Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which allows smooth fitting of a first housing and a second housing.SOLUTION: A lever 21 has: a pair of cam plate parts 39 which are rotatably supported by a first housing 20, and which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a width direction; and a coupling part which extends in the width direction so as to couple each of the cam plate parts 39. The cam plate parts 39 each have: a bearing part disposed at a rotation center of the lever 21; and a guide groove 49. A second housing 60 has a cam pin 68 which protrudes from each of its lateral faces in the width direction. When at a temporary locking position, the cam pin 68 is located from the guide groove 49 to an inlet 46 of a cam groove. When at a final locking position, the cam pin is located at the deep end of the cam groove. A tip end face 71, of the cam pin 68, in a protrusion direction from the lateral face has a lock receiving part 72. An inner face of the guide groove 49 on each of the cam plate parts 39 has a locking part 54 which comes into contact with the lock receiving part 72 so as to prevent enlargement of each of the cam plate parts 39 to the outside in the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lever-type connector including a first connector housing (hereinafter referred to as the first housing) and a second connector housing (hereinafter referred to as the second housing) that can be mated with each other, and a lever rotatably supported by the second housing. Cam pins are formed to protrude from each side surface of the first housing. The lever has a pair of arm portions facing each other in the width direction and a connecting portion extending in the width direction and connecting to each arm portion. A bearing hole and a cam groove are formed in each arm portion. The cam groove has a curved portion extending around the bearing hole and an insertion portion extending from one end of the curved portion to the outer circumferential surface of the arm portion. The lever is attached so as to straddle the second housing, and a support shaft of the second housing is inserted into the bearing hole, allowing it to rotate about the support shaft between a provisionally mated state and a fully mated state.

[0003] When the first housing is assembled to the second housing, the cam pins that form a pair in the width direction are inserted from the insertion portions of the corresponding cam grooves to one end of the curved portion, and the first and second housings are arranged in a provisionally fitted state. Next, the lever is rotated toward the fully fitted state. Then, each cam pin contacts along the groove surface of each cam groove, and the first and second housings are fitted with a low fitting force. A connector equipped with a lever (a lever-type connector) is also disclosed in Patent Document 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-216065 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-275337 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the first housing is assembled in an incorrect, tilted position relative to the second housing, and one of the paired cam pins in the width direction is inserted deeply into one end of the curved portion of the corresponding cam groove, while the other cam pin is inserted shallowly into the corresponding insertion portion and remains there. If the lever is rotated toward the fully engaged state with the other cam pin shallowly inserted into the insertion portion, the other cam pin may slip out of the insertion portion, causing the arm portion to climb onto the tip surface of the cam pin and spread outward in the width direction. This can prevent the first and second housings from being properly engaged.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that allows a first housing and a second housing to be properly mated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure provides a locking mechanism comprising: a first housing and a second housing that can be fitted together; and a lever that is supported rotatably relative to the first housing between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, wherein the lever has a pair of cam plate portions that are spaced apart from each other in a width direction, and a connecting portion that extends in the width direction and connects the cam plate portions, and the cam plate portion has a bearing portion that is located at the center of rotation of the lever, a cam groove that extends around the bearing portion from an entrance to a rear end, and an introduction groove that extends from the entrance of the cam groove and opens to an outer circumferential edge of the cam plate portion, The second housing has cam pins protruding from each side surface in the width direction, the cam pins being positioned from the introduction groove to the entrance of the cam groove at the temporary locking position, contacting the groove surface of the cam groove between the temporary locking position and the full locking position, and being positioned at the inner end of the cam groove at the full locking position, a locking receiving portion being formed on the tip surface of the cam pin in the direction of protrusion from the side surface, and a locking portion being formed on the inner surface of the introduction groove in the cam plate portion that contacts the locking receiving portion and prevents the cam plate portion from expanding outward in the width direction, in this connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that allows the first housing and the second housing to be properly fitted together. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a first housing and a second housing are fitted together in a connector according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second connector in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the second housing in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first connector of the connector of the first embodiment, with the first terminal omitted. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lever in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion including the entrance of the cam groove and the introduction groove in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an enlarged front view, as viewed from the first connector side, of the connector of embodiment 1, showing the second housing assembled to the first housing in the correct position, the cam pin inserted into the guide groove, and the locking portion engaged with the lock receiving portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which the second housing is assembled to the first housing in an incorrect orientation in the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which one cam pin is deeply inserted into the entrance of the corresponding cam groove at one of the left and right ends of the connector of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the state in which the other cam pin is inserted into the corresponding guide groove and the locking portion is fitted into the lock receiving portion at the other left or right end side of the connector of embodiment 1 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A device comprising: a first housing and a second housing that can be fitted together; and a lever that is supported rotatably relative to the first housing between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, wherein the lever has a pair of cam plate portions that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and a connecting portion that extends in the width direction and connects the cam plate portions, and the cam plate portion has a bearing portion that is located at the center of rotation of the lever, a cam groove that extends around the periphery of the bearing portion from an entrance to a rear end, and an introduction groove that extends from the entrance of the cam groove and opens to the outer circumferential edge of the cam plate portion. The second housing has cam pins protruding from each side surface in the width direction, and the cam pins are positioned at the entrance of the cam groove from the introduction groove at the temporary locking position, contact the groove surface of the cam groove between the temporary locking position and the full locking position, and are positioned at the rear end of the cam groove at the full locking position, a locking receiving portion is formed on the tip surface of the cam pin in the direction of protrusion from the side surface, and a locking portion is formed on the inner surface of the introduction groove in the cam plate portion, which contacts the locking receiving portion and prevents the cam plate portion from expanding outward in the width direction.

[0011] When the second housing is assembled in an incorrect, tilted position relative to the first housing, one of the cam pins forming a pair in the width direction may be inserted deeply into the entrance of the corresponding cam groove, while the other cam pin may be inserted shallowly into the corresponding guide groove. According to the configuration (1) above, when the other cam pin is inserted shallowly into the guide groove, the locking portion of the guide groove comes into contact with the locking receiving portion of the other cam pin, preventing the cam plate portion from expanding outward in the width direction. This allows the first and second housings to be fitted together properly.

[0012] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, it is preferable that the locking portion is formed only within the range of the guide groove. Since the locking portion is not formed in the cam groove, when the lever rotates, the cam pin can be smoothly displaced in the cam groove without interfering with the locking portion.

[0013] (3) In the connector described in (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the locking portion has a rib shape extending on the inner surface of the introduction groove in the extension direction of the introduction groove, and the locking receiving portion has a groove shape extending radially or chordwise on the tip surface of the cam pin and opening on the outer peripheral surface of the cam pin. According to the configuration (3) above, when the first housing and the second housing are assembled (when mating begins), the locking portion of the guide groove fits into the locking receiving portion through the opening on the outer surface of the cam pin, making it easy to create a state in which the locking portion locks the locking receiving portion.

[0014] (4) In the connector described in (3) above, the locking portion may have a shape that expands toward the tip side protruding from the inner surface of the introduction groove, and the locking receiving portion may have a shape that narrows the groove width toward the tip surface of the cam pin. According to the above configuration (4), the locking structure between the locking portion and the lock receiving portion can be easily formed, and therefore the inner surface of the guide groove and the cam pin can be easily formed.

[0015] (5) In the connector described in any of (1) to (4) above, the inner surface of the cam plate portion has a cam groove opening that opens along the extension direction of the cam groove, an introduction groove opening that opens along the extension direction of the introduction groove, and a step surface located between the cam groove opening and the introduction groove opening and arranged along the thickness direction of the cam plate portion, and it is preferable that the introduction groove opening is arranged widthwise outward of the cam groove opening via the step surface. According to the above configuration (5), when the cam pin passes through the introduction groove, it is less likely to interfere with parts of the cam plate portion other than the locking portion, so that it is possible to avoid increasing resistance when assembling the first housing and the second housing.

[0016] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0017] <Embodiment 1> As shown in Fig. 1, the connector of the first embodiment comprises a first connector 10A and a second connector 10B. The first connector 10A comprises a first housing 20, a lever 21 rotatably supported by the first housing 20, a first front retainer 22 attached to the first housing 20, and a first terminal 23 housed in the first housing 20. The second connector 10B comprises a second housing 60, a second front retainer 61 attached to the second housing 60, and a second terminal 62 housed in the second housing 60. The first housing 20 and the second housing 60 are matable with each other. The lever 21, while engaged with the second housing 60, is rotated relative to the first housing 20 from a provisional locking position to a full locking position, thereby mating the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 with a low mating force. In the following description, the front of the first connector 10A refers to the direction in which the first housing 20 faces the second housing 60 at the start of mating (the mating direction of the first housing 20 relative to the second housing 60). The front of the second connector 10B refers to the direction in which the second housing 60 faces the first housing 20 at the start of mating (the mating direction of the second housing 60 relative to the first housing 20). The up-down direction is based on the up-down direction in each figure except for Figures 8 to 10. The left-right direction is based on the left-right direction when viewed from the front. The arrows X, Y, and Z in Figures 2 and 4 represent the front, left, and up, respectively. The references for these directions do not necessarily coincide with the references for directions when the connector is mounted on a vehicle or the like (not shown).

[0018] (Second connector 10B) The second housing 60 is made of synthetic resin and has an overall square block shape as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The second housing 60 has a plurality of second cavities 63 formed therein. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each second cavity 63 extends in the front-rear direction and is arranged in multiple rows in the left-right direction and multiple stages in the up-down direction. The second housing 60 has elastically deformable second lances 64 protruding from the inner wall of each second cavity 63. A second terminal 62 is inserted into each second cavity 63 from the rear. The second terminal 62 is locked by the second lance 64 and is prevented from slipping out of the second cavity 63 rearward.

[0019] The second terminal 62 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate and has an elongated shape that extends in the front-to-rear direction as a whole. The second terminal 62 has a box portion 65 that is engaged with the second lance 64, and a second barrel portion 66 that is connected to the rear of the box portion 65 and is crimped and connected to the end portion of the electric wire W2.

[0020] 2 and 3, a locking portion 67 is formed to protrude from the upper surface of the second housing 60. The locking portion 67 protrudes rearward from the center of the left and right rear end of the upper surface of the second housing 60, and is locked by a locking arm 42 of the lever 21, which will be described later.

[0021] Cam pins 68 are formed to protrude from each of the left and right side surfaces of the second housing 60. Each cam pin 68 is cylindrical and is located slightly above the vertical center of the front end of each side surface of the second housing 60. An outer peripheral surface 69 of each cam pin 68 is arranged to face in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction (the radial direction of the cam pin 68). A tip surface 71 of each cam pin 68 is arranged to face outward to the left and right.

[0022] A groove-shaped locking receiving portion 72 is recessed into the tip surface 71 of each cam pin 68. The locking receiving portion 72 extends in the front-rear direction (radial direction) and, as shown in FIG. 7, has an open line portion 73 that opens at both radial ends of the outer circumferential surface 69 of the cam pin 68. The open line portion 73 of the locking receiving portion 72 is an edge that forms a straight line along the left-right direction. The locking receiving portion 72 is arranged with its groove width facing the up-down direction and has a pair of side inner surfaces 74 that face each other in the up-down direction. The locking receiving portion 72 is also arranged with its groove depth facing the left-right direction and has bottom surfaces 75 on the left and right inner sides. The bottom surfaces 75 of the locking receiving portion 72 are arranged along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

[0023] The locking receiving portion 72 has a dovetail groove shape, and the groove width gradually widens from the tip surface 71 side toward the bottom surface 75 side of the cam pin 68. Each side inner surface 74 of the locking receiving portion 72, except for an expanding surface 85 described later, is inclined at an angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to an opening line portion 73 along the left-right direction, and is preferably inclined at an angle of 10 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less.

[0024] Expanding surfaces 85 that expand the groove width upward and downward and outward are formed at the front and rear ends of each inner side surface 74 of the locking receiving portion 72. Each expanding surface 85 is arranged along the vertical direction and is continuous with the opening line portion 73 of the locking receiving portion 72. Each expanding surface 85 is arranged over the entire length of the locking receiving portion 72 in the horizontal direction, and the groove width narrows toward the bottom surface 75 in accordance with the dovetail groove shape of the locking receiving portion 72. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a flat base portion 76 (only the base portion 76 on the right side is shown in FIG. 2) that extends rearward from the base of the cam pin 68 is formed on each of the left and right side surfaces of the second housing 60.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, a release rib 77 is formed to protrude from each of the left and right side surfaces of the second housing 60. As shown in Fig. 2, the release rib 77 is rib-shaped and extends in the front-rear direction, and is positioned below the cam pin 68. The release rib 77 interferes with a temporary locking portion 44 (described later) of the lever 21, and releases the lock of the lever 21 from the temporary locking position.

[0026] The second front retainer 61 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in FIG. 2, is cap-shaped and attached to the second housing 60 from the front. The second front retainer 61 has a second front wall portion 78 that covers the front of each second lance 64 and a second peripheral wall portion 79 that protrudes rearward from the outer edge of the second front wall portion 78. The second front wall portion 78 has multiple second tab insertion holes 81 that communicate with each second cavity 63. When the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 are mated, tabs 29 (described later) of each first terminal 23 are inserted into the second tab insertion holes 81. As shown in FIG. 1, the second front wall portion 78 has multiple second protrusions 82 that protrude rearward. Each second protrusion 82 extends below each second lance 64 to prevent the second lance 64 from bending. By preventing the deflection of each second lance 64, each second terminal 62 is secondarily prevented from slipping out rearward from each second cavity 63.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, the second peripheral wall portion 79 is disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the front end portion of the second housing 60. The second peripheral wall portion 79 has pin recesses 83 and rib recesses 84 that open at the rear ends of each of the left and right side walls. As shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the bases of the cam pins 68 and the base portions 76 are inserted into the pin recesses 83. The release rib 77 is inserted into the rib recesses 84.

[0028] (First connector 10A) The first housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and includes a block-shaped housing body 24 and a hood portion 25 protruding forward from the outer edge of the housing body 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The housing body 24 has a plurality of first cavities 26 formed therein. Each of the first cavities 26 extends in the front-rear direction and is arranged in multiple rows in the left-right direction and multiple columns in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing body 24 has elastically deformable first lances 27 protruding from the inner wall of each of the first cavities 26. A first terminal 23 is inserted into each of the first cavities 26 from the rear. The first terminal 23 is locked by the first lances 27, preventing it from slipping out of the first cavity 26 rearward.

[0029] The first terminal 23 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate and has an overall elongated shape extending in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 1 , the first terminal 23 has a terminal body 28 that is engaged with the first lance 27, a tab 29 that protrudes forward from the terminal body 28, and a first barrel portion 31 that is connected to the rear of the terminal body 28 and is crimped and connected to an end portion of the electric wire W1. When the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 are mated, the tab 29 of the first terminal 23 is disposed within the box portion 65 of the second terminal 62. The tab 29 of the first terminal 23 contacts a contact piece (not shown) formed within the box portion 65 of the second terminal 62, thereby electrically connecting the first terminal 23 and the second terminal 62 to each other.

[0030] The first front retainer 22 is made of synthetic resin, has a cap shape, and is attached to the first housing 20 from the front. The first front retainer 22 has a first front wall portion 32 that covers the front of each first lance 27, and a first peripheral wall portion 33 (not shown in detail, but see FIG. 1) that protrudes rearward from the outer edge of the first front wall portion 32. The first front wall portion 32 has multiple first tab insertion holes 34 that communicate with each first cavity 26. The tabs 29 of each first terminal 23 are disposed so as to protrude from each first tab insertion hole 34 into the hood portion 25. The first front wall portion 32 has multiple first protrusions 35 that protrude rearward. Each first protrusion 35 enters below each first lance 27 and prevents the first lance 27 from bending. By preventing the deflection of each first lance 27, each first terminal 23 is secondarily prevented from slipping out rearward from each first cavity 26.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4 , the hood portion 25 has a rectangular cylindrical shape that is long in the left-right direction and short in the up-down direction. A pin entrance groove 36 and a rib entrance groove 37 are formed in each of the left and right side walls of the hood portion 25. Each of the pin entrance grooves 36 and the rib entrance grooves 37 extends in the front-to-rear direction, with its front end opening at the front end of the corresponding side wall and its rear end closed near the rear end of the corresponding side wall. Each of the pin entrance grooves 36 is located above each of the rib entrance grooves 37 and has a wider vertical groove width than each of the rib entrance grooves 37. When the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 are assembled and mated, the cam pins 68 and the release ribs 77 are inserted into and positioned in the pin entrance grooves 36 and the rib entrance grooves 37, respectively. A support shaft 38 (only the support shaft 38 on the left side is shown in FIG. 4 ) protrudes from each of the left and right side surfaces of the first housing 20. Each support shaft 38 is cylindrical and is disposed on each side of the boundary between the hood portion 25 and the housing main body 24. Each support shaft 38 constitutes the central axis around which the lever 21 rotates.

[0032] Lever 21 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, has a gate shape when viewed from the front and includes a pair of cam plate portions 39 spaced apart in the left-right direction, and a connecting portion 41 that extends in the left-right direction and connects the cam plate portions 39. As shown in Figure 4, lever 21 is attached so as to straddle first housing 20. Each cam plate portion 39 is positioned opposite each of the left and right side surfaces of first housing 20. Connecting portion 41 is positioned above first housing 20.

[0033] An elastically deformable lock arm 42 is formed in the left-right center of the connecting portion 41. As shown in Fig. 1, the lock arm 42 locks the lock portion 67 of the second housing 60, thereby stopping the lever 21 at the main locking position relative to the first housing 20.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5 , each cam plate 39 is shaped like a plate with its surface facing left and right and has a bearing portion 43 penetrating in the left and right direction. The support shaft 38 of the first housing 20 is fitted into the bearing portion 43 of each cam plate 39. A U-shaped or gate-shaped notch is formed in a portion of each cam plate 39, and an elastically deformable temporary locking portion 44 is formed inside the notch. The temporary locking portion 44 locks onto the edge of the rib entrance groove 37, thereby stopping the lever 21 at a temporary locking position relative to the first housing 20. When the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 are assembled, the release rib 77 enters the rib entrance groove 37 and interferes with the temporary locking portion 44, thereby releasing the temporary locking portion 44 from its locking with the edge of the rib entrance groove 37 and allowing the lever 21 to rotate toward the final locking position.

[0035] 5, each cam plate portion 39 has a cam groove 48 that extends around the bearing portion 43 from an entrance 46 to a rear end portion 47, and an introduction groove 49 that extends from the entrance 46 of the cam groove 48 and opens onto the outer circumferential edge of the cam plate portion 39. The cam groove 48 and the introduction groove 49 both open onto the inner surface of each cam plate portion 39 (the plate surfaces of each cam plate portion 39 that face each other) and are closed off onto the outer surface of each cam plate portion 39 (the surface that faces outward, opposite the inner surface).

[0036] 5, the innermost end 47 of the cam groove 48 is located near the bearing portion 43. The entrance 46 of the cam groove 48 is located at a position closer to the outer peripheral edge of the cam plate portion 39, away from the connecting portion 41, across the bearing portion 43. The entrance 46 of the cam groove 48 bends from the curved extending portion of the cam groove 48 and extends linearly, and is located so as to face forward in the provisional locking position.

[0037] Each side surface of cam groove 48 (opposing side surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of cam groove 48) serves as a cam surface for fitting and disengaging with which cam pin 68 comes into contact during the fitting and disengaging process of first housing 20 and second housing 60. The bottom surface of cam groove 48 (the surface on the far side in the recessed direction from the inner surface of cam plate portion 39) is arranged parallel to cam groove opening 91, which will be described later.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6 , the introduction groove 49 communicates with the entrance 46 of the cam groove 48 and is disposed so as to extend linearly in the front-to-rear direction in the temporary locking position. The inner surface of the introduction groove 49 is composed of a groove bottom surface 51 and a pair of groove side surfaces 52. The groove bottom surface 51 of the introduction groove 49 is disposed so as to face inward in the left-to-right direction. A partition portion 53 is formed on the groove bottom surface 51 of the introduction groove 49, separating it from the entrance 46 of the cam groove 48. The partition portion 53 has a rib shape that extends in the up-down direction in the temporary locking position and is disposed so as to face the entrance 46 of the cam groove 48. The partition portion 53 comes into contact with the cam pin 68 disposed in the entrance 46 of the cam groove 48 in the temporary locking position, preventing the cam pin 68 from inadvertently moving toward the introduction groove 49.

[0039] A locking portion 54 is formed to protrude from the groove bottom surface 51 of the introduction groove 49. The locking portion 54 has a rib-like shape extending in the front-rear direction in the temporary locking position, with its front end (a front surface portion 56 described later) facing the outer periphery of the cam plate portion 39 and its rear end (a rear surface portion 57 described later) connected to the vertical center of the partition portion 53. In the temporary locking position, the locking portion 54 has a pair of side surfaces 55 facing up and down, the front surface portion 56 facing forward, the rear surface portion 57 facing rearward, and tip surface portions 58 facing inward on the left and right. The protruding dimension of the locking portion 54 is determined by the distance from the groove bottom surface 51 of the introduction groove 49 to the tip surface portions 58. The width dimension of the locking portion 54 is the vertical dimension of the locking portion 54 in the temporary locking position and is determined by the distance between the side surfaces 55. The protruding dimension of the locking portion 54 is greater than the protruding dimension of the partition portion 53. The base end portion of the locking portion 54 in the protruding direction is connected to the partition portion 53 over the entire height of the partition portion 53 .

[0040] A front surface 56 of the locking portion 54 is continuous with the outer peripheral edge of the cam plate portion 39 without any steps. A chamfered portion 59 is formed at the opening portion of the guide groove 49 on the outer peripheral edge of the cam plate portion 39, including the outer edge of the front surface 56. A rear surface 57 of the locking portion 54 protrudes inward from the partition portion 53 to the left and right. A chamfered portion 59 is also formed on the outer edge of the rear surface 57, similar to the outer edge of the front surface 56. The front surface 56 and the rear surface 57, excluding the chamfered portion 59, are arranged along the left-right and up-down directions. A tip surface 58 of the locking portion 54 is rectangular when viewed from the inside left and right, and is arranged along the front-back and up-down directions.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the locking portion 54 has a dovetail shape, with its width gradually increasing from its base end (the portion closest to the groove bottom surface 51) toward its tip surface 58. Each side surface 55 of the locking portion 54 is inclined toward the opposing groove side surface 52 (in the vertical and outward directions at the provisional locking position) as it extends from the base end toward the tip surface 58. Each side surface 55 is inclined at an angle of less than 45 degrees, preferably 10 degrees to 30 degrees, relative to a reference axis extending in the left-right direction from the groove bottom surface 51. The inclination angle of each side surface 55 is the same as the inclination angle of each inner side surface 74 of the locking receiving portion 72 described above. The groove side surfaces 52 of the guide groove 49 are arranged opposite each other across the locking portion 54. The groove side surfaces 52 of the guide groove 49 are arranged along the left-right and front-rear directions at the provisional locking position.

[0042] 5, the inner surface of cam plate portion 39 has a cam groove opening 91 that opens along the extension direction of cam groove 48, an introduction groove opening 92 that opens along the extension direction of introduction groove 49, and a step surface 93 that is arranged along the thickness direction (left-right direction) of cam plate portion 39 between cam groove opening 91 and introduction groove opening 92. The introduction groove opening 92 is arranged outward in the width direction from cam groove opening 91 via step surface 93.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5 , the cam plate portion 39 has a first plate portion 94 having a cam groove opening 91 and a stepped surface 93, and a second plate portion 95 having an introduction groove opening 92. The first plate portion 94 and the second plate portion 95 are integrally formed so as to be stacked on top of each other in the thickness direction of the cam plate portion 39. The second plate portions 95 are located on the left and right outer sides of the first plate portion 94 and have portions that protrude forward from the stepped surface 93 when in the provisionally locked position. The first plate portion 94 has portions on the left and right inner sides of the second plate portion 95 that protrude upward more than the second plate portion 95 when in the provisionally locked position. The thickness of the second plate portion 95 is greater than the thickness of the first plate portion 94.

[0044] The cam groove opening 91 of the first plate portion 94 is a surface that extends on both sides of the cam groove 48, intersecting at right angles with each side surface (cam surface) of the cam groove 48. The introduction groove opening 92 of the second plate portion 95 is a surface that extends on both sides of the introduction groove 49, intersecting at right angles with each groove side surface 52. In short, the cam groove opening 91 and the introduction groove opening 92 are arranged in parallel and stepped in the thickness direction of the cam plate portion 39, with a step surface 93 interposed between them.

[0045] (Connector function) When assembling the first housing 20 and the second housing 60, the lever 21 is held in a provisionally locked position relative to the first housing 20, and the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 are positioned facing each other. When the second housing 60 is in the correct position relative to the first housing 20, the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 are positioned so that their front surfaces (mating surfaces) face each other in parallel. At this time, each second terminal 62 is accommodated in each second cavity 63 along the front-rear direction, and each first terminal 23 is accommodated in each first cavity 26 along the front-rear direction.

[0046] At the start of assembly, when the second housing 60 in the correct position is shallowly assembled to the first housing 20, as shown in FIG. 7 , the tip surface 71 side portion of the cam pin 68 is introduced into each of the guide grooves 49. At this time, the root side portion of the cam pin 68 is inserted into the pin recess 83 of the second front retainer 61. The root side portion of the cam pin 68 in the middle portion in the protruding direction (the middle portion between the left and right) is inserted into the pin entrance groove 36 of the hood portion 25. The tip surface 71 side portion of the cam pin 68 in the middle portion in the protruding direction is positioned forward of the entrance 46 of the cam groove 48 (forward when viewed from the first connector 10A side). The tip surface 71 of the cam pin 68 is in contact with or adjacent to and faces the groove bottom surface 51 of the guide groove 49. Both the front and rear sides of the outer circumferential surface 69 of the cam pin 68 face the groove side surfaces 52 of the guide groove 49.

[0047] 7, the locking portion 54 is inserted into the locking receiving portion 72 in a fitted state through the expansion surfaces 85. The tip surface 58 of the locking portion 54 is in contact with or close to the bottom surface 75 of the locking receiving portion 72. The side surfaces 55 of the locking portion 54 are located on the left and right inner sides of the inner side surfaces 74 of the locking receiving portion 72, and are in contact with or close to the inner side surfaces 74.

[0048] Thereafter, when the second housing 60 in the correct position is assembled deeply into the first housing 20, the portions of the cam pins 68 on the side of the tip surfaces 71 thereof move out of the guide grooves 49, and at the same time, the locking portions 54 move out of the locking receiving portions 72. Then, when the second housing 60 in the correct position is assembled to the first housing 20 at the correct depth, the portions of the cam pins 68 on the side of the tip surfaces 71 thereof are inserted into the inlets 46 of the corresponding cam grooves 48. In this way, when the second housing 60 is assembled to the first housing 20 in the correct position, the cam pins 68 are smoothly inserted from the corresponding guide grooves 49 into the inlets 46 of the cam grooves 48 at the same time.

[0049] When the cam pins 68 are inserted into the entrances 46 of the cam grooves 48, the release ribs 77 interfere with the temporary-locking portions 44, causing the temporary-locking portions 44 to elastically deform in a direction that releases the engagement with the groove edges of the rib entrance grooves 37. This allows the lever 21 to rotate to the full-locking position. When the lever 21 is rotated toward the full-locking position, the cam pins 68 contact the side surfaces (mating cam surfaces) of the cam grooves 48, and the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 are mated with a low mating force. When the lever 21 reaches the full-locking position, the cam pins 68 are positioned at the inner ends 47 of the cam grooves 48, the lock arms 42 lock the locking portions 67, and the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 are maintained in a mated state. The first terminals 23 and the second terminals 62 are electrically connected to each other in a normal state.

[0050] In contrast, when the second housing 60 is in an incorrect position relative to the first housing 20, the front surface (mating surface) of the second housing 60 is disposed so as to be inclined relative to the front surface (mating surface) of the first housing 20, as shown in Fig. 8. In this case, one of the cam pins 68 (the cam pin 68 on the left side in Fig. 8) is positioned further forward than the other cam pin 68 (the cam pin 68 on the right side in Fig. 8).

[0051] At the start of assembly, when the incorrectly positioned second housing 60 is shallowly assembled to the first housing 20, one cam pin 68 passes through the guide groove 49 and enters deeply into the entrance 46 of the cam groove 48, as shown in FIG. 9, and one release rib 77 releases the engagement between the temporary locking portion 44 and the groove edge of the rib entrance groove 37. When one cam pin 68 enters the entrance 46 of the cam groove 48 in this manner, the other cam pin 68 still remains in the guide groove 49, as shown in FIG. 10. Here, because a gap (see the arrow in FIG. 10) is provided between the locking portion 54 and the inner surface of the lock receiving portion 72, it is possible to create a state in which the locking portion 54 fits into the lock receiving portion 72. At this time, there is a concern that the tip surface of the other cam pin will press the second plate portion of the cam plate portion outward to the left and right, causing it to widen due to the tilt of the incorrectly positioned second housing 60.

[0052] However, in the case of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , the chamfered portion 59 of the front surface 56 of the locking portion 54 is disposed along the expanding surface 85 of the lock-receiving portion 72, and the locking portion 54 is guided and inserted into the lock-receiving portion 72. Then, the side surface portions 55 of the locking portion 54 contact the inner side surfaces 74 of the lock-receiving portion 72 from the left and right inner sides, thereby preventing the locking portion 54 from being displaced in a direction away from the cam pin 68. In other words, the side surface portions 55 of the locking portion 54 contact the inner side surfaces 74 of the lock-receiving portion 72 from the left and right inner sides, preventing the cam plate portion 39 from expanding outward to the left and right. This prevents the cam plate portion 39 from expanding and deforming, and also maintains the engagement between the temporary locking portions 44 and the groove edges of the rib entrance grooves 37.

[0053] If an operator were to forcibly rotate the lever 21 to the full locking position when the second housing 60 is in an incorrect position relative to the first housing 20, the outer surface 69 of the cam pin 68 would come into contact with the groove side surface 52 of the guide groove 49, preventing further rotation of the lever 21. As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the second housing 60 in an incorrect position from being assembled too deeply into the first housing 20, and it is possible to prevent the cam pin 68 from entering the entrance 46 of the cam groove 48 in an incorrect state. It is also possible to prevent the lever 21 from being rotated incorrectly. As a result, it is possible to properly fit the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 together.

[0054] As described above, the connector of the first embodiment includes first housing 20 and second housing 60 that can be fitted together, and lever 21 that is supported rotatably between a temporary locking position and a full locking position relative to first housing 20. Lever 21 has a pair of cam plate portions 39 that are spaced apart in the width direction (left-right direction), and connecting portion 41 that extends in the width direction and connects each cam plate portion 39.

[0055] The cam plate 39 has a bearing 43 located at the center of rotation of the lever 21, a cam groove 48 extending around the bearing 43 from an entrance 46 to a rear end 47, and an introduction groove 49 extending from the entrance 46 of the cam groove 48 and opening at the outer periphery of the cam plate 39. The second housing 60 has cam pins 68 protruding from each side surface in the width direction. The cam pin 68 is positioned from the introduction groove 49 to the entrance 46 of the cam groove 48 at the temporary locking position, contacts the groove surface of the cam groove 48 between the temporary locking position and the full locking position, and is positioned at the rear end 47 of the cam groove 48 at the full locking position. A locking receiving portion 72 is formed on a tip surface 71 of the cam pin 68 protruding from the side surface. A locking portion 54 is formed on the inner surface of the introduction groove 49 of the cam plate 39, contacting the locking receiving portion 72 to prevent the cam plate 39 from expanding outward in the width direction.

[0056] If the second housing 60 were to be assembled in an incorrect, tilted position relative to the first housing 20, one of the pair of cam pins 68 in the width direction would be inserted deeply into the entrance of the corresponding cam groove 48, and the other cam pin 68 would be inserted shallowly into the corresponding guide groove 49. According to the above configuration, when the other cam pin 68 is inserted shallowly into the guide groove 49, the locking portion 54 of the guide groove 49 comes into contact with the locking receiving portion 72 of the other cam pin 68, preventing the cam plate portion 39 from expanding outward in the width direction. This prevents the cam plate portion 39 from climbing onto the tip surface 71 of the cam pin 68 and expanding and deforming, allowing the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 to be properly fitted together.

[0057] In addition, in the case of the first embodiment, the locking portion 54 is formed only within the range of the guide groove 49. In other words, since the locking portion 54 is not formed in the cam groove 48, when the lever 21 rotates, the cam pin 68 can be smoothly displaced in the cam groove 48 without interfering with the locking portion 54.

[0058] Furthermore, in the case of the first embodiment, the locking portion 54 has a rib shape that extends on the inner surface of the introduction groove 49 in the extension direction of the introduction groove 49, and the locking receiving portion 72 has a groove shape that extends radially on the tip surface 71 of the cam pin 68 and opens onto the outer peripheral surface 69 of the cam pin 68. With this configuration, when the first housing 20 and the second housing 60 are assembled, the locking portion 54 of the introduction groove 49 fits into the locking receiving portion 72 from the opening portion of the outer peripheral surface 69 of the cam pin 68, and a state in which the locking portion 54 locks the locking receiving portion 72 can be easily formed. In particular, because the locking portion 54 has a shape that expands toward the tip side that protrudes from the inner surface of the introduction groove 49 and the locking receiving portion 72 has a shape that reduces the groove width toward the tip surface 71 of the cam pin 68, the locking structure between the locking portion 54 and the locking receiving portion 72 can be easily formed.

[0059] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the inner surface of the cam plate portion 39 has a cam groove opening 91 that opens along the extension direction of the cam groove 48, an introduction groove opening 92 that opens along the extension direction of the introduction groove 49, and a step surface 93 that is located between the cam groove opening 91 and the introduction groove opening 92 and is disposed along the thickness direction of the cam plate portion 39. The introduction groove opening 92 is disposed outward in the width direction from the cam groove opening 91 via the step surface 93. This makes it less likely that the cam pin 68 will interfere with portions of the cam plate portion 39 other than the locking portion 54 when passing through the introduction groove 49, thereby preventing increased resistance when assembling the first housing 20 and the second housing 60.

[0060] [Another embodiment of the present disclosure] The first embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the first embodiment, the cam groove is recessed into the inner surface of the cam plate and is closed on the outer surface of the cam plate. In contrast, in other embodiments, the cam groove may penetrate the cam plate in the thickness direction. In the first embodiment, the locking portion extends in the radial direction passing through the center of the tip end surface of the cam plate. In contrast, in other embodiments, the locking portion may extend in the chord direction at a position offset from the center of the tip end surface of the cam pin. In the first embodiment, the guide groove has a pair of groove side surfaces that face each other in the groove width direction. In contrast, in other embodiments, the groove side surface of the guide groove may be formed only on the side that faces the outer peripheral surface of the cam pin in the rotation direction of the lever to the full locking position. In other words, it is sufficient that the groove side surface is formed in a position that can suppress rotation of the lever when the second housing is assembled to the first housing in an incorrect position. In this case, it is preferable to omit one of the portions of the second plate portion 95 on both sides of the guide groove (the portion opposite the side that faces the outer peripheral surface of the cam pin in the rotation direction of the lever to the full locking position). In the first embodiment, the locking portion is provided as a rib-like protrusion on the inner surface of the introduction groove, and the locking receiving portion is provided as a groove-like recess on the tip surface of the cam pin. In contrast, in other embodiments, the locking portion may be provided as a groove-like recess on the inner surface of the introduction groove, and the locking receiving portion may be provided as a rib-like recess on the tip surface of the cam pin. For example, the locking receiving portion may be a flange-shaped portion that protrudes radially from the tip surface of the cam pin, and the locking portion may be provided as a radial recess on the groove side surface of the introduction groove. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10A...1st connector 10B...Second connector 20...1st Housing 21...Lever 22...First front retainer 23...1st terminal 24...Housing body 25...Hood section 26...First cavity 27...First Lance 28...Terminal body 29...Tab 31...First barrel section 32...First front wall part 33...First peripheral wall part 34...First tab insertion hole 35...First protrusion 36…Pin entry groove 37...Rib entry groove 38…Support shaft 39...Cam plate part 41...Connection part 42...Lock arm 43...Bearing part 44...Temporary locking portion 46...Entrance 47...Back end 48...Cam groove 49...Introduction groove 51…Groove bottom surface 52…Groove side 53...Partition 54...Latching part 55...Side part 56…Front part 57...Rear section 58…Tip surface part 59... Chamfered part 60...Second housing 61...Second front retainer 62...2nd terminal 63...Second cavity 64...Second Lance 65...Hakobe 66...Second barrel section 67...Rock Club 68...Camping 69...Outer surface 71…Tip surface 72...Latching receiving part 73...Opening line 74...Side inner surface 75...Bottom 76...Base 77...Release rib 78…Second front wall part 79…Second peripheral wall part 81...Second tab insertion hole 82...Second protrusion 83...Pin recess 84...Rib recess 85...Expansion surface 91...Cam groove opening 92...Introducing groove opening 93…Step surface 94...First plate part 95…Second plate part

Claims

1. a first housing and a second housing that are fittable with each other; a lever supported on the first housing so as to be rotatable between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, The lever has a pair of cam plate portions spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and a connecting portion extending in the width direction and connecting the cam plate portions, the cam plate portion has a bearing portion disposed at the rotation center of the lever, a cam groove extending from an entrance to a rear end portion around the bearing portion, and an introduction groove extending from the entrance of the cam groove and opening at an outer peripheral edge of the cam plate portion, the second housing has cam pins protruding from each side surface in the width direction, the cam pin is disposed at the entrance of the cam groove from the introduction groove at the temporary locking position, contacts a groove surface of the cam groove between the temporary locking position and the full locking position, and is disposed at the deep end of the cam groove at the full locking position; a locking portion is formed on a tip end surface of the cam pin in a direction of protrusion from the side surface, A connector, wherein an inner surface of the introduction groove in the cam plate portion is formed with a locking portion that comes into contact with the locking receiving portion and prevents the cam plate portion from expanding outward in the width direction.

2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the locking portion is formed only within the range of the guide groove.

3. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the locking portion has a rib shape extending along the inner surface of the introduction groove in the extension direction of the introduction groove, and the locking receiving portion has a groove shape extending along the tip surface of the cam pin in a radial or chord direction and opening onto the outer peripheral surface of the cam pin.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the locking portion has a shape that expands toward the tip side protruding from the inner surface of the introduction groove, and the locking receiving portion has a shape that narrows the groove width toward the tip surface of the cam pin.

5. the inner surface of the cam plate portion has a cam groove opening portion that opens along the extension direction of the cam groove, an introduction groove opening portion that opens along the extension direction of the introduction groove, and a step surface that is located between the cam groove opening portion and the introduction groove opening portion and that is disposed along the thickness direction of the cam plate portion, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the introduction groove opening is disposed outward in the width direction from the cam groove opening via the stepped surface.

Images