connector

Abstract

A connector includes a housing, a lever rotatably assembled to an outer surface of the housing, and a cover assembled to the housing via an engaging portion disposed on an inner surface side of the lever, wherein the lever is provided with a tool insertion hole which communicates with the engaging portion and an outer surface of the lever and allows a release tool to be inserted therein, the release tool being used to release engagement of the engaging portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, a connector is known that includes a housing, a lever rotatably assembled to the outer surface of the housing, and a cover assembled to the housing (see patent document JP2012-69306A). In this connector, a hook and a claw are provided between the housing and the cover, which serve as engagement portions to maintain the assembled state between the housing and the cover. The hook and claw are arranged on the inner surface side of the lever. By elastically deforming the claw with a release tool, the engagement between the hook and the claw can be released. By releasing the engagement between the hook and the claw, the cover can be removed from the housing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Incidentally, in the connector disclosed in JP2012-69306A, for example, a release tool is inserted through a gap visible from above the lever into the engagement portion located on the inner surface of the lever, and an operation is performed to release the engagement of the engagement portion. Therefore, the release tool needs to be carefully inserted to avoid interference between the release tool and parts other than the engagement portion, and the operability of releasing the engagement portion is reduced.

[0004] This invention was made in view of such problems in the prior art. Furthermore, the object of this invention is to provide a connector capable of improving the operability of disengaging the joint.

[0005] The connector according to the invention comprises: a housing; a lever rotatably assembled to an outer surface of the housing; and a cover assembled to the housing via an engagement portion disposed on an inner surface side of the lever, wherein the lever is provided with a tool insertion hole communicating with the engagement portion and the outer surface of the lever and allowing a release tool to be inserted into the tool insertion hole for releasing the engagement of the engagement portion.

[0006] According to the present invention, a connector can be provided that improves the operability of disengaging the engagement of the joint. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector according to this embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to this embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of the main parts.

[0010] Figure 4This is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the connector when the release tool is inserted into the tool insertion hole of the connector in this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the connector when the release tool is inserted into the tool insertion hole of the connector in this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the connector when the release tool is inserted into the tool insertion hole of the connector to release the engagement of the joint in this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the connector housing according to this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the lever of the connector according to this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the connector cover according to this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the connector release tool according to this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the connector according to this embodiment is described in detail below. Note that for ease of explanation, the dimensions in the drawings are exaggerated and may differ from the actual scale.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, connector 1 according to this embodiment electrically connects two electrical components (not shown) between a power source and a device installed in a vehicle, or between two electrical components (not shown) between devices. Connector 1 is electrically connected to one of the electrical components and is capable of mating with a mating connector (not shown) electrically connected to the other electrical component. When connector 1 mates with the mating connector, the two electrical components are electrically connected to each other.

[0019] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, connector 1 includes housing 3, terminals (not shown), lever 5, cover 7, and release tool 9.

[0020] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, the housing 3 is formed of an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 3 is formed in a housing shape, into which a mating housing (not shown) of a mating connector can be fitted. Inside the housing 3, a plurality of terminal receiving chambers 11 are provided. The terminal receiving chambers 11 extend along the mating direction with the mating housing. Both ends of the terminal receiving chamber 11 are open in the longitudinal direction. One opening of the terminal receiving chamber 11 serves as a connection opening, into which a mating terminal (not shown) of the mating connector is inserted when the housing 3 and the mating housing are mated. The other opening of the terminal receiving chamber 11 serves as an insertion opening through which a terminal can be inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 11. Inside the terminal receiving chamber 11, a locking shank that engages with the terminal is provided in a resiliently deformable manner.

[0021] Multiple terminal receiving chambers 11 are arranged together in a tubular mating portion 13, which is separate from the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall of the housing 3. On the connection opening side of the terminal receiving chamber 11, the space between the outer surface of the mating portion 13 located inside the housing 3 and the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall of the housing 3 serves as a receiving space capable of accommodating the mating housing and the lever 5. Shaft portions (not shown) extend inward from the inner surfaces of the outer peripheral walls on both sides of the housing 3 in the width direction. On the inner side of the outer peripheral walls on both sides of the housing 3 in the width direction, there are completion holding portions that hold the lever 5 in the completed rotation position. On the outer side of the outer peripheral walls on both sides of the housing 3 in the width direction, there are start holding portions 15 that hold the lever 5 in the start rotation position. On the insertion opening side of the terminal receiving chamber 11, on both sides of the mating portion 13 exposed from the housing 3 in the width direction, there are locking portions 19 that form the joint portion 17 and are recessed inward from the outer surface.

[0022] Although omitted in the illustration, multiple terminals formed of conductive material are used. The terminals are electrically connected to the end of, for example, a wire (not shown), which is electrically connected to one of the electrical components, by means of crimping or other methods. The terminals are received in the terminal receiving chamber 11 through an insertion opening and engage with a locking lever in the terminal receiving chamber 11. Due to the engagement between the terminal and the locking lever, the terminal is prevented from falling out of the insertion opening of the terminal receiving chamber 11, and the terminal can be retained in the housing 3. The terminal received in the terminal receiving chamber 11 is in a state where the wire is led out from the insertion opening of the terminal receiving chamber 11 to the outside of the housing 3. When the housing 3 and the mating housing mate, the terminal is electrically connected to the mating terminal.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 6 and Figure 8As shown, lever 5 is formed of an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin. Lever 5 is formed in a U-shape to cover the outer surface of the mating portion 13 of housing 3 with a pair of sidewalls and a connecting wall connecting the pair of sidewalls. Shaft holes 21 formed by penetrating the sidewalls are respectively provided on the pair of sidewalls of lever 5. The shaft portion of housing 3 is inserted into the shaft hole 21, and lever 5 is rotatably assembled to housing 3. The connecting wall of lever 5 is provided with an operating portion 23 for rotating lever 5. Starting engagement portions 25 are respectively provided on the outer surface of the pair of sidewalls of lever 5. When lever 5 is in the starting rotation position, the starting engagement portion 25 engages with the starting holding portion 15 of housing 3 (see...). Figure 1 Due to the engagement between the starting engagement portion 25 and the starting holding portion 15, the lever 5 can be held in the starting rotation position. On a pair of sidewalls of the lever 5, there are respective finishing engagement pieces 27, each including a protrusion formed on the free end side, provided in an elastically deformable manner. When the lever 5 is in the finished rotation position (not shown), the finishing engagement piece 27 engages with the finished holding portion of the housing 3. Due to the engagement between the finishing engagement piece 27 and the finished holding portion, the lever 5 can be held in the finished rotation position.

[0024] On the inner surfaces of a pair of sidewalls of lever 5, cam pins 29 protruding inward from the inner surfaces are provided. When lever 5 is in the initial rotation position, cam pins 29 are arranged on the mating surface side of mating part 13. When housing 3 and mating housing are mated together, cam pins 29 are arranged in cam grooves (not shown) provided in mating housings. The cam pins 29 arranged in cam grooves are configured such that cam pins 29 move along cam grooves by rotation of lever 5, and mating housings are pulled into housing 3. By providing lever 5 on housing 3, the force required to mate housing 3 and mating housings together can be reduced, and assemblability can be improved.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 6 and Figure 9As shown, the cover 7 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The cover 7 is L-shaped to cover the outer periphery of multiple wires leading out from the insertion openings of multiple terminal receiving chambers 11 and to restrict the direction of the multiple wires. On the housing 3 side on both sides of the cover 7 in the width direction, locking pieces 31 are provided in an elastically deformable manner. The locking pieces 31 form the engagement portion 17 and each includes a protrusion formed on the free end side. When the cover 7 is assembled to the housing 3, the protrusions of the locking pieces 31 are arranged on the operating portion 23 side of the lever 5 relative to the outer surface of the mating portion 13. By moving the cover 7 relative to the housing 3 to the opposite side of the operating portion 23 of the lever 5, the protrusions slide against the outer surface of the mating portion 13, and the locking pieces 31 elastically deform. When the cover 7 is arranged in the normal position relative to the housing 3, the elastically deformed locking pieces 31 return to their original position, and the protrusions engage with the locked portion 19. Due to the engagement between the locking pieces 31 and the locked portion 19 in the engagement portion 17, the direction of the cover 7 away from the housing 3 is restricted ( Figure 1 The lever 5 moves upwards and towards the operating part 23, maintaining the assembled state of the cover 7 relative to the housing 3. Note that when the outer surface of the mating part 13 and the inner surface of the cover 7 abut against each other, the movement of the cover 7 towards the opposite side of the operating part 23 of the lever 5 is restricted. When the lever 5 is in the starting position of rotation, the engaging part 17 is arranged on the inner surface side of the lever 5, and when the connector 1 is viewed from the side, the engaging part 17 is arranged to overlap with the lever 5.

[0026] like Figures 4 to 6 and Figure 10 As shown, the release tool 9 includes a gripping portion 33 and a release portion 35. The gripping portion 33 is formed in a polygonal shaft shape and serves as an operating part for the operator to grasp and operate the release tool 9. The release portion 35 extends from one side of the gripping portion 33 along the length direction of the gripping portion 33 and is formed in a rectangular shaft shape that is thinner than the gripping portion 33. The end of the release portion 35 is inclined so that its thickness decreases towards the end side, and thus it can engage with the end of the locking piece 31. When the release portion 35 engages with the locking piece 31 and the gripping portion 33 is operated, the release tool 9 causes the locking piece 31 to elastically deform. When the locking piece 31 elastically deforms, the engagement between the locked portion 19 and the locking piece 31 is released, and the cover 7 can be removed from the housing 3.

[0027] Here, in prior art connectors, for example, when the release tool 9 disengages the engagement of the engagement portion 17, the release portion 35 is inserted through a gap visible from above the lever 5, engages with the locking piece 31, and the locking piece 31 elastically deforms. Therefore, in prior art connectors, the release portion 35 needs to be carefully inserted to avoid interference between the release portion 35 and components other than the locking piece 31, and the operability of disengaging the engagement of the engagement portion 17 is reduced. In view of this, the lever 5 is provided with a tool insertion hole 37, which allows the release portion 35 of the release tool 9 to be inserted therein.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 6 and Figure 8 As shown, tool insertion holes 37 are respectively provided in a pair of sidewalls of the lever 5 to correspond to the engagement portion 17. The tool insertion holes 37 are formed to penetrate the sidewalls of the lever 5, so that the inner and outer surfaces of the sidewalls of the lever 5 are in communication with each other. When the lever 5 is in the starting position of rotation, the tool insertion holes 37 are arranged in such a position that the engagement portion 17 can be seen through the opening on the inner surface side of the lever 5 when viewed from the opening on the outer surface side. Thus, by inserting the release part 35 of the release tool 9 into the tool insertion hole 37, the release part 35 can engage with the locking piece 31 without interfering with any parts other than the engagement portion 17, and the engagement of the engagement portion 17 can be released. Therefore, it is not necessary to carefully insert the release part 35 when releasing the engagement of the engagement portion 17, and the operability of releasing the engagement of the engagement portion 17 can be improved.

[0029] The tool insertion hole 37 is provided with a guide portion 39 and a limiting portion 41. The guide portion 39 is disposed inside the tool insertion hole 37, extending between the opening edge on the inner surface side of the lever 5 and the opening edge on the outer surface side of the lever 5, and forming an inclined surface that widens the opening on the outer surface side of the lever 5. The guide portion 39 slides into contact with the release portion 35 of the release tool 9 inserted into the tool insertion hole 37, thereby guiding the end of the release portion 35 to the end of the locking piece 31 of the engagement portion 17. By providing the guide portion 39 in the tool insertion hole 37, the release portion 35 can be easily guided to the engagement portion 17, and the operability of releasing the engagement portion 17 can be improved. Note that the opening edge of the guide portion 39 on the outer surface side of the lever 5 serves as a support point for the elastic deformation of the locking piece 31 by the release portion 35, thus enabling easy release of the engagement portion 17. The limiting portion 41 is provided at the opening edge of the tool insertion hole 37 on the inner surface side of the lever 5, with the opening edge facing the guide portion 39. When the releasing part 35 of the releasing tool 9 causes the locking piece 31 to elastically deform and be over-operated, the limiting part 41 abuts against the releasing part 35 to limit further operation of the releasing part 35. By limiting the over-operation of the releasing tool 9 by the limiting part 41, excessive elastic deformation of the locking piece 31 can be prevented, and damage or deformation can be prevented. As a result, excessive engagement and disengagement operations are not performed in the engagement part 17, and the engagement of the engagement part 17 can be stably maintained.

[0030] In the connector 1 described above, when removing the cover 7, firstly, the lever 5 is positioned at the starting rotation position, and the release part 35 of the release tool 9 is inserted into the tool insertion hole 37. In this state, the guide part 39 of the tool insertion hole 37 guides the end of the release part 35 to the end of the locking piece 31 of the engagement part 17, thereby achieving engagement between them. Subsequently, the release part 35 is operated, and the release part 35 elastically deforms the locking piece 31 to release the engagement of the engagement part 17. In this state, the release part 35 abuts against the limiting part 41, thus limiting excessive operation of the release part 35. Then, the cover 7 is removed from the housing 3, and the operation is complete.

[0031] The connector 1 includes a housing 3, a lever 5 rotatably assembled to the outer surface of the housing 3, and a cover 7 assembled to the housing 3 via a joint 17 disposed on the inner surface of the lever 5. Furthermore, the lever 5 is provided with a tool insertion hole 37 communicating with the joint 17 and the outer surface of the lever 5, and allows a release tool 9 to be inserted therein, which releases the engagement of the joint 17.

[0032] By inserting the release tool 9 into the tool insertion hole 37, the release tool 9 can engage with the joint 17 without interfering with any parts other than the joint 17, and the engagement of the joint 17 can be released. Therefore, when releasing the engagement of the joint 17, it is not necessary to carefully insert the release tool 9, and the operability of releasing the engagement of the joint 17 can be improved.

[0033] Therefore, in the connector 1 described above, the operability of disengaging the engagement of the engagement portion 17 can be improved.

[0034] In addition, the tool insertion hole 37 is provided with a guide 39, which guides the release tool 9 to the engagement portion 17.

[0035] Therefore, the release tool 9 can be easily guided to the joint 17, thereby improving the operability of releasing the joint 17.

[0036] In addition, the tool insertion hole 37 is provided with a limiting part 41, which limits the excessive operation of the release tool 9 on the engagement part 17.

[0037] Therefore, damage or deformation of the joint 17 due to over-engagement release operation of the release tool 9 can be prevented, and the engagement of the joint 17 can be stably maintained.

[0038] Although this embodiment has been described above, it is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made within the spirit of this embodiment.

[0039] For example, in the joint, the locked part is disposed on the housing, while the locking piece is disposed on the cover. However, this embodiment is not limited to this; the locked part may be disposed on the cover, and the locking piece may be disposed on the housing. Furthermore, the joint may have any form, such as a locking protrusion formed in the shape of a frame engaging with an elastically deformable locking piece.

[0040] While specific embodiments have been described, these embodiments are disclosed by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein can be implemented in various other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the forms of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims and their counterparts are intended to cover such forms or modifications that fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector comprising: case; A lever, which is rotatably assembled to the outer surface of the housing; as well as The cover, which is assembled to the housing via a joint disposed on the inner surface side of the lever, wherein, The lever is provided with a tool insertion hole, which communicates with the engagement portion and the outer surface of the lever and allows a release tool to be inserted into the tool insertion hole for releasing the engagement portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The tool insertion hole is provided with a guide portion that guides the release tool to the engagement portion.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The tool insertion hole is provided with a limiting part that restricts excessive operation of the release tool on the engagement.

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