Electrical junction box

Abstract

An electrical connection box is provided with: a connection body (50) to which an electronic component (3) and an electric wire (5) electrically connected to a terminal of the electronic component (3) are assembled; a frame (30) having a fitting and holding part (31) for fitting and holding the connector (50); and a locking structure (60) for locking the connector (50) inserted from the lower opening of the frame (30) to the fitting holding part (31). The lock structure (60) is provided with: a lock protrusion (36) that protrudes from the inner wall surface (31a) of the fitting / holding section (31); and a cantilever-beam-shaped lock arm (52) which is provided so as to protrude from the outer surface (51a) of the connecting body (50), and which has a distal end extending in the fitting direction (A) of the connecting body (50) along the outer surface (51a). The lock arm (52) has a flexible arm main body (53) and an engagement protrusion (56) that protrudes from the outer surface of the arm main body (53) and engages with the lock protrusion (36).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical connection box. Background Art

[0002] Known are in-vehicle electrical connection boxes that detachably mount electronic components, such as fuses and relays, on their surfaces (see Patent Document 1, etc.). To improve the storage capacity of the electronic components housed within the box, these boxes have an electronic component block (connector) detachably mounted on a frame. The electronic component block contains the electronic components and wires electrically connected to the terminals of the electronic components. The electronic component block, inserted through the lower opening of the frame, is detachably secured to the frame by a locking mechanism, preventing it from falling out of the frame.

[0003] like Figure 9 As shown, the conventional locking structure 560 is constructed to include: a locking protrusion 536 protruding from the inner wall surface 531a of the interlocking retaining portion 531 in the frame 530; and a cantilever beam-shaped locking arm 552 formed on the outer side surface 551a of the connector 550 assembled with the electronic component 3.

[0004] The locking arm 552 includes a flexible arm body 553 whose distal end extends in a direction opposite to the fitting direction (downward in the figure) along the outer side surface 551 a of the connector 550 , and an engaging protrusion 556 protruding from the outer surface of the arm body 553 .

[0005] Therefore, when the connector 550 is inserted through the lower opening of the frame 530, the locking protrusion 536 of the frame 530 presses the outer surface of the locking arm 552, causing the arm body 553 to bend inward with the base as a support point. After the engaging protrusion 556 passes over the locking protrusion 536, the locking protrusion 536 engages the engaging protrusion 556 of the elastically restored locking arm 552. This prevents the connector 550 from falling off the frame 530.

[0006] However, in the locking structure 560 of the electrical junction box, in order to detect the half-fitting of the locking arm 552 of the connector 550 fitted with the fitting holding portion 531 of the frame 530 , confirmation is required from the lower opening of the frame 530 .

[0007] That is, Figure 10 As shown, it is necessary to visually confirm the engagement state of the engagement protrusion 556 of the locking arm 552 and the locking protrusion 536 of the frame 530 from the lower opening of the frame 530, or as shown in FIG. Figure 11 As shown, it is necessary to insert the detection jig 70 into the arm deflection space between the outer side surface 551a of the connector 550 and the arm body 553 of the lock arm 552 to detect the semi-fitted state of the lock arm.

[0008] Prior art literature

[0009] Patent Literature

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-198144 Summary of the Invention

[0011] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0012] However, the conventional lock structure 560 has a problem in that the half-fitted state of the lock arm 552 cannot be easily confirmed.

[0013] That is, in such an electrical connection box, Figure 9 As shown, a plurality of electric wires 5 connected to terminals of a plurality of electronic components 3 housed in the electrical connection box and led downward are routed toward a guide outlet at the lower portion of the frame 530 .

[0014] Therefore, these wires 5 pass under the connector 550, obscuring the locking structure 560. This makes it difficult to visually see the locking arm 552 through the lower opening of the frame 530, and it is impossible to ensure sufficient space for inserting the inspection jig 70 into the arm's flexing space, making it difficult to confirm that the locking structure 560 is partially engaged. As a result, there is a problem in which the connector cannot be reliably assembled into the mating retaining portion of the frame.

[0015] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and an object thereof is to provide an electrical junction box capable of reliably assembling a connection body to a fitting holding portion of a frame.

[0016] Means for solving problems

[0017] The above-mentioned object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration.

[0018] An electrical connection box comprises: a connector, which is assembled with electronic components and wires electrically connected to terminals of the electronic components; a frame, which has an embedding retaining portion that embeds and retains the connector; and a locking structure, wherein the connector inserted from the lower opening of the frame is locked in the embedding retaining portion, and the locking structure comprises: a locking protrusion, which is protruded from the inner wall surface of the embedding retaining portion; and a cantilever beam-shaped locking arm, which is protruded from the outer side surface of the connector and has a terminal end extending along the outer side surface in the embedding direction of the connector, and the locking arm has a flexible arm main body and an engaging protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the arm main body and engaging with the locking protrusion.

[0019] Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the electrical junction box of the present invention, the connection body can be reliably assembled to the fitting holding portion of the frame.

[0021] The present invention has been briefly described above, but the details of the present invention will become clearer by reading through the following description of the mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover of the electrical junction box according to one embodiment of the present invention is removed.

[0023] Figure 2 It means from Figure 1 A perspective view of the frame's fitting holding portion shown in FIG. 1 with the connector removed.

[0024] Figure 3 Looking up from below Figure 2 This is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the fitting and holding portion of the frame.

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of the main parts of the connector is shown.

[0026] Figure 5 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part showing a state before the connecting body is fitted into the fitting holding portion of the frame.

[0027] Figure 6 Is to insert the connector into Figure 5 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the main parts of the frame after the frame is fitted with the retaining portion.

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A plan view of the mating retaining portion is shown.

[0029] Figure 8 It indicates detection Figure 6 This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a locking structure showing a detection jig for the locking state in use.

[0030] Figure 9 This is an enlarged longitudinal cross-section of the main part of an electrical junction box with a conventional locking structure.

[0031] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 The bottom view of the interlocking retaining portion is shown.

[0032] Figure 11 It indicates detection Figure 9 This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a locking structure showing a detection jig for the locking state in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing a state where the upper cover 10 of the electrical junction box 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is removed. Figure 2 It means from Figure 1 The three-dimensional view of the state where the fitting holding portion 31 of the frame 30 is removed from the connector 50 is shown. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown by the arrow.

[0035] The electrical connection box 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle, for example, and is interposed between a vehicle power source (secondary battery) (not shown) and electronic devices to adjust the power supplied from the power source to the electronic devices. The electrical connection box 1 is sometimes referred to as a relay box, fuse box, or junction box.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electrical junction box 1 according to this embodiment houses a plurality of electronic components 3 within a housing body 20. The upper opening of a frame 30 is covered by an upper cover 10. The housing body 20 includes a frame 30 made of, for example, insulating resin, a connector 50 inserted through the lower opening of the frame 30 and fitted and retained in a fitting and retaining portion 31 of the frame 30, and a lower cover 40 covering the lower opening of the frame 30. Furthermore, a locking structure 60 is provided between the frame 30 and the connector 50 for locking the connector 50, inserted through the lower opening of the frame 30, in the fitting and retaining portion 31.

[0037] The electronic components 3 housed in the housing body 20 are, for example, relays, fuses, fusible links, etc. The electronic components 3 include an electronic component body 3a such as a relay body and a fuse body arranged on the inner side of the connector 50, and a plurality of terminals (not shown) as electrical connection parts electrically connected to the electronic component body 3a. The wires 5 are electrically connected to the terminals of these electronic components 3. The plurality of wires 5 connected to the terminals of the electronic components 3 and drawn downward are wired toward the outlet 22 of the housing body 20 at the lower part of the frame 30 (see FIG. 2 ). Figure 6 ).

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the frame 30 of this embodiment includes a frame-shaped housing body 33, a partition wall 35 that defines a plurality of fitting holding portions 31 and an electronic component storage chamber 32 within the housing body 33, and a reinforcing beam portion 37. A plurality of electronic components 3 are stored and arranged in the electronic component storage chamber 32 so as to be exposed through an opening at the top of the frame 30.

[0039] The reinforcing beam 37 is a reinforcement portion that is provided between the housing body 33 and the partition wall 35 to ensure the rigidity of the frame 30 when the rigidity of the frame 30 may be reduced due to the increase in the opening area of ​​the fitting holding portion 31. The reinforcement beam 37 has a U-shaped cross section.

[0040] Figure 3 Looking up from below Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the fitting holding portion 31 of the frame 30 .

[0041] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the fitting and holding portion 31 of the present embodiment is partitioned and formed by the housing body 33 and the partition wall 35 so as to have an opening shape corresponding to the outer shape of the connecting body 50 to be fitted and held.

[0042] Locking protrusions 36 constituting a locking structure 60 described later and a pair of rail portions 38 , 38 facing each other with the locking protrusions 36 interposed therebetween are projected from a plurality of (three in this embodiment) inner wall surfaces 31 a of the fitting holding portion 31 .

[0043] The locking projection 36 is formed of a protrusion having a triangular cross section extending in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction A of the connector 50 .

[0044] The pair of guide rails 38, 38 comprises a guide portion 38a having an L-shaped cross section, extending along the insertion direction A of the connector 50 and being bent so that the distal edges thereof face each other; and a stopper portion 38b formed at the upper end of the guide portion 38a. The pair of guide rails 38, 38 of the fitting retaining portion 31 guide the pair of guided rail portions 58, 58 of the connector 50, described later, along the insertion direction A.

[0045] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The main part of the connecting body 50 is shown in an enlarged perspective view.

[0046] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the connector 50 according to this embodiment includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 51 and a plurality of electronic component storage portions 54 provided on the upper portion of the housing 51. The electronic component 3 and the wire 5 are assembled in the electronic component storage portions 54, and one end of the wire 5 is electrically connected to a terminal of the electronic component 3 via a terminal on the other side (not shown).

[0047] Projecting from multiple (three in this embodiment) outer side surfaces 51a of the frame portion 51 of the connector 50 are: cantilevered beam-shaped locking arms 52, whose distal ends extend along the outer side surfaces 51a in the insertion direction A of the connector 50; and a pair of guided rail portions 58, 58, which are arranged opposite each other with the locking arms 52 interposed therebetween and extend in the insertion direction A. The locking arms 52 are provided to correspond to the locking protrusions 36 of the mating retaining portion 31 described above, and together with the locking protrusions 36, constitute a locking structure 60.

[0048] The lock arm 52 includes a flexible arm body 53 and an engaging projection 56 that projects from an outer surface of the arm body 53 and engages with the lock projection 36 .

[0049] A tapered surface 55 is formed on the inner surface side of the distal end portion of the locking arm 52 and is inclined in the direction away from the outer side surface 51a of the connector 50 along the insertion direction A (see FIG. Figure 5 ).

[0050] Furthermore, the locking arm 52 is configured so that the distal end portion does not protrude from the upper opening of the fitting holding portion 31 when the connecting body 50 is held in the fitting holding portion 31 (see FIG. Figure 6 ).

[0051] The pair of guided rail portions 58, 58 extend along the insertion direction A of the connector 50 and are formed of L-shaped protrusions bent so that their end edges face opposite to each other. The protruding height of the guided rail portions 58 relative to the outer side surface 51a of the connector 50 is formed to be substantially equal to the protruding height of the engaging protrusion 56 of the locking arm 52 relative to the outer side surface 51a (see FIG. Figure 5 ).

[0052] The pair of guided rail portions 58, 58 of the connector 50 are inserted and guided into the pair of guide rail portions 38, 38 of the fitting retaining portion 31 until the engaging protrusion 56 of the locking arm 52 reaches the engaged position relative to the locking projection 36 of the fitting retaining portion 31. Furthermore, the connector 50 is restricted from moving in the fitting direction A by the upper end portions of the guided rail portions 58 abutting against the stopper portions 38b of the guide rail portions 38.

[0053] Next, a description will be given of a procedure for assembling the connection body 50 to the fitting holding portion 31 of the frame 30 in the electrical junction box 1 .

[0054] Figure 5 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part showing a state before the connecting body 50 is fitted into the fitting holding portion 31 of the frame 30 . Figure 6 This means that the connector 50 is fitted into Figure 5 The main part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the frame 30 is shown in a state where the holding portion 31 is fitted therein.

[0055] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the locking structure 60 of this embodiment has: a locking protrusion 36 and a pair of guide rail portions 38, 38 protruding from the inner wall surface 31a of the interlocking retaining portion 31; and a locking arm 52 and a pair of guided rail portions 58, 58 protruding from the outer side surface 51a of the connecting body 50.

[0056] First, if Figure 5 As shown, the connector 50 inserted from the lower opening of the frame 30 is inserted into the fitting holding portion 31 along the insertion direction A. At this time, the connector 50 is inserted along the insertion direction A guided by the pair of guided rail portions 58 , 58 provided on the frame 30 .

[0057] Therefore, even if the assembling operator cannot directly visually observe the mating portion between the mating holding portion 31 and the connector 50, the assembling operator can guide the connector 50 to the appropriate position (by inserting the connector 50 into the mating holding portion 31 from below in the insertion direction A in such a manner that the pair of guided rail portions 58, 58 of the connector 50 are guided by the pair of guide rail portions 38, 38 of the frame 30). Figure 6 location shown in the figure).

[0058] That is, the connector 50 is less likely to tilt when inserted into the mating holding portion 31, and both sides of the locking arm 52 are surrounded by the pair of guided rail portions 58, 58. Therefore, when inserted into the mating holding portion 31, insertion defects such as the cantilevered locking arm 52, whose distal end extends in the insertion direction A, biting into the lower edge of the mating holding portion 31, are suppressed.

[0059] When the connector 50 is inserted into the fitting retaining portion 31 through the lower opening of the frame 30, the locking protrusion 36 of the frame 30 presses against the outer surface of the locking arm 52, causing the arm body 53 to bend inward with the base as a support point. After the engaging protrusion 56 passes over the locking protrusion 36, the locking protrusion 36 engages the engaging protrusion 56 of the elastically restored locking arm 52. As a result, the connector 50 is prevented from falling out of the fitting retaining portion 31 and is fitted and retained in the locked state.

[0060] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A plan view of the fitting holding portion 31 is shown. Figure 8 It indicates detection Figure 6 The main part of the locking structure 60 is enlarged and longitudinally sectional drawing which shows the usage state of the detection jig 70 of the locking state of the locking structure 60.

[0061] And, as Figure 7 As shown, the assembling operator can directly visually observe the fitting portion between the fitting holding portion 31 and the connector 50 from the upper opening of the frame 30 .

[0062] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown, the assembly operator can insert the detection jig 70 from above into the arm flexure space between the outer side surface 51a of the connector 50 and the arm body 53 of the locking arm 52, thereby detecting the semi-engaged state of the locking arm 52. Furthermore, a tapered surface 55 is formed on the inner surface of the distal end of the locking arm 52, inclined along the insertion direction A away from the outer side surface 51a of the connector 50. This allows for smooth insertion of the detection jig 70 into the arm flexure space.

[0063] Therefore, in the electrical connection box 1 involved in this embodiment, the locking structure 60 that locks the connector 50 inserted from the lower opening of the frame 30 to the interlocking retaining portion 31 includes: a locking protrusion 36, which is protruded from the inner wall surface 31a of the interlocking retaining portion 31; and a cantilever beam-shaped locking arm 52, which is protruded from the outer side surface 51a of the connector 50 and extends along the embedding direction A of the connector 50.

[0064] Therefore, the mating engagement between the mating retaining portion 31 and the connector 50 can be directly visually observed from the upper opening of the frame 30. Furthermore, the detection jig 70 can be inserted from above into the arm flexure space to detect the partially engaged state of the locking arm 52. Specifically, the locking structure 60 of this embodiment is obscured by the wires 5 passing below the connector 50, making it difficult to visually inspect the locking arm 52. Alternatively, there is insufficient space to insert the detection jig 70 into the arm flexure space, preventing difficulty in confirming the partially engaged state.

[0065] Therefore, according to the electrical junction box 1 of the present embodiment, the connection body 50 can be reliably assembled to the fitting holding portion 31 of the frame 30 .

[0066] In addition, according to the electrical connection box 1 involved in this embodiment, the locking structure 60 includes: a pair of guided rail portions 58, 58, which are arranged to face each other in a manner that the locking arm 52 is sandwiched in the middle and are protruded from the outer side surface 51a, extending along the insertion direction A; and a pair of guide rail portions 38, 38, which are arranged to face each other in a manner that the locking protrusion 36 is sandwiched in the middle and are protruded from the inner wall surface 31a, guiding the pair of guided rail portions 58, 58 to be inserted until the engaging protrusion 56 becomes the engaged position relative to the locking protrusion 36.

[0067] Therefore, even if the assembly operator cannot directly visually observe the mating fitting parts of the mating retaining portion 31 and the connecting body 50, the connecting body 50 can be guided to the appropriate position by inserting the connecting body 50 into the mating retaining portion 31 from below the mating retaining portion 31 along the embedding direction A in a manner such that a pair of guided rail portions 58, 58 of the connecting body 50 are guided by a pair of guide rail portions 38, 38 of the frame 30.

[0068] Furthermore, the connector 50 is less likely to tilt when inserted into the mating holding portion 31, and both sides of the locking arm 52 are surrounded by the pair of guided rail portions 58, 58. Therefore, when inserted into the mating holding portion 31, insertion failures such as the cantilevered locking arm 52, whose distal end extends in the insertion direction A, biting into the lower edge of the mating holding portion 31, are suppressed.

[0069] In the electrical junction box 1 according to the present embodiment, the lock arm 52 is configured such that the distal end portion thereof does not protrude from the upper opening of the fitting holding portion 31 .

[0070] Therefore, the lock arm 52 is prevented from being erroneously operated in the lock releasing direction.

[0071] In the electrical junction box 1 of the present embodiment, a tapered surface 55 is formed on the inner surface side of the distal end portion of the lock arm 52 , the tapered surface 55 being inclined in the fitting direction A away from the outer surface 51 a of the connector 50 .

[0072] Therefore, the detection jig 70 can be smoothly inserted from above into the arm bending space between the outer side surface 51 a of the connecting body 50 and the arm main body 53 of the lock arm 52 .

[0073] Therefore, according to the electrical junction box 1 of the present embodiment described above, the connection body 50 can be easily assembled to the fitting holding portion 31 of the frame 30 .

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement position, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0075] Here, the features of the embodiment of the electrical connection box of the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [4]. [1]

[0077] An electrical connection box (1) comprises: a connector (50) assembled with an electronic component (3) and an electric wire (5) electrically connected to a terminal of the electronic component (3); a frame (30) having a fitting holding portion (31) for fitting and holding the connector (50); and a locking structure (60) for locking the connector (50) inserted from a lower opening of the frame (30) in the fitting holding portion (31).

[0078] The locking structure (60) comprises: a locking protrusion (36) protruding from the inner wall surface (31a) of the engaging holding portion (31); and a cantilever beam-shaped locking arm (52) protruding from the outer side surface (51a) of the connecting body (50), with a terminal end extending along the outer side surface (51a) in the embedding direction (A) of the connecting body (50).

[0079] The locking arm (52) has a flexible arm body (53) and an engaging protrusion (56) protruding from the outer surface of the arm body (53) and engaging with the locking protrusion (36).

[0080] According to the electrical connection box (1) described in [1] above, the mating matching portion between the mating retaining portion (31) of the frame (30) and the connector (50) can be directly visually observed from the upper opening of the frame (30). In addition, by inserting the detection jig (70) into the arm flexure space from above, the semi-mated state of the locking arm (52) can be detected. In other words, there will be no situation where the locking arm (52) becomes difficult to visually observe due to the obstruction of the wire (5) passing through the lower part of the connector (50), or there will be no situation where it becomes difficult to confirm the semi-mated state due to the inability to ensure that there is enough space for inserting the detection jig (70) into the arm flexure space.

[0081] [2] The electrical connection box (1) according to [1] above,

[0082] The locking structure (60) has:

[0083] a pair of guided rail portions (58, 58), the pair of guided rail portions (58, 58) being arranged opposite to each other in a manner of sandwiching the locking arm (53) and protrudingly provided on the outer side surface (51a), extending along the embedding direction (A); and

[0084] A pair of guide rail portions (38, 38) are arranged opposite to each other in a manner of sandwiching the locking protrusion (36) and protruding from the inner wall surface (31a), and the pair of guided rail portions (58, 58) are inserted and guided until the engaging protrusion (56) reaches an engaging completion position relative to the locking protrusion (36).

[0085] According to the electrical connection box (1) described in [2] above, the connection body (50) is less likely to tilt when inserted into the mating holding portion (31), and both sides of the locking arm (52) are surrounded by a pair of guided rail portions (58, 58). Therefore, when inserted into the mating holding portion (31), insertion failure such as the cantilever beam-shaped locking arm (52) extending in the insertion direction (A) biting into the lower edge of the mating holding portion (31) is suppressed. [3]

[0087] According to the electrical connection box (1) described in [1] or [2] above, the locking arm (52) is configured so that the distal end portion does not protrude from the upper opening of the fitting holding portion (31).

[0088] According to the electrical connection box (1) described in [3], the locking arm (52) is prevented from being erroneously operated in the locking contact direction. [4]

[0090] According to the electrical connection box (1) described in [3] above, a tapered surface (55) is formed on the inner surface side of the terminal portion, and the tapered surface (55) is inclined in the direction away from the outer surface (51a) of the connector (50) along the embedding direction (A).

[0091] According to the electrical connection box (1) described in [4] above, the detection jig (70) can be smoothly inserted from above into the arm bending space between the outer side surface (51a) of the connection body (50) and the arm body (53) of the locking arm (52).

Claims

1. An electrical connection box, characterized in that: have: A connector assembled with an electronic component and an electric wire electrically connected to a terminal of the electronic component; a frame having a fitting holding portion that fits into and holds the connector; and a locking structure that locks the connector inserted from the lower opening of the frame to the fitting holding portion. The locking structure comprises: a locking protrusion, the locking protrusion being protrudingly provided on the inner wall surface of the fitting holding portion; and a cantilever beam-shaped locking arm, the locking arm being protrudingly provided on the outer side surface of the connecting body, and the distal end of the locking arm extending along the outer side surface in the embedding direction of the connecting body, The locking arm has: a flexible arm body; and an engaging protrusion that protrudes from an outer surface of the arm body and engages with the locking protrusion.

2. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein The locking structure has: a pair of guided rail portions, the pair of guided rail portions being arranged opposite to each other in a manner of sandwiching the locking arm therebetween and being protrudingly provided on the outer side surface and extending along the embedding direction; as well as A pair of guide rails are arranged opposite to each other with the locking protrusion sandwiched therebetween and are protrudingly provided on the inner wall surface, and insert and guide the pair of guided rails until the engaging protrusion becomes an engaging completion position relative to the locking protrusion.

3. The electrical connection box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The lock arm is configured so that the distal end portion does not protrude from the upper opening of the fitting holding portion.

4. The electrical connection box according to claim 3, wherein: A tapered surface is formed on an inner surface side of the distal end portion, and the tapered surface is inclined in a direction away from the outer surface of the connector along the fitting direction.

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