connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector that prevents the temporary locking state of a lever from being unintentionally released. [Solution] In connector 1, the lever 30 has an elastic arm portion 37 that supports a temporary locking projection 37d, which partially enters the internal space of the pivot portion housing groove portion 34, and an extrusion projection 37e, which partially enters the internal space of the projection housing groove portion 36, so that they face toward the first side wall 11b. The temporary locking projection 37d contacts and locks the first pivot portion 13 or the second pivot portion 14 when the lever 30 is in the temporary locking position. The temporary release projection 25 contacts the extrusion projection 37e when the lever 30 rotates from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, pushing the elastic arm portion 37 away from the first side wall 11b, thereby releasing the lock of the first pivot portion 13 or the second pivot portion 14 toward the temporary locking projection 37d.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a lever-type connector provided with a lever for assisting the fitting of housings. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a connector including a first housing having two support portions on one side surface and a lever rotatably supported on one of the two support portions. In this connector, on one side surface of the first housing, the two support portions are formed at positions symmetric with respect to the center in the length direction orthogonal to the fitting direction. Therefore, the attachment direction of the lever with respect to the first housing can be changed according to the wiring direction of the electric wire connected to the side of the first housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [[ID=2V]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a lever-type connector as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the position where the lever completes the fitting of the housings is defined as the main locking position, it is desirable that the lever be temporarily held at a temporary locking position, which is a predetermined position during the rotation of the lever from the assembly position to the main locking position. In addition, since it is also undesirable that the temporarily locked state of the lever is unintentionally released, more improvement is required for the mechanism for holding the lever at the temporary locking position.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. And an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that suppresses the unintentional release of the temporarily locked state of the lever. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a first housing, a second housing that fits with the first housing, and a lever that presses the first housing against the second housing in the fitting direction. The first housing has a pair of first side walls, and for each first side wall, a first pivot portion and a second pivot portion that are positioned symmetrically across the center in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the extension direction of their respective central axes, and that rotatably support the lever. The second housing has a pair of second side walls that face the first side walls on their outer surfaces when fitted with the first housing, and a temporary locking release projection positioned at the center of the second side walls in the longitudinal direction, which penetrates a groove formed in the first side wall and protrudes outward. The lever has a lever support hole that engages with one of the first pivot portion and the second pivot portion selected from the lever support hole, and the first pivot portion or the second pivot portion that is not engaged with the lever support hole. The device includes a pivot point housing groove that accommodates the two pivot points from the direction opposite to the fitting direction, a projection housing groove that accommodates the temporary locking release projection from the direction opposite to the fitting direction, and an elastic arm that supports a temporary locking projection, which partially enters the internal space of the pivot point housing groove, and an extrusion projection, which partially enters the internal space of the projection housing groove, so that they face the first side wall. The temporary locking projection contacts and locks the first or second pivot point when it is in the temporary locking position set during the time the lever rotates until it reaches the permanent locking position where the fitting of the first housing and the second housing is completed. The temporary locking release projection contacts the extrusion projection when the lever rotates from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, pushing the elastic arm away from the first side wall and releasing the lock of the first or second pivot point to the temporary locking projection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that prevents the temporary locking state of a lever from being unintentionally released. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the first housing in one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the second housing in one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the lower part of the lever in one embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the upper part of the lever in one embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a side view of the connector when the lever is in the temporary locking position. [Figure 7A] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to the VIIA-VIIA section in Figure 6. [Figure 7B] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to the VIIB-VIIB section in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a side view of the connector when the lever's temporary locking state is released. [Figure 9A] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to the IXA-IXA section in Figure 8. [Figure 9B] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to the IXB-IXB section in Figure 8. [Figure 10] This is a side view of the connector with the lever rotating toward the locking position. [Figure 11A] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to the XIA-XIA section in Figure 10. [Figure 11B] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to the XIB-XIB section in Figure 10. [Figure 12] This is a side view of the connector when the lever is in the locked position. [Figure 13A] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to section XIIIA-XIIIA in Figure 12. [Figure 13B] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to section XIIIB-XIIIB in Figure 12. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to section XIV-XIV in Figure 12. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to section XV-XV in Figure 14.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, a connector according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector 1 according to an embodiment. The connector 1 includes a first housing 10, a second housing 20, and a lever 30, and is a lever-type connector that assists the fitting of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 by the lever 30. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first housing 10 is a female housing that can hold a plurality of female terminals 110 (see FIGS. 7A and the like) which are terminal fittings joined to the ends of electric wires 100. On the other hand, it is assumed that the second housing 20 is a male housing that can hold a plurality of male terminals 200 (see FIGS. 7A and the like) which are terminal fittings for connection to the female terminals.

[0011] Hereinafter, the direction in which the first housing 10 fits into the second housing 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "fitting direction") corresponds to the Z direction in each figure. For the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction, and the upstream side in the Z direction may be expressed as "up" and the downstream side in the Z direction may be expressed as "down". Also, the X direction and the Y direction are defined as two directions that are perpendicular to the fitting direction and perpendicular to each other.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first housing 10. The first housing 10 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and has a first cylindrical portion 11, a plurality of terminal accommodation portions 12 provided corresponding to the number of female terminals that can be held, a pair of first fulcrum portions 13, and a pair of second fulcrum portions 14.

[0013] The first cylindrical portion 11 holds a plurality of terminal housing portions 12 on its inside. The general shape of the first cylindrical portion 11 is cylindrical, with the Z direction, which is the fitting direction, as its axial direction, and the outer shape of the cross section parallel to the XY plane being approximately rectangular. For example, the first cylindrical portion 11 has a rectangular annular upper end portion 11a, a pair of first side walls 11b, and a pair of first connecting walls 11c.

[0014] The pair of first side walls 11b and the pair of first connecting walls 11c constitute the circumferential wall. The pair of first side walls 11b face each other while being spaced apart in the Y direction. The pair of first connecting walls 11c face each other while being spaced apart in the X direction. One end of one first side wall 11b and the other first side wall 11b are continuous via one first connecting wall 11c. The other ends of one first side wall 11b and the other first side wall 11b are continuous via the other first connecting wall 11c. The outer edge of the upper end 11a is continuous with the upper parts of the pair of first side walls 11b and the pair of first connecting walls 11c. The inner edge of the upper end 11a supports each terminal housing portion 12. In the first cylindrical portion 11, the side facing the side where the upper end 11a is provided in the Z direction is an opening into which the second cylindrical portion 21 of the second housing 20 is inserted.

[0015] The first housing 10, as an example, has five terminal housings 12. That is, the first housing 10 can hold five female terminals. One terminal housing 12 is a cylindrical portion that houses one female terminal in its internal space along the mating direction. The five terminal housings 12 are arranged in a row with the X direction as the parallel direction. In this case, the width of the first side wall 11b in the X direction is approximately equivalent to the width of five terminal housings 12, and the width of the first connecting wall 11c in the Y direction is approximately equivalent to the width of one terminal housing 12. That is, in the first cylindrical portion 11, the width of the first side wall 11b in the X direction is set to be longer than the width of the first connecting wall 11c in the Y direction. In addition, a portion of the electric wire 100 to which the female terminal is joined may be tightly held in each terminal housing 12 via a packing 40.

[0016] The pair of first pivot points 13 and the pair of second pivot points 14 engage with the pair of lever support holes 33 provided in the lever 30, and can serve as pivot points when the lever 30 rotates. The lever 30 can rotate by engaging the lever support holes 33 with the pair of first pivot points 13, or by engaging the lever support holes 33 with the pair of second pivot points 14.

[0017] Regarding the pair of first support points 13, one first support point 13 is provided on one of the pair of first side walls 11b, and the other first support point 13 is provided on the other of the pair of first side walls 11b. The first support point 13 and the other first support point 13 have symmetrical shapes with respect to a virtual XZ plane located midway between them. In other words, the first support point 13 and the other first support point 13 are arranged coaxially with respect to a first central axis AX1 (see Figure 6) extending in the Y direction.

[0018] Similarly, for the pair of second support points 14, one second support point 14 is provided on one of the pair of first side walls 11b, and the other second support point 14 is provided on the other of the pair of first side walls 11b. The two second support points 14 have symmetrical shapes with respect to a virtual XZ plane located midway between them. In other words, the two second support points 14 are arranged coaxially with respect to a second central axis AX2 (see Figure 6) extending in the Y direction.

[0019] Here, in the first housing 10, the direction perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the extension directions of the first central axis AX1 and the second central axis AX2 is defined as the "length direction". In this embodiment, the fitting direction corresponds to the Z direction, and the extension directions of the first central axis AX1 and the second central axis AX2 correspond to the Y direction, so the length direction corresponds to the X direction. At this time, in each of the first side walls 11b of the first housing 10, the first support portion 13 and the second support portion 14 are positioned symmetrically with respect to the center in the length direction. Furthermore, if a reference plane P (see Figure 6) is defined as the YZ plane passing through an intermediate position in the length direction in the first side wall 11b, then the first support portion 13 and the second support portion 14 have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the reference plane P.

[0020] The first support portion 13 has a first shaft portion 13a, a first projection portion 13b, and a first lateral projection portion 13c. The first shaft portion 13a is a cylindrical portion that protrudes from the first side wall 11b with the first central axis AX1 as its central axis.

[0021] The first projection 13b protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first shaft portion 13a, while being spaced at a constant distance from the first side wall 11b. The direction of projection of the first projection 13b is along the fitting direction from the first central axis AX1. In the first projection 13b, the pair of sides parallel to the first central axis AX1 are tapered such that the distance between them gradually narrows as they move from the first shaft portion 13a towards the tip.

[0022] The first lateral projection 13c protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first shaft portion 13a, while being spaced at a constant distance from the first side wall 11b. The distance between the first lateral projection 13c and the first side wall 11b is the same as the distance between the first projection 13b and the first side wall 11b. The projection direction of the first lateral projection 13c is along the longitudinal direction, but more precisely, it is the direction away from the reference plane P, which is opposite to the X direction. On the first lateral projection 13c, one side parallel to the first central axis AX1 is a first locking surface 13d, which is a plane whose normal direction is the direction opposite to the fitting direction and which is aligned with both the longitudinal direction and the extension direction of the first central axis AX1. The root end of the first locking surface 13d in the longitudinal direction smoothly continues with the uppermost end of the first shaft portion 13a in the Z direction. In the first lateral projection 13c, the other side parallel to the first central axis AX1 is an inclined surface such that, in relation to the first locking surface 13d which is one of the sides, the distance between them gradually narrows as you move from the first shaft portion 13a towards the tip.

[0023] The second support portion 14 has a second shaft portion 14a, a second projection portion 14b, and a second lateral projection portion 14c. The second shaft portion 14a is a cylindrical portion that protrudes from the first side wall 11b with the second central axis AX2 as its central axis.

[0024] The second projection 14b protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft portion 14a, while being spaced at a constant distance from the first side wall 11b. The direction of projection of the second projection 14b is along the fitting direction from the second central axis AX2. In the second projection 14b, the pair of sides parallel to the second central axis AX2 are tapered such that the distance between them gradually narrows as they move from the second shaft portion 14a towards the tip.

[0025] The second lateral projection 14c protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft portion 14a, while being spaced at a constant distance from the first side wall 11b. The distance between the second lateral projection 14c and the first side wall 11b is the same as the distance between the second projection 14b and the first side wall 11b. The projection direction of the second lateral projection 14c is along the longitudinal direction, but more precisely, it is the X direction, which is the direction away from the reference plane P. On the second lateral projection 14c, one side parallel to the second central axis AX2 is a second locking surface 14d, which is a plane whose normal direction is the direction opposite to the fitting direction and which is along both the longitudinal direction and the extension direction of the second central axis AX2. The root end of the second locking surface 14d in the longitudinal direction smoothly continues with the uppermost end of the second shaft portion 14a in the Z direction. In the second lateral projection 14c, the other side parallel to the second central axis AX2 is an inclined surface such that, in relation to the second locking surface 14d which is one of the sides, the distance between them gradually narrows as you move from the second shaft portion 14a towards the tip.

[0026] Furthermore, the first housing 10 has a pair of locking portions 15, two pairs of boss through grooves 17, and a pair of projection through grooves 18.

[0027] Each pair of locking parts 15 constitutes a locking mechanism for holding the lever 30 in the locked position when the lever 30 is in the locked position after the fitting of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is completed. The pair of locking parts 15 are individually provided on a pair of first connecting walls 11c of the first cylindrical part 11. For example, each pair of locking parts 15 is a claw that protrudes outward from the first connecting wall 11c and has a symmetrical shape with respect to the reference plane P. One locking part 15 is used when the lever 30 is supported by a pair of first pivot parts 13, and the other locking part 15 is used when the lever 30 is supported by a pair of second pivot parts 14.

[0028] The two pairs of boss through grooves 17 allow the boss 23 provided on the second cylindrical portion 21 of the second housing 20 to pass through as the second cylindrical portion 21 of the second housing 20 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 11 of the first housing 10. Of the pair of boss through grooves 17, one boss through groove 17 is formed on one first side wall 11b, and the other boss through groove 17 is formed on the other first side wall 11b. The boss through grooves 17 are formed in a straight line along the fitting direction. One end of the boss through groove 17 is open on the side of the opening in the first cylindrical portion 11 into which the second cylindrical portion 21 is inserted, allowing the boss 23 to be introduced as the second cylindrical portion 21 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 11. The width of the boss through groove 17 in the X direction is set to such an extent that the edge of the boss through groove 17 can slide against the outer circumferential surface of the boss 23. In this embodiment, of the two pairs of boss through grooves 17, one pair of boss through grooves 17 is formed to be aligned with the pair of first pivot points 13 in the fitting direction, and the other pair of boss through grooves 17 is formed to be aligned with the pair of second pivot points 14 in the fitting direction.

[0029] The pair of projection through grooves 18 allow the temporary locking release projection 25, provided on the second cylindrical portion 21, to pass through as the second cylindrical portion 21 of the second housing 20 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 11 of the first housing 10. Of the pair of projection through grooves 18, one projection through groove 18 is formed on one first side wall 11b, and the other projection through groove 18 is formed on the other first side wall 11b. The projection through grooves 18 are formed linearly along the fitting direction such that the reference plane P passes through the center of the width in the X direction. One end of the projection through groove 18 is open on the side of the opening in the first cylindrical portion 11 into which the second cylindrical portion 21 is inserted, and introduces the temporary locking release projection 25 as the second cylindrical portion 21 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 11. The width of the projection through groove 18 in the X direction is set such that the edge of the projection through groove 18 can slide against both sides of the temporary locking release projection 25, with the X direction or the direction opposite to the X direction as the normal direction.

[0030] Furthermore, in the first housing 10, by setting the central axis of the middle terminal housing 12 among the five terminal housings 12 arranged in a row along the length direction on the reference plane P, the overall shape of the first housing 10 can be made symmetrical with respect to the reference plane P.

[0031] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the second housing 20. The second housing 20 is made of synthetic resin, for example, and includes a second cylindrical portion 21, a base 22, two pairs of bosses 23, a first guide rib 24 provided for each boss 23, a pair of temporary locking release projections 25, and a second guide rib 26 provided for each temporary locking release projection 25.

[0032] The second cylindrical portion 21 accommodates a plurality of male terminals (not shown) on its interior. The general shape of the second cylindrical portion 21 is cylindrical, with the Z direction, which is the fitting direction, as its axial direction, and the outer shape of its cross-section parallel to the XY plane being approximately rectangular. For example, the second cylindrical portion 21 has a pair of second side walls 21b and a pair of second connecting walls 21c.

[0033] The pair of second side walls 21b and the pair of second connecting walls 21c constitute a periphery wall. The pair of second side walls 21b face each other while being spaced apart in the Y direction. The pair of second connecting walls 21c face each other while being spaced apart in the X direction. One end of one second side wall 21b and the other second side wall 21b are connected via one second connecting wall 21c. The other ends of one second side wall 21b and the other second side wall 21b are connected via the other second connecting wall 21c. The upper parts of each of the pair of second side walls 21b and the pair of second connecting walls 21c constitute an opening 21a in the periphery wall. The lower parts of each of the pair of second side walls 21b and the pair of second connecting walls 21c are supported by a base 22.

[0034] When the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are fitted together, the second cylindrical portion 21 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 11 of the first housing 10. At this time, the second side wall 21b is housed between one of the first side walls 11b of the first cylindrical portion 11 and the five terminal housing portions 12. The second connecting wall 21c is housed between one of the first connecting walls 11c of the first cylindrical portion 11 and the five terminal housing portions 12.

[0035] The base 22 is a conceptual part set in the second housing 20 in this embodiment, supporting the second cylindrical part 21 and supporting a plurality of male terminals so as to be exposed inside the second cylindrical part 21. In the actual connector 1 product, the part corresponding to the base 22 is appropriately set by various conditions such as the wiring route of the wires (not shown) that connect each male terminal to the terminal, or the holding structure of the second housing 20.

[0036] The two pairs of bosses 23 are exposed to the outside through boss through grooves 17 formed in the first cylindrical portion 11 when the second cylindrical portion 21 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 11. The pairs of bosses 23 are cylindrical portions having a cross-sectional diameter smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the first shaft portion 13a of the first support portion 13 and the second shaft portion 14a of the second support portion 14, and are symmetrical in the Y direction with respect to a pair of second side walls 21b. One boss 23 is positioned to protrude outward from one of the second side walls 21b, and the other boss 23 is positioned to protrude outward from the other second side wall 21b. Here, referring to the reference plane P as in the first housing 10, one pair of bosses 23 and the other pair of bosses 23 have a symmetrical shape with respect to the reference plane P. One pair of bosses 23 is used when the lever 30 is supported by a pair of first pivot points 13, and the other pair of bosses 23 is used when the lever 30 is supported by a pair of second pivot points 14.

[0037] The first guide rib 24 guides the first housing 10 in the desired fitting direction by sliding its edge along the boss through groove 17 as the second cylindrical portion 21 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 11. The first guide rib 24 is linear and extends along the fitting direction, and is positioned to protrude outward from the second side wall 21b. In this embodiment, for each boss 23, a pair of first guide ribs 24 are arranged parallel to each other with respect to the boss 23, and the width between the outer surfaces of the pair of first guide ribs 24 is equal to the diameter of the boss 23.

[0038] The pair of temporary release projections 25 are exposed outward through projection through grooves 18 formed in the first cylindrical portion 11 when the second cylindrical portion 21 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 11. The pair of temporary release projections 25 engage with the push-out projections 37e provided on the lever 30 in accordance with the rotation of the lever 30, and have the function of displacing the push-out projections 37e. Each temporary release projection 25 engages with one of the projection through grooves 18 and is therefore located at the center of the second side wall 21b in the X direction. One temporary release projection 25 is positioned to protrude outward from one of the second side walls 21b, and the other temporary release projection 25 is positioned to protrude outward from the other second side wall 21b.

[0039] The second guide rib 26 guides the first housing 10 in the desired fitting direction by sliding the edge of the projection through groove 18 in accordance with the insertion of the second cylindrical portion 21 into the first cylindrical portion 11. The second guide rib 26 is linear in shape extending along the fitting direction and is arranged to protrude outward from the second side wall 21b. In this embodiment, for each temporary locking release projection 25, a pair of second guide ribs 26 are arranged parallel to each other with the temporary locking release projection 25 as the base point, and the width between the outer surfaces of the pair of second guide ribs 26 is the same as the width of the temporary locking release projection 25 in the X direction.

[0040] Furthermore, since the second housing 20 is constructed to match the shape of the first housing 10, the overall shape of the second housing 20 can also be symmetrical with respect to the reference plane P.

[0041] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the lower part of lever 30. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the upper part of lever 30. Note that the XYZ notation in Figures 4 and 5 corresponds to when lever 30 is in the locked position on connector 1.

[0042] When the mating of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is complete, the lever 30 holds the locking position while pressing the first housing 10 against the second housing 20 in the mating direction, thereby ensuring a proper connection between the female terminal and the male terminal.

[0043] Here, the permanent locking position of the lever 30 refers to the position when the lever 30 has completed the fitting of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20, as described above. The state of the lever 30 when it is in the permanent locking position can also be described as the "permanently locked state." On the other hand, the temporary locking position of the lever 30 refers to a predetermined position set between the assembly position when the lever 30 is assembled to the first housing 10 and the position when it rotates to the permanent locking position. The state of the lever 30 when it is in the temporary locking position can also be described as the "temporarily locked state." Leaving the lever 30 in a temporarily locked state is advantageous in that, for example, when transporting the connector 1 as a product, or when the connector 1 is attached to a vehicle, etc., without being in the permanent locking state, the lever 30 can be kept from being separated from the connector 1.

[0044] The lever 30 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and has a pair of side plates 31 and an operating part 32. One end of each side plate 31 is connected via the operating part 32. The other end of each side plate 31 is a free end, which is a tip 31e.

[0045] The pair of side plate portions 31 are arms that rotate while maintaining a parallel position close to one of the first side walls 11b when the lever 30 is assembled to the first housing 10. Furthermore, one side plate portion 31 and the other side plate portion 31 have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to each other in the Y direction. However, minor differences in shape between one side plate portion 31 and the other side plate portion 31 are permitted as long as the specified conditions for each part, which will be described in detail below, are satisfied. Each side plate portion 31 has an inner surface portion 31a and an outer surface portion 31b opposite to the inner surface portion 31a, and when the lever 30 is assembled to the first housing 10, a part of the inner surface portion 31a faces the first side wall 11b.

[0046] Each pair of side plate portions 31 has a lever support hole portion 33, a pivot point housing groove portion 34, a boss engagement groove portion 35, and a projection housing groove portion 36. In other words, each of the lever support hole portion 33, pivot point housing groove portion 34, boss engagement groove portion 35, and projection housing groove portion 36 exists in pairs on the lever 30. The lever support hole portion 33 is formed to penetrate through the inner surface portion 31a and the outer surface portion 31b. On the other hand, the pivot point housing groove portion 34, boss engagement groove portion 35, and projection housing groove portion 36 are formed on the inner surface portion 31a of each side plate portion 31.

[0047] As described above regarding the first and second pivot points 13 and 14 provided in the first housing 10, the lever support hole 33 engages with one of the pivot points selected from the first and second pivot points 13 and 14. Figure 1 illustrates the case in which a pair of lever support holes 33 engage with a pair of first pivot points 13.

[0048] The lever support hole 33 penetrates the side plate portion 31 in the Y direction, which is the thickness direction. The lever support hole 33 has an annular inner wall 33a, a first projection housing portion 33b, a second projection housing portion 33c, a first piece portion 33d, a second piece portion 33e, and a first locking surface 33f.

[0049] The annular inner wall 33a slidably supports the shaft portion of the first pivot portion 13 and the second pivot portion 14 that is engaged with the lever support hole portion 33 when the lever 30 is in the normal assembly state relative to the first housing 10. Specifically, when the first pivot portion 13 is engaged with the lever support hole portion 33, the annular inner wall 33a supports the first shaft portion 13a. Or, when the second pivot portion 14 is engaged with the lever support hole portion 33, the annular inner wall 33a supports the second shaft portion 14a. Here, the normal assembly state of the lever 30 refers to the state in which the lever 30 is rotatably supported by the first housing 10 so that it can move normally between the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position.

[0050] The first projection housing 33b is continuous with the annular inner wall 33a and, when the lever 30 is in its normal assembled state, accommodates the projection of the first pivot point 13 and the second pivot point 14 that is engaged with the lever support hole 33 within a predetermined range of rotation. Specifically, when the first pivot point 13 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the first projection housing 33b accommodates the first projection 13b. Or, when the second pivot point 14 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the first projection housing 33b accommodates the second projection 14b. The range of rotation of the first projection 13b or the second projection 14b corresponds to the range of rotation when the lever 30 rotates between the assembled position and the locked position.

[0051] The second projection housing section 33c is continuous with the annular inner wall 33a and, when the lever 30 is in its normal assembled state, accommodates the lateral projection of the first pivot section 13 and the second pivot section 14 that is engaged with the lever support hole section 33 within a predetermined range of rotation. Specifically, when the first pivot section 13 is engaged with the lever support hole section 33, the second projection housing section 33c accommodates the first lateral projection 13c. Or, when the second pivot section 14 is engaged with the lever support hole section 33, the second projection housing section 33c accommodates the second lateral projection 14c. The range of rotation of the first lateral projection 13c or the second lateral projection 14c corresponds to the range of rotation when the lever 30 rotates between the assembled position and the locked position.

[0052] The first piece 33d is provided in the first projection housing 33b and enters between the projection engaged with the lever support hole 33 and the first side wall 11b from the first pivot 13 and the second pivot 14 while the lever 30 starts rotating from the temporary locking position and reaches the permanent locking position. Specifically, when the first pivot 13 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the first piece 33d enters between the first projection 13b and the first side wall 11b facing the first projection 13b while the lever 30 starts rotating from the temporary locking position and reaches the permanent locking position. When the second pivot point 14 engages with the lever support hole 33, the first piece 33d enters between the second projection 14b and the first side wall 11b facing the second projection 14b while the lever 30 is rotating from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position.

[0053] On the other hand, when the lever 30 is in the assembly position or temporary locking position, the first piece 33d does not enter between the projection of the first pivot portion 13 and the second pivot portion 14 that is engaged with the lever support hole portion 33 and the first side wall 11b. In other words, at this time, the first projection 13b or the second projection 14b directly faces the first side wall 11b through the Y-direction penetrating portion of the first projection housing portion 33b.

[0054] The second piece 33e is provided in the second projection housing 33c and enters between the lateral projection engaged with the lever support hole 33 and the first side wall 11b while the lever 30 starts rotating from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. Specifically, when the first pivot 13 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the second piece 33e enters between the first lateral projection 13c and the first side wall 11b facing the first lateral projection 13c while the lever 30 starts rotating from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. When the second pivot point 14 engages with the lever support hole 33, the second piece 33e enters between the second lateral projection 14c and the first side wall 11b facing the second lateral projection 14c while the lever 30 is rotating from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position.

[0055] On the other hand, when the lever 30 is in the assembly position or temporary locking position, the second piece 33e does not enter between the lateral projection of the first pivot portion 13 and the second pivot portion 14 that is engaged with the lever support hole portion 33 and the first side wall 11b. In other words, at this time, the first lateral projection 13c or the second lateral projection 14c directly faces the first side wall 11b through the Y-direction penetrating portion of the second projection housing portion 33c.

[0056] The first locking surface 33f is a part of the inner surface of the lever support hole 33 along the Y direction, and is a plane that faces the locking surface of the first pivot portion 13 and the second pivot portion 14 that is engaged with the lever support hole 33 when the lever 30 is in the assembled position or temporary locking position. Specifically, when the first pivot portion 13 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the first locking surface 33f is adjacent to or in surface contact with the first locking surface 13d. Or, when the second pivot portion 14 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the first locking surface 33f is adjacent to or in surface contact with the second locking surface 14d. In other words, one end of the first locking surface 33f is a part of the second projection housing portion 33c, and the other end of the first locking surface 33f is smoothly continuous with the annular inner wall 33a.

[0057] The pivot point housing groove 34 accommodates whichever of the first pivot point 13 and second pivot point 14 is not engaged with the lever support hole 33 when the lever 30 is in its normal assembled state. Specifically, when the first pivot point 13 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the pivot point housing groove 34 accommodates the second pivot point 14. Alternatively, when the second pivot point 14 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the pivot point housing groove 34 accommodates the first pivot point 13.

[0058] The lever 30 is considered to rotate with respect to the central axis of the annular inner wall 33a in the lever support hole 33. Therefore, the pivot point housing groove 34 is formed in a curved shape defined by the curvature with respect to the central axis of the annular inner wall 33a, so that it can accommodate the pivot point that is not engaged with the lever support hole 33, regardless of the position of the lever 30 within a predetermined range of rotation.

[0059] One end of the pivot point housing groove 34 in the curved extension direction is an open end that is opened at the lower end 31c of the side plate portion 31. However, a portion of the open end side of the pivot point housing groove 34 is cut out in the Y direction, which is the thickness direction of the side plate portion 31, from the bottom end 31d, and accommodates at least a portion of the temporary locking projection 37d provided on the elastic arm portion 37 in the direction from the outer surface side to the inner surface side of the side plate portion 31.

[0060] The other end of the pivot point housing groove 34 in the extension direction is a tip wall that contacts the pivot point housed in the pivot point housing groove 34 when the lever 30 is in the locked position. This tip wall includes a second locked surface 34b, which is a plane that makes surface contact with the locked surface of the pivot point housed in the pivot point housing groove 34. Furthermore, the width of the pivot point housing groove 34 in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, between the tip wall and the bottom end 31d, is set to such an extent that the housed pivot point slides against both side walls of the pivot point housing groove 34 when the lever 30 rotates.

[0061] Furthermore, the pivot point housing groove 34 has a third piece 34a that enters between the lateral projection of the housing pivot point and the first side wall 11b while the lever 30 is rotating from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. Specifically, when the first pivot point 13 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the third piece 34a enters between the second lateral projection 14c of the second pivot point 14 and the first side wall 11b facing the second lateral projection 14c. When the second pivot point 14 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the third piece 34a enters between the first lateral projection 13c of the first pivot point 13 and the first side wall 11b facing the first lateral projection 13c. Furthermore, when the lever 30 is in the temporary locking position, the third piece 34a does not enter between the lateral projection of the fulcrum that houses it and the first side wall 11b.

[0062] Furthermore, the pivot point housing groove 34 accommodates the tip of the boss 23 that protrudes outward from the boss through groove 17 of the first side wall 11b directly below the pivot point that is not engaged with the lever support hole 33, as the lever 30 rotates from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. Therefore, the rotation of the lever 30 is not hindered by the pivot point that is not engaged with the lever support hole 33 and the boss 23 directly below the pivot point.

[0063] When the lever 30 is in its normal assembled state, the boss engagement groove 35 engages with the tip of the boss 23 that protrudes outward from the boss through groove 17 directly below the first pivot point 13 and the second pivot point 14 that are engaged with the lever support hole 33. Specifically, when the first pivot point 13 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the boss engagement groove 35 engages with the boss 23 directly below the first pivot point 13. Alternatively, when the second pivot point 14 is engaged with the lever support hole 33, the boss engagement groove 35 engages with the boss 23 directly below the second pivot point 14. As the lever 30 rotates from the assembled position to the locked position, the boss engagement groove 35 keeps its side walls in contact with the circumferential wall of the boss 23, thereby drawing the boss 23 into the boss engagement groove 35. As a result, the first housing 10, which is continuous with the lever 30 via the first pivot point 13 or the second pivot point 14, is pushed toward the second housing 20 along the fitting direction. Therefore, the rotation of the lever 30 is not hindered by the boss 23 located directly below the pivot point that is engaged with the lever support hole 33.

[0064] The projection housing groove 36 is positioned between the pivot housing groove 34 and the boss engagement groove 35 in the lever 30, and accommodates the tip of the temporary locking release projection 25 that protrudes outward from the projection through groove 18 when the lever 30 is in its normal assembled state. The projection housing groove 36 is formed in a curved shape defined by the curvature with respect to the central axis of the annular inner wall 33a, so that the temporary locking release projection 25 can be accommodated without contact with the inner wall surface of the projection housing groove 36, regardless of the position of the lever 30 within a predetermined range of rotation.

[0065] Furthermore, one end of the projection-receiving groove 36 in the curved extension direction is an open end that is opened at the lower end 31c of the side plate portion 31. However, a portion of the projection-receiving groove 36 on the open end side is cut out from the bottom end 31d in the thickness direction of the side plate portion 31 along the Y direction, and accommodates at least a portion of the extrusion projection 37e provided on the elastic arm portion 37 in the direction from the outer surface side to the inner surface side of the side plate portion 31.

[0066] Furthermore, each of the pair of side plate portions 31 has an elastic arm portion 37 on which a temporary locking projection 37d and an extrusion projection 37e are formed. The elastic arm portion 37 is positioned below the lever support hole portion 33 in the Z direction and is a long plate-like portion that extends from the tip portion 31e side to the operating portion 32 side in the X direction. The outer surface of the elastic arm portion 37 and the outer surface of the side plate portion 31 are on the same virtual plane. The inner surface 37c of the elastic arm portion 37 faces a part of the main body portion of the side plate portion 31 without contact. Also, the side end of the elastic arm portion 37 faces the bottom end 31d, which is common to the pivot point housing groove portion 34 and the projection housing groove portion 36, without contact in the Z direction.

[0067] In the elastic arm portion 37, the end of the side plate portion 31 closer to the tip portion 31e is the first support end 37a, and the end closer to the operating portion 32 is the second support end 37b. The first support end 37a is located between the tip portion 31e and the boss engagement groove portion 35 in the X direction. The second support end 37b is located between the pivot portion housing groove portion 34 and the operating portion 32 in the X direction. In this embodiment, the elastic arm portion 37 is a cantilevered beam type arm with both ends supported by the side plate portion 31, but it may also be a cantilevered beam type arm with one end not supported by the side plate portion 31.

[0068] Furthermore, a portion of the inner surface 37c of the elastic arm portion 37 faces the internal space of the pivot portion housing groove portion 34 through a notch on the open end side provided in the pivot portion housing groove portion 34. A temporary locking projection 37d is provided on a portion of the inner surface 37c of the pivot portion housing groove portion 34 that faces the internal space. The temporary locking projection 37d maintains the temporary locking state of the lever 30 by contacting the pivot portion housed in the pivot portion housing groove portion 34 in the fitting direction when the lever 30 is in the temporary locking position. Here, the first pivot portion 13 has a first locking surface 13d as part of the first lateral projection 13c. Similarly, the second pivot portion 14 has a second locking surface 14d as part of the second lateral projection 14c. Therefore, the temporary locking projection 37d has a third locking surface 37f which is a plane that makes surface contact with the first locking surface 13d or the second locking surface 14d of the support portion housed in the pivot point housing groove 34 when the lever 30 is in the temporary locking position.

[0069] Furthermore, another portion of the inner surface 37c of the elastic arm portion 37 faces the internal space of the projection housing groove portion 36 through a notch on the open end side provided in the projection housing groove portion 36. A push-out projection 37e is provided on a portion of the inner surface 37c of the projection housing groove portion 36 that faces the internal space. The push-out projection 37e pushes the elastic arm portion 37 outward by contacting the tip of the temporary locking release projection 25 that protrudes outward from the projection through groove portion 18 when the lever 30 moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. The push-out projection 37e has a push-out surface 37g as a plane that makes surface contact with the temporary locking release projection 25 so that it can be reliably contacted and displaced when the lever 30 moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position.

[0070] The operating section 32 is a wall connecting a pair of side plate sections 31, and when the lever 30 is in the permanent locking position, it faces the first connecting wall 11c on the side furthest from the pair of pivot points that engage with the pair of lever support holes 33. The upper part of the operating section 32 constitutes a pressing section 32a that is pressed when the lever 30 is rotated from the assembly position or temporary locking position toward the permanent locking position. The operating section 32 also has an elastic piece 39 that engages with a locking section 15 provided on the first connecting wall 11c, serving as a locking mechanism for holding the lever 30 in the permanent locking position.

[0071] Next, we will explain the state of connector 1 at each rotation position of lever 30.

[0072] Figure 6 is a side view of the connector 1 when the lever 30 is in the temporary locking position. Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 corresponding to the VIIA-VIIA section in Figure 6. The cross-section in Figure 7A is a virtual YZ plane passing through the extrusion projection 37e. Figure 7B is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 corresponding to the VIIB-VIIB section in Figure 6. The cross-section in Figure 7B is a virtual YZ plane passing through the second locking surface 14d of the second pivot portion 14, which is in surface contact with the third locking surface 37f of the temporary locking projection 37d. Note that in Figures 7A and 7B, the male terminal 200 is simply depicted as part of the base 22 of the second housing 20.

[0073] First, referring to Figure 6, we will explain how to determine whether the lever 30 is correctly assembled to the first housing 10 during the assembly of the connector 1.

[0074] For example, assume that the connector 1 shown in Figure 1 is in the desired assembly state. In this case, when the lever 30 is assembled to the first housing 10, the pair of lever support holes 33 engage with the pair of first pivot points 13. Then, as shown in Figure 6, the position of the lever 30 after it has been assembled to the first housing 10 is the assembly position of the lever 30. Furthermore, the orientation of the lever 30 relative to the first housing 10 in the normal assembly state is defined such that when the lever 30 is in the fully locked state, the inside of the operating part 32 faces the first connecting wall 11c on the side furthest from the first pivot point 13.

[0075] Here, the first pivot point 13 has two types of protrusions: a first projection 13b and a first lateral projection 13c. When the lever support hole 33 engages with the first pivot point 13, the first projection housing 33b accommodates the first projection 13b, and at the same time, the second projection housing 33c accommodates the first lateral projection 13c. In particular, the first lateral projection 13c protrudes in the direction opposite to the X direction, which is the direction away from the reference plane P along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, if the lever 30 is assembled in the correct state, the second projection housing 33c will properly accommodate the first lateral projection 13c which protrudes in the direction opposite to the X direction.

[0076] In contrast, consider a scenario where, for example, a worker mistakenly attempts to engage the pair of second pivot points 14 with the pair of first pivot points 13, as shown in Figure 6. If the lever 30 can rotate in the same position as in Figure 6, using the second pivot point 14 as a reference, then in the final assembled connector 1, the lever 30 cannot properly move to the temporary locking position or the permanent locking position, meaning it has been assembled incorrectly.

[0077] Here, the second pivot portion 14, like the first pivot portion 13, has two types of protrusions: a second projection 14b and a second lateral projection 14c. However, the second lateral projection 14c protrudes in the X direction, which is the opposite direction to the protrusion direction of the first lateral projection 13c in the first pivot portion 13. Therefore, even if an operator mistakenly attempts to assemble the lever 30, there is no part in the lever support hole 33 to accommodate the second lateral projection 14c, so the second lateral projection 14c interferes with the surrounding part of the lever support hole 33. As a result, the operator can recognize that the assembly of the lever 30 is incorrect because they cannot engage the pair of lever support holes 33 with the pair of second pivot portions 14.

[0078] Next, referring again to Figures 6, 7A, and 7B, in this embodiment, the temporary locking position of the lever 30 is defined as the same position as the assembly position. When the lever 30 is in the temporary locking position, the pair of first pivot points 13 engage with the pair of lever support holes 33, and the pair of second pivot points 14 are housed in the pair of pivot point housing grooves 34. However, since the third piece 34a of the pivot point housing groove 34 does not face the second lateral projection 14c of the second pivot point 14 in the axial direction of the second central axis AX2, the third piece 34a does not obstruct the assembly of the lever 30 to the first housing 10.

[0079] Furthermore, when the lever 30 is in the temporary locking position, the boss 23 directly below the first pivot point 13 is housed in the boss engagement groove 35, but is not subjected to external force from the lever 30. On the other hand, the boss 23 directly below the second pivot point 14 is not yet housed in the pivot point housing groove 34. Moreover, as shown in Figures 6 and 7A, the push-out projection 37e is not yet in contact with the temporary locking release projection 25 and therefore does not displace, and the elastic arm portion 37 is not elastically deformed.

[0080] When the lever 30 is in the temporary locking position, firstly, as shown in Figure 6, the first locking surface 33f of the lever support hole 33 comes into contact with the first locking surface 13d of the first pivot point 13, thus restricting rotation of the lever 30 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction toward the permanent locking position. Secondly, as shown in Figures 6 and 7B, the second locking surface 14d of the second pivot point 14 comes into surface contact with the third locking surface 37f of the temporary locking projection 37d, thus temporarily restricting rotation of the lever 30 in the rotation direction toward the permanent locking position. Therefore, unless a certain external force is applied to the lever 30, the lever 30 will be held in the temporary locking position.

[0081] Figure 8 is a side view of the connector 1 when the lever 30 begins to rotate toward the permanent locking position and the temporary locking state of the lever 30 is released. Figure 9A is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 corresponding to the IXA-IXA section in Figure 8. The cross-section in Figure 9A is a virtual YZ plane passing through the extrusion projection 37e. Figure 9B is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 corresponding to the IXB-IXB section in Figure 8. The cross-section in Figure 9B is a virtual YZ plane passing through the third locking surface 37f of the temporary locking projection 37d and the second locking surface 14d of the second pivot point 14. Note that in Figures 9A and 9B, the male terminal 200 is simply depicted as part of the base 22 of the second housing 20.

[0082] When the pressing portion 32a of the lever 30, which is in a temporarily locked state, is pressed by an external force, the pushing projection 37e first begins to make contact with the temporary locking release projection 25, as shown in Figures 8 and 9A. As a result, the pushing projection 37e gradually rides up onto the temporary locking release projection 25, and the elastic arm portion 37, which is integrated with the pushing projection 37e, elastically deforms so that it is pushed away from the first housing 10. Consequently, as shown in Figures 8 and 9B, the temporary locking projection 37d, which is integrated with the elastic arm portion 37, is also displaced away from the first housing 10, so that the engagement of the third locked surface 37f with the second locking surface 14d is released. As a result, the temporary locking projection 37d moves over the second pivot point 14, and the temporarily locked state of the lever 30 is released. Note that in Figures 9A and 9B, the elastic deformation of the elastic arm portion 37 is not shown for illustrative purposes.

[0083] Figure 10 is a side view of the connector 1 as the lever 30 rotates further toward the permanent locking position from the state shown in Figure 8. Figure 11A is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 corresponding to the XIA-XIA section in Figure 10. The cross-section in Figure 11A is a virtual YZ plane passing through the extrusion projection 37e. Figure 11B is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 corresponding to the XIB-XIB section in Figure 10. The cross-section in Figure 11B is a virtual YZ plane passing through the third locking surface 37f of the temporary locking projection 37d and the second locking surface 14d of the second pivot point 14. Note that in both Figures 11A and 11B, the male terminal 200 is simply depicted as part of the base 22 of the second housing 20.

[0084] First, as the lever 30 rotates further to its locked position, the boss 23 directly below the first pivot point 13 is retracted along the shape of the boss engagement groove 35, as shown in Figure 10. This retraction of the boss 23 causes the first housing 10 to be gradually pushed into the second housing 20. On the other hand, the boss 23 directly below the second pivot point 14 is housed in the pivot point housing groove 34 and therefore does not obstruct the rotation of the lever 30.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the first piece 33d of the lever support hole 33 begins to enter the space between the first projection 13b of the first pivot point 13 and the first side wall 11b. At the same time, the second piece 33e of the lever support hole 33 begins to enter the space between the first lateral projection 13c of the first pivot point 13 and the first side wall 11b. As a result, the pair of lever support holes 33 are prevented from falling out of the pair of first pivot points 13, and consequently, the lever 30 is prevented from falling out of the first housing 10.

[0086] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the third piece 34a of the pivot point housing groove 34 begins to enter the space between the second lateral projection 14c of the second pivot point 14 and the first side wall 11b. As a result, the engagement between the pair of second pivot points 14 and the pair of pivot point housing grooves 34 is maintained, and the lifting of the side plate portion 31 of the lever 30 from the first side wall 11b is suppressed.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10 and 11A, the extrusion projection 37e continues to ride on the temporary locking release projection 25. Therefore, as shown in Figures 10 and 11B, the temporary locking projection 37d remains displaced away from the first housing 10, and does not hinder the rotation of the lever 30. Note that, for the sake of illustration, the elastic deformation of the elastic arm portion 37 is not shown in Figures 10A and 10B.

[0088] Figure 12 is a side view of the connector 1 when the lever 30 is in the locked position. Figure 13A is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 corresponding to section XIIIA-XIIIA in Figure 12. The cross-section in Figure 13A is a virtual YZ plane adjacent to the reference plane P. Figure 13B is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 corresponding to section XIIIB-XIIIB in Figure 12. The cross-section in Figure 13B is a virtual YZ plane passing through the second central axis AX2. In Figures 13A and 13B, the male terminal 200 is simply depicted as part of the base 22 of the second housing 20. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 corresponding to section XIV-XIV in Figure 12. The cross-section in Figure 14 is a virtual XY plane passing through the first lateral projection 13c of the first pivot section 13 and the second lateral projection 14c of the second pivot section 14. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 corresponding to section XV-XV in Figure 14. The cross-section in Figure 15 is a virtual XZ plane passing through the first projection 13b and the first lateral projection 13c of the first support portion 13, and the second projection 14b and the second lateral projection 14c of the second support portion 14.

[0089] First, in this locking position, the mating of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is completed, as shown in Figures 13A and 13B. At this time, the connection between the female terminal 110 and the male terminal 200 is also completed for each wire 100.

[0090] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 12, 14, and 15, the first piece 33d of the lever support hole 33 maintains its position between the first projection 13b and the first side wall 11b, and the second piece 33e of the lever support hole 33 maintains its position between the first lateral projection 13c and the first side wall 11b. Therefore, in the connector 1, the lever 30 is constantly prevented from falling out of the first housing 10. Also, the third piece 34a of the pivot point housing groove 34 maintains its position between the second lateral projection 14c and the first side wall 11b. Therefore, in the connector 1, the lifting of the side plate portion 31 of the lever 30 from the first side wall 11b is constantly prevented.

[0091] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 12, 13A, and 13B, the extrusion projection 37e eventually overcomes the temporary locking release projection 25, causing the elastic arm portion 37 to deform back to its original shape.

[0092] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 12 and 15, when the lever 30 reaches the locking position, the second locking surface 14d of the second pivot 14 comes into contact with the second locked surface 34b, so the operator can recognize that the lever 30 has reached the locking position by this contact.

[0093] Next, we will explain the effect of connector 1.

[0094] The connector 1 comprises a first housing 10, a second housing 20 that fits with the first housing 10, and a lever 30 that presses the first housing 10 against the second housing 20 in the fitting direction. The first housing 10 has a pair of first side walls 11b, a first pivot portion 13, and a second pivot portion 14. The first pivot portion 13 and the second pivot portion 14 are positioned symmetrically across the center in the longitudinal direction, which is perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the extension direction of their respective central axes, for each first side wall 11b, and rotatably support the lever 30. The second housing 20 has a pair of second side walls 21b that face the first side walls 11b on their outer surfaces when fitted with the first housing 10, and a temporary locking release projection 25 positioned at the center of the second side walls 21b in the longitudinal direction, which protrudes outward through a groove formed in the first side wall 11b. The lever 30 has a lever support hole 33 that engages with one of the first pivot portion 13 and the second pivot portion 14 selected from the first pivot portion 13 and the second pivot portion 14. The lever 30 has a pivot portion housing groove 34 that accommodates the first pivot portion 13 or the second pivot portion 14 that is not engaged with the lever support hole 33 from the direction opposite to the fitting direction, and a projection housing groove 36 that accommodates the temporary locking release projection 25 from the direction opposite to the fitting direction. The lever 30 also has an elastic arm portion 37 that supports a temporary locking projection 37d, which partially enters the internal space of the pivot portion housing groove 34, and an extrusion projection 37e, which partially enters the internal space of the projection housing groove 36, so that they face the first side wall 11b. The temporary locking projection 37d contacts and locks the first pivot portion 13 or the second pivot portion 14 when the lever 30 is in a temporary locking position, which is set during the time it is rotating until it reaches the permanent locking position where the fitting of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is completed. The temporary release projection 25 contacts the push projection 37e when the lever 30 rotates from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, pushing the elastic arm portion 37 away from the first side wall 11b. The temporary release projection 25 then releases the locking of the first pivot portion 13 or the second pivot portion 14 to the temporary locking projection 37d.

[0095] In the above example, the fitting direction corresponds to the Z direction, the extension direction of the first central axis AX1 of the first pivot portion 13 and the second central axis AX2 of the second pivot portion 14 corresponds to the Y direction, and the length direction corresponds to the X direction. Also in the above example, the groove formed in the first side wall 11b to allow the temporary locking release projection 25 to pass through and protrude outward corresponds to the projection penetration groove 18.

[0096] Furthermore, in the lever 30, the pivot point housing groove 34 is provided to accommodate the pivot point that is not engaged with the lever support hole 33 from the opposite direction to the fitting direction. Similarly, the projection housing groove 36 is provided to accommodate the temporary locking release projection 25 from the opposite direction to the fitting direction. According to this provision, the pivot point housing groove 34 and the projection housing groove 36 are located in the lever 30 between the lever support hole 33 and a part such as the pressing portion 32a to which the operating force of the lever 30 is applied. Also, since the temporary locking release projection 25 is located at an intermediate position between the first pivot point 13 and the second pivot point 14 in the longitudinal direction, the projection housing groove 36 is located in the lever 30 between the lever support hole 33 and the pivot point housing groove 34.

[0097] First, in connector 1, the first pivot point 13 and the second pivot point 14 are positioned symmetrically across the longitudinal center of the first side wall 11b of the first housing 10. Therefore, with connector 1, the mounting orientation of the lever 30 to the first housing 10 can be appropriately changed to match the routing direction of the electric wire 100 connected to the first housing 10. Figure 1 illustrates the case where the lever 30 is in the normal assembly state when the lever support hole 33 is engaged with the first pivot point 13. In contrast, consider the case where the assembly position of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 remains the same as in Figure 1, but the assembly position of the lever 30 is reversed by 180° around the Z axis from the position shown in Figure 1. In this case, by engaging the lever support hole 33 with the second pivot point 14, the mounting orientation of the lever 30 can be reversed, and the lever 30 can be returned to the normal assembly state.

[0098] Furthermore, in connector 1, as described above, the first pivot point 13 and the second pivot point 14 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the first side wall 11b in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, for example, the distance between the pivot point to which the lever support hole 33 engages and a part such as the pressing part 32a to which the operating force of the lever 30 is applied can be set to be longer than in the case where the pivot point of the lever is located at the center of the first side wall 11b in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the length of the lever 30 can be set to be longer, the lever ratio can be increased, and as a result the operating force required to rotate the lever 30 can be reduced.

[0099] Furthermore, in connector 1, the temporary locking projection 37d contacts and locks against the pivot point housed in the pivot point housing groove 34, temporarily restricting the rotation of the lever 30 toward the permanent locking position and putting the lever 30 into a temporary locking state. On the other hand, if an additional intended operating force is applied to the lever 30 in the rotational direction from the temporary locking position toward the permanent locking position, the temporary locking release projection 25 contacts the push-out projection 37e, pushing the elastic arm portion 37 toward the first side wall 11b. As a result, the temporary locking projection 37d, which is supported by the elastic arm portion 37 in the same way as the push-out projection 37e, is also displaced toward the first side wall 11b, releasing the lock of the pivot point to the temporary locking projection 37d, and thus releasing the temporary locking state of the lever 30. Therefore, with connector 1, the lever 30 can be put into a temporary locking state, and the temporary locking state can also be released by applying an additional intended operating force.

[0100] Furthermore, in connector 1, the components that directly contribute to holding the lever 30 in a temporarily locked state are the pivot point housed in the pivot point housing groove 34 and the temporary locking projection 37d. On the other hand, the components that directly contribute to releasing the lever 30 from its temporarily locked state are the temporary locking release projection 25 and the push-out projection 37e. These components are concentrated on the inside of the lever 30, that is, on the side facing the first side wall 11b, especially when the lever 30 is in or near the temporarily locked position. In other words, these components are not exposed to the outside of the lever 30 when the lever 30 is in a temporarily locked state, or while it is moving from the temporarily locked position to the permanently locked position, so it is difficult for an operator to touch these components from the outside, for example. Therefore, connector 1 makes it difficult for events such as the temporary locking state being released due to an operator unintentionally touching any of the components.

[0101] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 that prevents the temporary locking state of the lever 30 from being unintentionally released.

[0102] Furthermore, in connector 1, the first pivot portion 13 and the second pivot portion 14 may each have a lateral projection that protrudes along the longitudinal direction while being spaced apart from the first side wall 11b. The lever support hole portion 33 and the pivot portion housing groove portion 34 may each have a piece that enters between the lateral projection and the first side wall 11b as the lever 30 rotates and moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position.

[0103] In the above example, the lateral projection of the first pivot point 13 corresponds to the first lateral projection 13c, and the lateral projection of the second pivot point 14 corresponds to the second lateral projection 14c. Furthermore, in the above example, the piece of the lever support hole 33 corresponds to the second piece 33e, and the piece of the pivot point housing groove 34 corresponds to the third piece 34a.

[0104] Even if the length of the lever 30 could be set to be longer, if no measures were taken, the entire side of the lever 30 facing the first side wall 11b might lift away from the first side wall 11b during operation, potentially making the operation unstable.

[0105] In contrast, with the connector 1, when the lever 30 rotates to the locked position, the second piece 33e of the lever support hole 33 enters between the lateral projection and the first side wall 11b, thereby preventing the lever support hole 33 from falling out of the pivot point. Also, when the lever 30 rotates to the locked position, at the pivot point where the lever support hole 33 is not engaged, the third piece 34a of the pivot point housing groove 34 enters between the lateral projection and the first side wall 11b. As a result, engagement between the pivot point where the lever support hole 33 is not engaged and the pivot point housing groove 34 is maintained, preventing the side of the lever 30 from lifting away from the first side wall 11b. Therefore, the connector 1 can stabilize the operation of the lever 30.

[0106] Furthermore, in connector 1, the first pivot portion 13 and the second pivot portion 14 may have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the center of the first side wall 11b in the longitudinal direction. Also, the lever support hole portion 33 may have a second projection accommodating portion 33c that accommodates the lateral projection of the engaged first pivot portion 13 or second pivot portion 14 within the range of rotation when the lever 30 is assembled to the first housing 10 between the assembly position and the locking position.

[0107] In the connector 1, the first pivot point 13 and the second pivot point 14 have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the center of the first side wall 11b in the longitudinal direction, so the protruding directions of the lateral projections provided on each pivot point are opposite to each other. Furthermore, since the lever support hole 33 has the second projection housing 33c defined as described above, the lever support hole 33 engages properly with either pivot point only when the lever 30 is in the correct assembly state. Therefore, with the connector 1, the worker can be made aware that the assembly state of the lever 30 is incorrect by the inability to engage the lever support hole 33 with a certain pivot point, that is, before the connector 1 is finally assembled.

[0108] Furthermore, in connector 1, one side of the lateral projection parallel to the central axis may have a direction opposite to the mating direction as its normal direction, and may be a locking surface that is a plane along both the longitudinal direction and the extension direction of the central axis. The lever support hole 33 may have a first locking surface 33f that faces and contacts the locking surface when in the temporary locking position.

[0109] In the above example, one side of the first lateral projection 13c of the first support portion 13 that is parallel to the first central axis AX1 corresponds to the first locking surface 13d. Also, in the above example, one side of the second lateral projection 14c of the second support portion 14 that is parallel to the second central axis AX2 corresponds to the second locking surface 14d.

[0110] In the connector 1, when the lever 30 is in the temporary locking position, the first locking surface 33f abuts against the locking surface of the pivot point that engages with the lever support hole 33, thereby restricting rotation of the lever 30 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction toward the permanent locking position. Therefore, with the connector 1, the lever 30 can be held in the temporary locking position with a simple configuration.

[0111] Furthermore, in connector 1, one side of the lateral projection parallel to the central axis may have a direction opposite to the mating direction as its normal direction, and may be a locking surface that is a plane along both the longitudinal direction and the extension direction of the central axis. The pivot point housing groove 34 may have a second locking surface 34b that is in contact with and opposite to the locking surface when the lever 30 is in the main locking position.

[0112] In the connector 1, when the lever 30 reaches the locking position, the locking surface of the pivot point that is not engaged with the lever support hole 33 comes into contact with the second locking surface 34b. Therefore, the connector 1 allows the operator to recognize that the lever 30 has reached the locking position by this contact.

[0113] Furthermore, in connector 1, one side of the lateral projection parallel to the central axis may be a locking surface that is a plane along both the longitudinal direction and the extension direction of the central axis, with the direction opposite to the mating direction as the normal direction. The temporary locking projection 37d may have a third locking surface 37f that is in contact with the locking surface when the lever 30 is in the temporary locking position.

[0114] In the connector 1, when the lever 30 is in the temporary locking position, the temporary locking projection 37d can bring the third locking surface 37f into surface contact with the locking surface of the pivot point housed in the pivot point housing groove 34. Therefore, the connector 1 can more reliably temporarily restrict the rotation of the lever 30 toward the permanent locking position while holding the lever 30 in the temporary locking position.

[0115] Although one embodiment has been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0116] 1 Connector 10 Housing 1 11b 1st side wall 13. First support point 13c 1st lateral protrusion 13d First locking surface 14. Second support point 14c Second lateral protrusion 14d 2nd locking surface 18 Projection penetration groove 20 Second Housing 21b 2nd side wall 25 Temporary locking release projection 30 Lever 33 Lever support hole 33c Second Port Housing 33e 2nd piece 33f 1st locked surface 34. Pivot point housing groove 34a Third section 34b Second locked surface 36 Projection-receiving groove 37 Elastic arm section 37d Temporary locking projection 37e Extruded protrusion 37f 3rd locked surface AX1 1st center axis AX2 2nd center axis

Claims

1. The first housing and A second housing that fits with the first housing, The second housing is provided with a lever that presses the first housing in the fitting direction, The first housing is, A pair of first side walls, Each of the first side walls has a first pivot point and a second pivot point, which are positioned symmetrically across the center in the longitudinal direction that is perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the extension direction of each central axis, and which rotatably support the lever. The preceding 2 housing is A pair of second side walls that face the first side wall on their outer surface when fitted with the first housing, It has a temporary locking release projection positioned at the center of the second side wall in the longitudinal direction, which penetrates a groove formed in the first side wall and protrudes outward, The aforementioned lever is A lever support hole that engages with one of the first and second pivot points, A pivot point housing groove that accommodates the first pivot point or the second pivot point that is not engaged with the lever support hole from the direction opposite to the fitting direction, A projection housing groove portion that accommodates the temporary locking release projection from the direction opposite to the fitting direction, It has an elastic arm portion that supports a temporary locking projection, which partially enters the internal space of the pivot point housing groove, and an extrusion projection, which partially enters the internal space of the projection housing groove, so that they face the first side wall, The temporary locking projection, when in the temporary locking position set during the time the lever rotates to reach the permanent locking position in which the fitting of the first housing and the second housing is completed, abuts against the first pivot point or the second pivot point and locks in place. The connector wherein the temporary locking release projection, when the lever rotates and moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, contacts the push-out projection and pushes the elastic arm away from the first side wall, thereby releasing the locking of the first pivot point or the second pivot point to the temporary locking projection.

2. The first support portion and the second support portion each have a lateral projection that protrudes along the longitudinal direction while being spaced apart from the first side wall, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the lever support hole and the pivot point housing groove each have a piece that enters between the lateral projection and the first side wall as the lever rotates and moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position.

3. The first support portion and the second support portion have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the center of the first side wall in the longitudinal direction, The connector according to claim 2, wherein the lever support hole has a projection housing portion that accommodates the lateral projection of the engaged first pivot portion or second pivot portion within the range of rotation when the lever rotates between the assembly position when the lever is assembled to the first housing and the main locking position.

4. One side of the lateral projection parallel to the central axis is a locking surface that is a plane aligned with both the longitudinal direction and the extension direction of the central axis, with the direction opposite to the fitting direction as its normal direction. The connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the lever support hole has a first locking surface that contacts the locking surface when the lever is in the temporary locking position.

5. One side of the lateral projection parallel to the central axis is a locking surface that is a plane aligned with both the longitudinal direction and the extension direction of the central axis, with the direction opposite to the fitting direction as its normal direction. The connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pivot point housing groove has a second locking surface that contacts the locking surface when the lever is in the main locking position.

6. One side of the lateral projection parallel to the central axis is a locking surface that is a plane aligned with both the longitudinal direction and the extension direction of the central axis, with the direction opposite to the fitting direction as its normal direction. The connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the temporary locking projection has a third locking surface that contacts the locking surface when the lever is in the temporary locking position.

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