Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can prevent an unlocking operation portion from being excessively deformed in the direction opposite to the operation direction.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes a housing 7, a slide housing 9 slidably assembled to the housing 7, and a locking mechanism 61 that maintains engagement between a housing protrusion 23 provided on the housing 7 and a slide protrusion 53 provided on the slide housing 9. The housing 7 includes a housing main body 71 and a hinge cover 75 connected to the housing main body 71 via a hinge 73. The housing main body 71 is formed with an unlocking operation unit 21 and a reverse operation prevention protrusion 65 provided on the unlocking operation unit 21, and the hinge cover 75 is formed with a reverse operation prevention unit 67 that prevents operation of the unlocking operation unit 21 in a direction opposite to the operating direction OP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a known connector includes a housing and a lever serving as a slide housing slidably assembled to the housing (for example, Patent Document 1). This connector includes a locking mechanism that maintains the engagement of the slide housing with the housing, and the housing may be provided with an unlocking operation portion that is operated to release the engagement of the slide housing with the housing by the locking mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-300327 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such connectors, since it is easy to operate the unlocking operation part in the opposite direction to the operating direction, when the lever (slide housing) is grasped with the fingers and pulled up, the fingers may get caught on the unlocking operation part, causing the unlocking operation part to deform excessively in the opposite direction.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can prevent the unlocking operation portion from being excessively deformed in the direction opposite to the operation direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing, a slide housing that is slidably assembled to the housing and has a mating portion that is fitted into and disengaged from a mating connector by sliding, and a locking mechanism that maintains the engagement between a housing protrusion provided on the housing and a slide protrusion provided on the slide housing, wherein the housing has a housing main body portion in which terminals are accommodated, and a hinge cover portion that is connected to the housing main body portion via a hinge portion, and the housing main body portion is formed with an unlocking operation portion that is operated to release the engagement between the housing protrusion of the locking mechanism and the slide protrusion, and a reverse operation prevention protrusion portion that is provided on the unlocking operation portion, and the hinge cover portion is formed with a reverse operation prevention portion that is arranged opposite the reverse operation prevention protrusion and that restricts operation in the direction opposite to the operating direction of the unlocking operation portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can prevent the unlocking operation portion from being excessively deformed in the direction opposite to the operation direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a main part of the housing of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a hinge cover is opened in a housing of a connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slide housing of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a slide housing of the connector according to the present embodiment is placed in a first position. [Figure 7] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the slide housing of the connector according to the present embodiment is placed in a second position. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] A connector 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is applied to a service plug of a power supply circuit breaker mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The connector 1 is electrically connected to, for example, a device mounted on the vehicle. The connector 1 is configured to be matable with a mating connector electrically connected to, for example, a power supply mounted on the vehicle. The connector 1 and the mating connector are provided with a high-voltage circuit section 3 that supplies and cuts off power between the device and the power supply by mating and disengaging. The connector 1 and the mating connector are also provided with a low-voltage circuit section 5 that allows and prohibits conduction in the high-voltage circuit section 3 by mating and disengaging.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the connector 1 includes a housing 7, a slide housing 9, and a locking mechanism 61.

[0012] The housing 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 7 is formed in a casing shape that can be fitted inside the mating housing of the mating connector. A high-voltage terminal (not shown) electrically connected to the power supply circuit of the device is accommodated inside the housing 7. By fitting the housing 7 with the mating housing of the mating connector, the high-voltage terminal and the mating high-voltage terminal in the high-voltage circuit section 3 are electrically connected.

[0013] The housing 7 is configured to have a housing main body 71 in which terminals are housed, and a hinge cover 75 connected to the housing main body 71 via a hinge 73. The housing 7 is formed such that the housing main body 71, the hinge 73, and the hinge cover 75 are integrally formed.

[0014] The housing main body 71 is provided with a fixing portion 11 that is fixed to the device side. Guide protrusions 13, which are a single member that is continuous with the housing main body 71 and protrudes outward, are provided on both side surfaces of the housing main body 71. The portion of the guide protrusions 13 located between the housing main body 71 and the protruding end is formed in a columnar shape. A pair of arc-shaped portions (not shown) are provided on the outer surface of the columnar portion of the guide protrusions 13, which are symmetrically arranged in the circumferential direction. The protruding end side of the guide protrusions 13 extends in the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9. An inclined surface 15 that slopes upward from the extending end toward the center is formed on the outer surface of the protruding end side of the guide protrusions 13. A restricting portion 17 that protrudes radially from the columnar portion is formed on the opposite side of the inclined surface 15 on the protruding end side of the guide protrusions 13.

[0015] An elastic deformation portion 19 is provided on the upper part of the housing main body 71, extending along the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9. The elastic deformation portion 19 is provided so as to be elastically deformable, with one side in the extending direction being a base end connected to the housing main body 71 and the other side in the extending direction being a free end. An unlocking operation portion 21 is provided at the free end of the elastic deformation portion 19. When pressed, the unlocking operation portion 21 elastically deforms the elastic deformation portion 19. A housing protrusion 23 that constitutes part of the locking mechanism 61 is provided on the elastic deformation portion 19.

[0016] The housing protrusion 23 is formed as a member continuous with the elastic deformation portion 19 and protruding outward from the outer surface of the elastic deformation portion 19. The housing protrusion 23 extends along the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9. The housing protrusion 23 has a first locking surface 25, a second locking surface 27, and a sliding surface 29.

[0017] The first locking surface 25 is disposed on the housing protrusion 23 on the base end side of the elastic deformation portion 19, and is located in the central portion in the width direction of the elastic deformation portion 19. The first locking surface 25 is formed on a plane parallel to a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9.

[0018] The second locking surface 27 is disposed on the housing protrusion 23 on the free end side of the elastic deformation portion 19, and is positioned across the width direction of the elastic deformation portion 19. The second locking surface 27 is formed on a plane parallel to a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9.

[0019] The sliding surface 29 is disposed on the housing protrusion 23 across the first locking surface 25 and the second locking surface 27 along the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9. The sliding surface 29 has an apex between the first locking surface 25 and the second locking surface 27, and is formed of inclined surfaces that slope downward from the apex toward the first locking surface 25 and the second locking surface 27. Note that the position of the apex and the inclination angle of each inclined surface of the sliding surface 29 can be set as appropriate in consideration of the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion 19, prevention of stopping of the slide housing 9 midway through sliding, etc.

[0020] The housing 7 also includes a reverse operation prevention stopper portion 63 and a lock portion 77.

[0021] The reverse operation prevention stopper portion 63 is intended to prevent operation in the direction opposite to the operating direction OP (see FIG. 3) of the unlocking operation portion 21 of the housing 7. The reverse operation prevention stopper portion 63 has a reverse operation prevention protrusion portion 65 and a reverse operation restriction portion 67.

[0022] The reverse operation prevention protrusion 65 prevents operation of the unlocking operation unit 21 in the direction opposite to the operating direction OP by coming into contact with the reverse operation restriction portion 67. The reverse operation prevention protrusion 65 is formed as a protrusion or fin that protrudes outward in the width direction from the unlocking operation unit 21. In this embodiment, the reverse operation prevention protrusions 65 are formed on both the left and right sides of the housing main body 71. In this embodiment, the pair of left and right reverse operation prevention protrusions 65, 65 are arranged below and facing the pair of left and right reverse operation restriction portions 67, 67.

[0023] The reverse operation restricting portion 67 restricts movement of the reverse operation inhibiting protrusion 65 in the direction opposite to the operating direction OP of the unlocking operation portion 21. The reverse operation restricting portion 67 is formed as a protrusion or rib protruding inward in the width direction from the side portion of the hinge cover portion 75. In this embodiment, a pair of left and right reverse operation restricting portions 67 are formed at the tip portion of the hinge cover portion 75 (the end portion opposite to the base end portion where the hinge portion 73 is formed). In this embodiment, the pair of left and right reverse operation restricting portions 67, 67 are arranged above and facing the pair of left and right reverse operation inhibiting protrusions 65, 65.

[0024] The locking portion 77 is disposed on the housing main body 71 and the hinge cover portion 75, and locks the hinge cover portion 75 to the housing main body 71. In this embodiment, the locking portion 77 is configured to have a locking protrusion 79 formed on the housing main body 71, and a locking frame portion 81 formed on the hinge cover portion 75 and locked to the locking protrusion 79. The locking portions 77 are formed on both the left and right sides of the housing main body 71 and the hinge cover portion 75.

[0025] By locking the hinge cover part 75 to the housing main body part 71 with the lock part 77, the pair of left and right reverse operation restricting parts 67, 67 are disposed above the pair of left and right reverse operation inhibiting protrusions 65, 65. This inhibits operation of the unlocking operation part 21 in the direction opposite to the operating direction OP.

[0026] The sliding housing 9 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The sliding housing 9 has a pair of side walls 31, 31 arranged on both sides of the housing 7, and a connecting wall 33 connecting the pair of side walls 31, 31. A housing operating part 35 is provided on one side of the pair of side walls 31, 31, and is formed of a single member continuous with the pair of side walls 31, 31, connecting the pair of side walls 31, 31. The housing operating part 35 is operated when rotating and sliding the sliding housing 9 relative to the housing 7.

[0027] An unlocking operation restricting portion 37 is provided on the inner surface of the housing operating portion 35 to restrict movement of the unlocking operation portion 21 in the operating direction OP (see FIG. 3) when the slide housing 9 is in a first position, which will be described later. The unlocking operation restricting portion 37 extends from the inner surface of the housing operating portion 35 along the sliding direction S. The unlocking operation restricting portion 37 is also disposed below the unlocking operation portion 21 when the slide housing 9 is in the first position (see FIG. 6).

[0028] A pair of side walls 31, 31 of the sliding housing 9 are each provided with an engaging portion 39 that can engage with an engaged portion of a mating connector. The engaging portion 39 extends along the sliding direction S of the sliding housing 9 and is formed with a thickness that allows it to be inserted into the frame-shaped engaged portion. When the housing 7 and the mating housing are mated, the engaging portion 39 engages with the engaged portion of the mating connector as the sliding housing 9 is rotated, thereby pulling the housing 7 into the mating housing. Furthermore, when the sliding housing 9 slides with the housing 7 mated to the mating housing, the engaging portion 39 moves within the engaged portion of the mating connector while engaged, and guides the mating of the mating portion 51 with the mating portion.

[0029] The pair of side walls 31, 31 are each provided with a guide hole 41 formed to penetrate the side wall 31. The guide hole 41 extends along the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9 and is configured to be engageable with the guide protrusion 13 of the housing 7. The engagement between the guide protrusion 13 and the guide hole 41 guides the sliding of the slide housing 9 relative to the housing 7.

[0030] The guide hole 41 is provided with a pair of rotation grooves 43, 43 that engage with a pair of arc-shaped portions of the columnar portion of the guide protrusion 13. The pair of rotation grooves 43, 43 engage with the pair of arc-shaped portions of the guide protrusion 13, thereby rotatably supporting the slide housing 9 with respect to the housing 7. An opposing wall 45 that is thinner than the remaining portion of the side wall 31 is provided on the side of one of the pair of rotation grooves 43, 43. The opposing wall 45 is formed in a shape that follows the rotation trajectory of the slide housing 9. The opposing wall 45 is disposed opposite the restricting portion 17 of the guide protrusion 13 when the slide housing 9 rotates with respect to the housing 7. By arranging the opposing wall 45 and the restricting portion 17 opposite each other, the opposing wall 45 and the restricting portion 17 come into contact with each other when the pair of side walls 31, 31 deform in directions separating from each other. Therefore, when the slide housing 9 rotates, the guide protrusions 13 do not come out of the guide holes 41, and the rotation of the slide housing 9 can be stabilized.

[0031] A sliding portion 47 having a thickness thinner than other portions of the side wall 31 is provided on one side of the guide hole portion 41 in the extension direction. The sliding portion 47 is formed along the extension direction of the guide hole portion 41 and is in communication with the guide hole portion 41. A plurality of tapered surfaces 49 that are inclined toward the inside of the guide hole portion 41 are provided on the side of the sliding portion 47 opposite to the guide hole portion 41.

[0032] When the slide housing 9 is assembled to the housing 7 in the sliding direction, the sliding portion 47 slides against the inclined surface 15 of the guide protrusion 13. At this time, the inclined surface 15 of the guide protrusion 13 is guided by the sliding portion 47 by the multiple tapered surfaces 49. The sliding between the sliding portion 47 and the inclined surface 15 deforms the pair of side walls 31, 31 so that they move away from each other by an amount equal to the thickness of the sliding portion 47. Because the thickness of the sliding portion 47 is thinner than other portions of the side walls 31, the amount of deformation of the pair of side walls 31, 31 is small. This eliminates the need to significantly deform the pair of side walls 31, 31, thereby increasing the rigidity of the slide housing 9. When the guide protrusion 13 is positioned in the guide hole 41, the pair of side walls 31, 31 return to their original position, and the guide protrusion 13 is inserted into the guide hole 41, engaging with the guide hole 41.

[0033] A mating portion 51 is provided on the outer surface of one of the pair of side walls 31, 31 of the slide housing 9 as a single member continuous with the one side wall 31. The mating portion 51 is formed in the shape of a housing into which a mating mating portion of a mating connector can be fitted. The mating portion 51 extends in the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9. A low-voltage terminal (not shown) electrically connected to a conductive circuit on the device side is housed inside the mating portion 51. When the slide housing 9 slides with the housing 7 and the mating housing fitted together, the mating portion 51 is fitted with the mating mating portion of the mating connector. When the mating portion 51 is fitted with the mating mating portion of the mating connector, the low-voltage terminal and the mating low-voltage terminal are electrically connected in the low-voltage circuit section 5.

[0034] A slide protrusion 53 that constitutes part of the locking mechanism 61 is provided on the connecting wall 33 of the slide housing 9. The slide protrusion 53 is arranged along the length of the connecting wall 33. The slide protrusion 53 is a member that is continuous with the connecting wall 33 and is formed to protrude inward from the inner surface of the connecting wall 33 in the opposite direction to the housing protrusion 23. A sliding surface 55 that extends along the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9 is formed on the surface of the slide protrusion 53 that faces the housing protrusion 23.

[0035] The sliding surface 55 has a protruding end 57 that protrudes from both ends of the sliding housing 9 in the sliding direction S, and has a pair of curved inclined surfaces that slope downward from the protruding end 57 to both sides in the sliding direction S. Note that the position of the protruding end 57, the curvature of the pair of inclined surfaces, etc. of the sliding surface 55 can be set appropriately taking into consideration the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion 19 of the housing 7, prevention of the sliding housing 9 stopping midway through sliding, etc.

[0036] A restricting surface 59 is formed on one side of the slide protrusion 53 in the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9. The restricting surface 59 is formed as a flat surface parallel to a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9.

[0037] The slide protrusion 53 engages with the housing protrusion 23 at a first position and a second position in the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9 relative to the housing 7. In this embodiment, the first position of the slide housing 9 is a state in which the fitting portion 51 and the mating fitting portion of the mating connector are fitted together, and the second position of the slide housing 9 is a state in which the fitting portion 51 and the mating fitting portion of the mating connector are disengaged from each other.

[0038] When the slide housing 9 is in the first position (see FIG. 6), the slide protrusion 53 is disposed opposite to the slide direction S so as to be engageable with the first locking surface 25 of the housing protrusion 23. The slide housing 9 is held in the first position by the engagement between the slide protrusion 53 and the first locking surface 25 of the housing protrusion 23. By holding the slide housing 9 in the first position, the mated state between the mating portion 51 and the mating mating portion of the mating connector can be maintained.

[0039] When the slide housing 9 is in the second position (see FIG. 7), the slide protrusion 53 is disposed opposite to the slide direction S so as to be engageable with the second locking surface 27 of the housing protrusion 23. The slide housing 9 is held in the second position by the engagement between the slide protrusion 53 and the second locking surface 27 of the housing protrusion 23. By holding the slide housing 9 in the second position, the mating portion 51 and the mating mating portion of the mating connector can be maintained in a disengaged state.

[0040] When the slide housing 9 slides from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position, the slide protrusion 53 rides over the housing protrusion 23. At this time, the elastic deformation portion 19 of the housing 7 elastically deforms, and the sliding surface 55 of the slide protrusion 53 slides over the sliding surface 29 of the housing protrusion 23.

[0041] When viewed from the sliding direction S of the slide housing 9, the protruding end 57 of the slide protrusion 53 is arranged in a position that is not visible from the protruding ends on both sides in the extending direction (sliding direction S) of the housing protrusion 23. In detail, the protruding end 57 of the housing protrusion 23 is arranged closer to the elastic deformation portion 19 than the protruding ends of the first locking surface 25 and the second locking surface 27 of the housing protrusion 23. In particular, when the slide housing 9 is in the second position (see FIG. 7), the restricting surface 59 of the slide protrusion 53 is arranged opposite to the sliding direction S so as to be able to abut against the second locking surface 27 of the housing protrusion 23.

[0042] For this reason, when the slide housing 9 is slid by an external force or the like, it is difficult for the sliding surface 55 of the slide protrusion 53 to slide against the sliding surface 29 of the housing protrusion 23, making it difficult to elastically deform the elastic deformation portion 19. In particular, when the slide housing 9 slides from the second position to the first position, the second locking surface 27 of the housing protrusion 23 and the restricting surface 59 of the slide protrusion 53 abut against each other, so that the sliding surface 29 and the sliding surface 55 do not come into contact with each other, and the elastic deformation portion 19 does not elastically deform.

[0043] Therefore, when sliding the slide housing 9, first, the unlock operation portion 21 of the elastic deformation portion 19 is pressed, causing the elastic deformation portion 19 to elastically deform. Next, the housing operation portion 35 is pressed in the sliding direction S, causing the slide housing 9 to slide. At this time, the sliding surface 55 of the slide protrusion 53 slides over and overcomes the sliding surface 29 of the housing protrusion 23 of the elastically deformed elastic deformation portion 19. Then, when the slide housing 9 is positioned in the first position or the second position, the pressing of the unlock operation portion 21 is stopped, causing the elastic deformation portion 19 to return to its original position, and the housing protrusion 23 and the slide protrusion 53 are engaged. Note that the pressing of the unlock operation portion 21 may be stopped when the slide protrusion 53 rides over the housing protrusion 23.

[0044] When the elastic deformation portion 19 is elastically deformed, the slide protrusion 53 climbs over the housing protrusion 23, making it difficult for the slide protrusion 53 to climb over the housing protrusion 23 when the elastic deformation portion 19 is not elastically deformed. This allows the engagement between the slide protrusion 53 and the housing protrusion 23 to be maintained, and the position of the slide housing 9 to be stably maintained. In addition, the elastic deformation portion 19 is provided with the lock release operation portion 21, so that the elastic deformation portion 19 can be easily elastically deformed.

[0045] To assemble such a connector 1, first, the guide protrusions 13 of the housing 7 are aligned with the sliding portions 47 of the slide housing 9. Next, the slide housing 9 is moved in the sliding direction S relative to the housing 7. At this time, the inclined surfaces 15 of the guide protrusions 13 slide against the sliding portions 47, causing the pair of side walls 31 to deform in directions separating from each other, and the guide protrusions 13 are inserted into the guide holes 41. Next, the slide housing 9 is slid, and the guide protrusions 13 are positioned in the pair of rotation grooves 43 of the guide holes 41. Then, the housing operating portion 35 is operated to rotate the slide housing 9, and the housing operating portion 35 is positioned above the housing 7.

[0046] To mate such connector 1 with a mating connector, first, align the opening of housing 7 with the opening of the mating housing. Next, align housing 7 with the mating housing. Next, operate housing operating portion 35 downward to rotate slide housing 9. At this time, engaging portion 39 of slide housing 9 engages with the engaged portion of the mating housing, and the housing 7 is pulled into the mating housing for mating. Next, operate housing operating portion 35 to slide slide housing 9 to place slide housing 9 in the second position. Then, press lock release operating portion 21 to elastically deform elastic deformation portion 19, and operate housing operating portion 35 to slide slide housing 9 toward the first position. At this time, mating portion 51 of slide housing 9 and mating portion of the mating housing are mated.

[0047] However, if the unlocking operation unit 21 could be easily operated in the direction opposite to the operation direction OP, when the housing operation unit 35 is gripped and pulled up with fingers, the unlocking operation restricting portion 37 or the fingers may get caught on the unlocking operation unit 21, causing the unlocking operation unit 21 to deform in the opposite direction. The connector 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a reverse operation prevention stopper 63. This reverse operation prevention stopper 63 includes a reverse operation prevention protrusion 65 provided on the unlocking operation unit 21 of the housing main body 71 and a reverse operation restricting portion 67 provided on the hinge cover 75 connected to the housing main body 71 via the hinge portion 73. This reverse operation prevention stopper 63 effectively prevents excessive deformation of the unlocking operation unit 21 due to the application of a load in a direction other than the operation direction OP. That is, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, when a load is applied to the unlocking operation unit 21 in a direction other than the operation direction OP, the reverse operation prevention protrusion 65 abuts against the reverse operation restricting portion 67. This restricts movement of the unlocking operation part 21 in directions other than the operation direction OP, making it possible to prevent excessive deformation of the unlocking operation part 21 due to the application of a load in a direction other than the operation direction OP.

[0048] As described above, the connector 1 according to this embodiment includes a housing 7 and a slide housing 9 that is slidably assembled to the housing 7 and has a mating portion that is fitted to and disengaged from a mating connector by sliding. The connector 1 includes a locking mechanism 61 that maintains engagement between the housing protrusion 23 provided on the housing 7 and the slide protrusion 53 provided on the slide housing 9. The housing 7 includes a housing main body 71 that accommodates terminals therein and a hinge cover 75 that is connected to the housing main body 71 via a hinge portion 73. The housing main body 71 is formed with an unlocking operation portion 21 that is operated to release the engagement between the housing protrusion 23 of the locking mechanism 61 and the slide protrusion 53, and a reverse operation prevention protrusion 65 that is provided on the unlocking operation portion 21. The hinge cover 75 is formed with a reverse operation prevention portion 67 that is disposed opposite the reverse operation prevention protrusion 65 and that prevents operation of the unlocking operation portion 21 in a direction opposite to the operating direction OP.

[0049] By providing the reverse operation prevention protrusion 65 on the housing main body 71 and the reverse operation restriction portion 67 on the hinge cover 75, it is possible to effectively restrict excessive deformation caused by the application of a load in the direction opposite to the operation direction OP of the unlocking operation portion 21. That is, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, when a load is applied to the unlocking operation portion 21 in the direction opposite to the operation direction OP, the reverse operation prevention protrusion 65 abuts against the reverse operation restriction portion 67. This restricts movement of the unlocking operation portion 21 in the direction opposite to the operation direction OP, making it possible to restrict excessive deformation of the unlocking operation portion 21 caused by the application of a load in a direction other than the operation direction OP.

[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 that can prevent the unlocking operation portion 21 from being excessively deformed in the direction opposite to the operation direction OP.

[0051] In the connector 1, the reverse operation prevention protrusions 65 are formed in pairs on both the left and right sides of the unlocking operation portion 21, and the reverse operation restriction portions 67 may be formed in pairs on the left and right sides at the tip portion of the hinge cover portion 75 opposite the base end portion where the hinge portion 73 is formed.

[0052] By providing the pair of left and right reverse operation prevention protrusions 65, 65 on the housing main body 71 and the pair of left and right reverse operation restriction portions 67, 67 on the hinge cover 75, it is possible to suppress excessive deformation due to the application of a load in the direction opposite to the operation direction OP of the unlocking operation unit 21. In other words, when a load in the direction opposite to the operation direction OP is applied to the unlocking operation unit 21, at least one of the pair of left and right reverse operation prevention protrusions 65, 65 comes into contact with one of the pair of left and right reverse operation restriction portions 67, 67. This restricts movement of the unlocking operation unit 21 in the direction opposite to the operation direction OP, making it possible to suppress excessive deformation of the unlocking operation unit 21 due to the application of a load in a direction other than the operation direction OP.

[0053] In the connector 1, the sliding housing 9 may have a housing operating portion 35 that is operated when sliding the sliding housing 9 relative to the housing 7. The sliding housing 9 may have an unlocking operation restricting portion 37 that is disposed opposite the unlocking operation portion 21 when the fitting portion 51 of the sliding housing 9 is fitted into the mating connector, and that restricts movement of the unlocking operation portion 21 in the operating direction OP.

[0054] In the connector 1 according to this embodiment, when the housing operation portion 35 is pulled up, the release operation restricting portion 37 gets caught on the unlock operation portion 21, which can cause the unlock operation portion 21 to deform in the reverse direction (see FIG. 6). In the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the housing main body 71 is provided with a reverse operation inhibiting protrusion 65, and the hinge cover 75 is provided with a reverse operation restricting portion 67. This makes it possible to restrict excessive deformation due to the application of a load in the direction opposite to the operation direction OP of the unlock operation portion 21.

[0055] That is, when the housing operation unit 35 is pulled up, the release operation restricting portion 37 gets caught on the unlock operation unit 21, and when a load acts on the unlock operation unit 21 in the direction opposite to the operation direction OP, the reverse operation preventing protrusion 65 comes into contact with the reverse operation restricting portion 67. This restricts movement of the unlock operation unit 21 in the direction opposite to the operation direction OP, making it possible to prevent excessive deformation of the unlock operation unit 21 due to the action of a load in a direction other than the operation direction OP.

[0056] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0057] For example, the slide housing is configured to be slidable and rotatable relative to the housing, but this is not limiting, and the slide housing may be assembled so as to be only slidable relative to the housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 connector 7. Housing 9 Slide Housing 21 Unlock operation section 23 Housing protrusion 35 Housing operation unit 37 Release operation restriction section 51 Fitting part 53 Slide protrusion 61 Locking mechanism 65 Reverse operation suppression protrusion 67 Reverse operation control section 71 Housing main body 73 Hinge part 75 Hinge cover OP operation direction

Claims

1. Housing and a slide housing having a fitting portion slidably assembled to the housing and adapted to be fitted to and disengaged from a mating connector by sliding; a locking mechanism that maintains the engagement between the housing protrusion provided on the housing and the slide protrusion provided on the slide housing, The housing includes: a housing main body portion in which terminals are housed; a hinge cover connected to the housing main body via a hinge, The housing main body includes: an unlocking operation portion that is operated to release the engagement between the housing protrusion and the slide protrusion of the locking mechanism; a reverse operation prevention protrusion provided on the unlocking operation portion, The hinge cover portion is provided with a reverse operation prevention portion that is disposed opposite to the reverse operation prevention protrusion portion and that prevents the unlocking operation portion from being operated in a direction opposite to the direction in which the unlocking operation portion is operated. connector.

2. The reverse operation prevention protrusions are formed as a pair on both the left and right sides of the unlocking operation portion, The reverse operation restricting portion is formed as a pair on the left and right at a tip end portion of the hinge cover portion opposite to a base end portion where the hinge portion is formed. The connector according to claim 1 .

3. The slide housing is a housing operating portion that is operated when sliding the slide housing relative to the housing; an unlocking operation restricting portion that is disposed opposite the unlocking operation portion when the fitting portion of the slide housing is fitted to the mating connector and restricts movement of the unlocking operation portion in the operating direction; 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

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