Patent Publication Number: US-10320119-B2

Title: Connector device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2017-157997 filed Aug. 18, 2017, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a connector device, for example, relates to a connector device which is attached to an electric car or a hybrid car to transmit electric power supplied from a power system. 
     This type of connector is disclosed in JP 2014-238929A (Patent Document 1), the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     As shown in  FIG. 21 , Patent Document 1 discloses a connector device  90  which comprises a first connector (connector)  910  and a second connector (mating connector)  950 . The connector  910  comprises a first housing (housing)  920  which holds a power terminal (not shown), a first detection housing (sub-housing)  930  which holds a detection terminal (not shown) and an operation member  940 . The mating connector  950  comprises a second housing (mating housing)  960 . The mating housing  960  holds a mating power terminal (not shown) connected to a power cable  982  and a mating detection terminal (not shown) connected to a detection signal cable  984 . 
     The operation member  940  is formed with a first cam groove  942 , a second cam groove  944  and a guide channel  948 . The housing  920  has a guide projection  928 , and the sub-housing  930  has a second cam projection  934 . The mating housing  960  has a first cam projection (not shown). 
     Under a state shown in  FIG. 21 , the first cam projection (not shown) of the mating housing  960  is received in the first cam groove  942  of the operation member  940 , and the guide projection  928  of the housing  920  is received in the guide channel  948  of the operation member  940 . When the operation member  940  is turned down under this state, the housing  920  is moved downward, and the power terminal (not shown) of the connector  910  is connected to the mating power terminal (not shown) of the mating connector  950 . Meanwhile, the second cam projection  934  of the sub-housing  930  is received in the second cam groove  944  of the operation member  940 . When the operation member  940  is subsequently slid leftward, the sub-housing  930  is moved downward, and the detection terminal (not shown) of the connector  910  is connected to the mating detection terminal (not shown) of the mating connector  950 . As a result, the connector device  90  transmits electric power supplied from a power system (not shown). 
     According to Patent Document 1, a cam mechanism including the second cam groove and the second cam projection is necessary in order to move the sub-housing relative to the mating housing. Such cam mechanism makes the structure of the connector complicated. Moreover, the operation member is required to have a part in which the second cam groove is formed, and the mating housing is required to have a space within which the sub housing is moved. Therefore, each of the connector and the mating connector might become large. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector comprising a sub-housing which is movable relative to a mating housing with no cam mechanism. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a connector device comprising a connector and a mating connector mateable with each other. The connector comprises a housing, a power terminal, a sub-housing and a detection terminal. The power terminal is held by the housing. The detection terminal is held by the sub-housing. The sub-housing is supported by the housing and is movable relative to the housing. The mating connector comprises a mating housing, a mating power terminal and a mating detection terminal. The mating power terminal and the mating detection terminal are held by the mating housing. The housing is formed with an axis portion. The mating housing is formed with a mating axis portion. One of the axis portion and the mating axis portion is a shaft, and a remaining one of the axis portion and the mating axis portion is a bearing. The shaft extends in an axial direction. Under a state where the shaft and the bearing are combined with each other, the housing is turnable about the shaft relative to the mating housing. A turn of the housing relative to the mating housing changes a state of the connector between an unconnected state and a connected state via an intermediate state. When the connector takes the unconnected state, the power terminal is unconnected to the mating power terminal, and the detection terminal is unconnected to the mating detection terminal. When the connector takes the intermediate state, the power terminal is connected to the mating power terminal, but the detection terminal is unconnected to the mating detection terminal. When the connector takes the connected state, the power terminal is connected to the mating power terminal, and the detection terminal is connected to the mating detection terminal. The sub-housing has a guided portion. The mating housing has a guide portion. While the state of the connector is changed from the intermediate state to the connected state, the guide portion guides the guided portion to move the sub-housing relative to the housing, so that the detection terminal is moved downward along an upper-lower direction perpendicular to the axial direction to be connected to the mating detection terminal. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, the sub-housing which holds the detection terminal is movable relative to the turnable housing. While the state of the connector is changed from the intermediate state to the connected state in accordance with the turn of the housing, the guide portion guides the guided portion to move the sub-housing relative to the housing. As a result, the detection terminal is moved downward along the upper-lower direction to be connected to the mating detection terminal. According to an aspect of the present invention, the sub-housing is movable relative to the mating housing with no cam mechanism. 
     An appreciation of the objectives of the present invention and a more complete understanding of its structure may be had by studying the following description of the preferred embodiment and by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a connector and a mating connector of a connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector is apart from the mating connector, and the mating connector is connected to a busbar. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view showing a sub-housing of the connector of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view showing the sub-housing of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded, perspective view showing the mating connector of  FIG. 1 , wherein mating detection terminals thereof are connected to signal cables, respectively, and held by a mating sub-housing. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view showing the mating detection terminal of the mating connector of  FIG. 5 , wherein the mating detection terminal is connected to the signal cable, and a part of the mating detection terminal (part enclosed by dashed line) is enlarged to be illustrated. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view showing the connector device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the connector takes an unconnected state, and hidden outlines of an axis portion, a guide recess, a mating axis portion and a guided projection are illustrated in dashed line. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view showing the connector device of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged, top view showing a part of the mating connector (part enclosed by dashed line A) of the connector device of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device of  FIG. 8 , taken along line B-B, wherein a part of the connector (part enclosed by dashed line) is enlarged to be illustrated. 
         FIG. 11  is another side view showing the connector device of  FIG. 7 , wherein the connector takes an intermediate state, and a hidden outlines of the mating axis portion, the guide recess and the guided projection are illustrated in dashed line. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view showing the connector device of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device of  FIG. 12 , taken along line C-C, wherein a part of the connector (part enclosed by chain dotted line) is enlarged to be illustrated, and in the enlarged view, hidden outlines of an opening of the mating sub-housing and the mating detection terminal are illustrated in dashed line together with an end of the detection terminal which is moved to an upper end of the opening. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device of  FIG. 12 , taken along line D-D, wherein a part of the connector (part enclosed by dashed line) is enlarged to be illustrated. 
         FIG. 15  is another side view showing the connector device of  FIG. 7 , wherein the connector takes a connected state. 
         FIG. 16  is a top view showing the connector device of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device of  FIG. 16 , taken along line E-E. 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device of  FIG. 16 , taken along line F-F. 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the sub-housing and the mating sub-housing of the connector device of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20A  and  FIG. 20B  are views each of which shows a positional relation among the guide portion, the guided portion, a movement regulation portion and a movement regulated portion of the connector device of  FIG. 13 , wherein the guided portion is brought into abutment with the guide portion, and positions of a sub-shaft and a sub-bearing are illustrated in dashed line. 
         FIG. 21  is a side view showing a connector device of Patent Document 1. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a connector device  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a connector  100  and a mating connector  400 . Referring to  FIG. 15 , the connector  100  and the mating connector  400  are mateable with each other. The mating connector  400  is attached to an object such as an electric car (not shown) and is connected between a power system (not shown) and a motor (not shown). 
     Hereafter, explanation is first made about a structure of the mating connector  400  and subsequently made about a structure of the connector  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 18 , the mating connector  400  comprises a mating housing  410  made of insulator, two mating power terminals  500  each made of metal, a mating sub-housing  600  made of insulator, two mating detection terminals  700  each made of metal, four eyelets  810  each made of elastomer and two nuts  820  each made of metal. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the mating housing  410  has two sidewalls  412 , a rear end portion  416 , a holding portion  418  and a flange  490 . The sidewalls  412  are located at opposite sides of the mating housing  410  in a lateral direction (Y-direction), respectively. Each of the sidewalls  412  extends along a first perpendicular plane (perpendicular plane: XZ-plane). The rear end portion  416  is located at a rear end, or the positive X-side end, of the mating housing  410  in a front-rear direction (X-direction). The rear end portion  416  extends along a second perpendicular plane (YZ-plane). The holding portion  418  is located at a middle part of the mating housing  410  in each of the X-direction and the Y-direction. The flange  490  is located at a lower end, or the negative Z-side end, of the mating housing  410  in an upper-lower direction (Z-direction). Referring to  FIG. 1 , the eyelets  810  are attached to the flange  490 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the mating housing  410  is formed with two mating axis portions (shafts)  420  and two guided projections  430 . The mating axis portions  420  are provided so as to correspond to the two sidewalls  412 , respectively, and are located at positions same as each other in each of the X-direction and the Z-direction. Each of the mating axis portions  420  is a shaft extending in an axial direction in parallel to the Y-direction. Each of the mating axis portions  420  is located in the vicinity of a front end, or the negative X-side end, of the corresponding sidewall  412  and extends inward in the Y-direction to the holding portion  418 . The guided projections  430  are provided so as to correspond to the two sidewalls  412 , respectively, and are located at positions same as each other in each of the X-direction and the Z-direction. Each of the guided projections  430  is a projection projecting inward in the Y-direction. The guided projections  430  are located between the mating axis portions (shafts)  420  and the rear end portion  416  in the X-direction. 
     The mating power terminals  500  have shapes same as each other. Each of the mating power terminals  500  has a body portion  510  and a connection portion  590 . The body portion  510  has a cylindrical shape extending in the Z-direction. The connection portion  590  extends outward in the Y-direction from a lower end of the body portion  510 . The body portion  510  is provided with four contact points  520 . Two of the contact points  520  face remaining two of the contact points  520  in the Y-direction, respectively. Each of the contact points  520  is supported by a spring portion to be movable in the Y-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 5 and 8 , the mating power terminals  500  are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the XZ-plane. Moreover, the mating power terminals  500  are held inside the holding portion  418  of the mating housing  410  and fixed thereto. Thus, each of the mating power terminals  500  is held by the mating housing  410  and is unmovable relative to the mating housing  410 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , each of the connection portions  590  of the mating power terminals  500  is connected to a busbar  892  by using a bolt  898  and the nut  820 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the mating sub-housing  600  has a rectangular column shape extending in the Z-direction. Referring to  FIG. 19 , the mating sub-housing  600  has two holding holes  610  which are formed therewithin and arranged in the Y-direction. Each of the holding holes  610  extends along the Z-direction and opens downward, or in the negative Z-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 19 , the mating sub-housing  600  has a peripheral wall  620  and a cover  630 . The peripheral wall  620  encloses the holding holes  610  in a horizontal plane (XY-plane). The cover  630  is located at an upper end, or the positive Z-side end, of the mating sub-housing  600 . The cover  630  is formed with two openings  632 . Each of the openings  632  is a space enclosed by four sloping surfaces and is gradually narrowed downward. The openings  632  correspond to the two holding holes  610 , respectively. Each of the openings  632  is connected to the corresponding holding hole  610  in the Z-direction. In other words, each of the holding holes  610  opens upward, or in the positive Z-direction, through the corresponding opening  632 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 19 , the mating detection terminals  700  have shapes same as each other. Each of the mating detection terminals  700  has a mating contact portion  710 . The mating contact portion  710  is located in the vicinity of an upper end of the mating detection terminal  700  and is supported by a spring portion to be movable in the Y-direction. Each of the mating detection terminals  700  has a lower end connected to a signal cable  894 . Referring to  FIG. 19 , the mating detection terminals  700  are arranged in the same orientation in the Y-direction. Moreover, the mating detection terminals  700  are held inside the holding holes  610  of the mating sub-housing  600 , respectively, to be fixed thereto. Thus, each of the mating detection terminals  700  is held by the mating sub-housing  600  and is unmovable relative to the mating sub-housing  600 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the mating housing  410  is formed with a receiving portion  440 . The receiving portion  440  is a space which is located rearward of the holding portion  418 . Referring to  FIG. 18 , the mating sub-housing  600  is received in the receiving portion  440  and is held by the mating housing  410  to be unmovable. Therefore, each of the mating detection terminals  700  is held by the mating housing  410  via the mating sub-housing  600  and is unmovable relative to the mating housing  410 . 
     In the present embodiment, the mating sub-housing  600  which holds the mating detection terminals  700  is a member separable from the mating housing  410 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the mating sub-housing  600  and the mating housing  410  may form a single member. More specifically, a part of the mating housing  410  may be formed to have a shape similar to that of the mating sub-housing  600  so that the mating detection terminals  700  are directly held by the mating housing  410 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 19 , the cover  630  of the mating sub-housing  600  covers the mating detection terminals  700  from above in the Z-direction. Nevertheless, the mating contact portions  710  of the mating detection terminals  700  are visible from above through the openings  632  of the cover  630 . In the present embodiment, the cover  630  is a part of the mating sub-housing  600 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the cover  630  may be a part of the mating housing  410 . In other words, the mating housing  410  may be provided with the cover  630  which covers the mating detection terminals  700  from above in the Z-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9, 10 and 18 , the mating housing  410  has two partition walls  460 . Each of the partition walls  460  has a flat-plate shape perpendicular to the Y-direction and extends in the Z-direction. The two partition walls  460  have shapes mirror symmetrical to each other with respect to the XZ-plane. The partition walls  460  are arranged in the Y-direction and sandwich the mating sub-housing  600  in the Y-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 13 , each of the partition walls  460  has a sloping surface  462 , a first wall surface (first regulation portion)  472  and a second wall surface (second regulation portion)  474 . Thus, the mating housing  410  has the two sloping surfaces  462 , the two first wall surfaces  472  and the two second wall surfaces  474 . The sloping surface  462  is a front part (negative X-side part) of an upper surface (positive Z-side surface) of the partition wall  460 . The sloping surface  462  extends forward, or in the negative X-direction, while sloping downward. In other words, the sloping surface  462  is oblique to the Z-direction. The first wall surface  472  is a front surface, or the negative X-side surface, of the partition wall  460  and extends downward from a front end of the sloping surface  462  along the Z-direction. The second wall surface  474  is a rear surface, or the positive X-side surface, of the partition wall  460  and extends downward from a rear end of the upper surface of the partition wall  460  along the Z-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 5 and 9 , the mating housing  410  has a facing wall surface (second regulation portion)  480 . The facing wall surface  480  is a rear surface of the holding portion  418 . The facing wall surface  480  extends along the Z-direction while being curved in the XY-plane. Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 13 , the facing wall surface  480  faces the two first wall surfaces  472  across a guide channel  452  in the X-direction. Each of the first wall surfaces  472  is located rearward of the facing wall surface  480  across the guide channel  452  and is located at a position same as that of a front surface of the peripheral wall  620  of the mating sub-housing  600  in the X-direction. Therefore, the first wall surfaces  472  are located forward of the mating detection terminals  700 . In contrast, the second wall surfaces  474  are located rearward of the mating detection terminals  700 . The guide channel  452  is a space which extends in the Z-direction and opens upward. In the X-direction, the guide channel  452  is located between the facing wall surface  480  and a series of surfaces consisting of the two first wall surfaces  472  and the front surface of the peripheral wall  620 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the connector  100  comprises a housing  110  made of insulator, a power terminal  200  made of metal, a sub-housing  300  made of insulator and a detection terminal  390  made of metal. The housing  110  has two side portions  112 . The side portions  112  are located at opposite sides of the housing  110  in the Y-direction, respectively. Each of the side portions  112  extends along the XZ-plane. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the housing  110  is formed with two axis portions (bearings)  120  and two guide recesses  130 . The axis portions  120  are provided so as to correspond to the two side portions  112 , respectively. Each of the axis portions  120  is a bearing which is a hole passing through the corresponding side portion  112  in the Y-direction. The two axis portions  120  are located at positions same as each other in each of the X-direction and the Z-direction. The guide recesses  130  are provided so as to correspond to the two side portions  112 , respectively. Each of the guide recesses  130  is a groove which is formed on the corresponding side portion  112  to be recessed inward in the Y-direction. Each of the guide recesses  130  has an arch-shape in the XZ-plane. The two guide recesses  130  are located at positions same as each other in each of the X-direction and the Z-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 7, 11 and 15 , under a combined state where the axis portions  120  and the mating axis portions  420  are combined with each other, the housing  110  is turnable about the shafts relative to the mating housing  410 . According to the present embodiment, each of the axis portions  120  of the housing  110  is the bearing, and each of the mating axis portions  420  of the mating housing  410  is the shaft. Thus, the housing  110  of the present embodiment is turnable about the mating axis portions  420 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the axis portions  120  may be a shaft, and each of the mating axis portions  420  may be a bearing. As described above, one of the axis portion  120  and the mating axis portion  420  may be a shaft and a remaining one of the axis portion  120  and the mating axis portion  420  may be a bearing. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7, 11 and 15 , each part of the connector  100  changes its position in the XZ-plane as the housing  110  is turned. The housing  110  is turned between an open position shown in  FIG. 7  and a close position shown in  FIG. 15  via an intermediate position shown in  FIG. 11 . In the following explanation, when necessary, a positional feature of each part of the connector  100  in the XZ-plane is specified by using “radial direction” and “circumference direction”. In the following explanation, the radial direction is a direction along a radius of an imaginary circle around the axis portion  120  (see  FIG. 1 ) in the XZ-plane, and the circumference direction is another direction along the circumference of the imaginary circle. In other words, each of the radial direction and the circumference direction is a direction about the shafts, or the axis portions  120  of the housing  110 . Each of the radial direction and the circumference direction is perpendicular to the Y-direction. In addition, the radial direction and the circumference direction are perpendicular to each other. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the housing  110  has a base portion  116  and an accommodation portion  140 . The base portion  116  is a part which is farthest from the axis portions  120  in the radial direction. The base portion  116  extends along a plane perpendicular to the radial direction. The accommodation portion  140  is located between the axis portions  120  and the base portion  116  of the housing  110  in the radial direction. Referring to  FIGS. 2, 7 and 10 , the accommodation portion  140  has a first wall  142 , a second wall  144  and two third walls  148 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the first wall  142  extends along a plane defined by the radial direction and the axial direction (Y-direction). In the accommodation portion  140 , the second wall  144  is farthest from the axis portions  120  in the radial direction. The second wall  144  extends along a plane perpendicular to the radial direction. The third walls  148  are located at opposite sides of the accommodation portion  140  in the Y-direction, respectively. Each of the third walls  148  extends along the XZ-plane. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 14 , the housing  110  is formed with two sub-bearings  150 . The sub-bearings  150  are provided so as to correspond to the two third walls  148 , respectively. The two sub-bearings  150  are located at positions same as each other in each of the X-direction and the Z-direction. In the present embodiment, each of the sub-bearings  150  is a hole which passes through the corresponding third wall  148  in the Y-direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the sub-bearings  150  may be a recess which is formed on an inner wall surface of the corresponding third wall  148 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the housing  110  has a first movement regulation portion  162  and a second movement regulation portion  164 . The first movement regulation portion  162  is an inner wall surface of the first wall  142  of the accommodation portion  140 . The first movement regulation portion  162  extends along a plane defined by the radial direction and the axial direction (Y-direction). The second movement regulation portion  164  is an inner wall surface of the second wall  144  of the accommodation portion  140 . The second movement regulation portion  164  extends along a plane perpendicular to the radial direction. The first movement regulation portion  162  is located in a plane perpendicular to the second movement regulation portion  164 . Moreover, the first movement regulation portion  162  is nearer to the axis portions  120  in the radial direction than the second movement regulation portion  164 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the power terminal  200  has a coupling portion  210  and two blades  220 . Each of the blades  220  extends along the XZ-plane. The coupling portion  210  couples the two blades  220  to each other in the Y-direction. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 10 , the power terminal  200  is held by the housing  110  so that the blades  220  are arranged in the Y-direction. The power terminal  200  is fixed to the housing  110  and is unmovable relative to the housing  110 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the sub-housing  300  has two side plates  340 . The side plates  340  are located at opposite sides of the sub-housing  300  in the Y-direction, respectively. Each of the side plates  340  extends along the XZ-plane. The sub-housing  300  is formed with two sub-shafts  350 . Each of the sub-shafts  350  is a shaft extending in parallel to the axial direction (Y-direction). The sub-shafts  350  are provided so as to correspond to the two side plates  340 , respectively, and are located at positions same as each other in each of the X-direction and the Z-direction. Each of the sub-shafts  350  has a circular shape in the XZ-plane and projects outward in the Y-direction from the corresponding side plate  340 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the sub-housing  300  is partially accommodated inside the accommodation portion  140  of the housing  110 . In detail, the sub-shafts  350  of the sub-housing  300  are inserted into the sub-bearings  150  of the accommodation portion  140 , respectively, so that the two side plates  340  are sandwiched between the two third walls  148  of the accommodation portion  140  in the Y-direction to receive inward spring forces in the Y-direction from the third walls  148 . The sub-housing  300  is supported by the housing  110 . In particular, the sub-housing  300  is supported only by the sub-bearings  150  except for the aforementioned spring forces. In addition, a gap is formed between the sub-housing  300  and an inner wall surface of the accommodation portion  140  in the XZ-plane. Therefore, the sub-housing  300  is movable relative to the housing  110  to some extent. In other words, the sub-bearings  150  receive the sub-shafts  350 , respectively, so that the sub-housing  300  is movable along the XZ-plane. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , each of the sub-bearings  150  is a long hole which extends long in the radial direction. Each of the circular sub-shafts  350  is movable inside the corresponding sub-bearing  150  along the radial direction and is rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise inside the corresponding sub-bearing  150 . Therefore, the sub-housing  300  is slidable along the sub-bearings  150  relative to the housing  110  and is pivotally movable about the sub-shafts  350  relative to the housing  110  in each of opposite pivoting directions. 
     As described above, the sub-housing  300  is supported by the housing  110  so as to be movable relative to the housing  110 . In particular, the sub-housing  300  of the present embodiment is swingingly movable along the XZ-plane but is almost unmovable in the Y-direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the sub-housing  300  may be only slidable along the sub-bearings  150 . In this case, each of the sub-bearings  150  may extend along the radial direction longer than that of the present embodiment, and each of the sub-shafts  350  may have a rounded rectangular shape in the XZ-plane. Instead, the sub-housing  300  may be movable along the XZ-plane and movable in the Y-direction to some extent. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10, 13 and 17 , each part of the sub-housing  300  changes its position in the XZ-plane as the sub-housing  300  is moved relative to the housing  110  except when the housing  110  is located at the close position, or the position shown in  FIG. 17 . Hereafter, referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , explanation is first made about a structure of the sub-housing  300  and the detection terminal  390  under a state where the housing  110  is located at the close position. Subsequently, explanation is made, by using the radial direction and the circumference direction, about a structure of the sub-housing  300  which holds the detection terminal  390  and is supported by the housing  110 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the sub-housing  300  has a rectangular cylindrical portion  310  and a terminal holding portion  360 . Under the illustrated state, the rectangular cylindrical portion  310  has a rectangular cylindrical shape which extends in the Z-direction and opens at a lower end thereof. The terminal holding portion  360  is located in the vicinity of an upper end of the rectangular cylindrical portion  310  and is enclosed by the rectangular cylindrical portion  310  in the XY-plane. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the terminal holding portion  360  is formed with a holding hole  362 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the sub-housing  300  has a front plate (guided portion)  320  and a rear plate  330  in addition to the side plates  340 . In the present embodiment, each of the front plate  320 , the rear plate  330  and the side plates  340  is a part of the rectangular cylindrical portion  310 . In detail, under the illustrated state, the front plate  320  is a front wall of the rectangular cylindrical portion  310 , and the rear plate  330  is a rear wall (positive X-side wall) of the rectangular cylindrical portion  310 . The side plates  340  are two sidewalls of the rectangular cylindrical portion  310 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the sub-housing  300  may have no side plate  340 . In this case, the sub-shafts  350  may be provided on the terminal holding portion  360 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the sub-housing  300  has two first movement regulated portions  342 , a first movement regulated portion  344  and a second movement regulated portion  346 . The first movement regulated portions  342  are provided so as to correspond to the two side plates  340 , respectively, and are located at positions same as each other in each of the X-direction and the Z-direction. Under the illustrated state, each of the first movement regulated portions  342  is a front part of an upper edge of the corresponding side plate  340  and is oblique to both the X-direction and the Z-direction. More specifically, each of the first movement regulated portions  342  extends forward while sloping downward. The first movement regulated portion  344  is a part of a rear surface of the rear plate  330  which is located in the vicinity of an upper end thereof and is oblique to both the X-direction and the Z-direction. More specifically, the first movement regulated portion  344  extends rearward, or in the positive X-direction, while sloping downward. The second movement regulated portion  346  is a lower part of the rear surface of the rear plate  330  which is located below the first movement regulated portion  344  and is perpendicular to the X-direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the detection terminal  390  has a held portion  392  and two contact portions  394 . The held portion  392  couples the two contact portions  394  to each other in the Y-direction. Under the illustrated state, each of the contact portions  394  linearly extends downward from the held portion  392 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the held portion  392  is press-fit into and held by the holding hole  362  of the sub-housing  300 . Thus, the detection terminal  390  is held by the sub-housing  300  so that the contact portions  394  are arranged in the Y-direction. The detection terminal  390  is fixed to the sub-housing  300  and is unmovable relative to the sub-housing  300 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 13 , under a state where the sub-housing  300  is supported by the housing  110 , regardless of the position of the housing  110 , the front plate  320  of the rectangular cylindrical portion  310  is nearer to the axis portions  120  in the radial direction than the detection terminal  390  and any other part of the rectangular cylindrical portion  310 . In contrast, the rear plate  330  of the rectangular cylindrical portion  310  is farther from the axis portions  120  in the radial direction than the detection terminal  390  and any other part of the rectangular cylindrical portion  310 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , each of the first movement regulated portions  342  of the sub-housing  300  is located in a plane intersecting with each of the first movement regulated portion  344  and the second movement regulated portion  346 . Moreover, each of the first movement regulated portions  342  is nearer to the axis portions  120  in the radial direction than the first movement regulated portion  344  and the second movement regulated portion  346 . 
     Hereafter, explanation is made about a mating operation in which the connector  100  is operated to be mated with the mating connector  400  and a removal operation in which the connector  100  is operated to be removed from the mating connector  400 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7, 11 and 15 , as previously described, when the axis portions  120  and the mating axis portions  420  are combined with each other, the housing  110  is turnable about the shafts, or the mating axis portions  420 , between the open position, or the position shown in  FIG. 7 , and the close position, or the position shown in  FIG. 11 , via the intermediate position, or the position shown in  FIG. 15 . In the following explanation, a state which the connector  100  takes when the housing  110  is located at the open position is referred to as “unconnected state”, and a state which the connector  100  takes when the housing  110  is located at the close position is referred to as “connected state”. In addition, a state which the connector  100  takes when the housing  110  is located at the intermediate position is referred to as “intermediate state”. Thus, a turn of the housing  110  relative to the mating housing  410  changes the state of the connector  100  between the unconnected state and the connected state via the intermediate state. 
     In the following explanation, when necessary, a positional feature of each part of the connector device  10  in the XZ-plane is specified by using a radial direction and a circumference direction about the mating axis portions  420 . The radial direction is a direction along a radius of an imaginary circle around the mating axis portions  420  in the XZ-plane, and the circumference direction is another direction along a circumference of the imaginary circle in the XZ-plane. In addition, in the following explanation, each of “clockwise turn” and “counterclockwise turn” specifies a turning direction of the connector  100  of the connector device  10  that is seen along the positive Y-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 7 to 10 , the connector  100 , which is in a standing posture relative to the mating connector  400 , is attached to the mating connector  400  along the negative Z-direction from above the mating connector  400 . This operation changes the state of the connector  100  from a separated state, in which the connector  100  is apart from the mating connector  400  as shown in  FIG. 1 , to the unconnected state in which the connector  100  is partially mated with the mating connector  400  as shown in  FIGS. 7 to 10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , when the connector  100  takes the unconnected state, the power terminal  200  is unconnected to the mating power terminals  500 . As can be seen from  FIGS. 10 and 13 , under the unconnected state, the detection terminal  390  is unconnected to the mating detection terminals  700 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 11 to 14 , when the housing  110  is turned clockwise about the mating axis portions  420  along the circumference direction, the guided projections  430  are moved in the guide recesses  130 , respectively, so that a part of the connector  100  that is located between the axis portions  120  and the base portion  116  is moved clockwise. As a result, the state of the connector  100  is changed from the unconnected state shown in  FIG. 7  to the intermediate state shown in  FIGS. 11 to 14 , and the connector  100  is temporarily maintained in the intermediate state by a temporal regulation mechanism  12  (see  FIG. 13 ) provided to the connector device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , when the connector  100  takes the intermediate state, the power terminal  200  is connected to the two mating power terminals  500  so that the mating power terminals  500  are connected with each other. In detail, each of the blades  220  of the power terminal  200  is inserted inside the body portion  510  of the corresponding mating power terminal  500 , to be sandwiched between the contact points  520  in the Y-direction and to be in contact with the contact points  520 . Under the intermediate state, the detection terminal  390  is unconnected to the mating detection terminals  700  so that the two signal cables  894  (see  FIG. 18 ) are unconnected with each other. As a result, the power system (not shown) makes control so that electric current does not flow through the busbar  892  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 15 to 18 , when the regulation of the temporal regulation mechanism  12  (see  FIG. 13 ) is released and the housing  110  is turned clockwise along the circumference direction, the state of the connector  100  is changed from the intermediate state shown in  FIG. 11  to the connected state shown in  FIGS. 15 to 18 . Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 17 , when the connector  100  takes the connected state, the housing  110  is located at the close position and cannot be turned clockwise beyond the close position. At that time, a maintenance mechanism  14  (see  FIG. 17 ) provided to the connector device  10  prevents a counterclockwise turn of the housing  110  and maintains the connected state of the connector  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , when the connector  100  takes the connected state, the power terminal  200  is connected to the two mating power terminals  500 . Referring to  FIG. 19 , under the connected state, the contact portions  394  of the detection terminal  390  pass through the openings  632  along the Z-direction, respectively, and are in contact with the mating contact portions  710  of the mating detection terminals  700 , respectively. Thus, the detection terminal  390  is connected to the two mating detection terminals  700  so that the mating detection terminals  700  are connected with each other. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , under the connected state, the sub-housing  300  is completely mated with the mating sub-housing  600 , so that the connector  100  is completely mated with the mating connector  400 . Under the connected state, the power system (not shown) makes control so that electric current flows through the busbar  892  (see  FIG. 1 ). Thus, when the connector  100  is completely mated with the mating connector  400 , the connector device  10  connects the power system and the motor (not shown) with each other so that the power system supplies electric current to the motor. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10, 13 and 17 , when the maintenance of the maintenance mechanism  14  (see  FIG. 17 ) is released and the housing  110  is turned counterclockwise along the circumference direction, the state of the connector  100  is changed from the connected state shown in  FIG. 17  to the unconnected state shown in  FIG. 10  via the intermediate state shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 17 , when the state of the connector  100  is changed from the connected state to the intermediate state, the power terminal  200  is kept to be connected to the mating power terminals  500 . In contrast, while the state of the connector  100  is thus-changed, the detection terminal  390  is disconnected from the mating detection terminals  700 . As a result, the power system (not shown) makes control so that the electric current supplied to the busbar  892  (see  FIG. 1 ) is stopped. Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 13 , while the state of the connector  100  is changed from the intermediate state to the unconnected state, the power terminal  200  is disconnected from the mating power terminals  500 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , when the connector  100  takes the unconnected state, the connector  100  is movable upward and is removable from the mating connector  400 . 
     As described above, the state of the connector  100  according to the present embodiment is changed between the unconnected state and the connected state via the intermediate state. Referring to  FIG. 13 , the intermediate state of the present embodiment can be defined as a temporarily maintained state of the connector  100  in which the state of the connector  100  is temporarily maintained by the temporal regulation mechanism  12 . However, the intermediate state is not limited to the temporarily maintained state. Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 13 , the power terminal  200  is already connected to the mating power terminals  500  when the housing  110  is turned to the position of  FIG. 13 . In other words, the power terminal  200  starts to be connected to the mating power terminals  500  while the housing  110  is turned from the open position of  FIG. 10  to the intermediate position of  FIG. 13 . For example, the intermediate state may be defined as a state of the connector  100  at a timing when the power terminal  200  starts to be connected to the mating power terminals  500 . Moreover, referring to  FIGS. 13 and 17 , each of the temporal regulation mechanism  12  and the maintenance mechanism  14  may be provided as necessary. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the mating housing  410  has a guide portion  450 . As described later, the guide portion  450  guides the sub-housing  300 , which is movable relative to the turnable housing  110 , and linearly moves the sub-housing  300  along the Z-direction. Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 14 , the housing  110  has a movement regulation portion  160 . The movement regulation portion  160  regulates a movement of the sub-housing  300  and defines a movable range of the sub-housing  300 . Hereafter, explanation is first made about the movement regulation portion  160  and subsequently made about the guide portion  450 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the movement regulation portion  160  of the housing  110  includes the first movement regulation portion  162  and the second movement regulation portion  164  which are previously described. For example, when the housing  110  and the sub-housing  300  are located at the positions shown in  FIG. 10 , the first movement regulation portion  162  faces the first movement regulated portions  342  with a slight gap therebetween in the circumference direction. In addition, the second movement regulation portion  164  faces the first movement regulated portion  344  and the second movement regulated portion  346  with a slight gap therebetween in the radial direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 13 , the first movement regulation portion  162  regulates a pivoting movement of the first movement regulated portions  342  about the sub-shafts  350  (see  FIG. 14 ) in a first direction, or a clockwise direction in  FIG. 10 , when the state of the connector  100  is between the unconnected state and the intermediate state. In addition, the second movement regulation portion  164  regulates a pivoting movement of the first movement regulated portion  344  in the first direction. More specifically, the sub-housing  300  is pivotally movable about the sub-shafts  350  to a first limit position in the first direction. The first limit position is a position at which the first movement regulated portion  342  is brought into contact with the first movement regulation portion  162  or at which the first movement regulated portion  344  is brought into contact with the second movement regulation portion  164 . The sub-housing  300  cannot be pivotally moved beyond the first limit position. 
     The second movement regulation portion  164  regulates a pivoting movement of the second movement regulated portion  346  about the sub-shafts  350  (see  FIG. 14 ) in a second direction, or a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 10 , when the state of the connector  100  is between the unconnected state and the intermediate state. More specifically, the sub-housing  300  is pivotally movable about the sub-shafts  350  in the second direction to a second limit position at which the second movement regulated portion  346  is brought into contact with the second movement regulation portion  164 . The sub-housing  300  cannot be pivotally moved beyond the second limit position. 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, each of the first movement regulation portion  162  and the second movement regulation portion  164  regulates a movement of the sub-housing  300  in the first direction in parallel to the XZ-plane. In addition, the second movement regulation portion  164  regulates another movement of the sub-housing  300  in the second direction which is in parallel to the XZ-plane but different from the first direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction is one of the opposite pivoting directions of the sub-housing  300  about the sub-shafts  350  (see  FIG. 14 ), and the second direction is a remaining one of the opposite pivoting directions of the sub-housing  300  about the sub-shafts  350 . 
     In the present embodiment, the first movement regulation portion  162  and the second movement regulation portion  164  of the movement regulation portion  160  define a movable range of the pivoting movement of the sub-housing  300 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , the movement regulation portion  160  includes the sub-bearings  150 . The sub-bearings  150  define another movable range of a sliding movement of the sub-housing  300  in the radial direction. The sub-housing  300  is movable within the movable range defined by the movement regulation portion  160  in the XZ-plane but cannot be moved beyond the movable range. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the movement regulation portion  160  according to the present embodiment consists of the first movement regulation portion  162 , the second movement regulation portion  164  and the sub-bearings  150 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the movement regulation portion  160  may be formed variously. For example, the second movement regulation portion  164  may regulate a sliding movement of the sub-housing  300  in an orientation away from the axis portions  120  in the radial direction. Moreover, the housing  110  may have, in addition to the sub-bearings  150 , a movement regulation portion which regulates another sliding movement of the sub-housing  300  in another orientation approaching the axis portions  120  in the radial direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the guide portion  450  of the mating housing  410  includes the sloping surfaces  462 , the first regulation portions (first wall surfaces)  472  and the second regulation portion (facing wall surface)  480 . The front plate  320  works as the guided portion  320  which is guided by the guide portion  450 . The aforementioned movement regulation portion  160  restricts the movable range of the sub-housing  300  relative to the housing  110  within a range within which the guide portion  450  can guide the guided portion  320 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 20A , in a case where the sub-housing  300  is located in the vicinity of the second limit position, an end of the front plate  320  of the sub-housing  300 , or a lower end of the front plate  320  illustrated in  FIG. 13 , is brought into contact with the sloping surfaces  462  while the state of the connector  100  is changed to the connected state. The sloping surfaces  462  slopes downward toward the guide channel  452 . Therefore, when the clockwise turn of the housing  110  is continued, the front plate  320  is guided to the guide channel  452 . In contrast, referring to  FIG. 20B , in another case where the sub-housing  300  is located in the vicinity of the first limit position, the front plate  320  of the sub-housing  300  is brought into contact with the facing wall surface  480  to be guided to the guide channel  452  while the state of the connector  100  is changed to the connected state. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13, 20A and 20B , in the present embodiment, while the state of the connector  100  is changed to the connected state, the front plate  320  is brought into contact with the sloping surfaces  462  or the facing wall surface  480  to be guided. In particular, the front plate  320  of the present embodiment is brought into contact with the sloping surfaces  462  or the facing wall surface  480  while the state of the connector  100  is changed from the unconnected state to the intermediate state. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the front plate  320  may be brought into contact with the sloping surfaces  462  or the facing wall surface  480  while the state of the connector  100  is changed from the intermediate state to the connected state. Moreover, the front plate  320  may be brought into contact with a sloping upper surface of the holding portion  418  to be guided to the guide channel  452 . Moreover, a part other than the front plate  320  may work as the guided portion. For example, the rear plate  330  may be designed to work as the guided portion. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 17 , when the clockwise turn of the housing  110  is continued, the front plate  320  which is guided to the guide channel  452  is moved downward inside the guide channel  452 . Thus, while the state of the connector  100  is changed from the intermediate state to the connected state, the front plate  320  is guided between the first wall surfaces  472  of the partition walls  460  and the facing wall surface  480  of the holding portion  418 . In the present embodiment, each of the first wall surfaces  472  works as the first regulation portion  472  and regulates a rearward movement of the sub-housing  300  while the state of the connector  100  is changed from the intermediate state to the connected state. On the other hand, the facing wall surface  480  works as the second regulation portion  480  and regulates a forward movement of the sub-housing  300  while the state of the connector  100  is changed from the intermediate state to the connected state. 
     In the present embodiment, each of the first regulation portions  472  and the second regulation portion  480  regulates the movement of the guided portion  320  in the X-direction mainly while the state of the connector  100  is changed from the intermediate state to the connected state. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the first regulation portions  472  and the second regulation portion  480  may regulate the movement of the guided portion  320  in the X-direction also while the state of the connector  100  is changed from the unconnected state to the intermediate state. Moreover, each of the first regulation portion and the second regulation portion may be a part other than the first wall surfaces  472  and the facing wall surface  480 , provided that each of the first regulation portion and the second regulation portion is located rearward of the mating axis portions  420 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , for example, the second wall surface  474  of each of the partition walls  460  may work as the second regulation portion  474 . In other words, the guide portion  450  may include the second regulation portions  474  instead of the second regulation portion  480  or in addition to the second regulation portion  480 . In this case, each of the second wall surfaces  474  may regulate a forward movement of the rear plate  330  of the sub-housing  300  while the state of the connector  100  is changed to the connected state. In the case where the second wall surfaces  474  regulate the movement of the rear plate  330 , an upper part of each of the second wall surfaces  474 , which is located above the mating sub-housing  600  in the Z-direction, is preferred to be a sloping surface which extends to a rear surface of the mating sub-housing  600  in the X-direction. In other words, a lower end of the upper part of each of the second wall surfaces  474  is preferred to be located at a position in the X-direction same as a position of an upper end of the rear surface of the mating sub-housing  600  in the X-direction. 
     The guide portion  450 , which includes the second wall surfaces  474  and the facing wall surface  480 , guides the guided portion  320  as described above while the state of the connector  100  is changed from the intermediate state to the connected state, so that ends of the detection terminal  390 , or lower ends of the contact portions  394  in  FIG. 13 , face the openings  632  in the Z-direction, respectively, and are then moved to the cover  630  of the sub-housing  300 . In detail, each of the ends of the detection terminal  390  faces a corresponding one of the openings  632  in the Z-direction when the each end of the detection terminal  390  is moved to be located at a position same as that of an upper end of the corresponding opening  632  in the Z-direction. At that time, the each end of the detection terminal  390  is located at a position almost same as that of a corresponding one of the mating detection terminals  700  in each of the X-direction and the Y-direction. In the present embodiment, the ends of the detection terminal  390  almost face the openings  632 , respectively, at a timing when the state of the connector  100  is just changed to the intermediate state. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The ends of the detection terminal  390  may face the openings  632 , respectively, only while the state of the connector  100  is changed from the intermediate state to the connected state. 
     The rectangular cylindrical portion  310  of the sub-housing  300  opens toward the mating detection terminals  700  in a clockwise direction along which the housing  110  is turned so that the state of the connector  100  is changed to the connected state. Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 17 , when the clockwise turn of the housing  110  shown in  FIG. 13  is continued, the rectangular cylindrical portion  310  is linearly moved downward along the Z-direction while enclosing the mating sub-housing  600  and the partition walls  460  in the XY-plane. In other words, the mating sub-housing  600  and the partition walls  460  as a whole guide the rectangular cylindrical portion  310  and convert a turning movement of the housing  110  into a linear movement of the sub-housing  300 . 
     As can be seen from  FIGS. 13, 17 and 18 , when the guided portion  320  is continuously guided by the guide portion  450 , the rectangular cylindrical portion  310  of the sub-housing  300  encloses the mating sub-housing  600  and the partition walls  460  in the XY-plane. Thereafter, the sub-housing  300  is moved downward along the Z-direction relative to the mating sub-housing  600 , while the sub-housing  300  is hardly moved in any of the X-direction and the Y-direction relative to the mating sub-housing  600 . However, the sub-housing  300  is slightly moved relative to the housing  110  in the X-direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , when the rectangular cylindrical portion  310  encloses the mating sub-housing  600  and the partition walls  460 , the ends of the detection terminal  390  face the openings  632 , respectively. Therefore, even if each of the ends of the detection terminal  390  is brought into abutment with one of the sloping surfaces of the corresponding opening  632 , the each end of the detection terminal  390  is guided to the corresponding holding hole  610  by the sloping surface. Thus, with no buckling due to abutment with the mating sub-housing  600 , the contact portions  394  of the detection terminal  390  are linearly moved downward, or toward the mating contact portions  710  of the mating detection terminals  700 , respectively, to be brought into contact with the mating contact portions  710 , respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , as described above, while the state of the connector  100  is changed from the intermediate state to the connected state, the guide portion  450  guides the guided portion  320  to move the sub-housing  300  relative to the housing  110 . As a result, the detection terminal  390  is moved downward along the Z-direction to be connected to the mating detection terminals  700 . According to the present invention, the sub-housing  300  is movable relative to the mating housing  410  with no cam mechanism. 
     The aforementioned present embodiment can be further variously modified in addition to the already explained modifications. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 19 , in the present embodiment, the detection terminal  390  is a pin terminal with the two contact portions  394  each having a pin-shape, and each of the mating detection terminals  700  is a socket terminal. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the detection terminal  390  may be a socket terminal, and each of the mating detection terminals  700  may be a pin terminal. 
     While there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.