Patent Publication Number: US-6659798-B2

Title: Connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a connector with a retainer for one or more locking terminal fittings. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 61-90174 discloses a connector with a housing that has insertion spaces for receiving terminal fittings. Resiliently deformable locks are formed in the housing adjacent the insertion spaces, and deformation-permitting spaces are formed in the housing on the side of the locks opposite the insertion spaces. The locks deform into the deformation-permitting spaces and retract from the insertion spaces during the insertion of the terminal fittings. However, the locks are restored resiliently to engage and lock the terminal fittings when the terminal fittings are inserted properly. 
     A retainer is assembled with the housing after the terminal fittings are inserted and deformation-preventing portions of the retainer are inserted into the deformation-permitting spaces. The deformation-preventing portions prevent the locks from being resiliently deformed away from the terminal fittings and toward the deformation-permitting spaces. As a result, the terminal fittings are locked doubly. 
     The lock remains in the deformation-permitting space if a terminal fitting is inserted insufficiently. Thus, the lock interferes with the deformation-preventing portion and prevents the deformation-preventing portion from entering the deformation-permitting space, if an attempt is made to assemble the retainer with the housing. As a result, the lock hinders assembly of the retainer with the housing, and the inserted states of the terminal fittings can be detected based on whether the retainer can be assembled with the housing. 
     The terminal fittings of the prior art connector are locked doubly by the direct engagement of the locks and by the insertion of the deformation-preventing portion into the deformation-permitting spaces for the locks. The deformation-preventing portion could be thinned to make the connector smaller. However, the height of the deformation-permitting spaces and a degree of deformation of the locks would be reduced. The engaging areas of the locks with the terminal fittings also would be reduced, thereby reducing the reliability of the securing function. Further, the thin deformation-preventing portion would be weaker and would be easy to break. As a result, the function of detecting the insufficient insertion of the terminal fittings may be impaired. 
     The present invention was developed in view of the above problems and an object thereof is to improve the reliability of a function of securing terminal fittings and an insufficient insertion detecting function by a retainer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a connector with a housing that has at least one insertion path for receiving a terminal fitting, at least one lock adjacent the insertion path and at least one deformation-permitting space for the lock. At least one terminal fitting is inserted into the housing along the insertion path. The connector also has a retainer that can be assembled with the housing. The lock is deformed into the deformation permitting space and is retracted from the insertion path during the insertion of the terminal fitting. The lock is restored resiliently when the terminal fitting reaches its proper insertion position and the restored lock engages the terminal fitting to prevent the terminal fitting from coming out. The retainer comprises a first securing portion for securing the terminal fitting by entering the deformation-permitting space to prevent the resilient deformation of the lock and a second securing portion for directly engaging and securing the terminal fitting. 
     When the terminal fitting is inserted properly, the first securing portion enters the deformation-permitting space to prevent the lock from being deformed away from the terminal fitting, and the second securing portion directly engages the terminal fitting without the interposition of any member. Thus, the terminal fitting is secured firmly by the two securing portions. 
     When the terminal fitting is inserted insufficiently, the first securing portion interferes with the lock in the deformation permitting space and the second securing portion interferes with the terminal fitting. This hinders assembly of the retainer with the housing and detects insufficient insertion. 
     The retainer has the first and second securing portions. Thus, even if one of the securing portions is narrowed to make the connector smaller, the terminal fitting can be locked securely and the other securing portion can detect the insufficient insertion. 
     The terminal fittings may be arranged substantially side by side. Additionally, each terminal fitting, the corresponding lock and the corresponding deformation-permitting space are arranged at an angle to the arranging direction of the terminal fittings. Thus, there is no possibility of reducing the locking function of the first securing portions and the insufficient insertion detecting function due to the reduced arrangement intervals of the terminal fittings. 
     An assembling direction of the retainer with the housing preferably is substantially parallel with the arranging direction of the plurality of terminal fittings. Additionally, the terminal fittings can be arrayed at stages, and a plurality of terminal fittings can be arranged side by side at each stage. 
     The retainer may be movable between partial and full locking positions. The first securing portion is retracted from the deformation permitting space and the second securing portion is retracted from the insertion path when the retainer is in the partial locking position. Thus, the terminal fitting may be inserted into the housing when the retainer is in the partial locking position. However, the first securing portion enters the deformation permitting space and the second securing portion engages the inserted terminal fitting when the retainer is in the full locking position. Thus, the terminal fitting is held in the housing when the retainer is in the full locking position. 
     The retainer can be assembled at the partial locking position with respect to the housing when the housing and the retainer are shipped to a location where the terminal fittings are inserted. Thus, parts management at the time of shipment can be simplified. 
     The retainer preferably is formed integrally or unitarily with the second securing portion and an insertion-stop for holding the terminal fitting at an insertion-limit position by engaging the terminal fitting from a side opposite the second securing portion. Thus, a distance between the insertion-stop and the securing portion does not vary even if the retainer shakes with respect to the housing. This prevents the terminal fitting from making loose movements in inserting and withdrawing directions with respect to the housing. 
     The terminal fitting may be inserted into the housing from behind, and the insertion-stop may be a front-stop that the terminal fitting contacts from behind. 
     The insertion-stop preferably is held substantially in sliding contact when the retainer is moved along an assembling direction. 
     At least one of the second securing portion of the retainer and an engaging portion of the terminal fitting may have a slanted guide surface that extends oblique to an assembling direction of the retainer. Thus, if the terminal fitting is displaced from a proper insertion position during the movement of the retainer, the terminal fitting is pushed toward the proper insertion position by the inclination of the slanted guide surface. 
     At least one the deformation-preventing portion or the lock has slanted guides extending oblique to resiliently deforming directions of the locks and moving directions of the retainer between the first and second positions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state where a retainer is detached from a housing in one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state where the retainer is mounted at a partial locking position in the housing. 
     FIG. 3 is a front view showing the retainer at a full locking position. 
     FIG. 4 is a horizontal section showing the retainer at the partial locking position in the housing. 
     FIG. 5 is a horizontal section showing the retainer at the full locking position in the housing. 
     FIG. 6 is a vertical section showing a terminal fitting properly inserted in the housing. 
     FIG. 7 is a vertical section showing an intermediate stage of insertion of the terminal fitting. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the housing. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the retainer. 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view of the retainer. 
     FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the retainer. 
     FIG. 12 is a section along  12 — 12  of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 13 is a horizontal section showing a positional relationship between the lock and the first securing portion at the intermediate stage of insertion of the terminal fitting. 
     FIG. 14 is a horizontal section showing a positional relationship between the lock and the first securing portion in a state where the locking portion is engaged with the properly inserted terminal fitting. 
     FIG. 15 is a horizontal section showing a positional relationship between the lock and the first securing portion in a state where the first securing portion prevents the resilient deformation of the lock. 
     FIG. 16 is a horizontal section showing a positional relationship between the lock and the first securing portion in a state where the retainer is displaced toward the full locking position from the partial locking position. 
     FIG. 17 is a horizontal section showing a positional relationship between the lock and the first securing portion in a state where the retainer is displaced toward the full locking position and slanted guide surfaces are held in contact with each other during the resilient deformation of the lock. 
     FIG. 18 a horizontal section showing a positional relationship between the lock and the first securing portion in a state where the retainer is displaced toward the full locking position and the lock pushes the first securing portion toward the partial locking position by the inclinations of the slanted guide surfaces during the resilient deformation of the lock. 
     FIG. 19 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal section showing a state where the terminal fitting is properly inserted and the retainer is located at the partial locking position. 
     FIG. 20 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal section showing a insufficiently inserted state of the terminal fitting. 
     FIG. 21 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal section showing a state where a slanted guide surface of the retainer contacts a slanted guide surface of the terminal fitting insufficiently inserted during the movement of the retainer from the partial locking position to the full locking position. 
     FIG. 22 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal section showing a state where the retainer pushes the insufficiently inserted terminal fitting to its proper insertion position by the inclinations of the slanted guide surfaces and is moved to the full locking position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A connector according to the invention includes a housing  10  made e.g. of a synthetic resin, terminal fittings  30 , and a retainer  40  made e.g. of a synthetic resin, as shown in FIGS. 1 to  22 . In the following description, the left side in FIGS. 4 to  8  is referred to as the front side, the bottom side in FIGS. 4 and 5 is referred to as the left side, and reference is made to FIGS. 1 to  3 ,  6  and  7  concerning vertical direction. 
     The housing  10  has partition walls  11  that define side-by-side cavities  12 , and a lock  13  is formed in each cavity  12 . Each lock  13  projects forward from a bridge  14  that stands up from the bottom surface of each cavity  12  and extends between the upper ends of the partition walls  11 . Each lock  13  is supported at one end, and is resiliently deformable along the vertical direction. A slanted guide surface  15  is on the left end of the upper surface of each lock  13  (see FIGS. 1 and 13 to  18 ) and extends oblique to moving directions MD of the retainer  40  between partial and full locking positions and oblique to resiliently deforming directions DD of the lock  13 . 
     A retainer accommodating space  16  is formed in the housing  10  above the cavities  12  and the locks  13  and is open in the left and front surfaces of the housing  10 . A deformation permitting space  17  is defined in the retainer accommodating space  16  above each lock  13  and permits the lock  13  to deform resiliently out of an insertion path of the terminal fitting  30  at an intermediate stage of inserting the terminal fitting  30 . Further, a transverse guide rib  18  is formed at a rear end of the ceiling surface of the retainer accommodating space  16 , and a locking step  19  and a locking projection  20  are formed at a front end of the ceiling surface. 
     Each female terminal fitting  10  is narrow and long in forward and backward directions. A substantially rectangular tube  11  is formed at a front part of the terminal fitting  10  and a wire connecting portion  32  is at a rear part. The wire connecting portion can be crimped into connection with a wire  36 . The rectangular tube  31  opens forward and has an internally disposed resilient contact piece (not shown) to be connected with a tab (not shown) of a male terminal fitting of a mating connector (not shown). A first engaging portion  33  is formed on the upper wall of the rectangular tube  31  by embossing a portion of the upper wall to have a substantially semicircular shape when viewed from the front. The first engaging portion  33  is engageable with the corresponding lock  13 . A second securing portion  34  is at the rear edge of the upper wall of the rectangular tube  31  and is engageable with the retainer  40 . A slanted guide surface  35  is formed at a left end (bottom end in FIGS. 4,  5 ,  19  to  22 ) of the second securing portion  34  and is oblique both to inserting and withdrawing directions ID of the terminal fitting  30  into and from the housing and to a mounting direction MD of the retainer  40  into the housing  10 . 
     The retainer  40  has a substantially plate-shaped main body  41  that is insertable into the retainer accommodating space  16  and the deformation permitting spaces  17 , a substantially rectangular mating side wall  42  that extends down from the front edge of the main body  41 , and a left wall  43  that extends down from the left edge of the main body  41 . 
     The retainer  40  can be fit into the retainer accommodating space  16  from the left side of the housing  10  and is transversely displaceable between a partial locking position (see FIGS. 2,  4 ,  13 ,  14 ,  19  and  20 ) and a full locking position (see FIGS. 3,  5 ,  15  and  22 ). A guide groove  44  at the rear end of the upper surface of the main body  41  engages the guide rib  18  of the housing  10  to guide movement of the retainer  40  in the moving direction MD and to prevent loose movements in forward and backward directions substantially normal to the moving direction MD. Thus, the front wall  42  is brought substantially into sliding contact with an opening edge in the front end surface of the housing  10 , thereby preventing the retainer  40  from making loose vertical movements. 
     With the retainer  40  at the partial locking position, a first locking projection  45  and a second locking projection  46  at the front end of the upper surface of the retainer main body  41  engage the left surface of the locking projection  20  and the locking step  19  in the housing  10 . Thus, the retainer  40  is prevented from making loose transverse movements along the moving direction MD with respect to the housing  10 . With the retainer  40  displaced to the full locking position, the first locking projection  45  engages the right surface of the locking projection  20 , and the right edge of the front wall  42  engages the left surface of a loose movement preventing portion  21  of the housing  10 . Thus, the retainer  40  is prevented from making loose transverse movements. 
     The retainer main body  41  has escaping spaces  47  arranged substantially along the moving directions MD of the retainer  40 . The escaping spaces  47  are through holes that penetrate the retainer main body  41  vertically and permit the locks  13  to deflect up (direction DD) by overlapping the deformation permitting spaces  17  when the retainer  40  is at the partial locking position. Beams between adjacent escaping spaces  17  in the retainer main body  41  serve as first securing portions  48 . The beams  48  are narrow and long in forward and backward directions of the housing  10  and have both front and rear ends thereof supported on the retainer main body  41 . The first securing portions  48  are retracted leftward and away from the deformation permitting spaces  17  when the retainer  40  is at the partial locking position so that the locks  13  can deform into the deformation permitting spaces  17 . However, the first securing portions  48  enter the deformation permitting spaces  17  and contact the locks  13  from above when the retainer  40  is at the full locking position to prevent deformation of the locks  13  into the deformation permitting spaces  17 . The right ends of the bottom surfaces of the first securing portions  48  are slanted to form slanted guide surfaces  49  (see FIGS. 13 to  18 ). The slanted guide surfaces  49  of the retainer  40  incline oblique to the moving directions MD of the retainer  40  between the partial locking position and the full locking position and oblique to the resiliently deforming directions DD of the locks  13 , similar to the slanted guide surfaces  15  of the locking portions  13 . 
     The bottom surface of the retainer main body  41  has step-shaped second securing portions  50  that are retracted leftward from the cavities  12  when the retainer  40  is at the partial locking position, and enter the cavities  12  to engage the second engaging portions  34  of the terminal fittings  30  from behind when the retainer  40  is at the full locking position. A slanted guide surface  51  is formed at the right end of the front surface of each second securing portion  50  and extends oblique both to the moving directions MD of the retainer  40  between the partial and full locking positions and to the inserting and withdrawing directions ID of the terminal fitting  30  (see FIGS. 19 to  22 ). 
     The front wall  42  engages the front end surfaces of the terminal fittings  30  from the front exactly in the opposite way of the second securing portions  50 . Thus, the terminal fittings  30  contact the front wall  42  from behind when the terminal fittings  30  reach their proper insertion positions, and further forward movement of the terminal fittings  30  is prevented. A distance along forward and backward directions between the rear surface of the front wall  42  and the second securing portion  50  equals or slightly exceeds a distance between the front end surfaces of the terminal fittings  30  and rear engaging surfaces of the second engaging portions  34 . The front wall  42  is at the front ends of the insertion paths of the terminal fittings  30  regardless of which position the retainer  40  is located at within its movable range between the partial locking position and the full locking position. Thus the terminal fittings  30  never fail to come into contact the front wall  42 . Further, the rear surface of the front wall  42  is a substantially flat surface parallel with the moving directions of the retainer  40  between the partial locking position and the full locking position. 
     The front wall  42  has substantially rectangular tab holes  52  that are retracted leftward from the terminal fittings  30  in the housing  10  when the retainer  40  is at the partial locking position, but substantially face the terminal fittings  30  in the housing  10  when the retainer  40  is at the full locking position. The front wall  42  also has substantially rectangular jig insertion holes  53  that substantially face the locks  13  with respect to the transverse direction when the retainer  40  is at the partial locking position, but are retracted rightward from the locks  13  when the retainer  40  is at the full locking position. 
     The connector is assembled as follows. First, the retainer  40  is mounted at the partial locking position in the housing  10  such that the second securing portions  50  of the retainer  40  are retracted to the left of the insertion paths of the terminal fittings  30 . Thus, the terminal fittings  30  can be inserted into the cavities  12 . Further, the first securing portions  48  of the retainer  40  are retracted leftward from the locks  13  and the escaping spaces  47  are above the locks  13  while overlapping the deformation permitting spaces  17 . Thus, upward resilient deformation of the locks  13  away from the insertion paths and into the deformation permitting spaces  17  is permitted. 
     The terminal fittings  30  are inserted into the corresponding cavities  12  in this state. The locks  13  interfere with the first engaging portion  33  on the upper wall of the rectangular tube  31  at an intermediate stage of the insertion locks  13 . As a result, the locks  13  deform up in the deflection direction DD and enter the deformation permitting space  17  and the escaping space  33 . The terminal fitting  30  eventually reaches its proper insertion position where the front end surface thereof abuts against the front wall  42  of the retainer  40 . The lock  13  then resiliently restores and engages the first engaging portion  33  from behind, with the result that the terminal fitting  30  is locked by the lock  13 . 
     The retainer  40  then is pushed from the partial locking position to the full locking position so that the second securing portions  50  of the retainer  40  engage the second engaging portions  34  of the terminal fittings  30  from behind. Thus, the retainer  40  locks the terminal fittings  30 . As the retainer  40  is moved to the full locking position, the first securing portions  48  of the retainer  40  enter the deformation permitting spaces  17  to engage the locks  13  from above. As a result, the retainer  40  prevents the locks  13  from being displaced upward. In this way, the retainer  40  locks the terminal fittings  30  via the locks  13 , and the terminal fittings  30  are locked triply and are prevented from coming out. 
     With the retainer  40  moved to the full locking position, the tab holes  52  of the front wall  42  face the terminal fittings  30  in the housing  10 . When the connector is connected with the mating connector (not shown), the tabs (not shown) of the mating terminals enter the rectangular tubes  31  through the tab holes  52  to be connected with the terminal fittings  30 . 
     The terminal fitting  30  can be withdrawn from the housing  10  by first moving the retainer  40  from the full locking position to the partial locking position. Thus, the locks  13  face the escaping spaces  47  and deformation is permitted. Additionally, the second securing portions  50  are retracted from the moving paths of the terminal fittings  30 , and the jig insertion holes  53  face the locks  13 . The lock  13  is lifted up by a narrow jig (not shown) inserted into the jig insertion hole  53  and disengaged from the first engaging portion  33  of the terminal fitting  30 . The wire  36  or part of the terminal fitting  30  then is gripped to pull the terminal fitting  30  backward while this state is maintained. 
     In the connector of this embodiment, when the terminal fitting  30  substantially is inserted properly, the first securing portion  48  enters the deformation permitting space  17  to prevent the lock  13  from being resiliently deformed in the direction DD and away from the terminal fitting  30 , and the second securing portion  50  directly engages the terminal fitting  30 . Thus, the first securing portion  48  and the second securing portion  50  lock the terminal fitting  30  securely. When the terminal fitting  30  is left insufficiently inserted, the first securing portion  48  of the retainer  40  interferes along the moving direction MD with the lock  13  that remains resiliently deformed and in the deformation permitting space  17  due to the interference with the first engaging portion  33 . Additionally, the second securing portion  50  interferes along the moving direction MD with the rectangular tube  31  of the terminal fitting  30 . This hinders movement of the mounting the retainer  40  into the housing  10 , and the insufficiently inserted state of the terminal fitting  30  can be detected. The retainer  40  is provided with the first securing portions  48  and the second securing portions  50 . Thus, even if either one of the locking portions is made smaller to make the connector smaller, the terminal fittings  30  can be locked securely and the insufficient insertion of the terminal fittings  30  can be detected. 
     Further, the arranging direction (vertical direction) of the terminal fittings  30 , the locks  13  engageable with the terminal fittings  30 , and the deformation permitting spaces  17  into which the locks  13  enter upon resilient deformation is substantially normal to the arranging direction of the terminal fittings  30 , i.e. transverse direction, the deformation permitting spaces  17  are not narrowed even if the arrangement intervals of the terminal fittings  30  are narrowed and it is not necessary to thin the first securing portions  48  of the retainer  40  which are to be inserted into the deformation permitting spaces  17 . Therefore, there is no possibility of reducing the locking function of the first securing portions  48  and the insufficient insertion detecting function due to the reduced arrangement intervals of the terminal fittings  30 . 
     Furthermore, the mounting direction MD of the retainer  40  into the housing  10  is parallel with the arranging direction of the terminal fittings  30 . Thus, the terminal fittings  30  may be arrayed at several stages with a plurality of terminal fittings  30  arranged substantially side by side at each stage. 
     The retainer  40  mounted in the housing  10  is movable along the moving direction MD between the partial locking position, where the insertion of the terminal fittings  30  is permitted, and the full locking position, where the terminal fittings  30  are locked. Thus, the retainer  40  can be mounted beforehand at the partial locking position when the housing  10  and the retainer  10  are shipped to a location where the terminal fittings  30  are inserted. Therefore, parts management at the time of shipment can be simplified. 
     The second securing portions  50  of the retainer  40  engage and lock the terminal fittings  30  from behind and the front wall  42  holds the terminal fitting  30  at the front-limit positions. Thus, between the front wall  42  and the second securing portions  50  does not vary even if the retainer  40  shakes with respect to the housing  10 . This prevents the terminal fittings  30  from making loose movements in the inserting and withdrawing directions ID with respect to the retainer  40 . 
     The front wall  42  is formed such that the terminal fittings  30  contact the front wall  42  regardless of which position the retainer  40  is at between the partial locking position and the full locking position. Additionally, the rear surface of the front wall  42  is a substantially flat surface parallel with the moving directions of the retainer  40  between the partial locking position and the full locking position. Thus, the front wall  42  and the terminal fittings  30  already held in contact with the front wall  42  are moved relatively in sliding contact with each other when the retainer  40  is moved form the partial locking position to the full locking position. Therefore, the front wall  42  and the terminal fittings  30  do not get caught as the retainer  40  is moved. 
     Both the second securing portions  50  of the retainer  40  and the second engaging portions  34  of the terminal fittings  30  are formed with the slanted guide surfaces  35 ,  51  that are oblique to the moving directions MD of the retainer  40  from the partial locking position to the full locking position. Thus, even if the terminal fittings  30  are displaced back toward the terminal insertion side from the proper insertion positions where they contact the front wall  42  (see FIG. 20) during the movement of the retainer  40  from the partial locking position to the full locking position, the terminal fittings  30  are pushed forward by the inclinations of the slanted guide surfaces  35 ,  51  held in contact with each other (see FIG. 21) to reach the specified insertion-limit positions where they contact the front wall  42  (see FIG.  22 ). In other words, the retainer  40  and the terminal fittings  30  do not get caught by each other while the retainer  40  is pushed to the full locking position. 
     Both the locks  13  and the first securing portions  48  are formed with the slanted guide surfaces  15 ,  49  that extend oblique both to the resiliently deforming directions DD (vertical direction) of the locks  13  and to the moving directions MD (transverse direction) of the retainer  40  between the partial and full locking positions. Accordingly, with the retainer  40  displaced toward the full locking position, if portions of the first securing portions  48  enter the deformation permitting spaces  17  above the locks  13  (shown by solid line in FIG.  16 ), the slanted guide surfaces  15  of the locks  13  contact the slanted guide surfaces  49  of the first securing portions  48 , as shown in FIG. 17, to deform the locks  13  up by the interference with the terminal fittings  30 . The first securing portions  48  of the retainer  40  then are pushed from positions (shown by chain line in FIG. 18) partly above the locks  13  to proper partial locking positions (shown by solid line in FIG. 18) transverse from the locks  13  by the inclinations of the slanted guide surfaces  15 ,  49  as the locks  13  are moved up. In other words, the locks  13  are resiliently deformable into the deformation permitting spaces  17  while being held in sliding contact with the first securing portions  48  via the slanted guide surfaces  15 ,  49 . As a result, the terminal fittings  30  can be inserted without any problem. 
     The main body  41  of the retainer  40  has escaping spaces  47  for permitting the resilient deformation of the locks  13 . The escaping spaces  17  are located to overlap the deformation permitting spaces  17  when the retainer  40  is at the partial locking position. Thus, parts of the escaping space  47  and of the deformation permitting spaces  17  are at a substantially same longitudinal position when seen in the longitudinal direction of the housing  10 . The escaping spaces  47  are through holes that penetrate the retainer main body  41 . Thus, the retainer main body  41  can be thinner as compared to a case where the escaping spaces  47  are in the form of recesses. 
     The escaping spaces  47  are through holes. Hence, the first securing portions  48  between adjacent escaping spaces can be in the form of beams that have the opposite ends supported on the retainer main body  41 , ensuring sufficient strength for the first securing portions  48 . 
     The present invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiment. For example, the following embodiments are also embraced by the technical scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Beside the following embodiments, various changes can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the claims. 
     The terminal fittings and the locks that engage the terminal fittings are arranged at an angle to the arranging direction of the terminal fittings. However, the invention also is applicable to cases where the terminal fittings and the locks that engage the terminal fittings are arranged substantially parallel with the arranging direction of the terminal fittings, i.e. the locks and the deformation permitting spaces are between adjacent terminal fittings. 
     The retainer is assembled with the housing by being moved straight in the direction MD substantially normal to the inserting direction of the terminal fittings in the foregoing embodiment. However, the retainer may be assembled to the housing from the front substantially parallel with the inserting direction ID of the terminal fittings to be located at the partial locking position. The retainer then may be moved in the direction MD substantially normal to the inserting direction ID of the terminal fittings between the partial and full locking positions. 
     The assembling direction MD of the retainer with the housing is substantially parallel with the arranging direction of the terminal fittings in the foregoing embodiment. However, the assembling direction of the retainer may be substantially normal both to the arranging direction of the terminal fittings and to the inserting direction ID of the terminal fittings. 
     Although the retainer assembled with the housing is movable between the partial locking position where the insertion of the terminal fittings is permitted and the full locking position where the retainer locks the terminal fittings in the foregoing embodiment, the retainer may not be movable between the partial locking position and the full locking position and may be assembled with the housing only at the full locking position where the retainer locks the terminal fittings.