First connector, second connector, and connector assembly

Abstract

A first connector (10) comprises: a first terminal (30); a first housing (40) that holds the first terminal (30); a first bolt hole (33) that penetrates the first terminal (30) in a first direction (X1); and a fall prevention bolt (50) that is assembled to the first terminal (30). The fall prevention bolt (50) is inserted through the first bolt hole (33) in a state before the first connector (10) is connected to a second connector (100) which is a mating connector.

Description

First connector, second connector and connector assembly

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

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle is equipped with a connector assembly including a first connector attached to an end of an electric wire and a second connector attached to a case of an electric device and electrically connected to the first connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The first connector has a first terminal connected to an end of the electric wire and a first housing that holds the first terminal. The second connector has a second terminal and a second housing that holds the second terminal.

[0003] To connect the first connector and the second connector, first, the first housing is fitted into the second housing, and the first bolt holes of the first terminals are aligned with the second bolt holes of the second terminals. Next, a bolt is inserted into the second housing through an access opening in the second housing and passed through the first bolt hole and the second bolt hole. Next, the bolt is screwed into a nut to electrically connect the first terminals and the second terminals to each other.

[0004] JP 2015-130300 A

[0005] However, in the above connector assembly, it is desirable to improve the ease of assembly. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a first connector, a second connector, and a connector assembly that can improve the ease of assembly.

[0006] The first connector of the present disclosure has a first terminal, a first housing that holds the first terminal, a first bolt hole that penetrates the first terminal in a first direction, and an anti-fall-out bolt assembled to the first terminal, and the anti-fall-out bolt is passed through the first bolt hole before the first connector is connected to a second connector that is a mating connector.

[0007] The first connector, second connector, and connector assembly of the present disclosure have the effect of improving assembly workability.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a first connector according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second connector according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 2) of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 8 is an exploded cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 10) of a second connector according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the second connector according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a guide member according to one embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of manufacturing a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of manufacturing a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of manufacturing a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of manufacturing a connector assembly according to one embodiment.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] A first connector of the present disclosure includes a first terminal, a first housing that holds the first terminal, a first bolt hole that penetrates the first terminal in a first direction, and a fall-off prevention bolt assembled to the first terminal, and the fall-off prevention bolt penetrates the first bolt hole before the first connector is connected to a second connector that is a mating connector.

[0010] According to this configuration, before the first connector is connected to the second connector, the captive bolt is inserted through the first bolt hole and assembled to the first terminal. That is, the captive bolt is assembled to the first terminal in advance. Therefore, when connecting the second terminal and the first terminal of the second connector, the first terminal and the second terminal can be bolt-fastened using the captive bolt pre-assembled to the first terminal. Therefore, when bolt-fastening the first terminal and the second terminal, the work of assembling a bolt prepared separately from the first terminal and the second terminal to the first terminal and the second terminal can be omitted. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly can be improved.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the anti-fall-out bolt has a head, a shaft extending from the head in the first direction, and a male threaded portion provided in the tip region of the shaft, and the first bolt hole has a first hole portion provided at an end in the first direction and a second hole portion provided at an end in a first opposite direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction, and the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first hole portion is set larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion, the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the head is set larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion, and the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male threaded portion is set smaller than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first hole portion and larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion.

[0012] According to this configuration, the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the head of the captive bolt is larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion. This prevents the head from slipping out of the second hole portion in the first direction. Furthermore, the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male threaded portion provided in the tip region of the shank of the captive bolt is larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion. This prevents the male threaded portion from slipping out of the second hole portion in the first opposite direction. These features effectively prevent the captive bolt, which is passed through the first bolt hole and assembled to the first terminal, from slipping out of the first bolt hole. Furthermore, the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male threaded portion is smaller than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first hole portion. This allows the male threaded portion to be received in the first hole portion of the first bolt hole.

[0013] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the first terminal may be connected to an end of an electric wire. With this configuration, it is possible to assemble the fall-off prevention bolt in advance to the first terminal connected to the end of the electric wire.

[0014] [4] The second connector of the present disclosure is a second connector that is connected to a first connector having a first terminal to which an anti-fall-out bolt is assembled, and includes a second terminal that is connected to the first terminal, a second housing that holds the second terminal, a second bolt hole that penetrates the second terminal in a first direction, and a nut that is held inside the second housing and fastened to the anti-fall-out bolt, and the second housing has a guide portion that guides the anti-fall-out bolt to directly above the nut while it remains assembled to the first terminal.

[0015] According to this configuration, when connecting the first connector and the second connector, the guide portion of the second housing guides the captive bolt directly above the nut while it is still assembled to the first terminal. Therefore, when connecting the first terminal and the second terminal, the captive bolt pre-assembled to the first terminal can be used to bolt-fasten the first terminal and the second terminal. Therefore, when bolt-fastening the first terminal and the second terminal, the work of assembling a bolt prepared separately from the first terminal and the second terminal to the first terminal and the second terminal can be omitted. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly can be improved.

[0016] [5] In the above [4], the second bolt hole may be capable of inserting the anti-fall-out bolt therein along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the second bolt hole may be formed so as to be cut out from an end face of the second terminal in a second opposite direction, which is the opposite direction to the second direction, toward the second direction.

[0017] According to this configuration, a notched second bolt hole is provided in the second terminal. Therefore, the second terminal is formed in a fork-like shape, bifurcated by the second bolt hole. Here, when the first connector is connected to the second connector in the second direction, the first terminal moves relative to the second terminal in the second direction, and the fall-off prevention bolt moves relative to the second terminal in the second direction. At this time, the second bolt hole is formed so as to be notched toward the second direction from the end face of the second terminal facing away from the second terminal. Therefore, the fall-off prevention bolt moving in the second direction can be suitably inserted into the second bolt hole.

[0018] [6] In the above [5], the guide portion may be an inclined surface that slopes from the first direction toward a first opposite direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, as it moves from the end in the second opposite direction toward the end in the second direction.

[0019] According to this configuration, when the captive bolt is moved in the second direction relative to the second terminal when the first connector is connected to the second connector, the captive bolt moves along the inclined surface. As a result, as the captive bolt moves in the second direction, the captive bolt can be moved in the first opposite direction. That is, as the captive bolt moves in the second direction, the inclined surface can lift the captive bolt in the first opposite direction. As a result, the captive bolt can be suitably moved to a position in the first opposite direction that is closer to the nut.

[0020] [7] In the above [5] or [6], the second housing may have a housing main body and a guide member having the guide portion, and the guide member may be a separate part from the housing main body.

[0021] According to this configuration, the guide member having the guide portion is formed as a separate part from the housing body. This allows the guide member to be manufactured separately from the housing body. This allows for greater design freedom for the guide member and the housing body compared to when the guide member and the housing body are integrally formed.

[0022] [8] In the above [7], the housing main body has a storage portion that is located toward the first direction from the second terminal and that stores the nut, the storage portion opens in a first opposite direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction, the storage portion has an opening that opens in the second opposite direction, the storage portion is capable of inserting the nut inside along the second direction, and the guide member may have a regulating portion that blocks the opening.

[0023] With this configuration, the nut is accommodated in the accommodation portion provided in the housing main body, and the opening of the accommodation portion that opens in the second opposite direction is blocked by the restricting portion provided in the guide member, so that the movement of the nut inside the accommodation portion can be appropriately restricted by the inner circumferential surface of the accommodation portion and the restricting portion.

[0024] [9] In the above [7] or [8], the housing main body may have a fitting cylindrical portion that accommodates the second terminal therein, and a positioning protrusion that is provided inside the fitting cylindrical portion and extends along the second direction, the guide member is formed so as to be insertable into the fitting cylindrical portion along the second direction, the guide member has a positioning groove that extends along the second direction, and the positioning groove may be such that the positioning protrusion can be inserted therein.

[0025] With this configuration, the positioning protrusion of the housing main body is inserted into the positioning groove of the guide member, which makes it easy to position the guide member relative to the housing main body when attaching the guide member to the housing main body, thereby improving the workability when attaching the guide member to the housing main body.

[0026]

[10] The connector assembly of the present disclosure comprises a first connector described in any one of [1] to [3] above and a second connector described in any one of [4] to [9] above, wherein the first terminal is bolted to the second terminal by the anti-detachment bolt and the nut.

[0027] This configuration can achieve the same effects as the first connector described in [1] above, as well as the same effects as the second connector described in [4] above. [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the first connector, second connector, and connector assembly of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, some components may be exaggerated or simplified for ease of explanation. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ between the drawings. In this specification, "orthogonal" does not necessarily mean strictly orthogonal, but also includes approximately orthogonal configurations within the scope of the effects of the present embodiment. The term "cylindrical" used in this specification does not only refer to a cylindrical configuration formed by assembling multiple components, or a cylindrical configuration with a cutout in a circumferential direction, such as a C-shape or U-shape. The term "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon with sharp or rounded corners. In this specification, the term "peripheral dimension of member A" refers to the length of the outer circumferential surface of member A around the circumference of member A. In addition, the "inner peripheral dimension of member A" in this specification refers to the length of one circumference around the inner peripheral surface of member A in the circumferential direction of member A. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" in this specification are used simply to distinguish between objects and do not rank them. Each drawing illustrates mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes. Each drawing illustrates a first direction X1, which is a direction in the X-axis direction along the X-axis, and a first opposite direction X2, which is the opposite direction of the first direction X1. Each drawing illustrates a second direction Y1, which is a direction in the Y-axis direction along the Y-axis, and a second opposite direction Y2, which is the opposite direction of the second direction Y1. Each drawing illustrates a third direction Z1, which is a direction in the Z-axis direction along the Z-axis, and a third opposite direction Z2, which is the opposite direction of the third direction Z1. 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] (Overall Configuration of Connector Assembly 1) As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the connector assembly 1 includes a first connector 10 and a second connector 100 electrically connected to the first connector 10. The connector assembly 1 electrically connects, for example, electrical equipment for a vehicle. Examples of electrical equipment for a vehicle include a high-voltage battery, an inverter, a motor, and a relay box. The first connector 10 is configured to be detachable from the mating connector, the second connector 100. The second connector 100 is attached to an attachment target such as a case of an electrical equipment (not shown). In other words, the second connector 100 is an equipment connector.

[0029] 5 , the first connector 10 has one or more (two in this embodiment) first terminals 30 connected to ends of one or more (two in this embodiment) electric wires 20, respectively, and a first housing 40 that holds the first terminals 30. The first connector 10 has anti-detachment bolts 50 assembled to the first terminals 30. The first connector 10 has a seal member 60 that fits around the outer periphery of the first housing 40, one or more (two in this embodiment) seal members 70 that fit inside the first housing 40, and a retainer 80 that prevents the seal members 70 from coming off.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6 , the second connector 100 has one or more (two in this embodiment) second terminals 110 , a second housing 120 that holds the second terminals 110 , and a nut 150 .

[0031] 3 and 4 , the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 are assembled together along the second direction Y1. The first connector 10 is mated with the second connector 100 along the second direction Y1, for example. For example, the first housing 40 of the first connector 10 is mated with the inside of the second housing 120 of the second connector 100 along the second direction Y1. Note that the directions in the drawings do not necessarily represent the orientations of the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 during use. Furthermore, the directions in the second connector 100 are described based on the state in which the first connector 10 is assembled to the second connector 100.

[0032] (Configuration of Electric Wire 20) As shown in Fig. 5, each electric wire 20 has a conductive core wire 21 and an insulating coating 22 that surrounds the core wire 21 and has insulating properties. The core wire 21 may be, for example, a stranded wire formed by twisting together a plurality of metal wires or a single-core wire formed of a single conductor. The core wire 21 may be made of, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material. The insulating coating 22 covers, for example, the outer circumferential surface of the core wire 21 over the entire circumferential direction. The insulating coating 22 is made of, for example, an insulating resin material.

[0033] An end of the core wire 21 in the second direction Y1 is exposed from the insulating coating 22. A first terminal 30 is connected to the end of the core wire 21 in the second direction Y1 exposed from the insulating coating 22. (Specific Structure of the First Connector 10) Two first terminals 30 are electrically connected to two electric wires 20, respectively. The two first terminals 30 are arranged side by side along the third direction Z1, for example. Each first terminal 30 has, for example, a wire connection portion 31 connected to an end of the electric wire 20 and a terminal connection portion 32. Each first terminal 30 is, for example, a single component in which the wire connection portion 31 and the terminal connection portion 32 are integrally formed. Each first terminal 30 can be made of, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material.

[0034] The electric wire connection portion 31 is connected to an end of the core wire 21 exposed from the insulating coating 22. The electric wire connection portion 31 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The electric wire connection portion 31 is connected to the core wire 21 by, for example, crimping or ultrasonic welding. This electrically and mechanically connects the electric wire connection portion 31 and the core wire 21.

[0035] The terminal connection portion 32 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The terminal connection portion 32 extends, for example, from the wire connection portion 31 along the second direction Y1. As shown in Fig. 7 , the terminal connection portion 32 has a first bolt hole 33 penetrating the terminal connection portion 32 in the first direction X1. The first bolt hole 33 is provided in an end region of the terminal connection portion 32 in the second direction Y1. A fall-off prevention bolt 50 is inserted into the first bolt hole 33 along the first direction X1.

[0036] The first bolt hole 33 has, for example, a first hole portion 34 provided at an end of the first bolt hole 33 in the first direction X1 and a second hole portion 35 provided at an end of the first bolt hole 33 in the first opposite direction X2. The first hole portion 34 and the second hole portion 35 are formed to communicate with each other. The opening width of the first hole portion 34 is formed larger than the opening width of the second hole portion 35. The minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first hole portion 34 is formed larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion 35. A female thread portion is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second hole portion 35.

[0037] The end of the second hole portion 35 in the first opposite direction X2 has, for example, a guide portion 36. The guide portion 36 is formed so that the opening width, i.e., the inner circumferential dimension, of the second hole portion 35 increases as the opening end of the second hole portion 35 in the first opposite direction X2 approaches. The guide portion 36 is formed, for example, by the inner circumferential surface of the second hole portion 35 inclining radially outward of the second hole portion 35 as the opening end of the second hole portion 35 in the first opposite direction X2 approaches. The guide portion 36 is formed, for example, over the entire circumferential circumference of the second hole portion 35. The guide portion 36 has the function of smoothly guiding the fall-out prevention bolt 50 into the first bolt hole 33 when the fall-out prevention bolt 50 is inserted into the first bolt hole 33 in the first direction X1.

[0038] The terminal connection portion 32 has, for example, an engagement recess 37. The engagement recess 37 is formed so as to be recessed from the end face of the terminal connection portion 32 in the first opposite direction X2 toward the first direction X1. The engagement recess 37 in this embodiment penetrates the terminal connection portion 32 in the first direction X1. The engagement recess 37 is provided in an end region of the terminal connection portion 32 in the second opposite direction Y2.

[0039] 3 , the fall-prevention bolt 50 is assembled to the first terminal 30 by being passed through the first bolt hole 33. The fall-prevention bolt 50 is passed through the first bolt hole 33 before the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 100. In other words, the first connector 10 is fitted to the second connector 100 with the fall-prevention bolt 50 passing through the first bolt hole 33.

[0040] The captive bolt 50 is inserted through the first bolt hole 33, for example, by screwing the male threaded portion 53 into a female threaded portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second hole portion 35. As shown in Fig. 5 , the captive bolt 50 has a head 51, a shank 52 extending from the head 51 in the first direction X1, and a male threaded portion 53 provided in the tip region of the shank 52. In the captive bolt 50, the male threaded portion 53 is provided only in the tip region of the shank 52. In other words, the shank 52 has an unthreaded portion 54 between the head 51 and the male threaded portion 53. The captive bolt 50 is made of metal.

[0041] 7 , the outer peripheral dimension of head 51 is larger than the inner peripheral dimension of first bolt hole 33. The maximum outer peripheral dimension of head 51 is larger than the minimum inner peripheral dimension of second hole portion 35. The maximum outer peripheral dimension of head 51 is larger than, for example, the minimum inner peripheral dimension of first hole portion 34. The end face of head 51 in the first direction X1 is formed so as to be able to engage with the end face of terminal connection portion 32 in the first opposite direction X2. This makes it possible to prevent fall-out prevention bolt 50 from falling out of first bolt hole 33 along first direction X1 after it has been assembled into first bolt hole 33.

[0042] The shank 52 protrudes in the first direction X1 from the end face of the head 51 in the first direction X1. The shank 52 extends, for example, straight along the first direction X1. The maximum outer circumferential dimension of the unthreaded portion 54 of the shank 52 is smaller than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first bolt hole 33. The maximum outer circumferential dimension of the unthreaded portion 54 is smaller than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion 35, for example.

[0043] The male thread portion 53 is formed to correspond to the female thread portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second hole portion 35. The male thread portion 53 is formed to correspond to the female thread portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of a nut 150 provided on the second connector 100. The maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male thread portion 53 is larger than the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the unthreaded portion 54. The maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male thread portion 53 is smaller than the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the head portion 51. The maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male thread portion 53 is set smaller than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first hole portion 34 and larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion 35. The male thread portion 53 is formed to be able to engage with the end surface of the peripheral wall constituting the second hole portion 35 in the first direction X1. This makes it possible to prevent the fall-out prevention bolt 50 from falling out of the first bolt hole 33 along the first opposite direction X2 after the fall-out prevention bolt 50 is assembled into the first bolt hole 33.

[0044] 3 , the first housing 40 has, for example, a main body 41, a wire holding portion 42 that protrudes from the main body 41 in the second opposite direction Y2, and a terminal holding portion 43 that protrudes from the main body 41 in the second direction Y1. The first housing 40 is, for example, a single component in which the main body 41, the wire holding portion 42, and the terminal holding portion 43 are continuously and integrally formed. The first housing 40 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0045] The main body 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape. For example, the main body 41 is formed in a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the X-axis direction. A seal member 60 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the main body 41. The seal member 60 is formed continuously around the entire circumferential direction of the main body 41. The seal member 60 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the second housing 120. The seal member 60 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0046] The first housing 40 has, for example, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) wire holding portions 42 arranged in the third direction Z1. Each wire holding portion 42 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 7 , each wire holding portion 42 is formed to surround the outer periphery of the electric wire 20. An end portion of the electric wire 20 in the second direction Y1 is held inside each wire holding portion 42. A connection portion between the core wire 21 of the electric wire 20 and the wire connection portion 31 of the first terminal 30 is housed inside each wire holding portion 42.

[0047] An engaging piece 42A, for example, is provided on the inner peripheral surface of each wire holding portion 42. The engaging piece 42A is formed, for example, to protrude in the first direction X1 from the inner peripheral surface of each wire holding portion 42 facing the first direction X1, and then extend along the second direction Y1 toward the main body 41. An engaging protrusion 42B protruding in the first direction X1 from the end face of the engaging piece 42A in the first direction X1 is provided at the tip end of the engaging piece 42A, i.e., the end in the second direction Y1. The engaging protrusion 42B is formed to be engageable with the inner peripheral surface of the engaging recess 37 of the first terminal 30. The first terminal 30 is held in the first housing 40 by the engaging protrusion 42B engaging with the inner peripheral surface of the engaging recess 37.

[0048] 3, the first housing 40 has, for example, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) terminal holding portions 43 aligned in the third direction Z1. Each terminal holding portion 43 is formed, for example, to cover a portion of the outer periphery of the terminal connection portion 32 of the first terminal 30. Each terminal holding portion 43 is formed, for example, to expose the fall-off prevention bolt 50 assembled to the first terminal 30 to the outside. As shown in FIG. 7, each terminal holding portion 43 is formed to be able to accommodate a second terminal 110 of the second connector 100.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 8, two seal members 70 are attached to two electric wires 20, respectively. Each seal member 70 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 22 of each electric wire 20. Each seal member 70 is formed continuously around the entire circumferential direction of each electric wire 20. Each seal member 70 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of each electric wire holding portion 42 at the end portion in the second opposite direction Y2. Each seal member 70 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the electric wire holding portion 42. Each seal member 70 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0050] The retainer 80 is attached, for example, to the end of the first housing 40 in the second opposite direction Y2. The retainer 80 prevents the seal member 70 from coming off the first housing 40. The retainer 80 is provided so as to close the opening of the wire holding portion 42 in the second opposite direction Y2.

[0051] Each electric wire 20 penetrates the seal member 70 and the retainer 80 in the second opposite direction Y2 and is drawn out to the outside of the first housing 40. (Specific Structure of the Second Connector 100) As shown in Fig. 6, the two second terminals 110 are arranged side by side along the third direction Z1, for example. The two second terminals 110 are formed integrally with the second housing 120 by, for example, insert molding. The second terminals 110 can be made of, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material.

[0052] Each second terminal 110 is formed in a flat plate shape. Each second terminal 110 extends along the Y-axis direction. The end of each second terminal 110 in the second opposite direction Y2 is formed, for example, in a bifurcated fork shape. That is, each second terminal 110 is a fork-type terminal. The end of each second terminal 110 in the second opposite direction Y2 has a U-shaped planar shape when viewed from the first direction X1. The end of each second terminal 110 in the second opposite direction Y2 has, for example, a second bolt hole 111 formed in a notched shape. Each second bolt hole 111 is formed so that the second terminal 110 is notched from the end face of the second terminal 110 in the second opposite direction Y2 toward the second direction Y1. Each second bolt hole 111 extends along the second direction Y1. Each second bolt hole 111 penetrates the second terminal 110 in the first direction X1. Each second bolt hole 111 is open to both the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2, and also to the second opposite direction Y2. Each second bolt hole 111 is provided in the middle of the second terminal 110 in the width direction (here, the Z-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 8 , each second bolt hole 111 allows the insertion of a fall-off prevention bolt 50 along the second direction Y1. That is, the fall-off prevention bolt 50 can enter each second bolt hole 111 along the second direction Y1.

[0053] The end of each second bolt hole 111 in the second opposite direction Y2 has, for example, a guide portion 112. The guide portion 112 is formed so that the opening width of the second bolt hole 111 along the Z-axis direction increases as the opening end of the second bolt hole 111 in the second opposite direction Y2 approaches. The guide portion 112 is formed, for example, by the inner circumferential surface of the second bolt hole 111 sloping radially outward of the second bolt hole 111 as the opening end of the second bolt hole 111 in the second opposite direction Y2 approaches. The guide portion 112 has the function of smoothly guiding the fall-out prevention bolt 50 toward the end (i.e., the back end) of the second bolt hole 111 in the second direction Y1 when the fall-out prevention bolt 50 is inserted into the second bolt hole 111 in the second direction Y1.

[0054] 7 , when the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 100, the second terminal 110 is overlapped with the first terminal 30 in the first direction X1. The second terminal 110 is fastened to the first terminal 30 by a fall-off prevention bolt 50 and a nut 150.

[0055] 8 and 9 , the second housing 120 has, for example, a housing main body 121 and a guide member 140. The housing main body 121 is, for example, a separate part from the guide member 140. The guide member 140 is, for example, inserted into the housing main body 121 along the second direction Y1 and attached to the housing main body 121. The housing main body 121 and the guide member 140 are each made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0056] 8, the housing main body 121 has, for example, a fitting cylindrical portion 122 that fits with the first housing 40, and a terminal accommodating portion 131 that protrudes in the second direction Y1 from the fitting cylindrical portion 122. The housing main body 121 has a fixing portion 132 that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 122.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6, the fitting cylindrical portion 122 is formed in a cylindrical shape. For example, the fitting cylindrical portion 122 is formed in a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the X-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 7, the fitting cylindrical portion 122 is formed in a size that allows a part of the main body portion 41 and the terminal holding portion 43 of the first housing 40 to be inserted therein. The fitting cylindrical portion 122 accommodates the end portion of the second terminal 110 facing the second opposite direction Y2 therein.

[0058] The fitting cylindrical portion 122 has an opening 123 that penetrates the fitting cylindrical portion 122 in the radial direction. The opening 123 is formed to penetrate a peripheral wall of the fitting cylindrical portion 122 that is provided in the first opposite direction X2. As shown in FIG. 2 , the opening 123 is formed to expose the head 51 of the fall-off prevention bolt 50, for example, when the first connector 10 is properly mated with the second connector 100. The planar shape of the opening 123 as viewed from the penetration direction of the opening 123 (here, the X-axis direction) is formed to be, for example, a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 7, the fitting cylindrical portion 122 is provided with a cylindrical portion 124 that protrudes in the first opposite direction X2 from the outer peripheral surface of a peripheral wall of the fitting cylindrical portion 122 that is provided in the first opposite direction X2. The cylindrical portion 124 is provided so as to protrude in the first opposite direction X2 from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall that forms the opening 123. The cylindrical portion 124 is formed so as to surround the opening 123 in a plan view seen from the X-axis direction. The internal space of the cylindrical portion 124 is in communication with the opening 123. Although not shown, a cover member that covers the opening 123 is attached to the cylindrical portion 124.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6 , the internal space of the fitting tubular portion 122 is provided with two accommodating portions 125, each of which accommodates two nuts 150. Each of the two accommodating portions 125 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall of the fitting tubular portion 122, which faces the first direction X1. Each accommodating portion 125 is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the fitting tubular portion 122. The accommodating portions 125 open in the first opposite direction X2. The nuts 150 are inserted into each accommodating portion 125 along the second direction Y1. In other words, each accommodating portion 125 has an opening 126 that opens in the second opposite direction Y2. As shown in FIG. 7 , each accommodating portion 125 is provided in a position facing the first direction X1 from the second terminal 110. As shown in FIG. 9, the internal space of the accommodating portion 125 is provided so as to overlap with the inner end of the second bolt hole 111 of the second terminal 110 in a plan view seen from the X-axis direction, for example.

[0061] Here, each nut 150 is formed in a quadrangular prism. The planar shape of each nut 150 when viewed from the first direction X1 is rectangular. Each nut 150 has a through hole 151 penetrating the nut 150 in the first direction X1. Due to the through hole 151, each nut 150 is formed in an annular shape. For example, the through hole 151 has a circular planar shape when viewed from the first direction X1. For example, the through hole 151 is positioned so as to overlap the inner end of the second bolt hole 111 of the second terminal 110 in the X-axis direction when the nut 150 is housed in the housing portion 125. The inner circumferential surface of the nut 150 has a female thread portion that can be fastened to the male thread portion 53 (see FIG. 5 ) of the captive bolt 50. Each nut 150 is made of metal.

[0062] The accommodation portion 125 is formed to cover the end face of the nut 150 in the second direction Y1, the end face in the third direction Z1, and the end face in the third opposite direction Z2. For example, one or more (two in this embodiment) fixing pieces 127 are provided in the internal space of the fitting cylindrical portion 122. The two fixing pieces 127 are provided, for example, between the two accommodation portions 125 in the Z-axis direction. Each fixing piece 127 protrudes from the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the fitting cylindrical portion 122 in the second direction Y1 toward the second opposite direction Y2. Each fixing piece 127 has an engagement hole 127X. The engagement hole 127X is formed to penetrate the fixing piece 127 in the X-axis direction. The engagement hole 127X is provided, for example, in the middle of the fixing piece 127 in the Y-axis direction.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 10 , a wall portion 128 and a positioning protrusion 129 are provided in the internal space of the fitting cylindrical portion 122. The wall portion 128 is provided in the first opposite direction X2 relative to the guide member 140. The wall portion 128 is provided, for example, between the two second terminals 110 in the Z-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 9 , the wall portion 128 protrudes in the second opposite direction Y2 from the inner surface of a peripheral wall provided in the second direction Y1 of the fitting cylindrical portion 122. For example, the wall portion 128 protrudes in the second opposite direction Y2 further than the end face of the fixing piece 127 in the second opposite direction Y2.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 10 , the positioning protrusion 129 protrudes in the first direction X1 from an end face of the wall portion 128 in the first direction X1. The positioning protrusion 129 is provided, for example, in the center of the wall portion 128 in the Z-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 9 , the positioning protrusion 129 extends along the second direction Y1. For example, the positioning protrusion 129 protrudes in the second opposite direction Y2 from the inner surface of a peripheral wall of the fitting cylindrical portion 122 that is provided in the second direction Y1. For example, the positioning protrusion 129 protrudes in the second opposite direction Y2 beyond an end face of the fixing piece 127 in the second opposite direction Y2.

[0065] The housing main body 121 has, for example, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) terminal accommodating portions 131 arranged in the third direction Z1. Each terminal accommodating portion 131 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 7 , each terminal accommodating portion 131 is formed to surround the outer periphery of the second terminal 110. For example, each terminal accommodating portion 131 surrounds the outer periphery of the second terminal 110 over the entire circumferential direction. Note that each second terminal 110 penetrates the terminal accommodating portion 131 in the second direction Y1 and is drawn out to the outside of the second housing 120.

[0066] 1, the fixing portion 132 is formed to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 122. For example, the fixing portion 132 is formed to protrude radially outward over the entire circumferential circumference of the fitting cylindrical portion 122. For example, the fixing portion 132 is fixed to the outer surface of a case of an electrical device (not shown).

[0067] 11 , the guide member 140 has, for example, a main body 141 and one or more (two in this embodiment) restricting portions 145 that restrict movement of the nut 150 (see FIG. 9 ). The guide member 140 has, for example, a protruding piece 146 that protrudes in the second direction Y1 from an end face of the main body 141 in the second direction Y1, and one or more (two in this embodiment) engaging portions 147 provided on an end face of the protruding piece 146 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0068] The main body 141 has an inclined surface 142. The inclined surface 142 faces, for example, in the second opposite direction Y2 and in the first opposite direction X2. The inclined surface 142 is inclined with respect to the first direction X1 and inclined with respect to the second direction Y1. The inclined surface 142 extends from the end of the main body 141 in the second opposite direction Y2 to an end face 143 of the main body 141 in the first opposite direction X2. Here, the end face 143 of the main body 141 in the first opposite direction X2 is provided at the end of the main body 141 in the second direction Y1. The end face 143 extends, for example, in the second direction Y1 and in the third direction Z1. The inclined surface 142 is inclined from the first direction X1 toward the first opposite direction X2 as it moves from the end of the main body 141 in the second opposite direction Y2 toward the end of the main body 141 in the second direction Y1. The inclined surface 142 is formed, for example, over the entire width direction (here, the Z-axis direction) of the main body portion 141. Note that the end surface of the main body portion 141 in the second direction Y1 extends along the first direction X1.

[0069] The main body 141 has, for example, a positioning groove 144. The positioning groove 144 is recessed from the end surface 143 toward the first direction X1. The positioning groove 144 extends along the second direction Y1. For example, the positioning groove 144 extends from the end surface of the main body 141 in the second direction Y1 along the second opposite direction Y2. The positioning groove 144 is provided, for example, at the center of the main body 141 in the width direction of the main body 141 (here, the Z-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 10 , the positioning groove 144 is formed so that the positioning protrusion 129 can be inserted therein. By inserting the positioning protrusion 129 into the positioning groove 144, it is possible to easily position the guide member 140 in the Z-axis direction when attaching the guide member 140 to the housing main body 121. Furthermore, by inserting the positioning protrusion 129 into the positioning groove 144, rattle of the guide member 140 can be suppressed.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 9 , each restricting portion 145 protrudes in the second direction Y1 from an end surface of the main body 141 in the second direction Y1. Two restricting portions 145 are provided corresponding to the two accommodating portions 125, respectively. Each restricting portion 145 is configured to be inserted into the accommodating portion 125 when the guide member 140 is attached to the housing main body 121. Each restricting portion 145 is configured to block the opening 126 of the accommodating portion 125. By blocking the opening 126, each restricting portion 145 restricts movement of the nut 150 accommodated in the accommodating portion 125 in the second opposite direction Y2. As shown in FIG. 11 , the end surface of each restricting portion 145 in the first opposite direction X2 is formed flush with, for example, the end surface 143 of the main body 141 in the first opposite direction X2. Each restricting portion 145 is formed, for example, over the entire length of the main body 141 in the X-axis direction.

[0071] The protruding piece 146 protrudes in the second direction Y1 beyond the end face of the restricting portion 145 in the second direction Y1. The dimension of the protruding piece 146 in the X-axis direction is, for example, smaller than the dimension of the restricting portion 145 in the X-axis direction. The engaging portion 147 is an engaging protrusion that protrudes in the first opposite direction X2 from the end face of the protruding piece 146 in the first opposite direction X2. As shown in FIG. 9 , the engaging portion 147 is formed to be able to fit into the engaging hole 127X of the fixing piece 127. The engaging portion 147 is formed to be able to engage with the inner surface of the engaging hole 127X. When the engaging portion 147 engages with the inner surface of the engaging hole 127X, movement of the guide member 140 in the second opposite direction Y2 relative to the housing main body 121 is restricted. This makes it possible to preferably prevent the guide member 140 from coming loose from the housing main body 121.

[0072] (Method of Manufacturing Connector Assembly 1) Next, a method of manufacturing the connector assembly 1 will be described. Here, a method of connecting the first connector 10 to the second connector 100 will be described in detail.

[0073] 12 , a first connector 10 is prepared, which includes a first terminal 30 with a captive bolt 50 assembled thereto, a first housing 40 that holds the first terminal 30, and a seal member 60 attached to the outer periphery of the first housing 40. At this time, the captive bolt 50 is inserted through the first bolt hole 33 and assembled to the first terminal 30 before being connected to the second connector 100. More specifically, the shank 52 of the captive bolt 50 is threaded into the first bolt hole 33 along the first direction X1 from a position further in the first opposite direction X2 than the first terminal 30. Specifically, the male threaded portion 53 of the captive bolt 50 is threaded into the female threaded portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second hole portion 35 of the first bolt hole 33. Next, when the male thread portion 53 passes the female thread portion of the second hole portion 35, the captive bolt 50 is moved along the first direction X1 until the head portion 51 engages with the end surface of the first terminal 30 in the first opposite direction X2. As a result, the shank 52 of the captive bolt 50 is passed through the first bolt hole 33, and the captive bolt 50 is assembled to the first terminal 30.

[0074] 12 , a second connector 100 is prepared, which includes a second terminal 110, a second housing 120 that holds the second terminal 110, and a nut 150 accommodated in the accommodation portion 125 of the second housing 120. Specifically, the nut 150 is inserted in the second direction Y1 into the accommodation portion 125 of the housing main body 121, with which the second terminal 110 is integrally formed. That is, as shown in FIG. 6 , the nut 150 is accommodated inside the accommodation portion 125 through the opening 126 of the accommodation portion 125. Next, the guide member 140 is inserted in the second direction Y1 into the fitting tubular portion 122 of the housing main body 121. As shown in FIG. 9 , when the guide member 140 is attached to the housing main body 121, the restricting portions 145 are inserted into the accommodation portions 125, and the restricting portions 145 engage with the nuts 150. 12 , the end face of each restricting portion 145 in the first opposite direction X2 is provided on the same plane as the end face of the nut 150 in the first opposite direction X2, or is provided at a position that protrudes in the first opposite direction X2 beyond the end face of the nut 150 in the first opposite direction X2. Furthermore, each nut 150 is provided so as to overlap the inner end of the second bolt hole 111 of the second terminal 110 in a plan view seen from the first direction X1.

[0075] Next, the first housing 40 of the first connector 10 is fitted into the second housing 120 of the second connector 100 along the second direction Y1. As the fitting of the first housing 40 into the second housing 120 progresses, the tip of the shank 52 of the fall-off prevention bolt 50 comes into contact with the inclined surface 142 of the guide member 140. At this time, the first terminal 30 is disposed further in the first opposite direction X2 than the second terminal 110.

[0076] 13 , as the first housing 40 is further fitted into the second housing 120, the captive bolt 50 is moved in the second direction Y1 along the inclined surface 142. At this time, the captive bolt 50 is moved along the inclined surface 142, and therefore is moved toward the first opposite direction X2 as it moves in the second direction Y1. That is, the captive bolt 50 is lifted in the first opposite direction X2 by the inclined surface 142 as it moves in the second direction Y1. As shown in FIG. 13 , when the captive bolt 50 reaches the end surface 143 of the main body 141 or the end surface of the restricting portion 145 in the first opposite direction X2, the captive bolt 50 is lifted in the first opposite direction X2 beyond the nut 150. This causes the captive bolt 50 to move in the first opposite direction X2 relative to the first bolt hole 33 of the first terminal 30. At this time, the first bolt hole 33 is provided with a first hole portion 34 capable of accommodating the male thread portion 53 of the captive bolt 50. This allows the male thread portion 53 to escape into the first hole portion 34, thereby preventing the captive bolt 50 from being restricted in movement in the first opposite direction X2. As shown in FIG. 8 , the second terminal 110 is formed in a fork shape having a notched second bolt hole 111. This allows the captive bolt 50 to be suitably inserted into the second bolt hole 111 along the second direction Y1 when the first connector 10 is moved along the second direction Y1. Furthermore, as the engagement of the first housing 40 with the second housing 120 progresses, the captive bolt 50 can be moved within the second bolt hole 111 along the second direction Y1 toward the innermost end of the second bolt hole 111.

[0077] 14 , the fitting of the first housing 40 to the second housing 120 is further advanced, and the first housing 40 is fitted to the second housing 120 until it reaches the correct position. At this time, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is guided to a position where it can be fastened to the nut 150. Specifically, as the first housing 40 moves in the second direction Y1, the fall-prevention bolt 50 slides in the second direction Y1 while contacting the end face of the restricting portion 145 in the first opposite direction X2. When the first housing 40 further moves along the second direction Y1 to the correct position, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is guided directly above (directly above) the nut 150, and the tip of the fall-prevention bolt 50 is inserted into the through-hole 151 of the nut 150. At this time, the fall-prevention bolt 50 is positioned so that the central axis of the fall-prevention bolt 50 coincides with the central axis of the nut 150. In this way, when the fitting of the first housing 40 and the second housing 120 is completed, the captive bolt 50 is guided to a position where the central axis of the captive bolt 50 and the central axis of the nut 150 coincide. In the connector assembly 1 after this process, the head 51 of the captive bolt 50 is positioned so as to overlap with the opening 123 of the second housing 120 in a plan view seen in the first direction X1. In the connector assembly 1 after this process, the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 are overlapped in the first direction X1, and the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the second housing 120 is sealed by the seal member 60.

[0078] In the process described above, by providing a guide member 140 on the second connector 100, the anti-fall-out bolt 50 can be guided directly above the nut 150 simply by fitting the first housing 40 into the second housing 120.

[0079] 15 , the captive bolt 50 is screwed into the nut 150. A tool for tightening the captive bolt 50 and the nut 150 is inserted into the second housing 120 through the opening 123 of the second connector 100, for example. When the captive bolt 50 is screwed into the nut 150, the nut 150, whose rotation is restricted by the accommodating portion 125 and the restricting portion 145, moves in the first opposite direction X2. As a result, the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 are bolted together by the captive bolt 50 and the nut 150, and the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 are electrically connected to each other. At this time, even if the second terminal 110 is a fork-type terminal, the second terminal 110 can be suitably connected to the first terminal 30 due to the frictional force caused by the high axial force of the captive bolt 50 and the nut 150 generated during bolt tightening.

[0080] The connector assembly 1 of this embodiment can be manufactured through the manufacturing process described above. (Operations and Effects of This Embodiment) Next, operations and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0081] (1) The first connector 10 has first terminals 30, a first housing 40 that holds the first terminals 30, first bolt holes 33 that penetrate the first terminals 30 in the first direction X1, and drop-out prevention bolts 50 that are assembled to the first terminals 30. The drop-out prevention bolts 50 penetrate the first bolt holes 33 before the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 100, which is the mating connector.

[0082] According to this configuration, before the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 100, the captive bolt 50 is inserted through the first bolt hole 33 and assembled to the first terminal 30. That is, the captive bolt 50 is pre-assembled to the first terminal 30. Therefore, when connecting the second terminal 110 of the second connector 100 to the first terminal 30, the captive bolt 50 pre-assembled to the first terminal 30 can be used to bolt the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 together. Therefore, when bolting the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 together, the task of assembling a bolt prepared separately from the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 to the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 can be omitted. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly 1 can be improved. This is particularly effective when automating the connection work between the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110. Specifically, since the number of parts to be added to the manufacturing line during the assembly work of the connector assembly 1 can be reduced, the assembly process of the connector assembly 1 can be more easily automated.

[0083] (2) Furthermore, since the work of assembling bolts prepared separately from the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 to the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 can be omitted, the work space required when fastening the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 with the bolts can be reduced.

[0084] (3) The maximum outer circumferential dimension of the head 51 of the captive bolt 50 is larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion 35 of the first bolt hole 33. This prevents the head 51 from slipping out of the second hole portion 35 along the first direction X1. Furthermore, the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male thread portion 53 provided in the tip region of the shank 52 of the captive bolt 50 is larger than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the second hole portion 35. This prevents the male thread portion 53 from slipping out of the second hole portion 35 along the first opposite direction X2. These features effectively prevent the captive bolt 50, which is inserted through the first bolt hole 33 and assembled to the first terminal 30, from slipping out of the first bolt hole 33. Furthermore, the maximum outer circumferential dimension of the male thread portion 53 is smaller than the minimum inner circumferential dimension of the first hole portion 34. This allows the male thread portion 53 to be received in the first hole portion 34 of the first bolt hole 33. Therefore, for example, when the fall-off prevention bolt 50 is moved in the first opposite direction X2 by the inclined surface 142, the male thread portion 53 can escape into the first hole portion 34.

[0085] (4) The second connector 100 is connected to the first connector 10 having the first terminals 30 to which the fall-prevention bolts 50 are assembled. The second connector 100 includes second terminals 110 connected to the first terminals 30, and a second housing 120 that holds the second terminals 110. The second connector 100 includes second bolt holes 111 that penetrate the second terminals 110 in the first direction X1, and nuts 150 that are held inside the second housing 120 and fastened to the fall-prevention bolts 50. The second housing 120 has an inclined surface 142 that guides the fall-prevention bolts 50 to directly above the nuts 150 while they remain assembled to the first terminals 30.

[0086] According to this configuration, when connecting the first connector 10 and the second connector 100, the inclined surface 142 of the second housing 120 guides the captive bolt 50 to directly above the nut 150 while it remains assembled to the first terminal 30. Therefore, when connecting the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110, the captive bolt 50 pre-assembled to the first terminal 30 can be used to bolt the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 together. Therefore, when bolting the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 together, the work of assembling a bolt prepared separately from the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 to the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110 can be omitted. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly 1 can be improved.

[0087] (5) The second terminal 110 is provided with a notched second bolt hole 111. Therefore, the second terminal 110 is formed in a fork shape, bifurcated by the second bolt hole 111. Here, when the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 100 in the second direction Y1, the first terminal 30 moves relative to the second terminal 110 in the second direction Y1, and the fall-prevention bolt 50 moves relative to the second terminal 110 in the second direction Y1. At this time, the second bolt hole 111 is formed so as to be notched from the end face of the second terminal 110 in the second opposite direction Y2 toward the second direction Y1. Therefore, the fall-prevention bolt 50 moving in the second direction Y1 can be suitably inserted into the second bolt hole 111.

[0088] (6) The inclined surface 142 is inclined toward the first opposite direction X2 from the end in the second opposite direction Y2 toward the end in the second direction Y1. With this configuration, when the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 100, if the fall-prevention bolt 50 is moved in the second direction Y1 relative to the second terminal 110, the fall-prevention bolt 50 moves along the inclined surface 142. As a result, as the fall-prevention bolt 50 moves in the second direction Y1, the fall-prevention bolt 50 can be moved in the first opposite direction X2. In other words, as the fall-prevention bolt 50 moves in the second direction Y1, the inclined surface 142 can lift the fall-prevention bolt 50 in the first opposite direction X2. As a result, the fall-prevention bolt 50 can be suitably moved to a position in the first opposite direction X2 that is closer to the nut 150 than the nut 150.

[0089] (7) In the first connector 10, the captive bolt 50 is assembled to the first terminal 30 in advance. In the second connector 100, the second terminal 110 is formed in a fork shape, and the second housing 120 that holds the second terminal 110 is provided with an inclined surface 142. With this configuration, by moving the first housing 40 in the second direction Y1 to fit the first housing 40 into the second housing 120, the inclined surface 142 can guide the captive bolt 50 to directly above the nut 150. In other words, the captive bolt 50 can be guided to a position where it can be fastened to the nut 150 simply by fitting the first housing 40 into the second housing 120. This facilitates automation of the bolt fastening process between the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110.

[0090] (8) The guide member 140 having the inclined surface 142 is formed as a separate part from the housing main body 121. This allows the guide member 140 to be manufactured separately from the housing main body 121. This allows for greater freedom in design of the guide member 140 and the housing main body 121 compared to when the guide member 140 and the housing main body 121 are integrally formed.

[0091] (9) The nut 150 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 125 provided in the housing main body 121, and the opening 126 of the accommodation portion 125 that opens in the second opposite direction Y2 is blocked by the restricting portion 145 provided in the guide member 140. Therefore, the movement of the nut 150 inside the accommodation portion 125 can be appropriately restricted by the inner circumferential surface of the accommodation portion 125 and the restricting portion 145.

[0092] (10) Furthermore, the housing main body 121 having the accommodating portion 125 and the guide member 140 having the restricting portion 145 are formed as separate parts. Therefore, even if the nut 150 cannot be inserted through the opening of the accommodating portion 125 in the first opposite direction X2, the nut 150 can be inserted into the accommodating portion 125 through the opening 126 of the accommodating portion 125 that opens in the second opposite direction Y2. Furthermore, after the nut 150 is accommodated inside the accommodating portion 125, the opening 126 of the accommodating portion 125 can be suitably blocked by the restricting portion 145 of the guide member 140.

[0093] (11) The housing main body 121 has a fitting tubular portion 122 that accommodates the second terminal 110 therein, and a positioning protrusion 129 that is provided inside the fitting tubular portion 122 and extends along the second direction Y1. The guide member 140 is formed so as to be insertable into the fitting tubular portion 122 along the second direction Y1. The guide member 140 has a positioning groove 144 that extends along the second direction Y1. The positioning protrusion 129 can be inserted into the positioning groove 144. With this configuration, by inserting the positioning protrusion 129 into the positioning groove 144, when attaching the guide member 140 to the housing main body 121, the guide member 140 can be easily positioned relative to the housing main body 121. This improves the ease of attaching the guide member 140 to the housing main body 121.

[0094] (Other Embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0095] The structure of the first connector 10 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. The structure of the first terminal 30 can be modified as appropriate. For example, the wire connection portion 31 may be modified to have a shape that is crimped to the core wire 21 of the wire 20. For example, the first bolt hole 33 may be configured with only the second hole portion 35. For example, the engagement recess 37 does not have to penetrate the first terminal 30 in the first direction X1. For example, the engagement recess 37 may be omitted.

[0096] The retainer 80 may be omitted. The structure of the fall-off prevention bolt 50 may be modified as appropriate. For example, the structure of the fall-off prevention bolt 50 is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure that can prevent the fall-off prevention bolt 50 from falling out of the first bolt hole 33 after being inserted into the first bolt hole 33.

[0097] The structure of the second connector 100 in the above embodiment may be modified as appropriate. The wall portion 128 of the housing main body 121 may be omitted. The positioning protrusion 129 of the housing main body 121 may be omitted. In this case, the positioning groove 144 of the guide member 140 may be omitted.

[0098] The restricting portion 145 of the guide member 140 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the guide portion is embodied as the inclined surface 142, but this is not limiting. For example, the guide portion may be embodied as a structure other than the inclined surface 142, as long as the structure is such that the fall-off prevention bolt 50 can be guided directly above the nut 150 while still assembled to the first terminal 30.

[0099] The housing main body 121 and the guide member 140 may be formed integrally. That is, the housing main body 121 may have the inclined surface 142. In the above embodiment, the second terminal 110 and the second housing 120 are formed integrally by insert molding, but this is not limiting. For example, the second terminal 110 may be assembled to the second housing 120 by press-fitting the second terminal 110 into a through-hole provided in the second housing 120.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the fall-off prevention bolt 50 is assembled to the first terminal 30 connected to the electric wire 20, but this is not limiting. For example, the fall-off prevention bolt 50 may be assembled to the second terminal 110 of the second connector 100, which is an equipment connector.

[0101] As shown in Figure 5, the terminal connection portion 32 of the first terminal 30 in a non-limiting embodiment may be referred to as a metal terminal plate having a plate thickness and a leading edge. The unthreaded portion 54 of the captive bolt 50 may be referred to as the intermediate length portion of the shank 52 between the head 51 and the male threaded portion 53, and may be a smooth cylinder having an axial length, a diameter, and a smooth circumferential surface. The axial length of the unthreaded portion 54 of the captive bolt 50 is greater than the plate thickness of the terminal connection portion 32 of the first terminal 30. The relatively long unthreaded portion 54 of the captive bolt 50 allows the unthreaded portion 54 of the captive bolt 50 to move freely in the axial direction relative to the first bolt hole 33, but with a limited amount of axial movement, when the unthreaded portion 54 of the captive bolt 50 is accommodated in the first bolt hole 33 of the terminal connection portion 32. 12 to 14 , when the leading edge of the first terminal 30 having the captive bolt 50 is advanced toward the second terminal 110, the inclined surface 142 of the guide member 140 comes into direct contact with the tip of the captive bolt 50, thereby lifting the captive bolt 50 relative to the terminal connection portion 32 of the first terminal 30. At this time, the worker does not need to directly touch the captive bolt 50. In at least this respect, the combination of the relatively long unthreaded portion 54 of the captive bolt 50 and the inclined surface 142 of the guide member 140 is effective in facilitating automation of the connection work between the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 110.

[0102] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the meaning described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0103] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Connector assembly 10 First connector 20 Electric wire 21 Core wire 22 Insulating coating 30 First terminal 31 Electric wire connection portion 32 Terminal connection portion 33 First bolt hole 34 First hole portion 35 Second hole portion 36 Guiding portion 37 Engagement recess 40 First housing 41 Main body portion 42 Electric wire holding portion 42A Engagement piece 42B Engagement protrusion portion 43 Terminal holding portion 50 Fall-off prevention bolt 51 Head portion 52 Shank portion 53 Male thread portion 54 Unthreaded portion 60, 70 Seal member 80 Retainer 100 Second connector 110 Second terminal 111 Second bolt hole 112 Guiding portion 120 Second housing 121 Housing main body 122 Fitting cylindrical portion 123 Opening 124 Cylindrical portion 125 Storage portion 126 Opening 127 Fixing piece 127X Engagement hole 128 Wall 129 Positioning protrusion 131 Terminal accommodating portion 132 Fixing portion 140 Guide member 141 Main body 142 Inclined surface (guiding portion) 143 End surface 144 Positioning groove 145 Restricting portion 146 Projecting piece 147 Engagement portion 150 Nut 151 Through hole X1 First direction X2 First opposite direction Y1 Second direction Y2 Second opposite direction Z1 Third direction Z2 Third opposite direction

Claims

1. A first connector comprising: a first terminal; a first housing that holds the first terminal; a first bolt hole that penetrates the first terminal in a first direction; and an anti-dropout bolt assembled to the first terminal, wherein the anti-dropout bolt passes through the first bolt hole before the first connector is connected to a mating second connector.

2. A first connector as described in claim 1, wherein the anti-fallout bolt has a head, a shaft extending from the head in the first direction, and a male threaded portion provided in a tip region of the shaft, the first bolt hole has a first hole portion provided at an end in the first direction and a second hole portion provided at an end in a first opposite direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction, the minimum inner circumference dimension of the first hole portion is set larger than the minimum inner circumference dimension of the second hole portion, the maximum outer circumference dimension of the head is set larger than the minimum inner circumference dimension of the second hole portion, and the maximum outer circumference dimension of the male threaded portion is set smaller than the minimum inner circumference dimension of the first hole portion and larger than the minimum inner circumference dimension of the second hole portion.

3. The first connector of claim 1, wherein the first terminal is connected to an end of an electric wire.

4. A second connector connected to a first connector having a first terminal to which an anti-fall-out bolt is assembled, comprising: a second terminal connected to the first terminal; a second housing for holding the second terminal; a second bolt hole penetrating the second terminal in a first direction; and a nut held inside the second housing and fastened to the anti-fall-out bolt, wherein the second housing has a guide portion for guiding the anti-fall-out bolt to directly above the nut while it remains assembled to the first terminal.

5. A second connector as described in claim 4, wherein the second bolt hole allows the anti-fallout bolt to be inserted therein along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the second bolt hole is formed so as to be cut out from an end face of the second terminal in a second opposite direction that is opposite to the second direction, toward the second direction.

6. A second connector as described in claim 5, wherein the guide portion is an inclined surface that inclines from the first direction toward a first opposite direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction as it moves from the end in the second opposite direction toward the end in the second direction.

7. The second connector according to claim 5, wherein the second housing has a housing body and a guide member having the guide portion, and the guide member is a separate part from the housing body.

8. A second connector as described in claim 7, wherein the housing main body has a accommodating portion that is provided at a position facing the first direction from the second terminal and that accommodates the nut, the accommodating portion opens in a first opposite direction that is opposite to the first direction, the accommodating portion has an opening that opens in the second opposite direction, the accommodating portion is capable of inserting the nut therein along the second direction, and the guide member has a regulating portion that blocks the opening.

9. A second connector as described in claim 7, wherein the housing main body has a mating tubular portion that accommodates the second terminal therein, and a positioning protrusion provided inside the mating tubular portion and extending along the second direction, the guide member is formed so as to be insertable into the mating tubular portion along the second direction, the guide member has a positioning groove extending along the second direction, and the positioning groove allows the positioning protrusion to be inserted therein.

10. A connector assembly comprising: a first connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3; and a second connector as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the first terminal is bolted to the second terminal by the anti-fallout bolt and the nut.

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