Patent Publication Number: US-11646508-B2

Title: Connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-107780 filed in Japan on Jun. 23, 2020. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a connector. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, there has been a connector including a terminal and a nut. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-243636 discloses a connector including a housing having a terminal insertion hole, a terminal inserted into the terminal insertion hole, and a fastening nut fastening and fixing a mating terminal to the terminal. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-243636, a fastening hole is formed in an end portion of the terminal. 
     Here, if the position of the nut with respect to the terminal deviates from a normal position, workability during fastening work is decreased. It is desired to position the nut at the normal position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of positioning a nut at a normal position. 
     In order to achieve the above mentioned object, a connector according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plate-shaped conductor having a through hole through which a fastening member is inserted; a housing holding the conductor and having an abutment surface; a nut having a screw hole into which the fastening member is screwed, and fixed to the housing along a first direction that is a direction in which the conductor extends; a support member configured to be fixed to the housing and restrict the nut from failing off the housing; and a holding structure configured to hold the nut, wherein the abutment surface is a surface configured to position the screw hole concentric with the through hole in a state where a side surface of the nut abuts the abutment surface, and the holding structure holds the nut in a state where the side surface of the nut abuts the abutment surface. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, in the connector, it is preferable that the holding structure has a holding recess provided in the housing and recessed in the first direction to make the nut be press-fitted into the holding recess, and the abutment surface is positioned deep in the holding recess. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the connector, it is preferable that the holding structure has a rib that is provided on a wall surface of the holding recess along the first direction and is configured to be squashed by the nut when the nut is press-fitted into the holding recess. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the connector, it is preferable that the support member has a support piece configured to support the nut, and is configured to be fixed to the housing in a state where the nut is supported by the support piece. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the connector, it is preferable that side surfaces of the nut include a first side surface abutting the abutment surface, the first side surface has a larger width than a width of the abutment surface, the support piece include first support pieces facing end portions of the first side surface in the first direction and supporting the first side surface, and the housing has accommodation recesses adjacent to the abutment surface and configured to accommodate the first support pieces. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the connector, it is preferable that side surfaces of the nut include a first side surface abutting the abutment surface and a second side surface facing opposite to the first side surface, the support piece include a second support piece facing the second side surface, and the second support piece is configured to support the nut such that a part of the second side surface is exposed. 
     The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a view illustrating an arrangement example of a connector according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a conductor according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    is a plan view of a housing and the conductor according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of the housing and the conductor according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the housing according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of the housing according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a support member according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  10    is a plan view of the support member according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of the support member and a nut according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of the support member and the nut according co the embodiment; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of the support member and the nut according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view relating to a process of placing the nut; 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view relating to a first insertion process; 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view relating to a second insertion process; 
         FIG.  17    is a cross-sectional view relating to a process of pushing-in a seal member; 
         FIG.  18    is a cross-sectional view relating to an engagement process; 
         FIG.  19    is a cross-sectional view relating to a holding structure of the embodiment; 
         FIG.  20    is a cross-sectional view for explaining accommodation recesses according to the embodiment; and 
         FIG.  21    is a cross-sectional view relating to a fastening process of the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by the embodiment. In addition, components in the following embodiment include components that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or components that are substantially identical thereto. 
     Embodiment 
     An embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  21   . The present embodiment relates to a connector.  FIG.  1    is a view illustrating an arrangement example of a connector according to the embodiment,  FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment,  FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment,  FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a conductor according to the embodiment,  FIG.  5    is a plan view of a housing and the conductor according to the embodiment,  FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of the housing and the conductor according to the embodiment,  FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the housing according to the embodiment,  FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of the housing according to the embodiment,  FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a support member according to the embodiment, and  FIG.  10    is a plan view of the support member according to the embodiment. 
       FIG.  11    is a perspective view of the support member and a nut according to the embodiment,  FIG.  12    is a perspective view of the support member and the nut according to the embodiment,  FIG.  13    is a perspective view of the support member and the nut according to the embodiment,  FIG.  14    is a perspective view relating to a process of placing the nut,  FIG.  15    is a perspective view relating to a first insertion process,  FIG.  16    is a perspective view relating to a second insertion process,  FIG.  17    is a cross-sectional view relating to a process of pushing-in a seal member,  FIG.  18    is a cross-sectional view relating to an engagement process,  FIG.  19    is a cross-sectional view relating to a holding structure of the embodiment,  FIG.  20    is a cross-sectional view for explaining accommodation recesses according to the embodiment, and  FIG.  21    is a cross-sectional view relating to a fastening process of the embodiment. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a cross section taken along line VI-VI of  FIG.  5   .  FIG.  8    illustrates a cross section taken along line VIII-VIII of  FIG.  7   .  FIGS.  17  and  18    illustrate cross sections at the same position as  FIG.  6   .  FIG.  19    illustrates a cross section taken along line IXX-IXX of  FIG.  18   .  FIG.  20    illustrates a cross section taken along line XX-XX of  FIG.  19   . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , a connector  1  according to the present embodiment electrically connects a first device  100  and a second device  200  to each other. The first device  100  and the second device  200  are, for example, devices mounted on a vehicle. In the present embodiment, the first device  100  is a motor, and the second device  200  is an inverter. The first device  100  includes a case  101  and a motor main body  102 . The second device  200  includes a case  201  and an inverter main body  202 . An opening  101   a  is formed in an upper portion of the case  101 . An opening  201   a  facing the opening  101   a  is formed in a lower portion of the case  201 . The connector  1  is disposed in a communicating portion  10  where the opening  101   a  and the opening  201   a  communicate with each other. The connector  1  is fixed to, for example, the case  101  of the first device  100 . A conductor  3  of the connector  1  has a first terminal portion  31  connected to the motor main body  102 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1  to  3   , the connector  1  includes a housing  2 , the conductor  3 , a seal member  4 , a support member  5 , and a nut  6 . In the present embodiment, the conductor  3 , which is a plate-shaped metal conductor, is a so-called bus bar. The connector  1  includes, for example, a plurality of conductors  3 . The seal member  4  is a packing that seals between the conductor  3  and the housing  2 . The support member  5  is attached and fixed to the housing  2  in a state where the support member  5  holds the nut  6 . The support member  5  has a function as a jig pushing-in the seal member  4  to a predetermined position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the conductor  3  includes the first terminal portion  31 , a second terminal portion  32 , and a second nut  33 . The first terminal portion  31  is connected to the motor main body  102 . The first terminal portion  31  has a rectangular flat plate shape. The first terminal portion  31  has a through hole  31   a  through which a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted. The through hole  31   a  is disposed, for example, in a distal end portion of the first terminal portion  31 . 
     The second terminal portion  32  connected to the inverter main body  202 . The second terminal portion  32  has a flat plate shape. The conductor  3  as illustrated is bent between the first terminal portion  31  and the second terminal portion  32 . The second nut  33  is fixed to the second terminal portion  32 . A terminal of the inverter main body  202  is fastened together with the second terminal portion  32  by a fastening member such as a bolt. 
     In the following description, a direction in which the first terminal portion  31  extends will be referred to as “the first direction X”. In addition, a width direction of the first terminal portion  31  will be referred to as “the second direction Y”. In addition, a plate thickness direction of the first terminal portion  31  will be referred to as “the third direction Z”. The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are orthogonal to each other. As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , etc., the plurality of conductors  3  are arranged in the second direction Y. The connector  1  is mounted on the vehicle, for example, so that the first terminal portion  31  extends in a vertical direction of the vehicle. In this case, the first terminal portion  31  protrudes downward from the housing  2 . 
     The housing  2  is a member holding the conductor  3 . The housing  2  is formed of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. In the present embodiment, the housing  2  is integrally formed with the plurality of conductors  3 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  5  to  7   , the housing  2  has a main body  20  and a protruding portion  21 . The main body  20  and the protruding portion  21  are integrally formed. It should be noted that illustration of the conductor  3  is omitted in  FIG.  7    to make it easy to understand the configuration of the protruding portion  21 . 
     The main body  20  is a portion holding the conductor  3 . The main body  20  is fixed to the case  101  of the first device  100  and supported by the case  101 . The protruding portion  21  protrudes from the main body  20 . The first terminal portion  31  is exposed to an external space from the main body  20  through the protruding portion  21 . The second terminal portion  32  protrudes from the main body  20  in a direction opposite to the direction in which the protruding portion  21  protrudes. The housing  2  has one protruding portion  21  for one conductor  3 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  5  to  7   , the protruding portion  21  includes a cylindrical portion  22  and a holding portion  23 . The cylindrical portion  22  is a proximal portion of the protruding portion  21 . That is, the cylindrical portion  22  connected to the main body  20 . The cylindrical portion  22  has a cylindrical shape. As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , a proximal end of the cylindrical portion  22  closed by the main body  20 . The cylindrical portion  22  has a recess  27  surrounding the first terminal portion  31 . The seal member  4  is pushed into the recess  27  to seal between the first terminal portion  31  and the housing  2 . 
     The cylindrical portion  22  has a bottom, and is open only a side of the holding portion  23 . When viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the first direction X, the cylindrical portion  22  has, for example, an oval shape. The cylindrical portion  22  surrounds a proximal portion of the first terminal portion  31 . The distal end portion of the first terminal portion  31  protrudes from the cylindrical portion  22 . An annular gap  22   c  is provided between an inner circumferential surface  22   b  of the cylindrical portion  22  and the first terminal portion  31  for the seal member  4  to be inserted thereinto. 
     The holding portion  23  protrudes from a distal end  22   a  of the cylindrical portion  22  in the first direction X. The holding portion  23  is configured to hold the nut  6 , as will be described below. The holding portion  23  has a semi-cylindrical shape. The holding portion  23  has a holding recess  24  extending in the first direction X. The holding recess  24  is recessed in the first direction X from a distal end  23   a  of the holding portion  23  toward the cylindrical portion  22 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the holding recess  24  has an approximately rectangular cross-sectional shape. More specifically, the holding recess  24  has a pair of first wall surfaces  24   b  and  24   b  extending in the first direction X and a second wall surface  24   c  extending in the first direction X. The pair of first wall surfaces  24   b  and  24   b  faces each other in the second direction Y. The second wall surface  24   c  is a wall surface facing the third direction Z, and connects the pair of first wall surfaces  24   b  and  24   b  to each other. The pair of first wall surfaces  24   b  and  24   b  and the second wall surface  24   c  form a guide groove having an approximately rectangular cross-sectional shape. The holding recess  24  guides the support member  5  along the first direction X. 
     The second wall surface  24   c  is provided with a groove  24   d  extending in the first direction X. The groove  24   d  guides a second support piece  54  of the support member  5 . 
     The holding recess  24  has a through hole  24   a . The through hole  24   a  is disposed to be concentric with the through hole  31   a  of the conductor  3 . The through hole  24   a  penetrates through a wall of the holding recess  24  in the third direction Z. The through hole  24   a  is open in the second wall surface  24   c . An abutment surface  25  is provided deep in the first direction X in the holding recess  24 . The abutment surface  25  is a position determining surface for determining a position of the nut  6  in the first direction X. The abutment surface  25  is a surface facing to the distal end  23   a  of the holding portion  23 , and is, for example, orthogonal to the first direction X. 
     The holding portion  23  has accommodation recesses  26 . The accommodation recesses  26  are adjacent to the abutment surface  25 . The accommodation recesses  26  are portions accommodating first support pieces  53  of the support member  5 . The accommodation recesses  26  are provided on both sides of the abutment surface  25  in the second direction Y, respectively. The accommodation recesses  26  are recessed with respect to the abutment surface  25  in the first direction X toward the cylindrical portion  22 . 
     A linear rib  24   e  is provided on each of the pair of first wall surfaces  24   b  and  24   b . The rib  24   e  is positioned deep in the first direction X on the first wall surface  24   b . The rib  24   e  is a squashy rib extending in the first direction X. The rib  24   e  is squashed by the nut  6  when the nut  6  is press-fitted into the holding recess  24 . The two ribs  24   e  face each other in the second direction Y. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , etc., the holding portion  23  has a locking surface  23   b  locking the support member  5 . The locking surface  23   b  is positioned closer to the cylindrical portion  22  than the abutment surface  25 . As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the locking surface  23   b  is a wall surface in a through hole  23   c  positioned in the vicinity of the abutment surface  25 . The through hole  23   c  penetrates through the holding portion  23  in the third direction Z. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  9  to  13   , the support member  5  includes a main body  50 , an annular portion  51 , a lock arm  52 , a pair of first support pieces  53  and  53 , and the second support piece  54 . The main body  50 , the annular portion  51 , the lock arm  52 , the first support pieces  53  and  53 , and the second support piece  54  are integrally formed of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. When viewed in a plan view, the main body  50  has a rectangular frame shape. The main body  50  has an opening  50   a  allowing the nut  6  to pass therethrough. The opening  50   a  has a rectangular shape. 
     The annular portion  51  is a portion configured to push the seal member  4  into the gap  22   c  between the housing  2  and the conductor  3  and support the seal member  4 . The annular portion  51  protrudes from one side of the main body  50 . The annular portion  51  has a through hole  51   a  through which the first terminal portion  31  is inserted. The annular portion  51  has a flat annular shape or a cylindrical shape. The through hole  51   a  has an elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape. A distal end surface of the annular portion is a support surface  55  pressing the seal member  4 . The support surface  55  has an elongated annular shape corresponding to the shape of the seal member  4 . 
     The first support pieces  53  and the second support piece  54  are piece portions supporting the nut  6 . In the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG.  11   , the nut  6  is a quadrangular nut having a rectangular shape when viewed in a plan view. The first support pieces  53  are straight line-shaped piece portions supporting a first side surface  61  of the nut  6 . The first side surface  61  is a side surface abutting against the abutment surface  25  of the housing  2 . The first support pieces  53  protrude from a front end  50   b  of the opening  50   a  in the third direction Z. The front end  50   b  is an end portion located on a front side in an insertion direction when the support member  5  is inserted into the housing  2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , the pair of first support pieces  53  and  53  are disposed to face end portions  61   a  and  61   a  of the first side surface  61 . The end portions  61   a  are end portions of the first side surface  61  in the second direction Y. The first support pieces  53  support the end portions  61   a  of the first side surface  61 . The pair of first support pieces  53  and  53  support the first side surface  61 , with a central portion  61   b  of the first side surface  61  being exposed. The central portion  61   b  is a portion abutting against the abutment surface  25  of the housing  2 . A length of the first support piece  53  corresponds to a thickness of the nut  6 . 
     The second support piece  54  is a piece portion supporting a second side surface  62  and a main surface  63  of the nut  6 . The second side surface  62  is a surface paired with the first side surface  61 . The first side surface  61  and the second side surface  62  face opposite to each other. That is, the second side surface  62  is a surface facing to a side opposite to the abutment surface  25  side. The main surface  63  is one of surfaces in which a screw hole  64  has an opening. 
     The second support piece  54  protrudes from a rear end  50   c  of the opening  50   a . The second support piece  54  is bent in an L shape. The second support piece  54  has a proximal end portion  54   a  connected to the main body  50  and a distal end portion  54   b . The proximal end portion  54   a  protrudes from the main body  50  in the third direction Z. The distal end portion  54   b  protrudes from a distal end of the proximal end portion  54   a  in the first direction X. The proximal end portion  54   a  faces the second side surface  62  of the nut  6  in the first direction X and supports the second side surface  62 . The distal end portion  54   b  faces the main surface  63  of the nut  6  in the third direction Z and supports the main surface  63 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  13   , the proximal end portion  54   a  supports the nut  6 , with at least a part of the second side surface  62  being exposed. More specifically, the proximal end portion  54   a  is configured to expose end portions  62   a  and  62   a  of the second side surface  62 . That is, the proximal end portion  54   a  supports a central portion of the second side surface  62 . In addition, the main body  50  of the support member  5  has a notch  56  exposing a central upper portion  62   b  of the second side surface  62 . In other words, the second support piece  54  is disposed to expose the central upper portion  62   b  of the second side surface  62 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , etc., the lock arm  52  extends from the annular portion  51  toward the opening  50   a  along the first direction X. The lock arm  52  has flexibility, and thus can be flexurally deformed in the third direction Z. A protrusion  52   a  protruding in the third direction Z is provided at a distal end portion of the lock arm  52 . The protrusion  52   a  has an opposing surface  52   b  locked by the locking surface  23   b  of the housing  2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , etc., the seal member  4  has an annular shape. The seal member  4  as illustrated is formed in an oval shape so that the first terminal portion  31  of the conductor  3  can be inserted therethrough. The seal member  4  is formed of, for example, a resin such as rubber. The seal member  4  is inserted into the gap  22   c  between the housing  2  and the first terminal portion  31  to seal between the first terminal portion  31  and the housing  2 . 
     A connector manufacturing method according to the present embodiment includes a process of placing the nut  6 , a first insertion process, a second insertion process, a process of pushing-in the seal member  4 , and a process of engaging the support member  5  with the housing  2 . 
     In the process of placing the nut  6 , the nut  6  is placed on the support member  5 . More specifically, the nut  6  is inserted into the opening  50   a  of the support member  5  as illustrated in  FIG.  14   . The nut  6  is placed on the distal end portion  54   b  of the second support piece  54 . The support member  5  supports the nut  6  using the pair of first support pieces  53  and  53  and the second support piece  54 . The process of placing the nut  6  is performed by, for example, an operator. 
     In the first insertion process, the conductor  3  held by the housing  2  is inserted through the seal member  4 . More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG.  15   , the distal end portion of the first terminal portion  31  is inserted through the seal member  4 . As indicated by arrow AR 1  in  FIG.  15   , the first terminal portion  31  may be inserted through the seal member  4  by moving the seal member  4 . The first insertion process is performed by, for example, an operator. 
     In the second insertion process, the conductor  3  is inserted into the annular portion  51  of the support member  5 . More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG.  16   , the distal end portion of the first terminal portion  31  is inserted through the annular portion  51 . The second insertion process is performed by, for example, an operator. 
     In the process of pushing-in the seal member  4 , the seal member  4  is pushed into the recess  27  of the housing  2  by the annular portion  51  of the support member  5 . As indicated by arrow AR 2  in  FIG.  17   , the support surface  55  of the annular portion  51  pushes the seal member  4  into the recess  27 . The seal member  4  is pushed into the gap  22   c  between the housing  2  and the first terminal portion  31  while being compressed. The process of pushing-in the seal member  4  is performed by, for example, an operator. 
     In the process of engaging the support member  5  with the housing  2  (hereinafter, simply referred to as “the engagement process”.), the support member  5  is engaged with the housing  2 . In the engagement process, the support member  5  is pushed-in to a position where the protrusion  52   a  of the lock arm  52  is engaged with the through hole  23   c  of the housing  2 . In  FIG.  18   , the support member  5  engaged with the housing  2  is illustrated. The lock arm  52  is engaged with the housing  2  by the protrusion  52   a . The opposing surface  52   b  of the protrusion  52   a  faces the locking surface  23   b  of the housing  2 . The locking surface  23   b  restricts the support member  5  from moving in a direction in which the support member  5  is likely to come out of the housing  2 . The engagement process is performed by, for example, an operator. 
     The support member  5  engaged with the housing  2  restricts the nut  6  from escaping from the housing  2 . The main body  50  and the second support piece  54  of the support member  5  face the second side surface  62  of the nut  6  in the first direction X. Accordingly, when the nut  6  moves in a direction in which the nut  6  comes out of the holding recess  24 , the support member  5  can lock the nut  6  and restrict the movement of the nut  6 . 
     In the engagement process of the present embodiment, the nut  6  is pushed-in to a position where the first side surface  61  abuts the abutment surface  25  of the housing  2 . The abutment surface  25  is a surface for positioning the screw hole  64  of the nut  6  to be concentric with the through hole  31   a  of the conductor  3 . The housing  2  is designed such that the first side surface  61  abuts against the abutment surface  25  to position the screw hole  64  to be concentric with a center axis CL of the through hole  31   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG.  19   , the nut  6  is held by the ribs  24   e  of the housing  2 . The pair of ribs  24   e  and  24   e  are squashed by the nut  6  when the nut  6  is press-fitted into the holding recess  24 . The nut  6  is pushed into the holding recess  24  in the first direction X while squashing distal end portions of the ribs  24   e . The ribs  24   e  are holding structures holding the nut  6  in a state where the first side surface  61  of the nut  6  abuts the abutment surface  25 . The ribs  24   e  can suppress a positional deviation of the first side surface  61  with respect to the abutment surface  25 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  20   , the first support pieces  53  of the support member  5  are accommodated in the accommodation recesses  26  of the housing  2 . That is, the first support pieces  53  retreat into the accommodation recesses  26  when the first side surface  61  of the nut  6  abuts the abutment surface  25 . The accommodation recesses  26  suppress interference between the first support pieces  53  and the housing  2  in the engagement process. 
     In the process of pushing-in the seal member  4  or in the engagement process, a force for pushing-in the nut  6  may be indirectly applied to the nut  6  via the support member  5 , or may be directly applied to the nut  6  by a jig or the like. As described with reference to  FIG.  13   , the support member  5  exposes the end portions  62   a  and the central upper portion  62   b  of the second side surface  62 . When the jig is used to push in the nut  6 , the jig is pressed against the end portions  62   a  or the central upper portions  62   b . A pressing force is directly applied to the nut  6 , so that the first side surface  61  of the nut  6  can more reliably abut the abutment surface  25 . In addition, a strength required for the support member  5  is smaller than that when the nut  6  is indirectly pressed via the support member  5 . Accordingly, the support member  5  can be downsized. 
       FIG.  21    is a view relating to a fastening process of screwing a fastening member  104  into the nut  6 . As illustrated in  FIG.  21   , a terminal  103  of the first device  100  is connected to the first terminal portion  31  of the conductor  3 . The fastening member  104  is inserted through a through hole  103   a  of the terminal  103  and the through hole  31   a  of the first terminal portion  31  and screwed into the nut  6 . The terminal  103  is fastened together with the first terminal portion  31  by the fastening member  104 . In the fastening process, if the screw hole  64  of the nut  6  deviates from the through hole  31   a , correction work or the like is required, resulting in a decrease in work efficiency. In the connector  1  of the present embodiment, since the screw hole  64  of the nut  6  is positioned at a normal position to correspondingly face the through hole  31   a , workability during fastening work is improved. 
     As described above, the connector  1  according to the present embodiment includes the plate-shaped conductor  3 , the housing  2 , the nut  6 , the support member  5 , and the holding structure for holding the nut  6 . The conductor  3  has the through hole  31   a  through which the fastening member  104  is inserted. The housing  2  holds the conductor  3  and has the abutment surface  25 . The nut  6  has the screw hole  64  into which the fastening member  104  is screwed. The nut  6  is fixed to the housing  2  along the first direction X, which is a direction in which the conductor  3  extends. The support member  5  is a member fixed to the housing  2  and restricting the nut  6  from falling off the housing  2 . 
     The abutment surface  25  is a surface configured to position the screw hole  64  concentric with the through hole  31   a  in a state where the first side surface  61  of the nut  6  abuts the abutment surface  25 . The holding structure holds the nut  6  in a state where the first side surface  61  of the nut  6  abuts the abutment surface  25 . The connector  1  according to the present embodiment can improve the workability during the fastening work for screwing the fastening member  104  into the nut  6  by holding the nut  6  at a position to be concentric with the through hole  31   a.    
     In the present embodiment, the holding structure has the holding recess  24  provided in the housing  2  and recessed in the first direction X to make the nut  6  be press-fitted thereinto. The abutment surface  25  is positioned deep in the holding recess  24 . The holding recess  24  can hold the nut  6  press-fitted thereinto, with the first side surface  61  of the nut  6  abutting the abutment surface  25 . The holding recess  24  may not have the ribs  24   e . For example, the holding recess  24  may hold the nut  6  interposed between the pair of first wall surfaces  24   b  and  24   b.    
     In the present embodiment, the holding structure has the ribs  24   e  provided on the first wall surfaces  24   b . The first wall surfaces  24   b  are wall surfaces of the holding recess  24  along the first direction X. The ribs  24   e  are ribs squashed by the nut  6  when the nut  6  is press-fitted into the holding recess  24 . The ribs  24   e  make it possible to reduce an insertion force required when the nut  6  is press-fitted into the holding recess  24 . 
     In the present embodiment, the support member  5  has the support pieces  53  and  54  supporting the nut  6 , and is fixed to the housing  2  in a state where the nut  6  is supported by the support pieces  53  and  54 . Accordingly, the support member  5  and the nut  6  can be assembled to the housing  2  at one time. 
     In the present embodiment, the side surfaces of the nut  6  include the first side surface  61  abutting the abutment surface  25 . As can be seen from  FIG.  20   , the first side surface  61  has a larger width in the second direction Y than a width of the abutment surface  25 . The support pieces  53  and  54  of the support member  5  include the first support pieces  53 . The first support pieces  53  face the end portions  61   a  of the first side surface  61  in the first direction X and support the first side surface  61 . The housing  2  has the accommodation recesses  26 . The accommodation recesses  26  are adjacent to the abutment surface  25  and accommodate the first support pieces  53 . Accordingly, interference between the first support pieces  53  and the housing  2  is suppressed when the first side surface  61  abuts the abutment surface  25 . 
     In the present embodiment, the side surfaces of the nut  6  include the second side surface  62 . The second side surface  62  is a surface facing opposite to the first side surface  61 . The support pieces  53  and  54  include the second support piece  54  facing the second side surface  62 . The second support piece  54  supports the nut  6  such that a part of the second side surface  62  is exposed. Since the part of the second side surface  62  is exposed, a pressing force can be directly applied to the nut  6  by a jig or the like. 
     Modified Examples of Embodiment 
     The holding structure for holding the nut  6  is not limited to the press-fit structure between the nut  6  and the housing  2  of the above-described embodiment. For example, the holding structure may be a press-fit structure between the support member  5  and the housing  2 . In this case, the support member  5  is press-fitted into the housing  2  in a state where the support member  5  supports the nut  6 . The support member  5  is press-fitted to a position where the first side surface  61  of the nut  6  abuts the abutment surface  25 . 
     The holding structure may include two or more of a first press-fit structure between the support member  5  and the nut  6 , a second press-fit structure between the support member  5  and the housing  2 , and a third press-fit structure between the nut  6  and the housing  2 . In the first press-fit structure, the nut  6  is press-fitted into the support member  5 . In the second press-fit structure, the support member  5  is press-fitted into the housing  2 . In the third press-fit structure, the nut  6  is press-fitted into the housing  2 . 
     The housing  2  may not be integrally formed with the conductor  3 . In this case, the housing  2  preferably has a holding hole through which the conductor  3  is inserted. The conductor  3  is inserted through the holding hole of the housing  2  and held by the housing  2 . 
     The contents disclosed in the embodiment and modified examples described above can be implemented in an appropriate combination. 
     In the connector according to the embodiment, a housing has an abutment surface for positioning a screw hole of the nut to be concentric with a through hole of a conductor. A holding structure holds the nut in a state where a side surface of the nut abuts the abutment surface. The connector of the embodiment is advantageous in that the nut can be positioned at a normal position. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.