connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector that can detect the state of both the cover and the lever on the housing. [Solution] The lever 40 has a lever lock portion 45 that can be rotated relative to the housing 20 in a first direction X and locked to the housing 20 in the fitted position. The cover 70 is mounted to the housing 20 by sliding in a second direction Y that intersects the first direction X and has a locking portion 77 that can be locked to the housing 20 in the mounted position. One of the lever 40 or the cover 70 is provided with a recess 52 that is recessed in the first direction X, and the other is provided with a protrusion 82 that is projected in the first direction X. The protrusion 82 is positioned inside the recess 52 in the mounted position and the fitted position. One of the lever 40 or the cover 70 is provided with an elastic portion 59 that contacts the other between the initial position and the fitted position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] The connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a connector housing, a cover that covers an electric wire extending from the connector housing, and a lever that is rotatably supported with respect to the connector housing from a fitting start position to a fitting completion position. A positioning recess is provided in the lever. A plurality of reinforcing ribs are formed to project from the cover. A part of each reinforcing rib is configured as a positioning portion. When the lever is in the fitting completion position, the positioning portion is disposed inside the positioning recess. Also, in the fitting completion position, the abutting surface of the positioning recess abuts against the abutting receiving surface of the positioning portion, whereby the cover is positioned in the left-right direction (the sliding direction of the cover with respect to the connector housing) with respect to the connector housing. Patent Documents 2 and 3 describe a connector capable of detecting that the lever has not reached the fitting position (the position where the housing is properly fitted to the mating housing).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, for example, when the cover is correctly attached to the housing, it was difficult to detect the state of the lever (partially engaged state) when the lever did not reach the fully engaged position with respect to the housing. In contrast, according to Patent Documents 2 and 3, although the partial engaged state could be detected by whether or not the lever was correctly locked to the housing, there was no member equivalent to a cover, so it was not possible to detect the state of the cover relative to the housing in the first place.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a connector that can detect the state of both the cover and the lever on the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of this disclosure comprises a housing, a cover covering a wire extending from the housing, and a lever supported so as to be rotatable in a first direction from an initial position to a mating position relative to the housing, wherein the lever has a lever lock portion that can be locked to the housing in the mating position, the cover slides onto the housing in a second direction intersecting the first direction and has a locking portion that can be locked to the housing in the mounting position, either the lever or the cover is provided with a recess that is recessed in the first direction and the other is provided with a protrusion that is projected in the first direction, the protrusion being positioned inside the recess in the mounting position and the mating position, and further, either the lever or the cover is provided with an elastic portion that contacts the other between the initial position and the mating position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that can detect the state of both the cover and the lever on the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 1, taken along line AA in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 1, taken along line BB in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a front view of the housing in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a rear view of the housing in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the lever in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the lever lock portion and its surrounding area in the connector according to Embodiment 1, magnified from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the cover of the connector according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the rear at an oblique angle. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the cover of the connector according to Embodiment 1, viewed from an oblique front angle. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a magnified side cross-sectional view showing the connector according to Embodiment 1, in which the convex portion is positioned inside the concave portion and the elastic portion is in contact with the tip of the convex portion and undergoes elastic deformation. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a side cross-sectional view, magnified from a diagonal downward angle, showing the state in which the protrusion interferes with the open end face of the recess when the cover does not reach the mounting position on the housing in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The connector disclosed herein is (1) The device comprises a housing, a cover covering an electric wire extending from the housing, and a lever supported so as to be rotatable in a first direction from an initial position to a fitted position relative to the housing, wherein the lever has a lever lock portion that can be locked to the housing in the fitted position, the cover is mounted to the housing by sliding in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and has a locking portion that can be locked to the housing in the mounted position, one of the lever and the cover is provided with a recess that is recessed in the first direction, and the other is provided with a protrusion that is projected in the first direction, the protrusion is positioned inside the recess in the mounted position and the fitted position, and furthermore, one of the lever and the cover is provided with an elastic portion that contacts the other between the initial position and the fitted position. When the cover is in the mounting position relative to the housing and the lever is in the fitting position relative to the housing, the protrusion is positioned inside the recess. Then, with the elastic part in contact with the other side and elastically deformed, the lever lock can be locked to the housing. In contrast, if the cover does not reach the mounting position on the housing, the protrusion will not be positioned inside the recess but will instead interfere with one of the interference surfaces. This allows for detection that the cover has not reached the mounting position on the housing. Furthermore, when the cover reaches the mounting position relative to the housing, and the lever attempts to remain in an intermediate position between its initial position and the mating position, the elastic part contacts the other contact surface, and the lever is pushed back by the elastic force of the elastic part. By observing this state, the operator can detect that the lever is in a partially mated state and has not yet reached the mating position.

[0010] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, it is preferable that the elastic portion is provided on either the inside of the recess or the tip of the protrusion, and contacts the other side between the initial position and the mating position. According to the configuration in (2) above, since the elastic portion is included in the formation range of either the recess or the convex portion, it is possible to suppress the enlargement and complexity of the shape of the one on which the elastic portion is provided (lever or cover).

[0011] (3) In the connector according to (2) above, it is preferable that the elastic portion is provided inside the concave portion. According to the configuration of (3) above, since it is difficult for the elastic portion to come into contact with foreign matter outside, it is possible to prevent a situation where the elastic force of the elastic portion is impaired.

[0012] (4) In the connector according to (3) above, it is preferable that a contact surface that contacts the elastic portion at the mounting position and the fitting position is provided at the innermost part of the concave portion in the first direction. According to the configuration of (4) above, when the elastic portion contacts the contact surface, further elastic deformation of the elastic portion can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to further prevent a situation where the elastic force of the elastic portion is impaired.

[0013] (5) In the connector according to (3) or (4) above, the elastic portion has a shape extending in a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction, one end of the elastic portion in the third direction is fixed to one surface of the concave portion, the other end of the elastic portion in the third direction is a free end, and it is preferable that the concave portion has an open surface where the other end surface facing the one surface is an open surface. According to the configuration of (5) above, the elastic portion can be easily formed by a mold that moves in the other direction in the third direction from the open surface.

[0014] (6) In the connector according to any one of (1) or (5) above, it is preferable that the elastic portions are provided on both sides of the lever lock portion as viewed in the first direction in the lever. According to the configuration of (6) above, since the lever at the fitting position is biased in a direction to strengthen the locking to the cover by the elastic portions on both sides sandwiching the lever lock portion, the lever lock portion is locked to the cover without rattling.

[0015] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples and is intended to be included in the claims, with all modifications in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0016] <Embodiment 1> The connector 10 according to Embodiment 1 comprises a housing 20, a lever 40, and a cover 70, as shown in Figure 1. The housing 20 is matable with the mating connector 100. Terminal fittings 30A and 30B are housed in the housing 20. A sealing ring 21 and a retaining member 22 are attached to the housing 20, respectively. In the following description, the front-rear direction is defined as the side of the housing 20 that mates with the mating connector 100 being the front side. The up-down direction is based on the up-down direction in Figure 1. The directional reference does not necessarily coincide with the directional reference when the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like (not shown). In Figure 1, the symbols F, L, and U represent the front, left, and up directions, respectively.

[0017] (Housing 20, terminal fittings 30A, 30B, retaining member 22 and sealing ring 21) The housing 20 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the housing 20 has a housing body 24 having a plurality of cavities 23A, 23B, and a fitting cylinder portion 25 that covers the outer circumference of the housing body 24. The hood portion 110 of the mating connector 100 is fitted between the housing body 24 and the fitting cylinder portion 25. Each cavity 23A, 23B consists of a small cavity 23B located in the left and right middle part of the housing body 24 (excluding the left and right ends) and a large cavity 23A located at the left and right ends of the housing body 24. The opening diameter of the large cavity 23A is larger than the opening diameter of the small cavity 23B. Elastically deformable lances 26 are formed protruding from the inner surface of the cavities 23A, 23B. As shown in Figure 3, terminal fittings 30A, 30B are inserted into the cavities 23A, 23B from the rear (Figure 3 discloses terminal fitting 30B). The terminal fittings 30A and 30B are locked to the lance 26 to prevent them from coming out of the cavities 23A and 23B. The large terminal fitting 30A is inserted into the large cavity 23A. The small terminal fitting 30B is inserted into the small cavity 23B. As shown in Figures 1 and 6, a plurality of cylindrical portions 27 are formed protruding from the rear surface of the housing body 24. The cylindrical portions 27 are cylindrical in shape and demarcate the rear ends of the cavities 23A and 23B.

[0018] The large and small terminal fittings 30A and 30B are both formed by bending conductive metal plates. As shown in Figure 1, the terminal fittings 30A and 30B have a cylindrical connecting portion 31 and a barrel portion 32 located behind the connecting portion 31. As shown in Figure 3, the mating terminal fitting 130 is inserted into the connecting portion 31 for connection. The barrel portion 32 is crimped to the end of the electric wire W together with a rubber stopper 33. When the terminal fittings 30A and 30B are housed in the cavities 23A and 23B, the rubber stopper 33 is in close contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 27, and the electric wire W extends rearward from the housing body 24.

[0019] The retaining member 22 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figure 1, the retaining member 22 is cylindrical and open in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figure 3, the retaining member 22 is attached to the housing body 24 from the front and is positioned to cover the outer circumferential surface of the housing body 24.

[0020] The seal ring 21 is made of rubber such as silicone rubber and is annular in shape as shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the seal ring 21 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the housing body 24. The retaining member 22 prevents the seal ring 21 from coming out forward on the outer circumferential surface of the housing body 24. The seal ring 21 is sandwiched radially between the hood portion 110 of the mating connector 100 (not shown) and the housing body 24, providing waterproofing between the connector 10 and the mating connector 100.

[0021] As shown in Figure 6, outer guide ribs 28 are formed projecting from the rear surface of the housing 20 at both the upper and lower ends of each cylindrical portion 27. The outer guide ribs 28 are formed to extend in the left-right direction along the upper and lower ends of the fitting cylindrical portion 25, respectively. In addition, inner guide ribs 29 are formed projecting from both the left and right ends of the rear surface of the housing 20. The inner guide ribs 29 are formed to extend while surrounding the large-diameter cylindrical portions 27 formed at both the left and right ends of the rear surface of the housing 20 from both the upper and lower sides. A guide groove 34, which is open in the left-right direction, is partitioned between the outer guide ribs 28 and the inner guide ribs 29. In addition, a pair of stoppers 35 are formed at intervals in the left-right direction in the middle of the left and right outer guide ribs 28. Each stopper 35 is claw-shaped and protrudes from the rear end (the tip in the protruding direction) of the outer guide rib 28 into the guide groove 34. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cover guide portion 75 of the cover 70, which will be described later, is inserted into the guide groove 34. As the cover guide portion 75 moves along the guide groove 34, the cover 70 slides and is mounted on the housing 20. The locking portion 77 of the cover 70, described later, is locked into the stopper portion 35, holding the cover 70 in the mounted position relative to the housing 20. Also, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a pair of support shafts 36 are formed protruding from the outer surfaces of both the left and right sides of the fitting cylinder portion 25. The lever 40, supported by the support shafts 36, is rotatable between an initial position and a fitted position relative to the housing 20.

[0022] (Lever 40) The lever 40 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figure 7, the lever 40 has an overall gate-like shape. The lever 40 has an operating portion 41 that extends in the left-right direction, and a pair of cam plate portions 42 that protrude from both the left and right ends of the operating portion 41, facing each other. As shown in Figure 1, a cam groove 43 is formed on the inner surface of the cam plate portion 42 (the opposing surfaces where each cam plate portion 42 faces each other). An axial hole 44 is also formed in the cam plate portion 42. A lever lock portion 45 is formed in the left-right middle part of the operating portion 41. As shown in Figure 8, the lever lock portion 45 protrudes in a cantilevered manner from the base portion 46 in the left-right middle part of the operating portion 41. The lever lock portion 45 is elastically deformable with the base portion 46 as a fulcrum. A lock hole 47 is formed in the lever lock portion 45. A pressure release portion 48 is formed at the tip of the lever lock portion 45 in the direction of protrusion. The pressure release portion 48 has portions that protrude outward on the left and right sides.

[0023] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the operating section 41 has a pair of protective walls 49 protruding from both the left and right sides of the lever lock section 45. Each protective wall 49 is positioned to cover the lever lock section 45 from both sides. The protective walls 49 have stopper portions 51 that protrude toward the lever lock section 45. The outward protrusions of the left and right release sections 48 contact the stopper portions 51 of each protective wall 49, thereby suppressing further elastic deformation of the lever lock section 45. The lever 40 is mounted on the housing 20 from above, and the support shaft 36 is fitted into the shaft hole 44 of the cam plate section 42. The lever 40 is then supported in the housing 20 so as to be rotatable between an initial position and a fitted position with respect to the support shaft 36 (shaft hole 44). In the initial position, the operating section 41 is positioned above the housing 20, and the entrance to the cam groove 43 of the cam plate section 42 faces forward. When the lever 40 is in its initial position, mating with the mating connector 100 begins. At the start of mating, a cam follower (not shown) of the mating connector 100 is inserted into the entrance of the cam groove 43 of the cam plate portion 42. In this state, the lever 40 is rotated from the initial position to the mating position while the operating portion 41 is grasped. During the rotation of the lever 40, the cam follower slides along the groove surface of the cam groove 43 of the cam plate portion 42, and mating between the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 proceeds with low mating force. When the lever 40 reaches the mating position, mating between the housing 20 and the mating connector 100 is completed, and the terminal fittings 30A and 30B are properly connected to the corresponding mating terminal fittings 130. As shown in Figure 3, in the mating position, the operating portion 41 approaches the housing 20, and the lever lock portion 45 is locked to the cover lock portion 79 of the cover 70, which will be described later. This prevents the lever 40 from rotating, and the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 are held in a mated state. When the mated connector 10 and the mating connector 100 are to be separated, the pressure release part 48 is pressed from above, and the locking between the lever lock part 45 and the cover lock part 79 is released.

[0024] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, recesses 52 are formed in the left and right middle portions (excluding the left and right ends) of the operating section 41. The recesses 52 are arranged in pairs on both the left and right sides of the lever lock section 45. The recesses 52 are recessed into the protective wall 49. As shown in Figure 8, the protective wall 49 has a pair of side wall portions 53 that face each other in the left and right direction and an upper wall portion 54 that connects each side wall portion 53, with the recesses 52 demarcated between each side wall portion 53 and the upper wall portion 54.

[0025] The inner surface of the upper wall portion 54 faces the recess 52 and is configured as a contact surface 55 that faces the elastic portion 59 in the direction of elastic deformation of the elastic portion 59, which will be described later. When the rotation direction of the lever 40 is defined as the first direction X (see Figure 11), the left-right direction which is the sliding direction of the cover 70 relative to the housing 20 is defined as the second direction Y (see Figures 2, 4, and 8), and the direction that intersects the first direction X and the second direction Y is defined as the third direction Z (see Figures 8 and 11), as shown in Figure 8, the contact surface 55 is located at one end face (innermost face) of the recess 52 in the third direction Z. The other end face of the recess 52 in the third direction Z is open as a receiving opening 56 that faces the contact surface 55. The convex portion 82 of the cover 70, which will be described later, is inserted into the recess 52 from the receiving opening 56, and displacement in the second direction Y is suppressed by each side wall portion 53. One end face (the innermost face) of the recess 52 in the first direction X is configured as a face 57 perpendicular to the contact surface 55. The other end face of the recess 52 in the first direction X is open as an open surface 58 facing the face 57.

[0026] As shown in Figure 8, elastic parts 59 are formed protruding from the left and right middle portions of the operating part 41. The elastic parts 59 are arranged in pairs on both the left and right sides of the lever lock part 45. The elastic parts 59 are formed protruding from the inside of the recess 52. The elastic parts 59 have a cantilevered shape, protruding from one surface 57 of the recess 52 in the other direction of the first direction X. The free end of the elastic part 59 (in the first direction X) The other end is positioned inside the recess 52 so as to face the open surface 58. In other words, the free end of the elastic part 59 is visible from the open surface 58. The elastic part 59, like the lever lock part 45, is elastically deformable in the third direction Z.

[0027] The elastic portion 59 is elastically deformable with its base portion 61, which is connected to one surface 57 of the recess 52, as a fulcrum. The elastic portion 59 has a rectangular cross-section, with a gap between each of the side walls 53 and the top wall 54. As shown in Figure 11, the elastic portion 59 faces the contact surface 55 in a third direction Z, which is its own elastic deformation direction, and can contact the contact surface 55 during elastic deformation.

[0028] (Cover 70) The cover 70 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the cover 70 is cap-shaped overall. The cover 70 has a pair of opposing plate portions 71 that face each other in the vertical direction, a side plate portion 72 connected to one end of each opposing plate portion 71 in the second direction Y (the right end in Figures 9 and 10) to close one end face of the cover 70 in the second direction Y, and a back plate portion 73 connected to the respective rear ends of each opposing plate portion 71 and side plate portion 72 to close the rear surface of the cover 70. The back plate portion 73 is gradually inclined toward the other side of the second direction Y (the left side in Figures 9 and 10) as it moves backward from the side where the side plate portion 72 is located. The cover 70 also has an arc-shaped projection portion 74 that protrudes backward from the other end of the back plate portion 73 in the second direction Y. Overall, the cover 70 is open to the front and the other side of the second direction Y, and at the left end of the cover 70 it is also open to the rear along the projection portion 74. Each wire W has an extension portion extending from the rear surface of the housing 20 that is covered by a cover 70, and is positioned towards the other end of the cover 70 in the second direction Y by a back plate portion 73. Furthermore, each wire W can be tapered and wound around an outlet portion 74 and led out from the outlet portion 74 towards the rear (see Figure 2).

[0029] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a plurality of cover guide portions 75 are formed at intervals in the second direction Y at the front end of the opposing plate portion 71. Each cover guide portion 75 protrudes outward from the front end of the opposing plate portion 71 both vertically and horizontally, and extends in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each cover guide portion 75 is inserted into the guide groove 34 of the housing 20, thereby suppressing displacement in the front-rear direction.

[0030] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, an opposing rib 76 extending in the second direction Y is formed near the front end of the opposing plate portion 71. The opposing rib 76 is positioned behind each cover guide portion 75 and opposite each cover guide portion 75. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the opposing rib 76 is positioned to cover the outer guide rib 28 of the housing 20 from the rear. In addition, a locking portion 77 is formed in the opposing plate portion 71 between the cover guide portion 75 and the opposing rib 76 in the front-rear direction. The locking portion 77 is cantilevered within a notch formed in the opposing plate portion 71 and extends in the other direction of the second direction Y, and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction. A locking projection 84 is formed at the tip of the locking portion 77, protruding outwards vertically. As shown in Figure 4, the locking projection 84 can be locked to the stopper portion 35 of the housing 20.

[0031] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a stepped portion 78 is formed along the vertical direction in the front-to-rear middle section of the opposing plate portion 71. Of the front and rear portions of the opposing plate portion 71 that straddle the stepped portion 78, the rear portion (the portion on the back plate portion 73 side) is located vertically inward from the front portion.

[0032] A cover lock portion 79 is formed protruding from the outer surface of the front-to-rear intermediate portion of the opposing plate portion 71. The cover lock portion 79 is formed in the left-to-right intermediate portion of the opposing plate portion 71, extending from the front portion to the stepped portion 78. A claw-shaped lock body portion 81 is formed protruding rearward from the left-to-right intermediate portion of the cover lock portion 79. As shown in Figure 3, when the lever 40 is in the fitted position, the lock body portion 81 fits into the lock hole 47 of the lever lock portion 45, and the lever lock portion 45 is locked to the cover lock portion 79.

[0033] As shown in Figure 9, a protrusion 82 is formed on the outer surface of the front-to-rear intermediate portion of the opposing plate portion 71. The protrusion 82 is formed in the left-to-right intermediate portion of the opposing plate portion 71, extending from the stepped portion 78 to the rear portion. The protrusion 82 has a rectangular plate shape in side view, with its plate surface facing left-to-right. The protrusion 82 is also arranged in pairs on both the left and right sides of the opposing plate portion 71, flanking the cover lock portion 79. As shown in Figure 11, the protrusion 82 protrudes from the outer surface of the opposing plate portion 71 in a first direction X, which is the same direction as the recess direction of the recess 52.

[0034] (Function of connector 10) With the lever 40 in its initial position relative to the housing 20, the cover 70 is assembled. The cover guide portion 75 is inserted into the guide groove 34 of the housing 20, and the cover 70 is slid relative to the housing 20 from one side to the other in the second direction Y. During the movement of the cover 70, each wire W extending from the rear surface of the housing 20 is pressed by the back plate portion 73 and moved toward the outlet portion 74.

[0035] When the cover 70 reaches the mounting position, the locking projection 84 of the locking portion 77 of the cover 70 is positioned to lock onto the stopper portion 35 of the housing 20 (see Figure 4), thereby preventing the cover 70 from moving in one direction of the second direction Y relative to the housing 20. In addition, the side plate portion 72 of the cover 70 contacts the vertically extending portion of the inner guide rib 29 in the housing 20, thereby preventing the cover 70 from moving in the other direction of the second direction Y relative to the housing 20. In this way, the cover 70 is held in the mounting position relative to the housing 20 with displacement in the second direction Y suppressed.

[0036] Next, a mating connector 100 (not shown) is loosely fitted into the housing 20, and the lever 40 is rotated from its initial position to the mating position. During the rotation of the lever 40, the mating of the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 progresses due to the cam action between the lever 40 and the mating connector 100 as described above. Just before the lever 40 reaches the mating position, the lever lock portion 45 contacts the lock body portion 81 of the cover lock portion 79 from one side of the first direction X (diagonally upward) and elastically deforms in one side of the third direction Z. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the lever 40 reaches the mating position, the lever lock portion 45 elastically returns to its original position and the lock body portion 81 of the cover lock portion 79 fits into the lock hole 47. As a result, the lever lock portion 45 is positioned to be lockable to the cover lock portion 79, and the lever 40 is held in the mating position relative to the cover 70 and the housing 20.

[0037] When the lever 40 reaches the mating position, the recess 52 of the lever 40 receives the protrusion 82 of the cover 70 through the receiving opening 56 from one side in the first direction X. As shown in Figure 11, in the mating position, the protrusion 82 abuts against the elastic part 59 formed inside the recess 52, and the elastic part 59 elastically deforms in one side in the third direction Z and contacts the opposing contact surface 55. Also in the mating position, the elastic part 59 maintains an elastically deformed state in contact with the contact surface 83, which is the protruding end of the protrusion 82, and the elastic force of the elastic part 59 acts on the lever 40. As the lever 40 is biased in the other side in the third direction Z by the elastic force of the elastic part 59, the gap between the lever lock part 45 and the cover lock part 79 is closed, and the lever lock part 45 is locked to the cover lock part 79 without rattling.

[0038] In contrast, if the cover 70 remains in a position just before reaching the mounting position relative to the housing 20, as the lever 40 rotates from its initial position toward the fitting position, as shown in Figure 12, the interference surface 62 at the end of the protective wall 49 of the lever 40 (the peripheral part of the opening surface of the recess 52) interferes with the protrusion 82 of the cover 70 from one side in the first direction X, thereby suppressing further rotation of the lever 40. Therefore, the lever 40 does not reach the fitting position, and this allows detection that the cover 70 has not reached the mounting position. In particular, the interference surface 62 of the protective wall 49 with the protrusion 82 prevents the lever lock portion 45 from being forcibly locked to the cover lock portion 79 even though the cover 70 has not reached the mounting position. Note that if the cover 70 is in a position away from the mounting position, even if the protrusion 82 does not interfere with the interference surface 62 of the lever 40, the lever lock portion 45 will not reach a position where it can be locked to the cover lock portion 79 in the first place. Therefore, it is possible to detect without any problems when the cover 70 has not reached the mounting position.

[0039] Furthermore, when the cover 70 is in the mounting position relative to the housing 20, if the lever 40 attempts to complete its rotation at a semi-fitted position just before reaching the fully fitted position from its initial position, the elastic part 59 contacts the contact surface 83 of the convex part 82, and the lever 40 is pushed back to its initial position by the reaction force of the elastic part 59. At this point, the operator can detect that the lever 40 has not yet reached the fully fitted position by confirming the lever 40's pushback (rebound, reaction force) to its initial position.

[0040] As described above, the connector 10 according to this embodiment 1 comprises a housing 20, a cover 70 covering an electric wire W extending from the housing 20, and a lever 40 supported on the housing 20 so as to be rotatable in a first direction X from an initial position to a mating position. The lever 40 has a lever lock portion 45 that can be locked to the housing 20 in the mating position. The cover 70 is mounted on the housing 20 by sliding in a second direction Y intersecting the first direction X, and has a locking portion 77 that can be locked to the housing 20 in the mounted position. The lever 40 is provided with a recess 52 that is recessed in the first direction X. The cover 70 is provided with a protrusion 82 that is projected in the first direction X. The protrusion 82 is positioned inside the recess 52 in the mounted position and the mating position. Furthermore, the lever 40 is provided with an elastic portion 59 that contacts the contact surface 83 of the cover 70 from the initial position to the mating position.

[0041] If the cover 70 reaches the mounting position on the housing 20, and the lever 40 remains at an intermediate position between the initial position and the mating position, the elastic part 59 contacts the contact surface 83 of the cover 70, and the lever 40 is pushed back by the elastic force of the elastic part 59. By confirming this state, the operator can detect that the lever 40 is in a partially mated state and has not reached the mating position.

[0042] In particular, the elastic portion 59 is provided inside the recess 52 and contacts the protrusion 82 from the initial position to the fitting position. This prevents the shape of the cover 70 on which the elastic portion 59 is provided from becoming larger and more complex. Moreover, since the elastic portion 59 is less likely to come into contact with foreign matter from outside inside the recess 52, it is possible to prevent the elastic force of the elastic portion 59 from being impaired.

[0043] Furthermore, a contact surface 55 is provided at the innermost part of the recess 52 in the first direction X, which contacts the elastic part 59 at the mounting and fitting positions. By the elastic part 59 contacting the contact surface 55, further elastic deformation of the elastic part 59 can be suppressed, thereby further preventing the loss of the elastic force of the elastic part 59.

[0044] In this embodiment 1, the elastic portion 59 has a shape that extends in a third direction Z that intersects the first direction X and the second direction. One end of the elastic portion 59 in the third direction Z is fixed to one surface 57 of the recess 52, and the other end of the elastic portion 59 in the third direction Z is a free end. The other end surface of the recess 52 opposite to the surface 57 is open as an open surface 58. With this, the elastic portion 59 can be molded without undercuts by a mold that moves in the other direction of the third direction Z from the open surface 58.

[0045] Furthermore, since the elastic portion 59 is provided on both the left and right sides of the lever lock portion 45 when viewed from the first direction X on the lever 40, the lever 40 in the fitted position is biased in a direction that strengthens the locking to the cover 70, and the lever lock portion 45 is locked to the cover 70 without any rattling.

[0046] [Other embodiments of this disclosure] Embodiment 1 disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. In the first embodiment described above, the protrusion 82 was provided on the cover 70 and the recess 52 was provided on the lever 40. In contrast, in other embodiments, the protrusion may be provided on the lever and the recess on the cover. In the first embodiment described above, the elastic portion 59 was provided on the lever 40. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the elastic portion may be provided on the cover. In the first embodiment described above, the elastic portion 59 was provided inside the recess 52. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the elastic portion may be provided in a part of the lever or cover other than the recess. For example, the elastic portion may be provided independently at a position away from the protective wall of the lever. Alternatively, the elastic portion may be provided at the tip of the protrusion. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 10… Connectors 20… Housing 21... Seal ring 22…Retaining member 23A...Large Cavity (Cavity) 23B... Small cavity (cavity) 24… Housing body 25... Fitting cylinder part 26... Lance 27...Cylinder part 28…Outer guide rib 29…Inner guide rib 30A...Large terminal fittings 30B... Small terminal fittings 31…Connection part 32... Barrel section 33... Rubber stopper 34… Guide groove 35... Stopper 36…Spindle 40... Lever 41...Operation unit 42... Cam plate section 43... Cam groove 44... Shaft hole 45... Lever lock section 46... Base 47… Lock hole 48...Pressure release section 49…protective wall 51... Stopper section 52…recess 53... Side wall section 54...Top wall part 55...face 56... Receptor opening 57...One side 58...Open surface 59…Elastic part 61... Root part 62... Interference surface 70...cover 71... Opposing plate section 72...Side plate part 73...Back plate part 74…Derivation part 75...Cover guide section 76… Opposite Ribs 77... Locking part 78... Stepped section 79... Cover lock part 81... Lock body 82... protruding part 83…Contact surface 84…Latching protrusion 100...Mutual connector 110...Food section 130... Mating terminal fittings W…Electric wire X…first direction Y...Second direction Z...Third direction

Claims

1. The device comprises a housing, a cover that encloses the wires extending from the housing, and a lever that is supported so as to be rotatable in a first direction from an initial position to a fitted position relative to the housing, The lever has a lever lock portion that can be locked to the housing in the fitting position, The cover is mounted to the housing by sliding in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and has a locking portion that can be locked to the housing in the mounted position. Of the lever and the cover, one is provided with a recess that is recessed in the first direction, and the other is provided with a protrusion that is projected in the first direction. The aforementioned protrusion is positioned inside the recess at the mounting position and the fitting position, and further, A connector wherein either the lever or the cover is provided with an elastic portion that contacts the other between the initial position and the mating position.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is provided on either the interior of the recess or the tip of the protrusion, and contacts the other between the initial position and the mating position.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the elastic portion is provided inside the recess.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein a contact surface is provided at the innermost part of the recess in the first direction, which contacts the elastic portion at the mounting position and the mating position.

5. The elastic portion has a shape that extends in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions. One end of the elastic portion in the third direction is fixed to one surface of the recess, The other end of the elastic portion in the third direction is a free end. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the recess has an open end face opposite to the one surface that is open to the other end face.

6. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elastic portion is provided on both sides of the lever lock portion when viewed from the first direction in the lever.

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