Lever-type connector

Abstract

To provide a lever connector that easily increases in the reliability of engagement confirmation.SOLUTION: A lever connector 10, which can be fitted to a mating connector 60, comprises a housing 20, a lever 40, and a detection member 50. The housing 20 comprises a first locking part, and a locking arm 23. The locking arm 23 comprises a second locking part 23D configured to be locked to the detection member 50 so as to prevent the detection member 50 from moving from a standby position to a detection position. The second locking part 23D is arranged so as to be locked to the detection member 50 by the locking arm 23 slidingly contacting with the lever 40 to be deflected and deformed while the lever 40 rotates from a fitting start position toward a fitting completion position. The first locking part is arranged so as to be locked to the detection member 50 until it becomes possible that the second locking part 23D is locked to the detection member 50 while the lever 40 rotates from the fitting start position toward the fitting completion position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector provided with a detection member, the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-43464 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) is known. This connector includes a pair of male and female housings that can be fitted to each other, and a detection member that is movably attached between a standby position and a detection position with respect to the female housing. In the standby position, the temporary locking portion of the detection member is locked to the abutting edge of the female housing, and the movement of the detection member to the detection position is restricted. When the two housings are properly fitted, the abutting portion of the male housing interferes with the temporary locking portion, and the locking state between the temporary locking portion and the abutting edge is released. As a result, the detection member can move to the detection position, and it can be detected that the two housings are in the proper fitting state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above configuration, when the two housings approach the proper fitting state, the abutting portion starts to ride on the first tapered surface of the temporary locking portion, and the locking margin between the temporary locking portion and the abutting edge becomes smaller. Therefore, in a state where the two housings are approaching proper fitting, for example, when the detection member is strongly pushed in, the detection member may move to the detection position even though the two housings are not properly fitted. The same thing as above is considered a problem in a lever-type connector provided with a detection member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The lever-type connector of this disclosure is a lever-type connector that can be mated with a mating connector, comprising: a housing; a lever rotatably mounted to the housing between a mating start position and a mating completion position; and a detection member movably mounted to the housing between a standby position and a detection position, and permitted to move from the standby position to the detection position when the lever is in the mating completion position, wherein the housing has a first locking portion that locks the detection member when the lever is in the mating start position, thereby restricting the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position, and when the lever is in the mating completion position A lever-type connector comprising: a lock arm that engages with the lever in a certain position, the lock arm having a second locking portion that restricts the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position by engaging with the detection member, the second locking portion being arranged so as to be able to engage with the detection member by the lock arm sliding against the lever and bending and deforming as the lever rotates from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position, and the first locking portion being arranged so as to be able to engage with the detection member until the second locking portion becomes able to engage with the detection member as the lever rotates from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a lever-type connector that makes it easier to improve the reliability of mating detection. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lever-type connector and a mating connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a rear view of the lever-type connector and the mating connector. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of the lever-type connector and the mating connector. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the lock arm, the first pressing part, and the second pressing part. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the detection member mounted in a standby position relative to the housing. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 3. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the lever in the fully engaged position in cross-section AA of Figure 3. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 3. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of CC in Figure 3. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 3, taken using the DD method. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows the CC cross-section in Figure 3, where the lever has been rotated from the state in Figure 9 toward the completed fitting position, and the first locking part and the locking projection are locked together. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows the state in the EE cross-section of Figure 3 where the first pressing part is pressing against the deflection piece at the same rotation angle as in Figure 11. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows the CC cross-section of Figure 3, where the lever has been rotated from the state in Figure 11 toward the fully engaged position, and the locking between the first locking part and the locking projection has been released. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows the state in the DD cross-section of Figure 3, where the second pressing part is pressing against the flexible piece at the same rotation angle as in Figure 13. [Figure 15] Figure 15 shows the lever in the CC cross-section of Figure 3, in the fully engaged position. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows the state in which the lever is in the fully engaged position in the DD cross-section of Figure 3. [Figure 17] Figure 17 shows the lever in the fully engaged position in the EE cross-section of Figure 3. [Figure 18] Figure 18 shows the state in which the detection member is in the detection position in the CC cross-section of Figure 3. [Figure 19] Figure 19 shows the state in which the detection member is in the detection position in the DD cross-section of Figure 3. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a perspective view of the detection member.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0008] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0009] (1) The lever-type connector of the present disclosure is a lever-type connector that can be fitted with a mating connector, and includes a housing, a lever rotatably attached to the housing between a fitting start position and a fitting completion position, and a detection member movably attached to the housing between a standby position and a detection position, and the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position is permitted in a state where the lever is in the fitting completion position. The housing includes a first locking portion that restricts the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position by locking the detection member in a state where the lever is in the fitting start position, and a lock arm that locks the lever in a state where the lever is in the fitting completion position. The lock arm includes a second locking portion that restricts the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position by locking the detection member. The second locking portion is arranged to be able to lock the detection member by the lock arm slidingly contacting and deflecting the lever during the process of the lever rotating from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position. The first locking portion is arranged to be able to lock the detection member until the second locking portion can lock the detection member during the process of the lever rotating from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position. It is a lever-type connector.

[0010] With such a configuration, the locking arm has a second locking portion, and when the locking arm is elastically deformed, the second locking portion is arranged to be able to lock to the detection member. Therefore, even when the detection member is strongly pushed in when the lever-type connector and the mating connector are approaching normal fitting, the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position is restricted by the second locking portion. On the other hand, when the lever-type connector and the mating connector are normally fitted, the locking arm elastically returns, the second locking portion separates from the detection member, and the detection member can move to the detection position. By providing the second locking portion that can be locked to the detection member in conjunction with the elastic deformation of the locking arm in this way, the reliability of the fitting detection of the lever-type connector can be improved.

[0011] (2) The detection member includes a main body portion, an arm portion that extends from the main body portion and is capable of being elastically deformed, and a locking protrusion arranged at the tip of the arm portion. The main body portion is capable of being locked to the second locking portion. In a state where the lever is at the fitting start position, the locking protrusion is locked to the first locking portion. In the process of the lever rotating from the fitting start position toward the fitting completion position, the locking protrusion interferes with the mating connector, and the arm portion is elastically deformed, so that it is preferable that the locking between the locking protrusion and the first locking portion is released.

[0012] With such a configuration, as the fitting of the lever-type connector and the mating connector progresses, the locking between the first locking portion and the locking protrusion can be released. Further, even when the locking between the first locking portion and the locking protrusion is released, the second locking portion and the main body portion can be locked to each other.

[0013] (3) The lever-type connector described above further comprises a detection terminal held in the housing and forming a detection circuit by contacting a mating detection terminal provided on the mating connector, the lock arm is positioned opposite the detection terminal, and the lever includes a pressing portion that presses the lock arm toward the detection terminal, thereby separating the detection terminal from the mating detection terminal, and it is preferable that when the lever reaches the mating completion position, the pressing of the lock arm by the pressing portion is released and the detection terminal comes into contact with the mating detection terminal.

[0014] With this configuration, when the lever-type connector and the mating connector are properly mated, the lock arm elastically returns to its original position, and the detection terminal and the mating detection terminal come into contact, forming a detection circuit. Therefore, mating can be detected not only by the detection member but also by the detection circuit.

[0015] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended.

[0016] <Embodiment> Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 20. In the following description, the direction indicated by arrow Z is considered upward, the direction indicated by arrow X is considered forward, and the direction indicated by arrow Y is considered left. Note that for multiple identical components, only some components may be given reference numerals, and the reference numerals for other components may be omitted. As shown in Figure 1, the mating connector 60 to which the lever-type connector 10 can be mated is a board connector attached to a circuit board (not shown). In this embodiment, three lever-type connectors 10 can be mated to one mating connector 60. In the figure, only the lever-type connector 10 that is mated to the central part of the mating connector 60 is shown.

[0017] [Other side connector] The mating connector 60 comprises a mating housing 61 and a plurality of mating terminals 62 and a plurality of mating detection terminals 63 held in the mating housing 61. The mating housing 61 is made of synthetic resin and has an overall elongated rectangular shape. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mating housing 61 has a plurality of mating recesses 64 into which the lever-type connector 10 can be fitted. A pair of cam pins 65 are provided on the side walls 64A that make up the left and right sides of the mating recess 64. One pair of cam pins 65 is provided on each side wall 64A and is arranged symmetrically. The cam pins 65 are formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0018] As shown in Figure 6, the mating terminal 62 and the mating detection terminal 63 are made of metal needle-shaped terminals and are held in the back wall 64B that constitutes the mating recess 64 in a manner that they penetrate the back wall 64B in the front-rear direction. One end of the mating terminal 62 and the mating detection terminal 63 protrudes from the back wall 64B into the mating recess 64 and extends in the front-rear direction. The other end of the mating terminal 62 and the mating detection terminal 63 is positioned outside the mating recess 64 and is bent downwards. The mating detection terminal 63 is electrically connected to the detection terminal 30 provided on the lever-type connector 10 as the mating connector 60 and the lever-type connector 10 are properly mated (see Figure 17).

[0019] Although Figure 8 shows only one mating detection terminal 63 because it is a cross-sectional view, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mating housing 61 holds two mating detection terminals 63 spaced apart in the width direction for each mating recess 64. The two mating detection terminals 63 are connected to the detection circuit of the device. The two mating detection terminals 63 are not conductive until the detection terminal 30 of the lever-type connector 10 makes contact (detection circuit off), but when the detection terminal 30 makes contact with both mating detection terminals 63, the detection circuit is formed.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the mating housing 61 is provided with a window portion 66 that penetrates vertically through the upper wall 64C of the fitting recess 64. As will be described later, the window portion 66 is designed to receive the locking projection 52A of the detection member 50 (see Figure 18). As shown in Figure 5, the mating housing 61 is provided with a release projection 67 at the rear end of the upper wall 64C that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper wall 64C. As will be described later, the release projection 67 is a member for releasing the locking between the first locking portion 27 and the locking projection 52A (see Figure 15).

[0021] [Lever-type connector] As shown in Figure 1, the lever-type connector 10 comprises a housing 20, a plurality of terminals (not shown), a detection terminal 30 (see Figure 8), a lever 40, and a detection member 50. The terminals are female terminals and are connected to the mating terminal 62. The lever 40 is rotatable between the mating start position shown in Figure 6 and the mating completion position shown in Figure 7. When the lever 40 moves from the mating start position to the mating completion position, the lever-type connector 10 mates with the mating connector 60, and conversely, when it moves from the mating completion position to the mating start position, the lever-type connector 10 disengages from the mating connector 60.

[0022] [housing] The housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and is formed in a roughly rectangular block shape, as shown in Figure 2. The housing 20 has a terminal housing section 21 that penetrates through in the front-to-back direction, in which the terminals are housed. As shown in Figure 8, the housing 20 also has a detection terminal housing section 22 that penetrates through in the front-to-back direction, in which the detection terminal 30 is housed. The detection terminal housing section 22 is located on the upper side of the housing 20 and in the center in the left-to-right direction.

[0023] [Lock Arm] As shown in Figure 10, the housing 20 includes a lock arm 23 extending rearward from the upper wall of the housing 20. The lock arm 23 is provided so as to be able to flex and deform vertically, with its front end connected to the upper wall of the housing 20 as its base. The lock arm 23 includes a lock arm body 23A and a mating lock portion 23B that protrudes upward from the rear of the lock arm body 23A. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lock arm 23 of this embodiment has two mating lock portions 23B provided at a distance from each other in the left-right direction. The mating lock portion 23B is designed to lock with a locking portion 45B provided on the lever 40 when the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 are properly mated (see Figure 16).

[0024] As shown in Figure 10, the upper surface of the fitting lock portion 23B is a sliding contact portion 24 that is convex upward. The upper part of the rear end of the lock arm 23 is provided with a rounded pressing start portion 25.

[0025] [Second locking part] The rear end surface of the lock arm 23 is designated as the second locking portion 23D. As will be described later, the second locking portion 23D is positioned to be able to lock with the detection member 50 when the lock arm 23 is bent and deformed (see Figures 12 and 14).

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the housing 20 has a housing space SP capable of accommodating the detection member 50. The housing space SP includes a first housing space SP1 and a pair of second housing spaces SP2. The first housing space SP1 is located below the portion of the lock arm 23 near the rear end. The second housing spaces SP2 are in communication with the first housing space SP1 and are located on both sides of the first housing space SP1.

[0027] [First locking part] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, the housing 20 includes a first locking portion 27 positioned near the front end of the second housing space SP2. The first locking portion 27 extends in the width direction (left-right direction) and is connected to the inner wall constituting the second housing space SP2. The housing 20 has an opening 27A behind the first locking portion 27. This opening 27A opens in the vertical direction and connects the second housing space SP2 to the external space (see Figure 13).

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, the housing 20 includes an engaging recess 28 located on the side of the second accommodation space SP2. More specifically, the housing 20 includes an engaging recess 28 located on the right side of the right-side second accommodation space SP2 and an engaging recess 28 located on the left side of the left-side second accommodation space SP2. The engaging recess 28 has a groove-like structure and is recessed laterally from the inner wall on the side of the second accommodation space SP2.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, the housing 20 is provided with a temporary locking arm portion 29 that defines the rear half of the second accommodation space SP2 from above. The temporary locking arm portion 29 has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction and is configured to bend and deform in the vertical direction with its front end, which is connected to the upper wall of the housing 20, as its base end. As shown in Figure 9, the rear end of the temporary locking arm portion 29 is provided with a temporary locking projection 29A that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the temporary locking arm portion 29. The rear end of the temporary locking projection 29A is positioned downward and inclined as it extends forward. The front end surface of the temporary locking projection 29A is a sheer surface that is substantially perpendicular to the axis extending in the front-rear direction.

[0030] As shown in Figure 8, the lock arm 23 is positioned to partition the upper part of the detection terminal housing 22. As shown in Figure 12, the lock arm 23 is provided with a projection 23C that protrudes inward from the lock arm body 23A into the detection terminal housing 22. When the lock arm 23 bends downward, the projection 23C presses against the detection terminal 30.

[0031] [Detection terminal] As shown in Figure 8, the detection terminal 30 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate into a predetermined shape and comprises a base portion 31 arranged along the lower inner surface of the detection terminal housing portion 22, and a spring portion 32 that is folded back from the rear end of the base portion 31 toward the front and bent into a predetermined shape. The spring portion 32 comprises a contact portion 33 located near the front end of the spring portion 32 and an engaging portion 34 located at the rear end of the spring portion 32. The contact portion 33 and the engaging portion 34 are bent so as to protrude upward in a mountain shape. The spring portion 32 is forked at the tip side (front end side) and is provided with a pair of left and right contact portions 33.

[0032] As shown in Figure 17, when the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 are properly mated, each contact portion 33 comes into contact with the mating detection terminal 63. This electrically connects the two mating detection terminals 63 to the detection terminal 30, forming a detection circuit.

[0033] As shown in Figure 12, the engaging portion 34 is pressed by the projection 23C of the lock arm 23. When the engaging portion 34 is pressed by the projection 23C, the contact portion 33 is displaced to move closer to the substrate portion 31.

[0034] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a pair of pivot shafts 26 are provided on both sides of the housing 20, projecting outward from the housing 20 in the left-right direction. One pair of pivot shafts 26 is provided on each side, and they are arranged symmetrically.

[0035] [lever] The lever 40 is rotatably supported by the housing 20 and functions as a power assist mechanism when the lever-type connector 10 is mated to and unmated from the mating connector 60. The lever 40 rotates within a range from the mating start position shown in Figure 6 to the mating completion position shown in Figure 7. In other words, when the lever 40 is rotated counterclockwise from the mating start position to the mating completion position, the lever-type connector 10 is properly mated to the mating connector 60.

[0036] The lever 40 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lever 40 comprises a pair of cam plates 41 and an operating part 42 that connects the tips of the pair of cam plates 41 to each other, and the overall shape is gate-shaped.

[0037] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, each cam plate 41 has a shaft hole 41A that penetrates the cam plate 41. A pivot shaft 26 is inserted into the shaft hole 41A. The lever 40 is supported by the housing 20 so as to be rotatable about the pivot shaft 26.

[0038] The cam plate 41 has a raceway 43 into which the cam pin 65 enters. The raceway 43 has an entrance 43A that opens forward at the outer edge of the cam plate 41, and is formed to approach the shaft hole 41A as it moves from the entrance 43A towards the end 43B. When the lever type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 are shallowly mated with the lever 40 in the mating start position, the cam pin 65 enters the entrance 43A of the raceway 43, as shown in Figure 6.

[0039] When the lever 40 is moved from the mating start position to the mating completion position, the cam pin 65 engages with the inner wall of the track 43, causing the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 to mat. When the lever 40 is in the mating completion position, as shown in Figure 7, the cam pin 65 is located at the end 43B of the track 43. Conversely, when the lever 40 is moved from the mating completion position to the mating start position, the cam pin 65 engages with the inner wall of the track 43, causing the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 to disengage.

[0040] [First pressing section, second pressing section] As shown in Figure 10, the lever 40 includes a second pressing portion 45 (an example of a pressing portion) that protrudes inward in the radial direction of rotation from the operating portion 42, and a first pressing portion 44 (an example of a pressing portion) that further protrudes inward in the radial direction of rotation from the second pressing portion 45. Here, the radial direction of rotation is the direction of extension of the axis that is perpendicular to the extension direction (left-right direction) of the rotation axis 26 and passes through the rotation center, with the direction approaching the rotation axis 26 being inward and the direction moving away from the rotation axis 26 being outward. As shown in Figure 4, the second pressing portion 45 is located in the left-right center of the operating portion 42. The first pressing portion 44 is smaller in the left-right direction than the second pressing portion 45 and is located in the left-right center of the second pressing portion 45.

[0041] As shown in Figure 14, the second pressing portion 45 is provided with a curved sliding contact portion 45A. In a side view, the sliding contact portion 45A is roughly an arc shape that is part of a circle centered on the pivot axis 26. As shown in Figure 16, with the lever 40 in the mating completed position as a reference, the rear end surface of the second pressing portion 45 is a locking portion 45B. When the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 are properly mated, the locking portion 45B is positioned opposite the mating lock portion 23B, and the locking portion 45B and the mating lock portion 23B engage, thereby restricting the rotation of the lever 40 in the direction of disengaging.

[0042] The first pressing portion 44 protrudes from the sliding contact portion 45A in a mountain shape. With the lever 40 in the fully engaged position as a reference, the first pressing portion 44 is located on the front side of the sliding contact portion 45A.

[0043] [Detection component] The detection member 50 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figure 20, the detection member 50 comprises a main body 51, an arm 52 extending from the main body 51, and a locking projection 52A positioned at the tip of the arm 52. The main body 51 has a roughly gate-like shape with both ends in the width direction (left-right direction) extending forward. Arms 52 extend forward from the right and left ends of the main body 51, respectively. The arm 52 is designed to bend and deform vertically, with its rear end connected to the main body 51 as its base. The locking projection 52A is positioned near the front end of the arm 52 and protrudes upward from the arm 52. An inclined portion 52B is formed on the upper part of the front portion of the locking projection 52A. The inclined portion 52B is designed to slope downward as it approaches the front (see Figure 15). As shown in Figure 9, etc., the locking projection 52A can be locked with the first locking portion 27.

[0044] As shown in Figure 20, the main body 51 has a first recess 53 that is recessed from the main body 51 and a second recess 54 that is recessed further from the bottom surface of the first recess 53 in the left and right center of the main body 51. The second recess 54 is located in the left and right center of the first recess 53. When the lever 40 is rotated, the first pressing part 44 enters the interior of the second recess 54 and the second pressing part 45 enters the interior of the first recess 53 (see Figures 4 and 12).

[0045] An operating rib 55 is provided at the rear end of the main body 51, extending upward from the upper surface of the main body 51. By pressing a finger against the operating rib 55 or the rear surface of the main body 51 to operate the detection member 50, the detection member 50 can be moved between a standby position (see Figure 9) and a detection position (see Figure 18). In this embodiment, the detection position is located in front of the standby position, and the detection member 50 is movable in the front-rear direction.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, the detection member 50 has two protrusions 56 that project to the left and right from both sides of the main body 51. The protrusions 56 are housed in the engagement recess 28. The protrusions 56 slide against the inner wall of the engagement recess 28 and guide the movement of the detection member 50.

[0047] As shown in Figure 20, the detection member 50 is provided with a temporary locking portion 57 that protrudes from the upper surface of the main body portion 51. The temporary locking portion 57 is provided on the right and left sides of the upper surface of the main body portion 51. As shown in Figure 9, the front portion of the temporary locking portion 57 is positioned upward and inclined toward the rear. The rear end surface of the temporary locking portion 57 is a sheer surface that is substantially perpendicular to the axis extending in the front-rear direction. The temporary locking portion 57 is arranged to be able to lock with the temporary locking projection 29A when the detection member 50 is in the standby position. The locking of the temporary locking portion 57 and the temporary locking projection 29A prevents the detection member 50 from moving backward from the standby position.

[0048] [Attachment of the detection component to the housing] The attachment of the detection member 50 to the housing 20 will now be described. First, the arm portion 52 and the side portion of the main body portion 51 of the detection member 50 are inserted into the first housing space SP1. After the arm portion 52 is positioned in the first housing space SP1, the front end of the temporary locking portion 57 and the rear end of the temporary locking projection 29A come into sliding contact, causing the temporary locking arm portion 29 to bend and deform upward. When the detection member 50 is further pushed forward, the temporary locking projection 29A moves over the temporary locking portion 57. The temporary locking arm portion 29 returns to its natural state, and the detection member 50 is positioned in the standby position. When the detection member 50 is in the standby position, the locking projection 52A and the first locking portion 27 lock together, restricting the forward movement of the detection member 50. In addition, the rear end surface of the temporary locking portion 57 and the front end surface of the temporary locking projection 29A lock together, restricting the backward movement of the detection member 50.

[0049] [Detection of mating of lever-type connectors using a detection element] Next, the locking of the detection member 50 and the housing 20, and the mating detection by the detection member 50 will be explained in correspondence with the progress of mating between the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60.

[0050] The detection member 50 positions the lever-type connector 10, which is assembled in the standby position, relative to the mating connector 60, and the housing 20 is inserted into the mating recess 64 (see Figures 1 and 6). In the stage before the start of the mating operation, when the insertion is shallow, the lever 40 is away from the lock arm 23, as shown in Figure 10, so the lock arm 23 is in its natural state. For this reason, the second locking portion 23D of the lock arm 23 is not positioned to face the main body portion 51 of the detection member 50 in the front-rear direction.

[0051] With the cam pin 65 entered into the entrance 43A of the track 43, the operating unit 42 is operated, and the lever 40 is rotated from the engagement start position to the engagement completion position. As shown in Figure 12, first, the first pressing portion 44 of the lever 40 contacts the pressing start portion 25 of the lock arm 23. As a result, the lock arm 23 bends downward and deforms, entering the first housing space SP1. As a result, the second locking portion 23D and the main body portion 51 face each other in the front-rear direction. In this state of bending deformation of the lock arm 23, the second locking portion 23D and the main body portion 51 lock together, restricting the detection member 50 from moving forward toward the detection position.

[0052] Furthermore, from the initial engagement position (see Figure 9) to the position shown in Figure 11 (the same rotation angle as in Figure 12), the first locking portion 27 and the locking projection 52A face each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the locking of the first locking portion 27 and the locking projection 52A also restricts the movement of the detection member 50 to the detection position.

[0053] As the lever 40 is further rotated and approaches the mating completion position, as shown in Figure 13, the release projection 67 provided on the upper wall 64C of the mating housing 61 contacts the locking projection 52A through the opening 27A of the housing 20. As a result, the arm portion 52 bends downward and deforms, releasing the lock between the locking projection 52A and the first locking portion 27. However, unlike this embodiment, if the second locking portion 23D is not provided, the detection member 50 may be allowed to move to the detection position. In other words, even if the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 are not properly mated, there is a possibility that they may be mistakenly detected as properly mated.

[0054] However, in this embodiment, when the lever 40 is in the position shown in Figure 13, the lock arm 23 is pressed by the second pressing part 45 following the first pressing part 44, as shown in Figure 14, and is deformed by bending. Specifically, the sliding contact part 45A of the second pressing part 45 and the sliding contact part 24 are in sliding contact. As a result, the second locking part 23D and the main body part 51 can be locked together, and the detection member 50 cannot be moved to the detection position. Therefore, at the rotation angles shown in Figures 13 and 14, the detection member 50 does not move to the detection position, and therefore, proper fitting is not falsely detected.

[0055] As the lever 40 is further rotated to the mating completion position, as shown in Figure 16, the sliding contact between the sliding contact portion 45A of the second pressing portion 45 and the sliding contact portion 24 is released, and the lock arm 23 returns to its natural state. As a result, the locking portion 45B of the second pressing portion 45 and the mating lock portion 23B of the lock arm 23 are arranged to be able to lock together. The locking of the locking portion 45B and the mating lock portion 23B prevents the lever 40 from rotating from the mating completion position to the mating start position. Also, as the lock arm 23 returns to its natural state, the second locking portion 23D and the main body portion 51 no longer face each other in the front-rear direction, and the forward movement of the detection member 50 is no longer restricted by the second locking portion 23D. Therefore, as shown in Figure 19, the detection member 50 can be moved to the detection position, and the proper mating between the mating connector 60 and the lever-type connector 10 can be detected.

[0056] In other words, from the moment the lever 40 begins to slide against the lock arm 23 until the lever 40 reaches the fully engaged position, the lock arm 23 is in a deformed state, allowing the second locking portion 23D and the main body portion 51 to be locked together, and preventing the detection member 50 from moving to the detection position. Therefore, even when the lever 40 is approaching the fully engaged position, false detection of proper engagement can be avoided. That is, the reliability of engagement detection can be improved.

[0057] When the detection member 50 is pushed forward with the lever 40 in the fitted position (see Figure 16), the left and right central portions of the main body 51 are housed in the first housing space SP1 (see Figure 19). In the second housing space SP2, when the detection member 50 is pushed forward with the lever 40 in the fitted position (see Figure 15), the first locking portion 27 and the inclined portion 52B of the locking projection 52A slide into contact, causing the locking projection 52A to sink below the first locking portion 27. As the first locking portion 27 overcomes the locking projection 52A and the arm portion 52 returns to its natural position, the detection member 50 reaches the detection position (see Figure 18). When the detection member 50 is in the detection position, the locking projection 52A is positioned within the window portion 66 of the mating housing 61. The rear end surface of the locking projection 52A and the front end surface of the first locking portion 27 engage with each other, restricting the movement of the detection member 50 from the detection position to the standby position. When moving the detection member 50 from the detection position to the standby position, a jig or the like is hooked onto the front of the operating rib 55 to move the detection member 50 backward.

[0058] [Detection of mating of lever-type connectors using detection terminals] Next, the mating detection by the detection terminal 30 will be explained in relation to the progress of mating between the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60.

[0059] In the initial stage of shallow insertion before the start of the mating operation, as shown in Figure 8, the lever 40 is separated from the lock arm 23, so the lock arm 23 and the detection terminal 30 are in their natural state. Also, the detection terminal 30 and the mating detection terminal 63 are spaced apart in the mating direction (front-to-back direction).

[0060] As the lever 40 is rotated from the initial engagement position to the completed engagement position, the first pressing portion 44 contacts the initial pressing portion 25, as shown in Figure 12, causing the lock arm 23 to bend and deform downward. Then, the projection 23C of the lock arm 23 presses against the engagement portion 34 of the detection terminal 30, causing the spring portion 32 to bend and deform downward. As a result, the contact portion 33 of the detection terminal 30 is pushed down to a position lower than that of the mating detection terminal 63.

[0061] As the lever 40 is further rotated, the second pressing part 45 presses the lock arm 23 following the first pressing part 44, and the state in which the lock arm 23 is bent and deformed is maintained (see Figure 14). Therefore, the mating of the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 proceeds with the contact part 33 positioned so as not to interfere with the mating detection terminal 63.

[0062] When the lever 40 reaches the mating completion position, the lock arm 23 returns to its natural state, and the mating between the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 is completed. As shown in Figure 17, as the lock arm 23 elastically returns, the spring portion 32 also attempts to elastically return to its original position, and the contact portion 33 makes contact with the mating detection terminal 63. In this way, a detection circuit is formed by the detection terminal 30 and the mating detection terminal 63, and through the conductivity between the two, it is possible to recognize that the mating between the mating connector 60 and the lever-type connector 10 has been properly mated.

[0063] As described above, in the case of mating detection by the detection terminal 30, the detection terminal 30 and the mating detection terminal 63 are connected in conjunction with the release of the bending deformation of the lock arm 23, and a detection circuit is formed, thereby improving the reliability of mating detection.

[0064] [Regarding the pressing of the lock arm by the first and second pressing parts] In this embodiment, although not shown in detail, as the lever 40 rotates from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position, the second pressing part 45 begins to press the lock arm 23 while the first pressing part 44 is pressing the lock arm 23. As a result, the lock arm 23 maintains a bent and deformed state from the time the first pressing part 44 begins to press the lock arm 23 until the second pressing part 45 stops pressing the lock arm 23.

[0065] In this embodiment, since a first pressing portion 44 and a second pressing portion 45 are provided, the lock arm 23 can be continuously pressed over a wider range of rotation angles compared to the case where only one pressing portion is provided. As a result, the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 can be mated over a large range of rotation angles, making it easier to increase the mating stroke and ensure effective contact between the detection terminal 30 and the mating detection terminal 63. In addition, the effect of reducing the mating force by the lever 40 can be easily obtained.

[0066] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to the embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. The lever-type connector 10 according to this embodiment is a lever-type connector 10 that can be mated with a mating connector 60, and comprises a housing 20, a lever 40 rotatably mounted on the housing 20 between a mating start position and a mating completion position, and a detection member 50 that is mounted on the housing 20 so as to be movable between a standby position and a detection position, and which is permitted to move from the standby position to the detection position when the lever 40 is in the mating completion position, and the housing 20 has a first locking part 27 that locks the detection member 50 when the lever 40 is in the mating start position, thereby restricting the movement of the detection member 50 from the standby position to the detection position, and the lever 40 The device includes a lock arm 23 that engages with the lever 40 when it is in the fitted position, the lock arm 23 having a second locking portion 23D that engages with the detection member 50 to restrict the movement of the detection member 50 from the standby position to the detection position, the second locking portion 23D being positioned so as to be able to engage with the detection member 50 by sliding against the lever 40 and bending and deforming as the lever 40 rotates from the fitted start position to the fitted position, and the first locking portion 27 being positioned so as to be able to engage with the detection member 50 until the second locking portion 23D becomes able to engage with the detection member 50 as the lever 40 rotates from the fitted start position to the fitted position.

[0067] With this configuration, the lock arm 23 is equipped with a second locking portion 23D, and as the lock arm 23 flexes and deforms, the second locking portion 23D is positioned to lock onto the detection member 50. Therefore, even if the detection member 50 is strongly pushed in when the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 are approaching proper mating, the movement of the detection member 50 from the standby position to the detection position is restricted by the second locking portion 23D. On the other hand, when the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 are properly mated, the lock arm 23 elastically returns to its original position, and the second locking portion 23D separates from the detection member 50, allowing the detection member 50 to move to the detection position. By providing a second locking portion 23D that can lock onto the detection member 50 in conjunction with the flexing deformation of the lock arm 23 in this way, the reliability of mating detection of the lever-type connector 10 can be improved.

[0068] In this embodiment, the detection member 50 comprises a main body 51, an arm 52 extending from the main body 51 and capable of bending and deforming, and a locking projection 52A positioned at the tip of the arm 52. The main body 51 is capable of locking with the second locking portion 23D. When the lever 40 is in the engagement start position, the locking projection 52A locks with the first locking portion 27. As the lever 40 rotates from the engagement start position to the engagement completion position, the locking projection 52A interferes with the mating connector 60, causing the arm 52 to bend and deform, thereby releasing the locking between the locking projection 52A and the first locking portion 27.

[0069] With this configuration, the engagement between the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 progresses, which releases the locking between the first locking portion 27 and the locking projection 52A. Furthermore, even if the locking between the first locking portion 27 and the locking projection 52A is released, the second locking portion 23D and the main body portion 51 can still be locked.

[0070] The lever-type connector 10 according to this embodiment is held in a housing 20 and further comprises a detection terminal 30 that forms a detection circuit by contacting a mating detection terminal 63 provided on a mating connector 60. A lock arm 23 is positioned opposite the detection terminal 30, and the lever 40 is equipped with pressing parts (first pressing part 44 and second pressing part 45) that press the lock arm 23 toward the detection terminal 30, thereby separating the detection terminal 30 from the mating detection terminal 63. When the lever 40 reaches the mating completion position, the pressing of the lock arm 23 by the pressing parts is released, and the detection terminal 30 comes into contact with the mating detection terminal 63.

[0071] With this configuration, when the lever-type connector 10 and the mating connector 60 are properly mated, the lock arm 23 elastically returns to its original position, and the detection terminal 30 and the mating detection terminal 63 come into contact, forming a detection circuit. Therefore, mating can be detected not only by the detection member 50 but also by the detection circuit.

[0072] <Other Embodiments> (1) In the above embodiment, the mating connector 60 had three mating recesses 64, but is not limited to this, and the number of mating recesses of the mating connector may be 1, 2, or 4 or more. (2) In the above embodiment, there are two first locking portions 27 and two locking projections 52A, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the number of first locking portions and locking projections may be one or three or more. (3) In the above embodiment, a first pressing portion 44 and a second pressing portion 45 were given as examples of pressing portions, but the invention is not limited to these, and there may be only one pressing portion. (4) In the above embodiment, the lever-type connector 10 was provided with a detection terminal 30 and the mating connector 60 was provided with a mating detection terminal 63, but the invention is not limited to this and the detection terminal and the mating detection terminal may not be provided. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 10: Lever-type connector 20: Housing 21: Terminal housing section 22: Detection terminal housing 23: Lock Arm 23A: Lock arm body 23B: Mating lock section 23C: Protrusion 23D: Second locking part 24: Sliding contact part 25: Pressing start point 26: Rotating shaft 27: First locking section 27A: Opening 28: Engagement recess 29: Temporary locking arm section 29A: Temporary locking projection 30: Detection terminal 31: Circuit board section 32: Spring section 33: Contact point 34: Engaging part 40: Lever 41: Cam plate 41A: Shaft hole 42: Operation section 43: Orbit 43A: Entrance 43B: Termination 44: First pressing section 45: Second pressing section 45A: Sliding contact part 45B: Locking part 50: Detection element 51: Main body 52: Arm section 52A: Locking protrusion 52B: Inclined part 53: First recess 54: Second recess 55: Operating Rib 56: Projection part 57: Temporary locking part 60: Mating connector 61: Opponent's Housing 62: Opposite terminal 63: Opponent detection terminal 64: Fitting recess 64A: Side wall 64B: Back wall 64C: Upper wall 65: Kampin 66: Window section 67: Release protrusion SP1: First containment space SP2: Second Containment Space SP: Containment Space

Claims

1. A lever-type connector that can be mated with the mating connector, Housing and A lever is rotatably mounted on the housing between a fitting start position and a fitting completion position, The housing is mounted so as to be movable between a standby position and a detection position, and the detection member is permitted to move from the standby position to the detection position when the lever is in the fitting completed position, The housing comprises a first locking portion that locks the detection member with the lever when the lever is in the fitting start position, thereby restricting the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position, and a lock arm that locks the lever with the lever when the lever is in the fitting completion position. The lock arm is provided with a second locking portion that locks onto the detection member, thereby restricting the movement of the detection member from the standby position to the detection position. The second locking portion is arranged so as to be able to lock onto the detection member when the lock arm slides against the lever and deforms as the lever rotates from the fitting start position to the fitting completion position, A lever-type connector in which the first locking portion is arranged to be able to lock onto the detection member until the second locking portion becomes able to lock onto the detection member during the process in which the lever rotates from the fitting start position toward the fitting completion position.

2. The detection member comprises a main body, an arm extending from the main body and capable of bending and deforming, and a locking projection positioned at the tip of the arm. The main body portion is lockable with the second locking portion, With the lever in the engagement start position, the locking projection engages with the first locking portion. The lever-type connector according to claim 1, wherein, in the process of the lever rotating from the mating start position to the mating completion position, the locking projection interferes with the mating connector, causing the arm portion to bend and deform, thereby releasing the lock between the locking projection and the first locking portion.

3. The housing further comprises a detection terminal that is held in the housing and forms a detection circuit by contacting a mating detection terminal provided on the mating connector, The lock arm is positioned opposite the detection terminal, The lever includes a pressing portion that presses the lock arm toward the detection terminal, thereby separating the detection terminal from the opposing detection terminal. The lever-type connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the lever reaches the mating completion position, the pressure on the lock arm by the pressing part is released, and the detection terminal comes into contact with the mating detection terminal.

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