JP2006278109A - Low insertion force connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a connector structure more compact and smarter, and to prevent both connecters from slacking and separating from each other unexpectedly by fixing the both connecters to a panel tightly. <P>SOLUTION: In a low insertion force connector 1, a lever 3 is mounted pivotably outside a connector 2 on one side, a slider 5 is back and forth movably mounted so as to house the lever and the connector on the one side, driven parts 9, 10 by the slider and a connector 4 on the other side are fitted to driving part 6 of the lever, and the slider is inserted into the inside of the connector on the other side by rotary operation of the lever. The slider 5 has a first locking part 12 and a brim wall 13, and the connector 4 on the other side has second locking parts 14, 45 and a brim wall 15. A panel 11 is fitted to portions between the first locking part and the brim wall and between the second locking parts and the brim wall with the connector on the one side inserted into the connector on the other side, and the slider is positioned inside the second locking parts. A waterproof grommet 31 of elasticity adheres to the brim wall 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a low insertion force connector that can be fixed to a panel of a vehicle or the like while both male and female connectors are inserted and fitted by lever action of a lever.

  10 to 12 show an embodiment of a conventional low insertion force connector (see Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 10, this low insertion force connector 71 includes one connector 74 having an inner housing 72 and a hood portion 73, the other connector 75 having a connector fitting chamber for the inner housing 72, and one connector 74. A frame-like slider 76 that is slidably mounted between the inner housing 72 and the hood portion 73 and a plate-like lever 77 that is pivotally supported by the inner housing 72 are configured.

  The lever 77 has an arcuate cam groove 79 whose one end is engaged with the protrusion 78 on the outer side of the other connector 75 and a guide groove 81 whose one end is engaged with the protrusion 80 on the inner side of the slider 76. is doing. The distance from the rotary shaft 82 of the lever 3 to the guide groove 81 is set to be larger than the distance from the rotary shaft 82 to the cam groove 79, and the moving stroke of the slider 76 is set to be larger than the fitting stroke of both the connectors 74 and 75. As a result, the insertion of the connector is reduced. A female terminal (not shown) with an electric wire is accommodated in one connector 74, and a male terminal (not shown) with an electric wire is accommodated in the other connector 75.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the middle of fitting both male and female connectors 74 and 75, the lever 77 is positioned so as to rise to the right shoulder and rotates clockwise with the fitting of the connectors 74 and 75, as shown in FIG. When the two connectors 74 and 75 are completely fitted, the lever 77 is located on the lower right side. The inner housing 72 of one connector 74 is located inside the other connector 75, and the lever 77 and the slider 76 are located outside the other connector 75.

The engaging claw (not shown) of one connector 74 is engaged with the hole of the slider 76, so that both 74 and 76 are fixed. Both connectors 74 and 75 are waterproofed by bringing an annular seal 83 provided on the outer periphery of the inner housing 72 of one connector 74 into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connector fitting chamber of the other connector 75.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-40251 (FIGS. 2, 7, and 9)

  However, in the conventional low insertion force connector 71, the lever 77 is disposed inside the one connector 74, so that the size of the structure is reduced. For example, the hood portion of the one connector 74 is provided. There is a concern that the structure cannot be made compact one more and the appearance is not smart due to the fact that 73 projects to the outside and the slider 76 protrudes to the outside of the other connector 75.

  In addition, for example, when the connectors 74 and 75 are used in a hole in a panel of an automobile, the structure is required to securely fix the connectors 74 and 75 to the panel. There is a concern that the connectors 74 and 75 may be loosened or detached due to the vibration of the vehicle.

  In view of the above-described points, the present invention can further reduce the size of the connector structure and make it smarter, and can firmly fix both connectors to the panel. An object of the present invention is to provide a low insertion force connector.

  In order to achieve the above object, a low insertion force connector according to claim 1 of the present invention has a lever rotatably provided on the outer side of one connector, and accommodates the lever and the one connector. Is provided so that the driven portion of the slider and the other connector are engaged with the driving portion of the lever, and the slider is fitted inside the other connector together with the one connector by the rotation of the lever. It is characterized by combining.

  With the above configuration, the lever is pivotally supported on the outer surface of one connector, the slider is disposed on one connector outside the lever so that the connector can be moved forward and backward, and one connector is initially fitted to the other connector (both (The terminals of the connector are not yet connected to each other), with each drive part of the lever engaged with the driven part of the slider and the other connector separately, by pushing the slider forward in the connector fitting direction, The lever rotates and the slider and the other connector are relatively drawn through the lever, and the other connector is fitted to one connector integrated with the lever shaft with a low insertion force. One connector, lever and slider are almost completely accommodated inside. For example, a cam groove and a guide groove are preferable as the driving portion of the lever, and a short columnar protrusion that engages with each groove is preferable as the driven portion.

  The low insertion force connector according to claim 2 is the low insertion force connector according to claim 1, wherein the one connector is provided with a temporary locking portion for the slider, and the temporary locking release portion for the temporary locking portion. Is provided on the other connector.

  With the above configuration, one connector is temporarily locked to the slider and is initially fitted to the other connector, and at the same time, the temporary locking release portion of the other connector is temporarily locked between the one connector and the slider. And the other connector and the slider are relatively drawn in the connector fitting direction with one connector as the center (reference). The temporary locking portion is preferably a flexible temporary locking arm, and the temporary locking release portion is preferably a rib that bends the temporary locking arm in the temporary locking release direction. The slider is preferably provided with a guide wall for engaging the temporary locking arm.

  A low insertion force connector according to a third aspect of the present invention is the low insertion force connector according to the first or second aspect, wherein the slider is provided with a first locking portion and a hook wall, and the other connector is a second engagement. A stop portion and a flange portion are provided, and in the fitted state of the one and the other connector, between the first locking portion and the flange wall, and the second locking portion and the flange portion, The panel is engaged between the two, and the slider is positioned inside the second locking portion.

  With the above configuration, the other connector is locked to the hole of the panel by the second locking portion, and the collar portion is brought into contact with and stopped from the panel, and the first connector, the lever, and the slider are directed toward the second connector. When the assembly is inserted and fitted, and the first locking part of the slider is locked to the hole of the panel, the collar wall is abutted and stopped against the panel (when the waterproof grommet is not attached to the collar wall) ), The outer surface of the slider is in contact with or close to the inner surface of the second locking portion of the other connector, prevents the second locking portion from bending inward, and locks the second locking portion. Increase power. Further, the other connector is firmly fixed to the panel with the second locking part and the collar part sandwiching the panel, and the slider is firmly fixed to the panel with the first locking part and the collar wall, Since one connector is firmly fixed to the other connector and the slider via a lever, it is firmly fixed in a state where both the connectors are fitted, and the connector is prevented from loosening and unintentional detachment. A flexible locking arm is preferable as the first locking portion, and a flexible locking claw is preferable as the second locking portion.

  The low insertion force connector according to claim 4 is the low insertion force connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an elastic waterproof grommet is fitted to the flange wall, and the two connectors are in a fitted state. The waterproof grommet is in close contact with the panel.

  With the above configuration, with the waterproof grommet fitted to the flange wall of the slider, the first locking portion is locked to the panel, the panel is sandwiched between the first locking portion and the waterproof grommet, and the waterproof grommet is Close contact with the panel to prevent water from entering the panel hole.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since one connector, the lever, and the slider are accommodated inside the other connector in the connector fitting state, there is no protrusion to the outside, and the structure is further improved. Compact and smart.

  According to invention of Claim 2, one connector and a slider can mutually be positioned by a temporary latching | locking part, and initial fitting with the other connector can be performed smoothly.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the slider is firmly fixed to the panel with the first locking portion and the flange wall, and the other connector is firmly fixed to the same panel with the second locking portion and the flange portion. Both connectors are fixed, because one connector is firmly fixed to the slider and the other connector via the lever, and the unexpected locking release of the second locking part is blocked by the slider, increasing the locking force. Thus, the loosening and unintentional disengagement of the connector are reliably prevented, and the reliability of the electrical connection of the connector in the panel of the vehicle or the like is improved.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by attaching the waterproof grommet to the flange wall of the slider, the panel can be reliably waterproofed, and the intrusion of water into the connector can be surely prevented. The reliability of electrical connection can be increased.

  1 to 7 show an embodiment of a low insertion force connector according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this low insertion force connector 1 is engaged with one connector 2, a lever 3 that is rotatably provided on one connector 2, and a curved cam groove (drive portion) 6 of the lever 3. The other connector 4 having a short cylindrical projection (driven portion) 9, and the slider 5 having a short cylindrical projection (driven portion) 10 that engages with the straight guide groove (drive portion) 7 of the lever 3. For the vehicle panel 11 (FIG. 6), the other connector 4 is provided with locking claws (second locking portions) 14 and 45 and a flange 15 for contact, and the slider 5 It has a structure in which a locking arm (first locking portion) 12 and a collar wall 13 for contact or for mounting a waterproof grommet are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connector assembly 16 is constituted by one connector 2, the lever 3, and the slider 5. One connector 2 is configured by accommodating female terminals (not shown) with electric wires in large and small terminal accommodating chambers 18 of a rectangular block connector housing 17 made of synthetic resin. Each wall portion 19 is provided with a short cylindrical shaft portion 20, and the hole portion 8 of each lever 3 can be engaged with each shaft portion 20.

  At the front ends of the upper and lower wall portions 19, a substantially L-shaped stopper (guide portion) 23 for guiding that engages with the groove 22 on the outer periphery of the lever 3 is projected. The stopper 23 includes a vertical support piece 23a and a horizontal guide piece 23b. At the center of the groove 22, a notch 55 is provided for inserting the stopper 23 during assembly.

  In addition, flexible temporary locking arms (temporary locking portions) 25 project rearward from the front end on the wall portions 24 on both sides of the connector housing 17, and the temporary locking arms 25 protrude on the outer surface near the tip. 26, and a plate-like tip portion 27 subsequent to the locking surface 26 a at the rear end of the protrusion 26.

  The lever 3 is made of a synthetic resin in a substantially fan shape, has a hole 8 at the intersection of two straight sides, has a long cam groove 6 bent along one side, and one end of the cam groove 6 is an inlet 6a has a straight guide groove 7 which opens to the outer periphery, closes both ends of a short slot shape along the other side, and has a slide groove 22 along the arc-shaped outer periphery. The pair of upper and lower levers 3 are arranged rotationally symmetrical.

  The slider 3 is formed of a synthetic resin in a substantially rectangular tube shape (frame shape). The slider 3 has a flange wall 13 extending over the entire periphery at the rear end of the rectangular tube-shaped peripheral wall 18, and left and right of the upper and lower wall portions 29 of the peripheral wall 21. Each pair of flexible locking arms 12 includes a locking arm 12 that can be bent inside the wall portion 29 and has a locking surface 30a perpendicular to the panel 11 (FIG. 7) at the arm tip. 30 is parallel to the flange wall 13, and a panel entry gap is formed between the locking surface 30 a and the flange wall 13.

  The collar wall 13 may be used in direct contact with the surface of the panel 11 (FIG. 7), or the waterproof grommet 31 (FIG. 8) is fitted on the collar wall 13 to attach the waterproof grommet 31 to the panel 11 (FIG. 9). ).

  A flexible wall 32 is formed on the upper and lower wall portions 29 of the slider 5 between the pair of locking arms 12 by a slit 49 and is formed in the same plane, and the guide groove 7 of the lever 3 is formed on the inner surface of the flexible wall 32. An engaging protrusion 10 (FIG. 1) is provided. A straight guide hole 33 in the connector fitting direction for entering and guiding the shaft portion 20 of one connector 2 is provided at the center of the upper and lower wall portions 29.

  A lever 3 is mounted on one connector 2 to form a connector with a lever, the lever 3 is positioned with a stopper 23, and the connector with the lever is inserted into the inner space of the slider 5, so that the end surface of the lever 3 has a projection 10 The protrusion 10 can be smoothly inserted into the guide groove 7 in which both ends of the lever 3 are closed by bending the flexible wall 32 outward while abutting on the guide 3.

  A pair of guide walls 35 having a substantially L-shaped cross section in the connector fitting direction in which the temporary locking arm 25 of the one connector 2 is bent into the left and right wall portions 34 of the slider 5 (FIG. 1). ) Is projected, and the provisional connector for engaging the projection 26 of the temporary locking arm 25 with the front end portion of the guide wall 35 and bringing the locking surface 26a of the projection 26 into contact with the front end 35a (FIG. 1) of the guide wall. A notch opening 36 for stopping is provided. A slit 37 is provided in the center of one of the left and right wall portions 34 inside the guide wall 35, and a rib (temporary lock release portion) 38 (FIG. 1) on the inner surface of the other connector 4 can enter the slit 37. ing.

  A slit 37 (FIG. 2) and a notch opening 36 at the front end following the slit 37 are provided in the left and right wall portions 34 of the slider 5, and the protrusion 26 of the temporary locking arm 25 can be engaged with the notch opening 36. Thus, the rib wall 39 on the lower side of the temporary locking arm 25 is slidable along the inner surface of the wall portion 34 of the slider 5. Thus, the configuration of the guide portion of the slider 5 with respect to the temporary locking arm 25 can be set as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a rib 40 is formed on the front surface of the flange wall 13 of the slider 5 so as to form a gap with the peripheral wall 21. For example, a waterproof grommet 31 (FIG. 8) is provided on the flange wall 13 outside the rib 40. It can be fitted. The rib 40 is cut away so as to face the locking surface 30 a of the locking arm 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the other connector 4 is configured by housing a plurality of male terminals (not shown) with electric wires in a connector housing 41 made of synthetic resin, and a connector fitting chamber for one connector 2 in the first half. 42, and a tab-like or pin-like electrical contact portion in the first half of the male terminal protrudes from the connector fitting chamber 42, and a block-like terminal accommodating portion 43 for accommodating the latter half portion of the male terminal in the second half. is doing. In the specification, “front” refers to the connector fitting direction, and “rear” refers to the connector removal direction. “Up / down / left / right” is for convenience of explanation, and does not necessarily coincide with the mounting direction of the connector.

  In the drawing of the connector housing 41, short cylindrical projections 9 are provided on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower wall portions 44, and a flexible locking claw 45 is separated by a slit 48 at the center of the upper and lower wall portions 44. The locking claw 45 is formed integrally on the same plane, and has a claw portion 46 having a triangular cross section on the outside of the tip of a flat plate-like flexible wall 47. The claw portion 46 has an inclined surface 46a at the front end and a vertical engagement with the rear end. Each has a stop surface 46 b, and the protrusion 9 is integrally formed on the inner surface of the flexible wall 47.

  For example, even when the contact pressure between the cam groove 6 and the projection 9 of the lever 3 is excessive due to an assembly dimension error or the like, the flexible wall 47 bends outward to absorb an extra force. The sliding between the protrusion 9 and the cam groove 6, that is, the lever 3 is smoothly rotated.

  In the other connector 4, the flange portion 15 is vertically provided slightly behind the claw portion 46 on the front end side of the upper, lower, left and right peripheral walls 50 of the connector housing 41 excluding the locking claw 45. A pair of bulging walls 51 are integrally formed on the left and right sides of the upper and lower wall portions 44, the inner space of the bulging wall 51 communicates with the connector fitting chamber 42, and the slider 5 is locked inside the bulging wall 51. The arm 12 can enter, and the slider 5 can enter along the inner surface of the connector fitting chamber 42. The bulging wall 51 may be formed on either the left or right side.

  A flexible locking claw 14 is also provided at the center of the left and right wall portions 52 of the connector housing 41, and the locking claw 14 has a claw portion 46 on the outer end of the tip. The upper, lower, left and right locking claws 14 and 45 engage with the hole 53 of the vehicle panel 11 (FIG. 6), and the flange 15 abuts against the surface of the panel 11. One of the left and right locking claws 14 is separated from the bulging wall 54 by a slit and formed in the same plane. A rib 38 in the connector fitting direction is provided on the inner surface of the locking claw 14 inside the left and right walls 52, 54, and the rib 38 deflects the temporary locking arm 25 of one connector 2 inward to move the slider 5. Can be released.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which one connector 2, a pair of levers 3, and a slider 5 are assembled and fitted to the other connector 4 as a connector assembly 16. Arrows indicate the fitting direction.

  A lever 3 is disposed outside one connector 2, and a slider 5 is slidably mounted in the connector fitting direction so as to cover (accommodate) the rear half of one connector 2 outside the lever 3. The outer surfaces of the left and right wall portions of one connector 2 are slidable along the inner surfaces of the left and right wall portions of the slider 5, and the outer surfaces of the pair of upper and lower levers 3 are in contact with the inner surfaces of the upper and lower wall portions of the slider 5. Able to slide along.

  The inlet 6a of the cam groove 6 of the lever 3 is located at the front end. The projection 26 of the temporary locking arm 25 of one connector 2 is positioned in the notch opening 36 at the front end of the left and right walls of the slider 5, and the locking surface 26 a at the rear end of the projection 26 contacts the front end of the notch opening 36. In contact therewith, the further entry of the connector 2 into the slider is prevented. The front end plate portion 27 of the temporary locking arm 25 is elastically pressed against the inner surfaces of the left and right wall portions, and the slider 5 and one connector 2 are temporarily locked by the temporary locking arm 25.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the slider 5 of the connector assembly 16 is initially fitted to the other connector 4 (one connector 2 enters the connector fitting chamber 42 of the other connector 4, but both connectors 2 and 4 Each terminal is left unconnected).

  The cam groove in the first half of the lever 3 with the shaft portion 20 of one connector 2 engaged with the middle hole portion 8 of the lever 3 and the protrusion 10 of the slider 5 engaged with the guide groove 7 behind the lever 3. 6, the projection 9 of the other connector 4 enters the inlet 6a. Since the stopper 23 of one connector 2 is slidably engaged with the groove 22 on the outer peripheral edge of the lever 3, the lever 3 can be stably rotated without being lifted.

  4, the start end of the groove 22 of the lever 3 is positioned by contacting the stopper 23, and the inlet 6a of the cam groove 6 of the lever 3 faces forward so that the protrusion 9 of the other connector 4 is smooth. Engage. When the connector shown in FIG. 5 is fitted, the stopper 23 comes into contact with or closes to the end of the groove 22 of the lever 3. The inner surfaces of the left and right locking claws 14 of the other connector 4 and the inner surfaces of the left and right wall portions 52 are along the outer surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the slider 5 outside the projection 26 of the temporary locking arm 25 of one connector 2. positioned.

  From the state of FIG. 4, for example, the flange portion 13 of the slider 5 is pressed forward by hand, and the one connector 2 is moved toward the other connector 4 integrally with the slider 5. The ribs 38 bend the temporary locking arms 25 of the one connector 2 inward, and the temporary locking between the slider 5 and the one connector 2 is released. And the projection 9 of the other connector 4 moves linearly in the connector fitting direction along the cam groove 6 (actually, the other connector 4 is shown in the figure). 6 so that one connector 2 is pulled in the connector fitting direction toward the other connector 4), and both connectors 2 and 4 are fitted as shown in FIG. .

  In the low insertion force operation by the lever 3, the distance from the shaft portion 20 to the protrusion 10 of the slider 5 is larger than the distance from the shaft portion 20 to the protrusion 9 of the other connector 4 in FIG. This is possible because it is larger than the fitting stroke of both the connectors 2 and 4. The protrusion 10 of the slider 5 moves in the longitudinal direction in the guide groove 7 while the lever 3 is rotating.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the flange wall 13 of the slider 5 is in contact with one surface of the panel 11 (when the waterproof grommet 31 of FIG. 8 is not used) or in the proximity when the connectors 2 and 4 are completely fitted. However, when the waterproof grommet 31 is used, it is positioned to face the flange portion 15 of the other connector 4 in contact with the other surface of the panel 11. The flange wall 13 of the slider 5 advances to a position substantially flush with the rear end surface of one connector 2. Inside the slider 5, the end face 56 of each lever 3 is positioned in the rear opening of the slider 5 in parallel with the rear end face of one connector 2.

  When the connectors 2 and 4 are in the fitted state, the claw portions 46 of the locking claws 14 and 45 of the other connector 4 are engaged with the hole 53 of the panel 11, and between the claw portion 46 and the flange portion 15. Since the panel 11 is sandwiched and the peripheral wall 21 of the slider 5 is positioned along (in contact with) the inner surfaces of the locking claws 14 and 45 in this state, the inward bending of the locking claws 14 and 45 is prevented. Unintentional unlocking of the locking claws 14 and 45 does not occur, and the other connector 4 is firmly fixed to the panel 11.

  When the other connector 4 is locked in the hole 53 of the panel 11, the locking claws 14 and 45 are bent inwardly so that the front end portion of the claw 46 and the peripheral wall 50 of the other connector 4 enter the hole 53. When the claw portion 46 passes through the hole portion 53 and the claw portion 46 passes through the hole portion 53, the locking claws 14 and 45 are elastically returned outward and engage with the peripheral edge of the hole portion 53.

  The slider 5 sandwiches the panel 11 between the locking surface 30a of the locking arm 12 (FIG. 3) and the collar wall 13 (when the waterproof grommet 31 is not used) and is firmly fixed to the panel 11. In the middle of inserting the slider 5 into the hole 53 of the panel 11, the locking arm 12 bends inward to allow entry into the hole 53, and at the same time passes through the hole 53, the locking arm 12 is elastic outward. It returns to the normal and engages with the peripheral edge of the hole 53. Needless to say, the wall 13 is larger than the hole 53.

  8 to 9 show a state in which an elastic waterproof grommet 31 is attached to the flange wall 13 of the slider 5. The waterproof grommet 31 is made of synthetic rubber, and includes one fitting portion 57 that fits the flange wall 13, a bellows-like flexible tube portion 58 that is integrated with the fitting portion 57, and the flexible tube portion 58. It is comprised at least by the other fitting part 59 formed integrally at the end. The other fitting portion 59 of this example corresponds to a through-less grommet (a grommet used when routing without inserting a wire harness in a groove in a panel such as an automobile door). In this case, the other fitting portion 59 can be formed in the same manner as the one fitting portion 57.

  One fitting portion 57 includes a frame-like portion 60 having a circumferential groove that fits into the flange wall 13 on the inside, and the frame-like portion 60 continues integrally to the flexible cylindrical portion 58 in the orthogonal direction. In a state where the locking arm 12 of the slider 5 is locked to the panel 11, the front end surface 60 a of the frame-like portion 60 is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the panel 11 and enters the inside of the hole of the panel 11 (inside the connector) Infiltration of water is prevented.

  The flexible tube portion 58 of this example is positioned substantially parallel along the panel 11. As the panel 11, various types such as a panel on the ceiling side of the vehicle body facing the back door and a panel of the vehicle body facing the front door can be applied. The shape of the waterproof grommet 31 is also changed as appropriate.

  According to the low insertion force connector 1 of the above embodiment, the waterproof grommet 31 is fitted to the flange wall 13 of the slider 5, and the waterproof grommet 31 is elastically adhered to the panel 11 and the locking arm 12 of the slider 5 is connected. The panel 11 is firmly sandwiched between the two, and the locking claws 14 and 45 of the other connector 4 are engaged with the panel 11, and the locking claws are engaged with the peripheral wall 21 of the slider 5. 14 and 45 can be prevented from being bent (inadvertently unlocked), and the other connector 4 can be firmly fixed to the panel 11, and both the connectors 2 and 4 can be fitted in a rectangular cylindrical slider. In this state, the one connector 2, the other connector 4 and the slider 5 can be firmly fixed via the lever 3, so that the fixing force of both the connectors 2 and 4 to the panel 11 is increased, and the vibration of the vehicle Fear of loosening or detachment of unexpected connector 2 and 4 by is reliably eliminated.

  Further, one connector 2 is accommodated inside the slider 5 and one connector 2 is fitted and accommodated inside the other connector 4 together with the slider 5 (in the conventional example of FIG. Since the slider is inserted inside the part and the hood part is fitted to the outside of the other connector, the hood part tends to enlarge the low insertion force connector in the width direction.) The force connector 1 is made smarter and smaller.

  Further, the protrusion 10 is provided on the flexible wall 32 of the slider 5, and at the same time the lever 3 is inserted into the slider, the flexible wall 32 bends outward and the protrusion 10 smoothly enters the guide groove 7 closed by the lever 3. Since the projections 10 are not easily detached from the guide groove 7, the vertical gap between the lever 3 and the slider 5 can be made extremely small, which also reduces the connector structure. It has been.

  Further, the lever 3 is positioned by the stopper 23 and the slider 5 is retracted, whereby the protrusion 10 of the slider 5 moves to the rear end of the guide groove 7 of the lever 3 and the entrance of the cam groove 6 of the lever 3. Since the lever 3 is stopped by the stopper 23 with the position 6a facing the protrusion 9 of the other connector 4, the engagement of the protrusion 9 of the other connector 4 into the cam groove 6 is simple and smooth. To be done.

  The configuration of the low insertion force connector 1 of the present invention described above is effective not only as a panel fitting type connector but also as a connector that is not fitted into the panel 11. Further, it is possible to replace the guide hole 7 of the lever 3 of the embodiment with a guide hole penetrating the cam groove 7 or a cam hole penetrating the cam groove 7.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the low insertion force connector which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows one connector assembly in a low insertion force connector. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which fits the other connector to a connector assembly. It is a perspective view which shows the initial fitting state of a connector assembly and the other connector. It is a perspective view which shows the perfect fitting state of a connector assembly and the other connector. It is a perspective view which shows the state which fitted the other connector to the panel. It is a perspective view which shows the state which fitted the connector assembly to the other connector. It is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the waterproof grommet to the connector assembly. It is a perspective view which shows the state which stuck the waterproof grommet to the panel. It is a disassembled top view which made a part the cross section which shows one form of the conventional low insertion force connector. It is a top view which similarly shows the initial fitting state of the conventional low insertion force connector. It is a top view which shows the perfect fitting state of the conventional low insertion force connector similarly.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Low insertion force connector 2 One connector 3 Lever 4 The other connector 5 Slider 6 Cam groove (drive part)
9,10 Protrusion (Following part)
11 Panel 12 Locking arm (first locking part)
13 ridge wall 14,45 locking claw (second locking part)
15 collar 23 stopper 25 temporary locking arm (temporary locking)
31 Waterproof grommet 32 Flexible wall 38 Rib (temporary locking release part)

Claims (4)

  A lever is rotatably provided on the outside of one connector, and a slider is provided so as to accommodate the lever and the one connector so that the slider can be moved forward and backward. The lever is driven by the slider and the other connector. A low insertion force connector, wherein the slider engages with the one connector together with the one connector by the rotation of the lever.   The low insertion force according to claim 1, wherein the one connector is provided with a temporary locking portion for the slider, and a temporary locking release portion for the temporary locking portion is provided for the other connector. connector.   The slider is provided with a first locking portion and a flange wall, and the other connector is provided with a second locking portion and a flange portion. A panel is engaged between one locking portion and the flange wall, and between the second locking portion and the flange portion, and the slider is positioned inside the second locking portion. The low insertion force connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector has a low insertion force.   4. The low insertion force according to claim 1, wherein an elastic waterproof grommet is fitted on the wall, and the waterproof grommet is in close contact with the panel when the two connectors are fitted. connector.

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