Patent Publication Number: US-2023163510-A1

Title: Connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-190342, 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 
     JP 2014-107139A discloses a connector that includes a partition wall member having a groove-like partition wall-side concave storage part, a cover that closes an opening of the partition wall-side concave storage part, and a connection terminal. With the connection terminal housed in the partition wall-side concave storage part, a coaxial cable connected to the connection terminal is drawn out rearward to the outside of the connector. 
     SUMMARY 
     The foregoing connector has a problem where a bending force acts on the portion of the coaxial cable drawn out rearward of the connector, and when the coaxial cable presses the cover, the cover may come loose. 
     A connector of the present disclosure is completed in view of the circumstances described above, and an object of the present disclosure is to prevent separation of the cover caused by the pressing force of an electric wire. 
     A connector of the present disclosure includes:
         a terminal metal fitting that is connected to a front end portion of an electric wire; and   a housing including a terminal housing part,   wherein, in a state where the terminal metal fitting and the front end portion of the electric wire are housed in the terminal housing part, the electric wire is drawn out from a rear surface of the housing to the outside of the housing,   the terminal housing part includes:
           a holding part with a U-shaped cross section; and   a lid part that is formed of a member separate from the holding part, and   
           the lid part includes:
           a plate-like covering part that covers an opening in the holding part; and   an elastic pressure-receiving part that protrudes from the plate-like covering part into the terminal housing part and is elastically deformable under a pressing force of the electric wire.   
               

     According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress concentration of stress caused by the pressing force of the electric wire. 
     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 perspective view showing a state where a connector of a first example and a counterpart connector are separated from each other. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view of a housing. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of large-diameter shielded terminals, small-diameter shielded terminals, and an unshielded terminal. 
         FIG.  4    is a lateral cross-sectional view of the connector. 
         FIG.  5    is a rear cross-sectional view of an engagement structure between an upper member and an outer housing. 
         FIG.  6    is a rear cross-sectional view of an engagement structure between a lower member and the outer housing. 
         FIG.  7    is a rear cross-sectional view of an engagement structure between a cover and the outer housing. 
         FIG.  8    is a partial enlarged rear cross-sectional view illustrating a state where no pressing forces of small-diameter shielded electric wires act on the cover. 
         FIG.  9    is a partial enlarged rear cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the pressing forces of the small-diameter shielded electric wires act on the 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, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. 
     (1) A connector of the present disclosure is a connector that includes: a terminal metal fitting that is connected to a front end portion of an electric wire; and a housing including a terminal housing part, wherein, in a state where the terminal metal fitting and the front end portion of the electric wire are housed in the terminal housing part, the electric wire is drawn out from a rear surface of the housing to the outside of the housing, the terminal housing part includes: a holding part with a U-shaped cross section; and a lid part that is formed of a member separate from the holding part, and the lid part includes: a plate-like covering part that covers an opening in the holding part; and an elastic pressure-receiving part that protrudes from the plate-like covering part into the terminal housing part and is elastically deformable under a pressing force of the electric wire. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, when the electric wire in the holding part is displaced toward the lid part, the elastic pressure-receiving part elastically deforms under the pressing force of the electric wire, so that the stress exerted on the lid part is distributed between the plate-like covering part and the elastic pressure-receiving part. If the amount of deformation of the lid part becomes increases, there is a concern that the lid part will separate from the holding part. In view of this point, the stress exerted on the lid part is distributed to suppress the maximum amount of deformation of the lid part, and thus the lid part is kept in a state of being attached to the holding part. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the cover from separating from the holding part due to the pressing force of the electric wire acting on the lid part. 
     (2) It is preferable that the holding part includes: a base part that opposes the plate-like covering part; and a pair of side wall parts that extend from two side edges of the base part toward the plate-like covering part, a plurality of the elastic pressure-receiving parts are respectively arranged along the side wall parts, and when the elastic pressure-receiving parts are elastically deformed under the pressing force of the electric wire, the elastic pressure-receiving parts are pressed against the side wall parts. According to this configuration, when the pressing force of the electric wire acts on the elastic pressure-receiving part, the lid part is pressed in a direction away from the base part. However, the friction resistance generated between the elastic pressure-receiving part and the side wall parts prevents the lid part from being displaced in the direction away from the base part. 
     (3) In (2), it is preferable that an area of each of the elastic pressure-receiving parts that comes in contact with the electric wire is formed by an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to a direction that is orthogonal to the plate-like covering part. According to this configuration, when the electric wire is displaced in the direction orthogonal to the plate-like covering part and presses the inclined surfaces, a portion of the pressing force of the electric wire acting on the elastic pressure-receiving parts becomes a component force in a direction toward the side wall parts due to the inclination of the inclined surfaces. As the amount of displacement of the electric wire increases, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic pressure-receiving parts also increases. However, once the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic pressure-receiving parts has increased up to a specific degree, the elastic pressure-receiving parts abut against the side wall parts, and thus the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic pressure-receiving parts no longer increases. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the stress exerted on the elastic pressure-receiving part. 
     (4) In (2) or (3), it is preferable that, in a state where the elastic pressure-receiving parts are pressed against the side wall parts, the electric wire is kept in a state of non-contact with the plate-like covering part. According to this configuration, since the pressing force of the electric wire does not directly act on the plate-like covering part, the stress exerted on the plate-like covering part is reduced and the amount of elastic deformation of the plate-like covering part is suppressed. Since the deformation of the plate-like covering part is suppressed, the lid part is unlikely to come loose. 
     (5) It is preferable that, in a rear view of the housing as seen from a rear side, the elastic pressure-receiving part has a wedge shape that is tapered toward a leading end thereof in a direction of protrusion from the plate-like covering part. According to this configuration, of the stress exerted on the elastic pressure-receiving parts by the action of the pressing force of the electric wire, the component force in the direction orthogonal to the protruding direction of the elastic pressure-receiving parts near a point of contact with the electric wire is smaller on the base end side in the protruding direction connected to the plate-like covering part than on the leading end side in the protruding direction. Therefore, the component force generated on the plate-like covering part connected to the base end portion of the elastic pressure-receiving part in the protruding direction can also be suppressed to a small level, and thus it is possible to prevent the lid part from coming loose due to deformation of the plate-like covering part. 
     (6) It is preferable that, in a rear view of the housing as seen from a rear side, a pair of the elastic pressure-receiving parts are provided so as to be symmetrical with respect to a virtual axis of symmetry that is orthogonal to the plate-like covering part. In the course of displacement of the electric wire in a direction toward the plate-like covering part, if the path of displacement of the electric wire shifts to one elastic pressure-receiving part or the electric wire becomes twisted, there is a concern that the load on the connection portion with the terminal metal fitting will increase. As a measure against this, the pair of elastic pressure-receiving parts are provided so as to be symmetrical with respect to the virtual axis of symmetry, so that the electric wire does not approach one elastic pressure-receiving part or become twisted. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress generation of a load on connection portion between the terminal metal fitting and the electric wire. 
     DETAILS OF EMBODIMENTS OF PRESENT DISCLOSURE 
     First Example 
     A first example embodying the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  9   . It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the examples herein, but rather is indicated by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within a meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. In the first example, regarding the front-back direction, the normal direction of an X axis in  FIGS.  1  to  4    is defined as the forward direction. Regarding the horizontal direction, the normal direction of a Y axis in  FIGS.  1  to  3  and  5  to  9    is defined as the rightward direction. The horizontal direction and the width direction are used synonymously. Regarding the vertical direction, the normal direction of a Z axis in  FIGS.  1  to  9    is defined as the upward direction. The vertical direction and the height direction are used synonymously. 
     A connector A of the first example has a shielding function and is fitted to a counterpart connector B (see  FIG.  1   ) mounted to the lower surface of a circuit board (not shown), from below. The counterpart connector B has a shielding function and includes a counterpart housing H and a plurality of counterpart shielded terminals T. 
     The connector A is formed by assembling one housing  10  (see  FIGS.  1  and  2   ), a plurality (six in the first example) of shielded terminals  50  and  51  (see  FIG.  3   ), and one unshielded terminal  66  (see  FIG.  3   ). The housing  10  is formed by attaching an outer housing  11  made of a synthetic resin and an inter housing  12  to one another. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the outer housing  11  is a single component that has a frame part  13  and a plurality of tubular fitting parts  24  arranged adjacent to the front side of the frame part  13 . The frame part  13  has a horizontal upper wall part  14  of which the thickness direction is oriented in the vertical direction and a pair of outer wall parts  15  that extend downward from left and right side edges of the upper wall part  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the central portion of the upper wall part  14  in the width direction functions as a plate-like first base part  16  of which the thickness direction is oriented in the vertical direction. The upper wall part  14  has three first side wall parts  17  that are aligned in the width direction and of which the plate thickness direction is oriented in the width direction. The three first side wall parts  17  are shaped so as to protrude downward from the central position of the first base part  16  in the width direction and two end edges of the first base part  16  in the width direction. The pair of first side wall parts  17  positioned on the two sides in the width direction are connected to the inner side surfaces of the outer wall parts  15  to form a pair of first step parts  18 . A portion of the first base part  16  and two first side wall parts  17  adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction constitute one first holding part  19 . The frame part  13  has one pair of first holding parts  19  that are aligned in the horizontal direction while sharing the one first side wall part  17  positioned at the center in the width direction of the first base part  16 . 
     Second step parts  20  are formed at central portions of the inner side surfaces of the outer wall parts  15  in the height direction. As shown in  FIG.  5   , the second step parts  20  are located below the first step parts  18  and are recessed toward the outer wall parts  15  relative to the first step parts  18 . The left and right outer wall parts  15  each have a first lock hole  21  (see  FIGS.  2  and  5   ), a second lock hole  22  (see  FIGS.  2  and  6   ), and a third lock hole  23  (see  FIGS.  2  and  7   ). 
     The plurality of tubular fitting parts  24  each have a tubular shape with an axial line oriented in the vertical direction. The plurality of tubular fitting parts  24  are arranged in the front-back direction and the horizontal direction. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the lower end portion of the inner space of each tubular fitting part  24  is in communication with the inner space of the frame part  13 . The plurality of tubular fitting parts  24  are fitted into the counterpart housing H of the counterpart connector B from below. 
     The inter housing  12  is made of a synthetic resin and is formed by vertically stacking and combining an upper member  25 , a lower member  30 , and a cover  40  as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  4  to  7   . The inter housing  12  is attached to the outer housing  11  in a state of being housed in the frame part  13 . 
     The upper member  25  is a single component that has one plate-like second base part  26  of which the thickness direction is oriented in the vertical direction and three second side wall parts  27 . The three second side wall parts  27  are spaced apart in the horizontal direction and of which the thickness direction is oriented in the horizontal direction. The three second side wall parts  27  protrude downward from the central position in the width direction and two end positions of the second base part  26  in the width direction. A portion of the second base part  26  and two second side wall parts  27  adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction constitute one second holding part  28 . The upper member  25  has one pair of second holding parts  28  aligned in the horizontal direction while sharing one second side wall part  27 . A pair of upper lock protrusions  29  are formed on the left and right outer surfaces of the upper member  25 . 
     The lower member  30  is a single component that has one wide base part  31 , one narrow base part  32  that is narrower than the wide base part  31 , three thick side wall parts  33 , and one thin side wall part  34 . The wide base part  31  and the narrow base part  32  have a plate shape of which the thickness direction is oriented in the vertical direction. In the width direction, the wide base part  31  is formed in a range spanning from the left end of the lower member  30  to a position rightward of the center of the lower member  30  in the width direction. The narrow base part  32  is formed in a range spanning from the right end of the wide base part  31  to the right end of the lower member  30 . The narrow base part  32  is disposed at a lower position than the wide base part  31 . 
     The three thick side wall parts  33  and the one thin side wall part  34  have a plate shape of which the thickness direction is oriented in the horizontal direction, and are spaced apart in the horizontal direction. The thin side wall part  34  is arranged between the thick side wall part  33  at the left end and the thick side wall part  33  at the centre in the horizontal direction. The three thick side wall parts  33  protrude downward from two end positions of the wide base part  31  in the width direction and the right end position of the narrow base part  32 . The thin side wall part  34  protrudes downward from the central position of the wide base part  31  in the width direction. The wide base part  31  is a part that is disposed in an area between the thick side wall part  33  at the left end and the central thick side wall part  33  in the horizontal direction. The narrow base part  32  is a part that is disposed in an area between the central thick side wall part  33  in the horizontal direction and the thick side wall part  33  at the right end. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5  to  9   , a portion of the wide base part  31 , one thick side wall part  33 , and the thin side wall part  34  protruding from the wide base part  31  constitute one wide holding part  35 . The lower member  30  has one pair of wide holding parts  35  that are aligned in the horizontal direction while sharing the one thin side wall part  34 . The narrow base part  32 , the thick side wall part  33  protruding from the right end of the wide base part  31 , and the thick side wall part  33  protruding from the right end of the narrow base part  32  constitute one narrow holding part  36 . The wide holding part  35  on the right side and the narrow holding part  36  are aligned in the horizontal direction while sharing the thick side wall part  33  on the right side. A pair of lower lock protrusions  37  are formed on the left and right outer side surfaces of the lower member  30 . 
     The cover  40  is a single component that has a lid part  41  and a pair of left and right lock engagement walls  46 . The lid part  41  is a part that is constituted by one plate-like covering part  42  and three pairs of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  protruding upward from the plate-like covering part  42 . The plate-like covering part  42  has a flat plate shape of which the thickness direction is oriented in the vertical direction. The formation area of the plate-like covering part  42  in the width direction extends across the full width of an area spanning from the left end to the right end of the cover  40 . The pair of lock engagement walls  46  have a plate-like shape that extends upward from the left and right side edges of the plate-like covering part  42 . A cover lock protrusion  47  is formed on the outer surfaces of both of the lock engagement walls  46 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  have a rib shape elongated in the front-back direction and are arranged at the rear end portion of the cover  40 . The rear end surfaces of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  and the rear end surface of the cover  40  are connected flush with each other. As shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , in a rear view of the housing  10  as seen from the rear side, the shape of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  is a right-angle triangle, that is, a wedge shape that gradually tapers in the direction of protrusion from the plate-like covering part  42 . The elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  each have a friction surface  44  and a pressure-receiving surface  45 . The friction surface  44  is a vertical flat surface, that is, a flat surface that is parallel to the thickness direction of the plate-like covering part  42 . The pressure-receiving surface  45  is a flat surface that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, that is, an inclined flat surface that extends in a direction inclined relative to the thickness direction of the plate-like covering part  42 . Under a pressing force acting in the downward direction with respect to the pressure-receiving surface  45  (in a direction inclined relative to the pressure-receiving surface  45 ), the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are elastically deformed so as to collapse toward the corresponding friction surface  44 . Since the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  have a wedge shape that is tapered upward, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  is largest at the upper end, and decreases with increasing proximity to the lower end. Almost no elastic deformation occurs at the lower end portions of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 . 
     A pair of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are housed in each of the wide holding parts  35 . A pair of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are housed in the narrow holding part  36 . Two pairs of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are in a positional relationship where they are spaced apart in the width direction. In a rear view, each pair of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are shaped so as to be bilaterally symmetrical with respect to a virtual axis of symmetry V (see  FIG.  9   ) that is parallel to the thickness direction of the plate-like covering part  42 . The pair of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are arranged with the pressure-receiving surfaces  45  opposing each other in the width direction. The three pairs of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are aligned in the width direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the plurality of shielded terminals  50  and  51  are bent in an L shape in a side view of the shielded terminals  50  and  51  as seen from a lateral side. The plurality of shielded terminals  50  and  51  include three large-diameter shielded terminals  50  and three small-diameter shielded terminals  51 . The shielded terminals  50  and  51  each have an inner conductor  52  that is bent in an L shape, a dielectric body  53  that houses the inner conductor  52 , and an outer conductor  54  that surrounds the dielectric body  53 . The outer conductor  54  is formed by combining a first L-shaped shell  55  and a second shell  56  having a crimp part  57 . 
     Each of the large-diameter shielded terminals  50  are connected in a conductible manner to the front end portion of a large-diameter electric wire  60  formed by a coaxial cable. Each of the small-diameter shielded terminals  51  are connected in a conductible manner to the front end portion of a small-diameter shielded electric wire  61  formed by a coaxial cable. The large-diameter electric wires  60  and the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  each have a core wire  62 , an insulation coating  63  that surrounds the core wire  62 , a shield layer  64  that surrounds the insulation coating  63 , and a sheath  65  that surrounds the shield layer  64 . The rear end portion of the inner conductor  52  is firmly fixed to the core wire  62 . The crimp part  57  of the outer conductor  54  is firmly fixed to the shield layer  64  in a conductible manner. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the unshielded terminal  66  is bent in an L shape in a side view of the unshielded terminal  66  as seen from a lateral side. The unshielded terminal  66  is connected in a conductible manner to the front end portion of a coated electric wire  67  that does not have a shielding function. As shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the coated electric wire  67  has a core wire  68  and an insulation coating  69  that surrounds the core wire  68 . 
     A procedure for assembling the connector A of the first example will be described. First, two large-diameter shielded terminals  50  are attached to the outer housing  11  to which the inter housing  12  has not yet been attached. At this time, the upward-facing front end portions of the large-diameter shielded terminals  50  are housed in the corresponding tubular fitting parts  24 , and the portions of the large-diameter shielded terminals  50  surrounded by the second shells  56  are housed in the corresponding first holding parts  19 . 
     Next, the upper member  25  is attached to the frame part  13  from below the outer housing  11 . The upper member  25  is locked in the attached state by bringing the left and right end portions of the second base part  26  into abutment with the first step parts  18  and engaging the upper lock protrusions  29  with the first lock holes  21 . When the upper member  25  is attached to the outer housing  11 , the second base part  26  closes the openings in the lower surfaces of the first holding parts  19  to form the pair of left and right first terminal housing parts  71  (see  FIGS.  4  and  6   ). The large-diameter shielded terminals  50  and the front end portions of the large-diameter electric wires  60  are housed in the first terminal housing parts  71 . The large-diameter electric wires  60  are drawn out rearward to the outside from the rear surface of the housing  10 . 
     Next, one large-diameter shielded terminal  50  and one small-diameter shielded terminal  51  are attached to the outer housing  11  and the upper member  25 . At this time, the upward-facing front end portions of the shielded terminals  50  and  51  are housed in the corresponding tubular fitting parts  24 , and the portions of the shielded terminals  50  and  51  surrounded by the second shells  56  are housed in the second holding parts  28 . 
     Next, the lower member  30  is attached to the frame part  13  from under the outer housing  11 . The lower member  30  is locked in the assembled state by bringing the left end portion of the wide base part  31  and the right end portion of the narrow base part  32  into abutment with the second step parts  20  and engaging the lower lock protrusions  37  with the second lock holes  22 . When the lower member  30  is attached the outer housing  11 , the wide base part  31  closes the openings in the lower surfaces of the second holding parts  28  to form a pair of left and right second terminal housing parts  72  (see  FIGS.  4  and  6   ). The large-diameter shielded terminal  50  and the front end portion of the large-diameter electric wire  60  are housed in one second terminal housing part  72 . The large-diameter electric wire  60  is drawn out rearward to the outside from the rear surface of the housing  10 . The small-diameter shielded terminal  51  and the front end portion of the small-diameter shielded electric wire  61  are housed in the other second terminal housing part  72 . The small-diameter shielded electric wire  61  is drawn out rearward to the outside from the rear surface of the housing  10 . 
     Next, two small-diameter shielded terminals  51  and one unshielded terminal  66  are attached to the outer housing  11  and the lower member  30 . At this time, the upward-facing front end portions of the small-diameter shielded terminals  51  and the unshielded terminal  66  are housed in the corresponding tubular fitting parts  24 . The portions of the small-diameter shielded terminals  51  surrounded by the second shells  56  are housed in the corresponding wide holding parts  35 . The unshielded terminal  66  is housed in the narrow holding part  36 . 
     Next, the cover  40  is attached to the outer housing  11  from below and the openings in the lower surface of the frame part  13  are closed by the plate-like covering part  42  of the cover  40 . The assembled cover  40  is locked in the state of being assembled to the outer housing  11  by bringing the cover  40  into abutment with the lower surface of the lower member  30  and engaging the cover lock protrusions  47  with the third lock holes  23 . When the cover  40  is attached to the outer housing  11 , the assembly of the connector A is complete. 
     When the cover  40  is attached to the outer housing  11 , the plate-like covering part  42  closes the openings in the lower surfaces of the wide holding parts  35  to form a pair of left and right wide terminal housing parts  73  (see  FIGS.  8  and  9   ). The small-diameter shielded terminals  51  and the front end portions of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  are housed in the wide terminal housing parts  73 . The small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  are drawn out rearward to the outside from the rear surface of the housing  10 . The plate-like covering part  42  closes the opening in the lower surface of the narrow holding part  36  to form the narrow terminal housing part  74  (see  FIGS.  4  and  6   ). The unshielded terminal  66  and the front end portion of the coated electric wire  67  are housed in the narrow terminal housing part  74 . The coated electric wire  67  is drawn out rearward to the outside from the rear surface of the housing  10 . 
     In a state where the cover  40  is attached to the outer housing  11 , one pair of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are housed in each of the two wide holding parts  35  and the one narrow holding part  36 . In each of the two wide holding parts  35 , one elastic pressure-receiving part  43  is arranged along the thick side wall part  33  and the other elastic pressure-receiving part  43  is arranged along the thin side wall part  34 . In a state where the portions of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  housed in the wide holding parts  35  and the portions of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  drawn out rearward to the outside of the housing  10  form a straight line without a curve, the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  and the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are not in contact with each other and are in a positional relationship with a clearance therebetween as shown in  FIG.  8   . Accordingly, the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are not elastically deformed. The small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  and the plate-like covering part  42  are not in contact with each other and are in a positional relationship with a clearance therebetween. When the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are in a free state without elastic deformation, the friction surfaces  44  of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  maintain a positional relationship in which the friction surfaces  44  of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  oppose the thick side wall parts  33  and the thin side wall part  34  in the width direction with a slight clearance therebetween. 
     In the narrow holding part  36 , the pair of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are arranged along the thick side wall parts  33 . In a state where the portion of the coated electric wire  67  housed in the narrow holding part  36  and the portion of the coated electric wire  67  drawn out rearward to the outside of the housing  10  form a linear shape without a curve, the coated electric wire  67  and the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are in a non-contact positional relationship with a clearance therebetween. Accordingly, the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are not elastically deformed. The coated electric wire  67  and the plate-like covering part  42  are not in contact with each other and are in a positional relationship with a clearance therebetween. When the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are in a free state without elastic deformation, the friction surfaces  44  of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  maintain a positional relationship in which the friction surfaces  44  of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  oppose the thick side wall parts  33  in the width direction with a slight clearance therebetween. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , when the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  drawn out from the wide terminal housing parts  73  are pulled downward and curved, the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  come into contact with the pressure-receiving surfaces  45  of the left and right elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  as shown in  FIG.  9   . When the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  are further displaced downward from this state, the downward pressing force of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  act on the cover  40 . In this example, since the pressure-receiving surfaces  45  are oriented inclined relative to the pressing direction of the pressing force, a portion of the downward pressing force of the small-diameter shielded electric wire  61  becomes a horizontal component force that acts on the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 . This component force causes the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  to elastically deform in the width direction. In a state where the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are elastically deformed, the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  do not come into contact the upper surface of the plate-like covering part  42 . Accordingly, the stress exerted on the lid part  41  does not concentrate on the plate-like covering part  42  but is distributed to the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 . 
     When the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are elastically deformed in the width direction, the friction surfaces  44  are pressed against the thick side wall parts  33  and the thin side wall part  34 . This may generate friction resistance between the friction surface  44  and the thick side wall part  33  and between the friction surface  44  and the thin side wall part  34 . Since this friction resistance is a force that resists the downward pressing force of the small-diameter shielded electric wire  61  acting on the lid part  41 , it is possible to suppress the plate-like covering part  42  from being elastically deformed so as to move downward or bulge downward. In a state where the friction surfaces  44  are pressed against the thick side wall parts  33  and the thin side wall part  34 , the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  do not come into contact with the upper surface of the plate-like covering part  42 . 
     Since the thin side wall part  34  has less rigidity than the thick side wall parts  33  against the horizontal pressing force, there is a concern that the thin side wall part  34  may deform to escape under the pressing forces of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  in the width direction. However, the pair of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are provided on left and right sides of the thin side wall part  34  so as to sandwich the thin side wall part  34  therebetween. If the two small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  drawn out from the left and right wide holding parts  35  are bound together with the other electric wires  60  and  67 , for example, the two small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  are displaced downward together. Therefore, the thin side wall part  34  is sandwiched and pressed in the horizonal direction by the pair of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 , and does not deform in the width direction. 
     When the coated electric wire  67  drawn out from the narrow terminal housing part  74  is pulled downward, as in the case of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61 , the downward pressing force of the coated electric wire  67  acts on the cover  40 . A portion of the downward pressing force of the coated electric wire  67  becomes a horizontal component force that acts on the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 . Thus, the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  elastically deform in the width direction. In the state where the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are elastically deformed, the coated electric wire  67  does not come into contact with the upper surface of the plate-like covering part  42 . Accordingly, the stress exerted on the lid part  41  is distributed. When the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are elastically deformed in the width direction, the friction surfaces  44  are pressed against the thick side wall parts  33  to generate friction resistance between the friction surfaces  44  and the thick side wall parts  33 . With this friction resistance, it is possible to suppress the plate-like covering part  42  from being elastically deformed so as to be displaced downward or bulge downward. In a state where the friction surfaces  44  are pressed against the thick side wall parts  33 , the coated electric wire  67  does not come into contact with the upper surface of the plate-like covering part  42 . 
     The connector A of the first example includes the small-diameter shielded terminals  51  connected to the front end portions of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61 , the unshielded terminal  66  connected to the front end portion of the coated electric wire  67 , and the housing  10  having the wide terminal housing parts  73  and the narrow terminal housing part  74 . In a state where the small-diameter shielded terminals  51  and the front end portions of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  are housed in the wide terminal housing parts  73 , the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  are drawn out from the rear surface of the housing  10  to the outside of the housing  10 . In a state where the unshielded terminal  66  and the front end portion of the coated electric wire  67  are housed in the narrow terminal housing part  74 , the coated electric wire  67  is drawn out from the rear surface of the housing  10  to the outside of the housing  10 . 
     The wide terminal housing parts  73  each include a wide holding part  35  with a U-shaped cross section and the lid part  41  that is formed by a member that is separate from the wide holding part  35 . The lid part  41  is attached to the wide holding parts  35 . The narrow terminal housing part  74  includes a narrow holding part  36  with a U-shaped cross section and the lid part  41  that is formed by a member that is separate from the narrow holding part  36 . The lid part  41  includes the plate-like covering part  42  and the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 . The lid part  41  is attached to the narrow holding part  36 . The plate-like covering part  42  covers openings in the lower surfaces of the wide holding parts  35  and an opening in the lower surface of the narrow holding part  36 . The elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  protrude from the plate-like covering part  42  into the wide terminal housing parts  73  and into the narrow terminal housing part  74 , and are capable of elastic deformation under pressing forces of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  and the pressing force of the coated electric wire  67 . 
     According to the foregoing configuration, when the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  in the wide holding parts  35  are displaced toward the lid part  41 , the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  elastically deform under the pressing forces of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61 , so that the stress exerted on the lid part  41  is distributed into the plate-like covering part  42  and the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 . When the coated electric wire  67  in the narrow holding part  36  is displaced, the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  elastically deform under the pressing force of the coated electric wire  67 , so that the stress exerted on the lid part  41  is distributed into the plate-like covering part  42  and the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 . Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the concentration of stress on the lid part  41  caused by the pressing forces of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  and the coated electric wire  67 . If stress is concentrated on a specific portion of the lid part  41 , the amount of elastic deformation of the portion increases, and thus the cover lock protrusions  47  of the lid part  41  may come loose from the third lock holes  23  in the outer housing  11 . At this time, since the pressing forces of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  are exerted on the lid part  41 , there is a concern that the lid part  41  will separate from the wide holding parts  35  and the narrow holding part  36 . As a countermeasure against this, the stress exerted on the lid part  41  is distributed to suppress the maximum amount of deformation of the lid part  41 . Accordingly, the lid part  41  is kept in a state of being attached to the wide holding parts  35  and the narrow holding part  36 . Therefore, according to the first example, it is possible to prevent the cover  40  from separating from the outer housing  11  (the wide holding parts  35  and the narrow holding part  36 ) due to downward pressing forces of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  acting on the lid part  41 . 
     The wide holding parts  35  each include the wide base part  31  that opposes the plate-like covering part  42  and a pair of side wall parts (the thick side wall part  33  and the narrow wall part  34 ) that extend from two side edges of the wide base part  31  toward the plate-like covering part  42 . The elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are arranged along the thick side wall parts  33  and the thin side wall part  34 . When the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  elastically deform under the pressing forces of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61 , the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are pressed against the thick side wall parts  33  or the thin side wall part  34 . When the pressing forces of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  act on the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 , the lid part  41  is pressed in a direction away from the wide base part  31 . However, the friction resistance generated between the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  and the thick side wall parts  33  and the thin side wall part  34  prevents the lid part  41  from being displaced in the direction away from the wide base part  31 . 
     The holding part  36  includes the narrow base part  32  that opposes the plate-like covering part  42  and a pair of thick side wall parts  33  extending from two side edges of the narrow base part  32  toward the plate-like covering part  42 . The elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are arranged along the thick side wall parts  33 . When the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  elastically deform under the pressing force of the coated electric wire  67 , the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are pressed against the thick side wall parts  33 . When the pressing force of the electric wire  67  acts on the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 , the lid part  41  is pressed in the direction away from the narrow base part  32 . However, the friction resistance generated between the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  and the thick side wall parts  33  prevents the lid part  41  from being displaced in the direction away from the narrow base part  32 . 
     The pressure-receiving surfaces  45 , which are the areas of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  with which the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  and the coated electric wire  67  come into contact, are formed by inclined surfaces that are inclined relative to the vertical direction that is orthogonal to the plate-like covering part  42 . According to this configuration, when the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  or the coated electric wire  67  is displaced in the downward direction orthogonal to the plate-like covering part  42  and presses the pressure-receiving surfaces  45 , a portion of the pressing force of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  or the coated electric wire  67  acting on the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  becomes a component force acting in the width direction toward the thick side wall parts  33  or the thin side wall part  34  due to the inclination of the pressure-receiving surfaces  45 . In the course of displacement of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  or the coated electric wire  67 , the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  can be reliably pressed against the thick side wall parts  33  or the thin side wall part  34 . As the amount of displacement of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  increases, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  increases. However, once the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  has increased to a specific degree, the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  abut against the thick side wall parts  33  and the thin side wall part  34 , and thus the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  no longer increases. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress stress exerted on the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 . 
     In a state where the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are pressed against the thick side wall parts  33  or the thin side wall part  34 , the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  or the coated electric wire  67  is kept from coming into contact with the plate-like covering part  42 . According to this configuration, since the pressing force of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  or the coated electric wire  67  does not directly act on the plate-like covering part  42 , the stress exerted on the plate-like covering part  42  is reduced and the amount of elastic deformation of the plate-like covering part  42  is suppressed. Since the deformation of the plate-like covering part  42  is suppressed, the lid part  41  is unlikely to come loose from the wide holding parts  35  and the narrow holding part  36 . 
     In a rear view of the housing  10  as seen from the rear side, each pair of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  is provided so as to be symmetrical with respect to the virtual axis of symmetry V that is orthogonal to the plate-like covering part  42 . In the course of displacement of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  in the direction toward the plate-like covering part  42 , if the path of displacement of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  shifts toward one elastic pressure-receiving part  43  or a small-diameter shielded electric wire  61  become twisted, there is a concern that the load on the connection portion between the small-diameter shielded electric wire  61  and the crimp part  57  of the small-diameter shielded terminal  51  will increase. In the course of displacement of the coated electric wire  67  in the direction toward the plate-like covering part  42 , if the path of displacement of the coated electric wire  67  shifts to one elastic pressure-receiving part  43  or the coated electric wire  67  becomes twisted, there is a concern that the load on the connection portion between the coated electric wire  67  and the unshielded terminal  66  will increase. As a measure against this, the pairs of elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  are shaped and disposed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the virtual axis of symmetry V to prevent the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  and the coated electric wire  67  from approaching one elastic pressure-receiving part  43  or from becoming twisted. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the generation of a load on the connection portion between the small-diameter shielded terminal  51  and the small-diameter shielded electric wire  61  and on the connection portion between the unshielded terminal  66  and the coated electric wire  67 . 
     In a rear view of the housing  10  as seen from the rear side, the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  have a wedge shape that is tapered toward the leading end thereof in the direction of protrusion from the plate-like covering part  42 . According to this configuration, when the pressing forces of the small-diameter shielded electric wires  61  and the coated electric wire  67  act on the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 , the stress exerted on the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  is not uniform. That is, of the stress exerted on the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43 , the component force in a direction orthogonal to the protruding direction of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  (horizontal direction) is smaller on the leading end side (upper end portion side) in the protruding direction relative to a contact portion between the small-diameter shielded electric wire  61  or the coated electric wire  67  compared to the component force on the base end side (lower end portion side) in the protruding direction relative to the contact portion. Therefore, the stress exerted on the plate-like covering part  42  connected to the base end portions of the elastic pressure-receiving parts  43  in the protruding direction can also be suppressed to a small level, thereby preventing the lid part  41  from coming loose from the wide holding parts  35  and the narrow holding part  36  due to deformation of the plate-like covering part  42 . 
     OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
     The shape of the elastic pressure-receiving parts may be a shape other than a wedge shape in a rear view of the housing as seen from the rear side. 
     The area of an elastic pressure-receiving part that comes into contact with the shielded electric wire is not limited to a flat inclined surface and may be a curved surface. 
     The elastic pressure-receiving parts are not limited to protruding from two end portions of the plate-like covering part in the width direction along a thick side wall part, but may protrude from the central portion of the plate-like covering part in the width direction toward the shielded electric wire or may have an arc shape so as to span between two end portions of the plate-like covering part in the width direction and bulge toward the shielded electric wire. 
     The pairs of elastic pressure-receiving parts protruding into one wide holding part and into one narrow holding part may be asymmetrical in a rear view. 
     Only one elastic pressure-receiving part may protrude into one wide holding part or one narrow holding part. 
     In the first example, the elastic pressure-receiving parts are formed only on the cover. Alternatively, the elastic pressure-receiving parts may be formed so as to face upward on the second base part of the lower member, and the large-diameter shielded electric wire and the small-diameter shielded electric wire housed in the second terminal housing parts (the second holding parts of the upper member) may come in contact with the elastic pressure-receiving parts. Otherwise, the elastic pressure-receiving parts may be formed so as to face upward on the first base part of the upper member, and the large-diameter shielded electric wires housed in the first terminal housing parts (the first holding parts of the outer housing) may come in contact with the elastic pressure-receiving parts. 
     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.