Abstract: A connector includes a connector housing and a retainer, which can be moved from a temporarily secured position to a fully secured position in the connector housing. The retainer secures a terminal in the connector housing and cannot be erroneous moved into the fully secured position. The connector comprises a connector housing with a retainer insertion hole in a front surface, which reaches flexibly deformable spaces of lances provided in cavities. The retainer is inserted into the retainer insertion hole and held in a temporarily secured position. After a terminal member is inserted into the housing, the retainer is further pushed into the retainer insertion hole and moved to a fully secured position, which restricts flexible deformation of the lances. The direction that the retainer is moved into the temporarily secured position is generally at right angles to the direction the retainer is moved from the temporarily secured position to the fully secured position.

Abstract: When two connector housings are half-fitted together, a fitting detecting connector causes one of the connector housings to be pushed in a direction of separation by means of springs which are provided within a female connector housing, a spring holder being inserted into this female connector housing so that it can move in an anterior-posterior direction. This spring holder houses springs and, when the two connector housings are being fitted together, a locking arm rises over a stopping protrusion. As a result of the locking arm rising, the spring holder is restrained, its movement in a posterior direction is regulated, and the springs are compressed. When the connector housings are completely fitted together the locking arm springs down, releasing the spring holder, and allowing it to move in a posterior direction under the spring force. All of the half-fitting detector components are provided on one of the connector housings; the other connector housing requires no modification.

Abstract: Under the condition that the stationary metallic mold and the movable metallic mold are closed, the housing is molded into a shape having the retainer insertion hole by the existence of the sliding mold. At same time, a retainer is also molded in the below portion. First, when only the rear metallic mold is opened, the core pin is withdrawn, and at the same time the sliding mold is withdrawn along the advancing and withdrawing passage in the longitudinal direction by the cam action of the angular pin, so that the molding portion is withdrawn from the retainer insertion hole. Successively, when the metallic mold is opened, the sliding mold is relatively drawn out to the front of the advancing and withdrawing passage together with the stationary metallic mold, and the advancing and withdrawing passage becomes open. Next, the auxiliary sliding mold is advanced, and the retainer held by the auxiliary sliding mold is inserted into the retainer insertion hole and temporarily assembled to the housing.

Abstract: A connector is provided to improve the reliability of a primary locking function by an elastic lock piece without deteriorating a secondary locking function and an insufficient insertion detecting function of a retainer. When female terminals (20) are properly inserted, a retainer (30) can be pushed to its fully fitted state or full lock position since elastic lock pieces (14) are not located in deformation permitting spaces (15). When there is/are insufficiently inserted terminal(s) (20), the retainer (30) cannot be pushed to its fully fitted state or full lock position since it comes into contact with the elastic lock pieces (14) in the spaces (15). Since a lock projection and the elastic lock piece (14) are locked outside the terminal (20), a large engaging space of the lock projection (23) with the elastic lock piece (14) can be ensured without restricting a projecting amount of the lock projections (23) by the internal construction of the terminals (20).

Abstract: A movable mold is movable toward and away from a fixed mold so as to close and open the mold. The fixed mold includes an intermediate plate facing a movable-side mold plate. This intermediate plate has a retainer-molding recess which cooperates with the movable-side mold plate to form a retainer-molding cavity, and a core pin, which cooperates with a housing-molding recess to form a housing-molding cavity, is mounted on the intermediate plate. A retainer, molded in the molding cavity, is moved downward by an ejector pin into a position where the retainer is disposed coaxial with a housing. Then, the two molds are again closed together, so that the housing and the retainer are connected together, and then this assembled product is taken out.

Abstract: A connector includes a connector housing and a retainer, which can be moved from a temporarily secured position to a fully secured position in the connector housing. The retainer secures a terminal in the connector housing and cannot be erroneous moved into the fully secured position. The connector comprises a connector housing with a retainer insertion hole in a front surface, which reaches flexibly deformable spaces of lances provided in cavities. The retainer is inserted into the retainer insertion hole and held in a temporarily secured position. After a terminal member is inserted into the housing, the retainer is further pushed into the retainer insertion hole and moved to a fully secured position, which restricts flexible deformation of the lances. The direction that the retainer is moved into the temporarily secured position is generally at right angles to the direction the retainer is moved from the temporarily secured position to the fully secured position.

Abstract: When a stationary metallic mold and a movable metallic mold are closed, a housing is molded having a retainer insertion hole by the existence of a sliding mold. A retainer is also molded. First, when only the metallic mold is opened, the core pin is withdrawn, and the sliding mold is withdrawn in the longitudinal direction by the cam action of the angular pin, so that the molding portion is withdrawn from the retainer insertion hole. Successively, the sliding mold is relatively drawn out to the front of the advancing and withdrawing passage together with the stationary metallic mold, and the advancing and withdrawing passage becomes open. Next, an auxiliary sliding mold is advanced, and the retainer held by the auxiliary sliding mold is inserted into the retainer insertion hole and temporarily assembled to the housing. It is possible to insert the retainer straight into the retainer insertion hole. The finished product is protruded to the front of the movable metallic mold by the protruding pin.

Abstract: A lever 30 is mounted on a female connector housing 20 such that a part of the lever 30 is accommodated in a receptacle 11 of a male connector housing 10 together with a female connector housing 20 in a connected state of the male and female connector housings 10, 20. Thus, a movement of the lever in its opening direction is restricted by an outer wall of the receptacle 11, eliminating the need to provide a protection wall for preventing the disengagement of the lever 30 in the connected state. This results in a reduced size of the lever connector. Further, the lever 30 is formed in its outer surfaces with cam grooves 33 in the form of recesses. Thus, a mold for the lever 30 can be pulled outward, enabling the simplification of the construction thereof.

Abstract: An electrical connector has male and female housings 10, 30 having terminal retainers 20, 40 and retainer insertion holes 16, 36. To prevent creep of moisture by surface tension effects through the clearance between the terminal retainers 20, 40 and the retainer fitting holes 16, 36, the retainer is formed with a C-shaped recess 23, 43, and the retainer and hole are formed with matching cranked portions 19, 24, 39, 44. A central drain channel 15, 35 runs through the center of each housing 10, 30 and is sealed by means of mutually fitting tapered faces 26A, 46A. Overhanging hoods 14a, 14d shield the mating faces and rear ends of the connector housings. Mating terminal chambers 11, 31 also have tapered sealing faces 28, 48. A peripheral rib 45 on one housing 30 fits into a groove 25 on the housing with a long narrow clearance to prevent moisture creep. Drain channels 15, 35 engage one another at tapered mating faces 26A, 36A.

Abstract: A connector includes a connector housing and a retainer, which can be moved from a temporarily secured position to a fully secured position in the connector housing. The retainer secures a terminal in the connector housing and cannot be erroneous moved into the fully secured position. The connector comprises a connector housing with a retainer insertion hole in a front surface, which reaches flexibly deformable spaces of lances provided in cavities. The retainer is inserted into the retainer insertion hole and held in a temporarily secured position. After a terminal member is inserted into the housing, the retainer is further pushed into the retainer insertion hole and moved to a fully secured position, which restricts flexible deformation of the lances. The direction that the retainer is moved into the temporarily secured position is generally at right angles to the direction the retainer is moved from the temporarily secured position to the fully secured position.

Abstract: A split connector comprises an open frame 2 having apertures 8 into which female housings 1 are inserted against abutments 6. Cut-away windows 14 are formed in the two side walls 9, and clamping members 15 are able to open and close via self-hinges 20. After the female housings 1 have been inserted into the apertures 8 the clamping members 15 are pivoted and locked to retain the female housings 1. A cover 3 encloses the wires and double locks the clamping members in the closed condition. In an alternative embodiment the cover itself holds the connector housings in place.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector housing and a retainer that straddles the connector housing. The retainer is attached on the upper face of the connector housing. The retainer includes engagement projections, which engage with terminal pieces in the connector housing, to prevent the retainer from slipping out of the connector housing. The dimensions of the connector are set so a gap is formed between the engagement projections and the outer face of the connector housing. A separation plate of a molding die can be positioned in the gap, so the connector housing and the retainer can be simultaneously molded in an assembled relationship with the retainer separated from the connector housing. A molding die and method of producing the connector assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to prevent a connector capable of keeping a short-circuited state released even if a movable member for releasing a short-circuited state is disengaged, (+)- and (-)-supply terminals 4 are short-circuited by a short-circuit terminal 5 in an apparatus side connector housing 2. When a movable member 3 is rotated to its locking position, the apparatus side connector housing 2 is coupled with a supply side connector housing 1. Simultaneously, a pressing portion 33 presses the short-circuit terminal 5, thereby releasing the short-circuited state, with the result that an apparatus can be connected in an operative state. An elastic locking portion 56 of the short-circuit terminal is engaged with an engaging projection 15. Thus, even in the event where the movable member 3 is disengaged, the short circuit state can remain released since the engaging projection 15 acts to hold the short-circuit terminal 5 out of contact with the supply terminals 4.

Abstract: A lever type connector of the present invention aims to effect a turning operation of a lever by a smooth and slight actuating force without forming the lever into a large size. In the lever type connector, cam faces 16a and 16b in a cam groove 16 displace a cam follower boss 17 by turning a lever 14, thereby coupling and detaching connector housings 11, 12. A shape of the cam faces 16a and 16b which contact with the cam follower boss upon coupling and detaching is formed in accordance with coupling and detaching resistances of a set of terminals. The cam groove 16 may be discontinuously formed by inserting and extracting resistances of the terminals so that a curved line is formed by combining two circular arcs through a point of inflection.

Abstract: A lever type connector of the present invention aims to effect a turning operation of a lever by a smooth and slight actuating force without forming the lever into a large size. In the lever type connector, cam faces 16a and 16b in a cam groove 16 displace a cam follower boss 17 by turning a lever 14, thereby coupling and detaching connector housings 11, 12. A shape of the cam faces 16a and 16b which contact with the cam follower boss upon coupling and detaching is formed in accordance with coupling and detaching resistances of a set of terminals. The cam groove 16 may be discontinuously formed by inserting and extracting resistances of the terminals so that a curved line is formed by combining two circular arcs through a point of inflection.

Abstract: An electrical connector attached to a door or body panel of an automobile for wiring electrical parts includes a body having a front opening and holding, in it, terminals capable of fitting with counterpart terminals, respectively. A pair of locking arms each capable of flexing inwardly are provided at the outer periphery of the body. Each locking arm has a concave-convex engagement structure engaged with an edge of the panel defining a mounting hole when the connector is inserted into the mounting hole. A pair of deformation preventing portions are formed to the inside of the locking arms to be engaged with the locking arms, respectively. The deformation preventing portions prevent deformation of the locking arms by engaging the locking arms, respectively. The locking arms engage the respective deformation preventing portions when something strikes against the locking arms and the locking arms are flexed inwardly.

Abstract: A protecting cap is used for protecting a plurality of terminals disposed in a cylindrical portion of an electrical connector to be inserted in a mounting hole formed in a panel so that an open end of the cylindrical portion faces the mounting hole. The protecting cap is attached to the open end of the cylindrical portion. The protecting cap includes a lid portion covering the open end of the cylindrical portion of the connector and a pair of engagement members attaching the lid portion to the cylindrical portion of the connector. The lid portion has inclined faces so that the lid portion tapers in a direction away from the open end of the cylindrical portion. Since the protecting cap is tapered, it can be readily inserted into the mounting hole. Upon insertion of the distal end of the cap into the mounting hole, the connector can be guided to a normal position even when it is positionally offset relative to the mounting hole.

Abstract: A pair of connector housing may be temporarily engaged so as to facilitate efficient connection operation thereof. A lever 15 is pivotably attached to a side wall of the male connector housing 11. When a female connector housing 12 is inserted into the male connector housing 11, a cam receiving protrusion 17 of a cover 13 resiliently deforms lugs 15a of a lever 15 to be opened, so that the cam receiving portion may be advanced through a portion 23 into a cam groove 16. After such advancement, lugs 15a are returned to their original position by means of resilient deformation, so that the portion 23 is engaged with the cam receiving protrusion 17, so as to prevent dislodgement of the cam receiving protrusion. The thickness of the portion 23 of the cam groove is selected so as to prevent dislodgement of the cam receiving protrusion. A restricting protrusion 24 is protruded laterally from the cam receiving protrusion 17.

Abstract: To fit male and female connector housings together without tilting, an inner bottom surface of a hood portion of a male connector housing has step portions formed at the four respective corner portions, and a recessed portion having a lower height than the step portions. The female connector housing can be fully inserted because of a gap provided between a bulged portion of the female connector housing and the recessed portion. The female connector housing, when further inserted, slides at its opposite ends to change its posture so that male and female terminals are completely connected together.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a panel-fixed connector which can be readily secured to a panel P and can maintain a stable attached position on the panel P. In the connector, when a lock member 5 is inserted into a clearance 16, a base plate 21 and an attaching piece 22 are inserted into the clearance 16 and an engaging protrusion 19 is engaged with an engaging aperture 30. When the connector is pushed into an attaching hole W in the panel P, a pawl 32 on a locking arm 25 is engaged with the hole W. Then, a slant face 33 of the pawl 32 is not injured by an edge E. Even if the locking arm 25 is deflected, a contacting piece 26 abuts on the base plate 21 thereby restraining a deflection of the arm 25 and preventing the lock member 5 from loosening in the clearance 16.