Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a connector and a connector assembly which are capable of enhancing assembly workability. A first connector (10) has a first terminal, a first housing (40) which holds the first terminal, and a work hole (51X) which penetrates the first housing (40) in a first direction (X1) and exposes the first terminal. The first connector (10) has a service cover (90) which is attached to the first housing (40) and is capable of blocking the work hole (51X). The service cover (90) is provided, in a state of being attached to the first housing (40), movably between a first position where the work hole (51X) is exposed and a second position where the work hole (51X) is blocked. The first housing (40) has a guide part (72) which guides the moving locus of the service cover (90) from the first position to the second position. The service cover (90) has a slider provided slidably with respect to the guide part (72).

Description

Connectors and Connector Assemblies

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors and connector assemblies.

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle is equipped with a connector assembly including a first connector attached to an end of an electric wire, a second connector attached to a case of an electrical device and electrically connected to the first connector, and a service cover (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. The service cover is attached to the first housing so as to close an access hole in the first housing.

[0003] When connecting 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 first housing through the work hole in the first housing and passes 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 by bolt tightening. After that, a service cover is attached to the first housing to close the work hole in the first housing.

[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 connector and a connector assembly that can improve the ease of assembly.

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a first terminal, a first housing that holds the first terminal, a working hole that penetrates the first housing in a first direction and exposes the first terminal, and a service cover that is attached to the first housing and is capable of closing the working hole, wherein the service cover is movable, when attached to the first housing, between a first position that exposes the working hole and a second position that closes the working hole, the first housing has a guide portion that guides the movement trajectory of the service cover from the first position to the second position, and the service cover has a slider that is slidable relative to the guide portion.

[0007] The 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 an exploded perspective 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 a plan view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a first connector according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4) of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a first connector according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a service cover according to one embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 4) of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 4) of a portion of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 4) of a portion of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. Figure 15 is a side view showing a method for manufacturing a connector assembly of one embodiment. Figure 16 is a side view showing a method for manufacturing a connector assembly of one embodiment. Figure 17 is a side view showing a method for manufacturing a connector assembly of one embodiment. Figure 18 is a side view showing a method for manufacturing a connector assembly of one embodiment. Figure 19 is a side view showing a method for manufacturing a connector assembly of one embodiment. Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of a first connector of a modified example.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] A connector of the present disclosure includes a first terminal, a first housing that holds the first terminal, an access hole that penetrates the first housing in a first direction and exposes the first terminal, and a service cover that is attached to the first housing and can close the access hole, the service cover is provided so as to be movable between a first position that exposes the access hole and a second position that closes the access hole when attached to the first housing, the first housing has a guide portion that guides a movement locus of the service cover from the first position to the second position, and the service cover has a slider that is provided so as to be slidable relative to the guide portion.

[0010] According to this configuration, when the service cover is attached to the first housing, it is movable between a first position exposing the working hole and a second position closing the working hole. Therefore, the service cover can be attached to the first housing before the mating connector is connected to the connector. Therefore, when connecting the connector and the mating connector, the service cover attached to the first housing in advance can be used to close the working hole. As a result, the work of attaching a service cover prepared separately from the connector and the mating connector to the connector when closing the working hole can be eliminated. This improves the assembly workability of the connector assembly. This is particularly effective when automating the connection work between the connector and the mating connector. Specifically, this reduces the number of parts to be added to the manufacturing line during the connector assembly assembly work, making it easier to automate the connector assembly assembly process.

[0011] Furthermore, the service cover can be slid from the first position to the second position by sliding the slider relative to the guide portion that guides the movement trajectory of the service cover from the first position to the second position. This allows the service cover to slide while the slider is guided by the guide portion. Therefore, the service cover can be slid in a stable state.

[0012] [2] In the above [1], the guide portion may have a first straight portion extending linearly along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a bent portion connected to an end of the first straight portion, and a second straight portion extending linearly from the bent portion along the first direction.

[0013] According to this configuration, the service cover can be slid along the second direction by sliding the slider relative to the first linear portion. Furthermore, the service cover can be slid along the first direction by sliding the slider relative to the second linear portion. This allows the service cover to move parallel to the second direction between the first position and the second position, as well as parallel to the first direction. This makes it easier to automate the process of moving the service cover from the first position to the second position. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly can be improved.

[0014] [3] In the above [2], the bent portion may be formed in a curved shape that is curved in an arc. With this configuration, when the slider is slid relative to the bent portion, the slider can slide smoothly along the bent portion. This allows the service cover to slide smoothly from the first position to the second position.

[0015] [4] In the above [2] or [3], the guide portion may protrude outward in a plate shape from the outer peripheral surface of the first housing, the slider may be provided at a position closer to the first direction than the first straight portion, the slider may have a contact surface that can come into contact with an end face of the first straight portion in the first direction, and the contact surface may be formed into an arc-shaped curved surface that is convex toward the first straight portion.

[0016] This configuration reduces the contact area between the slider contact surface and the guide portion when the slider slides relative to the guide portion, thereby reducing the frictional force generated when the slider slides, allowing the slider to slide smoothly along the guide portion.

[0017] [5] In any of the above [1] to [4], the guide portion may further have an engaging portion that can engage with the slider, and the engaging portion may engage with the slider in the first direction when the service cover is positioned in the second position.

[0018] With this configuration, when the service cover is disposed in the second position, the engaging portion and the slider of the service cover are engaged with each other, thereby making it possible to preferably maintain the state in which the service cover is disposed in the second position, i.e., the state in which the service hole is blocked by the service cover.

[0019] [6] In any of [1] to [5] above, the first housing may have a tubular portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the first housing and communicates with the work hole, the connector may have a sealing member attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion, the service cover may have a main body portion that closes the work hole and a mating tubular portion that protrudes from the main body portion in the first direction, the mating tubular portion may be configured to be mated to the outside of the tubular portion when the service cover is positioned in the second position, and the sealing member may seal between the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion and the inner peripheral surface of the mating tubular portion.

[0020] With this configuration, when the service cover is positioned in the second position, the cylindrical portion of the first housing and the seal member attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion are fitted into the fitting cylindrical portion of the service cover. Therefore, when the service cover is positioned in the second position, the seal member can seal between the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. This effectively prevents liquids such as water from entering the first housing through a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.

[0021] [7] In the above [6], a cylindrical seal holder is attached inside the tubular portion, and the seal holder covers the end face of the tubular portion in a first opposite direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, and has a protrusion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion, and the seal member is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the first housing and the protrusion in the first direction, and the protrusion may be engageable with the seal member.

[0022] According to this configuration, the protrusion of the seal holder restricts movement of the seal member in the first opposite direction. This makes it possible to suitably prevent the seal member from coming off the tubular portion. [8] In the above [6] or [7], the connector further has a mating detection member that detects mating of the connector with the mating connector, the first housing has a mating detection portion to which the mating detection member is attached, the mating detection member has a first engaging portion, and the mating detection portion has a second engaging portion that can engage with the first engaging portion, and the mating detection member, when attached to the mating detection portion, is movable between an engagement position where the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engage with each other, and a mating detection position that is a position toward the first direction from the engagement position. The first engaging portion is formed so that when a second housing of the mating connector is fitted into the first housing, the first engaging portion is disengaged from the second engaging portion by a protrusion of the second housing, and the service cover is slidably provided along the first direction between the first position and the second position, and the service cover may have a pressing portion that protrudes from the fitting cylindrical portion toward a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is capable of pressing the fitting detection member toward the first direction.

[0023] With this configuration, by sliding the service cover along the first direction, the pressing portion of the service cover can press the mating detection member in the first direction. At this time, if the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are disengaged by the second housing being mated with the first housing, the pressing portion can move the mating detection member to the mating detection position. Therefore, by moving the service cover from the first position to the second position, the pressing portion of the service cover can move the mating detection member to the mating detection position. This reduces the number of work steps in the assembly process compared to when an operation to move the mating detection member is required separately from moving the service cover.

[0024] [9] In the above [8], the protruding tip of the pressing portion may have a chamfered portion. According to this configuration, the protruding tip of the pressing portion is provided with a chamfered portion. Here, the protruding tip of the pressing portion is a portion that may come into contact with another component, for example, if the service cover is tilted with respect to a desired movement trajectory when sliding. The chamfered portion is provided at such a portion that may come into contact with another component. Therefore, even if the protruding tip of the pressing portion comes into contact with another component due to the service cover sliding in a tilted state, damage to the protruding tip or other component can be preferably suppressed.

[0025]

[10] The connector assembly of the present disclosure comprises a first connector which is a connector described in any one of [1] to [9] above, and a second connector connected to the first connector, wherein the second connector comprises a second terminal connected to the first terminal, and a second housing which holds the second terminal and is fitted into the first housing.

[0026] This configuration can achieve the same effects as the connector described in [1] above. [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of connectors and connector assemblies of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ between drawings. In this specification, the terms "orthogonal," "parallel," and "vertical" do not necessarily refer to strictly orthogonal, parallel, or vertical, but also include roughly orthogonal, parallel, or vertical within the scope of the effects of the present embodiment. The term "cylindrical" used in this specification does not only refer to a cylindrical object having a continuous peripheral wall along the entire periphery, but also includes a cylindrical object formed by combining multiple components, or a cylindrical object having a notch in a circumferential direction, such as a C-shape or U-shape. The term "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a polygonal shape with pointed or rounded corners. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used herein simply to distinguish between objects and not to rank them. Each drawing illustrates an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, which are orthogonal to each other. 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. Note that 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.

[0027] (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 200 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 detachably connected to the second connector 200, which is a mating connector. The second connector 200 is attached to an attachment target, such as a case of an electrical equipment (not shown). In other words, the second connector 200 is an equipment connector.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 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 housing 40 has, for example, an inner housing 41 and an outer housing 50. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the first connector 10 has a service cover 90 attached to the first housing 40.

[0029] The second connector 200 has one or more (two in this embodiment) second terminals 210 and a second housing 220 that holds the second terminals 210. The first connector 10 and the second connector 200 are assembled together along a first direction X1. For example, the first housing 40 of the first connector 10 is mated with the second housing 220 of the second connector 200 along the first direction X1. Note that the directions in the drawings do not necessarily represent the orientations of the first connector 10 and the second connector 200 during use. Furthermore, the directions in the second connector 200 are described based on the state in which the second connector 200 is assembled to the first connector 10.

[0030] (Specific Structure of Second Connector 200) The two second terminals 210 are arranged side by side along the third direction Z1, for example. The two second terminals 210 are integrally formed with the second housing 220 by, for example, insert molding. Each second terminal 210 is formed, for example, in a columnar shape.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 6, each second terminal 210 extends along the first direction X1. Each second terminal 210 has a bolt hole 211 into which a bolt 35 is inserted. The bolt hole 211 is formed, for example, so as to be recessed from the end face of each second terminal 210 in the first opposite direction X2 toward the first direction X1. The bolt hole 211 does not penetrate the second terminal 210 but has a bottom surface. Note that, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material can be used as the material of each second terminal 210.

[0032] 2, the second housing 220 has a fitting tubular portion 221, a terminal holding portion 222, a fixing portion 223, and a disengaging portion 224. The fitting tubular portion 221, the terminal holding portion 222, the fixing portion 223, and the disengaging portion 224 are formed continuously and integrally in the second housing 220. The second housing 220 is made of, for example, synthetic resin.

[0033] The fitting cylinder portion 221 is fitted, for example, inside the first housing 40. The fitting cylinder portion 221 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the X-axis direction. The fitting cylinder portion 221 is formed, for example, in a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction. The fitting cylinder portion 221 has, for example, a bottom wall that closes an opening in the first direction X1.

[0034] The second housing 220 has, for example, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) terminal holding portions 222 aligned in the third direction Z1. Each terminal holding portion 222 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. Each terminal holding portion 222 is formed to surround the outer periphery of the second terminal 210. For example, each terminal holding portion 222 surrounds the outer periphery of the second terminal 210 over the entire circumferential direction.

[0035] The fixing portion 223 is formed to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 221. For example, the fixing portion 223 is formed to protrude radially outward around the entire circumferential circumference of the fitting cylindrical portion 221. For example, the fixing portion 223 protrudes outward in a plate shape from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 221 at the end portion in the first direction X1. The fixing portion 223 is fixed to, for example, the outer surface of a case of an electrical device (not shown).

[0036] The disengaging portion 224 is provided, for example, on the fitting cylindrical portion 221. The disengaging portion 224 has a base portion 225 that protrudes in the first opposite direction X2 from the end face of the fitting cylindrical portion 221 in the first opposite direction X2, and a protruding portion 226 that protrudes from the base portion 225 in the second direction Y1.

[0037] The base 225 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The protrusions 226 are provided on both ends of the base 225 in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the disengaging portion 224 has a pair of protrusions 226. Each protrusion 226 protrudes in the second direction Y1 from an end face of the base 225 in the second direction Y1. Each protrusion 226 extends, for example, along the first direction X1.

[0038] (Configuration of Electric Wire 20) As shown in Fig. 6, each electric wire 20 has a conductive core wire 21 and an insulating coating 22 that surrounds the outer periphery of 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 in this embodiment is a single core wire. The material of the core wire 21 may be, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material.

[0039] The cross-sectional shape of the core wire 21 cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the core wire 21 can be any shape. That is, the transverse cross-sectional shape of the core wire 21 can be any shape. The transverse cross-sectional shape of the core wire 21 is formed to be, for example, a circular shape, a semicircular shape, a polygonal shape, a square shape, or a flat shape. As shown in Fig. 3, the transverse cross-sectional shape of the core wire 21 of this embodiment is formed to be a flat shape.

[0040] The insulating coating 22 covers the entire outer circumferential surface of the core wire 21. The insulating coating 22 is made of, for example, an insulating resin material. As shown in Fig. 6, 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 that is exposed from the insulating coating 22.

[0041] 5, the two first terminals 30 are arranged side by side in the third direction Z1. The two first terminals 30 are electrically connected to the two electric wires 20, respectively. The first terminals 30 may be made of a metal material such as a copper or aluminum material.

[0042] An end of each first terminal 30 in the second opposite direction Y2 is connected to an end of the core wire 21 of each electric wire 20 in the second direction Y1. In this embodiment, each first terminal 30 is formed integrally with the end of the core wire 21 in the second direction Y1. Each first terminal 30 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. As shown in FIG. 6 , each first terminal 30 has a bolt hole 31 penetrating the first terminal 30 in the first direction X1. The bolt hole 31 is provided in an end region of the first terminal 30 in the second direction Y1.

[0043] For example, an insert nut 32 is inserted into each bolt hole 31. The insert nut 32 is made of metal and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bolt hole 33 penetrating the insert nut 32 in the first direction X1.

[0044] When the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 200, the first terminal 30 is overlapped with the second terminal 210 in the first direction X1. The first terminal 30 is bolt-fastened to the second terminal 210 by, for example, a bolt 35 and an insert nut 32. At this time, the shank of the bolt 35 passes through the bolt hole 33 of the insert nut 32 and is inserted into the bolt hole 211 of the second terminal 210. Here, the bolt 35 is, for example, a fall-off prevention bolt. The bolt 35 has, for example, an insulating cap 36 fitted onto the head of the bolt 35. The insulating cap 36 is made of synthetic resin. The insulating cap 36 protrudes from the head of the bolt 35 in the first opposite direction X2. The insulating cap 36 has an opening 37 exposing a portion of the top surface of the head of the bolt 35.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 5, the inner housing 41 has two terminal accommodating portions 42 that respectively accommodate two first terminals 30. Each first terminal 30 is inserted into each terminal accommodating portion 42 along the second direction Y1. For example, the end portion of each electric wire 20 in the second direction Y1 is inserted into each terminal accommodating portion 42. A seal member 80 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of each electric wire 20. Each seal member 80 provides a seal between the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner housing 41.

[0046] Each terminal accommodating portion 42 is formed so as to expose the insert nut 32 attached to each first terminal 30 to the outside. The inner housing 41 can enter the interior of the outer housing 50 along the second direction Y1. A seal member 81 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 41. The seal member 81 is formed continuously around the entire circumferential circumference of the inner housing 41. The seal member 81 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 41 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 50. The inner housing 41 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. The seal members 80, 81 are made of, for example, rubber.

[0047] As shown in Figure 6, the outer housing 50 has, for example, a main body tube portion 51 into which the inner housing 41 is fitted, and an engaging tube portion 55 into which the engaging tube portion 221 of the second housing 220 of the second connector 200 is fitted on the outside.

[0048] The main body tubular portion 51 holds, for example, the inner housing 41 in which the first terminal 30 is accommodated. The main body tubular portion 51 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The main body tubular portion 51 is open, for example, in the second opposite direction Y2. As shown in FIG. 5 , the main body tubular portion 51 is formed, for example, in a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the X-axis direction.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 6, the main body tubular portion 51 has a working hole 51X that penetrates the main body tubular portion 51 in the radial direction. The working hole 51X is formed to penetrate, in the first direction X1, a peripheral wall 51A of the main body tubular portion 51 that is provided in the first opposite direction X2. The working hole 51X is formed, for example, to expose the head of the bolt 35 when the second connector 200 is properly mated with the first connector 10. The working hole 51X is formed, for example, to expose the heads of multiple bolts 35 collectively. The working hole 51X is formed, for example, to expose multiple insulating caps 36 collectively.

[0050] The outer housing 50 has, for example, a tubular portion 52 that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 51A of the main body tubular portion 51, in this case, in the first opposite direction X2. The tubular portion 52 is provided to protrude in the first opposite direction X2 from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 51A that defines the working hole 51X. The tubular portion 52 is formed to surround the working hole 51X in a plan view seen from the X-axis direction. The internal space of the tubular portion 52 communicates with the working hole 51X. As shown in FIG. 5 , the planar shape of the tubular portion 52 seen from the X-axis direction is, for example, a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction.

[0051] 6, a seal member 82 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 52. The seal member 82 is formed continuously around the entire circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 52. The seal member 82 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 52 and the inner peripheral surface of the service cover 90. The seal member 82 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0052] A cylindrical seal holder 53, for example, is attached inside the tubular portion 52. The seal holder 53 has a protrusion 53A provided at an end of the seal holder 53 in the first opposite direction X2. The protrusion 53A covers the end surface of the tubular portion 52 in the first opposite direction X2 and protrudes outward beyond the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion 52. The protrusion 53A is engageable with the seal member 82 in the first direction X1. The protrusion 53A prevents the seal member 82 from slipping out of the tubular portion 52 along the first opposite direction X2. The seal member 82 is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the main body tubular portion 51 and the protrusion 53A in the first direction X1.

[0053] The outer housing 50 has a fitting portion 54 into which the service cover 90 is fitted. The fitting portion 54 protrudes outward, in this case in the first opposite direction X2, from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 51A of the main body tubular portion 51, for example. The fitting portion 54 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The fitting portion 54 is formed, for example, so as to surround the tubular portion 52 from the outside.

[0054] The fitting cylinder portion 55 protrudes in the first direction X1 from a peripheral wall of the main body cylinder portion 51 that faces the first direction X1. The terminal holding portion 222 of the second housing 220 is inserted into the fitting cylinder portion 55. The fitting cylinder portion 221 of the second housing 220 is fitted onto the outside of the fitting cylinder portion 55.

[0055] A seal member 83 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 55. The seal member 83 is formed continuously around the entire circumferential direction of the fitting cylindrical portion 55. The seal member 83 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 55 and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion 221. The seal member 83 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0056] For example, a cylindrical seal holder 56 is attached inside the fitting tubular portion 55. The seal holder 56 has a protrusion 56A provided at an end of the seal holder 56 in the first direction X1. The protrusion 56A covers the end face of the fitting tubular portion 55 in the first direction X1 and protrudes outward beyond the outer circumferential surface of the fitting tubular portion 55. The protrusion 56A is engageable with the seal member 83 in the first direction X1. The protrusion 56A prevents the seal member 83 from slipping out of the fitting tubular portion 55 in the first direction X1. The seal member 83 is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the main body tubular portion 51 and the protrusion 56A in the first direction X1.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 7 , the outer housing 50 has a mating detection portion 57 that detects mating between the first connector 10 and the second connector 200. The mating detection portion 57 is provided on a peripheral wall of the outer housing 50 that faces the second direction Y1. The mating detection portion 57 has an engaging portion 58 that protrudes in the second direction Y1. A mating detection member 60 can be attached to the mating detection portion 57. The mating detection member 60 is a separate component from the outer housing 50. The mating detection member 60 has a frame body 61 and an elastic piece 62 that protrudes from the frame body 61 in the first direction X1. The frame body 61 is formed, for example, in a rectangular frame shape. The elastic piece 62 is formed, for example, to be elastically deformable in the Y-axis direction. The elastic piece 62 is formed in a cantilever shape with a base end connected to the frame body 61 as a fixed end and a tip end opposite the base end as a free end. The elastic piece 62 is configured to bend in the Y-axis direction due to elastic deformation. The elastic piece 62 has an engaging portion 63 provided at the tip of the elastic piece 62. The engaging portion 63 is, for example, an engaging protrusion that protrudes from the tip of the elastic piece 62 in the second opposite direction Y2. The engaging portion 63 is engageable with, for example, the engaging portion 58 of the fit detection portion 57. When attached to the fit detection portion 57, the fit detection member 60 is movable between an engaging position (see FIG. 7) and a fit detection position (see FIG. 9).

[0058] In the engaged position, the engaging portion 63 of the fit detection member 60 is located further in the first opposite direction X2 than the engaging portion 58 of the fit detection portion 57. In the engaged position, the engaging portion 63 and the engaging portion 58 are engaged with each other in the first direction X1. The engagement between the engaging portion 63 and the engaging portion 58 restricts movement of the fit detection member 60 in the first direction X1.

[0059] 8 , when the second housing 220 is properly fitted to the first housing 40, the disengagement portion 224 of the second housing 220 enters the interior of the fitting detection portion 57 of the first housing 40. This causes the protrusion 226 of the disengagement portion 224 to come into contact with the elastic piece 62 of the fitting detection member 60. This contact with the protrusion 226 causes the elastic piece 62 to bend in the second direction Y1 due to elastic deformation. This disengages the engagement portion 63 from the engagement portion 58. This allows the fitting detection member 60 to move in the first direction X1.

[0060] 9 , when the fitting detection member 60 is operated in the first direction X1 with the engagement portion 63 and the engagement portion 58 disengaged, the fitting detection member 60 is moved to the fitting detection position. At the fitting detection position, the engagement portion 63 of the fitting detection member 60 is located further toward the first direction X1 than the engagement portion 58 of the fitting detection portion 57. In this manner, the fitting detection member 60 can only move to the fitting detection position once the second housing 220 has been properly fitted to the first housing 40. Therefore, by detecting that the fitting detection member 60 has moved to the fitting detection position, it can be detected that the second housing 220 has been properly fitted to the first housing 40.

[0061] 10 , the outer housing 50 has mounting portions 70 to which the service cover 90 is attached. The mounting portions 70 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 50. The mounting portions 70 are provided on both sides of the tubular portion 52 in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the outer housing 50 has a pair of mounting portions 70 provided on both sides of the tubular portion 52 so as to sandwich the tubular portion 52 therebetween. Each mounting portion 70 extends, for example, along the second direction Y1.

[0062] Each mounting portion 70 includes, for example, a rail portion 71 and a guide portion 72. The rail portion 71 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 50, in this case, toward the first opposite direction X2. The rail portion 71 protrudes in a plate-like shape from the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 50 toward the first opposite direction X2. The rail portion 71 extends along the second direction Y1. For example, the rail portion 71 extends along the second direction Y1 from an end region of the outer housing 50 in the second opposite direction Y2 to the fitting portion 54. The rail portion 71 includes a protruding portion 71A protruding from an end surface of the rail portion 71 in the first opposite direction X2 toward the first opposite direction X2. The protruding portion 71A is provided, for example, in an end region of the rail portion 71 in the second opposite direction Y2. The protruding portion 71A protrudes, for example, in an arched shape toward the first opposite direction X2.

[0063] The guide portion 72 protrudes outward in the Z-axis direction from the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 50. The guide portion 72 protrudes in a plate shape from the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 50. The guide portion 72 is formed to guide the movement trajectory of the service cover 90. The guide portion 72 has, for example, a first straight portion 73 extending along the second direction Y1, a bent portion 74 connected to the end of the first straight portion 73 in the second direction Y1, and a second straight portion 75 extending from the bent portion 74 in the first direction X1.

[0064] The first linear portion 73 extends linearly in the second direction Y1. The first linear portion 73 extends in the second direction Y1 from an end region of the outer housing 50 in the second opposite direction Y2 to the fitting portion 54. The end region of the first linear portion 73 in the second opposite direction Y2 has an insertion opening 73X into which the slider 96 of the service cover 90 is inserted. The insertion opening 73X is formed by cutting out from the protruding tip surface of the first linear portion 73 toward the outer housing 50.

[0065] The bent portion 74 is provided to connect the end of the first linear portion 73 in the second direction Y1 and the end of the second linear portion 75 in the first opposite direction X2. The bent portion 74 has a curved shape that is curved like an arc when viewed from the Z-axis direction, for example. The second linear portion 75 extends linearly from the end of the bent portion 74 along the first direction X1.

[0066] The mounting portion 70 has an engaging portion 76. The engaging portion 76 protrudes outward in the Z-axis direction from the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 50. The engaging portion 76 extends, for example, from the guide portion 72 in the second opposite direction Y2. The engaging portion 76 is provided, for example, near the connection between the bent portion 74 and the second straight portion 75. The amount of protrusion of the engaging portion 76 from the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 50 is, for example, smaller than the amount of protrusion of the guide portion 72 from the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 50.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 3 , the end surface of the engaging portion 76 in the first opposite direction X2 has, for example, a guide surface 76A. The guide surface 76A is, for example, an inclined surface that protrudes more from the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 50 as it moves from the end of the engaging portion 76 in the first opposite direction X2 toward the first direction X1 of the engaging portion 76. That is, the guide surface 76A is formed so as to be inclined at a constant inclination angle with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 50. The guide surface 76A is provided so that the slider 96 (see FIG. 10 ) of the service cover 90 can easily climb over the engaging portion 76 when the service cover 90 slides in the first direction X1. The end surface of the engaging portion 76 in the first direction X1 is an engaging surface formed to be able to engage with the slider 96 (see FIG. 10 ) of the service cover 90. The end surface of the engaging portion 76 in the first direction X1 is, for example, a vertical surface extending perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 50.

[0068] The retainer 85 is attached, for example, to the end of the outer housing 50 in the second opposite direction Y2. The retainer 85 prevents the seal member 80 from coming off the first housing 40. The retainer 85 has a protrusion 86 that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 85, in this case, in the first opposite direction X2. The protrusion 86 is provided so as to be engageable with the service cover 90. The protrusion 86 restricts movement of the service cover 90 in the second opposite direction Y2.

[0069] (Configuration of the Service Cover 90) As shown in FIG. 2 , the service cover 90 is attached to the attachment portion 70 of the outer housing 50. The service cover 90 is attached to the first housing 40 before the second connector 200 is connected to the first connector 10. That is, the service cover 90 is integrated with the first housing 40 before the second connector 200 is connected to the first connector 10. When attached to the first housing 40, the service cover 90 is attached to the first housing 40 so as to be movable between a first position (see FIG. 2 ) that exposes the working hole 51X of the first housing 40 and a second position (see FIG. 1 ) that closes the working hole 51X. The service cover 90 is attached to the first housing 40 so as to be movable to a third position (see FIG. 18 ) that is a position extending from the first position in the second direction Y1 and a position extending from the second position in the first opposite direction X2. Here, the third position is a position directly above the second position and is a position toward the first direction X1 from the first position. The service cover 90 is attached to the first housing 40 so as to be slidable along the second direction Y1 between the first position and the third position. The service cover 90 is attached to the first housing 40 so as to be slidable along the first direction X1 between the third position and the second position.

[0070] 11 , the service cover 90 has, for example, a main body 91, a fitting tubular portion 92, an extension 93, a frame 94, an elastic piece 95, a slider 96, a protrusion 97, and a pressing portion 98. The service cover 90 is, for example, a single component in which the main body 91, the fitting tubular portion 92, the extension 93, the frame 94, the elastic piece 95, the slider 96, the protrusion 97, and the pressing portion 98 are continuously and integrally formed. The service cover 90 is made of, for example, synthetic resin.

[0071] The main body 91 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The main body 91 is formed, for example, in a flat shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 6 , the main body 91 is configured to close the working hole 51X when the service cover 90 is positioned in the second position.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 11 , the fitting tubular portion 92 protrudes in the first direction X1 from an end face of the main body portion 91 in the first direction X1. The fitting tubular portion 92 is formed, for example, in a flat cylindrical shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 6 , when the service cover 90 is positioned in the second position, the fitting tubular portion 92 is fitted to the outside of the tubular portion 52, and the fitting tubular portion 92 is fitted to the inside of the fitting portion 54. At this time, the seal member 82 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 52 seals between the inner peripheral surface of the fitting tubular portion 92 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 52.

[0073] 10 , the extensions 93 are formed to extend outward in the Z-axis direction from the main body 91. The extensions 93 are provided on both sides of the main body 91 in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the service cover 90 has a pair of extensions 93 provided on both sides of the main body 91 so as to sandwich the main body 91 therebetween. The pair of extensions 93 are provided corresponding to the pair of mounting portions 70, respectively.

[0074] The frame bodies 94 and the elastic pieces 95 are provided on both sides of the main body 91 in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the service cover 90 has a pair of frame bodies 94 and a pair of elastic pieces 95 provided on both sides of the main body 91 so as to sandwich the main body 91 therebetween. Each of the pair of frame bodies 94 protrudes in the first direction X1 from an end surface of the extension portion 93 in the first direction X1. Each frame body 94 is formed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular frame. Each of the pair of elastic pieces 95 protrudes in the first direction X1 from an end surface of the extension portion 93 in the first direction X1. Each elastic piece 95 is provided inside the corresponding frame body 94. Each elastic piece 95 is formed, for example, to be elastically deformable in the Z-axis direction.

[0075] 11 , each slider 96 protrudes from the inner surface of each elastic piece 95 facing the other elastic piece 95 toward the other elastic piece 95. Each slider 96 extends along the X-axis direction. Each slider 96 extends from the end of the elastic piece 95 in the first direction X1 toward the first opposite direction X2.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 12 , each slider 96 is slidably disposed relative to the guide portion 72. Each slider 96 is disposed at a position on the guide portion 72 closer to the first direction X1 than the end face of the first linear portion 73 in the first direction X1. The slider 96 has a contact surface 96A that can come into contact with the end face of the first linear portion 73 in the first direction X1. The contact surface 96A is the end face of the slider 96 in the first opposite direction X2. The slider 96 is slidably disposed relative to the guide portion 72 while the contact surface 96A is in contact with the end face of the first linear portion 73 in the first direction X1. The contact surface 96A is formed, for example, as a curved surface that is curved in an arc shape. The contact surface 96A is formed, for example, as a curved surface that is convex toward the first linear portion 73 (here, toward the first opposite direction X2). The guide portion 72 is formed to guide the movement trajectory of the service cover 90 from the first position to the second position.

[0077] 11 , the protruding portion 97 protrudes in the first direction X1 from the end surface of the extension portion 93 facing the first direction X1. The protruding portion 97 protrudes in the first direction X1 in an arched shape, for example.

[0078] 13 , the protrusion 97 is provided to be engageable with the protrusion 71A of the rail portion 71. For example, when the service cover 90 is disposed in the first position, the protrusion 97 is provided to engage with the protrusion 71A in the second direction Y1. The engagement between the protrusion 97 and the protrusion 71A restricts movement of the service cover 90 in the second direction Y1.

[0079] 10 , the pressing portion 98 protrudes, for example, from the fitting cylindrical portion 92 in the second direction Y1. For example, the pressing portion 98 protrudes in a plate shape from the end of the fitting cylindrical portion 92 in the first direction X1 in the second direction Y1. For example, the pressing portion 98 is configured to come into contact with the end surface of the fitting detection member 60 in the first opposite direction X2 and to press the fitting detection member 60 in the first direction X1 when the service cover 90 moves from the first position to the second position. For example, the pressing portion 98 is configured to be able to come into surface contact with the end surface of the fitting detection member 60 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 14 , the protruding tip of the pressing portion 98, i.e., the end of the pressing portion 98 in the second direction Y1, has a chamfered portion 99. The chamfered portion 99 is formed, for example, by round-chamfering or C-chamfering the corner between the end face of the pressing portion 98 in the first direction X1 and the end face of the pressing portion 98 in the second direction Y1. In this embodiment, the chamfered portion 99 is formed by C-chamfering the corner between the end face of the pressing portion 98 in the first direction X1 and the end face of the pressing portion 98 in the second direction Y1. Here, the protruding tip of the pressing portion 98 is a portion that may come into contact with another component, such as the seal holder 53, if, for example, the service cover 90 is tilted with respect to the desired movement trajectory when sliding. The chamfered portion 99 is thus provided at the portion that may come into contact with another component, i.e., the protruding tip of the pressing portion 98.

[0081] Furthermore, a chamfered portion 53B is provided at a portion of the seal holder 53 that may come into contact with the pressing portion 98 of the service cover 90. The chamfered portion 53B is provided at the end of the seal holder 53 in the first opposite direction X2. The chamfered portion 53B is formed, for example, in a shape in which the corner between the inner surface of the seal holder 53 and the end face of the seal holder 53 in the first opposite direction X2 is R-chamfered or C-chamfered. In this embodiment, the chamfered portion 53B is formed in a shape in which the corner between the inner surface of the seal holder 53 and the end face of the seal holder 53 in the first opposite direction X2 is R-chamfered.

[0082] (Method of Manufacturing Connector Assembly 1) Next, a method of manufacturing the connector assembly 1 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 15 , a first connector 10 is prepared, which includes a first housing 40 that holds the first terminals 30 (see FIG. 6 ) and a service cover 90 attached to the first housing 40. At this time, the service cover 90 is attached to the first housing 40 in advance before the second connector 200 is connected to the first connector 10. That is, the service cover 90 is integrated with the first housing 40 in advance. More specifically, the service cover 90 is attached to the first housing 40 in advance while positioned at the first position. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12 , the slider 96 of the service cover 90 is positioned inside the guide portion 72 through the insertion opening 73X of the guide portion 72. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13 , the engagement between the protrusion 97 of the service cover 90 and the protrusion 71A provided on the rail portion 71 of the mounting portion 70 restricts movement of the service cover 90 in the second direction Y1. Furthermore, the engagement between the end face of the service cover 90 in the second opposite direction Y2 and the protrusion 86 restricts movement of the service cover 90 in the second opposite direction Y2.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 15 , a second connector 200 is prepared, which includes second terminals 210 and a second housing 220 that holds the second terminals 210. Next, the first housing 40 of the first connector 10 is mated with the second housing 220 of the second connector 200 along the first direction X1. As shown in FIG. 8 , when the first housing 40 is properly mated with the second housing 220, the protrusion 226 of the second housing 220 enters the mating detection portion 57 and comes into contact with the elastic piece 62 of the mating detection member 60. This contact with the protrusion 226 causes the elastic piece 62 to bend in the second direction Y1 due to elastic deformation. This disengages the engaging portion 63 of the mating detection member 60 from the engaging portion 58 of the mating detection portion 57. This allows the mating detection member 60 to move in the first direction X1. That is, when the first housing 40 is properly fitted to the second housing 220, the fitting detection member 60 can move in the first direction X1. In other words, when the fitting detection member 60 is allowed to move in the first direction X1, it can be detected that the second housing 220 is properly fitted to the first housing 40.

[0084] 16 , after the second housing 220 is properly fitted to the first housing 40, the bolt 35 fitted with the insulating cap 36 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 52. However, when the bolt 35 is not completely tightened, a portion of the insulating cap 36 protrudes in the first opposite direction X2 beyond the end face of the seal holder 53 in the first opposite direction X2, as shown in FIG. 16 . Therefore, when the bolt 35 is not completely tightened, the movement of the service cover 90 in the second direction Y1 is restricted by the insulating cap 36.

[0085] 6 , the bolt 35 is screwed into the insert nut 32. A tool for tightening the bolt 35 and the insert nut 32 is inserted into the first housing 40 through the working hole 51X of the first connector 10. When the bolt 35 is screwed into the insert nut 32, the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 210 are bolted together, and the first terminal 30 and the second terminal 210 are electrically connected to each other.

[0086] 17, when the bolt tightening is complete, the insulating cap 36 (see FIG. 16) is housed inside the tubular portion 52. This allows the service cover 90 to move in the second direction Y1. In other words, when the service cover 90 is able to move in the second direction Y1, it can be detected that the bolt tightening is complete.

[0087] Next, in the step shown in FIG. 18 , the service cover 90, which was disposed at the first position (see FIG. 17 ), is slid to the third position along the first linear portion 73 and the bent portion 74 of the guide portion 72. Specifically, the slider 96 slides relative to the first linear portion 73 of the guide portion 72, causing the service cover 90 to slide in the second direction Y1. At this time, the service cover 90 slides in the second direction Y1 while the contact surface 96A of the slider 96 contacts the end face of the first linear portion 73 in the first direction X1. In this manner, the slider 96 contacts the first linear portion 73 and is guided by the first linear portion 73. In this step, the service cover 90 is slid by pressing the end face of the service cover 90 in the second opposite direction Y2. At this time, the service cover 90 is pressed with a pressing force sufficient to allow the protrusion 97 (see FIG. 13 ) of the service cover 90 to overcome the protrusion 71A of the rail portion 71.

[0088] Here, with the service cover 90 positioned in the third position, the main body 91 faces the tubular portion 52, and a portion of the fitting tubular portion 92 is fitted into the fitting portion 54. Also, with the service cover 90 positioned in the third position, the pressing portion 98 of the service cover 90 contacts the end surface of the fitting detection member 60 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0089] Next, in the step shown in FIG. 19 , the service cover 90, which was disposed at the third position (see FIG. 18 ), is slid along the first direction X1 to the second position. Specifically, the slider 96 slides relative to the second linear portion 75 of the guide portion 72, causing the service cover 90 to slide along the first direction X1. At this time, the pressing portion 98 slides along the first direction X1, causing the mating detection member 60 to press in the first direction X1. As a result, the mating detection member 60 moves to the mating detection position as shown in FIG. 9 . Also, as shown in FIG. 19 , this step causes the slider 96 to move over the engaging portion 76 and to a position closer to the first direction X1 than the engaging portion 76. As a result, the contact surface 96A of the slider 96 and the end surface (i.e., the vertical surface) of the engaging portion 76 in the first direction X1 engage with each other in the first direction X1. Engagement of the slider 96 with the engaging portion 76 maintains the service cover 90 attached to the first housing 40 in the second position. As shown in FIG. 6 , with the service cover 90 positioned in the second position, the fitting tubular portion 92 is fitted onto the outside of the tubular portion 52, and the fitting tubular portion 92 is fitted onto the inside of the fitting portion 54. Furthermore, with the service cover 90 positioned in the second position, the seal member 82 seals the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the fitting tubular portion 92 and the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion 52, and the main body 91 closes the working hole 51X.

[0090] The connector assembly 1 of this embodiment can be manufactured through the above manufacturing process. Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The first connector 10 has the first terminals 30, the first housing 40 that holds the first terminals 30, and the working holes 51X that penetrate the first housing 40 in the first direction X1 and expose the first terminals 30. The first connector 10 has a service cover 90 that is attached to the first housing 40 and can close the working holes 51X. When attached to the first housing 40, the service cover 90 is movable between a first position that exposes the working holes 51X and a second position that closes the working holes 51X. The first housing 40 has a guide portion 72 that guides the movement path of the service cover 90 from the first position to the second position. The service cover 90 has a slider 96 that is slidable relative to the guide portion 72.

[0091] According to this configuration, when the service cover 90 is attached to the first housing 40, it is attached to the first housing 40 so as to be movable between a first position exposing the working hole 51X and a second position closing the working hole 51X. Therefore, the service cover 90 can be attached to the first housing 40 in advance before the mating second connector 200 is connected to the first connector 10. Therefore, when connecting the first connector 10 and the second connector 200, the service cover 90 attached to the first housing 40 in advance can be used to close the working hole 51X. As a result, when closing the working hole 51X, the work of attaching a service cover prepared separately from the first connector 10 and the second connector 200 to the first connector 10 can be omitted. This improves the assembly workability of the connector assembly 1. This is particularly effective when automating the connection work between the first connector 10 and the second connector 200. Specifically, this reduces the number of parts added to the manufacturing line during the assembly work of the connector assembly 1, making it easier to automate the assembly process of the connector assembly 1.

[0092] (2) Furthermore, the service cover 90 can be slid from the first position to the second position by sliding the slider 96 relative to the guide portion 72, which guides the movement trajectory of the service cover 90 from the first position to the second position. This allows the service cover 90 to slide while the slider 96 is guided by the guide portion 72. This allows the service cover 90 to slide stably.

[0093] (3) The guide portion 72 includes a first linear portion 73 extending linearly along a second direction Y1 perpendicular to the first direction X1, a bent portion 74 connected to an end of the first linear portion 73, and a second linear portion 75 extending linearly from the bent portion 74 along the first direction X1. With this configuration, the service cover 90 can be slid along the second direction Y1 by sliding the slider 96 relative to the first linear portion 73. Furthermore, the service cover 90 can be slid along the first direction X1 by sliding the slider 96 relative to the second linear portion 75. This allows the service cover 90 to move parallel to both the second direction Y1 and the first direction X1 between the first and second positions. This facilitates automation of the process of moving the service cover 90 from the first position to the second position. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector assembly 1 can be improved.

[0094] (4) The bent portion 74 is formed in a curved shape that is curved in an arc. With this configuration, when the slider 96 is slid relative to the bent portion 74, the slider 96 can slide smoothly along the bent portion 74. This allows the service cover 90 to slide smoothly from the first position to the second position.

[0095] (5) The contact surface 96A of the slider 96 is formed into an arc-shaped curved surface that is convex toward the first linear portion 73 of the guide portion 72. This configuration reduces the contact area between the contact surface 96A of the slider 96 and the guide portion 72 when the slider 96 slides relative to the guide portion 72. This reduces the frictional force that occurs when the slider 96 slides. This allows the slider 96 to slide smoothly along the guide portion 72.

[0096] (6) Furthermore, the frictional force generated when the slider 96 slides can be reduced, thereby effectively preventing stick-slip. (7) When the service cover 90 is disposed in the second position, the engaging portion 76 of the first housing 40 and the slider 96 of the service cover 90 are engaged with each other. This makes it possible to effectively maintain the state in which the service cover 90 is disposed in the second position, i.e., the state in which the service hole 51X is blocked by the service cover 90.

[0097] (8) When the service cover 90 is positioned in the second position, the tubular portion 52 of the first housing 40 and the seal member 82 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 52 are fitted into the fitting tubular portion 92 of the service cover 90. Therefore, when the service cover 90 is positioned in the second position, the seal member 82 can seal between the inner peripheral surface of the fitting tubular portion 92 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 52. This effectively prevents liquids such as water from entering the inside of the first housing 40 through a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the fitting tubular portion 92 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 52.

[0098] (9) The seal holder 53 attached to the inside of the tubular portion 52 has a protruding portion 53A that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion 52 and is engageable with the seal member 82. With this configuration, the protruding portion 53A of the seal holder 53 restricts movement of the seal member 82 in the first opposite direction X2. This makes it possible to preferably prevent the seal member 82 from coming out of the tubular portion 52.

[0099] (10) By sliding the service cover 90 along the first direction X1, the pressing portion 98 of the service cover 90 presses the fitting detection member 60 in the first direction X1. At this time, if the engagement portion 58 and the engagement portion 63 are disengaged by the second housing 220 being fitted into the first housing 40, the pressing portion 98 can move the fitting detection member 60 to the fitting detection position. Therefore, by moving the service cover 90 from the first position to the second position, the pressing portion 98 of the service cover 90 can move the fitting detection member 60 to the fitting detection position. This reduces the number of work steps in the assembly process compared to when an operation to move the fitting detection member 60 is required separately from moving the service cover 90.

[0100] (11) A chamfered portion 99 is provided at the protruding tip of the pressing portion 98. Here, the protruding tip of the pressing portion 98 is a portion that may come into contact with another component if, for example, the service cover 90 is tilted with respect to a desired movement trajectory when sliding. The chamfered portion 99 is provided at the portion that may come into contact with such another component. Therefore, even if the protruding tip of the pressing portion 98 comes into contact with another component due to the service cover 90 sliding in a tilted state, damage to the protruding tip or the other component can be preferably prevented.

[0101] (Modifications) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0102] The structure of the service cover 90 in the above embodiment may be modified as appropriate. The chamfered portion 99 of the pressing portion 98 may be omitted. The pressing portion 98 may be omitted. In this case, the fitting detection member 60 is pressed in the first direction X1 separately from sliding the service cover 90.

[0103] The protrusion 97 may be omitted. There is no particular limitation on the number of sliders 96. The number of sliders 96 may be one, or may be three or more.

[0104] The shape of the contact surface 96A of the slider 96 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the contact surface 96A may be changed to a flat surface extending along the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The extension portion 93 may be omitted. In this case, the frame body 94 and the elastic piece 95 may be formed to protrude in the first direction X1 from the end face of the main body portion 91 in the first direction X1.

[0105] The frame 94 may be omitted. The fitting cylindrical portion 92 may be omitted. In this case, the seal member 82 may be omitted. The structure of the first housing 40 in the above embodiment may be modified as appropriate.

[0106] The inner housing 41 may be omitted. The seal holder 56 may be omitted. The fitting portion 54 may be omitted.

[0107] The seal holder 53 may be omitted. The cylindrical portion 52 may be omitted. The structure of the fit detection portion 57 may be changed as appropriate.

[0108] The mating detection portion 57 may be omitted. In this case, the mating detection member 60 may be omitted. In this case, the disengagement portion 224 of the second connector 200 may be omitted. The structure of the attachment portion 70 may be modified as appropriate.

[0109] The protrusion 71A of the rail portion 71 may be omitted. The rail portion 71 may be omitted. The structure of the guide portion 72 may be modified as appropriate. The structure of the guide portion 72 is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure that can guide the movement trajectory of the service cover 90 from the first position to the second position. For example, although the bent portion 74 is formed in a curved shape, the bent portion 74 may be formed in a shape that is bent at a right angle.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the fitting tubular portion 92 of the service cover 90 is fitted to the outside of the tubular portion 52 of the first housing 40. However, this is not limitative. For example, the fitting tubular portion 92 may be fitted to the inside of the tubular portion 52. In this case, the seal member 82 may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the fitting tubular portion 92.

[0111] The structure of the bolt 35 in the above embodiment may be modified as appropriate. For example, the insulating cap 36 may be omitted. The structure of the retainer 85 in the above embodiment may be modified as appropriate. For example, the protrusion 86 may be omitted.

[0112] The retainer 85 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the first terminal 30 is formed integrally with the core wire 21 of the electric wire 20, but this is not limiting. The first terminal 30 and the core wire 21 may be separate components, and the first terminal 30 and the core wire 21 may be joined by crimping, welding, or the like.

[0113] The cross-sectional shape of the wire 20 in the above embodiment may be changed as appropriate. For example, as shown in Fig. 20, the cross-sectional shape of the wire 20 may be changed to a circular shape. The structure of the second connector 200 in the above embodiment may be changed as appropriate.

[0114] The structure of the disengaging portion 224 may be changed as appropriate. The bolt hole 211 may be formed to penetrate the second terminal 210 in the first direction X1.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 200 along the first direction X1, but this is not limiting. For example, the first connector 10 may be connected to the second connector 200 along the second direction Y1.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 1...connector assembly, 10...first connector (connector), 20...electric wire, 21...core wire, 22...insulating coating, 30...first terminal, 31...bolt hole, 32...insert nut, 33...bolt hole, 35...bolt, 36...insulating cap, 37...opening, 40...first housing, 41...inner housing, 42...terminal accommodating portion, 50...outer housing, 51...main body cylindrical portion, 51A...circumferential wall, 51X...work hole, 52...cylindrical portion, 53...seal holder, 53A...protrusion, 53B...chamfered portion, 54...fitting portion, 55...fitting cylindrical portion, 56...seal holder, 56A...protrusion, 57...fitting detection portion, 58...engaging portion (second engaging portion), 60...fitting detection member, 61...frame body, 62...elastic piece, 63...engaging portion (first engaging portion), 70...mounting portion, 71...rail portion, 71A...protrusion Projection portion, 72...guide portion, 73...first straight portion, 73X...insertion opening, 74...bent portion, 75...second straight portion, 76...engagement portion, 76A...guiding surface, 80, 81, 82, 83...sealing member, 85...retainer, 86...projection portion, 90...service cover, 91...main body portion, 92...fitting cylindrical portion, 93...extension portion, 94...frame body, 95...elastic piece, 96...slider, 96A...contact surface, 97...projection portion, 98...pressing portion, 99...chamfered portion, 200...second connector, 210...second terminal, 211...bolt hole, 220...second housing, 221...fitting cylindrical portion, 222...terminal holding portion, 223...fixing portion, 224...disengagement portion, 225...base, 226...protrusion, 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 terminal, a first housing that holds the first terminal, a working hole that penetrates the first housing in a first direction and exposes the first terminal, and a service cover that is attached to the first housing and can close the working hole. The service cover is movably provided between a first position where the working hole is exposed and a second position where the working hole is closed in a state of being attached to the first housing. The first housing has a guide portion that guides a movement locus of the service cover from the first position to the second position. The service cover has a slider slidably provided with respect to the guide portion, a connector.

2. The guide portion has a first straight portion linearly extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a bent portion connected to an end of the first straight portion, and a second straight portion linearly extending from the bent portion along the first direction. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The bent portion is formed in a curved shape curved in an arc shape. The connector according to claim 2.

4. The guide portion protrudes outward in a plate shape from an outer peripheral surface of the first housing. The slider is provided at a position facing the first direction with respect to the first straight portion. The slider has a contact surface that can contact an end surface in the first direction of the first straight portion. The contact surface is formed in an arc-shaped curved surface convex toward the first straight portion. The connector according to claim 2.

5. The guide portion further has an engaging portion engageable with the slider. The engaging portion is engaged with the slider in the first direction in a state where the service cover is disposed at the second position. The connector according to claim 1.

6. The first housing has a cylindrical portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the first housing and communicates with the working hole. The connector has a seal member mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. The service cover has a main body portion that closes the working hole and a fitting cylindrical portion that protrudes from the main body portion in the first direction. The fitting cylindrical portion is provided so as to be fitted outside the cylindrical portion in a state where the service cover is disposed at the second position. The seal member seals between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylindrical portion. The connector according to claim 1.

7. A cylindrical seal holder is attached inside the cylindrical portion. The seal holder covers an end surface of the cylindrical portion in a first opposite direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, and has a protruding portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. The seal member is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the first housing and the protruding portion in the first direction. The protruding portion is engageable with the seal member. The connector according to claim 6.

8. The connector further has a fitting detection member that detects fitting between the connector and a mating connector. The first housing has a fitting detection portion to which the fitting detection member is attached. The fitting detection member has a first engaging portion. The fitting detection portion has a second engaging portion that is engageable with the first engaging portion. The fitting detection member is provided so as to be movable between an engaging position where the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other and a fitting detection position that is a position in the first direction from the engaging position in a state where the fitting detection member is attached to the fitting detection portion. The first engaging portion is formed such that when a second housing of the mating connector is fitted to the first housing, engagement with the second engaging portion is released by a protruding portion of the second housing. The service cover is provided so as to be slidable along the first direction between the first position and the second position. The service cover has a pressing portion that protrudes from the fitting cylindrical portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and is capable of pressing the fitting detection member in the first direction. The connector according to claim 6.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the protruding tip of the pressing portion has a chamfered portion.

10. A first connector that is the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and a second connector connected to the first connector, wherein the second connector includes a second terminal connected to the first terminal, and a second housing that holds the second terminal and is fitted to the first housing.

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