Patent Publication Number: US-2022239040-A1

Title: Connector

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a connector. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a moving plate for positioning tabs arranged in a housing body. The tabs are passed through holes formed in the moving plate. In a non-connected state where a mating housing is not connected, the moving plate is at an initial position and tip parts of the tabs project from the moving plate. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: JP 2018-181786 A 
         Patent Document 2: JP 2017-188244 A 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved 
     In the case of considering added-up tolerances of the respective components, if the tolerances are large, the tabs are possibly detached from the moving plate. Thus, projection dimensions of the tabs from the moving plates are preferably large. However, if dimensions of the tabs projecting from the moving plate are made long, the tabs may interfere with a mating connector when the moving plate is inclined. As a countermeasure against this, it is considered to thicken the moving plate and make the through holes longer. However, if the moving plate is thickened, the external dimensions of the connector become large. Therefore, a method for increasing insertion margins of the tabs into the moving plate without thickening the moving plate and/or extending projection dimensions of the tabs is desired. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure aims to provide a connector capable of reliably positioning a tab without thickening a moving plate and extending a projection dimension of the tab from the moving plate. 
     Means to Solve the Problem 
     The present disclosure is directed to a connector with a first housing configured such that a receptacle projects forward from a terminal holding portion, a male terminal fitting held in the terminal holding portion, a tab of the male terminal fitting projecting into the receptacle, a second housing to be connected to the first housing by entering the receptacle, and a moving plate including a positioning hole, the tab being passable through the positioning hole, the moving plate being movable n the receptacle between an initial position for positioning a front end part of the tab and a connection position rearward of the initial position, wherein the moving plate includes a projection formed by causing a hole edge part of the positioning hole to project forward on a first facing surface facing the second housing, the second housing includes a recess formed by recessing a part facing the projection, out of a second facing surface facing the moving plate, and a front end of the tab is located rearward of a virtual protection surface defined by extending an outer surface of the projection obliquely forward when the moving plate is at the initial position. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the present disclosure, a tab can be reliably positioned by a moving plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view in section of a connector of a first embodiment showing a state where a moving plate is at an initial position and a second contact surface of a second housing inserted into a receptacle and a first contact surface of the moving plate are in contact with each other. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view in section of the connector of the first embodiment showing a state where the moving plate is at a connection position and first and second male terminal fittings are connected to female terminal fittings. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged side view in section of a main part of the connector of the first embodiment enlargedly showing a tip part of the first male terminal fitting, a tip part of the second male terminal fitting and a tip part of the female terminal fitting in a state where the moving plate is at the initial position and the second contact surface of the second housing inserted into the receptacle and the first contact surface of the moving plate are not in contact with each other. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged side view in section of the main part of the connector of the first embodiment enlargedly showing the tip part of the first male terminal fitting, the tip part of the second male terminal fitting and the tip part of the female terminal fitting in the state where the moving plate is at the initial position and the second contact surface of the second housing inserted into the receptacle and the first contact surface of the moving plate are in contact with each other. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged side view in section of the main part of the connector of the first embodiment showing the state where the moving plate is at the connection position and the first male terminal fitting and the second male terminal fitting are connected to the female terminal fittings. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged side view in section of a main part of a connector of a second embodiment enlargedly showing a tip part of a first male terminal fitting, a tip part of a second male terminal fitting and a tip part of a female terminal fitting in a state where a moving plate is at an initial position and a second contact surface of a second housing inserted into a receptacle and a first contact surface of the moving plate are in contact with each other. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged side view in section of a main part of a connector of a third embodiment enlargedly showing a tip part of a first male terminal fitting, a tip part of a second male terminal fitting and a tip part of a female terminal fitting in a state where a moving plate is at an initial position and a second contact surface of a second housing inserted into a receptacle and a first contact surface of the moving plate are in contact. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION 
     Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure 
     First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described. 
     (1) The connector of the present disclosure includes a first housing configured such that a receptacle projects forward from a terminal holding portion, a male terminal fitting held in the terminal holding portion, a tab of the male terminal fitting projecting into the receptacle, a second housing to be connected to the first housing by entering the receptacle, and a moving plate including a positioning hole, the tab being passable through the positioning hole, the moving plate being movable n the receptacle between an initial position for positioning a front end part of the tab and a connection position rearward of the initial position, wherein the moving plate includes a projection formed by causing a hole edge part of the positioning hole to project forward on a first facing surface facing the second housing, the second housing includes a recess formed by recessing a part facing the projection, out of a second facing surface facing the moving plate, and a front end of the tab is located rearward of a virtual protection surface defined by extending an outer surface of the projection obliquely forward when the moving plate is at the initial position. 
     According to the configuration of the present disclosure, since a front-rear length of the positioning hole becomes longer by as much as the projection is provided, there is no possibility that the positioning hole is detached from the tab and the reliability of a positioning function is high even if the moving plate is shifted forward. Further, since the front end of the tab is located rearward of the virtual protection surface, the tab is unlikely to interfere with the second housing even if the moving plate is inclined. 
     (2) Preferably, the tab of the connector of the present disclosure includes a tapered portion constituting a front end part of the tab and shaped to become thinner toward a front side and a tab body portion constituting a region of the tab behind the tapered portion, and a rear end of the tapered portion is disposed in the positioning hole. 
     According to this configuration, since the tab body portion has a larger outer shape than the tapered portion and has a higher rigidity than the tapered portion, the reliability of the positioning function is higher as compared to a configuration in which only the tapered portion is disposed in the positioning hole. 
     (3) The connector of the present disclosure is preferably such that a front-rear central part of the tapered portion is disposed in the positioning hole. 
     If the front-rear central part of the tapered portion is located forward of the front end of the positioning hole, a projection dimension of the tab from the front end of the projection is large. Thus, there is a high possibility that the tab interferes with the second housing. In contrast, if the front-rear central part of the tapered portion is disposed in the positioning hole, the projection dimension is suppressed to be small even if the tab projects further forward than the projection. Thus, interference with the second housing can be prevented. 
     (4) The connector of the present disclosure is preferably such that a clearance is formed between the projection and the recess when the first and second facing surfaces come into contact with each other. 
     According to this configuration, since the first and second facing surfaces can be reliably brought into contact with each other, the first and second housings can be smoothly connected. 
     (5) Preferably, a front end surface parallel to the first facing surface is formed on a front end of the projection of the connector of the present disclosure. 
     According to this configuration, since it can be suppressed that the projection becomes too thin on the front end of the projection, the deformation of a front end part of the projection by the tab can be prevented. 
     Details of Embodiments of Present Disclosure 
     First Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 . The connector according to the first embodiment includes a first housing  10 , male terminal fittings  70 , a moving plate  40 , a lever  60  and a second housing  90 . The first and second housings  10 ,  90  are connected by rotating the lever  60 . Note that, in the following description, a surface side (right side in  FIGS. 1 to 5 ) of the first housing  10  facing the second housing  90  when connection is started is referred to as a front side concerning a front-rear direction, and upper and lower sides shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5  are directly defined as upper and lower sides concerning a vertical direction. 
     [Configuration of Connector] 
     The first housing  10  is made of synthetic resin and includes a terminal holding portion  11  having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a tubular receptacle  12  integrally projecting forward from an outer peripheral part of the front end of the terminal holding portion  11 . The second housing  90  is inserted into the receptacle  12 , whereby the second and first housings  90 ,  10  are connected. The moving plate  40  is disposed in the receptacle  12  movably between a later-described initial position and a later-described connection position rearward of the initial position. 
     The terminal holding portion  11  includes first cavities  13 . A plurality of the first cavities  13  are aligned and arranged in the vertical direction. Each first cavity  13  extends in the front-rear direction and is open in a front surface part  17  of the terminal holding portion  11 . The male terminal fitting  70  to be described later is inserted into each first cavity  13  from behind. The male terminal fitting  70  is retained and held in the first cavity  13  by a locking lance  13 A provided in the first cavity  13  being fit and locked to a lance receiving portion (not shown). A projecting base end part of each tab  72  to be described later is arranged in an opening of each first cavity  13  in the front surface part  17  of the terminal holding portion  11 . 
     The male terminal fitting  70  is integrally formed, such as by bending a conductive metal plate, and has a shape elongated in the front-rear direction as a whole. The male terminal fitting  70  includes a tubular terminal body portion  71 , the tab  72  projecting forward from the terminal body portion  71  and a barrel portion  73  connected behind the terminal body portion  71 . The tab  72  includes a tapered portion  74  constituting a front end part of the tab  72  and a tab body portion  75  constituting a region of the tab  72  behind the tapered portion  74  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The rear end of the tab body portion  75  is connected to the front end of the terminal body portion  71 . 
     The tapered portion  74  is formed into such a tapered shape as to have vertical and lateral dimensions (only a shape in the vertical direction is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) gradually reduced from the tab body portion  75  toward a front side (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The tab body portion  75  and the tapered portion  74  have a rectangular (square) cross-sectional shape along a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Vertical and lateral dimensions of a rear end  76  of the tapered portion  74  are equal to those of the tab body portion  75 . In this embodiment, an intermediate part between the rear end  76  and a front end  78  of the tapered portion  74  is defined as a front-rear central part  77 . An end part of a wire W 1  is connected to the barrel portion  73 . 
     The moving plate  40  is accommodated in the receptacle  12 . The moving plate  40  is made of synthetic resin and includes a plate body portion  41  in the form of a flat plate having a plate thickness direction oriented in the front-rear direction and a tubular peripheral wall portion  42  integrally projecting forward from an outer peripheral part of the plate body portion  41 . 
     The plate body portion  41  is rectangular (square) in a front view of the plate body portion  41  (not shown). The plate body portion  41  is disposed to cover the front surface part  17  of the terminal holding portion  11  when the inside of the receptacle  112  is viewed from front. The front surface of the plate body portion  41  (surface of the plate body portion  41  on a side opposite to the terminal holding portion  11  of the first housing  10 ) serves as a first facing surface  45  facing a rear surface part  98  of the second housing  90 . The rear surface of the plate body portion  41  (surface of the plate body portion  41  facing the terminal holding portion  11  of the first housing  10 ) serves as a third facing surface  46 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the plate body portion  41  is formed with a plurality of positioning holes  43 . The plurality of positioning holes  43  penetrate through a plurality of parts facing the plurality of first cavities  13  from the first facing surface  45  to the third facing surface  46 . Each positioning hole  43  includes a positioning portion  43 A and a guiding portion  43 B. The positioning portion  43 A constitutes a front end side region of the positioning hole  43 . A cross-sectional shape of the positioning portion  43 A perpendicular to the front-rear direction (penetrating direction of the positioning hole  43 ) is constant (same) from the front end to the rear end of the positioning portion  43 A and is rectangular (square). Vertical and lateral dimensions of a cross-section of the positioning portion  43 A are equal to or slightly smaller than those of the tab body portion  75 . Each tab  72  is positioned to and inserted through each positioning hole  43 . 
     A cross-sectional shape of the guiding portion  43 B perpendicular to the front-rear direction is rectangular (square), similarly to the positioning portion  43 A. Vertical and lateral dimensions (only a shape in the vertical direction is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of a cross-section of the guiding portion  43 B gradually increase from the front end (rear end of the positioning portion  43 A) to the rear end of the guiding portion  43 B. 
     A projection  47  projecting forward is integrally formed on a hole edge part of each positioning holes  43  on the first facing surface  45  of the plate body portion  41 . An outer surface P 1  of each projection  47  is formed into such a tapered shape as to have vertical and lateral dimensions (only a shape in the vertical direction is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) gradually reduced from the first facing surface  45  toward the front side. An angle of inclination of the outer surface P 1  of each projection  47  is approximately 45°. The outer shape of the projection  47  is a four-side pyramid shape. The inner surface of a hole (center hole of the projection  47 ) formed in each projection  47  is flush and continuous with the inner surface of the positioning portion  43 A of each positioning hole  43 . In other words, the hole formed in each projection  47  is a forward extension of each positioning hole  43 . That is, the center hole of the projection  47  constitutes a front end part of the positioning portion  43 A of the positioning hole  43 . 
     The moving plate  40  is accommodated into the receptacle  12  and movable between the initial position (see  FIG. 1 ) where the plate body portion  41  is separated forward from the front surface part  17  of the terminal holding portion  11  and the connection position (see  FIG. 2 ) where the plate body portion  41  is closer to the front surface part  17  than at the initial position and the third facing surface  46  is in contact with the front surface part  17 . 
     When the moving plate  40  is at the initial position, a front end part (projecting tip part) of each tab  72  is inserted and positioned in each positioning hole  43  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Specifically, with the moving plate  40  disposed at the initial position, the rear end  76  and the front-rear central part  77  of the tapered portion  74  of each tab  72  are disposed in each positioning hole  43  as shown in  FIG. 3 . More specifically, the rear end  76  of the tapered portion  74  is disposed in a front end part of the guiding portion  43 B. The front-rear central part  77  is disposed in the positioning portion  43 A. 
     When the moving plate  40  is at the initial position, the front end  78  of each tab  72  is located forward of the projection  47  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The front end  78  of each tab  72  is located rearward of a virtual protection surface S 1  extending obliquely forward along the outer surface P 1  of the projection  47  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). In this embodiment, a region in front of the front end of the projection  47  and behind the virtual protection surface S 1  is defined as a protection space R 1  for protecting the tip part of the tab  72  from interference with the second housing  90 . The outer shape of the protection space R 1  is a four-sided pyramid shape (not shown). 
     The second housing  90  is made of synthetic resin and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The second housing  90  is formed with a plurality of second cavities  93  extending in the front-rear direction and open in a front surface part  97  and the rear surface part  98  of the second housing  90 . A female terminal fitting  91  is held in each second cavity  93  not to come out from the second cavity  93 . An end part of a wire W 3  is connected to the female terminal fitting  91 . The rear surface part  98  of the second housing  90  is formed with a second facing surface  99  facing the moving plate  40  described above. 
     Recesses  99 A recessed forward are formed on opening edge parts of openings of the respective second cavities  93 , out of the second facing surface  99  (see  FIGS. 3 to 5 ). With the second housing  90  connected to the first housing  10 , the respective recesses  99 A are formed at positions corresponding to the respective projections  47  of the moving plate  40 . Each recess  99 A is formed into such a tapered shape as to have vertical and lateral dimensions (only a shape in the vertical direction is shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 ) gradually reduced toward the front side (toward a back side) from the second facing surface  99 . 
     Angles of inclination of surfaces forming each recess  99 A with respect to the front-rear direction are approximately 45° and these surfaces are parallel to the outer surface P 1  of the projection  47  and the virtual protection surface S 1  defined by extending the outer surface P 1 . Each recess  99 A has a four-sided pyramid shape. The rear surface part  98  of the second housing  90  is formed with tab insertion holes  99 B from the front ends (back ends) of the respective recesses  99 A to the second cavities  93 . A cross-sectional shape of each tab insertion hole  99 B along the front-rear direction is rectangular (square), similarly to the positioning hole  43 . Vertical and lateral dimensions of a cross-section of each tab insertion hole  99 B are constant from the front end to the rear end of the tab insertion hole  99 B. 
     Next, functions and effects of the first embodiment are described. The respective tabs  72  are arranged to project into the receptacle  12  from the openings of the respective first cavities  13  of the front surface part  17 . If the moving plate  40  is accommodated into the receptacle  12  and held at the initial position in the receptacle  12  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the projecting tip parts of the respective tabs  72  are inserted and positioned in the respective positioning holes  43  of the plate body portion  41 . 
     In this state, the front end  78  of the tab  72  (tapered portion  72 A) is located forward of the front end of the positioning hole  43  (projection  47 ) and rearward of the virtual protection surface S 1  (in the protection space R 1 ). The rear end  76  of the tapered portion  72 A is located rearward of the positioning portion  43 A (in the guiding portion  43 B). The front-rear central part  77  of the tapered portion  72 A is located in the positioning portion  43 A. 
     If the second housing  90  is lightly fit into the receptacle  12  with the moving plate  40  located at the initial position, the second facing surface  99  of the second housing  90  comes into contact with the first facing surface  45  of the moving plate  40  (see  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). At this time, each projection  47  of the first facing surface  45  is entirely accommodated in each recess  99 A of the second facing surface  99  (see  FIG. 4 ). A clearance is formed between the inner surface of each recess  99 A and the outer surface P 1  of each projection  47 . In this way, it is prevented that the second facing surface  99  and the first facing surface  45  cannot come into surface contact with each other due to the contact of each recess  99  and each projection  47 . By the surface contact of the first and second facing surfaces  45 ,  99 , the second housing  90  and the moving plate  40  can be disposed to have a proper positional relationship in the front-rear direction. 
     The outer surface P 1  of each projection  47  is parallel to the inner surface of the facing recess  99 A. The front end of the projection  47  is located rearward of the front end of the recess  99 A (rear end of the tab insertion hole  99 B). The virtual protection surface S 1  is parallel to the inner surface of the facing recess  99 A and does not interfere with both the inner surface of the recess  99 S and the inner surface of the tab insertion hole  99 B. A front end part of the virtual protection surface S 1  (protection space R 1 ) is located in the tab insertion hole  99 B. 
     If the lever  60  is rotated in this state, a cam action is exhibited between the lever  60  and the second housing  90 , the connection of the first housing  10  and the second housing  90  proceeds and the moving plate  40  and the second housing  90  move rearward toward the connection position. Associated with this, the respective tabs  72  are inserted into the tab insertion holes  99 B and inserted and connected to the respective female terminal fittings  91  while being kept positioned by the respective positioning holes  43  (see  FIG. 5 ). In this way, the respective male terminal fittings  70  and the respective female terminal fittings  91  are electrically connected. 
     The connector of the present disclosure includes the first housing  10 , the male terminal fittings  70 , the second housing  90  and the moving plate  40 . The first housing  10  is formed such that the receptacle  12  projects forward from the terminal holding portion  11 . The male terminal fittings  70  are held in the terminal holding portion  11  and the tabs  72  project into the receptacle  12 . The second housing  90  is connected to the first housing  10  by entering the receptacle  12 . The moving plate  40  includes the positioning holes  43  through which the tabs  72  can be passed, and is movable between the initial position for positioning the front end parts of the tabs  72  and the connection position rearward of the initial position. 
     The moving plate  40  includes the projections  47  projecting forward from the hole edge parts of the positioning holes  43  on the first facing surface  45  facing the second housing  90 . The second housing  90  includes the recesses  99 A formed by recessing the parts facing the projections  47 , out of the second facing surface  99  facing the moving plate  40 . When the moving plate  40  is at the initial position, the front ends  78  of the tabs  72  are located rearward of the virtual protection surfaces S 1  defined by extending the outer surfaces P 1  of the projections  47  obliquely forward. 
     According to the configuration of the present disclosure, since front-rear lengths of the positioning holes  43  become longer by as much as the projections  47  are provided, there is no possibility that the tabs  72  come out of the positioning holes  43  and the reliability of a positioning function is high even if the moving plate  40  is shifted forward. Further, since the tapered portions  74  project forward from the positioning holes  43 , there is a concern that the tapered portions  74  interfere with the second housing  90  when the moving plate  40  is inclined. However, since the front ends  78  of the tabs  72  are located rearward of the virtual protection surfaces S 1 , the tabs  72  are unlikely to interfere with the second housing  90 . 
     The tab  72  of the connector of the present disclosure includes the tapered portion  74  constituting the front end part of the tab  72  and gradually thinned toward the front side, and the tab body portion  75  constituting the region of the tab  72  behind the tapered portion  74 . The rear end  76  of the tapered portion  74  of the connector of the present disclosure is disposed in the positioning hole  43 . The tab body portion  75  has a larger outer shape than the tapered portion  74  and has a higher rigidity than the tapered portion  74 . According to this configuration, the reliability of the positioning function is higher as compared to a configuration in which only the tapered portion  74  is disposed in the positioning hole  43 . 
     In the connector of the present disclosure, the front-rear central part  77  of the tapered portion  74  is disposed in the positioning hole  43 . If the front-rear central part  77  of the tapered portion  74  is located forward of the front end of the positioning hole  43 , a projection dimension of the tab  72  from the front end of the projection  47  is large. Thus, there is a high possibility that the tab  72  interferes with the second housing  90 . In contrast, if the front-rear central part  77  of the tapered portion  74  is disposed in the positioning hole  43  as in the connector of the present disclosure, the projection dimension is suppressed to be small even if the tab body portion  75  projects forward from the projection  47 . Therefore, interference with the second housing  90  can be prevented. 
     In the connector of the present disclosure, the clearances are formed between the projections  47  and the recesses  99 A when the first and second facing surfaces  45 ,  99  come into contact with each other. 
     According to this configuration, since the first and second facing surfaces  45 ,  99  can be reliably brought into contact with each other, the first and second housings  10 ,  90  can be smoothly connected. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second specific embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 6 . The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a front end surface  147 A is formed on a front end part of a projection  147 . Since the other components are the same as in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference signs and the structures, functions and effects thereof are not described. 
     The front end surface  147 A parallel to a first facing surface  45  is formed on the front end part of the projection  147 . With a moving plate  140  disposed at an initial position, a front end  78  of each tab  72  projects forward from the projection  147  and the front end surface  147 A, but is located rearward of a virtual protection surface S 2  extending obliquely forward along an outer surface P 2  of the projection  147 . A rear end  76  of each tab  72  is located in a positioning portion  43 A. 
     With a second facing surface  99  of a second housing  90  held in contact with the first facing surface  45  of the moving plate  140 , the front end  78  of the tab  72  and the front end surface  147 A of the projection  147  are disposed in a recess  99 A. However, the front end of the tab  72  is located in a protection space R 2  (rearward of the virtual protection surface S 2 ). The protection space R 2  is located in the recess  99 A and a tab insertion hole  99 B, but does not interfere with the inner surface of the recess  99 A and the inner surface of the tab insertion hole  99 B. Thus, even if the moving plate  140  is inclined with respect to the second housing  90 , the front end  78  of the tab  72  does not interfere with the inner surface of the recess  99 A and the inner surface of the tab insertion hole  99 B. The outer surface P 2  of each projection  147  is parallel to the inner surface of the facing the recess  99 A. The virtual protection surface S 2  is parallel to the inner surface of the facing the recess  99 A. 
     The front end of the projection  147  of the connector of the present disclosure is formed with the front end surface  147 A parallel to the first facing surface  45 . According to this configuration, it can be suppressed that the projection  147  becomes too thin on the front end of the projection  147 , wherefore the deformation of a front end part of the projection  147  by the tab  72  can be prevented. The front end  78  of the tapered portion  74  projects further forward than the projection  147  and the front end of the positioning hole  43 , but the rear end  76  of the tapered portion  74  (i.e. front end of the tab body portion  75 ) is located in the positioning portion  43 A. Therefore, the tab  72  is reliably positioned by the fitting of a front end part of the tab body portion  75  and the positioning portion  43 A. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A third specific embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 7 . The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that an outer surface P 3  of a projection  247  extends in the front-rear direction and a virtual protection surface S 3  is not an extension of the outer surface P 3  of the projection  247  and differs from the first embodiment in that a front end surface  247 A is formed on a front end part. Since the other components are the same as in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference signs and the structures, functions and effects thereof are not described. 
     The outer surface P 3  of the projection  247  extends in the front-rear direction. The outer surface P 3  of the projection  247  has a rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the front-rear direction (not shown). The outer shape of the projection  247  is a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A front end part of the projection  247  is formed with the front end surface  247 A parallel to a first facing surface  45 . With a moving plate  240  disposed at an initial position, a front end  78  of each tab  72  (tapered portion  74 ) is located forward of the projection  247  and the front end surface  247 A. 
     The front end  78  of each tab  72  is located rearward of the virtual protection surface S 3  extending from the front end of the outer surface P 3  of the projection  247  toward a position in front of a center of the front end surface  247 A. An angle of inclination of the virtual protection surface S 3  with respect to the front-rear direction is substantially the same as that of the inner surface of a recess  99 A of the second housing  90 . That is, the virtual protection surface S 3  is parallel to the inner surface of the facing recess  99 A. 
     With the moving plate  240  disposed at the initial position, a rear end  76  of the tapered portion  74  of each tab  72  is disposed in a positioning hole  43  (positioning portion  43 A). Thus, the tab  72  is positioned by the fitting of a front end part of the tab body portion  75  and the positioning portion  43 A. With the moving plate  240  disposed at the initial position, a front-rear central part  77  of the tapered portion  74  of each tab  72  is located forward of the projection  247  and the front end surface  247 A and disposed in the protection space R 3 . 
     With a second facing surface  99  of the second housing  90  held in contact with the first facing surface  45  of the moving plate  240 , the entire projection  247  and the front end surface  247 A are disposed in the recess  99 A. Further, the front end  78  of the tab  72  is accommodated in the protection space R 3 . The protection space R 3  is located in the recess  99 A and a tab insertion hole  99 B, but does not interfere with the inner surface of the recess  99 A and the inner surface of the tab insertion hole  99 B. Therefore, even if the moving plate  240  is inclined with respect to the second housing  90 , there is no possibility that the front end of the tab  72  interferes with the inner surface of the recess  99 A. 
     Other Embodiments 
     The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiments and is represented by claims. The present invention is intended to include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents and also include the following embodiments. 
     (1) Although the angle of inclination of the outer surface of the projection with respect to the front-rear direction is approximately 45° in the first embodiment, the angle of inclination of the outer surface with respect to the front-rear direction may be larger or smaller than 45°. 
     (2) Although the angle of inclination of the recess with respect to the front-rear direction is approximately 45° in the first embodiment, this angle of inclination may be larger than 45°. 
     (3) Although one type of male terminal fittings and one type of female terminal fittings are used as male terminal fittings and female terminal fittings in the first embodiment, two or more types of male terminal fittings and two or more types of female terminal fittings having different outer shapes may be used. 
     (4) Although the projections are provided on all the positioning holes in the first embodiment, the projections may be provided on only some of the positioning holes. 
     (5) Although the front end surface is formed in parallel to the first facing surface in the second and third embodiments, the front end surface may be formed at a predetermined angle to the first facing surface. 
     (6) Although the outer shape of the projection is a four-sided pyramid shape in the first embodiment and is a rectangular parallelepiped shape in the third embodiment, the outer shape of the projection may be a truncated conical shape, a cylindrical shape or another polygonal shape. 
     (7) The present invention is also applicable to connectors including no lever. 
     (8) Although the rear end of the tapered portion is located rearward of the positioning portion (in the guiding portion) in the first embodiment, the rear end of the tapered portion may be located in the positioning portion. 
     (9) Although the rear end of the tapered portion is located in the positioning portion (forward of the guiding portion) in the second and third embodiments, the rear end of the tapered portion may be located in the guiding portion (rearward of the positioning portion). 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               10  . . . first housing 
               11  . . . terminal holding portion 
               12  . . . receptacle 
               13  . . . first cavity 
               13 A . . . locking lance 
               17  . . . front surface part 
               40 ,  140 ,  240  . . . moving plate 
               41  . . . plate body portion 
               42  . . . peripheral wall portion 
               43  . . . positioning hole 
               43 A . . . parallel portion 
               43 B . . . guiding portion 
               45  . . . first facing surface 
               46  . . . third facing surface 
               47 ,  147 ,  247  . . . projection 
               60  . . . lever 
               70  . . . male terminal fitting 
               71  . . . terminal body portion 
               72  . . . tab 
               73  . . . barrel portion 
               74  . . . tapered portion 
               75  . . . tab body portion 
               76  . . . rear end of tapered portion 
               77  . . . front-rear central part of tapered portion 
               78  . . . front end of tab (tapered portion) 
               90  . . . second housing 
               91  . . . female terminal fitting 
               93  . . . second cavity 
               97  . . . front surface part 
               98  . . . rear surface part 
               99  . . . second facing surface 
               99 A . . . recess 
               99 B . . . tab insertion hole 
               147 A,  247 A . . . front end surface 
             P 1 , P 2 , P 3  . . . outer surface of projection 
             R 1 , R 2 , R 3  . . . protection space 
             S 1 , S 2 , S 3  . . . virtual protection surface 
             W 1 , W 3  . . . wire