Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a connector and a connector assembly with which it is possible to improve workability of attachment / detachment to / from a mating connector. A first connector (11) is provided with a shield shell (31) that is fixed to a fixing member (13) provided to a second connector (12), and a connector body (41) that is held by the shield shell and is fitted to the second connector in a first direction (D1). The shield shell (31) has a cylindrical shell body section (32) that holds the connector body (41) in the interior thereof, and a fastening fixing part (33) that is provided at a position offset from the shell body section (32) in a second direction (D2) orthogonal to the first direction (D1) and is fastened and fixed to the fixing member (13) by bolts. The connector body (41) is held by the shell body section (32) so as to be capable of turning about a turning axis (L1) that extends along a third direction orthogonal to each of the first direction (D1) and the second direction (D2).

Description

Connectors and Connector Assemblies

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a connector including a shield shell and a connector main body held by the shield shell (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The connector main body is electrically connected to the mating connector by mating in a first direction. The shield shell has a shell main body portion that holds the connector main body and a fastening portion extending from a side surface of the shell main body. The fastening portion is provided at a position offset from the shell main body in a second direction perpendicular to the mating direction (first direction) with respect to the mating connector. The fastening portion is fastened and fixed by a bolt to a fixing member on which the mating connector is provided. In such a connector, mating of the connector main body with the mating connector is assisted by the axial force of the bolt, making it possible to mate the connector main body to the appropriate position.

[0003] JP 2012-238465 A

[0004] In the above-described connector, the position where the connector main body is mated with the mating connector and the position of the fastening portion where the connector main body is secured by the bolt are misaligned in the second direction. When the connector main body is mated with the mating connector, the connector main body is subjected to a mating resistance force, causing the fastening portion of the shield shell to approach the fixing member first. As a result, the shield shell and the connector main body held by the shield shell tilt relative to the mating connector, increasing the resistance force during mating. Similarly, when the connector main body is removed from the mating connector, the fastening portion of the shield shell moves away from the fixing member first, causing the shield shell and the connector main body to tilt relative to the mating connector. As a result, the resistance force when removing the connector main body from the mating connector increases. As such, the above-described connector has a problem in that the increased resistance force when attaching and detaching the connector to and from the mating connector reduces the ease of attaching and detaching the connector to and from the mating connector.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector and a connector assembly that can improve the workability of attachment and detachment to and from a mating connector.

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a shield shell that is fixed to a fixing member on which a mating connector is provided, and a connector main body that is held by the shield shell and is fitted to the mating connector in a first direction, wherein the shield shell has a cylindrical shell main body portion that holds the connector main body inside, and a fastening fixing portion that is provided at a position offset from the shell main body portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is fastened to the fixing member by a bolt, and the connector main body is held rotatably relative to the shell main body portion about a rotation axis that extends along a third direction perpendicular to each of the first direction and the second direction.

[0007] The connector and connector assembly of the present disclosure can improve the workability of attachment and detachment to and from a mating connector.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector assembly according to the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second connector according to the same embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector according to the same embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the second connector is attached in the connector assembly according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a side view for explaining how the second connector is detached in the connector assembly according to the embodiment.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. The connector of the present disclosure includes: [1] a shield shell that is fixed to a fixing member provided with a mating connector, and a connector main body that is held by the shield shell and fitted to the mating connector in a first direction, the shield shell having a cylindrical shell main body portion that holds the connector main body therein, and a fastening portion that is provided at a position offset from the shell main body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is fastened to the fixing member by a bolt, the connector main body being held rotatably relative to the shell main body about a rotation axis that extends in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction.

[0010] According to this configuration, when the shield shell tilts during bolt attachment or detachment, the connector main body rotates about the rotation axis along the third direction relative to the shell main body. This keeps the connector main body upright relative to the mating connector during attachment or detachment, thereby suppressing an increase in resistance during attachment or detachment. This improves the operability of attaching or detaching the connector to or from the mating connector.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the connector may include a first transmission part that transmits the axial force of the bolt along the first direction to the connector body, and the first transmission part may be configured to be able to transmit the axial force of the bolt from the shield shell to the connector body when the shield shell is rotated around the rotation axis relative to the connector body facing the first direction.

[0012] With this configuration, even if the shield shell rotates around the rotation axis when connecting the connector to the mating connector, the axial force of the bolt can be transmitted from the shield shell to the connector body by the first transmission part.

[0013] [3] In the above [2], the first transmission part may include a cover provided at the tip of the shell main body part in a fourth direction opposite to the first direction, and a rolling element interposed between the cover and the connector main body, and the axial force of the bolt may be transmitted from the shield shell to the connector main body via the cover and the rolling element.

[0014] With this configuration, even if the shield shell rotates around the pivot axis when connecting the connector to the mating connector, the axial force of the bolt can be transmitted from the shield shell to the connector body via the cover and rolling element.

[0015] [4] In the above item [3], the rolling elements may be spherical. With this configuration, even if the shield shell rotates around the rotation axis when connecting the connector to a mating connector, the axial force of the bolt can be suitably transmitted from the shield shell to the connector body via the cover and the rolling elements.

[0016] [5] In any of [1] to [4] above, when the direction opposite to the first direction is defined as a fourth direction, the connector may include a second transmission unit that transmits a force in the fourth direction applied to the shield shell to the connector body, and the second transmission unit may be configured to be able to transmit the force in the fourth direction from the shield shell to the connector body when the shield shell is rotated around the rotation axis with respect to the connector body facing the first direction.

[0017] With this configuration, even if the shield shell rotates around the rotation axis when the connector is removed from the mating connector, the force in the direction of removing the connector body (fourth direction) can be transmitted from the shield shell to the connector body by the second transmission part.

[0018] [6] In the above [5], the connector main body may include a housing having a flange portion on its outer periphery, and the second transmission part may include a connecting member connected to the tip of the shell main body part in the fourth direction, and a locking member connected to the connecting member so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis and locking to the flange portion toward the fourth direction.

[0019] With this configuration, even if the shield shell rotates around the rotation axis when the connector is removed from the mating connector, a force in the fourth direction can be transmitted from the shield shell to the connector body via the connecting member and the locking member.

[0020] [7] In the above [6], the locking member may be annular and surround the connector body, the second transmission part may include a pair of connecting members, and the pair of connecting members may be rotatably connected to both ends of the locking member in a direction along the rotation axis.

[0021] With this configuration, even if the shield shell rotates around the rotation axis when the connector is removed from the mating connector, the force in the fourth direction can be suitably transmitted from the shield shell to the connector body via the pair of connecting members and locking members.

[0022] [8] The connector assembly of the present disclosure comprises the connector described in any one of [1] to [7] above, and the mating connector that is provided on the fixing member and connected to the connector.

[0023] According to this configuration, when the shield shell tilts during bolt attachment or detachment, the connector main body rotates about the rotation axis along the third direction relative to the shell main body. This keeps the connector main body upright relative to the mating connector during attachment or detachment, thereby suppressing an increase in resistance during attachment or detachment. This improves the operability of attaching or detaching the connector to or from the mating connector.

[0024] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of connectors and connector assemblies according to 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. The drawings illustrate mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes. In this specification, the direction along the X axis is referred to as the X-axis direction, the direction along the Y axis is referred to as the Y-axis direction, and the direction along the Z axis is referred to as the Z-axis direction. Note that "orthogonal" in this specification does not only refer to a strict orthogonal relationship, but also includes a roughly orthogonal relationship within the scope of the functions and effects of the present embodiment. Furthermore, the term "cylindrical" as used in this specification does not only refer to a cylindrical structure formed by combining multiple components, but also includes a cylindrical structure with a C-shape or other structure having a notch in a circumferential direction, as well as a circular, elliptical, and polygonal structure with pointed or rounded corners. The term "annular" as used herein may refer to any structure that forms a loop, a continuous shape without ends, or a generally loop-shaped structure with gaps, such as a C-shape. The term "annular" includes, but is not limited to, circles, ellipses, and polygons with pointed or rounded corners. The term "opposite" as used herein refers to surfaces or components facing each other, including not only cases where the surfaces or components are completely opposite each other, but also cases where the surfaces are partially opposite each other. The term "opposite" as used herein also includes cases where two components are separated by a separate component, and cases where there is no intervening component between the two components. Terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein simply to distinguish between objects and not to rank them. 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.

[0025] (Configuration of Connector Assembly 10) As shown in FIG. 1 , the connector assembly 10 includes a first connector 11 and a second connector 12 to which the first connector 11 is connected. The first connector 11 is fixed to a fixing member 13. The connector assembly 10 is installed, for example, in a vehicle. The fixing member 13 is, for example, part of a case of equipment installed in the vehicle. The second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11 held by the fixing member 13 in a first direction D1 along the X axis. The connector assembly 10 also includes a bolt 14 and a nut 15 that assist in mating the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. The bolt 14 is, for example, held non-rotatably by a shield shell 31 of the second connector 12, which will be described later.

[0026] (Configuration of First Connector 11 and Fixing Member 13) Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly 10, taken along the 3-3 cross-sectional indication line in the plan view of Figure 2, with the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 connected to each other. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the fixing member 13 has a holding portion 21 that holds the first connector 11, and a fixing portion 22 that extends from the holding portion 21. The fixing portion 22 extends from the holding portion 21 in a second direction D2 that is perpendicular to the first direction D1. The fixing portion 22 has a bolt insertion hole 23 (see Figure 1) that passes through along the first direction D1. A bolt 14 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 23.

[0027] The first connector 11 includes a first housing 24 made of, for example, resin. The first housing 24 is held by the holding portion 21 of the fixing member 13. The first housing 24 includes a cylindrical first fitting portion 25 and a first terminal (not shown) disposed inside the first fitting portion 25. The first terminal is electrically connected to an internal component of the device. A connector body 41 of the second connector 12 (described later) is fitted into the first fitting portion 25.

[0028] 1 , a first seal member 26 is provided on the outer periphery of the first fitting portion 25 of the first housing 24 to seal between the first fitting portion 25 and the shield shell 31 of the second connector 12. The first housing 24 has, for example, an extension portion 27 extending in the Z-axis direction from the first fitting portion 25. The extension portion 27 is fixed to the fixing member 13 by, for example, screws 28.

[0029] (Configuration of second connector 12) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second connector 12 includes a shield shell 31, a connector main body 41 held by the shield shell 31, a first transmission part 51 that transmits force, and a second transmission part 61 that transmits force.

[0030] (Configuration of Shield Shell 31) The shield shell 31 is made of, for example, a metal material. The shield shell 31 is configured to be fixable to the fixing member 13. The shield shell 31 includes a cylindrical shell main body 32 that houses and holds the connector main body 41 therein, and a fastening / fixing portion 33 extending from the shell main body 32 in the second direction D2. The fastening / fixing portion 33 is provided at a position offset from the shell main body 32 in the second direction D2. The fastening / fixing portion 33 is fastened and fixed to the fixing member 13 by a bolt 14 and a nut 15 when the connectors are fitted and fastened. Note that the bolt 14 is held non-rotatably by, for example, fitting into a hexagonal fitting recess 33a in the fastening / fixing portion 33. The bolt 14 is also immobilized in the axial direction by, for example, a C-ring 34 fixed to the shaft of the bolt 14.

[0031] (Configuration of Connector Body 41) The connector body 41 of the second connector 12 is held rotatably about a rotation axis L1 along a third direction D3 that is orthogonal to each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, relative to the shell body 32. In other words, the shield shell 31 is rotatable about the rotation axis L1 relative to the connector body 41.

[0032] The connector main body 41 includes a resin second housing 42, second terminals 43 (see FIG. 5 ) accommodated in the second housing 42, and electric wires 44 connected to the second terminals 43. The second housing 42 is held inside the shell main body 32 of the shield shell 31. The second housing 42 includes a second fitting portion 45. The second fitting portion 45 is fitted into the first fitting portion 25 of the first connector 11 in the first direction D1. A second seal member 46 is provided on the outer periphery of the second fitting portion 45 to seal between the second fitting portion 45 and the first fitting portion 25.

[0033] The second terminals 43 of the second connector 12 are housed inside the second fitting portion 45. When the second fitting portion 45 is fitted into the first fitting portion 25, the second terminals 43 are connected to the first terminals of the first connector 11. This electrically connects the second terminals 43 to internal components of the device via the first terminals of the first connector 11. The electric wires 44 are led out from the second housing 42 in a fourth direction D4 opposite to the first direction D1.

[0034] The second housing 42 of the connector main body 41 has a flange portion 47 on its outer periphery. The flange portion 47 protrudes outward from the second housing 42. The flange portion 47 is provided, for example, around the entire periphery of the second housing 42.

[0035] 3, the connector main body 41 further includes a retainer 48 and a sealing plug 49. The sealing plug 49 is made of, for example, rubber. The sealing plug 49 is provided inside the opening 42a at the tip end of the second housing 42 in the fourth direction D4, thereby closing the opening 42a.

[0036] 3 and 4 , the retainer 48 is provided in the opening 42a of the second housing 42. The retainer 48 serves to hold the seal plug 49 inside the opening 42a. The retainer 48 is divided into two parts so that it can be attached later without having to thread the electric wires 44 through them in advance. The retainer 48 includes a first locking portion 48a that is locked to a first locked portion 42b provided on the outer periphery of the second housing 42. The first locking portion 48a is locked to the first locked portion 42b, thereby fixing the retainer 48 to the second housing 42. A plurality of pairs of the first locking portion 48a and the first locked portion 42b may be provided, for example.

[0037] 3 and 5, a first recess 48b is formed in the upper surface (front surface in the fourth direction D4) of the retainer 48. The first recess 48b is recessed, for example, in a hemispherical shape. For example, a pair of the first recesses 48b are provided side by side in the Y-axis direction.

[0038] (Configuration of First Transmission Unit 51) The first transmission unit 51 of the second connector 12 includes a cover 52 and, for example, a spherical rolling element 53. The cover 52 is provided at the tip end 32a of the shell main body 32 in the fourth direction D4 and closes the opening of the tip end 32a. The cover 52 is divided into two parts so that, for example, it can be attached later without having to thread the electric wires 44 through the cover 52 in advance. The cover 52 includes a second locking portion 54 that locks with a second locked portion 35 provided on the outer periphery of the shell main body 32. The second locking portion 54 locks with the second locked portion 35, thereby fixing the cover 52 to the tip end 32a of the shell main body 32. For example, a plurality of pairs of the second locking portion 54 and the second locked portion 35 may be provided.

[0039] 3, a second recess 55 is formed in the lower surface (the front surface in the first direction D1) of the cover 52. The second recess 55 is recessed, for example, in a hemispherical shape. For example, a pair of the second recesses 55 are provided side by side in the Y-axis direction.

[0040] The cover 52 faces the retainer 48 in the first direction D1. Furthermore, each second recess 55 faces each first recess 48b of the retainer 48 in the first direction D1. The rolling elements 53 are interposed between the first recess 48b and the second recess 55. When the shield shell 31 rotates relative to the connector main body 41 about the rotation axis L1 during fastening of the bolt 14, the rolling elements 53 sandwiched between the first recess 48b and the second recess 55 roll due to misalignment of the first recess 48b and the second recess 55 in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, when the fastening / fixing portion 33 of the shield shell 31 is fastened to the fixing portion 22 of the fixing member 13 by the bolt 14, the axial force of the bolt 14 along the first direction D1 is transmitted from the shell main body 32 to the retainer 48 of the connector main body 41 via the cover 52 and the rolling elements 53.

[0041] 4 and 5 , the second transmission unit 61 that transmits force includes, for example, a pair of connecting members 62 and a locking member 63. The locking member 63 has, for example, a ring shape that surrounds the connector main body 41. The locking member 63 has a pivotal support portion 64 at each end in the direction along the rotation axis L1 (Z-axis direction). The base end of each connecting member 62 is connected to the corresponding pivotal support portion 64 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis L1.

[0042] A third locking portion 65 that locks in the first direction D1 with respect to the tip portion 32 a of the shell main body 32 is provided at the tip portion of each connecting member 62. The third locking portion 65 locks in the tip portion 32 a of the shell main body 32, thereby connecting the connecting member 62 to the tip portion 32 a of the shell main body 32. The locking member 63 locks in the fourth direction D4 with respect to the flange portion 47 of the second housing 42. As a result, a force in the fourth direction D4 that is applied to the shield shell 31 when the second connector 12 is detached from the first connector 11 is transmitted from the shell main body 32 to the second housing 42 via the connecting members 62 and the locking members 63.

[0043] (Operation of the Present Embodiment) The operation of the present embodiment will be described below. When mating the second connector 12 with the first connector 11 fixed to the fixing member 13, the axial force of the fastening of the nut 15 and the bolt 14 is used to assist the mating. More specifically, when mating the second connector 12 with the first connector 11, the first mating portion 25 of the first connector 11 and the second mating portion 45 of the second connector 12 are aligned, and the nut 15 is screwed onto the bolt 14. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 , an axial force F1 of the bolt 14 in the first direction D1 acts on the fastening portion 33 of the shield shell 31. At this time, frictional forces between the first terminal and the second terminal 43 of the first connector 11, frictional forces generated by each of the first seal member 26 and the second seal member 46, and the like act on the connector main body 41 and the shield shell 31 as a resistance force F2 in the fourth direction D4 against the holding portion 21 and the first connector 11. As a result, the fastening portion 33 of the shield shell 31 approaches the fixing member 13 before the shell main body 32. At this time, the shield shell 31 rotates about the rotation axis L1 relative to the connector main body 41 while the connector main body 41 maintains a straight posture relative to the first connector 11. In this state, the force of the axial force F1 of the bolt 14, which moves the shield shell 31 in the first direction D1, is transmitted from the shell main body 32 to the retainer 48 of the connector main body 41 via the cover 52 and the rolling elements 53. In this way, even when the shield shell 31 is rotated relative to the connector main body 41, which is in a straight posture relative to the first connector 11, the axial force F1 of the bolt 14 moving in the first direction D1 can be suitably transmitted to the connector main body 41.

[0044] 7 , when the second connector 12 mated with the first connector 11 is removed, a force F3 of the bolt 14 in the fourth direction D4 acts on the fastening portion 33 of the shield shell 31. At this time, frictional forces between the first and second terminals 43 of the first connector 11 and frictional forces generated by the first seal member 26 and the second seal member 46 act on the connector main body 41 and the shield shell 31 as a resistance force F4 in the first direction D1 against the holding portion 21 and the first connector 11. As a result, the fastening portion 33 of the shield shell 31 separates from the fixing member 13 before the shell main body 32. At this time, the shield shell 31 rotates about the rotation axis L1 relative to the connector main body 41 while the connector main body 41 maintains a straight posture relative to the first connector 11. In this state, the force F3, which acts on the shield shell 31 in the fourth direction D4, is transmitted from the shell main body 32 to the flange portion 47 of the second housing 42 via the connecting members 62 and the locking members 63. At this time, because the locking members 63 are rotatable about the rotation axis L1 relative to the connecting members 62, the locking members 63 maintain an orientation facing the flange portion 47 (an orientation in which the entire circumference of the locking members 63 abuts against the flange portion 47). This allows the force in the fourth direction D4 to be suitably transmitted from the locking members 63 to the flange portion 47. In this way, even when the shield shell 31 is rotated relative to the connector main body 41, which is upright relative to the first connector 11, the force F3 in the fourth direction D4 can be suitably transmitted to the connector main body 41.

[0045] (Advantages of the Present Embodiment) The advantages of the present embodiment are described below. (1) The shield shell 31 includes a cylindrical shell main body portion 32 that holds the connector main body 41 therein and a fastening portion 33 that is fastened to the fixing member 13 by the bolt 14. The fastening portion 33 is disposed at a position offset from the shell main body portion 32 in the second direction D2 that is perpendicular to the first direction D1. The connector main body 41 is held relative to the shell main body portion 32 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis L1 that extends along a third direction D3 that is perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. With this configuration, when the shield shell 31 tilts during attachment or detachment of the bolt 14, the connector main body 41 rotates relative to the shell main body portion 32 about the rotation axis L1 that extends along the third direction D3. As a result, during attachment or detachment of the connector main body 41, the orientation of the connector main body 41 is maintained straight with respect to the first connector 11, thereby suppressing increases in the resistance forces F2 and F4 during attachment or detachment. Therefore, the workability of attaching and detaching the second connector 12 to and from the first connector 11 can be improved.

[0046] (2) The second connector 12 includes a first transmission unit 51 that transmits the axial force F1 of the bolt 14 along the first direction D1 to the connector main body 41. The first transmission unit 51 is configured to be able to transmit the axial force F1 of the bolt 14 directed in the first direction D1 from the shield shell 31 to the connector main body 41 in a state in which the shield shell 31 is rotated about the rotation axis L1 with respect to the connector main body 41 facing in the first direction D1. With this configuration, when connecting the second connector 12 to the first connector 11, even if the shield shell 31 is rotated about the rotation axis L1, the axial force F1 of the bolt 14 directed in the first direction D1 can be applied from the shield shell 31 to the connector main body 41 by the first transmission unit 51.

[0047] (3) The first transmission unit 51 includes a cover 52 provided at the tip end 32 a of the shell main body 32 in the fourth direction D4 opposite to the first direction D1, and rolling elements 53 interposed between the cover 52 and the connector main body 41. Therefore, even if the shield shell 31 is rotated about the rotation axis L1 when connecting the second connector 12 to the first connector 11, the axial force F1 of the bolt 14 directed in the first direction D1 can be applied to the connector main body 41 from the shield shell 31 via the cover 52 and the rolling elements 53.

[0048] (4) The rolling elements 53 are spherical. Therefore, even if the shield shell 31 rotates around the rotation axis L1 when the second connector 12 is mated, the axial force F1 of the bolt 14 can be effectively transmitted from the shield shell 31 to the connector main body 41 via the cover 52 and the rolling elements 53.

[0049] (5) When the direction opposite to the first direction D1 is defined as a fourth direction D4, the second connector 12 includes a second transmission unit 61 that transmits a force in the fourth direction D4 applied to the shield shell 31 to the connector main body 41. The second transmission unit 61 is configured to be able to transmit the force in the fourth direction D4 from the shield shell 31 to the connector main body 41 in a state in which the shield shell 31 has rotated about the rotation axis L1 with respect to the connector main body 41 facing in the first direction D1. Therefore, even when the shield shell 31 has rotated about the rotation axis L1 when removing the second connector 12, the force in the fourth direction D4 for removing the connector main body 41 can be applied from the shield shell 31 to the connector main body 41 by the second transmission unit 61.

[0050] (6) The connector main body 41 includes the second housing 42 having a flange portion 47 on its outer periphery. The second transmission unit 61 includes a connecting member 62 connected to the tip end 32 a of the shell main body 32 in the fourth direction D4, and a locking member 63 connected to the connecting member 62 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis L1. The locking member 63 is locked to the flange portion 47 in the fourth direction D4. Therefore, even if the shield shell 31 rotates about the rotation axis L1 when the second connector 12 is removed, a force in the fourth direction D4 can be transmitted from the shield shell 31 to the connector main body 41 via the connecting member 62 and the locking member 63.

[0051] (7) The locking member 63 has a ring shape that surrounds the connector main body 41. The second transmission unit 61 includes a pair of connecting members 62. The pair of connecting members 62 are rotatably connected to both ends of the locking member 63 in the direction along the rotation axis L1 (the Z-axis direction). Therefore, even if the shield shell 31 is rotated about the rotation axis L1 when the second connector 12 is removed, the force in the fourth direction D4 can be suitably transmitted from the shield shell 31 to the connector main body 41 via the pair of connecting members 62 and the locking members 63.

[0052] (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.

[0053] The configuration of the cover 52 and the rolling elements 53 in the first transmission unit 51, such as their shapes, is not limited to the above embodiment and can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the second connector 12. In the second connector 12 of the above embodiment, the shape of the rolling elements 53 only needs to be such that they can roll in at least the Y-axis direction, and may be, for example, a cylindrical shape with an axis along the Z-axis.

[0054] In the second connector 12 of the above embodiment, the number of rolling elements 53 is not limited to that of the above embodiment and may be one or three or more. The positions of the rolling elements 53 may be changed as needed depending on the number of rolling elements 53. Furthermore, the number and positions of the first recesses 48b in the retainer 48 and the number and positions of the second recesses 55 in the cover 52 are changed as needed depending on the number and positions of the rolling elements 53.

[0055] The configurations, such as the shapes of the connecting members 62 and the locking members 63 in the second transmission part 61, are not limited to those in the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the second connector 12.

[0056] The bolt 14 may not be held by the fastening portion 33 of the shield shell 31. The present disclosure encompasses the following aspects. Note that, in the following description, reference numerals indicating components of the embodiments are given in parentheses, for the purpose of facilitating understanding and not for the purpose of limitation.

[0057] (Supplementary Note 1) A connector (10) comprising: a shield shell (31); and a connector main body (41) held by the shield shell and capable of fitting to a mating connector (11) in a first direction (D1), wherein the shield shell (31) includes a cylindrical shell main body portion (32) that holds the connector main body (41), and a fastening fixing portion (33) that is provided at a position shifted from the shell main body portion in a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the first direction (D1) and that is fastened to a fixing member (13) that holds the mating connector (11), and the connector (10) further comprises: an engaging member (63) engaged with the connector main body (41), the engaging member (63) including a pair of pivot support portions (64) on both sides of the engaging member (63) in a third direction (D3) perpendicular to each of the first direction (D1) and the second direction (D2); a pair of connecting members (62) engaged with the shell main body (32), the pair of connecting members (62) being provided on the pair of axial support portions (64) and being rotatable around the axial support portions (64) corresponding to the engaging members (63), wherein the shell main body (32) is rotatable relative to the connector main body (41) with the pair of axial support portions (64) as a rotation axis (L1) through rotation of the pair of connecting members (62) relative to the engaging members (63).

[0058] According to this configuration, the shell main body (i.e., the shield shell) is rotatable relative to the connector main body through rotation of the connecting member around the pivot support portion as a rotation axis. As a result, even if the shield shell tilts when attaching or detaching the connector main body to or from the mating connector, only the relative rotation of the shield shell occurs with respect to the connector main body, so the connector main body can maintain an upright position relative to the mating connector. This reduces the resistance force generated when attaching or detaching the connector to or from the mating connector.

[0059] 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.

[0060] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Connector assembly 11 First connector (mating connector) 12 Second connector (connector) 13 Fixing member 14 Bolt 15 Nut 21 Holding portion 22 Fixing portion 23 Bolt insertion hole 24 First housing 25 First mating portion 26 First seal member 27 Extension portion 28 Screw 31 Shield shell 32 Shell main body 32a Tip portion 33 Fastening and fixing portion 33a Fitting recess 34 C-ring 35 Second locked portion 41 Connector main body 42 Second housing (housing) 42a Opening 42b First locked portion 43 Second terminal 44 Electric wire 45 Second mating portion 46 Second seal member 47 Flange portion 48 Retainer 48a First locking portion 48b First recess 49 Seal plug 51 First transmission portion 52 Cover 53 Rolling element 54 Second locking portion 55 Second recess 61 Second transmission portion 62 Connecting member 63 Locking member 64 Pivot support portion 65 Third locking portion D1 to D4 First to fourth directions L1 Rotation axis

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a shield shell fixed to a fixing member provided with a mating connector; and a connector main body held by the shield shell and fitted to the mating connector in a first direction, wherein the shield shell has a cylindrical shell main body portion that holds the connector main body inside, and a fastening fixing portion that is positioned offset from the shell main body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is fastened to the fixing member by a bolt, and wherein the connector main body is held rotatably relative to the shell main body about a rotation axis that extends in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a first transmission part that transmits the axial force of the bolt along the first direction to the connector body, and the first transmission part is configured to be able to transmit the axial force of the bolt from the shield shell to the connector body when the shield shell is rotated around the rotation axis with respect to the connector body facing the first direction.

3. A connector as described in claim 2, wherein the first transmission part comprises a cover provided at the tip of the shell main body part in a fourth direction opposite to the first direction, and rolling elements interposed between the cover and the connector main body, and the axial force of the bolt is transmitted from the shield shell to the connector main body via the cover and the rolling elements.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the rolling elements are spherical.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, when the direction opposite to the first direction is defined as a fourth direction, the connector comprises a second transmission unit that transmits a force in the fourth direction applied to the shield shell to the connector body, and the second transmission unit is configured to be able to transmit the force in the fourth direction from the shield shell to the connector body when the shield shell is rotated around the rotation axis with respect to the connector body facing the first direction.

6. A connector as described in claim 5, wherein the connector main body comprises a housing having a flange portion on its outer periphery, and the second transmission portion comprises: a connecting member connected to the tip end of the shell main body portion in the fourth direction; and a locking member connected to the connecting member so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis and locking to the flange portion toward the fourth direction.

7. A connector as described in claim 6, wherein the locking member is annular and surrounds the connector body, the second transmission section comprises a pair of the connecting members, and the pair of connecting members are rotatably connected to both ends of the locking member in a direction along the rotation axis.

8. A connector assembly comprising: a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a mating connector provided on the fixing member and connected to the connector.

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