JP4398769B2 - Lever fitting type connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lever fitting connector in which first and second connector portions are fitted by operating a lever.

  The lever fitting type connector is a connector suitable for fitting the first and second connector parts that require a large number of poles and requires a fitting force, and is used for branch connection of circuits such as wire harnesses arranged in vehicles etc. used.

  As an example of this type of connector, a first connector fixed to both sides of a substrate in a state where three connector housings each provided with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers for accommodating female terminals are connected by uneven fitting. A first connector portion having a main body, a hood portion into which the first connector portion is fitted, and a second connector having a male terminal that is accommodated in the hood portion and is connected to the female terminal by fitting of the first connector portion. And a rotation support shaft that passes between the connector housings of the board of the first connector part and the first connector part is rotatably supported by bosses projecting on both sides of the board. A lever fitting type connector provided with a lever to be fitted into the hood portion of the connector portion has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  As another example, a first connector main body in which a plurality of terminal housing chambers for housing female terminals are provided in parallel so as to be detachably connected by a coupling piece. A second connector having a first connector part, a hood part into which the first connector part is fitted, and a male terminal that is accommodated in the hood part and is connected to the female terminal by fitting the first connector part And a lever fitting rotatably supported by bosses projecting on both sides of any one of the connector housings and for fitting the first connector part into the hood part of the second connector part A combined connector has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-167846 (paragraphs 0015 to 0018 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-228247 (paragraphs 0024 to 0041 in FIGS. 1 to 3 in the Detailed Description of the Invention)

  When it is necessary to change the number of poles of a lever fitting type connector used in a circuit such as a wire harness due to a specification change of a vehicle or the like, the former connector (described in Patent Document 1) is a first connector portion. Since a plurality of connector housings are fixed to the circuit board, it is not easy to change the connector housing connection position (combination position) and the number of combined layers (number of combination layers), and a connector corresponding to the desired number of poles, etc. Need to be newly prepared, and there is a problem that the manufacturing of the connector is troublesome and the cost is increased.

  In the latter connector (described in Patent Document 2), since the plurality of connector housings of the first connector portion are detachably connected, the lever must be replaced when it is necessary to change the number of poles of the connector housing. It is possible to change the number of combined layers of the connector housing without sharing. However, since the boss part which supports the lever so as to be rotatable is directly provided on both side parts of any one of the connector housings, the position of the boss part is changed to the first connector main body by changing the number of combined layers of the connector housing. The lever may not be accurately supported by the boss portion, and it may be difficult to fit the first connector portion into the hood portion of the second connector portion. In addition, when such a problem occurs, it may be possible to project a boss part on another connector housing that can accurately support the lever, or prepare a new connector housing with a boss part. The manufacturing of the connector is troublesome and the cost is increased. For this reason, the latter connector can be adapted to changes in the number of poles, etc., but the scope of application that can accommodate changes in the number of poles etc. with one connector is limited, and the degree of freedom is reduced. There is.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lever-fitting connector that has a wide range of applications that can be adapted to changes in the number of poles, etc., and is easy to manufacture and inexpensive. It is what.

  In order to achieve the above object, a lever fitting type connector according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a first connector portion having a first connector body in which a plurality of connector housings are detachably connected and combined, The first connector portion is rotatably supported by a second connector portion having a hood portion to which the one connector portion is fitted, and a boss portion protruding from both sides of the first connector portion. A lever fitting type connector having a lever to be fitted in a hood portion, wherein the first connector portion is formed in a frame shape so as to sandwich both side portions of the first connector body, and the first connector body is connected to the connector housing. And a holder having the bosses projecting from both sides thereof.

  A lever fitting type connector according to claim 2 of the present invention is the lever fitting type connector according to claim 1, wherein the holder extends in the direction of the connector housing of the first connector main body and is opposed to each other. A holder base formed in a substantially U-shaped frame shape by a connecting piece connecting the base piece and a base piece thereof, and a boss part projecting from the side of the both sandwiching pieces, The first connector body is sandwiched between the both sides of the first connector body by fitting the pieces into locking concave grooves provided in the connector housing on both sides of the first connector body along the connector housing joining direction. The main body is held so that it can be attached and detached in the direction in which the connector housings are combined.

  A lever fitting type connector according to a third aspect of the present invention is the lever fitting type connector according to the first or second aspect, wherein the first connector main body is substantially the same width as the connector housing at the last stage of the connector housing in which a plurality of layers are combined. And the cover body having a height is connected and united, and convex portions having a shape or a size set according to the number of the united layers of the connector housing are provided at the lower portions on both sides of the cover body, The bottom part in the hood part of 2 connector parts has the shape or size which fits the convex part, and the convex part is provided with the recessed part inserted by fitting of a 1st connector part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lever fitting type connector according to the second or third aspect, wherein the levers are arranged to face each other with an interval adapted to the outer width of both sandwiching pieces of the holder. A pair of side wall pieces and a connecting piece connecting the base portions are formed into a substantially U-shaped frame shape, and boss portion insertion holes for inserting the boss portions of the holder are provided in both side wall pieces, and the tip side of both side wall pieces The first connector portion is fitted to the second connector portion by an operation of rotating the lever from the inclined temporarily fixed state to the horizontal overturned state as a fulcrum with respect to the second connector portion on the lower outer surface. A lever fulcrum protrusion is provided, and provided with a lever inclination temporary fixing means for temporarily fixing the lever in an inclined state before the first connector portion is inserted into the hood portion of the second connector portion. The temporary fixing means is -Locking claws projecting on the side portions of both sandwiched pieces, and lower portions of both side wall pieces of the lever are provided so as to be inclined obliquely downward toward the connecting piece side along the longitudinal direction of the lever, There is a temporary fixing arm made of an elastic tongue piece that engages with the locking claw to temporarily fix the lever in an inclined state, and a slope inclined obliquely downward toward the inner wall of the hood portion of the second connector portion. When the first connector portion is inserted into the hood portion so that the slope is disposed in the vicinity of the upper portion of the inner wall of the hood portion, and the temporarily fixing arm comes into contact with the slope, It is characterized by comprising a lever engagement releasing portion that pushes the temporary fixing arm outward to release the engagement with the locking claw and allows the lever to turn about the boss portion. To do.

  According to the lever fitting type connector described in claim 1 of the present invention, the both sides of the first connector main body are clamped by the frame-type holder and are held so as to be detachable in the connector housing uniting direction. Even if it is necessary to change the number of poles of the connector due to changes in the circuit and circuit specifications, it is not necessary to replace the first connector part and the lever for fitting it to the second connector part each time. By sharing the two, it is possible to change the position of the plurality of connector housings constituting the first connector body and to increase or decrease the number of combined layers. Therefore, each time the number of poles or the like is changed, the time for newly manufacturing the first connector portion can be saved, and the cost of the connector can be reduced.

  In addition, since the bosses that support the levers are pivoted on the both sides of the holder, not on the first connector body, that is, on the connector housing side, the connector housing combination position can be changed by changing the number of poles, etc. Even if the number of combined layers is changed, the position of the boss portion is not shifted in the longitudinal direction of the first connector body, and the lever is held at a position where the lever can be accurately supported. The portion can be smoothly fitted into the hood portion of the second connector portion without any trouble. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly cope with changes in the number of poles of the connector, the application range (degree of freedom) is widened, and versatility can be enhanced.

  According to the lever fitting type connector described in claim 2 of the present invention, since the holder for holding the first connector body is formed in a substantially U-shaped frame shape, the structure is simple and small, and the holder base body Since both the sandwiched pieces are fitted in locking grooves provided in the connector housings of the first connector main body so that the first connector main body can be attached and detached, it is necessary to change the number of poles, etc. If this happens, it is easy to change the position of multiple connector housings and increase / decrease the number of merged layers, and it is possible to respond quickly to changes in the number of poles of the connector and improve the manufacturing efficiency of the connector. .

  According to the lever fitting type connector described in claim 3 of the present invention, when the first connector portion is fitted to the second connector portion, the number of combined layers of the connector housing provided in the cover body of the first connector main body is increased. The convex portion having the shape or size set accordingly is inserted only into the concave portion having the shape or size suitable for the convex portion of the cover body in the second connector portion. Therefore, if a connector housing with an undesired number of combined layers is connected and combined, and the first connector portion is to be fitted into the second connector portion, the convex portion is not inserted into the concave portion, and the second connector portion Since it becomes difficult to fit the first and second connector portions, erroneous coupling of the first and second connector portions can be reliably prevented.

According to the lever fitting type connector described in claim 4 of the present invention, the locking claw projecting from the holder of the first connector part, the temporarily fixing arm provided on the lever, and the second connector part Since it is provided with a lever inclination temporary fixing means composed of a lever engagement release portion having a provided slope, the lever is reliably inclined before the first connector portion is inserted into the hood portion of the second connector portion. It can be temporarily fixed to the state, and after inserting the first connector portion, the temporary fixed state of the lever can be removed and the lever can be smoothly rotated from the temporarily fixed state inclined to the horizontal lying down state. The operation of fitting the first connector part to the second connector part by pushing down the lever with a predetermined pressing force can be performed smoothly.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a lever fitting type connector according to the present invention. Before inserting the first connector part having the number of combined layers of the connector housing of eight layers into the hood part of the second connector part, before fitting. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line BB, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C, and FIG. Sectional drawing of the state which made the 1st connector part fit in the food | hood part of a 2nd connector part, FIG. 6 is the DD arrow line view of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the lever fitting type connector of the present embodiment includes a first connector part 10, a second connector part 12 having a hood part 14 to which the first connector part 10 is fitted, and a first connector part 10. The connector part 10 is provided with a lever 16 which is inserted into the hood part 14 of the second connector part 12 and fitted.

  The first connector unit 10 includes, for example, a plurality of terminal housing chambers 22 (see FIG. 17) in which a plurality of terminal housing chambers 22 (see FIG. 17) for housing female terminals 24 connected to an electric wire W such as FFC (flexible flat cable) are provided in parallel. In this embodiment, eight connector housings 20 are separably connected (stacked) in the lateral direction (direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the female terminals 24) by the housing connecting means 26 and combined (in this embodiment, eight layers). The first connector body 18 is combined.

  The housing connecting means 26 is provided at two front and rear end portions along the insertion direction of the female terminal 24 into the terminal accommodating chamber 22 on both side portions of each connector housing 20, for a total of four locations. The means 26 is composed of a pair of U-shaped engaging recesses 28 that are spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the female terminal 24 and a hook-shaped engaging projection 30 that engages with the U-shaped engaging recesses 28. Then, the engagement protrusions 30 of the corresponding housing connection means 26 in the adjacent connector housing 20 connected to the connector housing 20 are combined with the engagement recesses 28 of the housing connection means 26 at the front and rear ends. So that the connector housings 20 can be moved relative to each other slightly so that they can be separated from each other.

  The eight connector housings 20 constituting the first connector main body 18 are provided with locking grooves 32 into which the sandwiching pieces 44 of the holder 40 to be described later are fitted along both sides of the connector housings 20 along the connector housing uniting direction. It is done. As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 17, the locking groove 32 is open on both sides, and a tab 32 a is formed on the opening side so as to protrude inward so as to be narrower than the back side. The sandwiching piece 44 fitted in is prevented from coming off to the side. Further, between the engaging concave portion 28 and the engaging convex portion 30 of the housing connecting means 26 provided on the front end side (on the opposite side to the side where the female terminal 24 is inserted) of both side portions of each connector housing 20. Is provided with a guide groove 34 extending in the insertion direction of the female terminal 24 and is provided along the insertion direction of the first connector portion 10 on the inner wall near the bottom of the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12. Further, the first connector portion 10 inserted and fitted into the hood portion 14 by being engaged with a later-described guide rib 66 is positioned and held.

  Furthermore, the last stage of the connector housing 20 in which the first connector main body 18 is united with eight layers has a square plate shape that has substantially the same width and height as the connector housing 20 and is thinner than the connector housing 20. The cover body 36 is connected and united by the housing connecting means 26 having the engaging projections 30 at the four corners. Locking grooves 32 having the same shape and size as those provided in the connector housing 20 are also provided on both sides of the cover body 36 at the same position along the direction in which the connector housing 20 is combined.

  Further, in the lower portions on both sides of the cover body 36, when the number of combined layers of the connector housing 20 is eight as in the present embodiment, a convex portion 38a having a shape or size set according to the number of layers (see FIG. 2, 9, 12, and 13), and a recess 68 a (see FIG. 7) that is provided at the bottom of the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12 and has a shape or size that fits the protrusion 38 a. Inserted into. In the case where the number of combined layers of the connector housing 20 is 7 as shown in FIG. 14, a convex portion 38b having a shape or size set according to the number of layers is provided, and the second connector It is inserted into a concave portion 68b (see FIG. 7) provided at the bottom of the hood portion 14 of the portion 12 and having a shape or size that matches the convex portion 38a. When the number of combined layers of the connector housing 20 is 6 as shown in FIG. 15, a convex portion 38 c having a shape or size set according to the number of layers is provided, and the second connector portion 12. It is inserted into a concave portion 68c (see FIG. 7) provided at the bottom of the hood portion 14 and having a shape or size suitable for the convex portion 38c. Further, when the number of combined layers of the connector housing 20 is five as shown in FIG. 16, a convex portion 38d having a shape or size set according to the number of layers is provided, and the second connector It is inserted into a recess 68d (see FIG. 7) provided at the bottom of the hood part 14 of the part 12 and having a shape or size that fits the protrusion 38d.

  Thus, when the cover body 36 is provided with the convex portions 38a to 38d having a shape or size set according to the number of combined layers of the connector housing 20, the first connector portion 10 is connected to the second connector portion 12. When the first connector main body 18 is fitted to the first connector main body 18, the convex portions 38a to 38d provided in the cover body 36 are only provided in the concave portions 68a to 68d adapted to the convex portions 38a to 38d provided in the second connector portion 12. Will be inserted. Accordingly, if the connector housing 20 having an undesired number of combined layers is connected and combined, and the first connector portion 10 is to be fitted into the second connector portion 12, the concave portions 68a to which the convex portions 38a to 38d fit respectively. Since it is difficult to fit the second connector portion 12 without inserting the first connector portion 68d into the second connector portion 12, it is possible to reliably prevent the first and second connector portions 10 and 12 from being miscoupled. The number of combined layers of the connector housing 20 constituting the first connector main body 18 is set in consideration of the maximum number of poles assumed for the connector, and the first connector portion 10 (first connector main body 18) and the second connector are set. It is desirable to design the size (shape, dimension), etc. of the part 12 and the lever 16 and the like.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 8 to 13, the first connector portion 10 has a frame shape so as to sandwich both side portions of the first connector body 18 in which eight connector housings 20 are combined into eight layers. The holder 40 is formed to hold the first connector body 18 in the direction in which the connector housing 20 is assembled.

  More specifically, the holder 40 is a rectangular plate-like connecting piece that connects a pair of sandwiching pieces 44 that extend in the direction in which the connector housing 20 of the first connector body 18 is joined and is opposed to each other, and a base portion thereof. 46, a holder base 42 (see FIG. 22) formed in a substantially U-shaped frame shape, and a circular shaft projecting preferably at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the side portions of the both sandwiching pieces 44. A boss portion 48, and both sandwiching pieces 44 of the holder base 42 are inserted into locking recesses 32 provided on both side portions of each connector housing 20 of the first connector body 18 along the direction in which the connector housings 20 are joined. The both sides of the 1st connector main body 18 are clamped so that it may fit. Then, the engaging convex portions 30 of the housing connecting means 26 provided in the connector housing 20 located in the foremost stage of the first connector body 18 are engaged with the engaging concave portions 28 provided in the four corners of the connecting piece 46 of the holder 40. As a result, the first connector main body 18 is held by the holder 40 so that it can be attached and detached along the direction in which the connector housing 20 is combined. The lever 16 is rotatably supported by the boss portion 48 of the holder 40.

  Further, a flange 50 (see FIG. 22) projecting laterally from this is provided at the outer peripheral edge portion of both sandwiching pieces 44 in the holder base 42 of the holder 40, and the first connector portion 10 is connected to the second connector portion. When the hood portion 14 is inserted and fitted into the hood portion 14, the flange portion 50 comes into contact with the inner wall of the hood portion 14 and can surely prevent the first connector portion 10 from sideways. . Further, before the lever 16 is inserted into the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12 on the side portion closer to the tip than the boss portion 48 of the both sandwiching pieces 44 of the holder base 42, the first connector portion 10 is inserted into the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12. Further, a substantially trapezoidal locking claw 74 constituting a later-described lever inclined temporary fixing means 72 for temporary fixing in an inclined state is provided.

  As described above, when the holder 40 for holding the first connector body 18 is formed in a substantially U-shaped frame shape, the structure is simple and small, and both the sandwiched pieces 44 of the holder base 42 are connected to the first connector. Since the first connector main body 18 is held so as to be able to be attached / detached by being fitted in the locking concave grooves 32 provided in the connector housings 20 of the main body 18, when the number of poles or the like needs to be changed, a plurality of The connector housing 20 can be easily repositioned and the number of combined layers can be increased or decreased, and it is possible to respond quickly to changes in the number of poles of the connector, and the manufacturing efficiency of the connector can be improved.

  The lever 16 is composed of a pair of side wall pieces 52 and a connecting piece 54 that connect the base portions of the first connector portion 10 and the base portions thereof, and a pair of side wall pieces 52 that are arranged to face each other with an interval matching the outer width of the sandwiching pieces 44 of the holder 40. A boss portion insertion hole 56 into which the boss portion 48 of the holder 40 is inserted is provided in the both side wall pieces 52, and is rotatable around the boss portion 48 inserted into the hole 56. Supported by Also, lever fulcrum protrusions 58 are provided on both outer side surfaces of the lower end side of both side wall pieces 52 of the lever 16. After the first connector portion 10 is inserted into the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12, the projection 58 releases the temporarily fixed state of the lever 16 by the lever inclined temporary fixing means 72 described later, and the connecting piece 54 of the lever 16. When the portion corresponding to is pressed and the lever is pushed downward, the lever 16 rotates with respect to the first connector body 18 and acts as a fulcrum that rotates with respect to the second connector portion 12. Thereby, the 1st connector part 10 can be inserted in the hood part 14 of the 2nd connector part 12, and can be made to fit. Further, the lever 16 is inserted into both side portions of the lower side of the connecting piece 54 while guiding the connecting piece 54 side into the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12 when the lever 16 is rotated in the down position. A lock cover 60 is provided for holding, and a lock protrusion 62 (see FIGS. 24 to 27) is provided between the lock covers 60 on the lower side of the connecting piece 54. The locking projection 62 engages with a locking claw 70 (see FIGS. 1 and 7) provided on the inner side wall on one short side of the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12, so that the second connector portion 12 The lever 16 fitted in the hood portion 14 in a prone state is fixed (locked) so as not to rotate in the reverse direction.

  The second connector part 12 includes a rectangular cylindrical hood part 14 into which the first connector part 10 is fitted, a bottom part in the hood part 14 in the longitudinal direction in the hood part 14 and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (width direction). And a plurality of male terminals 64 (see FIG. 7) connected to the female terminals 24 by fitting of the first connector part 10 and the vicinity of the bottom part of the hood part 14 The first connector is inserted into the hood portion 14 and fitted into the hood portion 14 at a pitch interval where the connector housing 20 is connected and combined in the insertion direction of the first connector portion on the opposite inner walls of both long sides. A plurality of guide ribs 66 (see FIGS. 1 and 2, etc.) for positioning and holding the first connector part 10 by engaging with the guide groove 34 of the connector housing 20 in the part 10, and provided at the bottom part in the hood part 14; Of the first connector body 18 A plurality of recesses 68a to 68d having shapes or sizes suitable for the protrusions 38a to 38d provided at both lower portions of the bar body 36, and an inner wall on one short side of the hood portion 14, And 16 locking protrusions 62 that engage with the 16 locking protrusions 62.

  As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the recesses 68a and 68c have a recess width (size) set narrower, and the recesses 68b and 68d have a recess width (size) wider than the recesses 68a and 68c. . Further, although not clear from FIG. 7, the recess widths of the recesses 68a and 68c and the recesses 68b and 68d are set to be slightly different from each other. The sizes of the convex portions 38a to 38d corresponding thereto are set so as to be naturally different. Such a configuration is preferable because, as described above, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous coupling of the first and second connector portions 10 and 12.

  In the lever fitting type connector of the present embodiment, a lever for inserting and fitting the first connector portion into the hood portion of the second connector portion is further inserted into the hood portion of the second connector portion. Previously, a lever tilt temporary fixing means 72 is provided to temporarily fix in an inclined state so that the connecting piece side of the lever faces upward (see FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 24).

The lever inclination temporary fixing means 72 includes a trapezoidal locking claw 74 projecting from the side portions of the both sandwiching pieces 44 of the holder 40, and the rotation center of the lever 16, that is, a boss portion insertion hole. The connecting piece 54 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the lever 16 below the side wall pieces 52 on the connecting piece 54 side of the center of the 56.
A temporary fastening arm 76 formed of an elastic tongue piece which is provided so as to be inclined obliquely downward to the side and which engages with the locking claw 74 to temporarily fix the lever 16 in an inclined state; It has a slope 78a inclined obliquely downward toward the inner wall of the hood part 14, and the slope 7
The first connector portion 10 is inserted into the hood portion 14 so that 8a is disposed in the vicinity of the upper portion of the inner wall of the hood portion 14, and the temporarily fixing arm 76 is provided with a slope 78.
When it abuts on a, the temporary engagement arm 76 is spread outward to release the engagement with the locking claw 74, and the lever 16 can be rotated around the boss 48. And a release unit 78.

Such a locking claw 74 protruding from the holder 40 of the first connector portion 10 and the lever 1
6 and a temporary fixing arm 76 and a slope 78a provided on the second connector portion 12.
By providing the lever inclination temporary fixing means 72 composed of the lever engagement release portion 78 having the lever 16, the lever 16 is securely connected before the first connector portion 10 is inserted into the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12. In addition, after the first connector portion 10 is inserted, the lever 16 is removed from the temporarily fixed state, and the lever 16 is smoothly rotated from the inclined temporarily fixed state to the horizontal prone state. The lever 16 is pushed down with a predetermined pressing force, and the work of fitting the first connector portion 10 to the second connector portion 12 can be performed smoothly.

  The lever fitting type connector of this embodiment is configured as described above. Next, a procedure for inserting and fitting the first connector portion 10 into the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the female terminal 24 to which the electric wire W is connected is inserted and accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 22 of the connector housing 20 constituting the first connector body 18 of the first connector portion 10 (see FIGS. 17 and 18).

  Next, the first connector body 18 is formed by connecting the connector housing 20 into eight layers while being laminated in the horizontal direction by the housing connecting means 26 and combining them (see FIG. 19).

  Next, the cover body 36 is connected and joined to the last connector housing 20 constituting the first connector body 18 by the housing connecting means 26 (see FIGS. 20 and 21). The cover body 36 holds the first connector body 18 in an unconnected state with the holder 40, and then fits the both holding pieces 44 of the holder 40 to the last connector housing. 20 may be joined together by housing connecting means 26.

  Next, both sandwiched pieces 44 of the holder 40 are inserted into and fitted into the locking concave grooves 32 provided on both sides of the connector housing 20 and the cover body 36 constituting the first connector main body 18, or On the other hand, both the side portions of the first connector main body 18 are clamped by inserting and engaging the both locking concave grooves 32 on the first connector main body 18 side with the both clamping pieces 44 of the holder 40. Then, the engagement protrusions 30 of the housing connection means 26 provided in the connector housing 20 at the foremost stage of the first connector body 18 are engaged with the engagement recesses 28 provided at the four corners of the connection piece 46 of the holder 40. Thus, the first connector main body 18 is held by the holder 40 so as to be attached / detached along the direction in which the connector housing 20 is assembled, thereby forming the first connector portion 10 (see FIGS. 22 and 23).

  Next, both side wall pieces 52 of the lever 16 are slightly widened on both sides so that the boss portion 48 of the first connector portion 10 can be inserted into the boss portion insertion hole 56 of the lever 16. The portion 48 is inserted, and the lever 16 is rotatably supported on the boss portion 48 of the first connector portion 10 and is temporarily fixed and held in an inclined state by the lever inclined temporary fixing means 72 (see FIGS. 24 and 25).

  Next, in this state, the first connector portion 10 is inserted into the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12 as shown in FIG. By this insertion operation, the tip end portion of the temporary fixing arm 76 of the lever inclined temporary fixing means 72 abuts against the slope 78a of the lever engagement release portion 78 and is spread outward, and is engaged with the locking claw 74. Is released, and the temporarily fixed state of the lever 16 is released.

  Next, a portion corresponding to the connecting piece 54 of the lever 16 is pressed and pushed downward, so that the lever 16 is centered on the boss portion 48 with respect to the first connector portion 10 and with respect to the second connector portion 12. Then, the lever fulcrum protrusion 58 is used as a fulcrum to rotate the tilted temporarily fixed state to the horizontal prone state. By this lever turning operation, the first connector part 10 is pushed down to the inner part of the hood part 14 of the second connector part 12 to be fitted to the second connector part 12, and the female terminal 24 of the first connector part 10 is moved to the first position. 2 Connect to the male terminal 64 of the connector section 12. At the same time, the convex portion 38 a of the cover body 36 of the first connector portion 10 is inserted into the concave portion 68 a provided in the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12, and the lever 16 is engaged with the locking claw 70. Fix (see FIG. 27). In addition, when the number of combined layers of the connector housing 20 of the first connector portion 10 is not eight layers by mistake, for example, when the number is seven, the convex portion 38a of the cover body 36 is a concave portion of the second connector portion 12. Although it tries to insert into 68b, since the magnitude | size does not match, it does not insert and it can prevent the 1st, 2nd connector part 10 and 12 miscoupling.

  The lever fitting type connector of the embodiment is an example in which the number of combined layers of the connector housing 20 of the first connector portion 10 is eight, but by changing the number of poles of the connector, the number of combined layers of the connector housing 20 is For example, as shown in FIG. 16, when it is necessary to change to five layers, the lever 16 is removed from the first connector portion 10 and the housing connecting means 26 on the connecting piece 46 side of the holder 40 is engaged. The first connector body 18 is removed from the holder 40 by releasing. Next, three unnecessary connector housings 20 out of the eight connector housings 20 constituting the first connector main body 18 are released by releasing the engagement of the housing connecting means 26, or the remaining connectors as necessary. The housings 20 are rearranged, replaced with a new connector housing 20, etc., and the necessary five connector housings 20 are connected and combined by the housing connecting means 26. The cover body 36 is connected and united to form a new first connector body 18. Then, the first connector main body 18 is sandwiched by the holder 40 and is held so as to be detachable, thereby forming a new first connector portion 10 (see FIG. 28).

  Next, in the same manner as described above, the lever 16 is rotatably supported on the boss portion 48 of the first connector portion 10, and is temporarily fixed and held in an inclined state by the lever inclined temporary fixing means 72 (see FIG. 29), then, as shown in FIG. 30, the first connector portion 10 is inserted into the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12, and the temporarily fixed state of the lever 16 by the lever inclined temporary fixing means 72 is removed. Then, the lever 16 is pushed downward to rotate from the temporarily fixed state inclined to the horizontal overturned state, and the first connector part 10 is pushed down to the inner part of the hood part 14 of the second connector part 12, thereby the second connector part. 12, the first and second connector portions 10 and 12 are connected (see FIG. 31). Even when the number of combined layers of the first connector portion 10 is other than the five layers, it is possible to quickly, accurately and easily respond to changes in the number of poles and the like by the same method.

  The lever fitting type connector of the embodiment is an example in which each of the first connector part 10 and the second connector part 12 is provided, but the first connector part is provided with any one or both, and is arbitrarily selected. 10 and the second connector portion 12 may be fitted to form a connector. For example, in the case of T- and Y-type branch connection, two first connector portions 10 and one second connector portion 12 are provided, and two hood portions 14 are formed in the second connector portion 12. It is also possible to fit the first connector part 10 with the lever 16 in each hood part 14. Moreover, you may make it connect at least one of the 1st, 2nd connector parts 10 and 12 to support bodies, such as apparatuses other than the electric wire W, a panel.

  According to the lever fitting type connector of the present invention, as shown in the above-described embodiment, both side portions of the first connector body 18 are sandwiched by the frame-shaped holder 40 so as to be detachable in the direction in which the connector housing 20 is assembled. Therefore, even if it is necessary to change the number of poles of the connector due to changes in the wiring harness circuit and circuit specifications, etc., the first connector portion 10 and the lever 16 for fitting it to the second connector portion 12 are provided each time. There is no need to replace them, and each one can be shared and the position of the plurality of connector housings 20 constituting the first connector body 18 can be changed and the number of combined layers can be increased or decreased. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of newly manufacturing the first connector unit 10 every time the number of poles is changed, and to reduce the cost of the connector.

  Further, since the boss portion 48 that rotatably supports the lever 16 protrudes from both sides of the holder 40 instead of the first connector body 18, that is, the connector housing 20, the connector can be changed by changing the number of poles. Even if the combination position of the housing 20 is changed or the number of combined layers is changed, the position of the boss portion 48 is not shifted in the longitudinal direction of the first connector body 18 and the lever 16 can be supported accurately. Therefore, the first connector portion 10 can be smoothly fitted into the hood portion 14 of the second connector portion 12 without any trouble. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly cope with changes in the number of poles of the connector, the application range (degree of freedom) is widened, and versatility can be enhanced.

1 shows an embodiment of a lever fitting type connector according to the present invention, and shows a state before a fitting is performed after inserting a first connector part having a combined number of 8 layers of connector housings into a hood part of a second connector part. It is sectional drawing. It is an AA arrow line view of FIG. It is a BB line arrow directional view of FIG. It is CC line arrow line view of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the state which made the 1st connector part fit in the food | hood part of a 2nd connector part from the state of FIG. FIG. 6 is a view taken along line DD in FIG. 5. It is a top view of the 2nd connector part shown in FIG. It is a front view of the state which supported the lever to the 1st connector part shown in FIG. 1 so that rotation was possible. It is the EE arrow directional view of FIG. It is a FF line arrow directional view of FIG. It is a front view of the 1st connector part shown in FIG. It is a top view of the 1st connector part shown in FIG. It is a right view of the 1st connector part shown in FIG. In this invention, it is a top view which shows the 1st connector part whose number of unification layers of a connector housing is seven layers. In this invention, it is a top view which shows the 1st connector part whose number of unification layers of a connector housing is six layers. In this invention, it is a top view which shows the 1st connector part whose number of unification layers of a connector housing is five layers. When assembling the lever fitting type connector shown in FIG. 1, it is a perspective view of the state which inserts the female terminal to which the electric wire was connected in the terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing of the 1st connector part. It is a perspective view of the state which inserted the female terminal in the terminal storage chamber of the connector housing shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the 1st connector main body which connected and united the connector housing shown in FIG. 18 into 8 layers. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a state in which the cover body is connected to and merged with the last connector housing of the first connector body shown in FIG. 19. It is a perspective view of the 1st connector main body which connected and united the cover body to the connector housing of the last stage shown in FIG. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a state in which both the sandwiching pieces of the holder are fitted into the locking concave grooves on both sides of the first connector body shown in FIG. 21 and both sides of the first connector body are sandwiched. It is a perspective view of the 1st connector part hold | maintained so that the 1st connector main body shown in FIG. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a state in which a lever is rotatably supported on a boss portion of the first connector portion shown in FIG. 23. It is a perspective view of the state which supported the lever in the boss | hub part of the 1st connector part shown in FIG. 24 so that rotation was possible in the inclined state. It is a perspective view of the state which inserts the 1st connector part of the state shown in FIG. 25 in the food | hood part of a 2nd connector part. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a state in which the lever is pushed downward from the state of FIG. 26 and rotated from a temporarily fixed state inclined to a horizontally overturned state, and the first connector portion is fitted in the hood portion of the second connector portion. . It is a perspective view of the 1st connector part hold | maintained so that the 1st connector main body of the number of unification layers of a connector housing may be pinched | interposed with a holder, and it can mount / dismount in the union direction of a connector housing. It is a perspective view of the state which supported the lever in the boss | hub part of the 1st connector part shown in FIG. 28 so that rotation was possible in the inclined state. It is a perspective view of the state which inserts the 1st connector part of the state shown in FIG. 29 in the food | hood part of a 2nd connector part. FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a state in which the lever is pushed downward from the state of FIG. 30 and rotated from a temporarily fixed state inclined to a horizontally overturned state, and the first connector portion is fitted in the hood portion of the second connector portion. .

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 1st connector part 12 2nd connector part 14 Hood part 16 Lever 18 1st connector main body 20 Connector housing 22 Terminal accommodating chamber 24 Female terminal 26 Housing connection means 28 Engaging recessed part 30 Engaging convex part 32 Engaging concave part 32a Tab 34 Guide groove 36 Cover body 38a Convex part 38b Convex part 38c Convex part 38d Convex part 40 Holder 42 Holder base 44 Clamping piece 46 Connecting piece 48 Boss part 50 Gutter part 52 Side wall piece 54 Connecting piece 56 Boss part insertion hole 58 Lever fulcrum protrusion 60 Lock cover 62 Locking protrusion 64 Male terminal 66 Guide rib 68a Recess 68b Recess 68c Recess 68d Recess 70 Locking claw 72 Lever tilt temporary fixing means 74 Locking claw 76 Temporary fixing arm 78 Lever engagement Release part 78a Slope W Electric wire

Claims (4)

A first connector portion having a first connector body in which a plurality of connector housings are connected in a separable manner; a second connector portion having a hood portion into which the first connector portion is fitted;
In the lever fitting type connector comprising: a lever that is rotatably supported by a boss part projecting from both sides of the connector part and that fits the first connector part into the hood part of the second connector part. The connector part is formed in a frame shape so as to sandwich both side parts of the first connector body, and the first part
A lever fitting type connector characterized by comprising a holder in which a connector main body is detachably held in the direction of uniting a connector housing and the bosses project from both sides. A holder base formed in a substantially U-shaped frame shape by a pair of sandwiching pieces extending in the direction of uniting the connector housing of the first connector body and facing each other and a connecting piece connecting the bases thereof; A boss projecting from the side of the both sandwiched pieces, and both sandwiched pieces of the holder base,
The both sides of each connector housing of the first connector body are fitted into the locking grooves provided along the connector housing uniting direction so as to sandwich the both sides of the first connector body, and the first connector body is connected to the connector. The lever fitting type connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is held so as to be attached / detached in a direction in which the housing is united. The first connector body is configured by connecting and combining a cover body having substantially the same width and height as the connector housing at the last stage of the connector housing combined with a plurality of layers,
A convex portion having a shape or a size set according to the number of combined layers of the connector housing is provided at both lower portions of the cover body, and a shape that fits the convex portion at the bottom in the hood portion of the second connector portion or The lever fitting type connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a concave portion having a size and having a convex portion inserted by fitting of the first connector portion is provided. The lever is formed in a substantially U-shaped frame shape with a pair of side wall pieces arranged opposite to each other with an interval matching the outer width of both sandwiching pieces of the holder and a connecting piece connecting the base parts thereof, and both side walls thereof. A boss insertion hole for inserting the boss portion of the holder is provided in the piece, and the lever is horizontally placed from the inclined temporarily fixed state on the lower outer surface on the front end side of both side wall pieces as a fulcrum with respect to the second connector portion. A lever fulcrum projection is provided for fitting the first connector part to the second connector part by the operation of turning to the overturned state of the first connector part, and the first connector part is placed in the hood part of the second connector part. A lever inclination temporary fixing means for temporarily fixing in an inclined state before being inserted, and the lever inclination temporary fixing means includes a locking claw protruding from the side portions of the sandwiching pieces of the holder; At the bottom of both side wall pieces of the lever, the length of the lever A temporary fixing arm that is provided so as to be inclined obliquely downward toward the connecting piece side along the direction, and includes an elastic tongue piece that engages with the locking claw and temporarily fixes the lever in an inclined state; and a second connector portion The hood portion has a slope inclined obliquely downward toward the inner wall of the hood portion, and the slope is disposed in the vicinity of the upper portion of the inner wall of the hood portion, and the first connector is disposed in the hood portion. When the part is inserted and the temporary fixing arm comes into contact with the slope, the temporary fixing arm is pushed outward to release the engagement with the locking claw, and the lever is rotated around the boss part. The lever fitting type connector according to claim 2 or 3, comprising a lever engagement release portion that enables the lever engagement release portion.

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