Patent ID: 6302735
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A connector, comprising:a housing having at least first and second cavities into which first and second terminal fittings are insertable, first and second elastically deformable locking portions defining peripheral parts of the respective first and second cavities and being separated from one another by a deformation permitting space, each of said first and second locking portions permitting insertion of the respective first and second terminal fittings by being elastically deformed into the deformation permitting space and being restored to a position not projecting into the deformation permitting space when the terminal fitting is inserted to a proper insertion position for locking the respective terminal fitting in the respective cavity, the elastically deformable locking portions being partly offset from one another in directions transverse to a direction of deformation of the locking portions; anda retainer having a detecting portion with an inserting end surface insertable into the deformation permitting space when the locking portions are not in the deformation permitting space, the detecting portion having a first side facing the first cavity and a second side facing the second cavity, the detecting portion contacting either of the locking portions that has been elastically deformed into the deformation permitting space by one of said terminal fittings that has been insufficiently inserted, thereby enabling a detection of insufficient insertion of either one of the terminal fittings,wherein the detecting portion comprises first and second spaced apart excessive deformation preventing portions projecting from the inserting end surface, the first excessive deformation preventing portion being aligned with the first locking portion but not with the second locking portion and being aligned with the second side of the detecting portion but being offset from the first side thereof, the second excessive deformation preventing portion being aligned with the second locking portion but not with the first locking portion and being aligned with the first side of the detecting portion but offset from the second side thereof, the first and second excessive deformation preventing portions restricting an excessive elastic deformation of the respective first and second locking portions by coming into contact with a contact part of the respective locking portion.