First connector, second connector, and connector assembly

Abstract

The invention discloses a first connector which can simplify the structure of a terminal, reduce the possibility that a finger touches the terminal, and improve the anti-electric shock effect. The first connector (12) is provided with a first terminal member (18), a first connector housing (20), and a sliding member (22) capable of sliding between a closed position and an open position with respect to the first connector housing (20). The sliding member (22) has: a side protective wall section (42) that covers the periphery of the first terminal member (18) so as to be separated from the first terminal member (18) in the closed position and protrudes further than the first terminal member (18); a front protective wall section (44) that covers the tip opening of the side protective wall section (42); and a terminal insertion hole (46) that is provided through the front protective wall section (44) and allows the insertion of the first terminal member (20). In a state where the sliding member (22) is moved to the open position, the first terminal member (20) is inserted through a terminal insertion hole (46) of the sliding member (22) and protrudes from the front protective wall portion (44).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a first connector, a second connector, and a connector assembly. Background Art

[0002] For a long time, a connector assembly in which a first connector and a second connector are fitted together has been used to transmit electricity between vehicle-mounted components such as high-voltage batteries and inverters. In such a connector assembly, it is necessary to provide a structure for preventing electric shock caused by the operator's fingers touching the terminals of each connector. For example, in the connector described in Patent Document 1, the following structure is proposed: a protective ring with a "コ"-shaped cross-section surrounds the terminal from three directions, and in order to arrange the terminal of the object connector connected to the terminal in an orthogonal direction, the side and front of the protective ring are opened, and the surface of the terminal exposed on the side and front of the protective ring is covered with a resin protective component assembled on the terminal. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-522550 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] Yet, in the structure of patent document 1, need to assemble the protection component made of resin in the terminal and cover the surface of the terminal exposed from the protection collar, so the structure of the terminal is complicated. In addition, because the opening of the side and front of the protection collar is not covered, there is the worry of accidentally generating the finger touching the terminal.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention discloses a first connector, a second connector, and a connector assembly that can simplify the structure of the terminal, reduce the possibility of fingers touching the terminal, and improve the anti-electric shock effect. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0006] The first connector of the present invention can be assembled to the second connector in a loadable and detachable manner, wherein the first connector comprises: a first terminal component, whose top end side extends toward the first direction; a first connector housing, which holds the first terminal component; and a sliding component, which is held by the first connector housing, wherein the sliding component can slide relative to the first connector housing between a closed position located at an end portion in the first direction and an open position located at an end portion in a first opposite direction which is a direction opposite to the first direction, and wherein the sliding component comprises: a side protection wall portion, wherein in the closed position, the side protection wall portion A protective wall portion covers the periphery of the first terminal portion separately from the first terminal portion in a direction orthogonal to the first direction in the first terminal portion, and protrudes further than the first terminal portion in the first direction; a front protective wall portion, which covers the top end opening of the side protective wall portion; and a terminal insertion hole, which is penetrated by the front protective wall portion and allows the first terminal portion to be inserted therethrough, and when the sliding portion is moved to the open position, the first terminal portion is inserted through the terminal insertion hole of the sliding portion and protrudes from the front protective wall portion to the first direction.

[0007] The second connector of the present invention can be assembled to the first connector of the present invention in a loadable and detachable manner, wherein the second connector comprises: a second terminal component, which is connected to the first terminal component of the first connector; a second connector housing, which holds the second terminal component; a pressing portion, which presses a pressed portion provided on the sliding component when it is embedded in the first connector, so that the sliding component slides to the open position; and an engaging portion, which engages with an engaged portion provided on the sliding component when it is removed from the first connector, and pulls the engaged portion in a disengagement direction from the first connector, so that the sliding component slides to the closed position.

[0008] The connector assembly of the present disclosure includes a first connector and a second connector which are detachably assembled to each other, wherein the first connector of the present disclosure is used as the first connector, and the second connector of the present disclosure is used as the second connector. Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the first connector, the second connector, and the connector assembly disclosed herein, the structure of the terminal can be simplified, the possibility of fingers touching the terminal can be reduced, and the anti-electric shock effect can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly in the first embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the connector assembly is shown. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A front view of the connector assembly is shown. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the first connector in Embodiment 1, in which the sliding member is in a closed position. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The longitudinal section of the first connector shown in FIG. Figure 6 VV section view in. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 VI-VI section view in. Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the first connector in Embodiment 1, in which the sliding member is in an open position. Figure 8 is from Figure 7 The first connector is shown in a front view with the sliding member removed. Fig. 9 This is a top perspective view of the sliding member used in the first connector in the first embodiment. Fig.10 This is a bottom perspective view of the sliding member used in the first connector in the first embodiment. Fig.11 This is a perspective view of the second connector in the first embodiment. Fig.12 is Figure 3 The XII-XII section in the figure includes a cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of the main part. Fig.13 yes Figure 3 An enlarged sectional view of the main part of the XIII-XIII section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] <Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of examples. The first connector of the present disclosure is configured as follows: (1) A first connector capable of being assembled to a second connector in a loadable and detachable manner, wherein the first connector comprises: a first terminal member whose top end side extends toward a first direction; a first connector housing that holds the first terminal member; and a sliding member that is held by the first connector housing, the sliding member being capable of sliding relative to the first connector housing between a closed position located at an end portion in the first direction and an open position located at an end portion in a first opposite direction that is a direction opposite to the first direction, the sliding member comprising: a side protective wall portion, wherein in the closed position, the side protective wall portion A protective wall portion covers the periphery of the first terminal portion separately from the first terminal portion in a direction orthogonal to the first direction in the first terminal portion and protrudes further than the first terminal portion in the first direction; a front protective wall portion, which covers the top end opening of the side protective wall portion; and a terminal insertion hole, which is penetrated through the front protective wall portion and allows the first terminal portion to be inserted therethrough, and when the sliding portion is moved to the open position, the first terminal portion is inserted through the terminal insertion hole of the sliding portion and protrudes from the front protective wall portion to the first direction.

[0012] According to the first connector disclosed in the present invention, the sliding component provided in the first connector has a side protection wall portion covering the periphery of the first terminal component and a front protection wall portion covering the top opening of the side protection wall portion. When the sliding component is in the closed position, the side protection wall portion covers the periphery of the first terminal component, and the front protection wall portion covering the top opening of the side protection wall portion covers the front surface of the first terminal component. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a resin protection component on the terminal as in the existing structure, and the structure of the terminal can be simplified. In addition, since the periphery and the front surface of the terminal component are covered by the sliding component, the possibility of fingers touching the terminal can be reduced, and the anti-electric shock effect can be improved. In addition, in the case where the first connector has multiple first terminal components, a sliding component can be provided on each of the first terminal components, or a single sliding component can surround multiple first terminal components at once. In addition, the shape of the side protection wall portion can be any shape as long as it can surround the periphery of the first terminal component, and any shape such as a circular cylinder, a rectangular cylinder, etc. can be adopted.

[0013] (2) Preferably, the first connector includes a plurality of the first terminal members, and the plurality of the first terminal members are covered by the side protection wall portion and the front protection wall portion of the single slide member disposed in the closed position.

[0014] When the first connector includes a plurality of first terminal members, the plurality of first terminal members can be covered by a single sliding member, and the number of components of the first connector can be reduced and the size can be reduced.

[0015] (3) Preferably, the first connector housing has a terminal holding portion that holds a held portion located between the top end side and the base end side of the first terminal component, and a slide rail insertion portion that passes through the outer peripheral edge portion of the terminal holding portion in the first direction, and the sliding component has a slide rail extending from the front protective wall portion of the sliding component to the first opposite direction, and the slide rail is inserted into the slide rail insertion portion in a manner that allows it to move in the first direction and the first opposite direction, and the slide rail is abutted against the slide rail insertion portion to limit the displacement of the sliding component in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0016] By inserting the slide rail provided on the sliding member into the slide rail insertion portion provided on the connector housing, the sliding member can be held on the connector housing in a manner that allows sliding movement. Furthermore, by the abutment between the slide rail and the slide rail insertion portion, the displacement of the sliding member in a direction perpendicular to the first direction is restricted, thereby advantageously reducing the risk of tilting of the sliding member during sliding movement and damage to the sliding member caused by the tilt.

[0017] (4) Preferably, the side protection wall portion of the sliding member is configured to include a plurality of separation wall portions separated in a circumferential direction via a plurality of slits, and the slide rail is configured to include the separation wall portions.

[0018] This is because, since the slide rail is formed including the separation wall portion forming the side protection wall portion, the side protection wall portion can also function as the slide rail, and the sliding member can be miniaturized.

[0019] (5) Preferably, the slide rail includes a projecting wall portion extending from the separation wall portion in the first opposite direction, and in the closed position, the projecting wall portion of the slide rail is inserted through the slide rail insertion portion disposed in the first connector housing.

[0020] Since the extended wall portion extending from the separation wall portion constituting the slide rail in the first opposite direction is inserted and arranged in the slide rail insertion portion at the closed position of the sliding member, the slide rail can be reliably inserted and arranged in the slide rail insertion portion during the period from the closed position of the side protection wall portion covering the first terminal member to the open position. Thus, the sliding movement direction of the sliding member can be reliably guided, and the tilting of the sliding member during movement and the damage associated with the tilting can be further advantageously reduced.

[0021] (6) Preferably, the pair of the slide rail and the slide rail insertion portion is disposed on both sides of the first terminal member so as to face each other in two directions orthogonal to the first direction in the first terminal member.

[0022] Since the set of the slide rail and the slide rail insertion portion is disposed oppositely on both sides of the first terminal sandwiched therebetween in two directions orthogonal to the first direction, the slide rail can be inserted into the slide rail insertion portion on both sides of the up-down direction and both sides of the left-right direction of the first terminal member sandwiched therebetween, for example. Thus, the rigidity and durability of the sliding member can be ensured and the direction of the sliding movement can be further reliably guided.

[0023] (7) Preferably, the sliding member has a sliding side restraining portion, and the first connector housing has a connector side restraining portion, and the connector side restraining portion engages with the sliding side restraining portion when the sliding member is in the closed position, thereby restraining the sliding member from moving in the first opposite direction.

[0024] Since the first connector housing has a connector-side restraining portion that restrains the sliding member in the closed position from moving in the first opposite direction, it is possible to restrain the sliding member from simply sliding toward the open position due to vibration, etc. Thus, the anti-electric shock effect for the first terminal member can be well maintained.

[0025] (8) Preferably, the sliding member has a sliding side restriction portion, and the first connector housing has a connector side restriction portion, and the connector side restriction portion engages with the sliding side restriction portion when the sliding member is in the closed position, thereby restricting movement of the sliding member in the first direction.

[0026] Since the first connector housing has a connector-side restriction portion that restricts the sliding member in the closed position from moving in the first direction, the sliding member is restricted from falling off from the first connector housing. Thus, the anti-electric shock effect on the first terminal member can be well maintained.

[0027] (9) Preferably, the sliding component has a pressed portion that is pressed by a pressing portion provided on the second connector when the second connector is embedded in the first connector, and the pressed portion is provided on the front protective wall portion, and the sliding component slides to the open position by being pressed by the pressed portion.

[0028] When the second connector is fitted into the first connector, the pressed portion is pressed by the pressing portion of the second connector and slides to the open position, so there is no need to use a clamp, etc. to slide it to the open position. Therefore, the operator only needs to fit the second connector into the first connector, and no other process is required to slide the sliding member to the open position. In addition, since the pressed portion is provided on the front protective wall of the sliding member, the pressing portion of the second connector can stably slide the sliding member in the opposite direction of the first by pressing the front protective wall provided at the top of the sliding member and extending in a plane.

[0029] (10) Preferably, the sliding component has an engaged portion that engages with an engaging portion provided on the second connector and is pulled in the disengagement direction of the second connector when the second connector is disengaged from the first connector, and the sliding component is slidably moved to the closed position by being pulled by the engaging portion through the engaged portion.

[0030] When the second connector is detached from the first connector, the engaging portion of the second connector is engaged with the engaged portion of the sliding member, and the engaging portion can be pulled in the detaching direction of the second connector. As a result, the sliding member and the second connector can be pulled out together in the detaching direction, that is, the first direction, and the sliding member can be slid to the closed position. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a clamp or the like to slide the sliding member to the closed position. The operator only needs to remove the second connector from the first connector, and no other process is required to slide the sliding member to the closed position.

[0031] (11) Preferably, the sliding component has an abutted portion that abuts against an abutting portion provided on the second connector from a side opposite to a protruding direction in which the engaging portion protrudes toward the engaged portion, and the engaging portion is prevented from displacing to a side opposite to the protruding direction by the abutted portion abutting against the abutting portion.

[0032] By abutting the abutted portion provided on the sliding component with the abutting portion provided on the second connector, the engaging portion can be prevented from being displaced to the side opposite to the protruding direction, and the engaging portion can be advantageously maintained in an engaged state with the engaged portion. Thus, when the second connector is detached from the first connector, the engaging portion is detached from the engaged portion, and the occurrence of an unfavorable situation in which the sliding component cannot be pulled out to the closed position can be prevented or suppressed in advance.

[0033] (12) A second connector capable of being assembled and detachably connected to the first connector described in any one of (1) to (11) above, wherein the second connector comprises: a second terminal component connected to the first terminal component of the first connector; a second connector housing that holds the second terminal component; a pressing portion that presses a pressed portion provided on the sliding component when the connector is assembled into the first connector, thereby causing the sliding component to slide to the open position; and an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion provided on the sliding component when the connector is removed from the first connector, thereby pulling the engaged portion in a disengagement direction from the first connector, thereby causing the sliding component to slide to the closed position.

[0034] According to the second connector disclosed in the present invention, when being embedded in the first connector, the pressing portion presses the pressed portion provided on the sliding component, thereby enabling the sliding component to slide and move to the open position. Thus, the operator only needs to embed the second connector in the first connector, and no other process is required, and the sliding component can slide and move to the open position. Moreover, after the sliding component moves to the open position, the first terminal component is inserted through the terminal insertion hole of the sliding component and protrudes from the front protective wall portion to the first direction, thereby enabling the second terminal component to be connected to the first terminal component. In addition, when disengaging from the first connector, the engaging portion can engage with the engaged portion provided on the sliding component and pull the engaged portion in the disengagement direction from the first connector, thereby enabling the sliding component to slide and move to the closed position. The operator only needs to remove the second connector from the first connector, and no other process is required, and the sliding component can slide and move to the closed position. Since the second connector can move the slide member to the closed position to surround the first terminal member, the structure of the terminal can be simplified, and the possibility of fingers touching the terminal can be reduced, thereby improving the anti-electric shock effect.

[0035] (13) In the second connector described in (12) above, preferably, the second connector housing has an opening window for exposing the second terminal component to the outside, and also includes an insulating cover component covering the opening window, and the first terminal receiving hole is penetrated through the central plane portion of the cover component, and the pressing portion is constituted by a portion of the central plane portion other than the first terminal receiving hole.

[0036] The second connector includes an insulating cover member covering an opening window of the second connector housing, and a first terminal insertion hole for inserting the first terminal member to connect the first terminal member to the second terminal member is provided on the central plane portion of the cover member. Furthermore, since the pressing portion is formed by a plane area other than the first terminal insertion hole of the central plane portion, the peripheral area of ​​the front protective wall portion provided with the terminal insertion hole for inserting the first terminal member can be pressed with a large contact area. Thus, when the first connector is embedded in the first connector, the sliding member of the first connector can be pressed in a stable state, and the occurrence of tilted sliding movement of the sliding member can be suppressed or prevented.

[0037] (14) In the second connector described in (12) or (13) above, preferably, the second connector housing has the engaging portion and an abutting portion that abuts against an abutted portion provided on the sliding component from a side opposite to a protruding direction of the engaging portion toward the engaged portion, and the engaging portion is prevented from being displaced to a side opposite to the protruding direction by the abutted portion abutting against the abutting portion.

[0038] By abutting the abutting portion provided on the second connector against the abutted portion provided on the sliding member, the engaging portion can be prevented from being displaced to the side opposite to the protruding direction, and the engaging portion can be advantageously maintained in an engaged state with the engaged portion. Thus, when the second connector is detached from the first connector, the engaging portion is detached from the engaged portion, and the occurrence of an unfavorable situation in which the sliding member cannot be pulled out to the closed position can be prevented or suppressed in advance.

[0039] (15) A connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector that can be assembled to each other in a removable manner, wherein the first connector described in any one of (1) to (11) above is used as the first connector, and the second connector described in any one of (12) to (14) above is used as the second connector.

[0040] According to the connector assembly disclosed in the present invention, since the first connector uses the first connector disclosed in the present invention and the second connector uses the second connector disclosed in the present invention, the above-mentioned effects that the first connector and the second connector disclosed in the present invention can be enjoyed in the same manner. Therefore, a connector assembly can be provided that can simplify the structure of the terminal, reduce the possibility of fingers touching the terminal, and improve the anti-electric shock effect.

[0041] <Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure> Hereinafter, specific examples of the connector assembly, the first connector, and the second connector of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, but is indicated by the claims and includes all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0042] <Implementation Method 1> Below, use Figures 1 to 12 The connector assembly 10 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure is described. The connector assembly 10 is used, for example, to connect vehicle-mounted devices such as a high-voltage battery and an inverter, and is mounted on a vehicle. In addition, the connector assembly 10 can be arranged in any direction, but in the following description, Figure 1 The description is made with X1 as the front, X2 as the rear, Y1 as the left, Y2 as the right, Z1 as the top, and Z2 as the bottom. In addition, with respect to a plurality of identical components, sometimes only some of the components are marked with reference numerals, and the reference numerals of the other components are omitted.

[0043] <Connector assembly 10> like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the connector assembly 10 is configured to include a first connector 12 and a second connector 14 that can be detachably assembled to the first connector 12. The first connector 12 is, for example, provided in a housing of a high-voltage battery (not shown). The second connector 14 is, for example, provided at the end of a wiring harness 16 extending from an inverter (not shown). Figure 2 As shown, the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are combined and fitted with each other, whereby the battery and the inverter are connected via the wiring harness 16 .

[0044] <First connector 12> like Figure 4 to Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first connector 12 includes a pair of first terminal members 18, a first connector housing 20 that holds the first terminal members 18, and a sliding member 22 that is slidably held in the first connector housing. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first terminal member 18 extends from the first connector housing 20 in a direction X1 in which the distal end side is forward. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the first terminal member 18 extends is described as the first direction X1.

[0045] <First Terminal Member 18> The first terminal member 18 is formed by stamping and punching a conductive metal plate. In the present embodiment, the first connector housing 20 of the first connector 12 holds two first terminal members 18. The top end side of each first terminal member 18 extends from the first connector housing 20 in the first direction X1, and constitutes a connector-side connection portion 24 connected to the second terminal member 96 provided in the second connector 14. The base end side of each first terminal member 18 extends from the first connector housing 20 toward the X2 direction as the rear, that is, the first opposite direction X2 as the direction opposite to the first direction. The base end side of each first terminal member 18 constitutes a device-side connection portion 26 connected to the circuit on the battery side. Each first terminal member 18 has a held portion 28 located between the top end side and the base end side and connecting the connector-side connection portion 24 and the device-side connection portion 26. The held portion 28 is fixed to the terminal holding portion 30 described below of the first connector housing 20 by being buried. That is, the held portion 28 of the first terminal member 18 is embedded in the terminal holding portion 30 of the first connector housing 20, so that the first terminal member 18 is held by the first connector housing 20. Thus, the first terminal member 18 is formed only of a metal plate material, and the structure is simplified.

[0046] <First Connector Housing 20> The first connector housing 20 is in a substantially rectangular block shape and is made of an insulating resin material. Figure 6As shown, the first connector housing 20 has a terminal holding portion 30 that holds the held portion 28 of the first terminal member 18 in an embedded state. The terminal holding portion 30 is a block having a substantially rectangular cross section and extending in the front-to-back direction (X1, X2 direction). Figure 6 As shown, in the central part of the terminal retaining portion 30 and at two locations separated in the left and right directions (Y1, Y2 directions), the respective retained portions 28 of the two first terminal components 18 are buried and arranged in a state where the plate width direction becomes the up and down direction (Z1, Z2 directions).

[0047] Furthermore, the terminal holding portion 30 is provided with a plurality of rail insertion portions 32 a , 32 b , 32 c , and 32 d (four in the present embodiment) penetrating the outer peripheral edge portion in the first direction X1 . Figure 8 FIG. 2 shows a state where the sliding member 22 is removed from the first connector 12. Figure 8 As shown, each slide rail insertion portion 32a~32d of the through terminal retaining portion 30 includes a space α1 extending in two directions orthogonal to the first direction X1 extending from the top side of the first terminal component 18, namely, a space α1 extending in the up and down directions (Z1, Z2 directions), a space β1 extending in the left and right directions (Y1, Y2 directions), and a space γ1 connecting the space α1 and the space β1 in a curved shape.

[0048] like Figure 4-5 As shown, at the end of the terminal holding portion 30 on the X1 side which becomes the front, a rectangular cylindrical cover portion 34 is integrally provided, which is expanded to the outer peripheral side more than the outer peripheral surface of the terminal holding portion 30 and protrudes toward the first direction X1. A sealing convex portion 36 extending in an annular shape and protruding to the outer peripheral side is integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal holding portion 30 and at two locations separated from each other in the front-back direction (X1, X2 directions). In addition, a fixing piece 38 is integrally provided protrudingly at two locations separated from each other in the left-right direction (Y1, Y2 directions) below the cover portion 34, and a collar 40 for bolt fastening is buried in the protruding end of each fixing piece 38.

[0049] That is, the first connector housing 20 is formed integrally of a synthetic resin material with the first terminal member 18 and the collar 40 as inserts. In addition, the first connector housing 20 of the first connector 12 is assembled to the battery case by inserting the terminal holding portion 30 from the device side connection portion 26 side into the assembly hole provided in the case of the battery (not shown), and the cover portion 34 and the fixing piece 38 are placed on the surface of the case. Moreover, the fixing piece 38 is bolted to the fixing portion on the battery side by the fastening bolt inserted through the collar 40, thereby fixing the first connector 12 to the battery case. At this time, the sealing protrusion 36 provided on the terminal holding portion 30 is pressed against the assembly hole of the case, thereby preventing water and the like from intruding into the case from the assembly hole. In this state, the cover portion 34 of the first connector housing 20 and the connector-side connection portion 24 of the first terminal member 18 protruding from the terminal holding portion 30 in the first direction X1 protrude from the surface of the case of the battery (not shown).

[0050] <Sliding member 22> The slide member 22 is held so as to be slidable relative to the first connector housing 20. The slide member 22 can be in a closed position (see FIG. 1 ) located at an end portion in the first direction X1 relative to the first connector housing 20. Figure 4 ) to an open position located at an end portion of the first opposite direction X2 which is a direction opposite to the first direction X1 (refer to Figure 7 ) to move between them.

[0051] like Figure 9-10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the sliding member 22 is generally in the shape of a hollow rectangular tube and is made of an insulating resin material. The sliding member 22 has a side protection wall 42. Figure 4-5 In the closed position shown, the side protective wall portion 42 surrounds and covers the first terminal portion 18 separately from the first terminal portion 18 in the Z1, Z2 directions and the Y1, Y2 directions which are directions orthogonal to the first direction X1 of the two first terminal portions 18. The side protective wall portion 42 protrudes further than the first terminal portion 18 in the first direction X1. In addition, the sliding portion 22 has a front protective wall portion 44 that covers the top end opening of the protruding end side of the side protective wall portion 42. In the front protective wall portion 44 and at a portion opposite to the two first terminal portions 18, a pair of terminal insertion holes 46 for respectively inserting the two first terminal portions 18 are provided in a through-hole manner in the plate thickness direction. From Figure 4 It can be seen that when the sliding member 22 is in the closed position, the connector-side connection portion 24 of each first terminal member 18 protruding from the surface of the battery case (not shown) is surrounded and covered by the side protection wall portion 42 and the front protection wall portion 44 of the sliding member 22. Therefore, the sliding member 22 in the closed position prevents or suppresses each first terminal member 18 from contacting the connector-side connection portion 24.

[0052] The side protection wall portion 42 of the sliding member 22 is configured to include a plurality of separation wall portions 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d (four in this embodiment) separated in the circumferential direction of the side protection wall portion 42 via a plurality of slits 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d (four in this embodiment). The separation wall portions 50a to 50d each include a wall α2 extending in two directions orthogonal to the first direction X1, which is the direction in which the top end side of the first terminal member 18 extends, that is, in the up-down direction (Z1, Z2 directions), a wall β2 extending in the left-right direction (Y1, Y2 directions), and a curved wall γ2 connecting the wall α2 and the wall β2. In addition, since the separation wall portions 50a~50d all have a structure in which the wall α2 and the wall β2 extending in the up and down directions and the left and right directions which are two orthogonal directions are connected by the curved wall γ2, the rigidity of each separation wall portion 50a~50d is advantageously ensured, and the durability of the sliding component 22 can be improved.

[0053] The separation wall portions 50a and 50b include protruding wall portions 52a and 52b extending from each wall α2 toward the first opposite direction X2 as the rear side. In addition, the separation wall portions 50c and 50d include protruding wall portions 52c and 52d extending from the entirety of each wall α2, wall β2, and wall γ2 toward the first opposite direction X2 as the rear side. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the slide rail 54a is formed by the separation wall portion 50a and the protruding wall portion 52a, the slide rail 54b is formed by the separation wall portion 50b and the protruding wall portion 52b, the slide rail 54c is formed by the separation wall portion 50c and the protruding wall portion 52c, and the slide rail 54d is formed by the separation wall portion 50d and the protruding wall portion 52d. In addition, the slide rails 54a to 54d of the sliding member 22 are arranged at positions and sizes that are respectively opposite to the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d of the terminal holding portion 30 that penetrates the first connector housing 20. The slide rails 54a to 54d extend in the front-rear direction (X1 and X2 directions) with a cross-sectional shape slightly smaller than the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d so as to be inserted through the corresponding slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d.

[0054] Furthermore, the slide rails 54a to 54d of the slide member 22 are respectively inserted through the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d disposed on the terminal holding portion 30 penetrating the first connector housing 20, so that the slide member 22 can be moved in a manner that allows the slide member 22 to move freely in the first connector housing 20. Figure 4 Closed position shown to Figure 7 The first connector housing 20 is held in a state of sliding movement between the open positions shown.

[0055] <Sliding side suppression portion 56 / connector side suppression portion 58> like Figure 5As shown, the sliding member 22 has a sliding side inhibiting portion 56 provided on the extended wall portion 52d. The first connector housing 20 has a connector side inhibiting portion 58, which engages with the sliding side inhibiting portion 56 when the sliding member 22 is in the closed position, thereby inhibiting the sliding member 22 from moving in the first opposite direction X2, and the connector side inhibiting portion 58 is protrudingly provided on the slide rail insertion portion 32d.

[0056] Specifically, if Fig. 9 As shown, at the top end side of the extending direction (first opposite direction X2) of the extending wall portions 52c, 52d of the sliding member 22, there are provided a through portion 60 penetrating in the plate thickness direction and an elastic flexure piece 62 extending from the inner edge portion of the through portion 60 on the first opposite direction X2 side toward the first direction X1. The elastic flexure piece 62 includes a base piece 64, two side pieces 66 extending from the two side edges of the base piece 64 toward the first direction X1, and a connecting piece 68 connecting the top ends of the two side pieces 66 to each other. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 , Fig. 9 As shown, the sliding side restraining portion 56 is formed by the surface of the connecting piece 68 on the first opposite direction X2 side.

[0057] like Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, the connector side suppression part 58 is protrudingly provided on the bottom surface 70, and the bottom surface 70 divides each of the empty spaces β1 in the slide rail insertion parts 32c and 32d through which the extended wall parts 52c and 52d are respectively inserted and arranged at the closed position of the slide member 22. That is, a suppression protrusion 72 protruding upward (Z1 direction) is provided on the bottom surface 70. And, the connector side suppression part 58 is formed by the surface of the suppression protrusion 72 on the first direction X1 side, and is inclined toward the first opposite direction X2 toward the top of the suppression protrusion 72.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, even if a force is applied in the first opposite direction X2 from the state in the closed position, the sliding side restraining portion 56 is engaged with the connector side restraining portion 58, and the sliding member 22 is restrained from moving in the first opposite direction X2 until a force greater than a set value is applied. Furthermore, when a force greater than a set value is applied in the first opposite direction X2 from the state in the closed position, the elastic flexure piece 62 is bent and the connecting piece 68 passes over the restraining convex portion 72, and the sliding side restraining portion 56 is not engaged with the connector side restraining portion 58, so that the sliding member 22 moves in the first opposite direction X2.

[0059] <Slide-side restriction portion 74 / connector-side restriction portion 76> The slide member 22 has a slide-side restricting portion 74 , and the first connector housing 20 has a connector-side restricting portion 76 . When the slide member 22 is in the closed position, the connector-side restricting portion 76 engages with the slide-side restricting portion 74 , thereby restricting movement of the slide member 22 in the first direction X1 .

[0060] Specifically, if Fig.10 As shown, the slide side restriction portion 74 of this embodiment is composed of the surfaces in the first direction X1 of the two side pieces 66 of the elastic flexible piece 62 respectively provided on the extended wall portions 52c and 52d of the slide member 22. On the other hand, the connector side restriction portion 76 is provided protrudingly on the bottom surface 70, and the bottom surface 70 divides the respective empty spaces β1 in the slide rail insertion portions 32c and 32d through which the extended wall portions 52c and 52d are respectively inserted and arranged at the closed position of the slide member 22. That is, as Figure 8 As shown in the figure, a pair of restricting protrusions 78 protruding upward (in the Z1 direction) are provided on each bottom surface 70 at positions corresponding to the pair of sliding side restricting portions 74. Furthermore, the connector side restricting portion 76 is formed by the surface of the restricting protrusion 78 in the first opposite direction X2. In addition, the surface of the restricting protrusion 78 in the first direction X1 is provided as an inclined surface 80 inclined in the first opposite direction X2 toward the top of the restricting protrusion 78.

[0061] Even if a force is applied in the first direction X1 from the closed position, the sliding member 22 is restrained from moving in the first direction X1 by the engagement of the slide side restraining portion 74 and the connector side restraining portion 76. In addition, since the slide side restraining portion 74 and the connector side restraining portion 76 are engaged with each other in a plane orthogonal to the first direction X1, the elastic flexible piece 62 is restrained from bending and the connecting piece 68 is restrained from passing over the restraining protrusion 78.

[0062] The sliding member 22 has a pressed portion 82. When the second connector 14 is fitted into the first connector 12, the pressed portion 82 is provided on the pressing portion 128 (see Fig.11 and Fig.12 ) is pressed. In the present embodiment, the pressed portion 82 is formed by a large planar area other than the terminal insertion hole 46 of the front protective wall portion 44 of the sliding member 22. That is, the pressed portion 82 is provided on the front protective wall portion 44. The sliding member 22 slides to the open position by pressing the pressed portion 82 by the pressing portion 128.

[0063] The slide member 22 has an engaged portion 84. When the second connector 14 is detached from the first connector 12, the engaged portion 84 is engaged with the engaging portion 132 (see FIG. 1 ) provided on the second connector 14. Fig.11 , Fig.12) is engaged and pulled toward the first direction X1 side, which is the disengagement direction of the second connector 14. The slide member 22 slides to the closed position by pulling the engaged portion 84 by the engaging portion 132.

[0064] like Fig.10 As shown, the sliding member 22 has a pair of flexible pieces 86 separately arranged on the front side (X1 side) of the wall β2 in the separation wall parts 50c and 50d in the left-right direction (Y1, Y2 directions), and a pair of central pieces 88 arranged between the pair of flexible pieces 86 and also separately arranged in the left-right direction. Each flexible piece 86 is connected to the wall β2 in a cantilever beam shape, and has a base end portion and a top end portion provided on the opposite side in the first direction X1. The flexible piece 86 extends from the wall β2 in the first direction X1 and can be bent and deformed downward in the Z2 direction which is orthogonal to the first direction X1.

[0065] The tip of each flexible piece 86 has an engagement hole 90 that penetrates in the plate thickness direction. The engaged portion 84 is formed by the inner wall surface of the engagement hole 90 on the first direction X1 side (see Fig.12 ). Two engaged portions 84 are provided by being provided on each flexible piece 86. In addition, the engaged portion 84 is inclined toward the X1 side with respect to a plane orthogonal to the mounting and dismounting direction of the first connector 12 and the second connector 14. Therefore, when the second connector 14 is removed from the first connector 12, the engaged portion 84 is guided in a manner that the engaging portion 132 is not engaged with the engaged portion 84 when the sliding member 22 is in the closed position.

[0066] A guide surface 92 is provided at the protruding end of each flexible piece 86, which is inclined toward the first opposite direction X2 with respect to a plane orthogonal to the mounting and dismounting direction of the first connector 12 and the second connector 14. When the second connector 14 is fitted to the first connector 12, the guide surface 92 guides the engaging portion 132 to a position where it can engage with the engaged portion 84.

[0067] A contacted portion 94 is provided at the protruding tip (X1 side) of each central piece 88. The contacted portion 94 is located on the Z1 side, which is above the engagement hole 90 of each flexible piece 86, and protrudes toward the first direction X1 and expands in a flat plate shape. The pair of contacted portions 94 provided on the sliding member 22 abut against the pair of contacting portions 134 provided on the second connector 14 from the side (Z1 side) opposite to the protruding side (Z2 side) of the engagement portion 132 protruding toward the engaged portion 84 (see Fig.13 ) By the abutment of each abutted portion 94 against each abutting portion 134 , it is possible to prevent the engaging portion 132 from being displaced in the direction opposite to the protruding direction toward the engaged portion 84 .

[0068] <Second connector 14> like Figure 1 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second connector 14 includes a second terminal member 96 and a second connector housing 98 for maintaining the insulation of the second terminal member 96. Figure 3 , Fig.12 As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, two second terminal members 96 connected to the ends of the two wire harnesses 16 are housed and held inside the second connector housing 98. The top end side of each second terminal member 96 extends upward (in the Z1 direction) from the end of the wire harness 16. The second terminal member 96 in the second connector housing 98 is exposed to the outside through an opening window 99 provided in the second connector housing 98. The second connector housing 98 is assembled to be removable relative to the first connector housing 20.

[0069] The second connector 14 further includes a metal shield cover 100 surrounding the outer surface of the second connector housing 98. The shield cover 100 is configured in a hollow rectangular box shape, and is open to the outside at a connector assembly port 102 opened toward the first opposite direction X2 and a wire pull-out port 104 opened from the second terminal member 96 toward the lower side (Z2 direction) in the direction in which the wire harness 16 extends. A stepped cylindrical shield bracket 106 is mounted on the wire pull-out port 104, and the shield bracket 106 covers the wire pull-out port 104. The wire harness 16 pulled out from the wire pull-out port 104 of the shield cover 100 is inserted through the shield bracket 106 and pulled out to the outside. The shield cover 100 has a fixing portion 110 equipped with a fastening bolt 108, and can be bolted to a battery case (not shown) provided with the first connector 12 at the fixing portion 110 by the fastening bolt 108. Similarly, the shield bracket 106 is also provided with a fixing portion 112 so that the shield bracket 106 can be fixed to a battery case (not shown) by bolts (not shown).

[0070] The connector assembly port 102 of the shielding case 100 is a double-layered tube structure and protrudes toward the first opposite direction X2. The double-layered tube structure includes a substantially rectangular frame-shaped inner peripheral frame 114 and a substantially rectangular frame-shaped outer peripheral frame 116 that is arranged concentrically on the outer peripheral side of the inner peripheral frame with a gap. In addition, a front retainer 118 with a stepped plate shape as an insulating cover member is mounted on the inner peripheral frame 114 of the connector assembly port 102. By covering the connector assembly port 102 with the front retainer 118, the opening window 99 of the second connector housing 98 is covered, thereby preventing the second terminal member 96 housed in the second connector housing 98 from being exposed from the opening window 99 and being exposed to the outside.

[0071] like Fig.12As shown, the front retainer 118 is roughly rectangular in a plan view and has a stepped plate shape having an annular outer peripheral edge portion 120 and a central plane portion 122 located on the first direction X1 side in front of the outer peripheral edge portion 120, connected via a step surface 124. A pair of first terminal receiving holes 126 penetrating in the plate thickness direction are provided in the central plane portion 122 of the front retainer 118. When the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, the connector-side connecting portion 24 of the first terminal component 18 of the first connector 12 is inserted through the first terminal receiving hole 126 and inserted into the interior of the second connector housing 98, and connected to the second terminal component 96. Moreover, a pressing portion 128 for pressing the pressed portion 82 of the sliding component 22 provided on the first connector 12 is formed by a portion of the central plane portion 122 of the front retaining member 118 other than the first terminal receiving hole 126. When the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are engaged with each other, the pressed portion 82 is pressed by the pressing portion 128, so that the sliding component 22 can slide and move to the open position.

[0072] like Fig.11 As shown, elastic locking portions 130 are provided at four locations separated in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral edge portion 120 of the front retainer 118, and a locked portion (not shown) provided on the first connector housing 20 is detachably engaged with the elastic locking portion 130. In addition, a pair of engaging portions 132 and abutting portions 134 are provided on both sides in the left-right direction (Y1, Y2 directions) of the inner wall portion of the outer peripheral edge portion 120 located at the lower side (Z1 side) and sandwiching the elastic locking portion 130.

[0073] Each engaging portion 132 provided on the front retainer 118 is provided at a position corresponding to the engaged portion 84 of the sliding member 22. When the second connector 14 is detached from the first connector 12, each engaging portion 132 engages with the engaged portion 84 and pulls the engaged portion 84 in the detachment direction (X1 direction) from the first connector, thereby enabling the sliding member 22 to slide and move to the closed position.

[0074] Specifically, if Fig.12As shown, the engaging portion 132 is integrally provided with a convex portion 136 protruding from the central plane portion 122 of the front retainer 118 in the first opposite direction X2, and a claw 138 protruding downward (in the Z2 direction) from a position corresponding to the engaged portion 84 at the top end of the convex portion 136. The claw 138 has a tapered shape that gradually tapers toward the protruding direction (Z2 direction), and can bend and deform in the front-back direction (X1, X2 directions). At the top end of the flexible sheet 86 of the sliding member 22, a guide surface 92 inclined toward the engaging hole 90 is provided. When the first connector 12 and the second connector are fitted through the guide surface 92, the claw 138 of the engaging portion 132 abuts against the guide surface 92 and is bent and deformed, and passes over the guide surface 92, so that the engaging portion 132 is guided to a position that can be engaged with the engaging hole 90.

[0075] Each contact portion 134 provided on the front retainer 118 is provided at a position corresponding to the contacted portion 94 of the sliding member 22. Fig.12 When the engaging portion 132 is engaged with the engaging hole 90, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown, each abutting portion 134 abuts against the abutted portion 94 provided on the sliding member 22 from the side opposite to the protruding direction of the engaging portion 132 toward the engaged portion 84. Thus, the engaging portion 132 is prevented from being displaced to the side (Z2 direction) opposite to the protruding direction (Z1 direction), and the engaging portion 132 can be held in the engaging hole 90 and stably maintained in the engaged state with the engaged portion 84.

[0076] exist Fig.12 In the illustrated fitted state of the first connector 12 and the second connector 14, the cover portion 34 of the first connector housing 20 provided in the first connector 12 is accommodated in the accommodation space provided between the inner peripheral frame 114 and the outer peripheral frame 116 of the shield cover 100. Thus, the cover portion 34 of the first connector 12 can be covered by the shield cover 100 over the entire circumference, and the shielding effect of the shield cover 100 can be stably ensured.

[0077] In the connector assembly 10 of the present embodiment, the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 constructed as described above are connected to each other. Figure 1 The non-embedded state shown is assembled into Figure 2 In the fitted state shown, the first terminal member 18 provided on the first connector 12 and the second terminal member 96 provided on the second connector 14 can be maintained in a connected state.

[0078] exist Figure 1In the non-embedded state shown, from the time when the sliding member 22 of the first connector 12 is in the closed position, the side protection wall portion 42 covers the periphery of the first terminal member 18, and the front protection wall portion 44 covering the top opening of the side protection wall portion 42 covers the front surface of the first terminal member 18. Therefore, the possibility of fingers touching the first terminal member 18 is reduced, and the anti-electric shock effect can be improved. As a result, it is not necessary to install insulating parts on the first terminal member 18 as in the prior art, and the first terminal member 18 can be composed of only metal parts, thereby simplifying the structure of the first terminal member 18.

[0079] Furthermore, when the sliding member 22 of the first connector 12 is in the closed position, the sliding side restraining portion 56 provided on the sliding member 22 abuts against the connector side restraining portion 58 provided on the first connector housing 20, thereby restraining the sliding member 22 from moving in the first opposite direction X2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sliding member 22 from moving in the first opposite direction X2 due to an unexpected external force and exposing the first terminal member 18. As a result, the anti-electric shock effect on the first terminal member 18 can be well maintained.

[0080] In addition, when the sliding member 22 of the first connector 12 is in the closed position, the sliding side limiting portion 74 provided on the sliding member 22 abuts against the connector side limiting portion 76 provided on the first connector housing 20, thereby limiting the movement of the sliding member 22 in the first direction X1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sliding member 22 from falling off from the first connector housing 20 due to an unexpected external force and exposing the first terminal member 18. As a result, the anti-electric shock effect of the first terminal member 18 can be well maintained.

[0081] Next, when the second connector 14 is fitted into the first connector 12, first, the connector fitting opening 102 of the shield cover 100 of the second connector 14 is opposed to the front protection wall portion 44 of the slide member 22 of the first connector 12 in the first direction X1. Next, when the second connector 14 is further brought closer to the first connector 12, the front protection wall portion 44 of the slide member 22 of the first connector 12 abuts against the central plane portion 122 of the front retainer 118 of the second connector 14. The portion of the front protection wall portion 44 other than the terminal insertion hole 46 constitutes the pressed portion 82, and the portion of the central plane portion 122 other than the first terminal receiving hole 126 constitutes the pressing portion 128. Then, the pressed portion 82 of the slide member 22 is pressed by the pressing portion 128 of the second connector 14 and slides to the open position. That is, by the fitting operation of the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 , the slide member 22 can be slidably moved to the open position without requiring a jig or the like.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the pressing portion 128 is formed by a large plane area other than the first terminal receiving hole 126 in the central plane portion 122 of the front retainer 118. In addition, the pressed portion 82 of the sliding member 22 is also formed by a large plane area other than the terminal insertion hole 46 of the front protective wall portion 44. Therefore, the pressing portion 128 and the pressed portion 82 can be brought into surface contact with a large contact area, and the stable sliding movement of the sliding member 22 can be achieved, thereby advantageously suppressing the occurrence of unfavorable situations such as the sliding member moving in an inclined state.

[0083] Next, Figure 2 The operation when the second connector 14 embedded in the first connector 12 is detached from the first connector 12 will be described. Fig.12 As shown, in the fitted state of the first connector and the second connector 14, the engaging portion 132 provided in the second connector 14 is in a state of protruding into the engaging hole 90 provided in the flexible piece 86 of the sliding member 22 of the first connector 12. When the second connector 14 is moved toward the first direction X1 as the disengagement direction from this state, the engaging portion 132 engages with the engaged portion 84 that partitions the engaging hole 90, and the engaging portion 132 transmits the displacement force in the first direction X1 applied to the second connector 14 to the engaged portion 84. As a result, the engaged portion 84 and the sliding member 22 are moved toward the first direction X1 by the engaging portion 132, and the sliding member 22 can be moved to the closed position.

[0084] The sliding member 22 moved to the closed position is further restricted from displacement in the first direction X1 by the contact between the sliding side restriction portion 74 and the connector side restriction portion 76. Therefore, the displacement force in the first direction X1 applied to the second connector 14 induces further elastic deformation of the engaging portion 132, and the engaging portion 132 is disengaged from the engaging hole 90, and the second connector 14 is disengaged from the first connector 12 to become a separated state. In this way, the sliding member 22 can be slid to the closed position without using a clamp or the like, and the sliding member can be slid to the closed position by only removing the second connector 14 from the first connector 12 without other steps.

[0085] In particular, in the present embodiment, the abutted portion 94 provided on the sliding member 22 abuts against the abutting portion 134 provided on the second connector near the engaging portion 132, thereby preventing the engaging portion 132 from being displaced to the side opposite to the protruding direction. Thus, the engaging portion 132 is prevented from being pulled out of the engaging hole 90, and the engaging state of the engaging portion 132 and the engaged portion 84 can be advantageously maintained. Thus, when the second connector 14 is detached from the first connector 12, the engaging portion 132 is detached from the engaged portion 84, and the occurrence of an unfavorable situation in which the sliding member 22 cannot be pulled out to the closed position can be suppressed.

[0086] Here, in the first connector 12, the sliding member 22 has the slide rails 54a to 54d, and the slide rails 54a to 54d are inserted through the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d disposed in the first connector housing 20, so that the sliding member 22 is maintained to be able to slide and displace in the front-rear direction (the first direction X1, the first opposite direction X2) relative to the first connector housing 20. Moreover, the slide rails 54a to 54d are in contact with the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d, so that the displacement of the sliding member 22 in the direction orthogonal to the first direction X1 is restricted. Thus, the sliding movement that causes the tilt of the sliding member 22 is advantageously restricted, and the damage of the sliding member can be prevented, thereby improving the durability.

[0087] In particular, in this embodiment, the side protection wall portion 42 is separated in the circumferential direction by the plurality of slits 48a to 48d to form a plurality of separation wall portions 50a to 50d, and the separation wall portions 50a to 50d can be used to form the slide rails 54a to 54d. Fig.12 As shown, in the open position of the slide member 22, the separation wall portions 50a to 50d are respectively accommodated in the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d, and function as slide rails. Figures 4 to 6 In the closed position of the sliding member 22 shown in the figure, the separation wall portions 50a to 50d function as the side protection wall portions 42, and the extended wall portions 52a to 52d are respectively accommodated in the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d, and function as slide rails. In this way, in this embodiment, the sliding member 22 is multifunctional and miniaturized with a small number of parts. In addition, during the sliding movement of the sliding member 22 from the closed position to the open position, by inserting any part of the slide rails 54a to 54d into the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d, the sliding movement of the sliding member can be stably achieved.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the slide rails 54a to 54d inserted and arranged in the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d are arranged opposite to each other in two directions orthogonal to the first direction X1 on both sides with the first terminal member 18 sandwiched therebetween. For example, in the up-down direction (Z1, Z2 directions) orthogonal to the first direction X1, the group of the slide rail 54a / slide rail insertion portion 32a is arranged opposite to the group of the slide rail 54d / slide rail insertion portion 32d, and the group of the slide rail 54b / slide rail insertion portion 32b is arranged opposite to the group of the slide rail 54c / slide rail insertion portion 32c. In the left-right direction (Y1, Y2 direction) orthogonal to the first direction X1, the group of slide rail 54a / slide rail insertion portion 32a is arranged opposite to the group of slide rail 54b / slide rail insertion portion 32b, and the group of slide rail 54c / slide rail insertion portion 32c is arranged opposite to the group of slide rail 54d / slide rail insertion portion 32d. In such a structure, the rigidity and durability of the sliding member 22 can be further advantageously ensured, and the sliding movement of the sliding member 22 can be further stably guided.

[0089] In this embodiment, the two first terminal components 18 are covered by the side protective wall portion 42 and the front protective wall portion 44 of the single sliding component 22 located in the closed position, so that the sliding component 22 can be shared by the two first terminal components 18, and the number of components of the first connector 12 can be reduced and miniaturized.

[0090] <Modification> As a specific example of the present disclosure, the first embodiment is described in detail above, but the present disclosure is not limited to this specific description. The present disclosure includes modifications and improvements within the scope that can achieve the purpose of the present disclosure. For example, the technical scope of the present disclosure also includes the following modified examples of the embodiments.

[0091] (1) In the first connector 12 of the above embodiment, the plurality of first terminal members 18 are covered by a single slide member 22 . However, each first terminal member 18 may be covered by a separate slide member 22 .

[0092] (2) In the second connector 14 of the above embodiment, the engaging portion 132 and the contact portion 134 are provided on the front retainer 118 as an insulating cover member, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the second connector 14 does not have the shield cover 100, the engaging portion and the contact portion may be provided on an insulating cover member directly covering the opening window 99 of the second connector housing 98, or the engaging portion and the contact portion may be provided integrally on the second connector housing 98.

[0093] (3) The movement of the sliding member 22 from the closed position to the open position is performed by the pressing portion 128 pressing the pressed portion 82, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be performed using a clamp or the like. Similarly, the movement of the sliding member from the open position to the closed position is performed by the engaging portion 132 pulling the engaged portion 84 in the first direction X1, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the movement may be performed using a clamp or the like, or may be performed using the force of a force applying member.

[0094] (4) The specific structures of the slide-side restraining portion 56 and the connector-side restraining portion 58 are not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment, and any shape and structure may be adopted as long as the movement of the sliding member 22 in the closed position in the first opposite direction X2 can be restrained.

[0095] (5) The specific structures of the slide-side restricting portion 74 and the connector-side restricting portion 76 are not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment, and any shape and structure may be adopted as long as the movement of the slide member 22 in the closed position in the first direction X1 can be restricted.

[0096] (6) In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the first connector 12 includes two first terminal members 18 , but the first connector 12 may include one or three or more first terminal members 18 . Description of Reference Numerals

[0097] 10 Connector Assembly 121st connector 14 2nd connector 16 Wire Harness 181st terminal part 201st connector housing 22 Sliding parts 24 Connector side connection part 26 Equipment side connection 28 Retained part 30 Terminal holding portion 32a~32d Slide rail insertion portion 34 Hood 36 sealing convex part 38 Fixing plate 40 Ring 42 Side protection wall 44 Front protection wall 46 Terminal insertion hole 48a~48d Slit 50a~50d separation wall part 52a~52d protrude from the wall 54a~54d slide rail 56 Sliding side restraint 58 Connector side restraint 60 Through 62 elastic flexure 64 base piece 66 two side pieces 68 Connecting piece 70 Bottom 72 Suppress convex part 74 Sliding side restriction part 76 Connector side restriction 78 Restriction convex part 80 Inclined surface 82 Pressed part 84 clamped part 86 Flexible sheet 88 Central Film 90 snap-in hole 92 Guide surface 94 abutment portion 96 2nd terminal part 98 2nd connector housing 99 Opening Window 100 Shielding cover 102 Connector assembly port 104 Wire pull-out port 106 Shielding bracket 108 Fastening bolt 110 Fixed part 112 Fixed part 114 Inner peripheral frame 116 Peripheral frame 118 front retainer (insulating cover member) 120 outer periphery 122 Central plane 124 Step surface 126 1st terminal storage hole 128 Pressing part 130 elastic locking part 132 snap-fit ​​part 134 Contact part 136 convex part 138 claws α1 The space extending in the vertical direction β1 The space extending in the left and right directions γ1 is the space connecting α1 and β1 in a curved shape α2 Wall extending in the vertical direction β2 Wall extending in the left and right directions γ2 is a wall that connects α2 and β2 in a curved shape

Claims

1. A first connector that can be detachably assembled to a second connector, wherein: The first connector comprises: A first terminal member, the top end of which extends toward a first direction; a first connector housing that holds the first terminal member; and a sliding member held by the first connector housing, The sliding member is slidable relative to the first connector housing between a closed position located at an end in the first direction and an open position located at an end in a first opposite direction which is a direction opposite to the first direction. The sliding member comprises: a side protection wall portion, which, in the closed position, covers the periphery of the first terminal member separately from the first terminal member in a direction orthogonal to the first direction in the first terminal member and protrudes further than the first terminal member in the first direction; and a front protection wall portion, which covers the top end opening of the side protection wall portion; and a terminal insertion hole which is provided through the front protection wall portion and allows the first terminal member to be inserted therethrough, When the slide member is moved to the open position, the first terminal member is inserted through the terminal insertion hole of the slide member and protrudes from the front protection wall portion in the first direction.

2. The first connector according to claim 1, wherein: The first connector includes a plurality of the first terminal members, and the plurality of the first terminal members are covered by the side protection wall portion and the front protection wall portion of the single slide member disposed in the closed position.

3. The first connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The first connector housing includes a terminal holding portion that holds a held portion located between the tip end side and the base end side of the first terminal member, and a rail insertion portion that penetrates the outer peripheral edge portion of the terminal holding portion in the first direction. The sliding member includes a slide rail extending from the front protection wall portion of the sliding member toward the first opposite direction, and the slide rail is inserted into the slide rail insertion portion so as to be movable toward the first direction and the first opposite direction. The slide rail is brought into contact with the slide rail insertion portion, thereby restricting displacement of the slide member in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The first connector according to claim 3, wherein: The side protection wall portion of the sliding member is configured to include a plurality of separation wall portions separated in the circumferential direction via a plurality of slits. The slide rail is configured to include the separation wall portion.

5. The first connector according to claim 4, wherein: The slide rail includes a protruding wall portion extending from the separation wall portion in the first opposite direction. In the closed position, the protruding wall portion of the slide rail is inserted through the slide rail insertion portion disposed in the first connector housing.

6. The first connector according to claim 3, wherein: The pair of the slide rail and the slide rail insertion portion is disposed on both sides of the first terminal member so as to face each other in two directions orthogonal to the first direction in the first terminal member.

7. The first connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The sliding member has a sliding side restraining portion, The first connector housing includes a connector-side restraining portion that engages with the slide-side restraining portion when the slide member is in the closed position, thereby restraining the slide member from moving in the first opposite direction.

8. The first connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The sliding member has a sliding side restriction portion, The first connector housing includes a connector-side restriction portion that engages with the slide-side restriction portion when the slide member is in the closed position, thereby restricting movement of the slide member in the first direction.

9. The first connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The sliding component has a pressed portion that is pressed by a pressing portion provided on the second connector when the second connector is fitted into the first connector, the pressed portion being provided on the front protective wall portion, and the sliding component slides to the open position by being pressed by the pressed portion.

10. The first connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The sliding component has an engaged portion, and when the second connector is detached from the first connector, the engaged portion is engaged with the engaging portion provided on the second connector and is pulled in the detachment direction of the second connector. The sliding component is pulled by the engaging portion through the engaged portion and slides to the closed position.

11. The first connector according to claim 10, wherein: The sliding member has an abutted portion abutting against an abutting portion provided on the second connector from a side opposite to a protruding direction in which the engaging portion protrudes toward the engaged portion, and the engaging portion is prevented from being displaced to a side opposite to the protruding direction by the abutted portion abutting against the abutting portion.

12. A second connector detachably assembled to the first connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The second connector comprises: a second terminal member connected to the first terminal member of the first connector; a second connector housing that holds the second terminal member; a pressing portion that presses a pressed portion provided on the sliding member when the sliding member is fitted into the first connector, so that the sliding member slides to the open position; and The engaging portion engages with the engaged portion provided on the sliding member when the sliding member is removed from the first connector, and pulls the engaged portion in a disengagement direction from the first connector to slide the sliding member to the closed position.

13. The second connector according to claim 12, wherein: The second connector housing has an opening window for exposing the second terminal member to the outside. The invention further comprises an insulating cover member covering the opening window, wherein a first terminal receiving hole is formed through a central plane portion of the cover member, and the pressing portion is formed by a portion of the central plane portion excluding the first terminal receiving hole.

14. The second connector according to claim 12, wherein: The second connector housing comprises the engaging portion and an abutting portion abutting against an abutted portion provided on the sliding member from a side opposite to a protruding direction in which the engaging portion protrudes toward the engaged portion, and the engaging portion is prevented from being displaced to a side opposite to the protruding direction by the abutted portion abutting against the abutting portion.

15. A connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector that are detachably assembled to each other, wherein: Using the first connector according to claim 1 as the first connector, The second connector according to claim 12 is used as the second connector.

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