CONNECTOR

Separation of housings in a stacked state can be suppressed. A connector (1) is provided with housings (10, 20, 30) to be stacked on each other, terminal fittings (50) to be accommodated into the respective housings (10, 20, 30), wires (60) fixed to the terminal fittings (50) and drawn out rearward, and a rear wall portion (40). The rear wall portion (40) includes a through hole (42) for allowing passage of the wires (60) and is molded as a single part. The rear wall portion (40) is formed with first separation restricting portions (43) and second separation restricting portions (44) for restricting separation of the wires (60) arranged in a stacking direction of the respective housings (10, 20, 30) from the other wires (60) in an opposite direction along the stacking direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a connector.

BACKGROUND

A stacking connector of Patent Document 1 is provided with a first housing and a second housing to be stacked on each other. Terminal fittings fixed to wires are inserted into the respective housings from behind.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: JP 2020-068098 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved

In the stacking connector of Patent Document 1, if the wire projecting from the first housing (lower housing) is pulled downward and the wire projecting from the second housing (upper housing) is pulled upward, locking between the housings is released and the housings in a stacked state are separated.

The present disclosure was completed on the basis of the above situation and aims to suppress the separation of housings in a stacked state.

Means to Solve the Problem

The present disclosure is directed to a connector with a plurality of housings to be stacked on each other, terminal fittings to be accommodated into the housings, wires fixed to the terminal fittings, the wires being drawn out rearward from the housing, and a rear wall portion including a through hole for allowing passage of the wires, the rear wall portion being molded as a single component or single part, the rear wall portion being formed with a separation restricting portion for restricting separation of the wires arranged in a stacking direction of the housings from the other wires in an opposite direction along the stacking direction.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present disclosure, the separation of housings in a stacked state can be suppressed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION

Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure

First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described.(1) The connector of the present disclosure is provided with a plurality of housings to be stacked on each other, terminal fittings to be accommodated into the housings, wires fixed to the terminal fittings, the wires being drawn out rearward from the housing, and a rear wall portion including a through hole for allowing passage of the wires, the rear wall portion being molded as a single component or single part, the rear wall portion being formed with a separation restricting portion for restricting separation of the wires arranged in a stacking direction of the housings from the other wires in an opposite direction along the stacking direction.

According to the configuration of the present disclosure, since the separation restricting portion is formed in the rear wall portion molded as the single component or single part, even if the wire is pulled in a separation direction (direction opposite to the other wires), a pulling force applied to the wire can be received by the rear wall portion. Thus, the pulling force applied to the wire is less likely to be exerted to the housings and the separation of the housings in a stacked state can be suppressed.(2) Preferably, the housing includes a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers arranged in a direction intersecting the stacking direction, the terminal fittings are accommodated into the terminal accommodation chambers, and the through hole is partitioned to individually communicate with the plurality of terminal accommodation chambers.

According to this configuration, since the through hole is configured to individually communicate with the plurality of terminal accommodation chambers, the terminal fitting is easily inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber when the wire is passed through the through hole. Erroneous insertion of the terminal fitting into the terminal accommodation chamber can also be prevented.(3) Preferably, the rear wall portion is integrally formed to one of the housings. According to this configuration, the number of members can be reduced as compared to the case where the rear wall portion is a component separate from the housing.(4) Preferably, the rear wall portion is located behind the housing not formed with the rear wall portion.

According to this configuration, since a rearward displacement of the housing not formed with the rear wall portion can be prevented, it is not necessary to provide a lock for restricting a rearward displacement.(5) Preferably, the housing includes a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers arranged in a direction intersecting the stacking direction, and a tapered guiding portion is formed on a rear end opening edge part of the terminal accommodation chamber of the housing not formed with the rear wall portion.

According to this configuration, since the terminal fitting is guided forward by the tapered guiding portion immediately after passing through the through hole of the rear wall portion, the terminal fitting can be prevented from being caught by the rear end opening edge of the terminal accommodation chamber.(6) Preferably, the plurality of housings include locking portions for holding the plurality of housings in a stacked state, and the locking portions are formed only on both end parts of the housings in a width direction intersecting a draw-out direction of the wires.

According to this configuration, the structures of the housings can be simplified by providing the locking portions only on the both end parts of the housings.

Details of Embodiment of Present Disclosure

Embodiment

One specific embodiment of a connector of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.1to11. In this embodiment, upper and lower sides shown inFIGS.1to11are directly defined as upper and lower sides concerning a vertical direction. Left and right sides shown inFIGS.9and11are directly defined as front and rear sides concerning a front-rear direction. Left and right sides shown inFIGS.7,8and10are defined as right and left sides concerning a lateral direction.

A connector1of this embodiment is provided with a first housing10, a second housing20, a third housing30, a rear wall portion40, terminal fittings50(seeFIG.9) and wires60as shown inFIGS.1and2. The first, second and third housings10,20and30correspond to “housings” of the present disclosure. The first, second and third housings10,20and30are stacked on each other. The rear wall portion40constitutes a wall portion on a rear side of the connector1. The terminal fittings50are accommodated in the first and second housings10,20. The wire60is fixed to the terminal fitting50. The wire60is drawn out rearward from the first or second housing10or20.

Each of the first, second and third housings10,20and30is a single component made of synthetic resin. In the connector1, the first, second and third housings10,20and30are stacked in this order from below.

As shown inFIGS.3and4, the first housing10has a flat shape long in the lateral direction. The first housing10is provided with a plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers11. The first terminal accommodation chamber11corresponds to an example of a “terminal accommodation chamber.” The terminal fittings50are accommodated in the first terminal accommodation chambers11. Note that a state where the terminal fittings50are accommodated only in some of the terminal accommodation chambers11is illustrated inFIGS.6to8and10. The plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers11are arranged side by side in a row in a direction (lateral direction) intersecting a stacking direction. Note that the stacking direction means a stacking direction (vertical direction) of the first, second and third housings10,20and30. As shown inFIG.3, the first terminal accommodation chamber11is long in the front-rear direction. An opening11A open upward is provided on a rear end side of the first terminal accommodation chamber11.

As shown inFIG.3, the first housing10includes a pair of side walls12. The side wall12is formed to be long in the front-rear direction from a front end side toward a rear end side of the first housing10. A front bulging portion13A bulging inward in the lateral direction (toward the other side wall12) is provided on the front end of the side wall12. A first recess13B recessed outward in the lateral direction (toward a side opposite to the other side wall12) is provided in the front bulging portion13A. The first recess13B is open forward.

As shown inFIG.3, a recessed portion14A recessed outward in the lateral direction is provided in a center in the front-rear direction of the side wall12. The recessed portion14A has a rectangular shape long in the front-rear direction when viewed from the lateral direction. A locked piece14B projecting inward in the lateral direction is provided on a lower end side of the recessed portion14A. The locked piece14B and the recessed portion14A have a shape elongated in the front-rear direction over an entire length.

As shown inFIG.3, a rear bulging portion15A bulging outward in the lateral direction and upward is provided on the rear end of the side wall12. A first protrusion15B and a second recess15C are provided on a lateral inner side of the rear bulging portion15A in the side wall12. The first protrusion15B projects inward in the lateral direction from the upper end of the rear bulging portion15A. The second recess15C is provided below and adjacent to the first protrusion15B. The first protrusion15B is recessed outward in the lateral direction.

The rear wall portion40is a single part made of synthetic resin. As shown inFIGS.3and9, the rear wall portion40is integrally formed to the first housing10. Here, the “single part” means a single part in a molded state. The “single part” does include a combination of a plurality of independent components. The first housing10and the rear wall portion40constitute one component. Thus, the number of members can be reduced as compared to the case where the rear wall portion40is a component separate from the respective housings10,20and30. The rear wall portion40rises upward from the rear end of the first housing10. The rear wall portion40is a plate-like wall portion long in the lateral direction. The upper end of the rear wall portion40is located below those of the side walls12. As shown inFIG.7, a slit41is provided between the rear wall portion40and each of the pair of side walls12. In this way, the side wall12is easily deflected and deformed in the lateral direction.

As shown inFIGS.7and9, the rear wall portion40is provided with a plurality of through holes42. The through holes42are not formed in components and parts other than the rear wall portion40. The plurality of the through holes42are formed side by side in the lateral direction in two upper and lower stages. The through hole42has a square shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. The terminal fitting50and the wire60connected to the terminal fitting50are passed through the through hole42. The through holes42are partitioned to individually communicate with the first terminal accommodation chambers11and second terminal accommodation chambers21to be described later. Since the through holes42individually communicate with a plurality of the terminal accommodation chambers (the plurality of the first terminal accommodation chambers11and a plurality of the second21), the terminal fitting50is easily inserted into each terminal accommodation chamber11,21when the wire60is passed through the through hole42. Erroneous insertion of the terminal fitting50into each terminal accommodation chamber11,21can also be prevented. Specifically, as shown inFIG.9, the through hole42in the lower stage integrally communicates with the first terminal accommodation chamber11in the front-rear direction. As shown inFIG.9, the through hole42in the upper stage communicates with the second terminal accommodation chamber21in the front-rear direction with the second housing20stacked on the first housing10.

As shown inFIG.9, the rear wall portion40is located behind the second housing20with the second housing20stacked on the first housing10. Specifically, the rear wall portion40is in contact with the second housing20from behind. The rear wall portion40is located behind the third housing30with the first, second and third housings10,20and30stacked on each other. Specifically, the rear wall portion40is in contact with the third housing30from behind. Since rearward displacements of the housings (second housing20and third housing30) not formed with the rear wall portion40can be prevented in the above way, it is not necessary to provide a lock for restricting rearward displacements.

As shown inFIGS.7and9, the rear wall portion40is formed with first separation restricting portions43and second separation restricting portions44. The first and second separation restricting portions correspond to examples of a “separation restricting portion” of the present disclosure. The first and second separation restricting portions43,44restrict the separation of the wires60arranged in the stacking direction of the first, second and third housings10,20and30from the other wires60in an opposite direction along the stacking direction. The first separation restricting portion43is constituted by a lower wall portion of the through hole42in the lower stage. The first separation restricting portion43is constituted by the wall portion having a wall surface (wall surface facing upward) parallel to the front-rear direction and lateral direction. The second separation restricting portion44is constituted by an upper wall portion of the through hole42in the upper stage. The second separation restricting portion44is constituted by the wall portion having a wall surface (wall surface facing downward) parallel to the front-rear direction and lateral direction.

As shown inFIGS.3and4, the second housing20has a flat shape long in the lateral direction. The second housing20is not formed with the rear wall portion40. The second housing20is provided with the plurality of second terminal accommodation chambers21. The second terminal accommodation chambers21correspond to examples of the “terminal accommodation chambers.” The terminal fittings50are accommodated in the second terminal accommodation chambers21. Note thatFIGS.6to8and10illustrate a state where the terminal fittings50are accommodated only in some of the second terminal accommodation chambers21. The plurality of second terminal accommodation chambers21are arranged side by side in a row in a direction (lateral direction) intersecting the stacking direction. As shown inFIG.3, the second terminal accommodation chamber21is long in the front-rear direction. An opening21A open upward is provided on a rear end side of the second terminal accommodation chamber21. An upper wall portion22extending over the entire second housing20in the lateral direction is provided in front of the openings21A. The upper wall portion22is higher than the front end of the second housing20.

As shown inFIG.9, a guiding portion21B is formed on a rear end opening edge part of the second terminal accommodation chamber21. The rear end opening edge part of the second terminal accommodation chamber21has a U shape open upward when viewed from behind. The guiding portion21B is tapered toward a rear side. Specifically, the guiding portion21B is inclined downward toward the rear side in a lower part of the rear end opening edge part of the second terminal accommodation chamber21, and inclined outward in the lateral direction toward the rear side in both left and right side parts of the rear end opening edge part of the second terminal accommodation chamber21. By this configuration, the terminal fitting50is guided forward by the tapered guiding portion21B immediately after passing through the through hole42of the rear wall portion40, wherefore the terminal fitting40can be prevented from being caught by the rear end opening edge part of the second terminal accommodation chamber21.

As shown inFIGS.3and8, locking pieces23are provided on both left and right ends of the second housing20. The locking piece23projects laterally outward. The locking piece23is long in the front-rear direction. The locking piece23is provided behind the upper wall portion22in the second housing20. As shown inFIG.8, the locking pieces23are locked to the locked pieces14B with the second housing20stacked on the first housing10. Specifically, as shown inFIG.8, the locking pieces23are located below the locked pieces14B and in contact with the locked pieces14B from below with the second housing20stacked on the first housing10. In this way, the first and second housings10,20are held in the stacked state by the locking pieces23and the locked pieces14B. The locking pieces23and the locked pieces14B correspond to examples of “locking portions” of the present disclosure. The locking pieces23are formed only on both end parts of the second housing20in the lateral direction (width direction intersecting a draw-out direction of the wires60). Thus, the structure of the second housing20can be simplified. The locked pieces14B are formed only on both end parts of the first housing10in the lateral direction. Thus, the structure of the first housing10can be simplified.

As shown inFIG.4, a plurality of first hooking portions24are provided to correspond to the plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers11on the lower surface of the second housing20. The first hooking portion24projects downward from the lower surface of the second housing20. As shown inFIG.9, the first hooking portion24enters the opening11A of the first terminal accommodation chamber11from above and faces the front edge of the opening11A and a projection54of the terminal fitting50to be described later. In this way, the terminal fitting50is prevented from coming out rearward and a forward movement of the second housing20with respect to the first housing10is restricted.

As shown inFIGS.3and4, the third housing30has a flat shape long in the lateral direction. The third housing30is not formed with the rear wall portion40. A cantilevered and deflectable lock arm31is provided in a central part in the lateral direction of the upper surface of the third housing30. Second protrusions32A projecting outward in the lateral direction are provided on corner parts of a front side of the third housing30. Third recesses32B recessed inward in the lateral direction are provided to surround the second protrusions32A on both left and right side walls of the third housing30. As shown inFIG.6, the front bulging portions13A are located in the third recesses32B with the third housing30stacked on the second housing20. The second protrusions32A are fit in the first recesses13B.

As shown inFIG.3, fourth recesses33A recessed inward in the lateral direction are provided on the rear ends of the both left and right side walls of the third housing30. Third protrusions33B projecting outward in the lateral direction are provided behind the fourth recesses33A in the third housing30. As shown inFIG.10, the first protrusions15B are located in the fourth recesses33A with the third housing30stacked on the second housing20. The first protrusions15B are restricted from moving rearward by the third protrusions33B located behind as shown inFIG.2.

As shown inFIG.4, a plurality of second hooking portions34are provided to correspond to the plurality of second terminal accommodation chambers21on the lower surface of the third housing30. The second hooking portion34projects downward from the lower surface of the third housing30. As shown inFIG.9, the second hooking portion34enters the opening21A of the second terminal accommodation chamber21from above and faces the front edge of the opening21A (rear edge of the upper wall portion22) and the projection54of the terminal fitting50to be described later. In this way, the terminal fitting50is prevented from coming out rearward and a forward movement of the third housing30with respect to the second housing20is restricted.

As shown inFIGS.4and9, a step portion35lowered downward is provided in front of the plurality of second hooking portions34on the lower surface of the third housing30. As shown inFIG.9, the step portion35is in contact with the front end of the upper wall portion22from front. In this way, a rearward movement of the third housing30with respect to the second housing20is restricted.

As shown inFIG.5, the terminal fitting50is, for example, a female terminal fitting. The terminal fitting50is formed by bending a metal plate material stamped into a predetermined shape. The terminal fitting50includes a rectangular tube portion51, a first barrel52and a second barrel53. The rectangular tube portion51has a tubular shape and accommodates a contact piece (not shown) to be brought into contact with a tab of a mating male terminal fitting (not shown). The projection54projecting upward is provided on the rear end of the upper surface of the rectangular tube portion51. The first barrel52is crimped to a conductor wire61drawn out from the wire60. The second barrel53is fixed to the wire60by being crimped.

As described above, the rear wall portion40molded as the single part is formed with the first and second separation restricting portions43,44as shown inFIG.9. Thus, even if the wire60is pulled in a separation direction (direction opposite to the other wires60), a pulling force applied to the wire60can be received by the rear wall portion40. For example, if the lower wire60shown inFIG.9is pulled downward and the upper wire60shown inFIG.9is pulled upward, the lower wire60is received by the first separation restricting portion43and the upper wire60is received by the second separation restricting portion44. By receiving pulling forces in different directions by the rear wall portion40molded as the single part in this way, the pulling forces applied to the wires60are less likely to be exerted to the respective housings10,20and30, and the separation of the respective housings10,20and30in the stacked state can be suppressed.

As shown inFIGS.11A to11D, the connector1is manufactured. First, as shown inFIG.11A, the first housing10is prepared. Subsequently, as shown inFIG.11B, the terminal fittings50connected to the wires60are inserted into the first terminal accommodation chambers11of the first housing10via the lower through holes42of the rear wall portion40.

Subsequently, the second housing20is accommodated between the both side walls12of the first housing10and, as shown inFIG.11C, the second housing20is stacked on the first housing10. At this time, the locking pieces23of the second housing20are locked to the locked pieces14B of the first housing10. Specifically, the both side walls12are deflected and deformed outward in the lateral direction, whereby the locking pieces23ride over the locked pieces14B and contact the locked pieces14B from below as shown inFIG.8.

As shown inFIG.11C, the rear end of the second housing20contacts the front end of the rear wall portion40. In this way, the through holes42of the rear wall portion40communicate with the second terminal accommodation chambers21. The first hooking portions24of the second housing20are inserted into the openings11A of the first terminal accommodation chambers11from above and caused to face the front edges of the openings11A and the projections54of the terminal fittings50(seeFIG.9) from behind. In this way, the terminal fittings50are prevented from coming out rearward and a forward movement of the second housing20with respect to the first housing10is restricted.

Subsequently, as shown inFIG.11D, the terminal fittings50connected to the wires60are inserted into the second terminal accommodation chambers21of the second housing20via the upper through holes42of the rear wall portion40.

Subsequently, the third housing30is accommodated between the both side walls12of the first housing10and, as shown inFIG.9, the third housing30is stacked on the second housing20. The rear end of the third housing30contacts the front end of the rear wall portion40.

In stacking the third housing30on the second housing20, the front bulging portions13A are fit into the third recesses32B as shown inFIG.6. The second protrusions32A are fit into the first recesses13B. As shown inFIG.10, the first protrusions15B are fit into the fourth recesses33A. As shown inFIG.2, rearward movements of the first protrusions15B are restricted by the third protrusions33B located behind.

As shown inFIG.9, the second hooking portions34of the third housing30are inserted into the openings21A of the second terminal accommodation chambers21from above and caused to face the front edges of the openings21A (rear edge of the upper wall portion22) and the projections54of the terminal fittings50from behind. In this way, the terminal fittings50are prevented from coming out rearward and a forward movement of the third housing30with respect to the second housing20is restricted. The step portion35is brought into contact with the front end of the upper wall portion22from front. In this way, a rearward movement of the third housing30with respect to the second housing20is restricted.

Effects of Embodiment

As described above, according to the connector1of the present disclosure, the first and second separation restricting portions43,44are formed in the rear wall portion40molded as the single part. Thus, even if the wire60is pulled in the separation direction (direction opposite to the other wires60), a pulling force applied to the wire60can be received by the rear wall portion40. Thus, the pulling force applied to the wire60is less likely to be exerted to the respective housings10,20and30and the separation of the respective housings10,20and30in the stacked state can be suppressed.

The through holes42of the rear wall portion40are partitioned to individually communicate with the plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers11and the plurality of second terminal accommodation chambers21. According to this configuration, in passing the wires60through the through holes42, the terminal fittings50are easily inserted into the first and second terminal accommodation chambers11,21. Erroneous insertion of the terminal fittings50into the first and second terminal accommodation chambers11,21can also be prevented.

The rear wall portion40is integrally formed to the first housing10. According to this configuration, the number of members can be reduced as compared to the case where the rear wall portion40is a component separate from the first housing10.

The rear wall portion40is located behind the housings (first and second housings10,20) not formed with the rear wall portion40. According to this configuration, since rearward displacements of the housings (first and second housings10,20) not formed with the rear wall portion40can be prevented, it is not necessary to provide a lock for restricting rearward displacements.

The tapered guiding portion21B is formed on the rear end opening edge part of the second terminal accommodation chamber21of the second housing20. According to this configuration, since the terminal fitting50is guided forward by the tapered guiding portion21B immediately after passing through the through hole42of the rear wall portion40, the terminal fitting50can be prevented from being caught by the rear end opening edge part of the second terminal accommodation chamber21.

The locking pieces23are formed only on the both end parts of the second housing20in the lateral direction (width direction intersecting the draw-out direction of the wires60). Thus, the structure of the second housing20can be simplified. The locked pieces14B are formed only on both end parts of the first housing10in the lateral direction. Thus, the structure of the first housing10can be simplified.

Other Embodiments

The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiment, but is represented by claims. The present invention is intended to include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents and include also the following embodiments.

Although the rear wall portion40is integrally formed to the first housing10in the above embodiment, a rear wall portion may be integrally formed to the other housing (second housing20, third housing30).

If the terminal accommodation chambers are provided in multiple stages as in the above embodiment, the rear wall portion40may include one through hole largely open to communicate with all the terminal accommodation chambers.

In the above embodiment, a through hole may be one slit communicating with all the terminal accommodation chambers formed in one housing.

Although the rear wall portion40is integrally formed to the first housing10in the above embodiment, a rear wall portion may be formed as a single component separate from the first housing10. Here, the “single component” means a single component in a molded state. The “single component” does include a combination of a plurality of independent components.

Although the locking pieces23are formed only on the both end parts of the second housing20in the lateral direction in the above embodiment, a locking piece may be formed in a central part in the lateral direction. Similarly, although the locked pieces14B are formed only on the both end parts of the first housing10in the lateral direction in the above embodiment, a locked piece may be formed in a central part in the lateral direction.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS