Abstract: A female housing (10) is divided into a first and a second blocks (15A, 15B) that can be united by fitting a rib (27) of the second block (15B) into a dovetail groove (19) of the first block (15A). With the two blocks (15A, 15B) united, tab-shaped terminal insertion passages (29) are formed up to the dovetail groove (19) and the rib (27) in the female housing (10). This enables male tabs (13) to enter the tab-shaped terminal insertion passages (29) and prevents them from interfering with the female housing (10), wherefore a male housing (11) can be used commonly for a unitary female housing (40) and the divided female housing (10).

Abstract: A male terminal fitting (1) is formed by bending a flat metal plate worked into a specified shape and includes a contact (2), a rectangular tube (4) formed to be wider than the contact (2), and a link (3) between the contact (2) and the rectangular tube (4). The link (3) is not connected with the front edge of the upper surface of the rectangular tube (4) over the entire width. Thus, bending resistance against an external force can be improved by increasing deflectability while holding down bending rigidity.

Abstract: A male terminal fitting (1) is formed by bending a flat metal plate worked into a specified shape and includes a contact (2), a rectangular tube (4) formed to be wider than the contact (2), and a link (3) between the contact (2) and the rectangular tube (4). The link (3) is not connected with the front edge of the upper surface of the rectangular tube (4) over the entire width. Thus, bending resistance against an external force can be improved by increasing deflectability while holding down bending rigidity.

Abstract: A female connector (F) has a housing (10) with a front end and cavities (11) extend to the front end. Terminal fittings (40) are mounted in the cavities (11). A front wall (50) is mounted on the front end of the housing (10) and is formed with tab insertion holes (51) that can communicate with cavities (11). An operable surface (59A) is exposed at an end surface of the front wall (50). The front wall (50) can be moved from a full locking position to a partial locking position along the front end of the housing (10) by pushing this operable surface (59A). Portions of the end surface of the front wall (50) other than the operable surface (59A) are covered at least partly by an wall (26) of the housing (10) to limit movement of the front wall (50).

Abstract: A terminal fitting (T) has a rectangular tube (10) with a side plate (13R) and a receiving plate (35) that extends inwardly in a width direction from the front edge of the side plate (13R). A probe (P) can be brought into contact with this receiving plate (35). Thus, a contact area of the probe (P) along the width direction is wider than the thickness of the right side plate (13R). Thus, the probe (P) can be brought securely into contact with the rectangular tube (10) even if displaced along the width direction.

Abstract: A female connector (F) has a housing (10) with a front end and cavities (11) extend to the front end. Terminal fittings (40) are mounted in the cavities (11). A front wall (50) is mounted on the front end of the housing (10) and is formed with tab insertion holes (51) that can communicate with cavities (11). An operable surface (59A) is exposed at an end surface of the front wall (50). The front wall (50) can be moved from a full locking position to a partial locking position along the front end of the housing (10) by pushing this operable surface (59A). Portions of the end surface of the front wall (50) other than the operable surface (59A) are covered at least partly by an wall (26) of the housing (10) to limit movement of the front wall (50).

Abstract: A female housing (10) is divided into a first and a second blocks (15A, 15B) that can be united by fitting a rib (27) of the second block (15B) into a dovetail groove (19) of the first block (15A). With the two blocks (15A, 15B) united, tab-shaped terminal insertion passages (29) are formed up to the dovetail groove (19) and the rib (27) in the female housing (10). This enables male tabs (13) to enter the tab-shaped terminal insertion passages (29) and prevents them from interfering with the female housing (10), wherefore a male housing (11) can be used commonly for a unitary female housing (40) and the divided female housing (10).

Abstract: A connector assembling construction includes a movable connector (20) provided on a module (M) such as an instrument panel of an automotive vehicle and a waiting-side connector (40) provided on a body (B) and having a receptacle (41) for receiving the movable connector (20). The movable connector (20) and the waiting-side connector (40) are connected as the module (M) is assembled with the body (B). Rib-shaped slanted surfaces (28, 30) project within the entire width range and within the entire height range of a connecting surface of the movable connector (20). The slanted surfaces (28, 30) are arranged at positions near opposing ends of the connecting surface, and have gradients to increase projecting amounts thereof as they extend in from the ends of the connecting surface.

Abstract: A front wall (50) is movable between a full locking position and a partial locking position on the front of a female housing (10). When the front wall (50) is at the full locking position, mating tabs (70) can enter main portions (41) of the female terminal fittings (40) through tab insertion holes (51) of the front wall (50) for contacting resilient contacts (45) and an unlocking jig can be inserted into a mold-removal hole (14) of the female housing (10) through a jig insertion hole (52) of the front wall (50) to disengage a lock (12). When the front wall (50) is at the partial locking position, detection probes (60) can be inserted into the jig insertion holes (52) of the front wall (50) for contacting detecting plates (46) offset from resilient contacts (45) in main portions of the female terminal fittings (40).

Abstract: A terminal fitting has a rectangular tube (10) formed with a locking hole (19). A resilient contact piece (25) is in the rectangular tube (10) for contacting a tab of a mating terminal fitting. Displacement restricting portions (15F, 15R, 18F, 18R) are provided in the rectangular tube (10) at positions before and behind the locking hole (19) for contacting lateral edges of the resilient contact piece (25) and restricting displacement of a resilient contact piece (25) towards a tab entrance space (32). Thus, external matter that may intrude through the locking hole (19) can not cause a damaging deformation of the resilient contact piece (25).

Abstract: A stabilizer (30) of a terminal fitting (20) is divided into a front stabilizer (31A) and a rear stabilizer (31B) and defining a small clearance therebetween. Thus, the smaller holes (32A, 32B) are formed by the divided stabilizer (30), and external matter is less likely to intrude.

Abstract: A male terminal fitting (1) is formed by bending a flat metal plate worked into a specified shape and includes a contact (2), a rectangular tube (4) formed to be wider than the contact (2), and a link (3) between the contact (2) and the rectangular tube (4). The link (3) is not connected with the front edge of the upper surface of the rectangular tube (4) over the entire width. Thus, bending resistance against an external force can be improved by increasing deflectability while holding down bending rigidity.

Abstract: A female connector (F) has a housing (10) with a front end and cavities (11) extend to the front end. Terminal fittings (40) are mounted in the cavities (11). A front wall (50) is mounted on the front end of the housing (10) and is formed with tab insertion holes (51) that can communicate with cavities (11). An operable surface (59A) is exposed at an end surface of the front wall (50). The front wall (50) can be moved from a full locking position to a partial locking position along the front end of the housing (10) by pushing this operable surface (59A). Portions of the end surface of the front wall (50) other than the operable surface (59A) are covered at least partly by an wall (26) of the housing (10) to limit movement of the front wall (50).

Abstract: A terminal fitting (T) has a rectangular tube (10) with a base plate (12) and first and second side plates (13L, 13R) that extend from opposite sides of the base plate (12). A ceiling plate (14) extends from the first side plate (13L) towards the second side plate (13R), and a recess (37) is formed at an extending edge of the ceiling plate (14). A pressing portion (38) extends from the second side plate (13R) and is accommodated in the recess (37) for preventing upward displacement of the ceiling plate (14). Thus, there is no significant step between the upper surfaces of the ceiling plate (14) and the pressing portion (38) and the height of the rectangular tube (10) can be reduced.

Abstract: An interference prevention portion (20) is disposed rearward from a retainer (40) and projected from an outer surface of a housing (10). The interference prevention portion (20) is capable of preventing another member from interfering with the retainer (40) when the retainer (40) is at a temporary locking position. Therefore, the interference prevention portion (20) prevents the other member from pressing the retainer (40) into the main locking position. The interference prevention portion (20) is disposed rearward from the retainer (40) at the rear end of the housing (10). Therefore the interference prevention portion (20) does not interfere with an operation for fitting the housing (10) in a mating housing.

Abstract: A terminal fitting (T) has a rectangular tube (10) with a bottom plate (12). A resilient contact (25) extends back into the tube (10) from an end of the bottom plate (12). A base portion (33) is formed at the front end of the bottom plate (12) and is made narrower than the bottom plate (12) by cutting away the left and right edges. A bulge (34) bulges out from a lateral edge of the base portion (33) and narrows an area of an opening between the base portion (33) and the right side plate (13R). Thus, external matter is less likely to intrude into the rectangular tube (10) through the opening even if the resilient contact (25) is narrow. Additionally, the base portion (33) is reinforced by the bulge (34). Thus, the base portion (33) is less likely to be deformed by external matter.

Abstract: A connector assembling construction includes a movable connector (20) provided on a module (M) such as an instrument panel of an automotive vehicle and a waiting-side connector (40) provided on a body (B) and having a receptacle (41) for receiving the movable connector (20). The movable connector (20) and the waiting-side connector (40) are connected as the module (M) is assembled with the body (B). Rib-shaped slanted surfaces (28, 30) project within the entire width range and within the entire height range of a connecting surface of the movable connector (20). The slanted surfaces (28, 30) are arranged at positions near opposing ends of the connecting surface, and have gradients to increase projecting amounts thereof as they extend in from the ends of the connecting surface.

Abstract: A housing main body (20) is connectable with a mating male connector (M) and internally formed with an accommodating chamber (22) into which an auxiliary housing (30) can be accommodated. The housing main body (20) is formed with cavities (23) for accommodating female terminal fittings (40) electrically connectable with mating male terminal fittings (11), and the respective cavities (23) are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry (L1). A lock arm (50) is disposed on the axis of symmetry (L1) of the respective cavities (23). The housing main body (20) is integrally formed with the lock arm (50) capable of holding the male connector (M) connected by the engagement with an engaging portion (16) of the male connector (M).

Abstract: A terminal fitting (T) has a rectangular tube (10). A resilient locking piece (25) is accommodated in a rectangular tube portion (10) and a locking hole (19) in the tube (10) exposes the resilient locking piece (25). A side plate (13R) of the rectangular tube (10) is provided with an intrusion restricting portion (21) near the resilient contact piece (25) and in an opening area of the locking hole (19). Thus, the intrusion of an external matter through the locking hole (19) can be restricted by the intrusion restricting portion (21), thereby preventing the interference of the external matter with the resilient contact piece (25).

Abstract: A female terminal fitting (20) has an approximately tubular connection portion (22) with an open front end for receiving a tab (14) of a male terminal fitting (10). Concavities (30) extend longitudinally in the connection portion (22) at positions opposed to side surfaces of the tab (14). The concavities (30) enable the outside width (W) of the connection portion (22) to be small while securing a large clearance (C) outward from the side surfaces of the tab (14). The concavities (30) do not significantly decrease the strength of the entire connection portion (22). Additionally, the large clearance (C) avoids the need for highly accurate manufacturing.