Lever-type connector
The lever-type connector addresses poor terminal insertion workability by cutting out the protective and reinforcing walls to create a wider space for insertion, improving ease of use and potentially reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YAZAKI CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
Conventional lever-type connectors suffer from poor terminal insertion workability due to interference of the worker's fingers with the protective wall and reinforcing wall during terminal insertion.
The lever-type connector design includes a protective wall and reinforcing wall that are cut out to allow a wider space for terminal insertion, with the protective wall narrowing in the opposite direction of the arm plates and the reinforcing wall inclined to prevent finger interference, enhancing the ease of terminal insertion.
This design improves terminal insertion workability by reducing finger interference and allowing easier access to the terminal insertion opening, while also potentially lowering production costs by reducing the lever's weight.
Smart Images
Figure 2026112719000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a lever-type connector.
Background Art
[0002] There is known a lever-type connector in which a lever is rotatably supported on a connector body holding terminals, and a mating connector is brought close to and fitted to the connector body as the lever rotates (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional lever-type connector 101 as viewed from the back side. This lever-type connector 101 includes a connector body 102 that mates with a mating connector (not shown), and a lever 103 that brings the connector body 102 close to and mates with the mating connector as it rotates.
[0004] The connector body 102 includes an inner housing 104 having a terminal insertion port 104a into which a plurality of terminals (not shown) are inserted, and a front mask 105 that houses the inner housing 104. The lever 103 includes a pair of side plates 106, 107 that are inserted between the inner housing 104 and the front mask 105 and have a rotation axis 101A with respect to the connector body 102 and are rotated, and a connecting plate 108 that connects the pair of side plates 106, 107, and is configured in a gate shape.
[0005] One of the pair of side plates 106, 107, i.e., side plate 106, has a lock arm 106A that engages with the mating connector when the lever-type connector 101 is in the rotation completion position, a first lever body 106C having a release portion 106B provided on the free end side of the lock arm 106A, and a protection wall 106D that is continuously provided on the first lever body 106C and surrounds and protects the release portion 106B.
[0006] This protective wall 106D is provided so as to protrude away from the connector body 102 in the mating direction Y between the connector body 102 and the mating connector when the lever-type connector 101 is in the fully rotated position, and is also provided in a position adjacent to the connecting plate 108.
[0007] The other side plate 107 of the pair of side plates 106 and 107 comprises a second lever body 107A facing the first lever body 106C, and a reinforcing wall 107B provided on the second lever body 107A at a position facing the protective wall 106D. The reinforcing wall 107B is provided continuously with the second lever body 107A, extends in a flange shape away from the first lever body 106C, and protrudes away from the connector body 102. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-065559 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0009] However, with conventional lever-type connectors 101, when inserting a terminal from the terminal insertion opening 104a into the terminal housing chamber, the fingers of the worker holding the terminal interfere with the protective wall 106D and reinforcing wall 107B of the lever 103, resulting in poor terminal insertion workability.
[0010] The present invention aims to provide a lever-type connector that improves the ease of inserting terminals. [Means for solving the problem]
[0011] To solve the aforementioned problems and achieve the objective, the invention described in claim 1 is a lever-type connector comprising: a connector body having a terminal insertion opening into which a terminal is inserted in the terminal insertion direction and which can be fitted into a mating connector; and a lever pivotally supported on the connector body and rotatable relative to the connector body, wherein the lever is rotatably provided to have an initial position and a completed rotation position in which the mating connector is brought close to the connector body for fitting; the lever is provided in a gate shape having a pair of arm plates facing each other and sandwiching the connector body, and a connecting portion connecting the pair of arm plates; and one of the pair of arm plates has a lock portion that engages with the mating connector in the completed rotation position. The lever-type connector is characterized by comprising an arm, a release part provided on the free end side of the lock arm for releasing the engagement of the lock part with the mating connector, and a protective wall surrounding and protecting the release part, the other of the pair of arm plates having a reinforcing wall at a position opposite to the protective wall, the protective wall and the reinforcing wall being provided adjacent to the connecting part, and when in the completed rotation position, a terminal insertion opening being provided between the protective wall and the reinforcing wall, and extending outwards from the terminal insertion opening in the direction opposite to the terminal insertion direction, and the protective wall being cut out so as it advances in the terminal insertion direction, it becomes narrower in the direction opposite to the pair of arm plates. [Effects of the Invention]
[0012] According to the invention described in claim 1, the ease of inserting terminals can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0013] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view showing a lever-type connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the lever-type connector as seen from the rear (back) side in the mating direction with the mating connector. [Figure 3] This is a view of the aforementioned lever-type connector from the rear. [Figure 4]This is a perspective view showing the levers that make up the aforementioned lever-type connector. [Figure 5] (A) is a view from arrow A in Figure 4, and (B) is a cross-sectional view along line II in (A). [Figure 6] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II, illustrating the assembly procedure of the lever-type connector. (A) shows the insertion of a terminal into the terminal insertion port located on one side of the opposing direction, and (B) shows the insertion of a terminal into the terminal insertion port located on the other side of the opposing direction. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a conventional lever-type connector, seen from the rear. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0014] Hereinafter, the "lever-type connector 1" according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the lever-type connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lever-type connector 1 from the rear Y2 side (back side) in the mating direction Y with the mating connector. Figure 3 is a view of the lever-type connector 1 from the rear Y2. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the lever 6 that constitutes the lever-type connector 1. Figure 5(A) is a view from arrow A in Figure 4, and (B) is a cross-sectional view along line II in (A). Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line II-II in Figure 3, and is a diagram for explaining the assembly procedure of the lever-type connector 1, where (A) shows the insertion of the female terminal 2 (terminal) into the terminal insertion opening 30b located on the upper Z1 (one side) side in the vertical Z (opposing direction), and (B) shows the insertion of the female terminal 2 (terminal) into the terminal insertion opening 30b located on the lower Z2 (other side) side in the vertical Z (opposing direction). In Figures 2 and 3, the cover 7 that constitutes the lever-type connector 1 is omitted.
[0015] The lever-type connector 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 includes a connector body 10 having a plurality of female terminals 2 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 6), an inner housing 3 (housing) that houses the plurality of female terminals 2, a front mask 5 (holder) that houses the inner housing 3, etc., a lever 6 that is pivotally supported by the inner housing 3 and is pivoted between an initial position and a rotation completion position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) where it is fitted to a mating connector, and a cover 7 that regulates the routing direction of electric wires W (shown in FIG. 6) connected to the plurality of female terminals 2.
[0016] In this lever-type connector 1, when the lever 6 is positioned at the initial position, it is brought close to a mating connector (not shown), and when the lever 6 is rotated, it is positioned at the rotation completion position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) and is fitted to the mating connector.
[0017] In the present embodiment, the arrow X, arrow Y, and arrow Z are in directions orthogonal to each other. The fitting direction between the lever-type connector 1 and the mating connector is the Y direction (referred to as the front-rear direction Y), the rotation axis direction of the lever 6 (the opposing direction of the pair of arm plates) is the Z direction (referred to as the up-down direction Z), and the direction orthogonal to the Y direction and the Z direction is the X direction (referred to as the left-right direction X). Among the front-rear direction Y, the Y1 direction (the mating connector side of the lever-type connector 1, the terminal insertion direction) may be referred to as "front Y1", and the Y2 direction opposite thereto may be referred to as "rear Y2". Also, among the up-down direction Z, the Z1 direction (the side of the first arm plate 61A) may be referred to as "up Z1", and the Z2 direction opposite thereto (the side of the second arm plate 61B) may be referred to as "down Z2".
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector body 10 includes an inner housing 3 that houses a plurality of female terminals 2, a spacer 4 that is supported by the inner housing 3 and locks to the female terminals 2, and a front mask 5 that has a temporary locking receiving portion 57 and a main locking receiving portion 58 that are locked to a locking arm 65 of the lever 6 described later.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the female terminal 2 is housed in the terminal housing chamber 30A of the inner housing 3 described later while being connected to the terminal of the electric wire W (shown in FIG. 6). The electric wire W connected to the female terminal 2 is drawn out rearward Y2 from each terminal housing chamber 30A, inserted into the wire insertion port 7a of the cover 7 described later, and led out to one side in the left - right direction X.
[0020] The inner housing 3 is made of an insulating synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the inner housing 3 has an upper surface 3A and a lower surface 3B along the XY plane, a front surface 3C, a rear surface 3D, left and right side surfaces 3E, 3F continuous with the upper and lower surfaces 3A, 3B, a plurality of terminal housing chambers 30A, and a spacer housing chamber 30B (shown in FIG. 6). Rotating shafts 31 for pivotally supporting the lever 6 are provided on the upper surface 3A and the lower surface 3B respectively. A spacer opening 30C (shown in FIG. 6) into which a spacer 4 described later is inserted is formed on the lower surface 3B. Cover locking receiving portions 33 locked to the cover locking portions 71 of the cover 7 described later and mask locking receiving portions 34 locked to the mask locking portions 59 of the front mask 5 described later are provided on the left and right side surfaces 3E, 3F.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of terminal housing chambers 30A are arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z and the left - right direction X. Each terminal housing chamber 30A is formed in a rectangular tube shape with the Y direction as the extending direction (the axial direction of the tube) and houses each female terminal 2.
[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, among the plurality of terminal housing chambers 30A arranged in the vertical direction Z and the left - right direction X, when the lever 6 is in the rotation - completed position, the terminal housing chamber 30A close to the connecting plate 62 may be given the symbol 30A1 and referred to as the "first terminal housing chamber 30A1".
[0023] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), each terminal housing chamber 30A has openings at the front Y1 and rear Y2. The opening at the front Y1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "front opening 30f") allows the mating terminal of the mating connector to be inserted into the terminal housing chamber 30A, while the wire W connected to the female terminal 2 is pulled out from the opening at the rear Y2 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "terminal insertion opening 30b"). In addition, a terminal lance 30c that locks onto the female terminal 2 is provided on the inner surface of each terminal housing chamber 30A. The female terminal 2 is double-locked by this terminal lance 30c and the spacer 4, which will be described later, preventing the female terminal 2 from coming out of each terminal housing chamber 30A.
[0024] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the spacer housing chamber 30B is part of the terminal housing chamber 30A and houses the spacer 4, which will be described later.
[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the pivot shaft 31 is provided on the upper surface 3A and the lower surface 3B respectively, and is configured to pivotally support the lever 6 by being inserted into the bearing portions 63A and 63B of the lever 6, which will be described later.
[0026] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the spacer 4 is housed in the spacer housing chamber 30B by being inserted into the spacer opening 30C formed on the lower surface 3B of the inner housing 3. The spacer 4 is provided to be displaceable between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position. When the spacer 4 is in the temporary locking position, each female terminal 2 is inserted into each terminal housing chamber 30A and engaged with the lance, thereby temporarily locking each female terminal 2. By displacing the spacer 4 from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, each female terminal 2 engages with the spacer 4 and is secondaryly locked.
[0027] The front mask 5 is made of an insulating synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the front mask 5 is formed in a box shape having an upper mask wall 51 and a lower mask wall 52 along the XY plane, a front mask wall 53 continuous with the upper and lower mask walls 51 and 52, left and right mask side walls 54, 54, and a housing opening 55 for receiving the inner housing 3. It also includes a first exposed opening 56A that exposes the tip side of the lever 6, which will be described later, a temporary locking receiving portion 57 provided on the periphery of the first exposed opening 56A that is initially locked to the locking arm 65 provided on the lever 6, a permanent locking receiving portion 58 that is locked to the locking arm 65 at the rotation completion position, and a second exposed opening 56B that exposes the lock structure 8 provided on the lever 6.
[0028] The front wall 53 of the mask is provided with a communication hole 530 at a position that communicates with the front opening 30f of each terminal housing chamber 30A in the inner housing 3. The left and right side walls 54, 54 of the mask are provided with mask locking portions 59 that lock into the mask locking receiving portion 34 of the inner housing 3.
[0029] The first exposed opening 56A is formed by cutting out the upper wall 51 and the front wall 53 of the mask, and is configured to expose the entrance to the cam groove 64 of the lever 6 (described later) and the locking arm 65. A temporary locking receiving portion 57 is provided on the periphery of this first exposed opening 56A, which is to be locked by the locking arm 65 of the lever 6.
[0030] The temporary locking receiver 57 is located Y2 rearward from the front end of the front mask 5.
[0031] The locking receiver 58 is located at one end in the left-right direction X and at the rear end of the front mask 5, and is provided on the periphery of a rectangular opening that allows the locking arm 65 of the lever 6, which will be described later, to be exposed.
[0032] The second exposed opening 56B is located on the other end in the left-right direction X (opposite the main locking receiving portion 58, with the first exposed opening 56A in between), and is formed by cutting out the upper wall 51 and the front wall 53 of the mask, extending rearward Y2 to expose the locking structure 8 of the lever 6, which will be described later.
[0033] The lever 6 is made of insulating synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the lever 6 is configured in a gate-like (C-shape) configuration and comprises a first arm plate 61A (one of a pair of arm plates) and a second arm plate 61B (the other of a pair of arm plates) which are provided facing each other and sandwich the inner housing 3 between them, and a connecting plate 62 which connects the first arm plate 61A and the second arm plate 61B.
[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the first arm plate 61A comprises a first arm plate body 610A formed in a plate shape extending along the XY plane (i.e., in the same direction as the upper surface 3A of the inner housing 3 and the upper wall 51 of the front mask 5), a bearing portion 63A that fits onto the pivot shaft 31 of the inner housing 3, a cam groove 64 through which the guide projection of the mating connector is inserted, a locking arm 65 that locks onto the front mask 5, and a locking structure 8 that engages with the engagement projection of the mating connector.
[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the first bearing portion 63A is formed as a through-hole, through which the pivot shaft 31 of the inner housing 3 is inserted. As a result, the lever 6 is pivotally supported relative to the inner housing 3 with the pivot shaft 31 and the bearing portion 63A (63B) as its center. Note that the bearing portion 63A does not have to be a through-hole; it may be formed as a recess on the inner surface of the first arm plate body 610A. Alternatively, the bearing portion 63A of the first arm plate body 610A may be formed as a convex shape, and the pivot shaft 31 of the inner housing 3 may be formed as a through-hole or as a recess.
[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the cam groove 64 is formed in the first arm plate body 610A in the shape of a concave slit in cross-section, through which the guide projection of the mating connector is inserted, and is configured to have a shape (trajectory) that brings the guide projection closer to the first bearing portion 63A when the lever 6 is rotated.
[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the locking arm 65 is provided at the end of the first arm plate body 610A that is away from the connecting plate 62. This locking arm 65 is constructed by cutting out the edge of the first arm plate body 610A and has a cantilever-shaped arm 65A that can bend in the vertical direction Z, and a locking projection 65B that protrudes upward Z1 (opposite side from the second arm plate 61B) from the free end of the arm 65A.
[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the locking structure 8 is provided at the end of the first arm plate 61A closer to the connecting plate 62. That is, the locking structure 8 is provided at a position adjacent to the connecting plate 62.
[0039] As shown in Figures 4 and 5(B), the locking structure 8 includes a locking arm 80 that engages with the engagement projection of the mating connector when the lever 6 is in the fully rotated position, a release part 81 provided on the free end side of the locking arm 80 to release the locking arm 80 from engaging with the engagement projection of the mating connector, and a protective wall 82 that surrounds and protects the release part 81.
[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the lock arm 80 is configured to include a lever arm 8B provided between a pair of slit portions 8A, 8A on the first arm plate 61A, and a locking projection 8C (locking portion) provided on the lever arm 8B that can engage with the engaging projection of the mating connector.
[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the pair of slit portions 8A, 8A are formed extending in the front-rear direction Y when the lever 6 is in the fully rotated position. The locking projection 8C is provided projecting upward Z1 at the middle of the lever arm 8B in the front-rear direction Y.
[0042] As shown in Figures 4 and 5(A) and 5(B), the release portion 81 is provided at the free end of the lever arm 8B. This release portion 81 is configured such that when it is pushed downward Z2, the engagement of the lock projection 8C with the engagement projection of the mating connector is released.
[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the protective wall 82 is configured to have an upper wall 82A and a lower wall 82B located on both sides of the release portion 81 in the vertical direction Z, and a protective wall side wall 82C provided opposite the connecting plate side surface 62S of the connecting plate 62.
[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the upper wall 82A is provided in the shape of a strip plate, with one end continuous with the front end of the connecting plate side surface 62S and the other end continuous with the front end of the protective wall side wall 82C. As also shown in Figure 5(B), this upper wall 82A is provided between the release portion 81 and the locking projection 8C in the front-rear direction Y.
[0045] As shown in Figures 4 and 5(B), the lower wall 82B is formed in the shape of a plate extending along the XY plane and is provided continuously between the connecting plate side surface 62S and the lower end 82a of the protective wall side wall 82C.
[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(B), in the front-rear direction Y, the rear surface 82b of the lower wall 82B and the rear surface 81b of the release part 81 are configured to be in the same position.
[0047] The protective wall side wall 82C has an operating surface 62A and a top portion 820 located at the same position in the front-rear direction Y, and is constructed by being cut out at an angle so as it moves downward Z2 it moves forward Y1. In addition, in the front-rear direction Y, the lower end 82a of the protective wall side wall 82C and the rear surface 82b of the lower wall 82B are located at the same position. That is, the protective wall 82 is constructed by being cut out at an angle so as it moves downward Z2 it moves forward Y1.
[0048] As shown in Figure 4, the second arm plate 61B comprises a second arm plate body 610B (arm plate body) provided opposite to the first arm plate 61A, a flange portion 611 provided continuously with the second arm plate body 610B and extending downward Z2 (away from one side), and a reinforcing wall 612 provided projecting rearward Y2 (in the opposite direction from the second arm plate body 610B) of the flange portion 611.
[0049] As shown in Figure 4, the reinforcing wall 612 is provided adjacent to the operating surface 62A and is also provided opposite the protective wall 82 in the vertical direction Z.
[0050] This reinforcing wall 612 comprises a reinforcing wall rear surface 612A (continuous surface) that is continuous with the operating surface 62A, and a reinforcing wall side surface 612B (tapered surface) that is continuous with the reinforcing wall rear surface 612A.
[0051] The reinforcing wall side surface 612B is configured to be inclined downward Z2 (away from the first arm plate 61A) as it moves away from the connecting plate 62 in the left-right direction X. In other words, the reinforcing wall side surface 612B is configured to have an inclination such that the distance between the pair of arm plates 61A and 61B increases as it moves away from the connecting plate 62 in the left-right direction X.
[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the end portion 612s of the reinforcing wall side surface 612B, away from the connecting plate 62, is located on the extension of the first terminal housing chamber 30A1 in the vertical direction Z.
[0053] As shown in Figure 4, the connecting plate 62 is provided as a plate-like projection on the side away from the tips of the pair of arm plates 61A and 61B, sandwiching the bearing portions 63A and 63B, and has a rib-shaped operating surface 62A on the side opposite to the pair of arm plates 61A and 61B.
[0054] In this configuration, when the lever 6 is in the fully rotated position, the protective wall 82 on the first arm plate 61A is cut out so that it narrows in the vertical direction Z (opposite direction) as it moves forward Y1 (terminal insertion direction). Furthermore, the reinforcing wall side surface 612B on the second arm plate 61B is configured to have an inclination downward Z2 (away from the first arm plate 61A) as it moves away from the connecting plate 62 in the left-right direction X. In other words, the protective wall 82 and the reinforcing wall 612 are configured so that in the front-rear direction Y, the rear Y2 side is wider in the vertical direction Z than the front Y1 side (terminal insertion opening 30b side). This prevents the operator's fingers F from interfering with the protective wall 82 and the reinforcing wall 612 when inserting a terminal when the lever 6 is in the fully rotated position.
[0055] The cover 7 is made of an insulating synthetic resin. As shown in Figure 1, the cover 7 includes a cover body 70 that covers the rear surface Y2 of the inner housing 3 and has a wire insertion opening 7a and a mounting opening 7b for the inner housing 3, and a cover locking portion 71 provided on the cover body 70 that locks into the cover locking receiving portion 33 of the inner housing 3.
[0056] Next, the assembly procedure for lever-type connector 1 will be explained.
[0057] First, the inner housing 3 is brought close to the first arm plate 61A and the second arm plate 61B of the lever 6, and the inner housing 3 is sandwiched between the first arm plate 61A and the second arm plate 61B. As a result, the bearing portions 63A and 63B are pivotally supported on each pivot shaft 31, and the lever 6 is pivotally supported on the inner housing 3. In this way, the inner housing 3 with the lever 6 is assembled.
[0058] Next, the inner housing 3 with the lever 6 is brought close to the housing opening 55 of the front mask 5 and inserted. This connects the front opening 30f of each terminal housing chamber 30A in the inner housing 3 with the communication hole 530, and the mask locking receiving portion 34 of the inner housing 3 locks onto the mask locking portion 59 of the front mask 5. In this way, the lever 6 is positioned in the completed rotation position where the locking projection 65B locks onto the main locking receiving portion 58 of the front mask 5. As a result, the inner housing 3 with the lever 6 is housed in the front mask 5.
[0059] Next, the spacer 4 is positioned in the temporary locking position of the inner housing 3, and the female terminal 2 connected to the electric wire W is inserted into the terminal housing chamber 30A of the inner housing 3 from the terminal insertion opening 30b toward the front Y1. This locks the female terminal 2 into the terminal lance 30c.
[0060] Here, when the female terminal 2 is inserted into the first terminal housing chamber 30A1 of the multiple terminal housing chambers 30A, as shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), the protective wall 82 and the reinforcing wall 612 are cut out so that the rear Y2 side is wider in the vertical direction Z than the front Y1 side (terminal insertion opening 30b side). This prevents the worker's finger F from interfering with the protective wall 82 and the reinforcing wall 612 when inserting the terminal into the first terminal housing chamber 30A1, and also allows the worker's finger F to be brought closer to the terminal insertion opening 30b of the first terminal housing chamber 30A1, making it less likely for the electric wire W to bend and improving the ease of inserting the female terminal 2.
[0061] Next, the spacer 4 is displaced from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. As a result, each female terminal 2 is double-locked by the terminal lance 30c and the spacer 4, preventing the female terminal 2 from coming out of each terminal housing chamber 30A. At this time, the electric wire W connected to the female terminal 2 is pulled out from the inner housing 3.
[0062] Next, the mounting opening 7b of the cover 7 is brought close to the inner housing 3 with the lever 6, and the electric wire W pulled out from the inner housing 3 is inserted into the electric wire insertion opening 7a of the cover 7. This locks the cover locking receiving part 33 with the cover locking part 71. In this way, the cover 7 is assembled to the inner housing 3 with the lever 6. At this time, the electric wire W pulled out from the inner housing 3 is led out to one side in the left-right direction X.
[0063] Next, the lever 6 is rotated from the fully rotated position back to the initial position. The locking arm 65 is released from the main locking receiver 58 on the front mask 5, and the lever 6 becomes rotatable. As it rotates further, the locking arm 65 locks onto the temporary locking receiver 57 on the front mask 5. In this state, the locking arm 65 is locked onto the temporary locking receiver 57, which restricts the rotation of the lever 6 and holds it in the initial position. With the lever 6 positioned in this initial position, the assembly of the lever-type connector 1 is completed.
[0064] According to the embodiment described above, the protective wall 82 and reinforcing wall 612 provided on the lever 6 are provided adjacent to the connecting plate 62 (connecting portion), and when the lever is in the rotation completion position, a terminal insertion opening 30b is provided between the protective wall 82 and the reinforcing wall 612, and the protective wall 82 is provided extending backward Y2 (in the direction opposite to the terminal insertion direction) from the terminal insertion opening 30b, and the protective wall 82 is cut out so that it becomes narrower in the vertical direction Z (the opposing direction of the pair of arm plates) as it moves forward Y1 (terminal insertion direction). With this, when the lever 6 is in the rotation completion position, interference between the operator's finger F and the protective wall 82 during terminal insertion can be suppressed, and the operator's finger F can be brought closer to the terminal insertion opening 30b of the first terminal housing chamber 30A1. With this, the workability of inserting the female terminal 2 can be improved.
[0065] Furthermore, the protective wall 82 is cut out so that it narrows in the vertical direction Z (the opposing direction of the pair of arm plates) as it moves forward Y1 (the direction in which the terminals are inserted). This reduces the weight of the lever 6 compared to conventional designs, thereby lowering costs.
[0066] Furthermore, the protective wall 82 has an upper wall 82A and a lower wall 82B located on both sides of the release part 81 in the vertical direction Z (opposing direction), and a protective wall side wall 82C (side wall) facing the side surface 62S (side surface of the connecting part) of the connecting plate 62 (connecting part). In the vertical direction Z, the lower wall 82B is located closer to the connector body 10 than the upper wall 82A, and the protective wall side wall 82C and the lower wall 82B are cut out so that they become narrower in the vertical direction Z as they advance forward Y1 (terminal insertion direction). This configuration prevents the worker's finger F from interfering with the protective wall 82 when inserting a terminal while the lever 6 is in the fully rotated position.
[0067] Furthermore, the second arm plate 61B (the other of the pair of arm plates) comprises a second arm plate body 610B (arm plate body) provided opposite to the first arm plate 61A (one of the pair of arm plates), a flange portion 611 provided continuously with the second arm plate body 610B and extending away from the first arm plate 61A in the vertical direction Z (opposing direction), and a reinforcing wall 612. The reinforcing wall 612 is provided projecting rearward Y2 (opposite direction from the arm plate body) at the flange portion 611 and has a reinforcing wall side surface 612B (tapered surface) that widens in the vertical direction Z as it moves away from the connecting plate 62 (connecting portion). This configuration prevents the operator's finger F from interfering with the reinforcing wall 612 when inserting a terminal while the lever 6 is in the rotation completion position.
[0068] Furthermore, while the best configurations and methods for carrying out the present invention are disclosed in the above description, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, although the present invention is particularly illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the embodiments described above in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and objectives of the present invention. Therefore, the limiting descriptions of shape, material, etc. disclosed above are provided as examples to facilitate understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. Accordingly, descriptions of components with some or all of these limitations removed are included in the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0069] 1. Lever-type connector 2 Female terminal (terminal) 10 Connector body 30b Terminal insertion slot 6 Lever 61A First arm plate (one of a pair of arm plates) 61B Second arm plate (the other of a pair of arm plates) 610B Second Arm Plate Body (Arm Plate Body) 611 Guard section 612 Reinforced wall 612B Reinforcement wall side (tapered surface) 62 Connecting plate (connecting part) 62S Side view of connecting plate (side view of the connecting section) 8C Locking projection (locking part) 80 Lock Arm 81 Release section 82 Protective Wall 82A Upper wall 82B Lower wall 82C Protective wall side wall (side wall) Y1 Front (terminal insertion direction) Y2 Rear (opposite direction to terminal insertion direction) Z: Vertical direction (opposing direction of the pair of arm plates)
Claims
1. A lever-type connector comprising a connector body having a terminal insertion port into which a terminal is inserted in the terminal insertion direction and which can be mated with a mating connector, and a lever that is pivotally supported on the connector body and rotates relative to the connector body, The lever is rotatably provided to have an initial position and a completed rotation position in which the mating connector is brought close to the connector body and fitted together. The lever is provided in a gate shape and has a pair of arm plates that are facing each other and sandwich the connector body, and a connecting portion that connects the pair of arm plates. One of the pair of arm plates is provided with a locking arm having a locking portion that engages with the mating connector at the completed rotation position, a release portion provided on the free end side of the locking arm for releasing the engagement of the locking portion with the mating connector, and a protective wall surrounding and protecting the release portion. One of the pair of arm plates is provided with a reinforcing wall at a position facing the protective wall. The protective wall and the reinforcing wall are provided adjacent to the connecting portion, and when in the completed rotation position, the terminal insertion opening is provided between the protective wall and the reinforcing wall, and the reinforcing wall extends outward from the terminal insertion opening in the direction opposite to the terminal insertion direction. The lever-type connector is characterized in that the protective wall is notched such that it becomes narrower in the direction opposite to the pair of arm plates as it advances in the terminal insertion direction.
2. The protective wall has an upper wall and a lower wall located on both sides of the release portion in the opposing direction, and a side wall facing the side of the connecting portion. In the aforementioned opposing direction, the lower wall is located closer to the connector body than the upper wall. The lever-type connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the side wall and the lower wall are notched so that they become narrower in the opposing direction as they advance in the terminal insertion direction.
3. The other of the pair of arm plates comprises an arm plate body provided opposite to the one, a flange portion provided continuously with the arm plate body and extending away from the one in the opposing direction, and the reinforcing wall. The lever-type connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reinforcing wall is provided in the flange portion so as to protrude in the direction opposite to the arm plate body, and has a tapered surface that widens in the opposing direction as it moves away from the connecting portion.