Connector structure

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a connector structure that suppresses rotation of a lever from an initial position to a complete position when a first connector and a second connector are shallowly fitted. The connector structure includes a first connector and a second connector fitted to the first connector, the first connector includes a housing and a lever attached to the housing so as to be rotatable between an initial position and a complete position, the housing includes a lock receiving portion, the lever includes a lock piece, the lock piece is locked to the lock receiving portion and holds the lever in the initial position, and the second connector is fitted to the second connector. The first connector is provided with a locking piece capable of elastically deforming, the second connector is provided with a releasing part, when the first connector and the second connector start to be embedded, the releasing part is in sliding connection with the locking piece to release the locking of the locking piece and the locking receiving part, and when the releasing part and the locking piece are in sliding connection, the rod receives force in the direction opposite to the rotation direction from the initial position to the complete position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector structure. Background Art

[0002] As a rod-type connector that assists the mating operation of the connector by rotating the rod, the female connector described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-164933 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) is known in the past. The female connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a retaining body and a rod assembled to the retaining body. The rod is provided with a cantilevered elastic locking piece at the end edge of the cam plate. A protrusion protruding outward is provided at the top end of the elastic locking piece. A rib entry groove and a locking receiving portion that is locked to the protrusion are formed in the retaining body. The rod is maintained in the initial position by locking with the protrusion and the locking receiving portion. A lock release rib is provided on the housing of the male connector that is mated with the female connector. When the female connector and the male connector are shallowly mated, the lock release rib enters the rib entry groove and abuts against the protrusion of the elastic locking piece. As a result, the locking (initial locking) of the protrusion and the locking receiving portion is released, and the rod can be rotated. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-164933 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, in the above structure, after the two connectors are shallowly engaged and the initial lock is released, if the male connector is further pressed in the engagement direction, the male connector will move forward slightly even if the lever is not rotated, and the lever may rotate slightly, so that the operator may mistakenly believe that the engagement is complete. Solutions for solving problems

[0005] The connector structure disclosed in the present invention comprises a first connector and a second connector mated with the first connector, the first connector comprising a shell and a rod, the rod being rotatably mounted on the shell between an initial position and a completed position, the shell comprising a lock receiving portion, the rod comprising a locking piece, the locking piece being locked on the lock receiving portion to maintain the rod in the initial position, the locking piece being elastically deformable, and the second connector comprising a releasing portion, when the first connector and the second connector begin to be mated, the releasing portion slides with the locking piece to release the locking of the locking piece and the lock receiving portion, and if the releasing portion slides with the locking piece, the rod is subjected to a force in a direction opposite to a rotation direction, and the rotation direction is from the initial position toward the completed position. Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, when the first connector and the second connector are shallowly fitted together, the lever can be prevented from rotating from the initial position toward the completion position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the second connector according to the embodiment as viewed from the rear. Figure 2 This is an enlarged perspective view of the second connector. Figure 3 It is shown in Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are shallowly fitted in the AA cross section of FIG. Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the first connector in a state where the lever is located at an initial position. Figure 5 This is a diagram of the first connector when the lever is in the initial position as viewed from the front. Figure 6 It is a side view of the first connector in a state where the lever is in an initial position. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 BB cross-sectional view. Figure 8 yes Figure 6 CC cross-sectional view. Fig. 9 It is shown in Figure 6 A diagram showing the state of sliding contact between the release portion and the release protrusion in the CC section. Fig.10 yes Figure 7 DD cross-sectional view. Fig.11 It is shown in Figure 7 A diagram showing the state of sliding contact between the release portion and the release protrusion in the DD cross section. Fig.12 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the rod. Fig.13 It is an enlarged stereogram of the rod. Fig.14 This is a perspective view of the first connector in a state where the lever is located at the completion position. Fig.15 This is a diagram showing the first connector in a state where the lever is located in the completion position when viewed from the front. Fig.16 This is a side view of the first connector in a state where the lever is located at the completion position. Fig.17 yes Fig.15 EE cross-sectional view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of examples. [1] The connector structure disclosed in the present invention comprises a first connector and a second connector mated with the first connector, the first connector comprising a housing and a rod, the rod being rotatably mounted on the housing between an initial position and a finished position, the housing comprising a lock receiving portion, the rod comprising a locking piece, the locking piece being engaged with the lock receiving portion to hold the rod in the initial position, the locking piece being elastically deformable, the second connector comprising a release portion, the release portion slidingly engaging with the locking piece to release the engagement of the locking piece and the lock receiving portion when the first connector and the second connector begin to be mated, and when the release portion slidingly engages with the locking piece, the rod is subjected to a force in a direction opposite to a rotation direction from the initial position toward the finished position.

[0009] According to such a configuration, when the locking of the locking piece and the lock receiving portion is released by the releasing portion, the lever can be prevented from rotating in the rotation direction from the initial position toward the completion position.

[0010] [2] In the above [1], preferably, the direction in which the first connector and the second connector are mated is the first direction, the first connector is mated with the second connector from one side in the first direction, the lever includes a plate-shaped portion and the locking piece, the plate-shaped portion is axially supported by the side surface of the housing, the locking piece extends from the plate-shaped portion to the other side in the first direction when the lever is in the initial position, the locking piece includes a main body, a locking portion, and a release protrusion, the locking portion protrudes from the top end of the main body in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the release protrusion protrudes from the top end of the main body in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction, the locking piece is elastically deformed in the second direction away from the side surface due to the sliding contact between the release portion and the release protrusion, and the locking portion includes an inclined portion, the inclined portion is arranged at the end on the other side in the third direction, and the inclined portion protrudes from the main body as it moves toward the other side in the third direction.

[0011] According to such a configuration, when the lock piece is elastically deformed so as to rotate about the axis extending in the first direction due to the sliding contact between the release portion and the release projection, the locking portion and the lock receiving portion are easily released from engagement.

[0012] [3] In the above [1] or [2], preferably, the direction in which the first connector and the second connector are mated is the first direction, the first connector is mated with the second connector from one side of the first direction, the rod comprises a plate-like portion and a locking piece, the plate-like portion is axially supported on a side surface of the housing, the locking piece extends from the plate-like portion to the other side of the first direction when the rod is in the initial position, the locking piece comprises a main body, a locking portion and a release protrusion, the locking portion extends from the top end of the main body to a position perpendicular to the first direction The locking portion and the locking receiving portion are released by the locking piece being elastically deformed in a manner away from the side surface in the second direction. The thickness of the locking piece is set to be smaller than the thickness of the plate-shaped portion. An elastic deformation space is formed on the inner side of the outer surface of the plate-shaped portion. The locking piece is elastically deformed inside the elastic deformation space, so that the locking portion and the lock receiving portion are released.

[0013] According to such a configuration, since the lock piece is not arranged outside the plate-shaped portion in the second direction when elastically deformed, the dimension of the second connector in the second direction can be reduced when the second connector is mated with the first connector from the outside.

[0014] [4] In the above [2] or [3], preferably, the shell has a protective wall, the protective wall protrudes from the side surface in the second direction and extends in the first direction, and the locking piece is arranged between the protective wall and the plate-like portion in the third direction.

[0015] According to such a configuration, the locking piece is protected by the protection wall, and thus the locking between the locking portion and the lock receiving portion can be prevented from being released.

[0016] [5] In the above [4], preferably, the protection wall includes a contact portion, and when the lever is located at the completion position, the contact portion contacts the plate-shaped portion from the other side in the first direction.

[0017] According to such a configuration, the contact portion contacts the plate-shaped portion, thereby preventing the lever from rotating further in the rotation direction from the completion position.

[0018] [6] In the above [4] or [5], preferably, the second connector has a recessed portion that extends in the first direction and accommodates the protective wall.

[0019] According to such a configuration, the protective wall is housed in the recessed portion, thereby guiding the fitting of the first connector and the second connector.

[0020] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] The following describes the embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is shown in the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In each of the drawings, for the sake of convenience, a portion of the structure is sometimes enlarged or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratios of each part are sometimes different in each of the drawings. The "orthogonal" in this specification includes not only the case of being strictly orthogonal, but also the case of being approximately orthogonal within the scope of the role and effect of the present embodiment.

[0021] In addition, "opposing" in this specification means that the surfaces or components are located directly opposite to each other, including not only the case where they are completely located directly opposite to each other, but also the case where they are partially located directly opposite to each other. In addition, "opposing" in this specification includes both the case where another component is interposed between the two parts and the case where nothing is interposed between the two parts.

[0022] <Implementation Method> One side reference Figures 1 to 17 While explaining the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow line Z is described as the top, the direction indicated by the arrow line X is described as the front, and the direction indicated by the arrow line Y is described as the left. The front-to-back direction is an example of the first direction. The left-to-right direction is an example of the second direction. The up-down direction is an example of the third direction. In addition, with respect to a plurality of identical components, sometimes only a part of the components are marked with reference numerals, and the reference numerals of the other components are omitted.

[0023] (Connector structure 10) like Figure 3 As shown, the connector structure 10 includes a first connector 11 and a second connector 12 that is engaged with the first connector 11. In this embodiment, assuming that the direction in which the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are engaged is the front-to-back direction, and the first connector 11 is arranged at the rear (an example of one side in the first direction) relative to the second connector 12, the structure of the connector structure 10 is described.

[0024] (Second connector 12) The second connector 12 includes a cover 14 and a second terminal 13. The cover 14 is made of an insulating synthetic resin. The cover 14 includes an inner wall 15 and a peripheral wall 16 extending from the inner wall 15 toward the first connector 11 side (rear), and is open at the rear. The cover 14 is engaged with the first connector 11 from the outside. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1 , a pair of side walls 16A disposed on the left and right sides of the peripheral wall 16 are respectively formed with cam pins 17 protruding from the inner surface of each side wall 16A toward the inner side of the cover portion 14. The cam pins 17 are substantially cylindrical. The cam pins 17 enter the cam grooves 41D (see FIG. 1 ) of the rod 40 described later. Figure 3 ). The cam pin 17 is arranged inside the cam groove 41D, and the lever 40 is rotated in a state where the cam pin 17 and the inner wall of the cam groove 41D are engaged, thereby assisting the mating and disengagement of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. The second terminal 13 is made of a conductive metal, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 The second terminal 13 is held by the inner wall 15 and protrudes rearward in the cover 14 .

[0025] (Release part 18) like Figure 2 As shown, the cover 14 includes two release portions 18, and the two release portions 18 are elongated in the front-to-back direction. The release portion 18 is arranged slightly away from each side wall 16A to the inner side of the cover 14. In addition, the release portion 18 is arranged slightly away from the top wall 16B arranged on the upper side of the peripheral wall 16 to the inner side (lower side) of the cover 14. The cover 14 includes a protruding wall 19, and the protruding wall 19 protrudes from each side wall 16A to the inner side of the cover 14 in the left-right direction. The protruding wall 19 extends in the front-to-back direction. The release portion 18 is formed to extend downward from the protruding end of the protruding wall 19. The end (rear end) of the release portion 18 arranged on the first connector 11 side is roughly consistent with the opening end of the cover 14.

[0026] (recess 20) The cover portion 14 has a recessed portion 20 extending in the front-rear direction. The recessed portion 20 is arranged above the release portion 18. The recessed portion 20 is composed of the top wall 16B, the protruding wall 19, and a connecting portion 21 connecting the top wall 16B and the protruding wall 19 in the up-down direction. The recessed portion 20 is recessed from the protruding end of the protruding wall 19 in the direction from the inside of the cover portion 14 to the outside in the left-right direction.

[0027] (First connector 11) like Figure 4 As shown, the first connector 11 includes a housing 30 and a rod 40. The rod 40 can be Figure 6 The initial position shown is Fig.16 The housing 30 is pivotally mounted between the finished positions shown. Figure 3The arrow curve shown indicates the rotation direction RD from the initial position toward the completion position. When the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated, the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are shallowly mated with the rod 40 arranged in the initial position. Then, the cam pin 17 enters the cam groove 41D, and the cam pin 17 and the inner wall of the cam groove 41D are engaged. By rotating the rod 40 to the completion position with the cam pin 17 and the inner wall of the cam groove 41D engaged, the mating of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is completed.

[0028] (Housing 30) The housing 30 is made of insulating synthetic resin. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the housing 30 is in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 30 includes a terminal receiving portion 31 for receiving a first terminal (not shown). The terminal receiving portion 31 is formed by penetrating the housing 30 in the front-to-back direction. The first terminal is made of a conductive metal and has a connecting tube portion for receiving a second terminal 13. An electric wire (not shown) is connected to the first terminal and led out to the rear of the housing 30. Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, a wire cover 32 for covering the wires is mounted on the rear end of the housing 30 .

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, a lock arm 33 is formed on the upper surface 30A of the housing 30. The lock arm 33 extends rearward from the front side portion of the upper surface 30A of the housing 30. The lock arm 33 can be elastically deformed in the up-down direction. The lock arm 33 has a fitting lock portion 33A protruding upward from the lock arm 33. The fitting lock portion 33A is locked with the rod 40.

[0030] The housing 30 includes a rotation shaft 34 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from each side surface 30B of the housing 30. The rotation shaft 34 is substantially cylindrical. The rod 40 is assembled to the housing 30 by inserting the rotation shaft 34 into the shaft hole 41C provided in the rod 40.

[0031] (Rod 40) The rod 40 is made of insulating synthetic resin. Fig.15 As shown, the rod 40 is generally U-shaped. Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , the lever 40 includes two plate-like portions 41, an operating portion 42 connecting the ends of the two plate-like portions 41, and a locking piece 43 extending from each plate-like portion 41. The two plate-like portions 41 are arranged to face each other. The plate-like portion 41 has an inner surface 41A arranged on the inner side of the lever 40 and an outer surface 41B arranged on the side opposite to the inner surface 41A. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the inner surface 41A is arranged opposite to the side surface 30B of the housing 30. Fig.12As shown, the plate-like portion 41 is formed with an axial hole 41C penetrating the plate-like portion 41 and a cam groove 41D recessed from the outer surface 41B of the plate-like portion 41 in the thickness direction (left-right direction) of the plate-like portion 41. Figure 3 As shown, the cam groove 41D has an entry port 41D1 at the outer edge of the plate-like portion 41, and extends in a substantially arc shape so as to approach the shaft hole 41C from the entry port 41D1. The entry port 41D1 is an opening for accommodating the cam pin 17 in the cam groove 41D.

[0032] like Fig.17 As shown, the rod 40 has a mating lock receiving portion 42A protruding from the operating portion 42. The mating lock receiving portion 42A is locked with the mating lock portion 33A. In detail, in the process of rotating the rod 40 in the rotation direction RD, the mating lock receiving portion 42A slides with the mating lock portion 33A, causing the locking arm 33 to bend downward. When the rod 40 reaches the completion position, the sliding contact between the mating lock receiving portion 42A and the mating lock portion 33A is released, and the locking arm 33 returns to a natural state. As a result, the mating lock receiving portion 42A and the mating lock portion 33A are arranged to be opposite to each other in the front-to-back direction and can be locked. By locking the mating lock receiving portion 42A and the mating lock portion 33A, the rod 40 is maintained in the completion position.

[0033] (Locking piece 43, locking portion 45, releasing protrusion 46) like Fig.13 As shown, the locking piece 43 includes a main body 44, a locking portion 45 formed at the top end of the main body 44, and a release protrusion 46. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the lever 40 is in the initial position, the locking piece 43 extends forward. The release protrusion 46 protrudes upward (on one side in the third direction) from the top end of the main body 44. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the lock portion 45 protrudes in the left-right direction from the top end portion of the main body portion 44. Specifically, the lock portion 45 protrudes from the main body portion 44 toward the housing 30 side.

[0034] (Inclined portion 45A) like Fig.10 As shown, when the lever 40 is arranged at the initial position, the lock portion 45 has an inclined portion 45A at its lower end (an example of the end on the other side in the third direction). The inclined portion 45A is inclined so that the protrusion from the main body 44 decreases as it goes downward.

[0035] (Elastic deformation space 47) like Figure 7As shown in FIG. 1 , the thickness T1 (dimension in the left-right direction) of the locking piece 43 is set to be smaller than the thickness T2 of the plate-shaped portion 41. The locking piece 43 is recessed from the outer surface 41B of the plate-shaped portion 41 to form a step shape. The locking piece 43 is formed continuously without a step with the inner surface 41A of the plate-shaped portion 41. An elastic deformation space 47 is formed outside the locking piece 43 and inside the outer surface 41B of the plate-shaped portion 41 in the left-right direction.

[0036] (Lock receiving portion 35) like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 30 includes a lock receiving portion 35 extending in the front-rear direction. The lock receiving portion 35 is disposed at a position close to the upper end of the side surface 30B. Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the lock receiving portion 35 is formed recessed from each side surface 30B. When the rod 40 is arranged in the initial position, the lock portion 45 is arranged in the lock receiving portion 35, and the lock receiving portion 35 and the lock portion 45 are locked. The lock receiving portion 35 and the lock portion 45 are locked, thereby preventing the rod 40 from rotating in the rotation direction RD from the initial position. In addition, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 and Fig.10 As shown, the release protrusion 46 is arranged at a distance from the side surface 30B in the left-right direction.

[0037] (Protective wall 36) like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 30 includes a protective wall 36 extending in the front-rear direction. The protective wall 36 is disposed above the lock receiving portion 35. Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 3 , the protective wall 36 protrudes from the side surface 30B. When the rod 40 is in the initial position, the protective wall 36 is arranged so as to cover the locking piece 43 from above. The protruding end of the protective wall 36 is preferably arranged on the outside of the housing 30 relative to the locking piece 43 in the left-right direction. In addition, the plate-shaped portion 41 is arranged below the locking piece 43. Therefore, the locking piece 43 is arranged between the protective wall 36 and the plate-shaped portion 41 in the up-down direction. Therefore, the locking piece 43 is protected by the protective wall 36 and the plate-shaped portion 41, and the locking of the locking portion 45 and the lock receiving portion 35 can be suppressed from being released.

[0038] When the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are shallowly engaged, Fig. 9 As shown, the release portion 18 is in sliding contact with the side surface 30B while interfering with the release protrusion 46. As a result, the lock piece 43 is elastically deformed to be separated from the housing 30. As a result, the lock portion 45 is arranged outside the lock receiving portion 35, and the locking of the lock portion 45 and the lock receiving portion 35 is released.

[0039] The locking piece 43 is elastically deformed in the elastic deformation space 47 and is accommodated on the side of the side surface 30B that is closer to the outer surface 41B of the plate-shaped portion 41. Therefore, by configuring the inner surface of the side wall 16A of the cover portion 14 in a sliding contact with the outer surface 41B of the plate-shaped portion 41, the cover portion 14 can be miniaturized in the left-right direction. Therefore, the second connector 12 having the cover portion 14 can be miniaturized in the left-right direction. On the other hand, unlike the present embodiment, when the locking piece is elastically deformed in a manner of extending outward from the outer surface of the plate-shaped portion, the inner surface of the side wall of the cover portion is configured on the outer side than the outer surface of the plate-shaped portion so that the locking piece does not interfere with the inner surface of the side wall. As a result, the left-right dimensions of the cover portion and the second connector become larger than those of the present embodiment.

[0040] like Fig.11 As shown, the release portion 18 interferes with the release protrusion 46 disposed on the upper part of the locking piece 43, so that the elastic deformation amount of the locking piece 43 becomes larger at the upper part of the locking piece 43, and the elastic deformation amount of the locking piece 43 becomes smaller at the lower part of the locking piece 43. That is, the locking piece 43 is twisted and deformed in a manner of rotating around an axis extending in the front-to-back direction (vertical direction of the paper surface in the figure). Therefore, the lower part of the locking portion 45 with a reduced elastic deformation amount does not withdraw from the lock receiving portion 35, and it is possible that the locking portion 45 and the lock receiving portion 35 are not completely released. However, in this embodiment, because the inclined portion 45A is formed at the lower end of the locking portion 45, the locking portion 45 and the lock receiving portion 35 are easily released by the interference of the release portion 18 with the release protrusion 46.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, since the release portion 18 interferes with the release protrusion 46 from the front, the release protrusion 46 receives a force toward the rear (right side in the figure). The release protrusion 46 is arranged at the front oblique upper side (left oblique upper side in the figure) relative to the rotation axis 34, so the rod 40 is intended to rotate clockwise in the figure. On the other hand, when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated, the direction in which the rod 40 is rotated, that is, the rotation direction RD, is counterclockwise in the figure. Therefore, when the locking piece 43 (locking portion 45) and the lock receiving portion 35 are released by the release portion 18, the rod 40 can be suppressed from rotating in the rotation direction RD due to the force received from the release portion 18. Therefore, it can be suppressed that the operator who performs the mating operation of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 mistakenly believes that the mating operation of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is completed after the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated shallowly and the locking portion 45 and the lock receiving portion 35 are released. Furthermore, the operator can recognize the necessity of fitting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 by performing the rotation operation of the lever 40 in the rotation direction RD.

[0042] During the mating process between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12, Fig.11 As shown, the protection wall 36 is engaged with the recessed portion 20. Thus, the fitting of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is guided.

[0043] (Contact portion 36A) like Fig.14 and Fig.16 As shown, the protection wall 36 has a contact portion 36A at its rear end. When the rod 40 is arranged in the completion position, the contact portion 36A contacts the plate-shaped portion 41 from the front. The contact portion 36A contacts the plate-shaped portion 41, thereby preventing the rod 40 from rotating further in the rotation direction RD from the completion position.

[0044] like Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, a finishing recess 37 recessed from the side surface 30B is formed at the front end portion of the lower side portion of the side surface 30B. The finishing recess 37 accommodates the locking portion 45 when the lever 40 is arranged at the finishing position.

[0045] (Effects of the Implementation Methods) (1) The connector structure 10 of the embodiment includes a first connector 11 and a second connector 12 mated with the first connector 11, the first connector 11 includes a housing 30 and a rod 40 mounted on the housing 30 so as to be rotatable between an initial position and a completed position, the housing 30 includes a lock receiving portion 35, the rod 40 includes a locking piece 43, the locking piece 43 is engaged with the lock receiving portion 35 to hold the rod 40 in the initial position, the locking piece 43 is elastically deformable, and the second connector 12 includes a release portion 18, when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 start to be mated, the release portion 18 slides with the locking piece 43 to release the engagement of the locking piece 43 and the lock receiving portion 35, when the release portion 18 slides with the locking piece 43, the rod 40 is subjected to a force in the direction opposite to the rotation direction RD, and the rotation direction RD is from the initial position to the completed position.

[0046] According to such a configuration, when the locking of the locking piece 43 and the lock receiving portion 35 is released by the releasing portion 18 , the lever 40 can be prevented from rotating in the rotating direction RD from the initial position toward the completion position.

[0047] (2) In the embodiment, the direction in which the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated is the first direction (front-rear direction), the first connector 11 is mated with the second connector 12 from one side (rear) in the first direction, the rod 40 includes a plate-shaped portion 41 and a locking piece 43, the plate-shaped portion 41 is axially supported on the side surface 30B of the housing 30, the locking piece 43 extends from the plate-shaped portion 41 to the other side (front) in the first direction when the rod 40 is in the initial position, the locking piece 43 includes a main body portion 44, a locking portion 45, and a release protrusion 46, the locking portion 45 extends from the main body portion 44 The top end of the main body 44 protrudes in the second direction (left-right direction) orthogonal to the first direction, and the release protrusion 46 protrudes from the top end of the main body 44 to one side (upper) of the third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction. The release portion 18 and the release protrusion 46 slide in contact, so that the locking piece 43 is elastically deformed in the second direction in a manner away from the side surface 30B. The locking portion 45 has an inclined portion 45A arranged at the end (lower end) on the other side of the third direction. The more the inclined portion 45A is toward the other side (lower) of the third direction, the smaller the size of the protrusion from the main body 44.

[0048] With such a configuration, when the lock piece 43 is elastically deformed so as to rotate about the axis extending in the first direction due to the sliding contact between the release portion 18 and the release protrusion 46 , the locking portion 45 and the lock receiving portion 35 are easily released.

[0049] (3) In the embodiment, the thickness T1 of the locking piece 43 is set to be smaller than the thickness T2 of the plate-like portion 41, and an elastic deformation space 47 is formed on the inner side of the outer surface 41B of the plate-like portion 41. The locking piece 43 is elastically deformed inside the elastic deformation space 47, so that the locking portion 45 and the locking receiving portion 3 are released from the engagement.

[0050] According to such a configuration, since the lock piece 43 is not arranged outside the plate-shaped portion 41 in the second direction when elastically deformed, the dimension of the second connector 12 in the second direction can be reduced when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11 from the outside.

[0051] (4) In the embodiment, the housing 30 includes the protection wall 36 that protrudes from the side surface 30B in the second direction and extends in the first direction, and the locking piece 43 is arranged between the protection wall 36 and the plate-shaped portion 41 in the third direction.

[0052] According to such a configuration, the protection wall 36 protects the lock piece 43 , and it is possible to suppress the locking of the lock portion 45 and the lock receiving portion 35 from being released.

[0053] (5) In the embodiment, the protection wall 36 includes the contact portion 36A, and when the lever 40 is located at the completion position, the contact portion 36A contacts the plate-shaped portion 41 from the other side in the first direction.

[0054] According to such a configuration, the contact portion 36A contacts the plate-shaped portion 41 , thereby preventing the lever 40 from rotating further in the rotation direction RD from the completion position.

[0055] (6) In the embodiment, the second connector 12 includes the recessed portion 20 , and the recessed portion 20 extends in the first direction and accommodates the protection wall 36 .

[0056] According to such a configuration, the protective wall 36 is housed in the recess 20 , so that the fitting of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 can be guided.

[0057] (Other embodiments) The above-mentioned embodiment can be implemented as the following modifications. The above-mentioned embodiment and the following modifications can be implemented in combination with each other within the scope of no technical contradiction.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the lock portion 45 includes the inclined portion 45A, but the lock portion may not include the inclined portion.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the locking piece 43 is elastically deformed on the inner side of the outer surface 41B of the plate-shaped portion 41 , but the locking piece may be elastically deformed on the outer side of the outer surface of the plate-shaped portion.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the housing 30 includes the protective wall 36 , but the housing may not include the protective wall.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the first connector 11 includes the wire cover 32 , but the first connector may not include the wire cover. Description of Reference Numerals

[0062] 10: Connector structure 11: 1st connector 12: Second connector 13: Terminal 2 14: Hood 15: Inner wall 16: Peripheral wall 16A: Sidewall 16B: Top wall 17: Cam pin 18: Lifting Department 19: Protruding wall 20: concave part 21: Connection 30: Shell 30A: Upper surface 30B: Side 31: Terminal receiving part 32: Wire cover 33: Locking arm 33A: Fitting lock part 34: Rotation axis 35: Lock receiving part 36: Protective wall 36A: abutment portion 37: Complete the concave part 40: Rod 41: plate-shaped part 41A: Inner surface 41B: Outer surface 41C: Axle hole 41D: Cam groove 41D1: Entrance 42: Operation Department 42A: Fitting lock receiving portion 43: Locking piece 44: Main body 45: Locking part 45A: Inclined part 46: Remove protrusions 47: Elastic Deformation Space RD: Rotation direction T1: Thickness of the locking piece 43 T2: Thickness of the plate-like portion 41

Claims

1. A connector structure, comprising: A first connector; and a second connector mating with the first connector, The first connector includes a housing and a lever, wherein the lever is mounted on the housing so as to be rotatable between an initial position and a completion position. The housing includes a lock receiving portion, The rod includes a locking piece, and the locking piece is engaged with the lock receiving portion to hold the rod in an initial position. The locking piece can be elastically deformed, The second connector includes a release portion, and when the first connector and the second connector begin to be mated, the release portion slides with the locking piece to release the locking of the locking piece and the lock receiving portion. When the release portion and the locking piece are in sliding contact, the lever is subjected to a force in a direction opposite to a rotation direction from the initial position toward the completion position.

2. The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein: The direction in which the first connector and the second connector are mated is a first direction, The first connector is engaged with the second connector from one side in the first direction, The lever includes a plate-shaped portion and the locking piece, the plate-shaped portion is axially supported on a side surface of the housing, and the locking piece extends from the plate-shaped portion to the other side of the first direction when the lever is located at the initial position. The locking piece includes a main body, a locking portion, and a release protrusion, wherein the locking portion protrudes from the top end of the main body toward a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the release protrusion protrudes from the top end of the main body toward one side of a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction. The release portion and the release protrusion are in sliding contact, so that the locking piece is elastically deformed in the second direction so as to be separated from the side surface. The locking portion includes an inclined portion, and the inclined portion is arranged at an end portion on the other side of the third direction. The inclined portion has a smaller protrusion dimension from the main body portion as it moves toward the other side in the third direction.

3. The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein: The direction in which the first connector and the second connector are mated is a first direction, The first connector is engaged with the second connector from one side in the first direction, The lever includes a plate-shaped portion and the locking piece, the plate-shaped portion is axially supported on a side surface of the housing, and the locking piece extends from the plate-shaped portion to the other side of the first direction when the lever is located at the initial position. The locking piece includes a main body, a locking portion, and a release protrusion, wherein the locking portion protrudes from the top end of the main body toward a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the release protrusion protrudes from the top end of the main body toward one side of a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction. The release portion and the release protrusion are in sliding contact, so that the locking piece is elastically deformed in the second direction so as to be separated from the side surface. The thickness of the locking piece is set to be smaller than the thickness of the plate-shaped portion, An elastic deformation space is formed inside the outer surface of the plate-shaped portion. The locking piece is elastically deformed in the elastic deformation space, thereby releasing the locking between the locking portion and the lock receiving portion.

4. The connector structure according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: The housing includes a protective wall, the protective wall protruding from the side surface toward the second direction and extending in the first direction, The locking piece is arranged between the protection wall and the plate-shaped portion in the third direction.

5. The connector structure according to claim 4, wherein: The protection wall includes a contact portion that contacts the plate-shaped portion from the other side in the first direction when the lever is located at the completion position.

6. The connector structure according to claim 4, wherein: The second connector has a recessed portion extending in the first direction and accommodating the protection wall.

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