JP2002203639A - Connector with lever - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To keep a good locking power to a rotary lever. SOLUTION: A first housing 1 is equipped with a rotary lever 3 which has a locking claw section 25 and a second housing 2 is equipped with a locking mechanism 4 which catches and locks the locking claw section 25. The locking mechanism 4 is composed of a sliding member 31 located between left and right fixing panels 16 in free sliding movement and an extension coil spring 32 biasing the sliding member 31 forward located between the sliding member 31 and a flange 15. The sliding member 31 is equipped with a locking section in front and a knob section 31d in the back. The fixing panels 16 touching the knob section 31d of the sliding member 31 curb the sliding member 31 to move to the front. The sliding member 31 moves backward by the action of the locking claw section 25 of the rotary lever 3, and the instant the locking claw section 25 reaches the position where it can be caught by the locking section, it moves forward and collides with the rotary lever 3 to lock the locking claw section 25 and make a sound.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lever-type connector for connecting or releasing a pair of housings each containing a relatively large number of connection terminals by levers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional lever-type connector of this type houses a plurality of mutually connectable connection terminals in a pair of mutually fittable housings, and rotates a lever provided in one of the housings. In this case, both housings are connected or disconnected. In this lever type connector, a rotating lever having a cam groove is provided in one housing, and a pin portion engageable with the cam groove is provided in the other housing. Then, after the two housings are fitted to the initial position and the pin portion is positioned within the entrance of the cam groove, the rotating lever is rotated to drive the pin portion by the wall surface of the cam groove, and the other housing is moved. The two housings are connected to the final position by pulling toward one of the housings and rotating the rotating lever to the final position.

Further, the conventional lever-type connector is provided with locking means for locking the rotating lever after both the housings are connected to the final position. This type of locking means is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-119951. JP, JP-A-9-12086
No. 1 publication. These locking means include a locking claw integrally formed on the rotating lever of one housing, a locking claw and a locking flexible piece integrally formed on the other housing so as to be lockable. It is composed of When the two housings are fitted to each other and the rotating lever is rotated to the final position, the locking flexible piece is bent by the action of the locking claw, and then is restored and restored. , And bends when the operation section or the operation piece is operated to release the locking of the locking claw section.

[0004]

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional locking means, the greater the number of times the locking claw and the locking flexible piece are locked or unlocked, the greater the locking claw. In addition, the degree of wear of the locking flexible piece increases, so that the locking force and the locking sound of the locking means are reduced, so that the reliability is reduced and it is difficult to confirm the locked state.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a lever-type connector capable of maintaining a good locking force on a rotating lever.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lever-type connector comprising a first housing and a second housing which can be engaged with each other, wherein the first housing is a lock. The second housing includes a locking mechanism for releasably locking the locking claw, and the first housing is rotated by rotating the rotating lever. A lever-type connector that couples the housing to the second housing and locks the locking claw by the locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is attached to the second housing along an axis. A sliding member provided slidably in the direction shown and having a locking portion for locking the locking claw portion, and biasing means for biasing the sliding member forward. The moving member is urged by the urging means by the locking claw. When the locking claw reaches a predetermined position, the locking claw is restored according to the urging force of the urging means, and the locking claw is locked to the locking part. And

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lever-type connector according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away side view. This lever-type connector is substantially symmetrical and can be fitted to each other. First housing 1 made of
And the second housing 2. The first housing 1 is provided with a rotating lever 3 made of synthetic resin for pulling the second housing 2 toward the first housing 1, and the second housing 2 is rotated to a final position. Locking mechanism 4 for locking or unlocking the rotating lever 3
Is provided.

[0008] Inside the first housing 1, a large number of terminal accommodating holes (not shown) for accommodating connection terminals (not shown) are provided. On the side of the first housing 1,
Support pin 11 for rotatably supporting pivot lever 3
Are formed, and a straight groove 12 for guiding a driven pin of the second housing 2 described later is formed. A restricting pin 13 is provided on the side surface of the first housing 1 for restricting the rotation of the rotation lever 3 in the clockwise direction by a predetermined amount or more and holding the rotation lever 3 at the initial position. .

A large number of terminal receiving holes 14 for receiving connection terminals (not shown) connectable to connection terminals in the first housing 1 are formed in the second housing 2.
A flange 15 is provided at substantially the middle of the outer peripheral surface of the second housing 2 before and after, and a pair of mounting plates 16 constituting the locking mechanism 4 are arranged on the upper surface of the second housing 2 so as to face each other. . A driven pin 17 is provided on the front side surface of the second housing 2 so as to be able to enter the straight groove 12 of the first housing 1.

The rotating lever 3 includes left and right lever bodies 21 rotatably supported by the support pins 11 of the first housing 1 and a connecting section 2 for connecting these lever bodies 21.
2 are formed in a U-shape. The lever body 21 has a cam groove 23 for guiding the driven pin 17 of the second housing 2, and a regulating projection that comes into contact with the regulating pin 13 when the rotating lever 3 rotates clockwise. 24 are formed. The connecting portion 22 is a rotating operation portion, and its cross section has a substantially hook shape. On the outer surface on the front edge side of the connecting portion 22, for example, two locking claws 25 which have a guide surface 25a and are locked by the locking mechanism 4 of the second housing 2 are formed. A space 26 is provided on both sides in the left-right direction of the part 25.
Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the locking mechanism 4 includes a sliding member 31 made of a synthetic resin disposed between the mounting plates 16 of the second housing 2, and the sliding member 31 and the flange 15. And a tension coil spring 32 disposed therebetween.
The sliding member 31 is urged forward by a tension coil spring 32. The mounting member 16 of the second housing 2 has a sliding member 3 that projects vertically from the upper surface of the second housing 2.
1 and a vertical portion 16a contacting the side surface of the
And a horizontal portion 16b that projects horizontally inward from above and contacts the upper surface of the sliding member 31, and an engagement hole 16c that penetrates the inside and outside is formed in the vertical portion 16a.

As shown in FIG. 4, a locking portion 31a comprising a hole for receiving the locking claw 25 of the rotating lever 3 is formed at the front of the sliding member 31, and a side surface of the sliding member 31 is formed. Is formed with an engagement projection 31b that engages with the engagement hole 16c of the mounting plate 16. A spring accommodating groove 31c for accommodating the tension coil spring 32 is formed on the upper surface of the sliding member 31, and a knob portion 31d is protruded from a rear side surface of the sliding member 31. The knob 31d of the sliding member 31 is
And the forward movement of the sliding member 31 is regulated.

When no external force is applied to the sliding member 31 of the locking mechanism 4, the sliding member 31 is positioned at the forefront according to the urging force of the extension coil spring 32, and the locking claw 25 of the rotating lever 3 is moved. Can be locked. At this time, the front surface of the knob portion 31d of the sliding member 31 contacts the rear end surface of the mounting plate 16, and the engaging projection 31b of the sliding member 31 is located substantially at the center of the engaging hole 16c of the mounting plate 16. .

Before connecting the first housing 1 and the second housing 2, the rotating lever 3 is rotated clockwise, and the regulating projection 24 of the rotating lever 3 is moved to the regulating pin 13. Abut. At this time, the entrance of the straight groove 12 of the first housing 1 and the entrance of the cam groove 23 of the rotating lever 3 are aligned.

Next, when the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are fitted to the initial position, the connection terminals in the first housing and the connection terminals in the second housing come into initial contact with each other. The driven pin 17 of the second housing 2 is connected to the straight groove 12 of the first housing 1 and the rotating lever 3.
Slightly into the cam groove 23.

In this state, when the rotating lever 3 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the front wall of the cam groove 23 of the rotating lever 3 drives the driven pin 17 of the second housing 2 and the second The housing 2 is pulled toward the first housing 1 side. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are connected to the final position, and the connection terminals in the first housing 1 and the connection terminals in the second housing are finally connected. Connecting. Further, the inner wall of the cam groove 23 substantially contacts the driven pin 17, and the locking claw 25 of the rotating lever 3 presses the front end face of the sliding member 31 as shown in FIG. 6. Thereby, the sliding member 31 moves rearward,
The knob 31d is separated from the rear end face of the mounting plate 16.

When the upper surface of the connecting portion 22 of the rotating lever 3 is pressed, the inner wall of the cam groove 23 comes into pressure contact with the driven pin 17 as shown in FIG. 7 and rotates as shown in FIG. The locking claw 25 of the lever 3 moves downward. As a result, at the moment when the locking claw 25 reaches a position where it can be engaged with the locking portion 31a, the sliding member 31 instantaneously returns to the initial position according to the urging force of the extension coil spring 32, and Part 25
Is locked. Further, when the sliding member 31 instantaneously returns to the initial position according to the urging force of the extension coil spring 32, the front end face of the sliding member 31 collides with the front surface of the connecting portion 22 of the rotating lever 3 and makes a noise.

On the other hand, when releasing the connection between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2, the knob 31d of the sliding member 31 is grasped by a finger, and the sliding member 31 is compressed by the compression coil spring 32.
Move backward against the urging force of As a result, the locking claw 25 of the rotating lever 3 is moved to the engagement hole 31 of the sliding member 31.
a. When the rotating lever 3 is rotated clockwise in this state, the side wall of the cam groove 23 of the rotating lever 3 drives the driven pin 17 of the first housing 1 and the second
Is pushed out of the first housing 1.

As described above, in the embodiment, the sliding member 31 of the locking mechanism 4 is moved rearward by the action of the locking claw 25 of the rotating lever 3, and thereafter, in accordance with the urging force of the extension coil spring 32. It is restored to the initial position, and the locking claw 25 of the rotating lever 3 is locked. When unlocking, the sliding member 31
Is moved backward by a finger, and then separated from the locking claw 25 of the rotating lever 3. Therefore, the rotating lever 3
When the lock member and the slide member 31 are locked or unlocked, the frictional force between them can be reduced, and their abrasion can be suppressed. It can be maintained well.

The sliding member 31 is a tension coil spring 32.
Instantly restores to the initial position according to the urging force of the above, and makes a noise by colliding with the rotating lever 3, so that the locked state of the rotating lever 3 and the sliding member 31 can be easily confirmed.

The locking mechanism 4 described above can be modified without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, a locking mechanism 4 'as shown in FIG. 9 can be used. That is, a horizontal portion 16d for pressing the upper surface of the sliding member 31 'is provided between the engaging protrusion 31b and the vertical portion 16a of the left and right mounting plates 16' having no engaging hole 16c.
An engaging groove 16e is formed at the front of the sliding member 31 'having no locking projection 32b.
The same effect as the locking mechanism 4 can be obtained even if the engaging projection 31e engageable with the 6e is provided.

[0022]

As described above, in the lever type connector according to the present invention, the sliding member is driven backward by the locking claw against the urging force of the urging means, and the urging force of the urging means is obtained. And the locking claw is locked to the locking part, so that the locking claw and the locking part are not bent, and the friction between the locking claw and the locking part is prevented. Power can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the wear of the locking claw portion and the locking portion, and to prevent the locking force and the locking sound therebetween from lowering, thereby reducing the locking force on the rotating lever. It can be maintained well.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a locking mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sliding member and a tension coil spring.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modification of the locking mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Housing 3 Rotating lever 4, 4 'Locking mechanism 12 Straight groove 16, 16' Mounting plate 17 Driven pin 23 Cam groove 25 Locking claw 31, 31 'Sliding member 31a Locking part 31b, 31e Engagement projection 31c Spring accommodation groove 31d Knob part 32 Extension coil spring

Claims (5)

[Claims] The first housing includes a first housing and a second housing that can be fitted to each other. The first housing includes a rotating lever having a locking claw portion, and the second housing includes the lock. A locking mechanism for releasably locking a locking claw; connecting the first housing and the second housing by rotating the rotation lever; and locking the lock by the locking mechanism. A lever-type connector for locking a locking claw, wherein the locking mechanism is slidably provided on the second housing in a direction along an axis, and locks the locking claw. A sliding member having a portion, and biasing means for biasing the sliding member forward. When locking, the sliding member is opposed to the biasing force of the biasing means by the locking claw. When the locking claw reaches a predetermined position, the urging means is turned on. A lever-type connector, wherein the locking claw portion is locked to the locking portion by being restored according to the force. 2. The lever type connector according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism has a restricting means for restricting forward movement of said sliding member. 3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the restricting means comprises a holding portion for slidably holding the sliding member, and a projection protruding from the sliding member so as to contact a rear end surface of the holding portion. 3. The lever connector according to 2. 4. The lever-type connector according to claim 3, wherein the projection is a knob for moving the sliding member backward. 5. The lever-type connector according to claim 3, wherein the projection is formed so as to hit the holding portion with a noise.