CHARGING CONNECTOR

In a charging connector, contacts are divided into a first terminal group and a second terminal group. The first terminal group is located upward of the second terminal group. A housing has a first surrounding portion which protrudes from a main surface thereof and surrounds the first terminal group. A mating portion has an attaching portion, a second surrounding portion and an upper protection portion. The attaching portion is attached on the main surface of the housing. The attaching portion is provided with an opening which penetrates therethrough in the front-rear direction. The first surrounding portion of the housing extends forward through the opening. The second surrounding portion is located downward of the opening. The second surrounding portion protrudes forward from the attaching portion and surrounds the second terminal group. The upper protection portion is located upward of the opening and protrudes forward from the attaching portion.

BACKGROUND ART

This invention relates to a charging connector, particularly to a structure of the charging connector.

Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a charging connector.

As shown inFIG.15, a charging connector90of Patent Document 1 has a housing body92, a housing portion94and an attachment portion (a fitting portion)96. The housing portion94has plug-in elements941and943. The plug-in elements941and943correspond to contacts (not shown), respectively. The housing portion94is connected to the housing body92. On the other hand, the attachment portion96has plug-in portions961and963. The attachment portion96is attached to the housing body92.

As shown inFIG.15, the plug-in portion961of the attachment portion96surrounds the plug-in element941of the housing portion94. The plug-in portion963of the attachment portion96surrounds the plug-in element943of the housing portion94. When the charging connector90accidentally falls, the plug-in portions961and963of the attachment portion96prevent the plug-in elements941and943of the housing portion94from directly hitting against a floor or the ground. The attachment portion96is attached to the housing body92by using a fastening part98, so that it can be easily replaced even if it is broken by falling.Patent Document 1: Patent Document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 10,644,433 B2

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

When the charging connector90of Patent Document 1 is in conformity to the standard of Combined Charging System Type-1 (CCS1), an arrangement of the plug-in elements941and943(or contacts) must be decided by using the plug-in portions961and963as a reference. However, in the charging connector90of Patent Document 1, the housing portion94and the attachment portion96are distinct and separated from each other. Accordingly, the charging connector90of Patent Document 1 can have a problem of arrangement accuracy of the plug-in elements941and943(or the contacts) with respect to the plug-in portion961.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a charging connector with a structure which can ensure arrangement accuracy of terminal groups and allows a part easily broken by falling to be easily replaceable.

In detail, in a charging connector of an aspect of this invention, a part corresponding to the plug-in portion961of the charging connector90is provided to a part corresponding to the housing portion94, and a protection portion which receives a shock of the falling instead of the plug-in portion961is provided to the attachment portion96.

In more detail, a charging connector according to one aspect of the present invention is provided with a mating portion, a main portion and a body. The main portion comprises a plurality of contacts, which are respectively connectable to mating contacts of a mating connector, and a housing, which holds the contacts. The contacts are divided into a first terminal group and a second terminal group. The first terminal group is located upward of the second terminal group in an up-down direction. The housing has a main surface, which is oriented forward in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, and a first surrounding portion, which protrudes forward from the main surface in the front-rear direction and surrounds the first terminal group in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The body accommodates the main portion at least in part and holds the main portion. The mating portion is located forward of the body in the front-rear direction. The mating portion has an attaching portion, a second surrounding portion and an upper protection portion. The attaching portion is attached on the main surface of the housing. The attaching portion extends in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The attaching portion is provided with an opening which penetrates therethrough in the front-rear direction. The first surrounding portion of the housing extends forward through the opening. The second surrounding portion is located downward of the opening in the up-down direction. The second surrounding portion protrudes forward from the attaching portion in the front-rear direction and surrounds the second terminal group in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The upper protection portion is located upward of the opening in the up-down direction and protrudes forward from the attaching portion in the front-rear direction.

A mating portion according to another aspect of the present invention is a mating portion of a charging connector. The charging connector comprises a main portion. The main portion has a main surface, which is oriented forward in a front-rear direction, and a first surrounding portion, which protrudes forward from the main surface. The mating portion has an attaching portion, a second surrounding portion and an upper protection portion. The attaching portion is to be attached on the main surface of the main portion. The attaching portion extends in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The attaching portion is provided with an opening which penetrates therethrough in the front-rear direction. When the attaching portion is attached on the main surface of the main portion, the first surrounding portion of the main portion extends forward through the opening. The second surrounding portion is located downward of the opening in an up-down direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The second surrounding portion protrudes forward from the attaching portion in the front-rear direction. The upper protection portion is located upward of the opening in the up-down direction and protrudes forward from the attaching portion in the front-rear direction.

A mating portion according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a mating portion of a charging connector. The charging connector comprises a main portion and a body. The main portion comprises a plurality of contacts, which are respectively connectable to mating contacts of a mating connector, and a housing, which holds the contacts. The contacts are divided into a first terminal group and a second terminal group. The first terminal group is located upward of the second terminal group in an up-down direction. The housing has a main surface, which is oriented forward in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, and a first surrounding portion, which protrudes forward from the main surface in the front-rear direction and surrounds the first terminal group in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The body accommodates the main portion at least in part and holds the main portion. The mating portion is located forward of the body in the front-rear direction. The mating portion has an attaching portion, a second surrounding portion and an upper protection portion. The attaching portion is to be attached on the main surface of the housing. The attaching portion extends in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The attaching portion is provided with an opening which penetrates therethrough in the front-rear direction. When the attaching portion is attached on the main surface of the housing, the first surrounding portion of the housing extends forward through the opening. The second surrounding portion is located downward of the opening in the up-down direction. The second surrounding portion protrudes forward from the attaching portion in the front-rear direction and surrounds the second terminal group in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction when the attaching portion is attached on the main surface of the housing. The upper protection portion is located upward of the opening in the up-down direction and protrudes forward from the attaching portion in the front-rear direction.

In the charging connector according to the aspect of the present invention, the housing has the first surrounding portion which surrounds the first terminal group. The first surrounding portion extends forward through the opening provided in the mating portion. The mating portion has the second surrounding portion, which surrounds the second terminal group, and the upper protection portion. In the up-down direction, the second surrounding portion is located downward of the opening in the up-down direction while the upper protection portion is located upward of the opening.

In the aforementioned structure, the first surrounding portion is a part of the housing, so that it does not cause a problem regarding arrangement accuracy of the first terminal group and the second terminal group even when it is used as a reference for arrangement of the first terminal group and the second terminal group. Moreover, the upper protection portion and the second surrounding portion are located upward and downward of the first surrounding portion in the up-down direction, respectively, so that possibility of damage to the first surrounding portion caused by falling of the charging connector can be minimized. In addition, the upper protection portion and the second surrounding portion are parts of the mating portion, so that repairing for damage to them caused by falling of the charging connector can be finished by replacing the mating portion with another one.

The mating portion of the charging connector according to another aspect of the present invention makes it possible to use the first surrounding portion of the housing as a reference for arrangement of the first terminal group and the second terminal group and to secure positional accuracy of the terminal groups. The same is true for the mating portion of the charging connector according to yet another aspect of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a charging connector10according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a body20, a mating portion30and a main portion40. The charging connector10is connected to an end of a cable70. The charging connector10is mateable with and detachable from a mating connector (not shown) in a front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is a Y-direction. A negative Y-direction is directed forward while a positive Y-direction is directed rearward.

As shown inFIG.2, the body20has a first body portion22and a second body portion24which are separatable from each other in a lateral direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the lateral direction is an X-direction. As understood fromFIGS.2and4, the first body portion22and the second body portion24are fixed to each other by using a plurality of screws26.

As understood fromFIG.2, a front-end portion of the body20is provided with a plurality of elongated protrusion portions201. The elongated protrusion portions201protrude forward from a front surface203of the body20in the front-rear direction. Moreover, the elongated protrusion portions201are located inward of an outer edge of the front surface203of the body20in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

As understood fromFIG.2, the body20accommodates the main portion40at least in part and holds the main portion40. In the present embodiment, the body20accommodates the main portion40in part. In the present embodiment, the main portion40is all components of the charging connector10except for the body20and the mating portion30.

As shown inFIGS.1to4, the mating portion30is located forward of the body in the front-rear direction. In detail, the mating portion30is attached to the front-end portion of the body20. In a state that the mating portion30is attached to the body20, the mating portion30covers the main portion40in part from a front of the main portion40.

As shown inFIG.2, the mating portion30is fixed to the body20by using fastening members50. In other words, the charging connector10is further provided with the fastening members50which couple the mating portion30to the body20. The fastening members50couple the mating portion30to the body20. In the present embodiment, the fastening members50are four in number. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The number of the fastening member50should be one at least.

As understood fromFIG.2, in the present embodiment, each of the fastening members50is provided with a screw52and a nut54. The screw52has a head portion521and a shank portion523. In the present embodiment, the screw52is a pan head screw. The nut54is a square nut having a square shape when viewed along the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The screw52may be a screw52having a head portion521with a shape different from that of a pan head, for example, may be a mushroom head screw. Moreover, the nut54may be a nut54having a shape other than the square, for example, may be a rectangular nut. Nevertheless, it is preferable that the nut54is not a ring nut and a hexagon nut in terms of preventing rotation.

As shown inFIG.2, the body20has a plurality of nut holding portions (holding portions)204which hold the nuts54, respectively. The nut holding portions204are equal to the fastening members50in number. In the present embodiment, the number of the nut holding portions204is four. Each of the nut holding portions204has a nut accommodation portion which opens inward in the lateral direction. The nut54is inserted or press-fit into the nut accommodation portion and accommodated in the nut accommodation portion. Thus, the nut54is held by the nut holding portion204or the body20. Regarding the nut54held by the nut holding portion204, front-rear movement, outward movement in the lateral direction and rotational movement about an axis along the front-rear direction are regulated.

As understood fromFIGS.2and3, the main portion40is provided with a plurality of contacts42and a housing44which holds the contacts42. Each of the contacts42is connected to at least one of end portions of electric wires (not shown) included in the cable70. The contacts42correspond to mating contacts (not shown) provided in a mating connector (not shown), respectively. When the charging connector10and the mating connector are mated with each other, the contacts42are brought into contact with and electrically connected to the mating contacts, respectively.

As understood fromFIG.3, the contacts42are divided into a first terminal group421and a second terminal group423on the basis of intended use of them. Each of the contacts42has a shape and a size according to the intended use thereof. Herein, the description about the shape and the size of the contact42will be omitted. In the present embodiment, the number of the contacts42belonging to the first terminal group421is three. The number of the contacts42belonging to the second terminal group423is two. The first terminal group421is located upward of the second terminal group423in an up-down direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the lateral direction. In the present embodiment, the up-down direction is a Z-direction.

As shown inFIGS.5and6, the housing44has a partition wall441with a main surface (a front surface)4431, a plurality of covering portions461, a plurality of accommodation portions463and a first surrounding portion467. The partition wall441has a front portion443and a rear portion445which are integrally formed. In the front-rear direction, the front portion443is located forward of the rear portion445. Moreover, in the front-rear direction, the main surface4431is oriented forward while a rear surface4451of the rear portion445is oriented rearward. In a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the rear portion445protrudes outward of the front portion443except for parts thereof.

As understood fromFIG.3, the covering portions461correspond to the contacts42, respectively. As understood fromFIG.7, the covering portions461are divided into a first covering portion group4611and a second covering portion group4613which correspond to the first terminal group421and the second terminal group423, respectively. Moreover, as understood fromFIGS.7and8, the covering portions461correspond to the accommodation portions463, respectively. As understood fromFIGS.5and9, the covering portions461protrude forward from the main surface4431of the partition wall441in the front-rear direction.

As understood fromFIG.3, in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the contacts42are covered by the covering portions461. In addition, as understood fromFIG.1, in the front-rear direction, tips of the contacts42are covered by the covering portions461.

As shown inFIG.9, the first surrounding portion467protrudes forward from the main surface4431in the front-rear direction. Moreover, as shown inFIG.7, the first surrounding portion467surrounds the first covering portion group4611in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In other words, the first surrounding portion467surrounds the first terminal group421in the plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the first surrounding portion467has a cylindrical shape. In other words, the first surrounding portion467has a circular shape in the plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The first surrounding portion467has the circular shape, so that it is easy to use as a reference for arrangement of the covering portions461, and it is helpful to improve arrangement accuracy of the covering portions461.

As shown inFIGS.5and7, in the present embodiment, the housing44is provided with a base portion465. The base portion465is shared among the covering portions461of the second covering portion group4613. As shown inFIG.9, the base portion465protrudes forward from the main surface4431. As understood fromFIG.7, the base portion465has a specified shape other than the circular shape when viewed along the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the specified shape is a racetrack shape. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. As the specified shape of the base portion465, any shape other than the circular shape may be employed.

As shown inFIG.9, the accommodation portions463protrude rearward from the rear surface4451of the partition wall441. In the front-rear direction, an interior space of each of the covering portions461and an interior space of the accommodation portion463corresponding to the covering portions461communicate with each other. As shown inFIG.8, in the present embodiment, each of the accommodation portions463is coupled to one or more of the other accommodation portions463. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The accommodation portions463may be independent of one another.

As shown inFIGS.7and8, the partition wall441is formed with a plurality of holes447piercing therethrough in the front-rear direction. The holes447correspond to the fastening members50, respectively. The holes447are located near an edge portion of the partition wall441. An internal diameter of each of the holes447is larger than an external diameter of the shank523of the screw52of the fastening member (seeFIG.2). Moreover, the internal diameter of the hole447is equal to or larger than an internal diameter of an opening325, which will be described later, of the mating portion30.

As understood fromFIGS.6and8, the rear surface4451of the partition wall441is further provided with a falling prevention portion449protruding rearward. The falling prevention portion449is a plate-like portion extending in the lateral direction. The falling prevention portion449has side surfaces4491oriented outward in the lateral direction. Each of the side surfaces4491corresponds to any one of the holes447. When viewed along the front-rear direction, each of the side surfaces4491is oriented to the hole447corresponding thereto.

As shown inFIGS.2,10and11, the mating portion30has an attaching portion32, a second surrounding portion34, an edge portion36, an upper protection portion38, a plurality of first abutment portions3231and a plurality of receiving portions3211.

As understood fromFIGS.12to14, the attaching portion32extends in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The attaching portion32has a front surface321oriented forward in the front-rear direction and a rear surface (facing surface)323oriented rearward in the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIGS.12and13, the attaching portion32is provided with a first opening (opening)3271, a second opening3273and a third opening3275which pierce the attaching portion32in the front-rear direction. The first opening (opening)3271, the second opening3273and the third opening3275are arranged in a line in the up-down direction. The first opening3271is located between the second opening3273and the third opening3275in the up-down direction. The second opening3273is located downward of the first opening3271in the up-down direction. The third opening3275is located upward of the first opening3271in the up-down direction.

Referring toFIG.2in addition toFIGS.12and13, the first opening3271corresponds to the first surrounding portion467of the housing44. The second opening3273corresponds to the base portion465of the housing44. The third opening3275corresponds to a latch portion48of the main portion40.

As shown inFIGS.10and12, in the present embodiment, the first opening3271has a circular shape when viewed along the front-rear direction. The second opening3273has a racetrack shape. The third opening3275has a roughly T-shape.

As shown inFIGS.10and12, the second surrounding portion34is located downward of the first opening3271in the up-down direction and protrudes forward from the attaching portion32in the front-rear direction. In detail, the second surrounding portion34corresponds to the second opening3273and is a cylindrical portion protruding forward from an edge of the second opening3273.

As understood fromFIGS.7and12, the second opening3273and the second surrounding portion34have shapes corresponding to the base portion465of the housing44(seeFIG.7). As described above, in the present embodiment, the second opening3273has the racetrack shape when viewed along the front-rear direction. A shape of the second surrounding portion34is similar to the shape of the second opening3273when viewed along the front-rear direction and has a racetrack shape. The second opening3273and the second surrounding portion34can receive the base portion465at least in part.

As shown inFIGS.10and12, the upper protection portion38has a plate-like shape perpendicular to the up-down direction. The upper protection portion38is located upward of the first opening3271in the up-down direction. The upper protection portion38is supported by a pair of supporting portions381intersecting with the up-down direction. The supporting portions381are located outward of the first opening3271in the lateral direction. The upper protection portion38and the supporting portions381protrude forward from the attaching portion32in the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIGS.12and13, the attaching portion32is further formed with a plurality of holes325piercing the attaching portion32in the front-rear direction. These holes325correspond to the screws52of the fastening members50, respectively. The holes325also correspond to the holes447(seeFIGS.7and8), respectively, which are formed in the housing44. An internal diameter of each of the holes325is larger than the external diameter of the shank523of the screw52(seeFIG.2) but smaller than an external diameter of the head portion521of the screw52(seeFIG.2). Moreover, the internal diameter of the hole325is equal to or smaller than the internal diameter of the hole447of the housing44.

As shown inFIG.12, the receiving portions3211correspond to the holes325, respectively. Each of the receiving portions3211is recessed rearward from the front surface321of the attaching portion32. An internal diameter of the receiving portion3211is larger than the internal diameter of the hole325. Moreover, the internal diameter of the receiving portion3211is slightly larger than the external diameter of the head portion521of the screw52of the fastening member50(seeFIG.2). The receiving portions3211receive the head portions521of the screws52of the fastening members50when the mating portion30is coupled to the body20(seeFIG.2).

As shown inFIGS.11and13, the edge portion36extends along an edge of the rear surface323of the attaching portion32and protrudes rearward.

As understood fromFIGS.11and13, each of the first abutment portions3231is provided on the rear surface323of the attaching portion32. In the present embodiment, the first abutment portions3231correspond to the holes325, respectively. As described later, the first abutment portions3231abut on second abutment portions4433provided to the housing44(seeFIG.7). When viewed along the front-rear direction, each of the first abutment portions3231has a ring shape. The first abutment portion3231protrudes rearward from the rear surface323. The first abutment portion3231surrounds the hole325corresponding thereto. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first abutment portions3231may not correspond to the holes325. Moreover, the number of the first abutment portions3231should be at least three.

Referring again toFIG.2, the main portion40is further provided with the latch portion48. The latch portion48latches mating of the charging connector10to the mating connector (not shown) when the charging connector10is mated with the mating connector. However, in the present invention, the latch portion48is not essential. In a case where the latch portion48is absent, the third opening3275of the mating portion30is unnecessary.

As understood fromFIGS.1and2, when the housing44is held by the body20, and the mating portion30is coupled to the body20, the latch portion48protrudes forward from the main surface4431of the housing44and further protrudes forward from the attaching portion32of the mating portion30in the front-rear direction. In detail, the latch portion48passes over the housing44and through the third opening3275of the mating portion30to protrude forward.

As shown inFIGS.1,3and4, the upper protection portion38is located upward of the latch portion48in the up-down direction and protects the latch portion48. With this structure, when the charging connector10accidentally falls, damage to the latch portion48can be prevented.

As shown inFIG.1, when the housing44is held by the body20, and the mating portion30is coupled to the body20, the attaching portion32of the mating portion30is attached onto the main surface4431of the housing44. The first surrounding portion467of the housing44extends forward through the first opening3271of the mating portion30. The first surrounding portion467is located between the upper protection portion38and the second surrounding portion34in the up-down direction. Accordingly, when the charging connector10accidentally falls, damage to the first surrounding portion467can be prevented. In detail, the upper protection portion38mainly protects an upper side of the first surrounding portion467, and the second surrounding portion34mainly protects a lower side of the first surrounding portion467. Thus, the upper protection portion38protects not only the latch portion48but also the first surrounding portion467. Therefore, even when the charging connector10does not have the latch portion48, the upper protection portion38is necessary.

As understood fromFIGS.1and2, when the housing44is held by the body20, and the mating portion30is coupled to the body20, the second covering portion group4613is inserted into the second surrounding portion34. Moreover, the base portion465is fit into the second surrounding portion34. Since the base portion465is fit into the second surrounding portion34, rotational movement of the mating portion with respect to the housing44can be prevented even when the shape of the first surrounding portion467and the shape of the first opening3271are circular shapes.

As shown inFIG.3, the second surrounding portion34surrounds the second covering portion group4613in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In other words, the second surrounding portion34surrounds the second terminal group423in the plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Moreover, as understood fromFIG.4, the second covering portion group4613is located inward of the second surrounding portion34in the front-rear direction. Thus, the second surrounding portion34protects the second covering portion group4613and the second terminal group423. As a result, when the charging connector10accidentally falls, damage to both the second covering portion group4613and the second terminal group423can be prevented by the second surrounding portion34.

As understood from the description mentioned above, it is highly possible that damage caused by falling of the charging connector10occurs on the mating portion30. This means that it is highly possible that repairing of the charging connector10damaged is finished by only replacing the mating portion30. Here, the first surrounding portion467and the covering portions461are provided to the housing44. Accordingly, replacing of the mating portion30does not change an arrangement of the first surrounding portion467and the covering portions461. Therefore, arrangement accuracy of the first terminal group421and the second terminal group423which uses the first surrounding portion467as an arrangement reference can be maintained at a high level.

Hereinafter, further description will be made about holding of the housing44by the body20and coupling of the mating portion30to the body20.

As understood fromFIGS.2,5and6, when the housing44is held by the body the rear portion445of the partition wall441of the housing44is located rearward of the elongated protrusion portions201of the body20and located forward of the nut holding portions204. In the front-rear direction, a position of the main surface4431of the partition wall441is identical with or located rearward of that of a front surface of the elongated protrusion portions201of the body20.

As shown inFIGS.6and8, the housing44has first contact portions4453oriented rearward. Moreover, as shown inFIG.2, the body20has second contact portions2041oriented forward. When the housing44is held by the body20, the first contact portions4453and the second contact portions2041face and are brought into contact with each other. With this structure, rearward movement of the housing44with respect to the body20is regulated. In other words, the first contact portions4453and the second contact portions2041position the housing44with respect to the body in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the second contact portions2041are parts of front surfaces of the nut holding portions204. Moreover, the first contact portions4453are sections which are parts of the rear surface4451of the partition wall441and face the second contact portions2041in the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first contact portions4453may be protrusions which protrude rearward in the front-rear direction. In that case, the second contact portions2041may be parts of the front surfaces of the nut holding portions204or protrusions.

As understood fromFIG.2, before the housing44is held by the body20, the nuts54are inserted or press-fit into the nut accommodation portions of the nut holding portions204of the body20, respectively. When the housing44is held by the body20, each of the side surfaces4491of the falling prevention portion449faces a side surface of any one of the nuts54but is apart from a side surface of the nut54. With this structure, some of the nuts54can be prevented from falling away from the nut holding portions204. In the present embodiment, two of the nuts54can be prevented from falling away from the nut holding portions204.

As understood fromFIGS.1and2, the mating portion30is attached to the body20and the main portion40from the front of them. In the meantime, the elongated protrusion portions201of the body20are located inward of the edge portion36of the mating portion30in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIGS.5and7, the second abutment portions4433are provided onto the main surface4431of the housing44. The second abutment portions4433are sections which are parts of the main surface4431and correspond to the first contact portions3231of the mating portion30, respectively.

As understood fromFIGS.2,5and11, when the housing44is held by the body20, and the mating portion30is coupled to the body20by the fastening members50, each of the first abutment portions3231and the second abutment portion4433corresponding thereto abut on each other. As a result, positioning of the mating portion30with respect to the body20is made in the front-rear direction. Then, the main surface4431of the housing44faces the rear surface323of the mating portion30but is apart from the rear surface323in the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Parts of the front surfaces of the elongated protrusion portions201of the body20may be used as second abutment portions in place of the second abutment portions4433. In that case, the first abutment portions3231may not surround the holes325, respectively. For example, each of the first abutment portions3231may be a protrusion with a square shape. Alternatively, protrusions protruding forward may be provided on the front surfaces of the elongated protrusion portions201to use as the second abutment portions. At any rate, at least one portions of the first abutment portions3231and the second abutment portions4433should protrude in the front-rear direction. When at least one portions of the first abutment portions3231and the second abutment portions4433protrude in the front-rear direction, the rear surface323of the mating portion30and the main surface4431of the housing44face each other but are apart from each other in the front-rear direction. In other words, in the state that the mating portion30is coupled to the body the housing44is not in direct contact with the mating portion30. With this structure, when the charging connector10falls, impact on the housing44can be suppressed.

As understood fromFIG.2, the fastening members50couple the mating portion30to the body20. At this time, the head portions521of the screws52of the fastening members50are received by the receiving portions3211of the mating portion30. Accordingly, the head portions521of the screws52are not in direct contact with the housing44. Moreover, the internal diameter of the hole447of the housing44is larger than the external diameter of the shank523of the screw52. Accordingly, the shank523of the screw52is not normally in direct contact with the housing44. In other words, the housing44is normally located apart from the shank523. Even in a case where the shank523is brought into contact with the housing44, when viewed along the front-rear direction, the shank523is merely inscribed in an inner wall of the hole447, and there is a space between the shank523and the inner wall of the hole447. Furthermore, the nuts54are held by the body20but apart from the falling prevention portion449. Accordingly, the nuts54are not in direct contact with the housing44. Thus, the fastening members50couple the mating portion30to the body20without contact with the housing44at least in the front-rear direction. With this structure, when the charging connector10accidentally falls, transmission of impact received by the body20or the mating portion30to the housing44can be prevented or suppressed. As a result, damage of the main portion40which is caused by falling of the charging connector10, or damage of the latch portion48, the housing44and the contacts42thereupon is prevented or suppressed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The fastening members50may couple the mating portion30to the main portion40. Nevertheless, it is preferable that the mating portion30is coupled to the body20so that damage to the main portion40is prevented or suppressed.

Although the specific explanation about the present invention is made above referring to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto but susceptible of various modifications and alternative forms. For example, the housing44may have recess portions in place of the holes447. Here, the recess portions are vacant areas of the partition wall441in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. A size of each of the recess portions is set so that the housing44is apart from the shanks523of the screws52when the mating portion30is attached to the body20(seeFIG.2) by use of the fastening members50(seeFIG.2). With this structure, the fastening members50can couple the mating portion30to the body20by passing through the recess portions without contact with the housing44.