Lever-type connector
The lever-type connector's design with a peripheral wall covering the locking arm addresses the issue of deformation, ensuring reliable operation and assembly detection without size increase.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022094103
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-06-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-23
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-06-10
AI Technical Summary
The locking plate in lever-type connectors is prone to deformation due to unexpected external forces, compromising the connector's functionality.
The connector design includes a peripheral wall that covers the arm portion of the locking arm, preventing deformation and enhancing the holding force of the locking projection, while maintaining the connector's size and allowing for multiple protrusion functions.
The design effectively prevents unexpected deformation of the locking arm, ensuring reliable operation and detection of incorrect assembly without increasing the connector's size.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a lever-type connector. [Background technology]
[0002] A lever-type connector is equipped with a lever that uses the principle of leverage to assist in mating and disengaging with a mating connector. The lever is assembled to a housing and is axially supported so as to be rotatable between an initial position and a fully mated position where the mating connector is properly mated with respect to the housing. This type of lever-type connector may be equipped with a locking portion that holds the lever in the initial position when the connector is not mated with the mating connector. The locking portion includes a flexible locking plate and a locking step that protrudes from the locking plate and engages with the lever. When the connector is mated with the mating connector, the locking step is pressed by the mating connector, causing the locking plate to bend and disengage from the lever, allowing the lever to rotate to the fully mated position (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-317853 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In the above connector, there was a concern that the locking plate would be deformed by the application of an unexpected external force, and improvements were needed. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] The lever-type connector disclosed in this specification comprises a connector housing having a mating surface and a lever mounting surface different from the mating surface and adapted to mate with a mating connector, a front member having a front wall arranged along the mating surface and a peripheral wall extending from the front wall and arranged along the lever mounting surface, and a lever rotatably assembled to the connector housing from an initial position to a fully mated position, wherein the connector housing comprises an arm body flexibly arranged on the lever mounting surface, and a locking arm having a locking protrusion protruding from the arm body and engaging with the lever when the lever is in the initial position, and the peripheral wall covers the arm body. [Effects of the Invention]
[0006] The lever-type connector disclosed in this specification can prevent unexpected deformation of the locking arm due to the application of an external force. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lever-type connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lever-type connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector housing and the front holder according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the lever-type connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the connector housing according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector housing of the embodiment taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the lever-type connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the front holder of the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the mating connector of the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view of the mating connector of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view showing the lever-type connector and the mating connector in the initial mating state in the embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 12, showing the lever-type connector and the mating connector in the initial state of mating in the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view showing a state in which the lever-type connector and the mating connector have been completely mated in the embodiment. [Figure 15] 15 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 14, showing a state in which the lever-type connector and the mating connector have been completely mated in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] [Outline of the embodiment] (1) The lever-type connector disclosed in this specification comprises a connector housing having a mating surface and a lever mounting surface different from the mating surface, which is mated with a mating connector; a front member having a front wall arranged along the mating surface and a peripheral wall extending from the front wall and arranged along the lever mounting surface; and a lever rotatably assembled to the connector housing from an initial position to a fully mated position, wherein the connector housing comprises a locking arm having an arm portion flexibly arranged on the lever mounting surface and a locking protrusion protruding from the arm portion and engaging with the lever when the lever is in the initial position, and the peripheral wall covers the arm portion.
[0009] With the above configuration, the arm portion is protected by the peripheral wall, which prevents unexpected deformation of the lock arm due to the application of external force. In addition, the peripheral wall of the front member is used as a protective wall for the lock arm, which makes it possible to protect the lock arm without increasing the size of the connector.
[0010] (2) In the lever-type connector of (1) above, the peripheral wall may be disposed adjacent to the locking projection on the opposite side to the lever.
[0011] According to this configuration, the holding force of the locking projection against the lever is assisted by the peripheral wall, so that the lever can be reliably prevented from unexpectedly rotating to the mating completion position.
[0012] (3) In the lever-type connector of (1) or (2) above, the locking protrusion may comprise a first protrusion portion having a lever engagement surface that engages with the lever when the lever is in the initial position, and a second protrusion portion having a guide surface that inclines in a direction away from the mating surface as it moves away from the arm portion.
[0013] According to this configuration, the locking projection has a plurality of protruding portions, and therefore each protruding portion can have a different function, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in design.
[0014] (4) In any of the lever-type connectors (1) to (3) above, the connector housing may comprise a terminal holding portion having a cavity capable of accommodating a terminal fitting, and a lock arrangement portion disposed at a position different from the terminal holding portion, and the lock arrangement portion may comprise the lock arm and a mating completion holding portion that engages with the lever when the lever is in the mating completion position.
[0015] According to this configuration, the components for holding the lever in the initial position and the mating completion position are all disposed in the lock arrangement portion, thereby making it possible to avoid making the configuration of the connector housing more complicated.
[0016] [Details of the embodiment] Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 15. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.
[0017] 1 and 2, the lever-type connector 1 of this embodiment is a connector that mates with a mating connector 100, and includes a connector housing 10 that holds terminal fittings connected to the ends of electric wires, a front holder 70 that is assembled to the connector housing 10, a lever 80 that is assembled to the connector housing 10 so as to be rotatable between an initial mating position and a completed mating position, and a wire cover 90 that is assembled to the connector housing 10 to protect the electric wires. In the following description, the mating direction of the lever-type connector 1 with the mating connector 100 (from the lower left to the upper right in FIG. 1) is referred to as the front-rear direction, and the side to which the mating connector 100 is assembled (the lower left side in FIG. 1) is referred to as the front side.
[0018] [Connector housing 10] The connector housing 10 is made of synthetic resin, and includes a housing main body 11, two rotation shafts 12, and two holder locking projections 13, as shown in FIG.
[0019] 4 and 5, the front surface is a fitting surface 11A, the rear surface (the surface opposite to fitting surface 11A) is a wire guide-out surface 11B, the surface perpendicular to fitting surface 11A is a lock arrangement surface 11C, and the two surfaces perpendicular to fitting surface 11A and lock arrangement surface 11C are a first lever attachment surface 11D1 (an example of a lever attachment surface) and a second lever attachment surface 11D2. In housing body 11, a portion adjacent to fitting surface 11A is a holder attachment portion 11H that is slightly smaller than the portion further to the rear, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, and between holder attachment portion 11H and the portion further to the rear, there is a step surface 11S facing the fitting surface 11A between lock arrangement surface 11C and the two lever attachment surfaces 11D1 and 11D2.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the housing body 11 adjacent to the lock arrangement surface 11C is a lock arrangement portion 31, and the other portion is a terminal holding portion .
[0021] 3, the terminal holding portion 21 has a plurality of cavities 22 that penetrate between the fitting surface 11A and the wire leading-out surface 11B. Inside each cavity 22, a female terminal fitting and an end portion of an electric wire connected to the female terminal fitting are held.
[0022] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lock arrangement portion 31 includes an initial lock portion 41 arranged adjacent to the first lever mounting surface 11D1, an incorrect assembly prevention portion 61 arranged adjacent to the second lever mounting surface 11D2, and an engagement completion lock portion 51 arranged between the initial lock portion 41 and the incorrect assembly prevention portion 61.
[0023] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the initial locking portion 41 includes a first locking recess 42 arranged in the first lever mounting surface 11D1, and a first locking arm 43 (an example of a locking arm) arranged inside the first locking recess 42.
[0024] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first locking recess 42 is a recess defined by two first side surfaces 42A arranged perpendicular to the first lever mounting surface 11D1 and spaced apart from each other, a first rear end surface 42B connecting the edges of the two first side surfaces 42A on the mating surface 11A side and facing away from the mating surface 11A, and a first bottom surface 42C connecting the two first side surfaces 42A and parallel to the first lever mounting surface 11D1.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first locking arm 43 includes a first arm portion 44 (an example of an arm portion) and a first locking protrusion 45 (an example of a locking protrusion) protruding from the first arm portion 44. The first arm portion 44 is shaped like a leaf spring extending from the first rear end surface 42B toward the wire guide-out surface 11B and is flexible in a direction perpendicular to the first lever mounting surface 11D1. The first locking protrusion 45 is disposed at the extending end of the first arm portion 44 and protrudes outward beyond the first lever mounting surface 11D1. The first locking protrusion 45 includes a first protrusion 46 that engages with the lever 80 and a second protrusion 47 that is pressed by the mating connector 100. The first protrusion 46 and the second protrusion 47 are disposed in this order from the side closest to the terminal holding portion 21.
[0026] 5, 6, and 8, the surface of the first protrusion 46 facing the mating surface 11A has a first holder receiving surface 46A perpendicular to the first lever mounting surface 11D1, and the surface facing the opposite side from the mating surface 11A is a lever engaging surface 46B that engages with the lever 80. The lever engaging surface 46B is a steep surface that extends approximately perpendicular to the first lever mounting surface 11D1. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the surface of the second protrusion 47 facing the mating surface 11A has a second holder receiving surface 47A adjacent to the first holder receiving surface 46A and perpendicular to the first lever mounting surface 11D1, and a guide surface 47B that is disposed closer to the tip of the second protrusion 47 than the second holder receiving surface 47A and inclined in a direction away from the mating surface 11A as it moves away from the first arm portion 44.
[0027] As shown in Figure 6, the protruding height H1 of the first protrusion 46, which is determined by the distance from the outer surface of the first arm portion 44 to the extending end of the first protrusion 46, is smaller than the protruding height H2 of the second protrusion 47, which is determined by the distance from the outer surface of the first arm portion 44 to the extending end of the second protrusion 47.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the mating completion lock portion 51 includes a second lock recess 52 arranged on the lock placement surface 11C, and a second lock arm 53 (an example of a mating completion holding portion) arranged inside the second lock recess 52.
[0029] The second lock recess 52 is a recess defined by two second side surfaces 52A arranged perpendicular to the lock arrangement surface 11C and spaced apart from each other, and a second rear end surface 52B that connects the edges of the two second side surfaces 52A on the mating surface 11A side and faces away from the mating surface 11A.
[0030] The second lock arm 53 includes a second arm portion 54 and a second lock protrusion 55 protruding from the second arm portion 54. The second arm portion 54 has a leaf spring shape extending from the second rear end surface 52B toward the wire guide-out surface 11B. The second lock protrusion 55 protrudes from the extending end of the second arm portion 54 outward beyond the lock arrangement surface 11C.
[0031] 8, the incorrect assembly prevention portion 61 has an incorrect assembly prevention recess 62 arranged in the second lever mounting surface 11D2. The incorrect assembly prevention recess 62 is a recess defined by two third side surfaces 62A arranged perpendicular to the second lever mounting surface 11D2 and spaced apart from each other, and a second bottom surface 62B connecting the two third side surfaces 62A and parallel to the second lever mounting surface 11D2, and has an opening in the fitting surface 11A.
[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, a rotation shaft 12 and a holder locking projection 13 are arranged on the first lever mounting surface 11D1. The rotation shaft 12 is generally cylindrical and extends outward from the first lever mounting surface 11D1. The holder locking projection 13 is a projection that protrudes from the first lever mounting surface 11D1. A rotation shaft 12 and a holder locking projection 13 are also arranged on the second lever mounting surface 11D2.
[0033] [Front holder 70] The front holder 70 is a member that covers the holder mounting portion 11H of the connector housing 10. The front holder 70 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Figures 3, 8, and 9, has a front wall 71 arranged along the mating surface 11A, and a peripheral wall 73 that extends from the periphery of the front wall 71 and surrounds the holder mounting portion 11H.
[0034] The front wall 71 forms part of the wall surrounding the cavity 22 and prevents the terminal fittings arranged inside the cavity 22 from slipping out. The front wall 71 has a plurality of terminal insertion holes 72 that allow the entry of mating terminals provided in the mating connector 100. Each of the plurality of terminal insertion holes 72 communicates with each of the plurality of cavities 22. The peripheral wall 73 has a first side wall 73A arranged along the first lever mounting surface 11D1 and a second side wall 73B arranged along the second lever mounting surface 11D2.
[0035] 7 and 8, when the front holder 70 is attached to the connector housing 10, the first side wall 73A covers the first arm portion 44. The first locking projection 45 is exposed from the front holder 70, and the extending end of the first side wall 73A is disposed adjacent to the first locking projection 45.
[0036] 3 and 9, the front holder 70 extends from the front wall 71 to the extending end of the second side wall 73B and has a notch 74 penetrating the second side wall 73B. When the front holder 70 is attached to the connector housing 10, the notch 74 communicates with the incorrect assembly prevention recess 62, as shown in FIG.
[0037] 3 and 9, the front holder 70 has two holder locking holes 75 that penetrate the first side wall 73A and the second side wall 73B, respectively, and receive the holder locking projections 13. As shown in FIG. 2, each holder locking projection 13 enters the holder locking hole 75 and locks onto the hole edge of the holder locking hole 75, thereby holding the front holder 70 in the connector housing 10.
[0038] [Lever 80] The lever 80 is a member that assists in the mating and disengagement of the connector housing 10 with respect to the mating connector 100 by using the principle of leverage, and is rotatably supported with the pivot shaft 12 as the center of rotation between an initial position (the position shown in Figures 1, 7 and 12) and a completed mating position (the position shown in Figure 14) in which the mating connector 100 is mated to the connector housing 10 in the normal mating position.
[0039] The lever 80 is made of synthetic resin and is a roughly U-shaped member that includes a first cam plate 81A arranged along the first lever mounting surface 11D1, a second cam plate 81B arranged along the second lever mounting surface 11D2, and a rotation operating part 85 that connects these two cam plates 81A, 81B together, as shown in Figures 2 and 4.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the first cam plate 81A has a shaft hole 82 and a cam groove 83. The shaft hole 82 is a substantially circular hole that penetrates the first cam plate 81A, and the rotary shaft 12 is inserted therein. The cam groove 83 is a groove that is arranged on the outer surface of the first cam plate 81A (the surface opposite to the second cam plate 81B), and has a cam entrance opening 83A on the outer edge of the first cam plate 81A. The cam groove 83 has a substantially arc shape that gradually approaches the shaft hole 82, which is the rotation center of the first cam plate 81A, as it extends from the cam entrance opening 83A toward the back. The outer peripheral surface of the first cam plate 81A has an engagement receiving surface 84 that engages with the lever engagement surface 46B of the first protrusion 46 when the lever 80 is in the initial position.
[0041] The second cam plate 81B has the same configuration as the first cam plate 81A except that it does not have the locking receiving surface 84, so the same components as the first cam plate 81A are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0042] 2, the lever 80 has a locking claw 86 that protrudes from the rotation operation part 85. The locking claw 86 is a protrusion that protrudes from the center position between both ends of the rotation operation part 85.
[0043] [Wire cover 90] The wire cover 90 is a member that is attached to the connector housing 10 so as to cover the wire guide-out surface 11B and protects the wires guided out from the cavity 22. The wire cover 90 is made of synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. 2, includes a main wall 91 and two side walls 92 extending from the main wall 91. The main wall 91 is a wall that is disposed opposite the wire guide-out surface 11B. The two side walls 92 extend from two side edges of the main wall 91, respectively, and are disposed opposite each other. Note that, for ease of viewing the drawings, the wire cover 90 is omitted from FIGS. 4, 7, and 8.
[0044] [Mating connector 100] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the mating connector 100 includes a mating housing 110 that can be mated with the connector housing 10, and a plurality of mating terminal fittings 120 that are assembled to the mating housing 110.
[0045] The mating housing 110 is made of synthetic resin, and as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, includes a terminal holding wall 111, a hood portion 112, two partition walls 113, and three misassembly prevention protrusions 117A, 117B, and 117C.
[0046] 10 and 11, the terminal holding wall 111 has a rectangular plate shape. The hood portion 112 has a square cylindrical shape extending from the terminal holding wall 111 and is composed of two long walls 112A arranged opposite to each other, a first short wall 112B connecting one ends of the two long walls 112A, and a second short wall 112C connecting the other ends of the two long walls 112A. Two partition walls 113 are arranged inside the hood portion 112 and divide the internal space of the mating housing 110 defined by the terminal holding wall 111 and the hood portion 112 into three mating spaces 114A, 114B, and 114C. The connector housing 10 is fitted inside one mating space 114A adjacent to the first short wall 112B, and other connector housings (not shown) are fitted into the other mating spaces 114B and 114C. 15, the first short wall 112B has an escape recess 115. The escape recess 115 is a recess recessed from the inner surface of the first short wall 112B, and is capable of receiving the first locking protrusion 45.
[0047] 10 and 11, mating housing 110 has six cylindrical cam followers 116. One cam follower 116 protrudes from the inner surfaces of each of two short walls 112B, 112C. One cam follower 116 also protrudes from each of both sides of two partition walls 113. In other words, two pairs of cam followers 116 protrude from inside each of three fitting spaces 114A, 114B, 114C.
[0048] Each of the multiple mating terminal fittings 120 is made of metal and has an L-shaped rod shape as shown in Figure 12, and includes a tab portion 121 that penetrates the terminal holding wall 111 and a connection portion 122 that extends approximately perpendicularly from one end of the tab portion 121.
[0049] As shown in Fig. 11, the three mis-assembly prevention protrusions 117A, 117B, and 117C are arranged one inside each of the three mating spaces 114A, 114B, and 114C. The three mis-assembly prevention protrusions 117A, 117B, and 117C have different shapes. The mis-assembly prevention recess 62 and the cutout 74 of the lever-type connector 1 mated with one mating space 114A can accept the mis-assembly prevention protrusion 117A arranged inside the one mating space 114A, but cannot accept the other mis-assembly prevention protrusions 117B and 117C arranged inside the other mating spaces 114B and 114C.
[0050] [Mating of lever-type connector 1 and mating connector 100] 7 and 8, when the lever-type connector 1 is not mated with the mating connector 100, the lever 80 is held in the initial position, and the lever engagement surface 46B of the first protrusion 46 abuts against the locking receiving surface 84 of the first cam plate 81A, thereby restricting the lever 80 from rotating from the initial position to the mating completion position. The lever engagement surface 46B is a steep surface that extends substantially perpendicular to the plane including the first lever mounting surface 11D1, which increases the strength of engagement with the first cam plate 81A and ensures that the lever 80 is held in the initial position.
[0051] When an unexpected external force is applied to the lever 80, the lever 80 may attempt to rotate from the initial position to the mating completion position against the locking force of the first protrusion 46. In such a case, there is a concern that the first protrusion 46 will be pressed toward the mating surface 11A by the first cam plate 81A, causing the first lock arm 43 to bend outward. However, in this embodiment, the first arm 44 is covered by the first side wall 73A of the front holder 70, thereby suppressing deformation of the first arm 44. Furthermore, the extending end of the first side wall 73A is disposed adjacent to the second protrusion 47 and the first protrusion 46. As a result, even if the first protrusion 46 is pressed toward the mating surface 11A by the first cam plate 81A, the holding force of the first protrusion 46 on the lever 80 is assisted by the first side wall 73A, thereby reliably preventing the lever 80 from rotating unexpectedly toward the mating completion position.
[0052] When the lever-type connector 1 is mated with the mating connector 100, first, the connector housing 10 shallowly enters the mating space 114A of the mating connector 100. Then, as shown in Fig. 12, the cam follower 116 enters the inside of the cam groove 83 from the cam entrance opening 83A. Then, as shown in Fig. 13, the first short wall 112B is guided by the guide surface 47B and rides up onto the second protrusion 47, causing the first arm 44 to bend inward and the first locking protrusion 45 to retreat into the first locking recess 42. This releases the engagement of the first protrusion 46 with the first cam plate 81A, allowing the lever 80 to rotate to the mating completion position. At this time, since the protruding height H1 of the first protrusion 46 is smaller than the protruding height H2 of the second protrusion 47, the first protrusion 46 reliably retreats into the inside of the first locking recess 42, and the engagement of the first protrusion 46 with the first cam plate 81A is reliably released.
[0053] Next, the lever 80 is rotated from the initial position toward the mating completion position. As the lever 80 rotates, the cam follower 116 moves toward the back of the cam groove 83, and the connector housing 10 is pulled relatively toward the mating connector 100 by a cam action based on the engagement between the cam follower 116 and the cam groove 83. As the lever 80 approaches the mating completion position, the locking claw 86 rides up onto the second locking protrusion 55, thereby deflecting the second locking arm 53.
[0054] When the lever 80 reaches the mating completion position, the connector housing 10 reaches the correct mating position with respect to the mating connector 100, as shown in Fig. 14. The second lock arm 53 elastically returns, and the lock claw 86 engages with the second lock protrusion 55, thereby holding the lever 80 at the completed mating position. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 15, the first lock arm 43 elastically returns, and the first lock protrusion 45 is housed inside the escape recess 115.
[0055] Furthermore, the incorrect assembly prevention protrusion 117A is housed inside the incorrect assembly prevention recess 62. If the lever-type connector 1 mistakenly enters one of the other mating spaces 114B, 114C, the incorrect assembly prevention protrusions 117B, 117C cannot enter the incorrect assembly prevention recess 62, and the connector housing 10 cannot enter the correct mating completion position, making it possible to detect the incorrect assembly.
[0056] [Action and effect] As described above, according to this embodiment, the lever-type connector 1 comprises a connector housing 10 having a mating surface 11A and a first lever mounting surface 11D1 different from the mating surface 11A and adapted to mate with a mating connector 100, a front holder 70 having a front wall 71 arranged along the mating surface 11A and a peripheral wall 73 extending from the front wall 71 and arranged along the first lever mounting surface 11D1, and a lever 80 rotatably assembled to the connector housing 10 from an initial position to a completed mating position, the connector housing 10 comprising a first arm portion 44 flexibly arranged on the first lever mounting surface 11D1 and a first locking arm 43 having a first locking protrusion 45 protruding from the first arm portion 44 and engaging with the lever 80 when the lever 80 is in the initial position, and the peripheral wall 73 covers the first arm portion 44.
[0057] According to the above configuration, the first arm portion 44 is covered and protected by the peripheral wall 73, which makes it possible to avoid unexpected deformation of the first locking arm 43 due to the application of an external force. Furthermore, the peripheral wall 73 of the front holder 70 is used as a protective wall for the first arm portion 44, which makes it possible to protect the first locking arm 43 without increasing the size of the connector.
[0058] Additionally, peripheral wall 73 is disposed adjacent to first locking projection 45 on the opposite side of lever 80. With this configuration, peripheral wall 73 assists the holding force of first locking projection 45 against lever 80, so that unintentional rotation of lever 80 to the mating completion position due to the application of an external force can be reliably restricted.
[0059] In addition, the first locking projection 45 includes a first projection portion 46 having a lever engagement surface 46B that engages with the lever 80 when the lever 80 is in the initial position, and a second projection portion 47 having a guide surface 47B that inclines in a direction away from the mating surface 11A the further away from the first arm portion 44 it is.
[0060] According to this configuration, the first locking projection 45 is provided with a plurality of projections 46, 47, and therefore the projections 46, 47 can each have a different role, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in design.
[0061] The connector housing 10 also includes a terminal holding portion 21 having a cavity 22 capable of accommodating a terminal fitting, and a lock arrangement portion 31 arranged at a position different from the terminal holding portion 21, and the lock arrangement portion 31 includes a first lock arm 43 and a second lock arm 53 that engages with the lever 80 when the lever 80 is in the completed mating position.
[0062] According to this configuration, the components for holding the lever 80 in the initial position and the mating completion position are all located in the lock arrangement portion 31, thereby making it possible to avoid making the configuration of the connector housing 10 more complicated.
[0063] <Other embodiments> (1) In the above embodiment, the lock arm is disposed on only one side of the connector housing. However, the lock arm may be disposed on both sides of the connector housing. (2) In the above embodiment, the front member was a front holder that constitutes part of the wall surrounding the cavity, but the front member may also be, for example, a front retainer that engages with the terminal fittings arranged inside the cavity to prevent the terminal fittings from coming loose. (3) In the above embodiment, the completed mating retaining portion is the second lock arm. However, the completed mating retaining portion may be, for example, a lock claw that engages with a lock arm provided on the lever. [Explanation of symbols]
[0064] 1: Lever type connector 10: Connector housing 11: Housing body 11A: Mating surface 11B: Wire lead-out surface 11C: Lock placement surface 11D1: First lever mounting surface (lever mounting surface) 11D2: Second lever mounting surface 11H: Holder mounting part 11S: Step surface 12: Rotating axis 13: Holder locking protrusion 21:Terminal holding part 22: Cavity 31: Lock placement section 41: Early Rock Section 42: First lock recess 42A: 1st side 42B: 1st back end surface 42C: 1st bottom surface 43: First lock arm (lock arm) 44: First arm section (arm section) 45: First locking protrusion (locking protrusion) 46: 1st protrusion 46A: First holder receiving surface 46B: Lever engagement surface 47:Second protrusion 47A: Second holder receiving surface 47B: Guide surface 51: Mating completion lock part 52: Second lock recess 52A:Second side 52B: 2nd back end surface 53: Second lock arm (mating completion holding portion) 54: Second arm 55: Second locking protrusion 61: Misassembly prevention part 62: Misassembly prevention recess 62A: 3rd side 62B: 2nd bottom surface 70: Front holder 71: Front wall 72: Terminal insertion hole 73: Surrounding wall 73A: 1st side wall 73B:Second side wall 74: Notch 75: Holder locking hole 80: Lever 81A: First cam plate 81B: Second cam plate 82: Shaft hole 83: Cam groove 83A: Cam entrance 84: Locking surface 85: Rotating operation unit 86: Locking claw 90: Wire cover 91: Main wall 92: Side wall 100: Mating connector 110:Matching housing 111: Terminal holding wall 112: Food section 112A: Long wall 112B: 1st short wall 112C: 2nd short wall 113: Partition wall 114A, 114B, 114C: Mating space 115:Relief recess 116: Cam follower 117A, 117B, 117C: Protrusion to prevent incorrect assembly 120: Mating terminal fitting 121: Tab section 122: Connection H1: Protrusion height of the first protrusion H2: Protrusion height of the second protrusion
Claims
1. a connector housing having a mating surface and a lever mounting surface different from the mating surface, the connector housing being adapted to be mated with a mating connector; a front member including a front wall disposed along the fitting surface and a peripheral wall extending from the front wall and disposed along the lever mounting surface; a lever rotatably attached to the connector housing from an initial position to a mating completion position, The connector housing a lock arm including an arm portion flexibly disposed on the lever mounting surface and a lock protrusion protruding from the arm portion and engaging with the lever when the lever is in the initial position; The peripheral wall covers the arm portion.
2. The lever-type connector according to claim 1 , wherein the peripheral wall is disposed adjacent to the locking projection on the opposite side from the lever.
3. 3. A lever-type connector as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the locking projection comprises: a first projection portion having a lever engagement surface that engages with the lever when the lever is in the initial position; and a second projection portion having a guide surface that inclines in a direction away from the mating surface as it moves away from the arm portion.
4. The connector housing includes a terminal holding portion having a cavity capable of accommodating a terminal fitting, and a lock arrangement portion disposed at a position different from the terminal holding portion, 3. The lever-type connector according to claim 1, wherein the lock arrangement portion comprises the lock arm and a mating completion retainer that engages with the lever when the lever is in the mating completion position.
Citation Information
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