First connector and connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a first connector capable of suitably reducing an operation force of a lever even when it is miniaturized.SOLUTION: The first connector 10 includes the first housing 11 connectable to the second housing 110 and the lever 50 rotatably mounted on the first housing 11 between the connection start position and the connection end position. The first housing 11 includes a cam pin 40. The lever (50) includes an operating portion (70) serving as a point of effort, a cam groove (60) into which the cam pin (40) is inserted and which is engageable with the cam pin (40), and a bearing portion (52) into which a shaft portion (113) provided on the second housing (110) is inserted. The cam groove 60 is an elongated hole and is provided between the operating portion 70 and the bearing 52. The cam grooves 60 apply a force for pushing the first housing 11 toward the second housing 110 to the cam pins 40 by the rotation of the lever 50 about the bearing portions 52 from the connection start position to the connection end position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a first connector and a connector assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a connector assembly that utilizes the multiplying effect of a lever to mate a first connector and a second connector is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The first connector includes a first housing having a support shaft and a lever attached to the first housing. The second connector includes a second housing having a cam pin. The lever includes an operating portion, a bearing portion into which the support shaft is inserted, and a cam groove into which the cam pin is inserted. The bearing portion is provided between the operating portion and the cam groove. In the connector assembly, by rotating the lever around the support shaft, the cam pin is pulled in by the cam groove, and the second housing is drawn to the first housing. This allows the first connector and the second connector to be mated by operating the lever with a low operating force. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-200767 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, as the connector assembly becomes smaller, the operating part (which serves as the force point), the bearing part (which serves as the fulcrum), and the cam groove (which serves as the action point) are all positioned closer to one another. This reduces the leverage ratio of the lever that constitutes the first-class lever. This creates a problem in that the lever's effectiveness in reducing the operating force is reduced.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a first connector and a connector assembly that can suitably reduce the lever operating force even when the connector is miniaturized. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first connector of the present disclosure comprises a first housing that can be mated with a second housing of a second connector, and a lever attached to the first housing so as to be rotatable between a mating start position and a mating completion position, wherein the first housing has a cam pin, and the lever has an operating portion that serves as a force point, a cam groove into which the cam pin is inserted and which can engage with the cam pin, and a bearing portion into which a shaft portion provided on the second housing is inserted, the cam groove being formed in an elongated hole and being provided between the operating portion and the bearing portion, and the cam groove applies a force to the cam pin that pushes the first housing toward the second housing by rotating the lever with the bearing portion as a fulcrum from the mating start position to the mating completion position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The first connector of the present disclosure has the advantage that the lever operating force can be suitably reduced even when the connector is miniaturized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a second connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the first connector of one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a mating process of the connector assembly of one embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a mating process of the connector assembly of one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a mating process of the connector assembly of one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a mating process of the connector assembly of one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector assembly of one embodiment is fully mated. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector assembly of one embodiment is fully mated. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 6) showing a connector assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 10) showing a connector assembly according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The first connector of the present disclosure comprises a first housing that can be mated with a second housing of a second connector, and a lever attached to the first housing so as to be rotatable between a mating start position and a mating completion position, wherein the first housing has a cam pin, and the lever has an operating portion that serves as a force point, a cam groove into which the cam pin is inserted and which can engage with the cam pin, and a bearing portion into which a shaft portion provided on the second housing is inserted, the cam groove being formed in an elongated hole and being provided between the operating portion and the bearing portion, and the cam groove applies a force to the cam pin that pushes the first housing toward the second housing by rotating the lever with the bearing portion as a fulcrum from the mating start position to the mating completion position.

[0010] According to this configuration, the cam groove provided on the lever is disposed between the operating portion and the bearing portion. Therefore, the lever has an operating portion serving as a force point and a bearing portion serving as a fulcrum, respectively, on either side of the cam groove serving as the point of application. Therefore, compared to a conventional configuration in which the bearing portion serving as the fulcrum is disposed between the operating portion and the cam groove, the distance from the bearing portion serving as the fulcrum to the operating portion serving as the force point can be set larger, thereby enabling a larger leverage ratio to be set. As a result, even if the first connector is miniaturized, the effect of reducing the lever operating force can be suitably prevented from becoming smaller. Therefore, even if the first connector is miniaturized, the lever operating force when mating the first connector and the second connector can be suitably reduced. Note that, if the distance from the bearing portion serving as the fulcrum to the operating portion serving as the force point is L1 and the distance from the bearing portion serving as the fulcrum to the cam groove serving as the point of application is L2, L1 / L2 is referred to as the leverage ratio.

[0011] [2] The connector assembly of the present disclosure is a connector assembly including a first connector and a second connector mated to the first connector, wherein the first connector has a first housing having a cam pin and a lever rotatably attached to the first housing between a mating start position and a mating completion position, and the second connector has a second housing matable with the first housing, the second housing having a shaft portion, and the lever having an operating portion that serves as a force point, a cam groove into which the cam pin is inserted and which is engageable with the cam pin, and a bearing portion into which the shaft portion is inserted, the cam groove being formed in an elongated hole and being provided between the operating portion and the bearing portion, and the cam groove applies a force to the cam pin to push the first housing toward the second housing by rotating the lever with the bearing portion as a fulcrum from the mating start position to the mating completion position.

[0012] This configuration can provide the same effects as the first connector described above in [1]. [3] In the above item [2], the distance between the bearing portion and the cam groove may be shorter than the distance between the cam groove and the operating portion.

[0013] This configuration allows the leverage ratio to be set larger, which in turn allows the lever operating force to be suitably reduced even when the first connector and the second connector are made smaller.

[0014] [4] In the above [2] or [3], the lever may have a first end and a second end in a first direction intersecting the fitting direction of the first housing with the second housing, the bearing portion being provided at the first end, and the operating portion being provided at the second end.

[0015] This configuration allows the distance from the bearing portion, which serves as the fulcrum, to the operating portion, which serves as the force point, to be set greater, thereby enabling the leverage ratio to be set greater.As a result, even if the first connector and the second connector are made smaller, the operating force of the lever can be suitably reduced.

[0016] [5] In any of [2] to [4] above, the planar shape of the cam groove may be formed as an ellipse having two parallel lines and two semicircles, the cam pin may be formed as a cylinder, the shortest distance between the two parallel lines may be formed to be larger than the diameter of the cam pin, and the cam groove may be formed so that the two parallel lines extend parallel to a second direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the first housing with the second housing when the lever is positioned at the mating completion position.

[0017] According to this configuration, when the lever is positioned in the mating completion position, the two parallel lines of the cam groove are arranged to extend parallel to the second direction perpendicular to the mating direction. This allows a force that pushes the first housing toward the second housing (i.e., a force that pushes along the mating direction) to act on the cam pin by a plane perpendicular to the mating direction just before mating is complete. Therefore, at the time of mating completion, when a force that pushes along the mating direction is most necessary, the largest pushing force can be applied to the cam pin by a plane perpendicular to the mating direction. As a result, the lever operating force just before mating is complete can be suitably reduced.

[0018] [6] In any of [2] to [5] above, the lever may have a first engagement portion, and the first housing may have a first regulating portion that regulates rotation of the lever in a first rotation direction from the mating start position toward the mating completion position, and the first regulating portion may be engageable with the first engagement portion when the lever is positioned at the mating start position.

[0019] According to this configuration, when the lever is positioned at the mating start position, the first engagement portion of the lever engages with the first restriction portion of the first housing. The engagement between the first engagement portion and the first restriction portion restricts rotation of the lever in the first rotation direction from the mating start position toward the mating completion position. As a result, when the lever is positioned at the mating start position, unintentional rotation of the lever in the first rotation direction can be effectively prevented.

[0020] [7] In the above [6], the second housing has a mating recess into which the first housing is fitted and a rear wall provided at the rear end of the mating recess, the first engagement portion has a first flexible piece that can be flexibly deformed and a first engagement protrusion that protrudes from the first flexible piece, the first housing has a front wall facing the rear wall and a first insertion groove into which the first engagement protrusion is fitted, the first insertion groove opens toward the mating direction of the first housing with the second housing, and the first insertion groove extends from the front wall along an anti-mating direction that is the opposite direction to the mating direction, the first regulating portion is formed by the inner surface of the first insertion groove, and the second housing may have an engagement release portion that is inserted into the first insertion groove along the anti-mating direction and releases the engagement between the first regulating portion and the first engagement protrusion.

[0021] With this configuration, as the first housing and the second housing are mated, the disengagement portion provided on the second housing is inserted into the first insertion groove in the opposite direction to mating. This disengagement portion disengages the first restriction portion from the first engagement protrusion. In this way, when the engagement between the first restriction portion and the first engagement protrusion is released, rotation of the lever in the first rotation direction from the mating start position toward the mating completion position is permitted.

[0022] [8] In the above [7], the shaft portion may be formed so as to be housed inside the bearing portion when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the first engaging protrusion is released by the disengagement portion.

[0023] With this configuration, when rotation of the lever in the first rotation direction is permitted, the shaft portion serving as a fulcrum can be housed inside the bearing portion, thereby making it possible to suitably prevent the shaft portion from coming out of the bearing portion when the lever rotates in the first rotation direction.

[0024] [9] In any of [2] to [8] above, the lever may have a second engagement portion, and the first housing may have a second regulating portion that regulates rotation of the lever in a second rotation direction from the mating completion position toward the mating start position, and the second regulating portion may be engageable with the second engagement portion when the lever is positioned at the mating completion position.

[0025] According to this configuration, when the lever is positioned at the mating completion position, the second engagement portion of the lever engages with the second restriction portion of the first housing. The engagement between the second engagement portion and the second restriction portion restricts rotation of the lever in the second rotation direction from the mating completion position toward the mating start position. As a result, when the lever is positioned at the mating completion position, unintentional rotation of the lever in the second rotation direction can be effectively prevented.

[0026]

[10] In the above [9], the second engagement portion has a second flexible piece that can be flexibly deformed, and a second engagement protrusion that protrudes from the second flexible piece and is engageable with the second regulating portion, the longitudinal direction of the second flexible piece extends along the mating direction of the first housing with respect to the second housing when the lever is positioned in the mating completion position, the second engagement protrusion is provided at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the second flexible piece, and the second engagement protrusion protrudes toward a third direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the second flexible piece, the operating portion has a through hole that penetrates the operating portion in the mating direction, and the second flexible piece may extend from the second engagement protrusion to the inside of the through hole.

[0027] According to this configuration, the engagement between the second engagement protrusion and the second restriction portion can be released by bending the second flexible piece. This allows the lever to be suitably rotated in the second rotation direction when separating the first housing from the second housing. Furthermore, because the second flexible piece extends into the through-hole provided in the operating portion, operation of the second flexible piece, i.e., operation to release the engagement between the second engagement protrusion and the second restriction portion, can be easily performed.

[0028] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the first connector and connector assembly of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ between the drawings. In this specification, "parallel" and "orthogonal" do not necessarily mean strictly parallel or orthogonal, but also include roughly parallel or orthogonal within the scope of the present embodiment's effects. In this specification, "opposite" refers to surfaces or components facing each other, and includes not only cases where the surfaces or components are completely opposite each other, but also cases where the surfaces or components are partially opposite each other. In this specification, "opposite" includes both cases where a separate component is interposed between the two components and cases where there is no interposed component between the two components. In this specification, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used simply to distinguish between objects and not to rank them. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included.

[0029] (Overall configuration of connector assembly 1) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector assembly 1 includes a first connector 10 and a second connector 100 to which the first connector 10 is detachably attached. The connector assembly 1 is installed in a vehicle (not shown), such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. The first connector 10 and the second connector 100 electrically connect at least two electrical devices (not shown). Examples of electrical devices include a high-voltage battery, an inverter, a motor, and a relay box.

[0030] Each drawing illustrates a first axis X, a second axis Y perpendicular to the first axis X, and a third axis Z perpendicular to both the first axis X and the second axis Y. Each drawing also illustrates a forward direction X1, which is one direction along the first axis X, and a rearward direction X2, which is another direction along the first axis X and opposite the forward direction X1. Here, the forward direction X1 is the mating direction of the first connector 10 with the second connector 100. Each drawing also illustrates an upward direction Y1, which is one direction along the second axis Y, and a downward direction Y2, which is another direction along the second axis Y and opposite the upward direction Y1. Each drawing also illustrates a first width direction Z1, which is one direction along the third axis Z, and a second width direction Z2, which is another direction along the third axis Z and opposite the first width direction Z1. Note that the directions in each drawing do not necessarily represent the orientation of the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 during use. Furthermore, the directions in the second connector 100 will be described based on the state in which the second connector 100 is mated with the first connector 10.

[0031] (Schematic configuration of first connector 10) The first connector 10 has a first housing 11, a plurality of first terminals (not shown) held in the first housing 11, and a lever 50 rotatably attached to the first housing 11. The first connector 10 is, for example, a female connector.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1, a wire bundle 200 formed by bundling a plurality of wires (not shown) connected to first terminals is drawn out in the rear direction X2 from an end face of the first housing 11 in the rear direction X2. In Fig. 1, the wire bundle 200 is depicted as a single thick line using a two-dot chain line for the sake of simplicity. In addition, in the drawings other than Fig. 1, the wire bundle 200 is not shown.

[0033] (Configuration of second connector 100) The second connector 100 has a second housing 110 and a plurality of second terminals 120 held in the second housing 110. The second connector 100 is, for example, a male connector.

[0034] The second housing 110 is made of synthetic resin and has a mating recess 111 into which the first connector 10 is mated. As shown in Fig. 3, the fitting recess 111 is formed so as to be recessed from the end surface of the second housing 110 in the rear direction X2 toward the front direction X1. The fitting recess 111 opens toward the rear direction X2. The fitting recess 111 has a rear wall 112 provided at the rear end of the fitting recess 111. The rear wall 112 is formed so as to close the opening of the fitting recess 111 in the front direction X1. The fitting recess 111 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front direction X1.

[0035] A shaft 113 is provided on the inner surface of the fitting recess 111. The shaft 113 is provided on the inner surface of an upper wall 114 that is provided in the upward direction Y1 among the walls that constitute the fitting recess 111. The shaft 113 protrudes in the downward direction Y2 from the inner surface of the upper wall 114, i.e., from the end face of the upper wall 114 in the downward direction Y2. The shaft 113 is formed in a columnar shape. The shaft 113 in this embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole.

[0036] A disengagement portion 115 is provided on the inner surface of the fitting recess 111. The disengagement portion 115 is provided on the inner surface of the upper wall 114. The disengagement portion 115 protrudes downward in the Y2 direction from the inner surface of the upper wall 114. The disengagement portion 115 extends from the rear wall 112 in the rear direction X2. The disengagement portion 115 is provided at a position closer to the shaft portion 113 in the second width direction Z2. The dimension of the disengagement portion 115 along the second axis Y is smaller than the dimension of the shaft portion 113 along the second axis Y. The end face of the disengagement portion 115 in the rear direction X2 is formed into an inclined surface 116. The inclined surface 116 is formed so as to incline toward the rear direction X2 as it approaches the edge in the upper direction Y1 from the edge in the lower direction Y2.

[0037] The second housing 110 has a protrusion 117 that protrudes in the upward direction Y1 from an end surface of the upper wall 114 in the upward direction Y1. The protrusion 117 extends along the third axis Z. The protrusion 117 extends along the third axis Z over the entire length of the upper wall 114. The protrusion 117 is used, for example, when attaching the second housing 110 to another component (for example, a case or a cover).

[0038] Each second terminal 120 is configured to be electrically connectable to a corresponding first terminal (not shown). Each second terminal 120 is, for example, a needle-shaped terminal (tab-shaped terminal). Each second terminal 120 is held by the rear wall 112 in a manner that it penetrates the rear wall 112 along the first axis X.

[0039] (Configuration of first housing 11) 4, the first housing 11 has a terminal accommodating portion 20 that accommodates the first terminal, and a lever holding portion 30 that holds the lever 50. The first housing 11 is a single component in which the terminal accommodating portion 20 and the lever holding portion 30 are integrally formed. The first housing 11 is made of synthetic resin.

[0040] The terminal accommodating portion 20 has a plurality of cavities 21 that penetrate the first housing 11 along the first axis X. A first terminal (not shown) is accommodated in each cavity 21. Ends of the electric wires that make up the electric wire bundle 200 shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the first terminals.

[0041] The lever holding portion 30 is provided on the terminal accommodating portion 20. The lever holding portion 30 has a wall portion 31, a pair of side walls 32, a front wall 33, and a ceiling wall . The wall portion 31 is provided on an end surface in the upward direction (Y1) of the terminal accommodating portion 20. An end surface in the rear direction (X2) of the wall portion 31 is provided at a position closer to the forward direction (X1) than the end surface in the rear direction (X2) of the terminal accommodating portion 20.

[0042] A groove 35 is provided in the wall 31. The groove 35 is formed so as to be recessed downward in the Y2 direction from an end face of the wall 31 in the upward Y1 direction. The groove 35 extends in the forward direction X1 from an end face of the wall 31 in the backward X2 direction.

[0043] The wall portion 31 is provided with a cam pin 40. The cam pin 40 protrudes in the upward direction Y1 from the end face of the wall portion 31 in the upward direction Y1. The cam pin 40 is formed in a columnar shape. The cam pin 40 of this embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. The cam pin 40 is provided in a central region of the end face of the wall portion 31 in the upward direction Y1 in a plan view seen from the downward direction Y2. The cam pin 40 is provided at a position closer to the second width direction Z2 than the groove portion 35.

[0044] Each of the pair of side walls 32 protrudes upward in the Y1 direction from the wall portion 31. The pair of side walls 32 is provided at an end of the wall portion 31 in the first width direction Z1 and an end of the wall portion 31 in the second width direction Z2. The pair of side walls 32 face each other along the third axis Z. Each side wall 32 extends along the first axis X.

[0045] The front wall 33 protrudes from the wall portion 31 in the upward direction Y1. The front wall 33 is provided at an end of the wall portion 31 in the forward direction X1. The front wall 33 extends along the third axis Z. The front wall 33 is formed to connect the pair of side walls 32. The front wall 33 faces the rear wall 112 of the second housing 110 (see FIG. 3).

[0046] The ceiling wall 34 faces the wall portion 31. The ceiling wall 34 is connected to the ends of the pair of side walls 32 in the upward direction Y1 and the end of the front wall 33 in the upward direction Y1. The ceiling wall 34 extends along the first axis X and also extends along the third axis Z. The ceiling wall 34 has a thickness in the upward direction Y1. The ceiling wall 34 is the wall portion of the first housing 11 that is provided at the uppermost position in the upward direction Y1. Here, the lever 50 is accommodated in an accommodation space S1 surrounded by the ceiling wall 34, the pair of side walls 32, the front wall 33, and the wall portion 31. The accommodation space S1 is open in the rear direction X2.

[0047] A first insertion groove 41 is provided in the top wall 34. The first insertion groove 41 penetrates the top wall 34 along the second axis Y. The first insertion groove 41 opens in the fitting direction of the first housing 11 with respect to the second housing 110 (in this embodiment, the front direction X1). The first insertion groove 41 opens in the upward direction Y1 intersecting the fitting direction. The first insertion groove 41 extends along the first axis X. The first insertion groove 41 extends from the front wall 33 along an anti-fitting direction (in this embodiment, the rearward direction X2), which is the opposite direction to the fitting direction. The first insertion groove 41 has a width that allows the first engagement protrusion 82 of the first engagement portion 80 of the lever 50 to fit into it.

[0048] A second insertion groove 42 is provided in the top wall 34. The second insertion groove 42 penetrates the top wall 34 along the second axis Y. The second insertion groove 42 opens in the forward direction X1 and also opens in the upward direction Y1. The second insertion groove 42 extends from the front wall 33 in the rear direction X2. The dimension of the second insertion groove 42 along the first axis X is smaller than the dimension of the first insertion groove 41 along the first axis X. The second insertion groove 42 has a width that allows the first engagement protrusion 82 of the first engagement portion 80 of the lever 50 to fit into it.

[0049] A groove 43 is provided in the ceiling wall 34. The groove 43 penetrates the ceiling wall 34 along the second axis Y. The groove 43 is formed so as to partially overlap the groove 35 in a plan view seen from the downward direction Y2. The groove 43 opens in the forward direction X1 and also opens in the upward direction Y1. The groove 43 extends from the front wall 33 in the rear direction X2. The dimension of the groove 43 along the first axis X is greater than the dimension of the first insertion groove 41 along the first axis X.

[0050] 5, the groove 43 has a width that allows the shaft portion 113 of the second housing 110 to fit therein. The opening width of the groove 43, i.e., the dimension of the groove 43 along the third axis Z, is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 113. The shaft portion 113 is inserted into the groove 43 in the rear direction X2. The inner end of the groove 43, i.e., the end of the groove 43 in the rear direction X2, is formed in an arc shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft portion 113.

[0051] The first housing 11 has an engagement protrusion 44 that can engage with the second engagement portion 90 of the lever 50. The engagement protrusion 44 is formed to protrude in the first width direction Z1 from an end surface in the first width direction Z1 of the side wall 32 provided on the second width direction Z2 side.

[0052] (Lever 50 configuration) 5 to 10, the lever 50 is attached to the first housing 11 so as to be rotatable between a mating start position (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and a mating completion position (see FIGS. 9 and 10). When the lever 50 moves from the mating start position to the mating completion position, the first connector 10 is mated toward the second connector 100. When the lever 50 moves from the mating completion position to the mating start position, the first connector 10 is detached from the second connector 100. In this way, the first connector 10 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the second connector 100 as the lever 50 rotates.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 4, the lever 50 has a main body 51, a bearing 52 provided in the main body 51, a cam groove 60 provided in the main body 51, and an operating portion 70. The lever 50 has a first engaging portion 80 and a second engaging portion 90. The lever 50 is made of synthetic resin. Note that the lever 50 in Fig. 4 is shown in an orientation in which it is disposed in the mating completion position.

[0054] The main body 51 is formed in a flat plate shape. The main body 51 extends along the first axis X and also extends along the third axis Z. The main body 51 has a thickness in the upward direction Y1. The main body 51 is formed so as to be insertable into the accommodation space S1 of the first housing 11.

[0055] The bearing portion 52 is provided at the end of the main body portion 51 in the forward direction X1 when the lever 50 is disposed in the mating completion position, i.e., in the posture of the mating completion position. The bearing portion 52 is provided at the end of the main body portion 51 in the first width direction Z1 when in the posture of the mating completion position. The bearing portion 52 penetrates the main body portion 51 along the second axis Y. A bottom portion 53 is provided at the innermost end of the bearing portion 52, closing the opening of the bearing portion 52 in the downward direction Y2. The bottom portion 53 is formed in a thin plate shape. The bottom portion 53 is thinner than the main body portion 51.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the bearing portion 52 is formed to extend along the first axis X when the lever 50 is disposed in the mating start position, i.e., in the mating start position posture. The bearing portion 52 opens toward the forward direction X1 in the mating start position posture. The bearing portion 52 is formed to overlap the groove portion 43 of the first housing 11 in a plan view seen from the downward direction Y2 in the mating start position posture. The bearing portion 52 has a width that allows the shaft portion 113 of the second housing 110 to fit therein. The opening width of the bearing portion 52, i.e., the dimension of the bearing portion 52 along the third axis Z, is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 113. The shaft portion 113 is inserted into the bearing portion 52 in the rear direction X2. The innermost end of the bearing portion 52, i.e., the end portion of the bearing portion 52 in the rear direction X2, is formed in an arc shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft portion 113.

[0057] 6, at the fitting start position, the shaft portion 113 is inserted into the bearing portion 52. At the fitting start position, the shaft portion 113 of this embodiment is inserted all the way to the innermost end of the bearing portion 52.

[0058] The main body 51 has a guide portion 54 provided at the insertion opening of the bearing 52, i.e., at the opening of the bearing 52 in the forward direction X1 when the bearing 52 is in the mating start position. The guide portion 54 is provided on the second width direction Z2 side of the bearing 52. The guide portion 54 is formed so that the opening width increases with increasing distance from the bearing 52. The guide portion 54 has the function of smoothly guiding the shaft portion 113 into the bearing 52 when the shaft portion 113 is inserted into the bearing 52.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, the cam groove 60 is provided between the bearing portion 52 and the operating portion 70. The cam groove 60 is provided closer to the bearing portion 52 than to the operating portion 70. A distance L2 (see FIG. 8) between the bearing portion 52 and the cam groove 60 is shorter than a distance between the cam groove 60 and the operating portion 70. The cam groove 60 penetrates the main body portion 51 along the second axis Y. The cam groove 60 is formed as an elongated hole. In the mating completion position, the cam groove 60 is formed as an elongated hole that is longer in the third axis Z than in the first axis X. The cam groove 60 has an oval shape in plan view as viewed from the downward direction Y2, the shape including two parallel lines 61 and 62 and two semicircles. The two parallel lines 61 and 62 have equal lengths. The parallel line 61 is provided at a position facing rearward in the X2 direction than the parallel line 62 in the mating completion position. The cam groove 60 is formed such that, when the lever 50 is disposed in the mating completion position, two parallel lines 61, 62 extend parallel to a second direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the first housing 11 relative to the second housing 110 (in this embodiment, the forward direction X1). Here, the second direction in this embodiment coincides with the direction along the third axis Z. That is, the cam groove 60 in this embodiment is formed such that, in the mating completion position, the two parallel lines 61, 62 extend parallel to the third axis Z. In the mating completion position, the cam groove 60 is aligned with the inner end of the bearing portion 52 along the third axis Z. The cam pin 40 of the first housing 11 is inserted into the cam groove 60. The opening width of the cam groove 60, i.e., the shortest distance between the two parallel lines 61, 62, is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cam pin 40.

[0060] The cam groove 60 is engageable with the cam pin 40. When the lever 50 rotates around the shaft 113 as a fulcrum from the mating start position to the mating completion position, the cam groove 60 applies a force to the cam pin 40 that pushes the first housing 11 toward the second housing 110.

[0061] The operating unit 70 is provided at an end of the main body 51 in the rear direction X2 when the main body 51 is in the mating completion position. The operating unit 70 is provided at an end of the main body 51 in the second width direction Z2 when the main body 51 is in the mating completion position. The operating unit 70 and the bearing 52 are provided on a diagonal line of the main body 51 when viewed from below in the Y2 direction. In this way, the bearing 52 is provided at a first end of the lever 50 in a first direction that intersects with the mating direction (in this embodiment, the forward direction X1), and the operating unit 70 is provided at a second end of the lever 50 in the first direction.

[0062] In the mating completion position, the operating unit 70 protrudes from a corner of the main body 51 in the second width direction Z2. That is, in the mating completion position, the tip of the operating unit 70 is located closer to the corner of the main body 51 in the second width direction Z2. In the mating completion position, the operating unit 70 is formed to extend parallel to the third axis Z. The operating unit 70 is formed to protrude from the downward Y2 end face of the main body 51 in the downward direction Y2. The operating unit 70 is formed to protrude from the upward Y1 end face of the main body 51 in the upward Y1 direction. As shown in FIG. 1 , the upward Y1 end face of the operating unit 70 is located on the same plane as the upward Y1 end face of the protrusion 117 or is located closer to the downward Y2 than the upward Y1 end face of the protrusion 117. The operating unit 70 is formed in an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape. The operating unit 70 has a rectangular planar shape when viewed from the front direction X1.

[0063] 4, the operating unit 70 has a through-hole 71 that penetrates the operating unit 70 in the mating direction (here, the forward direction X1) when in the mating completion position. The through-hole 71 is provided in the center of the operating unit 70 in a plan view seen from the forward direction X1. The through-hole 71 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the forward direction X1.

[0064] The first engagement portion 80 is formed integrally with the main body 51. The first engagement portion 80 has a first flexible piece 81 that is flexible and a first engagement protrusion 82 provided at the tip of the first flexible piece 81. A base end of the first flexible piece 81 is connected to a corner of the main body 51, specifically, the end in the forward direction X1 and the end in the second width direction Z2. A majority of the first flexible piece 81 is formed to extend parallel to the parallel lines 61, 62 of the cam groove 60. The first flexible piece 81 is formed in a cantilever shape, with a base end connected to the corner of the main body 51 as a fixed end and a tip end opposite the base end as a free end. The first flexible piece 81 is configured to be flexible in the upward direction Y1 and the downward direction Y2 due to elastic deformation.

[0065] The first engagement protrusion 82 is formed to protrude in the upward direction Y1 from an end surface of the first flexible piece 81 in the upward direction Y1. As shown in FIG. 5 , the first engagement protrusion 82 is formed to be fitted into the first insertion groove 41 of the first housing 11 in the mating start position. At this time, the first engagement protrusion 82 engages with the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41. The engagement between the first engagement protrusion 82 and the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41 restricts rotation of the lever 50. Specifically, the engagement between the first engagement protrusion 82 and the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41 facing in the second width direction Z2 restricts rotation of the lever 50 in a first rotation direction from the mating start position toward the mating completion position. Furthermore, the engagement between the first engagement protrusion 82 and the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41 facing in the first width direction Z1 restricts rotation of the lever 50 in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, i.e., from the mating completion position toward the mating start position.

[0066] 2, the first engagement protrusion 82 fitted into the first insertion groove 41 is exposed to the outside of the first housing 11. Therefore, it is possible to visually check from the outside of the first housing 11 whether the first engagement protrusion 82 is fitted into the first insertion groove 41.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 11 , when the disengaging portion 115 of the second housing 110 is inserted into the first insertion groove 41, the disengaging portion 115 presses the first engagement protrusion 82 downward in the Y2 direction. This causes the first flexible piece 81 to bend downward in the Y2 direction, disengaging the first engagement protrusion 82 from the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41. This allows the lever 50 to rotate. The first engagement protrusion 82 has an inclined surface 83 that faces the inclined surface 116 of the disengaging portion 115. The inclined surface 83 is an end surface of the first engagement protrusion 82 facing the forward direction X1, and is provided at the end of the first engagement protrusion 82 in the upward direction Y1. The inclined surface 83 is formed so as to incline toward the rearward direction X2 as it approaches the upward Y1 end surface of the first engagement protrusion 82. When the disengaging portion 115 is inserted into the first insertion groove 41, the inclined surface 116 of the disengaging portion 115 comes into contact with the inclined surface 83 of the first engaging protrusion 82, causing the first flexible piece 81 to begin to bend downward Y2.

[0068] 10 , the first engagement protrusion 82 is formed to be fitted into the second insertion groove 42 of the first housing 11 in the fully fitted position. At this time, the first engagement protrusion 82 engages with the inner surface of the second insertion groove 42. The engagement between the first engagement protrusion 82 and the inner surface of the second insertion groove 42 restricts rotation of the lever 50. Specifically, the engagement between the first engagement protrusion 82 and the inner surface of the second insertion groove 42 facing in the second width direction Z2 restricts rotation of the lever 50 in the first rotation direction. Furthermore, the engagement between the first engagement protrusion 82 and the inner surface of the second insertion groove 42 facing in the first width direction Z1 restricts rotation of the lever 50 in the second rotation direction.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 12 , the first engagement protrusion 82 has an inclined surface 84 that faces the inner surface of the second insertion groove 42 facing in the first width direction Z1. The inclined surface 84 is an end surface of the first engagement protrusion 82 facing in the second width direction Z2, and is provided at the end of the first engagement protrusion 82 in the upward direction Y1. The inclined surface 84 is formed so as to incline toward the first width direction Z1 as it approaches the end surface of the first engagement protrusion 82 in the upward direction Y1. Here, an inclined surface 42A that faces the inclined surface 84 is provided on the inner surface of the second insertion groove 42 facing in the first width direction Z1. The inclined surface 42A is provided at the end surface of the ceiling wall 34 in the downward direction Y2. The inclined surface 42A is formed so as to incline toward the second width direction Z2 as it approaches the end surface of the ceiling wall 34 in the downward direction Y2. By providing these inclined surfaces 42A and 84, when the lever 50 is rotated in the second rotation direction, the engagement between the first engagement protrusion 82 and the inner surface of the second insertion groove 42 is easily released. Note that no inclined surface similar to the inclined surface 42A is formed on the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41 or the inner surface of the second insertion groove 42 facing the second width direction Z2.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 4 , the second engagement portion 90 is integrally formed with the main body 51. The second engagement portion 90 has a flexible second flexible piece 91 and a second engagement protrusion 92 protruding from the second flexible piece 91. The base end of the second flexible piece 91 is connected to a corner of the main body 51, specifically, the end in the forward direction X1 and the end in the second width direction Z2. The base end of the second flexible piece 91 is connected to the base end of the first flexible piece 81. The length direction of the second flexible piece 91 extends along the mating direction of the first housing 11 with the second housing 110 (in this embodiment, the forward direction X1) in the mating completion position. The second flexible piece 91 is formed in a cantilever shape with a base end connected to the corner of the main body 51 as a fixed end and a tip end opposite the base end as a free end. The second flexible piece 91 is configured to be flexible in the first width direction Z1 and the second width direction Z2 due to elastic deformation. The tip of the second flexible piece 91 extends to the operating portion 70. The tip of the second flexible piece 91 is inserted into the through-hole 71 of the operating portion 70.

[0071] The second engagement protrusion 92 is provided at a middle position in the length direction of the second flexible piece 91. The second engagement protrusion 92 protrudes in a third direction intersecting the length direction of the second flexible piece 91. In this embodiment, the second engagement protrusion 92 is formed so as to protrude in the second width direction Z2 from an end face of the second flexible piece 91 facing the second width direction Z2 in the posture of the mating completion position. The second engagement protrusion 92 has an engagement surface 93 facing the operating unit 70. The engagement surface 93 is formed so as to face the rear direction X2 in the posture of the mating completion position. The engagement surface 93 is formed in a plane perpendicular to both the length direction of the second flexible piece 91 and the protruding direction of the second engagement protrusion 92.

[0072] 9, in the mating completion position, the engagement surface 93 is engaged with the engagement protrusion 44 of the first housing 11. In the mating completion position, the engagement between the engagement surface 93 and the engagement protrusion 44 restricts the rotation of the lever 50 in the second rotation direction.

[0073] When the lever 50 is rotated from the mating completion position to the mating start position, the second flexible piece 91 is deflected in the first width direction Z1, thereby disengaging the engagement surface 93 from the engagement protrusion 44. At this time, since the second flexible piece 91 extends to the operating portion 70, the work of deflecting the second flexible piece 91 can be easily performed from outside the first housing 11.

[0074] The lever 50 described above is formed to be smaller than the second housing 110 along the third axis Z. For example, in the posture of the mating completion position, the maximum dimension of the lever 50 along the third axis Z is smaller than the maximum dimension of the second housing 110 along the third axis Z.

[0075] (Method of fitting the first connector 10 and the second connector 100) Next, a method for fitting the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 together will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the first housing 11 to which the lever 50 is attached is prepared. At this time, the lever 50 is held at the mating start position. Here, the mating start position in this embodiment is, for example, a position rotated 35° in the second rotation direction around the shaft portion 113 (see FIG. 3) when the mating completion position is defined as 0°. As shown in FIG. 5, at the mating start position, the cam pin 40 of the first housing 11 is inserted into the cam groove 60 of the lever 50, and the cam pin 40 is disposed at the end of the cam groove 60 in the second width direction Z2. In this manner, mating between the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 begins after the cam pin 40 is inserted into the cam groove 60. At the mating start position, the first engagement protrusion 82 of the first engagement portion 80 of the lever 50 engages with the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41 of the first housing 11, thereby restricting rotation of the lever 50 toward the mating completion position. In the mating start position, the bearing portion 52 of the lever 50 is positioned so as to overlap with the groove portion 43 of the first housing 11 in a plan view seen from the downward direction Y2. At this time, the bearing portion 52 faces in a direction along the first axis X.

[0076] Next, the first housing 11 with the lever 50 attached is brought relatively close to the second housing 110. Then, the first housing 11 with the lever 50 attached is fitted into the fitting recess 111 of the second housing 110. At this time, the shaft portion 113 of the second housing 110 is inserted into the bearing portion 52 of the lever 50 along the rear direction X2, and is also inserted into the groove portion 43 of the first housing 11 along the rear direction X2. Furthermore, the disengagement portion 115 of the second housing 110 is inserted into the first insertion groove 41 of the first housing 11 along the rear direction X2. In the state shown in FIG. 5 , the first engagement protrusion 82 is still engaged with the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41, so rotation of the lever 50 toward the fitting completion position, i.e., rotation in the first rotation direction, is restricted.

[0077] Next, as shown in FIG. 11 , when the first housing 11 and the second housing 110 are further fitted together, the disengaging portion 115 presses the first engaging protrusion 82 downward in the Y2 direction. This causes the first flexible piece 81 to elastically deform and bend downward in the Y2 direction. Then, the engagement between the first engaging protrusion 82 and the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41 is released, allowing the lever 50 to rotate in the first rotation direction. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6 , the shaft portion 113 of the second housing 110 is inserted into the bearing portion 52 of the lever 50. Specifically, at least a diameter portion of the shaft portion 113 along the third axis Z is inserted into the bearing portion 52. In this embodiment, when the disengaging portion 115 releases the engagement between the first engaging protrusion 82 and the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41, the shaft portion 113 is inserted all the way into the inner end of the bearing portion 52. Furthermore, the shaft portion 113 is inserted up to the innermost end of the bearing portion 52 and is also inserted up to the middle position in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion 43 of the first housing 11.

[0078] Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 , an operating force is applied to the operating portion 70 of the lever 50. Specifically, the operating portion 70 is operated so as to press the operating portion 70 toward the first housing 11 (see the arrow in the figures). This rotates the lever 50 from the mating start position (see FIG. 6 ) toward the mating completion position (see FIGS. 9 and 10 ). As a result, the lever 50 rotates about the shaft portion 113, and the cam pin 40 moves relatively inside the cam groove 60, which is an elongated hole. At this time, a mating force is applied between the first housing 11 and the second housing 110 due to a cam action caused by the engagement between the cam pin 40 and the inner surface of the cam groove 60. More specifically, the inner surface of the cam groove 60, specifically the inner surface of the cam groove 60 corresponding to the parallel line 61, engages with the cam pin 40, and a force is applied to the cam pin 40 that presses the first housing 11 toward the second housing 110. As a result, the first housing 11 is pushed toward the second housing 110, and the fitting of the first housing 11 and the second housing 110 progresses. In this way, the lever 50 constitutes a second-class lever, with the operating portion 70 as the force point, the bearing portion 52 into which the shaft portion 113 is inserted as the fulcrum, and the cam groove 60 into which the cam pin 40 is inserted as the point of application. Therefore, by rotating the lever 50, an increased leverage force can be obtained. Note that, as shown in FIG. 8, if the distance from the bearing portion 52 serving as the fulcrum to the operating portion 70 serving as the force point is defined as L1, and the distance from the bearing portion 52 serving as the fulcrum to the cam groove 60 serving as the point of application is defined as L2, L1 / L2 is referred to as the leverage ratio.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 , when the lever 50 rotates from the mating start position to the mating completion position, the pushing force acts on the cam pin 40, causing the cam pin 40 to move relatively from the end of the cam groove 60 in the second width direction Z2 toward the end in the first width direction Z1. Furthermore, when the lever 50 rotates from the mating start position to the mating completion position, the first housing 11 is pushed toward the second housing 110, causing the shaft portion 113 inserted in the rear end of the bearing portion 52 to move relatively toward the rear end of the groove portion 43. As shown in FIG. 9 , when the lever 50 rotates to the mating completion position, the shaft portion 113 inserted in the rear end of the bearing portion 52 is positioned at the rear end of the groove portion 43, i.e., the end of the groove portion 43 in the rear direction X2. At this time, the shaft portion 113 is aligned with the cam pin 40 along the third axis Z.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 10 , when the lever 50 is rotated to the mating completion position, the first housing 11 and the second housing 110 are fully mated, resulting in a properly mated state. In the properly mated state, the first housing 11 is inserted up to the back wall 112 of the mating recess 111 of the second housing 110. Although not shown, in the properly mated state, the first terminal of the first connector 10 and the second terminal 120 of the second connector 100 (see FIG. 1 ) are electrically connected. Furthermore, in the properly mated state, the first engagement protrusion 82 of the first engagement portion 80 of the lever 50 is engaged with the inner surface of the second insertion groove 42 of the first housing 11, and the second engagement protrusion 92 of the second engagement portion 90 of the lever 50 is engaged with the engagement protrusion 44 of the first housing 11. As a result, rotation of the lever 50 toward the mating start position is restricted, and the lever 50 is locked in the mating completion position. In this way, in the properly fitted state, the rotation of the lever 50 is restricted by the engagement between the first engagement protrusion 82 and the inner surface of the second insertion groove 42, and the engagement between the second engagement protrusion 92 and the engagement protrusion 44, thereby maintaining the properly fitted state between the first housing 11 and the second housing 110.

[0081] When separating the first connector 10 from the second connector 100, first, the second flexible piece 91 of the lever 50 is bent in the first width direction Z1. This disengages the second engagement protrusion 92 from the engagement protrusion 44, allowing the lever 50 to rotate toward the mating start position. Next, the operating portion 70 of the lever 50 is operated to rotate the lever 50 from the mating completion position (see FIGS. 9 and 10) toward the mating start position (see FIG. 6). This causes the lever 50 to rotate about the shaft portion 113, and the cam pin 40 moves relatively inside the cam groove 60, which is an elongated hole. At this time, a cam action caused by the engagement between the cam pin 40 and the inner surface of the cam groove 60 applies a separation force between the first housing 11 and the second housing 110. More specifically, the inner surface of cam groove 60, specifically the inner surface of cam groove 60 corresponding to parallel line 62, engages with cam pin 40, and a force is applied to cam pin 40 to separate first housing 11 from second housing 110. This causes first housing 11 to be separated from second housing 110, and the separation of first housing 11 and second housing 110 progresses. In this way, lever 50 constitutes a second-class lever, with operating portion 70 as the force point, bearing portion 52 into which shaft portion 113 is inserted as the fulcrum, and cam groove 60 into which cam pin 40 is inserted as the point of action.

[0082] (Effects of this embodiment) Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The connector assembly 1 includes a first connector 10 and a second connector 100 that mates with the first connector 10. The first connector 10 includes a first housing 11 and a lever 50 that is rotatably attached to the first housing 11 between a mating start position and a mating completion position. The second connector 100 includes a second housing 110 that can be mated with the first housing 11. The first housing 11 includes a cam pin 40. The second housing 110 includes a shaft 113. The lever 50 includes an operating portion 70 that serves as a force point, a cam groove 60 into which the cam pin 40 is inserted and which can engage with the cam pin 40, and a bearing portion 52 into which the shaft 113 is inserted. The cam groove 60 is formed as an elongated hole and is provided between the operating portion 70 and the bearing portion 52. The cam groove 60 applies a force to the cam pin 40 to press the first housing 11 toward the second housing 110 when the lever 50 rotates about the bearing portion 52 as a fulcrum from the mating start position to the mating completion position.

[0083] According to this configuration, the cam groove 60 provided in the lever 50 is disposed between the operating portion 70 and the bearing portion 52. Therefore, the operating portion 70 serving as the force point and the bearing portion 52 serving as the fulcrum are disposed on both sides of the cam groove 60 serving as the point of action. Therefore, compared to a conventional configuration in which the bearing portion serving as the fulcrum is disposed between the operating portion and the cam groove, the distance L1 from the bearing portion 52 serving as the fulcrum to the operating portion 70 serving as the force point can be set larger, and the leverage ratio L1 / L2 can be set larger. As a result, even if the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 are miniaturized, the lever 50 can effectively exert its multiplying effect, and the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 can be mated by operating the lever 50 with a low operating force. As a result, even if the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 are miniaturized, the operating force required to mating the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 can be effectively reduced. For example, even if the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 are made smaller in size in the direction along the third axis Z, the operating force of the lever 50 can be suitably reduced.

[0084] (2) The cam groove 60 is formed as an elongated hole. When the lever 50 rotates between the mating start position and the mating completion position, the cam pin 40 moves inside the cam groove 60. On the other hand, when the lever 50 rotates between the mating start position and the mating completion position, the position of the shaft portion 113 inserted into the bearing portion 52 serving as a fulcrum is fixed. As a result, the cam pin 40 moves inside the cam groove 60 provided between the fixed-position shaft portion 113 and the operating portion 70, so that the movable range of the lever 50 can be prevented from increasing outside the shaft portion 113. For example, compared to a configuration in which the position of the fulcrum displaces in the direction along the third axis Z when the lever 50 rotates, the movable range of the lever 50 can be prevented from increasing in the direction along the third axis Z.

[0085] (3) The distance L2 between the bearing portion 52 and the cam groove 60 is shorter than the distance between the cam groove 60 and the operating portion 70. With this configuration, the distance L1 from the bearing portion 52 to the operating portion 70 can be set large, and the distance L2 from the bearing portion 52 to the cam groove 60 can be set small. This allows the leverage ratio L1 / L2 to be set larger. As a result, even if the first connector 10 and the second connector 100 are made smaller, the operating force of the lever 50 can be suitably reduced.

[0086] (4) The lever 50 has a first end and a second end in a first direction intersecting the fitting direction of the first housing 11 with the second housing 110 (in this embodiment, the forward direction X1). The bearing portion 52 is provided at the first end of the lever 50. The operating portion 70 is provided at the second end of the lever 50.

[0087] With this configuration, the distance L1 from bearing portion 52, which serves as the fulcrum, to operating portion 70, which serves as the point of force, can be set larger, and the leverage ratio L1 / L2 can be set larger. As a result, even if first connector 10 and second connector 100 are made smaller, the operating force for lever 50 can be suitably reduced.

[0088] (5) The planar shape of the cam groove 60 is an oval shape having two parallel lines 61, 62 and two semicircles. The cam pin 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The shortest distance between the two parallel lines 61, 62 is formed to be greater than the diameter of the cam pin 40. The cam groove 60 is formed so that, when the lever 50 is positioned at the mating completion position, the two parallel lines 61, 62 extend parallel to a second direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

[0089] According to this configuration, when the lever 50 is positioned in the mating completion position, the two parallel lines 61, 62 of the cam groove 60 are arranged to extend parallel to a second direction (in this embodiment, the first width direction Z1) perpendicular to the mating direction. As a result, when mating is complete, a force that pushes the first housing 11 toward the second housing 110 (i.e., a force that pushes along the mating direction) can be applied to the cam pin 40 by a plane perpendicular to the mating direction. Therefore, when mating is complete and a force that pushes along the mating direction is most necessary, the largest pushing force can be applied to the cam pin 40 by the plane perpendicular to the mating direction. As a result, the operating force of the lever 50 immediately before mating is complete can be suitably reduced.

[0090] (6) The lever 50 has a first engagement portion 80. The first housing 11 has a first insertion groove 41 that restricts rotation of the lever 50 in a first rotation direction from the mating start position toward the mating completion position. The first insertion groove 41 can engage with the first engagement portion 80 when the lever 50 is positioned at the mating start position.

[0091] According to this configuration, when the lever 50 is disposed at the mating start position, the first engagement portion 80 of the lever 50 engages with the first insertion groove 41 of the first housing 11. The engagement between the first engagement portion 80 and the first insertion groove 41 can restrict rotation of the lever 50 in the first rotation direction from the mating start position toward the mating completion position. As a result, when the lever 50 is disposed at the mating start position, it is possible to suitably prevent the lever 50 from unintentionally rotating in the first rotation direction.

[0092] (7) The second housing 110 has a mating recess 111 into which the first housing 11 is fitted and a rear wall 112 provided at the rear end of the mating recess 111. The first engagement portion 80 has a first flexible piece 81 that is flexible and a first engagement protrusion 82 that protrudes from the first flexible piece 81. The first housing 11 has a front wall 33 that faces the rear wall 112 and a first insertion groove 41 into which the first engagement protrusion 82 is fitted. The first insertion groove 41 opens toward the mating direction. The first insertion groove 41 extends from the front wall 33 along an anti-mating direction (rear direction X2 in this embodiment), which is the opposite direction to the mating direction. The second housing 110 is inserted into the first insertion groove 41 along the anti-mating direction and has a disengagement portion 115 that disengages the first engagement protrusion 82 from the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41.

[0093] According to this configuration, as the first housing 11 and the second housing 110 are fitted together, the disengaging portion 115 provided on the second housing 110 is inserted into the first insertion groove 41 in the opposite direction to the fitting direction. This disengaging portion 115 disengages the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41 from the first engaging protrusion 82 of the first engaging portion 80. When the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41 is disengaged from the first engaging protrusion 82 in this manner, rotation of the lever 50 in the first rotation direction from the fitting start position toward the fitting completion position is permitted.

[0094] (8) The shaft portion 113 is formed to be accommodated inside the bearing portion 52 when the disengaging portion 115 disengages the inner surface of the first insertion groove 41 from the first engaging protrusion 82. According to this configuration, when rotation of the lever 50 in the first rotation direction is permitted, the shaft portion 113, which serves as a fulcrum, can be accommodated inside the bearing portion 52. This makes it possible to suitably prevent the shaft portion 113 from coming off the bearing portion 52 when the lever 50 rotates in the first rotation direction.

[0095] (9) The lever 50 has a second engagement portion 90. The first housing 11 has an engagement protrusion 44 that restricts rotation of the lever 50 in a second rotation direction from the mating completion position toward the mating start position. The engagement protrusion 44 is engageable with the second engagement portion 90 when the lever 50 is disposed in the mating completion position.

[0096] According to this configuration, when the lever 50 is disposed in the mating completion position, the second engagement portion 90 of the lever 50 engages with the engagement protrusion 44 of the first housing 11. The engagement between the second engagement portion 90 and the engagement protrusion 44 can restrict rotation of the lever 50 in the second rotation direction from the mating completion position toward the mating start position. As a result, when the lever 50 is disposed in the mating completion position, it is possible to preferably prevent the lever 50 from unintentionally rotating in the second rotation direction.

[0097] (10) The second engagement portion 90 has a second flexible piece 91 that is flexible and deformable, and a second engagement protrusion 92 that protrudes from the second flexible piece 91. The length direction of the second flexible piece 91 extends along the mating direction when the lever 50 is positioned in the mating completion position. The second engagement protrusion 92 is provided at a middle position in the length direction of the second flexible piece 91. The second engagement protrusion 92 protrudes in a third direction that intersects with the length direction of the second flexible piece 91. The operating portion 70 has a through hole 71 that penetrates the operating portion 70 in the mating direction. The second flexible piece 91 extends from the second engagement protrusion 92 to the inside of the through hole 71.

[0098] According to this configuration, the engagement between the second engagement protrusion 92 and the engagement protrusion 44 can be released by bending the second flexible piece 91. This allows the lever 50 to be suitably rotated in the second rotation direction when removing the first housing 11 from the second housing 110. Furthermore, because the second flexible piece 91 extends into the through-hole 71 provided in the operating portion 70, operation of the second flexible piece 91, that is, operation of releasing the engagement between the second engagement protrusion 92 and the engagement protrusion 44, can be easily performed.

[0099] (11) Furthermore, a through hole 71 is provided in the operating portion 70, and the tip of the second flexible piece 91 is inserted into the through hole 71. This allows the operating portion 70 to be formed large, while improving the operability of the second flexible piece 91.

[0100] (Example of change) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0101] The structure of the lever 50 in the above embodiment can be modified as needed. In the above embodiment, the operation unit 70 is formed to protrude in the downward direction Y2 beyond the downward end face of the main body 51. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the downward end face of the operation unit 70 in the downward direction Y2 may be formed to be flush with the downward end face of the main body 51 in the downward direction Y2.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the operation unit 70 is formed to protrude in the upward direction Y1 beyond the upward end face of the main body 51 in the upward direction Y1, but this is not limited to this. For example, the upward end face of the operation unit 70 in the upward direction Y1 may be formed to be flush with the upward end face of the main body 51 in the upward direction Y1.

[0103] The through-hole 71 may be omitted from the operating portion 70. In this case, for example, the tip end of the second flexible piece 91 may be provided on the second width direction Z2 side of the operating portion 70. In the above embodiment, the base end portion of the first flexible piece 81 and the base end portion of the second flexible piece 91 are connected to each other, but this is not limiting. For example, the base end portion of the first flexible piece 81 and the base end portion of the second flexible piece 91 may be connected to the main body 51 separately.

[0104] The inclined surface 83 of the first engagement projection 82 may be omitted. The inclined surface 84 of the first engagement projection 82 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the cam groove 60 has an oval planar shape, but is not limited to this. For example, the cam groove 60 may have an elliptical or rectangular planar shape.

[0105] The bearing portion 52 in the above embodiment does not have to penetrate the main body portion 51 along the second axis Y as long as the shaft portion 113 can be inserted therein. The structure of the first housing 11 in the above embodiment can be modified as needed.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the first insertion groove 41 is formed to open in the upward direction Y1. However, this is not limiting, and the first insertion groove 41 may be formed to close the opening in the upward direction Y1. In the above embodiment, the second insertion groove 42 is formed to open in the upward direction Y1. However, this is not limiting, and the second insertion groove 42 may be formed to close the opening in the upward direction Y1.

[0107] The inclined surface 42A of the second insertion groove 42 in the above embodiment may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the groove 43 is formed to open in the upward direction Y1. However, the groove 43 may be formed to close the opening in the upward direction Y1.

[0108] The groove 43 may be omitted. The groove 35 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the second restricting portion is embodied as the engaging protrusion 44, but this is not limiting. For example, the second restricting portion may be embodied as a groove portion into which the second engaging protrusion 92 of the second engaging portion 90 fits.

[0109] The engagement protrusion 44 may be omitted. The structure of the second housing 110 in the above embodiment can be modified as needed. The protrusion 117 may be omitted.

[0110] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1 Connector Assembly 10 First Connector 11 First Housing 20 Terminal housing 21 Cavity 30 Lever holder 31 Wall 32 Side wall 33 Front wall 34 Ceiling Wall 35 Groove 40 Cam Pin 41 First insertion groove (first restriction portion) 42 Second insertion groove 42A Slope 43 Groove 44 Engagement protrusion (second restriction portion) 50 Lever 51 Main body 52 Bearing section 53 Bottom 54 Guidance part 60 Cam groove 61 Parallel Lines 62 Parallel Lines 70 Operation section 71 Through hole 80 first engagement portion 81 First flexure 82 1st engagement protrusion 83 Slope 84 Slope 90 Second engagement portion 91 Second flexure 92 Second engagement protrusion 93 Engagement surface 100 Second Connector 110 Second Housing 111 fitting recess 112 Back wall 113 Shaft 114 upper wall 115 Joint Disconnection Department 116 Inclined Surface 117 Protrusion 120 Terminal 2 200 wire harness S1 Containment Space L1 distance L2 distance X Axis 1 X1 Forward Direction X2 Rear Direction Y-axis 2 Y1 upward direction Y2 Downward Direction Z Third Axis Z1 First Direction Z2, second direction

Claims

1. A first connector, a first housing that can be fitted into a second housing of the second connector; a lever attached to the first housing so as to be rotatable between a mating start position and a mating completion position, The first housing has a cam pin, the lever has an operating portion serving as a force point, a cam groove into which the cam pin is inserted and which is engageable with the cam pin, and a bearing portion into which a shaft portion provided in the second housing is inserted, the cam groove is formed in an elongated hole and is provided between the operating portion and the bearing portion, The cam groove applies a force to the cam pin to push the first housing toward the second housing by rotating the lever with the bearing portion as a fulcrum from the mating start position to the mating completion position.

2. a first connector; a second connector mated with the first connector, The first connector is a first housing having a cam pin; a lever rotatably attached to the first housing between a mating start position and a mating completion position, the second connector has a second housing that is mateable with the first housing, the second housing has a shaft portion, the lever has an operating portion that serves as a force point, a cam groove into which the cam pin is inserted and which is engageable with the cam pin, and a bearing portion into which the shaft portion is inserted, the cam groove is formed in an elongated hole and is provided between the operating portion and the bearing portion, A connector assembly in which the cam groove applies a force to the cam pin to push the first housing toward the second housing by rotating the lever with the bearing portion as a fulcrum from the mating start position to the mating completion position.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2 , wherein a distance between the bearing portion and the cam groove is shorter than a distance between the cam groove and the operating portion.

4. the lever has a first end and a second end in a first direction intersecting a fitting direction of the first housing with respect to the second housing, The bearing portion is provided at the first end portion, The connector assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the operating portion is provided at the second end portion.

5. The cam groove has a planar shape formed in an elliptical shape having two parallel lines and two semicircles, The cam pin is formed in a cylindrical shape, The shortest distance between the two parallel lines is greater than the diameter of the cam pin, 3. The connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the cam groove is formed so that, when the lever is positioned in the mating completion position, the two parallel lines extend parallel to a second direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the first housing relative to the second housing.

6. The lever has a first engagement portion, the first housing has a first restricting portion that restricts rotation of the lever in a first rotation direction from the mating start position toward the mating completion position, The connector assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the first restricting portion is engageable with the first engaging portion when the lever is placed in the mating start position.

7. the second housing has a fitting recess into which the first housing is fitted, and a rear wall provided at a rear end of the fitting recess, the first engaging portion has a first flexible piece that is flexible and deformable, and a first engaging protrusion that protrudes from the first flexible piece, the first housing has a front wall facing the rear wall and a first insertion groove into which the first engagement protrusion is fitted, the first insertion groove is open toward a fitting direction of the first housing with respect to the second housing, the first insertion groove extends from the front wall along an anti-mating direction that is a direction opposite to the mating direction, the first restricting portion is formed by an inner surface of the first insertion groove, 7. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein the second housing has an engagement release portion that is inserted into the first insertion groove along the opposite fitting direction and releases the engagement between the first restriction portion and the first engagement projection.

8. The connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the shaft portion is formed to be housed inside the bearing portion when the disengagement portion disengages the first restricting portion from the first engaging projection.

9. the lever has a second engagement portion, the first housing has a second restricting portion that restricts rotation of the lever in a second rotation direction from the mating completion position toward the mating start position, The connector assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the second restricting portion is engageable with the second engaging portion when the lever is placed in the mating completion position.

10. the second engaging portion has a second flexible piece that is flexible and deformable, and a second engaging protrusion that protrudes from the second flexible piece and is engageable with the second restricting portion, a length direction of the second flexible piece extends along a fitting direction of the first housing with respect to the second housing when the lever is disposed at the fitting completion position, the second engaging protrusion is provided at a middle position in the length direction of the second flexible piece, the second engaging projection projects in a third direction intersecting the length direction of the second flexible piece, the operation portion has a through hole that penetrates the operation portion in the fitting direction, The connector assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the second flexible piece extends from the second engaging projection to the inside of the through hole.

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