Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which allows a moving plate to properly exert a function for protecting a tab.SOLUTION: A connector comprises: a first housing 11; a lever 14 which is rotatably supported by a hood part 17 of the first housing 11; and a moving plate 15 having a plate body 34 which is disposed in a manner movable into the hood part 17. The lever 14 has a cam groove 42 which engages with a plate cam pin 37 of the moving plate 15 so as to displace the plate body 34 between an inspection position and a fitting position. The cam groove 42 sequentially and consecutively has: an assembly groove part 43 which guides the plate cam pin 37; an inspection groove part 44 in which the plate cam pin 37 is disposed when the plate body is at the inspection position; a protection groove part 45 in which the plate cam pin 37 is disposed when the plate body is at a protection position; and a fitting groove part 46 in which the plate cam pin 37 is disposed when the plate body is at the fitting position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 includes a lever rotatably supported by a first housing (male housing) and a moving plate movably arranged inside a hood part of the first housing. The moving plate has a plate body arranged inside the hood part to protect the tip of a tab of a first terminal fitting (male terminal fitting), and a plate cam pin (cam pin) protruding outside the hood part. The lever has a cam groove. The cam groove has an inspection engagement region that engages with the plate cam pin while the lever rotates clockwise from the mating start position to the inspection position, and a mating engagement region that engages with the plate cam pin while the lever rotates counterclockwise from the mating start position to the mating completion position. The cam groove also has a receiving opening that branches and extends from an intersection of the inspection engagement region and the mating engagement region.

[0003] When the lever rotates from the mating start position to the inspection position and the plate cam pin engages with the inspection engagement area of ​​the cam groove, the tip of the tab is exposed from the plate body to the opening side of the hood portion. When the lever is in the inspection position, a continuity inspection of the first terminal fitting can be performed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-334744 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The lever rotates from the inspection position to the mating start position, and then rotates from the mating start position to the mating start position. If the plate cam pin accidentally enters the receiving opening at the mating start position, the moving plate cannot move smoothly inside the hood portion, and there is a concern that the function of protecting the tab will be lost.

[0006] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector in which the moving plate can properly perform the function of protecting the tab. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a first housing having a hood portion, a second housing fittable to the hood portion, a lever rotatably supported on the outside of the hood portion, a first terminal fitting having a tab protruding into the inside of the hood portion, and a moving plate arranged to be movable relative to the hood portion in a fitting direction of the first housing and the second housing, the moving plate having a plate main body that passes through the tab in a positioned state inside the hood portion, and a plate cam pin arranged to protrude outside the hood portion, and the plate main body has a tip portion of the tab relative to the hood portion. a protective position for protecting the plate body, an inspection position in which the tip of the tab is exposed to the opening side of the hood portion, and an engagement position disposed at the rear side of the hood portion, the lever having a cam groove for engaging with the plate cam pin to displace the plate body between the inspection position and the engagement position, the cam groove successively forming an assembly groove portion for introducing the plate cam pin, an inspection groove portion in which the plate cam pin is disposed at the inspection position, a protective groove portion in which the plate cam pin is disposed at the protection position, and a engagement groove portion in which the plate cam pin is disposed at the engagement position. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector in which the moving plate can properly perform the function of protecting the tab. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second housing in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second holder in the connector of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the movable support part in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first housing in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first holder in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a moving plate in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lever in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a plate cam pin enters an assembly groove portion of a cam groove of a lever in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a plate cam pin is disposed in an inspection groove portion of a cam groove of a lever in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a plate cam pin is disposed in a protective groove portion of a cam groove of a lever in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cam pin is disposed in a floating groove portion of a cam groove of a lever in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cam pin is removed from the removal groove portion of the cam groove of the lever in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the tip of the tab protrudes from the plate body to the opening side of the hood portion when the plate cam pin is placed in the inspection groove in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the tip of the tab is protected by the plate body when the plate cam pin is placed in the protective groove in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged in a mated state and the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings are electrically connected in the connector of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A connector comprising: a first housing having a hood portion; a second housing capable of being fitted to the hood portion; a lever rotatably supported on the outside of the hood portion; a first terminal fitting having a tab protruding into the inside of the hood portion; and a moving plate arranged to be movable relative to the hood portion in a fitting direction of the first housing and the second housing, the moving plate having a plate body that passes through the tab in a positioning state inside the hood portion and a plate cam pin arranged protruding outside the hood portion, and the plate body has a tip end of the tab relative to the hood portion. the plate body is displaceable between a protective position for protecting the plate body, an inspection position in which the tip of the tab is exposed to the opening side of the hood portion, and an engagement position disposed at the rear side of the hood portion, and the lever has a cam groove for engaging with the plate cam pin to displace the plate body between the inspection position and the engagement position, and the cam groove successively forms an assembly groove portion for introducing the plate cam pin, an inspection groove portion in which the plate cam pin is disposed at the inspection position, a protective groove portion in which the plate cam pin is disposed at the protection position, and a engagement groove portion in which the plate cam pin is disposed at the engagement position.

[0011] When the plate cam pin is placed in the inspection groove, the plate body reaches the inspection position, allowing a continuity test of the first terminal fitting to be performed. The lever rotates, the plate cam pin moves from the protection groove to the fitting groove, the first housing and the second housing are fitted together, and the plate body reaches the fitting position. Since the assembly groove, inspection groove, protection groove, and fitting groove are formed in sequence, the plate cam pin does not enter the assembly groove when moving from the protection groove to the fitting groove. Therefore, the plate cam pin can move smoothly from the protection groove to the fitting groove. As a result, when the plate cam pin is placed in the protection groove, the tab is properly protected by the plate body in the protection position.

[0012] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, it is preferable that the second housing has a housing cam pin arranged together with the plate cam pin in the mating groove portion, the cam groove has a branched groove portion branching from the protective groove portion and introducing the housing cam pin, and the groove width of the branched groove portion is smaller than the groove width of the assembly groove portion. If the outer diameter of the plate cam pin corresponds to the groove width of the assembly groove, the plate cam pin can be prevented from entering the branched groove when moving from the protection groove to the fitting groove. Therefore, even if a branched groove is formed in the cam groove, the plate cam pin can smoothly move from the protection groove to the fitting groove.

[0013] (3) In the connector described in (2) above, it is preferable that the cam groove further defines a disengagement groove portion for disengaging the first housing and the second housing at a position continuous with the protective groove portion on the opposite side of the mating groove portion. By rotating the lever in one direction, the plate cam pin can move sequentially through the assembly groove, inspection groove, protection groove, fitting groove, and removal groove, and can then come out of the cam groove. By rotating the lever in one direction, the first housing and the second housing can be moved from a fitted state to a removed state, providing excellent operability.

[0014] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0015] <Embodiment 1> 1, the connectors 10, 60 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure are illustrated as modules disposed between an upper portion 100 (such as a body) and a lower portion 600 (such as a chassis) of a vehicle, and provide electrical connection between the upper portion 100 and the lower portion 600. The connectors include a first connector 10 disposed in the upper portion 100 and a second connector 60 disposed in the lower portion 600.

[0016] The first connector 10 includes a first housing 11, a first terminal fitting 12, a first holder 13, a lever 14, and a moving plate 15. The second connector 60 includes a second housing 61, a second terminal fitting 62, a second holder 63, and a movable support portion 64. The first housing 11 and the second housing 61 are capable of being fitted together. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the front, right, and upper sides are indicated by the characters X, Y, and Z, respectively.

[0017] (Second connector 60) The second housing 61 is made of synthetic resin and has a square block shape as shown in FIG. 3. The second housing 61 has a plurality of second cavities 65. The second terminal fitting 62 is made of conductive metal and is housed in the second cavity 65 as shown in FIG. 17. The second terminal fitting 62 is a female terminal having a cylindrical connecting portion 66 and is connected to an end portion of an electric wire 67. As shown in FIG. 3, the second housing 61 has a pair of housing cam pins 68 protruding from the end surfaces on both the left and right sides. Each housing cam pin 68 has a plate shape extending in the vertical direction and is disposed in a cam groove 42 of the lever 14, which will be described later. The second housing 61 also has a plurality of second locking portions 69 protruding downward and capable of being engaged with the second holder 63.

[0018] The second holder 63 is made of synthetic resin and has a disk shape as a whole, as shown in FIG. 4. The second holder 63 has a second mounting hole 71 penetrating in the vertical direction at the center. The second mounting hole 71 has an inner surface shape corresponding to the outer shape of the second housing 61. The second housing 61 is inserted into the second mounting hole 71 and held therein. The second holder 63 has a pair of positioning holes 72 on both radial sides of the second mounting hole 71. Each positioning hole 72 has a circular cross section, penetrates a boss portion 73 protruding upward from the second holder 63, and penetrates the entire second holder 63 in the vertical direction. In addition, the second holder 63 has a curved surface portion 74 with an arc-shaped cross section that bulges out all around the lower half of the outer circumferential surface.

[0019] The movable support part 64 supports the second holder 63 in a state in which it can move three-dimensionally. As shown in FIG. 1, the movable support part 64 has a support receiving part 75 that receives the second holder 63, a restricting part 76 that restricts the movable range of the support receiving part 75, and a seal member 77 that maintains a liquid-tight relationship between the movable support part 64 and the second holder 63.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the support receiving portion 75 has a cylindrical main body receiving portion 78 that slidably supports the curved portion 74 of the second holder 63, and a plate portion 79 that is rectangular in plan view and extends radially outward from the lower end of the main body receiving portion 78.

[0021] The restricting portion 76 has a cover portion 81 that covers the plate portion 79 from above. The cover portion 81 is recessed in the lower surface of the restricting portion 76. The plate portion 79 comes into contact with the cover portion 81, thereby restricting the upward displacement of the support receiving portion 75. Furthermore, the support receiving portion 75 can move in the surface direction of the cover portion 81 (a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction).

[0022] The seal member 77 is made of rubber such as silicone rubber, and is configured as, for example, a grommet. As shown in FIG. 1, the seal member 77 has an outer peripheral end 82 that surrounds the outer periphery of the restricting portion 76 in a tight contact state, and an inner peripheral end 83 that is in tight contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second holder 63 over the entire circumference. The seal member 77 extends upward from the outer peripheral end 82 to the inner peripheral end 83 while decreasing in diameter. The seal member 77 is fixed to, for example, a support surface 601 in a lower portion 600 of the vehicle. The second holder 63 and the second housing 61 are capable of floating relative to the support surface 601 in the surface direction of the support surface 601 and in the up-down direction via the seal member 77.

[0023] (First connector 10) The first housing 11 is made of synthetic resin and has a terminal accommodating portion 16 in the shape of a square block and a square tubular hood portion 17 protruding downward from the terminal accommodating portion 16, as shown in Fig. 6. The terminal accommodating portion 16 has a plurality of first cavities 18. The first terminal fitting 12 is made of a conductive metal and is accommodated in the first cavity 18, as shown in Fig. 15. The first terminal fitting 12 is a male terminal and has a tab 19 protruding downward and is connected to an end portion of the electric wire 21. As shown in Fig. 17, when the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 are fitted together, the tab 19 of the first terminal fitting 12 is inserted into the connecting portion 66 of the second terminal fitting 62 and connected.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 6, the hood portion 17 has through recesses 22 on both left and right side walls. The through recesses 22 extend in the vertical direction and open to the opening edge at the lower end of the hood portion 17. Cam pins 37, 68, which will be described later, are passed through the through recesses 22. The hood portion 17 has a shaft portion 23 protruding above the through recesses 22 on the outer surfaces of both left and right side walls. The first housing 11 also has first locking portions 24, which can be engaged with the first holder 13, on the outer surfaces of both front and rear side walls.

[0025] The first holder 13 is made of synthetic resin, and has a first mounting portion 25 having a circular outer shape and a flange portion 26 extending radially outward from the lower end of the first mounting portion 25, as shown in FIG. 7. The first mounting portion 25 has a first mounting hole 27 penetrating in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the first housing 11 is inserted into the first mounting hole 27 together with a pair of levers 14 supported by the first housing 11. The first lock portion 24 is engaged with the inner surface of the first mounting hole 27, so that the first housing 11 is held by the first mounting portion 25. As shown in FIG. 1, each lever 14 is rotatably disposed in the first mounting hole 27 with a part of it protruding upward from the first mounting hole 27.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7, the first mounting portion 25 has a pair of positioning pins 28 on both sides of the first mounting hole 27 in the radial direction. Each positioning pin 28 is rod-shaped with a circular cross section and protrudes downward from the first mounting portion 25. The tip of each positioning pin 28 is a tapered guide portion 29 that decreases in diameter toward the lower end. As shown in FIG. 1, each positioning pin 28 is inserted into each positioning hole 72 in a manner that fits it. During the fitting process of the first housing 11 and the second housing 61, the guide portion 29 of each positioning pin 28 comes into contact with the inner surface of each positioning hole 72, thereby adjusting the misalignment of the fitting axes of the first housing 11 and the second housing 61. The flange portion 26 has an annular ring mounting groove 31 on the lower surface. A rubber seal ring 32 is fitted in the ring mounting groove 31 as shown in FIG. 1. The flange portion 26 has fixing holes 33 at positions closer to the four corners and outside the ring mounting groove 31. The first connector 10 is fixed to an upper portion 100 of the vehicle by inserting a fixing member such as a bolt (not shown) into the fixing hole 33. The seal ring 32 is compressed between the upper portion 100 and the flange portion 26 and is held liquid-tight.

[0027] The moving plate 15 is made of synthetic resin, and is disposed inside the hood portion 17 so as to be vertically movable, as shown in Figs. 15 to 17. As shown in Fig. 8, the moving plate 15 has a rectangular plate-shaped plate body 34 and a square cylindrical peripheral wall 35 that protrudes downward from the outer end of the plate body 34. The plate body 34 has a plurality of terminal insertion holes 36 that penetrate in the plate thickness direction (vertical direction). As shown in Fig. 15, the tip end of the tab 19 of the first terminal fitting 12 penetrates each terminal insertion hole 36 in a positioned state.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 8, the peripheral wall 35 has a pair of plate cam pins 37 protruding from the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls. Each plate cam pin 37 is generally cylindrical and faces the lower end of the left and right side walls. A mating recess 38 having a rectangular cross section is recessed into the lower surface of each plate body 34. The mating recess 38 also opens into the inner surface of the side wall of the peripheral wall 35. When the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 are mated, the housing cam pin 68 enters the mating recess 38 in a mated state, and the plate cam pin 37 and the housing cam pin 68 combine to form the cam pins 37, 68 (see FIG. 12). The moving plate 15 does not have a locking structure that can be engaged with the first housing 11.

[0029] The lever 14 is made of synthetic resin and is rotatably supported by the shaft portion 23. As shown in FIG. 9, the lever 14 has a plate-shaped cam plate portion 39. The cam plate portion 39 has a bearing portion 41 that receives the shaft portion 23. The bearing portion 41 is formed to penetrate the center of the cam plate portion 39. The lever 14 is rotatable in one direction, for example, a clockwise direction (see the arrow direction in FIG. 11), about the shaft portion 23 that is fitted into the bearing portion 41. The levers 14 are individually supported by the shaft portions 23 on both the left and right sides of the first housing 11, and two levers 14 are provided in one first connector 10. The two levers 14 are configured to have the same shape and size. When the first connector 10 is viewed from above, the two levers 14 can be rotated in opposite directions (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0030] The cam plate portion 39 has a cam groove 42 on its inner surface facing the side wall of the hood portion 17. The cam groove 42 is recessed into the inner surface of the cam plate portion 39 as shown in FIG. 9. The cam groove 42 has a main groove 49 that extends continuously in one direction around the bearing portion 41 on the inner surface of the cam plate portion 39 in the order of an assembly groove portion 43, an inspection groove portion 44, a protection groove portion 45, a fitting groove portion 46, a floating groove portion 47, and a removal groove portion 48. The cam groove 42 has a branch groove portion 51 that intersects with the protection groove portion 45 in addition to the main groove 49. The groove width of the main groove 49 is constant or nearly constant in one direction (extension direction) and is larger than the groove width of the branch groove portion 51. The groove width of the main groove 49 corresponds to the outer diameter dimension of the plate cam pin 37. The groove width of the branch groove portion 51 corresponds to the thickness of the housing cam pin 68. A housing cam pin 68 is inserted into the branched groove portion 51 .

[0031] The branch groove portion 51 extends linearly in the radial direction. One end of the branch groove portion 51 opens to the outer circumferential surface of the cam plate portion 39. The other end of the branch groove portion 51 opens to a portion where the protective groove portion 45 is connected to the fitting groove portion 46. The depth of the branch groove portion 51 in the plate thickness direction is shallower than the depth of the main groove 49 in the plate thickness direction. The other end of the branch groove portion 51 is connected to the main groove 49 in a stepped manner.

[0032] The assembly groove 43 has an introduction groove 52 extending linearly in the radial direction. One end of the introduction groove 52 opens to the outer circumferential surface of the cam plate 39. The assembly groove 43 has a linking groove 53 continuing to the other end of the introduction groove 52. The linking groove 53 is formed along a concentric arc centered on the bearing 41. The linking groove 53 is formed with the same depth in the plate thickness direction as the inspection groove 44, the protection groove 45, the fitting groove 46, the floating groove 47, and the removal groove 48. The other end of the introduction groove 52 is shallower in the plate thickness direction than the linking groove 53 and is linked to the linking groove 53 in a stepped manner. In the assembly groove 43, the plate cam pin 37 is introduced from the introduction groove 52 toward the linking groove 53, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0033] One end of inspection groove 44 is connected to the other end of connecting groove 53, and extends to the side where protective groove 45 is located. Inspection groove 44 has, on the groove surface on the side closer to bearing 41, inspection cam surface 54 that increases the distance from bearing 41 as it approaches protective groove 45.

[0034] One end of the protective groove 45 is connected to the other end of the inspection groove 44 via a V-shaped intersection, and extends to the side where the fitting groove 46 is located. The protective groove 45 has a protective cam surface 55 on the groove surface on the side closer to the bearing 41, which reduces the distance from the bearing 41 as it approaches the fitting groove 46. When inspecting the continuity of the first terminal fitting 12, the inspection cam surface 54 of the inspection groove 44 comes into contact with the plate cam pin 37, as shown in Fig. 11. When protecting the tip of the first terminal fitting 12, the protective cam surface 55 of the protective groove 45 comes into contact with the plate cam pin 37, as shown in Fig. 12.

[0035] The fitting groove 46 has one end connected to the other end of the protection groove 45 and extends to the side where the floating groove 47 is located. The groove surface of the fitting groove 46 is continuous with the groove surface of the protection groove 45 without any step. The fitting groove 46 has a fitting cam surface 56 on the groove surface on the side closer to the bearing 41, which reduces the distance from the bearing 41 as it approaches the floating groove 47. In the process of fitting the first housing 11 and the second housing 61, the fitting cam surface 56 comes into contact with the cam pins 37, 68. The fitting cam surface 56 presses the cam pins 37, 68, thereby drawing the second housing 61 to the first housing 11.

[0036] One end of the floating groove 47 is connected to the other end of the fitting groove 46, and extends to the side where the separation groove 48 is located. The floating groove 47 is formed along a concentric arc centered on the bearing 41. When the second housing 61 is in a floating state described below, the cam pins 37, 68 come into contact with the groove surface of the floating groove 47 on the side closer to the bearing 41, as shown in FIG.

[0037] The release groove portion 48 has a release cam groove portion 58 whose one end is connected to the other end of the floating groove portion 47 and extends in one direction in a curved manner, and a removal groove portion 59 which is connected to the other end of the release cam groove portion 58 and extends in a straight line toward the outer circumferential surface of the cam plate portion 39.

[0038] The removal cam groove portion 58 has a removal cam surface 57 on the groove surface closer to the bearing portion 41, the removal cam surface 57 increasing the distance from the bearing portion 41 as it approaches the removal groove portion 59. In the process of removing the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 from each other, the removal cam surface 57 comes into contact with the cam pins 37, 68. The removal cam surface 57 presses the cam pins 37, 68, causing the second housing 61 to be removed from the first housing 11. The cam pins 37, 68 come out downward from the removal groove portion 59, as shown in FIG.

[0039] The cam plate portion 39 has an operating portion 50 protruding from the side opposite the bearing portion 41 across the assembly groove portion 43. The operating portion 50 is in the form of a protruding piece that protrudes along the surface direction of the cam plate portion 39, and is formed in a size that allows an operator to operate it.

[0040] (action) When assembling the moving plate 15 to the first housing 11, as shown in Fig. 10, the plate cam pin 37 is introduced into one end of the introduction groove 52 that is open downward via the through recess 22. With the plate cam pin 37 positioned at one end of the connecting groove 53, the lever 14 is rotated in one direction while pinching the operating portion 50. When the plate cam pin 37 is positioned in the protective groove 45, the plate body 34 is positioned in a protective position inside the hood portion 17 where it can protect the tip end of the tab 19 of the first terminal fitting 12.

[0041] After the first terminal fitting 12 is assembled to the first housing 11, the lever 14 is rotated in the other direction opposite to the one direction (counterclockwise in the illustrated example). When the plate cam pin 37 is placed in the inspection groove 44 and pressed by the inspection cam surface 54, the plate body 34 moves upward from the protection position inside the hood portion 17 to the inspection position. At the inspection position, the tip of the tab 19 of the first terminal fitting 12 protrudes downward (toward the opening of the hood portion 17) from the plate body 34. In this state, an inspection tool such as a probe pin is inserted into the inside of the hood portion 17 from below, and the inspection tool is able to come into contact with the tip of the tab 19, thereby performing a continuity inspection.

[0042] After the continuity test is completed, the lever 14 is rotated in one direction, and the plate body 34 is again placed in the protection position. At this time, the plate cam pin 37 is placed in the protection groove 45, and the fitting recess 38 is placed facing the branch groove 51. The outer diameter dimension of the plate cam pin 37 is larger than the groove width of the branch groove 51. In addition, the amount of protrusion of the plate cam pin 37 into the cam groove 42 is larger than the depth of the branch groove 51. For this reason, the plate cam pin 37 will not enter the branch groove 51 by mistake.

[0043] Next, the upper part 100 is lowered relative to the lower part 600 of the vehicle, and the upper part 100 and the lower part 600 are held at a fixed distance from each other. As the upper part 100 is lowered, the positioning pin 28 is inserted into the positioning hole 72 by the guide part 29 in a positioned state, and the first connector 10 arranged in the upper part 100 and the second connector 60 arranged in the lower part 600 are axially aligned. In this state, the second housing 61 of the second connector 60 enters the inside of the hood part 17, the housing cam pin 68 fits into the fitting recess 38 via the through recess 22, and the housing cam pin 68 and the plate cam pin 37 form an integrated cam pin 37, 68.

[0044] When the upper portion 100 is further lowered and the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 approach each other, the second housing 61 moves toward the rear side of the hood portion 17. The moving plate 15 is also pressed by the second housing 61 and moves toward the rear side of the hood portion 17 together with the second housing 61. During this time, the cam pins 37, 68 move along the fitting cam surface 56 of the fitting groove portion 46, and the lever 14 rotates in one direction. In other words, the lever 14 rotates automatically without operating the operating portion 50, and the operating portion 50 is automatically displaced in one direction (upward).

[0045] When the cam pins 37, 68 move from the other end of the fitting groove 46 to one end of the floating groove 47, the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 are fitted together, and the plate body 34 is sandwiched vertically between the rear surface of the hood portion 17 and the second housing 61. The tab 19 of the first terminal fitting 12 protrudes downward from the plate body 34 and is electrically connected to the second terminal fitting 62.

[0046] The second housing 61 is movable relative to the support surface 601 of the lower portion 600 via the movable support portion 64. In the case of the first embodiment, the second housing 61 can be in a floating state in which it moves upward from the support surface 601 while accompanying the elastic deformation of the seal member 77 within the regulated range of the regulating portion 76. By allowing the second housing 61 to move in this manner, the mating state of the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 is corrected. Here, the cam pins 37, 68 can contact the groove surface of the floating groove portion 47. On the other hand, the groove surface of the floating groove portion 47 is not a cam surface that can press the cam pins 37, 68 in the direction of attracting the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 and in the direction of separating them. Therefore, in a state in which the cam pins 37, 68 are arranged on the groove surface of the floating groove portion 47, the mating state of the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 can be maintained while the floating of the second housing 61 is permitted.

[0047] The lever 14 continues to rotate automatically in one direction while the cam pins 37, 68 are positioned in the fitting groove portion 46 and the floating groove portion 47. Therefore, there is no need to operate the operating portion 50.

[0048] When separating the first housing 11 and the second housing 61, the first housing 11 is unlocked from the first holder 13, and the lever 14 is rotated in one direction while holding the operating part 50. That is, a rotational force in one direction is applied to the lever 14 from the operating part 50. The operating part 50 protrudes upward from the first housing 11 independently from the surroundings. Therefore, the operator can easily hold the operating part 50.

[0049] While the lever 14 rotates and the cam pins 37, 68 move from one end of the detachment cam groove 58 to the other end, the detachment cam surface 57 presses the cam pins 37, 68, and the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 gradually move from the fitted state to the detached state. Specifically, the detachment cam surface 57 presses the cam pins 37, 68 downward, and the second housing 61 moves downward away from the first housing 11, and the floating state can be eliminated. When the cam pins 37, 68 move from the other end of the detachment groove 48 to one end of the removal groove 59, the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 are detached, and the conductive state of the first terminal metal fitting 12 and the second terminal metal fitting 62 is released. The plate body 34 of the moving plate 15 returns to the protective position by the cam action of the detachment cam surface 57, and the tab 19 of the first terminal metal fitting 12 is restored to a state in which it can be protected.

[0050] Thereafter, the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 are pulled apart from each other. The cam pins 37, 68 pass through the removal groove portion 59 and come out downward from the cam groove 42. As a result, the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 are pulled apart completely.

[0051] As described above, according to the first embodiment, by rotating the lever 14 in one direction, the cam pins 37, 68 including the housing cam pin 68 move from the fitting groove portion 46 of the cam groove 42 to the removal groove portion 48, and the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 can be easily removed. Also, since it is not necessary to provide a track in the fitting groove portion 46 through which the cam pins 37, 68 pass during removal, the fitting groove portion 46 can be easily provided.

[0052] The removal groove 48 successively forms a removal cam groove 58 that applies a removal force to the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 by pressing the cam pins 37, 68 including the housing cam pin 68, and an extraction groove 59 from which the cam pins 37, 68 are extracted. Therefore, by continuing to rotate the lever 14 in one direction, the cam pins 37, 68 can smoothly come out of the cam groove 42 via the removal groove 48.

[0053] In addition, since the cam pins 37, 68 are disposed in the floating groove 47 while the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 are shifting from the fitted state to the disengaged state, both the floating state of the second housing 61 and the fitted state of the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 can be realized. Also, the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 can smoothly shift from the fitted state to the disengaged state. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide the floating groove 47 with a track through which the cam pins 37, 68 pass during disengagement, the floating groove 47 can be easily provided.

[0054] In the case of the first embodiment, the first housing 11 can be fitted into the second housing 61 by lowering from above, and the lever 14 is set to rotate automatically while the cam pins 37, 68 are positioned in the fitting groove portion 46. Therefore, during the process of fitting the first housing 11 and the second housing 61, the worker does not need to perform a rotation operation of the lever 14, and the workload can be reduced.

[0055] In addition, since the removal cam surface 57 is formed on the upper groove surface of the removal cam groove portion 58, the cam pins 37, 68 are pressed downward by the removal cam surface 57, and the second housing 61 can be smoothly separated downward from the first housing 11.

[0056] Furthermore, when the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 are separated, the operating portion 50 that protrudes upward from the first housing 11 is operated, and therefore, operability is excellent.

[0057] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, when the plate cam pin 37 is disposed in the inspection groove 44, the plate body 34 reaches the inspection position, and the continuity of the first terminal fitting 12 can be inspected. The lever 14 rotates, the plate cam pin 37 moves from the protection groove 45 to the fitting groove 46, the first housing 11 and the second housing 61 are fitted, and the plate body 34 can reach the fitting position. Here, since the assembly groove 43, the inspection groove 44, the protection groove 45, and the fitting groove 46 are formed in sequence, the plate cam pin 37 does not enter the assembly groove 43 when moving from the protection groove 45 to the fitting groove 46. Therefore, the plate cam pin 37 can move smoothly from the protection groove 45 to the fitting groove 46. As a result, when the plate cam pin 37 is disposed in the protection groove 45, the tab 19 is properly protected by the plate body 34 in the protection position.

[0058] In particular, since the groove width of the branch groove portion 51 is smaller than the groove width of the assembly groove portion 43, the plate cam pin 37 can be prevented from entering the branch groove portion 51 when the plate cam pin 37 moves from the protection groove portion 45 to the fitting groove portion 46.

[0059] [Another embodiment of the present disclosure] The above-described first embodiment disclosed herein should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the case of the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the cam pin 37, 68, which is a combination of the housing cam pin 68 and the plate cam pin 37, is arranged in the cam groove 42. In contrast to this, according to other embodiments, the housing cam pin and the plate cam pin may simply be arranged side by side in the cam groove. Also, in the case of a configuration that does not require a moving plate, a configuration in which only the housing cam pin is arranged in the cam groove may be used. For example, the housing cam pin may be configured to come into contact with the removal cam surface and be pressed by the removal cam surface. In the case of the above-mentioned embodiment 1, a pair of levers 14 are supported separately from each other on the first housing 11. In contrast to this, according to another embodiment, the first housing may be configured to support one lever having a pair of cam plate portions connected by a connecting portion. Furthermore, the first housing may be configured to support a lever consisting of only one cam plate portion. In the case of the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the cam groove 42 has the floating groove portion 47 between the fitting groove portion 46 and the removal groove portion 48. In contrast to this, according to other embodiments, the cam groove does not have a floating groove portion, and the fitting groove portion and the removal groove portion may be formed continuously in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10…First connector (connector) 11…First housing 12...First terminal metal fitting 13…First holder 14…Lever 15...Moving plate 16...Terminal housing 17…Hood section 18…First cavity 19…Tab 21...Electric wire connected to the first terminal fitting 22…Through recess 23…Shaft 24…First lock section 25…First mounting part 26…Flange 27…First mounting hole 28…Locating pin 29…Invitation Department 31…Ring mounting groove 32…Seal ring 33…Fixing hole 34…Plate body 35...peripheral wall 36...Terminal insertion hole 37...Plate cam pin (cam pin) 38…Mating recess 39…Cam plate part 41...Bearing part 42…Cam groove 43…Assembly groove 44…Inspection groove 45...Protective groove 46…Mating groove 47…Floating groove 48…Removal groove 49…Main groove 50...Operation unit 51...Branched groove 52...Introducing groove 53...Connecting groove 54…Inspection cam surface 55…Protective cam surface 56…Mating cam surface 57…Release cam surface 58…Removal cam groove 59…Removal groove 60…Second connector 61…Second housing 62...Second terminal metal fitting 63…Second holder 64…Movable support part 65…Second cavity 66…Connection 67…Wire connected to the second terminal fitting 68...Housing cam pin (cam pin) 69…Second lock section 71...Second mounting hole 72…Positioning hole 73…Boss section 74...Curved surface part 75…Support receiving part 76…Regulation Department 77...Sealing material 78…Main body receiving part 79...Plate part 81…Cover 82...Outer edge 83…Inner peripheral end 100…Top 600…Lower 601…Support surface

Claims

1. a first housing having a hood portion; a second housing that can be fitted to the hood portion; a lever rotatably supported on the outside of the hood portion; a first terminal fitting having a tab protruding into the hood portion; a moving plate disposed to be movable relative to the hood portion in a fitting direction of the first housing and the second housing, the moving plate has a plate body through which the tab passes in a positioned state inside the hood portion, and a plate cam pin arranged to protrude outside the hood portion, the plate body is displaceable with respect to the hood portion among a protection position for protecting the tip end of the tab, an inspection position for exposing the tip end of the tab to an opening side of the hood portion, and a fitting position disposed on a rear side of the hood portion, the lever has a cam groove that engages with the plate cam pin to displace the plate body between the inspection position and the fitting position, The cam groove of this connector successively forms an assembly groove portion for introducing the plate cam pin, an inspection groove portion in which the plate cam pin is disposed at the inspection position, a protection groove portion in which the plate cam pin is disposed at the protection position, and a mating groove portion in which the plate cam pin is disposed at the mating position.

2. the second housing has a housing cam pin disposed in the fitting groove together with the plate cam pin, the cam groove has a branched groove portion that branches off from the protective groove portion and that introduces the housing cam pin; The connector according to claim 1 , wherein a groove width of the branch groove portion is smaller than a groove width of the assembly groove portion.

3. 3. The connector as described in claim 2, wherein the cam groove further forms a removal groove portion at a position continuous with the protective groove portion on the opposite side of the mating groove portion, for removing the first housing and the second housing.

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