First connector, second connector, and connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a first connector, a second connector, and a connector assembly, which are capable of improving assembly workability.SOLUTION: A first connector 10 includes: a first terminal 30; a first housing 40 that holds the first terminal 30; a first bolt hole 33 that penetrates the first terminal 30 in a first direction X1; and a fall prevention bolt 50 that is assembled to the first terminal 30. The fall prevention bolt 50 is inserted through the first bolt hole 33 in a state before the first connector 10 is connected to a second connector 100 which is a mating connector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle is equipped with a connector assembly including a first connector attached to an end of an electric wire and a second connector attached to a case of an electric device and electrically connected to the first connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The first connector has a first terminal connected to an end of the electric wire and a first housing that holds the first terminal. The second connector has a second terminal and a second housing that holds the second terminal.

[0003] When connecting the first connector and the second connector, first, the first housing is fitted into the second housing, and the first bolt hole in the first terminal is aligned with the second bolt hole in the second terminal. Next, a bolt is inserted into the second housing through an access opening in the second housing, and the bolt passes through the first bolt hole and the second bolt hole. Next, the bolt is screwed into a nut to electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal to each other by bolt fastening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-130300 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above connector assembly, however, it is desired to improve the ease of assembly. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a first connector, a second connector, and a connector assembly that can improve assembly workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first connector of the present disclosure has a first terminal, a first housing that holds the first terminal, a first bolt hole that penetrates the first terminal in a first direction, and an anti-fallout bolt assembled to the first terminal, and the anti-fallout bolt is passed through the first bolt hole before the first connector is connected to a mating connector, a second connector. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The first connector, the second connector, and the connector assembly of the present disclosure advantageously enable improved assembly workability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a connector assembly of one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector assembly according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the first connector of one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the second connector of one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 2) showing the connector assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a connector assembly of one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 10) showing the second connector of one embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the second connector of one embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a guide member according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing method of the connector assembly of one embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing method of the connector assembly of one embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing method of the connector assembly of one embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing method of the connector assembly of one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] A first connector of the present disclosure has a first terminal, a first housing that holds the first terminal, a first bolt hole that penetrates the first terminal in a first direction, and an anti-disconnection bolt assembled to the first terminal, wherein the anti-disconnection bolt penetrates the first bolt hole before the first connector is connected to a mating second connector.

[0010] According to this configuration, before the first connector is connected to the second connector, the fall-prevention bolt is inserted through the first bolt hole and assembled to the first terminal. That is, the fall-prevention bolt is assembled to the first terminal in advance. Therefore, when connecting the second terminal and the first terminal of the second connector, the first terminal and the second terminal can be bolt-fastened using the fall-prevention bolt assembled to the first terminal in advance. Therefore, when bolt-fastening the first terminal and the second terminal, the work of assembling a bolt prepared separately from the first terminal and the second terminal to the first terminal and the second terminal can be omitted. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly can be improved.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the anti-fallout bolt has a head, a shaft portion extending from the head in the first direction, and a male thread portion provided in a tip region of the shaft portion, the first bolt hole has a first hole portion provided at an end in the first direction and a second hole portion provided at an end in a first opposite direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction, the minimum inner circumference dimension of the first hole portion is set larger than the minimum inner circumference dimension of the second hole portion, the maximum outer circumference dimension of the head is set larger than the minimum inner circumference dimension of the second hole portion, and the maximum outer circumference dimension of the male thread portion is set smaller than the minimum inner circumference dimension of the first hole portion and larger than the minimum inner circumference dimension of the second hole portion.

[0012] According to this configuration, the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the head of the fall-off prevention bolt is formed to be larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the head from slipping out of the second hole portion along the first direction. Furthermore, the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male thread portion provided in the tip region of the shaft portion of the fall-off prevention bolt is formed to be larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the male thread portion from slipping out of the second hole portion along the first opposite direction. As a result, it is possible to suitably prevent the fall-off prevention bolt that is passed through the first bolt hole and assembled to the first terminal from falling out of the first bolt hole. Furthermore, the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male thread portion is formed to be smaller than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first hole portion. Therefore, it is possible to accommodate the male thread portion in the first hole portion of the first bolt hole.

[0013] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the first terminal may be connected to an end of an electric wire. According to this configuration, the fall-off prevention bolt can be pre-assembled to the first terminal to be connected to the end of the electric wire.

[0014] [4] A second connector of the present disclosure is a second connector connected to a first connector having a first terminal to which an anti-fallout bolt is assembled, and includes a second terminal connected to the first terminal, a second housing holding the second terminal, a second bolt hole penetrating the second terminal in a first direction, and a nut held inside the second housing and fastened to the anti-fallout bolt, wherein the second housing has a guide portion that guides the anti-fallout bolt to directly above the nut while it remains assembled to the first terminal.

[0015] According to this configuration, when the first connector and the second connector are connected, the guide portion of the second housing guides the fall-prevention bolt to directly above the nut while it is still assembled to the first terminal. Therefore, when the first terminal and the second terminal are connected, the fall-prevention bolt pre-assembled to the first terminal can be used to bolt-fasten the first terminal and the second terminal. Therefore, when the first terminal and the second terminal are bolt-fastened, the work of assembling a bolt prepared separately from the first terminal and the second terminal to the first terminal and the second terminal can be omitted. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly can be improved.

[0016] [5] In the above [4], the second bolt hole may be capable of inserting the anti-fallout bolt therein along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the second bolt hole may be formed so as to be cut out from an end face of the second terminal in a second opposite direction that is opposite to the second direction, toward the second direction.

[0017] According to this configuration, a notched second bolt hole is provided in the second terminal. Therefore, the second terminal is formed in a fork shape bifurcated by the second bolt hole. Here, when the first connector is connected to the second connector along the second direction, the first terminal is moved along the second direction relative to the second terminal, and the drop-out prevention bolt is moved along the second direction relative to the second terminal. At this time, the second bolt hole is formed so as to be notched from the end face of the second terminal in the second opposite direction toward the second direction. Therefore, the drop-out prevention bolt moving along the second direction can be suitably inserted inside the second bolt hole.

[0018] [6] In the above [5], the guide portion may be an inclined surface that inclines from the first direction toward a first opposite direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, as it moves from the end in the second opposite direction to the end in the second direction.

[0019] According to this configuration, when the first connector is connected to the second connector, if the fall-prevention bolt is moved in the second direction relative to the second terminal, the fall-prevention bolt is moved along the inclined surface. As a result, as the fall-prevention bolt advances in the second direction, the fall-prevention bolt can be moved in the first opposite direction. That is, as the fall-prevention bolt advances in the second direction, the fall-prevention bolt can be lifted in the first opposite direction by the inclined surface. As a result, the fall-prevention bolt can be suitably moved to a position in the first opposite direction further than the nut.

[0020] [7] In the above [5] or [6], the second housing may have a housing main body and a guide member having the guide portion, and the guide member may be a separate part from the housing main body.

[0021] According to this configuration, the guide member having the guide portion is formed as a separate part from the housing body. This allows the guide member to be manufactured separately from the housing body. This improves the design freedom of the guide member and the housing body compared to when the guide member and the housing body are integrally formed.

[0022] [8] In the above [7], the housing main body has a accommodating portion that is provided at a position toward the first direction from the second terminal and that accommodates the nut, the accommodating portion opens in a first opposite direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction, the accommodating portion has an opening that opens in the second opposite direction, the accommodating portion is capable of inserting the nut therein along the second direction, and the guide member may have a regulating portion that blocks the opening.

[0023] According to this configuration, the nut is accommodated in the accommodating portion provided in the housing body, and the opening of the accommodating portion that opens in the second opposite direction is blocked by the restricting portion provided in the guide member. Therefore, the movement of the nut inside the accommodating portion can be appropriately restricted by the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion and the restricting portion.

[0024] [9] In the above [7] or [8], the housing main body may have a fitting tubular portion that accommodates the second terminal therein, and a positioning protrusion that is provided inside the fitting tubular portion and extends along the second direction, the guide member is formed so as to be insertable into the fitting tubular portion along the second direction, and the guide member has a positioning groove that extends along the second direction, and the positioning groove may be such that the positioning protrusion can be inserted therein.

[0025] According to this configuration, the positioning protrusion of the housing body is inserted into the positioning groove of the guide member, so that when attaching the guide member to the housing body, the guide member can be easily positioned relative to the housing body, thereby improving the workability when attaching the guide member to the housing body.

[0026]

[10] The connector assembly of the present disclosure comprises a first connector described in any one of [1] to [3] above, and a second connector described in any one of [4] to [9] above, wherein the first terminal is bolted to the second terminal by the anti-fallout bolt and the nut.

[0027] According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the first connector of [1] above, and also to obtain the same effects as the second connector of [4] above. [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the first connector, the second connector, and the connector assembly of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configurations may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "orthogonal" does not only mean strictly orthogonal, but also includes roughly orthogonal within the scope of the action and effect of this embodiment. The "cylindrical" used in the description of this specification includes not only those in which a peripheral wall is formed continuously around the entire circumference, but also those in which a plurality of parts are combined to form a cylindrical shape, and those in which a part in the circumferential direction is cut out, such as a C-shape or U-shape. The shape of the "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon with sharp or rounded corners. In this specification, the "outer peripheral dimension of the A member" refers to the length of one revolution around the outer peripheral surface of the A member along the circumferential direction of the A member. In addition, in this specification, the "inner peripheral dimension of the A member" refers to the length of one revolution around the inner peripheral surface of the A member along the circumferential direction of the A member. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" and the like in this specification are used simply to distinguish objects, and do not rank the objects. Each drawing illustrates an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are mutually orthogonal. Each drawing illustrates a first direction X1, which is one direction in the X-axis direction along the X-axis, and a first opposite direction X2, which is the opposite direction of the first direction X1. Each drawing illustrates a second direction Y1, which is one direction in the Y-axis direction along the Y-axis, and a second opposite direction Y2, which is the opposite direction of the second direction Y1. Each drawing illustrates a third direction Z1, which is one direction in the Z-axis direction along the Z-axis, and a third opposite direction Z2, which is the opposite direction of the third direction Z1. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, which are indicated by the claims.

[0028] (Overall configuration of connector assembly 1) As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the connector assembly 1 includes a first connector 10 and a second connector 100 electrically connected to the first connector 10. The connector assembly 1 electrically connects, for example, electrical devices for a vehicle to each other. Examples of electrical devices for a vehicle include a high-voltage battery, an inverter, a motor, and a relay box. The first connector 10 is configured to be detachable from the second connector 100, which is a mating connector. The second connector 100 is attached to an attachment target such as a case of an electrical device (not shown). In other words, the second connector 100 is an equipment connector.

[0029] 5, the first connector 10 has one or more (two in this embodiment) first terminals 30 connected to ends of one or more (two in this embodiment) electric wires 20, respectively, and a first housing 40 that holds the first terminals 30. The first connector 10 has a fall-off prevention bolt 50 assembled to the first terminal 30. The first connector 10 has a seal member 60 that fits around the outer periphery of the first housing 40, one or more (two in this embodiment) seal members 70 that fit inside the first housing 40, and a retainer 80 that prevents the seal members 70 from coming off.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the second connector 100 has one or more (two in this embodiment) second terminals 110, a second housing 120 that holds the second terminals 110, and a nut 150.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 are assembled together along the second direction Y1. The first connector 10 is fitted into the second connector 100 along the second direction Y1, for example. For example, the first housing 40 of the first connector 10 is fitted into the second housing 120 of the second connector 100 along the second direction Y1. Note that the directions in each drawing do not necessarily represent the postures of the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 when in use. Also, the directions in the second connector 100 are described based on the state in which the first connector 10 is assembled into the second connector 100.

[0032] (Configuration of electric wire 20) As shown in Fig. 5, each electric wire 20 has a conductive core wire 21 and an insulating coating 22 that surrounds the outer periphery of the core wire 21 and has insulating properties. The core wire 21 may be, for example, a stranded wire made of a plurality of metal wires twisted together or a single core wire made of a single conductor. The core wire 21 may be made of, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material. The insulating coating 22 covers, for example, the outer periphery of the core wire 21 over the entire circumferential direction. The insulating coating 22 is made of, for example, an insulating resin material.

[0033] An end portion of the core wire 21 in the second direction Y1 is exposed from the insulating coating 22. A first terminal 30 is connected to the end portion of the core wire 21 in the second direction Y1 exposed from the insulating coating 22. (Specific structure of first connector 10) The two first terminals 30 are electrically connected to the two electric wires 20, respectively. The two first terminals 30 are arranged side by side along the third direction Z1, for example. Each first terminal 30 has, for example, an electric wire connection portion 31 connected to an end of the electric wire 20, and a terminal connection portion 32. Each first terminal 30 is, for example, a single component in which the electric wire connection portion 31 and the terminal connection portion 32 are integrally formed. For example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material can be used as the material of each first terminal 30.

[0034] The electric wire connection part 31 is connected to an end part of the core wire 21 exposed from the insulating coating 22. The electric wire connection part 31 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The electric wire connection part 31 is connected to the core wire 21 by, for example, crimping or ultrasonic welding. In this way, the electric wire connection part 31 and the core wire 21 are electrically and mechanically connected to each other.

[0035] The terminal connection portion 32 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The terminal connection portion 32 extends, for example, from the electric wire connection portion 31 along the second direction Y1. 7, the terminal connection portion 32 has a first bolt hole 33 penetrating the terminal connection portion 32 in the first direction X1. The first bolt hole 33 is provided in an end region of the terminal connection portion 32 in the second direction Y1. A drop-out prevention bolt 50 is inserted into the first bolt hole 33 along the first direction X1.

[0036] The first bolt hole 33 has, for example, a first hole portion 34 provided at an end of the first bolt hole 33 in the first direction X1 and a second hole portion 35 provided at an end of the first bolt hole 33 in the first opposite direction X2. The first hole portion 34 and the second hole portion 35 are formed to communicate with each other. The opening width of the first hole portion 34 is formed to be larger than the opening width of the second hole portion 35. The minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first hole portion 34 is formed to be larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion 35. A female thread portion is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second hole portion 35.

[0037] The end of the second hole portion 35 in the first opposite direction X2 has, for example, a guide portion 36. The guide portion 36 is formed so that the opening width, i.e., the inner circumferential dimension, of the second hole portion 35 increases as the opening end of the second hole portion 35 in the first opposite direction X2 approaches. The guide portion 36 is formed, for example, by the inner circumferential surface of the second hole portion 35 being inclined toward the radially outward direction of the second hole portion 35 as the opening end of the second hole portion 35 in the first opposite direction X2 approaches. The guide portion 36 is formed, for example, over the entire circumferential circumference of the second hole portion 35. The guide portion 36 has a function of smoothly guiding the fall-prevention bolt 50 into the first bolt hole 33 when the fall-prevention bolt 50 is inserted into the first bolt hole 33 in the first direction X1.

[0038] The terminal connection portion 32 has, for example, an engagement recess 37. The engagement recess 37 is formed so as to be recessed from an end face of the terminal connection portion 32 in the first opposite direction X2 toward the first direction X1. The engagement recess 37 of this embodiment penetrates the terminal connection portion 32 in the first direction X1. The engagement recess 37 is provided in an end region of the terminal connection portion 32 in the second opposite direction Y2.

[0039] (Configuration of fall prevention bolt 50) 3, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is assembled to the first terminal 30 by being inserted through the first bolt hole 33. The fall-prevention bolt 50 is inserted through the first bolt hole 33 before the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 100. In other words, the first connector 10 is fitted to the second connector 100 with the fall-prevention bolt 50 inserted through the first bolt hole 33.

[0040] The fall-prevention bolt 50 is inserted into the first bolt hole 33 by, for example, screwing the male thread portion 53 into a female thread portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second hole portion 35 . 5, the fall-prevention bolt 50 has a head 51, a shank 52 extending from the head 51 in the first direction X1, and a male threaded portion 53 provided in a tip region of the shank 52. In the fall-prevention bolt 50, the male threaded portion 53 is provided only in the tip region of the shank 52. In other words, the shank 52 has an unthreaded portion 54 between the head 51 and the male threaded portion 53. The fall-prevention bolt 50 is made of metal.

[0041] 7, the outer circumferential dimension of head 51 is larger than the inner circumferential dimension of first bolt hole 33. The maximum outer circumferential dimension of head 51 is larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of second hole portion 35. The maximum outer circumferential dimension of head 51 is larger than, for example, the minimum inner circumferential dimension of first hole portion 34. An end face of head 51 in the first direction X1 is formed so as to be able to engage with an end face of terminal connection portion 32 in the first opposite direction X2. This makes it possible to prevent fall-off prevention bolt 50 from falling off from first bolt hole 33 along the first direction X1 after the fall-off prevention bolt 50 is assembled in first bolt hole 33.

[0042] The shaft portion 52 protrudes in the first direction X1 from an end face of the head portion 51 in the first direction X1. The shaft portion 52 extends, for example, straight along the first direction X1. The maximum outer circumferential dimension of the unthreaded portion 54 of the shaft portion 52 is smaller than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first bolt hole 33. The maximum outer circumferential dimension of the unthreaded portion 54 is smaller than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion 35, for example.

[0043] The male thread portion 53 is formed corresponding to the female thread portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second hole portion 35. The male thread portion 53 is formed corresponding to the female thread portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the nut 150 provided on the second connector 100. The maximum outer peripheral dimension of the male thread portion 53 is larger than the maximum outer peripheral dimension of the unthreaded portion 54. The maximum outer peripheral dimension of the male thread portion 53 is smaller than the maximum outer peripheral dimension of the head portion 51. The maximum outer peripheral dimension of the male thread portion 53 is set smaller than the minimum inner peripheral dimension of the first hole portion 34 and larger than the minimum inner peripheral dimension of the second hole portion 35. The male thread portion 53 is formed so as to be able to engage with the end surface of the peripheral wall constituting the second hole portion 35 in the first direction X1. This makes it possible to prevent the fall-off prevention bolt 50 from falling off from the first bolt hole 33 along the first opposite direction X2 after the fall-off prevention bolt 50 is assembled in the first bolt hole 33.

[0044] (Configuration of the first housing 40) 3, the first housing 40 has, for example, a main body 41, an electric wire holding portion 42 protruding from the main body 41 in the second opposite direction Y2, and a terminal holding portion 43 protruding from the main body 41 in the second direction Y1. The first housing 40 is, for example, a single component in which the main body 41, the electric wire holding portion 42, and the terminal holding portion 43 are continuously and integrally formed. The first housing 40 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0045] The main body 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The main body 41 is formed in a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the X-axis direction, for example. A seal member 60 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the main body 41. The seal member 60 is formed continuously around the entire circumferential direction of the main body 41. The seal member 60 seals between the outer circumferential surface of the first housing 40 and the inner circumferential surface of the second housing 120. The seal member 60 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0046] The first housing 40 has, for example, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) electric wire holding portions 42 arranged in the third direction Z1. Each electric wire holding portion 42 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 7, each electric wire holding portion 42 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the electric wire 20. An end portion of the electric wire 20 in the second direction Y1 is held inside each electric wire holding portion 42. A connection portion between the core wire 21 of the electric wire 20 and the electric wire connection portion 31 of the first terminal 30 is housed inside each electric wire holding portion 42.

[0047] An engagement piece 42A, for example, is provided on the inner peripheral surface of each electric wire holding portion 42. The engagement piece 42A is formed, for example, so as to protrude in the first direction X1 from the inner peripheral surface of each electric wire holding portion 42 facing the first direction X1, and then extend along the second direction Y1 toward the main body portion 41. An engagement protrusion 42B protruding in the first direction X1 from the end face of the engagement piece 42A in the first direction X1 is provided on the tip portion of the engagement piece 42A, that is, the end portion in the second direction Y1. The engagement protrusion 42B is formed so as to be able to engage with the inner peripheral surface of the engagement recess 37 of the first terminal 30. The first terminal 30 is held in the first housing 40 by the engagement protrusion 42B engaging with the inner peripheral surface of the engagement recess 37.

[0048] 3, the first housing 40 has, for example, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) terminal holding portions 43 arranged in the third direction Z1. Each terminal holding portion 43 is formed, for example, so as to cover a part of the outer periphery of the terminal connection portion 32 of the first terminal 30. Each terminal holding portion 43 is formed, for example, so as to expose the fall-off prevention bolt 50 assembled to the first terminal 30 to the outside. As shown in FIG. 7, each terminal holding portion 43 is formed to be able to accommodate the second terminal 110 of the second connector 100.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8, two seal members 70 are attached to two electric wires 20, respectively. Each seal member 70 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22 of each electric wire 20. Each seal member 70 is continuously formed over the entire circumferential circumference of each electric wire 20. Each seal member 70 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of each electric wire holding portion 42 at the end portion in the second opposite direction Y2. Each seal member 70 seals between the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire 20 and the inner circumferential surface of the electric wire holding portion 42. Each seal member 70 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0050] The retainer 80 is attached, for example, to an end portion in the second opposite direction Y2 of the first housing 40. The retainer 80 prevents the seal member 70 from coming off the first housing 40. The retainer 80 is provided so as to close an opening in the second opposite direction Y2 of the electric wire holding portion 42.

[0051] Each electric wire 20 passes through the seal member 70 and the retainer 80 in the second opposite direction Y2 and is drawn out to the outside of the first housing 40. (Specific Structure of Second Connector 100) 6, the two second terminals 110 are arranged side by side along the third direction Z1, for example. The two second terminals 110 are integrally formed with the second housing 120 by, for example, insert molding. The material of each second terminal 110 may be, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material.

[0052] Each second terminal 110 is formed in a flat plate shape. Each second terminal 110 extends along the Y-axis direction. An end of each second terminal 110 in the second opposite direction Y2 is formed, for example, in a bifurcated fork shape. That is, each second terminal 110 is a fork-type terminal. An end of each second terminal 110 in the second opposite direction Y2 is formed in a U-shape in plan view as viewed from the first direction X1. An end of each second terminal 110 in the second opposite direction Y2 has, for example, a second bolt hole 111 formed in a notch shape. Each second bolt hole 111 is formed so that the second terminal 110 is notched from an end face of the second opposite direction Y2 of the second terminal 110 toward the second direction Y1. Each second bolt hole 111 extends along the second direction Y1. Each second bolt hole 111 penetrates the second terminal 110 in the first direction X1. Each second bolt hole 111 is open in both the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2, and is also open in the second opposite direction Y2. Each second bolt hole 111 is provided in the middle of the second terminal 110 in the width direction (here, the Z-axis direction). As shown in Fig. 8, each second bolt hole 111 allows the fall-prevention bolt 50 to be inserted therein along the second direction Y1. That is, the fall-prevention bolt 50 can enter each second bolt hole 111 along the second direction Y1.

[0053] An end of each second bolt hole 111 in the second opposite direction Y2 has, for example, a guide portion 112. The guide portion 112 is formed so that the opening width of the second bolt hole 111 along the Z-axis direction increases as the opening end of the second bolt hole 111 in the second opposite direction Y2 approaches. The guide portion 112 is formed, for example, by an inner circumferential surface of the second bolt hole 111 inclining radially outward of the second bolt hole 111 as the opening end of the second opposite direction Y2 approaches the second bolt hole 111. The guide portion 112 has a function of smoothly guiding the fall-prevention bolt 50 toward the end (i.e., the back end) of the second bolt hole 111 in the second direction Y1 when the fall-prevention bolt 50 is inserted into the second bolt hole 111 in the second direction Y1.

[0054] 7, when the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 100, the second terminal 110 is overlapped with the first terminal 30 in the first direction X1. The second terminal 110 is fastened to the first terminal 30 by a fall-off prevention bolt 50 and a nut 150.

[0055] 8 and 9, the second housing 120 has, for example, a housing main body 121 and a guide member 140. The housing main body 121 is, for example, a separate part from the guide member 140. The guide member 140 is, for example, inserted into the housing main body 121 along the second direction Y1 and attached to the housing main body 121. Each of the housing main body 121 and the guide member 140 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0056] 8, the housing body 121 has, for example, a fitting tubular portion 122 that is fitted with the first housing 40, and a terminal accommodating portion 131 that protrudes in the second direction Y1 from the fitting tubular portion 122. The housing body 121 has a fixing portion 132 that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the fitting tubular portion 122 radially outward from the fitting tubular portion 122.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6, the fitting cylinder portion 122 is formed in a cylindrical shape. For example, the fitting cylinder portion 122 is formed in a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the X-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 7, the fitting cylinder portion 122 is formed in a size that allows a part of the main body portion 41 and the terminal holding portion 43 of the first housing 40 to be inserted therein. The fitting cylinder portion 122 accommodates an end portion of the second terminal 110 in the second opposite direction Y2 therein.

[0058] The fitting tube portion 122 has an opening 123 penetrating the fitting tube portion 122 in the radial direction. The opening 123 is formed to penetrate a peripheral wall of the fitting tube portion 122 provided in the first opposite direction X2. As shown in Fig. 2, the opening 123 is formed to expose the head 51 of the fall-off prevention bolt 50, for example, in a state in which the first connector 10 is properly fitted to the second connector 100. The planar shape of the opening 123 as viewed from the penetrating direction of the opening 123 (here, the X-axis direction) is formed, for example, into a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 7, the fitting tube portion 122 is provided with a tube portion 124 that protrudes in the first opposite direction X2 from the outer circumferential surface of a peripheral wall of the fitting tube portion 122 that is provided in the first opposite direction X2. The tube portion 124 is provided so as to protrude in the first opposite direction X2 from the outer circumferential surface of a peripheral wall that configures the opening 123. The tube portion 124 is formed so as to surround the opening 123 in a plan view seen from the X-axis direction. The internal space of the tube portion 124 is in communication with the opening 123. Although not shown in the drawings, a cover member that covers the opening 123 is attached to the tube portion 124.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, the inner space of the fitting tube portion 122 is provided with two accommodating portions 125 in which two nuts 150 are individually accommodated. Each of the two accommodating portions 125 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall of the fitting tube portion 122 provided in the first direction X1. Each accommodating portion 125 is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the fitting tube portion 122 toward the radially inward direction of the fitting tube portion 122. The accommodating portion 125 opens in the first opposite direction X2. The nut 150 is inserted into each accommodating portion 125 along the second direction Y1. In other words, each accommodating portion 125 has an opening 126 that opens in the second opposite direction Y2. As shown in FIG. 7, each accommodating portion 125 is provided at a position facing the first direction X1 from the second terminal 110. As shown in FIG. 9, the internal space of accommodating portion 125 is provided so as to overlap with the inner end of second bolt hole 111 of second terminal 110 in plan view seen from the X-axis direction, for example.

[0061] Here, each nut 150 is formed in a quadrangular prism. Each nut 150 has a quadrangular planar shape as viewed from the first direction X1. Each nut 150 has a through hole 151 penetrating the nut 150 in the first direction X1. Each nut 150 is formed in an annular shape by having the through hole 151. The through hole 151 has a circular planar shape as viewed from the first direction X1, for example. The through hole 151 is provided so as to overlap with the inner end of the second bolt hole 111 of the second terminal 110 in the X-axis direction, for example, when the nut 150 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 125. The inner peripheral surface of the nut 150 has a female thread portion that can be fastened to the male thread portion 53 (see FIG. 5) of the drop-off prevention bolt 50. Each nut 150 is made of metal.

[0062] The accommodating portion 125 is formed so as to cover an end face of the nut 150 in the second direction Y1, an end face in the third direction Z1, and an end face in the third opposite direction Z2. For example, one or more (two in this embodiment) fixed pieces 127 are provided in the internal space of the fitting tube portion 122. The two fixed pieces 127 are provided, for example, between the two accommodation portions 125 in the Z-axis direction. Each fixed piece 127 protrudes toward the second opposite direction Y2 from the inner surface of the peripheral wall provided in the second direction Y1 of the fitting tube portion 122. Each fixed piece 127 has an engagement hole 127X. The engagement hole 127X is formed so as to penetrate the fixed piece 127 in the X-axis direction. The engagement hole 127X is provided, for example, in the middle of the fixed piece 127 in the Y-axis direction.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 10, a wall portion 128 and a positioning protrusion 129 are provided in the internal space of the fitting tube portion 122. The wall portion 128 is provided in the first opposite direction X2 from the guide member 140. The wall portion 128 is provided, for example, between the two second terminals 110 in the Z-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 9, the wall portion 128 protrudes in the second opposite direction Y2 from the inner surface of a peripheral wall provided in the second direction Y1 of the fitting tube portion 122. The wall portion 128 protrudes in the second opposite direction Y2 from, for example, an end face of the fixing piece 127 in the second opposite direction Y2.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 10, the positioning protrusion 129 protrudes in the first direction X1 from an end face of the wall portion 128 in the first direction X1. The positioning protrusion 129 is provided in the center of the wall portion 128 in the Z-axis direction, for example. As shown in Fig. 9, the positioning protrusion 129 extends along the second direction Y1. The positioning protrusion 129 protrudes in the second opposite direction Y2 from an inner surface of a peripheral wall of the fitting tube portion 122 provided in the second direction Y1. The positioning protrusion 129 protrudes in the second opposite direction Y2 from an end face of the fixing piece 127 in the second opposite direction Y2, for example.

[0065] The housing main body 121 has, for example, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) terminal accommodating portions 131 arranged in the third direction Z1. Each terminal accommodating portion 131 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 7, each terminal accommodating portion 131 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the second terminal 110. For example, each terminal accommodating portion 131 surrounds the outer periphery of the second terminal 110 over the entire circumferential direction. Each second terminal 110 penetrates the terminal accommodating portion 131 in the second direction Y1 and is drawn out to the outside of the second housing 120.

[0066] 1, the fixing portion 132 is formed so as to protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the fitting tubular portion 122. The fixing portion 132 is formed, for example, so as to protrude radially outward over the entire circumferential circumference of the fitting tubular portion 122. The fixing portion 132 is fixed, for example, to the outer surface of a case of an electrical device (not shown).

[0067] (Configuration of guide member 140) 11, the guide member 140 has, for example, a main body portion 141 and one or more (two in this embodiment) restricting portions 145 that restrict movement of the nut 150 (see FIG. 9). The guide member 140 has, for example, a protruding piece 146 that protrudes in the second direction Y1 from an end face of the main body portion 141 in the second direction Y1, and one or more (two in this embodiment) engaging portions 147 provided on an end face of the protruding piece 146 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0068] The main body 141 has an inclined surface 142. The inclined surface 142 faces, for example, in the second opposite direction Y2 and faces in the first opposite direction X2. The inclined surface 142 is inclined with respect to the first direction X1 and is inclined with respect to the second direction Y1. The inclined surface 142 extends from an end of the main body 141 in the second opposite direction Y2 to an end face 143 of the main body 141 in the first opposite direction X2. Here, the end face 143 of the main body 141 in the first opposite direction X2 is provided at an end of the main body 141 in the second direction Y1. The end face 143 extends, for example, in the second direction Y1 and in the third direction Z1. The inclined surface 142 is inclined from the first direction X1 toward the first opposite direction X2 as it moves from the end of the main body 141 in the second opposite direction Y2 toward the end of the main body 141 in the second direction Y1. The inclined surface 142 is formed, for example, over the entire width direction (here, the Z-axis direction) of the main body 141. Note that an end face of the main body 141 in the second direction Y1 extends along the first direction X1.

[0069] The main body 141 has, for example, a positioning groove 144. The positioning groove 144 is formed so as to be recessed from the end face 143 toward the first direction X1. The positioning groove 144 extends along the second direction Y1. The positioning groove 144 extends, for example, from the end face of the main body 141 in the second direction Y1 along the second opposite direction Y2. The positioning groove 144 is provided, for example, at the center of the main body 141 in the width direction (here, the Z-axis direction) of the main body 141. As shown in FIG. 10, the positioning groove 144 is formed so that the positioning protrusion 129 can be inserted therein. By inserting the positioning protrusion 129 into the positioning groove 144, it is possible to easily position the guide member 140 in the Z-axis direction when attaching the guide member 140 to the housing main body 121. In addition, by inserting the positioning protrusion 129 into the positioning groove 144, it is possible to suppress rattling of the guide member 140.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 9, each of the restricting portions 145 protrudes from an end face of the main body 141 in the second direction Y1 toward the second direction Y1. The two restricting portions 145 are provided corresponding to the two accommodating portions 125, respectively. Each of the restricting portions 145 is provided so as to be inserted into the accommodating portion 125 when the guide member 140 is attached to the housing main body 121. Each of the restricting portions 145 is provided so as to close the opening 126 of the accommodating portion 125. Each of the restricting portions 145 restricts the movement of the nut 150 accommodated in the accommodating portion 125 in the second opposite direction Y2 by closing the opening 126. As shown in FIG. 11, the end face of each of the restricting portions 145 in the first opposite direction X2 is formed, for example, flush with the end face 143 of the main body 141 in the first opposite direction X2. Each of the restricting portions 145 is formed, for example, over the entire length of the main body 141 in the X-axis direction.

[0071] The protruding piece 146 protrudes in the second direction Y1 beyond the end face of the restricting portion 145 in the second direction Y1, for example. The dimension of the protruding piece 146 along the X-axis direction is smaller than the dimension of the restricting portion 145 along the X-axis direction, for example. The engaging portion 147 is an engaging protrusion that protrudes in the first opposite direction X2 from the end face of the protruding piece 146 in the first opposite direction X2. As shown in FIG. 9, the engaging portion 147 is formed so as to be able to fit into the engaging hole 127X of the fixed piece 127. The engaging portion 147 is formed so as to be able to engage with the inner surface of the engaging hole 127X. When the engaging portion 147 is engaged with the inner surface of the engaging hole 127X, the movement of the guide member 140 in the second opposite direction Y2 relative to the housing main body 121 is restricted. This makes it possible to suitably prevent the guide member 140 from coming off the housing main body 121.

[0072] (Method of manufacturing connector assembly 1) Next, a description will be given of a manufacturing method for the connector assembly 1. Here, a method for connecting the first connector 10 to the second connector 100 will be described in detail.

[0073] First, in the process shown in FIG. 12, the first connector 10 is prepared, which includes the first terminal 30 to which the fall-prevention bolt 50 is assembled, the first housing 40 that holds the first terminal 30, and the seal member 60 attached to the outer periphery of the first housing 40. At this time, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is inserted into the first bolt hole 33 and assembled to the first terminal 30 before being connected to the second connector 100. More specifically, the shaft portion 52 of the fall-prevention bolt 50 is screwed into the first bolt hole 33 along the first direction X1 from a position in the first opposite direction X2 from the first terminal 30. Specifically, the male thread portion 53 of the fall-prevention bolt 50 is screwed into the female thread portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second hole portion 35 of the first bolt hole 33. Next, when the male thread portion 53 passes the female thread portion of the second hole portion 35, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is moved along the first direction X1 until the head portion 51 engages with the end face of the first terminal 30 in the first opposite direction X2. As a result, the shaft portion 52 of the fall-prevention bolt 50 is inserted through the first bolt hole 33, and the fall-prevention bolt 50 is assembled to the first terminal 30.

[0074] In addition, in a step shown in FIG. 12, a second connector 100 is prepared, which includes a second terminal 110, a second housing 120 that holds the second terminal 110, and a nut 150 accommodated in the accommodation portion 125 of the second housing 120. More specifically, the nut 150 is inserted along the second direction Y1 into the accommodation portion 125 of the housing main body 121 with which the second terminal 110 is integrally configured. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the nut 150 is accommodated inside the accommodation portion 125 through the opening 126 of the accommodation portion 125. Next, the guide member 140 is inserted along the second direction Y1 into the fitting tube portion 122 of the housing main body 121. As shown in FIG. 9, when the guide member 140 is attached to the housing main body 121, each of the restricting portions 145 is inserted into each of the accommodation portions 125, and each of the restricting portions 145 is engaged with each of the nuts 150. 12, an end face in the first opposite direction X2 of each restricting portion 145 is provided on the same plane as an end face in the first opposite direction X2 of nut 150, or is provided at a position protruding in the first opposite direction X2 beyond the end face in the first opposite direction X2 of nut 150. Also, each nut 150 is provided so as to overlap with the inner end of second bolt hole 111 of second terminal 110 in a plan view seen from the first direction X1.

[0075] Next, the first housing 40 of the first connector 10 is fitted into the second housing 120 of the second connector 100 along the second direction Y1. As the fitting of the first housing 40 into the second housing 120 progresses, the tip of the shaft portion 52 of the fall-off prevention bolt 50 comes into contact with the inclined surface 142 of the guide member 140. At this time, the first terminal 30 is provided further in the first opposite direction X2 than the second terminal 110.

[0076] Next, in the process shown in FIG. 13, when the fitting of the first housing 40 to the second housing 120 progresses further, the drop-out prevention bolt 50 is moved in the second direction Y1 along the inclined surface 142. At this time, since the drop-out prevention bolt 50 is moved along the inclined surface 142, it is moved toward the first opposite direction X2 as it advances in the second direction Y1. That is, the drop-out prevention bolt 50 is lifted toward the first opposite direction X2 by the inclined surface 142 as it advances in the second direction Y1. As shown in FIG. 13, when the drop-out prevention bolt 50 advances to the end face 143 of the main body 141 or the end face of the restricting portion 145 in the first opposite direction X2, the drop-out prevention bolt 50 is lifted in the first opposite direction X2 more than the nut 150. As a result, the drop-out prevention bolt 50 is moved along the first opposite direction X2 with respect to the first bolt hole 33 of the first terminal 30. At this time, the first bolt hole 33 is provided with a first hole portion 34 capable of accommodating the male thread portion 53 of the fall-off prevention bolt 50. Therefore, the male thread portion 53 can escape into the first hole portion 34, and the movement of the fall-off prevention bolt 50 in the first opposite direction X2 can be suppressed from being restricted. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the second terminal 110 is formed in a fork shape having a notched second bolt hole 111. Therefore, when the first connector 10 is moved along the second direction Y1, the fall-off prevention bolt 50 can be suitably inserted into the inside of the second bolt hole 111 along the second direction Y1. Furthermore, as the fitting of the first housing 40 to the second housing 120 progresses, the fall-off prevention bolt 50 can be moved inside the second bolt hole 111 along the second direction Y1 toward the inner end of the second bolt hole 111.

[0077] 14, the fitting of the first housing 40 to the second housing 120 is further advanced, and the first housing 40 is fitted to the second housing 120 to the normal position. At this time, the fall-off prevention bolt 50 is guided to a position where it can be fastened to the nut 150. Specifically, as the first housing 40 moves in the second direction Y1, the fall-off prevention bolt 50 slides in the second direction Y1 while contacting the end face of the restricting portion 145 in the first opposite direction X2. Furthermore, when the first housing 40 advances to the normal position along the second direction Y1, the fall-off prevention bolt 50 is guided directly above (directly above) the nut 150, and the tip of the fall-off prevention bolt 50 is inserted into the through hole 151 of the nut 150. At this time, the fall-off prevention bolt 50 is disposed at a position where the central axis of the fall-off prevention bolt 50 coincides with the central axis of the nut 150. In this way, when the fitting of the first housing 40 and the second housing 120 is completed, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is guided to a position where the central axis of the fall-prevention bolt 50 and the central axis of the nut 150 coincide with each other. In the connector assembly 1 after this process, the head 51 of the fall-prevention bolt 50 is provided at a position overlapping the opening 123 of the second housing 120 in a plan view seen from the first direction X1. In the connector assembly 1 after this process, the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 are overlapped in the first direction X1, and the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the first housing 40 and the inner circumferential surface of the second housing 120 is sealed by the seal member 60.

[0078] In the process described above, by providing the guide member 140 on the second connector 100, the anti-fallout bolt 50 can be guided directly above the nut 150 simply by the action of fitting the first housing 40 into the second housing 120.

[0079] 15, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is screwed into the nut 150. A tool for tightening the fall-prevention bolt 50 and the nut 150 is inserted into the second housing 120 through the opening 123 of the second connector 100, for example. When the fall-prevention bolt 50 is screwed into the nut 150, the nut 150, whose rotation is restricted by the accommodation portion 125 and the restriction portion 145, is moved in the first opposite direction X2. As a result, the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 are bolt-fastened by the fall-prevention bolt 50 and the nut 150, and the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 are electrically connected to each other. At this time, even if the second terminal 110 is a fork-type terminal, the second terminal 110 and the first terminal 30 can be suitably connected to each other by the frictional force due to the high axial force of the fall-prevention bolt 50 and the nut 150 generated when the bolt is fastened.

[0080] Through the above manufacturing steps, the connector assembly 1 of this embodiment can be manufactured. (Effects of this embodiment) Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0081] (1) First connector 10 has first terminal 30, first housing 40 that holds first terminal 30, first bolt hole 33 that penetrates first terminal 30 in first direction X1, and fall-off prevention bolt 50 assembled to first terminal 30. Fall-off prevention bolt 50 penetrates first bolt hole 33 before first connector 10 is connected to second connector 100, which is the mating connector.

[0082] According to this configuration, before the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 100, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is inserted through the first bolt hole 33 and assembled to the first terminal 30. That is, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is assembled to the first terminal 30 in advance. Therefore, when connecting the second terminal 110 and the first terminal 30 of the second connector 100, the fall-prevention bolt 50 assembled to the first terminal 30 in advance can be used to bolt-fasten the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110. Therefore, when bolt-fastening the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110, the work of assembling the bolt prepared separately from the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 to the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 can be omitted. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly 1 can be improved. This is particularly effective when automating the connection work between the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110. Specifically, since the number of parts to be added to the production line during the assembly work of the connector assembly 1 can be reduced, the assembly process of the connector assembly 1 can be easily automated.

[0083] (2) Furthermore, since the work of assembling bolts prepared separately from the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 to the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 can be omitted, the work space required when fastening the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 with the bolts can be reduced.

[0084] (3) The maximum outer circumferential dimension of the head 51 of the fall-off prevention bolt 50 is formed to be larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion 35 of the first bolt hole 33. Therefore, the head 51 can be prevented from coming out of the second hole portion 35 along the first direction X1. In addition, the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male thread portion 53 provided in the tip region of the shaft portion 52 of the fall-off prevention bolt 50 is formed to be larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion 35. Therefore, the male thread portion 53 can be prevented from coming out of the second hole portion 35 along the first opposite direction X2. As a result, the fall-off prevention bolt 50 that is passed through the first bolt hole 33 and assembled to the first terminal 30 can be suitably prevented from falling out of the first bolt hole 33. In addition, the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male thread portion 53 is formed to be smaller than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first hole portion 34. Therefore, the male thread portion 53 can be accommodated in the first hole portion 34 of the first bolt hole 33. Therefore, for example, when the fall-prevention bolt 50 is moved in the first opposite direction X2 by the inclined surface 142, the male thread portion 53 can escape into the first hole portion .

[0085] (4) The second connector 100 is connected to the first connector 10 having the first terminal 30 to which the fall-prevention bolt 50 is assembled. The second connector 100 includes a second terminal 110 connected to the first terminal 30, and a second housing 120 that holds the second terminal 110. The second connector 100 includes a second bolt hole 111 that penetrates the second terminal 110 in the first direction X1, and a nut 150 that is held inside the second housing 120 and fastened to the fall-prevention bolt 50. The second housing 120 has an inclined surface 142 that guides the fall-prevention bolt 50 to directly above the nut 150 while it remains assembled to the first terminal 30.

[0086] According to this configuration, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 are connected, the inclined surface 142 of the second housing 120 guides the fall-prevention bolt 50 to directly above the nut 150 while it is still assembled to the first terminal 30. Therefore, when the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 are connected, the fall-prevention bolt 50 assembled in advance to the first terminal 30 can be used to bolt the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110. Therefore, when the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 are bolt-fastened to each other, the work of assembling a bolt prepared separately from the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 to the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 can be omitted. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly 1 can be improved.

[0087] (5) The second terminal 110 is provided with a notched second bolt hole 111. Therefore, the second terminal 110 is formed in a fork shape bifurcated by the second bolt hole 111. Here, when the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 100 along the second direction Y1, the first terminal 30 moves along the second direction Y1 relative to the second terminal 110, and the drop-out prevention bolt 50 moves along the second direction Y1 relative to the second terminal 110. At this time, the second bolt hole 111 is formed so as to be cut out from the end face of the second terminal 110 in the second opposite direction Y2 toward the second direction Y1. Therefore, the drop-out prevention bolt 50 moving along the second direction Y1 can be suitably inserted into the inside of the second bolt hole 111.

[0088] (6) The inclined surface 142 is inclined toward the first opposite direction X2 from the end in the second opposite direction Y2 toward the end in the second direction Y1. According to this configuration, when the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 100, if the fall-prevention bolt 50 is moved along the second direction Y1 relative to the second terminal 110, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is moved along the inclined surface 142. As a result, as the fall-prevention bolt 50 advances in the second direction Y1, the fall-prevention bolt 50 can be moved in the first opposite direction X2. That is, as the fall-prevention bolt 50 advances in the second direction Y1, the fall-prevention bolt 50 can be lifted in the first opposite direction X2 by the inclined surface 142. As a result, the fall-prevention bolt 50 can be suitably moved to a position in the first opposite direction X2 that is closer to the nut 150.

[0089] (7) In the first connector 10, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is assembled to the first terminal 30 in advance. In the second connector 100, the second terminal 110 is formed in a fork shape, and the second housing 120 that holds the second terminal 110 is provided with an inclined surface 142. With this configuration, by moving the first housing 40 in the second direction Y1 so as to fit the first housing 40 to the second housing 120, the fall-prevention bolt 50 can be guided to directly above the nut 150 by the inclined surface 142. In other words, the fall-prevention bolt 50 can be guided to a position where it can be fastened to the nut 150 simply by the action of fitting the first housing 40 to the second housing 120. This makes it easier to automate the bolt fastening operation between the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110.

[0090] (8) Guide member 140 having inclined surface 142 is formed as a separate part from housing main body 121. This allows guide member 140 to be manufactured separately from housing main body 121. This allows for greater freedom in design of guide member 140 and housing main body 121 compared to when guide member 140 and housing main body 121 are integrally formed.

[0091] (9) The nut 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 125 provided in the housing body 121, and the opening 126 of the accommodating portion 125 that opens in the second opposite direction Y2 is blocked by the restricting portion 145 provided in the guide member 140. Therefore, the movement of the nut 150 inside the accommodating portion 125 can be appropriately restricted by the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion 125 and the restricting portion 145.

[0092] (10) Furthermore, the housing main body 121 having the accommodating portion 125 and the guide member 140 having the restricting portion 145 are formed as separate parts. Therefore, even if the nut 150 cannot be inserted from the opening of the accommodating portion 125 in the first opposite direction X2, the nut 150 can be inserted into the accommodating portion 125 through the opening 126 of the accommodating portion 125 that opens in the second opposite direction Y2. Furthermore, after the nut 150 is accommodated inside the accommodating portion 125, the opening 126 of the accommodating portion 125 can be suitably blocked by the restricting portion 145 of the guide member 140.

[0093] (11) The housing main body 121 has a fitting tube portion 122 that accommodates the second terminal 110 therein, and a positioning protrusion 129 that is provided inside the fitting tube portion 122 and extends along the second direction Y1. The guide member 140 is formed so as to be insertable into the fitting tube portion 122 along the second direction Y1. The guide member 140 has a positioning groove 144 that extends along the second direction Y1. The positioning protrusion 129 can be inserted into the positioning groove 144. With this configuration, by inserting the positioning protrusion 129 into the positioning groove 144, when the guide member 140 is attached to the housing main body 121, the guide member 140 can be easily positioned relative to the housing main body 121. This improves the workability when attaching the guide member 140 to the housing main body 121.

[0094] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0095] The structure of the first connector 10 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. The structure of the first terminal 30 can be modified as appropriate. For example, the electric wire connection portion 31 may be modified to have a shape that is crimped to the core wire 21 of the electric wire 20. For example, the first bolt hole 33 may be configured with only the second hole portion 35. For example, the engagement recess 37 does not have to penetrate the first terminal 30 in the first direction X1. For example, the engagement recess 37 may be omitted.

[0096] The retainer 80 may be omitted. The structure of the fall-prevention bolt 50 may be modified as appropriate. For example, as long as the fall-prevention bolt 50 has a structure that can prevent the fall-prevention bolt 50 from falling out of the first bolt hole 33 after being inserted into the first bolt hole 33, other structures are not particularly limited.

[0097] The structure of the second connector 100 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. The wall 128 of the housing body 121 may be omitted. The positioning protrusion 129 of the housing body 121 may be omitted. In this case, the positioning groove 144 of the guide member 140 may be omitted.

[0098] The restricting portion 145 of the guide member 140 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the guide portion is embodied as the inclined surface 142, but is not limited to this. For example, the guide portion may be embodied as a structure other than the inclined surface 142 as long as the structure is capable of guiding the fall-prevention bolt 50 to directly above the nut 150 while the fall-prevention bolt 50 is in a state where it is assembled to the first terminal 30.

[0099] The housing body 121 and the guide member 140 may be integrally formed. That is, the housing body 121 may have the inclined surface 142. In the above embodiment, the second terminal 110 and the second housing 120 are integrally formed by insert molding, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second terminal 110 may be assembled to the second housing 120 by press-fitting the second terminal 110 into a through-hole provided in the second housing 120.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is assembled to the first terminal 30 connected to the electric wire 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fall-prevention bolt 50 may be assembled to the second terminal 110 of the second connector 100, which is an equipment connector.

[0101] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1 Connector Assembly 10 First Connector 20 Electric wire 21 Core Wire 22 Insulation coating 30 1st terminal 31 Wire connection 32 Terminal connection 33 First bolt hole 34 1st hole 35 2nd hole 36 Guidance part 37 Engagement recess 40 1st Housing 41 Main body 42 Wire holding part 42A Engagement piece 42B Engagement protrusion 43 Terminal holding part 50 Anti-fall bolt 51 Head 52 Shaft 53 Male thread 54 Unthreaded part 60,70 Sealing material 80 Retainer 100 2nd Connector 110 2nd terminal 111 Second bolt hole 112 Guidance part 120 Second Housing 121 Housing body 122 Fitting cylinder part 123 Opening 124 Cylinder part 125 Storage unit 126 Opening 127 Fixed piece 127X Engagement hole 128 Wall 129 Positioning protrusion 131 Terminal housing 132 Fixed part 140 Guide member 141 Main body 142 Inclined surface (guide section) 143 End face 144 Positioning groove 145 Regulatory Department 146 Projecting piece 147 Engagement part 150 Nut 151 Through hole X1 1st direction X2 1st opposite direction Y1 2nd direction Y2 2nd opposite direction Z1 3rd direction Z2 3rd opposite direction

Claims

1. A first connector, A first terminal; a first housing that holds the first terminal; a first bolt hole penetrating the first terminal in a first direction; a fall-off prevention bolt assembled to the first terminal, The anti-fall-out bolt is inserted through the first bolt hole before the first connector is connected to a mating second connector.

2. The fall-off prevention bolt has a head, a shaft portion extending from the head in the first direction, and a male thread portion provided in a tip region of the shaft portion, the first bolt hole has a first hole portion provided at an end in the first direction and a second hole portion provided at an end in a first opposite direction that is a direction opposite to the first direction, A minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first hole portion is set to be larger than a minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion, The maximum outer circumferential dimension of the head portion is set to be larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion, The first connector as described in claim 1, wherein the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male threaded portion is set smaller than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first hole portion and larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion.

3. The first connector of claim 1 , wherein the first terminal is connected to an end of an electrical wire.

4. A second connector to be connected to a first connector having a first terminal to which a fall-off prevention bolt is assembled, A second terminal connected to the first terminal; a second housing that holds the second terminal; a second bolt hole penetrating the second terminal in a first direction; a nut that is held inside the second housing and fastened to the fall-off prevention bolt, The second housing has a guide portion that guides the fall-prevention bolt to directly above the nut while the fall-prevention bolt remains assembled to the first terminal.

5. The second bolt hole is capable of receiving the fall-off prevention bolt therein along a second direction intersecting the first direction, The second connector according to claim 4 , wherein the second bolt hole is formed by being cut out toward the second direction from an end face of the second terminal in a second opposite direction, which is the opposite direction to the second direction.

6. The second connector according to claim 5, wherein the guide portion is an inclined surface that inclines from the first direction toward a first opposite direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, as it moves from the end in the second opposite direction toward the end in the second direction.

7. The second housing includes a housing body and a guide member having the guide portion, The second connector according to claim 5 , wherein the guide member is a separate part from the housing body.

8. the housing body has an accommodating portion that is provided at a position facing the second terminal in the first direction and that accommodates the nut, The storage portion is open in a first opposite direction that is a direction opposite to the first direction, The storage portion has an opening portion that opens in the second opposite direction, The nut can be inserted into the accommodating portion along the second direction, The second connector according to claim 7 , wherein the guide member has a restriction portion that closes the opening.

9. The housing body includes: a fitting cylinder portion for accommodating the second terminal therein; a positioning protrusion provided inside the fitting tube portion and extending along the second direction, The guide member is formed to be insertable into the fitting tube portion along the second direction, The guide member has a positioning groove extending along the second direction, The second connector according to claim 7 , wherein the positioning groove is capable of receiving the positioning protrusion therein.

10. A first connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3; A second connector according to any one of claims 4 to 9; having The first terminal is bolted to the second terminal by the anti-fallout bolt and the nut.

Images