Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector and a connector assembly which allow improvement in assembly workability.SOLUTION: A first connector 10 has: a first terminal 20; a first housing 30 which holds the first terminal 20; and a working hole 32X which penetrates the first housing 30 in a first direction X1, and from which the first terminal 20 is exposed. The first connector 10 has a service cover 60 which is fitted to the first housing 30 and can close the working hole 32X. The service cover 60 is provided so as to be movable between a first position for exposing the working hole 32X and a second position for closing the working hole 32X, when fitted to the first housing 30. The service cover 60 is provided so as to be slidable, between the first position and the second position, along a second direction Y1 perpendicular to the first direction X1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a connector assembly.

Background Art

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

[0003] When connecting the first connector and the second connector, first, the first housing is fitted to the second housing, and a first bolt hole provided in the first terminal and a second bolt hole provided in the second terminal are overlapped. Subsequently, a bolt is inserted into the first housing through the work hole of the first housing, and the bolt is passed through the first bolt hole and the second bolt hole. Next, by screwing the bolt into a nut, the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other by bolt fastening. Thereafter, the service cover is attached to the first housing so as to close the work hole of the first housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the above connector assembly, improvement in assembly workability is desired. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector and a connector assembly capable of improving assembly workability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure includes a first terminal, a first housing that holds the first terminal, a work hole that penetrates the first housing in a first direction and exposes the first terminal, and a service cover that is attached to the first housing and can close the work hole. The service cover is provided so as to be movable between a first position where the work hole is exposed and a second position where the work hole is closed in a state of being attached to the first housing, and the service cover is provided so as to be slidable along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction between the first position and the second position.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the connector and the connector assembly of the present disclosure, there is an effect that assembly workability can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The connector of the present disclosure includes a first terminal, a first housing that holds the first terminal, a working hole that penetrates the first housing in a first direction and exposes the first terminal, and a service cover that is attached to the first housing and can close the working hole. The service cover is provided so as to be movable between a first position where the working hole is exposed and a second position where the working hole is closed in a state of being attached to the first housing, and the service cover is provided so as to be slidable along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction between the first position and the second position.

[0010] According to this configuration, the service cover is attached to the first housing so as to be movable between a first position where the work hole is exposed and a second position where the work hole is closed in a state of being attached to the first housing. Therefore, the service cover can be attached to the first housing in advance before the mating connector is connected to the connector. Accordingly, when connecting the connector and the mating connector, the work hole can be closed by using the service cover that has been attached to the first housing in advance. As a result, when closing the work hole, the operation of attaching a service cover, which is prepared separately from the connector and the mating connector, to the connector can be omitted. Thereby, the assembly workability of the connector assembly can be improved. In particular, it is effective when automating the connection work between the connector and the mating connector. Specifically, since the number of parts added to the manufacturing line during the assembly work of the connector assembly can be reduced, the assembly process of the connector assembly can be easily automated.

[0011] Furthermore, the service cover can be slid along the second direction between the first position and the second position. That is, the service cover can be translated between the first position and the second position. In other words, the service cover can be moved from the first position to the second position by using translation. This makes it easy to automate the operation of moving the service cover from the first position to the second position. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly can be improved.

[0012] [2] In the above [1], the service cover is provided so as to be movable between the first position, the second position, and a third position that is a position separated from the second position in the first direction and a position separated from the first position in the second direction in a state of being attached to the first housing, the service cover is provided so as to be slidable along the second direction from the first position to the third position, and the service cover may be provided so as to be slidable along the first direction from the third position to the second position.

[0013] According to this configuration, the service cover can be translated in parallel from the first position to the third position and can also be translated in parallel from the third position to the second position. Thereby, the service cover can be moved from the first position to the second position using only parallel translation. For this reason, the operation when moving the service cover from the first position to the second position can be more easily automated. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly can be improved.

[0014] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the first housing may include a housing body and a mounting portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the housing body. The mounting portion may have a rail portion that extends along the second direction, and the service cover may include a main body portion that closes the work hole and a slider that is slidably provided with respect to the rail portion.

[0015] According to this configuration, when the slider slides with respect to the rail portion, the service cover slides along the second direction. Thereby, the service cover can be slid while the slider is guided by the rail portion. For this reason, the service cover can be translated in parallel in a stable state.

[0016] [4] In the above [3], the mounting portion may further include a first engaging portion, the service cover may further include a second engaging portion that can engage with the first engaging portion, and the second engaging portion may be engaged with the first engaging portion in a state where the service cover is disposed at the second position.

[0017] According to this configuration, when the service cover is disposed at the second position, the first engaging portion of the mounting portion and the second engaging portion of the service cover are engaged with each other. Thereby, the state where the service cover is disposed at the second position, that is, the state where the work hole is closed by the service cover can be preferably maintained.

[0018] [5] In [3] or [4] above, the first housing further has a first fitting detection portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the housing body, the service cover further has a second fitting detection portion engageable with the first fitting detection portion, the second fitting detection portion is provided so as to be engaged with the first fitting detection portion in a state where the service cover is disposed at the first position, and the second fitting detection portion may have its engagement with the first fitting detection portion released by a protrusion portion of the second housing when the second housing of the mating connector is fitted to the first housing.

[0019] According to this configuration, when the service cover is disposed at the first position, the first fitting detection portion of the first housing and the second fitting detection portion of the service cover are engaged with each other. Thereby, it is possible to preferably suppress the movement of the service cover disposed at the first position. Further, when the second housing is properly fitted to the first housing, the engagement between the first fitting detection portion and the second fitting detection portion is released. Therefore, when the second housing is properly fitted to the first housing, the service cover can be moved. In other words, by detecting that the service cover can be moved, it is possible to detect that the second housing is properly fitted to the first housing.

[0020] [6] In any one of [3] to [5] above, the first housing has a cylindrical portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the housing body and communicates with the work hole, the service cover has a fitting cylindrical portion that protrudes from the main body portion in the first direction and is fitted inside the cylindrical portion, and a seal member attached to the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion, the fitting cylindrical portion is provided so as to be fitted inside the cylindrical portion in a state where the service cover is disposed at the second position, and the seal member may seal between the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.

[0021] According to this configuration, when the service cover is disposed at the second position, the fitting cylinder portion of the service cover and the seal member attached to the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion are fitted inside the cylinder portion of the first housing. Therefore, when the service cover is disposed at the second position, the seal member can seal between the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion. Thereby, it is possible to preferably suppress the intrusion of liquid such as water into the inside of the first housing through the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion.

[0022] [7] In the above [6], the service cover has a retaining projection protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion, the seal member is provided between the main body portion and the retaining projection in the first direction, and the retaining projection may be engageable with the seal member.

[0023] According to this configuration, the retaining projection restricts the movement of the seal member in the first direction. Thereby, it is possible to preferably suppress the seal member from coming off the fitting cylinder portion. [8] In any one of the above [3] to [7], the service cover has an interlock connector provided on the main body portion, the connector is provided inside the first housing, and has an internal connector that can be fitted with the interlock connector. The interlock connector may be fitted to the internal connector along the first direction and may be fitted to the internal connector in a state where the service cover is disposed at the second position.

[0024] According to this configuration, by fitting the interlock connector to the internal connector, it is possible to ensure that the service cover is attached to the first housing in a state where it is disposed at the second position.

[0025] [9] The connector assembly of the present disclosure includes a first connector that is the connector described in any one of [1] to [8] above, and a second connector connected to the first connector. The second connector includes a second terminal connected to the first terminal, and a second housing that holds the second terminal and is fitted to the first housing along the second direction.

[0026] According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the connector of [1] above can be obtained. [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the 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, a part of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may be different in each drawing. In this specification, "orthogonal" and "parallel" include not only the cases of strict orthogonality and parallelism, but also the cases that are generally orthogonal and parallel within the scope where the effects of the present embodiment are achieved. The "cylindrical shape" used in the description of this specification includes not only those in which the peripheral wall is continuously formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, but also those in which a plurality of parts are combined to form a cylindrical shape, and those having a notch or the like in a part of the circumferential direction such as a C-shaped or U-shaped one. The "cylindrical shape" includes, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes with sharp or rounded corners. Also, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. in this specification are merely used to distinguish objects and do not rank the objects. Each drawing shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other. Each drawing shows a first direction X1 that is one direction in the X-axis direction along the X-axis, and a first opposite direction X2 that is the opposite direction of the first direction X1. Each drawing shows a second direction Y1 that is one direction in the Y-axis direction along the Y-axis, and a second opposite direction Y2 that is the opposite direction of the second direction Y1. Each drawing shows a third direction Z1 that is one direction in the Z-axis direction along the Z-axis, and a third opposite direction Z2 that is the opposite direction of the third direction Z1. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0027] (Overall Structure 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 is used to electrically connect electrical devices for vehicles, for example. Examples of electrical devices for vehicles include a high-voltage battery, an inverter, a motor, and a relay box. The first connector 10 is mounted on an attachment target such as a case of an electrical device (not shown). That is, the first connector 10 is a connector for a device. The first connector 10 is configured to be detachable from the second connector 100, which is a mating connector.

[0028] The first connector 10 has one or more (two in this embodiment) first terminals 20, a first housing 30 that holds the first terminals 20, and a service cover 60 attached to the first housing 30.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the second connector 100 has one or more (two in this embodiment) second terminals 110 each connected to an end of one or more (two in this embodiment) electric wires 90, and a second housing 120 that holds the second terminals 110. The second connector 100 has a retaining bolt 130 assembled to the second terminal 110 and a seal member 140 fitted to the outer periphery of the second housing 120. As shown in FIG. 5, the second connector 100 has one or more (two in this embodiment) seal members 150 fitted inside the second housing 120 and a retainer 160 for preventing the seal members 150 from coming off.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 are assembled to each other along the second direction Y1. For example, the second housing 120 of the second connector 100 is fitted inside the first housing 30 of the first connector 10 along the second direction Y1. It should be noted that the directions in each drawing do not necessarily represent the postures of the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 during use. Also, the description of the directions in the second connector 100 is based on the state where the second connector 100 is assembled to the first connector 10.

[0031] (Configuration of the electric wire 90) As shown in FIG. 5, each electric wire 90 has a conductive core wire 91 and an insulating coating 92 that surrounds the outer periphery of the core wire 91 and has insulating properties. As the core wire 91, for example, a stranded wire formed by twisting a plurality of metal strands or a single-core wire made of a single conductor can be used. As the material of the core wire 91, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material can be used. The insulating coating 92 covers, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the core wire 91 over the entire circumferential direction. The insulating coating 92 is composed of, for example, a resin material having insulating properties.

[0032] The end of the core wire 91 in the second direction Y1 is exposed from the insulating coating 92. A second terminal 110 is connected to the end of the core wire 91 exposed from the insulating coating 92 in the second direction Y1. (Specific structure of the second connector 100) As shown in FIG. 2, the two second terminals 110 are arranged side by side along, for example, the third direction Z1. The two second terminals 110 are electrically connected to each of the two electric wires 90. As shown in FIG. 5, each second terminal 110 has, for example, a wire connection portion 111 connected to the end of the electric wire 90 and a terminal connection portion 112. As the material of each second terminal 110, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material can be used.

[0033] The wire connection part 111 is connected to the end of the core wire 91 exposed from the insulation coating 92. The wire connection part 111 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The wire connection part 111 is connected to the core wire 91 by, for example, crimping or ultrasonic welding. Thereby, the wire connection part 111 and the core wire 91 are electrically and mechanically connected.

[0034] The terminal connection part 112 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The terminal connection part 112 extends, for example, from the wire connection part 111 along the second direction Y1. The terminal connection part 112 has a second bolt hole 113 that penetrates the terminal connection part 112 in the first direction X1. The second bolt hole 113 is provided in the end region of the terminal connection part 112 in the second direction Y1. A retaining bolt 130 is inserted into the second bolt hole 113 along the first direction X1.

[0035] (Configuration of the retaining bolt 130) As shown in FIG. 2, the retaining bolt 130 is assembled to the second terminal 110 by passing through the second bolt hole 113. The retaining bolt 130 is passed through the second bolt hole 113 in a state before the second connector 100 is connected to the first connector 10. In other words, the second connector 100 is fitted to the first connector 10 in a state where the retaining bolt 130 is passed through the second bolt hole 113. The retaining bolt 130 is configured not to fall off from the second bolt hole 113 along the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2 after being assembled to the second bolt hole 113. Note that the retaining bolt 130 is made of metal.

[0036] (Configuration of the second housing 120) The second housing 120 has, for example, a main body part 121, a wire holding part 122 that protrudes from the main body part 121 toward the second opposite direction Y2, and a terminal holding part 123 that protrudes from the main body part 121 toward the second direction Y1. The second housing 120 is made of, for example, synthetic resin.

[0037] The main body portion 121 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The main body portion 121 is formed, for example, in a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the X-axis direction. A seal member 140 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 121. The seal member 140 is continuously formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the main body portion 121. The seal member 140 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the second housing 120 and the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 30. The seal member 140 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0038] The second housing 120 has, for example, a plurality (two in this embodiment) of wire holding portions 122 arranged in the third direction Z1. Each wire holding portion 122 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 5, each wire holding portion 122 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the wire 90. The end portion of the wire 90 in the second direction Y1 is held inside each wire holding portion 122. The connection portion between the core wire 91 of the wire 90 and the wire connection portion 111 of the second terminal 110 is accommodated inside each wire holding portion 122.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the second housing 120 has, for example, a plurality (two in this embodiment) of terminal holding portions 123 arranged in the third direction Z1. Each terminal holding portion 123 is formed so as to cover a part of the outer periphery of the terminal connection portion 112 of the second terminal 110. Each terminal holding portion 123 is formed so as to expose the anti-drop bolt 130 assembled to the second terminal 110 to the outside.

[0040] The second housing 120 has an engagement release portion 125. The engagement release portion 125 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 121. The engagement release portion 125 has a protruding portion 126 that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 121, and a protruding portion 127 that protrudes from the protruding portion 126 toward the first connector 10. The protruding portion 126 protrudes, for example, from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 121 toward the first opposite direction X2. The protruding portion 127 protrudes, for example, from the end surface of the protruding portion 126 in the second direction Y1 toward the second direction Y1.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, each seal member 150 is attached to each electric wire 90. Each seal member 150 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the insulation coating 92 of each electric wire 90. Each seal member 150 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 90 and the inner peripheral surface of the wire holding portion 122. Each seal member 150 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0042] The retainer 160 is attached to, for example, the end portion of the second housing 120 in the second opposite direction Y2. The retainer 160 prevents the seal member 150 from coming off from the second housing 120.

[0043] (Specific Structure of the First Connector 10) As shown in FIG. 3, the two first terminals 20 are arranged side by side, for example, along the third direction Z1. The two first terminals 20 are integrally formed with the first housing 30 by insert molding, for example. As the material of each first terminal 20, for example, a metal material such as a copper-based or aluminum-based material can be used.

[0044] Each first terminal 20 is formed in a flat plate shape. Each first terminal 20 extends along the Y-axis direction. The end portion of each first terminal 20 in the second opposite direction Y2 is formed in a fork shape divided into two strands, for example. That is, each first terminal 20 is a fork-type terminal. Each first terminal 20 has, for example, a first bolt hole 21 formed in a notch shape. Each first bolt hole 21 is formed such that the first terminal 20 is notched from the end surface of the first terminal 20 in the second opposite direction Y2 toward the second direction Y1. Each first bolt hole 21 extends along the second direction Y1. Each first bolt hole 21 penetrates the first terminal 20 in the first direction X1. Each first bolt hole 21 opens to both the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2, and also opens to the second opposite direction Y2. Each first bolt hole 21 is provided in the middle portion in the width direction (here, the Z-axis direction) of the first terminal 20. As shown in FIG. 5, a retaining bolt 130 can enter the inside of each first bolt hole 21 along the second direction Y1.

[0045] When the second connector 100 is connected to the first connector 10, the first terminal 20 is overlapped with the second terminal 110 in the first direction X1. The first terminal 20 is bolted to the second terminal 110 by a retaining bolt 130 and a nut 25 provided inside the first housing 30. The nut 25 is housed inside the first housing 30 before the second connector 100 is connected to the first connector 10.

[0046] (Configuration of the First Housing 30) As shown in FIG. 3, the first housing 30 has, for example, a housing body 31 and a guide member 55. The housing body 31 is, for example, a separate part from the guide member 55. Each of the housing body 31 and the guide member 55 is, for example, made of synthetic resin.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the housing body 31 has, for example, a fitting cylinder portion 32 that fits with the second housing 120 and a terminal housing portion 33 that protrudes from the fitting cylinder portion 32 in the second direction Y1. The housing body 31 has a fixing portion 34 that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 32.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the fitting cylinder portion 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The fitting cylinder portion 32 is formed, for example, in a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the fitting cylinder portion 32 is formed to have a size into which a part of the main body portion 121 and the terminal holding portion 123 of the second housing 120 can be inserted. The fitting cylinder portion 32 houses the end portion of the first terminal 20 in the second opposite direction Y2 inside.

[0049] The fitting cylinder portion 32 has a working hole 32X that penetrates the fitting cylinder portion 32 in the radial direction. The working hole 32X is formed so as to penetrate a peripheral wall 32A provided in a first opposite direction X2 of the fitting cylinder portion 32 in a first direction X1. The working hole 32X is formed so as to expose the head of the anti-drop bolt 130, for example, in a state where the second connector 100 is properly fitted to the first connector 10. The working hole 32X is formed so as to expose the heads of a plurality of anti-drop bolts 130 together, for example.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, the housing body 31 has, for example, a cylindrical portion 35 that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 32A of the fitting cylinder portion 32, here in a first opposite direction X2. The cylindrical portion 35 is provided so as to protrude in a first opposite direction X2 from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 32A that constitutes the working hole 32X. The cylindrical portion 35 is formed so as to surround the working hole 32X in a plan view seen from the X-axis direction. The internal space of the cylindrical portion 35 communicates with the working hole 32X. The planar shape of the cylindrical portion 35 seen from the X-axis direction is formed, for example, in a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing body 31 has, for example, a plurality (two in this embodiment) of terminal accommodating portions 33 arranged in a third direction Z1. Each terminal accommodating portion 33 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. Each terminal accommodating portion 33 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the first terminal 20. Each terminal accommodating portion 33 surrounds the outer periphery of the first terminal 20 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, for example. Each first terminal 20 passes through the terminal accommodating portion 33 in a second direction Y1 and is drawn out to the outside of the first housing 30.

[0052] The fixing portion 34 is formed so as to project radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 32. The fixing portion 34 is formed so as to project radially outward over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the fitting cylinder portion 32, for example. The fixing portion 34 is fixed to the outer surface of the case of an electrical device (not shown), for example.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 6, the housing body 31 has an attachment portion 40 to which the service cover 60 is attached, and a fitting detection portion 50 for detecting the fitting of the first connector 10 and the second connector 100.

[0054] The attachment portion 40 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 32A of the fitting cylinder portion 32 where the cylinder portion 35 is provided. The attachment portion 40 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 32A, here in the second opposite direction X2. The attachment portion 40 is provided on both sides of the cylinder portion 35 in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the housing body 31 has a pair of attachment portions 40 provided on both sides of the cylinder portion 35 so as to sandwich the cylinder portion 35. Each attachment portion 40 extends, for example, along the second direction Y1. Each attachment portion 40 extends, for example, from the fixing portion 34 to the intermediate position of the peripheral wall 32A in the Y-axis direction.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, each attachment portion 40 has, for example, two rail portions 41. The two rail portions 41 are arranged side by side along the Z-axis direction. Each of the rail portions 41 is provided at the intermediate position of the attachment portion 40 in the X-axis direction. The two rail portions 41 are provided at the same position as each other in the X-axis direction, for example.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8, each rail portion 41 extends along the second direction Y1. Each rail portion 41 extends linearly. Each rail portion 41 extends along the second direction Y1 from the end surface of the attachment portion 40 in the second opposite direction Y2. In other words, each rail portion 41 opens in the second opposite direction Y2. The two rail portions 41 have different length dimensions in the second direction Y1. The rail portion 41 provided closer to the cylinder portion 35 among the two rail portions 41 has a larger length dimension in the second direction Y1. The inner end of each rail portion 41, that is, the end portion of each rail portion 41 in the second direction Y1, is closed. Each rail portion 41 is formed to a size into which the slider 66 of the service cover 60 can be fitted.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 7, each rail portion 41 has a bottom wall 42 and a ceiling wall 43. The bottom wall 42 can be engaged with the slider 66 in the X-axis direction. The bottom wall 42 restricts the movement of the slider 66 in the first direction X1. The ceiling wall 43 can be engaged with the slider 66 in the X-axis direction. The ceiling wall 43 restricts the movement of the slider 66 in the first opposite direction X2. The ceiling wall 43 is provided, for example, at the end of the mounting portion 40 in the first opposite direction X2 in the X-axis direction. The ceiling wall 43 has, for example, a slit 44 that penetrates the ceiling wall 43 in the thickness direction. The slit 44 is formed to have a size into which a connecting protrusion 65 connected to the slider 66 can be fitted.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 8, a through hole 45 is provided at the inner end of each rail portion 41. The through hole 45 is formed, for example, to penetrate the bottom wall 42 in the thickness direction. The through hole 45 is formed to have a size into which the slider 66 can be fitted.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, each mounting portion 40 has a guide protrusion 46 provided on the outer surface of each mounting portion 40 and an engaging portion 47 provided on the outer surface of each mounting portion 40. Here, the outer surface of each mounting portion 40 is an end surface provided at a position away from the cylindrical portion 35 among the end surfaces of the mounting portion 40 in the Z-axis direction.

[0060] The guide protrusion 46 protrudes outward from the outer surface of the mounting portion 40. The guide protrusion 46 is formed, for example, to have an L-shaped planar shape as a whole when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The guide protrusion 46 extends along the X-axis direction from the edge of the outer surface of the mounting portion 40 in the first opposite direction X2 at the edge of the outer surface of the mounting portion 40 in the second opposite direction Y2. The guide protrusion 46 extends along the second direction Y1 from the edge of the outer surface of the mounting portion 40 in the second opposite direction Y2 to the middle position in the Y-axis direction.

[0061] The engaging portion 47 is, for example, an engaging protrusion that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the mounting portion 40. The engaging portion 47 is provided at a position facing the second direction Y1 from the guide protrusion 46. The engaging portion 47 extends along the X-axis direction. The engaging portion 47 is provided, for example, at the same position as the portion of the guide protrusion 46 that extends in the Y-axis direction in the X-axis direction.

[0062] The mounting portion 40 has, for example, a protruding portion 48 that protrudes from the inner surface of each mounting portion 40 toward the other mounting portion 40. The protruding portion 48 is provided, for example, at the end of the mounting portion 40 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0063] The fitting detection portion 50 is provided, for example, on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 32A where the cylindrical portion 35 is provided in the fitting cylindrical portion 32. The fitting detection portion 50 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 32A, here in the first opposite direction X2. The fitting detection portion 50 is provided, for example, at a position facing the second opposite direction Y2 from the mounting portion 40.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 9, the fitting detection portion 50 has an engaging portion 51. The engaging portion 51 is provided at a position away from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 32A in the first opposite direction X2. The engaging portion 51 is, for example, an engaging wall that extends along the X-axis direction. The fitting detection portion 50 has a cylindrical portion 52 provided at the protruding tip of the fitting detection portion 50 and a notch portion 53 formed so as to notch a part of the cylindrical portion 52. The cylindrical portion 52 penetrates, for example, in the Y-axis direction. That is, the cylindrical portion 52 opens in the second direction Y1 and also opens in the second opposite direction Y2. The notch portion 53 is formed, for example, so as to notch the cylindrical portion 52 from the end surface of the cylindrical portion 52 in the second opposite direction Y2 toward the second direction Y1. Note that the engaging portion 51 is constituted by the peripheral wall exposed by the notch portion 53 among the peripheral walls constituting the cylindrical portion 52.

[0065] (Configuration of the guide member 55) As shown in FIG. 5, the guide member 55 is attached inside the housing body 31. The guide member 55 has an inclined surface 56. The inclined surface 56 faces, for example, the second opposite direction Y2 and also faces the first opposite direction X2. The inclined surface 56 is inclined with respect to the first direction X1 and is also inclined with respect to the second direction Y1. The inclined surface 56 is inclined toward the first opposite direction X2 as it goes from the end in the second opposite direction Y2 of the inclined surface 56 to the end in the second direction Y1. The inclined surface 56 guides, for example, the anti-drop bolt 130 directly above the nut 25 while the anti-drop bolt 130 is assembled to the second terminal 110.

[0066] (Configuration of the service cover 60) As shown in FIG. 2, the service cover 60 is attached to the attachment portion 40 of the first housing 30. The service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 in a state before the second connector 100 is connected to the first connector 10. That is, the service cover 60 is integrated with the first housing 30 in a state before the second connector 100 is connected to the first connector 10. The service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 so as to be movable between a first position (see FIG. 2) that exposes the work hole 32X of the first housing 30 and a second position (see FIG. 1) that closes the work hole 32X. The service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 so as to be movable to a third position (see FIG. 13) that is a position toward the second direction Y1 from the first position and a position toward the first opposite direction X2 from the second position. The service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 so as to be slidable along the second direction Y1 between the first position and the third position. The service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 so as to be slidable along the first direction X1 between the third position and the second position.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 10, the service cover 60 has, for example, a main body portion 61, fitting cylinder portions 62 and 63, an extension portion 64, a connecting protrusion 65, a slider 66, an engaging portion 67, and a fitting detection portion 70. The service cover 60 is, for example, a single component in which the main body portion 61, the fitting cylinder portions 62 and 63, the extension portion 64, the connecting protrusion 65, the slider 66, the engaging portion 67, and the fitting detection portion 70 are continuously formed integrally. The service cover 60 is made of, for example, synthetic resin.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 6, the main body portion 61 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The main body portion 61 is formed, for example, in a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body portion 61 is provided so as to close the work hole 32X when the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 10, the fitting cylinder portions 62 and 63 protrude from the end surface of the main body portion 61 in the first direction X1 toward the first direction X1. The fitting cylinder portions 62 and 63 are formed, for example, in a flat cylindrical shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction. The fitting cylinder portion 63 is provided so as to surround the fitting cylinder portion 62 from the outside. As shown in FIG. 5, when the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position, the fitting cylinder portion 62 is fitted inside the cylinder portion 35, and the fitting cylinder portion 63 is fitted outside the cylinder portion 35. A seal member 80 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 62. The seal member 80 is continuously formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the fitting cylinder portion 62. The seal member 80 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 62 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 35. The seal member 80 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0070] The fitting cylinder portion 62 is provided, for example, with a retaining protrusion 62A that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 62. The retaining protrusion 62A can engage with the seal member 80. The retaining protrusion 62A restricts the movement of the seal member 80 in the first direction X1. The retaining protrusion 62A is provided, for example, at the end of the fitting cylinder portion 62 in the first direction X1. Note that the seal member 80 is provided between the main body portion 61 and the retaining protrusion 62A in the X-axis direction.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 6, a connecting wall 61A is provided at the end of the main body 61 in the Z-axis direction. The connecting wall 61A protrudes in the first opposite direction X2 from the end face of the main body 61 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0072] The extension part 64 is formed to extend outward in the Z-axis direction from the main body part 61. The extension part 64 protrudes outward in the Z-axis direction from the end of the connecting wall 61A in the first opposite direction X2. The extension parts 64 are provided on both sides of the main body part 61 in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the service cover 60 has a pair of extension parts 64 provided on both sides of the main body part 61 so as to sandwich the main body part 61 therebetween. The pair of extension parts 64 are respectively provided corresponding to the pair of attachment parts 40. Each extension part 64 is provided, for example, at a position facing the first opposite direction X2 from the main body part 61.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 7, for example, two connecting protrusions 65 are provided on the end face of each extension part 64 in the first direction X1. Each connecting protrusion 65 connects the main body part 61 and the slider 66. The two connecting protrusions 65 are provided between the connecting wall 61A and the engaging part 67 in the Z-axis direction. Each connecting protrusion 65 protrudes in the first direction X1 from the end face of the extension part 64 in the first direction X1. The connecting protrusion 65 is formed in a columnar shape extending along the first direction X1. Each connecting protrusion 65 is formed so as to be able to penetrate into a slit 44 provided in the ceiling wall 43 of the rail part 41. A slider 66 is provided at the tip of each connecting protrusion 65. Each slider 66 is formed, for example, so as to protrude in both the third direction Z1 and the third opposite direction Z2 more than the connecting protrusion 65. Each slider 66 is formed so as to be able to fit inside the rail part 41.

[0074] The two connecting protrusions 65 are provided side by side along the Z-axis direction. The two sliders 66 are provided side by side along the Z-axis direction. The two sliders 66 are provided at the same position as each other, for example, in the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the two sliders 66 are provided at different positions from each other in the Y-axis direction.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 10, for example, one engaging portion 67 is provided on the end face of each extension portion 64 in the first direction X1. Each engaging portion 67 protrudes from the end face of the extension portion 64 in the first direction X1 toward the first direction X1. Each engaging portion 67 is, for example, an elastic piece formed to be elastically deformable in the Z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 6, each engaging portion 67 is formed, for example, in a rectangular frame body and has an engaging hole capable of engaging with the engaging portion 47 at the center of the frame body. The engaging portion 67 and the engaging portion 47 are engaged with each other, for example, by a snap fit method using the elastic deformation of the engaging portion 67. When the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position, the engaging portion 67 and the engaging portion 47 are engaged with each other. By the engagement of the engaging portion 67 and the engaging portion 47, the state in which the service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 at the second position is maintained.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 10, one or more (two in this embodiment) engaging protrusions 68 are provided on the outer surface of each connecting wall 61A. As shown in FIG. 7, each engaging protrusion 68 protrudes from the outer surface of the connecting wall 61A toward the mounting portion 40. Each engaging protrusion 68 is provided, for example, to engage with the protruding portion 48 of the mounting portion 40 in the first opposite direction X2 when the service cover 60 is disposed at the first position.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 8, the fitting detection unit 70, for example, protrudes from the fitting cylinder portion 63 in the second opposite direction Y2. The fitting detection unit 70 is, for example, an elastic piece formed to be elastically deformable in the Z-axis direction. The fitting detection unit 70 is formed in a cantilever shape with the proximal end connected to the fitting cylinder portion 63 as a fixed end and the distal end on the side opposite to the proximal end as a free end. The fitting detection unit 70 is configured to be able to bend in the Z-axis direction due to elastic deformation. The fitting detection unit 70 can enter the inside of the cylindrical portion 52 of the fitting detection unit 50. The fitting detection unit 70 has an engaging protrusion 71 provided at the distal end of the fitting detection unit 70. The engaging protrusion 71, for example, protrudes from the distal end of the fitting detection unit 70 in the third direction Z1. The engaging protrusion 71 can be engaged with the engaging portion 51 in the second direction Y1. The engaging protrusion 71 of the fitting detection unit 70 is engaged with the engaging portion 51 of the fitting detection unit 50 when the service cover 60 is disposed at the first position.

[0078] (Method for manufacturing the connector assembly 1) Next, a method for manufacturing the connector assembly 1 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 8, prepare a first connector 10 having a first terminal 20, a first housing 30 that holds the first terminal 20, and a service cover 60 attached to the first housing 30. At this time, the service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 in advance in a state before the second connector 100 is connected to the first connector 10. That is, the service cover 60 is integrated with the first housing 30 in advance. More specifically, the service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 in a state of being disposed at a first position that exposes the work hole 32X. Specifically, the service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 in a state where each slider 66 is fitted to each rail portion 41 of the first housing 30 and the fitting detection portion 50 and the fitting detection portion 70 are engaged with each other in the second direction Y1. At this time, the engagement between the fitting detection portion 50 and the fitting detection portion 70 restricts the movement of the service cover 60 in the second direction Y1. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the engaging projection 68 of the service cover 60 is engaged with the protruding portion 48 of the attachment portion 40 in the first opposite direction X2. The engagement between the engaging projection 68 and the protruding portion 48 restricts the movement of the service cover 60 in the first opposite direction X2. Note that the engaging portion 67 of the service cover 60 is supported by the guide protrusion 46 of the attachment portion 40.

[0079] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, prepare a second connector 100 having a second terminal 110 to which a drop prevention bolt 130 is assembled and a second housing 120 that holds the second terminal 110.

[0080] Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the second housing 120 of the second connector 100 is fitted to the first housing 30 of the first connector 10 along the second direction Y1. As shown in FIG. 11, when the second housing 120 is properly fitted to the first housing 30, the protrusion 127 of the second housing 120 enters the inside of the fitting detection portion 50, and the protrusion 127 contacts the engaging protrusion 71 of the fitting detection portion 70. Due to this contact with the protrusion 127, the fitting detection portion 70 deflects in the third opposite direction Z2 by elastic deformation. As a result, the engagement between the fitting detection portion 50 and the fitting detection portion 70 is released. For this reason, the service cover 60 can move in the second direction Y1. That is, when the second housing 120 is properly fitted to the first housing 30, the service cover 60 can move in the second direction Y1. In other words, if the service cover 60 can move in the second direction Y1, it can be detected that the second housing 120 is properly fitted to the first housing 30.

[0081] Also, when the second housing 120 is properly fitted to the first housing 30, the first terminal 20 and the second terminal 110 are overlapped in the X-axis direction, and the head of the anti-drop bolt 130 is exposed in the working hole 32X.

[0082] Next, the anti-drop bolt 130 is screwed into the nut 25 (see FIG. 5). The tool for tightening the anti-drop bolt 130 and the nut 25 is inserted into the inside of the first housing 30 through the working hole 32X of the first connector 10. When the anti-drop bolt 130 is screwed into the nut 25, the first terminal 20 and the second terminal 110 are bolt-fastened, and the first terminal 20 and the second terminal 110 are electrically connected to each other.

[0083] Next, in the process shown in FIG. 13, the service cover 60 disposed at the first position (see FIG. 12) is slid along the second direction Y1 to the third position. The service cover 60 is slid along the second direction Y1 with the slider 66 (see FIG. 7) fitted to the rail portion 41. During this movement, the engaging portion 67 of the service cover 60 is guided by the guide protrusion 46 of the mounting portion 40. Here, the service cover 60 disposed at the third position has the main body portion 61 facing the cylindrical portion 35, and the fitting cylindrical portion 63 is provided away from the cylindrical portion 35 in the first direction X1.

[0084] Subsequently, in the process shown in FIG. 14, the service cover 60 disposed at the third position (see FIG. 13) is slid along the first direction X1 to the second position. At this time, each slider 66 shown in FIG. 8 is fitted into the through hole 45 provided at the inner end of each rail portion 41. Then, the service cover 60 is slid along the first direction X1 with each slider 66 fitted into the through hole 45. As shown in FIG. 14, when the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position, the engaging portion 47 is engaged with the engaging hole of the engaging portion 67. By the engagement between these engaging portion 67 and engaging portion 47, the state where the service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 at the second position is maintained. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the service cover 60 disposed at the second position has the fitting cylindrical portion 62 fitted inside the cylindrical portion 35 and the fitting cylindrical portion 63 fitted outside the cylindrical portion 35. Further, the service cover 60 disposed at the second position seals the space between the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 62 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 35 by the seal member 80, and the working hole 32X is closed by the main body portion 61.

[0085] Through the above manufacturing process, the connector assembly 1 of the present embodiment can be manufactured. Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described. (1) The first connector 10 includes a first terminal 20, a first housing 30 that holds the first terminal 20, and a working hole 32X that penetrates the first housing 30 in the first direction X1 and exposes the first terminal 20. The first connector 10 has a service cover 60 that is attached to the first housing 30 and can close the working hole 32X. The service cover 60 is movably provided at the first housing 30 between a first position where the working hole 32X is exposed and a second position where the working hole 32X is closed in a state of being attached to the first housing 30. The service cover 60 is slidably provided along a second direction Y1 orthogonal to the first direction X1 between the first position and the second position.

[0086] According to this configuration, the service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 movably between a first position where the working hole 32X is exposed and a second position where the working hole 32X is closed in a state of being attached to the first housing 30. Therefore, before the second connector 100, which is a mating connector, is connected to the first connector 10, the service cover 60 can be attached to the first housing 30 in advance. Thus, when connecting the first connector 10 and the second connector 100, the working hole 32X can be closed using the service cover 60 that has been attached to the first housing 30 in advance. As a result, when closing the working hole 32X, the operation of attaching a service cover 60, which is prepared separately from the first connector 10 and the second connector 100, to the first connector 10 can be omitted. Thereby, the assembly workability of the connector assembly 1 can be improved.

[0087] (2) This is particularly effective when automating the connection work between the first connector 10 and the second connector 100. Specifically, since the number of parts added to the manufacturing 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.

[0088] (3) Further, the service cover 60 can be slid along the second direction Y1 between the first position and the second position. That is, the service cover 60 can be translated between the first position and the second position. In other words, the service cover 60 can be moved from the first position to the second position by using translation. This makes it easier to automate the operation of moving the service cover 60 from the first position to the second position. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly 1 can be improved.

[0089] (4) The service cover 60 is movably provided at three positions when attached to the first housing 30: the first position, the second position, and a third position that is separated from the second position in the first direction X1 and separated from the first position in the second direction Y1. The service cover 60 is slidably provided along the second direction Y1 from the first position to the third position. The service cover 60 is slidably provided along the first direction X1 from the third position to the second position.

[0090] According to this configuration, the service cover 60 can be translated from the first position to the third position and also from the third position to the second position. Thus, the service cover 60 can be moved from the first position to the second position only by translation. Therefore, it becomes easier to automate the operation of moving the service cover 60 from the first position to the second position. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly 1 can be improved.

[0091] (5) The first housing 30 has a housing body 31 and a mounting portion 40 that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the housing body 31. The mounting portion 40 has a rail portion 41 that extends along the second direction Y1. The service cover 60 has a main body portion 61 that closes the working hole 32X and a slider 66 that is slidably provided with respect to the rail portion 41.

[0092] According to this configuration, when the slider 66 slides along the second direction Y1 with respect to the rail portion 41, the service cover 60 slides along the second direction Y1. Thereby, the service cover 60 can be slid in a state where the slider 66 is guided by the rail portion 41. For this reason, the service cover 60 can be translated in a stable state.

[0093] (6) When the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position, the engaging portion 47 of the attachment portion 40 and the engaging portion 67 of the service cover 60 are engaged with each other. Thereby, the state where the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position, that is, the state where the work hole 32X is closed by the service cover 60 can be preferably maintained.

[0094] (7) When the service cover 60 is disposed at the first position, the fitting detection portion 50 of the first housing 30 and the fitting detection portion 70 of the service cover 60 are engaged with each other. Thereby, the movement of the service cover 60 disposed at the first position can be preferably suppressed. Further, when the second housing 120 is properly fitted to the first housing 30, the engagement between the fitting detection portion 50 and the fitting detection portion 70 is released. For this reason, when the second housing 120 is properly fitted to the first housing 30, the service cover 60 can be moved. In other words, by detecting that the service cover 60 can be moved, it is possible to detect that the second housing 120 is properly fitted to the first housing 30.

[0095] (8) When the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position, the fitting cylinder portion 62 of the service cover 60 and the seal member 80 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 62 are fitted into the inside of the cylinder portion 35 of the first housing 30. For this reason, when the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position, the seal member 80 can seal between the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 62 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 35. Thereby, it is possible to preferably suppress the intrusion of a liquid such as water into the inside of the first housing 30 through the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 62 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 35.

[0096] (9) The service cover 60 has a retaining projection 62A that projects outward from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 62. The seal member 80 is provided between the main body portion 61 and the retaining projection 62A in the first direction X1. The retaining projection 62A is engageable with the seal member 80. According to this configuration, the movement of the seal member 80 in the first direction X1 is restricted by the retaining projection 62A. Thereby, it is possible to suitably suppress the seal member 80 from coming off from the fitting cylinder portion 62.

[0097] (Modification example) The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - conflicting range.

[0098] ·For example, as shown in FIG. 15, an interlock connector 200 may be provided on the service cover 60. Further, an internal connector 210 that can be fitted to the interlock connector 200 may be provided inside the first housing 30. Note that FIG. 15 shows only the first housing 30 of the first housing 30 and the service cover 60 in cross section. The interlock connector 200 is provided, for example, on the main body 61 of the service cover 60. The interlock connector 200 can enter the inside of the first housing 30 along the first direction X1. The interlock connector 200 can be fitted to the internal connector 210 along the first direction X1. When the service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 in a state where the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position, the interlock connector 200 is fitted to the internal connector 210. Here, when the interlock connector 200 is fitted to the internal connector 210, for example, two connection terminals (not shown) of the interlock connector 200 and two connection terminals (not shown) of the internal connector 210 are electrically connected to each other. As a result, the two connection terminals of the internal connector 210 are short-circuited to each other. In this way, when the service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 in a state where the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position, the two connection terminals of the internal connector 210 are short-circuited to each other. Thereby, a predetermined circuit connected to the two connection terminals of the internal connector 210 can recognize that the service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 in a state where the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position. Therefore, the predetermined circuit can perform appropriate processing according to the fact that the service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 in a state where the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position. In this example, by fitting the interlock connector 200 to the internal connector 210, attachment of the service cover 60 to the first housing 30 in a state where the service cover 60 is disposed at the second position is ensured.

[0099] Also, when sliding the service cover 60 from the third position to the second position along the first direction X1, the interlock connector 200 can be fitted to the internal connector 210 along the first direction X1.

[0100] ·The structure of the service cover 60 in the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate. ·The retaining projection 62A may be omitted. ·The fitting cylinder portion 63 may be omitted.

[0101] ·The fitting cylinder portion 62 may be omitted. In this case, the seal member 80 may also be omitted. ·The structure of the fitting detection portion 70 can be changed as appropriate. ·The fitting detection portion 70 may be omitted. In this case, the fitting detection portion 50 of the first housing 30 may also be omitted. In this case, the engagement release portion 125 of the second connector 100 may also be omitted.

[0102] ·The engagement projection 68 may be omitted. ·The structure of the engaging portion 67 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the engaging portion 67 may be changed to an engagement projection that engages with the engaging portion 47 of the attachment portion 40.

[0103] ·The number of the sliders 66 is not particularly limited. The number of the sliders 66 may be one or three or more. ·In the above embodiment, the service cover 60 is attached to the first housing 30 so as to be slidable along the second direction Y1 from the first position to the third position and along the first direction X1 from the third position to the second position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the service cover 60 may be attached to the first housing 30 so as to be slidable along the second direction Y1 from the first position to the second position.

[0104] ·In the above embodiment, the seal member 80 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 62 of the service cover 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the seal member 80 may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 35. In this case, the seal member 80 may be provided so as to seal the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder portion 63 of the service cover 60 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 35.

[0105] ·In the above embodiment, the fitting cylinder portion 62 of the service cover 60 is fitted inside the cylinder portion 35 of the first housing 30, but it is not limited to this. For example, the fitting cylinder portion 62 may be fitted outside the cylinder portion 35.

[0106] ·The structure of the first housing 30 in the above embodiment can be appropriately changed. ·The structure of the attachment portion 40 may be appropriately changed. For example, the number of the rail portions 41 is not particularly limited. The number of the rail portions 41 may be one, or may be three or more.

[0107] ·The protruding portion 48 may be omitted. ·The cylinder portion 35 may be omitted. ·The guide member 55 may be omitted.

[0108] ·The structure of the second connector 100 in the above embodiment can be appropriately changed. ·The structure of the engagement release portion 125 may be appropriately changed. ·In the above embodiment, the anti-drop bolt 130 is assembled to the second terminal 110 in advance, but it is not limited to this. For example, after the second housing 120 is fitted to the first housing 30, bolts may be assembled to the first terminal 20 and the second terminal 110.

[0109] ·The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above meaning but by the scope of the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims are included.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0110] 1... Connector assembly, 10... First connector, 20... First terminal, 21... First bolt hole, 25... Nut, 30... First housing, 31... Housing body, 32... Fitting cylinder part, 32A... Peripheral wall, 32X... Working hole, 33... Terminal accommodating part, 34... Fixing part, 35... Cylinder part, 40... Mounting part, 41... Rail part, 42... Bottom wall, 43... Ceiling wall, 44... Slit, 45... Through hole, 46... Guide protrusion, 47... Engaging part (first engaging part), 48... Protrusion, 50... Fitting detection part (first fitting detection part), 51... Engaging part, 52... Cylindrical part, 53... Notch, 55... Guide member, 56... Inclined surface, 60... Service cover, 61... Body part, 61A... Connecting wall, 62... Fitting cylinder part, 62A... Anti-disengagement protrusion, 63... Fitting cylinder part, 64... Extension part, 65... Connecting protrusion, 66... Slider, 67... Engaging part (second engaging part), 68... Engaging protrusion, 70... Fitting detection part (second fitting detection part), 71... Engaging protrusion, 80... Sealing member, 90... Electric wire, 91... Core wire, 92... Insulating coating, 100... Second connector, 110... Second terminal, 111... Electric wire connection part, 112... Terminal connection part, 113... Second bolt hole, 120... Second housing, 121... Body part, 122... Electric wire holding part, 123... Terminal holding part, 125... Engagement release part, 126... Protrusion, 127... Protrusion part, 130... Anti-drop bolt, 140... Sealing member, 150... Sealing member, 160... Retainer, 200... Interlock connector, 210... Internal connector, X1... First direction, X2... First opposite direction, Y1... Second direction, Y2... Second opposite direction, Z1... Third direction, Z2... Third opposite direction.

Claims

1. a first terminal; a first housing that holds the first terminal; a working hole that penetrates the first housing in a first direction and exposes the first terminal; a service cover that is attached to the first housing and can close the working hole; and has, the service cover is movably provided between a first position where the working hole is exposed and a second position where the working hole is closed in a state where the service cover is attached to the first housing, the service cover is slidably provided along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction between the first position and the second position, a connector.

2. the service cover is movably provided between the first position, the second position, and a third position that is a position separated from the second position in the first direction and a position separated from the first position in the second direction in a state where the service cover is attached to the first housing, the service cover is slidably provided along the second direction from the first position to the third position, the service cover is slidably provided along the first direction from the third position to the second position, the connector according to claim 1.

3. the first housing has a housing body and a mounting portion that protrudes outward from an outer peripheral surface of the housing body, the mounting portion has a rail portion that extends along the second direction, the service cover has a main body portion that closes the working hole and a slider that is slidably provided with respect to the rail portion, the connector according to claim 1.

4. the mounting portion further has a first engaging portion, the service cover further has a second engaging portion that can engage with the first engaging portion, the second engaging portion is engaged with the first engaging portion in a state where the service cover is disposed at the second position, the connector according to claim 3.

5. the first housing further has a first fitting detection portion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the housing body, the service cover further has a second fitting detection portion that can engage with the first fitting detection portion, the second fitting detection portion is provided so as to be engaged with the first fitting detection portion in a state where the service cover is disposed at the first position, The second fitting detection portion is the connector according to claim 3, wherein when the second housing of the mating connector is fitted to the first housing, the engagement with the first fitting detection portion is released by the protrusion of the second housing.

6. The first housing has a cylindrical portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the housing body and communicates with the working hole. The service cover has a fitting cylindrical portion that protrudes from the main body portion in the first direction and can be fitted inside the cylindrical portion, and a seal member attached to the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion. The fitting cylindrical portion is provided so as to be fitted inside the cylindrical portion in a state where the service cover is disposed at the second position. The seal member seals between the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and is the connector according to claim 3.

7. The service cover has a retaining protrusion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion. The seal member is provided between the main body portion and the retaining protrusion in the first direction. The retaining protrusion is engageable with the seal member, and is the connector according to claim 6.

8. The service cover has an interlock connector provided on the main body portion. The connector has an internal connector provided inside the first housing and engageable with the interlock connector. The interlock connector is engaged with the internal connector along the first direction and is engaged with the internal connector in a state where the service cover is disposed at the second position, and is the connector according to claim 3.

9. A first connector that is the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a second connector connected to the first connector, and has The second connector has a second terminal connected to the first terminal, and a second housing that holds the second terminal and is fitted to the first housing along the second direction, and is a connector assembly.

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