Connector device

Abstract

To provide a connector device that can avoid in advance a problem caused by a space, in which the connector device is actually mounted, and that may adversely affect an operability of the connector device mounted in the space.SOLUTION: A connector device 10 includes a connector 100 and a mating connector 400. The connector 100 includes a housing 200 and a terminal. The housing 200 includes an axis portion 220 and a maintenance portion 240. The mating connector 400 includes a mating housing 500 and a mating terminal. The mating housing 500 includes a mating axis portion 520 and a mating maintenance portion 540. By combining the axis portion 220 and the mating axis portion 520 with each other, the connector 100 can rotate around the rotating axis 520 between an open position OP and a closed position. The maintenance portion 240 and the mating maintenance portion 540 provisionally maintain a position of the connector 100 at the open position OP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector device that is attached to, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid car and relays electric power supplied from a power supply system.

Background Art

[0002] This type of connector device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector device 900 including a connector 920 and a mating connector 960. The connector 920 and the mating connector 960 are mutually engageable. The connector 920 includes a housing 922 and a terminal (power terminal) 924. The housing 922 holds the power terminal 924. The housing 922 is provided with a shaft portion (bearing) 9222 and a guide portion (guide groove) 9224. The mating connector 960 includes a mating housing 962 and a mating terminal (mating power terminal) 964. The mating housing 962 holds the mating power terminal 964. The mating housing 962 is provided with a mating shaft portion (rotating shaft) 9622 and a mating guide portion (guide projection) 9624. When the bearing 9222 and the rotating shaft 9622 are combined with each other, the connector 920 is rotatable between an open position (see FIG. 31) and a closed position (not shown) about the rotating shaft 9622. The guide groove 9224 receives the guide projection 9624 and guides the rotational movement of the connector 920. When the connector 920 is in the open position, the power terminal 924 is not connected to the mating power terminal 964. When the connector 920 is in the closed position, the power terminal 924 is connected to the mating power terminal 964. When the connector 920 is in the open position, it can be separated from the mating connector 960 in the +Z direction (upward) in the Z direction (vertical direction).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-102010 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a connector device that can proactively avoid problems arising from the space in which the connector device is actually installed, and which may adversely affect the operability of the connector device installed in that space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Considering the space in which a connector device such as the connector device 900 in Patent Document 1 can be installed, in the process of moving the connector from the closed position to the open position and then separating the connector from the mating connector, the part of the connector that the operator holds when the connector rotates from the closed position to the open position and the part of the connector that the operator holds when separating the connector from the mating connector in the open position may be different. That is, after the connector rotates from the closed position to the open position and before moving on to the operation of separating the connector from the mating connector, the operator may change their grip on the connector. This means that in the above separation process, the connector in the open position may be temporarily not held by the operator. Therefore, in the above separation process, the connector in the open position may rotate on its own from the open position to the closed position due to its own weight.

[0007] If, during the separation process described above, a connector in the open position spontaneously rotates to the closed position, it is necessary to rotate the connector back to the open position in order to continue the separation operation of the connector from the mating connector. In other words, in a connector device such as the connector device 900 of Patent Document 1, if a connector in the open position spontaneously rotates to the closed position, the operation of separating the connector from the mating connector becomes complicated. Furthermore, when a connector in the open position spontaneously rotates to the closed position, there is a possibility that the connector may collide with the mating connector and be partially damaged. For these reasons, the connector device needs a mechanism that allows the connector to temporarily stand on its own in the open position.

[0008] In other words, the present invention provides a first connector device, A connector device comprising a connector and a mating connector, The aforementioned connector and the mating connector are mutually matable. The aforementioned connector comprises a housing and terminals, The housing holds the terminals, The housing is provided with a shaft portion and a retention portion. The aforementioned mating connector comprises a mating housing and mating terminals. The mating housing holds the mating terminal, The mating housing is provided with a mating shaft portion and a mating retention portion. One of the aforementioned shaft portion and the aforementioned opposing shaft portion is a rotational shaft, The other of the aforementioned shaft portion and the mating shaft portion is a bearing. When the shaft portion and the mating shaft portion are combined, the connector is rotatable between an open position and a closed position around the rotation axis. When the connector is in the open position, the terminal is not connected to the mating terminal. When the connector is in the closed position, the terminal is connected to the mating terminal. The aforementioned maintenance unit and the aforementioned mating maintenance unit temporarily maintain the connector in the open position. We provide connector devices.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention provides a second connector device, which is a first connector device, The housing is further provided with a guide section, The aforementioned mating housing is further provided with a mating guide portion. One of the guide portion and the opposing guide portion is a guide projection, The other of the guide portion and the mating guide portion is a guide groove that receives the guide projection and guides the rotational movement of the connector. When the guide projection functions as either the retaining portion or the mating retaining portion, the other of the retaining portion and the mating retaining portion is provided within the guide groove. We provide connector devices.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention provides a third connector device, which is a second connector device, The guide projection functions as the mating side guide portion and the mating side retention portion, The aforementioned guide portion is the guide groove, When the connector is in the open position, the guide projection is in the first position within the guide groove. When the connector is in the closed position, the guide projection is in the second position within the guide groove. The maintenance portion is provided within the guide groove on the second position side of the first position. We provide connector devices.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention also includes a third connector device as a fourth connector device, The guide groove has a groove bottom surface, The maintenance portion is raised from the bottom surface of the groove into the guide groove. We provide connector devices.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention also includes a fifth connector device, which is a third connector device, The holding part has a width smaller than the diameter of the guide protrusion. Provide a connector device.

[0013] Also, the present invention is a sixth connector device, which is any one of the first to fifth connector devices, The shaft part is the bearing, When the connector is in the open position, the shaft part has an opening downward in the vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation shaft, The mating shaft part is the rotation shaft, The mating shaft part is lightly press-fitted into the bearing, When the connector is in the open position, it can be separated from the mating connector upward in the vertical direction. Provide a connector device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] In the connector device of the present invention, the holding part of the connector and the mating holding part of the mating connector are configured to temporarily hold the connector in the open position. As a result, in the connector device of the present invention, the connector can be temporarily self-supporting in the open position. That is, the connector device of the present invention has avoided in advance the problems caused by the space where the connector device is actually installed, which may adversely affect the operability of the connector device installed in this space.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a side view showing a connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the connector is in the open position, and the connector and the mating connector are in an unmated state. [Figure 2] It is a top view showing the connector device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device of FIG. 2 along the line A-A. [Figure 4]Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device along the BB line. [Figure 5] This is another side view showing the connector device of Figure 1. In the figure, the connector is in the closed position, and the connector and the mating connector are mated together. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a top view showing the connector device. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device along the CC line. [Figure 8] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device along the DD line. [Figure 9] Figure 5 is a side view showing the connector included in the connector device. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the connector. [Figure 11] Figure 9 is a bottom view showing the connector. [Figure 12] Figure 9 is a rear view showing the connector. [Figure 13] This is another side view showing the connector in Figure 9. [Figure 14] Figure 5 is a side view showing the mating connector included in the connector device. [Figure 15] Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the mating connector. [Figure 16] Figure 14 is a top view showing the connector. [Figure 17] This is a top view showing a first modified example of the connector device shown in Figure 1. In the figure, the connector is in the open position, and the connector and the mating connector are not mated. [Figure 18] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device along the EE line. [Figure 19] Figure 17 is another top view showing the connector device. In the figure, the connector is in the closed position, and the connector and the mating connector are mated together. [Figure 20] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device along the FF line. [Figure 21] Figure 19 is a side view showing the connector included in the connector device. [Figure 22] Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the connector. [Figure 23] This is a rear view showing the connector in Figure 21. [Figure 24] This is a top view showing a second modified example of the connector device shown in Figure 1. In the figure, the connector is in the open position, and the connector and the mating connector are not mated. [Figure 25] Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device along the GG line. [Figure 26] This is another top view showing the connector device of Figure 24. In the figure, the connector is in the closed position, and the connector and the mating connector are mated together. [Figure 27] Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of the connector device along the HH line. [Figure 28] Figure 26 is a side view showing the connector included in the connector device. [Figure 29] Figure 28 is a perspective view showing the connector. [Figure 30] This is a rear view showing the connector in Figure 28. [Figure 31] This is a side view showing the connector device described in Patent Document 1. [Figure 32] Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the connector device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a connector 100 and a mating connector 400. Referring to Figures 1 and 5, the connector 100 and the mating connector 400 are matable with each other.

[0017] Referring to Figure 15, the mating connector 400 in this embodiment is attached to an object (not shown) such as an electric vehicle and connected to a power system (not shown) and a motor (not shown). Referring to Figure 5, the connector device 10, in the mated state (see Figure 5), conducts electricity between the power system and the motor. As a result, a large current of about 100 amperes supplied from the power system is supplied to the motor via the connector device 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is applicable to various connector devices 10.

[0018] As shown in Figure 16, the mating connector 400 of this embodiment comprises a mating housing 500 and a mating terminal 590.

[0019] As shown in Figure 16, the mating housing 500 in this embodiment holds the mating terminal 590. The mating housing 500 has a surrounding portion 510 and a receiving portion 514.

[0020] As shown in Figure 15, the enclosing portion 510 of this embodiment has a roughly rectangular tubular shape that extends in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. Here, the upper direction is defined as the +Z direction and the lower direction as the -Z direction. The enclosing portion 510 has two side walls 512.

[0021] As shown in Figure 16, the side walls 512 of this embodiment define both ends of the mating housing 500 in the width direction. Each of the side walls 512 has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the width direction. In this embodiment, the width direction is the Y direction.

[0022] As shown in Figure 16, the receiving portion 514 in this embodiment is a space enclosed by the surrounding portion 510. That is, the receiving portion 514 is enclosed by the surrounding portion 510 in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The receiving portion 514 opens upward in the vertical direction.

[0023] As shown in Figure 16, the mating housing 500 is provided with two mating shaft portions 520 and two mating retention portions 540.

[0024] As shown in Figure 16, each of the mating shaft portions 520 in this embodiment is located within the receiving portion 514. The mating shaft portions 520 are provided corresponding to the two side walls 512, respectively. Each of the mating shaft portions 520 extends inward in the width direction from the corresponding side wall 512. Each of the mating shaft portions 520 has a cylindrical shape extending in an axial direction parallel to the width direction. The mating shaft portions 520 are in the same position relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. Each of the mating shaft portions 520 corresponds to each of the mating retaining portions 540. Each of the mating shaft portions 520 is located behind the corresponding mating retaining portion 540 in the front-rear direction. Each of the mating shaft portions 520 is in the same position as the corresponding mating retaining portion 540 in the up-down direction. Each of the mating shaft portions 520 is in the same position as the corresponding mating retaining portion 540 in the width direction. In this embodiment, the front-rear direction is the X direction. Here, the front is defined as the +X direction and the rear as the -X direction. Referring to Figures 3 and 7, the opposing shaft portion 520 is the rotational shaft 520.

[0025] As shown in Figure 16, each of the mating support parts 540 in this embodiment is located within the receiving part 514. The mating support parts 540 are provided corresponding to the two side walls 512. Each of the mating support parts 540 extends inward in the width direction from the corresponding side wall 512. Each of the mating support parts 540 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the width direction. The mating support parts 540 are in the same position relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. Each of the mating support parts 540 is located in front of the corresponding mating shaft part 520 in the front-rear direction. Each of the mating support parts 540 is in the same position as the corresponding mating shaft part 520 in the up-down direction. Each of the mating support parts 540 is in the same position as the corresponding mating shaft part 520 in the width direction.

[0026] As shown in Figure 16, the mating support portion 540 is a guide projection 570. That is, the guide projection 570 functions as the mating support portion 540. The guide projection 570 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the width direction.

[0027] As shown in Figure 16, the mating housing 500 is further provided with a mating guide portion 560.

[0028] As shown in Figure 16, each of the mating guide portions 560 in this embodiment is located within the receiving portion 514. The mating guide portions 560 are provided corresponding to the two side walls 512, respectively. Each of the mating guide portions 560 extends inward in the width direction from the corresponding side wall 512. Each of the mating guide portions 560 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction. The mating guide portions 560 are in the same position relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. Each of the mating guide portions 560 corresponds to the mating shaft portion 520, respectively. Each of the mating guide portions 560 is located in front of the corresponding mating shaft portion 520 in the front-rear direction. Each of the mating guide portions 560 is in the same position as the corresponding mating shaft portion 520 in the up-down direction. Each of the mating guide portions 560 is in the same position as the corresponding mating shaft portion 520 in the width direction.

[0029] As shown in Figure 16, the mating guide portion 560 is a guide projection 570. That is, the guide projection 570 also functions as the mating guide portion 560.

[0030] As shown in Figure 11, In this embodiment The connector 100 comprises a housing 200 and terminals 290. Referring to Figure 10, the connector 100 does not have a lever that can rotate independently of the housing 200. As a result, the connector 100 of this embodiment has a reduced number of parts compared to a connector that has a lever that can rotate independently of the housing.

[0031] As shown in Figure 12, the housing 200 in this embodiment holds the terminal 290. As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the housing 200 has an operating section 210 and two side sections 216.

[0032] As shown in Figure 9, the operating section 210 in this embodiment is located at the front end of the housing 200 in the front-rear direction.

[0033] As shown in Figure 12, the side portions 216 of this embodiment define both ends of the housing 200 in the width direction. Each of the side portions 216 has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the width direction. Each of the side portions 216 is elastically deformable to some extent.

[0034] As shown in Figure 12, the housing 200 is provided with two shaft portions 220 and two retaining portions 240.

[0035] As shown in Figure 9, the shaft portion 220 in this embodiment is a bearing 220. As shown in Figure 12, the shaft portion 220 is provided corresponding to each of the two side portions 216. Each of the shaft portions 220 is a hole that penetrates the corresponding side portion 216 in the width direction. The two shaft portions 220 are in the same position relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. As shown in Figure 3, the mating shaft portion 520 is lightly press-fitted into the bearing 220.

[0036] In the connector device 10 of this embodiment, the shaft portion 220 was a bearing 220 and the mating shaft portion 520 was a rotating shaft 520. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the shaft portion 220 may be a rotating shaft 520 and the mating shaft portion 520 may be a bearing 220. That is, the connector device 10 can be configured such that one of the shaft portion 220 and the mating shaft portion 520 is a rotating shaft 520, and the other of the shaft portion 220 and the mating shaft portion 520 is a bearing 220.

[0037] Referring to Figures 3 and 7, when the shaft portion 220 and the mating shaft portion 520 are combined, the connector 100 is rotatable between an open position OP and a closed position CP around the rotation axis 520.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, when connector 100 is in the open position OP, it is located above the mating connector 400 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis 520. When connector 100 is in the open position OP, each of the shaft portions 220 is open downward in the vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis 520. When connector 100 is in the open position OP, it is detachable from the mating connector 400 upward in the vertical direction.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7, when connector 100 is in the closed position CP, it is fully mated with the mating connector 400. When connector 100 is in the closed position CP, a portion of housing 200 is received by the receiving portion 514 of mating housing 500. When connector 100 is in the closed position CP, each of the shaft portions 220 is open to the rear in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis 520.

[0040] As shown in Figure 12, the retaining portion 240 in this embodiment is provided corresponding to each of the two side portions 216. Each of the retaining portions 240 protrudes outward in the width direction. The two retaining portions 240 are in the same position relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. As shown in Figure 7, the retaining portion 240 has a width W that is greater than or equal to the diameter R of the guide projection 570. That is, R ≤ W.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, when the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the retaining portion 240 is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the retaining portion 240 is oblique to both the vertical and width directions. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the retaining portion 240 extends upward in the vertical direction and outward in the width direction.

[0042] As shown in Figure 7, when the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the retaining portion 240 is located behind the front end of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the retaining portion 240 is located in front of the rear end of the housing 200 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the retaining portion 240 is oblique to both the front-rear and width directions.

[0043] Referring to Figure 3, the retention unit 240 corresponds to the corresponding mating retention unit 540. The retention unit 240 and the mating retention unit 540 temporarily hold the connector 100 in the open position OP. That is, when the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the retention unit 240 and the corresponding mating retention unit 540 temporarily hold the connector 100 in the open position OP. Specifically, when the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the retention unit 240 is located above the corresponding mating retention unit 540 in the vertical direction and is in contact with the corresponding mating retention unit 540, thereby temporarily holding the connector 100 in the open position OP. Therefore, in the connector device 10 of this embodiment, the connector 100 can temporarily stand on its own in the open position OP.

[0044] As described above, in the connector device 10 of this embodiment, the connector 100 in the open position OP can be separated from the mating connector 400, and the connector 100 can temporarily stand on its own in the open position OP. As a result, even if the operator changes their grip on the connector 100 while transitioning from rotating the connector 100 from the closed position CP to the open position OP and then separating the connector 100 from the mating connector 400, there is no risk that the connector 100 in the open position OP will spontaneously rotate from the open position OP towards the closed position CP due to its own weight. Therefore, in the connector device 10 of this embodiment, there is no risk that the connector 100 in the open position OP will spontaneously rotate towards the closed position CP and collide with the mating connector 400, and the workability of the separation operation of the connector 100 from the mating connector 400 is improved.

[0045] In particular, in the connector device 10 of this embodiment, as described above, the mating shaft portion 520 is lightly press-fitted into the bearing 220. As a result, when separating the connector 100 in the open position OP from the mating connector 400, the operator must apply some force, and the operator needs to change their grip on the connector 100 between rotating the connector 100 from the closed position CP to the open position OP and then separating the connector 100 from the mating connector 400. However, in the connector device 10 of this embodiment, as described above, the connector 100 can temporarily stand on its own in the open position OP, so there is no risk that the connector 100 in the open position OP will rotate on its own from the open position OP towards the closed position CP due to its own weight when the operator changes their grip. Therefore, even in the connector device 10 of this embodiment, in which the mating shaft portion 520 is lightly press-fitted into the bearing 220, there is no risk of the connector 100 in the open position OP spontaneously rotating to the closed position CP and colliding with the mating connector 400, and the workability of separating the connector 100 from the mating connector 400 is improved.

[0046] As shown in Figures 9 and 13, the housing 200 is further provided with two opposing portions 250.

[0047] As shown in Figures 9 and 13, the opposing portions 250 in this embodiment are provided corresponding to the two side portions 216, respectively. Each of the opposing portions 250 protrudes outward in the width direction. The two opposing portions 250 are in the same position relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. Referring to Figure 3, the opposing portions 250 correspond to the retaining portion 240 and the opposing retaining portion 540, respectively.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3, when the connector 100 is in the open position OP, each of the opposing portions 250 is located above the corresponding retaining portion 240 in the vertical direction. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the opposing portions 250 are located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the opposing portions 250 are oblique to both the vertical and width directions. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the opposing portions 250 extend downward in the vertical direction and outward in the width direction.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, when the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, each of the opposing portions 250 is located in front of the corresponding retaining portion 240 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the opposing portions 250 are located in front of the front end of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the opposing portions 250 are located in front of the rear end of the housing 200 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the opposing portions 250 are oblique to both the front-rear and width directions.

[0050] As shown in Figures 9 and 13, the housing 200 is further provided with two guide portions 260.

[0051] As shown in Figure 12, the guide portion 260 in this embodiment is provided corresponding to each of the two side portions 216. Each of the guide portions 260 is a groove formed on the widthwise outer surface of the corresponding side portion 216. Each of the guide portions 260 is recessed inward in the widthwise direction. Referring to Figures 7 and 9, when the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, each of the guide portions 260 is open at the rear end in the front-rear direction of the corresponding side portion 216. Referring to Figures 9 and 13, the two guide portions 260 are in the same position relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the widthwise direction. As shown in Figure 9, the guide portion 260 extends from the first position P1 through the third position P3 to the second position P2. The guide portion 260 has a constant width Wg from the first position P1 to the second position P2. Also, the width Wg of the guide portion 260 is equal to the width W of the retaining portion 240. That is, Wg = W.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, when the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located in front of the second position P2 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located below the second position P2 in the up-down direction. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located below the third position P3 in the up-down direction. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the up-down direction. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the second position P2 is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the second position P2 is located directly above the shaft portion 220 in the up-down direction. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the third position P3 is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the third position P3 is located above the shaft portion 220 in the up-down direction.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, when the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located behind the second position P2 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located below the second position P2 in the up-down direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located directly below the shaft portion 220 in the up-down direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the second position P2 is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the second position P2 is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the up-down direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the third position P3 is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the third position P3 is located below the shaft portion 220 in the vertical direction.

[0054] Referring to Figure 3, when the mating shaft portion 520 is combined with the shaft portion 220, the mating guide portion 560 is received by the guide portion 260. Referring to Figures 3 and 7, the guide portion 260 and the mating guide portion 560 guide the rotational movement of the connector 100 between the open position OP and the closed position CP. More specifically, when the connector 100 rotates between the open position OP and the closed position CP, the mating guide portion 560 remains received by the guide portion 260 and moves along the guide portion 260. This structure prevents the mating shaft portion 520 from detaching from the shaft portion 220 when the connector 100 rotates. In other words, with the guide portion 260 and the mating guide portion 560 of this embodiment, the connector 100 can be easily operated when rotating it.

[0055] As shown in Figure 9, the guide portion 260 is a guide groove 260. The retaining portion 240 is provided within the guide groove 260. That is, the retaining portion 240 is a part of the guide groove 260. As shown in Figure 3, when the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the guide projection 570 is in the first position P1 within the guide groove 260. As shown in Figure 7, when the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the guide projection 570 is in the second position P2 within the guide groove 260.

[0056] As shown in Figure 9, each guide groove 260 has a groove bottom surface 262 and two wall portions 264.

[0057] As shown in Figure 12, the groove bottom surface 262 of this embodiment defines the inner end of the guide portion 260 in the width direction. The groove bottom surface 262 is a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The groove bottom surface 262 faces outward in the width direction. As shown in Figure 9, the retaining portion 240 is provided within the guide groove 260 on the side of the second position P2 of the first position P1. The retaining portion 240 is located within the guide groove 260 between the first position P1 and the third position P3. The opposing portion 250 is provided within the guide groove 260 on the side of the second position P2 of the first position P1. The opposing portion 250 is located within the guide groove 260 between the first position P1 and the third position P3. As shown in Figure 12, the retaining portion 240 protrudes into the guide groove 260 from the groove bottom surface 262. The retaining portion 240 protrudes outward in the width direction from the groove bottom surface 262. Referring to Figures 9 and 12, the opposing portion 250 protrudes from the groove bottom surface 262 into the guide groove 260. The opposing portion 250 protrudes outward in the width direction from the groove bottom surface 262.

[0058] As shown in Figure 9, each of the wall portions 264 in this embodiment has an arc shape centered on the shaft portion 220 in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The retaining portion 240 is located between the two wall portions 264. The opposing portion 250 is located between the two wall portions 264. As shown in Figure 12, in the width direction, the outer end of the retaining portion 240 is located inward from the outer end of the wall portion 264. As shown in Figure 10, in the width direction, the outer end of the opposing portion 250 is located inward from the outer end of the wall portion 264.

[0059] As shown in Figure 9, the wall portion 264 includes an inner wall portion 2642 and an outer wall portion 2644.

[0060] As shown in Figure 9, the inner wall portion 2642 of this embodiment has an arc shape along a virtual circle centered on the shaft portion 220 in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The inner wall portion 2642 is located inside the outer wall portion 2644 in the radial direction of the virtual circle. As shown in Figure 12, in the width direction, the outer end of the retaining portion 240 is located inside the outer end of the inner wall portion 2642. As shown in Figure 10, in the width direction, the outer end of the opposing portion 250 is located inside the outer end of the inner wall portion 2642.

[0061] As shown in Figure 9, the outer wall portion 2644 of this embodiment has an arc shape along a virtual circle centered on the shaft portion 220 in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The outer wall portion 2644 is located outside the inner wall portion 2642 in the radial direction. The retaining portion 240 is located between the inner wall portion 2642 and the outer wall portion 2644. The opposing portion 250 is located between the inner wall portion 2642 and the outer wall portion 2644. As shown in Figure 12, in the width direction, the outer end of the retaining portion 240 is located inside the outer end of the outer wall portion 2644. As shown in Figure 10, in the width direction, the outer end of the opposing portion 250 is located inside the outer end of the outer wall portion 2644.

[0062] Referring to Figure 8, the terminal 290 in this embodiment is made of metal. The terminal 290 has an angular C-shaped cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is in the closed position CP, the terminal 290 is connected to the mating terminal 590. As shown in Figure 4, when the connector 100 is in the open position OP, the terminal 290 is not connected to the mating terminal 590.

[0063] The states of each part of the connector 100 in the connector device 10 during rotational movement between the open position OP and the closed position CP are described in detail below. In the following description, "clockwise" and "counterclockwise" refer to the direction of rotation of the connector 100 when the connector device 10 is viewed along the +Y direction.

[0064] In the connector device 10 in the state shown in Figure 3, when an external force is applied to the operating part 210 so as to rotate the connector 100 clockwise from the open position OP, the guide projection 570 is pressed against the retaining part 240 from below. Here, since the retaining part 240 extends upward and outward in the width direction, the retaining part 240 receives a force from the guide projection 570 directed inward in the width direction due to the above pressing. As a result, the side portion 216 elastically deforms and the retaining part 240 moves inward in the width direction, and the guide projection 570 moves from the first position P1, causing the retaining part 240 to ride up onto the guide projection 570.

[0065] In the state where the retaining portion 240 is resting on the guide projection 570, the guide projection 570 is located between the two wall portions 264, and in the width direction, the guide projection 570 Inside The end is located inside the outer end of the wall portion 264. As a result, even when the retention portion 240 is riding on the guide projection 570, the opposing guide portion 560 continues to be received by the guide portion 260.

[0066] If an external force is continuously applied to the operating part 210 so that the connector 100 rotates further clockwise while the retaining part 240 is riding on the guide projection 570, the retaining part 240 will move over the guide projection 570, the guide projection 570 will reach a third position P3 above the opposing part 250, and the side part 216 will return to its original shape. Subsequently, if the operating part 210 is continued to move so that the connector 100 rotates further clockwise, the guide projection 570 will move along the guide groove 260 to a second position P2. As a result, the connector device 10 will be in the state shown in Figure 7, where the connector 100 is in the closed position CP.

[0067] In the connector device 10 in the state shown in Figure 7, when an external force is applied to the operating part 210 so as to rotate the connector 100 counterclockwise from the closed position CP, the guide projection 570 moves along the guide groove 260 from the second position P2, reaches the third position P3, and abuts against the opposing part 250. In this state, if the external force is continued to be applied to the operating part 210 so as to rotate the connector 100 further counterclockwise, the guide projection 570 is pressed against the opposing part 250 from above. Here, since the opposing part 250 extends downward and outward in the width direction, the opposing part 250 receives a force from the guide projection 570 directed inward in the width direction due to the above pressing. As a result, the side portion 216 elastically deforms and the opposing part 250 moves inward in the width direction, and the opposing part 250 rides up onto the guide projection 570.

[0068] In the state where the opposing portion 250 is riding on the guide projection 570, the guide projection 570 is located between the two wall portions 264, and in the width direction, the guide projection 570 Inside The end is located inward from the outer end of the wall portion 264. As a result, even when the opposing portion 250 is riding on the guide projection 570, the opposing guide portion 560 continues to be supported by the guide portion 260.

[0069] When the opposing part 250 is mounted on the guide projection 570, and an external force is continuously applied to the operating part 210 to cause the connector 100 to rotate further counterclockwise, the opposing part 250 will move over the guide projection 570, the guide projection 570 will reach a first position P1 below the retaining part 240, and the side part 216 will return to its original shape. As a result, the connector device 10 will be in the state shown in Figure 3, where the connector 100 is in the open position OP. In this state shown in Figure 3, the retaining part 240 is located above the corresponding mating retaining part 540 in the vertical direction and is in contact with the corresponding mating retaining part 540, thereby temporarily holding the connector 100 in the open position OP. Therefore, in the state shown in Figure 3, the connector 100 can temporarily stand on its own in the open position OP.

[0070] Embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, but these embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0071] (First variation) As shown in Figure 18, the connector device 10A according to the first modification comprises a connector 100A and a mating connector 400. The mating connector 400 in this modification is the same as the mating connector 400 in the above-described embodiment, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0072] As shown in Figure 23, the connector 100A of this modified example comprises a housing 200A and a terminal 290. The terminal 290 of this modified example is the same as the terminal 290 of the embodiment described above, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0073] As shown in Figure 23, the housing 200A of this modified example holds the terminal 290. The housing 200A has two sides 216A. The sides 216A of this modified example are the same as the sides 216 of the embodiment described above, and a detailed description is omitted.

[0074] Referring to Figure 21, the housing 200A is provided with two shaft portions 220 and two retaining portions 240A. The shaft portions 220 in this modified example are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0075] Referring to Figures 18 and 20, when the shaft portion 220 and the mating shaft portion 520 are combined, the connector 100A is rotatable between an open position OP and a closed position CP around the rotation axis 520.

[0076] As shown in Figure 18, when connector 100A is in the open position OP, it is located above the mating connector 400 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis 520. When connector 100A is in the open position OP, each of the shaft portions 220 is open downward in the vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis 520. When connector 100A is in the open position OP, it is detachable from the mating connector 400 upward in the vertical direction.

[0077] Referring to Figure 21, the retaining portion 240A of this modified example is provided corresponding to each of the two side portions 216A. The two retaining portions 240A are in the same position relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. As shown in Figure 20, the retaining portion 240A has a width W smaller than the diameter R of the guide projection 570. That is, W < R.

[0078] As shown in Figure 18, connector 100A Open position OP When the connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the retaining portion 240A is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 20, when the connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the retaining portion 240A is located behind the front end of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the retaining portion 240A is located in front of the rear end of the housing 200A in the front-rear direction.

[0079] Referring to Figure 18, the retaining part 240A corresponds to the mating retaining part 540. The retaining part 240A and the mating retaining part 540 temporarily hold the connector 100A in the open position OP. That is, when the connector 100A is in the open position OP, the retaining part 240A and the corresponding mating retaining part 540 temporarily hold the connector 100A in the open position OP. Specifically, when the connector 100A is in the open position OP, the retaining part 240A clamps the guide projection 570, which is the corresponding mating retaining part 540, in the front-rear direction, thereby temporarily holding the connector 100A in the open position OP. Therefore, in the connector device 10A of this modified example, the connector 100A can temporarily stand on its own in the open position OP.

[0080] Similar to the connector device 10 of the above-described embodiment, in this modified connector device 10A, the connector 100A in the open position OP can be separated from the mating connector 400, and the connector 100A can temporarily stand on its own in the open position OP. As a result, even if the operator changes their grip on the connector 100A while transitioning from rotating the connector 100A from the closed position CP to the open position OP and then separating the connector 100A from the mating connector 400, there is no risk that the connector 100A in the open position OP will spontaneously rotate from the open position OP towards the closed position CP due to its own weight. Therefore, in this modified connector device 10A, there is no risk that the connector 100A in the open position OP will spontaneously rotate to the closed position CP and collide with the mating connector 400, and the workability of the operation to separate the connector 100A from the mating connector 400 is improved.

[0081] Referring to Figure 21, the housing 200A is further provided with two guide sections 260A.

[0082] As shown in Figure 23, the guide portion 260A of this modified example is provided corresponding to each of the two side portions 216A. Each of the guide portions 260A is a groove formed on the widthwise outer surface of the corresponding side portion 216A. Each of the guide portions 260A is recessed inward in the widthwise direction. Referring to Figures 20 and 21, when the connector 100A is in the closed position CP, each of the guide portions 260A is open at the rear end in the front-rear direction of the corresponding side portion 216A. Referring to Figure 21, the two guide portions 260A are in the same position relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the widthwise direction. The guide portions 260A extend from a first position P1 to a second position P2. As shown in Figure 20, the width Wg1 of the guide portion 260A at the first position P1 is greater than the width W of the retaining portion 240A. That is, Wg1 > W. The width Wg1 of the guide section 260A at the first position P1 is greater than the diameter R of the guide projection 570. That is, Wg1 > R. The width Wg2 of the guide section 260A at the second position P2 is greater than the width W of the retaining section 240A. That is, Wg2 > W. The width Wg2 of the guide section 260A at the second position P2 is greater than the diameter R of the guide projection 570. That is, Wg2 > R.

[0083] As shown in Figure 18, when connector 100A is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located in front of the second position P2 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100A is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located below the second position P2 in the up-down direction. When connector 100A is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located below the retaining part 240A in the up-down direction. When connector 100A is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100A is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the up-down direction. When connector 100A is in the open position OP, the second position P2 is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100A is in the open position OP, the second position P2 is located directly above the shaft portion 220 in the vertical direction. When connector 100A is in the open position OP, the retaining portion 240A is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100A is in the open position OP, the retaining portion 240A is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the vertical direction.

[0084] As shown in Figure 20, when connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located behind the second position P2 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located below the second position P2 in the up-down direction. When connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located directly below the shaft portion 220 in the up-down direction. When connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the second position P2 is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the second position P2 is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the up-down direction. When connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the retention portion 240A is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the retention part 240A is located directly below the shaft part 220 in the vertical direction.

[0085] Referring to Figure 18, when the mating shaft portion 520 is combined with the shaft portion 220, the mating guide portion 560 is received by the guide portion 260A. Referring to Figures 18 and 20, the guide portion 260A and the mating guide portion 560 guide the rotational movement of the connector 100A between the open position OP and the closed position CP. More specifically, when the connector 100A rotates between the open position OP and the closed position CP, the mating guide portion 560 remains received by the guide portion 260A and moves along the guide portion 260A. This structure prevents the mating shaft portion 520 from detaching from the shaft portion 220 when the connector 100A is rotated. In other words, with the guide portion 260A and the mating guide portion 560 of this modified example, the connector 100A can be easily operated when it is rotated.

[0086] As shown in Figure 21, the guide portion 260A is the guide groove 260A. The retaining portion 240A is provided within the guide groove 260A. That is, the retaining portion 240A is a part of the guide groove 260A. As shown in Figure 18, when the connector 100A is in the open position OP, the guide projection 570 is in the first position P1 within the guide groove 260A. As shown in Figure 20, when the connector 100A is in the closed position CP, the guide projection 570 is in the second position P2 within the guide groove 260A.

[0087] As shown in Figure 21, each guide groove 260A has a groove bottom surface 262A and two wall portions 264A.

[0088] As shown in Figure 23, the groove bottom surface 262A of this modified example defines the inner end in the width direction of the guide portion 260A. The groove bottom surface 262A is a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The groove bottom surface 262A faces outward in the width direction. As shown in Figure 21, the retaining portion 240A is provided within the guide groove 260A on the side of the second position P2 of the first position P1. Note that, unlike the retaining portion 240 of the above-described embodiment, the retaining portion 240A of this modified example does not protrude from the groove bottom surface 262A into the guide groove 260A.

[0089] As shown in Figure 21, the wall portion 264A includes an inner wall portion 2642A and an outer wall portion 2644A.

[0090] As shown in Figure 21, the inner wall portion 2642A of this modified example has an arc shape along a virtual circle centered on the shaft portion 220 in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The radius of curvature of the inner wall portion 2642A is constant from the first position P1 to the second position P2. The inner wall portion 2642A is located inside the outer wall portion 2644A in the radial direction of the virtual circle.

[0091] As shown in Figure 21, the outer wall portion 2644A of this modified example has a substantially arc shape that generally follows a virtual circle centered on the shaft portion 220 in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The radius of curvature of the outer wall portion 2644A decreases as it moves from the second position P2 toward the maintenance portion 240A. The outer wall portion 2644A is located outside the inner wall portion 2642A in the radial direction. The maintenance portion 240A is located between the inner wall portion 2642A and the outer wall portion 2644A.

[0092] In this modified example, the inner wall portion 2642A has a constant radius of curvature from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and the outer wall portion 2644A has a decreasing radius of curvature as it moves from the second position P2 toward the maintenance portion 240A. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, the inner wall portion 2642A may have a increasing radius of curvature as it moves from the second position P2 toward the maintenance portion 240A, and the outer wall portion 2644A may be configured such that the radius of curvature is constant from the first position P1 to the second position P2.

[0093] The state of each part of connector 100A in connector device 10A during rotational movement between the open position OP and the closed position CP is described in detail below. In the following description, "clockwise" and "counterclockwise" refer to the direction of rotation of connector 100A when viewed along the +Y direction.

[0094] In the connector device 10A in the state shown in Figure 18, when an external force is applied to the operating part 210 to rotate the connector 100A clockwise from the open position OP, the guide projection 570 moves along the guide groove 260A from the first position P1 while disengaging from contact with the wall portion 264A, and reaches the second position P2. As a result, the connector device 10A is in the state shown in Figure 20, with the connector 100A in the closed position CP.

[0095] In the connector device 10A in the state shown in Figure 20, when an external force is applied to the operating part 210 so as to rotate the connector 100A counterclockwise from the closed position CP, the guide projection 570 moves from the second position P2 along the guide groove 260A and is caught between the wall portion 264A.

[0096] In this state, if an external force is continuously applied to the operating part 210 so that the connector 100A rotates further counterclockwise, the guide projection 570 moves along the guide groove 260A while pushing the wall portion 264A in the width direction, and reaches the first position P1. As a result, the connector device 10A is in the state shown in Figure 18, where the connector 100A is in the open position OP. In this state shown in Figure 18, the retention part 240A is gripping the corresponding mating retention part 540, thereby temporarily holding the connector 100A in the open position OP. Therefore, in the state shown in Figure 18, the connector 100A can temporarily stand on its own in the open position OP.

[0097] (Second variation) As shown in Figure 25, the connector device 10B according to the second modification comprises a connector 100B and a mating connector 400. The mating connector 400 in this modification is the same as the mating connector 400 in the above-described embodiment, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0098] As shown in Figure 30, the connector 100B of this modified example comprises a housing 200B and terminals 290. The terminals 290 of this modified example are the same as the terminals 290 of the embodiment described above, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0099] As shown in Figure 30, the housing 200B of this modified example holds the terminal 290. The housing 200B has two sides 216B. The sides 216B of this modified example are the same as the sides 216 of the embodiment described above, and a detailed description is omitted.

[0100] Referring to Figure 28, the housing 200B is provided with two shaft portions 220 and two retaining portions 240B. The shaft portions 220 in this modified example are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0101] Referring to Figures 25 and 27, when the shaft portion 220 and the mating shaft portion 520 are combined, the connector 100B is rotatable between an open position OP and a closed position CP around the rotation axis 520.

[0102] As shown in Figure 25, when connector 100B is in the open position OP, it is located above the mating connector 400 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis 520. When connector 100B is in the open position OP, each of the shaft portions 220 is open downward in the vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis 520. When connector 100B is in the open position OP, it is detachable from the mating connector 400 upward in the vertical direction.

[0103] Referring to Figure 28, the retaining portion 240B in this modified example is provided corresponding to each of the two side portions 216B. The two retaining portions 240B are in the same position relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. As shown in Figure 27, the retaining portion 240B has a width W smaller than the diameter R of the guide projection 570. That is, W < R.

[0104] As shown in Figure 25, when the connector 100B is in the open position OP, the retaining portion 240B is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 27, when the connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the retaining portion 240B is located behind the front end of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the retaining portion 240B is located in front of the rear end of the housing 200B in the front-rear direction.

[0105] Referring to Figure 25, the retaining part 240B corresponds to the mating retaining part 540. The retaining part 240B and the mating retaining part 540 temporarily hold the connector 100B in the open position OP. That is, when the connector 100B is in the open position OP, the retaining part 240B and the corresponding mating retaining part 540 temporarily hold the connector 100B in the open position OP. Specifically, when the connector 100B is in the open position OP, the retaining part 240B clamps the guide projection 570, which is the corresponding mating retaining part 540, in the front-rear direction, thereby temporarily holding the connector 100B in the open position OP. Therefore, in the connector device 10B of this modified example, the connector 100B can temporarily stand on its own in the open position OP.

[0106] Similar to the connector devices 10 and 10A of the above-described embodiment and the first modified example, in the connector device 10B of this modified example, the connector 100B in the open position OP can be separated from the mating connector 400, and the connector 100B can temporarily stand on its own in the open position OP. As a result, even if the operator changes their grip on the connector 100B while transitioning from the closed position CP to the open position OP and then to the operation of separating the connector 100B from the mating connector 400, there is no risk that the connector 100B in the open position OP will spontaneously rotate from the open position OP towards the closed position CP due to its own weight. Therefore, in the connector device 10B of this modified example, there is no risk that the connector 100B in the open position OP will spontaneously rotate to the closed position CP and collide with the mating connector 400, and the workability of the operation of separating the connector 100B from the mating connector 400 is improved.

[0107] Referring to Figure 28, the housing 200B is further provided with two guide sections 260B.

[0108] As shown in Figure 28, the guide portion 260B of this modified example is provided corresponding to each of the two side portions 216B. Each of the guide portions 260B is a groove formed on the widthwise outer surface of the corresponding side portion 216B. Each of the guide portions 260B is recessed inward in the widthwise direction. 27 and 28 Refer to connector 100B Closed position CP When in this position, each of the guide portions 260B opens at the rear end in the front-rear direction of the corresponding side portion 216B. Referring to Figure 28, the two guide portions 260B are in the same position relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The guide portions 260B extend from a first position P1 to a second position P2. As shown in Figure 27, the width Wg1 of the guide portion 260B at the first position P1 is greater than the width W of the retaining portion 240B. That is, Wg1 > W. The width Wg1 of the guide portion 260B at the first position P1 is greater than the diameter R of the guide projection 570. That is, Wg1 > R. The width Wg2 of the guide portion 260B at the second position P2 is greater than the width W of the retaining portion 240B. That is, Wg2 > W. The width Wg2 of the guide portion 260B at the second position P2 is greater than the diameter R of the guide projection 570. That is, Wg2 > R.

[0109] As shown in Figure 25, when connector 100B is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located in front of the second position P2 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100B is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located below the second position P2 in the up-down direction. When connector 100B is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located below the retaining part 240B in the up-down direction. When connector 100B is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100B is in the open position OP, the first position P1 is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the up-down direction. When connector 100B is in the open position OP, the second position P2 is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100B is in the open position OP, the second position P2 is located directly above the shaft portion 220 in the vertical direction. When connector 100B is in the open position OP, the retaining portion 240B is located in front of the shaft portion 220 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100B is in the open position OP, the retaining portion 240B is located at the same position as the shaft portion 220 in the vertical direction.

[0110] As shown in Figure 27, when connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located behind the second position P2 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located below the second position P2 in the up-down direction. When connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located at the same position as the retaining part 240B in the up-down direction. When connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located at the same position as the shaft part 220 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the first position P1 is located directly below the shaft part 220 in the up-down direction. When connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the second position P2 is located in front of the shaft part 220 in the front-rear direction. When connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the second position P2 is located at the same position as the shaft part 220 in the up-down direction. When the connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the retaining part 240B is located at the same position as the shaft part 220 in the front-rear direction. When the connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the retaining part 240B is located directly below the shaft part 220 in the up-down direction.

[0111] Referring to Figure 25, when the mating shaft portion 520 is combined with the shaft portion 220, the mating guide portion 560 is received by the guide portion 260B. Referring to Figures 25 and 27, the guide portion 260B and the mating guide portion 560 guide the rotational movement of the connector 100B between the open position OP and the closed position CP. More specifically, when the connector 100B rotates between the open position OP and the closed position CP, the mating guide portion 560 remains received by the guide portion 260B and moves along the guide portion 260B. This structure prevents the mating shaft portion 520 from detaching from the shaft portion 220 when the connector 100B is rotated. In other words, with the guide portion 260B and the mating guide portion 560 of this modified example, the connector 100B can be easily operated when it is rotated.

[0112] As shown in Figure 28, the guide portion 260B is the guide groove 260B. The retaining portion 240B is provided within the guide groove 260B. That is, the retaining portion 240B is a part of the guide groove 260B. As shown in Figure 25, when the connector 100B is in the open position OP, the guide projection 570 is in the first position P1 within the guide groove 260B. As shown in Figure 27, when the connector 100B is in the closed position CP, the guide projection 570 is in the second position P2 within the guide groove 260B.

[0113] As shown in Figure 28, each guide groove 260B has a groove bottom surface 262B and two wall portions 264B.

[0114] As shown in Figure 30, the groove bottom surface 262B of this modified example defines the inner end in the width direction of the guide portion 260B. The groove bottom surface 262B is a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The groove bottom surface 262B faces outward in the width direction. As shown in Figure 28, the retaining portion 240B is provided within the guide groove 260B on the side of the second position P2 of the first position P1. Note that, similar to the retaining portion 240A of the first modified example described above, the retaining portion 240B of this modified example does not protrude from the groove bottom surface 262B into the guide groove 260B.

[0115] As shown in Figure 28, each of the wall sections 264B has a substantially arc shape centered on the shaft section 220 in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The support section 240B is located between the two wall sections 264B. Each wall section 264B includes an inner wall section 2642B and an outer wall section 2644B.

[0116] As shown in Figure 28, the inner wall portion 2642B of this modified example has a substantially arc shape that generally follows a virtual circle centered on the shaft portion 220 in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The radius of curvature of the inner wall portion 2642B increases as it moves from the second position P2 toward the maintenance portion 240B. The inner wall portion 2642B is located inside the outer wall portion 2644B in the radial direction of the virtual circle.

[0117] As shown in Figure 28, the outer wall portion 2644B of this modified example has a substantially arc shape that generally follows a virtual circle centered on the shaft portion 220 in a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The radius of curvature of the outer wall portion 2644B decreases as it moves from the second position P2 toward the maintenance portion 240B. The outer wall portion 2644B is located outside the inner wall portion 2642B in the radial direction. The maintenance portion 240B is located between the inner wall portion 2642B and the outer wall portion 2644B.

[0118] The state of each part of the connector 100B in the connector device 10B during rotational movement between the open position OP and the closed position CP is the same as in the first modified example described above, and therefore a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0119] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to embodiments above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible.

[0120] In this embodiment and modified connector devices 10, 10A, 10B, the mating guide portion 560 is a guide projection 570, and the guide portions 260, 260A, 260B are guide grooves 260, 260A, 260B that receive the guide projection 570 and guide the rotational movement of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the guide portions 260, 260A, 260B may be guide projections 570, and the mating guide portion 560 may be guide grooves 260, 260A, 260B that receive the guide projection 570 and guide the rotational movement of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B. In other words, the connector devices 10, 10A, 10A should be configured such that one of the guide sections 260, 260A, 260B and the mating guide section 560 is a guide projection 570, and the other of the guide sections 260, 260A, 260B and the mating guide section 560 is a guide groove 260, 260A, 260B that receives the guide projection 570 and guides the rotational movement of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B.

[0121] In this embodiment and its modified connector devices 10, 10A, 10B, the guide projection 570 provided on the mating housing 500 functions as the mating retaining part 540, and the retaining parts 240, 240A, 240B are provided within the guide grooves 260, 260A, 260B provided on the housings 200, 200A, 200B. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the guide projection 570 provided on the housings 200, 200A, 200B may function as the retaining parts 240, 240A, 240B, and the mating retaining part 540 may be provided within the guide grooves 260, 260A, 260B provided on the mating housing 500. In other words, if the guide projection 570 functions as either the retention portion 240, 240A, 240B or the opposing retention portion 540, the other of the retention portion 240, 240A, 240B or the opposing retention portion 540 only needs to be provided within the guide grooves 260, 260, 260BA.

[0122] In the connector devices 10, 10A, and 10B of this embodiment and its modified forms, the guide projection 570 functions as the mating retaining portion 540 and the mating guide portion 560, and the retaining portions 240, 240A, and 240B are provided within the guide grooves 260, 260A, and 260B, which are the guide portions 260, 260A, and 260B. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the mating retaining portion 540 may be a projection provided on the mating housing 500 separately from the guide projection 570, and the retaining portions 240, 240A, and 240B may be recesses or holes provided on the housings 200, 200A, and 200B separately from the guide portions 260, 260A, and 260B. Alternatively, the mating retaining portion 540 and the retaining portions 240, 240A, and 240B may be configured in the reverse of the above. That is, the connector devices 10, 10A, and 10B may be configured such that the mating side retaining portion 540 is provided separately from the guide projection 570, and the retaining portions 240, 240A, and 240B are provided separately from the guide portions 260, 260A, and 260B. In this embodiment and the modified connector devices 10, 10A, and 10, the guide projection 570 also serves as the mating side retaining portion 540, and a part of the guide portions 260, 260A, and 260B also serves as the retaining portions 240, 240A, and 240B, which makes it easier to process the housings 200, 200A, and 200B and the mating side housing 500, and is therefore more preferable. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0123] 10, 10A, 10B Connector Device 100, 100A, 100B connectors 200, 200A, 200B Housing 210 Operation section 216, 216A, 216B side view 220 Shaft section (bearing) 240,240A,240B Maintenance Department 250 Opposing part 260, 260A, 260B Guide section (guide groove) 262,262A,262B Groove bottom surface 264,264A,264B wall 2642,2642A,2642B Inner wall 2644,2644A,2644B Outer wall 290 terminal (power terminal) 400 Mating connector 500 Other side housing 510 Encirclement 512 Side wall 514 Receptor part 520 Opposing shaft (rotating shaft) 540 Opposing side maintenance unit 560 Opposite side guide section 570 Guide protrusion 590 Other terminal (other power terminal) OP open position CP closed position P1 1st position P2 2nd position P3 3rd position R diameter W width Wg width Wg1 width Wg2 width

Claims

1. A connector device comprising a connector and a mating connector, The aforementioned connector and the mating connector are mutually matable. The aforementioned connector comprises a housing and terminals, The housing holds the terminals, The housing is provided with a shaft portion and a retention portion. The aforementioned mating connector comprises a mating housing and mating terminals. The mating housing holds the mating terminal, The mating housing is provided with a mating shaft portion and a mating retention portion. One of the aforementioned shaft portion and the aforementioned opposing shaft portion is a rotational shaft, The other of the aforementioned shaft portion and the mating shaft portion is a bearing. When the shaft portion and the mating shaft portion are combined, the connector is rotatable between an open position and a closed position around the rotation axis. When the connector is in the open position, the terminal is not connected to the mating terminal. When the connector is in the closed position, the terminal is connected to the mating terminal. The aforementioned maintenance unit and the aforementioned mating maintenance unit temporarily maintain the connector in the open position. Connector device.

2. A connector device according to claim 1, The housing is further provided with a guide section, The aforementioned mating housing is further provided with a mating guide portion. One of the guide portion and the opposing guide portion is a guide projection, The other of the guide portion and the mating guide portion is a guide groove that receives the guide projection and guides the rotational movement of the connector. When the guide projection functions as either the retaining portion or the mating retaining portion, the other of the retaining portion and the mating retaining portion is provided within the guide groove. Connector device.

3. A connector device according to claim 2, The guide projection functions as the mating side guide portion and the mating side retention portion, The aforementioned guide portion is the guide groove, When the connector is in the open position, the guide projection is in the first position within the guide groove. When the connector is in the closed position, the guide projection is in the second position within the guide groove. The maintenance portion is provided within the guide groove on the second position side of the first position. Connector device.

4. A connector device according to claim 3, The guide groove has a groove bottom surface, The maintenance portion is raised from the bottom surface of the groove into the guide groove. Connector device.

5. A connector device according to claim 3, The retaining portion has a width smaller than the diameter of the guide projection. Connector device.

6. A connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The aforementioned shaft portion is the bearing, When the connector is in the open position, the shaft portion opens downward in the vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis. The aforementioned opposing shaft portion is the rotation shaft, The mating shaft portion is lightly press-fitted into the bearing. When the connector is in the open position, it is detachable from the mating connector upward in the vertical direction. Connector device.

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