Lever type connector

Abstract

Lever type connector, with: a first connector housing (10), a second connector housing (20) configured to be fitted to and separated from the first connector housing (10), and having a support shaft (23) formed on the second connector housing (20); and a lever (30) having a bearing hole (34) configured such that the support shaft (23) is inserted into the bearing hole (34), wherein the lever (30) is configured to: be supported on the second connector housing (20) by the support shaft (23) inserted into the bearing hole (34); rotate with respect to the second connector housing (20); and apply a fitting force and a separating force to the second connector housing (20) and the first connector housing (10) by being rotated between a first operating position and a second operating position; wherein a part of each of the second connector housing (20) and the lever (30) forms a locking portion (50) configured to: restrict rotation of the lever (30) when the lever (30) reaches the second operating position; and lock the lever (30) to the second connector housing (20) in the second operating position, wherein the support shaft (23) comprises: a pair of cutout recess portions (53) extending in an axial direction of the support shaft (23) and arranged side by side with each other in a circumferential direction of the support shaft (23); and a projection (55) formed on an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft (23), projecting outward in a radial direction of the support shaft (23) and defined by the pair of cutout recess portions (53), wherein a recess portion (65) is formed in an inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole (34) and is configured such that the projection (55) can be received inside the recess portion (65), and wherein the lever-type connector is configured such that the projection (55) enters the recessed portion (65) immediately before the lever (30), which has been rotated from the first operating position toward the second operating position, is locked to the second connector housing (20) by the locking portion (50).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a lever type connector. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a related art connector having a pair of mating connector housings, a connector housing is provided with a rotatable lever, and a mating force or a separating force is applied to the connector housings by rotating the lever (see, for example, JP 2012-243559A and JP 2005-142107A).

[0003] When the lever is rotated to mate the connector housings, it is desirable to generate a so-called click feeling in the lever to let the operator know that the connector housings have been fully mated. This click feeling is generated when the lever is locked, at the time the mating of the connector housings is completed. It is necessary to increase the locking force required to lock the lever to obtain a strong click feeling.

[0004] In this case, however, an increased locking force for locking the lever is added to the operating force required to mate the connector housings. As a result, there is a concern that the mating performance of the connector housings may be deteriorated by rotating the lever. SUMMARY

[0005] Illustrative aspects of the present invention provide a lever-type connector configured to produce a good click feeling in a lever at the time of fitting housings while ensuring good operability in fitting the housings.

[0006] According to an illustrative aspect of the present invention, a lever-type connector includes a first connector housing, a second connector housing configured to be fitted to and detached from the first connector housing and having a support shaft formed on the second connector housing, and a lever having a bearing hole configured such that the support shaft is inserted into the bearing hole, wherein the lever is configured to be supported on the second connector housing by the support shaft inserted into the bearing hole, rotate with respect to the second connector housing, and apply a fitting force and a separating force to the second connector housing and the first connector housing by being rotated between a first operating position and a second operating position.A part of each of the second connector housing and the lever forms a locking portion configured to: restrict rotation of the lever when the lever reaches the second operating position; and lock the lever to the second connector housing in the second operating position. The support shaft includes a pair of cutout recess portions extending in an axial direction of the support shaft and arranged side by side with each other in a circumferential direction of the support shaft, and a protrusion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft, protruding outward in a radial direction of the support shaft and defined by the pair of cutout recess portions. A recess portion is formed in an inner peripheral surface of the support hole and configured such that the protrusion is receivable inside the recess portion.The lever-type connector is configured such that the projection enters the recess portion immediately before the lever, which has been rotated from the first operating position toward the second operating position, is locked by the locking portion to the second connector housing.

[0007] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lever-type connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the lever-type connector in which a lever is arranged in a first operating position; Fig. 3 is a side view of the lever-type connector with the lever arranged in a second operating position; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an arm portion of the lever; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second connector housing from which the lever is removed; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of arm portions of the lever; Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between a rotation angle of the lever and an operating force; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an arm portion of the lever for illustrating a movement of the lever; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an arm portion of the lever for illustrating the movement of the lever; and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an arm portion of the lever for illustrating the movement of the lever. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Examples of embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lever-type connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the lever-type connector 1 in which a lever 30 is arranged in a first operating position. Fig. 3 is a side view of the lever-type connector 1 in which the lever 30 is arranged in a second operating position.

[0009] As in Fig. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lever-type connector 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first connector housing 10 and a second connector housing 20. The second connector housing 20 is configured to be fitted to and detached from the first connector housing 10. The second connector housing 20 is provided with the lever 30. The lever 30 is rotatable with respect to the second connector housing 20, and by rotating the lever 30, a fitting force and a separating force are applied to the second connector housing 20 and the first connector housing 10.

[0010] To ensure work safety during maintenance of an electrical system or the like, the lever-type connector 1 is used as a service connector that interrupts power supply between a power supply unit and a load in, for example, a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Specifically, when the second connector housing 20 is fitted to the first connector housing 10, power supply is permitted between the power supply unit and the load, and power supply between the power supply unit and the load is blocked when the second connector housing 20 is separated from the first connector housing 10.

[0011] The first connector housing 10 is formed of a synthetic resin having electrical insulating properties. The first connector housing 10 has a flange portion 10a projecting outward in a circumferential direction and is to be attached to a power supply device or the like by fixing the flange portion 10a to a casing. The first connector housing 10 has an accommodating tube portion 12 whose upper surface is open. The accommodating tube portion 12 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The accommodating tube portion 12 is provided with a pair of cam pins 11 projecting from both side surfaces thereof. A pair of female terminals 13 formed of a conductive metal material are provided inside the accommodating tube portion 12 of the first connector housing 10.A power supply line (not shown) from the power supply device or the like is connected to the socket terminals 13.

[0012] The second connector housing 20 is formed of an electrically insulating resin and includes an outer peripheral tube portion 21. The outer peripheral tube portion 21 is provided with a pair of support shafts 23 protruding from both side surfaces thereof. Further, a pair of main locking claws 28 are formed on both side surfaces of the outer peripheral tube portion 21, on one side of the outer peripheral tube portion 21 near one end thereof. Furthermore, a sub-locking claw 29 is formed at one end of the outer peripheral tube portion 21.

[0013] The outer peripheral tube portion 21 is formed into a bottomed tubular shape with an open lower side, and is formed with an inner shape slightly larger than an outer shape of the receiving tube portion 12 of the first connector housing 10. A gasket (not shown) is provided at a base portion on an inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral tube portion 21. The second connector housing 20 is to be fitted onto the receiving tube portion 12 from above so that the second connector housing 20 covers the receiving tube portion 12 and so that the receiving tube portion 12 of the first connector housing 10 is fitted to the outer peripheral tube portion 21. When the receiving tube portion 12 is fitted into the outer peripheral tube portion 21, the receiving tube portion 12 is brought into close contact with the gasket, and water is stopped between the receiving tube portion 12 and the outer peripheral tube portion 21.

[0014] A plug terminal (not shown) formed of a conductive metal material is provided within the second connector housing 20. The plug terminal is connectable to the socket terminal 13 of the first connector housing 10. When the plug terminal is connected to the socket terminal 13, the power supply lines connected to the socket terminal 13 are electrically connected to each other via the plug terminal.

[0015] The lever 30 is formed of a synthetic resin and includes a pair of arm portions 31 and a coupling portion 32. The arm portions 31 are configured such that one end side is coupled by the coupling portion 32 to serve as a rotation end, and the other end side each has a bearing hole 34 serving as a rotation center. The pair of support shafts 23 of the second connector housing 20 are inserted into the bearing holes 34 of the arm portions 31, so that the lever 30 is rotatably supported with respect to the second connector housing 20.

[0016] A cam groove 35 is formed in each of the pair of arm portions 31 of the lever 30. The cam pins 11 of the first connector housing 10 are to be inserted into the cam grooves 35. The cam groove 35 includes an insertion portion 35a into and from which the cam pin 11 can be inserted and removed, and a bent portion 35b communicating with the insertion portion 35a. The bent portion 35b is formed to form a smooth curved line from the insertion portion 35a toward the vicinity of the bearing hole 34.

[0017] The lever 30 rotates between a first operating position (in Fig. 2 shown position) and a second operating position (in Fig. 3), while the cam pins 11 move through the cam grooves 35. The cam pins 11 are inserted into the insertion portions 35a when the lever 30 is in the first operating position. The cam pins 11 are located at the lowest position of the bent portions 35b when the lever 30 is in the second operating position.

[0018] A fitting force in a fitting direction is applied to the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 by rotating the lever 30 from the first operating position to the second operating position, and a separating force in a separating direction is applied to the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 by rotating the lever 30 from the second operating position to the first operating position.

[0019] On an inner side of the arm portions 31 of the lever 30, main locking step portions 36 are formed in the vicinity of the coupling portion 32. The main locking step portions 36 are to be locked with the main locking claws 28 formed on the outer peripheral tube portion 21 of the second connector housing 20. The main locking claws 28 and the main locking step portions 36 form a locking portion 50. In a state where the lever 30 is arranged in the second operating position, the main locking step portions 36 are locked by the main locking claws 28 to lock the lever 30 with respect to the second connector housing 20, and the locking portion 50 restricts the rotation of the lever 30. Thus, the lever type connector 1 is locked in a state in which the second connector housing 20 is fitted to the first connector housing 10.

[0020] The coupling portion 32 of the lever 30 is provided with a sub-lock plate portion 39. A sub-lock hole 39a is formed in the sub-lock plate portion 39. When the lever 30 is rotated from the second operating position to the first operating position, the sub-lock hole 39a of the sub-lock plate portion 39 is locked to the sub-lock claw 29 provided in the outer peripheral tube portion 21 of the second connector housing 20. Consequently, when the lever 30 is rotated from the second operating position to the first operating position, the rotation of the lever 30 is temporarily restricted. Therefore, the occurrence of sparks between the female terminal 13 and the male terminal due to sudden separation of the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 is prevented.In a state where the sub-locking hole 39a is locked to the sub-locking claw 29, by pressing an operation portion (not shown) provided in the sub-locking plate portion 39 with a finger, the sub-locking hole 39a can be disengaged from the sub-locking claw 29 so that the lever 30 can be rotated to the first operating position.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an arm portion 31 of the lever 30. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the second connector housing 20 with the lever 30 removed. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the arm portions 31 of the lever 30.

[0022] As in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the support shaft 23 formed on the second connector housing 20 has a locking piece 52 projecting laterally from one end portion thereof. Further, an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 23 is provided with a projection 55 formed, that is, defined, by a pair of cutout recess portions 53 extending in an axial direction of the support shaft 23 and arranged side by side with each other in a peripheral direction, that is, a circumferential direction of the support shaft 23, and three sliding contact ribs 56 formed by two cutout grooves 54 extending in the axial direction and arranged side by side with each other in the circumferential direction, and the pair of cutout recess portions 53. The one projection 55 and the three sliding contact ribs 56 project outward in a radial direction of the support shaft 23 from a shaft center of the support shaft 23 in a cross-sectional view of the support shaft 23.The sliding contact ribs 56 are provided on an opposite side of the projection 55 with the shaft center therebetween, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0023] As in Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 6, an insertion recess portion 62 is formed in a part of an inner peripheral surface of the support hole 34 formed in the arm portion 31 of the lever 30. The locking piece 52 of the support shaft 23 can be inserted into the insertion recess portion 62. Further, a recess portion 65, in which the projection 55 of the support shaft 23 can be received, is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the support hole 34. The insertion recess portion 62 and the recess portion 65 are formed at positions separated from each other on the inner peripheral surface of the support hole 34.

[0024] The lever 30 is mounted on the second connector housing 20 by inserting the locking piece 52 of the support shaft 23 into the insertion recess portion 62 of the support hole 34. When the lever 30 mounted on the second connector housing 20 is rotated, an opening edge portion of the support hole 34 is locked to the locking piece 52. As a result, the support shaft 23 is prevented from disengaging from the support hole 34, and the lever 30 is maintained in a state mounted on the second connector housing 20.

[0025] In the lever-type connector 1 having the above-described configuration, in order to fit the second connector housing 20 to the first connector housing 10, first, the second connector housing 20, in which the lever 30 is arranged in the first operating position, is brought close to the first connector housing 10. Then, the receiving tube portion 12 of the first connector housing 10 is fitted into the outer peripheral tube portion 21 of the second connector housing 20 (see Fig. 2).

[0026] When the receiving tube portion 12 of the first connector housing 10 is fitted into the outer peripheral tube portion 21 of the second connector housing 20, the cam pin 11 is inserted into the cam groove 35 of the lever 30 from the insertion portion 35a.

[0027] In this state, the lever 30 is rotated in the first operating position toward the second operating position. Then, the cam pin 11 moves along the bent portion 35b, a fitting force is applied to the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20, and the second connector housing 20 is pulled toward and fitted to the first connector housing 10 (see Fig. 4). Then, an upper end of the receiving tube portion 12 of the first connector housing 10 is brought into close contact with the gasket provided on the outer peripheral tube portion 21 of the second connector housing 20, and water is blocked between the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20. In this fitted state, the male terminal is connected to the female terminal 13, and the power supply lines connected to the female terminal 13 are electrically connected to each other via the male terminal.

[0028] In this fitted state, the locking portion 50 locks the main locking step portion 36 of the lever 30 with the main locking claw 28 formed on the outer peripheral tube portion 21 of the second connector housing 20. As a result, the lever 30 is locked in the second operating position, and the rotation of the lever 30 is restricted. In this way, the locking portion 50 locks the lever 30 to restrict rotation, so that the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 are maintained in a fitted state.

[0029] To separate the second connector housing 20 from the first connector housing 10, the lever 30 located in the second operating position is grasped and pulled upward. Then, the main locking step portion 36 of the lever 30 is disengaged from the deformed main locking claw 28, the locking of the lever 30 by the locking portion 50 is released, and the lever 30 becomes rotatable.

[0030] The lever 30, which has become rotatable, is rotated toward the first operating position. Then, as the lever 30 rotates, the cam pin 11 moves along the bent portion 35b, and a separating force is applied to the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20.

[0031] When the lever 30 is just rotated to the first operating position, the sub-locking claw 29 locks the sub-locking hole 39a, and the rotation of the lever 30 is temporarily restricted. As a result, the occurrence of sparks between the female terminal 13 and the male terminal due to sudden separation of the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 is prevented.

[0032] Thereafter, the operating portion of the sub-lock plate portion 39 is pressed by a finger to disengage the sub-lock claw 29 from the sub-lock hole 39a, the lever 30 is rotated to the first operating position, and the second connector housing 20 is separated from the first connector housing 10. Then, the receiving tube portion 12 of the first connector housing 10 is pulled out from the outer peripheral tube portion 21 of the second connector housing 20, the male terminal is pulled out from the female terminal 13, and electrical connection between the power supply lines is interrupted.

[0033] Next, an operating force required to rotate the lever 30 when fitting the second connector housing 20 to the first connector housing 10 will be described. Fig. 7 is a graph showing a relationship between a rotation angle of the lever 30 and the operating force. Fig. 8 to 10 are cross-sectional views of an arm portion 31 of the lever 30 for illustrating the movement of the lever 30.

[0034] As in Fig. 7, when the lever 30 in the first operating position is rotated to the second operating position, the fitting of the outer peripheral tube portion 21 of the second connector housing 20 to the receiving tube portion 12 of the first connector housing 10 is started, and the male terminal is press-fitted into the female terminal 13, so that an operating force F required for the rotation of the lever 30 is increased (angle 0 to angle Ra in Fig. 7).

[0035] When the lever 30 is further rotated, the male terminal press-fitted into the female terminal 13 slides and the operating force required to rotate the lever 30 becomes constant (angle Ra to angle Rb in Fig. 7). Then, when the lever 30 is further rotated, the sub-lock plate portion 39 is elastically deformed and passes over the sub-lock claw 29, so that the operating force F required for the rotation of the lever 30 is temporarily increased (angle Rb to angle Rc in Fig. 7).

[0036] The actuating force F is reduced (angle Rc in Fig. 7), once the sub-lock plate portion 39 passes over the sub-lock claw 29, the upper end of the receiving tube portion 12 comes into close contact with the seal. Therefore, the operating force F required to rotate the lever 30 is slightly increased due to a frictional force caused by the close contact of the receiving tube portion 12 with the seal.

[0037] When the lever 30 is rotated in this way (angle Ra to angle Rc in Fig. 7), as in Fig. As shown in Fig. 8, the projection 55 and the sliding contact ribs 56 of the support shaft 23 are brought into sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole 34. As a result, the lever 30 is stably rotated around the shaft center of the support shaft 23.

[0038] If the lever 30 is turned further as in Fig. 9, the recess portion 65 formed in the bearing hole 34 of the lever 30 reaches the projection 55 of the support shaft 23 (angle Rd in Fig. 7). At this time, the lever-type connector 1 is in a state in which the fitting of the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 is completed, and in a state immediately before the lever 30 is locked to the second connector housing 20 by the locking portion 50.

[0039] Then, as in Fig. 10, the projection 55 enters the recessed portion 65, and the lever 30 is displaced downward relative to the second connector housing 20 by the depth dimension of the recessed portion 65, which is the second operating position of the lever 30. At this time, a rotational force of the lever 30 is not transmitted to the second connector housing 20, and the fitting force is not applied to the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20. Then, the operating force F required for the rotation of the lever 30 is temporarily eliminated (angle Re in Fig. 7).

[0040] In this state, the main locking claw 28 of the second connector housing 20 passes over an edge portion of the main locking step portion 36 of the lever 30, and the lever 30 is locked by the main locking claw 28 locking the main locking step portion 36. Therefore, the operating force F required for the rotation of the lever 30 is increased once when the main locking claw 28 passes over the edge portion of the main locking step portion 36, and is then reduced by the main locking step portion 36 locking the main locking claw 28 (angle Re to angle Rf in Fig. 7).

[0041] When the lever 30 is rotated from the second operating position toward the first operating position, the locking of the lever 30 by the locking portion 50 is released, and thereafter, the projection 55 received in the recessed portion 65 is removed from the recessed portion 65. Consequently, the lever 30 is smoothly rotated toward the first operating position.

[0042] Here, in a case where the projection 55 of the support shaft 23 and the recessed portion 65 of the lever 30 are not provided after the sub-lock plate portion 39 passes over the sub-lock claw 29 (angle Rc in Fig. 7), the main locking claw 28 locks the main locking step portion 36, and the fitting of the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 is completed (angle Rf in Fig. 7). Therefore, the lever 30 requires a large actuating force F, to which a force required for locking is added (see a dashed line in Fig. 7). Therefore, in this case, it is desirable to reduce the locking force of the lever 30 so as not to exceed the allowable operating force Fmax, which is defined as the operating force F within which a good operation can be performed. However, by doing so, a good click feeling may not be obtained when the lever 30 is locked. Furthermore, by reducing the locking force, a locking release of the lever 30 may occur.

[0043] In contrast, according to the lever-type connector 1 of the present embodiment, immediately before the lever 30 rotated from the first operating position toward the second operating position is locked to the second connector housing 20 by the locking portion 50, the projection 55 enters the recessed portion 65. Then, since the projection 55 is received in the recessed portion 65, the lever 30 rotated toward the second operating position is displaced to the second operating position without applying a fitting force to the second connector housing 20 and the first connector housing 10. Therefore, the operating force of the lever 30 is reduced to only the operating force for locking the lever 30 by the locking portion 50.

[0044] As a result, the locking force of the lever 30 can be increased without difficulty by the locking portion 50 while ensuring good fitting operability. Therefore, a good click feeling can be generated in the lever 30 at the time of fitting, and the occurrence of a locking release of the lever 30 can be prevented to increase connection reliability.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the lever-type connector 1 of the present embodiment, after the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 are fully fitted to each other, the protrusion 55 enters the recessed portion 65. Therefore, after the fitting is completed, the operating force of the lever 30 can be applied to lock only the lever 30 by the locking portion 50. Consequently, the lever 30 can be easily locked to maintain the fitted state between the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 while properly fitting the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 to each other.

[0046] According to the lever-type connector 1 of the present embodiment, the plurality of sliding contact ribs 56 formed by the cutout grooves 54 and the cutout recess portions 53 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 23 are in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the support hole 34. As a result, the lever 30 can be supported to be stably rotatable, and the frictional resistance with the inner peripheral surface of the support hole 34 at the time of rotation of the lever 30 can be reduced, so that the operability of the lever 30 can be improved. Furthermore, compared with a case where only the cutout recess portion 53 is formed in the support shaft 23, it is possible to prevent deformation of the support shaft 23 due to shrinkage at the time of molding.

[0047] While the present invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0048] According to one aspect of the embodiments described above, a lever-type connector comprises a first connector housing (10), a second connector housing (20) configured to be fitted to and detached from the first connector housing (10), and having a support shaft (23) formed on the second connector housing (20), and a lever (30) having a bearing hole (34) configured such that the support shaft (23) is inserted into the bearing hole (34), wherein the lever (30) is configured to be supported on the second connector housing (20) by the support shaft (23) inserted into the bearing hole (34), to rotate with respect to the second connector housing (20), and to apply a fitting force and a separating force to the second connector housing (20) and the first connector housing (10) by being rotated between a first operating position and a second operating position.A part of each of the second connector housing (20) and the lever (30) forms a locking portion (50) configured to: restrict rotation of the lever (30) when the lever (30) reaches the second operating position; and lock the lever (30) to the second connector housing (20) in the second operating position. The support shaft (23) includes a pair of cutout recess portions (53) extending in an axial direction of the support shaft (23) and arranged side by side with each other in a circumferential direction of the support shaft (23), and a projection (55) formed on an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft (23), projecting outward in a radial direction of the support shaft (23) and defined by the pair of cutout recess portions (53).A recessed portion (65) is formed in an inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole (34) and configured such that the projection (55) is received inside the recessed portion (65). The lever-type connector is configured such that the projection (55) enters the recessed portion (65) immediately before the lever (30), which has been rotated from the first operating position toward the second operating position, is locked to the second connector housing (20) by the locking portion (50).

[0049] According to the lever-type connector having the above configuration, the projection of the support shaft enters the recessed portion immediately before the lever rotated from the first operating position toward the second operating position is locked by the locking portion on the second connector housing. Then, since the projection is received in the recessed portion, the lever rotated toward the second operating position is shifted to the second operating position without applying a fitting force to the second connector housing and the first connector housing. Therefore, the operating force of the lever is reduced to only the operating force for locking the lever by the locking portion. As a result, the locking force of the lever by the locking portion can be increased without difficulty while ensuring good fitting workability.Therefore, a good click feeling can be generated in the lever at the time of fitting, and the occurrence of lock release of the lever can be prevented to enhance the connection reliability.

[0050] The projection (55) can enter the recess portion (65) after the first connector housing (10) and the second connector housing (20) are fully fitted to each other.

[0051] With this configuration, after the first connector housing and the second connector housing are fully fitted together, the operating force of the lever can be applied to lock only the lever through the locking portion. Consequently, the lever can be easily locked to maintain the fitted state between the first connector housing and the second connector housing while properly fitting the first connector housing and the second connector housing.

[0052] The support shaft (23) may have a cutout groove (54) extending in the axial direction of the support shaft (23) on the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft (23).

[0053] With this configuration, the plurality of sliding contact ribs formed by the cutout grooves and the cutout recess portions formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft are in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole. As a result, the lever can be supported to be stably rotatable, and the frictional resistance with the inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole at the time of lever rotation can be reduced, so that the operability of the lever can be improved. Furthermore, compared with a case where only the cutout recess portion is formed in the support shaft, it is possible to prevent deformation of the support shaft due to shrinkage at the time of molding.

Claims

[1] Lever type connector, with: a first connector housing (10), a second connector housing (20) configured to be fitted to and separated from the first connector housing (10), and having a support shaft (23) formed on the second connector housing (20); and a lever (30) having a bearing hole (34) configured such that the support shaft (23) is inserted into the bearing hole (34), wherein the lever (30) is configured to: be supported on the second connector housing (20) by the support shaft (23) inserted into the bearing hole (34); rotate with respect to the second connector housing (20); and apply a fitting force and a separating force to the second connector housing (20) and the first connector housing (10) by being rotated between a first operating position and a second operating position; wherein a part of each of the second connector housing (20) and the lever (30) forms a locking portion (50) configured to: restrict rotation of the lever (30) when the lever (30) reaches the second operating position; and lock the lever (30) to the second connector housing (20) in the second operating position, wherein the support shaft (23) comprises: a pair of cutout recess portions (53) extending in an axial direction of the support shaft (23) and arranged side by side with each other in a circumferential direction of the support shaft (23); and a projection (55) formed on an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft (23), projecting outward in a radial direction of the support shaft (23) and defined by the pair of cutout recess portions (53), wherein a recess portion (65) is formed in an inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole (34) and is configured such that the projection (55) can be received inside the recess portion (65), and wherein the lever-type connector is configured such that the projection (55) enters the recessed portion (65) immediately before the lever (30), which has been rotated from the first operating position toward the second operating position, is locked to the second connector housing (20) by the locking portion (50). [2] The lever type connector according to claim 1, wherein the projection (55) enters the recessed portion (65) after the first connector housing (10) and the second connector housing (20) are fully fitted to each other. [3] A lever-type connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support shaft (23) has a cutout groove (54) extending in the axial direction of the support shaft (23) on the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft (23).

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