Shell and connector

Abstract

We provide a shell that allows us to keep the manufacturing costs of the connector low. [Solution] The shell of one embodiment is a shell attached to a housing having a terminal housing portion in which terminals are housed, a conductive portion housing portion arranged adjacent to the terminal housing portion in which a part of a conductive portion extending from the terminal is housed, and an opening that opens the terminal housing portion and the conductive portion housing portion to the outside in a first intersecting direction that intersects the arrangement direction of the terminal housing portion and the conductive portion housing portion, comprising a first shell that covers at least a first opening corresponding to the terminal housing portion and a second shell that covers at least a second opening corresponding to the conductive portion housing portion, wherein the first shell and the second shell are rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in the first intersecting direction, and the first shell and the second shell are detachably arranged relative to each other in a state in which they can move in the first intersecting direction and whose movement in the radial direction with respect to the axis is restricted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a shell and a connector.

Background Art

[0002] A connector having a terminal, a housing that houses the terminal and a conductive part (bus bar or electric wire) extending from the terminal, and a shell that covers an opening of the housing is known. The opening of the housing is a part of the housing that opens both the terminal housing part (terminal housing part) and the conductive part housing part (conductive part housing part) in the housing to the outside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this type of connector, depending on the application, the direction of the conductive part extending from the terminal (the extension direction of the conductive part) inside the housing may change. Due to such circumstances, a plurality of types of housings with different extension directions of the conductive part housing part with respect to the terminal housing part are prepared according to various applications of the connector. Conventionally, since a plurality of types of shells corresponding to these plurality of types of housings are prepared, the manufacturing cost of the connector including the housing and the shell becomes high.

[0005] One embodiment provides a shell and a connector capable of suppressing the manufacturing cost of the connector to a low level.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A shell in one embodiment is a shell attached to a housing having a terminal housing portion in which terminals are housed, a conductive portion housing portion arranged adjacent to the terminal housing portion in which a part of a conductive portion extending from the terminal is housed, and an opening that opens the terminal housing portion and the conductive portion housing portion to the outside in a first intersecting direction that intersects the arrangement direction of the terminal housing portion and the conductive portion housing portion, comprising a first shell covering at least a first opening corresponding to the terminal housing portion and a second shell covering at least a second opening corresponding to the conductive portion housing portion, wherein the first shell and the second shell are rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in the first intersecting direction, and the first shell and the second shell are detachably arranged to be movable in the first intersecting direction and immovable in the radial direction with respect to the axis.

[0007] One embodiment of the connector comprises the shell, the terminals, and the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the shell and connector of one embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing cost of the connector can be kept low. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A perspective view from the front of a cable routing unit including a connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] An exploded perspective view from the front of a connector according to one embodiment, showing the shell removed from the housing. [Figure 3] An exploded perspective view from the rear of a connector according to one embodiment, with the shell removed from the housing. [Figure 4] Figures 2 and 3 show exploded perspective views of the shell as seen from the front. [Figure 5] Figures 2 and 3 show a front view of the shell as seen from the front. [Figure 6]Figure 5 shows a front view of the shell in which the second shell has been rotated by a predetermined angle relative to the first shell, as seen from the front. [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows a front view of the shell with the housing attached, as seen from the front. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted.

[0011] In this disclosure, terms are defined as follows: “Connection” may include electrical connections, not just mechanical ones. “Connection” may include cases where two elements to be connected are directly connected, not just cases where two elements to be connected are connected with another element in between. “Restrict” is not limited to cases where two members are always in contact, thereby restricting the movement of one of the two members relative to the other. “Restrict” may include cases where, for example, two members are not in contact when there is no displacement, but when one of the two members attempts to displace relative to the other, the two members come into contact, thereby restricting the movement of one of the two members relative to the other. “Restrict” also means that movement in at least one direction is restricted.

[0012] In this disclosure, the +X direction, -X direction, +Y direction, -Y direction, +Z direction, and -Z direction are defined as follows: The +X direction is the direction in which the shell 6 and housing 5 of the connector 3 are aligned in order (see Figures 1 to 3). The -X direction is the opposite direction of the +X direction. When the +X direction and -X direction are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "X direction". The Y direction is the direction that intersects (e.g., is orthogonal to) the X direction. The +Y direction is the direction from one of the two terminals 4 of the connector 3 to the other (see Figures 1 and 2). The -Y direction is the opposite direction of the +Y direction. When the +Y direction and -Y direction are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Y direction". The +Z direction is the direction that intersects (e.g., is orthogonal to) the X direction and the Y direction. The +Z direction is the direction in which the conductive part housing 52 and terminal housing 51 of the housing 5 are aligned in order (see Figure 3). The -Z direction is the opposite direction of the +Z direction. When the +Z direction and the -Z direction are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Z direction." The Z direction is an example of the "arrangement direction of the terminal housing section 51 and the conductive section housing section 52." The X direction is an example of the "first intersecting direction" that intersects the arrangement direction. Furthermore, for the sake of explanation, the +X direction side may be referred to as the "front side" and the -X direction side as the "rear side" below.

[0013] <1. Connectors> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 3 of one embodiment is a component for electrically connecting an electric wire 2 to a mating connector (not shown). The connector 3 is used in vehicles such as EVs (Electric Vehicles), HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles), or PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). The connector 3 is a high-voltage connector through which a current of 100V or more flows. The connector 3 of this embodiment is a connector 3 that corresponds to two electrodes. However, the connector 3 may also be a connector 3 that corresponds to one electrode, or a connector 3 that corresponds to three or more electrodes.

[0014] The connector 3 includes a terminal 4, a housing 5, a shell 6, a first fastening member 71, and a second fastening member 72. The connector 3 constitutes a wiring unit 1 together with an electric wire 2 (conductive portion) connected to the terminal 4 of the connector 3.

[0015] <2. Terminal> The terminal 4 is housed in a terminal housing portion 51 of the housing 5 described later. In the connector 3 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, two terminals 4 are arranged in the Y direction in the terminal housing portion 51. The number of terminals 4 in the connector 3 is not limited to two and may be arbitrary. Also, the arrangement of the plurality of terminals 4 in the terminal housing portion 51 may be arbitrary.

[0016] <3. Housing> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 5 is made of a material having electrical insulation properties (for example, a synthetic resin material). The housing 5 has a terminal housing portion 51, a conductive portion housing portion 52, an opening portion 53, an insulating wall 54, a first attachment portion 55, and a second attachment portion 56.

[0017] <4. Terminal housing portion> The terminal housing portion 51 is a space inside the housing 5 that houses the terminal 4 described above. The terminal housing portion 51 of the present embodiment is a space inside a cylindrical portion 57 that extends in the X direction and has openings at both ends. With such a configuration, the terminal housing portion 51 opens to the first end 571 side of the cylindrical portion 57 located on the front side (+X direction side) and the second end 572 side of the cylindrical portion 57 located on the rear side (-X direction side).

[0018] The portion on the first end 571 side of the cylindrical portion 57 is a fitting portion that fits into a mating connector. The terminal 4 housed in the terminal housing portion 51 is exposed to the outside of the housing 5 through the opening on the first end 571 side of the cylindrical portion 57. With such a configuration, in a state where the portion on the first end 571 side of the cylindrical portion 57 is fitted to a mating connector, the terminal 4 is connected to a terminal (not shown) of the mating connector. The opening on the second end 572 side of the cylindrical portion 57 is a first opening portion 531 that opens the terminal housing portion 51 to the outside from the rear side (-X direction side).

[0019] <5. Conductive component housing> As shown in Figure 3, the conductive part housing section 52 (wire housing section) is a space within the housing 5 that houses a portion of the wire 2 (conductive part) extending from the terminal 4 housed in the terminal housing section 51. The conductive part housing section 52 is positioned adjacent to the terminal housing section 51 and is immovable. The base end of the wire 2 adjacent to the terminal 4 is housed in the conductive part housing section 52, and the portion of the wire 2 extending further from the base end is pulled out to the outside of the conductive part housing section 52. In the following description, the direction in which the wire 2 extends within the conductive part housing section 52 may be referred to as the "extension direction of the conductive part housing section 52".

[0020] In this embodiment, the conductive part housing 52 is the space inside the guide portion 58 that guides the electric wire 2 extending from the terminal 4 in a predetermined direction. The guide portion 58 is formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 57. That is, the cylindrical portion 57 and the guide portion 58 are fixed so as not to move relative to each other. The guide portion 58 is connected to the portion of the cylindrical portion 57 on the second end 572 side. With this configuration, the conductive part housing 52 communicates with the terminal housing 51 on the second end 572 side of the cylindrical portion 57.

[0021] In this embodiment, the guide portion 58 extends from the cylindrical portion 57 in a direction intersecting the X direction. The guide portion 58 guides the electric wire 2 in the direction in which the guide portion 58 extends from the cylindrical portion 57. The extension direction of the guide portion 58 corresponds to the extension direction of the conductive portion housing portion 52. In the housing 5 illustrated in Figure 3, the guide portion 58, including the conductive portion housing portion 52, extends in an inclined direction such that it moves toward the +Y direction as it moves toward the -Z direction relative to the cylindrical portion 57, including the terminal housing portion 51. In addition, the housing 5 may have a guide portion 58 that, when viewed from the X direction, extends inclined so that it moves toward the -Y direction as it moves toward the -Z direction relative to the cylindrical portion 57. Alternatively, the guide portion 58 may extend from the cylindrical portion 57 in the -Z direction. The guide section 58 has a second opening 532 that opens the conductive section housing 52 to the outside of the housing 5 from the rear side (-X direction side).

[0022] The opening 53 of the housing 5 opens the terminal housing portion 51 and the conductive portion housing portion 52 described above to the outside in the -X direction (first intersecting direction). The opening 53 includes the first opening 531 and the second opening 532 described above.

[0023] <6. Insulating Wall> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the insulating wall 54 is located between adjacent terminals 4 in the terminal housing 51 to provide electrical insulation between adjacent terminals 4. Specifically, the insulating wall 54 is located between adjacent terminals 4 in the Y direction in the terminal housing 51. Furthermore, the insulating wall 54 is formed with the Y direction as the thickness direction and extending in the X and Z directions.

[0024] <7. Mounting section> The first mounting portion 55 and the second mounting portion 56 are parts of the housing 5 for fixing the shell 6 to the housing 5. In this embodiment, the first mounting portion 55 has a first mounting hole 551 through which the shaft portion of the first fastening member 71 used for mounting the shell 6 passes. The first mounting portion 55 is located on the second end 572 side of the cylindrical portion 57 and protrudes from the cylindrical portion 57 in a direction intersecting the X direction (the +Z direction in the illustrated example). The first mounting hole 551 penetrates the first mounting portion 55 in the X direction. In this embodiment, the first mounting portion 55 is integrally formed with the cylindrical portion 57 that constitutes the terminal housing portion 51 and is located away from the guide portion 58 that constitutes the conductive portion housing portion 52.

[0025] The second mounting portion 56 is formed at a different position from the first mounting portion 55. The second mounting portion 56 has a second mounting hole 561 used for mounting the shell 6. The second mounting portion 56 is located on the -Z side (second opening 532 side) of the guide portion 58. The second mounting portion 56 protrudes from the guide portion 58 in a direction intersecting the X direction (in the illustrated example, a direction intersecting the X direction and the extension direction of the conductive part housing portion 52). The second mounting hole 561 penetrates the second mounting portion 56 in the X direction. In this embodiment, the second mounting portion 56 is formed integrally with the guide portion 58 that constitutes the conductive part housing portion 52 and is located away from the cylindrical portion 57 that constitutes the terminal housing portion 51. Furthermore, the second mounting portion 56 is formed to be connected to the guide portion 58 at a position away from the first mounting portion 55.

[0026] <8. Shell> As shown in Figure 1, the shell 6 is attached to the housing 5 to cover the opening 53 of the housing 5 (see Figure 3). As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the shell 6 comprises a first shell 10 and a second shell 20. The first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are made of an electrically insulating material (e.g., synthetic resin material).

[0027] The first shell 10 covers at least the first opening 531 (see Figure 3) of the housing 5 that corresponds to the terminal housing portion 51. The second shell 20 covers at least the second opening 532 (see Figure 3) of the housing 5 that corresponds to the conductive portion housing portion 52. As shown in Figure 3, the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are rotatable relative to each other around an axis C1 extending in the X direction (first intersecting direction).

[0028] The configuration of the shell 6 in this embodiment will be described further below. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are aligned sequentially in the -Z direction. Also, the portion of the first shell 10 on the -Z direction side and the portion of the second shell 20 on the +Z direction side overlap in the X direction.

[0029] <9. First Shell> The first shell 10 of this embodiment has a first cover portion 11, a first side wall 12, and a first fastening portion 13. The first cover portion 11 is formed in a plate shape with the X direction as the plate thickness direction. The first cover portion 11 mainly covers the first opening 531 (see Figure 3) of the cylindrical portion 57 (terminal housing portion 51). The portion of the first cover portion 11 on the -Z direction side is the first overlapping portion 111 which overlaps with the second cover portion 21 of the second shell 20, which will be described later, in the X direction. The first overlapping portion 111 does not have an opening that penetrates in the X direction like a hole.

[0030] The first side wall 12 extends from a part of the periphery of the first cover portion 11 in the +X direction (one side in the thickness direction of the first cover portion 11). The first side wall 12 is located on the periphery of the first cover portion 11, excluding the edge portion on the -Z direction side adjacent to the second shell 20. In other words, an opening is formed in the portion of the first side wall 12 provided on the periphery of the first cover portion 11 on the -Z direction side.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the first side wall 12 includes a first inner surface 12a and an arc-shaped inner surface 12b. The first inner surface 12a is a surface that covers a portion of the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 57 when the shell 6 is attached to the housing 5. In this embodiment, the first inner surface 12a is formed on the portion of the first side wall 12 that is on the +Z direction side. Furthermore, the first inner surface 12a is formed in a concave shape that is recessed in the +Z direction when viewed from the X direction.

[0032] The arc-shaped inner surface 12b is a surface centered on axis C1, which is the relative rotation center between the first shell 10 and the second shell 20. In this embodiment, the arc-shaped inner surface 12b is formed on the portion of the first side wall 12 adjacent to the first inner surface 12a on the -Z direction side. Specifically, the arc-shaped inner surface 12b is formed in the -Z direction, connected to both ends of the first inner surface 12a, which is concave and recessed in the +Z direction when viewed from the X direction. With this configuration, the arc-shaped inner surface 12b is located at both ends of the first cover portion 11 in the Y direction. Furthermore, these two arc-shaped inner surfaces 12b face each other in the Y direction.

[0033] The first fastening portion 13 is a portion for fixing the housing 5 to the first shell 10. When the housing 5 is attached to the first shell 10, the first fastening portion 13 is adjacent to the first mounting portion 55 of the housing 5 on the -X direction side. The first fastening portion 13 is integrally formed with the first shell 10. The first fastening portion 13 protrudes from the outer surface of the first side wall 12 of the first shell 10 in a direction intersecting the X direction (the +Z direction in the illustrated example). In this embodiment, the first fastening portion 13 has a first fastening hole 13a. The first fastening hole 13a is formed extending in the -X direction from the +X side end of the first fastening portion 13. The first fastening hole 13a is formed without penetrating the first fastening portion 13 in the X direction. A female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first fastening hole 13a into which the shaft portion of the first fastening member 71 can be screwed.

[0034] <10. Second Shell> As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the second shell 20 of this embodiment has a second cover portion 21, a second side wall 22, and a second fastening portion 24. The positional relationships (directions) described below refer to the state shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0035] The second cover portion 21 is formed in a plate shape with the X direction as the plate thickness direction. The second cover portion 21 mainly covers the second opening 532 (see Figure 3) of the guide portion 58 (conductive portion housing portion 52). The portion of the second cover portion 21 on the +Z direction side is a second overlapping portion 211 that overlaps with the first cover portion 11 of the first shell 10 in the X direction. In this embodiment, the second overlapping portion 211 overlaps with the first overlapping portion 111 of the first cover portion 11 on the +X direction side (housing 5 side). The second overlapping portion 211 does not have an opening that penetrates in the X direction like a hole.

[0036] The second side wall 22 extends from a portion of the periphery of the second cover portion 21 in the +X direction (one side in the thickness direction of the second cover portion 21). The second side wall 22 is located only on the edges of the periphery of the second cover portion 21 in the Y direction, and not on the edges of the periphery in the Z direction. In other words, openings are formed in the portions of the second side wall 22 provided on the periphery of the second cover portion 21 on the +Z direction side and the -Z direction side.

[0037] An opening is formed in the -Z direction portion of the first side wall 12, and an opening is formed in the +Z direction portion of the second side wall 22, thereby enabling communication between the inner space of the first shell 10 and the inner space of the second shell 20. Furthermore, the opening in the -Z direction portion of the second side wall 22 allows the electric wire 2 to be pulled out to the outside of the guide portion 58 (housing 5) even when the shell 6 is attached to the housing 5.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the two second side walls 22 each include a second inner surface 22a, an arc outer surface 22b, and a second outer surface 22c, respectively. The two second inner surfaces 22a are the surfaces facing the outer surfaces of the guide portion 58 that face both sides in the Y direction when the shell 6 is attached to the housing 5. In this embodiment, each second inner surface 22a is formed at the -Z direction end of each second side wall 22.

[0039] The two arc-shaped outer surfaces 22b are each surfaces centered on axis C1. In this embodiment, each arc-shaped outer surface 22b is formed at the end of the second side wall 22 on the +Z direction side. The arc-shaped outer surface 22b of the second side wall 22 makes surface contact with the arc-shaped inner surface 12b of the first side wall 12 when the second shell 20 is attached to the first shell 10. Furthermore, when the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are rotated relative to each other around axis C1, these arc-shaped inner surface 12b and arc-shaped outer surfaces 22b are slidable in the circumferential direction D1 around axis C1.

[0040] The second outer surface 22c is the portion extending in the -Z direction from the arc outer surface 22b. In other words, the second outer surface 22c is the portion of the second side wall 22 that is on the -Z direction side. That is, the second outer surface 22c is the portion that is continuous with the arc outer surface 22b. The second outer surface 22c extends in the X and Z directions, with the Y direction being the thickness direction. The second outer surface 22c is formed in a different shape from the arc outer surface 22b so that a corner is formed at the connection point with the arc outer surface 22b. In this embodiment, the second outer surface 22c is formed as a plane.

[0041] The second fastening portion 24 is a portion for fixing the housing 5 to the second shell 20. When the housing 5 is attached to the second shell 20, the second fastening portion 24 is adjacent to the second mounting portion 56 of the housing 5 on the -X direction side. The second fastening portion 24 is integrally formed with the second shell 20. The second fastening portion 24 protrudes in the Y direction from the outer surface of the second outer surface 22c of the second shell 20. The second fastening portion 24 protrudes in the Y direction from each of the two second outer surfaces 22c. In other words, two second fastening portions 24 are formed.

[0042] In this embodiment, each of the two second fastened portions 24 has a second fastening hole 24a. The second fastening hole 24a is formed extending in the -X direction from the +X side end of the second fastened portion 24. The second fastening hole 24a is formed without penetrating the second fastened portion 24 in the X direction. A female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second fastening hole 24a into which the shaft portion of the second fastening member 72 can be screwed.

[0043] <11. Fastening Members> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first fastening member 71 and the second fastening member 72 are members that fix the housing 5 and the shell 6 to each other in a way that prevents rotation. In this embodiment, one first fastening member 71 and two second fastening members 72 are arranged.

[0044] The first fastening member 71 can fasten the first shell 10 and the housing 5. That is, the first fastening member 71 fixes the first shell 10 and the housing 5 so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. The first fastening member 71 is positioned away from the second shell 20 when viewed from the X direction (first intersecting direction). The first fastening member 71 has a shaft portion that can be screwed into the first fastening hole 13a. The shaft portion of the first fastening member 71 can also be inserted through the first mounting hole 551.

[0045] The second fastening member 72 is positioned at a distance from the first fastening member 71 and can fasten the second shell 20 and the housing 5. That is, the second fastening member 72 fixes the second shell 20 and the housing 5 so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. When viewed from the X direction (first intersecting direction), the second fastening member 72 is positioned away from the first shell 10. The second fastening member 72 has a shaft portion that can be screwed into the second fastening hole 24a. Furthermore, the shaft portion of the second fastening member 72 can be inserted through the second mounting hole 561.

[0046] The housing 5 and shell 6 are fastened together by the first fastening member 71 and the second fastening member 72 as follows. Note that the order of installation and fastening described below is just one example and is not limited thereto.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the second shell 20 is fitted into the first shell 10 from the +X direction. At this time, the two shells are installed so that their relative rotation centers, axis C1, are aligned. Furthermore, no members are placed to directly fix the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 together. More specifically, when viewed from the X direction (first intersecting direction), no other members are placed in a position that overlaps with the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 to allow them to rotate around axis C1.

[0048] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are slidable (rotatable) in the circumferential direction D1 with respect to the axis C1. Furthermore, the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 cannot move relative to each other in the radial direction with respect to the axis C1 as the reference (center). That is, when the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are combined, their relative position is restricted to the radial direction with respect to the axis C1 as the reference (center). When the housing 5, the first fastening member 71, and the second fastening member 72 are not in place, the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are restricted from moving radially with respect to the axis C1, and are detachable (movable) from each other in the X direction (first intersecting direction).

[0049] As shown in Figure 6, the second shell 20 is rotated relative to the first shell 10 in the circumferential direction D1 around axis C1. In this state, the housing 5 of this embodiment is fitted onto the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 from the +X direction. The first fastening member 71 is positioned so that its first mounting portion 55 is sandwiched between the first shell 10. The second fastening member 72 is positioned so that its second mounting portion 56 is sandwiched between the second shell 20. Figure 7 shows the first fastening member 71 and the second fastening member 72 installed. The first fastening member 71 is positioned away from the second shell 20 when viewed from the X direction. The first fastening member 71 fixes the first shell 10 and the housing 5 so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. The second fastening member 72 is positioned away from the first shell 10 when viewed from the X direction. The second fastening member 72 fixes the second shell 20 and the housing 5 so that they cannot rotate relative to each other.

[0050] The first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are made immobile relative to the circumferential direction D1 around the axis C1 by the attachment of the housing 5. Furthermore, the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are fixed via the housing 5 by the first fastening member 71 and the second fastening member 72. That is, the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are fixed immobile relative to the circumferential direction D1 around the axis C1 by the housing 5, the first fastening member 71, and the second fastening member 72. In addition, relative movement of the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 in the X direction (first intersecting direction) is also restricted by the housing 5, the first fastening member 71, and the second fastening member 72.

[0051] <12. Advantages> According to this embodiment, the shell 6 covering the opening 53 of the housing 5 comprises a first shell 10 covering a first opening 531 corresponding to at least the terminal housing portion 51 of the opening 53, and a second shell 20 covering a second opening 532 corresponding to at least the conductive portion housing portion 52 of the opening 53. The first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are rotatable relative to each other about an axis C1 extending in the X direction (first intersecting direction). In other words, the direction in which the second shell 20, corresponding to the conductive portion housing portion 52, extends relative to the first shell 10, corresponding to the terminal housing portion 51, can be changed.

[0052] This configuration makes it possible to attach the same type of shell 6 to multiple types of housings 5, each having a different extension direction of the conductive part housing 52 relative to the terminal housing 51. For example, the same type of shell 6 can be attached to the first example housing 5-1 illustrated in Figures 1-3, 6, and 7, and the second example housing 5-2 illustrated in Figure 5. This point will be explained below.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, in the second example of housing 5-2, the guide portion 58, which includes the conductive portion housing 52, extends in the -Z direction relative to the cylindrical portion 57, which includes the terminal housing 51. In order to attach the shell 6 to the second example of housing 5-2, the relative rotational positions of the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are set such that the second shell 20 extends in the -Z direction relative to the first shell 10. By setting the relative rotational positions of the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 in this way, the shell 6 can be attached to the second example of housing 5-2.

[0054] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, in the first example of housing 5-1, the guide portion 58, which includes the conductive portion 52, extends in an inclined direction relative to the cylindrical portion 57, which includes the terminal portion 51, so that it moves toward the +Y direction as it moves toward the -Z direction. In order to attach the shell 6 to the first example of housing 5-1, the relative rotational positions of the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are set so that the second shell 20 extends toward the first shell 10 in the above-mentioned "inclined direction". By setting the relative rotational positions of the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 in this way, the shell 6 can be attached to the first example of housing 5-1.

[0055] From the above, since the same type of shell 6 can be used with various types of housing 5, the versatility of the shell 6 can be improved. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the connector 3, including the housing 5 and shell 6, can be kept low.

[0056] According to this embodiment, when viewed from the X direction (first intersecting direction), the shell 6 does not have any other members positioned to rotatably connect the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 around axis C1 in a position that overlaps with the first shell 10 and the second shell 20. This configuration makes it possible to construct a shell 6 that allows relative rotation between the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 while keeping the number of parts to a minimum.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the first shell 10 has an arc-shaped inner surface 12b centered on axis C1, and the second shell 20 has an arc-shaped outer surface 22b centered on axis C1. These arc-shaped inner surface 12b and arc-shaped outer surface 22b are in surface contact and slide in the circumferential direction D1 centered on axis C1. With this configuration, the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 can be rotated relative to each other smoothly and stably. In addition, relative rattle between the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 can be suppressed or prevented, thereby ensuring the overall integrity and strength of the shell 6.

[0058] Furthermore, because the inner surface 12b of the arc and the outer surface 22b of the arc are in surface contact, it is possible to suppress or prevent a gap from forming between the first shell 10 and the second shell 20, regardless of the relative rotational position of the first shell 10 and the second shell 20. As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent the terminal housing portion 51 and the conductive portion housing portion 52 of the housing 5 from communicating with the outside due to a gap between the first shell 10 and the second shell 20.

[0059] According to this embodiment, there is a first fastening member 71 that fastens the first shell 10 and the housing 5, and a second fastening member 72 that is positioned at a distance from the first fastening member 71 and fastens the second shell 20 and the housing 5. The first fastening member 71 fixes the first shell 10 and the housing 5. The second fastening member 72 fixes the second shell 20 and the housing 5. With this configuration, the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 are fixed to each other via the housing 5. Therefore, it is possible to fix the first shell 10 and the second shell 20 even if there is no member that directly connects the first shell 10 and the second shell 20.

[0060] <13. Variation> In the above-described embodiment, the first shell 10 has an arc-shaped inner surface 12b centered on axis C1, and the second shell 20 has an arc-shaped outer surface 22b centered on axis C1. However, for example, the first shell 10 may have an arc-shaped outer surface and the second shell 20 may have an arc-shaped inner surface. Then, these arc-shaped outer surface and arc-shaped inner surface may be in surface contact and slide in the circumferential direction D1 centered on axis C1. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as in the above-described embodiment can be achieved.

[0061] In the embodiment described above, the first side wall 12 of the first shell 10 has a first inner surface 12a. However, the first side wall 12 does not necessarily have to have a first inner surface 12a. In the embodiment described above, the first shell 10 has a first cover portion 11 and a first side wall 12. However, the first shell 10 only needs to have at least the first cover portion 11, and does not need to have, for example, the first side wall 12.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the second side wall 22 of the second shell 20 has a second inner surface 22a. However, the second side wall 22 does not necessarily have to have a second inner surface 22a. In the above-described embodiment, the second shell 20 has a second cover portion 21 and a second side wall 22. However, the second shell 20 only needs to have at least the second cover portion 21, and does not need to have, for example, the second side wall 22.

[0063] In the embodiment described above, the electric wire 2 is directly connected to terminal 4 of connector 3. However, the electric wire 2 does not have to be directly connected to terminal 4 of connector 3. For example, a busbar (conductive part) may be connected to terminal 4 of connector 3, and the electric wire 2 may be connected to terminal 4 via the busbar. In this case, the conductive part housing portion 52 of housing 5 may house only the busbar, or it may house the busbar and a portion of the electric wire 2 connected thereto.

[0064] One embodiment and its variations have been described above. However, the embodiments and variations are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the embodiments and variations may be implemented in combination with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1 Cable Unit 2. Electric wire (conductive part) 3 Connectors 4 terminals 5 Housing 6 Shells 10 First Shell 11. First Cover Section 111 First duplicate site 12 First side wall 12a First inner surface 12b Inner surface of a circular arc 13 First fastened part 13a First fastening hole 20 Second Shell 21 Second Cover Section 211 Second duplicate site 22 Second side wall 22a Second inner surface 22b Outer surface of the arc 22c Second outer surface 24 Second fastened part 24a Second fastening hole 51 Terminal housing section 52 Conductive part housing 53 Opening 531 First opening 532 Second opening 54 Insulating wall 55 First mounting section 551 First mounting hole 56 Second mounting section 561 Second mounting hole 57 Cylinder part 571 First end 572 Second end 58 Guide section 71 First fastening member 72 Second fastening member C1 axis D1 Circumferential direction

Claims

1. A shell to be attached to a housing having a terminal housing portion in which terminals are housed, a conductive portion housing portion arranged adjacent to the terminal housing portion in which a part of a conductive portion extending from the terminal is housed, and an opening that opens the terminal housing portion and the conductive portion housing portion to the outside in a first intersecting direction that intersects the arrangement direction of the terminal housing portion and the conductive portion housing portion, A first shell covering at least one of the openings corresponding to the terminal housing portion, A second shell covering at least the second opening of the aforementioned openings that corresponds to the conductive part housing, Equipped with, The first shell and the second shell are rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in the first intersecting direction. A shell in which the first shell and the second shell are detachably arranged from each other in a state in which they are movable in the first intersecting direction and whose movement in the radial direction with respect to the axis is restricted.

2. When viewed from the aforementioned first intersecting direction, no other member is positioned at a location that overlaps with the first shell and the second shell, thereby rotatably connecting the first shell and the second shell about the axis. The shell according to claim 1.

3. One of the first shell and the second shell has an inner surface that is an arc centered on the axis, The other of the first shell and the second shell has an arc outer surface centered on the axis, The inner surface of the arc and the outer surface of the arc are in surface contact and can slide in the circumferential direction about the axis. The shell according to claim 1.

4. A shell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned terminal and, The housing and, A connector equipped with these features.

5. A first fastening member that fastens the first shell and the housing, A second fastening member is positioned at a distance from the first fastening member and fastens the second shell and the housing together. It further possesses, The connector according to claim 4.

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