Patent Publication Number: US-2019190183-A1

Title: Connection terminal and 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. 2017-243323 filed in Japan on Dec. 20, 2017. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a connection terminal and a connector. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, a connection terminal at least includes a terminal metal fitting. For example, the terminal metal fitting includes two electric connection parts disposed facing each other at an interval. An electric connection part of a counterpart connection terminal is inserted between the two electric connection parts to be engaged. The connection terminal is physically and electrically connected to the counterpart connection terminal, when the two electric connection parts of the connection terminal hold the electric connection part of the counterpart connection terminal therebetween. For example, such a connection terminal is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-079545. 
     In the conventional connection terminal, the electric connection part of the counterpart connection terminal is inserted between the two electric connection parts to be engaged, and the electric connection part of the counterpart connection terminal is extracted from between the two electric connection parts. Consequently, in the conventional connection terminal, to reduce the insertion force of the counterpart connection terminal when the counterpart connection terminal is inserted and engaged, and to reduce the extraction force of the counterpart connection terminal when the counterpart connection terminal is extracted, for example, the electric connection parts are provided with flexibility so as to be able to expand the interval between the two electric connection parts. However, although the connection terminal can reduce the insertion force and the extraction force (hereinafter, referred to as an “insertion and extraction force”) of the counterpart connection terminal, the holding force of the counterpart connection terminal after the counterpart connection terminal is inserted and engaged may not be obtained, because the interval between the two electric connection parts expands too much. The connection terminal configures a connector by being housed in an insulating housing body. In the connector, the interval between the two electric connection parts can be prevented from expanding too much, by providing a locking part and the like for lowering the deflection amount of the electric connection part of the connection terminal in the housing body. However, this may cause problems such as the increased size of the housing body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Consequently, an object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal and a connector capable of reducing the insertion and extraction force for the counterpart connection terminal and securing the holding force for the counterpart connection terminal using a terminal metal fitting. 
     A connection terminal according to one aspect of the present invention includes a terminal metal fitting that includes first and second electric connection parts each having facing wall surfaces disposed facing each other at an interval and formed in a flat plate shape, and that is electrically connected to an electric connection part of a counterpart connection terminal inserted between first end parts of the first and the second electric connection parts, wherein the terminal metal fitting includes a joining part that couples first side end parts of respective second end parts of the first and the second electric connection parts, and an opening restriction part that keeps an interval between the facing wall surfaces of the respective second end parts of the first and the second electric connection parts between second side end parts of the respective second end parts of the first and the second electric connection parts. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, in the connection terminal, it is preferable that the opening restriction part is formed so as to project from the second side end part of the second end part of the first electric connection part, and lock the second side end part by being hooked to the second side end part of the second end part of the second electric connection part. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the connection terminal further includes a contact member that is attached to each of the first end parts of the first and the second electric connection parts, and that is capable of being brought into contact with a first wall surface or a second wall surface of the electric connection part of the counterpart connection terminal inserted between the first end parts of the first and the second electric connection parts. 
     A connector according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a connection terminal; and a housing body that houses the connection terminal in a housing space provided inside, wherein the connection terminal includes a terminal metal fitting that includes first and second electric connection parts each having facing wall surfaces disposed facing each other at an interval and formed in a flat plate shape, and that is electrically connected to an electric connection part of a counterpart connection terminal inserted between first end parts of the first and the second electric connection parts, and the terminal metal fitting includes a joining part that couples first side end parts of respective second end parts of the first and the second electric connection parts, and an opening restriction part that keeps an interval between the facing wall surfaces of the respective second end parts of the first and the second electric connection parts between second side end parts of the respective second end parts of the first and the second electric connection parts. 
     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 an exploded perspective view of a connection terminal of an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the connection terminal of the embodiment viewed from another angle; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the connection terminal of the embodiment illustrated with a counterpart connection terminal after the connectors are engaged; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a connector of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the connector of the embodiment viewed from another angle; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the connector before being fitted to a casing of a power supply circuit; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the connector of the embodiment illustrated with the counterpart connector before the connectors are engaged; 
         FIG. 8  is a development view of a terminal metal fitting of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the counterpart connector and an electric wire with a connector of the embodiment viewed from another angle; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of the counterpart connector and the electric wire with a connector of the embodiment viewed from a terminal insertion port side; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view cut along line X 1 -X 1  in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of the counterpart connector of the embodiment illustrated with an electric wire; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating a counterpart connection terminal fixed to the electric wire; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the counterpart connection terminal fixed to the electric wire viewed from another angle; 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of the counterpart connection terminal fixed to the electric wire viewed from a first wall surface side; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the counterpart connection terminal fixed to the electric wire viewed from a first end surface side; 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of a housing body; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a second housing member viewed from another angle; 
         FIG. 19  is a sectional view cut along line Y-Y in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the connector of the embodiment illustrated with the counterpart connector after the connectors are engaged; 
         FIG. 21  is a sectional view cut along line X 2 -X 2  in  FIG. 20 ; and 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view illustrating a variation of the counterpart connection terminal applicable to the connection terminal of the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of a connection terminal and a connector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. 
     Embodiment 
     One embodiment of a connection terminal and a connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 22 . In this example, the connection terminal is explained together with a description of the connector including this connection terminal. 
     Reference numeral  10  in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5  is the connection terminal of the present embodiment. Reference numeral  1  in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7  is the connector of the present embodiment. 
     A connector  1  and a counterpart connector  101  ( FIG. 7 ) are components of a connector device. The connector device is a device that electrically couples objects to be connected that are electrically connected to the respective first connector and second connector when the first connector and the second connector are physically and electrically connected. In this example, for the sake of convenience, the connector  1  is referred to as the first connector, and the counterpart connector  101  is referred to as the second connector. 
     In this example, each of the objects to be connected is a power supply circuit such as an inverter, and an electric apparatus such as a rotating machine, for example. For example, the connector  1  is fitted to a casing  201  of a power supply circuit  200  ( FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ), and is electrically connected to the power supply circuit  200  via an electric line (not illustrated). The counterpart connector  101  is electrically connected to an electric apparatus (not illustrated) via an electric wire We. The electric apparatus and the power supply circuit  200  can be electrically coupled when the connector  1  and the counterpart connector  101  are electrically connected to each other. Consequently, electricity can be supplied to the electric apparatus from a power supply (secondary battery and the like), and the power supply can be charged with electricity generated by the electric apparatus. 
     The connector  1  of the present embodiment is electrically connected to the counterpart connector  101  by being inserted into and engaged with the counterpart connector  101 . The electric connection between the connector  1  and the counterpart connector  101  is cancelled when the connector  1  is extracted from the counterpart connector  101 . In this example, the direction toward which the connector  1  is inserted and engaged is referred to as a “connector insertion direction”, and the direction toward which the connector  1  is extracted is referred to as a “connector extraction direction”. When these two directions are not specified, the directions are referred to as a “connector insertion and extraction direction”. Each direction refers to the direction of the connector  1  relative to the counterpart connector  101  when explanation is made based on the connector  1 , and each direction refers to the direction of the counterpart connector  101  relative to the connector  1  when explanation is made based on the counterpart connector  101 . 
     In the present embodiment, the connector  1  is set as a female connector, and the counterpart connector  101  is set as a male connector. 
     The connector  1  of the present embodiment includes a connection terminal  10  ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). The connection terminal  10  includes a terminal metal fitting  20  and a contact member  30  (from  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5 ). The connector  1  of the present embodiment also includes a housing body  40  for housing the connection terminal  10  (from  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 ). 
     The connection terminal  10  of the present embodiment is electrically connected to a counterpart connection terminal  110 , which will be described below, of the counterpart connector  101 . In the connection terminal  10  in the example, the terminal metal fitting  20  is electrically connected to the counterpart connection terminal  110  via the contact member  30 . For example, the connector  1  of the present embodiment includes the connection terminal  10  for each pole. In this example, two connection terminals  10  are provided ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). 
     The terminal metal fitting  20  of the present embodiment is formed of a conductive material such as metal (copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, and the like) formed into a female shape. In this example, the terminal metal fitting  20  is formed into the female shape by press working such as cutting and bending, using a conductive metal sheet as a base material. 
       FIG. 8  is a development view of the terminal metal fitting  20 . In a terminal metal fitting  20 X before being bent, reference numerals  21 X and  22 X are a first electric connection part and a second electric connection part before being bent, respectively, and are portions to be a first electric connection part  21  and a second electric connection part  22  after being bent, which will be described below. Reference numeral  23 X is a joining part before being bent, and is a portion to be a joining part  23  after being bent, which will be described below. Reference numeral  24 X is an opening restriction part before being bent, and is a portion to be an opening restriction part  24  after being bent, which will be described below. Reference numeral  25 X is a fixed part before being bent, and is a portion to be a fixed part  25  after being bent, which will be described below. 
     The terminal metal fitting  20  includes the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  disposed facing each other at an interval (from  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 ). The first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  are each formed in a flat plate shape having two flat wall surfaces. In this example, the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  are each formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. Moreover, the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  in the example are both formed in the same shape. In the terminal metal fitting  20 , wall surfaces (hereinafter, referred to as “facing wall surfaces)  21   a  and  22   a  are disposed facing each other at an interval, the facing wall surface  21   a  being one of two wall surfaces of the first electric connection part  21  and the facing wall surface  22   a  being one of two wall surfaces of the second electric connection part  22  ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ). The facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  are disposed facing each other at an interval so as to be in parallel. 
     In the terminal metal fitting  20 , an electric connection part  111 , which will be described below, of the counterpart connection terminal  110  is inserted between first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) of the respective first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 . Consequently, the terminal metal fitting  20  is electrically connected to the inserted electric connection part  111 . The first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  are formed and disposed so that one of a first wall surface  111   a  and a second wall surface  111   b , which will be described below, of the flat plate-shaped electric connection part  111  is disposed facing one of the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective first end parts  21   b  and  22   b , and the other of the first wall surface  111   a  and the second wall surface  111   b  is disposed facing the other of the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a . In other words, the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  are formed and disposed so that the first wall surface  111   a  and the second wall surface  111   b  can be disposed facing either of the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a . In this example, the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a , and the first and the second wall surfaces  111   a  and  111   b  are disposed facing each other in parallel. 
     In the terminal metal fitting  20 , the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  are coupled by the joining part  23  (from  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 ). The joining part  23  couples first side end parts of second end parts  21   c  and  22   c  of the respective first and second electric connection parts  21  and  22 . The joining part  23  is a portion connected to the first side end parts of the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 , and is formed by bending the terminal metal fitting  20 X before being bent such that the first electric connection part  21 X and the second electric connection part  22 X are disposed facing each other. 
     In the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22 , force in a direction to expand the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  is applied from the electric connection part  111  when the electric connection part  111  is inserted between the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b . In the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22 , when the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  expands too much, it is difficult to obtain nipping force (in other words, holding force) for the electric connection part  111 . On the other hand, in the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22 , when the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  cannot be expanded, force applied when inserting and extracting the electric connection part  111  becomes excessive, and it is difficult to improve inserting and extracting workability of the electric connection part  111 . 
     Thus, the terminal metal fitting  20  is provided with the opening restriction part  24  capable of allowing the expansion of the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective first end parts  21   b  and  22   b , while reducing the insertion and extraction force for the electric connection part  111  and securing the holding force for the electric connection part  111  (from  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 ). The opening restriction part  24  is a portion for keeping the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of respective second end parts  21   c  and  22   c  in the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22 . Consequently, the opening restriction part  24  allows expansion of the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective first end parts  21   b  and  22   b , while reducing the insertion and extraction force for the electric connection part  111  and securing the holding force for the electric connection part  111 . 
     More particularly, the opening restriction part  24  is formed so as to be able to keep the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective second end parts  21   c  and  22   c  in the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22 , between the second side end parts of the respective second end parts  21   c  and  22   c  in the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22 . The opening restriction part  24  is formed so as to project from the second side end part of the second end part  21   c  of the first electric connection part  21 , and lock the second side end part by hooking to the second side end part of the second end part  22   c  of the second electric connection part  22 . 
     The opening restriction part  24  can prevent the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective second end parts  21   c  and  22   c  from expanding further, by locking the second side end part of the second end part  22   c  in the second electric connection part  22 . On the other hand, the opening restriction part  24 , together with the joining part  23 , can make the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  side of the respective first and second electric connection parts  21  and  22  to have flexibility. 
     Consequently, in the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b , it is possible to expand the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  by the opening restriction part  24  and the joining part  23 . The opening restriction part  24  can adjust the expanding amount of the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  by adjusting a locking area between the second side end parts of the respective second end parts  21   c  and  22   c . For example, in the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22 , the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  side of the respective first and second electric connection parts  21  and  22  are prevented from becoming flexible by at least expanding the locking area provided by the opening restriction part  24  toward the respective first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  side. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the expansion amount of the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective first end parts  21   b  and  22   b . The expansion amount of the interval is reduced when the locking area provided by the opening restriction part  24  expands toward the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  sides. The range of the locking area provided by the opening restriction part  24  is determined on the basis of the magnitude of a desired insertion and extraction force for the electric connection part  111  and the magnitude of a desired holding force for the electric connection part  111 . To adjust the expansion amount, it is preferable to adjust the joining part  23  as well by adjusting the connection area of the first side end parts of the respective second end parts  21   c  and  22   c  on the basis of the same idea of adjusting the locking area provided by the opening restriction part  24 . 
     The opening restriction part  24  in the example includes a locking part  24   a  and a bonding part  24   b  (from  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 ). The locking part  24   a  is disposed facing an outer side wall surface  22   d  placed opposite from the facing wall surface  22   a  of the second end part  22   c  in the second electric connection part  22 , and locks the outer side wall surface  22   d  of the second side end part of the second end part  22   c  in the second electric connection part  22 . The bonding part  24   b  couples the second side end part of the second end part  21   c  in the first electric connection part  21  with the locking part  24   a . In this example, the locking part  24   a  and the bonding part  24   b  are formed as a piece. 
     In the terminal metal fitting  20 , further expansion of the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective second end parts  21   c  and  22   c  in the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22  is prevented because the outer side wall surface  22   d  is locked by the locking part  24   a  of the opening restriction part  24 . In the terminal metal fitting  20 , the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  sides of the respective first and second electric connection parts  21  and  22  have flexibility while the further expansion of the of the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  is prevented. Thus, when the electric connection part  111  is inserted between the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b , it is possible to expand the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective first end parts  21   b  and  22   b . Consequently, in the terminal metal fitting  20 , it is possible to insert the electric connection part  111  between the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  with the insertion force reduced to a desired magnitude. Moreover, in the terminal metal fitting  20 , it is possible to hold the electric connection part  111  with the holding force having a desired magnitude. Furthermore, in the terminal metal fitting  20 , it is possible to extract the electric connection part  111  from between the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  by the extraction force reduced to a desired magnitude. 
     In this example, the terminal metal fitting  20  includes the fixed part  25  fixed to the housing body  40  (from  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 ). The fixed part  25  is provided to one of the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 . The fixed part  25  in the example is formed as a piece, and projects from an end portion of the second end part  21   c  of the first electric connection part  21  in the connector insertion and extraction direction. In this example, the fixed part  25  projects in the perpendicular direction with respect to the facing wall surface  21   a  of the first electric connection part  21 . The fixed part  25  is formed with a through hole  25   a  through which a male screw member B 1 , which will be described below, is inserted. 
     The contact member  30  is fitted to each of the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  of the terminal metal fitting  20 . 
     Different contact members  30  may be used for the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 , or the same contact members  30  may be used for the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 . In this example, the same contact members  30  are used for the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 . 
     The contact members  30  are physically and electrically connected to the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  by being fitted to the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  of the respective first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 . In other words, the connection terminal  10  includes a pair of combination of the first electric connection part  21  and one contact member  30  that are brought into contact with each other, and a pair of combination of the second electric connection part  22  and the other contact member  30  that are brought into contact with each other. Thus, the contact member  30  can be brought into contact with the first wall surface  111   a  or the second wall surface  111   b  of the electric connection part  111  that is inserted between the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  of the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22 . Consequently, the contact members  30  can electrically connect the electric connection part  111  to the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 . 
     The contact members  30  are formed of a conductive material such as metal (copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, and the like) to have a spring property. In this example, the contact members  30  are formed by press working such as cutting and bending, using a conductive metal sheet as a base material. 
     The contact members  30  are formed so that the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  are fitted into the respective contact members  30 . Consequently, the contact members  30  are formed in a ring shape or a tube shape. For example, each contact member  30  in the example includes two ring-shaped parts  31  formed in a rectangular tube shape and four joining parts  32  ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ). The ring-shaped parts  31  are disposed facing each other at an interval while aligning in the tube axis direction. The joining parts  32  each couple the ring-shaped parts  31 . The first end part  21   b  of the first electric connection part  21  and the first end part  22   b  of the second electric connection part  22  are fitted into the respective ring-shaped parts  31 . For example, the joining parts  32  are disposed at respective corners of the two ring-shaped parts  31 , and join the corners facing each other in the tube axis direction. 
     Moreover, each contact member  30  includes, between the ring-shaped parts  31 , at least one contact part  33  that projects outward than each of the ring-shaped parts  31  and that has flexibility ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ). The contact member  30  in the example includes a plurality of the contact parts  33  projecting in the same direction at the same projecting amount. Both ends of each contact part  33  in the tube axis direction are joined to each of the ring-shaped parts  31 , and a curved surface provided at the maximum projecting position at the center in the tube axis direction is set as a contact point. The contact parts  33  form a virtual plane surface (not illustrated) by coupling the maximum projecting positions. The virtual plane surface in the example is disposed facing the facing wall surfaces  21   a  or  22   a  in a parallel state when the first electric connection part  21  or the second electric connection part  22  is fitted. 
     In the connector  1 , the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  are fitted into the respective contact members  30  so that the virtual plane surfaces are disposed facing each other at an interval in a parallel state. Consequently, the contact parts  33  of the respective contact members  30  are disposed facing each other in the perpendicular direction with respect to the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 . The interval between the virtual plane surfaces is made narrower than the plate thickness of the electric connection part  111 . 
     Consequently, by inserting the electric connection part  111  between the contact members  30 , the contact parts  33  can be brought into contact with the first wall surface  111   a  and the second wall surface  111   b  of the electric connection part  111 . Consequently, the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  are physically and electrically connected to the electric connection part  111  via the contact members  30  in a terminal housing chamber  141  of a second housing member  140  of a casing  120 , which will be described below. 
     In this example, the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  in the example each include, at each side end part of the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b , a locking projection  26  for holding the contact member  30  after being fitted ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ). The contact member  30  in the example includes locking holes  34  into which the locking projection  26  of each side end part of the first end part  21   b  in the first electric connection part  21  or the locking projection  26  of each side end part of the first end part  22   b  in the second electric connection part  22  is inserted ( FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 ). The locking projections  26  lock the ring-shaped parts  31  at the respective second end parts  21   c  and  22   c  side of the contact member  30  after being fitted ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Consequently, the contact member  30  is held by the first electric connection part  21  or the second electric connection part  22  after the first end part  21   b  or  22   b  of the first electric connection part  21  or the second electric connection part  22  is fitted into the contact member  30 . 
     In the connection terminal  10 , the locking area provided by the opening restriction part  24  is adjusted while taking into account the spring force of the contact parts  33  of the contact members  30 . 
     The connection terminal  10  is housed in the housing body  40  ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). The housing body  40  includes a housing member  50  (from  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 ) that houses the connection terminal  10 , and a holding member  60  (from  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 ) that prevents the housed connection terminal  10  from coming off the housing member  50 . 
     The housing member  50  is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing member  50  includes a first housing body  51  and a second housing body  52 . The first housing body  51  houses the pair of combination of the first electric connection part  21  and one contact member  30 . The second housing body  52  houses the pair of combination of the second electric connection part  22  and the other contact member  30  (from  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 ). The first housing body  51  is formed so as to surround the first electric connection part  21  and the one contact member  30  while exposing the facing wall surface  21   a  and the contact part  33  side of the one contact member  30 . The second housing body  52  is formed so as to surround the second electric connection part  22  and the other contact member  30  while exposing the facing wall surface  22   a  and the contact part  33  side of the other contact member  30 . The first housing body  51  and the second housing body  52  are disposed facing each other at an interval in the perpendicular direction with respect to the respective facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a . The size of the interval is set such that the electric connection part  111  is not prevented from being inserted between the contact members  30 . The housing member  50  includes a pair of the first housing body  51  and the second housing body  52  for each connection terminal  10 . 
     The housing member  50  includes a tube body  53  the tube axis direction of which is the connector insertion and extraction direction, and both ends of which in the tube axis direction are opened (from  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 ). All combinations of the first housing body  51  and the second housing body  52  extend in the connector insertion direction from the inner space of the tube body  53 , and project from an opening  53   a  at one end of the tube body  53  ( FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 7 ). An insertion port  53   c  through which the connection terminal  10  is inserted is provided at an opening  53   b  of the other end of the tube body  53  for each connection terminal  10  ( FIG. 5 ). A holding part  53   d  for holding the first housing body  51  and the second housing body  52 , and for holding the connection terminal  10  is provided inside the tube body  53  ( FIG. 5 ). The connection terminal  10  is fixed to the holding part  53   d  via the male screw member B 1  inserted into the through hole  25   a . A female screw member N 1  into which the male screw member B 1  is to be screwed is inserted into and engaged with the holding part  53   d  ( FIG. 5 ). 
     A flange part  54  for fixing the housing member  50  to the casing  201  of the power supply circuit  200  is provided outside of the tube body  53  (from  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 ). The flange part  54  includes a through hole  54   a  through which a male screw member B 2  is inserted (from  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 ). The flange part  54  is fixed to the casing  201  via the male screw member B 2  ( FIG. 7 ). A female screw member N 2  into which the male screw member B 2  is to be screwed is formed in the casing  201  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     In the tube body  53 , a portion at the connector insertion direction side than the flange part  54  (in other words, a portion projecting from the casing  201 ) is an engaging part (connector engaging part)  53   e  with a connector engaging part  131   a , which will be described below, of the casing  120  of the counterpart connector  101  (from  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 ). A seal member Se 1  formed in a ring shape is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the connector engaging part  53   e . The connector engaging part  53   e  is inserted into and engaged with the connector engaging part  131   a . The seal member Se 1  is interposed between the connector engaging part  53   e  and the connector engaging part  131   a , and is brought into close contact with the wall surfaces of the connector engaging part  53   e  and the connector engaging part  131   a . A portion at the connector extraction direction side than the flange part  54  of the tube body  53  (in other words, a portion buried in the casing  201 ) is an engaging part  53   f  with the holding member  60  ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). 
     The holding member  60  is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The holding member  60  is engaged with the engaging part  53   f  at the opening  53   b  side of the other end of the tube body  53 , and blocks the insertion port  53   c  of the connection terminal  10 . The engaging part  53   f  is inserted into and engaged with the holding member  60 . In the connector  1 , the holding member  60  is an engaging part with the casing  201 . Consequently, a seal member Se 2  formed in a ring shape is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the holding member  60  ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). 
     In this manner, the connector  1  described above is inserted into and engaged with the counterpart connector  101 , and is electrically connected to the counterpart connector  101 . In the following, an example of the counterpart connector  101  will be described. 
     The counterpart connector  101  of the present embodiment may be configured as a shield connector that prevents noise entering from outside. In the following example, the counterpart connector  101  configured as a shield connector will be described. 
     The counterpart connector  101  of the present embodiment is physically and electrically connected to the electric wire We, and constitutes together with the electric wire We an electric wire WH with a connector ( FIG. 7 , and from  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 11 ). 
     The counterpart connector  101  includes the counterpart connection terminal  110  electrically connected to the connection terminal  10 , and the casing  120  that houses the counterpart connection terminal  110  ( FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 ). 
     The counterpart connection terminal  110  of the present embodiment is provided for each connection terminal  10 . The counterpart connector  101  in the example includes two counterpart connection terminals  110 . In this example, the terminal metal fitting is used as the counterpart connection terminal  110 . In the counterpart connector  101 , a plurality of the same counterpart connection terminals  110  are provided in the casing  120 . However, the counterpart connectors  101  may include a combination of the counterpart connection terminal  110  in the example and a counterpart connection terminal (terminal metal fitting) having a different shape from that of the counterpart connection terminal  110  in the example. 
     The counterpart connection terminal  110  is a male counterpart terminal metal fitting, and is formed of a conductive material such as metal (copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, and the like). In this example, the male counterpart connection terminal  110  is formed by press working such as cutting and bending, using a conductive metal sheet as a base material. 
     The counterpart connection terminal  110  includes the electric connection part  111  electrically connected to the connection terminal  10 , and an electric wire connection part  112  electrically connected to the terminal of the electric wire We ( FIG. 11 , and from  FIG. 13  to  FIG. 16 ). 
     The electric connection part  111  in the example is formed in a male shape. The electric connection part  111  in the example is formed in a flat plate shape having two flat wall surfaces (the first wall surface  111   a  and the second wall surface  111   b ) ( FIG. 16 ). In this example, the electric connection part  111  is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and the first wall surface  111   a  and the second wall surface  111   b  are disposed facing each other in parallel. In the electric connection part  111 , at least one of the first wall surface  111   a  and the second wall surface  111   b  is used as a contact part at which the electric connection part  111  is physically and electrically connected to the connection terminal  10 . In this example, as described above, the connection terminal  10  includes two electric connection parts (the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 ). Consequently, the first wall surface  111   a  and the second wall surface  111   b  are both used as the contact parts to electrically connect to the two electric connection parts. 
     The electric wire connection part  112  in the example is physically and electrically connected to the terminal of the electric wire We. The electric wire connection part  112  may be crimped to the terminal of the electric wire We with a swage and the like, or may be firmly fixed to the terminal of the electric wire We by welding and the like. The electric wire connection part  112  in the example is crimped to the terminal of the electric wire We. 
     In the counterpart connection terminal  110  in the example, a first end part  111   c  and a second end part  111   d  of the electric connection part  111  are disposed facing each other. The first end part  111   c  side of the electric connection part  111  is the tip end and the electric wire connection part  112  is disposed at the second end part  111   d  side of the electric connection part  111  (from  FIG. 13  to  FIG. 16 ). 
     The counterpart connection terminal  110  in the example includes a virtual axis P extending along an axis direction of the terminal of the electric wire We that is physically and electrically connected to the electric wire connection part  112  ( FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 ). A held part  113 , which will be described below, the electric connection part  111 , and the electric wire connection part  112  are disposed in this order from the tip end of the counterpart connection terminal  110  along the virtual axis P. 
     More specifically, the electric connection part  111  extends in a direction along the virtual axis P (hereinafter, simply referred to as an “axis direction”). One end of the electric connection part  111  in the axis direction is the first end part  111   c  described above, and the other end of the electric connection part  111  in the axis direction is the second end part  111   d  described above ( FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 ). The electric connection part  111  includes two end surfaces (a first end surface  111   e  and a second end surface  111   f ) that are disposed facing each other and that are different from the two end parts  111   c  and  111   d  disposed facing each other ( FIG. 15 ). The first end surface  111   e  and the second end surface  111   f  are disposed facing each other in parallel, in the direction perpendicular to the axis direction of the counterpart connection terminal  110  and in the perpendicular direction with respect to the first and the second wall surfaces  111   a  and  111   b . In the electric connection part  111 , the first end surface  111   e  side and the second end surface  111   f  side around the virtual axis P have the same substantially rectangular flat plate shapes. 
     Next, the casing  120  of the present embodiment will be described. 
     The casing  120  of the present embodiment includes a housing body  120 A that houses the counterpart connection terminal  110  (from  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 ). Moreover, the casing  120  of the present embodiment includes a shield shell  120 B that houses therein a part from the housing body  120 A to the terminal of the electric wire We and that covers the part from the outside ( FIG. 7 , and from  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 ). Furthermore, the casing  120  of the present embodiment includes a holding member  120 C that prevents the counterpart connection terminal  110  from coming off the housing body  120 A at the electric wire We side ( FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 ). 
     First, the housing body  120 A will be described. 
     The housing body  120 A is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing body  120 A houses the electric connection part  111  in a housing space  133 , which will be described below, and allows the electric wire connection part  112  to project to the outside. The housing body  120 A of the present embodiment is roughly divided into a first housing member  130  and the second housing member  140  (from  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 , and  FIG. 17 ). 
     The first housing member  130  is formed in a tube body shape, at least one end of which in the tube axis direction is opened. Thus, the first housing member  130  includes a tube-shaped outer peripheral wall  131  (from  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 12 , and  FIG. 17 ). The outer peripheral wall  131  of the first housing member  130  in the example is formed in a rectangular tube shape, and one end of the first housing member  130  in the tube axis direction is opened, and the other end of the first housing member  130  is closed. The connection terminal  10  is inserted, from the opening  132  at the one end ( FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 17 ), into the housing space  133  ( FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 17 ) provided inside the first housing member  130  along the tube axis direction. However, strictly speaking, as described below, the connection terminal  10  is inserted into the housing space  133  from the opening  132  via the second housing member  140 . 
     The end part of the outer peripheral wall  131  at the opening  132  side is the engaging part (connector engaging part)  131   a  with the connector engaging part  53   e  of the connector  1  ( FIG. 11  and  FIG. 17 ). The connector engaging part  53   e  is inserted into and engaged with the connector engaging part  131   a . A ring-shaped seal member Se 11  is concentrically fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the connector engaging part  131   a  ( FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12 , and  FIG. 17 ). 
     The outer peripheral wall  131  includes an insertion hole  134  through which the counterpart connection terminal  110  is inserted into the housing space  133  from the tip end at the electric connection part  111  side ( FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12 , and  FIG. 17 ). The first housing member  130  in the example houses the electric connection part  111  in the housing space  133  provided inside, and allows the electric wire connection part  112  to project to the outside from the insertion hole  134  ( FIG. 11 ). 
     In this example, the insertion hole  134  is provided for each counterpart connection terminal  110 . Consequently, two insertion holes  134  are formed on the outer peripheral wall  131  in the example ( FIG. 12  and  FIG. 17 ). The insertion holes  134  are formed and disposed so that the counterpart connection terminals  110  are inserted such that the axis directions are aligned in the same direction. In other words, in this example, the axis direction of the counterpart connection terminal  110  is the insertion direction of the counterpart connection terminal  110  into the housing space  133  (hereinafter, referred to as a “terminal insertion direction”). Moreover, each insertion hole  134  is formed and disposed so that the corresponding counterpart connection terminal  110  is inserted while the first and the second end surfaces  111   e  and  111   f  of the electric connection part  111  are directed in the tube axis direction of the outer peripheral wall  131  (in other words, while the first and the second wall surfaces  111   a  and  111   b  of the electric connection part  111  extend along the tube axis direction of the outer peripheral wall  131 ). 
     The second housing member  140  is formed into a polyhedron corresponding to the shape of the housing space  133  of the first housing member  130  ( FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18 ). The second housing member  140  is housed in the housing space  133  along the tube axis direction from the opening  132  of the first housing member  130  ( FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12 , and  FIG. 17 ). The second housing member  140  houses therein the electric connection part  111  of the counterpart connection terminal  110  in a state in which the second housing member  140  is already housed in the housing space  133  ( FIG. 11 ). 
     The second housing member  140  includes the terminal housing chamber  141  that houses the electric connection part  111  in the housing space  133  ( FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12 , and from  FIG. 17  to  FIG. 19 ). As the second housing member  140  is inserted into the housing space  133 , the terminal housing chamber  141  starts housing from an opening  141   a  the electric connection part  111  that is housed in the housing space  133  ( FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 17 , and  FIG. 18 ). The housing of the electric connection part  111  in the terminal housing chamber  141  is completed when the housing of the second housing member  140  into the housing space  133  is complete. Consequently, the second housing member  140  includes a notch  142  that communicates the terminal housing chamber  141  with the outside of the second housing member  140  at the outer peripheral surface side ( FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 17 , and  FIG. 18 ). The electric wire connection part  112  projects to the outside of the second housing member  140  from the notch  142 . The notch  142  is disposed facing the insertion hole  134  while the second housing member  140  is housed in the housing space  133  so that the electric wire connection part  112  projects to the outside from the insertion hole  134  of the first housing member  130 . 
     When the connector  1  and the counterpart connector  101  are engaged (hereinafter, referred to as “connector engagement”), the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22  of the connection terminal  10  and the two contact members  30  are housed in the terminal housing chamber  141 . In the terminal housing chamber  141 , the contact members  30  come into contact with the respective first wall surface  111   a  and the second wall surface  111   b  of the electric connection part  111 , and physically and electrically connect the contact members  30  and the respective first wall surface  111   a  and the second wall surface  111   b . Thus, the second housing member  140  includes a terminal insertion port  143  through which the connection terminal  10  is inserted into the terminal housing chamber  141  ( FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 17 , and  FIG. 19 ). The terminal insertion port  143  is formed so that the second housing member  140  is disposed at the opening  132  side of the first housing member  130  while the second housing member  140  is housed in the housing space  133 . The terminal insertion port  143  is disposed facing the terminal housing chamber  141  in the tube axis direction of the outer peripheral wall  131 . Consequently, one of the first end surface  111   e  and the second end surface  111   f  of the electric connection part  111  housed in the housing space  133  is disposed facing the terminal insertion port  143 . 
     The second housing member  140  includes a communication chamber  144  that communicates the terminal housing chamber  141  with the terminal insertion port  143  in the tube axis direction of the outer peripheral wall  131  ( FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 17 , and  FIG. 19 ). Consequently, when the electric connection part  111  is housed in the terminal housing chamber  141 , one of the first end surface  111   e  and the second end surface  111   f  is disposed facing the terminal insertion port  143  via the communication chamber  144 . 
     The communication chamber  144  is provided with a partition wall  145  (from  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 17 , and  FIG. 19 ). The partition wall  145  is formed in a flat plate shape having two flat wall surfaces, and is formed in the communication chamber  144  such that the two wall surfaces extend along the tube axis direction of the outer peripheral wall  131 . In this example, the partition wall  145  is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The partition wall  145  is disposed so that the communication chamber  144  is divided into two chambers in the perpendicular direction with respect to the first and the second wall surfaces  111   a  and  111   b  of the electric connection part  111 . In other words, the communication chamber  144  is divided into a first divided communication chamber  144   a  and a second divided communication chamber  144   b  by the partition wall  145  in the perpendicular direction ( FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 17 , and  FIG. 19 ). Moreover, in this example, the terminal insertion port  143  is divided into a first divided insertion port  143   a  and a second divided insertion port  143   b  by the partition wall  145  in the perpendicular direction ( FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 17 , and  FIG. 19 ). Consequently, the first electric connection part  21  of the connection terminal  10  is inserted into the terminal housing chamber  141  via the first divided insertion port  143   a  and the first divided communication chamber  144   a . The second electric connection part  22  of the connection terminal  10  is inserted into the terminal housing chamber  141  via the second divided insertion port  143   b  and the second divided communication chamber  144   b.    
     In this example, a pair of combination of the first electric connection part  21  and the one contact member  30  as well as the first housing body  51  are inserted from the first divided insertion port  143   a  into the first divided communication chamber  144   a  and then into the terminal housing chamber  141 . In the terminal housing chamber  141 , the one contact member  30  comes into contact with the first wall surface  111   a  of the electric connection part  111 , thereby electrically connecting the electric connection part  111  to the first electric connection part  21 . Moreover, in this example, a pair of combination of the second electric connection part  22  and the other contact member  30  as well as the second housing body  52  are inserted from the second divided insertion port  143   b  into the second divided communication chamber  144   b  and then into the terminal housing chamber  141 . In the terminal housing chamber  141 , the other contact member  30  comes into contact with the second wall surface  111   b  of the electric connection part  111 , and electrically connects the electric connection part  111  to the second electric connection part  22 . Consequently, in the second housing member  140 , the first divided insertion port  143   a , the second divided insertion port  143   b , the first divided communication chamber  144   a , the second divided communication chamber  144   b , and the partition wall  145  are formed and disposed so that the insertions described above can be made. 
     The second housing member  140  includes a terminal holding part  146  ( FIG. 11  and  FIG. 18 ) for holding the held part  113  ( FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 , and from  FIG. 13  to  FIG. 16 ) of the counterpart connection terminal  110  so as to prevent the electric connection part  111  from coming off the terminal housing chamber  141 . The terminal holding part  146  is formed to hold the held part  113  to prevent the electric connection part  111  from coming off the terminal housing chamber  141  ( FIG. 11 ). The held part  113  and the terminal holding part  146  are formed and disposed so that the held part  113  and the terminal holding part  146  can hold at least one of the tip end side and the base end side of the counterpart connection terminal  110 . However, in the counterpart connection terminal  110  in the example, the electric wire connection part  112  projects outside the housing body  120 A. Consequently, the base end side of the counterpart connection terminal  110  serving as the installation location of the held part  113  is the end part  111   d  of the electric connection part  111  at the electric wire connection part  112  side. In this example, the held part  113  is formed at the tip end of the counterpart connection terminal  110  as an inserted part, for example. Moreover, the terminal holding part  146  is formed as an inserting part to be inserted into the housing space  133  of the second housing member  140  and to be inserted into the held part  113 . The held part  113  and the terminal holding part  146  are formed so as to lock the movement of the counterpart connection terminal  110  relative to the housing space  133  in the terminal insertion direction, and the movement of the counterpart connection terminal  110  in the direction opposite from the terminal insertion direction. 
     More specifically, the held part  113  in the example is formed in a T-shape projecting from the tip end (the first end part  111   c ) of the electric connection part  111  along the virtual axis P. The held part  113  includes a first wall surface  113   a  ( FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 15 , and  FIG. 16 ) formed in a T-shape disposed on the same plane as that of the first wall surface  111   a  of the electric connection part  111 , and a second wall surface  113   b  ( FIG. 14  and  FIG. 16 ) formed in a T-shape disposed on the same plane as that of the second wall surface  111   b  of the electric connection part  111 . The held part  113  also includes an axis part  113   c  the center axis of which is disposed along the virtual axis P and that is formed in a T-shape, and an intersection part  113   d  that is orthogonal to the axis part  113   c  at the tip end of the axis part  113   c  (from  FIG. 13  to  FIG. 16 ). The held part  113  uses a notched groove  113   e  that is formed between the held part  113  and the first end part  111   c  of the electric connection part  111  as an inserted part ( FIG. 11 , and from  FIG. 13  to  FIG. 16 ). Two grooves  113   e  are formed around the virtual axis P. 
     The held part  113  in the example is formed so that shapes on both sides of the virtual axis P in the direction perpendicular to the axis direction are the same and in the perpendicular direction with respect to the first and the second wall surfaces  113   a  and  113   b . Consequently, both grooves  113   e  of the held part  113  can be used as the inserted parts. For example, in the counterpart connection terminal  110 , when the first end surface  111   e  is disposed facing the terminal insertion port  143  in the terminal housing chamber  141 , one of the two grooves  113   e  is used as the inserted part. Moreover, in the counterpart connection terminal  110 , when the second end surface  111   f  is disposed facing the terminal insertion port  143  in the terminal housing chamber  141 , the other of the two grooves  113   e  is used as the inserted part. 
     The terminal holding part  146  is inserted into the groove  113   e  of the held part  113  while the second housing member  140  is housed in the housing space  133 . In this example, a notched groove  141   b   1  is formed on the wall part  141   b  of the terminal housing chamber  141 . The groove  141   b   1  is obtained by cutting off the wall part  141   b  along the tube axis direction of the outer peripheral wall  131  (FIG.  18 ). The terminal holding part  146  in the example uses, as the inserted part into the held part  113 , a remaining portion of the wall part  141   b  the apex of which is the bottom side of the groove  141   b   1 . In the held part  113  and the terminal holding part  146  in the example, the engagement of the grooves  113   e  and  141   b   1  begins, as the second housing member  140  is inserted into the housing space  133 . In the held part  113  and the terminal holding part  146 , the insertion of the remaining portion of the wall part  141   b  into the groove  113   e  is completed when the housing of the second housing member  140  into the housing space  133  is completed. Consequently, it is possible to hold the electric connection part  111  while the electric connection part  111  is housed in the terminal housing chamber  141 . 
     In the second housing member  140 , a combination of the terminal housing chamber  141 , the notch  142 , the terminal insertion port  143 , the communication chamber  144 , the partition wall  145 , and the terminal holding part  146  is provided for each counterpart connection terminal  110 . Each combination is disposed so that a plurality of the counterpart connection terminals  110  are housed such that the axis directions and the terminal insertion directions of the counterpart connection terminals  110  with respect to the housing space  133  are aligned in the same direction. In this example, two sets of the combinations are provided. One of the combinations is formed and disposed so that the electric connection part  111  of the counterpart connection terminal  110  is housed in the terminal housing chamber  141  while the first end surface  111   e  is disposed facing the terminal insertion port  143  (in other words, the first and the second wall surfaces  111   a  and  111   b  extend along the tube axis direction of the outer peripheral wall  131 ). The electric connection part  111  is inserted into this terminal housing chamber  141  from the first end surface  111   e  side. The other of the combinations is formed and disposed so that the electric connection part  111  of the counterpart connection terminal  110  is housed in the terminal housing chamber  141  while the second end surface  111   f  is disposed facing the terminal insertion port  143  (in other words, the first and the second wall surfaces  111   a  and  111   b  extend along the tube axis direction of the outer peripheral wall  131 ). The electric connection part  111  is inserted into this terminal housing chamber  141  from the second end surface  111   f  side. 
     Next, the shield shell  120 B will be described. 
     The shield shell  120 B is a first shield member that prevents noise entering from outside to a part from the housing body  120 A in which the first housing member  130  and the second housing member  140  are assembled to the terminal of the electric wire We. The shield shell  120 B houses therein the part from the housing body  120 A to the terminal of the electric wire We and covers the part from the outside. The shield shell  120 B is formed of a conductive material such as metal. The shield shell  120 B includes a main shield body  151  and a sub-shield body  152 . The main shield body  151  covers the housing body  120 A from the outside while exposing the opening  132  side. The sub-shield body  152  covers the electric wire connection part  112  that projects outside of the housing body  120 A from the insertion hole  134  and the terminal of the electric wire We from the outside ( FIG. 7 , and from  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 ). 
     The main shield body  151  includes an outer peripheral wall  151   a  one end of which is opened and the other end of which is closed, and that has a tube shape ( FIG. 7 , and from  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 ). The outer peripheral wall  151   a  in the example is formed in a rectangular tube shape corresponding to the outer shape of the first housing member  130  formed in a rectangular tube shape. In the main shield body  151 , the first housing member  130  is inserted in a housing space  151   c  ( FIG. 9 ) provided inside the main shield body  151  along the tube axis direction of the main shield body  151  and the first housing member  130 , from an opening  151   b  at the one end ( FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11 ). The shield member Se 11  closely comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall  151   a , while the first housing member  130  is housed in the housing space  151   c . Consequently, it is possible to improve the liquid-tightness between the connector engaging part  131   a  and the main shield body  151  ( FIG. 11 ). 
     The sub-shield body  152  is provided for each counterpart connection terminal  110 . Consequently, in this example, two of the sub-shield bodies  152  are provided. The sub-shield body  152  is formed in a tube shape both ends of which are opened. The sub-shield body  152  in the example is formed in a cylinder shape. In the shield shell  120 B, the sub-shield body  152  projects outside of the main shield body  151  from the outer peripheral wall  151   a  of the main shield body  151 . The sub-shield body  152  in the example projects such that the tube axis direction extends along the terminal insertion direction. In the sub-shield body  152 , the counterpart connection terminal  110  is inserted into a housing space  152   b  provided inside the sub-shield body  152  from an opening  152   a  at the free end side ( FIG. 12 ). The housing space  152   b  communicates to the housing space  151   c  of the main shield body  151 . Consequently, the counterpart connection terminal  110  is inserted into the housing space  151   c  of the main shield body  151  via the housing space  152   b  of the sub-shield body  152  from the tip end, and is inserted into the housing space  133  via the insertion hole  134  of the first housing member  130 . 
     The shield shell  120 B includes a joining body  153  that couples the two sub-shield bodies  152  disposed in parallel (from  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 ). The joining body  153  in the example is interposed between the two sub-shield bodies  152 . The joining body  153  includes a through hole  154  for fixing the counterpart connector  101  to the connector  1  side ( FIG. 10 ). The through hole  154  will be described below. 
     In this example, a ring-shaped seal member Se 12  is concentrically fitted to the terminal of the electric wire We ( FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 ). The seal member Se 12  closely comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the sub-shield body  152  while the electric connection part  111  is housed in the housing space  133 . Consequently, it is possible to improve the liquid-tightness between the sub-shield body  152  and the electric wire We ( FIG. 11 ). 
     An end part of the sub-shield body  152  at the opening  152   a  side is fitted to the holding member  120 C ( FIG. 12 ). The holding member  120 C is formed so that the electric wire We disposed in the housing space  152   b  of the sub-shield body  152  can be pulled out to the outside. The holding member  120 C is formed of a conductive material such as metal. The holding member  120 C is provided for each counterpart connection terminal  110 . In this example, two of the holding members  120 C are provided. 
     In addition to including the shield shell  120 B serving as the first shield member, the counterpart connector  101  includes a second shield member  161  electrically connected to the shield shell  120 B ( FIG. 7 , and from  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 ). The second shield member  161  prevents noise entering from outside to the electric wire We, by covering the end part of the sub-shield body  152  at the opening  152   a  side and the electric wire We pulled out from the opening  152   a  from the outside. The second shield member  161  is formed in a tube shape, and is provided for each counterpart connection terminal  110 . In this example, two of the second shield members  161  are provided. In the counterpart connector  101 , the electric wire We is pulled out to the outside from the holding member  120 C fitted to the opening  152   a  of the sub-shield body  152 . Consequently, the second shield member  161  in the example is formed so that the end part of the sub-shield body  152  at the opening  152   a  side, the holding member  120 C, and the electric wire We pulled out from the holding member  120 C are covered from the outside. Consequently, the second shield member  161  can prevent noise entering from outside to the electric wire We that is pulled out from the holding member  120 C. More specifically, the second shield member  161  in the example is provided as a braid in which a plurality of conductive strands are woven in a tube shape and in a mesh shape. Consequently, the second shield member  161  in the example has flexibility, and can follow the movement such as bending of the electric wire We provided inside. In the drawings, a specific shape (mesh and the like) of the second shield member  161  is omitted for the sake of drawing convenience. 
     The second shield member  161  is fixed to the sub-shield body  152  using a binding member (binding band  165 ) formed of a conductive material such as metal ( FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 ). A binding member well known in the art is used for the binding band  165 . For example, the binding band  165  is wrapped around the second shield member  161  and the end part of the sub-shield body  152  at the opening  152   a  side, over the second shield member  161 . By fastening the binding band  165 , the binding band  165  is formed in an annular shape. Thus, the binding band  165  fixes the second shield member  161  to the end part of the sub-shield body  152  at the opening  152   a  side. 
     In this manner, in the counterpart connector  101 , as described above, the electric wire connection part  112  of the counterpart connection terminal  110  projects from the insulating housing body  120 A, and the projecting electric wire connection part  112  is covered by the conductive sub-shield body  152 . Consequently, in the counterpart connector  101 , an insulation body is interposed between the conductive electric wire connection part  112  and the sub-shield body  152 , thereby increasing the insulation distance therebetween (space distance and creeping distance). The counterpart connector  101  includes an insulating tube member (hereinafter, referred to as an “insulating tube”)  170  that covers the electric wire connection part  112  and the terminal of the electric wire We from the outside (from  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 12 ). The insulating tube  170  is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. 
     The counterpart connector  101  covers the second shield member  161  from the outside using an exterior member CB ( FIG. 7 , and from  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 ). For example, the exterior member CB is a corrugated tube, a boot, and the like, and is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The exterior member CB in the example is formed so as to be bendable to increase the flexibility of the wiring path of the electric wire We. For example, the exterior member CB is provided with bendable tube parts CBa and CBb for each electric wire We pulled out from the holding member  120 C ( FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 10 ). For example, the exterior member CB is fixed to the shield shell  120 B by a binding band CB 0 . 
     In the counterpart connector  101 , the first housing member  130  is housed in the housing space  151   c  of the main shield body  151 , and the counterpart connection terminal  110  that is fitted to the terminal of the electric wire We and that is inserted into the insulating tube  170  is housed in the housing space  133  of the first housing member  130  from the tip end. In the counterpart connector  101 , the second housing member  140  is inserted into the housing space  133  in the state described above. In the counterpart connector  101 , the first housing member  130 , the second housing member  140 , and the shield shell  120 B are fixed by a screw to keep the fixed state of the components. For example, a female screw part N the axis of which extends in the tube axis direction, is formed on the main shield body  151  in the example ( FIG. 19 ). The first housing member  130 , the second housing member  140 , and the shield shell  120 B are fixed by screwing a male screw member B ( FIG. 12  and  FIG. 19 ) into the female screw part N. A through hole  137  through which a boss part  151   d  ( FIG. 19 ) formed in a cylinder shape having the female screw part N is to be inserted is formed on the first housing member  130  ( FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 12 , and  FIG. 19 ). Moreover, a through hole  148  into which the male screw member B is inserted is formed on the second housing member  140  ( FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 18 , and  FIG. 19 ). The axes of the through holes  137  and  148  extend in the tube axis direction of the outer peripheral wall  131 . The axis of the boss part  151   d  extends in the tube axis direction of the outer peripheral wall  151   a . Consequently, the first housing member  130 , the second housing member  140 , and the shield shell  120 B are joined by an axial force in the tube axis direction. 
     The counterpart connector  101  has the configuration as described above. 
     In this manner, the connector  1  is electrically connected to the counterpart connector  101  when the connector  1  is inserted into and engaged with the counterpart connector  101  ( FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21 ). The counterpart connector  101  of the present embodiment is fixed to the casing  201  with a screw, to keep the engaging state with the connector  1  (in other words, the electric connection state with the connector  1 ). In the example, by fixing the shield shell  120 B to the casing  201  that is formed of a conductive material such as metal with a screw, the counterpart connector  101  is fixed to the casing  201 , and the shield shell  120 B and the second shield member  161  are electrically connected to the casing  201 . It is to be noted that the casing  201  is grounded. 
     The counterpart connector  101  in the example uses the joining body  153  of the shield shell  120 B as a holding body to be fixed to the casing  201 . In the shield shell  120 B in the example, the joining body  153  is interposed between the two sub-shield bodies  152 , and the shield shell  120 B is fixed to the casing  201  through the joining body  153 . 
     For example, the through hole  154  through which a screw part B 0   a  of a male screw member B 0  ( FIG. 7  and  FIG. 21 ) is screwed is formed on the joining body  153  ( FIG. 10  and  FIG. 21 ). The axis of the through hole  154  is the tube axis direction of the outer peripheral wall  151   a  of the main shield body  151 , and the through hole  154  is formed on a piece part  153   a  of the joining body  153  ( FIG. 21 ). The wall surface of the piece part  153   a  forms a seat-surface of a head part B 0   b  of the male screw member B 0 . In the example, a locking member R such as a C-ring is fitted to the screw part B 0   a  side of the male screw member B 0  so that the piece part  153   a  is interposed between the head part B 0   b  and the locking member R ( FIG. 7  and  FIG. 21 ). The male screw member B 0  is assembled to the joining body  153  so as to be able to rotate around the axis, by interposing the piece part  153   a  between the head part B 0   b  and the locking member R. On the other hand, a female screw part NO is provided on the casing  201  ( FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 21 ). In this example, the male screw member B 0  is screwed to the female screw part N 0 , while the engagement between the connector  1  and the counterpart connector  101  is completed. Consequently, the counterpart connector  101  can hold the engaging state with the connector  1  (electrically connected state with the connector  1 ). A work space  153   b  for inserting a tool such as a socket into the head part B 0   b  and for rotating the head part B 0   b  around the axis using the tool is formed in the joining body  153  ( FIG. 21 ). 
     In the counterpart connector  101  of the present embodiment such as the above, the combination of the counterpart connection terminal  110 , the electric wire We, the terminal housing chamber  141 , the notch  142 , the terminal insertion port  143 , the communication chamber  144 , the partition wall  145 , the terminal holding part  146 , the sub-shield body  152 , the holding member  120 C, the second shield member  161 , and the insulating tube  170  is provided for each number of poles. In other words, the counterpart connector  101  may prepare the combination according to the number of poles. Consequently, the counterpart connector  101  allows easy design of the combination corresponding to a larger number of poles. 
     In this manner, in the connection terminal  10  of the present embodiment, the terminal metal fitting  20  includes the opening restriction part  24  described above. 
     Consequently, when the connector engagement is performed, it is possible to expand the interval between the facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a  of the respective first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  in the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22 , while reducing the insertion and extraction force of the electric connection part  111  and securing the holding force for the electric connection part  111 . Because the connector  1  of the present embodiment includes the connection terminal  10 , the connector  1  can have the same effect as that of the connection terminal  10 . 
     In the example described above, the connection terminal  10  includes the terminal metal fitting  20  and the contact member  30 . However, the connection terminal  10  may only include the terminal metal fitting  20 , and the terminal metal fitting  20  may be used as the contact part. In this case, the contact part (not illustrated) may be provided in each of the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 . For example, in this case, the first electric connection part  21  sets a bulging portion that is bulged from the facing wall surface  21   a  of the first end part  21   b  toward the facing wall surface  22   a  of the second electric connection part  22  as the contact part. Moreover, the second electric connection part  22  sets a bulging portion that is bulged from the facing wall surface  22   a  of the first end part  22   b  toward the facing wall surface  21   a  of the first electric connection part  21  as the contact part. For example, the contact parts each have a spherical surface serving as a contact point, and are disposed facing each other at an interval, in the perpendicular direction with respect to the respective facing wall surfaces  21   a  and  22   a . The interval between the contact parts is set smaller than the plate thickness of the electric connection part  111 . Thus, by inserting the electric connection part  111  between the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22 , the contact parts can be brought into contact with the first wall surface  111   a  and the second wall surface  111   b  of the electric connection part  111 . Consequently, the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  can be physically and electrically connected to the electric connection part  111 , in the terminal housing chamber  141  of the second housing member  140  of the casing  120 . 
     In this example, when the connection terminal  10  includes the terminal metal fitting  20  and the contact member  30 , the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  may each include the contact part (bulging part) described above, or does not necessarily include the contact part (bulging part) described above. When the first electric connection part  21  and the second electric connection part  22  include the contact part (bulging part), the connector  1  can commonly use the connection terminal  10  regardless of the presence of the contact member  30 . 
     Moreover, in the counterpart connection terminal  110  in the example described above, the axis direction (in other words, the extending direction of the electric connection part  111 ) is orthogonal to the connector insertion and extraction direction. Consequently, the first end part  111   c  side and the second end part  111   d  side are protruded from between the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  of the first and the second electric connection parts  21  and  22 . However, for example, a piece at the tip end side between the two pieces forming an L-shape may be set as the electric connection part  111 , and the counterpart connection terminal  110  serving as the counterpart of the connection terminal  10  of the present embodiment may be a portion that the electric connection part  111  is not protruded from between the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b , or a portion obtained by subtracting the protruded amount of the electric connection part  111  from between the first end parts  21   b  and  22   b  (see  FIG. 22 ). 
     In the connection terminal according to the present embodiment, the terminal metal fitting includes the opening restriction part. Consequently, when the connector engagement is performed, it is possible to expand the interval between the facing wall surfaces of the respective first end parts in the first and the second electric connection parts, while reducing the insertion and extraction force of the electric connection part of the counterpart connection terminal and securing the holding force for the electric connection part of the counterpart connection terminal. The connector according to the present embodiment includes the connection terminal, and can have the same effect as that of the connection terminal. 
     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.