Lever type connector

Abstract

The invention provides a lever type connector capable of improving the reliability of a position holding mechanism for holding a lever at an initial position. A lever-type connector (1) is provided with: a rotation mechanism (8) capable of rotating a lever (4) with respect to a connector housing (3); and a position holding mechanism (21) that holds the rod (4) in the initial position. When the lever (4) is in the initial position, the position holding mechanism (21) holds the lever (4) in the initial position by engaging a protruding portion (22) formed on one of a shaft portion (12) and a shaft hole (13) of the rotating mechanism (8) with a restriction groove (23) formed on the other of the shaft portion (12) and the shaft hole (13). The position holding mechanism (21) releases the engagement between the protrusion (22) and the restriction groove (23) and allows the rotation operation of the rod (4) by deforming the rod (4) due to interference with the counterpart connector (2) during the process of fitting the connector housing (3) into the counterpart connector (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to rod connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a rotary rod connector is known in which, when a female connector housing is fitted into a male connector housing, the female connector housing is completely fitted into the male connector housing by operating a rotary rod provided on the female connector housing. In this rotary rod connector, a protrusion of the male connector housing engages in a cam groove formed in the rotary rod. When the rotary rod is operated, the female connector housing is guided into the male connector housing by a cam structure formed in a curved cam groove and engaging the protrusion in the cam groove, thereby completely fitting the female connector housing and the male connector housing together. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-35592 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] However, this type of rotary rod connector has a position-retaining structure that holds the rotary rod in its initial position before rotation. This position-retaining structure holds the rotary rod in its initial position, for example, by engaging a tab formed on the rotary rod with a groove in the male connector housing. For instance, during the engagement of the female connector housing with the male connector housing, the tab is disengaged from the groove by a rib formed on the male connector housing, thereby releasing the engagement between the tab and the groove.

[0005] Here, the tab needs to be formed as a movable part that can engage and disengage relative to the slot; specifically, it needs to be formed as a movable piece that can elastically deform. Thus, the tab needs to be shaped to be movable relative to the rod body, and therefore, the tab may deform when the rotating rod is operated. Furthermore, depending on the situation, cracks or gaps may also develop in the tab. As described above, in terms of component durability, the reliability of the rotating rod connector is low.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a rod connector that improves the reliability of a position holding mechanism that holds a rod in its initial position. Solution for solving the problem

[0007] The rod-type connector that solves the aforementioned problem connects the rod-type connector to the counterpart connector by pulling the connector housing into the counterpart connector during the operation of a rod rotatably disposed in the connector housing, moving the rod from an initial position to an engagement position where the connector housing and the counterpart connector are engaged. The rod-type connector includes: a rotation mechanism that allows the rod to rotate relative to the connector housing by inserting a shaft portion formed in one of the connector housing and the rod into a shaft hole formed in the other of the connector housing and the rod; and a position holding mechanism that, when the rod is in the initial position, holds the rod in the initial position by engaging a protrusion formed in one of the shaft portion and the shaft hole with a limiting groove formed in the other of the shaft portion and the shaft hole. The position holding mechanism is configured such that, during the engagement of the connector housing with the counterpart connector, the rod deforms due to interference with the counterpart connector, thereby releasing the engagement of the protrusion with the limiting groove and allowing rotation of the rod. Invention Effects

[0008] This disclosure improves the reliability of position-keeping mechanisms that hold a lever in its initial position. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a 3D view of the rod-type connector before it is engaged with the other connector. Figure 2 This is a side view of the rod connector when the rod is in its initial position. Figure 3 This is a side view of the rod connector when the rod is in the mating position. Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of the rod connector after the operation and fitting guarantee components have been engaged. Figure 5 It is an exploded three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the position-keeping mechanism. Figure 6 This is the front view of the rod. Figure 7 (a) is a diagram showing the state before the rod is inserted into the other connector. Figure 7 (b) is a diagram showing the state after the rod is inserted into the other connector. Figure 8 yes Figure 10 (b) shows the cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII. Figure 9 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing the shape of the temporary fixing part. Figure 10 (a)~ Figure 10 (d) is a three-dimensional diagram showing the state transition of the position holding mechanism that occurs during the rotation of the lever. Detailed Implementation

[0010] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure] The embodiments of this disclosure are first described by listing them. [1] The rod connector disclosed herein is configured such that, during the operation of a rod rotatably disposed in a connector housing, the rod is pulled into the other connector by the connector housing to connect the rod to the other connector during the process of moving the rod from an initial position to an engagement position in which the connector housing and the other connector are engaged. The rod connector includes: a rotation mechanism that allows the rod to rotate relative to the connector housing by inserting a shaft portion formed in one of the connector housing and the rod into a shaft hole formed in the other of the connector housing and the rod; and a position holding mechanism that, when the rod is in the initial position, holds the rod in the initial position by engaging a protrusion formed in one of the shaft portion and the shaft hole with a limiting groove formed in the other of the shaft portion and the shaft hole. The position holding mechanism is configured such that, during the process of engaging the connector housing with the other connector, the rod deforms by interference with the other connector, thereby releasing the engagement of the protrusion with the limiting groove and allowing the rod to rotate.

[0011] According to this configuration, a protrusion and a limiting groove are provided between the shaft portion and the shaft hole of the rotating mechanism in which the rod is formed to rotate relative to the connector housing. These engage with each other when the rod is in its initial position, thus holding the rod in its initial position. Furthermore, during the process of fitting the connector housing into the other connector, the protrusion disengages from the limiting groove due to deformation of the rod itself, thereby releasing the engagement between the protrusion and the limiting groove. Thus, as a structure for holding the rod in its initial position, there is no need to use a movable piece that moves relative to the rod body. This improves the reliability of the position-holding mechanism that keeps the rod in its initial position.

[0012] [2] Based on [1] above, the rod has a pair of arms with the rotating mechanism configured thereon. The pair of arms are formed with a warped shape that is symmetrical to each other. The position holding mechanism is configured such that, during the process of fitting the connector housing into the other connector, the pair of arms deform in a way that eliminates the warping by interfering with the other connector, thereby releasing the engagement of the protrusion with the limiting groove. According to this configuration, the protrusion is engaged with the limiting groove by the warped shape of the rod's arms, thereby holding the rod in its initial position. In addition, by eliminating the warping of the rod's arms during the process of fitting the connector housing into the other connector, the engagement of the protrusion with the limiting groove is released. In this way, the engagement and non-engagement of the protrusion with the limiting groove can be switched by the simple construction of the warped shape of the rod's arms.

[0013] [3] Based on [2] above, the rod connector includes a warp elimination mechanism that applies a load to the rod to eliminate warping when the connector housing is engaged with the other connector. According to this configuration, when the connector housing is engaged with the other connector, the warp elimination mechanism assists in eliminating warping of the rod's arm. Therefore, warping can be sufficiently eliminated, thus improving the reliability of the protrusion disengaging from the retaining groove.

[0014] [4] Based on any of [1] to [3] above, the protrusion is formed on the side of the shaft portion in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the shaft portion, and the limiting groove is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole in a manner that allows it to contact the protrusion, thereby limiting the rotation of the rod in the direction of the engagement position. According to this configuration, the protrusion for holding the rod in the initial position is formed using the shape that originally exists in the shaft portion. Thus, no major design changes are required.

[0015] [5] Based on [4] above, by passing the protrusion of the shaft through the cutout formed in the shaft hole and rotating the rod by a predetermined amount to position the protrusion in the limiting groove, the rod is positioned in the initial position. The shaft hole has a shaft anti-detachment portion, which supports the protrusion from the back to prevent it from falling out of the shaft hole when the protrusion is positioned in the limiting groove. According to this configuration, since the shaft is less likely to detach from the shaft hole, the reliability of the rod connector as a device is improved.

[0016] [6] Based on any of [1] to [5] above, the assembly consisting of the protrusion and the limiting groove is provided on both sides in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the shaft. According to this configuration, multiple positions are provided where the position of the rod is held by the protrusion and the limiting groove, so it is less likely that the rod will accidentally move from its initial position.

[0017] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, which are intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In the drawings, for ease of explanation, some parts of the structure are sometimes exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the parts may sometimes differ from the actual dimensions.

[0018] (Rod connector 1) like Figure 1As shown, the rod connector 1 includes: a connector housing 3 that engages with the counterpart connector 2; and a rod 4 rotatably mounted on the connector housing 3. Multiple electrical terminals (not shown) are provided on both the counterpart connector 2 and the connector housing 3. One of the rod connector 1 and the counterpart connector 2 is a male connector, and the other is a female connector.

[0019] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, when the rod connector 1 is engaged with the other connector 2, the rod 4 is operated to move to the initial position (see reference). Figure 2 ) and the fitting position (refer to Figure 3 Rotation. The rod connector 1 rotates the connector housing 3 along the [position] during the operation of the rod 4 from its initial position to its engaged position. Figure 2 Pull the connector into the other connector 2 in the direction of arrow A1 to connect with the other connector 2.

[0020] (Club 4) like Figure 1 As shown, the rod 4 has a pair of arms 6 and a connecting portion 7 connecting the pair of arms 6. The rod 4 is rotatably mounted to the connector housing 3 via a rotating mechanism 8 disposed between the pair of arms 6 and the connector housing 3. Thus, the rod 4 has a pair of arms 6 with the rotating mechanism 8 configured thereon. The direction in which the pair of arms 6 are arranged side by side is formed in the width direction ( Figure 1 In the case of the Y-axis direction, the rotating mechanism 8 is set on both sides in the width direction. Figure 1 (Only one side is shown in the figure). A locking piece 10 is formed on the rod 4, which engages with the engaging protrusion 9 of the connector housing 3 when the rod 4 is rotated to the engaged position.

[0021] (Rotating Mechanism 8) like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the rotating mechanism 8 has: a shaft portion 12 formed on one of the connector housing 3 and the rod 4; and a shaft hole 13 formed on the other of the connector housing 3 and the rod 4. In this example, the shaft portion 12 is formed in the connector housing 3, and the shaft hole 13 is formed in the rod 4. The shaft portion 12 is formed on both sides of the connector housing 3. The shaft portion 12 is formed along the direction in which the pair of arms 6 are arranged side by side, i.e., the width direction ( Figure 1 The shape extends along the Y-axis (as shown in the figure). Shaft holes 13 are formed in a pair of arms 6 respectively.

[0022] Rod 4 is moved from the initial position to the engagement position ( Figure 2 The lever 4 rotates in the direction of arrow A2 (counterclockwise from the paper surface) to switch to the engaged position. At this time, the lever 4 rotates around the shaft 12 of the rotating mechanism 8.

[0023] (Cam mechanism 15) like Figure 1 As shown, a cam mechanism 15 is provided between the counterpart connector 2 and the rod 4. This cam mechanism 15 generates a load that completely engages the rod connector 1 and the counterpart connector 2 during the rotation of the rod 4 around its axis. The cam mechanism 15 is positioned in the direction of the pair of arms 6 parallel to each other, i.e., in the width direction. Figure 1 Both sides of the Y-axis direction (as in the equation).

[0024] The cam mechanism 15, for example, has a cam pin 16 formed on the counterpart connector 2 and a cam groove 17 formed on the rod 4. In this example, the cam pin 16 is formed on the inner surface of the mating portion 18 in the counterpart connector 2 for fitting into the connector housing 3. In this example, the cam groove 17 is formed on the outer surface of a pair of arms 6. The cam groove 17 is, for example, formed in a groove shape that can convert the rotational motion of the rod 4 into the linear motion of the connector housing 3.

[0025] When lever 4 is moved from its initial position to its engaged position, the cam mechanism 15 converts the rotational motion of lever 4 into the linear motion of connector housing 3 by sliding cam pin 16 in curved cam groove 17. Thus, lever connector 1 moves from its initial position before lever 4 is engaged (refer to...). Figure 2 Move to the mating position (refer to) Figure 3 Thus, the rod connector 1 connects to the other connector 2 by pulling the connector housing 3 toward the other connector 2 during the operation of the rod 4 from the initial position to the mating position.

[0026] (Matching and guaranteeing component 19) like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the rod connector 1 has a mating assurance member 19 for detecting whether the rod 4 has correctly reached the mating position. The mating assurance member 19 is a so-called CPA (connector position assurance) member. The mating assurance member 19 can identify that the rod 4 has reached the mating position by allowing a press-in operation when the rod 4 has reached the mating position.

[0027] (Guidance Department 20) like Figure 1 As shown, a guide portion 20 is provided between the counterpart connector 2 and the connector housing 3 to guide their engagement. In this example, when the connector housing 3 is engaged with the counterpart connector 2 by rotating the rod 4 to the engagement position, the guide portion 20 guides the linear movement of the connector housing 3 relative to the counterpart connector 2.

[0028] The guide portion 20 has: a guide rail 20a formed on the side of the connector housing 3; and a track groove 20b formed on the inner surface of the mating portion 18 for inserting the guide rail 20a. The guide rail 20a is formed on both sides of the connector housing 3. The track groove 20b is formed at two opposing locations on the inner surface of the mating portion 18. Thus, two sets consisting of the guide rail 20a and the track groove 20b are formed. Furthermore, in Figure 1 In the figure, for two groups consisting of guide rails 20a and track grooves 20b, the guide rails 20a in one group are shown, and the track grooves 20b in the other group are shown.

[0029] (Position holding mechanism 21) like Figure 5 As shown, the rod connector 1 includes a position holding mechanism 21 that holds the rod 4 in its initial position before it engages with the other connector 2. The position holding mechanism 21 holds the rod 4 in its initial position by engaging a protrusion 22 formed on one of the shaft portion 12 and the shaft hole 13 with a limiting groove 23 formed on the other of the shaft portion 12 and the shaft hole 13. In this example, the protrusion 22 is formed in the connector housing 3, and the limiting groove 23 is formed in the rod 4. Furthermore, the position holding mechanism 21 is positioned in the direction in which the pair of arms 6 are parallel, i.e., in the width direction. Figure 5 Both sides of the Y-axis direction (in the same way) Figure 5 (In the previous section, only one side was shown in the diagram, but here we will only explain one side.)

[0030] The protrusion 22 is positioned in a direction that intersects the axial direction (direction of axis L1) of the shaft portion 12. Figure 5 The arrow (in the direction of Lk) is formed on the side of the shaft portion 12. A limiting groove 23 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole 13 to limit the rod 4 in the engagement position direction by contact with the protrusion 22. Figure 5 The limiting groove 23 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole 13 in a manner that allows it to contact the protrusion 22. In this example, the limiting groove 23 is formed by recessing a portion of the limiting protrusion 24 that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole 13. Specifically, the limiting groove 23 is formed by making the rotation direction of the rod 4 (in the direction of arrow A2) rotate. Figure 5 The limiting protrusion 24 is recessed at its end (in the direction of the arrow). The assembly consisting of the protrusion 22 and the limiting groove 23 is arranged in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the shaft portion 12 (in the direction of the arrow). Figure 5 On both sides of the arrow Lk direction.

[0031] A notch 25 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole 13, which allows the protrusion 22 of the shaft portion 12 to pass through when the shaft portion 12 is inserted into the shaft hole 13. Thus, by allowing the protrusion 22 to pass through the notch 25 formed in the shaft hole 13 and rotating the rod 4 by a predetermined amount, the protrusion 22 is positioned in the limiting groove 23, thereby positioning the rod 4 in its initial position. In this example, a pair of notches 25 are formed in an opposing manner.

[0032] The shaft hole 13 has a shaft anti-detachment portion 26, which supports the protrusion 22 from the back side to prevent it from falling out of the shaft hole 13 when the protrusion 22 is positioned at a predetermined depth from the surface of the limiting protrusion 24, for example, by forming the bottom of the limiting groove 23. In this example, the shaft anti-detachment portion 26 is integrally formed with the limiting protrusion 24.

[0033] (The warped shape of arm 6 of lever 4) like Figure 6 As shown, the pair of arms 6 are formed with a warped shape that is symmetrical to each other. In this example, the pair of arms 6 are formed to open with their tips separated from each other. The warping amount W1 of the pair of arms 6 is set to a value that allows the protrusion 22 of the shaft 12 to engage with the limiting groove 23 of the shaft hole 13 when the rod 4 is in the initial position.

[0034] (Warp Removal Mechanism 28) like Figure 7 (a) and Figure 7 As shown in (b), the rod connector 1 includes a warp-eliminating mechanism 28, which applies a load to the rod 4 to eliminate warping when the connector housing 3 is engaged with the mating connector 2. In this example, the warp-eliminating mechanism 28 includes a beveled portion 29 formed on the outer surface of the tip of the arm 6 of the rod 4; and a contact surface 30 in the inner surface of the mating portion 18 of the mating connector 2 that contacts the beveled portion 29. The warp-eliminating mechanism 28 is configured to eliminate warping of the arm 6 by means of the beveled portion 29 at the tip of the arm 6 and guide the arm 6 into the mating portion 18. When the arm 6 is inserted into the mating portion 18, the warp-eliminating mechanism 28 supports the arm 6 by the contact surface 30 of the mating portion 18, thereby maintaining the warp-eliminating state.

[0035] (The engagement between the protrusion 22 in the position holding mechanism 21 and the limiting groove 23 is released) like Figure 8 As shown, during the engagement of the connector housing 3 with the counterpart connector 2, the rod 4 deforms due to interference with the counterpart connector 2, thereby causing the arm 6 to move in the direction away from the protrusion 22 of the shaft portion 12 (in the direction of arrow A3 in the figure). Thus, the position holding mechanism 21 releases the protrusion 22 from the limiting groove 23, allowing the rod 4 to rotate.

[0036] In this example, the pair of arms 6 of the rod 4 are formed in a warped shape, opening with their tips separated from each other. Therefore, the position holding mechanism 21 in this example is configured such that, during the engagement of the connector housing 3 with the counterpart connector 2, the pair of arms 6 deform in a way that eliminates warping due to interference with the counterpart connector 2, thereby releasing the engagement between the protrusion 22 and the limiting groove 23. That is, by causing the counterpart connector 2 to open outwards ( Figure 8 The upper part of the paper) opens the arm 6, which warps inward ( Figure 8 The shape is deformed in the direction below the paper, thereby releasing the engagement of the position holding mechanism 21.

[0037] (Temporary fixing part 32) like Figure 9 As shown, the rod connector 1 includes a temporary fixing portion 32 for temporarily fixing the rod 4 in an initial position. The temporary fixing portion 32 has: a first protrusion 33 formed on the inner surface of the rod 4; and a second protrusion 34 formed on the side of the connector housing 3 in a manner that abuts against the first protrusion 33. The second protrusion 34 has a first inclined portion 35 that abuts against the first protrusion 33, and a second inclined portion 36 disposed on the opposite side of the first inclined portion 35 in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 6 of the rod 4.

[0038] [effect] Next, the function of the rod connector 1 in this embodiment will be explained. like Figure 10 As shown in (a), before the rod connector 1 and the other connector 2 are engaged, the arm 6 of the rod 4 is in an outward position, therefore, the protrusion 22 of the shaft 12 engages with the limiting groove 23 of the shaft hole 13. At this time, since the end of the protrusion 22 opposite to the limiting protrusion 24 and the wall of the limiting groove 23 are in abutting state, it is impossible to rotate the rod 4 from the initial position to the engaged position. That is, the rod 4 cannot be rotated in the direction of the engaged position ( Figure 10 Rotation in the direction of arrow A2 (c) is prohibited. Therefore, lever 4 remains in its initial position.

[0039] Furthermore, when lever 4 is in its initial position, a load generated by the warping of lever 4 acts from the shaft anti-detachment part 26 onto the protrusion 22. That is, when lever 4 is in its pre-operation position, the shaft anti-detachment part 26 of lever 4 strongly presses against the protrusion 22 of shaft part 12. Therefore, lever 4 is more difficult to move from its initial position. In addition, lever 4 is also held by the temporary fixing part 32, making it even more difficult to move from its initial position.

[0040] like Figure 7As shown in (a) and (b), when the rod connector 1 is engaged with the other connector 2, the beveled portion 29 of the arm 6 is guided along the contact surface 30 of the inner surface of the engagement portion 18 of the other connector 2, thereby eliminating the warping of the arm 6, while the arm 6 enters the interior of the engagement portion 18. Thus, during the process of the tip of the rod 4 entering the interior of the engagement portion 18 of the other connector 2, the warping of the rod 4 is eliminated by being pressed by the contact surface 30 of the engagement portion 18. In this example, the rod 4 is deformed by being pressed by the contact surface 30 of the engagement portion 18, causing the arm 6 to close.

[0041] like Figure 8 and Figure 10 As shown in (b), when the arm 6 deforms in a closed manner during the engagement of the rod connector 1 with the other connector 2, the arm 6 moves away from the protrusion 22 in the direction ( Figure 8 and Figure 10 The shaft 12 moves in the direction of arrow A3 (as shown in (b)), thereby disengaging the protrusion 22 from the limiting groove 23. This releases the engagement between the protrusion 22 and the limiting groove 23. This allows the rod 4, initially positioned, to be rotated towards the engaged position.

[0042] like Figure 10 As shown in (c), if the rod 4 in its initial position is rotated toward the engagement position while the protrusion 22 is disengaged from the limiting groove 23, the protrusion 22 will jump onto the surface of the limiting protrusion 24. That is, the protrusion 22 is no longer interfered with by the limiting groove 23, thus allowing subsequent rotation of the rod 4.

[0043] like Figure 10 As shown in (d), if the lever 4 is rotated from its initial position until it reaches the engaged position, the protrusion 22 is located at the end of the limiting protrusion 24 opposite to the part that was jumped up, and remains on the limiting protrusion 24. Furthermore, when the lever 4 is in the engaged position, the locking piece 10 of the lever 4 engages with the engaging protrusion 9 of the connector housing 3 to hold the lever 4 in the engaged position. Additionally, the engagement guarantee member 19 provided on the lever 4 is pressed in to confirm whether the lever 4 has been operated to the engaged position, thus fully engaging the connectors.

[0044] [Effects of the Implementation Method] The rod connector 1 according to the above embodiment can achieve the following effects. (1) A rod connector 1, wherein during the operation of a rod 4 rotatably disposed on a connector housing 3 that engages with a counterpart connector 2, from an initial position to an engaged position, the rod connector 1 is pulled toward the counterpart connector 2 via the connector housing 3, thereby connecting the rod connector 1 to the counterpart connector 2. The rod connector 1 includes a rotation mechanism 8 and a position holding mechanism 21. The rotation mechanism 8 forms the rod 4 rotatable relative to the connector housing 3 by inserting a shaft portion 12 formed in one of the connector housing 3 and the rod 4 into a shaft hole 13 formed in the other of the connector housing 3 and the rod 4. The position holding mechanism 21 holds the rod 4 in the initial position by engaging a protrusion 22 formed in one of the shaft portion 12 and the shaft hole 13 with a limiting groove 23 formed in the other of the shaft portion 12 and the shaft hole 13 when the rod 4 is in the initial position. The position holding mechanism 21 is configured such that, during the process of fitting the connector housing 3 into the other connector 2, the rod 4 deforms due to interference with the other connector 2, thereby releasing the engagement between the protrusion 22 and the limiting groove 23 and allowing the rod 4 to rotate.

[0045] According to this configuration, a protrusion 22 and a limiting groove 23 are provided between the shaft portion 12 and the shaft hole 13 of the rotating mechanism 8, in which the rod 4 is formed to rotate relative to the connector housing 3. These parts engage with each other when the rod 4 is in its initial position. This holds the rod 4 in its initial position. Furthermore, the protrusion 22 disengages from the limiting groove 23 by deforming the shape of the rod 4 during the process of fitting the connector housing 3 into the other connector 2, thereby releasing the engagement between the protrusion 22 and the limiting groove 23. Thus, as a structure for holding the rod 4 in its initial position, there is no need to use a movable piece that moves relative to the rod body. This improves the reliability of the position holding mechanism 21 that holds the rod 4 in its initial position.

[0046] (2) The rod 4 has a pair of arms 6 equipped with a rotating mechanism 8. The pair of arms 6 are formed with a symmetrically warped shape. The position holding mechanism 21 is configured such that, during the process of fitting the connector housing 3 into the other connector 2, the pair of arms 6 deform in a way that eliminates the warping due to interference with the other connector 2, thereby releasing the engagement between the protrusion 22 and the limiting groove 23. According to this configuration, by utilizing the warped shape of the arms 6 of the rod 4 to engage the protrusion 22 with the limiting groove 23, the rod 4 is held in its initial position. In addition, by eliminating the warping of the arms 6 of the rod 4 during the process of fitting the connector housing 3 into the other connector 2, the engagement between the protrusion 22 and the limiting groove 23 is released. In this way, the engagement and non-engagement of the protrusion 22 with the limiting groove 23 can be switched by utilizing the simple structure of the warped shape of the arms 6 of the rod 4.

[0047] (3) The rod connector 1 includes a warpage elimination mechanism 28 that applies a load to the rod 4 to eliminate warpage when the connector housing 3 is engaged with the counterpart connector 2. According to this configuration, when the connector housing 3 is engaged with the counterpart connector 2, the warpage elimination mechanism 28 assists in eliminating warpage of the arm 6 of the rod 4. Therefore, warpage can be sufficiently eliminated, thus improving the reliability of the protrusion 22 disengaging from the limiting groove 23.

[0048] (4) The protrusion 22 is axially aligned with the shaft 12. Figure 5 The direction of the axis L1 shown) intersects the direction ( Figure 5 The arrow Lk (as shown) protrudes from the side of the shaft portion 12. The limiting groove 23 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole 13 in a manner that allows it to contact the protrusion 22, thereby limiting the rotation of the rod 4 towards the engagement position. With this configuration, the protrusion 22, which holds the rod 4 in its initial position, is formed using the shape originally present in the shaft portion 12. Therefore, no major design changes are required.

[0049] (5) By passing the protrusion 22 of the shaft portion 12 through the cutout 25 formed in the shaft hole 13 and rotating the rod 4 by a predetermined amount, the protrusion 22 is positioned in the limiting groove 23, thereby positioning the rod 4 in the initial position. The shaft hole 13 has a shaft anti-detachment portion 26, which supports the protrusion 22 from the back when the protrusion 22 is positioned in the limiting groove 23 to prevent the protrusion 22 from falling out of the shaft hole 13. According to this configuration, since the shaft portion 12 is less likely to detach from the shaft hole 13, the reliability of the rod connector 1 as a device is improved.

[0050] (6) The assembly consisting of the protrusion 22 and the limiting groove 23 is arranged axially with the shaft 12. Figure 5 The direction of the axis L1 shown) intersects the direction ( Figure 5 The two sides are shown in the direction of arrow Lk. With this configuration, since there are multiple parts that use the protrusion 22 and the limiting groove 23 to hold the position of the rod 4, it is not easy for the rod 4 to move accidentally from the initial position.

[0051] [Other Implementation Methods] Furthermore, this embodiment can be modified as follows. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical non-contradiction.

[0052] The connector housing 3 may, for example, be a body having an inner housing and a cover that fits into the body. In this case, the shaft portion 12 may also be formed on the cover. That is, the rod-type connector 1 may be configured such that the rod 4 is rotatably mounted on the shaft portion 12 formed on the cover.

[0053] The protrusion 22 is not limited to being formed at the top of the shaft portion 12, but may also be formed in the middle of the shaft. The warping of the rod 4 is not limited to the shape in which the tops of the pair of arms 6 warp outwards relative to each other, but can also be the shape in which the tops of the pair of arms 6 warp inwards in a manner close to each other.

[0054] The position holding mechanism 21 may also be configured such that the limiting groove 23 is displaced outward relative to the protrusion 22 by utilizing the outward deformation of the rod 4, thereby releasing the engagement between the protrusion 22 and the limiting groove 23. The limiting protrusion 24 and the shaft anti-detachment part 26 are not limited to a continuous integral shape, and they can also be provided separately.

[0055] Rod 4 is not limited to being made of resin; it can also be made of metal. The cam groove 17 of rod 4 is not limited to a recess; for example, it can also be a through hole (slit-like).

[0056] The cam pin 16 of the cam mechanism 15 is not limited to being formed on the inner surface of the mating portion 18, but may also be formed on the outer surface of the mating portion 18. The other connector 2 may also have a special shape for eliminating warping of the rod 4 as an element of the warping elimination mechanism 28.

[0057] The group consisting of the protrusion 22 and the limiting groove 23 may also be only one group. The shaft portion 12 and the shaft hole 13 can also be configured such that the shaft portion 12 is formed in the rod 4 and the shaft hole 13 is formed in the connector housing 3.

[0058] This disclosure is based on embodiments, but it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments or constructions. This disclosure also includes various modifications and equivalent variations. Furthermore, various combinations, forms, and other combinations and forms containing only one element, or more or less of the elements, also fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0059] 1 rod connector 2. Partner connector 3 Connector Housing 4 poles 6. Arms 7. Connecting parts 8 Rotating mechanism 9. The clasp-like protrusion 10 Locking Pieces 12 Shaft section 13 Shaft Holes 15 Cam Mechanism 16 Cam pins 17 Cam groove 18 chimeric part 19. Fitting and guaranteeing components 20 Guidance Department 20a guide rail 20b Track Slot 21 Position holding mechanism 22 protuberance 23 Restriction slots 24. Restricting protrusions 25. Incision site 26-axis anti-detachment part 28 Warp Elimination Mechanism 29 Bevel part 30 Contact surface 32 Temporary fixing part 33 First protrusion 34 Second protrusion 35 First oblique face 36 Second oblique face L1 axis W1 warpage

Claims

1. A lever connector in which a lever operable to be rotated with respect to a connector housing is pulled into an opposite connector by the connector housing during a process in which the lever is moved from an initial position to a fitted position in which the connector housing is fitted to the opposite connector, thereby connecting the lever connector to the opposite connector, wherein the lever connector comprises: a rotation mechanism configured to allow the lever to be rotated with respect to the connector housing by inserting a shaft portion formed in one of the lever and the connector housing into a shaft hole formed in the other of the lever and the connector housing; and a position holding mechanism configured to hold the lever in the initial position by engaging a protrusion formed in one of the shaft portion and the shaft hole with a restriction groove formed in the other of the shaft portion and the shaft hole, wherein the position holding mechanism is configured to allow the lever to be rotated by being deformed by interference with the opposite connector during a process in which the connector housing is fitted to the opposite connector, thereby releasing the engagement of the protrusion with the restriction groove.

2. The lever connector according to claim 1, wherein the lever has a pair of arm portions in which the rotation mechanism is provided, the pair of arm portions are formed in a shape in which warping is symmetrical with respect to each other, and the position holding mechanism is configured to allow the pair of arm portions to be deformed in a manner in which the warping is eliminated by interference with the opposite connector during a process in which the connector housing is fitted to the opposite connector, thereby releasing the engagement of the protrusion with the restriction groove.

3. The lever connector according to claim 2, wherein the lever connector comprises a warping elimination mechanism configured to apply a load for eliminating warping to the lever when the connector housing is fitted to the opposite connector.

4. The lever connector according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed on a side surface of the shaft portion in a manner in which the protrusion protrudes in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the shaft portion, and the restriction groove is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole in a manner in which the protrusion can be contacted, thereby restricting rotation of the lever in a direction of the fitted position.

5. The lever connector according to claim 4, wherein the lever is arranged in the initial position by passing the protrusion of the shaft portion through a cutout portion formed in the shaft hole and rotating the lever by a predetermined amount to arrange the protrusion in the restriction groove, and the shaft hole has a shaft fall prevention portion configured to support the protrusion from a back surface to prevent the protrusion from falling out of the shaft hole when the protrusion is arranged in the restriction groove.

6. The lever connector according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the protrusion and the restriction groove is arranged on both sides in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the shaft portion. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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