Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector comprising a more appropriate hold mechanism for an operation lever.SOLUTION: A connector 100 which can be fitted with a mating connector comprises an outer housing 10, a slider, and an operation lever 20. The slider is slidable with rotation of the operation lever 20 and includes a lock part having flexibility in a predetermined location, and the outer housing 10 includes a locked part to which the lock part of the slider can be locked. In the connector 10, the lock part of the slider can be locked to the locked part of the outer housing 10 in a state where the operation lever 20 is located at a first position, the mating connector is abutted to the lock part of the slider by temporary fitting of the mating connector and the lock part is bent, such that a locked state of the lock part to the locked part can be cancelled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector having a lever mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector equipped with a lever mechanism for reducing the force required to mate with a mating connector.

[0003] This connector is equipped with a housing, a sliding member (corresponding to a slider), and an operating lever that slides the slider. Rotating the operating lever moves the cam pin of the mating connector along the cam groove formed in the slider, thereby mating the connector and the mating connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-99267 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors of the present invention have realized that connectors with conventional lever structures have problems that need to be overcome, and have newly discovered the need to take measures to address these problems. Specifically, they have found the following problems:

[0006] In the mating operation of a connector having the above-described lever structure, the connector and the mating connector are combined with each other with the operating lever in the initial position (i.e., the position before the operating lever is rotated). In the connector described in Patent Document 1, the operating lever is held by a protrusion provided on the cover. However, it is difficult to say that the operating lever is held sufficiently by this protrusion, and therefore, when a load is applied to the operating lever, the operating lever may unintentionally come off the protrusion and deviate from the initial position, which may reduce the efficiency of the mating operation.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. That is, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector having a more suitable operating lever holding mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides: A connector that can be mated with a mating connector, The connector includes an outer housing into which the mating connector is inserted and which can be received therein, a slider which is provided on the outer housing and which can slide in a predetermined direction, and an operating lever which is combined with the slider and which can rotate between a first position before rotation and a second position after rotation, the slider is slidable in response to rotation of the operating lever and has a flexible locking portion at a predetermined location; the outer housing has a locking portion to which the locking portion of the slider can be locked, the locking portion of the slider can be locked to the locked portion of the outer housing when the operating lever is in the first position, A connector is provided in which, by provisionally fitting the mating connector, the mating connector abuts against the locking portion of the slider, causing the locking portion to bend, thereby enabling the locking state of the locking portion relative to the locked portion to be released. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the connector of the present disclosure, the operating lever can be held more suitably. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the connector of the present disclosure in a state where the operating lever is in a first position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the connector of the present disclosure in a provisionally mated state with the operating lever in a first position and the mating connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing the connector of the present disclosure (the outer housing, which is a component thereof, is not shown) in a provisionally mated state with the operating lever in a first position and the mating connector. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a perspective view schematically showing an outer housing of the connector of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a perspective view schematically showing the outer housing of the connector of the present disclosure, as viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 4A. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a front view schematically showing the outer housing of the connector of the present disclosure. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4D is an end view schematically showing the outer housing of the connector of the present disclosure. [Figure 4E] FIG. 4E is a top view schematically showing the outer housing of the connector of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing an inner housing of the connector of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a perspective view schematically showing a slider of the connector of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a front view schematically showing the inner main surface of the slider of the connector of the present disclosure. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is a bottom view schematically showing a slider of the connector of the present disclosure. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the slider of the connector of the present disclosure as viewed from one end face side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a cover on which an operating lever is pivotally supported in the connector of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a mating connector that can be mated with the connector of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view schematically showing the connector of the present disclosure (the outer housing, which is a component thereof, is not shown) when the operating lever is unexpectedly rotated before provisional fitting with the mating connector. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged front view schematically showing the behavior of the locking portion of the slider, which is a component of the connector of the present disclosure, when the operating lever is unexpectedly rotated before provisional mating with the mating connector. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view schematically showing an inner main surface of another example of a slider of the connector of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of a slider of the connector of the present disclosure as viewed from one end face side. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of a slider of the connector of the present disclosure as viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a front view schematically showing an inner main surface of yet another example of a slider of a connector of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The various elements in the drawings are merely shown schematically and as examples for the purpose of explaining the present disclosure, and the appearance, dimensional ratio, etc. may differ from the actual product.

[0012] [Basic configuration of connector] First, in order to understand the overall structure of the connector of the present disclosure, the basic configuration of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the connector of the present disclosure in a state where the operating lever is in a first position. Fig. 4A is a perspective view schematically showing the outer housing of the connector of the present disclosure. Fig. 4B is a perspective view schematically showing the outer housing of the connector of the present disclosure, as viewed from an angle different from that of Fig. 4A. Fig. 4C is a front view schematically showing the outer housing of the connector of the present disclosure. Fig. 4D is an end view schematically showing the outer housing of the connector of the present disclosure. Fig. 4E is a top view schematically showing the outer housing of the connector of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the inner housing of the connector of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 6A is a perspective view schematically showing a slider of the connector of the present disclosure. FIG. 6B is a front view schematically showing an inner main surface of the slider of the connector of the present disclosure. FIG. 6C is a bottom view schematically showing the slider of the connector of the present disclosure. FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the slider of the connector of the present disclosure as seen from one end face side. FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a cover on which an operating lever of the connector of the present disclosure is pivotally supported. FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a mating connector that can be mated with the connector of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a front view schematically showing the connector of the present disclosure (the outer housing of its component is not shown) when the operating lever is unexpectedly rotated before provisional mating with the mating connector. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged front view schematically showing the behavior of a locking portion of the slider, a component of the connector of the present disclosure, when the operating lever is unexpectedly rotated before provisional mating with the mating connector.

[0015] The connector 100 of the present disclosure comprises, as its main components, an outer housing 10, a slider provided within the outer housing 10, and an operating lever 20 combined with the slider and attached so as to be rotatable between a first position before rotation shown in Figure 1 and a second position after rotation.

[0016] The slider 40 slides in a predetermined direction within the outer housing 10 as the operating lever 20 rotates. That is, an operator can slide the slider 40 by rotating the operating lever 20 (see FIG. 6A, etc.). The operating lever 20 assists in mating the connector 100 of the present disclosure with the mating connector 200 through a rotational operation.

[0017] The slider 40 also has a cam groove 45 on the inner main surface 46 side, in which a cam pin 230 (see FIG. 8) of the mating connector 200, which will be described later, can move relatively when sliding in the above-mentioned predetermined direction.

[0018] In the present disclosure, when the cam pin 230 is positioned at the first end 45a serving as the entrance end of the cam groove 45, provisional mating of the mating connector 200 with the connector 100 can be achieved. That is, in this specification, the state of "provisional mating of the mating connector" refers to a provisional (not complete) mating state of the mating connector 200 with the connector 100 of the present disclosure. Specifically, the state of "provisional mating of the mating connector" refers to a state in which the operating lever 20 is in the first position and the cam pin 230 of the mating connector is positioned at the first end 45a serving as the entrance end of the cam groove 45 of the slider 40. In other words, the state in which the operating lever 20 is in the first position can be a state in which the cam pin 230 of the mating connector is positioned at the first end 45a serving as the entrance end of the cam groove 45 of the slider 40.

[0019] Furthermore, when the cam pin 230 is positioned at the second end 45b of the cam groove 45, which is the end opposite to the first end, the mating connector 200 can be fully mated with the connector 100 of the present disclosure. In other words, in this specification, the "full mating of the mating connector" state refers to a state in which the connector 100 of the present disclosure and the mating connector 200 are fully mated with each other. Specifically, the "full mating of the mating connector" state refers to a state in which the operating lever 20 is in the second position, i.e., a state in which the rotation of the lever 20 is completed, and the cam pin 230 of the mating connector is positioned at the second end 45b of the cam groove 45 of the slider 40. In other words, the state in which the operating lever 20 is in the second position can refer to a state in which the cam pin 230 of the mating connector is positioned at the second end 45b of the cam groove 45 of the slider 40.

[0020] The outer housing 10 can be configured to accommodate the entire inner housing 50 and part of the mating connector 200. The outer housing 10 has a first internal space 14 with a first opening 11 in the mating direction with the mating connector 200. The first internal space 14 is defined by a main body portion 12 of the outer housing 10.

[0021] The inner housing 50 and the mating connector 200 can be inserted through this first opening 11 and placed in the first internal space 14. The inner housing 50 has a plurality of through-portions 51 that accommodate male contacts 210 (see FIG. 8) of the mating connector 200 in the mating direction of the mating connector 200 and can come into contact with the contacts.

[0022] Furthermore, with the inner housing 50 disposed, a continuous space 13 can be provided between the main body portion 12 of the outer housing 10 and the inner housing 50 within the first internal space 14 of the outer housing 10. This continuous space 13 can be a space for inserting the enclosure 220 that houses the male contacts 210 of the mating connector 200 (see FIG. 4E). When the mating connector 200 is mated, the enclosure 220 of the mating connector 200 is positioned in this continuous space 13.

[0023] The main body portion 12 of the outer housing 10 has therein a second internal space 16 with a second opening portion 15 in a direction intersecting, for example perpendicular to, the mating direction of the mating connector 200. Two second internal spaces 16 may be provided in the main body portion 12 of the outer housing 10.

[0024] A slider 40 (see FIGS. 6A to 6D) can be inserted through the second opening 15 and held in the second internal space 16. In this specification, the second internal space 16 is referred to as a This may also be referred to as a “slider holding space.” The inserted slider 40 is slidable in a predetermined direction in the second internal space 16, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the mating connector 200 described above.

[0025] The cover 30 can be attached to the main body portion 12 of the outer housing 10 from the direction opposite to the mating direction of the mating connector 200 , that is, from the side opposite to the first opening portion 11 .

[0026] The cover 30 can align the electric wires connected to the multiple terminals inserted into the connector of the present disclosure in a predetermined routing direction. The operating lever 20 extends across the cover 30 along the short direction of the connector and can be rotatably supported on both sides of the cover 30.

[0027] The connector 100 of the present disclosure may include a retainer that is inserted into the inner housing 50. The retainer may position and secure the terminals of the mating connector within the inner housing 50. The connector 100 of the present disclosure may also include a sealant for waterproofing. For example, the connector 100 may include a sealant on the inner surface and / or outer periphery of the inner housing 50. The sealant serves to waterproof the terminals within the connector, and may, for example, provide a watertight seal between the inner housing 50 and the mating connector 200.

[0028] Furthermore, components such as the outer housing 10, the slider 40, the operating lever 20, and the cover 30 may be formed from an insulating, non-conductive material. These insulating components may include an insulating resin material. Although not particularly limited, such insulating components may include at least one thermosetting resin selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin, phenolic resin, silicone resin, and unsaturated polyester resin. Different components may also include different resin materials.

[0029] Based on the above configuration, the present disclosure has the following features.

[0030] Specifically, the slider 40 has flexible locking portions 41 at predetermined locations, and the outer housing 10 has locked portions 17 to which the locking portions 41 of the slider 40 can be locked. In one example, as shown in Figures 3, 6B, etc., the locking portions 41 of the slider 40 can be configured so that their longitudinal sides extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction X of the slider 40.

[0031] When the operating lever 20 is in the first position, the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 can be locked to the locked portion 17 of the outer housing 10. Then, by provisionally fitting the mating connector 200, the mating connector 200 comes into contact with the locking portion 41 of the slider 40, allowing the locking portion 41 to bend, thereby enabling the locking state of the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 with the locked portion 17 of the outer housing 10 to be released.

[0032] With this feature, the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 can be kept locked to the locked portion 17 of the outer housing 10 before the mating connector 200 is provisionally fitted. That is, the operating lever 20 can be kept in the first position before rotation.

[0033] On the other hand, when the mating connector 200 is provisionally mated, the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 is released from the locked state, causing the operating lever 20 to rotate from a first position before rotation to a second position after rotation, thereby enabling the slider to slide in a predetermined direction. In the present disclosure, when the sliding movement of the slider 40 is completed, the mating connector 200 can be fully mated with the connector 100 of the present disclosure.

[0034] From the above, in the present disclosure, unless the mating connector 200 is provisionally mated, the slider 40 of the mating connector 200 does not come into contact with the locking portion 41, and the subsequent deflection of the locking portion 41 to release the locked state of the slider 40 does not occur. Therefore, even if an external force acts to rotate the operating lever 20 from the first position before rotation to the second position after rotation before the mating connector 200 is provisionally mated, the locked state of the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 with the locked portion 17 of the outer housing 10 is maintained, and the operating lever 20 can be held in the first position before rotation (see FIG. 9 ). Therefore, the connector 100 of the present disclosure can provide a more suitable operating lever holding mechanism.

[0035] An example of the flexible locking portion 41 of the slider 40 will be described below. The locking portion 41 is provided inside a slit 43 formed in the main body 42 of the slider 40 (see FIGS. 3 and 6A). Specifically, the main body 42 of the slider is provided with a first slit 43a, a second slit 43b that face each other, and a third slit 43c that connects these two slits 43a and 43b, thereby providing the flexible locking portion 41. A protrusion 44 is provided on the end of the locking portion 41.

[0036] The outer housing 10 also has an inner wall portion 18 that forms a part of the second internal space 16 for holding the slider 40. The inner wall portion 18 has an opening portion 19 in which the protrusion 44 of the locking portion 41 can be positioned.

[0037] In the present disclosure, when the operating lever 20 is in the first position before rotation, the protrusion 44 of the locking portion 41 can be locked to the locking wall that forms the opening 19 of the outer housing 10. This prevents the slider 40 from sliding, and the first position before rotation of the operating lever 20 that accompanies the movement of the slider 40 can be maintained.

[0038] Furthermore, in the case where the flexible locking portion 41 is provided by forming the slit 43, the mating connector 200 can come into contact with the protrusion 44 of the locking portion 41 when the mating connector 200 is temporarily fitted.

[0039] Due to the flexibility of the locking portion 41, this contact causes the locking portion 41 to bend, and the locking of the protrusion 44 of the locking portion 41 with the locking wall that defines the opening 19 of the outer housing 10 can be released. This allows the slider 40 to slide in a predetermined direction, thereby allowing the operating lever 20 to be rotated from a first position before rotation to a second position after rotation.

[0040] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the second internal space 16 serving as the slider holding space has a local locking portion accommodating space at its end that can accommodate the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 after the slider 40 has completed sliding. By accommodating the locking portion 41 in this locking portion accommodating space, it is possible to prevent the slider 40 from sliding again in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction. This makes it possible to preferably prevent the operating lever 20 from returning from the second position after rotation to the first position before rotation after rotation of the operating lever 20.

[0041] In the present disclosure, the connector 100 preferably takes the following form. As described above, in the present disclosure, the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 is locked to the locked portion 17 of the outer housing 10 before the mating connector 200 is provisionally mated. Specifically, the protrusion 44 of the locking portion 41 can be locked to a locking wall that forms the opening portion 19 (see FIG. 4B ) of the outer housing 10.

[0042] In this regard, before the mating connector 200 is temporarily mated, due to the flexibility of the locking portion 41, there is a risk that the locking portion 41 will twist, and the locking of the locking portion 41 will be suddenly released from the locked portion 17.

[0043] In view of this, as shown in Figure 11, it is preferable that, when viewed from the front, the engaging portion 41I has a side portion of its protrusion 44I that has a local inclined portion 44AI, and that the inner main surface of the main body portion 42I of the slider 40I has a localized cutout portion 42AI that can abut against this local inclined portion 44AI.

[0044] Due to its shape, this notch portion 42AI has a first notch surface 42BI extending in the movement direction of the slider 40, and a second notch surface 42CI that is continuous with the first notch surface 42BI and extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the movement direction of the slider 40.

[0045] With this configuration, even if twisting occurs in the flexible locking portion 41 before the mating connector 200 is provisionally fitted, and a force is generated that suddenly releases the locking of the locking portion 41 from the locked portion 17, the local inclined portion 44AI of the locking portion 41I can abut against both the first cutout surface 42BI extending in the direction of movement of the slider 40 and the second cutout surface 42CI extending in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slider 40.

[0046] This makes it possible to preferably avoid the locking of the locking portion 41 from the locked portion 17 being unexpectedly released even if a twisting force is generated in the flexible locking portion 41 before the mating connector 200 is provisionally fitted.

[0047] 3, 6B, etc., as long as the above-described features of the present disclosure are provided, the configuration is not limited to one in which the longitudinal direction of the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement direction X of the slider 40. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a configuration may be employed in which the longitudinal direction of the locking portion 41II of the slider 40II extends in a direction substantially parallel to the movement direction X of the slider 40II.

[0048] The manner in which the connector 100 of the present disclosure is used will be described below.

[0049] First, the slider 40 is inserted through the second opening 15 of the outer housing 10 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). This insertion is continued until the flexible locking portion 41 provided at a predetermined location on the slider 40 can be locked with the locked portion 17 of the outer housing 10. The locking portion 41 of the slider 40 can be locked with the locked portion 17 of the outer housing 10 when the operating lever 20 is in the first position.

[0050] Furthermore, with the operating lever 20 pivotally supported by the cover 30 in the first position before rotation, the cover 30 is attached to the outer housing 10. Furthermore, the inner housing 50 is disposed inside the outer housing 10 (see Figs. 1, 4E, 9, etc.).

[0051] As explained in the configuration section of the present disclosure above, in the present disclosure, before the mating connector 200 is provisionally mated, the locking state of the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 relative to the locking portion 17 of the outer housing 10 is maintained, and the operating lever 20 can be maintained in the first position before rotation.

[0052] For the above reasons, unless the mating connector 200 is provisionally fitted, the mating connector 200 will not come into contact with the locking portion 41 of the slider 40, and the subsequent bending of the locking portion 41 will not occur, in order to release the locked state of the locking portion 41 of the slider 40.

[0053] Therefore, even if an external force is applied to rotate the operating lever 20 from the first position before rotation toward the second position after rotation before the mating connector 200 is provisionally mated, the locked state of the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 with the locked portion 17 of the outer housing 10 remains, and the locking portion 41 merely moves to abut against the main body 42 of the slider 40 as shown in Fig. 10. As a result, the operating lever 20 can be held in the first position before rotation before the mating connector 200 is provisionally mated (see Fig. 9).

[0054] Next, with the inner housing 50 in place, the surrounding portion 220 of the mating connector 200 is inserted into the continuous space 13 provided between the main body portion 12 of the outer housing 10 and the inner housing 50. By such insertion, the mating connector 200 is provisionally fitted to the connector 100 of the present disclosure.

[0055] In the present disclosure, temporary fitting of the mating connector 200 allows the mating connector 200 to come into contact with the locking portion 41 of the slider 40, thereby deflecting the locking portion 41. This releases the locking state of the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 relative to the locked portion 17 of the outer housing 10.

[0056] By releasing the locking state of the locking portion 41 of the slider 40 during such temporary fitting, the operating lever 20 can be rotated from the first position before rotation to the second position after rotation, and the slider 40 can be slid in a predetermined direction. After that, when the sliding movement of the slider 40 is completed, the mating connector 200 is fully fitted to the connector 100 of the present disclosure.

[0057] The above describes embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to these, and various modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art are possible, such as combining the above configurations, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the claims.

[0058] The connector of the present disclosure may take the following forms. <1> A connector that can be mated with a mating connector, The connector includes an outer housing into which the mating connector is inserted and which can be received therein, a slider which is provided on the outer housing and which can slide in a predetermined direction, and an operating lever which is combined with the slider and which can rotate between a first position before rotation and a second position after rotation, the slider is slidable in response to rotation of the operating lever and has a flexible locking portion at a predetermined location; the outer housing has a locking portion to which the locking portion of the slider can be locked, the locking portion of the slider can be locked to the locked portion of the outer housing when the operating lever is in the first position, When the mating connector is temporarily fitted, the mating connector abuts against the locking portion of the slider, causing the locking portion to bend, thereby enabling the locking state of the locking portion relative to the locked portion to be released. <2> Before the mating connector is temporarily fitted, the locking state of the locking portion with respect to the locked portion is maintained, and the operating lever is maintained at the first position. <1> The connector according to claim 1. <3> When the mating connector is temporarily fitted, the latching state of the latching portion is released, thereby rotating the operating lever from the first position to the second position, and sliding the slider in the predetermined direction. <1> or <2> The connector according to claim 1. <4> the outer housing has a slider holding space capable of holding the slider therein, and the slider holding space locally has, at an end side thereof, a locking portion accommodating space capable of accommodating the locking portion of the slider that has completed its sliding movement; <1> ~ <3> 10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein <5> the flexible locking portion has a protrusion on a tip side, the outer housing has a slider holding space capable of holding the slider therein, and an inner wall portion of the outer housing that forms a part of the slider holding space has an opening portion in which the protrusion can be positioned. <1> ~ <4> 10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein <6> The locking portion of the slider is provided inside a slit formed in the main body of the slider. <1> ~ <5> 10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 200 Mating Connector 210 Male Contact Lenses 220 Enclosure 230 Cam Pin 100 Connectors 10 Outer housing 11 First opening 12 Main body part 13 Continuous Space 14 1st interior space 15 2nd opening part 16 Second interior space 17 Locked part 18 Inner wall 19 Opening part 20 Operating lever 30 Cover 40, 40I, 40II slider 41, 41I, 41II locking part 42, 42I, 42II Slider body 42AI Notch 42BI First notch surface 42CI Second notch surface 43 Slit 43a First slit 43b Second slit 43c Third slit 44, 44I protrusion 44AI Locally inclined part 45, 45I cam groove 45a First end of cam groove 45b Second end of cam groove 46 Inner main surface 50 Inner housing 51 Inner housing penetration X slider movement direction

Claims

1. A connector that can be mated with a mating connector, the connector includes an outer housing into which the mating connector is inserted and which can be received therein; a slider which is provided on the outer housing and which can slide in a predetermined direction; and an operating lever which is combined with the slider and which can rotate between a first position before rotation and a second position after rotation; the slider is slidable in response to rotation of the operating lever and has a flexible locking portion at a predetermined location; the outer housing has a locking portion to which the locking portion of the slider can be locked, the locking portion of the slider can be locked to the locked portion of the outer housing when the operating lever is in the first position, When the mating connector is temporarily fitted, the mating connector abuts against the locking portion of the slider, causing the locking portion to bend, thereby enabling the locking state of the locking portion relative to the locked portion to be released.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is maintained in an engaged state with the engaged portion, and the operating lever is maintained in the first position, before the mating connector is provisionally fitted.

3. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the release of the locking state of the locking portion during temporary mating of the mating connector causes the operating lever to rotate from the first position to the second position, thereby enabling the slider to slide in the specified direction.

4. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the outer housing has a slider holding space capable of holding the slider therein, and the slider holding space has a localized locking portion accommodating space at its end side capable of accommodating the locking portion of the slider after the sliding movement has been completed.

5. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the flexible engaging portion has a protrusion at its tip end, the outer housing has a slider holding space capable of holding the slider therein, and an inner wall portion of the outer housing that forms a part of the slider holding space has an opening in which the protrusion can be positioned.

6. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the locking portion of the slider is provided inside a slit formed in the main body of the slider.

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