JP5163583B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including first and second housings that can be fitted to each other, and a slider that is attached to the first housing so as to move in a direction that intersects the fitting direction of both housings. Is disclosed. The slider is formed with a cam groove inclined with respect to both the fitting direction of both housings and the moving direction of the slider, and the slider is moved in a state where the cam follower of the second housing is engaged with the cam groove. Both housings are fitted and detached.

JP 2001-52810 A

  In the above connector, the operating force to be applied to the slider and the moving stroke of the slider can be changed by changing the inclination angle of the cam groove. However, when trying to reduce the operating force, If the movement stroke becomes long and an attempt is made to reduce the movement stroke, the operation force becomes large. That is, it is difficult to achieve both reduction in operating force and shortening of the movement stroke.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to realize a reduction in operating force applied at the time of housing fitting while shortening a moving stroke of a slider. .

  As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a first housing, a second housing that can be fitted to and detached from the first housing, the first housing, and the second housing. A slider provided in the first housing so as to be movable in a direction crossing the fitting direction of the first housing, the fitting direction of the first housing and the second housing, and the movement of the slider. The first housing is formed by moving the slider from the initial position to the fitting position in a state where cam grooves inclined with respect to both directions are formed and the cam follower of the second housing is engaged with the cam groove. In the connector in which the second housing is fitted, a lever having an operating portion is provided on the slider so as to be swingable with a swing shaft as a fulcrum. A sliding portion is provided at a position of the lever between the operating portion and the swing shaft, and the sliding portion is slidable on the first housing. A guide portion extending in a line with the movement path is provided, and an interval between the movement path of the swing shaft and the guide portion is from an initial position side to a fitting position side in the movement path of the swing shaft. It is characterized in that it is changing so as to approach or separate.

  A second aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the invention, the sliding portion is disposed at a position deviating from an imaginary straight line connecting the swing shaft and the operation portion.

<Invention of Claim 1>
If the lever is swung so that the operating part is displaced toward the mating position while the slider is in the initial position, the lever action with the operating part as the operating point, the swinging shaft as the fulcrum, and the sliding part as the power point will occur. Arise. By this lever action, the sliding portion is moved to the fitting position side with a force larger than the operating force applied to the operating portion, and the swinging shaft is pulled or pushed by the moved sliding portion. The slider moves toward the fitting position, and the fitting of both housings proceeds.

  According to the present invention, a boosting effect by lever action is obtained as the lever is swung, and a large driving force is transmitted to the slider even when the operating force applied to the lever is small. Even if the movement stroke is reduced, both housings can be fitted with a small operating force.

<Invention of Claim 2>
When the sliding part is arranged on a virtual straight line connecting the swinging shaft and the operating part, the lever action is not exhibited when the virtual straight line and the moving direction of the swinging shaft are parallel to each other. . In that respect, in the present invention, since the sliding portion is arranged at a position deviated from the virtual straight line connecting the swing shaft and the operating portion, the lever action is always applied in the entire stroke when the two housings are fitted together. Demonstrated.

The top view showing the state which started fitting of both housings in Embodiment 1 Plan view showing the state of fitting between both housings Plan view showing the state where both housings have been fitted Perspective view of first housing Plan view of the second housing

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The connector of the present embodiment includes a first housing 10 and a second housing 20 that can be fitted and detached from each other. In the following description, the left and right directions are based on a state in which the first housing 10 is viewed from the front.

  The first housing 10 is made of synthetic resin, and has a terminal accommodating portion 11 that is formed in a block shape that is long in the left-right direction, and an upper surface wall 12A that is cantilevered forward and faces the upper and lower surfaces of the terminal accommodating portion 11. And a lower wall 12B. A well-known female terminal fitting (not shown) is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 11 so as to be aligned vertically and horizontally. A hood portion 22 of the second housing 20 to be described later is fitted on the terminal accommodating portion 11 from the front side.

  Each of the upper surface wall 12A and the lower surface wall 12B is formed with a guide groove 13 that has a shape in which an inner surface facing the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 11 is shallowly recessed and extends linearly in the left-right direction. The left ends of the pair of upper and lower guide grooves 13 are open to the outside on the left end surfaces of the upper surface wall 12A and the lower surface wall 12B. The upper surface wall 12A and the lower surface wall 12B are each formed with a communication groove 14 communicating with the guide groove 13 from the front edge.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second housing 20 is made of a synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. have. A terminal body of a well-known male terminal fitting (not shown) is accommodated in the housing body 21, and a tab at the tip of the male terminal fitting projects into the hood portion 22 from the housing body 21. The hood portion 22 has an upper surface plate and a lower surface plate, and cam followers 23 in a form protruding in a columnar shape with the axis line directed in the vertical direction are respectively provided on the upper surface (outer surface) of the upper surface plate and the lower surface (outer surface) of the lower surface plate. A pair is formed at intervals in the left-right direction.

  The first housing 10 is provided with a slider 30. The slider 30 is made of synthetic resin, and has a pair of upper and lower slide plates 31 whose plate surfaces are horizontal and long in the left-right direction, and a connecting portion 32 that connects the left ends of both slide plates 31. The slider 30 is fitted in the left and right direction between the initial position shown in FIG. 1 and the fitting position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with respect to the first housing 10 by fitting both slide plates 31 into the guide groove 13. It is attached so that it can slide (translate).

  While the slider 30 moves between the initial position and the fitting position, the connecting portion 32 keeps a state of being located to the left of the left ends of the upper surface wall 12A and the lower surface wall 12B throughout. Further, when the slider 30 is located between the initial position and the fitting position, the left end portion of the slide plate 31 protrudes (exposes) leftward from the guide groove 13. The projecting dimension of the slide plate 31 is maximum at the initial position and becomes smaller as the slider 30 approaches the fitting position.

  Each slide plate 31 is formed with a pair of cam grooves 33 that form a straight line in an oblique direction with respect to both the fitting / removing direction of the housings 10 and 20 and the moving direction of the slider 30. ing. The paired cam grooves 33 are arranged in parallel to each other at an interval in the left-right direction, and are inclined in a direction extending from the right front side toward the left back side. Further, the upper surface wall 12A and the lower surface wall 12B are formed with an inlet 34 in a form in which the front end edge thereof is notched and communicated with the end portion (base end portion) on the right front side of the cam groove 33. When the slider 30 is in the initial position, the inlet 34 of the cam groove 33 corresponds to the communication groove 14 in the left-right direction.

  Next, driving means for reciprocating the slider 30 between the initial position and the fitting position will be described. The driving means includes a guide portion 16 formed in the first housing 10 and a lever 40 attached to the slider 30. On the upper surface wall 12A and the lower surface wall 12B of the first housing 10, an escape groove 15 communicating from the outer surface to the guide groove 13 is arranged so as to be parallel to the movement path of the slider 30 and a swing shaft 43 described later. It is formed in a form extending linearly in the direction. The left end portion of the escape groove 15 is an initial position side end portion 15L, and the right end portion is a fitting position side end portion 15R.

  The upper surface wall 12A and the lower surface wall 12B are each formed with a guide portion 16 having an outer surface recessed in a groove shape. The guide portion 16 has a shape extending in the left-right direction so as to be aligned with the escape groove 15. The formation region of the guide portion 16 in the left-right direction is a range extending from a position corresponding to the initial position side end 15L of the escape groove 15 to a position further to the right than the fitting position side end 15R. Similar to the escape groove 15, the left end of the guide portion 16 is an initial position side end 16L, and the right end is a fitting position side end 16R.

  The guide portion 16 has a curved shape over the entire range from the initial position side end portion 16L to the fitting position side end portion 16R. Thus, the distance between the guide portion 16 and the escape groove 15 (the movement path of the swing shaft 43) in the front-rear direction (the direction perpendicular to the movement path of the swing shaft 43 and the escape groove 15) is set at the initial position side end. The distance from the portions 15L and 16L gradually decreases toward the fitting position side ends 15R and 16R. Further, the fitting position side end portion 16R of the guide portion 16 is located on an extension line extending the escape groove 15 (movement path of the swing shaft 43) rightward.

  The lever 40 is made of synthetic resin, and is formed by integrally forming a pair of horizontal upper and lower arm portions 41 and an operation portion 42 that connects the tips of the arm portions 41. On the inner surface of the base end portion (the end portion on the side opposite to the operation portion 42) of the upper and lower arm portions 41, a form in which the axis is projected in a columnar shape in the vertical direction (direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider 30) Is formed. The swing shaft 43 passes through the escape groove 15 and is fitted to the outer surface of the slide plate 31 of the slider 30 so as to be capable of relative rotation. The fitting position of the swing shaft 43 on the slide plate 31 is the position between the cam grooves 33 in the left-right direction.

  The lever 40 is supported so as to be able to swing relative to the slider 30 between an initial posture (see FIG. 1) and a fitting posture (see FIG. 3) about the swing shaft 43. . The swing shaft 43 is integrated with the slider 30 as shown in FIG. 1 (initial position side end 15L in the escape groove 15) and the fitting position shown in FIG. 3 (fitting position side in the relief groove 15). It can be reciprocated between the end portion 15R).

  On the inner surfaces of the upper and lower arm portions 41, a sliding portion 44 is formed that protrudes in a columnar shape with its axis line directed in the vertical direction (direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider 30 and the swing shaft 43). The sliding portion 44 is disposed at a position between the swing shaft 43 and the operation portion 42 in the radial direction around the swing shaft 43. Accordingly, the distance from the swing shaft 43 to the sliding portion 44 is shorter than the distance from the swing shaft 43 to the operation portion 42. Further, in the circumferential direction around the swing shaft 43 (the swing direction of the lever 40), the sliding portion 44 is located on the right side (both housings) from the virtual straight line 45 connecting the operation portion 42 and the swing shaft 43. 10 and 20 are arranged at positions away from the front of the lever 40 in the swinging direction when the levers 20 are engaged.

  The sliding portion 44 is slidably fitted in the guide portion 16. As a result, the lever 40 is engaged with both the slider 30 and the first housing 10, and exhibits a lever action by moving in conjunction with the slider 30 while swinging.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the slider 30 and the swing shaft 43 are in the initial position, the lever 40 is held in the initial posture, and the sliding portion 44 is positioned at the end portion 16L of the guide portion 16 on the initial position side, It is located behind the swing shaft 43 and slightly to the right of the swing shaft 43. On the other hand, the operation unit 42 is located behind the swing shaft 43 and the slide portion 44 and to the left of the swing shaft 43.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the slider 30 and the swing shaft 43 are in the fitting position, the lever 40 is held in the fitting posture, and the sliding portion 44 is placed on the fitting position side end portion 16 </ b> R of the guide portion 16. Located on the extension line of the movement path of the swing shaft 43 and to the right of the swing shaft 43. On the other hand, the operation unit 42 is located diagonally right rear of the swing shaft 43 and the sliding unit 44.

  In the process in which the slider 30 and the swing shaft 43 move from the initial position to the fitting position, the operation unit 42 moves to the right so as to pass the swing shaft 43 and the slide portion 44, and the slide portion 44 The state of being always located on the right side of the swing shaft 43 is maintained.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
When the housings 10 and 20 are fitted together, the lever 40 is displaced to the initial posture and the slider 30 is moved to the initial position, and the inlet 34 of the cam groove 33 is made to correspond to the communication groove 14. In this state, when the hood portion 22 of the second housing 20 is shallowly fitted to the terminal accommodating portion 11 of the first housing 10, the cam follower 23 enters the inlet 34 of the cam groove 33 as shown in FIG. 1. In this state, when a rightward operating force is applied to the operating portion 42 of the lever 40, the lever 40 swings in the clockwise direction in FIGS.

  As the lever 40 swings, the sliding portion 44 tries to slide along the guide portion 16 toward the fitting position side end portion 16R. At this time, the sliding portion 44 slides along the guide portion 16. A path along which the portion 44 tries to slide (that is, a path closer to the fitting position side end portion 16R on the right side than the sliding portion 44) is a virtual arc (not shown) centered on the swing shaft 43. It is located on the outer peripheral side (the side away from the rocking shaft 43). Accordingly, the rightward operating force applied to the operating portion 42 is a driving force for sliding the sliding portion 44 to the right (direction toward the fitting position side end portion 16R) along the guide portion 16. Acts as

  Here, since the distance from the swing shaft 43 to the sliding portion 44 is shorter than the distance from the swing shaft 43 to the operation portion 42, the lever 40 has the operation portion 42 as an action point and the swing shaft 43 as a fulcrum. The lever action with the sliding portion 44 as a power point is exhibited. Due to the boost effect by the lever action, the operating force applied to the operating portion 42 is amplified and transmitted to the sliding portion 44 as a large driving force. As a result, the sliding portion 44 slides rightward along the guide portion 16, and the swing shaft 43 and the slider 30 move toward the fitting position so as to be pulled by the sliding portion 44.

  As described above, when an operating force is applied to the lever 40, the sliding portion 44 slides along the guide portion 16 while the lever 40 swings, and the swinging shaft 43 and the slider 30 move. As the slider 30 moves, the second housing 20 is pulled toward the first housing 10 by the cam action caused by the engagement between the cam groove 33 and the cam follower 23. Then, when the lever 40 reaches the fitting posture and the slider 30 and the swing shaft 43 reach the fitting position, the fitting of both the housings 10 and 20 is completed. Further, the sliding portion 44 reaches the fitting position side end portion 16R of the guide portion 16.

  When the two housings 10 and 20 in the fitted state are detached, an operating force to the left is applied to the operating portion 42 of the lever 40 as opposed to the time of fitting. Is pivoted counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 to 3. As the lever 40 swings, the sliding portion 44 tries to slide along the guide portion 16 toward the initial position side end portion 16L. At this time, the sliding portion 44 moves along the guide portion 16. Is a path (ie, a path closer to the initial position side end portion 16L on the left side of the sliding portion 44) than a virtual arc (not shown) centered on the swing shaft 43. It is located on the circumferential side (side approaching the swing shaft 43). Therefore, the leftward operating force applied to the operating portion 42 is a driving force for sliding the sliding portion 44 to the left (direction toward the initial position side end portion 16L) along the guide portion 16. Works.

  At this time, the driving force applied to the sliding portion 44 is also larger than the operating force applied to the operating portion 42 due to the boosting effect due to the lever action of the lever 40, as in fitting. As a result, while the lever 40 swings, the sliding portion 44 slides to the left along the guide portion 16, and the swinging shaft 43 and the slider 30 are moved to the initial position by being pushed by the sliding portion 44. Move towards. As the slider 30 moves, the second housing 20 is separated from the first housing 10 by the cam action caused by the engagement between the cam groove 33 and the cam follower 23. When the lever 40 returns to the initial posture, the slider 30 and the swing shaft 43 reach the initial position, and the cam follower 23 returns to the inlet 34 of the cam groove 33. Thereafter, the two housings 10 and 20 can be grasped and pulled apart. That's fine.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the slider 30 is provided with the lever 40 having the operation portion 42 so as to be able to swing around the swing shaft 43, and between the operation portion 42 and the swing shaft 43 in the lever 40. The first housing 10 is provided with a guide portion 16 in a form in which the sliding portion 44 is slidable and extends so as to be aligned with the movement path of the swing shaft 43. Thus, the distance between the moving path of the swing shaft 43 and the guide portion 16 is such that the distance from the initial position side to the fitting position side approaches in the moving path of the swing shaft 43.

  By adopting such a configuration, a boosting effect by lever action is obtained as the lever 40 is swung, and a large driving force is transmitted to the slider 30 even if the operating force applied to the lever 40 is small. Therefore, even if the moving stroke of the slider 30 is reduced, the housings 10 and 20 can be fitted with a small operating force.

  Further, when the sliding portion 44 is disposed on a virtual straight line 45 that connects the swing shaft 43 and the operation portion 42, the movement direction of the virtual straight line 45 and the swing shaft 43 is parallel. In addition, the lever action is not exhibited. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the sliding portion 44 is disposed at a position deviated from an imaginary straight line 45 that connects the swing shaft 43 and the operation portion 42. The lever action is always demonstrated in the whole process.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, the sliding portion is disposed at a position deviated from the imaginary line connecting the swing shaft and the operation portion. However, the sliding portion is on the imaginary line connecting the swing shaft and the operation portion. It may be arranged.
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the sliding path of the sliding part in the guide part has a curved shape, but the sliding path of the sliding part may have a linearly extending shape, and a curved line and a straight line are mixed. It may be a shape.
(3) In the above embodiment, when the slider and the lever are moved to the fitting position, the sliding portion is positioned on the extension line of the moving path of the swing shaft. When moving to the position, the sliding portion may move to a position deviating from the extension line of the moving path of the swing shaft.
(4) In the above embodiment, the distance between the moving path of the swinging shaft and the guide portion changes so as to approach the fitting position side from the initial position side in the moving path of the swinging shaft. On the contrary, the distance between the moving path of the swinging shaft and the guide portion may be separated from the initial position side toward the fitting position side in the moving path of the swinging shaft.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 1st housing 16 ... Guide part 20 ... 2nd housing 23 ... Cam follower 30 ... Slider 33 ... Cam groove 40 ... Lever 42 ... Operation part 43 ... Swing axis 44 ... Sliding part 45 ... Virtual straight line

Claims (2)

A first housing;
A second housing that can be fitted to and detached from the first housing;
A slider provided on the first housing so as to be movable in a direction crossing a fitting direction of the first housing and the second housing;
The slider is formed with a cam groove that is inclined with respect to both the fitting direction of the first housing and the second housing and the moving direction of the slider.
The first housing and the second housing are fitted together by moving the slider from the initial position to the fitting position with the cam follower of the second housing engaged with the cam groove. In the connector
The slider is provided with a lever having an operating portion so as to be swingable with a swing shaft as a fulcrum,
A sliding portion is provided at a position between the operating portion and the swing shaft in the lever.
The first housing is provided with a guide portion in a form in which the sliding portion is slidable and extends so as to be aligned with a moving path of the swing shaft,
An interval between the movement path of the swing shaft and the guide portion is changed so as to approach or separate from the initial position side toward the fitting position side in the movement path of the swing shaft. connector.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the sliding portion is disposed at a position deviating from an imaginary straight line connecting the swing shaft and the operation portion.

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