Connector

Abstract

To obtain a connector which enables easier detection of incomplete operation of a lever for allowing fitting between a connection object and a housing.SOLUTION: A connector 10 includes: a housing 12 which may fit in a connection object 50; a lever 20 which is rotatably provided in the housing 12 and rotates from a start position to an end position to cause the housing 12 and the connection object 50 to fit with each other; and a detection member 30 which is held by the lever 20 and may move from a stand-by position to a detection position when the lever 20 reaches the end position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Connectors in which a connection target and a housing are mated by moving a lever provided on the housing of the connector to a locking position have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2008-533684 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is still room for improvement in the structure that makes it easier to detect incomplete operation of the lever that connects the connection object and the housing.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector that can easily detect incomplete operation of a lever that connects an object to be connected to a housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the connector of the present invention comprises a housing that can be fitted to a connection object, a lever that is rotatably mounted on the housing and that fits the housing and the connection object by rotating from a start position to an end position, and a detection member that is held by the lever and can be moved from a standby position to a detection position when the lever reaches the end position.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the invention, an operator rotates a lever rotatably mounted on the housing from a start position to an end position to engage the housing with a connection target. When the lever reaches the end position, a detection member that can move from a standby position to a detection position is held by the lever. Therefore, after rotating the lever from the start position to the end position, the operator can smoothly move the detection member from the standby position to the detection position. This reduces the occurrence of incomplete lever operation, making it easier to detect incomplete lever operation.

[0008] Furthermore, a second aspect of the connector according to the present invention is the connector of the first aspect, wherein the lever has a lever-side operating portion for operation by an operator, the detection member has a detection member-side operating portion for operation by an operator, and the lever-side operating portion and the detection member-side operating portion are adjacent to each other.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the invention, the lever-side operating portion and the detection member-side operating portion are adjacent to each other, which allows the operator to quickly start operating the detection member after operating the lever, improving operability.

[0010] Furthermore, a third aspect of the connector according to the present invention is the connector of the second aspect, wherein the operating surface of the detection member side operating part located in the standby position is not located closer to the standby position than the operating surface of the lever side operating part.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the invention, the operation surface of the detection member-side operation unit located in the standby position is not located closer to the standby position than the operation surface of the lever-side operation unit. In other words, the operation surface of the detection member-side operation unit located in the standby position and the operation surface of the lever-side operation unit are located at the same height, or the operation surface of the lever-side operation unit is located closer to the standby position than the operation surface of the detection member-side operation unit located in the standby position. This suppresses or prevents the operator from unintentionally operating the detection member-side operation unit.

[0012] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the connector according to the present invention is the connector of the third aspect, wherein when the lever is located at the end position and the detection member is located at the standby position, the detection member side operating part is located closer to the start position than the lever side operating part.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the lever is in the end position and the detection member is in the standby position, the detection member-side operating part is located closer to the start position than the lever-side operating part. Therefore, the operator can operate the lever-side operating part with the pad of his or her finger to rotate the lever from the start position to the end position, and then operate the lever-side operating part with the tip of his or her finger to move the detection member from the standby position to the detection position, thereby improving operability.

[0014] Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the connector according to the present invention is a connector of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the detection member has a first movement regulating portion, the housing has a housing-side first movement regulating portion, and when the lever is located in the starting position and the detection member is located in the standby position, the first movement regulating portion abuts against the housing-side first movement regulating portion to regulate movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when the lever is in the start position and the detection member is in the standby position, the first movement restricting portion restricts movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position by abutting against the housing-side first movement restricting portion. Therefore, when the lever is in the start position and the detection member is in the standby position, it is possible to prevent the detection member from being accidentally moved from the standby position to the detection position.

[0016] Furthermore, a sixth aspect of the connector according to the present invention is the fifth aspect of the connector, wherein the housing has a mating portion that can be fitted into the connection object, and the housing side first movement restricting portion is an edge portion formed on the mating portion that faces the connection object.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the invention, an edge portion of the fitting portion of the housing that is fitted to the connection object and faces the connection object is formed as the housing-side first movement restricting portion. In other words, the edge portion of the fitting portion of the housing can be used as the housing-side first movement restricting portion. Therefore, the structure of the housing is simplified compared to when the housing has a separate housing-side first movement restricting portion formed on it.

[0018] Furthermore, a seventh aspect of the connector according to the present invention is a connector of the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the detection member has a second movement regulating portion, the housing has a housing-side second movement regulating portion, and when the lever is positioned between the start position and the end position and the detection member is positioned at the standby position, the second movement regulating portion abuts against the housing-side second movement regulating portion to regulate movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect of the invention, when the lever is located between the start position and the end position and the detection member is located at the standby position, the second movement restricting portion restricts movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position by abutting against the housing-side second movement restricting portion. Therefore, when the lever is located between the start position and the end position and the detection member is located at the standby position, it is possible to prevent the detection member from being accidentally moved from the standby position to the detection position.

[0020] Furthermore, an eighth aspect of the connector according to the present invention is the seventh aspect of the connector, wherein the second movement restricting portion is the outer surface of a block-shaped movement restricting portion, and the housing side second movement restricting portion is the outer surface of a block-shaped housing side movement restricting portion.

[0021] According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the second movement restricting portion is an outer surface of the block-shaped movement restricting portion, and the housing-side second movement restricting portion is an outer surface of the block-shaped housing-side movement restricting portion. This increases the strength of the second movement restricting portion and the housing-side second movement restricting portion. Therefore, even if the detection member is accidentally operated to move from the standby position to the detection position when the lever is located between the start position and the end position and the detection member is located at the standby position, at least one of the second movement restricting portion and the housing-side second movement restricting portion is unlikely to be broken, preventing such erroneous operation.

[0022] Furthermore, a ninth aspect of the connector according to the present invention is the connector of the eighth aspect, wherein the detection member has a rotation regulating portion, the housing has a housing-side rotation regulating portion, and when the lever is positioned at the end position and the detection member is positioned at the detection position, the rotation regulating portion abuts against the housing-side rotation regulating portion to regulate the lever from rotating from the end position toward the start position.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect of the invention, when the lever is in the end position and the detection member is in the detection position, the rotation restricting portion abuts against the housing-side rotation restricting portion to restrict the lever from rotating from the end position toward the start position, thereby preventing the lever from rotating from the end position toward the start position.

[0024] Furthermore, a connector of a tenth aspect of the present invention is a connector of the ninth aspect, wherein the rotation restricting portion is the outer surface of a rotation preventing portion formed in a block shape, and the housing side rotation restricting portion is the outer surface of a housing side rotation preventing portion formed in a block shape.

[0025] According to a tenth aspect of the invention, the rotation restricting portion is the outer surface of the block-shaped rotation preventing portion, and the housing-side rotation restricting portion is the outer surface of the block-shaped housing-side rotation preventing portion. This increases the strength of the rotation restricting portion and the housing-side rotation restricting portion. Therefore, even if the lever is accidentally rotated forcefully from the end position toward the start position, at least one of the rotation restricting portion and the housing-side rotation restricting portion is less likely to break, preventing such erroneous rotation.

[0026] Furthermore, an 11th aspect of the connector according to the present invention is a connector of the 10th aspect, wherein the detection member has a detection member side regulating portion, the housing has a housing side regulating portion, the movement regulating portion and the rotation preventing portion are formed on the detection member side regulating portion, and the housing side movement regulating portion and the housing side rotation preventing portion are formed on the housing side regulating portion.

[0027] According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the movement restricting portion and the rotation preventing portion are formed on the detection member side restricting portion, and the housing side movement restricting portion and the housing side rotation preventing portion are formed on the housing side restricting portion. That is, the movement restricting portion and the rotation preventing portion are concentrated on the detection member side restricting portion, and the housing side movement restricting portion and the housing side rotation preventing portion are concentrated on the housing side restricting portion. Therefore, the structures of the detection member and the housing are simplified.

[0028] In addition, a 12th aspect of the connector of the present invention is a connector of the 11th aspect, wherein the detection member has a plurality of the detection member side regulating portions, the housing has a plurality of the housing side regulating portions, and recesses are formed between the plurality of the housing side regulating portions.

[0029] According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the detection member has a plurality of detection member-side restricting portions, and the housing has a plurality of housing-side restricting portions. Therefore, a strong force caused by an erroneous operation of the detection member or lever is dispersed among the plurality of detection member-side restricting portions and the plurality of housing-side restricting portions, making them less likely to be damaged. In addition, because recesses are formed between the plurality of housing-side restricting portions, the housing can be made smaller than in a configuration without recesses.

[0030] Furthermore, a thirteenth aspect of the connector according to the present invention is a connector of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the detection member has a movement restricting portion, the housing has a housing-side movement restricting portion, and when the lever is positioned between the start position and the end position and the detection member is positioned at the standby position, the movement restricting portion restricts the detection member from moving from the standby position to the detection position by abutting against the housing-side movement restricting portion.

[0031] According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, when the lever is located between the start position and the end position and the detection member is located at the standby position, the movement restricting portion restricts the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position by abutting against the housing-side movement restricting portion. Therefore, when the lever is located between the start position and the end position and the detection member is located at the standby position, it is possible to prevent the detection member from being accidentally moved from the standby position to the detection position.

[0032] Furthermore, a connector of a 14th aspect of the present invention is a connector of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the detection member has a rotation preventing portion, the housing has a housing-side rotation preventing portion, and when the lever is positioned at the end position and the detection member is positioned at the detection position, the rotation preventing portion abuts against the housing-side rotation preventing portion to restrict the lever from rotating from the end position toward the start position.

[0033] According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, when the lever is in the end position and the detection member is in the detection position, the rotation-preventing portion abuts against the housing-side rotation-preventing portion to restrict the lever from rotating from the end position toward the start position, thereby preventing the lever from rotating from the end position toward the start position.

[0034] Furthermore, a 15th aspect of the connector according to the present invention is a connector according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, wherein the housing has a mating front movement regulating portion, and when the lever is positioned at the start position and the detection member is positioned at the standby position, when the lever is rotated from the start position towards the end position, the detection member slides against the mating front movement regulating portion.

[0035] According to the fifteenth aspect of the invention, when the lever is in the start position and the detection member is in the standby position, rotating the lever from the start position to the end position causes the detection member to come into sliding contact with the mating forward movement restricting portion of the housing. Therefore, when the connector is stored in a state where it is not mated with a connection target, the lever is prevented from rotating from the start position to the end position due to vibration or the like, by the contact between the detection member and the mating forward movement restricting portion.

[0036] When an operator intentionally rotates the lever, such as when mating a connection target with a connector, the detection member slides over the mating forward movement restricting portion while making sliding contact with the mating forward movement restricting portion. In other words, when an operator intentionally operates the lever, there is no risk that the rotation of the lever from the start position to the end position will be impeded by the mating forward movement restricting portion.

[0037] Furthermore, a 16th aspect of the connector according to the present invention is a connector of any one of the 1st to 15th aspects, wherein the lever has a first step portion and the housing has a second step portion, and when the lever is rotated from the start position toward the end position, the first step portion overcomes the second step portion just before the lever reaches the end position.

[0038] According to the sixteenth aspect of the invention, when the lever is rotated from the start position to the end position, the first step provided on the lever overcomes the second step provided on the housing just before the lever reaches the end position. In other words, when operating the lever, the operator can perceive that the lever has been rotated to the end position by the feeling of the first step overcome the second step. At least one of the first step and the second step may be supported by an elastically deformable elastic piece. In this case, a clicking sound is generated, allowing the operator to easily perceive that the lever has been rotated to the end position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0039] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily detect incomplete operation of the lever that connects the connection object and the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a connector according to the present embodiment and a connection object as viewed from the connector side. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a connector according to the present embodiment and a connection object as viewed from the connection object side; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the end position side. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a start position side. [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a lever and a detection member in the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a lever and a detection member in the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are schematic front views showing a standby position and a detection position of a detection member in the connector according to the present embodiment, respectively; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a detection member in the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic side view showing a state before the connector is fitted to a connection object according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the lever is in a starting position after the connector is fitted to the connection object according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the connector is fitted to the connection object according to the embodiment and the lever is rotated slightly from the starting position. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the connector according to the embodiment is fitted to a connection object, the lever is in an end position, and the detection member is in a standby position. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the connector is fitted to the connection object according to the embodiment, the lever is in an end position, and the detection member is in a detection position. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a schematic side view, partially enlarged, showing a state in which the connector is fitted to the connection object according to the embodiment and the lever is in a starting position. FIG. [Figure 15] 1A is a schematic side view, partially in section, showing a state in which the connector is fitted to a connection object according to the present embodiment and the lever is in a starting position, and FIG. 1B is a schematic side view, partially in section, showing a state in which the connector is fitted to a connection object according to the present embodiment and the lever is slightly rotated from the starting position. [Figure 16] 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the connector is fitted to the connection object according to the embodiment and the lever is rotated slightly from the starting position. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a schematic side view, partially in cross section, showing a state in which the connector is fitted to the connection object according to the embodiment and the lever is rotated slightly from the starting position. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing a state in which the connector is fitted to the connection object according to the embodiment and the lever is slightly rotated from the starting position. FIG. [Figure 19] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a standby position of a detection member in a connector fitted to a connection object according to the present embodiment; FIG. [Figure 20]10 is a schematic perspective view showing a standby position of a detection member in the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 21] 10 is a schematic side view, partially in cross section, showing a state in which the connector is fitted to the connection object according to the embodiment, the lever is in the final position, and the detection member is in the standby position. FIG. [Figure 22] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a detection position of a detection member in a connector fitted to a connection object according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 23] 10 is a schematic side view, partially in cross section, showing a state in which the connector is fitted to the connection object according to the embodiment, the lever is in an end position, and the detection member is in a detection position. FIG. [Figure 24] 10 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing a state in which the connector is fitted to the connection object according to the embodiment, the lever is in the final position, and the detection member is in the detection position. FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a housing and a lever of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 26] 1 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing a state immediately before the lever of the connector according to the embodiment reaches an end position. FIG. [Figure 27] 1 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing a state immediately after the lever of the connector according to the embodiment has reached an end position. FIG. [Figure 28] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a partially enlarged view of a terminal structure of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, the arrow UP shown in each drawing indicates the upward direction of the connector 10, and the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the connector 10. The arrow FR indicates the direction in which the connector 10 is inserted into the object to be connected, which is the forward direction. Therefore, in the following description, when directions such as up / down, front / rear, and left / right are mentioned without special mention, they refer to up / down in the up / down direction, front / rear in the front / rear direction, and left / right in the left / right direction of the connector 10.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 12 that can be fitted to a connection object 50, a lever 20 that is rotatably mounted on the housing 12 and that fits the housing 12 and the connection object 50 by rotating from a start position to an end position, and a detection member 30 that is held by the lever 20 and can be moved from a standby position to a detection position when the lever 20 reaches the end position.

[0043] The "start position" here refers to a position where the lever 20 is located at a forward position, and the "end position" refers to a position where the lever 20 is located at a rearward position. The "standby position" here refers to a position where the detection member 30 is located at an upper position when the lever 20 is at the end position, and the "detection position" refers to a position where the detection member 30 is located at a lower position when the lever 20 is at the end position.

[0044] The connection object 50 has, for example, a rectangular flat base portion 52 and a mating portion 54 integrally protruding from a rear surface 52A of the base portion 52. The mating portion 54 is formed, for example, in a substantially square cylindrical shape, and cam portions 56 protruding outward in the left-right direction are integrally provided on the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 54S thereof.

[0045] The cam portion 56 has a cylindrical cam body 56A with its axis extending in the left-right direction, and a disk-shaped flange portion 56B that is larger in diameter than the cam body 56A and is provided coaxially and integrally with the tip of the cam body 56A. The cam portion 56 protrudes from approximately the center in the up-down direction on the outer surface of each side wall 54S and slightly rearward of the center in the front-rear direction.

[0046] The housing 12 of the connector 10 has a mating portion 12A (see FIG. 2) that is, for example, a substantially square tubular shape that is slightly larger than the mated portion 54 of the connection object 50. The mating portion 12A is configured to be inserted into the mated portion 54 from the rear side so as to cover the mated portion 54 from the outside.

[0047] Specifically, a front mask 13 having a plurality of holes 13A through which terminals (not shown) on the connection object 50 are inserted is provided in the front portion of the interior of the housing 12, and the mating portion 54 is inserted between the outer peripheral surface of the front mask 13 and the inner peripheral surface of the mating portion 12A to be mated.

[0048] 3 and 4, the housing 12 has an upper wall 12U, left and right side walls 12S (see FIG. 4), and a lower wall 12D that constitute the fitting portion 12A, and a rear wall 12B that is integrally formed at the rear end portion of the housing 12. The rear wall 12B is configured to have a rear mask 15 that has a plurality of holes 15A through which wired terminals 17, to which electric wires are connected, are inserted.

[0049] Notches 12T (see FIG. 4) of a predetermined width are formed in the approximate vertical center of the front portions of the left and right side walls 12S of the housing 12 to accommodate the cam body 56A of the cam portion 56 when the fitting portion 12A is fitted into the fitted portion 54. Furthermore, approximately cylindrical support shafts 14 with their axial directions extending in the left-right direction are integrally provided protruding from the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 12S of the housing 12, rearward of the notches 12T. A lever 20 is rotatably supported by the pair of left and right support shafts 14.

[0050] 5, lever 20 is formed in a generally U-shape having a pair of left and right side wall portions 22 and a connecting portion 24 that integrally connects the pair of left and right side wall portions 22. Each side wall portion 22 is formed with a circular hole portion 22B that rotatably fits onto support shaft 14, and a cam groove 22C into which cam body 56A of cam portion 56 is inserted to relatively guide cam body 56A.

[0051] Cam groove 22C is formed as an elongated hole having a substantially arc-like shape in a side view. When lever 20 is in the start position shown in Figures 3 and 4, a protrusion 23 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction is integrally formed at the front end of side wall 22, which is in front of cam groove 22C. Protrusion 23 has a substantially rectangular notch 23A formed in protrusion 23 to accommodate flange 56B of cam portion 56.

[0052] 5 to 7, a lever-side operating part 26 for operation by an operator (not shown) is integrally formed in the left-right center of the connecting part 24 of the lever 20. The lever-side operating part 26 is formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with the left-right direction as its longitudinal direction, and protrudes forward when the lever 20 is in the start position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this state, a finger-hold step 28 having a generally small cylindrical shape with the left-right direction as its axial direction is integrally formed at the front upper end of the lever-side operating part 26, with a predetermined length (shorter than that of the lever-side operating part 26) protruding therefrom.

[0053] In this state, the upper surface of connecting portion 24 and the upper surface of lever-side operating portion 26 are flush with each other, and only finger-hook step portion 28 protrudes upward. Detecting member 30 is provided so as to straddle connecting portion 24 and the left and right side wall portions 22, and fitting grooves 24A and 22A are formed on both the left and right sides of lever-side operating portion 26 of connecting portion 24 of lever 20 and on each side wall portion 22, into which fitting projections 34A and 32A, described below, of detecting member 30, respectively, are movably (slidably) fitted (see FIG. 6).

[0054] 5 to 8, the detection member 30 is formed in a generally "U" shape having a pair of left and right arm portions 32 as detection member-side restricting portions (movement restricting portions, rotation preventing portions) and a connecting portion 34 that integrally connects the pair of left and right arm portions 32. When the lever 20 is in the start position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each arm portion 32 is formed in a non-elastic block shape (approximately a square pillar shape) such that an outer surface 32B (see FIGS. 6 and 8) facing downward as a rotation restricting portion has a generally rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the front-to-rear direction and a height direction extending in the up-and-down direction.

[0055] A detection member-side operating unit 36, which is operated by an operator (not shown), is integrally formed in the left-right center of the connecting portion 34 of the detection member 30. The detection member-side operating unit 36 ​​is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the left-right direction as its longitudinal direction, and protrudes downward when the lever 20 is in the start position shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this state, the operating surface 26A, which is the surface facing the front of the lever-side operating unit 26, and the operating surface 36A, which is the surface facing the front of the detection member-side operating unit 36, are flush with each other, and the lever-side operating unit 26 and the detection member-side operating unit 36 ​​are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (see Figure 4).

[0056] On both the left and right sides of the connecting portion 34 of the detection member 30 on the opposite side (upper surface side) from the detection member side operating portion 36, approximately rectangular flat plate-shaped fitting projections 34A are integrally provided to protrude, so as to slidably (moveably) fit into the fitting grooves 24A. Furthermore, on the pair of left and right arm portions 32 of the detection member 30, approximately rectangular flat plate-shaped fitting projections 32A are integrally provided to protrude, so as to slidably (moveably) fit into the fitting grooves 22A. The fitting projections 32A of each arm portion 32 are larger than the fitting projections 34A of the connecting portion 34, and are integrally formed on the outer side of each arm portion 32 in the left-right direction.

[0057] 3 and 4, a holding portion 38 (see FIGS. 6 to 8) in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate extending rearward is integrally formed in the left-right central portion of the connecting portion 34 of the detection member 30. A pair of left and right slits 38A extending in the front-rear direction are formed in this holding portion 38 on the outside in the left-right direction of the detection member side operating portion 36 and on the inside in the left-right direction of the fitting protrusion 34A.

[0058] Then, on both the left and right sides of the holding portion 38, at positions approximately the same in the front-to-rear direction as one end and the other end of the longitudinal direction of the slit portion 38A, there are formed notches 38C and 38D, respectively, extending in the thickness direction of the holding portion 38 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). As a result, the spaces between the notches 38C and 38D on both the left and right sides of the holding portion 38 are configured to be elastically deformable inward in the left-right direction.

[0059] When the lever 20 is in the starting position shown in Figures 3 and 4, a pair of retaining protrusions 27 (see Figure 7) that protrude inward in the left-right direction are integrally formed on the rear side of the connecting portion 24, and each retaining protrusion 27 is configured to be insertable into the cutout portions 38C and 38D.

[0060] That is, when the detection member 30 is located at the standby position, the holding protrusion 27 is inserted into the notch 38C (see FIG. 7(A)). When the detection member 30 moves from the standby position to the detection position, the holding protrusion 27 disengages from the notch 38C and moves relatively toward the notch 38D while elastically deforming the left and right side portions of the holding portion 38 between the notch 38C and the notch 38D inward in the left-right direction, and when the detection member 30 is located at the detection position, the holding protrusion 27 is inserted into the notch 38D (see FIG. 7(B)).

[0061] With the above-described configuration, the detection member 30 is movable (slidable) relative to the lever 20. In other words, the lever 20 is configured to movably (slidably) hold the detection member 30. As shown in Fig. 8, a pair of left and right protrusions 40 serving as first movement restricting portions are integrally provided on the inside in the left-right direction of each slit portion 38A on the underside of the holding portion 38 (the surface facing downward when the lever 20 is in the starting position shown in Figs. 3 and 4) and in the center in the longitudinal direction of each slit portion 38A.

[0062] 7, the operation surface 36A of the detection member-side operation unit 36 ​​located at the standby position is configured not to be located closer to the standby position than the operation surface 26A of the lever-side operation unit 26. That is, the operation surface 36A of the detection member-side operation unit 36 ​​located at the standby position is located at the same height as the operation surface 26A of the lever-side operation unit 26 as shown in the figure, or, although not shown, the operation surface 26A of the lever-side operation unit 26 is located closer to the standby position than the operation surface 36A of the detection member-side operation unit 36 ​​located at the standby position.

[0063] Next, the operation of fitting the connector 10 to the connection object 50 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0064] 9 and 10, connector 10 is moved forward relative to connection object 50, and mating portion 12A of housing 12 is mated with mating portion 54 of connector 10. At this time, lever 20 is disposed in the starting position. Furthermore, with this mating, flange portion 56B of cam portion 56 passes relatively through notch 23A (see FIG. 6) of protruding portion 23 of lever 20, and cam body 56A of cam portion 56 is relatively inserted into notch 12T of side wall 12S of housing 12 and is relatively inserted into one longitudinal side of cam groove 22C in side wall portion 22 of lever 20.

[0065] 11, the lever 20 is rotated clockwise around the support shaft 14. This causes the cam body 56A of the cam portion 56 to move relatively within the cam groove 22C, further moving the housing 12 forward. In other words, the housing 12 is pulled relatively toward the connection object 50.

[0066] 12, lever 20 is further rotated clockwise as shown until cam body 56A of cam portion 56 is positioned on the other longitudinal side of cam groove 22C. As a result, housing 12 is pulled relatively toward connection object 50 to a predetermined position, lever 20 is placed in the final position, and the mating state of mating portion 12A of housing 12 with mated portion 54 is completed.

[0067] When the lever 20 is in the final position and the detection member 30 is in the standby position, in a plan view, the detection member side operating part 36 is located closer to the starting position than the lever side operating part 26, and the outer surface 32B facing the forward side of each arm part 32 is located further rearward than the outer surface 18B facing the rear side of each raised part 18 described later.

[0068] 13, the detection member 30 is pushed down to the lowest position. This allows visual detection (recognition) that the mating operation of the mating portion 12A of the housing 12 with the mated portion 54 has been completely completed, i.e., that the lever 20 that mates the connection object 50 and the housing 12 has been completely operated (not incompletely operated).

[0069] 10, when the lever 20 is in the start position, even if the detection member 30 is accidentally pushed backward, the detection member 30 is unable to move. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 14, when the lever 20 is in the start position, the protrusion 40 is disposed on the front side of the edge 12F serving as a housing-side first movement restricting portion that faces the connection target 50 of the fitting portion 12A of the housing 12, so as to face the edge 12F in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the lever 20 is in the start position and the detection member 30 is in the standby position, the protrusion 40 abuts against the edge 12F, thereby restricting the detection member 30 from moving from the standby position to the detection position.

[0070] 1, 14, and 15, a protrusion 16 serving as a fitting front movement restrictor is integrally formed in the left-right center of the front side of the upper wall 12U of the housing 12. This protrusion 16 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape in side view, with the upper end of its front surface 16A being generally arc-shaped in side view, and the portion excluding the upper end being a generally vertical surface.

[0071] When the lever 20 is in the starting position and the detection member 30 is in the standby position, the lower part of the rear surface 38B (see Figure 8) of the holding portion 38 of the detection member 30 faces the upper part of the front surface 16A of the protrusion 16 (including the upper side of the portion that is an approximately vertical surface) in the front-to-rear direction.

[0072] Therefore, when the lever 20 is in the starting position and the detection member 30 is in the standby position, if an attempt is made to rotate the lever 20 from the starting position to the end position, the rear surface 38B of the holding portion 38 of the detection member 30 will come into sliding contact (rub) with the front surface 16A of the protrusion 16 (particularly the upper end portion of the front surface 16A).

[0073] In other words, when an operator intentionally rotates the lever 20, the holding portion 38 of the detection member 30 is configured to slide over the protrusion 16 while making contact with it, and the upper end portion of the front surface 16A of the protrusion 16 is formed in an approximately arc shape when viewed from the side to make it easier for the holding portion 38 to climb over it.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, when the lever 20 is rotated slightly from the starting position (until the lever 20 is positioned approximately midway between the starting position and the end position) and the cam body 56A of the cam portion 56 is positioned approximately in the longitudinal center of the cam groove 22C, even if the detection member 30 is accidentally pushed diagonally downward and rearward, the detection member 30 will not be able to move.

[0075] 16 to 18, raised portions 18 serving as housing-side restricting portions (housing-side movement restricting portions, housing-side rotation preventing portions) are integrally formed on both left and right end portions on the rear side of upper wall 12U of housing 12. The pair of left and right raised portions 18 have outer surfaces 18B serving as housing-side rotation restricting portions facing the rear side that are generally trapezoidal, and are formed in the shape of inelastic blocks (generally square pillars) extending a predetermined length in the front-rear direction (for example, a length that is approximately half the length of housing 12 in the front-rear direction) (see FIG. 3).

[0076] In other words, the pair of left and right raised portions 18 are formed so as to protrude upward from the upper wall 12U of the housing 12, in other words, so that the space between the pair of left and right raised portions 18 on the upper wall 12U of the housing 12 forms a recess 12C of a predetermined depth, and each of the pair of left and right raised portions 18 has multiple (at least four) ridges 18A formed thereon that extend along the front-to-rear direction (the normal direction of the outer surface 18B and the outer surface 18C described later).

[0077] Therefore, when the lever 20 is located between the start position and the end position and the detection member 30 is located at the standby position, movement of the detection member 30 from the standby position to the detection position is restricted by the outer surfaces 32C serving as second movement restricting portions facing downward and rearward of the pair of left and right arm portions 32 abutting against the outer surfaces 18C (particularly the upper ends of the outer surfaces 18C) serving as housing-side second movement restricting portions which are the front surfaces of the pair of left and right protrusions 18 (see FIGS. 16 to 18). Note that, although not shown, when the lever 20 is further rotated from there toward the end position, movement of the detection member 30 from the standby position to the detection position is restricted by the outer surfaces 32C of each arm portion 32 abutting against the upper surfaces of the respective protrusions 18.

[0078] 13, when the lever 20 is rotated to the end position and the detection member 30 is located at the detection position, even if the lever 20 is accidentally rotated toward the start position, the lever 20 is unable to rotate. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, when the lever 20 is rotated to the end position, the outer surfaces 32B facing the front of each arm portion 32 of the detection member 30 located at the standby position are located rearward of the outer surfaces 18B facing the rear of each raised portion 18 in a plan view.

[0079] 22 to 24, when the detection member 30 is in the detection position, a part (the inner part in the left-right direction) of the outer surface 32B of the arm portion 32 and a part (the outer part in the left-right direction) of the outer surface 18B of the protrusion 18 face each other in the front-rear direction. As a result, when the lever 20 is in the end position and the detection member 30 is in the detection position, the outer surfaces 32B of the pair of left and right arm portions 32 come into contact with the outer surfaces 18B of the pair of left and right protrusions 18, thereby restricting the lever 20 from rotating from the end position toward the start position.

[0080] 25, a pair of left and right claws 29 serving as first steps are formed on the opposite side of the cam groove 22C across the hole 22B in each side wall 22 of the lever 20. The pair of left and right claws 29 are formed so as to protrude inward in the left-right direction from the tips of elastic pieces 29A configured to be elastically deformable outward in the left-right direction. Furthermore, flanges 19 serving as second steps are formed at the rear ends of the left and right side walls 12S of the housing 12 so as to protrude slightly outward in the left-right direction.

[0081] 26 and 27, when lever 20 is rotated from the start position to the end position, elastic deformation of elastic piece 29A outward in the left-right direction causes claw 29 to climb over flange 19 just before lever 20 reaches the end position. In other words, the completion of rotation of lever 20 to the end position can be perceived by the operator by the touch and clicking sound produced by claw 29 climbing over flange 19.

[0082] 28, the front mask 13 is attached to and locked onto the housing 12 from the front side. The front mask 13 has an upper end 13U and a lower end 13D that extend a predetermined length toward the rear side, and the upper end 13U and the lower end 13D are configured to prevent the fitting-side waterproof members 42, which are provided on the upper and lower sides inside the housing 12, from slipping out toward the front side.

[0083] Furthermore, a plurality of ribs 13B are formed in the vertical midpoint of the front mask 13, extending rearward with a length shorter than the upper end 13U and the lower end 13D thereof, and when pressed from above by each rib 13B, a plurality of terminal retaining lances 44 provided inside the housing 12 are bent downward. As a result, the protrusion 44A of each terminal retaining lance 44 is inserted from above into a hole 17A formed in the front part of each wire-attached terminal 17, thereby locking (preventing removal of) each wire-attached terminal 17.

[0084] 25, a substantially rectangular cylindrical frame 12E is integrally provided to protrude from the rear wall 12B of the housing 12, and a plurality of holes for inserting the wire-attached terminals 17 are formed in the rear wall 12B on the inside of the frame 12E. As shown in Fig. 28, a wire-side waterproofing member 46 is provided inside the frame 12E, and the rear mask 15 is fitted onto the outer side of the frame 12E from the rear side and attached (locked) to the rear wall 12B of the housing 12. In other words, the rear mask 15 prevents the wire-side waterproofing member 46 provided on the rear wall 12B of the housing 12 from coming off.

[0085] Next, the operation of the connector 10 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0086] As described above, the operator rotates the lever 20, which is rotatably provided on the housing 12, from the start position to the end position, thereby fitting the housing 12 and the connection object 50 together. When the lever 20 reaches the end position, the detection member 30, which is movable from the standby position to the detection position, is held by the lever 20.

[0087] Therefore, after the operator rotates the lever 20 from the start position to the end position, the operator can smoothly move the detection member 30 from the standby position to the detection position. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of incomplete operation of the lever 20, and as a result, it is possible to easily detect (recognize) the incomplete operation of the lever 20.

[0088] In other words, when an operator operates the detection member 30, he or she will notice that the detection member 30 cannot move to the detection position, and will be able to recognize that the engagement is incomplete, thereby suppressing or preventing the connector 10 and the connection object 50 from becoming incompletely engaged.

[0089] Furthermore, the lever-side operating portion 26 of the lever 20 and the detection member-side operating portion 36 of the detection member 30 are provided adjacent to each other. This allows the operator to quickly begin moving the detection member 30 after rotating the lever 20, thereby improving operability.

[0090] Furthermore, when the detection member-side operation unit 36 ​​is located at the standby position, the operation surface 36A of the detection member-side operation unit 36 ​​is not located closer to the standby position than the operation surface 26A of the lever-side operation unit 26. In other words, the operation surface 36A of the detection member-side operation unit 36 ​​located at the standby position and the operation surface 26A of the lever-side operation unit 26 are located at the same height, or the operation surface 26A of the lever-side operation unit 26 is located closer to the standby position than the operation surface 36A of the detection member-side operation unit 36 ​​located at the standby position. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of a malfunction in which the operator unintentionally operates the detection member-side operation unit 36.

[0091] Furthermore, when the lever 20 is in the end position and the detection member 30 is in the standby position, the detection member-side operation unit 36 ​​is located closer to the start position than the lever-side operation unit 26. Therefore, the operator can operate the lever-side operation unit 26 with the pad of his or her finger to rotate the lever 20 from the start position to the end position, and then operate the lever-side operation unit 26 with the tip of his or her finger to move the detection member 30 from the standby position to the detection position. This improves operability.

[0092] In addition, when the lever 20 is in the starting position and the detection member 30 is in the standby position, the movement of the detection member 30 from the standby position to the detection position is restricted by the protrusion 40 formed on the holding portion 38 of the detection member 30 abutting against the edge portion 12F formed on the mating portion 12A of the housing 12 that is mated with the mating portion 54 of the connection object 50.

[0093] Therefore, when the lever 20 is in the start position and the detection member 30 is in the standby position, it is possible to prevent the detection member 30 from being moved accidentally from the standby position to the detection position. Furthermore, since the edge 12F of the fitting portion 12A of the housing 12 can be used as the housing-side first movement restricting portion, the structure of the housing 12 can be simplified compared to when a separate housing-side first movement restricting portion is formed on the housing 12.

[0094] Furthermore, when the lever 20 is positioned between the start position and the end position and the detection member 30 is positioned at the standby position, the outer surface 32C of the arm portion 32 abuts against the outer surface 18C of the raised portion 18, thereby restricting the movement of the detection member 30 from the standby position to the detection position. Therefore, when the lever 20 is positioned between the start position and the end position and the detection member 30 is positioned at the standby position, it is possible to prevent the detection member 30 from being moved from the standby position to the detection position by mistake.

[0095] Moreover, the arm portion 32 and the raised portion 18 are each formed in a non-elastic block shape, which increases the strength of the arm portion 32 and the raised portion 18. Therefore, even if the detection member 30 is mistakenly operated to move from the standby position to the detection position when the lever 20 is located between the start position and the end position and the detection member 30 is located in the standby position, at least one of the arm portion 32 and the raised portion 18 is unlikely to break, making it possible to effectively prevent such mistaken operation.

[0096] Furthermore, when the lever 20 is in the end position and the detection member 30 is in the detection position, the outer surface 32B of the arm portion 32 abuts against the outer surface 18B of the raised portion 18, thereby restricting the lever 20 from rotating from the end position toward the start position. Therefore, the lever 20 can be prevented from rotating from the end position toward the start position.

[0097] In particular, the outer surface 32B of the arm portion 32 has a normal direction that is the direction of a component of the force along the front-to-rear direction of the force applied when the lever 20 is rotated from the end position toward the start position, and the outer surface 18B of the raised portion 18 also has a normal direction that is the direction of a component of the force along the front-to-rear direction of the force applied when the lever 20 is rotated from the end position toward the start position. The raised portion 18 has a plurality of ridges 18A formed thereon that extend along the normal direction.

[0098] Therefore, the strength of the arm portion 32 and the raised portion 18 can be effectively increased when the lever 20 is accidentally rotated from the end position toward the start position. Therefore, even if the lever 20 is accidentally rotated forcefully from the end position toward the start position, at least one of the arm portion 32 and the raised portion 18 is unlikely to break, making it possible to prevent such erroneous rotation. Furthermore, the structure that prevents erroneous operation (rotation) of the lever 20 and the detection member 30 is concentrated in the arm portion 32 and the raised portion 18. Therefore, the structures of the detection member 30 and the housing 12 can be simplified.

[0099] Furthermore, the detection member 30 has a plurality of arm portions 32 (a pair of left and right portions), and the housing 12 has a plurality of raised portions 18 (a pair of left and right portions). Therefore, the strong force caused by an erroneous operation of the detection member 30 or the lever 20 can be dispersed among the plurality of arm portions 32 and the plurality of raised portions 18, making the arm portions 32 and the raised portions 18 even more resistant to breakage. Furthermore, because recesses 12C are formed between the plurality of raised portions 18, the housing 12 can be made smaller than a configuration in which recesses 12C are not formed.

[0100] Furthermore, when lever 20 is located at the start position and detection member 30 is located at the standby position, rotating lever 20 from the start position to the end position causes rear surface 38B of holding portion 38 of detection member 30 to come into sliding contact with front surface 16A (particularly the upper end portion of front surface 16A) of protrusion 16 of housing 12. Therefore, when storing connector 10 in a state where it is not mated with connection object 50, the contact between detection member 30 and protrusion 16 can prevent lever 20 from rotating from the start position to the end position due to vibration or the like.

[0101] When the worker intentionally rotates the lever 20 (when the detection member 30 and the protrusion 16 are intentionally brought into strong contact with each other), such as when mating the connection object 50 and the connector 10, the holding portion 38 of the detection member 30 slides over the protrusion 16 while making sliding contact with the protrusion 16. In other words, when the worker intentionally operates the lever 20, there is no risk that the rotation of the lever 20 from the start position to the end position will be impeded by the protrusion 16.

[0102] Furthermore, when lever 20 is rotated from the start position to the end position, claw portion 29 provided on lever 20 climbs over flange portion 19 provided on housing 12 just before lever 20 reaches the end position. In other words, when rotating lever 20, the operator can perceive that lever 20 has been rotated to the end position by the feeling of claw portion 29 climbing over flange portion 19. In this case, claw portion 29 also generates a clicking sound, making it easy to perceive that lever 20 has been rotated to the end position.

[0103] Although not shown, the lever 20 may be formed with a flange as a first step, and the housing 12 may be formed with a claw as a second step, with the flange climbing over the claw. Alternatively, the lever 20 may be formed with a claw 29 as a first step, and the housing 12 may also be formed with a claw as a second step. In this way, it is sufficient that at least one of the first step and the second step is an elastically deformable claw.

[0104] Furthermore, when disengaging the connector 10 from the object to be connected 50, first the detection member 30, which is in the detection position, is moved to the standby position, and then the lever 20, which is in the end position, is rotated toward the start position. This causes the connector 10 to move rearward relative to the object to be connected 50, and the connector 10 is detached from the object to be connected 50. In this way, by rotating the lever 20, the worker can mate and detach the connector 10 from the object to be connected 50 with little force.

[0105] In particular, in this embodiment, the mating portion side waterproofing member 42 and the numerous wire-equipped terminals 17 (tin-plated terminals) attached to the connector 10 tend to increase the insertion / removal force when mating and disengaging with the connection object 50, but by using a connector 10 equipped with a lever 20, the mating and disengagement operations can be performed easily.

[0106] While the connector 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the connector 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the one shown in the drawings, and the design can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. For example, the connector 10 according to the present embodiment can naturally be applied to connectors that do not have a mating portion-side waterproofing member 42 or tin-plated terminals.

[0107] Furthermore, the configuration that allows the detection member 30 to move relative to the lever 20 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and other configurations may be used. Furthermore, other members may be interposed between the lever-side operation portion 26 and the detection member-side operation portion 36, and the configuration is not limited to the lever-side operation portion 26 and the detection member-side operation portion 36 being adjacent to each other. Furthermore, the fitted portion 54 of the connection object 50 and the fitting portion 12A and frame body 12E of the housing 12 are not limited to the substantially rectangular tubular shape shown in the figure, and may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10 Connectors 12 Housing 12A Mating part 12C Recess 12F Edge (first housing side movement restriction part) 16 Protrusion (pre-mating movement control part) 18 Protrusion (housing-side movement restricting portion / housing-side rotation preventing portion / housing-side restricting portion) 18B Outer surface (housing side rotation restriction part) 18C Outer surface (housing side second movement restriction part) 19 Flange portion (second stage portion) 20 Lever 26 Lever side operation part 26A Operation surface 29 Claw section (first stage) 30 Detection member 32 Arm portion (movement restriction portion / rotation prevention portion / detection member side restriction portion) 32B Outer surface (rotation restriction part) 32C External surface (second movement restriction part) 36 Detecting member side operation unit 36A Operation surface 40 convex portion (first movement restriction portion) 50 Connected Objects

Claims

1. a housing that can be fitted to a connection object; a lever that is rotatably provided on the housing and that rotates from a start position to an end position to fit the housing and the connection object together; a detection member held by the lever and movable from a standby position to a detection position when the lever reaches the end position; A connector with

2. The lever has a lever-side operating portion for an operator to operate, The detection member has a detection member side operation portion that is operated by an operator, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the lever-side operating portion and the detection member-side operating portion are adjacent to each other.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein an operation surface of the detection member side operation portion located at the standby position is not located closer to the standby position than an operation surface of the lever side operation portion.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein when the lever is in the final position and the detection member is in the standby position, the detection member side operation portion is located closer to the start position than the lever side operation portion.

5. the detection member has a first movement restriction portion, the housing has a housing-side first movement restricting portion, A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the lever is located in the starting position and the detection member is located in the standby position, the first movement regulating portion abuts against the housing side first movement regulating portion to regulate the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position.

6. the housing has a fitting portion that can be fitted to the connection object, The connector according to claim 5 , wherein the housing-side first movement restricting portion is an edge portion formed on the fitting portion and facing the connection object.

7. the detection member has a second movement restriction portion, the housing has a housing-side second movement restricting portion, A connector as described in claim 5, wherein when the lever is positioned between the start position and the end position and the detection member is positioned at the standby position, the second movement regulating portion abuts against the housing side second movement regulating portion to regulate the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position.

8. the second movement restriction portion is an outer surface of a movement restriction portion formed in a block shape, 8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the housing-side second movement restricting portion is an outer surface of a housing-side movement restricting portion formed in a block shape.

9. The detection member has a rotation restriction portion, the housing has a housing-side rotation restricting portion, A connector as described in claim 8, wherein when the lever is located at the end position and the detection member is located at the detection position, the rotation control portion controls the lever from rotating from the end position toward the start position by abutting against the housing side rotation control portion.

10. the rotation restricting portion is an outer surface of a rotation preventing portion formed in a block shape, 10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein the housing-side rotation restricting portion is an outer surface of a housing-side rotation preventing portion formed in a block shape.

11. The detection member has a detection member-side regulating portion, The housing has a housing-side restricting portion, A connector as described in claim 10, wherein the movement restricting portion and the rotation preventing portion are formed in the detection member side restricting portion, and the housing side movement restricting portion and the housing side rotation preventing portion are formed in the housing side restricting portion.

12. the detection member has a plurality of the detection member side regulating portions, The housing has a plurality of the housing-side restricting portions, The connector according to claim 11, wherein a recess is formed between the plurality of housing-side restricting portions.

13. The detection member has a movement restriction portion, the housing has a housing-side movement restricting portion, A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the lever is positioned between the start position and the end position and the detection member is positioned at the standby position, the movement regulating portion regulates the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position by abutting against the housing side movement regulating portion.

14. The detection member has a rotation prevention portion, The housing has a housing-side rotation prevention portion, A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the lever is located at the end position and the detection member is located at the detection position, the rotation preventing portion abuts against the housing side rotation preventing portion to restrict the lever from rotating from the end position toward the start position.

15. The housing has a fitting front movement regulating portion, A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the lever is located at the start position and the detection member is located at the standby position, when the lever is rotated from the start position toward the end position, the detection member slides into contact with the mating front movement regulating portion.

16. The lever has a first step, the housing has a second step; A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the lever is rotated from the start position toward the end position, the first step portion overcomes the second step portion just before the lever reaches the end position.

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