Connector

Abstract

A connector 10 includes a male connector housing 14 having a retaining projection 19, a female connector housing 17 having an elastic lock arm 28 which is brought into retaining engagement with the retaining projection 19 when the male connector housing 14 is inserted and fitted into the female connector housing, and a fitting-ensuring member 13 which is brought into engagement with the elastic lock arm 28, retainingly engaged with the retaining projection 19, to hold the elastic lock arm 28 against elastic deformation. An abutment portion 38 is formed at one of the female connector housing 17 and the fitting-ensuring member 13, and during the movement of the fitting-ensuring member 13, the abutment portion 38 causes the fitting-ensuring member 13 to drop into the elastic lock arm 28.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1, showing a fitting-ensuring member in a provisionally-retained condition.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1, showing a first half of a process of shifting of the fitting-ensuring member from the provisionally-retained condition to a completely-retained condition.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an important portion, showing a second half of the shifting process of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1, showing the fitting-ensuring member in the completely-retained condition.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional connector.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: a male connector housing having a retaining projection;a female connector housing having an elastic lock arm which is brought into retaining engagement with said retaining projection of said male connector housing when said male connector housing is inserted and fitted into said female connector housing; anda fitting-ensuring member which is brought into engagement with said elastic lock arm, retainingly engaged with said retaining projection, to hold said elastic lock arm against elastic deformation;wherein said female connector housing includes a hood portion disposed outwardly of said elastic lock arm, and a guide for supporting said fitting-ensuring member in a manner to enable a movement of said fitting-ensuring member; andan abutment portion is formed at one of said hood portion and said fitting-ensuring member, and during the movement of said fitting-ensuring member through said guide, said abutment portion abuts against a distal end portion of said fitting-ensuring member to cause said fitting-ensuring member to drop into said elastic lock arm.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein said elastic lock arm has a lock portion for retaining engagement with said retaining projection of said male connector housing, and said fitting-ensuring member has an engagement portion for engagement with said lock portion of said elastic lock arm, and when said engagement portion of said fitting-ensuring member is to be brought into engagement with said lock portion of said elastic lock arm through said abutment portion, said fitting-ensuring member slides past said retaining projection and said lock portion.