Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

To extend the service life of a locking member and a locking post, and thereby provide a connector and a connector assembly that can be firmly locked.SOLUTION: A connector is provided, including: a housing 10; and a locking member 11 rotatably connected to the housing and rotatable between a locking position adapted to engage with a mating housing and an unlocking position adapted to be separated from the mating housing. The locking member includes: a pair of force arms 110, first ends of which are rotatably connected to an outer side of the housing; a pair of hook shaped locking parts 111 respectively formed on second ends of the pair of force arms; and a pair of rollers 112 rotatably installed on the ends of the hook shaped locking parts, respectively. When the locking member is rotated to the locking position, the hook shaped locking part of the locking member is adapted to be locked onto a locking post of the mating housing to lock the housing and the mating housing together. During the process of locking the hook shaped locking part onto the locking post, the roller of the hook shaped locking part is in rolling contact with the locking post to reduce friction between the two.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202311120197.8, filed on August 31, 2023, with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a connector and a connector assembly including the connector. [Background technology]

[0003] In the prior art, a locking member having a hook-shaped locking portion is rotatably mounted on a housing of a heavy-duty connector. A locking post is fixedly mounted on a mating housing of a mating heavy-duty connector. The locking member is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking member is rotated to the locked position, the hook-shaped locking portion of the locking member is locked to the locking post of the mating housing, thereby locking the housing of the heavy-duty connector and the mating housing of the mating heavy-duty connector to each other. When the locking member is rotated to the unlocked position, the hook-shaped locking portion of the locking member is separated from the locking post of the mating housing. In the prior art, in the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portion to the locking post, an end of the hook-shaped locking portion slides against the locking post, which causes severe wear between the hook-shaped locking portion and the locking post, thereby reducing the service life of the locking member and the locking post. In the prior art, when the hook-shaped locking portion and the locking post are locked multiple times, the locking function is lost due to severe wear, and as a result, the heavy-duty connector and the mating heavy-duty connector cannot be stably locked to each other. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The present invention has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one aspect of the above-mentioned disadvantages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes a housing and a locking member rotatably connected to the housing and rotatable between a locked position in which the locking member engages with a mating housing and an unlocked position in which the locking member disengages from the mating housing. The locking member includes a pair of force arms rotatably connected at one end to an outer surface of the housing, a pair of hook-shaped locking portions formed at the other end of each of the pair of force arms, and a pair of rollers rotatably mounted at the ends of the hook-shaped locking portions. When the locking member rotates to the locked position, the hook-shaped locking portions of the locking member are locked to a lock post of the mating housing, thereby locking both the housing and the mating housing, and in the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portions to the lock post, the rollers of the hook-shaped locking portions are in rolling contact with the lock post, thereby reducing friction between the two.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locking member further comprises a pair of connecting shafts fixed to the ends of the pair of hook-shaped locking portions, respectively, and the pair of rollers are rotatably mounted on the pair of connecting shafts, respectively.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connection hole is formed at an end of the hook-shaped locking part. The connection shaft comprises a first shaft part arranged at one end of the connection shaft and fixed in the connection hole, and a second shaft part connected at one end to the first shaft part and having a diameter larger than that of the first shaft part. The roller is rotatably mounted on the second shaft part.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first shaft portion is riveted or welded to a connection hole in the hook-shaped locking portion.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pair of hook-shaped locking portions have inner surfaces facing each other and outer surfaces opposite each other, and the second shaft portion protrudes from the outer surface of the hook-shaped locking portion such that a roller mounted on the second shaft portion is disposed on the outer surface of the hook-shaped locking portion.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connecting shaft further comprises a radially projecting limiting flange formed at the other end of the second shaft portion, the roller being axially constrained between the limiting flange and the outer end of the hook-shaped locking portion to ensure that the roller cannot be axially dislodged from the connecting shaft.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pair of hook-shaped locking portions have inner surfaces facing each other and outer surfaces opposite each other, and the second shaft portion protrudes from the inner surface of the hook-shaped locking portion such that a roller mounted on the second shaft portion is disposed on the inner surface of the hook-shaped locking portion.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connecting shaft further comprises a radially protruding limiting flange formed on the other end of the second shaft portion, the roller being axially constrained between the limiting flange and an inner surface of the end of the hook-shaped locking portion to ensure that the roller cannot be axially dislodged from the connecting shaft.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a pivot hole is formed in one end of the force arm and a support shaft is fixed to an outer surface of the housing, the support shaft rotatably engaging the pivot hole and allowing the locking member to rotate about the support shaft between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support shaft is riveted or welded to the housing.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the axis of the support shaft is parallel to the axis of the connecting shaft.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locking member further comprises a connecting arm connected between other ends of the pair of force arms to ensure synchronous rotation of the pair of force arms.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locking member further comprises a handle portion connected to the connecting arm for driving the locking member to rotate between the locked and unlocked positions.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pair of force arms, the pair of hook-shaped locking portions, the connecting arm, and the handle portion are formed as a unitary piece.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes an insulator provided on the housing and a terminal provided on the insulator.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector is a heavy-duty connector.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly. The connector assembly includes the connector described above and a mating connector that mates with the connector. The mating connector includes a mating housing for mating with the housing of the connector, and a locking post fixedly on the outer side of the mating housing. A hook-shaped locking portion of a locking member of the connector is locked to the locking post of the mating housing to lock the connector and the mating connector in a mated state, and in the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portion to the locking post, a roller in the hook-shaped locking portion comes into rolling contact with the locking post to reduce friction between the two.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locking post is riveted or welded to the mating housing.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating connector further includes a mating insulator provided in the mating housing to mate with the insulator of the connector, and a mating terminal provided on the mating insulator to mate with the terminal of the connector.

[0024] In the above-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention, during the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portion to the locking post, the rollers in the hook-shaped locking portion make rolling contact with the locking post, which significantly reduces friction between the two, increases the service life of the locking member and the locking post, and ensures that the connector and the mating connector are tightly locked in the mated state.

[0025] The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an illustrative perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an illustrative perspective view of a locking member of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an illustrative top view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the locking member in an unlocked position. [Diagram 5] 1 is an illustrative plan view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a process of locking a locking member to a locking post. [Figure 6] 1 is an illustrative plan view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the locking member in a locked position. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an illustrative perspective view of a connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an illustrative perspective view of a locking member of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0028] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in schematic form to simplify the drawings.

[0029] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes a housing and a locking member rotatably connected to the housing and rotatable between a locked position in which the locking member engages with a mating housing and an unlocked position in which the locking member disengages from the mating housing. The locking member includes a pair of force arms rotatably connected at one end to an outer surface of the housing, a pair of hook-shaped locking portions formed at the other end of each of the pair of force arms, and a pair of rollers rotatably mounted at the ends of the hook-shaped locking portions. When the locking member rotates to the locked position, the hook-shaped locking portions of the locking member are locked to a lock post of the mating housing, thereby locking both the housing and the mating housing, and in the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portions to the lock post, the rollers of the hook-shaped locking portions are in rolling contact with the lock post, thereby reducing friction between the two.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly. The connector assembly includes the connector described above and a mating connector that mates with the connector. The mating connector includes a mating housing for mating with the housing of the connector, and a locking post fixed to an outer surface of the mating housing. A hook-shaped locking portion of a locking member of the connector is locked to the locking post of the mating housing to lock the connector and the mating connector in a mated state, and in the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portion to the locking post, a roller in the hook-shaped locking portion comes into rolling contact with the locking post to reduce friction between the two.

[0031] First embodiment 1 to 6 show a connector and a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Among them, FIG. 1 shows an explanatory perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an explanatory perspective view of a connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an explanatory perspective view of a locking member 11 of a connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an explanatory plan view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the locking member 11 is in an unlocked position. FIG. 5 shows an explanatory plan view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a process of locking the locking member 11 to a lock post 21 is shown. FIG. 6 shows an explanatory plan view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the locking member 11 is in a locked position.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector 1 is disclosed. The connector 1 includes a housing 10 and a locking member 11. The locking member 11 is rotatably connected to the housing 10 and is rotatable between a locked position where it engages with the mating housing 20 and an unlocked position where it is separated from the mating housing 20. The locking member 11 includes a pair of force arms 110, a pair of hook-shaped locking portions 111, and a pair of rollers 112. One end (lower end in the figure) of the pair of force arms 110 is rotatably connected to the outer surface of the housing 10. The pair of hook-shaped locking portions 111 are formed at the other end (upper end in the figure) of the pair of force arms 110, respectively. The pair of rollers 112 are rotatably installed at the end of the pair of hook-shaped locking portions 111, respectively.

[0033] 1-6, in the illustrated embodiment, when the locking member 11 is rotated to the locked position, the hook-shaped locking portion 111 of the locking member 11 is locked to the locking post 21 of the mating housing 20, thereby locking the housing 10 and the mating housing 20 together. In the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portion 111 to the locking post 21, the roller 112 of the hook-shaped locking portion 111 is in rolling contact with the locking post 21, thereby reducing the friction between the two. Therefore, the present invention can extend the service life of the locking member 11 and the locking post 21, and ensure that the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 are firmly locked in the mated state.

[0034] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 11 further includes a pair of connecting shafts 113 fixed to ends of the pair of hook-shaped locking portions 111, respectively. The pair of rollers 112 are rotatably mounted on the pair of connecting shafts 113, respectively.

[0035] As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a connection hole 111a is formed at an end of the hook-shaped locking portion 111. The connection shaft 113 includes a first shaft portion 113a and a second shaft portion 113b. The first shaft portion 113a is disposed at one end of the connection shaft 113 and fixed to the connection hole 111a. One end of the second shaft portion 113b is connected to the first shaft portion 113a, and its diameter is larger than that of the first shaft portion 113a. The roller 112 is rotatably mounted on the second shaft portion 113b.

[0036] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the first shaft portion 113a is riveted to the connection hole 111a in the hook-shaped locking portion 111. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and for example, the first shaft portion 113a may be welded to the connection hole 111a in the hook-shaped locking portion 111.

[0037] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the pair of hook-shaped locking parts 111 have inner surfaces facing each other and outer surfaces opposite each other. The second shaft part 113b protrudes from the outer surface of the hook-shaped locking part 111 so that the roller 112 mounted on the second shaft part 113b is disposed on the outer surface of the hook-shaped locking part 111.

[0038] 1-6, in the illustrated embodiment, the connecting shaft 113 further includes a radially protruding limiting flange 113c formed at the other end of the second shaft portion 113b. The roller 112 is axially restrained between the limiting flange 113c and the outer end of the hook-shaped locking portion 111 to ensure that the roller 112 does not come axially out of the connecting shaft 113.

[0039] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a pivot hole 110a is formed at one end of the force arm 110, and a support shaft 12 is fixed to the outer surface of the housing 10. The support shaft 12 rotatably fits into the pivot hole 110a, allowing the locking member 11 to rotate around the support shaft 12 between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, in the illustrated embodiment, the support shaft 12 is riveted or welded to the housing 10 .

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the axis of the support shaft 12 is parallel to the axis of the connecting shaft 113.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 11 further includes a connecting arm 114 connected between the other ends of the pair of force arms 110 to ensure synchronous rotation of the pair of force arms 110.

[0043] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 11 further includes a handle portion 115 connected to the connecting arm 114. Therefore, an operator can operate the handle portion 115 to drive the locking member 11 to rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, in the illustrated embodiment, the pair of force arms 110, the pair of hook-shaped locking portions 111, the connecting arm 114, and the handle portion 115 are formed as a single piece.

[0045] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes an insulator (not shown) and a terminal (not shown). The insulator is disposed in a housing 10. The terminal is provided on the insulator.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1-6, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector is a heavy duty connector.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly is also disclosed. The connector assembly includes the above-mentioned connector 1 and a mating connector 2. The mating connector 2 is mated with the connector 1. The mating connector 2 includes a mating housing 20 and a locking post 21. The mating housing 20 is used to be mated with the housing 10 of the connector 1. The locking post 21 is fixed to the outer surface of the mating housing 20. The hook-shaped locking portion 111 of the locking member 11 of the connector 1 is locked to the locking post 21 of the mating housing 20 to lock the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 in a mated state. In the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portion 111 to the locking post 21, the roller 112 in the hook-shaped locking portion 111 is in rolling contact with the locking post 21 to reduce friction between the two.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking post 21 is riveted or welded to the mating housing 20. As shown in FIG.

[0049] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector 2 further includes a mating insulator (not shown) and mating terminals (not shown). The mating insulator is provided in the mating housing 20 so as to mate with the insulator of the connector 1. The mating terminals are provided in the mating insulator so as to mate with the terminals of the connector 1.

[0050] Second embodiment 7 to 9 show a connector and a connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Of these, Fig. 7 shows an explanatory perspective view of a connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 shows an explanatory perspective view of a connector 1 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 shows an explanatory perspective view of a locking member 11 of a connector 1 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector 1 is disclosed. The connector 1 includes a housing 10 and a locking member 11. The locking member 11 is rotatably connected to the housing 10 and is rotatable between a locked position where it engages with the mating housing 20 and an unlocked position where it is separated from the mating housing 20. The locking member 11 includes a pair of force arms 110, a pair of hook-shaped locking portions 111, and a pair of rollers 112. One end (lower end in the figure) of the pair of force arms 110 is rotatably connected to the outer surface of the housing 10. The pair of hook-shaped locking portions 111 are formed at the other end (upper end in the figure) of the pair of force arms 110, respectively. The pair of rollers 112 are rotatably installed at the end of the pair of hook-shaped locking portions 111, respectively.

[0052] 7-9, in the illustrated embodiment, when the locking member 11 is rotated to the locked position, the hook-shaped locking portion 111 of the locking member 11 is locked to the locking post 21 of the mating housing 20, thereby locking the housing 10 and the mating housing 20 together. In the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portion 111 to the locking post 21, the roller 112 of the hook-shaped locking portion 111 is in rolling contact with the locking post 21, thereby reducing the friction between the two. Therefore, the present invention can extend the service life of the locking member 11 and the locking post 21, and ensure that the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 are firmly locked in the mated state.

[0053] 7 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 11 further includes a pair of connecting shafts 113 fixed to ends of the pair of hook-shaped locking portions 111. The pair of rollers 112 are rotatably mounted on the pair of connecting shafts 113, respectively.

[0054] As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, a connection hole 111a is formed at an end of the hook-shaped locking portion 111. The connection shaft 113 includes a first shaft portion 113a and a second shaft portion 113b. The first shaft portion 113a is disposed at one end of the connection shaft 113 and fixed to the connection hole 111a. One end of the second shaft portion 113b is connected to the first shaft portion 113a, and its diameter is larger than that of the first shaft portion 113a. The roller 112 is rotatably mounted on the second shaft portion 113b.

[0055] 7 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the first shaft portion 113a is riveted to the connection hole 111a in the hook-shaped locking portion 111. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and for example, the first shaft portion 113a may be welded to the connection hole 111a in the hook-shaped locking portion 111.

[0056] 7 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the pair of hook-shaped locking parts 111 have inner surfaces facing each other and outer surfaces opposite each other. The second shaft part 113b protrudes from the inner surface of the hook-shaped locking part 111 so that the roller 112 mounted on the second shaft part 113b is disposed on the inner surface of the hook-shaped locking part 111.

[0057] 7-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the connecting shaft 113 further includes a radially protruding limiting flange 113c formed at the other end of the second shaft portion 113b. The roller 112 is axially restrained between the limiting flange 113c and the inner surface of the end of the hook lock portion 111 to ensure that the roller 112 does not come axially out of the connecting shaft 113.

[0058] 7 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, a pivot hole 110a is formed at one end of the force arm 110, and a support shaft 12 is fixed to the outer surface of the housing 10. The support shaft 12 rotatably fits into the pivot hole 110a, allowing the locking member 11 to rotate around the support shaft 12 between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the support shaft 12 is riveted or welded to the housing 10. As shown in FIG.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the axis of the support shaft 12 is parallel to the axis of the connecting shaft 113.

[0061] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 11 further includes a connecting arm 114 connected between the other ends of the pair of force arms 110 to ensure synchronous rotation of the pair of force arms 110.

[0062] 7 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 11 further includes a handle portion 115 connected to the connecting arm 114. Therefore, an operator can operate the handle portion 115 to drive the locking member 11 to rotate between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the pair of force arms 110, the pair of hook-shaped locking portions 111, the connecting arm 114, and the handle portion 115 are formed as a single piece.

[0064] 7 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes an insulator (not shown) and a terminal (not shown). The insulator is disposed in the housing 10. The terminal is provided on the insulator.

[0065] As shown in Figures 7-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector is a heavy duty connector.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly is also disclosed. The connector assembly includes the above-mentioned connector 1 and a mating connector 2. The mating connector 2 is mated with the connector 1. The mating connector 2 includes a mating housing 20 and a locking post 21. The mating housing 20 is used to be mated with the housing 10 of the connector 1. The locking post 21 is fixed to the outer surface of the mating housing 20. The hook-shaped locking portion 111 of the locking member 11 of the connector 1 is locked to the locking post 21 of the mating housing 20 to lock the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 in a mated state. In the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portion 111 to the locking post 21, the roller 112 in the hook-shaped locking portion 111 is in rolling contact with the locking post 21 to reduce friction between the two.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking post 21 is riveted or welded to the mating housing 20. As shown in FIG.

[0068] 7 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector 2 further includes a mating insulator (not shown) and mating terminals (not shown). The mating insulator is provided in the mating housing 20 so as to mate with the insulator of the connector 1. The mating terminals are provided in the mating insulator so as to mate with the terminals of the connector 1.

[0069] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. For example, numerous modifications may be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art, and various features described in the various embodiments may be freely combined with each other as long as they are not inconsistent in structure or principle.

[0070] Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the following claims and their equivalents.

[0071] As used herein, elements described in the singular and preceded by the word "a" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of that element or step, unless expressly stated to exclude such an element or step. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. In addition, unless expressly stated otherwise, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or elements having a particular property may include additional such elements that do not have that property.

Claims

1. A housing (10); a locking member (11) rotatably connected to the housing (10) and rotatable between a locked position in which it engages with a mating housing (20) and an unlocked position in which it separates from the mating housing (20); A connector comprising: The locking member (11) is A pair of force arms (110) having one end rotatably connected to the outer surface of the housing (10); a pair of hook-shaped locking portions (111) formed on the other ends of the pair of force arms (110), respectively; A pair of rollers (112) rotatably mounted on the ends of the hook-shaped locking portion (111), Equipped with When the locking member (11) is rotated to the locked position, the hook-shaped locking portion (111) of the locking member (11) is locked to the locking post (21) of the mating housing (20), thereby locking the housing (10) and the mating housing (20) together; during the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portion (111) to the locking post (21), the roller (112) of the hook-shaped locking portion (111) is in rolling contact with the locking post (21), thereby reducing friction between the two; connector.

2. The locking member (11) is a pair of connecting shafts (113) fixed to the ends of the pair of hook-shaped locking portions (111), respectively; Further equipped with The pair of rollers (112) are rotatably mounted on the pair of connecting shafts (113), respectively. The connector of claim 1 .

3. A connection hole (111a) is formed at the end of the hook-shaped locking part (111); The connecting shaft (113) a first shaft portion (113a) disposed at one end of the connection shaft (113) and fixed to the connection hole (111a); a second shaft portion (113b) having one end connected to the first shaft portion (113a) and a diameter larger than the diameter of the first shaft portion (113a); Equipped with The roller (112) is rotatably mounted on the second shaft portion (113b). The connector according to claim 2.

4. the first shaft portion (113a) is riveted or welded to the connection hole (111a) in the hook-shaped locking portion (111); The connector according to claim 3.

5. The pair of hook-shaped locking portions (111) have inner surfaces facing each other and outer surfaces opposite each other, the second shaft portion (113b) protrudes from the outer surface of the hook-shaped locking portion (111) such that the roller (112) mounted on the second shaft portion (113b) is disposed on the outer surface of the hook-shaped locking portion (111); The connector according to claim 3.

6. The connecting shaft (113) A limiting flange (113c) formed at the other end of the second shaft portion (113b) and protruding in the radial direction Further equipped with the roller (112) is axially restrained between the limit flange (113c) and the outer end of the hook-shaped locking portion (111) to ensure that the roller (112) cannot axially disengage from the connecting shaft (113); The connector according to claim 5.

7. The pair of hook-shaped locking portions (111) have inner surfaces facing each other and outer surfaces opposite each other, the second shaft portion (113b) protrudes from the inner surface of the hook-shaped locking portion (111) such that the roller (112) mounted on the second shaft portion (113b) is disposed on the inner surface of the hook-shaped locking portion (111); The connector according to claim 3.

8. The connecting shaft (113) A limiting flange (113c) formed at the other end of the second shaft portion (113b) and protruding in the radial direction Further equipped with the roller (112) is axially restrained between the limiting flange (113c) and the inner surface of the end of the hook-shaped locking portion (111) to ensure that the roller (112) cannot axially disengage from the connecting shaft (113); The connector according to claim 7.

9. a pivot hole (110a) is formed at the one end of the force arm (110), a support shaft (12) is fixed to the outer surface of the housing (10), the support shaft (12) is rotatably fitted into the pivot hole (110a), and the locking member (11) is allowed to rotate around the support shaft (12) between the locked position and the unlocked position; The connector according to claim 2.

10. The support shaft (12) is riveted or welded to the housing (10). The connector of claim 9.

11. The axis of the support shaft (12) is parallel to the axis of the connecting shaft (113). The connector of claim 9.

12. The locking member (11) is a connecting arm (114) connected between the other ends of the pair of force arms (110) to ensure synchronous rotation of the pair of force arms (110); Further comprising: The connector of claim 1 .

13. The locking member (11) is a handle portion (115) connected to the connecting arm (114) for driving the locking member (11) to rotate between the locked position and the unlocked position; Further comprising: The connector of claim 12.

14. the pair of force arms (110), the pair of hook-shaped locking portions (111), the connecting arm (114), and the handle portion (115) are formed as a single piece; The connector of claim 13.

15. An insulator provided in the housing (10); A terminal provided on the insulator; The connector of claim 1 , further comprising:

16. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector is a heavy duty connector.

17. The connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, A mating connector (2) that mates with the connector (1); A connector assembly comprising: The mating connector (2) is a mating housing (20) for mating with the housing (10) of the connector (1); A lock post (21) fixed to the outer surface of the mating housing (20); Equipped with the hook-shaped locking portion (111) of the locking member (11) of the connector (1) is locked to the locking post (21) of the mating housing (20), thereby locking the connector (1) and the mating connector (2) in a mated state; during the process of locking the hook-shaped locking portion (111) to the locking post (21), the roller (112) of the hook-shaped locking portion (111) is in rolling contact with the locking post (21), thereby reducing friction between the two. Connector assembly.

18. The lock post (21) is riveted or welded to the mating housing (20).

20. The connector assembly of claim 17.

19. The mating connector (2) is a mating insulator provided in the mating housing (20) so as to mate with the insulator of the connector (1); a mating terminal provided on the mating insulator so as to be fitted to the terminal of the connector (1); Further comprising:

20. The connector assembly of claim 17.

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