JPH11185872A - Lever connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a lever operator to clearly feel when both connectors are completely fitted and a lever is locked. SOLUTION: A rack and pinion mechanism is constituted of one gear 19 formed in a lever 10 and a rack gear face 21 engaged with the gear 19 following the rotary movement of the lever 10 in the clockwise direction at the time of fitting both connectors and released from the gear on completion of the fitting of both connectors and after the engagement of the gear 19 and the rack gear face 21 is released due to completion of the fitting of both connectors, the lever 10 is locked.

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 in which a pair of connectors is disengaged by turning a lever.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-997
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 87-87, one of a pair of connectors removably fitted to each other includes:
A lever having a plurality of teeth is rotatably supported pivotally, and a plurality of teeth provided on the lever and a rack provided on the other connector and meshing with the teeth constitute a rack and pinion mechanism, The rack with the rotation of the lever
There is known a lever-type connector configured so that both connectors can be disengaged by the action of a pinion mechanism. A lock mechanism is provided between the lever and the one connector to which the lever is attached, the lock mechanism locking the lever at both ends of its rotation range by engaging the concave and convex.

[0003]

However, in a conventional lever-type connector of this type, when the lever is rotated to fit the two connectors together, the rack / connector is not connected even when the fitting is completed.
Since the engagement state of the pinion mechanism is continued and the load is applied to the lever, the lever operator cannot clearly sense the completion time of the mating of the two connectors and the locking time of the lever. There is a problem that the rotation of the lever is stopped at a position before the completion of the fitting of the two connectors, and the fitting of the two connectors becomes insufficient.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a lever-type connector which allows a lever operator to clearly sense when the two connectors are completely fitted and when the lever is locked. I do.

[0005]

According to the lever connector of the present invention, a rack and pinion mechanism provided between a pair of connectors which are removably fitted to each other is provided on a lever provided on one of the connectors. And one rack tooth surface provided on the other connector.

[0006] The tooth surface of the rack engages with the teeth of the lever with the rotation of the lever when the two connectors are mated, and is disengaged after the mating of the two connectors is completed.

In addition, a locking mechanism is configured to lock the lever after the engagement between the two connectors has been completed and the teeth of the lever are disengaged from the tooth flank of the rack with the completion of the engagement of the two connectors. It has.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a rack and pinion mechanism provided between a pair of connectors which are removably fitted to each other can be used when fitting both connectors to one tooth provided on a lever. A lock mechanism for engaging and disengaging the connectors after the mating of the two connectors is provided, and a locking mechanism for locking the lever is provided when the mating of the two connectors is completed when the two connectors are mated. In this configuration, the lever is locked after the teeth are disengaged from the rack flank, so that when the two connectors are fitted, the lever once idles with the completion of the fitting. Since the locked state is established after the state, the lever operator can clearly sense the time when the two connectors are completely fitted and the time when the locked state is reached.

Therefore, when the lever is rotated to fit the two connectors together, the problem that the rotation of the lever is stopped at a position before the completion of the fitting and the fitting of the two connectors becomes insufficient is solved. Is done.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of a lever type connector according to the present invention will be described in detail. 1 to 1
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.
Is a front view showing an initial state of mating of both connectors, FIGS.
Are the lines II-II, III-III and IV- in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a front view showing completion of mating of both connectors, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a front view showing a state in which the lever is locked after the fitting of both connectors is completed, and FIG. Sectional view along the line, FIG.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12 to 16 are explanatory views of the operation of the rack and pinion mechanism provided in the lever-type connector of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a lever type connector according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 4, a large number of pin contacts (not shown) are accommodated in a concave cap housing 1 fixed to a printed wiring board or the like in an upright state, and tine portions (not shown) of these pin contacts are accommodated. ) Protrudes from the bottom surface 1 a of the cap housing 1 (the other connector), and a plug housing (hereinafter simply referred to as a plug) 3 (one connector) removably attached to the cap 2. The plug 3 houses a number of receptacle contacts (not shown) connected to the pin contacts of the cap 2 and is fitted into the cap housing 1 to be inserted into the cap housing 1.
The plug housing includes a plug housing hood portion 5 fitted to the outside of the cap housing 1 and a wire cover 6 fitted to an upper portion of the plug housing main body portion 4 and having a wire outlet 6a on the upper right side. As is clear from FIG. 2, the center of the cap housing 1 and the plug housing main body 4 is formed to be narrow, and between the outer wall surface of the cap housing 1 and the inner wall surface of the plug housing hood 5. A space for rotatably supporting a lever 10 to be described later and for providing a rack and pinion mechanism is formed.

A housing lance 7 for holding a receptacle contact is formed integrally with the inside of the plug housing main body 4.
A waterproof sealing member 8 interposed between the sealing member 8 and the cap housing 1 is attached to an outer wall of the sealing member 8.
Is the cap housing 1 at the lower part of the seal member 8.
It is held by a seal holding member 9 interposed between the plug housing body 4 and the plug housing main body 4. Seal holding member 9
Are also engaged with the plug housing main body 4 by concave and convex engagement, and also have a function of preventing bending of the housing lance 7.

The plug 3 has a U-shaped lever 10 (FIG. 1).
2) is provided rotatably across the wire cover 6. In order to pivotally support both base ends 11, 11 of the lever 10, it is apparent from FIGS. As described above, a pair of shaft members 12, 12 protrude from the inner surface of the plug housing hood portion 5. A radial groove 12a is formed in the shaft member 12 so that elasticity is imparted in the radial direction, and the shaft member 12 is elastically fitted into shaft holes 11a formed in both base end portions 11 of the lever 10. It has become so.

The lever 10 pivots between a horizontal position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 and a vertical position shown in FIGS. 9 and 11,
Further, it is configured to be locked by a lock mechanism at each position at both ends of the rotation range.

A locking mechanism for locking the lever 10 in a horizontal position is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, and is formed of an elastic piece by a U-shaped slit 16 formed on one side wall of the plug housing hood portion 5. A lock arm 13 is formed, and the inner surface of the upper end (free end) of the lock arm 13 and the outer surface of a portion near the base end 11 of the lever 10 are engaged with each other so that the lever 10 is locked in a horizontal position. It has become. Then, in order to fit the plug 3 into the cap 2, the plug 3 is changed from the initial state shown in FIGS.
Is slightly pushed into the cap 2 to make it temporarily locked,
The taper surface 1b (FIG. 4) on the upper edge of the cap housing 1 engages with the lock arm 13 to bend the upper end of the lock arm 13 outward against its elasticity, whereby the lock is released and the lever is released. The clockwise rotation of FIG. 10 (FIG. 1) is allowed.

The locking mechanism for locking the lever 10 in the vertical position comprises a projection 14 provided with elasticity by a slit 15 formed on the upper surface of the wire cover 6,
After the top of the U-shaped lever 10 passes while bending the elastic projection 14 downward, the elastic projection 14 protrudes upward by its own elasticity, and as shown in FIGS. In some cases, it is locked in the vertical position. When the lever 10 is rotated counterclockwise (FIG. 9) from the locked position, the rotation of the lever 10 is allowed by pressing the elastic projection 14 downward.

As shown in FIG. 5, the base end 11 of the lever 10 has one tooth 19 functioning as a pinion of a rack and pinion mechanism, and a stopper maintaining a predetermined angular interval with respect to the tooth 19. The protrusion 20 is formed integrally.

On the other hand, as apparent from FIG. 5, the cap housing 1 has a rack portion R of a rack and pinion mechanism.
The rack portion R is formed such that a first rack tooth surface 21 and a second rack tooth surface 22 face each other across a valley 23 into which the teeth 19 engage. ing. Further, on the rear surface of the second rack tooth surface 22, the lever 1 is provided.
An engagement surface 24 is provided which engages with the stopper projection 20 when 0 is locked in the vertical position shown in FIG.

In the lever-type connector of this embodiment, the wire cover 6 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 with respect to the plug housing body 4 in order to provide the wire outlet 6a of the wire cover 6 at the upper left. It can be fitted left and right opposite to the state. In this case, since the lever 10 is also attached to the right side, the above-described lock arm 13 and rack portion R are provided symmetrically in a pair.

Next, an operation when the plug 3 is fitted to the cap 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, from the state shown in FIGS.
Is slightly pressed into the cap 2 to temporarily lock the lever 10, the lock arm 13 unlocks the lever 10, so that the lever 10 can rotate clockwise. In this state, FIG. As shown in FIG.
Since the teeth 19 of the lever 10 are not engaged with the rack tooth surfaces 21 and 22, the lever 10 is idle. When the lever 10 is rotated clockwise from this state, the teeth 19
Engages with the first rack tooth surface 21, and the plug 3 moves downward by the operation of the rack and pinion mechanism to reach the state shown in FIG.

When the lever 10 is further rotated clockwise, the state shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 and FIG. 14 is reached, the fitting of the plug 3 to the cap 2 is completed, and the lever 10 is further rotated clockwise. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the engagement between the teeth 19 and the first rack tooth surface 21 is released, and the lever 10 is idled. When the lever 10 is further rotated clockwise, the lever 10 rides over the elastic projection 14 and the lever 10 is locked in the vertical position by the elastic projection 14 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11.

Therefore, the operator of the lever 10 can clearly feel the time when the plug 3 is completely fitted to the cap 2 and the time when the lever 10 is locked.

At the same time as the lever 10 is locked, the stopper projection 20 formed on the base end 11 of the lever 10 is moved to the second rack tooth surface 22 as shown in FIG.
The plug 3 is engaged with the engagement surface 24 on the rear side of the plug 3.
Unless the lever 10 is rotated, it cannot be removed from the fitting position with respect to the cap 2.

Next, when the lock of the lever 10 is released from this state, the lever 10 becomes rotatable counterclockwise in FIG. 9 in the idling state, and the teeth 19 are shifted to the first and second rack tooth surfaces 21, 21. As shown in FIG. 16, through the valley 23 between the second rack tooth 22 and the second rack tooth surface 22,
Is rotated counterclockwise to return to the state shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 by the action of the rack and pinion mechanism, and the fitted state of the plug 3 and the cap 2 is released.

Accordingly, the operator of the lever 10 can clearly feel the state in which the lock of the lever 10 is released and the time when the teeth 19 are engaged with the second rack tooth surface 22.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 18 to 21 show sequential states when both connectors are fitted together. FIGS. 22 and 23 are explanatory views of the operation of the rack and pinion mechanism provided in the lever-type connector of the present embodiment.

The lever-type connector of the present embodiment accommodates a large number of pin contacts (not shown) in a concave cap housing 31 fixed to a printed wiring board or the like in a lying state, and has a tine portion of the pin contacts. (Not shown) is formed by a cap 32 (the other connector) protruding from the bottom surface 31a of the cap housing 31 and a plug 33 (one connector) removably attached to the cap 32. Reference numeral 33 denotes a plug housing 34 for accommodating a number of receptacle contacts (not shown) connected to the pin contacts of the cap 32, and a plug housing 34 divided into three parts.
A frame 35 for accommodating therein (only one is shown);
And a wire cover 36 attached to the frame 35.

At the center of the frame 35, the upper and lower recesses 3 are formed.
5 a and 35 a are provided to rotatably support the lever 40 and form a space for accommodating the rack and pinion mechanism with the cap housing 31.

Also in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the wire cover 36 and the lever 40 can be mounted on the frame 35 opposite to each other on the left and right sides. Are symmetrically provided.

On the wall surfaces of the recesses 35a, 35a of the frame 35, a shaft member 42 for rotatably supporting each base end 41 of the U-shaped lever 40 is provided.
Each base end portion 41 has a disk 48 in contact with the wall surface of the recess 35a of the frame 35, a stopper projection 50 protruding from the disk 48, and one piece functioning as a pinion of a rack and pinion mechanism. Are provided.

On the inner wall surface of the cap housing 31, rack portions R, R of a rack and pinion mechanism are integrally provided. As shown in FIG. The surface 51 and the second rack tooth surface 52 are formed so as to face each other with a valley 53 into which the teeth 49 engage. An engaging surface 54 that engages with the stopper projection 50 when the lever 40 is locked at the position shown in FIG. 21 is formed on the back surface of the second rack tooth surface 52.

FIG. 18 shows a state where the plug 33 is temporarily locked to the cap 32 when the plug 33 is fitted to the cap 32. The frame 35 is provided with lock arms 43 for locking the lever 40 to the frame 35 as in the first embodiment described above.
When the lock arm 4 is temporarily locked to the cap 32,
3, the lever 40 is unlocked, and the lever 40 is released.
Becomes rotatable. The wire cover 36 has a projection 44 for locking the lever 40 and a groove 45 for holding the lever 40 in the locked position.

In the provisionally locked state shown in FIG. 18, FIG.
As shown in (a), the teeth 49 of the lever 40 are connected to the rack portion R.
Not engaged.

When the lever 49 is rotated clockwise, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2 (b), when the teeth 49 of the lever 40 are engaged with the first rack tooth surface 51 and the lever 49 is further rotated clockwise, the state shown in FIGS. 19 and 22 (c) is obtained. Become.

When the lever 49 is further rotated clockwise, the state shown in FIG.
2 (e), the fitting of the plug 33 to the cap 32 is completed, the teeth 49 of the lever 40 are separated from the first rack tooth surface 51, and the idle rotation of the lever 40 is started. Next, the lever 40 abuts on the protrusion 44 provided on the wire cover 36 and deflects the wire cover 36 to get over the protrusion 44, whereby the lever 40 is locked at the position shown in FIG. 21 and the rack and pinion mechanism is 22
The state shown in FIG.

Next, when the lever 40 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction from the state shown in FIG. 21, the lever 40 rides over the projection 44 due to the bending of the wire cover 36, and the lever 40 enters the idling state. When rotated clockwise, as shown in FIG.
When the 0 tooth 49 is engaged with the second rack tooth surface 52 of the rack portion R and the lever 49 is further rotated clockwise, the rack and pinion mechanism operates as shown in FIGS. 23 (b), (c) and (d). Then, the state returns to the state shown in FIG. 22A through the state described above, and the fitting of the plug 33 to the cap 32 is released.

It is apparent that the present embodiment also provides the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an initial state of fitting of a plug to a cap in a lever-type connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the lever-type connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state where the plug is completely fitted to the cap.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the lever-type connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention in which the lever is locked after the plug is completely fitted to the cap.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of the operation of the rack and pinion mechanism in the lever-type connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the operation.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the operation.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the operation.

FIG. 17 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a lever-type connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing a state where the plug is temporarily locked to a cap.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing a state where the plug is being fitted to the cap.

FIG. 20 is a front view showing a state where the plug is completely fitted to the cap;

FIG. 21 shows a state in which the plug is completely fitted to the cap.
The front view showing the state where the lever was locked.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of the operation of the lever-type connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the rack and pinion mechanism is fitted.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view of the operation of the lever-type connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the rack and pinion mechanism is disengaged.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 31 Cap housing 2, 32 Cap 3, 33 Plug 4 Plug housing main body 5 Plug housing hood 6, 36 Wire cover 10, 40 Lever 11, 41 Base end of lever 12, 42 Shaft member 13, 43 Lock arm 19, 49 Lever teeth 21, 51 First rack tooth surface 22, 52 Second rack tooth surface 23, 53 Valley 34 Plug housing 35 Frame

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takahiro Yoneda 2 Takaracho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A lever rotatably supported by one of a pair of connectors which are removably fitted to each other, and teeth provided on the lever and rotated together with the lever; A rack and pinion mechanism is constituted by a rack provided on the other connector and meshing with the teeth, and both connectors are disengaged by the action of the rack and pinion mechanism accompanying rotation of the lever. A lever mechanism provided between the lever and the one connector, the locking mechanism for locking the lever by convex engagement after the mating of the connector is completed. The one tooth provided on the lever engages with the tooth with the rotation of the lever when the two connectors are fitted, and the engagement is completed after the fitting of the two connectors is completed. A state in which the teeth are disengaged from the rack tooth surface with the completion of the mating of the two connectors when the two connectors are mated. A lever-type connector characterized by being configured to lock the lever after the above.