Patent Publication Number: US-11394136-B2

Title: Terminal

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national phase of PCT application No. PCT/JP2019/019464, filed on 16 May 2019, which claims priority from Japanese patent application No. 2018-100823, filed on 25 May 2018, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technology disclosed herein relates to a terminal connected to an electric wire. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An electric wire including a core wire and a terminal connected to a bare end of the core wire has been known. An example of such a terminal may include a crimp portion that is crimped on the end of the core wire that is exposed. 
     The terminal may be crimped on the wire as follows. First, a sheet metal is processed to form the terminal in a predefined shape by pressing. Next, the terminal is placed on a setting portion of a lower die of a pair of dies that are movable relative to each other in the vertical direction. Next, the bare end of the core wire is placed on the crimp portion of the terminal. Then, one of or both of the dies are moved toward each other to sandwich the crimp portion between a pressing portion of an upper die and the setting portion of the lower die and to crimp the crimp portion on the core wire of the electric wire. Through these steps, the terminal is connected to the end of the wire (Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2007-059304). 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2007-059304 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved 
     According to the technology describe above, relatively large equipment including the dies and a jig for crimping the crimp portion of the terminal on the core wire of the electric wire is required. Namely, equipment investment is required and thus a production cost may increase. 
     A virtual technology for solving the above problem may include a terminal that includes a terminal body and a slider. The terminal body may include a deformable connecting piece that extends in an extending direction. The slider is movable relative to the terminal body in the extending direction. The slider includes a pressing portion to press the connecting piece toward the electric wire. 
     According to the technology, the pressing portion of the slider presses the connecting piece toward the electric wire while the slider slides on the terminal body in the extending direction. The connecting piece is deformed toward the electric wire and pressed against the electric wire. The connecting piece is electrically connected to the electric wire. The terminal is electrically connected to the electric wire without using a relatively large jig such as a die. 
     However, according to the virtual technology, if a conductor included in the electric wire is provided with relatively large strength and thus the connecting piece is less likely to be deformed toward the electric wire, an excessively large force may be applied to the slider to slide the slider in the extending direction. The connecting piece may be bent in a direction different from the direction toward the electric wire, that is, the connecting piece may buckle. 
     The technology described herein was made in view of the above circumstances. An object is to provide a terminal including a connecting piece that is less likely to buckle. 
     Means to Solve the Problem 
     The technology described herein relates to a terminal that includes a terminal body and a slider. The terminal body includes at least one connecting piece extending in an extending direction and being deformable. The at least one connecting piece includes a contact surface and a receiving surface. The contact surface contacts an electric wire. The receiving surface is on an opposite side from the contact surface. The slider is movable in the extending direction relative to the terminal body. The slider includes an abutting portion that abuts against the receiving surface of the at least one connecting piece and presses the at least one connecting piece against the electric wire that is disposed on the contact surface of the at least one connecting piece along the extending direction. The at least one connecting piece includes a protrusion protruding from a section of the receiving surface in a direction from the contact surface toward the receiving surface. 
     According to the configuration, the abutting portion of the slider abuts against the protrusion of the connecting piece. According to the configuration, a contact area between the abutting portion and the receiving surface of the connecting piece can be reduced. Therefore, a force required for moving of the slider in the extending direction can be reduced. The connecting piece is less likely to buckle when pressed by the slider in the extending direction. 
     Preferred embodiments according to the technology described herein may include the following. 
     The protrusion may include a convex surface that is curved in a direction from the contact surface toward the receiving surface. 
     According to the configuration, because the protrusion of the connecting piece includes the convex surface, a contact area between the abutting portion and the protrusion is relatively small even if a misalignment occurs between the terminal body and the slider. Because precise relative positional alignment is not required for the terminal body and the slider, a production cost of the terminal can be reduced. 
     The protrusion may have a curvature that is larger at a distal end of the connecting piece than at a base end of the connecting piece. 
     According to the configuration, a section of the connecting piece closer to the base end is less likely to deform in comparison to a section of the connecting piece closer to the distal end. Therefore, the section of the connecting piece closer to the base end is less likely to buckle. 
     The protrusion may include a ridge section that extends in the extending direction. 
     According to the configuration, the abutting portion of the slider abuts against the protrusion of the connecting piece. According to the configuration, the contact area between the abutting portion and the receiving surface can be reduced. Therefore, the force required for moving of the slider in the extending direction can be reduced. The connecting piece is less likely to buckle when pressed by the slider in the extending direction. 
     The contact surface may include a recess that is recessed in a direction from the contact surface toward the receiving surface. The recess extends in the extending direction. 
     According to the configuration, the electric wire that is placed in the recess is less likely to be removed from the contact surface. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the technology disclosed herein, the connecting piece included in the terminal is less likely to buckle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a connector according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connector. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a slider temporarily fitted on a terminal body. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating the slider temporarily fitted on the terminal body. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view illustrating the slider temporarily fitted on the terminal body. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the slider permanently fitted on the terminal body. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating the slider permanently fitted on the terminal body. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the terminal body. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the terminal body. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of the terminal body. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the slider. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the slider. 
         FIG. 13  is a rear view of the slider. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating a connector housing. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating the connector housing with a female terminal attached. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connector housing with the female terminal attached. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view illustrating the connector housing with a rear holder attached at a temporary fitting position. 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connector housing with the rear holder attached at the temporary fitting position. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view illustrating the connector housing with an electric wire inserted. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connector housing with the electric wire inserted. 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the slider permanently fitted on the terminal body inside the connector housing. 
         FIG. 22  is a rear view illustrating the slider permanently fitted on the terminal body. 
         FIG. 23  is a rear view of a terminal body according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 24  is a rear view of a terminal body according to a third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment according to the technology described herein will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 22 . A connector  10  according to this embodiment holds female terminals  12  (an example of a terminal) connected to ends of electric wires  11 . In the following description, a Z arrow, a Y arrow, and an X arrow point an upper side, a front side, and a left side, respectively. For components having the same configuration, some of the components may be indicated by reference signs and the rest of the components may not be indicated by the reference signs. 
     Electric Wire  11  As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the electric wires  11  include core wires  13  covered with insulating sheaths  14  that are made of synthetic resin having insulating properties. End sections of the insulating sheaths  14  are stripped and the core wires  13  are exposed. Each of the core wires  13  in this embodiment is a single metal wire, that is, a single core wire. The core wire  13  may be a twisted wire including multiple fine metal wires that are twisted together. The metal of the core wire  13  may be copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, or any other metals selected where appropriate. The core wire  13  in this embodiment is made of copper or copper alloy. 
     Female Terminal  12   
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 to 7 , the female terminals  12  include terminal bodies  15  and sliders  16 . The terminal bodies  15  are made of metal. The sliders  16  are slidable relative to the respective terminal bodies  15 . 
     Terminal Body  15  Each terminal body  15  is formed in a predefined shape by a known method including pressing, cutting, and casting. The terminal body  15  may be made of metal selected from any metals where appropriate such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel. The terminal body  15  in this embodiment is made of copper or copper alloy. A plated layer may be formed on a surface of the terminal body  15 . The plated layer may be made of metal selected from any metals where appropriate such as tin, nickel, and silver. A tin plated layer is formed on the terminal body  15  in this embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 10 , the terminal bodies  15  include connecting tube portions  17 , upper connecting pieces  18 A (an example of a connecting piece), and lower connecting pieces  18 B (an example of a connecting piece). Mating male terminals (not illustrated) are inserted in the connecting tube portions  17 . The upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting pieces  18 B extend from rear ends of the connecting tube portions  17 . Each connecting tube portion  17  has a rectangular tube shape extending in the front-rear direction. The connecting tube portions  17  include front ends that have openings through which the mating male terminals are inserted. 
     Flexible connecting pieces  19  are disposed inside the connecting tube portions  17  (see  FIG. 2 ). The flexible connecting pieces  19  extend inward in the connecting tube portions  17 . The flexible connecting pieces  19  are elastically deformable. The male terminals inserted in the connecting tube portions  17  contact the flexible connecting pieces  19 . 
     The terminal bodies  15  include core wire receiving portions  20  behind the connecting tube portions  17 . Each core wire receiving portion  20  has a rectangular tube shape. The core wires  13  are inserted in the core wire receiving portions  20 . The upper connecting pieces  18 A extend rearward from rear ends of upper walls of the core wire receiving portions  20 . The lower connecting pieces  18 B extend rearward from rear ends of lower walls of the core wire receiving portions  20 . The upper connecting pieces  18 A and the lower connecting pieces  18 B have elongated shapes extending in the front-rear direction (an example of an extending direction). Lengths of each upper connecting piece  18 A and each lower connecting piece  18 B measuring in the front-rear direction are about equal to each other. 
     Upper Connecting Piece  18 A 
     Each upper connecting piece  18 A is formed to be elastically deformable in the top-bottom direction with the rear end of the core wire receiving portion  20  as a support point. The lower surfaces of the upper connecting pieces  18 A are defined as upper contact surfaces  21 A (an example of a contact surface) that contact the core wires  13 . Upper holding protrusions  23 A protrude downward from the upper contact surfaces  21 A of the upper connecting pieces  18 A. Each upper holding protrusion  23 A is located at a position slightly more to the front than the rear end. 
     The upper surfaces of the upper connecting pieces  18 A are defined as upper receiving surfaces  50 A (an example of a receiving surface). Upper abutting portions  25 A, which will be described later, abut against the upper receiving surfaces  50 A from above. The upper receiving surfaces  50 A of the upper connecting pieces  18 A include upper protrusions MA (an example of a protrusion) that protrude upward (in a direction from the upper contact surface  21 A toward the upper receiving surface  50 A). The upper protrusions  51 A in this embodiment include convex surfaces that are curved in a direction from the upper contact surfaces  21 A toward the upper receiving surfaces  50 A. 
     A curvature of each upper protrusion  51 A on the upper receiving surface  50 A of each upper connecting piece  18 A is defined to continuously change from a base end of the upper connecting piece  18 A to a distal end of the upper connecting piece  18 A. In this embodiment, the curvature of the upper protrusion  51 A is the smallest at a border between the core wire receiving portion  20  and the upper connecting piece  18 A (at the base end) and the largest at the rear end of the upper connecting piece  18 A (at the distal end). 
     The upper contact surfaces  21 A of the upper connecting pieces  18 A include upper recesses  52 A that are recessed in a direction from the upper contact surfaces  21 A toward the upper receiving surfaces  50 A. The upper recesses  52 A extend in the front-rear direction. A curvature of each upper recess  52 A is defined such that the curvature continuously changes from the base end of each upper contact piece  18 A to the distal end of the upper contact piece  18 A. In this embodiment, the curvature of each upper recess  52 A is the smallest at the border between the core wire receiving portion  20  and the upper connecting piece  18 A (at the base end) and the largest at the rear end of the upper connecting piece  18 A (at the distal end). 
     Each upper connecting piece  18 A has an overall shape formed by curving an elongated metal plate extending in the front-rear direction such that a center in the right-left direction is the highest and right and left edges are lowered. 
     Lower Connecting Piece  18 B 
     Each lower connecting piece  18 B is formed to be elastically deformable in the top-bottom direction with the rear end of the core wire receiving portion  20  as a support point. The upper surfaces of the lower connecting pieces  18 B are defined as lower contact surfaces  21 B (an example of a contact surface) that contact the core wires  13 , respectively. Lower holding protrusions  23 B protrude upward at the rear ends of the lower contact surfaces  21 B of the lower connecting pieces  18 B. Each lower holding protrusion  23 B is shifted from the corresponding upper holding protrusion  23 A in the front-rear direction. 
     The lower surfaces of the lower connecting pieces  18 B are defined as lower receiving surfaces  50 B (an example of a receiving surface). Lower abutting portions  25 B, which will be described later, abut against the lower receiving surfaces  50 B from below. The lower receiving surfaces  50 B of the lower connecting pieces  18 B include lower protrusions  51 B (an example of a protrusion) that protrude downward (in a direction from the lower contact surfaces  21 B toward the lower receiving surfaces  50 B). The lower protrusions  51 B in this embodiment include convex surfaces that are curved in a direction from the lower contact surfaces  21 B toward the lower receiving surfaces  50 B. 
     A curvature of each lower protrusion  51 B on the lower receiving surface  50 B of each lower connecting piece  18 B is defined such that the curvature continuously changes from a base end of the lower connecting piece  18 B to a distal end of the lower connecting piece  18 B. In this embodiment, the curvature of the lower protrusion  51 B is the smallest at a border between the core wire receiving portion  20  and the lower connecting piece  18 B (at the base end) and the largest at the rear end of the lower connecting piece  18 B (at the distal end). 
     The lower contact surfaces  21 B of the lower connecting pieces  18 B include lower recesses  52 B that are recessed in a direction from the lower contact surfaces  21 B toward the lower receiving surfaces  50 B. The lower recesses  52 B extend in the front-rear direction. A curvature of each lower recess  52 B is defined such that the curvature continuously changes from the base end of the lower contact piece  18 B to the distal end of each lower contact piece  18 B. In this embodiment, the curvature of each lower recess  52 B is the smallest at the border between the core wire receiving portion  20  and the lower connecting piece  18 B (at the base end) and the largest at the rear end of the lower connecting piece  18 B (at the distal end). 
     Each lower connecting piece  18 B has an overall shape formed by curving an elongated metal plate extending in the front-rear direction such that a center in the right-left direction is the lowest and right and left edges are raised. 
     When the core wires  13  contact the upper contact surfaces  21 A of the upper connecting pieces  18 A and the lower contact surfaces  21 B of the lower connecting pieces  18 B, the core wires  13  are electrically connected to the terminal bodies  15  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Terminal Window  24   
     The terminal bodies  15  include terminal windows  24  more to the rear than the connecting tube portions  17  but more to the front than the core wire receiving portions  20 . The terminal windows  24  open upward. Front ends of the core wires are detectable from the outside when the core wires  13  are disposed in spaces between the upper connecting pieces  18 A and the lower connecting pieces  18 B. The expression “detectable from the outside” means that, for example, the front ends of the core wires  13  are viewable from the outside by an operator, detectable by a camera (not illustrated) from the outside, or electrically detectable by a probe (not illustrated) from the outside. 
     Slider  16   
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 to 13 , each slider  16  has a rectangular tube shape extending in the front-rear direction. The sliders  16  may be formed by a known method including cutting, casting, and pressing. The sliders  16  may be made of metal selected from any metal where appropriate such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel. The sliders  16  in this embodiment may be made of copper or copper alloy. Plated layers may be formed on surfaces of the sliders  16 . The plated layers may be made of metal selected from any metals where appropriate such as tin, nickel, and sliver. The sliders  16  in this embodiment are plated with tin. 
     Each slider  16  has a cross-sectional shape equal to or slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of a section of the corresponding terminal body  15  including the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B. Therefore, the slider  16  is fitted on the section of the terminal body  15  including the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B. 
     The upper abutting portions  25 A (an example of an abutting portion) protrude downward from the lower surfaces of upper walls of the sliders  16 . The lower abutting portions  25 B (an example of an abutting portion) protrude upward from the upper surfaces of lower walls of the sliders  16 . 
     Sidewalls of the sliders  16  include temporary holding portions  26  having openings. The sidewalls of the slides  16  further include permanent holding portions  27  having openings. The permanent holding portions  27  are located more to the rear than the temporary holding portion  26 . Fitting projections  28  on the sidewalls of the terminal bodies  15  can be elastically fitted in the temporary holding portions  26  or the permanent holding portions  27 . 
     When the fitting projections  28  of the terminal bodies  15  are fitted in the temporary holding portions  26 , the sliders  16  are held at temporary holding positions relative to the terminal bodies  15 . At the positions, the upper abutting portions  25 A and the lower abutting portions  25 B of the sliders  16  are at separate positions more to the rear than the rear edges of the upper connecting pieces  18 A and the lower connecting pieces  18 B of the terminal bodies  15 . Further, at this position, a distance between each upper connecting piece  18 A and the corresponding lower connecting piece  18 B is larger than a diameter of the corresponding core wire  13 . 
     When the fitting projections  28  of the terminal bodies  15  are fitted in the permanent holding portions  27 , the sliders  16  are held at permanent holding positions relative to the terminal bodies  15 . At the positions, the upper abutting portions  25 A of the sliders  16  contact surfaces of the upper connecting pieces  18 A of the corresponding terminal bodies  15  on an opposite side from the upper contact surfaces  21 A (on an upper side). Further, the lower abutting portions  25 B of the sliders  16  contact surfaces of the lower connecting pieces  18 B of the corresponding terminal bodies  15  on an opposite side from the lower contact surfaces  21 B (on a lower side). Positions at which the sliders  16  are permanently fitted on the terminal bodies  15  are defined as contact positions at which the upper abutting portions  25 A contact the upper connecting pieces  18 A and the lower abutting portions  25 B contact the lower connecting pieces  18 B. 
     Each slider  16  is slidable between the temporary fitting holding position and the permanent holding position when the slider  16  is fitted on the section of the terminal body  15  including the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B. In this embodiment, the fitting projection  28  of each terminal body  15  functions as a permanent fitting portion and a temporary fitting portion. 
     When the slider  16  is held at the permanent holding position relative to the terminal body  15 , the upper abutting portion  25 A contacts the upper surface of the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower abutting portion  25 B contacts the lower surface of the lower connecting piece  18 B. 
     When the slider  16  is held at the permanent holding position relative to the terminal body  15 , the upper abutting portion  25 A presses the upper connecting piece  18 A from above and the upper connecting piece  18 A elastically deforms downward. When the lower abutting portion  25 B presses the lower connecting piece  18 B from below, the lower connecting piece  18 B elastically deforms upward. When the core wire  13  is disposed in the space between the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B to extend in the front-rear direction (the extending direction) and the slider  16  is held at the permanent holding position relative to the terminal body  15 , the core wire  13  is sandwiched between the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B that are elastically deformed in the top-bottom direction. Namely, the upper connecting piece  18 A contacts the core wire  13  from above when the upper connecting piece  18 A is pressed downward by the upper abutting portion  25 A. The lower connecting piece  18 B contacts the core wire  13  from below when the lower connecting piece  18 A is pressed upward by the lower abutting portion  25 B. 
     When the slider  16  is held at the permanent holding position relative to the terminal body  15 , the upper holding projection  23 A of the upper connecting piece  18 A presses the core wire  13  from above and the lower holding protrusion  23 B of the lower connecting piece  18 B presses the core wire  13  from below. The core wire  13  is pressed by the upper holding projection  23 A from above and by the lower holding projection  23 B, which is at a position shifted from the upper holding protrusion  23 A in the front-rear direction, from below. As a result, the core wire  13  remains bent in the top-bottom direction (a direction crossing the extending direction). The female terminal  12  is electrically connected to the core wire  13  via the upper holding projection  23 A and the lower holding projection  23 B. 
     The sliders  16  include jig contact portions  46  that protrude upward from the upper walls at the front ends of the sliders  16 . When a jig  45  contacts each jig contact portion  46  from the rear and the slider  16  is pushed forward by the jig  45 , the slider  16  moves forward (see  FIG. 20 ). The jig  45  has an elongated plate shape or a rod shape. The jig  45  is made of a known material such as metal and synthetic resin. The jig  45  is relatively smaller than a die or equipment for moving the die. Therefore, an increase in cost related to the jig  45  is suppressed. 
     Each slider  16  includes a pair of guiding portions  47  that protrudes inward from right and left walls of the slider  16 , respectively, at positions closer to the rear edge of the slider  16 . Each of the guiding portions  47  has a width that decreases from the rear to the front. As the core wire  13  is rubbed against inner surfaces of the guiding portions  47 , the core wire  13  is guided to an inner side of the slider  16 . 
     Connector  10   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the connector  10  includes a connector housing  30  and a rear holder  31 . The connector housing  30  includes multiple cavities  29  for holding the female terminals  12 . The rear holder  31  is attached to a rear end of the connector housing  30 . 
     Connector Housing  30   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the connector housing  30  has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is flattened in the top-bottom direction and elongated in the right-left direction. The connector housing  30  is formed from a synthetic resin having insulating properties by injection molding. The connector housing  30  includes the cavities  29  that extend in the front-rear direction for holding the male terminals  12  therein. The cavities  29  are separated from each other in the right-left direction and parallel to each other. The cavities  29  are arranged on two levels. The cavities  29  on an upper level and the cavities  29  on a lower level are shifted in the top-bottom direction. The number of the cavities  29  is not limited to any specific number. The number of the levels is not limited to two. 
     The cavities  29  have openings at the front ends through which male terminals can be inserted. The cavities  29  have openings at the rear ends through which the female terminals  12  can be received from the rear. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , connector windows  33  are provided at positions corresponding to the terminal windows  24  of the female terminals  12  when the female terminals  12  are held in the cavities  29 . The connector windows  33  are drilled through walls that define the cavities  29 . With the connector windows  33 , the terminals windows  24  communicate with the outside. The terminal windows  24  of the female terminals  12  can be detectable from the outside through the connector windows  33 . Through the connector windows  33  and the terminal windows  24 , the front ends of the core wires  13  are detectable from the outside. 
     The connector housing  30  includes a dividing wall  34  that separates the upper level of the cavities  29  from the lower level of the cavities  29 . The dividing wall  34  extends rearward from the rear ends of the cavities  29 . The dividing wall  34  includes an upper surface and a lower surface from which partitions  35  protrude in the top-bottom direction. The partitions  35  are elongated in the front-rear direction. With the partitions  35 , the female terminals  12  in the cavities that are adjacent to each other in the right-left direction are electrically isolated from each other. 
     The connector housing  30  includes temporary holding locks  36  that protrude outward from the right walls and the left walls, respectively, at positions closer to the rear end. Permanent holding locks  37  protrude outward from the right walls and the left walls, respectively, at positions more to the front than the temporary holding locks  36 . 
     Rear Holder  31   
     The rear holder  31  has a box shape with an opening on the front side. The rear holder  31  is formed from a synthetic resin having insulating properties by injection molding. The rear holder  31  is fitted on a rear half of the connector housing  30 . The rear holder  31  includes lock receiving portions  38  in a right wall and a left wall at positions closer to a front end. The temporary holding locks  36  or the permanent holding locks  37  may be elastically fitted in the lock receiving portions  38 . Each of the lock receiving portions  38  has a rectangular U shape. 
     When the temporary holding locks  36  of the connector housing  30  are fitted in the lock receiving portions  38  of the rear holder  31 , the rear holder  31  is held at a temporary holding position relative to the connector housing  30 . When the permanent holding locks  37  of the connector housing are fitted in the lock receiving portions  38 , the rear holder  31  is held at a permanent holding position relative to the connector housing  30 . 
     The rear holder  31  includes insertion holes  39  in which the electric wires  11  are inserted. The insertion holes  39  are separated from each other in the right-left direction and parallel to each other. The insertion holes  39  are arranged on two levels. The insertion holes  39  are located corresponding to the cavities  29  of the connector housing  30 . 
     An inner diameter of each insertion hole  39  is equal to or slightly larger than an outer diameter of the insulating sheath  14  of each electric wire  11 . 
     The rear holder  31  includes a hood portion  41  in which the connector housing  30  is fitted. The hood portion  41  has an opening on the front side. The rear holder  31  includes two projections walls  42 A and  42 B that project forward in the hood portion  41  at about the middle of the rear hood holder  31  in the top-bottom direction and a the rear end of the hood portion  41 . The projection walls  42 A and  42 B are separated from each other in the top-bottom direction. A distance between the projection walls  42 A and  42 B in the top-bottom direction is equal to or slightly larger than a thickness of the dividing wall  34  of the connector housing  30  measuring in the top-bottom direction. 
     When the rear holder  31  is held at the temporary holding position relative to the connector housing  30 , the projecting walls  42 A and  42 B of the rear holder  31  are located more to the rear than the rear edge of the dividing wall  34  of the connector housing  30 . When the rear holder  31  is held at the permanent holding position relative to the connector housing  30 , the dividing wall  34  of the connector housing  30  is fitted between the projecting walls  42 A and  42 B of the rear holder  31 . According to the configuration, the rear holder  31  is less likely to be displaced in the top-bottom direction relative to the connector housing  30 . 
     An inner wall of the hood portion  41  includes a section slightly more to the rear than the front edge of the hood portion  41  thinner than other sections. According to the configuration, the inner wall of the hood portion  41  includes a step between the section closer to the front edge and a rear section. The step is defined as a slider abutting portion  43  that abuts against the rear ends  44  of the sliders  16  from the rear when the rear holder  31  is moved from the temporary holding position to the permanent holding position relative to the connector housing  30 . 
     Assembling of Connector  10   
     Next, assembling of the connector  10  according to this embodiment will be described. Steps of the assembling of the connector  10  are not limited to those described below. 
     The terminal bodies  15  and the sliders  16  are formed by know methods. Each slider  16  is attached to the corresponding terminal body  15  from the rear. The front end of the slider  16  contacts the fitting projection  28  of the terminal body  15  from the rear and the sidewall of the slider  16  expands outward. When the slider  16  is pushed forward, the sidewall of the slider  16  is restored and the fitting projection  28  is fitted in the temporary holding portion  26  of the slider  16 . As a result, the slider  16  is held at the temporary holding position relative to the terminal body  15 . Each female terminal  12  (see  FIG. 3 ) is prepared as above. 
     The connector housing  30  and the rear holder  31  are prepared from the synthetic resin by injection molding. The female terminals  12  are inserted into the cavities  29  of the connector housing  30 , respectively, from the rear (see  FIGS. 15 and 16 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the rear holder  31  is attached to the rear end portion of the connector housing  30  from the rear. The front end of the rear holder  31  contacts the temporary holding locks  36  of the connector housing  30  from the rear and the front end of the rear holder  31  expands outward. The rear holder  31  is pushed forward, the front end of the rear holder  31  is restored and the temporary holding locks  36  of the connector housing  30  are elastically fitted in the lock receiving portions  38  of the rear holder  31 . As a result, the rear holder  31  is held at the temporary holding position relative to the connector housing  30 . At the position, the slider abutting portion  43  of the rear holder  31  is separated from the rear edges of the sliders  16  and located more to the rear than the rear edges. 
     The section of the insulating sheath  14  at the end of each electric wire  11  is stripped so that a section of each core wire  13  with a predefined length is exposed. The front end of the core wire  13  is inserted in the corresponding insertion hole  39  in the rear end portion of the rear holder  31 . 
     When the electric wire  11  is pushed farther forward, the front end of the core wire  13  projects forward from the insertion hole  39  of the rear holder  31  and is guided to the inside of the slider  16  via the rear end  44  of the slider  16 . As the core wire  13  contacts the guiding portion  47  of the slider  16 , the core wire  13  is guided into the slider  16 . When the electric wire  11  is pushed farther forward, the front end of the core wire  13  enters into the terminal body  15  and then into the space between the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B. 
     When the electric wire  11  is pushed farther forward, the front end of the core wire  13  reaches below the terminal window  24  of the terminal body  15  (see  FIG. 20 ). The front end of the core wire  13  is detectable by viewing or with a probe in the terminal window  24  that is viewable through the connector window  33 . At this position, the insulating sheath  14  of the electric wire  11  is located within the insertion hole  39  of the rear holder  31 . 
     When the slider  16  is held at the temporary holding position relative to the terminal body  15  and the rear holder  31  is held at the temporary holding position relative to the connector housing  30 , the distance between the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B is larger than the outer diameter of the core wire  13 . Therefore, the core wire  13  is less likely to rub against the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B during insertion of the core wire  13  into the connector  10 . Namely, the electric wire  11  can be inserted into the connector with a reduced force. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the jig  45  is place to contact the jig contact portion  46  from the rear and the slider  16  is slid forward relative to the terminal body  15 . The holding projection  28  of the terminal body  15  is removed from the temporary holding portion  26  of the slider  16  and the sidewall of the slider  16  is against the holding projection  28 . The sidewall of the slider  16  expands outward. 
     When the slider  16  is moved farther forward, the sidewall of the slider  16  is restored and the holding projection of the terminal body  15  is elastically fitted in the permanent holding portion  27  of the slider  16 . As a result, the slider  16  is held at the permanent holding position relative to the terminal body  15 . 
     When the slider  16  is held at the permanent holding position relative to the terminal body  15 , the upper abutting portion  25 A of the slider  16  contacts the upper connecting piece  18 A of the terminal body  15  from above and presses the upper abutting portion  25 A downward. Further, the lower abutting portion  25 B of the slider  16  contacts the lower connecting piece  18 B of the terminal body  15  from below and presses the lower abutting portion  25 B upward. As a result, the core wire  13  is sandwiched between the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B in the top-bottom direction. With the core wire  13  contacting the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B, the electric wire  11  is electrically connected to the female terminal  12  (see  FIG. 21 ). 
     When the core wire  13  is sandwiched between the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B in the top-bottom direction, the core wire  13  is held to extend in the front-rear direction and bent in the top-bottom direction because the core wire  13  is sandwiched between the upper holding projection  23 A of the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower holding projection  23 B of the lower connecting piece  18 B. Because the core wire  13  is tightly held, the connection between the electric wire  11  and the female terminal  12  is less likely to lose even if the electric wire  11  is pulled. 
     Next, the rear holder  31  is moved forward. The front end of the rear holder  31  is against the permanent holding lock  37  of the connector housing  30  and thus the front end expands. When the rear holder  31  is pushed forward, the front end of the rear holder  31  passes over the permanent holding lock  37 . The front end is restored and the permanent holding lock  37  of the connector housing  30  is fitted in the lock receiving portion  38  of the rear holder  31 . As a result, the rear holder  31  is held at the permanent holding position relative to the connecting housing  30  (see  FIGS. 1  and  2 ). 
     During the moving of the slider  16  to the permanent holding position, the slider  16  may stop between the temporary holding position and the permanent holding position. In this condition, the core wire  13  is not able to establish sufficient electrical connection with the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B. This is because the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B do not sufficiently press the core wire  13 . If the rear holder  31  is moved from the temporary holding position to the permanent holding position under this condition, the slider abutting portion  43  of the rear holder  31  contacts the rear end  44  of the slider  16  and thus the rear holder  31  cannot move to the permanent holding position. Whether the slider  16  is moved to the permanent holding position is determined based on the condition. 
     Operation and Effect of the Embodiment 
     Next, operation and effect of the embodiment will be described. As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , according to this embodiment, the upper abutting portion  25 A of the slider  16  contacts the upper protrusion MA of the upper connecting piece  18 A. The lower abutting portion  25 B of the slider  16  contacts the lower protrusion MB of the lower connecting piece  18 B. The contact area between the upper abutting portion  25 A and the upper receiving surface  50 A of the upper connecting piece  18 A and the contact area between lower abutting portion  25 B and the lower receiving surface  50 B of the lower connecting piece  18 B can be reduced in comparison to a configuration that does not include the upper protrusion MA and the lower protrusion MB. Therefore, a force for moving the slider  16  forward along the extending direction can be reduced. Buckling of the upper connecting piece  18 A or the lower connecting piece  18 B due to pressing by the slider  16  in the extending direction can be reduced. 
     In this configuration, the upper protrusion  51 A incudes the convex surface that is curved in the direction from the upper contact surface  21 A toward the upper receiving surface  50 A (in the direction from the bottom toward the top). The lower protrusion  51 B incudes the convex surface that is curved in the direction from the lower contact surface  21 B toward the lower receiving surface  50 B (in the direction from the top toward the bottom). According to the configuration, even if the terminal body  15  is displaced from a defined position relative to the slider  16 , the contact area between the upper abutting portion  25 A and the upper protrusion  51 A is still small and the contact area between the lower butting portion  25 B and the lower protrusion  51 B is still small. Because precise relative positional alignment is not required for the terminal body  15  and the slider  16 , a production cost of the female terminals  12  can be reduced. 
     In this configuration, the curvatures of the upper protrusion  51 A and the lower protrusion  51 B at the distal end portions of the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B are defined larger that the curvatures of the upper protrusion  51 A and the lower protrusion  51 B at the base end portions of the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B. 
     According to the configuration, the sections of the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B closer to the base end portions are less likely to deform in comparison to the sections closer to the distal end portions. Therefore, buckling of the sections of the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B closer to the base end portions can be reduced. 
     In this embodiment, the upper contact surface  21 A includes the upper recess  52 A that is recessed in the direction from the upper contact surface  21 A toward the upper receiving surface  50 A (in the direction from the bottom toward the top). The upper recess  52 A extends in the front-rear direction. The lower contact surface  21 B includes the lower recess  52 B that is recessed in a direction from the lower contact surface  21 B toward the lower receiving surface SOB (in the direction from the top toward the bottom). The lower recess  52 B extends in the front-rear direction. According to the configuration, the electric wire  11  is less likely to be removed from the upper contact surface  21 A and the lower contact surface  21 B. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a second embodiment of the technology described herein will be described with reference to  FIG. 23 . This embodiment includes terminals bodies  64 . The terminal bodies  64  include upper connecting pieces  60 A each having a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The upper connecting pieces  60 A bend such that the middle thereof in the right-left direction are at the highest when viewed from the rear. Upper receiving surfaces  61 A on the upper connecting pieces  60 A include upper ridge sections  62 A (an example of a ridge section) that extend in the front-rear direction. 
     Lower connecting pieces  60 B each having a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The lower connecting pieces  60 B bend such that the middle thereof in the right-left direction are at the lowest when viewed from the rear. Lower receiving surfaces  61 B at the bottom of the lower connecting pieces  60 B include lower ridge sections  62 B (an example of a ridge section) that extend in the front-rear direction. 
     Other configurations of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment. The components that are the same as the components of the first embodiment will be indicated by the same reference signs and will not be described. 
     In this embodiment, the upper abutting portions  25 A of the sliders  16  contact the upper ridge sections  62 A of upper protrusions  63 A of the upper connecting pieces  60 A from above. The lower abutting portions  25 B of the sliders  16  contact the lower ridge sections  62 B of lower protrusions  63 B of the upper connecting pieces  60 A from below. According to the configuration, a contact area between each upper abutting portion  25 A and the corresponding upper receiving surface  61 A and a contact area between each lower abutting portion  25 B and the corresponding lower receiving surface  61 B can be reduced. When the upper connecting pieces  60 A and the lower connecting pieces  60 B are pressed by the sliders  16  in the front-rear direction (the extending direction), buckling of the upper connecting pieces  60 A and the lower connecting pieces  60 B can be reduced. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A third embodiment of the technology described herein will be described with reference to  FIG. 24 . This embodiment includes terminal bodies  74  that include upper connecting pieces  70 A. Each of the upper connecting pieces  70 A has a plate shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction. Each upper connecting piece  70 A includes a middle portion that protrudes upward, when viewed from the rear, at the middle in the right-left direction. An upper surface of each upper connecting piece  70 A includes an upper receiving surface  71 A that includes an upper convex section  73 A extending in the front-rear direction. 
     The terminal bodies  74  include lower connecting pieces  70 B. Each of the lower connecting pieces  70 B has a plate shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction. Each lower connecting piece  70 B includes a middle portion that protrudes downward, when viewed from the rear, at the middle in the right-left direction. A lower surface of each lower connecting piece  70 B includes a lower receiving surface  71 B that includes a lower convex section  73 B extending in the front-rear direction. 
     Configurations other than those described above are the same as those of the first embodiment. The same components as those of the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference symbols as those in the first embodiment and will not be repeatedly described. 
     According to this embodiment, the upper abutting portions  25 A on the sliders  16  contact the upper protrusions  73 A of the upper connecting pieces  70 A from above. The lower abutting portions  25 B on the sliders  16  contact the lower protrusions  73 B of the lower connecting pieces  70 B from below. According to the configuration, the contact area between each upper abutting portion  25 A and the corresponding upper receiving surface  71 A and the contact area between the lower abutting portion  25 B and the lower receiving surface  71 B can be reduced. Therefore, the upper connecting pieces  70 A and the lower connecting pieces  70 B are less likely to buckle when pressed by the sliders  16  in the front-rear direction (the extending direction). 
     Other Embodiments 
     The technology disclosed herein is not limited to the embodiment described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments will be included in the technical scope of the technology. 
     (1) In the first embodiment, the upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower connecting piece  18 B are provided for each terminal body  15 . However, only one connecting piece may be provided for each terminal body  15  or three or more connecting pieces may be provided for each terminal body  15 . 
     (2) In the first embodiment, the female terminals  12  are provided. However, male terminals or ring terminals including round plate terminals with bolt insertion holes may be provided instead of the female terminals  12 . 
     (3) One of or both of the upper contact surface  21 A of each upper connecting piece  18 A and the lower contact surface  21 B of each lower connecting piece  18 B may include serration including recesses or protrusions. 
     (4) In the first embodiment, the terminal bodies  15  include the terminal windows  24  and the connector housing  30  includes the connector windows  33 . However, the terminal windows  24  may be omitted. Further, the connector windows  33  may be omitted. 
     (5) In the first embodiment, the sliders  16  include the guiding portions  47 . However, the guiding portions  47  may be omitted. 
     (6) In the first embodiment, the cavities  29  are arranged on two levels. However, the cavities  29  may be arranged on one level or three or more levels. 
     (7) In the first embodiment, the sliders  16  are made of metal. However, the sliders  16  may be made of any material such as synthetic resin and ceramic. 
     (8) In the first embodiment, the upper connecting pieces  18 A and the lower connecting pieces  18 B are elastically deformable. However, the upper connecting pieces  18 A and the lower connecting pieces  18 B may be plastically deformable. 
     (9) In the first embodiment, the electric wires  11  are the covered electric wires including the core wires  13  and the insulating sheaths  14  covering the core wires  13 . However, the electric wires  11  may be bare wires. 
     (10) In the first embodiment, each slider  16  has the rectangular tube shape. However, each slider  16  may have a round tube shape, a triangular tube shape, a pentagonal tube shape, a hexagonal tube shape, or any other polygonal tube shape. 
     (11) In the first embodiment, the jig  45  is pressed against the jig contact portions  46  of the sliders  16  from the rear and pushed forward to slide the sliders  16  forward. However, the rear holder  31  may be moved from the temporary holding position to the permanent holding position so that the slider abutting portion  43  of the rear holder  31  is pressed against the rear ends of the sliders  16  and then the rear holder  31  is pushed forward to slide the sliders  16  forward. 
     DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 
     
         
         
           
               11 : Electric wire 
               12 : Female terminal (an example of a terminal) 
               15 ,  64 ,  74 : Terminal body 
               16 : Slider 
               18 A,  60 A,  70 A: Upper connecting piece (an example of a connecting piece) 
               18 B,  60 B,  70 B: Lower connecting piece (an example of a connecting piece) 
               21 A: Upper contact surface (an example of contact surface) 
               21 B: Lower contact surface (an example of contact surface) 
               25 A: Upper abutting portion (an example of an abutting portion) 
               25 B: Lower abutting portion (an example of an abutting portion) 
               50 A,  61 A,  71 A: Upper receiving surface (an example of a receiving surface) 
               50 B,  61 B,  71 B: Lower receiving surface (an example of a receiving surface) 
               51 A,  63 A: Upper protrusion (an example of a protrusion) 
               51 B,  63 B: Lower protrusion (an example of a protrusion) 
               52 A: Upper recess (an example of a recess) 
               52 B: Lower recess (an example of a recess) 
               62 A: Upper ridge section (an example of a ridge section) 
               62 B: Lower ridge section (an example of a ridge section)