connector

Abstract

To make it possible to select whether or not there is an anti-oscillation structure without increasing the number of components in a connector in which a mating terminal connected to the terminal is inserted in the direction crossing the direction in which an electric wire extends.SOLUTION: An outer housing 41 has: a first opening 63 in which a mating terminal 22 is inserted along a first direction D1; and a second opening 66 which an electric wire 51a goes through along a second direction D2 crossing the first direction D1. The inner housing 42 is arranged inside the outer housing 41 and holds a terminal 43 inside. As an inner housing holder 45 fitted to the second opening 66, either a first inner housing holder 110 or a second inner housing holder is selectable. The first inner housing holder 110 has: a first installation part 111 engaging the second opening 66; and a fixed leg 112 fixed to equipment 30 to which a mating connector 20 is fitted. The second inner housing holder has a second installation part engaging the second opening 66.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, connectors mounted on vehicles include an outer housing, an inner housing disposed inside the outer housing, and terminals held by the inner housing. Ends of electric wires are electrically connected to the terminals. A mating connector to be connected to the connector includes mating terminals that are electrically connected to the terminals by being inserted into the connector.

[0003] Among such connectors, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is one in which a mating terminal is inserted in a direction parallel to the direction in which the electric wire extends. The connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a rattle prevention member attached to an opening in an outer housing of the connector. When the connector and a mating connector are connected, the mating terminal is inserted into the connector through the opening in the outer housing. The rattle prevention member restricts movement of the opening relative to the mating connector when the connector is mated with the mating connector. This prevents sliding of the contact portions between the terminal and the mating terminal due to vibrations generated in the in-vehicle environment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-18803 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Some connectors have mating terminals inserted in a direction intersecting the direction in which the electric wires extend. Compared to connectors in which the mating terminals are inserted parallel to the direction in which the electric wires extend, these connectors have the advantage of protruding less from the surface of the housing when connected to a mating connector fixed to the housing of an equipment. However, when using such connectors, the electric wires are arranged parallel to the surface of the housing of the equipment. Therefore, when the electric wires vibrate due to vibrations, etc., that occur in the in-vehicle environment, the vibrations are transmitted to the contact points between the terminals and the mating terminals, which can easily cause wear on the terminals and the mating terminals.

[0006] Therefore, it is conceivable to add the anti-rattle member described in Patent Document 1 to a connector into which a mating terminal is inserted in a direction that intersects with the direction in which the electric wire extends. However, adding an anti-rattle member to a connector would mean adding a part just to provide the connector with a vibration-resistant structure, which raises concerns about an increase in the number of parts.

[0007] On the other hand, even if the connector has a mating terminal inserted in a direction that intersects with the direction in which the electric wire extends, there are cases in which the connector does not need to have a vibration-resistant structure, such as when it is placed in a location in the vehicle away from the source of vibration.

[0008] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector in which a mating terminal to be connected to a terminal is inserted in a direction intersecting the direction in which the electric wire extends, and in which it is possible to select whether or not to have a vibration-resistant structure without increasing the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The connector of the present disclosure comprises an outer housing made of synthetic resin having a first opening through which a mating terminal of a mating connector is inserted along a first direction and a second opening through which an electric wire passes along a second direction intersecting the first direction; an inner housing made of synthetic resin arranged inside the outer housing; terminals held inside the inner housing and electrically connected to the electric wire and to which the mating terminal is electrically connected; and an inner housing holder that is attached to the second opening and holds the inner housing inside the outer housing, wherein either a first inner housing holder or a second inner housing holder can be selected as the inner housing holder, and the first inner housing holder has a first mounting portion that has a first through hole through which the electric wire passes and that fits into the second opening, and a fixing leg that extends from the first mounting portion to the outside of the outer housing and is fixed to a device to which the mating connector is attached, and the second inner housing holder has a second mounting portion that has a second through hole through which the electric wire passes and that fits into the second opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the connector of the present disclosure, in a connector in which a mating terminal to be connected to a terminal is inserted in a direction intersecting the direction in which an electric wire extends, it is possible to select whether or not to have a vibration-resistant structure without increasing the number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a connector and a mating connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the connector shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connector and the mating connector shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of a portion of the connector and mating connector shown in FIG. [Figure 5]5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of a portion of the connector and mating connector shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the mating connector shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a shield shell, an inner housing, and terminals to which electric wires are connected, which are provided in the connector shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing an electromagnetic shield structure provided in the connector and mating connector shown in FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a schematic perspective view of a first inner housing holder included in the connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 1, which includes a second inner housing holder. [Figure 14] 14 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a schematic perspective view of a second inner housing holder included in the connector shown in FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure comprises: [1] A connector comprising: an outer housing made of synthetic resin having a first opening through which a mating terminal of a mating connector is inserted along a first direction and a second opening through which an electric wire passes along a second direction intersecting the first direction; an inner housing made of synthetic resin arranged inside the outer housing; terminals held inside the inner housing and electrically connected to the electric wire and to which the mating terminal is electrically connected; and an inner housing holder that is attached to the second opening and holds the inner housing inside the outer housing, wherein either a first inner housing holder or a second inner housing holder can be selected as the inner housing holder, the first inner housing holder having a first through hole through which the electric wire passes and a first mounting portion that fits into the second opening, and a fixing leg that extends from the first mounting portion to the outside of the outer housing and is fixed to a device to which the mating connector is attached, and the second inner housing holder having a second through hole through which the electric wire passes and that fits into the second opening.

[0013] According to this configuration, when the first inner housing holder is selected as the inner housing holder, the fixing legs can be fixed to the device. That is, the first inner housing holder attached to the second opening through which the electric wire passes can be fixed to the device. When the fixing legs are fixed to the device, the outer housing to which the first inner housing holder is attached and the inner housing disposed inside the outer housing are integrated with the device and therefore are less likely to move relative to the device. Therefore, vibration of the outer housing and inner housing caused by vibration of the electric wire is suppressed. Furthermore, when the connector and the mating connector are connected, relative movement between the terminals held inside the inner housing and the mating terminals caused by vibration of the electric wire is suppressed. Therefore, wear on the contact portions between the terminals and the mating terminals can be suppressed. In this way, when the first inner housing holder is selected as the inner housing holder, the connector can be provided with a vibration-resistant structure.

[0014] Furthermore, the first inner housing holder is a component that not only has the function of fastening the inner housing inside the outer housing, but also has the additional function of providing the connector with a vibration-resistant structure. In other words, the first inner housing holder is not a component solely for providing the connector with a vibration-resistant structure. Therefore, an increase in the number of components can be suppressed compared to when a component solely for providing the connector with a vibration-resistant structure is added to the connector.

[0015] Furthermore, the second inner housing holder does not have fixing legs, so by selecting the second inner housing holder as the inner housing holder, it is possible to manufacture a connector that does not have a vibration-resistant structure.

[0016] These features make it possible to select whether or not to have a vibration-resistant structure in a connector in which a mating terminal connected to a terminal is inserted in a direction that intersects with the direction in which the electric wire extends, without increasing the number of parts.

[0017] [2] In the above [1], the first inner housing holder may be made of metal. This configuration increases the rigidity of the first inner housing holder compared to when the first inner housing holder is made of synthetic resin. Therefore, vibration of the outer housing and the inner housing caused by vibration of the electric wires can be further suppressed. Furthermore, when the connector and the mating connector are connected, relative movement between the terminals held inside the inner housing and the mating terminals caused by vibration of the electric wires can be further suppressed.

[0018] [3] In the above item [2], the first inner housing holder may be made of die-cast aluminum. With this configuration, the first inner housing holder made of metal can be easily manufactured.

[0019] [4] In any one of the above [1] to [3], the second inner housing holder may be made of synthetic resin. With this configuration, the second inner housing holder can be manufactured more cheaply and lighter than when made of metal.

[0020] [5] In the above [2] or [3], the connector may further include a conductive shield shell covering the outer surface of the inner housing, and the first inner housing holder may have a contact portion that contacts the shield shell to be electrically connected to the shield shell. With this configuration, when the first inner housing holder is selected as the inner housing holder, the first inner housing holder and the shield shell are electrically connected. If the housing of the device to which the mating connector is attached is conductive, the first inner housing holder and the housing can be electrically connected by contacting and fixing the fixing legs to the housing. Therefore, the shield shell can be electrically connected to the housing via the first inner housing holder.

[0021] [6] In any of [1] to [5] above, the fixing leg may have a fixing hole through which a fastening member for fixing the fixing leg to the device passes, and the fixing hole may be provided on both sides of the outer housing in a direction perpendicular to the second direction as viewed from the first direction. With this configuration, the first inner housing holder can be more stably fixed to the device than when there is only one fixing hole or when there is a fixing hole on only one side of the outer housing in a direction perpendicular to the second direction as viewed from the first direction. Therefore, vibration of the outer housing and the inner housing caused by vibration of the electric wires can be further suppressed. Furthermore, when the connector and the mating connector are connected, relative movement between the terminals held inside the inner housing and the mating terminals caused by vibration of the electric wires can be further suppressed.

[0022] [7] In any of the above [1] to [6], the first mounting portion may be within the width of the fixing leg in the second direction. With this configuration, the width of the first inner housing holder in the second direction can be narrower than when the first mounting portion does not fit within the width of the fixing leg in the second direction. Therefore, the size of the connector in the second direction can be prevented from increasing.

[0023] [8] In any of the above [1] to [7], a first seal member may be provided to seal between an inner peripheral surface of the first through hole or an inner peripheral surface of the second through hole and an outer peripheral surface of the electric wire. According to this configuration, the first seal member can seal between the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire and the inner peripheral surface of the first through hole or the second through hole.

[0024] [9] In the above [8], the outer housing may be tubular and extend in the second direction, have a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the second direction, the first end being closed, the second opening being located at the second end, the first opening being located between the first end and the second end, and further include a second seal member that seals between an outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion or an outer peripheral surface of the second mounting portion and an inner peripheral surface of the outer housing. With this configuration, the second seal member can prevent liquid such as water from entering the inside of the outer housing from between the outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion and the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing.

[0025]

[10] In the above [9], the electric wire may be a shielded electric wire having a core wire, a first insulating coating covering the outer periphery of the core wire, a conductive electromagnetic shielding member covering the outer periphery of the first insulating coating, and a second insulating coating covering the outer periphery of the electromagnetic shielding member, and further including a conductive shielding shell covering the outer surface of the inner housing, the electromagnetic shielding member being electrically connected to the shielding shell, and the electrical connection between the electromagnetic shielding member and the shielding shell being located in the internal space of the outer housing at a location where the second seal member prevents liquid from entering through the second opening. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent liquid such as water from adhering to the electrical connection between the electromagnetic shielding member and the shielding shell.

[0026]

[11] In the above [9] or

[10] , a third seal member may be provided between the outer housing and the mating connector to prevent liquid from entering the outer housing through the first opening, and an electrical connection between the electromagnetic shield member and the shield shell may be located in the internal space of the outer housing at a location where the third seal member prevents liquid from entering through the first opening. This configuration can further prevent liquids such as water from adhering to the electrical connection between the electromagnetic shield member and the shield shell.

[0027] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of connectors according to the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ between the drawings. Each drawing illustrates mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes. In this specification, "orthogonal" does not necessarily mean strictly orthogonal, but also includes roughly orthogonal configurations within the scope of the present embodiment's effects. Furthermore, "cylindrical" in this specification does not only refer to structures with a continuous peripheral wall formed around the entire circumference, but also includes structures formed by combining multiple components. In this specification, "cylindrical" refers to structures with spherical, circular, or polygonal outer edges, and any closed shape with an outer edge connected by straight or curved lines. Furthermore, the term "annular" as used herein can refer to any structure that forms a loop, i.e., a continuous shape without ends, as well as to a structure with a C-shaped gap that forms an overall loop shape. "Annular" shapes include, but are not limited to, circles, ellipses, and polygons with sharp or rounded corners. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used herein merely to distinguish between objects and do not rank them. Furthermore, the term "at least one" used herein means "one or more" of the desired options. For example, the term "at least one" used herein means "only one option" or "both of two options" when there are two options. For another example, the term "at least one" used herein means "only one option" or "any combination of two or more options" when there are three or more options. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included.

[0028] An embodiment of the connector will now be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 40 is provided at the end of a wire harness. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2. The connector 40 is detachably connected to a mating connector 20. The connector 40 and the mating connector 20 are disposed in a vehicle. The vehicle has a plurality of devices, such as a high-voltage battery, an inverter, and a motor for driving wheels. The mating connector 20 is attached to one device 30 of the plurality of devices. The device 30 is, for example, an inverter. The device 30 has a housing 31. The housing 31 is, for example, conductive.

[0029] (Configuration of mating connector 20) As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the mating connector 20 includes a mating connector housing 21 and mating terminals 22. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 3. Note that hereinafter, the mating connector housing 21 will be referred to as the "mating housing 21." The mating connector 20 includes, for example, two mating terminals 22, 22a and 22b. The mating terminals 22a and 22b of the mating connector 20 are inserted into the connector 40 along a first direction D1. The first direction D1 is, for example, a direction along the Z axis.

[0030] The mating housing 21 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. For example, the mating housing 21 has a main body portion 23 extending along the first direction D1 and a fixing portion 24 extending from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 23 to the outside of the main body portion 23. The main body portion 23 and the fixing portion 24 are integrally molded. The fixing portion 24 is, for example, flange-shaped.

[0031] Each of the mating terminals 22a, 22b is held inside the main body 23. Each of the mating terminals 22a, 22b is made of a metal material such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy.

[0032] The mating connector 20 may further include a mating shield shell 25. Hereinafter, the mating shield shell 25 will be referred to as the "mating shell 25." The mating shell 25 is, for example, held inside the main body 23. The mating shell 25 has, for example, a cylindrical shape extending along the first direction D1. The mating shell 25 surrounds the mating terminals 22a and 22b. That is, the mating terminals 22a and 22b are disposed inside the mating shell 25. The mating shell 25 is made of a conductive material. For example, the mating shell 25 is formed by pressing a metal plate.

[0033] The mating shell 25 may have one or more contact portions 26 that come into contact with the housing 31. The position of the contact portion 26 in the Z-axis direction is shifted in the opposite direction to the first direction D1 from the position of the fixed portion 24 in the Z-axis direction. Each contact portion 26 is formed, for example, by folding back a part of an end region of the mating shell 25 in the opposite direction to the first direction D1 to the outside of the mating shell 25. Each contact portion 26 is elastically deformable.

[0034] The housing 31 has a mounting hole 32 for mounting the mating connector 20. The mounting hole 32 provides communication between the inside and outside of the housing 31. The mating connector 20 is arranged from the outside of the housing 31 with a portion of the mating connector 20 that protrudes further toward the opposite side of the first direction D1 than the fixing portion 24 of the mating connector 20 inserted into the mounting hole 32. The mating connector 20 is attached to the device 30 by fixing the fixing portion 24 to the housing 31 with, for example, bolts or screws. The mating connector 20 may have a sealing member 27 interposed between the outer surface of the housing 31 and the fixing portion 24. The sealing member 27 has an annular shape that surrounds the main body 23 when viewed from the first direction D1. The sealing member 27 prevents liquids such as water from entering the housing 31 through the mounting hole 32.

[0035] (Configuration of connector 40) As shown in Figures 3 and 7, connector 40 includes an outer housing 41, an inner housing 42, terminals 43, and an inner housing holder 45. Hereinafter, outer housing 41 will be referred to as "outer housing 41," inner housing 42 as "inner housing 42," and inner housing holder 45 as "inner housing holder 45." Connector 40 may further include a shield shell 46. Connector 40 includes, for example, two terminals 43, terminal 43a and terminal 43b. Ends of electric wires 51a and 51b are electrically connected to terminals 43a and 43b, respectively.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, each of the electric wires 51a and 51b is, for example, a shielded electric wire having an electromagnetic shield structure. Note that Fig. 4 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows only the electric wire 51a. The electric wires 51a and 51b have, for example, the same configuration. Each of the electric wires 51a and 51b has, for example, a core wire 52 made of a conductor, a first insulating coating 53 that covers the outer periphery of the core wire 52, an electromagnetic shield member 54 that covers the outer periphery of the first insulating coating 53, and a second insulating coating 55 that covers the outer periphery of the electromagnetic shield member 54. Each of the electric wires 51a and 51b is, for example, a high-voltage electric wire that can handle high voltages and large currents. For example, the electric wires 51a and 51b may have a core wire 52 having a cross-sectional area of ​​95 mm 2 The above electric wires may be used. The core wire 52 may be made of, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material. The first insulating coating 53 and the second insulating coating 55 are each made of, for example, an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The electromagnetic shielding member 54 is, for example, a braided wire in which conductive wires made of, for example, a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy are braided into a tubular shape. Note that each of the electric wires 51a, 51b may be a non-shielded electric wire that does not have an electromagnetic shielding structure.

[0037] Each of the electric wires 51a, 51b extends along a second direction D2 that intersects with the first direction D1. That is, the connector 40 is a connector into which the mating terminals 22a, 22b to be connected to the terminals 43a, 43b are inserted in a direction that intersects with the extension direction of the electric wires 51a, 51b. The second direction D2 is, for example, a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1. The second direction D2 is, for example, a direction along the X-axis. Furthermore, a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 and perpendicular to the second direction D2 is defined as a third direction D3. The third direction D3 is, for example, a direction along the Y-axis. Hereinafter, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are directions in the assembled state of the connector 40 unless otherwise specified.

[0038] (Configuration of outer housing 41) As shown in Figure 3, the outer housing 41 forms the outer shell of the connector 40. The outer housing 41 is made of synthetic resin. The outer housing 41 has a cylindrical shape extending in the second direction D2. The outer housing 41 has a first end 61 and a second end 62 opposite the first end 61 in the second direction D2. The first end 61 of the outer housing 41 is closed.

[0039] 5 and 8, the outer housing 41 has a first opening 63 into which the mating terminals 22a, 22b of the mating connector 20 are inserted along the first direction D1. The first opening 63 is located between the first end 61 and the second end 62 in the Y-axis direction. For example, the position of the first opening 63 in the Y-axis direction is shifted in the direction opposite to the second direction D2 from the center of the outer housing 41 in the Y-axis direction.

[0040] The connector 40 may further include a third seal member 64 interposed between the outer housing 41 and the mating connector 20. The third seal member 64 is disposed, for example, on the outer periphery of the first opening 63 in the outer housing 41. The third seal member 64 has, for example, an annular shape surrounding the outer periphery of the first opening 63 when viewed from the first direction D1. The third seal member 64 seals between the connector 40 and the mating housing 21. The third seal member 64 prevents liquids such as water from entering the inside of the outer housing 41 through the first opening 63. The third seal member 64 is, for example, a rubber ring. A frame-shaped cap 65 along the inner periphery of the first opening 63 may be attached to the first opening 63.

[0041] 3, the outer housing 41 has second openings 66 through which the electric wires 51a and 51b pass in the second direction D2. The second openings 66 are located at a second end 62 of the outer housing 41. The first openings 63 and the second openings 66 each communicate the interior and exterior of the outer housing 41.

[0042] (Configuration of inner housing 42) The inner housing 42 is disposed inside the outer housing 41. The inner housing 42 is inserted into the outer housing 41 through the second opening 66 in the direction opposite to the second direction D2. The inner housing 42 is held by the outer housing 41 so that relative movement between the outer housing 41 and the inner housing 42 in the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 is disabled. The inner housing 42 is made of synthetic resin. The inner housing 42 has, for example, an inner housing main body 71 and a lid body 72. Note that hereinafter, the inner housing main body 71 will be referred to as the "inner housing main body 71."

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the inner housing main body 71 has an accommodating recess 73 that accommodates the terminals 43a and 43b. The accommodating recess 73 is recessed, for example, in the direction opposite to the first direction D1. The accommodating recess 73 opens in the first direction D1. The inner housing main body 71 has terminal insertion openings 74 at the bottom of the accommodating recess 73. For example, the inner housing main body 71 has two terminal insertion openings 74, the same number as the number of terminals 43a and 43b. Each terminal insertion opening 74 penetrates the bottom of the accommodating recess 73 in the first direction D1. As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal insertion openings 74 are exposed to the outside of the connector 40 through the first opening 63. The mating terminals 22a and 22b inserted into the connector 40 through the first opening 63 are inserted into the inner housing 42 through the terminal insertion openings 74.

[0044] 3 and 4, the inner housing main body 71 has wire through-holes 75 at its end in the second direction D2, through which the wires 51a, 51b pass. The wire through-holes 75 are open in the second direction D2. The inner housing main body 71 has retaining protrusions (not shown) that protrude from the inner surface of the accommodating recess 73 toward the inside of the accommodating recess 73. The inner housing main body 71 has, for example, two retaining protrusions, the same number as the number of terminals 43a, 43b. The two retaining protrusions abut against the terminals 43a, 43b arranged in the accommodating recess 73 from the direction opposite to the second direction D2, thereby preventing the terminals 43a, 43b from moving toward the wire through-hole 75 along the second direction D2.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the cover 72 is detachably attached to the inner housing main body 71 from the direction opposite to the first direction D1 so as to close the opening of the accommodation recess 73. (Configuration of terminal 43) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the terminals 43a and 43b are held inside the inner housing 42. Note that only the terminal 43a is shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the terminal 43b is located on the rear side of the terminal 43a in the plane of the drawing. The terminals 43a and 43b are each formed of a metal material such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. The terminals 43a and 43b have, for example, the same shape. The terminals 43a and 43b each have, for example, a plate shape. The terminals 43a and 43b are each arranged in the accommodating recess 73 such that their thickness directions are aligned with the third direction D3. The terminals 43a and 43b are arranged in parallel inside the accommodating recess 73, for example, spaced apart in the third direction D3.

[0046] The terminals 43a and 43b are electrically connected to the electric wires 51a and 51b, respectively. For example, the ends of the electric wires 51a and 51b are electrically connected to the base end regions of the terminals 43a and 43b, respectively. The base end of each of the terminals 43a and 43b is the end of each of the terminals 43a and 43b in the X-axis direction that faces the second direction D2. The tip end of each of the terminals 43a and 43b is the end of each of the terminals 43a and 43b in the X-axis direction that faces the direction opposite to the second direction D2. The terminal 43a and the electric wire 51a are joined by, for example, crimping, welding such as ultrasonic welding or laser welding, or any other known joining method. The terminal 43b and the electric wire 51b are also joined by a similar joining method.

[0047] The terminal 43a, together with the end of the electric wire 51a, is inserted into the accommodating recess 73 through the electric wire through-hole 75. The terminal 43b, together with the end of the electric wire 51b, is inserted into the accommodating recess 73 through the electric wire through-hole 75. The electrical connection portion between the terminal 43a and the electric wire 51a, and the electrical connection portion between the terminal 43b and the electric wire 51b are disposed inside the inner housing 42.

[0048] When connecting the connector 40 and the mating connector 20, the mating terminals 22a and 22b inserted into the connector 40 from the first opening 63 in the first direction D1 are then inserted into the inner housing 42 from the terminal insertion openings 74. Then, inside the inner housing 42, the mating terminals 22a and 22b overlap with the terminals 43a and 43b, respectively, in the third direction D3 and come into contact with the terminals 43a and 43b, respectively. As the mating terminals 22a and 22b come into contact with the terminals 43a and 43b, respectively, the mating terminals 22a and 22b are electrically connected to the terminals 43a and 43b, respectively.

[0049] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the connector 40 may have the same number of clip terminals 76 as the terminals 43a, 43b. The two clip terminals 76 are arranged inside the inner housing 42. When viewed from the second direction D2, each clip terminal 76 has, for example, a U-shape that opens in the direction opposite to the first direction D1. Each clip terminal 76 is made of a metal material such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or stainless steel. Each clip terminal 76 is formed by pressing a metal plate.

[0050] One of the two clip terminals 76 sandwiches the mating terminal 22a and the terminal 43a inserted into the inner housing 42, thereby pressing the mating terminal 22a against the terminal 43a. The other of the two clip terminals 76 sandwiches the mating terminal 22b and the terminal 43b inserted into the inner housing 42, thereby pressing the mating terminal 22b against the terminal 43b.

[0051] (Shield Shell 46 configuration) 3 and 9, the shield shell 46 covers the outer surface of the inner housing 42. The shield shell 46 is disposed inside the outer housing 41 together with the inner housing 42. For example, the shield shell 46 is inserted into the outer housing 41 together with the inner housing 42 from the second opening 66 along the second direction D2. The shield shell 46 is conductive. For example, the shield shell 46 is formed by pressing a metal plate.

[0052] The shield shell 46 has a cylindrical shape extending in the second direction D2. The shield shell 46 has a third end 81 and a fourth end 82 opposite the third end 81 in the second direction D2. The third end 81 of the shield shell 46 is closed. The shield shell 46 has a third opening 83 into which the mating terminals 22a, 22b are inserted along the first direction D1. The third opening 83 overlaps with the first opening 63 in the first direction D1.

[0053] The shield shell 46 also has a fourth opening 84 through which the electric wires 51a, 51b pass along the second direction D2. The fourth opening 84 is located at a fourth end 82 of the shield shell 46. The fourth opening 84 overlaps with the second opening 66 in the second direction D2.

[0054] 4, the shield shell 46 is electrically connected to the electromagnetic shield members 54 of the electric wires 51a, 51b in an end region including the fourth opening 84. The shield shell 46 has a plurality of contact portions 85 in the end region including the fourth end 82. Each contact portion 85 is formed, for example, by folding back an end portion of the shield shell 46 in the second direction D2 toward the inside of the shield shell 46. The plurality of contact portions 85 are lined up along the periphery of the fourth opening 84.

[0055] A connecting shield member 91 electrically connected to the electromagnetic shield member 54 is attached to the electric wire 51a. The connecting shield member 91 has, for example, a ring shape. The electric wire 51a passes through the connecting shield member 91 in the second direction D2. The electromagnetic shield member 54 exposed at the end region of the electric wire 51a comes into contact with the connecting shield member 91, thereby electrically connecting the electromagnetic shield member 54 to the connecting shield member 91. The connecting shield member 91 is interposed between the end region including the fourth opening 84 of the shield shell 46 and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 51a. Some of the multiple contact portions 85 come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shield member 91. The contact portions 85 come into contact with the connecting shield member 91, thereby electrically connecting the shield shell 46 to the electromagnetic shield member 54 via the connecting shield member 91.

[0056] A similar connecting shield member 91 is also attached to the electric wire 51b. Like the electromagnetic shield member 54 of the electric wire 51a, the electromagnetic shield member 54 of the electric wire 51b is also electrically connected to the shield shell 46 via the connecting shield member 91.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10 , when the connector 40 and the mating connector 20 are connected, the mating shell 25 is inserted into the shield shell 46 through the third opening 83 in the first direction D1. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating portions of the connector 40 and the mating connector 20 that constitute the electromagnetic shield structure. When the connector 40 and the mating connector 20 are connected, a portion of the mating shell 25 is disposed inside the shield shell 46. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the shield shell 46 may have at least one contact piece 86 that contacts the mating shell 25 disposed inside the shield shell 46. The contact piece 86 is formed, for example, by cutting and bending a portion of the shield shell 46 toward the inside of the shield shell 46. The contact piece 86 presses its tip region against the outer surface of the mating shell 25 due to its own elastic force. When the contact piece 86 contacts the mating shell 25, the shield shell 46 and the mating shell 25 are electrically connected. The electromagnetic shielding members 54 and the shielding shell 46 of the electric wires 51 a and 51 b are electrically connected to the housing 31 via the mating shell 25 .

[0058] 3, the electrical connection portion between the electromagnetic shield member 54 and the shield shell 46 is located in the internal space of the outer housing 41, at a location where the third seal member 64 prevents liquids such as water from entering through the first opening 63. The electrical connection portion between the electromagnetic shield member 54 and the shield shell 46 includes, for example, a contact portion between the connecting shield member 91 and the electromagnetic shield member 54, the connecting shield member 91, and a contact portion between the connecting shield member 91 and the contact portion 85.

[0059] (Configuration of inner housing holder 45) As shown in FIGS. 7, 11, 13, and 14, the inner housing holder 45 is attached to the second opening 66 of the outer housing 41. The inner housing holder 45 secures the inner housing 42 inside the outer housing 41. In the connector 40, either the first inner housing holder 110 or the second inner housing holder 140 can be selected as the inner housing holder 45. Hereinafter, the first inner housing holder 110 will be referred to as the "first inner housing holder 110," and the second inner housing holder 140 will be referred to as the "second inner housing holder 140." Note that FIGS. 1 to 5, 7, 8, and 10 to 12 illustrate the connector 40 or a portion of the connector 40 when the first inner housing holder 110 is selected as the inner housing holder 45. Furthermore, FIGS. 13 to 16 illustrate the connector 40 or a portion of the connector 40 when the second inner housing holder 140 is selected as the inner housing holder 45. In addition, in FIG. 13, the second inner housing holder 140 is marked with a dot.

[0060] (Configuration of the first inner housing holder 110) First, a case where the first inner housing holder 110 is selected as the inner housing holder 45 will be described.

[0061] As shown in Figures 4, 11, and 12, the first inner housing holder 110 has a first mounting portion 111 that fits into the second opening 66, and fixed legs 112 that are fixed to the device 30 to which the mating connector 20 is attached. The first inner housing holder 110 prevents the inner housing 42 from coming out of the outer housing 41 through the second opening 66 by the first mounting portion 111 that is fitted into the second opening 66. For example, the first inner housing holder 110 is made of metal. For example, the first inner housing holder 110 is made of aluminum die-cast. Note that the first inner housing holder 110 is a single component in which the first mounting portion 111 and the fixed legs 112 are integrally formed.

[0062] The first mounting portion 111 has, for example, a fifth end 113 and a sixth end 114. The fifth end 113 is the end of the first mounting portion 111 in the opposite direction to the second direction D2. The sixth end 114 is the end of the first mounting portion 111 opposite the fifth end 113 in the second direction D2, and is the end of the first mounting portion 111 in the second direction D2.

[0063] For example, the first mounting portion 111 has a flange 115 that protrudes outward from an end region of the first mounting portion 111 that includes a sixth end 114. The flange 115 abuts against the second end 62 of the outer housing 41 from the direction opposite to the second direction D2. When the first inner housing holder 110 is mounted in the second opening 66, the flange 115 is disposed outside the outer housing 41. That is, the fifth end 113 of the first mounting portion 111 is disposed inside the outer housing 41, while the sixth end 114 is disposed outside the outer housing 41.

[0064] The first mounting portion 111 has a first through hole 116 through which the electric wires 51a and 51b pass. For example, the first mounting portion 111 has a plurality of first through holes 116 through which the electric wires 51a and 51b pass, respectively. The first through hole 116 through which the electric wire 51a passes is referred to as the first through hole 116a, and the first through hole 116 through which the electric wire 51b passes is referred to as the first through hole 116b. Each of the first through holes 116a and 116b passes through the first mounting portion 111 in the second direction D2. The first through hole 116a and the first through hole 116b are aligned in the third direction D3.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the connector 40 may further include a plurality of first seal members 117a, 117b that seal between the inner circumferential surfaces of the plurality of first through holes 116a, 116b and the outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of electric wires 51a, 51b. The first seal members 117a, 117b are, for example, annular and surround the outer peripheries of the electric wires 51a, 51b when viewed from the second direction D2. Each of the first seal members 117a, 117b is, for example, a rubber ring. The electric wires 51a, 51b pass through the first seal members 117a, 117b in the second direction D2. The first seal members 117a, 117b are disposed within the first through holes 116a, 116b. The first seal members 117a and 117b are interposed between the inner circumferential surfaces of the first through holes 116a and 116b and the outer circumferential surfaces of the electric wires 51a and 51b, respectively. Each of the first seal members 117a and 117b is in close contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the electric wires 51a and 51b over the entire circumference of the electric wires 51a and 51b. Furthermore, each of the first seal members 117a and 117b is in close contact with the inner circumferential surfaces of the first through holes 116a and 116b over the entire circumference of the electric wires 51a and 51b. The first seal member 117a prevents liquids such as water from penetrating into the outer housing 41 through a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire 51a and the inner circumferential surface of the first through hole 116a. The first seal member 117b prevents liquids such as water from penetrating into the outer housing 41 through a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire 51b and the inner circumferential surface of the first through hole 116b.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 4, 11, and 12, the first inner housing holder 110 may also have contact portions 118 that come into contact with the shield shell 46 and thereby are electrically connected to the shield shell 46. The first inner housing holder 110 has the contact portions 118, for example, on the first mounting portion 111. For example, the first inner housing holder 110 has the contact portions 118 on the inner circumferential surfaces of the first through holes 116a, 116b. The position of the contact portions 118 in the Y-axis direction is shifted in the direction opposite to the second direction D2 from the position of the first seal members 117a, 117b in the Y-axis direction. The contact portions 118 are, for example, end regions including the fifth ends 113 on the inner circumferential surfaces of the first through holes 116a, 116b.

[0067] When the first inner housing holder 110 is attached to the second opening 66 of the outer housing 41, an end region of the shield shell 46 including the fourth end 82 is inserted into each of the first through holes 116a, 116b in the second direction D2. For example, the contact portion 85 of the shield shell 46 is inserted into each of the first through holes 116a, 116b. The contact portion 85 inserted into the first through hole 116a contacts the contact portion 118 provided on the inner circumferential surface of the first through hole 116a. The contact portion 85 inserted into the first through hole 116b contacts the contact portion 118 provided on the inner circumferential surface of the first through hole 116b. The first inner housing holder 110 is electrically connected to the shield shell 46 by the contact portion 118 contacting the contact portion 85.

[0068] The connector 40 may further include a second seal member 119 that seals between the outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion 111 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 41. The second seal member 119 is annular and surrounds the outer periphery of the first mounting portion 111. The second seal member 119 is, for example, a rubber ring. The second seal member 119 is interposed inside the outer housing 41 between the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion 111. More specifically, the second seal member 119 is interposed between the inner peripheral surface of an end region of the outer housing 41, including the second end 62, and the outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion 111. The second seal member 119 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion 111 over its entire circumference. Furthermore, the second seal member 119 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 41 over its entire circumference. The second seal member 119 prevents liquid such as water from entering the interior of the outer housing 41 from between the outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion 111 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 41. In other words, the second seal member 119 prevents liquid such as water from entering the interior of the outer housing 41 from the second opening 66.

[0069] The electrical connection portion between the electromagnetic shield member 54 and the shield shell 46 is located in the internal space of the outer housing 41, at a location where the second seal member 119 prevents liquids such as water from entering through the second opening 66. The electrical connection portion between the first inner housing holder 110 and the shield shell 46 is located in the internal space of the outer housing 41, at a location where the second seal member 119 prevents liquids such as water from entering through the second opening 66. The electrical connection portion between the first inner housing holder 110 and the shield shell 46 is, for example, the portion where the contact portion 118 and the contact portion 85 are in contact with each other.

[0070] In the connector 40, the electrical connection portion between the electromagnetic shielding member 54 and the shield shell 46, the electrical connection portion between the first inner housing holder 110 and the shield shell 46, and the electrical connection portion between the mating shell 25 and the shield shell 46 are located, for example, in the internal space of the outer housing 41, where the first sealing members 117a, 117b, the second sealing member 119, and the third sealing member 64 prevent liquid from entering through the first opening 63 and the second opening 66.

[0071] The fixed leg 112 extends from the first mounting portion 111 to the outside of the outer housing 41. The fixed leg 112 has, for example, two support portions 121 extending from the flange portion 115 and attachment portions 122 integrally formed at the tips of the two support portions 121. The fixed leg 112 has, for example, a seventh end 124 and an eighth end 125. The seventh end 124 is the end of the fixed leg 112 facing in the opposite direction to the second direction D2. The eighth end 125 is the end of the fixed leg 112 facing in the second direction D2 opposite the seventh end 124.

[0072] The two support portions 121 extend in the opposite direction to the first direction D1 from an end of the flange portion 115 that faces the first direction D1. The two support portions 121 are spaced apart in the third direction D3. Each support portion 121 has a connecting portion 123 at its tip that extends in the opposite direction to the second direction D2. The tip of each support portion 121 is the end of each support portion 121 that faces the opposite direction to the first direction D1. The attachment portion 122 is integrally provided at the end of each of the two connecting portions 123 that faces the opposite direction to the first direction D1. The attachment portion 122 is, for example, plate-shaped with the thickness direction of the attachment portion 122 aligned with the first direction D1.

[0073] 4, the width W1 of the first mounting portion 111 in the second direction D2 is less than or equal to the width W2 of the fixed leg 112 in the second direction D2. For example, the first mounting portion 111 falls within the range of the width W2 of the fixed leg 112 in the second direction D2. For example, the seventh end 124 of the fixed leg 112 is shifted in the opposite direction to the second direction D2 from the fifth end 113 of the first mounting portion 111. Furthermore, the eighth end 125 of the fixed leg 112 is at the same position in the second direction D2 as the sixth end 114 of the first mounting portion 111.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 2, for example, the width of the mounting portion 122 in the third direction D3 is wider than the width of the outer housing 41 in the third direction D3. That is, the width of the fixing leg 112 in the third direction D3 is wider than the width of the outer housing 41 in the third direction D3. Note that Fig. 2 is a plan view of the connector 40 viewed from the direction opposite to the first direction D1. For example, the outer housing 41 falls within the width range of the fixing leg 112 in the third direction D3. Furthermore, when viewed from the direction opposite to the first direction D1, the mounting portion 122 protrudes on both sides of the outer housing 41 in the third direction D3.

[0075] For example, the fixing leg 112 has a fixing hole 126 through which a fastening member 131 passes for fixing the fixing leg 112 to the housing 31. The fixing leg 112 has, for example, two fixing holes 126. Note that the number of fixing holes 126 that the fixing leg 112 has is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. For example, the fixing holes 126 are provided on both sides of the outer housing 41 in the third direction D3 when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0076] 7 and 11, the connector 40 may have a back retainer 132 attached to an end region of the outer housing 41, including the second end 62. The back retainer 132 prevents the first seal members 117a and 117b from falling off through the second opening 66. The back retainer 132 also prevents the first inner housing holder 110 from falling off from the outer housing 41. The back retainer 132 is composed of split retainers 133a and 133b split in two in the first direction D1. The back retainer 132 has two electric wire through holes 134a and 134b aligned in the third direction D3. The electric wires 51a and 51b pass through the electric wire through holes 134a and 134b, respectively, and are drawn out to the outside of the outer housing 41.

[0077] 2 and 3, the first inner housing holder 110 does not have a portion that protrudes in the second direction D2 beyond the back retainer 132. In other words, the end of the back retainer 132 in the second direction D2 is shifted in the second direction D2 from the end of the first inner housing holder 110 in the second direction D2.

[0078] The first inner housing holder 110 is fixed to the housing 31 of the device 30 by fastening members 131 that pass through the fixing holes 126. The fastening members 131 are, for example, bolts. Note that the fastening members 131 are not limited to bolts and may be, for example, screws. The first inner housing holder 110 is fixed to the housing 31 with the attachment portions 122 in contact with the surface of the housing 31. Therefore, the first inner housing holder 110 is electrically connected to the housing 31.

[0079] (Configuration of second inner housing holder 140) Next, a case where the second inner housing holder 140 is selected as the inner housing holder 45 will be described.

[0080] 14, 15, and 16, the second inner housing holder 140 has a second mounting portion 141 that fits into the second opening 66, and an engaging claw 142 for attaching the second inner housing holder 140 to the outer housing 41. The second inner housing holder 140 prevents the inner housing 42 from coming out of the outer housing 41 through the second opening 66 by the second mounting portion 141 that is fitted into the second opening 66. For example, the second inner housing holder 140 is made of synthetic resin. Note that the second inner housing holder 140 is a single component in which the second mounting portion 141 and the engaging claw 142 are integrally formed.

[0081] For example, the second mounting portion 141 has the same shape as the first mounting portion 111. The second mounting portion 141 has, for example, a ninth end 143 and a tenth end 144. The ninth end 143 is the end of the second mounting portion 141 in the opposite direction to the second direction D2. The tenth end 144 is the end of the second mounting portion 141 opposite the ninth end 143 in the second direction D2, and is the end of the second mounting portion 141 in the second direction D2.

[0082] For example, the second mounting portion 141 has a flange 145 that protrudes outward from an end region of the second mounting portion 141 that includes a tenth end 144. The flange 145 has a shape similar to that of the flange 115 of the first mounting portion 111. The flange 145 abuts against the second end 62 of the outer housing 41. When the second inner housing holder 140 is mounted in the second opening 66, the portion located inside the flange 145 is disposed outside the outer housing 41. That is, the ninth end 143 of the second mounting portion 141 is disposed inside the outer housing 41, while the tenth end 144 is disposed outside the outer housing 41.

[0083] The second mounting portion 141 has second through holes 146 through which the electric wires 51a and 51b pass. For example, the second mounting portion 141 has a plurality of second through holes 146 through which the electric wires 51a and 51b pass, respectively. The second through hole 146 through which the electric wire 51a passes is referred to as second through hole 146a, and the second through hole 146 through which the electric wire 51b passes is referred to as second through hole 146b. The second through holes 146a and 146b have the same shapes as the first through holes 116a and 116b, respectively. The second through holes 146a and 146b are aligned in the third direction D3.

[0084] When the second inner housing holder 140 is selected, the first seal members 117a and 117b seal between the inner circumferential surfaces of the second through holes 146a and 146b and the outer circumferential surfaces of the electric wires 51a and 51b. In this case, the first seal members 117a and 117b are disposed inside the second through holes 146a and 146b, respectively. The first seal members 117a and 117b are interposed between the inner circumferential surfaces of the second through holes 146a and 146b and the outer circumferential surfaces of the electric wires 51a and 51b, respectively. The first seal members 117a and 117b are in close contact with the inner circumferential surfaces of the second through holes 146a and 146b over the entire circumference. The first seal member 117a prevents liquid such as water from penetrating into the outer housing 41 from between the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 51a and the inner peripheral surface of the second through-hole 146a. The first seal member 117b prevents liquid such as water from penetrating into the outer housing 41 from between the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 51b and the inner peripheral surface of the second through-hole 146b.

[0085] When the second inner housing holder 140 is selected, the second seal member 119 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the second mounting portion 141 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 41. In this case, the second seal member 119 is interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the second mounting portion 141. The second seal member 119 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second mounting portion 141 around its entire circumference. The second seal member 119 prevents liquids such as water from entering the interior of the outer housing 41 from between the outer peripheral surface of the second mounting portion 141 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 41. The electrical connection between the electromagnetic shield member 54 and the shield shell 46 is located in the internal space of the outer housing 41, at a location where the second seal member 119 prevents liquids such as water from entering through the second opening 66.

[0086] The second inner housing holder 140 has, for example, a plurality of engagement claws 142. The second inner housing holder 140 has, for example, two engagement claws 142 on each side of the second attachment portion 141 in the first direction D1, for a total of four engagement claws 142. Each engagement claw 142 extends from a flange portion 145 in the direction opposite to the second direction D2. Each engagement claw 142 is elastically deformable. Each engagement claw 142 has an engagement hole 148 that penetrates each engagement claw 142 in the first direction D1.

[0087] 13 and 14 , the outer housing 41 may have a plurality of engagement protrusions 67 that fit into the engagement holes 148 of each engagement claw 142. For example, the outer housing 41 has two engagement protrusions 67 on each end of the outer housing 41 in the first direction D1, for a total of four engagement protrusions 67. Each engagement protrusion 67 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of an end region of the outer housing 41 that includes the second end 62. The second inner housing holder 140 is detachably attached to the outer housing 41 by fitting the engagement protrusions 67 into the engagement holes 148 of each engagement claw 142. The second inner housing holder 140 prevents the inner housing 42 from coming out of the outer housing 41 through the second opening 66 by the second attachment portion 141 that is fitted into the second opening 66. Similarly to the first inner housing holder 110, the second inner housing holder 140 is prevented from falling off the outer housing 41 by the back retainer 132.

[0088] (Effects of the embodiment) The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The connector 40 includes an outer housing 41 made of synthetic resin and having a first opening 63 through which mating terminals 22a, 22b of the mating connector 20 are inserted along a first direction D1 and a second opening 66 through which electric wires 51a, 51b pass along a second direction D2. The connector 40 includes an inner housing 42 made of synthetic resin and disposed inside the outer housing 41, and terminals 43a, 43b held inside the inner housing 42 and electrically connected to the electric wires 51a, 51b and to which the mating terminals 22a, 22b are electrically connected. The connector 40 also includes an inner housing holder 45 that is attached to the second opening 66 to hold the inner housing 42 inside the outer housing 41. The inner housing holder 45 can be either a first inner housing holder 110 or a second inner housing holder 140. The first inner housing holder 110 has a first through hole 116 through which the electric wires 51 a, 51 b pass, and has a first mounting portion 111 that fits into the second opening 66. Furthermore, the first inner housing holder 110 has fixing legs 112 that extend from the first mounting portion 111 to the outside of the outer housing 41 and are fixed to the device 30 to which the mating connector 20 is attached. The second inner housing holder 140 has a second through hole 146 through which the electric wires 51 a, 51 b pass, and has a second mounting portion 141 that fits into the second opening 66.

[0089] According to this configuration, when the first inner housing holder 110 is selected as the inner housing holder 45, the fixing legs 112 can be fixed to the device 30. That is, the first inner housing holder 110 attached to the second opening 66 through which the electric wires 51a and 51b pass can be fixed to the device 30. When the fixing legs 112 are fixed to the device 30, the outer housing 41 to which the first inner housing holder 110 is attached and the inner housing 42 disposed inside the outer housing 41 are integrated with the device 30 and are therefore less likely to move relative to the device 30. Therefore, vibration of the outer housing 41 and the inner housing 42 caused by vibration of the electric wires 51a and 51b is suppressed. Furthermore, when the connector 40 and the mating connector 20 are connected, relative movement between the terminals 43a and 43b held inside the inner housing 42 and the mating terminals 22a and 22b caused by vibration of the electric wires 51a and 51b is suppressed. This prevents wear at the contact portions between the terminals 43a, 43b and the mating terminals 22a, 22b. In this way, when the first inner housing holder 110 is selected as the inner housing holder 45, the connector 40 can be provided with a vibration-resistant structure.

[0090] Furthermore, the first inner housing holder 110 is a component that not only has the function of fastening the inner housing 42 inside the outer housing 41, but also has the additional function of providing a vibration-resistant structure to the connector 40. In other words, the first inner housing holder 110 is not a component that serves only to provide a vibration-resistant structure to the connector 40. Therefore, an increase in the number of components can be suppressed compared to when a component solely for providing a vibration-resistant structure to the connector 40 is added to the connector 40.

[0091] Furthermore, the second inner housing holder 140 does not have the fixing legs 112. Therefore, by selecting the second inner housing holder 140 as the inner housing holder 45, it is possible to manufacture a connector 40 that does not have a vibration-resistant structure.

[0092] For these reasons, in connector 40 in which mating terminals 22a, 22b connected to terminals 43a, 43b are inserted in a direction intersecting the extension direction of electric wires 51a, 51b, it is possible to select whether or not to have a vibration-resistant structure without increasing the number of parts.

[0093] (2) The first inner housing holder 110 is made of metal. This configuration increases the rigidity of the first inner housing holder 110 compared to when the first inner housing holder 110 is made of synthetic resin. Therefore, vibration of the outer housing 41 and the inner housing 42 caused by vibration of the electric wires 51a and 51b can be further suppressed. Furthermore, when the connector 40 and the mating connector 20 are connected, relative movement between the terminals 43a and 43b held inside the inner housing 42 and the mating terminals 22a and 22b caused by vibration of the electric wires 51a and 51b can be further suppressed. Therefore, wear on the contact portions between the terminals 43a and 43b and the mating terminals 22a and 22b can be further suppressed.

[0094] (3) The first inner housing holder 110 is made of die-cast aluminum. With this configuration, the first inner housing holder 110 made of metal can be easily manufactured. (4) The second inner housing holder 140 is made of synthetic resin. With this configuration, the second inner housing holder 140 can be manufactured more inexpensively and lighter than if the second inner housing holder 140 were made of metal.

[0095] (5) The connector 40 further includes a shield shell 46 that is conductive and covers the outer surface of the inner housing 42. The first inner housing holder 110 has contact portions 118 that come into contact with the shield shell 46 and thereby are electrically connected to the shield shell 46. With this configuration, when the first inner housing holder 110 is selected as the inner housing holder 45, the first inner housing holder 110 and the shield shell 46 are electrically connected to each other. If the housing 31 of the device 30 to which the mating connector 20 is attached is conductive, the first inner housing holder 110 and the housing 31 can be electrically connected to each other by fixing the fixing legs 112 in contact with the housing 31. Therefore, the shield shell 46 can be electrically connected to the housing 31 via the first inner housing holder 110. As a result, the shield shell 46 can be electrically connected to the housing 31 not only via the mating shell 25 but also via the first inner housing holder 110. This improves the reliability of the electromagnetic shielding function of the connector 40.

[0096] (6) The fixing legs 112 have fixing holes 126 through which fastening members 131 for fixing the fixing legs 112 to the device 30 pass. The fixing holes 126 are provided on both sides of the outer housing 41 in a direction perpendicular to the second direction D2, i.e., the third direction D3, as viewed from the first direction D1. This configuration allows the first inner housing holder 110 to be more stably fixed to the device 30 than when there is only one fixing hole 126 or when there is a fixing hole 126 on only one side of the outer housing 41 in the third direction D3 as viewed from the first direction D1. Therefore, vibration of the outer housing 41 and the inner housing 42 caused by vibration of the electric wires 51a and 51b can be further suppressed. Furthermore, when the connector 40 and the mating connector 20 are connected, relative movement between the terminals 43a and 43b held inside the inner housing 42 and the mating terminals 22a and 22b caused by vibration of the electric wires 51a and 51b can be further suppressed.

[0097] (7) The first mounting portion 111 is within the width W2 of the fixed leg 112 in the second direction D2. With this configuration, the width of the first inner housing holder 110 in the second direction D2 can be narrower than when the first mounting portion 111 does not fit within the width W2 of the fixed leg 112 in the second direction D2. Therefore, an increase in the size of the connector 40 in the second direction D2 can be suppressed.

[0098] (8) The connector further includes first seal members 117a, 117b that seal between the inner circumferential surfaces of the first through holes 116a, 116b or the inner circumferential surfaces of the second through holes 146a, 146b and the outer circumferential surfaces of the electric wires 51a, 51b. This configuration allows the first seal members 117a, 117b to individually seal between the outer circumferential surfaces of the electric wires 51a, 51b and the inner circumferential surfaces of the first through holes 116a, 116b or the second through holes 146a, 146b. For example, the terminals 43a, 43b and the electric wires 51a, 51b may be connected after the first seal members 117a, 117b are attached to the electric wires 51a, 51b. In this case, when the terminals 43a, 43b and the electric wires 51a, 51b are connected, the electric wires 51a, 51b can be separated from each other by the seal members. Therefore, the terminals 43a, 43b and the electric wires 51a, 51b can be easily connected.

[0099] (9) The outer housing 41 has a cylindrical shape extending in the second direction D2 and has a first end 61 and a second end 62 opposite the first end 61 in the second direction D2. The first end 61 is closed. The second opening 66 is located at the second end 62. The first opening 63 is located between the first end 61 and the second end 62. The outer housing 41 further includes a second seal member 119 that seals between the outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion 111 or the outer peripheral surface of the second mounting portion 141 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 41. With this configuration, the second seal member 119 can prevent liquid such as water from entering the interior of the outer housing 41 from between the outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion 111 or the second mounting portion 141 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 41.

[0100] (10) Each of the electric wires 51a, 51b is a shielded electric wire including a core wire 52, a first insulating coating 53 covering the outer periphery of the core wire 52, a conductive electromagnetic shield member 54 covering the outer periphery of the first insulating coating 53, and a second insulating coating 55 covering the outer periphery of the electromagnetic shield member 54. The connector 40 further includes a shield shell 46 that is conductive and covers the outer surface of the inner housing 42. The electromagnetic shield member 54 is electrically connected to the shield shell 46. The electrical connection between the electromagnetic shield member 54 and the shield shell 46 is located in the internal space of the outer housing 41, at a location where the second seal member 119 prevents liquid from entering through the second opening 66. This configuration prevents liquids such as water from adhering to the electrical connection between the electromagnetic shield member 54 and the shield shell 46.

[0101] (11) The connector 40 further includes a third seal member 64 that is interposed between the outer housing 41 and the mating connector 20 and prevents liquid from entering the interior of the outer housing 41 through the first opening 63. The electrical connection portion between the electromagnetic shield member 54 and the shield shell 46 is located in the internal space of the outer housing 41, at a location where the third seal member 64 prevents liquid from entering through the first opening 63. This configuration further prevents liquids such as water from adhering to the electrical connection portion between the electromagnetic shield member 54 and the shield shell 46.

[0102] (12) When a conventional anti-rattle member is applied to a connector into which a mating terminal is inserted in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the electric wire, vibrations in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the mating terminal can be suppressed. However, it is difficult to suppress vibrations of the connector in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electric wire. Furthermore, when a large-diameter electric wire, such as a high-voltage electric wire, is used, even if a conventional anti-rattle member is applied, there is a concern that the vibrating electric wire may shake the connector itself relative to the device to which the mating connector is attached. In response to this, in the connector 40, the fixing legs 112 are fixed to the housing 31 to suppress vibrations of the connector 40 caused by vibrations of the electric wires 51a and 51b. Therefore, it is possible to suppress both vibrations of the connector 40 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 and in the longitudinal direction of the electric wires 51a and 51b, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the second direction D2. Furthermore, because the fixing legs 112 are fixed to the housing 31, relative movement of the connector 40 with respect to the housing 31 is suppressed. Therefore, even if the electric wires 51a, 51b are high-voltage wires with a large diameter, the connector 40 is prevented from being shaken relative to the housing 31 by the electric wires 51a, 51b when the electric wires 51a, 51b vibrate.

[0103] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility. The location of the electrical connection between the electromagnetic shield member 54 and the shield shell 46 is not limited to that in the above embodiment, as long as it is located in the interior space of the outer housing 41 .

[0104] In the above embodiment, the first mounting portion 111 has two first through holes 116. However, the first mounting portion 111 may have only one first through hole 116. In this case, the electric wires 51a and 51b pass through the single first through hole 116. In this case, the connector 40 includes only one first seal member. Furthermore, the first seal member has two through holes: one through which the electric wire 51a passes and one through which the electric wire 51b passes. Similarly, the second mounting portion 141 may have only one second through hole 146.

[0105] The connector 40 does not necessarily have to include at least one of the first seal members 117a and 117b, the second seal member 119, and the third seal member 64. The number of terminals 43 included in the connector 40 may be one or three or more. The number of mating terminals 22 included in the mating connector 20 is not limited to two and may be changed as appropriate depending on the number of terminals 43 included in the connector 40.

[0106] The first mounting portion 111 does not have to be within the range of the width W2 of the fixed leg 112 in the second direction D2. For example, the first mounting portion 111 may have a portion that does not overlap with the fixed leg 112 in the first direction D1. Also, for example, the fixed leg 112 may be within the range of the first mounting portion 111 in the second direction D2.

[0107] The fixing hole 126 may be provided on only one side of the outer housing 41 in the third direction D3 as viewed from the first direction D1. Alternatively, the fixing hole 126 may be provided on at least one of both sides of the outer housing 41 in the second direction D2 as viewed from the first direction D1. In this case, the size and shape of the attachment portion 122 may be changed depending on the position of the fixing hole 126.

[0108] The first inner housing holder 110 does not have to have the contact portion 118. The shapes of the first mounting portion 111 and the fixed leg 112 are not limited to those in the above embodiment. For example, the fixed leg 112 may have one support portion 121 or three or more support portions 121. Furthermore, for example, the fixed leg 112 may have multiple attachment portions 122.

[0109] The second inner housing holder 140 is not limited to being made of synthetic resin. For example, the second inner housing holder 140 may be made of metal. The second inner housing holder 140 is not limited to the shape of the above embodiment as long as it has the second attachment portion 141. For example, the second inner housing holder 140 does not have to have the engaging claws 142.

[0110] The first inner housing holder 110 is not limited to being made of aluminum die-cast. For example, the first inner housing holder 110 may be formed by a processing method such as casting or cutting. The first inner housing holder 110 may also be made of synthetic resin. In this case, the first inner housing holder 110 may be made of a synthetic resin material containing a filler. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 20 mating connector, 21 mating connector housing (mating housing), 22, 22a, 22b mating terminal, 23 main body, 24 fixing portion, 25 mating shield shell (mating shell), 26 contact portion, 27 sealing member, 30 device, 31 housing, 32 mounting hole, 40 connector, 41 outer housing (outer housing), 42 inner housing (inner housing), 43, 43a, 43b terminal, 45 inner housing holder (inner housing holder), 46 shield shell, 51a, 51b electric wire, 52 core wire, 53 first insulating coating, 54 electromagnetic shield member, 55 second insulating coating, 61 first end, 62 second end, 63 first opening, 64 third sealing member, 65 cap, 66 second opening, 67 engaging protrusion, 71 inner housing main body (inner housing main body), 72 cover, 73 accommodating recess, 74 terminal insertion port, 75 wire through-hole, 76 clip terminal, 81 third end, 82 fourth end, 83 third opening, 84 fourth opening, 85 contact portion, 86 contact piece, 91 connecting shield member, 110 first inner housing holder (first inner housing holder), 111 first mounting portion, 112 fixing leg, 113 fifth end, 114 sixth end, 115 flange portion, 116, 116a, 116b first through hole, 117a, 117b first seal member, 118 contact portion, 119 second seal member, 121 support portion, 122 mounting portion, 123 connecting portion, 124 seventh end, 125 eighth end, 126 fixing hole, 131 fastening member, 132 back retainer, 133a, 133b Split retainer, 134a, 134b wire through-hole, 140 second inner housing holder (second inner housing holder), 141 second mounting portion, 142 engagement claw, 143 ninth end, 144 tenth end, 145 flange portion, 146, 146a, 146b second through-hole, 148 engagement hole

Claims

1. an outer housing made of synthetic resin, the outer housing having a first opening into which a mating terminal of a mating connector is inserted along a first direction, and a second opening through which an electric wire passes along a second direction intersecting the first direction; an inner housing made of synthetic resin and disposed inside the outer housing; a terminal held inside the inner housing, electrically connected to the electric wire and electrically connected to the mating terminal; an inner housing holder that is attached to the second opening and holds the inner housing inside the outer housing; Equipped with As the inner housing holder, one of a first inner housing holder and a second inner housing holder can be selected, The first inner housing holder includes: a first mounting portion having a first through hole through which the electric wire passes and fitted into the second opening; a fixing leg extending from the first mounting portion to the outside of the outer housing and fixed to a device to which the mating connector is attached, The second inner housing holder has a second through hole through which the electric wire passes and a second mounting portion that fits into the second opening.

2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the first inner housing holder is made of metal.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the first inner housing holder is made of die-cast aluminum.

4. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second inner housing holder is made of synthetic resin.

5. a shield shell that is electrically conductive and covers an outer surface of the inner housing; 4. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the first inner housing holder has a contact portion that comes into contact with the shield shell to be electrically connected to the shield shell.

6. The fixing leg has a fixing hole through which a fastening member for fixing the fixing leg to the device passes, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing holes are provided on both sides of the outer housing in a direction perpendicular to the second direction when viewed from the first direction.

7. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the first mounting portion is within a width range of the fixing leg in the second direction.

8. The connector according to claim 1 , further comprising a first seal member that seals between an inner peripheral surface of the first through hole or an inner peripheral surface of the second through hole and an outer peripheral surface of the electric wire.

9. the outer housing has a cylindrical shape extending in the second direction and has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in the second direction; the first end is closed; the second opening is located at the second end; the first opening is located between the first end and the second end; 9. The connector according to claim 8, further comprising a second seal member that seals between an outer peripheral surface of the first mounting portion or an outer peripheral surface of the second mounting portion and an inner peripheral surface of the outer housing.

10. the electric wire is a shielded electric wire including a core wire, a first insulating coating covering an outer periphery of the core wire, an electromagnetic shielding member that is conductive and covers the outer periphery of the first insulating coating, and a second insulating coating that covers the outer periphery of the electromagnetic shielding member, a shield shell that is conductive and covers an outer surface of the inner housing; the electromagnetic shielding member is electrically connected to the shielding shell, 10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein an electrical connection portion between the electromagnetic shielding member and the shielding shell is located in an internal space of the outer housing, in a location where the second seal member prevents liquid from entering through the second opening.

11. a third seal member interposed between the outer housing and the mating connector to prevent liquid from entering the outer housing through the first opening, 11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein an electrical connection portion between the electromagnetic shielding member and the shielding shell is located in an internal space of the outer housing, in a location where the third seal member prevents liquid from entering through the first opening.

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