First connector, second connector, connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a first connector capable of simplifying a structure of a terminal and thereby reducing the possibility of finger touch to the terminal to thereby improve an electrical shock prevention effect.SOLUTION: A first connector 12 comprises a first terminal member 18, a first connector housing 20, and a slide member 22. The slide member 22 can slide and move from a closing position to an opening position with respect to the first connector housing 20. The slide member 22 has: a lateral protection wall part 42 that, at a closing position, covers the circumference of the first terminal member 18 while being separated from the first terminal member 18, and that is protruded from the first terminal member 18; a front protection wall part 44 that covers a front end opening of the lateral protection wall part 42; and a terminal insertion hole 46 provided so as to penetrate through the front protection wall part 44 and through which the first terminal member 18 is allowed to be inserted. The first terminal member 18 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 46 of the slide member 22 and projected from the front protection wall part 44 in a state where the slide member 22 is moved to the opening position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a first connector, a second connector, and a connector assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, connector assemblies, which are assembled by fitting a first connector and a second connector together, have been used to transmit power between on-board components such as high-voltage batteries and inverters. In such connector assemblies, it is necessary to provide a structure to prevent electric shock caused by the worker's fingers coming into contact with the terminals of each connector. For example, in the connector described in Patent Document 1, the terminals are surrounded on three sides by protective collars with a U-shaped cross section, and the terminals of the mating connector to be connected to the terminals are arranged in orthogonal directions. cable To achieve this, a structure has been proposed in which the sides and front of the protective collar are opened and the surfaces of the terminals exposed at the sides and front of the protective collar are covered with a resin protective member attached to the terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2016-522550 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the structure of Patent Document 1 requires a resin protective member to be attached to the terminal to cover the surface of the terminal exposed from the protective collar, which makes the terminal structure complicated. Furthermore, the side and front openings of the protective collar are not covered, which raises the risk of accidentally touching the terminal with one's finger.

[0005] Therefore, a first connector, a second connector, and a connector assembly are disclosed that enable the terminal structure to be simplified, reduce the possibility of touching the terminals with fingers, and improve the effect of preventing electric shock. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] a first connector that is detachably assembled to a second connector, the first connector comprising: first terminal members having a tip end extending in a first direction; a first connector housing that holds the first terminal members; and a slide member that is held by the first connector housing, the slide member being slidable from a closed position located at an end in the first direction with respect to the first connector housing to an open position located at an end in a first opposite direction that is opposite to the first direction, the slide member having, at the closed position, side protective wall portions that are spaced apart from the first terminal members in a direction orthogonal to the first direction of the first terminal members and that cover the peripheries of the first terminal members while protruding beyond the first terminal members in the first direction, a front protective wall portion that covers tip openings of the side protective wall portions, and a terminal insertion hole that penetrates the front protective wall portion and allows insertion of the first terminal members, and when the slide member is moved to the open position, the first terminal members are inserted through the terminal insertion hole of the slide member and protrude from the front protective wall portion in the first direction The slide member has a slide-side suppression portion, and the first connector housing has a connector-side suppression portion that suppresses movement of the slide member in the first opposite direction by engaging with the slide-side suppression portion when the slide member is in the closed position. This is the first connector. Furthermore, a first connector in another aspect of the present disclosure is a first connector that is detachably assembled to a second connector, and includes a first terminal member having a tip side extending in a first direction, a first connector housing that holds the first terminal member, and a slide member held by the first connector housing, wherein the slide member is slidable between a closed position located at an end in the first direction relative to the first connector housing to an open position located at an end in a first opposite direction that is opposite to the first direction, and in the closed position, the slide member is spaced from the first terminal member in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the first terminal member and extends around the periphery of the first terminal member. a side protective wall portion that covers the outer periphery of the connector and protrudes beyond the first terminal member in the first direction, a front protective wall portion that covers the tip opening of the side protective wall portion, and a terminal insertion hole that penetrates the front protective wall portion and allows the first terminal member to be inserted therethrough; when the slide member is moved to the open position, the first terminal member passes through the terminal insertion hole of the slide member and protrudes from the front protective wall portion in the first direction, the slide member has a slide-side regulating portion, and the first connector housing has a connector-side regulating portion that engages with the slide-side regulating portion when the slide member is in the closed position, thereby regulating the movement of the slide member in the first direction. Furthermore, in yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a first connector is a first connector that is detachably assembled to a second connector, and includes: first terminal members whose tip ends extend in a first direction; a first connector housing that holds the first terminal members; and a slide member held by the first connector housing, wherein the slide member is slidable between a closed position located at an end in the first direction relative to the first connector housing to an open position located at an end in a first opposite direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the slide member, in the closed position, has side protective wall portions that are spaced apart from the first terminal members in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the first terminal members and that cover the peripheries of the first terminal members while protruding beyond the first terminal members in the first direction; a front protective wall portion that covers a tip opening of the side protective wall portion; and a front protective wall portion that is spaced apart from the first terminal members in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the first terminal members and that protrude beyond the first terminal members in the first direction. a terminal insertion hole that penetrates the front protective wall portion and allows the first terminal member to be inserted therethrough; when the slide member is moved to the open position, the first terminal member passes through the terminal insertion hole of the slide member and protrudes from the front protective wall portion in the first direction; the slide member has an engaged portion that engages with an engaging portion provided on the second connector and is pulled in the direction of removal of the second connector when the second connector is removed from the first connector, and the engaged portion slides to the closed position by being pulled by the engaging portion; the slide member has an abutted portion that abuts against an abutting portion provided on the second connector from the side opposite to the protruding direction of the engaging portion toward the engaged portion, and the abutted portion abuts against the abutting portion to prevent displacement of the engaging portion in the direction opposite to the protruding direction.

[0007] The second connector of the present disclosure is a second connector that is detachably assembled to the first connector of the present disclosure, and includes: a second terminal member to which the first terminal member of the first connector is connected; a second connector housing that holds the second terminal member; a pressing portion that presses a pressed portion provided on the slide member to slide the slide member to the open position when the second connector is fitted to the first connector; and an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion provided on the slide member and pulls the engaged portion in a direction to remove from the first connector, thereby sliding the slide member to the closed position when the second connector is removed from the first connector. The second connector housing has the engaging portion and a contact portion that contacts a contacted portion provided on the slide member from the opposite side to the protruding direction of the engaging portion toward the engaged portion, and the contacted portion contacts the contacted portion to prevent displacement of the engaging portion in the opposite side to the protruding direction. , the second connector.

[0008] The connector assembly of the present disclosure is a connector assembly having a first connector and a second connector that are detachably assembled to each other, wherein the first connector is a first connector of the present disclosure and the second connector is a second connector of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The first connector, second connector, and connector assembly of the present disclosure enable the terminal structure to be simplified, and the possibility of touching the terminal with fingers can be reduced, improving the effect of preventing electric shock. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first connector according to the first embodiment, in which the slide member is in the closed position. [Figure 5] 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the first connector shown in FIG. 4, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment, in which the slide member is in the open position. [Figure 8] 8 is a front view of the first connector shown in FIG. 7 with a slide member removed. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the top surface side of a slide member used in the first connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bottom surface side of the slide member used in the first connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 3, including an enlarged view of a main part. [Figure 13] 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] <Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The first connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A first connector that is detachably assembled to a second connector, comprising: a first terminal member whose tip side extends in a first direction; a first connector housing that holds the first terminal member; and a slide member held by the first connector housing, wherein the slide member is slidable from a closed position located at an end in the first direction relative to the first connector housing to an open position located at an end in a first opposite direction that is opposite to the first direction, and wherein the slide member, in the closed position, has side protective wall portions that are spaced apart from the first terminal members in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the first terminal members, cover the periphery of the first terminal members, and protrude beyond the first terminal members in the first direction; a front protective wall portion that covers the tip openings of the side protective wall portions; and a terminal insertion hole that penetrates the front protective wall portion and allows the first terminal members to be inserted therethrough, and wherein, when the slide member is moved to the open position, the first terminal members pass through the terminal insertion hole of the slide member and protrude from the front protective wall portion in the first direction.

[0012] According to the first connector of the present disclosure, the slide member provided in the first connector includes side protective wall portions that cover the periphery of the first terminal member and a front protective wall portion that covers the tip opening of the side protective wall portion. When the slide member is in the closed position, the side protective wall portions cover the periphery of the first terminal member, and the front protective wall portion that covers the tip opening of the side protective wall portion covers the front surface of the first terminal member. This eliminates the need for a resin protective member on the terminal, as in conventional structures, simplifying the terminal structure. Furthermore, since the periphery and front surface of the terminal member are covered by the slide member, the possibility of touching the terminal with fingers is reduced, improving the effectiveness of preventing electric shock. Note that, when the first connector includes multiple first terminal members, a slide member may be provided for each first terminal member, or multiple first terminal members may be collectively surrounded by a single slide member. Furthermore, the shape of the side protective wall portions can be any shape, such as a circular or rectangular cylindrical shape, as long as it can surround the periphery of the first terminal member.

[0013] (2) It is preferable that the sliding member includes a plurality of the first terminal members, and the plurality of first terminal members are covered by the side protective wall portions and the front protective wall portion of the single sliding member arranged in the closed position.

[0014] When the first connector includes multiple first terminal members, a single slide member can cover the multiple first terminal members, thereby reducing the number of parts and size of the first connector.

[0015] (3) The first connector housing has a distal end side of the first terminal member. andand a slide rail insertion portion that penetrates the outer peripheral edge portion of the terminal holding portion in the first direction, and the slide member has a slide rail that extends from the front protective wall portion of the slide member in the first opposite direction, the slide rail is inserted into the slide rail insertion portion so as to be able to move in the first direction and the first opposite direction, and displacement of the slide member in a direction perpendicular to the first direction is restricted by the slide rail abutting against the slide rail insertion portion.

[0016] By inserting the slide rail provided on the slide member into the slide rail insertion portion provided on the connector housing, the slide member can be slidably held in the connector housing. Moreover, because the abutment of the slide rail against the slide rail insertion portion restricts displacement of the slide member in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, it is possible to advantageously reduce the risk of tilting of the slide member during sliding movement and the resulting damage to the slide member.

[0017] (4) It is preferable that the side protective wall portion of the slide member is configured to include a plurality of separation wall portions separated circumferentially by a plurality of slits, and the slide rail is configured to include the separation wall portions.

[0018] Since the slide rail is configured to include the separation wall portion that constitutes the side protective wall portion, the side protective wall portion can also function as the slide rail, making it possible to reduce the size of the slide member.

[0019] (5) It is preferable that the slide rail includes an extending wall portion extending from the separating wall portion in the first opposite direction, and that in the closed position, the extending wall portion of the slide rail is inserted into the slide rail insertion portion of the first connector housing.

[0020] An extension wall portion extending in the first opposite direction from the separating wall portion constituting the slide rail is in the closed position of the slide member. Leave Because the slide rail is inserted and disposed in the slide rail insertion portion, the slide rail can be reliably inserted and disposed in the slide rail insertion portion while the side protective wall portion moves from the closed position where it covers the first terminal member to the open position, thereby reliably guiding the sliding direction of the slide member and further advantageously reducing tilting of the slide member during movement and the resulting damage, etc.

[0021] (6) It is preferable that a pair of the slide rail and the slide rail insertion portion is arranged opposite each other on both sides of the first terminal member in two directions perpendicular to the first direction in the first terminal member.

[0022] Since a pair of a slide rail and a slide rail insertion portion is disposed facing each other on both sides of the first terminal in two directions perpendicular to the first direction, for example, the slide rail can be inserted into the slide rail insertion portion on both sides of the first terminal member in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, thereby ensuring the rigidity and durability of the slide member and more reliably guiding the direction of sliding movement.

[0023] (7) It is preferable that the slide member has a slide-side suppression portion, and the first connector housing has a connector-side suppression portion that suppresses movement of the slide member in the first opposite direction by engaging with the slide-side suppression portion when the slide member is in the closed position.

[0024] The first connector housing has a connector-side suppressing portion that suppresses movement of the sliding member in the first opposite direction when the sliding member is in the closed position, thereby suppressing, for example, the sliding member from easily sliding to the open position due to vibration, etc. This makes it possible to maintain good electric shock prevention effect on the first terminal member.

[0025] (8) It is preferable that the slide member has a slide-side regulating portion, and the first connector housing has a connector-side regulating portion that engages with the slide-side regulating portion when the slide member is in the closed position, thereby regulating the movement of the slide member in the first direction.

[0026] The first connector housing has a connector-side restricting portion that restricts movement of the sliding member in the first direction when the sliding member is in the closed position, thereby preventing the sliding member from falling off the first connector housing, thereby maintaining good electric shock prevention for the first terminal member.

[0027] (9) It is preferable that the sliding member has a pressed portion that is pressed by a pressing portion provided on the second connector when the second connector is mated to the first connector, the pressed portion being provided on the front protective wall portion, and the pressed portion being pressed by the pressing portion to slide to the open position.

[0028] When the second connector is mated with the first connector, the pressed portion is pressed by the pressing portion of the second connector, causing the slide member to slide to the open position, eliminating the need for a jig or other tool to slide it to the open position. Therefore, simply by mating the second connector with the first connector, an operator can slide the slide member to the open position without requiring a separate process. Additionally, because the pressed portion is provided on the front protective wall of the slide member, the pressing portion of the second connector presses the front protective wall, which is provided at the tip of the slide member and extends in a flat shape, thereby stably sliding the slide member in the first opposite direction.

[0029] (10) It is preferable that the sliding member has an engaged portion that engages with an engaging portion provided on the second connector and is pulled in the direction of disengagement of the second connector when the second connector is disengaged from the first connector, and that the engaged portion is pulled by the engaging portion to slide to the closed position.

[0030] When the second connector is detached from the first connector, the engaging portion of the second connector engages with the engaged portion of the slide member, pulling the engaging portion in the direction of detachment of the second connector. This allows the slide member to be pulled out together with the second connector in the detachment direction, i.e., the first direction, and the slide member can be slid to the closed position. Therefore, there is no need to use a jig or the like to slide the slide member to the closed position. A worker can simply detach the second connector from the first connector and slide the slide member to the closed position without requiring any additional steps.

[0031] (11) It is preferable that the slide member has an abutment portion that abuts against the abutment portion provided on the second connector from the opposite side to the protruding direction of the engaging portion toward the engaged portion, and that the abutment portion abuts against the abutment portion to prevent displacement of the engaging portion in the opposite direction to the protruding direction.

[0032] The abutting portion of the slide member abuts the abutting portion of the second connector, preventing displacement of the engaging portion in the direction opposite to the protruding direction and advantageously maintaining the engaging portion engaged with the engaged portion. This prevents or suppresses the occurrence of a problem in which, when the second connector is detached from the first connector, the engaging portion disengages from the engaged portion and the slide member cannot be pulled out to the closed position.

[0033] (12) A second connector that can be detachably assembled to a first connector described in any one of (1) to (11) above, comprising: a second terminal member to which the first terminal member of the first connector is connected; a second connector housing that holds the second terminal member; a pressing portion that presses a pressed portion provided on the slide member when mated to the first connector, thereby sliding the slide member to the open position; and an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion provided on the slide member when removed from the first connector, and pulls the engaged portion in the direction of removal from the first connector, thereby sliding the slide member to the closed position.

[0034] According to the second connector of the present disclosure, when the connector is mated with the first connector, the pressing portion presses the pressed portion provided on the slide member, thereby sliding the slide member to the open position. This allows an operator to slide the slide member to the open position simply by mating the second connector with the first connector, without requiring any additional steps. When the slide member is moved to the open position, the first terminal members are inserted through the terminal insertion holes of the slide member and protrude in the first direction from the front protective wall portion, so that the second terminal members can be connected to the first terminal members. Furthermore, when the connector is detached from the first connector, the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion provided on the slide member, and the second terminal members are moved in the detachment direction from the first connector. To be affected The engaging portion can be pulled, thereby sliding the slide member to the closed position. An operator can slide the slide member to the closed position by simply disconnecting the second connector from the first connector, without requiring any additional steps. The second connector allows the slide member to be moved to the closed position to surround the first terminal member, simplifying the terminal structure and reducing the possibility of touching the terminal with one's fingers, thereby improving the effectiveness of preventing electric shock.

[0035] (13) In the second connector described in (12) above, it is preferable that the second connector housing has an opening window that exposes the second terminal member to the outside, and further includes an insulating cover member that covers the opening window, a first terminal accommodating hole is formed in the central plane portion of the cover member, and the pressing portion is formed by the portion of the central plane portion excluding the first terminal accommodating hole.

[0036] The second connector includes an insulating cover member that covers the opening window of the second connector housing, and a first terminal insertion hole is provided in the central flat portion of the cover member, through which the first terminal member is inserted to connect the first terminal member to the second terminal member. The pressing portion is configured by the flat area of ​​the central flat portion other than the first terminal insertion hole, so that the pressing portion can press over a wide contact area against the peripheral area of ​​the front protective wall portion in which the terminal insertion hole through which the first terminal member is inserted is provided. This allows the sliding member of the first connector to be pressed in a stable manner when mated to the first connector, thereby suppressing or preventing the sliding member from sliding obliquely.

[0037] (14) In the second connector described in (12) or (13) above, the second connector housing has the engaging portion and a covered The engaging portion is brought into contact with the abutting portion from the opposite side to the protruding direction of the engaging portion toward the engaged portion. Ruto a contact portion, covered The contact part is Note It is preferable that the engaging portion is prevented from being displaced in the opposite direction to the protruding direction by abutting against the contact portion.

[0038] The abutting portion of the second connector abuts against the abutted portion of the slide member, preventing displacement of the engaging portion in the direction opposite to the protruding direction and advantageously maintaining the engaging portion engaged with the engaged portion. This prevents or suppresses the occurrence of a problem in which, when the second connector is detached from the first connector, the engaging portion disengages from the engaged portion and the slide member cannot be pulled out to the closed position.

[0039] (15) A connector assembly having a first connector and a second connector that are detachably assembled to each other, wherein the first connector is a first connector described in any one of (1) to (11) above, and the second connector is a second connector described in any one of (12) to (14) above.

[0040] According to the connector assembly of the present disclosure, since the first connector of the present disclosure is used as the first connector and the second connector of the present disclosure is used as the second connector, the above-mentioned advantageous effects that can be enjoyed by the first connector and the second connector of the present disclosure can be enjoyed in the same way. Therefore, it is possible to provide a connector assembly that simplifies the terminal structure, reduces the possibility of touching the terminals with fingers, and improves the effect of preventing electric shock.

[0041] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Specific examples of the connector assembly, first connector, and second connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0042] <Embodiment 1> A connector assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. The connector assembly 10 is mounted on a vehicle to connect on-board devices such as a high-voltage battery and an inverter. The connector assembly 10 can be oriented in any direction, but in the following description, X1 in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the front, X2 as the rear, Y1 as the left, Y2 as the right, Z1 as the top, and Z2 as the bottom. In addition, when multiple identical components are used, only some of the components will be designated by reference numerals, and the reference numerals may be omitted for the other components.

[0043] <Connector Assembly 10> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector assembly 10 includes a first connector 12 and a second connector 13. 12The first connector 12 is provided, for example, on the housing of a high-voltage battery (not shown). The second connector 14 is provided, for example, on the end of a wire harness 16 extending from an inverter (not shown). Then, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are assembled and fitted together, thereby connecting the battery and the inverter via the wire harness 16.

[0044] <First connector 12> 4 to 7, the first connector 12 includes a pair of first terminal members 18, a first connector housing 20 that holds the first terminal members 18, and a slide member 22 that is slidably held in the first connector housing. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first terminal members 18 extend from the first connector housing 20 in the X1 direction, with the tip side facing forward. In this embodiment, the direction in which the first terminal members 18 extend will be described as the first direction X1.

[0045] <First terminal member 18> The first terminal members 18 are formed by press-punching a conductive metal plate. In this embodiment, the first connector housing 20 of the first connector 12 holds two first terminal members 18. The tip side of each first terminal member 18 extends from the first connector housing 20 in the first direction X1 to form a connector-side connecting portion 24 that connects with a second terminal member 96 (described later) provided on the second connector 14. The base side of each first terminal member 18 extends from the first connector housing 20 rearward in the X2 direction, i.e., in a first opposite direction X2 that is opposite the first direction. The base side of each first terminal member 18 forms an apparatus-side connecting portion 26 that connects to a circuit on the battery side. Each first terminal member 18 has a held portion 28 located between the tip side and the base side and connecting the connector-side connecting portion 24 and the apparatus-side connecting portion 26. The held portion 28 is embedded and fixed in a terminal holding portion 30 (described later) of the first connector housing 20. That is, the held portions 28 of the first terminal members 18 are embedded in the terminal holding portions 30 of the first connector housing 20, thereby holding the first terminal members 18 in the first connector housing 20. In this way, the first terminal members 18 are made only of metal plate material, which simplifies the structure.

[0046] <First connector housing 20> The first connector housing 20 has a generally rectangular block shape and is made of an insulating resin material. As shown in Fig. 6, the first connector housing 20 has a terminal holding portion 30 that holds the held portions 28 of the first terminal members 18 in an embedded state. The terminal holding portion 30 is a block body with a generally rectangular cross section that extends in the front-to-rear direction (X1, X2 directions). As shown in Fig. 6, in the central portion of the terminal holding portion 30, the held portions 28 of the two first terminal members 18 are embedded and arranged in two locations spaced apart in the left-to-right direction (Y1, Y2 directions) with the plate width direction aligned in the up-down direction (Z1, Z2 directions).

[0047] Furthermore, the terminal holding portion 30 is provided with a plurality of slide rail insertion portions 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d (four in this embodiment) that penetrate the outer peripheral edge portion in the first direction X1. Fig. 8 shows a state in which the slide member 22 is removed from the first connector 12. As shown in Fig. 8, each of the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d that penetrate the terminal holding portion 30 has a void space α1 that extends in two directions perpendicular to the first direction X1, which is the direction in which the tip side of the first terminal member 18 extends, that is, a void space β1 that extends in the up-down direction (Z1, Z2 directions), a void space β2 that extends in the left-right direction (Y1, Y2 directions), and a void space α1 and It includes a void γ1 that connects the voids β1 in a curved shape.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a rectangular cylindrical hood portion 34 is integrally provided on the front end of the terminal holding portion 30 on the X1 side, which is the front end of the terminal holding portion 30. The hood portion 34 extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the terminal holding portion 30 and protrudes in the first direction X1. The outer circumferential surface of the terminal holding portion 30 is integrally provided with two annular sealing protrusions 36 that protrude radially outward at two locations spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction (X1, X2 directions). Furthermore, the hood portion 3 4 At two locations spaced apart below (in the Z2 direction) and to the left and right (in the Y1 and Y2 directions), fixed pieces 38 are integrally provided to protrude, and the protruding end of each fixed piece 38 is provided with a collar for bolt fastening. 40 is buried.

[0049] That is, the first connector housing 20 is integrally molded from synthetic resin with the first terminal members 18 and collars 40 as insert parts. The first connector housing 20 of the first connector 12 is attached to a battery housing (not shown) by inserting the terminal holder 30 from the device-side connecting portion 26 into a mounting hole provided in the battery housing (not shown) and placing the hood portion 34 and fixing piece 38 on the surface of the housing. The fixing piece 38 is then fastened to the battery-side fixing portion with a fastening bolt that passes through the collar 40, thereby securing the first connector 12 to the battery housing. At this time, the sealing protrusion 36 provided on the terminal holder 30 is pressed against the mounting hole of the housing, preventing water and other contaminants from entering the housing through the mounting hole. In this state, the hood portion 34 of the first connector housing 20 and the connector-side connecting portion 24 of the first terminal members 18, which protrudes from the terminal holder 30 in the first direction X1, protrude from the surface of the battery housing (not shown).

[0050] <Slide member 22> The slide member 22 is held slidably relative to the first connector housing 20. The slide member 22 is slidable relative to the first connector housing 20 from a closed position (see FIG. 4) at an end in the first direction X1 to an open position (see FIG. 7) at an end in a first opposite direction X2 that is the opposite direction to the first direction X1.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the slide member 22 has a hollow, generally rectangular cylindrical shape overall and is made of an insulating resin material. In the closed position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the slide member 22 has side protective wall portions 42 that are spaced apart from the first terminal members 18 and surround and cover the peripheries of the first terminal members 18 in the Z1-Z2 and Y1-Y2 directions, which are directions perpendicular to the first direction X1 of the two first terminal members 18. The side protective wall portions 42 protrude beyond the first terminal members 18 in the first direction X1. Furthermore, the slide member 22 has a front protective wall portion 44 that covers the tip openings on the protruding end sides of the side protective wall portions 42. A pair of terminal insertion holes 46, through which the two first terminal members 18 are respectively inserted, are formed in the front protective wall portion 44 in the plate thickness direction at portions facing the two first terminal members 18. 4, when the slide member 22 is in the closed position, the connector-side connecting portions 24 of each first terminal member 18 protruding from the surface of the battery housing (not shown) are surrounded and covered by the side protective wall portions 42 and front protective wall portion 44 of the slide member 22. Therefore, with the slide member 22 in the closed position, contact with the connector-side connecting portions 24 of each first terminal member 18 is prevented or suppressed.

[0052] The side protective wall portion 42 of the slide member 22 is configured to include a plurality of separation wall portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d (four in this embodiment) separated in the circumferential direction of the side protective wall portion 42 by a plurality of slits 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d (four in this embodiment). Each of the separation wall portions 50a to 50d includes a wall α2 extending in two directions perpendicular to the first direction X1, which is the direction in which the tip end side of the first terminal member 18 extends, i.e., in the up-down direction (Z1-Z2 direction), a wall β2 extending in the left-right direction (Y1-Y2 direction), and a curved wall γ2 connecting the wall α2 and the wall β2. Each of the separation wall portions 50a to 50d includes a wall α2 extending in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, which are the two perpendicular directions, and a wall β2 extending in the curved wall γ2. 2 Since the separating walls 50a to 50d are connected by this structure, the rigidity of each separating wall portion 50a to 50d is advantageously ensured, and the durability of the sliding member 22 can be improved.

[0053] The separation wall portions 50a and 50b are formed by the respective walls α 2 The separation walls 50c and 50d include extending wall portions 52a and 52b extending rearward from the entire walls α2, β2, and γ2 in the first opposite direction X2. The separation walls 50c and 50d include extending wall portions 52c and 52d extending rearward from the entire walls α2, β2, and γ2 in the first opposite direction X2. In this embodiment, the separation wall 50a and the extending wall portion 52a form a slide rail 54a, the separation wall 50b and the extending wall portion 52b form a slide rail 54b, the separation wall 50c and the extending wall portion 52c form a slide rail 54c, and the separation wall 50d and the extending wall portion 52d form a slide rail 54d. The slide rails 54a to 54d of the slide member 22 are sized and positioned to face the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d that penetrate the terminal holding portion 30 of the first connector housing 20, respectively. The slide rails 54a to 54d extend in the front-rear direction (X1, X2 directions) with a cross-sectional shape slightly smaller than that of the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d so that the corresponding slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d can be inserted therethrough.

[0054] The slide rails 54a to 54d of the slide member 22 are inserted into the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d that pass through the terminal holding portion 30 of the first connector housing 20, respectively, so that the slide member 22 is held in the first connector housing 20 in a state in which it can slide between the closed position shown in Figure 4 and the open position shown in Figure 7.

[0055] <Slide-side suppression portion 56 / Connector-side suppression portion 58> 5, the slide member 22 has a slide-side suppressing portion 56 provided on the extending wall portion 52d. The first connector housing 20 has a connector-side suppressing portion 58 that suppresses movement of the slide member 22 in the first opposite direction X2 by engaging with the slide-side suppressing portion 56 when the slide member 22 is in the closed position, and the connector-side suppressing portion 58 is provided to protrude from the slide rail insertion portion 32d.

[0056] 9, the leading end of the extending wall portions 52c, 52d of the slide member 22 in the extending direction (first opposite direction X2) is provided with a through-hole 60 penetrating in the plate thickness direction, and an elastic flexible piece 62 extending in the first direction X1 from the inner edge of the through-hole 60 on the first opposite direction X2 side. The elastic flexible piece 62 includes a base piece 64, side pieces 66 extending in the first direction X1 from both side edges of the base piece 64, and a connecting piece 68 connecting the leading ends of the side pieces 66 to each other. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the slide-side suppressing portion 56 is formed by the surface of the connecting piece 68 on the first opposite direction X2 side.

[0057] 5 and 8, the connector-side suppressing portion 58 is provided to protrude from a bottom surface 70 that defines each of the spaces β1 in the slide rail insertion portions 32c and 32d, through which the extending wall portions 52c and 52d are inserted when the slide member 22 is in the closed position. That is, a suppressing protrusion 72 that protrudes upward (in the Z1 direction) is provided on the bottom surface 70. The surface of the suppressing protrusion 72 on the first direction X1 side forms the connector-side suppressing portion 58 that is inclined in the first opposite direction X2 toward the top of the suppressing protrusion 72.

[0058] 5, even if a force is applied to the slide member 22 in the first opposite direction X2 when the slide member 22 is in the closed position, the slide-side suppressing portion 56 engages with the connector-side suppressing portion 58, and movement in the first opposite direction X2 is suppressed until a force equal to or greater than a set value is applied. When a force equal to or greater than the set value is applied to the slide member 22 in the first opposite direction X2 when the slide member 22 is in the closed position, the elastic bending piece 62 bends, the connecting piece 68 moves over the suppressing protrusion 72, the slide-side suppressing portion 56 disengages from the connector-side suppressing portion 58, and the slide member 22 moves in the first opposite direction X2.

[0059] <Slide-side restricting portion 74 / Connector-side restricting portion 76> The slide member 22 has a slide side regulating portion 74, and the first connector housing 20 has a connector side regulating portion 76 that engages with the slide side regulating portion 74 when the slide member 22 is in the closed position, thereby regulating the movement of the slide member 22 in the first direction X1.

[0060] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the slide-side regulating portion 74 of this embodiment is constituted by the surfaces of the first direction X1 of both side pieces 66 of the elastic bending pieces 62 provided on the extending wall portions 52c, 52d of the slide member 22. Meanwhile, the connector-side regulating portion 76 is provided to protrude from the bottom surface 70 that defines each space β1 in the slide rail insertion portions 32c, 32d through which the extending wall portions 52c, 52d are inserted when the slide member 22 is in the closed position. That is, as shown in Fig. 8, a pair of regulating protrusions 78 that protrude upward (in the Z1 direction) are provided on each bottom surface 70 at positions corresponding to the pair of slide-side regulating portions 74. The connector-side regulating portion 76 is constituted by the surfaces of the regulating protrusions 78 that face the first opposite direction X2. The surfaces of the regulating protrusions 78 that face the first direction X1 are also provided by the regulating protrusions 78 The inclined surface 80 is inclined in the first opposite direction X2 toward the top of the inclined surface 80.

[0061] Even if a force is applied to the slide member 22 in the first direction X1 when the slide member 22 is in the closed position, the slide-side restricting portion 74 engages with the connector-side restricting portion 76, thereby restricting movement of the slide member 22 in the first direction X1. Note that, because the slide-side restricting portion 74 and the connector-side restricting portion 76 engage with each other on planes perpendicular to the first direction X1, the elastic bending piece 62 is prevented from bending and causing the connecting piece 68 to climb over the restricting protrusion 78.

[0062] The slide member 22 has a pressed portion 82 that is pressed by a pressing portion 128 (see FIGS. 11 and 12 ), which will be described later, that is provided on the second connector 14 when the second connector 14 is mated with the first connector 12. In this embodiment, the pressed portion 82 is configured by a large flat area other than the terminal insertion holes 46 of the front protective wall portion 44 of the slide member 22. In other words, the pressed portion 82 is provided on the front protective wall portion 44. The pressed portion 82 is pressed by the pressing portion 128, causing the slide member 22 to slide to the open position.

[0063] The slide member 22 has an engaged portion 84 that is engaged with an engaging portion 132 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) provided on the second connector 14, which will be described later, when the second connector 14 is detached from the first connector 12, and is pulled in the first direction X1, which is the detachment direction of the second connector 14. The engaged portion 84 is pulled by the engaging portion 132, causing the slide member 22 to slide to the closed position.

[0064] 10, the slide member 22 has a pair of flexible pieces 86 spaced apart in the left-right direction (Y1-Y2 directions) on the front side (X1 side) of the wall β2 of the separation wall portions 50c, 50d, and a pair of central pieces 88 located between the pair of flexible pieces 86 and spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each flexible piece 86 is connected to the wall β2 in a cantilevered manner, and has a base end and a tip end provided on the opposite side in the first direction X1. Flexible pieces 86 extends from the wall β2 in the first direction X1 and is capable of bending and deforming downward in the Z2 direction perpendicular to the first direction X1.

[0065] The tip of each flexible piece 86 has an engaging hole 90 penetrating in the plate thickness direction. The engaged portion 84 is formed by the inner wall surface of the engaging hole 90 on the first direction X1 side (see FIG. 12). Two engaged portions 84 are provided, one on each flexible piece 86. The engaged portions 84 are inclined toward the X1 side with respect to a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are attached and detached. Therefore, when the second connector 14 is detached from the first connector 12, the engaged portion 84 guides the engaging portion 132 and the engaged portion 84 so that they disengage when the slide member 22 is in the closed position.

[0066] A guide surface 92 is provided at the protruding end of each flexible piece 86, and is inclined toward the first opposite direction X2 with respect to a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are attached and detached. The guide surface 92 guides the engaging portion 132 to a position where it can engage with the engaged portion 84 when the second connector 14 is mated with the first connector 12.

[0067] A contact portion 94 is provided at the protruding tip (X1 side) of each central piece 88. The contact portion 94 is located on the Z1 side, which is higher than the engagement hole 90 of each flexible piece 86, and protrudes in the first direction X1 and extends like a flat plate. The pair of contact portions 94 provided on the slide member 22 abut against a pair of abutting portions 134 (described later) provided on the second connector 14 from the opposite side (Z1 side) to the side (Z2 side) where the engaging portion 132 protrudes toward the engaged portion 84 (see FIG. 13 ). The contact portion 94 abuts against the abutting portion 134, thereby preventing the engaging portion 132 from being displaced in the direction opposite to the direction of protrusion toward the engaged portion 84.

[0068] <Second connector 14> As shown in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12, the second connector 14 includes second terminal members 96 and an insulating second connector housing 98 that holds the second terminal members 96. As also shown in FIGS. 3, 12, and the like, in this embodiment, the second connector 14 has two second terminal members 96 that are respectively connected to the ends of two wire harnesses 16 housed and held inside the second connector housing 98. The tip side of each second terminal member 96 extends upward (in the Z1 direction) from the end of the wire harness 16. The second terminal members 96 inside the second connector housing 98 are exposed to the outside through an opening window 99 provided in the second connector housing 98. The second connector housing 98 is detachably assembled to the first connector housing 20.

[0069] The second connector 14 further includes a metal shield shell 100 that surrounds the outer surface of the second connector housing 98. The shield shell 100 is configured in the shape of a hollow rectangular box and opens to the outside at a connector mounting opening 102 that opens in the first opposite direction X2 and an electric wire outlet 104 that opens downward (in the Z2 direction), which is the direction in which the wire harness 16 extends from the second terminal member 96. A stepped cylindrical shield bracket 106 is attached to the electric wire outlet 104 and covers the electric wire outlet 104. The wire harness 16 that is led out from the electric wire outlet 104 of the shield shell 100 is inserted through the shield bracket 106 and led out to the outside. The shield shell 100 has a fixing portion 110 to which a fastening bolt 108 is attached, and the fixing portion 110 can be bolted to the housing of a battery (not shown) in which the first connector 12 is provided, using the fastening bolt 108. Similarly, the shield bracket 106 is also provided with a fixing portion 112, which can be fixed to the housing of the battery (not shown) with a bolt (not shown).

[0070] The connector mounting port 102 of the shield shell 100 has a double-tube structure including a substantially rectangular inner peripheral frame 114 and a substantially rectangular outer peripheral frame 116 concentrically arranged on the outer periphery of the inner peripheral frame with a gap between them, and protrudes in the first opposite direction X2. A stepped plate-like front retainer 118, which is an insulating cover member, is attached to the inner peripheral frame 114 of the connector mounting port 102. Covering the connector mounting port 102 with the front retainer 118 also covers the opening window 99 of the second connector housing 98, thereby preventing the second terminal members 96 housed in the second connector housing 98 from being exposed through the opening window 99 and being exposed to the outside.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 12 , the front retainer 118 is configured to have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and has a stepped plate shape in which an annular outer peripheral edge portion 120 and a central flat surface 122 located forward of the outer peripheral edge portion 120 and on the first direction X1 side are connected via a stepped surface 124. A pair of first terminal accommodating holes 126 penetrating in the plate thickness direction are provided in the central flat surface 122 of the front retainer 118. When the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, the connector-side connecting portions 24 of the first terminal members 18 of the first connector 12 are inserted through the first terminal accommodating holes 126 into the second connector housing 98 and connected to the second terminal member 96. The central flat surface 122 of the front retainer 118, excluding the first terminal accommodating holes 126, forms a mating surface between the first connector 12 and the second connector 14. 12 A pressing portion 128 is configured to press a pressed portion 82 provided on the slide member 22, and when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, the pressing portion 128 presses the pressed portion 82, thereby causing the slide member 22 to slide to the open position.

[0072] 11, elastic locking portions 130 are provided at four circumferentially spaced locations on the outer peripheral edge portion 120 of the front retainer 118, and are adapted to be detachably fitted with locked portions (not shown) provided on the first connector housing 20. Furthermore, on the inner wall portion located below (on the Z1 side of) the outer peripheral edge portion 120, a pair of engaging portions 132 and abutting portions 134 are provided on both sides in the left-right direction (Y1, Y2 directions) with the elastic locking portions 130 sandwiched therebetween.

[0073] Each engaging portion 132 provided on the front retainer 118 is provided at a position corresponding to the engaged portion 84 of the slide member 22. When the second connector 14 is detached from the first connector 12, each engaging portion 132 engages with the engaged portion 84 and pulls the engaged portion 84 in the detachment direction from the first connector (X1 direction), thereby sliding the slide member 22 to the closed position.

[0074] 12, the engaging portion 132 is integrally provided with a protruding portion 136 that protrudes in the first opposite direction X2 from the central flat surface portion 122 of the front retainer 118, and a claw 138 that protrudes downward (in the Z2 direction) from the tip of the protruding portion 136 at a position corresponding to the engaged portion 84. The claw 138 has a tapered shape that tapers toward the protruding direction (in the Z2 direction), and is flexible and deformable in the front-rear direction (in the X1 and X2 directions). The tip of the flexible piece 86 of the sliding member 22 is provided with a protruding portion 136 that is inclined toward the engaging hole 90. guidance surface 92 This is provided. guidance surface 92 When the first connector 12 and the second connector are mated, the claws 138 of the engagement portion 132 guidance surface 92 While being bent and deformed by contact with guidance surface 92 , and the engaging portion 132 is guided to a position where it can engage with the engaging hole 90.

[0075] Each abutment portion 134 provided on the front retainer 118 is provided at a position corresponding to the abutted portion 94 of the slide member 22. In the state in which the engaging portion 132 is engaged with the engaging hole 90 shown in Fig. 12, as shown in Fig. 13, each abutment portion 134 abuts against the abutted portion 94 provided on the slide member 22 from the side opposite to the direction in which the engaging portion 132 protrudes toward the engaged portion 84. This prevents displacement of the engaging portion 132 in the direction opposite to the protruding direction (Z1 direction) (Z2 direction), and the engaging portion 132 can be held within the engaging hole 90, thereby stably maintaining the engaging state of the engaging portion 132 with the engaged portion 84.

[0076] 12, the hood portion 34 provided on the first connector housing 20 of the first connector 12 is accommodated in the accommodation space provided between the inner peripheral frame 114 and the outer peripheral frame 116 of the shield shell 100. This allows the shield shell 100 to cover the entire periphery of the hood portion 34 of the first connector 12, 100 This allows the shielding effect to be stably secured.

[0077] In the connector assembly 10 of this embodiment, the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 configured as described above can be assembled from the non-mated state shown in Figure 1 to the mated state shown in Figure 2, thereby maintaining the first terminal member 18 provided on the first connector 12 and the second terminal member 96 provided on the second connector 14 in a connected state.

[0078] 1 , the slide member 22 of the first connector 12 is in the closed position, so that the side protective wall portions 42 cover the periphery of the first terminal member 18, and the front protective wall portion 44, which covers the tip opening of the side protective wall portion 42, covers the front surface of the first terminal member 18. This reduces the possibility of touching the first terminal member 18 with a finger, improving the effectiveness of preventing electric shock. As a result, there is no need to attach an insulating part to the first terminal member 18 as in the past, and the first terminal member 18 can be made of only a metal member, simplifying the structure of the first terminal member 18.

[0079] Moreover, when the slide member 22 of the first connector 12 is in the closed position, the slide-side suppressing portion 56 provided on the slide member 22 abuts against the connector-side suppressing portion 58 provided on the first connector housing 20, thereby suppressing movement of the slide member 22 in the first opposite direction X2. This prevents the slide member 22 from moving in the first opposite direction X2 due to an unintended external force, thereby exposing the first terminal members 18. As a result, the electric shock prevention effect on the first terminal members 18 can be maintained satisfactorily.

[0080] Furthermore, when the slide member 22 of the first connector 12 is in the closed position, the slide-side restricting portion 74 provided on the slide member 22 abuts against the connector-side restricting portion 76 provided on the first connector housing 20, thereby restricting movement of the slide member 22 in the first direction X1. This prevents the slide member 22 from falling off the first connector housing 20 due to an unintended external force, thereby exposing the first terminal members 18. As a result, the electric shock prevention effect of the first terminal members 18 can be well maintained.

[0081] Subsequently, when the second connector 14 is mated with the first connector 12, first, the connector mounting opening 102 of the shield shell 100 of the second connector 14 is brought into opposition to the front protective wall portion 44 of the slide member 22 of the first connector 12 in the first direction X1. Next, when the second connector 14 is brought further closer toward the first connector 12, the front protective wall portion 44 of the slide member 22 of the first connector 12 abuts against the central flat surface portion 122 of the front retainer 118 of the second connector 14. The pressed portion 82 is formed by the portion of the front protective wall portion 44 other than the terminal insertion holes 46, and the pressing portion 128 is formed by the portion of the central flat surface portion 122 other than the first terminal accommodating holes 126. The pressed portion 82 of the slide member 22 is then pressed by the pressing portion 128 of the second connector 14, causing it to slide to the open position. That is, by mating the first connector 12 and the second connector 14, the slide member 22 can be slid to the open position without the need for a jig or the like.

[0082] In this embodiment, the pressing portion 128 is formed by a wide flat area excluding the first terminal accommodating hole 126 in the central flat portion 122 of the front retainer 118. The pressed portion 82 of the slide member 22 is also formed by a wide flat area excluding the terminal insertion hole 46 of the front protective wall portion 44. Therefore, the pressing portion 128 and the pressed portion 82 can be in surface contact over a wide contact area, which allows stable sliding movement of the slide member 22 and advantageously prevents problems such as the slide member moving in an inclined state.

[0083] Next, a description will be given of the movement when the second connector 14, which is mated with the first connector 12 shown in Fig. 2, is removed from the first connector 12. As shown in Fig. 12, when the first connector and the second connector 14 are mated, the engaging portion 132 provided on the second connector 14 is inserted into the engaging hole 90 provided in the flexible piece 86 of the slide member 22 of the first connector 12. When the second connector 14 is moved from this state in the first direction X1, which is the removal direction, the engaging portion 132 engages with the engaged portion 84 that defines the engaging hole 90, and the engaging portion 132 transmits the displacement force applied to the second connector 14 in the first direction X1 to the engaged portion 84. As a result, the engaging portion 132 moves the engaged portion 84, and therefore the slide member 22, in the first direction X1, and the slide member 22 can be moved to the closed position.

[0084] After moving to the closed position, the slide member 22 is restricted from further displacement in the first direction X1 by the abutment of the slide-side restricting portion 74 with the connector-side restricting portion 76. Therefore, the displacement force in the first direction X1 applied to the second connector 14 induces further elastic deformation of the engaging portion 132, causing the engaging portion 132 to disengage from the engaging hole 90, and the second connector 14 is disengaged from the first connector 12, entering a separated state. In this way, there is no need to slide the slide member 22 to the closed position using a jig or the like, and simply by detaching the second connector 14 from the first connector 12, the slide member can be slid to the closed position without requiring a separate process.

[0085] In particular, in this embodiment, the abutted portion 94 provided on the slide member 22 abuts against the abutting portion 134 provided on the second connector in the vicinity of the engaging portion 132, thereby preventing displacement of the engaging portion 132 in the opposite direction to the protruding direction. This prevents the engaging portion 132 from slipping out of the engaging hole 90, and advantageously maintains the state in which the engaging portion 132 is engaged with the engaged portion 84. As a result, when the second connector 14 is detached from the first connector 12, the engaging portion 132 abuts against the engaged portion 134. 84 This can prevent the slide member 22 from coming off the slide member 22 and being unable to be pulled out to the closed position.

[0086] Here, in the first connector 12, the slide member 22 has slide rails 54a-54d, and the slide rails 54a-54d are inserted into the slide rail insertion portions 32a-32d of the first connector housing 20, thereby holding the slide member 22 slidably in the front-to-rear directions (first direction X1, first opposite direction X2) relative to the first connector housing 20. The slide rails 54a-54d abut against the slide rail insertion portions 32a-32d, restricting displacement of the slide member 22 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction X1. This advantageously prevents the slide member 22 from sliding obliquely, preventing damage to the slide member and improving its durability.

[0087] In particular, in this embodiment, the side protection wall portion 42 is formed with a plurality of slits. 48a~48d By separating the sliding member 22 in the circumferential direction into a plurality of separation wall portions 50a-50d, the separation wall portions 50a-50d can be used to form slide rails 54a-54d. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, when the sliding member 22 is in the open position, the separation wall portions 50a-50d are accommodated in the slide rail insertion portions 32a-32d, respectively, and function as slide rails. On the other hand, when the sliding member 22 is in the closed position shown in FIGS. 4-6, the separation wall portions 50a-50d function as side protection wall portions 42, and the extension wall portions 52a-52d are accommodated in the slide rail insertion portions 32a-32d, respectively, and function as slide rails. In this way, in this embodiment, the sliding member 22 is made multifunctional with a small number of parts, and is also made compact. Furthermore, during the sliding movement of the sliding member 22 from the closed position to the open position, any portion of the slide rails 54a-54d is inserted into the slide rail insertion portions 32a-32d, and the separation wall portions 50a-50d function as side protection wall portions 42, and the extension wall portions 52a-52d function as slide rails. By doing Therefore, the sliding movement of the sliding member can be stably achieved.

[0088] In this embodiment, the slide rails 54a to 54d inserted into the slide rail insertion portions 32a to 32d are arranged facing each other on both sides of the first terminal member 18 in two directions perpendicular to the first direction X1. For example, in the up-down directions (Z1 and Z2 directions) perpendicular to the first direction X1, the pair of slide rail 54a / slide rail insertion portion 32a and the pair of slide rail 54a / slide rail insertion portion 32a are arranged facing each other on both sides of the first terminal member 18. d / Slide rail insertion part 32 d The pair of slide rail 54b / slide rail insertion portion 32b is disposed opposite to the pair of slide rail 54 c / Slide rail insertion part 32 c In the left-right direction (Y1-Y2 direction) perpendicular to the first direction X1, the set of slide rail 54a / slide rail insertion portion 32a and the set of slide rail 54b / slide rail insertion portion 32b are arranged opposite each other, and the set of slide rail 54c / slide rail insertion portion 32c and the set of slide rail 54d / slide rail insertion portion 32d are arranged opposite each other. With this configuration, the rigidity and durability of the slide member 22 can be more advantageously ensured, and the sliding movement of the slide member 22 is guided more stably.

[0089] In this embodiment, the two first terminal members 18 are positioned between the side protection wall portions 42 and the front protection wall portion 43 of the single slide member 22 in the closed position. 44 Since the slide member 22 is covered by the first terminal member 18, the slide member 22 can be shared by two first terminal members 18. 12 This allows for a reduction in the number of parts and miniaturization.

[0090] <Modification> Although the first embodiment has been described above as a specific example of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to this specific description. Modifications, improvements, etc., within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure, are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modifications of the embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0091] (1) In the first connector 12 of the above embodiment, the multiple first terminal members 18 are covered by a single slide member 22, but each first terminal member 18 may be covered by a separate slide member 22.

[0092] (2) In the second connector 14 in the above embodiment, the engaging portion 132 and the abutting portion 134 are insulating cover members. of Front Retainer 118 However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the second connector 14 does not have the shield shell 100, The engagement and contact parts The insulating cover member may be provided on an insulating cover member that directly covers the opening window 99 of the second connector housing 98, or may be provided integrally with the second connector housing 98.

[0093] (3) The sliding member 22 is moved from the closed position to the open position by the pressing portion 128 pressing the pressed portion 82, but this is not limited to this and may be moved using a jig or the like. Similarly, the sliding member is moved from the open position to the closed position by the engaging portion 132 pulling the engaged portion 84 in the first direction X1, but this is not limited to this. For example, this may be moved using a jig or the like, or by utilizing the biasing force of a biasing member.

[0094] (4) The specific configurations of the slide-side suppression portion 56 and the connector-side suppression portion 58 are not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment, and any shape or configuration can be adopted as long as it can suppress the movement of the slide member 22 in the closed position in the first opposite direction X2.

[0095] (5) The specific configurations of the slide side regulating portion 74 and the connector side regulating portion 76 are not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment, and any shape or configuration can be adopted as long as it can regulate the movement of the slide member 22 in the closed position in the first direction X1.

[0096] (6) In the above embodiment, the first connector 12 includes two first terminal members 18, but it may include one or three or more first terminal members 18. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 Connector Assembly 12 First connector 14 Second Connector 16 Wire harness 18 First terminal member 20 First connector housing 22 Slide member 24 Connector side connection part 26 Device side connection part 28 Holding part 30 Terminal holding part 32a~32d Slide rail insertion part 34 Hood 36 Seal protrusion 38 Fixed piece 40 colors 42 Side protection wall 44 Front protection wall 46 Terminal insertion hole 48a~48d Slit 50a~50d Separation wall part 52a~52d Extended wall part 54a~54d slide rails 56 Slide side restraint part 58 Connector side suppression part 60 Penetration 62 Elastic flexure piece 64 Base piece 66 Both sides 68 Connecting piece 70 bottom 72 Suppression protrusion 74 Slide side regulation part 76 Connector side restriction part 78 Regulating convex part 80 Slope 82 Pressed part 84 Engaged part 86 Flexible piece 88 Center piece 90 Engagement hole 92 Guide surface 94 Abutted part 96 Second terminal member 98 Second connector housing 99 Opening window 100 Shield Shell 102 Connector port 104 Wire outlet 106 Shield bracket 108 Fastening bolt 110 Fixed part 112 Fixed part 114 Inner frame 116 Peripheral frame 118 Front retainer (insulating cover member) 120 outer edge 122 Central plane part 124 Step surface 126 First terminal receiving hole 128 Pressing part 130 Elastic locking part 132 Engagement part 134 Contact part 136 Convex 138 nail α 1. A void extending vertically β1 Void extending in the left-right direction γ1: A gap connecting α1 and β1 in a curved shape α2 Wall extending in the vertical direction β2 Wall extending in the left and right directions γ2: A curved wall connecting α2 and β2

Claims

1. A first connector that is detachably assembled to a second connector, a first terminal member having a tip end extending in a first direction; a first connector housing that holds the first terminal members; a slide member held by the first connector housing, the slide member is slidable relative to the first connector housing between a closed position at an end in the first direction and an open position at an end in a first opposite direction that is opposite to the first direction, the slide member has, in the closed position, side protective wall portions that are spaced apart from the first terminal members in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the first terminal members, cover the peripheries of the first terminal members, and protrude beyond the first terminal members in the first direction; a front protective wall portion that covers tip openings of the side protective wall portions; and a terminal insertion hole that penetrates the front protective wall portion and allows insertion of the first terminal members, When the slide member is moved to the open position, the first terminal member is inserted through the terminal insertion hole of the slide member and protrudes from the front protective wall portion in the first direction, The slide member has a slide-side suppression portion, the first connector housing has a connector-side suppression portion that suppresses movement of the slide member in the first opposite direction by engaging with the slide-side suppression portion when the slide member is in the closed position; First connector.

2. A first connector that is detachably assembled to a second connector, a first terminal member having a tip end extending in a first direction; a first connector housing that holds the first terminal members; a slide member held by the first connector housing, the slide member is slidable relative to the first connector housing between a closed position at an end in the first direction and an open position at an end in a first opposite direction that is opposite to the first direction, the slide member has, in the closed position, side protective wall portions that are spaced apart from the first terminal members in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the first terminal members, cover the peripheries of the first terminal members, and protrude beyond the first terminal members in the first direction; a front protective wall portion that covers tip openings of the side protective wall portions; and a terminal insertion hole that penetrates the front protective wall portion and allows insertion of the first terminal members, When the slide member is moved to the open position, the first terminal member is inserted through the terminal insertion hole of the slide member and protrudes from the front protective wall portion in the first direction, The slide member has a slide-side regulating portion, the first connector housing has a connector-side restricting portion that restricts movement of the slide member in the first direction by engaging with the slide-side restricting portion when the slide member is in the closed position; First connector.

3. A first connector that is detachably assembled to a second connector, a first terminal member having a tip end extending in a first direction; a first connector housing that holds the first terminal members; a slide member held by the first connector housing, the slide member is slidable relative to the first connector housing between a closed position at an end in the first direction and an open position at an end in a first opposite direction that is opposite to the first direction, the slide member has, in the closed position, side protective wall portions that are spaced apart from the first terminal members in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the first terminal members, cover the peripheries of the first terminal members, and protrude beyond the first terminal members in the first direction; a front protective wall portion that covers tip openings of the side protective wall portions; and a terminal insertion hole that penetrates the front protective wall portion and allows insertion of the first terminal members, When the slide member is moved to the open position, the first terminal member is inserted through the terminal insertion hole of the slide member and protrudes from the front protective wall portion in the first direction, the sliding member has an engaged portion that is engaged with an engaging portion provided on the second connector and pulled in a direction of disengagement of the second connector when the second connector is disengaged from the first connector, and the engaged portion is pulled by the engaging portion to slide to the closed position; The slide member has an abutted portion that abuts against the abutting portion provided on the second connector from the side opposite to the protruding direction of the engaging portion toward the engaged portion, and the abutted portion abuts against the abutting portion to prevent displacement of the engaging portion in the side opposite to the protruding direction. First connector.

4. A first connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a plurality of the first terminal members, the plurality of first terminal members being covered by the side protective wall portions and the front protective wall portion of the single slide member arranged in the closed position.

5. the first connector housing has a terminal holding portion that holds a held portion located between the tip end side and the base end side of the first terminal member, and a slide rail insertion portion that penetrates an outer peripheral edge portion of the terminal holding portion in the first direction, the slide member has a slide rail extending from the front protective wall portion of the slide member in the first opposite direction, the slide rail being inserted into the slide rail insertion portion so as to be movable in the first direction and the first opposite direction, The first connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the abutment of the slide rail against the slide rail insertion portion restricts displacement of the slide member in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

6. The side protection wall portion of the slide member is configured to include a plurality of separation wall portions separated in the circumferential direction by a plurality of slits, The first connector according to claim 5 , wherein the slide rail includes the separation wall portion.

7. 7. The first connector according to claim 6, wherein the slide rail includes an extending wall portion extending in the first opposite direction from the separation wall portion, and in the closed position, the extending wall portion of the slide rail is inserted into the slide rail insertion portion of the first connector housing.

8. The first connector according to claim 5, wherein a pair of the slide rail and the slide rail insertion portion is arranged opposite each other on both sides of the first terminal member in two directions perpendicular to the first direction in the first terminal member.

9. The first connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sliding member has a pressed portion that is pressed against a pressing portion provided on the second connector when the second connector is mated to the first connector, the pressed portion being provided on the front protective wall portion, and the pressed portion slidingly moves to the open position by being pressed against the pressing portion.

10. A second connector detachably assembled to the first connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a second terminal member to which the first terminal member of the first connector is connected; a second connector housing that holds the second terminal members; a pressing portion that presses a pressed portion provided on the slide member when the slide member is fitted to the first connector, thereby sliding the slide member to the open position; an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion provided on the sliding member when the sliding member is detached from the first connector and pulls the engaged portion in a direction of detachment from the first connector, thereby sliding the sliding member to the closed position; It is equipped with The second connector housing has the engaging portion and an abutting portion that abuts against the abutted portion provided on the slide member from the side opposite to the protruding direction of the engaging portion toward the engaged portion, and the abutted portion abuts against the abutting portion to prevent displacement of the engaging portion in the side opposite to the protruding direction.

11. the second connector housing has an opening window through which the second terminal member is exposed to the outside, 11. The second connector according to claim 10, further comprising an insulating cover member covering the opening window, a first terminal accommodating hole penetrating a central plane portion of the cover member, and the pressing portion being formed by the portion of the central plane portion excluding the first terminal accommodating hole.

12. A connector assembly including a first connector and a second connector that are detachably assembled to each other, The first connector is a first connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The second connector according to claim 10 is used as the second connector. Connector assembly.

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