Patent Publication Number: US-2023155323-A1

Title: Card edge connector

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a card edge connector. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A card edge connector described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a circuit board, a housing having a board accommodation space into which the circuit board is inserted, terminal fittings to be accommodated into the housing and a movable member (hereinafter, referred to as a protecting member) to be arranged movably to an initial position and a connection position in the housing. The terminal fitting includes a resilient contact piece configured to resiliently contact the circuit board. The protecting member covers an end surface of the circuit board on an opening side of the board accommodation space at the initial position. The protecting member moves to a back side of the board accommodation space, i.e. to the connection position, by being pushed by the circuit board. The protecting member includes a locking protrusion and the circuit board includes a locking recess. The locking protrusion and the locking recess are locked to each other when the circuit board is withdrawn. 
     When the protecting member is at the initial position, the end surface of the circuit board is covered by the protecting member on the opening side of the board accommodation space, whereby the interference of the resilient contact piece of the terminal fitting with the circuit board can be avoided. In withdrawing the circuit board from the board accommodation space, the protecting member can return to the initial position integrally with the circuit board since the locking protrusion and the locking recess are locked to each other. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: JP 2017-054590 A 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved 
     Since the circuit board is poor in workability, there is a problem that the locking recess provided in the circuit board has a low degree of freedom in design. Further, unless the disposed position of the circuit board in a receptacle is proper, it may not be possible to realize the locked state of the locking protrusion and the locking recess. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure aims to provide a card edge connector improved in the degree of freedom in design and dimensional accuracy of a structure for returning a protecting member to an initial position. 
     Means to Solve the Problem 
     The present disclosure is directed to a card edge connector with a tubular receptacle, a circuit board to be arranged in the receptacle, a housing to be fit into the receptacle, the housing having an accommodation space for the circuit board, a terminal fitting to be accommodated into the housing, and a protecting member to be arranged movably to an initial position and a connection position in the housing, wherein the terminal fitting includes a contact point portion facing the accommodation space and to be electrically connected to the circuit board, the protecting member includes a body portion for restricting connection of the circuit board and the contact point portion by being located on an opening side of the accommodation space at the initial position and allowing the connection of the circuit board and the contact point portion by being retracted from the opening side of the accommodation space at the connection position and a hooked portion connected to an end part of the body portion and projecting toward an outer surface side of the housing, and the receptacle includes a hooking portion on an inner surface facing an outer surface of the housing, the hooking portion moving the protecting member from the connection position to the initial position by hooking the hooked portion. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a card edge connector improved in the degree of freedom in design and dimensional accuracy of a structure for returning a protecting member to an initial position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is an exploded perspective view of a card edge connector according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a side view in section of the card edge connector. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a female connector. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view showing a state where an inner housing is held at a partial locking position with respect to an outer housing in the female connector. 
         FIG.  5    is a side view in section showing a state where a protecting member is held at an initial position with respect to a housing in the female connector. 
         FIG.  6    is a transverse section showing a state where each terminal fitting is accommodated in each cavity in the female connector. 
         FIG.  7    is a side view in section showing a state where the protecting member is held at the initial position with respect to the housing by locking resilient holding portions and holding portions. 
         FIG.  8    is a plan view in section showing a state when the connection of both connectors is started. 
         FIG.  9    is an enlarged plan view in section showing a state where a hooking portion is deflecting and deforming a hooked portion in a connection process of the both connectors. 
         FIG.  10    is an enlarged plan view in section showing a state where the hooked portion resiliently returns from the state of  FIG.  9    and the hooking portion is separated from the hooked portion. 
         FIG.  11    is an enlarged plan view in section showing a state where the both connectors are properly connected and the deflection of the hooked portion is restricted by a restricting surface of a wall portion. 
         FIG.  12    is an enlarged plan view in section showing a state where the hooked portion is hooked by the hooking portion in a separation process of the both connector. 
         FIG.  13    is a side view of the terminal fitting. 
         FIG.  14    is a front view of the outer housing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION 
     Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure 
     First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described. 
     (1) The card edge connector of the present disclosure is provided with a tubular receptacle, a circuit board to be arranged in the receptacle, a housing to be fit into the receptacle, the housing having an accommodation space for the circuit board, a terminal fitting to be accommodated into the housing, and a protecting member to be arranged movably to an initial position and a connection position in the housing, wherein the terminal fitting includes a contact point portion facing the accommodation space and to be electrically connected to the circuit board, the protecting member includes a body portion for restricting connection of the circuit board and the contact point portion by being located on an opening side of the accommodation space at the initial position and allowing the connection of the circuit board and the contact point portion by being retracted from the opening side of the accommodation space at the connection position and a hooked portion connected to an end part of the body portion and projecting toward an outer surface side of the housing, and the receptacle includes a hooking portion on an inner surface facing an outer surface of the housing, the hooking portion moving the protecting member from the connection position to the initial position by hooking the hooked portion. 
     According to the above configuration, since the body portion is located on the opening side of the accommodation space when the protecting member is at the initial position, it can be avoided that the circuit board inserted into the accommodation space abuts on the body portion and the contact point portion of the terminal fitting interferes with the circuit board. When the protecting member is at the connection position, the body portion is retracted from the opening side of the accommodation space and a connected state of the contact point portion and the circuit board can be realized. Since the contact point portion of the terminal fitting can be prevented from abutting on a corner part and the like of the circuit board, the connected state of the contact point portion and the circuit board can be satisfactorily realized. 
     Further, according to the above configuration, in the process of separating the receptacle from the housing in withdrawing the circuit board from the accommodation space, the hooking portion of the receptacle can return the protecting member to the initial position by hooking the hooked portion of the protecting member. Since the hooking portion is provided on the inner surface of the receptacle, the degree of freedom in design and dimensional accuracy of the hooking portion can be enhanced. 
     (2) Preferably, the hooked portion is shaped to be deflectable and deformable with a part connected to the end part of the body portion as a fulcrum, and the housing has a restricting surface on the outer surface, the restricting surface being located away from a deflection space for the hooked portion with the protecting member located at the initial position and located in the deflection space for the hooked portion with the protecting member located at the connection position. 
     According to the above configuration, the hooking portion can contact and deflect the hooked portion with the protecting member located at the initial position. The hooked portion can resiliently return and the hooking portion can ride over the hooked portion in the process of fitting the receptacle and the housing. If the receptacle and the housing are properly fit and the protecting member reaches the connection position, the deflection of the hooked portion is restricted by the restricting surface of the housing. Since the deflection of the hooked portion is restricted in withdrawing the circuit board from the accommodation space, a hooked state of the hooking portion and the hooked portion can be prevented from being inadvertently released. 
     (3) Preferably, the circuit board has a pressing surface on an end surface, the pressing surface abutting on the protecting member at the initial position and moving the protecting member to the connection position, the protecting member includes a plurality of deflectable and deformable resilient holding portions, the housing includes a plurality of holding portions for restricting a movement of the protecting member from the initial position to the connection position by respectively locking the plurality of resilient holding portions, and a clearance is present between the pressing surface of the circuit board and the protecting member with the hooked portion hooked by the hooking portion at the connection position. 
     According to the above configuration, when the hooking portion hooks the hooked portion in withdrawing the circuit board from the accommodation space, the clearance is formed between the pressing surface of the circuit board and the protecting member and the deflection of the protecting member is allowed within a range of that clearance. Since a timing of each holding portion to ride over each resilient holding portion can be shifted when the protecting member returns to the initial position, a peak of resistance due to the interference of the respective resilient holding portions and the respective holding portions can be reduced. 
     Details of Embodiments of Present Disclosure 
     A specific example of a card edge connector of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this illustration and is intended to be represented by claims and include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents. 
     A card edge connector according to an embodiment is composed of a female connector  10  and a male connector  60  connectable to each other. As shown in  FIG.  1   , the male connector  60  includes a receptacle  61  and a circuit board  62 . The female connector  10  includes a housing  11 ,  12 , a plurality of terminal fittings  13  and a protecting member  14 . Further, the housing  11 ,  12  is composed of an outer housing  11  and an inner housing  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the circuit board  62  is arranged in the receptacle  61 . The terminal fittings  13  are accommodated into the housing  11 ,  12 . The protecting member  14  is assembled with the housing  11 ,  12  movably to an initial position (see  FIG.  5   ) and a connection position (see  FIG.  2   ). The protecting member  14  protects later-described contact point portions  25  of the terminal fittings  13  at the initial position. The contact point portions  25  of the terminal fittings  13  are conductively connected to electrically conductive portions  65  of the circuit board  62  when the both connectors  10 ,  60  are properly connected. Note that, in the following description, a vertical direction is based on a vertical direction of  FIG.  2    and surface sides facing each other when the connection of the both connectors  10 ,  60  is started are referred to as front sides concerning a front-rear direction. 
     Receptacle and Circuit Board 
     The receptacle  61  is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , in the form of a rectangular tube and hollow in the front-rear direction. The receptacle  61  is formed into a laterally long shape having a width in a lateral direction larger than a height in the vertical direction. A lock hole  63  is provided in the upper wall of the receptacle  61 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , the receptacle  61  includes a pair of hooking portions  64  on the inner surfaces of left and right side walls. Each hooking portion  64  is provided in the form of a base projecting in a vertically central part of a front end part of the inner surface of the left/right side wall. An end surface (hereinafter, referred to as an inner end surface) of each hooking portion  64  in a projecting direction is shaped to be flat along the front-rear direction. The front surface of each hooking portion  64  is tapered and inclined rearward toward the inner end surface from the opening end of the receptacle  61 . The rear surface of each hooking portion  64  is tapered and inclined forward toward the inner end surface. The receptacle  61  is mounted on an unillustrated case. 
     The circuit board  62  is also mounted on the case. Thus, relative positions of the circuit board  62  and the receptacle  61  are maintained to be fixed. The circuit board  62  is rectangular in a plan view and arranged in a vertically central part in the receptacle  61  with plate surfaces facing in the vertical direction. As shown in  FIG.  1   , a plurality of electrically conductive portions  65  are provided side by side in the width direction on surfaces of the circuit board  62 . The respective electrically conductive portions  65  are arranged at positions corresponding to the respective terminal fittings  13 . 
     The circuit board  62  has a pressing surface  66  for pressing the protecting member  14  on a front end surface (plate thickness surface) extending along the width direction. In the case of this embodiment, the pressing surface  66  is constituted by the entire front end surface of the circuit board  62 . 
     Inner Housing 
     The inner housing  12  is made of synthetic resin and includes, as shown in  FIG.  1   , a plurality of cavities  15 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the plurality of cavities  15  are arranged side by side in the width direction in two upper and lower stages in the inner housing  12 . Each cavity  15  is in the form of a vertically long slit and penetrates in the front-rear direction. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , each cavity  15  in the upper stage is open in the upper surface of the inner housing  12  and includes front and rear steps  16 ,  17  along the vertical direction at two positions spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Out of each cavity  15  in the upper stage, a vertical depth between the front and rear steps  16 ,  17  is larger than those on both front and rear sides of the steps  16 ,  17 . Further, as shown in  FIG.  6   , an upper part of each cavity  15  in the upper stage is formed to have a larger opening width in the lateral direction than a lower part of each cavity  15  in the upper stage. The terminal fitting  13  is inserted into each cavity  15  in the upper stage from above. The inner housing  12  includes retaining portions  18  for restricting the terminal fittings  13  inserted into the respective cavities  15  in the upper stage from coming out upward. A pair of the retaining portions  18  project on left and right inner surfaces of the upper part of each cavity  15  in the upper stage. 
     Each cavity  15  in the lower stage is open in the lower surface of the inner housing  12  and includes front and rear steps  16 ,  17  along the vertical direction at two positions spaced apart in the front-rear direction, similarly to each cavity  15  in the upper stage. Out of each cavity  15  in the lower stage, a vertical depth between the front and rear steps  16 ,  17  is larger than those on both front and rear sides of the steps  16 ,  17 . Further, a lower part of each cavity  15  in the lower stage is formed to have a larger opening width in the lateral direction than an upper part of each cavity  15  in the lower stage. The terminal fitting  13  is inserted into each cavity  15  in the lower stage from below. The inner housing  12  includes retaining portions  18  for restricting the terminal fittings  13  inserted into the respective cavities  15  in the lower stage from coming out downward. A pair of the retaining portions  18  project on left and right inner surfaces of the lower part of each cavity  15  in the lower stage. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , the respective cavities  15  in the upper and lower stages are arranged to deviate from each other in the width direction. Specifically, the wide upper parts of the respective cavities  15  in the upper stage and the narrow upper parts of the respective cavities  15  in the lower stage are arranged side by side in the width direction. Further, the narrow lower parts of the respective cavities  15  in the upper stage and the wide lower parts of the respective cavities  15  in the lower stage are arranged side by side in the width direction. In this way, the respective cavities  15  in the upper and lower stages are provided in alignment at narrow intervals with good space efficiency in the vertical direction and lateral direction in the inner housing  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the inner housing  12  includes a pair of locking projections  19  arranged in the width direction in a widthwise central part of a front end part of an upper surface. Further, the inner housing  12  includes an accommodation space  21  in the form of a laterally long slit open in a vertically central part of a front surface. The accommodation space  21  is formed over the entire width of the inner housing  12  and also open in left and right side surfaces of the inner housing  12 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , the accommodation space  21  communicates with the respective cavities  15  via the front steps  16 . The back end of the accommodation space  21  is closed by the rear steps  17 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the circuit board  62  is inserted into the accommodation space  21  through a communication port  29  to be described later. 
     Terminal Fittings 
     The terminal fitting  13  is formed, such as by bending an electrically conductive metal plate. A rear part of the terminal fitting  13  is connected to an end part of a wire  20 . As shown in  FIG.  13   , a front part of the terminal fitting  13  includes a tubular portion  22  in the form of a rectangular tube at a position on the same axis as the wire  20  in the front-rear direction and a plate-like portion  23  along the front-rear direction at a position facing the tubular portion  22  in a height direction. A surface of the tubular portion  22  facing the plate-like portion  23  is open. The front part of the terminal fitting  13  includes a deflectable and deformable resilient contact piece  24  inside the tubular portion  22 . The resilient contact piece  24  has a chevron shape projecting toward the plate-like portion  23  through the open surface of the tubular portion  22  and includes a contact point portion  25  on a top part closest to the plate-like portion  23 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , a separation distance between the tubular portion  22  and the plate-like portion  23  corresponds to an opening dimension of the accommodation space  21  in the height direction. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , the tubular portion  22  of the terminal fitting  13  is inserted into the wide upper part of each cavity  15  in the upper stage or the wide lower part of each cavity  15  in the lower stage. The plate-like portion  23  of the terminal fitting  13  is inserted into the narrow lower part of each cavity  15  in the upper stage or the narrow upper part of each cavity  15  in the lower stage. The circuit board  62  is inserted into between the tubular portion  22  and the plate-like portion  23  from front. The resilient contact piece  24  brings the contact point portion  25  into contact with the electrically conductive portion  65  of the circuit board  62  while being deflected and deformed. 
     Outer Housing 
     The outer housing  11  is made of synthetic resin and includes a housing assembly space  26  open in a rear surface inside. The outer housing  11  has a front wall  27  in a front surface. As shown in  FIG.  5   , the outer housing  11  includes terminal pressing portions  28  projecting into the housing assembly space  26  from the front wall  27 . The inner housing  12  is inserted into the housing assembly space  26  from behind. As shown in  FIG.  6   , a plurality of the terminal pressing portions  28  are arranged at upper and lower positions corresponding to the respective cavities  15 . 
     Here, the inner housing  12  is assembled movably to a partial locking position and a full locking position with respect to the outer housing  11 . At the partial locking position, the inner housing  12  is shallowly inserted in the housing assembly space  26  and, as shown in  FIG.  4   , upper surface openings of the respective cavities  15  in the upper stage and lower surface openings of the respective cavities  15  in the lower stage are arranged to be exposed behind the outer housing  11 . When the inner housing  12  is at the partial locking position, the respective terminal fittings  13  are inserted into the respective cavities  15 . Note that a stopping portion  47  (see  FIG.  5   ) for restricting the inner housing  12  at the partial locking position from coming out rearward by abutting on the respective locking projections  19  is provided in a rear end part of the outer housing  11 . 
     On the other hand, at the full locking position, the inner housing  12  is inserted with a proper depth into the housing assembly space  26  and, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the respective terminal pressing portions  28  in the upper stage are arranged to enter front parts of the upper surface openings of the respective cavities  15  of the upper stage and the respective terminal pressing portions  28  in the lower stage are arranged to enter front parts of the lower surface openings of the respective cavities  15  of the lower stage. In this way, the respective terminal fittings  13  are restricted from coming out in the vertical direction. The inner housing  12  is arranged in contact with the front wall  27  of the outer housing  11  at the full locking position. 
     As shown in  FIG.  14   , the outer housing  11  includes the laterally long communication port  29  open in a vertically central part of the front wall  27 . The communication port  29  communicates with the housing assembly space  26  and also communicates with the accommodation space  21  with the inner housing  12  inserted in the housing assembly space  26 . 
     The outer housing  11  includes a pair of vertical grooves  31  extending on both upper and lower sides from each of both left and right ends of the communication port  29 . The outer housing  11  includes first holding portions  32  and second holding portions  33  on the upper and lower surfaces of the respective vertical grooves  31 . As shown in  FIGS.  7  and  14   , the first and second holding portions  32 ,  33  are shifted from each other in the front-rear direction and width direction. Specifically, the first holding portion  32  is provided behind and inward of the second holding portion  33 . A later-described resilient holding portion  43  of the protecting member  14  is lockable to the first and second holding portions  32 ,  33 . 
     Further, the outer housing  11  includes a pair of groove portions  34  open in left and right side surfaces. Each groove portion  34  extends over the entire length of the outer housing  11  in the front-rear direction and is open in the front and rear surfaces of the outer housing  11 . Each groove portion  34  communicates with the respective vertical grooves  31 . As shown in  FIG.  8   , the outer housing  11  includes a pair of wall portions  35  near the left and right side surfaces in a rear part. The front end of each wall portion  35  is located on the rear ends of the respective vertical grooves  31 . The inner surface of each wall portion  35  is arranged along the front-rear direction and facing the housing assembly space  26 . The outer surface of each wall portion  35  is arranged along the front-rear direction and facing the groove portion  34 . The outer surface of each wall portion  35  is constituted as a restricting surface  36  for restricting the deflection of a later-described hooked portion  42  of the protecting member  14 . Further, as shown in  FIG.  3   , a deflectable and deformable lock arm  37  is provided to project on the upper surface of the outer housing  11 . The lock arm  37  includes a lock protrusion  38  to be fit into the lock hole  63  of the receptacle  61 . 
     Protecting Member 
     The protecting member  14  is made of synthetic resin and includes, as shown in  FIG.  3   , a body portion  41  in the form of a horizontal bar long in the width direction, a pair of the hooked portions  42  connected to both widthwise ends of the body portion  41  and extending on both front and rear sides and a pair of resilient holding portions  43  forked to an upper rear side and a lower rear side from the front end of each hooked portion  42 . 
     The body portion  41  is sized to be insertable into the accommodation space  21 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , a rear part of the body portion  41  is shaped to gradually reduce a vertical dimension toward a rear side. The body portion  41  has a receiving surface  44  arranged along the lateral direction on a front surface. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the receiving surface  44  of the body portion  41  is contacted and pressed by the pressing surface  66  of the circuit board  62 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  9   , each hooked portion  42  is in the form of an arm long in the front-rear direction and deflectable and deformable in the width direction with a part connected to the body portion  41  as a fulcrum. Each hooked portion  42  includes a claw-like hooking projection  45  projecting outward in the width direction on the outer surface of a rear end part. The front surface of the hooking projection  45  is arranged along the lateral direction. The rear surface of the hooking projection  45  is tapered and inclined rearward. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , each resilient holding portion  43  is in the form of an arm extending rearward after projecting in a direction away from the hooked portion  42  and deflectable and deformable in the vertical direction with a part connected to the hooked portion  42  as a fulcrum. An entire length of each resilient holding portion  43  is shorter than that of each hooked portion  42 . Each resilient holding portion  43  includes a claw-like holding projection  46  projecting outward in the height direction on the outer surface of a rear end part. The front surface of the holding projection  46  is arranged along the vertical direction. The rear surface of the holding projection  46  is tapered and inclined rearward. 
     Assembly Method of Female Connector and Connection/Separation Method of Both Connectors 
     In assembling the female connector  10 , the inner housing  12  is first held at the partial locking position with respect to the outer housing  11  (see  FIG.  4   ). 
     Subsequently, the terminal fittings  13  are inserted into the respective cavities  15  of the upper stage of the inner housing  12  from above, and the terminal fittings  13  are inserted into the respective cavities  15  of the lower stage of the inner housing  12  from below. The tubular portion  22  of each terminal fitting  13  is fit between the front and rear steps  16 ,  17  and arranged in contact with the front and rear steps  16 ,  17 . In this way, each terminal fitting  13  is restricted from being shifted in the front-rear direction with respect to the inner housing  12  (see  FIG.  5   ). Further, the tubular portion  22  of each terminal fitting  13  is arranged in contact with the left and right retaining portions  18  from inside (see  FIG.  6   ). In this way, each terminal fitting  13  is primarily restricted from coming out from the cavity  15 . In the inner housing  12 , the respective terminal fittings  13  are arranged laterally side by side to face the accommodation space  21  with the respective contact point portions  25  thereof aligned at the same height position. Subsequently, the inner housing  12  is pushed into the outer housing  11  and moved toward the full locking position. When the inner housing  12  reaches the full locking position, each terminal pressing portion  28  is arranged along a flat plate part of the tubular portion  22  of each terminal fitting  13  (see  FIG.  5   ). In this way, each terminal fitting  13  is secondarily and reliably restricted from coming out from the cavity  15 . 
     The protecting member  14  is arranged at the initial position with respect to the outer housing  11 . Each resilient holding portion  43  enters the vertical groove  31  and the holding projection  46  of each resilient holding portion  43  is arranged to be sandwiched in the front-rear direction between the first and second holding portions  32 ,  33  (see  FIG.  7   ). In this way, the protecting member  14  is restricted from being shifted in the front-rear direction with respect to the outer housing  11 . With the protecting member  14  located at the initial position, the body portion  41  is arranged to be fit into an inner space on the opening side of the accommodation space  21  (see  FIG.  5   ). Further, the hooked portions  42  enter the housing assembly space  26  and the groove portions  34  through the communication port  29 . 
     In the process of assembling the protecting member  14  at the initial position, the hooking projections  45  of the hooked portions  42  are displaced in the groove portions  34 . When the protecting member  14  is at the initial position, the hooking projections  45  of the hooked portions  42  are located on back end sides (rear end sides) of the groove portions  34  and arranged to project into the groove portions  34  (see FIG.  3 ). 
     In this state, the both connectors  10 ,  60  are connected to each other. In a connection process of the both connectors  10 ,  60 , the outer housing  11  is shallowly fit into the receptacle  61  and each hooking portion  64  enters the groove portion  34 . At this time, the inner end surfaces of the respective hooking portions  64  are arranged to be contactable along the outer surfaces of the respective hooked portions  42  of the protecting member  14  (see  FIG.  8   ). As the connection of the both connectors  10 ,  60  proceeds, the hooking portions  64  slide in contact with the hooking projections  45  of the hooked portions  42  and the hooked portions  42  are deflected and deformed into the vertical grooves  31  (deflection spaces on the side of the housing assembly space  26 ) (see  FIG.  9   ). At this time, clearances are secured between the hooked portions  42  being deflected and deformed and the wall portions  35  and the hooked portions  42  do not interfere with the wall portions  35 . 
     As the connection of the both connectors  10 ,  60  further proceeds, the pressing surface  66  of the circuit board  62  is pressed against the receiving surface  44  of the body portion  41  and a rearward pressing force is applied to the protecting member  14 . Associated with that, the resilient holding portions  43  are deflected and deformed by receiving the pressing force and a locked state of the holding projections  46  of the resilient holding portions  43  and the first holding portions  32  is released. At a position where the pressing surface  66  of the circuit board  62  abuts on the receiving surface  44  of the body portion  41 , the hooked portions  42  have already resiliently returned and the hooking portions  64  are arranged away from and rearward of the hooked portions  42  (see  FIG.  10   ). 
     As the connection of the both connectors  10 ,  60  further proceeds, the protecting member  14  is pushed by the circuit board  62  and moved to the connection position. The body portion  41  is displaced toward the back side from the opening side of the accommodation space  21 . During this time, a contact state of the circuit board  62  and the body portion  41  is maintained and the circuit board  62  does not contact the contact point portions  25  of the terminal fittings  13 . 
     Immediately before the both connectors  10 ,  60  are properly connected, the resilient contact pieces  24  slide on slope parts of the body portion  41  to be deflected and deformed. When the both connectors  10 ,  60  are properly connected, the resilient contact pieces  24  resiliently return and the contact point portions  25  of the resilient contact pieces  24  ride over the body portion  41  and contact the electrically conductive portions  65  of the circuit board  62 . In this way, the contact point portions  25  of the respective terminal fittings  13  and the respective electrically conductive portions  65  of the circuit board  62  are electrically connected (see  FIG.  2   ). Then, the lock protrusion  38  of the lock arm  37  is fit into the lock hole  63  of the receptacle  61 , whereby the both connectors  10 ,  60  are held in a connected state. With the both connectors  10 ,  60  properly connected, the inner surfaces of the rear parts of the hooked portions  42  are arranged along the restricting surfaces  36  of the wall portions  35  (see  FIG.  11   ). 
     On the other hand, in withdrawing the circuit board  62  from the accommodation space  21  according to a situation such as maintenance, the lock arm  37  is deflected to locate the lock protrusion  38  outside the lock hole  63  and, in that state, the both connectors  10 ,  60  are pulled apart from each other. In a separation process of the both connectors  10 ,  60 , slope parts of the hooking portions  64  abut on slope parts of the hooking projections  45  to apply a pressing force to the protecting member  14  in a return direction to the initial position. Here, since the deflection of the hooked portions  42  is restricted by the restricting surfaces  36  of the wall portions  35 , the hooked portions  42  are not deflected and deformed by receiving the pressing force. Thus, the protecting member  14  can smoothly start to move toward the initial position (see  FIG.  12   ). 
     Further, the pressing surface  66  of the circuit board  62  is arranged away from and forward of the receiving surface  44  of the body portion  41  when the slope parts of the hooking portions  64  and the slope parts of the hooking projections  45  abut on each other in the separation process of the both connectors  10 ,  60 . That is, a clearance is formed in the front-rear direction between the body portion  41  of the protecting member  14  and the circuit board  62 . 
     Immediately before a separating operation of the both connectors  10 ,  60  is completed, the hooked portions  42  are separated from the wall portions  35  and become deflectable and deformable. Further, immediately before the separating operation of the both connectors  10 ,  60  is completed, the holding projections  46  of the respective resilient holding portions  43  abut on the respective first holding portions  32  to be deflected and deformed. Here, since the pair of upper and lower resilient holding portions  43  are arranged on each side of the protecting member  14 , there is a concern that resistance due to the interference of the respective resilient holding portions  43  and the respective first holding portions  32  increases. 
     However, in the case of this embodiment, since the clearance is formed between the body portion  41  of the protecting member  14  and the circuit board  62  as described above, the protecting member  14  can be inclined within a range of the clearance and an abutting timing of the holding projection  46  of each resilient holding portion  43  on each first holding portion  32  can be individually shifted. As a result, the resistance due to the interference of the respective resilient holding portions  43  and the respective first holding portions  32  does not suddenly increase and a peak of the resistance can be suppressed to be small. 
     If the both connectors  10 ,  60  are pulled apart thereafter, the respective resilient holding portions  43  resiliently return and the holding projections  46  of the respective resilient holding portions  43  are arranged to be sandwiched between the first and second holding portions  32 ,  33  again. Since the holding projections  46  abut on the second holding portions  33  in a direction perpendicular to a separating direction, the protecting member  14  is reliably held at the partial locking position with separation restricted. In this way, the protecting member  14  can return to the partial locking position and can be repeatedly used. 
     As described above, according to this embodiment, since the body portion  41  is located on the opening side of the accommodation space  21  when the protecting member  14  is at the initial position, it can be avoided that the circuit board  62  inserted into the accommodation space  21  abuts on the body portion  41  and the contact point portions  25  of the terminal fittings  13  interfere with the circuit board  62 . When the protecting member  14  is at the connection position, the body portion  41  is retracted from the opening side of the accommodation space  21  and a connected state of the contact point portions  25  and the circuit board  62  can be realized. Since the contact point portions  25  of the terminal fittings  13  can be prevented from abutting on a corner part and the like of the circuit board  62 , the connected state of the contact point portions  25  and the circuit board  62  can be satisfactorily realized. 
     Further, in the process of separating the receptacle  61  from the housing  11 ,  12  in withdrawing the circuit board  62  from the accommodation space  21 , the hooking portions  64  can return the protecting member  14  to the initial position by hooking the hooked portions  42 . In this case, since the hooking portions  64  are provided on the inner surface of the receptacle  61 , the degree of freedom in design and dimensional accuracy of the hooking portions  64  can be enhanced. 
     Further, in the case of this embodiment, the hooking portions  64  can contact and deflect the hooked portions  42  with the protecting member  14  located at the initial position. On the other hand, if the protecting member  14  reaches the connection position, the deflection of the hooked portions  42  is restricted by the restricting surfaces  36  of the housing  11 ,  12 . Since the deflection of the hooked portions  42  is restricted in withdrawing the circuit board  62  from the accommodation space  21 , a hooked state of the hooking portions  64  and the hooked portions  42  can be prevented from being inadvertently released. 
     Furthermore, when the hooking portions  64  hook the hooked portions  42  in the separation process of the both connectors  10 ,  60 , the clearance is formed between the pressing surface  66  of the circuit board  62  and the protecting member  14  and the protecting member  14  is allowed to be inclined within the range of the clearance. Thus, a timing of each resilient holding portion  43  to ride over the first holding portion  32  can be shifted by inclining the protecting member  14 . As a result, a peak of resistance due to the interference of the respective resilient holding portions  43  and the respective first holding portions  32  can be suppressed to be small. 
     Other Embodiments of Present Disclosure 
     The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered illustrative in all aspects, rather than restrictive. 
     Although the housing is composed of the inner housing and the outer housing in the case of the above embodiment, the housing may be integrally configured to be undividable in another embodiment. 
     Although the hooking portions are fixedly provided in the receptacle and the hooked portions are deflectably and deformably provided on the end part of the protecting member in the case of the above embodiment, the hooking portions may be deflectably and deformably provided in the receptacle and the hooked portions may be fixedly provided on the end part of the protecting member in another embodiment. 
     Although the holding projection is provided on the resilient holding portion and the first and second holding portions are provided in the housing and the holding projection is sandwiched between the first and second holding portions in the case of the above embodiment, the resilient holding portion may be provided with two holding projections and the housing may be provided with one holding portion and the holding portion of the housing may be sandwiched between the two holding projections of the resilient holding portion in another embodiment. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  . . . female connector 
           11  . . . outer housing (housing) 
           12  . . . inner housing (housing) 
           13  . . . terminal fitting 
           14  . . . protecting member 
           15  . . . cavity 
           16 ,  17  . . . step 
           18  . . . retaining portion 
           19  . . . locking projection 
           20  . . . wire 
           21  . . . accommodation space 
           22  . . . tubular portion 
           23  . . . plate-like portion 
           24  . . . resilient contact piece 
           25  . . . contact point portion 
           26  . . . housing assembly space 
           27  . . . front wall 
           28  . . . terminal pressing portion 
           29  . . . communication port 
           31  . . . vertical groove 
           32  . . . first holding portion (holding portion) 
           33  . . . second holding portion 
           34  . . . groove portion 
           35  . . . wall portion 
           36  . . . restricting surface 
           37  . . . lock arm 
           38  . . . lock protrusion 
           41  . . . body portion 
           42  . . . hooked portion 
           43  . . . resilient holding portion 
           44  . . . receiving surface 
           45  . . . hooking projection 
           46  . . . holding projection 
           47  . . . stopping portion 
           60  . . . male connector 
           61  . . . receptacle 
           62  . . . circuit board 
           63  . . . lock hole 
           64  . . . hooking portion 
           65  . . . electrically conductive portion 
           66  . . . pressing surface