Abstract:
A connector includes terminals having engagement parts. The connector includes a connector housing having chambers configured to insert and receive the terminals from the rears of the chambers. The connector includes projecting flexible locking arms including locking parts configured to lock with the engagement parts of the terminals. A single flexible arm is positioned to each of the chambers. The flexible locking arm has a front end supported on a front wall of the connector housing. The flexible locking arm has a rear end supported on a peripheral wall of the connector housing. The flexible locking arm includes a flexible part between the front and rear ends. The flexible part includes a locking part. The flexible part is flexibly deformable relative to an engagement part of a terminal. The locking part is lockable with the engagement part of the terminal received in a chamber.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly, to a connector used for a vehicle. This connector has a locking structure for a terminal, wherein a flexible locking arm (a so-called lance) locks a terminal received in a terminal receiving chamber of a connector housing. 
   A connector having this type of locking structure for a terminal is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication S61-218081 (published in 1986). 
   This connector includes a terminal receiving chamber formed from the center of a connector housing toward the rear thereof. This receiving chamber includes a flexible locking arm protruding in a single-support beam shape therein. The locking arm extends obliquely forward from a top wall of the connector housing. 
   The receiving chamber has an opening at the rear end thereof. A terminal, which has an electric wire connected thereto, is inserted through the opening and received in the receiving chamber. The locking arm has a concave free end, which locks a step part of the terminal and can prevent the terminal from falling off in a rearward direction. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The connector, however, has a single-support structure, in which a fixed end of the locking arm is provided integrally on the top wall. With this structure, the flexible locking arm has been apt to yield, and a holding force for the terminal has been weak. Particularly, there has been a possibility that the strong pulling of the electric wire can cause the terminal to be disconnected from the locking arm, with the result that the terminal falls off. 
   The present invention is directed to a connector, which is capable of further enhancing the retaining force for the connector by the flexible locking arm. 
   A first aspect of the invention provides a connector. The connector includes a connector housing including a chamber defined by a wall and configured to receive a terminal. The connector includes a flexible locking arm having a first portion supported and a second portion supported by the wall and configured to lock with the terminal between the first and second portions. 
   Preferably, the wall includes opposed first and second sidewalls. The first portion is supported by a first sidewall. 
   Preferably, the locking arm includes a locking part extending toward a second sidewall and configured to lock with the terminal. 
   Preferably, the locking part is supported by the wall. 
   Preferably, the wall includes opposed sidewalls, and a first top wall extending between the sidewalls. The second portion is supported by the first top wall. 
   Preferably, the chamber has an opening configured to fit the terminal in the opening. 
   Preferably, the opening is shaped in a plane rectangle. 
   Preferably, the locking arm includes a second top wall configured to cover the opening. 
   Preferably, the terminal includes a projection covered with the second top wall. 
   Preferably, the locking part includes a disengagement part engagable with a disengagement fixture. The wall includes a guide passage for leading the disengagement fixture to the disengagement part. The disengagement fixture and the disengagement fixture engage with each other to disengage the terminal and the locking part from each other. 
   A second aspect of the invention provides a connector. The connector includes terminals having engagement parts. The connector includes a connector housing having chambers configured to insert and receive the terminals from the rears of the chambers. The connector includes projecting flexible locking arms including locking parts configured to lock with the engagement parts of the terminals. A single flexible arm is positioned to each of the chambers. The flexible locking arm has a front end supported on a front wall of the connector housing. The flexible locking arm has a rear end supported on a peripheral wall of the connector housing. The flexible locking arm includes a flexible part between the front and rear ends. The flexible part includes a locking part. The flexible part is flexibly deformable relative to an engagement part of a terminal. The locking part is lockable with the engagement part of the terminal received in a chamber. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a partial perspective view illustrating a principal part of a connector and a terminal with an electric wire according to a first embodiment. 
       FIG. 1B  is a side view of a connector housing of  FIG. 1A . 
       FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view illustrating the connector to which the terminal is assembled according to the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view illustrating a state of removing the terminal by use of a disengagement fixture in the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  is an overall perspective view illustrating the connector according to the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a principal part, taken along a line A—A of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a principal part according to a second embodiment, taken along a position corresponding to the line A—A of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a principal part according to a third embodiment, taken along a position corresponding to the line A—A of  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 4 , connector  10 A includes connector housing  11  made of synthetic resin. Connector  10 A is surrounded by front end wall  12  and peripheral wall  13 . Connector housing  11  includes therein terminal receiving chambers  14  and crimper receiving chambers  15 , both of which are arranged in two stages in the longitudinal direction and in plurality in the transverse direction. Each chamber  14  is formed in a tube shape with a rectangular cross section. Each chamber  15  is formed in a tube shape with a circular cross section. Both chambers  14  and  15  communicate with each other. Female terminal  32  attached by pressure onto electric wire  30  is inserted into terminal inserting opening  16  located rearward and is received in both chambers  14  and  15 . 
   Connector housing  11  has terminal inserting hole  12   a  formed in a position of front end wall  12 , which is opposed to each chamber  14 . A mating terminal of a mating connector (not shown) is inserted through hole  12   a . Each hole  12   a  is formed into a tapered square hole which is open outward, thus facilitating the insertion therethrough of the mating terminal. 
   Connector housing  11  includes peripheral wall  13  with top wall  13   a , partition  13   b , bottom wall  13   c  and side walls  13   d   1  and  13   d   2 . These walls  13   a  to  13   d   1  and  13   d   2  define each the chamber  14  and  15  individually. 
   Connector housing  11  includes front opening  12   b  of front end wall  12 , which is opposed to chambers  14 . Each chamber  14  extends from front opening  12   b  to the front end ( 13   a   1 ) of top wall  13   a  (partition  13   b  on a lower stage) of peripheral wall  13 . Chambers  14  and  15  have boundary portion  13   a   1  therebetween. Boundary portion  13   a   1  includes flexible locking arm  17 A protruding therefrom as a single piece. The locking arm  17 A extends from front to rear in the Y direction. Locking arm  17 A includes locking part  18 , which locks engagement part  32   b  of terminal  32 . Terminal  32  is received in opening  14   a , which is rectangular in plane, on each chamber  14 . 
   Locking arm  17 A is provided for each chamber  14 . Locking arm  17 A has front end  17 Aa, which is formed integrally on front opening  12   b  of front end wall  12 . Front end wall  12  is located at the front end of side wall  13   d   1  as one of the side walls. Locking arm  17 A has rear end  17 Ab, which is formed integrally with boundary portion  13   a   1  between receiving chambers  14  and  15  located in the rear of side wall  13   d   1 . Locking arm  17 A includes locking part  18  which locks engagement part  32   b  of terminal  32  to be described later. Locking part  18  protrudes toward side wall  13   d   2  as the other side wall opposed to side wall  13   d   1 . Locking part  18  has an upper rear end, and the upper rear end is formed integrally with boundary portion  13   a   1  between chambers  14  and  15 , which is positioned in the rear of connector housing  11 . 
   Locking part  18  formed integrally with locking arm  17 A has a rear end. The lower part of the rear end inclines upward, and specifies lower incline  18   a . Incline  18   a  inclines with respect to bottom  18   c  extending in the Y direction where the terminal is inserted. Incline  18   a  guides terminal  32  into chamber  14 , thus facilitating the insertion thereto of terminal  32 . Locking arm  18  has a front, which becomes locking surface  18   b  orthogonal to the Y direction. 
   Locking arm  17 A includes flexible part  17 Ac between front end  17 Aa and locking part  18 . Flexible part  17 Ac has a lower part. This lower part defines cut-out  13   e  formed in a horizontal concave groove shape, which serves as a flex allowable space. Flexible part  17 Ac freely flexes toward engagement part  32   b  of terminal  32  along the direction orthogonal to the Y direction. Locking surface  18   b  of locking part  18  locks engagement part  32   b  of terminal  32  received in chamber  14 . Cut-out  13   e  of receiving chamber  14  guides convex portions  32   c  of terminal body  32   a.    
   A boundary portion between locking arm  17 A and locking part  18  includes disengagement part  18   d . The front end of disengagement part  18   d  has a lower part, which inclines upward with respect to bottom  18   c , and specifies a lower incline. This incline facilitates disengagement piece  41  of disengagement fixture  40  to be inserted into disengagement part  18   d . The front wall of connector housing  11  has front opening  12   c  having access to disengagement part  18   d . Insertion of disengagement piece  41  of fixture  40  from front opening  12   c  to disengagement part  18   d  allows the tip of disengagement piece  41  to thrust up the lower incline. This upthrust releases the engagement of locking part  18  and engagement part  32   b.    
   In connector  10 A described above, terminal  32  with electric wire  30  crimp contacted thereto is inserted to receiving chamber  14  from rear opening  16  of connector housing  11  through receiving chamber  15 . This insertion allows the front edge of the upper piece of terminal body  32   a  to abut against incline  18   a  of locking part  18 . This flexes flexible part  17 Ac of flexible arm  17 A upward, and places locking part  18  onto terminal body  32   a.    
   When terminal  32  is further inserted, locking arm  17 A returns to the original position thereof. Locking surface  18   b  of locking part  18  is locked with engagement part  32   b  of terminal body  32   a  in receiving chamber  14 . 
   Locking arm  17 A extends from front to rear in receiving chamber  14 , and the rear thereof protrudes upward. Front and rear ends  17 Aa and  17 Ab of locking arm  17 A are supported by connector housing  11 , which specifies a double support. The double support allows locking arm  17 A to be difficult to yield, and further enhances the retaining force for terminal  32  exerted by locking part  18  of locking arm  17 A. Strong pulling of electric wire  30  rearward allows engagement part  32   b  of terminal  32  to abut against locking surface  18   b  of locking part  18  for locking together. This locking prevents terminal  32  from being disconnected and falling from locking part  18  of locking arm  17 A. 
   When terminal  32  is removed from connector housing  11 , one disengagement part  18   d  is operated by use of fixture  40 . This operation can disengage the engagement of locking part  18  with engagement part  32   b  of terminal  32 , which simplifies disengagement work. The operation requires single disengagement piece  41  provided to fixture  40  for each terminal receiving chamber. This simplifies the structure of disengagement fixture  40 , and reduces manufacturing costs thereof. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , this connector  10 B of a second embodiment includes top board  17 Bd formed integrally with flexible locking arm  17 B. Top board  17 Bd covers receiving chamber  14 . Locking arm  17 B and top board  17 Bd define a terminal receiving space therebetween. It is possible to receive the upper part of terminal body  32   a  in the space. Other configurations are similar to those of connector  10  of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are attached to the same constituent parts, and detailed description therefor will be omitted. 
   According to connector  10 B described above, it is possible to receive the upper part of terminal body  32   a  in the terminal receiving space formed between locking arm  17 B and top board  17 Bd. When locking surface  18   b  of locking part  18  locks engagement part  32   b  of terminal  32 , the upper part of terminal body  32   a  is completely received in the space and held securely. 
   Thus, any rattling of terminal  32  in receiving chamber  14  is easily and securely controlled. This further enhances the reliability of a connection between terminal  32  and the mating terminal (not shown). 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , this connector  10 C of a third embodiment includes top board  17 Cd formed integrally with the upper end of locking arm  17 C. Top board  17 Cd covers a part of receiving chamber  14 . It is possible to receive the upper part of terminal body  32   a  in a terminal receiving space formed between locking arm  17 C and top board  17 Cd. The fact that terminal receiving chamber  14  is not entirely covered with top board  17 Cd enables protrusion  32   e  protruded on the upper part of terminal body  32   a  by bending to be received in chamber  14 . Other configurations are similar to those of connectors  10 A and  10 B of the first and second embodiments, the same reference numerals are attached to the same constituent parts, and detailed description therefor will be omitted. 
   According to connector  10 C, top board  17 Cd is formed on locking arm  17 C, and protrusion  32   e  protruded on the upper part of terminal body  32   a  is receivable in chamber  14 . Locking surface  18   b  locks engagement part  32   b  of terminal  32 , and thus the upper part of terminal body  32   a  can be received completely in the terminal receiving space between locking arm  17 C and top board  17 Cd and held securely. 
   This can control the rattle of terminal  32  in terminal receiving chamber  14  more easily and securely, and can further enhance the reliability of the connection between terminal  32  and the mating terminal. 
   Although the respective embodiments have described the connectors, each receiving female terminals, the respective embodiments can be applied to connectors, each receiving male terminals. 
   The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application P 2002-214354 (filed on Jul. 23, 2002) are incorporated herein by reference. 
   Although the invention has been described above by reference to certain embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Modifications and variations of the embodiments described above will occur to those skilled in the art, in light of the above teachings. The scope of the invention is defined with reference to the following claims. 
   According the invention, supporting of the first and second portions of the flexible locking arm on the wall allows the locking arm to be difficult to yield, when the locking arm locks with the terminal. This enhances the retaining force for the terminal. 
   The locking arm with sufficient retaining force for the terminal allows pitch between terminals to be reduced. This achieves a smaller connector in size. 
   The locking part with a relatively simple structure further prevents the locking arm from yielding during locking of the terminal with the locking part. This enhances the retaining force of the locking part against the terminal. 
   The supporting of the locking part on the wall further prevents the locking arm from yielding during locking of the terminal with the locking part, which enhances the retaining force of the locking part against the terminal. 
   The opening securely prevents the terminal from rattling, which enhances the contact reliability of the terminal with a mating terminal. 
   The second top wall retains against the terminal to securely prevent rattling of the terminal, thus enhancing the contact reliability of the terminal with a mating terminal. 
   The second top wall retains against the projection of the terminal to securely prevent rattling of the terminal, thus enhancing the contact reliability of the terminal with a mating terminal. 
   The operation of the disengagement part allows the locking part and terminal to be disengaged from each other. This simplifies the disengagement operation, and achieves the disengagement operation with a single disengagement fixture, which simplifies the disengagement fixture in structure and reduces production cost.