector F includes a lock arm 17 that is disposed so as to face a top surface 10A of a housing 10 with a space 21 therebetween and elastically bent so as to advance into only a part of the space 21. The front member 50 assembled to the housing 10 from the front is held in the assembled state by the locking of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 and the locking portions 29 and 30. Of the space 21 between the upper surface 10A of the housing 10 and the lock arm 17, the space excluding the advance region 21A of the lock arm 17 accommodates the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 and the locking portions 29 and 30, This is a locking space 21B for elastically bending the bending locking pieces 54 and 55.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a housing in which a terminal fitting is accommodated, a lock arm that can be locked to a mating connector, and that faces the outer surface of the housing with a space therebetween, and a front side with respect to the housing. The connector provided with the front member assembled | attached from is disclosed. A locking space is provided inside the housing, and a locking portion is formed in the locking space. In the process of assembling the front member, the bending locking piece is elastically bent due to interference with the locking portion in the locking space, and when the front member is in a proper assembled state, the bending locking piece is elastically restored and engaged. It is locked to the stop.

JP 2008-016261 A

In the connector described above, the housing is increased in size because a dedicated locking space for receiving the bending locking piece and locking the bending locking piece and the locking portion is formed inside the housing. There is a problem.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce the size of a housing.

  As a means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is capable of being engaged with a housing in which the terminal fitting is accommodated and a mating connector, and is opposed to the outer surface of the housing with a space. A lock arm that is elastically bent so as to advance into only a part of the space, a front member assembled from the front with respect to the housing, and any of the front member and the housing In the process of assembling the front member to the housing, comprising an elastically deflectable bending locking piece provided on one member, and a locking portion provided on the other member of the front member and the housing. The bending locking piece is elastically bent by the interference with the locking portion, and the front locking member is in a proper assembled state. In the connector in which the front member is held in the assembled state by being elastically restored and locked to the locking portion, a space excluding the advance region of the lock arm in the space Is characterized in that it is a locking space for accommodating the bending locking piece and the locking portion and elastically bending the bending locking piece.

  The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is a direction intersecting with the elastic bending direction of the lock arm.

  A third aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is a direction along the outer surface of the housing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the flexible locking piece is formed in the front member according to any one of the first to third aspects, and the flexible locking piece is provided in the locking space. Is characterized in that a restricting portion capable of restricting unauthorized displacement to the lock arm side is formed.

<Invention of Claim 1>
Of the space between the outer surface of the housing and the lock arm, the region excluding the advance region of the lock arm is a dead space. The present invention effectively uses this dead space as a locking space for accommodating the bending locking piece and the locking portion and elastically bending the bending locking piece. The housing can be reduced in size as compared with the case of providing.

<Invention of Claim 2>
If the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is the same direction as the elastic bending direction of the lock arm, the maximum elastic bending amount of the bending locking piece should be equal to or less than the elastic bending amount of the lock arm. I do not get. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is set to a direction intersecting with the elastic bending direction of the lock arm, the elastic bending amount of the bending locking piece is limited by the elastic bending amount of the lock arm. Can be secured without receiving.

<Invention of Claim 3>
When the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is the direction intersecting with the outer surface of the housing, the maximum elastic bending amount of the bending locking piece should be the same as or less than the distance between the outer surface of the housing and the lock arm. I must. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is the direction along the outer surface of the housing, the amount of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is the distance between the outer surface of the housing and the lock arm. It is possible to secure a large amount without any restrictions.

<Invention of Claim 4>
Since the restricting portion provided in the locking space restricts the bending locking piece from being illegally displaced toward the lock arm, there is no possibility of interference with the bending locking piece when the lock arm is elastically bent.

Longitudinal sectional view of Embodiment 1 Longitudinal section showing the front member in the retracted position Longitudinal sectional view showing the state where the lock arm is elastically bent Horizontal section showing the front member in the restricted position Horizontal section showing the front member in the retracted position Horizontal sectional view showing the state in which the front member is moving between the restricted position and the retracted position Front view of housing Rear view of housing Top view of housing Front view of front member Front view of the front member Side view of the front member

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The connector F of this embodiment inserts a plurality of terminal fittings 40 from the rear (right side in FIGS. 1 to 6) into the synthetic resin housing 10, and forward (leftward in FIGS. 1 to 6) with respect to the housing 10. ) To the front member 50 made of synthetic resin.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 7 to 9, the housing 10 has a block shape as a whole, and a plurality of cavities 11 penetrating in the front-rear direction are divided and formed in two upper and lower stages. ing. The lower-stage cavity 11 is formed with a well-known lance 12 that has a protrusion that protrudes toward the cavity 11 side and that extends forward in a cantilevered manner along its lower wall (inner wall). . Although the lance 12 is always maintained at the locking position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 due to the rigidity of the lance 12 itself, the lance 12 is tilted with the rear end of the lance 12 as a fulcrum and is released below the locking position. It can be elastically bent (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a bending space 13 for allowing elastic bending of the lance 12 to the release position is formed inside the housing 10. A space in front of the bending space 13 and a space in front of the lance 12 in the housing 10 is a die cutting space 14 opened to the front end surface of the housing 10. The die cutting space 14 is a space formed as the bending space 13 and the lance 12 are molded, and also functions as a space for accommodating the bending restricting portion 53 of the front member 50. A communication hole 15 elongated in the front-rear direction is formed in the lower wall of the housing 10 so that the lower surface of the housing 10 communicates with the bending space 13 and the die-cutting space 14. The housing 10 is formed with a lance 12, a bending space 13, a die-cutting space 14, and a communication hole 15 so as to correspond to the upper cavity 11. The upper lance 12, the bending space 13, the die cutting space 14, and the communication hole 15 are all vertically symmetrical with the lower lance 12, the bending space 13, the die cutting space 14 and the communication hole 15. Therefore, detailed explanation is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 7 to 9, the housing 10 has a housing recess in a form in which a generally upper surface portion in the left-right direction (direction intersecting with the fitting direction of both connectors F and M) is recessed. 16 is formed. A lock arm 17 formed integrally with the housing 10 is housed in the housing recess 16. When the connector F is engaged with the mating connector M, the lock arm 17 is engaged with the locking portion 60 (see FIG. 1) of the mating connector M, thereby bringing the connectors F and M into the mating state. Locking means for locking.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 9, the lock arm 17 includes a plate-like arm body 18 that extends in the front-rear direction (a direction parallel to the fitting direction of the connectors F and M), and the arm body 18. A pair of left and right symmetrical support portions 19 projecting from the left and right ends of the front end portion, an operation portion 22 formed at the rear end portion of the arm body 18, and the support portion 19 and the operation portion 22 on the upper surface of the arm body 18 And a lock projection 20 projecting upward from a position therebetween. The left and right support portions 19 are connected to the front end portions of the left and right side walls 16 </ b> S of the housing recess 16, and function as fulcrums when the lock arm 17 is elastically bent. Therefore, the lock arm 17 has a form extending rearward in a cantilever manner.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the upper surface 10 </ b> A (the outer surface of the housing 10, which is a constituent element of the present invention) of the outer surface of the housing 10 facing upward in the housing recess 16 is the fitting direction of the connectors F and M. Parallel to the assembly direction of the front member 50 with respect to the housing 10. A space 21 is secured between the upper surface 10A of the housing 10 and the lower surface of the arm body 18 of the lock arm 17. That is, the lock arm 17 is arranged to face the upper surface 10 </ b> A of the housing 10 with a space 21 therebetween. This space 21 is open to the front side and the rear side of the housing 10.

  Also, a pair of left and right cutouts 23 that are long in the front-rear direction are formed on the lower surface of the arm body 18 (the surface facing the space 21). And as shown in FIG. 8, the part between both the notch parts 23 among the lower surfaces of the arm main body 18 becomes the reinforcement rib 24 of the form protruded long and slender in the front-back direction. Since the region where the notch 23 is formed in the arm body 18 is thin, there is a concern that the strength may decrease, but the rigidity (strength) of the arm body 18 is increased by leaving the reinforcing rib 24. There is no possibility that the region where the notch 23 is formed is deformed.

  The lock arm 17 is always held in the lock position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by its own rigidity, but elastically bent to the release position (see FIG. 3) below the lock position with the support portion 19 as a fulcrum. It has come to be able to do. When the lock arm 17 is in the lock position, the arm body 18 takes a posture parallel to the fitting direction of the connectors F and M. However, when the lock arm 17 is moved to the release position, the arm body 18 (22 side), it becomes the attitude | position inclined with respect to the fitting direction of both the connectors F and M so that it may become a downward slope. That is, the lock arm 17 advances only in a part of the space 21 when elastically bent to the release position. The advance region (the region above the imaginary line 25 in FIG. 1) of the lock arm 17 in this space 21 is an arm advance space 21A. Further, in the space 21, a space other than the arm advance space 21 </ b> A (a region below the imaginary line 25 in FIG. 1) is a locking space 21 </ b> B.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a first restricting portion 26 and a second restricting portion 27 are formed in the accommodation recess 16 at the same height and spaced left and right. The first restricting portion 26 has a form protruding in a plate shape so as to be parallel to the upper surface 10A of the housing 10 from one side wall surface 16S, and the second restricting portion 27 is formed from the other side wall surface 16S to the upper surface of the housing 10. It is the form which protruded in plate shape so that it might become parallel with 10A. Both restricting portions 26 and 27 are arranged at the same height and spaced from each other on the left and right, and the space between the restricting portions 26 and 27 is a relief groove 28. When the lock arm 17 is elastically bent to the release position, a part of the reinforcing rib 24 enters the rear end region of the escape groove 28, and the rear end portions of the restricting portions 26 and 27 enter the notch portion 23. It is designed to enter.

  As shown in FIGS. 4-8, in the groove-like space between the upper surface 10A of the housing 10 and the first restricting portion 26, the first of the form protruding from the side wall surface to the second restricting portion 27 side in the left-right direction. A locking portion 29 is formed. The first locking portion 29 is not easily deformed. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the front surface of the first locking portion 29 is parallel to the front-rear direction (the assembly direction of the front member 50 with respect to the housing 10). The guide surface 29F is inclined with respect to the direction), and the rear surface of the first locking portion 29 is a locking surface 29R perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Further, in the groove-like space between the upper surface 10A of the housing 10 and the second restricting portion 27, a second locking portion 30 is formed that protrudes from the side wall surface toward the first restricting portion 26 in the left-right direction. ing. The front surface of the second locking part 30 is a front locking slope 30F inclined with respect to the front-rear direction, and the rear surface of the second locking part 30 is a rear locking slope 30R inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. It has become.

  The terminal fitting 40 is formed by bending a metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape, and has a shape elongated in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. The terminal fitting 40 is a female terminal having a rectangular tube-like terminal connection portion 41 at the front end. The front end portion of the electric wire 43 is fixed to the open barrel-shaped crimp portion 42 formed at the rear end portion of the terminal fitting 40 so as to be conductive. The rear end edge of the terminal connecting portion 41 is a receiving portion 44 for locking the protrusion of the lance 12 from the rear.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 10 to 12, the front member 50 has a support wall portion 51 having a plurality of tab insertion openings 52 so as to correspond to the cavities 11, and a cantilever shape rearward from the support wall portion 51. And a plurality of bending restricting portions 53 arranged so as to individually correspond to the respective cavities 11, and a first bending locking piece 54 extending in a cantilevered manner from the support wall portion 51. (A bending locking piece which is a constituent requirement of the present invention) and a second bending locking piece 55 which also extends rearwardly from the support wall 51 in a cantilevered manner (a bending locking piece which is a structural requirement of the present invention) Similarly, two pairs of third bending locking pieces 56 extending in a cantilevered manner from the support wall portion 51 are formed integrally. The extending direction of the bending restricting portion 53 and each bending locking piece 54, 55, 56 is a direction parallel to the assembly direction of the front member 50 with respect to the housing 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the pair of bending restricting portions 53 disposed at the left and right ends of the upper-stage side bending restricting portions 53 are formed with retaining protrusions 53 </ b> A protruding from the upper surface thereof. The pair of bending restriction portions 53 disposed at both left and right ends of the plurality of bending restriction portions 53 are formed with retaining protrusions 53A that protrude from the lower surface thereof. The pair of third deflection locking pieces 56 on the upper stage side has a third locking projection 59 that protrudes upward, and is arranged at substantially the same height as the deflection regulation portion 53 on the upper stage side in the vertical direction. The pair of third bending locking pieces 56 on the lower side has third locking protrusions 59 protruding downward, and are disposed at substantially the same height as the lower side bending regulating portion 53 in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 10 to 12, the first flexure locking piece 54 and the second flexure locking piece 55 are spaced apart from each other on the left and right sides and are substantially parallel to each other and arranged at the same height. It is arranged. Further, the first bending locking piece 54 and the second bending locking piece 55 are both arranged so as to correspond to the locking space 21B in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In a free state in which the first bending locking piece 54 and the second bending locking piece 55 are not elastically bent, the space between the first bending locking piece 54 and the second bending locking piece 55 is both bent. This is a bending allowance space 60 for allowing elastic locking of the locking pieces 54 and 55 in the left-right direction. Both the first bending locking piece 54 and the second bending locking piece 55 can be elastically bent so as to advance into the bending allowable space 60. The direction of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is a direction intersecting with the direction of elastic bending of the lock arm 17 and is a direction along the upper surface 10 </ b> A of the housing 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, 10, and 11, the first bending locking piece 54 is formed with a first locking protrusion 57 that protrudes from the side surface opposite to the second bending locking piece 55 in the left-right direction. Has been. The front surface of the first locking projection 57 is a locking surface 57F that is substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction, and the rear surface of the first locking projection 57 is a guide surface 57R that is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. Yes. The second bending engagement piece 55 is formed with a second engagement protrusion 58 protruding from the side surface opposite to the first bending engagement piece 54 in the left-right direction. The front surface of the second locking protrusion 58 is a front locking slope 58F inclined with respect to the front-rear direction, and the rear surface of the second locking protrusion 58 is a rear locking slope 58R inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. It has become.

  The vertical dimension (thickness dimension) of the first bending locking piece 54 is a constant dimension as a whole including the first locking protrusion 57. The vertical dimension of the second flexure locking piece 55 is a constant dimension as a whole including the second latching protrusion 58 and has the same thickness as the first flexure locking piece 54. The vertical dimension of both the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 is slightly smaller than the vertical dimension of the groove-like space between the upper surface 10A of the housing 10 and the lower surface of the restricting portion.

  The front member 50 is assembled to the housing 10 from the front, functions as a front retainer that restricts the elastic deformation of the lance 12 and double-locks the terminal fitting 40, and the terminal fitting 40 at the front end of the cavity 11. Demonstrate the function to support from below. The front member 50 assembled to the housing 10 is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 at the retracted position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 and behind the retracted position (backward in the assembly direction of the front member 50 with respect to the housing 10). It is possible to move back and forth between the positions. At the time of assembly, the bending restricting portion 53 is caused to enter the die-cutting space 14, and the first bending locking piece 54 is caused to enter the space between the upper surface 10A of the housing 10 and the first restricting portion 26, and the second The bending locking piece 55 is caused to enter the space between the upper surface 10 </ b> A of the housing 10 and the second restricting portion 27.

  In the process of assembling the front member 50, the first locking projection 57 of the first bending locking piece 54 interferes with the first locking portion 29, so that the first bending locking piece 54 is allowed to be bent. It moves into 60 and elastically bends so as to approach the second bend locking piece 55 side. At this time, since both guide surfaces 29F and 57R inclined with respect to the assembly direction of the front member 50 are in sliding contact with each other, the first locking protrusion 57 and the first locking portion 29 may be caught. However, the elastic bending operation of the first bending locking piece 54 and the assembling operation of the front member 50 are smoothly performed.

  Then, when the front member 50 reaches the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 5, the first locking projection 57 gets over the first locking portion 29, and the first bending locking piece 54 is elastically restored, so that the first engagement is achieved. The locking portion 29 is locked from the rear. At this time, the locking surfaces 29R and 57F that are substantially perpendicular to the assembly direction of the front member 50 are locked to each other, so that the front member 50 is reliably restricted from moving forward with respect to the housing 10. Further, since the second locking projection 58 of the second bending locking piece 55 comes into contact with the second locking portion 30 from the front, the front member 50 moves rearward with respect to the housing 10 by this contact action. To be regulated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the retaining protrusion 53 </ b> A of the front member 50 is engaged with the front end edge of the communication hole 15, so that the relative displacement of the front member 50 with respect to the housing 10 is restricted. The 50 third locking projections 59 are locked from the front with respect to the third locking portion 31 of the housing 10, whereby the relative displacement of the front member 50 to the rear of the housing 10 is restricted. Thus, the front member 50 is held at the retracted position with respect to the housing 10.

  In a state where the front member 50 is in the retracted position, the bending restricting portion 53 stands by at a position deviated forward with respect to the bending space 13, so that elastic deformation of the lance 12 toward the bending space 13 is allowed. In this state, the terminal fitting 40 is inserted into each cavity 11. In the process of inserting the terminal fitting 40, the lance 12 is elastically bent so as to retract to the bending space 13 side due to interference with the terminal connection portion 41. When the terminal fitting 40 reaches the proper insertion position, the lance 12 is elastically restored and locked to the receiving portion 44 of the terminal connecting portion 41, and the terminal fitting 40 is held in a retaining state by the locking action. .

  When the insertion of all the terminal fittings 40 is completed, the front member 50 is moved so as to be pushed from the retracted position to the restricting position. In the process in which the front member 50 moves, the second bending locking piece 55 advances into the bending allowable space 60 due to the interference between the second locking protrusion 58 and the second locking portion 30 as shown in FIG. Then, it is elastically bent so as to approach the first bending locking piece 54. At this time, the rear locking slope 58R of the second bending locking piece 55 and the front locking slope 30F of the second locking part 30 that are inclined with respect to the moving direction (assembly direction) of the front member 50 are formed. Since the sliding contact is made, the elastic bending of the second bending locking piece 55 and the movement of the front member 50 are performed smoothly. Accordingly, the third bending locking piece 56 is elastically bent and the third locking protrusion 59 gets over the third locking portion 31.

  When the front member 50 reaches the restriction position, as shown in FIG. 4, the second locking projection 58 passes through the second locking portion 30, so that the second bending locking piece 55 is elastically restored, and The front locking slope 58F of the 2 locking projection 58 is locked to the rear inclined slope 30R of the second locking part 30 from the rear. The front member 50 is held at the restricting position by this semi-locking locking action. When the front member 50 moves to the restriction position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bending restriction portion 53 enters the bending space 13, whereby the elastic deformation of the lance 12 toward the bending space 13, that is, the lance 12 is moved. Dissociation from the terminal fitting 40 is restricted. In this way, the terminal fitting 40 is securely held in the retaining state by the lance 12 and the front member 50. Thus, the assembly of the connector F is completed.

  In the process of fitting the connector F to the mating connector M, the lock projection 17 interferes with the lock portion 60 of the mating connector M, so that the lock arm 17 is elastically bent to the release position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the reinforcing rib 24 enters the bending allowance space 60 between the escape groove 28 between both the restricting portions 26, 27 and both the bending locking pieces 54, 55, and the notch The rear end portions of both bending locking pieces 54 and 55 enter the portion 23. Accordingly, the elastically bent lock arm 17 does not interfere with the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 and the restricting portions 26 and 27.

  When both the connectors F and M reach the proper fitting state, the lock arm 17 is elastically restored, and the lock projection 20 is locked to the lock portion 60 as shown in FIG. Both connectors F and M are locked in the fitted state. Further, when the connectors F and M in the locked state are to be detached, the operating portion 22 of the lock arm 17 is pushed and the lock arm 17 is elastically bent to the release position. Pull apart. At this time, the lock arm 17 is not bent and does not interfere with the locking pieces 54 and 55 and the restricting portions 26 and 27.

  When the terminal fitting 40 attached to the housing 10 is extracted, first, the front member 50 is moved from the restricting position to the retracted position. At this time, the front member 50 is pulled forward with respect to the housing 10. Then, the front locking slope 58F of the second locking projection 58 and the rear locking slope 30R of the second locking part 30 are in sliding contact, and the second bending locking piece 55 advances toward the bending allowance space 60 side. Thus, the second locking projection 58 gets over the second locking portion 30. At this time, the front locking slope 58F of the second locking projection 58 and the rear locking slope 30R of the second locking part 30 are both inclined with respect to the moving direction of the front member 50. The movement operation of the member 50 forward and the elastic bending of the second bending locking piece 55 are performed smoothly.

  After the front member 50 is moved to the retracted position, a release jig (not shown) is inserted into the communication hole 15 so that the lance 12 is elastically bent toward the bending space 13, thereby engaging the lance 12 with the terminal fitting 40. Release the stop. Then, the terminal fitting 40 may be pulled out rearward by grasping the electric wire 43 while maintaining this unlocked state.

  As described above, the connector F according to the present embodiment bends the space excluding the advance region (arm advance space 21A) of the lock arm 17 in the space 21 between the upper surface 10A of the housing 10 and the lock arm 17. The stoppers 54 and 55 and the locking portions 29 and 30 are accommodated, and the locking spaces 21B for elastically bending the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 are provided. The space used as the locking space 21B is originally a dead space that is not necessary from the viewpoint of allowing the elastic deformation of the lock arm 17, and this dead space is effectively used as the locking space 21B. Therefore, the housing 10 can be reduced in size as compared with the case where the locking space is provided inside the housing.

  When the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 is the same as the direction of elastic bending of the lock arm 17, the maximum amount of elastic bending of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 is the elasticity of the lock arm 17. It must be less than or equal to the amount of deflection. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 is set to a direction intersecting with the elastic bending direction of the lock arm 17, the amount of elastic bending of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 is A large amount can be secured without being restricted by the amount of elastic deflection of the lock arm 17.

  Further, when the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 is a direction intersecting with the upper surface 10A of the housing 10, the maximum elastic bending amount of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 is the same as that of the upper surface 10A of the housing 10. It must be equal to or less than the distance from the lock arm 17. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 is the direction along the upper surface 10 </ b> A of the housing 10, the amount of elastic bending of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 is the housing 10. It is possible to ensure a large size without being restricted by the space between the upper surface 10A and the lock arm 17.

  Further, in the locking space 21B, there are formed restricting portions 26, 27 that are opposed to or come into contact with the bending locking pieces 54, 55 from the lock arm 17 side (upper side). Due to the restricting portions 26 and 27, there is no risk of unauthorized displacement to the lock arm 17 side when the flexure locking pieces 54 and 55 are elastically bent, and the flexure lock that is illegally displaced when the lock arm 17 is elastically deflected. Interference with the pieces 54 and 55 is prevented.

  Further, a pair of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 are provided at an interval in the width direction intersecting the elastic bending direction of the lock arm 17, and the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 are interposed between the pair of bending locking pieces 54 and 55. A bending allowance space 60 for allowing the elastic deformation of 54 and 55 is secured. When the lock arm 17 is elastically bent, the reinforcing rib 24 enters the bending allowance space 60 and the rear end portions of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 enter the notches 23 on both sides of the reinforcing rib 24. It is configured to do.

  According to this configuration, the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 can be extended rearward so as to approach the elastic bending region (arm advance space 21A) of the lock arm 17, and the rigidity of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the resistance caused by the elastic bending of the bending locking pieces 54 and 55 when the front member 50 is assembled and moved. Further, there is a concern that the portion of the lock arm 17 where the notch 23 is formed is thin and the rigidity is lowered, but the reinforcing ribs 24 are left between the left and right notches 23. There is no possibility that the rigidity of the lock arm 17 is lowered. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve both improvement in workability in assembling the front member 50 and prevention of a decrease in rigidity of the lock arm 17.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, the case where the female terminal fitting is accommodated in the housing has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a connector that accommodates a male terminal fitting having an elongated tab at the tip in the housing. .
(2) In the above embodiment, the lock arm is elastically bent with its front end as a fulcrum, but the lock arm can also be applied when it is elastically bent with its rear end as a fulcrum.
(3) In the above embodiment. Although the lock arm extends in a cantilever manner, the lock arm may be supported by the housing at both front and rear ends.
(4) In the above-described embodiment, the support portion serving as a fulcrum of the elastic deformation of the lock arm is protruded from the side wall surface that is perpendicular to the upper surface (outer surface) of the housing. You may make it protrude from an upper surface (outer surface).
(5) In the above-described embodiment, the elastic locking piece is formed on the housing, and the elastic locking piece is formed on the housing side. You may form in.
(6) In the above embodiment, the locking portion that is the locking target of the bending locking piece is not elastically bent. However, the locking portion may be elastically bent in the same manner as the bending locking piece. .
(7) In the above-described embodiment, the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is the direction intersecting with the elastic bending direction of the lock arm, but the direction of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is the elastic bending direction of the lock arm. It is good also as substantially the same direction (direction substantially parallel).
(8) In the above embodiment, the elastic bending direction of the elastic locking piece is the direction along the upper surface (outer surface) of the housing. However, the elastic bending direction of the bending locking piece is relative to the outer surface of the housing. It is good also as a direction which approaches and separates.
(9) In the above embodiment, the number of the bending locking pieces accommodated in the locking space is two, but the number of the bending locking pieces accommodated in the locking space may be one, or three or more. But you can.
(10) In the above embodiment, a pair of restricting portions are provided so as to individually correspond to the two bending locking pieces, and an escape groove is formed between the pair of restricting portions. It is good also as a form in which one common control part is provided with respect to a stop piece, and an escape groove is not formed.
(11) In the above-described embodiment, the reinforcing rib that can enter the bending allowance space for the escape groove and the bending locking piece is formed on the lock arm, but such a reinforcing rib may not be formed.
(12) In the above embodiment, the case where the front member has a function as a front retainer that restricts the elastic deflection of the lance and double-locks the terminal fitting has been described. However, the front member has the front end portion of the cavity. It may have a function as a constituent front mask, or may have a function other than these.

F ... Connector M ... Mating connector 10 ... Housing 10A ... Upper surface (outer surface) of housing
17 ... Lock arm 21 ... Space between housing and lock arm 21A ... Arm advance space (lock arm advance region)
21B ... Locking space 26 ... First restricting portion 27 ... Second restricting portion 29 ... First locking portion 30 ... Second locking portion 40 ... Terminal fitting 50 ... Front member 54 ... First bending locking piece 55 ... First 2 flexure locking piece

Claims (4)

A housing in which the terminal fitting is accommodated;
A lock arm that can be locked to the mating connector, is arranged so as to face the outer surface of the housing with a space therebetween, and elastically bends so as to advance only to a partial region of the space;
A front member assembled from the front with respect to the housing;
An elastically bendable locking piece provided on any one of the front member and the housing;
A locking portion provided on the other member of the front member and the housing;
In the process of assembling the front member to the housing, the bending locking piece is elastically bent due to interference with the locking portion,
When the front member is in a properly assembled state, the flexure locking piece is elastically restored and locked to the locking portion, whereby the front member is held in the assembled state. In the connector,
The space excluding the advance region of the lock arm in the space serves as a locking space for accommodating the bending locking piece and the locking portion and elastically bending the bending locking piece. A connector characterized by that.   2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a direction of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is a direction intersecting with an elastic bending direction of the lock arm.   The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a direction of elastic bending of the bending locking piece is a direction along an outer surface of the housing. The flexure locking piece is formed on the front member;
4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein a restricting portion capable of restricting unauthorized displacement of the flexible locking piece toward the lock arm is formed in the locking space. 5. Connector according to item.

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