Connection body, and connection method for connection body

Abstract

To implement a connection which suppresses an increase in the number of components and is also immune to a heavy current.SOLUTION: In a connection body 1B, a second bolt insertion part 10Bb and a third bolt insertion part 50Bb are in the following positional relation. The bolt insertion parts are in such a positional relation as to be fastened by inserting one bolt 80B in a state where each of base parts 20Bb of a pair of first terminals 20B is inserted into each of second notch parts 10Ba, each of a pair of second terminals 61B is loaded on each of end portions of first contact parts 20Ba and each of a pair of first pressing parts 50Ba is loaded on each of end portions of second contact parts 61Ba. This fastening allows each of the first contact parts 20Ba to be conducted with each of the second contact parts 61Ba.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connection structure of a connection body. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional connector assembly, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for reducing manufacturing costs and size by simplifying the structure. Figures 15 and 16 are diagrams showing the structure of a conventional connector assembly. In the connector assembly of Figures 15 and 16, a connector assembly 10 includes a first connector 12 and a second connector 14. The first connector 12 includes first terminal fittings 16 protruding outward from a metal housing 20 and a metal hood portion 22 surrounding the first terminal fittings 16 and protruding from the housing 20. The second connector 12 includes second terminal fittings 18 connected to the first terminal fittings 16, an insulating housing 74 accommodating the second terminal fittings 18, and a metal flat portion 76 fixedly disposed on the outer surface of the housing 74. When the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, the inside of the hood portion 22 of the first connector 12 is The housing 74 of the second connector 14 is accommodated and arranged in the housing 74, and the contact portion 156 of the flat portion 76 is placed on and connected to the protruding end face 64 of the hood portion 22, and the protruding side opening 58 of the hood portion 22 is covered by the flat portion 76. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-4140 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the connector assembly of Patent Document 1, when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, a fastening bolt 190 is inserted to secure the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 to each other (paragraph 0074). Furthermore, in this connector assembly, electrical continuity between the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 is achieved by electrically connecting each of the first terminal fittings 16 and each of the second terminal fittings 18 (paragraph 0073). Here, the second terminal fittings 18 include a second terminal fitting body 86 and a clip spring 88 as an elastic member attached to the tip (front end) of the second terminal fitting body 86 (paragraph 0040). That is, the connector assembly of Patent Document 1 employs a configuration in which the fastening bolt 190 is inserted to matingly connect the first connector 12 and the second connector 14, and electrical continuity is achieved by the clip spring 88. However, as a connection structure for, for example, a large current, there are problems such as an increased number of parts and insufficient contact strength.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that suppresses an increase in the number of parts and enables a connection that can withstand a large current. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the connecting body of this embodiment has a first insulating plate having a pair of second cutouts provided at both ends and a second bolt insertion portion provided between the pair of second cutouts; a pair of first terminals having a flat base portion insertable into the second cutouts and flat first contact portions connected to one longitudinal end of the base and extending on both sides of the width of the base with a width wider than the width of the second cutouts; a pair of second terminals having flat second contact portions mountable on the end of the first contact portion opposite the base in the pair of first terminals; and a second insulating plate having a pair of first pressing portions mountable on the surface of the second contact portion opposite the first terminal in the pair of second terminals, a first connecting portion connecting the pair of first pressing portions, and a third bolt insertion portion provided on the first connecting portion. The positional relationship between the second bolt insertion portion and the third bolt insertion portion is such that when the base portions of the first terminals are inserted into the second notches, the second terminals are mounted on the ends of the first contact portions, and the first pressing portions are mounted on the ends of the second contact portions, one bolt can be inserted and fastened, and when fastened, the first contact portions and the second contact portions are electrically connected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the connector of this embodiment, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed and a connection that can withstand a large current can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing an example of a connector according to the first embodiment, in which A is a perspective view, B is a plan view, and C is a left side view. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting body 1A. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line KK in FIG. 1B. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line LL in FIG. 1B. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 1C. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the header 2A, where A is a perspective view, B is a plan view, and C is a left side view. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF of FIG. 6C. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing the first housing 10A, in which A is a plan view, B is a QQ cross-sectional view of A, C is an RR cross-sectional view of A, and D is a PP cross-sectional view of A. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a plug harness 3A, where A is a plan view, B is a left side view, and C is a bottom view. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the second housing 50A, in which A is a plan view, B is a cross-sectional view taken along line NN of A, C is a cross-sectional view taken along line OO of A, and D is a cross-sectional view taken along line MM of A. FIG. [Figure 11] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing an example of a connector according to the second embodiment, in which A is a perspective view, B is a plan view, and C is a left side view. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a connecting body 1B, where A is a bottom view, B is a front view, and C is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 11B. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing the connecting body 1B, where A is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ in FIG. 11B, and B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 11C. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting body 1B. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows a prior art connector assembly. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows a prior art connector assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <<First Embodiment>> A connector according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Components having the same functions are given the same numbers, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows an example of a connector according to the first embodiment, with A being a perspective view, B being a plan view, and C being a left side view. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a connector 1A. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line KK of FIG. 1B. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line LL of FIG. 1B.

[0010] The connector of the present disclosure is a connector for large currents, for example, several hundred amperes. However, the connector of the present disclosure is not limited by the magnitude of the current, and does not preclude application to larger or smaller currents. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector 1A in this embodiment is composed of a header 2A and a plug harness 3A that is mated with the header 2A.

[0011] <Header 2A> FIG. 6 shows a header 2A, where A is a perspective view, B is a plan view, and C is a left side view. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F of FIG. 6C. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the header 2A includes a first housing 10A, a pair of first terminals 20A, a first pressing member 30A, a shutter member 90A, an elastic member 100A, a first sealing member 111A, a second sealing member 112A, and a nut 40A. The header 2A of this embodiment includes four sets of bolts 85A and collars 113A for joining to other components (not shown), such as a circuit board. However, the header 2A does not necessarily have to include the bolts 85A and collars 113A. In this embodiment, the header 2A may be referred to as a header 2A even if it does not include the nut 40A.

[0012] (First housing 10A) 8A and 8B are diagrams showing the first housing 10A, in which A is a plan view, B is a QQ cross-sectional view of A, C is an RR cross-sectional view of A, and D is a PP cross-sectional view of A.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 7, the first housing 10A accommodates the first terminals 20A, the first pressing member 30A, the shutter member 90A, and the elastic member 100A, and at least partially positions each of them. When the first pressing member 30A is inserted into the first housing 10A, a retaining structure (not shown) within the first housing 10A engages the first pressing member 30A with the first housing 10A. This retains the pair of first terminals 20A, the shutter member 90A, the elastic member 100A, and the first pressing member 30A within the first housing 10A. The first housing 10A is formed of an insulating material such as resin. As shown in FIG. 8, this example includes a base 10Ac with a substantially octagonal rectangular cross section and a flange portion 10Ad extending outward from the lower end of the base 10Ac (the end in the -z direction in FIG. 8) to expand the cross-sectional area of ​​the octagonal rectangle and form a rounded rectangular outer shape.

[0014] The base 10Ac has a peripheral wall 10Af that is formed to stand upright and that has an open portion of the edge on the rear side (the -x direction side in FIG. 8) of its top surface 10Ac1. The base 10Ac has a pair of first holes 10Aa that are rectangular holes that are formed parallel to each other and penetrate the area surrounded by the peripheral wall 10Af in the vertical direction (the Z-axis direction in FIG. 8). The second bolt insertion portion 10Ab is formed between the pair of first holes 10Aa and parallel to the pair of first holes 10Aa, and allows the insertion of a bolt 80A. The top surface 10Ac1 has a shutter cover 10Ae that is formed around the edge of each first hole 10Aa and stands upright from the first hole 10Aa (in the +z direction in FIG. 8). The shutter cover 10Ae is shaped to cover the periphery of the tip end of the first contact portion 20Aa (FIG. 7). A boss 10Ag is formed on the top surface 10Ac1 around the end of the second bolt insertion portion 10Ab, extending upward from the second bolt insertion portion 10Ab (in the +z direction in FIG. 8). The size of the hole of the second bolt insertion portion 10Ab, including the size of the hole of the boss 10Ag, has a diameter d1 at the entrance of the hole of the boss 10Ag that is slightly larger than the diameter of the bolt 80A. In the direction toward the interior (in the -z direction in FIG. 8), the diameter d2 is slightly larger than the diameter of the elastic member 100A. Further into the interior, the hole has a rectangular cross-sectional shape with a width W (FIG. 8D) and a length L (FIG. 8B) that is connected to the first hole portion 10Aa. The top surface 10Ac1 is provided with a pair of holes 10Ai between each shutter cover 10Ae and the boss 10Ag, through which the ribs 90Ad of the shutter member 90A can be inserted.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 8A, the flange portion 10Ad has holes 10Ah near the four rounded corners, into which collars 113A (Fig. 2) can be inserted by crimping. The collars 113A are made of a metal such as stainless steel, and bolts 85A can be inserted into each of the holes 10Ah into which the collars 113A are attached (Fig. 6).

[0016] (First terminal 20A) 2 and 4, the first terminal 20A is a conductive flat plate having a first contact portion 20Aa and an extension portion 20Ab connected to the first contact portion 20Aa. In this example, the first terminal 20A is made of copper.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 4, the first contact portion 20Aa is a flat plate having an octagonal shape with the corners of a substantially square missing, and has a first contact surface 20Ac at its end on the upper side (the second contact portion 61Aa side, the +z direction side in Fig. 4). The first contact portion 20Aa has a flat plate shape that can be inserted into each of the first hole portions 10Aa (Fig. 8) from the first contact surface 20Ac side. The first contact portion 20Aa is provided so as to extend along the z-axis direction shown in Fig. 2 (i.e., the insertion direction of the first bolt insertion portion 30Ab, the second bolt insertion portion 10Ab, and the fifth bolt insertion portion 90Ab).

[0018] Each first contact portion 20Aa has a substantially horizontally elongated rectangular hole 20Ae extending from its center toward its lower end (toward the extension portion 20Ab, the -z direction in FIG. 4 ), into which the first pressing portion 30Aa of the first pressing member 30A is inserted. When the first pressing portion 30Aa is inserted into the hole 20Ae, the first contact portion 20Aa stands upright relative to the first pressing member 30A. Each first contact portion 20Aa has a pair of protrusions 20Ad ( FIG. 2 ) spaced apart and with a width greater than the width of the hole 20Ae, extending from the center toward its upper end (toward the second contact portion 61Aa, the +z direction in FIG. 4 ) on the surface that contacts the outside when the connecting body 1A is assembled. The protrusions 20Ad have a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape that gradually changes in thickness downward (the -z direction in FIG. 2 ) so that the thickness of the first terminal 20A in that portion increases. In this example, the protrusion 20Ad is formed by dowel processing, and a recess is formed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the protrusion 20Ad is formed, at a position facing the protrusion 20Ad. Since the first terminal 20A has the protrusion 20Ad, the first terminal 20A engages with a protrusion 10Aj (FIG. 8D) provided in the first hole 10Aa of the first housing 10A, and is held in the first housing 10A.

[0019] The extension 20Ab extends downward (away from the second contact portion 61Aa, in the -z direction in FIG. 4) from the lower end of the first contact portion 20Aa (the end on the -z direction side in FIG. 4) so ​​as to maintain the width of the lower end. In this example, the extension 20Ab has a hole 20Ag that can be used to connect to another component (not shown) slightly upward from the center (toward the first contact portion 20Aa, in the +z direction in FIG. 4).

[0020] (First pressing member 30A) The first pressing member 30A is a plate made of an insulating material in the shape of a thin rectangular parallelepiped. In this example, the first pressing member 30A is made of glass epoxy resin. However, as long as insulation properties are ensured, it may be made of a separator structure made of, for example, glass epoxy resin and stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 2, the first pressing member 30A has a pair of first pressing portions 30Aa, which are regions on both end sides in the longitudinal direction (the y-axis direction in FIG. 2), and a connecting portion 30Ac connecting the pair of first pressing portions 30Aa. A first bolt insertion portion 30Ab is provided in the center of the connecting portion 30Ac, through which a bolt 80A can be inserted. In a first state in which each of the first terminals 20A is inserted into each of the first hole portions 10Aa (Figure 8) from the first contact surface 20Ac, the first pressing member 30A presses each of the first terminals 20A toward the first contact surface 20Ac from the surface opposite the first contact surface 20Ac (surface 20Ae1 in Figure 4).

[0021] Note that the first pressing member 30A may be formed in other ways as long as it can press the first terminal 20A toward the first contact surface 20Ac from the surface opposite the first contact surface 20Ac. For example, instead of inserting the first pressing portion 30Aa into the hole 20Ae, the first pressing portion 30Aa may be joined to the end 20Ah on the lower side (the -z direction side in FIG. 4) of the extension 20Ab using a bonding material or the like, so that the first pressing portion 30Aa can press the first terminal 20A toward the first contact surface 20Ac from the end 20Ah. In this case, the shapes of other components such as the first housing 10A would need to be adjusted as appropriate.

[0022] (Shutter member 90A) 2, the shutter member 90A is an insulating member having a pair of shutter portions 90Aa, a connecting portion 90Ac connecting the pair of shutter portions 90Aa, and a boss-shaped fifth bolt insertion portion 90Ab provided in the center of the connecting portion 90Ac and through which the bolt 80A can be inserted. In this example, the shutter member 90A is made of resin.

[0023] The shutter portion 90Aa has a box-like shape that is open in the vertical direction (z-axis direction in FIG. 2) to allow the insertion and movement of the first terminal 20A. The shutter portion 90Aa has a shape that covers the periphery of the tip side of the first contact portion 20Aa. In other words, the pair of shutter portions 90Aa covers the periphery of one end of each of the pair of first contact portions 20Aa while leaving that end exposed.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 7, the shutter member 90A is provided with a pair of ribs 90Ad on the connecting portion 90Ac in order to more firmly support the shutter portion 90Aa and the fifth bolt insertion portion 90Ab.

[0025] The shape of the hole inside the fifth bolt insertion portion 90Ab is such that the entrance has a diameter slightly larger than that of the bolt 80A, and the inside diameter is formed as a hole shape with a diameter d3 slightly larger than that of the elastic member 100A so that the elastic member 100A can be inserted.

[0026] (Elastic member 100A) As shown in FIG. 7, the elastic member 100A of this embodiment has the shape of a coil spring. In this example, the elastic member 100A is made of stainless steel. The inner diameter of the elastic member 100A is slightly larger than that of the bolt 80A so that the bolt 80A can be inserted therethrough. One end of the elastic member 100A is inserted into the first bolt insertion portion 30Ab of the first pressing member 30A, thereby fitting the elastic member 100A and the first pressing member 30A together. The other end is inserted into the fifth bolt insertion portion 90Ab. As a result, when the header 2A is assembled, at least a portion of the elastic member 100A is positioned between the first pressing member 30A and the connecting portion 90Ac.

[0027] By providing the elastic member 100A, the shutter portion 90Aa and the first contact portion 20Aa in the header 2A are positioned as follows before the header 2A and the plug harness 3A are mated. As shown in FIG. 6, the upper end (the +z direction side in FIG. 6) of the first contact portion 20Aa is positioned inside the opening formed by the shutter portion 90Aa. That is, the tip of the shutter portion 90Aa is positioned above (the +z direction side in FIG. 6) the tip of the first contact surface 20Ac. This structure ensures safety by preventing a person's finger or the like from directly touching the first terminal 20A from the shutter portion 90Aa side. Even if a person presses down on the shutter portion 90Aa, the elastic member 100A is compressed, causing a spring reaction force to act, making it difficult for the finger to press down beyond a predetermined amount. On the other hand, by fastening the header 2A and the plug harness 3A with the bolt 80A, the first terminal 20A moves upward (in the +z direction in FIG. 5) relative to the shutter member 90A to a position where the first contact surface 20Ac is flush with the tip of the shutter portion 90Aa. In other words, the elastic member 100A causes the shutter member 90A to move from a position where the end of the first contact portion 20Aa (first contact surface 20Ac) enters the opening formed by the shutter member 90A (FIGS. 6 and 7) to a position where the end of the first contact portion 20Aa and the tip end of the shutter member 90A are flush with each other before and during the time when the header 2A and the plug harness 3A are completely fastened with the bolt 80A. In other words, before fastening is completed, the shutter member 90A is pressed by the elastic member 100A, and the end of the shutter portion 90Aa is positioned further in the pressing direction of the first pressing portion 30Aa (the +z direction in FIG. 6) than the end of the first contact portion 20Aa (the first contact surface 20Ac). From before fastening is completed until it is completed, the shutter member 90A moves to a position (the -z direction in FIG. 6) where the end of the first contact portion 20Aa (the first contact surface 20Ac) can be electrically connected to the second contact portion 61Aa. As a result, the first contact surface 20Ac comes into contact with the second contact portion 61Aa.Since the shutter member 90A has the recessed portion 90Ae, the shutter member 90A can move downward (toward the −z direction in FIG. 6) relative to the first terminal 20A without interfering with the protruding portion 10Aj.

[0028] <Plug harness 3A> Fig. 9 shows a plug harness 3A, where A is a plan view, B is a left side view, and C is a bottom view. Fig. 10 shows a second housing 50A, where A is a plan view, B is a NN cross-sectional view of A, C is an OO cross-sectional view of A, and D is an MM cross-sectional view of A.

[0029] 2 and 9, the plug harness 3A includes a second housing 50A, a harness 60A, a second pressing member 70A, a seal member 114A, and a bolt 80A. As shown in Fig. 2, the plug harness 3A of this embodiment includes a seal member 115A, a cable retainer 116A, and a cover 117A around the harness 60A. Note that in this embodiment, the plug harness 3A may be referred to as the plug harness 3A even if it does not include the bolt 80A, the seal member 115A, the cable retainer 116A, and the cover 117A.

[0030] (Second housing 50A) 10, the second housing 50A has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with one end tapered, and is made of an insulating material such as resin. The second housing 50A determines the position of the second terminal 61A and the second pressing member 70A.

[0031] The second housing 50A has a pair of second holes 50Aa, an opening 50Ac, and a third bolt insertion portion 50Ab through which the bolt 80A can be inserted.

[0032] In this example, the pair of second holes 50Aa are arranged parallel (side-by-side) in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction in FIG. 10) of the second housing 50A, with the rear side (−x direction in FIG. 10) open and the front side (+x direction in FIG. 10) closed. The second holes 50Aa are arranged parallel so that at least a portion faces the first contact surface 20Ac when the plug harness 3A is mated with the header 2A. As shown in FIG. 10C, the second holes 50Aa have a shape such that the tip side is slightly larger than the shape of the second terminal 61A so that the second terminal 61A of the harness 60A can be inserted therein. The center of the hole in the extension direction has a shape slightly larger than the outer shape of the cable 62A. The end near the entrance of the hole (the end on the −x direction in FIG. 10) is formed as a rectangular hole so that the waterproof seal member 115A (FIG. 2) can be inserted therein.

[0033] The opening 50Ac is formed to encompass a portion of each of the second holes 50Aa and open in one direction (the -z direction in FIG. 10) along a first axis (an axis parallel to the z axis in FIG. 10) that intersects with the direction of the second holes 50Aa. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the opening 50Ac is such that the OO cross section of FIG. 10A encompassing a portion of the second holes 50Aa has a shape as shown in FIG. 10C, and the NN cross section of FIG. 10A in the portion without the second holes 50Aa has a shape as shown in FIG. 10B. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the opening 50Ac forms an opening that allows the base 10Ac, peripheral wall 10Af, shutter cover 10Ae, and boss 10Ag of the first housing 10A to fit within the second housing 50A. That is, the second housing 50A is formed to be able to fit into the first housing 10A.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 10, the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab is provided between the pair of second hole portions 50Aa so as to penetrate the second housing 50A parallel to the first axis (z-axis in Fig. 10). The third bolt insertion portion 50Ab is provided in a position facing the second bolt insertion portion 10Ab when the second housing 50A is fitted to the first housing 10A. The size of the hole of the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab is a diameter d4 slightly larger than that of the bolt 80A near a surface 50Ad1 (described later). In the direction extending into the interior, the diameter d5 is slightly larger than that of the boss 10Ag, and as it extends further into the interior, it expands to a hole large enough to accommodate the base 10Ac.

[0035] The upper surface 50Ae of the second housing 50A has a surface 50Ad1 extending from the center toward the front side (the +x direction in FIG. 10). In this example, the surface 50Ad1 is formed as the surface of a groove 50Ad that is slightly recessed from the upper surface 50Ae. The surface 50Ad1 forms a predetermined area where the second pressing member 70A is mounted. In the present disclosure, the groove 50Ad is not a required structure, and it is sufficient that there is an area on the upper surface 50Ae where the second pressing member 70A is mounted (an area corresponding to the surface 50Ad1). Therefore, the upper surface 50Ae including the surface 50Ad1 may be simply referred to as the "upper surface 50Ae" or the "first surface." Note that a plurality of protrusions 50Af are provided around the end of the rear side of the second housing 50A for fitting the cover 117A to the second housing 50A.

[0036] (Harness 60A) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 , the harness 60A includes a cable 62A and a second terminal 61A. The cable 62A includes a copper wire 62Aa made of a copper alloy and an insulating material 62Ab covering the copper wire 62Aa. The copper wire 62Aa is exposed at one end of the cable 62A. The exposed copper wire 62Aa forms the second terminal 61A, which includes a cross-sectionally gradually changing portion where the cross-section gradually changes from circular to rectangular and a thin, approximately rectangular parallelepiped portion extending from the cross-sectional portion to the tip. The second terminal 61A is formed of a thin copper plate. In this embodiment, the gradually changing portion and the approximately rectangular parallelepiped portion are collectively referred to as the second terminal 61A. The approximately rectangular parallelepiped portion is also referred to as the second contact portion 61Aa. In this example, the second contact portion 61Aa is solidified by compaction processing. That is, each of the pair of second terminals 61A is composed of multiple core wires (copper wires), and each of the second contact portions 61Aa is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by compacting the core wires. The compaction process promotes miniaturization of the plug harness 3A. As shown in FIG. 5, the second contact portion 61Aa has a surface 61Aa1 and an opposite surface 61Aa2, which define a plate thickness h. In this example, the second contact portion 61Aa has a flat plate shape that can be inserted into the second hole portion 50Aa.

[0037] (Second holding member 70A) As shown in FIG. 2, the second pressing member 70A is a thin, rectangular, flat metal plate with four rounded corners. In this example, the second pressing member 70A is made of stainless steel. The second pressing member 70A has a thin, rectangular second pressing portion 70Aa for pressing a predetermined area (surface 50Ad1) on the outer surface of the second housing 50A, which is the upper surface 50Ae and on which the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab is provided, in one direction (the -z direction in FIG. 2), and a fourth bolt insertion portion 70Ab in the center of the second pressing portion 70Aa, through which the bolt 80A can be inserted. The fourth bolt insertion portion 70Ab is located in a position facing the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab when the second pressing member 70A is mounted on the surface 50Ad1. The second pressing member 70A and the predetermined area (surface 50Ad1) are in surface-to-surface contact. Therefore, even if the second housing 50A is made of, for example, resin, the contact portion is prevented from sinking.

[0038] The connecting body 1A includes a sealing member 114A, which in this example forms an O-ring, as a waterproofing member. For example, when screwing together bus bars, a separate overhousing is required for waterproofing. In the connecting body 1A, the sealing member 114A as a waterproofing member is attached to the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab from the upper surface 50Ae side, and then the second pressing portion 70Aa of the second holding member 70A is mounted on the surface 50Ad1. In other words, the sealing member 114A is provided on the second holding member 70A side of the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab. Therefore, the connecting body 1A does not require an overhousing.

[0039] <How to connect connector 1A> The connecting method of the connecting body 1A can be performed by assembling the connecting body 1A, for example, through the following steps (1) to (8). However, the steps of the connecting method of the connecting body 1A are not limited to the steps below. In the following explanation, the explanation of the step of attaching the bolt 85A and the collar 113A is omitted.

[0040] (1) For waterproofing, a first sealing member 111A, which is an annular waterproof member, is attached to a groove provided near the joint between the flange portion 10Ad and the base 10Ac from the bottom side of the first housing 10A, as shown in Fig. 7. A second sealing member 112A, which is an annular waterproof member, is attached to a groove provided around the periphery of the base 10Ac from the boss 10Ag side of the first housing 10A.

[0041] (2) With one end of the elastic member 100A facing the second bolt insertion portion 30Ab of the first pressing member 30A, each of the first pressing portions 30Aa of the first pressing member 30A is inserted into the hole portion 20Ae of the first terminal 20A.

[0042] (3) The first contact portion 20Aa of the first terminal 20A is inserted into the shutter portion 90Aa, and the other end side of the elastic member 100A is inserted into the fifth bolt insertion portion 90Ab of the shutter member 90A.

[0043] (4) In the state of (3), the shutter portions 90Aa are inserted into the first holes 10Aa, and the fifth bolt insertion portion 90Ab is inserted into the boss 10Ag. The insertion is continued until the protrusions 10Aj and 20Ad engage with each other. The engagement of the protrusions 10Aj and 20Ad holds the pair of first terminals 20A, the shutter member 90A, the elastic member 100A, and the first pressing member 30A within the first housing 10A. At this time, the ribs 90Ad are inserted into the holes 10Ai, allowing the shutter member 90A to move upward relative to the first housing 10A. Due to the reaction force of the elastic member 100A, the pair of shutter portions 90Aa cover the periphery of one end of each of the pair of first contact portions 20Aa, leaving the end exposed, as shown in FIG. 7 .

[0044] (5) With the seal member 115A, cable retainer 116A, and cover 117A attached to the second terminals 61A, the pair of second terminals 61A are inserted into the second hole portions 50Aa (see FIG. 4). Thereafter, the seal member 115A, cable retainer 116A, and cover 117A are fitted to the first housing 10A in this order.

[0045] (6) The first housing 10A and the second housing 50A are fitted together with the first holes 10Aa and the openings 50Ac facing each other (FIGS. 2 and 4).

[0046] (7) As a waterproof member, in this example, a seal member 114A forming an O-ring is attached to the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab from the upper surface 50Ae side, and the second pressing portion 70Aa of the second holding member 70A is mounted on the surface 50Ad1.

[0047] (8) The bolt 80A is inserted through the fourth bolt insertion portion 70Ab, the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab, the second bolt insertion portion 10Ab, the fifth bolt insertion portion 90Ab, the elastic member 100A, and the first bolt insertion portion 30Ab in that order, and the nut 40A is attached to the bolt 80A from below the first pressing member 30A to fasten the header 2A and the plug harness 3A. This fastening moves the end of the first contact portion 20Aa from a position where it is inserted into the opening formed by the shutter member 90A (FIGS. 6 and 7) to a position where it is flush with the end of the tip of the shutter member 90A (FIG. 5). In other words, the elastic member 100A causes the shutter member 90A to move from a position (FIGS. 6 and 7) where the end of the first contact portion 20Aa (first contact surface 20Ac) enters the opening formed by the shutter member 90A to a position (FIG. 5) where the end of the first contact portion 20Aa and the end of the tip of the shutter member 90A are flush with each other, before and during the completion of fastening of the header 2A and the plug harness 3A by the bolt 80A. In other words, before the fastening is completed, the shutter member 90A is pressed by the elastic member 100A, so that the end of the shutter portion 90Aa is positioned closer to the pressing direction of the first pressing portion 30Aa (the +z direction in FIG. 6) than the end of the first contact portion 20Aa (first contact surface 20Ac). Before and during the completion of fastening, the shutter member 90A moves to a position (the -z direction in FIG. 6) where the end of the first contact portion 20Aa (first contact surface 20Ac) can be electrically connected to the second contact portion 61Aa, thereby joining the first contact surface 20Ac to the second contact portion 61Aa.

[0048] The connecting body 1A is provided so that the first bolt insertion portion 30Ab faces the fifth bolt insertion portion 90Ab, the fifth bolt insertion portion 90Ab faces the second bolt insertion portion 10Ab, the second bolt insertion portion 10Ab faces the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab, and the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab faces the fourth bolt insertion portion 70Ab. In other words, the relative positional relationship between the fourth bolt insertion portion 70Ab, the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab, the first bolt insertion portion 10Ab, the fifth bolt insertion portion 90Ab, and the second bolt insertion portion 30Ab is such that the bolt 80A can be inserted and fastened. In the connecting body 1A of the present disclosure, the first contact portions 20Aa and the second contact portions 61Aa are electrically connected to each other by fastening with the bolt 80A.

[0049] The relative positional relationship between the first bolt insertion portion 30Ab, the second bolt insertion portion 10Ab, the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab, and the fourth bolt insertion portion 70Ab is, in other words, as follows: The first terminals 20A are inserted into the first holes 10Aa with the first contact surfaces 20Ac first (this state is also referred to as the "first state"). In this first state, the pair of first pressing portions 30Aa are capable of pressing the first terminals 20A, the pair of second terminals 61A are inserted into the pair of second hole portions 50Aa, respectively, the first housing 10A and the second housing 50A are fitted together with the openings 50Ac of the first hole portions 10Aa facing each other, the second pressing portion 70Aa of the second holding member 70A is mounted on a predetermined region (surface 50Ad1), and the first pressing portions 30Aa of the first holding member 30A are pressed against the first contact surfaces 20A of the first terminals 20A. The relative positional relationship between the first bolt insertion portion 30Ab, the second bolt insertion portion 10Ab, the third bolt insertion portion 50Ab, and the fourth bolt insertion portion 70Ab is such that, in this second state, one bolt (bolt 80A) can be inserted and fastened, and the first contact portions 20Aa and second contact portions 61Aa are electrically connected to each other by fastening the bolt 80A.

[0050] The connecting body 1A of this embodiment is configured so that a header 2A and a plug harness 3A are mated together, and the mating can be fastened using a single bolt 80A. The connecting body 1A is configured to directly connect the first terminal 20A and the second terminal 61A. This direct connection can be achieved using a single bolt 80A (and nut 40A). Therefore, a separate metal fitting, such as the second terminal fitting body 86 of Patent Document 1, is not required to connect the terminals. Furthermore, the first terminal 20A and the second terminal 61A are directly connected to each other for electrical continuity. Patent Document 1 employs a structure in which the connection is achieved using a clip spring 88 as an elastic member. Spring contact requires plating to reduce contact resistance. The connecting body 1A achieves electrical continuity between the first terminal 20A and the second terminal 61A through direct connection, and high contact force is obtained by bolt fastening, significantly reducing electrical resistance, thereby eliminating the need for plating. Therefore, the connection body 1A of the present disclosure can suppress an increase in the number of parts and realize a connection that can withstand a large current.

[0051] In this embodiment, the harness 60A is mounted so that the surface 61Aa1 abuts on the end (first contact surface 20Ac) on the upper side (+z direction side in FIG. 5) of the first contact portion 20Aa. This embodiment is not limited to this.

[0052] For example, the harness 60A may be rotated 90 degrees around the longitudinal direction of the harness 60A (the x-axis direction in FIG. 5) as an axis, and the surface 61Aa3 or 61Aa4 (see FIG. 5) may be abutted against the upper end (first contact surface 20Ac) of the first contact portion 20Aa. The first terminal 20A may also be rotated 90 degrees around the longitudinal direction of the harness 60A (the x-axis direction in FIG. 2) as an axis, and the surface 61Aa1 (see FIG. 5) may be abutted against the flat surface 20Aa1 (or surface 20Aa2) of the first contact portion 20Aa. In these cases, the shapes of other components, including the first housing 10A and the second housing 50A, are changed as appropriate to accommodate the desired shape arrangement.

[0053] Therefore, in the connecting body 1A of this embodiment, as long as the first contact portion 20Aa and the second contact portion 61Aa can be directly joined, at least one of the pair of first contact portions 20Aa and the pair of second contact portions 61Aa may be arranged so that they stand up ``along'' the insertion direction of the bolt 80A, or at least one of the pair of first contact portions 20Aa and the pair of second contact portions 61Aa may be arranged so that they stand up ``against'' the insertion direction of the bolt 80A.

[0054] <<Second embodiment>> A connecting body according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 11 shows an example of a connecting body according to the second embodiment, with A being a perspective view, B being a plan view, and C being a left side view. Fig. 12 shows connecting body 1B, with A being a bottom view, B being a front view, and C being a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 11B. Fig. 13 shows connecting body 1B, with A being a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ in Fig. 11B and B being a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 11C. Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of connecting body 1B.

[0055] In the first embodiment, the first housing 10A positions the first terminal 20A, the second housing 50A positions the second terminal 61A, and the first terminal 20A and the second terminal 61A are directly joined together. The connection body of the present disclosure may be a connection body 1B according to a second embodiment described below, which does not use the first housing 10A or the second housing 50A.

[0056] 11, 12, and 14, the connecting body 1B in this embodiment is composed of a first metal plate 30B, a first insulating plate 10B, a pair of first terminals 20B, a pair of harnesses 60B, a second insulating plate 50B, a second metal plate 70B, a bolt 80B, and a nut 40B. Note that the nut 40B is not shown in FIG. 14.

[0057] (First metal plate 30B) As shown in FIG. 14, the first metal plate 30B is a metal plate based on a thin, flat, approximately rectangular plate. In this example, the first metal plate 30B is made of stainless steel. The first metal plate 30B has a pair of first cutout portions 30Ba near the center of both ends in the short side direction (the y-axis direction in FIG. 14). The first metal plate 30B has a first bolt insertion portion 30Bb between the pair of first cutout portions 30Ba, through which a bolt 80B can be inserted. The first metal plate 30B presses the first terminal 20A via the first insulating plate 10B.

[0058] (First insulating plate 10B) As shown in FIG. 14, the first insulating plate 10B is an insulating plate based on a thin, rectangular flat plate. In this example, the first insulating plate 10B is made of glass epoxy resin. The first insulating plate 10B has a pair of second cutout portions 10Ba near the center of both ends in the short-side direction (the y-axis direction in FIG. 14). The second cutout portions 10Ba are provided in positions facing the pair of first cutout portions 30Ba when the first insulating plate 10B is mounted on the first metal plate 30B. The first insulating plate 10B has second bolt insertion portions 10Bb between the pair of second cutout portions 10Ba, through which a bolt 80B can be inserted. The second bolt insertion portions 10Bb are provided in positions facing the first bolt insertion portions 30Bb when the first insulating plate 10B is mounted on the first metal plate 30B.

[0059] The first insulating plate 10B is disposed between the first contact portion 20Ba of the first terminal 20B and the first metal plate 30B to insulate them from each other and also presses the first terminal 20A with the pressing force of the first metal plate 30B. In this example, the first insulating plate 10B has a thickness h2 that is at least twice the thickness h1 of the first metal plate 30B (FIG. 13B), but otherwise has the same external shape as the first metal plate 30B. In this embodiment, the state in which the first insulating plate 10B is mounted on the first metal plate 30B with the pair of first cutouts 30Ba and the pair of second cutouts 10Ba facing each other is referred to as the first state. In this first state, the cutout formed by the first cutout 30Ba and the second cutout 10Ba is referred to as the third cutout 31Ba (FIGS. 12A and 13B). In this example, the connecting body 1B has a pair of third cutout portions 31Ba.

[0060] (1st terminal 20B) Each of the first terminals 20B is a conductive flat plate having a base portion 20Bb and a first contact portion 20Ba, as shown in Fig. 14. In this example, the first terminals 20B are made of copper.

[0061] In the first state described above, the base portion 20Bb has a flat plate shape that can be inserted into the third notch portion 31Ba formed by the first notch portion 30Ba and the second notch portion 10Ba. In this example, the base portion 20Bb forms a rectangular flat plate. In this example, the base portion 20Bb has a hole 20Bg located slightly lower from the center (toward the -z direction in FIG. 11) that can be used to connect to another component.

[0062] The first contact portion 20Ba is connected to one end of the base portion 20Bb in the longitudinal direction (z-axis direction in Figure 11) and has a flat plate shape that extends on both sides of the width direction (x-axis direction in Figure 11) of the base portion 20Bb with a width wider than the width of the third cutout portion 31Ba and tapers toward the upper side (+z direction side in Figure 11).

[0063] The first terminal 20B and the first metal plate 30B are spaced apart at a predetermined distance from each other and do not come into contact with each other when the connecting body 1B is assembled. In this example, there is a gap L2 in the length direction of the connecting body 1B (the x-axis direction in FIG. 11C) and a gap W2 in the width direction of the connecting body 1B (the y-axis direction in FIG. 13B). A first insulating plate 10B with a thickness h2 is provided between the first metal plate 30B and the first contact portion 20Ba to prevent short circuits in the z-axis direction. Gaps L2 and W2 are provided between the first terminal 20B and the first metal plate 30B to prevent short circuits in the x-axis and y-axis directions.

[0064] (Harness 60B) As shown in FIG. 14, the harness 60B includes a cable 62B and a second terminal 61B. The cable 62B includes a copper wire 62Ba made of a copper alloy and insulating materials 62Bb and 62Bc covering the copper wire 62Ba. The copper wire 62Ba is exposed at one end of the cable 62B. The exposed copper wire 62Ba forms the second terminal 61B, which includes a cross-sectionally varying portion that gradually changes from a circular to a rectangular shape and a thin, approximately rectangular parallelepiped portion extending from the cross-sectional portion to the tip. The second terminal 61B is formed of a thin copper plate. In this embodiment, the gradually varying portion and the approximately rectangular parallelepiped portion are collectively referred to as the second terminal 61B. The approximately rectangular parallelepiped portion is also referred to as the second contact portion 61Ba. In this example, the second contact portion 61Ba is solidified by compaction processing. That is, each of the pair of second terminals 61B is composed of multiple core wires (copper wires), and each of the second contact portions 61Ba is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped by compacting the core wires. As shown in FIG. 12B, the second contact portion 61Ba has a surface 61Ba1 in the horizontal direction (the y-axis direction in FIG. 12) and a surface 61Ba2 on the opposite side, thereby constituting a thickness h. The second contact portion 61Ba has surfaces 61Ba3 and 61Ba4 at both ends in the short direction (the z-axis direction). The pair of harnesses 60B in this example are arranged in parallel so as to be line-symmetrical to each other. That is, the surfaces 61Ba1 face inward, and the surfaces 61Ba2 face outward. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, when the connecting body 1B is assembled, both of the surfaces of the end of the second contact portion 61Ba facing downward are referred to as surfaces 61Ba3, and both of the surfaces of the end facing upward are referred to as surfaces 61Ba4 (FIG. 12B). That is, the pair of second terminals 61B have, in each of the pair of first terminals 20B, flat-plate-shaped second contact portions 61Ba that can be mounted on the end (first contact surface 20Bc) of the first contact portion 20Ba opposite the base portion 20Bb.

[0065] (Second insulating plate 50B) The second insulating plate 50B is an insulating plate based on a thin, flat, rectangular plate. In this example, the second insulating plate 50B is made of glass epoxy resin. As shown in FIG. 14, the second insulating plate 50B is composed of a pair of first pressing portions 50Ba and a first connecting portion 50Bc that connects the pair of first pressing portions 50Ba.

[0066] The first pressing portion 50Ba is an area that can be mounted on the surface of the second contact portion 61Ba of each of the pair of second terminals 61B, on the side opposite to the first terminal 20B.

[0067] A third bolt insertion portion 50Bb, into which the bolt 80B can be inserted, is provided in the center of the first coupling portion 50Bc. The third bolt insertion portion 50Bb is provided at a position opposite the second bolt insertion portion 10Bb in the first state when the connecting body 1B is assembled.

[0068] (Second metal plate 70B) The second metal plate 70B is a metal plate based on a thin, rectangular flat plate. In this example, the second metal plate 70B is made of stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 14 , the second metal plate 70B is composed of a pair of second pressing portions 70Ba and a second connecting portion 70Bc connecting the pair of second pressing portions 70Ba. The second pressing portion 70Ba is a region of each of the pair of first pressing portions 50Ba that can be mounted on the first pressing portion 50Ba on the side opposite the second contact portion 61Ba. A fourth bolt insertion portion 70Bb, through which a bolt 80B can be inserted, is provided in the center of the second connecting portion 70Bc. The fourth bolt insertion portion 70Bb is provided in a position facing the third bolt insertion portion 50Bb when the connecting body 1B is assembled.

[0069] <How to connect connector 1B> The connecting method of the connecting body 1B can be performed by assembling the connecting body 1B through the following steps (1) to (6), for example. However, the steps of the connecting method of the connecting body 1B are not limited to the steps below.

[0070] (1) The first insulating plate 10B is mounted on the first metal plate 30B with the pair of first cutout portions 30Ba and the pair of second cutout portions 10Ba facing each other (this is referred to as the first state described above).

[0071] (2) In the first state, the base 20Bb of the first terminal 20B is inserted into the third cutout 31Ba. The upper side (the +z direction in FIG. 14) is the first contact portion 20Ba, and the lower side (the −z direction in FIG. 14) is the base portion 20Bb. To prevent a short circuit between the first terminal 20B and the first metal plate 30B, the first terminal 20B and the first metal plate 30B are adjusted to have a predetermined distance between them without contacting each other when the connecting body 1B is assembled. In this example, the connecting body 1B is installed so that a gap of L2 is provided in the length direction (the x-axis direction in FIG. 12C) and a gap of W2 is provided in the width direction (the y-axis direction in FIG. 13B) of the connecting body 1B.

[0072] (3) The harness 60B is mounted so that the surface 61Ba3 abuts on the end (first contact surface 20Bc) on the upper side (+z direction side in FIG. 14) of the first contact portion 20Ba.

[0073] (4) The first pressing portions 50Ba are mounted on the surfaces 61Ba4 of the second contact portions 61Ba.

[0074] (5) The second metal plate 70B is mounted on the second insulating plate 50B so that the first pressing portion 50Ba and the second pressing portion 70Ba come into contact with each other.

[0075] (6) A bolt 80B is inserted through the fourth bolt insertion portion 70Bb, the third bolt insertion portion 50Bb, the second bolt insertion portion 10Bb, and the first bolt insertion portion 30Bb from the second metal plate 70B side, a nut 40B is attached to the bolt 80B from the first metal plate 30B side, and the bolt 80B and the nut 40B are tightened.

[0076] When the connecting body 1B is assembled, the first bolt insertion portion 30Bb faces the second bolt insertion portion 10Bb, the second bolt insertion portion 10Bb faces the third bolt insertion portion 50Bb, and the third bolt insertion portion 50Bb faces the fourth bolt insertion portion 70Bb. That is, the relative positional relationship between the first bolt insertion portion 30Bb, the second bolt insertion portion 10Bb, the third bolt insertion portion 50Bb, and the fourth bolt insertion portion 70Bb allows for fastening by inserting a bolt 80B. In the connecting body 1B of the present disclosure, the first contact portions 20Ba and the second contact portions 61Ba are electrically connected to each other by fastening with the bolt 80B.

[0077] In other words, the relative positional relationship between the first bolt insertion portion 30Bb, the second bolt insertion portion 10Bb, the third bolt insertion portion 50Bb, and the fourth bolt insertion portion 70Bb is as follows. That is, in a first state in which a pair of first cutout portions 30Ba and second cutout portions 10Ba are opposed to each other and the first insulating plate 10B is mounted on the first metal plate 30B, the base portions 20Bb of the first terminals 20B are inserted into the third cutout portions 31Ba, the second terminals 61B are mounted on the ends of the first contact portions 20Ba, the first pressing portions 50Ba are mounted on the ends of the second contact portions 61Ba, and the second pressing portions 70Ba are mounted on the first pressing portions 50Ba, the positional relationship allows one bolt (bolt 80B) to be inserted and fastened, and this fastening ensures that the first contact portions 20Ba and the second contact portions 61Ba are electrically connected to each other.

[0078] The connecting body 1B of this embodiment is configured to directly connect the first terminal 20B and the second terminal 61B using a first metal plate 30B, a first insulating plate 10B, a second insulating plate 50B, and a second metal plate 70B. This direct connection is configured to be achieved using a single bolt 80B (and nut 40B). Therefore, a separate metal fitting, such as the second terminal fitting body 86 of Patent Document 1, is not required to connect the terminals. Furthermore, the first terminal 20B and the second terminal 61B are directly connected to each other for electrical continuity. Patent Document 1 employs a structure in which the connection is achieved using a clip spring 88 as an elastic member. Spring contact requires plating to reduce contact resistance. The connecting body 1B achieves electrical continuity between the first terminal 20B and the second terminal 61B through direct connection, and high contact force is achieved by the bolt fastening force, significantly reducing electrical resistance, thereby eliminating the need for plating. Therefore, the connection body 1B of the present disclosure also suppresses an increase in the number of parts and realizes a connection that can withstand a large current.

[0079] In this embodiment, the harness 60B is mounted so that the surface 61Ba3 abuts on the upper end (first contact surface 20Bc) of the first contact portion 20Ba (the +z direction side in FIG. 12). However, the connection between the first contact portion 20Ba and the second contact portion 61Ba is not limited to this. For example, the harness 60B may be rotated 90 degrees around the longitudinal direction of the harness 60B (the x-axis direction in FIG. 12) as an axis, so that the surface 61Ba1 or the surface 61Ba2 abuts on the upper end (first contact surface 20Bc) of the first contact portion 20Ba. Alternatively, the first terminal 20B may be rotated 90 degrees around the longitudinal direction of the harness 60B (the x-axis direction in FIG. 13) as an axis, so that the surface 61Ba3 (see FIG. 12) abuts on the flat surface 20Ba1 (or surface 20Ba2) of the first terminal 20B. In these cases, the shapes of the first insulating plate 10B, the first metal plate 30B, the second insulating plate 50B, and the second metal plate 70B will be changed as appropriate to match the arrangement value position of the shape while ensuring strength and insulation properties.

[0080] Therefore, in the connecting body 1B of this embodiment, as long as the first contact portion 20Ba and the second contact portion 61Ba can be directly joined, at least one of the pair of first contact portions 20Ba and the pair of second contact portions 61Ba may be arranged so that they stand up ``along'' the insertion direction of the bolt 80B, or at least one of them may be arranged so that they stand up ``against'' the insertion direction of the bolt 80B.

[0081] <<Modification of the Second Embodiment>> In the second embodiment, if the first insulating plate 10B can be formed to have rigidity equal to or greater than that of the first terminal 20B and the first metal plate 30B, the first metal plate 30B may not be used. If the second insulating plate 50B can be formed to have rigidity equal to or greater than that of the second terminal 61B and the second metal plate 70B, the first metal plate 30B may not be used.

[0082] In this case, the connection method of the connecting body 1B can be performed by assembling the connecting body 1B through the following steps (1) to (5), for example. However, the steps of the connection method of the connecting body 1B of this modified example are not limited to the steps below.

[0083] (1) Prepare a first insulating plate 10B, a first terminal 20B, a second terminal 61B, and a second insulating plate 50B.

[0084] (2) The base portions 20Bb of the first terminals 20B are inserted into the second cutout portions 10Ba.

[0085] (3) Each of the second terminals 61B is mounted on the end (first contact surface 20Bc) of each of the first contact portions 20Ba.

[0086] (4) Each of the first pressing portions 50Ba is mounted on the end portion (surface 61Ba4) of each of the second contact portions 61Ba.

[0087] (5) The bolt 80B is inserted through the third bolt insertion portion 50Bb and the second bolt insertion portion 10Bb from the second insulating plate 50B side, and the nut 40B is attached to the bolt 80B from the first insulating plate 10B side, and the bolt 80B and the nut 40B are tightened.

[0088] In the first insulating plate 10B and second insulating plate 50B of the above-described modified example, if only the first insulating plate 10B has high rigidity, a second metal plate 70B may be provided on the second insulating plate 50B side. If only the second insulating plate 50B has high rigidity, a first metal plate 30B may be provided on the first insulating plate 10B side.

[0089] The first embodiment, the second embodiment, and modifications of the second embodiment have been described above. In this disclosure, copper is given as an example of a conductive member, stainless steel is given as an example of a metal, and resin or glass epoxy resin is given as an example of an insulating material. However, the connector of this disclosure is not limited to the specific materials given as examples, and other materials may be used as long as they fall within the range of the conductive members, metal members, insulating members, etc. described in this disclosure. Needless to say, the connector described above can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1A, 1B Connector 10A First housing 10Aa First hole 10Ab, 10Bb Second bolt insertion section 10Ac base 10Ac1 top surface 10Ad flange 10Ae shutter cover 10Af Wall 10Ag Boss 10Ah hole 10Ai hole 10Aj Convex portion 10B First insulating plate 10Ba Second notch 100A Elastic member 111A First sealing member 112A Second sealing member 113A Collar 114A Sealing material 115A Sealing material 116A Cable retainer 117A Cover 2A Header 20A, 20B First terminal 20Aa, 20Ba First contact part 20Aa1,20Aa2,20Ae1,20Ba1,20Ba2 surface 20Ab Extension portion 20Ac, 20Bc First contact surface 20Ad convex part 20Ae hole part 20Af surface 20Ag,20Bg hole part 20Ah End 20Bb Base 3A Plug harness 30A First retaining member 30Aa: First pressing portion 30Ab, 30Bb: First bolt insertion portion 30Ac,30Bc,90Ac Connection part 30B 1st metal plate 30Ba First notch 31Ba Third notch 40A, 40B Nut 50A Second housing 50Aa Second hole 50Ab, 50Bb Third bolt insertion section 50Ac opening 50Ad groove 50Ad1 side 50Ae top side 50Af Convex part 50B Second insulating plate 50Ba First pressing part 50Bc First connecting part 60A, 60B Harness 61A, 61B 2nd terminal 61Aa, 61Ba Second contact part 61Aa1, 61Aa2, 61Aa3, 61Aa4 faces 61Ba,61Ba2,61Ba3,61Ba4 surface 62A, 62B Cable 62A 62Aa, 62Ba Copper wire 62Ab, 62Bb, 62Bc Insulation material 70A Second holding member 70Aa Second pressing portion 70Ab, 70Bb Fourth bolt insertion portion 70B Second metal plate 70Ba Second pressing portion 70Bc Second connection part 80A, 85A, 80B Bolts 90A Shutter material 90Aa Shutter part 90Ab 5th bolt insertion part 90Ac Connection part 90Ad Rib 90Ae Recess d1, d2, d3 diameter h1, h2, h3 thickness L length W width L2,W2 gap

Claims

1. a first insulating plate having a pair of second cutout portions provided at both ends and a second bolt insertion portion provided between the pair of second cutout portions; a pair of first terminals each having a flat base portion insertable into the second cutout portion, and a flat first contact portion connected to one end of the base portion in the length direction and extending on both sides of the base portion in the width direction with a width wider than the width of the second cutout portion; a pair of second terminals, each of the pair of first terminals having a flat second contact portion that can be mounted on an end of the first contact portion opposite to the base portion; a second insulating plate having, for each of the pair of second terminals, a pair of first pressing portions that can be mounted on a surface of the second contact portion opposite to the first terminal, a first connecting portion that connects the pair of first pressing portions, and a third bolt insertion portion provided on the first connecting portion; and a positional relationship between the second bolt insertion portion and the third bolt insertion portion such that, when the base portions of the first terminals are inserted into the second cutout portions, the second terminals are mounted on the ends of the first contact portions, and the first pressing portions are mounted on the ends of the second contact portions, the second bolt insertion portion and the third bolt insertion portion can be fastened by inserting one bolt therethrough, and the first contact portions and the second contact portions are electrically connected by the fastening. Connection body.

2. a first metal plate having a pair of first notched portions provided at both ends and a first bolt insertion portion provided between the pair of first notched portions; a first insulating plate having, when mounted on the first metal plate, a pair of second notched portions provided at positions facing the pair of first notched portions, and a second bolt insertion portion provided between the pair of second notched portions; a pair of first terminals each including a flat base portion insertable into a third cutout portion formed by the first cutout portion and the second cutout portion in a first state in which the pair of first cutout portions and the pair of second cutout portions face each other and the first insulating plate is mounted on the first metal plate; and a flat first contact portion connected to one end of the base in the longitudinal direction and extending on both sides of the base in the width direction with a width wider than that of the third cutout portion; a pair of second terminals, each of the pair of first terminals having a flat second contact portion that can be mounted on an end of the first contact portion opposite to the base portion; a second insulating plate having, for each of the pair of second terminals, a pair of first pressing portions that can be mounted on a surface of the second contact portion opposite to the first terminal, a first connecting portion that connects the pair of first pressing portions, and a third bolt insertion portion provided on the first connecting portion; a second metal plate including, in each of the pair of first pressing portions, a pair of second pressing portions that can be mounted on the first pressing portion on the side opposite to the second contact portion, a second connecting portion that connects the pair of second pressing portions, and a fourth bolt insertion portion provided on the second connecting portion; and a positional relationship between the first to fourth bolt insertion portions such that in the first state, the base portions of the first terminals are inserted into the third notches, the second terminals are mounted on the ends of the first contact portions, the first pressing portions are mounted on the ends of the second contact portions, and the second pressing portions are mounted on the first pressing portions, the first to fourth bolt insertion portions are in a positional relationship such that they can be fastened by inserting one bolt therethrough, and the fastening brings the first contact portions and the second contact portions into electrical conduction, Connection body.

3. 3. The connection body according to claim 2, wherein the first terminal and the first metal plate are spaced apart from each other without contacting each other.

4. A connector comprising a header and a plug harness fitted to the header, The header may be: a first housing made of an insulating material having a pair of first hole portions formed parallel to each other and penetrating the first housing, and a second bolt insertion portion formed parallel to the pair of first hole portions between the pair of first hole portions; a pair of first terminals each having a first contact surface at one end and a flat-plate-shaped first contact portion insertable into each of the first hole portions from the first contact surface side; a first pressing member made of an insulating material, the first pressing member having a pair of first pressing portions for pressing each of the first terminals from a surface side opposite to the first contact surface toward the first contact surface in a first state in which each of the first terminals is inserted into each of the first hole portions with the first contact surface first, a connecting portion for connecting the first pressing portions, and a first bolt insertion portion provided on the connecting portion; The plug harness is a second housing made of an insulating material that can be fitted with the first housing, the second housing having: a pair of second hole portions that are provided in parallel so that at least a portion of the second hole portions faces the first contact surface when the plug harness is fitted to the header; openings that include a portion of each of the second hole portions and open in one direction of a first axis that intersects with the hole direction of the second hole portions; and a third bolt insertion portion that is provided between the pair of second hole portions and in parallel to the first axis; a pair of second terminals each having a flat-plate-shaped second contact portion at one end that can be inserted into each of the second holes; a second pressing member including a second pressing portion for pressing a predetermined region of a first surface, which is an outer surface of the second housing and on which the third bolt insertion portion is provided, in the one direction, and a fourth bolt insertion portion that passes through the second pressing portion; Equipped with a second state in which the pair of first pressing portions are capable of pressing the first terminals, the pair of second terminals are inserted into the pair of second hole portions, the first housing and the second housing are fitted together with the first hole portions and the openings facing each other, the second pressing portions of the second pressing member are mounted on the predetermined region, and the first pressing portions of the first pressing member are capable of abutting against the surfaces of the first terminals opposite to the first contact surfaces, the first to fourth bolt insertion portions are in a positional relationship in which one bolt can be inserted and fastened, and the fastening brings the first contact portions and the second contact portions into electrical conduction, Connection body.

5. 5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the pair of first contact portions and the pair of second contact portions is provided so as to stand upright along the insertion direction of the bolt.

6. 5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein each of the pair of second terminals is made up of a plurality of core wires, and each of the second contact portions is formed by compacting the core wires.

7. Each of the first contact portions is provided to be in an upright position relative to the first pressing member, The connector further includes a shutter member having a pair of shutter portions that cover the periphery of one end of each of the first contact portions while exposing the end. The connector according to claim 4.

8. The shutter member has a connecting portion connecting the pair of shutter portions and a fifth bolt insertion portion provided at the connecting portion through which the bolt can be inserted, An elastic member is provided between the first pressing member and the connecting portion, Before the fastening is completed, the shutter member is pressed by the elastic member, and the end of the shutter portion is positioned on the pressing direction side of the first pressing portion relative to the end of the first contact portion, and during the period from before the fastening is completed to when the fastening is completed, the shutter member moves to a position where the end of the first contact portion can be electrically connected to the second contact. The connector according to claim 7.

9. The connector according to claim 8 , further comprising a waterproof member provided on the second pressing member side of the third bolt insertion portion.

10. a first insulating plate having a pair of second cutout portions provided at both ends and a second bolt insertion portion provided between the pair of second cutout portions; a pair of first terminals each having a flat base portion insertable into the second cutout portion, and a flat first contact portion connected to one end of the base portion in the length direction and extending on both sides of the base portion in the width direction with a width wider than the width of the second cutout portion; a pair of second terminals, each of the pair of first terminals having a flat second contact portion that can be mounted on an end of the first contact portion opposite to the base portion; a second insulating plate is provided, the second insulating plate having a pair of first pressing portions that can be mounted on a surface of the second contact portion opposite to the first terminal, a first connecting portion that connects the pair of first pressing portions, and a third bolt insertion portion provided on the first connecting portion, for each of the pair of second terminals; inserting the base portions of the first terminals into the second notches; each of the second terminals is mounted on an end of each of the first contact portions; each of the first pressing portions is mounted on an end portion of each of the second contact portions; a bolt is inserted from the third bolt insertion portion to the second bolt insertion portion to electrically connect the first contact portions to the second contact portions; How the connector is connected.

11. a first housing made of an insulating material having a pair of first hole portions provided in parallel through the first housing and a first bolt insertion portion provided between the pair of first hole portions in parallel to the pair of first hole portions; a pair of first terminals each having a first contact surface at one end and a flat-plate-shaped first contact portion insertable into each of the first holes from the first contact surface; a first pressing member made of an insulating material, the first pressing member having a pair of first pressing portions for pressing each of the first terminals toward the first contact surface from a surface side opposite to the first contact surface in a first state in which each of the first terminals is inserted into each of the first hole portions with the first contact surface first; a connecting portion for connecting the first pressing portions; and a second bolt insertion portion provided on the connecting portion; a second housing made of an insulating material, the second housing having a pair of second hole portions provided in parallel, openings that encompass parts of the second hole portions and open in a first direction that intersects with the hole direction of the second hole portions, and a third bolt insertion portion that is provided between the pair of second hole portions in the first direction; a pair of second terminals each having a flat-plate-shaped second contact portion at one end that can be inserted into each of the second holes; a second pressing member including a second pressing portion for pressing a predetermined region of a first surface, which is an outer surface of the second housing and on which the third bolt insertion portion is provided, toward the second hole portion, and a fourth bolt insertion portion that passes through the second pressing portion; Prepare In the first state, the first housing and the second housing are fitted together with the first holes and the openings facing each other, The second pressing portion of the second pressing member is mounted on the first surface; the first pressing portions of the first pressing members are joined to the surfaces of the first terminals; inserting one bolt through the first to fourth bolt insertion portions to electrically connect the first contact portions to the second contact portions; How the connector is connected.

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