Patent Publication Number: US-2022224025-A1

Title: Connection device and connector

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a connection device and a connector. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Patent Document 1 discloses a female terminal formed, such as by bending an electrically conductive metal plate. The female terminal includes a box-shaped electrical contact portion, into which a male terminal is inserted, in a front part and a pair of conductor crimping pieces in the form of an open barrel in a rear part. The conductor crimping pieces are crimped and fixed to a conductor exposed by stripping a coating of a coated wire. 
     Patent Document 2 discloses a female connector provided with a female terminal fitting, first and second obliquely wound coil springs and a female housing for holding the both obliquely wound coil springs. The both obliquely wound coil springs are in the form of coils formed by winding a wire material made of electrically conductive metal a plurality of times. The female terminal fitting is in the form of a flat plate and a core is connected to one end part of the female terminal fitting. 
     The female terminal fitting is accommodated in the female housing while being sandwiched by the both obliquely wound coil springs. When the female connector is connected to a mating male connector, the first obliquely wound coil spring is sandwiched between a wall surface (contact surface) in the female housing and the female terminal fitting and the second obliquely wound coil spring is sandwiched between a male terminal fitting provided in the male connector and the female terminal fitting. At this time, the second obliquely wound coil spring contacts the female terminal fitting and a terminal connecting portion and the female terminal fitting and the male terminal fitting are electrically connected by resilient restoring forces of the first and second obliquely wound coil springs. Further, the first obliquely wound coil spring is arranged to press the female terminal fitting toward the core. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: JP 2014-241219 A 
     Patent Document 2: JP 2019-046760 A 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved 
     In the case of Patent Document 1, a step of crimping the conductor crimping pieces to the conductor is necessary. In the case of Patent Document 2, a connection structure of the female terminal fitting and the male terminal fitting is relatively complicated and a region for disposing the two first and second obliquely wound coil springs has to be secured in the female housing. Further, a structure for insulating the first and second obliquely wound coil springs is possibly separately required. Thus, the connector tends to be enlarged. 
     A connection device and a connector of the present disclosure were completed on the basis of the above situation and it is aimed to omit a crimping step without enlargement. 
     Means to Solve the Problem 
     The present disclosure is directed to a connection device with a conductive portion configured to electrically contact an electrically conductive member serving as a connection object, and a pressing member made of resilient non-metal, the pressing member giving a pressing force in a contact direction to the electrically conductive member and the conductive portion. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the present disclosure, it is possible to omit a crimping step without enlargement. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a female connector constituting a connector of a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a male connector constituting the connector. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view in section showing a state where a first conductor is connected to a movable-side conductive member and a fixed-side conductive member. 
         FIG. 4  is a section along X-X of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a housing with a front member removed. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial enlarged side view in section showing a state where the first conductor and a second conductor are connected. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pressing member. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the movable-side conductive member. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the fixed-side conductive member. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a movable-side conductive member of a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial enlarged side view in section showing a state where a first conductor and a second conductor are connected in a connector of a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a fixed-side conductive member of a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a pressing member and movable-side conductive members of a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a pressing member and movable-side conductive members of a sixth embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a pressing member and movable-side conductive members of a seventh embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a connection device according to an eighth embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view in section showing a state where electrically conductive members of a first wire and a second wire are connected via conductive portions of the connection device. 
         FIG. 18  is a section along Y-Y of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a view, corresponding to  FIG. 15 , in a state before the electrically conductive member enters an entrance portion. 
         FIG. 20  is a side view in section of a connector. 
         FIG. 21  is a side view in section showing a state where a connector housing of the connector is connected to a mating connector housing. 
         FIG. 22  is a plan view in section showing the state where the connector housing of the connector is connected to the mating connector housing. 
         FIG. 23  is a back view in section showing the state where the connector housing of the connector is connected to the mating connector housing. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a molded body. 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a first modification of a connection device according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a second modification of a connection device according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION 
     [Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure] 
     First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described. 
     (1) The connection device of the present disclosure includes a conductive portion configured to electrically contact an electrically conductive member serving as a connection object, and a pressing member made of resilient non-metal, the pressing member giving a pressing force in a contact direction to the electrically conductive member and the conductive portion. According to this configuration, since the conductive portion and the electrically conductive member are pressed in the contact direction by the pressing member, a contact pressure between the conductive portion and the electrically conductive member is secured. Here, since conductor crimping pieces can be omitted from the connection device, a step of crimping the conductive portion to the electrically conductive member needs not be performed. Since the resilient pressing member presses the conductive portion and the electrically conductive member, the structure of the pressing member does not become particularly complicated. Further, since the pressing member is made of non-metal, a structure for insulation needs not be provided separately from the pressing member. As a result, the enlargement of the connection device can be avoided. 
     (2) In (1), preferably, the conductive portion includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion arranged to face the first conductive portion across the electrically conductive member. According to this configuration, since a plurality of contact points by the first and second conductive portions are secured for the electrically conductive member, contact reliability is high. Further, since the first and second conductive portions are arranged across the electrically conductive member, the first and second conductive portions can be brought into contact with the electrically conductive member even if only one pressing member is provided. 
     (3) In (2), preferably, a supporting portion is provided which supports the pressing member, the first conductive portion is displaceable integrally with the pressing member and the second conductive portion is fixed to the supporting portion. According to this configuration, the first conductive portion functions as a movable contact point and the second conductive portion functions as a fixed contact point. Since only one of the first and second conductive portions is the conductive portion having the contact point configured to be displaced, contact pressures of the first and second conductive portions with the electrically conductive member are stable as compared to the case where the two contact points on opposite sides of the electrically conductive member are both displaced. 
     (4) In (2), preferably, a second pressing member is provided which is located on a side opposite to the pressing member across the electrically conductive member, the first conductive portion is displaceable integrally with the pressing member and the second conductive portion is displaceable integrally with the second pressing member. According to this configuration, since contact loads of the first and second conductive portions with the electrically conductive member are obtained by a resilient force of the pressing member and a resilient force of the second pressing member, high contact pressures can be secured. 
     (5) In (2) to (4), preferably, at least one of the first and second conductive portions is formed with a projection-like contact point portion configured to contact the electrically conductive member. According to this configuration, a contact area of the electrically conductive member and the projection-like contact point portion is smaller than a contact area when the first and second conductive portions are brought into surface contact with the electrically conductive member. Since the contact pressure between the electrically conductive member and the contact point portion increases in this way, connection reliability is excellent. 
     (6) In (3), preferably, a projection-like contact point portion configured to contact the electrically conductive member is formed on only the second conductive portion, out of the first and second conductive portions. According to this configuration, since the shape of the conductive portion configured to be displaced integrally with the pressing member can be simplified, a pressing function of the pressing member can be prevented from being disturbed due to the complicated shape of the conductive portion. 
     (7) In (1) to (6), preferably, a plurality of the conductive portions are mounted in one pressing member. According to this configuration, the number of the pressing members can be reduced. 
     (8) In (2) to (7), preferably, at least either a plurality of the first conductive portions or a plurality of the second conductive portions are conductively coupled to each other. According to this configuration, a joint connector can be configured by the plurality of first conductive portions and the plurality of second conductive portions. 
     (9) In (1), preferably, the pressing member includes an entrance portion, the electrically conductive member being able to enter the entrance portion, and the conductive portion is provided in the entrance portion. According to this configuration, the electrically conductive member and the conductive portion can be easily connected only by causing the electrically conductive member to enter the pressing member. 
     (10) In (9), preferably, the pressing member includes a plurality of entrance end parts constituting end parts of the entrance portion, and the conductive portion is arranged to extend between the plurality of entrance end parts. According to this configuration, a plurality of the electrically conductive members can enter the entrance portion through the respective entrance end parts and be connected to each other via the conductive portion. 
     (11) In (9) or (10), preferably, the entrance portion is a space penetrating through the pressing member in an entering direction of the electrically conductive member. According to this configuration, since the end parts on both sides of the pressing member are open, the electrically conductive members can be electrically connected by inserting the electrically conductive members into the pressing member from the both sides. 
     (12) A connector preferably includes the connection device of ( 1 ) to ( 11 ) described above, a connector housing configured to accommodate the connection device, the electrically conductive member, and a holding member configured to hold the electrically conductive member, the holding member including a locked portion, and the connector housing including a lock portion configured to lock the locked portion and restrict escape of the holding member from the connector housing. According to this configuration, the escape of the holding member from the connector housing is restricted and, consequently, the escape of the connection device is also restricted by the lock portion locking the locked portion. The holding member including the locked portion is provided separately from the connection device. Thus, the locked portion can be omitted from the connection device and the connection device can have a simple structure and a small size. 
     (13) In (12), preferably, the holding member is made of mold resin configured to collectively mold a plurality of the electrically conductive members. According to this configuration, the plurality of electrically conductive members can be integrally handled via the holding member. Further, the plurality of electrically conductive members can be aligned and arranged by the holding member. 
     [Details of Embodiment of Present Disclosure] 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment embodying a connector and a connection device  30  of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 9 . Note that the present invention is not limited to these illustrations and is intended to be represented by claims and include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents. In the first embodiment, a left side in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 6  is defined as a front side concerning a front-rear direction. Upper and lower sides shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6  are directly defined as upper and lower sides concerning a vertical direction. Left and right sides shown in  FIG. 5  are directly defined as left and right sides concerning a lateral direction. The lateral direction is used as a synonym for a width direction. 
     The connector of the first embodiment includes a female connector F and a male connector M to be connected to each other. The female connector F includes one female housing  10 , a connection device  30  accommodated in the female housing  10  and one first wire module  45 . 
     The female housing  10  is made of a synthetic resin material and includes, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a housing body  11  and a front member  12  to be mounted on the housing body  11  from front. The housing body  11  includes a plurality of cavities  13  arranged in parallel in the lateral direction and one holding space  20  open in the rear end surface of the housing body  11 . The cavity  13  constitutes a space elongated in the front-rear direction as a whole. A connecting portion  14  open in the front end surface of the housing body  11  is formed in a front end part of the cavity  13 . The inside of the connecting portion  14  functions as a connection space for the connection of a first conductor  47  and a second conductor  66 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the connecting portion  14  is bilaterally symmetrically shaped in a front view of the female housing  10 . The connecting portion  14  is formed with a pair of bilaterally symmetrical positioning portions  15 . The pair of positioning portions  15  project inward in the width direction from both left and right inner wall surfaces of the connecting portion  14 . In the vertical direction, the positioning portions  15  are arranged at a position above a center of the connecting portion  14 . A pair of bilaterally symmetrical groove portions  16  extending in the front-rear direction are formed in upper end parts of the inner side surfaces of the connecting portion  14 , i.e. regions above the positioning portions  15 . The groove portions  16  are open in the front end surface of the housing body  11 . An interval between projecting ends of both left and right positioning portions  15  is set equal to or slightly larger than outer diameters of the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  to be described later. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a guide portion  17  with a guide hole having a smaller diameter than the connecting portion  14  is formed in a region of the cavity  13  connected to the rear end of the connecting portion  14 . An inserting portion  18  having a larger diameter than the guide portion  17  is formed in a region of the cavity  13  from the rear end of the guide portion  17  to the rear end of the cavity  13 . The holding space  20  is in the form of a slit open in the rear end surface of the housing body  11  and long in the lateral direction. The holding space  20  communicates with the rear ends of all the plurality of cavities  13  (inserting portions  18 ). As shown in  FIG. 4 , a pair of left and right retaining projections  19  are formed on both left and right end parts of the holding space  20 . 
     The front member  12  is in the form of a cap and includes, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a front wall portion  21  for covering the front surface of the housing body  11 , a peripheral wall portion  22  for surrounding a front end side region of the housing body  11  and a lock arm  23  extending rearward from the front wall portion  21  and constituting a part of the peripheral wall portion  22 . Openings in the front ends of the plurality of connecting portions  14  are covered by the front wall portion  21 . A plurality of insertion holes  24  penetrating through the front wall portion  21  in the front-rear direction are formed at a plurality of positions of the front wall portion  21  corresponding to the respective cavities  13  (connecting portions  14 ). Each insertion hole  24  has a circular cross-section having a smaller diameter than the connecting portion  14 . 
     The connection device  30  includes a plurality of pressing members  31 , a plurality of movable-side conductive members  35  and a plurality of fixed-side conductive members  40 . The pressing member  31  is made of an electrically insulating rubber material and resiliently deformable. The plurality of pressing members  31  are individually accommodated into the plurality of connecting portions  14 . The pressing member  31  is arranged while being placed on the bottom surface of the connecting portion  14 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the pressing member  31  is a single component having a rectangular parallelepiped shape long in the front-rear direction as a whole. A maximum width of the pressing member  31  is set larger than the interval between the projecting ends of the pair of positioning portions  15 . An accommodation recess  32  for accommodating the movable-side conductive member  35  to be described later is formed on the upper surface of the pressing member  31 . 
     The movable-side conductive member  35  is formed of a plate member, for example, made of metal such as copper or aluminum and, as shown in  FIG. 8 , has a shape long in the front-rear direction as a whole. The movable-side conductive member  35  is a single component including a first contact portion  36 , a second contact portion  37  arranged forward of the first contact portion  36 , a coupling portion  38  coupling the first and second contact portions  36 ,  37  and a pair of front and rear bent end parts  39 . The front end of the first contact portion  36  is connected to the rear end of the coupling portion  38 , and the rear end of the second contact portion  37  is connected to the front end of the coupling portion  38 . The bent end part  39  is bent to extend downward from the rear end of the first contact portion  36 . The bent end part  39  is bent to extend downward from the front end of the second contact portion  37 . 
     The movable-side conductive member  35  is fixed to the pressing member  31  while being fit into the accommodation recess  32  on the upper surface of the pressing member  31 . Widths of the first and second contact portions  36 ,  37  are larger than those of the coupling portion  38  and the bent end parts  39  and equal to that of the pressing member  31 . The widths of the pressing member  31  and the first and second contact portions  36 ,  37  are set larger than the interval between the projecting ends of the pair of positioning portions  15 . The movable-side conductive member  35  and the pressing member  31  are accommodated in a region of the connecting portion  14  below the positioning portions  15 . 
     The fixed-side conductive member  40  is formed of a plate member, for example, made of metal such as copper or aluminum, similarly to the movable-side conductive member  35 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the fixed-side conductive member  40  is a single component including three mounting portions  41  arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction, a first contact point portion  42  and a second contact point portion  43  located forward of the first contact point portion  42 . The front end of the first contact point portion  42  is connected to the rear end of the mounting portion  41  located in a middle. The rear end of the first contact point portion  42  is connected to the front end of the mounting portion  41  located on a rear side. The front end of the second contact point portion  43  is connected to the rear end of the mounting portion  41  located on a front side. The rear end of the second contact point portion  43  is connected to the front end of the mounting portion  41  located in the middle. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first and second contact point portions  42 ,  43  have a curved shape bulging downward and projecting further downward than the mounting portions  41  in a side view of the fixed-side conductive member  40 . 
     The fixed-side conductive member  40  is fixedly mounted in an upper end part inside the connecting portion  14  by fitting both left and right side edge parts of the three mounting portions  41  into the groove portions  16  of the connecting portion  14 . The fixed-side conductive member  40  is located above the pressing member  31  and the movable-side conductive member  35  and facing the movable-side conductive member  35  across a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. The first and second contact point portions  42 ,  43  project toward the movable-side conductive member  35 . Vertical intervals between the lower ends of the first and second contact point portions  42 ,  43  and the upper surface of the movable-side conductive member  35  in a state where the pressing member  31  is not resiliently deformed are set smaller than the outer diameters of the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  to be described later. Widths of the first and second contact point portions  42 ,  43  are set smaller than the interval between the projecting ends of the pair of positioning portions  15 . In a front view of the female connector F, the first and second contact point portions  42 ,  43  are arranged between the pair of positioning portions  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first wire module  45  is formed by integrating a plurality of first coated wires  46  and one first holding member  49 . The first coated wire  46  is such that the first conductor  47  is surrounded with a first insulation coating  48 . The first conductor  47  is a single core made of a metal material such as copper or aluminum and has such rigidity to maintain a circular cross-section. The outer diameter of the first conductor  47  is set smaller than the widths of the first and second contact point portions  42 ,  43  and smaller than the interval between the projecting ends of the pair of positioning portions  15 . In an end part of the first coated wire  46 , the insulation coating is removed to expose the first conductor  47 . An exposed part of the first conductor  47  is defined as a first connecting end part  47 E. 
     The first holding member  49  has a flat shape along the width direction and collectively holds intermediate stripped parts of the plurality of first coated wires  46  arranged side by side in the lateral direction as shown in  FIG. 1 . The first holding member  49  is a molded body formed by covering the plurality of coated wires  46  with a resin. The plurality of first coated wires  46  penetrate through the holding member  49  in the front-rear direction and held positioned at fixed intervals in the lateral direction. A pair of left and right locking projections  50  are formed on both left and right side surfaces of the first holding member  49 . 
     The first wire module  45  is assembled into the holding space  20  of the housing body  11  from behind the female housing  10 . With the first wire module  45  assembled with the female housing  10 , the locking projections  50  of the first holding member  49  are locked to the retaining projections  19  of the female housing  10  as shown in  FIG. 4 , whereby the first wire module  45  is held retained in the female housing  10 . 
     In an assembling process, the first connecting end parts  47 E of the plurality of first conductors  47  are successively passed through the guide portions  17  and the inserting portions  18 , enter the connecting portions  14  and are sandwiched between the first contact portions  36  and the first contact point portions  42 . In the state where the pressing member  31  is not resiliently deformed, an interval between the first contact portion  36  and the first contact point portion  42  is smaller than the outer diameter of the first connecting end part  47 E. Thus, the first connecting end part  47 E displaces the first contact portion  36  downward and resiliently deforms the pressing member  31  to vertically squeeze the pressing member  31 . By a resilient restoring force of the pressing member  31 , the first conductor  47  and the first contact portion  36  are conductively connected with a predetermined contact pressure and the first conductor  47  and the first contact point portion  42  are conductively connected with a predetermined contact pressure. Since the first conductor  47  is accommodated between the pair of positioning portions  15 , a relative displacement of the first conductor  47  in the width direction with respect to the movable-side conductive member  35  and the fixed-side conductive member  40  is prevented. In this way, the first conductor  47  and the movable-side conductive member  35  are stably connected, and the first conductor  47  and the fixed-side conductive member  40  are also stably connected. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the male connector M includes one male housing  60  and one second wire module  64 . The male housing  60  is a single component made of synthetic resin and including a housing portion  61  and a tubular receptacle  62  projecting from the housing portion  61 . A lock portion  63  to be locked to the lock arm  23  of the female connector F is formed on the inner surface of an upper wall portion of the receptacle  62 . Although not shown, the housing portion  61  includes a plurality of guide portions  17 , a plurality of inserting portions  18  and a holding space  20  similar to the plurality of guide portions  17 , the plurality of inserting portions  18  and the holding space  20  of the female connector F. The housing portion  61  does not include parts equivalent to the connecting portions  14  of the female connector F. 
     The second wire module  64  is formed by integrating a plurality of second coated wires  65  and one second holding member  68 , similarly to the first wire module  45 . The second coated wire  65  is such that the second conductor  66  is surrounded with a second insulation coating  67 . The second conductor  66  is a single core made of a metal material such as copper or aluminum and has such rigidity to maintain a circular cross-section. The outer diameter of the second conductor  66  is equal to the outer diameter of the first conductor  47 . In an end part of the second coated wire  65 , the second insulation coating  67  is removed to expose the second conductor  66 . An exposed part of the second conductor  66  is defined as a second connecting end part  66 E. The second wire module  64  is assembled with the housing portion  61  from behind the male connector M. With the second wire module  64  assembled with the male housing  60 , the second connecting end parts  66 E of the second conductors  66  project into the receptacle  62  from the front surface of the housing portion  61 . 
     In connecting the male connector M and the female connector F, the female connector F is fit into the receptacle  62 . In a fitting process, the second connecting end part  66 E of the second conductor  66  enters the connecting portion  14  through the insertion hole  24  and is inserted between the second contact portion  37  and the second contact point portion  43  to resiliently deform the pressing member  31  and vertically squeeze the pressing member  31 . By a resilient restoring force of the pressing member  31 , the second conductor  66  and the second contact portion  37  are conductively connected with a predetermined contact pressure and the second conductor  66  and the second contact point portion  43  are conductively connected with a predetermined contact pressure. Since the second connecting end part  66 E of the second conductor  66  having entered the connecting portion  14  is positioned in the width direction by the pair of positioning portions  15 , there is no possibility that the second connecting end part  66 E is inclined in the width direction and shifted in the width direction. 
     The male connector M constituting the connector of the first embodiment includes the female housing  10 , into which the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  are insertable, and the connection device  30  to be accommodated into the female housing  10 . The connection device  30  includes the pressing members  31 , the movable-side conductive members  35  and the fixed-side conductive members  40 . The movable-side conductive members  35  are accommodated into the female housing  10  and can electrically contact the first conductive members  47  and the second conductors  66 . The fixed-side conductive members  40  are also accommodated into the female housing  10  and can electrically contact the first conductive members  47  and the second conductors  66 . The pressing members  31  are made of a resilient insulating material and accommodated in the female housing  10 . The pressing members  31  give pressing forces in a contact direction to the movable-side conductive members  35  and the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  inserted into the female housing  10 . The pressing members  31  give pressing forces in a contact direction to the fixed-side conductive members  40  and the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  inserted into the female housing  10 . 
     Since the movable-side conductive members  35  and the first conductors  47  contact each other by the resilient pressing forces in the contact direction given from the pressing members  31 , a step of crimping the first conductors  41  and the movable-side conductive members  35  is not necessary. Since the fixed-side conductive members  40  and the first conductors  47  contact each other by the resilient pressing forces in the contact direction given from the pressing members  31 , a step of crimping the first conductors  47  and the fixed-side conductive members  40  is not necessary. Since the pressing members  31  are made of the insulating material and a structure for insulation needs not be provided separately from the pressing members  31 , it is realized to avoid the enlargement of the female connector F. Therefore, the connector of the first embodiment can omit the crimping step without enlargement. 
     The female housing  10  is formed with the positioning portions  15  for positioning the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  in the width direction orthogonal to both axial directions (front-rear direction) of the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  and a pressing direction (vertical direction) of the pressing members  31 . Since the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  are positioned in the width direction by the positioning portions  15 , there is no possibility that the first conductors  47  and the second conductors  66  deviate from the movable-side conductive members  35  and the fixed-side conductive members  40  in the width direction. Therefore, the contact reliability of the movable-side conductive members  35  and the fixed-side conductive members  40  with the first conductors  47  is excellent and the contact reliability of the movable-side conductive members  35  and the fixed-side conductive members  40  with the second conductors  66  is excellent. 
     The connection device  30  includes the movable-side conductive members  35  and the fixed-side conductive members  40 . The movable-side conductive members  35  and the fixed-side conductive members  40  are arranged to face each other across the first and second conductors  47 ,  66 . According to this configuration, since a plurality of contact points with the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  can be secured by the movable-side conductive members  35  and the fixed-side conductive members  40 , contact reliability is high. Further, the movable-side conductive members  35  and the fixed-side conductive members  40  are arranged to sandwich the first and second conductors  47 ,  66 . Thus, even if only one pressing member  31  is provided, the movable-side conductive member  35  can be brought into contact with the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  and the fixed-side conductive member  40  can be brought into contact with the first and second conductors  47 ,  66 . 
     The connection device  30  includes the connecting portions  14  for supporting the pressing members  31 . The movable-side conductive member  35  is displaceable integrally with the pressing member  31  and the fixed-side conductive member  40  is fixed to the connecting portion  14 . According to this configuration, the first and second contact portions  36 ,  37  of the movable-side conductive member  35  function as movable contact points, and the first and second contact point portions  42 ,  43  of the fixed-side conductive member  40  function as fixed contact points. 
     Since only one conductive member (movable-side conductive member  35 ), out of two conductive members (movable-side conductive member  35  and fixed-side conductive member  40 ), is provided with displaceable contact points (first and second contact portions  36 ,  37 ), the contact pressures of the movable-side conductive member  35  and the fixed-side conductive member  40  with the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  are stabilized as compared to the case where the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  are sandwiched by two movable-side conductive members  35  (first and second contact portions  36 ,  37 ) configured to be displaced without providing the fixed-side conductive member  40  (first and second contact point portions  42 ,  43 ) configured not to be displaced. 
     The fixed-side conductive member  40  is formed with the first and second contact point portions  42 ,  43  in the form of projections configured to contact the first and second conductors  47 ,  66 . According to this configuration, a contact area of the first conductor  47  and the projection-like first contact point portion  42  is smaller than a contact area when the fixed-side conductive member  40  comes into surface contact with the first conductor  47 . A contact area of the second conductor  66  and the projection-like second contact point portion  43  is smaller than a contact area when the fixed-side conductive member  40  comes into surface contact with the second conductor  66 . In this way, the contact pressure of the first conductor  47  and the first contact point portion  42  increases and the contact pressure of the second conductor  66  and the second contact point portion  43  increases, wherefore connection reliability is excellent. 
     The projection-like first and second contact point portions  42 ,  43  configured to contact the first and second conductors  47 ,  66  are formed only on the fixed-side conductive member  40 , out of the movable-side conductive member  35  and the fixed-side conductive member  40 . According to this configuration, since the shape of the movable-side conductive member  35  configured to be displaced integrally with the pressing member  31  can be simplified, a pressing function of the pressing member  31  can be prevented from being disturbed due to the complicated shape of the movable-side conductive member  35 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 10 . A movable-side conductive member  70  of the second embodiment includes a rib-like contact point portion  71 . The contact point portion  71  linearly extends over the upper surface of a first contact portion  36 , the upper surface of a coupling portion  38  and the upper surface of a second contact portion  37 . The contact point portion  71  extends in a direction parallel to a sliding direction of a first conductor  47  (not shown) and a second conductor  66  (not shown) on the movable-side conductive member  70 . Since the other components are the same as in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference signs and the structures, functions and effects thereof are not described. 
     A contact area of the first conductor  41  and the projection-like contact point portion  71  and a contact area of the second conductor  66  and the projection-like contact point portion  71  are smaller than the contact areas when the movable-side conductive member  35  of the first embodiment comes into surface contact with the first and second conductors  47 ,  66 . In this way, a contact pressure of the first conductor  47  and the contact point portion  71  and a contact pressure of the second conductor  66  and the contact point portion  71  increase, wherefore connection reliability is excellent. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A third embodiment embodying a connection device  72  of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 11 . The connection device  72  of the third embodiment includes second pressing members  73  located on a side opposite to pressing members  31  across first conductors  47  and second conductors  66 . The second pressing member  73  is made of a resilient material, similarly to the pressing member  31 , and shaped to be vertically symmetrical with the pressing member  31 . The second pressing member  73  is fixed to the upper surface of a connecting portion  14 . A second movable-side conductive member  74  is integrally displaceably fixed to the lower surface of the second pressing member  73 . The second movable-side conductive member  74  is made of a metal material, similarly to the movable-side conductive member  35 , and shaped to be vertically symmetrical with the movable-side conductive member  35 . 
     According to this configuration, contact loads of the movable-side conductive member  35  and the second movable-side conductive member  74  with the first conductor  47  are obtained by a resilient force of the pressing member  31  and a resilient force of the second pressing member  73 . Contact loads of the movable-side conductive member  35  and the second movable-side conductive member  74  with the second conductor  66  are also obtained by the resilient force of the pressing member  31  and the resilient force of the second pressing member  73 . Therefore, high contact pressures can be secured. Since the other components are the same as in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference signs and the structures, functions and effects thereof are not described. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     A fourth embodiment embodying the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 12 . In the fourth embodiment, a joint terminal  75  as a single component is configured by coupling a plurality of fixed-side conductive members  40  via linking portions  76 . The linking portions  76  couple mounting portions  41  arranged in the lateral direction to each other. A plurality of first conductors  47  and a plurality of second conductors  66  can be made conductive by the joint terminal  75 . That is, a joint connector can be configured by the joint terminal  75 . Since the other components are the same as in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference signs and the structures, functions and effects thereof are not described. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     A fifth embodiment embodying the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 13 . In the fifth embodiment, a pressing module  79  is configured by fixing a plurality of movable-side conductive members  78  to the upper surface of one pressing member  77 . The pressing member  77  has a width extending over a plurality of connecting portions  14  (not shown). A female housing  10  (not shown) is formed with a communication groove (not shown) allowing the plurality of connecting portions  14  to communicate with each other. The pressing module  79  is mounted into the female housing  10  by accommodating the pressing member  77  into the communication groove and the plurality of connecting portions  14 . The plurality of movable-side conductive members  78  are independently accommodated into the plurality of connecting portions  14 . 
     A plurality of first conductors  47  (not shown) are independently connected to the plurality of movable-side conductive members  78  and a plurality of second conductors  66  (not shown) are independently connected to the plurality of movable-side conductive members  78 . By using the pressing module  79  of the fifth embodiment, the number of the pressing members  77  can be reduced. Since the other components are the same as in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference signs and the structures, functions and effects thereof are not described. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     A sixth embodiment embodying the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 14 . In the sixth embodiment, one joint terminal  82  is configured by coupling a plurality of movable-side conductive members  80  by linking portions  81 . This joint terminal  82  is fixed to the upper surface of a pressing member  77 . The pressing member  77  has the same configuration as in the fifth embodiment. A pressing module  83  is configured by one joint terminal  82  and one pressing member  77 . 
     By using the pressing module  83  in which the plurality of movable-side conductive members  80  are conductorly coupled to each other, a joint connector can be configured and a plurality of first conductors  47  and a plurality of second conductors  66  can be made conductive. Since the other components are the same as in the fifth embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference signs and the structures, functions and effects thereof are not described. 
     Seventh Embodiment 
     A seventh embodiment embodying the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 15 . In the seventh embodiment, a joint terminal  86  is configured by coupling a plurality of movable-side conductive members  84  by linking portions  85 . A plurality of the joint terminals  86  and one movable-side conductive member  84  are fixed to the upper surface of a pressing member  77 . The pressing member  77  has the same configuration as in the fifth and sixth embodiments. A pressing module  87  is configured by the plurality of joint terminals  86 , one movable-side conductive member  884  and one pressing member  77 . 
     By using the joint terminals  86  in which the plurality of movable-side conductive members  84  are conductively coupled, a joint connector can be configured and a plurality of first conductors  47  (not shown) and a plurality of second conductors  66  (not shown) can be made conductive. Since the other components are the same as in the fifth and sixth embodiments, the same components are denoted by the same reference signs and the structures, functions and effects thereof are not described. 
     Eighth Embodiment 
     An eighth embodiment embodying a connection device  110  and a connector  160  of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIGS. 16 to 26 . Note that the present invention is not limited to this illustration and is intended to be represented by claims and include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents. 
     A connection device  110  according to the eighth embodiment includes a plurality of conductive portions  111  and a pressing member  120  as shown in  FIG. 16 . This connection device  110  is connected to electrically conductive members  181  and used as a part replacing conventional male and female terminal fittings as shown in  FIG. 17 . The connector  160  according to the eighth embodiment includes a connector housing  161  and a holding member  190  in addition to the above connection devices  110  as shown in  FIG. 20 . 
     &lt;Conductive Portions  111 &gt; 
     The conductive portion  111  is, for example, a linear member or rod-like member made of copper or aluminum. The plurality of conductive portions  111  are provided in the pressing member  120  of the connection device  110 . The conductive portion  111  has a circular cross-section and linearly extends in the front-rear direction as shown in  FIG. 17 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the conductive portion  111  includes a contact portion  112  along the front-rear direction on a semicircumference part of an outer peripheral surface on one side. The conductive portion  111  includes a held portion  113  on a semicircumference part of the outer peripheral surface on one side opposite to the contact portion  112 . The held portion  113  is held by a later-described facing part  121  of the pressing member  120 . The contact portion  112  contacts the mating electrically conductive member  181 . 
     &lt;Conductive Members  181 &gt; 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , the electrically conductive member  181  is configured as a core part of a wire  180 A,  180 B. This electrically conductive member  181  is a single core made of metal such as copper or aluminum and has such rigidity to maintain a circular cross-section. The wire  180 A,  180 B includes an insulation coating  182  made of synthetic resin for covering the outer periphery of the electrically conductive member  181 . The electrically conductive member  181  is exposed by stripping the insulation coating  182  in an end part of the wire  180 A,  180 B. In the case of the eighth embodiment, the wires  180 A,  180 B include a first wire  180 A in which an exposed part of the electrically conductive member  181  is in contact with rear sides (right sides of  FIG. 17 ) of the contact portions  112  of the conductive portions  111  and a second wire  180 B in which an exposed part of the electrically conductive member  181  is in contact with front sides (left sides of  FIG. 17 ) of the contact portions  112  of the conductive portions  111 . A plurality of the first wires  180 A and a plurality of the second wires  180 B are connected via the respective conductive portions  111  while being arranged in the width direction. 
     &lt;Pressing Members  120 &gt; 
     The pressing member  120  is a resilient member made of rubber elastomer such as silicon rubber and has a tubular shape extending in the front-rear direction. This pressing member  120  has an inner peripheral surface having a circular cross-section. 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , the pressing member  120  includes a plurality of the facing parts  121  radially facing each other on the inner peripheral surface, and an entrance portion  124 , into which the exposed parts of the electrically conductive members  181  enter, is formed between the respective facing parts  121 . The respective facing parts  121  have an arc-shaped cross-section, in particular a superior arc-shaped cross-section, extend in the front-rear direction, and are open in the front and rear ends of the pressing member  120  and arranged at an interval of  90 ° on upper, lower, left and right sides. A distance (L) between the contact portions  112  of the facing conductive portions  111  in the respective facing parts  121  is smaller than diameters of the electrically conductive members  181  (see  FIGS. 18 and 19 ) in a state before the exposed parts of the conductive portions  181  enter the entrance portion  124 . 
     The held portion  113  of each conductive portion  111  is held while being fit in each facing part  121 . For example, the held portion  113  is fit later into the facing part  121  or embedded in the facing part  121  by insert molding. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the pressing member  120  includes a plurality of circulating lips  122  arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction on an outer peripheral surface. A pair of the lips  122  are provided in each of front and rear parts of the outer peripheral surface of the pressing member  120 . Each lip  122  is held in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of a later-described cavity  162  of the connector housing  161 . 
     The entrance portion  124  is provided to penetrate through the pressing member  120  in the front-rear direction. The pressing member  120  includes a first entrance end part  123 A and a second entrance end part  123 B serving as front and rear opening ends as shown in  FIG. 17 . The first entrance end part  123 A is formed in a rear end part of the pressing member  120  and includes an opening into which the exposed part of the electrically conductive member  181  of the first wire  180 A enters. The second entrance end part  123 B is formed in a front end part of the pressing member  120  and includes an opening into which the exposed part of the electrically conductive member  181  of the second wire  180 B enters. Each conductive portion  111  is formed to extend from the side of the first entrance end part  123 A to the side of the second entrance end part  123 B. 
     &lt;Connector Housing  160 &gt; 
     The connector housing  161  is made of synthetic resin and includes, as shown in  FIG. 20 , a housing body  163  and a front member  164  to be mounted on the housing body  163  from front. The housing body  163  has a flat shape along the width direction and includes a plurality of the cavities  162 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , the plurality of cavities  162  are provided side by side in the width direction in a front part of the housing body  163 . The respective cavities  162  extend in the front-rear direction and have front ends open in the front surface of the housing body  163  and rear ends communicating with respective through holes  165 . The housing body  163  includes a plurality of recesses  166  recessed rearward in the front surface, and the respective cavities  162  are open in the back surfaces of the respective recesses  166 . The connection device  110  is inserted and accommodated into the cavity  162  from front. 
     The through hole  165  is arranged at a position near the front part of the housing body  163 . The through hole  165  is formed to have an opening diameter smaller than the cavity  162  and connected to the rear end of the cavity  162  via a step portion  167  extending along a radial direction. The connection device  110  contacts the step portion  167 , whereby a rearward displacement is restricted. 
     The housing body  163  includes a plurality of relay holes  168  rearward of the respective cavities  162  and through holes  165 . Each relay hole  168  extends in the front-rear direction and the front end thereof is reduced in diameter to have a tapered shape and communicates with the rear end of the through hole  165 . A rear part of the relay hole  168  is formed to have a larger opening diameter than the cavity  162 . 
     The first wire  180 A is inserted into the relay hole  168  from behind. A front part of the insulation coating  182  of the first wire  180 A is accommodated into the relay hole  168 . A rear part of the exposed part of the electrically conductive member  181  in the first wire  180 A is accommodated into the through hole  165 , and a front part thereof is accommodated into the cavity  162 . The front part of the exposed part of the electrically conductive member  181  in the first wire  180 A is inserted into the connection device  110  (entrance portion  124 ) through the first entrance end part  123 A in the cavity  162 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , the housing body  163  includes one accommodation hole  169  in a rear part. The accommodation hole  169  is open in the rear surface of the housing body  163 . The rear end of each relay hole  168  is open to the accommodation hole  169 . The rear ends of partition walls  171  partitioning between the respective relay holes  168  in the width direction are facing the accommodation hole  169 . The housing body  163  includes a pair of widened portions  172  widened on both widthwise sides in a rear part. The accommodation hole  169  is provided inwardly of the respective widened portions  172  and accommodates the holding member  190 . 
     The housing body  163  includes a pair of lock portions  173  on the inner surfaces (surfaces facing the accommodation hole  169 ) of the respective widened portions  172 . Each lock portion  173  is in the form of a claw projecting into the accommodation hole  169 . 
     The front member  164  is cap-shaped and includes, as shown in  FIG. 20 , a front wall portion  174  for covering the front surface of the housing body  163 , a peripheral wall portion  175  for covering the outer peripheral surface of the front part of the housing body  163  and a lock arm  176  projecting rearward from an upper wall part of the peripheral wall portion  175 . The front wall portion  174  includes a plurality of insertion holes  177  penetrating in the front-rear direction at positions corresponding to the respective cavities  162 . Each insertion hole  177  has a circular cross-section and is formed to have an opening diameter smaller than each cavity  162 . The opening diameter of the insertion hole  177  is equal to that of the through hole  165 . The front wall portion  174  includes parts tapered and reduced in diameter from the front surface to the respective insertion holes  177 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , the front wall portion  174  includes a plurality of projecting portions  178  projecting rearward on a rear surface, and the respective insertion holes  177  penetrate through the respective projecting portions  178 . The projecting portions  178  are fit and inserted into the recesses  166  of the housing body  163 . With the connection device  110  accommodated in the cavity  162 , a forward displacement of the connection device  110  is restricted by the contact of the pressing member  120  with the tip surface (rear end surface) of the projecting portion  178 . The lock arm  176  holds a mating connector housing  151  seriving as a connection partner of the connector housing  161 . 
     &lt;Mating Connector Housing  151 &gt; 
     The mating connector housing  151  is made of synthetic resin and includes, as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 , a housing portion  152  having a flat shape along the width direction and a tubular receptacle  153  integrally projecting from the housing portion  152 . The receptacle  153  includes a lock protrusion  154  to be locked to the lock arm  176  on the inner surface of an upper wall portion. The housing portion  152  includes parts similar to the respective cavities  162 , the respective through holes  165 , the respective relay holes  168  and the accommodation hole  169  in the housing body  163  and accommodates and holds the respective second wires  180 B and the holding member  190 . Exposed parts of the electrically conductive members  181  of the respective second wires  180 B are arranged to project into the receptacle  153  from a back surface. 
     &lt;Holding Member  190 &gt; 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , the holding member  190  has a flat shape along the width direction and collectively holds the respective wires  180 A,  180 B arranged laterally side by side. The holding member  190  is a molded body formed by covering the respective wires  180 A,  180 B with a resin. Relative position shifts of the respective wires  180 A,  180 B are restricted via the holding member  190  and the wires  180 A,  180 B are held at fixed intervals in the width direction. The holding member  190  includes a pair of locked portions  191  on both side surfaces. Each locked portion  191  is in the form of a claw projecting outward in the width direction. 
     The holding member  190  is entirely inserted into the accommodation hole  169  of the connector housing  161 . The respective locked portions  191  are resiliently locked by the respective lock portions  173 . In this way, the holding member  190  is retained and held in the accommodation hole  169  of the connector housing  161 . The holding member  190  includes a pair of ribs  192  on each of upper and lower surfaces. The respective ribs  192  are formed to extend in the front-rear direction on the upper and lower surfaces. As shown in  FIG. 23 , the respective ribs  192  are inserted into receiving grooves  179  formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the accommodation hole  169  when the holding member  190  is inserted into the accommodation hole  169  of the connector housing  161 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , the holding member  190  molds intermediate stripped portions  193  of the respective wires  180 A,  180 B. The intermediate stripped portions  193  are formed on the electrically conductive members  181  exposed by removing the insulation coatings  182  in intermediate parts (halfway parts) in the front-rear direction of the wires  180 A,  180 B. The holding member  190  molds adjacent parts of the insulation coatings  182  arranged in front of and behind the intermediate stripped portions  193  in addition to the intermediate stripped portions  193 . A step is formed between an end surface of the adjacent portion  194  of the insulation coating  182  and the intermediate stripped portion  193 . The end surfaces (steps) of the adjacent portions  194  of the insulation coatings  182  are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction inside the holding member  190 , whereby the respective wires  180 A,  180 B are retained in the holding member  190 . 
     &lt;Functions of Connection Device  110  and Connector  160 &gt; 
     Prior to assembling into the connector housing  161 , the intermediate parts of the respective first wires  180 A are molded with the resin. In this way, a molded body  130  in which the respective first wires  180 A and the holding member  190  are integrated is formed as shown in  FIG. 24 . The respective first wires  180 A in the molded body  130  are aligned and held at fixed intervals in the width direction and the tip positions of the exposed parts of the respective electrically conductive members  181  are aligned. 
     The plurality of connection devices  110  are respectively inserted into the respective cavities  162  of the housing body  163 . Rearward escape of the connection devices  110  is restricted by the step portions  167 . Then, the front member  164  is mounted on the housing body  163 , whereby forward escape of the connection devices  110  is also restricted by the front wall portion  174  of the front member  164 . 
     In the above state, the molded body  130  is inserted into the accommodation hole  169  of the connector housing  161  from behind. The holding member  190  contacts the rear surfaces of the respective partition walls  171  and the respective locked portions  191  of the holding member  190  are locked by the respective lock portions  173  of the connector housing  161 , whereby the molded body  130  is held in the connector housing  161 . 
     The front parts of the insulation coatings  182  of the respective first wires  180 A are accommodated into the respective relay holes  168 , and the exposed parts of the electrically conductive members  181  of the respective first wires  180 A are accommodated from the respective through holes  165  to the respective cavities  162 . The front part of the exposed part of the electrically conductive member  181  in the first wire  180 A is inserted into the connection device  110  through the first entrance end part  123 A and enters the entrance portion  124  in the cavity  162 . The tip of the exposed part of the electrically conductive member  181  of the first wire  180 A is arranged behind a center in the front-rear direction of the connection device  110  (see  FIGS. 17 and 20 ). As shown in  FIG. 18 , each conductive portion  111  contacts the exposed part of the electrically conductive member  181  having entered the entrance portion  124  while receiving a force acting radially inward (reaction force, resilient force) from the pressing member  120 . Specifically, the respective conductive portions  111  sandwich the electrically conductive member  181  in facing directions (vertical direction and lateral direction) from the respective facing parts  121  and contact the electrically conductive member  181  along the front-rear direction. The pressing member  120  gives a large pressing force to the electrically conductive member  181  by the respective lips  122  being held in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cavity  162  and resiliently squeezed. The electrically conductive member  181  obtains the large pressing force at a position corresponding to the respective lips  122  in the rear part and contacts the contact portions  112  of the respective conductive portions  111 . Thus, the electrically conductive member  181  and the respective conductive portions  111  can secure and maintain a predetermined contact pressure via the pressing member  120 . 
     Subsequently, the connector housing  161  is fit into the receptacle  153  of the mating connector housing  151 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , the lock arm  176  resiliently locks the lock protrusion  154 , whereby the both connector housings  151 ,  161  are held with separation restricted. 
     Before the both connector housings  151 ,  161  are connected, the respective second wires  150 B are accommodated in the mating connector housing  151  while being held by the holding member  190 , similarly to the respective first wires  180 A. The respective second wires  180 B are arranged in the same alignment as the respective first wires  180 A. 
     When the both connector housings  151 ,  161  are connected, the exposed parts of the electrically conductive members  181  of the second wires  180 B are accommodated into the cavities  162  through the insertion holes  177  of the front wall portion  174 . The exposed parts of the electrically conductive members  181  of the second wires  180 B enter the entrance portions  124  through the second entrance end parts  123 B in the cavities  162 . The tips of the exposed parts of the electrically conductive members  181  in the second wires  180 B are arranged forward of centers in the front-rear direction of the connection devices  110 . The electrically conductive members  181  of the second wires  180 B contact the contact portions  112  of the respective conductive portions  111  in a manner similar to the electrically conductive members  181  of the aforementioned first wires  180 A. In this way, the electrically conductive members  181  of the respective second wires  180 B contact the contact portions  112  of the respective conductive portions  111 , whereby the electrically conductive members  181  of the respective first wires  180 A and the electrically conductive members  181  of the respective second wires  180 B are connected via the connection devices  110  (see  FIGS. 21 and 22 ). 
     The exposed parts of the electrically conductive members  181  of the second wires  180 B are pulled out from the entrance portions  124  of the connection devices  110  when the both connector housings  151 ,  161  are separated. Further, the exposed parts of the electrically conductive members  181  of the first wires  180 A are pulled out from the entrance portions  124  of the connection devices  110  when the molded body  130  is taken out from the accommodation hole  169 . That is, the electrically conductive members  181  can be inserted into and withdrawn from the entrance portions  124  of the connection devices  110 . 
     As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the connection device  110  includes the pressing member  120  and the conductive portions  111 , and the pressing member  120  gives a force for pressing the conductive portions  111  against the electrically conductive member  181  to the conductive portions  111 . The conductive portions  111  receive the force of the pressing member  120  and are pressed into contact with the electrically conductive members  181  of the wire  180 A,  180 B. In a conventional case, crimping pieces of a terminal fitting are crimped to a core part, which possibly becomes an electrically conductive member, to secure a contact pressure between the core part and the terminal fitting. In contrast, in the case of the eighth embodiment, the contact pressure between the electrically conductive member  181  and the conductive portions  111  is secured by the force of the pressing member  120  itself. Thus, a crimping step can be omitted. Further, the connection device  110  does not include parts equivalent to the crimping pieces in the conventional terminal fitting, and has a simple and compact structure. 
     Further, since the pressing member  120  is made of non-metal, connected parts of the conductive portions  111  and the electrically conductive member  181  need not be insulated. Thus, the connection device  110  needs not be provided with a separate insulating structure. Moreover, the pressing member  120  presses the conductive portions  111  against the electrically conductive member  181  by a relatively simple structure. As a result, the enlargement of the connection device  110  can be avoided. Particularly, since the pressing member  120  is made of elastomer, a degree of freedom in molding is high and resilience is easily adjusted. 
     The pressing member  120  includes the entrance portion  124  inside, and the conductive portions  111  are provided in the entrance portion  124 . In this way, the electrically conductive member  181  and the conductive portions  111  can be easily connected only by causing the electrically conductive member  181  to enter the entrance portion  124 . 
     Further, the conductive portions  111  are arranged along the front-rear direction, which is an entering direction of the electrically conductive member  181 . In this way, external matters such as dust adhering to the surface of the electrically conductive member  181  can be wiped and removed by the conductive portions  111  in the entering process of the electrically conductive member  181  into the entrance portion  124 . 
     The conductive portions  111  include the held portions  113  held in the facing parts  121  of the pressing member  120  and are integrated with the pressing member  120 . Thus, the connection device  110  can be integrally handled. Further, the conductive portions  111  are arranged in the respective facing parts  121  of the pressing member  120  and contact the electrically conductive member  181  from the respective facing parts  121 . Thus, a connected state of the conductive portions  111  and the electrically conductive member  181  can be stably maintained. 
     Further, the entrance portion  124  is provided as a space penetrating through the pressing member  120  in the front-rear direction. The pressing member  120  includes the entrance end parts  123 A,  123 B constituting the front and rear end parts of the entrance portion  124 , and the conductive portions  111  are arranged to extend between the respective entrance end parts  123 A and  123 B of the pressing member  120 . The exposed parts of the electrically conductive members  181  of the respective wires  180 A,  180 B enter the entrance portion  124  through the entrance end parts  123 A,  123 B and contact the conductive portions  111 . Thus, the electrically conductive members  181  of the respective wires  180 A,  180 B are easily connected via the conductive portions  111 . 
     The connection device  110  is inserted and accommodated into the cavity  162  of the connector housing  161 . The electrically conductive members  181  of the respective wires  180 A,  180 B extend to the outside of the connection device  110  and are held aligned with each other outside by the holding member  190 . Since the electrically conductive members  181  of the respective wires  180 A,  180 B and the holding member  190  are integrated as the molded body  130 , these are excellent in handleability. The holding member  190  includes the locked portions  191  to be locked to the connector housing  161 . The connection devices  110  are provided separately from the holding member  190  and do not include parts equivalent to the locked portions  191 . Thus, the structure of the connection devices  110  can be more simplified. 
     The pressing member  120  is resiliently compressed by the connector housing  161 . Thus, the pressing member  120  can give a predetermined force to the electrically conductive members  181  and the connected state of the conductive portions  111  and the electrically conductive members  181  is more stabilized. Further, the waterproofness of the connected parts of the conductive portions  111  and the electrically conductive members  181  can be ensured by the pressing member  120 . 
     The pressing member  120  is made of elastomer and resiliently compressed by the connector housing  161 . According to this configuration, when the connection device  110  is accommodated into the connector housing  161 , the conductive portions  111  can obtain a force from the pressing member  120  and stably contact the electrically conductive members  181 . Further, the waterproofness of the connected parts of the conductive portions  111  and the electrically conductive members  181  can be ensured by the pressing member  120 . 
     Other Embodiments 
     The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated first to eighth embodiments and is represented by claims. The present invention is intended to include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents and also include the following embodiments. 
     Although the movable-side conductive member is a plate-like member made of metal such as copper and aluminum in the first to seventh embodiments, the movable-side conductive member may be a linear member or rod-like member made of metal or may be an electrically conductive member made of a metal foil of copper, aluminum or the like, carbon powder, carbon nanotubes and to be applied to the pressing member. 
     Although the pressing member is made of rubber in the first to seventh embodiments, the pressing member may be made of synthetic resin without being limited to the one made of rubber. 
     Although the first and second conductors are single cores in the first to seventh embodiments, the first and second conductors may be configured by binding stranded wires by ultrasonic welding, laser welding or the like without being limited to single cores or may be busbars made of a metal plate material. 
     In the first to seventh embodiments, the connection device may include, for example, a water stop member such as a heat shrinkable tube in addition to the movable-side conductive member(s), the fixed-side conductive member(s) and the pressing member(s). The water stop member may be mounted to cover the first and second conductors exposed between the pressing member(s) and the insulation coatings. 
     Although the movable-side conductive member configured to be displaced integrally with the pressing member and the fixed-side conductive member fixed to the female housing are brought into contact with the first and second conductors in the first embodiment, only the movable-side conductive member may be brought into contact with the first and second conductors or only the fixed-side conductive member may be brought into contact with the first and second conductors. 
     In the first embodiment, both the movable-side conductive member and the fixed-side conductive member may be provided with contact point portions. 
     The configuration of the second embodiment to form the rib-like contact point portion on the movable-side conductive member can be applied to the third to seventh embodiments. 
     The configuration of the fourth embodiment to integrally couple the plurality of fixed-side conductive members via the coupling portions can also be applied to the first, second and fifth to seventh embodiments. 
     The configuration of the fifth to seventh embodiments to integrate the plurality of movable-side conductive members with one pressing member can also be applied to the first to fourth embodiments. 
     Although the conductive portion  111  is a linear member or rod-like member made of metal in the eighth embodiment, the conductive portion may be, for example, a plate-like member (flat plate member, curved plate member or the like) made of metal such as copper or aluminum or may be an electrically conductive member made of a metal foil of copper, aluminum or the like, carbon powder, carbon nanotubes or the like and to be applied to the pressing member as another embodiment. 
     For example, in the case of a first modification of a connection device  110 A shown in  FIG. 25 , a conductive portion  111 A is a curved plate member made of metal and has an arc-shaped cross-section and a pair of the conductive portions  111 A are provided in facing parts  121  arranged at an interval of 180° in a circumferential direction in a pressing member  120 . Further, in the case of a second modification of a connection device  110 B shown in  FIG. 26 , a conductive portion  111 B is a flat plate member and has a rectangular cross-section (in particular, a square cross-section) and a pair of the conductive portions  111 B are provided in facing parts  121  arranged at an interval of 180° in a circumferential direction in a pressing member  120 . 
     Although the pressing member  120  is formed into a tubular shape in the case of the eighth embodiment, a pressing member may be, for example, plate-like (flat plate-like, curved plate-like) resilient members arranged to face each other on the inner peripheral surface of the cavity  162  of the connector housing  161  without being limited to the one having a tubular shape as another embodiment. 
     Although the pressing member  120  is made of rubber in the eighth embodiment, a pressing member may be made of synthetic resin without being limited to the one made of rubber as another embodiment. 
     Although the electrically conductive members  181  are the single cores of the wires  180 A,  180 B in the case of the eighth embodiment, electrically conductive members may be configured by binding stranded wires by ultrasonic welding, laser welding or the like or may be busbars as another embodiment without being limited to single cores. 
     Although the pressing member  120  includes two entrance end parts  123 A,  123 B, into which the electrically conductive members  181  enter, in the case of the eighth embodiment, the pressing member  120  may include, for example, only one entrance end part, into which the electrically conductive member  181  enters, or may include three or more entrance end parts as another embodiment. If there is one entrance end part, the conductive portions may be, for example, busbars including a ground connecting portion to be connected to a grounding member separately from the contact portions  112  configured to contact the electrically conductive member  181 . 
     Although the connection device  110  is composed of the conductive portions  111  and the pressing member  120  in the case of the eighth embodiment, the connection device  110  may include a water stop member such as a heat shrinkable tube in addition to the conductive portions  111  and the pressing member  120  as another embodiment. The water stop member may be mounted to cover the electrically conductive members  181  exposed between the pressing member  120  and the insulation coatings  182 . 
     Although the entrance portion  124  is provided as a space penetrating through the pressing member  120  in the front-rear direction in the case of the eighth embodiment, an entrance portion may be merely a cut formed in a body portion as another embodiment. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     F . . . female connector 
     M . . . male connector 
       10  . . . female housing 
       11  . . . housing body 
       12  . . . front member 
       13  . . . cavity 
       14  . . . connecting portion (supporting portion) 
       15  . . . positioning portion 
       16  . . . groove portion 
       17  . . . guide portion 
       18  . . . inserting portion 
       19  . . . retaining projection 
       20  . . . holding space 
       21  . . . front wall portion 
       22  . . . peripheral wall portion 
       23  . . . lock arm 
       24  . . . insertion hole 
       30  . . . connection device 
       31  . . . pressing member 
       32  . . . accommodation recess 
       35  . . . movable-side conductive member (first conductive portion) 
       36  . . . first contact portion 
       37  . . . second contact portion 
       38  . . . coupling portion 
       39  . . . bent end part 
       40  . . . fixed-side conductive member (second conductive portion) 
       41  . . . mounting portion 
       42  . . . first contact point portion 
       43  . . . second contact point portion 
       45  . . . first wire module 
       46  . . . first coated wire 
       47  . . . first conductor (electrically conductive member) 
       47 E . . . first connecting end part 
       48  . . . first insulation coating 
       49  . . . first holding member (holding member) 
       50  . . . locking projection 
       60  . . . male housing 
       61  . . . housing portion 
       62  . . . receptacle 
       63  . . . lock portion 
       64  . . . second wire module 
       65  . . . second coated wire 
       66  . . . second conductor (electrically conductive member) 
       66 E . . . second connecting end part 
       67  . . . second insulation coating 
       68  . . . second holding member (holding member) 
       70  . . . movable-side conductive member (first conductive portion) 
       71  . . . contact point portion 
       72  . . . connection device 
       73  . . . second pressing member 
       74  . . . second movable-side conductive member (second conductive portion) 
       75  . . . joint terminal 
       76  . . . linking portion 
       77  . . . pressing member 
       78  . . . movable-side conductive member (first conductive portion) 
       79  . . . pressing module 
       80  . . . movable-side conductive member (first conductive portion) 
       81  . . . linking portion 
       82  . . . joint terminal 
       83  . . . pressing module 
       84  . . . movable-side conductive member (first conductive portion) 
       85  . . . linking portion 
       86  . . . joint terminal 
       87  . . . pressing module 
       110  . . . connection device 
       110 A . . . connection device 
       110 B . . . connection device 
       111  . . . conductive portion 
       111 A . . . conductive portion 
       111 B . . . conductive portion 
       112  . . . contact portion 
       113  . . . held portion 
       120  . . . pressing member 
       121  . . . facing part 
       122  . . . lip 
       123 A . . . first entrance end part 
       123 B . . . second entrance end part 
       124  . . . entrance portion 
       130  . . . molded body 
       151  . . . mating connector housing 
       152  . . . housing portion 
       153  . . . receptacle 
       154  . . . lock protrusion 
       160  . . . connector 
       161  . . . connector housing 
       162  . . . cavity 
       163  . . . housing body 
       164  . . . front member 
       165  . . . through hole 
       166  . . . recess 
       167  . . . step portion 
       168  . . . relay hole 
       169  . . . accommodation hole 
       171  . . . partition wall 
       172  . . . widened portion 
       173  . . . lock portion 
       174  . . . front wall portion 
       175  . . . peripheral wall portion 
       176  . . . lock arm 
       177  . . . insertion hole 
       178  . . . projecting portion 
       179  . . . receiving groove 
       180 A . . . first wire 
       180 B . . . second wire 
       181  . . . electrically conductive member 
       182  . . . insulation coating 
       190  . . . holding member 
       191  . . . locked portion 
       192  . . . rib 
       193  . . . intermediate stripped portion 
       194  . . . adjacent portion 
       884  . . . movable-side conductive member