Lever type connector

Abstract

To provide a lever type connector capable of reducing a size.SOLUTION: A lever type connector 1 comprises: a first connector 10; a second connector 20; and a lever 30 that is mounted to the first connector 10 so as to be freely rotated between an initial position and a fitting completion position, and fits or detaches the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 by a rotational operation. The lever 30 includes: a pair of engagement arms 41 that is provided to one end of a long direction of the lever 30, extends in a short direction of the lever 30, and can be flexibly deformed in a cross direction of the long direction and the short direction so as to be separated; an engagement projection 42 that is provided to a base end of the pair of engagement arms 41, is engaged to an engaged projection 27 of the second connector 20 so as to enable a cancellation, and cancels the engagement with the engaged projection 27 at the time of a flexible of the engagement arm 41; and a depression part 43 that is provided to each free-end of the pair of engagement arms 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, mating connectors have been proposed that have male and female connectors that are mated with each other. One such mating connector is a lever-type connector in which a rotatable lever member is attached to one of the connectors, and the rotation of the lever member reduces the mating and disengagement force between the male and female connectors (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-88274 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional lever-type connector as described above, when the two connectors are completely mated by rotating the lever member, the lever member and, for example, the other connector are locked to each other from the viewpoint of restricting the operation of the lever member and ensuring the mating. More specifically, the lever member is provided with a deformable locking arm, and a locking projection provided on this locking arm is locked to a locked projection provided on the other connector.

[0005] Generally, from the viewpoint of connection reliability of both connectors, it is preferable that the lever member and the other connector are locked at the longitudinal ends and the lateral center of both connectors, so many conventional lever-type connectors have been configured so that the locking arm is bent in the longitudinal direction of the lever member. However, in the above configuration, it is necessary to secure space for the locking arm to bend, and the lever-type connector tends to be large.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a lever-type connector that can be made smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the lever-type connector according to the present invention has the following features. A lever-type connector comprising: a first connector; a second connector that can be mated with and separated from the first connector; and a lever that is attached to the first connector so as to be rotatable between an initial position and a mating completion position, and that mates or disengages the first connector and the second connector by a rotational operation, The lever is a pair of locking arms provided at one end of the lever in a longitudinal direction, extending in a lateral direction of the lever, and capable of being flexibly deformed so as to move away from each other in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction; a locking protrusion provided at each base end of the pair of locking arms, the locking protrusion being releasably locked to a locked protrusion of the second connector, and being released from the locked protrusion when the pair of locking arms are deflected; and a push-down portion provided at each of the free ends of the pair of locking arms. It is a lever type connector. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the pair of locking arms of the lever are configured to be deformable so as to bend away from each other in the intersecting direction. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a smaller size than a conventional lever-type connector in which the locking arms bend in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following description of the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lever-type connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a top view showing a state in which the lever is attached to the first connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, illustrating a state in which the first connector and the second connector are not yet fully mated. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector have been completely mated (fully mated). [Figure 6] FIG. 6 corresponds to a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 1 of the lever, and is an enlarged view of the operating portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 corresponds to the cross section BB of FIG. 1 in the lever, and is an enlarged view of the operating portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a first diagram for explaining the operation of the locking portion of the lever (initial stage). [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a second diagram for explaining the operation of the locking portion of the lever (at an intermediate stage). [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a third view for explaining the operation of the locking portion of the lever (completion stage). [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a disengagement operation of the first connector and the second connector which are completely mated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a lever-type connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] For ease of explanation, the following definitions are used for "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower" as shown in FIG. 1 etc. The "front-rear direction", "left-right direction" and "up-down direction" are mutually perpendicular. The front-rear direction corresponds to the "short direction" of the present invention, the front side corresponds to the "free end side" of the present invention, and the rear side corresponds to the "base end side" of the present invention. The left-right direction corresponds to the "longitudinal direction" of the present invention. The up-down direction corresponds to the "cross direction" of the present invention.

[0013] 1 and 2, the lever-type connector 1 is configured to include a first connector 10, a second connector 20, and a lever 30. The lever-type connector 1 is configured such that the housing 11 of the first connector 10 can be fitted to and separated from the housing 21 of the second connector 20, and the fitting and disengagement of the first connector 10 to and from the second connector 20 is assisted by rotating the lever 30. The first connector 10, the second connector 20, and the lever 30 that constitute the lever-type connector 1 will be described below in order.

[0014] First, a description will be given of the first connector 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the first connector 10 has a housing 11 having a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers (reference numbers omitted).

[0015] A cylindrical pivot shaft 12 protruding outward in the up-down direction is provided on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 11 at approximately the center in the front-rear and left-right directions (see Figs. 2 to 5). The pivot shaft 12 is inserted into a shaft hole 33 of a lever 30 (described later) (see Fig. 3) and functions as a pivot shaft of the lever 30.

[0016] Guide ribs 13 that protrude outward in the up-down direction and extend in the front-rear direction are provided at the rear ends of both left-right ends on the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 11 (see Figs. 2 to 5). The guide ribs 13 are inserted into guide grooves 26 of the second connector 20 (described later) (see Figs. 4 and 5) to assist the first connector 10 in sliding relative to the second connector 20.

[0017] A temporary holding protrusion 14 that protrudes outward in the up-down direction is provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 11 in the right region in the left-right direction (see Figs. 2 and 3). When the lever 30 is rotated to the mating completion position, a temporary holding piece 35 of the lever 30, which will be described later, is engaged with the temporary holding protrusion 14.

[0018] Next, the second connector 20 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the second connector 20 has a housing 21 that is substantially rectangular and cylindrical and has a bottom. Therefore, a mating recess 22 that opens forward is formed in the housing 21. The first connector 10 is mated with the mating recess 22.

[0019] The upper and lower surfaces of the fitting recess 22 are provided with cam grooves 23 corresponding to the cam protrusions 34 of the lever 30 attached to the first connector 10 described later (see Figs. 2 to 5). The cam groove 23 has a first portion and a third portion extending linearly in the front-rear direction in the front and rear regions, respectively, offset in the left-right direction, and a second portion extending linearly in the left-right direction at approximately the center in the front-rear direction connects the first portion and the third portion. That is, the cam groove 23 is formed in a so-called crank shape (see Figs. 3 to 5). When the first connector 10 is inserted into the fitting recess 22, the cam protrusions 34 enter the cam groove 23 (see Figs. 4 and 5).

[0020] A mating fulcrum portion 24 is provided on the left side of each cam groove 23 so as to be adjacent to each cam groove 23 in the left-right direction (see FIGS. 3 to 5). A cam protrusion 34 that enters the cam groove 23 engages with the mating fulcrum portion 24 when the first connector 10 is mated with the second connector 20.

[0021] A disengagement fulcrum portion 25 is provided on the right side of each cam groove 23 so as to be adjacent to each cam groove 23 in the left-right direction (see FIGS. 3 to 5). When the first connector 10 is disengaged from the second connector 20, a cam projection 34 that has entered the cam groove 23 engages with the disengagement fulcrum portion 25.

[0022] Guide grooves 26 are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the fitting recess 22 in correspondence with the guide ribs 13 of the first connector 10 (see FIGS. 2 to 5). The guide grooves 26 extend in a substantially straight line over the entire area of ​​the fitting recess 22 in the front-rear direction (see FIGS. 3 to 5).

[0023] A locked projection 27 is provided on the right end of the housing 21 in correspondence with a locking portion 40 (particularly, a locking projection 42) of the lever 30 described later (see Figs. 3, 7 and 8). The locked projection 27 is locked with the locking projection 42 of the lever 30 (see Fig. 7).

[0024] Next, the lever 30 will be described. The lever 30 is attached to the first connector 10 so as to be rotatable between an initial position (see FIG. 3) and a mating completion position (see FIG. 5), and is rotated to mate and separate the first connector 10 with respect to the second connector 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the lever 30 is integrally formed in a substantially rectangular U-shape and has a pair of side plates 31 spaced apart in the vertical direction and an operating portion 32 that connects the pair of side plates 31 in the vertical direction at right ends of the pair of side plates 31.

[0025] The pair of side plates 31 are each provided with a shaft hole 33 that penetrates in the vertical direction in correspondence with the rotation shaft 12 of the first connector 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0026] A cam projection 34 that projects outward in the up-down direction is provided on each outer surface (upper surface on the upper side and lower surface on the lower side) of the pair of side plates 31 in a left-right region in the left-right direction (see Figs. 2 to 5). When the first connector 10 is inserted into the fitting recess 22, the cam projection 34 enters the cam groove 23, and during the above fitting, it engages with the fitting fulcrum portion 24 as the lever 30 rotates, drawing the second connector 20 toward the first connector 10, and during the above disengagement, it engages with the disengagement fulcrum portion 25 as the lever 30 rotates, drawing the second connector 20 away from the first connector 10.

[0027] The rear end edges of the pair of side plates 31 are each provided with a cantilever-shaped temporary holding piece 35 extending rearward in correspondence with the temporary holding projection 14 of the first connector 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0028] A generally rectangular cylindrical protective section 36 extending in the front-rear direction is provided at the front end of the operating section 32 (see Figs. 6 to 11). A finger hook 38 protruding rightward from the left side wall 36a so as to cover part of the opening 37 is provided at the open end of the protective section 36 (see Fig. 6). The finger hook 38 functions as a hook for a finger when the locking projection 42 is released from the locked projection 27 of the second connector 20 described later.

[0029] The operation portion 32 is provided with a locking portion 40 which is integrally formed with a pair of locking arms 41, a pair of locking projections 42, and a pair of push-down portions 43 (see FIGS. 7 to 11).

[0030] The pair of locking arms 41 are configured to be flexible and deformable so as to move away from each other in the up-down direction. Each of the pair of locking arms 41 is formed in a cantilever shape such that the rear end of the operating unit 32 serves as a base end, and extends in the front-rear direction such that at least the push-down portion 43 is disposed in the internal space (cylindrical hole) of the protection unit 36 ​​and the front end of the push-down portion 43 is located near the finger hook portion 38.

[0031] The pair of locking projections 42 are provided on the base end side (rear side) of each locking arm 41, and are locked to the locked projections 27 of the second connector 20 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are in a completely mated state.

[0032] The pair of pushing parts 43 are provided at the free ends (front ends) of the locking arms 41, respectively, and have opposing surfaces 44 that face each other in the vertical direction and are formed in a tapered shape that inclines so as to approach each other from the front to the rear. The pair of opposing surfaces 44 function to pick up fingers inserted into the opening 37 when the lock is released.

[0033] The above has described the first connector 10, the second connector 20, and the lever 30 that constitute the lever-type connector 1. Next, an example of the operation of the lever-type connector 1 will be described.

[0034] First, an example of the mating operation of the lever-type connector 1 will be described. When mating the first connector 10 to the second connector 20, the operating portion 32 of the lever 30 is positioned so as to be oblique to the first connector 10, as shown in Fig. 3 (this position is the "initial position" of the lever 30). In this state, the first connector 10 is brought relatively close to the second connector 20, and the first connector 10 is inserted into the mating recess 22 of the second connector 20.

[0035] When the first connector 10 is inserted into the fitting recess 22 , the cam protrusion 34 of the lever 30 fits into the cam groove 23 of the second connector 20 , and the guide rib 13 of the first connector 10 fits into the guide groove 26 of the second connector 20 .

[0036] Then, when the first connector 10 is pushed into the mating recess 22 while rotating the lever 30 toward the mating completion position, the cam protrusion 34 that has entered the cam groove 23 engages with the mating fulcrum portion 24 of the second connector 20, and the lever 30 rotates with the cam protrusion 34 as a fulcrum. Then, due to the rotation of the lever 30, an insertion force is applied from the lever 30 to the first connector 10, and the first connector 10 is pushed in toward the rear side (i.e., the mating side).

[0037] Immediately before the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are mated, the locked projection 27 of the second connector 20 comes into contact with the rear ends of the pair of locking projections 42 of the lever 30, as shown in Fig. 8. As the lever 30 continues to rotate further, the locked projection 27 causes the pair of locking arms 41 to bend away from each other in the vertical direction, and in this state, the locked projection 27 passes between the pair of locking projections 42 from rear to front (see Fig. 9). Note that excessive bending of the pair of locking arms 41 is restricted by the protective portion 36.

[0038] Then, when the rotation operation is continued until the lever 30 becomes substantially parallel to the first connector 10 as shown in Fig. 5 (this position is the "mating completion position" of the lever 30), the first connector 10 is mated with the mating recess 22 (see Figs. 1 and 5), and the pair of locking arms 41 recover from their bending deformation, and the locking projections 42 are locked with the locked projections 27 (see Fig. 10). As a result, the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are electrically connected, and the mating of the first connector 10 with the second connector 20 is completed.

[0039] Next, a description will be given of an example of a disengagement operation of the lever-type connector 1. As described above, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are in a completely mated state, the pair of locking projections 42 of the lever 30 are locked to the locked projections 27 of the second connector 20, and the lever 30 cannot be rotated. Therefore, in order to disengage the first connector 10 from the second connector 20, it is necessary to release the lock between the pair of locking projections 42 and the locked projections 27.

[0040] To release the engagement between the pair of engaging projections 42 and the engaged projection 27, a finger F is inserted from the opening 37 of the lever 30. Then, the finger F inserted from the opening 37 is picked up by each of the opposing surfaces 44 of the pair of push-down portions 43 of the lever 30 and guided between the pair of push-down portions 43.

[0041] When the finger F is further inserted, the pair of locking arms 41 of the lever 30 are bent and deformed so as to move away from each other in the vertical direction (see FIG. 11). In this state, when the finger F is hooked on the finger hook portion 38 and a force is applied to rotate the lever 30 toward the initial position, the locked protrusion 27 passes between the pair of locking protrusions 42, the pair of locking arms 41 are restored from the bending deformation, and the lock between the pair of locking protrusions 42 and the locked protrusion 27 is released.

[0042] Thereafter, when the lever 30 is further rotated toward the initial position, the cam projection 34 engages with the disengagement fulcrum portion 25, and the lever 30 rotates with the cam projection 34 as the fulcrum. Then, due to the rotation of the lever 30, a pulling force is applied from the lever 30 to the first connector 10, and the first connector 10 is pulled away to the front side (i.e., the disengagement side).

[0043] When the turning operation is continued until the lever 30 reaches the initial position as shown in FIG. 3, the first connector 10 is pulled out of the mating recess 22, and the removal of the first connector 10 from the second connector 20 is completed.

[0044] An example of the mating operation and the disengagement operation of the lever-type connector 1 have been described above.

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, the pair of locking arms 41 of the lever 30 are configured to be flexible and deformable so as to move away from each other in the vertical direction. That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to achieve a smaller size than a conventional lever-type connector in which the locking arms are flexible in the longitudinal direction.

[0046] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the opposing surfaces 44 of the pair of push-down portions 43 are tapered, so that a finger can be easily picked up by the opposing surfaces 44 when the locking projection 42 of the lever 30 and the locked projection 27 of the second connector 20 are released from each other. This provides excellent operability in releasing the locking projection 42 and the locked projection 27, and therefore excellent operability in separating the first connector 10 and the second connector 20.

[0047] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, finger hook 38 is provided at the open end of protective section 36, so that a finger (index finger) can be hooked on finger hook 38 while operating push-down section 43 during the above-mentioned separation operation. That is, according to the above-mentioned configuration, the first connector 10 and second connector 20 can be separated with one finger.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the front end of the push-down portion 43 is positioned near the finger hook portion 38, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the lever 30 in the front-to-rear direction, and furthermore, it becomes easier to operate the push-down portion 43 and rotate the lever 30 using only the fingertips (e.g., the pads of the fingers).

[0049] <Other forms> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

[0050] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the lever-type connector according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [4].

[0051] [1] A lever-type connector (1) comprising: a first connector (10); a second connector (20) that can be mated with and separated from the first connector (10); and a lever (30) that is attached to the first connector (10) so as to be rotatable between an initial position and a mating completion position, and that mates or disengages the first connector (10) and the second connector (20) by a rotational operation, The lever (30) is a pair of locking arms (41) provided at one end (right end) of the lever (30) in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction), extending in the lateral direction (front-rear direction) of the lever (30), and capable of bending and deforming so as to move away from each other in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction (up-down direction); a locking projection (42) provided at each of the base ends (rear ends) of the pair of locking arms (41), releasably locked to the locked projection (27) of the second connector (20), and released from the locked projection (27) when the pair of locking arms (41) are deflected; and a push-down portion (43) provided at each of the free ends (front ends) of the pair of locking arms (41). Lever connector (1).

[0052] According to the configuration [1] above, the pair of locking arms of the lever are configured to be flexible and deformable so as to move away from each other in the cross direction. That is, according to the above configuration, it is possible to achieve a smaller size than a conventional lever-type connector in which the locking arms are flexible in the longitudinal direction.

[0053] [2] The lever-type connector (1) described in [1] above, The pair of push-down portions (43) have opposing surfaces (44) that face each other in the intersecting direction, and are formed in a tapered shape that inclines so as to approach each other from the free end side (front side) toward the base end side (rear side) in the short direction. Lever connector (1).

[0054] According to the configuration [2] above, the opposing surfaces of the pair of pushing parts are tapered in the short direction from the free end side to the base end side so that they approach each other, making it easier for a finger to be picked up by the opposing surfaces when releasing the engagement between the locking protrusion of the lever and the locked protrusion of the second connector. This provides excellent operability in releasing the engagement between the locking protrusion and the locked protrusion, and therefore excellent operability in separating the first connector and the second connector.

[0055] [3] The lever-type connector (1) according to the above [1] or [2], The lever (30) is The device further includes a protective portion (36) formed in a generally cylindrical shape extending in the short direction, and in which at least a pair of the push-down portions (43) are disposed in an internal space, A finger hook portion (38) is provided at the opening end on the free end side (front side) of the protective portion (36) so as to protrude in the longitudinal direction and close a part of the opening (37). Lever connector (1).

[0056] According to the configuration [3] above, a finger hook is provided at the open end of the protective part, so that the finger (index finger) can be hooked on the finger hook while operating the pressing part during the above-mentioned detachment operation. That is, according to the above-mentioned configuration, the detachment operation of the first connector and the second connector can be performed with one finger.

[0057] [4] The lever-type connector (1) described in [3] above, The tip (front end) of the push-down portion (43) is disposed in the vicinity of the finger hook portion (38). Lever connector (1).

[0058] According to the configuration [4] above, by positioning the tip of the push-down portion near the finger hook portion, the lever can be made smaller in size in the short direction, and furthermore, it becomes easier to operate the push-down portion and rotate the lever using only the fingertip (e.g., the pad of the finger). [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 Lever Type Connector 10 First Connector 12 Rotating shaft 20 Second Connector 22 Fitting recess 23 Cam groove 24 Fitting support part 25 Release fulcrum 27 Locked protrusion 30 Lever 32 Operation section 33 Shaft hole 34 Cam protrusion 36 Protection Department 37 Aperture 38 Finger rest 40 Locking part 41 Locking arm 42 Locking protrusion 43 Pressing section 44 Opposite Surface

Claims

1. A lever-type connector comprising: a first connector; a second connector that can be mated with and separated from the first connector; and a lever that is attached to the first connector so as to be rotatable between an initial position and a mating completion position, and that mates or disengages the first connector and the second connector by a rotational operation, The lever is a pair of locking arms provided at one end of the lever in a longitudinal direction, extending in a lateral direction of the lever, and capable of being flexibly deformed so as to move away from each other in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction; a locking protrusion provided at each base end of the pair of locking arms, the locking protrusion being releasably locked to a locked protrusion of the second connector, and being released from the locked protrusion when the pair of locking arms are deflected; and a push-down portion provided at each of the free ends of the pair of locking arms. Lever type connector.

2. 2. The lever-type connector according to claim 1, The pair of push-down portions are formed such that opposing surfaces opposed to each other in the intersecting direction are tapered so as to approach each other from the free end side toward the base end side in the short direction. Lever type connector.

3. 3. The lever-type connector according to claim 1, The lever is The device further includes a protection section formed in a generally cylindrical shape extending in the short direction, and having at least one pair of the push-down sections disposed in an internal space thereof, A finger hook portion is provided at an opening end on the free end side of the protection portion so as to protrude in the longitudinal direction and close a part of the opening. Lever type connector.

4. 4. The lever-type connector according to claim 3, A tip of the pressing portion is disposed in the vicinity of the finger hook portion. Lever type connector.

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