Connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly which prevents both components of a first connector and a second connector, which are mated with each other, from being unstable when the connector assembly is used in a high vibration environment.SOLUTION: A connector assembly 100 includes a first connector 100 and a second connector 400. The second connector 400 includes a second housing 500, a lock lever 600 provided with a second axis portion and an engaging portion 620, and a spring 700. The engaging portion 620 is positioned beyond the engaged portion 210 in a first direction when the lock lever 600 is positioned at a lock position LP under a mated state where the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 are mated with each other. The spring 700 is attached to both the second housing 500 and the lock lever 600. The spring 700 urges the lock lever 600 to be moved toward the lock position LP, and when the lock lever 600 is positioned at the lock position LP, urges the second axis portion to be moved in the second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector. [Background technology]

[0002] As shown in Fig. 40 and Fig. 41, Patent Document 1 discloses a lever-type connector (connector assembly) 900 including a receptacle (first connector) 910 and a plug (second connector) 920. The first connector 910 has a receptacle shell 912. A rack 9122 is formed on the outer surface of the receptacle shell 912. The second connector 920 has a plug housing 922 and a lever 924. The lever 924 is rotatably attached to the plug housing 922. As shown in Fig. 42, the lever 924 has a pinion 9242. 40 to 42, when the second connector 920 is inserted into the first connector 910 and the lever 924 is rotated counterclockwise, the rack 9122 and the pinion 9242 cooperate as a so-called rack-and-pinion mechanism, so that the second connector 920 and the first connector 910 are attracted to each other and fitted together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-91594 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the connector assembly 900 of Patent Document 1 is used under vibration conditions, there is a problem in that the parts of the first connector 910 and the second connector 920 that are mated with each other tend to rattle, easily causing noise and resonance.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector assembly in which mated parts of a first connector and a second connector do not rattle when used under vibration conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a first connector assembly, A connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector, the second connector is capable of being fitted to the first connector along a first direction and of being removed from the first connector along a second direction that is a direction opposite to the first direction, The first connector includes a first housing; The first housing is provided with a latched portion, the second connector includes a second housing, a lock lever, and a spring; The second housing is provided with a first shaft portion, the lock lever is attached to the second housing so as to be rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position; The lock lever is provided with a second shaft portion and a locking portion, The second shaft portion is combined with the first shaft portion, When the first connector and the second connector are in a mated state in which they are mated with each other, and the lock lever is in the locked position, the locking portion is located on the first direction side of the locked portion, In the fitted state, when the lock lever is in the unlocked position, the second connector is removable from the first connector, The spring is attached to the second housing and to the lock lever, The spring tends to move the lock lever toward the lock position and tends to move the second shaft portion in the second direction when the lock lever is at the lock position. A connector assembly is provided.

[0007] The present invention also provides a second connector assembly comprising a first connector assembly, The second housing is further provided with a holding portion, The lock lever is further provided with a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion, a restricting portion is provided on one of the second housing and the lock lever, The spring has a held portion, a regulated portion, a first pressing portion, a second pressing portion, and an arm portion, The held portion is held by the holding portion, the restricted portion is restricted in movement by the restricting portion at least when the lock lever moves from the locked position toward the unlocked position, a first distance is a distance between the holding portion and the first pressed portion in the second direction when the lock lever is in the lock position, When the distance between the held portion and the first pressing portion in the second direction when the spring is viewed alone is defined as a second distance, When the lock lever is in the lock position and the held portion is located on the first direction side of the first pressing portion, the first distance is smaller than the second distance, When the lock lever is in the lock position and the held portion is located on the second direction side of the first pressing portion, the first distance is greater than the second distance, When the lock lever is in the lock position, the first pressing portion is located on the first direction side of the first pressed portion and presses the first pressed portion in the second direction, The arm portion connects the second pressing portion and the regulated portion to each other, the second pressing portion is adjacent to the second pressed portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, When the lock lever moves from the lock position to the unlock position, the second pressing portion moves together with the second pressed portion, and mainly the arm portion is elastically deformed, The second pressing portion presses the second pressed portion by utilizing the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the arm portion, and moves the lock lever toward the lock position. A connector assembly is provided.

[0008] The present invention also provides a third connector assembly, which is a second connector assembly, The lock lever is further provided with a hooked portion, The first pressed portion and the second pressed portion are each provided on the hook portion, The spring further includes a pressing portion, Each of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion is a part of the pressing portion, The pressing portion is hooked onto the hooked portion. A connector assembly is provided.

[0009] The present invention also provides a fourth connector assembly, which is the third connector assembly, The spring further includes a connecting portion, The connecting portion connects the regulated portion and the held portion to each other. A connector assembly is provided.

[0010] The present invention also provides a fifth connector assembly, which is the first connector assembly, The first shaft portion is a bearing, the second shaft portion is a shaft, The second housing has a groove formed therein. The groove communicates with the bearing and extends in the first direction. A connector assembly is provided.

[0011] The present invention also provides a sixth connector assembly, which is a first connector assembly, The lock lever is further provided with a first abutment portion, The first abutment portion is located on the first direction side of the locking portion, The first housing is further provided with a second abutment portion, The second abutting portion is located on the second direction side of the locked portion, At least one of the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion is an inclined surface that intersects obliquely with the first direction, When the first connector and the second connector are mated, the first abutment portion abuts against the second abutment portion, and the lock lever temporarily moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, When the first abutment portion rides over the second abutment portion, the locking portion moves toward the locked portion in the first direction. A connector assembly is provided.

[0012] The present invention also provides a seventh connector assembly, which is a first connector assembly, The first housing further includes an intersection portion. The intersection portion has a surface that intersects with the second direction, The surface of the intersecting portion is adjacent to the engaged portion. A connector assembly is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The connector assembly of the present invention is configured as follows: when the lock lever is in the locked position in a mated state in which the first connector and the second connector are mated with each other, the locking portion of the lock lever is located on the first direction side of the locked portion of the first housing; the spring is attached to the second housing and the lock lever; the spring tries to move the lock lever toward the locked position, and tries to move the second shaft portion in the second direction when the lock lever is in the locked position. As a result, when the lock lever is in the locked position in a mated state in which the first connector and the second connector are mated with each other, the locking portion of the lock lever is pressed against the locked portion of the first housing of the first connector, so that the parts of the first connector and the second connector do not rattle with each other. That is, in the connector assembly of the present invention, the parts of the first connector and the second connector mated with each other do not rattle with each other when used under vibration conditions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a top perspective view showing a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the first connector and the second connector are in a mated state in which they are mated with each other, and the lock lever is in a locked position. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the connector assembly of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the connector assembly of FIG. [Figure 4] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Fig. 3 taken along line AA, in which a part of the connector assembly is shown in an enlarged manner. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 3 taken along line BB. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the connector assembly of FIG. [Figure 7] Fig. 3 is another front view showing the connector assembly of Fig. 2. In the figure, the first connector and the second connector are in a mated state in which they are mated with each other, and the lock lever is in an unlocked position. [Figure 8]Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Fig. 7. In the figure, a part of the connector assembly is shown in an enlarged manner. [Figure 9] Fig. 3 is another front view showing the connector assembly of Fig. 2. In the figure, the first connector and the second connector are in an unmated state, and the lock lever is in a locked position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly taken along line CC of Fig. 10. In the figure, a part of the first connector and a part of the second connector are shown enlarged. [Figure 12] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 10 taken along line DD. [Figure 13] 10 is a front view showing a second connector included in the connector assembly of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the second connector of Fig. 13 taken along line EE, in which a part of the second connector is shown in an enlarged manner. [Figure 15] 14 is a bottom view showing the second connector of FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 16] 14 is a side view showing the second connector of FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the second connector of Fig. 16 taken along the line FF, in which a part of the second connector is shown in an enlarged manner. [Figure 18] 8 is a front view showing a second connector included in the connector assembly of FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a bottom view showing the second connector of FIG. 18. [Figure 20] FIG. 19 is a side view showing the second connector of FIG. 18. [Figure 21] 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the second connector taken along line GG in Fig. 20. In the figure, a part of the second connector is shown in an enlarged manner. [Figure 22] 14 is a top perspective view showing a portion of a second housing included in the second connector of FIG. 13. FIG. [Diagram 23] 23 is a front view showing the second housing of FIG. 22. FIG. [Figure 24] 23 is a side view showing the second housing of FIG. 22. FIG. [Diagram 25] 14 is a perspective view showing a lock lever and a spring included in the second connector of FIG. 13. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 shows the lock lever and spring of FIG. 25. [Figure 27] FIG. 26 is another view of the lock lever and spring of FIG. 25. [Figure 28] 14 is a diagram showing a lock lever included in the second connector of FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is another view of the lock lever of FIG. 28. [Diagram 30] 14 is a perspective view showing a spring included in the second connector of FIG 13. The illustrated spring is in a state before being attached to the second housing and the lock lever. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 shows the spring of FIG. 30. [Diagram 32] FIG. 31 is another view of the spring of FIG. 30. [Diagram 33] 2 is a top perspective view showing a first connector included in the connector assembly of FIG. 1. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is a top view showing the first connector of FIG. 33. [Diagram 35] FIG. 34 is a side view showing the first connector of FIG. 33. [Diagram 36] 13 is a front view showing a second connector included in a connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 37] Fig. 37 is a cross-sectional view showing the second connector taken along line HH of Fig. 36. In the figure, a part of the second connector is shown in an enlarged manner. [Figure 38] 38 is a diagram showing a spring included in the second connector of FIG. 37. FIG. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a modified example of the spring in FIG. 38. [Diagram 40] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the lever-type connector of Patent Document 1. In the figure, the receptacle and the plug are in an unmated state, and the lock lever is in the unlocked position. [Diagram 41]FIG. 41 is another front view showing the lever-type connector of FIG. 40. In the figure, the receptacle and the plug are in a mated state in which they are mated with each other, and the lock lever is in the locked position. [Diagram 42] 42 is a perspective view showing a lever included in the lever-type connector of FIG. 41. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] (First embodiment) As shown in FIG. 9, a connector assembly 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a first connector 100 and a second connector 400.

[0016] 2 and 9, the first connector 100 of this embodiment can be mated with the second connector 400 along the second direction and can be removed from the second connector 400 along the first direction which is the opposite direction to the second direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is downward and the second direction is upward. In the figures, downward is indicated as the -Z direction and upward is indicated as the +Z direction.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 33, the first connector 100 includes a first housing 200 and a plurality of first contacts 300.

[0018] 33, the first housing 200 of the present embodiment is made of an insulating material. As shown in FIG.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 11, in this embodiment, the locked portions 210 are located on both sides of the first housing 200 in the width direction perpendicular to the first direction. In this embodiment, the width direction is the Y direction. Each of the locked portions 210 has a surface facing the first direction. In other words, each of the locked portions 210 has a surface facing downward in the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the up-down direction is the Z direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 11, the first housing 200 is further provided with two intersection portions 230 .

[0021] 11, each of the intersecting portions 230 in this embodiment has a surface 232 that intersects with the second direction. The surface 232 of the intersecting portion 230 is adjacent to the locked portion 210. The intersecting portions 230 correspond to the locked portions 210, respectively. The surface 232 of each of the intersecting portions 230 is adjacent to the corresponding locked portion 210 in the width direction. The surface 232 of each of the intersecting portions 230 is located outside the corresponding locked portion 210 in the width direction.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 33, the first housing 200 is further provided with two second abutment portions 220.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 11, each of the second abutting portions 220 in this embodiment faces the second direction. That is, each of the second abutting portions 220 faces upward in the up-down direction. Each of the second abutting portions 220 is a plane perpendicular to the second direction. The second abutting portions 220 are located on the second direction side of the locked portions 210. The two second abutting portions 220 correspond to the two locked portions 210, respectively. Each of the second abutting portions 220 is located on the widthwise outer side of the corresponding locked portions 210.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 33, the first housing 200 has a fitting portion accommodating portion 240 .

[0025] As shown in Fig. 33, the fitting portion accommodating portion 240 of this embodiment is a recess recessed in the first direction. As shown in Fig. 11, the fitting portion accommodating portion 240 is located between the two locked portions 210 in the width direction. The fitting portion accommodating portion 240 is located between the two intersecting portions 230 in the width direction. The fitting portion accommodating portion 240 is located between the two second abutting portions 220 in the width direction.

[0026] 34, each of the first contacts 300 in this embodiment is made of metal. Each of the first contacts 300 is held in the first housing 200. A part of the first contact 300 is exposed in the fitting portion accommodating portion 240. As shown in FIG. 11, each of the locked portions 210 is located on the second direction side of the first contact 300. That is, each of the locked portions 210 is located above the first contact 300 in the up-down direction. Each of the intersection portions 230 is located on the second direction side of the first contact 300. That is, each of the intersection portions 230 is located above the first contact 300 in the up-down direction. The second abutting portion 220 is located on the second direction side of the first contact 300. That is, the second abutting portion 220 is located above the first contact 300 in the up-down direction.

[0027] 2 and 9, second connector 400 of the present embodiment can be fitted to first connector 100 along a first direction and can be removed from first connector 100 along a second direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction. As shown in FIG. 13, second connector 400 has a fitting portion 410.

[0028] 13, fitting portion 410 in this embodiment is located at an end portion in the first direction of second connector 400. That is, fitting portion 410 is located at a lower end in the up-down direction of second connector 400. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 11, fitting portion 410 is accommodated in fitting portion accommodating portion 240 of first connector 100 when first connector 100 and second connector 400 are mated with each other.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 17, the second connector 400 includes a second housing 500, two lock levers 600, two springs 700, and a plurality of second contacts 800.

[0030] 22, the second housing 500 of the present embodiment is made of an insulator.

[0031] 14 and 22, each of the first shaft portions 510 in this embodiment is a bearing 510. Each of the first shaft portions 510 is a hole extending in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the first direction. In this embodiment, the front-rear direction is the X direction. Here, the front is the +X direction, and the rear is the -X direction. As shown in FIG. 23, each of the first shaft portions 510 is located near the outer end of the second housing 500 in the width direction. The four first shaft portions 510 are divided into two groups, each group consisting of two first shaft portions 510. The two first shaft portions 510 in each group are located at the same position in the up-down direction. The two first shaft portions 510 in each group are located at the same position in the width direction.

[0032] 14 and 23, the second housing 500 is further provided with four holding portions 520.

[0033] 14 and 23, each of the holding portions 520 in this embodiment is a hole extending in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the first direction. The four holding portions 520 are divided into two sets, each set consisting of two holding portions 520. The two holding portions 520 in each set are located at the same position in the up-down direction. The two holding portions 520 in each set are located at the same position in the width direction.

[0034] 23 and 24, four grooves 540 are formed in the second housing 500. Each of the grooves 540 is a hole extending in the front-rear direction. The grooves 540 extend in the first direction in communication with the bearings 510. The grooves 540 are located on the second direction side of the retaining portion 520. The four grooves 540 correspond to the four bearings 510, respectively. Each of the grooves 540 extends in the first direction in communication with the corresponding bearing 510.

[0035] 23 and 24, the four holding portions 520, the four first shaft portions 510, and the four grooves 540 are divided into two sets, each of which is composed of two holding portions 520, two first shaft portions 510, and two grooves 540. In each set, each of the holding portions 520 is located on the first direction side of any of the first shaft portions 510. In each set, each of the holding portions 520 is located on the widthwise outer side of any of the first shaft portions 510. In each set, each of the grooves 540 is located on the first direction side of any of the first shaft portions 510. In each set, each of the grooves 540 is located on the second direction side of any of the holding portions 520. In each set, each of the grooves 540 is located on the widthwise inner side of any of the holding portions 520.

[0036] 8 and 24, the second housing 500 has two lock lever accommodating portions 550. As shown in FIG.

[0037] 8 and 24, the lock lever accommodating portions 550 of this embodiment are located on both sides of the second housing 500 in the width direction. Each of the lock lever accommodating portions 550 is recessed inward in the width direction. The two lock lever accommodating portions 550 correspond to the two sets, each of which is composed of two first shaft portions 510, two holding portions 520, and two grooves 540. As shown in FIG. 14, each of the lock lever accommodating portions 550 is located between the two first shaft portions 510 of the corresponding set in the front-rear direction. Each of the lock lever accommodating portions 550 is located between the two holding portions 520 of the corresponding set in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 24, each of the lock lever accommodating portions 550 is located between the two grooves 540 of the corresponding set in the front-rear direction.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 17, the second housing 500 has a first connector accommodating portion 560 .

[0039] As shown in Fig. 11, first connector accommodating portion 560 of the present embodiment is recessed in the second direction. With reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 11, first connector accommodating portion 560 accommodates a part of first connector 100 when first connector 100 and second connector 400 are mated with each other.

[0040] As can be seen from Fig. 7 and Fig. 13, each of the lock levers 600 in this embodiment is attached to the second housing 500 so as to be rotatable between a locked position LP and an unlocked position ULP. The two lock levers 600 correspond to the two sets, each of which is composed of two first shaft portions 510, two holding portions 520, and two grooves 540. The two lock levers 600 correspond to the two lock lever housing portions 550, respectively. As shown in Fig. 14, each of the lock levers 600 is housed in the corresponding lock lever housing portion 550.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, each of the lock levers 600 is provided with two second shaft portions 610 and a locking portion 620. As shown in FIG.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 28, each of the second shafts 610 in this embodiment is a shaft. Each of the second shafts 610 extends in the front-rear direction. Each of the second shafts 610 is located near an end of the lock lever 600 in the second direction. That is, each of the second shafts 610 is located near an upper end of the lock lever 600 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 14, the second shafts 610 are combined with the first shafts 510. That is, the two second shafts 610 of the lock lever 600 are each combined with the two first shafts 510 of the corresponding set.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 29, the locking portion 620 in this embodiment faces the second direction. That is, the locking portion 620 faces upward in the vertical direction. The locking portion 620 is a surface that intersects with the second direction. The locking portion 620 is located on the first direction side of the second shaft portion 610. That is, the locking portion 620 is located below the second shaft portion 610 in the vertical direction.

[0044] 4, when the lock lever 600 is in the lock position LP in a mated state in which the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 are mated with each other, the locking portion 620 is located on the first direction side of the locked portion 210. That is, when the lock lever 600 is in the lock position LP in a mated state in which the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 are mated with each other, the locking portion 620, together with the locked portion 210, locks the mating of the first connector 100 and the second connector 400.

[0045] 8, in the above-mentioned mated state, when the lock lever 600 is in the unlocked position ULP, the second connector 400 can be removed from the first connector 100. That is, in the above-mentioned mated state, when the lock lever 600 is in the unlocked position ULP, the locking portion 620 and the locked portion 210 do not lock the mating of the first connector 100 and the second connector 400.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 29, the lock lever 600 is further provided with a first pressed portion 632 and a second pressed portion 634.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 29, the first pressed portion 632 in this embodiment faces the first direction. That is, the first pressed portion 632 faces downward in the up-down direction. The first pressed portion 632 is located on the first direction side of the second shaft portion 610. That is, the first pressed portion 632 is located below the second shaft portion 610 in the up-down direction. The first pressed portion 632 is located outside the second shaft portion 610 in the width direction. The first pressed portion 632 is located on the second direction side of the locking portion 620. That is, the first pressed portion 632 is located above the locking portion 620 in the up-down direction. The first pressed portion 632 is located inside the locking portion 620 in the width direction. The first pressed portion 632 is located on the second direction side of the second pressed portion 634. That is, the first pressed portion 632 is located above the second pressed portion 634 in the up-down direction. The first pressed portion 632 is located outside the second pressed portion 634 in the width direction. As shown in Fig. 14, the first pressed portion 632 is located on the second direction side of the holding portion 520. That is, the first pressed portion 632 is located above the holding portion 520 in the up-down direction.

[0048] 11 and 23, when the lock lever 600 is in the locked position LP, the first pressed portion 632 of the lock lever 600 is located at the same position in the width direction as the holding portion 520 of the corresponding set. With reference to Fig. 8 and 23, when the lock lever 600 is in the unlocked position ULP, the first pressed portion 632 of the lock lever 600 is located outside the holding portion 520 of the corresponding set in the width direction.

[0049] 14, when the lock lever 600 is in the locked position LP, the holding portion 520 and the first pressed portion 632 are separated from each other by a first distance D1 in the second direction. That is, the distance between the holding portion 520 and the first pressed portion 632 in the second direction when the lock lever 600 is in the locked position LP is the first distance D1.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 29, the second pressed portion 634 in this embodiment faces outward in the width direction. The second pressed portion 634 is located on the first direction side of the second shaft portion 610. That is, the second pressed portion 634 is located below the second shaft portion 610 in the up-down direction. The second pressed portion 634 is located outside the second shaft portion 610 in the width direction. The second pressed portion 634 is located on the second direction side of the locking portion 620. That is, the second pressed portion 634 is located above the locking portion 620 in the up-down direction. The second pressed portion 634 is located inside the locking portion 620 in the width direction. The second pressed portion 634 is located on the first direction side of the first pressed portion 632. That is, the second pressed portion 634 is located below the first pressed portion 632 in the up-down direction. The second pressed portion 634 is located on the inner side in the width direction of the first pressed portion 632. With reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 14, the second pressed portion 634 is located on the second direction side of the holding portion 520. That is, the second pressed portion 634 is located above the holding portion 520 in the up-down direction.

[0051] 28, the lock lever 600 is provided with two restricting portions 650. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the restricting portion 650 may be provided on the second housing 500. That is, it is sufficient that the restricting portion 650 is provided on either the second housing 500 or the lock lever 600.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 29, each of the restricting portions 650 in this embodiment is a surface facing inward in the width direction. Each of the restricting portions 650 is located on the first direction side of the second shaft portion 610. That is, each of the restricting portions 650 is located below the second shaft portion 610 in the up-down direction. Each of the restricting portions 650 is located outside the second shaft portion 610 in the width direction. Each of the restricting portions 650 is located on the second direction side of the locking portion 620. That is, each of the restricting portions 650 is located above the locking portion 620 in the up-down direction. Each of the restricting portions 650 is located inside the locking portion 620 in the width direction. With reference to FIG. 18, FIG. 21, and FIG. 29, each of the restricting portions 650 of the lock lever 600 is located outside the first shaft portion 510 of the corresponding set in the width direction.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 28, the lock lever 600 is further provided with a hooked portion 630 .

[0054] As shown in FIG. 28, the hooked portion 630 in this embodiment is located at the center of the lock lever 600 in the front-rear direction. The hooked portion 630 is located between the two second shaft portions 610 in the front-rear direction. The hooked portion 630 is located near the center of the lock lever 600 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 29, the hooked portion 630 is located on the first direction side of the second shaft portion 610. That is, the hooked portion 630 is located below the second shaft portion 610 in the up-down direction. The hooked portion 630 is located on the second direction side of the locking portion 620. That is, the hooked portion 630 is located above the locking portion 620 in the up-down direction. The hooked portion 630 has a recess 631. The recess 631 is recessed in the second direction. That is, the recess 631 is recessed upward in the up-down direction. The recess 631 communicates with the outside of the hooked portion 630 in the front-rear direction. The first pressed portion 632 and the second pressed portion 634 are each provided on the hooked portion 630. More specifically, a surface of the recess 631 of the hooked portion 630 facing the first direction functions as the first pressed portion 632, and a surface of the recess 631 of the hooked portion 630 facing outward in the width direction functions as the second pressed portion 634.

[0055] As described above, hooked portion 630 in the present embodiment has recess 631, but the present invention is not limited to this, and hooked portion 630 may have a hole penetrating in the front-rear direction instead of recess 631. In this case, the inner surface of the hole of hooked portion 630 facing the first direction functions as first pressed portion 632, and the inner surface of the hole of hooked portion 630 facing outward in the width direction functions as second pressed portion 634.

[0056] 29, the lock lever 600 is further provided with a first abutment portion 640. That is, in the connector assembly 10 of the present embodiment, there are two combinations of the lock lever 600, the locking portion 620, the first abutment portion 640, the spring 700, the locked portion 210, and the second abutment portion 220. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and in the connector assembly 10, there may be one combination of the lock lever 600, the locking portion 620, the first abutment portion 640, the spring 700, the locked portion 210, and the second abutment portion 220.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 29, the first abutment portion 640 in this embodiment is located on the first direction side of the locking portion 620. That is, the first abutment portion 640 is located below the locking portion 620 in the up-down direction. The first abutment portion 640 is located at the end of the lock lever 600 in the first direction. That is, the first abutment portion 640 is located at the lower end of the lock lever 600 in the up-down direction. The first abutment portion 640 is a slope that intersects obliquely with the first direction. The first abutment portion 640 faces in the first direction and inward in the width direction. That is, the first abutment portion 640 faces downward in the up-down direction and inward in the width direction.

[0058] As described above, in the connector assembly 10 of the present embodiment, the second abutting portion 220 is a plane perpendicular to the first direction, and the first abutting portion 640 is an inclined surface obliquely intersecting the first direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the second abutting portion 220 may be an inclined surface obliquely intersecting the first direction, and the first abutting portion 640 may be a plane perpendicular to the first direction. That is, it is sufficient that at least one of the first abutting portion 640 and the second abutting portion 220 is an inclined surface obliquely intersecting the first direction.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 29, the lock lever 600 further includes a main portion 660 .

[0060] As shown in FIG. 29, the main portion 660 of this embodiment defines the widthwise outer end of the lock lever 600. The main portion 660 has an inner surface 662. The inner surface 662 faces inward in the widthwise direction. The inner surface 662 is located outward in the widthwise direction of the second shaft portion 610. The inner surface 662 is located outward in the widthwise direction of the hooked portion 630. The hooked portion 630 protrudes inward in the widthwise direction from the main portion 660. As shown in FIG. 28, each of the restricting portions 650 is provided on the main portion 660. More specifically, each of the restricting portions 650 is a part of the inner surface 662 of the main portion 660.

[0061] 31, spring 700 of the present embodiment is made of metal. Spring 700 is formed by bending a metal round bar. As shown in FIG. 14, spring 700 is attached to second housing 500 and lock lever 600.

[0062] 11, 14, and 21, the spring 700 tries to move the lock lever 600 toward the lock position LP, and also tries to move the second shaft portion 610 in the second direction when the lock lever 600 is in the lock position LP. That is, the spring 700 tries to move the lock lever 600 toward the lock position LP, and also tries to move the second shaft portion 610 upward in the up-down direction when the lock lever 600 is in the lock position LP.

[0063] As described above, the connector assembly 10 of this embodiment is configured as follows: when the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 are in a mated state in which they are mated with each other and the lock lever 600 is in the locked position LP, the engaging portion 620 of the lock lever 600 is positioned on the first direction side of the engaged portion 210 of the first housing 200; the spring 700 is attached to the second housing 500 and the lock lever 600; the spring 700 attempts to move the lock lever 600 toward the locked position LP, and also attempts to move the second shaft portion 610 in the second direction when the lock lever 600 is in the locked position LP. As a result, when the lock lever 600 is in the locked position LP in a mated state in which the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 are mated with each other, the locking portion 620 of the lock lever 600 is pressed against the locked portion 210 of the first housing 200 of the first connector 100, preventing rattling between the components of the first connector 100 and the second connector 400. That is, in the connector assembly 10 of this embodiment, when used under vibration conditions, the components of the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 that are mated with each other are prevented from rattling.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 31, when the spring 700 is viewed from the width direction, the spring 700 has a generally M-shaped shape. The spring 700 has two held portions 710, two regulated portions 720, a first pressing portion 732, a second pressing portion 734, and two arm portions 750. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of held portions 710, regulated portions 720, and arm portions 750 may be one each. That is, it is sufficient for the spring 700 to have one held portion 710, one regulated portion 720, a first pressing portion 732, a second pressing portion 734, and one arm portion 750.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 31, held portions 710 in this embodiment define both ends in the front-rear direction of spring 700. As shown in Fig. 14, held portion 710 is held by holding portion 520. As shown in Fig. 26, hook portion 630 is located between two held portions 710 in the front-rear direction.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 31, the regulated portion 720 in this embodiment is located at the end of the spring 700 on the second direction side. That is, the regulated portion 720 is located at the upper end of the spring 700 in the up-down direction. With reference to Figs. 17 and 21, the movement of the regulated portion 720 is restricted by the restricting portion 650 at least when the lock lever 600 moves from the locked position LP toward the unlocked position ULP. As shown in Fig. 26, the hooked portion 630 is located between the two regulated portions 720 in the front-rear direction.

[0067] As described above, the restricting portion 650 in this embodiment is a surface facing inward in the width direction and restricts movement of the restricted portion 720 at least when the lock lever 600 moves from the lock position LP to the unlock position ULP, but the present invention is not limited to this. The restricting portion 650 is not particularly limited in structure as long as it restricts movement of the restricted portion 720 at least when the lock lever 600 moves from the lock position LP to the unlock position ULP, and may be, for example, a recess recessed upward in the second direction, i.e., the up-down direction, that at least partially accommodates the restricted portion 720.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 31, the first pressing portion 732 of the present embodiment faces the second direction. That is, the first pressing portion 732 faces upward in the up-down direction. The first pressing portion 732 is located at the center of the spring 700 in the front-rear direction. The first pressing portion 732 is located on the first direction side of the regulated portion 720. That is, the first pressing portion 732 is located below the regulated portion 720 in the up-down direction. The first pressing portion 732 is located on the second direction side of the held portion 710. That is, the first pressing portion 732 is located above the held portion 710 in the up-down direction. When the spring 700 is viewed alone, the held portion 710 and the first pressing portion 732 are separated by a second distance D2 in the second direction. That is, the distance between the held portion 710 and the first pressing portion 732 in the second direction when the spring 700 is viewed alone is the second distance D2.

[0069] 13 and 14, when the lock lever 600 is in the locked position LP, the held portion 710 is located on the first direction side of the first pressing portion 732. In other words, when the lock lever 600 is in the locked position LP, the held portion 710 is located lower than the first pressing portion 732 in the up-down direction.

[0070] 14, when the lock lever 600 is in the locked position LP, the first pressing portion 732 is located on the first direction side of the first pressed portion 632 and presses the first pressed portion 632 in the second direction. That is, when the lock lever 600 is in the locked position LP, the first pressing portion 732 is located below the first pressed portion 632 in the up-down direction and presses the first pressed portion 632 upward in the up-down direction.

[0071] 14 and 31, in the second connector 400 of the present embodiment, the first distance D1 is smaller than the second distance D2. That is, when the lock lever 600 is in the lock position LP and the held portion 710 is located on the first direction side of the first pressing portion 732, the first distance D1 is smaller than the second distance D2. As a result, when the spring 700 is attached to the second housing 500 and the lock lever 600, the first pressed portion 632 of the lock lever 600 presses the first pressing portion 732 of the spring 700 on the first direction side, i.e., downward in the up-down direction, so that the spring 700 is elastically deformed, and the first pressing portion 732 of the spring 700 applies a force to the first pressed portion 632 of the lock lever 600 to move it in the second direction, i.e., upward in the up-down direction, due to the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the spring 700.

[0072] 13, the lock lever 600 of the second connector 400 is located at the lock position LP in the natural state. When an operator pulls the end of the lock lever 600 in the first direction, i.e., the lower end in the vertical direction, in the natural state, the spring 700 is elastically deformed, and the second shaft portion 610 moves from the first shaft portion 510 into the groove 540, and the lock lever 600 moves slightly toward the first direction side, i.e., downward in the vertical direction, relative to the second housing 500. When the operator stops pulling the end, the second shaft portion 610 moves from the groove 540 into the first shaft portion 510 due to the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the spring 700, and the lock lever 600 moves in the second direction, i.e., upward in the vertical direction, to return to its original position.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 31, the second pressing portion 734 of the present embodiment is located at the center in the front-rear direction of the spring 700. The second pressing portion 734 is located on the first direction side of the regulated portion 720. That is, the second pressing portion 734 is located below the regulated portion 720 in the up-down direction. The second pressing portion 734 is located on the second direction side of the held portion 710. That is, the second pressing portion 734 is located above the held portion 710 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the second pressing portion 734 faces inward in the width direction. The second pressing portion 734 is adjacent to the second pressed portion 634 in the direction perpendicular to the first direction. That is, the second pressing portion 734 is adjacent to the second pressed portion 634 in the width direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second pressing portion 734 is located outside the second pressed portion 634 in the width direction.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 31, the arm 750 in this embodiment extends in a first direction from the regulated portion 720. That is, the arm 750 extends downward in the up-down direction from the regulated portion 720. The arm 750 extends in a second direction from the second pressing portion 734. That is, the arm 750 extends upward in the up-down direction from the second pressing portion 734. The arm 750 connects the second pressing portion 734 and the regulated portion 720 to each other. As shown in Fig. 26, the hooked portion 630 is located between the two arms 750 in the front-rear direction.

[0075] 8, 11, 17, and 21, when the lock lever 600 moves from the locked position LP toward the unlocked position ULP, the second pressing portion 734 moves together with the second pressed portion 634, and mainly the arm portion 750 is elastically deformed. In addition, by utilizing the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the arm portion 750, the second pressing portion 734 presses the second pressed portion 634, and moves the lock lever 600 toward the locked position LP.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 31, the spring 700 further includes a pressing portion 730 .

[0077] As shown in FIG. 31, the pressing portion 730 of this embodiment is located at the center in the front-rear direction of the spring 700. The pressing portion 730 is located on the first direction side of the regulated portion 720. That is, the pressing portion 730 is located below the regulated portion 720 in the up-down direction. The pressing portion 730 is located on the second direction side of the held portion 710. That is, the pressing portion 730 is located above the held portion 710 in the up-down direction. The first pressing portion 732 and the second pressing portion 734 are each a part of the pressing portion 730. As shown in FIG. 25, the pressing portion 730 is hooked to the hooked portion 630. That is, the pressing portion 730 is hooked to the recess 631 of the hooked portion 630.

[0078] As described above, in connector assembly 10 of the present embodiment, hooked portion 630 has recess 631 recessed in the second direction, and when spring 700 is viewed alone in the width direction, spring 700 has a generally M-shape, and pressing portion 730 of spring 700 is hooked on recess 631 of hooked portion 630. This makes it easy to assemble spring 700 to lock lever 600 when assembling second connector 400 of the present embodiment.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 31, the spring 700 further includes two connecting portions 760 .

[0080] As shown in Fig. 31, the connecting portion 760 in this embodiment extends in a first direction from the regulated portion 720. That is, the connecting portion 760 extends downward in the up-down direction from the regulated portion 720. The connecting portion 760 extends in a second direction from the held portion 710. That is, the connecting portion 760 extends upward in the up-down direction from the held portion 710. The connecting portion 760 connects the regulated portion 720 and the held portion 710 to each other. As shown in Fig. 26, the hooked portion 630 is located between the two connecting portions 760 in the front-rear direction.

[0081] 11, each of the second contacts 800 in the present embodiment is made of metal. As shown in FIG 4, in a mated state in which the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 are mated, the second contacts 800 of the second connector 400 are connected to the first contacts 300 of the first connector 100, respectively.

[0082] (Mating Operation) The operation of mating first connector 100 with second connector 400 will be described in detail below.

[0083] 9 and 11, the second connector 400 is placed on the second direction side of the first connector 100, i.e., above in the up-down direction. In this state, the second connector 400 is moved in the first direction, i.e., downward in the up-down direction, relative to the first connector 100. Then, a part of the fitting portion 410 of the second connector 400 is accommodated in the fitting portion accommodating portion 240 of the first connector 100, and the first abutment portion 640 of the lock lever 600 of the second connector 400 abuts against the second abutment portion 220 of the first connector 100.

[0084] In this state, when the second connector 400 is further moved toward the first direction relative to the first connector 100, the first abutting portion 640, which is an inclined surface oblique to the first direction, receives a force from the second abutting portion 220 toward the outside in the width direction, and the lock lever 600 moves from the locked position LP to the unlocked position ULP. At this time, the second pressing portion 734 moves together with the second pressed portion 634, and mainly the arm portion 750 is elastically deformed, and the second shaft portion 610 moves slightly from the bearing 510 into the groove 540 against the spring 700.

[0085] After that, when the second connector 400 is further moved in the first direction relative to the first connector 100, the first abutting portion 640 moves over the second abutting portion 220 and moves in the first direction, and the locking portion 620 moves to the first direction side of the locked portion 210. Then, the second shaft portion 610, which has moved into the groove 540, receives a force from the spring 700 in the second direction, that is, upward in the up-down direction. At this time, the second pressing portion 734 presses the second pressed portion 634 by using the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the arm portion 750, and moves the lock lever 600 from the unlock position ULP to the lock position LP. As a result, the connector assembly 10 is in the state shown in FIG. 4, in which the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 are fitted to each other and the fitted state of the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 is locked. In this state, the lock lever 600 is located at the lock position LP, and the second contacts 800 are connected to the first contacts 300. In addition, in this state, the locking portion 620 is pressed against the locked portion 210 in the second direction, that is, upward in the up-down direction.

[0086] In summary, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 are mated, the first abutment portion 640, which is a slope that intersects obliquely with the first direction, abuts against the second abutment portion 220, and the lock lever 600 temporarily moves from the locked position LP to the unlocked position ULP. In addition, when the first abutment portion 640 overcomes the second abutment portion 220, the engaging portion 620 moves toward the first direction side of the engaged portion 210.

[0087] As described above, in the connector assembly 10 of the present embodiment, the first abutment portion 640 is an inclined surface that intersects obliquely with the first direction, so that when the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 are mated with each other, the lock lever 600 automatically moves temporarily from the locked position LP to the unlocked position ULP simply by moving the second connector 400 in the first direction relative to the first connector 100. In other words, the operator does not need to operate the lock lever 600 when the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 are mated with each other.

[0088] As described above, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 are mated, the second shaft portion 610 is not only received in the bearing 510 but also can move into the groove 540 communicating with the bearing 510. As a result, when the lock lever 600 moves from the lock position LP to the unlock position ULP, the lock lever 600 can be temporarily moved in the first direction, i.e., downward in the vertical direction, and the spring 700 can be temporarily further elastically deformed. Therefore, in the connector assembly 10 of this embodiment, when the mating of the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 is completed, the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the spring 700 can press the locking portion 620 more strongly against the locked portion 210 in the second direction, i.e., upward in the vertical direction.

[0089] (Unmating operation) The operation of releasing the engagement between first connector 100 and second connector 400 will be described in detail below.

[0090] In the connector assembly 10 in the state shown in Figure 4, when the end portion in the first direction of the lock lever 600 of the second connector 400 is pulled outward in the width direction, the second pressing portion 734 moves together with the second pressed portion 634, causing mainly the arm portion 750 to elastically deform, and the engaging portion 620 of the lock lever 600 comes into contact with the surface 232 of the intersection portion 230 adjacent to the engaged portion 210 in the width direction.

[0091] In this state, when the end of the lock lever 600 in the first direction is lightly pulled outward in the width direction, mainly the arm portion 750 is further elastically deformed, and the engaging portion 620 of the lock lever 600 moves outward in the width direction and the lock lever 600 moves to the unlock position ULP. As a result, the connector assembly 10 becomes the state shown in FIG. 8, in which the mating lock between the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 is released.

[0092] As described above, first connector 100 of the present embodiment has intersecting portion 230 adjacent to locked portion 210 in the width direction, and has surface 232 intersecting with the second direction. As a result, in connector assembly 10 of the present embodiment, the mating lock between first connector 100 and second connector 400 can be easily released by lightly pulling the end of lock lever 600 in the first direction outward in the width direction.

[0093] Finally, in the connector assembly 10 in the state shown in Fig. 8, when the second connector 400 is moved in the second direction, i.e., upward in the up-down direction, relative to the first connector 100, the engagement between the first connector 100 and the second connector 400 is released. In this state, when the operator releases the lock lever 600, the lock lever 600 moves from the unlock position ULP to the lock position LP due to the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the arm portion 750 of the spring 700. This brings the connector assembly 10 to the state shown in Fig. 9, completing the operation of releasing the engagement between the first connector 100 and the second connector 400.

[0094] Second embodiment 36, a connector assembly (not shown) according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a first connector (not shown) and a second connector 400A. The first connector of this embodiment has the same structure as the first connector 100 of the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the same expressions as those in the first embodiment will be used below for the orientations and directions in this embodiment.

[0095] 36, second connector 400A of the present embodiment can be fitted to first connector 100 along a first direction and can be removed from first connector 100 along a second direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction. As shown in Fig. 36, second connector 400A has fitting portion 410. Fitting portion 410 of the present embodiment is similar to fitting portion 410 of the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 36, the second connector 400A includes a second housing 500A, two lock levers 600A, two springs 700A, and a plurality of second contacts (not shown). Here, the second contacts of this embodiment are similar to the second contacts 800 of the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, the second housing 500A of this embodiment includes a structure similar to that of the second housing 500 of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, among the components of the second housing 500A shown in FIG. 36 and FIG. 37, the same components as those of the second housing 500 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that, in the second connector 400A of this embodiment, the four first shaft portions 510, the four holding portions 520, and the four grooves 540 are divided into two sets, each of which is composed of two first shaft portions 510, two holding portions 520, and two grooves 540, as in the second connector 400 of the first embodiment described above.

[0097] 36, each of the lock levers 600A in this embodiment is attached to the second housing 500A so as to be rotatable between a locked position LP and an unlocked position (not shown). The two lock levers 600A correspond to the two sets, each of which is composed of two first shafts 510, two holding portions 520, and two grooves 540.

[0098] 36 and 37, lock lever 600A of the embodiment has a similar structure to lock lever 600 of the above-described first embodiment, except for hooked portion 630A. Therefore, among the components of lock lever 600A shown in Fig. 36 and 37, the same components as those of lock lever 600 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] 36, in a mated state in which the first connector and the second connector 400A are mated with each other, when the lock lever 600A is in the locked position LP, the locking portion 620 of the lock lever 600A is located on the first direction side of the locked portion of the first connector. In the above mated state, when the lock lever 600A is in the unlocked position, the second connector 400A can be removed from the first connector.

[0100] 36, in the connector assembly of the present embodiment, there are two combinations of lock lever 600A, engaging portion 620, first abutment portion 640, spring 700A, the engaged portion of the first connector, and the second abutment portion of the first connector. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and in the connector assembly, there may be one combination of lock lever 600A, engaging portion 620, first abutment portion 640, spring 700A, the engaged portion, and the second abutment portion.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 37, the hooked portion 630A of this embodiment is located at the center of the lock lever 600A in the front-rear direction. The hooked portion 630A is located between the two second shaft portions 610 in the front-rear direction. The hooked portion 630A is located near the center of the lock lever 600A in the up-down direction. With reference to FIG. 36 and FIG. 37, the hooked portion 630A is located on the first direction side of the second shaft portion 610. That is, the hooked portion 630A is located below the second shaft portion 610 in the up-down direction. The hooked portion 630A is located on the second direction side of the locking portion 620. That is, the hooked portion 630A is located above the locking portion 620 in the up-down direction. The hooked portion 630A has a recess 631A. The recess 631A is recessed in the second direction. That is, the recess 631A is recessed upward in the up-down direction. The recess 631A communicates with the outside of the hooked portion 630A in the front-rear direction. The hooked portion 630A is provided with a first pressed portion 632A and a second pressed portion (not shown). More specifically, a surface of the recess 631A of the hooked portion 630A facing the first direction functions as the first pressed portion 632A, and a surface of the recess 631A of the hooked portion 630A facing the outside in the width direction functions as the second pressed portion. The second pressed portion of this embodiment has a structure similar to that of the second pressed portion 634 of the first embodiment described above, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0102] As described above, hooked portion 630A in the present embodiment has recess 631A, but the present invention is not limited to this, and hooked portion 630A may have a hole penetrating in the front-rear direction instead of recess 631A. In this case, a surface of hooked portion 630A facing the first direction of the hole functions as first pressed portion 632A, and a surface of hooked portion 630A facing outward in the width direction of the hole functions as a second pressed portion.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 37, the first pressed portion 632A of the present embodiment faces the first direction. That is, the first pressed portion 632A faces downward in the up-down direction. The first pressed portion 632A is located on the first direction side of the second shaft portion 610. That is, the first pressed portion 632A is located below the second shaft portion 610 in the up-down direction. The first pressed portion 632A is located on the second direction side of the locking portion 620. That is, the first pressed portion 632A is located above the locking portion 620 in the up-down direction. The first pressed portion 632A is located on the first direction side of the holding portion 520. That is, the first pressed portion 632A is located below the holding portion 520 in the up-down direction. Referring to FIG. 37, the first pressed portion 632A is located on the second direction side of the second pressed portion. That is, the first pressed portion 632A is located above the second pressed portion in the up-down direction. With reference to Figures 36 and 37, the first pressed portion 632A is located outside the second shaft portion 610 in the width direction. The first pressed portion 632A is located inside the locking portion 620 in the width direction. The first pressed portion 632A is located outside the second pressed portion in the width direction.

[0104] 36 and 37, when the lock lever 600A is in the locked position LP, the first pressed portion 632A of the lock lever 600A is located at the same position in the width direction as the holding portion 520 of the corresponding set. When the lock lever 600A is in the unlocked position ULP, the first pressed portion 632A of the lock lever 600A is located outside the holding portion 520 of the corresponding set in the width direction.

[0105] 37, when the lock lever 600A is in the locked position LP, the holding portion 520 and the first pressed portion 632A are separated from each other by a first distance D1 in the second direction. That is, the distance between the holding portion 520 and the first pressed portion 632A in the second direction when the lock lever 600A is in the locked position LP is the first distance D1.

[0106] 38, spring 700A of the present embodiment is made of metal. Spring 700A is formed by bending a metal round bar. As shown in FIG 37, spring 700A is attached to second housing 500A and lock lever 600A.

[0107] 36 and 37, the spring 700A tends to move the lock lever 600A toward the lock position LP, and also tends to move the second shaft portion 610 in the second direction when the lock lever 600A is in the lock position LP. That is, the spring 700A tends to move the lock lever 600A toward the lock position LP, and also tends to move the second shaft portion 610 upward in the up-down direction when the lock lever 600A is in the lock position LP.

[0108] As described above, the connector assembly of this embodiment is configured as follows: when the lock lever 600A is in the lock position LP in a mated state in which the first connector and the second connector 400A are mated with each other, the locking portion 620 of the lock lever 600A is located on the first direction side of the locked portion of the first housing; the spring 700A is attached to the second housing 500A and the lock lever 600A; the spring 700A tries to move the lock lever 600A toward the lock position LP, and also tries to move the second shaft portion 610 in the second direction when the lock lever 600A is in the lock position LP. As a result, when the lock lever 600A is in the lock position LP in a mated state in which the first connector and the second connector 400A are mated with each other, the locking portion 620 of the lock lever 600A is pressed against the locked portion of the first housing of the first connector, so that the components of the first connector and the second connector 400A do not rattle with each other. That is, in the connector assembly 10 of this embodiment as well, the parts of the first connector and the second connector 400A that are mated with each other do not rattle when used under vibration conditions.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 38, when the spring 700A is viewed from the width direction, the spring 700A has a generally M-shaped shape. The spring 700A has two held portions 710, two regulated portions 720, a first pressing portion 732A, a second pressing portion 734A, and two arm portions 750A. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of held portions 710, regulated portions 720, and arm portions 750A may be one each. That is, the spring 700A only needs to have one held portion 710, one regulated portion 720, a first pressing portion 732A, a second pressing portion 734A, and one arm portion 750A.

[0110] Spring 700A of the present embodiment has a similar structure to spring 700 of the above-described first embodiment, except for first pressing portion 732A, second pressing portion 734A, and arm portion 750A. Therefore, detailed description of components other than first pressing portion 732A, second pressing portion 734A, and arm portion 750A will be omitted.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 38, the first pressing portion 732A of the present embodiment faces the second direction. That is, the first pressing portion 732A faces upward in the vertical direction. The first pressing portion 732A is located at the center of the spring 700A in the front-rear direction. The first pressing portion 732A is located on the first direction side of the regulated portion 720A. That is, the first pressing portion 732A is located below the regulated portion 720A in the vertical direction. The first pressing portion 732A is located on the first direction side of the held portion 710A. That is, the first pressing portion 732A is located below the held portion 710 in the vertical direction. When the spring 700A is viewed alone, the held portion 710 and the first pressing portion 732A are separated by a second distance D2 in the second direction. That is, the distance between held portion 710 and first pressing portion 732A in the second direction when spring 700A is viewed alone is second distance D2.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 37, when the lock lever 600A is in the locked position LP, the held portion 710 is positioned on the second direction side of the first pressing portion 732A, that is, when the lock lever 600A is in the locked position LP, the held portion 710 is positioned higher in the vertical direction than the first pressing portion 732A.

[0113] 37, when the lock lever 600A is in the locked position LP, the first pressing portion 732A is located on the first direction side of the first pressed portion 632A and presses the first pressed portion 632A in the second direction. That is, when the lock lever 600A is in the locked position LP, the first pressing portion 732A is located below the first pressed portion 632A in the up-down direction and presses the first pressed portion 632A upward in the up-down direction.

[0114] 37 and 38, in the second connector 400A of the present embodiment, the first distance D1 is greater than the second distance D2. That is, when the lock lever 600A is in the lock position LP and the held portion 710 is located on the second direction side of the first pressing portion 732A, the first distance D1 is greater than the second distance D2. As a result, when the spring 700A is attached to the second housing 500A and the lock lever 600A, the first pressed portion 632A of the lock lever 600A presses the first pressing portion 732A of the spring 700A toward the first direction side, i.e., downward in the vertical direction, so that the spring 700A is elastically deformed, and the first pressing portion 732A of the spring 700A applies a force to the first pressed portion 632A of the lock lever 600A to move it in the second direction, i.e., upward in the vertical direction, due to the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the spring 700A.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 38, the second pressing portion 734A of the present embodiment is located at the center in the front-rear direction of the spring 700A. The second pressing portion 734A is located on the first direction side of the regulated portion 720. That is, the second pressing portion 734A is located below the regulated portion 720 in the up-down direction. The second pressing portion 734A is located on the first direction side of the held portion 710. That is, the second pressing portion 734A is located below the held portion 710 in the up-down direction. With reference to FIG. 37, the second pressing portion 734A faces inward in the width direction. The second pressing portion 734A is adjacent to the second pressed portion in the direction perpendicular to the first direction. That is, the second pressing portion 734A is adjacent to the second pressed portion in the width direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second pressing portion 734A is located outside the second pressed portion in the width direction.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 38, the arm 750A of the present embodiment extends in the first direction from the regulated portion 720. That is, the arm 750A extends downward in the up-down direction from the regulated portion 720. The arm 750A extends in the second direction from the second pressing portion 734A. That is, the arm 750A extends upward in the up-down direction from the second pressing portion 734A. The arm 750A connects the second pressing portion 734A and the regulated portion 720 to each other. With reference to FIG. 37 and FIG. 38, the hooked portion 630A is located between the two arms 750A in the front-rear direction. The arm 750A of the present embodiment is longer in the first direction than the arm 750 of the first embodiment described above.

[0117] 36 and 37, when the lock lever 600A moves from the locked position LP toward the unlocked position, the second pressing portion 734A moves together with the second pressed portion, and mainly the arm portion 750A is elastically deformed. In addition, by utilizing the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the arm portion 750A, the second pressing portion 734A presses the second pressed portion, and moves the lock lever 600A toward the locked position LP.

[0118] 38, the spring 700A further has two connecting portions 760. The connecting portions 760 of the present embodiment are similar to the connecting portions 760 of the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0119] The operation of mating the first connector with the second connector 400A and the operation of releasing the mating between the first connector and the second connector 400A are similar to those of the connector assembly 10 of the above-described first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0120] The configuration of spring 700A of second connector 400A is not limited to the above. For example, spring 700B in FIG. 39 may be configured with arm 750 shorter than arm 750A and coupling portion 760B shorter than coupling portion 760, instead of arm 750A and coupling portion 760.

[0121] Although the present invention has been specifically described above by way of the embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto and various modifications are possible. In addition, a plurality of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10 Connector assembly 100 1st Connector 200 1st Housing 210 Locked part 220 2nd Abutment 230 Intersection 232 sides 240 Fitting portion housing 300 First Contact 400,400A 2nd Connector 410 Fitting part 500,500A Second Housing 510 First shaft part (bearing) 520 Holding part 540 Groove 550 Lock lever housing 560 First connector housing 600,600A Lock lever 610 Second shaft part (shaft) 620 Locking part 630,630A Hooked part 631,631A Recess 632, 632A First pressed part 634 Second pressed part 640 First stop 650 Regulatory Department 660 Main 662 Inside 700, 700A, 700B Springs 710 Holding part 720 Regulated part 730,730A Pressing part 732,732A First pressing part 734,734A Second pressing part 750,750A arm 760,760B connection part 800 2nd Contact D1 First distance D2 2nd distance LP Lock Position ULP unlock position

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector, the second connector is capable of being fitted to the first connector along a first direction and of being removed from the first connector along a second direction that is a direction opposite to the first direction, The first connector includes a first housing; The first housing is provided with a latched portion, The second connector includes a second housing, a lock lever, and a spring. The second housing is provided with a first shaft portion, the lock lever is attached to the second housing so as to be rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position; The lock lever is provided with a second shaft portion and a locking portion, The second shaft portion is combined with the first shaft portion, When the first connector and the second connector are in a mated state in which they are mated with each other and the lock lever is in the locked position, the locking portion is located on the first direction side of the locked portion, In the fitted state, when the lock lever is in the unlocked position, the second connector is removable from the first connector, The spring is attached to the second housing and to the lock lever, The spring tends to move the lock lever toward the lock position and tends to move the second shaft portion in the second direction when the lock lever is at the lock position. Connector assembly.

2. 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, The second housing is further provided with a holding portion, The lock lever is further provided with a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion, a restricting portion is provided on one of the second housing and the lock lever, The spring has a held portion, a regulated portion, a first pressing portion, a second pressing portion, and an arm portion, The held portion is held by the holding portion, the restricted portion is restricted in movement by the restricting portion at least when the lock lever moves from the locked position toward the unlocked position, a distance between the holding portion and the first pressed portion in the second direction when the lock lever is in the locked position is defined as a first distance; When the distance between the held portion and the first pressing portion in the second direction when the spring is viewed alone is defined as a second distance, When the lock lever is in the lock position and the held portion is located on the first direction side of the first pressing portion, the first distance is smaller than the second distance, When the lock lever is in the lock position and the held portion is located on the second direction side of the first pressing portion, the first distance is greater than the second distance, When the lock lever is in the lock position, the first pressing portion is located on the first direction side of the first pressed portion and presses the first pressed portion in the second direction, The arm portion connects the second pressing portion and the regulated portion to each other, the second pressing portion is adjacent to the second pressed portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, When the lock lever moves from the lock position to the unlock position, the second pressing portion moves together with the second pressed portion, and mainly the arm portion is elastically deformed, The second pressing portion presses the second pressed portion by utilizing the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the arm portion, and moves the lock lever toward the lock position. Connector assembly.

3. 3. The connector assembly of claim 2, The lock lever is further provided with a hooked portion, The first pressed portion and the second pressed portion are each provided on the hook portion, The spring further includes a pressing portion, Each of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion is a part of the pressing portion, The pressing portion is hooked onto the hooked portion. Connector assembly.

4. 4. The connector assembly of claim 3, The spring further includes a connecting portion, The connecting portion connects the regulated portion and the held portion to each other. Connector assembly.

5. 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, The first shaft portion is a bearing, the second shaft portion is a shaft, The second housing has a groove formed therein. The groove communicates with the bearing and extends in the first direction. Connector assembly.

6. 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, The lock lever is further provided with a first abutment portion, The first abutment portion is located on the first direction side of the locking portion, The first housing is further provided with a second abutment portion, The second abutting portion is located on the second direction side of the locked portion, At least one of the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion has an inclined surface that intersects obliquely with the first direction, When the first connector and the second connector are mated, the first abutting portion abuts against the second abutting portion, and the lock lever temporarily moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, When the first abutment portion rides over the second abutment portion, the locking portion moves toward the locked portion in the first direction. Connector assembly.

7. 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, The first housing further includes an intersection portion. The intersection portion has a surface that intersects with the second direction, The surface of the intersecting portion is adjacent to the engaged portion. Connector assembly.

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