Connector Assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly in which a first connector and a second connector easily fit together and furthermore the contact reliability of the first and second contacts can be improved.SOLUTION: A first cam mechanism moves a second insulator to a mating position along a mating direction by rotation of a lever member 22 from an initial rotational position to a first rotational position while a second insulator 23 is located in a mating start position with respect to a first insulator 13. Furthermore, by rotation of the lever member from the first rotational position to a second rotational position, a second cam mechanism moves a push member 15 while the second insulator is held at the mating position, and as a result, a first contact 14 and a second contact 24 are brought into contact with each other at a predetermined contact pressure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly to a connector assembly in which a first connector and a second connector are mated by rotating a lever member. [Background technology]

[0002] Connector assemblies that utilize the rotation of a lever member to facilitate the mating operation of a pair of connectors have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector assembly including a first connector 1 and a second connector 2 that is mated with the first connector 1 along a mating direction D, as shown in Fig. 58. A first housing 1A of the first connector 1 is formed with a protrusion 1B that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction D, and a lever member 3 is attached to the outside of a second housing 2A of the second connector 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation fulcrum portion 2B.

[0003] The lever member 3 has a guide groove (not shown) formed opposite the outer surface of the second housing 2A, and the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are mated with each other by bringing the second connector 2 close to the first connector 1 along the mating direction D and rotating the lever member 3 with the protrusion 1B of the first connector 1 inserted into the guide groove of the lever member 3.

[0004] By mating the first connector 1 and the second connector 2, as shown in Figure 59, the first contact 1C arranged in the first housing 1A is electrically connected to the second contact 2D inserted into the contact insertion port 2C of the second connector 2. The second contact 2D is connected to the tip of the electric wire 4, and by mounting the first connector 1 on an electric device (not shown), for example, it is possible to pass a current through the electric wire 4 to the electric device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-152265 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When such a connector assembly is used to pass current through an electrical device, the larger the current, the thicker the electric wire 4 connected to the second contact 2D needs to be. However, when the electrical equipment is installed in an environment where it is subjected to external forces such as vibrations, for example, when mounted on a vehicle, the external force is transmitted to the contact point between the first contact 1C and the second contact 2D through the thick electric wire 4, causing poor contact.

[0007] Therefore, contact reliability can be improved by increasing the contact force between the first contact 1C and the second contact 2D, but as a result, the insertion force required to mate the second connector 2 with the first connector 1 increases, which may make it difficult to easily mate the first connector 1 with the second connector 2 even when using the rotation of the lever member 3. Furthermore, increasing the contact force may damage the surfaces of the first contact 1C and the second contact 2D, which may reduce contact reliability.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve these conventional problems, and aims to provide a connector assembly that can easily mate the first connector and the second connector while improving the contact reliability of the first contact and the second contact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] No. 1 The connector assembly according to the present invention comprises: a first connector having a first insulator and a first contact held by the first insulator; a second connector having a second insulator and second contacts held by the second insulator, the second connector mating with the first connector along a mating direction; a lever member rotatably held on one of the first insulator and the second insulator; a push member for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other; a first cam mechanism that moves the first insulator and the second insulator relatively along the fitting direction in conjunction with rotation of the lever member; a second cam mechanism that moves the push member in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member; Equipped with When the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position with the second insulator positioned at the mating start position relative to the first insulator, the first cam mechanism moves the second insulator to the mating position along the mating direction, and when the lever member is further rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member while holding the second insulator at the mating position, and the first contact and the second contact come into contact with each other at a predetermined contact pressure. death, The first contact and the second contact each extend along a mating direction; one of the first contact and the second contact is a spring contact, and the other is a fixed contact; The push member moved by the second cam mechanism presses the spring contact toward the fixed contact in a direction intersecting the mating direction, thereby bringing the first contact and the second contact into contact with each other; the push member is held movably relative to the first insulator between an initial position and a retracted position along the mating direction, and has a pressing surface for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other when the push member is located at the initial position; When the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member from the initial position to the retracted position, and when the lever member is further rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member from the retracted position to the initial position, and the pressing surface presses the first contact and the second contact against each other. It is something.

[0011] The spring contact has a force point portion that comes into contact with the push member and receives a pressing force from the push member, a fulcrum portion that serves as a fulcrum for elastic deformation of the spring contact when the spring contact receives the pressing force on the force point portion, and a contact portion that is disposed between the force point portion and the fulcrum portion and comes into contact with the fixed contact, The distance from the fulcrum to the force point is preferably longer than the distance from the fulcrum to the contact point.

[0013] In this case, it is preferable that the second contact is a spring contact, and that the push member is moved from the initial position to the retracted position by the second cam mechanism when the lever member rotates from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, and that the push member is moved from the retracted position to the initial position by the second cam mechanism when the lever member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, and that the pressing surface presses the second contact against the first contact. In addition, the lever member is rotatably held on the second insulator, the first cam mechanism has a first cam groove formed in the lever member and a first pin that protrudes from the first insulator and is inserted into the first cam groove, and the second cam mechanism has a second cam groove formed in the lever member and a second pin that protrudes from the push member and is inserted into the second cam groove.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first connector has a spring for holding the push member in the initial position, and that when the lever member rotates from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, the push member moves from the initial position to the retracted position against the elastic force of the spring by the second cam mechanism.

[0018] A connector assembly according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: a first connector having a first insulator and a first contact held by the first insulator; a second connector having a second insulator and second contacts held by the second insulator, the second connector mating with the first connector along a mating direction; a lever member rotatably held on one of the first insulator and the second insulator; a push member for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other; a first cam mechanism that moves the first insulator and the second insulator relatively along the fitting direction in conjunction with rotation of the lever member; a second cam mechanism that moves the push member in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member; Equipped with When the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position with the second insulator positioned at the mating start position relative to the first insulator, the first cam mechanism moves the second insulator to the mating position along the mating direction, and when the lever member is further rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member while holding the second insulator at the mating position, causing the first contact and the second contact to come into contact with each other at a predetermined contact pressure, The first contact and the second contact each extend along a mating direction; one of the first contact and the second contact is a spring contact, and the other is a fixed contact; The push member moved by the second cam mechanism presses the spring contact toward the fixed contact in a direction intersecting the mating direction, thereby bringing the first contact and the second contact into contact with each other; the push member includes a first push member held movably relative to the first insulator between a first initial position and a protruding position along a direction intersecting the fitting direction, and a second push member held movably relative to the second insulator between a second initial position and an advanced position along the fitting direction; the first pushing member has a pressing surface for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other when the first pushing member is located in the protruding position; the second push member has a pushing surface for pushing the first push member to the protruding position when the second push member is located at the forward position; While the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, the first push member is held at the first initial position and the second push member is held at the second initial position, and when the lever member is rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the second push member from the second initial position to the advanced position, and the pushing surface moves the first push member from the first initial position to the protruding position, and the pressing surface of the first push member presses the first contact and the second contact against each other. It is something.

[0019] In this case, it is preferable that the first contact is a spring contact, and that the first push member moves from the first initial position to a protruding position when the lever member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, and presses the first contact toward the second contact with the pressing surface. In addition, the lever member is rotatably held on the second insulator, the first cam mechanism has a first cam groove formed in the lever member and a first pin that protrudes from the first insulator and is inserted into the first cam groove, and the second cam mechanism has a second cam groove formed in the lever member and a second pin that protrudes from the second push member and is inserted into the second cam groove.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferable that the second push member has a front portion located closer to the first connector than the second pin along the mating direction, and a rear portion located on the opposite side of the first connector than the second pin along the mating direction, the first insulator has a concave front portion accommodating portion in which the front portion is accommodated so as to be movable along the mating direction, the second insulator has a concave rear portion accommodating portion in which the rear portion is accommodated so as to be movable along the mating direction, and is provided with a front waterproof gasket arranged on the outer surface of the front portion and sealing between the outer surface of the front portion and the inner surface of the front portion accommodating portion, and a rear waterproof gasket arranged on the outer surface of the rear portion and sealing between the outer surface of the rear portion and the inner surface of the rear portion accommodating portion.

[0022] A connector assembly according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: a first connector having a first insulator and a first contact held by the first insulator; a second connector having a second insulator and second contacts held by the second insulator, the second connector mating with the first connector along a mating direction; a lever member rotatably held on one of the first insulator and the second insulator; a push member for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other; a first cam mechanism that moves the first insulator and the second insulator relatively along the fitting direction in conjunction with rotation of the lever member; a second cam mechanism that moves the push member in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member; Equipped with When the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position with the second insulator positioned at the mating start position relative to the first insulator, the first cam mechanism moves the second insulator to the mating position along the mating direction, and when the lever member is further rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member while holding the second insulator at the mating position, causing the first contact and the second contact to come into contact with each other at a predetermined contact pressure, The first contact and the second contact each extend along a mating direction; one of the first contact and the second contact is a spring contact, and the other is a fixed contact; The push member moved by the second cam mechanism presses the spring contact toward the fixed contact in a direction intersecting the mating direction, thereby bringing the first contact and the second contact into contact with each other; the push member is held movably relative to the first insulator between an initial position and a retracted position along the mating direction, and has a pressing surface for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other when the push member is located at the retracted position; While the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, the push member is held in the initial position, and when the lever member is rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the push member is moved from the initial position to the retracted position by the second cam mechanism, and the pressing surface presses the first contact and the second contact against each other; The lever member is rotatably held by the first insulator, the first cam mechanism has a first cam groove formed in the lever member, and a first pin formed to protrude from the second insulator and inserted into the first cam groove; the second cam mechanism has a second cam groove formed in the lever member, and a second pin formed to protrude from the push member and inserted into the second cam groove; the push member has a front portion located closer to the second connector than the second pin along the mating direction, and a rear portion located closer to the second connector than the second pin along the mating direction, the second insulator has a recessed front portion receiving portion in which a front portion is received so as to be movable along the fitting direction; the first insulator has an abutment surface that abuts against the rear end surface of the rear portion when the push member is located at the retracted position; The push member is provided with a front waterproof packing that is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the front portion and seals between the outer peripheral surface of the front portion and the inner peripheral surface of the front portion housing portion, and a rear waterproof packing that is disposed on the rear end surface of the rear portion and seals between the rear end surface of the rear portion and the abutment surface when the push member is located in the retracted position. It is something. In this case, it is preferable that the first contact is a spring contact, the push member is held in the initial position while the lever member rotates from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, and when the lever member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member from the initial position to a retracted position and the pressing surface presses the first contact toward the second contact. In addition, the lever member is rotatably held on the second insulator, the first cam mechanism has a cam groove formed on the lever member and a first pin that protrudes from the first insulator and is inserted into the cam groove, and the second cam mechanism has an outer circumferential cam surface formed on the lever member and a second pin that protrudes from the push member and contacts the outer circumferential cam surface. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first connector has a spring for holding the push member in its initial position, and that the push member be held in its initial position by the spring while the lever member rotates from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, and that when the lever member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism move the push member from its initial position to its retracted position against the elastic force of the spring.

[0023] No. The connector can be configured to include an auxiliary lever member rotatably held on the insulator, and a lever interlocking mechanism that rotates the auxiliary lever member in the opposite direction to the lever member in conjunction with the rotational movement of the lever member, and the second contact is connected to the tip of the electric wire, so that the electric wire is clamped and held by the lever member and the auxiliary lever member when the lever member is positioned in the second rotation position. The lever interlocking mechanism preferably has a first gear formed on the lever member and a second gear formed on the auxiliary lever member that rotates with rotation of the first gear. In this case, the lever interlocking mechanism may also have an intermediate gear that is rotatably disposed on the lever member and meshes with both the first gear and the second gear. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to this invention, when the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position while the second insulator is positioned in the mating start position relative to the first insulator, the first cam mechanism moves the second insulator to the mating position along the mating direction, and when the lever member is further rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member while holding the second insulator in the mating position, and the first contact and the second contact contact each other with a predetermined contact pressure, making it possible to easily mate the first connector and the second connector while improving the contact reliability of the first contact and the second contact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state before mating of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector used in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second connector used in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly according to the first embodiment before mating. [Figure 5] 10 is a side view showing the connector assembly of the first embodiment when the lever member is rotated at a rotation angle of 0 degrees during the mating operation. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a front view showing the connector assembly of the first embodiment when the rotation angle of the lever member is 0 degrees during the mating operation. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the first embodiment when the rotation angle of the lever member is 0 degrees during the mating operation. FIG. [Figure 9] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the first embodiment taken along a cross section corresponding to line AA in FIG. 6 when the lever member is rotated at a 45-degree angle during the mating operation. [Figure 10] 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the first embodiment when the lever member is rotated at a rotation angle of 45 degrees during the mating operation. FIG. [Figure 11] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the first embodiment taken along a cross section corresponding to line AA in FIG. 6 when the lever member is rotated 90 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 12] 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the first embodiment when the lever member is rotated at a rotation angle of 90 degrees during the mating operation. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state before mating of the connector assembly according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a first connector used in a second embodiment. [Figure 15]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a second connector used in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly according to the second embodiment before mating. [Figure 17] 10 is a side view showing the connector assembly of the second embodiment when the lever member is rotated at a rotation angle of 0 degrees during the mating operation. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the connector assembly of the second embodiment when the rotation angle of the lever member is 0 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 18. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the second embodiment when the rotation angle of the lever member is 0 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 21] 19 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the second embodiment taken along a section corresponding to line BB in FIG. 18 when the lever member is rotated at a 45-degree angle during the mating operation. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the second embodiment when the lever member is rotated at a 45-degree angle during the mating operation. [Figure 23] 19 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the second embodiment taken along a section corresponding to line BB in FIG. 18 when the lever member is rotated 90 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the second embodiment when the lever member is rotated 90 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 25] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state before fitting of a connector assembly according to a third embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a first connector used in a third embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a second connector used in a third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector assembly according to a third embodiment before mating. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 28. [Figure 30]FIG. 11 is a side view showing the connector assembly of the third embodiment when the lever member is rotated at a rotation angle of 0 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 31] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the connector assembly of the third embodiment when the rotation angle of the lever member is 0 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 32] 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 31. [Figure 33] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 31. [Figure 34] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the third embodiment when the rotation angle of the lever member is 0 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 35] 32 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the third embodiment taken along a cross section corresponding to line CC in FIG. 31 when the lever member is rotated at a 45-degree angle during the mating operation. [Figure 36] 32 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the third embodiment taken along a cross section corresponding to line DD in FIG. 31 when the lever member is rotated at a 45-degree angle during the mating operation. [Figure 37] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the third embodiment when the lever member is rotated at a 45-degree angle during the mating operation. [Figure 38] 32 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the third embodiment taken along a cross section corresponding to line CC in FIG. 31 when the lever member is rotated 90 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 39] 32 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the third embodiment taken along a cross section corresponding to line DD in FIG. 31 when the lever member is rotated 90 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 40] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the third embodiment when the lever member is rotated 90 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 41] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state before fitting of a connector assembly according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 42] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a first connector used in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 43] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a second connector used in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 44] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the connector assembly of the fourth embodiment when the rotation angle of the lever member is 0 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 45] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the connector assembly of the fourth embodiment when the rotation angle of the lever member is 0 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 46] 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 45. [Figure 47] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the fourth embodiment when the rotation angle of the lever member is 0 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 48] 46 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the fourth embodiment taken along a cross section corresponding to line EE in FIG. 45 when the lever member is rotated at a 45-degree angle during the mating operation. [Figure 49] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the fourth embodiment when the lever member is rotated at a 45-degree angle during the mating operation. [Figure 50] 46 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the fourth embodiment taken along a cross section corresponding to line EE in FIG. 45 when the lever member is rotated 90 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 51] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of the fourth embodiment when the lever member is rotated 90 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 52] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a first connector used in a connector assembly according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 53] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a lever member used in the first connector in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 54] 13 is a perspective view showing an auxiliary lever member used in the first connector in the fifth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 55] FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a first connector according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 56] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of the fifth embodiment when the rotation angle of the lever member is 0 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 57] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of the fifth embodiment when the lever member is rotated 90 degrees during the mating operation. [Figure 58] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector assembly before mating. [Figure 59] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional connector assembly in a mated state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiment 1 1 shows a connector assembly according to embodiment 1 in a state before mating. The connector assembly includes a first connector 11 and a second connector 21 that mates with the first connector 11 along a mating direction. For example, the first connector 11 is mounted on an electrical device (not shown), and the second connector 21 is attached to ends of two electric wires C, thereby enabling the connector assembly to detachably connect the two electric wires C to the electrical device. The first connector 11 and the second connector 21 are mated and separated by operating a lever member 22 rotatably attached to the second connector 21.

[0027] Here, for convenience, the mating direction of the first connector 11 and the second connector 21 will be referred to as the Z direction, the direction of the rotation axis of the lever member 22 attached to the second connector 21 as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction as the Y direction. The second connector 21 moves from the +Z direction to the −Z direction and is mated with the first connector 11.

[0028] 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the first connector 11. The first connector 11 has a first insulator 13 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, a pair of first contacts 14 each held by the first insulator 13 and extending along the Z direction, and a push member 15 held within the first insulator 13 so as to be movable in the Z direction.

[0029] A pair of first pins 13A protruding in the +X direction and the -X direction, respectively, are formed on the outer surface of the first insulator 13. Although only the first pin 13A formed on the outer surface on the +X direction side of the first insulator 13 is shown in Fig. 2, a similar first pin 13A is also formed on the outer surface on the -X direction side of the first insulator 13. These two first pins 13A are arranged on the same straight line along the X direction.

[0030] The push member 15 has a rectangular parallelepiped base 15A and a pair of push plates 15B that protrude in the +Z direction from the +Y end and the -Y end of the base 15A. A pair of second pins 15C that protrude in the +X direction and the -X direction, respectively, are formed on the outer surface of the base 15A. The pair of second pins 15C are arranged on the same straight line along the X direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the first connector 11 has a pair of upper shells 16 fixed within the first insulator 13 and arranged so as to surround the pair of first contacts 14, respectively, and a lower shell 17 fixed within the first insulator 13 and covering the bottom of the first insulator 13. In addition, a pair of springs 18 are arranged between the push member 15 and the lower shell 17, and a waterproof gasket 19 is arranged on the outer periphery of the +Z direction end of the first insulator 13.

[0032] 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the second connector 21. The second connector 21 has a second insulator 23 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, a lever member 22 rotatably attached to the second insulator 23, a pair of second contacts 24 connected to the ends of two electric wires C, and a pair of inner insulators 25 that respectively house the pair of second contacts 24. Furthermore, the second connector 21 has two sets of shells 26 that respectively surround the pair of inner insulators 25.

[0033] A pair of shaft members 23A protruding in the +X direction and the -X direction, respectively, are formed on the outer surface of the second insulator 23. Although Fig. 3 only shows the shaft member 23A formed on the outer surface on the +X direction side of the second insulator 23, a similar shaft member 23A is also formed on the outer surface on the -X direction side of the second insulator 23. These two shaft members 23A are arranged on the same straight line along the X direction.

[0034] Lever member 22 has a handle portion 22A bent into a U-shape, and a pair of disk portions 22B connected to both ends of handle portion 22A, facing each other in the X direction, and extending along the YZ plane. The opposing surfaces of the pair of disk portions 22B are respectively formed with a central recessed portion 22C, a first cam groove 22D located outside central recessed portion 22C and curved in a substantially arc-like shape, a second cam groove 22E located outside first cam groove 22D and curved in a substantially arc-like shape, and a step portion 22F at the entrance of first cam groove 22D. The pair of shaft members 23A of the second insulator 23 are inserted into the central recesses 22C of the pair of disk portions 22B, whereby the lever member 22 is held rotatably relative to the second insulator 23.

[0035] In addition, a pair of first pins 13A of the first insulator 13 are inserted into the first cam grooves 22D of the pair of disc portions 22B, and these first cam grooves 22D and first pins 13A form a first cam mechanism that moves the first insulator 13 and the second insulator 23 relatively along the Z direction in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member 22. Furthermore, a pair of second pins 15C of the push member 15 are inserted into the second cam grooves 22E of the pair of disc portions 22B, and these second cam grooves 22E and second pins 15C form a second cam mechanism that moves the push member 15 along the Z direction in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member 22.

[0036] Furthermore, the stepped portions 22F of the pair of disk portions 22B are intended to come into contact with the pair of second pins 15C of the push member 15 and push the push member 15 in the −Z direction when the first connector 11 and the second connector 21 start to be mated.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, a pair of concave second contact accommodating portions 13B are formed in the +Z direction side portion of the first insulator 13 of the first connector 11, arranged adjacent to each other in the Y direction and each opening toward the +Z direction, and a single concave push member accommodating portion 13C is formed in the -Z direction side portion of the first insulator 13, opening toward the -Z direction.

[0038] A pair of first contacts 14 have a flat plate shape and are fixed to the first insulator 13 while penetrating the first insulator 13 in the Z direction, and the +Z direction end of each first contact 14 is exposed inside the corresponding second contact accommodating portion 13B and protrudes toward the +Z direction.

[0039] Furthermore, a base 15A of the push member 15 is accommodated in the push member accommodating portion 13C so as to be movable in the Z direction, and a pair of push plates 15B of the push member 15 each protrude into the corresponding second contact accommodating portion 13B. Each of the pair of push plates 15B has a pressing surface 15D facing the corresponding first contact 14. The -Z direction end of the push member accommodating portion 13C is closed by a lower shell 17, and the push member 15 is pressed in the +Z direction by a spring 18 disposed between the base 15A and the lower shell 17. The Z direction position of the push member 15 with respect to the first insulator 13 at this time is referred to as the "initial position."

[0040] A concave first connector accommodating portion 23B that is open in the -Z direction is formed in the second insulator 23 of the second connector 21, and further, a pair of concave second contact holding portions 23C is formed on the +Z direction side of the first connector accommodating portion 23B. The pair of second contact holding portions 23C are adjacent to each other in the Y direction and each communicates with the first connector accommodating portion 23B.

[0041] A pair of second contacts 24 connected to the ends of two electric wires C are housed in inner insulators 25 and surrounded by shells 26, and are held in a pair of second contact holding portions 23C. The +Z direction portion of each second contact 24 is housed and held in the second contact holding portion 23C, and the -Z direction portion of the second contact 24 protrudes in the -Z direction within the first connector housing portion 23B.

[0042] Each second contact 24 is made of a U-shaped spring contact that opens in the -Z direction, and has a fulcrum portion 24A formed in the bent portion of the U-shape, a contact portion 24B located on the -Z direction side of the fulcrum portion 24A, and a force point portion 24C located on the -Z direction side of the contact portion 24B and forming a free end. The contact portion 24B and the force point portion 24C are arranged to be elastically displaceable in the Y direction relative to the fulcrum portion 24A, and the contact portion 24B comes into contact with the first contact 14 of the first connector 11 when the first connector 11 and the second connector 21 are mated, and the force point portion 24C receives a pressing force in the Y direction from a pressing surface 15D of a push plate 15B of a push member 15 of the first connector 11.

[0043] Next, the operation of fitting first connector 11 and second connector 21 together will be described. 1, the rotation angle of lever member 22 when handle portion 22A extends along the Y direction is referred to as "0 degrees," and the rotation position of lever member 22 is referred to as "initial rotation position." Lever member 22 is attached to second connector 21 so that it can rotate from a rotation angle of 0 degrees to 90 degrees.

[0044] First, with the rotation angle of the lever member 22 set to 0 degrees, the second connector 21 is moved from the +Z direction toward the first connector 11 in the -Z direction, whereby the +Z direction portion of the first connector 11 is inserted into the inside of the second insulator 23 of the second connector 21, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0045] As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the second insulator 23 of the second connector 21 is positioned at the mating start position with respect to the first insulator 13 of the first connector 11, and the first pin 13A of the first connector 11 is inserted into the entrance of the first cam groove 22D of the lever member 22, while the second pin 15C of the push member 15 is positioned away from the second cam groove 22E without being inserted into the second cam groove 22E, but is pushed in the -Z direction by the step portion 22F of the lever member 22.

[0046] 8, the first insulator 13 of the first connector 11 is inserted to an intermediate position in the Z direction within the first connector accommodating portion 23B of the second connector 21, and the first contacts 14 begin to be inserted into the U-shaped second contacts 24 that open in the -Z direction. Furthermore, the push member 15 is in a retracted position where it is pushed in the -Z direction against the elastic force of the spring 18 by the second pin 15C being pushed by the stepped portion 22F of the lever member 22. Therefore, the pressing surface 15D of the push plate 15B is not yet in contact with the second contacts 24.

[0047] In this state, when the lever member 22 is rotated, the first pin 13A of the first connector 11 moves relatively along the first cam groove 22D of the lever member 22, and the second insulator 23 of the second connector 21 gradually moves in the -Z direction relative to the first insulator 13 of the first connector 11.

[0048] Furthermore, even if the second pin 15C of the push member 15 moves away from the step portion 22F of the lever member 22 as the lever member 22 rotates, the push member 15 is held in a retracted position relative to the first insulator 13 while being pushed in the -Z direction by the outer periphery of the lever member 22 located outside the first cam groove 22D, and the pressing surface 15D of the push plate 15B remains out of contact with the second contact 24.

[0049] As shown in Figure 9, when the lever member 22 is rotated until the handle portion 22A is at 45 degrees relative to the Y direction, the first pin 13A of the first connector 11 moves relatively along the first cam groove 22D of the lever member 22, but the second pin 15C of the push member 15 is still pushed in the -Z direction by the outer periphery of the lever member 22 located outside the first cam groove 22D.

[0050] 10, the second insulator 23 of the second connector 21 moves in the -Z direction relative to the first insulator 13 of the first connector 11, and the contact portions 24B of the second contacts 24 face the Y-direction side surfaces of the first contacts 14. The Z-direction position of the second insulator 23 relative to the first insulator 13 at this time is called the "mating position," and the rotational position of the lever member 22 is called the "first rotational position." Meanwhile, the push member 15 is held in the retracted position relative to the first insulator 13, and the pressing surface 15D of the push plate 15B remains out of contact with the second contact .

[0051] When the lever member 22 is further rotated from this state, the first pin 13A of the first connector 11 moves further along the first cam groove 22D of the lever member 22, but the position of the second insulator 23 in the Z direction relative to the first insulator 13 does not change due to the shape of the first cam groove 22D. Meanwhile, the second pin 15C of the push member 15 begins to be inserted into the second cam groove 22E of the lever member 22.

[0052] 11, when lever member 22 is rotated until handle portion 22A is at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the Y direction, first pin 13A of first connector 11 is inserted into the deepest part of first cam groove 22D of lever member 22, but the position of second insulator 23 in the Z direction relative to first insulator 13 does not change due to the shape of first cam groove 22D. Meanwhile, second pin 15C of push member 15 is also inserted into the deepest part of second cam groove 22E of lever member 22.

[0053] As a result, as shown in Figure 12, while the second insulator 23 of the second connector 21 is held in the mating position relative to the first insulator 13 of the first connector 11, the push member 15 moves in the +Z direction relative to the first insulator 13 and returns from the retracted position to the initial position, and the pressing surface 15D of the push plate 15B presses the force point portion 24C of the second contact 24 in the Y direction.

[0054] Here, the distance L2 from the fulcrum portion 24A to the force point portion 24C of the second contact 24 is set to be longer than the distance L1 from the fulcrum portion 24A to the contact portion 24B. Therefore, due to the so-called principle of leverage, a force greater than the pressing force received by the force point portion 24C from the pressing surface 15D of the push plate 15B acts on the contact portion 24B, and the contact portion 24B of the second contact 24 comes into contact with the first contact 14 with a high contact pressure. The rotational position of the lever member 22 at this time is referred to as the "second rotational position."

[0055] In this way, when the lever member 22 is rotated from the initial rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 22A relative to the Y direction is 0 degrees to the first rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 22A relative to the Y direction is 45 degrees, the push member 15 is moved to a retracted position relative to the first insulator 13 of the first connector 11, and the second insulator 23 of the second connector 21 can be moved from the mating start position to the mating position relative to the first insulator 13 of the first connector 11 with the push plate 15B not in contact with the second contact 24, making it possible to easily mate the first connector 11 and the second connector 21 with a small insertion force.

[0056] Furthermore, when the lever member 22 is rotated from the first rotation position to a second rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 22A with respect to the Y direction is 90 degrees, the push member 15 is returned from the retracted position with respect to the first insulator 13 of the first connector 11 to the initial position while the second insulator 23 of the second connector 21 is held in the mating position with respect to the first insulator 13 of the first connector 11, and the force point portion 24C of the second contact 24 is pressed in the Y direction by the push plate 15B, so that the contact portion 24B of the second contact 24 can be brought into contact with the first contact 14 with a high contact pressure. At this time, the first contact 14 and the second contact 24 are pressed against each other in the Y direction without rubbing against each other in the Z direction, and therefore, the first contact 14 and the second contact 24 are electrically connected while preventing damage to their surfaces.

[0057] Therefore, even if the first connector 11 is mounted on an electrical device that is installed in an environment where it is subjected to external forces such as vibrations, the first connector 11 and the second connector 21 can be easily mated, and the first contact 14 and the second contact 24 can be brought into contact with high contact pressure, thereby achieving a reliable electrical connection.

[0058] Embodiment 2 13 shows a state before mating of the connector assembly according to embodiment 2. The connector assembly includes a first connector 31 and a second connector 41 that mates with the first connector 31 along the mating direction. The second connector 41 is attached to the ends of two electric wires C. The first connector 31 and the second connector 41 are mated and separated by operating a lever member 42 that is rotatably attached to the second connector 41.

[0059] Here, for convenience, the mating direction of the first connector 31 and the second connector 41 will be referred to as the Z direction, the direction of the rotation axis of the lever member 42 attached to the second connector 41 as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction as the Y direction. The second connector 41 moves from the +Z direction to the −Z direction and is fitted into the first connector 31.

[0060] 14 shows an exploded perspective view of the first connector 31. The first connector 31 has a first insulator 33 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, a pair of first contacts 34 each held by the first insulator 33 and extending along the Z direction, and a push member 35 held within the first insulator 33 so as to be movable in the Z direction.

[0061] A pair of first pins 33A protruding in the +X direction and the −X direction, respectively, are formed on the outer surface of the first insulator 33. Although Fig. 14 shows only the first pin 33A formed on the outer surface of the first insulator 33 on the +X direction side, a similar first pin 33A is also formed on the outer surface of the first insulator 33 on the −X direction side. These two first pins 33A are arranged on the same straight line along the X direction.

[0062] The push member 35 has a rectangular frame-shaped base 35A and a pair of push plates 35B that protrude in the +Z direction from the +X end and the -X end of the base 35A. A pair of second pins 35C that protrude in the +X and -X directions, respectively, are formed on the outer surface of the base 35A. The pair of second pins 35C are arranged on the same straight line along the X direction.

[0063] Furthermore, the first connector 31 has a pair of upper shells 36 fixed within the first insulator 33 and arranged so as to surround the pair of first contacts 34, respectively, and a lower shell 37 fixed within the first insulator 33. In addition, a pair of springs 38 are arranged between the push member 35 and the lower shell 37, and a waterproof gasket 39 is arranged on the outer periphery of the +Z direction end of the first insulator 33.

[0064] 15 shows an exploded perspective view of the second connector 41. The second connector 41 has a second insulator 43 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, a lever member 42 rotatably attached to the second insulator 43, a pair of second contacts 44 connected to the ends of two electric wires C, and a pair of inner insulators 45 that respectively house the pair of second contacts 44. Furthermore, the second connector 41 has two sets of shells 46 that respectively surround the pair of inner insulators 45.

[0065] A pair of shaft members 43A protruding in the +X direction and the -X direction, respectively, are formed on the outer surface of the second insulator 43. Although Fig. 15 shows only the shaft member 43A formed on the outer surface on the +X direction side of the second insulator 43, a similar shaft member 43A is also formed on the outer surface on the -X direction side of the second insulator 43. These two shaft members 43A are arranged on the same straight line along the X direction.

[0066] The lever member 42 has a U-shaped handle portion 42A and a pair of disk portions 42B connected to both ends of the handle portion 42A, facing each other in the X direction, and extending along the YZ plane. The opposing surfaces of the pair of disk portions 42B are each formed with a central recess 42C and a cam groove 42D positioned outside the central recess 42C and curved in a substantially arc-like shape. Furthermore, an outer peripheral cam surface 42E is formed on the outer periphery of the pair of disk portions 42B, on the side opposite the handle portion 42A, protruding in the radial direction of the disk portions 42B. The pair of shaft members 43A of the second insulator 43 are inserted into the central recesses 42C of the pair of disk portions 42B, whereby the lever member 42 is held rotatably relative to the second insulator 43.

[0067] In addition, a pair of first pins 33A of the first insulator 33 are inserted into the cam grooves 42D of the pair of disc portions 42B, and these cam grooves 42D and first pins 33A form a first cam mechanism that moves the first insulator 33 and the second insulator 43 relatively along the Z direction in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member 42. Furthermore, the outer cam surfaces 42E of the pair of disc portions 22B come into contact with a pair of second pins 35C of the push member 35 depending on the rotation angle of the lever member 42, and these outer cam surfaces 42E and second pins 35C form a second cam mechanism that moves the push member 35 along the Z direction in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member 42.

[0068] 16, a pair of recessed first contact accommodating portions 33B arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction and each extending in the Z direction is formed in the first insulator 33 of the first connector 31, and one recessed push member accommodating portion 33C that opens toward the -Z direction and communicates with the pair of first contact accommodating portions 33B is formed in the -Z direction side portion of the first insulator 33. In addition, a pair of recessed push plate accommodating portions 33D that open toward the corresponding first contact accommodating portion 33B and communicates with the push member accommodating portion 33C are formed on the outer sides of the pair of first contact accommodating portions 33B in the X direction.

[0069] A pair of first contacts 34 are accommodated in the pair of first contact accommodating portions 33B. Each first contact 34 is made of a spring contact bent into a U-shape and has a fulcrum portion 34A formed at the bent portion of the U-shape, a contact portion 34B located on the -Z direction side of the fulcrum portion 34A, and a force point portion 34C located on the -Z direction side of the contact portion 34B and forming a free end. The contact portion 34B and the force point portion 34C are arranged to be elastically displaceable in the X direction relative to the fulcrum portion 34A, and the contact portion 34B comes into contact with the second contact 44 of the second connector 41 when the first connector 31 and the second connector 41 are mated, and the force point portion 34C receives a pressing force in the X direction from the push plate 35B of the push member 35.

[0070] A pair of through holes 33E communicating with the pair of first contact accommodating portions 33B are formed at the end in the +Z direction of the first insulator 33. The through holes 33E are adapted to receive corresponding second contacts 44 of the second connector 41 when the first connector 31 and the second connector 41 are mated.

[0071] A base 35A of the push member 35 is housed in the push member housing portion 33C so as to be movable in the Z direction, and a pair of push plates 35B of the push member 35 are housed in the corresponding push plate housing portions 33D. Pressing surfaces 35D that face the corresponding first contacts 34 are formed on the +Z direction ends of the pair of push plates 35B. In addition, a pair of second pins 35C of the push member 35 protrude in the +X direction and the -X direction from the push member housing portion 33C, respectively. A lower shell 37 is arranged at the -Z end of the push member accommodating section 33C, and the push member 35 is pressed in the +Z direction by a spring 38 arranged between the base 35A and the lower shell 37, and is positioned in its initial position.

[0072] The second insulator 43 of the second connector 41 is formed with a pair of recessed second contact holding portions 43B that are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction and that each penetrate the second insulator 43 in the Z direction. A pair of second contacts 44 connected to the ends of two electric wires C have a flat plate shape, and are each held by a pair of second contact holding portions 43B while being housed in an inner insulator 45 and surrounded by a shell 46. The +Z direction portion of each second contact 44 is housed and held in the second contact holding portion 43B, and the -Z direction portion of the second contact 44 protrudes in the -Z direction within the second contact holding portion 43B.

[0073] Next, the mating operation of the first connector 31 and the second connector 41 will be described. As shown in Figure 13, with the rotation angle of the lever member 42 set to 0 degrees and the lever member 42 in its initial rotation position, the second connector 41 is moved from the +Z direction to the -Z direction toward the first connector 31, and as shown in Figures 17 and 18, the +Z direction portion of the first connector 31 is inserted into the inside of the second insulator 43 of the second connector 41.

[0074] As a result, as shown in Figure 19, the second insulator 43 of the second connector 41 is positioned at the mating start position with respect to the first insulator 33 of the first connector 31, and the first pin 33A of the first connector 31 is inserted into the entrance of the cam groove 42D of the lever member 42, while the second pin 35C of the push member 35 protrudes in the Y direction from the first insulator 33 through the notch 33F formed at the -Z direction end of the first insulator 33 without contacting the lever member 42.

[0075] 20, the first insulator 33 is inserted to an intermediate position in the Z direction within the second contact holding portion 43B of the second insulator 43, and the second contact 44 is inserted into the first contact accommodating portion 33B through the through hole 33E of the first insulator 33 and begins to come into contact with the first contact 34. In addition, the push member 35 is pressed in the +Z direction by the spring 38 and is located at its initial position relative to the first insulator 33. The pressing surface 35D of the push plate 35B has not yet come into contact with the force point portion 34C of the first contact 34.

[0076] In this state, when the lever member 42 is rotated, the first pin 33A of the first connector 31 is inserted into the cam groove 42D of the lever member 42, and the second insulator 43 of the second connector 41 gradually moves in the -Z direction relative to the first insulator 33 of the first connector 31. Furthermore, the push member 35 remains in the initial position relative to the first insulator 33 unless the second pin 35C comes into contact with the lever member 42 and is pushed in the −Z direction.

[0077] As shown in Figure 21, when the lever member 42 is rotated to the first rotation position where the handle portion 42A is at 45 degrees relative to the Y direction, the first pin 33A of the first connector 31 moves relatively along the cam groove 42D of the lever member 42, but the second pin 35C of the push member 35 has not yet been pushed in the -Z direction by the outer periphery of the lever member 42.

[0078] 22, the second insulator 43 of the second connector 41 moves in the −Z direction relative to the first insulator 33 of the first connector 31, and the X-direction side surface of the second contact 44 faces the contact portion 34B of the first contact 34. In other words, the second insulator 43 is positioned at the mating position relative to the first insulator 33. Meanwhile, the push member 35 is held in the initial position relative to the first insulator 33, and the pressing surface 35D of the push plate 35B remains out of contact with the force point portion 34C of the first contact 34.

[0079] From this state, when the lever member 42 is rotated to the second rotation position where the handle portion 42A is at 90 degrees relative to the Y direction, as shown in Figure 23, the first pin 33A of the first connector 31 is inserted to the deepest part of the cam groove 42D of the lever member 42, but due to the shape of the cam groove 42D, the Z-direction position of the second insulator 43 relative to the first insulator 33 does not change. On the other hand, the second pin 35C of the push member 35 is pushed in the −Z direction by an outer peripheral cam surface 42E that protrudes radially from the disk portion 42B of the lever member 42.

[0080] As a result, as shown in FIG. 24, while the second insulator 43 of the second connector 41 is held in the mating position relative to the first insulator 33 of the first connector 31, the push member 35 moves in the -Z direction relative to the first insulator 33, retracting from the initial position to the retracted position, and the pressing surface 35D of the push plate 35B comes into contact with the force point portion 34C of the first contact 34 and presses the force point portion 34C in the X direction.

[0081] Here, the distance L4 from the fulcrum portion 34A to the force point portion 34C of the first contact 34 is set to be longer than the distance L3 from the fulcrum portion 34A to the contact portion 34B. Therefore, due to the so-called principle of leverage, a force greater than the pressing force received by the force point portion 34C from the push plate 35B of the push member 35 acts on the contact portion 34B, and the contact portion 34B of the first contact 34 comes into contact with the second contact 44 with a high contact pressure.

[0082] In this way, when the lever member 42 is rotated from the initial rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 42A relative to the Y direction is 0 degrees to the first rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 42A relative to the Y direction is 45 degrees, by holding the push member 35 in the initial position relative to the first insulator 33 of the first connector 31, the second insulator 43 of the second connector 41 can be moved from the mating start position to the mating position relative to the first insulator 33 of the first connector 31 without the pressing surface 35D of the push plate 35B coming into contact with the force point portion 34C of the first contact 34, making it possible to easily mate the first connector 31 and the second connector 41 with a small insertion force.

[0083] Furthermore, when the lever member 42 is rotated from the first rotation position to a second rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 42A with respect to the Y direction is 90 degrees, the push member 35 is retracted from the initial position to the retracted position with respect to the first insulator 33 of the first connector 31 while the second insulator 43 of the second connector 41 is held in the mating position with respect to the first insulator 33 of the first connector 31, and the force point portion 34C of the first contact 34 is pressed in the X direction by the push plate 35B, so that the contact portion 34B of the first contact 34 can be brought into contact with the second contact 44 with a high contact pressure. At this time, the first contact 34 and the second contact 44 are pressed against each other in the X direction without rubbing against each other in the Z direction, and therefore, the first contact 34 and the second contact 44 are electrically connected while preventing damage to their surfaces.

[0084] Therefore, as in embodiment 1, the first connector 31 and the second connector 41 can be easily mated, while the first contact 34 and the second contact 44 can be brought into contact with high contact pressure, thereby achieving a reliable electrical connection.

[0085] Embodiment 3 25 shows a state before mating of the connector assembly according to embodiment 3. The connector assembly includes a first connector 51 and a second connector 61 that mates with the first connector 51 along the mating direction. The second connector 61 is attached to the ends of two electric wires C. The first connector 51 and the second connector 61 are mated and separated by operating a lever member 62 that is rotatably attached to the second connector 61.

[0086] Here, for convenience, the mating direction of the first connector 51 and the second connector 61 will be referred to as the Z direction, the direction of the rotation axis of the lever member 62 attached to the second connector 61 as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction as the Y direction. The second connector 61 moves from the +Z direction to the −Z direction and is mated with the first connector 51.

[0087] 26 shows an exploded perspective view of the first connector 51. The first connector 51 has a lower insulator 53L, an upper insulator 53U connected to the lower insulator 53L, a pair of first contacts 54 held by the upper insulator 53U and extending along the Z direction, and a pair of block-shaped first push members 55 held by the lower insulator 53L and the upper insulator 53U. The lower insulator 53L and the upper insulator 53U are connected to each other to form the first insulator 53.

[0088] The lower insulator 53L has a flat base 53A extending along the XY plane, and a pair of flat support portions 53B extending in the +Z direction from the +X-direction end and the -X-direction end of the base 53A, respectively, and facing each other in the X direction, with a pair of first pins 53C protruding in the X direction formed on the opposing surfaces of the pair of support portions 53B. While only the first pin 53C formed on the support portion 53B on the -X-direction side is shown in Figure 26, a similar first pin 53C is also formed on the support portion 53B on the +X-direction side. These two first pins 53C are arranged on the same straight line along the X direction.

[0089] The upper insulator 53U has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and notches 53D are formed on both sides of the upper insulator 53U in the X direction, into which corresponding first push members 55 are inserted. Although only the notch 53D formed on the +X direction side of the upper insulator 53U is shown in Fig. 26, a similar notch 53D is also formed on the -X direction side of the upper insulator 53U.

[0090] Furthermore, the first connector 51 has a pair of shells 56 fixed within the upper insulator 53U and arranged to surround the pair of first contacts 54, respectively, and a waterproof gasket 57 arranged on the bottom surface of the lower insulator 52 on the -Z direction side.

[0091] 27 shows an exploded perspective view of the second connector 61. The second connector 61 has a second insulator 63 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, a lever member 62 rotatably attached to the second insulator 63, a pair of second contacts 64 connected to the ends of two electric wires C, a cylindrical second push member 65 disposed below the second insulator 63, and a pair of inner insulators 66 that respectively house the pair of second contacts 64.

[0092] The second push member 65 has an outer surface formed with a pair of second pins 65A that protrude in the +X direction and the −X direction, respectively. A pair of shaft members 63A protruding in the +X and −X directions, respectively, are formed on the outer surface of the second insulator 63. Furthermore, a notch 63B into which a corresponding second pin 65A of the second push member 65 is inserted is formed on the −Z direction side of the shaft member 63A on the outer surface of the second insulator 63.

[0093] 27 shows only the second pin 65A formed on the outer surface of the second push member 65 on the +X direction side and the shaft member 63A and notch 63B formed on the outer surface of the second insulator 63 on the +X direction side, but a similar second pin 65A is also formed on the outer surface of the second push member 65 on the −X direction side, and a similar shaft member 63A and notch 63B is also formed on the outer surface of the second insulator 63 on the −X direction side. The second pin 65A, shaft member 63A, and notch 63B on the +X direction side and the second pin 65A, shaft member 63A, and notch 63B on the −X direction side are arranged on the same straight line along the X direction.

[0094] Lever member 62 has a handle portion 62A bent into a U-shape, and a pair of disk portions 62B connected to both ends of handle portion 62A, facing each other in the X direction, and extending along the YZ plane. A first cam groove 62D curved in a substantially arc-like shape is formed on each of the outer surfaces facing in opposite directions of the pair of disk portions 62B, and a central recessed portion 62C and a second cam groove 62E positioned outside central recessed portion 62C and curved in a substantially arc-like shape are formed on each of the opposing surfaces of the pair of disk portions 62B.

[0095] 27 shows only the first cam groove 62D formed in the +X direction side disc portion 62B and the central recessed portion 62C and second cam groove 62E formed in the −X direction side disc portion 62B, but a similar first cam groove 62D is also formed in the −X direction side disc portion 62B, and a similar central recessed portion 62C and second cam groove 62E are also formed in the +X direction side disc portion 62B. The central recessed portion 62C, first cam groove 62D, and second cam groove 62E of the +X direction side disc portion 62B and the central recessed portion 62C, first cam groove 62D, and second cam groove 62E of the −X direction side disc portion 62B are each arranged on the same straight line along the X direction.

[0096] The pair of shaft members 63A of the second insulator 63 are inserted into the central recesses 62C of the pair of disk portions 62B, whereby the lever member 62 is held rotatably relative to the second insulator 63.

[0097] In addition, a pair of first pins 53C of the first insulator 53 are inserted into the first cam grooves 62D of the pair of disc portions 62B, and these first cam grooves 62D and first pins 53C form a first cam mechanism that moves the first insulator 53 and the second insulator 63 relatively along the Z direction in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member 62. Furthermore, a pair of second pins 65A of the second push member 65 are inserted into the second cam grooves 62E of the pair of disc portions 62B, and these second cam grooves 62E and second pins 65A form a second cam mechanism that moves the second push member 65 along the Z direction in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member 62.

[0098] Furthermore, the second connector 61 has two sets of shells 67 that surround the pair of inner insulators 66, respectively. In addition, the second push member 65 has a front portion 65B located on the -Z side of the second pin 65A and a rear portion 65C located on the +Z side of the second pin 65A, and a front waterproof gasket 68 is arranged on the outer periphery of the front portion 65B, and a rear waterproof gasket 69 is arranged on the outer periphery of the rear portion 65C.

[0099] As shown in Figure 28, the second insulator 63 of the second connector 61 is formed with a pair of concave second contact holding portions 63C that are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction and each penetrate the second insulator 63 in the Z direction. A pair of second contacts 64 connected to the ends of two electric wires C have a flat plate shape, and are each held by a pair of second contact holding portions 63C while being housed in an inner insulator 66 and surrounded by a shell 67. The +Z direction portion of each second contact 64 is housed and held in the second contact holding portion 63C, and the -Z direction end of the second contact 64 protrudes in the -Z direction within the second contact holding portion 63C.

[0100] A concave rear portion accommodating section 63D that is open toward the -Z direction is formed at the -Z direction end of the second insulator 63, and the rear portion 65C of the second push member 65 is accommodated in the rear portion accommodating section 63D so that it can move along the Z direction. Furthermore, a concave first insulator accommodating portion 63E that is open toward the -Z direction is formed on the side between the second insulator 63 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical second push member 65. The inner circumferential surfaces of the portions of the second push member 65 that face each other in the X direction form a pushing surface 65D that pushes the first push member 55 of the first connector 51 in the X direction when the first connector 51 and the second connector 61 are mated.

[0101] In the first insulator 53 of the first connector 51, a recessed front partial accommodating portion 53E that is open toward the +Z direction is formed by the base portion 53A of the lower insulator 53L. Additionally, a pair of recessed first push member accommodating portions 53F are formed between the pair of notches 53D of the upper insulator 53U and the base portion 53A of the lower insulator 53L. A pair of first push members 55 are accommodated in the pair of first push member accommodating portions 53F so as to be movable along the X direction. A pressing surface 55A that faces the corresponding first contact 54 is formed on an end portion of each first push member 55 in the +Z direction.

[0102] In addition, the first insulator 53 of the first connector 51 is formed with a pair of recessed first contact accommodating portions 53G that are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction and each extend in the Z direction, and a pair of first contacts 54 are accommodated in these pair of first contact accommodating portions 53G. A pair of through holes 53H communicating with the pair of first contact accommodating portions 53G are formed on the +Z direction side of the pair of first contact accommodating portions 53G. The through holes 53H are adapted to receive corresponding second contacts 64 of the second connector 61 when the first connector 51 and the second connector 61 are mated.

[0103] 29, each first contact 54 is made of a spring contact bent into a U-shape, and has a fulcrum portion 54A formed in the bent portion of the U-shape, a contact portion 54B located on the -Z side of fulcrum portion 54A, and a force point portion 54C located on the -Z side of contact portion 54B and forming a free end. The contact portion 54B and the force point portion 54C are arranged to be elastically displaceable in the X direction relative to the fulcrum portion 54A, and the contact portion 54B comes into contact with the second contact 64 of the second connector 61 when the first connector 51 and the second connector 61 are mated, and the force point portion 54C receives a pressing force from the pressing surface 55A of the first push member 55.

[0104] Next, the mating operation of the first connector 51 and the second connector 61 will be described. As shown in Figure 25, with the rotation angle of the lever member 62 set to 0 degrees and the lever member 62 in its initial rotation position, the second connector 61 is moved from the +Z direction to the -Z direction toward the first connector 51, and as shown in Figures 30 and 31, the +Z direction portion of the first connector 51 is inserted into the inside of the second insulator 63 of the second connector 61.

[0105] As a result, as shown in Figure 32, the second insulator 63 of the second connector 61 is positioned at the mating start position with respect to the first insulator 53 of the first connector 51, and the first pin 53C of the first connector 51 is inserted into the entrance of the first cam groove 62D of the lever member 62. 33, the second pin 65A of the second push member 65 of the second connector 61 is inserted into the second cam groove 62E of the lever member 62. As shown in FIG.

[0106] At this time, as shown in Figure 34, the first insulator 53 is inserted up to the middle position in the Z direction within the first insulator accommodating portion 63E of the second insulator 63, and the second contact 64 begins to be inserted into the first contact accommodating portion 53G through the through hole 53H of the first insulator 53.

[0107] In addition, the first push member 55 of the first connector 51 is located at a first initial position in the X direction relative to the first insulator 53, and the pressing surface 55A of the first push member 55 is in contact with the force point portion 54C of the first contact 54. Meanwhile, the second push member 65 of the second connector 61 is located at a second initial position where the rear portion 65C is inserted into the rear portion accommodating portion 63D of the second insulator 63 to the furthest point on the +Z direction side.

[0108] As shown in Figure 35, when the lever member 62 is rotated to a first rotation position where the handle portion 62A is at 45 degrees relative to the Y direction, the first pin 53C of the first connector 51 moves relatively along the first cam groove 62D of the lever member 62, and the second insulator 63 of the second connector 61 moves in the -Z direction relative to the first insulator 53 of the first connector 51. 36, the second pin 65A of the second push member 65 of the second connector 61 is inserted into the second cam groove 62E of the lever member 62 up to the middle portion thereof.

[0109] Therefore, as shown in Figure 37, the second insulator 63 of the second connector 61 moves in the -Z direction until it reaches the mating position with respect to the first insulator 53 of the first connector 51, and the X-direction side of the second contact 64 faces the contact portion 54B of the first contact 54. As the second insulator 63 moves relative to the first insulator 53, the second push member 65 also moves in the -Z direction relative to the first push member 55 held by the first insulator 53, but maintains its second initial position relative to the second insulator 63, and the pushing surface 65D of the second push member 65 has not yet reached the first push member 55, so that the first push member 55 continues to maintain its first initial position relative to the first insulator 53.

[0110] From this state, when the lever member 62 is rotated to the second rotation position where the handle portion 62A is at 90 degrees relative to the Y direction, as shown in Figure 38, the first pin 53C of the first connector 51 is inserted into the deepest part of the first cam groove 62D of the lever member 62, but due to the shape of the first cam groove 62D, the Z-direction position of the second insulator 63 relative to the first insulator 53 does not change. 39, the second pin 65A of the second pushing member 65 is also inserted into the second cam groove 62E of the lever member 62 to the deepest part.

[0111] 40, while the second insulator 63 of the second connector 61 is held in the mating position relative to the first insulator 53 of the first connector 51, the second push member 65 moves in the -Z direction relative to the second insulator 63 and advances from the second initial position to the advanced position. As a result, the pushing surface 65D of the second push member 65 comes into contact with the first push member 55, moving the first push member 55 in the X direction from the first initial position to the protruding position. As a result, the pressing surface 55A of the first push member 55 presses the force point portion 54C of the first contact 54 in the X direction.

[0112] Here, the distance L6 from the fulcrum portion 54A to the force point portion 54C of the first contact 54 is set to be longer than the distance L5 from the fulcrum portion 54A to the contact portion 54B. Therefore, due to the so-called principle of leverage, a force greater than the pressing force received by the force point portion 54C from the pressing surface 55A of the first push member 55 acts on the contact portion 54B, and the contact portion 54B of the first contact 54 comes into contact with the second contact 64 with a high contact pressure.

[0113] Furthermore, the presence of the front waterproof gasket 68 seals the gap between the outer periphery of the front portion 65B of the second push member 65 and the inner periphery of the front partial accommodating portion 53E of the first insulator 53, and similarly, the presence of the rear waterproof gasket 69 seals the gap between the outer periphery of the rear portion 65C of the second push member 65 and the inner periphery of the rear partial accommodating portion 63D of the second insulator 63. This prevents water from entering the connection between the first contact 54 and the second contact 64 from the outside.

[0114] In this way, when the lever member 62 is rotated from the initial rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 62A with respect to the Y direction is 0 degrees to the first rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 62A with respect to the Y direction is 45 degrees, by holding the first push member 55 at the first initial position and holding the second push member 65 at the second initial position, the second insulator 63 of the second connector 61 can be moved from the mating start position to the mating position relative to the first insulator 53 of the first connector 51 without the pressing surface 55A of the first push member 55 pressing the force point portion 54C of the first contact 54, and it becomes possible to easily mate the first connector 51 and the second connector 61 with a small insertion force.

[0115] Furthermore, when the lever member 62 is rotated from the first rotation position to a second rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 62A with respect to the Y direction is 90 degrees, the second insulator 63 of the second connector 61 is held in the mating position with respect to the first insulator 53 of the first connector 51, and the second push member 65 is advanced from the second initial position to the advanced position with respect to the second insulator 63, thereby moving the first push member 55 from the first initial position to the protruding position with respect to the first insulator 53, and the pressing surface 55A of the first push member 55 presses the force point portion 54C of the first contact 54 in the X direction, so that the contact portion 54B of the first contact 54 can be brought into contact with the second contact 64 with a high contact pressure. At this time, the first contact 54 and the second contact 64 are pressed against each other in the X direction without rubbing against each other in the Z direction, and therefore, the first contact 54 and the second contact 64 are electrically connected while preventing damage to their surfaces.

[0116] Therefore, as in embodiments 1 and 2, the first connector 51 and the second connector 61 can be easily mated, while the first contact 54 and the second contact 64 can be brought into contact with high contact pressure, thereby achieving a reliable electrical connection. Furthermore, the presence of the front waterproof packing 68 and the rear waterproof packing 69 can prevent water from entering the connection points between the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 64 from the outside.

[0117] Embodiment 4 41 shows a state before mating of the connector assembly according to embodiment 4. The connector assembly includes a first connector 71 and a second connector 81 that mates with the first connector 71 along the mating direction. The second connector 81 is attached to the ends of two electric wires C. The first connector 71 and the second connector 81 are mated and separated by operating a lever member 72 that is rotatably attached to the first connector 71 .

[0118] Here, for convenience, the mating direction of the first connector 71 and the second connector 81 will be referred to as the Z direction, the direction of the rotation axis of the lever member 72 attached to the first connector 71 as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction as the Y direction. The second connector 81 moves from the +Z direction to the −Z direction and is mated with the first connector 71.

[0119] 42 shows an exploded perspective view of the first connector 71. The first connector 71 has a lower insulator 73L, an upper insulator 73U connected to the lower insulator 73L, a pair of first contacts 74 held by the upper insulator 73U and extending along the Z direction, and a push member 75 held movably in the Z direction along the outer circumferential surface of the upper insulator 73U. The lower insulator 73L and the upper insulator 73U are connected to each other to form the first insulator 73.

[0120] Lower insulator 73L has a flat base 73A extending along the XY plane, and a pair of flat support portions 73B extending in the +Z direction from the +X direction end and the -X direction end of base 73A, respectively, and facing each other in the X direction, with a pair of shaft members 73C protruding in the X direction formed on the opposing surfaces of the pair of support portions 73B. While Fig. 42 only shows the shaft member 73C formed on the support portion 73B on the -X direction side, a similar shaft member 73C is also formed on the support portion 73B on the +X direction side. These two shaft members 73C are arranged on the same straight line along the X direction. Furthermore, the surface of the base portion 73A on the +Z direction side forms an abutment surface 73D.

[0121] The upper insulator 73U has an outer shape that is approximately rectangular, and a pair of first contact accommodating sections (described later) for accommodating a pair of first contacts 74 are formed inside the upper insulator 73U, and a pair of through holes 73E communicating with the pair of first contact accommodating sections are formed at the +Z direction end of the upper insulator 73U.

[0122] Lever member 72 has a handle portion 72A bent into a U-shape, and a pair of disk portions 72B connected to both ends of handle portion 72A, facing each other in the X direction, and extending along the YZ plane. A central recess 72C is formed on each of the outer surfaces of the pair of disk portions 72B facing in opposite directions, and a first cam groove 72D curved in a substantially arc-like shape and a second cam groove 72E located on the opposite side of the center of disk portion 72B from first cam groove 72D and curved in a substantially arc-like shape are formed on each of the opposing surfaces of the pair of disk portions 72B. The pair of shaft members 73C of the lower insulator 73L are inserted into the central recesses 72C of the pair of disk portions 72B, so that the lever member 72 is rotatably held relative to the lower insulator 73L.

[0123] 42 only shows central recess 72C formed in disc portion 72B on the +X direction side and first cam groove 72D and second cam groove 72E formed in disc portion 72B on the −X direction side, but a similar central recess 72C is also formed in disc portion 72B on the −X direction side, and similar first cam groove 72D and second cam groove 72E are also formed in disc portion 72B on the +X direction side. Central recess 72C, first cam groove 72D, and second cam groove 72E of disc portion 72B on the +X direction side and central recess 72C, first cam groove 72D, and second cam groove 72E of disc portion 72B on the −X direction side are each arranged on the same straight line along the X direction.

[0124] Push member 75 has a cylindrical shape, and a pair of second pins 75A protruding in the +X direction and the -X direction, respectively, are formed on the outer surface of push member 75. Although Fig. 42 only shows second pin 75A formed on the outer surface on the +X direction side of push member 75, a similar second pin 75A is also formed on the outer surface on the -X direction side of push member 75. The pair of second pins 75A are arranged on the same straight line along the X direction. Further, the push member 75 has a front portion 75B located on the +Z direction side of the second pin 75A, and a rear portion 75C located on the −Z direction side of the second pin 75A.

[0125] Furthermore, the first connector 71 has a pair of shells 76 that respectively surround the pair of first contacts 74, and a waterproof packing 77 that is disposed on the surface of the lower insulator 73L on the -Z direction side. The first connector 71 also has a front waterproof gasket 78 arranged on the outer periphery of the front portion 75B of the push member 75, and a rear waterproof gasket 79 arranged on the rear end surface facing the -Z direction of the rear portion 75C of the push member 75.

[0126] 43 shows an exploded perspective view of the second connector 81. The second connector 81 has a second insulator 83 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, a pair of second contacts 84 connected to the ends of two electric wires C, and a pair of inner insulators 85 that respectively house the pair of second contacts 84. Furthermore, the second connector 81 has two sets of shells 86 that respectively surround the pair of inner insulators 85.

[0127] A pair of first pins 83A protruding in the +X direction and the -X direction, respectively, are formed on the outer surface of the second insulator 83. Although Fig. 43 shows only the first pin 83A formed on the outer surface on the +X direction side of the second insulator 83, a similar first pin 83A is also formed on the outer surface on the -X direction side of the second insulator 83. These two first pins 83A are arranged on the same straight line along the X direction. The second insulator 83 is also formed with a pair of second contact accommodating portions 83B that penetrate the second insulator 83 in the Z direction and that accommodate the pair of second contacts 84, respectively.

[0128] A pair of first pins 83A of the second insulator 83 are inserted into first cam grooves 72D of a pair of disc portions 72B of the lever member 72, and these first cam grooves 72D and first pins 83A form a first cam mechanism that moves the first insulator 73 and the second insulator 83 relatively along the Z direction in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member 72. Furthermore, a pair of second pins 75A of the push member 75 are inserted into the second cam grooves 72E of the pair of disc portions 62B of the lever member 72, and these second cam grooves 72E and second pins 75A form a second cam mechanism that moves the push member 75 along the Z direction in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member 72.

[0129] Next, the mating operation of the first connector 71 and the second connector 81 will be described. As shown in Figure 41, with the rotation angle of the lever member 72 set to 0 degrees and the lever member 72 in its initial rotation position, the second connector 81 is moved from the +Z direction to the -Z direction toward the first connector 71, and as shown in Figures 44 and 45, the +Z direction portion of the first connector 71 is inserted into the inside of the second insulator 83 of the second connector 81.

[0130] As a result, as shown in Figure 46, the second insulator 83 of the second connector 81 is positioned at the mating start position with respect to the first insulator 73 of the first connector 71, and the first pin 83A of the second insulator 83 is inserted into the entrance of the first cam groove 72D of the lever member 72, while the second pin 75A of the push member 75 is inserted into the deepest part of the second cam groove 72E of the lever member 72.

[0131] At this time, as shown in Figure 47, the upper insulator 73U of the first connector 71 is inserted up to the middle position in the Z direction within the first insulator accommodating portion 83C formed at the -Z direction end of the second insulator 83, and the second contact 84 passes through the through hole 73E of the upper insulator 73U and begins to be inserted into the first contact accommodating portion 73F formed inside the upper insulator 73U.

[0132] The first contact 74 accommodated in the first contact accommodating portion 73F consists of a spring contact bent into a U-shape, and has a fulcrum portion 74A formed at the U-shaped bent portion, a contact portion 74B located on the -Z side of the fulcrum portion 74A, and a force point portion 74C located on the -Z side of the contact portion 74B and forming a free end, but the second contact 84 has not yet reached a position opposite the contact portion 74B of the first contact 74.

[0133] Furthermore, a front portion accommodating portion 83D is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the first insulator accommodating portion 83C of the second insulator 83 and the outer circumferential surface 73G of the upper insulator 73U, and the front portion 75B of the push member 75 is accommodated in the front portion accommodating portion 83D at the side furthest in the +Z direction, and the push member 75 is located in an initial position with respect to the first insulator 73. The push member 75 has a pressing surface 75D that protrudes in the X direction toward the first contact 74, but at this time, the pressing surface 75D is not in contact with the force point portion 74C of the first contact 74.

[0134] As shown in Figure 48, when the lever member 72 is rotated to the first rotation position where the handle portion 72A is at 45 degrees relative to the Y direction, the first pin 83A of the second insulator 83 moves relatively along the first cam groove 72D of the lever member 72, and the second insulator 83 of the second connector 81 moves in the -Z direction relative to the first insulator 73 of the first connector 71. Furthermore, the second pin 75A of the push member 75 moves from the deepest part to the middle part of the second cam groove 72E of the lever member 72, but due to the shape of the second cam groove 72E, the position of the push member 75 relative to the first insulator 73 does not change, and the push member 75 maintains its initial position.

[0135] Therefore, as shown in Figure 49, the second insulator 83 of the second connector 81 moves in the -Z direction until it reaches the mating position with respect to the first insulator 73 of the first connector 71, and the X-direction side of the second contact 84 faces the contact portion 74B of the first contact 74. Furthermore, the initial position of the push member 75 relative to the first insulator 73 is maintained, and the pressing surface 75D of the push member 75 remains out of contact with the force point portion 74C of the first contact 74.

[0136] From this state, when the lever member 72 is rotated to the second rotation position where the handle portion 72A is at 90 degrees in the Y direction, as shown in Figure 50, the first pin 83A of the second insulator 83 is inserted into the deepest part of the first cam groove 72D of the lever member 72, but due to the shape of the first cam groove 72D, the Z-direction position of the second insulator 83 relative to the first insulator 73 does not change. Meanwhile, the second pin 75A of the push member 75 relatively advances in the second cam groove 72E of the lever member 72 toward the entrance, and the push member 75 moves relative to the first insulator 73 in the −Z direction.

[0137] 51 , while the second insulator 83 of the second connector 81 is held in the mating position relative to the first insulator 73 of the first connector 71, the push member 75 moves in the −Z direction relative to the first insulator 73, and the push member 75 retracts from the initial position to the retracted position. When the push member 75 retracts to the retracted position, the rear waterproof gasket 79, which is disposed on the rear end surface on the −Z direction side of the rear portion 75C of the push member 75, is pressed against the abutment surface 73D of the first insulator 73, and the pressing surface 75D of the push member 75 is positioned in the Z direction opposite the force point portion 74C of the first contact 74, and presses the force point portion 74C in the X direction.

[0138] Here, the distance L8 from the fulcrum portion 74A to the force point portion 74C of the first contact 74 is set to be longer than the distance L7 from the fulcrum portion 74A to the contact portion 74B. Therefore, due to the so-called principle of leverage, a force greater than the pressing force received by the force point portion 74C from the pressing surface 75D of the push member 75 acts on the contact portion 74B, and the contact portion 74B of the first contact 74 comes into contact with the second contact 84 with a high contact pressure.

[0139] Furthermore, the presence of front waterproof gasket 78 seals the gap between the outer periphery of front portion 75B of push member 75 and the inner periphery of front portion accommodating portion 83D of second insulator 83, and similarly, the presence of rear waterproof gasket 79 seals the gap between the rear end face of rear portion 75C of push member 75 and abutment surface 73D of first insulator 73. This prevents water from entering the connection between first contact 74 and second contact 84 from the outside.

[0140] In this way, when the lever member 72 is rotated from the initial rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 72A relative to the Y direction is 0 degrees to the first rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 72A relative to the Y direction is 45 degrees, by holding the push member 75 in the initial position relative to the first insulator 73 of the first connector 71, the second insulator 83 of the second connector 81 can be moved from the mating start position to the mating position relative to the first insulator 73 of the first connector 71 without the pressing surface 75D of the push member 75 pressing against the force point portion 74C of the first contact 74, making it possible to easily mate the first connector 71 and the second connector 81 with a small insertion force.

[0141] Furthermore, when the lever member 72 is rotated from the first rotation position to a second rotation position where the angle of the handle portion 72A with respect to the Y direction is 90 degrees, the push member 75 is retracted from the initial position to the retracted position with respect to the first insulator 73 of the first connector 71 while holding the second insulator 83 of the second connector 81 in the mating position with respect to the first insulator 73 of the first connector 71, and the pressing surface 75D of the push member 75 presses the force point portion 74C of the first contact 74 in the X direction, so that the contact portion 74B of the first contact 74 can be brought into contact with the second contact 84 with a high contact pressure. At this time, the first contact 74 and the second contact 84 are pressed against each other in the X direction without rubbing against each other in the Z direction, and therefore, the first contact 74 and the second contact 84 are electrically connected while preventing damage to their surfaces.

[0142] Therefore, as in embodiments 1 to 3, the first connector 71 and the second connector 81 can be easily mated, while the first contacts 74 and the second contacts 84 can be brought into contact with high contact pressure, thereby achieving a reliable electrical connection. Furthermore, the presence of the front waterproof packing 78 and the rear waterproof packing 79 can prevent water from entering the connection points between the first contacts 74 and the second contacts 84 from the outside.

[0143] Fifth embodiment 52 shows a first connector 91 used in a connector assembly according to embodiment 5. First connector 91 is configured in such a way that lower insulator 93L is used instead of lower insulator 73L in first connector 71 according to embodiment 4, and lever member 92 and auxiliary lever member 94 are used instead of lever member 72, but the rest of the configuration is the same as first connector 71, that is, upper insulator 73U is connected to lower insulator 93L, and push member 75 is held so as to be movable in the Z direction along the outer peripheral surface of upper insulator 73U.

[0144] Lower insulator 93L has a pair of disk-shaped support portions 93B instead of the pair of support portions 73B of lower insulator 73L used in first connector 71 of embodiment 4, and other configurations are similar to those of lower insulator 73L. In lower insulator 73L, one shaft member 73C is formed on each support portion 73B, but each support portion 93B of lower insulator 93L of embodiment 5 has a pair of shaft members (not shown) that protrude in both the +X direction and the −X direction.

[0145] 53, lever member 92 has a handle portion 92A bent into a U-shape, and a pair of disk portions 92B connected to both ends of handle portion 92A, facing each other in the X direction, and extending along the YZ plane. A central recess 92C is formed in each of the outer surfaces facing opposite directions of the pair of disk portions 92B, and a first cam groove 72D and a second cam groove 72E, which are curved in a substantially arc-like shape, are formed in the opposing surfaces of the pair of disk portions 92B. First cam groove 72D and second cam groove 72E are the same as those formed in lever member 72 in embodiment 4.

[0146] Furthermore, on the outer surfaces of the pair of disc portions 92B facing in opposite directions, a first gear 92F is formed, in which a plurality of teeth projecting in the X direction are arranged in a circular shape along the outer periphery of the disc portion 92B. The handle portion 92A is formed with a pair of semicircular recessed wire holding portions 92G adjacent to each other in the X direction at the apex of the U-shape farthest from the pair of disk portions 92B.

[0147] 54, the auxiliary lever member 94 has a handle portion 94A bent into a U-shape and a pair of disk portions 94B connected to both ends of the handle portion 94A, facing each other in the X direction, and extending along the YZ plane, similar to the lever member 92. However, the handle portion 94A is formed wider in the X direction than the handle portion 92A of the lever member 92. A central recess 94C is formed on each of the inner surfaces of the pair of disk portions 94B that face each other.

[0148] Furthermore, a second gear 94F is formed on each of the opposing inner surfaces of the pair of disk portions 94B. The second gear 94F has a plurality of teeth projecting in the X direction and arranged in a circle along the outer periphery of the disk portion 94B. The second gear 94F has the same size and arrangement pitch as the first gear 92F formed on the pair of disk portions 92B of the lever member 92. The handle portion 94A is formed with a pair of semicircular recessed wire holding portions 94G adjacent to each other in the X direction at the apex of the U-shape farthest from the pair of disk portions 94B.

[0149] The lever member 92 and the auxiliary lever member 94 are each held rotatably relative to the lower insulator 93L by inserting shaft members (not shown) protruding in both the +X direction and the -X direction from each of the pair of support portions 93B of the lower insulator 93L into the central recesses 92C of the pair of disc portions 92B of the lever member 92 and the central recesses 94C of the pair of disc portions 94B of the auxiliary lever member 94. The pair of disc portions 92B of the lever member 92 are disposed inside the pair of support portions 93B of the lower insulator 93L, and the pair of disc portions 94B of the auxiliary lever member 94 are disposed outside the pair of support portions 93B of the lower insulator 93L.

[0150] 55, an intermediate gear 95 is attached to the +Z direction end of the support part 93B so as to be rotatable in the XY plane around a central axis extending in the Z direction. The intermediate gear 95 meshes with both a first gear 92F of the disk part 92B of the lever member 92 arranged on one side in the X direction of the support part 93B and a second gear 94F of the disk part 94B of the auxiliary lever member 94 arranged on the other side in the X direction of the support part 93B, thereby configuring a lever interlocking mechanism that rotates the auxiliary lever member 94 in the opposite direction to the lever member 92 in conjunction with the rotational movement of the lever member 92.

[0151] As shown in Figure 56, when the rotation angle of the lever member 92 is set to 0 degrees on the -Y side of the lower insulator 93L and the lever member 92 is set to its initial rotation position, the lever member 92 and the auxiliary lever member 94 are set so that the rotation angle of the auxiliary lever member 94 is 0 degrees on the +Y side of the lower insulator 93L.

[0152] With the second insulator 83 of the second connector 81 positioned at the mating start position relative to the first connector 91, when the lever member 92 is rotated to the second rotation position where the handle portion 92A is at 90 degrees in the Y direction, as shown in Figure 57, the first connector 91 and the second connector 81 are mated and a reliable electrical connection is achieved between the first connector 91 and the second connector 81, but at this time, the lever interlocking mechanism also causes the auxiliary lever member 94 to rotate to 90 degrees in the Y direction.

[0153] As a result, the two electric wires C connected to the second connector 81 are sandwiched between the semicircular electric wire holding portion 92G formed on the handle portion 92A of the lever member 92 and the semicircular electric wire holding portion 94G formed on the handle portion 94A of the auxiliary lever member 94, and are held by the lever member 92 and the auxiliary lever member 94. Therefore, even if an external force such as vibration acts on the electrical equipment in which the first connector 91 is mounted, it is possible to restrict the movement of the two electric wires C connected to the second connector 81 that is mated with the first connector 91.

[0154] In addition, it is also possible to directly mesh the first gear 92F of the disc portion 92B of the lever member 92 with the second gear 94F of the disc portion 94B of the auxiliary lever member 94 without using the intermediate gear 95, thereby configuring the second gear 94F to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the first gear 92F.

[0155] In the above embodiments 1 to 5, the initial rotation position, first rotation position and second rotation position of the lever members 22, 42, 62, 72 and 92 are set to positions where the rotation angles of the lever members 22, 42, 62, 72 and 92 are 0 degrees, 45 degrees and 90 degrees, respectively, but this is not limited to this and they can also be set to positions with other rotation angles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 1 first connector, 1A first housing, 1B protrusion, 1C first contact, 2 second connector, 2A second housing, 2B pivot point portion, 2C contact insertion port, 2D second contact, 3 lever member, 4 electric wire, 11, 31, 51, 71, 91 first connector, 13, 33, 53, 73 first insulator, 13A, 33A, 53C, 83A first pin, 13B, 83B second contact accommodating portion, 13C, 33C push member accommodating portion, 14, 34, 54, 74 first contact, 15, 35, 75 push member, 15A, 35A base portion, 15B, 35B push plate, 15C, 35C, 65A, 75A second pin, 15D, 35D, 55A, 75D pressing surface, 16, 36 Upper shell, 17, 37 Lower shell, 18, 38 Spring, 19, 39, 57, 77 Waterproof packing, 21, 41, 61, 81 Second connector, 22, 42, 62, 72, 92 Lever member, 22A, 42A, 62A, 72A, 92A, 94A Handle portion, 22B, 42B, 62B, 72B, 92B, 94B Disc portion, 22C, 42C, 62C, 72C, 92C, 94C Central recess, 22D, 62D, 72D First cam groove, 22E, 62E, 72E Second cam groove, 22F Step portion, 23, 43, 63, 83 Second insulator, 23A, 43A, 63A, 73C Shaft member, 23B First connector accommodating portion, 23C, 43B, 63C Second contact holding portion, 24, 44, 64, 84 Second contact, 24A, 34A, 54A, 74A Fulcrum portion, 24B, 34B, 54B, 74B Contact portion, 24C, 34C, 54C, 74C Force point portion, 25, 45, 66, 85 Inner insulator, 26, 46, 56, 67, 76, 86 Shell, 33B, 53G, 73F First contact accommodating portion, 33C Push member accommodating portion, 33D Push plate accommodating portion, 33E, 53H, 73E Through hole, 42D Cam groove, 42E Outer cam surface, 53A, 73A Base, 53B, 73B, 93B Support portion, 53D, 63B Notch, 53E, 83D Front portion accommodating portion, 53F first push member accommodating portion, 53L, 73L, 93L lower insulator, 53U, 73U upper insulator, 55 first push member, 63D rear portion accommodating portion, 63E, 83C first insulator accommodating portion, 65 second push member, 65B,75B front portion, 65C, 75C rear portion, 65D extrusion surface, 68, 78 front waterproof packing, 69, 79 rear waterproof packing, 73D abutment surface, 73G outer peripheral surface, 92F first gear, 92G, 94G electric wire holding portion, 94 auxiliary lever member, 94F second gear, 95 intermediate gear, D mating direction, C electric wire, L1 to L8 distance.

Claims

1. a first connector having a first insulator and a first contact held by the first insulator; a second connector having a second insulator and second contacts held by the second insulator, the second connector mating with the first connector along a mating direction; a lever member rotatably held on one of the first insulator and the second insulator; a push member for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other; a first cam mechanism that moves the first insulator and the second insulator relatively along the fitting direction in conjunction with rotation of the lever member; a second cam mechanism that moves the push member in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member; Equipped with When the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position with the second insulator positioned at a mating start position relative to the first insulator, the first cam mechanism moves the second insulator to the mating position along the mating direction, and when the lever member is further rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member while holding the second insulator at the mating position, so that the first contact and the second contact come into contact with each other at a predetermined contact pressure, the first contact and the second contact each extend along the mating direction; one of the first contact and the second contact is a spring contact, and the other is a fixed contact; the push member moved by the second cam mechanism presses the spring contact toward the fixed contact in a direction intersecting the fitting direction, thereby bringing the first contact and the second contact into contact with each other; the push member is held movably relative to the first insulator between an initial position and a retracted position along the fitting direction, and has a pressing surface for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other when the push member is located at the initial position; When the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member from the initial position to the retracted position, and when the lever member is further rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member from the retracted position to the initial position, and the pressing surface presses the first contact and the second contact against each other.

2. the spring contact has a force point portion that comes into contact with the push member and receives a pressing force from the push member, a fulcrum portion that serves as a fulcrum for elastic deformation of the spring contact when the pressing force is received by the force point portion, and a contact portion that is disposed between the force point portion and the fulcrum portion and comes into contact with the fixed contact, 2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the distance from the fulcrum portion to the force point portion is longer than the distance from the fulcrum portion to the contact portion.

3. the second contact is the spring contact, 3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the lever member rotates from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, the push member is moved from the initial position to the retracted position by the second cam mechanism, and when the lever member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the push member is moved from the retracted position to the initial position by the second cam mechanism, and presses the second contact against the first contact with the pressing surface.

4. the lever member is rotatably held by the second insulator, the first cam mechanism has a first cam groove formed in the lever member, and a first pin formed to protrude from the first insulator and inserted into the first cam groove, A connector assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second cam mechanism has a second cam groove formed in the lever member and a second pin formed to protrude from the push member and inserted into the second cam groove.

5. the first connector has a spring for holding the push member in the initial position; 5. The connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein when the lever member rotates from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, the push member is moved from the initial position to the retracted position against the elastic force of the spring by the second cam mechanism.

6. A first connector having a first insulator and a first contact held by the first insulator; a second connector having a second insulator and second contacts held by the second insulator, the second connector mating with the first connector along a mating direction; a lever member rotatably held on one of the first insulator and the second insulator; a push member for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other; a first cam mechanism that moves the first insulator and the second insulator relatively along the fitting direction in conjunction with rotation of the lever member; a second cam mechanism that moves the push member in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member; Equipped with When the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position with the second insulator positioned at a mating start position relative to the first insulator, the first cam mechanism moves the second insulator to the mating position along the mating direction, and when the lever member is further rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member while holding the second insulator at the mating position, so that the first contact and the second contact come into contact with each other at a predetermined contact pressure, the first contact and the second contact each extend along the mating direction; one of the first contact and the second contact is a spring contact, and the other is a fixed contact; the push member moved by the second cam mechanism presses the spring contact toward the fixed contact in a direction intersecting the fitting direction, thereby bringing the first contact and the second contact into contact with each other; the push member includes a first push member held movably with respect to the first insulator between a first initial position and a protruding position along a direction intersecting the fitting direction, and a second push member held movably with respect to the second insulator between a second initial position and an advanced position along the fitting direction, the first push member has a pressing surface for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other when the first push member is located in the protruding position; the second pushing member has a pushing surface for pushing the first pushing member to the protruding position when the second pushing member is located at the forward position, a connector assembly in which, while the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, the first push member is held at the first initial position and the second push member is held at the second initial position, and when the lever member is rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism causes the second push member to move from the second initial position to the advanced position, and the pushing surface moves the first push member from the first initial position to the protruding position, and the pressing surface of the first push member presses the first contact and the second contact against each other.

7. the first contact is the spring contact, 7. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein when the lever member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the first push member moves from the first initial position to the protruding position and presses the first contact toward the second contact with the pressing surface.

8. the lever member is rotatably held by the second insulator, the first cam mechanism has a first cam groove formed in the lever member, and a first pin formed to protrude from the first insulator and inserted into the first cam groove, 8. A connector assembly as described in claim 6 or 7, wherein the second cam mechanism has a second cam groove formed in the lever member and a second pin formed to protrude from the second push member and inserted into the second cam groove.

9. the second push member has a front portion located closer to the first connector than the second pin along the mating direction, and a rear portion located closer to the first connector than the second pin along the mating direction, the first insulator has a recessed front portion accommodating portion in which the front portion is accommodated so as to be movable along the fitting direction, the second insulator has a recessed rear portion accommodating portion in which the rear portion is accommodated so as to be movable along the fitting direction, 9. The connector assembly according to claim 8, further comprising: a front waterproof gasket disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the front portion and sealing between the outer peripheral surface of the front portion and the inner peripheral surface of the front portion accommodating portion; and a rear waterproof gasket disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion and sealing between the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion and the inner peripheral surface of the rear portion accommodating portion.

10. A first connector having a first insulator and a first contact held by the first insulator; a second connector having a second insulator and second contacts held by the second insulator, the second connector mating with the first connector along a mating direction; a lever member rotatably held on one of the first insulator and the second insulator; a push member for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other; a first cam mechanism that moves the first insulator and the second insulator relatively along the fitting direction in conjunction with rotation of the lever member; a second cam mechanism that moves the push member in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member; Equipped with When the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position with the second insulator positioned at a mating start position relative to the first insulator, the first cam mechanism moves the second insulator to the mating position along the mating direction, and when the lever member is further rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism moves the push member while holding the second insulator at the mating position, so that the first contact and the second contact come into contact with each other at a predetermined contact pressure, the first contact and the second contact each extend along the mating direction; one of the first contact and the second contact is a spring contact, and the other is a fixed contact; the push member moved by the second cam mechanism presses the spring contact toward the fixed contact in a direction intersecting the fitting direction, thereby bringing the first contact and the second contact into contact with each other; the push member is held movably relative to the first insulator between an initial position and a retracted position along the mating direction, and has a pressing surface for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other when the push member is located at the retracted position; while the lever member is rotated from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, the push member is held at the initial position, and when the lever member is rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the push member is moved from the initial position to the retracted position by the second cam mechanism, and the pressing surface presses the first contact and the second contact against each other; the lever member is rotatably held by the first insulator, the first cam mechanism has a first cam groove formed in the lever member, and a first pin formed to protrude from the second insulator and inserted into the first cam groove, the second cam mechanism has a second cam groove formed in the lever member, and a second pin formed to protrude from the push member and inserted into the second cam groove, the push member has a front portion located closer to the second connector than the second pin along the mating direction, and a rear portion located on the opposite side of the second connector than the second pin along the mating direction, the second insulator has a recessed front portion accommodating portion in which the front portion is accommodated so as to be movable along the fitting direction, the first insulator has an abutment surface that abuts against a rear end surface of the rear portion when the push member is located at the retracted position, a front waterproof gasket disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the front portion and sealing between the outer peripheral surface of the front portion and the inner peripheral surface of the front portion accommodating portion; and a rear waterproof gasket disposed on the rear end surface of the rear portion and sealing between the rear end surface of the rear portion and the abutment surface when the push member is positioned in the retracted position.

11. the first contact is the spring contact, 11. The connector assembly according to claim 10, wherein the push member is held in the initial position while the lever member rotates from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, and when the lever member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second cam mechanism causes the push member to move from the initial position to the retracted position, and the pressing surface presses the first contact against the second contact.

12. the lever member is rotatably held by the second insulator, the first cam mechanism has a cam groove formed in the lever member, and a first pin formed to protrude from the first insulator and inserted into the cam groove, 12. The connector assembly according to claim 10, wherein the second cam mechanism has an outer circumferential cam surface formed on the lever member, and a second pin formed to protrude from the push member and contact the outer circumferential cam surface.

13. the first connector has a spring for holding the push member in the initial position; 13. The connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein the push member is held in the initial position by the spring while the lever member rotates from the initial rotation position to the first rotation position, and when the lever member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the push member is moved from the initial position to the retracted position against the elastic force of the spring by the second cam mechanism.

14. an auxiliary lever member rotatably held by the first insulator; and a lever interlocking mechanism that rotates the auxiliary lever member in a direction opposite to that of the lever member in conjunction with a rotational movement of the lever member, the second contact is connected to a tip end of an electric wire; 14. The connector assembly according to claim 10, wherein the electric wire is sandwiched and held by the lever member and the auxiliary lever member when the lever member is located at the second rotation position.

15. 15. The connector assembly according to claim 14, wherein the lever interlocking mechanism includes a first gear formed on the lever member and a second gear formed on the auxiliary lever member and rotating in accordance with rotation of the first gear.

16. 16. The connector assembly according to claim 15, wherein the lever interlocking mechanism includes an intermediate gear rotatably disposed on the lever member and meshing with both the first gear and the second gear.

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