Lever type connector
The lever connector design addresses vulnerabilities in existing connectors by housing the detection member within plate-shaped portions and using a lock arm mechanism to ensure secure and guided operation, enhancing reliability and miniaturization.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023119852
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-05
AI Technical Summary
The existing lever connectors with fitting detection members are exposed and vulnerable to external damage, and there is a risk of the fitting detection member being forcibly pushed into or removed from the lock position, with potential interference between the binding lever legs and the connector housing.
The lever connector design includes a detection member housed within a pair of plate-shaped portions, with a protruding part that fits into a concave portion, ensuring the detection member is protected and guided during operation, and a lock arm mechanism that secures the detection member's position.
This configuration protects the detection member from external forces and prevents accidental movement or deformation, allowing for precise fitting detection without the need for additional sliding parts, thereby enhancing the connector's reliability and miniaturization.
Smart Images

Figure 2025016992000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lever-type connector. [Background technology]
[0002] A lever-type connector having a mating detection member is known from the prior art, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-294038 (Patent Document 1 below). The lever-type connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a male connector having a mating lever, a female connector mated with the male connector, and a mating detection member attached to the male connector. Before the male connector and the female connector are mated, the mating detection member is provisionally locked to the male connector at a position closer to the user than the normal lock position. When the mating operation of the male connector and the female connector is performed by rotating the mating lever, the provisional lock release protrusion of the mating lever presses down the provisional lock portion of the mating detection member. This allows the mating detection member to be pushed into the normal lock position, making it possible to detect the completion of mating between the male connector and the female connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-294038 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In the above configuration, before the male connector and the female connector are mated, when the mating detection member is provisionally locked to the male connector, the mating detection member is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the mating detection member may be damaged by an external force, etc. Also, the mating detection member may be forcibly pushed into the correct lock position or removed from the male connector.
[0005] In addition, before the male connector and the female connector are mated, a space is formed between the grip of the coupling lever and the housing of the male connector, and therefore, during the mating operation of the male connector and the female connector, there is a possibility that both legs of the coupling lever may deform and enter this space. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The lever-type connector of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a lever rotatably attached to the housing between an initial position and a completion position, and a detection member attached to the housing so as to be movable between a standby position and a detection position, wherein when the lever is in the completion position, the detection member is movable from the standby position to the detection position, the lever comprises a pair of plate-shaped portions, an operating portion connecting the pair of plate-shaped portions in a first direction, and a protrusion protruding from the operating portion, and the detection member comprises a main body portion and a recess recessed into the main body portion, and when the lever is in the initial position and the detection member is in the standby position, the detection member is arranged inside the pair of plate-shaped portions in the first direction, and the protrusion is arranged within the recess. Effect of the Invention
[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a lever-type connector that is capable of protecting the detection member and the lever. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lever-type connector according to an embodiment, showing a lever in an initial position. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lever. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the detection member. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the lever-type connector, showing the lever in its initial position. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lever-type connector, showing the lever in its initial position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the lever-type connector, in which the lever is in the completed position and the detection member is in the standby position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view of the lever-type connector, showing the lever in the completed position and the detection member in the standby position. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5, showing the lever-type connector and the mating connector mated with each other and the detection member disposed at the standby position. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5, in which the lever is disposed at the completion position and the detection member is disposed at the standby position. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a side view of the lever-type connector with the lever in the completed position and the detection member in the detection position. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5, showing the lever-type connector and the mating connector mated with each other and the detection member disposed at the detection position. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a side view of the lever-type connector, in which the lever is in a first position and the detection member is in a standby position. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 5, in which the lever is in the first position and the detection member is in the standby position. [Figure 19]FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5, in which the lever is in the first position and the detection member is in the standby position. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 5, in which the lever is in the first position and the detection member is in the standby position. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E of FIG. 5, in which the lever is in the first position and the detection member is in the standby position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] A lever-type connector disclosed herein comprises a housing, a lever rotatably attached to the housing between an initial position and a completion position, and a detection member movably attached to the housing between a standby position and a detection position, wherein when the lever is in the completion position, the detection member is movable from the standby position to the detection position, the lever comprises a pair of plate-shaped portions, an operating portion connecting the pair of plate-shaped portions in a first direction, and a protrusion protruding from the operating portion, and the detection member comprises a main body portion and a recessed portion recessed from the main body portion, and when the lever is in the initial position and the detection member is in the standby position, the detection member is disposed inside the pair of plate-shaped portions in the first direction, and the protrusion is disposed within the recessed portion.
[0010] According to this configuration, when the lever is in the initial position and the detection member is in the standby position, the detection member is disposed inside the lever, so that damage to the detection member due to an external force, movement of the detection member to the detection position, falling off of the detection member from the housing, etc. can be suppressed. Also, because the protruding portion of the lever is disposed within the recessed portion of the detection member, the lever is easily positioned in the first direction by the detection member. Therefore, the lever is suppressed from shifting in the first direction, and deformation or damage of the lever can be suppressed.
[0011] [2] In the above [1], it is preferable that the detection member is arranged inside the pair of plate-shaped portions in the first direction, and the protrusion is arranged within the recess, until the lever is rotated a predetermined angle from the initial position toward the completion position.
[0012] With this configuration, the detection member and the lever can be protected while the lever is rotated a predetermined angle from the initial position. Also, the protrusion and the recess are brought into sliding contact with each other, so that the rotation of the lever can be guided.
[0013] [3] In the above [1] or [2], it is preferable that the detection member has a protruding portion protruding from the main body portion on both sides in the first direction, and that the protruding portion contacts the plate-shaped portion to restrict movement of the plate-shaped portion in a direction approaching the housing in the first direction.
[0014] With this configuration, it is possible to further prevent the lever from being deformed in the first direction, and also to guide the rotational operation of the lever.
[0015] [4] In any one of [1] to [3] above, it is preferable that the housing includes a flexibly deformable locking arm extending from an outer surface of the housing, the protrusion includes a sliding portion that slides against the locking arm as the lever rotates from the initial position to the completion position, thereby flexing the locking arm, and the locking arm slides against the sliding portion to engage with the detection member, thereby restricting the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position.
[0016] With this configuration, the sliding contact portion prevents the detection member from moving to the detection position during the lever rotation, thereby preventing the detection member from erroneously detecting the completion of mating. Also, since the protruding portion has the sliding contact portion, it is not necessary to provide the sliding contact portion at a position different from the protruding portion on the lever. This makes it easier to miniaturize the lever and the lever-type connector.
[0017] [5] In any one of the above [1] to [4], it is preferable that the protrusion has a locking portion that engages with the housing when the lever is in the completed position.
[0018] According to this configuration, since the protrusion has the locking portion, it is not necessary to provide the locking portion at a position on the lever different from the protrusion, which makes it easier to reduce the size of the lever and the lever-type connector.
[0019] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configurations may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "orthogonal" does not only mean strictly orthogonal, but also includes roughly orthogonal within the range in which the action and effect of this embodiment are achieved.
[0020] In addition, "facing" in this specification refers to surfaces or members facing each other, and includes not only cases where they are completely facing each other, but also cases where they are partially facing each other. In addition, "facing" in this specification includes both cases where a member other than the two parts is interposed between the two parts, and cases where nothing is interposed between the two parts.
[0021] <Embodiment> An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 21. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow Z is the upward direction, the direction indicated by the arrow X is the forward direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow Y is the leftward direction. The left-right direction is an example of a first direction. Note that, for multiple identical members, only some of the members may be labeled with reference numerals, and the reference numerals of the other members may be omitted.
[0022] (Lever type connector 10) As shown in Fig. 1, the lever-type connector 10 includes a housing 30, a lever 40, and a detection member 50. The lever 40 is attached to the housing 30 so as to be rotatable between an initial position shown in Fig. 4 and a completed position shown in Figs. 12 and 15. As shown in Figs. 13 and 16, the lever-type connector 10 is adapted to mate with a mating connector 20. The mating connector 20 includes a hood portion 21 capable of accommodating the housing 30, and a mating terminal (not shown) held within the hood portion 21. The hood portion 21 includes cam pins (not shown) protruding from the left and right inner surfaces of the hood portion 21.
[0023] When starting to fit the lever-type connector 10 to the mating connector 20, the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 20 are shallowly fitted together with the lever 40 in the initial position. Then, the cam pin enters the cam groove 41B provided in the lever 40, and the cam pin engages with the inner wall of the cam groove 41B. With the cam pin engaged with the inner wall of the cam groove 41B, the lever 40 is rotated to the completion position, thereby completing the fitting of the lever-type connector 10 to the mating connector 20. Then, when the lever 40 is rotated from the completion position to the initial position, the lever-type connector 10 is disengaged from the mating connector 20.
[0024] (Housing 30) The housing 30 is made of insulating synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 30 has a terminal accommodating portion 31 in which a terminal (not shown) is accommodated. The terminal accommodating portion 31 is formed to penetrate the housing 30 in the front-rear direction. The terminal is made of a conductive metal and is adapted to be connected to a mating terminal. An electric wire (not shown) is connected to the terminal and is led out to the rear of the housing 30. As shown in FIG. 11, an electric wire cover 32 that covers the electric wire is attached to the rear end portion of the housing 30.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a lock arm 33 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 30. The lock arm 33 extends rearward from the front portion of the upper surface of the housing 30. The lock arm 33 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction. The lock arm 33 includes a fitting lock portion 33A that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the lock arm 33. The fitting lock portion 33A is adapted to engage with the lever 40. The upper surface of the fitting lock portion 33A is curved and convex upward.
[0026] The housing 30 includes a pivot shaft 34 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from each side surface of the housing 30. The pivot shaft 34 is generally cylindrical. The lever 40 is assembled to the housing 30 by inserting the pivot shaft 34 into a shaft hole 41A provided in the lever 40.
[0027] As shown in Fig. 11, the housing 30 has an accommodation space SP capable of accommodating the detection member 50. The accommodation space SP includes a first accommodation space SP1 and a pair of second accommodation spaces SP2. The second accommodation space SP2 communicates with the first accommodation space SP1 and is provided on both sides of the first accommodation space SP1. The first accommodation space SP1 is provided below the lock arm 33 (see Fig. 14).
[0028] As shown in Fig. 6, the housing 30 has a first locking portion 35 disposed at a position toward the front end of the second accommodation space SP2. The first locking portion 35 extends in the left-right direction and is connected to an inner wall that constitutes the second accommodation space SP2. The housing 30 has an opening 36 behind the first locking portion 35. The opening 36 communicates with the second accommodation space SP2. In addition, the opening 36 is open in the up-down direction and communicates with the outside space (see Fig. 5).
[0029] 6, the housing 30 has a provisional locking projection 37 disposed in the rear half of the second accommodating space SP2. The provisional locking projection 37 protrudes downward from a partition wall that defines the second accommodating space SP2 from above.
[0030] (Lever 40) The lever 40 is made of insulating synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 5, the lever 40 is generally U-shaped. As shown in FIG. 2, the lever 40 includes a pair of plate-shaped parts 41, an operating part 42 connecting the ends of the pair of plate-shaped parts 41, and a protruding part 43 protruding from the operating part 42. The two plate-shaped parts 41 are arranged opposite each other. The plate-shaped part 41 is formed with a shaft hole 41A penetrating the plate-shaped part 41 and a cam groove 41B recessed from the outer surface of the plate-shaped part 41 in the thickness direction (left-right direction) of the plate-shaped part 41. The cam groove 41B has an entrance 41B1 at the outer edge of the plate-shaped part 41, and extends in a substantially arc shape from the entrance 41B1 to approach the shaft hole 41A. The entrance 41B1 is an opening for receiving a cam pin into the cam groove 41B.
[0031] (Protrusion 43) The protrusion 43 protrudes inward in the rotation radial direction from the operating portion 42. Here, the rotation radial direction is the extension direction of an axis that is perpendicular to the extension direction (left-right direction) of the rotation shaft 34 and passes through the rotation center, and the direction approaching the rotation shaft 34 is the inward direction, and the direction moving away from the rotation shaft 34 is the outward direction. The protrusion 43 includes a substantially block-shaped base portion 43A, and a pressing portion 44 and a locking portion 45 that protrude inward in the rotation radial direction from the base portion 43A. The pressing portion 44 is disposed at the left-right center position of the front half of the base portion 43A. The locking portion 45 is disposed at both left and right ends of the rear half of the base portion 43A. The base portion 43A, the pressing portion 44, and the locking portion 45 are examples of sliding contact portions.
[0032] (Detection member 50, recess 52) The detection member 50 is made of insulating synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 3, the detection member 50 includes a main body 51 and a recess 52 recessed from the main body 51. The main body 51 has a generally gate-like shape with both ends in the width direction (left-right direction) extending forward. The recess 52 is disposed in the left-right center of the main body 51. The recess 52 includes a first recess 53 and a second recess 54 that is further recessed from the bottom surface of the first recess 53. The second recess 54 is disposed in the left-right center of the recess 52. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, the protruding portion 43 of the lever 40 can enter the recess 52 (details will be described later). As shown in FIG. 8, the pressing portion 44 of the lever 40 can enter the second recess 54. As shown in FIG. 19, the locking portion 45 of the lever 40 can enter the first recess 53.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the detection member 50 includes arm portions 55 extending forward from the right and left ends of the main body portion 51. The arm portions 55 are vertically deformable with their rear ends connected to the main body portion 51 as their base ends. A locking projection 55A is formed at a position near the front end of the arm portion 55. The locking projection 55A protrudes upward from the arm portion 55. An inclined portion 55B is formed at the top of the front portion of the locking projection 55A. The inclined portion 55B is provided so as to incline downward as it approaches the front (see FIG. 13). As shown in FIG. 6, the locking projection 55A is capable of being locked with the first locking portion 35.
[0034] (Protruding part 56) As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 51 of the detection member 50 has a protruding portion 56 formed at the rear end thereof, protruding from both side surfaces of the main body 51. The protruding portion 56 extends in a direction away from the side surface of the main body 51 in the left-right direction and also extends rearward. For example, the detection member 50 can be operated by pinching the protruding portion 56 between the thumb and index finger (see FIG. 11). The detection member 50 can be moved between a standby position (see FIG. 6) and a detection position (see FIG. 16). In this embodiment, the detection position is disposed forward of the standby position, and the detection member 50 is movable in the front-rear direction.
[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the detection member 50 has temporary locking portions 57 protruding from the upper surface of the main body portion 51. The temporary locking portions 57 are provided on the right and left portions of the upper surface of the main body portion 51. As shown in Fig. 6, the temporary locking portions 57 are arranged so as to be able to lock with the temporary locking projections 37 when the detection member 50 is in the standby position. The temporary locking portions 57 are locked with the temporary locking projections 37, thereby preventing the detection member 50 from moving backward from the standby position.
[0036] To attach the detection member 50 to the housing 30, first, the arm portion 55 and the side portion of the main body portion 51 of the detection member 50 are inserted into the second accommodation space SP2. The arm portion 55 is disposed in the second accommodation space SP2, and the front end of the temporary locking portion 57 and the rear end of the temporary locking projection 37 slide against each other. When the detection member 50 is further pushed forward, the temporary locking projection 37 passes over the temporary locking portion 57. This places the detection member 50 in the standby position. When the detection member 50 is in the standby position, the locking projection 55A and the first locking portion 35 are locked together, restricting the detection member 50 from moving forward. In addition, the rear end surface of the temporary locking portion 57 and the front end surface of the temporary locking projection 37 are locked together, restricting the detection member 50 from moving backward.
[0037] After the detection member 50 is attached to the housing 30, the lever 40 is assembled to the rotation shaft 34 of the housing 30. The lever 40 is assembled to the housing 30 from above while the pair of plate-like portions 41 are deformed so as to move away from each other.
[0038] 4 and 6 to 8, when the lever 40 is in the initial position and the detection member 50 is in the standby position, a part of the detection member 50 (specifically, the rear end portion) is disposed between the plate-shaped portions 41. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, an operating portion 42 is disposed behind the detection member 50. In this manner, the detection member 50 is protected from the outside by the lever 40. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the detection member 50 due to an external force, etc., movement of the detection member 50 to the detection position, and falling off of the detection member 50 from the housing 30.
[0039] 1 and 9, when the lever 40 is in the initial position and the detection member 50 is in the standby position, the protrusion 43 is disposed in the recess 52. In detail, the base portion 43A is disposed in the first recess 53 (see FIG. 7), and the pressing portion 44 is disposed in the second recess 54 (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 9, the inner surface of the recess 52 and the outer surface of the protrusion 43 face each other in the left-right direction and are close to each other. Therefore, the lever 40 is easily positioned in the left-right direction by the detection member 50. The lever 40 is prevented from being displaced in the left-right direction, and deformation or damage of the lever 40 can be prevented.
[0040] 10, when the lever 40 is in the initial position and the detection member 50 is in the standby position, the protruding portion 56 is adjacent to the plate-shaped portion 41 and is arranged opposite the plate-shaped portion 41 in the left-right direction. As a result, when the plate-shaped portion 41 tries to deform in the left-right direction in a direction approaching the housing 30, the plate-shaped portion 41 comes into contact with the protruding portion 56, and the deformation of the plate-shaped portion 41 is restricted.
[0041] In this embodiment, until the lever 40 is rotated a predetermined angle from the initial position toward the completed position, a part of the detection member 50 is disposed between the pair of plate-like portions 41, and the protruding portion 43 is disposed within the recess 52. Here, the size of the predetermined angle is not particularly limited, and it may be any rotation angle at which the lever 40 is disposed between the initial position and the completed position.
[0042] FIG. 17 shows a state where the lever 40 is rotated from the initial position by about 13°, which is smaller than the predetermined angle. Here, the position of the lever 40 in FIG. 17 is defined as the first position. As shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 19, when the lever 40 is in the first position, a part (more specifically, the rear half) of the detection member 50 including the overhanging portion 56 is disposed between the plate-shaped portions 41. As shown in FIG. 21, the overhanging portion 56 is disposed close to the plate-shaped portion 41 and opposed to the plate-shaped portion 41 in the left-right direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 20, the protruding portion 43 is disposed in the recess 52. In detail, as shown in FIG. 18, the base portion 43A is disposed in the second recess 54. As shown in FIG. 19, the locking portion 45 is disposed in the first recess 53.
[0043] Thus, in this embodiment, when the lever 40 is in the initial position and when the lever 40 is rotated from the initial position to a position rotated by a predetermined angle, a part of the detection member 50 is disposed between the pair of plate-like portions 41. Therefore, damage or movement of the detection member 50 can be suppressed during the rotation operation of the lever 40.
[0044] Furthermore, when the lever 40 is in the initial position and when the lever 40 is rotated from the initial position to a position where it has been rotated a predetermined angle, the protrusion 43 is arranged in the recess 52. This makes it possible to prevent damage or movement of the detection member 50 during rotation of the lever 40, and to position the lever 40 in the left-right direction. By positioning the lever 40 in the left-right direction, the posture of the lever 40 can be stabilized, and the rotation of the lever 40 can be guided.
[0045] Furthermore, when the lever 40 is in the initial position and when the lever 40 is in a position between the initial position and at least the first position, the protruding portion 56 is arranged to be able to come into contact with the plate-shaped portion 41. This makes it possible to further stabilize the position of the lever 40 during rotational operation and to suppress deformation of the lever 40.
[0046] When the lever 40 reaches the completion position, as shown in FIG. 12, the rear half of the detection member 50 is disposed outside the pair of plate-like portions 41 and exposed to the outside. When the mating between the mating connector 20 and the lever-type connector 10 is completed, as shown in FIG. 13, the release protrusion 21A provided on the hood portion 21 contacts the locking protrusion 55A through the opening 36 of the housing 30. This causes the arm portion 55 to bend downward, and the lock between the locking protrusion 55A and the first locking portion 35 is released. When the detection member 50 is pushed forward, the first locking portion 35 slides against the inclined portion 55B of the locking protrusion 55A, and the locking protrusion 55A sinks below the first locking portion 35. The first locking portion 35 passes over the locking protrusion 55A, and the arm portion 55 naturally returns to its original position, so that the detection member 50 reaches the detection position (see FIG. 16).
[0047] When the detection member 50 is in the detection position, the locking projection 55A is disposed within a window portion 21B provided in the hood portion 21. The rear end surface of the locking projection 55A is locked with the front end surface of the first locking portion 35, thereby restricting the movement of the detection member 50 from the detection position to the standby position. As described above, the movement of the detection member 50 to the detection position enables the completion of the mating of the mating connector 20 and the lever-type connector 10 to be detected.
[0048] In this embodiment, while the lever 40 is rotated from the initial position to the completion position, the base portion 43A, the pressing portion 44, and the locking portion 45 are in sliding contact with the locking arm 33, causing the locking arm 33 to bend downward (see Figs. 18 and 19). The locking arm 33 is bent and deformed, and enters the first accommodation space SP1. As a result, the rear end of the locking arm 33 and the main body portion 51 face each other in the front-rear direction. In this state in which the locking arm 33 is bent and deformed, the rear end of the locking arm 33 and the main body portion 51 are engaged with each other, thereby restricting the detection member 50 from moving forward toward the detection position. This makes it possible to suppress erroneous detection of the completion of mating between the mating connector 20 and the lever-type connector 10.
[0049] In this embodiment, in the process of rotating the lever 40 from the initial position to the completion position, the pressing portion 44 first comes into sliding contact with the rear end of the lock arm 33, bending the lock arm 33. Then, when the lever 40 is further rotated, while the pressing portion 44 is bending the lock arm 33, the base portion 43A or the lock portion 45 starts to come into sliding contact with the upper surface of the fitting lock portion 33A (see Figs. 18 and 19). When the lever 40 is further rotated, while the base portion 43A or the lock portion 45 comes into sliding contact with the upper surface of the fitting lock portion 33A and the lock arm 33 is bent, the sliding contact between the pressing portion 44 and the lock arm 33 is released. When the lever 40 is further rotated and reaches the completion position, the sliding contact between the lock portion 45 and the upper surface of the fitting lock portion 33A is released, and the lock arm 33 returns to its natural state, as shown in Fig. 14.
[0050] When the lever 40 reaches the completion position, the locking portion 45 and the mating locking portion 33A are arranged so as to be able to be locked in the front-rear direction. The locking portion 45 and the mating locking portion 33A are locked, so that the lever 40 is prevented from rotating in the direction from the completion position to the initial position. In addition, the locking arm 33 returns to its natural state, so that the rear end of the locking arm 33 and the main body portion 51 no longer face each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the detection member 50 can be moved forward to accommodate the main body portion 51 in the first accommodation space SP1. That is, the detection member 50 can be moved to the detection position. As a result, the proper mating of the mating connector 20 and the lever-type connector 10 can be detected.
[0051] (Effects of the embodiment) (1) A lever-type connector 10 according to an embodiment comprises a housing 30, a lever 40 rotatably attached to the housing 30 between an initial position and a completion position, and a detection member 50 movably attached to the housing 30 between a standby position and a detection position. When the lever 40 is in the completion position, the detection member 50 is movable from the standby position to the detection position. The lever 40 comprises a pair of plate-shaped portions 41, an operating portion 42 connecting the pair of plate-shaped portions 41 in a first direction (left-right direction), and a protrusion 43 protruding from the operating portion 42. The detection member 50 comprises a main body portion 51 and a recess 52 recessed from the main body portion 51. When the lever 40 is in the initial position and the detection member 50 is in the standby position, the detection member 50 is disposed inside the pair of plate-shaped portions 41 in the first direction, and the protrusion 43 is disposed within the recess 52.
[0052] According to this configuration, when the lever 40 is in the initial position and the detection member 50 is in the standby position, the detection member 50 is disposed inside the lever 40, so that damage to the detection member 50 due to an external force or the like, movement of the detection member 50 to the detection position, falling off of the detection member 50 from the housing 30, etc. can be suppressed. Also, since the protruding portion 43 of the lever 40 is disposed within the recessed portion 52 of the detection member 50, the lever 40 is easily positioned in the first direction by the detection member 50. Therefore, the lever 40 is suppressed from being displaced in the first direction, and deformation or damage to the lever 40 can be suppressed.
[0053] (2) In the embodiment, until the lever 40 is rotated a predetermined angle from the initial position toward the completion position, the detection member 50 is arranged inside the pair of plate-shaped portions 41 in the first direction, and the protrusion 43 is arranged within the recess 52.
[0054] With this configuration, it is possible to protect the detection member 50 and the lever 40 while the lever 40 is rotated a predetermined angle from the initial position. In addition, by bringing the protrusion 43 and the recess 52 into sliding contact with each other, it is possible to guide the rotation operation of the lever 40.
[0055] (3) In the embodiment, the detection member 50 has a protrusion 56 protruding from the main body 51 on both sides in the first direction, and the protrusion 56 comes into contact with the plate-shaped portion 41, thereby restricting the movement of the plate-shaped portion 41 in the first direction toward the housing 30.
[0056] With this configuration, it is possible to further suppress the deformation of the lever 40 in the first direction, and it is also possible to guide the rotational operation of the lever 40.
[0057] (4) In the embodiment, the housing 30 has a flexibly deformable lock arm 33 extending from the outer surface (top surface) of the housing 30, and the protrusion 43 has sliding contact portions (base portion 43A, pressing portion 44, and lock portion 45) that slide against the lock arm 33 and flex the lock arm 33 as the lever 40 rotates from the initial position to the completion position. As the lock arm 33 slides against the sliding contact portions, the lock arm 33 engages with the detection member 50, and the movement of the detection member 50 from the standby position to the detection position is restricted.
[0058] According to this configuration, the sliding contact portion prevents the detection member 50 from moving to the detection position during the rotational operation of the lever 40, thereby preventing the detection member 50 from erroneously detecting the completion of mating. In addition, since the protruding portion 43 has a sliding contact portion, it is not necessary to provide a sliding contact portion at a position different from the protruding portion 43 on the lever 40. This makes it easier to make the lever 40 and the lever-type connector 10 smaller.
[0059] (5) In the embodiment, the protrusion 43 includes a lock portion 45 that engages with the housing 30 when the lever 40 is in the completed position.
[0060] According to this configuration, since the protrusion 43 has the locking portion 45, it is not necessary to provide a locking portion at a position on the lever 40 different from the protrusion 43. This makes it easier to reduce the size of the lever 40 and the lever-type connector 10.
[0061] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.
[0062] In the above embodiment, the protruding portion 43 includes the pressing portion 44 and the locking portion 45. However, as long as the protruding portion protrudes from the operating portion, the shape of the protruding portion may be different from that described above.
[0063] In the above embodiment, the recess 52 has the first recess 53 and the second recess 54, but the shape of the recess may be different from that described above as long as the recess is recessed from the main body portion and is configured to allow the protrusion to enter.
[0064] In the above embodiment, the detection member 50 has the protruding portion 56, but the detection member does not have to have a protruding portion.
[0065] In the above embodiment, the lever-type connector 10 is provided with the wire cover 32, but the lever-type connector does not necessarily have to be provided with a wire cover. [Explanation of symbols]
[0066] 10: Lever type connector 20:Mating connector 21: Food Section 21A: Release protrusion 21B: Window section 30: Housing 31: Terminal housing 32: Wire cover 33: Lock Arm 33A: Mating lock section 34: Rotating axis 35: First locking part 36: Opening 37: Temporary locking protrusion 40: Lever 41: Plate-shaped part 41A: Shaft hole 41B: Cam groove 41B1:Entrance 42:Operation unit 43:Protrusion 43A: Base part (sliding part) 44: Pressing part (sliding contact part) 45: Lock part (sliding part) 50:Detection member 51: Main body 52: Recess 53: First recess 54: Second recess 55: Arm section 55A: Locking protrusion 55B: Inclined part 56: Protruding part 57: Temporary locking part SP: Containment Space SP1: First Containment Space SP2: Second Containment Space
Claims
1. Housing and a lever attached to the housing so as to be pivotable between an initial position and a completion position; a detection member attached to the housing so as to be movable between a standby position and a detection position; When the lever is in the completion position, the detection member is movable from the standby position to the detection position, the lever includes a pair of plate-shaped portions, an operating portion that connects the pair of plate-shaped portions in a first direction, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the operating portion, The detection member includes a main body and a recess recessed from the main body, A lever-type connector, wherein when the lever is in the initial position and the detection member is in the standby position, the detection member is arranged inside the pair of plate-shaped portions in the first direction, and the protrusion is arranged within the recess.
2. 2. The lever-type connector of claim 1, wherein the detection member is arranged inside the pair of plate-shaped portions in the first direction and the protrusion is arranged within the recess until the lever is rotated a predetermined angle from the initial position toward the completion position.
3. The detection member includes protruding portions protruding from the main body portion on both sides in the first direction, The lever-type connector according to claim 1 , wherein the protruding portion comes into contact with the plate-like portion to restrict movement of the plate-like portion in a direction toward the housing in the first direction.
4. The housing includes a resilient locking arm extending from an outer surface of the housing, the protrusion includes a sliding contact portion that comes into sliding contact with the lock arm and deflects the lock arm during the process of the lever rotating from the initial position to the completion position, 3. The lever-type connector according to claim 1, wherein the lock arm slides in contact with the sliding contact portion to engage with the detection member, thereby restricting the detection member from moving from the standby position to the detection position.
5. 3. The lever-type connector according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion includes a locking portion that locks the lever to the housing when the lever is in the final position.
Citation Information
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