Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Metallic connector or contact secured to insulation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-07-17
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Metallic connector or contact secured to insulation
C439S733100, C439S595000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261133
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector with a terminal fitting and a retainer to prevent removal of the terminal fitting.
2. Description of the Related Art
A prior art connector with a retainer to prevent removal of a terminal is disclosed in DE-A-3705739. This prior art connector includes opposite front and rear ends. A terminal is inserted into the rear end of the prior art connector housing, and a retainer is installed into a side of the connector housing. The retainer includes an arm-shaped holding piece, and the holding piece includes a projection. The retainer is held at a predetermined position by mounting the holding piece along an outer surface of the connector housing. In the retainer-mounted state, the projection is locked to the terminal and prevents removal of the terminal.
The holding piece of the retainer of this prior art connector is exposed to the outer surface of the connector housing. Thus, there is a possibility that component parts may interfere with the holding piece. Additionally, the projection that prevents removal of the terminal is formed at the front end of the holding piece. Therefore, the interference from the component parts can affect the removal projection. In this case, there is a possibility that the projection may be dislocated in a direction that enables removal from the terminal. Thus, the prior art connector is not reliable in this respect.
To solve the above-described problem, it is conceivable to form the removal prevention projection independently of the holding piece. The removal prevention projection then could be fit into the connector housing. In this case, the removal prevention projection would project in the direction in which it is assembled on the connector housing, similarly to the holding piece. However, such a configuration may cause the holding piece to be deformed or damaged when the front end of the holding piece strikes against the outer surface of the prior art connector housing.
A very thick and wide holding piece could be sufficiently rigid to avoid damage. In this case, however, the holding piece would project significantly from the outer surface of the connector housing, and hence would not comply with a demand for a compact connector.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described situation, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector having an improved operability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention is directed to a connector that prevents a retainer from deforming when the retainer is installed on a connector housing.
According to the invention, there is provided a connector comprising a connector housing into which at least one terminal can be inserted. The connector also includes a retainer that can be installed on the connector housing to prevent removal of the terminal. The retainer has a removal prevention portion that can be inserted into the connector housing and locked to the terminal. A holding piece can be installed on the connector housing to hold the retainer at a predetermined installing position. A guide portion is formed at a front end of the removal prevention portion, and projects forwardly from an extended end of the holding piece in the direction in which the retainer is installed on the connector housing.
According to a preferred embodiment, the holding piece is cantilevered and extends in a direction in which the retainer is installed on the connector housing.
Preferably, the holding piece can be installed along an outer surface of the connector housing.
Most preferably, the at least one terminal can be inserted from a rear side of the connector housing.
According to a further preferred embodiment, there is provided a connector comprising a connector housing with opposite front and rear ends. A terminal may be inserted into the rear end of the connector housing, and a retainer may be installed on a side surface of the connector housing to prevent removal of the terminal. The retainer has a removal prevention portion inserted into the connector housing and locked to the terminal. A holding piece is formed in the shape of a cantilever, and extends in a direction in which the retainer is installed on the connector housing. More particularly, the holding piece is installed along an outer surface of the connector housing, and holds the retainer at a predetermined installing position. A guide portion is formed at a front end of the removal prevention portion and projects forwardly from an extended end of the holding piece in the direction in which the retainer is installed on the connector housing.
A waterproof seal ring may be installed on a periphery of the connector housing, and preferably on a body of the connector housing. The retainer is installed on the connector housing such that a guide portion of the retainer penetrates through the connector housing. In particular, the guide portion projects to a position on the body of the connector housing for preventing removal of the seal ring.
The retainer is installed on the connector housing, by urging the guide portion at the front end of the removal prevention portion into the connector housing before the holding piece reaches the outer surface of the connector housing. In this manner, the removal prevention portion and the holding piece are placed in position. Therefore, the front end of the holding piece does not strike against the outer surface of the connector housing. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the holding piece from being deformed or damaged.
The guide portion of the retainer prevents the removal of the seal ring. Thus, it is possible to use a smaller number of components than a connector that requires a removal prevention means to be separate from the guide portion.
According to the invention, there is further provided a connector comprising a connector housing into which at least one terminal can be inserted. A retainer can be installed on the connector housing to prevent removal of the terminal. The retainer has a removal prevention portion that can be inserted into the connector housing and locked to the terminal by means of at least one locking portion. The locking portion comprises a guide surface arranged at an angle different from 0° or 180° with respect to an insertion/removal direction of the terminal for engaging a receiving surface of the terminal while the retainer is being moved to its locking position. Thus, the retainer presses the terminal in its insertion direction.
According to a preferred embodiment, the retainer can be inserted into a retainer installation hole. The size relationship between the terminal and the cavity is so set that when the terminal reaches a predetermined primary locking position the receiving surface is located inside the retainer installing hole.
Preferably, an inclination range of the terminal on the guide surface of the retainer is set to cover the movable range of the receiving surface based on the accumulated size tolerances of each of the connector housing, the retainer, the terminal and the cavity.
The locking portion preferably comprises a contact surface for engaging the terminal while the retainer is being moved to its locking position and when the terminal is insufficiently inserted, in particular when the receiving surface of the terminal is located rearward from an inclination range the guide surface.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4944688 (1990-07-01), Lundergan
patent: 5167534 (1992-12-01), Ohsumi
patent: 5437565 (1995-08-01), Atsumi et al.
patent: 5464356 (1995-11-01), Nebeshima et al.
patent: 5474477 (1995-12-01), Aoyama
patent: 5516308 (1996-05-01), Yamanashi
patent: 5738551 (1998-04-01), Matsuoka
patent: 5755600 (1998-05-01), Yoshida
patent: 5997364 (1999-12-01), Matsuoka et al.
patent: 6036552 (2000-03-01), Atsumi
patent: 6062906 (2000-05-01), Tanaka
patent: 3705739 (1987-02-01), No
Kubo Akinobu
Vargas Julio Cesar
Bradley Paula
Casella Anthony J.
Hespos Gerald E.
Leon Edwin A.
Porco Michael J.
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