Abstract:
A tubular connector housing is adapted to receive a terminal fitting coupled with an electric wire. An inner holder is accommodated in the connector housing so as to place the terminal fitting therein. The inner holder is slidable between a first position which allows the terminal fitting to be withdrawn from the connector housing and a second position which prevents the terminal fitting from being withdrawn from the connector housing. A through hole is formed in a side wall of the connector housing such that a part of an outer side face of the inner holder is actuated therethrough, in order to displace the inner holder between the first position and the second position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to a connector used for connecting wires or the like.  
           [0002]    Various electronic equipments are mounted on a vehicle. Wire harnesses for transmitting electric power, control signals and others to the electric equipments are installed on the vehicle. The wire harness comprises a plurality of wires, and connectors. The wire is a so-called sheathed wire comprising an conductive core wire (conductor) and an insulating sheath covering this conductor.  
           [0003]    Related-art connectors  101 , shown respectively in FIGS. 9A through 11B, are used as such a connector. Each connector  101  comprises male terminal fittings (not shown and hereinafter referred to as “male terminals”), a connector housing  102 , and an inner holder  103 .  
           [0004]    The male terminal is formed of an conductive metal sheet or the like, and includes a wire coupling portion and an electrical contact portion. The above-mentioned wire is electrically and mechanically connected to the wire coupling portion. The electrical contact portion is formed into a plate-shape, and is continuous with the wire coupling portion. The electrical contact portion is inserted into an electrical contact portion of a female terminal fitting provided in a mating connector adapted to be fitted with the connector  101 , and is electrically connected to the electrical contact portion of the female terminal fitting.  
           [0005]    The connector housing  102  is made of an insulative synthetic resin, and is formed into a tubular shape. As shown in FIGS. 9B, 10B and  11 B, the connector housing  102  has a plurality of terminal chambers  104  for respectively receiving the male terminals. The terminal chambers  104  are formed linearly, and are arranged parallel to one another. The male terminals are received respectively in the terminal chambers  104  in such a manner that the electrical contact portions of the male terminals face a first opening  102   a  of the connector housing  102  while the wire coupling portions of the male terminals face a second opening  102   b  of the connector housing  102 .  
           [0006]    The inner holder  103  is inserted into the connector housing  102  through the first opening  102   a . The inner holder  103  is mounted in the connector housing  102  in such a manner that the inner holder  103  is retained on an inner face of the connector housing  102 . The inner holder  103 , thus mounted in the connector housing  102 , is slidable between a provisional engagement position (shown in FIGS. 9A, 10A and  11 A) and a plenary engagement position (shown in FIGS. 9B, 10B and  11 B).  
           [0007]    In the provisional engagement position, the inner holder  103  allows the male terminals to be inserted respectively into the terminal chambers  104  through second opening  102   b , and also allows the male terminal to be withdrawn respectively from the terminal chambers  104  through second opening  102   b . In the plenary engagement position, the inner holder  103  prevents the male terminals from being withdrawn respectively from the terminal chambers  104  through second opening  102   b . In the plenary engagement position, the electrical contact portions of the male terminals project from the inner holder  103  toward the first opening  102   a.    
           [0008]    A hooked portion  106  is formed in the inner holder  103 . The jig  105  is inserted into the connector housing  102  through the first opening  102   a , and a distal end portion  105   a  of the jig  105  is hooked over the hooked portion  106  so that the inner holder  103  can be moved between the provisional engagement position and the plenary engagement position by the jig  105 .  
           [0009]    In the above related-art connectors  101 , particularly in the plenary engagement position, the electrical contact portions of the male terminals project from the inner holder  103  toward the first opening  102   a . Therefore, particularly when the distal end portion  105   a  of the jig  105  is to be hooked over the hooked portion  106  so as to move the inner holder  103  from the plenary engagement position to the provisional engagement position, the distal end portion  105   a  is sometimes accidentally brought into contact with the electrical contact portion of the male terminal.  
           [0010]    When the distal end portion  105   a  of the jig  105  is brought into contact with the electrical contact portion of the male terminal, the electrical contact portion of this male terminal is bent in some cases. There are occasions when the thus bent electrical contact portion of the male terminal cannot be connected to the female terminal in the mating connector. Further, when the distal end portion  105   a  of the jig  105  is brought into contact with the electrical contact portion of the male terminal, there is a probability that the electrical contact portion is bent, and is separated from the wire coupling portion, thus damaging the male terminal, in the worst case.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a connector having an inner holder received in a connector housing, in which terminal fittings can be positively connected respectively to mating terminal fittings, and these terminal fittings are prevented from damage.  
           [0012]    In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention, there is provided a connector, comprising:  
           [0013]    a tubular connector housing, adapted to receive a terminal fitting coupled with an electric wire; and  
           [0014]    an inner holder, accommodated in the connector housing so as to place the terminal fitting therein, the inner holder being between a first position which allows the terminal fitting to be withdrawn from the connector housing and a second position which prevents the terminal fitting from being withdrawn from the connector housing;  
           [0015]    wherein a through hole is formed in a side wall of the connector housing such that a part of an outer side face of the inner holder is actuated therethrough, in order to displace the inner holder between the first position and the second position.  
           [0016]    In such a configuration, by pushing the part of the outer face of the inner holder through the through hole, the inner holder can be moved between the first position and the second position while preventing an actuating member such as a jig from being brought into contact with the terminal fitting inadvertently. Therefore, the terminal fitting is prevented from being bent and damaged, so that the terminal fitting can be positively connected to the mating terminal fitting.  
           [0017]    Preferably, an operated member, which is to be externally actuated in the sliding direction of the inner housing, is formed on the outer side face of the inner holder so as to be located within the through hole.  
           [0018]    In such a configuration, the operated member can be positively operated. Therefore, the inner holder can be positively moved between the first position and the second position.  
           [0019]    Here, it is preferable that the operated member is a projection extending outward through the through hole.  
           [0020]    In such a configuration, the operated member can be further positively operated.  
           [0021]    Here, it is further preferable that: a pair of protective walls are formed on the side wall of the connector housing at both sides of the through hole relative to a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the inner holder; and a top face of each of the protective walls is situated upper than a top face of the operated member.  
           [0022]    In such a configuration, the protective walls will not prevent the movement of the operated member. Further, an external article or the like is prevented from being inadvertently brought into contact with the operated member, and therefore is prevented from pushing the operated member in the direction of movement of the inner holder.  
           [0023]    Preferably, at least one pair of projections are formed on the outer face of the inner housing, and are arranged to be engaged with an inner face of the connector housing such that the inner holder is retained in either the first position or the second position while being allowed to be displaced between the first position and the second position. The pair of projections are juxtaposed in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the inner holder.  
           [0024]    In such a configuration, a mold for molding the inner holder can be formed into a simple structure to reduce the manufacturing cost. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1, showing a state that an inner holder is located in a provisional engagement position;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is a sectional perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1, showing a state that the inner holder is located in a plenary engagement position;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the connector of FIG. 1, showing a state that the inner holder is located in the provisional engagement position;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the connector of FIG. 1, showing a state that the inner holder is located in the plenary engagement position;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 1;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8A is a section view showing the position of a first projection of the inner holder when the inner holder is located in the provisional engagement position;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8B is a section view showing the position of a second projection of the inner holder when the inner holder is located in the provisional engagement position;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8C is a section view showing the position of the first projection of the inner holder when the inner holder is located in the plenary engagement position;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 8D is a section view showing the position of the second projection of the inner holder when the inner holder is located in the plenary engagement position;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIGS. 9A and 9B are sectional perspective views showing a first related-art connector;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 10A and 10B are sectional perspective views showing a second related-art connector; and  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 11A and 11B are sectional perspective views of a third related-art connector. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]    One preferred embodiment of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. A connector  1  of the embodiment is used to form a wire harness for installation on a vehicle or the like. The wire harness comprises a plurality of wires  2  (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6), and the connector  1 . The wire  2  comprises an conductive core wire (conductor), and an insulating sheath covering this conductor.  
         [0041]    The connector  1  comprises male terminal fittings  3 , a connector housing  4 , and an inner holder  5 .  
         [0042]    The male terminal  3  is formed of an conductive metal sheet or the like, and includes a wire coupling portion  6  and an electrical contact portion  7 . The wire  2  is electrically and mechanically connected to the wire coupling portion  6 . The electrical contact portion  7  is formed into a plate-shape, and is continuous with the wire coupling portion  6 . The electrical contact portion  7  is inserted into an electrical contact portion of a female terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as “female terminal”) provided in a mating connector adapted to be fitted with the connector  1 , and is electrically connected to the electrical contact portion of the female terminal fitting.  
         [0043]    The connector housing  4  is made of an insulative synthetic resin, and is formed into a tubular shape. The connector housing includes a tubular main body  8 , an operation hole  9 , and a pair of protective walls  10 . The main body  8  has a plurality of terminal chambers  11  for respectively receiving the male terminals  3 . The terminal chambers  11  are formed linearly, and are arranged parallel to one another. A retaining pawl  12  is integrally formed on an inner face of each terminal chamber  11  so as to extend inwardly. The retaining pawl  12  is retainingly engaged with an edge of the electrical contact portion  7  of the male terminal  3  disposed close to the wire coupling portion  6 .  
         [0044]    The male terminals  3  are received respectively in the terminal chambers  11  in such a manner that the electrical contact portions  7  of the male terminals  3  face a first opening  8   a  of the main body  8  of the connector housing  4  while the wire coupling portions  6  of the male terminals face a second opening  8   b  of the main body  8  of the connector housing  4 .  
         [0045]    The male terminals  3  are inserted respectively into the terminal chambers  11  through the second opening  8   b  in a direction of arrow X 1 .  
         [0046]    The operation hole  9  is formed through an outer wall  13  of the main body  8  of the connector housing  4 . The operation hole  9  has a rectangular shape when viewed from the top. Part of an outer face  14   a  of a main body  14  (described later) of the inner holder  5  faces the operation hole when the inner holder  5  is mounted in the connector housing  4 .  
         [0047]    A longitudinal direction of the operation hole  9  is parallel to the direction of arrow X 1 . An operated member  15  (described later) is located within the operation hole  9 . The operated member  15  can be pushed in the direction of arrow X 1  and a direction of arrow X 2  from the outside of the connector housing, using a jig  16  or the like, so that the inner holder  5  is moved in directions of arrows X. The direction of arrow X 2  is a direction of insertion of the inner holder  5  into the connector housing  4 , and is parallel and opposite to the direction of arrow X 1 .  
         [0048]    The protective walls  10  extend upright (perpendicularly) from the outer wall  13  of the main body  8  of the connector housing  4 . The protective walls  10  are formed at a peripheral edge portion of the operation hole  9 . The operated member  15  is located between the pair of protective walls  10  as shown in FIG. 7. The pair of protective walls  10  are spaced from each other in directions of arrows Y (that is, the direction of the width of the connector housing  4 , inner holder  5  and male terminals  3 ) which is perpendicular to the directions of arrows X.  
         [0049]    The protective walls  10  extend in the directions of arrows X and projected from the outer wall  13  of the main body  8  of the connector housing  4  beyond the operated member  15  in directions of arrows Z (that is, the direction of the thickness of the connector housing  4 , inner holder  5  and male terminal  3 ).  
         [0050]    As shown in FIG. 2, the inner holder  5  comprises: the box-shaped main body  14 ; a pair of first projections  20  (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2), and a pair of second projections  21  (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2), which are formed respectively on the opposite side edges (side faces) of the main body  14  spaced from each other in the direction of arrow Y; and the operated member  15 . These members  15 ,  20  and  21  are formed integrally on the main body  14 . The first projection  20  and the second projection  21 , formed on each of the opposite side edges of the main body  14 , are juxtaposed to each other in the directions of arrows Z.  
         [0051]    As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of slide grooves  17  are formed in a pair of opposed inner faces of the main body  8  of the connector housing  4  facing each other in the directions of arrows Y and extending linearly in the directions of arrows X.  
         [0052]    The opposite side edges (relative to the directions of arrows Y) of the inner holder  5  are received respectively in the slide grooves  17 , so that the inner holder  5  is supported by these slide groove portions  17  slidably in the directions of arrows X, so that the inner holder  5  can be moved between a provisional engagement position and a plenary engagement position.  
         [0053]    As shown in FIGS. 8A through 8D, a first stopper projection  18  and a second stopper projection  19  are projected from a longitudinal center portion of each slide groove  17 . The first stopper projection  18  is disposed closer to the first opening  8   a  than the second stopper projection  19  is. The first stopper projection  18  is opposed to an associated one of the first projections  20  formed on the inner holder  5  in the directions of arrows X.  
         [0054]    The second stopper projection  19  is disposed closer to the second opening  8   b  than the first stopper projection  18  is. The second stopper projection  19  is opposed to an associated one of the second projection  21  formed on the inner holder  5 , in the directions of arrows X.  
         [0055]    In the provisional engagement position, the main body  14  of the inner holder  5  is spaced from the retaining pawls  12  in the directions of arrows X as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Incidentally, the main body  14  of the inner holder  5  allows the elastic deformation of the retaining pawls  12  so as to allow the insertion of the male terminals  3  into the respective terminal chambers  11  through second opening  8   b , and also to allow the male terminals  3  in the respective terminal chambers  11  to be withdrawn from the main body  8  of the connector housing  4  through second opening  8   b.    
         [0056]    In the plenary engagement position, the main body  14  of the inner holder  5  overlaps the retaining pawls  12  in the directions of arrows Z as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Incidentally, the main body  14  of the inner holder  5  prevents the elastic deformation of the retaining pawls  12  so as to prevent the male terminals  3  in the respective terminal chambers  11  from being withdrawn from the main body  8  of the connector housing  4  through second opening  8   b.    
         [0057]    A plurality of positioning holes  22  are formed through a wall of the main body  14  of the inner holder  5  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Particularly in the plenary engagement position, the electrical contact portions  7  of the male terminals  3  respectively pass through the positioning holes  22  so as to project toward the first opening  8   a . The main body  14  of the inner holder  5  is mounted in the connector housing  4 , and the electrical contact portions  7  of the male terminals  3  pass respectively through the positioning holes  22 , so that the inner holder  5  positions the electrical contact portions  7  of the male terminals  3  relative to the connector housing  4 .  
         [0058]    The operated member  15  extends from the outer face  14   a  of the main body  14 , and projects outwardly from the connector housing  4 . When the main body  14  is mounted in the main body  8  of the connector housing  4 , the operated member  15  is located in the operation hole  9 . Incidentally, the operated member  15  projects outwardly from the outer face of the main body  8  of the connector housing  4 . Accordingly, the operated member  15  can be operated from the outside of the connector housing  4 .  
         [0059]    When the main body  14  is located in the provisional engagement position, the operated member  15  is located at an end edge of the operation hole  9  disposed close to the first opening  8   a . When the main body  14  is located in the plenary engagement position, the operated member  15  is located at an end edge of the operation hole  9  disposed close to second opening  8   b.    
         [0060]    As shown in FIG. 8A, an end face  23  (shown in FIG. 8) of each first projection  20 , disposed close to the first opening  8   a , is perpendicular to the directions of arrows X, and is parallel to the directions of arrows Y and Z. An end face  24  (shown in FIG. 8) of the first projection  20 , disposed close to second opening  8   b , is slanting inwardly (that is, toward the main body  14  of the inner holder  5 ) gradually toward second opening  8   b.    
         [0061]    As shown in FIG. 8B, an end face  25  of each second projection  21 , disposed close to the first opening  8   a , is slanting outwardly (that is, away from the main body  14  of the inner holder  5 ) gradually toward second opening  8   b . An end face  26  (shown in FIG. 8) of the second projection  21 , disposed close to second opening  8   b , is slanting inwardly (that is, toward the main body  14  of the inner holder  5 ) gradually toward second opening  8   b.    
         [0062]    In the connector  1 , the male terminals  3  are inserted respectively into the terminal chambers  11  through the second opening  8   b  in the direction of arrow X 1 . As a result, the retaining pawls  12  retain the male terminals  3 , respectively, as shown in FIG. 5. Then, the inner holder  5  is inserted into the main body  8  of the connector housing  4  through the first opening  8   a  in the direction of arrow X 2 . The first projections  20  on the inner holder  5 , as well as the switching projections  21 , are inserted respectively into the slide grooves  17  formed in the connector housing  4 .  
         [0063]    At this time, the end face  24  of each first projection  20  is brought into contact with the associated first stopper projection  18 , and then the main body  8  of the connector housing  4  is elastically deformed outward, and then the end face  23  of the first projection  20  is held in intimate contact with the first stopper projection  18  as shown in FIG. 8A. Thus, the inner holder  5  is mounted in the connector housing  4  in such a manner that this inner holder  5  is retained on the inner face of the connector housing  4 .  
         [0064]    The operated member  15  is located at that end edge of the operation hole  9  disposed close to the first opening  8   a . Thus, the inner holder  5  is located in the provisional engagement position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.  
         [0065]    Since the end face  23  of each first projection  20  of the inner holder  5  is parallel to the directions of arrows Y and Z, the inner holder  5  is prevented from being disengaged from the connector housing  4 . Thus, the first projections  20  are retainingly engaged with the inner face of the connector housing  4  to prevent the inner holder  5  from being disengaged from the connector housing  4 .  
         [0066]    In the provisional engagement position, the end face  26  of each second projection  21  faces the associated second stopper projection  19  in the directions of arrows X as shown in FIG. 8A. Then, the operated member  15  is pushed in the direction of arrow X 2  by the jig  16  as shown in FIG. 5. Accordingly, the end face  26  of each second projection  21  is brought into contact with the second stopper projection  19  as shown in FIG. 8B so as to deform the connector housing  4  outward.  
         [0067]    As a result, the operated member  15  is located at that end edge of the operation hole  9  disposed close to second opening  8   b , so that the inner holder  5  is located in the plenary engagement position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. In the plenary engagement position, the end face  23  of each first projection  20  is brought into contact with the associated second stopper projection  19  as shown in FIG. 8C, and the end face  25  of each second projection  21  faces the associated second stopper projection  19  in the directions of arrows X as shown in FIG. 8D.  
         [0068]    The operated member  15 , located at the end edge of the operation hole  9  disposed close to second opening  8   b , is pushed in the direction of arrow X 1  by the jig  16  as shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, the end face  25  of each second projection  21  is brought into contact with the second stopper projection  19  so as to deform the connector housing  4  outward. As a result, the inner holder  5  is slid from the plenary engagement position to the provisional engagement position.  
         [0069]    As described the above, the second projections  21  are retainingly engaged with the inner face of the connector housing  4  to locate the inner holder  5  in either of the provisional engagement position and the plenary engagement position, and also to allow the inner holder  5  to be displaced between the provisional engagement position and the plenary engagement position.  
         [0070]    In this embodiment, by pushing the operated member  15  projected through the operation hole  9  formed in the outer wall  13  of the connector housing  4 , the inner holder  5  can be moved between the provisional engagement position and the plenary engagement position. Since the operation hole  9  faces a part of the outer face  14   a  of the inner holder  5 , it is possible to prevent the jig  16  from being brought into contact with the electrical contact portion  7  of the male terminal  3  accidentally. Therefore, the electrical contact portion  7  of the male terminal  3  is prevented from being bent and damaged, and the male terminal  3  can be positively connected to the female terminal.  
         [0071]    Since the operated member  15  is projected from the main body  14  of the inner holder  5  and located within the operation hole  9 , the operated member  15  can be positively operated. Therefore, the inner holder  5  can be positively moved between the provisional engagement position and the plenary engagement position.  
         [0072]    Since the operated member  15  is located between the two protective walls  10 , the protective walls  10  will not prevent the movement of the operated member  15 . In addition, the protective walls  10  are extend from the outer wall  13  of the connector housing  4  so as to project beyond the operated member  15 , an external article or the like is prevented from being inadvertently brought into contact with the operated member  15 . Therefore, the inner holder  5  is prevented from being accidentally moved particularly to the provisional engagement position, and therefore is prevented from being accidentally disengaged from the connector housing  4 .  
         [0073]    Since the first projection  20  and second projection  21 , formed on each of the opposite side edges of the inner holder  5 , are juxtaposed to each other in the directions of arrows Z, a mold for molding the inner holder  5  can be formed into a simple structure. Therefore, the cost of the inner holder  5  and hence the cost of the connector  1  can be prevented from being increased.  
         [0074]    Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. Such changes and modifications as are obvious are deemed to come within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as defined in the appended claims.