Structure for retaining front holder in housing

Abstract

A connector includes a housing and a front holder. The housing includes a terminal receiving chamber formed therein, the terminal receiving chamber being receivable a terminal therein, the terminal receiving chamber including a flexible retaining lance which is arranged to extend from an inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber, the retaining lance being preventable the terminal coming off while retaining the terminal, and a refuge space formed under the retaining lance. The front holder includes a main body portion and a flexion preventing portion preventable a flexion of the retaining lance by entering into the refuge space, the flexion preventing portion being arranged to extend from the main body portion, the front holder is insertable into the housing from a surface of the housing engageable with a mating connector so as to be retained in the housing. When the front holder is in a regularly retained position with respect to the housing, the flexion preventing portion is inserted into the refuge space to regulate the flexion of the retaining lance. On the other hand, when the front holder is in a temporarily retained position with respect to the housing, the flexion preventing portion is evacuated from the refuge space to allow the flexion of the retaining lance. Inclination preventing portions are arranged on the main-body portion, the inclination preventing portions regulate an inclination of the front holder in the temporarily retained position with respect to the housing so as to prevent an entrance of flexion preventing portion into the refuge space.