Patent Application
20250007213
The present disclosure relates to a connector and a connector assembly.
Conventionally, vehicles such as a hybrid car and an electric car are provided with onboard equipment including a high pressure battery and an inverter. Onboard equipment is connected to another via a wire harness and a connector assembly. A connector assembly includes a counterpart connector and a connector that can be connected to the counterpart connector by a relative movement in a first direction along a first axis. The counterpart connector includes a counterpart terminal and a counterpart housing. The connector includes a terminal electrically connectable to the counterpart terminal and a connector housing that can be fit to the counterpart housing. Such a connector thus includes a lock member for keeping a fit state in which a connector housing is fit onto a counterpart housing (for example, see Patent Document 1). Specifically, the counterpart housing has a protrusion extending in a direction crossing the first axis, and the connector housing has an engaging portion that is so flexible as to engage with the protrusion. When the lock member is slid to a locking position along the first axis relative to the connector housing in a fit state in which the connector housing is fit onto the counterpart housing, the lock member keeps the engagement between the protrusion and the engaging portion by suppressing deformation of the engaging portion. The connector configured thus can suppress easy disengagement caused by, for example, external forces such as vibrations. Moreover, in a state in which the connector housing is not fit onto the counterpart housing, a movement of the lock member from an unlocking position to the locking position is regulated by engagement with the engaging portion, thereby suppressing wrong operations. In a state in which the connector housing is fit onto the counterpart housing, the lock member is lifted to a position where the lock member is not engaged with the engaging portion by the counterpart housing, so that a movement of the lock member from the unlocking position to the locking position is permitted.
However, the connector assembly is configured to suppress wrong operations by engaging the lock member with the engaging portion. Thus, if an operation is performed by a large force, deformation or the like may lead to a wrong operation. Furthermore, the placement of the lock member at the locking position without fitting the connector housing onto the counterpart housing may cause problems, for example, the connector housing cannot be fit onto the counterpart housing.
The present disclosure has been devised to solve the problem. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector and a connector assembly that are capable of suppressing wrong operations of a lock member.
A connector according to the present disclosure is a connector connectable to a counterpart connector by a relative movement in a first direction along a first axis, the counterpart connector including a counterpart terminal and a counterpart housing, the connector including: a terminal connectable to the counterpart terminal; a connector housing that accommodates the terminal and is allowed to be fit onto the counterpart housing; a lever that is mounted on the connector housing and is movable relative to the connector housing along the first axis in a range from a first position to a second position ahead of the first position in the first direction; and a lock member that is mounted on the connector housing and is movable relative to the connector housing in a range from a third position to a fourth position, wherein the connector housing is configured to approach a state of fit to the counterpart housing as the lever moves from the first position to the second position, the lock member regulates a movement of the lever by making contact with the lever located at the second position in a state in which the lock member is located at the fourth position, and the lock member is covered with the lever in a state in which the lever is located at the first position or is exposed from the lever in a state in which the lever is located at the second position.
A connector assembly according to the present disclosure includes the connector and the counterpart connector.
According to the connector and the connector assembly of the present disclosure, a wrong operation of the lock member can be suppressed.
An embodiment of the present disclosure will be first described in list form.
[1] A connector according to the present disclosure is a connector connectable to a counterpart connector by a relative movement in a first direction along a first axis, the counterpart connector including a counterpart terminal and a counterpart housing, the connector including: a terminal connectable to the counterpart terminal; a connector housing that accommodates the terminal and is allowed to be fit onto the counterpart housing; a lever that is mounted on the connector housing and is movable relative to the connector housing along the first axis in a range from a first position to a second position ahead of the first position in the first direction; and a lock member that is mounted on the connector housing and is movable relative to the connector housing in a range from a third position to a fourth position, wherein the connector housing is configured to approach a state of fit to the counterpart housing as the lever moves from the first position to the second position, the lock member regulates a movement of the lever by making contact with the lever located at the second position in a state in which the lock member is located at the fourth position, and the lock member is covered with the lever in a state in which the lever is located at the first position or is exposed from the lever in a state in which the lever is located at the second position.
With this configuration, when the lever is moved from the first position to the second position along the first axis, the connector housing is fit into the counterpart housing. Thereafter, when the lock member is located at the fourth position, the lock member regulates the movement of the lever located at the second position, thereby keeping the fit state. The lock member is covered with the lever in a state in which the lever is located at the first position, that is, a state in which the connector housing is not fit onto the counterpart housing, so that the lock member is inoperable. Thus, a wrong operation of the lock member is suppressed. This can avoid problems, for example, interference with a fit of the connector housing onto the counterpart housing because of a wrong operation of the lock member. The lock member is exposed from the lever in a state in which the lever is located at the second position, that is, a state in which the connector housing is fit onto the counterpart housing, so that the lock member is normally operable at the fourth position.
[2] It is preferable that the connector includes an arm that is drivingly coupled to the lever and moves in a direction different from the moving direction of the lever according to a relative movement of the lever, wherein the arm has an engaging portion that is allowed to be engaged with an engaged portion of the counterpart housing, and the connector housing is configured to move relative to the counterpart housing and approach a state of fit to the counterpart housing as the engaging portion in engagement with the engaged portion moves according to a movement of the lever from the first position to the second position.
With this configuration, the arm moves as the lever moves from the first position to the second position, and the engaging portion in engagement with the engaged portion of the counterpart housing also moves, so that the connector housing can be brought close to a state of fit to the counterpart housing.
[3] The lock member is preferably movable in the range from the third position to the fourth position along a second axis crossing the first axis.
With this configuration, the lock member is movable in the range from the third position to the fourth position along the second axis crossing the first axis, thereby firmly keeping a fit state. For example, as compared with a conventional configuration that keeps a state of fit to a small protrusion of a counterpart housing, the protrusion extending in a direction crossing the first axis, a fit state can be more firmly kept. In other words, as compared with a conventional configuration that keeps a state of fit to a small protrusion, the lock member can receive a larger force over a wider range, thereby firmly keeping a fit state. Moreover, the lock member moves along the second axis as a different axis from the first axis along which the lever moves, and comes into contact with the lever. This eliminates the need for, for example, sliding over the protrusion with deformation unlike in the conventional art. Thus, the lock member does not need to have flexibility and can be configured with resistance to breaking, so that a fit state can be firmly kept.
[4] It is preferable that in a state in which the lever is located at the first position, a movement of the lock member from the third position to the fourth position is regulated by bringing the lock member into contact with the lever.
With this configuration, a wrong operation, for example, moving the lock member from the third position to the fourth position with the lever located at the first position can be more prevented.
[5] It is preferable that the lever has a contact portion at the end of the lever on the side of a first opposite direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the lock member regulates a movement of the lever by making contact with the contact portion of the lever located at the second position in a state in which the lock member is located at the fourth position.
With this configuration, the lock member regulates a movement of the lever by making contact with the contact portion at the end of the lever on the side of the first opposite direction, thereby firmly regulating a movement of the lever to the first position with a simple configuration. For example, in a configuration where a contact portion is provided at a portion other than the end of the lever on the side of the first opposite direction, a configuration that protrudes the contact portion in a direction crossing the first axis is necessary, which may lead to a complicated configuration and difficulty in improving rigidity. This problem can be avoided by the foregoing configuration. Thus, a movement of the lever to the first position can be firmly regulated with a simple configuration.
[6] The connector housing preferably includes a support portion capable of holding the lock member with the lever along the first axis in a state in which the lever is located at the second position and the lock member is located at the fourth position.
With this configuration, the lock member that regulates a movement of the lever to the first position is supported by the support portion against a force received from the lever. Thus, a movement of the lever to the first position can be more firmly regulated.
[7] It is preferable that the connector housing includes a mounting portion capable of mounting the lock member, the mounting portion includes a pair of rail grooves extending along the second axis, and the lock member includes a pair of sliding portions that are fit into the rail grooves and are slidable along the rail grooves and a coupling portion that couples the pair of sliding portions.
With this configuration, the lock member is configured such that the pair of sliding portions coupled by the coupling portion are fit into the respective rail grooves of the mounting portion and are guided therein, so that the lock member hardly rattles and can stably move with respect to the connector housing.
[8] It is preferable that the rail groove has a horizontal groove that is recessed in a direction crossing the recessing direction of the rail groove and the sliding portion has a convex portion to be fit into the horizontal groove.
With this configuration, the convex portions fit into the horizontal grooves suppress derailment of the sliding portions in a direction opposite to the recessing direction of the rail grooves, so that the lock member is held by the mounting portion.
[9] It is preferable that the lock member is mounted by a movement relative to the mounting portion in a second direction along the second axis, the mounting portion has a retaining convex portion between the pair of rail grooves, the coupling portion has a retaining portion that suppresses the removal of the lock member from the mounting portion by engagement of the retaining portion with the retaining convex portion in a second opposite direction opposite to the second direction, and the retaining portion is allowed to slide over the retaining convex portion as the coupling portion is deformed by a movement of the lock member relative to the mounting portion in the second direction.
With this configuration, the lock member is mounted by a movement relative to the mounting portion in the second direction along the second axis. The retaining portion of the coupling portion is engaged with the retaining convex portion of the mounting portion in the second opposite direction opposite to the second direction, so that the removal of the lock member from the mounting portion is suppressed. Moreover, the retaining portion is allowed to slide over the retaining convex portion as the coupling portion is deformed by a movement of the lock member relative to the mounting portion in the second direction. Thus, only by moving the lock member relative to the mounting portion in the second direction with a force capable of deforming the coupling portion, the lock member can be mounted without being removed from the mounting portion in the second opposite direction.
[10] It is preferable that the mounting portion has a position-keeping convex portion between the pair of rail grooves, the coupling portion has a position-keeping portion that suppresses a movement of the lock member from the third position to the fourth position and a movement of the lock member from the fourth position to the third position by engagement of the position-keeping portion with the position-keeping convex portion and holds the lock member at the third position or the fourth position, and the position-keeping portion is allowed to slide over the position-keeping convex portion as the coupling portion is deformed by a movement of the lock member relative to the mounting portion along the second axis.
With this configuration, the position-keeping portion of the coupling portion is engaged with the position-keeping convex portion of the mounting portion, so that the lock member is held at the third position or the fourth position. The position-keeping portion is allowed to slide over the position-keeping convex portion as the coupling portion is deformed by a movement of the lock member relative to the mounting portion along the second axis. Thus, the lock member is moved along the second axis with a force capable of deforming the coupling portion, so that the position of the lock member can be switched between the third position and the fourth position.
[11] It is preferable that the coupling portion having the retaining portion and the coupling portion having the position-keeping portion are the same.
With this configuration, for example, as compared with a configuration where a coupling portion having a retaining portion and a coupling portion having a position-keeping portion are separate coupling portions, the lock member has a simpler configuration.
[12] A connector assembly according to the present disclosure includes the connector and the counterpart connector.
With this configuration, a wrong operation of the lock member can be suppressed in the connector assembly.
A specific example of a connector assembly according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, some configurations may be exaggerated or simplified for convenience of explanation. Moreover, the scale ratios of parts may vary among the drawings. “Parallel,” “orthogonal,” and “perfect circle” in the present specification mean nearly parallel, nearly orthogonal, and a nearly perfect circle within the scope of the working-effect of the present embodiment as well as strictly parallel, strictly orthogonal, and a strictly perfect circle. The present invention is not limited to these illustrations and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all changes in the scope.
As illustrated in
The counterpart connector 21 includes counterpart terminals 22 and a counterpart housing 23 that accommodates the counterpart terminals 22. The counterpart terminals 22 extend along the first axis X. The two counterpart terminals 22 are provided in parallel along the second axis Y. The counterpart terminal 22 has one end connected to, for example, the connecting terminal of onboard equipment in the first direction X1. The counterpart housing 23 is configured with an insulating resin material. The counterpart housing 23 is shaped like a square pillar opened in the first opposite direction X2 opposite to the first direction X1. A wall portion 23a extending along the second axis Y on the counterpart housing 23 has a protruding extension 24 that protrudes outward along the third axis Z and extends along the first axis X. Furthermore, an engaged portion 25 protruding along the third axis Z is provided on the side of the first opposite direction X2 of the protruding extension 24. The engaged portion 25 is shaped like a circular cylinder. Moreover, a portion ahead of the engaged portion 25 in the first opposite direction X2 on the protruding extension 24 constitutes an extruding portion 26. On the counterpart housing 23, one end on the side of the first direction X1 is fixed to, for example, the housing of onboard equipment.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The connector housing 33 is configured with an insulating resin material.
As illustrated in
The wall portion 33a also have a mounting portion 41 where the lock member 36 can be mounted. The mounting portion 41 allows the lock member 36 to be mounted by a relative movement to the mounting portion 41 in the second direction Y1 along the second axis Y. The mounting portion 41 is provided ahead of the slit 33b and the rotating shaft 33c in the first opposite direction X2 on the wall portion 33a. Moreover, the mounting portion 41 is provided ahead of the slit 33b and the rotating shaft 33c in the second opposite direction Y2, which is opposite to the second direction Y1, on the wall portion 33a.
As illustrated in
The lever 34 is configured with a resin material.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The arm 35 is configured with a resin material.
As illustrated in
The pair of engaging portions 35b has opposing surfaces constituting a slit 35d. As illustrated in
The distal-end portion of the extended portion 35c has a coupling shaft 35e that projects along the third axis Z. As illustrated in
With this configuration, the connector housing 33 is configured to approach a state of fit to the counterpart housing 23 as the lever 34 moves from the first position P1 (see
The lock member 36 is configured with a resin material.
As illustrated in
In a state in which the lock member 36 is mounted on the mounting portion 41, the first coupling portion 36b couples the ends of the pair of sliding portions 36a on the side of the second direction Y1. The second coupling portion 36c couples the ends of the pair of sliding portions 36a on the side of the second opposite direction Y2. The third coupling portion 36d couples the intermediate portions of the sliding portions 36a.
As illustrated in
The retaining portion 36f has an inclined face 36g at a corner on the side of the second direction Y1. The inclined face 36g of the retaining portion 36f and the inclined face 41e of the retaining convex portion 41d generate component forces that deform the third coupling portion 36d in a direction separating from the wall portion 33a of the connector housing 33 when the lock member 36 is assembled onto the mounting portion 41. With this configuration, the retaining portion 36f is allowed to slide over the retaining convex portion 41d as the third coupling portion 36d is deformed by a movement of the lock member 36 relative to the mounting portion 41 in the second direction Y1. Thus, the lock member 36 is moved relative to the mounting portion 41 in the second direction Y1, so that the lock member 36 can be smoothly mounted on the mounting portion 41.
As illustrated in
The position-keeping portion 36h has an inclined face 36j at a corner on the side of the second opposite direction Y2. The inclined face 36j of the position-keeping portion 36h and the inclined face 41g of the position-keeping convex portion 41f generate component forces that deform the third coupling portion 36d in a direction separating from the wall portion 33a of the connector housing 33 when the lock member 36 is moved from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4. The position-keeping portion 36h has an inclined face 36k at a corner on the side of the second direction Y1. The inclined face 36k of the position-keeping portion 36h and the inclined face 41h of the position-keeping convex portion 41f generate component forces that deform the third coupling portion 36d in a direction separating from the wall portion 33a of the connector housing 33 when the lock member 36 is moved from the fourth position P4 to the third position P3. With this configuration, the position-keeping portion 36h is allowed to slide over the position-keeping convex portion 41f as the third coupling portion 36d is deformed by a movement of the lock member 36 relative to the mounting portion 41 along the second axis Y. Thus, the lock member 36 is moved along the second axis Y with a force capable of deforming the third coupling portion 36d, so that the position of the lock member 36 can be switched between the third position P3 and the fourth position P4.
The first coupling portion 36b has an operation portion 36m. The operation portion 36m is shaped like, for example, steps that allow an operator to easily operate the lock member 36 with the fingers.
The second coupling portion 36c has a lock portion 36n. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 13, the lock portion 36n regulates a movement of the lever 34 to the first position P1 by making contact with the contact portion 34d of the lever 34 at the second position P2 in a state in which the lock member 36 is located at the fourth position P4. Furthermore, in a state in which the lock member 36 is located at the fourth position P4, the lock portion 36n is held by the contact portion 34d of the lever 34 located at the second position P2 and the support portion 42 of the connector housing 33 along the first axis X. The lock portion 36n of the present embodiment has an inclined portion 36p that gradually decreases in height toward the support portion 42, that is, toward the first opposite direction X2 according to a height of the support portion 42 from the wall portion 33a.
As illustrated in
In a state in which the lever 34 is located at the first position P1, the lock member 36 is brought into contact with the lever 34, so that a movement of the lock member 36 from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4 is regulated. Specifically, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Thereafter, the locking protrusion 51 is pressed out of the slit 33b by the extruding portion 26 of the counterpart housing 23 in an initial state of fit into the connector housing 33. As illustrated in
Specifically, as illustrated in
The locking protrusion 51 has a first inclined face 51b. The first inclined face 51b is inclined with respect to a plane along the third axis Z. The first inclined face 51b generates component forces that allow the lever 34 to slide over the step 33g on a surface facing the arm 35 on the connector housing 33 when the lever 34 moves from the second position P2 side to the first position P1 side.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Operations performed when the connector assembly 11 configured thus is connected will be describe below.
As illustrated in
Furthermore, when the connector 31 is connected to the counterpart connector 21, an operator moves the connector 31 relative to the counterpart connector 21 in the first direction X1 and places the connector housing 33 into an initial fit state in which the connector housing 33 is slightly fit onto the counterpart housing 23. Thus, as illustrated in
The operator then holds the lever 34 to move the lever 34 in the first direction X1. Thus, the lever 34 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2. At this point, the arm 35 pivots to move the engaging portions 35b in engagement with the engaged portion 25 as the lever 34 moves. The engaging portions 35b at this point operate to draw the engaged portion 25 inward, allowing the connector housing 33 to move relative to the counterpart housing 23 into a fit state in which the connector housing 33 is completely fit onto the counterpart housing 23. Thus, the terminals 32 are electrically connected to the counterpart terminals 22. In a state in which the lever 34 is located at the second position P2, the lock member 36 is exposed from the lever 34. Specifically, in a state in which the lever 34 is located at the second position P2, the lock member 36 is operably exposed from the lever 34 and cannot come into contact with the regulating surface 34f, so that a movement of the lock member 36 from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4 is permitted.
The operator then operates the operation portion 36m of the lock member 36 to move the lock member 36 from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4. Thus, as illustrated in
The effects of the embodiment will be described below.
(1) When the lever 34 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2 along the first axis X, the connector housing 33 is fit onto the counterpart housing 23. Thereafter, when the lock member 36 is located at the fourth position P4, the lock member 36 regulates the movement of the lever 34 located at the second position P2, thereby keeping the fit state. The lock member 36 is covered with the lever 34 in a state in which the lever 34 is located at the first position P1, that is, a state in which the connector housing 33 is not fit onto the counterpart housing 23, so that the lock member 36 is inoperable. Thus, a wrong operation of the lock member 36 is suppressed. This can avoid interference with a movement of the lever 34 in the event of, for example, a wrong operation of the lock member 36, thereby avoiding problems, for example, interference with a fit of the connector housing 33 onto the counterpart housing 23. The lock member 36 is exposed from the lever 34 in a state in which the lever 34 is located at the second position P2, that is, a state in which the connector housing 33 is fit onto the counterpart housing 23, so that the lock member 36 is normally operable at the fourth position P4.
(2) The arm 35 has the engaging portions 35b that can be engaged with the engaged portion 25 of the counterpart housing 23. The arm 35 then moves as the lever 34 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and the engaging portions 35b in engagement with the engaged portion 25 of the counterpart housing 23 also move, so that the connector housing 33 can be brought close to a state of fit to the counterpart housing 23.
(3) The lock member 36 can move in the range from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4 along the second axis Y crossing the first axis X, thereby firmly keeping a fit state. For example, as compared with a conventional configuration that keeps a state of fit to a small protrusion of a counterpart housing, the protrusion extending in a direction crossing the first axis X, a fit state can be more firmly kept. In other words, as compared with a conventional configuration that keeps a state of fit to a small protrusion, the lock member 36 can receive a larger force over a wider range, thereby firmly keeping a fit state. Moreover, the lock member 36 moves along the second axis Y as a different axis from the first axis X along which the lever 34 moves, and comes into contact with the lever 34. This eliminates the need for, for example, sliding over the protrusion with deformation unlike in the conventional art. Thus, the lock member 36 does not need to have flexibility and can be configured with resistance to breaking, so that a fit state can be firmly kept.
(4) In a state in which the lever 34 is located at the first position P1, a movement of the lock member 36 from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4 is regulated by bringing the lock member 36 into contact with the lever 34. Thus, a wrong operation, for example, moving the lock member 36 from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4 with the lever 34 located at the first position P1 can be prevented.
(5) The lock member 36 regulates a movement of the lever 34 by making contact with the contact portion 34d at the end of the lever 34 on the side of the first opposite direction X2, thereby firmly regulating a movement of the lever 34 to the first position P1 with a simple configuration. For example, in a configuration where a contact portion is provided at a portion other than the end of the lever 34 on the side of the first opposite direction X2, a configuration that protrudes the contact portion in a direction crossing the first axis X is necessary. This may lead to a complicated configuration and difficulty in improving rigidity. This problem can be avoided by the foregoing configuration. Thus, a movement of the lever 34 to the first position P1 can be firmly regulated with a simple configuration.
(6) The connector housing 33 includes the support portion 42 capable of holding the lock member 36 with the lever 34 along the first axis X in a state in which the lever 34 is located at the second position P2 and the lock member 36 is located at the fourth position P4. Thus, the lock member 36 that regulates a movement of the lever 34 to the first position P1 is supported by the support portion 42 against a force received from the lever 34. Thus, a movement of the lever 34 to the first position P1 can be more firmly regulated.
(7) The mounting portion 41 of the connector housing 33 has the pair of rail grooves 41a that extend along the second axis Y. The lock member 36 is configured such that the pair of sliding portions 36a coupled by the first coupling portion 36b, the second coupling portion 36c, and the third coupling portion 36d is fit into the rail grooves 41a and is guided therein. Thus, the lock member 36 hardly rattles and can stably move with respect to the connector housing 33.
(8) The rail groove 41a has the horizontal groove 41c that is recessed in the direction crossing the recessing direction of the rail groove 41a, and the sliding portion 36a has the convex portion 36e to be fit into the horizontal groove 41c. The convex portions 36e fit into the horizontal grooves 41c suppress derailment of the sliding portions 36a in a direction opposite to the recessing direction of the rail grooves 41a, so that the lock member 36 is held by the mounting portion 41.
(9) The lock member 36 is mounted by a movement relative to the mounting portion 41 in the second direction Y1 along the second axis Y. The retaining portion 36f of the third coupling portion 36d is engaged with the retaining convex portion 41d of the mounting portion 41 in the second opposite direction Y2 opposite to the second direction Y1, so that the removal of the lock member 36 from the mounting portion 41 is suppressed. Moreover, the retaining portion 36f is allowed to slide over the retaining convex portion 41d as the third coupling portion 36d is deformed by a movement of the lock member 36 relative to the mounting portion 41 in the second direction Y1. Thus, only by moving the lock member 36 relative to the mounting portion 41 in the second direction Y1 with a force capable of deforming the third coupling portion 36d, the lock member 36 can be mounted without being removed from the mounting portion 41 in the second opposite direction Y2.
(10) The position-keeping portion 36h of the third coupling portion 36d is engaged with the position-keeping convex portion 41f of the mounting portion 41, so that the lock member 36 is held at the third position P3 or the fourth position P4. The position-keeping portion 36h is allowed to slide over the position-keeping convex portion 41f as the third coupling portion 36d is deformed by a movement of the lock member 36 relative to the mounting portion 41 along the second axis Y. Thus, the lock member 36 is moved along the second axis Y with a force capable of deforming the third coupling portion 36d, so that the position of the lock member 36 can be switched between the third position P3 and the fourth position P4.
(11) The retaining portion 36f and the position-keeping portion 36h are provided on the same third coupling portion 36d. Thus, for example, as compared with a configuration where a coupling portion having the retaining portion 36f and a coupling portion having the position-keeping portion are separate coupling portions, the lock member 36 has a simpler configuration.
The present embodiment can be implemented with the modifications below. The present embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination unless technical contradictions arise.
For example, the mounting portion 41 may guide the lock member by using another configuration without the pair of rail grooves 41a.
For example, the mounting portion 41 may suppress derailment of the lock member 36 from the rail grooves 41a by using another configuration without the horizontal grooves 41c provided for the rail grooves 41a.
Moreover, for example, the mounting portion 41 may be configured such that the lock member 36 is mounted by a relative movement in a direction other than the second direction Y1.
For example, the mounting portion 41 may suppress removal of the lock member 36 from the mounting portion 41 by using another configuration without the retaining convex portion 41d.
Moreover, for example, the mounting portion 41 may hold the lock member 36 at the third position P3 or the fourth position P4 by using another configuration without the position-keeping convex portion 41f.
[Note 1] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the connector housing (33) may be configured such that only one end of the connector housing (33) in the first direction (X1) can be fit onto the counterpart housing (23) in a state in which the lever (34) is located at the first position (P1), and
[Note 2] A connector (31) according to some aspects of the present disclosure may be a connector (31) that is moved in a first direction (X1) along a first axis (X) so as to be connected to a counterpart connector (21) including counterpart terminals (22) and a counterpart housing (23), the connector (31) including: terminals (32) connectable to the counterpart terminals (22); a connector housing (33) that accommodates the terminals (32), the connector housing (33) being allowed to be fit in a normal fit state in which the connector housing (33) is fit onto the counterpart housing (23) to electrically connect the terminals (32) to the counterpart terminals (22); a lever (34) that is mounted on the connector housing (33) and is slidable with respect to the connector housing (33) along the first axis (X) between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2) ahead of the first position (P1) in the first direction X1; and a lock member (36) that is mounted on the connector housing (33) and is movable relative to the connector housing (33) in the range from a third position (P3) to a fourth position (P4), wherein the connector housing (33) may be configured to be fit in an initial fit state in which the connector housing (33) is located at a position shifted from a position in the normal fit state with respect to the counterpart housing (23) in a first opposite direction (X2) opposite to the first direction (X1), in a state in which the lever (34) is located at the first position (P1), the connector housing (33) may be configured to be placed in the normal fit state by moving the lever (34) from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) in the initial fit state, and the lock member (36) may regulate a movement of the lever (34) by making contact with the lever (34) at the second position (P2) in a state in which the lock member (36) is located at the fourth position (P4), and the lock member (36) may be covered with the lever (34) in a state in which the lever (34) is located at the first position (P1) or may be exposed from the lever (34) in a state in which the lever (34) is located at the second position (P2).
[Note 3] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the connector housing (33) may be configured to regulate a shift from the initial fit state to the normal fit state when the lever (34) is held at the first position (P1).
[Note 4] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an arm (35) to be coupled to the lever (34) may be provided so as to move in a direction different from the sliding direction of the lever (34) according to a slide of the lever (34), wherein the connector housing (33) may be configured such that when the lever (34) is held at the first position (P1), the arm (35) comes into contact with the engaged portion (25) of the counterpart housing (23) so as to regulate a shift from the initial fit state to the normal fit state.
[Note 5] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the arm (35) may have engaging portions (35b) that can be engaged with the engaged portion (25), the engaging portions (35b) may include a slit (35d) where the engaged portion (25) can be inserted, and the slit (35d) may be curved to cross the first axis (X).
[Note 6] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a movement of the lever (34) from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) may be regulated in an unmated state in which the connector housing (33) is not fit onto the counterpart housing (23).
[Note 7] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an arm (35) to be coupled to the lever (34) may be provided so as to move in a direction different from the sliding direction of the lever (34) according to a slide of the lever (34), the connector housing (33) may include a slit (33b) that extends along the first axis (X), the arm (35) may have a locking protrusion (51) that is fit into the slit (33b) so as to regulate a movement of the arm (35) in a state in which the lever (34) is located at the first position (P1), the lever (34) may have an elastic piece (52) that presses the arm (35) in a direction that fits the locking protrusion (51) into the slit (33b), and the locking protrusion (51) may be pressed out of the slit (33b) by an extruding portion (26) of the counterpart housing (23) in the initial fit state.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-161413 | Sep 2021 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2022/035747 | 9/26/2022 | WO |
