Lever-type connector

Abstract

Easily unmating lever-type connectors. [Solution] The lever-type connector 10 of the present disclosure is a lever-type connector 10 which is mated and unmatted by lever operation, and comprises a first housing having a first shaft, a second housing having a second shaft, and a lever 40 attached to the first housing which mated the first housing by rotating from a mating start position to a mating completion position about the first shaft and unmatted the first housing by rotating from a mating completion position to a mating start position about the first shaft, and unmatted the first housing and the second housing by rotating from a mating completion position to a mating start position about the first shaft, wherein the lever 40 has a cam groove 44B which guides the second shaft so that the second shaft approaches the first shaft as it rotates from the mating start position to the mating completion position, and a second groove which is capable of guiding the second shaft so that the second shaft moves away from the first shaft at the mating completion position, the second groove extends linearly along the mating direction between the first housing and the second housing, and in the axial direction of the second shaft, the bottom surface of the second groove is located within the range of the second shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lever-type connector.

Background Art

[0002] As a lever-type connector that mates connectors by operating a lever, for example, the connector described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-213413 (Patent Document 1 below) is known. This connector includes a female housing having a cam pin, a male housing having a hood portion that can be fitted inside the female housing, and a fitting lever having a cam groove for receiving and guiding the cam pin. The fitting lever is rotatably attached to the male housing. When the fitting lever is rotated with the male and female housings shallowly fitted and the cam pin has entered the entrance of the cam groove, the cam pin is guided into the cam groove, and the mating of the male and female housings proceeds following the rotation of the fitting lever. Also, when the fitting lever is rotated in the reverse direction, the separation of the male and female housings proceeds following the rotation of the fitting lever.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When scrapping an automobile, it is preferable to remove the harness from the viewpoint of recycling. At that time, considering work efficiency, the harness is often pulled with a heavy machine, but only the mating of the connector had to be manually removed by a person operating a lever or the like.

[0005] The present disclosure has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to easily remove the mating of the lever-type connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The lever-type connector of this disclosure is a lever-type connector that is mated and unmatted by lever operation, comprising: a first housing having a first shaft; a second housing having a second shaft; and a lever attached to the first housing, which rotates around the first shaft from a mating start position to a mating completion position to mate the first housing and unmatters the first housing and the second housing by rotating around the first shaft from the mating completion position to the mating start position, wherein the lever has a cam groove that guides the second shaft so that the second shaft approaches the first shaft as it rotates from the mating start position to the mating completion position, and a second groove that can guide the second shaft so that the second shaft moves away from the first shaft at the mating completion position, wherein the second groove extends linearly along the mating direction between the first housing and the second housing, and in the axial direction of the second shaft, the bottom surface of the second groove is located within the range of the second shaft. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the mating of a lever-type connector can be easily undone. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lever-type connector in Embodiment 1, where the lever is in the mating completed position and both housings are fully mated together. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a lever-type connector in Embodiment 1, where the lever is in the mating start position and both housings are shallowly mated. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a lever-type connector in Embodiment 1, where the lever is in the mating start position and both housings are detached. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the lever-type connector in Embodiment 1, where the lever is in the mating completed position and both housings are detached. [Figure 5] Figure 5 illustrates how the rotating shaft separates from the cam pin by passing through the release groove in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 1, and is a cross-sectional view taken at a point passing through the rotation axis and the cam pin. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 4, and is a cross-sectional view taken at a point passing through the rotation axis and the cam pin. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the lever-type connector shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the lever-type connector in Embodiment 2, where both housings are fully mated together, cut at a point passing through the rotating shaft and cam pin. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the lever-type connector in Embodiment 3, where both housings are fully mated together, cut at a point passing through the rotating shaft and cam pin. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The lever-type connector of the present disclosure is a lever-type connector which is mated and unmatted by lever operation, comprising: a first housing having a first shaft; a second housing having a second shaft; and a lever attached to the first housing which mated the first housing by rotating from a mating start position to a mating completion position about the first shaft and unmatted the first housing to the second housing by rotating from the mating completion position to the mating start position about the first shaft, wherein the lever has a cam groove which guides the second shaft so that the second shaft approaches the first shaft as it rotates from the mating start position to the mating completion position, and a second groove which guides the second shaft so that the second shaft moves away from the first shaft at the mating completion position, wherein the second groove extends linearly along the mating direction between the first housing and the second housing, and in the axial direction of the second shaft, the bottom surface of the second groove is located within the range of the second shaft.

[0010] To engage the first and second housings, rotate the lever from the engagement start position to the engagement completion position. This causes the second shaft to move along the cam groove, thus advancing the engagement process. When the lever reaches the engagement completion position, the first and second housings are engaged. Next, to disengage the first and second housings, rotate the lever from the engagement completion position to the engagement start position. This causes the second shaft to move along the cam groove, thus advancing the disengagement process. When the lever reaches the engagement start position, the first and second housings are disengaged.

[0011] Incidentally, when scrapping a vehicle, it is preferable to recover the harness. When recovering the harness, pulling it with heavy machinery pulls the wires out from each housing, pulling both housings in the direction of separation. At that time, with the lever in the mating completed position, the second shaft engages with the inner wall of the cam groove, resisting separation. However, if the wires are pulled strongly, the lever opens and deforms, causing the second shaft to ride up into the second groove and move along the second groove, allowing both housings to separate. Therefore, the mating of the lever-type connector can be easily undone simply by pulling the harness without operating the lever.

[0012] [2] The lever-type connector of the present disclosure is a lever-type connector which is mated and unmatted by lever operation, comprising: a first housing having a first shaft; a second housing having a second shaft; and a lever attached to the first housing which mated the first housing by rotating from a mating start position to a mating completion position about the first shaft, and unmatted the first housing and the second housing by rotating from the mating completion position to the mating start position about the first shaft, wherein the lever has a cam groove which guides the second shaft so that the second shaft approaches the first shaft as it rotates from the mating start position to the mating completion position, and a first groove which guides the first shaft so that the first shaft moves away from the second shaft at the mating completion position, wherein the first groove extends linearly along the mating direction between the first housing and the second housing, and in the axial direction of the first shaft, the bottom surface of the first groove is located within the range of the first shaft. When the wire is pulled strongly, the lever opens and deforms, causing the first shaft to ride up into the first groove and move along the groove, allowing both housings to separate. Therefore, the lever-type connector can be easily unmated simply by pulling the harness without operating the lever.

[0013] [3] The lever-type connector of the present disclosure is a lever-type connector which is mated and unmatted by operating a lever, comprising: a first housing having a first axis; a second housing having a second axis; and a lever attached to the first housing which rotates around the first axis from a mating start position to a mating completion position to mat the first housing and the second housing, and rotates around the first axis from the mating completion position to the mating start position to unmatte the first housing and the second housing, wherein the lever rotates from the mating start position to the mating completion position The connector has a cam groove that guides the second shaft so that it approaches the first shaft, a second groove that can guide the second shaft so that it moves away from the first shaft at the mating completion position, and a first groove that can guide the first shaft so that it moves away from the second shaft at the mating completion position. Each of the first and second grooves extends linearly along the mating direction between the first and second housings, the bottom surface of the first groove is located within the range of the first shaft in the axial direction of the first shaft, and the bottom surface of the second groove is located within the range of the second shaft in the axial direction of the second shaft. When the wire is pulled strongly, the lever opens and deforms, causing the second shaft to ride up into the second groove and move along the second groove, or the lever opens and deforms, causing the first shaft to ride up into the first groove and move along the first groove, thereby separating the two housings. Therefore, the harness can be easily unmated by simply pulling it without operating the lever.

[0014] [4] In the lever-type connector described in [1] or [3] above, the depth of the second groove is preferably shallower than the height of the second shaft. With this configuration, the bottom surface of the second groove can be easily positioned within the range of the second axis in the axial direction of the second axis. [5] In the lever-type connector described in any of [1], [3], and [4] above, a tapered surface may be formed at the tip of the second shaft. According to this configuration, when the wire is strongly pulled to recover the harness, the second shaft easily rides up in the second groove. [6] In the lever-type connector according to any one of [1], [3], [4], and [5] above, a tapered surface may be formed at the entrance of the second groove. According to this configuration, when the wire is strongly pulled to recover the harness, the second shaft is guided by the tapered surface formed at the entrance of the second groove and easily rides up in the second groove.

[0015] [7] In the lever-type connector according to [2] or [3] above, it is preferable that the depth of the first groove is shallower than the height of the first shaft. According to this configuration, in the axial direction of the first shaft, the bottom surface of the first groove can be easily positioned within the range of the first shaft. [8] In the lever-type connector according to any one of [2], [3], and [7] above, a tapered surface may be formed at the tip of the first shaft. According to this configuration, when the wire is strongly pulled to recover the harness, the first shaft easily rides up in the first groove. [9] In the lever-type connector according to any one of [2], [3], [7], and [8] above, a tapered surface may be formed at the entrance of the first groove. According to this configuration, when the wire is strongly pulled to recover the harness, the first shaft is guided by the tapered surface formed at the entrance of the first groove and easily rides up in the first groove.

[0016] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. This disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. In the drawings, some parts of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified for illustrative purposes. Also, the dimensional ratios of the parts may differ in the drawings. In this specification, “orthogonal” includes not only strictly orthogonal but also approximately orthogonal to the extent that the function and effect of the present embodiment is achieved.

[0017] Furthermore, in this specification, "facing" means that two surfaces or members are in a position where they face each other, and includes not only cases where they are completely facing each other, but also cases where they are partially facing each other. Furthermore, in this specification, "facing" includes both cases where a member other than the two parts is interposed between the two parts, and cases where nothing is interposed between the two parts.

[0018] <Embodiment 1> Embodiment 1 of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In the following description, the front-rear direction is based on the fitting direction, and the side with the fitting surfaces is referred to as the front. In the case of multiple identical members, only some members may be given reference numerals, while the reference numerals for other members may be omitted.

[0019] (Lever-type connector 10) As shown in Figure 1, the lever-type connector 10 of this embodiment comprises a male connector 20, a female connector 30, and a lever 40. The lever 40 is a rotary lever and is attached to the male connector 20. Electrical wires W are pulled out to the rear from each of the connectors 20 and 30. The lever-type connector 10 and the electrical wires W constitute a part of the harness. Therefore, when the harness is pulled during vehicle decommissioning, the electrical wires W are also pulled.

[0020] (Male connector 20) As shown in Figure 8, the male connector 20 has a male terminal 21 and a male housing 22 that houses the male terminal 21 inside. The male housing 22 is made of synthetic resin and has a terminal housing portion 23 that houses the male terminal 21 and a hood portion 24 that is rectangular in shape and protrudes forward from the outer edge of the terminal housing portion 23.

[0021] The male terminal 21 is made of a conductive metal and, as shown in Figure 7, has a rectangular tubular male terminal body 21A, a needle-shaped terminal 21B protruding forward from the male terminal body 21A, and a barrel portion 21C connected to the rear of the male terminal body 21A. The needle-shaped terminal 21B is arranged in a manner that protrudes forward within the hood portion 24. The electric wire W is crimped to the barrel portion 21C. The male terminal body 21A is held within the male terminal housing portion 23 by a lance or the like (not shown).

[0022] As shown in Figure 8, a pair of left and right rotating shafts 25 are formed on both side walls 22A of the male housing 22. The rotating shafts 25 have a round pin shape. As shown in Figure 7, the rotating shafts 25 are located near the rear end of the hood portion 24. In addition, the protruding ends of the rotating shafts 25 have tapered surfaces 25A that approach the side wall 22A of the male housing 22 as they extend towards the rear.

[0023] As shown in Figure 8, a notch 26 is formed in the side wall 22A of the male housing 22 in front of the rotating shaft 25. The notch 26 opens forward. The vertical width of the notch 26 is larger than the diameter of the rotating shaft 25, and is approximately twice the diameter of the rotating shaft 25.

[0024] (Female connector 30) As shown in Figure 8, the female connector 30 has a female terminal 31 and a female housing 32 that houses the female terminal 31. The female housing 32 is made of synthetic resin and has a roughly rectangular block shape.

[0025] The female terminal 31 is made of a conductive metal and, as shown in Figure 7, has a rectangular tubular female terminal body 31A and a barrel portion 31B that is connected to the rear of the female terminal body 31A. The front end of the female terminal body 31A is located behind the front end of the female housing 32. The electric wire W is crimped to the barrel portion 31B. The female terminal body 31A is held inside the female housing 32 by a lance or the like (not shown). When the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 are mated, as shown in Figure 6, the needle-shaped terminal 21B of the male terminal 21 is mated inside the female terminal body 31A, and the male terminal 21 and the female terminal 31 are electrically connected.

[0026] As shown in Figure 8, the side walls 32A of the female housing 32 are formed with a pair of left and right bases 33 and a pair of left and right cam pins 34 protruding from the left and right bases 33. The bases 33 are rectangular in shape when viewed from the side, elongated in the front-to-back direction. The front end of the base 33 is located behind the front end of the female housing 32. A pair of upper and lower flanges 33A are formed at both the upper and lower ends of the base 33.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the pair of upper and lower flanges 33A are locked from the side to the upper and lower ends of the notch 26. The upper and lower ends of the notch 26 fit between the flanges 33A and the side wall 32A of the female housing 32 facing them. This prevents the upper and lower sides of the notch 26 in the hood portion 24 from opening and deforming laterally.

[0028] The cam pin 34 has a round pin shape. The cam pin 34 is located near the front end of the base 33. As shown in Figure 7, the tip of the cam pin 34, i.e., the protruding end, has a tapered surface 34A that approaches the side wall 32A of the female housing 32 as it moves towards the rear.

[0029] (Lever 40) The lever 40 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Figure 8, has a pair of left and right cam plates 41 and an operating part 42 that connects each cam plate 41. Each cam plate 41 has a pair of left and right shaft holes 43 that house a pair of rotating shafts 25. The lever 40 is rotatably mounted to the male housing 22 by housing the pair of rotating shafts 25 in the pair of shaft holes 43. The lever 40 is rotatable around the rotating shafts 25 between the fitting start position shown in Figure 2 and the fitting completion position shown in Figure 1.

[0030] A pair of cam plates 41 are arranged facing each other. As shown in Figure 8, grooves 44 are formed in the opposing walls of the cam plates 41 for passing a cam pin 34. This groove 44 has an introduction groove 44A for introducing the cam pin 34, a cam groove 44B that engages with the cam pin 34 as the lever 40 rotates, and a release groove 44C that dislodges the cam pin 34 as the lever 40 opens and deforms. The introduction groove 44A is connected to the starting end of the cam groove 44B, and the release groove 44C is connected to the end of the cam groove 44B. The cam groove 44B guides the cam pin 34 so that it approaches the rotation axis 25 as the lever 40 rotates from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position. The cam groove 44B is formed, for example, in an arc shape. The release groove 44C is shaped to guide the cam pin 34 so that it moves away from the rotation axis 25 when the lever 40 is in the fitting completion position. The detachment groove 44C extends linearly along the fitting direction between the male housing 22 and the female housing 32. In the axial direction of the cam pin 34, the bottom surface 44C2 of the detachment groove 44C is located within the range of the cam pin 34. That is, in the axial direction of the cam pin 34, the bottom surface 44C2 of the detachment groove 44C is located between the base end and the tip end of the cam pin 34. The depth of the detachment groove 44C is shallower than the height of the cam pin 34. A tapered surface 44C1 is formed at the entrance of the detachment groove 44C, i.e., at the connection point with the end of the cam groove 44B in the detachment groove 44C, as shown in Figure 6. The tapered surface 44C1 is inclined to make the detachment groove 44C deeper as it approaches the end of the cam groove 44B.

[0031] (Operation description of lever-type connector 10) When the lever 40 is in the mating start position, the guide groove 44A is positioned to face forward, as shown in Figure 2. When the female housing 32 is manually fitted into the hood portion 24 of the male housing 22, the pair of cam pins 34 enter the pair of guide grooves 44A and are positioned at the starting ends of the pair of cam grooves 44B. Subsequently, when the lever 40 is rotated from the mating start position to the mating completion position, the pair of cam pins 34 engage with the inner walls of the pair of cam grooves 44B, and the mating of the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 progresses. When the lever 40 reaches the mating completion position, the pair of cam pins 34 reach the ends of the pair of cam grooves 44B, and the mating of the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 is completed.

[0032] Furthermore, when the lever 40 is rotated from the mating completion position to the mating start position, the pair of cam pins 34 engage with the inner walls of the pair of cam grooves 44B, causing the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 to separate. When the lever 40 reaches the mating start position, the pair of cam pins 34 reach the starting end of the pair of cam grooves 44B. If the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 are manually separated from this state, the pair of cam pins 34 disengage from the cam plate 41 through the pair of introduction grooves 44A, resulting in the separation of the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 being completed.

[0033] When the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 are fitted together, as shown in Figure 6, the cam pin 34 is locked to the inner wall of the cam groove 44B, so even if the electric wire W is pulled by hand, the cam pin 34 will not ride up onto the release groove 44C. However, if the harness is pulled by heavy machinery and the electric wire W is pulled strongly, for example, the cam plate 41 of the lever 40 will deform by opening laterally, and the cam pin 34 will ride up onto the tapered surface 44C1 of the release groove 44C. When the cam pin 34 rides up onto the tapered surface 44C1 of the release groove 44C, as shown in Figure 5, the cam pin 34 will pass through the release groove 44C and detach from the cam plate 41, resulting in the fitting of the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 being easily undone.

[0034] (Effects of Embodiment 1) The lever-type connector 10 according to Embodiment 1 is a lever-type connector 10 that is mated and unmatted by operating a lever, comprising a male housing 22 having a rotating shaft 25, a female housing 32 having a cam pin 34, and a connector attached to the male housing 22 that rotates from a mating start position to a mating completion position around the rotating shaft 25 to mate the male housing 22 and the female housing 32, and rotates from a mating completion position to a mating start position around the rotating shaft 25 to unmatte the male housing 22 and the female housing 32. The male housing 22 and the female housing 32 are fitted together, and the lever 40 has a cam groove 44B that guides the cam pin 34 so that it approaches the rotation shaft 25 as it rotates from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position, and a release groove 44C that can guide the cam pin 34 so that it moves away from the rotation shaft 25 at the fitting completion position, the release groove 44C extends linearly along the fitting direction of the male housing 22 and the female housing 32, and in the axial direction of the cam pin 34, the bottom surface 44C2 of the release groove 44C is located within the range of the cam pin 34.

[0035] To engage the male housing 22 and the female housing 32, rotate the lever 40 from the engagement start position to the engagement completion position. This causes the cam pin 34 to move along the cam groove 44B, thus advancing the engagement process. When the lever 40 reaches the engagement completion position, the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 are engaged. Next, to disengage the male housing 22 and the female housing 32, rotate the lever 40 from the engagement completion position to the engagement start position. This causes the cam pin 34 to move along the cam groove 44B, thus advancing the disengagement process. When the lever 40 reaches the engagement start position, the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 are disengaged.

[0036] Incidentally, when scrapping a vehicle, it is preferable to recover the harness. When recovering the harness, pulling it with heavy machinery pulls the wires W drawn out from each housing 22, 32, and both housings 22, 32 are pulled in the direction of separation. At that time, with the lever 40 in the mating completed position, the cam pin 34 engages with the inner wall of the cam groove 44B, resisting separation. However, when the wires W are pulled strongly, the lever 40 opens and deforms, causing the cam pin 34 to ride up onto the tapered surface 44C1 of the detachment groove 44C, and the cam pin 34 moves along the bottom surface 44C2 of the detachment groove 44C, allowing both housings 22, 32 to separate. Therefore, the mating of the lever-type connector 10 can be easily undone simply by pulling the harness without operating the lever.

[0037] The depth of the detachment groove 44C is preferably shallower than the height of the cam pin 34. With this configuration, the bottom surface 44C2 of the detachment groove 44 can be easily positioned within the range of the cam pin 34 in the axial direction of the cam pin 34. A tapered surface 34A may be formed at the tip of the cam pin 34. With this configuration, when the wire W is pulled strongly to retrieve the harness, the cam pin 34 is more likely to ride up onto the detachment groove 44C. A tapered surface 44C1 may be formed at the entrance of the detachment groove 44C. With this configuration, when the wire W is pulled strongly to retrieve the harness, the cam pin 34 is guided by the tapered surface 44C1 formed at the entrance of the detachment groove 44C, making it easier for it to ride up into the detachment groove 44C.

[0038] <Embodiment 2> Embodiment 2 of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 9. The lever-type connector 210 according to Embodiment 2 is a modified version of the lever 40 of the lever-type connector 10 of Embodiment 1. The same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0039] The lever-type connector 210 comprises a male connector 20, a female connector 30, and a lever 240. The lever 240 is made of synthetic resin and has a pair of left and right cam plates 241 and an operating part 42 that connects each cam plate 241. Each cam plate 241 has a pair of left and right shaft holes 243 that house a pair of rotating shafts 25. The lever 240 is rotatably mounted to the male housing 22 by housing the pair of rotating shafts 25 in the pair of shaft holes 243. The lever 240 is rotatable around the rotating shafts 25 between a mating start position and a mating completion position.

[0040] A pair of cam plates 241 are arranged facing each other. The opposing walls of the cam plates 241 have a groove 244 for the cam pin 34 and a release groove 245 for the rotating shaft 25. This groove 244 does not have the release groove 44C of the groove 44 in Embodiment 1, but only has an introduction groove 244A and a cam groove 244B similar to the introduction groove 44A and cam groove 44B of Embodiment 1. The release groove 245 is connected to the shaft hole 243 and is shaped to guide the rotating shaft 25 so that it moves away from the cam pin 34 when the lever 240 is fully fitted. The release groove 245 extends linearly along the fitting direction between the male housing 22 and the female housing 32. In the axial direction of the rotating shaft 25, the bottom surface 245B of the release groove 245 is located within the range of the rotating shaft 25. In other words, the bottom surface 245B of the detachment groove 245 is located between the base end and the tip end of the rotating shaft 25 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 25. The depth of the detachment groove 245 is shallower than the height of the rotating shaft 25. A tapered surface 245A is formed at the entrance of the detachment groove 245, i.e., at the connection point between the detachment groove 245 and the shaft hole 243. The tapered surface 245A is inclined to make the detachment groove 245 deeper as it approaches the shaft hole 243.

[0041] When the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 are fitted together, as shown in Figure 9, the rotating shaft 25 is locked to the inner wall of the shaft hole 243, so even if the electric wire W is pulled by hand, the rotating shaft 25 will not ride up onto the tapered surface 245A of the release groove 245. However, if the harness is pulled by heavy machinery and the electric wire W is pulled strongly, for example, the cam plate 241 of the lever 240 will deform to the side, causing the rotating shaft 25 to ride up onto the tapered surface 245A of the release groove 245. When the rotating shaft 25 rides up onto the tapered surface 245A of the release groove 245, the rotating shaft 25 will pass through the release groove 245 and detach from the cam plate 241, resulting in the fitting of the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 being easily detached.

[0042] (Effects of Embodiment 2) The lever-type connector 210 according to Embodiment 2 is a lever-type connector 210 that is mated and unmatted by operating a lever, comprising a male housing 22 having a rotating shaft 25, a female housing 32 having a cam pin 34, and a lever attached to the male housing 22 that rotates from a mating start position to a mating completion position around the rotating shaft 25 to mate the male housing 22 and the female housing 32, and rotates from a mating completion position to a mating start position around the rotating shaft 25 to unmatte the male housing 22 and the female housing 32. The assembly comprises a release lever 240, the lever 240 having a cam groove 44B that guides the cam pin 34 so that it approaches the rotating shaft 25 as it rotates from the mating start position to the mating completion position, and a release groove 245 that can guide the rotating shaft 25 so that it moves away from the cam pin 34 at the mating completion position, the release groove 245 extending linearly along the mating direction of the male housing 22 and the female housing 32, and the bottom surface 245B of the release groove 245 is located within the range of the rotating shaft 25 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 25.

[0043] When scrapping a vehicle, it is preferable to recover the harness. When recovering the harness, pulling it with heavy machinery pulls the wires W drawn out from each housing 22, 32, and both housings 22, 32 are pulled in the direction of separation. At this time, with the lever 240 in the mating completed position, the rotating shaft 25 engages with the inner wall of the shaft hole 243, acting to resist separation. However, when the wires W are pulled strongly, the lever 240 opens and deforms, causing the rotating shaft 25 to ride up onto the tapered surface 245A of the release groove 245, and the rotating shaft 25 moves along the bottom surface 245B of the release groove 245, allowing both housings 22, 32 to separate. Therefore, the mating of the lever-type connector 210 can be easily undone simply by pulling the harness without operating the lever.

[0044] The depth of the detachment groove 245 is preferably shallower than the height of the rotating shaft 25. With this configuration, the bottom surface 245B of the detachment groove 245 can be easily positioned within the range of the rotating shaft 25 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 25. A tapered surface 25A may be formed at the tip of the rotating shaft 25. With this configuration, when the wire W is pulled strongly to retrieve the harness, the rotating shaft 25 is more likely to ride up onto the detachment groove 245. A tapered surface 245A may be formed at the entrance of the detachment groove 245. With this configuration, when the wire W is pulled strongly to retrieve the harness, the rotating shaft 25 is guided by the tapered surface 245A formed at the entrance of the detachment groove 245, making it easier to ride up into the detachment groove 245.

[0045] <Embodiment 3> Embodiment 3 of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 10. The lever-type connector 310 according to Embodiment 3 is a modified version of the lever 40 of the lever-type connector 10 of Embodiment 1. The same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0046] The lever-type connector 310 comprises a male connector 20, a female connector 30, and a lever 340. The lever 340 is made of synthetic resin and has a pair of left and right cam plates 341 and an operating part 42 that connects each cam plate 341. Each cam plate 341 has a pair of left and right shaft holes 343 that house a pair of rotating shafts 25. The lever 340 is rotatably mounted to the male housing 22 by housing the pair of rotating shafts 25 in the pair of shaft holes 343. The lever 340 is rotatable around the rotating shafts 25 between a mating start position and a mating completion position.

[0047] A pair of cam plates 341 are arranged facing each other. Grooves 344 for passing the cam pin 34 and a release groove 345 for passing the rotating shaft 25 are formed in the opposing walls of the cam plates 341. These grooves 344 have introduction grooves 344A, cam grooves 344B, and release grooves 344C, similar to the introduction groove 44A, cam groove 44B, and release groove 44C of Embodiment 1.

[0048] The release groove 344C is connected to the end of the cam groove 344B and is shaped to guide the cam pin 34 so that it moves away from the rotation axis 25 when the lever 340 is fully engaged. The release groove 344C extends linearly along the fitting direction between the male housing 22 and the female housing 32. In the axial direction of the cam pin 34, the bottom surface 344C2 of the release groove 344C is located within the range of the cam pin 34. That is, in the axial direction of the cam pin 34, the bottom surface 344C2 of the release groove 344C is located between the base end and the tip end of the cam pin 34.

[0049] The release groove 345 is connected to the shaft hole 343 and is shaped to guide the rotating shaft 25 so that it moves away from the cam pin 34 when the lever 340 is fully fitted. The release groove 345 extends linearly along the fitting direction between the male housing 22 and the female housing 32. In the axial direction of the rotating shaft 25, the bottom surface 345B of the release groove 345 is located within the range of the rotating shaft 25. That is, in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 25, the bottom surface 345B of the release groove 345 is located between the base end and the tip end of the rotating shaft 25.

[0050] The depth of the detachment groove 344C is shallower than the height of the cam pin 34. At the entrance of the detachment groove 344C, i.e., the connection portion with the end of the cam groove 344B in the detachment groove 344C, a tapered surface 344C1 similar to the tapered surface 44C1 of Embodiment 1 is formed. The tapered surface 344C1 is inclined so that the detachment groove 344C becomes deeper as it approaches the end of the cam groove 344B. The depth of the detachment groove 345 is shallower than the height of the rotating shaft 25. At the entrance of the detachment groove 345, i.e., the connection portion with the shaft hole 343, a tapered surface 345A similar to the tapered surface 245A of Embodiment 2 is formed.

[0051] When the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 are fitted together, as shown in Figure 10, the rotating shaft 25 and the cam pin 34 are locked to the inner wall of the shaft hole 343 and the inner wall of the cam groove 344B. Therefore, even if the electric wire W is pulled by hand, the rotating shaft 25 and the cam pin 34 will not ride up onto the tapered surfaces 344C1 and 345A of the detachment grooves 344C and 345. However, if the harness is pulled by heavy machinery and the electric wire W is pulled strongly, for example, the cam plate 341 of the lever 340 will deform by opening laterally, and at least one of the rotating shaft 25 or the cam pin 34 will ride up onto the tapered surfaces 344C1 and 345A of the detachment grooves 344C and 345. When at least one of the rotating shaft 25 or the cam pin 34 rides onto the tapered surfaces 344C1, 345A of the release grooves 344C, 345, at least one of the rotating shaft 25 or the cam pin 34 will pass through the release grooves 344C, 345 and disengage from the cam plate 341, resulting in the mating of the male housing 22 and the female housing 32 being easily disengaged.

[0052] (Effects of Embodiment 3) The lever-type connector 310 according to Embodiment 3 is a lever-type connector 310 that is mated and unmatted by lever operation, and comprises a male housing 22 having a pivot shaft 25, a female housing 32 having a cam pin 34, and a lever 340 attached to the male housing 22 that rotates around the pivot shaft 25 from a mating start position to a mating completion position to mate the male housing 22 and the female housing 32, and rotates around the pivot shaft 25 from a mating completion position to a mating start position to unmatte the male housing 22 and the female housing 32, wherein the cam pin 34 rotates as the lever 340 rotates from the mating start position to the mating completion position. The housing has a cam groove 344B that guides the cam pin 34 toward the shaft 25, a release groove 344C that can guide the cam pin 34 toward the shaft 25 when the fitting is complete, and a release groove 345 that can guide the shaft 25 toward the shaft 25 when the fitting is complete. Each of the release grooves 345 and 344C extends linearly along the fitting direction between the male housing 22 and the female housing 32. In the axial direction of the shaft 25, the bottom surface 345B of the release groove 345 is located within the range of the shaft 25, and in the axial direction of the cam pin 34, the bottom surface 344C2 of the release groove 344C is located within the range of the cam pin 34.

[0053] When scrapping a vehicle, it is preferable to recover the harness. When recovering the harness, pulling it with heavy machinery pulls the wires W drawn out from each housing 22, 32, and both housings 22, 32 are pulled in the direction of separation. At that time, with the lever 340 in the fitted position, the cam pin 34 engages with the inner wall of the cam groove 344B to resist separation, or the rotating shaft 25 engages with the inner wall of the shaft hole 343 to resist separation. However, when the wire W is pulled strongly, the lever 340 opens and deforms, causing the cam pin 34 to ride on the tapered surface 344C1 of the release groove 344C and move along the bottom surface 344C2 of the release groove 344C, or the lever 340 opens and deforms, causing the rotating shaft 25 to ride on the tapered surface 345A of the release groove 345 and move along the bottom surface 345B of the release groove 345, thereby allowing both housings 22 and 32 to detach. Therefore, the lever-type connector 310 can be easily detached simply by pulling the harness without operating the lever.

[0054] (Other embodiments) Embodiments 1 to 3 described above can be implemented with the following modifications. Embodiments 1 to 3 described above can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0055] In embodiments 1 to 3 described above, a male housing 22 was exemplified as the first housing and a female housing 32 as the second housing, but the first housing may be a female housing, and the second housing may be a male housing.

[0056] In embodiments 1 and 3 described above, tapered surfaces 34A, 44C1, and 344C1 are formed on both the tip of the cam pin 34 and the entrances of the detachment grooves 44C and 344C. However, the tapered surface 34A may be formed only on the tip of the cam pin 34, or the tapered surfaces 44C1 and 344C1 may be formed only on the entrances of the detachment grooves 44C and 344C. Furthermore, the lever-type connector does not necessarily have to be equipped with tapered surfaces 34A, 44C1, and 344C1.

[0057] In embodiments 2 and 3 described above, tapered surfaces 25A, 245A, and 345A are formed on both the tip of the rotating shaft 25 and the entrances of the detachment grooves 245 and 345. However, the tapered surface 25A may be formed only on the tip of the rotating shaft 25, or the tapered surfaces 245A and 345A may be formed only on the entrances of the detachment grooves 245 and 345. Furthermore, the lever-type connector does not necessarily have to have tapered surfaces 25A, 245A, and 345A. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 10: Lever-type connector 20: Male connector 21: Male terminal 21A: Male terminal body 21B: Needle-shaped terminals 21C: Barrel section 22: Male Housing (Housing 1) 22A: Side wall 23: Terminal housing section 24: Food Department 25: Rotation axis (first axis) 25A: Tapered surface 26: Notch 30: Female connector 31:Female terminal 31A:Female terminal body part 31B: Barrel section 32: Female housing (second housing) 32A: Side wall 33: Pedestal 33A: Flange 34: Cam pin (second shaft) 34A: Tapered surface 40: Lever 41: Cam plate 42:Operation unit 43: Shaft hole 44: Groove 44A: Inlet groove 44B: Cam groove 44C: Falling groove (second groove) 44C1: Tapered surface 44C2: Bottom 210: Lever-type connector 240: Lever 241: Cam plate 243: Shaft hole 244: Groove 244A:Introduction groove 244B: Cam groove 245: Falling groove (first groove) 245A: Tapered surface 245B: Bottom 310: Lever-type connector 340: Lever 341: Cam plate 344: Groove 344A:Introduction groove 344B: Cam groove 344C: Falling groove (second groove) 344C1: Tapered surface 344C2: Bottom 345: Falling groove (first groove) 345A: Tapered surface 345B: Bottom W: Electric wire

Claims

1. A lever-type connector in which mating and unmating are performed by operating a lever, A first housing having a first shaft, A second housing having a second axis, The device includes a lever attached to the first housing, which rotates around the first axis from a fitting start position to a fitting completion position to fit the first housing and the second housing together, and rotates around the first axis from the fitting completion position to the fitting start position to separate the first housing and the second housing, The lever has a cam groove that guides the second shaft so that it approaches the first shaft as it rotates from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position, and a second groove that can guide the second shaft so that it moves away from the first shaft at the fitting completion position. The second groove extends linearly along the fitting direction between the first housing and the second housing, A lever-type connector in which, in the axial direction of the second shaft, the bottom surface of the second groove is located within the range of the second shaft.

2. A lever-type connector in which mating and unmating are performed by operating a lever, A first housing having a first axis, A second housing having a second axis, The device includes a lever attached to the first housing, which rotates around the first axis from a fitting start position to a fitting completion position to fit the first housing and the second housing together, and rotates around the first axis from the fitting completion position to the fitting start position to separate the first housing and the second housing, The lever has a cam groove that guides the second shaft so that the second shaft approaches the first shaft as it rotates from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position, and a first groove that can guide the first shaft so that the first shaft moves away from the second shaft at the fitting completion position. The first groove extends linearly along the fitting direction between the first housing and the second housing, A lever-type connector in which, in the axial direction of the first shaft, the bottom surface of the first groove is located within the range of the first shaft.

3. A lever-type connector in which mating and unmating are performed by operating a lever, A first housing having a first axis, A second housing having a second axis, The device includes a lever attached to the first housing, which rotates around the first axis from a fitting start position to a fitting completion position to fit the first housing and the second housing together, and rotates around the first axis from the fitting completion position to the fitting start position to separate the first housing and the second housing, The lever has a cam groove that guides the second shaft so that the second shaft approaches the first shaft as it rotates from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position, a second groove that can guide the second shaft so that the second shaft moves away from the first shaft at the fitting completion position, and a first groove that can guide the first shaft so that the first shaft moves away from the second shaft at the fitting completion position. Each of the first groove and the second groove extends linearly along the fitting direction between the first housing and the second housing, In the axial direction of the first axis, the bottom surface of the first groove is located within the range of the first axis. A lever-type connector in which, in the axial direction of the second shaft, the bottom surface of the second groove is located within the range of the second shaft.

4. The lever-type connector according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the depth of the second groove is shallower than the height of the second shaft.

5. The lever-type connector according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein a tapered surface is formed at the tip of the second shaft.

6. The lever-type connector according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein a tapered surface is formed at the entrance of the second groove.

7. The lever-type connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the depth of the first groove is shallower than the height of the first shaft.

8. The lever-type connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a tapered surface is formed at the tip of the first shaft.

9. The lever-type connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a tapered surface is formed at the entrance of the first groove.

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