Cover with interlock connector

Abstract

To reduce the amount of protrusion of an interlock connector and to suppress erroneous mounting of the interlock connector.SOLUTION: A cover with an interlock connector includes a cover portion including a seal member 2 and an interlock connector 5 held by the seal member. The interlock connector includes a fitting portion 50 that fits with the mating connector, and a plate-shaped mounting portion 51. The sealing member includes a connector holding portion 230 that movably holds the interlock connector. The mounting portion includes a first side portion 512a, a second side portion 512b, and an incorrect mounting prevention projection 516. The connector holding portion includes a first guide groove 231a and a second guide groove 231b, a rear side receiving portion 232, and a retainer elastic piece 233. The connector holding portion is formed continuously with the first guide groove at a position shifted in the direction intersecting the first direction with respect to the first guide groove, and includes a mis-mounting prevention concave portion 238 for receiving a mis-mounting prevention convex portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cover with an interlocking connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a seal cover for closing an opening provided in a device in which a standby connector having a standby terminal for switching a current-carrying circuit between conductive and non-conductive states is disposed, the seal cover comprising a lid for covering the opening of the opening, a fitting portion disposed on the back side of the lid so as to be able to fit into the opening, and an interlock connector protruding from the fitting portion so as to be able to fit into the standby connector. The interlock connector comprises a connector housing made of synthetic resin, a pair of female terminals housed in the connector housing, and a coated electric wire connecting the pair of female terminals. The interlock connector is held in the fitting portion in a floating state displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Application No. 2015-220572 (Patent Publication No. 2017-091809) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Due to space restrictions in the device in which the mating connector is disposed, it is desirable to reduce the length of protrusion of the interlock connector from the mating portion.

[0005] It is also desirable to prevent incorrect attachment of the interlock connector when assembling the interlock connector to a fitting portion.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the amount of protrusion of the interlock connector and to prevent incorrect attachment of the interlock connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The cover with interlock connector of the present disclosure is a cover with interlock connector that is attached to an attachment target having an opening and covers the opening, the cover including a cover portion including a seal member that fits into the opening to close the opening, and an interlock connector that is supported by the seal member and ensures attachment of the cover portion to the attachment target, the interlock connector including a fitting portion that extends from the seal member toward a mating connector in the attachment target and fits with the mating connector, and a plate-shaped attachment portion that extends from a base end of the fitting portion along a virtual floating plane that intersects with the fitting direction of the fitting portion, the seal member including a connector holding portion that holds the interlock connector movably along the virtual floating plane, the attachment portion including a first side portion, a second side portion opposite to the first side portion, and a mis-attachment prevention protrusion that protrudes from the first side portion in a direction intersecting with the first side portion, and the connector holding portion is disposed along the virtual floating plane. the first guide groove and the second guide groove guide the first side portion and the second side portion along a first direction, a rear side receiving portion that restricts the position of the mounting portion on one side along the first direction, and a slip-out prevention elastic piece that has a slip-out prevention protrusion at a tip and restricts the mounting portion on the other side along the first direction, wherein when the first side portion and the second side portion are guided by the first guide groove and the second guide groove and the mounting portion is held by the connector holding portion, the mounting portion is movable in the first direction within a range restricted by between the rear side receiving portion and the slip-out prevention protrusion, and is movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction on the virtual floating plane within a range restricted by between a bottom surface of the first guide groove and a bottom surface of the second guide groove, and further wherein the connector holding portion is formed continuously with the first guide groove at a position shifted in a direction intersecting the first direction with respect to the first guide groove, and has a mis-installation prevention recess that receives the mis-installation prevention protrusion. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the amount of protrusion of the interlock connector can be reduced, and erroneous attachment of the interlock connector can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an interlock connector cover. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an interlock connector cover. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing an example of an interlock connector cover. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an attachment target. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of an interlock connector cover. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of an interlock connector cover. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of the cross-sectional structure of the shield cover and the first seal member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of the cross-sectional structure of the shield cover and the second seal member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of the second seal member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the interlock connector is held in the connector holding portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state before the interlock connector is attached to the connector holding portion. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the interlock connector. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a process for attaching an interlock connector. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for attaching an interlock connector. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for attaching an interlock connector. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for attaching an interlock connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0011] The interlock connector cover of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0012] (1) A cover with an interlock connector that is attached to an attachment target having an opening and covers the opening, the cover including a cover part including a seal member that fits into the opening to close the opening, and an interlock connector that is supported by the seal member and ensures attachment of the cover part to the attachment target, the interlock connector including a fitting part that extends from the seal member toward a mating connector in the attachment target and fits with the mating connector, and a plate-shaped attachment part that extends from a base end of the fitting part along a virtual floating plane that intersects with the fitting direction of the fitting part, the seal member including a connector holding part that holds the interlock connector movably along the virtual floating plane, the attachment part including a first side part, a second side part opposite to the first side part, and a mis-attachment prevention protrusion that protrudes from the first side part in a direction intersecting with the first side part, and the connector holding part is configured to be movable forward along a first direction along the virtual floating plane. the first guide groove and the second guide groove that guide the first side portion and the second side portion, a rear side receiving portion that restricts the position of the mounting portion on one side along the first direction, and a slip-out prevention elastic piece that has a slip-out prevention protrusion at a tip and restricts the mounting portion on the other side along the first direction, wherein when the first side portion and the second side portion are guided by the first guide groove and the second guide groove and the mounting portion is held by the connector holding portion, the mounting portion is movable in the first direction within a range restricted by between the rear side receiving portion and the slip-out prevention protrusion, and is movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction on the virtual floating plane within a range restricted by between a bottom surface of the first guide groove and a bottom surface of the second guide groove, and further wherein the connector holding portion is formed continuously with the first guide groove at a position shifted in a direction intersecting the first direction with respect to the first guide groove, and has a mis-installation prevention recess that receives the mis-installation prevention protrusion.

[0013] According to this interlock connector cover, the connector holder supports the mounting portion movably along the first and second directions, so that the interlock connector is supported by the seal member movably along the virtual floating plane. The mounting portion is a plate-shaped mounting portion extending from the base end of the fitting portion along the virtual floating plane intersecting the fitting direction of the fitting portion, so that the amount of protrusion of the interlock connector can be reduced. When the first side portion is inserted into the first guide groove and the second side portion is inserted into the second guide groove, the mis-installation prevention convex portion is received in the mis-installation prevention concave portion, but conversely, when the first side portion is inserted into the second guide groove and the second side portion is inserted into the first guide groove, the mis-installation prevention convex portion interferes with the opening of the second guide groove. This suppresses mis-installation of the interlock connector.

[0014] (2) A cover with an interlock connector as described in (1), wherein the cover portion includes a shield cover having a through hole and fixed to the mounting object, and a screw passing through the through hole and fixed to the sealing member, a clearance exists inside the through hole, and the sealing member may be capable of moving relative to the shield cover along the virtual floating plane in accordance with the clearance.

[0015] As a result, even if an error occurs between the attachment position of the shield cover relative to the attachment target and the attachment position of the seal member relative to the opening, the error can be eliminated by the clearance between the screw and the shield cover. Even if an error occurs between the attachment position of the seal member relative to the opening and the mating position of the interlock connector relative to the mating connector, the error can be eliminated by the floating support structure of the interlock connector.

[0016] (3) A cover with an interlock connector as described in (1) or (2) may be configured such that, when the mis-installation prevention convex portion is positioned within the mis-installation prevention concave portion, in the second direction, the first side portion contacts a bottom surface of the first guide groove or the second side portion contacts a bottom surface of the second guide groove before or at the same time that the mis-installation prevention convex portion contacts a surface surrounding the mis-installation prevention concave portion.

[0017] As a result, the first side portion or the second side portion contacts the bottom surface of the first guide groove or the bottom surface of the second guide groove before or at the same time that the mis-installation prevention convex portion contacts the surface surrounding the mis-installation prevention concave portion, making it difficult for excessive force to act on the mis-installation prevention convex portion.

[0018] (4) In the interlock connector cover of any one of (1) to (3), the first side portion and the second side portion may have a mounting guide surface that is gradually narrower from the other side toward the one side in the first direction, thereby making it easy to insert the mounting portion into the first guide groove and the second guide groove.

[0019] (5) In the interlock connector cover of any one of (1) to (4), the amount by which the mounting portion can move between the rear receiving portion and the anti-removal protrusion in the first direction and the amount by which the mounting portion can move between a bottom surface of the first guide groove and a bottom surface of the second guide groove in the second direction may be greater than the amount by which the first side portion and the second side portion can move within the first guide groove and the second guide groove in the fitting direction. This allows the interlock connector to move along a virtual floating plane in alignment with the position of the mating connector while the connector holding portion supports the interlock connector in a relatively constant position in the fitting direction.

[0020] (6) In the interlock connector cover according to any one of (1) to (5), the fitting portion may include a first cylindrical terminal, a second cylindrical terminal, a terminal connecting portion electrically connecting the first cylindrical terminal and the second cylindrical terminal, and a terminal accommodating portion accommodating the first cylindrical terminal and the second cylindrical terminal, and the first cylindrical terminal, the second cylindrical terminal, and the terminal connecting portion may be integrally formed by pressing a metal plate. This makes it possible to easily manufacture a terminal unit electrically connecting the first cylindrical terminal and the second cylindrical terminal, and to easily accommodate the terminal unit in the terminal accommodating portion.

[0021] (7) In the interlock connector cover of (6), the terminal connecting portion may extend in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first cylindrical terminal and the second cylindrical terminal are arranged and intersecting the fitting direction. This reduces the dimension of the terminal connecting portion in the fitting direction, thereby further reducing the protruding dimension of the interlock connector.

[0022] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the interlock connector cover of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0023] [Embodiment] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an interlock connector cover. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an interlock connector cover 1 as viewed from the opposite side of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic side view showing an example of an interlock connector cover 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an attachment object 800 to which the interlock connector cover 1 is attached. In Fig. 3, the cross-sectional structure of the attachment object 800 taken along the arrow AA shown in Fig. 4 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0024] <Interlock Connector Cover Overview> 3 and 4, an attachment target 800 to which the interlock connector cover 1 is attached includes, for example, a first opening 821 (also simply referred to as the opening 821) and a second opening 831 (also simply referred to as the opening 831). The second opening 831 is aligned with the first opening 821 and is smaller than the first opening 821. In addition, the attachment target 800 includes a mating connector 880 that mates with the interlock connector 5 included in the interlock connector cover 1.

[0025] The interlock connector cover 1 covers openings 821 and 822 of an attachment target 800. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the interlock connector cover 1 includes a cover portion 100 and an interlock connector 5 (also simply referred to as a connector 5).

[0026] The cover part 100 includes a first seal member 2 (also simply referred to as the seal member 2) and a second seal member 3 (also simply referred to as the seal member 3). The first seal member 2 has a first seal portion 210 (also simply referred to as the seal portion 210) that fits into the first opening 821 to seal the first opening 821. The second seal member 3 has a second seal portion 310 (also simply referred to as the seal portion 310) that fits into the second opening 831 to seal the second opening 831. In this embodiment, the cover part 100 has a plurality of seal members 2 and 3 to block a plurality of openings 821 and 822. When the cover part blocks one opening, the cover part may be configured to have one seal member.

[0027] In this embodiment, the cover part 100 includes a shield cover 4. The shield cover 4 is fixed to, for example, an attachment target 800, and provides electromagnetic shielding of the openings 821 and 831. The cover part 100 may be omitted. In this case, the first seal member 2 or the second seal member 3 may be directly fixed to the attachment target 800 by screwing or the like.

[0028] The interlock connector 5 is attached to, for example, the first seal member 2 and ensures the attachment of the interlock connector cover 1 to the attachment target 800.

[0029] The openings 821 and 822 of the attachment target 800 are collectively sealed by the first seal member 2 and the second seal member 3 of the interlock connector cover 1, so that, for example, water and foreign matter are less likely to enter the attachment target 800 through the openings 821 and 822. Furthermore, the openings 821 and 822 are covered by the shield cover 4, so that unnecessary electromagnetic waves are less likely to enter the attachment target 800 through the openings 821 and 822 and are less likely to be radiated to the outside from the openings 821 and 822.

[0030] <Example of mounting configuration> The attachment target 800 includes, for example, a generally plate-shaped attachment portion 870 to which the interlock connector cover 1 is attached, and a mating connector 880 (also simply referred to as connector 880) that fits with the interlock connector 5 of the interlock connector cover 1. The attachment portion 870 is made of a metal such as aluminum or iron. The attachment portion 870 forms, for example, a part of a housing that contains multiple parts including the mating connector 880.

[0031] The attachment portion 870 includes, for example, a plate-shaped base portion 810, a first cylindrical portion 820 and a second cylindrical portion 830 connected to the base portion 810, at least one restriction pin 850, and at least one boss 860.

[0032] The base portion 810 spreads outward in a planar shape from the outer circumferential surfaces of the first cylindrical portion 820 and the second cylindrical portion 830. The outer shape of the base portion 810 is, for example, rectangular. The base portion 810 has a main surface 810a and a main surface 810b that are parallel to each other.

[0033] The first cylindrical portion 820 and the second cylindrical portion 830 are erected on a main surface 810a of the base portion 810. The first cylindrical portion 820 (also simply referred to as the cylindrical portion 820) constitutes a first opening 821. The first opening 821 is constituted by a hollow portion inside the first cylindrical portion 820. In other words, the first opening 821 is constituted by a space surrounded by the first cylindrical portion 820. The second cylindrical portion 830 (also simply referred to as the cylindrical portion 830) constitutes a second opening 831. The second opening 831 is constituted by a hollow portion inside the second cylindrical portion 830. The openings 821 and 831 are cylindrical holes, and penetrate the base portion 810.

[0034] The outer shape of the opening 821 in a plan view is, for example, an ellipse. The outer shape of the opening 831 in a plan view is, for example, a circle (to be more specific, a perfect circle). The opening 831 is smaller than the opening 821. The opening area of ​​the opening 831 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the opening 821. The openings 821 and 831 are aligned, for example, along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 810. The longitudinal direction of the elliptical opening 831 is aligned along the alignment direction of the openings 821 and 831, in other words, along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 810.

[0035] When the opening 821 is viewed from the main surface 810a side, the connector 880 is exposed from the opening 821. The connector 880 is visible when the opening 821 is viewed from the main surface 810a side. The connector 5 of the interlock connector cover 1 fits into the connector 880 in a direction perpendicular to the main surface 810a. A fitting direction D1 (see FIG. 3) of the connector 5 into the connector 880 is a direction perpendicular to the main surfaces 810a and 810b. The fitting direction D1 is also a direction along the thickness direction of the base portion 810.

[0036] For example, at least one restriction pin 850 is provided upright on the main surface 810a of the base portion 810. The restriction pin 850 extends along a direction perpendicular to the main surface 810a. The restriction pin 850 protrudes in a direction opposite to the fitting direction D1 of the connector 5. In this example, a plurality of restriction pins 850 are provided on the main surface 810a, but the number of restriction pins 850 may be one. For example, two restriction pins 850 are provided on the main surface 810a.

[0037] The regulating pin 850 regulates the attachment position of the interlock connector cover 1 in a direction along the main surface 810a. When a plane intersecting the fitting direction D1 of the connector 5 to the connector 880 is defined as one plane, the regulating pin 850 regulates the attachment position of the interlock connector cover 1 in a direction along the one plane. Hereinafter, the one plane may be referred to as the specific plane.

[0038] The two restriction pins 850 of the attachment target 800 are provided, for example, at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 810. The two restriction pins 850 are, for example, lined up along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 810. The restriction pins 850 are, for example, provided in the center of each end of the base portion 810 in the longitudinal direction.

[0039] At least one boss 860 is provided upright on the main surface 810a of the base portion 810. A fixing bolt for fixing the interlock connector cover 1 to the mounting portion 870 is screwed into the boss 860. In this example, a plurality of bosses 860 are provided on the main surface 810a, but the number of bosses 860 may be one. For example, five bosses 860 are provided on the main surface 810a. Four of the five bosses 860 are provided, for example, at the four corners of the main surface 810a of the base portion 810. The remaining boss 860 is located, for example, between the opening 821 and the opening 831. The boss 860 located between the opening 821 and the opening 831 and the two regulating pins 850 are aligned, for example, along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 810.

[0040] <Example of interlock connector cover configuration> FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the interlock connector cover 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the interlock connector cover 1 as viewed from the opposite side of FIG. 5. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6, the interlock connector cover 1 includes a first screw 6 (also simply referred to as the screw 6) for attaching the first seal member 2 to the shield cover 4, and a second screw 7 (also simply referred to as the screw 7) for attaching the second seal member 3 to the shield cover 4, in addition to the first seal member 2, the second seal member 3, the shield cover 4 and the interlock connector 5. The first screw 6 is attached to the first seal member 2 by penetrating the shield cover 4. The second screw 7 is attached to the second seal member 3 by penetrating the shield cover 4.

[0041] <Shield cover configuration example> The shield cover 4 is formed by pressing a metal plate made of, for example, aluminum or iron. The shield cover 4 includes, for example, a plate-shaped base portion 430 fixed to an attachment portion 870 of an attachment target 800, and a first arrangement recess 410 and a second arrangement recess 420 connected to the base portion 430. Each of the arrangement recesses 410 and 420 is, for example, a dish-shaped recess. The first seal member 2 is arranged in the first arrangement recess 410 (also simply referred to as the arrangement recess 410), and the second seal member 3 is arranged in the second arrangement recess 420 (also simply referred to as the arrangement recess 420).

[0042] The base portion 430 spreads outward in a planar shape from the periphery of the openings of the arrangement recesses 410 and 420. The outer shape of the base portion 430 is, for example, rectangular. The base portion 430 has a main surface 430a and a main surface 430b that are parallel to each other.

[0043] Each of the dish-shaped arrangement recesses 410 and 420 is recessed so as to protrude toward the main surface 430b side of the base portion 430. As a result, each of the arrangement recesses 410 and 420 opens toward the main surface 430a side of the base portion 430. The planar outer shape of the opening of the arrangement recess 410 is, for example, elliptical. The planar outer shape of the opening of the arrangement recess 420 is, for example, circular (more specifically, perfect circular). The opening of the arrangement recess 420 is smaller than the opening of the arrangement recess 410. That is, the opening area of ​​the arrangement recess 420 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the arrangement recess 410. The arrangement recesses 410 and 420 are arranged, for example, along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 430. The longitudinal direction of the elliptical opening of the arrangement recess 410 is along the arrangement direction of the arrangement recesses 410 and 420, in other words, along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 430.

[0044] The base portion 430 has a plurality of through holes 431 through which a plurality of regulating pins 850 of the attachment target 800 are respectively inserted. Each through hole 431 penetrates the base portion 430 in its thickness direction. The base portion 430 has, for example, two through holes 431. The two through holes 431 are provided, for example, at both ends of the base portion 430 in the longitudinal direction. The two through holes 431 are lined up along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 430, for example. Each through hole 431 is provided in the center of an end of the base portion 430 in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] The base portion 430 has a plurality of through holes 432 penetrating in the thickness direction. A plurality of fixing bolts that screw into a plurality of bosses 860 of the attachment target 800 are inserted into the plurality of through holes 432, respectively. The base portion 430 has, for example, five through holes 432. Four of the five through holes 432 are provided, for example, at the four corners of the base portion 430. The remaining one through hole 432 is located, for example, between the arrangement recess 410 and the arrangement recess 420. The through hole 432 located between the arrangement recesses 410 and 420 and the two through holes 431 are lined up, for example, along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 430. The shield cover 4 is fixed to the attachment portion 870 of the attachment target 800 by, for example, five fixing bolts. The fixing bolts are inserted into the through holes 432 of the shield cover 4 and screwed into the bosses 860 of the attachment target 800.

[0046] A through hole 411 through which a screw 6 is inserted is provided in the oval bottom of the arrangement recess 410. The screw 6 is inserted into the through hole 411 from the main surface 430b side of the base portion 430, and attached to the seal member 2 arranged in the arrangement recess 410.

[0047] The bottom of the arrangement recess 410 has a dish-shaped recess 413 recessed toward the main surface 430a. The dish-shaped recess 413 opens toward the main surface 430b. The inner surface of the dish-shaped recess 413 forms a concave surface 4130. The concave surface 4130 is provided on the surface of the shield cover 4. The bottom of the dish-shaped recess 413 is provided with a through hole 415 through which a regulating protrusion 250 (described later) of the seal member 2 is inserted. An opening 4150 on the main surface 430b side of the through hole 415 is provided in the concave surface 4130 of the dish-shaped recess 413. In detail, the opening 4150 is provided at the bottom of the concave surface 4130. The regulating protrusion 250 of the seal member 2 protrudes from the opening 4150 to the outside of the shield cover 4.

[0048] The circular bottom of the arrangement recess 420 is provided with a through hole 421 through which the screw 7 is inserted. The screw 7 is inserted into the through hole 421 from the main surface 430b side of the base portion 430, and is attached to the seal member 3 arranged in the arrangement recess 420. The side surface of the arrangement recess 420 is provided with a rotation prevention hole 422 through which the rotation prevention protrusion 10 described later is inserted. The rotation prevention hole 422 is, for example, a through hole that penetrates the side surface of the arrangement recess 420 in the thickness direction. The rotation prevention protrusion 10 and the rotation prevention hole 422 constitute a rotation prevention structure that prevents the seal member 3 from rotating. The rotation prevention structure will be described in detail later.

[0049] <Configuration example of first seal member> The first seal member 2 is made of, for example, resin. The planar outer shape of the first seal member 2 as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a specific plane (i.e., a plane intersecting the fitting direction D1) is, for example, elliptical. The first seal member 2 includes, for example, a first seal portion 210, an annular flange portion 220 protruding outward from the periphery of the first seal portion 210, a connector holding portion 230 that holds the connector 5, and a boss 240 to which the screw 6 is attached. Furthermore, the first seal member 2 includes, for example, a restricting protrusion portion 250, and abutment ribs 260 and 270 that abut against the bottom of the first arrangement recess 410 when the first seal member 2 is arranged in the first arrangement recess 410 of the shield cover 4.

[0050] The seal part 210 that fits into the opening 821 of the attachment target 800 includes, for example, a main body part 211 and a seal ring 212 attached to the main body part 211. The main body part 211 is, for example, in the shape of a slightly flattened column. The outer shape of the main body part 211 in plan view as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a specific plane is, for example, elliptical in shape according to the outer shape of the opening 821 in plan view. The seal ring 212 is attached to a side surface (in other words, an outer peripheral surface) of the main body part 211. Specifically, an annular groove is formed on the side surface of the main body part 211, and the seal ring 212 is fitted into the annular groove. When the seal part 210 is fitted into the opening 821, the seal ring 212 comes into watertight contact with the inner peripheral wall of the opening 821 (in other words, the inner peripheral surface of the tube part 820), and the opening 821 is sealed by the seal part 210. The main body 211, the flange 220, the connector holding portion 230, the boss 240, the restricting protrusion 250, the contact rib 260 and the contact rib 270 are, for example, integrally molded.

[0051] The main body 211 has flat surfaces 211a and 211b that are parallel to each other. The seal member 2 is disposed in the arrangement recess 410 so that the flat surface 211a of the main body 211 is located on the arrangement recess 410 side of the shield cover 4. The main body 211 has a lightening portion 280 that opens to the flat surface 211a and a lightening portion 281 that opens to the flat surface 211b.

[0052] Flange portion 220 extends outward from the end portion on flat surface 211a side of the peripheral side surface of main body portion 211 so as to surround the end portion. Flange portion 220 has an oval ring shape corresponding to the outer shape of main body portion 211 in a plan view.

[0053] The abutment ribs 260 and 270 are erected on the flat surface 211a of the main body 211. The abutment rib 260 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the flat surface 211a of the main body 211. The abutment rib 270 is provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the flat surface 211a of the main body 211. Each of the abutment ribs 260 and 270 extends in an arc shape along the outer edge of the end in the longitudinal direction of the flat surface 211a. When the seal member 2 is arranged in the arrangement recess 410, the abutment ribs 260 and 270 abut against the inner bottom surface of the arrangement recess 410.

[0054] The boss 240 to which the screw 6 is attached is provided, for example, inside the main body 211. The boss 240 is located at one end of the main body 211 in the longitudinal direction. The boss 240 has, for example, a hollow cylindrical shape. The boss 240 extends from the flat surface 211b side to the flat surface 211a side along the thickness direction of the main body 211. A lightening portion 280 is present around the boss 240. The boss 240 is provided with a pilot hole 242. The pilot hole 242 opens at a tip end surface 241 of the boss 240. The outer bottom surface 243 of the boss 240 is closed and protrudes outward from the flat surface 211b of the main body 211. When the seal member 2 is disposed in the arrangement recess 410 of the shield cover 4, the boss 240 is inserted into the through hole 411 of the arrangement recess 410 from the main surface 430a side. When the boss 240 is inserted into the through hole 411, the boss 240 protrudes from the shield cover 4, and the tip surface 241 of the boss 240 is located outside the shield cover 4. The tip surface 241 is located outside the outer surface of the arrangement recess 410 (in other words, the surface on the main surface 430b side).

[0055] The screw 6 is, for example, a tap screw (also called a tapping screw) having a washer head. The threaded portion 6b of the screw 6 is inserted from the main surface 430b side into the pilot hole 242 of the boss 240 inserted into the through hole 411 of the shield cover 4, and screwed into the boss 240. At this time, the washer 6a of the screw 6 abuts against the tip surface 241 of the boss 240 protruding to the outside of the shield cover 4, and does not contact the shield cover 4. Since the diameter of the washer 6a is larger than the diameter of the through hole 411, the screw 6 attached to the boss 240 is unlikely to come out of the through hole 411 toward the main surface 430a. In this way, the seal member 2 is attached to the shield cover 4. The screw 6 is attached to a position shifted from the center of the seal member 2 to one side in the longitudinal direction of the seal member 2. In other words, the screw 6 is attached to a position shifted from the center of the seal member 2 to one side in the arrangement direction of the seal members 2 and 3.

[0056] In this example, the outer bottom surface 243 of the boss 240 protrudes outward from the flat surface 211b of the main body 211, which allows the thickness of the bottom of the boss 240 to be increased. This makes it difficult for the tip of the screw 6 to protrude from the outer bottom surface 243 of the boss 240 even if the screw 6 is screwed too far into the boss 240.

[0057] The restricting protrusion 250 is provided on the plane 211a of the main body 211. The restricting protrusion 250 is, for example, cylindrical. The restricting protrusion 250 is, for example, located at the other end of the main body 211 in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the end opposite to the side where the boss 240 is located). The restricting protrusion 250 is located on the other side of the longitudinal direction of the seal member 2 from the center of the seal member 2 (i.e., the opposite side to the side where the boss 240 is located). In other words, the restricting protrusion 250 is located shifted from the center of the seal member 2 to the other side in the arrangement direction of the seal members 2 and 3. The restricting protrusion 250 is inserted into the through hole 415 of the arrangement recess 410 from the main surface 430a side. The restricting protrusion 250 restricts the rotation of the seal member 2. The function of the restricting protrusion 250 will be described in detail later.

[0058] The connector holding portion 230 (also simply referred to as the holding portion 230) holds the connector 5 movably along a virtual floating plane. In this embodiment, the virtual floating plane is parallel to the specific plane. The virtual floating plane is a direction intersecting the mating direction D1 when the connector 5 is mated and connected to the connector 880, here, a direction perpendicular to the mating direction D1. The connector holding portion 230 and the interlock connector 5 will be described in more detail later.

[0059] <Configuration example of second seal member> The second seal member 3 is made of, for example, resin. The outer shape of the second seal member 3 in plan view when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the specific plane is, for example, circular (more specifically, perfect circular). The second seal member 3 includes, for example, a second seal portion 310, an annular flange portion 320 protruding outward from the periphery of the second seal portion 310, and a boss 330 to which the screw 7 is attached. Furthermore, the second seal member 3 includes, for example, an abutment rib 340 that abuts against the bottom of the second arrangement recess 420 when the second seal member 3 is arranged in the second arrangement recess 420 of the shield cover 4.

[0060] The seal portion 310 that fits into the opening 831 of the attachment target 800 includes, for example, a main body portion 311 and a seal ring 312 attached to the main body portion 311. The main body portion 311 is, for example, cylindrical. The planar outer shape of the main body portion 311 as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a specific plane is, for example, circular (more specifically, perfect circular) according to the planar outer shape of the opening 831. The seal ring 312 is attached to a side surface of the main body portion 311. Specifically, an annular groove is provided on the side surface of the main body portion 311, and the seal ring 312 is fitted into the annular groove. When the seal portion 310 is fitted into the opening 831, the seal ring 312 is in watertight contact with the inner peripheral wall of the opening 831, and the opening 831 is sealed by the seal portion 310. The main body portion 311, the flange portion 320, the boss 330, and the abutment rib 340 are, for example, integrally molded.

[0061] The main body 311 has a flat surface 311a and a flat surface 311b that are parallel to each other. The seal member 3 is disposed in the arrangement recess 420 so that the flat surface 311a of the main body 311 is located on the arrangement recess 420 side of the shield cover 4. The main body 311 has a hollowed-out portion 360 that opens to the flat surface 311a.

[0062] Flange portion 320 extends outward from the end portion on flat surface 311a side of the peripheral side surface of main body portion 311 so as to surround the end portion. Flange portion 320 has a circular shape (more specifically, a perfect circle) according to the shape of main body portion 311 in a plan view.

[0063] The contact rib 340 is erected on the flat surface 311a of the main body 311. The contact rib 340 extends, for example, in a circular shape (a perfect circle in detail) along the edge of the circular flat surface 311a. When the seal member 3 is placed in the placement recess 420, the contact rib 340 comes into contact with the inner bottom surface of the placement recess 420.

[0064] The boss 330 to which the screw 7 is attached is provided, for example, inside the main body 311. The boss 330 is located at the center of the main body 311. The boss 330 is, for example, hollow and cylindrical. The boss 330 extends from the flat surface 311b side to the flat surface 311a side along the thickness direction of the main body 311. A lightening portion 360 is present around the boss 330. The boss 330 is provided with a pilot hole 332. The pilot hole 332 opens at a tip end surface 331 of the boss 330. The outer bottom surface 333 of the boss 330 is closed and protrudes outward from the flat surface 311b of the main body 311. When the seal member 3 is disposed in the arrangement recess 420 of the shield cover 4, the boss 330 is inserted into the through hole 421 of the arrangement recess 420 from the main surface 430a side. When the boss 330 is inserted into the through hole 421, the tip surface 331 of the boss 330 is located outside the shield cover 4. In other words, the tip surface 331 is located outside the outer surface of the arrangement recess 420 (in other words, the surface on the main surface 430b side).

[0065] The screw 7 is, for example, a tap screw having a washer head. The threaded portion 7b of the screw 7 is inserted from the main surface 430b side into the pilot hole 332 of the boss 330 inserted into the through hole 412 of the shield cover 4, and screwed into the boss 330. At this time, the washer 7a of the screw 7 abuts against the tip surface 331 of the boss 330 protruding to the outside of the shield cover 4, and does not contact the shield cover 4. Since the diameter of the washer 7a is larger than the diameter of the through hole 421, the screw 7 attached to the boss 330 is unlikely to come out of the through hole 421 toward the main surface 430a. In this way, the seal member 3 is attached to the shield cover 4. The screw 7 is screwed into the center of the seal member 3 and attached to the center.

[0066] In this example, the outer bottom surface 333 of the boss 330 protrudes outward from the flat surface 311b of the main body 311, which allows the thickness of the bottom of the boss 330 to be increased. This makes it difficult for the tip of the screw 7 to protrude from the outer bottom surface 333 of the boss 330 even if the screw 7 is screwed too far into the boss 330.

[0067] <Example of anti-rotation structure for second seal member> In this example, the outer shape of the seal member 3 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the specific plane is circular. Therefore, when the screw 7 is screwed into the boss 330 of the seal member 3, there is a possibility that the seal member 3 will rotate together with the screw 7.

[0068] Therefore, the interlock connector cover 1 has a rotation prevention structure for the seal member 3. The rotation prevention structure is, for example, configured by the above-mentioned rotation prevention hole 422 provided in the shield cover 4 and the rotation prevention protrusion 10 inserted into the rotation prevention hole 422. The rotation prevention protrusion 10 protrudes outward from, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 320 and the abutment rib 340 of the seal member 3 along the radial direction of the circular flat surface 311a. The rotation prevention protrusion 10 is, for example, integrally molded with the flange portion 320 and the abutment rib 340. When the seal member 3 is placed in the placement recess 420 of the shield cover 4, the rotation prevention protrusion 10 is inserted into the rotation prevention hole 422 provided on the side portion of the placement recess 420. As a result, when the seal member 3 tries to rotate together with the screw 7, the rotation prevention protrusion 10 hits the inner peripheral wall of the rotation prevention hole 422, making it difficult for the seal member 3 to rotate together with the screw 7.

[0069] <About floating seal materials> The first seal member 2 attached to the shield cover 4 is in a floating state in which it is movable relative to the shield cover 4. Similarly, the second seal member 3 attached to the shield cover 4 is in a floating state in which it is movable relative to the shield cover 4.

[0070] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional structure of the shield cover 4 and the first seal member 2. In Fig. 7, a screw 6 attached to the first seal member 2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional structure of the shield cover 4 and the second seal member 3. In Fig. 8, a screw 7 attached to the second seal member 3 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0071] 7, a first clearance C1 (also simply referred to as clearance C1) exists inside through hole 411 provided at the bottom of arrangement recess 410 of shield cover 4, that is, through hole 411 through which screw 6 is inserted. In this example, clearance C1 exists between the inner peripheral wall of through hole 411 and the outer peripheral surface of boss 240 inserted into through hole 411.

[0072] 8, a second clearance C2 (also simply referred to as clearance C2) exists inside through hole 421 provided at the bottom of arrangement recess 420 of shield cover 4, that is, through hole 421 through which screw 7 is inserted. In this example, clearance C2 exists between the inner peripheral wall of through hole 421 and the outer peripheral surface of boss 330 inserted into through hole 421.

[0073] 7, a third clearance C3 (also simply referred to as clearance C3) exists inside a through hole 415 provided at the bottom of the placement recess 410 of the shield cover 4, that is, inside the through hole 415 through which the restricting protrusion 250 of the seal member 2 is inserted. The restricting protrusion 250 penetrates the shield cover 4 with the third clearance C3. A clearance C3 exists between the inner peripheral wall of the through hole 415 and the outer peripheral surface of the restricting protrusion 250.

[0074] The seal member 2 is movable relative to the shield cover 4 along a specific plane (i.e., a plane intersecting the fitting direction D1 of the connector 5) according to the clearance C1. In other words, the seal member 2 is movable relative to the shield cover 4 along the main surfaces 430a and 430b of the base portion 430 of the shield cover 4 according to the clearance C1.

[0075] The seal member 2 is movable in all directions, for example, along a specific plane, centered on the central axis of the through hole 411. For example, the seal member 2 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the shield cover 4. The seal member 2 is also movable along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shield cover 4 and along the specific plane. The seal member 2 is also movable in other directions along the specific plane.

[0076] Furthermore, the seal member 2 can rotate relative to the shield cover 4 along a specific plane with the boss 240 as a fulcrum, and move relative to the shield cover 4. In other words, the seal member 2 can rotate relative to the shield cover 4 along a specific plane with the screw 6 as a fulcrum, and move relative to the shield cover 4. The movement of the seal member 2 relative to the shield cover 4 along a specific plane also includes the rotation of the seal member 2 relative to the shield cover 4 along the specific plane with the boss 240 and the screw 6 as fulcrums. The seal member 2 can rotate, for example, in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions with the screw 6 as a fulcrum.

[0077] The restricting protrusion 250 is inserted into the through hole 415 of the shield cover 4, and is therefore capable of restricting the rotation of the seal member 2 in accordance with the clearance C3. When the seal member 2 rotates relative to the shield cover 4 along the specific plane with the screw 6 as a fulcrum, the restricting protrusion 250 comes into contact with the inner peripheral wall of the through hole 415, restricting the rotation of the seal member 2. The maximum amount of rotation of the seal member 2 is determined by the clearance C3. In this example, the clearance C3 is set to be larger than the clearance C1. Therefore, the maximum amount of movement of the entire seal member 2 along the specific plane from the central axis of the through hole 411 is determined by the clearance C1.

[0078] In this way, in this example, the seal member 2 is movable relative to the shield cover 4 along the specific plane. Here, manufacturing errors, assembly errors, and the like may occur in the arrangement position of the opening 821 into which the seal portion 210 of the seal member 2 fits. In addition, manufacturing errors, assembly errors, and the like may also occur in the relative position of the seal member 2 with respect to the shield cover 4. Since the seal member 2 is movable relative to the shield cover 4 along the specific plane, such errors can be absorbed, and the seal portion 210 can easily fit into the opening 821. Therefore, the workability of fitting the seal portion 210 into the opening 821 is improved.

[0079] In this example, one end of the seal member 2 in the longitudinal direction is attached to the shield cover 4 by the screw 6. In contrast, at the other end of the seal member 2 in the longitudinal direction, the restricting protrusion 250 merely penetrates the shield cover 4, and the other end is not attached to the shield cover 4. In such a case, when only the shield cover 4 is held among the shield cover 4 and the seal member 2, the seal member 2 may tilt with its one end as a fulcrum so that the other end moves away from the shield cover 4. In other words, the seal member 2 may tilt with respect to the shield cover 4 with the screw 6 as a fulcrum. At this time, if the amount of protrusion of the restricting protrusion 250 from the shield cover 4 is small, there is a possibility that the restricting protrusion 250 will come out of the through hole 415 and become detached from the shield cover 4.

[0080] In this example, the restricting protrusion 250 protrudes to the outside of the shield cover 4 from an opening 4150 (i.e., an opening on the main surface 430b side of the through hole 415) provided in the concave surface 4130 on the front surface of the shield cover 4. This makes it possible to increase the amount of protrusion of the restricting protrusion 250 from the shield cover 4. As a result, even if the seal member 2 is tilted relative to the shield cover 4 with the screw 6 as a fulcrum, the restricting protrusion 250 becomes less likely to come off the shield cover 4.

[0081] 9, for example, the opening 4150 may surround the restricting protrusion 250 on the root side from the center in the protruding direction (in other words, the base end side or the main body part 211 side). If the tip side portion of the restricting protrusion 250 hits the inner peripheral wall of the through hole 415 of the shield cover 4, the restricting protrusion 250 may break. As in the example of FIG. 9, the opening 4150 surrounds the restricting protrusion 250 on the root side from the center in the protruding direction, so that the restricting protrusion 250 hits the shield cover 4 on the root side. This makes it difficult for the restricting protrusion 250 to break.

[0082] The seal member 3 is movable relative to the shield cover 4 along the specific plane independently of the seal member 2 according to the clearance C2. The seal member 3 is movable in all directions around the central axis of the through hole 421 along the specific plane, similar to the seal member 2. For example, the seal member 3 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the shield cover 4. The seal member 3 is also movable along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shield cover 4 and along the specific plane. The seal member 3 is also movable in another direction along the specific plane. In this example, when the anti-rotation protrusion 10 is inserted into the anti-rotation hole 42, a clearance exists between the inner peripheral wall of the anti-rotation hole 422 and the anti-rotation protrusion 10. Therefore, the seal member 3 is movable in all directions around the central axis of the through hole 421 along the specific plane.

[0083] Furthermore, when the seal member 3 is attached to the shield cover 4 with the screw 7, it is capable of rotating relative to the shield cover 4 along a specific plane about the boss 330 and the screw 7. This rotation of the seal member 3 is restricted by the anti-rotation structure. When the seal member 3 rotates while attached to the shield cover 4, the anti-rotation protrusion 10 extending from the seal member 3 hits the inner circumferential wall of the anti-rotation hole 42, restricting the rotation of the seal member 3.

[0084] In this way, in this example, the seal member 3 is movable relative to the shield cover 4 along the specific plane. As with the opening 821, the position of the opening 831 into which the seal portion 310 of the seal member 3 fits may be subject to manufacturing errors, assembly errors, and the like. In addition, the relative position of the seal member 3 with respect to the shield cover 4 may be subject to manufacturing errors, assembly errors, and the like. Since the seal member 3 is movable relative to the shield cover 4 along the specific plane, such errors can be absorbed. Therefore, the seal portion 310 can be easily fitted into the opening 831. As a result, the workability of fitting the seal portion 310 into the opening 831 is improved.

[0085] <Configuration example of connector holding part and interlock connector> Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which interlock connector 5 is held by connector holding portion 230. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a state before interlock connector 5 is attached to connector holding portion 230. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in Fig. 11. In Fig. 12, attachment portion 51 in a state in which connector 5 is held by holding portion 230 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0086] The connector 5 includes a fitting portion 50 that fits with the connector 880, and an attachment portion 51 that is held by the holding portion 230. The fitting portion 50 is formed in an elongated shape along the fitting direction D1, and extends from the seal member 2 toward the mating connector 880 in the attachment target 800 in a state in which the interlock connector 5 is held by the seal member 2 via the holding portion 230. The attachment portion 51 is formed in a plate shape that extends from the base end of the fitting portion 50 along a virtual floating plane that intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) with the fitting direction D1 of the fitting portion 50. The attachment portion 51 is slidably inserted into the holding portion 230 and held by the holding portion 230. The connector 5 is attached at a position closer to the center of the seal member 2 than the screw 6 in the arrangement direction of the seal members 2 and 3 (in other words, the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 211).

[0087] 11, the mounting portion 51 includes a first side portion 512a and a second side portion 512b. The first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b are located on opposite sides to each other. The mounting portion 51 protrudes in a plate shape in at least three directions from the base end portion of the fitting portion 50, whereby a portion for forming a configuration relating to the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b and a configuration for retaining the fitting by the retaining elastic piece 233 (for example, a retaining recess 512h) can be provided.

[0088] In this embodiment, the mounting portion 51 is formed in a plate shape in which a wide portion 512 and a narrow portion 514 are connected. Here, in a state in which the connector 5 is held by the holding portion 230, the sliding insertion direction of the mounting portion 51 into the holding portion 230 on a virtual floating plane is referred to as a first direction A, and the direction perpendicular to the first direction is referred to as a second direction B. The wide portion 512 and the narrow portion 514 are connected in the first direction A. In the second direction B, the wide portion 512 is wider than the narrow portion 514.

[0089] The portions of the wide portion 512 on both ends in the second direction B are the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b. The first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b include portions extending parallel to each other along the first direction A. In this embodiment, the portions of the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b farther from the narrow portion 514 are parallel portions 512a1, 512b1 extending parallel to each other along the first direction A.

[0090] The first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b are formed on a portion closer to one side (the side which is the leading side when the mounting portion 51 is inserted into the holding portion 230, in this embodiment, the narrow portion 514 side) in the first direction A as mounting guide surfaces 512a2, 512b2 which gradually become narrower from the other side toward the one side in the first direction A. Note that the presence of the mounting guide surfaces 512a2, 512b2 is not essential.

[0091] A retaining recess 512h is formed in the mounting portion 51. In this embodiment, the retaining recess 512h is formed in the middle of the narrow width portion 514 in the second direction B. The retaining recess 512h penetrates both sides of the mounting portion 51, and the retaining protrusion 235 can be locked to prevent it from coming off. The retaining recess 512h does not need to penetrate the mounting portion 51, and it is sufficient if it is recessed when viewed from the seal member 2 side.

[0092] The mounting portion 51 is formed with a protrusion 514p. In this embodiment, the protrusion 514p is formed on one main surface of the narrow width portion 514 along the second direction B. For example, a plurality of protrusions 514p (two in this embodiment) are formed. In the first direction A, the protrusion 514p is located closer to the parallel portions 512a1 and 512b1 than the mounting guide surfaces 512a2 and 512b2 described later. The protrusion 514p plays a role in increasing the thickness of a portion of the mounting portion 51. For example, the thickness of the portion of the mounting portion 51 that is first inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b is reduced, and in a state in which the mounting portion 51 is completely inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b, the portion of the mounting portion where the protrusion 514p is formed is inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b. This makes it easier to insert the mounting portion 51 into the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b, while reducing the degree of freedom of the mounting portion 51 in the mating direction D1 when the mounting portion 51 is finally inserted, making it difficult for the interlock connector 5 to move significantly in the mating direction D1.

[0093] Narrow portion 514 is continuous with wide portion 512 on one side in first direction A. The surface of narrow portion 514 opposite wide portion 512 is a flat surface extending in a direction perpendicular to first direction A.

[0094] The mounting portion 51 includes a mis-insertion prevention protrusion 516 that protrudes from the first side portion 512a in a direction intersecting the first side portion 512a. In this embodiment, the mis-insertion prevention protrusion 516 is perpendicular to both the first direction A and the second direction B, and protrudes on the opposite side to the fitting portion 50. The mis-insertion prevention protrusion 516 is a protrusion that partially protrudes from a corner portion of the first side portion 512a closer to the other side in the first direction A. The surface of the mis-insertion prevention protrusion 516 on the first side portion 512a side and the surface opposite the narrow width portion 514 are located on an extension of the outer circumferential surface of the mounting portion 51. The surface of the mis-insertion prevention protrusion 516 on the second side portion 512b side and the surface of the narrow width portion 514 extend in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the mounting portion 51 opposite the fitting portion 50.

[0095] The connector holding portion 230 is provided, for example, on the plane 211b of the main body portion 211. The holding portion 230 is located, for example, in the center of the plane 211b in the longitudinal direction. The holding portion 230 includes, for example, a pair of slide support portions 231, a pair of rear side receiving portions 232, and a retaining elastic piece 233. A first guide groove 231a and a second guide groove 231b are formed in inner portions of the pair of slide support portions 231 facing each other. The first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b extend along a first direction A along the virtual floating plane. Along the first direction A, the first guide groove 231a guides the first side portion 512a, and the second guide groove 231b guides the second side portion 512b. The first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b are closed on one side (the rear side in the insertion direction) along the first direction A, and open on the other side (the front side in the insertion direction). Both of the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b may be open in the extending direction.

[0096] The rear receiving portion 232 restricts the position of the mounting portion 51 on one side along the first direction A. In this embodiment, the rear receiving portion 232 is located between a pair of extension lines extending from the bottom surface of the first guide groove 231a and the bottom surface of the second guide groove 231b in a direction in which the mounting portion 51 is inserted into the holding portion 230. In this embodiment, the two rear receiving portions 232 are formed at two positions biased from the center of the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b toward either the first guide groove 231a or the second guide groove 231b. The rear receiving portion 232 protrudes from the seal member 2 in the fitting direction D1, for example, and is formed in a flat plate shape in a direction perpendicular to the first direction A. Then, when the mounting portion 51 is inserted into the holding portion 230, the surface of the narrow width portion 514 of the mounting portion 51 opposite to the wide width portion 512 contacts the rear receiving portion 232. This restricts the attachment portion 51 from moving in the first direction A toward the rear receiving portion 232 side.

[0097] The above-mentioned back side receiving portion 232 may be omitted, and instead, the portions of the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b on the back side of the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b in the insertion direction may be used as the back side receiving portion. However, by providing the back side receiving portion 232 separately, rather than at the back of the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b, the restricting position at the back side of the mounting portion 51 can be made constant regardless of the shapes of the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b. For example, even if the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b are provided with inclined mounting guide surfaces 512a2 and 512b2, the restricting position can be made constant by using the flat surface on the back side of the mounting portion 51 without being affected by the inclined shape.

[0098] The anti-slip elastic piece 233 has an anti-slip protrusion 235 and prevents the attachment part 51 from slipping out on the other side along the first direction A. In this embodiment, the anti-slip elastic piece 233 has an elastic piece 234 and an anti-slip protrusion 235. The base end of the elastic piece 234 is fixed at a fixed position by the seal member 2. The anti-slip protrusion 235 is protruded from the tip of the elastic piece 234. The anti-slip protrusion 235 is located away from the back side receiving part 232 along the first direction. The elastic piece 234 supports the anti-slip protrusion 235 so that it can be retracted in a direction intersecting the first direction A. More specifically, one end of the elastic piece 234 is fixed at a fixed position relative to the seal member 2 between the pair of guide grooves 231a, 231b, in this embodiment, between the pair of back side receiving parts 232. A portion of the elastic piece 234 near the base end is formed in an L-shape that protrudes from the seal member 2 in the fitting direction D1 and then bends along the first direction A. A portion of the elastic piece 234 from the middle to the tip end extends along the first direction A at a position spaced from the seal member 2. A slip-preventing protrusion 235 is formed at the tip of the elastic piece 234 so as to protrude in the fitting direction D1. A portion of the slip-preventing protrusion 235 on the base end side of the elastic piece 234 is formed on a surface that faces the base end side of the elastic piece 234 while being perpendicular to the first direction A. A portion of the slip-preventing protrusion 235 on the tip side of the elastic piece 234 is formed on an inclined surface 235f that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the slip-preventing protrusion 235 toward the tip side of the elastic piece 234. The elastic piece 234 supports the anti-slip protrusion 235 at a position facing the rear receiving portion 232 with a gap therebetween along the first direction A, so that the anti-slip protrusion 235 can be moved back in a direction intersecting the first direction (here, a direction along the mating direction D1).

[0099] The connector holding portion 230 has a mis-installation prevention recess 238. The mis-installation prevention recess 238 is formed continuously with the first guide groove 231a at a position shifted in a direction intersecting the first direction A with respect to the first guide groove 231a. In other words, as viewed along the first direction A, the first guide groove 231a and the mis-installation prevention protrusion 516 are formed at different positions, and the space in the first guide groove 231a and the space in the mis-installation prevention recess 238 are continuous. In this embodiment, the mis-installation prevention recess 238 is formed as a recess that is partially recessed toward the seal member 2 side along the fitting direction D1 from the opening of the first guide groove 231a on the side that receives the first side portion 512a. In other words, as viewed along the first direction A, the position of the mis-installation prevention recess 238 with respect to the first guide groove 231a is the same as the position of the mis-installation prevention protrusion 516 with respect to the first side portion 512a. When viewed along the first direction A, the mis-attachment prevention recess 238 is wider than the mis-attachment prevention protrusion 516. In this embodiment, the depth of the mis-attachment prevention recess 238 in the first direction A is equal to and larger than the dimension of the mis-attachment prevention protrusion 516 in the first direction A. Therefore, the entire mis-attachment prevention protrusion 516 can fit within the mis-attachment prevention recess 238.

[0100] When the target portion of the erroneous installation prevention recess 238 is observed based on the target surface of the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b in the holding part 230, no recess exists in the target portion, and a substantial portion (solid portion) exists. The target portion of the erroneous installation prevention recess 238 can serve as an interference portion 239 that can interfere with the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516 when the mounting direction of the mounting part 51 is incorrect.

[0101] The operation of holding the mounting portion 51 in the holding portion 230 will be described. The first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b of the mounting portion 51 are slidably inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b. At this time, the portions of the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b closer to one side in the first direction A are formed on the mounting guide surfaces 512a2 and 512b2. Therefore, the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b are smoothly inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b. In addition, the protruding portion 514p is not formed on the portion of the mounting portion 51 that is initially inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b, so that the mounting portion 51 can be smoothly inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b.

[0102] When the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b of the mounting portion 51 are slidably inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b, the inclined surface 235f of the retaining protrusion 235 comes into contact with a portion of the mounting portion 51 that is preceding in the insertion direction. This causes the elastic piece 234 to elastically deform toward the seal member 2 so that the retaining protrusion 235 avoids the movement trajectory of the mounting portion 51.

[0103] When the mounting portion 51 is inserted deep into the holding portion 230 and the slip-prevention protrusion 235 is located at a position corresponding to the slip-prevention recess 512h, the elastic piece 234 returns to its original shape by elastic force, and the slip-prevention protrusion 235 is located in the slip-prevention recess 512h. In this state, the slip-prevention protrusion 235 is surrounded by the slip-prevention recess 512h and is not exposed to the outer periphery of the mounting portion 51. This makes it difficult for a force to inadvertently displace the slip-prevention protrusion 235 to act, and makes it difficult for the mounting portion 51 to unintentionally come off from the holding portion 230. In addition, the parallel portions 512a1 and 512b1 of the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b are located in the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b.

[0104] When the attachment portion 51 is inserted into the holding portion 230 in the correct posture, that is, when the first side portion 512a is inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second side portion 512b is inserted into the second guide groove 231b, the erroneous attachment prevention convex portion 516 is received in the erroneous attachment prevention concave portion 238. Therefore, the attachment portion 51 can be inserted all the way into the holding portion 230.

[0105] In contrast, if the mounting portion 51 is inserted into the holding portion 230 in an incorrect position, for example, the first side portion 512a is inserted into the second guide groove 231b, and the second side portion 512b is inserted into the first guide groove 231a. In this case, the erroneous attachment prevention protrusion 516 comes into contact with a portion around the second guide groove 231b, for example, the interference portion 239. This makes it impossible for the mounting portion 51 to be inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b. This prevents the mounting portion 51 from being erroneously attached to the holding portion 230.

[0106] In a state where the mounting portion 51 is correctly held by the holding portion 230 (see the mounting portion 51 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 12), the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b are guided by the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b, and the mounting portion 51 is held by the connector holding portion 230. In this state, the mounting portion 51 is movable in the first direction A within a range restricted by the back side receiving portion 232 and the slip-off prevention protrusion 235. More specifically, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the back side receiving portion 232 and the slip-off prevention protrusion 235 is defined as A1. The distance between the surface of the mounting portion 51 facing the back side receiving portion 232 and the inner circumferential surface surrounding the slip-off prevention recess 512h, which faces the slip-off prevention protrusion 235 from the opposite side to the back side receiving portion 232, is defined as A2. The attachment portion 51 is movable in the first direction A within a restricted range of (A1-A2).

[0107] In addition, in the second direction B, the mounting portion 51 is movable within a range in which the parallel portions 512a1, 512b1 of the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b are restricted between the opposing bottom surfaces of the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b. More specifically, the distance between the parallel portions 512a1, 512b1 of the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b is defined as B2. The distance between the opposing bottom surfaces of the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b is defined as B1. The mounting portion 51 is movable within a restricted range of (B1-B2) in the second direction B.

[0108] In the fitting direction D1, the attachment portion 51 is movable within a range where the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b are restricted between the side surfaces of the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b that face each other in the fitting direction D1. More specifically, the distance between the side surfaces of the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b that face each other in the fitting direction D1 is Da. The maximum dimension of the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b in the fitting direction D1 is Db. In this embodiment, the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b are formed with a protruding portion 514p. Therefore, the maximum dimension Db is a value obtained by adding the protruding dimension of the protruding portion 514p to the thickness dimension of the attachment portion 51. The attachment portion 51 is movable within a restricted range of (Da-Db) in the fitting direction D1. The amount (Da-Db) by which the mounting portion 51 can move in the fitting direction D1 may be 0, or may be greater than 0. By setting the amount (Da-Db) by which the mounting portion 51 can move in the fitting direction D1 to be greater than 0, the mounting portion 51 can easily move even in the virtual floating plane.

[0109] Even in this case, it is preferable that the amount (A1-A2) by which the mounting portion 51 can move in the first direction A and the amount (B1-B2) by which the mounting portion 51 can move in the second direction B are greater than the amount (Da-Db) by which the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b can move within the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b in the mating direction D1. This allows the interlock connector 5 to move on the virtual floating plane while restricting the movement of the interlock connector 5 in the mating direction D1, thereby suppressing excessive wobbling and excessive tilt of the interlock connector 5 in the mating direction D1.

[0110] In this mounting state, the mis-attachment prevention protrusion 516 is located in the mis-attachment prevention recess 238. In this state, the first side portion 512a is set to contact the bottom surface of the first guide groove 231a or the second side portion 512b is set to contact the bottom surface of the second guide groove 231b before or at the same time that the mis-attachment prevention protrusion 516 contacts the surface surrounding the mis-attachment prevention recess 238 in the second direction B. In other words, the mis-attachment prevention protrusion 516 is set not to contact only the surface surrounding the mis-attachment prevention recess 238 before the first side portion 512a contacts the bottom surface of the first guide groove 231a or the second side portion 512b contacts the bottom surface of the second guide groove 231b.

[0111] In this embodiment, the surface of the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516 on the bottom side of the first guide groove 231a extends on the extension of the surface of the plate-shaped mounting part 51 on the bottom side of the first guide groove 231a. The outer surface of the erroneous installation prevention recess 238 in the second direction B extends on the extension of the bottom surface of the first guide groove 231a. Therefore, when the mounting part 51 moves toward the first guide groove 231a in the second direction, the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516 contacts the surface surrounding the erroneous installation prevention recess 238 and at the same time, the mounting part 51 contacts the bottom surface of the first guide groove 231a. Therefore, the force that moves the mounting part 51 toward the first guide groove 231a is suppressed from acting solely on the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516.

[0112] In addition, in the second direction, the dimension of the erroneous installation prevention recess 238 is larger than the dimension of the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516, and is set so that a gap is provided between the side surface of the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516 on the second guide groove 231b side and the surface of the erroneous installation prevention recess 238 facing the side surface at the position where the surface of the plate-shaped mounting portion 51 on the second guide groove 231b side contacts the bottom surface of the second guide groove 231b. Therefore, when the mounting portion 51 moves toward the second guide groove 231b in the second direction B, the mounting portion 51 contacts the bottom surface of the second guide groove 231b before the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516 contacts the surface surrounding the erroneous installation prevention recess 238. This prevents the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516 from contacting the surface surrounding the erroneous installation prevention recess 238. Therefore, the force that moves the mounting portion 51 toward the second guide groove 231b side is prevented from acting on the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516.

[0113] Note that, also in the first direction A, a gap may be provided between the surface of the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516 facing the rear receiving portion 232 and the surface of the erroneous installation prevention recess 238 facing the rear receiving portion 232 at a position where the surface of the plate-shaped mounting portion 51 facing the rear receiving portion 232 comes into contact with the rear receiving portion 232. As a result, when the mounting portion 51 tries to move to the rear side, the mounting portion 51 comes into contact with the rear receiving portion 232 before the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516 comes into contact with the surface surrounding the erroneous installation prevention recess 238. As a result, when the mounting portion 51 is attached in the correct posture, the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516 is prevented from coming into contact with the surface surrounding the erroneous installation prevention recess 238.

[0114] In this manner, the interlock connector 5 is attached to the seal member 2 so as to be movable relative to the seal member 2 along a virtual floating plane.

[0115] <About the fitting part> A more detailed description will be given of the fitting portion 50. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the interlock connector 5. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in Fig. 10.

[0116] As shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 13 and 14, the fitting portion 50 includes a terminal accommodating portion 510, a terminal unit 520, and a retainer 530.

[0117] The terminal accommodating portion 510 is a portion that is fitted into the mating connector 880 in a state in which the terminal unit 520 is accommodated therein. In this embodiment, the terminal accommodating portion 510 is an elongated portion formed from resin. At the base end of the terminal accommodating portion 510, the attachment portion 51 is integrally formed from the same resin by a mold.

[0118] More specifically, the terminal accommodating portion 510 has two terminal accommodating chambers 524 and a connecting portion accommodating chamber 524E. The two terminal accommodating chambers 524 are elongated spaces and are formed in parallel with each other inside the terminal accommodating portion 510 near the tip. The two terminal accommodating chambers 524 open to the tip side of the terminal accommodating portion 510. A pin-shaped or tab-shaped mating terminal 882 of the mating connector 880 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 524 through the opening. The connecting portion accommodating chamber 524E is formed on the base end side of the two terminal accommodating chambers 524 in the terminal accommodating portion 510. The connecting portion accommodating chamber 524E is a space connected to both of the two terminal accommodating chambers 524. An attachment opening 510h is formed so as to penetrate the plate-shaped mounting portion 51 from the base end of the terminal accommodating portion 510. The attachment opening 510h is connected to the connecting portion accommodating chamber 524E in the fitting portion 50.

[0119] The terminal accommodating portion 510 has two lance portions 525r corresponding to the two terminal accommodating chambers 524. The lance portion 525r is a long and thin elastic piece along the longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chamber 524, and is supported so as to be elastically deformable inward and outward directions of the terminal accommodating chamber 524. A locking protrusion 525ra capable of being locked to cylindrical terminals 521a, 521b described later is formed on a portion of the lance portion 525r facing the terminal accommodating chamber 524.

[0120] A retainer mounting recess 526 is formed at a position corresponding to the base end side of the two terminal accommodating chambers 524 of the terminal accommodating portion 510. The retainer mounting recess 526 is recessed from the outer surface surrounding the terminal accommodating portion 510. Locking protrusions 526a that lock and prevent the retainer 530 from coming off are formed on both sides of the retainer mounting recess 526. The base end side portions of the two terminal accommodating chambers 524 are exposed to the outside through the retainer mounting recess 526.

[0121] Retainer 530 mounted in retainer mounting recess 526 is a U-shaped resin part. When retainer 530 is fitted into retainer mounting recess 526, locking protrusions 526a lock onto the insides of both side portions of retainer 530. In this state, inner portions in the middle of the width direction of retainer 530 protrude into two terminal accommodating chambers 524 and are locked to the base ends of cylindrical terminals 521a, 521b in terminal accommodating portion 510 to prevent them from coming out.

[0122] A rubber ring mounting groove 527 is formed in a portion of the terminal accommodating portion 510 on the base end side relative to the portion in which the two terminal accommodating chambers 524 are formed. A rubber ring 527G is mounted in this rubber ring mounting groove 527.

[0123] An intervening connection part 528 is formed at the base end of the rubber ring mounting groove 527. The outer peripheral surface of the intervening connection part 528 extends in a direction perpendicular to the imaginary floating plane. The boundary part between the outer peripheral surface of the intervening connection part 528 and the mounting part 51 may be rounded.

[0124] A connecting portion accommodating chamber 524E is formed inside the retainer mounting recess 526 and the interposed connecting portion 528. The connecting portion accommodating chamber 524E is wider than the terminal accommodating chamber 524 in the first direction A, and is wider in the second direction B so as to connect the two terminal accommodating chambers 524 together.

[0125] The terminal unit 520 includes a first cylindrical terminal 521a, a second cylindrical terminal 521b, and a terminal connecting portion 523. The first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b are formed in a cylindrical shape into which a mating terminal 882 of a mating connector 880 can be inserted. The first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b may be what is called a female terminal.

[0126] The terminal connection portion 523 is a portion that electrically connects the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b. When the interlock connector cover 1 is attached to the attachment target 800 and the connector 5 and the connector 880 are fitted together, the two cylindrical terminals 521a and 521b of the connector 5 are electrically connected to the two mating terminals 882 of the connector 880. As a result, the two mating terminals 882 are short-circuited to each other via the two cylindrical terminals 521a and 521b and the terminal connection portion 523. In this way, when the interlock connector cover 1 is attached to the attachment target 800, the two mating terminals 882 of the connector 880 are short-circuited to each other, so that a predetermined circuit connected to the two mating terminals 882 can recognize that the interlock connector cover 1 is attached to the attachment target 800. Therefore, the predetermined circuit can perform appropriate processing in response to the fact that the interlock connector cover 1 is attached to the attachment target 800.

[0127] The first cylindrical terminal 521a, the second cylindrical terminal 521b, and the terminal connecting portion 523 are integrally formed by pressing a metal plate. The metal plate is, for example, a copper plate or a copper alloy plate. The terminal unit 520 may be plated. The metal plate is punched into the developed shapes of the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b, and the elongated portions connecting the base ends of the developed portions are punched out while connected to the developed portions to form the terminal connecting portion 523. Then, the developed portions are bent into a cylindrical shape, so that the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b are manufactured in an integral form connected by the terminal connecting portion 523.

[0128] The terminal connecting portion 523 may extend in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b are arranged (second direction B in this embodiment) and intersecting the fitting direction D1 (first direction A in this embodiment). More specifically, the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b have extensions extending to the base end side along the axial direction of each cylinder, and the terminal connecting portion 523 extends from the end of the extensions of the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b along the first direction and is folded back in a U-shape. By using the part folded back in a U-shape, it becomes easier for a human hand or a robot hand to grasp the terminal unit 520. When a robot hand is used, for example, a tweezers-shaped robot hand may be used.

[0129] The terminal unit 520 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 510 as follows. For example, the terminal connecting portion 523 is grasped by a human or robot hand, and the terminal unit 520 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 524 through the mounting opening 510h of the mounting portion 51. When the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b are inserted into the two terminal accommodating chambers 524, the locking protrusions 526a of the lance portion 525r are locked into the recesses of the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b. In this state, the terminal connecting portion 523 is positioned in the connecting portion accommodating chamber 524E. Then, when the retainer 530 is mounted in the retainer mounting recess 526, the retainer 530 protrudes into the two terminal accommodating chambers 524 and is locked to the base ends of the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b to prevent them from coming off. As a result, the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b are held in the two terminal accommodating chambers 524.

[0130] <An example of how to attach the interlock connector cover to the mounting object> Figures 15 to 18 are schematic diagrams showing an example of a method for attaching the interlock connector cover 1 to the attachment object 800. Figures 15 to 18 show a cross-sectional structure of the attachment object 800 taken along the arrow AA shown in Figure 4. Figures 15 to 17 show an example of the process of attaching the interlock connector, Figure 16 shows a more advanced process than Figure 15, and Figure 17 shows a more advanced process than Figure 16. Figure 18 shows an example of the completed state of attachment of the interlock connector.

[0131] 15, with the sealing members 2, 3 and the interlock connector 5 facing the attachment target 800, a plurality of regulating pins 850 of an attachment portion 870 of the attachment target 800 are inserted into a plurality of through holes 431 of the shield cover 4. The attachment position of the interlock connector cover 1 in a direction along a specific plane is regulated by inserting the regulating pins 850 into the through holes 431. The regulating pins 850 can also be said to be guide pins that guide the movement of the interlock connector cover 1 toward the attachment target 800.

[0132] 16, when the interlock connector cover 1 is brought closer to the attachment target 800 with the restricting pin 850 inserted through the through hole 431, the tip of the interlock connector 5 of the interlock connector cover 1 starts to fit into the mating connector 880 of the attachment target 800. At this time, since the connector 5 is movable relative to the seal member 2 along a virtual floating plane, the worker can easily fit the connector 5 into the connector 880. Furthermore, since the seal member 2 to which the connector 5 is attached is movable relative to the shield cover 4 along a virtual floating plane, the worker can even more easily fit the connector 5 into the connector 880.

[0133] In this example, the dimension of the seal member 2 in the direction along the fitting direction D1 of the connector 5 (the dimension in the vertical direction in FIG. 16) is set to a dimension such that the seal portion 210 of the seal member 2 does not fit into the opening 821 of the attachment target 800 when the restriction pin 850 is inserted into the through hole 431 and the tip of the connector 5 begins to fit into the connector 880. The dimension of the seal member 3 in the direction along the fitting direction D1 is set to a dimension such that the seal portion 310 of the seal member 3 does not fit into the opening 831 of the attachment target 800 when the restriction pin 850 is inserted into the through hole 431 and the tip of the connector 5 begins to fit into the connector 880.

[0134] When the interlock connector cover 1 is brought even closer to the attachment target 800 and the fitting of the connector 5 to the connector 880 progresses, the seal portions 210 and 310 begin to fit into the openings 821 and 832 of the attachment target 800, respectively, as shown in Fig. 17. At this time, the restriction pin 850 is inserted into the through hole 431 of the shield cover 4, and the connector 5 is partially fitted into the connector 880, so that the seal portions 210 and 310 begin to fit into the openings 821 and 832 in a state in which the positions of the connector 5 and the shield cover 4 in the direction along the virtual floating plane (specific plane) are restricted.

[0135] In this example, the connector 5 is movable relative to the seal member 2 along a virtual floating plane (specific plane), and the seal member 2 is movable relative to the shield cover 4 along the specific plane. This allows the seal member 2 to move along the specific plane independently relative to each of the connector 5 and the shield cover 4. Therefore, as in the example of Fig. 17, even when the seal portion 210 starts to fit into the opening 821 in a state in which the positions of the connector 5 and the shield cover 4 in the direction along the specific plane are restricted, the seal portion 210 can easily fit into the opening 821.

[0136] In addition, since the seal member 3 is movable relative to the shield cover 4 along the specific plane, the worker can easily fit the seal portion 310 of the seal member 3 into the opening 831.

[0137] When the interlock connector cover 1 is brought closer to the attachment target 800 and the fitting of the seal parts 210 and 310 to the openings 821 and 831 progresses, the main surface 430a of the base part 430 of the shield cover 4 comes into contact with the tip surfaces of the bosses 860 of the attachment part 870 of the attachment target 800, as shown in Fig. 18. This completes the movement of the interlock connector cover 1. When the shield cover 4 comes into contact with the tip surfaces of the bosses 860, the connector 5 is properly fitted to the connector 880, and the seal parts 210 and 310 are properly fitted to the openings 821 and 831. In other words, when the shield cover 4 comes into contact with the tip surfaces of the bosses 860, the openings 821 and 831 are properly sealed by the interlock connector cover 1.

[0138] Thereafter, the fixing bolts 11 are respectively inserted into the through holes 432 provided in the shield cover 4, and screwed into the bosses 860 of the attachment object 800. This fixes the shield cover 4 to the attachment object 800, and the attachment of the interlock connector cover 1 to the attachment object 800 is completed.

[0139] Note that the seal portion 210 may start to fit into the opening 821 before the connector 5 starts to fit into the connector 880. Even in this case, the seal member 2 is movable relative to the shield cover 4 along the specific plane, so that the seal portion 210 can easily fit into the opening 821.

[0140] According to the interlock connector cover 1 configured as above, the attachment portion 51 is held by the connector holding portion 230 so as to be movable along the first direction A and the second direction B, so that the interlock connector 5 is supported by the seal member 3 so as to be movable along the virtual floating plane. Since the attachment portion 51 is a plate-shaped attachment portion 51 extending from the base end of the fitting portion 50 along the virtual floating plane intersecting the fitting direction D1, the amount of protrusion of the interlock connector 5 can be reduced. For example, the fitting portion 50 does not have a trapezoidal portion whose dimensions gradually increase toward the attachment portion 51, and the plate-shaped attachment portion 51 may extend directly from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 50 along the fitting direction D1. This plate-shaped attachment portion 51 realizes a floating holding structure that is movable along the virtual floating plane. Therefore, the amount of protrusion of the interlock connector 5 from the seal member 2 can be reduced. Furthermore, when the first side portion 512a is inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second side portion 512b is inserted into the second guide groove 231b, the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516 is received in the erroneous installation prevention recess 238, but conversely, when the first side portion 512a is inserted into the second guide groove 231b and the second side portion 512b is inserted into the first guide groove 231a, the erroneous installation prevention protrusion 516 interferes with the opening of the second guide groove 231b. This prevents the interlock connector 5 from being erroneously installed.

[0141] Even if an error occurs between the attachment position of the shield cover 4 relative to the attachment object 800 and the attachment position of the seal member 2 relative to the opening 821, the error can be eliminated by the clearance C1 between the screw 6 and the shield cover 4. Even if an error occurs between the attachment position of the seal member 2 relative to the opening 821 and the fitting position of the interlock connector 5 relative to the mating connector 880, the error can be eliminated by the floating support structure of the interlock connector 5.

[0142] In addition, with the mis-attachment prevention protrusion 516 positioned in the mis-attachment prevention recess 238, the first side portion 512a is set to contact the bottom surface of the first guide groove 231a or the second side portion 512b is set to contact the bottom surface of the second guide groove 231b in the second direction B before or at the same time that the mis-attachment prevention protrusion 516 contacts the surface surrounding the mis-attachment prevention recess 238. For this reason, excessive force is unlikely to act on the mis-attachment prevention protrusion.

[0143] Furthermore, since the attachment guide surfaces 512a2, 512b2 are formed on the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b, the attachment portion 51 can be easily inserted into the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b.

[0144] Furthermore, the amount (A1-A2) by which the mounting portion 51 can move in the first direction A and the amount (B1-B2) by which the mounting portion 51 can move in the second direction B are greater than the amount (Da-Db) by which the first side portion 512a and the second side portion 512b can move within the first guide groove 231a and the second guide groove 231b in the mating direction D1. This allows the interlock connector 5 to easily move along the virtual floating plane in accordance with the position of the mating connector 880 while the connector holding portion 230 supports the interlock connector 5 at a relatively constant position in the mating direction D1.

[0145] Moreover, since the first cylindrical terminal 521a, the second cylindrical terminal 521b, and further the terminal connecting portion 523 are integrally formed by pressing a metal plate, the terminal unit 520 in which the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b are electrically connected can be easily manufactured. Furthermore, the terminal unit 520 in which the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b are held in a certain positional relationship can be easily accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 510. For example, the operation of simultaneously inserting the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b into the pair of terminal accommodating chambers 524 by gripping the terminal connecting portion 523 can be easily performed.

[0146] In addition, since the terminal connecting portion 523 intersects with the direction in which the first cylindrical terminal 521a and the second cylindrical terminal 521b are arranged and extends in a direction intersecting with the fitting direction D1, the dimension of the terminal connecting portion 523 in the fitting direction D1 can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the space required to accommodate a structural portion for connecting the two terminals in the fitting direction D1, and further reduce the protruding dimension of the interlock connector 5 from the seal member 2.

[0147] The configurations described in the above embodiment and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 1 Cover with interlock connector 2 First seal member 3 Second seal member 4 Shield cover 5 Interlock Connector 6 First screw 7 Second screw 6a, 7a Washers 6b, 7b Threaded part 10 Anti-rotation protrusion 11 Fixing bolt 42 Anti-rotation hole 50 Fitting part 51 Mounting part 100 Cover part 210 First seal part 310 Second seal part 211, 311 Main body 211a, 211b, 311a, 311b plane 212, 312 Seal ring 220, 320 flange 230 Connector holder 231 Slide support 231a First guide groove 231b Second guide groove 232 Back side receiving part 233 Anti-pullout elastic piece 234 Elastic Piece 235 Anti-slip protrusion 235f slope 238 Mis-insertion prevention recess 239 Interference Part 240, 330 Boss 241, 331 tip surface 242, 332 pilot holes 243, 333 outer bottom 250 Regulatory protrusion 260, 270, 340 Contact rib 280, 281, 360 Hollowed out section 410 First placement recess 411, 412, 415, 421, 431, 432 Through holes 413 Dish-shaped recess 420 Second placement recess 422 Anti-rotation hole 430 Base 430a, 430b main surface 510 Terminal housing 510h Installation opening 512 Wide section 512a First side 512b Second side 512a1, 512b1 Parallel part 512a2, 512b2 Mounting guide surface 512h Recessed part for retaining 514 Narrow part 514p Protruding part 516 Mis-insertion prevention protrusion 520 Terminal Unit 521a First cylindrical terminal 521b Second cylindrical terminal 523 Terminal connection section 524 Terminal chamber 524E Connection Unit Containment Room 525r Lance Club 525ra Locking protrusion 526 Retainer mounting recess 526a Locking protrusion 527 Rubber ring mounting groove 527G Rubber ring 528 Interposed connection 530 Retainer 800 Installation target 810 Base 810a, 810b main surface 820 1st cylinder part 821 First opening 830 Second tube part 831 Second Opening 850 Regulatory Pin 860 Boss 870 Mounting part 880 Mating Connector 882 Counterpart terminal 4130 Concave 4150 Aperture A 1st direction B Second direction C1 First Clearance C2 Second Clearance C3 3rd Clearance D1 Mating direction

Claims

1. A cover with an interlock connector that is attached to an object having an opening and covers the opening, a cover portion including a seal member that fits into the opening portion to close the opening portion; an interlock connector supported by the seal member for ensuring attachment of the cover portion to the attachment target; Equipped with the interlock connector includes a fitting portion that extends from the seal member toward a mating connector in the attachment target and fits with the mating connector, and a plate-shaped attachment portion that extends from a base end of the fitting portion along a virtual floating plane that intersects with a fitting direction of the fitting portion, the seal member includes a connector holding portion that holds the interlock connector movably along the virtual floating plane, the attachment portion includes a first side portion, a second side portion opposite to the first side portion, and a mis-attachment prevention protrusion protruding from the first side portion in a direction intersecting with the first side portion, the connector holding portion includes a first guide groove and a second guide groove that guide the first side portion and the second side portion along a first direction along the virtual floating plane, a rear side receiving portion that restricts the position of the mounting portion on one side along the first direction, and a slip-out prevention elastic piece that has a slip-out prevention protrusion at a tip and restricts the mounting portion on the other side along the first direction, with the first side portion and the second side portion guided by the first guide groove and the second guide groove, and with the mounting portion held by the connector holding portion, the mounting portion is movable in the first direction within a range restricted between the rear side receiving portion and the anti-slip protrusion, and is movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction on the virtual floating plane within a range restricted between a bottom surface of the first guide groove and a bottom surface of the second guide groove, moreover, the connector holding portion has a mis-installation prevention recess that is formed continuously with the first guide groove at a position shifted from the first guide groove in a direction intersecting the first direction and that receives the mis-installation prevention protrusion, a mis-attachment prevention protrusion is disposed within the mis-attachment prevention recess, and the first side portion is contacted with a bottom surface of the first guide groove or the second side portion is contacted with a bottom surface of the second guide groove before or at the same time that the mis-attachment prevention protrusion contacts a surface surrounding the mis-attachment prevention recess in the second direction, The anti-slip protrusion has an inclined surface that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the anti-slip protrusion toward the other side in the first direction.

2. 2. The interlock connector cover according to claim 1, A cover with an interlock connector, wherein the amount by which the mounting portion can move between the rear receiving portion and the anti-slip protrusion in the first direction and the amount by which the mounting portion can move between the bottom surface of the first guide groove and the bottom surface of the second guide groove in the second direction are greater than the amount by which the first side portion and the second side portion can move within the first guide groove and the second guide groove in the mating direction.

3. The interlock connector cover according to claim 1 or 2, the fitting portion includes a first cylindrical terminal, a second cylindrical terminal, a terminal connection portion that electrically connects the first cylindrical terminal and the second cylindrical terminal, and a terminal accommodating portion that accommodates the first cylindrical terminal and the second cylindrical terminal, the first cylindrical terminal, the second cylindrical terminal and the terminal connecting portion are integrally formed by pressing a metal plate, the interlock connector cover being disposed on the first cylindrical terminal, the second cylindrical terminal and the terminal connecting portion.

4. The interlock connector cover according to claim 3, the terminal connecting portion intersects with the direction in which the first cylindrical terminal and the second cylindrical terminal are arranged, and extends in a direction intersecting with the fitting direction.

Images