Connector Assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly that improves workability during assembly. [Solution] The connector assembly 11 comprises a first connector 21 fixed to a metal case and a second connector 31 connectable to the first connector 21. The first connector 21 has a first housing 22 and a first terminal 23. The second connector 31 has a second housing 32 that can be fitted into the first housing 22 by relative movement along the mating direction with respect to the first housing 22, a second terminal 33 that mates with the first terminal 23 in the housing-fitted state where the second housing 32 is fitted into the first housing 22, and a sealing rubber 38 that is held by the second housing 32 and seals the space between the first housing 22 and the second housing 32 in the housing-fitted state. The first housing 22 has a temporary holding portion 22e that temporarily holds the second housing 32 by frictional force with the sealing rubber 38 in a pre-fitted state just before the housing-fitted state.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a connector assembly including a first connector fixed to a base member such as a vehicle body panel or a metal case, and a second connector connectable to the first connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The first connector includes a first housing and a first terminal held by the first housing. The second connector includes a second housing that can be fitted into the first housing by being relatively moved with respect to the first housing along a fitting direction, and a second terminal held by the second housing. The second housing has a fixing hole penetrating along the fitting direction. The second housing is fixed to the base member by a bolt that penetrates the fixing hole and is screwed into a female thread of the base member. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-110026 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] By the way, in the connector assembly as described above, improvement in workability when assembling the first connector and the second connector is required. For example, in a configuration in which the first terminal and the second terminal are fitted by utilizing a force along the fitting direction generated when screwing a bolt, an operator needs to screw the bolt while supporting the second housing by hand. In such cases, the connector assembly as described above has a problem of poor workability.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector assembly capable of improving workability during assembling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector assembly of the present disclosure comprises a first connector fixed to a base member and a second connector connectable to the first connector, wherein the first connector has a first housing and a first terminal held in the first housing, the second connector has a second housing that can be fitted into the first housing by relative movement along the mating direction with respect to the first housing, a second terminal held in the second housing that mates with the first terminal in a housing-fitted state in which the second housing is fitted into the first housing, and a sealing rubber held in the second housing that seals the space between the first housing and the second housing in the housing-fitted state, the first housing has a temporary holding portion that temporarily holds the second housing by frictional force with the sealing rubber in a pre-fitted state just before the housing-fitted state is reached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The connector assembly of this disclosure can improve workability during assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly in one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded side view of a connector assembly in one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly in one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line 5-5 in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 in Figure 5. [Figure 7]Figure 7 is a side view of a connector assembly in a state just before mating according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly in a state just before mating according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The connector assembly disclosed herein is [1] A connector assembly comprising a first connector fixed to a base member and a second connector connectable to the first connector, wherein the first connector has a first housing and a first terminal held by the first housing, the second connector has a second housing that can be fitted into the first housing by relative movement along the mating direction with respect to the first housing, a second terminal held by the second housing that mates with the first terminal in a housing-fitted state in which the second housing is fitted into the first housing, and a sealing rubber held by the second housing that seals the space between the first housing and the second housing in the housing-fitted state, the first housing has a temporary holding portion that temporarily holds the second housing by frictional force with the sealing rubber in a pre-fitted state just before the housing-fitted state.

[0011] According to this configuration, the first housing has a temporary holding portion that temporarily holds the second housing in place by frictional force with the sealing rubber in a state just before the housing is fully fitted, resulting in improved workability during assembly. For example, if the first and second housings are made of resin or metal, creating a structure that allows for temporary holding without using sealing rubber would require manufacturing each component with high precision. In contrast, this configuration uses frictional force with sealing rubber that can absorb manufacturing errors, thus eliminating the need for high-precision manufacturing of each component.

[0012] [2] In the above [1], the connector assembly may include a bolt, the second housing may have a fixing hole penetrating along the fitting direction, and may be fixed to the base member by the bolt that penetrates the fixing hole and is screwed into a female thread provided on the base member.

[0013] According to this configuration, the second housing is fixed to the base member by the bolt that penetrates the fixing hole and is screwed into the female thread. Therefore, for example, the second housing can be temporarily held by the first housing before the bolt is screwed. Accordingly, for example, an operator can release his hand from the second housing and perform the work of screwing the bolt. As a result, workability during assembly work is improved.

[0014] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the second housing has an inner cylindrical portion on an outer circumferential surface of which the seal rubber is disposed, the first housing has an outer cylindrical portion on an inner circumferential surface of which the seal rubber is brought into close contact in the housing fitted state, and the temporary holding portion may be provided so as to protrude from the outer cylindrical portion along the fitting direction, and the seal rubber may be in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the temporary holding portion in the pre-fitting state.

[0015] According to this configuration, the temporary holding portion is provided to protrude from the outer cylindrical portion along the fitting direction and comes into contact with the seal rubber in the pre-fitting state, so that the second housing can be temporarily held by the frictional force of the seal rubber with a simple configuration.

[0016] [4] In the above [3], the temporary holding portion may be set to come into contact with the seal rubber at a lower contact pressure than that when the outer cylindrical portion is in close contact with the seal rubber.

[0017] According to this configuration, the temporary holding portion is set to come into contact with the seal rubber at a lower contact pressure than that when the outer cylindrical portion is in close contact with the seal rubber, so that rolling-up of the seal rubber from the inner cylindrical portion when achieving the pre-fitting state is suppressed. Further, in the housing fitted state, the outer cylindrical portion comes into contact with the seal rubber at a high contact pressure, so that water stopping performance is improved.

[0018] [5] In the above [3] or [4], the second terminal extends along an axial direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, and a plurality of the second terminals are provided in a width direction orthogonal to both the fitting direction and the axial direction, and the temporary holding portion may protrude along the fitting direction from both sides of the outer cylindrical portion in the width direction.

[0019] According to this configuration, since the temporary holding portion protrudes along the fitting direction from both sides of the outer cylindrical portion in the width direction, the temporary holding portion can be arranged so as to avoid the second terminal extending along the axial direction when the housings are in a fitted state. That is, for example, when the temporary holding portion protrudes from the entire circumference of the outer cylindrical portion, it is necessary to form the second housing to be long in the fitting direction to prevent contact with the second terminal in the housing fitted state, and this configuration can avoid such a problem. Thereby, size reduction of the connector assembly along the fitting direction can be achieved.

[0020] [6] In the above [5], the temporary holding portion may have a side rib that protrudes outward in the width direction and extends along the fitting direction, and the second housing may have an engaging portion capable of engaging with the side rib in the axial direction in a pre-fitting state.

[0021] According to this configuration, the temporary holding portion has a side rib that protrudes outward in the width direction and extends along the fitting direction, and the second housing has an engaging portion capable of engaging with the side rib in the axial direction in the pre-fitting state, so rotation of the second housing is prevented in the pre-fitting state. That is, in the pre-fitting state, the second housing is prevented from rotating about the axis along the fitting direction relative to the first housing. This engagement functions as an auxiliary function when the first housing temporarily holds the second housing.

[0022] [7] In the above [6], the side rib may extend continuously along the fitting direction to the outer side of the outer cylindrical portion in the width direction.

[0023] According to this configuration, the side ribs extend continuously to the outside in the width direction of the outer cylindrical portion, thereby firmly preventing the second housing from rotating around its axis in the fitting direction relative to the first housing when the housings are fitted together.

[0024] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the connector assemblies of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, some parts of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified for ease of explanation. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "parallel" and "orthogonal" include not only strictly parallel or orthogonal cases, but also cases that are approximately parallel or orthogonal to the extent that the effects of this embodiment are achieved. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown in the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended.

[0025] [Configuration of Connector Assembly 11] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector assembly 11 comprises a first connector 21 and a second connector 31 connectable to the first connector 21. The connector assembly 11 is installed in a vehicle. For example, the first connector 21 is fixed to a metal case 41, which serves as a base member, in the vehicle. Also, for example, the second connector 31 is fixed to the ends of two electric wires 42.

[0026] The figure shows a first axis X, a second axis Y perpendicular to the first axis X, and a third axis Z perpendicular to both the first axis X and the second axis Y. In this embodiment, the direction along the first axis X is described as the width direction, the direction along the second axis Y is described as the fitting direction, and the direction along the third axis Z is described as the axial direction.

[0027] [Configuration of the first connector 21] As shown in Figure 1, the first connector 21 has a first housing 22 and two first terminals 23 held in the first housing 22. The first housing 22 is made of resin. The first housing 22 has a base portion 22a, a fixing portion 22b, a terminal protection portion 22c, an outer cylindrical portion 22d, and a temporary holding portion 22e.

[0028] The base portion 22a is formed in a plate shape. When viewed from the fitting direction, the base portion 22a has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the width direction, and its corners are chamfered by an arc shape. Two first terminals 23 are held side by side in the width direction on the base portion 22a. The first terminals 23 extend along the fitting direction. A resin or rubber cap 23a is fixed to the tip of the first terminals 23. A pair of fixing portions 22b are provided extending from a part of the outer edge of the base portion 22a. The fixing portions 22b are provided with through holes 22f that penetrate along the fitting direction. The first housing 22 is fixed to the metal case 41 by fixing bolts 24 that are screwed through the through holes 22f into female threads (not shown) provided in the metal case 41.

[0029] The terminal protection portion 22c is provided on the base portion 22a so as to protrude from around the first terminal 23 along the mating direction. In this embodiment, the terminal protection portion 22c is provided so as to cover the first terminal 23 while being slightly spaced apart from the first terminal 23 in the width direction.

[0030] The outer cylindrical portion 22d is provided projecting from the entire circumference of the outer edge of the base portion 22a along the fitting direction. The temporary holding portion 22e is provided projecting from the outer cylindrical portion 22d along the fitting direction. In this embodiment, the temporary holding portion 22e projects from both sides in the width direction of the outer cylindrical portion 22d along the fitting direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the temporary holding portion 22e has inclined portions 22g on both sides in the axial direction of the tip portion, where the distance between them decreases as they approach the tip.

[0031] Furthermore, the temporary holding portion 22e has side ribs 22h that protrude outward in the width direction and extend along the fitting direction. The temporary holding portion 22e also has reinforcing ribs 22j that protrude outward in the width direction and extend along the fitting direction. A pair of side ribs 22h are provided on both sides of the temporary holding portion 22e in the axial direction. The reinforcing rib 22j is provided in the axial center of the temporary holding portion 22e, between the pair of side ribs 22h. The side ribs 22h and reinforcing ribs 22j extend continuously along the fitting direction to the outside in the width direction of the outer cylindrical portion 22d. The side ribs 22h and reinforcing ribs 22j are formed over the entire fitting direction of the temporary holding portion 22e and the outer cylindrical portion 22d.

[0032] [Configuration of the second connector 31] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second connector 31 comprises a second housing 32 and a second terminal 33. The second housing 32 is made matable with the first housing 22 by moving relative to the first housing 22 along the mating direction. The second terminal 33 is held by the second housing 32 and mates with the first terminal 23 in the housing mated state (see Figures 5 and 6) when the second housing 32 is mated with the first housing 22.

[0033] More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the second connector 31 further comprises a resin housing 34, a rubber stopper 35, a retainer 36, and a metal bracket 37. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the second connector 31 includes a sealing rubber 38.

[0034] The electric wire 42 has a core wire 42a and an insulating sheath 42b. The second terminal 33 is connected to the end of the core wire 42a exposed from the insulating sheath 42b. The second terminal 33 extends along the axial direction and is provided in two numbers corresponding to the electric wire 42 in the width direction. The second terminal 33 has a terminal fitting portion 33a into which the first terminal 23 can be fitted and a plate-shaped terminal connection portion 33b that is connected to the core wire 42a. The second terminal 33 is formed by bending a metal plate, but its details are not shown in the drawing and it is only schematically illustrated. In this embodiment, the terminal connection portion 33b and the core wire 42a are resistance welded.

[0035] The resin housing 34 is formed in a cylindrical shape to cover the exposed core wire 42a and the second terminal 33. The resin housing 34 also has an opening for the first terminal 23, which is fitted into the terminal mating portion 33a, to pass through.

[0036] The second housing 32 is made of metal and is a metal shell with an electromagnetic shielding function. The second housing 32 is formed to cover the resin housing 34. The second housing 32 has a housing accommodating portion 32b that extends in the axial direction towards the tip, with an opening 32a at its axial base end. The housing accommodating portion 32b is formed in a shape that allows the resin housing 34 to be accommodated with almost no gaps, according to the shape of the resin housing 34. Two housing accommodating portions 32b are arranged side by side in the width direction, according to the number of resin housings 34.

[0037] The rubber stopper 35 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is interposed between the insulating coating 42b and the opening 32a. This prevents the rubber stopper 35 from entering the second connector 31 along the insulating coating 42b.

[0038] The retainer 36 is made of resin. The retainer 36 is locked to the second housing 32 and prevents it from falling out of the opening 32a of the rubber stopper 35.

[0039] The metal bracket 37 is connected to the second housing 32 and to a single shielding member S, which serves as a shielding member covering the insulating coating 42b. More specifically, the shielding member in this embodiment is a cylindrical single shielding member S that covers multiple insulating coatings 42b together. Furthermore, the single shielding member S in this embodiment is a braided member in which conductive wires such as copper alloy or aluminum alloy are woven into a cylindrical shape. The metal bracket 37 is connected to the second housing 32 while the entire circumference of the single shielding member S is connected to it.

[0040] Furthermore, the second housing 32 has a partition wall 32c between the two housing accommodating sections 32b. The partition wall 32c is formed over the entire axial length of the second housing 32. The partition wall 32c is provided with fixing holes 32d that penetrate along the fitting direction. That is, the fixing holes 32d are provided between multiple electric wires 42 in the width direction where multiple electric wires 42 are arranged side by side. In other words, the fixing holes 32d are provided at a width direction position between the width direction position where one electric wire 42 is arranged and the width direction position where the other electric wire 42 is arranged. As shown in Figure 4, the second housing 32 can be fixed to the metal case 41 by bolts 43 that penetrate the fixing holes 32d and are screwed into female threads 41a provided in the metal case 41. The second housing 32 is fitted to the first housing 22 by being moved relative to the first housing 22 along the fitting direction by the force along the fitting direction generated when the bolts 43 are screwed in.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the second housing 32 has an inner cylindrical portion 32e that fits inside the outer cylindrical portion 22d of the first housing 22 when the housings are fitted together. The sealing rubber 38 is positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 32e. The sealing rubber 38 is formed in an annular shape and is fitted onto the inner cylindrical portion 32e. Its detachment from the inner cylindrical portion 32e is prevented by a front retainer 39 that is fitted onto the inner cylindrical portion 32e. When the housings are fitted together, the sealing rubber 38 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion 22d, thereby sealing the space between the first housing 22 and the second housing 32.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the second housing 32 has an engaging portion 32f that can engage with the side rib 22h in the axial direction. Specifically, the second housing 32 has a recess 32g that can accommodate the side rib 22h and the reinforcing rib 22j together, and the pair of sides constituting the recess 32g constitute the engaging portion 32f. The engaging portion 32f is designed to engage with the side rib 22h in a pre-fitting state just before the housing is fitted (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0043] Here, as shown in Figure 8, the temporary holding portion 22e is set to be able to temporarily hold the second housing 32 by frictional force with the seal rubber 38 in the pre-fitting state just before the housing is fitted. The frictional force with the seal rubber 38 is the resistance force against relative movement between the seal rubber 38 and the temporary holding portion 22e that is in contact with the seal rubber 38. The temporary holding portion 22e temporarily holds the second housing 32 when the seal rubber 38 is in contact with its inner circumferential surface in the pre-fitting state. Here, temporary holding means, for example, as shown in Figure 7, when the fitting direction is horizontal, a level of holding that prevents the second housing 32 from falling out of the first housing 22 even if the worker releases their hand from the second housing 32 in the pre-fitting state.

[0044] Furthermore, the temporary holding portion 22e is set to contact the seal rubber 38 with a smaller surface pressure than the outer cylindrical portion 22d would be in close contact with the seal rubber 38 (see Figure 6). In other words, the distance between the opposing inner surfaces of the temporary holding portion 22e is greater than the distance between the opposing inner surfaces of the outer cylindrical portion 22d in the same direction. To put it another way, the temporary holding portion 22e and the outer cylindrical portion 22d are formed to compress the seal rubber 38 more in the housing fitted state (see Figure 6) than in the pre-fitting state (see Figure 8).

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first terminal 23 and the second terminal 33 are set to be fitted together using the large force along the fitting direction generated when screwing in the bolt 43. In other words, the dimensions of the first terminal 23 and the second terminal 33 are set such that it is difficult for an operator to fit them together simply by gripping the second housing 32 and pushing it in the fitting direction. This setting reduces the contact resistance between the first terminal 23 and the second terminal 33.

[0046] Next, the operation of the connector assembly 11 configured as described above will be explained.

[0047] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, when assembling the first connector 21 and the second connector 31, the worker first grasps the second housing 32 and moves it relative to the first housing 22 along the mating direction to bring it to a state just before the housing is fully mated.

[0048] In the pre-fitting state, the second housing 32 is temporarily held in place by the frictional force between the temporary holding portion 22e and the sealing rubber 38. That is, in the pre-fitting state, even if the worker releases their hand from the second housing 32, the second housing 32 will not fall off the first housing 22. Then, for example, the worker uses a tool to screw the bolt 43 that has passed through the fixing hole 32d into the female thread 41a of the metal case 41.

[0049] As a result, the large force generated along the fitting direction when the bolt 43 is screwed in causes the second housing 32 and the first housing 22 to fit together, and the second terminal 33 and the first terminal 23 to fit together. At the same time, the seal rubber 38 is in close contact with the outer surface of the inner cylindrical portion 32e and the inner surface of the outer cylindrical portion 22d, thereby sealing the space between the first housing 22 and the second housing 32.

[0050] Furthermore, the integrated shielding member S is electrically connected to the metal case 41 via the metal bracket 37, the second housing 32, and the bolts 43, and is grounded. Therefore, the radiation of electromagnetic noise from the electric wire 42 and the second terminal 33 covered by the integrated shielding member S, the metal bracket 37, and the second housing 32 is effectively suppressed.

[0051] Next, the effects of the above embodiment are described below.

[0052] (1) The first housing 22 has a temporary holding portion 22e that temporarily holds the second housing 32 by frictional force with the seal rubber 38 in a state just before the housing is fitted, thus improving workability during assembly. For example, if the first housing 22 and the second housing 32 are made of resin or metal as in this embodiment, it would be necessary to manufacture each part with high precision in order to create a structure that can temporarily hold without using the seal rubber 38. In contrast, in this configuration, since frictional force with the seal rubber 38 which can absorb manufacturing errors is used, high-precision manufacturing of each part is not required.

[0053] (2) The second housing 32 is fixed to the metal case 41 by a bolt 43 that passes through the fixing hole 32d and is screwed into the female thread 41a. Therefore, for example, the second housing 32 can be temporarily held in place by the first housing 22 before the bolt 43 is screwed in. Therefore, for example, the worker can release their hand from the second housing 32 and screw in the bolt 43. Therefore, the workability during assembly is improved.

[0054] (3) The temporary holding portion 22e is provided protruding along the fitting direction from the outer cylindrical portion 22d, which is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the sealing rubber 38 when the housing is fitted, and is in contact with the sealing rubber 38 just before fitting. Thus, the second housing 32 can be temporarily held by the frictional force of the sealing rubber 38 with a simple configuration.

[0055] (4) The temporary holding portion 22e is set to contact the seal rubber 38 with a surface pressure smaller than that at which the outer cylindrical portion 22d is in close contact with the seal rubber 38, thereby preventing the seal rubber 38 from curling up from the inner cylindrical portion 32e when the housing is fitted. In addition, when the housing is fitted, the outer cylindrical portion 22d contacts the seal rubber 38 with a large surface pressure, resulting in good watertightness.

[0056] (5) Since the temporary holding portion 22e protrudes from both sides in the width direction of the outer cylindrical portion 22d along the mating direction, it can be positioned to avoid the second terminal 33 which extends along the axial direction when the housing is mated. That is, for example, if the temporary holding portion 22e protrudes from the entire circumference of the outer cylindrical portion 22d, the second housing 32 would need to be made longer in the mating direction in order to prevent contact with the second terminal 33 when the housing is mated, but this can be avoided. This makes it possible to miniaturize the connector assembly 11 along the mating direction.

[0057] (6) The temporary holding portion 22e has a side rib 22h that protrudes outward in the width direction and extends along the fitting direction, and the second housing 32 has an engaging portion 32f that can engage with the side rib 22h in the axial direction when just before fitting. Thus, the second housing 32 is prevented from rotating when just before fitting. In other words, when just before fitting, the second housing 32 is prevented from rotating around its axis along the fitting direction relative to the first housing 22. This engagement serves as an auxiliary function when the first housing 22 temporarily holds the second housing 32.

[0058] (7) Since the side rib 22h extends continuously to the outside in the width direction of the outer cylindrical portion 22d, the second housing 32 is firmly prevented from rotating around the axis along the fitting direction relative to the first housing 22 when the housing is fitted.

[0059] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the second housing 32 is fixed to the metal case 41 by a bolt 43 that passes through a fixing hole 32d and is screwed into a female thread 41a. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the second housing 32 may be fixed to the metal case 41 by other means. Even if the second housing 32 is fixed to the metal case 41 by other means, the second housing 32 can be temporarily held in place, which improves workability during assembly.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the second housing 32 has an inner cylindrical portion 32e on which a sealing rubber 38 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may have a cylindrical portion on which a sealing rubber is disposed on the inner circumferential surface. Of course, in this case, the configuration of the outer cylindrical portion 22d and the temporary holding portion 22e of the first housing 22 also needs to be changed.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the temporary holding portion 22e is provided protruding from the outer cylindrical portion 22d along the fitting direction, but other configurations are also possible as long as it can contact the sealing rubber 38 in the state just before fitting.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the temporary holding portion 22e is set to contact the seal rubber 38 with a surface pressure smaller than that at which the outer cylindrical portion 22d is in close contact with the seal rubber 38. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, it may contact the seal rubber 38 with the same surface pressure as the outer cylindrical portion 22d. Alternatively, the temporary holding portion 22e may contact the seal rubber 38 with a surface pressure larger than that at which the outer cylindrical portion 22d is in close contact with the seal rubber 38.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the temporary holding portion 22e is shown to protrude from both sides in the width direction of the outer cylindrical portion 22d along the mating direction, but it is not limited to this, and for example, the temporary holding portion 22e may protrude from the entire circumference of the outer cylindrical portion 22d. In this case, for example, the second terminal 33 may be a second connector 31 that extends along the mating direction. For example, if the second terminal 33 is a second connector 31 that extends along the mating direction, the temporary holding portion 22e can be prevented from contacting the second terminal 33 even if it protrudes from the entire circumference of the outer cylindrical portion 22d, thus avoiding an increase in the size of the connector assembly 11 along the mating direction.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the temporary holding portion 22e has side ribs 22h, and the second housing 32 has engaging portions 32f that can engage with the side ribs 22h in the pre-fitting state. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the side ribs 22h and engaging portions 32f may not be present. Also, the number of side ribs 22h may be changed. Of course, in this case, the number of engaging portions 32f must also be changed.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the side rib 22h is shown to extend continuously to the outside in the width direction of the outer cylindrical portion 22d, but the invention is not limited to this and may be provided only on the temporary holding portion 22e.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the temporary holding portion 22e is shown to have reinforcing ribs 22j, but it is not limited to this and may not have reinforcing ribs 22j. Also, the number of reinforcing ribs 22j may be changed.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the second housing 32 is described as a metal shell, but it is not limited to this and may be made of resin. The second connector 31 does not have to have an electromagnetic shielding function. In such a case, the insulating coating 42b does not have to be covered by the collective shielding member S.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the fixing hole 32d is provided between multiple electric wires 42 in the width direction, but it is not limited to this and may be provided in other positions. For example, the fixing hole 32d may be provided in a fixing portion that protrudes outward in the axial direction or width direction of the second housing 32.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the second connector 31 is fixed to the ends of two wires 42, but it is not limited to this, and may be fixed to the ends of three or more wires, for example. In this case, the number of first terminals 23, second terminals 33, resin housings 34, and rubber stoppers 35 must be changed according to the number of wires 42.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the base member is a metal case 41, but it is not limited to this and may be changed to other base members. For example, the metal case 41 may be other base members such as a vehicle panel. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 11 Connector Assembly 21 First connector 22 First Housing 22a base 22b Fixed part 22c Terminal protection part 22d Outer cylinder part 22e Temporary holding part 22f through hole 22g inclined part 22h Side Ribs 22j Reinforcement Rib 23 1st terminal 23a Cap 24 Fixing bolts 31. Second connector 32 Second Housing 32a opening 32b Housing compartment 32c Partition wall 32d fixing hole 32e Inner cylinder part 32f Engagement part 32g recess 33 2nd terminal 33a Terminal fitting part 33b Terminal connection section 34 Resin Housing 35 Rubber stopper 36 Retainer 37 Metal bracket 38 Seal rubber 39 Front retainer 41. Metal case (base component) 41a Female thread 42 Electric wire 42a Core wire 42b Insulation coating 43 volts S Bulk Shielding Member X 1st axis Y 2nd axis Z 3rd axis

Claims

1. A first connector fixed to the base member, A second connector that can be connected to the first connector, A connector assembly comprising, The first connector is, The first housing and The first housing has a first terminal held in it, The second connector is, A second housing that can be fitted into the first housing by moving relative to the first housing along the fitting direction, A second terminal that is held by the second housing and engages with the first terminal in a housing-fitted state in which the second housing is fitted into the first housing, It has a sealing rubber that is held in the second housing and seals the space between the first housing and the second housing when the housings are fitted together, The first housing has a temporary holding portion that temporarily holds the second housing by frictional force with the sealing rubber in a state just before the housing is fitted, The temporary holding portion has a pair of inclined portions that are inclined such that they become closer to each other as they approach the tip in the fitting direction. Connector assembly.

2. The connector assembly comprises a bolt, The second housing has a fixing hole that penetrates along the fitting direction, and is fixed to the base member by a bolt that passes through the fixing hole and is screwed into a female thread provided in the base member. The connector assembly according to claim 1.

3. The second housing has an inner cylindrical portion on which the sealing rubber is disposed on the outer circumferential surface, The first housing has an outer cylindrical portion on which the sealing rubber is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface when the housing is fitted, The temporary holding portion is provided so as to protrude from the outer cylindrical portion along the fitting direction, and the sealing rubber is in contact with the inner circumferential surface in the state just before fitting. The connector assembly according to claim 1.

4. The temporary holding portion is set to contact the sealing rubber with a surface pressure smaller than that at which the outer cylindrical portion is in close contact with the sealing rubber. The connector assembly according to claim 3.

5. The second terminal extends along an axial direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and multiple terminals are provided in the width direction perpendicular to the mating direction and the axial direction. The temporary holding portion protrudes from both sides in the width direction of the outer cylindrical portion along the fitting direction. The connector assembly according to claim 3.

6. The temporary holding portion has side ribs that protrude outward in the width direction and extend along the fitting direction, The second housing has an engaging portion that can engage with the side rib in the axial direction in the state just before fitting, The connector assembly according to claim 5.

7. The side ribs extend continuously along the fitting direction to the outer side in the width direction of the outer cylindrical portion. The connector assembly according to claim 6.

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