Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of maintaining safety.SOLUTION: In a connector (1) including a housing (3) having a fitting portion (11) fittable into a mating housing (103), and a terminal accommodated in the housing (3) and having a connection portion exposed from the fitting portion (11) and disposed in the mating housing (103) in a state where the fitting portion (11) is fitted into the mating housing (103), a rotatable lever (5) and a first slide member (7) that moves in a direction intersecting a fitting direction of the fitting portion (11) by rotation of the lever (5) to fit the fitting portion (11) into the mating housing (103) are disposed in the housing (3). A second slide member 9 arranged so as to cover the connection part and moved toward the housing 3 side by the movement of the first slide member 7 to expose the connection part to the inside of the mating housing 103 is arranged at a part where the connection part of the fitting part 11 is exposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a connector has been provided with a transaxle as a housing having a terminal block as a mating portion that can be mated with the interior of a PCU as a mating housing. Also known is a connector that includes a bus bar as a terminal housed in the transaxle, with a connection portion exposed from the terminal block, and with the terminal block mated with the PCU, the connection portion is located inside the PCU (see Patent Document 1). With this connector, when the terminal block is mated with the PCU, the connection portion of the bus bar is located in the inverter of the PCU, and the bus bar and the inverter can be electrically connected by fastening a bolt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-78971 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in connectors such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1, the connection portions of the terminals are exposed from the mating portion, which increases the risk of an operator touching the connection portions when mating the mating portion to the mating housing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can maintain safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of this embodiment comprises a housing having a mating portion that can be fitted into the interior of a mating housing, and a terminal that is accommodated in the housing, has a connection portion exposed from the mating portion, and is arranged inside the mating housing when the mating portion is fitted with the mating housing.The housing is provided with a rotatable lever and a first slide member that moves in a direction intersecting the fitting direction of the mating portion as the lever rotates, thereby fitting the mating portion into the interior of the mating housing, and a second slide member is arranged at the portion of the mating portion where the connection portion is exposed, so as to cover the connection portion, and moves toward the housing as the first slide member moves, exposing the connection portion inside the mating housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can maintain safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention before the mating portion is mated with a mating housing. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of the connector according to the embodiment, showing a state immediately before the mating portion of the connector is mated with the mating housing. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view of a state in which a mating portion of the connector according to the embodiment is mated with a mating housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of a first sliding member of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a side view of a second slide member of the connector according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0010] As shown in FIG. 3 , the connector 1 according to this embodiment electrically connects two electrical components (not shown), such as a power source and a device, or two devices. The connector 1 is electrically connected to, for example, one of the electrical components. The connector 1 is matable with a mating connector 101 electrically connected to the other electrical component. The mating connector 101 includes, for example, a mating housing 103 and mating terminals (not shown) housed in the mating housing 103. The mating housing 103 has an opening (not shown) that exposes the mating terminals and electrically connects the mating connector 101 and the connector 1 by fastening bolts (not shown) from the outside. The connector 1 includes a housing 3 that can be mated with the mating housing 103, and terminals (not shown) housed in the housing 3 and electrically connected to the mating terminals. When the housing 3 is mated with the mating housing 103, the mating terminals and the terminals are disposed in the opening of the mating housing 103. The mating terminal arranged in the opening and the terminal are electrically connected by fastening a bolt, thereby electrically connecting the two electrical components.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the connector 1 includes a housing 3, a terminal, a lever 5, a first slide member 7, and a second slide member 9.

[0012] 1 to 3, the housing 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 3 is formed in a casing shape capable of accommodating terminals therein. The housing 3 is provided with a fitting portion 11 that can be fitted into the interior of a mating housing 103.

[0013] Although not shown, the terminals are made of a conductive material such as a metal material and are formed in a plate shape like a bus bar. A plurality of terminals are accommodated in the housing 3. One end of the terminal is electrically connected to, for example, an end portion of an electric wire electrically connected to one electrical component, and the terminal is electrically connected to the one electrical component. The other end of the terminal forms a connection portion that is exposed from the fitting portion 11 when the terminal is accommodated in the housing 3. The connection portion exposed from the fitting portion 11 is arranged to overlap with a mating terminal when the fitting portion 11 is fitted with the mating housing 103. The connection portion that overlaps with the mating terminal has a portion facing the opening of the mating housing 103. A through hole through which a bolt can be inserted is formed in the portion facing the opening of the connection portion, and the mating terminal and the terminal are electrically connected by inserting the bolt through the through hole and fastening it.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lever 5 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The lever 5 has a pair of side walls and a connecting wall connecting the pair of side walls, and is formed in a U-shape. For example, the end of the lever 5 opposite the connecting wall of the pair of side walls is journaled via a shaft (not shown) provided on the housing 3, and is rotatable relative to the housing 3. The lever 5 rotates between a standby position (see FIG. 2) before the mating portion 11 and the mating housing 103 are mated, and a completed position (see FIG. 3) after the mating portion 11 and the mating housing 103 are mated. Gear members 13 are fixed integrally to the ends of the pair of side walls of the lever 5 opposite the connecting wall. The gear members 13 have a plurality of meshing teeth on their outer peripheries, and rotate integrally with the lever 5 as the lever 5 rotates.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the first slide member 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The first slide member 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape larger than the outer shape of the mating housing 103 so that the mating housing 103 can be housed therein. The length of the first slide member 7 perpendicular to the mating direction of the mating portion 11 is set to a length that allows the first slide member 7 to move in a direction intersecting the mating direction when the mating portion 11 is mated with the mating housing 103 housed therein. The first slide member 7 is disposed on the mating portion 11 side of the housing 3 so as to be movable in a direction intersecting (here, perpendicular to) the mating direction of the mating portion 11. The first slide member 7 is disposed so as to cover the connection portions of the terminals exposed from the mating portion 11. Therefore, before the mating portion 11 is mated with the mating housing 103, the connection portions of the terminals are not exposed to the outside, thereby maintaining safety. The first slide member 7 is disposed outside the mating housing 103 when the mating portion 11 is mated with the mating housing 103. Therefore, when the fitting portion 11 is fitted with the mating housing 103, the connection portion of the terminal exposed from the fitting portion 11 can be disposed inside the mating housing 103. Rack portions 15 that mesh with the gear members 13 are provided on the outer surface of the first slide member 7 that faces the pair of gear members 13 that are provided integrally with the lever 5. The rack portions 15 have multiple meshing teeth that mesh with the meshing teeth of the gear members 13 and are arranged along the movement direction of the first slide member 7.

[0016] The gear member 13 and the rack portion 15 constitute a conversion unit 17 that, when the lever 5 rotates, moves the first slide member 7 in a direction intersecting (here, a direction perpendicular to) the mating direction and the disengaging direction of the mating portion 11. A plurality of conversion units 17 (here, two conversion units 17) are provided between the lever 5 and the first slide member 7. When the lever 5 rotates from the standby position to the completion position, the conversion unit 17 moves the first slide member 7 to the right relative to the housing 3. On the other hand, when the lever 5 rotates from the completion position to the standby position, the conversion unit 17 moves the first slide member 7 to the left relative to the housing 3. By providing the conversion units 17, the rotation of the lever 5 can be converted into an operating force for moving the first slide member 7.

[0017] A plurality of (four in this example) cam portions 19 are provided between the first slide member 7 and the mating housing 103. Each cam portion 19 has a cam pin 21 and a cam groove 23. The cam pin 21 is formed to protrude from the outer surface of the mating housing 103. The cam groove 23 is provided in the first slide member 7 and is a bottomed groove that opens toward the mating housing 103, and is formed as a through-hole through which the cam pin 21 can move. The cam groove 23 is inclined so that the movement of the first slide member 7 draws in the cam pin 21 when the mating portion 11 is mated with the mating housing 103. When the mating portion 11 is mated with the mating housing 103, the cam pin 21 of the cam portion 19 is positioned in the opening of the cam groove 23. The cam pin 21 positioned in the opening of the cam groove 23 moves inside and along the cam groove 23 so as to be drawn into the cam groove 23 as the first slide member 7 moves due to the rotation of the lever 5. As the cam pin 21 moves in the cam groove 23, the mating portion 11 is pulled into the mating housing 103. By providing the cam portion 19, the mating force required to mating the mating portion 11 with the mating housing 103 can be reduced.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 , the second slide member 9 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The second slide member 9 is formed in a cylindrical shape larger than the outer shape of the mating portion 11 so that the mating portion 11 can be housed therein. The outer shape of the second slide member 9 is smaller than that of the first slide member 7 so that the second slide member 9 can be housed inside the first slide member 7. The second slide member 9 is disposed on the mating portion 11 side of the housing 3 so as to be movable along the mating and removal directions of the mating portion 11. The second slide member 9 is disposed inside the first slide member 7 so as to cover the connection portions of the terminals exposed from the mating portion 11. Therefore, before the mating portion 11 is mated with the mating housing 103, the connection portions of the terminals are not exposed to the outside, thereby maintaining safety. When the mating portion 11 is mated with the mating housing 103, the second slide member 9 moves toward the housing 3 due to the movement of the first slide member 7, exposing the connection portions of the terminals to the inside of the mating housing 103. Therefore, when fitting portion 11 is fitted with mating housing 103, the connection portion of the terminal exposed from fitting portion 11 can be disposed inside mating housing 103. Therefore, the connection portion of the terminal is not exposed to the outside from before fitting portion 11 to the time of fitting with mating housing 103, and for example, it is possible to prevent an operator from touching the connection portion of the terminal, thereby maintaining safety.

[0019] Between the second slide member 9 and the first slide member 7, multiple (here, two) guide portions 25 are provided, which move the second slide member 9 in response to movement of the first slide member 7. The guide portions 25 have guide pins 27 and guide grooves 29. The guide pins 27 are formed to protrude from the outer surface of the second slide member 9. The guide grooves 29 are provided in the first slide member 7 and are groove-shaped with a bottom that opens toward the housing 3, and are formed as through-holes through which the guide pins 27 can move. The guide grooves 29 are inclined at the same inclination angle as the cam grooves 23 so that the guide pins 27 can be removed from the inside of the guide grooves 29 when the fitting portion 11 is fitted. Before the fitting portion 11 is fitted, the guide pins 27 of the guide portions 25 are positioned at the bottom of the guide grooves 29. The guide pins 27 positioned at the bottom of the guide grooves 29 move along the guide grooves 29 toward the opening of the guide grooves 29 as the first slide member 7 moves when the fitting portion 11 is fitted. As the guide pin 27 moves in the guide groove 29, the second slide member 9 moves toward the housing 3, and the connection portion of the terminal is positioned inside the mating housing 103. By providing the guide portion 25, the second slide member 9 can be moved in conjunction with the movement of the first slide member 7.

[0020] Such connector 1 includes a housing 3 having a mating portion 11 that can be fitted into a mating housing 103. The connector also includes a terminal that is accommodated in housing 3, has a connection portion exposed from mating portion 11, and is disposed inside mating housing 103 when mating portion 11 is fitted with mating housing 103. Housing 3 also includes a rotatable lever 5 and a first slide member 7 that moves in a direction intersecting the fitting direction of mating portion 11 as lever 5 rotates, thereby fitting mating portion 11 into mating housing 103. A second slide member 9 is disposed at the portion of mating portion 11 where the connection portion is exposed so as to cover the connection portion, and moves toward housing 3 as first slide member 7 moves, exposing the connection portion inside mating housing 103.

[0021] Since the second slide member 9 is positioned so as to cover the connection portions of the terminals exposed from the fitting portion 11, the connection portions of the terminals are not exposed to the outside before the fitting portion 11 is mated with the mating housing 103, thereby maintaining safety. When the fitting portion 11 is mated with the mating housing 103, the second slide member 9 moves toward the housing 3 due to the movement of the first slide member 7, exposing the connection portions of the terminals to the inside of the mating housing 103. Therefore, when the fitting portion 11 is mated with the mating housing, the connection portions of the terminals exposed from the fitting portion 11 can be positioned inside the mating housing 103.

[0022] Therefore, in such connector 1, the connecting portions of the terminals are not exposed to the outside from before fitting portion 11 to mating housing 103 until fitting is completed, thereby ensuring safety.

[0023] Furthermore, the first slide member 7 is arranged so as to cover the connection portion exposed from the fitting portion 11, and is arranged outside the mating housing 103 when the mating housing 103 and the fitting portion 11 are fitted together.

[0024] Therefore, before fitting portion 11 is fitted into mating housing 103, first slide member 7 and second slide member 9 prevent the connection portions of the terminals from being exposed to the outside, thereby maintaining safety. When fitting portion 11 is fitted into mating housing 103, first slide member 7 is disposed outside mating housing 103. Therefore, when fitting portion 11 is fitted into the mating housing, the connection portions of the terminals exposed from fitting portion 11 can be disposed inside mating housing 103.

[0025] In addition, a conversion portion 17 is provided between the lever 5 and the first slide member 7, which moves the first slide member 7 in response to the rotation of the lever 5. In addition, a cam portion 19 is provided between the mating housing 103 and the first slide member 7, which draws the cam pin 21 into the cam groove 23 in response to the movement of the first slide member 7, thereby fitting the fitting portion 11 into the interior of the mating housing 103. In addition, a guide portion 25 is provided between the first slide member 7 and the second slide member 9, which moves the guide pin 27 along the guide groove 29 in response to the movement of the first slide member 7, thereby moving the second slide member 9 toward the housing 3.

[0026] By providing a conversion portion 17 between the lever 5 and the first slide member 7, the rotation of the lever 5 can be converted into a moving operating force for the first slide member 7. In the cam portion 19, the fitting portion 11 is fitted into the interior of the mating housing 103 by the movement of the cam groove 23 of the cam pin 21. By providing the cam portion 19, the fitting operating force between the fitting portion 11 and the mating housing 103 can be reduced. In the guide portion 25, the movement of the guide groove 29 of the guide pin 27 moves the second slide member 9 toward the housing 3, and the terminal connection portion is positioned inside the mating housing 103. By providing the guide portion 25, the second slide member 9 can be moved in conjunction with the movement of the first slide member 7.

[0027] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0028] For example, in the cam portion, the cam pin is provided in the mating housing and the cam groove is provided in the first slide member, but this is not limiting, and the cam pin may be provided in the first slide member and the cam groove in the mating housing. Similarly, in the guide portion, the guide pin may be provided in the first slide member and the guide groove in the second slide member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1 connector 3. Housing 5 Lever 7 First slide member 9 Second slide member 11 Fitting part 17 Conversion unit 19 Cam section 21 Campin 23 Cam groove 25 Guide section 27 Guide pin 29 Guide groove 103 Mating Housing

Claims

1. a housing having a fitting portion that can be fitted into a mating housing; a terminal accommodated in the housing, the terminal having a connection portion exposed from the mating portion, and the connection portion disposed inside the mating housing when the mating portion is mated with the mating housing; Equipped with The housing is provided with a rotatable lever and a first slide member that moves in a direction intersecting the fitting direction of the fitting portion by the rotation of the lever, thereby fitting the fitting portion into the mating housing, A connector in which a second slide member is arranged at the portion of the mating portion where the connection portion is exposed, so as to cover the connection portion, and which moves toward the housing as the first slide member moves, exposing the connection portion to the inside of the mating housing.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first slide member is arranged to cover the connection portion exposed from the mating portion, and is arranged outside the mating housing when the mating housing and the mating portion are mated.

3. a conversion portion that moves the first slide member in response to rotation of the lever is provided between the lever and the first slide member; a cam portion is provided between the mating housing and the first slide member, which draws a cam pin into a cam groove by movement of the first slide member, and engages the fitting portion with the inside of the mating housing; A connector as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein a guide portion is provided between the first slide member and the second slide member, which moves a guide pin along a guide groove when the first slide member moves, thereby moving the second slide member toward the housing side.

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