CN100541933C - Connectors with movable members - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to correct the connection posture of two connector housings. The lever (40) is rotatably installed on the female connector housing (10), and includes a cam plate (47) formed with a cam groove (41), and the cam plate (47) is only arranged on the female connector housing ( 10) on one surface. In addition to the engagement position of the cam groove (41) and the cam pin (88), a position is provided between the lever (40) and the male connector (80), by the hook shape provided at the posture correction arm (46) The engagement of the portion (43) and the receiving portion (91) provided in the male connector housing (80) generates forces in all directions to pull the two connector housings (10, 80) towards each other, the posture correction arm Located in the lever (40) facing the cam plate (47).

Description

Connectors with movable members

The present invention relates to connectors having a movable or operable member to facilitate or effect connection with a mating connector, and more particularly to lever-type connectors.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-326024 discloses a lever type connector. This connector is constructed such that a door-shaped lever including an operable portion and a pair of arm portions is rotatably installed astride one connector housing, and a cam pin engageable with a cam groove of the lever is provided on the other connector. housings, and by slightly mounting the two connector housings to each other, the lever turns with the cam groove and cam pin engaging each other, whereby the cam action of the engagement of the cam groove and cam pin engages the two connector housings Pull toward each other to achieve a properly connected state.

There are cases where the rotation center axis of the lever is set at a position shifted to one side from the width center in order to secure a large rotation of the lever. Some lever type connectors are provided with a lever supported on one side thereof by canceling one of the two arm parts, and in this case, the rotation center axis of the lever is provided only on the upper surface and the bottom surface of the connector housing on any one of them.

In the case where the rotation center axis of the lever is set at a position displaced from the center of the connector with respect to the width direction or the height direction in this manner, as the lever rotates, the connection force moves toward the position displaced from the center in this manner. The position is skewed so that the two connectors may be tilted from the correct connection posture.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-30961 discloses another lever type connector. The connector is constructed such that a door-shaped lever comprising an operable portion and a pair of arm portions is rotatably mounted to straddle the connector housing, a cam pin engageable with a cam groove of the lever is provided on the mating connector housing, And by slightly fitting the two connector housings to each other, the lever turns with the cam groove and cam pin engaging each other, thereby pulling the two connector housings toward each other through the camming action of the engagement of the cam groove and cam pin , in order to achieve the state of correct connection.

A terminal insertion hole through which the terminal fitting is inserted is formed in the rear end surface of the connector housing, and a cavity communicating with the terminal insertion hole for receiving the terminal fitting is formed penetrating the connector housing. The lever is installed such that its operable portion and the like protrude from the rear end surface of the connector housing.

In the case of using an automatic machine to insert the terminal fittings into the cavity, if there is a step on the rear end surface of the connector housing, there is a possibility that the automatic machine stops temporarily when the front end of the terminal fitting touches the step, thereby reducing the operating efficiency . In particular, in the above-mentioned lever type connector, since the lever is installed so that its part protrudes from the rear end surface of the connector housing, there is a problem that it is difficult for an automatic machine to perform the operation of inserting the terminal fitting.

The present invention has been improved in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to improve the overall operability of the connector.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, there is provided a movable or operable member type connector, comprising:

a connector housing connectable to a mating connector housing, and

a movable member operatively mounted on or in the connector housing and comprising a cam plate formed with a cam groove,

A cam pin disposed in the mating connector housing that displaces substantially along the cam groove to connect or disconnect the connector housing and the mating connector housing as the movable member is displaced between an initial position and a connection termination position. connector housing,

Wherein, except at the engagement position of the cam groove and the cam pin, at a position substantially symmetrical to the engagement position with respect to the width central axis of the two connector housings or at a height relative to the two connector housings At a position where the central axis is substantially symmetrical to the engaged position, the movable member and the mating connector housing are combined so that when the connecting operation of the two connector housings is completed, at least two positions are provided to generate force, connects two connector housings by mutual engagement.

Therefore, by correcting the posture of the housing relative to the mating housing of the mating connector, the operability of the connector can be significantly improved.

Generally, in a connector having an operable or movable member, when the movable member operates with the cam member engaged with the mating cam member, by the connecting force acting between them (acting on the connection between the two connected The force in the direction of the connector housing) connects the connector housing. However, it may be difficult to balance the aforementioned connection forces between the two connector housings, for example if the cam plates are positioned asymmetrically. In other words, for example, only the side provided with the cam plate leads in connection with the mating connector housing, conversely, the connection of the opposite side not provided with the cam plate is delayed, so that the two connector housings can be inclined with respect to the height central axis posture connection. Also, if the engagement positions of the cam member and the mating cam member are shifted relative to the width direction of the two connector housings, the two connector housings can be connected in a posture inclined with respect to the width center axis.

In this regard, according to the present invention, in addition to the engagement position of the cam member and the mating cam member, another engagement position is provided after the connection operation is completed so that the connection force can be relative to the width direction or the height direction of the two connector housings. Basically balanced. Thus, the postures of the two connector housings can be corrected to a substantially straight connection posture, thus allowing smoother connection and improving overall operability.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cam plate is provided on only one surface of the connector housing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a lever type connector is also provided:

a connector housing connectable to a mating connector housing, and

a lever movably mounted on the connector housing and comprising a cam plate formed with a cam groove,

The cam pin, which is provided in the mating connector housing, is displaced along the cam groove to connect or separate the two connector housings as the lever is rotated from the initial position to the connection termination position, and the cam plate is provided only on the connector on one surface of the enclosure,

Wherein, except for the engagement position of the cam groove and the cam pin, the lever and the mating connector housing are at a position symmetrical to the engagement position with respect to the width central axis of the two connector housings or at a position relative to the two connector housings. The central axis of the height is engaged at a position symmetrical to the engaging position, thereby setting at least two positions, and when the connecting operation of the two connector housings is completed, forces are generated in various directions to connect the two connector housings by mutual engagement.

Generally, in a lever type connector, when the lever is rotated with the cam pin engaged with the cam groove, by the connecting force acting between them (the force acting in the direction of connecting the two connector housings) , the connector housing to connect. However, if the cam plate is provided on only one surface of the connector housings as in claim 1, it is difficult to balance the above-mentioned connection force between the two connector housings. In other words, the connection of the side where the cam plate is provided with the mating connector housing leads, and conversely, the connection of the opposite side where the cam plate is not provided is delayed, so that the two connector housings can be in an attitude inclined with respect to the height central axis connect. Also, if the engaging position of the cam pin and the cam groove is shifted with respect to the width direction of the two connector housings, the two connector housings may be connected in an inclined posture with respect to the width center axis.

In this regard, according to the above-described embodiment, in addition to the engagement position of the cam groove and the cam pin, after the connection operation is completed, another engagement position is set so that the connection force is relative to the width direction or height of the two connector housings direction balance. Thus, the postures of the two connector housings can be corrected to the straight connection posture, thereby improving operability.

Preferably, the movable member comprises at least one posture correcting arm which will be rotatably and substantially concentrically disposed on the surface of the connector housing substantially concentric with the cam plate relative to the height direction of the connector housing. the surface on which the plate is set is opposite, and

The movable member preferably includes an attitude correcting arm, a cam plate and an operating arm which connects the attitude correcting arm and the cam plate and is used to rotate the operable member.

More preferably, the posture correcting arm is formed with at least one hook portion for substantially Force is generated in all directions, pulling the two connector housings toward each other.

Most preferably, the attitude correcting arm is rotatably and concentrically provided with the cam plate on a surface of the connector housing that is opposite to the surface on which the cam plate is provided with respect to the height direction of the connector housing,

the lever includes an attitude correcting arm, a cam plate and an operating arm connecting the attitude correcting arm and the cam plate and for rotating the operable member, and

The posture correcting arm is formed with at least one hook-shaped portion for substantially producing a hook in each direction by engaging with a corresponding accommodating portion provided in the housing of the mating connector when the connecting operation of the two connectors is in progress or completed. force, pull the two connector housings toward each other.

Therefore, even if the connection of the two connector housings is advanced at the side where the cam plate is provided, when the connection operation of the two connector housings is completed, by the engagement of the hook portion and the receiving portion of the posture correcting arm, the two connector housings are connected. The force is also generated in the direction of the connector housings, the receiving portion is located relative to the height of the two connector housings, the central axis is symmetrical to the engagement position of the cam member (eg, cam pin) and the mating cam member (eg, cam groove) at the location. Then, the connection force acts on substantially opposite sides of the height center axes of the two connector housings in a balanced manner, so that the connection of the delayed side proceeds, and the posture of the two connector housings is corrected to a substantially straight connection posture , thereby allowing a smoother connection process of the connector to the mating connector and improving the overall operability of the connector.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movable member is arranged such that the engaging position of the cam groove and the cam pin is shifted to one side from the width central axis of the two connector housings, and the movable member for operating the operating arms are disposed at opposite sides with respect to the width center axis, and

The movable member is formed with a pushing surface for pushing the connector housing provided with the movable member into the mating connector housing when the connecting operation of the two connector housings is completed.

Preferably, the lever is arranged such that the engagement position of the cam groove and the cam pin is shifted toward one side from the width central axis of the two connector housings, and the operating arm for turning the lever is disposed on the opposite side with respect to the width central axis. place, and

The lever is formed with a pushing surface for pushing the connector housing provided with the lever into the mating connector housing when the connecting operation of the two connector housings is completed.

Therefore, since the engagement position of the cam member (for example, cam pin) and the mating cam member (for example, cam groove) is shifted to one side from the width central axis of the two connector housings, the connector housing provided with the lever is at a certain position. In some cases it is faster to connect with the mating connector housing at this mating side. However, after the connection operation is completed, the push surface of the operating arm of the movable member (eg, lever) pushes the connector housing to the engaged position of the cam member (eg, cam pin) and the mating cam member (eg, cam groove) In the mating connector housings at the opposite width sides, the postures of the two connector housings are therefore corrected to a substantially straight connection posture.

More preferably, the connector housing includes a cam plate receiving wall, a receiving space for movably at least partially receiving the cam plate defined between the cam plate receiving wall and an outer surface of the connector housing, and

The cam plate accommodating wall is preferably formed with a cam pin insertion groove at a position shifted to one side from the width central axis of the two connector housings, and a guide groove, and a locking protrusion provided in the mating connector housing. To be guideably at least partially inserted into the guide groove at a position displaced from substantially opposite sides, the cam pin insertion groove and the guide groove extend substantially in the connecting direction of the two connector housings.

More preferably, when the connecting operation of the two connectors is completed, a locking piece elastically deformed in the thickness direction of the cam plate is provided at a position where the cam plate substantially faces the guide groove, and is engageable with the locking protrusion.

Most preferably, the connector housing includes a cam plate receiving wall, a receiving space for movably at least partially receiving the cam plate defined between the cam plate receiving wall and an outer surface of the connector housing, and

The cam plate accommodating wall is preferably formed with a cam pin insertion groove at a position shifted to one side from the width central axis of the two connector housings, and a guide groove, and a locking protrusion provided in the mating connector housing. to be guideably at least partially inserted into the guide groove at a position removed from substantially opposite sides, the cam pin insertion groove and the guide groove extending substantially in the connecting direction of the two connector housings, and

A locking piece elastically deformed in the thickness direction of the cam plate is provided at a position of the cam plate facing the cam groove, and is engageable with the locking protrusion when the connecting operation of the two connectors is completed.

Since the engagement position of the cam member (for example, cam pin) and the mating cam member (for example, cam groove) is shifted to one side from the width central axis of the two connector housings, a movable member (for example, lever) is provided. The connector housing can in some cases engage the mating connector housing more quickly on this mating side. However, according to the above-described embodiment, since the locking protrusion is guided by the guide groove at the width side opposite to the above-mentioned engaging position, the connecting posture of the connector housing can be kept in a substantially correct posture, and when the connecting operation is completed, the locking The fitting engages the locking protrusion of the mating connector housing to lock the two connector housings in their connected state.

According to the present invention, the movable or operable member type connector is also provided, especially according to the above-mentioned present invention or its preferred embodiments, including:

a connector housing connectable to a mating connector housing and having at least one terminal insertion opening formed in its rear end surface through which at least one terminal fitting is to be at least partially inserted from behind, and

A movable member (such as a rotatable or rotatable lever or a substantially linearly displaceable slider) that is operatively or movably or displaceably mounted on or on a connector housing , and formed with a cam member,

a mating cam member disposed in the mating connector housing and cooperable with the cam member to connect or separate the two connector housings as the movable member is manipulated,

Therein, at least in the connection termination position, the movable member will remain in the connector housing, wherein the rear end surface of the movable member remains substantially flush with the rear end surface of the connector housing.

If the rear end surface of the lever protrudes or retracts from the rear end surface of the connector housing, it becomes difficult to at least partially insert the terminal fitting into the cavity by an automatic machine, thus degrading the overall operability of the connector. However, according to the present invention, since the movable member can be held in the connector housing with the rear end surface of the movable member kept substantially flush with the rear end surface of the connector housing, it can be smoothly operated by, especially, an automatic machine. The terminal insertion operation is performed, thereby enhancing the overall operability of the connector.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a lever type connector is provided, and the lever type connector includes:

a connector housing connectable to a mating connector housing and having a terminal insertion opening formed in its rear end surface through which the terminal fittings are inserted from behind, and

a lever, rotatably mounted on the connector housing and formed with a cam groove,

a cam pin, disposed in the mating connector housing, displaceable along the cam groove to connect or separate the two connector housings as the lever is turned,

Wherein, the lever is held in the connector housing such that the rear end surface of the lever remains flush with the rear end surface of the connector housing.

If the rear end surface of the lever protrudes or retracts from the rear end surface of the connector housing, it becomes difficult to at least partially insert the terminal fitting into the cavity by an automatic machine, thus degrading the overall operability of the connector. However, according to the present invention, since the movable member is held in the connector housing with the rear end surface of the movable member kept substantially flush with the rear end surface of the connector housing, terminal insertion can be smoothly performed by an automatic machine operate.

Preferably, the rear end surface of the movable member (preferably the lever) becomes substantially flush with the rear end surface of the connector housing when the movable member (preferably the lever) substantially reaches the connection termination position.

Since the lever reaches the connection termination position when the rear end surface of the movable member (lever) becomes substantially flush and continuous with the rear end surface of the connector housing, by confirming that the movable member (lever) In the flush state, it can be detected that the movable member (lever) has reached the connection termination position and that the two connector housings have been correctly connected.

Preferably, the movable member (preferably a lever) is provided with a side plate (in particular including a central axis of rotation of the movable member or lever) and arranged to cover at least a part of the outer side surface of the connector housing,

the connector housing is formed with at least one cavity into which the terminal fitting is to be at least partially inserted through the terminal insertion opening,

A retainer is mounted through the outer surface of the connector housing provided by the side plate, preferably by being pushed or displaced from the first position or the partially locked position, the retainer being movable between the first position or the partially locked position and the second position or fully locked positions, in the first position allowing the terminal fitting to be inserted and withdrawn from the cavity, in the second position, the terminal fitting inserted substantially correctly into the cavity is retained,

In the first position or the partially locked position, the push surface of the retainer protrudes from the outside surface of the connector housing, and

Either one of the inner side surface of the side plate and the pushing surface of the retainer is formed with an exit notch for preventing the movable member (especially the lever) from moving when the retainer is in the first position or the partially locked position. Interference with retainer.

And, since the side plate of the movable member (lever) is provided on the outer side surface of the connector housing to at least partially cover a part of the outer side surface, and the retainer is installed, the retainer and the side plate can interfere with each other, To hinder its displacement in the first position or the partially locked position, the retainer protrudes from the outer side surface of the connector housing in the first position. However, since according to the above-described embodiment, an exit notch for avoiding mutual interference of the retainer and the movable member (lever) when the retainer is at the first position or the partial lock position is formed on the inner side surface of the side plate and the retainer. in either of the push surfaces, so the retainer and lever can be displaced without any hindrance. If the side plate of the movable member (lever) is arranged to be spaced apart from the holder in the connecting direction, interference of the holder and the side plate can be avoided. However, this arrangement causes the movable member (lever) to protrude from the rear end surface of the connector housing, so that the lever and the rear end surface of the connector housing cannot be substantially flush and continuous with each other. However, in the above-described embodiment, such a problem is solved, and the overall operability is improved.

According to claim 4, the present invention is characterized in that, in the lever type connector set forth in claim 3, unless the retainer is in the second position or the fully locked position, the side plate and the retainer in the moving direction (rotational direction) The contact prevents the movement or operation of the movable member, especially the rotation of the lever.

Since the contact of the attitude correction arm and the retainer prevents the movement or operation of the movable member, especially the rotation of the lever, unless the retainer is in the second position or the fully locked position, if the movement or operation of the movable member, especially If the rotation of the lever is prevented, it can be detected that the retainer has been insufficiently pushed to remain in the intermediate position, and has not reached the second or fully locked position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided, including the above-mentioned connector of the present invention or its preferred embodiments, and a mating connector connectable thereto.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that although embodiments are described separately, individual features thereof may be combined into other embodiments.

Figure 1 is a cutaway side view of one embodiment of the male and female connector housings prior to connection,

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of two connector housings before the pre-pressing part presses the depressible part,

Accompanying drawing 3 is the sectional side view of two connector shells, has shown the state that the pre-pressing part presses the depressible part,

Accompanying drawing 4 is the sectional side view of two connector shells, has shown not the pre-pressing part but the state that the pressing part presses the depressible part,

Accompanying drawing 5 is the sectional side view of two connector housings, has shown the state before the state that is pressed by pressing part cancels,

6 is a sectional side view of two connector housings, showing a state in which the pressing state of the pressing portion is canceled after the lever reaches the connection terminal position to establish contact between the contact terminal and the detection terminal,

Accompanying drawing 7 is the horizontal sectional view before two connector housings are connected,

Accompanying drawing 8 is the horizontal sectional view of two connector shells before connecting operation starts,

Accompanying drawing 9 is the horizontal sectional view of two connector housings during connection operation,

Accompanying drawing 10 is the horizontal cross-sectional view of two connector housings that are correctly connected after the lever reaches the connection terminal position,

Accompanying drawing 11 is the exploded sectional side view of female connector housing,

Figure 12 is a cutaway side view of two connector housings properly connected with the cam pin and cam groove in engaged position,

Figure 13 is a sectional side view of two connector housings properly connected by pushing the housing body through the pushing surface of the lever,

Accompanying drawing 14 is the cross-sectional side view of two connector housings that are correctly connected, showing the state that the locking piece of the lever is engaged with the locking protrusion,

Accompanying drawing 15 is the horizontal sectional view of two connector shells that are connected correctly by the engagement of the hook portion of the lever and the receiving portion,

Figure 16 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of two connector housings properly connected by the engagement of the cam pin and the cam groove,

Accompanying drawing 17 is the front view of male connector shell,

Accompanying drawing 18 is the rear view of female connector shell,

Accompanying drawing 19 is the front view of female connector housing,

Accompanying drawing 20 is a plan view of the female connector housing when the lever is in the connection start position,

Accompanying drawing 21 is the back view of shell main body,

Accompanying drawing 22 is the bottom view of retainer,

Accompanying drawing 23 is the back view of retainer,

Accompanying drawing 24 is a side view of the lever when viewed from the correct arm,

Accompanying drawing 25 is the plan view of detection terminal, and

Accompanying drawing 26 is the front view of detecting terminal.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 26 . The connector shown in this embodiment is preferably an airbag connector assembly and is provided with at least one pair of male and female connector housings 80, 10 connectable to each other. In the following description, refer to FIG. 1 which focuses on the vertical direction, and the sides where the two connector housings 80, 10 are connected are referred to as front sides with respect to the forward and backward directions FBD.

The male connector housing 80 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and is formed with a receptacle (receptacle) 81, which preferably has substantially a rectangular shape that is laterally long in a front view, and has an open front side, as shown in the attached shown in Figures 1 and 17. At least one partition wall 82 is preferably installed at a width center position substantially vertically (in the height direction HD) along the width center axis (width center) of the inner surface of the receptacle 81, and one or more, preferably A pair of transverse (left and/or right) installation notches (fitting recess) (fitting recess) (fitting recess) 83 is formed in the substantially opposite transverse (left and right) side place of this partition wall 82, and female connector housing 10 can be individually at least partially received in. in the mounting notch. In the male connector housing 80, the two mounting recesses 83 preferably have the same internal configuration and/or are substantially laterally symmetrical with respect to the dividing wall 82.

One or more, preferably several tongue-shaped male terminal fittings 99 protrude at least partially into the receptacle 81 and are mounted by being passed through or at least partially disposed in the rear wall 84 of the receptacle 81 . Each male terminal fitting 99 passes the portion that protrudes from the receptacle 81 of the rear wall 84 at an intermediate position with an angle not equal to 0 or 180, preferably substantially bent downwards at a right angle, and makes its bottom end or connecting portion with or can Electrically connected to a conductive path of an electrical or electronic device such as a printed circuit board not illustrated. One or more, preferably a pair of transverse (left and/or right) protective walls 85 protrude substantially rearward at or near the rear ends of (preferably substantially opposite) side walls of the receptacle 81 to provide The exposed portion of the respective male terminal fitting 99 is at least partially protected from the outer lateral side.

The rear wall 84 of the receptacle 81 is formed with one or more protrusions 86 for preventing misfitting of the two connector housings 10 , 80 . The protrusions 86 protrude at least partially into the receptacles 81 at positions displaced from the respective width center axes WCA of the respective mounting recesses 83 . One or more, preferably several short canceling pieces 87 are formed to protrude into the receptacle 81 from the rear wall 84 of the receptacle 81 at least in part, and this canceling piece is used for following two connector shells 10,80 connection. The shorted state of the shorting terminal 70 provided in the female connector housing 10 is canceled.

One or more, preferably a pair of contact terminals 98 protrude into each mounting recess 83, the contact terminals being disposed on a first (preferably upper) layer of several (for example, three) layers. On one side of a group of male terminal fittings 99, it is preferable to have substantially the same shape as the male terminal fittings 99 at the first (upper) layer place, and preferably to make its front position substantially the same as that of the corresponding male terminal fittings 99. Front position alignment. With the two connector housings 10, 80 properly connected, the corresponding contact terminals 98 are or can be electrically connected with the detection terminals 60 provided in the female connector housing 10, thereby forming at least part of a detection circuit.

On or at the inner surface of the upper wall of the receptacle 81, one or more cam pins 88 protrude at positions displaced laterally outwardly from the respective width center axes WCA of the respective mounting recesses 83, which cam pins may interact with One or more corresponding cam grooves 41 of the lever 40 (as the preferred movable or operable member) engage to fit or at least partially fit into the female connector housing 10, and may engage with one or more of the lever 40. One or more locking protrusions 89 to which the respective locking pieces 42 are elastically engaged protrude at positions displaced from the respective width center axes WCA of the respective mounting recesses 83 toward the partition wall 82 .

On the inner surface of the transverse (preferably bottom) wall of the receptacle 81, one or more accommodating portions 91 are located at the front end of the receptacle 81 displaced laterally outward from the width central axis WCA of the corresponding mounting recess 83. Protruding, the receiving portion is engageable with one or more corresponding hook portions 43 of the lever 40 to correct the posture of the two connector housings 10, 80 being connected. Moreover, one or more disengagement protrusions 92 protrude from the inner surface of the lateral (preferably upper) wall of the receptacle 81 displaced laterally outward from the width center axis WCA of the corresponding mounting recess 83. The protrusion is preferably substantially in the form of a vertical plate extending substantially in the forward and backward direction FBD.

Similarly, two or more female connector housings 10 made of, for example, synthetic resin are prepared substantially corresponding to the corresponding (two) mounting recesses 83, and preferably each of them is provided with the housing main body 11 , retainer 93 and lever 40 (as the preferred movable member), as shown in Figures 1 and 18 . It should be noted that the illustrated female connector housing 10 is a female connector housing that is at least partially accommodated into one mounting recess 83 of the male connector housing 80, and is preferably at least partially accommodated into the other mounting recess 83. The female connector housing is substantially laterally symmetrical.

The housing main body 11 is preferably in block form substantially as a whole, and is formed with one or more, preferably several cavities 12 substantially at positions corresponding to the mating male terminal fittings 99. Extends in the forward and backward directions FBD, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 21 . In other words, the housing main body 11 is substantially in block form as a whole, and has a terminal insertion opening formed in its rear end surface, and is formed with a plurality of cavities 12 which communicate substantially with the terminal insertion holes, and Extends in the forward and rearward directions at positions corresponding to the mating male terminal fittings 99, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 21 . The female terminal fitting 97 connected to the end of the wire W is at least partially inserted into each cavity 12 from the insertion side, preferably substantially from the rear, and is locked by a protruding lock at the inner surface of the cavity 12 after correct insertion. The protrusion 13 is resiliently locked to remain therein.

The protrusion accommodating portion 14 for accommodating the protrusion 86 of the male connector housing 80 when two connector housings 10, 80 are connected is preferably formed substantially in the form of a recess in the front surface of the housing main body 11, and the protrusion Insertion of at least part of 86 into protrusion receiving portion 14 prevents an upside-down connection of the two connector housings 10 , 80 .

One or more shorting terminal accommodating portions 15 for at least partially accommodating the shorting terminals 70 are formed in or at the front surface of the housing main body 11 so as to substantially communicate with the cavity 12 adjacent thereto. Locate or locate beneath or within it. Each of the shorting terminals 70 to be at least partially accommodated in the shorting terminal receiving portion 15 preferably includes at least one pair of elastic members 71 which are to be arranged substantially side by side with the cavity below or within it. At least one pair of female terminal fittings 97 in 12 contacts to short these female terminal fittings 97, as shown in FIG. 1, until the connecting operation of the two connector housings 10, 80 starts and/or terminates. As shown in accompanying drawing 2, the short-circuit canceling member 87 of male connector housing 80 elastically deforms the corresponding elastic member 71 of short-circuit terminal 70 in the short-circuit canceling direction, thereby can cancel two or more (or several Pair) The short-circuited state of the female terminal fitting 97.

A probe terminal accommodating portion 16 is formed at or near one lateral end of the case main body 11 . The detection terminal accommodating portion 16 is substantially arranged adjacent to and/or parallel to the group of cavities 12 of the female terminal fitting 97 located on the first (upper) layer, and the detection terminal 60 can be preferably accommodated at least partially from the rear. in.

The probe terminal 60 is formed by bending a conductive (preferably metallic) plate into a specific (preset or preset) shape, and the probe terminal includes a substrate that will be disposed substantially along the inner surface of the probe terminal accommodating portion 16 61, one or more first spring portions 62 extending substantially backward by inclining upward or outward from the front end of the base plate 61 (or inclining to the connection direction CD), by inclining upward or outward from the rear end of the base plate 61 (or inclined to the connection direction CD) and the second spring portion 63 extending substantially rearward, and the opposite side wall 64 that is erected or protrudes substantially along the opposite side edge of the base plate 61, as shown in Figures 1, 25 and 26 shown. In particular, a pair of first spring portions 62 are arranged substantially side by side on the base plate 61 substantially in the width direction WD, and are preferably cut by leaving a substantially U-shaped piece in the base plate 61 and placing the left protruding piece The bend is formed so that the contact portion 65 that contacts the contact terminal 98 is formed to protrude at or near the base end thereof. Therefore, both first spring parts 62 can be connected with the corresponding contact terminals 98 and be elastically deformed substantially independently, thereby avoiding the situation that the first spring parts 62 are not aligned with the corresponding contact terminals 98 . On the other hand, by folding or bending the rear portion of the base plate 61 forward, the second spring portion 63 preferably has a single spring structure, and its front end is arranged to cover two first spring portions 62 laterally or substantially from above at least partially. backend.

A depressible portion 66 protruding outward or upward (in the forward and backward direction FBD and/or the connection direction CD) pressed by the pressing portion 44 and the pre-pressing portion 45 (to be described later) is formed on the second spring portion 63 in the middle. In particular, the depressible portion 66 has a slope that is preferably upwardly or outwardly inclined after extending substantially vertically at the base end of the second spring portion 63, and the depressible portion is substantially forward from the front end of the slope. Extends substantially vertically downwards after extending horizontally for a short distance. By operating or turning the lever 40, the pressing portion 44 and the pre-pressing portion 45 of the lever 40 are basically in sliding contact with the depressible portion 60, and simultaneously perform a displacement movement (preferably moving in an arc along the rotation path of the lever 40), thereby The pressing portion 66 is elastically deformed (substantially inward or downward) in the deformation direction DD. As the depressible portion 66 moves, the first spring portion 62 also elastically deforms substantially inwardly or downwardly (see, eg, FIG. 3 ).

By forming one or more cutouts in (preferably substantially opposite) side walls 64 and bending the cutouts substantially inwardly, one or more cutouts for preventing excessive deformation of the second spring portion 63 are formed, A pair of lateral (left and right) excessive deformation preventing members 67 is preferred. One or more, preferably a pair of lateral (left and right) locking projections 68 engageable with the probe terminal accommodating portion 16 are formed at lateral (upper) ends of (preferably substantially opposite) side walls 64 . Moreover, one or more of the (preferably substantially opposite) side edges for pressing the second spring portion 63 from above are formed by bending inwardly at the lateral (upper) ends of the (preferably substantially opposite) side walls. A plurality of, preferably a pair of lateral (left and right) spring pressing pieces 69 (spring pressing portions). The second spring portion 63 is pre-pressed and simultaneously loaded by basically pressing the two spring pressing members 69 upward or outward, so that it is preferable not to strictly adjust the spring reaction force.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the case main body 11 is formed with a holder mounting hole 17 preferably extending on three surfaces, namely, the bottom surface and the opposite side surfaces of the case main body 11 . The retainer mounting hole 17 has a depth spanning vertically and communicating with corresponding cavities 12 on one or more (eg, three) layers, and is used to retain the retainer 93 in the partially locked position and the fully locked position. The complete locking protrusion 19 and the partial locking protrusion 18 are formed overlapping each other on opposite side surfaces located at the upper portion of the retainer mounting hole 17 in the housing main body 11, as shown in FIG. 21 .

As shown in accompanying drawing 23, retainer 93 comprises main frame 95, and this main frame is formed with one or more, preferably several windows 94 that can substantially communicate with corresponding one or more cavities 12, and with One or more locking protrusions 94A for locking the one or more female terminal fittings 97 are formed on the inner surface of the window 94 . The stepped portion 95A is preferably formed by cutting one of the four corners of the main frame 95, and the surrounding wall of the detection terminal accommodating portion 16 is preferably at least partially mounted inside the stepped portion 95A. One or more, preferably a pair of lateral (left and right) locking arms 95E that protrude substantially upwards or outwards are elastically deformable and are formed at (preferably substantially opposite) lateral ends of the main frame 95 (especially At or near the step portion 95A) is not included. A locking pawl 95F protruding inward is formed at the leading end of each locking arm 95E.

The retainer 93 is movable between a partially locked position (or first position or waiting position) and a fully locked position (or second position or installed position), which retainer is connected by pressing more deeply into the retainer mounting hole 17 , at the partial locking position, the retainer 93 is partially inserted into the retainer mounting hole 17 while its bottom end protrudes from the lateral (bottom) surface of the housing main body 11 and the locking pawl 95F of the locking arm 95E is elastically engaged with the partial locking protrusion 18 , at the fully locked position, the bottom end of the retainer 93 is preferably substantially flush with the lateral (bottom) surface of the housing body 11, and the locking pawl 95F of the locking arm 95E is elastically engaged with the fully locking protrusion 19. The locking protrusion 94A is positioned at the lateral side of the cavity 12 at the partially locked position to allow the female terminal fitting 97 to be inserted and withdrawn, while the locking protrusion 94A is at least partially positioned in the cavity 12 at the fully locked position to best align with the locking Together the portions 13 lock and retain the female terminal fitting 97 inserted substantially correctly into the cavity 12 . And, as shown in accompanying drawing 15 and 22, the withdrawal notch 96 that is used to avoid the attitude correction arm 46 (corresponding to preferred side plate) of interfering with lever 40 is formed in the lateral direction (bottom) surface (pressing in) of retainer 93. surface 93A). The lateral (bottom) portion of the attitude correcting arm 46 is at least partially fitted in the exit notch 96 when the retainer 93 is in the partially locked position.

As shown in FIG. 21 , an accommodating space 21 for at least partially accommodating the lever 40 is formed at or in the lateral (preferably upper) portion of the housing main body 11 so as to be formed toward the insertion side, preferably substantially at Openings in the back surface. The receiving space 21 is preferably defined by a (preferably substantially thinner) cover wall 22 (as a preferred cam plate receiving wall) at the outermost (preferably uppermost) side position and the lever mounting substantially opposite thereto. between surfaces 23 . The lever 40 is installed by sliding at least partly (preferably in a substantially horizontal position) into the receiving space 21 from the insertion side, preferably substantially from the rear. The aforementioned detection terminal accommodating portion 16 communicates with the accommodating space 21 through the through hole 24 penetrating the lever mounting surface 23 .

Exit notch 96 may be formed by cutting into a shape that substantially conforms to the shape of the lateral edge of attitude correcting arm 46 . When an attempt is made to operate (eg, rotate) the lever 40 , the attitude correction arm 46 substantially contacts the inner surface of the exit notch 96 to prevent any further movement or operation (eg, rotate) of the lever 40 . When the bottom surface of the retainer 93 protrudes from the bottom surface of the housing main body 11, that is, when the retainer 93 is not located at the fully locked position, the contact of the attitude correction arm 46 with the inner surface of the exit notch 96 prevents the movement of the lever 40. or an action (for example, turn).

Protruding from the lever mounting surface 23 is a (preferably substantially cylindrical) support shaft 25 for rotatably or rotatably supporting the lever 40 . Alternatively or additionally, the support shaft may also be arranged to protrude from the covering wall 22 . In the process of installing the lever 40, the cam plate 47 of the lever 40 moves over or exceeds the support shaft 25 while elastically deforming the covering wall 22, so that the support shaft 25 is at least partially installed on the bearing portion 47A of the cam plate 47 or the bearing portion 47A, so as to keep the lever 40 in the accommodation space 21 when the lever 40 reaches the correct installation position. The support shaft 25 is preferably provided at a position shifted from the width central axis of the housing main body 11 and/or its central axis with respect to the forward and backward directions FBD (depth direction). The cam plate engaging portion 26 preferably protrudes on the lever mounting surface 23 at a position adjacent to the support shaft 25, and is engageable with an engaging recess 47B formed in the cam plate 47 to preferably hold the lever 40 substantially in the At the connection start position CSP and/or the connection end position CEP.

On the lateral (bottom) surface of the housing main body 11, a support shaft 27 protrudes at a position on substantially the same vertical axis as the support shaft 25, the support shaft 27 being engaged with the bearing portion 46A of the attitude correction arm 46 of the lever 40, The lever 40 is supported at two positions preferably cooperating with the support shaft 25 . One or more holding protrusions 27A (preferably protruding in substantially opposite directions) are formed at or near the leading end of the support shaft 27 so that the attitude correcting arm 46 does not leave the support shaft during the rotational movement of the lever 40 27. One or more, preferably a pair of lateral (left and right) adjustment protrusions 28 are formed at (preferably substantially opposite) width ends of the bottom surface 11BS of the housing main body 11, the width ends being positioned relative to the forward and The rearward direction FBD is substantially at the side of the holder mounting hole 17 opposite to the support shaft 27 . (preferably two) adjusting projection 28 is preferably protruded substantially the same distance with support shaft 27, thereby its leading end is aligned with the leading end of support shaft 27 substantially, thereby prevents female connector housing 10 from connecting two During the connection of two connector housings 10, 80, tilt forward at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 20, a cam pin insertion groove is preferably formed in the cover wall 22 at a position in front of the support shaft 25 with respect to the forward and rearward directions FBD, the cam pin insertion groove being substantially in the direction It extends in the front and rear directions FBD and forms an opening at the front end through which the cam pin 88 of the male connector housing 80 is inserted. Also, a guide groove 22B is preferably formed in the cover wall 22 at a position shifted toward the opposite side of the cam pin insertion groove 22A, which also extends substantially in the forward and rearward directions FBD, and The front end forms an opening along which the locking protrusion 89 of the male connector housing 80 is at least partially inserted. The cam pin 88 is inserted while substantially maintaining sliding contact with (preferably substantially opposite) lateral edges of the cam pin insertion groove 22A, and the locking protrusion 89 is inserted while substantially maintaining (preferably substantially) substantially in contact with the (preferably substantially opposite) lateral edge of the guide groove 22B. upper opposite) transverse edge sliding contact. Also, a guide groove 22E is formed in the cover wall 22 substantially parallel to the guide groove 22B and the cam pin insertion groove 22A at the side opposite to the guide groove 22B, along which the disengagement protrusion 92 of the male connector housing 80 is formed. is inserted along the guide groove while maintaining substantially sliding contact therewith.

The lever mounting surface 23 and the cover wall 22 are preferably partially cut away to expose one side (in the illustrated example, the left side) of the accommodation space 21 at the rear surface of the casing main body 11, and this exposed space serves as a protection part of the accommodation space. 21A serves to at least partially house the protective portion 48 of the lever 40, preferably substantially in the form of a rectangular frame. Also, a stepped portion 29 is formed in one side surface of the housing main body 11, as shown in FIG. And the front area of this stepped portion 29 functions as a stepped notch 29B shown in FIG. 7 which is slightly lower than the rear area. The step surface of the substantially forward facing step portion 29 functions as a contact surface 29A which is pressed by the operating arm 49 of the lever 40 when the lever 40 is rotated or turned to the connection end position CEP.

As shown in accompanying drawing 18, lever 40 preferably comprises (at least one) cam plate 47, attitude correcting arm 46 and operating arm 49, and this operating arm preferably links cam plate 47 and the end or end portion of arm 46 so that preferably Basically in the shape of a gate as a whole. As shown in FIG. 7 , the cam groove 41 engageable with the cam pin 88 of the male connector housing 80 is at a specific (preset or predeterminable) end portion of the cam plate 47 spaced apart from the operating arm 49. ), and by the relative movement of the cam pin 88 along the cam groove 41, the two connector housings 10, 80 can be connected and separated. It should be noted that such a cam groove 41 is preferably not formed in the attitude correcting arm 46 . In the following description of the configuration of the lever 40 , reference is made to a state in which the lever 40 is located at the connection end position CEP with respect to the forward and backward directions FBD (the state shown in FIG. 10 ).

The inner surface (lower surface) of the cam plate 47 is cut near the inner end of the cam groove 41 to form a (preferably substantially circular) bearing portion 47A. An engaging notch 47B in the form of an arc substantially concentric with the bearing portion 47A is formed at a position near the bearing portion 47A, and the cam plate engaging portion 26 is substantially in sliding contact with the engaging notch 47B to engage the lever 40. The rotational movement or the rotary movement is guided.

A temporary holding arm 51 is formed on the outer periphery of the cam plate 47 at a position close to the entrance of the cam groove 41, which is elastically deformable and preferably moves substantially forward and upward when the lever 40 is at the connection end position CEP. Rear direction extends up FBD. Before the two connector housings 10 , 80 are connected, the tip protrusion 51A of the temporary holding arm 51 engages with the temporary housing portion 31 provided at the lateral edge of the housing space 21 of the housing main body 11 , thereby preventing movement or rotation of the lever 40 . When the connection operation of the two connector housings 10, 80 starts, or just after the start, the tip protrusion 51 is pushed by the disengagement protrusion 92 of the male connector housing 80 to elastically deform in the unlocking direction, thereby allowing the lever 40 to rotate .

The locking member 42, which is elastically engageable with the locking protrusion 89 of the male connector housing 80, is formed at an end (preferably a side of the operating arm 49) of the cam plate 47 substantially in contact with the cam groove 41 and the bearing portion 47A. The ends of the setup are opposite. The locking member 42 is preferably defined between a pair of slits 42A which form an opening at the rear end of the cam plate 47 and extend substantially in the width direction of the cam plate 47, ie, in the forward and rearward directions FBD, And it can elastically deform laterally (essentially upward and downward) with its front end as the base end. One of the two slits 42A is located near the inclined edge portion 47E formed by cutting off one corner of the cam plate 47, and cannot extend further forward.

In the outer surface (upper surface) area of the cam plate 47 in front of the locking member 42, an exit portion 52 is formed in the form of a recess for avoiding interference with the locking protrusion 89 during movement or rotation of the lever 40, so that the lever 40 can be moved or turned further. A locking protrusion 53 is formed at the base end of the locking piece 42, which is substantially continuous with the rear end of the escape portion 52 by a step. The front surface of the locking protrusion 53 forming the above-mentioned step is formed into the inclined guide surface 53A inclined outward (up) and rearward, as shown in FIG. A substantially flat surface is formed at substantially the same height or radial position as the reference surface. And, the rear surface of locking protrusion 53 forms locking surface 53B, and this locking surface is preferably substantially perpendicular (or perpendicular to forward and backward direction FBD and/or connection direction CD), and the notch formed in locking protrusion 53 rear 54 form steps. During rotation of the lever 40, the locking protrusion 89 moves onto the locking protrusion 53 along the guide surface 53A of the locking protrusion 53, thereby elastically deforming the locking piece 42 substantially inwardly or downwardly. When the lever 40 substantially reaches the connection termination position CEP after the locking protrusion 89 is substantially in sliding contact with the flat surface of the locking protrusion 53 , the locking protrusion 89 is at least partially fitted into the notch 54 and locked by the locking surface 53B of the locking protrusion 53 , so that it will not come out.

The lock operating portion 55 is provided at a slightly higher position at the rear end of the lock 42 . By pressing the portion 55 inwardly or downwardly, the locking member 42 can be disengaged from the locking protrusion 89 . A protective portion 48 (preferably substantially in the form of a rectangular frame) is formed at or near the rear end of the cam plate 47 so as to at least partially, preferably substantially completely, surround the circumference of the lock operating portion 55, which can be The interior of the guard portion 48 operates to disengage the lock 42 . This protective portion 48 has one side thereof combined with the operating arm 49 to protrude laterally or vertically from the rear end of the cam plate 47, and when the lever 40 is in the connection end position CEP, the protective portion (preferably substantially the whole) It is accommodated in the protective portion accommodation space 21A of the case main body 11 .

Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 24 , the pressing portion 44 protrudes on the inner surface (lower surface) of the cam plate 47 along one lateral edge of the base end of the lock piece 42 . When the locking member 42 is elastically deformed inwardly or downward due to the engagement of the locking protrusion 89 and the locking protrusion 53 at the rotation end position before or near the connection end position CEP of the lever 40, the pressing portion 44 is preferably substantially from the rear. The upper side is in contact with the depressible portion 66 of the second spring portion 63 of the detection terminal 60 , so that the second spring portion 63 elastically deforms downward or inward together with the first spring portion 62 . At substantially the same time that the lever 40 reaches the connection end position CEP, the pressing portion 44 preferably stops pressing the second spring portion 63 to at least partially elastically restore the second spring portion 63 and the first spring portion 62 . The front end of the pressing portion 44 stands substantially vertically (or perpendicularly to the forward and backward direction FBD and/or the connection direction CD), and its bottom end is a slope inclined upwardly or outwardly backward. This slope of the pressing portion 44 remains substantially horizontal when the locking member 42 is elastically deformed to the maximum.

On the inner surface of the cam plate 47 , a pre-press portion 45 separate from the press portion 44 is formed in front of the lock piece 42 and protrudes at a position slightly moved inward from the press portion 44 in the width direction. Similar to the pressing portion 44, the pre-pressing portion 45 extends in the forward and backward direction FBD, and preferably has a shorter dimension than the pressing portion 44 in the forward and backward direction FBD. During the rotation of the lever 40, before the pressing portion 44 presses the pressing portion 66 of the detecting terminal 60, the pre-pressing portion 45 is basically in contact with the pressing portion 66 (preferably substantially from behind), so that the second spring portion 63 and the first spring portion 62 elastically deforms. As the lever 40 is further moved or operated or turned or turned, the pre-pressed portion 45 moves past the depressible portion 66 . When the pre-pressing portion 45 stops pressing the second spring portion 63 , the pressing portion 44 presses the depressible portion 66 of the second spring portion 63 instead of the pre-pressing portion 45 . The bottom of the front end of the pre-pressing portion 45 forms a slope inclined downwards and backwards, and its bottom end preferably forms a substantially horizontal flat surface (or substantially parallel to the forward and backward direction FBD and/or the connection direction CD). surface). Since the pre-pressing portion 45 is formed in a range not affected by the elastic deformation of the locking member 42 and spaced apart from the pressing portion 44, interference between the rear end of the pre-pressing portion 45 and the front end of the pressing portion 44 can be avoided, while the locking member 42 is subjected to elastic deformation.

Here, as the lever 40 is operated (rotated or turned), the contact terminal 98 at least partially enters the detection terminal 60 . However, since the first spring portion 62 is pressed by the pre-pressing portion 45 together with the second spring portion 63 during the rotation of the lever 40, and then is pressed by the pressing portion 44 to lower the contact portion of the first spring portion 62, the contact terminal 98 and the contact portion 65 of the first spring portion 62 remain out of contact with each other. On the other hand, when the lever 40 substantially reaches the contact end position CEP, the pressing portion 44 stops pressing the second spring portion 63, so that the second spring portion 63 and the first spring portion 62 are at least partially elastically restored together, so that the contact terminal 98 Contact with the contact portion 65 of the first spring portion 62, thereby closing the detection circuit.

As shown in Figure 13, the operating arm 49 of the lever 40 is preferably substantially in the form of a long plate extending in the height direction. When the lever 40 has substantially reached the connection end position CEP, the operating arm 49 is at least partially fitted into the stepped recess 29B of the housing main body 11, and its front end is substantially pressed against the contact surface 29A of the housing main body 11 in the height direction. , thereby pressing the contact surface 29A forward, ie in the connection direction CD. The front end of the operation arm 49 functions as a pushing surface 49A to prevent the two connector housings 10, 80 from being connected in an inclined posture.

As shown in FIG. 24 , the attitude correcting arm 46 of the lever 40 is disposed at a position substantially facing the cam plate 47 so that the housing main body 11 is at least partially located therebetween and has a shorter width than the cam plate 47, Interference with the holder 90 is thereby avoided. At a position substantially coaxial with the bearing portion 47A of the cam plate 47 with respect to the vertical direction VD, the bearing portion 46A penetrates the attitude correcting arm 46 in the thickness direction. Formed at the inner edge of the bearing portion 46A of the attitude correcting arm 46 is one or more exit grooves 46B and one or more engagement edges 46E into which the one or more retaining protrusions 27A are at least partially fitted. The edge is engageable with the holding protrusion 27A in the separating direction of the lever 40 .

A hook portion 43 is formed at the leading end of the attitude correcting arm 46 (the end away from the operating arm 49), the hook portion has an angle not equal to 0 or 180 with the rotation direction of the lever 40, preferably substantially The hook-shaped surface 43A extending in the vertical direction. In the case where the two connector housings 10, 80 are connected while being inclined from their correct posture with respect to the width direction WD, the hook portion 43 and the accommodating portion 91 of the male connector housing 80 are locked together before the lever 40 reaches the connection end position CEP. engaged so that the hook-shaped surface 43A is substantially opposed to the rear surface of the accommodating portion 91 . Also, during the reaching of the lever 40 to the connection end position CEP, the hook portion 43 pushes or urges the accommodating portion 91 to substantially correct the postures of the two connector housings 10, 80 being connected.

At the connection start position CSP, the lever 40 is preferably arranged so as to protrude from the rear surface of the housing main body 11 by positioning the operating arm 49 more rearwardly than the rear surface of the housing main body 11, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 20 , And at the connection end position CEP, the rear end surface of the lever 40 is preferably substantially flush with the rear surface of the housing main body 11, so as to preferably not form a step with the rear end surface of the housing main body 11, as shown in Figures 10 and 16 shown. Therefore, whether the two connector housings 10, 80 have been properly connected can be judged by confirming whether the lever 40 and the rear end surface of the housing main body 11 are substantially flush with each other at the connection termination position CEP.

Next, the functions of this embodiment are described. First, the male connector housing 80 is fixed to the outer surface of the electrical or electronic device (such as a circuit board, junction box, electrical or electronic appliance or device, etc.), while the male terminal joint 99 and the conductive path of the electrical or electronic device An electrical connection is established between them, and they wait until the connection operation with the female connector housing 10 starts.

On the other hand, in the female connector housing 10, the retainer 93 is preferably at least partially inserted into the retainer mounting hole 17 of the housing, and held at a partially locked position (first position or waiting position). In this state, the cam plate 47 of the lever 40 is at least partially slid into the accommodation space 21 of the housing main body 11, and the bearing portion 47A of the cam plate 47 is engaged with the support shaft 25 while the bearing portion 46A of the attitude correcting arm 46 is on the opposite side Engages with the support shaft 27 so that the lever 40 is mounted in the housing body 11, preferably while remaining at the connection end position CEP. At this time, the posture correcting arm 46 of the lever 40 and the holder 93 are in a positional relationship at least partially overlapping in the thickness direction, but it is avoided by a part of the posture correcting arm 46 at least partially entering the exit notch 96 of the holder 93. interfere with each other.

Subsequently, the above-mentioned female connector housing 10 is delivered to the assembly site of the female terminal fitting 97 . At the assembly site, one or more female terminal fittings 97 are at least partially inserted into the cavity 12 of the housing body 11 from the insertion side, preferably substantially from the rear, eg by hand or by an automatic machine. In this case, since there is no step between the rear end of the lever 40 and the rear end of the housing main body 11, the female terminal fitting 97 can be smoothly inserted. After all the female terminal fittings 97 have been inserted at least in part, the retainer 93 is pushed toward or to a fully locked position (second position or installed position) to (preferably double) lock the female terminal fittings 97 (preferably with the locking portion 13 Collaboration). Since the retainer 93 does not protrude from the housing main body 11 by pushing it to the fully locked position, operation or movement (for example, rotation) of the lever 40 is allowed. It should be noted that the shorting terminal 70 and the detection terminal 60 are simultaneously assembled into the case main body 11 together with the female terminal fitting 97 .

Subsequently, as shown in accompanying drawing 7 and 20, lever 40 (preferably rotates or turns back) operates toward or operates to connect start position CSP place, and the tip protrusion 51A of temporary holding arm 51 is preferably in contact with the temporary receiving portion of housing main body 11. 31 engages, and causes the entry of the cam groove 41 and the entry of the cam pin insertion groove 22A of the housing main body 11 to communicate substantially in the lateral or vertical direction. In this state, one or more corresponding female connector housings 10 are slightly fitted into the two fitting notches 83 of the receptacle 81 of the male connector housing 80 held in the waiting state. Then, as shown in FIG. 8 , each disengagement protrusion 92 inserts itself between the temporary holding arm 51 and the temporary receiving portion 31 to disengage them from each other, and the cam pin 88 enters the cam pin at least partially. The groove 22A and the cam groove 41 are inserted, and the locking protrusion 89 enters the guide groove 22B.

When the lever 40 is operated (turned or turned) in the arrow X direction shown in FIG. 88 moves substantially along the cam pin insertion groove 22A, the locking protrusion 89 moves along the guide groove 22B, and the shorting canceling member 87 at least partially pushes itself to the elastic member 71 of the shorting terminal 70 and the female terminal fitting 97 Between them, keep in contact with these elastic members 71, as shown in FIG. 2, thereby canceling the short-circuit state. And, in the initial state of the operation (for example, turning) of the lever 40, the pre-pressing portion 45 is preferably substantially in contact with the depressible portion 66 of the detection terminal 60 substantially from the rear, and it is preferable that the pre-pressing portion 45 and the depressible portion 66 are in contact with each other. The two slopes of the pressing portion 66 slide on each other substantially in the connection direction CD of the two connector housings 10 , 80 , elastically deforming the second spring portion 63 . Since the front end of the second spring portion 63 is inclined, the first spring portion 62 is deformed (pressed substantially downward or inwardly) in the deformation direction DD, so that the height of the contact portion 65 of the first spring portion 62 becomes lower than the height of the corresponding contact terminal 98, as shown in FIG. 3 . In this way, at an early stage when the contact terminal 98 enters the detection terminal 60, the first spring portion 62 is deformed (pressed substantially downward or inwardly) in the deformation direction DD, and the contact terminal 98 is at least partially inserted into the detection terminal 60. The rear side of the terminal 60 is separated from the contact portion 65 at the same time.

As the lever 40 is further operated (preferably rotating or turning), the locking protrusion 53 of the locking member 42 moves onto the locking protrusion 89, as shown in accompanying drawing 4, and the locking member 42 is elastically deformed downward or inwardly, so that The pre-pressing portion 45 moves away from the depressible portion 46 , and the front end of the pressing portion 44 presses the depressible portion 66 , instead of the pre-pressing portion 45 , downward or inwardly. Since the second spring portion 63 remains elastically deformed during this period, the contact portion 65 of the first spring portion 62 and the contact terminal 98 are kept apart without raising the height position of the contact portion 65 of the first spring portion 62 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 , during the passage of locking projection 53 over locking projection 89 , the ramp of pressing portion 44 slides substantially onto depressible portion 66 while substantially arcing along the path of rotation of lever 40 move so that the second spring portion 63 and the first spring portion 62 remain elastically deformed (in the deformation direction DD).

When the lever 40 substantially reaches the connection termination position CEP so that the locking protrusion 53 of the locking member 42 substantially moves over the locking protrusion 89, as shown in FIG. The natural state, and the pressing part 44 is moved away from the depressible part 66 to substantially stop pressing, so that the second spring part 63 and the first spring part 62 are restored toward their original natural state or returned to the initial natural state. Then, the height position of the contact portion 65 of the first spring portion 62 is raised to push the contact terminal 98 from below (in a direction substantially opposite to the deformation direction DD) and establish an electrical connection between them, thereby closing the detection circuit. By electrically detecting the signal from the connection of the contact terminal 98 and the detection terminal 60, it can be known that the lever 40 has reached the connection end position CEP and that the two connector housings 10, 80 have been correctly connected. Of course, by establishing an electrical connection between the male and female terminal fittings 99, 97, a specific electrical circuit can be constructed.

When the lever 40 substantially reaches the connection end position CEP, the cam plate 47 is at least partially accommodated in the accommodation space 21 of the housing main body 11, the protection portion 48 is at least partially accommodated in the protection portion accommodation space 21A, and the operating arm 49 is at least partially installed in the In the stepped recess 29B of the housing main body 11. Then, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 16, the rear end of the lever 40 and the rear end of the housing body 11 are preferably substantially flush with each other, thereby eliminating steps in particular. By confirming this positional relationship, it can also be known that the lever 40 has reached the connection end position CEP.

In the present embodiment, the rotation center axis of the lever 40 is preferably provided at a position displaced from the width direction WD, and the engaging area of the cam groove 41 and the cam pin 88 is provided only in the cam plate 47 of the lever 40, as Shown in accompanying drawing 12. Then, the connecting force of the lever 40 acts in a manner oblique to the central axis of rotation and the joint area of the cam groove 41 and the cam pin 88, so there is a possibility that the connecting operation is performed faster on this side, while on the side. The side facing away from the central axis and opposite the engagement area of the cam groove 41 and the cam pin 88 is retarded.

However, in the present embodiment, even if both connector housings 10, 80 are inclined from their correct connection postures with respect to the vertical direction VD, it is preferable that the lever 40's connection end position CEP be substantially before the lever 40 reaches the connection end position CEP. The hook portion 43 also hooks or engages the receiving portion 91 and pushes or pulls it, as shown in FIG. 15 . In this way, the connection operation at the side of the attitude correction arm 46 which is prone to delay is caused to be performed faster. Therefore, when the lever 40 reaches the connection end position CEP, the postures of both connector housings 10, 80 are corrected to substantially correct connection postures.

Moreover, even if the two connector housings 10, 80 are tilted from their substantially correct connection postures with respect to the width direction WD, just before the lever 40 reaches the connection end position CEP, the pushing surface 49A of the operation arm 49 of the lever 40 is substantially contact with the contact surface 29A of the housing body 11 and preferably push it toward the receptacle 81 as shown in FIG. 13 . In this way, the connecting operation at the end remote from the central axis, which is prone to delay, is performed faster. Therefore, when the lever 40 reaches the connection termination position, the postures of both connector housings 10, 80 are corrected to substantially correct connection postures.

When the two connector housings 10, 80 are connected, the locking projection 89 preferably moves while maintaining sliding contact with the guide groove 22B of the housing main body 11, and the cam pin 88 also moves while preferably remaining substantially in contact with the housing main body 11. The cam pin is inserted into the groove 22A for sliding contact. When they move, the connecting operation of the two connector housings 10, 80 is guided, so that the tilting of the postures of the two connector housings 10, 80 can be prevented. Moreover, when the lever 40 reaches the connection end position CEP, the locking protrusion 89 is positioned and/or held at least partially between the rear end of the guide groove 22B of the covering portion 22 of the housing main body 11 and the locking protrusion 53 of the locking member 42 of the lever 40. , as shown in Figure 14. Then, in the locked state of the lever 40, it can be known that the two connector housings 10, 80 are in their correct connection posture.

Generally, in a lever-type connector, when the lever 40 is operated (preferably rotated or turned) by the cam pin 88 engaged with the cam groove 41, by the connecting force acting between them (acting on connecting the two The force in the direction of the connector housing 10 , 80 ) connects the connector housing 10 , 80 . However, especially if the cam plate 47 is provided on only one surface of the female connector housing 10 as in this embodiment, it is difficult to balance the above-mentioned connection force between the two connector housings 10, 80. In other words, the side on which the cam plate 47 is provided leads in connection with the male connector housing 80, conversely, the connection on the opposite side on which the cam plate 47 is not provided is delayed, so that the two connector housings 10, 80 can be connected in opposite directions. The posture connection is inclined to the central axis of the height. Also, if the engagement position of the cam pin 88 and the cam groove 41 is shifted relative to the width direction WD of the two connector housings 10, 80, the two connector housings 10, 80 can be in a posture inclined with respect to the width center axis. connect.

In this regard, according to the present embodiment, after the connection operation is completed, in addition to the engagement position of the cam groove 41 and the cam pin 88, another engagement position is provided so that the connection force is relative to the two connector housings 10, 80. The width direction and/or height direction of are balanced. Thus, the postures of the two connector housings 10, 80 can be corrected to a substantially straight connection posture.

More specifically, even if, as described above, the connection of the two connector housings 10, 80 leads at the side where the cam plate 47 is provided, when the connection operation of the two connector housings 10, 80 is completed, by Engagement of the hook portion 43 of the attitude correction arm 46 and the accommodating portion 91 at positions substantially symmetrical with respect to the height center axes of the two connector housings 10,80 can also be used in connection with the two connector housings 10,80. force in the direction. Then, the connection force acts on the opposite sides of the height center axes of the two connection housings 10, 80 in a substantially balanced manner, so that the connection is made on the delayed side, and the postures of the two connector housings 10, 80 are corrected to substantially Up straight connection stance.

Since the engagement position of the cam pin 88 and the cam groove 41 is preferably moved to one side from the width central axis of the two connector housings 10, 80, the female connector housing 10 provided with the lever 40 is in some cases This mating side makes a quicker connection with the male connector housing 80 . However, after the connection operation is completed, the pushing surface 49A of the operating arm 49 of the lever 40 pushes the female connector housing 10 to the male connector housing 80 on the width side substantially opposite to the engagement position of the cam pin 88 and the cam groove 41 Therefore, if necessary, the postures of both connector housings 10, 80 can be corrected to a substantially straight connection posture.

Moreover, since the engagement posture of the cam pin 88 and the cam groove 41 is preferably moved to one side from the width central axis of the two connector housings 10, 80, the female connector housing 10 provided with the lever 40 may be in some cases The connection with the male connector housing 80 is quicker on the mating side. In particular, since the locking protrusion 89 is guided by the guide groove 22B on the width side substantially opposite to the above-mentioned engaging position, when the connecting operation is completed, the connecting posture of the female connector housing 10 is kept in a substantially correct posture, and the locking The member 42 engages the locking protrusion 89 of the male connector housing 80 to lock the two connector housings 10, 80 in their connected state.

Therefore, in order to correct the connection posture of the two connector housings, the operable member (such as the lever 40) is movable or operable (preferably rotatable or rotatable) installed on the female connector housing 10, and includes forming There is at least one cam plate 47 of at least one cam groove 41, and the cam plate 47 is preferably only provided on or at one surface (or location) of the female connector housing 10. In addition to the engagement position of the cam groove 41 and the cam pin 88, the hook or engagement portion 43 provided at the attitude correction arm 46 at a position substantially facing the cam plate 47 in the lever 40 and the engagement portion 43 provided at the male connector Engagement of the receiving portion 91 in the housing 80, a position is provided between the lever 40 and the male connector housing 80 to generate a force substantially in a direction that pulls or pushes the two connector housings 10, 80 towards each other.

Also, as described above, if (as a preferred movable member) the rear end surface of the lever 40 protrudes or retracts from the rear end surface of the female connector housing 10, it may be difficult to insert the female terminal fitting 97 into the connector housing 10, for example, by an automatic machine. cavity 12. However, according to the present embodiment, since the lever 40 is held in the female connector 10, the rear end surface of the lever 40 is preferably kept substantially flush with the rear end surface of the female connector housing 10, so it can be smoothly performed by an automatic machine. Terminal insertion operation. Of course, the manual operation of inserting the terminal fittings can also be performed more smoothly.

Since when the rear end surface of the lever 40 becomes substantially flush and/or substantially continuous with the rear end surface of the female connector housing 10, the lever 40 reaches the connection termination position CEP, so by confirming the substantially flush state of the lever, It can then be detected (for example, visually or by a suitable detector) that the lever 40 has reached the connection end position CEP and that the two connector housings 10, 80 have been correctly connected.

And, since the posture correction arm 46 of the lever 40 is provided on the lateral (bottom) surface of the female connector housing 10 to cover at least a part of the lateral (bottom) surface, and the holder is installed, the holder 93 and the posture correction arm 46 may interfere with each other to prevent their displacement at the partial locking position (first position) at which the retainer 93 protrudes from the outer side surface of the female connector housing 10 . However, since according to the present embodiment, the exit notch 96 for preventing the retainer 93 and the lever 40 from interfering with each other when the retainer 93 is in the partial lock position (first position) is formed in the pushing surface 93A of the retainer 93, The displacement of the holder 93 and the lever 40 is not hindered.

Moreover, since the operation or movement or displacement (for example, rotation) of the lever 40 is preferably prevented by the contact of the posture maintaining arm 46 and the retainer 93 unless the retainer 93 is in the fully locked position (second position), it is possible to detect Until the rotation of the lever 40 is blocked, the retainer 93 stays at the intermediate position by being insufficiently pushed, without reaching the fully locked position (second position).

Therefore, in order to improve the operability of the connector by smoothly performing the terminal fitting insertion operation (for example, by an automatic machine or manually), one or more terminal insertion holes are formed in the rear end surface of the female connector housing 10, and one or more The female terminal fitting 97 is preferably inserted through the terminal insertion hole substantially from behind. A lever 40 (preferably a movable member) forming a cam groove 41 is operatively (preferably rotatably or rotatably) mounted on the female connector housing 10 . The lever 40 is held in the female connector housing 10 such that the rear end surface of the lever 40 is kept substantially flush with the rear end surface of the female connector housing 10 . Therefore, since there is no unevenness between the rear end surface of the female connector housing 10 and the rear end surface of the lever 40, the terminal insertion operation (for example, by an automatic machine) can be smoothly performed.

<Other Embodiments>

The invention is not limited only to the embodiments described and illustrated above. For example, the following embodiments are also within the technical scope of the present invention defined by the claims. In addition to the embodiments described below, various changes can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention defined by the claims.

(1) According to an aspect of the present invention, the contact surface of the case main body may be a substantially flat surface instead of a stepped surface.

(2) According to an aspect of the present invention, operable members such as a lever and a detection terminal can be assembled into the male connector housing.

(3) According to an aspect of the present invention, except at the engagement position of the cam groove and the cam pin, the lever and the male connector housing are also substantially engaged with the width center axis WCA of the two connector housings. The position is symmetrical at a position or at a position symmetrical to the joint position with respect to the height center axes of the two connector housings. In other words, when the connecting operation of the two connector housings is completed, it is sufficient to set at least two positions to generate force in each direction by the mutual engagement of the lever and the male connector housing to connect the two connector housings. This auxiliary engagement position can be given by any one of the following combinations: the hook portion of the lever and the receiving portion of the male connector housing, the pushing surface of the lever and the contact surface of the housing body, and the guide of the female connector housing Grooves and locking protrusions of the male connector housing.

(4) It should be understood that although in the above embodiments, the operable member is rotatably or rotatably provided in or on the connector housing, the operable member is operable or movable or displaceable Provided in or on a connector to facilitate or facilitate the connection of a connector (eg, a female connector) to a mating connector (eg, a male connector), but according to an aspect of the invention, it may also be along Different paths are displaced, for example linearly like a slider, or follow any other path such as a substantially elliptical, curved or other non-linear path.

(5) It should be understood that, according to an aspect of the present invention, the operable member may be provided with two or more cam plates engageable with a corresponding number of cam pins provided in or on the housing, the cam The plate is preferably disposed in an asymmetric manner relative to the housings (eg, offset relative to the central width axes of the two connector housings and/or relative to the central height axes of the two connector housings).

(6) According to an aspect of the present invention, not only when the lever is at the connection end position, but also if the lever can be kept stopped during the connection operation, when, for example, the lever is at the connection start position or the connection middle position, the rear of the lever The end surface may also be substantially flush with the rear end surface of the female connector housing.

(7) According to an aspect of the present invention, an escape notch may be formed in an inner side surface of the posture correcting arm of the lever.

(8) According to an aspect of the present invention, the retainer and the cam plate may be in an overlapping positional relationship, and in this case, an escape notch may be formed in the cam plate.

(9) According to an aspect of the present invention, the lever may include an operable portion and arm plates protruding from opposite ends of the operable portion, and a cam groove may be formed in each arm plate.

(10) The present invention is also applicable to a lever-type connector in which a movable member such as a lever or a slider is mounted on a male connector housing.

List of reference signs

10 Female connector housing (connector housing)

11 Housing body

12 cavities

21 storage space

22 Covering part (cam plate housing wall)

22A Cam pin insertion groove

22B guide groove

23 Lever mounting surface

40 levers (movable or operable members)

41 cam groove (cam member)

42 locking piece

43 hook part

44 Press part

45 pre-compressed part

46 Attitude correction arm (side panel)

47 cam plate

49 operating arm

49A push surface

60 detection terminal

62 first spring part

63 Second spring part

66 Depressible part

80 male connector housing (mating connector housing)

81 receivers

88 Cam pin (with cam member)

89 locking protrusion

91 containment part

93 retainer

96 exit notch

97 female terminal connector

98 contact terminals

99 male terminal connector

Claims (9)

1. the connector of movable member type comprises:

The connector shell (10) that can be connected with matching connector shell (80), and

Movable member (40), this movable member (40) be installed in operationally that connector shell (10) is gone up or connector shell (10) in, and comprise the lobe plate (47) that is formed with cam groove (41),

This movable member (40) also comprises at least one attitude updating arm (46), this attitude updating arm is formed with at least one hook portion (43), and this attitude updating arm is arranged on the surface (11BS) of connector shell (10) rotationally and with lobe plate (47) with one heart, this surface with respect to the short transverse (HD) of connector shell (10) with the surperficial relative of lobe plate (47) is set

Cam pin (88), this cam pin (88) is arranged in the matching connector shell (80), along with movable member (40) is shifted between initial position (CSP) and connection termination position (CEP), this cam pin is shifted along cam groove (41), to connect or snatch-disconnect connector shell (10) and matching connector shell (80)

It is characterized in that, except the joint place of cam groove (41) and cam pin (88), with respect to two connector shells (10,80) the width central axis and the position of this bonding station symmetry, perhaps with respect to two connector shells (10,80) the height central axis and the position of this bonding station symmetry, this hook portion (43) engages with corresponding holding portion (91) in being arranged on matching connector shell (80), thereby at least two positions are set, when two connector shells (10, when attended operation 80) is finished, by the generation power on the direction that connects two connector shells (10,80) that is bonded with each other.

2. connector as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, lobe plate only is arranged on the surface of connector shell (10).

3. each described connector in the claim as described above is characterized in that:

This movable member (40) comprises attitude updating arm (46), lobe plate (47) and motion arm (49), and this motion arm (49) connects attitude updating arm (46) and lobe plate (47) and is used to rotate this movable member (40).

4. connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that:

This movable member (40) is arranged so that the bonding station of cam groove (41) and cam pin (88) is from two connector shells (10,80) width central axis is opened towards a sidesway, and the motion arm (49) that is used to operate this movable member (40) is arranged on a side opposite with respect to the width central axis, and

This movable member (40) is formed with and promotes the surface, and this promotion surface is used for will being provided with when the attended operation of two connector shells (10,80) is finished in connector shell (10) the sucking fit connector shell (80) of movable member (40).

5. connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that:

Connector shell (10) comprises that lobe plate holds wall (22), holds at lobe plate between the outer surface of wall (22) and connector shell (10) to be limited with spatial accommodation (21), and this spatial accommodation (21) is used for movably holding lobe plate (47) to small part, and

This lobe plate holds wall (22) from two connector shells (10,80) width central axis is formed with cam pin and inserts groove (22A) towards the position that a sidesway is opened, also be formed with direction recess (22B) in the position of removing towards opposition side, the locking projection (89) that is arranged in the matching connector shell (80) can guide to be inserted into (22B) in this direction recess to small part, this cam pin inserts groove (22A) and direction recess (22B) extends upward the connection side of two connector shells (10,80).

6. connector as claimed in claim 5, it is characterized in that, the position in the face of direction recess (22B) at lobe plate (47) is provided with the locking piece (42) of place along the thickness direction strain of lobe plate (47), this locking piece (42) can engage with locking projection (89) when the attended operation of two connector shells (10,80) is finished.

7. connector comprises:

The connector shell (10) that can be connected with matching connector shell (80) is formed with at least one terminal and inserts opening in this connector shell (10) rear end surface, at least one clamped nipple (97) will be inserted this terminal to small part from behind and insert opening, and

Movable member (40), this movable member (40) be installed in movably that connector shell (10) is gone up or connector shell (10) in, and be formed with cam member (41),

Movable member (40) is provided with side plate (46), and this side plate (46) comprises the central axis of movable member (40), and is arranged at least a portion of the outer surface of covering connector shell (10), and this side plate is formed with at least one hook portion (43),

Be arranged on the cooperation cam member (88) in the matching connector shell (80), this cooperates cam member (88) to cooperate with cam member (41), connects or separate two connector shells (10,80) to operate along with movable member (40),

It is characterized in that this movable member (40) remains in the connector shell (10), make the rear end surface of this movable member (40) locate to keep flushing at connection termination position (CEP) at least with the rear end surface of connector shell (10).

8. connector as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that:

This connector shell (10) is formed with at least one cavity (12), and clamped nipple (97) passes terminal insertion opening to small part and inserts in this cavity (12),

The outer surface that passes the connector shell (10) that is provided with side plate (46) is equipped with the retainer (93) that can move between the primary importance and the second place, allow clamped nipple (97) to insert and withdraw from cavity (12) at this primary importance place, this second place is by promoting to obtain from primary importance, the clamped nipple (97) that correctly is inserted in the cavity (12) is maintained at second place place

The promotion surface of retainer (93) is outstanding from the outer surface of connector shell (10) at the primary importance place, and

In the promotion surface of the inner surface of side plate (46) and retainer (93) any one is formed with and withdraws from recess (96), and this withdraws from recess (96) and be used for being avoided interfering with each other of movable member (40) and retainer (93) when retainer is in the primary importance place.

9. connector as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, unless retainer (93) is in the second place, otherwise by side plate (46) and retainer (93) contacting on rotation direction (X), can prevent moving of movable member (40).

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