Low fitting force connector

Abstract

The invention provides a low-fitting-force connector, which can reduce the space of fitting operation compared with the prior art through a simple structure, and can fully reduce the load required by the fitting operation. A low fitting force connector is provided with a first housing (10), a second housing (20), and a slide bar (30) assembled to the second housing, the slide bar having: a cam groove (33) capable of engaging with a first cam pin (13) provided in a cover part (12) of the first housing; and a slide guide section (34) for receiving a second cam pin (21) of the second housing, the slide guide section extending in an intersecting direction intersecting the fitting direction, and fitting by a cam action in conjunction with an operation of sliding the slide bar to move the second cam pin (21) on the slide guide section in a state where the first cam pin is introduced into the cam groove. The two housings are fitted together with a rotation operation of rotating the slide bar about the first cam pin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to low-engagement-force connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, various connectors have been proposed that reduce the load (fitting force) required for connector mating. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a rod-type connector in which a rod with a cam groove is mounted on one housing and a camshaft is provided on the other housing. After the two housings are brought close together and the camshaft enters the cam groove, the rod is rotated, thereby mating the two housings through cam action.

[0003] In addition, Patent Document 2 describes a sliding connector in which a sliding member with a cam groove is installed on one housing and a fitting pin is provided on the other housing. When the connector housings are mated together, the sliding member is pressed in the sliding direction, thereby using the action of a cam that pulls the fitting pin into the cam groove to fit the two housings together.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes a connector with a structure in which two independently constructed rods and sliding members are assembled into one connector housing. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-87852 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-90797 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-329583 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0006] However, while the aforementioned rod-type connectors significantly reduce the load (fitting force) required for the engagement operation, they require ample space on the back side of the connector for rod rotation, sometimes making them unsuitable for wiring harnesses or ECUs located in confined spaces. On the other hand, while sliding connectors do not require operating space on the back side, they offer less reduction in the load required for the engagement operation, and with a large number of poles, sometimes it is impossible to reduce the load to the required standard value. Furthermore, connectors that assemble independently constructed rods and sliding parts have the problems of a large number of components and complex structure and assembly operations. Solution for solving the problem

[0007] The low-engagement-force connector of the present invention comprises: a first housing having a cover portion; a second housing fitted into the interior of the cover portion; and a sliding rod slidably and rotatably assembled to the second housing, the sliding rod having: a cam groove capable of engaging with a first cam pin disposed in the cover portion; and a sliding guide portion receiving and sliding a second cam pin disposed in the second housing, capable of sliding between an initial position, an engagement completion position, and a sliding position, wherein the sliding rod is located at the initial position when the two housings begin to engage, at the engagement completion position when the two housings engage, and at the sliding position during the period from the initial position to the engagement completion position, the sliding guide portion being located when the sliding rod is in the initial position. Extending along a cross direction that intersects the fitting direction of the two housings, in the initial stage of fitting the two housings, with the first cam pin inserted into the cam groove of the sliding rod located in the initial position, a sliding operation is performed to slide the sliding rod relative to the second housing so that the second cam pin moves in the cross direction through the sliding guide. The fitting of the two housings is achieved by the cam action between the cam groove and the first cam pin. A rotation operation is performed to rotate the sliding rod, which is in the sliding position through the sliding operation, around the first cam pin disposed in the cam groove, to the fitting completion position. The second cam pin is pressed in the fitting direction by the sliding guide, and the two housings are fitted together. Invention Effects

[0008] The low-fitting-force connector according to the present invention can reduce the space required for fitting operations with a simpler structure than before, and can significantly reduce the load (fitting force) required for fitting operations. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a partially exploded perspective view of a low-engagement-force connector according to one embodiment. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a low-force connector before engagement (with the sliding rod in its initial position). Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a low-engagement-force connector in the state where the first cam pin reaches the pin inlet of the cam groove. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a low-engagement-force connector in the state where the first cam pin enters the first part of the cam groove. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a low-engagement-force connector where the first cam pin enters the second part of the cam groove and the second cam pin slides along the sliding guide. Figure 6This is a cross-sectional view of a low-engagement-force connector in which the first cam pin enters the third part of the cam groove and the second cam pin slides in the sliding guide (the sliding rod is in the sliding position). Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a low-engagement-force connector as the sliding rod rotates around the first cam pin. Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a low-engagement-force connector with the sliding rod rotating around the first cam pin (the sliding rod is in the fully engaged position). Figure 9 It is a graph showing the relationship between the stroke of the sliding rod and the change in the engagement force. Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of a low-engagement-force connector in which the sliding rod is in the sliding position according to other embodiments. Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of a low-engagement-force connector in which the sliding rod is in the sliding position according to other embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0010] [Description of embodiments of the present invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0011] (1) The low-fitting-force connector of the present invention comprises: a first housing having a cover portion; a second housing fitted into the interior of the cover portion; and a sliding rod slidably and rotatably assembled to the second housing, the sliding rod having: a cam groove capable of engaging with a first cam pin disposed on the cover portion; and a sliding guide portion receiving and sliding the second cam pin disposed on the second housing, and being movable relative to the second housing between an initial position, a fitted-up position, and a sliding position, the sliding rod being located at the initial position when the two housings begin to fit together, at the fitted-up position when the two housings complete fitting together, and at the sliding position during the period from the initial position to the fitted-up position, the sliding guide portion being located when the sliding rod is in the initial position. In the current position, extending along the intersecting direction that intersects the engagement direction of the two housings, in the initial engagement of the two housings, with the first cam pin inserted into the cam groove of the sliding rod located in the initial position, accompanied by a sliding operation that causes the sliding rod to slide relative to the second housing so that the second cam pin moves in the intersecting direction through the sliding guide, the two housings are engaged by the cam action between the cam groove and the first cam pin, accompanied by a rotation operation that causes the sliding rod, which is in the sliding position through the sliding operation, to rotate around the first cam pin disposed in the cam groove to the engagement completion position, the second cam pin is pressed in the engagement direction by the sliding guide, and the two housings are engaged.

[0012] According to the above structure, in the initial stage of fitting the two shells, where the load required for fitting is relatively small, the cam action generated by the sliding operation of the sliding rod can advance the fitting of the two shells. Furthermore, in the final stage of fitting, where a larger load is required to bring the two shells to the fully fitted position, the fitting of the two shells can be completed using the lever principle through a rotational operation that rotates the sliding rod. Thus, by using a combination of sliding and rotational operations for fitting the two shells, the rotation angle of the sliding rod can be reduced compared to the case without sliding operations. Therefore, the space required for fitting on the back side of the second shell can be reduced compared to the past, and the load required for the fitting operation can be significantly reduced. Moreover, since these two stages of operation can be performed using only one component, the number of parts does not increase, resulting in a simple structure.

[0013] (2) The sliding rod may also be configured such that it does not extend from the first housing toward the crossing direction when it is configured in the engagement completed position.

[0014] When the sliding rod extends from the first housing in the crossing direction after the engagement is complete, other components may easily hook onto the sliding rod. If a load is applied to the sliding rod in the direction opposite to the engagement direction, the engagement may be disengaged. According to the above structure, since other components are less likely to hook onto the sliding rod in the engaged state, accidental disengagement of the engagement between the two housings can be prevented. Furthermore, in the engaged state, the two housings can be compactly aligned.

[0015] (3) The sliding guide portion may also be an elongated hole extending along the intersecting direction. With such a structure, the second cam pin is less likely to fall off the sliding guide portion when it slides. That is, the second cam pin can slide stably relative to the sliding guide portion (second housing), thereby smoothly advancing the engagement of the two housings.

[0016] (4) Alternatively, when the sliding rod is in the initial position, the sliding guide extends in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the engagement direction of the two housings. When the sliding rod is in the engagement completed position, the sliding guide is disposed on the opposite side of the engagement direction along the first cam pin side and extends in a direction inclined from the orthogonal direction.

[0017] (5) Alternatively, the sliding rod may have a plate-shaped arm, the arm having the cam groove and the sliding guide, a locking part protruding in the extending direction of the sliding guide on the outer periphery of the arm, and a locking part provided in the cover. The locking part can be locked in the locking part as the sliding rod is slid from the initial position to the sliding position. By the rotation operation of the sliding rod, the locking part presses the locking part, thereby fitting the two housings together.

[0018] According to the above structure, with the rotation of the sliding rod, the pressing action of the locking part on the locked part makes it easier for the two housings to fit together.

[0019] [Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention] Reference Figures 1 to 9 Specific examples of the low-engagement-force connector of the present invention will be described. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown by way of the claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0020] The low-fitting-force connector 1 of this embodiment includes a first housing 10 and a second housing 20 that can fit together. They can be fitted / dismounted by operating a sliding rod 30 mounted on the second housing 20. Hereinafter, based on the fitting direction of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20, the fitting surface side is defined as the front, and the direction intersecting the fitting direction is defined as the side. Furthermore, regarding the vertical and horizontal directions, ... Figure 2 This explanation is based on the given specifications, but the top, bottom, left, and right angles are not limited to this embodiment and can be appropriately modified. Furthermore, for convenience, illustrations of the male terminal, female terminal, and wires are omitted.

[0021] [First Shell 10] The first shell 10 is made of synthetic resin, such as Figure 1 As shown, it is generally elongated in a rectangular cylindrical shape. Specifically, the first housing 10 includes a male terminal holding portion 11 for holding a male terminal (not shown) and a rectangular cover portion 12 that extends forward from around the male terminal holding portion 11 and opens therein (see reference). Figure 2 A plurality of male terminals (not shown) are held in the male terminal holding part 11, and the tabs of each male terminal protrude into the cover part 12.

[0022] A pair of first cam pins 13 are provided in the first housing 10. The first cam pins 13 are cylindrical and protrude toward the inside of the housing 12 at a left-right position in the left-right direction of the sidewalls 12A of the opposing elongated sides of the housing 12 (first housing 10).

[0023] [Second shell 20] The second housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and is a roughly square block with an inner diameter slightly smaller than that of the first housing 10, so as to be embedded in the first housing 10 (cover portion 12). The second housing 20 has multiple cavities extending through in the front-rear direction, each cavity housing a female terminal and the terminal portion (not shown) of a wire connected to the female terminal. A pair of second cam pins 21 are provided on the second housing 20. The second cam pins 21 are cylindrical and protrude outward from the side surfaces 20A of the opposite elongated sides of the second housing 20 at a position slightly to the left of the center in the left-right direction. Sliding rods 30, described later, are mounted on these second cam pins 21.

[0024] [Sliding bar 30] The sliding rod 30 is made of synthetic resin, such as Figure 1 As shown, it is roughly gate-shaped. The sliding rod 30 has an operating part 31 and a pair of arms 32 extending from both ends of the operating part 31 in an opposing manner.

[0025] Each pair of arms 32 is plate-shaped with a thickness. Each arm 32 has a cam groove 33 for receiving the first cam pin 13 of the first housing 10 and a sliding hole (an example of a sliding guide) 34 for receiving the second cam pin 21 of the second housing 20. The cam groove 33 is recessed into the outer surface of the arm 32 (the opposite surface of the opposing surfaces of the pair of arms 32). The sliding hole 34 is an elongated hole penetrating the plate surface of the arm 32.

[0026] The sliding rod 30 is mounted across the second housing 20. Specifically, the sliding rod 30 is configured along the elongated side 20A of the second housing 20 such that a pair of arms 32 clamp the second housing 20, and is mounted to the second housing 20 in a slidable and rotatable state by fitting the second cam pin 21 into the sliding hole 34.

[0027] Furthermore, for the following convenience, the sliding rod 30 is positioned relative to the second housing 20 in the initial position configured when the two housings 10 and 20 begin to engage. Figure 2 The description is based on the state of the sliding rod 30. In its initial position, the sliding rod 30 is positioned relative to the second housing 20, with the operating part 31 positioned at the upper right, generally facing upwards. Figure 2 It is tilted to the upper right. In this embodiment, it is tilted to the upper right at approximately 20 degrees.

[0028] The aforementioned cam groove 33 has a pin inlet 33A at the left position of the lower edge of the arm 32, allowing the first cam pin 13 to enter. From this pin inlet 33A, the pin moves inward. Figure 2The cam groove 33 extends from above (towards and rearwards in the engagement direction). More specifically, the cam groove 33 is composed of a first portion 33B extending upwards from the pin inlet 33A, a second portion 33C extending obliquely upwards and to the right from the inside of the first portion 33B, and a third portion 33D extending generally horizontally from the inside of the second portion 33C. The cam groove 33 is generally located on the left end side of the arm portion 32.

[0029] With the sliding rod 30 in its initial position, the sliding hole 34 extends horizontally to the right (orthogonal to the engagement direction of the two housings 10 and 20) from the upper right of the third portion 33D of the cam groove 33. With the sliding rod 30 in its initial position, the sliding hole 34 is formed at the left end where the second cam pin 21 is positioned within the sliding hole 34. Furthermore, the sliding hole 34 is generally positioned slightly to the left of the center of the arm portion 32 in the left-right direction.

[0030] The arm 32 has a feature on its lower left end that allows it to engage with the front end 20B of the second housing 20 when the sliding rod 30 is in its initial position. Figure 2 The lower end of the arm 32 is overlapped with the upper end of the arm 32 in a straight line extending 35. In other words, by placing the second cam pin 21 at the left end of the sliding hole 34 and making the straight-extending portion 35 at the left end of the lower edge of the arm 32 overlap with the front end 20B of the second housing 20, the sliding rod 30 can be positioned in an initial position relative to the second housing 20. Hereinafter, the straight-extending portion 35 at the left end of the lower edge of the arm 32 will be referred to as the initial posture guide portion 35. The pin inlet 33A of the cam groove 33 is formed in this initial posture guide portion 35.

[0031] Furthermore, with the sliding rod 30 in its initial position, the right end of the sliding rod 30 (the end on the side of the operating part 31) extends significantly to the right from the right end of the second housing 20. In addition, the lower right corner of the arm 32 is cut into an L-shape; hereinafter, the upper right protruding portion will be referred to as the protruding portion 36.

[0032] The low-fitting-force connector 1 of this embodiment has the structure described above. Next, the fitting operation of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 will be explained.

[0033] [Matching of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20] When fitting the two shells 10 and 20 together, firstly, as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the sliding rod 30 is positioned in an initial position relative to the second housing 20. Specifically, the sliding rod 30 is positioned relative to the second housing 20 such that the second cam pin 21 is located at the left end of the sliding hole 34, and the initial posture guide 35 overlaps with the front end 20B of the second housing 20.

[0034] Thus, with the sliding rod 30 in its initial position, the pin inlet 33A of the cam groove 33 faces the front of the second housing 20. Figure 2 The opening is located below the second housing 20. Furthermore, the left end of the arm 32 is positioned slightly to the right of the left end of the second housing 20. Additionally, the right end of the arm 32 extends considerably to the right from the right end of the second housing 20. The sliding rod 30 is generally inclined upwards to the right.

[0035] In this state, the second housing 20 is brought close to the first housing 10, so that the second housing 20 is shallowly fitted into the cover portion 12 (see reference). Figure 3 and Figure 4 At this time, the second housing 20 is positioned relative to the first housing 10 by inserting the first cam pin 13 into the pin inlet 33A of the sliding rod 30, which is in its initial position. Furthermore, during this positioning, the position of the first cam pin 13 is pre-set such that the right end of the second housing 20 is positioned within the right end of the cover portion 12, forming a gap S between the left end within the cover portion 12 and the second housing 20. The first cam pin 13, which enters the cam groove 33 from the pin inlet 33A, moves to the upper end of the first part 33B (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0036] Next, press the sliding rod 30 towards the left. Thus, as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the second cam pin 21, located at the left end of the sliding hole 34, slides relative to the right within the sliding hole 34. Simultaneously, with this sliding motion, the first cam pin 13, located at the upper end of the first portion 33B of the cam groove 33, passes through the second portion 33C and enters the inner part (the third portion 33D). Utilizing the cam action of the first cam pin 13 and the cam groove 33 at this time, the second housing 20 is pulled closer to the first housing 10 (downwards). That is, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are engaged.

[0037] Furthermore, during the sliding motion of the sliding rod 30, since the right end of the sliding rod 30 extends to the right from the right side of the cover 12, i.e., the fitting area of ​​the first housing 10, the rotation of the sliding rod 30 to the lower right is restricted. Additionally, since the sliding rod 30 is supported by the first cam pin 13 and the second cam pin 21 on the two housings 10 and 20, the tilt of the sliding rod 30 relative to the second housing 20 is not easily displaced from its initial position. Therefore, the horizontal sliding operation of the second cam pin 21 (second housing 20) can be smoothly advanced (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0038] Additionally, when the sliding action of the sliding rod 30 is completed, the sliding rod 30 reaches the sliding position. Figure 6When the sliding rod 30 is in the state of being in the same position, the lower right part of the sliding rod 30 is positioned inside the cover 12, that is, inside the fitting area of ​​the first housing 10. As a result, the rotation restriction of the sliding rod 30 is released.

[0039] Furthermore, when the sliding rod 30 is in the sliding position ( Figure 6 In the current state, the first cam pin 13 is disposed in the third portion 33D of the cam groove 33. Additionally, the second cam pin 21 is disposed at the right end of the sliding hole 34. Furthermore, the left end of the sliding rod 30 protrudes slightly from the left end of the second housing 20 (protruding into the gap S), and as described above, the lower right portion of the sliding rod 30 is disposed inside the fitting area of ​​the first housing 10. That is, the sliding rod 30 is rotatable.

[0040] Finally, press the operating part 31 of the sliding rod 30, which is positioned in the sliding position, downwards. Thus, as... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the sliding rod 30 rotates around the first cam pin 13. Furthermore, as the upper edge of the sliding hole 34 (an example of the sliding guide) 34A moves downwards, the second cam pin 21 is pressed downwards, thus bringing the second housing 20 closer to the first housing 10, resulting in a proper engagement between the first housing 10 and the second housing 20. Moreover, the further the upper edge 34A of the sliding hole 34 moves to the right from the rotation center (first cam pin 13), the greater the movement distance, allowing the second cam pin 21, located at the right end of the sliding hole 34, to move more significantly with relatively little force.

[0041] Thus, the sliding rod 30 is in the fully engaged position. Figure 8 In the current state, due to the change in tilt of the sliding rod 30 from the sliding position, the sliding hole 34 is tilted to the lower right, and the second cam pin 21 is positioned slightly to the left of the right end of the sliding hole 34. In addition, the lower left end of the sliding rod 30 protrudes further from the left end of the second housing 20 (protruding into the gap S).

[0042] Furthermore, when the sliding rod 30 is in the fully engaged position ( Figure 8 In the specified state, the lower surface of the protrusion 36 of the sliding rod 30 abuts against the front end 12B of the cover 12 (first housing 10), and the right end of the sliding rod 30 is coplanar with the right end of the cover 12 (not protruding from the outer surface of the cover 12). By assuming this state, it is possible to prevent other components from hooking onto the sliding rod 30 protruding from the cover 12, or for foreign objects from entering between the sliding rod 30 and the front end 12B of the cover 12, causing the sliding rod 30 to rotate unexpectedly in the engagement release direction (upward).

[0043] Figure 9This is a schematic diagram illustrating the change in connector engagement force when the low engagement force connector 1 of this embodiment is engaged. In the figure, the upper left line shows the change in connector engagement force in the conventional case without using the sliding rod 30, and the lower right line shows the change in connector engagement force with the sliding rod 30. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, during the sliding motion of the sliding rod 30 from the initial position to the sliding position, the connector engagement force is reduced compared to the conventional case. Furthermore, during the rotational motion of the sliding rod 30 from the sliding position to the engagement completion position, the connector engagement force is further significantly reduced compared to the conventional case. That is, it can be understood that there is a large difference in connector engagement force compared to the conventional structure without using the sliding rod 30.

[0044] Next, the effects of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained. The low-fitting-force connector 1 of this embodiment includes: a first housing 10 having a cover 12; a second housing 20 fitted into the interior of the cover 12; and a sliding rod 30 slidably and rotatably assembled to the second housing 20. The sliding rod 30 has: a cam groove 33 capable of engaging with a first cam pin 13 provided on the cover 12; and a sliding hole 34 capable of receiving a second cam pin 21 provided on the second housing 20 and allowing it to slide. It can shift relative to the second housing 20 between an initial position, a fitted-up position, and a sliding position. The sliding rod 30 is located in the initial position when the two housings 10 and 20 begin to fit together, in the fitted-up position when the two housings 10 and 20 complete fitting together, and in the sliding position during the period from the initial position to the fitted-up position. The sliding hole 34 is located at the sliding rod 30. In the initial position, extending in a direction orthogonal to the engagement direction of the two housings 10 and 20, in the initial engagement of the two housings 10 and 20, with the first cam pin 13 being guided into the cam groove 33 of the sliding rod 30 located in the initial position, accompanied by a sliding operation that causes the sliding rod 30 to slide relative to the second housing 20 so that the second cam pin 21 moves through the sliding hole 34 in a direction orthogonal to the engagement direction, the two housings 10 and 20 are engaged by the cam action between the cam groove 33 and the first cam pin 13, accompanied by a rotation operation that causes the sliding rod 30, which is in the sliding position through the sliding operation, to rotate around the first cam pin 13 located in the cam groove 33 to the engagement completion position, the second cam pin 21 is pressed in the engagement direction by the sliding hole 34, and the two housings 10 and 20 are engaged.

[0045] According to the above structure, in the initial stage of engagement where the load (engaging force) required for the engagement of the two housings 10 and 20 is relatively small, the cam action generated by the sliding operation of the sliding rod 30 can advance the engagement of the two housings 10 and 20. Furthermore, in the final stage of engagement, where a larger load (engaging force) is required to bring the two housings 10 and 20 to the fully engaged position, the engagement of the two housings 10 and 20 can be completed using a lever principle through a rotational operation that rotates the sliding rod 30. Thus, by using a combination of sliding and rotational operations for engaging the two housings 10 and 20, the rotation angle of the sliding rod 30 can be reduced compared to the case without sliding operations. Therefore, the sliding rod 30 will not be caught on the back side of the second housing 20, reducing the engagement space compared to the past and significantly reducing the load (engaging force) required for the engagement operation. Moreover, since these two stages of operation can be performed using only one component, the sliding rod 30, the number of parts does not increase, resulting in a simple structure.

[0046] In addition, the sliding rod 30 is configured not to extend from the first housing 10 in a cross direction that intersects the engagement direction when it is in the engagement completed position.

[0047] When the sliding rod 30 extends from the first housing 10 in the crossing direction after the engagement is completed, other components may easily hook onto the sliding rod 30. If a load is applied to the sliding rod 30 in the direction opposite to the engagement direction, the engagement may be disengaged. According to the above structure, since other components are less likely to hook onto the sliding rod 30 in the engaged state, the accidental disengagement of the engagement between the two housings 10 and 20 can be prevented. Furthermore, in the engaged state, the two housings 10 and 20 can be compactly aligned.

[0048] Furthermore, when the sliding rod 30 is in its initial position, the sliding hole 34 is an elongated hole extending in a direction orthogonal to the engagement direction. With this structure, the second cam pin 21 is less likely to dislodge from the sliding hole 34 when it slides. That is, the second cam pin 21 can slide stably relative to the sliding hole 34 (the second housing 20), thereby smoothly advancing the engagement of the two housings 10 and 20.

[0049] In addition, when the sliding rod 30 is in the engaged position, the sliding hole 34 is disposed on the opposite side of the engagement direction along the first cam pin 13 side and extends from the direction orthogonal to the engagement direction in an inclined direction.

[0050] <Other Implementation Methods> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and the accompanying drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the scope of the invention.

[0051] (1) In the above embodiment, the state in which the sliding rod 30 is positioned in the engagement completed position is shown. Figure 8 In the state of (the sliding rod 30 does not extend from the first housing 10 in the intersecting direction), the manner in which the sliding rod extends from the first housing is also included in the scope of the technology.

[0052] (2) In the above embodiment, the sliding guide portion is shown to be elongated (sliding hole 34), but the sliding guide portion is not limited to an elongated shape, for example, as Figure 10 As shown, it can also be formed into a concave edge 134 with a cut that allows the second cam pin 21 to slide in a direction orthogonal to the engagement direction, and can press the second cam pin 21 toward the engagement direction when the sliding rod 130 is rotated.

[0053] (3) In addition, for example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the sliding rod 230 can also have a structure in which a locking portion 37 protrudes in the direction of extending towards the sliding hole 34 on the outer periphery of the left end of the arm portion 32. In this case, by pre-providing a locking portion 14 in the cover portion 12 of the first housing 110, the locking portion 14 can be locked in the locking portion 37 as the sliding rod 230 is slid from the initial position to the sliding position. Thus, with the rotation of the sliding rod 230, the locking portion 37 can press the locking portion 14, making it easier to advance the fitting of the two housings.

[0054] (4) The sliding rod can also be a structure in which the left end does not protrude from the second housing in the engaged state.

[0055] (5) In the above embodiment, an initial posture guide 35 for guiding the sliding rod 30 to an initial position tilted posture is provided at the lower edge of the arm 32. However, in addition to the initial posture guide 35, a structure that can guide the posture of the sliding rod may also be provided. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0056] 1: Low engagement force connector 10, 110: First shell 11: Male terminal holding part 12: Cover 12A: Sidewall 12B: Frontend 13: First Cam Pin 14: Stuck part 20: Second shell 20A: Side view 20B: Frontend 21: Second Cam Pin 30, 130, 230: Sliding rods 31: Operations Department 32: Arm 33: Cam groove 33A: Import / Export 33B: Part 1 33C: Part 2 33D: Part 3 34: Sliding hole (sliding guide) 34A: Upper edge 35: Initial Posture Guidance Section 36: Protruding part 37: Locking part 134: Edge section S: Gap

Claims

1. A low-fitting-force connector comprising: a first housing having a cover portion; a second housing fitted into the interior of the cover portion; and a sliding rod slidably and rotatably assembled to the second housing. The sliding rod has: The cam groove can engage with the first cam pin disposed on the cover; and The sliding guide portion receives and allows the second cam pin, which is disposed in the second housing, to slide. The sliding rod, relative to the second housing, can shift between an initial position, a fully engaged position, and a sliding position. It is located at the initial position when the two housings begin to engage, at the fully engaged position when the engagement is complete, and at the sliding position during the period from the initial position to the fully engaged position. The sliding guide extends in a direction that intersects the engagement direction of the two housings when the sliding rod is in the initial position. In the initial stage of engagement of the two housings, with the first cam pin inserted into the cam groove of the sliding rod located in the initial position, a sliding operation is performed to slide the sliding rod relative to the second housing, causing the second cam pin to move in the intersecting direction via the sliding guide. The engagement of the two housings is achieved using the cam action between the cam groove and the first cam pin. During the rotation operation that causes the sliding rod, which is in the sliding position by the sliding operation, to rotate around the first cam pin disposed in the cam groove to the engagement completion position, the second cam pin is pressed by the sliding guide in the engagement direction, and the two housings engage.

2. The low-fitting-force connector according to claim 1, wherein, The sliding rod is configured such that, when positioned in the engagement completed position, it does not extend from the first housing toward the crossing direction.

3. The low-fitting-force connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The sliding guide portion is an elongated hole extending along the intersecting direction.

4. The low-fitting-force connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, When the sliding rod is in the initial position, the sliding guide extends in an orthogonal direction to the engagement direction of the two housings. When the sliding rod is in the engagement completed position, the sliding guide is disposed on the opposite side of the engagement direction along the first cam pin side and extends in an inclined direction from the orthogonal direction.

5. The low-fitting-force connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The sliding rod has a plate-shaped arm, the arm having the cam groove and the sliding guide, and a locking portion protruding in the extending direction of the sliding guide on the outer periphery of the arm. A locking part is provided in the cover. The locking part can be locked in the sliding position as the sliding rod is slid from the initial position to the sliding position. By rotating the sliding rod, the locking part presses the locking part, thereby fitting the two shells together.

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