Abstract:
There is provided a connector and a method for making the connector preventing escape of a terminal fitting by improving latch force for the terminal fitting over a wide variety of products without inducing upsize or manufacturing cost. The connector comprises a connector housing including a terminal fitting and a terminal housing accommodating the terminal fitting, in which the connector housing includes a wall composing one inner face of the terminal housing, and a latch part latching the terminal fitting, the latch part including a latch arm having a tip extending from a base end disposed the inner face of the wall toward a back side in an insertion direction of the terminal fitting, a latch projection projecting from the latch arm in a direction intersecting the insertion direction.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a connector that composes a wire harness wired in an automobile, and a method of making the connector. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     An automobile as a moving vehicle has various electric devices mounted therein, where a wire harness for transferring power or control signal is wired. The wire harness is provided with a plurality of electric wires and connectors, with which the connectors are engaged with a connector of the electric devices or other wire harness so as to be connected with the electric devices or other wire harness. 
     A connector applied to such the connector generally includes a tubular connector housing and a terminal fitting accommodated in the connector housing and attached to a terminal of the electric wire, of which various types are employed corresponding to usage environment or object. 
     Generally, a terminal fitting of the connector is formed such as to bend conductive metal plate, which the terminal fitting is provided with an electric wire connection part connected with the electric wire of the wire harness and an electric wire contact connected with a terminal fitting of a mating connector. The connector housing is provided with a straight hole-like terminal housing accommodating the terminal fitting therein, and a latch lance projecting into the terminal housing, and elastically formed to latch the terminal fitting in the terminal housing. 
     In such the connector, latch of the terminal fitting only by the latch lance stands insufficient of latch force, likely resulting in escape of the terminal fitting from the connector housing upon wiring in such assembly work for the wire harness. In order to prevent the terminal fitting from escaping from the connector housing, there has thereby been advocated such a connector having a spacer (e.g., see PTLs 1 and 2) or a front holder (e.g., see PTL 3) as an actual latch avoiding escape of the terminal fitting from the connector housing. 
     A connector  100  describe in PTL 1, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , provided with a connector housing  101 , a spacer  102 , and a female terminal fitting  103  (herein, referred to as female terminal) to which electric wire is connected. The connector housing  101  is formed of such insulating synthetic resin in generally a box shape, provided with a terminal housing  104  (terminal housing) accommodating a female terminal  103 , and a spacer housing  105  (through hole) accommodating the spacer  102 . Note that because a connector recited in PTL 2 includes nearly similar components too, the connector  100  of PTL 1 will herein be discussed. 
     The terminal fitting  104  is plurally arranged in parallel, each straightly extending, longitudinal both ends of which are open communicating with an end face of the connector housing  101 . In the terminal housing  104  the female terminal  103  is inserted in its longitudinal direction, and is formed a latch lance  106  facing inside the terminal housing  104  in its back side in an insertion direction. The spacer housing  105  is depressed from one outer face of a plurality of outer faces of the connector housing  101  which intersects a longitudinal direction of the terminal housing  104 , disposed across nearly middle in its longitudinal direction of each terminal housing  104 . 
     The spacer  102  is made of insulating synthetic resin, provided with a plurality of insertion pins  107  inserted into the spacer housing  105 , and a latch projection  108  disposed in each insertion pin  107 . The latch projection  108  is formed vertically two-tire at a side face of each of insertion pins  107 , between the two-tire latch projections  108  is formed a space into which the female terminal  103  is allowed to insert. When such the spacer  102  is inserted into the spacer housing  105 , a tip of the insertion pin  107  is latched in the connector housing  101  so as to be positioned at a provisional latch position. 
     A space between the insertion pin  107  and the latch projection  108  of the spacer  102 , and the terminal housing  104  communicate with each other, with the spacer  102  positioned in the provisional latch position, so as to allow the female terminal  103  to be inserted into the terminal housing  104 . Insertion of the female terminal into the terminal housing  104  then makes the latch lance  106  elastically deformed to latch a recess of the tip of the female terminal  103  therein. In this provisional latch position of the female terminal  103 , insufficiency of a latch force by the latch lance  106  likely causes the female terminal  103 , upon being pulled with powerful force, to escape from the connector housing  101 . 
     Therefore, further insertion of the spacer  102  positioned at the provisional latch position into the spacer housing  105 , as shown in  FIG. 10B , has a main body of the spacer  102  latched in the connector housing  101  so as to be positioned at the actual latch position. Positioning of the spacer  102  at the actual latch position makes the latch projection  108  project in the terminal housing  104  so as to latch the projection  103 A of a middle of the female terminal  103 . As such the spacer  102  positioned at the actual latch position prevents the female terminal  103  from escaping from the connector housing  101 . 
     On the other hand, a connector described in PTL 3, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , is provided with a connector housing  111 , a front holder  112 , and a female terminal fitting  113  (hereinafter, referred to as female terminal). The connector housing  111  is provided with a terminal housing  114  accommodating the female terminal  113 , to an inside of which a latch lance is formed to face. The latch lance  115  is formed slanted from a wall  116  of the terminal housing  114  toward backside of the female terminal  113  in its insertion direction, and between the latch lance  115  and the wall  116  a space  117  is formed. 
     The front holder  112  is attached from front side of the connector housing  111 , provided with a front part  118  having a through hole passing male terminal fitting of other connector therethrough, and restriction projection  119  projecting from the front part  118  to be inserted into the terminal housing  114  of the connector housing  111 . The restriction projection  119  enters into the space  117  between the latch lance  115  and the wall  116  when the front holder  112  is attached to the connector housing  111  so as to restrict deformation of the latch lance  115 . 
     In such the connector  110 , insertion of the female terminal  113  into the terminal housing  114  of the connector housing  111  makes the latch lance  115  elastically deformed so as to latch a recess  113 A of the female terminal  113  therein. In the provisional latch state of the female terminal  113 , the front holder  112  is attached from a front side of the connector housing  111 , and the restriction projection  119  is inserted into the space  117 . Elastic deformation of the latch lance  115  is thereby restricted, lying in an actual latch state latch of the recess  113 A of the female terminal  113  is not released, which prevents the female terminal  103  from escaping from the connector housing  101 . 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     [PTL 1] 
     
         
         Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. S64-54678
 
[PTL 2]
 
         Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-115614
 
[PTL 3]
 
         Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-108576 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Disadvantageously, such the conventional connector as shown in the aforementioned PTLs 1 to 3 is not allowed to increase latch force of the terminal fitting unless a spacer or a front holder is laid in actual latch state, by the connector housing being inserted thereinto, resulting in difficulty of prevention of escape of the terminal fitting in preliminary latch state. Namely, as a connector there are various connectors that are not provided with the spacer  102  or the front holder  112 , but not limited to those provided therewith, or have different configurations or sizes. It is not thereby actual for various connectors to all have the spacer or the front holder, and also providing of the spacer or the front holder for increasing of the latch force of the terminal fitting induces various drawbacks such as upsizing the connector, requiring of sophisticated equipment for molding due to complication of its configuration, or cost-up for manufacturing and running. 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a method of making the connector preventing its escape by increasing latch force of a terminal fitting for various products without inducing of its upsizing or increasing of manufacturing cost. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to attain the above-mentioned object, a connector according to a first aspect of the present invention, comprises: a terminal fitting including a first latched part and a second latched part; and a connector housing, including a terminal housing accommodating the terminal fitting, a wall dividing the terminal housing from external, composing one inner face of the terminal housing, and provided with a through hole passing therethrough, and a latch part configured to latch the terminal fitting accommodated in the terminal housing so as to avoid escape of the terminal fitting, the latch part including a latch arm having a tip extending from a base end disposed on the inner face of the wall toward a back side in an insertion direction of the terminal fitting, the tip of the latch arm being configured to be latched into the first latched part, and a latch projection projecting from the latch arm in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal fitting, exposing to external through the through hole, and configured to be latched into the second latched part. 
     By applying the aforementioned configuration, the latch part includes the latch arm and the latch projection, the first latched part of the terminal fitting being latched by the tip of the latch arm, the second latched part of the terminal fitting being latched by the latch projection, i.e., latch of the terminal fitting at at least two points increases latch force, leading to prevention of escape of the terminal fitting. Also, forming of the through hole letting the latch projection face external at the wall of the connector housing readily forms the latch projection that is formed to project toward the insertion direction of the terminal fitting. Namely, the connector housing is generally made of insulating synthetic resin by injection-molding, the terminal housing is formed in the insertion direction of the terminal fitting (hereafter, referred to as a first direction sometimes), and thereby a mold operable to open in the first direction is employed. This makes it difficult to mold the latch projection because of projection of the latch projection in a direction intersecting the first direction, but forming the through hole on the wall of the connector housing and the latch projection being positioned such as to face external via the through hole makes it possible to readily mold the latch projection using a slide mold that is passed through the through hole. 
     Preferably, the inner face of the wall is provided with a guide groove therein, the guide groove extending from an inlet side to the back side in the insertion direction of the terminal fitting in the connector housing, and wherein the terminal fitting is provided with a projection piece configured to be inserted into the guide groove and guided in the insertion direction of the terminal fitting, and wherein the second latched part is composed of a part of the projection piece. 
     By applying the aforementioned configuration, the terminal fitting can be provided with a projection piece guided along the guide groove of the connector housing, thereby preventing the terminal fitting from rotating or slanting upon being inserted into the connector housing, which prevents the connector housing or the terminal fitting from breaking by irregular insertion, as well as improve workability of insertion. Also, configuration of the second latched part by projection piece for guiding the terminal fitting (referred to as stabilizer), and latch of a part of the projection piece by the latch projection eliminates a need to form the additional second latched part, decreasing manufacturing cost for the terminal fitting. Note that the projection piece of such the stabilizer is generally formed projecting in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal fitting, and by such the projecting part being latched by the latch projection, a first latch position where the first latched part is latched by the tip of the latch arm and a second position where the projection piece is latched by the latch projection can be separated apart from each other. Therefore, latch of the terminal fitting at two positions apart from each other, even if latch is released upon outer force exerting on one of the positions, allows latch of the other to be kept so as to likely keep a latch state of the terminal fitting. 
     Preferably, the back side in the insertion direction of the terminal fitting in the terminal housing is provided with an abutting part therein, the abutting part abutting against, and holding a tip of the accommodated terminal fitting, and wherein the abutting part and the latch projection are overlapped to each other in the insertion direction of the terminal fitting. 
     By applying the aforementioned configuration, formation of the abutting part at the back side of the terminal housing, and abutting of the abutting part against, and holding of the tip of the accommodated terminal fitting makes it possible to well hold the terminal fitting in the connector housing in a predetermined position and arrangement. Also, the abutting part and the latch projection being stacked to each other in the insertion direction of the terminal fitting makes the abutting part abut against the tip of the terminal fitting without widening its width size of the terminal fitting in the direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal fitting, and makes the second latched part of the terminal fitting latched in the latch projection. Though it becomes difficult to position a mold for molding the latch projection at the back side of the terminal housing (that is, a front side of the connector housing) due to the abutting part being positioned at the back side of the terminal housing, insertion of the slide mold through the through hole of the connector housing that is not positioned at the back side of the terminal housing as noted makes the latch projection molded while avoiding interference with the abutting part. 
     Preferably, a method for making the connector comprises the steps of: providing a slide mold slidable in the direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal fitting upon molding the connector housing; passing the slide mold through a part where the through hole is destined to is formed; and molding the latch projection using the slide mold. 
     By applying the aforementioned configuration, in much the same fashion as the forgoing connector, even with the latch projection projecting to intersect the first direction, insertion of the slide mold through the part of the through hole to be formed in the wall of the connector housing and molding the latch projection with the slide mold makes it possible to readily mold the latch projection. It is therefore made possible to avoid complication of facility or equipment for manufacturing the connector housing, avoiding cost-up for manufacturing. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the invention, since latch of the terminal housing at at least two points can increase latch force so as to prevent escape of the terminal fitting, avoiding necessarily providing a spacer or a front holder as is the case for the conventional connector, it is made possible to correspond to various types of connectors, and avoid upsize of the connector or complication of its configuration so as to restrict manufacturing cost. Also, since utilizing the through hole disposed in the wall of the connector housing, the latch projection is readily molded with the slide mold, manufacturing cost for the connector housing can be further decreased. 
     According to the invention, latch of the projection piece such as a stabilizer disposed in the terminal fitting by the latch projection makes it possible to keep its latch state of the terminal housing, and to securely prevent its escape of the terminal fitting. Also, with a terminal fitting originally having a stabilizer, it is not necessary to redesign to form the additional second latched part, directly utilizing the terminal fitting, it is thereby made possible to decrease manufacturing cost and improve latch force. 
     According to the invention, since the latch projection can be molded without interference with the abutting part, it is made to prevent escape of the terminal fitting and well hold it in the predetermined position. 
     According to the invention, it is made possible to avoid complication of facility or equipment for manufacturing the connector housing, as well as to make the connector improving its latch force corresponding to various types of products regardless of presence or absence of the spacer or the front holder. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a connector housing of the connector. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a cross-section of the connector housing taken at a position shown from A-A line in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an enlarged main part of the connector housing. 
         FIG. 4B  is a plane view illustrating an enlarged main part of the connector housing. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view illustrating a procedure of latch of a terminal fitting in the connector. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a method of making the connector. 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembling procedure of the connector. 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the assembling procedure of the connector. 
         FIG. 7C  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the assembling procedure of the connector. 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view illustrating an assembling procedure of the connector. 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view illustrating the assembling procedure of the connector. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a conventional connector. 
         FIG. 10A  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the conventional connector. 
         FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the conventional connector. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the conventional connector. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the another conventional connector. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a connector relevant to one embodiment of the present invention will be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 8 . A connector  1  relevant to the present embodiment is the one composing a wire harness wired in such an automobile, which is engaged and connected with a mating connector provided with various electric devices or other wire harness mounted in such the automobile. The wire harness is provided with a plurality of electric wires  2 , and the connector  1 . The electric wire  2  is provided with a conductive core wire and an insulating cover covering the core wire, an end of which is crimped onto a terminal fitting  3  of the connector  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the connector  1  is provided with a terminal fitting  3  that is what is called a female terminal fitting, a connector housing  4  accommodating the terminal fitting  3 , a spacer  5  to be inserted into the connector housing  4 . That is, the connector  1  is a female connector provided with the terminal fitting  3  that is the female-type terminal fitting, which is engaged, and connected, with the mating male connector. Note that in the present embodiment the connector  1  illustrated and described is female connector, but that the connector of the present invention may be a male connector. 
     The terminal fitting  3  is formed by punching and bending, integrally provided with an electric wire connection part  31  and an electric contact part  32 . The electric wire connection part  31  is provided with a strip bottom plate and a swaging piece continuous with widthwise both ends of the bottom plate, onto which the bottom plate the electric wire  2  the core wire of which is exposed is placed, and swaging an end of the electric wire  2  makes the swaging piece electrically and mechanically connected with the electric wire  2 . 
     The electric contact  32  is square-shaped, continuous with the bottom plate of the electric wire connection part  31 . In the electric contact part  32  is disposed an elastic piece  33  into which a male terminal fitting of the not-shown mating connector is inserted and held between an inside of the electric contact  32  and itself. As such holding of the male terminal fitting between the inside of the electric contact  32  and the elastic piece  33  makes the terminal fitting  3  and the male terminal fitting electrically and mechanically connected to each other. 
     Also, the electric contact  32  is provided with a stabilizer  34  as a projection piece projecting from one side of its square tubular. The stabilizer  34  is inserted into an after-mentioned guide groove  46  inside the connector housing  4 , guided along the guide groove  46 . The stabilizer  34  is inserted into the guide groove  46  so that it is made possible to insert the terminal fitting  3  into the connector housing  4  in a predetermined direction, in addition, the stabilizer  34  is guided to the guide groove  46  so that it is made possible to prevent the terminal fitting  3  from collapsing or being slanted (that is, in an arrow X direction in such  FIG. 1 ). 
     The connector housing  4  is made of insulating synthetic resin, as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , provided with a box-like housing main body  40 , a lock arm  41  for latching the mating connector. The housing main body  40  is provided with a terminal housing  42  accommodating the terminal fitting  3 , a spacer housing  43  accommodating the spacer  5 . 
     Also, the housing main body  40  is provided with a front face  40 A facing the mating connector, a back face  40 B opposite to the front face  40 A where the terminal fitting  3  is inserted into, an upper face  40 C where the spacer  5  is inserted into, a bottom face  40 D opposite to the upper face  40 C, a first side face  40 E where the lock arm  41  is disposed, and a second face  40 F opposite to the first side face  40 E. Note that herein, such the upper face  40 C or bottom face  40 D is conveniently referred to as for simply describing, but not limited to up, down, right or left direction in usage condition of the connector  1 . 
     The terminal housing  42  is provided plurally (two in the present embodiment), and arranged in parallel to each other. The plurality of terminal housings  42  is straight tube-shaped extending in a front-rear direction of the connector housing  4 , both ends of which in its longitudinal direction are open to and communicating with the front face  40 A and the back face  40 B of the housing main body  40 . Of the two terminal housings  42  the terminal housing  42  right side in  FIG. 1  and upper side in  FIG. 2  is surrounded by an upper wall  44 A composing the upper face  40 C of the housing main body  40 , a bottom wall  44 B composing the bottom face  40 D, a first side wall  44 C composing the first side face  40 E, and a middle wall  44 D disposed across the upper wall  44 A and the bottom wall  44 B. On the other hand, the terminal housing  42  left side in  FIG. 1  and lower side in  FIG. 2  is surrounded by the upper wall  44 A, the bottom wall  44 B, a second side wall  44 E composing the second side face  40 F, and the middle wall  44 D. 
     Into inside such the terminal housing  42  the terminal fitting  3  is inserted from the back face  40 B of the housing main body  42  in its longitudinal direction, which the direction the terminal fitting  3  is inserted is shown by the arrow X in such  FIG. 1 , which is called an insertion direction X of the terminal fitting  3 . Also, a direction intersecting the insertion direction X of the terminal fitting  3  and opposing the first side wall  44 C and the second side wall  44 E is shown in an arrow Y, which is called a first intersection direction Y, a direction intersecting the insertion direction X and opposing the upper wall  44 A and the bottom wall  44 B is shown in an arrow Z, which is called a second intersection direction Z. Note that inside the terminal housing  42  the back face  40 B of the housing main body  40  may be referred to as an inlet side of the insertion direction X, and the front face  40 A side as a back side of the insertion direction X. 
     Inside each terminal housing  42  as shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , a latch lance  45  is disposed as a latch part. The latch lance  45  is designed to restrict escape of the terminal fitting  3  from the terminal housing  42  by latching the terminal fitting  3 . The latch lance  45  is provided with a latch arm  45 A extending in a cantilever-like fashion from the bottom wall  44 B toward a back side of the insertion direction X, and a latch arm  45 B projecting from the base end of the latch arm  45 A. The latch arm  45 A, whose base end is in continuous with inside the bottom wall  44 B, extend slanted toward the back side of the insertion direction X and toward the upper wall  44 A of the second intersection direction Z. Also, the latch arm  45 A is formed in such a way that a free end of tip thereof becomes elastic toward the bottom wall  44 B, and the terminal fitting  3  bridging across the bottom wall  44 B while deforming is latched in the tip  45 C of the latch arm  45 A. 
     Herein, the terminal fitting  3  is provided with a step  35  as a first latched part disposed recessed from outer face at front side nearer than the stabilizer  34  of the electric contact  32 , which is configured to have the tip  45 C of latch arm  45 A latched therein. Also, in the tip of the latch arm  45 A a latch release projection  45 D is disposed. To the latch release projection  45 D a jig for pulling the terminal is hooked to deform the latch arm  45 A, allowing the latch arm  45 A and the step  35  to be unlatched from each other. 
     The latch projection  45 B projects from a base end of the latch arm  45 A toward the second side wall  44 E side of the first intersection direction Y, and is formed slanted in such a way as to approach the second side wall  44 E as approaching the back side of the insertion direction X. The latch projection  45 B is formed elastic toward the bottom wall  44 B with the latch arm  45 A elastically deformed, and elastic in a direction separating from the second side wall  44 E (a direction submerging into the latch arm  45 A), and the stabilizer  34  of the terminal fitting  3  that bridges across the latch projection  45 B while elastically deforming the latch projection  45 B is designed to be latched in the latch projection  45 B. Also, in an intersection of the bottom wall  44 B of the housing main body  40  and the second side wall  44 E is formed a guide groove  46  extending in the insertion direction X and guiding the stabilizer  34 . Namely, the latch projection  45 B is formed projecting from the guide groove  46 . 
     In the bottom wall  44 B of the housing main body  40  a slit  47  is, as shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , formed as a through hole passing through the bottom wall  44 B positioned corresponding to each of the terminal housings  42 . The slit  47  runs along the guide groove  46 , formed along a side face of the latch arm  45 A, so as to have the latch projection  45 B face external through the slit  47 . Namely, nearly the entire bottom face of the latch projection  45 B is, when viewing the housing main body  40  from the bottom face  44 B side, made to be exposed to external through the slit  47 . Lock of the stabilizer  34  by such the latch projection  45 B can be released by elastically deforming the latch projection  45 B using a jig inserted though the slit  47 . As noted, after releasing the latch of the latch arm  45 A and the step  35 , as well as releasing latch of the latch projection  45 B and the stabilizer  34 , pulling the electric wire  2  and moving the terminal fitting  3  toward the inlet side in the insertion direction X allows the terminal fitting  3  to be pulled out of the terminal housing  42 . 
     In the back side in the insertion direction X inside the terminal housing  42  is formed a abutting part  48  abutting against the electric contact  32  of the inserted terminal fitting  3 . The abutting part  48 , by holding the electric contact  32  between the upper wall  44 A and itself, positions and holds the terminal fitting  3 , arranged in pairs in the first intersection direction Y. Also, the abutting part  48  is stacked in the insertion direction X of the terminal fitting  3  relative to the latch projection  45 B. Namely, the abutting part  48  and the latch projection  45 B are, as shown in  FIG. 4A , arranged at nearly the same position in the second insertion direction Z, and as shown in  FIG. 4B  project oppositely to each other along the first intersection direction Y over each of their tip, facing at least an each of their parts along the insertion direction X. 
     The spacer  5  is, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , provided with a spacer main body  51  parallel to the upper wall  44 A of the housing main body  40 , a plurality of insertion pieces  52  extending from the spacer main body  51  to be inserted into the spacer housing  43 . In the spacer main body  51 , at the actual latch position the spacer is entirely accommodated, is formed a restriction piece  53  lying inside each of the terminal housings  42  and operable to abut against the terminal housing  3 . Also, in the spacer housing  43  is formed a latch piece  43 A latching the spacer main body  51  at the actual latch position. On the other hand, of the plurality of insertion pieces, the two inserting pieces  52  of both sides have a projection  54  to be latched inside the first and second side walls  44 C and  44 E of the housing main body  40  at a provisional latch position a part of the spacer  5  is accommodated in the spacer housing  43 . Also, the middle inserting piece  52  with the spacer  5  accommodated in the spacer housing  43  continue to the middle wall  44 D, each composed of partition wall between the terminal housings  42 . 
     Such the spacer  5 , at the provisional latch position the projection  54  is latched inside the first and second side walls  44 C and  44 E of the housing main body  40 , allows the terminal fitting  3  to escape from the terminal housing  42 , and at an actual latch position the spacer main body  51  is latched in the latch piece  43 A, restricts the terminal fitting  3  from escaping from the terminal housing  42 . The spacer  5  is, across such the provisional latch position and the actual latch position, movably attached to the connector housing  4 . Also, by the restriction piece  53  positioned inside the terminal housing  42  abutting against a rear edge  36  (see  FIGS. 5 and 7 ) of the electric contact  32  at the actual latch position, the spacer  5  can restrict the terminal fitting  3  from escaping. 
     Hereinafter, the foregoing method will be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 8B . Firstly, the terminal fitting  3  is made by punching and bending of metal plate, the electric wire  2  is crimped to the electric wire connection part  31  with the crimp equipment. On the other hand, the connector housing  4  and the spacer  5  are made of synthetic resin by injection molding. 
     When the connector housing  4  is injection-molded, as shown in  FIG. 6 , employed is a slide mold M capable of being inserted into inside the housing main body  40  from the bottom wall  44 B of the housing main body  40  through a part destined to become the slit  47 . The slide mold M is movably held along the second intersection direction Z, as well as provided with a first mold face M 1  molding a bottom wall of the latch projection  45 B. Furthermore, the slide mold M includes a second mold face M 2  and a third mold face M 3  that are inserted into between the latch projection  45 B and the abutting part  48 , so as to mold these sides. Also, a not-shown main mold is composed of at least a male and female pair capable of opening its mold in the insertion direction X, designed to make the slide mold M insert into any one of male and female molds. Also, the spacer housing  43  and the like are molded using adequate slide mold. Molten resin with the slide mold M inserted inside the main mold is filled within the mold, molding the latch projection  45 B by the slide mold M, then the slide mold M is pulled out of the main mold, then the main mold is opened, so as to make the connector housing. 
     Then, in the assembling procedure of the connector  1 , as shown in  FIGS. 7A to 8B , firstly, the spacer  5  is preliminarily inserted into the spacer housing  4  to reach the provisional latch position. In this provisional latch position the terminal fitting  3  with the electric wire  2  is inserted into the terminal housing  42  from the back face  40 B of the connector housing  4 . At this time passing the stabilizer  34  of the terminal fitting  3  through the guide groove  46  makes the terminal fitting  3  to be prevented from falling of descending. Furthermore, inserting the terminal fitting  3  toward the back side the insertion direction X makes a bottom face in a front side of the electric wire contact  32  abut onto the latch lance  45  so as to slidably abut onto the latch arm  45 A, and to press the latch arm  45 A toward the bottom face  44 B to be elastically deformed. Coinstantaneously, the stabilizer  34  is slidably abutted onto the latch projection  45 B to elastically deform the latch projection  45 B. 
     Furthermore, when inserting the terminal fitting  3  into the back of the terminal housing  42 , the step  35  of the terminal fitting  3 , as shown in  FIG. 7B , bridges across the latch arm  45 A, and the tip  45 C of the latch arm  45 A latches the stabilizer  34 . The terminal fitting  3  is thereby laid in the provisional latch state two points of the step  35  and the stabilizer  34  are latched in the latch lance  45  of the connector housing  4 . Also, a front end of the electric wire contact  32  of the terminal fitting  3  held between inside of the upper wall  44 A in the back of the terminal housing  42  and the abutting part  48 , so as to be held not movably in the first and second intersection direction Y and Z. 
     Note that when releasing the provisional latch state and pulling out the terminal fitting  3  from the terminal housing  42 , as noted, hooking the jig for pulling the terminal to the latch release projection  45 D so as to elastically deform the latch arm  45 A toward the bottom wall  44 B, releasing the latch of the latch arm  45 A and the step  35 , as well as releasing the latch of the latch projection  45 B and the stabilizer  34  so as to pull the electric wire  2  and pull out the terminal fitting  3  toward its inlet in the insertion direction X. 
     Then, in the provisional latch position, the spacer  5  is pressed into the connector housing  4 , and latch the spacer main body  51  in the latch piece  43 A makes, as shown in  FIG. 7C , the spacer  5  move in the actual latch position the spacer  5  is entirely accommodated in the spacer housing  43 . In this actual latch position, as aforementioned, two points of the step  35  and the stabilizer  34  are latched in the latch lance  45  as well as the rear end  36  of the electric wire contact  32  is latched in the restrain piece  53  of the spacer  5 . This makes the terminal fitting  3  latched in three positions, and laid in the actual latch position its escape is stiffly restrained. The connector is completed through the aforementioned procedure. 
     According to the present embodiment, in the provisional latch position, the terminal fitting  3  is made to increase its latch force due to the two points of the step  35  and stabilizer  34  being latched in the latch lance  45  of the connector housing  4 , and to prevent escape of the terminal fitting  3 . Also, the terminal fitting  3  is held between inside of the upper wall  44 A in the back of the terminal housing  42  and the abutting part  48 , and the motion of the terminal fitting  3  inside the terminal housing  42  is restricted, preventing the latch lance  45  from unlatching, and securely preventing the terminal fitting  3  from escaping. Furthermore, the spacer  5  is moved at the actual latch position so as to abut onto the restriction piece  53 , the terminal fitting  3  is thereby latched in the three positions so as to further increase the latch force in the actual latch position. 
     In the bottom wall  44 B of the housing main body  40  the slit  47  is also formed, through which the latch projection  45 B is made to expose to external of the housing main body  40 , making it possible to readily mold the latch projection  45 B using the slide mold M that is inserted into the part where the slit  47  is destined to be formed. Namely, the connector housing  4  of the present embodiment, even if not provided with the conventional front holder in the front side of the housing main body  40 , and not pulled out from its front side, can readily mold the latch projection  45 B by using the slide mold M that can be inserted from the second intersection direction Z (or the first intersection direction) intersecting the insertion direction X of the terminal fitting  3 . The latch projection being readily molded using such the slide mold M, without complication of mold configuration of the injection molding equipment and the molding operation, makes manufacturing cost for the connector hosing  4  reduced. 
     Note that while the aforementioned embodiment discloses the female connector provided with the terminal fitting  3  that is the female terminal fitting, the connector relevant to the present invention may, not limited to such the female connector, be a male connector that is provided with a male terminal fitting. Also, while in the aforementioned embodiment the connector  1  having the spacer  5  is discussed, the connector of the present invention may, not limited to what is laid in the actual latch position using the spacer or the front holder, be such a configuration in which the terminal fitting is solely latched by the latch part (latch lance  45 ). Even in such the configuration in which the latch part solely latches the terminal fitting, as aforementioned, latch of the terminal fitting at the two positions of the tip  45 C of the latch arm  45 A and the latch projection  45 B of the latch part can obtain increased latch force. 
     Also, while in the aforementioned embodiment the connector housing  4  is made to form two points of the terminal housing  42 , and the connector  1  which accommodates the two terminal housings  3  is shown, the number and its arrangement of the terminal housing is specifically not limited to. Also, with the connecter housing  4  of the aforementioned embodiment, the spacer housing  43  is disposed open in the upper wall  44 A that is an opposite wall, and the slit  47  that is a through hole disposed in the bottom wall  44 B that is a wall, but their arrangement are not limited to, whereas the spacer housing  43  and the slit  47  may be formed in the same plane of the connector housing  4 , or formed in an intersecting plane to each other. Also, while the aforementioned embodiment includes the configuration where the tip  45 C of the latch arm  45 A latches the step  35  of the terminal fitting  3 , and the latch projection  45 B latches the stabilizer  34  of the terminal fitting  3 , their part of the first latch part and the second latch part of the terminal fitting are not specifically limited to, but are disposed adequately in the terminal fitting. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The connector and the method for making the connector according to the present invention can be applied to the one composing a wire harness wired, for example, in an automobile, or the one connected to such a wire harness disposed in an electric devices. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           1  connector 
           3  terminal fitting 
           4  connector housing 
           5  spacer 
           34  stabilizer (second latched part, projection piece) 
           35  step (first latched part) 
           42  terminal housing 
           43  spacer housing 
           44 A upper wall (opposite wall) 
           44 B bottom wall (wall part) 
           45  latch lance (latch part) 
           45 A latch arm 
           45 B latch projection 
           45 C tip 
           46  guide groove 
           47  slit (through hole) 
           48  abutting part 
         M slide mold