Connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly enabling improvement in assembly workability.SOLUTION: A first bolt member 24 comprises a first head part 51 and a shaft part 52 extending from the first heat part 51 in a first direction X1. A second bolt member 25 comprises a second head part 61 and a shaft part 62 extending from the second head part 61 in the first direction X1. The head parts 51 and 61 include fitting portions 56 and 66 to which a fastening jig is fitted and which receive torque of the fastening jig, and seating faces 57 and 67 in contact with fastened portions 41 and 42. The fastened portions 41 and 42 are configured in such a manner that the positions thereof in the first direction X1 are different from each other. In the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25, distances D1, D2 from the seating faces 57 and 67 to the fitting portions 56 and 66 in the first direction X1 are different from each other, such that the positions of the fitting portions 56 and 66 are set at mutually identical positions in the first direction X1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to 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 provided on the 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. When connecting the first connector and the second connector, first, the first housing is fitted into the second housing. Then, the first terminal and the second terminal are fastened to each other with a bolt. This establishes an electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-130300 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above connector assembly, it is desired to improve the ease of assembly when connecting the first connector and the second connector. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector assembly that enables improved assembly workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The connector assembly of the present disclosure is a connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector electrically connected to the first connector, wherein the second connector comprises a pair of terminals, the first connector comprises a pair of electric wires each having a fastened portion, and a pair of bolt members that fasten and fix the pair of fastened portions to the pair of terminals, each of the pair of bolt members comprising a head portion and a shaft portion extending from the head portion along a first direction, the head portion having an engaging portion into which a fastening jig is fitted and which receives the rotational force of the fastening jig, and a seat surface that contacts the fastened portions, the pair of fastened portions are configured to have different positions from each other in the first direction, and the pair of bolt members have different lengths from the seat surface to the engaging portion in the first direction, so that the positions of the pair of engaging portions are set to be the same as each other in the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the connector assembly of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the assembly workability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the connector assembly in the same embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a main part of the connector assembly in the same embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector assembly of the present disclosure comprises: [1] A connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector electrically connected to the first connector, wherein the second connector comprises a pair of terminals, and the first connector comprises a pair of electric wires each having a fastened portion, and a pair of bolt members fastening and fixing the pair of fastened portions to the pair of terminals, each of the pair of bolt members comprising a head portion and a shaft portion extending from the head portion along a first direction, the head portion having a fitting portion into which a fastening jig is fitted and which receives the rotational force of the fastening jig, and a seat surface which contacts the fastened portions, the pair of fastened portions being configured to have different positions in the first direction, and the pair of bolt members having different lengths from the seat surface to the fitting portion in the first direction, such that the positions of the pair of fitting portions are set to be the same as each other in the first direction.

[0009] According to this configuration, even if the positions of a pair of fastened portions in the axial direction of the bolt members are different from each other, the fitting portions of the pair of bolt members can be positioned at the same position in the axial direction. This makes it possible to improve the workability when fastening each bolt member, and as a result, improve the workability of the assembly work when connecting the first connector and the second connector. Furthermore, the above configuration is particularly effective when automating the connection work between the first connector and the second connector. Specifically, it becomes possible to horizontally arrange a pair of electric screwdrivers that respectively fasten the pair of bolt members in an automated assembly line. This allows the pair of electric screwdrivers to be used for general purposes, making it easier to automate the assembly process of the connector assembly.

[0010] [2] In the above [1], each of the pair of electric wires may have a flat shape with a small thickness in the first direction, and the pair of electric wires may be arranged side by side in the first direction. According to this configuration, by arranging the pair of electric wires side by side in the first direction, the connector assembly can be made smaller in size in the width direction perpendicular to the first direction, and by making each electric wire flat, it is also possible to make the connector assembly smaller in size in the first direction. Furthermore, even if this arrangement of the electric wires results in a configuration in which the positions of the pair of fastened portions in the first direction are different from each other, the positions of the pair of mating portions can be made the same as each other in the first direction by setting the length of the head portion.

[0011] [3] In the above [1] or [2], each of the pair of bolt members may have a bolt body including the shank and the seat, and an insulating cap provided on the bolt member, and the fitting portion may be provided on the insulating cap.

[0012] According to this configuration, the insulating cap can ensure the insulation of the bolt member. [4] In any of [1] to [3] above, the first connector may include a housing that holds the pair of electric wires and the pair of bolt members, the housing having a housing main body and a tubular portion extending from the housing main body, and the pair of mating portions may be located inside the tubular portion.

[0013] With this configuration, the positions of the pair of fitting portions disposed inside the cylindrical portion of the housing are set to be the same in the axial direction of the bolt member, which makes it possible to prevent the fastening jig from interfering with the cylindrical portion of the housing when fastening the bolt member.

[0014] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of connector assemblies according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, some of the components may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ between the drawings. In this specification, "orthogonal" does not only refer to a strict orthogonal relationship, but also includes a roughly orthogonal relationship within the scope of the functions and effects of the present embodiment.

[0015] As used herein, the term "cylindrical" does not only refer to a cylindrical object with a continuous peripheral wall formed around the entire circumference, but also includes a cylindrical object formed by combining multiple components, or a cylindrical object with a partial circumferential cutout, such as a C-shape or U-shape. The term "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes with sharp or rounded corners. The term "opposite" as used herein refers to two surfaces or components facing each other, including not only cases where the surfaces are completely facing each other but also cases where the surfaces are partially facing each other. The term "opposite" as used herein also includes both cases where there is a separate component between the two components and cases where there is no component between the two components. The terms "first," "second," "third," and so forth are used herein simply to distinguish between objects and not to rank them. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included.

[0016] Each drawing illustrates an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, which are orthogonal to each other. 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 in the following description, the first direction X1 may be described as downward and the first opposite direction X2 as upward, but this does not necessarily indicate the up and down positions of the connector assembly 10 of this embodiment when in use.

[0017] (Overall configuration of connector assembly 10) As shown in FIG. 1, the connector assembly 10 includes a first connector 11 and a second connector 12 electrically connected to the first connector 11. The connector assembly 10 electrically connects, for example, electrical devices for a vehicle. Examples of the electrical devices for a vehicle include a high-voltage battery, an inverter, a motor, and a relay box. The first connector 11 is configured to be detachably connected to a mating connector, the second connector 12. The second connector 12 is attached to an attachment target, such as a case of an electrical device (not shown). In other words, the second connector 12 is, for example, an equipment connector.

[0018] The first connector 11 has a first electric wire 21, a second electric wire 22, a first housing 23 that holds the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22, a first bolt member 24, and a second bolt member 25. The second connector 12 has a first terminal 31, a second terminal 32, and a second housing 33 that holds the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32.

[0019] The first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are assembled together along the first direction X1. For example, the first housing 23 of the first connector 11 is mated with the second housing 33 of the second connector 12 along the first direction X1. Note that the directions in the drawings do not necessarily represent the positions of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 when in use. Furthermore, the directions in the second connector 12 are described based on the state in which the second connector 12 is assembled to the first connector 11.

[0020] (Configuration of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22) Each of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22 is, for example, a flat electric wire having a thin, flat shape in the X-axis direction. The first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction. That is, the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22 are arranged so as to face each other in their thickness direction. The first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22 have, for example, the same width in the Z-axis direction. Each of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22 is drawn out from the first housing 23 in the second opposite direction Y2. That is, the length direction of each of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22 is along the Y-axis.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2 , the first electric wire 21 includes a conductive core wire 26 and an insulating coating 27 that surrounds the core wire 26 and has insulating properties. The second electric wire 22 includes a conductive core wire 28 and an insulating coating 29 that surrounds the core wire 28 and has insulating properties. Each of the core wires 26, 28 may be, for example, a stranded wire formed by twisting together a plurality of metal wires or a single-core wire formed of a single conductor. Each of the core wires 26, 28 in this embodiment is a single-core wire. For example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material may be used as the material for each of the core wires 26, 28. The cross-sectional shape of each of the core wires 26, 28 cut along a plane perpendicular to the length of each of the core wires 26, 28 is, for example, a flat shape with a thin thickness in the X-axis direction. Each of the insulating coatings 27, 29 covers, for example, the outer periphery of the core wire 26 over the entire circumferential direction. Each of the insulating coatings 27, 29 is made of, for example, an insulating resin material.

[0022] In each of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22, the ends of the core wires 26, 28 in the second direction Y1 are exposed from the insulating coatings 27, 29. The core wire 26 of the first electric wire 21 has a first fastened portion 41 at the tip end (end in the second direction Y1) of the core wire 26 exposed from the insulating coating 27. The first fastened portion 41 is, for example, a portion formed integrally with the core wire 26, i.e., a part of the core wire 26. More specifically, the core wire 26 of the first electric wire 21 has the first fastened portion 41 included in the portion exposed from the insulating coating 27 and a covered portion 26a that is a portion covered by the insulating coating 27. The core wire 26 has, for example, a shape in which the first fastened portion 41 and the covered portion 26a are located on the same plane. That is, the core wire 26 has a straight shape from the covered portion 26a to the first fastened portion 41 with no portion displaced in the X-axis direction. In addition, the width of the first fastened portion 41 in the Z-axis direction is smaller than the width of the covering portion 26a. The first fastened portion 41 is formed with a bolt insertion hole 41a that passes through the first fastened portion 41 along the X-axis.

[0023] The core wire 28 of the second electric wire 22 has a second fastened portion 42 at the tip end (end in the second direction Y1) of the core wire 28 exposed from the insulating coating 29. The second fastened portion 42 is, for example, a portion formed integrally with the core wire 28, i.e., a part of the core wire 28. More specifically, the core wire 28 of the second electric wire 22 has the second fastened portion 42 included in the portion exposed from the insulating coating 29 and a covered portion 28a which is a portion covered by the insulating coating 29. The core wire 28 has, for example, a shape in which the second fastened portion 42 and the covered portion 28a are located on the same plane. That is, the core wire 28 has a straight shape from the covered portion 28a to the second fastened portion 42, with no portion displaced in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, in the Z-axis direction, the width of the second fastened portion 42 is smaller than the width of the covered portion 28a. The first fastened portion 41 of the first electric wire 21 and the second fastened portion 42 of the second electric wire 22 are positioned offset from each other in the Z-axis direction. A bolt insertion hole 42a is formed in the second fastened portion 42, passing through the second fastened portion 42 along the X-axis. When the first connector 11 is connected to the second connector 12, the first fastened portion 41 and the second fastened portion 42 are superimposed on the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32, respectively, in the first direction X1.

[0024] (Configuration of the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32) 2 and 3, the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32 are arranged side by side along the Z axis, for example. The first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32 are integrally formed with the second housing 33 (see FIG. 1) by, for example, insert molding. Each of the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32 is formed, for example, in a columnar shape. The first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32 can be made of, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material. In the second connector 12, a portion including the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32 is fitted inside the first housing 23.

[0025] 2, each of the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32 extends along the X-axis. The first terminal 31 has a contact surface 31a provided on a tip surface of the first terminal 31 in the first opposite direction X2, and a screw hole 31b provided in the contact surface 31a. The contact surface 31a contacts the first fastened portion 41 of the first electric wire 21 in the X-axis direction. The first bolt member 24 is screwed into the screw hole 31b. The screw hole 31b may penetrate the first terminal 31 or may not penetrate the first terminal 31 and have a bottom surface.

[0026] The second terminal 32 has a contact surface 32a provided on the tip surface of the second terminal 32 in the first opposite direction X2, and a screw hole 32b provided in the contact surface 32a. The contact surface 32a contacts the second fastened portion 42 of the second electric wire 22 in the X-axis direction. A second bolt member 25 is screwed into the screw hole 32b. The screw hole 32b passes through the second terminal 32 or does not pass through the second terminal 32 and has a bottom surface. The first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32 are configured to have different heights in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the contact surface 31a of the first terminal 31 is located lower than the contact surface 32a of the second terminal 32.

[0027] (Configuration of first bolt member 24) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first bolt member 24 includes a first head portion 51 and a shank portion 52 extending from the first head portion 51 in the first direction X1. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the first bolt member 24 includes a bolt body 53 made of, for example, metal, and an insulating cap 54 made of, for example, synthetic resin. The insulating cap 54 is formed integrally with the bolt body 53 by, for example, insert molding. The bolt body 53 has a base portion 53a and the shank portion 52. The shank portion 52 extends from the base portion 53a of the bolt body 53 in the first direction X1. In other words, the shank portion 52 of the first bolt member 24 is part of the bolt body 53.

[0028] The first head portion 51 of the first bolt member 24 includes the base portion 53a of the bolt body 53 and the entire insulating cap 54. The insulating cap 54 has a cap body 55 and a fitting portion 56 provided at the tip of the cap body 55 in the first opposite direction X2. At least a portion of the base portion 53a of the bolt body 53 is located inside the cap body 55. A socket 102 (see FIG. 1) of an automated assembly device 100 (described later) is fitted into the fitting portion 56. That is, the fitting portion 56 is a portion of the insulating cap 54 that receives the rotational force of the socket 102. The base portion 53a of the bolt body 53 that forms the first head portion 51 has a bearing surface 57 at its lower end surface (end surface in the first direction X1) that contacts the first fastened portion 41. The base portion 53a also has an engagement portion 58 that protrudes from its upper end surface in the first opposite direction X2. The engaging portion 58 has an outer shape that allows it to engage with the insulating cap 54 in the rotational direction of the first bolt member 24. Examples of the outer shape of the engaging portion 58 include a knurled shape, a polygonal shape, a star shape, etc. By engaging the engaging portion 58 with the insulating cap 54 in the rotational direction, it is possible to prevent the insulating cap 54 from rotating freely relative to the bolt body 53.

[0029] The first fastened portion 41 of the first electric wire 21 is fastened to the first terminal 31 by the first bolt member 24. More specifically, the shank 52 of the first bolt member 24 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 41a of the first fastened portion 41 and is screwed into the screw hole 31b of the first terminal 31. As a result, the fastening force of the first bolt member 24 in the first direction X1 is applied to the first fastened portion 41 from the seat surface 57 of the first head portion 51, and the first fastened portion 41 is fastened and fixed in a manner such that it is sandwiched between the seat surface 57 of the first head portion 51 and the contact surface 31a of the first terminal 31.

[0030] (Configuration of second bolt member 25) The second bolt member 25 includes a second head portion 61 and a shank portion 62 extending from the second head portion 61 in the first direction X1. The second bolt member 25 also includes a bolt body 63 made of, for example, metal, and an insulating cap 64 made of, for example, synthetic resin. The insulating cap 64 is integrally formed with the bolt body 63 by, for example, insert molding. The bolt body 63 includes a base portion 63a and the shank portion 62. The shank portion 62 extends from the base portion 63a of the bolt body 63 in the first direction X1. In other words, the shank portion 62 of the second bolt member 25 is a part of the bolt body 63. The bolt body 63 of the second bolt member 25 has the same shape as the bolt body 53 of the first bolt member 24. In other words, the length of the shank portion 52 of the first bolt member 24 and the length of the shank portion 62 of the second bolt member 25 are equal to each other.

[0031] The second head portion 61 of the second bolt member 25 includes a base portion 63a of the bolt body 63 and the entire insulating cap 64. The insulating cap 64 has a cap body 65 and a fitting portion 66 provided at the tip of the cap body 65 in the first opposite direction X2. At least a portion of the base portion 63a of the bolt body 63 is located inside the cap body 65. A socket 102 (see FIG. 1) of an automated assembly device 100 (described later) is fitted into the fitting portion 66. That is, the fitting portion 66 is a portion of the insulating cap 64 that receives the rotational force of the socket 102. The base portion 63a of the bolt body 63 that forms the second head portion 61 has a bearing surface 67 at its lower end surface (end surface in the first direction X1) that contacts the second fastened portion 42. The base portion 63a also has an engagement portion 68 that protrudes from its upper end surface in the first opposite direction X2. The engaging portion 68 has an outer shape that allows it to engage with the insulating cap 64 in the rotational direction of the first bolt member 24. Examples of the outer shape of the engaging portion 68 include a knurled shape, a polygonal shape, a star shape, etc. By engaging the engaging portion 68 with the insulating cap 64 in the rotational direction, it is possible to prevent the insulating cap 64 from rotating freely relative to the bolt body 63.

[0032] The second fastened portion 42 of the second electric wire 22 is fastened to the second terminal 32 by the second bolt member 25. More specifically, the shank 62 of the second bolt member 25 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 42a of the second fastened portion 42 and is screwed into the screw hole 32b of the second terminal 32. As a result, the fastening force of the second bolt member 25 in the first direction X1 is applied to the second fastened portion 42 from the seat surface 67 of the second head portion 61, and the second fastened portion 42 is fastened and fixed in a manner such that it is sandwiched between the seat surface 67 of the second head portion 61 and the contact surface 32a of the second terminal 32.

[0033] (Configuration of the first housing 23) As shown in FIG. 1 , the first housing 23 of the first connector 11 includes, for example, a housing main body 71 and a tubular portion 73 having an opening 72 formed therein. The tubular portion 73 extends from the outer peripheral surface of the housing main body 71 in the first opposite direction X2. The opening 72 of the tubular portion 73 opens in the first opposite direction X2. A seal member 74 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 73. The seal member 74 is made of, for example, rubber. The seal member 74 is formed continuously around the entire circumferential direction of the tubular portion 73. In addition, the tubular portion 73 of this embodiment includes, for example, a tubular seal holder 75 for preventing the seal member 74 from falling off in the first opposite direction X2.

[0034] The first connector 11 includes a cover 76 that fits over the tubular portion 73 to cover the opening 72. The cover 76 is, for example, separate from the first housing 23. The cover 76 has a locking portion (not shown) that locks onto the tubular portion 73 in the X-axis direction, and is attached to the tubular portion 73 by the locking portion. The cover 76 is attached to the tubular portion 73 after the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25 have been fastened. The seal member 74 seals between the tubular portion 73 and the cover 76.

[0035] The housing main body 71 holds the first fastened portion 41 of the first electric wire 21 and the second fastened portion 42 of the second electric wire 22. Furthermore, within the first housing 23, a first bolt member 24 and a second bolt member 25 are accommodated in a space extending from the housing main body 71 to the inside of the tubular portion 73. The first bolt member 24 is held in the housing main body 71 with the shank 52 inserted into the bolt insertion hole 41a of the first fastened portion 41. Similarly, the second bolt member 25 is held in the housing main body 71 with the shank 62 inserted into the bolt insertion hole 42a of the second fastened portion 42. In a plan view of the first connector 11 seen in the first direction X1, the tubular portion 73 is formed to surround the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25 together. The planar shape of the tubular portion 73 seen in the first direction X1 is, for example, a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction.

[0036] In the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25, the length D2 of the second head portion 61 of the second bolt member 25 is set to be longer than the length D1 of the first head portion 51 of the first bolt member 24. The length D1 of the first head portion 51 is the length in the X-axis direction, and is the length from the seating surface 57 of the first head portion 51 to the upper end surface of the fitting portion 56 (the end surface of the fitting portion 56 in the first opposite direction X2). The length D2 of the second head portion 61 is the length in the X-axis direction, and is the length from the seating surface 67 of the second head portion 61 to the upper end surface of the fitting portion 66 (the end surface of the fitting portion 66 in the first opposite direction X2).

[0037] By setting the length D2 of the second head portion 61 longer than the length D1 of the first head portion 51, the fitting portion 56 of the first head portion 51 and the fitting portion 66 of the second head portion 61 are aligned with each other in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, when the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25 are held in the housing main body 71, the fitting portions 56, 66 are aligned with each other in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bolt bodies 53, 63 have the same shape. Therefore, the insulating cap 64 of the second bolt member 25 is set longer in the X-axis direction than the insulating cap 54 of the first bolt member 24 by the amount of positional deviation between the first fastened portion 41 and the second fastened portion 42 in the X-axis direction. The fitting portions 56, 66 aligned with each other in the X-axis direction are located inside the tubular portion 73 of the first housing 23. With the cover 76 removed, the fitting portions 56, 66 are exposed to the outside of the first housing 23 through the opening 72 of the tubular portion 73. With the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25 held in the housing main body 71, the lower end of the shank 62 of the second bolt member 25 is located lower than the lower end of the shank 52 of the first bolt member 24.

[0038] (Action of this embodiment) Next, a description will be given of how the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected. First, the first connector 11 including the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25 is assembled in the first direction X1 to the second connector 12 including the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32. At this time, the lower ends of the shanks 52, 62 of the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25 contact the upper end entrances of the screw holes 31b, 32b of the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32.

[0039] Thereafter, for example, the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25 are fastened by a pair of electric screwdrivers 101 in the automatic assembly apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 . At this time, each electric screwdriver 101 accesses the fitting portions 56, 66 of the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25 through the opening 72 of the first housing 23. Then, a socket 102 attached to the tip of each electric screwdriver 101 is fitted into the fitting portions 56, 66, and the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25 are rotated by the rotation of the socket 102. As a result, the shanks 52, 62 of the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25 are screwed together, and the first fastened portion 41 and the second fastened portion 42 are fastened to the contact surfaces 31 a, 32 a of the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 32, respectively.

[0040] (Effects of this embodiment) The effects of this embodiment will be described below. (1) In the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25, the lengths D1, D2 from the bearing surfaces 57, 67 to the fitting portions 56, 66 in the first direction X1 are different from each other, so that the fitting portions 56, 66 are positioned at the same position in the first direction X1. With this configuration, even if the positions of the pair of fastened portions 41, 42 in the axial direction (X-axis direction) of the bolt members 24, 25 are different from each other, the fitting portions 56, 66 can be positioned at the same position in the axial direction. This improves the workability when fastening the bolt members 24, 25, thereby improving the workability of the assembly work when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. Furthermore, the above configuration is particularly effective when automating the connection work between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. Specifically, in an automated assembly line, a pair of electric screwdrivers 101 that fasten the first bolt member 24 and the second bolt member 25, respectively, can be arranged horizontally with respect to the YZ plane. This allows the pair of electric screwdrivers 101 to be used for general purposes, making it easier to automate the assembly process of the connector assembly 10.

[0041] (2) Each of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22 has a flat shape with a small thickness in the first direction X1. The first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22 are arranged side by side in the first direction X1. With this configuration, the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22 are arranged side by side in the first direction X1, thereby enabling the connector assembly 10 to be miniaturized in the width direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the first direction X1. Furthermore, by forming each of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22 into a flat shape, the connector assembly 10 can also be miniaturized in the first direction X1. Furthermore, even if such an arrangement of the electric wires 21 and 22 results in a configuration in which the positions of the pair of fastened portions 41 and 42 in the first direction X1 are different from each other, the positions of the pair of mating portions 56 and 66 can be aligned with each other in the first direction X1 by setting the lengths D1 and D2 of the head portions 51 and 61 as described above.

[0042] (3) Each bolt member 24, 25 has a bolt body 53, 63 including a shaft portion 52, 62 and a bearing surface 57, 67, and an insulating cap 54, 64 provided on the bolt body 53, 63. Each fitting portion 56, 66 is provided on each insulating cap 54, 64. With this configuration, each insulating cap 54, 64 can ensure insulation in each bolt member 24, 25.

[0043] (4) The first connector 11 includes a first housing 23 that holds the electric wires 21, 22 and the bolt members 24, 25. The first housing 23 has a housing main body 71 and a tubular portion 73 extending from the housing main body 71. The mating portions 56, 66 are located inside the tubular portion 73. With this configuration, the mating portions 56, 66 located inside the tubular portion 73 of the first housing 23 are positioned at the same positions as each other in the axial direction of the bolt members 24, 25. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electric screwdriver 101 from interfering with the tubular portion 73 of the first housing 23 when fastening the bolt members 24, 25.

[0044] (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.

[0045] In the first housing 23 of the above embodiment, the cylindrical portion 73 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the bolt members 24, 25 may be configured without the insulating caps 54, 64. In this case, the head portions 51, 61 of the bolt members 24, 25 may be formed by the base portions 53a, 63a of the bolt bodies 53, 63. That is, in the head portions 51, 61 of the bolt members 24, 25, the fitting portion into which the socket 102 is fitted and which receives the rotational force may be formed in the base portions 53a, 63a of the bolt bodies 53, 63. Note that, if the insulating caps 54, 64 are omitted, it is desirable to provide an interlock function that cuts off the power supply when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22 may be arranged, for example, along the Z axis. In each of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 22, the fastened portions 41, 42 may be configured as separate bodies from the core wires 26, 28, respectively.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the insulating caps 54, 64 may be fabricated separately from the bolt bodies 53, 63 and attached to the bolt bodies 53, 63. In the above embodiment, the bolt members 24, 25 are configured to be held in the first housing 23, but this is not limiting. For example, after the first connector 11 is mated with the second connector 12, the bolt members 24, 25 may be inserted into the first housing 23 through the opening 72, and the bolt members 24, 25 may fasten and fix the fastened portions 41, 42 and the terminals 31, 32 to each other.

[0048] The number of electric wires 21, 22 in the first connector 11 is not limited to that in the above embodiment and may be three or more. Note that the number of bolt members 24, 25 and the number of terminals 31, 32 in the second connector 12 can be changed appropriately depending on the number of electric wires 21, 22.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the first connector 11 is connected to the second connector 12 along the first direction X1, but this is not limiting. For example, the first connector 11 may be connected to the second connector 12 along the second direction Y1.

[0050] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 Connector Assembly 11 First connector 12 Second connector 21 First Electric Wire (Electric Wire) 22 Second Electric Wire (Electric Wire) 23 1st Housing (Housing) 24 First bolt member (bolt member) 25 Second bolt member (bolt member) 26,28 core wire 26a, 28a Covering part 27,29 Insulation coating 31 1st terminal (terminal) 31a,32a Contact surface 31b, 32b screw holes 32 2nd terminal (terminal) 33 Second Housing 41 1st fastened part (fastened part) 41a, 42a Bolt insertion holes 42 Second fastened part (fastened part) 51 First head section (head section) 52,62 Shaft 53,63 Bolt body 53a,63a base 54,64 Insulation cap 55,65 Cap body 56,66 Mating part 57,67 Seat 58,68 Engagement part 61 Second head section (head section) 71 Housing body 72 Opening 73 Cylinder part 74 Sealing material 75 Seal holder 76 Cover 100 Automatic assembly equipment 101 Electric screwdriver (fastening jig) 102 sockets D1 Length of the first head D2 Length of the second head X1 1st direction X2 1st opposite direction Y1 2nd direction Y2 2nd opposite direction Z1 3rd direction Z2 3rd opposite direction

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector electrically connected to the first connector, The second connector includes a pair of terminals, the first connector includes a pair of electric wires each having a fastened portion, and a pair of bolt members fastening and fixing the pair of fastened portions to the pair of terminals, respectively; Each of the pair of bolt members includes a head portion and a shaft portion extending from the head portion along a first direction, The head portion has a fitting portion into which a fastening jig is fitted and which receives a rotational force of the fastening jig, and a seat surface which comes into contact with the fastened portion, The pair of fastened portions are configured to be positioned differently from each other in the first direction, In the pair of bolt members, lengths from the seat surfaces to the fitting portions in the first direction are different from each other, so that positions of the pair of fitting portions are set at the same positions as each other in the first direction. Connector assembly.

2. Each of the pair of electric wires has a flat shape with a small thickness in the first direction, The pair of electric wires are arranged side by side in the first direction. The connector assembly of claim 1 .

3. Each of the pair of bolt members has a bolt body including the shank and the bearing surface, and an insulating cap provided on the bolt member, The fitting portion is provided on the insulating cap. The connector assembly of claim 1 .

4. the first connector includes a housing that holds the pair of electric wires and the pair of bolt members, The housing has a housing main body and a cylindrical portion extending from the housing main body, The pair of fitting portions are located inside the cylindrical portion. The connector assembly of claim 1 .

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