Relay connector

Abstract

A seal member (40) has an annular seal body (41) and a fixing piece (42) extending from the seal body (41). The fixing piece (42) has a through-hole (43) that penetrates the fixing piece (42). A connector housing (20) has a holding pin (52) that holds the fixing piece (42) by being inserted into the through-hole (43). The holding pin (52) has a pin body (61) and a protrusion (62) that protrudes from the pin body (61) to the outer peripheral side thereof. The through-hole (43) has a hole body (71) into which the pin body (61) is inserted, and a first recess (72) that is recessed from the hole body (71) toward the outer peripheral side. The protrusion (62) enters the first recess (72).

Description

Relay Connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay connector.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a relay connector to be attached to an equipment case. The relay connector is a connector for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the equipment case. The relay connector includes terminals, a connector housing that holds the terminals, and a seal member that seals between the connector housing and the equipment case. The seal member has an annular seal main body and multiple fixing pieces that extend inward from the seal main body. The connector housing has fixing protrusions at positions corresponding to the fixing pieces of the seal member. Each fixing protrusion is inserted into a hole provided in each fixing piece of the seal member. This allows the seal member to be held in the connector housing. The seal member is sandwiched in a compressed state between the connector housing and the equipment case, thereby sealing between the connector housing and the equipment case.

[0003] JP 2009-117307 A

[0004] In the relay connector as described above, before the connector housing is assembled to the device case, the fixing piece of the sealing member may come off the fixing protrusion of the connector housing, causing the sealing member to fall off.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a relay connector that can prevent a sealing member from falling off.

[0006] The relay connector of the present disclosure is attached to an equipment case and is used to electrically connect the inside and outside of the equipment case, and comprises: a terminal; a connector housing that holds the terminal; and a sealing member that seals between the connector housing and the equipment case, wherein the sealing member has an annular seal main body and a fixing piece extending from the seal main body, and the fixing piece has a through hole that passes through the fixing piece, and the connector housing has a retaining pin that holds the fixing piece by being inserted into the through hole, and the retaining pin has a pin main body and a protrusion that protrudes from the pin main body toward its outer periphery, and the through hole has a hole main body into which the pin main body is inserted and a first recess that is recessed from the hole main body toward the outer periphery, and the protrusion fits into the first recess.

[0007] According to the relay connector of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the sealing member from falling off.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a relay connector in one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the relay connector in the same embodiment as seen from below. Fig. 3 is a front view of the relay connector in the same embodiment. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the relay connector in the same embodiment. Fig. 5 is a plan view of an equipment case to which the relay connector in the same embodiment is attached. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a sealing member in the same embodiment.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. The relay connector of the present disclosure includes: [1] a relay connector that is attached to an equipment case and electrically connects the inside and outside of the equipment case, the relay connector including: a terminal; a connector housing that holds the terminal; and a seal member that seals between the connector housing and the equipment case, the seal member having an annular seal main body and a fixing piece extending from the seal main body, the fixing piece having a through hole that passes through the fixing piece, the connector housing having a retaining pin that is inserted into the through hole to hold the fixing piece, the retaining pin having a pin main body and a protrusion that protrudes outward from the pin main body, the through hole having a hole main body into which the pin main body is inserted and a first recess recessed outward from the hole main body, the protrusion fitting into the first recess.

[0010] With this configuration, the through hole of the seal member has a first recess into which the protruding portion of the retaining pin fits, thereby increasing the contact area between the outer circumferential surface of the retaining pin and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole of the seal member. This makes it possible to prevent the retaining pin from coming out of the through hole, and as a result, to prevent the seal member from falling off.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the retaining pin may be configured to be able to fit into a positioning hole provided in the device case. With this configuration, the retaining pin of the connector housing can be used for both positioning with respect to the device case and fixing the seal member. Therefore, the connector housing can be made smaller than a configuration in which a protrusion for positioning with respect to the device case and a protrusion for fixing the seal member are provided separately.

[0012] [3] In the above [2], the connector housing may have a pair of the retaining pins, the device case may have a pair of the positioning holes corresponding to the pair of retaining pins, and the pair of retaining pins may be arranged in positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to each other around the central axis of the connector housing.

[0013] With this configuration, for example, when the connector housing is fastened with a bolt, the force applied to each retaining pin in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction can be balanced, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the retaining pins.

[0014] [4] In the above [3], each of the pair of positioning holes may have a second recess into which the protrusion is fitted, and the protrusions on each of the pair of retaining pins may have asymmetric shapes relative to each other.

[0015] With this configuration, since the protrusions on each retaining pin are asymmetrical with respect to each other, it is possible to prevent misassembly of the connector housing, in which the connector housing is rotated 180 degrees around the central axis, and it is also possible to prevent misassembly of the seal member, in which the seal member is rotated 180 degrees around the central axis.

[0016] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of relay connectors of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ between the drawings. In this specification, "orthogonal" does not necessarily mean strictly orthogonal, but also includes approximately orthogonal configurations within the scope of the functions and effects of the present embodiment. The term "annular" used in this specification may refer to any loop-forming structure, a continuous shape without ends, or a generally loop-shaped structure with a C-shaped gap. Examples of "annular" shapes include, but are not limited to, circles, ellipses, and polygons with pointed or rounded corners. In this specification, "facing" refers to surfaces or components facing each other, and includes not only cases where the surfaces or components are completely facing each other, but also cases where the surfaces or components are partially facing each other. In this specification, "facing" refers to both cases where a separate component is interposed between two components and cases where there is no component interposed between the two components. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" in this specification are used merely to distinguish between objects and are not used to rank the objects. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0017] (Overall Configuration) As shown in FIG. 1 , the relay connector 10 is attached to an equipment case 11 mounted on a vehicle. The relay connector 10 is fixed to the equipment case 11 by, for example, bolts B. The relay connector 10 is a connector for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the equipment case 11. The equipment case 11 is, for example, a transmission case. The equipment case 11 is made of, for example, metal. Note that the drawing illustrates only a portion of the equipment case 11. The inside of the equipment case 11 is, for example, an oil environment, and the outside of the equipment case 11 is an air environment. Electrical components such as a motor and a sensor are provided inside the equipment case 11. The equipment case 11 has an opening 12 through which the relay connector 10 passes. The opening 12 is formed in the equipment case 11 so as to connect the internal space of the equipment case 11 with the external space. The relay connector 10 is attached to the opening 12 of the equipment case 11 along a first direction D1. In the following description, the direction opposite to the first direction D1 will be referred to as the second direction D2.

[0018] (Configuration of Relay Connector 10) As shown in Fig. 3, the relay connector 10 includes a connector housing 20, terminals 30, and a seal member 40. The connector housing 20 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The relay connector 10 includes, for example, a plurality of terminals 30. Each terminal 30 is formed of a conductor. Each terminal 30 is held in the connector housing 20.

[0019] (Configuration of Connector Housing 20) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the connector housing 20 includes a fixing flange 21, an internal connection portion 22 and an external connection portion 23.

[0020] The fixing flange 21 has, for example, a flat shape extending along a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1. The fixing flange 21 is fixed to the outer surface of the device case 11 so as to cover the opening 12. A side surface of the fixing flange 21 facing the device case 11 in the first direction D1 is referred to as a first side surface 21a, and a side surface opposite to the first side surface 21a is referred to as a second side surface 21b.

[0021] The internal connection portion 22 extends, for example, from the first side surface 21 a of the fixing flange 21 along the first direction D1. The internal connection portion 22 is inserted in the first direction D1 into the opening 12 of the device case 11. The external connection portion 23 extends from the second side surface 21 b of the fixing flange 21. The external connection portion 23 is provided with a fitting portion 24 into which a mating connector (not shown) is fitted. Note that a potting process may be applied to the back of the fitting portion 24.

[0022] The fixing flange 21 has, for example, a pair of fixing portions 25 that are fixed to the device case 11. Each fixing portion 25 is, for example, a cylindrical collar embedded in the synthetic resin that constitutes the fixing flange 21. Each fixing portion 25 is made of, for example, metal. The cylindrical fixing portion 25 is provided so that its penetration direction is along the first direction D1. The pair of fixing portions 25 are provided at positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to each other about the central axis L1 of the connector housing 20 (see FIG. 4). The central axis L1 of the connector housing 20 extends along the first direction D1. A bolt B shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into each fixing portion 25, and the fixing portion 25 is fastened to the device case 11 by the bolt B. The bolt B is threaded into a female threaded hole 13 provided in the device case 11.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, each terminal 30 in the relay connector 10 is partially embedded in the connector housing 20. Each terminal 30 has a first connection end 31 exposed at the internal connection portion 22 and a second connection end 32 exposed at the mating portion 24 of the external connection portion 23. The first connection end 31 of each terminal 30 is electrically connected to an internal component (not shown) provided inside the device case 11. The second connection end 32 of each terminal 30 is electrically connected to a mating connector mated with the mating portion 24. The mating connector is provided in, for example, a control unit that houses a control circuit and the like. In other words, the control circuit provided in the control unit is electrically connected to the internal component via the relay connector 10.

[0024] (Configuration of seal member 40) The seal member 40 is provided so as to be sandwiched between the fixed flange 21 and the outer surface of the device case 11. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the seal member 40 has an annular seal main body 41 and fixing pieces 42 extending from the inner edge of the seal main body 41 toward the inner periphery of the seal main body 41. The fixing pieces 42 have through holes 43 that penetrate the fixing pieces 42. The seal member 40 of this embodiment has, for example, a pair of fixing pieces 42. The entire seal member 40, including the seal main body 41 and the fixing pieces 42, is formed of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0025] 2 and 4 , the fixing flange 21 has an annular accommodating groove 51 provided in the first side surface 21 a and a retaining pin 52 provided in the accommodating groove 51. When the connector housing 20 is viewed in the second direction D2, the accommodating groove 51 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the internal connection portion 22. A seal member 40 is accommodated in the accommodating groove 51. Before the fixing flange 21 is fixed to the device case 11, a portion of the seal member 40 is configured to protrude from the accommodating groove 51 in the first direction D1. Each fixing portion 25 is provided in a portion of the fixing flange 21 that is outer circumferential than the accommodating groove 51. That is, each fixing portion 25 is provided outer circumferentially than the seal member 40 accommodated in the accommodating groove 51.

[0026] (Configuration of Retaining Pins 52) The fixing flange 21 has, for example, a pair of retaining pins 52. Each retaining pin 52 is inserted into the through-hole 43 of each fixing piece 42 to retain the corresponding fixing piece 42.

[0027] 4, the pair of retaining pins 52 are provided at positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to each other about the central axis L1 of the connector housing 20. That is, the pair of retaining pins 52 are provided at positions that are 180 degrees apart from each other about the central axis L1.

[0028] Each retaining pin 52 has a pin body 61 and protrusions 62 protruding from the pin body 61 toward its outer periphery. The pin body 61 extends from the accommodation groove 51 along the first direction D1. The cross-sectional shape of the pin body 61 (cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction D1) is, for example, circular. The protrusions 62 are provided, for example, at the base portion of the pin body 61. Each retaining pin 52 is provided with, for example, a plurality of protrusions 62. In this embodiment, each retaining pin 52 has four protrusions 62. In each retaining pin 52, the four protrusions 62 are provided at equal angular intervals (90-degree intervals in this embodiment) around the pin body 61.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the through hole 43 in each fixing piece 42 of the seal member 40 has a hole main body 71 into which the pin main body 61 is inserted and a first recess 72 recessed radially outward from the hole main body 71. Four first recesses 72 are provided corresponding to the protrusions 62 of the retaining pin 52. Each protrusion 62 fits into a corresponding first recess 72. Each protrusion 62 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 43 (the inner surface of each first recess 72). The length of each protrusion 62 in the longitudinal direction (first direction D1) of the retaining pin 52 is set longer than the thickness of the fixing piece 42. As a result, each protrusion 62 protrudes from the through hole 43 of the fixing piece 42 in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 2 ).

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, one of the pair of retaining pins 52 is designated as a first retaining pin 52a, and the other is designated as a second retaining pin 52b. The protrusion 62 of the first retaining pin 52a and the protrusion 62 of the second retaining pin 52b are asymmetrical with respect to each other. In this embodiment, the protrusion 62 of the first retaining pin 52a and the protrusion 62 of the second retaining pin 52b are formed at different positions in the circumferential direction of the pin body 61. Specifically, the protrusion 62 of the first retaining pin 52a and the protrusion 62 of the second retaining pin 52b are formed at positions that are offset from each other in the circumferential direction of the pin body 61 by, for example, 45 degrees.

[0031] 5, the device case 11 has a first positioning hole 14a and a second positioning hole 14b. The pin body 61 and each protrusion 62 of the first retaining pin 52a of the connector housing 20 are fitted into the first positioning hole 14a along the first direction D1. That is, the first positioning hole 14a has four second recesses 15 into which the four protrusions 62 of the first retaining pin 52a are respectively fitted. Each second recess 15 of the first positioning hole 14a is provided at a position corresponding to each protrusion 62 of the first retaining pin 52a.

[0032] The pin body 61 and each protrusion 62 of the second retaining pin 52b of the connector housing 20 are fitted into the second positioning hole 14b along the first direction D1. That is, the second positioning hole 14b has four second recesses 15 into which the four protrusions 62 of the second retaining pin 52b are respectively fitted. Each second recess 15 of the second positioning hole 14b is provided at a position corresponding to each protrusion 62 of the second retaining pin 52b.

[0033] The first retaining pin 52 a and the second retaining pin 52 b are fitted into the first positioning hole 14 a and the second positioning hole 14 b, respectively, to position the fixing flange 21 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1. Furthermore, the fixing flange 21 is positioned by the retaining pins 52, which improves the workability when fastening the fixing flange 21 to the device case 11 with bolts.

[0034] (Operation of this embodiment) The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When assembling the seal member 40 to the fixed flange 21 of the connector housing 20, the retaining pins 52 are inserted into the through holes 43 of the fixing pieces 42 of the seal member 40. At this time, the protrusions 62 of each retaining pin 52 are inserted into the first recesses 72 of the through holes 43. This increases the contact area between the outer circumferential surface of the retaining pin 52 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 43. Then, due to friction between the outer circumferential surface of the retaining pin 52 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 43, the fixing pieces 42 of the seal member 40 are held by the retaining pin 52, and the seal member 40 is maintained housed in the housing groove 51.

[0035] When assembling the connector housing 20 to the device case 11, the internal connection portion 22 is inserted into the opening 12 of the device case 11 in the first direction D1. Then, the first retaining pin 52a and the second retaining pin 52b of the connector housing 20 are fitted into the first positioning hole 14a and the second positioning hole 14b of the device case 11, respectively, along the first direction D1. This positions the fixing flange 21 relative to the device case 11 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0036] Thereafter, the fixing flange 21 is fastened to the equipment case 11 by the bolts B. The seal member 40 accommodated in the accommodation groove 51 of the fixing flange 21 is sandwiched in a compressed state between the fixing flange 21 and the equipment case 11 at a position surrounding the opening 12 of the equipment case 11. This creates a seal between the fixing flange 21 and the equipment case 11 by the seal member 40. Note that, for example, in the seal member 40, the seal main body 41 and each fixing piece 42 are sandwiched in a compressed state between the fixing flange 21 and the equipment case 11.

[0037] (Advantages of this embodiment) The advantages of this embodiment are described below. (1) The retaining pin 52 has a pin body 61 and a protrusion 62 that protrudes radially outward from the pin body 61. The through hole 43 has a hole body 71 into which the pin body 61 is inserted and a first recess 72 that recesses radially outward from the hole body 71. The protrusion 62 fits into the first recess 72. With this configuration, the through hole 43 of the seal member 40 has the first recess 72 into which the protrusion 62 of the retaining pin 52 fits, thereby increasing the contact area between the outer circumferential surface of the retaining pin 52 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 43 of the seal member 40. This prevents the retaining pin 52 from slipping out of the through hole 43, thereby preventing the seal member 40 from falling off.

[0038] (2) The first retaining pin 52a and the second retaining pin 52b are configured to be able to fit into the first positioning hole 14a and the second positioning hole 14b, respectively, provided in the device case 11. With this configuration, each retaining pin 52 of the connector housing 20 can be used for both positioning with respect to the device case 11 and fixing the seal member 40. Therefore, the connector housing 20 can be made smaller than in a configuration in which a protrusion for positioning with respect to the device case 11 and a protrusion for fixing the seal member 40 are provided separately.

[0039] (3) The connector housing 20 has a pair of retaining pins 52 (first retaining pin 52a and second retaining pin 52b). The device case 11 has a first positioning hole 14a and a second positioning hole 14b corresponding to the first retaining pin 52a and the second retaining pin 52b, respectively. The first retaining pin 52a and the second retaining pin 52b are provided at positions that are point-symmetric with each other about the central axis L1 of the connector housing 20. When the bolt B is tightened, the fixing flange 21 is subjected not only to an axial force from the bolt B but also to a circumferential force about the bolt B (a force in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1). Here, because the first retaining pin 52a and the second retaining pin 52b are provided at positions that are point-symmetric with each other about the central axis L1 of the connector housing 20, the circumferential force can be applied to the first retaining pin 52a and the second retaining pin 52b in a balanced manner. As a result, it is possible to reduce the risk of damage to the first holding pin 52a and the second holding pin 52b.

[0040] (4) Each of the first positioning holes 14a and the second positioning holes 14b has a second recess 15 into which the protrusion 62 is fitted. The protrusions 62 of the first retaining pin 52a and the second retaining pin 52b are asymmetrical with respect to each other. When the connector housing 20 is rotated 180 degrees around the central axis L1 and assembled, the position of the first retaining pin 52a coincides with the position of the second positioning hole 14b, and the position of the second retaining pin 52b coincides with the position of the first positioning hole 14a. However, as described above, the protrusions 62 of the first retaining pin 52a and the second retaining pin 52b are asymmetrical with respect to each other. Furthermore, the second recesses 15 of the first positioning holes 14a and the second positioning holes 14b are shaped to correspond to the protrusions 62 of the first retaining pin 52a and the second retaining pin 52b, respectively. Therefore, the protrusion 62 of the first retaining pin 52a cannot be fitted into the second recess 15 of the second positioning hole 14b. Similarly, the protrusion 62 of the second retaining pin 52b cannot be fitted into the second recess 15 of the first positioning hole 14a. This makes it possible to prevent the connector housing 20 from being assembled by being rotated 180 degrees around the central axis L1. Furthermore, in the seal member 40, the first recess 72 of the through hole 43 into which the protrusion 62 of the first retaining pin 52a enters and the first recess 72 of the through hole 43 into which the protrusion 62 of the second retaining pin 52b enters have asymmetric shapes. This makes it possible to prevent the seal member 40 from being assembled by being rotated 180 degrees around the central axis L1.

[0041] (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.

[0042] The number, shape, and other configurations of the protrusions 62 on each holding pin 52 are not limited to those described in the above embodiment and can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the relay connector 10. For example, the number of protrusions 62 on each holding pin 52 may be three or less, including one, or five or more. Note that, depending on the change in the number of protrusions 62, the number of first recesses 72 in the through hole 43 of the seal member 40 and the number of second recesses 15 in each of the first positioning hole 14 a and the second positioning hole 14 b can also be changed as appropriate.

[0043] The asymmetrical shapes of the protrusions 62 of the first and second retaining pins 52a, 52b are not limited to those described in the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the positions of the protrusions 62 of the first and second retaining pins 52a, 52b in the circumferential direction of the pin body 61 may be offset by an angle other than 45 degrees. Furthermore, the lengths of the protrusions 62 of the first and second retaining pins 52a, 52b in the radial direction of the pin body 61 may be different.

[0044] The protrusions 62 of the first retaining pin 52a and the second retaining pin 52b may be symmetrical to each other. The first retaining pin 52a and the second retaining pin 52b may be provided at positions that are not point-symmetrical to each other about the central axis L1 of the connector housing 20. This configuration makes it possible to prevent incorrect assembly, in which the connector housing 20 is assembled by being rotated 180 degrees about the central axis L1.

[0045] In the above embodiment, only the pin body 61 of each retaining pin 52 may be fitted into each positioning hole 14a, 14b. The number of retaining pins 52 on the fixing flange 21 is not limited to two as in the above embodiment, and may be, for example, one, or three or more. Note that the number of fixing pieces 42 on the seal member 40 can also be changed as needed depending on the number of retaining pins 52.

[0046] In the above embodiment, each retaining pin 52 is used for both positioning relative to the equipment case 11 and fixing the sealing member 40, but this is not limited to this. A pin for positioning relative to the equipment case 11 may be provided in the connector housing 20 separately from the retaining pin 52.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the fixing portion 25 is a collar separate from the resin portion of the fixing flange 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fixing portion 25 may be a bolt insertion hole formed through the resin portion of the fixing flange 21.

[0048] The number of fixing portions 25 provided on the connector housing 20 is not limited to that in the above embodiment, and may be one or three or more. The sealing member 40 in the above embodiment may be formed of an elastic material other than rubber.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the relay connector 10 is embodied as being attached to the equipment case 11, which is a transmission case, but is not limited to this. For example, the relay connector 10 may be applied to a relay connector used in an equipment case other than a transmission case. Note that the environment inside the equipment case 11 to which the relay connector 10 is attached is not limited to an oil environment, and the relay connector may also be applied to a relay connector for equipment that does not use oil inside the equipment case 11.

[0050] In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 3 , each protrusion 62 of the retaining pin 52 may have multiple corners and may be, for example, flat. By having the protrusions 62 on the retaining pin 52, for example, multiple corners can be formed on the outer surface of the retaining pin 52. For example, a concave or radially inward corner is formed at the base end of the protrusion 62 in the radial direction, and a convex or radially outward corner is formed at the tip end of the protrusion 62 in the radial direction. The protrusions 62 are advantageous in increasing the contact area and / or frictional resistance between the retaining pin 52 and the seal member 40.

[0051] In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2 , before the bolt B is tightened, the inner surface of the through hole 43 of the sealing member 40 may elastically press against the outer surface of the corresponding retaining pin 52, for example, the inner surface of the first recess 72 of the through hole 43 may elastically press against the outer surface of the protrusion 62 of the retaining pin 52.

[0052] In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 3, before the bolt B is tightened, the thickness of the seal body 41 of the seal member 40 may be greater than the depth of the accommodation groove 50. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, the width of the accommodation groove 50 may be greater than the width of the seal body 41 of the seal member 40. This configuration is advantageous in that it facilitates elastic deformation of the entire circumference of the annular seal body 41 when the seal member 40 is compressed and / or facilitates making the amount of elastic deformation of the entire circumference of the annular seal body 41 uniform.

[0053] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0054] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 relay connector 11 device case 12 opening 13 female thread hole 14a first positioning hole (positioning hole) 14b second positioning hole (positioning hole) 15 second recess 20 connector housing 21 fixing flange 21a first side surface 21b second side surface 22 internal connection portion 23 external connection portion 24 fitting portion 25 fixing portion 30 terminal 31 first connection end portion 32 second connection end portion 40 seal member 41 seal main body portion 42 fixing piece 43 through hole 51 accommodation groove 52 retaining pin 52a first retaining pin (retaining pin) 52b second retaining pin (retaining pin) 61 pin main body portion 62 protrusion 71 hole main body 72 first recess B bolt D1 first direction D2 second direction L1 central axis of connector housing

Claims

1. A relay connector that is attached to an equipment case and electrically connects the inside and outside of the equipment case, comprising: terminals, a connector housing that holds the terminals, and a seal member that seals between the connector housing and the equipment case, wherein the seal member has an annular seal main body and a fixing piece extending from the seal main body, the fixing piece having a through hole that passes through the fixing piece, the connector housing has a retaining pin that holds the fixing piece by being inserted into the through hole, the retaining pin having a pin main body and a protrusion that protrudes from the pin main body toward its outer periphery, the through hole having a hole main body into which the pin main body is inserted and a first recess that is recessed from the hole main body toward the outer periphery, and the protrusion fits into the first recess.

2. The relay connector according to claim 1, wherein the retaining pin is configured to be able to fit into a positioning hole provided in the device case.

3. The relay connector according to claim 2, wherein the connector housing has a pair of the retaining pins, the device case has a pair of the positioning holes corresponding to the pair of retaining pins, and the pair of retaining pins are provided at positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to each other about the central axis of the connector housing.

4. The relay connector according to claim 3, wherein each of the pair of positioning holes has a second recess into which the protrusion is fitted, and the protrusions on each of the pair of retaining pins have asymmetrical shapes relative to each other.

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