Connector

A connector includes a female housing, an engagement detection member, and a cover member. The female housing is provided with a terminal connected to a counterpart terminal of a counterpart connector and is capable of being engaged with the counterpart connector. The engagement detection member is assembled with the female housing in a movable manner from an initial position to an engagement assurance position in a state where the counterpart connector and the female housing are completely engaged with each other. The cover member is assembled with the engagement detection member through a locking unit locked with the engagement detection member. The locking unit is provided inside an outer shape line of the engagement detection member when viewed in a direction of relative movement between the female housing and the engagement detection member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-045686 filed in Japan on Mar. 9, 2016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

As a conventional connector that is applied to a wire harness and the like, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-274532 discloses a protector attached to an incomplete engagement detection connector that includes a connector housing and an engagement detection member. The connector housing houses a connection terminal in a terminal housing chamber, and has a packing attached to an end part of an electric wire connected to the connection terminal inserted in a rear end of the terminal housing chamber. The engagement detection member is slidably attached to the outer periphery of the connector housing along a mutual engagement direction between male and female connectors, and detects an incomplete engagement state of the male and female connectors by availability of slide movement.

The protector disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-274532 functions as a cover member that is assembled with an engagement detection member and covers an end part of a corrugated tube serving as an exterior member of an electric wire connected to the incomplete engagement detection connector, but size of the outer shape may be increased depending on, for example, an assembling structure of the engagement detection member and the protector, and there is room for further improvement in this point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of reducing an increase in size.

In order to achieve the above mentioned object, a connector according to one aspect of the present invention includes a housing that is provided with a terminal connected to a counterpart terminal of a counterpart connector and is capable of being engaged with the counterpart connector; an engagement detection member that is assembled with the housing in a movable manner from an initial position to an engagement assurance position in a state where the counterpart connector and the housing are completely engaged with each other; and a cover member that is assembled with the engagement detection member through a locking unit locked with the engagement detection member, wherein the locking unit is provided inside an outer shape line of the engagement detection member when viewed in a direction of relative movement between the housing and the engagement detection member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the connector, the locking unit may include a locking claw that is locked with the engagement detection member and is bent when being locked with the engagement detection member, the cover member may include an evacuation space that accommodates the locking claw when the locking claw is bent, and the housing may include a control unit that is disposed outside the evacuation space in a state where the engagement detection member is disposed at the initial position and is disposed inside the evacuation space in a state where the engagement detection member is disposed at the engagement assurance position so as to control bending of the locking claw.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the connector, the control unit may contact the locking claw in a state where the locking claw is bent and is evacuated to the evacuation space so as to prevent the engagement detection member from moving from the initial position to the engagement assurance position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that this embodiment is not intended to limit the invention. Components in the embodiment include components that can be replaced and are facilitated by the skilled person or substantially like components.

Embodiment

FIG. 1described below illustrates a state where each component forming a female connector is assembled, andFIGS. 2 and 3each illustrate a state where each component forming the female connector is disassembled.FIGS. 1 and 4illustrate parts of electric wires connected to terminals by two-dot chain lines, and other drawings omit an illustration of the electric wires. Similarly,FIG. 4illustrates a female terminal of the female connector by a two-dot chain line, and other drawings omit an illustration of the female terminal. Each drawing partially illustrates a part of a male housing including a hood unit.FIG. 12illustrates a state where a connector position assurance (CPA) member is disposed at an initial position,FIG. 13illustrates a state where the male housing and a female housing are completely engaged with each other, andFIG. 14illustrates a state where the CPA member is disposed at an engagement assurance position.

A connector mechanism1inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, and the like is applied to a wire harness WH and the like used for an automobile and the like. The connector mechanism1is a connection mechanism for an electric wire-to-electric wire connection that connects electric wires W1and W2forming the wire harness WH to each other. Each of the electric wires W1and W2includes, for example, a conductor (core wire) obtained by twisting a plurality of conductive metal element wires and an insulating covering unit that covers the outside of the conductor. This connector mechanism1includes a male connector2as a counterpart connector and a female connector3as a connector. By engaging the male connector2with the female connector3and making a connector connection, a male terminal4included in the male connector2and a female terminal6included in the female connector3are electrically connected to each other so as to form an electric connection part between the male terminal4and the female terminal6.

Hereinafter, out of mutually crossing first, second, and third directions, the first direction is referred to as “axial direction X”, the second direction as “width direction Y”, and the third direction as “height direction Z”. The axial direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are orthogonal to one another. The axial direction X is typically a direction along an engagement direction of the male connector2and the female connector3, and, in addition, is a direction along an extension direction of the male terminal4included in the male connector2and the female terminal6included in the female connector3. The male connector2and the female connector3are disposed opposed to the axial direction X and are engaged with each other. Hereinafter, each of the directions represents, unless otherwise noted, a direction in a state where each unit is assembled with each other.

The male connector2is a male connector connected to an end of the electric wire W1serving as a first electric wire that forms the wire harness WH as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, and the like. The male connector2includes the male terminal4(seeFIG. 3) as a counterpart terminal and a male housing5as a counterpart housing provided with the male terminal4. Hereinafter, in the male connector2, a female connector3side in the axial direction X may be referred to as a front side, and a side opposite to the female connector3side may be referred to as a rear side in the axial direction X.

The male terminal4is a male terminal metal fitting for a connector, and is connected to an end of the electric wire W1and is formed of conductive metal as a whole. The male housing5is a male connector housing provided with the male terminal4, and is formed of an insulating synthetic resin material and the like. The male housing5includes a hood51in which an engagement space52is formed. The hood51is formed in substantially a long cylindrical shape where an axis line is along the axial direction X, and the engagement space52is formed inside the hood51. The engagement space52is a space where a female housing7of the female connector3, which will be described later, is engaged. The male housing5holds the male terminal4so that the tip of the male terminal4(the front side end part in the axial direction X) is exposed in the engagement space52. The male terminal4extends in the axial direction X while held by the male housing5. In the male terminal4, for example, an end part on a side opposite to the tip exposed in the engagement space52(the rear side end part in the axial direction X) is held in a terminal insertion chamber (may be referred to as a cavity) of a terminal holding unit integrally formed with the hood51, and the electric wire W1is connected to the end part. The male terminal4is inserted from the rear side in the axial direction X and held in the terminal insertion chamber, and the tip thereof on the front side in the axial direction X is exposed in the engagement space52of the hood51. In the male connector2, the hood51is open on the front side in the axial direction X, and the electric wire W1extends on the rear side in the axial direction X. The male housing5holds a plurality of, in the embodiment, two male terminals4(one of the male terminals4is not illustrated).

The male connector2includes a plurality of projective ribs53and a male beak54as a counterpart lock on the outer surface of the hood51. The projective ribs53are formed by projecting from the outer surface of the hood51, and extend in a linear rod shape along the axial direction X. The projective ribs53are inserted in a CPA member9, which will be described later, and is a part held by the CPA member9. Three projective ribs53are provided to the hood51on one side in the width direction Y, and one projective rib53to the hood51on the other side in the width direction Y, in other words, four projective ribs53are provided in total. When distinctively, four projective ribs53may be referred to as projective ribs53a,53b,53c, and53dfor convenience. The projective ribs53a,53b, and53care provided to one side in the width direction Y, and the projective rib53dis provided to the other side in the width direction Y. The projective ribs53aand53dare each provided to one corner in the height direction Z, the projective rib53cis provided to the other corner in the height direction Z, and the projective rib53bis provided between the projective ribs53aand53cwith respect to the height direction Z. The projective ribs53a,53b,53c, and53dslightly differ from one another in shape, but the projective ribs53a,53b,53c, and53dextend in a linear rod shape along the axial direction X in common. The male beak54is formed by projecting from the outer surface of the hood51. One male beak54is formed in a claw shape nearly at the center of one of the outer surfaces of the hood51along the axial direction X and the width direction Y. The male beak54is formed by projecting along the height direction Z. The male beak54is a part with which a female lock73of the female connector3, which will be described later, is locked. In the male beak54, an inclined surface is formed at the end part of the front side in the axial direction X on the male housing5so that a projection amount from the outer surface of the male housing5is gradually increased from the front side toward the rear side, and a rising locking surface is formed substantially vertically from the outer surface of the male housing5at the end part of the rear side in the axial direction X on the male housing5.

The female connector3is a female connector connected to an end of the electric wire W2serving as a second electric wire that forms the wire harness WH as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and the like. The female connector3includes the female terminal6(seeFIG. 4) as a terminal, the female housing7serving as a housing provided with the female terminal6, a spacer8assembled with the female housing7, the CPA member9as an engagement detection member assembled with the female housing7in a relatively movable manner along the axial direction X, and a cover member10assembled with the CPA member9. Hereinafter, in the female connector3, a male connector2side in the axial direction X may be referred to as a front side, and a side opposite to the male connector2side may be referred to as a rear side in the axial direction X.

The female terminal6is a female terminal metal fitting for a connector, and is connected to an end of the electric wire W2and is formed of conductive metal as a whole. In the female connector3, the female housing7is engaged with the engagement space52of the male housing5, and the female terminal6is electrically connected to the male terminal4of the male connector2.

The female housing7is a female connector housing provided with the female terminal6as illustrated inFIGS. 2, 3, 4, and the like, and is formed of an insulating synthetic resin material and the like. The female housing7holds the female terminal6, and is a member that can be engaged with the engagement space52of the male housing5. The female housing7includes a female main body71that holds the female terminal6and assembles the spacer8and the CPA member9, a female lock arm72that extends from the female main body71, and a female lock73as a first lock formed on the female lock arm72. The female main body71is formed in substantially a long columnar shape where an axis line is along the axial direction X. The female lock arm72is supported in a cantilever shape at an end part of the female main body71on the rear side in the axial direction X, and extends toward the front side along the axial direction X. The female lock73is formed at the end part of the female lock arm72on the front side in the axial direction X. The female lock arm72and the female lock73form a lock mechanism for locking the female housing7with the male housing5of the male connector2. The female housing7is formed by integrating the female main body71, the female lock arm72, and the female lock73with an insulating synthetic resin material and the like.

The female main body71is a part that is engaged with the engagement space52of the male housing5, and includes a terminal insertion chamber71aand a spacer engagement unit71band each of the units is integrally formed. The female main body71holds the female terminal6by inserting the female terminal6in the terminal insertion chamber71afrom the rear side in the axial direction X and inserting the spacer8in the spacer engagement unit71bfrom one side in the width direction Y.

Specifically, the terminal insertion chamber71ais a space in which the female terminal6can be inserted along the axial direction X, and that holds the female terminal6. The terminal insertion chamber71amay be referred to as a cavity. The terminal insertion chamber71aextends inside the female main body71, and is formed in a hollow shape so as to house the female terminal6. The terminal insertion chamber71aextends along the axial direction X. The terminal insertion chamber71ais formed as a space having a size and a shape capable of having the female terminal6inserted therein depending on an outer shape of the female terminal6. In the terminal insertion chamber71a, a female terminal insertion aperture71cis formed on the rear side in the axial direction X, and a male terminal insertion aperture71dis formed on the front side in the axial direction X. The female terminal insertion aperture71cis open toward the rear side in the axial direction X with respect to the outside of the female main body71as an aperture in which the female terminal6is inserted. The male terminal insertion aperture71dis open toward the front side in the axial direction X with respect to the outside of the female main body71as an aperture in which the male terminal4of the male connector2electrically connected to the female terminal6is inserted. A plurality of terminal insertion chambers71a, in the embodiment, two terminal insertion chambers71aare provided side by side in the width direction Y depending on the number of a plurality of female terminals6provided to the female connector3. In the female main body71, the female terminals6are inserted in the terminal insertion chambers71athrough the female terminal insertion apertures71c.

The spacer engagement unit71bis a space with which the spacer8is engaged. The spacer engagement unit71bextends along a direction crossing an extension direction of the terminal insertion chambers71a, in the embodiment, the width direction Y, and is communicated with the terminal insertion chambers71a. The spacer engagement unit71bis communicated with a middle part of each of the terminal insertion chambers71ain the axial direction X, and passes through the female main body71along the width direction Y.

The female main body71in the embodiment includes, more specifically, a large diameter part71A and a small diameter part71B that extend along the axial direction X, and the female main body71is formed by integrating the large diameter part71A and the small diameter part71B. The large diameter part71A, and the small diameter part71B are formed in substantially a long columnar shape where the axis line is along the axial direction X. The large diameter part71A is disposed at the rear side in the axial direction X and the small diameter part71B at the front side in the axial direction X, and the large diameter part71A and the small diameter part71B are integrally formed adjacent to each other in the axial direction X. A diameter of the large diameter part71A in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction X is formed larger than that of the small diameter part71B, in other words, a diameter of the small diameter part71B in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction X is formed smaller than that of the large diameter part71A. The large diameter part71A is a part that is a base end part supporting the female lock arm72in a cantilever shape. By contrast, in the female main body71, the small diameter part71B is a part that is engaged with the engagement space52of the male housing5, and is formed in a size and a shape capable of being engaged with the engagement space52. The large diameter part71A is exposed from the engagement space52of the male housing5while the small diameter part71B is engaged with the engagement space52. In the female main body71, a packing74for water cut-off formed in an annular shape is attached to a step part between the large diameter part71A and the small diameter part71B. In the female main body71, the terminal insertion chambers71aextend across the large diameter part71A and the small diameter part71B along the axial direction X. In the female main body71, the spacer engagement unit71bis formed on the small diameter part71B.

The female main body71also includes a projective rib75and a plurality of control projections76on the outer surface of the large diameter part71A. The projective rib75is formed by projecting from the outer surface at the end part of the large diameter part71A on the rear side in the axial direction X, and extends in a linear rod shape along the axial direction X. The projective rib75is inserted in the CPA member9, and is a part held by the CPA member9. The projective rib75is provided to one corner of the large diameter part71A. The projective rib75is provided to one corner (corner of a position opposed to the projective rib53cwith respect to the axial direction X) out of two corners on a side opposite to the side where the female lock arm72is provided in the height direction Z. The control projections76are formed by projecting from the outer surface at the end part of large diameter part71A on the rear side in the axial direction X. The control projections76are parts that are inserted in the CPA member9and contact a predetermined part (control projection95cof the CPA member9, which will be described later) so as to control relative movement between the female housing7and the CPA member9along the axial direction X at a predetermined position (initial position of the CPA member9, which will be described later). One control projection76is formed in a claw shape by projecting along the width direction Y from the position on one side in the height direction Z (side to which the female lock arm72is provided) at each of both end parts of the large diameter part71A in the width direction Y, and one control projection76is formed in a claw shape by projecting along the height direction Z from an surface of the large diameter part71A on the other side in the height direction Z (side to which the projective rib75is provided), in other words, three control projections76are provided in total. When described distinctively, three control projections76may be referred to as control projections76a,76b, and76cfor convenience. The control projections76aand76bare formed at positions opposed to each other with respect to the width direction Y. The control projection76ais formed at a position opposed to the projective rib53awith respect to the axial direction X, and the control projection76bat a position opposed to the projective rib53dwith respect to the axial direction X. The control projections76cis formed nearly at the center in the width direction Y on a surface of the large diameter part71A on the other side in the height direction Z (side opposite to the side to which the female lock arm72is provided).

In the female housing7in the embodiment, a control end surface77and a cylindrical unit78are formed on an end surface of the large diameter part71A of the female main body71on the rear side in the axial direction X. The control end surface77is a part that contacts a predetermined part of the CPA member9(control wall91cof the CPA member9, which will be described later) so as to control relative movement between the female housing7and the CPA member9along the axial direction X at a predetermined position (engagement assurance position of the CPA member9, which will be described later). The control end surface77is formed in an annular shape. The cylindrical unit78is formed by projecting in a cylindrical shape inside the control end surface77formed in an annular shape along the axial direction X. In the cylindrical unit78, a space on an inner periphery surface side forms a part of the terminal insertion chamber71a, and an aperture on the rear side in the axial direction X forms the female terminal insertion aperture71c. A plurality of cylindrical units78, in the embodiment, two cylindrical units78are provided side by side in the width direction Y depending on the number of the terminal insertion chambers71a, and are connected to and integrated with each other.

The female lock arm72is a part that has flexibility and is supported in a cantilever shape with respect to the large diameter part71A in the female main body71. The female lock arm72includes a first arm72A and a second arm72B, and the female lock arm72is formed by integrating the first arm72A and the second arm72B.

The first arm72A is supported by the end part of the female main body71on the rear side in the axial direction X, in the embodiment, by the large diameter part71A, and is formed by extending in a cantilever shape that has flexibility toward the front side along the axial direction X. The first arm72A includes a base end part72athat projects from the large diameter part71A of the female main body71, and a pair of cantilever beam-shaped units72bthat extend from the base end part72a, and the first arm72A is formed in a lever shape as a whole. The base end part72ais formed by projecting from the large diameter part71A of the female main body71along the height direction Z. The cantilever beam-shaped units72bextend from the tip of the base end part72ain the height direction Z toward the front side along the axial direction X. The cantilever beam-shaped units72bare formed opposed to each other with respect to the width direction Y and in parallel with each other along the axial direction X. The cantilever beam-shaped units72bsupport the female lock73at the end part on a side opposite to the base end part72a, in other words, at the end part on the front side in the axial direction X. The cantilever beam-shaped units72bsandwich the female lock73with respect to the width direction Y so as to support the female lock73. In other words, the female lock73is formed in a beam shape along the width direction Y between the cantilever beam-shaped units72bwith respect to the width direction Y, and connects the cantilever beam-shaped units72bto each other. The first arm72A is supported in a cantilever shape capable of elastically deforming at the base end part72aon the rear side in the axial direction X, and has a free end on a female lock73side on the front side in the axial direction X. In this manner, the first arm72A is supported in an elastically deformable manner along the height direction Z with respect to the large diameter part71A of the female main body71.

The second arm72B is supported by the end part of the first arm72A on the front side in the axial direction X, in the embodiment, by the end part of the cantilever beam-shaped units72bon the front side in the axial direction X, and is formed by extending in a cantilever shape that has flexibility toward the rear side along the axial direction X. The second arm72B includes a pair of base end parts72cthat each project from the cantilever beam-shaped units72bof the first arm72A, a pair of cantilever beam-shaped units72dthat each extend from the base end parts72c, and a connecting unit72ethat connects the cantilever beam-shaped units72dto each other. The second arm72B is formed in a lever shape as a whole. The base end parts72care formed by each projecting from the cantilever beam-shaped units72btoward a side opposite to each other along the width direction Y, in other words, a side opposite to the female lock73. The cantilever beam-shaped units72deach extend from the tip of the base end parts72cin the width direction Y toward the rear side along the axial direction X. The cantilever beam-shaped units72dare formed opposed to each other with respect to the width direction Y and in parallel with each other along the axial direction X. More specifically, the cantilever beam-shaped units72dare formed in parallel along the axial direction X by sandwiching the cantilever beam-shaped units72btherebetween with respect to the width direction Y. The connecting unit72econnects the end parts on a side opposite to the base end parts72cof the cantilever beam-shaped units72d, in other words, the end parts on the rear side in the axial direction X. Stated differently, the connecting unit72eis formed in a beam shape along the width direction Y between the cantilever beam-shaped units72dwith respect to the width direction Y, and connects the cantilever beam-shaped units72dto each other. The second arm72B is supported in a cantilever shape capable of elastically deforming at the base end parts72con the front side in the axial direction X, and has a free end on a connecting unit72eside on the rear side in the axial direction X. In this manner, the second arm72B is supported in an elastically deformable manner along the height direction Z with respect to the first arm72A. The cantilever beam-shaped units72dare each provided with a plurality of projective ribs72f,72g, and72hon a surface of the outside in the width direction Y, in other words, on a surface on a side opposite to the surface opposed to the cantilever beam-shaped units72b. The projective ribs72f,72g, and72hare each formed by projecting from the cantilever beam-shaped units72din the width direction Y. The projective ribs72f,72g, and72hare each formed at intervals along the axial direction X on the cantilever beam-shaped units72d. The projective ribs72f,72g, and72hare formed from the front side toward the rear side in the axial direction X in the order of the projective ribs72f,72g, and72h. When described distinctively, two projective ribs72fmay be referred to as projective ribs72faand72fbfor convenience. Similarly, when described distinctively, two projective ribs72gmay be referred to as projective ribs72gaand72gbfor convenience, and when described distinctively, two projective ribs72hmay be referred to as projective ribs72haand72hbfor convenience.

The female lock73is a part that gets over the male beak54and can be locked with the male beak54in a state where the small diameter part71B of the female main body71of the female housing7is engaged with the engagement space52of the male housing5(hereinafter, may be simply referred to as “in a state where the male housing5is engaged with the female housing7”). The female lock73is supported between the end parts of the cantilever beam-shaped units72bon the front side in the axial direction X as described above. The female lock73is formed in a beam shape along the width direction Y, and connects the cantilever beam-shaped units72bto each other.

The spacer8assembled with the female housing7is a member that secures a proper terminal holding force for holding the female terminals6in the terminal insertion chambers71aas illustrated inFIGS. 2, 3, 4, and the like. The spacer8is formed in a size and a shape capable of being engaged with the spacer engagement unit71b, and is attachably/detachably assembled with the spacer engagement unit71balong the width direction Y. The spacer8is inserted in the spacer engagement unit71band is assembled at a predetermined position so as to lock the female terminal6inserted and held in each of the terminal insertion chambers71awith a regular position in the terminal insertion chamber71a. The regular position of each of the female terminals6in the terminal insertion chamber71ais a position that secures a proper electric connection between the female terminals6and the male terminal4.

The CPA member9assembled with the female housing7is assembled so as to cover the outside of the female housing7, and is a member for detecting complete engagement between the male connector2and the female housing7and is a functional member for implementing what is called a connector position assurance (CPA): engagement assurance function as illustrated inFIGS. 2, 3, 5, and the like. The CPA member9is assembled with the female housing7in a relatively movable manner along the axial direction X. A state where the male connector2and the female housing7are completely engaged with each other means a state where the female housing7is engaged with the engagement space52of the male housing5at a proper engagement position, typically, an engagement state where the female lock73is locked with the male beak54so as to secure a proper electric connection between the female terminals6and the male terminals4.

Specifically, the CPA member9includes a CPA main body91assembled with the female housing7, a CPA lock arm92extending from the CPA main body91, and a CPA lock93as a second lock formed on the CPA lock arm92. The CPA main body91is formed in substantially a rectangular cylindrical shape where an axis line is along the axial direction X. The CPA lock arm92is supported in a cantilever shape at an end part of the CPA main body91on the rear side in the axial direction X, and extends toward the front side along the axial direction X. The CPA lock93is formed at the end part of the CPA lock arm92on the front side in the axial direction X. The CPA lock arm92and the CPA lock93form a lock mechanism for locking the CPA member9with the female housing7. The CPA member9is formed by integrating the CPA main body91, the CPA lock arm92, and the CPA lock93with an insulating synthetic resin material and the like.

The CPA main body91is a part that is attached to the female housing7so as to cover the outside of the female housing7, in other words, a part in which the female housing7is inserted and held. The CPA main body91is formed in substantially a rectangular cylindrical shape as described above, and has a holding chamber91aformed therein. The holding chamber91ais a space in which the female housing7can be inserted along the axial direction X, and that holds the female housing7in a relatively movable manner. The holding chamber91aextends inside the CPA main body91and is formed in a hollow shape so as to house the female housing7. The holding chamber91aextends along the axial direction X. The holding chamber91ais formed as a space having a size and a shape capable of having the female housing7inserted therein depending on an outer shape of the female housing7. In the holding chamber91a, a housing insertion aperture91bis formed on the front side in the axial direction X, and the control wall91cis provided to the rear side in the axial direction X. The housing insertion aperture91bis open toward the outside of the CPA main body91on the front side in the axial direction X as an aperture in which the female housing7is inserted. In the CPA main body91, the female housing7is inserted in the holding chamber91athrough the housing insertion aperture91b. The control wall91cis a part that contacts the control end surface77of the female housing7so as to control relative movement between the female housing7and the CPA member9along the axial direction X at a predetermined position (engagement assurance position of the CPA member9, which will be described later). The control wall91cis formed so as to close a part of the aperture of the CPA main body91on the rear side in the axial direction X. The cylindrical units78of the female housing7can pass through the control wall91cin the axial direction X, and a through-hole91dto which the cover member10is attached is formed on the control wall91c. The through-hole91dis formed in substantially an oval shape along the width direction Y. A locked unit91ewith which the cover member10is locked is formed around the through-hole91don the control wall91c(seeFIGS. 3, 5, and the like). The locked unit91eis formed as a beam-shaped part that can lock a locking claw19(seeFIG. 2and the like), which will be described later, in a recessed part formed facing the through-hole91don the control wall91c. In the embodiment, a plurality of locked units91eare formed. One locked unit91eis provided to one side of the through-hole91din the height direction Z (side opposite to a side where a fourth guide recessed part97, which will be described later, is disposed), and one locked unit91eis provided to each of both sides of the through-hole91din the width direction Y, in other words, three locked units91eare provided in total. When described distinctively, three locked units91emay be referred to as locked units91ea,91eb, and91ecfor convenience. The locked unit91eais provided to the one side of the through-hole91din the height direction Z, and the locked units91eband91ecare each provided to both sides of the through-hole91din the width direction Y. In the CPA main body91, a flange91f(seeFIGS. 3, 5, and the like) for hooking a part of the cover member10is formed on the control wall91c. The flange91fis provided to the other side of the control wall91cin the height direction Z (side where the fourth guide recessed part97, which will be described later, is disposed), in the embodiment, to a side opposite to a side to which the through-hole91dis provided. The flange91fis formed in such a shape that an inner wall surface of the through-hole91don the control wall91cprojects toward the rear side in the axial direction X and is folded along the height direction Z.

In addition, the CPA main body91includes a pair of first guide recessed parts94, a pair of second guide recessed parts95, a third guide recessed part96, and the fourth guide recessed part97on the inner surfaces on the holding chamber91aside, in other words, out of inner surfaces facing the holding chamber91aand partitioning the holding chamber91a, on the inner surfaces opposed to each other in the width direction Y. Each of the first guide recessed parts94, the second guide recessed parts95, the third guide recessed part96, and the fourth guide recessed part97is a part in which a part of the female housing7or a part of the male housing5is inserted, and that can guide the part of the female housing7or the male housing5along the axial direction X. The first guide recessed parts94, the second guide recessed parts95, the third guide recessed part96, and the fourth guide recessed part97are provided on the inner surfaces of the CPA main body91along the height direction Z from one side toward the other side in the height direction Z in the order of the first guide recessed parts94, the second guide recessed parts95, the third guide recessed part96, and the fourth guide recessed part97. Each of the first guide recessed parts94, the second guide recessed parts95, the third guide recessed part96, and the fourth guide recessed part97is formed in a recessed shape recessed along the width direction Y, and extends along the axial direction X. The first guide recessed parts94are formed at positions opposed to each other with respect to the width direction Y. When described distinctively, two first guide recessed parts94may be referred to as first guide recessed parts94aand94bfor convenience. The first guide recessed part94ais formed at a position opposed to the projective ribs72fa,72ga, and72haof the female lock arm72of the female housing7with respect to the axial direction X, and has the projective ribs72fa,72ga, and72hainserted therein and guidably supports the projective ribs72fa,72ga, and72haalong the axial direction X. The first guide recessed part94bis formed at a position opposed to the projective ribs72fb,72gb, and72hbof the female lock arm72of the female housing7with respect to the axial direction X, and has the projective ribs72fb,72gb, and72hbinserted therein and guidably supports the projective ribs72fb,72gb, and72hbalong the axial direction X. The second guide recessed parts95are formed at positions opposed to each other with respect to the width direction Y. When described distinctively, two second guide recessed parts95may be referred to as second guide recessed parts95aand95bfor convenience. The second guide recessed part95ais formed at a position opposed to the control projection76aof the female main body71of the female housing7and the projective rib53aof the male housing5with respect to the axial direction X, and has the control projection76aand the projective rib53ainserted therein and guidably supports the control projection76aand the projective rib53aalong the axial direction X. The second guide recessed part95bis formed at a position opposed to the control projection76bof the female main body71of the female housing7and the projective rib53dof the male housing5with respect to the axial direction X, and has the control projection76band the projective rib53dinserted therein and guidably supports the control projection76band the projective rib53dalong the axial direction X. The third guide recessed part96is formed at a position opposed to the projective rib53bof the male housing5with respect to the axial direction X, and has the projective rib53binserted therein and guidably supports the projective rib53balong the axial direction X. The fourth guide recessed part97is formed at a position opposed to the projective rib75of the female main body71of the female housing7and the projective rib53cof the male housing5with respect to the axial direction X, and has the projective rib75and the projective rib53cinserted therein and guidably supports the projective rib75and the projective rib53calong the axial direction X. Furthermore, the CPA main body91includes a fifth guide recessed part98(seeFIG. 5) on the inner surface on the holding chamber91aside, in other words, out of inner surfaces facing the holding chamber91aand partitioning the holding chamber91a, on the one inner surface in the height direction Z (inner surface on the fourth guide recessed part97side). The fifth guide recessed part98is formed in a recessed shape recessed along the height direction Z, and extends along the axial direction X. The fifth guide recessed part98extends from a middle part to the end part on the rear side in the axial direction X. The fifth guide recessed part98is formed at a position opposed to the control projection76cof the female main body71of the female housing7with respect to the axial direction X, and is engaged with the control projection76cand guidably supports the control projection76calong the axial direction X. The CPA main body91also has a spacer insertion aperture99for inserting the spacer8in the spacer engagement unit71bof the female main body71formed at a position adjacent to the second guide recessed part95bin the height direction Z.

In the CPA main body91, a locking projection94cand a control projection94dproject in each of the first guide recessed parts94. The locking projection94cis formed at the end part of each of the first guide recessed parts94on the rear side in the axial direction X. The locking projection94cis a part that is locked between the projective ribs72gand72hof the female lock arm72in a state wherein the CPA member9is disposed at a predetermined position (engagement assurance position of the CPA member9, which will be described later). The control projection94dis formed at the middle part of each of the first guide recessed parts94in the axial direction X. The control projection94dis a part that contacts the projective rib72fof the female lock arm72of the female housing7so as to control relative movement between the female housing7and the CPA member9along the axial direction X at a predetermined position (engagement assurance position of the CPA member9, which will be described later). Moreover, in the CPA main body91, the control projection95cprojects in each of the second guide recessed parts95. The control projection95cis formed at the middle part of each of the second guide recessed parts95in the axial direction X. The control projection95cis a part that contacts the control projections76of the female main body71of the female housing7so as to control relative movement between the female housing7and the CPA member9along the axial direction X at a predetermined position (initial position of the CPA member9, which will be described later).

The CPA lock arm92is a part that is formed in substantially a rectangular columnar shape by projecting toward an aperture91gof the CPA main body91. The aperture91gis formed on a surface of the CPA main body91on one side in the height direction Z, in the embodiment, a surface on a side where the first guide recessed parts94are disposed, in other words, a surface opposed to a surface to which the fifth guide recessed part98is provided in the height direction Z. The CPA lock arm92is supported by an edge part of the aperture91gon the rear side in the axial direction X, and is formed by extending in a cantilever shape that has flexibility toward the front side along the axial direction X. The CPA lock arm92extends in the holding chamber91a. The CPA lock arm92is disposed substantially at the center part of the CPA main body91with respect to the width direction Y. The CPA lock arm92is supported in a cantilever shape capable of elastically deforming at the base end part on the rear side in the axial direction X, and has a free end at the tip on the front side in the axial direction X. In this manner, the CPA lock arm92is supported in an elastically deformable manner along the height direction Z with respect to the base end part. The CPA lock93is formed on the tip of the CPA lock arm92on the front side in the axial direction X.

The CPA lock93is a part that can be locked with the female lock73in a state where the CPA member9is assembled with the female housing7and is disposed at a predetermined position (engagement assurance position of the CPA member9, which will be described later). The CPA lock93is formed by projecting from the tip of the CPA lock arm92on the front side in the axial direction X toward the holding chamber91aside along the height direction Z. The CPA lock93is disposed between the cantilever beam-shaped units72b(seeFIG. 1and the like) in a state where the CPA member9is assembled with the female housing7.

The cover member10assembled with the CPA member9is a member that is assembled with the CPA member9through a locking unit18locked with the CPA member9as illustrated inFIGS. 2, 3, 6, and the like. The cover member10in the embodiment functions as a member that covers an end part of a corrugated tube CT (seeFIG. 1) serving as an exterior member of the electric wire W2connected to the female connector3.

Specifically, the cover member10includes a first divided body11A, a second divided body11B, and a hinge connecting unit12, and is formed by integrating the first divided body11A, the second divided body11B, and the hinge connecting unit12with an insulating synthetic resin material and the like. The cover member10is formed in a cylindrical shape by assembling the first divided body11A with the second divided body11B, and has the end part of the corrugated tube CT (seeFIG. 1) inserted therein and holds the corrugated tube CT.

The first divided body11A and the second divided body11B include main bodies13A and13B, first flanges14A and14B, and second flanges15A and15B, respectively, and the first divided body11A and the second divided body11B are formed by integrating the main bodies13A and13B, the first flanges14A and14B, and the second flanges15A and15B, respectively. Each of the main bodies13A and13B is formed in substantially a semi-cylindrical shape, in other words, in a gutter shape, and has a holding recessed and projecting part16formed on the inner periphery surface. The holding recessed and projecting part16projects from the inner periphery surface toward the inside in the radial direction of the main bodies13A and13B, and extends along the inner periphery surface in a periphery direction. A plurality of holding recessed and projecting parts16are provided to the inner periphery surface of the main bodies13A and13B at intervals along the axial direction X. Each of the holding recessed and projecting parts16is a part that bites in a recessed and projecting part formed on the outer periphery surface of the corrugated tube CT, and locks the corrugated tube CT with inner periphery surface sides of the main bodies13A and13B. The first flanges14A and14B are provided to one end surfaces of the main bodies13A and13B in the axial direction X, respectively, and the second flanges15A and15B are provided to other end surfaces of the main bodies13A and13B in the axial direction X, respectively. The first flanges14A and14B are formed by projecting from the one end surfaces of the main bodies13A and13B in the axial direction X toward the outside in the radial direction, respectively. In the embodiment, the first flanges14A and14B are formed in substantially semi-arc frame shapes. The second flanges15A and15B are formed by projecting from the other end surfaces of the main bodies13A and13B in the axial direction X toward the outside in the radial direction, respectively. In the embodiment, the second flanges15A and15B are formed in substantially rectangular frame shapes.

In the cover member10, the first divided body11A and the second divided body11B formed as described above are connected to each other through the hinge connecting unit12, and are mutually openable and closable using the hinge connecting unit12as a fulcrum. The hinge connecting unit12is formed in a plate piece shape that has flexibility, and, in the embodiment, connects the second flange15A of the first divided body11A to the second flange15B of the second divided body11B. The first divided body11A and the second divided body11B connected by the hinge connecting unit12are openable and closable at a closing position (seeFIGS. 1, 2, 3, and the like) and an opening position (seeFIG. 10, which will be described later, and the like). In the cover member10, when the first divided body11A and the second divided body11B are disposed at the closing position, the main body13A, the first flange14A, and the second flange15A of the first divided body11A are opposed to the main body13B, the first flange14B, and the second flange15B of the second divided body11B, respectively, and are locked with the main body13B, the first flange14B, and the second flange15B through a lock mechanism17, respectively, so as to be integrated in a state where the first divided body11A and the second divided body11B are disposed at the closing position. In the cover member10, when the first divided body11A and the second divided body11B are integrated at the closing position through the lock mechanism17, the inner periphery surface of the main body13A and the inner periphery surface of the main body13B are opposed to each other and sandwich an end part of the corrugated tube CT (seeFIG. 1), and each of the holding recessed and projecting parts16formed on the inner periphery surfaces bites in the corrugated tube CT and locks the corrugated tube CT. In this manner, the cover member10covers and holds the end part of the corrugated tube CT. By contrast, in the cover member10, when the first divided body11A and the second divided body11B are disposed at the opening position, the main body13A, the first flange14A, and the second flange15A of the first divided body11A are separated from the main body13B, the first flange14B, and the second flange15B of the second divided body11B, respectively, and the inner periphery sides thereof are open to each other.

The cover member10includes the locking unit18, and is assembled with the CPA member9through the locking unit18. The locking unit18is a part that is locked with the locked units91eformed on the CPA member9, and in the embodiment, a plurality of locking units18are formed on a surface of the second flange15A of the first divided body11A on the front side in the axial direction X (surface on a side opposite to the main body13A). One locking unit18is provided to one side of the second flange15A in the height direction Z (side opposite to a side where the second flange15B of the second divided body11B is disposed), and one locking unit18is provided to each of both sides of the second flange15A in the width direction Y, in other words, three locking units18are provided in total. All of the locking units18in the embodiment are provided inside an outer shape line PF of the CPA member9when viewed in a direction of the relative movement between the female housing7and the CPA member9, in other words, in the axial direction X as illustrated inFIG. 6so as to reduce an increase in size of the outer shape. The outer shape line PF of the CPA member9corresponds to a contour of a projection area in which the outer shape of the CPA member9is projected along the axial direction X.

More specifically, the locking units18in the embodiment include the locking claws19that are locked with the locked units91eof the CPA member9and are bent when locked with the locked units91eof the CPA member9. When described distinctively, the locking claws19of three locking units18may be referred to as locking claws19a,19b, and19cfor convenience. The locking claw19ais provided to one side of the second flange15A in the height direction Z, and the locking claws19band19care provided to each of both sides of the second flange15A in the width direction Y. In addition, the locking claws19a,19b, and19care formed at positions opposed to the locked units91ea,91eb, and91ecwith respect to the axial direction X, respectively. Each of the locking claws19includes an arm19dand a claw19e(seeFIG. 2and the like). The arm19dis a part formed in a linear rod shape projecting from the second flange15A to the female connector3on the front side in the axial direction X. The claw19eis a part formed in a hook shape at the tip of the arm19don the front side in the axial direction X. The claw19eof the locking claw19ais formed by projecting from the arm19dto the outside in the height direction Z, and the claws19eof the locking claws19band19care formed by projecting from the arm19dto the outside in the width direction Y. When the locking claws19are each locked with the locked units91eof the CPA member9, the claws19eget over the locked units91eand are engaged with the end surfaces of the locked units91eon the front side in the axial direction X while the arms19dare each bent. The cover member10is provided so that all of the locking claws19formed as above are disposed inside the outer shape line PF of the CPA member9when viewed in the axial direction X.

In addition, the cover member10in the embodiment includes an evacuation space20as a space for accommodating the locking claws19when the locking claws19are locked with the locked units91eof the CPA member9. In the cover member10in the embodiment, a space on a side surrounded by the two second flanges15A and15B, adding more, a space inside the locking claws19functions as the evacuation space20. The claws19eare formed by projecting toward a side opposite to this evacuation space20. The evacuation space20in the embodiment functions as a space for accommodating the locking claws19when the locking claws19are locked with the locked units91e, and also functions as a space for controlling the bending of the locking claws19by inserting a part of the female housing7, in the embodiment, the cylindrical units78in the evacuation space20so as to control the locking of the locking claws19to be released and put the locking claws19in a lock state (seeFIGS. 14, 15, which will be described later, and the like). In this case, the cylindrical units78are disposed outside the evacuation space20in a state where the female housing7and the CPA member9have predetermined positional relation (the CPA member9is disposed at an initial position, which will be described later) and are disposed inside the evacuation space20in a state where the female housing7and the CPA member9have another predetermined positional relation (the CPA member9is disposed at an engagement assurance position, which will be described later), whereby the cylindrical units78function as control units that control the bending of the locking claws19.

In the female connector3formed as above, the female housing7is inserted in the holding chamber91afrom the CPA member9on the front side in the axial direction X through the housing insertion aperture91bas illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and the like. In this case, in the female connector3, the large diameter part71A of the female housing7is inserted in the holding chamber91a. More specifically, in the female connector3, the projective ribs72fa,72ga, and72haare inserted in the first guide recessed part94a, the projective ribs72fb,72gb, and72hbare inserted in the first guide recessed part94b, the control projection76ais inserted in the second guide recessed part95a, the control projection76bis inserted in the second guide recessed part95b, the projective rib75is inserted in the fourth guide recessed part97, and the control projection76cis engaged with the fifth guide recessed part98. This positional relation causes relative movement between the female housing7and the CPA member9along the axial direction X to be guided. In the female connector3, the control projections76aand76bof the female housing7get over the control projection95cand are inserted to a position on the rear side of the control projection95cin the axial direction X while bending a wall surface of the CPA main body91of the CPA member9, and the control projection76cis engaged with the fifth guide recessed part98so as to complete the assembling between the CPA member9and the female housing7. In the female connector3, in this state and with the positional relation where the axial direction of the female main body71is along with the axial direction of the CPA main body91, the female housing7is held in the holding chamber91aof the CPA main body91, and the CPA lock93is disposed between the cantilever beam-shaped units72bwith respect to the width direction Y. In the female connector3, the female terminal6is inserted in each of the terminal insertion chambers71aformed on the female housing7from the rear side in the axial direction X through the female terminal insertion aperture71c, and the spacer8is inserted in the spacer engagement unit71bfrom one side in the width direction Y through the spacer insertion aperture99and the like so as to engage and hold the female terminal6at a regular position in each of the terminal insertion chamber71a.

The operation of the female connector3formed as above and assembling of the cover member10will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 7 to 14and other drawings as appropriate.

In the female connector3in the embodiment, in a state where the CPA member9is assembled with the female housing7as above, the CPA member9is relatively movable between an initial position (seeFIGS. 7, 12, and the like) and an engagement assurance position (seeFIG. 14and the like) along the axial direction X while being guided by the first guide recessed parts94, the second guide recessed parts95, the third guide recessed part96, the fourth guide recessed part97, and the fifth guide recessed part98. The cover member10is assembled with the CPA member9through the locking units18in a state where the CPA member9is disposed at an initial position, and is in a lock state where releasing the locking of the locking units18is controlled in a state where the CPA member9is disposed at an engagement assurance position.

The initial position of the CPA member9is a position at which the CPA member9is disposed before the male housing5of the male connector2and the female housing7of the female connector3are completely engaged with each other as illustrated inFIGS. 7, 12, and the like, typically, a position where the CPA lock93is disposed on the rear side from the female lock73in the axial direction X. The CPA member9is basically disposed at an initial position before the male housing5and the female housing7are completely engaged with each other. The initial position of the CPA member9is also a position for assembling the cover member10with the CPA member9. When the CPA member9is disposed at the initial position, the front side end part of the CPA lock93in the axial direction X contacts the rear side end part of the female lock73in the axial direction X, and the CPA member9is in a state where relative movement to the female housing7on the front side in the axial direction X, in other words, the engagement assurance position, which will be described later, is controlled. Stated differently, when the male beak54is not interposed between the female lock73and the CPA lock93with respect to the axial direction X (seeFIG. 12), in other words, when the female lock73does not get over the male beak54and is not locked with the male beak54, the CPA lock93contacts the female lock73, and the CPA member9is in a state where relative movement from the initial position to the engagement assurance position is controlled. In addition, when the CPA member9is disposed at the initial position, the control projection95c(seeFIG. 5and the like) of the CPA main body91contacts the corresponding control projection76(seeFIG. 3and the like) of the female housing7so as to control the CPA member9to relatively move to the female housing7on the rear side in the axial direction X and control the female housing7to remove from the holding chamber91a.

In the female connector3, the CPA member9is assembled with the female housing7, and the cover member10is assembled with the CPA member9in a state where the CPA member9is disposed at the initial position as illustrated inFIG. 7. In the female connector3, when the CPA member9is disposed at the initial position, the cylindrical units78are disposed outside the evacuation space20. In the female connector3in this state, each of the locking units18of the cover member10is inserted in the through-hole91dof the CPA member9along the axial direction X from the rear side in the axial direction X so as to assemble the cover member10. In this case, the first divided body11A and the second divided body11B are disposed at the opening position (seeFIG. 10), and the cover member10is pressed to the CPA member9side along the axial direction X with the positional relation where the locking claws19aand19b(seeFIG. 2and the like) are opposed to the locked units91eaand91eb(seeFIG. 3and the like) with respect to the axial direction X, respectively, and the locking claw19c(seeFIG. 2and the like) is opposed to the locked unit91ec(FIG. 3and the like). In this manner, in the cover member10, the claws19eget over the locked units91ewhile the arm19dof each of the locking claws19is bent to the evacuation space20side as illustrated inFIG. 8, and eventually, the claws19eof each of the locking claws19are locked with the end surface of the locked units91eon the axial direction X front side as illustrated inFIG. 9. Thus, the cover member10becomes locked with each of the locked units91eof the CPA member9through each of the locking claws19.

In the cover member10, an end part of the corrugated tube CT (seeFIG. 1) is installed on the inner periphery surface side of the main body13A on which the holding recessed and projecting parts16are formed in the first divided body11A, and, in this state, as indicated by the arrow inFIG. 10, the first divided body11A and the second divided body11B are disposed at the closing position, and are locked with each other through the lock mechanism17so as to be integrated. In this manner, in the cover member10, the first divided body11A and the second divided body11B cover and hold the end part of the corrugated tube CT. In addition, in the cover member10, the first divided body11A and the second divided body11B are set to be disposed at the closing position so as to engage the flange91fon the CPA member9side with a recessed part15Ba formed on the second flange15B as illustrated inFIG. 11. In this manner, in the cover member10, the second divided body11B side is also disposed and fixed to the control wall91cof the CPA member9with certainty.

In the connector mechanism1, the female connector3and the male connector2are engaged with each other in a state where the CPA member9is disposed at an initial position and the cover member10is assembled with the CPA member9as illustrated inFIG. 12. In this case, in the connector mechanism1, the small diameter part71B of the female housing7is inserted in and engaged with the engagement space52of the male housing5, the projective rib53ais inserted in the second guide recessed part95a, the projective rib53dis inserted in the second guide recessed part95b, the projective rib53bis inserted in the third guide recessed part96, and the projective rib53cis inserted in the fourth guide recessed part97so as to guide relative movement among the female housing7, the CPA member9, and the male housing5along the axial direction X with this positional relation. In the connector mechanism1, the female housing7and the CPA member9are pressed to the male housing5side, and when the female housing7, the CPA member9, and the male housing5approach one another due to relative movement along the axial direction X, the female lock73and the CPA lock93run on the male beak54while the female lock arm (the first arm72A and the second arm72B) and the CPA lock arm92are bent in association with the relative movement. After that, in the connector mechanism1, the female lock73gets over and is locked with the male beak54, and the male housing5and the female housing7become completely engaged with each other in association with the further relative movement of the female housing7, the CPA member9, and the male housing5as illustrated inFIG. 13. In this state, the connector mechanism1secures a proper electric connection between the female terminals6and the male terminals4. In this state, in other words, in a state where the female lock73gets over and is locked with the male beak54and the male beak54is interposed between the female lock73and the CPA lock93with respect to the axial direction X, the CPA lock93runs on the male beak54, and the CPA member9can move from an initial position to the engagement assurance position. In the connector mechanism1, in a state where the male housing5and the female housing7are completely engaged with each other, the CPA member9is pressed from an initial position toward the front side in the axial direction X so as to move to the engagement assurance position.

The engagement assurance position of the CPA member9is a position at which the CPA member9is movable after the female housing7of the female connector3is completely engaged with the male housing5of the male connector2as illustrated inFIG. 14and the like, and a position where the CPA member9is pushed from an initial position to the front side in the axial direction X. In addition, the engagement assurance position of the CPA member9is a position at which complete engagement between the male housing5and the female housing7is detected and assured, typically, a position at which the CPA lock93gets over the male beak54and the female lock73locked with the male beak54in order, and is locked with the female lock73. The CPA member9is basically moved to the engagement assurance position in a state after the male housing5and the female housing7are completely engaged with each other. When the CPA member9is disposed at the engagement assurance position, the rear side end part of the CPA lock93in the axial direction X contacts the front side end part of the female lock73in the axial direction X, and the CPA member9becomes in a state where relative movement to the female housing7on the rear side in the axial direction X, in other words, the initial position side is controlled. In addition, when the CPA member9is disposed at the engagement assurance position, the control projection94d(seeFIG. 5and the like) of the CPA member9contacts the projective ribs72f(seeFIG. 3and the like) of the female housing7or the control wall91cof the CPA member9contacts the control end surface77of the female housing7, whereby further relative movement to the female housing7on the front side in the axial direction X is controlled. Furthermore, when the CPA member9is disposed at the engagement assurance position, the locking projection94c(seeFIG. 3and the like) of the CPA main body91is locked between each of the projective ribs72g(seeFIG. 3and the like) and each of the projective ribs72h(seeFIG. 3and the like) of the female housing7, and the state where the CPA member9is disposed at the engagement assurance position is surely maintained.

As described above, the CPA member9can move from an initial position to the engagement assurance position in a state where the female lock73is locked with the male beak54, and the CPA lock93gets over the male beak54and the female lock73locked with the male beak54in this order and is locked with the female lock73at the engagement assurance position in association with the movement from the initial position to the engagement assurance position. In other words, in the connector mechanism1, if the female housing7is not completely engaged with the male housing5, the CPA member9cannot move from the initial position to the engagement assurance position, and the CPA lock93is not locked with the female lock73. Stated differently, in the connector mechanism1, movement of the CPA member9from the initial position to the engagement assurance position can assure complete engagement between the male housing5and the female housing7. By contrast, in the connector mechanism1, the initial position of the CPA member9and an intermediate position before the CPA member9reaches the engagement assurance position from the initial position correspond to the engagement non-assurance position where complete engagement between the male housing5and the female housing7is not assured.

In the connector mechanism1, when the CPA member9is disposed at the engagement assurance position, the cylindrical units78on the control end surface77are disposed so as to advance in the through-hole91dof the control wall91cas illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15. In this manner, the cylindrical units78of the female housing7enter the evacuation space20of the cover member10, and the cylindrical units78control the bending of each of the locking claws19(locking claws19a,19b, and19c). Thus, the female connector3is in a lock state where releasing the engagement of the locking claws19is controlled.

The female connector3described as above includes the female housing7that is provided with the female terminals6connected to the male terminals4of the male connector2and can be engaged with the male connector2, the CPA member9that is assembled with the female housing7in a relatively movable manner from the initial position to the engagement assurance position in a state where the male connector2and the female housing7are completely engaged with each other, and the cover member10that is assembled with the CPA member9through the locking units18locked with the CPA member9. The locking units18are provided inside the outer shape line PF of the CPA member9when viewed in a direction of the relative movement between the female housing7and the CPA member9.

The locking units18for locking the cover member10with the CPA member9are provided inside the outer shape line PF of the CPA member9when viewed in a direction of the relative movement between the female housing7and the CPA member9, in the embodiment, in the axial direction X, and a part projecting from the outer shape line PF of the CPA member9does not exist in the locking units18. Thus, the female connector3can reduce an increase in size of an outer shape and achieve miniaturization.

In addition, in the female connector3described as above, the locking units18are locked with the CPA member9and include the locking claws19that are bent when locked with the CPA member9, the cover member10includes the evacuation space20that accommodates the locking claws19when the locking claws19are bent, and the female housing7includes the cylindrical units78that control the bending of the locking claws19by being disposed outside the evacuation space20in a state where the CPA member9is disposed at the initial position or by being disposed inside the evacuation space20in a state where the CPA member9is disposed at the engagement assurance position. Thus, in the female connector3, when the CPA member9is disposed at the engagement assurance position, the cylindrical units78function as displacement prevention units of the locking claws19, and control the locking claws19forming the locking units18to be bent by entering the evacuation space20of the cover member10. In this manner, the female connector3can surely control the locking of the locking claws19to be released, for example, if a tensile force toward the rear side in the axial direction X acts on the cover member10, and improve a locking holding force of the locking claws19. In addition, in the female connector3in the embodiment, a control piece72i(seeFIG. 14) formed near the base end part72aof the female housing7controls the locked units91e(especially, the locked unit91ea) on the CPA member9side with which the locking claws19are locked to be deformed. In this point, the female connector3can improve a locking holding force of the locking claws19. Thus, the female connector3can surely maintain a lock state between the CPA member9and the cover member10through the locking claws19forming the locking units18. Because the cylindrical units78functioning as displacement prevention units are disposed outside the evacuation space20in a state where the CPA member9is disposed at an initial position, the female connector3can allow the locking claws19to be bent to the evacuation space20side, and to get over and be locked with the locked units91e. Thus, when the CPA member9is disposed at an initial position, the cover member10can be assembled with the CPA member9. In other words, in the female connector3, if the cover member10is not yet assembled and the CPA member9is disposed at the engagement assurance position, the locking claws19cannot be bent and be locked with the locked units91eby contacting the cylindrical units78disposed inside the evacuation space20, and the cover member10cannot be assembled with the CPA member9as illustrated inFIG. 16. The female connector3can detect which position the CPA member9is disposed using this configuration. In other words, the female connector3can detect a position of the CPA member9that is the engagement assurance position by the fact that the cover member10cannot be assembled with the CPA member9, and can detect a position of the CPA member9that is the initial position by the fact that the cover member10can be assembled with the CPA member9. For example, when the CPA member9is temporarily moved to the engagement assurance position using a jig and the like, the female terminals6and the spacer8are assembled with the female housing7in this state, and the CPA member9is returned to the initial position, the female connector3can detect and prevent failure of returning the CPA member9to the initial position using the fact that the position of the CPA member9can be detected based on whether or not the cover member10is assembled as described above.

In the female connector3described as above, the cylindrical units78contact the locking claws19in a state where the locking claws19are bent and are evacuated to the evacuation space20so as to prevent the CPA member9from moving from the initial position to the engagement assurance position. Stated differently, in the female connector3, for example, when the locking claws19are bent and are evacuated to the evacuation space20, but are not yet locked with the locked units91e, in other words, when the locking claws19are in a semi-lock state where the locking claws19are not properly locked, if the CPA member9is moved from the initial position to the engagement assurance position, the locking claws19running on the locked units91eand being evacuated to the evacuation space20contact the cylindrical units78so as to prevent the movement. Thus, the female connector3cannot move the CPA member9from the initial position to the engagement assurance position when the locking claws19are in a semi-lock state, in other words, can detect a state of the locking claws19that is a semi-lock state by the fact that the CPA member9cannot be moved from initial position to the engagement assurance position. In this manner, the female connector3can move the CPA member9from the initial position to the engagement assurance position by the fact that the locking claws19are properly locked. Thus, the female connector3can surely implement a state where the cover member10is properly locked with the CPA member9through the locking claws19forming the locking units18.

The connector according to the embodiment in the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The cover member10described as above is described as a cover member that covers the end part of the corrugated tube CT serving as an exterior member of the electric wire W2connected to the female connector3, but the cover member10is not limited to this, and, for example, may be a cover member that covers a waterproof plug and the like provided to the female connector3.

The locking units18described as above are described as locking units that include the locking claws19, but may be a locking structure in other forms, and the female connector3does not necessarily include the cylindrical units78serving as control units, the evacuation space20, and the like.

In the above description, a connector including the CPA member9and the cover member10is the female connector3and the counterpart connector is the male connector2, and vice versa.

The connector according to the embodiments can reduce an increase in size because a locking unit for locking a cover member with an engagement detection member is provided inside the outer shape line of the engagement detection member when viewed in a direction of the relative movement between a housing and the engagement detection member.