Abstract: A lever (30) can be assembled in either of two postures symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry (19), and the rotating direction of the lever (30) changes depending on the assembling posture. Thus, the rotating direction of the lever (30) can be selected depending on circumstances. A cam follower (52) can enter a cam groove (33) regardless of the posture in which the lever (30) is assembled. The lever (30) can be held at a standby position by a holder (21L, 21R, 22, 34, 36), and the lever (30) can be locked at a connection position by a lock (21L, 21R, 23L, 23R, 39, 41).

Abstract: A lever (40) formed with a cam groove (41) is rotatably mounted and a detecting terminal (60) is mounted in a female housing (10). The detecting terminal (60) contacts contact terminals (98) in the female housing (10) to close a detecting circuit only when the housings (10, 80) are connected properly. A pressing portion (44) projects from part of a cam plate (47) of the lever (40) facing the detecting terminal (60), and keeps pressing the detecting terminal (60) to deform the detecting terminal 60 to a position where the detecting terminal (60) is separated from the contact terminals (98) while the lever (40) is rotated until the housings (10, 80) are connected properly. The pressed state is canceled to enable the detecting terminal (60) to contact the contact terminals (98) when the lever 40 is rotated to a position where the housings (10, 80) are connected properly.

Abstract: A joint connector has a housing (10) with insertion spaces (11) for receiving terminal fittings (20). A joint terminal (30) is mounted in the housing (10) at a first position where the joint terminal (30) is retracted from the insertion spaces (11). The terminal fittings (20) then are inserted into the insertion spaces (11) of the housing (10). The joint terminal (30) then is displaced to a full locking position for contacting and shorting the terminal fittings (20). As a result, the joint terminal (30) does not hinder insertion of the terminal fittings (20). Furthermore, the joint terminal (30) is mounted directly in the housing (10) and does not require a separate holder. Thus, the number of parts is reduced.

Abstract: A lever (40) formed with a cam groove (41) is rotatably mounted and a detecting terminal (60) is mounted in a female housing (10). The detecting terminal (60) contacts contact terminals (98) in the female housing (10) to close a detecting circuit only when the housings (10, 80) are connected properly. A pressing portion (44) projects from part of a cam plate (47) of the lever (40) facing the detecting terminal (60), and keeps pressing the detecting terminal (60) to deform the detecting terminal 60 to a position where the detecting terminal (60) is separated from the contact terminals (98) while the lever (40) is rotated until the housings (10, 80) are connected properly. The pressed state is canceled to enable the detecting terminal (60) to contact the contact terminals (98) when the lever 40 is rotated to a position where the housings (10, 80) are connected properly.

Abstract: A joint connector has a housing (10) with insertion spaces (11) for receiving terminal fittings (20). A joint terminal (30) is mounted in the housing (10) at a first position where the joint terminal (30) is retracted from the insertion spaces (11). The terminal fittings (20) then are inserted into the insertion spaces (11) of the housing (10). The joint terminal (30) then is displaced to a full locking position for contacting and shorting the terminal fittings (20). As a result, the joint terminal (30) does not hinder insertion of the terminal fittings (20). Furthermore, the joint terminal (30) is mounted directly in the housing (10) and does not require a separate holder. Thus, the number of parts is reduced.

Abstract: A lever (30) can be assembled in either of two postures symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry (19), and the rotating direction of the lever (30) changes depending on the assembling posture. Thus, the rotating direction of the lever (30) can be selected depending on circumstances. A cam follower (52) can enter a cam groove (33) regardless of the posture in which the lever (30) is assembled. The lever (30) can be held at a standby position by a holder (21L, 21R, 22, 34, 36), and the lever (30) can be locked at a connection position by a lock (21L, 21R, 23L, 23R, 39, 41).

Abstract: Jigs (26, 30) are provided in a mold (22) for holding a plurality of wires (17a, 17b) in a spaced relationship from a connected position with a ground terminal fitting (10) towards draw-out positions on an outer surface (21) of a resin molding (20). The wires (17a, 17b) are drawn out at spaced apart positions on the outer surface (21) of the molding resin (20). Thus, the molding resin (20) is adhered to the outer surfaces of the wires (17a, 17b) over the entire circumferences. Accordingly, no clearance is left between the wires (17a, 17b) and the molding resin (20), and high waterproof performances can be displayed.

Abstract: Jigs (26, 30) are provided in a mold (22) for holding a plurality of wires (17a, 17b) in a spaced relationship from a connected position with a ground terminal fitting (10) towards draw-out positions on an outer surface (21) of a resin molding (20). The wires (17a, 17b) are drawn out at spaced apart positions on the outer surface (21) of the molding resin (20). Thus, the molding resin (20) is adhered to the outer surfaces of the wires (17a, 17b) over the entire circumferences. Accordingly, no clearance is left between the wires (17a, 17b) and the molding resin (20), and high waterproof performances can be displayed.

Abstract: A frame (10) has accommodating chambers (18) and auxiliary housings (30) are inserted into the accommodating chambers (18) from behind. An identifying portion (33) is formed at a side surface of the rear end of each auxiliary housing (30). The identifying portions (33) are aligned vertically along a side edge (10R) of the rear surface of the frame (10) if all auxiliary housings (30) are inserted properly. The identifying portion (33) of an improperly inserted auxiliary housing (30) is at the wrong side, and can be detected. There is no need to make a vertical interval between accommodating chambers (18) larger because the identifying portions (33) are at sides of the auxiliary housings (30). Thus, the height of the frame (10) can be reduced.

Abstract: A frame (10) has accommodating chambers (18) and auxiliary housings (30) are inserted into the accommodating chambers (18) from behind. An identifying portion (33) is formed at a side surface of the rear end of each auxiliary housing (30). The identifying portions (33) are aligned vertically along a side edge (10R) of the rear surface of the frame (10) if all auxiliary housings (30) are inserted properly. The identifying portion (33) of an improperly inserted auxiliary housing (30) is at the wrong side, and can be detected. There is no need to make a vertical interval between accommodating chambers (18) larger because the identifying portions (33) are at sides of the auxiliary housings (30). Thus, the height of the frame (10) can be reduced.

Abstract: A pressure contact terminal fitting 20 is inserted into a terminal housing chamber until it reaches the correct position, whereupon two protruding members 26 and 29 formed on the terminal fitting 20 make contact with corresponding receiving members 18 and 16. In this way, a pushing force exerted by an electric wire on a pressure contact member 24 is resisted by the receiving members 18 and 16. Resistance to bending is increased, and the contact portion opposite the pressure contact member 24 is relieved of axial load during the wire connection step.

Abstract: A female terminal fitting is provided with protection walls 16 to avoid interference of a male terminal fitting M and to guide the male terminal fitting M to a proper position even if it is obliquely inserted. A tongue 9 is provided at or on the bottom surface of a connecting portion 3 of a female terminal fitting F by being turned inwardly so as to be elastically deformable. Protection walls 16 project from side edges of an opening end of the connecting portion 3 in such a manner as to be opposed to each other. Slanting guide surfaces 17 extending away from each other at upper ends of the protection walls 16. When a male terminal fitting M that is inserted obliquely, is slid upward along the guide surfaces to be guided automatically to a proper position.

Abstract: An improved plate connector avoids misalignment during attachment to a plate. During attachment of a retainer 30 to a housing 10, a plate attachment member 23A is guided by a guiding face 37A and is inserted into a position fixing hole 36A. Misalignment of the plate attachment member 23A after assembly with the retainer 30 is avoided. The plate attachment member 23A fits into an attachment hole H of a plate P smoothly, and damage to the plate attachment member 23A is prevented.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing two surfaces of two elements by a seal member between the two surfaces, wherein the two elements are pressed against each other by a coupling means acting between them and applying a bending moment to at least one of the two elements such that the corresponding surfaces are deformed, the seal member being of varying thicknesses over its length to compensate for the deformation. In an alternative aspect of the Invention, at least one of the two elements is shaped to achieve the compensation so that the sealing force is uniform. Thus, a reduction in the waterproofing function of the sealing assembly, which normally results from the deflection of the housing is prevented.

Abstract: A connector includes a retainer that can be provisionally retained by a connector positioning device. Each retainer is integrally molded on a connector housing through hinge pieces, and can be attached to the connector housing by fitting a guide slot of each of the retaining pieces on a guide projection. Therefore, the retainer can be attached by a pusher that pushes the retainer in a direction perpendicular to the connector housing. At this time, for attaching the retainer to a provisionally-retained position, there is provided a guide for holding the retainer in such a posture that the retainer can be attached in the provisionally-retained position.

Abstract: A connector includes flexible hinge pieces molded of a synthetic resin, wherein each flexible hinge piece is caused to upwardly extend. When each side plate of a retainer is squeezed from above toward the rear end side of a recessed part formed on one side surface of a connector housing, a provisional engagement locking protuberance is fitted into the fore end side of an elongated hole, causing the fore edge of the side plate to be held between the provisional engagement locking protuberance and a normal engagement locking protuberance in the clamped state. The retainer is thus held in the provisionally engaged state. The hinge piece is folded in the connector housing, and the retainer positioned where each terminal piece can be inserted into and drawn from the corresponding terminal insert hole.

Abstract: This invention provides a connector which can receive a terminal member easily and positively. In the connector, a retainer 10 is provided on each engaging portion 12 with a guide ramp face 20 which is opposed to a cavity 2 at a temporary locking position. A terminal member 30 is pushed into the cavity 2 when the retainer is at the temporary locking position. The member 30 does not enter into an opening 6 on account of the correcting action of the guide ramp face 20, even if the terminal member 30 is pushed toward the opening 6. After the distal end of the terminal member 30 passes over the guide ramp face 20, and outer periphery of the terminal member 30 is pushed down by a front end of the face 20. Consequently, the terminal member 30 is prevented from entering into the opening 6 and moves in the proper passage.