connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which can hold a fitting state while suppressing increase in a size.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes: a housing 2 which is fit to a counterpart connector 90; a lever 3 which is rotatably attached to the housing 2 and forms a cam groove 34; and a spring part 4 which is provided in the housing 2 to bias the lever 3 toward a side opposite to the counterpart connector 90. The cam groove 34 is provided in such a manner that a cam follower 91 provided in the counterpart connector 90 can be inserted thereinto and has a half-fitting region 343 and a normal-fitting region 344 in a continuous manner, the half-fitting region 343 is formed so as to be close to a rotation center position C of the lever 3 toward a boundary position P2 with the normal-fitting region 344 from an entrance position P1, the normal-fitting region 344 is formed so as to be apart from the rotation center position C toward a fitting termination position P3 from the boundary position P2, and the cam follower 91 is pressed against the cam groove 34 by biasing of the spring part 4 in the normal-fitting state and held at the fitting termination position P3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a lever-type connector that connects a male housing and a female housing, in which a lever and a spring are provided on the female housing, is known. The spring biases the male housing and the female housing via a slider in a direction that separates them. The lever forms a cam groove, and the male housing and the female housing are mated by inserting a follower pin of the male housing into the cam groove and rotating it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-250635 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This connector has room for improvement in that it is large in size. For example, the connector described above has a locking mechanism that locks the male and female housings together by rotating a lever, and maintains this mated state. This requires a locking mechanism to maintain the mated state, which makes the connector large.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector that can maintain a mated state while preventing an increase in size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] That is, the connector according to the present invention comprises a housing that holds terminals and mates with a mating connector, a lever that is rotatably attached to the housing and forms a cam groove that extends at an angle with respect to the rotation direction, and a biasing portion that is provided on the housing and biases the lever via the housing toward the opposite side of the mating connector, the cam groove being provided so that a cam follower provided on the mating connector can be inserted into the cam groove, and a half-fitted region and a regular-fitted region are formed in series, and the half-fitted region is a region where the cam follower is positioned when the connector is in a half-fitted state with the mating connector. The semi-engaged region is an area where the cam follower is located when the connector is in a properly engaged state with the mating connector, and is formed so as to approach the pivot center position of the lever from the entrance position of the semi-engaged region toward the boundary position with the mating region, and the proper engagement region is an area where the cam follower is located when the connector is in a properly engaged state with the mating connector, and is formed so as to move away from the pivot center position from the boundary position toward the mating end position, and the cam follower is configured to be pressed from the inner surface of the cam groove toward the opposite side to the mating end position by the biasing force of the biasing portion in the properly engaged state, and be held at the mating end position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the connector of the present invention, it is possible to maintain the mated state while suppressing an increase in size. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a cam groove in the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a spring portion in the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a spring portion of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a connection in a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a connection in a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a connection in a connector according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a connector. In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction is referred to as the "connection direction X," the second direction is referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction is referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the connection direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are perpendicular to one another. The connection direction X corresponds to the connection direction, mating direction, and separation direction of a connector and a mating connector. The width direction Y and height direction Z correspond to intersecting directions that intersect with the connection direction X. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following description represents the direction when each part is assembled to each other. Note that orthogonal here includes nearly orthogonal.

[0011] 1 and 2, connector 1 is a lever-type connector used to connect to a mating connector 90, and includes a housing 2, a lever 3, and a spring portion 4. Connector 1 is mounted on, for example, a vehicle and used as a component of a wire harness WH. For example, connector 1 is a male connector, and mating connector 90 is a female connector.

[0012] The housing 2 is a member that houses and holds the terminals 5, and has, for example, an inner housing 21 and an outer housing 22. The inner housing 21 is a member that holds the terminals 5, and is provided inside the connector 1. The outer housing 22 is provided on the outside of the inner housing 21, and is formed to cover the periphery of the tip of the terminal 5. The outer housing 22 is cylindrical, and forms an opening 221 that opens to the mating connector 90. The outer housing 22 may function as a cover or casing in the connector 1.

[0013] The inner housing 21 forms a terminal accommodating portion 211 that protrudes toward the mating connector 90. The terminal accommodating portion 211 is a cylindrical portion with an open front end, and accommodates the terminals 5 therein. The terminal accommodating portions 211 are formed according to the number of terminals 5 to be installed; for example, three terminal accommodating portions 211 are formed for three terminals 5. The terminals 5 are connected to electric wires W, and a ring-shaped seal member 51 is attached to the electric wires W.

[0014] The inner housing 21 has a tubular portion 212 at its tip end facing the mating connector 90. The tubular portion 212 is a cylindrical portion with an elliptical or oblong cross section, which surrounds the terminal accommodating portion 211 and defines an installation space for the terminal accommodating portion 211. A flange portion 213 is formed on the outer periphery of the tubular portion 212. The flange portion 213 is a plate member formed in a direction intersecting the connection direction X with the mating connector 90. For example, the flange portion 213 has a rectangular or nearly rectangular shape and is provided so as to protrude outward from the tubular portion 212. A packing 61 is attached to the outer periphery of the tip end of the tubular portion 212. The packing 61 is a waterproof member that seals off water between the inner housing 21 and the mating connector 90. A small tubular portion 214 is formed inside the tubular portion 212. The small tubular portion 214 is a portion inside the tubular portion 212 that surrounds the base end of the terminal accommodating portion 211. A packing 62 is attached to the outer periphery of the small cylindrical portion 214. The packing 62 is a waterproof member that seals off water between the inner housing 21 and the mating connector 90.

[0015] The inner housing 21 accommodates a shielding member 63 and a rear holder 64. The shielding member 63 is a cylindrical body that covers the electric wires W inside the inner housing 21 and is formed of, for example, a metal material. The rear holder 64 is attached to the inner housing 21 and holds the seal member 51. For example, the rear holder 64 is provided so that the electric wires W pass through it, and is attached to the inner housing 21 while holding the seal member 51. The rear holder 64 is configured to be separable, for example, along the connection direction X, to make it easier to pass multiple electric wires W through it.

[0016] A rear shield 65 and a grommet 68 are attached to the rear end portion of the inner housing 21. The rear shield 65 is a member that covers and shields the rear end portion of the connector 1 and is formed of, for example, a metal material. The rear shield 65 is configured, for example, by dividing it along the connection direction X and is integrated by threading screws 651 and assembled to the rear end portion of the inner housing 21. A ring member 66 is attached to the rear end of the rear shield 65. The rear shield 65 functions as a portion where the terminals of a braided body serving as a shielding member (not shown) that covers the electric wires W are crimped via the ring member 66 for electrical conduction. The grommet 68 is a cover member attached to the rear end of the rear shield 65. The grommet 68 is tapered toward the rear end and is attached to cover the rear portion of the inner housing 21 and the rear shield 65. The grommet 68 is fastened and assembled to the inner housing 21 by a band member 67.

[0017] 3, the outer housing 22 is attached to the inner housing 21 so as to be movable in the connecting direction X with the mating connector 90. The outer housing 22 is cylindrical and fitted to the body 215 of the inner housing 21 so as to be movable in the connecting direction X. The movable range of the outer housing 22 is, for example, from the position where the opposing surface 225 facing the flange portion 213 abuts against the flange portion 213 to the position where the rear end 226 of the outer housing 22 is in contact with the front end 681 of the grommet 68. fart It is assumed that the contact point is reached.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1 , the lever 3 is rotatably attached to the housing 2. The lever 3 is a component for mating the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 when connecting the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 and maintaining the mating engagement. For example, the lever 3 has an arm portion 31 and an operating portion 32, and is rotatably attached to the outer housing 22. The arm portion 31 is rotatably attached to a shaft member 223 formed on a side portion 222 of the outer housing 22. Two arm portions 31 are formed, one on each side portion 222 of the outer housing 22, sandwiching the outer housing 22. The arm portion 31 defines a hole 33 into which the shaft member 223 is inserted. The arm portion 31 is bent, for example, backward from the base end position where the hole 33 is formed to the tip end position. Here, the backward direction refers to the direction opposite the mating connector 90 in the connector 1. The operating portion 32 is a portion bridged between the tips of the arm portions 31 and extends along the width direction Y. The lever 3 has two arm portions 31 and an operating portion 32, and is formed in an inverted U shape, and is rotatable around a rotation center position C.

[0019] A cam groove 34 is formed in the lever 3. The cam groove 34 is a groove into which a cam follower 91 formed in the mating connector 90 is inserted, and into which the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are moved in the mating direction or the disengagement direction by the rotation of the lever 3. Here, the mating direction is a direction along the connection direction X, and is the direction in which the connector 1 approaches the mating connector 90, and the direction in which the mating connector 90 approaches the connector 1. The disengagement direction is the direction opposite to the mating direction, and is the direction in which the connector 1 moves away from the mating connector 90, and the direction in which the mating connector 90 moves away from the connector 1.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3 , the cam groove 34 is formed in the arm portion 31 and is configured to allow the cam follower 91 to be inserted therethrough. For example, the cam follower 91 is formed as a columnar or cylindrical protrusion, and the cam groove 34 is configured as a groove having a width greater than the outer diameter of the cam follower 91. The cam follower 91 has a head portion 911 at the tip that is larger in diameter than the body portion 912, making it difficult for the cam follower 91 to come out of the cam groove 34. That is, the cam groove 34 is configured so that the width of the portion through which the head portion 911 of the cam follower 91 passes is large, making it a stepped groove. This configuration prevents the cam follower 91 from easily coming out of the cam groove 34 when inserted into the cam groove 34. The cam groove 34 is formed up to a surface 311 of the arm portion 31 that faces the mating connector 90, and is configured to be aligned along the connection direction X when the lever 3 is in the mating start position as shown in FIG. 3 . Therefore, when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector 90, the cam follower 91 is smoothly inserted into the cam groove .

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4 , the cam groove 34 is formed in the arm portion 31 on the mating connector 90 side with respect to the rotation center position C, and extends at an angle with respect to the rotation direction R of the lever 3. That is, the cam groove 34 is formed to include a partial mating region 343 and a normal mating region 344 that extend at an angle with respect to the rotation direction R of the lever 3. For example, the cam groove 34 is formed by connecting an entrance region 342, a partial mating region 343, and a normal mating region 344. The entrance region 342 is a region where the cam follower 91 begins to enter the cam groove 34, and has an insertion entrance position 342A. For example, when the lever 3 is in the mating start position, the entrance region 342 is formed linearly along the connection direction X. The insertion entrance position 342A is the entrance position of the entrance region 342.

[0022] The partial mating region 343 is a region where the cam follower 91 is located when the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are in a partial mated state, and is formed so as to approach the rotation center position C of the lever 3 from the entrance position P1 of the partial mating region 343 toward the boundary position P2 with the proper mating region 344. For example, when the cam follower 91 is in the entrance position P1, the lever 3 is rotated for mating, so that the cam follower 91 approaches the rotation center position C of the lever 3, thereby increasing the degree of mating between the connector 1 and the mating connector 90. Here, the mating rotation is the rotation of the lever 3 for bringing the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 closer to each other or mating them. In FIG. 4, the mating rotation is the counterclockwise rotation of the lever 3. The rotation center position C is the center position of the shaft member 223, which is the position of the central axis.

[0023] The normal mating region 344 is the region where the cam follower 91 is located when the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are properly mated, and is formed so as to move away from the rotation center position C from a boundary position P2 with the partial mating region 343 toward a mating completion position P3. For example, when the lever 3 is rotated for mating while the cam follower 91 is at the boundary position P2, the cam follower 91 moves over the protrusion 346 and enters the normal mating region 344, moving away from the rotation center position C of the lever 3. The cam follower 91 then moves to the mating completion position P3, and the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 are properly mated. The mating completion position P3 is the rear position of the cam groove 34, and is the position where the cam follower 91 is located when the mating of the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 is completed. Cam groove 34 is bent at the boundary between partial mating region 343 and proper mating region 344, and protrusion 346 is formed on the side surface of cam groove 34. Protrusion 346 is formed on the side farthest from rotation center position C, of ​​the two side surfaces on both sides of cam groove 34, and is formed to protrude toward rotation center position C. When connector 1 and mating connector 90 are in a properly mated state, cam follower 91 is pressed by spring portion 4 from inner surface 347 of cam groove 34 toward the opposite side from mating connector 90, and is held in mating end position P3. This makes it difficult for cam follower 91 to come out of proper mating region 344, and lever 3 is locked.

[0024] 5 and 6, the spring portion 4 is a biasing portion that biases the lever 3 in the direction opposite to the mating connector 90, and is provided on the housing 2. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the connector 1 for explaining the spring portion 4, with a cross section taken along line VV in FIG. 1 and a portion of the connector 1 cut away. The spring portion 4 is provided, for example, between the inner housing 21 and the outer housing 22, and applies a reaction force to the inner housing 21 to bias the outer housing 22 and the lever 3 in the direction opposite to the mating connector 90. More specifically, the spring portion 4 is provided in the accommodation chamber 224 of the outer housing 22, and applies a reaction force to the flange portion 213 of the inner housing 21 to bias the outer housing 22 and the lever 3 in the direction opposite to the mating connector 90 (diagonally upward right in FIG. 5).

[0025] The spring portion 4 includes a spring 41, a spring cover 42, and a packing 43. The spring 41 is, for example, a coil spring, and generates a biasing force in the direction of extension when compressed. The spring 41 is accommodated in an accommodation chamber 224 formed in the outer housing 22. The accommodation chamber 224 is a hole with a circular cross section formed in the back of the flange portion 213, and is formed, for example, by recessing an opposing surface 225 opposing the flange portion 213 along the connection direction X. A rod-shaped shaft portion 224A is provided at the center of the accommodation chamber 224. The shaft portion 224A is formed from a bottom surface 224B along the connection direction X. The spring 41 is fitted to the exterior of the shaft portion 224A and is disposed with the shaft portion 224A inserted therethrough. The spring cover 42 is a cover that covers the spring 41 and is a cylinder with one end closed and the other end open. The spring cover 42 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 224 with its open end 421 facing the rear and covering the spring 41. The packing 43 is a ring-shaped elastic member that provides a watertight seal between the outer periphery of the spring cover 42 and the contents of the accommodation chamber 224. The packing 43 is attached to the outer periphery of the spring cover 42. As such, the spring 41 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 224 and covered by the spring cover 42, preventing water from entering the location of the spring 41. For example, even if water enters the installation location of the spring portion 4, the spring 41 is covered by the spring cover 42, which has a watertight function, preventing water from entering the location of the spring 41. The spring portion 4 is provided behind the flange portion 213 and is structured so as not to come into contact with the mating connector 90. This structure makes it difficult for water to enter the installation location of the spring portion 4.

[0026] A plurality of spring portions 4 are provided at predetermined distances from a center position P of the housing 2. The center position P is the position of the central axis of the housing 2 along the connecting direction X. For example, four spring portions 4 are provided, and are provided at the four corners of the outer housing 22, which has a rectangular or nearly rectangular cross section intersecting with the connecting direction X. By providing a plurality of spring portions 4 in this manner, the connector 1 can bias the outer housing 22 and the lever 3 along the connecting direction X.

[0027] Next, the connection of the connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 1, when connecting connector 1 to mating connector 90, first, connector 1 is positioned so as to face mating connector 90. At this time, lever 3 of connector 1 is raised to the mating start position. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3, the position and posture of connector 1 are aligned with respect to mating connector 90, and the entrance region 342 of cam groove 34 is aligned so as to face cam follower 91 of mating connector 90.

[0029] In this state, connector 1 is moved toward mating connector 90, and cam follower 91 is inserted into cam groove 34. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when cam follower 91 reaches partial mating region 343 of cam groove 34, lever 3 is rotated for mating. That is, lever 3 is rotated in the mating direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 7). As lever 3 rotates, cam follower 91 moves according to the shape of cam groove 34, and cam follower 91 approaches rotation center position C of lever 3. At this time, cam follower 91 moves through partial mating region 343 of cam groove 34 toward proper mating region 344. As a result, connector 1 and mating connector 90 are mated to an increased degree from the partial mating state toward the proper mating state.

[0030] 8, as the lever 3 rotates for mating, the cam follower 91 approaches the rotation center position C of the lever 3 and reaches the boundary position between the partial mating region 343 and the normal mating region 344 of the cam groove 34. In this state, as the lever 3 is further rotated for mating, the cam follower 91 moves over the protrusion 346 and advances into the normal mating region 344, and the lever 3 reaches the normal mating position, as shown in FIG. 9. This causes the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 to move from the partial mating state to the normal mating state, and they are properly mated and connected.

[0031] In this state, the biasing force of the spring portion 4 makes it difficult for the cam follower 91 to come out of the proper mating region 344, locking the lever 3 at the proper mating position, and locking the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 in a mated state. That is, the spring portion 4 applies a reaction force to the inner housing 21 to bias the outer housing 22 and the lever 3 in the mating direction (toward the right in FIG. 9 ). As a result, the cam follower 91 is difficult to move from the proper mating region 344 of the cam groove 34 to the partial mating region 343, and the lever 3 is locked at the proper mating position. In other words, to rotate the lever 3 from the proper mating position in the removal direction (clockwise in FIG. 9 ), it is necessary to rotate it against the biasing force of the spring portion 4. Furthermore, to rotate the lever 3 from the proper mating position in the removal direction, the cam follower 91 needs to move over the protrusion 346 in the cam groove 34 to the partial mating region 343, which requires a strong force. Therefore, the lever 3 is held in the normal mating position by the biasing force of the spring portion 4.

[0032] In this way, the connector 1 can configure a locking mechanism for the lever 3 using the cam groove 34 and the spring portion 4. This eliminates the need to provide a separate mechanism for locking the lever 3, and allows the mated state to be maintained. Therefore, the connector 1 can maintain the mated state with the mating connector 90 while preventing the connector 1 from becoming larger.

[0033] As described above, the connector 1 according to this embodiment is provided with the cam groove 34 and the spring portion 4, and thus can maintain the mated state with the mating connector 90 while preventing the connector 1 from becoming large.

[0034] Furthermore, by forming the protrusion 346 in the cam groove 34, the connector 1 according to this embodiment can prevent the cam follower 91 from moving out of the normal mating region 344. This makes it possible to firmly lock the mated state with the mating connector 90.

[0035] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the outer housing 22 is movable relative to the inner housing 21 in the connection direction X, and the spring portion 4 can bias the outer housing 22 and the lever 3 in the opposite direction to the mating connector 90. This biasing force of the spring portion 4 can lock the lever 3 in the properly mated state.

[0036] The connector according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The connector 1 according to this embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the above-described embodiments and modifications.

[0037] For example, although the connector 1 according to the above embodiment has been described as being mounted on a vehicle, it may also be used without being mounted on a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1: Connector 2: Housing 3: Lever 4: Spring part (biasing part) 5: Terminal 21: Inner housing 22: Outer housing 34: Cam groove 342A: Insertion entrance position 343: Half mated area 344: Normal mating region 346:Protrusion 347: Inner surface 90: Mating connector 91: Cam follower C: Rotation center position P1: Entrance position P2: Boundary position P3: Mating end position R: Rotation direction X: Connection direction

Claims

1. a housing that holds the terminals and mates with a mating connector; a lever rotatably attached to the housing and forming a cam groove extending at an angle with respect to the rotation direction; a biasing portion provided on the housing and biasing the lever toward an opposite side to the mating connector via the housing, the cam groove is provided so that a cam follower provided in the mating connector can be inserted therein, and is formed by connecting a partial mating region and a regular mating region; the partial mating region is a region in which the cam follower is located when the connector is partially mated with the mating connector, and is formed so as to approach a pivot center position of the lever from an entrance position of the partial mating region toward a boundary position with the proper mating region, the normal mating region is a region in which the cam follower is located when the connector is properly mated with the mating connector, and is formed so as to move away from the rotation center position from the boundary position toward the mating end position, In the properly mated state, the cam follower is pressed from the inner surface of the cam groove toward the opposite side to the mating connector by the biasing force of the biasing portion, and is held at the mating completion position, In the properly fitted state, the lever is held at the properly fitted position by the biasing force of the biasing portion so as not to rotate. connector.

2. the cam groove forms a protrusion that protrudes toward the rotation center position on a side surface at the boundary position between the partial engagement region and the normal engagement region. The connector according to claim 1 .

3. The housing includes an inner housing that holds the terminals and an outer housing that is provided outside the inner housing, the outer housing is attached to the inner housing so as to be movable along a connection direction with the mating connector, the biasing portion is provided between the inner housing and the outer housing, and biases the outer housing and the lever in a direction opposite to the mating connector by applying a reaction force to the inner housing.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

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