CONNECTOR DEVICE

Abstract

A connector with an interlock housing, to which an interlock terminal is attached, separately from a lever that performs connection and disconnection of main terminals with a mating connector, and a first spring piece is formed on the lever. After the main terminals are mutually connected by rotating the lever from a first position to a second position, the lever is slid from the second position to a third position and the interlock housing is pushed down from an opening position to a closing position. When the lever is on the third position and the interlock housing is on the opening position, the first spring piece generates a first elastic restoring force. When applying no external force that slides the lever to the third position against the first elastic restoring force, the lever moves away from the third position and the interlock housing cannot be pushed down.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a connector device for high voltage and large current including a high-voltage interlock (HVIL).

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2003-100382 as a conventional example of this kind of connector device, in which one connector housing 11 is mounted on the other connector housing 21 by operating a lever 12 attached to the one connector housing 11.

A terminal hood portion 11a is provided on the lower portion of the connector housing 11, and a pair of terminals (male terminals) 13 is provided in the terminal hood portion 11a. On the outer wall of the connector housing 11, a pair of guide pins 11b is provided in a protruding manner. The guide pins 11b are engaged with respective guide grooves 14 of the lever 12 which will be described later.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the lever 12 includes a pair of arm plate portions 12a and 12b and an operation portion 12c that couples the arm plate portions 12a and 12b provided in a pair. The guide grooves 14 that horizontally extend are formed on the respective arm plate portions 12a and 12b provided in a pair. The guide pins 11b, which are provided in a pair, of the connector housing 11 are inserted into the respective guide grooves 14. Thus, the lever 12 is provided in a manner to be able to rotationally and linearly move with respect to the connector housing 11.

On the arm plate portions 12a and 12b provided in a pair, respective cam grooves 15 are formed in a pair. To the cam grooves 15, respective cam pins 21a, described later, of the other connector housing 21 are inserted when the one connector housing 11 is mounted on the other connector housing 21.

Further, the arm plate portion 12b is formed wider than the arm plate portion 12a. The arm plate portion 12b having the wider width is provided with a connector portion 12d and the connector portion 12d is provided with a fitting detection male terminal 16.

The other connector housing 21 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape whose top surface is opened and whose inner space serves as a mounting space 21b of the connector housing 11. A terminal hood accommodating portion 21c is provided on a bottom surface portion, which is the bottom surface of the mounting space 21b, and a pair of terminals (female terminals) 22 is accommodated in the terminal hood accommodating portion 21c.

The respective cam pins 21a are provided in a pair in a protruding manner on symmetrical positions on an inner circumferential wall of the connector housing 21, and a connector portion 21d is further provided in the mounting space 21b. The connector portion 21d is provided with a pair of fitting detection female terminals 23 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B described later).

FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate states of the lever 12 together with the cam pin 21a of the other connector housing 21 in a process of mounting the one connector housing 11 on the other connector housing 21 by inserting the one connector housing 11 into the mounting space 21b of the other connector housing 21 from a state before the one connector housing 11 is mounted on the other connector housing 21, illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3A illustrates a state in which the lever 12 is rotated from a rotation starting position illustrated in FIG. 1 in an arrow a direction to be positioned between the rotation starting position and a rotation completion position. FIG. 3B illustrates a state in which the lever 12 is on the rotation completion position. Further, FIG. 3C illustrates a state in which the lever 12 is slid in an arrow b direction and is on a fitting completion position.

The cam pins 21a of the other connector housing 21 that are inserted into the cam grooves 15 of the lever 12 move along the cam grooves 15 along with the rotation of the lever 12. Accordingly, the one connector housing 11 gradually approaches and moves into the other connector housing 21 and this approach brings the terminals 13 and 22 of both connector housings 11 and 21 into contact with each other by the time when the lever 12 comes to be positioned on the rotation completion position.

Then, when the lever 12 is slidingly moved in the arrow b direction from the rotation completion position to the fitting completion position, the fitting detection male terminal 16 of the lever 12 comes into contact with the pair of fitting detection female terminals 23 of the other connector housing 21 by the time when the lever 12 comes to be positioned on the fitting completion position. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a state in which the lever 12 is positioned on the fitting completion position and the mounting of the one connector housing 11 onto the other connector housing 21 is completed.

The operation of the lever 12 is thus composed of two actions which are the rotation operation and the sliding operation. By the sliding operation after the rotation operation, the fitting detection male terminal 16 comes into contact with the fitting detection female terminals 23 and the fitting is detected. This detection of the fitting allows a power source circuit to be in a conductive state and supply current between the terminals 13 and 22.

The operation of the lever 12 for shifting the power source circuit from the conductive state to a non-conductive state is composed of reverse two actions, where the power source circuit is turned off by the sliding operation performed first and the terminals 13 and the terminals 22 separate from each other through the rotation operation subsequently performed.

Accordingly, the power source circuit can be prevented from becoming into a conductive state before the operation of the lever 12 is completed and an occurrence of arc discharge can be prevented.

As described above, the connector device of the related art, illustrated in FIG. 1, performs connection and disconnection of terminals for large current through the rotation operation of the lever, and performs connection and disconnection of terminals for fitting detection, constituting HVILs, through the sliding operation of the lever. Accordingly, time difference is secured between connection or disconnection of terminals for large current and connection or disconnection of HVILs and thus, fitting and separation of the connector device is safely performed.

Thus, connection and disconnection of terminals for large current and connection and disconnection of HVILs are performed through a series of operations of a lever including rotation and sliding of the lever. In this method, if the series of operations is performed quickly, a problem may arise in which a sufficient time interval for securing safety is not secured between the connection or disconnection of terminals for large current and the connection or disconnection of HVILs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a connector device that provides a more sufficient time interval between connection or disconnection of terminals for large current and connection or disconnection of HVILs compared to the related art so as to be able to further prevent HVIL connection unintended by an operator, and whose fitting and separation work can be more safely performed than the related art.

The technical matters contained in this section are provided neither to expressly or implicitly limit the invention(s) listed in the claim(s) nor to allow persons other than those who benefit from the present invention (for example, the applicant and the right holder) to limit the invention(s) listed in the claim(s), but solely to facilitate an understanding of the gist of the present invention(s). An overview of the present invention from another point of view can be understood, for example, from the scope of claims at the time of filing this patent application.

The connector device includes a first connector and a second connector that can be mutually fitted, and a lever that is attached to a first housing and a second housing.

The first connector includes a first high voltage terminal, a first low voltage terminal, the first housing that houses the first high voltage terminal, and a first interlock housing that houses the first low voltage terminal.

The second connector includes a second high voltage terminal, a second low voltage terminal, the second housing that houses the second high voltage terminal, and a second interlock housing that houses the second low voltage terminal.

The lever, the first housing, and the second housing have a configuration enabling a rotation operation and sliding operation of the lever, and preferably satisfy all of the following conditions (a), (b), (c), and (d), for example.

(a) One of the lever and the first housing has a first boss and the other of the lever and the first housing has a first groove. The first groove is a linear groove. The first boss can move along the first groove between a first position and a second position in the first groove. Commonly, the first position is, but is not limited to, one end of the first groove, and the second position is, but is not limited to, the other end of the first groove.

(b) One of the lever and the second housing has a second boss and the other of the lever and the second housing has a second groove. The second groove is composed of a linear groove portion and an arc groove portion, and one end of the linear groove portion and one end of the arc groove portion are connected with each other. The second boss can move along the second groove between a third position and a fourth position in the second groove and between the fourth position and a fifth position in the second groove. The fourth position is a boundary between the linear groove portion and the arc groove portion, the third position is, but is not limited to, the other end of the arc groove portion, and the fifth position is, but is not limited to, the other end of the linear groove portion. In a state in which the lever is attached to the first housing and the second housing, a distance between the first position and the third position is longer than a distance between the first position and the fourth position.

(c) The rotation operation of the lever can be performed with the first position as a fulcrum, when the first boss is at the first position. In response to the rotation operation of the lever, the second boss moves between the third position and the fourth position along the arc groove portion of the second groove.

(d) The sliding operation of the lever can be performed when the second boss is in the linear groove portion of the second groove. In response to the sliding operation of the lever, the first boss moves between the first position and the second position along the first groove and the second boss moves between the fourth position and the fifth position along the linear groove portion of the second groove. The first boss is at the first position when the second boss is at the fourth position, and the first boss is at the second position when the second boss is at the fifth position.

When the second boss is at the third position, the first high voltage terminal and the second high voltage terminal are not connected with each other.

As the second boss moves from the third position to the fourth position in response to the rotation operation of the lever, the first housing and the second housing draw each other. As a result, the first housing and the second housing are fitted to each other and the first high voltage terminal and the second high voltage terminal are connected with each other.

The first connector has a locking mechanism for locking the first interlock housing and a sliding mechanism for sliding the first interlock housing. Only when the second boss is at the fifth position as a result of the sliding operation of the lever (as described above, the first boss is at the second position at this time), the first interlock housing is unlocked and the sliding operation of the first interlock housing can be performed. Unlocking of the first interlock housing is achieved, for example, through the sliding operation of the lever in which a portion of the lever releases the locking mechanism. In response to the sliding operation of the first interlock housing, the first interlock housing and the second interlock housing are fitted to each other and the first low voltage terminal and the second low voltage terminal are connected with each other.

A lever includes a first spring piece. When the second boss is in a range from the third position to the fourth position, no load is applied to the first spring piece of the lever. In a process in which the second boss moves from the fourth position to the fifth position in response to the sliding operation of the lever, the first spring piece of the lever is pushed by a portion (which is called a “pressing portion” for convenience) of the first interlock housing. Accordingly, when an operator of the lever releases his/her hand from the lever in a state in which the second boss is at the fifth position, the lever is pushed back by a restoring force of the first spring piece. That is, the second boss cannot stay in the fifth position and the first interlock housing is locked by the locking mechanism. In other words, the sliding operation of the first interlock housing can be performed only when an operator of the lever consciously holds the lever. When the sliding operation of the first interlock housing is performed in the state in which the second boss is at the fifth position, the lever is not pushed back because of the fitting between the first interlock housing and the second interlock housing. That is, the second boss stays in the fifth position. This configuration prevents unintended connection between the first low voltage terminal and the second low voltage terminal.

Preferably, the configuration may be employed in which the pressing portion of the first interlock housing moves along with the sliding operation of the first interlock housing and consequently, the first spring piece of the lever is not pushed by the pressing portion of the first interlock housing in the state in which the first low voltage terminal and the second low voltage terminal are connected with each other. This configuration can prevent loss of elasticity of the first spring piece caused by long-term connection.

Alternatively, the lever includes a second spring piece. When the second boss is at the third position, no load is applied to the second spring piece of the lever. In a process in which the second boss moves from the third position to the fourth position in response to the rotation operation of the lever, the second spring piece of the lever is pushed by a portion (which is called a “pressing portion” for convenience) of the second housing. Accordingly, when an operator of the lever releases his/her hand from the lever in a state in which the second boss is at the fourth position, the lever is pushed back by a restoring force of the second spring piece. That is, the second boss cannot stay on the fourth position. In other words, the sliding operation of the lever can be performed only when an operator of the lever consciously holds the lever. The first boss is at the second position when the second boss is at the fifth position as a result of the sliding operation of the lever and therefore, the rotation operation of the lever is prevented. This configuration prevents unintended connection between the first high voltage terminal and the second high voltage terminal.

Preferably, the configuration may be employed in which the second spring piece of the lever moves along with the sliding operation of the lever and consequently, the second spring piece of the lever is not pushed by the pressing portion of the second housing in the state in which the first high voltage terminal and the second high voltage terminal are connected with each other. This configuration can prevent loss of elasticity of the second spring piece caused by long-term connection.

The lever may include both of the above-described first spring piece and the above-described second spring piece.

The “housing” is not limited to an object that is narrowly interpreted according to its dictionary definition. That is, “housing” is not limited to an object that has only a function based on the dictionary definition of the term (however, this object may be a single element or may be composed of two or more elements), or is not limited to a portion of a single object, the portion having a function based on the dictionary definition of the term. A “housing” may be an object that has only a function based on the dictionary definition of the term, or it may be an object that has a function which is not a function based on the dictionary definition of the term, or it may be an object that has one or more other functions in addition to the function based on the dictionary definition of the term, or it may be a single object that includes a portion having the function based on the dictionary definition of the term and a portion not having the function based on the dictionary definition of the term.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

According to the connector device of the present invention, connection of the HVILs is performed in a manner such that after the main terminals for large current are mutually connected through the rotation operation of the lever, the sliding operation of the lever is performed and the interlock housing is pushed down. On the other hand, disconnection of the main terminals is performed in a manner such that after the HVILs are mutually disconnected by pulling up the interlock housing, the sliding operation of the lever is performed and the rotation operation of the lever is further performed.

Thus, an additional step for operating the interlock housing is required compared to the conventional example in which connection and disconnection of terminals for large current and connection and disconnection of HVILs are performed through the rotation operation and sliding operation of a lever. This additional step produces a larger time difference between the connection or disconnection of main terminals for large current and the connection or disconnection of HVILs, being able to enhance safety in a fitting and separation work of the connector device compared to the related art.

In addition to this, according to the connector device of the present invention, when an operator interrupts an operation and releases his/her hand from the lever in a state in which the sliding operation of the lever is performed, the lever does not stay in the position but is pushed back. Therefore, even when an external force unintended by an operator is applied to an interlock housing, the interlock housing does not slide to a closing position, being able to prevent HVILs from being easily connected against the operator's intention. Thus, safety can be further enhanced also from this point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional example of a connector device.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a lever of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a lateral view of the lever of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an elevational view illustrating a state in which the lever is positioned between a rotation starting position and a rotation completion position.

FIG. 3B is an elevational view illustrating a state in which the lever is positioned on the rotation completion position.

FIG. 3C is an elevational view illustrating a state in which the lever is positioned on a fitting completion position.

FIG. 4A is a partial sectional view illustrating a mounting completion state of the connector device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view illustrating principal portions of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is an upper perspective view illustrating a connector of a connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a lower perspective view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is an elevational view illustrating a mating connector of the connector device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a front side perspective view of the mating connector illustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a rear side perspective view of the mating connector illustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is an elevational view of a housing of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 7B is a right side view of the housing of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 5A viewed from above the housing.

FIG. 7D is a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 5A viewed from below the housing.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a lever of FIG. 5A viewed from above.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the lever of FIG. 5A viewed from below.

FIG. 9A is a plan view of the lever illustrated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9B is an elevational view of the lever illustrated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9C is a right side view of the lever illustrated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9D is a rear view of the lever illustrated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9E is a sectional view taken along the G-G line of FIG. 9B.

FIG. 9F is a sectional view taken along the H-H line of FIG. 9B.

FIG. 10A is an elevational view of an interlock housing to which an interlock terminal of FIG. 5A is attached.

FIG. 10B is a right side view of the interlock housing to which the interlock terminal of FIG. 5A is attached.

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the interlock housing to which the interlock terminal of FIG. 5A is attached and which is viewed from an upper front side.

FIG. 10D is a perspective view of the interlock housing to which the interlock terminal of FIG. 5A is attached and which is viewed from a lower front side.

FIG. 10E is a perspective view of the interlock housing to which the interlock terminal of FIG. 5A is attached and which is viewed from an upper rear side.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the connector of the connector device according to the embodiment of the present invention is on a fitting preparation position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the lever is rotated to a second position from the state illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the lever is slid to a third position from the state illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the interlock housing is slid to a closing position from the state illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15A is a right side view of the state illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 15B is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along the C-C line of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16A is a right side view of the state illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 16B is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along the D-D line of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along the E-E line of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17A is a right side view of the state illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17B is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along the D-D line of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17C is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along the E-E line of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18A is a right side view of the state illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 18B is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along the E-E line of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 18C is a partially enlarged view of a central longitudinal section of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 18D is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along the F-F line of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19A is a plan view of the state illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 19B is a sectional view taken along the C-C line of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20A is a plan view of the state illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 20B is a sectional view taken along the C-C line of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21A is a plan view of the state illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 21B is a sectional view taken along the C-C line of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 22A is a plan view of the state illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 22B is a sectional view taken along the C-C line of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 23A is a plan view illustrating a state obtained when a force that rotates the lever is removed from the state which is illustrated in FIG. 12 and in which the lever is rotated.

FIG. 23B is a sectional view taken along the C-C line of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 24A is a plan view of the state illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 24B is a sectional view taken along the C-C line of FIG. 24A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 5A and 5B and FIGS. 6A to 6C respectively illustrate a connector 100 and a mating connector 200 that constitute a connector device for high voltage and large current, including HVILs, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, 30 denotes a housing and 40 denotes a lever. Further, 50 denotes an interlock housing and interlock terminals 60 are attached to the interlock housing 50 as described later. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, 300 denotes a cable. The connector 100 is attached to terminals of two cables 300 in this example. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, 70 denotes main terminals that are respectively connected with the two cables 300, and 80 denotes a cable cover that is attached to the housing 30.

The configurations of the housing 30, the lever 40, and the interlock housing 50 of the connector 100 will be first described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the housing 30 is roughly composed of a fitting portion 31, a cable accommodating portion 32 that adjoins the rear portion of the fitting portion 31, and an attaching portion 33 that is positioned on the front surface of the fitting portion 31. The fitting portion 31 has a box-like shape whose bottom is opened. The main terminals 70 are accommodated and positioned in this fitting portion 31. On both lateral surfaces of the fitting portion 31, guide shafts 34 are formed in a pair in a manner to protrude mutually outward.

The attaching portion 33 is a portion to which the interlock housing 50 is attached and has a substantially cylindrical shape opening in a vertical direction. On an intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the attaching portion 33, slits 35 are formed in a pair on mutually opposed positions. The slit 35 extends rearward from the front end of the attaching portion 33. Further, slits 36 are formed in a pair on mutually opposed positions from the upper end of the attaching portion 33 to respective slits 35. The rear end sides of the slits 35 and the slits 36 communicate the inside and the outside of the attaching portion 33.

The lever 40 includes a pair of arm portions 41, a coupling portion 42, and an operation portion 43, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B and FIGS. 9A to 9F. The arm portion 41 has a plate shape. The coupling portion 42 couples proximal ends of the pair of arm portions 41. The operation portion 43 is positioned on an opposite side to the coupling portion 42 with the arm portions 41 interposed therebetween. The operation portion 43 is positioned below the lower end of the coupling portion 42 (in FIG. 8A), and reinforcing walls 44, which are provided in a pair and extend in the vertical direction (in FIG. 8A), are positioned on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the operation portion 43 in a manner to be continuously formed between the coupling portion 42 and the operation portion 43.

On the respective arm portions 41 of the pair, guide grooves 41a are formed and cam grooves 41b are further formed. The guide grooves 41a extend in the longitudinal direction of the arm portions 41. The cam groove 41b has a curved shape and the distal end of the cam groove 41b is positioned on the distal end of the arm portion 41, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B and FIGS. 9A to 9F. Further, held portions 41c having a concave shape are formed on outer surfaces on the lower end parts (in FIG. 8B) of the distal ends of respective arm portions 41.

An opening 42a is formed in the lower half portion (in FIG. 9B) of the coupling portion 42 and an opening 43a is also formed on the operation portion 43. The opening 43a communicates with the opening 42a. On both sides of the opening 43a in the longitudinal direction of the operation portion 43, wall portions 45 extending in the vertical direction (in FIG. 8B) are respectively formed. In the mutually-inner sides of a pair of wall portions 45, protruding portions 46 are formed in a pair along respective wall portions 45.

The protruding portion 46 has an L-shaped cross section and extends in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 41. One half portions of respective L shapes that are orthogonal to the respective wall portions 45 and mutually protrude inward serve as slide insertion portions 46a. An end portion, positioned closer to the arm portion 41, of the slide insertion portion 46a functions as a pressing portion 46b and a cut-out portion adjacent to the pressing portion 46b functions as an interference portion 46c. On mutual outer surfaces of the pair of wall portions 45, held portions 47 having a shaft shape are respectively formed in a protruding manner.

In this example, a pair of first spring pieces 48 and a pair of second spring pieces 49 are further formed on the operation portion 43. Each of the first spring pieces 48 is provided between a corresponding wall portion 45 of the pair of wall portions 45 and a corresponding protruding portion 46 of the pair of protruding portions 46. Each of the second spring pieces 49 is provided on an outer side of the held portion 47 that is formed on the outer surface of each of the pair of wall portions 45. The first spring piece 48 has a shape whose proximal end (fixed end) is on the lower end side (in FIG. 9F) of the operation portion 43 and that extends diagonally upward toward the direction of the arm portion 41 as illustrated in FIG. 9F. The second spring piece 49 has a shape whose proximal end is on the upper end side (in FIG. 9E) of the operation portion 43 and that extends diagonally downward toward the direction of the arm portion 41 as illustrated in FIG. 9E.

The interlock housing 50 includes a cylindrical portion 51 and an operation portion 52 as illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10E. The operation portion 52 is positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical portion 51 and has a shape that lids the cylindrical portion 51. The interlock terminals 60 which serve as short terminals are attached and fixed in the inside of the cylindrical portion 51.

On the cylindrical portion 51, a pair of spring pieces 53, a pair of protruding pieces 54, a locking piece 55, and a retaining piece 56 are integrally formed. The pair of spring pieces 53 is formed by making slits in the vertical direction on a circumferential wall 51a of the cylindrical portion 51 and these spring pieces 53 are provided on mutually opposed positions on the circumferential wall 51a. Upper ends of the pair of spring pieces 53 are proximal ends and on respective lower ends (distal ends) of the spring pieces 53, protrusion portions 53a are formed in a manner to protrude mutually outward.

When the protruding directions of the protrusion portions 53a of the pair of spring pieces 53 are defined as a left-right direction, the locking piece 55 is formed in a manner such that the locking piece 55 extends upward from the lower end of the circumferential wall 51a at the front side of the circumferential wall 51a. On the distal end (upper end) of the locking piece 55, an operation protrusion portion 55a is formed in a manner to protrude frontward. In the middle of the extending direction of the locking piece 55, a protrusion 55b is formed in a manner to protrude frontward. The retaining piece 56 is formed on a position, opposed to the position of the locking piece 55, on the circumferential wall 51a in a manner such that the retaining piece 56 extends upward from the lower end of the circumferential wall 51a. On the distal end of the retaining piece 56, a protrusion 56a is formed in a manner to protrude rearward.

The protruding pieces 54, provided in a pair, are formed adjacent to respective spring pieces 53 on the frontward side, that is, on the side on which the locking piece 55 is positioned. The protruding pieces 54 are formed in a manner to be further protruded and extended outward from respective plate portions 57 that are formed in a manner to protrude mutually outward from the circumferential wall 51a and extend in the vertical direction.

The interlock housing 50 that has the above-described configuration and holds the interlock terminals 60 is inserted into from the upper side and attached to the attaching portion 33 of the housing 30, and the interlock housing 50 is retained by the engagement of the protrusion 56a of the retaining piece 56. Further, the lever 40 is attached to the housing 30 in a manner such that the guide shafts 34, provided in a pair, of the housing 30 are inserted in and positioned on the respective guide grooves 41a of the pair of arm portions 41. The lever 40 can rotate between a first position and a second position and can slide between the second position and a third position with respect to the housing 30, where the first position, the second position, and the third position are positions for the lever 40 to take as described later. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a state in which the lever 40 is in the first position.

On the other hand, in FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrating the mating connector 200, 110 denotes a mating housing and 120 denotes a mating main terminal Further, 130 denotes a mating interlock terminal. The mating connector 200 is to be mounted on a substrate.

The mating housing 110 includes a plate portion 111 and a fitted portion 112. The fitted portion 112 has a frame shape opening upward and is positioned on the plate portion 111 in a protruding manner. Of a frame shaped circumferential wall 112a of the fitted portion 112, portions at the left and right positions have each driven bosses 113 in a pair formed on their outer surfaces in a manner to protrude mutually outward. Further, a rearward portion of the circumferential wall 112a is largely cut with a cutout 114. A pair of mating main terminals 120 is contained and positioned in the inside of the fitted portion 112.

On the plate portion 111 of the mating housing 110, an attaching portion 115, a pair of protruding portions 116, and a pair of holding portions 117 are further formed. The attaching portion 115 is positioned on the front side of the fitted portion 112 and has a cylindrical shape opening upward. The mating interlock terminals 130 are attached and fixed in the attaching portion 115.

The protruding portions 116 are provided in a pair at the left and the right sides of the attaching portion 115 in front of the fitted portion 112. Each of the protruding portions 116 has a shape in which an eaves-like portion 116a directing frontward is supported by an upright portion 116b which vertically rises from the plate portion 111. The holding portions 117 are provided in a pair at the left and the right sides of the rear portion of the fitted portion 112. The holding portion 117 has a plate surface orthogonal to the plate portion 111. On the plate surfaces of the pair of holding portions 117, protrusions 117a are formed in a manner to protrude mutually inward.

A fitting operation between the connector 100 and the mating connector 200 which are described above will now be described.

FIGS. 11 to 14 illustrate respective states 1 to 4 in the fitting process between the connector 100 and the mating connector 200 in order, and FIGS. 15A and 15B, FIGS. 16A to 16C, FIGS. 17A to 17C, and FIGS. 18A to 18D illustrate details of principal portions in the respective states 1 to 4. Here, the states 1 to 4 are states in a series of a fitting process performed based on an intention of an operator.

State 1: FIGS. 11, 15A, and 15B

The state 1 is a state in which the fitting portion 31 of the housing 30 in the connector 100 whose lever 40 is in the first position is fitted to the fitted portion 112 of the mating housing 110 in the mating connector 200 and the connector 100 is in a fitting preparation position with respect to the mating connector 200. The driven bosses 113, provided in a pair, of the mating connector 200 are inserted in respective cam grooves 41b of the lever 40 in the connector 100. In the state 1, the main terminals 70 and the mating main terminals 120 are not connected with each other yet.

In the interlock housing 50 that is attached to the attaching portion 33 of the housing 30 in the connector 100, the protrusion portions 53a of the pair of spring pieces 53 are positioned in natural positions in a manner to be in the respective slits 35 of the attaching portion 33 as illustrated in FIG. 15B. Accordingly, the interlock housing 50 cannot be pushed down even though the operation portion 52 thereof is pushed because the protrusion portions 53a are abutted on abutting surfaces 35a, which are lower inner surfaces of the slits 35. In this way, the interlock housing 50 is in an opening position, blocked from sliding to a closing position to be described later in which the interlock terminals 60 of the connector 100 and the mating interlock terminals 130 of the mating connector 200 are mutually connected.

State 2: FIGS. 12, 16A, 16B, and 16C

The state 2 is a state in which the lever 40 is rotated from the first position to the second position. The connector 100 is drawn to a fitting position, which is closer to the mating connector 200 than the fitting preparation position of the state 1, by a cam mechanism so that the state 2 is achieved. The cam mechanism is composed of the cam grooves 41b of the lever 40 and the driven bosses 113, which enter the cam grooves 41b, of the mating connector 200. The main terminals 70 of the connector 100 and the mating main terminals 120 of the mating connector 200 are connected with each other in the state 2, as illustrated in FIG. 16B.

The interlock housing 50 is in the opening position the same as in the state 1 in which the protrusion portions 53a of the spring pieces 53 are in natural positions. The sliding of the interlock housing 50 to the closing position is blocked and even though the connector 100 is brought closer to the mating connector 200, the interlock terminals 60 and the mating interlock terminals 130 are not connected with each other yet and are still disconnected from each other, as illustrated in FIG. 16C.

Incidentally, when the connector 100 whose lever 40 is in the second position is in the fitting position of the state 2 with respect to the mating connector 200, a rotation of the lever 40 to the first position causes the connector 100 to be pushed back to the fitting preparation position of the state 1 by the cam mechanism so that the connection between the main terminals 70 and the mating main terminals 120 is released.

State 3: FIGS. 13, 17A, 17B, and 17C

The state 3 is a state in which the lever 40 is slid from the second position to the third position and the slide insertion portions 46a of the pair of protruding portions 46 of the lever 40 respectively enter the slits 35 of the housing 30. Accordingly, the protrusion portions 53a of the pair of spring pieces 53 of the interlock housing 50 are pressed by the pressing portions 46b on the ends of the slide insertion portions 46a, being displaced from the natural positions to retracted positions, as illustrated in FIG. 17B. The displacement of the protrusion portions 53a to the retracted positions enables the interlock housing 50, which is attached to the attaching portion 33 of the housing 30 in a manner to be slidable between the opening position and the closing position for the interlock housing 50 to take, to slide to the closing position.

Note that as the lever 40 becomes slidable only if the slide insertion portions 46a enter the slits 35 of the housing 30, the lever 40 cannot be slid to the third position when, for example, the lever 40 is not completely rotated into the second position of the state 2 and the slide insertion portions 46a thereby cannot enter the slits 35.

And since the slide insertion portions 46a of the lever 40 is configured to enter the slits 35 of the housing 30, the lever 40 in the third position cannot be rotated in the state 3.

In addition to this, in the state 3 in which the lever 40 is on the third position, as illustrated in FIG. 17B in this example, the protrusions 117a of the holding portions 117 equipped by the mating connector 200 enter the concave-shaped held portions 41c formed in the pair of arm portions 41, and further, the pair of shaft-shaped held portions 47 equipped by the operation portion 43 of the lever 40 come under the respective eaves-like portions 116a of the protruding portions 116 equipped by the mating connector 200. In this way, the held portions 41c and 47 are held respectively by the holding portions 117 and the protruding portions 116 so that the lever 40 is firmly fixed to the mating housing 110 of the mating connector 200.

State 4: FIGS. 14, 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D

The state 4 is a state in which the interlock housing 50, which is positioned on the opening position in the state 3, is pushed along with pushing of the operation portion 52 thereof and slid to be positioned in the closing position. In the state 4, the interlock terminals 60 and the mating interlock terminals 130 are mutually connected as illustrated in FIG. 18D. Consequently, fitting is detected.

Note that in the state in which the interlock housing 50 is pushed down to the closing position, the pair of protruding pieces 54 equipped by the interlock housing 50 enter the interference portions 46c which are formed as cut-out portions of the slide insertion portions 46a of the lever 40, as illustrated in FIG. 18B. In this way, the lever 40 is fixed in the third position and cannot be slid, that is, the protruding pieces 54 interfere with the interference portions 46c so that the lever 40's sliding to the second position is blocked.

The interlock housing 50 positioned in the closing position is locked in the closing position by engagement between the protrusion 55b of the locking piece 55 and an engaging portion 37 formed on the attaching portion 33 of the housing 30 as illustrated in FIG. 18C. Unlocking is performed by pushing the operation protrusion portion 55a of the locking piece 55, enabling the interlock housing 50 to slide-return to the opening position and then enabling the lever 40 to slide-return to the second position.

The states 1 to 4 in a series of the processes for fitting the connector 100 to the mating connector 200, which is performed based on an intention of an operator, have been described above. In this example, the lever 40 of the connector 100 includes the pair of first spring pieces 48 and the pair of second spring pieces 49. The first spring pieces 48 and the second spring pieces 49 act, for example, to prevent the lever 40 from easily sliding against the operator's intention when the operator halts the operation in the state 2, or, as the case may be, act to prevent the HVILs from being easily connected against the operator's intention when the operator halts the operation in the state 3. The description will be provided below on this point.

FIGS. 19A and 19B, FIGS. 20A and 20B, and FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate respective states of the first spring piece 48 in the states 2 to 4. In the state 2 which is illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B and in which the lever 40 is positioned in the second position, the first spring piece 48 is in a natural state (free state) without coming into contact with other components. In the state 3 in which the lever 40 had been operated to be slid to the third position, the end of the first spring piece 48 is abutted on the protruding piece 54 of the interlock housing 50 as illustrated in FIG. 20B. As a result, the first spring piece 48 generates a first elastic restoring force for sliding (pushing back) the lever 40 toward the second position. However, the state 3 is maintained when an operator applies a force that presses the lever 40 against the first elastic restoring force, that is, applies an external force, illustrated with an arrow a, for sliding the lever 40 to the third position.

On the other hand, if an operator halts the operation and releases his/her hand from the lever 40 in the state 3, then the external force illustrated with the arrow a is not applied any more and, consequently, the lever 40 is pushed back by the first elastic restoring force of the first spring piece 48 moving away from the third position. This releases the pressing by the pressing portions 46b against the protrusion portions 53a of the pair of spring pieces 53 of the interlock housing 50 which has been displaced to the retracted position by the press of the pressing portions 46b of the lever 40 in the state 3 as described above, letting the protrusion portions 53a return to the natural position. This blocks the interlock housing 50 from sliding to the closing position, that is, it becomes impossible to perform the operation for connecting (closing) the HVILs. Thus, when an operator halts the operation and releases his/her hand from the lever 40 in the state 3, the HVILs are not connected even in a case where an external force for sliding the interlock housing 50 to the closing position is applied to the interlock housing 50 against the operator's intention.

In the state 4 in which the interlock housing 50 had been slid to the closing position, the protruding piece 54 of the interlock housing 50 was displaced downward and released from the abutment of the first spring piece 48 as illustrated in FIG. 21B. As the first spring piece 48 is back in the natural state in this way, settling of the first spring piece 48 can be prevented even when fitting of the connector device is kept over a long period of time.

States of the second spring piece 49 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 22A and 22B, FIGS. 23A and 23B, and FIGS. 24A and 24B.

In the state 1 illustrated in FIGS. 22A and 22B in which the lever 40 is positioned in the first position, the second spring piece 49 is in a natural state without coming into contact with other components. In the state 2 in which the lever 40 had been rotated to the second position, in contrast, the end of the second spring piece 49 is abutted on the upper surface of the eaves-like portion 116a of the upper part of the protruding portion 116 which is provided to the mating connector 200. As a result, the second spring piece 49 generates a second elastic restoring force for rotating (pushing back) the lever 40 toward the first position. However, the state 2 is maintained when an operator applies a force that presses the lever 40 against the second elastic restoring force, that is, applies an external force for rotating the lever 40 to the second position.

On the other hand, if an operator halts the operation and releases his/her hand from the lever 40 in the state 2, then the external force that rotates the lever 40 to the second position is not applied any more and, consequently, the lever 40 is pushed back by the second elastic restoring force of the second spring piece 49 and moves away from the second position to be positioned in a position closer to the first position than the second position is to the first position. FIG. 23B illustrates this state and the lever 40 cannot be slid to the third position in this state. Thus, when an operator halts the operation and releases his/her hand from the lever 40 in the state 2, the lever 40 is not slid to the third position even in a case where an external force for sliding the lever 40 to the third position is applied to the lever 40 against the operator's intention.

FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate the state 3 in which the lever 40 had been slid to the third portion. In the state 3, the eaves-like portion 116a of the protruding portion 116 is released from the abutment of the second spring piece 49 as illustrated in FIG. 24B. Accordingly, the second spring piece 49 returns to be in the natural state, and therefore, settling of the second spring piece 49 can be prevented even when fitting of the connector device is kept over a long period of time.

The configuration and the fitting operation of the connector device according to the embodiment of the present invention that comprises the connector 100 and the mating connector 200 have been described above. A circuit device is provided outside the connector device, which supplies large current between the main terminals 70 and the mating main terminals 120 when the interlock terminals 60 and the mating interlock terminals 130 for HVILs are connected to each other to close the HVIL circuit on condition that the main terminals 70 and the mating main terminals 120 for large current are connected with each other.

According to the connector device described above, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

(1) In this example, the connection and disconnection of the HVILs are performed by pushing down and pulling up the interlock housing 50 that is provided separately from the lever 40. That is, the connection of the HVILs is performed in a manner such that after the main terminals 70 and the mating main terminals 120 are mutually connected through the rotation operation of the lever 40, the sliding operation of the lever 40 is performed and further, the interlock housing 50 is pushed down. On the other hand, the disconnection between the main terminals 70 and the mating main terminals 120 is performed in a manner such that after the HVILs are mutually disconnected by pulling up the interlock housing 50, the sliding operation of the lever 40 is performed and further, the rotation operation of the lever 40 is performed.

Thus, compared to a conventional connector device in which connection and disconnection of terminals for large current and connection and disconnection of HVILs are performed only by a lever operation comprising rotation and sliding of the lever, this example requires an additional step of pushing down or pulling up the interlock housing 50 between the connection or disconnection of main terminals for large current and the connection or disconnection of HVILs, providing a larger time interval between these two.

Accordingly, even if an operator gets used to a fitting operation and a detachment operation of the connector device and starts performing the operations fast, the connection or disconnection of main terminals for large current and the connection or disconnection of HVILs are performed with a sufficient time interval therebetween, being able to enhance safety in the fitting and detachment work of the connector device compared to the related art.

(2) When an operator halts an operation and releases his/her hand from the lever 40 in the state 2 in which the lever 40 had been rotated to the second position, the lever 40 moves away from the second position because of the action of the second spring pieces 49 and, accordingly, the lever 40 cannot be slid to the third position. Therefore, in this case, even though an external force for sliding the lever 40 is applied against the operator's intention, the lever 40 is not slid to the third position and accordingly, the HVILs are not connected.

(3) When an operator halts an operation and releases his/her hand from the lever 40 in the state 3 in which the lever 40 had been slid to the third position, the lever 40 moves away from the third position because of the action of the first spring pieces 48 and, accordingly, the interlock housing 50 cannot be slid to the closing position. Therefore, in this case, even though an external force for sliding the interlock housing 50 is applied against the operator's intention , the interlock housing 50 is not slid to the closing position and accordingly, the HVILs are not connected.

(4) The lever 40 can be slid only when the sliding operation is performed while applying at the same time a force for rotating the lever 40, and the HVILs can be connected only when the sliding operation of the interlock housing 50 is performed while applying at the same time a force for sliding the lever 40. That is, proper fitting cannot be obtained unless an appropriate operation is performed.

(5) When the lever 40 is slid to be positioned in the third position, the held portions 41c and 47 provided to the lever 40 are firmly held by the protruding portions 116 and the holding portions 117 of the mating connector 200, being able to prevent the lever 40 from coming off or being rubbed and worn due to vibration, for example.

(6) When the interlock housing 50 is pushed down to be positioned in the closing position, the protruding pieces 54 of the interlock housing 50 enter the interference portions 46c of the lever 40 and interfere the interference portions 46c thereby, blocking the sliding of the lever 40 to the second position. That is, fitting detection by the HVILs and locking of the lever 40, in other words, connector position assurance (CPA) can be performed through one action which is pushing down the interlock housing 50. Accordingly, a component for the CPA function does not have to be separately provided, being able to reduce the number of components.

The foregoing description of the embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive and to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

11: connector housing

11 a: terminal hood portion

11 b: guide pin

12: lever

12 a: arm plate portion

12 b: arm plate portion

12 c: operation portion

12 d: connector portion

13: terminal

14: guide groove

15: cam groove

16: fitting detection male terminal

21: connector housing

21 a: cam pin

21 b: mounting space

21 c: terminal hood accommodating portion

21 d: connector portion

22: terminal

23: fitting detection female terminal

30: housing

31: fitting portion

32: cable accommodating portion

33: attaching portion

34: guide shaft

35: slit

35 a: abutting surface

36: slit

37: engaging portion

38: concave portion

39: frame portion

40: lever

41: arm portion

41 a: guide groove

41 b: cam groove

41 c: held portion

42: coupling portion

42 a: opening

43: operation portion

43 a: opening

44: reinforcing wall

45: wall portion

46: protruding portion

46 a: slide insertion portion

46 b: pressing portion

46 c: interference portion

47: held portion

48: first spring piece

49: second spring piece

50: interlock housing

51: cylindrical portion

51 a: circumferential wall

52: operation portion

53: spring piece

53 a: protrusion portion

54: protruding piece

55: locking piece

55 a: operation protrusion portion

55 b: protrusion

56: retaining piece

56 a: protrusion

57: plate portion

58: stepped portion

60: interlock terminal

70: main terminal

80: cable cover

100: connector

110: mating housing

111: plate portion

112: fitted portion

112 a: circumferential wall

113: driven boss

114: cutout

115: attaching portion

116: protruding portion

116 a: eaves-like portion

116 b: upright portion

117: holding portion

117 a: protrusion

120: mating main terminal

130: mating interlock terminal

200: mating connector

300: cable

Claims

1. A connector device, comprising: a connector that includes a housing, a lever, a main terminal, an interlock housing, and an interlock terminal; anda mating connector that includes a mating housing, a mating main terminal, and a mating interlock terminal, whereina guide groove is formed on one of the lever and the housing and a guide shaft is formed on an other of the lever and the housing,the lever is attached to the housing so that the guide shaft is positioned in the guide groove and as a result, the lever is rotatable between a first position and a second position and is slidable between the second position and a third position, the first position, the second position, and the third position being positions for the lever to take with respect to the housing,one of a cam groove and a driven boss, the cam groove and the driven boss constituting a cam mechanism, is formed on the lever and an other of the cam groove and the driven boss is formed on the mating housing,when the connector of which the lever is in the first position is in a fitting preparation position with respect to the mating connector, a rotation of the lever from the first position to the second position causes the connector to be drawn to a fitting position by the cam mechanism, the fitting position being closer to the mating connector than the fitting preparation position is thereto, and causes the main terminal and the mating main terminal to be mutually connected thereby,the interlock terminal is attached to the interlock housing,the interlock housing is formed with a spring piece and a protruding piece, the spring piece having on an end thereof a protrusion portion protruding outward, wherein the protrusion portion is configured to be displaced from a natural position to a retracted position when the protrusion portion is pressed,the housing is provided with an abutting surface,the interlock housing is attached to the housing in a manner to be slidable between an opening position and a closing position, wherein the interlock housing in the opening position is blocked from sliding to the closing position when the protrusion portion is in the natural position by abutting of the protrusion portion on the abutting surface, and is slidable to the closing position when the protrusion portion is in the retracted position,the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal are mutually disconnected when the connector is in the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the interlock housing is in the opening position,the interlock terminal and the mating interlock terminal are mutually connected when the connector is in the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the interlock housing is in the closing position,the lever is provided with a pressing portion,the protrusion portion is in the natural position when the connector is in the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is in the second position,the protrusion portion is in the retracted position being pressed by the pressing portion when the connector is in the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is in the third position, a first spring piece is formed on the lever,when the connector is in the fitting position with respect to the mating connector, the lever is in the third position, and the interlock housing is in the opening position, the first spring piece is abutted on the protruding piece and generates a first elastic restoring force for sliding the lever toward the second position, andin a state applying no external force for sliding the lever to the third position against the first elastic restoring force being generated, the lever moves away from the third position by the first elastic restoring force so that the protrusion portion is positioned in the natural position by not being pressed by the pressing portion.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the lever is formed with an interference portion, andwhen the interlock housing is in the closing position, the protruding piece, on which the first spring piece is not abutted on, interferes with the interference portion so that the lever is blocked from sliding to the second position.

3. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein a second spring piece is formed on the lever and a protruding portion is formed on the mating housing,when the connector is in the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is in the second position, the second spring piece is abutted on the protruding portion and generates a second elastic restoring force for rotating the lever toward the first position, andin a state applying no external force for rotating the lever to the second position against the second elastic restoring force being generated, the lever moves away from the second position by the second elastic restoring force to be positioned in a position closer to the first position than the second position is to the first position.

4. The connector device according to claim 2, wherein a second spring piece is formed on the lever and a protruding portion is formed on the mating housing,when the connector is in the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is in the second position, the second spring piece is abutted on the protruding portion and generates a second elastic restoring force for rotating the lever toward the first position, andin a state applying no external force for rotating the lever to the second position against the second elastic restoring force being generated, the lever moves away from the second position by the second elastic restoring force to be positioned in a position closer to the first position than the second position is to the first position.

5. The connector device according to claim 3, wherein when the connector is in the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is in the third position, the second spring piece is not abutted on the protruding portion.

6. The connector device according to claim 4, wherein when the connector is in the fitting position with respect to the mating connector and the lever is in the third position, the second spring piece is not abutted on the protruding portion.