Patent Publication Number: US-2023163514-A1

Title: Connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-190339, filed on Nov. 24, 2021, with the Japan Patent Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a connector. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A connector disclosed in JP H7-161411A includes a male connector housing and a female connector housing that can be fitted to one another. The male connector housing and the female connector housing each have terminal housing chambers formed therein. Note that techniques relating to connectors are also disclosed in JP H1-76123U, JP 2017-98019A, and JP 2020-80237A. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the case of JP H7-16141 IA, in a state of use, the male connector housing is arranged on the upper side, and the female connector housing is arranged on the lower side. Furthermore, the terminal housing chambers of the two connector housings are arranged along the up-down direction. Rubber stoppers are housed inside the terminal housing chambers. However, if the rubber stoppers deteriorate or are damaged, water infiltrates into the terminal housing chambers and waterproofness cannot be ensured. 
     In contrast, if the upper surface of the male connector housing is closed off, the infiltration of water into terminal housing chambers can be prevented. However, if a cover is arranged below the terminal housing chambers and a gap is formed between the cover and the male connector housing, there is a concern that water may infiltrate into the terminal housing chambers through the gap. 
     In view of this, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector with which waterproofness can be ensured. 
     A connector according to the present disclosure includes: a housing main body which includes a terminal housing chamber and an upper surface of which is closed off; a terminal metal fitting that is housed inside the terminal housing chamber, a cover that is locked to the housing main body and arranged below the terminal housing chamber, and an eaves portion that protrudes laterally from an upper end of the housing main body. 
     According to the present disclosure, a connector with which waterproofness can be ensured can be provided. 
     The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a rear view of a connector fitted to a mating connector in embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a lateral view of the connector fitted to the mating connector. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view taken along line Z-Z in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  6    is a lateral cross-sectional view of the connector. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of a terminal metal fitting connected to an end portion of an electric wire. 
         FIG.  8    is a rear view of a housing. 
         FIG.  9    is a bottom view of the housing. 
         FIG.  10    is a front view of the housing. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of an upper inner member. 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of a lower inner member. 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a cover. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. 
     First, aspects of the present disclosure will be listed and described. 
     (1) A connector according to the present disclosure includes: a housing main body which includes a terminal housing chamber and an upper surface of which is closed off; a terminal metal fitting that is housed inside the terminal housing chamber; a cover that is locked to the housing main body and arranged below the terminal housing chamber, and an eaves portion that protrudes laterally from an upper end of the housing main body. 
     According to the above-described configuration, the infiltration of water into the terminal housing chamber through a gap between the cover and the housing main body can be prevented because the upper surface of the housing main body is closed off and the eaves portion protrudes laterally from the upper end of the housing main body. 
     (2) Preferably, the eaves portion is shaped so as to protrude laterally further than a locked portion where the housing main body and the cover are locked to one another does, above the locked portion. 
     Although a gap is formed in the locked portion where the housing main body and the cover are locked to one another, the infiltration of water into the gap can be avoided because the eaves portion protrudes laterally above the locked portion according to the above-described configuration. 
     (3) Preferably, an upper surface of the eaves portion is continuous with the upper surface of the housing main body without any level differences. 
     According to the above-described configuration, water falling on the upper surface of the housing main body is allowed to move smoothly onto the upper surface of the eaves portion. 
     (4) Preferably, a hanging-down portion that protrudes downward from a laterally-protruding end side of the eaves portion is included. 
     According to this configuration, the infiltration of water into the terminal housing chamber of the housing main body can be more reliably prevented because water is allowed to fall down along the hanging-down portion from the upper surface of the eaves portion. 
     (5) Preferably, the housing main body includes a pair of locking walls, and a cover housing portion an upper surface of which is closed off is formed between the pair of locking walls in the housing main body, and the cover is arranged inside the cover housing portion, and includes lateral walls that face inner surfaces of the locking walls and that are locked to the locking walls. 
     Although gaps are formed between the lateral walls and the locking walls, the infiltration of water into the gaps can be avoided because the lateral walls of the cover are arranged so as to face the inner surfaces of the locking walls of the housing main body inside the cover housing portion according to the above-described configuration. 
     Preferably, the connector is a connector that is provided to a roof panel of a vehicle, and the eaves portion is arranged along a lower surface of the roof panel. 
     According to the above-described configuration, the infiltration of water into the terminal housing chamber of the housing main body can be prevented because dew on the roof panel is allowed to freely fall directly from the eaves portion. 
     DETAILS OF EMBODIMENTS OF PRESENT DISCLOSURE 
     Specific examples of embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is intended to include all modifications that are indicated by the claims and are within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims. 
     Embodiment 1 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a connector  10  according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is arranged below a roof panel  90  of a vehicle such as an automobile, which is not illustrated in entirety. In other words, the connector  10  is arranged inside the vehicle. A mating connector  8  that is connected to a circuit board  100  is arranged above the roof panel  90 , or in other words, outside the vehicle. As illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  6   , the connector  10  and the mating connector  8  are fitted to one another through an opening  91  having a rectangular cross-sectional shape that is formed in the roof panel  90 . The connector  10  includes terminal metal fittings  11 , a housing  12 , an upper inner member  13 , a lower inner member  14 , and a cover  15 . The terminal metal fittings  11  are connected to terminal portions of electric wires  200 . The electric wires  200  are routed along the lower surface of the roof panel  90 . 
     In the following description, note that, in regard to the front-rear direction, the side in which the terminal metal fittings  11  are connected to the electric wires  200  is the front side. In  FIGS.  2 ,  6 , and  7   , and  FIGS.  9  to  13   , the reference symbol F is the front side. The reference symbol R is the rear side. In regard to the up-down direction, the side in which the mating connector  8  is located relative to the connector  10  is the upper side. In  FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  6 , and  7   , and  FIGS.  10  to  13   , the reference symbol U is the upper side. The reference symbol D is the lower side. The up-down direction corresponds to the vertical direction (direction of gravity), and matches the up-down direction in a state of use in present embodiment 1. 
     Terminal Metal Fittings 
     Each terminal metal fitting  11  is a shield terminal, and has an L-shape in a lateral view, as illustrated in  FIG.  7   . The terminal metal fitting  11  includes an unillustrated electroconductive inner conductor, an electroconductive outer conductor  16 , and an insulating dielectric member  83  (see  FIG.  7   ) that is arranged between the inner conductor and the outer conductor  16 . The inner conductor and the outer conductor  16  are electrically insulated from one another with the dielectric member  83  therebetween. The outer conductor  16  includes a cylinder portion  17  whose axis is oriented in the up-down direction, and an extension portion  18  that intersects the cylinder portion  17  and extends toward the rear. In the rear part of the extension portion  18 , a sheath barrel  21  and a shield barrel  19  forming an open barrel shape are formed so as to be arranged one in front of the other. Although not described in detail, the terminal metal fittings  11  consist of large-diameter shield terminals including one shield barrel  19  (the terminal metal fittings  11  in the middle and upper tiers in  FIG.  6   ) and small-diameter shield terminals including two shield barrels  19  (the terminal metal fitting  11  in the lower tier in  FIG.  6   ). 
     Each electric wire  200  is a coaxial cable, and, as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , includes an electroconductive core wire a, an insulating coating b that covers the outer circumference of the core wire a, an electroconductive shield portion c made from a braided wire or the like that covers the outer circumference of the coating b, and an insulating sheath d that covers the outer circumference of the shield portion c. In the terminal portion of the electric wire  200 , the shield portion c is exposed as a result of the sheath d being removed, and furthermore, the core wire a is exposed as a result of the coating b being removed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the shield barrel  19  is crimped and electrically connected to the shield portion c of an electric wire  200  from over a sleeve  85 . The sheath barrel  21  is crimped and mechanically connected to the sheath d of the electric wire  200 . In the upper wall portion in the front part of the extension portion  18 , a protruding piece  22  is formed by being cut out and raised. 
     Although not illustrated, the rear part of the inner conductor is crimped and electrically connected to the core wire a of the electric wire  200 . Furthermore, the front part of the inner conductor is arranged along the up-down direction inside the cylinder portion  17  together with the front part of the dielectric member  83 , and is electrically connected to a mating inner conductor of a mating terminal metal fitting  95  (see  FIG.  6   ) that is attached to the mating connector  8 . 
     Note that the connector  10  also includes an unillustrated general terminal that does not have a shield function and that is entirely made from an electroconductive metal plate. The general terminal is connected to a coated electric wire  250  (see  FIG.  1   ) that does not include the shield portion c, and is also connected to an unillustrated tab that is attached to the mating connector  8 . 
     Housing 
     The housing  12  is made from synthetic resin, and has an L-shape in a lateral view, as illustrated in  FIG.  6   . The housing  12  includes a housing main body  23  in the rear part thereof, and includes a fitting portion  24  in the front part thereof. The height of the housing main body  23  is lower than the height of the fitting portion  24 . As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the width of the housing main body  23  is larger than the width of the fitting portion  24 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the fitting portion  24  is fitted into guide walls  9  formed in the mating connector  8 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  9  and  10   , a lock arm  25  that can deform by bending is formed on the front surface of the fitting portion  24 . The lock arm  25  is formed so as to extend downward from the upper end portion of the fitting portion  24 . The lock arm  25  can lock the mating connector  8 . A pair of front-side locking portions  26  are formed on the lower end portions of the left and right outer lateral surfaces of the fitting portion  24 . As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , front-side locked portions  27  of the cover  15  can be locked to the front-side locking portions  26 . 
     Although not illustrated in detail, a staircase portion  28  (see  FIGS.  6  and  9   ) that has the shape of a staircase in a lateral cross-sectional view is formed inside the fitting portion  24 . The staircase portion  28  includes an upper-tier surface  29 , a middle-tier surface  31 , and a lower-tier surface  32  that become gradually lower in height from the rear toward the front. Furthermore, a plurality of terminal insertion holes  33  having circular cross-sectional shapes that extend in the up-down direction are formed inside the fitting portion  24 . As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the cylinder portion  17  of a terminal metal fitting  11  is inserted from below into each terminal insertion hole  33 . 
     The rear-side terminal insertion holes  33  open to the upper-tier surface  29  of the staircase portion  28 . The terminal insertion holes  33  between the front and rear sides open to the middle-tier surface  31  of the staircase portion  28 . The front-side terminal insertion holes  33  open to the lower-tier surface  32  of the staircase portion  28 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , in the rear part of each of the upper-tier surface  29 , the middle-tier surface  31 , and the lower-tier surface  32  of the staircase portion  28 , recesses  34  are formed at positions corresponding to the terminal insertion holes  33 . In a surface that is continuous with the lower surface of a later-described upper wall  37  above the upper-tier surface  29 , a pair of left and right protruding-piece receiving portions  35  that are open in the shape of slits are formed. As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , protruding pieces  22  of terminal metal fittings  11  are fitted into the protruding-piece receiving portions  35  and positioned relative to the housing  12 . Note that portions into which protruding pieces  22  are fitted similarly to the protruding-piece receiving portions  35  are also formed in the upper inner member  13  and the lower inner member  14  (see  FIG.  6   ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  3  and  8   , the housing main body  23  includes a pair of locking walls  36  that face one another in the left-right direction, and the upper wall  37 , which is provided so as to extend across the upper ends of the locking walls  36 . The left and right outer lateral surfaces of the locking walls  36  are arranged along the up-down direction. A cover housing portion  38  is formed between the locking walls  36  and below the upper wall  37  in the housing main body  23 . As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the upper surface of the cover housing portion  38  is closed off by the upper wall  37 , and the lower and rear sides of the cover housing portion  38  are open. Furthermore, the cover housing portion  38  is formed so as to extend across the housing main body  23  and the fitting portion  24 , and the front side of the cover housing portion  38  communicates with the terminal insertion holes  33  in the fitting portion  24 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the locking walls  36  include front surface portions  39 , rear surface portions  41 , top surface portions  42 , and lateral surface portions  43  that define the rear part of the cover housing portion  38 . The front surface portions  39  orthogonally intersect and continue from the inner surfaces of the left and right lateral wall portions of the fitting portion  24 . The rear surface portions  41  are arranged in the rear end side of the housing  12  so as to face the front surface portions  39 . The top surface portions  42  each continue from the upper ends of a front surface portion  39  and a rear surface portion  41 , and are arranged so as to be flat along the left-right direction as illustrated in  FIG.  3   . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , in the left and right inner lateral surfaces (inner surfaces) of the locking walls  36 , the lateral surface portions  43  include upper portions  44  that are arranged on the upper side, lower portions  45  that are arranged on the lower side, and step portions  46  that are each arranged between an upper portion  44  and a lower portion  45 . The upper portions  44  and the lower portions  45  are arranged along the up-down direction. The step portions  46  are arranged along the left-right direction. The lower portions  45  are located further outward toward the left and right than the upper portions  44  are as a result of the step portions  46  being interposed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , lower inner lock portions  47  are formed in the lower portions  45  of the lateral surface portions  43  of the locking walls  36 . As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the lower inner lock portions  47  have the shape of tabs, protrude laterally from the main body portions of the lower portions  45 , and are arranged inside the cover housing portion  38 . Lower-tier extraction holes  48  are formed in the locking walls  36  at positions corresponding to the front sides of the lower portions  45  (see  FIG.  2   ). The lower-tier extraction holes  48  are formed as a result of unillustrated molds for forming the upper surfaces of the lower inner lock portions  47  being extracted. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , locking portions  51  are formed in the locking walls  36  rearward of the lower inner lock portions  47 . The locking portion  51  have the shape of rectangular frames, and are formed between a pair of front and rear slits  81 , which are formed so as to extend upward from the lower ends of the locking walls  36 , so that the locking portions  51  can deform by bending in the left-right direction. In the center of each locking portion  51 , a locking hole  52  having a rectangular cross-sectional shape is formed so as to extend through the locking portion  51 . The inner ends of the locking holes  52  open to the lower portions  45 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , later-described locked portions  53  of the cover  15  can be fitted into the locking holes  52  in the locking portions  51 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , upper inner lock portions  54  are formed in the upper portions  44  of the lateral surface portions  43  of the locking walls  36 . As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the upper inner lock portions  54  have the shape of tabs, protrude laterally from the main body portions of the upper portions  44 , and are arranged inside the cover housing portion  38 . Upper-tier extraction holes  55  are formed in the locking walls  36  at positions corresponding to between the front and rear sides of the upper portions  44 . The upper-tier extraction holes  55  are formed as a result of unillustrated molds for forming the upper surfaces of the upper inner lock portions  54  being extracted. 
     The upper surface of the upper wall  37  is formed so as to be flat along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , a partition wall  57  is formed so as to protrude from a middle portion between the left and right sides of the lower surface of the upper wall  37 . The partition wall  57  is formed so as to extend in the front-rear direction from the housing main body  23  to the fitting portion  24 . A pair of left and right terminal housing chambers  59  are formed between the partition wall  57  and the lateral surface portions  43  below the upper wall  37 . As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the lower sides of the terminal housing chambers  59  are closed off by a later-described upper base portion  61  of the upper inner member  13 . The extension portions  18  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the upper tier are arranged in the terminal housing chambers  59 . 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG.  8   , the housing main body  23  includes a pair of eaves portions  62  that protrude from the upper end of the housing main body  23  toward the left and right outer sides (laterally). The eaves portions  62  are long in the front-rear direction, and are formed to have rectangular shapes in a plan view. The upper surfaces of the eaves portions  62  are arranged along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and are continuous with the upper surface of the upper wall  37  without any level differences. The left and right outer protruding ends (outer ends) of the eaves portions  62  form the outermost ends of the housing  12  in the left-right direction. In other words, the eaves portions  62  are shaped so as to protrude laterally further than the left and right outer lateral surfaces of the locking walls  36  do, above the locking walls  36 . 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG.  8   , the housing main body  23  includes a pair of hanging-down portions  86  that protrude downward from the protruding end sides of the eaves portions  62 . The left and right surfaces of the hanging-down portions  86  are arranged along the up-down direction. As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the hanging-down portions  86  have the shape of rectangular plates that are long in the front-rear direction in a lateral view, and are formed over the entire front-rear-direction length of the eaves portions  62 . The length in which the hanging-down portions  86  protrude downward is set so as to be greater than the length in which the eaves portions  62  protrude laterally. 
     Upper Inner Member 
     The upper inner member  13  is made from synthetic resin, and, as illustrated in  FIG.  11   , includes the upper base portion  61  having the shape of a flat plate, a pair of upper lateral walls  63  protruding downward from the left and right outer ends of the upper base portion  61 , and an upper partition wall  64  that protrudes downward from the center of the upper base portion  61  between the left and right sides. As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the upper inner member  13  is attached to the inside of the housing  12 , and is arranged between the terminal metal fittings  11  in the upper tier and the terminal metal fittings  11  in the middle tier. A pair of left and right terminal housing chambers  59  are formed between the upper partition wall  64  and the upper lateral walls  63  below the upper base portion  61 . As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the lower sides of the terminal housing chambers  59  are closed off by a later-described lower base portion  65  of the lower inner member  14 . The extension portions  18  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the middle tier are arranged in the terminal housing chambers  59 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  11   , a rib  66  that extends along the front-rear direction is formed in the center of the upper surface of the upper base portion  61  between the left and right sides. As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the rib  66  of the upper base portion  61  is arranged so as to be capable of coming into contact with the lower end of the partition wall  57  along the front-rear direction. As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the front end of the upper base portion  61  is arranged so as to be capable of coming into contact with a middle-tier wall surface  67  of the staircase portion  28  inside the fitting portion  24 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  11   , upper guide portions  68  having the shape of slopes are formed by chamfering the left and right outer ends of the upper surfaces of the upper lateral walls  63 . Furthermore, upper inner lock receiving portions  69  are formed below the upper guide portions  68  of the upper lateral walls  63 . The upper inner lock receiving portions  69  have the shape of quadrilateral recesses, and are open toward the lower side of the upper lateral walls  63 . As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the upper inner lock receiving portions  69  can be locked to the upper inner lock portions  54 . 
     Lower Inner Member 
     The lower inner member  14  is made from synthetic resin, and, as illustrated in  FIG.  12   , includes the lower base portion  65  having the shape of a flat plate, a pair of lower lateral walls  71  protruding downward from the left and right outer ends of the lower base portion  65 , and a pair of left and right lower partition walls  72  that protrude downward from the center of the lower base portion  65  between the left and right sides. As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the lower inner member  14  is attached to the inside of the housing  12 , and is arranged between the terminal metal fittings  11  in the middle tier and the terminal metal fittings  11  in the lower tier. As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , three terminal housing chambers  59  arranged in the left-right direction are formed below the lower base portion  65 , between the lower partition walls  72  and the lower lateral walls  71  and between the adjacent lower partition walls  72 . As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the lower sides of the terminal housing chambers  59  are closed off by a later-described cover wall  73  of the cover  15 . The extension portions  18  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the lower tier and the coated electric wire  250  (see  FIG.  1    and  FIGS.  3  to  5   ) connected to the general terminal are housed in the terminal housing chambers  59 . 
     The upper surface of the lower base portion  65  is arranged so as to be capable of coming into contact with the lower end of the upper partition wall  64  along the front-rear direction. As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the front end of the lower base portion  65  is arranged so as to be capable of coming into contact with a lower-tier wall surface  74  of the staircase portion  28  inside the fitting portion  24 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , a pair of left and right protruding portions  75  are formed so as to protrude from the lower lateral walls  71 . The protruding portions  75  have the shape of quadrilateral blocks. Lower guide portions  76  having the shape of slopes are formed by chamfering the left and right outer ends of the upper surfaces of the protruding portions  75 . Lower inner lock receiving portions  77  are formed below the lower guide portions  76  of the protruding portions  75 . The lower inner lock receiving portions  77  have the shape of quadrilateral recesses, and are open toward the lower side of the lower lateral walls  71 . As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the lower inner lock receiving portions  77  can be locked to the lower inner lock portions  47 . 
     Cover 
     The cover  15  is made from synthetic resin, and, as illustrated in  FIG.  13   , includes the cover wall  73  having the shape of a flat plate. The up-down-direction thickness (plate thickness) of the cover wall  73  is thinner than the up-down-direction thicknesses of each of the upper base portion  61  and the lower base portion  65 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  3  to  6   , the cover wall  73  is fitted inside the housing main body  23  and the fitting portion  24  so as to cover the lower-surface openings in the housing main body  23  and the fitting portion  24 . As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the lower side of the cover housing portion  38  is closed off by the cover wall  73 . As illustrated in  FIG.  13   , the rear side of the cover wall  73  includes a pair of left and right protruding pieces  78  that protrude laterally further than the front side of the cover wall  73  does. The protruding pieces  78  are arranged inside an inner space that is defined by the front surface portions  39  of the locking walls  36 , and the rear surface portions  41 , the top surface portions  42 , and the lateral surface portions  43  in the cover housing portion  38  (see  FIG.  3   ; see  FIG.  9    in regard to the front surface portions  39  and the rear surface portions  41 ). 
     A pair of left and right lateral walls  79  protruding upward from the left and right outer ends of the protruding pieces  78  are formed in the cover wall  73 . The lateral walls  79  have the shape of small plates extending along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, and are arranged inside the housing main body  23  rearward of the protruding portions  75  of the lower inner member  14  and between the locking walls  36  and the lower lateral walls  71  in the cover housing portion  38  as illustrated in  FIG.  3   . Gaps between the lateral walls  79  and the locking walls  36  are smaller than gaps between the lateral walls  79  and the lower lateral walls  71 . A pair of left and right locked portions  53  are formed so as to protrude from the outer surfaces of the lateral walls  79 . The locked portions  53  have the shape of tabs that can fit into the locking holes  52  in the locking portions  51 . Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG.  13   , a pair of front-side locked portions  27  are formed so as to protrude upward from the left and right front side ends of the cover wall  73 . The front-side locked portions  27  have the shape of rectangular frames, and are formed so as to be capable of deforming by bending in the left-right direction. As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the front-side locking portions  26  of the housing  12  can fit into front-side locked holes  82  formed in the center of the front-side locked portions  27 . 
     The cover  15  includes an excessive-bend-preventing portion  87  that protrudes upward from the cover wall  73 . The excessive-bend-preventing portion  87  includes a pair of leg portions  88  that stand up from the left and right sides of the front end of the cover wall  73 , and a bridge portion  89  that bridges the upper ends of the leg portions  88 . The leg portions  88  have L-shapes in a lateral view, and are shaped so as to stand up from the cover wall  73  and then protrude toward the front. As illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  6   , the excessive-bend-preventing portion  87  covers the lower end side (free end side) of the lock arm  25  from the front side and both lateral sides in a state in which the cover  15  is attached to the housing  12 , and has the function of restricting the lock arm  25  from bending excessively. 
     Connector Assembly Method and Fitting Structure of Connector and Mating Connector 
     First, a method for assembling the connector  10  will be described. Note that, preferably, the work for attaching components to the housing  12  described below is carried out in a state in which the up-down-direction orientation of the housing  12  is up-side-down relative to that when the connector  10  is installed, so that the inside of the housing  12  is open upward. 
     The terminal metal fittings  11  are connected to the terminal portions of the electric wires  200  in advance. In this state, the cylinder portions  17  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the upper tier are inserted into the rear-side terminal insertion holes  33  (see  FIG.  6   ). The front sides of the extension portions  18  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the upper tier are fitted into the recesses  34  of the fitting portion  24  and inserted into the terminal housing chambers  59  of the housing main body  23 . The terminal metal fittings  11  are positioned relative to the housing  12  by the protruding pieces  22  being fitted into the protruding-piece receiving portions  35  of the housing  12 . The electric wires  200  connected to the terminal metal fittings  11  in the upper tier are drawn out toward the rear from the housing  12 . 
     Subsequently, the upper inner member  13  is inserted into the housing  12 . In the process of inserting the upper inner member  13 , the upper inner lock portions  54  come into sliding contact with the upper guide portions  68 . The upper inner member  13  is retained by the housing  12  by the front end portion of the upper base portion  61  coming into contact with the upper-tier surface  29  and the upper inner lock portions  54  being fitted inside the upper inner lock receiving portions  69  (see  FIG.  4   ). The extension portions  18  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the upper tier are sandwiched between the upper inner member  13  and the upper wall  37  of the housing main body  23 , and are restricted from falling out from the corresponding terminal housing chambers  59  (see  FIG.  6   ). 
     Subsequently, the cylinder portions  17  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the middle tier are inserted into the terminal insertion holes  33  between the front and rear sides, and the extension portions  18  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the middle tier are inserted into the terminal housing chambers  59  of the upper inner member  13 . Next, the lower inner member  14  is inserted into the housing  12 . In the process of inserting the lower inner member  14 , the lower inner lock portions  47  come into sliding contact with the lower guide portions  76 . The lower inner member  14  is retained by the housing  12  by the front end portion of the lower base portion  65  coming into contact with the middle-tier surface  31  and the lower inner lock portions  47  being fitted inside the lower inner lock receiving portions  77  (see  FIG.  5   ). The extension portions  18  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the middle tier are sandwiched between the upper inner member  13  and the lower inner member  14 , and are restricted from falling out from the corresponding terminal housing chambers  59  (see  FIG.  6   ). 
     Similarly, the cylinder portions  17  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the lower tier are inserted into the front-side terminal insertion holes  33 , and the extension portions  18  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the lower tier are inserted into the terminal housing chambers  59  of the lower inner member  14 . The entire general terminal is inserted into a general terminal insertion hole  84  (see  FIG.  9   ) that is adjacent to the terminal insertion holes  33  inside the fitting portion  24 . Next, the cover  15  is inserted into the housing  12 . The rear part of the cover  15  is arranged inside the cover housing portion  38  of the housing main body  23 . The lateral walls  79  of the cover  15  face the inner surfaces of the locking walls  36 , and the locked portions  53  are fitted into and locked to the locking holes  52  in the locking portions  51  after the locking portions  51  are bent. At the same time, the front-side locking portions  26  are fitted into and locked to the front-side locked holes  82  in the front-side locked portions  27 . Thus, the cover  15  is retained by the housing  12 . The extension portions  18  of the terminal metal fittings  11  in the lower tier are sandwiched between the lower inner member  14  and the cover  15 , and are restricted from falling out from the corresponding terminal housing chambers  59  (see  FIG.  6   ). In such a manner, the assembly of the connector  10  is completed. 
     Next, the connector  10  is fitted to the mating connector  8 . The mating connector  8  is fixed to the circuit board  100  above the roof panel  90 , and is arranged so that the guide walls  9  pass through the inside of the opening  91  in the roof panel  90  (see  FIG.  2   ) while the surface to be fit to the connector  10  is oriented downward. 
     The fitting portion  24  of the connector  10  is inserted into the guide walls  9  of the mating connector  8  from below. Once the connector  10  and the mating connector  8  are fitted to one another properly, the lock arm  25  locks the mating connector  8 , and the connector  10  and the mating connector  8  are retained in the fitted state. The terminal metal fittings  11  and the general terminal are electrically connected to the corresponding mating terminal metal fittings  95  and tab inside the fitting portion  24 . 
     In a state in which the connector  10  and the mating connector  8  are properly fitted to one another, the upper surface of the upper wall  37  of the housing main body  23  and the upper surfaces of the eaves portions  62  are arranged close to and facing the lower surface of the roof panel  90  as illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
     Incidentally, because the roof panel  90  is a metal plate made from iron or the like, frost (film of ice) or dew may be formed on the lower surface side of the roof panel  90  in cold areas, etc. Electrical reliability decreases if water generated from frost or dew moves to the inside of the housing  12  and comes into contact with the portions where the terminal metal fittings  11  and the electric wires  200  are connected to one another. This being the case, in the case of present embodiment 1, the pair of eaves portions  62  are formed so as to protrude toward the left and right outer sides from the upper end of the housing main body  23 . Furthermore, the hanging-down portions  86  are formed so as to protrude downward from the protruding ends of the eaves portions  62 . Thus, water is allowed to freely fall along the left and right outer lateral surfaces of the hanging-down portions  86  from the upper surfaces of the eaves portions  62  without coming into contact with the outer surfaces of the locking walls  36  of the housing  12 . Thus, the infiltration of water into the terminal housing chambers  59  from the outer surfaces of the locking walls  36  can be prevented, and electrical reliability between the terminal metal fittings  11  and the electric wires  200  can be ensured. 
     Furthermore, because the lateral walls  79  of the cover  15  are arranged inside the locking walls  36 , and gaps between the locking walls  36  and the lateral walls  79  of the cover  15  are also located inside the cover housing portion  38 , the upper surface of which is closed off by the top surface portions  42 , the infiltration of water into these gaps can be avoided even if water comes into contact with the outer surfaces of the locking walls  36 . Accordingly, the infiltration of water into the terminal housing chambers  59  can be more reliably prevented according to present embodiment 1. Furthermore, the infiltration of water into the lower-tier extraction hole  48  and the upper-tier extraction hole  55  can also be avoided. 
     As described above, according to present embodiment 1, the infiltration of water into the terminal housing chambers  59  can be prevented and waterproofness of the housing  12  can be ensured because the eaves portions  62  are formed so as to protrude laterally above the locking walls  36  locked to the cover  15 . In addition, waterproofness of the housing  12  can be improved because the cover  15  is arranged inside the cover housing portion  38  of the housing  12 , and thus a structure in which water does not readily infiltrate into gaps between the locking walls  36  of the housing  12  and the lateral walls  79  of the cover  15  is adopted. 
     Furthermore, water can be prevented from remaining on the upper surface of the upper wall  37  of the housing main body  23  because the upper surfaces of the eaves portions  62  are continuous with the upper surface of the upper wall  37  without any level differences. Moreover, because the hanging-down portions  86  are formed so as to protrude downward from the eaves portions  62 , a structure is realized in which water falling from above is less likely to infiltrate into the terminal housing chambers  59 , and the waterproofness of the housing  12  can be improved to a further extent. 
     Other Embodiments of Present Disclosure 
     Embodiment 1 disclosed herein is an example in every way, and shall be construed as being non-limiting. 
     In the case of above-described embodiment 1, the housing is formed so that the upper inner member and the lower inner member can be separated from the housing. However, the housing may be formed integrally with portions corresponding to the upper inner member and the lower inner member so that such portions cannot be separated from the housing. 
     In the case of above-described embodiment 1, the eaves portions are formed so as to protrude toward the left and right outer sides from the upper end of the housing main body. However, it is sufficient that the eaves portions be formed so as to protrude from the upper end of the housing main body in a direction that intersects the up-down direction (laterally), and may for example include portions that protrude toward the rear from the upper end of the housing main body. Furthermore, an eaves portion may be formed so as to protrude laterally from the upper end of the housing over the entire circumference. 
     In the case of above-described embodiment 1, the eaves portions are formed so as to be flat along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. However, the eaves portions may be formed in the shape of curved surfaces or slopes, and may for example be shaped to urge water to fall by inclining the outer surfaces of the left and right outer end portions downward. The hanging-down portions may be inclined as well. 
     In the case of above-described embodiment 1, the housing includes the hanging-down portions protruding downward from the eaves portions. However, the hanging-down portions may be omitted from the housing depending on situation. 
     In the case of above-described embodiment 1, a connector that is arranged below a roof panel was described as an example. However, the present disclosure is widely applicable to connectors for use in environments in which water can fall down onto the connectors from above, without limitation to above-described embodiment 1. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.